Laboratory sequencing has confirmed pilchard herpesvirus genetic material in sardines linked to recent mortalities along the West Coast.

Rikus Badenhorst reveals how the SA Youth Mobi platform will revolutionise the recruitment process for the Expanded Public Works Programme, aiming to eliminate corruption and enhance job opportunities for South Africans.

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) board has welcomed the Pretoria High Court’s interim relief suspending the appointment of the scheme’s administrator, as Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela gives the judgment urgent consideration. The court also directed the former board members to be reinstated pending the final determination of Part B of the review application. High Court suspends Nsfas administrator and reinstates board Following Manamela’s decision to place the entity under administration and dissolve the board, the remaining seven board members sought urgent High Court relief. They contended that the minister’s intervention was procedurally flawed and undermined its authority. The board members criticised the reasons given by Manamela in the publication of Professor Hlengani Mathebula’s appointment and in the answering affidavit. “This is an issue that should be ventilated during part B proceedings. It suffices to state that the constant theme has been a growing concern over Nsfas that reached a tipping point in April 2026 when the interim chair resigned together with another board member,” court papers say. The board members also said that the appointment of an administrator was intended to prevent the appointment of the CEO. Appointment suspended pending finalisation of part B “It is contended that the interim chair who resigned was not in support of Mr [Waseem] Carrim being appointed CEO. If the interim chair divulged this to the minister and he acted in response thereto, it would be improper of the minister to interfere in a decision which is purely that of the board,” the documents said. Manamela, however, disputed this and said the appointment of the CEO is a mere coincidence. On Friday, the Pretoria High Court ruled that Mathebula’s appointment be suspended pending the finalisation of part B. “The applicants [board members] are authorised and directed to continue in the management, governance and administration of the Nsfas and to perform any functions of the Nsfas, pending the final determination of part B of this application,” the court also ruled. The board welcomed the high court’s ruling and the opportunity to resume its governance and responsibilities at the scheme. Board welcomes ruling and resumption of responsibilities They also noted that part B of the application remains to be determined by the court. Part B concerns the review and setting aside of Mathebula’s appointment. “The Nsfas board will resume its duties with immediate effect and will focus on stabilising the institution, strengthening governance, and fulfilling its statutory mandate to provide financial assistance to eligible students across South Africa,” the members said. They also noted that various concerns and issues have emerged about the scheme, and the board will prioritise addressing these matters. The board said that if it identifies any wrongdoing, misconduct, or unlawful conduct, it will take appropriate action. “The board further reaffirms its commitment to working constructively with the minister of Higher Education and Training and all relevant stakeholders in addressing the challenges facing Nsfas and the broader higher education sector,” they said. Minister Manamela gives judgment consideration In response to the judgment, Manamela said he is giving the ruling urgent consideration and has sought legal advice on its implications, including available legal remedies and the appropriate steps to take. “In the meantime, the department will take all necessary steps to ensure the continued effective functioning of Nsfas and, above all, that there is no disruption to student funding and other critical Nsfas functions,” the ministry said in a statement. “The minister respects the authority of the court and will communicate further once the judgment and the available legal options have been fully considered.” The High Court’s ruling on Friday comes days after Mathebula faced sharp questioning before Parliament’s portfolio committee on higher education and training after it emerged that he paid four advisors without approval from the minister and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. Committee chairperson Tebogo Letsie described the process as legally and procedurally flawed, recommended that Manamela take action against Mathebula, and called for the advisors to repay the money.

