After a stellar Man of the Match performance in Orlando Pirates' 2-0 victory over Milford, coach Abdeslam Ouaddou calls for patience with young talent Camren Dansin, emphasising the importance of careful development for the club's rising star

Tragedy struck in Nyanga as four men were shot dead by unknown gunmen while repairing a flat tyre on Old Klipfontein Road.

The fatality count in the N1 Free State bus crash has increased following the death of a Zimbabwean national, amid additional crashes in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) that have left multiple people dead and many others injured. N1 Free State bus crash death toll rises The most severe of the incidents occurred on the N1, where a bus travelling from Cape Town to Zimbabwe overturned between Trompsburg and Edenburg on Thursday night, 30 July 2026. The death of a Zimbabwean national has pushed the total number of fatalities from the crash to 11. The victim, a 47-year-old woman, had been admitted to Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital in critical condition. Despite intensive medical intervention, she died on Friday, 31 July. Earlier, the Free State Department of Health had revised the death toll down from 12 to 10 following a verification process during the extrication of victims, explaining that some remains were initially counted more than once due to the severity of the crash. On Sunday, 2 August, spokesperson Mondli Mvambi confirmed the updated toll. “The patient had been receiving intensive care and was on ventilatory support. “This brings the total number of fatalities from the accident to 11,” the department’s statement reads. Mvambi indicated that medical teams at Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital and Universitas Academic Hospital are still treating several patients who sustained serious injuries. Efforts are now focused on identifying those who died. The provincial government’s government mortuary is coordinating the process, which is scheduled to take place between Monday, 3 August and Friday, 7 August 2026. “Further details regarding the identification and repatriation processes will be communicated through official media channels in due course. “The Free State Department of Health extends its heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of all those who lost their lives, and wishes a speedy recovery to all those still receiving treatment.” Fatal head-on crash claims three lives in KZN In a separate incident, three people were killed in a head-on collision on the R614 towards Bambshela in KZN on Saturday afternoon. Emergency responders described the aftermath as devastating, with three people being declared dead at the scene, while four others suffered serious injuries. “Emergency medical teams worked rapidly to stabilise the patients at the scene before transporting them under urgent conditions to nearby medical facilities for further treatment,” KZN VIP Emergency Medical Services (EMS) said in statement on Sunday. The crash forced the temporary closure of the road while rescue teams worked to assist victims and clear the wreckage. The authorities have yet to determine what caused the collision. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has launched an investigation. R617 collision Another fatal crash occurred on the R617 between Merrivale and Mpophomeni, involving a taxi and a light motor vehicle. Emergency personnel found one individual trapped inside a car with fatal injuries. “The patient was declared deceased on scene by paramedics,” Midlands EMS Rescue said. Rescue teams used specialised equipment, including the jaws of life, to free a severely trapped taxi passenger who required advanced life support. In total, 17 people were injured in the collision, with conditions ranging from moderate to critical. “All patients were treated on scene before being transported to various hospitals for further care.” As with the other incidents, the circumstances leading up to the crash remain unclear and are under investigation.

There was a time when tequila was best known for wild nights, quick shots and a slice of lemon. Today, that image has been completely transformed. Premium tequila has stepped into the world of luxury. It has become the drink of choice for discerning consumers who appreciate craftsmanship, heritage and refined flavour. World Tequila Day, celebrated annually on 24 July, showcased just how far the iconic Mexican spirit has come. Around the globe, luxury bars, award winning restaurants and premium brands marked the occasion with elegant tasting experiences. They featured bespoke cocktails and curated food pairings that celebrated tequila’s rich history rather than its party reputation. South Africa embraced the global celebration with equal enthusiasm, reflecting a growing appetite for sophisticated drinking experiences. From Johannesburg to Cape Town and Durban, premium tequila brands hosted exclusive events. These events invited consumers to slow down, savour every sip and discover the complexity hidden inside every bottle. Luxury labels such as Don Julio led the celebrations with beautifully crafted serves and immersive experiences that placed quality and storytelling at the heart of every glass. Restaurants and cocktail bars introduced limited edition menus inspired by Mexican flavours. Meanwhile, retailers encouraged customers to recreate the experience at home with premium mixers and carefully selected tequilas. The celebrations also highlighted a noticeable shift in the way South Africans are drinking. Instead of chasing quantity, many consumers are choosing quality, investing in premium spirits that offer authenticity and a memorable experience. Tequila has become more than a fashionable drink. It has evolved into a lifestyle statement. Like fine whisky or vintage champagne, premium tequila is now appreciated for its careful production, ageing techniques and distinctive agave character. It has found its place at intimate dinners, rooftop celebrations and luxury travel experiences where every detail matters. This growing appreciation is also inspiring innovation closer to home. As interest in agave spirits continues to rise, local producers are exploring ways to create distinctive agave-based spirits. These reflect South African creativity, but also pay homage to traditional Mexican craftsmanship. World Tequila Day is no longer simply about raising a glass. It has become a celebration of culture, artistry and intentional living. In addition, it reminds drink lovers that the finest moments are often the ones enjoyed slowly, shared with good company and accompanied by a spirit that tells a story. As luxury drinking trends continue to evolve, tequila has secured its place among the world’s most coveted spirits. In South Africa, that journey is only just beginning. More consumers are embracing premium sipping as the ultimate expression of modern indulgence.

