A peer-reviewed study tracking 1 371 rural households in Malawi’s Lilongwe District has found that the country’s rapidly expanding off-grid solar sector is systematically bypassing its poorest citizens, raising questions about electrification targets promoted by the government and international development partners. The research, published in August 2025 in the journal Energy Research & Social Science, was conducted by scholars from the University of Michigan, Duke University, Harvard University and Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The study found that wealthier households were 2.51 times more likely to adopt a solar home system than poorer households. Even when systems were installed, their capacity was extremely limited. The median solar device across the sample produced just six watts, barely above the five-watt threshold used by the World Bank to classify Tier 1 electricity access. At that level, electricity typically supports little more than phone charging and a single dim light. Nearly 29% of households that owned solar devices abandoned them within 12 months, raising concerns about reliability, affordability and long-term usability. Malawi has one of the lowest electricity access rates in the world. According to the International Energy Agency, only 14% of Malawians had electricity access in 2022, with rural access at 5.6%. Data from the World Bank places rural access slightly higher, at 6.1% in 2023. In response, governments, development banks and private companies have increasingly promoted off-grid solar technology as the fastest route to rural electrification across sub-Saharan Africa. But the new study, led by researcher Thomas Mahieu, challenges that narrative. Drawing on two survey waves conducted between 2022 and 2023, the researchers found that solar expansion is occurring but at levels that might not translate into meaningful energy access. By the end of the study period, 33.7% of households owned at least one solar device, representing a 4.5 percentage-point increase over 12 months. On paper, the growth appears encouraging. But the researchers caution that ownership alone is a poor indicator of real electricity access. The central issue is not whether households own solar devices but how much power those devices provide. The Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme classifies Tier 1 electricity access as systems delivering five to 50 watts, sufficient for basic lighting and phone charging. Tier 2, above 50 watts, allows households to run small appliances such as TVs or fans. In the Malawi study, only 11% of solar-owning households reached Tier 2. The remaining 89% remained at Tier 1 or below, using systems too weak to power productive appliances, support small businesses or provide reliable lighting for students. At the start of the study, 75% of households had no qualifying electricity access — defined as less than five watts of solar capacity. After a year of sector growth, 70% remained in that category. The researchers warn against conflating solar ownership with meaningful improvements in living standards. “Policymakers should be careful to assume that binary indicators of solar ownership reflect energy access that supports major improvements in quality of life,” the authors write. They note that assuming solar ownership automatically delivers meaningful energy services is “misguided”. The study’s most consequential finding concerns the distribution of solar access. Wealthier households were 2.51 times more likely to adopt solar home systems and 1.84 times more likely to adopt standalone solar panels than poorer households. Financial inclusion also proved decisive. Households with access to bank accounts, informal savings groups or mobile money services were 2.41 times more likely to own a solar home system. The result is a structural paradox: technologies promoted as solutions to energy poverty are being adopted primarily by those least affected by it. Malawi’s experience mirrors a broader regional pattern. The International Energy Agency (IEA) says sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 83.3% of the global electricity access deficit in 2022, up from 49.6% in 2010, even as other regions have made rapid progress. The paradox is striking. Africa holds about 60% of the world’s best solar resources, yet 51% of its population lacks electricity. To achieve universal access by 2030, the IEA estimates that electrification rates must triple and investment must double across the continent. The study also highlights a phenomenon rarely discussed in energy policy debates: solar disadoption. Among households that owned solar devices, 28.6% had fewer devices after one year than at the beginning of the study, indicating a contraction in energy access. Among owners of standalone solar panels, the disadoption rate reached 40.1%. Households abandoning systems typically fell from Tier 1 back to Tier 0, losing even the limited energy services previously available. Respondents cited device faults, unaffordable costs and declining need as reasons for abandoning systems.  