The new Mazda 3 has been around for a while and has undoubtedly come a long way. It comes as no surprise that the brand has become associated with comfort, efficiency and reliability. The new Mazda 3 does not disappoint in living up to that reputation, proving itself in my drives along Cape Town’s meandering and picturesque routes. Mazda has resisted the industry’s obsession with constant reinvention, choosing instead to refine what works. The result is a car that feels considered, offering old-fashioned reassurance.  In recent years, Mazda has become known for its aesthetically pleasing designs; a departure from its past. The sedan is elegant, almost conservative but the hatchback carries a more creative personality. It has curves in the right places and feels appropriately sculptured.  It might not be universally loved — there are complaints about rear visibility being compromised — but I experienced no issue with visibility. That seems almost beside the point. This is a car that prioritises elegance and efficiency. Inside, the Mazda 3 continues to impress. The cabin feels rich, without forced extravagance and the controls are easy to find, unlike so many new brands on the market.  There’s a sense of calm here that’s increasingly rare, without the over-stimulating screens that are difficult to navigate. Just a quiet, deliberate focus on the driver. The Mazda3 has an all-new 8.8-inch infotainment screen supporting MZD Connect, which comes standard on all models. The base models feature an all-new eight-speaker sound system that uses a three-way layout with mid-bass drivers moved from the doors to the panel area for improved sound quality and bass response. The Individual model is equipped with the top-tier Bose premium sound system.  A new leather-wrapped steering wheel featuring illuminated controls and switches exudes luxury. Standard features include Bluetooth phone and audio pairing, remote keyless entry, push-button ignition, auto door lock, auto headlights and wipers, electronic parking brake, new knee airbags and two USB audio inputs. This elevates the Mazda3 to premium status. And that’s really where the Mazda 3 distinguishes itself. It is, above all, a driver’s car. The steering is as precise as one would expect and the ride is composed and comfortable.  The naturally aspirated engine feels smooth and predictable, while the turbocharged version adds a layer of effortless urgency that never tips into aggression. Under the bonnet, power ranges from 88kW for the Mazda3 hatch 1.5 Dynamic and goes up to 114kW for the Mazda3 hatch 2.0 Astina. The dual-engine strategy allows the car to cater to both everyday commuters and those seeking more spirited performance. The turbo variant, in particular, is among the quickest in its class, capable of accelerating from 0km/h to 100 km/h in under six seconds.  However, it should be noted that the Mazda prioritises refinement over outright sportiness. The driving experience is not aggressively dynamic, which might disappoint drivers expecting hot-hatch levels of excitement. There’s also something faintly nostalgic about the availability of a manual transmission. Not because it transforms the car into something it isn’t but because it acknowledges a shrinking group of drivers who want that tactile connection. In this context, it’s less about speed and more about involvement.  The rear seats on the hatchback are a little tight but manageable. You get the design benefit though. When it comes to electrification, Mazda will need to catch up. I’m hoping we see more hybrid and electric versions in the near term. I’m sure the Mazda 3 will pivot from its more traditional philosophy soon.  What makes the Mazda 3 compelling is that it offers something less easily quantified. A sense of cohesion, a feeling that each element, from the way the door closes to the way the car settles into a corner, has been tuned with intention. It’s a car that asks you to slow down slightly, to notice the details, to appreciate the difference between something that simply works and something that feels reassuring and rewarding. Not everyone will care about that but I’m sure most people will. For those who believe that even an everyday car can have a point of view, the Mazda 3 continues to make a quietly persuasive case. It’s tried and tested.  Prices and fuel 1.5 Dynamic Manual: From R490 900 — 6.0L/100km 1.5 Dynamic Auto: From R507 200 — 5.9L /100km 2.0 Astina (Top Spec): From R620 400 — 6.3L/100km

