If you follow Arsenal from South Africa, the HFM Arsenal partnership is relevant because it is built around things you can see and engage with directly. On 19 March 2026, HFM and Arsenal announced a multi-year global partnership that includes matchday branding at Emirates Stadium, visibility across Arsenal’s digital platforms, and access to club assets and players for fan-focused content later in the season. That lands in a country where TGM Research’s South Africa 2024 survey found that 81% of people are interested in football, 94% of football fans watch on TV and 55% follow the sport online. The real question is how it shows up in the places where you already watch, scroll and keep up with your club. Logos, Lights and What You’ll Notice First The first reason this partnership feels close to home is simple: it is designed to be visible. The announcement confirmed that supporters can expect HFM branding on Arsenal matchdays, visibility across the club’s digital channels, and fan-facing content linked to club assets and players as the season moves on. This is the kind of deal you are likely to notice while watching coverage, checking Arsenal content online, or following club updates between fixtures. That is worth saying plainly because a lot of sponsorship talk can feel distant. For you as a supporter, the practical side is what counts. Here is where this partnership is most likely to touch your week as a fan: You may see HFM branding around Arsenal matchdays, especially in the wider presentation built around games at Emirates Stadium. You are likely to come across co-branded content on Arsenal’s digital platforms, which fits the way South African football fans already follow the game online. You may also see player-linked or club-led fan activations later in the season, which gives the partnership a more personal shape than a static sponsorship placement. That last point goes beyond the commercial side. The Premier League’s 2024/25 annual report says the competition is focused on bringing the game closer to supporters in person, online and through broadcast and commercial partners. So if you already live with Arsenal across the week, on your phone, on your TV and in group chats, this kind of partnership fits the way modern football already reaches you. More Than a Badge on the Board The second reason this deal carries weight is Arsenal’s commercial strength. According to The Athletic’s reporting on the club’s latest financial accounts, Arsenal’s commercial revenue rose from £218.3 million in 2023/24 to £263.2 million in 2024/25. That tells us Arsenal is growing its business side with real pace, which usually means more energy behind campaigns, more polished content and more incentive to keep global supporters engaged across the season. This is not happening in isolation either. According to Deloitte’s Annual Review of Football Finance, Premier League clubs generated £6.3 billion in revenue in the 2023/24 season, up 4% year on year. When you place Arsenal inside that wider Premier League machine, it becomes easier to see why a partner like HFM wants in and why Arsenal can offer more than simple brand exposure. As fans, we often look at the football first. That is how it should be. The commercial side, though, shapes how your club speaks to you between matches, how often new content appears and how much effort goes into making supporters everywhere feel included in the story. So when you see this partnership, it helps to read it as part of the way Arsenal keeps building a year-round connection with supporters beyond North London. From North London to Mzansi This is where South African supporters come properly into focus. You are part of a sports audience with strong viewing habits, strong online engagement and a genuine appetite for football content. The Media Online’s reporting on Nielsen data says 94.7% of South African respondents showed a top-2 level of interest in at least one sport in July 2024, up from 93% in 2023, among internet users aged 16 to 69. That is broad sports data, but it shows why brands and clubs treat South Africa as a serious audience. There is also a local football benchmark: the PSL said the 2023/24 Betway Premiership season delivered an over 18% rise in average unique audience per game, citing Nielsen Sports SA data. Then there is the digital angle. TGM Research’s South Africa summary found that the 25 to 34 age group showed the strongest football interest at 88%. That makes this partnership easier to understand because it is aimed at the kind of supporter who does more than wait for kick-off, someone who follows clips, updates, reaction and club content all week long. This is a global partnership. For South African supporters, it is also designed to feel relevant in a local, everyday way, meeting you where you already are. When a Partnership Feels Personal What gives this deal its appeal is the combination of timing, scale and audience fit. Arsenal is growing commercially, the Premier League remains one of the biggest football businesses in the world and South African supporters continue to watch and follow football in large numbers. Put those pieces together, and you can see why this partnership feels like more than background sponsorship noise. For you, the upside is straightforward. You get more touchpoints with the club through matchday presence, digital content and fan-led activations built for a global audience that already includes South Africa. If Arsenal is already part of your weekend, your screen time and your football conversations, that connection can feel a little more built around you.