There has never been a better time to be a saver in South Africa! From 1 March 2026, the government increased the amount you can invest in a tax-free savings (TFSA) or Tax-Free Fixed Deposit account from R36 000 to R46 000 a year- and what’s great about this investment is, every rand of interest you earn, is yours to keep. No income tax. No capital gains tax. Just your money, growing for you. If you already have a TFSA, this is your signal to do more with it. If you don’t have one yet, consider this your introduction to one of the smartest savings tools available to South Africans – and now is the perfect moment to start. Here’s why: 1. The new limit is your chance to grow faster The higher annual TFSA contribution limit means that, if you can contribute the full amount every year, you can reach the R500 000 lifetime limit in around 11 years (three years sooner than before). That unlocks more years for all that money you’ve saved (and already earned interest on) to grow, tax free.  “Time is your ally when it comes to tax-free savings” explains Sisandile Nkatu, Head of Retail Investments at Nedbank. “The sooner you start, the sooner your money starts working for you – without the taxman taking a share.”  2. You don’t need R46 000 to start The most common reason people don’t open a TFSA is that they think they can’t afford to save the full allowed amount every year. “You don’t need to be able to save the full R46 000 per year, you can start with Just R250 “Nkatu explains. “Every rand you put in grows tax-free, compounding year on year.” So, don’t wait – start now, and try to increase contributions when you can.”  3. A TFSA is not a savings account you dip into  This is perhaps the biggest misunderstanding about TFSAs. You can withdraw money at any time, but you shouldn’t. Whatever you take out, permanently reduces your lifetime contribution limit. That money can never go back in! So, if you withdraw R20 000 for a holiday, you’ve permanently lost R20 000 of tax-free money to grow. “Think of your TFSA as a long-term wealth-building solution, not an emergency fund,” explains Nkatu. “Every rand you leave inside it is a rand that keeps working for you, tax-free.” 4. Open one for your child – it may be the best gift you ever give them  Every South African – minor children – can have their own TFSA. If you want to invest for a child, always open the account in their name, so their contributions count against their lifetime limit, not yours. Think about this: if you start investing R1 000 a month at 7% interest when your child is born, their TFSA will have R510 000 in it by the time they turn 20 (you will only have put in R240 000). If they leave that money invested, in another 20 years’ time, it will grow to around R2 million – without contributing another cent. That’s a big deposit on a home, seed capital for a business, or the foundation for long-term wealth building.  5. Use your Nedbank Greenbacks to top up your TFSA If you’re already banking with Nedbank, you’ve got a great way to boost your tax-free savings contributions. You can redeem your Greenbacks rewards directly into your Nedbank Tax-Free Savings Account via the Money app or Online Banking. It’s an effortless way to grow your tax-free savings without spending anything extra. Remember that it’s never too early, too late, or too little “Whether you’re 12 and have a lemonade stand, 25 and just starting your career, 40 and feeling behind, or approaching retirement, starting a tax-free saving account is always worth it,” Nkatu emphasises. “The worst financial decision is the one you keep putting off.”

Welcome to the only South Africanised weekly cryptic crossword. *  World class – and from our perspective, not that of the UK or USA.*  Multilingual – every crossword has one Afrikaans and one isiXhosa word.*  Fresh & unique – compiled weekly especially for the Mail & Guardian.*  Lots of fun – access our archive of over 500 cryptic crosswords. Clue of the week: 28  Hadedas throw party in hell (5) [crossword]  

President Cyril Ramaphosa says government is finalising a new funding model for “missing middle” students as university student debt rises to approximately R23 billion across public higher education institutions.

: Discover the critical role of iron in our health, the symptoms of deficiency, and learn how Ayurveda guides us in nourishing the body’s needs for optimal vitality. Find out more about this essential mineral and how to include it effectively in your diet.

Following the news of Asenathi Ntlabakanye’s 18-month ban for doping, the Lions will look to find a new first-choice tighthead prop, starting this weekend when they clash with Munster in a big United Rugby Championship match in Limerick on Saturday (8.45pm). Ntlabakanye learned his fate on Thursday and if he doesn’t win an appeal, if he chooses that path, he will be eligible to play again only in November next year. The Lions have a few No 3 options, but will bank on Sebastian Lombard to do the business this weekend, as he steps into the Lions team for Ntlabakanye. Ivan van Rooyen’s team will know what they need to do against Munster before kick-off on Saturday because if some results go their way Friday and earlier in the day on Saturday they may already be secured of their top eight finish. However, if things go against them, they might have to beat Munster to qualify for the quarter-finals. There are a few other changes in the Lions team that lost to Leinster last week. Etienne Oosthuizen is out this week, replaced by Darrien Landsberg, while Batho Hlekani comes into the starting team in place of the injured Ruan Venter. There is also a change at the back with Kelly Mpeku getting a run on the wing in place of Erich Cronje. ‘Shootout’ Captain Francke Horn said the Lions were fired up to secure their place among the top eight. “Our goal has always been to make the top eight,” said Horn. “If we win this weekend we do that, so it’s basically as straightforward as that. A win makes sure we’re in the top eight – then you don’t have to worry about who plays where and who has to lose that spot.” Horn further emphasised the enormity of Saturday’s clash with tactics to get the better of the former URC champions. “We already have our plans for Munster and how we want to force our game onto them,” he said. “It’s a straight shootout. Munster are also going to be desperate – they need a win. So it’s going to be a massive game.” There are also a few newcomers on the bench this weekend, namely RF Schoeman, Ruan Delport, Siba Qoma and Haashim Pead. Lions: Quan Horn, Kelly Mpeku, Henco van Wyk, Richard Kriel, Angelo Davids, Chris Smith, Morne van den Berg, Francke Horn (capt), Batho Hlekani, Siba Mahashe, Darrien Landsberg, Reinhard Nothnagel, Sebastian Lombard, PJ Botha, SJ Kotze. Bench: Morne Brandon, Eddie Davids, RF Schoeman, Ruan Delport, Siba Qoma, JC Pretorius, Haashim Pead, Rynhardt Jonker