Free State Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Sakie Mofokeng says he has faced pushback from some councillors after discovering that they had applied and been shortlisted for interviews in the same municipalities they serve. According to provincial insiders, the councillors were trying to secure jobs because they were uncertain whether they would return as councillors after the 2026 local government elections in November.  “You find councillors in their own municipality who have applied and are shortlisted for interviews to become employees of the same municipality they lead,” Mofokeng told the Mail & Guardian in a wide-ranging interview last week. “When you intervene to correct that particular situation, there’s pushback. “You can never have a councillor applying and being shortlisted, as happened with councillors of Mohokare Local Municipality who wanted to appoint themselves. There’s no way that the provincial government can interview me for a position in the administration while I’m serving as an executive.” Some councillors in Mohokare Local Municipality have accused Mofokeng of removing an elected mayor and a municipal manager who had been appointed by council and replacing them with people from his office. A source in the municipality told the publication that Mofokeng was doing that to secure resources through the municipality in order to fund his ANC campaign before the next provincial conference. Another source told the M&G that in municipalities where Mofokeng did not have people he could manipulate, he used service delivery failures to gain control.  “Once he puts the municipality under administration, he uses his people as administrators without the control of the council so that he can do whatever he wants. The reason he does this is because he cannot control the council.  “This is just a battle over resources and has nothing to do with fixing local government. I’m a member of the ANC. If you are saying you are putting these municipalities under Section 139 while there is a deployment committee policy of the organisation, you are basically saying the organisation is failing because those deployed come from the ANC.” Mofokeng dismissed the allegations, saying they were part of a fightback campaign by those the crackdown affected. His detractors, he said, had resorted to slander and malicious allegations that could never be substantiated, adding that everything done by the provincial government and Cogta was above board and open to scrutiny. “I can confirm that there is nowhere we are going to be found wanting in terms of the decisions we have taken,” said Mofokeng. “The MEC will never be appointed without the provincial executive council (exco). It is a fallacy that Mofokeng is running amok unless they provide evidence as to how Mofokeng hired his people.  “Beneficiaries of capture and disorder will fight back because they want to protect their immediate benefits but we are not going to hold back. We will push back.” Mofokeng said that in every municipality where the government had intervened, including those placed under Section 139 administration, the decisions were made by the provincial government and not by him alone. He said the province had deployed exco representatives to struggling municipalities and those representatives were appointed by exco, not by him. “The argument that one is running amok is far from the truth. These are exco resolutions and provincial government decisions made in accordance with the laws of the land. “The law is instructive: when municipalities are unable to fulfil their constitutional obligations, the provincial government, through Cogta, must intervene,” he said. “There are people who will not be happy that we are intervening. Some of those people are in the administration and some are at a political level. “We have experienced pushback and we don’t mind because we know it comes with the territory. We have taken it head-on and we are happy that we have pushed through. We are in a number of municipalities to make sure we are closing the gaps.” Part of the reason Free State municipalities had failed to fulfil their mandates was because people with little to no expertise had been appointed to senior roles, he said. Municipalities would hire senior managers from other municipalities who had either been removed over corruption scandals or presided over the collapse of those municipalities. “I’m happy that municipalities have begun recruiting the right personnel in the right way and that’s what we ask. Municipalities that are not adhering to the law can be taken to court so that we can seek declaratory orders against appointments that are wrong and illegal.”  A director or city manager was a permanent employee, Mofokeng said. “Once you appoint that person, they will be there for years. If it is the wrong appointment, it will harm the people and the municipality and we cannot allow that.” Free State municipalities have struggled to obtain clean audits. Many have failed to provide basic services because of the systemic corruption the province has been fighting against for years. In February during her State of the Province address, Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae vowed to fix struggling municipalities, declaring 2026 a “year of decisive action” for local government reform. Mofokeng said that since taking office, the provincial government had prioritised clean audits and improved audit outcomes, adding that audit action plans had been adopted to help turn municipalities around. “The first phase was to stabilise and stop the downward spiral. The second phase was to begin seeing improvements and we are happy that we are no longer seeing excessive regressions,” he said, adding that they were encouraged by progress in municipalities including Maluti-a-Phofung, Dihlabeng, Kopanong, Setsoto and Matjhabeng. He conceded, however, that some municipalities remained stagnant, including Mangaung Metro.

KwaZulu-Natal's successful hosting of Africa's Travel Indaba 2026 highlights the province's growing significance as a tourism hub, showcasing diverse offerings and strengthening international market relationships.

Join the Gift of the Givers in their urgent humanitarian response to the devastating floods affecting over 100 000 residents in the Western Cape.

