Category: News

Mossel Bay to Host Ironman African Championship in Major Tourism Boost

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
Mossel Bay has received a major tourism boost with the announcement that the Ironman African Championship will be hosted in the Western Cape town from next year.

The internationally renowned triathlon event is relocating after being held in Nelson Mandela Bay for the past 21 years.

The championship is set to make its Mossel Bay debut in April 2027 and is expected to attract thousands of athletes, support crews, and spectators from around South Africa and around the world.

The move is expected to provide a significant boost to the local economy, with increased demand for accommodation, restaurants, tourism attractions, and other local businesses.

The Ironman African Championship is one of the continent's premier endurance sporting events, combining a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle, and a full marathon to test competitors from across the globe.

Update: Tyre Failure Disrupts Operations at Cape Town International Airport

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
Operations at Cape Town International Airport have been disrupted after a Kenya Airways aircraft experienced a tyre failure during landing on Tuesday afternoon.

According to the airport, Kenya Airways flight KQ784 landed at approximately 3:25pm when the incident occurred, resulting in temporary disruptions to runway operations.

As a result, all arriving flights are being diverted to alternative airports. Domestic departures are continuing to operate, while wide-body international departures have been temporarily suspended until normal runway operations are restored.

Passengers are advised to check the status of their flights before travelling to the airport. Cape Town International Airport has urged travellers to contact its passenger service centre on +27 21 937 1200 for the latest information on delays, diversions and flight schedules.

The airport said further updates will be issued as more information becomes available.
Update: Cape Town International Airport has resumed normal runway operations, after a Kenya Airways aircraft suffered a tyre failure during landing, temporarily closing the airport's main runway and disrupting flights. Flights were diverted to other airports during this time.

Airports Company South Africa said the incident occurred at around 3.25 yesterday afternoon. Emergency and recovery teams responded and the aircraft was safely removed. The runway reopened after mandatory safety inspections confirmed it was safe for operations.

Home Affairs launches online tool to find participating bank branches for Smart ID applications

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
The Department of Home Affairs has launched a new online service that helps South Africans quickly locate the nearest participating bank branch where they can apply for a Smart ID Card.

Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber unveiled the platform on Monday during the department's digital partnership media event with FNB at Canal Walk in Cape Town.

Available at myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za, the online tool allows citizens to instantly search for participating bank branches across South Africa. As more banks join the department's digital partnership, newly added branches will automatically appear on the platform in real time.

The launch forms part of Home Affairs' expanding digital transformation aimed at making government services more accessible and convenient.

According to the department, Smart ID Card services are now available at 372 participating bank branches nationwide, giving more South Africans the opportunity to replace the fraud-prone green barcoded ID book with the more secure Smart ID Card.

Since the banking partnership was introduced on 9 March 2026, more than 500,000 South Africans have applied for Smart ID Cards through participating bank branches, reflecting growing demand for faster and more convenient Home Affairs services.

"This new online service makes it easier than ever for South Africans to find their nearest participating bank branch and switch to the secure Smart ID Card. Every reform we implement should make our services easier to access, and this is another practical step towards achieving that goal," Schreiber said.

The minister urged all South Africans who still use the green barcoded ID book to upgrade to the Smart ID Card.

"More than half a million South Africans have already made the switch from the fraud-prone green barcoded ID book through our banking partners.

"It has never been easier to join them. Home Affairs @ Home is about bringing our services closer to where people live, work and bank, so that secure Home Affairs services fit into the lives of South Africans instead of expecting South Africans to fit into ours.

That is how we will continue delivering dignity for all," Schreiber said.

Eskom reports 441 days without load shedding

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
South Africa has reached 441 consecutive days without load shedding, with Eskom reporting significant improvements in power generation, lower unplanned outages and dramatically reduced diesel usage.

According to the power utility, the country has remained free of load shedding since 16 May 2025. Between 1 April and 30 July 2026, electricity demand was met 100% of the time, while Eskom's Winter Outlook continues to indicate that no load shedding is expected until at least 31 August 2026.

Eskom records highest energy availability since 2017

Eskom said the sustained improvement is the result of its ongoing Generation Recovery Plan, which has boosted generation capacity and strengthened the reliability of the national grid.

