President Cyril Ramaphosa says the Government of National Unity remains intact despite tensions with the DA over the reinstatement of 181 ANC candidates for the 4 November local government elections.

Failing to register a shot on target for the first 70 minutes, Arsenal ultimately found a way past Nottingham Forest as Noni Madueke’s late intervention maintained their winning momentum.

The “spatial architecture of apartheid” remains visible across the Western Cape, President Cyril Ramaphosa said, arguing that township residents continue to endure inequality and inferior services compared with wealthier suburbs. Ramaphosa made the comments after he took the ANC’s election campaign trail to the Salvation Church of the Revival in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, on Sunday. The president spent the weekend in the DA-run Western Cape, where he campaigned door to door. Neglected Speaking to the media, Ramaphosa said stark disparities in housing, infrastructure and service delivery in the Western Cape remain evident nearly three decades after the advent of democracy. “There’s a lot of evidence to testify to the fact that the areas where the majority of people live are neglected,” Ramaphosa said. “They live in squalor. They live in areas where there is just no really equal service to what is delivered in the suburbs.” The president said township communities deserve the same opportunities and quality of services enjoyed elsewhere in Cape Town and the Western Cape. “We want equal treatment. We want equitable treatment. Our people must, in the townships, get exactly similar services. And they must see an advancement in their lives,” he said. ‘Living in squalor’ Ramaphosa accused local authorities of failing to address housing challenges, claiming funds allocated for housing had been returned to national government instead of being spent on building homes. “People continue to live in squalor. Houses are in short supply,” he said. ‘Apartheid’ The ANC leader said conditions encountered during visits to communities across Cape Town underscored the persistence of apartheid-era planning. “As I go on a trip throughout our townships, I actually see the vast difference. The spatial architecture of apartheid persists, and we need to change that. We need to bring that to an end,” Ramaphosa said. [WATCH] ANC President Cde Cyril Ramaphosa Doorstep Interview in Khayelitsha, Western Cape ANC – African National Congress (@MYANC) October 18, 2026 Disparity He added that the concerns were not merely political talking points but reflected residents’ lived experiences. “Our people say we are living in a quality area very different from what we see happening in other areas in Cape Town.” ANC win Western Cape Despite governing neither Cape Town nor the Western Cape, Ramaphosa expressed confidence that the ANC could make significant gains at the polls. “When it comes to Cape Town, we are campaigning for an outright victory,” he said. “Many people doubt whether we will get there. We will get there. The support of the ANC is quite huge, and our people just need to come out of their homes and go and vote. And victory will be ascertained for the ANC.” Ramaphosa projected confidence despite the ANC’s previous decline in support during local government elections, arguing that many supporters simply stayed away from the polls.

An ANC supplier is heading to the High Court in a bid to recover nearly R40 million from the governing party, asking a judge to direct Electoral Commission (IEC) funding earmarked for the ANC towards settling a debt dating back to the party’s 2019 election campaign. The petition is contained in a notice of motion and founding affidavit of the urgent application Eltel Pty (Ltd) owner Asif Casoojee filed on Friday and is set to be heard in the South Gauteng High Court on 27 October. Money owed Casoojee is seeking relief after years of unsuccessful attempts to recover money he says the ANC owes for election campaigning-related services, such as digital media and technological support, to the party in the build-up to the 2019 national and provincial elections. “The services were rendered in full and in good faith. The debt has been repeatedly and fully acknowledged by the ANC. To have to resort to court to enforce payment is unfortunate,” said Casoojee in a statement. The Citizen has reached out to the ANC. Paul Mashatile According to court papers, the original debt of R24 million has risen to almost R40 million after the addition of approximately R13 million in interest and R2.9 million in legal costs allegedly agreed to by the ANC. The ANC is cited as the first respondent in the application, followed by the IEC and Deputy President Paul Mashatile in his capacity as the party’s former treasurer-general. Casoojee said discussions with Mashatile over the years confirmed the existence of the debt, but payment was repeatedly delayed due to the ANC’s financial constraints and its reliance on public funding allocations. “These sentiments were expressed repeatedly over many years. Unfortunately, and quite disturbingly, the indications made by such a trusted and senior official proved to be nothing but a fallacy,” he said. ANC funds In his application, Casoojee asks the court to order that funds allocated to the ANC be used to settle the outstanding amount. “The ANC occupies a unique and important position in South Africa’s constitutional democracy,” he said. “To then have service rendered unpaid for, by a party that seeks to instruct government departments to pay creditors on time is unexemplary and borders on hypocritical.” Debt Casoojee said his company could no longer absorb a debt of such magnitude. “An honest businessman trusted the ruling party, provided an exemplary service, and expected to receive what was due to him. On the other hand, the ANC simply does not care. “The ANC needs to meet its obligations, and the public expects Mr Mashatile to act in a manner which is honest and transparent. Pay what is due to me, he said. Casoojee also wants the ANC to be slapped with a punitive costs order. Legal challenge In 2025, the ANC faced mounting legal and financial pressure after allegedly failing to settle more than R20 million for election campaign services and ignoring court deadlines, triggering an application for default judgment against the party. The application, brought by Sisonke Consortium and O’Brian Digital, which was part of the consortium that ran the ANC’s 2024 campaign,

