Madibaz Aim for Semis as Varsity Cup Hopes Fade

Coetzee Gouws — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 09:54:22 +0000

The fact that the Madibaz went down with all guns blazing as they stumbled to their third loss in the FNB Varsity Shield last Friday just about drew a smile from coach David Manuel. Not that he is happy with his team’s 32-25 defeat to UWC, but because his charges showed the fight he had drilled into them after their blunder against Wits in the previous round. They took a long, hard look at themselves after the latter and there was some tough talk about attitude in the build-up to the UWC encounter. Despite the agony of the final result etched on his face, he is as pleased as one can be under the circumstances. “We spoke a lot about staying in the fight,” Manuel said. “Against Wits we lost key moments and then dropped our heads, which is not who we want to be. This time, we stayed in

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Linda Sibiya Joins Gagasi FM

Staff Writer — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 08:40:57 +0000

Radio legend Linda Sibiya, popularly known as “Mr. Magic,” is officially returning to the airwaves this April after signing a contract with Gagasi FM. The Durban-based station revealed in its new lineup announcement on Wednesday evening that Mr. Magic will host ‘Gagasi FM Early Mornings’ from 05:00 AM to 06:00 AM on weekdays, and ‘Sunday Devotion’ from 06:00 AM to 10:00 AM on Sundays. This brings his total weekly airtime to 9 hours. The news of Mr. Magic’s return has sparked widespread excitement among fans who have followed his journey since his iconic days at Ukhozi FM. Sibiya was a heavyweight at Ukhozi FM for many years starting in the mid-90s. However, he left the station unceremoniously in 2014 after being dismissed due to allegations of fraud involving his company, Magic Communications, and Edcon. While a court case was opened, it was later dropped due to insufficient evidence. Since then,

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Greenland-US Talks End in Impasse as European Troops Arrive to Bolster Arctic Security

Staff Writer — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 15:46:15 +0000

High-level discussions in Washington between the United States, Denmark, and Greenland concluded without resolution on Wednesday, leaving a “fundamental disagreement” over the future of the Arctic island and heightening concerns among Greenlanders and European allies. The meeting, hosted by U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, involved Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Greenland’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeld, marking the first time Greenland participated directly at such a senior level. President Donald Trump has repeatedly insisted that the United States must acquire control of Greenland, citing national security needs in the Arctic, including countering potential Russian and Chinese influence, and supporting projects like a proposed missile defense system. Trump has not ruled out military options, stating that Denmark cannot reliably defend the territory and that “something will work out” in favor of U.S. interests. Danish officials emerged from the talks describing them as “frank but

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Substantial Fuel Price Drop Expected in February Amid Strong Rand and Low Oil Prices

Staff Writer — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 15:20:26 +0000

South African motorists are poised for continued relief at the pumps in February, with early data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) indicating significant decreases in petrol and diesel prices. Preliminary figures show over-recoveries building, with petrol over-recovering by around R1.20 per litre and diesel by up to R1.75 per litre. This points to potential cuts of approximately 85–125 cents per litre for petrol and R1.09–R1.84 per litre for diesel, depending on the final month-end adjustments. The Department of Mineral Resources and Petroleum Resources will confirm the official changes at the end of January, with new prices typically effective from the first Wednesday of February (expected around February 4, 2026). These follow January’s reductions, where petrol dropped by 62–66 cents per litre and diesel by R1.37–R1.50 per litre, bringing levels to some of the lowest in nearly four years. The key drivers are low global oil prices and a strengthened

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NRF Relaxes Age Restrictions on Postgraduate Scholarships

Staff Writer — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 07:38:29 +0000

In a significant policy adjustment aimed at promoting equity in higher education funding, the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa has relaxed age restrictions for a portion of its postgraduate scholarships. Effective from the 2025/2026 funding cycle (announced in May 2025 for the 2026 academic year), 20% of the total postgraduate funding allocation is now set aside for scholarships with no upper age limit. This provides a vital opportunity for applicants who exceed the age limits introduced in 2020, ensuring they are not automatically excluded from funding. The 2020 Age Restrictions The upper age limits were implemented in May 2020 (effective for the 2021 funding cycle), setting maximum ages of 28 for honours, 30 for master’s, and 32 for doctoral studies in the year of application. The policy was designed to accelerate the entry of young researchers into the system, support transformation goals (such as allocating 90% of bursaries

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Here’s What Africa Can Learn from Foizee’s Latest Analysis

Ellington Ngandu — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 11:39:33 +0000

