A civic dialogue at UWC revealed alarming connections between the DA and separatist movements, sparking a critical walkout by the EFF. This event exposes the need for transparent leadership that unites rather than divides communities in the Western Cape.

The V&A Waterfront is investing R230 million in a new Quay 7 superyacht marina as Cape Town seeks to expand its marine economy and attract more high-value yacht visits.

We live in a time where technological advancements have enabled scientists and people to test the parameters behind remaining youthful forever through cosmetic procedures or even reversing the process of aging by using treatments and peptides. Dr Cathy Davies, a medical doctor and longevity scientist, and Kim Hullet, the CEO of Biosciences, share tips from shifting one’s focus from health span improvements to peak span at the Singularity Summit South Africa event that was hosted at the Sandton Convention Centre this week. Various spans of life Introducing the concept of peak span, Hullet reflected on being healthy and disease-free, and shifted the focus towards the quality of life lived when one is devoted to performing at their peak. When asked how one can live a longer and healthier lifespan, Davies’ advice was simply an acronym: “DWYMTY”, which simply means to do what your mother told you. ‘Do what your mum told you’ “It’s to do what your mum told you. Really that’s the foundation: sleep well, eat well, wake up in the morning sun, breathe well. “And if we don’t get these foundational things right, then none of what we’ll actually talk about will help you,” Davies asserted. She explained the differences between lifespan, health span and peak span. “Lifespan is just how long you live, health span is how many years you live without disease,” Davies said. “But the way I like to look at health span from my patients, I look at capability.” ‘Living capably’ She described a scenario she witnessed on her flight from Cape Town to the event where she observed an elderly lady who was frail and uncomfortable in her wheelchair, needing to be lifted up and into her seat. Then another elderly lady capably walked onto the plane with a hand wrapped around her granddaughter. “And she put her granddaughter’s little pink case in the overhead compartment, and sat on her seat quite happily,” Davies said. “So for me, health span is way more important than just living without disease, its about living capably. “And then, of course, this whole revolution to peak span is really about your peak and to different people, that can mean different things, but it is about keeping your peak for as long as possible.” Davies explained that for some it could mean being fit enough to do the splits and dance on tables at 100 years old, while for others it may mean keeping the brain as creative and sharp as possible. Radical life extension Then there’s radical life extension. She described it as people who want to live past 120 to 200 years. “And the science is pretty radical with what these people are using: gene therapy, Klotho gene therapy, and interestingly enough, there’s a small limitation for these people called the FDA ethics (US Food and Drug Administration). “So the amazing and exciting science is not necessarily approved.” Cheat death on an island Davies spoke of a beautiful island in Honduras, called Roatán, where there is a network society project focused on radical life extension, biohacking and anti-aging therapies. Many experimental gene therapies are offered as it is the home to biotech start-ups attracting high-profile longevity advocates and tech investors. It is also known as the paradise island where millionaires go to cheat the concept of death using methods that often have not yet been FDA-approved. Fewer limiting laws “So they live in this zone, and the laws here are more relaxed because it has its own governance, and they do all these exciting therapies. “They even sign themselves up for cryotherapy and cryo-freeze themselves, and in case that it’s not approved by the time they die, they might come back and then live until 200,” Davies suggests. She said that no matter what treatment you are doing, whether it’s DWYMTY, using peptides or high-end supplements, the main goal is to look as youthful as possible. Process of aging cells “So for example, if we take an old liver and put it in young blood, the liver cells start to behave like younger cells,” Davies said. “And we realised that it’s not because the [liver] cell is old that it doesn’t get to live longer, but because behaviour and signals are telling it to behave old. “So all we are trying to do with these processes is to signal to that cell to behave like a young and fresh apple, compared to an aged, wrinkly one.” Biohacking peptides Davies said that a protein consists of a chain of amino acids that are 40 links or longer. However, if the amino acid chain is less than 39 links, it is considered a peptide. “We have used them in medicine for many years; GLP-1s are peptides, and that’s what everyone wants to hear about: the biohacking peptides.” ‘Where can it all go wrong?’ Both Davies and Hullet warned about the dangers of peptides. “I mean, who can’t be excited about all the promises of peptides, but I think some of us are a bit sceptical and scared, especially when you hear about people sourcing peptides from wherever and injecting themselves in the bathroom,” Hullet added. Davies warned that there are many places where peptides can go wrong. “The biggest thing about peptides is the source. If it is being ethically sourced, it comes through a SAHPRA facility that will tell you the cold chain process hasn’t been broken. It can test what’s in there, that it actually is what it says, and the dose that it says it is, ensuring there are no endotoxins or heavy metals in there. “So if you don’t know where you are buying it from, you don’t know if any of these processes have been followed, and even if the peptide starts working, you don’t know whether there are any harmful chemicals present.” Dangers Davies added that people using these peptides will only experience side effects later down the line, which can be detrimental to their overall health and well-being. She also noted the importance of how people store peptides, which also contributes to how effective it is. “Are you leaving it in the fridge next to the rotten lettuce?” Davies concluded by noting that dodgy peptides can definitely pose a danger to your health and encouraged people to focus on the foundational aspects that result in a healthy and overall peak lifespan.

