The Johannesburg High Court has dismissed an application by Nthabiseng Zandile Nzama—a co-accused in the Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala attempted murder trial—seeking permission to skip court proceedings to focus on her BCom Honours studies.

Discover the key discussions and goals set during the opening day of the 9th annual SADC Industrialisation Week in Durban, where leaders emphasised the importance of industrialisation for economic transformation in Southern Africa

We bring you a visual snapshot of the day’s news events, featuring mourners paying tribute at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate following the deadly attack near the city’s Pride parade, a devastating wildfire that has forced the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people in France’s Gironde region, South Africa’s Zelme Daries competing in the women’s all-around gymnastics final at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, and other compelling images from around the world. Two firefighter helmets and a fire hose are pictured on the ground as a forest fire rages in Saint-Jean-d’Illac, some 30km from Bordeaux, on July 26, 2026 as a wildfire has been ravaging the forest north of the Arcachon Basin (Gironde). The 220,000 people evacuated due to the massive wildfire in France’s Gironde region will not be able to return home “until the fire has been brought under control”, the local prefect said, also ruling out any normal workday on Monday in the affected towns, ahead of a possible worsening of the situation on Tuesday due to an expected rise in temperatures. (Photo by ROMAIN PERROCHEAU / AFP) South Africa’s Pieter Coetze swims to win the Men’s 200m Backstroke Final during the swimming event at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre in Glasgow, on day three of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, on July 26, 2026. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) An aerial view shows residential buildings partially submerged in floodwaters after heavy monsoon rains induced a rise in the water level of the River Ravi in Pakistan’s Muridke on July 27, 2026. (Photo by Arif ALI / AFP) South Africa’s Erin Gallagher (L), Australia’s Alex Perkins and New Zealand’s Hazel Ouwehand celebrate during the Women’s 50m Butterfly Medal Ceremony at the swimming event at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre in Glasgow, on day two of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, on July 25, 2026. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) This photograph shows a damaged interior view of the Agricultural Bank of Sudan after it was reportedly targeted by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El-Obeid on July 27, 2026. The war between the army and the RSF — former allies before they fell out in a power struggle — erupted in April 2023 and has since killed over 200,000 people, aid workers estimate. It has also caused the world’s largest hunger and displacement crises. In El-Obeid alone, a city of about half a million people which the UN says has doubled in sized because of displacement, only a fraction have reliable access to food. (Photo by AFP) Vusumuzi “Cat” Matlala, his wife Tsakani Matlala, Musa Kekana, Tiego Floyd Mabusela and Nthabiseng Zandile Nzama appear before the Gauteng South High Court in Johannesburg, 27 July 2026. They are standing trial on charges relating to the attempted murders of businessman Joe Sibanyoni and five others, media personality Tebogo Thobejane and three others, and musician DJ Vettys and two others. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/The Citizen Yoga enthusiasts practice at a lotus pond in Gucun Park in Shanghai, east China, on July 26, 2026, to avoid the midday heat during the dog days of summer. (Photo by Yang Jianzheng / IC photo / Imaginechina via AFP) Zelme Daries of Team South Africa competes in Floor Exercise during the Women’s All-Around Final on day three of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games at The Arena on July 26, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. Daries finished 13th in the competition, with her older sister Naveen Daries taking 10th position. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images) A woman walks past a large billboard pledging revenge against US President Donald Trump along Jomhouri Street in central Tehran on July 27, 2026. Iran’s foreign ministry said on July 27 that the US was not involved in recent talks with Oman over the administration of the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Traffic through the vital global shipping route has been under Iranian control since the outbreak of war with Israel and the United States on February 28. (Photo by AFP) Youth and students dance at the plaza of the Arch of Triumph to mark the 73rd anniversary of the end of the Korean War in Pyongyang on July 27, 2026. (Photo by KIM Won Jin / AFP) Pallas’s cat Azu, a species considered to be the world’s oldest living feline, is seen in her enclosure at Kobe Animal Kingdom in Kobe on July 27, 2026. Pallas’s cat Azu gave birth to five kittens on May 12. (Photo by PAUL MILLER / AFP) People pay their respects in front of landmark Brandenburg Gate where flowers, condolence placards and a huge rainbow flag have been arranged on the ground, on July 27, 2026 in Berlin two days after a car ramming attack that killed one person and injured 29 near the Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade. German police announced on July 26, 2026 that they had shot and killed the chief suspect in what officials described as a deadly Islamist attack near the Berlin Pride parade the night prior, the latest ramming assault to hit the country. The attack late on July 25 — the first such incident to target the German capital’s LGBTQ community, killed one woman and wounded 29 others. (Photo by John MACDOUGALL / AFP) Silver medallist South Africa’s Aimee Canny (L), gold medallist Scotland’s Angharad Evans and bronze medallist Australia’s Sienna Toohey celebrate during the medal ceremony for the Women’s 100m Breaststroke Final at the swimming event at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre in Glasgow, on day three of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, on July 26, 2026. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) Imported iron ore is seen at the ore terminal of Qingdao Port in Shandong province, eastern China, on July 27, 2026. (Photo by CN-STR / AFP) Kris Mihaylov of Team South Africa and Edward Mildred of Team England compete during the Men’s 200m Butterfly – Heats on day four of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games at Tollcross International Swimming Centre on July 27, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) Tudor Pro Cycling Team’s French rider Julian Alaphilippe interacts with the crowd as he cycles up Rue Lepic on the ascent of the Butte de Montmartre during the 21st stage of the 113th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 88,7 km starting and finishing in Paris, on July 26, 2026. (Photo by GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT / AFP) Maximiliano Torres clears snow from the roof of a restaurant affected by a several storms near the Argentina-Chile border in Puente del Inca, Mendoza province, Argentina on July 26, 2026. Snowfall is forecasted for the next few days on the Andes mountains forcing the clousure of the international road between Argentina and Chile where dozens of trucks are stranded according to local authorities. (Photo by Andres LARROVERE / AFP) 1/17

