South Africa’s intensifying cycle of floods, wildfires and severe storms is forcing both government and business to rethink how the country prepares for climate-related disasters, with insurers increasingly positioning early warning systems as a frontline defence against mounting economic losses. On Thursday, Santam and the South African Weather Service (SAWS) announced a partnership aimed at strengthening the country’s weather forecasting and early warning capabilities through the installation of nine new automatic weather stations. The initiative comes as the country grapples with increasingly destructive weather events, including the devastating 2022 KwaZulu-Natal floods, as well as more recent deadly flooding in Mthata in the Eastern Cape last year and in Limpopo and Mpumalanga earlier this year. By expanding SAWS’s observation network, the partnership seeks to close critical forecasting gaps in regions vulnerable to floods, storms and extreme rainfall, particularly along the eastern seaboard where repeated extreme weather has exposed structural weaknesses in monitoring capacity. Santam group chief executive Tavaziva Madzinga said the collaboration reflected growing recognition that climate-related disasters were no longer isolated events but an escalating economic and social risk. The SAWS was the only entity mandated to issue severe weather-related warnings over South Africa, he said.  “By strengthening its observation and forecasting capabilities, we are helping to ensure that early warnings are accessible, credible and localised, so that South Africans can act before weather hazards escalate into disasters.” Madzinga noted that early warning systems should be understood as economic infrastructure rather than optional public services, arguing that earlier alerts could significantly reduce both human and financial losses. “Simply put, early warning enables early action,” Madzinga said. “If people delay travel, secure property, move vehicles or protect agricultural assets based on credible early warnings, exposure is reduced and losses are minimised.” The partnership also highlights how climate change is reshaping the insurance industry. As weather disasters become more frequent and more costly, insurers face rising claims linked to flooding, fires and storm damage, while governments are left grappling with ballooning reconstruction costs. For South Africa, the pressure is particularly acute. Repeated flooding in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and parts of Limpopo has exposed weaknesses in disaster preparedness systems, while fires and severe storms continue to threaten infrastructure, agriculture and households. SAWS acting chief executive Jonas Mphepya described the partnership as a practical example of how public-private collaboration could strengthen national resilience. “Our network boasts 276 automatic weather stations, 211 automatic rainfall stations, 26 lightning detection network sensors, 25 climate stations and 12 meteorological radar systems,” Mphepya said. “In a time of frequent and intensifying severe weather events, the importance of reinforcing our observational infrastructure, which is the bedrock of our weather and climate services, cannot be overemphasised.” Rudzani Malala, the SAWS head of disaster risk reduction, said South Africa’s early warning infrastructure was both technically critical and increasingly urgent.  “This observational infrastructure is the backbone of the weather and climate services that the SAWS renders day in and day out,” he said. The system underpinned the country’s ability to protect lives through timely alerts. “It is this infrastructure on which the country relies to ensure that every person in our communities is protected from hazardous weather, water or climate events through lifesaving early warning systems by the end of 2027 in line with the United Nations’ Early Warnings for All initiative,” Malala said. The newly commissioned stations are operational and integrated into the SAWS network.  Four pilot stations were installed in Limpopo and Mpumalanga between 2021 and 2022, while five additional stations have recently been commissioned in KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, the Western Cape and Gauteng. The SAWS said the sites were selected based on areas with known observational gaps and heightened exposure to disruptive weather systems. An automatic weather station electronically records and transmits data on wind speed, rainfall, temperature, humidity and air pressure at intervals ranging from five minutes to hourly, feeding directly into forecasting systems used for severe weather warnings. Each station costs about R250 000 and forms part of the infrastructure underpinning the country’s broader disaster preparedness system. SAWS technical services manager Nomvuso Busizi said significant gaps remained in parts of the country that were highly vulnerable to extreme weather. She pointed to the recent flooding in Mthatha as an example of the consequences of insufficient coverage. “Through the Santam project, we managed to install one station there but during the installation we identified areas where there are gaps. We need one or two stations to fully cover that area.” The partnership also forms part of South Africa’s commitments under the UN’s Early Warnings for All initiative, led by the World Meteorological Organisation, which requires that “every person on Earth is protected by early warning systems” by 2027. According to the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, early warning systems are among the most cost-effective tools available for reducing disaster losses, yet remain underfunded globally despite rapidly escalating climate risks In October, South Africa became the first G20 country to launch its national Early Warnings for All roadmap, a framework designed to coordinate investments across the government and improve disaster preparedness from national to local level. But officials acknowledge the scale of the challenge.  “Here is the kicker,” Malala said. “South Africa needs R1 billion to fully implement the Early Warnings for All roadmap,” he said.  “Put differently, the country needs R1bn to ensure that its people are protected from hazardous weather, water or climate events through lifesaving early warning systems by 2027.” The money went towards bolstering observational infrastructure including automatic weather stations, capacity building, public awareness and coordination of the roadmap rollout, he said.  While some might question affordability, he argued the economic logic was clear. “Some might say R1bn is too steep. The painful truth is that we stand to lose far more if we do not invest,” Malala said. “Already we lose billions every year rebuilding what is destroyed during severe weather events.” The government would not be able to fund the programme on its own, he said, calling for stronger private sector participation and praising Santam’s involvement as an example of effective public-private collaboration. Malala added that climate impacts extended far beyond infrastructure damage. “Severe weather affects human life, livelihoods, property, public health, economic stability, infrastructure, energy systems, food security and environmental systems.” 

