In a country often divided by inequality, unemployment and uncertainty, four men are attempting to reconnect South Africans through something profoundly simple: walking. Mshengu Tshabalala, Moses Aphane, Jeremiah Mkhwanazi and Frankie Motsepe are currently undertaking a remarkable long-distance journey from Pretoria to Cape Town under the banner of the Abahambi Be Tshwane Foundation. Today, the group departed from Parys heading towards Kroonstad, continuing a mission that stretches far beyond physical endurance.  Their walk is not merely athletic. It is political in the deepest human sense. It speaks to visibility, solidarity and the need for collective responsibility in a society where many communities continue to feel abandoned by systems meant to protect them. The Abahambi Be Tshwane Foundation was established as a Non Profit Company with a vision of mobilising communities and raising resources for vulnerable groups across South Africa. Their campaign seeks to raise millions for charity while fostering social cohesion and public participation.  What makes the initiative compelling is its symbolism. In an era dominated by digital activism and online outrage, these men have chosen the road itself as a site of engagement. Town by town, kilometre by kilometre, they are forcing conversations about care, dignity and nationhood into public space. South Africa has a long history of protest marches, pilgrimages and journeys tied to liberation politics. The Abahambi Be Tshwane Foundation appears to draw from that legacy while reframing walking as an act of social rebuilding. There is also something deeply radical about slowness in this moment. Walking through towns instead of flying over them allows encounters with people whose realities are often invisible within national discourse. Communities become more than statistics. They become faces, conversations and stories. The journey from Parys to Kroonstad is another chapter in a route that will carry the walkers across provinces and landscapes before reaching Cape Town. Yet perhaps the greater destination is the restoration of civic empathy in a society increasingly fractured by economic pressure and political fatigue.Whether the initiative ultimately reaches its fundraising target may matter less than the conversations it has already begun. In a nation searching for new forms of leadership and solidarity, the image of ordinary citizens walking together for others still carries extraordinary power. 

Yesterday, 05 May 2026, the South African Bureau of Standards in Pretoria became more than a venue for an awards announcement. It became a space where ideas, ambition and the future of Africa converged through the voices of young South Africans determined to shape the continent differently.  The occasion marked the announcement of the national winners of the 2025/2026 African Organisation for Standardisation Essay Competition, a continental initiative encouraging students to engage critically with issues of trade, standards and economic transformation across Africa.  While the subject matter focused on harmonised standards and technical barriers to trade, the event itself revealed something more profound about contemporary Africa. It exposed the growing importance of intellectual diversity in shaping the continent’s future. Students from institutions including AFDA, UNISA, the University of Venda, Stellenbosch University and Wits University stood side by side, representing disciplines ranging from economics and policy to storytelling and live performance.  Among the recognised finalists was AFDA student Culture Molatole, whose presence symbolised the expanding role of the creative sector within policy and developmental conversations. His participation challenged long standing assumptions that economics, trade and standards exist separately from culture and storytelling. The event also reflected a broader continental reality. Africa’s future increasingly demands leaders capable of thinking beyond rigid disciplinary boundaries. In this context, the ARSO competition becomes more than an academic exercise. It becomes a rehearsal space for future African leadership. The finalists included Gladys Matloga, Culture Molatole, Vhahangwele Belemu, Rendani Nkwamalau and Gugu Somtunzi, all of whom will now represent South Africa at the continental stage of the competition. Their ideas will enter wider African conversations around trade, development and integration. SABS Acting CEO Blake Mosley Lefatola emphasised the importance of creating platforms that allow young Africans to influence how the continent develops and participates within global markets. The statement reflected the deeper significance of the gathering in Pretoria yesterday. It was not merely about celebrating winners, but about recognising the intellectual agency of young Africans. The South African State Theatre also acknowledged the importance of the event, particularly the visibility of creatives within spaces often associated with technical and economic expertise. The growing relationship between the arts, innovation and development continues to reshape how Africa imagines progress. What unfolded at SABS yesterday was ultimately a portrait of a continent in transition. Young Africans are no longer waiting to inherit the future. They are actively writing it.

