In the heart of China's Golog Prefecture, over 100 students confront the ultimate test of endurance and intellect during their gaokao, showcasing the courage and resilience of young minds shaping their future against staggering altitudes.

The South African Reserve Bank is proposing a framework that could allow regulated non-bank providers to offer specified payment services without a banking licence, as it seeks to increase competition and reduce costs.

The desperate fight for jobs is being made increasingly harder for willing employees who cannot afford to compete. A 2026 job seekers report showed that one in every three candidates invited for an interview could not afford to attend, while only one employee was hired for every 750 applications submitted. The report, compiled by Jobjack and based on a survey conducted in September and October and data compiled between 1July 2025 and 31 July 2026, revealed the obstacles faced by retail and entry-level jobseekers. Jobjack, a FIT-based hiring system based in Cape Town, illustrated how current hiring techniques were costing job hunters while clogging recruitment inboxes. Meanwhile, a pro-youth policy advocacy group explained what was needed to get the youth closer to the doors of employment. Jobseeking costs crushing dreams Jobjack stated that it had analysed 4.9 million job applications sent by 867 700 users with an average age of 24, with only 6 566 of those applications resulting in appointments. Of the more than 5 000 survey respondents, 48% had been searching for a job for more than a year and 28% had to walk to areas of prospective employment. Even before the interview, jobseekers were at a disadvantage, as 36% of those who missed their interviews did so because they could not afford the transport cost. A total of 78% of the interviewees who did not show up did so due to personal obstacles. Submitting CVs was costing an average of R500 in transport and printing costs, with those who did find jobs spending up to 30% of their earnings on transport. “Cancelling an interview is not a decision. It’s an outcome from a set of circumstances. It’s our responsibility as employers to fix the holes in the pressure cooker pot of South Africa’s potential. “We need to be critical about the barriers and perceptions around employment that are adding to the holes in our pot,” stated Jobjack co-founder and CEO Heine Bellingan. He highlighted these holes as transport costs, data-sapping application portals, the need to print CVs and supporting docs, job scams, and “hiring blindly”. Loss of resources for employers Bellingan said the cost of keeping a job was contributing to a 40% self-reported annual churn of frontline staff and a loss of time and resources for employers. “Paying this much to get to work works like a pay cut, and it becomes a pressure point that can decide whether someone can afford to clock in. “Job seekers can’t fix your hiring process; you have to fix it. At the end of the day, you don’t build a business, you build people and people build a business,” stated the Jobjack CEO. At least 82% of jobseekers listed growth as a primary concern when accepting a job, far ahead of salary and location, listed by 37% and 38% of respondents, respectively. For those who decide to leave a job – even without another opportunity – 16% did so for family reasons, 12% because of transport, 8% due to health concerns and 14% because they disliked their manager. “By the time someone arrives for their first day, some of the most important decisions have already been made. “There’s more to it than just recruitment: When you invest in people, you invest in your business,” said Bellingan Work experience conundrum Youth Capital Project Lead Buhlebethu Magwaza noted that the youth advocacy group’s research showed the youth spent up to R1 400 per month job hunting. She said that as the R370 Social Relief of Distress Grant covered only a quarter of that, there needed to be subsidised transportation for job hunters, investment in employment hubs and free printing and application services. Additionally, Jobjack’s report noted that those with previous work experience were 11 times more likely to be hired. Magwaza elaborated on the age-old conundrum of needing work experience for a position, while being unable to get a job to earn experience. “Public employment programmes can play an important role by providing paid work experience, practical skills and references that improve young people’s prospects. “The goal should not just be to give young people their first opportunity, but to ensure that opportunity opens doors to future employment,” Magwaza told The Citizen. The project lead added that solving the youth employment crisis was going to take a collaborative effort. “We need stronger partnerships between training institutions, government and employers to create clearer pathways into employment. “We also need to expand public employment programmes that create paid opportunities closer to where young people live, reducing transport costs while providing income and work experience,” Magwaza said. ‘Trapped in a cycle’ Magwaza advised on how both jobhunters and employers could make the process less stressful. “Young people should consider opportunities that offer meaningful work experience, practical skills, references, and networks that could improve their future employment prospects. “The important thing is that these opportunities lead to further employment, learning or other opportunities, rather than leaving young people trapped in a cycle of temporary work. For employers, Magwaza urged companies to be more humane with their rejected applicants. “Young people often spend money on applications, assessments, and interviews, only to receive no response from employers. “This can be deeply discouraging. Hiring practices such as unrealistic experience requirements for entry-level positions, lengthy recruitment processes, and poor communication make matters worse. “We must recognise that youth unemployment is a structural challenge, and improving recruitment practices must go hand in hand with creating more paid work opportunities,” Magwaza concluded.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says it is prepared to defend the court’s decision to deny former deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya bail if he lodges an appeal application. Sibiya’s bail application was dismissed by the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, after Magistrate Hleziphi Mkhasibe found that there was a likelihood he could interfere with investigations or intimidate witnesses. The former South African Police Service (Saps) official stands accused of raping an 18-year-old girl and sexually grooming the 16-year-old daughter of his alleged former bodyguard and driver, identified as Mr M. He has been in custody since his arrest at The Grand strip club in Rivonia, Sandton, on 21 September. Sibiya, who has denied the allegations against him, will remain behind bars at the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria until his next court appearance on 24 November. NPA welcomes Shadrack Sibiya bail denial Speaking to the media outside the court, NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago confirmed the prosecution would oppose any attempt by Sibiya and his legal team to overturn the bail ruling. “We will always be ready to deal with whatever appeal. Justice has to be served in its totality; and if they feel that they need to appeal this better, they can do so. “We will then come and defend,” he told reporters on Tuesday. “From where we are sitting as the NPA, we are comfortable that the evidence that we’ve put before the court is good enough, and that is why we got the ruling that we got today.” Investigators are now working towards finalising the outstanding aspects of the case before it proceeds to trial. “We hope that it can be done in a speedy manner,” Kganyago remarked. NPA considers safety of alleged victims The question of whether the 18-year-old alleged rape victim would be placed under witness protection was also raised, particularly as the 16-year-old has already been afforded such protection. Kganyago indicated the decision would depend on whether there was evidence suggesting that the older victim faced a risk to her safety. He noted that the 18-year-old girl was currently writing examinations, adding that the NPA remained committed to protecting everyone involved in the case. “Where there is information that will lead to us believing that the 18-year-old will also be harmed, that can be arranged. “As I said, the 18-year-old is writing examinations now, but we really want to make sure that all of the victims here are protected.” Investigations could lead to further arrests The NPA has also left the possibility of further arrests open as investigators examine allegations of witness interference involving Sibiya’s associates. Kganyago stated the police would assess the available evidence to determine whether additional arrests were warranted. The allegations made by controversial businessman Serge Cabonge would also form part of the investigative process. “It is something that the investigating officer will have to look at, and if evidence is found to the fact that the people need to be arrested, that will happen.” Sibiya’s departure from Saps Sibiya’s criminal case comes after his resignation from the Saps on 12 October. His disciplinary hearing did not proceed as planned after his legal representatives submitted his resignation letter at the beginning of the proceedings. The former deputy national police commissioner’s resignation brought his employment with the police service to an immediate end, with his departure regarded as a dishonourable discharge.

Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has approved 12 new geographical names in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, according to a notice published in the Government Gazette on Monday. The approved names include two townships in the City of Tshwane, as well as rivers, a mountain and two villages in KwaZulu-Natal. The approvals were made in terms of section 10(2) of the South African Geographical Names Council Act, 1998. The names are designated for registration and cover geographical features in the City of Tshwane and the Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal’s UGu District Municipality. Two new township names in Gauteng Two of the approved names relate to townships in the City of Tshwane: Dinokeng View – township Menoatlou – township Both names are listed as names to be registered. KwaZulu-Natal receives 10 approved names The remaining 10 names relate to geographical features in the Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality, within the UGu District Municipality. These include seven rivers, one mountain and two villages. The names and features listed in the notice are: Approved nameGeographical featureuLonjaneRiverKwaShobashobaneVillageiKhangezaRiveruGodlogodloRiveruButhongoRiveruBenyuRiveruSihlambweniMountainuSihlamboRivereMaxhantiniRiveruDlovungaVillage Public can object to approved names The notice states that any person or organisation dissatisfied with a name approved by the minister may lodge a written objection within one month of the name’s publication in the Government Gazette. Comments or objections may be sent to the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture at Sagnc@dsac.gov.za. The latest approvals form part of South Africa’s official geographical naming process, which provides for the formal approval and registration of names for places and geographical features. The notice was published in Government Gazette No. 55599 on 19 October 2026. Is the renaming of townships, towns, villages, rivers and mountains in South Africa a waste of time? Let us know by clicking on the comment banner below … SportsArtsCulture-compressedDownload

Doctor Khumalo has quickly highlighted that his role is about serving the country’s football rather than any personal achievement. As previously reported, the former Bafana Bafana superstar was appointed on Sunday. “This is not about Doc Khumalo,” he said on #MSWOn947 on Monday. Remember, this is an entity of the nation, and the demands of the game need to be adhered to for us to be able to give a proper programme to serve the nation,” he added. DOCTOR KHUMALO YET TO MEET SAFA CHAIRPERSON The 59-year-old revealed that he is yet to confirm the details of his duties. He is yet to meet the chairperson of the Technical Committee Jack Maluleke. Khumalo nevertheless recongnised that football development and coaching education will be in his remit. The Soweto-born legend revealed that he had not received a formal outline of his duties and was yet to meet technical committee chairperson Jack Maluleke. “To be honest and precise, I’ll be failing SAFA and probably giving the wrong information because at the moment, there’s nothing on the table that has been forwarded to me,” he said. The 1996 Africa Cup of Nations winner explained that the technical committee could focus on planning the future of South African football, developing the game and expanding coaching education across the country. Khumalo also believes several areas of South African football need attention to move the game in a positive direction. He said his observations over the years had convinced him that the country still had plenty of work to do. KHUMALO WANTS MORE FORMER PLAYERS INVOLVED The former Bafana Bafana star also believes SAFA should have appointed more former players to positions of responsibility, arguing that their experience could benefit the game. “You know, I would have appreciated it if there were four, five ‘Doctors’ that were appointed. Being former players, these are the custodians of the game,” Khumalo said. BAFANA BAFANA’S UPCOMING ACTION Meanwhile, the road to the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon 2027) continues. Bafana Bafana will battle Benni McCarthy’s Kenya, known as the Harambe Stars, in back-to-back qualifiers in November.

The Reserve Bank wants every ATM unbranded and shared. Banks say they're working with it but won't discuss detail.

TechCentral's sums suggest a driverless Tesla Cybercab would struggle to pay its way in Sandton.