The biggest victory since the protests began was the resignation of India’s education minister, Dharmendra Pradhan. But this move will only do so much. These issues did not appear overnight, nor can they be easily fixed.

The Bold Beauty Project, an internationally recognised initiative that celebrates women living with disabilities, is making its African debut with As She Is, a photographic exhibition featuring 17 women from across the Western Cape.

With voters set to head to the polls on 4 November, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has explained what voters can expect when they arrive at their voting station and why every ballot matters. IEC CEO Simon Mamabolo said that registering to vote is only the first step in taking part in South Africa’s local government elections. Added to voter’s roll “Once a person has successfully registered, their name is placed on the voters’ roll for the voting district in which they live,” he said. He added that for local government elections, voters may only cast their ballot at the voting station where they are registered, making it important to confirm registration details before election day. On voting day, voters will be required to present a valid form of identification before they can vote. Accepted documents include a green barcoded ID book, a South African smart ID card or a temporary identification certificate issued by the Department of Home Affairs. The voting process Mamabolo said that election officials will verify the voter’s details, confirm they are at the correct voting station and mark their name off the voters’ roll. An indelible ink mark will then be applied to the voter’s finger before ballot papers are issued. “Voters will enter a private voting booth to mark their ballot papers in secret before placing them into the ballot boxes provided. Once this process is complete, they are free to leave the voting station,” he added. The IEC says voting is more than a constitutional right; it is an opportunity for residents to influence the future of their communities as local government decisions directly affect everyday issues such as refuse collection, road maintenance, housing developments, town planning and the management of public spaces. Misinformation The commission is also urging South Africans to be cautious of misinformation ahead of the elections. Mamabolo emphasised that digital literacy and access to accurate information are the best ways to combat fake news, which often spreads when voters are unsure about the electoral process. The IEC also reminded voters that certain actions are prohibited inside voting stations. What is not allowed? Mamabolo warned that taking photographs of completed ballot papers, impersonating another voter or bringing dangerous weapons into a voting station are all strictly forbidden. Beyond casting a ballot, eligible South Africans also have the opportunity to stand for election. Individuals may contest as candidates representing political parties, provided they receive enough support from registered voters in their ward to stand as independent candidates. While youth voter turnout remains a challenge, both in South Africa and internationally, the IEC says it continues to target younger voters through campaigns in schools, tertiary institutions and across traditional and digital media.

Podcaster Penuel Mlotshwa, popularly known as Penuel The Black Pen, has responded after Julius Malema publicly questioned his influence and role as a father during a recent EFF press conference. Malema criticised members of the public for supporting Penuel despite long-standing allegations that he had failed to pay child maintenance. “There’s a guy here called Penuel. How do you fund a person who refuses to pay maintenance?” Malema said. He continued: “We have criminals all over because of men like Penuel who are not paying maintenance. You proudly associate yourself with such a person and then regard such a person as an influencer. Shame on you.” The EFF leader argued that influential public figures should be judged not only by what they say publicly. Additionally, they should be judged by how they conduct themselves in their private lives. Penuel later addressed the criticism on social media, warning people to be cautious about what they share online. “Social media isn’t a safe space. Please be careful of the things you share because people will weaponise it,” he wrote. He also rejected claims that he neglects his children. “To all my haters: I support my children financially. I pay maintenance. I withheld maintenance for two of my kids for a few months when I didn’t have access to my kids, but luckily that was resolved.” “My mistake was talking about this publicly. I should’ve only discussed this in private circles. I take full accountability for this because now it’s being used to lie about me.” Penuel explained that he had previously spoken publicly about withholding maintenance as a way of encouraging one of his children’s mothers to allow him access to his children. He said the matter had since been resolved. Now, they are successfully co-parenting. I posted this video about Julius Malema, his mom, his dad and his grandma… on 07 December 2024. It triggered me because I really want to fix this absent father pandemic in South Africa. And I was engaging based on information he shared on The Hustlers Corner & King David… pic.twitter.com/yAmNZvXbD1– Penuel The Black Pen (@penuelist_) August 2, 2026 He added that while Malema was free to criticise him, it is important for people to know that he remains actively involved in his children’s lives. “If you’re a public figure, people’s partners and children should be off-limits,” he said. Penuel also congratulated Mbuyiseni Ndlozi on the launch of his podcast, adding that his own platform is not funded by any political party. In a lengthy video response, Penuel said he felt compelled to speak after old clips and screenshots resurfaced without what he believes was the necessary context. “I genuinely hope Malema will be okay. I hope he’ll introspect. I hope he’ll continue building the EFF into a necessary voice for poor Black Africans. He wanted my attention and to get myself and others to talk about him, and I don’t mind talking about him.” According to Penuel, the dispute stems from a video he published in December 2024 discussing Malema’s upbringing, including references to his parents and grandmother. He said the video was intended to highlight South Africa’s absent father crisis rather than personally attack Malema. “I don’t like it when people lie about me,” he said, arguing that selective clips were being used to misrepresent both his comments and his personal life. Penuel concluded by saying that despite their differences, he still regards Malema as one of South Africa’s most influential political leaders. However, he argued that the EFF leader has lost support because of what he described as arrogance. He cited Malema’s unwillingness to listen to ordinary South Africans and a confrontational leadership style as reasons for this loss.

