HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SOUTH AFRICA TODAY

Tue 10 March 2026:

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

◼️ South Africa risks invasion: Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva warned President Cyril Ramaphosa to enhance defence cooperation, highlighting both countries’ vulnerabilities to foreign invasion. “I don’t know if comrade Ramaphosa realises that if we don’t prepare ourselves in terms of defence, one day someone will invade us,” he said. Ramaphosa acknowledged Brazil’s advancements in defence and aviation and expressed a mutual desire to learn from one another.
https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories/brazils-lula-warns-ramaphosa-invasion-risk-if-defenses-lag

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◼️ Middle East war threatens SA fuel supply: While the Middle East war is about to rocket fuel prices into the stratosphere – by between R4 and R6 a litre for petrol – an even bigger worry is that if the conflict drags on, South Africa may face an actual fuel shortage. The last time this happened – in the crisis caused by the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, in which oil producing countries stopped exports – there were queues at fuel stations across the world.
https://www.citizen.co.za/news/middle-east-war-threatens-sa-fuel-supply/

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◼️ Criminals targeting popular household brands: Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said that when members arrived at the premises, they found large quantities of chemicals and finished products, including thick bleach, fabric softener, dishwashing liquid, foam bath, and ammonia-based cream cleaner. “It is alleged that the chemicals are mixed in 200-litre barrels and subsequently repackaged into recycled containers bearing labels of well-known brands manufactured by Unilever and Colgate-Palmolive,” Mogale said.
https://businesstech.co.za/news/enterprise/853345/criminals-targeting-popular-household-brands-in-south-africa/

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◼️ Should SA follow Australia and other countries in banning social media for children under 16? The team which argued in favour of a ban maintained that stronger legal protections was necessary to shield vulnerable young users from exploitation and psychological harm. They argued that children often lacked the maturity and knowledge required to navigate the risks associated with social media platforms.
https://iol.co.za/thepost/news/2026-03-10-should-sa-follow-australia-and-other-countries-in-banning-social-media-for-children-under-16/

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◼️ South African university launches free hearing health testing tool on WhatsApp: The fully automated service is delivered through WhatsApp and requires no additional app downloads, special equipment, or prior technical knowledge. “The integrated AI agent, trained on World Health Organisation (WHO) resources and the latest evidence, ensures that teachers are not left with unanswered questions,” UP said. “It provides responsive, evidence-aligned support throughout and after the training, making the programme a living resource rather than a once-off exercise.”
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/science/632282-south-african-university-launches-free-hearing-health-testing-tool-on-whatsapp.html

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