IOL
Mission ShakthiSAT: Ragini Buhle Pillay to represent SA in groundbreaking space mission in India
Ragini Buhle Pillay said said her love for space was born long before she understood the mathematics or engineering behind it.
IOL
After Decades in Temporary Classrooms, R43m Woodlands Primary School Build Back on Track as KZN Vows End to Delays
After years of delays, the construction of Woodlands Primary School in Pietermaritzburg is finally nearing completion, thanks to newly appointed contractor.
The Citizen
48 hours in pictures, 26 July 2026
Thousands of walkers take part in the 702 Jozi My Jozi Walk The Talk as they cross the Nelson Mandela Bridge in Braamfontein, 26 July 2026. 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 South Africans take part in the 702 Jozi My Jozi Walk the Talk 2026 at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg on 26 July 2026. The event features three routes: the 15km Mandela Bridge route, the 8km Main Street route, and the 5km Victoria Yards route. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/The Citizen Participants pose nude with their bodies painted as US photographer Spencer Tunick takes photographs upon his collective art action “Grand Spectrum” in Santa Ana square, in the Vegueta district of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on July 26, 2026. (Photo by David DELFOUR / AFP) Sherri Steward, the niece of David D. Steward, of the United States, who was killed in the Korean War, touches his name before laying a flower at the Korean War Memorial in Seoul on July 26, 2026. Seventy-four participants from 21 countries, including 13 UN Korean War veterans and bereaved family members are visiting Seoul as part of the Revisit Korea Program for UN Korean War Veterans. (Photo by GREG BAKER / AFP) Cars drive along the road as smoke rises above residential buildings from a warehouse for a Russian e-commerce giant near Saint Petersburg after being hit by Ukrainian drones early on July 24, 2026 morning, triggering a fire that sent smoke pouring over the historic city, according to local officials. Kyiv has targeted Saint Petersburg as it steps up long-range drone strikes on Russian energy, military and logistics sites in recent weeks. Russia’s defence ministry said its forces shot down some 571 drones overnight over more than a dozen regions and Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula that Russia annexed in 2014. (Photo by AFP) Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa (left) presents a Motsepe Foundation Impact Circle Certificate of Honour to Zizipho Yekelo as Motsepe Foundation co-founder Precious Moloi-Motsepe looks on at the Houghton Hotel in Johannesburg, 24 July 2026. The ceremony recognised graduates of the Motsepe Foundation’s scholarship programme, many of whom have excelled in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and saw them pledge to lead with integrity, uphold the values of ubuntu and give back to society. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/The Citizen A destroyed building is pictured in the village of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh in southern Lebanon on July 26, 2026. Lebanon’s army had on July 21 began deploying to Zawtar al-Gharbiya as part of a US-sponsored framework agreement signed by Lebanon and Israel last month. Under the deal, the army is to disarm Hezbollah and the Israeli military is to withdraw from “pilot zones” where Lebanese troops will subsequently deploy. (Photo by MAHMOUD ZAYYAT / AFP) A Hindu devotee dressed as goddess Amman takes part in a religious procession to celebrate ‘Aadi’ festival in Chennai on July 26, 2026. (Photo by R. Satish BABU / AFP) Revellers in cowboy attire watch a live country music performance from a distance during International Cowboy Day celebrations at Ngong Racecourse in Nairobi on July 25, 2026. Observed annually on the fourth Saturday of July, International Cowboy Day celebrates the history, culture and enduring legacy of cowboys and cowgirls around the world. While rooted in the traditions of North America, cowboy culture and country music have gained a growing following across parts of Africa in recent years, particularly in Kenya, where Western-style fashion, line dancing, horseback riding and country music events have attracted an expanding community of enthusiasts. (Photo by Luis TATO / AFP) The funeral service for Bafana Bafana player Jayden Adams at Coetzenburg Sports Grounds on July 25, 2026 in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Adams tragically passed away at the age of 25 in Cape Town, shortly after returning from representing South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (Photo by Gallo Images/Brenton Geach) Robots fight during the “Rek Tokyo 2026” humanoid robot fights in Akihabara district of Tokyo on July 25, 2026. