The government is exploring whether the Taxi Recapitalisation Grant could help minibus taxi operators switch to electric vehicles as rising fuel costs put pressure on the industry.

Businessman Suliman Carrim has been granted R100,000 bail after the State failed to show that he posed a danger to the community or would evade trial.

Andre Nel isn’t a big fan of Joburg. So, we need to pay attention when the ace Cape/KwaZulu-Natal trainer opts to venture upcountry with a horse in tow – as he does on Saturday with grey gelding Zeitz for the Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile (Grade 2) at Turffontein. Nel, his sole owner/patron Sabine Plattner and the latter’s famous “grass green” silks are rarely seen in the Big Smoke. AI tells us the team has only ever had three winners at Turffontein – the last one being before the rinderpest, as they say in the classics. (Actually, it was in 2019 – before the Covid pestilence.) Zeitz could be the smart choice at a price of 7.50 in an 18-strong field for a R1-million race that annually spotlights the industry’s philanthropic side. It seems Nel sees the Charity Mile as a chance too good to be missed. Not only is the consistent five-year-old in good form, nicely drawn at 8, handily weighted and distance-suited, but he will be travelling up the N3 from Nel’s satellite yard in KZN – a route taken by many a victorious feature race raider to the Highveld in recent years. Zeitz was not among early entries for the Betway Summer Cup to be run in a month’s time, meaning that, unlike several rivals on Saturday, he isn’t prepping for that bigger race. It is a single-minded mission. The grey was a whispered longshot fancy for the Hollywoodbets Durban July but didn’t have an easy passage on the day and finished eighth. Thereafter, he comfortably won the 1600m Darley Arabian (Listed) at Greyville and went down narrowly to star filly Quickstepgal over shorter. Regular rider Serino Moodley has been vocal in his fondness for the big-hearted galloper and accompanies his favourite up from Durbs. The 2026 Charity Mile boasts a strong lineup and – unlike the fat cheques handed to good causes – no competitive charity will be on offer. Ruling ante-post favourite at 6.00 is Splittheeights, the Gauteng Guineas winner and one of a trio of good horses from the powerful Mike & Mathew de Kock stable. The betting support must be respected, as must a light weight and No 4 draw, though return from a 238-day layoff poses a ring rustiness question. Fancily bred British import Calla Lagoon (6.50) is a horse on the upgrade and will attract many backers, while I’m A Fireball, Grand Empire and Chronicle King also command attention – not to mention Eastern Cape raider Zinovi, who has won eight of his last 10 starts and has his usual companion, fearsome competitor Richard Fourie, to help him along. SELECTION: 8 Zeitz, 11 Calla Lagoon, 17 Splittheeights, 5 I’m A Fireball

I’m giving my age away here, but I clearly remember the time when Benson&Hedges Series cricket was the biggest thing in South Africa’s summer. I remember the brightly coloured posters, with slogans such as ‘Cookin’ with gas’ for Jimmy Cook, ‘Mighty Mickey’ for Mickey Arthur, ‘Vinnige Fanie’ for Fanie de Villiers, ‘Jumpin’ Jonty’ for Jonty Rhodes, ‘Cutting Kepler’ for Kepler Wessels and ‘Duck, it’s Donald’ for Allan Donald. I remember the very cool coloured shirts and the competition slogan “Come on summer!” It was a great era for cricket in this country … when was it … the late 80s and early 90s? I had a family member who played wicketkeeper for the mix-and-match team called the Impalas and another who turned out for the mighty Eastern Province side. I watched every game they played. Grounds would be packed when B&H cricket came to town. Every sport-mad school boy and girl had to be there. It was a meeting place and a social occasion. Moms and dads also loved it, regularly braaiing on the grass banks. It was a wonderful time and cricket was alive in South Africa. What happened? So, what has changed? The domestic T20 competition in this country, now called the Pro20 Cup, hardly gets a mention. There is little to no marketing around it, few fans even know when it is happening and only die-hard supporters and the odd cricket writer give it attention. And I’m not even going to mention domestic 40 or 50 overs cricket … that’s even more poorly followed, if at all. And let’s not forget, the old B&H Series was long-format limited overs stuff, around 50 overs a side (it changed a bit depending on the season), and the fans loved it. So, who’s to blame for local cricket’s demise, or is it something we just have to accept as a change in the environment over time? It’s sad, because the cricket in the local Pro20 Cup has been of a high standard with excellent, close matches taking place. If you didn’t know, the pool matches are done and the Super Eights get going on Wednesday. How wonderful it would be if local limited overs cricket could again draw the crowds it once did. Unfortunately, it’s not likely to happen … but at least for some, we’ll always have B&H cricket for the memories.

