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  South Africa's Transnet begins process to expand manganese export capacity 25.09.2026 1dk

  South Africa's Transnet begins process to expand manganese export capacity South Africa's State-owned logistics operator Transnet said on Friday it has started the process of picking a private sector partner to develop and operate a new manganese export terminal for 25 years, as it seeks to expand the mineral's export capacity by 20%. South Africa is the world's top manganese exporter, having shipped about 26-million metric tons in 2025, according to the Minerals Council. Manganese is mostly used in steel manufacturing, but increasingly in battery technologies, which are vital for renewable energy. Transnet, which currently handles about 16-million tons of South Africa's manganese exports annually through its freight rail system, is seeking a private sector partner to fund, develop, operate and maintain a new export corridor from mines in the Northern Cape to a new terminal at Ngqura, in the Eastern Cape. The freight rail, ports and pipeline operator said in a statement it had issued a Request for Qualification to begin the process of selecting a strategic partner. The new export terminal is expected to reduce the roughly 10-million tons of manganese exports a year which are hauled to ports by road. Ngqura is about 20 km north-east of Port Elizabeth, which currently accounts for 65% of South Africa's manganese export capacity. Transnet is increasingly relying on private sector participation after being constrained by years of underinvestment and insufficient government funding. Approximately 95% of South Africa's manganese export volumes go to Asia, with China accounting for nearly 68% of all shipments, followed by India (16%), Singapore (3%), Malaysia (3%) and Japan (2%).
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  GOOD challenges Zille’s Joburg Mayoral bid and DA’s electoral court action 25.09.2026 2dk

  GOOD challenges Zille's Joburg Mayoral bid and DA's electoral court action Ahead of the November 4 local government election, and after filing an answering affidavit opposing the DA's application in the Electoral Court to declare its candidate list unlawful, the GOOD party is also questioning Helen Zille's residency in Johannesburg as she plans to contest the mayoralship for the DA in the city. The DA has launched an urgent application in the Electoral Court against ActionSA, the EFF, the MKP, and the GOOD party, accusing them of undermining electoral laws ahead of the upcoming local government election. The legal challenge centres on allegations that these parties are deliberately concealing their proportional representation (PR) candidates from the public by submitting lists containing just a single name. GOOD said on Friday that its PR list, with one name in each of the 25 municipalities it is contesting, complied with the law and was certified by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). "The DA's application, seeking the exclusion of GOOD, ActionSA, the EFF and MK from the PR ballot, or to restrict the number of seats they may fill, reflects bad faith desperation to manufacture legal technicalities and voter confusion, and subvert voters' choices. Neither the Municipal Electoral Act nor the Municipal Structures Act prescribes a minimum number of names on a party list," GOOD countered. It further stated that it had confirmed with the IEC whether single-candidate lists were allowed, before submitting its lists. "GOOD will defend its lists in court; they comply with the law as Parliament wrote it, not as the DA would prefer it to have been written," it stated. However, the party was not done. It is further taking legal advice on whether Zille's registration in Johannesburg as the DA's mayoral candidate is lawful. "Re-scrutinising the relevant legislation in preparing GOOD's answering affidavit raised questions about the lawfulness of the registration in Johannesburg of the DA's mayoral candidate for Johannesburg, Helen Zille. GOOD has asked its legal team to advise whether Zille's registration in Johannesburg complies with sections 7(3) and 8(3) of the Electoral Act and, if not, what remedies are available," it explained. GOOD argues that Zille's residence, by her own account, is in Cape Town, further stating that if it is advised that Zille's candidacy is unlawful, it will take legal action.
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  Eskom board chair reappointed after turnaround in power supply 25.09.2026 1dk

  Eskom board chair reappointed after turnaround in power supply South Africa's government has reappointed State utility Eskom's board chairperson Mteto Nyati, for another three years after a sharp improvement in power availability under his tenure, Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said on Friday. Nyati was appointed chair in 2023, when Eskom was implementing near-daily power outages that were holding back economic growth and a major source of public anger. Eskom has now gone more than 490 days without power cuts. "If it ain't broken, why fix it?," ... The cabinet has taken a decision that Dr. Mteto Nyati is best suited to continue, ... so his term is renewed from the 1st of November," Ramokgopa told a press conference. Nyati had been due to step down at the end of October when his current three-year term expires. The former state monopoly, which has required repeated government bailouts that have strained public finances, made a second consecutive profit in the 2026 financial year. Ramokgopa said on Friday there would be no more bailouts and Eskom would not get double-digit electricity tariff increases. "We have come out of a period of darkness, we have reached a point of inflection, and we're entering a new terrain," he said, adding Eskom should create the conditions for investment, industrial growth and new entrants into the electricity market.
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  MVC asks parties to make coalition plans public before elections 23.09.2026 1dk

