Author: Nomthandazo Ntisa
Severe thunderstorms are affecting large parts of South Africa on Sunday, with five provinces placed under impact-based weather warnings for flooding, hail, and damaging winds. The warnings affect Gauteng indirectly through regional storm systems, while the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal face the highest risk of severe impacts.
South African motorists are seeing relief at the fuel pumps following another petrol price cut, but economists warn the impact on household costs and inflation may be short-lived. While fuel prices dropped by 65 cents per litre this week, the reduction does not significantly shift the inflation outlook, and upcoming tax decisions could reverse recent gains.
Sedibeng TVET College has opened its online application status check system for 2026 applicants, allowing prospective students to verify whether their applications have been received, processed, or approved. The status check affects first-time applicants who applied for 2026 admission and need confirmation before registration and NSFAS planning deadlines.
The South African Social Security Agency has suspended about 70,000 social grants nationwide after reviewing 240,000 beneficiaries as part of a large-scale compliance process. The review affects grant recipients across Gauteng and other provinces and has already reduced government spending by about R44 million a month, according to SASSA.
Bolt has confirmed updated driver and vehicle registration requirements for South Africa in 2026, affecting new and existing drivers in Gauteng who use the ride-hailing platform to earn income. The changes reinforce stricter documentation checks, digital vehicle inspections, and age and licensing rules, which must be met before a driver can go online.
Uber requires drivers in South Africa to add a vehicle to their account before they can go online with that car. This affects Gauteng residents looking to operate in Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni, where the platform enforces strict vehicle, insurance, and inspection requirements.
Domestic workers and other low-income employees across Gauteng will receive a higher hourly wage from March 2026 following an increase to South Africa’s national minimum wage. The adjustment raises the hourly rate by R1.44, directly affecting households that employ domestic workers and workers who rely on the minimum wage as their primary income. The change matters now because it sets the legal pay floor for the new financial year and determines what employers must lawfully pay from 1 March.
South Africans continue to face rising data bundle costs in 2026, while most major network operators still impose strict expiry dates on prepaid bundles. The issue affects millions of users who lose unused data each month despite having paid for it. This matters now as households across Gauteng and the rest of the country rely on mobile connectivity for work, education, banking, and access to public services.
Download the free NYDA Business Plan Template for South African youth entrepreneurs. Learn how to apply for NYDA vouchers and funding support today.
Health authorities continue to warn that high cholesterol levels remain one of the leading risk factors for heart disease and stroke in South Africa, with lifestyle and diet playing a major role in long-term outcomes. The issue affects adults across Gauteng, where cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of hospital admissions. Medical professionals consistently point to everyday food choices as a key factor in managing cholesterol levels alongside clinical care.