Introduced in its home market six years ago, Chery officially showcased what it described as the all-new generation Tiggo 7 at its International User Summit in Wuhu this week. What has changed? Joining the rugged Tiggo X7 also revealed at the event, the “new” Tiggo 7 appears identical to the current model, but with a number of admittedly small changes included. These include a slightly revised grille, now with a completely black finish, sideways U-shaped graphics for the LED headlight clusters, new alloy wheel designs and mirrors. Along with restyled bumpers, the exhibited model also sported a LiDAR module on it roof, plus what appears to be side-mounted cameras on its front wings. No images of the rear were provided. New interior confirmed While not seen, Britain’s Auto Express reports that the interior has undergone a more extensive transformation by featuring a new dashboard now housing a portrait-style infotainment display. Reported new specification items is a full dashboard width ambient lighting system plus ventilated and heated front seats, which feature a massaging function and, in the case of the passengers’, an ottoman-style folding footrest. Up front? According to Chery’s global website, the Tiggo 7 has an overall length of 4 600mm and wheelbase of 2 700mm, which compares to the 4 553mm and 2 670mm of the current model. As with the Tiggo X7, no technical details were announced. However, expectations point to it having the same selection of combustion and plug-in hybrid powertrains as the present-day Tiggo 7. South Africa bound? Whereas the Tiggo X7 has, reportedly, been approved for South Africa from the third quarter of next year, the outlook for the new Tiggo 7 is less clear, though, chances are it could debut around the same time as well. At is stands, more details will only likely emerge in the new year.

Farming communities are slowly changing. In one small farming community, the sharp rise in crime appears to be pushing more elderly residents to sell their properties. Pensioners leave as violent crime in quiet farming town rises According to the most recent data from the South African Police Service (SAPS), crime in Viljoenskroon, a Free State farming community, rose 22.8% in the first quarter of this year, compared to the same period last year. The most common crimes recorded in this period were serious and common assault, drug-related crimes, residential burglaries and thefts not mentioned elsewhere. In the three months ending June 2026, there were 2 murders and 9 attempted murders. Both categories increased compared to the first quarter of 2025. Serious and common assault rose, as did business burglary, vehicle theft, theft from vehicle, and commercial crimes. Residential burglaries and driving under the influence, however, declined. The only categories to decline. But the decline in residential burglaries may be too late, as annual statistics reveal a slow increase in this crime category since 2024. Pensioners sell their properties Since the start of this year, those over 65 have made up the majority of property sellers, according to data from the Free State Deeds Registry. Sellers over 65 make up 59% of the 42 sales this year. If you include sellers aged 50 to 64, the percentage rises to 90%. The picture is even more dire in Viljoenskroon Rural, the town’s predominantly farming community. In Viljoenskroon Rural, sellers over 65 make up 100% of this year’s sales. The changing landscape in farming communities South Africa’s farming communities have been slowly shedding their charm and safety. According to reporting from Afriforum, during 2024-2025, Free State farms and small holdings reported 17 farm attacks, 6 murders and 5 attempted murders. While farm murders are on the decline, attacks on these isolated properties are rising. The rise could be linked to an increase in drug use in farming communities. In Viljoenskroon, drug-related crime features in the top 5 most reported crimes. The crime rose 20% in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year. But in other farming communities across the country, a rise in drug-related crime has correlated with more thefts and assaults. Across the Free State, police precincts are recording a rise in drug-related crime. Of the province’s 99 police precincts, only 23 recorded a decline in drug-related crime. The majority of these were in communities where fewer than 10 drug-related crimes were recorded the year before.

Here’s all you need to know to check R370 SRD Grant status. The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) disbursement was due to end in March 2027. However, in the 21 October MTBPS, the National Treasury extended it for another year, to March 2028. That’s the good news. The less-good news is it stays at R370 per month. And beneficiaries need to be approved each and every month. Therefore, here’s the shortcut to check R370 SRD grant status, no matter where you are … CHECK R370 SRD GRANT STATUS The main payment window for SASSA SRD grants this month (October 2026) has already started. They’re scheduled from 22 to 23 October 2026, with the remainder rolling out across the final week of the month, through to 31 October 2026. To check R370 SRD grant status: Click HERE. Enter your valid 13-digit SA ID number. Enter the cellphone number you used to apply. If it differs, your status may not display. Tap Submit. Your result will show either Approved, Pending or Declined, with your payment date once it’s assigned, too. OTHER WAYS TO CHECK SRD R370 STATUS Alternatively, you can also check SRD R370 status by: WhatsApping 082 046 8553 and sending the word: ‘Status’ or ‘Hi.’ USSD by dialling 12069277# and following the prompts. Call the SASSA toll-free line on 0800 601 011. All of the above are free. WHAT STATUSES MEAN Government is fighting in the Supreme Court of Appeal to not have to open up the SRD grant to millions more people. Image: File Approved: Your R370 is on its way. Check your bank account on your payment date. Pending: SASSA is still verifying your details. Check again over the coming days. Declined: You didn’t pass this month’s verification. The result usually gives a reason. Bank details pending: SASSA needs correct banking information before it can pay you. HOW TO APPEAL If you’re declined, you can lodge an appeal HERE and confirm your status in the same place. Remember that the grant is approved month by month, and failed bank-account deposits can trigger declines. Also, there are many look-alike sites claiming to check your status, so, be careful. Therefore, only use srd.sassa.gov.za and never engage with anyone else on the topic. The SASSA SRD extension is good news to millions, but nothing’s final on what comes next. Government hasn’t given a timetable for turning SRD into permanent Basic Income Support. And the Supreme Court of Appeal is still to rule on the case challenging the grant’s rules. But what do you think? Do you check SRD R370 status every month? Is the system faulty? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below …

The presidency has pulled its website offline, two days after the PHP project released fixes for critical flaws.

A hacker claims it has 366GB of data from the insurer that handles injury claims for mineworkers and metalworkers.