Previous research in Malawi and elsewhere in the region has identified additional structural issues, including poor product quality, difficulties maintaining pay-as-you-go payments and a shortage of repair technicians. A 2020 study by researcher Shanil Samarakoon, also published in Energy Research & Social Science, found that many faulty solar systems in Malawi remain unrepaired because of limited technical expertise. The study concluded that the country’s off-grid solar market “does not offer a sustainable solution to energy poverty, instead reinforcing socioeconomic inequities”. The research also identified notable gender dynamics. Female-headed households were nearly four times more likely to own a solar home system than male-headed households. The researchers suggest this might reflect targeted marketing campaigns by solar companies. At the same time, female-headed households were 55% less likely to own standalone solar panels, which tend to offer more power per watt but are usually sold without pay-as-you-go financing. The researchers question whether the marketing strategies genuinely expand women’s energy access or instead channel them toward debt-financed products that might be difficult to sustain. To stimulate Malawi’s off-grid solar market, the government and the World Bank launched the Ngwee Ngwee Ngwee Fund, a $20 million (about R330m) market-development programme combining a $6-million results-based financing grant with a $14m debt facility. The fund supports five solar companies: Yellow Solar, Zuwa Energy, Green Impact Technologies, VITALITE Group and StarTimes Media. Its initial target was 200 000 new rural household connections by June 2024. According to programme records, the target was reached in October 2024, with more than 900 000 beneficiaries reported. However, the independent household data collected in the study appears difficult to reconcile with those figures. In Lilongwe District, where companies supported by the fund operate, the researchers recorded only a 4.5 percentage-point increase in solar ownership during the study period. Questions about Malawi’s electrification progress extend beyond the solar market. In early 2025, former energy minister Ibrahim Matola told parliament that rural electricity access had reached 25%, nearly triple the level recorded in 2020. That claim contrasts sharply with World Bank estimates placing rural access at 6.1% in 2023. Infrastructure delivery has also lagged behind targets. The government’s Marep Phase 9 rural electrification programme, intended to connect 460 trading centres by 2024, had connected only 140 sites by September 2024 after missing two earlier deadlines. Project costs also rose significantly, increasing from 40 billion Malawian kwacha (about R380m) to 70 billion kwacha, partly due to currency devaluation. The findings feed into a wider debate about how electricity access is measured globally. Current reporting by the United Nations, the IEA and the World Bank counts households with as little as three watts of solar capacity as having electricity access.  The Malawi study suggests that threshold may be overly optimistic. With a median solar capacity of six watts, most households in the survey could do little more than charge a phone and power a single light bulb. Global data points to similar limitations. The Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme and the Global Off-Grid Lighting Association estimate that only 158 million of the 490 million people served by off-grid solar worldwide use systems meeting international quality standards. The central policy question confronting governments, development banks and solar companies is whether market-driven deployment models can reach the poorest households without direct subsidies. The evidence emerging from Malawi suggests that they cannot.

The police operation surrounding a R286 million cocaine bust in Johannesburg descended into chaos amid allegations that officers attempted to steal the consignment, Warrant Officer Steven Phakula has told the Madlanga commission. Giving further testimony before the commission, Phakula said Warrant Officer Marumo Magane had called him to Aeroton, Johannesburg, to assist in searching a truck suspected of carrying drugs.  But the scene had quickly become overcrowded with police officers before the Hawks and Major General Feroz Khan, the head of counter-intelligence and security, assumed control.  Phakula alleged that some officers at the scene had been more interested in diverting attention than investigating the crime.  “It is evident that the intentions of those officers at the scene were not to investigate the crime. The only way for them to take control of that crime scene was to arrest us. In that way they could divert the attention to the arrested police officers and let the real perpetrators free,” Phakula testified. The 999kg cocaine consignment originated from the Port of Santos in Brazil and was intercepted in Johannesburg. Two South African Police Service (SAPS) officers and two Gauteng traffic officers were arrested in connection with the case. “Warrant Officer Magane pointed to a Yellow Jersey Truck, yellow in colour, hooked to a 12m container trailer and told me that the drugs on the back of the bakkie fell from the container. They were assisted by Scania employees who loaded those bags onto the back of the bakkie to preserve them,” he said. Phakula said Khan had arrived shortly afterwards and instructed Magane to sit inside a vehicle for a discussion. “The fact of the matter is that Major General Khan gave instructions for the arrest of Nku, he gave instructions to Mogane to go sit in the car and not get out, he prevented the dog unit from performing their duties at the scene, he disarmed Chief Mashaba and he walked away from the scene with the truck driver.”  