SA360 NEWS

  South African sugarcane workers harvesting sugarcane in a field South Africa's Sugar Industry Demands End to Sugar Tax as Thousands of Jobs Face Pressure By SA360 NEWS | 10 October 2026 | Business & Politics South Africa's sugar industry is calling on the government to abolish the controversial sugar tax, warning that declining production, cheaper imports and mounting financial pressures are threatening farmers, workers and businesses across the country. DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA — South Africa's sugarcane growers have intensified their campaign for the removal of the Health Promotion Levy (HPL), commonly known as the sugar tax, ahead of Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement scheduled for 21 October 2026. Industry organisation SA Canegrowers argues that the tax is placing additional pressure on an already struggling agricultural sector and discouraging investment. The appeal comes as growers report falling sugarcane deliveries, declini...

  South Africa's Maize Prices Face New Risks as El Niño Raises Drought Concerns By SA360 NEWS | 10 October 2026 | Business & Agriculture South Africa's agricultural sector faces renewed uncertainty as concerns about El Niño weather conditions raise questions over maize production, food prices and the country's food security. JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — South African farmers and consumers are watching weather developments closely as the possibility of El Niño conditions creates uncertainty ahead of the country's important summer crop-growing season. Maize is one of South Africa's most important agricultural commodities, serving as a staple food for millions of households and a key ingredient in animal feed. Changes in rainfall patterns could therefore have consequences extending far beyond farming communities. Why El Niño Matters for South Africa El Niño is a climate phenomenon associated with unusually warm sea-surface temperatures in parts of the tropical Paci...

  SOUTH AFRICA COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS South Africa Cost-of-Living Crisis: Petrol Hits R30.25 as Interest Rates and Medical Aid Costs Rise By SA360 NEWS | 10 October 2026 | Business & Economy South African households are facing mounting financial pressure as sharp fuel price increases, higher borrowing costs and rising medical aid contributions threaten to squeeze family budgets heading into 2027. JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — The cost of living is becoming an increasingly serious concern for millions of South Africans following another round of fuel price increases, higher interest rates and announcements of more expensive medical aid contributions for 2027. The combined financial pressure is affecting motorists, homeowners, workers and businesses, raising fresh concerns about household spending and the country's economic outlook. Petrol Prices Reach R30.25 Per Litre South African motorists were hit by significant fuel price increases that took effect on Wednesday, 7 October 2026...

  Isaiah Rashad Makes South African Debut With Memorable Shows in Cape Town and Johannesburg JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — 9 October 2026 American rapper Isaiah Rashad has completed his first South African performances, bringing his distinctive hip-hop sound to audiences in Cape Town and Johannesburg. The Top Dawg Entertainment artist performed at The Ostrich in Cape Town on 3 October before taking the stage at Montecasino Outdoor Events Arena in Johannesburg on 4 October. The concerts formed part of the In The City event series, giving South African fans their first opportunity to experience Rashad's music live. Fans Welcome Isaiah Rashad to South Africa Rashad's arrival was a significant moment for local hip-hop enthusiasts who have followed his career for years. His music, known for introspective lyrics and Southern hip-hop influences, has attracted listeners around the world. Reports from the performances described enthusiastic audiences singing along to songs from his catal...

  South Africa Moves Closer to R10 Billion Fuel Relief as Petrol Prices Surge PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA — 9 October 2026 South African motorists could receive relief from rising petrol and diesel prices after a parliamentary committee advanced a proposed R10 billion intervention aimed at stabilising fuel costs. The Standing Committee on Appropriations adopted its report on the Second Special Appropriation Bill on Thursday, 8 October 2026, bringing the proposal a step closer to consideration by the National Assembly. The development follows substantial fuel price increases that took effect earlier this week. What Is the R10 Billion Fuel Relief Plan? The proposed legislation would allow R10 billion to be withdrawn from the National Revenue Fund and allocated to the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources. The funding is intended to help protect consumers from fuel price volatility associated with international energy market disruptions and conflict in the Middle East. Finance Mini...

