TrendySA Online

GAUTENG - The South African junior team departs on Saturday night at 8.55pm in a series of staggered flights for the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA to be held from 5–9 August 2026.   Between 24–30 July, individual athletes began travelling to the USA. The main team groups will depart South Africa in staggered phases as follows: Group 1: Departed on Friday 31 July, and arrived on Saturday 1 August Group 2: departs 1 August, Arriving 2 August Group 3: Departure 2 August, Arrival 3 August Cape Town–based athletes will travel directly to the host country.  The USA visa application process went smoothly, and all team members have been granted their visas. This structured travel plan ensures athletes arrive well ahead of the Championships, allowing them time to acclimatise, recover from long-haul travel, and focus on final preparations. "Athletics South Africa extends heartfelt gratitude to all parents, coaches, schools, and donors who have...

REITZ - The  Free State Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to three separate bus-related incidents this morning, Saturday 1 August caused by poor visibility in the province.  EMS provided the following incident report:  • Xhariep District  At Smithfield on the R701 T‑junction, Voortrekker Street) at approximately 04:30, a Bus overturned resulting in 2 critical, 2 serious, 64 minor injuries - No fatalities and the scene was cleared.   • Thabo Mofutsanyana District  On the Bethlehem–Reitz Road, a Multi-vehicle collision involving three buses resulted in 2 critical, 5 serious, 180 minor injuries and No fatalities.  • Thabo Mofutsanyana District  On the Reitz–Tweeling-Frankfort crossing, a Bus and light motor vehicle collision resulted in 4 fatalities. Across all scenes, EMS implemented mass-casualty triage and coordinated with law enforcement and road authorities. Investigations into the circumstances of each incident are und...

KUGOMPO CITY - The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), together with officials from the IEC, conducted a voter registration activation at the Ndende taxi rank in KuGompo CBD in Eastern Cape. According to Akhona Dlamini, Communication Assistant GCIS-EC Provincial Office, the activation aimed to encourage community members to exercise their right to vote by registering during the second voter registration weekend, taking place on 1 and 2 August 2026.  GCIS and the IEC engaged directly with commuters and taxi operators, distributing information and assisting with voter registration queries. "The activation was well received and successfully raised awareness about the importance of voter registration. Many people took the opportunity to confirm their registration details and learn more about the voting process," Dlamini reflected. President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed Wednesday, 4 November 2026, as the date for the 2026 Local Government Elections.

GAUTENG - The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng, through the Provincial Counterfeit Unit, continues to intensify efforts to combat the manufacturing, distribution and sale of counterfeit, contraband and illicit goods across the province. Between 27 and 30 July 2026, the Provincial Counterfeit Unit, working together with brand protection representatives and other law enforcement partners, executed a series of search and seizure operations across the Tshwane, West Rand, Sedibeng and Johannesburg Districts. The operations resulted in the seizure of counterfeit and illicit goods with an estimated value of R27 504 578.00. On Monday, 27 July 2026, members executed a search and seizure warrant at business premises in Pretoria Central, Tshwane District. During the operation, police confiscated 109 counterfeit HP toner cartridges with an estimated value of R327 000.00. The operation continued on Tuesday, 28 July 2026, in Kagiso, West Rand District, where four shops were...

JOHANNESBURG - Ever wanted to try making your own delicious kota sandwich at home? This is the most simplest way to put together a meaty and tasty kota: Bread: 1 loaf of unsliced, fresh white bread (cut into quarters)Chips: 2–3 cups of thick-cut slap chips (seasoned heavily with salt and vinegar) Meats: 2 Russian sausages or beef/pork viennas, 4 slices of polonyToppings: 1 fried egg (optional), 2 slices of cheddar or processed cheese Condiments: 3-4 tablespoons of mango atchar, mayonnaise, tomato sauce, and mustardInstructions Prep the Bread: Cut the loaf of bread in half, and then into quarters. Take one quarter and make a U-shaped cut down into the center. Carefully hollow out the inside to create a "bowl" inside the crust, but save the pulled-out bread for later. Cook the Meats: Fry your Russians, viennas, and polony in a pan until lightly browned and crispy. Fry an egg sunny-side up (if using). Layer the Kota: Smear a generous amount of mayonnaise and spicy ma...

JOHANNESBURG -  The South African Football Association (SAFA) has confirmed the departure of Bafana Bafana Hugo Broos. The 74-year-old Belgium tactian bows out of the South African National Team after five years spell, leaving very big shoes to fill. The departure follows speculation that had been initially dismissed by SAFA. Broos' biggest achievement was taking South Africa to the FIFA World Cup in USA where his squad got eliminated in the first round of the  knockout stages. He goes down as one of best coaches to ever lead Bafana in the history of South African football.

UMLAZI - The Durban Metropolitan Police Service (DMPS) has welcomed the conviction and sentencing of a woman found guilty of the kidnapping, extortion and murder of a five-year-old child. In August 2025, the child was kidnapped from uMlazi Q Section, with a ransom of R60 000 demanded from the family. Acting on intelligence received from Crime Intelligence, the DMPS Tracing Unit, working alongside Crime Intelligence, launched an intelligence-led operation in the Umzimkhulu policing area. The suspect was successfully located, arrested and handed over to SAPS in connection with uMlazi SAPS Case 402/08/2025. During the investigation, the suspect led investigators to the tragic circumstances surrounding the child's death, which formed part of the evidence presented before the court. On 30 July 2026, the Durban High Court found the accused guilty on all three charges of Kidnapping, Extortion and Murder. The court imposed an effective sentence of 25 years' imprisonment. Th...

JOHANNESBURG - The road to the 2026 Local Government Elections has entered a new phase for ActionSA as the party announced Ayanda Allie as a new member. "Today, we proudly welcome Ayanda Allie as our 2026 Election Campaign Ambassador for Issue Driving in Gauteng. This high-profile addition strengthens our election campaign as we intensify our ground operation, elevate the issues that matter most to residents, and build unstoppable momentum towards victory," said party President Herman Mashaba. Ayanda was dismissed by Build One South Africa (BOSA) following an internal disciplinary process that began in July last year. The separation came after disputes over party levy and fees.

TROMPSBURG -  A bus accident on N1 north of Trompsburg in the Free State has claimed the lives of 10 people. The Free State Emergency Medical Services confirmed that a bus carrying approximately 60 passengers overturned shortly after 21:30 last night on the N1, about 24 km north of Trompsburg in the direction of Edenburg. The accident has left multiple people injured. The department has urged motorists traveling on the N1 between Trompsburg and Edenburg to be on high alert, reduce speed, and expect significant delays. 

RANDBURG - Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse  (OUTA) has noted Cabinet’s long-overdue approval of ten-year driving licence cards for light motor vehicles.  The decision follows years of calls for reform from OUTA and other civil society organisations.  “This decision is almost six years overdue, but it is a victory for motorists and for common sense. Government has finally accepted that forcing motorists through an inefficient renewal system every five years wastes time and money without making our roads safer,” says OUTA CEO Wayne Duvenage. The ten-year validity period will apply to driving licence codes A, A1, B and EB. Heavy commercial and public transport vehicle licences will remain subject to the existing two- or five-year renewal periods, while professional driving permits will continue to be renewed every two years. OUTA first called for the validity period to be extended in September 2020, when COVID-19 restrictions severely disrupted licensing services ...