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South Africa enters the cold winter season, weathering severe conditions that have been hitting the country like a storm, following the release of a level 2 warning from the South African Weather Services (Saws). Around 70 residents remain stranded without food in De Vlugt, George, as the influx of rainfall has caused the river water to overflow and prevented further movement in and out of the area. Communities in Mossel Bay are facing high volumes of water passing through river mouths despite pre-emptive preparations in anticipation of weather predictions. While evacuations are underway in Gamtoos Valley, the Kouga dam has officially exceeded capacity. 70 Stranded residents Weather conditions have also left around 70 people in De Vlugt, George, stranded, while the Keurbooms River is seen flowing strongly as water levels rise due to the heavy rainfall over the last few days. They have requested food supplies through the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Multi-Agency Command Centre (MACC) and indicated that they do not wish to evacuate at this stage. According to the GRDM Fire Chief, Deon Stoffels, the Western Cape Provincial Government will assist the affected residents in the area by providing a helicopter to transport the food supplies to the affected residents. Residents in De Vlugt have indicated that they do not wish to evacuate at this stage. Video: The Garden Route Municipality Residents in De Vlugt share video footage of rainwater overwhelming the river flow. Video: The Garden Route Municipality Evacuations at Gamtoos valley and mouth The Kouga Dam has officially exceeded full capacity and currently sits at 113%, which poses a serious risk to surrounding communities in the area. Residents in the following areas have been requested to evacuate immediately to ensure safety: Kingsway Village Big Fish Gamtoos Mouth Ferry Hotel And all low-lying areas in the Gamtoos valley Evacuation shelters have been opened at: Katrina Felix Hall (Thornhill) Loerie Community Hall The Kouga Municipality has strongly advised agricultural farmers to urgently relocate livestock, farming equipment, machinery and vehicles to safer areas, to avoid severe flood damage. Residents are advised to avoid all river crossings and flooded roads as emergency teams remain on high alert and are requested to cooperate with all evacuation instructions. “Do not attempt to drive or walk through flowing water.” Here is a visual of Patensie, a small agricultural town in the Sarah Baartman District, Eastern Cape. Patensie amidst heavy rainfall. Picture: WeatherGuru Kammanassie Dam In the Western Cape, rain and showers are expected on Thursday, 7 May 2026, as the weather system has now moved south-east of the country. Conditions are expected to mainly affect areas along the south coastal area, while the Eastern Garden Route is expected to receive the majority of the rain. Around 12:39, a strong current is seen at the Kammanassie Dam, as massive volumes of water are seen rushing into the dam, quickly pushing past trees, after experiencing heavy rainfall across the region. This large body of water is seen pouring into the dam and is located near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, with a total capacity of approximately 34.4 to 35.9 million cubic meters. River Mouth Breach The Great Brak River mouth experienced a breach along the sandbar on Tuesday, 5 May 2026, and precautions were taken, where necessary, to reduce the risk of flooding in surrounding areas. Excavators are seen reinforcing the breached sandbar along the side of the seabed to prevent the water from overflowing and further seeping into the river mouth. While efforts are underway to ensure that the flow of water remains at a decent level, by opening up the river mouth to let out excess water. Residents have been advised to remain cautious, especially in low-lying or flood-prone areas, and to adjust travel plans accordingly, if necessary. Mossel Bay Great Brak estuary breached in Mossel Bay. Video: Mossel Bay Municipality Olifants River As of Thursday, 7 May 2026, the Olifants River is seen flowing over the bridge near the Calitzdorp Hot Springs. The Olifants River is flowing over the bridge, near the Calitzdorp Hot Springs. Video: The Garden Route Municipality Clinic Closures The GRDM has also announced the closure of certain clinics due to the severity of weather forecasts. The Wittedrift Clinic has been closed, along with the Covie mobile route that has been cancelled. Operations at the Uniondale and Herold Satellite Clinic have also been shut down, with all mobile routes that were scheduled to go out. “While some healthcare facilities in affected areas have reported damage and staffing impacts due to the storm, almost all healthcare services in Knysna and Bitou remain operational.”

