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By Oscar Mosiane, communication manager and writer, NWU. Visit North West University press office The North-West University (NWU) conferred an honorary doctorate on renowned choral music composer and teacher Kgotlaetsile Henderson Pule during the autumn graduation ceremony at the Mahikeng Campus on 8 May 2026. The graduation ceremony was attended by Dr Anna Mokgokong, NWU chancellor, alongside Prof Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor, Prof Linda du Plessis, senior deputy vice-chancellor for teaching and learning, and Prof Jeffrey Mphahlele, deputy vice-chancellor for research, innovation and community engagement, post-graduate studies with the assigned function of the Vanderbijlpark Campus. Dr Joe Molete, graduation host and deputy vice-chancellor for student life, transformation, people and culture, welcomed graduates and guests to the Mahikeng Campus. Also in attendance were Tutu Kgobane, president of the NWU Convocation, and Relation Seobela, president of the Students’ Representative Council. The prestigious honour recognised Pule’s immense contribution to choral music, music education and the development of South African cultural heritage through his decades-long commitment to composing and teaching music. In his acceptance speech, Pule described the recognition as both humbling and deeply meaningful, particularly because it came from a university in his home province. “I never imagined that the work I started many years ago through teaching and composing music would receive this kind of recognition. I accept this honour not only for myself, but also for the many choirs, teachers, musicians and communities who have walked this journey with me,” said Pule. Addressing the graduates, Prof Tyobeka reflected on the important role of higher education in addressing South Africa’s socio-economic challenges. “Our country continues to face serious challenges such as unemployment, poverty, inequality, food insecurity, pressure on healthcare services, government failures and rapid technological change. Therefore, higher education carries a national responsibility,” he said. Prof Tyobeka emphasised the strategic importance of post-graduate education in advancing national development. “Research continues to show that post-graduate education contributes directly to economic growth, innovation, research productivity and institutional development. According to our Department of Higher Education and Training, less than 7% of South Africans between the ages of 25 and 64 hold post-graduate qualifications,” he said. “Further studies continue to demonstrate that countries with strong post-graduate and doctoral output are better positioned to drive innovation, economic competitiveness, scientific advancement and institutional development.” He added that South Africa’s current doctoral output remains significantly below the level needed to meet the developmental aspirations of the country. “South Africa currently produces approximately 3 500 doctoral graduates annually, which remains far below the levels required for a developing economy of our size and ambition. This means those graduating with master’s degree and PhD qualifications today form part of a critical national asset,” said Prof Tyobeka. Addressing the master’s degree and doctoral graduates, Dr Mokgokong reminded graduates that graduation ceremonies should not be viewed only as endings, but as the beginning of a new chapter filled with responsibility and opportunity. “Graduation ceremonies are often viewed as conclusions, but in reality, they are beginnings, as a degree is one of the foundations on which a future is built,” she said. “It provides structure, knowledge and credibility, yet a post-graduate qualification carries a deeper meaning. A master’s degree is not simply another step forward, but an elevator, and the PhD takes you higher.” Dr Mokgokong further emphasised the growing need for ethical and courageous leadership in an increasingly complex world. “The world does not simply need qualified people; it needs thoughtful people, ethical and authentic leaders. It needs researchers, innovators and professionals who are prepared to confront complexity with courage and intelligence,” she said. The conferral of the honorary doctorate on Pule formed one of the highlights of the graduation ceremony, celebrating both academic excellence and the important role of arts and culture in society. The NWU continues to recognise individuals whose work has made a significant impact nationally and internationally, reflecting the commitment of the institution to excellence, innovation and societal transformation.

Homeless individuals in South Africa will have the opportunity to vote in the upcoming Local Government Elections in November 2026.

