Contradictions of township life

Drones are a remarkable invention that have transformed how we perceive our cities, communities, and landscapes by granting us a bird’s-eye view once reserved exclusively for aircraft and helicopters. Yet lately, the images they capture from South Africa’s townships have left me with deeply mixed f…

Global shift from social influencer celebrity culture : China is putting scientists on giant city billboards instead of celebrities

China's shift toward placing scientists and engineers on massive city billboards—replacing pop icons, actors, and commercial influencers—reflects a broader effort to reshape public values and promote self-reliance in science and technology. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Frans Mashao, Brand / Marketing…

Musician: Imvemnyama

Colleen Makhubele conversation with Imvemnyama an artistic persona of South African singer, songwriter, and live performer Sive Mqikela. Born and raised in Ezibeleni, Komani (formerly Queenstown) in the Eastern Cape, he is currently based in Johannesburg.

Nearly R70bn spent through government contract expansions, investigation finds

A Sunday Times investigation has revealed that South African government departments and state-owned entities channelled nearly R70 billion to service providers through contract expansions and extensions between October 2023 and March 2026. These variations frequently bypassed fresh competitive tend…

The TRC cases inquiry and the ongoing questions around accountability and justice for victims of apartheid-era crimes.

When South Africa embarked on its post-apartheid democratic journey, it struck a foundational compromise etched into the national memory: full, public truth in exchange for amnesty. Yet for hundreds of families who surrendered their right to immediate criminal justice, that promise transformed into…

South African Council of Educators (SACE) warns teachers they may face discipline for serious off-duty misconduct like cyberbullying and alcohol abuse

The Educators’ Union of South Africa has rejected a ruling by the South African Council of Educators (SACE) that seeks to police the behaviour of teachers outside of school hours. In contrast, the National Teachers' Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) supports SACE’s code of professional ethics,…

Scaling vs. Scrutiny: Managing Record NSFAS Applications & Tightening Verification Checks

As public universities and TVET colleges prepare for the upcoming academic cycle, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme finds itself at a historic crossroads. On one hand, demand has never been higher: hundreds of thousands of prospective students have flooded the portal, driven by the urgent a…

Minority Sectors Manifestos: E-Hailers; Homeless people ; ECDC; Informal Traders - demand answers from parties ahead of local elections

As South Africa approaches the local government elections, political parties are issuing sweeping manifestos filled with high-level promises. Yet, behind the official rhetoric lies a distinct gap: the systematic neglect of South Africa's micro-economies and frontline social safety nets. Colleen Mak…

DA lodges urgent SAHRC complaint over safety, asbestos, and infrastructure concerns at Eersterust Secondary

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has lodged an urgent complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission regarding critical security threats, asbestos hazards, and deteriorating infrastructure at Eersterust Secondary School in Tshwane. Impacting 915 students, these severe conditions—co…

Revised White Paper seeks to transform local government funding

The revised White Paper on Local Government will introduce a differentiated funding approach and strengthen merit-based appointments to enhance municipal performance and service delivery, according to Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa. Colleen Makub…