Mathjabeng in financial freefall
The Free State municipality is facing severe fiscal distress, with liabilities exceeding R5.8bn and a R871.6 million deficit, says Auditor General Tsakani Maluleke
Free State
No freedom without water
Across South Africa, communities are marking Freedom Day under the weight of an escalating water crisis, where unreliable supply, contamination and ageing infrastructure continue to undermine basic rights and deepen inequality
SA’s water crisis deepens: Nearly half of wastewater systems critical
The latest Green, Blue and No Drop reports show widespread deterioration of water and sanitation infrastructure. Nearly half of wastewater systems are critical, drinking water improvements are marginal and non-revenue water losses remain high in multiple provinces, highlighting urgent need for municipal investment and reform
Inside the EFF Free State plot to remove Maluti-a-Phofung mayor
In a voice note obtained by the Mail & Guardian, a senior EFF leader is heard saying they would give councillors different coloured pens to identify how they voted and that councillors must come to council even if they were sick
ANC in QwaQwa allegedly organised “township thugs” armed with knives to disrupt mayor’s removal
A councillor said police had to be brought in to stop the disruptions
Ramaphosa to crack the whip in the Free State
The president will meet the provincial executive to discuss the state of the province’s municipalities
Mashatile honours Mosiuoa Lekota as a giant who carried the torch of freedom
Known for speaking truth to power, Lekota’s contributions to democracy, education and social development have left an indelible mark on South Africa’s journey toward equality and dignity for all citizens
SANDF deployment to back police set to start on 31 March
National police commissioner Fannie Masemola said the army would play a supporting role to the South African Police Service
Free State premier declares year of decisive action to fix municipalities, drive economic growth
MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae said the state of municipalities was not encouraging
KwaZulu-Natal tops 2025 matric results with 90.6% pass rate
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube said the notion that 30% constituted a pass mark was political sloganism
South Africa’s agricultural exports boom
The latest data for the third quarter shows that South Africa’s agricultural exports totalled US$4.7 billion, up from 13% from the same period a year ago
Steenhuisen confirms 274 foot-and-mouth disease cases in five provinces
Officials said South Africa’s phytosanitary and biosecurity requirements are world class and the department is awaiting bilateral trade agreements to be resolved to begin exports of beef
Fort Hare University: Lies and xenophobia distract from the jobs crisis
State disinvestment in public services, infrastructure and manufacturing ensured that millions would remain trapped in cycles of poverty, with or without immigration
Returning to the bones of home
Back in the Free State, a daughter rediscovers the textures of home, family and unspoken inheritances in Antjie Krog’s autobiographical novel
Free State’s helium gamble: A new energy frontier?
The province is home to the biggest gas and helium project in the country. Will it speed up the shift towards renewable energy sources, or could it potentially hinder progress? Refilwe Mochoari investigates
‘Sit down. The prof has spoken: When Malema came to UFS
This is an edited extract from Jonathan Jansen’s new book, Breaking Bread
Ugly vegetables create a beautiful story
A small agricultural miracle is transforming a community in the Cradle of Humankind
Free State schools reports human rhinovirus outbreak
The provincial health department ordered the schools to shut their doors after about 100 pupils were infected with the virus, as well as influenza B
Hlaudi mulls joining forces with Ace after elections
The disgraced former SABC boss also has ambitions of becoming premier of the Free State
Lesotho MPs discuss reclaiming parts of South Africa
The motion aims to have parliament declare Free State province and areas of four more regions as part of the small mountain kingdom
Tate Makgoe Legacy: “Education can decisively deal with poverty”
The MEC of education in the Free State led with passion, was a pillar of the community and a driver for progress
Ace Magashule featured from the outset in Vrede probe – Thuli Madonsela
Not investigating politicians is a breach of standards, former public protector tells inquiry into her successor, Busisiwe Mkhwebane
Madonsela says State Security Agency tried to snoop on CIEX-Bankorp probe
Former public protector says intelligence agency opened documents couriered to her by the department of international relations
Free State under new management as Mxolisi Dukwana gets nod from ANC top brass
The newly elected ANC Free State chairperson is expected to make a complete overhaul in his cabinet in the coming weeks
Sisi Ntombela to resign as Free State premier
The move comes after the new Free State executive committee decided to restructure the provincial government following meetings with top ANC officials
Mxolisi Dukwana heads the list of Free State ANC candidates to replace premier Ntombela
Three names to be handed over to the top seven for consideration after the ANC decided to recall Sisi Ntombela
You can’t ace politics using cheap populism, Magashule
Former Free State premier Ace Magashule used Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s legacy to prop himself up but it was all public relations, with no substance
Class of 2022 records 80.1% pass rate
Second highest rate in history of the National Senior Certificate exams and all provinces saw an improvement, with none scoring below 70%
‘Water tanker mafia’ in Free State making a killing from desperate residents
The Maluti-a-Phofung municipality’s failure to provide people with water results in locals having to pay thousands of rand for water to private suppliers
Jagersfontein: How mine dams collapse
Poorly designed, constructed or managed mine dam storage facilities represent a significant risk to local communities and ecosystems
Ban to curb spread of foot-and-mouth disease in South Africa
If foot-and-mouth disease is not contained it could have a severe impact on the economy and, most importantly, our farmers
The list of NPA state capture arrests starts to grow
Fugitives Rajesh and Atul Gupta were arrested four months after Interpol issued a Red Notice against them. But they are just the latest.