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…
South Africa’s parole system is facing renewed scrutiny after official figures revealed that nearly 6,000 parolees have committed further crimes since June 2024, while inmates across the country continue to lodge complaints over delays and alleged unfair treatment by parole boards. The figures were disclosed by Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald in a written parliamentary…
A growing number of skilled South Africans are choosing to return home after spending years building careers in countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, signalling a broader shift in migration patterns. New research suggests that emigration is no longer always seen as a permanent move. Instead, many professionals are treating overseas work…
A growing number of South Africans are falling victim to a disturbing criminal trend in which robbers escalate attacks into short-term abductions and force victims to transfer money using mobile banking applications. Security analysts have described these incidents as “express kidnappings” — crimes that often begin as armed robberies, hijackings, or opportunistic attacks before quickly…
Cape Town’s coastline, known worldwide for its scenic beauty and thriving marine life, is now facing an escalating public health concern as rabies continues to spread among local seal colonies. City officials have confirmed that the virus has become endemic within Cape fur seal populations along the Cape coastline, raising alarm for beachgoers, surfers, boaters…
Temu has introduced a significant update for customers in South Africa by including VAT and applicable import duties directly in the checkout total. The move simplifies the shopping experience by allowing consumers to pay the full cost upfront instead of settling a separate customs bill after dispatch. Previously, South African shoppers often received a tax…
South Africa’s banking sector could soon welcome a major new player, with retail giant Pepkor preparing to launch a low-cost digital bank as early as 2027. The planned lender, currently referred to as plusb, is expected to focus on everyday consumers, particularly customers earning below R15,000 a month. Unlike traditional banks that rely heavily on…
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Friday morning met with Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, in Beijing. Invited by the CPC Central Committee and Xi, Cheng is the first KMT chairperson to have led a delegation to the Chinese mainland in the past…
South Africa’s digital transformation efforts have suffered a major setback after the Auditor-General revealed that billions of rand have been spent on government IT systems that either failed outright or delivered little practical value. According to the Auditor-General of South Africa’s 2024/25 consolidated report on national and provincial audit outcomes, 41 ICT projects across government…
Rosebank, one of Johannesburg’s most sought-after residential and commercial precincts, is increasingly being flagged as a new hijacking hotspot in South Africa, according to the latest crime data. Figures released by the South African Police Service for the third quarter of 2025, covering October to December, recorded 4,778 carjacking cases nationwide — equivalent to around…