Regional cooperation across the Indian Ocean Rim (IOR) has taken on new urgency as global economic volatility intensifies and conflict in the Middle East disrupts trade and energy markets. This was the core message at the 10th Indian Ocean Dialogue in New Delhi on 7 and 8 May, where members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), including India and South Africa, called for stronger regional solidarity and collective action in maritime safety, security and the blue economy. Held under the theme, Indian Ocean region in a transforming world, the dialogue focused on security challenges and the need for closer cooperation as geopolitical tensions rise. The Indian Ocean Rim, which links Asia, Africa and Europe, has become one of the world’s most strategically significant regions. IORA, comprising 23 littoral states and 12 dialogue partners, including China, Russia, Saudi Arabia and the United States, is shaping a new era of maritime multilateralism. At a time of intensifying rivalry between major powers, particularly China and the US, IORA offers small and middle powers an important platform to avoid being drawn into geopolitical contests. It provides a diplomatic and economic middle ground for countries seeking cooperation without choosing sides, resulting in the region evolving from a peripheral maritime space into a central arena of geopolitical and geo-economic competition. The region’s challenges are diverse and growing. Several member states, including countries such as Bangladesh, face economic constraints while contending with non-traditional maritime threats such as trafficking, piracy, armed robbery at sea and drug smuggling. Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing is undermining food security and eroding coastal economies. Climate change, which is intensifying floods and extreme weather events, adds another layer of vulnerability. At the same time, limited regional information sharing and inadequate maritime surveillance hamper effective responses. India, as the current IORA chair, set the tone at the dialogue by reaffirming its commitment to a “peaceful, stable and prosperous Indian Ocean Region” under its Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions vision. Discussions highlighted the far-reaching consequences of the Middle East conflict, which has transformed parts of the Indian Ocean into a volatile theatre marked by supply chain disruptions, piracy and smuggling. Panellists called for a more multipolar regional order supported by expanded coastal radar networks, stronger white shipping agreements and enhanced capacity for countries to act as first responders during crises. A persistent obstacle is the limited funding and operational capacity of many member states to monitor this vast oceanic expanse. For both India and South Africa, the Indian Ocean is central to national security and economic prosperity. It carries 95% of India’s trade by volume and supplies 70% of its oil imports. It is, therefore, indispensable for India’s energy security and for protecting critical maritime chokepoints from strategic competition and terrorism, piracy and smuggling. South Africa’s coastline, extending from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean, serves as a crucial corridor for international trade, linking the Middle East, Africa, and East Asia. The IOR is a key focus for South Africa’s economy and maritime security. It offers crucial fishing resources that support millions of livelihoods and IORA is a platform for both India and SA to boost initiatives to enhance their blue economies and increase security to protect trade routes and focus on sustainable use of ocean resources. Through Operation Phakisa, Pretoria is seeking to unlock the economic potential of its oceans while reducing poverty, boosting trade and supporting efforts to integrate climate resilience into regional maritime strategies. The conflict involving Iran has further underscored IORA’s strategic importance. Its impact on oil prices, shipping routes and investor confidence has affected all 23 member states, though to varying degrees. India, with its heavy dependence on Middle Eastern energy supplies, is particularly exposed. SA has seen some short-term gains as shipping traffic has been redirected to ports such as Cape Town, Durban and Ngqura. But these benefits are outweighed by the economic fallout from higher fuel costs and global market instability. In an uncertain world, the Indian Ocean is not just a transit corridor. It is a strategic lifeline. For countries such as India and SA, stronger cooperation through IORA is essential to safeguarding trade, securing energy supplies and building a more resilient and prosperous region.

The death of a mother and her child on the N1 road outside Bela Bela 11 days ago is tragic beyond belief. Beauty Shoperai was crossing the road to see to her husband who had been killed in a motor accident shortly before. The car that hit her was driven by the police protector of Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, who was sitting in the back. The commentariat were quick to hit their keyboards with condemnation – projecting the general loathing of blue light use – but perhaps the minister’s driver was not at fault. If he was driving at the recommended speed and a pedestrian (which the Highway Code specifically prohibits from being on a motorway) stepped in front of him, they wouldn’t have stood a chance. Whatever the case, that’s for the inquest to decide. But as fast as we are to point fingers at ostensible government fat cats, many of us are guilty of appalling behaviour behind the wheel, like Petrus Janse van Rensburg, the lout in the Kruger Park caught on camera speeding and drifting on the dirt roads. A hasty video apology the day after this newspaper reported the incident isn’t enough to cut it. All it does is help expedite the punishment as an acknowledgement of guilt. Van Rensburg should be punished and possibly banned from driving in the park, if for no other reason than to set an example to anyone else who wants to show off. We can rely on the lions and elephants to resolve the usual idiocy of visitors stepping out of their cars for better social media posters, but not in a case like this, spawned from a toxic mess of arrogance and selfishness, where the smaller animals will pay the price if they get hit by a fast-moving vehicle. Assumptions, typically based on prejudice, are dangerous. Ask the people stuck in 16km traffic jams for over an hour every day to get into Nampo outside Bothaville last week. The idiots trying to jump the queue by driving down the oncoming lane or barrelling onto the gravel verge were the last demographic the normal moaners would have expected. But, as the numberplates from GP, NW and ZN showed, being higher up on the social ladder is not a natural antidote for entitled shittiness. At least no mothers with children on their backs perished in the rush to Nampo. There’s no guarantee it can’t happen, though.

