HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SOUTH AFRICA TODAY

Thu 22 October 2026:

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

◼️ French anger is a warning to SA: As the Arab Spring, which swept through the Arab world from 2010 onwards, clearly demonstrated, such protests can spread like wildfire when the political and social conditions are ripe. The riots in KwaZulu Natal and elsewhere in July 2021 also showed how a political and economic spark can create social and economic havoc. India has been gripped by protests by the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party. South Africa’s youth have much to be aggrieved about. Youth unemployment stands at 47.4% and university graduates have a hard
time finding a job. Poverty is widespread and deep-seated.
Read more here:
https://www.businessday.co.za/opinion/2026-10-22-editorial-french-anger-is-a-warning-to-south-africa/

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◼️ SA’s gambling problem: “High levels of stress, anxiety, or depression can drive gambling behaviours or worsen their impact, while substance misuse can amplify financial and emotional vulnerabilities.” The foundation said its data demonstrated the complex relationship between gambling behaviour and other social and mental health pressures. According to the foundation, 35% of individuals contacting the helpline for the first time reported higher alcohol consumption levels.
Read more here:
https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/gambling-crisis-more-than-1-300-south-africans-flagged-as-high-risk-for-suicide/

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◼️ SAHRC to launch report on children’s online privacy and safety: “While these platforms provide opportunities for learning, creativity, and empowerment, they also expose children to serious risks including cyberbullying, harmful content, exploitation, data misuse, and violations of their human rights, and in particular the right to privacy,” Baloyi said. According to the SAHRC, the report identifies significant gaps in South Africa’s legal framework, including the Protection of Personal Information Act, the Films and Publications Amendment Act, the Cybercrimes Act, and the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act.
Read more here:
https://iol.co.za/news/south-africa/gauteng/2026-10-22-sahrc-to-launch-report-on-childrens-online-privacy-and-safety/

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◼️ Municipalities going after one group of homeowners: South African cities are charging homeowners with private boreholes monthly fees for accessing groundwater, targeting residents who have invested in alternative water supplies because of unreliable municipal services. The charges have sparked criticism from civil rights groups and opposition councillors, who argue that residents should not be penalised for securing their own water while municipalities struggle to provide a reliable supply.
Read more here:
https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/880927/south-african-cities-targeting-one-group-of-homeowners/

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◼️ Makro and Vodacom are looking for people’s used batteries and old computers: E-waste, or electronic waste, refers to discarded or unused electronic products, such as broken smartphones, broken cords, used batteries, and appliances. If not properly recycled, these devices can cause environmental pollution, with toxic chemicals leaking from them and leaching into the surrounding soil and water. This is because hardware such as display screens and circuit boards, as well as items like used batteries, contain heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and chromium.*Read more here:*
Read more here:
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/hardware/672991-makro-and-vodacom-are-looking-for-peoples-used-batteries-and-old-computers.html

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