Every year on 10 May, Global Move for Health Day serves as a reminder that physical activity is not about gym memberships or elite athleticism. It is a fundamental human behaviour, and one that millions of people are simply no longer doing enough of. The Covid-19 pandemic left a lasting mark on how South Africans move. Lockdowns normalised extended periods of sitting, and the shift to remote work stripped out the incidental movement that used to fill ordinary days: commuting, social events, walking between offices. Even after restrictions were lifted, the sedentary patterns largely stayed. The consequences are significant. According to the World Health Organisation, physical inactivity is now the fourth-leading risk factor for global mortality, directly linked to an elevated risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers and depression. Closer to home, research suggests that fewer than one in three South African adults meets recommended physical activity guidelines. The average office worker in South Africa may sit for more than 10 hours a day (desk time, commuting and screen time at home combined). The sitting epidemic The problem, health experts note, isn’t simply the absence of exercise. It’s the quantity of uninterrupted stillness. Studies have shown that prolonged sitting, defined as more than eight hours a day, increases cardiovascular disease risk even in people who exercise regularly. Muscles that remain inactive for extended periods begin to reduce their production of lipoprotein lipase, an enzyme critical to breaking down fats in the bloodstream. Over months and years, these patterns accumulate into more serious consequences. Small changes are more powerful than you think The good news is that a complete lifestyle overhaul is not required to reverse the damage. Research consistently shows that moderate, consistent physical activity, even in short bursts, delivers meaningful wellness benefits. The concept of “exercise snacks” has gained significant traction in clinical research. This refers to brief bouts of activity spread throughout the day, such as a brisk five-minute walk after meals. A 2022 study published in Nature Medicine found that just three to four minutes of vigorous incidental activity per day was associated with a 40% to 50% reduction in cancer risk in adults who don’t regularly exercise. But first: know your numbers Understanding your baseline health status is not optional. It is the foundation everything else is built on. Picture: iStock Before changing your activity levels, particularly if you have been inactive for some time, there is a step most people skip entirely. Catherine Gay, clinical risk specialist at Fedhealth, says understanding your baseline health status is not optional. It is the foundation everything else is built on. “Ideally, people should review and update their baseline health status at least once a year, even if they feel great. An annual check provides a consistent benchmark to track changes over time and identify risks early,” Gay said. For people with existing risk factors such as high blood pressure, elevated glucose or high cholesterol, she recommends reassessing every six months. Significant life changes, starting an exercise programme, major weight loss, illness or a high-stress period, also warrant a fresh look at the numbers. What to measure A solid baseline assessment, according to Gay, should focus on key indicators of metabolic and cardiovascular health. The core markers to prioritise are: blood pressure, blood glucose levels (fasting glucose or HbA1c) and a full cholesterol profile covering HDL, LDL and triglycerides. Beyond those, body mass index or waist circumference, resting heart rate and daily physical activity levels all contribute to a fuller picture. Gay also recommends tracking fitness capacity, sleep quality and stress levels as additional useful markers. “These factors directly influence what type and intensity of activity is safe and effective,” she noted. For medical aid members, a Health Risk Assessment may already be covered as part of your plan’s benefits. Fedhealth members, for example, are covered for an HRA under the scheme’s screening benefit, and those on certain options can unlock additional funding for day-to-day expenses by completing one. How AI is changing the game Once you have your baseline data, the question becomes: what do you do with it? This is where technology is beginning to make a tangible difference. Gay says AI tools are increasingly able to translate data into personalised, practical action. “AI can analyse baseline health data (age, fitness level, blood pressure, activity history) and suggest optimal exercise duration and intensity, safe starting points for inactive individuals, and gradual progression plans,” she explained. Rather than a generic recommendation to exercise for 30 minutes a day, AI-driven