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP) An Indonesian performer dressed in a HEAL (Humanity, Earth, and Life)-themed costume takes part in parade during the Jember Fashion Carnival in Jember, East Java island, on July 26, 2026. (Photo by Juni KRISWANTO / AFP) People set up bouquets of flowers on July 26, 2026 in front of landmark Brandenburg Gate prior to a so-called “community mourning” one day after the car ramming attack on people on the outskirts of Berlin’s Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade on late July 25, 2026, killing one person and injuring 16 in the Tiergarten park. German police searched on July 26, 2026 for a suspect believed linked to Islamist circles after a car ploughed into a crowd near Berlin’s Gay Pride celebrations, killing one person and wounding 16 others. The incident shattered what had been a day of celebration for hundreds of thousands attending Christopher Street Day, one of Europe’s largest Pride events, and left revellers fleeing a central Berlin park as sirens echoed through the night. (Photo by RALF HIRSCHBERGER / AFP) A made-up participant attends the Drag Queen March in Berlin on July 24, 2026. Ahead of the Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade, Berlin hosts its first-ever Drag March bringing a tradition known from New York to Berlin. (Photo by RALF HIRSCHBERGER / AFP) This aerial view shows burnt cars following a wildfire in Le Porge, in the Gironde Department, south-western France on July 25, 2026. The fires, which are on an unprecedented scale and have forced the evacuation of around 200,000 “fire refugees” in Gironde and the Landes, were still not under control on July 25, 2026 and continue to keep firefighters and military personnel on high alert, including an A400M aircraft deployed to tackle the blaze for the first time. (Photo by Florian PLAUCHEUR / AFP) General view of crowd inside the stadium during the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) 13th Anniversary Rally and 2026 Manifesto Launch at Thohoyandou Stadium on July 25, 2026 in Thohoyandou, South Africa. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) celebrate the party’s 13th anniversary and launch its 2026 manifesto, with party president Julius Malema addressing supporters during the event. (Photo by Gallo Images/Kabelo Leputu) Moulin Rouge dancers perform the Can-Can along the race route before 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 Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD / AFP) Residents block traffic in a neighbourhood of San Miguel del Padrón in Havana July 24, 2026, and bang pots and pans, dumping garbages on the street and setting fires to protest against ongoing blackouts and water shortages. (Photo by ADALBERTO ROQUE / AFP) Farmers harvest water chestnuts in a pond in Zhangjiayuan community in Taizhou, eastern China’s Jiangsu province, on July 26, 2026. (Photo by CN-STR / AFP) MORE: 24 hours in pictures, 22 July 2026
The Citizen
Weather update: Snowfall and ‘very cold’ weather expected this week
The South African Weather Service (Saws) has issued a yellow level 1 warning for damaging coastal wind and waves between Cape Columbine and Cape Agulhas on Monday. These conditions will make navigation difficult for small vessels/personal watercraft and disrupt beachfront activities. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the weather service expects very cold and wet conditions, with snowfall expected over the high-lying areas of the Eastern Cape, especially over the Drakensberg area and the southern parts of the Free State and the Lesotho border. Farmers are advised to take precautionary measures to mitigate the negative impact of the adverse weather conditions. Monday’s weather forecast Gauteng: Morning frost in places, otherwise fine and cool weather. The expected UVB sunburn index: High. Mpumalanga: Morning frost in places, otherwise fine and cool but warm in the Lowveld. Limpopo: Morning frost in places, otherwise fine and cool to warm. North West: Morning frost in the south, otherwise fine and cool. Free State: Morning frost in places, otherwise fine and cool weather. Coastal provinces Northern Cape: Fine and cool to warm but cold in the south, where it will become partly cloudy. The wind along the coast will be fresh to strong southerly to southeasterly. Western Cape: Fine to partly cloudy and cool to cold, but cloudy over the south coast and adjacent interior with isolated showers and rain from the afternoon, but scattered over the south-eastern parts. The wind along the coast will be moderate to fresh westerly to southwesterly along the south coast at first, otherwise fresh to strong southerly to south-easterly, reaching near gale along the south-west coast from the afternoon. The expected UVB sunburn index: Low. Western half of the Eastern Cape: Fine at first, becoming cloudy and cool with isolated showers and rain but scattered along the coast and adjacent interior. The wind along the coast will be moderate to fresh south-westerly, becoming south-easterly from the afternoon. Eastern half of the Eastern Cape: Fine and cool to warm, becoming cloudy with isolated evening showers and rain in places south of the escarpment. The wind along the coast will be moderate south-westerly. KwaZulu-Natal: Fine and cool to warm, becoming partly cloudy to cloudy in the afternoon with isolated showers and rain over the south-eastern parts. The wind along the coast will be moderate north-easterly, but fresh in the north at times, becoming moderate to fresh south-westerly. The expected UVB sunburn index: Very High.
