South Africa is moving to tighten oversight on imported consumer goods from China as authorities respond to growing concerns over unsafe and substandard products entering the domestic market. In a new directive issued under the Standards Act of 2008, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition has formally introduced a mandatory Pre-Export Verification of Conformity…
The long-running dispute over Starlink’s entry into South Africa intensified over the weekend after Elon Musk alleged that his company had been offered a way to “bribe” its way into the market. According to Musk, Starlink was allegedly encouraged to present a Black front figure as the head of its South African entity in order…
The Gauteng Department of Health has launched a major intervention programme to reduce a surgical backlog affecting more than 30,000 patients across public hospitals. According to the department, approximately 30,600 patients are currently awaiting procedures, with the overwhelming majority classified as legacy cases built up over several years. Digital system at the centre of reforms…
Booking.com has confirmed a data breach that may have exposed sensitive booking information belonging to customers, including some users in South Africa. The travel platform said unauthorised third parties may have accessed reservation-related data, including names, email addresses, phone numbers, physical addresses and booking details. The company has not disclosed the scale of the breach…
South Africa has confirmed that it will not take part in this year’s G20 finance track under the United States presidency after its delegation was denied accreditation. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said both he and South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago had not been accredited to attend the upcoming G20 finance chiefs’ meetings in…
A disturbing new form of organised crime is taking hold in South Africa’s Western Cape, where schools are increasingly being targeted by extortion groups demanding “protection fees”. The development is particularly alarming given that the Western Cape and the City of Cape Town are widely regarded as the country’s best-run province and metro, often praised…
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has elected Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis as its new federal leader, marking a significant leadership transition for South Africa’s second-largest political party. The announcement was made on Sunday at the party’s federal congress held at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, north of Johannesburg, where delegates also elected Gauteng DA leader Solly…
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has intensified efforts to tighten weaknesses in the country’s immigration system, with internal misconduct by officials emerging as a major concern. Fresh details released in response to a written parliamentary question show that dozens of department employees have faced disciplinary and criminal action over allegations of assisting foreign…
Woolworths is preparing to expand its school tuck shop footprint across South Africa following strong demand from schools, parents and learners. The premium food retailer has already launched branded tuck shops at two schools in Cape Town, with early pilot projects showing significant traction. The first Woolworths-operated school tuck shop opened in 2023 at Springfield…
Imported beauty and skincare products continue to dominate retail shelves across South Africa, as demand for scientifically backed skincare drives one of the country’s fastest-growing consumer sectors. New data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity shows that international brands account for roughly 90% of beauty and skincare sales in the country, highlighting the strong influence…