A major milestone was achieved on 26 July 2026, when the utility recorded a daily Energy Availability Factor (EAF) of 82.04% — the highest daily performance since 2017.

The financial year-to-date EAF has increased to 66.97%, representing a 7.28% improvement compared with the same period last year and an 11.8% improvement over three years. This has restored approximately 5.9GW of generating capacity to the national grid.

Eskom added that more than 85% of its coal-fired power stations are currently operating at EAF levels between 73% and 97%.
Unplanned outages nearly halved

The utility also reported a significant decline in unplanned breakdowns.

On 26 July, unplanned outages dropped to 4,562MW - the lowest level since 30 June 2018, when outages stood at 4,327MW.
During the week of 24 to 30 July, average unplanned outages measured 5,553MW, down from 10,641MW during the same period in 2025. This represents a reduction of 5,088MW, or 47.8% year-on-year.

The Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF) improved to 11.74%, compared with 22.21% a year earlier, while planned maintenance averaged 8.94%, down from 10.40% over the same period.
Diesel spending slashed by more than 85%

Improved plant performance has significantly reduced Eskom's dependence on expensive diesel-fired generation.

The utility confirmed that no diesel was used between 24 and 30 July, marking the second consecutive week without diesel consumption.

From 1 April to 30 July 2026, diesel expenditure totalled R807.41 million, compared with R5.63 billion during the same period last year - an 85.67% reduction.

Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs), which are typically used during periods of high electricity demand, operated at an average load factor of just 1.08%, down from 9.71% a year earlier.

Year-to-date OCGT generation reached 105.977GWh, approximately 88.89% lower than the corresponding period in 2025.
Load reduction programme continues despite end of load shedding

Although nationwide load shedding has ended, Eskom continues implementing load reduction in selected communities affected by illegal electricity connections, meter tampering, overloaded networks and infrastructure damage.

The utility's Load Reduction Eradication Programme has removed approximately 1.196 million customers from load reduction schedules, representing 70.8% of the 1.69 million customers originally affected.

Six of South Africa's nine provinces have now been completely removed from load reduction, while work continues in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.

The percentage of Eskom customers affected by load reduction has dropped from 23.5% at its peak to approximately 6.9%.

The utility remains on track to eliminate load reduction in a seventh province by October 2026, with the complete eradication of the programme targeted for 2027.

Smart meter rollout accelerates

Eskom's smart meter rollout is also supporting the reduction programme.
To date, 503,139 smart meters have been installed on load reduction feeders, achieving 87.1% of the 577,347-meter target in high-priority areas.

Approximately 93% of these installations are located in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal.

The utility has also removed 565 feeders from load reduction, representing 58% of its target of 971 feeders.

According to Eskom, 1,196,657 customers are no longer affected by load reduction, including 670,785 customers in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, 268,902 in Gauteng, 21,835 in the Eastern and Western Cape, 184,907 in KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State, and 50,228 in the North West and Northern Cape.

Final call to register to vote

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
South Africans who have not yet registered to vote are being urged to do so before voter registration closes at midnight on Friday.
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Electoral Commission Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo said there was still time for eligible citizens who missed the weekend registration drives to register online or through its newly launched WhatsApp registration service, warning voters not to wait until the final hours before the deadline.

More than 1.7 million people interacted with the IEC during the final voter registration weekend on 1 and 2 August. Of these, nearly 292 000 were first-time voters, while more than 1.5 million existing voters checked or updated their registration details to ensure they are registered in the correct voting district.

Mamabolo stressed that, in local government elections, voters can only cast their ballots at the voting station where they are registered, making it essential for anyone who has moved to update their address before registrations close.

The registration campaign also saw strong participation from young people, with almost 486 000 interactions recorded among citizens aged between 16 and 29. Encouragingly, nearly half of all new registrations were by voters under the age of 29, signalling growing youth participation ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.

To make registration even more accessible, the IEC has introduced voter registration via WhatsApp.

The platform allows users to register or update their details using secure identity verification, while some users may be directed to the online registration portal to confirm their residential address through an interactive map.

The Commission has appealed to eligible voters not to delay registering or updating their information, saying experience shows registration channels become increasingly busy as deadlines approach.

Citizens can also check their registration status using the SMS service on 32810 or seek assistance through the IEC's contact centre and WhatsApp support line.