The Democratic Alliance (DA) heads into its KwaZulu-Natal provincial congress this weekend with the party facing mounting pressure to consolidate its position before the upcoming local government elections. Delegates will elect a new provincial leadership team in a contest expected to shape the DA’s electoral strategy in a province where coalition politics, shifting voter loyalties and the rise of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) have dramatically altered the political landscape. Whoever emerges victorious will inherit the task of defending the DA’s recent gains while attempting to expand the party’s support beyond its traditional urban and suburban voter base. The DA has not had a black provincial leader in KwaZulu-Natal since 2015, when Zwakele Mncwango took the helm before later defecting to ActionSA. He had succeeded Sizwe Mchunu, who later joined the ANC. The front-runners for the provincial leadership are understood to be Sithembiso Ngema and Mzamo Billy. Ngema, who served as provincial deputy leader under outgoing leader Francois Rodgers, said the DA must deepen its presence in townships and rural communities if it wanted to grow meaningfully in the province. “For me, leadership is about growing the DA by growing our communities, especially townships and rural communities. That is where the heart of leadership lies,” Ngema said. Having joined the DA in 2006, Ngema said the party must position itself as a credible alternative to both the ANC and MK Party in communities where it had historically struggled to gain traction. Billy said the next provincial leader would need to navigate an increasingly competitive political environment shaped by coalition politics and voter volatility. “A strong DA starts with strong people. We must support our councillors and empower our activists — they are the backbone of our movement,” Billy said. “KwaZulu-Natal is entering a new political era defined by coalition government and increased competition. We must rise to the occasion.” Billy stressed the importance of preserving the government of national unity, in which the DA holds key cabinet positions, including finance and public works and infrastructure. “I commend the work being done by our DA MECs and fully support the continuation of this government,” he said. The DA heads into the congress buoyed by its growing foothold in parts of KwaZulu-Natal.  In the 2021 local government elections, the party secured control of uMngeni Local Municipality centred on Howick, a breakthrough widely credited to mayor Chris Pappas, whose administration has received national attention for improving governance and service delivery. Pappas was widely viewed as a potential contender for provincial leader but declined nomination. The DA has since signalled ambitions to expand its municipal footprint in the province, particularly in eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality and Msunduzi Local Municipality. But the rise of the MK Party under former president Jacob Zuma has complicated the political terrain. Dean Macpherson, the DA provincial chairperson and a candidate for re-election to the position, remained confident the party would play a decisive role in coalition formations across the province after the local government elections.

South Africans should prepare for a significant weather shift this weekend, as a powerful cold front is set to bring rain, strong winds, and plummeting temperatures, according to the South African Weather Service.