  Cape Town Rolls Out SWAT Teams and Drones to Strengthen Fight Against Crime CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA — 9 October 2026 The City of Cape Town is strengthening its response to violent crime with specialised tactical policing teams and expanded drone surveillance capabilities. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith officially unveiled the new Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and Metro Police Aviation units on Wednesday, 7 October. The initiative forms part of the city's wider investment in public safety, technology and law enforcement. New SWAT Unit to Target High-Risk Crime Cape Town's specialised SWAT team has been established to assist with dangerous operations that require additional training, equipment and tactical expertise. The unit is expected to support responses to gang-related violence, extortion, hostage situations and high-risk arrests. According to city officials, the team has undergone months of specialised training ...

  Orlando Pirates vs Mamelodi Sundowns: MTN8 Final Sold Out as Durban Prepares for Huge Clash DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA — 9 October 2026 Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns are preparing for one of South African football's biggest domestic fixtures as the two clubs meet in the 2026 MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday, 10 October. Kick-off is scheduled for 18:00 South African time, with the Premier Soccer League confirming that all tickets have been sold. The match will determine the first major domestic cup winner of the 2026/27 season. Pirates Chase Historic Fifth Consecutive MTN8 Title Orlando Pirates enter the final seeking an unprecedented fifth successive MTN8 championship. The Buccaneers secured their place in the final after defeating Sekhukhune United 4-0 on aggregate in the semifinals, including an impressive 3-0 victory in the second leg. Their appearance marks a fifth consecutive MTN8 final, highlighting the club's recent consistency in the competi...

  Proteas Put Australia Under Pressure as Nortje Shines on Day One of Durban Test DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA — 9 October 2026 South Africa's fast bowlers delivered a strong performance on the opening day of the first Test against Australia at Kingsmead in Durban, restricting the visitors to 187 for six before bad light brought play to an early close. Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen and Anrich Nortje claimed two wickets each as the Proteas put Australia's batting lineup under sustained pressure. Australia Struggle After Winning the Toss Australian captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat first, but the visitors struggled to establish a strong opening partnership. Nic Maddinson endured a difficult return to Test cricket, departing without scoring after facing 33 deliveries. Travis Head also fell early, leaving Australia searching for stability. Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne attempted to rebuild the innings with a 60-run partnership. However, Labuschagne was dismissed for 37 ...

  Court Rules Andile Lungisa's Removal From ANC Candidate List Unlawful JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — 9 October 2026 The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has ruled that the African National Congress (ANC) unlawfully removed senior party member Andile Lungisa from its proportional representation candidate list for Nelson Mandela Bay ahead of South Africa's November 2026 local government elections. In a judgment delivered on Friday, Judge Nelisa Mali declared the decision unconstitutional, unlawful and invalid, ordering the ANC to restore Lungisa's name to its internal candidate list. How the Dispute Started Lungisa, a member of the ANC's National Executive Committee, challenged his removal after discovering that his name had been excluded from the party's final candidate submissions. He argued that ANC branches in Nelson Mandela Bay had supported his nomination and that he had progressed through the party's internal candidate-selection process. The dispute invol...

  South Africa Withdraws Asylum Directive Following Violent Protests in Soweto and Durban SA360 NEWS | Politics & Immigration | 9 October 2026 JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — South Africa's Department of Home Affairs has withdrawn a directive governing the intake of asylum applications following violent protests in Soweto and Durban that left vehicles destroyed and businesses damaged. The announcement was made on Friday, 9 October 2026, after officials raised concerns about growing pressure on refugee reception offices, the safety of government employees and threats to public order. Why Was the Asylum Directive Withdrawn? The directive was issued on 28 September 2026 to help implement a Constitutional Court judgment delivered on 7 July in a case involving the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town. The judgment addressed procedural barriers preventing certain asylum seekers from having their applications considered, including restrictions linked to irregular entry into South Africa. Acco...