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared the “days of patronage and factional politics” in local government over, unveiling a massive R1-trillion infrastructure plan and a fundamental restructuring of how South Africa’s municipalities operate. Addressing the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) “Taking Parliament to the People” event in the North West on Friday, the president used the platform to pivot from grief over recent disasters to a hardline stance on municipal corruption. He warned that the government would no longer tolerate the deliberate “ruining” of infrastructure by officials looking to steer contracts to preferred private companies. “The days of those with political ambition colluding with corrupt businesspeople to loot municipalities are over. We can no longer allow municipal infrastructure to be deliberately ruined so that preferred private companies can take over critical functions like providing water,” Ramaphosa stated. The R1-trillion ‘engine room’ Ramaphosa framed local government as the “axis on which our entire economy turns”, announcing that municipalities will be the primary enablers of a three-year, R1-trillion investment drive. This capital is earmarked for energy, water, logistics and IT infrastructure to attract investment and create jobs. However, Ramaphosa admitted that merely increasing budgets would be akin to “papering over the cracks”. To support this investment, he introduced a revised draft White Paper on Local Government, which proposes four radical shifts, including the removal of overlapping powers that allow municipalities to blame each other for failures. He added a goal to make it a legal requirement for different spheres of government to work together rather than operate in silos. The draft also proposes tightening municipal billing and enforcing a “stricter account” for infrastructure maintenance spending. “Municipalities will be held to stricter account on how and where they spend public money, particularly on maintaining essential infrastructure,” he said. Lastly, the draft prioritises the digitalisation of municipal services to better monitor service delivery. A tribute to flood victims Before diving into policy, the president paid tribute to those killed in the recent storms and flooding across several provinces. He noted that the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the need for climate-resilient infrastructure, which is a core pillar of his new municipal strategy. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones… This natural disaster is a stark reminder of how vulnerable we are as a country and as a continent to the forces of nature and to the growing impacts of climate change,” Ramaphosa said. Professionalising the front line A key takeaway from the president’s address was the move to professionalise municipal appointments. Ramaphosa insisted that citizens are “tired of being passed over for opportunities in favour of those with political connections”. “The people of South Africa want to see councils fixing potholes and delivering water, not fighting over who gets one or another tender,” he said. “This is the people’s government. Our task is to make it work for the people. Not for politicians…connected businesspeople…[and] vested interests.” The president urged all South Africans to participate in the ongoing consultation on the White Paper, describing the upcoming reforms as the only way to restore confidence and trust in the state’s ability to deliver basic services such as water, electricity, and safe roads.

Comedian Pete Davidson and the mother of his daughter, model Elsie Hewitt, have reportedly split. The couple welcomed their daughter, Scottie Rose Hewitt Davidson, five months ago. At the time of Scottie’s birth, the couple was united and loved up, making the announcement in a post on Instagram with the caption: Our perfect angel girl arrived 12/12/2025, Scottie Rose Hewitt Davidson, my best work yet. I am absolutely overflowing with love and gratitude and disbelief. – elsie wu tang forever. – Pete. But, according to Page Six, sources say the former Saturday Night Live comedian’s workload and travel schedule have put a strain on his home life. 30-year-old Hewitt is reportedly not receiving the support she needs from 32-year-old Davidson as a new mother. The couple first went public with their relationship in early 2025. Hewitt’s burgeoning belly made an appearance on her social media as the expectant parents prepared to welcome their baby, the first child for each of them. The protective parents have only shown a handful of obscured images of the tiny tot, a clear sign that we will not get to see her face any time soon. It’s a choice many celebrities make to protect and give their children a chance at an anonymous life.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has warned the public against the reckless handling and misuse of firearms after a video showing two women brandishing guns inside a house went viral on social media. In the video, the women appear to handle, cock and point the firearms at each other while recording the incident. One up and the floor is full of brain fragments…reckless reckless!@SAPoliceService must investigate and confiscate those guns asap🤞 pic.twitter.com/qHdfEgpsUO— Themba (@JohnDoe_ZAR) May 14, 2026 SAPS raises concern In a statement shared on its social media platforms, SAPS said it viewed the video with serious concern. Police said the footage suggests the women may not have the proper training or legal authorisation to handle firearms. “SAPS warns that the reckless handling and misuse of firearms pose a danger to both the individuals involved and members of the public,” the statement read. Firearm laws apply Police reminded the public that the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000 requires anyone handling or using a firearm to be legally authorised and, where necessary, to hold a valid firearm licence or permit. SAPS also stressed that firearm owners carry a legal responsibility to prevent unauthorised people from accessing or using their firearms. “The registered owner of a firearm may face criminal charges if found to have allowed unauthorised persons access to the firearm,” police said. Even toy guns can lead to trouble Police added that people can also face serious consequences if they misuse toy guns, imitation firearms or blank guns in a way that causes fear, intimidation or creates the impression that the weapon is real. SAPS urged the public not to treat firearms as toys or use them irresponsibly for entertainment or social media content. Police encouraged members of the public to report illegal firearm possession, misuse or reckless handling at their nearest police station or anonymously through the Crime Stop number 08600 10111.

Group CITO Johnson Idesoh says the bank will deploy "super agents" to scan its systems and shorten patch cycles.

The expansion is central to the home affairs department's plan to finally retire the much-defrauded green ID book.