The toxicology and other scientific reports from the Forensic Science Laboratory confirmed the presence of zinc phosphide - a dark grey, crystalline compound used as a rodenticide against such small mammals as mice, rats, field mice and squirrels.

Mother’s Day falls on Sunday, 11 May 2026, and whether you’re planning a creative outing, an elegant afternoon tea, or a long, indulgent lunch, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate. Here are some of The Citizen’s top picks across Gauteng, with a few week-long picks thrown in. Events and experiences For something a little different this year, consider pairing quality time with a hands-on activity. Samsung DQX at Design Quarter in Sandton is hosting A Morning Made for Mom on Saturday, 9 May, from 09:30 am to 11:30 am. The curated morning includes a live culinary experience with cookbook author Neo Nontso, a beauty masterclass by Catrice Cosmetics, and a bouquet-making session – all for R250 per person, or R450 for two. It’s a genuinely thoughtful way to spend the morning before the big day. Book on: Quicket If you’re looking for something more intimate and refined, Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa in Morningside is hosting Celebrating Mamas on Wednesday, 13 May. The afternoon with baking expert Janet Kohler of Thyme2 Travel includes a glass of Graham Beck Cap Classique on arrival, a full afternoon tea, and a live demonstration of how to make a chocolate torte and angel food cake – all for R850 per person, which includes a gorgeous Ardmore tea towel to take home. Book on: Quicket Those who’d rather stretch the celebration beyond the weekend can head to the Leaping Frog Lipstick Workshop at Beira Alta on 30 May, from 3 pm to 6 pm. For R380 per person, you’ll get a hands-on lipstick-making session, a welcome drink, snacks, a branded picnic blanket, and a goodie bag. Spaces are limited on all three events, so book early.Book on: Quicket For something creative in Centurion, UpsideDown Eatery in Rooihuiskraal is running a Polymer Earring Making Class on 16 May from 10 am to 1 pm. At R380 per person, it includes all materials, a welcome drink, and a picnic box, and best of all, no experience is needed. Bookings can be made via their website at upsidedown.co.za or Instagram. Where to Eat Gauteng restaurants are pulling out all the stops this Mother’s Day. A few highlights from across the province: AURUM Restaurant, Sandton – R1 150 per person for a relaxed family-style lunch with a welcome drink, live entertainment, and a gift for Mom (12 pm – 4 pm). Kora, Sandton – R1 000 per person for a 5-course menu with live entertainment. No under-13s. Roar Bistro & Bar, Sandton – R590 per person (children half price) for a high tea with live music and welcome bubbles (11 am – 3 pm). The Forum Hyde Park – R890 per person for a 4-course New York-inspired brunch with a complimentary glass of Cap Classique on arrival (11 am – 2 pm). The Salt Road, Houghton – R695 per person for a Mother’s Day High Tea (12:30 pm -3:30 pm). Brunos, Centurion – R500 per person for an Italian-inspired “La Dolce Mamma” brunch with a mimosa and beverage station (12:30 pm – 4 pm). The Cradle Restaurant, Lanseria – R795 per person for a set menu featuring venison carpaccio, lamb, duck, and raspberry cheesecake in a scenic bush setting (12 pm – 5pm). While the following three picks have not advertised any packaged specials for Mother’s Day, they’re worth the drive. La Parada, Newmarket Lifestyle Centre, Alberton is a highly rated Spanish-inspired restaurant known for generous portions, a warm atmosphere, and exceptional floor staff. Open from 10:30 on Sundays, it’s a lively spot for the whole family. A Churrasqueira, Newmarket Park, Alberton is a beloved Portuguese grill house with a strong local following. Famous for prawns, trinchado, and wood-fired chicken, it has a large play area for kids and plenty of outdoor seating, making it a fantastic casual option for a family celebration lunch. Open Sundays until 5pm. Fahrenheit Seafood & Grill, Alberton rounds out the south Joburg picks as a reliable, family-focused venue with an indoor play area, solid seafood and grill options, and a track record of going the extra mile for special occasions. It is open until 20:00 on Sundays. All bookings can be made via dineplan If you’re further afield, The Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga offers both a high tea at R790 per person and a 3-course Ocean Terrace lunch at R1 600 per person – one of the more luxurious options in the country. For those in the Western Cape, there is Tobago’s at Radisson Collection, which offers waterfront views and a 3-course buffet with chardonnay for R750pp. The Azure at Twelve Apostles offers arguably the most scenic option in Cape Town for their ocean-view buffet from R725pp. Pigalle, Green Point, is the most lavish option of this bunch with a 5-course dinner, live music and gifts for R950pp. Pigalle is typically closed on Sundays, so while their Mother’s Day 5-course special is confirmed via Dineplan, it’s worth calling ahead or booking directly through Dineplan to confirm seating arrangements for 11 May. Act fast; tables for Mother’s Day fill up quickly.