  Alleged EFF MP Arrested After Police Station Confrontation in Pretoria PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA — 9 October 2026 A 33-year-old woman, reported by several South African media outlets to be a Member of Parliament representing the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), was arrested following an alleged confrontation with a police officer at Brooklyn Police Station in Pretoria. The incident occurred on Thursday evening, 8 October, at the station's Client Service Centre. According to police, the confrontation began over a request to have an affidavit officially commissioned. Dispute Over Affidavit Leads to Arrest Preliminary police information indicates that the woman presented an affidavit that had already been signed and requested that it be commissioned. Officers reportedly explained that the prescribed procedure requires an affidavit to be signed in the presence of a Commissioner of Oaths. Police allege that the woman became dissatisfied with the explanation, leading to a disturbance duri...

  Kruger National Park is advancing its sustainability goals through a renewable energy partnership that covers the equivalent of more than 25% of its annual electricity consumption Kruger National Park Secures 25% Green Energy Supply SKUKUZA, 9 October 2026 — South Africa's Kruger National Park has taken a significant step towards cleaner electricity after SANParks announced a renewable energy partnership with Ampli Energy, a collaboration between Discovery Green and Sasol. The agreement, announced on 8 October, provides renewable electricity equivalent to more than 25% of the park's annual electricity consumption. The initiative forms part of efforts to reduce the environmental impact of one of Africa's best-known conservation destinations. A Major Step Towards Cleaner Energy Kruger National Park is the largest electricity consumer within the South African National Parks system. According to the partnership announcement, the park accounts for approximately 70% of SANParks...

  South African singer-songwriter Pilani Bubu reflects on 15 years of musical independence as she releases her single Caged Heart and prepares her eighth album. Pilani Bubu Releases Caged Heart After 15 Years in Music JOHANNESBURG, 9 October 2026 — Award-winning South African singer-songwriter Pilani Bubu is celebrating 15 years of creative independence with the release of her introspective single, Caged Heart, a song rooted in a poem she wrote more than a decade ago. In an interview published by the Mail & Guardian on Friday, Bubu reflected on her musical journey, the challenges of remaining an independent artist and her commitment to telling African stories. A Song That Took 12 Years to Find Its Voice Caged Heart originated as a poem written in 2014, during a period when Bubu was questioning her professional direction. Having left a corporate career to pursue music, she found herself reconsidering the compromises involved in returning to conventional employment. The poem even...

  outh Africa is seeking to expand opportunities for emerging farmers through agricultural financing and greater participation in the farming sector. Ramaphosa Backs Funding for South Africa's Small Farmers STUTTERHEIM, 9 October 2026 — President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed financial support for small-scale farmers in South Africa, highlighting the importance of improving access to funding and creating opportunities for young people in the agricultural sector. The president made the remarks during a visit to Redlands Dairy Farm in Stutterheim, Eastern Cape, on Thursday, 8 October 2026. His comments focused on the role of agricultural finance in helping emerging farmers expand their operations and participate more fully in the economy. Ramaphosa Welcomes Land Bank Funding During the visit, Ramaphosa expressed support for the Land Bank's Blended Finance Scheme, which provides financial assistance to qualifying agricultural businesses. The programme is intended to help address fu...

  FAME Week Africa 2026 is scheduled to take place in Cape Town from 28 to 30 October, bringing together professionals from film, television, music, fashion and digital media FAME Week Africa 2026 Set to Bring Global Creatives to Cape Town CAPE TOWN, 9 October 2026 — Cape Town is preparing to welcome filmmakers, musicians, television professionals, fashion entrepreneurs and digital content creators as FAME Week Africa 2026 approaches. The three-day creative industry gathering is scheduled to take place from 28 to 30 October at the Cape Town International Convention Centre's CTICC2 venue. The event aims to connect African creative talent with international buyers, investors and industry decision-makers. More Than 80 Industry Buyers Expected According to entertainment publication Bona, this year's event is expected to attract more than 80 buyers from the global creative industry. Their participation could create opportunities for African production companies, filmmakers and other...