The South African
WEATHER: Very cold and wet conditions with SNOWFALL expected in SA
Struggling to decide what to wear? Here’s what today’s weather has in store for South Africa’s nine provinces. Your daily weather, UVB forecast and temperature updates around South Africa. Weather conditions and UVB forecast Gauteng Temperature: Morning frost in places, otherwise fine and cool. The expected UVB Sunburn Index: High DID YOU KNOW Where does Gauteng rank in size among South Africa’s provinces? Gauteng is the smallest of South Africa’s nine provinces, with an area of 18 178 square kilometres. Where does Gauteng rank in population among South Africa’s provinces? Gauteng is the biggest in terms of population, with an estimated 16 million inhabitants as per the most recent census in 2020. What is the capital of Gauteng? The administrative capital of the province is Johannesburg, which is situated at 25°44′46″S 28°11′17″E. Mpumalanga Temperature: Morning frost in places, otherwise fine and cool but warm in the Lowveld. DID YOU KNOW Where does Mpumalanga rank in size among South Africa’s provinces? Mpumalanga is the second smallest of South Africa’s nine provinces, with an area of 76 495 square kilometres. Where does Mpumalanga rank in population size among South Africa’s provinces? Mpumalanga is the sixth most populous, with an estimated 4.7 million inhabitants as per the most recent census in 2020. What is the capital of Mpumalanga? The capital and largest city in the province is Mbombela (formerly known as Nelspruit), which is situated at 25°27′57″S 30°59′07″E. The daily weather forecast and temperature updates around South Africa. Limpopo Temperature: Morning frost in places, otherwise fine and cool to warm. DID YOU KNOW Where does Limpopo rank in size among South Africa’s provinces? Limpopo is the fifth largest of South Africa’s nine provinces, with an area of 125 754 square kilometres. Where does Limpopo rank in population size among South Africa’s provinces? Limpopo is the fifth most populous, with an estimated 5.9 million inhabitants as per the most recent census in 2020. What is the capital of Limpopo? The capital and largest city in the province is Polokwane, which is situated at 23°54′00″S 29°27′00″E. North West Temperature: Morning frost in the south, otherwise fine and cool. DID YOU KNOW Where does the North West rank in size among South Africa’s provinces? The North West is the sixth largest of South Africa’s nine provinces, with an area of 104 882 square kilometres. Where does the North West rank in population size among South Africa’s provinces? The North West is the seventh most populous, with an estimated 4.2 million inhabitants as per the most recent census in 2020. What is the capital of the North West? Its capital is Mahikeng (formerly known as Mafikeng), which is situated at 25°51′56″S 25°38′37″E. Free State Temperature: Morning frost in places, otherwise fine and cool. DID YOU KNOW Where does the Free State rank in size among South Africa’s provinces? The Free State is the third largest of South Africa’s nine provinces, with an area of 129 825 square kilometres. Where does the Free State rank in population size among South Africa’s provinces? The Free State is the second smallest in terms of population, with an estimated 2.9 million inhabitants as per the most recent census in 2020. What is the capital of the Free State? Formerly known as the Orange Free State, its capital and biggest city is Bloemfontein, South Africa’s judicial capital. It is situated at 29°07′S 26°13′E. Northern Cape Temperature: Fine and cool to warm but cold in the south where it will become partly cloudy. Wind: The wind along the coast will be fresh to strong southerly to southeasterly. DID YOU KNOW Where does the Northern Cape rank in size among South Africa’s provinces? The Northern Cape is the largest of South Africa’s nine provinces at 372 889 square kilometres. Where does the Northern Cape rank in population size among South Africa’s provinces? The Northern Cape is the smallest in terms of population, with an estimated 1.3 million inhabitants as per the most recent census in 2020. What is the capital of the Northern Cape? Its capital is Kimberley, which is situated at 28°44′18″S 24°45′50″E. Western Cape Temperature: Fine to partly cloudy and cool to cold, but cloudy over the south coast and adjacent interior with isolated showers and rain from the afternoon, but scattered over the south-eastern parts. Wind: The wind along the coast will be moderate to fresh westerly to southwesterly along the south coast at first, otherwise fresh to strong southerly to south-easterly, reaching near gale along the south-west coast from the afternoon. The expected UVB Sunburn Index: Low DID YOU KNOW Where does the Western Cape rank in size among South Africa’s provinces? The Western Cape is the fourth largest of South Africa’s nine provinces, with an area of 129 449 square kilometres. Where does the Western Cape rank in population size among South Africa’s provinces? The Western Cape is the third most populous, with an estimated 7.2 million inhabitants as per the most recent census