HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SOUTH AFRICA TODAY

Fri 06 March 2026:

Here’s what’s happening in South Africa today:👇🏼

◼️ Ukraine’s ambassador to SA refuses to mourn Khamenei: Ambassador Olexander Scherba posted on X that “weirdly” the Iranian embassy had informed Ukrainian diplomats that it was opening a book of condolences (to be signed) in memory of Khamenei and the military leadership of Iran, who had been killed in the US and Israeli attacks that started on Saturday. He said he had decided to respond publicly to Iranian Ambassador, Mansour Shakib Mehr.
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-06-ukraines-ambassador-to-sa-refuses-to-mourn-khamenei/

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◼️ Eskom moves to pull the plug on 14 defaulting municipalities: Last year, IOL also reported that Eskom revealed that 87% of municipalities approved for the National Treasury’s municipal debt relief program are failing to meet the conditions required for debt write-offs, with only 10 out of 71 municipalities remaining compliant. Municipal debt to Eskom has now surpassed R110 billion. Eskom’s Group Executive for Distribution, Agnes Mlambo, said the power utility has to address rising arrears debt to protect the operational stability.
https://iol.co.za/business/2026-03-06-eskom-moves-to-pull-the-plug-on-14-defaulting-municipalities/

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◼️ Kidnapping | Here’s how to keep yourself safe: Almost 5 000 kidnapping cases have been reported across South Africa from October to December last year, with Gauteng accounting for over half of these cases. According to an expert, criminals gather information about victims beforehand by observing daily routines and monitoring movement at home or workplaces. Another way kidnappers gain information about one’s whereabouts is through social media platforms, where personal information is shared.
https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/crime/kidnapping-on-the-rise-in-gauteng-heres-how-to-keep-yourself-safe/

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◼️ Changes to new smoking laws for SA: During these consultations, various issues were raised, particularly regarding plain packaging requirements, the rise of illicit products, and a lack of enforcement powers to implement the new laws. Broadly, the bill aims to clamp down on tobacco use and regulate grey areas, such as electronic delivery systems (vapes), in South Africa through various measures.
https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/853032/changes-to-new-smoking-laws-for-south-africa/

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◼️ Four South African languages added to Google AI: Google has expanded its AI Overview and AI Mode search tools to support 13 African languages, including four spoken in South Africa. According to Kabelo Makwane, country director for Google South Africa, offering technology in a dominant language like English excludes many people. “It marginalises millions of people whose first languages reflect a different culture, identity, and way of understanding information,” he said.
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/ai/632135-four-south-african-languages-added-to-google-ai.html

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