Gauteng has the largest registered voting population in South Africa, accounting for nearly a quarter of all registered voters, according to the latest statistics published by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). The IEC’s voter registration statistics put the national total at 29 230 808 registered voters ahead of Wednesday, 4 November’s Local Government Elections. READ | Elections 2026: What is a spoilt vote? Here are 7 examples [photos] Gauteng accounts for 6 751 064 of those voters, representing 23.1% of the national total. KwaZulu-Natal follows with 6 030 969 registered voters, or 20.63%. The Eastern Cape has the third-largest registered voting population, with 3 628 934 voters (12.41%), followed by the Western Cape, with 3 457 253 (11.83%). Registered voters by province The IEC’s figures show the distribution of registered voters across South Africa’s nine provinces. ProvinceRegistered votersShare of national totalGauteng6,751,06423.1%KwaZulu-Natal6,030,96920.63%Eastern Cape3,628,93412.41%Western Cape3,457,25311.83%Limpopo3,037,38710.39%Mpumalanga2,170,1397.42%North West1,907,6236.53%Free State1,533,5705.25%Northern Cape713,8692.44%Total29,230,808100% Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal together account for more than 12.7 million registered voters, representing approximately 43.7% of the national total. At the other end of the table, the Northern Cape has the smallest registered voting population, with 713,869 voters, accounting for 2.44% of the total. Women make up 55% of registered voters The IEC’s demographic figures also show that women account for a larger share of South Africa’s registered voters than men. Of the 29,230,808 people on the voters’ roll, 16,155,730 are women, representing 55.27%. Men account for 13,075,078 registered voters, or 44.73%. The difference between the two groups is more than 3.08 million voters. Voters aged 30 to 39 form the largest age group The statistics show substantial representation across the adult age groups, with registered voters aged 30 to 39 forming the largest group overall. This age category includes 6,775,584 registered voters when the male and female figures are combined. The 40-to-49 age group is the next largest, with 6,317,631 registered voters, followed by those aged 20 to 29, with 4,838,960. The figures also show that women outnumber men in every age category listed by the IEC. Among voters aged 18 to 19, there are 693,913 registered voters. This represents 2.37% of the national total. Are you registered to vote – and will you be doing so? Let us know by clicking on the comment banner below …

This year things have been a little different from previous years of the Miss South Africa pageant. Usually, the finale is held in August each year. However, last year the finale was held in October and this year it will fall in November. WHEN AND WHERE IS THE MISS SA 2026 FINALE? The Miss SA 2026 finale will take place on Saturday 14 November at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. This is a change from the SunBet Arena in Pretoria. The finale marks a major moment in this year’s competition, which has placed an emphasis on developing young women as leaders and changemakers, rather than focusing solely on the crown. The event will be held under the theme From Imbokodo to Diamond, celebrating South African women’s strength, resilience, leadership and contributions to society. The production is expected to combine African heritage, contemporary fashion, music and storytelling. According to the Miss South Africa Organisation, the official red carpet will open at 16:00. Doors to the main finale arena opening at 19:00. The event is restricted to guests aged 18 and older. Television presenter Lawrence Maleka and former Miss South Africa Jo-Ann Strauss have been confirmed as the hosts of the main show. Television personalities Kuhle Adams and Kat Sinivasan will host the official red carpet, welcoming guests and showcasing the evening’s fashion moments before the main ceremony begins. The entertainment line-up includes the Ndlovu Youth Choir, amapiano star Young Stunna and the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra. The reigning Miss SA is Qhawekazi Mazaleni, who is moving out of her Miss SA dream apartment as she completed her one full year of reign. Take a look inside the apartment here. A NEW ERA FOR THE CROWN Now that the Miss SA winner and runners up will not be competing at any international pageant, what would be their focus? This year’s competition is the first full season under the organisation’s reinvention by the Motsepe Foundation, through Precious Moloi-Motsepe’s Empower Youth Africa (EYA) initiative. The organisers have described this shift as moving the pageant beyond traditional beauty-contest territory, positioning it instead as a platform for leadership, entrepreneurship, and social impact. Contestants are expected to engage with issues like youth unemployment, access to education, health and wellness, financial literacy, and civic engagement as part of their journey to the crown.

Early iPhone Duo buyers abroad report cracked inner screens. What does that mean for South African buyers?

Energy minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa wants bilateral traders to pay a wheeling fee that funds free electricity for the poor.