  MVC asks parties to make coalition plans public before elections Political parties have until 17:00 on October 5 to respond to nongovernmental organisation My Vote Counts (MVC) and outline their plans for coalition negotiations before the local government elections on November 4. MVC argues that voters should have this information before casting their ballot, citing Section 19 of the Constitution, which protects the political rights of citizens. MVC has written to 20 political parties to gauge the principles they will use to determine coalition partners, non-negotiable manifesto commitments in coalition agreements, parties they have ruled out from coalitions after the elections and whether parties will publish all coalition agreements. "We are not asking parties to predict the electoral arithmetic or bind themselves to negotiations that have not happened. We are asking them to disclose the principles, red lines and exclusions that will shape those negotiations. That information belongs to voters before they cast their ballots," said MVC advocacy leader Noxolo Mfocwa. He argued the need for transparency, and said by publishing coalition agreements, residents, civil society organisations, journalists and opposition parties can better hold coalition partners accountable for their commitments. MVC has promised to publish the answers received from any political parties, as well as to make public the ones that failed to respond. MVC Project Lead: Money in Politics Joel Bregman pointed to unstable government and interrupted essential services when agreements are negotiated in secret. "The standard should be straightforward: parties do not have to reveal the outcome of negotiations that have not yet happened, but they should reveal the principles and limits that will govern those negotiations. Once an agreement is reached, the public should be able to read it," Bregman said.
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  IEC demands parties restore public trust at 2026 electoral code signing 23.09.2026 2dk

  IEC demands parties restore public trust at 2026 electoral code signing In what is being described as the most challenging political environment in South Africa's democratic history, Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) chairperson Mosotho Moepya declared on Wednesday that the signing of the electoral code of conduct is a "sacrosanct ingredient" to ensuring the integrity of the upcoming 2026 local government elections. Speaking at the official Code of Conduct signing ceremony and ballot draw in Midrand, Moepya framed the signing as a "solemn, binding contract" signed directly with South Africans at a critical historical crossroads. Moepya said recent findings from a voter participation survey conducted with the Human Sciences Research Council painted a stark picture of the national mood, revealing a significant decline in democratic trust, widespread institutional disillusionment, and growing public scepticisms. "We stand at a profound historical crossroads, navigating what researchers describe as the most challenging pre-electoral climate ever observed in South Africa over the last 30 years," Moepya stated. Rather than viewing this as casual disengagement, Moepya described it as structural disillusionment. "Our citizens are saying democracy must work, and work for them," he noted, calling on political parties to use the elections scheduled for November to restore institutional integrity and prove that the democratic process can be responsive, clean, and accountable. The Code of Conduct substantively protects all 136 790 candidates contesting the municipal elections, ensuring equal opportunities to campaign without fear of violence, intimidation, or unfair distortion. By stepping forward to publicly pledge their allegiance to the code, political party leaders and candidates commit to condemning political violence, maintaining clean, fair campaigns and elevating the standard of political discourse. Moepya issued a warning against digital harassment, stating that political parties must also actively protect journalists. He noted that no personal details or private information of media workers—including home addresses, personal contacts, or details regarding their loved ones—may be posted online. As the country heads toward the November polls, the IEC views compliance with this code as the primary mechanism to safeguard constitutional equality and address the potentially distorted playing field.
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  South Africa's central bank raises main interest rate to 7.25% 23.09.2026

  South Africa's central bank raises main interest rate to 7.25% South Africa's central bank raised its key interest rate by 25 basis points (bps) to 7.25% on Wednesday, saying it wanted to steer inflation towards its 3% target. The decision by policymakers at the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) was unanimous. The majority of economists polled by Reuters had expected the 25 bps increase, as the escalation in the Iran war since the SARB's last policy meeting in July has driven up oil prices and dampened the global economic outlook. The SARB targets inflation of 3% with a tolerance band of 1 percentage point either side. Data earlier on Wednesday showed headline inflation edged up to 4.4% year on year in August from 4.3% in July.
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  NSFAS records over 51 000 early applications for 2027, stresses strict deadline for submissions 22.09.2026 3dk

  NSFAS records over 51 000 early applications for 2027, stresses strict deadline for submissions The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) announced on Tuesday that it is "highly encouraged" by a massive wave of early submissions following the official launch of its 2027 application window. A total of 51 474 applications were successfully completed within the first four days of the cycle opening. The application process kicked off last week following an official announcement by Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela. Speaking at a launch event in Johannesburg, Manamela confirmed that the 2027 NSFAS application window will remain open until October 31. Crucially, the Minister pledged that funding decisions will be communicated to applicants in December, a move designed to provide students with financial certainty well ahead of the 2027 academic registration period. The latest dashboard statistics show an initial student headcount of 49 413 distinct applicants who have already initiated their journey toward post-school education. Data released by the scheme provides an insightful look into the demographics and backgrounds of the current applicant pool, noting that the vast majority of submissions – 43 297 applications – came from first-time entering students and prospective applicants. Senior students looking for continued or new funding accounted for 1 312 applications. A total of 6 865 applications have been registered by further education and training college applicants, while the system successfully captured 12 625 applications from South African Social Security Agency beneficiaries and 52 applications from students living with disabilities. The scheme announced that female applicants heavily dominate the early numbers, making up 74.06% (38 121) of total submissions, compared with male applicants who account for 25.94% (13 353). The overwhelming majority of applicants fall between the ages of 18 and 29, illustrating the high demand for financial support among matriculants transitioning into the post-school education and training sector, NSFAS said. NSFAS noted that significant headway has already been made in processing the initial influx of data. The scheme extended its gratitude to learners, parents, guardians, schools, and community stakeholders for supporting prospective students through the initial steps. However, the financial aid scheme issued a strong warning against complacency. The NSFAS board has explicitly stated that there will be no extensions granted beyond the deadline. Prospective students are urged to submit their applications as early as possible to avoid a last-minute rush. Furthermore, applicants must ensure that all mandatory supporting documents are uploaded correctly and that required consent forms are fully completed to prevent any delays in the verification process.
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  Mandela Foundation wants voters to demand action on GBVF ahead of elections 22.09.2026 4dk

