The North Hall of Shenzhen Library in south China's Guangdong Province stands as a vivid example of China's digital practices in urban public cultural services.

Expelled DA councillor AK Elyas wants the Western Cape High Court to restore his membership and prevent vacancies linked to his current and future Cape Town council positions from being filled.

With just days to the local government elections, the political noise is deafening. Wannabe mayors and councillors are talking about illegal immigration, crime, gender-based violence, economic growth and the future of the country as a whole. They are making promises, finding scapegoats to blame and telling voters why they deserve a chance. Local government is about the basics All of these issues are important, but have nothing to do with local government. And the voters need to ask a simple question: What does any of this have to do with water coming out of my tap, electricity flowing into my home or the rubbish being collected on my pavement? Municipal elections are about local government. And local government is about the basics. These are not glamorous campaign issues. They do not make for dramatic speeches or viral videos. But they are the everyday responsibilities that shape people’s lives and make or break communities. And they are precisely what voters should be asking about. All of South Africa’s political parties know how to campaign. They know how to stir emotions, identify an enemy and promise a better future. But a campaign slogan is not a service delivery record. A speech about national economic growth does not fix a broken water pipe. A promise to tackle undocumented migration does not collect the rubbish piling up outside your home. A commitment to end gender-based violence won’t stop power failures on your street. The distinction matters because not every problem belongs to the local government. Immigration policy, policing and the broader national economy involve other spheres of government, even when municipalities are affected by their consequences. Hold politicians accountable Municipalities have their own responsibilities, powers and limitations. Voters should understand them – and hold the right people accountable. That means looking beyond the party logo. If your municipality has been governed by the same party for years, what has improved? If a new party wants your vote, what evidence supports its promises? If your council has been governed by a coalition, who made the decisions, who blocked them and who should answer for the results? And if politicians blame another sphere of government, ask a simple follow-up: what, specifically, was within their power to do? Coalition country South African politics has changed dramatically in the past decade. Coalitions have become an increasingly important part of governing since 2016, and after the ANC lost its national majority in 2024, it is no longer business as usual. We now live in a coalition country. In local government, that can mean a party wins the most votes but still fails to secure the mayor’s office. Smaller parties can hold the balance of power. That makes your vote important – but it also makes scrutiny essential. Parties must explain not only what they want to achieve, but who they are prepared to work with and what their agreements will prioritise. A mayoral chain is not a service delivery plan. Winning an election is not proof that a party can govern. And a coalition agreement means little if residents cannot see what it is delivering. None of this means voters should ignore immigration, crime, gender-based violence or economic growth. These issues deserve serious debate. But voters should be wary when national political arguments dominate a local campaign while the condition of their own municipality goes unmentioned. Demand answers Do not let the politicians trying to convince you to vote for them change the subject. Focus on the unsexy issues that make your everyday life easier. What about the budget and infrastructure maintenance? Ask about water losses, infrastructure failures and unpaid municipal accounts. Look at what has been delivered, what has not, and why. Demand evidence rather than another round of promises. Then keep asking after the election. Democracy is not a five-year break between casting a ballot and complaining about the state of your neighbourhood. Know your councillor. Attend community meetings. Report failures. Follow municipal decisions. Demand answers. There is no perfect party, councillor or municipality. Money and capacity are limited, and some problems cannot be solved overnight. But voters are entitled to expect honesty, competence and a clear account of how public money is being spent. On election day, the choice is not simply about which politician delivers the most stirring speech or identifies the most convenient enemy. It is about who will represent your community, make decisions within their powers and be held accountable for the results. So when the campaign posters go up and the promises start flying, keep your eyes on the basics. Water. Electricity. Rubbish. Roads. Infrastructure. Accountability. Don’t just ask politicians what they stand for. Ask them what they have done – and what, exactly, they can deliver. The future is local. And if we want it to be better, we need to start treating it that way. Nickolaus Bauer is the author of South Africa’s Easy Election Guide: Local Government 2026. Powered by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, it is a simple yet sophisticated guide to empower voters to make wise choices on election day. Download the book for free here.

What began as a family reversing out of their driveway quickly turned into a gun battle, leaving one suspected carjacker dead and another behind bars after police tracked him down in KwaDabeka weeks later. On Sunday, police in Pinetown arrested a 35-year-old suspect for attempted carjacking, attempted murder, as well as possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. Attempted car-jacking Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Paul Magwaza said Pinetown detectives were investigating a case of attempted carjacking and three counts of attempted murder, which reportedly happened on Friday, 09 October 2026 at Lee Place. “It is reported that on the day of the incident, a father and his two children were reversing out of their driveway when unknown suspects alighted from the vehicle behind them. One of the suspects allegedly started firing shots towards the father, who returned fire and fatally wounded one suspect.” Arrest Magwaza said further investigation and information led Pinetown detectives to KwaDabeka, where they arrested the suspect. He said the suspect was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and 14 rounds of ammunition. “The suspect was charged with attempted carjacking, three counts of attempted murder, as well as possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.” The suspect is expected to appear at the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. Deadly road rage Meanwhile, a 56-year-old motorist was allegedly stabbed to death in a suspected road rage incident in Gqeberha, prompting a murder investigation by police. The victim, who was driving a white Honda Accord, reportedly became involved in an altercation with the driver of a blue or silver SUV on Circular Drive in Lorraine on Friday night. After being stabbed, he attempted to continue driving but lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a wall. He died at the scene. Police are searching for the SUV driver and have appealed to witnesses or anyone with information to come forward

