Limpopo comedian and content creator Skeem Mafenya, 20, has been brutally stabbed to death, prompting a police manhunt as investigators work to establish the motive behind his killing.

Beauden Barrett scores twice as rampaging All Blacks crush Wallabies 43-21 to extend win streak.

DA Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille says the city’s political rivals are scrambling to copy the party’s campaign as growing support for the DA puts victory within reach. Zille made the remarks in Joburg on Saturday, 17 October 2026, during the DA’s “Now or Never” rally ahead of the local government elections, which are less than a month away. She arrived at the venue in a silver BMW to applause from DA supporters. Copying Launching a final appeal to voters, Zille argued that Johannesburg stands at a crossroads and urged residents to back the DA to rescue a city she said has been crippled by corruption, service delivery failures and years of political instability. “Something remarkable has happened in this campaign,” Zille told supporters. “Just listen to our opponents. They are copying our campaign. Suddenly, everyone is promising to replace pipes, fix roads, stop corruption, enforce the law and get our finances under control.” Promises broken She dismissed those promises, arguing that parties that have governed Johannesburg or participated in coalitions have had ample opportunities to deliver but failed to do so. “They haven’t done any of this for 30 years, but now suddenly they are waking up because they see the blue tsunami coming.” Zille said the election was no longer about identifying the city’s problems but about deciding who could fix them. “The question is no longer what must be done. The question is who can do it? The people who created this mess obviously can’t fix it.” Governance records Positioning the DA as the only credible alternative, Zille pointed to the party’s governance record in Cape Town and other DA-run municipalities, arguing that it had proven its ability to turn plans into action and deliver services. She highlighted Cape Town’s infrastructure investment, governance record, and job-creation performance as evidence that the DA could replicate those successes in Johannesburg. Majority in Joburg Zille urged residents to give the party a 50% + 1 majority, warning that Johannesburg could not afford another unstable coalition government mired in political infighting and poor decision-making. “The choice is between promises and proof. We are the proof. Between the talkers and the doers.” She focused heavily on corruption, describing it as one of the main reasons behind Johannesburg’s decline. Madlanga in Joburg Declaring that the city needed “its own Madlanga moment”, Zille pledged to launch an independent investigation into corruption within the municipality. “Joburg needs its own Madlanga moment. We will initiate an independent investigation into the corruption that has crippled the city, with public hearings and published findings.” She promised greater scrutiny of city contracts, stronger protection for whistleblowers and anti-corruption structures insulated from political interference. “We will open up procurement to public scrutiny. Who got the contract? Why? What were they paid? And what did they deliver? No more secret deals. No favours for connected friends.” Reja Joy fella. The Blue Machine is within and all systems are go, at the DA’s Now or Never Rally. Tune in live on the DA’s YouTube Channel. DA Gauteng (@DAGauteng) October 17, 2026 Law and order Zille also vowed to restore law and order by targeting cable thieves, illegal dumping, hijacked buildings, and criminal syndicates that continue to undermine the city’s infrastructure. “We will restore law and order to the best extent we can without control over the SAPS. We will support honest metro cops and remove corrupt ones. She said residents deserved functioning services, safer neighbourhoods and a municipality that responded to their needs rather than frustrating them with delays and bureaucracy. Turning Joburg around Despite acknowledging the scale of Johannesburg’s challenges, Zille insisted the city could be turned around if voters gave the DA a clear mandate to govern. “We cannot fix Joburg in a day. But every single day, we will fix Joburg.” In her closing appeal, Zille urged residents not to accept failing infrastructure, poor services and corruption as normal features of daily life. “We have one last chance to turn this city around before it is too late. Don’t just hope for change. Vote for it. It is now or never, Joburg,” she said.

As South Africa reels from the shock that the country will not be hosting a Formula (F1) Grand Prix just yet, President Cyril says he understands that people are sad. The country may still have good news and host an F1 Grand Prix, even though Rwanda was selected to host one. Rwanda F1 on Tuesday confirmed that the Formula 1 African Grand Prix, presented by Visit Rwanda, will debut in the early 2030s once a new FIA Grade 1 circuit in Bugesera, about 40km south of Kigali, is completed. The agreement marks F1’s first race on African soil since the 1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami and will see the championship compete on every inhabited continent. South Africa not beaten While South African fans were disappointed, Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie said the country has “not been beaten by Rwanda”. “People keep saying South Africa was beaten. Let me be clear: this is not a raffle,” he said. “Rwanda has not beaten us. Rwanda does not feature on our papers. We are still pursuing our own target, and we remain on track.” Win for Africa Ramaphosa said Rwanda being selected to host an F1 Grand Prix is a win for Africa. “Many South Africans are sad and disappointed that we didn’t win the Formula One hosting. South Africa can’t win everything. We must get used to that. We can’t win everything. When other countries win, particularly African countries, we must support them; we must celebrate with them, and we must stand behind them. “Rwanda’s win in this case is our win as Africa.
We must see it as a South African win as well, that after so many years, Formula One racing is coming to Africa, and we in South Africa are blessed,” Ramaphosa said. F1 in South Africa Africa has not hosted a Formula One race since the 1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami. South Africa had been pushing to host a Grand Prix, with Cabinet approving the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture’s request to submit a bid to host a race at Kyalami in 2027. Support Although circuit readiness has often been cited as a stumbling block, the FIA approved Kyalami’s Grade 1 upgrade plans, clearing a significant hurdle toward hosting a modern Formula One event. “We used to have Formula One racing here. I love Formula One racing, and I used to go, and even got a gift of Ayrton Senna’s steering wheel, which I still keep in my house. “So, Rwanda’s win is a great good for Africa, and that’s why we congratulated them, and we even said that if there’s anything that they would like insights on, in terms of our own experience, we are ready, willing and able to give them that level of support. 
So, we are pleased, and that’s why we congratulate them. They’re doing it for Africa, as they have said themselves. Kyalami The Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit has long been viewed as the frontrunner should South Africa secure a place on the F1 calendar. Kyalami has already engaged Apex Circuit Design to develop a roadmap for full FIA Grade 1 accreditation, a requirement for hosting Formula One races.

