Mike is alive and well, and everywhere

Lance Fredericks|Published

A reflection on lifelong “head woes” takes a quirky turn into the tale of Mike the Headless Chicken, using his bizarre survival story to poke fun at everyday absurdities and “Mike Heads” we encounter in life.

Africa’s literacy crisis - unlocking the power of mother-tongue reading at ECD level

Supplied|Published

South Africa’s literacy crisis, where most young learners cannot read for meaning, highlights the urgent need for early interventions and daily home-language reading, ...

How mathematics homework stopped a ninja

Lance Fredericks|Published

As a child, homework felt like punishment and maths seemed pointless – especially for an aspiring ninja. Decades later, the irony hit: mathematics wasn’t about numbers, ...

Is that a bandit in my bathroom mirror?

Lance Fredericks|Published

From jaywalking to using our smartphone while driving, many of us bend small rules daily without a second thought. They may seem harmless, but they reveal how casually ...

OPINION: Where is the support for our future sporting stars?

Danie van der Lith|Published

A personal column highlighting how South African youth athletes struggle without government support, citing soccer players on sand pitches and self-funded skateboarders, ...

Celebrating the unconditional love of dogs on International Dog Day

Danie van der Lith|Published

International Dog Day celebrates the joy, companionship, and unconditional love that dogs bring to their owners, while also recognising their vital roles as support ...

Lights, camera, chaos: when fantasy meets reality

Lance Fredericks|Published

This piece explores how violent action movies can distort our sense of justice, with an interesting anecdote about how fantasy heroics can clash with reality — and ...

Raise both hands to your enemies

Lance Fredericks|Published

In the wake of a controversial podcast’s derogatory remarks about Coloured people, public outrage has reignited conversations about the lingering scars of apartheid. ...

The value of a calm head in a heated world

Lance Fredericks|Published

OPINION: Rising US-South Africa trade tensions and new tariffs are putting pressure on consumers — but maybe South Africans should respond with calm, kindness, and ...

'Shape up’? No, MEC — it’s time to ship out

Community Contributor|Published

OPINION: The Northern Cape Health MEC must resign, not reform, after a damning report exposed deadly neglect and systemic failures in psychiatric care under his ...

Dust and deceit: How one lawyer took on Big Asbestos and won

The Conversation|Published

In a landmark case rooted in the asbestos-ravaged communities of the Northern Cape, thousands of South Africans took on a powerful multinational mining company — ...

Watch VideoWhat if it were your child? SA’s children are our responsibility

Lance Fredericks|Published

A recent ordeal involving South African footballers stranded abroad has exposed how vulnerable young athletes are to poorly managed tours and false promises. But ...

Imagine the fear: SA youth football team stranded overseas with no return tickets

Lance Fredericks|Published

More than 30 young South African footballers found themselves stranded in Portugal after their academy allegedly failed to book return flights from a tournament ...

No answers, no dialogue: Political fallout grows after Kimberley shutdown

Morgan Morgan|Published

A week after the Kimberley shutdown, political tensions are mounting as ActionSA accuses both civic leaders and the media of sidelining dialogue and deepening the ...

OPINION: When justice feels unfinished

Morgan Morgan|Published

This editorial reflects on a Kathu GBV case in which a convicted abuser received a suspended sentence, questioning whether legal outcomes like this truly serve justice ...

Victories and veneers: When Springbok glory masks a nation’s pain

Lance Fredericks|Published

A reflection on ongoing public criticism that the Springboks’ success is being used to distract from South Africa’s deepening crises – with voices urging that pride ...

I nearly klapped a cellphone zombie. Then I matured

Lance Fredericks|Published

A near-collision in a mall parking lot sparks a reflection on cellphone distractions, parenting, and what real maturity looks like. From Brad Williams’ “Elf on a ...

Watch VideoThe man at the centre of the Mkhwanazi, Mchunu storm: Who is Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala?

Hope Ntanzi|Updated

Businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala faces charges of corruption, attempted murder, and fraud amid explosive revelations linking him to high-level political interference ...

This isn’t a career rush — it’s a survival stampede

Morgan Morgan|Published

OPINION: More than 185,000 SAPS applications in just 48 hours reveal a sobering truth: South Africa’s youth aren’t chasing careers — they’re scrambling to survive ...

WWF photo competition celebrates South Africa’s beauty beyond the selfie

Lance Fredericks|Published

From majestic giraffes to star trails and human resilience, WWF’s ‘Through Your Lens’ winners remind South Africans what’s worth protecting.