Journalist Nabeelah Shaikh has passed away at the age of 34.Read the full article

A researcher has warned that South Africa’s legal rhino-horn supply chain could be exploited by criminal networks through trophy hunting, dehorning, stockpiling and corruption.Read the full article

Entrepreneur and communications professional Tiyani Makamu has been crowned Miss South Africa 2026. The 27-year-old from Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng, was among 12 finalists competing for the title at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on Saturday. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss South Africa (@official_misssa) As Miss SA 2026, Tiyani will receive a R1 million cash award and a dedicated R500 000 Impact Fund to support initiatives aligned with her advocacy work. The prize package forms part of changes introduced by the Miss SA Organisation ahead of this year’s competition. The organisation introduced the R5 million Women’s Leadership Impact Fund to support and advance women’s leadership through philanthropic, corporate and development partnerships. A separate R1 million Empower Youth Africa (EYA) Ambassador Impact Fund will support projects designed and led by the 12 finalists. All top 12 finalists have been inducted as EYA ambassadors and will continue in these roles after the finale. Their work will focus on education, entrepreneurship, health and wellness, youth leadership and community development. The first and second princesses, Lesego Khumo Nyathela and Cwenga Koyana Kotu-Rammopo, will receive cash prizes of R250 000 and R150 000, respectively, as well as dedicated impact funds of R150 000 and R100 000. The top three contestants will also have access to executive development opportunities, mentorship, wellness support and regional and international leadership networks. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss South Africa (@official_misssa) Tiyani Makamu’s advocacy Tiyani is the founder of Hubsela, a platform dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs and helping small businesses grow sustainably. Her advocacy focuses on entrepreneurship and skills development, youth unemployment, and access to education and knowledge. She is passionate about equipping entrepreneurs with the tools, systems and support needed to build sustainable businesses. A graduate of Pearson Institute of Higher Education, Tiyani currently works as a Group Digital Lead and Client Success Executive. She has also served on the board of the Mfudumalo Foundation, where she contributed to initiatives supporting families and the establishment of a community library in Ivory Park. Through her work, Tiyani hopes to help more young people become funding-ready, establish sustainable businesses and create economic opportunities in their communities. The Miss SA 2026 competition was held under the theme From Imbokodo to Diamond. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss South Africa (@official_misssa)

A brilliant performance from the Warriors saw them power to back-to-back CSA Pro20 titles, with an impressive 36-run win over the Lions in the final at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday night. It backed up their fantastic triumph last year, and was the Warriors third title overall since the competition first started back in 2003. The win was built on a dominant batting effort, after they had been put into bat by the Lions, with the Warriors hammering their way to a winning score of 219/4 in their 20 overs. A 130-run third wicket stand between JP King, 73 off 47 balls (3×4; 4×6) and Matthew de Villiers, 71no off 39 (8×4; 3×6), was key in them reaching that total, along with an entertaining unbeaten 29 off 11 (1×4; 2×6) from Patrick Kruger down the back end, and cameos at the top from Jordan Hermann, 24 off 10 (3×4; 1×6) and Sibonelo Makhanya, 17 off 11 (2×4; 1×6). Ended in the powerplay The Lions chase was arguably ended in the powerplay when veteran pace bowler Beuran Hendricks picked up three wickets to reduce them to 25/3 in the fifth over, as they were then unable to keep up with the rising run rate, with them finishing on 183/7 in response. Middle order batter Mitchell van Buuren, 72no off 46 balls (8×4; 2×6), stood up for the Lions, but he unfortunately received little support, with Connor Esterhuizen, 34 off 23 (3×4; 1×6) and Delano Potgieter, 30 off 12 (1×4; 4×6), producing good cameos, but it unfortunately wasn’t enough. Hendricks was the pick of the bowlers with 3/31 in his four overs, and he was backed up nicely by his opening bowling partner Kerwin Mungroo who claimed 2/29. Earlier in the day the Warriors and Lions comfortably emerged victorious in their semifinal clashes against Boland and the Cobras respectively, on an entertaining finals day that saw all three knockouts battled out at Newlands. The Warriors were up against Boland in a repeat of last year’s CSA T20 final which was decided by a Super Over, but there was no such drama this time, as the Gqeberha based side cruised to an eight wicket win. First semifinal Boland were put into bat, and a number of batters managed to get starts, but with none able to kick onto a big score, it meant they could only reach a par 160/7 in their 20 overs. Middle order batter Gysbert Wege, 48 off 33 balls (6×4; 1×6), top scored for the Paarl side, while Blayde Capell, 33 off 24 (5×4), Neil Brand, 25 off 19 (4×4), and Jhedli van Briesies, 22 off 21 (1×4; 1×6), all chipped in, while Matthew Boast, 3/24, and Beuran Hendricks, 2/35, were the pick of the Warriors bowlers. The Warriors then made easy work of the chase, reaching the target with 11 balls to spare, thanks to opener Jordan Hermann cracking an unbeaten 82 off 53 balls (7×4; 3×6), backed up by Tristan Stubbs, 44no off 40 (1×4; 2×6), while JP King chipped in with a cameo of 24 off 15 (4×4). In the second semi the Lions won the toss and chose to bat first, and batted well as they reached a winning score of 194/6 in their 20 overs. Opener Richard Seletswane led the charge with an impressive 78 off 53 balls (7×4; 3×6), while a cracking 38 off 16 (4×4; 2×6) down the back end from Connor Esterhuizen boosted the score, along with cameos from Bjorn Fortuin, 29 off 17 (5×4; 1×6) and Rassie van der Dussen, 24 off 22 (1×4; 1×6). The Cobras then made a decent fist of the chase at first, and were at a stage on 142/3 in the 17th over with George Linde, 59 off 33 (5×4; 2×6) batting well, but regular wickets in the closing overs, and four batters getting into the 20s but unable to kick on, meant they ended short on 178/8.

