Residents in Pietermaritzburg began trickling into voting stations on Wednesday morning to cast their votes, with a steady flow of voters reported at polling stations.Read the full article

MK Party deputy president Duduzane Zuma has condemned political violence after regional organiser Lastborn Shazi was shot dead at his home in Umzumbe, KwaZulu-Natal.Read the full article

Anyone responsible for cooking a family favourite for a big gathering knows the feeling. The dish that was perfect for four tastes oddly flat when you make it for forty. With year-end functions, weddings and family lunches around the corner, that problem is about to land in a lot of kitchens. According to Chef Latoya Marivate, the fix is less about maths and more about knowing what you’re protecting. Scaling is not just multiplying Marivate of Unilever Food Solutions says the most common mistake is treating scale as a numbers game. Before you increase a single quantity, she says, work out what gives the dish its heart. It could be a slow simmer, a spice blend, a crunch, a sauce or a heritage ingredient. That is the part to guard. Three things that don’t scale in a straight line Marivate flags three pitfalls that catch out even experienced cooks: Seasoning: Doubling salt, spice or acid, such as lemon juice or vinegar, rarely works, because larger batches concentrate differently. Add gradually, taste as you go and adjust until balanced. Cooking times: Bigger volumes change how heat is distributed. Proteins may need longer, while delicate items risk overcooking. The capacity of your equipment matters too. Raising agents: Using the exact amounts of yeast, baking powder or baking soda can make large batches rise too fast, collapse or taste off. Use less than the straight calculation and adjust according to texture and rise. Build flavour in layers Cooking in bulk can flatten flavour when everything goes into the pot at once. Instead, Marivate suggests giving each stage a job: brown, roast, marinate, season, then finish with intention. Depth, she notes, doesn’t happen by accident. Pick ingredients that can wait Some ingredients lose texture or turn dull when held for a long time. Hardy root vegetables such as taro offer substance, comfort and cultural relevance, while delicate greens and crispy garnishes tend to suffer. Choosing ingredients that hold well keeps the last plate as good as the first. Save the crunch for last Contrast is what lifts a bulk-cooked dish from ordinary to memorable. A crisp topping, fresh herbs, pickled elements, toasted seeds or a punchy sauce added at the end brings back brightness and texture, and avoids sogginess. A dish that puts it into practice Marivate points to her ‘umleqwa’ broth with stuffed dumplings and crackling as an example. It uses traditional free-range chicken, prized for its deep flavour, simmered slowly with vegetables. It is served with tender stuffed dumplings and crisp crackling for contrast. The dish ties into Culinary Roots, one of the trends identified in Unilever Food Solutions’ Future Menus 2026 report, which reflects growing interest in heritage cooking, traditional techniques and regional ingredients. “Culinary Roots is about food that feels real. People want dishes with story and depth. But in a busy kitchen, that dish also has to work under pressure,” says Marivate. Let the story do some of the work Marivate also encourages cooks to share a dish’s story. Hotels and restaurants can put it on the menu, caterers can use it to elevate a buffet or plated function, and home cooks can use it to make batch cooking feel generous and personal. “Food with roots does not have to be complicated,” she says. “When you understand the heart of the dish, you can scale it beautifully, whether you are cooking for two people or two hundred.”

A sudden water outage at the Protea Magistrates Court forced officials the postponement of the bail application for a 59-year-old Soweto teacher accused of raping a nine-year-old pupil. The teacher made a brief appearance on Tuesday, facing a statutory rape charge. He remains in custody until his next court appearance on Thursday. Toilet assault Police investigators allege that the Soweto teacher sexually assaulted the young girl inside the school toilets on 8 October 2026. The victim subsequently disclosed the attack to her mother. A video recording of her emotional account quickly circulated across social media platforms. The widespread distribution of the footage triggered fierce outrage among Zola residents and parents. They staged protests outside the school grounds demanding justice and immediate police intervention. Police received a report on the matter on 10 October. State to oppose bail The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed its intention to vigorously fight the teacher’s release. “The NPA views allegations of sexual offences against children in a serious light and remains committed to ensuring that cases involving vulnerable victims are prosecuted with the necessary sensitivity and diligence,” said NPA spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole. Following the initial outcry, Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile confirmed the department’s intervention by placing him on precautionary suspension. Surrender He surrendered himself to law enforcement on 21 October and made his first court appearance the following day. The matter suffered an earlier delay on 29 October after the defendant hired a new legal representative. They requested additional time to study the docket. Support, but bullying The Department of Social Development and specialists from the Teddy Bear Clinic are actively providing support and counselling to the affected. The victim’s aunt, who can’t be named to protect the girl’s identity, revealed to News24 that the family was receiving the care. She pointed out the emotional toll the young girl is facing. “She is emotionally battling to cope…weak and fearful…is mocked by our neighbours. Whenever she plays on the street or goes to the shop, adults call her names. Some even claim she is a liar who was never raped. Others peep through our gate, calling my niece names,” the aunt told the publication. “As MEC Maile had promised, the child is receiving great academic assistance. “Teachers are bringing her schoolwork to do at home. She is catching up, although it is tough for her emotionally and academically. “We believe counselling and the support she receives at the school will help her in this difficult journey,” the aunt said.

