A gripping performance of the muchongolo traditional Tsonga dance, the ululating of women, thunderous applause from a delighted, predominantly rural audience, the beating of drums and a message-driven choral music rendition echoed through Kruger National Park’s Nombolo Mdhluli Conference Centre — named after a legendary ranger who worked at the globally acclaimed conservation area for 52 years. For forestry, fisheries and environment minister Willie Aucamp, the historic occasion provided an opportunity to join in the Tsonga dance moves as South African National Parks (Sanparks) board member Rachel Nxele, chief executive Hapiloe Sello, land claims committee chairperson Chief Luvhuwani Matsila, traditional leaders and local communities celebrated the signing of the watershed beneficiation scheme framework agreement. South African National Parks (Sanparks) chief executive Hapiloe Sello. According to Sello, the signing on Friday of the sixth version of the post-democracy agreement, driven by principles of inclusive conservation, took 10 years to realise, requiring long working hours, sweat, sleepless nights and moments of frustration before the parties could reach the milestone. So slow was the pace of achieving meaningful progress in negotiating a final deal among the parties that Sello likened years of delays to “grass in Kruger stopping growing because of the to-and-fro” — illustrating a decade-long state of indecision. Sello said: “To the people of the soil, owners of the land on which we stand, I am humbled and deeply honoured to stand here today after a decade, witnessing what will one day be written in the annals of history. “Our grandchildren will tell this story to their own grandchildren. “A higher power has worked with us over the past 10 years, during which there were many meetings — some productive and some not. “Negotiations collapsed and were revived, with tensions setting in and requiring all sorts of interventions. “Ultimately, we found common ground, which took a great deal of effort. “I must thank everyone involved in the process. The owners of the land brought a significant amount of respect to the negotiations. “With talks now behind us, the hard work begins. “It is phase two, requiring even more hard work and attention to detail. “We have to ensure that governance and compliance are followed, and that the agreement is interpreted and implemented correctly, delivering opportunities and tangible benefits to our partners, the landowners.” A happy moment for communities near the Kruger National Park. Pictures: Lucas Ledwaba Explaining the workings of the beneficiation scheme agreement, Sanparks head of communications JP Louw said the Beneficiation Scheme formed part of the overall settlement agreements entered into with communities in line with government’s efforts to address land dispossession. Louw said the minister of land reform and rural development, Mzwanele Nyhontso, as custodian of government’s land restitution programme, supported the initiative and had signed the beneficiation agreement. Through the scheme, Sanparks was “enabling structured access to commercial and non-commercial opportunities for qualifying previously dispossessed communities through investment, employment and entrepreneurial opportunities”. “These include participation in concessions, enterprise and supplier development, bursary funding, skills transfer and long-term livelihood creation linked to the park economy. “This agreement is structured in such a way that it safeguards Kruger National Park as a vital national asset, ensuring that its conservation efforts and operations continue uninterrupted and ensuring land claimants benefit from their ancestral land without taking up residence within the park. “The scheme is not designed as a once-off intervention but as part of a broader, systematic and ongoing approach to integrate historically dispossessed communities into the mainstream of conservation-led development,” said Louw. The scheme, he said, provided “a model of conservation that works for people and the environment alike”. “The success of the scheme will be measured not only by economic outputs but by the strength of the relationships that are built and the opportunities it unlocks together with communities. “It also complements ongoing initiatives within the Kruger National Park area, including skills development programmes, SMME incubation and investments linked to eco-tourism commercial opportunities. “Collectively, these efforts are intended to unlock the full socio-economic potential of the park in a way that balances conservation imperatives with human development needs.” Aucamp described the Kruger centenary as “a milestone that invites the country to reflect on a century of conservation while deliberately shaping a more inclusive and development-oriented future”. “The beneficiation scheme is based on partnership, opportunity and shared value for both these communities and Kruger National Park. “This initiative reflects our commitment to managing national parks in a way that ensures inclusive economic opportunities. “Conservation must be a driver of development, and communities must see themselves in the value that flows from these landscapes,” Aucamp said. He said national parks were not isolated assets but shared national resources whose sustainability depended on strong, mutually beneficial relationships with surrounding communities. A Tsonga dancer takes the floor. Pictures: Lucas Ledwaba Sanparks interim board chairperson Beryl Ferguson said Kruger’s lessons “have offered us a commitment to a shared future”. Ferguson said: “The establishment of Kruger National Park in 1926 came at a cost to many of the communities represented here today — people who were dispossessed of land that they had occupied, used and cared for over generations. “Today, we acknowledge that history openly and with humility. “Sanparks recognises that restitution is not only about financial compensation. “It is about restoring dignity, enabling participation and ensuring that conservation delivers meaningful value to those who were historically excluded. “The beneficiation scheme is a governance instrument grounded in fairness, transparency and long-term sustainability. “It is also an acknowledgement that progress has not always moved at the pace our stakeholders deserved. “We are therefore deliberate in positioning today as a turning point where accountability shifts from commitments to implementation.” Former Kruger National Park managing executive Gareth Coleman, who is credited with playing a crucial role in the negotiations, said suggestions that he was central to the process were overstated. “As managing executive of the park for about two and a half years, I was part of the process with Chief Matsila. “With Chief Matsila and the board, we got the process going around the beneficiation scheme. “It has not been easy. “The journey has not been easy leading up to today.” Coleman said the journey was not smooth. “Perhaps the major difficulty was a misunderstanding at the outset of the settlement agreements. “There were different expectations between Sanparks and the land-claiming communities about the meaning of the initial settlement agreements and the extent of expectations regarding their content. “I think it was a difficult starting point and a question of trying to find each other. “The signing of the scheme is of huge significance. “In this area, people or communities who used to own this land have now signed an agreement in which their rights to the land have been acknowledged far more centrally than in the past. “It is about people getting their dignity back — what South Africans want. “It is not necessarily the financial reward that comes with it. “It is an acknowledgement that we were here, are still here and will be here in the future.” President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Saturday evening deliver a keynote address at Kruger to mark the park’s 100th anniversary.