  DA Federal Chairperson Solly Msimanga says the party has expanded its nationwide structures ahead of South Africa's 4 November 2026 local government elections. PRETORIA, 9 October 2026 — The Democratic Alliance (DA) is stepping up its nationwide election campaign as South Africa prepares for local government elections on 4 November, with the party highlighting its expanded community structures and candidates in every electoral ward. DA Federal Chairperson Solly Msimanga said the party had strengthened its presence across the country as it seeks to improve its performance in the upcoming municipal elections. Speaking to SABC News on 8 October, Msimanga said the party had established branches in communities nationwide, allowing it to maintain a more permanent local presence. DA Highlights Nationwide Election Preparations Msimanga's comments came outside the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Facility in Pretoria, where the party concluded a march addressing gender-based violence. Th...

arge-scale battery energy storage systems could play an important role in strengthening South Africa's electricity supply as the government prioritises new energy infrastructure   South Africa Prioritises Battery Storage and Gas Power JOHANNESBURG, 9 October 2026 — South Africa is moving ahead with plans to strengthen its electricity system by prioritising large-scale battery storage and gas-fired power generation projects. The announcement, reported by Reuters on 7 October, forms part of the government's broader strategy to improve energy security, modernise electricity infrastructure and support economic activity. The plan includes 9.6 gigawatts (GW) of planned battery storage and gas-to-power capacity, although the announcement does not mean that all this capacity is already operational. Government Focuses on Energy Security South Africa has faced longstanding challenges in its electricity sector, including ageing infrastructure, generation constraints and the need for addit...

  South Africa's manufacturing output declined by 4.3% in August 2026, reflecting continued pressure on the country's industrial sector. Illustrative image. South Africa Manufacturing Output Falls 4.3% in August JOHANNESBURG, 9 October 2026 — South Africa's manufacturing sector suffered a significant setback in August, with factory production declining by 4.3% compared with the same month last year, according to figures released by Statistics South Africa. The latest figures, published on Thursday, 8 October, reveal a sharp reversal from July, when manufacturing output had increased by 1.1% year-on-year. The decline highlights ongoing difficulties for South African manufacturers as businesses face weak demand, higher production costs and uncertain economic conditions. Factory Production Drops 3.1% in One Month On a seasonally adjusted basis, manufacturing production fell by 3.1% in August compared with July. This followed a 2.2% monthly increase in July. According to Statis...

  South African matric learners prepare for the 2026 final examinations as Umalusi confirms broad readiness across examination bodies. Illustrative image. Matric Exams 2026: Umalusi Confirms South Africa Is Ready JOHANNESBURG, 9 October 2026 — South Africa's education quality assurance body, Umalusi, has confirmed broad readiness for the 2026 year-end examinations, offering reassurance to thousands of learners preparing for one of the most important stages of their academic journey. The announcement followed a briefing on Thursday, 8 October, during which Umalusi assessed preparations across the country's examination system. Umalusi Confirms Examination Readiness Umalusi CEO Dr Mafu Rakometsi confirmed that the major examination bodies were broadly ready to administer the 2026 year-end examinations. The assessment covered the Department of Basic Education (DBE), Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), Independent Examinations Board (IEB) and South African Comprehens...

  Burned vehicles following violent protests in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa, on 8 October 2026. Photo: Reuters/Stringer. South Africa Protests: 24 Cars Torched in Soweto, Durban JOHANNESBURG, 9 October 2026 — South African police have appealed for calm following violent protests in Soweto and Durban that left at least 24 vehicles burned, businesses damaged and communities facing heightened tensions over the country's asylum system. Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane warned that those responsible for violence, intimidation and destruction of property would face legal consequences. The unrest erupted on Thursday, 8 October, following demonstrations linked to a Constitutional Court ruling affecting asylum applications. At Least 24 Vehicles Burned in Two Cities Police figures reported by the Associated Press indicate that 10 vehicles were set alight in Soweto, Johannesburg, while another 14 were burned in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. SABC News subseq...