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.

Johannesburg’s Connor Howie, 16, has earned a bronze medal in Slovenia and a personal best in Bulgaria, putting South African figure skating on the international stage.

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Lions defence coach Jaque Fourie believes the team’s improved defensive performances have turned into an attacking weapon for them, as they prepare for one of their biggest challenges of the season, against United Rugby Championship (URC) defending champions, Leinster, in Dublin on Saturday. The Lions are in incredible form, having won six games on the trot, stretching back to their last defeat in late January, and much of that has been down to brilliant attacking performances, backed by superb defence. Speaking ahead of the weekend’s match, Fourie explained how the team have been using their defence to aid their attack, and they will be looking to do the same against the Irish giants, as they look to seal their place in the URC playoffs with a game to spare. “We are using our defence as a weapon to go and score tries. The more we stay connected and the more we go up and put teams under pressure defensively, the more we are going to get the ball back,” said Fourie. “Even our loosies are dangerous with ball in hand, and we are going to punish teams. For us, it’s all about putting teams under pressure and getting the ball back and then converting that pressure into points. “We know we haven’t achieved anything yet. We still have two big games. Our biggest challenge is Saturday in Dublin against Leinster.” Top defence Heading into a match against an internationally laden Leinster team who have dangerous players across the park, the Lions will be buoyed by a top defensive in their 33-21 home win over Connacht a week and a half ago. In that game they were forced to defend for long spells, with Connacht boasting 62% possession and territory, while the Lions were forced to make 212 tackles, and found themselves on the wrong side of the refs whistle, with nine penalties to the visitors five, but still outscored them five tries to three. In all, over the past few months, the Lions attack has sparkled and defence has been solid, ever since their heavy 52-17 loss against the Bulls at Ellis Park in late January, with them since winning all their matches, scoring 34 tries along the way while conceding 16. “From a defence point, personally for me, the guys have been doing well and I’m very proud of them. I think we’ve grown in leaps and bounds over the last six games. After the Bulls game, we came back that Monday and decided we had to change a few things and since then it’s just gotten better and better,” explained Fourie. “So I think we’re hitting the right strings at the right time. I think you can see that it also means something for the team and for the players. “You can have all the systems, all the stuff in the world but if there isn’t the commitment, you won’t get anywhere. You can really see that it means something for these guys when they go onto the field and how they work for each other. So I’m tremendously proud of them.”

The SABC has confirmed that it has paid Bakwena Productions, the producers of the SABC 2 telenovela Pimville, following the suspension of production over unpaid cast and crew salaries. Production of the show was halted after cast and crew were allegedly not paid for two months. Entertainment commentator Phil Mphela shared a WhatsApp message allegedly sent by the show’s executive producer, Rashaka Muofhe, informing the team of the suspension. The message stated that filming had been “temporarily suspended until matters of payment have been resolved with SABC”. It further read: “Please note we do apologise for any inconvenience caused and matters are being handled with the necessary urgency required and we are confident that production will resume soon. Further communication in terms of payment dates will be communicated once we have confirmation.” SABC addresses Pimville payment claims The SABC has since issued a statement confirming that it has fulfilled its financial obligations to Bakwena Productions. “The SABC wishes to confirm that the broadcaster has duly fulfilled its contractual obligations to Bakwena Productions. The corporation is therefore up to date with payments, underscoring its commitment to the smooth running of productions,” the statement said. “It must be noted that in this case the production company concerned is in breach of the contract with the SABC,” the statement added. The SABC said it is “actively engaging the production company to remedy the situation” and “implementing contingency plans to ensure continuity of content on SABC 2.” It added that it has also met with the cast of Pimville and had previously introduced risk mitigation measures after becoming aware of concerns linked to the production arrangement. “Following this, a set of risk mitigation measures were put in place. While these interventions were intended to safeguard the production and protect the SABC, recent developments indicate that further action is required.” The Citizen has reached out to Bakwena Productions for comment. The article will be updated once a response is received. STATEMENT: Production halted on SABC2 telenovela PimvilleCast and crew not paid their salaries. SABC says it has fulfilled all contractual obligations to the production company, Bakwena Productions. #KgopoloReports pic.twitter.com/b7NIsbqQMG— Kgopolo (@PhilMphela) May 6, 2026