  Mandela Foundation wants voters to demand action on GBVF ahead of elections As South Africa approaches the upcoming local government elections, citizens are being urged to leverage their vote as a tool for "profound social change". The Nelson Mandela Foundation has issued a call to action, reminding the electorate that the ballot box is not the end of democratic duty, but rather the beginning of sustained, active citizenship. With public office seekers hitting the campaign trail, the foundation emphasised that voters have a "vital opportunity" to interrogate candidates on how they plan to build safer communities, restore functioning institutions and protect core constitutional rights. "Our responsibility, however, does not begin and end at the ballot box," the Foundation stated. "Democracy requires active citizenship: holding institutions accountable, challenging injustice in our communities and recognising our own role in building a society in which constitutional rights can be lived." At the heart of the foundation's call for accountability is the ongoing crisis of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). Nearly a year after the government classified GBVF as a national disaster, serious questions remain regarding the efficacy and funding of the State's intervention. The foundation noted that the initial classification was the acknowledgment that violence against women and children in South Africa is both persistent and systemic, demanding a coordinated response across all sectors of society. By law, this status mandates affected organs of State to report on their progress and places the responsibility of coordination on the national executive. However, the foundation noted that public declarations have not yet translated into change. "Serious questions remain about whether the response has been adequately resourced. Concerns about funding have persisted since the classification, including questions about what additional resources have been made available to give practical effect to it," it explained. South Africans have a right to know what has materially changed, where implementation is falling short, and what corrective measures are being deployed to bridge the gaps, the foundation stressed. While the establishment of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide and recent emergency measures in Ekurhuleni are recognised as important milestones, institutional setups are no longer enough, it added. The foundation warned against a reactive system that only intensifies when "horrific" cases dominate the news cycle. Nelson Mandela Foundation chief executive Dr Mbongiseni Buthelezi stressed that the impact must be felt on the ground. "South African women cannot be expected to measure progress in the fight against GBVF only by the establishment of councils and the issuing of declarations. They have to be able to feel that something is changing in their homes, communities, police stations, courts, workplaces and places of learning," he said. The scale of the crisis is illustrated by recent data. According to figures from the South African Police Service, a staggering 50 511 GBVF cases were reported during the 2025/26 financial year. Solving this crisis requires moving beyond policing after the fact, the foundation said, adding that it demands a sustained, multi-pronged approach that targets prevention, justice, survivor support, education, and deep-seated cultural attitudes. Buthelezi noted that government or foundational work cannot solve this alone; it requires a collective societal shift. "It requires men to challenge other men," Buthelezi said. "It requires all of us to stop protecting perpetrators because they are our relatives, friends, colleagues or community leaders, and to listen to and support survivors." As the country heads to the polls, South Africa cannot afford to be a society that only expresses outrage when a tragedy captures national attention, he said. "True democracy requires voters to demand...
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  DA takes ActionSA, EFF, MKP, and GOOD party to Electoral Court over 'hidden' candidate lists 22.09.2026 3dk