For African nations frequently grappling with political challenges similar to those unfolding in Bangladesh, Bahauddin Foizee’s analysis in the reputed ‘The Diplomat’ magazine offers invaluable insights into navigating political transitions. His exploration of the complex political dynamics in Bangladesh provides lessons not just for South Asia but for countries facing political upheavals worldwide, including in Africa. As Bangladesh prepares for its pivotal parliamentary elections and referendum on state reforms set for February 12, 2026, the nation stands at a crossroads. This moment comes after a period of significant political upheaval and societal unrest, reshaping the political landscape in ways that could offer important lessons for nations undergoing similar transitions. TURBULENCE, YET AN OPPORTUNITY Bangladesh’s road to its 2026 elections is paved with political turbulence, but it also promises an opportunity for significant reform. The student-led uprising in 2024, which led to the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and

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From Leaders to Readers: Rare Opinion Hubs Shaping Global Thought

Shreya Agarwal — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 08:39:15 +0000

As the worldwide media culture is drowning in breaking news, viral content and algorithm-driven noise, one essential pillar of public discourse is quietly eroding: access to rigorous expert opinion. Despite the illusion of information abundance, truly independent and globally distributed thought leadership is increasingly rare in today’s media landscape. Only a handful of platforms still prioritize the syndication of individual viewpoints. Project Syndicate remains the most prominent among them, joined by platforms such as Creators Syndicate and OpEd Column Syndication. Their role is more vital today than ever. PROJECT SYNDICATE Project Syndicate’s model is simple but powerful: elevate expert analysis and distribute it across borders, ensuring that debates on economics, politics and global affairs are informed by more than local echo chambers. Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and former French Prime Minister Michel Rocard have all published commentary through Project Syndicate. This ability to attract world

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Nkosana Makate and Vodacom Reach ‘Please Call Me’ Settlement

Staff Writer — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 03:47:35 +0000

After nearly two decades of legal battles, Vodacom Group Limited has announced a landmark out-of-court settlement with Nkosana Makate, the innovator behind the company’s “Please Call Me” service, which was launched in 2001. The agreement, greenlit by Vodacom’s board on November 4, 2025, concludes one of South Africa’s longest-running corporate disputes. Yet, with the settlement terms shrouded in confidentiality, speculation swirls about the fortune Makate might have secured—and when the public will know the full story. The resolution caps a tumultuous legal journey. In 2024, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruled that Makate deserved 5% to 7.5% of the service’s revenue over 18 years. While exact revenue figures aren’t public, estimates from web sources and legal analyses have speculated a potential total of R29.5 billion at the 7.5% upper limit. Vodacom challenged this, including a recent Constitutional Court case, but withdrew its appeal on November 4, as detailed in

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Supporting Loved Ones Through Every Stage of Life

Steve Conway — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 17:43:01 +0000

Life is a journey filled with countless changes, milestones and transitions. From the exuberance of youth to the reflective years of later life, supporting our loved ones through each stage is both a privilege and a responsibility. By understanding the unique needs that arise at different ages, we can foster stronger relationships and create environments where everyone thrives. Nurturing Childhood and Adolescence The early years of life are foundational. Children need stability, guidance and encouragement to build confidence and emotional resilience. Support during this stage involves providing a safe environment, nurturing curiosity and encouraging exploration. Simple acts like listening attentively, celebrating achievements and offering comfort during setbacks play a vital role in shaping their development. During adolescence, the challenge shifts to balancing independence with guidance. Teenagers often seek autonomy while still requiring reassurance and boundaries. Being present, showing empathy and offering constructive advice can help them navigate the complexities of

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Prof James ‘Godo’ Mthembu Shot Dead

Staff Writer — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 11:33:51 +0000

Prof James “Godo” Mthembu, a well-known traditional healer from KwaZulu-Natal, has reportedly been shot dead at his home in Manguzi, UMhlabuyalingana. The news of his passing was reported by Malindisa news early on Saturday and later confirmed by Ilanga News and Mandla Chris News, who spoke to the Mthembu family. It is said that Godo, whose nickname is a short for UGod’olulal’amankankane, was with his family on Friday night around 22:30 when a young man entered his home and opened fire, fatally wounding him. Further details on the motive and suspect are yet to be released. Godo, although already well-known in UMhlabuyalingana at that time, gained media attention around 2016 when he publicly condemned the killing of people with albinism for muti purposes. He was later featured on newspapers and YouTube videos, where it was revealed that in addition to being a traditional healer, he also owned multiple businesses, including

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