Tag: South Africa

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.

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.

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.

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.
error: eRadio is protected !
Scroll to Top