One year into South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU), a new survey by the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) paints a stark picture of a nation grappling with economic hardship, social divisions, and cautious hope for reform. The 2025 South African Reconciliation Barometer (SARB), released on Wednesday, highlights persistent mistrust in political leadership alongside moderate support for government policies, reflecting a complex public mood as the country navigates its first year under multi-party coalition governance. The Reconciliation Barometer,…

The Minister of Higher Education, Buti Manamela, has welcomed the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) Council’s decision to launch an independent forensic investigation into allegations of a syndicate selling fraudulent degrees and registrations to foreign nationals. The allegations first came to public attention following media enquiries in November 2025, despite reportedly being raised by a whistleblower in August 2024. In response, VUT Council Chairperson, Professor MJ Radebe, confirmed that the matter had never been formally tabled before the University Council…

The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities has called for a sustained nationwide effort to end Gender Based Violence and Femicide, saying the crisis demands daily vigilance and collective action from every sector of society. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Department said the country cannot rely on short-term campaigns and must shift to a year-round approach that places prevention, protection and accountability at the centre of community life. The call comes as the government continues to…

The general consensus appears to be that Bafana Bafana are in a comfortable group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Bafana Bafana are placed in Group A alongside hosts Mexico and South Korea, while Denmark are favourites to win the play-offs and join this group. “It’s not an easy one. First of all, you have to play the first game of the tournament against Mexico in Azteca Stadium, a home game for Mexico, so it will be very tough for us…

The Special Tribunal has granted the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) an urgent preservation order freezing a Limpopo property and a vehicle linked to individuals and companies implicated in an allegedly irregular Eskom tender. The order, issued by Justice Mavis Victor on 24 November 2025 under case number GP27/2025, aims to secure assets while the SIU pursues legal action to recover state losses. The matter involves twelve respondents, including private individuals, engineering and consulting companies, Eskom Holdings, and the Office of…

The last time Orlando Pirates won a league title was in the 2011/12 season, achieving a top finish back-to-back. And for the past eight seasons, the Buccaneers have been watching Mamelodi Sundowns win it. Pirates, on the other hand, have become the cup kings, with seven titles to their name since 2022. However, the league remains elusive for the Soweto club, but Pirates are now top of the log ahead of Sundowns, almost halfway into the 2024/25 season, and Ouaddou…

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), which is largely present in KwaZulu-Natal and in pockets of the Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces, says it is pushing ahead with its preparations for next year’s local government elections. However, the Zulu ethno party is mum on elective conferences to elect new leaders from branches to the national level, as the term of office for the current crop of leaders elected in 2019 has expired. In a statement issued after Monday’s weekly meeting of the…

ActionSA has raised alarm over revelations that one of the suspects linked to the mass killing of 12 people in Saulsville, west of Pretoria, is a recently released parolee. The party says the development exposes what it describes as the government’s “weak approach” to criminal justice and parole management. This follows confirmation by National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, who on Monday visited the crime scene at the Saulsville hostel where the shooting took place in the early hours of…

As part of their preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations, South Africa will meet Ghana in a friendly to be played in Gauteng next week. Bafana Bafana and the Black Stars will clash on Tuesday, 16 December, and the venue will be announced in due course. “Coach Hugo Broos’ charges will host the West Africans in Gauteng on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, at a venue that will be announced in the coming days,” confirmed the South African Football Association…

Mozambique’s Attorney-General, Américo Letela, has called for the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) to deliver measurable and concrete results in combating the country’s most serious crimes, warning that society will no longer accept “sporadic operations” or “minor investigative indications” as proof of progress. Speaking on Monday at the opening of the VIII Coordinating Council of SERNIC, Letela stressed that the institution must adopt a firmer, more coordinated and more impartial approach to tackling kidnappings, drug trafficking, corruption and organised crime.…