It’s almost insane how many Chinese brands have entered the market in such a short space of time. What’s even more baffling is how good their cars are actually getting while still maintaining the price points that made people buy them in the first place.  Enter Changan, a brand that has sold over 30 million vehicles worldwide and almost 3 million vehicles in 2025 alone. In March, the brand reported that they expanded at nearly 12 times the rate of the overall domestic market from January to February.  It’s no coincidence. They entered with an entry-model, almost like a rideshare vehicle, a SUV, a bakkie that brought new technology and a premium fully electric SUV.  The last model is the one that we are going to discuss. Weirdly named the Changan Deepal S07, the car is meant to give consumers an idea of exactly where the brand aims to go and exactly what they are capable of. Changan’s slogan is “Driven to Evolve” and the Deepal S07 embraces that openly. It’s also different. Many Chinese manufacturers have brought in plug-in hybrid electric vehicle SUVs in the last year but Changan went straight to a full EV.  Of course, that also means that the Deepal S07 will come at a higher cost than the rest of its competitors.  Priced at R995 900, one has to wonder how clever it was from the brand to introduce an almost R1 million vehicle when it has entered into the country with no pedigree.  So that R995 900 has to warrant quality.  The Chinese have never been scared of bold designs and the Deepal is no different in that sense, except that it is not just Italian looking but it’s actually designed in Turin, Italy and engineered in the UK.  It almost gives Ferrari Purosangue vibes. The thin-curved headlights, the long bonnet and the sleek design lines make it a very pleasant car to look at.  It features a coupe-inspired silhouette, frameless doors and concealed door handles and 20-inch alloy wheels.  The concealed door handles could have been automatic pop outs however, just to keep in line with the premium feel that the vehicle is supposed to give. But in true Chinese fashion, it’s the features on the inside that might leave you in awe. To begin, the interior is plush with superb vegan leather seats that are comfortable.  There’s a huge 15.6 inch infotainment display that can automatically be tilted according to preference. It can either be slanted towards the driver or the passenger – or it can even just sit completely straight.  Imagine arguing over who wants to play the music. The screen will just be tilting back and forth. Jokes aside, it’s a very practical feature, not just something to show off.  Because everything from climate to driving settings are packed into the screen, it makes it very convenient that the passenger can navigate through it so that the driver can focus on the road.  I often find myself asking my wife to sort things out on the screen because I need to focus and then she normally has to stretch and do it. This car makes it very convenient.  It’s also quite spacious in both the front and back. Actually, even if the backseat passenger feels squashed, they have the privilege of moving the passenger seat forward using the controls built into the middle at the back.  The backseat passengers can also adjust the cover of the moon roof automatically.  The cabin also features door buttons, not handles, because this car is apparently too cool for it and is equipped with a 14 speaker Sony Surround System that means the driver and passenger enjoy speakers in their headrests.  When it comes to driving, the Deepal S07 is a smooth sailing coupe SUV. It doesn’t focus on extreme performance. Its electric powertrain produces up to 160 kW and 320 Nm, providing instant torque and smooth acceleration. However, unlike other EVs, it doesn’t throw you back the minute you put your foot down but rather it picks up speed in a calm, linear fashion to provide comfort to the driver. It’s still quick enough for overtakes but most importantly, it handles well and is certain on the roads. It doesn’t feel nervous at all, even on the N3 towards Germiston, where the road is not level and you feel like you are going up and down mountains when switching lanes.  Verdict The Deepal S07 had a lot to prove for that R995 900 price tag and I think it’s safe to say that it warrants the oodles of money.  It has more power than the front-wheel-drive BYD Sealion 7 and comes in over R100 000 cheaper, which in my books makes it feel fairly priced for what you are getting.