in 2020. What is the capital of the Western Cape? The capital city is Cape Town, which is situated at 33°55′31″S 18°25′26″E. Eastern Cape The Western half: Fine at first, becoming cloudy and cool with isolated showers and rain but scattered along the coast and adjacent interior. The Western half – wind: The wind along the coast will be moderate to fresh south-westerly, becoming south-easterly from afternoon. The Eastern half: Fine and cool to warm, becoming cloudy with isolated evening showers and rain in places south of the escarpment. The Eastern half-wind: The wind along the coast will be moderate south-westerly DID YOU KNOW Where does the Eastern Cape rank in size among South Africa’s provinces? The Eastern Cape is the second largest of South Africa’s nine provinces at 168 966 square kilometres. Where does the Eastern Cape rank in population size among South Africa’s provinces? The Eastern Cape is the fourth biggest in terms of population, with an estimated 6.7 million inhabitants as per the most recent census in 2020. What is the capital of the Eastern Cape? Its capital is Bhisho, which is situated at 32°50′58″S 27°26′17″E. KwaZulu-Natal Temperature: Fine and cool to warm, becoming partly cloudy to cloudy in the afternoon with isolated showers and rain over the south-eastern parts. Wind: The wind along the coast will be moderate north-easterly, but fresh in the north at times becoming moderate to fresh south-westerly. The expected UVB Sunburn Index: Very high. Where does KwaZulu-Natal rank in size among South Africa’s provinces? KwaZulu-Natal is the seventh largest of South Africa’s nine provinces, with an area of 94 361 square kilometres. Where does KwaZulu-Natal rank in population size among South Africa’s provinces? KwaZulu-Natal is the second most populous, with an estimated 11.5 million inhabitants as per the most recent census in 2020. What is the capital of KwaZulu-Natal? The capital city is Pietermaritzburg, which is situated at 29°37′S 30°23′E. WEATHER ALERTS IMPACT-BASED WARNINGS A. Yellow Level 1Warning for Damaging Coastal Wind and Waves leading to difficulty in navigation at sea for small vessels/ personal water craft and localised disruption to beachfront activities are expected between Cape Columbine and Cape Agulhas (27-28/07/2026). FIRE DANGER WARNINGS NIL ADVISORIES Very cold and wet conditions with snowfall expected over the high lying areas of Eastern Cape, especially over the Drakensberg area and the southern parts of Free State and the Lesotho border. Farmers are advised to take precautionary measures to mitigate negative impact due to the adverse weather conditions. Weather forecast data provided by the South African Weather Service
The South African
Orlando Pirates Transfer News: 51-goal European striker
The new Orlando Pirates target has scored eight goals in 14 league appearances this season. He could soon complete a move to the Betway Premiership giants. Across the past four-and-a-half seasons with Sogndal and Moss FK, he has scored 51 goals and provided eight assists in 117 appearances. Norwegian journalist Erlend Borren Kristoffersen of TV 2 reports that the Buccaneers and Sogndal have been in negotiations for some time. The deal now believed to be nearing completion. “TV 2 can learn that it is now very close to Pedersen being sold to the big African club.” “There is still some time left before the clubs are completely done with a transfer.” Also read: Vilakazi scores: Kaizer Chiefs finally win the Toyota Cup SEBASTIAN PEDERSEN CLOSE TO SOWETO MOVE According to TV 2, Orlando Pirates have identified Pedersen as a potential attacking reinforcement ahead of the new Betway Premiership season. The striker has enjoyed an impressive campaign in Norway’s OBOS-ligaen. He scored eight goals in 14 matches for Sogndal. His goalscoring form has reportedly attracted the attention of the South African champions. An agreement between the clubs said to be close. Pedersen, who has represented Norway from the Under-15 level through to the Under-21 national team, boasts an impressive scoring record. Should the move go through, it would be the first time the 27-year-old plays outside his home country. ORLANDO PIRATES SET FOR ATTACKING BOOST Pedersen began his career at HamKam before turning out for Stabæk, Strømsgodset, Florø, Strømmen, Notodden, Moss and Sogndal. The report adds that the striker is now set for what has been described as an “exotic adventure” in South Africa if the transfer is completed. Neither Orlando Pirates nor Sogndal have officially confirmed the move. The negotiations are reportedly still ongoing before the deal can be finalised. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS POTENTIAL MOVE? Share your thoughts by clicking on the red comments block below.
TechCentral
South Africa’s mobile operators strike spectrum gold
South Africa's mobile operators have won 700MHz of prime spectrum, with Wi-Fi confined to the lower 6GHz band.
TechCentral
MTN, Vodacom take Icasa to court over data expiry rules
The operators want the high court to set aside regulations that will force automatic rollover of unused data bundles.