Ward 43 councillor Elton Jansen says private land ownership and rapid growth are limiting efforts to improve electricity, sanitation, waste removal and roads in Cape Town’s Jim se Bos informal settlement.

In the heated debate surrounding Navi Pillay’s Nobel Peace Prize, an age-old struggle for justice is laid bare, exposing a profound division in perceptions of accountability among Jewish communities worldwide.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has criticised South Africans seeking refuge in the US, saying he finds it “unbelievable” that some continue to believe the falsehoods about the country, including claims of a white genocide. The US refugee programme stems from a 2025 executive order signed by President Donald Trump, which prioritised Afrikaner resettlement on the grounds that they face racial discrimination in South Africa. White South Africans Pretoria criticised the decision by the US to prioritise refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying claims of a white genocide have been widely discredited and lack reliable evidence. In May, The Citizen reported that more white South Africans could be heading to the US after the Trump administration proposed plans to admit an additional 10 000 Afrikaner asylum seekers from South Africa, raising the refugee cap for this group to 17 500 in 2026. ‘Unbelievable’ Speaking on the sidelines of the ANC’s election trail, Ramaphosa said he finds it “unbelievable” that some people still believe what he described as falsehoods about South Africa, despite repeated evidence to the contrary. “It is unbelievable that people continue to believe all the falsehoods that they spread.” He said some people in the US have already concluded that what is being propagated about South Africa “doesn’t exist”, but argued that fellow South Africans continue to promote those narratives abroad. “It is our own people, our own fellow South Africans, who seem to have found a very fertile and accepting voice in the US to rubbish their own country.” Facts Ramaphosa described the situation as deeply unfortunate and said there was a need to engage with those who may be following and believing such claims. “We need to interact with those who may be following all that and even believing what those people are saying.” He said the objective should be to persuade people otherwise or present them with facts. “With the view of either convincing them or putting forward facts.” AfriForum Responding on X, AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel accused Ramaphosa of refusing to take responsibility for the consequences of the Expropriation Act, arguing that government should stop blaming others for South Africa’s strained relations with the United States. “Perhaps it is time for Ramaphosa and other ANC leaders to take full responsibility for the negative consequences of their own irresponsible behaviour,” Kriel said, adding that AfriForum remains committed to helping find solutions that are in the interests of all South Africans. Refugees Last week, The Citizen reported that the US is considering spending more than $335,000 (about R6 million) on research and an advertising campaign in South Africa to determine why significantly fewer Afrikaners than expected have applied for refugee status under a programme championed by Trump. In 2025, the US State Department said Trump had “prioritised” refugee admissions for Afrikaners. Afrikaners now account for 99% of refugee admissions since October 2025, highlighting the programme’s sharp focus compared with restrictions on other nationalities. US officials falsely claim Afrikaners face race‑based discrimination, escalating hostility and targeted violence, particularly against farmers. South Africa criticised the decision by the US to prioritise refugee applications from white Afrikaners, saying claims of a white genocide have been widely discredited and lack reliable evidence. The government argues that land reform laws apply broadly and that violent crime is a national challenge. Unfortunately, the real unpatriotic behaviour is that of @PresidencyZA Cyril Ramaphosa, who signed the Expropriation Act, which allows for expropriation without compensation, knowing full well the devastating consequences it could have for South Africa’s economy, ordinary South… Kallie Kriel (@kalliekriel) October 20, 2026 US spending millions However, according to a report by The Guardian, US officials are puzzled by the lukewarm response despite a policy that prioritises Afrikaner resettlement in America. State department officials, according to an August proposal seen by the publication, outlined a roughly $335,000 research and advertising effort after applications to the refugee Programme “trended lower than expected” since Afrikaners were allowed to apply directly online in November 2025.

While experts suggest the medium-term budget policy statement will deliver a tax windfall and possible relief on fuel prices today, civil society organisations are sceptical about Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s mini-budget. The Alternative Information & Development Centre (AIDC), a research civil society organisation, said the minister’s statement will reinforce austerity, privatisation and monetary reforms that “hollow out the state”. Budgets have failed to deliver relief – AIDC Successive budgets have failed to deliver relief, leaving South Africans stuck in stagnant growth, worsening poverty and rising unemployment, said Aliya Chikte, AIDC’s economic justice programme officer. “Instead of government fulfilling its constitutional duties and fixing the state, it is selling it through the back door,” she said, pointing to declining nurse numbers, despite increased allocations to health and education in the February budget. Godongwana then tabled a total R2.67 trillion budget for the 2026-27 financial year. AIDC called for an alternative budget that taps existing public resources, including the Gold and Foreign Exchange Contingency Reserve Account and Government Employees Pension Fund assets, for development. It also calls for a fairer tax system: abolishing the medical aid tax credit, converting retirement fund deductions into credits, and taxing dividends at the same rate as wages. But some analysts expect good news. Hugh Hacking, executive head of structured investments and annuities at Momentum Corporate, said higher metals prices and improved tax collection should deliver a tax windfall, reduce the budget deficit, and improve the debt to GDP trajectory. Some analysts expect good news: a tax windfall Godongwana could announce a fiscal anchor to curb excessive borrowing. “A stronger fiscal position will be welcomed by credit rating agencies. Over time, a better sovereign credit outlook should boost investor confidence and lower borrowing costs,” Hacking said. “We expect the finance minister to announce a tax windfall, driven by higher metals prices and improved tax collection. This is likely to support a lower forecast budget deficit, which in turn should be good news for the trajectory of the debt-to-GDP ratio.” Treasury may use part of the windfall to ease fuel costs, especially with local elections looming, he said. “If we look past the acute pain felt at the pump, there is a fair amount of good news hiding under the surface.” Hacking also flagged retirement risks. Market downturns, can erode capital, just as retirees convert savings into income streams, creating “retirement timing risk”. Early losses can also trigger “sequence of return risk”, leaving portfolios unable to recover fully. Call for ring-fenced funding to combat GBV Craig Wilkinson, CEO of Father A Nation, called for ring-fenced funding to combat gender-based violence (GBV). Prevention must begin at home, he said. “How we raise our sons and mentor our men is the most important factor in preventing GBV. Anything else treats the symptoms and not the cause.” Cosatu painted a bleak picture of workers under siege, citing unemployment at 43.8% and soaring fuel prices driven by Middle East conflict. Parliamentary coordinator Matthew Parks said inflation spikes and repo rate hikes have deepened poverty. “This mini-budget cannot be business as usual. Government must signal a bold shift to stimulate growth, rebuild services, provide relief to workers and the poor, and end failed austerity policies. It is time for bold action,” Parks said. As Godongwana tables his budget, the divide is clear: markets may welcome tax relief, but communities battered by poverty want a budget that delivers tangible relief.