Get the PowerBall and PowerBall Plus results as soon as they are drawn on The Citizen, so you can rest easy and check your tickets with confidence. Estimated jackpots for Friday, 8 May 2026: PowerBall jackpot: R72 million guaranteed. PowerBall Plus jackpot: R83 million estimated. PowerBall and PowerBall Plus results for Friday, 8 May 2026: PowerBall: 00, 00, 00, 00, 00. Powerball: 00. PowerBall Plus: 00, 00, 00, 00, 00. Powerball: 00. The winning PowerBall numbers will appear after the draw. Usually within 10 minutes of the draw. You might need to refresh the page to see the updated results. While great care has been taken to ensure accuracy, The Citizen cannot take responsibility for any error in the PowerBall or PowerBall Plus results. We suggest verifying the numbers on the National Lottery website. How much does it cost to play PowerBall? Lottery outlets close at 8.30pm on the day of a draw, which happens at 9pm. The terms and conditions may differ from other service outlets. Visit www.nationallottery.co.za for more information. You can find the historical winning numbers for PowerBall and Lotto draws here. How much does it cost to play PowerBall? PowerBall entries cost R5 per board including VAT. PowerBall Plus costs an additional R2.50 per board. You can also play PowerBall on selected banking apps (T’s & C’s apply). Visit www.nationallottery.co.za and go to the How to Play section to find out more.

It’s time for today’s Daily Lotto and Daily Lotto Plus draws! Could tonight be your lucky night? Good Luck! 🎉 Dreaming of a big win? The Daily Lotto jackpot is up for grabs, and it’s guaranteed at R550 000, while the new Daily Lotto Plus jackpot stands at R200 000. The jackpot prize money is guaranteed to be given away even if no one matches all five numbers. All it takes is a ticket to turn your dreams into reality because as the saying goes, you’ve got to be in it to win it! 📢 Stay tuned! The winning numbers will be updated below as soon as they’re drawn at or after 21:00. FRIDAY’S DAILY LOTTO NUMBERS 01, 07, 15, 17, 26 FRIDAY’S DAILY LOTTO PLUS NUMBERS 06, 13, 15, 27, 33 Draw date: 8 May 2026 Did you miss a draw and wonder if you won? Click here to view past Daily Lotto results and payouts. More recent Lotto draws: The Daily Lotto and Daily Lotto Plus results for Friday, 8 May 2026 The PowerBall and PowerBall Plus results for Friday, 8 May 2026 Could a South African be sitting on a £1 million lottery ticket in Bournemouth? WHEN DOES THE DRAW TAKE PLACE? The Daily Lotto draws occur every day of the week, Monday to Sunday, around 21:00 (SA time). HOW TO BUY TICKETS Buy your tickets now at your nearest participating retailer, on our website by visiting national lottery.co.za using your computer or mobile site, via the National Lottery Mobile App, or participating banks, namely FNB, ABSA, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Capitec, TymeBank and African Bank otherwise dial 1207529# for USSD. DID YOU KNOW Winners who win R50 000 and above receive free trauma counselling from professional psychologists and financial advice from accredited financial advisors absolutely free. At the same time, winnings are paid tax-free directly into the winner’s accounts. WHEN DO LOTTERY TICKET SALES CLOSE? If you are buying tickets from a lottery outlet, they close at 20:30 on the day of a draw. ELIGIBILITY Players must be 18 years old. SUMMARY OF ALL LOTTERY GAMES Monday: Daily Lotto Tuesday: Daily Lotto + PowerBall and PowerBall Plus Wednesday: Daily Lotto + Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 Thursday: Daily Lotto Friday: Daily Lotto + PowerBall and PowerBall Plus Saturday: Daily Lotto + Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 Sunday: Daily Lotto For more details and to verify the winning numbers, visit the National Lottery website.You must always confirm the official winning numbers on the National Lottery website. We do our best to post the results as accurately as possible, but the National Lottery is the only source you can use to 100% verify the results.

