Top Stories

VAT court challenge stays; Treasury may drop increase: Three future GNU scenarios for South Africa

Daily Maverick

Daily Maverick ranks three scenarios based on parliamentary parties. Scenario 1 maintains the existing GNU, improving country risk and investment outlook. Scenario 2 sees ActionSA and Bosa joining the GNU while the DA exits. Scenario 3 involves the EFF joining the government with ActionSA and Bosa, and the DA leaving. These are evolving scenarios with potential changes.
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Takealot crushes Amazon, Temu, and Shein

My Broadband

Google Search Trends data shows Takealot’s dominance in South Africa remains strong despite competition from Amazon, Temu, and Shein. In May 2024, searches for “Amazon” briefly surpassed “Takealot” after Amazon.co.za launched. MyBroadband compared search trends from April 2024 to April 2025, revealing Takealot consistently outperformed its competitors.
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Blue Origin crew safely back on Earth after all-female space flight

BBC News

Pop star Katy Perry and five other women, including Jeff Bezos’s fiancée and a CBS presenter, safely returned to Earth after an all-female space flight on Blue Origin rocket. The flight lasted 11 minutes, reaching over 100km above Earth. Perry sang “What a Wonderful World” during the trip. The crew landed back in Texas with a parachute-assisted soft landing.
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Ant smugglers caught with hundreds of prized insects in Kenya

BBC News

Four men in Kenya pleaded guilty to smuggling highly sought-after ants, including giant African harvester ants, valued at up to £170 each. The Kenya Wildlife Service called it a “landmark case” and highlighted a shift in trafficking patterns towards lesser-known species. The suspects concealed the ants in modified test tubes and syringes to bypass security. This is Kenya’s first large-scale case of “bio-piracy”.
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WATCH | ‘Will it make me high?’ — Ramaphosa jokes about ‘Durban poison’ during CSIR visit

TimesLIVE

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s visit to CSIR included serious science discussions, regulatory reflection, and unexpected humor. Videos of him joking about cannabis products went viral, following the health department’s withdrawal of a ban on cannabis-containing foodstuffs. Ramaphosa intervened in the policy change, leading to a light-hearted moment during his tour of the CSIR’s cannabis facility.
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Centurion residents cry foul after 12-day power outage

SowetanLIVE

Power outages in Centurion, Tshwane for 12 days are causing job losses and business closures. Residents in areas like Rooihuiskraal and Heuweloord are suffering since a substation explosion on April 3. Farhah Yacob, a business owner in Wierdapark, has depleted her savings to keep her business running and had to cut employees’ salaries. The situation is dire, with no immediate solution in sight.
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Private security under threat in South Africa

BusinessTech

Proposed amendments to South Africa’s Private Security Industry Regulations raise concerns among stakeholders, risking public safety and jobs. Changes include mandatory assessments for security officers, restrictions on firearms, and tracking devices. The amendments aim to tighten controls and increase oversight, but stakeholders fear negative impacts on the security industry.
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