A video of a woman who fought off a baboon that raided her car in an attack in Cape Town has racked up millions of views on TikTok The video was recorded at Sir Lowry’s Pass. WOMAN FIGHTS OFF BABOON IN CRAZY CAR RAID In the clip, posted by @buusolakhe, a group of female friends is seen trying to ward off several baboons at a picnic spot at Sir Lowry’s Pass, which falls under the Cape Town Metropolitan area. The troop attempted to raid the car in search of food.  The woman behind the camera films herself opening her door before yanking out one angry baboon, which proceeded to bite her on her right arm. She screams for help from her friends and a SAPS police van, parked nearby. In the comment section, South Africans were amazed at the woman’s bravery while confronting a baboon. She revealed that she had sought medical attention for the animal bite. Take a look… @buusolakhe #capetown#SirLowry's#fyp #wildlife ♬ original sound – buusolakhe WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU SPOT THE WILD ANIMAL Cape Town is well known for its Chacma baboon population. City officials have urged residents and visitors to keep a safe distance from the wild animals. Here are a few tips on what to do when you spot the animal whilst out and about… Stay inside your vehicle. Keep doors locked and windows and sunroofs closed. Baboons are intelligent animals who can open car doors and may climb through windows to steal food. Don’t leave food lying around. Food should never be visible through the windows. Pack bags and food items in the vehicle’s boot or under the seats. Do not chase a baboon or try to retrieve stolen belongings If a baboon steals your bag and possessions, the City advises the public to let the animals move away after searching the bag, then retrieve your belongings. Leave if they appear aggressive When picnicking, pack up and leave if nearby baboons appear aggressive.  Never feed or touch baboons. Feeding is punishable by law. The City warns that people caught feeding baboons may face a fine of up to R10,000 and/or two years’ imprisonment. 

Franco Mostert is the latest Springbok to show off his flourishing business move – farming. The Bok lock has ventured into growing his own fresh produce and managing a guest house. FRANCO MOSTERT SHOWS OFF NEW BUSINESS VENTURE On their Instagram accounts, Franco Mostert and his wife, Juan-Ri, have given their followers a look at their farming business, Sous Plaas. The company grows and sells fresh produce, like lettuce, onions, carrots and beetroot to local supermarkets. The couple also own their own farmhouse, a self-catering holiday accommodation, called Die Mostert Plaashuis in the North West. On its official IG account, Sous Plaas posted a clip of Franco manning a tractor in an open field during his downtime. “Baas van die plaas”, the company said of the Springbok, who has 85 test caps. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SOUS PLAAS (@sous.plaas) OTHER SPRINGBOKS TRANSITIONING INTO FARMING Franco Mostert is one of several current Springboks who own farms. Pieter-Steph du Toit’s family owns Kloovenburg Wine & Olive Estate in the Western Cape, which produces wine, grape juice, olives, and avocados. Kwagga Smith owns a guest farm in Mpumalanga, which also cultivates maize, soy, pecans, and walnuts. Retired Springbok Duane Vermeulen owns a walnut farm near his restaurant in the Free State.

The Reserve Bank wants all of South Africa's ATMs white-labelled, with free transactions below a threshold, starting with a pilot in January.

Apple's first foldable iPhone carries a steeper local premium than its new HomeView, HomePod mini 2 and Apple TV 4K.