The Japan Rugby Football Union said the 66-year-old Australian violated their ethics and disciplinary regulations during a Japan Under-23 team tour

A Mahikeng High Court judge has dismissed a bail appeal brought by a 29-year-old North West man who allegedly committed a string of violent offences while on bail for a murder case. The court said that the interests of justice do not permit his release. Charges Blessing Tshegofatso Diseko appeared before Acting Judge Matlhape in the North West Division of the High Court in Mahikeng after appealing a decision by Magistrate Van Vuuren at the Itsoseng Magistrate’s Court, who had refused him bail in June 2025. According to court records, Diseko faces charges of assault, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, malicious injury to property and attempted murder. What significantly complicated his bail application was that at the time of the alleged offences, he was already out on bail, set at R1 000, in a separate pending murder case before the regional court. Because his new charges fell within Schedule 5 of the Criminal Procedure Act, the court noted that “the onus remained with the appellant to convince the court that the interests of justice permits that he be released on bail”, rather than on the state to justify his continued detention. Original bail hearing At the hearing before Magistrate Van Vuuren, Diseko chose to present his case through an affidavit rather than giving oral testimony or calling any witnesses. He outlined his personal circumstances, that he is a South African citizen, born and raised at his family home in Zone 2 Extension, Itsoseng, where he still lives. The court heard that he has two young children, aged two and three, was unemployed at the time of his arrest and has no previous convictions. He maintained that he was not a flight risk and would not interfere with state witnesses. The state called Constable Taunyane to testify in opposition. Taunyane told the court that he opposed Diseko’s release because he “resides within the same vicinity as the complainant”, who had spent four days in hospital after the incident and feared for his life. Taunyane further testified that just before the alleged attack, Diseko had threatened the complainant directly, reportedly saying, “we told you that we will get you”. The constable also informed the court that “the community has expressed anger towards the appellant and has petitioned the court not to admit him to bail”. Given the pending murder charge alongside the current attempted murder charge, Taunyane said he believed that Diseko “will commit another violent offence” if released on bail again. What grounds did Diseko raise in his appeal? Diseko’s legal representative raised 11 grounds of appeal. Among them was the argument that the magistrate had failed to consider the constitutional right enshrined in section 35(1)(f), which entitles an accused “to be released from detention if the interest of justice permits, subject to reasonable conditions”. The defence also argued that refusing bail amounted to what it called “a form of anticipatory punishment in that the learned magistrate made a number of conclusions against the appellant based on the state’s version of events, which are still to be challenged by the appellant in the subsequent trial”. The appeal further took aim at the threshold applied by the magistrate, arguing she had wrongly exercised her judicial discretion “by placing the requirement to prove interests of justice in a Schedule 5 bail application so high to make it impossible for the appellant to get bail even though the interests of justice clearly called for the release of the appellant on bail.” On the question of his children, the defence argued the magistrate had “failed to take into account the constitutional rights of the appellant’s minor children (aged 2 and 3), especially the minor children’s best interests, as is required by case law, despite her conclusion that the appellant has a duty of care towards the two minor children.” How did Matlhape approach the appeal? Acting Judge Matlhape was clear from the outset that an appeal court’s powers in bail matters are limited. Relying on the 1979 judgment in S v Barber, the court quoted directly from that precedent, noting that “although this court may have a different view, it should not substitute its own view for that of the magistrate because that would be an unfair interference with the magistrate’s exercise of his discretion,” and that “the real question is whether it can be said that the magistrates who had the discretion to grant bail exercised that discretion wrongly.” The court also drew on S v Porthen and Others, which reaffirmed that an appellate court may not substitute its own view merely because it would have arrived at a different conclusion. Matlhape made it clear that the court would “not approach this matter as if it is a rehearing of the bail application, but will seek to consider whether the magistrate’s decision in refusing to admit the appellant to bail was wrong”. High Court finds magistrate was not wrong The court found that the central issue was not simply the gravity of the charges, but what Diseko’s alleged conduct revealed about his attitude toward the bail system. The judgment noted that the magistrate correctly applied section 60(4)(d) of the Criminal Procedure Act, which requires courts to consider “whether there is the likelihood that the accused, if he or she were released on bail, will undermine or jeopardise the objectives or the proper functioning of the criminal justice system, including the bail system”. The court found that the magistrate had correctly identified that Diseko, “having been released on bail in the pending case of murder, still went to commit yet another offence, showing disobedience towards the objectives of proper functioning of the criminal justice system”. On the question of personal circumstances, the judgment held that while important, they “do not operate in isolation” and “must be weighed against the interests of society and the proper administration of justice”. Insufficient evidence and appeal dismissal The court was also satisfied that Diseko had failed to place sufficient evidence before the magistrate to counter the state’s concerns. As the judgment put it, “apart from placing his personal circumstances on record, little was advanced to counter the state’s legitimate concerns regarding public safety and the risk of further violent conduct.” Matlhape dismissed the appeal in its entirety and confirmed the magistrate’s refusal of bail.

