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Life re-engineered: Comedian Vafa Naraghi, who hails from Mahikeng in North West, is about to embark on his first solo national tour, titled Becoming South African. Photo: Man Magazine South Africa

‘This Is the most alive I’ve felt: Vafa Naraghi on language, laughter and the journey of belonging

From an engineering degree to over 570 000 followers, Vafa Naraghi reflects on taking a leap of faith into comedy

Plunder: Seven pylons collapsed when they were looted in April, plunging parts of the Pretoria area into darkness. Sabotage and theft exacerbate the country’s electricity supply crisis. Photo: Michele Spatari/AFP/Getty Images

Eskom’s woes continue to pile up

We are a nation at risk of losing our mind in the depths of the power utility’s problems

HHP sound checks for the MTV Africa Music Awards in 2009. (Photo by Michelly Rall/Getty Images)

HHP’s Top 10 hits

On the anniversary of the rapper HHP’s death, we reflect on some of his greatest hits

Bushy Maape

Focus on delivery for North West, Bushy Maape

If the premier loves the people of the province, he should not stand for an ANC leadership position

Appointment of ‘incompetent’ Mahikeng manager unlawful, court finds

Mike Mokgwamme, the high court ruled, was appointed to the crucial municipal manager post despite being the least qualified candidate

Xolani Nzuza speaks to injured and arrested miners at the ‘Koppie,’ Marikana, July 2021.

No justice left behind after the Marikana massacre

Close to a decade after the Marikana massacre, President Cyril Ramaphosa has not visited the survivors as he promised to do, judges have acquitted police officers, children can’t…

13 October 2020: Major General William Mpembe, a former provincial commissioner in North West, appears in the high court in Mahikeng during his trial over the death of a striking miner who had died in a police van. (Photograph by Paul Botes)

Marikana violence was avoidable, Mahikeng court hears

Testimony about the events of 13 August 2012, when five people died at Marikana, has provided new details of the police’s incompetent handling of the striking mineworker situation.

Phumzile Sokanyile’s washed overalls dry in the sun after his death at his home in Mdumazulu in Ngqeleni, Eastern Cape. (Paul Botes/M&G)

Hope faces off against power in Marikana trial

The family members of mineworkers killed during the Marikana massacre in 2012 have yet to see a police officer held to account, and police testimony thus far appears unclear

Street life: Racing with a shopping trolley provides an all-too-rare moment of fun for the at-risk children of Mahikeng. Photos: Delwyn Verasamy

State fails at-risk children as R55m orphanage stands empty

Boikagong Centre in Mahikeng has been closed for almost two years because it did not meet safety requirements. The discarded children say they want a safe place to learn, but…

Controversy: North West Premier Job Mokgoro has come under fire for appointing Relebohile Mafokane. Photo: Felix Dlangamandla/Netwerk24

NW Premier Mokgoro ‘meddles’ in contentious R1.5m HOD appointment

Provincial HOD hired despite implication in ‘jobs-for-pals’ probe involving former minister Faith Muthambi

Q&A Sessions: For Mosadi Mahoko, plastic surgery isn’t glamorous, but it saves lives

Plastic surgeon Dr Mosadi Mahoko reflects on the less glamorous aspects of her job, winning the prestigious Jack Penn award and why she loves the sea

This photo, taken in Mahikeng, is part of Kamogelo Lebotse’s Documenting Lockdown series.

Kamogelo Lebotse: The Portfolio

Photographer Kamogelo Lebotse has been documenting the effects of the national lockdown on the people of Mahikeng

Wilful: Former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede, who appeared in the Durban commercial crimes court on charges of corruption, and her supporters defied ANC resolutions. (Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)

More North West mayors face recall

The ANC is wielding its axe to clear out ineffective councillors and those facing criminal charges

Rapper Mo’Molemi, also farms just outside Mahikeng. The musician has been unapologetic about using his ‘microphone as a machine gun’ to highlight the disappointment in the new SA. (Elizabeth Sejake/Gallo Images/City Press)

Rebel without a pause

For much of his career, motswako rapper Mo’Molemi has attempted to capture and make sense of the precarious position young black people occupy

Kraaipan, south of Mahikeng in the North West. (Oupa Nkosi/M&G)

Empty promises, deferred dreams     affect voting

No water, no jobs, no education and little hope — residents of Kraaipan in the North West haven’t reaped the rewards of voting

Kuben Naidoo, chief executive of the prudential authority, says the curator found VBS could not be resuscitated. (Oupa Nkosi/M&G)

VBS needs to be wound up ‘urgently’

Reserve Bank is second to apply for liquidation and it remains to be seen if this causes a delay

North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo may be gone but problems for the provincial health department are far from over. (Delwyn Verasamy)

Supra Mahumapelo’s legacy? Closed clinics, drug shortages and millions in debt

Unpaid security firms pull guards out of facilities.

Bitter fruit:  The father of Didimalang Lorato Molebatsi confronted Bophuthatswana president Lucas Mangope when he took the family’s land

What was taken must be returned

Mahikeng locals are still bitter about strongman rule and the kgosi who handed over their land

Straight talk: Cope’s Mosiuoa Lekota is willing to risk being unpopular for his views on land expropriation.

‘It’s unfounded’ — Lekota’s reaction to being called a sell-out

Mosiuoa Lekota says he will stand firmly by his view that there is no need to amend the Constitution or to expropriate land without compensation

Wendy Kessman and Nomfundo Ngidi. (Oupa Nkosi/M&G)

Mahikeng land hearings: Women’s voices will be heard

Smith’s announcement was met with ululations and applause from the floor with women from the gallery chanting “one women, one hectare!”