Orlando Pirates boss Abdeslam Ouaddou trusts a key core of his title-winning squad. Who’s the ultimate favourite? Ouaddou relies on a consistent core at Orlando pirates Abdeslam Ouaddou recently underlined the importance of having several leaders dotted through the spine of his team selection. Continuity in selection has also been a key theme, with four players already racking up 50 appearances under the French-born Moroccan tactician. Tshepang Moremi is the most recent player to achieve the feat, and his red-hot form in front of goal makes him arguably their most important attacker right now. Moremi joins the 50 club along with Oswin Appollis, Sipho Chaine and Lebone Seema. Moremi has netted in two of the club’s last three matches, notably the only goal away to African Stars in CAF Champions League qualifying. Moremi has four goals in six league outings this term. 50 – Tshepang Moremi has made 50 appearances for Orlando Pirates, becoming the fourth player at the club to reach the mark under Abdeslam Ouaddou. Trusted. pic.twitter.com/MVyRL3wdD4— OptaJabu (@OptaJabu) October 22, 2026 What’s next for Orlando Pirates? The Sea Robbers face Milford FC in the Nedbank Cup on Tuesday, 27 October at 19:00. They arrive in good form, winning three matches on the bounce across all competitions and not conceding a single goal in that sequence. Mbokazi’s options after the MLS In today’s financial climate, elite European clubs can part ways with €20m (R369 million) and not consider it much of a risk. In fact, it could turn out to be an incredibly shrewd investment with massive upside. 21-year-old former Orlando Pirates star Mbekezeli Mbokazi could start to outgrow his surroundings in the United States MLS. What are his next stepping stones if he leaves Chicago Fire and looks at offers from England and Italy? Is Moremi Pirates’ most important player? Add your thoughts by clicking the red comments banner below!

Today’s Kaizer Chiefs news wrap looks at Lebohang Maboe’s fitness, Fernando Da Cruz’s future, Aden McCarthy’s lucky transfer twist and Steven Mendes’ rise to the first team. Did McCarthy get lucky? Following a winter move to Azerbaijani outfit Sabah FK, it’s been a steady growth curve for 22-year-old defender Aden McCarthy. The former Kaizer Chiefs man scored his first goal in Europe’s elite club competition, the Champions League, on Wednesday night in Sabah’s 1-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund. Sabah beat Slavia Praha 2-0 on matchday 2, their first ever win in the competition. Some local online chatter speculates that McCarthy earned his big move to Sabah because his agent has a strong European passport, and therefore has easier access to contacts on the continent. It’s a theory, for sure. Kaizer Chiefs playing catch-up and it’s October After just eight games of the new Betway Premiership campaign, Kaizer Chiefs are already trailing leaders Sundowns by nine points, and Orlando Pirates by eight. They’ve only triumphed in one of their last seven clashes across all competitions. With just a solitary piece of silverware in the last 10 years (a Nedbank Cup triumph in last year’s final against Pirates), it’s difficult to escape the conclusion that Chiefs are horribly underachieving, given their fanbase and huge financial might. If results don’t improve quickly, it’s easy to envisage Da Cruz being sacked before Christmas. If they’re out of contention for CAF Champions League football, that should be the final nail in his coffin. Next up for the Glamour Boys is a Nedbank Cup clash against TS Galaxy at Soccer City on Tuesday, 27 October at 19:00. Playmaker Lebohang Maboe is still unavailable through injury. Mendes is one to watch for Kaizer Chiefs 18-year-old Steven Mendes won the Golden Boot at the recent COSAFA U20 tournament in Maputo, Mozambique. Mendes, nominally a midfielder, was converted into a striker for the event. He’s nicknamed ‘Stevie G’ by some teammates and could feature for the senior side sooner rather than later. After all, Vela Khumalo knows what he’s talking about when it comes to talented youngsters. Will Chiefs sack Da Cruz before Christmas? Add your thoughts by clicking the red comments banner below!

Vodacom's summer bundles price smartphone data at R3.53/GB, but half of each bundle only works between midnight and 5am.

The solution cancels co-channel interference, helping MTN expand backhaul capacity at constrained sites.