With the FIA ruling the track entirely unsuitable for the new DRS replacement, drivers are left reliant on battery boosts that will do nothing to solve Monaco's overtaking crisis.

Outgoing Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is reportedly set to take over at Anfield after leading the Cherries into Europe for the first time in the club's history.

Isolated showers and rain have been forecast over parts of Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, while much of the country can expect fine and cool conditions on Sunday, 31 May. Here is what the weather is expected to be tomorrow, according to the South African Weather Service (Saws). Weather warnings for 31 May 2026 “An intense cut-off low is expected to affect the Eastern Cape from Wednesday to Friday. The public and all small stock farmers are advised that the combination of snow, heavy rain, flooding, very cold conditions and very rough seas can be expected,” Saws said. Provincial weather forecast Here’s what to expect in your province on 31 May: Gauteng: It will be partly cloudy and cool, but warm in the extreme north. Mpumalanga: Expect morning fog patches over the Highveld. Otherwise, it will be partly cloudy and cool to warm with isolated showers and rain along the escarpment and over the Lowveld. Limpopo: Morning fog patches are expected over the central parts, otherwise it will be partly cloudy and cool with isolated showers and rain. North West: Fine and cool weather awaits, becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon. Free State: It will be a fine and cool day. Northern Cape: Expect cloudy conditions with morning fog along the coast, otherwise it will be fine and cool to warm, becoming partly cloudy in the north-east during the afternoon. Western Cape: Morning fog is expected over the southern parts, otherwise it will be fine to partly cloudy and cool to warm. Eastern Cape (western half): There will be fog over the adjacent interior at first, otherwise it will be fine and warm. Eastern Cape (eastern half): Expect fog over the adjacent interior at first, otherwise it will be fine and warm. KwaZulu-Natal: It will be cloudy with morning fog patches over the interior, otherwise it will be partly cloudy and cool with isolated showers and rain over the north-eastern parts.

The Stormers were powered by their imperious scrum, as they overpowered a game Cardiff team 44-21 in their United Rugby Championship (URC) quarterfinal at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday afternoon. It was a superb all-round performance at the set piece for the Stormers, as their scrum fired, their lineout was solid, and they scored a couple of maul tries in a strong showing in front of a packed home support. But Cardiff showed that making the URC playoffs was no fluke, with them scoring the first try of the match, and were well in the hunt with the score 26-21 going into the final quarter, before the Stormers pulled away with two late tries and penalties. The Stormers enjoyed a strong start to the match, with their scrum dominating from the start, but both teams had chances in each other’s 22m in the first 15 minutes, but the respective defences held strong. Cardiff then broke the deadlock in the 19th minute with a fortuitous score, after defending on their own line for a spell. Intercept try Stormers scrumhalf Imad Khan tried to flick the ball out wide, only for Cardiff wing Jacob Beetham to snaffle an intercept and sprint away, before putting fullback Cam Winnett over in the corner for the converted score in the 19th minute. The Stormers hit back five minutes later to level the scores as a few penalties allowed them to kick into the corner, where they secured the lineout, set the maul and forced it over for Andre-Hugo Venter to dot down. In the 29th minute the hosts took the lead for the first time with a superb lineout move on the Cardiff 5m. Venter threw the ball to flank Ben-Jason Dixon, who gave it to fellow loose forward Paul de Villiers, and he handed it off to rampaging prop Ntuthuko Mchunu on the loop, as he powered over to score, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu adding the extras for a 14-7 lead. In the 32nd minute Cardiff were finally punished for their creaking scrum, as prop Keiron Assiratti was sent to the bin after repeated scrum penalties. That allowed the Stormers to take advantage and in the 36th they went further ahead after Ruhan Nel was held up ober the line, with them attacking from the goal line drop out, fullback Damian Willemse fed wing Leolin Zas, for him to bump off a defender and race away to score in the corner. Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s slotted the conversion from the touchline which gave them a 21-7 lead which they took into halftime. Cardiff come back Cardiff got off to a good start in the second half and scored in the 45th minute, with eighthman Taine Basham attacking off the back of a scrum on the Stormers 5m, and bashing over, with flyhalf Ioan Lloyd adding the extras. But the Stormers hit back seven minutes later, after a poor cross kick from Lloyd was caught by wing Seabelo Senatla, who offloaded to Feinberg-Mngomezulu on the loop and he sprinted away to score, but also injured his ankle dotting down and was replaced by Jurie Mathee, with the score 26-14. In the 60th minute Cardiff got themselves back into range, as they kicked onto the Stormers 5m, secured the lineout and saw their maul stopped short, before flank James Botham reached over and scored from close range, as they reduced the deficit to five points. However it was all Stormers over the rest of the match, with Cardiff replacement prop Javon Sebastian yellow carded for repeated infringements in the 63rd minute. The Stormers took immediate advantage, kicking to the corner and setting the maul to rumble over for De Villiers to dot down, while in the 69th minute Mathee slotted a penalty to put them 34-21 up. Two late scores then added gloss to the scoreline, with replacement hooker JJ Kotze hitting a gap to go over for a converted try, before Mathee added another penalty on the fulltime hooter. Scorers Stormers: Tries – Andre-Hugo Venter, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Leolin Zas, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Paul de Villiers, JJ Kotze; Conversions – Feinberg-Mngomezulu (3), Jurie Mathee; Penalties – Jurie Mathee (2) Cardiff: Tries – Cam Winnett, Taine Basham, James Botham; Conversions – Ioan Lloyd (3)

