Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson has explained that viral wing sensation Lleyton Davids is currently sidelined with shin splints as his body adapts to the rigorous demands of professional training.

The R370 Social Relief of Distress grant will continue in its current form until 31 March 2027, while government works on a possible replacement linked to employment, training and enterprise support.

The Makana Local Municipality has launched an investigation into a reported E. coli detection at Rhodes University to check whether the water supply is safe. “The Municipality emphasises that the source and extent of any possible contamination can only be confirmed once the current sampling and laboratory analysis have been completed,” the municipality stated on Wednesday. Its announcement follows a statement from Rhodes University, which reported a cluster of stomach illnesses among its community on Tuesday. “Subsequent enquiries with local medical practitioners indicate that similar cases are being reported elsewhere in Makhanda, suggesting that the situation may extend beyond the University campus,” the university said. The illness has not been confirmed as the same one, but it follows more than 430 people falling ill in Tshwane. Executive Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya said new cases there had dropped from a peak of 72 on 13 October to 16 on 18 October. Joint team and water testing According to the municipality, routine testing on 5 October returned a negative result for E. coli. “Makana Local Municipality is working with relevant authorities and technical teams to investigate a reported E. coli detection at Rhodes University and to verify the safety of the water supply,” it explained. A joint investigation team has been formed, made up of representatives from Makana Municipality, Sarah Baartman District Municipality and the Department of Water and Sanitation. The municipality said it appointed IDZ to collect samples. It added that the Amatola Water laboratory, representing the department, took samples at common points for independent analysis. The municipality said it was also carrying out confirmatory sampling in identified areas and at extra points in the distribution network. Accredited laboratories are testing the samples against drinking-water standards, while officials are assessing chlorine levels and the disinfection system’s performance. Where necessary, they were looking into risks in the water treatment and supply systems. “Teams remain on the ground to assess water quality and determine whether the reported cases are linked to the water supply,” the municipality added. No cases outside Rhodes yet, but residents urged to boil water The municipality said its teams were engaging with clinics and schools to find out whether more cases had been reported. “At this stage, no related cases have been reported outside Rhodes University,” it noted. Residents were encouraged to boil water before drinking or cooking, particularly in areas of concern. The municipality also suggested disinfecting water with household bleach, following the product instructions, and using other safe water sources where available. “Although there are currently no conclusive signs of wider contamination, these measures are advised as a precaution while testing continues,” it said. Rhodes University response and where to get help Rhodes said it had put extra safety measures in place on campus. These included urgent water-quality testing at residences, safe drinking water in dining halls and added care in food preparation. “The University is working urgently with local public health authorities and environmental health practitioners to establish the possible cause and scope of the illnesses,” the university said. Staff and students were urged to drink boiled and cooled or bottled water, avoid ice and wash their hands regularly with soap and water. “Anyone experiencing diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach cramps or fever should maintain hydration by drinking safe fluids and seek medical advice,” Rhodes advised. Students needing help can call the Rhodes University Health Care Centre on 046 603 8523 or email healthcarecentre@ru.ac.za. After-hours emergencies can be reported to RU ER24 on 010 205 3068, and students were asked to tell their warden or sub-warden. What happens next The municipality said it would share test results and any required interventions once they were confirmed. “Makana Local Municipality remains committed to providing safe, compliant drinking water and to keeping the public informed as the investigation progresses,” it stated.

Several political parties welcomed Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s mini-budget, with the fuel levy reduction seen as great news. Delivering his medium-term budget policy statement in parliament yesterday, Godongwana bowed to pressure to reduce the fuel levy to mitigate recent exorbitant fuel prices. He also increased the allocation to fight gender-based violence (GBV) and to hire at least 3 000 social workers to handle GBV issues. Parties welcome fuel levy relief but question its duration United Democratic Movement deputy president and parliamentary leader Nqabayomzi Kwankwa said Godongwana’s figures provide good ground for optimism. “The resources to be saved must go to areas of poverty.” But the parties felt the fuel levy relief was short-lived as it applied for only two months. Rise Mzansi national leader Songezo Zibi said though the mini-budget, along with the fuel levy reduction, is a “move in the right direction”, the relief is too short. The party wants the minister to do more to cover the shortfall in his main budget in February. While praising several key allocations and policy steps, the party said temporary measures were insufficient to address SA’s cost-of-living crisis. “South Africa cannot build a resilient economy on temporary Band-Aids.” Rise Mzansi, MK party and ATM reject budget Rise Mzansi said both the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party and African Transformation Movement (ATM) rejected the budget, saying it fell short. MK party MP Kwenzokuhle Madlala said the budget failed to address the plight of the poor. ATM parliamentary leader Vuyolwethu Zungula called it disappointing and criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa’s unfulfilled promise to hire additional labour inspectors to police the employment of illegal migrants. Election ploy? However, Godongwana said labour inspectors would be increased to ensure companies that hire illegal immigrants were caught. Government would also consider strengthening border inspectors and immigration officers, he said. The United Africans Transformation’s Bantu Mahlatsi said the fuel levy decrease was nothing but an electioneer ploy by the government. “It was done for the purpose of the vote next month.” Unemployment concerns Political analyst Sandile Swana said Godongwana’s approach – focusing on massive infrastructure investment with increased private sector participation – would please Operation Vulindlela advocates in big business. “This has been the aim of Operation Vulindlela, and that is what the government are doing.” But Godongwana’s forecast of 2% GDP growth by 2029 meant unemployment would continue to escalate, Swana said.