tools can, for instance, suggest short exercise snacks spread throughout the day. Wearables and AI-powered apps can go further still, monitoring heart rate, movement and recovery in real time, adjusting goals dynamically based on progress or fatigue, and alerting users when sedentary time tips into the danger zone. Over time, these tools can identify trends and flag potential risks before they escalate. “Baseline health data is only valuable if it’s used. The combination of regular health assessments, key biomarker tracking and AI-driven insights allows individuals to move from awareness to action.” Where to start today For those motivated to move more but unsure how to begin, the practical steps are more accessible than most expect. Setting movement reminders every 45 to 60 minutes to stand, stretch or take a two-minute walk can meaningfully break up sedentary time across a workday. This could potentially add up to more than 15 minutes of movement that would otherwise not have happened. Starting with just 10 minutes of brisk walking a day is clinically meaningful and builds the momentum to progress. Making movement social significantly increases the likelihood of maintaining the habit over time. The goal, ultimately, is not to become an exercise fanatic. It is to move more than you did yesterday, and to keep doing it.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) and Eastern Province Cricket (EPC) said on Thursday that they were “deeply saddened” to learn of the passing of Geoff Dakin, a distinguished administrator and passionate advocate for the development of cricket. He was 90. Key leadership roles Dakin’s association with EPC began at an early age as a player, before moving to key leadership roles, including Chairman of Old Grey Cricket Club and later the EPC Board, contributing significantly to the growth and governance of the sport at provincial level until the 2000s. In 1991, Dakin was elected as the first Chairman of the United Cricket Board (UCB) following the unification of South African cricket. CSA President, Rihan Richards, said: “Geoff Dakin was a visionary leader whose contribution to the unification and transformation of South African cricket will never be forgotten. “His courage, integrity, and commitment to building a non-racial, inclusive game helped lay the foundation for the progress we see today. “On behalf of Cricket South Africa, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.” Enduring passion for cricket Eastern Province Cricket President Donovan May added: “Eastern Province Cricket and the broader cricket community were fortunate to have had Geoff spearhead the way for a non-racial, unified game, which ultimately led to South Africa becoming a force on the international stage.” His family fondly recalls his enduring passion for cricket, as well as the unique experiences the game afforded him, including meeting figures such as John Major and Mother Teresa. CSA and EPC extended their deepest condolences to the Dakin family, friends, and the wider cricketing community. May his soul Rest in Peace.

Bevan van Druten, who is accused of murdering his girlfriend, Nicky van Heerden, failed to appear in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila, the matter was postponed in absentia to 5 July 2026 for further investigation. According to the Knysna-Plett Herald, unconfirmed reports suggest Van Druten’s absence may have been linked to damage to the court building. January murder The case stems from the death of Van Heerden in January this year at Strandmeer Private Estate near the Keurbooms River in Plettenberg Bay. Sources close to the investigation had confirmed that neighbours had reported hearing a woman screaming somewhere on the property late on Sunday night, 18 January, prompting calls to police. A private security company also reportedly contacted authorities repeatedly – allegedly every 20 minutes – as security officers were unable to enter the premises without police assistance. Police arrived at the estate at about 00:20 on Monday morning, where Van Heerden’s lifeless body was discovered next to a bakkie believed to belong to Bevan van Druten. The vehicle was found on dunes forming part of the property. Van Heerden had sustained multiple injuries and was declared dead on the scene by medical personnel. Search operation The discovery sparked a large-scale search operation involving drones and search dogs. Van Druten was allegedly later found hiding on the property after stepping on underbrush, which alerted nearby police officers to his location. He was reportedly cornered before he could flee to a neighbouring property and subsequently handed himself over to police. At the time, police spokesperson Wesley Twigg confirmed that the circumstances surrounding Van Heerden’s death were under investigation.

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