The state has presented several reasons for opposing the bail application of National Coloured Congress (NCC) leader and MP Fadiel Adams. On Wednesday, Adams appeared in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court to apply for bail, at which an affidavit from the political killings task team (PKTT) investigator in charge of the case was read. Adams was arrested on Tuesday, 5 May, in Cape Town. His arrest followed a statement from the South African Police Service (Saps), which called on the MP to present himself at the nearest police station. According to police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe, Adams was arrested in connection with a fraud case and for defeating and/or obstructing the course of justice. Mathe said Adams was arrested over allegations that he interfered with ongoing investigations into the murder of the late ANC Youth League leader Sindiso Magaqa. State opposes Adams’ bail During his court appearance, the state presented several reasons for opposing Adams’ bail application, all of which concern his recent conduct. The state argued that, upon learning there was a warrant for his arrest, Adams did not hand himself in to the police. Instead, he posted a video on social media, admitting to knowing about the warrant and insulting PKTT leaders, calling them criminals. The footage was played in court. “The applicant’s utterances and conduct indicate his resentment against the PKTT team. He is currently charged with interfering with matters under investigation by the PKTT team. He has, on numerous occasions, made public comments that may be viewed as defamation of character against the PKTT team and people he perceives as linked to the PKTT team,” argued the state. “The same can be seen on the video footage played in court.” Defamation The state presented evidence that this was not his first time making defamatory comments against those he disagreed with, citing a 2023 case brought by the City of Cape Town municipal manager. “He was, amongst others, ordered to remove the social media post containing the utterances. Instead of adhering to the court order by the Equality Court, he posted again, disregarding the said court order. “His disregard of the said court order led to the complaint to the complainant city of Cape Town manager to open a criminal charge against him under docket Cape Town central case 311 of 3 of 2024. He was brought to court for that. “The National Prosecuting Authority intervened and there was mediation between the parties, which led to the charges being withdrawn. This has not stopped the applicant from making reckless statements without facts despite his past conduct. He continued calling people names and using language that may be interpreted as insulting and defaming people’s characters. It all depends on those he labels names and defame their characters to open cases against him. “The video clips that we played in this court are evident to that. There is all likelihood that he will continue doing so and he has done at this position to continue doing so.” Evading trial The state further argued that, should Adams be released on bail, he would attempt to evade trial. “The applicant’s conduct after he was made aware of the warrant for his arrest is indicative of someone who is prepared to evade trial. It took a lot of effort to trace him. He deliberately switched off his phone when outside the parliamentary precinct. “His own attorney struggled to get hold of him. He himself mentioned in one of the video clips that he is a fugitive and even linked himself to the well-known actor Harrison Ford in the movie The Fugitive. He made fun of the South African Police Service and the criminal justice system. The charges he is facing are indicative of that.” The state said the police’s difficulty in finding him across several home addresses was indicative of someone who could not be traced. “My team and I were provided with a deed of transfer for a property situated in Cape Town, transferred on 21 January 2026, as proof of residence for the applicant. His name is not mentioned in the deed of transfer. There is, therefore, no documentary proof that this is his property,” argued the state. The other address given is the parliamentary precinct. “Should that position [of being an MP] change, he will cease occupying that place. In all intents and purposes, the property belongs to the Department of Public Works and not him. The applicant is facing very serious charges, which he partially admits in his video clips to having committed, and faces a jail sentence that might cause him to lose his position as a member of the Legislative Assembly. This, on its own, is an incentive to evade trial.” Adams ‘will influence witnesses’ The state argued that if Adams were released on bail, he would influence or intimidate witnesses or destroy evidence. “The applicant, upon learning of his imminent arrest, contacted a state witness several times, whom he knew was involved in the matter. He wanted the witness to send him a statement that he had made to the police in this investigation. “Even before his arrest, the applicant already interfered with the state witnesses and demanded a sworn statement that the witness made to the police. “It is well-established knowledge that the applicant was in possession of classified crime intelligence. He alleges that the same was put under his door and he found it there. Whether this is true or not still stands to be proven. The fact of the matter is that he was in possession of classified information.” The state argued against Adams’ release on bail, saying by evading arrest and insulting police officers in a video shared on social media, “a Member of parliament and lawmaker gave the court a middle finger.”