Thousands of people reclaimed the streets of Johannesburg on Sunday as they took part in the 2026 702 Jozi My Jozi Walk The Talk. Participants experienced some of the city’s landmarks and regeneration precincts along 5km, 8km and 15km routes that celebrated Johannesburg’s history, culture and community spirit. Here is a selection of photographs capturing the atmosphere, colour and energy of the event. Over 17 000 walkers take part in the 702 Walk the Talk, which started at the Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg, 26 July 2026. The city takes the lead in bringing financial institutions together to invest in restoring, maintaining and revitalising the city’s infrastructure, public spaces, helping create a cleaner, safer and more vibrant city while setting an example for other South African cities Cape Town, Durban and Gqeberha and other cities to emulate. Picture: Rajesh Jantilal The event featured three routes, namely a 15km Mandela Bridge route), the 8km Main Street route, and the 5km Victoria Yards route. Picture: Nigel Siubanda/The Citizen Walkers cross the Nelson Mandela Bridge in Braamfontein. The event partnered with homelessness organisations MES and U-Turn to encourage dignified giving through Mi-change blockchain vouchers, which provide homeless people with access to meals, hygiene facilities, clothing and shelter. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Walkers cross the Nelson Mandela Bridge. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Nigel Siubanda/The Citizen Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Walkers cross the Nelson Mandela Bridge. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Absa Group CEO Kenny Fihla gestures as he joins over 17 000 walkers in the 702 Walk the Talk. Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Walkers cross the Nelson Mandela Bridge. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Members of the JMPD keep a close watch on walkers. Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Walkers cross the Nelson Mandela Bridge. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Walkers cross the Nelson Mandela Bridge. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen People with prams and little children joined in the fun of the event. Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Walkers cross the Nelson Mandela Bridge. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Walkers cross the Nelson Mandela Bridge. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Walkers cross the Nelson Mandela Bridge. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Rajesh Jantilal Walkers cross the Nelson Mandela Bridge. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen 1/24