South African Grammy Award winner Tyla attended this year’s Met Gala, which took place on Monday, May 4, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The annual fashion event once again marked the opening of the Costume Institute’s spring exhibition, titled “Costume Art,” and drew some of the world’s biggest stars. While Tyla walked the iconic event among global celebrities, attention quickly shifted away from fashion moments and onto a viral social media clip involving her and Rihanna. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vogue (@voguemagazine) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vogue (@voguemagazine) TYLA ADDRESSES VIRAL MET GALA MOMENT Social media users sparked rumours after a video circulated showing Tyla standing near Rihanna while appearing to be ignored. Some viewers interpreted the moment as awkward and quickly speculated that there was tension between the two artists. Rihanna totally ignored Tyla at the Met Gala 👀 pic.twitter.com/9HuB1z14qr— BlackMedia__ (@BlackMedia___) May 6, 2026 TYLA EXPLAINS WHAT REALLY HAPPENED Tyla quickly responded on TikTok, shutting down claims that there was any “beef” between her and Rihanna. She explained that the situation was misunderstood and that Rihanna was simply occupied at the time. “Everyone knows I love Ri. So, I met her last year and she was cool. When I met her, I think she was occupied because I went up to her, and she was like ‘My baby daddy is calling me’ and then she left. I was like maybe she was busy. So, I don’t know, I felt awkward, I don’t know how to say hi. I was waiting for my car and she was right there.” Tyla also shared a photo of herself standing next to Rihanna and added: “I didn’t want to go up because she was busy. When we do speak, if we do end up speaking ever, I want it to be like calm so that we can both just vibe and talk nicely.” She emphasised that she never took the moment personally and insisted there was no negativity between them. @hernametyla ♬ original sound – soundeffectpack ADDRESSES COMPARISON TO RIHANNA This is not the first time the two artists have been linked together online. Back in 2024, Tyla was frequently compared to Rihanna because of her music and growing global success. During an interview with Cosmopolitan, Tyla shared her thoughts on the comparisons. “Rihanna is Rihanna. It’s a compliment,” she told the publication. “But at the same time, I’m my own artist. I’m Tyla. And I know as people get to know me and my music, they will see me as just Tyla. So I’m fine with it now.”

Liverpool FC has confirmed the opening dates and locations of its first official standalone retail stores in South Africa, marking a significant step in the club’s global retail expansion. The club’s new Cape Town store, located at Canal Walk Shopping Centre, will officially open on Tuesday, 12 May, while the Johannesburg branch at Mall of Africa will open on Friday, 15 May. First stores in Africa The launches mark the first time Liverpool FC has brought its official standalone retail store experience to Africa. The South African stores will become the 24th and 25th standalone outlets opened by the Premier League giants globally, with Liverpool continuing to boast more standalone retail stores than any other sports team worldwide. According to the club, South Africa is home to an estimated 12.7 million Liverpool supporters – more than any other football club globally – alongside 37 million cumulative television viewers during last season. The openings will form part of a wider week-long celebration taking place between 17 and 21 May, with a range of fan engagement activities planned in both cities. Cultural events planned Liverpool legend Bruce Grobbelaar, who was born in Durban and made more than 600 appearances for the Reds, is expected to feature in the celebrations. Fans will also get the chance to see the UEFA Champions League trophy up close, while official club mascot Mighty Red and several cultural and community events are also planned. Official launch events for supporters will take place in Cape Town on 19 May and in Johannesburg on 21 May. ‘Important moment for the club’ Lee Dwerryhouse, Liverpool’s senior vice-president of merchandising, described the openings as “an important moment” for the club. “South Africa has a deep and passionate Liverpool fan base, and we’re proud to create new ways for supporters to connect with the club,” he said. “The launch activity across the week reflects the scale of that support, and we’re looking forward to celebrating with fans in Cape Town and Johannesburg as we continue to grow our global retail presence.” Are you a die-hard Liverpool fan? Let us know by clicking on the comment banner below …

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