President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that South Africa’s 2026 Local Government Elections will be held on 4 November 2026. The announcement was made during his keynote address at the President’s Coordinating Council meeting in Boksburg on Thursday, ending months of anticipation over the official election date. The confirmation follows the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) voter registration weekend, scheduled for 20–21 June, as part of preparations for the polls. Ramaphosa emphasised the importance of voter turnout, particularly among young people, urging…

Controversial media personality Ngizwe Mchunu has rejected a 24-hour ultimatum from Julius Malema to issue an apology and pay R1 million in damages over alleged defamatory remarks. The demand follows claims made by Mchunu alleging that Malema received millions of rand from individuals linked to drug-related activities and used his political influence to shield foreign nationals allegedly involved in crime. Mchunu has dismissed the demand, indicating he will not retract his statements, raising the prospect of a legal battle between…

SAFTU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi has criticised both the South African Communist Party and the uMkhonto weSizwe Party ahead of the planned “conference of the left”. Vavi argued that the SACP has supported poor policy decisions by government over more than three decades of democratic rule, while also claiming the MK Party is not a genuine left-wing organisation despite its positioning. He was speaking to Newsnote in Pretoria while participating in a march to the Department of Communications and Digital…