FX’s The Shards is officially streaming on Disney+, and South Africa’s entertainment and influencer set marked the occasion in true 1980s Los Angeles fashion. The streamer took over Sandton’s Hotel Sky, turning the outside blue, setting the tone long before guests had even parked or hopped out of their cabs. Outside, a red sports car reminiscent of the era sat at the first photo booth, giving guests a chance to take a picture before heading inside to check in. Because The Shards is set in the summer, Disney+ treated guests to pre-screening poolside drinks and canapés before ushering everyone to the hotel’s cinema. What is ‘The Shards’ about? Executive produced by Ryan Murphy, The Shards is based on the bestselling novel by Bret Easton Ellis. Set against the backdrop of 1980s Los Angeles, the nine-episode drama series follows a group of privileged high school seniors at an elite prep school as they navigate identity, sex, jealousy and obsession, all while a serial killer known as “The Trawler” stalks teenagers across the city. At the centre of it all is Bret (Igby Rigney), an aspiring writer whose world begins to unravel with the arrival of the mysterious new student Robert Mallory (Homer Gere). Around them orbits a glamorous, entangled circle: Susan Reynolds (Kaia Gerber), Debbie Schaffer (Hayes Warner) and Thom Wright (Graham Campbell), alongside a cast of morally murky adults played by Wes Bentley, Evan Rachel Wood and Jordan Roth. It’s the latest project from Murphy, the powerhouse creator behind Glee, American Horror Story, American Crime Story and Feud, whose partnership with Ellis brings together two of America’s most provocative storytellers for what’s being billed as a seductive, dangerous coming-of-age thriller. SA’s best 80s chic, on parade Naturally, a show this steeped in 80s LA excess called for a dress code to match – and local stars didn’t hold back. They took it right back to the era with a modern take on power suits, shoulder pads, bold prints, and statement sunglasses, fully embodying the characters they’d play in this old-school, preppy setting. Take a look at some of the guests’ outfits below. Inside the South African watch party for FX’s The Shards where guests leaned into the show’s 1980s LA setting for the dress code. Picture: Supplied, Baby George Creatives for Disney+ Ollie Zondi. Picture: Supplied, Baby George Creatives for Disney+ Mbuyiselo Vilakazi. Picture: Supplied, Baby George Creatives for Disney+ Tadeus Mbatha. Picture: Supplied, Baby George Creatives for Disney+ Phil Mphela. Picture: Supplied, Baby George Creatives for Disney+ Kat Sinivasan. Picture: Supplied, Baby George Creatives for Disney+ Lerai and a friend. Picture: Supplied, Baby George Creatives for Disney+ Sni Mhlongo. Picture: Supplied, Baby George Creatives for Disney+ Kamo WW. Picture: Supplied, Baby George Creatives for Disney+ Libho Gheza. Picture: Supplied, Baby George Creatives for Disney+ Jabu MacDonald. Picture: Supplied, Baby George Creatives for Disney+ Toolz Radebe. Picture: Supplied, Baby George Creatives for Disney+ Inside the South African watch party for FX’s The Shards where guests leaned into the show’s 1980s LA setting for the dress code. Picture: Supplied, Baby George Creatives for Disney+ Mbuyiselo Vilakazi. Picture: Supplied, Baby George Creatives for Disney+ Nicholas Baguma. Picture: Supplied, Baby George Creatives for Disney+ Kat Sinivasan. Picture: Supplied, Baby George Creatives for Disney+ Inside the South African watch party for FX’s The Shards where guests leaned into the show’s 1980s LA setting for the dress code. Picture: Supplied, Baby George Creatives for Disney+ Kamo WW. Picture: Supplied, Baby George Creatives for Disney+ Ntobeko Shishi. Picture: Supplied, Baby George Creatives for Disney+ The Shards is now streaming on Disney+.

South African Airways (SAA) has placed Acting Group Chief Executive Officer Matshela Seshibe on special leave with immediate effect, just four months after he took over the leadership of the national carrier. SAA confirmed the decision on Friday, saying Seshibe will remain on special leave pending the outcome of an internal process. The board has not disclosed what prompted the process or provided details about its nature. READ | SAA flight lands with just minutes of fuel remaining The move comes after Seshibe was appointed acting Group CEO in April following the departure of Professor John Lamola. Before taking over at SAA, Seshibe served as CEO of the airline’s catering subsidiary, Air Chefs. His appointment to lead the airline attracted scrutiny at the time, particularly over his previous executive role at Daybreak Farms and questions about his aviation experience. SAA defended the appointment at the time. Koekie Mbeki takes over SAA’s Chief Legal Officer, Koekie Mbeki, has been appointed Acting Group CEO with immediate effect. The board said the appointment is intended to ensure leadership continuity and operational stability while the internal process involving Seshibe is underway. Mbeki has extensive institutional knowledge of SAA from her senior legal roles within the airline. SAA chairperson Sedzani Faith Mudau said the decision reflected the board’s commitment to good governance, accountability, integrity and leadership, as well as its responsibility to protect the interests of the airline, its employees, customers and other stakeholders. Another leadership shake-up Seshibe’s removal comes at a sensitive time for SAA, which has undergone several leadership changes this year. Lamola’s departure in April was followed by Seshibe’s appointment on an acting basis, leaving the airline without a permanent Group CEO. The latest development means Mbeki will now oversee the airline while the internal process continues.

Here is what the weather has in store for KZN, Free State and North West on Saturday 15 August 2026. KWAZULU-NATAL Morning fog patches will affect the northern interior. Elsewhere, conditions will remain fine and cool, but partly cloudy weather will develop in the north-east. Light north-westerly winds will blow along the coast in the morning, becoming light to moderate northerly to north-easterly later. The UVB sunburn index is expected to be very high. DURBAN Durban is going to be fine; weather will become partly cloudy in the evening. Light north-westerly winds will become light to moderate northerly to north-easterly winds. Temperatures will range from 11°C to 23°C. The UVB sunburn index is going to be very high. FREE STATE Free State is going to have morning frost in places, otherwise fine and cool. BLOEMFONTEIN Bloemfontein is going to be fine with morning frost. Temperatures will range from a minimum of 2°C to a maximum of 20°C. NORTH WEST North West is going to be fine and cool. MAHIKENG Mahikeng is going to be fine. Temperatures will range from a minimum of 5°C. to a maximum of 23°C. Weather forecast data provided by the South African Weather Service.

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