  DA takes ActionSA, EFF, MKP, and GOOD party to Electoral Court over 'hidden' candidate lists The DA has launched an urgent application in the Electoral Court against ActionSA, the EFF, the MKP, and the GOOD party, accusing them of undermining electoral laws ahead of the upcoming local government elections. The legal challenge centres on allegations that these parties are deliberately concealing their proportional representation (PR) candidates from the public by submitting lists containing just a single name. DA Federal Council chairperson Ashor Sarupen stated that the opposition parties are misinterpreting a legal provision meant for unexpected electoral surges. The law allows the Independent Electoral Commission to ask a party to submit extra names after an election, but only if they win more seats than candidates initially registered on their PR list. "They are bending the rules, and attempting to mislead voters," Sarupen said. He argued that the provision was never intended to be used as a pre-planned strategy to hide councillor candidates until after the ballots are counted. "The principle at stake is so fundamental that it cannot go unchallenged: parties are required to present voters with the names of their candidates before voters go into a voting booth to choose their political parties, not after the votes have been counted," Sarupen noted, adding that past court rulings have deemed voters' right to information ahead of an election as sacrosanct. The DA highlighted that the EFF was contesting almost every ward with thousands of individual ward candidates, yet only submitted a single PR candidate per municipality. The party pointed out that ActionSA nominated over 2 000 ward candidates while using one-person PR lists across nearly every contested municipality—including Johannesburg, where the party currently holds dozens of PR seats. The MKP and the GOOD party are following the same pattern, the DA claims, even in municipalities where the GOOD party already holds multiple PR seats. The DA pointed out that ActionSA publicly admitted to the strategy. The party reportedly stated it submitted one name so it could supplement the list later, using the remaining seats to reward party members who work hard during the campaign. The DA criticised this approach, accusing ActionSA of putting party interests ahead of residents. The DA's application asks the Electoral Court to determine the legality and constitutionality of using list "topping-up" as a deliberate electoral strategy to avoid identifying candidates early. Sarupen compared the situation to previous elections where the ANC was disqualified from contesting certain municipalities after failing to submit its candidate lists on time. He argued that if the ANC had used this "wilful deception" by submitting just one name, they would have safely remained on the ballot. "Voters must be presented the candidates they are voting for," Sarupen said. "Elections cannot become games of sleight-of-hand. The ballot box must determine which candidates are elected."
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  DA calls for debate on GBVF as three suspects appear in court in Ekurhuleni cases 21.09.2026 3dk

  DA calls for debate on GBVF as three suspects appear in court in Ekurhuleni cases Three suspects are expected to appear in the Boksburg Magistrates' Court on Monday, marking a major breakthrough in the investigation into a horrifying string of women's murders that has gripped the country. The South African Police Service (SAPS) announced the arrests of one man and two women over the weekend, following an operation by members of the Gauteng Murder and Robbery Unit, in connection with the murder of a ninth victim. Between July and September 2026, the bodies of nine women have been discovered dumped across the Ekurhuleni municipality, east of Johannesburg. The discoveries over this two-month period have sparked national outrage, widespread community protests, and a large-scale police probe into whether a serial killer or multiple perpetrators are behind the atrocities. Acting National Commissioner of the SAPS, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, confirmed that police are "fully seized" with all nine murder cases, promising that each is receiving priority attention. "We remain committed to ensuring that these investigations are pursued with the urgency and determination they require. Our investigators are following all available leads and are working tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice," Dimpane said. In response to the escalating crisis, parts of Ekurhuleni – including KwaThema and Nigel – are currently under localised lockdowns, with increased police visibility deployed to boost safety. The breakthrough comes amid surging political pressure on national and local government structures. Last week, DA mayoral candidate for Ekurhuleni Khathu Rasilingwane, launched a full-scale petition rallying residents and women across the municipality to reject government instructions urging women to "protect themselves". In a direct bid to accelerate the investigation, Rasilingwane announced that the DA is offering an additional R500 000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and successful criminal prosecution of the murderer. Concurrently, the DA has written to the Speaker of Parliament Thoko Didiza, requesting an urgent debate of national importance on the escalating gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) crisis gripping Ekurhuleni. DA spokesperson on Police Lisa Schickerling, insisted that Parliament must hold those responsible for protecting women and children strictly to account. "Violence and the threat of violence are a daily reality for women in our communities. These tragic deaths are part of a devastating cycle that demands urgent action from government, including the President, the South African Police Service, the Department of Justice, and other departments responsible for protecting women and bringing perpetrators to justice," Schickerling said. She highlighted that despite widespread calls for a multidisciplinary team and intensified focus from civil society, the vast majority of these cases have remained unsolved until this weekend's arrests. She emphasised that while GBVF has long been on Parliament's agenda, the rapidly deteriorating situation in Ekurhuleni demands immediate and specific intervention. Last week, Amnesty International South Africa called on the State to recognise femicide as a distinct crime, warning that failure to do so leaves the targeted killing of women largely unaddressed. Femicide, defined as the gender-motivated killing of a woman because she is a woman, is currently not classified as a separate offence under South African law.
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  Key African central banks set to keep high rates as buffer against shocks 21.09.2026 4dk

