A suspect contract blew the fuse
Eskom is investigating irregularities that resulted in the power utility cancelling a tender process
Security agencies, IEC on red alert to counter cyberattacks
Kenya and the United States’s recent experiences highlight how outside manipulation can compromise the legitimacy of electoral processes
Numsa denies ‘politicised’ workers are a threat to Eskom
Numsa’s general secretary says the party’s aim is to push the workers’ interest in all sectors of society.
Three mayors investigated for murders
ANC leaders Sindiso Magaqa, Wandile Ngubeni and S’bu Maphumulo were assassinated
IEC stays calm in the face of chaos
The chief electoral officer’s years of experience will help ensure citizens’ choices are honoured
Beira, one week after the apocalypse
Mozambique’s second city was destroyed by Cyclone Idai. A week on, desperate survivors attack food stores, and the mayor claims that aid is being politicised. Beira will never be the same
Cyclone Idai: After the floods, the famine. And then more of the same
Climate change means that violent cyclones are likely to be Southern Africa’s new normal
‘His Excellency’ bows out of the House
The nonagenarian MP is finally calling it a day and putting his faith in the precocious IFP caucus
Now the MPs’ jobs are done, the real campaigning starts
Ever since it was captured, the department’s administration has collapsed and been corrupted
Mkhwebane broadens her fightback
She laid a complaint against Intelligence Minister for failing to provide her with a declassified document required for her investigation into Gordhan.
No end to Arcelor’s toxic practices
Little has changed since the Mail & Guardian’s 2005 report on how the steel giant put people’s lives at risk. Fourteen years later ArcelorMittal wants permission to keep on releasing toxic pollutants.
Headless cats and government promises back in 2005
Government interest in the pollution claims appears to have been aroused by Constitutional Court action launched against President Thabo Mbeki
Autistic children welcome
A new centre offers hope to families needing support for children with special needs
Pan-Africanist parties hope for revival
They believe black consciousness has made a comeback and they’ll attract voters on May 8.
Brothers in conservation want to restore indigenous knowledge
Dr Johan Wentzel and Dr Ephraim Mabena are tied together by a common passion.
Eskom battle to claw back Trillians
The power utility claims there was no contractual basis for the payments to the consulting company.
Splurge does little for Sharpeville
Residents are angry that commemorating the massacre has not resulted in a better life for them.
Job losses threaten the CSIR’s reputation
The council’s climate change research could suffer from job cuts.
Three countries endanger world
Reality-denying United States, Brazil and Saudi Arabia join forces to stop another bid to understand the dangers of tinkering with climate.
São Paulo’s only ‘faggot house’ survives Bolsonaro
The election of Brazil’s right-wing president has let loose his followers’ queerphobia.
Health
A matter of time: SA’s race to beat this drug-resistant bug
For years, catching this drug-resistant bacteria meant painful treatment that risked your hearing and mental health. Now, that could be changing.
Bosasa blocks family of dead boy
A South African toddler died on the firm’s watch at its Lindela Repatriation Centre. Now it says it won’t release his records to his desperate parents.
Africa
US war in Somalia kills civilians
Ever-increasing air strikes since Donald Trump’s election are killing more and more innocent people.
Hope fades over CAR peace deal
Fighting continues in the Central African Republic, and the thorny issue of amnesty for militants has not been clearly resolved.
Dictator brought to justice
A superb book unravels the story of how a Senegalese court jailed a former Chad president for life for crimes against humanity, war crimes, torture and sexual violence.
State capture: The Kenyan edition
Corruption scandals have rocked Kenyan politics this year, implicating some of the country’s most senior officials.
Business
Outages: Problems and solutions
The domino effect of stage four power cuts this week — which stripped consumers not only of electricity, but of water and telecommunications in some areas as well — was a stark reminder of South Africa’s utter reliance on embattled power utility Eskom.
Get out of the way, Eskom
There’s only one option for South Africa and that is to scrap the flailing power utility.
Hawks’ Steinhoff probe angers MPs
It has taken the investigative unit almost a year to follow up on a single allegedly fraudulent transaction
Mobile money moves across Africa
The ‘age of interoperability’ is based on regional collaboration — and the continent is here for it
Inflation outlook remains on target
Figures released by Statistics South Africa showed that CPI increased, mainly because of the increased cost of transport and insurance.
Mpati commission queries PIC finder’s payment
Questions about the $1.7-million finders fee arose during the executive assistant to the PIC chief executive Wellington Masekesa’s testimony.
Comment & Analysis
Is Cyril on a slow train to nowhere?
In a country desperate for solutions, the electorate is indifferent and parties are fighting themselves.
Chinese South Africans still fight racism
A case in the equality court shows that 300 years of discrimination against South Africans of Chinese descent has not stopped.
A poison by any other name
It is not just the person who drinks alcohol in excess who is harmed; the family suffers too.
Shedding loads of tears
We all carry loads — we all have crosses to bear.
Twenty-three journos floored
The magistrate’s court circus means forgoing the poll countdown clock ceremony – but it is murder after all
Home Affairs foils ‘SA open for business’
Ever since it was captured, the department’s administration has collapsed and been corrupted.
Sovereign wealth fund would put graft over the top
Although the idea of a sovereign wealth fund to develop our country is a nice one in principle, it may not be the best idea we have had.
Human rights and cultural practices
A new study explores clashes between initiation, polygamy and constitutional rights.
Education
Children’s progress is more than kissing babies
Parties have early childhood development in their election manifestos but the path to it is tricky.
An open letter to the minister of trade and industry
Copyright law should balance authors’ entitlement to reward for their labour with the needs of society to benefit from what they have written.
Nelson Mandela University studies Madiba to transform society
The institution looks at how it could become an academic expression of Nelson Mandela and live out the social values he stood for.
Friday
The Weekend Guide
For good vibes and an arts fix, don’t miss this.
Arts department messes up again
“We have someone in charge of the department who understands how best to serve the interests of their stakeholders.”
Many memories make history
The lived experience of each generation and every person expands on the official version.
The deep African science of Smiles Makama
The eSwatini maestro who plays the smilerphone is making a comeback after years spent in Amsterdam.
A culinary journey across SA
The menu of a new bistro in Johannesburg is a food map of tastes from across the country.
New look at identity struggles
Francis Fukuyama’s latest book considers dignity and recognition and the limits imposed on these.
Sport
Billionaire buys Team Sky
The head of a multinational chemicals group has ridden to the rescue of the cycling group.
The Bok-ready Bulldog who was fed to the sharks
Ian Fihlani was one of the best wings of his time, but rugby politics kept him on the bench.
Football futures hang by a hair
The Bafana Bafana coach’s only option is victory, which will propel the team into the Africa Cup of Nations and secure his job.
SA is a forsaken market, so get used to it
Most big international clubs now opt almost exclusively for the United States and Asia for their summer trips.
Masutha prays for better times
The hit-and-miss coach believes his bumpy ride may be at an end after his new side bags a win.