CapeTalk

Public school infrastructure woes continue Challenges such as poor infrastructure and lack of services are negatively affecting pupils in public schools.

The Department of Basic Education has been given the SAHRC's report, and requested to respond with an action plan to address the issues within the next three months. buff.ly/3nn6MDp

Local Government Elections: 'We desperately need better quality people' Prof. William Gumede urges South African voters to move past historical allegiances and vote for competence to drive change.

Gumede says the time has come for law-abiding, honest candidates who are not corrupt to stand for these positions. buff.ly/hcNeZaM

Book of the Week: 'It's About Tyme: Banking Beyond Borders' by Bruce Whitfield and Adrian Saville From a South African start-up to a cross-border fintech serving millions in Africa and Asia, this book traces the impressive journey of TymeBank.

Whitfield says the book offers vital lessons on leadership, resilience, and innovation. buff.ly/9suLDV8

Exposing the hidden costs in your purchases Are you paying for what’s already covered, or extras that you didn't even want in the first place?

Always read the small print thoroughly before signing anything. buff.ly/m6Sgiir

Parts of SA experience the wettest October in decades - SA Weather Service The South African Weather Service says parts of the country received well above-average rainfall last month.

Many measuring stations around the country recorded four times above-average rainfall. buff.ly/JF7yjfG

Micro lending in South Africa: 'If we can't lend, we can't grow' What used to be a common practice seems to have become somewhat unsustainable in the current economy.

Players in the micro lending space in South Africa say they are struggling to sustain their businesses. buff.ly/kMRDjvt

Cancelling your cellphone contract - tips for frustrated consumers It should be a simple task, but many people are struggling...

If you've ever tried to cancel a cellphone contract, you know there can be many obstacles to actually getting free of it. buff.ly/tjywEyq

Beloved Karoo landmark disappears: The mystery of Beverley the mannequin Locals in Nieu-Bethesda are baffled after their quirky dam-dwelling mannequin and social media sensation vanished without a trace.

Beverley began as a playful art installation after a Facebook joke about "skinny dipping" in the dam... buff.ly/b9ph56k

George out, Aucamp in? Call for DA's minister to be replaced Political analyst, Professor Dirk Kotze, explains the factional battles within the Democratic Alliance.

Political analyst Professor Dirk Kotze said it's difficult to say what the actual reasoning behind the move is. buff.ly/hNnm6za

Security expert warns South Africa faces mafia-style criminal networks Dorothy Mushi, a forensic investigation expert, says the country is showing worrying parallels with South American nations controlled by mafia-style cartels.

www.ewn.co.za/2025/11/12/s...

Beyond pink ribbons: Taking the fight against breast cancer Has Breast Cancer Awareness Month become all about symbolism?

For many women, just trying to get a diagnosis is only the beginning of a long, hard road ahead – and a number of the obstacles along the way are due to the delays and processes in the country's public healthcare system. buff.ly/Wdjcji1

Couples therapy 'not a quick fix' to save relationships - Relationship Coach While every relationship faces its challenges, therapy isn’t necessarily the solution.

Ultimately, couple's therapy is a process designed to leave both individuals and the couple as a whole, in a healthier, more positive place. buff.ly/boFrob8

‘Vibe coding’ named Collins Dictionary Word of the Year. Here’s what it means… The term refers to the process of turning natural language into computer code using AI.

Other words included in the shortlist were clanker, broligarchy, task-masking and micro-retirement. buff.ly/qBWh92G

Entries for 2026 Comrades Marathon sell out in record time The previous record for entries selling out was three days for 27,000 entries in 2020.

Less than 10 hours after entries opened, organisers announced that they reached the 22,000 capacity cap.

Adult children sometimes have legal duty to support elderly parents in South Africa As parents must care for their dependent children, adult children may be legally obliged to financially support their elderly parents.

This legal requirement is secondary to a child’s duty to support their own spouse and minor children. buff.ly/xnTW6CG

German nurse found guilty of killing patients to lighten workload The medic targeted mostly elderly patients in his care, claiming he wanted to reduce his workload during night shifts.

