HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SOUTH AFRICA TODAY

Wed 21 October 2026:

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

◼️ Transnet sets global freight rail record with 696-wagon train: State-owned rail utility Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) has set a global freight rail record after successfully running a 696-wagon empty train along the Iron Ore Export Line from Saldanha to the Northern Cape. The trip followed extensive pre-run planning, dynamic modelling, and simulation work conducted by train design technology specialists to evaluate train handling, locomotive placement, communication protocols, and route readiness.
Read more here:
https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news/south-africa/transnet-sets-global-freight-rail-record-with-696-wagon-train/

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◼️ The reason Herman Mashaba hates Helen Zille: Mashaba has gone to war with Zille, calling her a habitual liar and refusing to share a stage with her during mayoral debates. When asked if he would debate Zille, in the run-up to November’s local elections, Mashaba said it would not be worth his time. “I’m going to be wasting my time talking to someone that I know is going to lie in front of me. She’s a habitual liar, and she lies with a straight face,” he said.
Read more here:
https://newsday.co.za/south-africa/29404/the-reason-herman-mashaba-hates-helen-zille/

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◼️ Ramaphosa slams ‘white genocide’ claims: President Cyril Ramaphosa has criticised South Africans seeking refuge in the US, saying he finds it “unbelievable” that some continue to believe the falsehoods about the country, including claims of a white genocide. Last week, The Citizen reported that the US is considering spending more than $335,000 (about R6 million) on research and an advertising campaign in South Africa to determine why significantly fewer Afrikaners than expected have applied for refugee status under a programme championed by Trump.
Read more here:
https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/ramaphosa-slams-white-genocide-claims-as-afrikaner-refugee-debate-escalates/

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◼️ New names for towns and villages: The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture has gazetted new names for towns, villages and other geographical features in South Africa, in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. The department has listed 12 new names, with two in the City of Tshwane in Gauteng and the rest in the Ray Nkonyeni local municipality in KZN.
Read more here:
https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/880602/new-names-for-towns-and-villages-in-south-africa/

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◼️Made in Mzansi: Before Google, South Africa had Chappies: At corner cafés, where families bought bread, milk and other everyday necessities, shopkeepers sometimes handed out a Chappie instead of small change. Bubblegum had become a form of currency. The story began in Johannesburg’s Troyeville suburb in the late 1940s, when Arthur Ginsberg created what would become one of the country’s most recognisable brands. The original flavours included lemon, orange, strawberry, cherry and pineapple. But the cleverest ingredient was not in the gum at all. It was printed on the wrapper.
Read more here:
https://iol.co.za/business/2026-10-19-made-in-mzansi-before-google-south-africa-had-chappies/

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