  Key African central banks set to keep high rates as buffer against shocks African central banks from South Africa to Egypt are poised to keep their interest rates high for longer, seeking to shield their economies from shocks such as surging energy prices caused by the Iran war and to support their currencies. Of the 11 central banks due to deliver their interest-rate decisions over the next two weeks, seven are expected to hold, three hike and one is set to cut. "Africa's monetary-policy cycle is becoming increasingly uneven," Angelika Goliger, EY Africa chief economist, said. "While earlier disinflation has created room for rate cuts in some economies, renewed energy and food-price pressures mean central banks are likely to remain cautious." The escalating conflict in the Middle East has restricted global oil, diesel and fertiliser supplies causing prices to spike. Brent crude broke through $100 a barrel almost two weeks ago, compared with an average price of around $85 a barrel when most African central banks last deliberated on interest rates, and a super El Niño event is expected to devastate harvests, fuelling inflation. Food accounts for as much as 50% in some African countries' consumer price indexes. The US is also presenting an external risk to African economies. "With US monetary policy still relatively restrictive following September's first rate increase since 2023, African policymakers will be alert to exchange-rate weakness, capital outflows and imported inflation," Goliger said. "Even where domestic inflation is easing, these pressures are likely to limit the pace of rate cuts." Policymakers will also want to maintain a sizeable spread between the benchmark rate and annual inflation, which are among the world's widest, as a defence against current and future shocks. "Africa's been very resilient in part because interest rates started quite high," said Charlie Robertson, chief economic adviser at Equity Group Holdings Plc. "We've not had the cuts" in countries such as in Egypt, Nigeria or Kenya that the market was expecting, he said. "Instead high nominal rates have become a buffer." The upcoming interest-rate decisions will start with Nigeria and Morocco on Tuesday, followed by South Africa on Wednesday and Egypt, Ghana, Lesotho and Eswatini on Thursday, before Tanzania rounds out the cycle on October 8. Nigeria's monetary policy committee has room to ease but it is expected to remain cautious and retain its policy rate at 26.5% for a third straight meeting as recent fuel-price increases could reverse the downtrend in inflation. With price pressures building in Morocco as the effects of a good harvest fade and hefty fuel-price increases feed through, Bank Al-Maghrib will probably keep its policy rate at 2.25% for the next three meetings to monitor price dynamics, François Conradie, lead political economist at Oxford Economics, said in a note. "Egypt's still-high inflation and exposure to regional and energy shocks will also argue for patience rather than immediate easing," Goliger said. It could hold rates at 19% through the rest of 2026, with cuts becoming more likely next year, she said. External spillovers from the Iran war could also see Ghana, Mozambique, Kenya and Tanzania stand pat to further assess the risks to their forecasts. South Africa and its neighbours Eswatini and Lesotho, whose currencies are pegged to the rand, may raise their interest rates by a quarter point to prevent higher inflation from becoming entrenched. South Africa's central bank, in particular, has seen risks to its inflation forecast materialise. Rising energy prices, exchange-rate volatility and higher US interest rates could generate second-round inflation effects, said Goliger. To reinforce policy credibility, the MPC could increase the interest rate to 7.25%. Zambia will likely break from the pack and cut interest rates due to disinflation.
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  DA challenges Lamola to oppose ‘ANC’s race-based’ policies after US Apartheid 2.0 remarks 21.09.2026 3dk

  DA challenges Lamola to oppose 'ANC's race-based' policies after US Apartheid 2.0 remarks The DA has challenged International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola to oppose race-based policies within South Africa's own Cabinet, following his recent public condemnation of race-based entry systems while visiting the US. This after Lamola addressed the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in Washington, where he criticised certain US refugee and immigration frameworks, reportedly describing race-preferential entry systems as "Apartheid 2.0". Lamola argued that allocating opportunities or entry based on race undermines peaceful coexistence and revives historical injustices. DA spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation Ryan Smith seized on Lamola's remarks, calling for consistency between South Africa's foreign rhetoric and its domestic policies. "If opposing race-based policies is now a matter of principle for Minister Lamola, and not merely a matter of diplomatic convenience, he must use his position in Cabinet and Parliament to condemn the ANC's own battery of race-based laws and policies back home," Smith stated. The party argued that the ANC continues to classify citizens by race and allocate economic opportunities along racial lines, which the DA claims divides and impoverishes citizens rather than empowering them based on actual need and merit. The DA reiterated its commitment to eliminating all forms of race-based policy to build a non-racial South Africa. The disagreement unfolds against a backdrop of escalating diplomatic tension between Pretoria and Washington. The South African government recently rejected unilateral visa restrictions introduced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The US restrictions target individuals deemed complicit in land expropriation frameworks without compensation, systemic race-based discrimination and the incitement of imminent violence against minority ethnic or racial groups. Lamola hit back at the US policy, defending South Africa's domestic legislation as a sovereign right and a constitutional imperative designed to heal past racial injustices rather than target minority groups. He expressed deep concern that Washington's actions rely on a "mischaracterisation" of South African policies, driven by fringe groups falsely claiming to represent the broader Afrikaner and other minority communities. To counter allegations of unchecked racial hostility, Lamola highlighted the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act 16 of 2023, emphasising that South Africa maintains a stringent, legally binding framework to prosecute hate crimes across State and non-State actors. Despite Lamola's domestic defence, the DA maintained that the Minister cannot credibly lecture the global community on non-racialism while his party upholds race-based legislation at home. "We are delighted that Minister Lamola has now publicly adopted this principle too," Smith concluded, urging the Minister to prove his "genuine opposition" to racial categorisation by challenging the ANC's legislative framework in the Cabinet and in Parliament.
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  NSFAS opens 2027 applications, assures ‘major system upgrades’ after returning to board governance 18.09.2026 3dk

