HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SOUTH AFRICA TODAY

Fri 20 March 2026:

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

◼️Motorists warned against fuel panic buying: The Fuels Industry Association has advised motorists not to purchase more fuel than necessary at gas stations. The organisation stated that changes in consumer behaviour can have a detrimental effect on fuel stability. Amid concerns about potential fuel shortages linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Avhapfani Tshifularo from the Fuel Industry Association of South Africa emphasised the need to address this crisis collectively.
https://www.enca.com/business-news-top-stories/motorists-warned-against-fuel-panic-buying

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◼️ Mashatile: ‘No illegal contracts awarded to my children’: This comes after DA MP Mark Burke said on Thursday that it seemed as if, where there is smoke, there is a questionable fire detection and suppression contract. “When it comes to Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), is the R49 million Gauteng hospital contract, awarded to your children, not further proof that BEE stands for Biased Elite Empowerment?” Burke asked during a question-and-answer session in the National Assembly.
https://iol.co.za/news/politics/2026-03-20-mashatile-no-illegal-contracts-awarded-to-my-children-amid-tender-allegations/

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◼️ New Bafana and Banyana away jerseys unveiled: The 2026/2027 Away jersey makes a powerful statement in iconic green and gold – a colour combination deeply rooted in South African sporting identity. In a joint statement, adidas asn SAFA said both jerseys have been designed for equal representation of Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana – reinforcing adidas and SAFA’s shared commitment to elevating the women’s and men’s game in tandem.
https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/soccer/new-bafana-and-banyana-away-jerseys-unveiled/

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◼️ Marriage in decline and divorce rising in SA: The latest data from Stats SA on marriages and divorces in the country shows that South Africans are losing interest in getting hitched—while divorces are on the rise. According to Stats SA, South Africa recorded 102,373 registered marriages and unions in 2024—the latest year available—a 2.9% drop from 2023.
https://businesstech.co.za/news/lifestyle/854415/marriage-in-decline-and-divorce-rising-in-south-africa/

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◼️Warning to Instagram users in SA: From 8 May 2026, Instagram messaging will no longer support end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for secret conversations. Users had to manually opt into these encrypted chats. Users who have been using E2EE in Instagram will be prompted to save any chats or media shared in them because they will essentially disappear from the app on the end date. The majority of Instagram users who communicate through standard, non-encrypted DMs will not be affected by the change.
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/security/634131-warning-to-people-who-use-whatsapp-and-instagram-in-south-africa.html

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