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The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) remains optimistic about prospects for ongoing growth in South Africa, stating in its newly released ‘Global Wind Report 2026’ that the country has about 17 GW of advanced projects that could enter construction within the next five years. While acknowledging the grid constraints that are limiting wind installations, the …

France is in talks to lend South Africa money to support a programme to regenerate its rundown cities, the European country’s ambassador said. The funding would add to the $925 million lent to the country by the World Bank to finance the South African National Treasury’s Metro Trading Services program, aimed at improving water and …

Fostering a competent, professional public service is foundational to South Africa’s prospects for economic growth and future resilience as a constitutional democracy. The failure to create such institutions in the three decades since the transition, and the consequent administrative dysfunction, poses a grave danger to South Africa’s economic growth prospects, and to its endurance as …

Staff Writer  ·21 Apr 2026 The South African government is paying millions of rands in legal fees to meet various legal challenges to the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme—with a pivotal case being heard next month. According to Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, the state is facing 15 legal cases challenging the NHI, each costing the …

South Africa and Lesotho have agreed that citizens need only their national identity documents to cross the border. Archive photo: Sechaba Mokhethi South Africa and Lesotho have agreed that citizens only need their national identity documents to cross the border. Children under 16, who do not qualify for national IDs, will continue to use passports. …

BMW South Africa and its Motorrad division have joined forces to launch a trio of special-edition models across two and four wheels. First up is the S 1000 RR M2 Edition, finished in Black Storm Metallic with red accents on the front fairing and passenger seat cover. Priced at R406,950, it also features a tinted …

Luke Fraser  ·21 Apr 2026 Hopes for interest rate cuts in South Africa have been dashed despite major signs of economic improvement across the country. 2026 began with optimism in South Africa and around the world. The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) was widely expected to cut interest rates by 50 basis points throughout the …

South Africa is home to some of the world’s busiest car factories, building some of the world’s favourite cars, including the VW Polo and BMW X3. Despite the strong start to the year, carmakers exporting from South Africa experienced a turbulent first quarter of 2026, with global disruptions affecting even car sales. January started with …

He adds: “We ultimately found a home for them in Albania. The country has a concept called ‘besa’, which means ‘my word is my bond’—a sacred code of honor. When Albania accepted these refugees without hesitation, it was something I deeply connected with. In today’s world, very few individuals, let alone nations, live by such a code”.   It was this code …

Malcolm Libera  ·20 Apr 2026 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that the global economy faces recession if the conflict in the Middle East continues—with energy-importing countries like South Africa at even greater risk.  In a report published last week, IMF economists warned that a longer or broader conflict could significantly weaken growth and …

20 April 2026 – Merling Phaswana and Philippe Gradidge South Africa is facing an alarming increase in non-communicable diseases and related mortality. According to Statistics South Africa, deaths due to non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension increased by over 58% between 1997 and 2018. The crisis of overweight and obesity in the country adds …

At the start, 2026 was looking quite promising. Inflation had fallen, interest rates had been cut, the government of national unity (GNU) had delivered a measure of political and fiscal stability, and consumers were finally spending again. Then, in late February, the US and Israel struck Iran. Within days, the Strait of Hormuz – through …

The event brought together representatives from the African Union Commission (AUC), the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), African diplomatic missions, development partners and international stakeholders.  Opened by SAIIA Chief Executive Elizabeth Sidiropoulos, speakers included:  Prof Jayati Ghosh, Professor of Economics, University of Massachusetts at Amherst  Prof Bartholomew Kingsly Armah, Senior Economist, AUDA-NEPAD  Kesaobaka Nancy Mopipi, Policy Analyst: …

 ·20 Apr 2026 South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho will officially unveil the completed Senqu Bridge this week, marking a major milestone in Phase II of the R53 billion Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP). In a significant boost for regional integration and water security, the bridge will be declared ready for use by motorists …

New data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) shows a positive trend for fuel price recoveries for South Africa, though it still won’t be enough to offset a considerable price hike next month. The CEF’s latest report for the end of the second full week of April shows that fuel price under-recoveries are trending downward, …

PRETORIA – Prominent Pan-African and pro-Russian activist Kemi Seba has applied for political asylum in South Africa, where he is being detained for breaching immigration laws, his lawyer told AFP Monday. Seba, born in France to parents from Benin, was arrested a week ago and is wanted in Benin on charges of inciting rebellion after …

  The National Grand Finale brought together South Africa’s top emerging tech talent following an intense, multi-stage selection process. Guided by the theme “Build. Code. Prototype. Solve.”, the competition challenged participants to transform theoretical knowledge into fully functional solutions that respond to real-world challenges aligned with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Proven excellence: consistency meets …

The Russian Embassy in South Africa has moved to distance the Russian government from media speculation surrounding Errol Musk’s recent visit to Russia and claims linked to the possible relocation of South African farmers. In a statement, Kirill Kalinin, the senior counsellor and spokesperson for the Russian Embassy in South Africa, said recent media commentary …

In an initiative aimed at unlocking the growth potential of South Africa’s most promising business sector, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) has marked the induction of the fifth cohort of its Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Rise Enterprise Accelerator Programme. This year’s intake includes 12 high-potential companies, predominantly operating within the ICT and technology sectors, …

Luke Fraser  ·20 Apr 2026 South Africa’s richest metro, the City of Johannesburg, is facing a downgrade in its credit rating from Moody’s. Moody’s has placed the city on review for a downgrade, which will impact several of the metro’s ratings. A downgrade would push these ratings from their current Ba3 level deeper into junk/non-investment …

Staff Writer  ·20 Apr 2026 Even if the war between the United States and Iran is resolved in the near term, analysts warn that it will take months for energy flows to return to normal. And with the global economic impact having a long, unpredictable tail, the South African Reserve Bank has warned that it’s …

The key to rescuing South Africa’s ailing steel industry, in which a unit of ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) is feuding with smaller competitors, is by growing demand rather than fixating on export controls, the country’s chief trade regulator said. AMSA last year shut a steel mill, citing competition from so-called mini-mills that use scrap metal …

South Africa’s hospitality sector is in a paradox. Guests are back. Occupancy is recovering and travel demand has returned with real momentum. According to Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille, South Africa welcomed over 10.48 million international visitors in 2025, marking a historic record and surpassing pre-pandemic figures. Yet, according to the South African Hoteliers Report, …

Wars rarely unfold only on the battlefield. They reshape political dynamics within societies, often in ways that are neither intended nor immediately visible. Recent developments in Iran once again highlight one of the most consistent, yet frequently misunderstood, effects: external pressure tends to consolidate internal political systems rather than weaken them. Prior to the latest …