On a lighter note ahead of Saturday's Valentine's Day, love looks different in 2026. According to Google's latest Search data people in South Africa are rethinking Valentine's Day and this year, the focus has swung from candlelit dinners to creativity, self-care, and connection. According to the global search engine, across the country, interest has spiked not only in classic romantic gestures but also in friendship, personal wellbeing, and imaginative experiences that bring people closer ahead of February the  14th. Thuto Ngobeni compiled this report

On a lighter note ahead of Saturday's Valentine's Day, love looks different in 2026. According to Google's latest Search data people in South Africa are rethinking Valentine's Day and this year, the focus has swung from candlelit dinners to creativity, self-care, and connection. According to the global search engine, across the country, interest has spiked not only in classic romantic gestures but also in friendship, personal wellbeing, and imaginative experiences that bring people closer ahead of February the &nbsp;14th. Thuto Ngobeni compiled this report

Fast-paced news and current affairs updates, dealing with topical issues & breaking stories.

Fast-paced news and current affairs updates, dealing with topical issues &amp; breaking stories.

Africa Update

Valentine's Day: Thuto Ngobeni

In Madagascar, Cyclone Gezani claimed the lives of at least 36 people, injured more than 370 and destroyed almost 18 - thousand homes in the 24-hours of the cyclone battering  Madagascar. Madagascar's president has declared a national disaster and has called on international leaders to help the largely poor Indian Ocean island. Just last month, Madagascar launched its first ever humanitarian hub , funded by the European Union (EU) and the World Food Programme - WFP, to strengthen emergency preparedness and response to crises for the cyclone-prone eastern and southern coasts. Lulu Gaboo spoke to Madasgar's WFP Director, Tania Goosens

In Madagascar, Cyclone Gezani claimed the lives of at least 36 people, injured more than 370 and destroyed almost 18 - thousand homes in the 24-hours of the cyclone battering &nbsp;Madagascar. Madagascar's president has declared a national disaster and has called on international leaders to help the largely poor Indian Ocean island. Just last month, Madagascar launched its first ever humanitarian hub , funded by the European Union (EU) and the World Food Programme - WFP, to strengthen emergency preparedness and response to crises for the cyclone-prone eastern and southern coasts. Lulu Gaboo spoke to Madasgar's WFP Director, Tania Goosens

Cyclone Gezani in Madagascar claimed the lives of at least 36 people  : Tania Goosens

Save the Children has warned that children displaced by some of the worst flooding across southern Africa in decades are facing a growing health crisis, with a lack of running water and destroyed sanitation facilities fuelling a spike in waterborne diseases. Heavy downpours across several countries in southern Africa have affected more than 1 - point - 3 million people, with houses and critical infrastructure destroyed, disrupting access to health and education services. The rainy season is expected to continue for at least another month. Lulu Gaboo spoke to Director of Programmes at Save the Children, Megan Briede.

Save the Children has warned that children displaced by some of the worst flooding across southern Africa in decades are facing a growing health crisis, with a lack of running water and destroyed sanitation facilities fuelling a spike in waterborne diseases. Heavy downpours across several countries in southern Africa have affected more than 1 - point - 3 million people, with houses and critical infrastructure destroyed, disrupting access to health and education services. The rainy season is expected to continue for at least another month. Lulu Gaboo spoke to Director of Programmes at Save the Children, Megan Briede.

Save the Children on floods  across southern Africa: Megan Briede

As the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government to kick off in Addis Ababa on 14 February 2026 it remains to be seen if diplomatic and commercial ties between the United States and the continent will feature during discussions.Analysts say while US President Donald  Trump is not set to attend the 39th annual meeting of the African Union, ,his presence will still be felt as delegations from the 55 member states grapple with the new, disruptive reality of the United States president's second term. Lulu Gaboo spoke to regional analyst Areba Omwoyo Samba

As the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government to kick off in Addis Ababa on 14 February 2026 it remains to be seen if diplomatic and commercial ties between the United States and the continent will feature during discussions.Analysts say while US President Donald &nbsp;Trump is not set to attend the 39th annual meeting of the African Union, ,his presence will still be felt as delegations from the 55 member states grapple with the new, disruptive reality of the United States president's second term. Lulu Gaboo spoke to regional analyst Areba Omwoyo Samba

Valentine's Day: Thuto Ngobeni

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