A recent The South African article on SASSA grant increases has reignited a familiar and heated debate among readers: should some grants be scrapped entirely so that others, particularly the old-age grant, can be boosted to a liveable amount? The comment section quickly filled with strong opinions, ranging from radical restructuring to simple demands for more cash, alongside a healthy dose of suspicion about where the money actually goes. Scrap two grants to save one Bastiaan Heilbron didn’t hold back with his proposed solution, arguing that “if they stop the R350 and children’s grant, they can easily increase the old age grant.” He went further, questioning the employment status of some recipients by asking, “How many mothers who receive the grant are still out there working?” His comment suggests a belief that resources are spread too thin across too many grant categories, and that consolidating funds specifically for pensioners would ease the financial strain many elderly South Africans face month to month. Readers want a bigger number, not a trade-off Not everyone agreed with Heilbron’s approach. Some readers skipped the debate about redistribution entirely and named a figure they believe would make a real difference. Zinhle Zinxretrospect Gmbos Mhlanga put it plainly, saying, “R6500 will be right.” The comment reflects a broader sentiment among SASSA grant recipients and their families that the current amounts don’t keep pace with the real cost of living, regardless of how the money is sourced or restructured. Meanwhile, Oona Hanekom shifted the conversation away from cash amounts altogether, proposing that pensioners should instead receive preferential electricity and water costs, with “rates discounted after application yearly,” while also calling for taxes and car licences to be “looked into.” Between calls to scrap grants, demands for higher payouts, and appeals for relief through reduced living costs rather than cash, the thread paints a picture of South Africans searching for any workable solution to pensioner poverty, even if they disagree sharply on what that solution should look like. Win R2 000 in the South African SASSA grant survey If you receive a SASSA grant and want to share your story, we want to hear from you. Take part in our survey and stand a chance to win R2 000. Your responses help us tell the stories that matter.

The Springboks touched down in Argentina in the early hours of Sunday morning (South American time) following the journey from Cape Town on Saturday and will resume their on-field preparations on Monday for next week’s encounter against Los Pumas at Estadio José Amalfitani. Two travelling groups flew to Buenos Aires via São Paulo and arrived at their team hotel within an hour of one another after midnight. The players will have a day off to rest and recover from the long trip, allowing them sufficient time to acclimatise to the conditions and time zone. ‘Great to be back’ “It’s great to be back in Buenos Aires, and we are looking forward to the challenge of facing the Pumas here once again,” said Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus. “It was a long journey, and there is a fair time difference between the countries, so the players will have time to rest and acclimatise today, and then we’ll return to the training field tomorrow (Monday). “Fortunately, we did most of the ground work for the match at our training camp in Johannesburg earlier this week, so we have a good base to build on in the next few days.” Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry The players who remained in South Africa to focus on the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tests against New Zealand, will reassemble later on Sunday and also resume training on Monday. “We are on track in terms of our preparation for both this match and the New Zealand Tour,” said Erasmus. Erasmus will consult with his coaching team later on Sunday before deciding when to announce his matchday squad to face Argentina. The one-off clash on Saturday, 8 August kicks off at 21:00 (SA time). Springbok squad to face Argentina (in alphabetical order): Forwards: Lood de Jager, Ben-Jason Dixon, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Johan Grobbelaar, Cameron Hanekom, Siya Kolisi, Elrigh Louw, Wilco Louw, Zachary Porthen, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marco van Staden, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese Backs: Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Quan Horn, Herchel Jantjies, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe

Nedbank has appointed Nikos Angelopoulos, formerly MTN Group's CIO, to the same role at the bank.

Eskom recorded a daily energy availability factor of 80.24% on 20 July, its best single day since 20 September 2017.