Carling Knockout Draw Keeps Giants Apart as Underdogs Eye Cup Glory

The Carling Knockout Cup quarter-final draw has produced four exciting encounters, keeping South Africa’s traditional football giants apart as eight clubs battle for a place in the semi-finals and a share of the competition’s lucrative rewards.

Orlando Pirates will face Sekhukhune United, Kaizer Chiefs take on Siwelele FC, Mamelodi Sundowns meet Golden Arrows, while Stellenbosch FC will lock horns with AmaZulu FC.

The quarter-final matches are scheduled for the weekend of November 6–8, with venues still to be confirmed.

TheREAD MORE

South Africa’s real spending on research and development (R&D) declined by 1.9% in 2024/25, despite total expenditure rising to R44.2 billion, with falling business investment raising concerns about the country’s ability to sustain innovation and economic growth.

The latest National R&D Survey, released by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) on Thursday, found that R&D spending increased in nominal terms to R44.237 billion. However, after accounting for inflation, expenditure declined, while research spending as a proportion of gross domestic productREAD MORE

The Police Ministry has stepped up engagements with police leadership, provincial governments and the private security industry to strengthen election security, as South Africa prepares for local government elections in six days.

The ministry said the engagements were aimed at ensuring that the elections take place in a safe, secure and peaceful environment, with law enforcement agencies working together to prevent intimidation, violence and disruptions during the electoral period.

The ministry confirmed that it had been receiving regular briefings fromREAD MORE

Growth of just 1.7% in the second quarter of 2026 falls short of the country’s potential, while rising public debt, inflationary pressures and limited access to credit continue to constrain economic activity.

The Governor of the Bank of Mozambique, Felisberto Navalha, has warned that the country’s economic recovery remains too weak to bring significant improvements to the living standards of its more than 34 million citizens, despite signs of stabilisation in some areas of the economy.

Addressing the opening sessionREAD MORE

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has on Wednesday called up six uncapped players to reinforce his 37-man squad after injuries ruled Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth, Andre Esterhuizen and Handre Pollard out of contention for South Africa’s demanding November Test campaign.

The world champions face crucial Nations Championship clashes against Italy, France and Ireland, with Erasmus banking on emerging talent and experienced campaigners to maintain South Africa’s momentum in the competition.

Yaqeen Ahmed, Sebastian de Klerk, Luan Giliomee, Markus Muller, Riley NortonREAD MORE

Suliman Carrim, who was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport shortly before boarding an international flight, has been granted R100,000 bail by the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court.

Lumka Mahanjana, NPA regional spokesperson for the Gauteng Division in Pretoria in Wednesday said Carrim is facing a charge of contravening Section 6(1) of the Commissions Act 8 of 1947 after allegedly failing to appear before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry despite being warned to attend proceedings on August 14, 2026.

Mahanjana said theREAD MORE

Vatsonga Machangani Civil Movement president Vuxaka “St Paul Hagiazo” Mavasa has ruled out transforming the organisation into a political party, insisting that its primary objective is to unite the Vatsonga Machangani community and advocate for its interests beyond party-political divisions.

Mavasa made the remarks on Tuesday outside Malamulele Magistrate’s Court, where he was attending proceedings in the high-profile murder case involving slain Limpopo comedian Ndivhuwo Khaidzianii, popularly known on social media as Skeem Mafenya.

The 31-year-old mining businessman said theREAD MORE

Experts warn that political change alone will not fix struggling municipalities, as water losses climb to 47% and municipal debt to water boards reaches R28 billion, placing infrastructure, investment and service delivery under pressure.

South Africa’s municipal governance crisis has come under the spotlight ahead of the 2026 local government elections, with government, business and civil society representatives warning that the next political leadership must do more than promise change.

At Frontline Conversations 2026 in Sandton on Tuesday, discussions centredREAD MORE

A dashcam video capturing an attempted robbery of an e-hailing driver in Eldorado Park, south of Johannesburg, has sparked outrage on social media, with South Africans calling on police to arrest the suspects.

The footage, which has gone viral on Facebook and X, allegedly shows a woman identified on social media as Angelique Yaya Munique and two men attempting to rob the driver on Tuesday, October 27, at around 10 am.

Gauteng police had not commented on the incident atREAD MORE

Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs have sent a clear warning to each other ahead of Saturday’s eagerly anticipated Soweto Derby after both giants recorded convincing victories in the Carling Knockout Cup on Tuesday night, setting the stage for a blockbuster Betway Premiership encounter at FNB Stadium.

The Buccaneers and Amakhosi each scored three unanswered goals in their respective Round of 16 fixtures, giving their supporters plenty to celebrate while adding extra spice to a rivalry that rarely needs an introduction.READ MORE