The numbers tell a politically uncomfortable truth. A survey of all Grade 4 children in Makhanda’s no-fee public schools this year found that 51% of isiXhosa learners taught in English can read for meaning. However, for those taught in isiXhosa — despite it being their mother tongue and despite decades of policy emphasising the value […]
Tariffs were meant to punish Chinese exporters and encourage American manufacturing; instead, they have raised prices for US consumers
The Chinese brands love a 1.5 litre turbocharged engine, but MG has finally got it right with the ZS Pro
In November 2025, the R50 million Funda Uphumelele National Survey (FUNS) delivered the first comprehensive measurement of early-grade reading in all official languages. The findings confirmed what researchers suspected: only 31% of Grade 1 learners can identify 40 letter-sounds per minute — the minimum threshold for reading readiness. By Grade 3, 15% cannot read a […]
This year, the Durban University of Technology (DUT) proudly celebrates 21 years as a dynamic force in South African higher education. Since its formation in 2002, through the merger of ML Sultan Technikon and Technikon Natal, DUT has grown into a trailblazer in research, innovation and teaching-with seven campuses across Durban and Pietermaritzburg. DUT offers […]
A special audit has exposed failing infrastructure, high losses and mismanaged municipal water services
It’s only been five years since the first public padel courts were introduced to South Africans but it has since become the fastest growing sport in the country with over 100 000 active players involved. The player base is evenly split between men and women, with nearly 60% aged 35–65. Now an organisation named Padel […]
The probe was conducted by the City Integrity and Investigations Unit
From transformative books to binge-worthy series, these South African titles will keep you entertained this holiday season
This was the year that was — South Africa’s chequered 2025, a year that ends not with resolution, but with reckoning