HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SOUTH AFRICA TODAY

Wed 12 August 2026:

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

◼️ SA should only have 15 ministers: South Africa’s government should have significantly fewer departments and ministers, with the ideal number being 15. The country currently has 32 national departments. This would save the country a significant amount of money and bring South Africa in line with more developed economies, such as the United States, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Roodt explained that there are only four main functions of government that need political heads in the form of ministers….
Read more here:
https://dailyinvestor.com/finance/148045/south-africa-should-only-have-15-ministers/

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◼️ Diabetes is now South Africa’s biggest killer: The latest mortality data from Stats SA show that diabetes mellitus was the leading underlying natural cause of death in 2023, accounting for 27,692 deaths, or 5.8% of all recorded deaths, followed by cerebrovascular diseases, including strokes, at 5.4% of recorded deaths. Hypertensive diseases were third, with 5.2%, or 25,018 deaths, while TB and HIV were fourth and fifth, respectively.
Read more here
https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-08-11-diabetes-is-now-south-africas-biggest-killer-but-experts-say-it-doesnt-have-to-be/

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◼️ Crime, bullying and gangsterism: “Regardless of district, parents, educators, learners, faith-based organisations and community leaders consistently raised concerns about crime, violence, bullying, gangsterism, substance abuse, vandalism, weapons, intimidation and gender-based violence affecting schools and surrounding communities,” Maile said. The MEC said the findings highlighted a direct link between unsafe communities and poor educational outcomes.
Read more here:
https://iol.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-08-11-crime-bullying-and-gangsterism-emerge-as-growing-threats-in-gauteng-schools/

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◼️ New fast payment system for South Africa, China, Russia and India: Members of the BRICS group of nations are discussing potential linkages between their respective fast payment systems and central bank digital currencies, Reserve Bank of India Governor Sanjay Malhotra said at an event on Tuesday (11 August). The BRICS organisation includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, among others. India is hosting the 2026 edition of the annual summit.
Read more here:
https://businesstech.co.za/news/finance/869730/new-fast-payment-system-for-south-africa-china-russia-and-india-on-the-cards/

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◼️ SA wants Malawi, Nigeria and Ethiopia to reimburse repatriation costs: The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed it has written to the governments of Malawi, Nigeria and Ethiopia requesting that they reimburse the repatriation costs for their citizens in South Africa. In June, several countries started repatriating their citizens from South Africa after anti-illegal immigrant protests flared up again in the country.
Read more here:
https://www.citizen.co.za/news/sa-wants-malawi-nigeria-ethiopia-reimburse-repatriation-costs/

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