HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SOUTH AFRICA TODAY

Fri 16 October 2026:

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

◼️ US officials considering ad campaign to urge South African Afrikaners to emigrate: The US government could spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a media campaign in South Africa to figure out why more white Afrikaners are not applying to become refugees to the US, as Donald Trump had hoped. The refugee program is one piece in a broader rupture…. One is a $1m grant meant for “advancing white Afrikaner rights” in South Africa and for collecting data on abuses against minorities. No recipient has been named.
Read more here:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/oct/15/us-officials-ad-campaign-south-africa-afrikaners-refugees

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◼️ Here’s what South Africa’s top CEOs earn as executive pay climbs to new heights: South Africa’s top CEOs received median total remuneration of R23.2 million in the most recent financial year, a 9% increase on the previous year, with performance bonuses and long-term incentives driving much of the growth. That equates to around R1.93 million per month. “The real story is not simply that executive pay has increased, but what is driving it. The increase has come mainly through incentives, particularly long-term incentives, rather than guaranteed pay,” Makhosazana Mabaso, PwC Reward Partner, said.
Read more here:
https://iol.co.za/business/jobs/2026-10-15-heres-what-south-africas-top-ceos-earn-as-executive-pay-climbs-to-new-heights/

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◼️ Ramaphosa reinstates SAPS national commissioner Fannie Masemola: Ramaphosa has welcomed Masemola on his return to his full duties and expressed appreciation to Lt-Gen Puleng Dimpane, who served with distinction as acting national police commissioner in the interim. Masemola was placed on precautionary suspension in April 2026, following his appearance in the Pretoria magistrate’s court to face charges of contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
Read more here:
https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-10-16-breaking-ramaphosa-reinstates-saps-national-commissioner-fannie-masemola/

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◼️ R80bn Bailout Yet Eskom Hikes Electricity by 12.74%: Member of Parliament Kevin Mileham’s warning followed Eskom’s latest financial results, which showed that the power utility achieved a R30.3 billion profit. Mileham highlighted that Eskom benefited from an R80 billion debt-relief payment from the state, which ultimately came from taxpayers. “It is now proposing a further 8.83% increase for direct customers and 8.84% for municipalities in 2027/28,” Mileham said.
Read more here:
https://newsday.co.za/business/29218/eskom-received-r80-billion-of-taxpayer-bailout-money-but-still-increased-electricity-prices-by-12-74/

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◼️ Criminals are targeting bank accounts of one group of people: Boxall said the problem appears to be particularly pronounced among people aged over 55, and especially those over 60. He stressed that the term “elderly” can be difficult to define, but said banking data shows a clear focus by fraudsters on these age groups. “We’re seeing a larger number of those fraud cases being logged on a month-to-month basis,” he said. According to Boxall, this is not an issue limited to FNB, but is being seen across the banking industry.
Read more here:
https://businesstech.co.za/news/banking/878801/fnb-warns-criminals-are-targeting-bank-accounts-of-one-group-of-people-in-south-africa/

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