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has written to the parliamentary chief whip demanding the immediate implementation of the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the Phala Phala matter. It has also called for parliament to urgently constitute an impeachment committee to consider the Section 89 independent panel report relating to President Cyril Ramaphosa. In its correspondence, the party refers to the Constitutional Court judgment delivered on Friday by Chief Justice Mandisa Maya. The judge ruled that the National Assembly’s decision not to refer the independent panel report for consideration by an impeachment committee was unlawful and invalid. The court further directed that the Section 89 report must be referred to an impeachment committee for proper parliamentary scrutiny. According to the EFF, parliament is constitutionally obliged to act without delay.  “We write to you with reference to the judgment of the Constitutional Court granted on Friday 08 May 2026, in terms of which the Court ruled that the decision of the National Assembly not to refer the report of the Independent Panel on whether President Ramaphosa should be impeached or not to a Parliamentary Impeachment Committee to be invalid.” The party emphasises the binding nature of the ruling, noting that “the Constitutional Court specifically ruled that the National Assembly must refer the Section 89 Independent Panel Report to an Impeachment Committee” and that parliament must take immediate steps to give effect to the judgment. “We write to you therefore to immediately initiate the process to constitute the Impeachment Committee to give effect to the judgment of the Constitutional Court.”   The party has also called for clear timelines from parliament on how and when the court order would be implemented, stating: “Kindly revert to us with clear timelines in which you will give effect to this judgment of the apex court in South Africa.” The matter arises from the long-running Phala Phala farm scandal that centres on allegations relating to the theft of undeclared foreign currency from Ramaphosa’s farm in Limpopo in 2020. The controversy has since become one of the most politically significant constitutional disputes of recent years, triggering parliamentary proceedings under Section 89 of the Constitution. The Section 89 independent panel, chaired by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, previously found prima facie evidence suggesting that the president might have a case to answer.  Despite the finding, the National Assembly voted in 2022 against adopting the panel’s report, effectively halting the impeachment process at the time. The parliamentary decision was later challenged by the EFF, alongside the African Transformation Movement (ATM), leading to the Constitutional Court case that has now resulted in the ruling against parliament’s conduct. The EFF maintains that parliament’s initial refusal to proceed with the report represents a failure to uphold constitutional accountability.  In its letter, the party argues that the ruling restores the correct constitutional process and ensures that no public office bearer is shielded from scrutiny. “The Constitutional Court has made it plain that Parliament may not use procedure to shield power from constitutional scrutiny,” the party says, adding that the judgment reinforces the principle that accountability must apply equally to all holders of public office. To impeach Ramaphosa, parliament would require a two-thirds majority for the motion to succeed and for him to be removed as head of state. This means the EFF would need to secure support from other parties in parliament to reach the required threshold. If Ramaphosa were impeached, he would lose the benefits attached to the presidency, including a lifetime salary and VIP security protection. The ruling has prompted strong political reactions across the spectrum. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has confirmed that it will participate in the impeachment process. DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis said the party would approach the proceedings guided by constitutional obligations and evidence, stating that “no person, no matter how high their office, should be placed above accountability”. ActionSA also welcomed the ruling, describing it as a “victory for accountability”. Party chairperson Michael Beaumont said parliament must implement the judgment, arguing that the court had confirmed the parliamentary rule used to block the report was invalid. The ATM said the judgment confirmed that no president or institution was above the Constitution. Its parliamentary leader, Vuyo Zungula, said the ruling restored the integrity of constitutional oversight, adding that parliament must ensure the impeachment committee was established without delay and that the process proceeded transparently and lawfully. The Good Party welcomed the court’s decision. Secretary-general Brett Herron said the ruling strengthened the rule of law and ensured that parliament could not avoid its constitutional obligations. He said the impeachment process must proceed openly, fairly and without political interference. While several state institutions, including the Public Protector of South Africa, the South African Reserve Bank and the National Prosecuting Authority, have previously cleared Ramaphosa of wrongdoing in certain aspects of the matter, opposition parties argue that unanswered questions remain regarding the circumstances of the Phala Phala incident. With the Constitutional Court’s ruling now in place, parliament is expected to establish an impeachment committee and set out clear timelines for implementing the court’s directive, marking the next phase in one of the most consequential political and constitutional processes in recent years.