Not for the first time, pageant fans are crying foul that a favourite – Zoalize Janse van Rensburg – was knocked out of the running to become Miss South Africa. The beauty queen failed to make the Top 5, despite being a top contender and having international pageant experience. Tiyani Makamu was crowned the winner at a glittering finale at the Sandton Convention Centre. ‘ZOALIZE WAS ROBBED’ On social media, pageant fans have expressed their shock and disappointment that Zoalize Janse van Rensburg did not make it to the Miss South Africa Top 5. Some have even accused the pageant organisers of “robbing” the 20-year-old law student of the crown. “Zoalize… she embodies and represents the Miss SA brand so well. She IS the definition of Miss SA. This is robbery!”, commented one fan under the official pageant account. Another wrote: “Zoalize deserved soooo much more! I can’t believe y’all robbed our girl” You robbed Zoalize😭💔— Goonerette (@Goonerrett) November 14, 2026 Zoalize was robbed I’m so mad on her behalf— Lú. 🇨🇩🇵🇸 (@_uluyanda) November 14, 2026 Zoalize was robbed!!! #MissSA2026— ✨💕 (@tsholofelomoana) November 14, 2026 Zoalize was our #MissSA2026 man !!! 🥹❤️‍🩹— PinkSkies💙 (@VictoriaGuma) November 14, 2026 Ultimately, the Top 5 was named – Tiyani Makamu, Cwenga Koyana Kotu-Rammopo, Lesego Khumo Nyathela, Makhosazana Azana Masango and Simoné Nonhlanhla Tshituka. Tiyani was named Miss South Africa 2026 whilst Cwenga and Lesego were crowned first and second princesses, respectively. PAGEANT HISTORY Zoalize van Rensburg was tipped as a favourite to win the Miss South Africa crown as she was a familiar face in the pageant world. In 2023, she placed as first princess at the Miss World South Africa finale, and a year later re-entered and won the crown. Last year, she represented South Africa at Miss World in India. Although she failed to make the Top 40, she won the Best Designer Dress award for Africa. This year, Zoalize – a law student and published children’s book author – entered Miss South Africa for the first time. At just 20 years old, she had a strong fan base and an even stronger advocacy campaign – Her Never Too Young to Advocate initiative focuses on youth empowerment, education and giving young people a voice.  She has also used her platform to speak at the 2024 United Nations International Social Justice Conference.

Miss South Africa 2026 has been crowned, and she is Tiyani Makamu. The 27-year-old communications professional and entrepreneur succeeds 2025 title-winner Qhawekazi Mazaleni. MEET THE MISS SOUTH AFRICA WINNER Tiyani Makamu was crowned Miss South Africa at a glittering finale at the Sandton Convention Centre, hosted by former pageant queen Jo-Ann Strauss and Lawrence Maleka. Her first and second princesses are Cwenga Koyana Kotu-Rammopo and Lesego Khumo Nyathela, respectively. Tiyani is a 27-year-old Group Digital Lead and Client Success Executive who has a degree in PR and Corporate Communications. Her advocacy is centred on entrepreneurship and skills development, youth unemployment, and expanding access to education and knowledge. The Top 5 also included rugby WAG Simone Tshituka and singer and model Makhosazana Azana Masango. PRIZES The 2026 Miss South Africa winner not only receives a crown and title, but also a R1 million cash prize and R500 000 in dedicated funding for her social-impact projects. The First Princess receives a R250 000 cash award and a dedicated R150 000 Impact Fund, whilst the Second Princess gets a R150 000 cash award and a dedicated R100 000 Impact Fund. The top three contestants will also receive executive development opportunities, mentorship, wellness support, access to regional and international leadership networks, and the opportunity to lead initiatives focused on education, entrepreneurship, health, and youth development.

Sakeliga CEO Piet le Roux explains why the business group is taking Icasa to court.

A telecoms lawyer who supports the ownership requirement says Sakeliga's main argument is strong.