The Bafana Bafana centre-back has made a mark in the 2026 MLS 22 Under 22 rankings, which honour the league’s most promising young talents. The Hluhlulwe native and former Orlando Pirates star now shines among the leading youngsters in American football. MBEKEZELI MBOKAZI RANKED FOURTH IN MLS Still aged 21, the left-footed central defender is placed behind three highly rated American league prospects. Philadelphia Union’s Cavan Sullivan, 17, topped the rankings. Red Bull New York’s 18-year-old Julian Hall sits second, and his teammate Adri Mehmeti, 17 is third. Notably, Mbokazi is Chicago Fire FC’s only player in the top 10. The 2026 22 Under 22 class features players from 16 clubs, showcasing the next generation of Major League Soccer talent. The ranking represents another encouraging milestone for South Africa, with Mbokazi gaining recognition in the United States at just 21. FAST RISE FROM ORLANDO PIRATES TO BAFANA BAFANA TO CHICAGO FIRE Fondly known as “TBL,” Mbokazi made his professional debut in March 2025 before quickly establishing himself as a first-team regular. After shining in the Engen U19 Knockout tournament for Langalibalele Sports Academy, he signed for Orlando Pirates’ reserve team. He made his senior debut under Jose Riveiro in a 1-0 victory over Chippa United on 5 March 2025. Chicago Fire FC signed Mbokazi in December 2025 for a reported R52 million, making him one of the most expensive defenders in Premier Soccer League history. The centre-back also impressed at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, playing every minute of Bafana Bafana’s campaign as they reached the Round of 32. His performances attracted interest from overseas clubs, with reports linking the South Africa star to a potential move to the English Premier League. Meanwhile, Mbokazi has been linked with Italian side SSC Napoli and the English Premier League’s Nottingham Forest. HOW FAR CAN MBOKAZI GO IN HIS CAREER? Share your thoughts by clicking on the red comments block below.

Last Friday, Lions lock Hyron Andrews was tragically found unresponsive in a shower cubicle inside the hotel’s spa area on the island of Île de Ré, where the Lions were staying ahead of their Champions Cup match. In a statement from SA Rugby, it was suggested that he had passed away “following an accident” involving a fall, while many reports suggested that emergency personnel treated him for cardiac arrest, but resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful. Under the circumstances, a full autopsy was ordered by the public prosecutor to establish the exact cause of death – specifically to determine whether a medical event (such as a cardiac arrest) led to a fall or vice versa. According to the Lions, that autopsy is expected to be completed within the next 24 hours, and the club will be guided by the family in terms of releasing information. Lions CEO Rudolf Straeuli is understood to have visited Andrews’ wife, Maighlin, and their two sons, Hendrix and Emerson, as the club seeks to offer support in any way required. Lions leaning on each other after death of Hyron Andrews Assistant coach Julian Redelinghuys said the team continued to navigate this period as best they could. “The sorrow everyone felt, and the way it was handled, felt authentic. “The way it was handled – locally, abroad, our leadership, coaches and management and players – felt really respectful and that gave us, to a big extent, some closure. “Everyone grieves differently. You have to respect everyone’s process,” he added. “We just said we want to be respectful towards the family at this time. That was our viewpoint from the start. How can we be most respectful towards the family, in our actions, what we decide? “For everyone to go through this process, I think it helps being in a team.” Battling through challenging circumstances The Lions completed their fixture against La Rochelle last weekend, but suffered an understandable defeat in the circumstances, and they will next face Edinburgh in the URC. “We’ve been saying this since it happened: there’s no manual for this. We don’t know how the players are going to respond,” Redelinghuys commented. “We can only do what we can to support the guys as much as we can and do what we think will be best for the weekend.  “I don’t think there’s any team that has had to go through a thing like this, where a player died in camp a day before a game and then they were on tour for another two weeks.”

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

Datatec shareholders took two-thirds of a R7.05-billion special dividend in new shares instead of cash.