World News & Scholarships

Senwabarwana, South Africa (Al Jazeera) — A routine funeral in Ga-Kibi, Senwabarwana, turned into a nightmare on September 13, 2025, when a man assisting with lowering his best friend’s coffin slipped into the open grave and was crushed to death by the heavy casket. The 32-year-old victim, whose identity has not been released pending family notification, died instantly as pallbearers, …

Johannesburg, South Africa (Al Jazeera) — The allure of fame is intoxicating, but for some South African celebrities, the spotlight’s glare became unbearable. Ten beloved stars, once cherished by millions, have traded red carpets for routine, swapping acting for jobs as baristas, mechanics, and community workers. Their stories, shared across X and news outlets, reveal a raw struggle with fame’s …

Johannesburg, South Africa (Al Jazeera) — The stark contrast between Thabo Bester’s multimillion-rand lifestyle and his mother Maria Mabaso’s poverty in a Sebokeng RDP house has ignited a firestorm of heartbreak and scorn on social media. As the Netflix documentary Beauty and the Bester trends, Mzansi is reeling over the “Facebook rapist’s” wealth—amassed through scams and crime—while his mother, who …

Mfuleni, South Africa (Al Jazeera) — Gunfire shattered the night in Happy Valley, Mfuleni, on September 12, 2025, turning a routine evening outside a local spaza shop into a scene of carnage. Three young men, aged 24 to 27, were killed instantly in what police describe as a gang-related ambush, while an 18-year-old survivor fights for his life in hospital. …

Centurion, South Africa (Al Jazeera) — The desperate search for five-month-old Thandeka Nyamane, missing from her home in Lyttelton’s Fountain squatter camp since September 6, 2025, took a devastating turn. Police have arrested the infant’s mother and her friend on charges of child neglect, revealing they left two babies unattended while heading to a nearby tavern for drinks. As Thandeka …

Johannesburg, South Africa (Al Jazeera) — The South African entertainment world has been rocked by a series of devastating losses, with beloved actors, musicians, and cultural figures passing away in recent years. From the soulful melodies of Zahara to the commanding presence of Connie Chiume, these stars left indelible marks on Mzansi’s arts scene. This tribute honors 31 luminaries whose …

Johannesburg, South Africa (Al Jazeera) — While South Africa fixates on the sensational saga of Dr. Nandipha Magudumana—her alleged role in Thabo Bester’s prison escape, her failed extradition appeals, and her gaunt courtroom appearances—her two young daughters, aged approximately 9 and 11, face a quieter, more profound tragedy. Huddled in a relative’s home in KwaZulu-Natal, they grapple with a mother’s …

Pretoria, South Africa (Al Jazeera) — A pregnant foreign national in active labour collapsed on the pavement outside a Pretoria clinic on September 12, 2025, after being barred entry by members of the anti-migrant group Operation Dudula. Witnesses described her screams for help echoing unanswered as bystanders filmed videos and hurled insults, including the derogatory term “kwerekwere.” The incident, captured …

Evaton, South Africa (Al Jazeera) — The air hung heavy with grief in Evaton Township, north of Sebokeng, as black-clad mourners gathered under a makeshift marquee. Coffins lined the yard, each holding a young life cut short. Rethabile Mokhatla, 11, Moeketsi Mokhatla, 9, and Tshepiso Tsotetsi, 9 – siblings and cousins from Evaton Primary School – were laid to rest …

Johannesburg, South Africa (BBC) — A wave of mourning swept through South Africa this morning as news broke of the supposed death of veteran actor Setlhabi Taunyane. The 69-year-old, beloved for his iconic role as Bra Kop Khuse in the long-running e.tv soapie Rhythm City, was reported to have passed away, leaving fans in disbelief. But what started as a …