Phakula said he had then been arrested by Captain Sebola, whom he described as one of the last officers to arrive at the scene. No proper explanation had been given for his arrest. He said he had been detained at Booysens SAPS alongside Magane, Gauteng traffic chief Samuel Mashaba and a man he came to know as Tumelo Nku, after they were placed together in the back of a police vehicle. Phakula also referenced the disciplinary proceedings involving Khan, saying the major general had ultimately been cleared of all charges. “General Khan was eventually cleared of all charges by the [disciplinary hearing] chairperson. It came as no surprise to me that, in the days leading up to this hearing, the chairperson of the disciplinary hearing, Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi, as well as the witnesses, came under negative media attack,” he said. He told the commission that he had successfully appealed for reinstatement into the police service in November 2023 and testified during Khan’s disciplinary hearing in February 2025. “Major General Khan asked me who the drugs belonged to and I told him that people say they belong to him and he laughed. He told me that he could see that I was doing an honest job and I requested that he could submit a statement as there was a disciplinary hearing against me for the same case,” Phakula testified. Khan was arrested in a high-profile raid at his Houghton flat on Sunday. He appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Monday, alongside Gauteng Hawks boss Major-General Ebrahim Kadwa and director of Point Blank Security Tariq Downe. They face two counts — contravening section 4 of the Precious Metals Act and defeating or obstructing the course of justice.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso is rallying his team for the CAF Champions League final, dismissing the domestic league loss and criticising Orlando Pirates' " red carpet" run

Michael Carrick took over for the rest of the campaign in January following an acrimonious end to Ruben Amorim's rocky Red Devils reign.

Announced in September last year as making its long overdue premiere in 2026, Audi has provided the first official teaser images of the incoming, all-new Q9. Replacing A8 First mooted eight years ago as Ingolstadt’s rival for the BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz GLS, Volvo XC90 and to an extent, the Lexus LX, the Q9 represents what the Four Rings calls a new phase of its Vorsprung durch Technik slogan. Confirmed last month as the official replacement for the A8, the mentioned teaser images only provides a slight hint of the Q9’s exterior, but details its interior almost entirely. Known until now Set to ride on the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC), a heavily revised version of the long-serving MLB Evo, the Q9 will be powered by combustion and partially electrified powertrains set to comprise petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid options. A platform the equally long-awaited third generation Q7 will use when it debuts this year, the single exterior teaser image shows the still camouflaged Q9 bearing a resemblance to the new Q3 when viewed from the rear. This comes from the just visible LED headlights connected by an underscored full-width LED bar. Also noticeable is an illuminated four rings logo. Unsurprisingly appearing longer than the Q7, even with the rear door open as a likely deliberate attempt not to provide any further hints, what did emerge was the detailed view of the Q9’s interior. Same but different new interior Confirmed to seat six or seven, with the former sporting a pair of captain’s chairs in the second row, the cabin up front is largely identical to the Q3. Comprising the now customary three displays across the dashboard, the passenger’s screen being a cost option, Audi has, however, revised the centre console to be Q9 specific. Cabin is dominated by three displays, a model specific centre console and lack of piano key black decorative inserts. Picture: Audi Sporting two wireless smartphone charging pads, the section below the MMI infotainment display is devoid of physical buttons as these reside within the screen itself. Physical switches and scrollers have been retained on the steering wheel, though, while materials have been upgraded. As with the Q3, the traditional stalks for the windscreen wipers and indicators have been replaced by two individual levers, one for the gear selector and the other for the lights, wipers and indicators. More spec, better materials In addition, material choices include leatherette, microfibres and Nappa leather seat upholstery, carbon fibre and wood veneers, plus fine grain ash, silk beige lime structure natural and basalt grey decorative inserts. New are wool and Alpaca Fiber materials, two new colours in Tamarind Brown and Stone Beige and the complete axing of the previous piano-key black inlays. Elsewhere, the Q9 will be offered with a panoramic sunroof as standard, which expands 1.5 square meters and now does without a roller blind. Q9 will have the option of six or seven seats. Picture: Audi In its place is a nine-position laminated glass sequence that brightens the interior or turns it opaque at the press of a button. Also new is a roof-mounted LED lighting system that matches the standard ambient lighting and automatically opening and closing doors, the latter done via a button, smartphone app or the brake pedal. Finally, the Q9 is outfitted with a 22-speaker 4D Bang & Olufsen sound system, ventilated and heated second row seating when specifying the six-seat option, and a massaging function for the front seats when opting for the optional sport seats plus chairs. Almost ready Revealing itself in the European summer, which runs from June to August, more details is expected soon. Audi South Africa has, meanwhile, not alluded to the Q9 being offered on local shores. However, an announcement could well be made after the official unveiling.