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South African stand-up comedy has a new permanent home. Sima’s Funny Galore Comedy Club officially opened its doors this month in Emmerentia. The opening marked a vital addition to the city’s entertainment scene, as it is the only dedicated comedy club currently operating in Johannesburg. The timing could not be more aligned. On the first night of the club’s grand opening, award-winning comedian Dillan Oliphant delivered a blistering set at the venue. He went on to walk away with two trophies at the Savanna Comics’ Choice Awards, including the night’s highest honour. ‘Nothing else can compare’ Speaking to The Citizen days after the win, Oliphant described the moment as career-defining. “Comedian of the Year is the big one. Nothing else can compare. The honour and praise are incomparable. There are not enough words to describe it,” he said. The victory is especially significant given that Oliphant won in a different category just one year prior – a rare back‑to‑back achievement that underscores his rapid ascent in South African comedy. Your favourite comedian won Best Solo Show & Comedian Of The Year pic.twitter.com/uUoc7oohr3— Dillan Oliphant (@dillanoliphant) May 3, 2026 A sanctuary for stand‑up Sima’s Funny Galore is the brainchild of Simangaliso Chikavhu (Sima The Comedian), a seasoned entertainer with more than eight years in the industry, who has also worked as a producer, master of ceremonies and two‑time comedy competition finalist. He has shared stages with Loyiso Gola, Mpho Popps, and Jason Goliath. “This isn’t just about opening a venue; it’s about creating a sanctuary for the craft,” Sima told The Citizen, adding. “We wanted a space where audiences can experience the magic of stand‑up up‑close, and where comics, both local and international, have a permanent stage in Joburg to experiment, perform, and connect.” ‘I’m like water, my friend’ Sima, known for his fluid crowd work, said the club will thrive on versatility. “There isn’t that much new talent coming through. If you don’t create your own path, nobody else is gonna give you an opportunity,” he said [sic].Speaking about his approach to working the crowd and eliciting laughs, he said: “I’m so fluid – it doesn’t matter what age the audience has, because I mostly do crowd work. So put me in a cup, I become the cup. Put me in a pot, I become the pot. I’m like water, my friend. That was Bruce Lee, but I just made it my own because I resonate. So basically, I can chat with a 10‑year‑old, and I can relate, or I can chat with a 60‑year‑old – I can also relate.” Sima’s Funny Galore Comedy Club will operate every Friday to Sunday. The club is located at 111 Lotsani Lane, Emmerentia, Randburg. Tickets are usually available via Webtickets or at the door.

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) issued an urgent safety notice stating that five Mercedes-Benz G-Class (G580) vehicles in South Africa are being recalled. Why the recall? The NCC said on Friday that the luxury SUVs have a serious mechanical defect involving the wheel bolts. Further, these bolts do not meet the required safety specifications. The NCC warns that the wheels could become loose while the car is moving after Mercedes-Benz South Africa notified them. This defect happens gradually, where loose wheels make the vehicle unstable and hard to control. This failure significantly increases the risk of a road accident. If this is your car, here’s what to do The NCC urges all G580 owners to take this warning seriously. Owners must contact an authorised Mercedes-Benz dealership, which will perform a full inspection of the wheel assembly. “All corrective work relating to this recall will be carried out at no cost to the consumer,” it said. Technicians will replace the faulty bolts to ensure the car is safe. Mercedes-Benz will also cover all costs for these repairs.

Somewhere in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole, a person is going about their life completely unaware that they were a millionaire. And now, officially, they are not. The winning EuroMillions Millionaire Maker ticket from the draw on 4 November 2025 expired at midnight on 3 May 2026. The prize was worth £1 million. Nobody came forward. Allwyn, the operator of the UK National Lottery, confirmed no valid claim was ever made. The money is gone. There is a reason this one feels close to home. The UK is the single most popular destination for South Africans who emigrate. The 2021 UK census recorded over 211 000 South African-born people living in England alone. Bournemouth is a city of over 530 000 people on the south coast. The idea of a Saffa buying a lotto ticket there is not a stretch at all. We will never know. But the timing is a useful reminder. Back home, one lucky player just scooped R100 644 721.10 in the Lotto draw on Wednesday, 6 May 2026 – and the winner has not yet come forward. The ticket was bought at Checkers Hyper in Sandton City using a Quick Pick. The winning numbers were 6, 8, 23, 40, 42 and 44. The bonus ball was 10. If that was you, read the full notice on The South African and get in touch with ITHUBA today. ITHUBA are also actively looking for winners of several other unclaimed prizes. If any of the below rings a bell, stop reading and go check. R509 925 – PowerBall 2nd Division Game: PowerBall Date won: 18 July 2025 How it was bought: ABSA banking app Expiry date: 18 July 2026 Somewhere out there, an ABSA customer is sitting on more than half a bar without realising it. Open your ABSA app. Scroll back to 18 July 2025. Check the numbers. Yes, even if you reckon you already would have noticed. Stranger things have happened. Got a mate or family member who plays via the ABSA app? Give them a tap on the shoulder. R524 534 – Daily Lotto Game: Daily Lotto Date won: 27 June 2025 How it was bought: FNB banking app Expiry date: 27 June 