  NSFAS opens 2027 applications, assures 'major system upgrades' after returning to board governance Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela announced on Friday that the 2027 National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) application cycle is officially open until November 18. Speaking at the launch event in Johannesburg, Manamela promised that funding outcomes will be communicated in December to give successful applicants certainty ahead of the 2027 academic registration period. "To all prospective applicants: do not wait until the closing date. Apply as early as possible. Applying early gives you time to verify your information, submit outstanding documentation, and seek assistance if you encounter challenges," Manamela urged. During the 2026 application cycle, NSFAS received a record-breaking number of applications from young South Africans. To cope with this pressure and address historical service delivery issues, Manamela revealed that NSFAS has spent the past year implementing crucial upgrades designed to improve data integrity, accuracy, and processing speeds for the 2027 funding cycle. He explained that student information will now be pulled directly from institutional systems to minimise errors and expedite funding decisions, and the scheme is introducing automated document verification and electronic document signing to shorten response times. Manamela said NSFAS is collaborating with the Department of Home Affairs to strengthen the verification of student registration and banking details. He announced that the development has officially commenced on a dedicated Loan Management System to administer student loans for middle-income households, and the administration of appeals has been restructured with clearer rules and strict timelines to rectify past administrative weaknesses. The launch follows a turbulent four-month institutional transition for the financial aid scheme. After navigating a period under strict State administration, NSFAS has officially returned to a board-led governance arrangement. Manamela noted that the public, parents, and tertiary institutions have closely watched these structural shifts, reassuring stakeholders that the interventions were entirely focused on stability and effectiveness. "The stability of NSFAS is not an end in itself. Behind every application is a young person whose future depends on this institution functioning effectively. Behind every funding decision is a student who wants to become a professional, an artisan, an entrepreneur, a teacher, a scientist, or a contributor to the economy and society. That is why the integrity, stability, and effectiveness of NSFAS matter," he said. Prospective students are encouraged to gather their identification documents, academic records, and parental proof of income immediately to submit their applications via the official NSFAS portal before the November 18 deadline.
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  Policing is political, DA says as it offers collaboration in East Rand murders 18.09.2026 1dk

  Policing is political, DA says as it offers collaboration in East Rand murders The DA said on Friday that it is willing to work with anybody who "genuinely" wants to take action in delivering justice to the families of the women whose bodies were recently found across the East Rand, in Gauteng, as it stressed that policing is political. After the discovery of the body of a ninth victim in Ekurhuleni, DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga said women in the province needed more than just advice on how to avoid becoming victims. "We should be asking: what more can we do? The DA is ready to work with government, SAPS, communities and civil society to find these killers and prevent further deaths. But collaboration requires government to engage with criticism in good faith and not dismiss it as political opportunism because it doesn't like a mirror being held up to itself," he said. The DA has pledged a R500 000 reward for information that leads to the identification, apprehension and conviction of the person/s responsible for the murders and has also launched a petition rallying residents and women across the municipality to reject government instructions urging women to "protect themselves" and to rather demand systemic accountability. However, the DA is urging the Gauteng provincial government to collaborate with willing participants to find the perpetrator/s of the murders. "Government says that it wants cooperation. Then it should welcome every credible effort to find these killers, protect women and address the failures that allowed this crisis to develop in the first place," said Msimanga. "The responsibility now lies with all of us, but particularly with those entrusted with the power and resources of the State, to make South Africa safer. "And yes, this is political. It is political because policing is political."
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  Amnesty International demands SA criminalise femicide to expose ‘hidden’ crisis 18.09.2026 2dk

  Amnesty International demands SA criminalise femicide to expose 'hidden' crisis Amnesty International South Africa is urgently calling on the State to recognise femicide as a distinct crime, warning that failure to do so leaves the targeted killing of women largely unaddressed. Femicide, defined as the gender-motivated killing of a woman because she is a woman, is currently not classified as a separate offence under South African law. Instead, these deaths are categorised under general murder statistics, a practice that advocates argue masks the systemic nature of the crisis. South Africa continues to grapple with some of the highest femicide rates globally. According to the latest annual crime statistics, 5 578 women were murdered between 2023 and 2024 – an average of roughly 15 women killed every day. Despite these stark numbers, the true scale of the violence remains obscured. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has not published disaggregated crime data regarding the murder and assault of women and children since August 2025, citing internal accuracy concerns that require investigation. Amnesty International South Africa executive director Shenilla Mohamed emphasised that treating femicide as standard murder ignores the patterns of gender-based violence that typically precede it, such as stalking, rape, and intimate partner violence. Without a distinct legal category, these warning signs are tracked as isolated incidents. "You cannot fix what you are not tracking," Mohamed stated, noting that reliable data is a vital prerequisite for State accountability. While criminalisation alone will not instantly halt the violence, Amnesty International argued it provides a critical mechanism to hold the government accountable. Legally defining the crime would compel the State to allocate dedicated resources specifically tailored to combating and preventing femicide, track accurate, gender-disaggregated data to identify high-risk patterns and confront systemic failures in current institutional protection measures for women and girls. Mohamed said 33 countries have criminalised femicide. In Africa, only Gabon and Morocco have codified it into law. Amnesty International South Africa maintained that by failing to join these nations and properly record these targeted killings, the South African State is actively failing to protect its citizens from the most extreme manifestation of gender discrimination and inequality.
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  ActionSA suspends Tshwane ward candidate amid disciplinary probe 17.09.2026 2dk

