2+ week, 6+ day ago (479+ words) This year, Daily Maverick presents a curated series of lectures aligned with the core pillars of our independent journalism, exploring the issues shaping South Africa and the world. From local elections and gun control to media ethics, disinformation and political satire, these sessions promise to inform, provoke and entertain. On the bill from Daily Maverick in 2026 are Ferial Haffajee, Caryn Dolley, Marianne Thamm and Redi Tlhabi." Award-winning journalist, editor and author Ferial Haffajee reflects on the significance of Johannesburg and South Africa's metros as the country heads into the 2026 local elections. She explores the challenges and opportunities of local reporting, and how the state of our cities mirrors the state of our nation. Pretoria-born investigative journalist and satirist Marianne Thamm returns to the stage with her new piece of "performance journalism. Expect sharp wit, absurd headlines and stories fresh off…...

3+ week, 5+ day ago (568+ words) The new newsroom launched with the first edition of its dedicated Johannesburg newsletter, a free publication that will land in inboxes three times a week and expand to daily coverage in 2026. It is Daily Maverick's second metro bureau to open this year, following the successful launch of its Nelson Mandela Bay bureau in May. Johannesburg's crisis is visible across every service: persistent water outages, power cuts, uncollected waste and crumbling roads. In 2025, nearly half of the city's water supply (46%) was lost to leaks or illegal connections, while ageing infrastructure and cable theft continue to cripple essential services. "It's a human-made disaster " the outcome of local State Capture," said Haffajee, adding that she sees a citizen-led shift in Johannesburg's fortunes. "Jozi My Jozi (the urban social movement), the stirring of the metropolitan government to action by active citizens, the vibrant arts…...

16+ hour, 52+ min ago (434+ words) It is important to note that comments incorrectly attributed to mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis in a recent opinion piece by Telford Vice are based on a misreading of the mayor's answer to an interview question, which is available for anyone to see for themselves here. In response to a question about the false framing by certain individuals and groups who claim that current City of Cape Town policies advance spatial apartheid, the mayor responded that this claim is "propaganda language no longer rooted in reality. The comment was therefore disputing false claims about the intent of current City policy, and not about the legacy of the past, which persists today and which the City is actively working to unstitch. The suggestion that the City of Cape Town " through its policies " aims to perpetuate spatial apartheid is a well-worn favourite attack line…...

5+ day, 20+ hour ago (418+ words) Afghanistan's Taliban administration said on Tuesday that nine children and a woman were killed in Pakistani air strikes and vowed to respond, ratcheting up tensions between the South Asian neighbours. The bombardment overnight reported by Kabul followed a series of attacks in Pakistan that Islamabad blames on militants based in Afghanistan. Pakistan did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A ceasefire had held in recent weeks between Afghanistan and Pakistan after the outbreak of deadly border clashes in October, although the two sides failed to come to an agreement in peace negotiations. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Islamabad struck three eastern provinces that border Pakistan, calling it a "violation of Afghanistan's sovereignty and a clear breach of all internationally accepted norms by the Pakistani authorities". "Defending our air space, territory, and people is our legitimate right," Mujahid said in…...

6+ day, 6+ hour ago (402+ words) A powerful partnership between Sanlam and YES is helping drive inclusive growth by empowering young South Africans, while strengthening one of the country's most dynamic sectors " tourism. "As an organisation committed to empowering generations to be financially confident, secure, and prosperous, we recognise the vital role of collaboration in fostering youth employability through initiatives like this." Guided by a purpose-led strategy, Sanlam approaches transformation as a measurable, long-term commitment. Its focus on economic empowerment, education and entrepreneurship drives financial resilience and inclusive growth, aligning the group's social impact agenda with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Sanlam has been an early and active YES partner since 2018. Inside the business, more than 300 youth have been placed in future-fit roles, including software development, data analysis, and finance. This early commitment signals a belief that corporate South Africa can build skills at scale and…...

1+ week, 3+ day ago (621+ words) Johannesburg Executive Mayor Dada Morero announced that plans to restore the Johannesburg Art Gallery are currently under way, with 145 artworks from its collection returning to the city after being on loan to South Korea. More than 100 artworks belonging to the embattled Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG) have safely returned to the city after being on loan to South Korea. The repatriated pieces include works by local masters such as William Kentridge and Gerard Sekoto, as well as international icons like Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet. Restoration plans for the Johannesburg Art Gallery, which once housed the most valuable art collection in Africa, are firmly under way, with the museum officially scheduled to reopen in July 2027. Executive Mayor Dada Morero announced on Wednesday, 19 November, that "significant strides" had been made to move more than 9,000 priceless artworks and restore the crumbling museum....

1+ week, 2+ day ago (110+ words) The annual G20 summit takes place over the weekend in Johannesburg. The summit will the be culmination of the year's meetings of non-government sectors from business, civil society, labour and more. The annual G20 summit takes place over the weekend in Johannesburg. The summit will the be culmination of the year's meetings of non-government sectors from business, civil society, labour and more. Help us fund independent journalism to make sure that it remains free for all to read. Join the 32,000 Maverick Insiders who contribute monthly (or annually) to our membership community and you can rest assured of getting the latest reporting every day without a hitch....

3+ day, 15+ hour ago (521+ words) The findings of an independent forensic report into what really happened behind the scenes at Education Africa. FORENSICS. I'd always associated that word with TV crime shows. I pictured the weather-beaten detective, tie askew, paper cup of steaming coffee in hand, looking on as the surgically gloved expert gathered and sealed the scraps of evidence in the blue glow of a taped-off scene. A snapped twig, a stray thread, a flake of paint: even the tiniest clues can help track down a suspect and solve a crime. Phandahanu had initially been subcontracted and briefed by Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs (ENS), a large legal firm with a forensics division, but they subsequently took their brief fromWerksmans Attorneys. This convoluted legal arrangement was a result of HSBC having put a stop to ENS's investigation, citing a conflict of interest. Following the resignation of…...

3+ day, 19+ hour ago (1261+ words) The activists allege that Tanzanian security forces deliberately killed between 700 and 3,000 protesters after the October elections. International human rights activists have asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open a case against Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and several senior members of her government for crimes against humanity during the crackdown on civilian protesters after the 29 October 2025 elections. South African NGO Intelwatch, the Madrid Bar Association, the World Jurist Association and several anonymous Tanzanian NGOs submitted an 82-page dossier of evidence to the Hague-based ISS on 18 November, accusing Tanzanian security forces of deliberately killing between 700 and 3,000 protesters after the election. The widespread protests erupted after Hassan was declared the winner of an election in which the candidates of the two main opposition parties were disqualified by law. The activists charged Hassan and her officials with many other crimes against humanity, including…...

2+ week, 2+ day ago (1517+ words) Ko Cafe in Jersey City is among the new wave of coffee shops redefining the coffee buying experience. The caf" is an interactive social and working hub for individuals seeking community, creativity, diversity, and of course, personalised coffee with a curated menu. It pays homage to the West African roots of the founders, including Ghana and Nigeria. "Our motto is "build, grow, go," said Isreal. "The caf" is an embodiment of that, but its also a platform for other ideas to flourish and grow." Isreal is the lead founder and CEO of the caf". Born in Jamaica to Nigerian parents, his educational studies include a bachelors degree in economics and political science and masters in industrial systems engineering. Using the teams collective tech background, he was inspired to build a multipurpose space " a coffee shop. "We know we had a…...