Orlando Pirates are set to offload some talent in the up-and-coming PSL transfer window, and midfielder Makhehleni Makhaula is the latest player linked with a move out of Mayfair. The strong midfielder faces an uncertain future with the Bucs. However, he is still widely respected within the Betway Premiership, with several sides believed to be interested in his services. ORLANDO PIRATES MIDFIELD NOT SHORT OF OPTIONS Makhuala faces an uncertain future at Mayfair. The 36-year-old defender is now in the latter stages of his career. Meanwhile, younger talent has risen. with Thalene Mbatha, Sipho Mbule, Patrick Maswanganyi and others stepping up. Additionally, there are young rising Bucs stars hungry and eager to play. Camren Dansin, Masindi Nemtajela, Simphiwe Selepe and Kamogelo Sebelebele all offer coach Abdeslam Ouaddou younger options in the future. However, despite turning 37 in November, Makhaula is not shy of options. In fact, leading reports claim that there is plenty of interest in the former AmaZulu captain’s services. “While no final decision has yet been communicated, sources close to the situation have indicated that interest in the midfielder is already growing within PSL circles,” Soccer Laduma reported. “The Siya crew understands that several clubs are believed to be monitoring developments around Makhaula’s situation, with his experience, leadership qualities, and consistency making him an attractive option despite his age,” they added. MAYFAIR MOVEMENTS ON THE CARDS Tshegofatso Mabasa and Kabelo Dlamini’s Orlando Pirates contracts are set to expire at the end of the season. Mabasa is currently on loan with Stellenbosch, with several clubs interested in signing the outbound Bucs striker. He has been linked with Kaizer Chiefs, AmaZulu and Al Ahly. Meanwhile, Dlamini is in the same boat as Makhuala. He has fallen down the pecking order so he will have to find a new club in order to play more frequently. The R9-million star is reportedly already looking at his options for next season.

Content creator Mandisa Makhasi has opened up about her financial stress over the past few months as her savings dwindled after being without a job for ten months. Makhasi was emotional as she recounted the difficulties of covering all her expenses when income was sparse. Makhasi, formerly Dandala, has two daughters with Kuhle Dandala, her ex husband. She announced the end of their marriage in a statement in 2025. Since then, her financial situation has been strenuous, according to her latest video on TikTok on Tuesday. “I haven’t been working for the past 10 months… I’ve just been living off of content creation. And then eventually I blew up my savings,” starts Makhasi. “I have kids to take care of, school fees, my nanny, my car insurance, gym membership, groceries. There’s so much. And I was like the whole content creation thing, I probably would have flourished if I didn’t have such big responsibilities. The past two, three months, I’ve literally been living on edge… It’s been tough.” But out of the blue, things turned around for Makhasi.“It’s been tough, but I finally have a job. I’m back to doing nine to five. I actually got my offer yesterday, I feel so relieved, like, especially for my kids. It was eating me up,” continued Makhasi. @a_knockout Shoutout bra God, you’re too kind❤️ ♬ original sound – mandisamakhasi “I wasn’t even applying for a job… This lady reached out to me on LinkedIn. She asked if I’m in the job market, if I’m interested, there’s a role that she thinks I’m fitted for. I said, you know what? … Yeah, sure.” ‘And yesterday, I got my offer. I’m so happy… There are so many people out there that have been probably applying for this role, that have been applying for jobs, and here I was, I was also low key, stubborn about my situation.” Makhasi’s new lease on life “I’m back to my old self, where I was working a nine to five and doing content creation.But I’m so happy, guys, you don’t understand… it feels like there’s this heavy weight that’s just been taken off of my shoulders. You don’t know how many times I’ve been saying, ‘God, thank you for keeping your promises. Thank you for acknowledging me’… And you said, ‘My child, you are still worthy of good things.Your prayers are heard. I am acknowledging your needs, and I shall deliver’. And he kept his promises. That’s exactly what he did. He delivered.”

Much of today's enterprise AI spend is Fomo dressed up as strategy, The Up&Up Group's Jason Harrison argues.

Canal+ has formally confirmed it will conduct a secondary listing on the main board of the JSE on Wednesday, 3 June.