2026 There is no dorpie or province to point at here, because the ticket was bought online through the FNB banking app. So if you have ever played the Daily Lotto through your FNB app, get on there and check your history. Know someone who plays through FNB? A mate, a colleague, your sister, your boet. Give them a poke. R550 012 – Daily Lotto Game: Daily Lotto Date won: 2 October 2025 Location: East London, Eastern Cape Expiry date: 2 October 2026 If you bought a Daily Lotto ticket in East London around 2 October 2025, now is the time to dig through your wallet, your kitchen drawer, your car cubbyhole and anywhere else a forgotten ticket might be hiding. If you have family or friends in East London, give them a quick call. R550 012 is no small change. All unclaimed SA prizes expire exactly one year after the draw date. After that, the money goes to the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund. It does not come back to you. To claim, visit any participating retailer or post office, or call the National Lottery directly on 0800 484 822. Larger prizes require a visit to an ITHUBA office with your original ticket, a valid ID and proof of banking details. Living in the UK? Check these too. The Bournemouth ticket is gone. But there are still millions sitting unclaimed across the UK right now. £1 000 000 – Hartlepool | Millionaire Maker code: JLZG97793 | Deadline: 9 September 2026 £177 547 – Watford | Deadline: 15 July 2026 £112 091 – Powys, Wales | Deadline: 10 June 2026 £120 000 (Set For Life) – Croydon | Deadline: 29 September 2026 UK players have 180 days from the draw date to claim. Check the National Lottery app. Scan your paper tickets. Search your emails. Someone won £1 million in Bournemouth. They just did not know it. Now they never will. Halala to whoever you are. Ag shame.

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) warned that it will not panic over the Artificial Intelligence (AI) risk. “As central bankers, we like to say that panic is not a response in our toolkit, so I won’t say anyone is panicking. But we are updating our world views. Both the threats and opportunities posed by AI are now very much top of mind. The question is what we are all doing about it, Fundi Tshazibana, a Deputy Governor of the SARB said at the University of Johannesburg. She addressed concerns at how AI could compromise commercial banks’ security systems. Mythos effect Mythos is an AI tool developed by the firm Anthropic. Mythos is an example of a “frontier AI models”. These models have a high level of reasoning and contextual understanding. Like humans they can handle multiple types of tasks at a time. They do this learning in real time and dynamically. Due to its advanced dynamic learning, Anthropic announced it would only be released to a few trusted firms and institutions, and not to the general public. This was because it was so effective at finding security flaws in all major operating systems. A few sceptics wondered if this was simply an exercise in marketing hype. It certainly got attention among security experts. This was because these operating systems have been used safely for many years. As yet, there has been no independent verification that the Mythos claims are valid. Risks Tshazibana said financial institutions must understand and exploit the opportunities in this technology. “AI is not the end but rather a means to an end. The end is the objective or the services that are sourced by the financial institutions. Based on the end, the institutions must identify how the task gets done – by AI alone or a combination of AI and humans. This helps in determining which AI tool is acquired,” she noted. She highlighted that the role as financial sector supervisors is to guide the industry in the responsible, ethical, safe and effective use of AI. The SARB will not panic, but guide responsibly. Five categories The SARB will not panic over the AI risk. Instead it will asses the risk and adopt mitigating strategies. The best map at the moment is the Financial Stability Board’s monitoring framework. This identifies five categories of vulnerability from the spread of AI. The first category is third-party dependencies. There are only a handful of companies with the technology and resources to train and run AI models. This means we are all outsourcing, and we are exposed to ‘single point of failure’ risks. The second category relates to cyber risks. This covers threats such as hacking. Cyberfraud is already a major problem in modern financial systems: the number of reported digital bank-fraud incidents in South Africa grew by 86% between 2023 and 2024. The third category is model risks. AI models are remarkably capable, but they have limitations. They hallucinate. They may be biased. Their workings are mysterious, even for their creators. The fourth category is market correlations. Trading strategies based on AI may end up with synchronised market behaviour and more volatility during shocks. AI moves fast, so a crisis that would previously have played out over days or weeks could be compressed into minutes or hours. An example was the speed of the electronic bank run on Silicon Valley Bank in 2023. Then depositors withdrew an average of US$4.2 billion (R69 billion) an hour. The fifth and final category is misalignment. What happens when the AI does not behave as the operators intend? We already have documented examples of AI using inside information and lying to human operators about it. Overall, the risks are clear enough and significant enough to make this a priority issue for the SARB and commercial banks. “At this stage, the priority is to improve our understanding. We cannot de-risk what we cannot fully understand. This gives us a work agenda with three legs: improving information, building skills, and calibrating regulation,” Tshazibana said.

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