A zero-tariff door into China just swung wide open for South Africa, handing exporters a rare cost advantage in one of the world’s biggest markets.
China grants duty-free access to 53 nations
China will remove all import duties from 1 May 2026.
South Africa joins 52 other African countries under the policy.
Beijing expanded coverage beyond the previous 33 least developed states.
No reciprocal tariff cuts are required on Chinese exports.
Implications for South African trade
South Africa signed a framework for an Early Harvest Agreement.
Zero tariffs will apply across all lines under World Trade Organization rules.
Annual trade between the two countries already exceeds 50 billion dollars.
Policy aims to narrow the gap dominated by raw...
A brutal mud surge nearly a kilometre underground has likely claimed five lives at Ekapa Mine, leaving families bracing for recovery instead of rescue.
Mud-rush traps workers at Ekapa
Ekapa Mine in Kimberley halted operations after a mud rush.
Five mineworkers were buried 890 metres down on 17 February 2026.
Slurry and water sealed off the Joint Shaft escape routes.
Mine Rescue Services deployed drills and pumps immediately.
Gwede Mantashe signals worst fears
Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe visited on Friday.
Mantashe said survival chances are minimal after days underground.
Crews have shifted focus toward body recovery efforts.
The government pledged counselling and support for grieving families.
Unions...
A senior intelligence officer just found himself fighting for bail instead of running operations, as bribery allegations shoved Brigadier General Johannes Prince Mkhabela into the dock.
Bribery case rocks SANDF intelligence
Brigadier General Johannes Prince Mkhabela says he will plead not guilty.
Pretoria Magistrates’ Court heard claims of a R1.5 million payoff attempt.
Prosecutors allege the cash was aimed at burying a fraud investigation.
State lawyers oppose his bail over interference concerns.
Co-accused and bail battle
Mkhabela appeared with his personal assistant and attorney as co-accused.
The court granted bail to the assistant and the lawyer.
Prosecutors argue his rank gives him leverage over witnesses.
He insists detention...
The final gavel just slammed shut a royal family feud, locking King Misuzulu kaZwelithini onto the Zulu throne and billing his rivals for the legal tab.
Constitutional Court ends royal appeal
Constitutional Court rejected the princes’ bid to block Misuzulu’s recognition.
Judges ruled the appeal had no real shot at success.
Order dated 20 February 2026 also saddled challengers with costs.
The decision cements President Cyril Ramaphosa’s earlier recognition.
How the succession battle began
King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu died in 2021, triggering the dispute.
Queen Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu served as regent under his will.
Mantfombi named her son Misuzulu as successor before her death.
Princes Simakade kaZwelithini and Mbonisi...
Floodwater tearing through Hilton driveways just turned a routine road upgrade into a political headache for uMngeni’s Democratic Alliance leadership.
Hilton residents slam road project
Homeowners in Hilton accuse uMngeni Local Municipality of botched resurfacing.
Workers stripped tar and carved trenches that redirect rain into yards.
The Wesson family says runoff erodes soil and threatens their foundations.
Neighbours report unfinished patches, dust clouds, and slippery chaos.
Mayor Chris Pappas faces backlash
Democratic Alliance Mayor Chris Pappas is accused of dismissing complaints.
Residents claim letters and meetings were met with intimidation.
Former DA voters say they feel brushed off before elections.
Critics argue his...
Another courtroom pause just stretched the Phala Phala saga deeper into 2026, keeping President Cyril Ramaphosa’s stolen cash drama stuck in legal limbo.
Phala Phala trial delayed again
Modimolle Regional Court in Limpopo pushed the case to 13 March 2026.
Proceedings stalled after scrutiny of bank records and financial evidence.
State already called its 20th witness before the postponement.
Earlier setbacks involved pregnancy issues and a Namibian interpreter request.
Money trail under the microscope
Imanuwela David allegedly funneled over R1 million into a dealership account.
Investigators flagged deposits that ballooned after February 2020.
One account reflected R9 million landing in May 2020.
Prosecutor's theory ties sudden cash...
Power in Nongoma just took another hit as fresh NFP exits ripped open party fractures and threatened yet another shuffle in council control.
NFP councillors quit in Nongoma
National Freedom Party councillors Kaiser Dladla and Clifford Ndabandaba stepped down from Nongoma Local Municipality.
Resignation letters landed on 19 February 2026 after four years in office.
Their exits follow three earlier NFP walkouts that triggered by-elections.
Party tension reportedly centers on Ivan Barnes and the unity government fallout.
Unity government split fuels chaos
National Freedom Party pulled out of the KwaZulu-Natal Government of Provincial Unity.
Mbali Shinga was told to vacate her MEC for Social Development post.
Disciplinary action targets...
Empty pledges and recycled targets just poured gasoline on Free State frustration, as another glossy speech skipped the hard part, which is fixing busted systems and naming who messed up.
Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae’s SOPA sparks backlash
Democratic Alliance Free State leader Roy Jankielsohn blasted Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae’s SOPA as recycled talk.
Jankielsohn argued the address listed problems but dodged naming who failed.
At Old Grey Sports Grounds, Letsoha-Mathae framed 2026 as a reset year.
Her speech admitted councils are broke, mismanaged, and barely delivering basics.
R1.4 billion road plan under fire
Letsoha-Mathae set aside R1.4 billion for delayed infrastructure work.
Funding targets rural routes, town links, and...
A reality TV darling just flipped the script and landed a prime time soap role, pushing Bongani Luvalo straight from dating drama into scripted chaos.
From MAFS groom to soap actor
Bongani Luvalo rose to fame on Married at First Sight Mzansi.
Generations: The Legacy cast him as Pastor Lawrence.
At 37, Luvalo steps into his first acting job.
SABC1 viewers will see him in a brand new light.
Acting was never the plan
Luvalo admitted that cameras for acting were never on his radar.
Writing and radio hosting shaped his storytelling background.
His manager sparked the conversation with the production team.
Curiosity pushed him to test himself in the role.
Inside Pastor Lawrence's character
Pastor Lawrence carries influence and serious...