Kaizer Chiefs are reportedly close to signing Bafana Bafana winger Elias Mokwana, with the club also getting a boost ahead of Khanyisa Mayo’s anticipated return. Amakhosi were interested in signing Mokwana in 2024, but the winger opted to join Tunisian giants Espérance from Sekhukhune United in a deal reportedly worth around R7 million. The 27-year-old spent a year with the North African club before joining a Saudi Pro League side on loan last season. However, after leaving Espérance, a proposed move to Moroccan outfit Wydad Athletic Club also fell through over registration issues. Kaizer Chiefs have since emerged as potential suitors, with reports suggesting that personal terms have already been agreed. The remaining details, including a successful medical, still need to be completed before the move can be finalised. Meanwhile, Amakhosi could receive another attacking boost with Mayo edging closer to a return to action. Kaizer Chiefs give update on Mayo The former Cape Town City striker has yet to feature this season due to injury, but head coach Fernando Da Cruz has indicated that the forward is making progress. Speaking about Mayo’s situation, Da Cruz said the 27-year-old was not yet ready to return. “Mayo is not far; he’s a quality player, but for this game he was not physically ready to play this type of game. He must walk into the game, and with Ighodaro, he needs to understand the game model, so we’ll work with him.” Mayo’s return could provide Kaizer Chiefs with another attacking option as they look to improve their goal-scoring output. Will Mokwana change Chiefs?

It’s good news for drivers using Uber in need of e-hailing operating licences in South Africa. They can now take an important step towards legalising their operations, following Uber’s confirmation that it has been officially registered as a service provider under the National Land Transport Act (NLTA). However, Uber is quick explain that its compliance doesn’t automatically guarantee e-hailing operating licences for its drives. Instead, its registration means they can now apply under the new regulations. Each operator must still comply with all rules for transporting passengers in their province. E-HAILING OPERATING LICENCES Moreover, Uber says it will provide region-specific guidance through its Driver app, explaining local requirements and providing supporting documents drivers need. As ever, the process begins with drivers obtaining the necessary affiliation or confirmation from Uber. The application is made for the vehicle providing the service, rather a general registration for the driver. Drivers should check their specific provincial authority’s requirements before submitting an application. In the Western Cape, for example, applications for metered-taxi and e-hailing operating licences must be submitted in person. OTHER NLTA RULES You can now ask your driver if he/she has the requisite e-hailing operating licences before you set off. Image: File Interestingly, other new rules of the NLTA say e-hailing vehicles must be identifiable through appropriate branding. However, this is clearly not the case for most Uber operators, while Bolt and InDrive are already compliant here. There is also a roadworthiness requirement and safety measures inside the vehicle must include a panic button. Nevertheless, the scale of the challenge facing compliance in the e-hailing industry is still considerable. Many drivers work across more than one platform to make ends meet. Bolt says it has 40 000 drivers, while Uber says it has around 100 000 independent contractors, including its delivery couriers (these are the last verifiable figures we could source). ILLEGAL E-HAILING OPERATING LICENCES And how many are operating illegally? Back in 2020, the Competition Commission found nearly 80% of drivers were without the requisite e-hailing operating licences. Sure, that is an old benchmark, but Gauteng authorities have said more recently that the ‘majority’ of e-hailing operators do not have the necessary licences. As such, Uber’s registration removes one important obstacle for drivers on the platform. But how long will the next step take? Standard e-hailing operating licences are R600 per vehicle in South Africa, with that fee going directly to the Provincial Regulatory Entity (PRE). But what do you think? Will the e-hailing industry ever get into line and be compliant? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below …

DJ Zinhle's Bestie Connect is a prepaid mobile network on MTN, aimed squarely at her followers.

ACT's Nomvuyiso Batyi says Icasa's draft Sim rules give the regulator powers it doesn't have.