Marble Magical Family festival has changed family fun in South Africa forever. From giant flowers to smart safety tags, this family festival completely wowed Johannesburg parents and children. Picture: Supplied There are family festivals, and then there is the Magical Marble Family Festival, a dreamy wonderland that managed to pull off something rare. It entertained children while making parents feel completely at ease. Held over Mother’s Day weekend at Johannesburg’s beautiful James & Ethel Gray Park, the inaugural event transformed the lush green space into a living storybook. It was bursting with music, colour, imagination and thoughtful details around every corner. Picture: Supplied But beyond the dazzling attractions and celebrity appearances, one thing stood out more than anything else. Child safety was not treated like an afterthought. It became part of the entire experience. From the park and ride, where families parked at Melrose Arch, got onto a bus or a Mercedes-Benz, and were whisked to the entrance, everything was catered for. Getting in was also safe and easy. The game-changer: Children’s tags From the moment parents booked tickets through Howler, organisers required guardians to input detailed information about their children. This included names, ages, medical details, guardian contacts and an emergency contact not attending the festival. Children also received colour-coded tags that made them easily identifiable. It was simple, smart, and honestly a masterstroke. Picture: Supplied In a country where crowded events can sometimes make parents anxious, the system instantly created a feeling of comfort and trust. The organisers clearly understood that their most important guests were the children. And once inside, the magic truly began. Magic everywhere The sold-out festival became a fantasy playground filled with giant flowers, magical forests, roaming characters, colourful installations and immersive experiences. These were spread across the massive park. Everywhere you turned, something was happening. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Magical Marble Family Fest (@magical_marble_family_fest) Children squealed with excitement as Minions and fairy tale-inspired characters wandered through the crowds, posing for photos and interacting with families. A gorgeous classic carousel quickly became one of the festival’s visual centrepieces. Meanwhile, the Ferris wheel attracted snaking queues of eager parents and children wanting a turn high above the park. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mercedes-Benz South Africa (@mercedesbenzsa) The atmosphere felt warm, playful and nostalgic. Radio personality Anele Mdoda, who hosted the event as the festival’s “Fairy Godmother”, brought heart and humour to the main stage alongside her son. Their presence added an authentic family touch that matched the spirit of the weekend. Anele Mdoda hosted the event as the festival’s “Fairy Godmother”. Picture: Facebook Even the entertainment lineup was carefully curated to appeal to multiple generations. Saturday brought upbeat performances from crowd favourite Jeremy Loops and GoodLuck. Sunday leaned into soulful local favourites including Mi Casa, DJ Zinhle, Sun-El Musician and Babalwa M. Different age groups were thoughtfully catered to through themed zones and activities. Toddlers enjoyed soft play spaces, balloon art and slime stations while older kids disappeared into Nerf battlefields and gaming hubs. Creative children could customise sneakers, paint pottery or build terrariums while parents explored gourmet food stalls and stylish lounges. Picture: Facebook Practicality was also woven into the experience. There were baby changing areas, pram-friendly spaces and quiet zones where mothers could take breaks away from the crowds. The Magical Marble Family Festival did not just create a fun day out. It reimagined what family entertainment can look like in South Africa. And judging by the excitement already building for the 2027 edition, this magical story is only just beginning.