DStv is losing another international TV channel, with preschool channel JimJam set to disappear from the platform in November after more than a decade. JimJam will be removed from DStv on 11 November 2026, bringing an end to its 13-year run on the pay-TV service. The channel, provided by AMC Networks International (AMCNI), was added to DStv in November 2013. MultiChoice has confirmed the channel’s departure but has not explained why it is being removed. JimJam to leave DStv MultiChoice told TVwithThinus that JimJam is being removed as DStv continues to “review and refine its channel line-up”, but the broadcaster did not provide a specific reason for ending the channel’s distribution. JimJam is also notably the last remaining AMC Networks International channel on DStv, meaning its departure will bring the relationship between the two companies to an end on the platform. MultiChoice added that it will continue to invest in preschool entertainment despite JimJam’s departure. Sthembiso Semenya, a MultiChoice spokesperson, said DStv is investing in preschool children’s programming through PlayRoom, which brings together local and international content for younger viewers. Depending on their DStv package, families can also access preschool programming through Cartoonito, CBeebies and DreamWorks. DStv customers can check the platform’s TV Guide for the channels and programmes available on their specific package. The latest in a string of channel cuts The channel’s departure comes during a year of significant changes to DStv’s channel line-up. MultiChoice has already removed a number of channels in 2026, including BET Africa, MTV Base, CBS Justice and CBS Reality in January. Cinemagic and Magic Showcase were subsequently removed at the end of June, while M-Net Movies 1, kykNET Lekker, Mzansi Bioskop and Mzansi Magic were discontinued in September. The changes have also affected DStv’s specialist packages. In October, MultiChoice announced that five channels would be removed from its R280 Add Indian package from 31 October. These are SET Asia, Zee TV, SET Max, Zee Cinema and WION, leaving the package with just three channels: Star Plus, Star Vijay and Colors TV. At the time, MultiChoice said it was refining the line-up to better match how customers watch content and was moving towards “fewer, stronger channels” rather than spreading similar content across more channels. That decision followed DStv’s major package overhaul in September, after Canal+ completed its acquisition of MultiChoice’s parent company in 2025.

Orlando Pirates could receive a timely boost ahead of the Soweto Derby, with Kamogelo Sebelebele potentially returning to action in time for their highly anticipated clash against Kaizer Chiefs at the end of the month. The 23-year-old right-back suffered an injury setback during the first half of the MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns, forcing him off the pitch as the Buccaneers went on to lose the match. Sebelebele subsequently missed Pirates’ midweek encounter against TS Galaxy and is also expected to sit out Saturday’s CAF Champions League clash against African Stars. His absence has left Pirates monitoring his recovery, with the Soweto Derby against their bitter rivals Chiefs looming on the horizon. The injury could also present an opportunity for new signing Bulelani Sigomoshe to stake his claim for a place in the team as head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou considers his options at right-back. Pirates provides Sebelebele injury update Speaking about the defender’s condition, Ouaddou confirmed that Sebelebele was still being assessed by the club’s medical department, although he remains hopeful that the injury is not serious. “He is still being assessed by the medical department. I still hope it is not so bad. But we will have some more news, I think, soon,” the Pirates coach said. Ouaddou also ruled the defender out of the upcoming CAF Champions League fixture against African Stars but stopped short of confirming when he could return. “But I think for the Champions League, definitely I cannot use him, but we will see for the next games if we can have him or not. We hope it’s not so bad,” he added as per FARPost. Pirates will be hoping for positive news from their medical team as they prepare for a demanding run of fixtures. However, Sebelebele’s availability for the Soweto Derby will depend on the progress of his recovery. Sebelebele has become an important player for Pirates Since joining Orlando Pirates in 2025, Sebelebele has established himself as an important member of the squad, with his pace and attacking threat making him a valuable option on the right flank. His performances have also earned him recognition at international level, as he has represented Bafana Bafana at the FIFA World Cup. With the Soweto Derby fast approaching, Pirates will be eager to have the defender available for the crucial encounter. For now, the Buccaneers must wait for further medical assessments before determining whether he will be fit to face Kaizer Chiefs. Who should replace Sebelebele?

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.