A Cape Town preacher accused of homophobia has been criticised for sharing a fake news Facebook post about Springbok and Stormers player, Damian Willemse. The pastor recently made headlines over his comments condemning Marc Lottering’s song performance at a local church. He has been previously convicted of making anti-LGBTQ hate speech comments. CAPE TOWN PASTOR SPREADS FAKE NEWS ABOUT DAMIAN WILLEMSE On his Facebook account, Cape Town preacher Oscar Bougardt shared a post relating to rugby player Damian Willemse. The post, from a fake news page, claimed that the 28-year-old had refused to wear a captain’s armband supporting the LGBTQ community. Bougardt, believing the viral post, shared on his own profile: “I commend Damian Willemse for standing firm in his convictions regarding LGBTQI+ ideologies and the dispute over wearing armbands in LGBTQI+ colours. The notion that one must stand firm in their beliefs is well-founded. The preacher, who heads up the Calvary Hope Baptist Ministry, said of the player: “Although many may label him as intolerant, homophobic and a hater, he should remain resolute. “Disagreement does not equate to hatred, and differing opinions should be respected. In the comments section, Bougardt was criticised for spreading fake news, particularly about Damian Willemse. One Facebook user responded: “A simple Google search would have helped with your ignorance”, while another added: “Please fact-check before you post these things” An unfazed Bougardt responded: “Even if it’s fake news, it’s still happening where people are forced to wear LGBTQI+ regalia. JAIL TIME OVER HOMOPHOBIC VIEWS? It’s not just Damian Willemse whom the Cape Town preacher has singled out in his homophobic rant. Last month, Oscar Bougardt courted controversy after he criticised openly gay comedian Marc Lottering for singing in a local Cape Town church. This is related to social media posts by Lottering and his husband, theatre producer Anwar McKay, about attending the baptism of a child’s friend. The couple visited the New Hope Church in Cape Town, where Lottering was invited by Pastor Jose van Rensburg onto the stage to sing a song. Bougardt condemned the pastor for his “questionable and unbiblical” stance. Apart from Damian Willemse, Cape Town preacher has targeted openly-gay comedian Marc Lottering.Images via Facebook His comments could land him in hot water with the law again. The preacher has a suspended sentence over his previous homophobic rants and risks imprisonment by continuing to condemn the LGBTQ community publicly. However, he claims that his comments “do not advocate harm, do not incite violence, and do not promote hatred against any individual or group. They constitute religious and theological expression concerning church doctrine and leadership, which must be distinguished from unlawful hate speech.”

Former Kaizer Chiefs star Junior Khanye has expressed his disappointent in Orlando Pirates midfielder Sipho Mbule. The 28-year-old talented midfielder played 23 times across all competitions but half of the matches he came off from the bench. Mbule joined the Buccaneers as a free agent this season having had off the field issues at Mamelodi Sundowns. He was given a second chance by Pirates and appeared to be on the right track until the second half of the season. His apparent behaviour has seen him miss key matches and is reportedly not in Abdeslam Ouaddou’s plans for the next season. Mbule nowhere to be seen at Pirates? “Sipho Mbule’s season did not turn out the way I expected, he started his Orlando Pirates career very well in the MTN8, but then laziness crept in,” Khanye said as per KickOff. “Out of nowhere Sipho started gaining weight very badly. “He became too relaxed after being signed by Orlando Pirates. He is the best talent who didn’t fulfill the wishes I had for him at Pirates.” The former Chiefs star felt Mbule became lazy as the season went by and failed to meet the demands of Orlando Pirates. “He started the season very well, but what I have noticed is that he was too lazy to work, and the so-called modern football doesn’t accommodate people like him,” Khanye explained. “Coaches are concerned about their jobs since football has become a business. “Hugo Broos took him to the AFCON in Morocco because at the time he deserved to be there, even though he had not yet reached his peak, but at the time there was no midfielder you could compare to him.” Mbule has not featured in recent matches for Orlando Pirates fueling speculation regarding his exit. Should the Buccaneers release Sipho Mbule?

Elon Musk has lost his lawsuit against OpenAI, with the jury deliberating for under two hours.

Campaigners want a major Cape Town data centre plan blocked until its water and power impact is disclosed.