Coalition Negotiations Must Put the People at the Centre

The dye is now cast. South Africa’s 2026 local government elections have come and gone. The votes have been counted and the final results declared.

The elections have delivered a clear and unmistakable message: no political party has secured an overwhelming mandate across most municipalities, and coalition governance is once again the defining feature of our democratic landscape. What now remains is the hard business of governing.

As coalition negotiations intensify across municipalities, two factors must guide the national conversation.READ MORE

Nine foreign nationals have been arrested at OR Tambo International Airport and a hotel in Bruma, east of Johannesburg, over an alleged attempt to leave South Africa to participate in the Russia-Ukraine war.

The suspects, aged between 20 and 26, were arrested on Sunday night following an intelligence-driven operation involving the Hawks, Interpol and several local and international law enforcement agencies.

According to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), the suspects were allegedly preparing to board flights out ofREAD MORE

More than half a million rand worth of dagga has been seized by police in Malamulele, Limpopo, following the arrest of a 55-year-old man suspected of dealing in drugs.

The dagga, estimated to be worth R662 400 on the street, was discovered during a joint police operation along the R81 road at Ximuwini (Baobab tree) on Sunday morning.

Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba statement issued on Monday indicated that Police officers stopped and searched a red SUV at approximatelyREAD MORE

The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) national leadership has travelled to the Western Cape to engage rival taxi associations amid escalating tensions and deadly violence that have raised concerns about the safety of commuters, operators and communities.

The delegation, led by national president Abnar Tsebe, is meeting the provincial SANTACO leadership, as well as representatives of the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA) and the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA), in an effort to find a lastingREAD MORE

South Africa’s 2026 Local Government Elections have officially drawn to a close, but the real political test is only beginning as parties prepare for coalition negotiations and newly elected councillors face mounting expectations to deliver services to frustrated communities.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned political leaders that the electorate’s verdict must translate into action, insisting that the hard work of rebuilding local government must begin immediately.

“Now that the votes have been counted, the hard work must begin,” Ramaphosa saidREAD MORE

The Carling Black Label Knockout Cup has served up a mouth-watering semi-final encounter, with Mamelodi Sundowns set to lock horns with Kaizer Chiefs in a highly anticipated battle for a place in the final.

The eagerly anticipated encounter will bring together one of the country’s most decorated football clubs, Sundowns, and its biggest club in terms of supporter following, Kaizer Chiefs, in a contest that promises to capture the imagination of football lovers across the country.

The encounter promises toREAD MORE

Mamelodi Sundowns suffered a painful 3-1 defeat at home to Algerian outfit USM Alger in the CAF Super Cup final at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday, missing out on an opportunity to add another continental trophy to their growing collection.

The Brazilians were hoping to capitalise on home-ground advantage and secure their second CAF Super Cup title, but USM Alger produced a clinical performance to silence the home supporters and lift the prestigious trophy for the second time.

Sundowns enduredREAD MORE

Springboks delivered a commanding performance to thrash Italy 66-7 in their Nations Championship encounter at the Allianz Stadium in Turin on Saturday, strengthening their unbeaten run in the competition as attention now shifts to a highly anticipated showdown against France at Stade de France, Saint-Denis on Friday.

The world champions ran in nine tries, with flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu leading the charge in an emphatic victory that underlined South Africa’s attacking firepower and dominance at set-pieces.

Captain Siya Kolisi’s men wereREAD MORE

BEIJING, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) — An international seminar on understanding the recently concluded key Communist Party of China (CPC) plenum was held in Beijing on Friday, bringing together more than 200 diplomats, think tank experts and media representatives from 105 countries and international organisations.

At the seminar, a report titled “Putting the People First — Values Underpinning Full and Rigorous Self-Governance of the CPC” was jointly released by the national high-level think tanks of the Institute of Party History andREAD MORE

The ninth China International Import Expo is underway in Shanghai. For some exhibitors, it’s their first time. Others have returned for a second visit — or keep coming back with new ideas and long-term plans.

What brought them here, and what makes them want to return? Join our reporter Yuqi on the expo floor to find out.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service.

African Times has published this article in partnership with Xinhua News Agency