The 2026 Local Government Elections are scheduled for 4 November, with the formal election timetable expected to be announced after the election is proclaimed on Friday, 7 August.

Four Suspects Arrested After R3 Million Jewellery Store Robbery in Jeffrey’s Bay

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
Four suspects have been arrested and jewellery worth an estimated R3 million recovered just hours after an armed robbery at a jewellery store in Jeffrey's Bay, thanks to a rapid police response and the use of technology.

According to the South African Police Service, the robbery took place at around 10:15 on Sunday, 2 August. Two armed suspects entered the store, threatened staff and customers with firearms, and ordered everyone to lie on the floor. Moments later, additional suspects entered and smashed display cabinets before stealing a large quantity of jewellery. No shots were fired and no injuries were reported.

Police immediately reviewed CCTV footage and circulated descriptions of the suspects' vehicles through local security networks and the NAVIC tracking system. Members of the Gqeberha Flying Squad later spotted one of the vehicles travelling at high speed on the N2 from Jeffrey's Bay towards Gqeberha.

The vehicle was intercepted on the highway, leading to the arrest of four suspects aged between 24 and 36. Officers recovered a large quantity of jewellery still bearing the store's tags, one round of AK-47 ammunition, and clothing matching that worn during the robbery.

The suspects remain in custody and are expected to appear in court on charges of possession of suspected stolen property and unlawful possession of ammunition.

Sarah Baartman District Commissioner Major General Thandiswa Kupiso praised the coordinated operation, saying the successful arrests demonstrated the value of collaboration between police, technology, intelligence sharing, and security partners. She added that the recovery of the stolen jewellery and the seizure of illegal ammunition marked a significant victory in the fight against aggravated robberies.

Team SA Wins 28 Medals at Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
Team South Africa wrapped up an impressive campaign at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, finishing with 28 medals – one more than the team achieved at the 2022 Birmingham Games.

The Games, held from 23 July to 2 August 2026, saw South Africa place 11th on the final medals table after securing seven gold, 11 silver and 10 bronze medals.

According to Team South Africa, swimmer Pieter Coetze was the country's standout performer, claiming three individual backstroke gold medals and two relay golds. Additional gold medals were won by Lara van Niekerk in swimming, Nathan Hendricks and Christian Sadie in para swimming, and Sinesipho Dlamini in athletics.

Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie congratulated Team South Africa on their achievements, praising the athletes for representing the country with pride.

"This team went to Glasgow and did us proud. They gave it their all, and every single one of them comes home having helped to add another proud chapter to South Africa's sporting history," McKenzie said.

A large group of Team South Africa athletes returned to OR Tambo International Airport on Saturday morning. Although the Minister was unable to welcome them in person, he sent a message of congratulations through the South African Sports Confederation, Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SASCOC).

McKenzie also encouraged young South Africans to draw inspiration from the team's success.

"To every young South African who watched these Games: these athletes were once just like you, and you can write your own names into the record books if seeing these achievements lit a fire in your belly," he said.

He also paid tribute to South Africa's para athletes, including Nathan Hendricks, Christian Sadie, Danika Vyncke and Masala Makatu, saying their achievements demonstrated that determination and resilience could overcome adversity while inspiring others.

"We salute you all as the heroes you are, and I look forward to being with the whole team again soon," McKenzie added.

The Minister confirmed that the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture will host an official reception for the full Team South Africa delegation once all athletes have returned from Glasgow.

August Fuel Price Changes Confirmed

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht

South African motorists will pay less for petrol from Wednesday, 5 August 2026, after the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources announced a 52 cents per litre reduction for both grades of petrol.

The fuel price adjustment, announced by Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe, brings welcome relief for petrol users, although diesel and illuminating paraffin prices will increase.

From 5 August:

-Petrol 93 (ULP & LRP): Down 52c per litre
-Petrol 95 (ULP & LRP): Down 52c per litre
-Diesel (0.05% sulphur): Up R1.38 per litre
-Diesel (0.005% sulphur): Up R1.23 per litre
-Illuminating Paraffin (wholesale): Up R1.52 per litre
-Maximum Retail Price of LPGas: Down R4.41 per kilogram (R5.03 per kilogram in the Western Cape)

In Gauteng, the price of 95 unleaded petrol will decrease from R26.10 to R25.58 per litre. Along the coast, it will fall from R25.23 to R24.71 per litre.