Slovenian cycling great Tadej Pogacar will bid to win the one Grand Tour missing from his achievements the Vuelta a Espana when he rides in this year’s race for the first time since 2019, his team announced on Monday. “It’s true – he’s coming back,” wrote the five-time Tour de France winner’s UAE Team Emirates on social media platform X to announce his participation in the race which starts on August 22. It’s true – he’s coming back. @TamauPogi to @lavuelta, confirmed ✅ 🇪🇸Introducing our team for the 21 stages from Monaco to Granada ⤵️🇵🇹 @JooAlmeida98 🇸🇮 @DomenNovak 🇵🇹 @IvOliveira96 🇸🇮 @TamauPogi 🇫🇷 @PavelSivakov 🇪🇸 @pablotorres_22 🇺🇸 Kevin Vermaerke 🇦🇺 @JayVine3… pic.twitter.com/K80PkWkF7x— @UAE-TeamEmirates (@TeamEmiratesUAE) August 3, 2026 The 27-year-old Slovenian will be favourite to triumph in the gruelling 21-stage race which begins in his home city of Monaco. Pogacar came third in the 2019 Vuelta and won three stages to announce himself to the cycling world. ‘Excited’ “I’m excited to say I’m going back to La Vuelta. It was my first ever Grand Tour back in 2019 and an amazing experience,” Pogacar told the UAE Team Emirates website. “Spain is a country I love to visit and race in and I think the time is right to go back. “The motivation is high to finish off the year in a good way and the Vuelta will be a big target. The team is strong and we hope to do good things.” Joining Tadej Pogacar in the UAE Team Emirates line-up are João Almeida, Jay Vine, Pavel Sivakov, Pablo Torres, Kevin Vermaerke, Domen Novak and Ivo Oliveira. Pogacar, who won the Tour de France in style in July, could become only the fourth rider to win both that and La Vuelta in the same year, and only the ninth to win all three Grand Tours in their career. He won the Giro in 2024. By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse

Travellers from more than 100 countries can currently visit South Africa without applying for a visa, but changes are on the horizon. The Department of Home Affairs has gazetted draft regulations proposing a R500 Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) processing fee as part of its new digital visa platform expansion. While the proposal is primarily aimed at modernising South Africa’s visa system, it could also affect travellers from visa-exempt countries who choose to use the ETA platform voluntarily. What’s changing for visa rules in South Africa? The ETA platform, which was launched in October 2025, allows travellers to apply for visas online, with applications expected to be processed within 24 hours. Home Affairs now wants to expand the system to all countries that require a visa to enter South Africa. Under the proposal: Travellers from visa-required countries will be required to use the ETA platform. A new R500 ETA processing fee will apply. Those who currently pay visa fees through outsourced service providers are expected to pay less overall, with total costs dropping from R1 975 to R925 for many applicants. Travellers from visa-exempt countries will not lose their visa-free access to South Africa. However, those who voluntarily use the ETA platform for a faster, more streamlined travel experience would also pay the proposed R500 processing fee. The regulations are still in draft form and have not yet come into effect. European countries that have visa-free access to South Africa Citizens of the following European countries can currently travel to South Africa without applying for a visa beforehand, subject to the permitted length of stay: Andorra Austria Belgium Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Italy Liechtenstein Luxembourg Malta Monaco Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal San Marino Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom Vatican City

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