  ActionSA suspends Tshwane ward candidate amid disciplinary probe ActionSA has placed its Tshwane ward candidate and disbarred advocate Malesela Teffo on precautionary suspension with immediate effect, following his arrest in a contempt of court matter. The decision was announced on Thursday by ActionSA Gauteng provincial chairperson Funzi Ngobeni, who clarified that the suspension regulates Teffo's participation and status within the party while an internal disciplinary process is underway. Notably, the party's internal investigation into Teffo was already in progress prior to his arrest on Tuesday. ActionSA emphasised that the precautionary suspension does not constitute a finding of guilt. "Teffo will have an opportunity to respond to the matters before the Provincial Ethics and Disciplinary Officer (PEDO), and the process must be allowed to run fairly," Ngobeni stated. While the suspension remains in effect, Teffo is barred from participating in any ActionSA campaigns or party activities, representing or speaking on behalf of ActionSA and presenting himself as an active representative of the party. According to Ngobeni, concerns regarding Teffo's conduct were initially referred to the party's PEDO earlier this month. The referral followed an incident where Teffo appeared at the Johannesburg High Court wearing ActionSA regalia. When the party's Tshwane structures requested an explanation regarding the courtroom appearance, Teffo's subsequent response prompted further scrutiny. Following an initial review, PEDO determined that a prima facie basis existed to move forward with a formal disciplinary process. Teffo's arrest earlier this week introduced new variables that ActionSA's Gauteng Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) had to evaluate. After reviewing advice from PEDO alongside these latest developments, the PEC concluded that a precautionary suspension was the most appropriate course of action while the internal process concludes. PEDO has been instructed to expedite the matter and report its findings back to the PEC urgently. ActionSA reiterated its stance on public accountability, asserting that its candidates and public representatives must answer for their actions when serious questions are raised. However, the party maintained that it would respect due process. "We will not replace a proper disciplinary process with a trial through the media. We will communicate further once the disciplinary process has reached the appropriate stage."
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  DA launches petition to reject SAPS safety warnings as body of ninth woman found 17.09.2026 2dk

  DA launches petition to reject SAPS safety warnings as body of ninth woman found DA mayoral candidate for Ekurhuleni Khathu Rasilingwane has launched a full-scale petition rallying residents and women across the municipality to reject government instructions urging women to "protect themselves". The launch on Thursday follows the grim discovery of a ninth body in the region, signalling what Rasilingwane describes as a rapidly escalating crisis. She condemned recent sentiments from the South African Police Service (SAPS) that place the burden of safety on women, arguing that advising women to take better precautions reflects a fundamental failure by leadership to comprehend the daily fear and suffering experienced by residents. "All that the government offers is an undefined 'lockdown' and a police 'task team.' This is inexcusable," Rasilingwane said. "It is a failure to understand pain and suffering, living in fear every day – not just this week." In response to the killings, Rasilingwane announced on Wednesday that the DA is offering an additional R500 000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and successful criminal prosecution of the murderer. Titled "Action, Not Advice", the DA's petition demands that law enforcement shift its focus from policing women's behaviour to actively combating violent crime. Rasilingwane stated that the SAPS receives billions of rands in taxpayer funding specifically to protect citizens, and it must deliver on that mandate. The DA has directed an urgent demand to Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia, calling for a substantial increase in police resources, an immediate clearance of the DNA evidence backlog to expedite criminal identification, and the release of reliable gender-based violence and femicide statistics. The party has urged all South Africans to sign the petition to demand systemic accountability. President Cyril Ramaphosa officially declared the murders a national crisis, ordering that the investigations receive the highest level of priority from government and law enforcement. A multidisciplinary specialised team has been deployed to work around the clock to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. Deputy President Paul Mashatile also broke his silence on the matter, urging law enforcement agencies to collaborate closely with communities and stakeholders. Mashatile stated that gender-based violence has no place in South African society, adding that men must be at the forefront of condemning these crimes and protecting women and children.
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  South Africa's consumer confidence rises despite economic uncertainty, survey shows 17.09.2026 1dk