A Zimbabwean family is mourning after a devastating chain of road accidents near Bela-Bela claimed the lives of three relatives, including a mother and child who were struck by a vehicle linked to Aaron Motsoaledi’s security detail. South African authorities said the tragedy unfolded on Saturday along the busy N1 highway when a Zimbabwean, Paul Masunda, was allegedly hit and killed by a vehicle driven by an off-duty member of the South African Police Service. Father killed while crossing highway According to police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe, Masunda had reportedly escorted his wife Beauty Shoperai and children to a bus station before attempting to cross the highway. The family’s 14-year-old child witnessed the fatal collision and immediately alerted the mother, who rushed back toward the scene carrying another young child strapped to her back. Moments later, tragedy struck again. Mother and child struck by Motsoaledi-linked vehicle Police said another vehicle linked to Health Minister Motsoaledi then struck the mother and child. Authorities confirmed that a member of the minister’s Protection Security Services unit was driving the vehicle at the time. Both the woman and the young child died at the scene. Teenager left traumatised The horrific sequence of events has left relatives in Zimbabwe devastated, while the surviving teenager now faces the trauma of witnessing both parents and a sibling die within minutes. Mathe said Motsoaledi, his close protection officer and the driver stopped immediately after the crash and remained at the scene until emergency responders and police arrived. IPID probes Motsoaledi-linked crash Authorities have since opened two separate culpable homicide investigations. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate has also taken over the matter because both drivers involved are members of SAPS. The incident has sparked shock and sympathy on social media, with many Zimbabweans expressing heartbreak over the family’s loss and concern for the surviving child. The tragedy also highlights the painful realities faced by many Zimbabwean families living and travelling across the border in South Africa, where a single moment can leave families torn apart and communities grieving across two countries.

The South African entertainment industry is mourning the loss of beloved DJ, publicist and fashion designer Maria McCloy, who has sadly passed away at the age of 50. McCloy died on Tuesday evening, 12 May 2026, at Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg after suffering heart failure. Her family confirmed the heartbreaking news in an official statement shared with the public. MARIA MCCLOY’S FAMILY CONFIRMS HER PASSING In the emotional statement, the family described McCloy as a vibrant and creative soul who embraced life wholeheartedly. They also remembered her for the love and warmth she shared with everyone around her throughout her life and career. The statement read, “It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that we confirm the passing of our beloved sister and media industry giant, Maria McCloy (50). Maria sadly passed away on Tuesday evening, 12 May 2026 at Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg following heart failure.” Her family explained that McCloy touched many lives through her kindness, generosity and unwavering support for others. They also asked for privacy as they grieve this painful loss. “She had a special way of bringing people together and her presence brought comfort, laughter and love to all who knew her,” the statement continued. McCloy leaves behind her mother, sisters Thandiwe and Natasha, as well as close friends, colleagues and supporters who continue to mourn her passing. MARIA MCCLOY’S IMPACT ON ENTERTAINMENT Over the years, McCloy built a respected name for herself in South Africa’s entertainment and fashion industries. McCloy co-founded multimedia company Black Rage Productions alongside Kutloano Skosana and Addiel Dzinoreva in the mid-1990s. The company became known for its contribution to the entertainment and media space in South Africa. As one of the founding members of Black Rage Productions and Outrageous Records, McCloy stood at the head of the companies responsible for talents including Siyabonga Ngwekazi, ProVerb and Reason. She also made a lasting impact as a DJ, publicist and fashion designer, helping shape South African pop culture over the years. Her influence stretched across music, media and fashion, where she worked with different artists and creatives throughout her career. Recently, McCloy appeared as a guest on 702’s Clement Manyathela Show for the Hanging Out feature, where she openly spoke about her life, journey and career. TRIBUTES POUR IN Following the announcement of her passing, social media filled with heartfelt tributes from fans, celebrities and industry colleagues. Many people expressed shock over the sudden loss and remembered McCloy for her work and creativity. Her family thanked the public for the outpouring of support and condolences they have received since the news broke. Details regarding her memorial and funeral service will be announced in due course.

Icasa has told minister Solly Malatsi that full alignment with the ICT sector code requires changes to legislation.

Government must lean more on the private sector in a fiscally constrained environment, communications minister Solly Malatsi has said.