South Africa’s Government Employee Medical Scheme (Gems) is facing mounting financial pressure after paying out more in claims in a single year than one of the country’s largest private medical insurers has paid over decades. New data released by the Department of Public Service and Administration shows that Gems paid approximately R67 billion in claims,…
Police in Upington have launched an inquest investigation after the body of a 46-year-old woman was discovered inside a deep freezer at her residence in the Northern Cape. The grim discovery was made on Tuesday afternoon, only hours after the woman had been reported missing by her husband. According to police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Thabo Litabe,…
Uber has announced plans to invest R5 billion in South Africa over the coming years, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the country’s transport, delivery and digital economy sectors. The investment, unveiled in the context of the 2026 South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC), is expected to strengthen employment opportunities, support township enterprises and accelerate innovation in…
A rescued ragged-tooth shark has been successfully released back into the wild after spending nearly a decade under human care in Cape Town. The shark, known as Blue, had been housed at the Two Oceans Aquarium since 2018, after being rescued from illegal wildlife trafficking. Over the years, she became a central figure in conservation…
Chicken remains the most popular fast food choice in South Africa, significantly outperforming other categories, according to new consumer data analysing national eating habits. A recent report by Eighty20 found that chicken-based quick service restaurant (QSR) chains attract roughly twice as many customers as pizza-focused outlets. Brands such as KFC and Chicken Licken continue to…
South Africa is moving to tighten oversight of income generated in the digital economy, with online content creators and social media influencers increasingly falling under the spotlight of tax authorities. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has identified digital creators as a key segment for improving tax compliance, reflecting the rapid growth of online income…
South Africa has been ranked among the lower half of countries in the latest global happiness rankings, reflecting ongoing challenges in life satisfaction despite broader regional comparisons. According to the 2026 World Happiness Report, the country placed 101st out of 147 nations, based on average life evaluations collected between 2023 and 2025. The report is…
More than half of South Africa’s children continue to live under multiple layers of deprivation despite some improvement over the past eight years, according to a new report released by Statistics South Africa. The report shows that multidimensional poverty among children aged 0 to 17 declined from 60.8% in 2015 to 57.3% in 2023. While…
Chinese automaker Chery has officially confirmed that local vehicle production in South Africa will begin in 2027 following its acquisition of Nissan’s historic Rosslyn manufacturing plant outside Pretoria. The announcement marks a major milestone for both the company and South Africa’s automotive sector, as Chery transitions from an importer into a local manufacturer. The Rosslyn…
South Africa may be on the verge of a major return to remote working as soaring fuel prices place growing pressure on households, businesses and supply chains. While no COVID-style lockdown measures are currently being considered, economists say work-from-home arrangements could once again become a practical short-term response to rising transport costs and fuel supply…