  South Africa's consumer confidence rises despite economic uncertainty, survey shows South Africa's consumer confidence improved in the third quarter, a survey showed on Thursday, although consumer spending is expected to remain subdued in the coming months due to uncertainty stemming from the war in the Middle East. The consumer confidence index, sponsored by First National Bank (FNB) and compiled by the Bureau for Economic Research, improved to minus 13 points from minus 19 in the second quarter. The Middle East conflict, which is now in its seventh month, has put pressure on South African household budgets through higher fuel prices, uncertainty over interest rates and fears of inflation. "Shoppers will likely remain cost-conscious and prioritise necessities over discretionary spending in the run-up to the festive season, suggesting that consumer spending growth will remain muted and that value-for-money retailers may outperform higher-end brands," FNB Chief Economist Mamello Matikinca-Ngwenya said. The rebound in the quarter was largely driven by stronger confidence among lower-income households, which were more insulated from recent interest rate hikes and benefited from lower food inflation, the survey showed. The interest rate hike announced by the central bank in May has disproportionately affected middle- and high-income consumers due to a greater exposure to formal sector bank credit and higher spend on durable goods purchases, Matikinca-Ngwenya added.
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  South African inflation expectations stabilise in third quarter 16.09.2026 1dk

  South African inflation expectations stabilise in third quarter South African inflation expectations stabilised in the third quarter, a survey showed on Wednesday, after a steep rise in the previous quarter because of the oil price shock triggered by the Iran war. The quarterly survey is commissioned by the central bank and guides its thinking on the appropriate level of interest rates. The average forecast of analysts, business people and trade union officials was for headline consumer inflation of 4.4% this year, unchanged from the second-quarter survey. The average forecasts for 2027 and 2028 declined to 4.0% and 3.8%, respectively, from 4.2% and 3.9%. Those forecasts are important as the central bank says interest rate changes affect the economy with a lag of about 12 to 24 months. Inflation stood at 4.3% year on year in July, the latest month for which price data is available. The central bank targets inflation of 3% with a 1-percentage-point tolerance band either side of that. The bank surprised investors and economists by keeping its main lending rate unchanged in July after its first rate hike in three years in May. Its next rate announcement is scheduled for September 23.
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  Govt rejects US visa restrictions, while domestic actors are emboldened 16.09.2026 4dk

  Govt rejects US visa restrictions, while domestic actors are emboldened The South African government has rejected unilateral visa restrictions imposed by the US, framing its domestic legislation as a constitutional imperative to heal past racial injustices rather than target minority groups. Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola hit back at US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's announcement, stating that South Africa retains a sovereign right to enact laws aimed at improving the plight of historically excluded citizens. The US restrictions target individuals deemed responsible for, or complicit in, policies enabling land expropriation without compensation, race-based discrimination, and the incitement of imminent violence against minority ethnic or racial groups. The policy directly penalises those Washington holds accountable for land confiscation frameworks and the incitement of racial violence. Lamola expressed deep concern over Washington's unilateral actions, arguing that the US visa restrictions align with a "mischaracterisation" of South African policies. He said these measures appear to be driven by fringe groups who wrongly claim to represent Afrikaners and minorities as a whole. Lamola defended South Africa's legal frameworks, specifically highlighting the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act 16 of 2023. He emphasised that this legislation sets a stringent, binding framework to eradicate hate speech and prosecute hate crimes across both State and non-State actors. "It is our sovereign right to put in place laws that address the nation's concern over centuries of racial injustice. We maintain that challenges in our bilateral relations with the USA can only be resolved by constructive engagement through State actors on both sides of the diplomatic channel, not unilateral acts," Lamola explained. The Minister further asserted that the South African government remains "actively seized" with combating crime, emphasising that security challenges affect all citizens universally and do not target anyone based on race, colour, or social origin. ECONOMIC FALLOUT In contrast to government's stance, the Solidarity Movement has urged Pretoria to drop its "political pride" and "engage honestly" with upcoming proposals to defuse the row. Solidarity Movement chairperson Flip Buys said the diplomatic friction is not new, but rather a continuation of a long-running dispute tracing back to 2010 when South Africa joined the BRICS bloc. Buys warned that further escalation would directly hit ordinary workers, farmers, and businesses, rather than the politicians he says are responsible for the impasse. The Solidarity Movement believes South Africa's current domestic policies run counter to various international conventions. Buys said alienating the US poses severe risks to the local economy. The movement maintained that "practical, achievable solutions exist" that would not require South Africa to surrender its independence. "We are not taking sides between Pretoria and Washington; we are taking South Africa's side," averred Buys, adding that the Solidarity Movement will release a comprehensive set of proposals within the coming week aimed at ending the protracted dispute. Joining the critique, AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel confirmed that the organisation is actively fighting the new Expropriation Act in the Western Cape High Court, arguing that it "dangerously" enables expropriation without compensation. AfriForum has tied the US diplomatic dispute directly to local controversies, including rural farm safety and political rhetoric. Kriel welcomed the US punitive measures against figures who incite ethnic violence, taking aim at EFF leader Julius Malema. Kriel urged government to seriously evaluate the combined proposals of AfriForum and Solidarity. "It is in the interest of everyone in the country to help prevent South Africa from being punished due to the reckless policies and actions of a...