It’s time for today’s PowerBall and PowerBall Plus draws. Will you be South Africa’s next PowerBall multimillionaire? PowerBall and PowerBall Plus jackpots: PowerBall – estimated at R72 million PowerBall Plus – estimated at R83 million If you want to win your share of the jackpot, you have to play! You know what they say, you’ve got to be in it, to win it. NOTE: The numbers drawn will appear below as soon as they are available at or just after 21:00. View the latest version of this page to verify whether the numbers have been updated. FRIDAY’S POWERBALL NUMBERS Draw date: 8 May 2026 PowerBall numbers 00, 00, 00, 00, 00 PowerBall: 00 PowerBall Plus numbers 00, 00, 00, 00, 00 PowerBall: 00 PREVIOUS POWERBALL DRAW RESULTS AND PAYOUTS Did you miss a draw and wonder if you’re actually a millionaire? Click here to view past PowerBall and PowerBall Plus results and payouts. Recent Lotto results: The Daily Lotto results The Lotto results The PowerBall results WHEN DO THE DRAWS TAKE PLACE? The PowerBall and PowerBall Plus draws occur every Tuesday and Friday on e.tv (channel 194) at 21:00 (SA time). POWERBALL The PowerBall jackpot draw requires players to pick five main numbers from 1 to 50 and one “PowerBall” number from 1 to 20 for an entry fee of R5.00 per board. The record prize for any lottery game in South Africa came in the PowerBall when one winner scooped an incredible R232 131 750.69 in the draw held on 19 February 2019. POWERBALL PLUS PowerBall Plus is the same as PowerBall but gives players a second chance to win. When buying a PowerBall ticket, players can pay an extra R2.50 per board to enter the PowerBall Plus draw. Odds are the same, while prizes are usually slightly lower. It was introduced on 28 November 2015 by the National Lottery of South Africa. HOW TO BUY TICKETS Buy your tickets now at your nearest participating retailer, on our website by visiting national lottery.co.za using your computer or mobile site, via the National Lottery Mobile App, or participating banks, namely FNB, ABSA, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Capitec, TymeBank and African Bank otherwise dial 1207529# for USSD. DID YOU KNOW Winners who win R50 000 and above receive free trauma counselling from professional psychologists and financial advice from accredited financial advisors absolutely free. At the same time, winnings are paid tax-free directly into the winner’s accounts. WHEN DO LOTTERY TICKET SALES CLOSE? If you are buying tickets from a lottery outlet, they close at 20:30 on the day of a draw. ELIGIBILITY Players must be 18 years old. SUMMARY OF ALL LOTTERY GAMES Monday: Daily Lotto Tuesday: Daily Lotto + PowerBall and PowerBall Plus Wednesday: Daily Lotto + Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 Thursday: Daily Lotto Friday: Daily Lotto + PowerBall and PowerBall Plus Saturday: Daily Lotto + Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 Sunday: Daily Lotto For more details and to verify the winning numbers, visit the National Lottery website. You must always confirm the official winning numbers on the National Lottery website. We do our best to post the results as accurately as possible, but the National Lottery is the only source you can use to 100% verify the results.

The economics of desktop computing have, for the first time in the PC’s long history, been broken by the data centre.

Airtel Africa has delayed its mobile money initial public offering to late 2026, citing war-driven margin pressures.