The African Development Bank has warned about the impact El Niño will have on the continent. South Africans are being told to prepare for scorching temperatures. But the temperatures aren’t the only thing that could increase; grocery prices could soar. Is South Africa prepared? How El Niño Will Affect Grocery Prices El Niño, a weather pattern that leads to higher temperatures and drier conditions, results in subdued harvests for rainfed crops. The knock-on effect means rising food costs. According to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), food inflation peaked at 5.9% in 2015, the last time the country experienced a severe El Niño. Extreme drought conditions meant the country had to import maize to cover the shortfall. Bread and cereal increased by 7.5% by the end of 2015. Oils and fats increased by 14.1% and vegetables, sugar, sweets and desserts increased by 9.4%. Yet experts suggest South Africa will survive the upcoming El Niño despite warnings it will be severe and could cost the continent billions. Products El Niño Could Impact South Africans will be sheltered from the effects of El Niño this summer, according to AgriSA’s Chief Operating Officer Jolanda Andrag, who spoke to Farmer’s Weekly. The country anticipates a record-breaking maize harvest thanks to La Niña conditions that brought rains and improved harvesting conditions. But should severe weather conditions persist, summer 2027 may not be smooth sailing. These are the items that could be impacted: Meat: South African cattle rely on grass and grain. Drier conditions reduce pasture grazing and feed. Cattle and poultry farmers can’t meet the country’s needs, and prices rise. In 2015, meat prices rose by 4.1%. Seed Oils: It’s not just vegetable and cooking oil that El Niño will impact. Products relying on these oils will increase. Baby formula, chocolate, ice cream, and many processed foods all contain seed oils. Maize meal: Data from Stats SA show that South Africans in urban areas spend 25% of their grocery basket on maize products. El Niño conditions can impact maize meal, sorghum and other cereal grains. Sugar: Despite the country having a robust sugar cane production, South Africa imports a lot of sugar. El Niño’s impact on the climate in these regions can drive up sugar prices. Chocolate: Chocolate lovers will be most affected by El Niño conditions. Sugar, seed oils, and cocoa, key ingredients in chocolate, will increase.

Model and content creator Shannon Benting is representing South Africa at Miss Supranational this year, with the finale taking place on Friday 31 July. The finale of the pageant will take place at the Strzelecki Park Amphitheatre in Nowy Sącz, Poland. SHANNON BENTING QUALIFIES FOR TOP 20 INFLUENCER CHALLENGE South Africa’s Miss Supranational 2026 representative, Shannon Benting, has made it into the Top 20 of the pageant’s Influencer Challenge. This is another big achievement for her as she competes in Poland, just days before the grand finale on 31 July. Brazil’s Eduarda Braum is the reigning Miss Supranational. The model, who hails from Gauteng, was announced as one of the Top 20 contestants in the challenge’s Day 12 recap on 24 July. She joins other strong contenders like Zimbabwe’s Nicole Nyawera and Nigeria’s Gift Eno Ndah. Winning the Influencer Challenge gives the contestant an automatic place in the Top 24 of the main competition — a major step toward the crown. HOW DID SHANNON BENTING BECOME MISS SUPRANATIONAL? Shannon was crowned Miss Supranational South Africa in June. The announcement was made as part of a new era of pageantry in South Africa, alongside the unveiling of the Miss African Beauty South Africa 2026 Top 20 contestants. From these 20 contestants two more women will be selected to represent South Africa at major international pageants such as Miss World and Miss Universe. “Representing South Africa at Miss Supranational 2026 is a moment I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I have worked hard, dreamed big and stayed grounded in my purpose, and this feels like confirmation that showing up with authenticity and intention truly matters,” she said after being crowned. “I do not take this responsibility lightly. I am walking onto that stage in Poland not just for myself, but for every young woman in South Africa who has been told that where she comes from is a limitation rather than a launching pad. I want her to see me and believe that it is possible for her too,” she continued. FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT SHANNON BENTING Shannon is 30 years old. She hails from Northcliff in Gauteng. Shannon is a mom. She has her BCom Sports Management qualification. Shannon’s roots include South African Coloured heritage and Chinese ancestry through her grandparents

Behavioural tools can compensate, but new approaches to AI injection attacks are needed, says Kaspersky.

Gen Digital and Avert IT Distribution on why African businesses need a new approach to cybersecurity.