Travelling to Mauritius this summer? The island has just come through its worst unrest in nearly three decades. A nighttime curfew has now been lifted. Roads have reopened, and daily life is returning to normal. But there are still a few things South African travellers should know before they go. The Mauritian government ended the curfew on Monday, 19 October. “The last curfew ended at 4:30am on Monday 19 October, and it has not been extended,” Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam‘s office said. The government said the curfew was lifted thanks to the “favourable evolution of the situation”. Mauritius lifted a nighttime curfew imposed last week after a rare wave of violent demonstrations rocked the island nation pic.twitter.com/TJeY3gP9nW— TRT Afrika (@trtafrika) October 20, 2026 WHAT HAPPENED IN MAURITIUS? The unrest began around 7 October, with protests over water shortages and the rising cost of living. It escalated on 9 October, when a police officer shot and wounded a 27-year-old woman, sparking more violent protests, roadblocks and property damage. The government introduced temporary nighttime curfews covering most of the main island, including the capital, Port Louis. According to the British government, they ran from 12 to 18 October. At least 188 people were arrested on charges including looting, arson, damage to police stations and possession of explosives. The police officer involved in the shooting has been arrested and brought to court. IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL TO MAURITIUS NOW? According to a local tourism operator, roads are open, schools have reopened and daily life is back on track. However, the British government has advised visitors to stay away from demonstrations and large public gatherings, and to follow the advice of local authorities. THE TRAVEL FORM EVERY VISITOR NEEDS Before you fly, there’s one thing every traveller must do. All passengers travelling to Mauritius must complete the Mauritius All-in-One Travel Digital Form before boarding, on the government’s official website. WHAT ABOUT EBOLA? Mauritius has had Ebola-related travel measures in place since June 2026, in response to an outbreak mainly affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. According to an aviation industry update on 13 October, travellers who’ve been in the DRC or South Sudan within the past 21 days aren’t allowed to enter Mauritius, with exceptions for Mauritian nationals and permit holders. Visitors who are allowed in may also face a medical assessment on arrival. For most South African travellers, the Ebola rules won’t apply, unless you’ve recently visited one of the affected countries. DO SOUTH AFRICANS NEED A VISA? No. South Africans can visit Mauritius visa-free for up to 90 days. TIPS FOR TRAVELLING TO MAURITIUS Complete the All-in-One Travel Digital Form before you fly. Avoid protests and large gatherings, even if they seem peaceful. Keep an eye on local news during your stay. Check your travel insurance, since some policies exclude claims related to civil unrest. Register your trip with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), by emailing rosahelp@dirco.gov.za. ARE YOU PLANNING A TRIP TO MAURITIUS THIS SUMMER? Let us know in the comments below…

News of citizens requiring mandatory Smart ID Cards before 2028 is arguably the biggest administrative shake up in government history. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) announced the timeline for the end of the green ID book on 1 October 2026. That equates to roughly 865 000 ID upgrades per month. Production of the old ID documents ends on 31 March 2027. The machines will be permanently decommissioned. And every South African must have their Smart ID Cards before 2028 – specifically 31 March 2028 – when the booklets cease being valid. SMART ID CARDS BEFORE 2028 But there’s actually good news for the roughly 14.7-million South Africans who still need to make the upgrade, including naturalised citizens. Previously you could only apply online through eHomeAffairs, before performing biometrics in-person. Now, however, all of the 515 participating bank branches offering DHA services take walk-ins, too. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber says the HomeAffairs@Home scheme is gathering momentum. Six months ago, 16-million citizens and permanent residents needed to upgrade. That figure has been slashed by 1.3 million in just a matter of months, with 822 000 of those using banks. Schreiber also reminded everyone that the old green book is the most forged document in Africa. Once it lapses, it will no longer be accepted by banks and other institutions as valid identification. WHAT ABOUT NATURALISED CITIZENS? March 2027, the ID booklet machines will be decommissioned. March 2028, the documents will become invalid. Image: File As The South African is reminded ceaselessly by readers – naturalised citizens and permanent residents have long struggled to get access to Smart IDs Cards. Nevertheless, Schreiber says Home Affairs will ‘enable the remaining cohort’ before 31 March 2027. Moreover, the biggest development in the race to Smart ID Cards before 2028 is that you no longer need an online appointment. Latest DHA purports that 515 bank branches now offer walk-in smart ID replacements, taking as little as five minutes. Better still, the DHA plans more than 1 000 service points by the beginning of 2027. HOW TO UPGRADE SMART ID CARDS BEFORE 2028 Banks connect directly to Home Affairs through a digital gateway, so you don’t need to go through the eHomeAffairs portal first. However, if you simply walk-in, you still need to have all your paperwork in order. This means: Bring your original ID book, unless it’s lost or stolen. A SAPS case number if your card was lost or stolen. Your cellphone for SMS/WhatsApp updates. First-time applicants and pensioners aged 60 and over pay nothing. Green-book upgrades and replacements are R140. After you’ve been processed, the DHA says the average wait is about 13 days. But some branches ask that you allow up to four weeks. A temporary ID certificate can cover the gap if, for example, you need one for voting in next month’s local government elections … But what do you think? Do you think government will keep up with the demand the smart ID card before 2028? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below …

MultiChoice revenue fell 3% like for like in the first nine months, though the decline eased in the third quarter.

A cut to its advertising forecast and a fourth straight quarter of slowing growth have rattled investors.