The court determined that the nurse's motive stemmed from convenience and indifference, rather than compassion. buff.ly/Auh1JbL

Bafana Bafana team manager off the hook despite World Cup points deduction blunder SAFA says Tseka left the venue to get the team ice and missed the second yellow card.

Sports analyst Nqobile Ndlovu says even if Tseka was not present, a match report is given after every game. buff.ly/hEHIbSP

How much stress is social media really causing in your life? A new 'digital thermometer' for stress is delving deeper into the research around the link between social media and anxiety.

It might not be as simple as saying that social media use causes anxiety... buff.ly/apmruzM

'They are the custodians of the lands': Why monarchies are still relevant in Africa A historian delves into the continent's past... from ancient aristocracies, through colonialism, to modern day beliefs.

Africa was originally inherently the home of monarchies, until colonialism came to the continent. buff.ly/SJR52GB

WATCH: 'Be corrupt, just in moderation' - Tara Roos on the increase of corruption in SA Political analyst Tara Roos says corruption is a natural consequence of any government system, but past leaders at least practiced some restraint.

Political analyst Tara Roos has called for a return to "boring politics" – reminiscing about a time when government corruption was reportedly less extreme. buff.ly/mAhKMMn

SA’s shocking childbirth stats: More than 2,000 pre-teen mothers in one year According to Statistics South Africa, over 123,000 births were recorded among mothers aged 19 and under between January 2024 and February 2025.

The data has reignited concern about child pregnancies and the health risks they pose for young girls. buff.ly/9W2cDha

Cybersecurity focus: How to stay ahead of email scammers Here are some of the tricks you should be on the lookout for...

Any kind of online payment has the potential to be subjected to fraud or scams. buff.ly/9DDm39C

Not another AI bot! Is digital migration eroding customer service? Many people are feeling frustrated at the technology that's supposed to be improving efficiency, but often seems to be doing the opposite.

Often these platforms seem to enable "customer avoidance", as opposed to achieving the goal of helping people. buff.ly/dTtQCry

'It's everything dog': Cape Town's doggy hotel celebrates a decade of success atFrits Dog Hotel and Daycare Centre has flourished into a thriving pet hospitality business, as dog lovers across the city still flock through its doors.

Africa’s very first five-star dog hotel is celebrating its 10th anniversary... buff.ly/cgsTzlg

Amnesty calls on SA govt to speedily address informal settlement crisis Dorasamy says residents describe living in constant fear of rain, knowing it means damaged property, lost wages, missed school days and health hazards.

The report found that the government is failing millions of people trapped in vulnerable communities during escalating climate disasters.

Zohran Mamdani a ‘fresh voice’ in biggest US city: 'Republicans have a formidable foe' - McNamee Geopolitics specialist, Dr Terrence McNamee, said that the Trump administration would be 'treading on eggshells' in the case of Mamdani.

Mambani’s election is said to be significant due to New York’s unique dynamic, and the current state of the Democratic Party. buff.ly/SAfqsqf

WATCH: Capetonian fined R500 for jaywalking: 'This is crazy!' Kenneth Brookes showed the ticket he received in a video posted on social media.

Better watch where you walk... buff.ly/5jiFTiz

Public health cannabis messages must highlight mental health risks - Psychiatrist As South Africa’s 'green economy' continues to expand, Dr Lisa Dannatt says public health messaging on cannabis should focus on the potential risks to the developing brain.

Research shows a rise in the number of adolescents presenting with severe mental illness, alongside increased cannabis use. buff.ly/hvSD2YC

Zakes Bantwini on the upside of failure: 'You must embrace it because it's going to teach you' From personal setbacks to global stages... this interview is a masterclass in resilience and purpose.

He's a Grammy Award-winning record producer, DJ, performing artist and businessman... but it hasn't always been a smooth journey. buff.ly/nQcVsgp

Public Works Minister targets corruption, mafia and mismanagement in construction sector Dean Macpherson's six-point Construction Action Plan aims to tackle the country’s chronic problem of stalled and incomplete infrastructure projects.

A key part of the plan includes blacklisting non-performing contractors, and creating a national database to prevent companies that fail in one province from winning new tenders elsewhere. buff.ly/966U0Ie