According to the department, the average Brent crude oil price declined from US$86.53 to US$82.37 per barrel during the review period. While renewed tensions between the United States and Iran briefly pushed oil prices higher, this was offset by lower global demand and the continued impact of the US-Iran ceasefire agreement.

International petrol prices also declined, contributing to the lower Basic Fuel Price for petrol.

However, diesel and illuminating paraffin prices increased due to global supply shortages linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which resulted in Russian diesel export restrictions. The department added that reduced refining capacity in the Middle East further tightened supply, pushing diesel prices higher.

Marine Protected Areas Day 2026: How MPAs Support Oceans, Communities and Human Wellbeing

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Day was observed on Saturday (1 August), marking a global initiative first introduced in 2021 to highlight the vital role MPAs play in protecting the world's oceans, while supporting the wellbeing of people and communities. The day encouraged greater appreciation of Marine Protected Areas and the many benefits they provided for both marine biodiversity and society.

The 2026 theme, "Ocean Protection Needs Human Connection," emphasised that safeguarding the oceans is a shared responsibility. Individuals, businesses, communities and governments are encouraged to reduce pollution, respect Protected Areas, support sustainable fisheries and make environmentally responsible decisions to help secure the future of marine ecosystems.

The message closely reflected the One Health approach, which recognises that the health of people, animals and ecosystems is interconnected. The concept gained renewed international attention during the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, where it was promoted as a key framework for addressing biodiversity loss, climate change and other environmental challenges. Marine Protected Areas remain central to this approach because healthy oceans ultimately support healthy people.

MPAs protect marine and estuarine ecosystems, allowing species to thrive while preserving relatively undisturbed environments where harvesting is restricted or prohibited. These Protected Areas also serve as valuable reference sites for scientists studying long-term ecological changes and demonstrate how intact ecosystems are more resilient to climate change, pollution and extreme weather.

Healthy marine ecosystems also benefit surrounding communities. As fish and other marine species naturally move beyond MPA boundaries through a process known as "spillover", they help replenish nearby fisheries, strengthen marine ecosystems and support food security and local livelihoods.

One example is the Betty's Bay MPA, where a thriving marine environment and its African Penguin colony continue to attract thousands of visitors annually. Tourism generate valuable income for local businesses, including the community-run On the Edge restaurant, demonstrating how healthy oceans support both biodiversity conservation and economic development.

However, experts warned that these benefits could not be taken for granted. Rivers, estuaries and oceans remain closely connected, meaning pollution entering freshwater systems eventually reach coastal waters, threatening marine habitats, wildlife, tourism, public health and local economies.

The One Health approach had already proven its value in the Western Cape when authorities responded to rabies cases detected in Cape fur seals. Human and animal health experts worked together to monitor and manage the disease, highlighting the importance of coordinated action to protect both wildlife and people.

Marine Protected Areas Day ultimately reinforced that protecting the oceans extended far beyond conserving marine life. Healthy marine ecosystems continue to underpin food security, tourism, recreation, cultural heritage and human wellbeing.

The observance served as a reminder that safeguarding South Africa's Marine Protected Areas require collective action to ensure they continue benefiting both nature and future generations.

SAPS Seizes R28 Million Cocaine Shipment at OR Tambo International Airport

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has seized 95kg of cocaine worth an estimated R28 million at OR Tambo International Airport in a major drug bust targeting international drug trafficking.

Police said the cocaine was intercepted on Friday during an intelligence-led operation after SAPS Crime Intelligence's Border Integrity Unit received information about a suspected drug shipment.

The operation involved SAPS Visible Policing officers at OR Tambo International Airport, Customs officials and Menzies Aviation staff.

The cocaine was found in cargo that arrived on a flight from São Paulo, Brazil, shortly after 1pm. Officers seized the 95kg shipment before it could leave the airport.

No arrests have been made, but police have launched an investigation to identify and arrest those behind the attempted drug smuggling operation.

SAPS said the successful operation highlights its ongoing efforts to combat organised crime, drug trafficking and cross-border smuggling. Police added that they will continue working with law enforcement partners to protect South Africa's borders and ports of entry from criminal exploitation.
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