After the end of her marriage to actor Cory Hardrict, Hollywood actress Tia Mowry has found love again. The other half of Sister Sister, a successful sitcom from the 90s, with her twin sister Tamera Mowry, was married to Hardrick for 14 years. They have two children together, 14-year-old son Cree and Cairo, an 8-year-old girl. 47-year-old Mowry made the effort to revive her love life on her reality show Tia Mowry: My Next Act. She embarked on dates with suitors chosen by her closest friends. While some were a clear mismatch, Mowry saw potential in some of her suitors. But it was not until meeting 35-year-old Javone Williams that Mowry made a love connection. Williams is reportedly a teacher by profession. In a recent post from their Los Cabos baecation, Mowry and Williams put their love on display. The loved-up couple enjoyed the beach and cocktails, and did a little art while getting closer in a relaxed environment away from home. “A little sunshine, a little peace, and a much needed reset. Had the best time staying at @nobuloscabos,” was the caption for the post.

The Stormers overcame a sluggish start to beat Cardiff 44-21 in and book their place in the semi-finals of this year’s United Rugby Championship. They now join fellow South African side the Bulls in the last four. While the Bulls’ semi-final opponent has already been confirmed – they face Glasgow Warriors in Edinburgh, the Stormers must wait on the outcome of the Leinster vs. Lions clash to learn who they’ll meet next week. As for the match itself, John Dobson’s charges were far from their imperious best – well below par, in truth – and yet they did more than enough to see off a spirited Cardiff side. The one facet of their game that functioned like a well-oiled machine was the scrum. From the outset, the Stormers’ pack seized control at set-piece time and never relented, maintaining suffocating pressure for the full eighty minutes. Heading into the semi-finals, however, Dobson will have one significant concern: his side’s conversion rate inside the opposition 22. Poor execution was a recurring theme, particularly in the first half, and they can ill-afford a repeat of that profligacy against the calibre of Leinster, the Bulls or Glasgow. For now, though, the Stormers are through to the semi-finals for the first time since 2023, and they got there the hard way. FIRST HALF: STORMERS vs CARDIFF The Stormers outscored the visitors three tries to one to lead 21–7 at the interval, though they did so after falling behind first. Cardiff repelled yet another Stormers 22 entry when the ball squirted loose, and Imad Khan’s panicked pop pass was intercepted, Cam Wennett scuttling away to score against the run of play. With that difficult opening quarter behind them and minimal damage done, the Stormers finally hit their stride, running in three unanswered tries through André-Hugo Venter, Ntuthuko Mchunu and Leolin Zas. SECOND HALF: Unlike the first half, the second period was a far more even contest. Cardiff gave as good as they got, counter-punching every time the Stormers landed a blow and refusing to let the hosts pull clear on the scoreboard. Taine Basham reduced the deficit to seven points with a try shortly after the restart, but the home side responded when seasoned international Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu dotted down. Worryingly, the Springbok playmaker was hurt in the process and had to be helped from the field the extent of his injury will be a source of anxiety for both Dobson and Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus. To their credit, Cardiff never stopped fighting, continuing to exploit gaps in a porous Stormers defence. They did pull it back to 26–21, but ultimately it was the Capetonians who had the final say, adding two further tries and two penalties to seal the win – a scoreline that flatters them considerably more than their performance warranted.

The appointment reflects Eskom’s push to compete for customers as South Africa’s electricity market is liberalised.

Enforced rigorously, age verification to protect children from harms online could push us towards a less free internet.