People queue from before dawn at the Maseru passport office, though passport services have been officially suspended. The Lesotho Ministry of Home Affairs has suspended passport services, citing the need to clear a huge backlog. But crowds of people are still queuing at the Maseru passport office. Some are migrant workers who say that without a passport they may lose their jobs in South Africa. At the Maseru passport office on Tuesday, people began arriving before sunrise. By mid-morning, the …
Business
“We Have Not Appointed Any King”: Somali Shop-Owners Targeted in Protests Against Nigerians
Trucks belonging to immigrant shop-owners were torched during a violent protest on Monday in Buffalo City. Somali immigrants were caught up in violence during a protest on Monday in Buffalo City against the “coronation” of a Nigerian “king”. The protest was led by organisations including Operation Dudula and March and March. Chaos erupted after reports that a protester had been attacked by immigrants. Several shops belonging to Somali immigrants were looted and vehicles were burned. The …
Ford Bearing Mandela’s Signature Donated to Children’s Fund
Pretoria: A one-of-a-kind Ford Ranger Wildtrak X, the first Ford vehicle and the first bakkie globally to carry Nelson Mandela’s signature has been donated to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund. Built by Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa, the unique bakkie will be used to raise funds to support the Fund’s programmes focused on child safety, protection and community-based support systems across South Africa. “The symbolism that comes with Madiba’s official signature speaks directly to the …
Bienvenu Shelter Provides a Safe Haven for Asylum Seekers
The Bienvenu Shelter’s skill centre in Kensington, Johannesburg, an initiative of the Scalabrinian Missionary Sisters, provides training for refugee women. A warm bed, daily meals and permission to stay for up to six months, can be a life saver for destitute asylum seekers. The Bienvenu Shelter, an initiative of the Scalabrinian Missionary Sisters in Bertrams, Johannesburg, provides this for up to 60 women at a time. During the course of 2025, the shelter was a safe haven for 95 women and 110 …
Over 28 Years of Support for Rally to Read
PRETORIA: As South Africa continues to confront one of its most pressing educational challenges, improving and strengthening literacy among young learners, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (Manufacturing) (Pty) Ltd (“Ford South Africa”) has concluded the 2026 Rally to Read in the Eastern Cape, delivering books, teaching materials and teacher aids to rural schools over the weekend. These resources are geared to strengthen reading outcomes during the critical early years of schooling. This …
Fusion Fest 2.0
Pretoria: The grand finale of the 2026 Mahindra Fusion Fest is ready to go, with the final preparations now in full swing at the SunBet Arena in Menlyn before tomorrow’s event. For this, the second iteration of the Mahindra Fusion Fest, Mahindra included a nationwide talent search for artists, musicians and fashion designers to showcase their work, as well as two roadshow events in Cape Town and Durban. This arguably makes the Fusion Fest the largest and most comprehensive celebration of …
10 000 With More to Come
Centurion – Mahindra has reached a significant landmark, officially delivering the 10 000th Mahindra XUV 3XO to a South African customer during February 2026. This achievement represents the fastest-ever 10 000-unit sales milestone recorded by any vehicle in the local Mahindra stable, requiring just over 500 days since its initial launch to reach this impressive figure. The Mahindra XUV 3XO was introduced to the South African market in October 2024, setting a new benchmark for safety and …
“Abysmal” Service at Pretoria Master’s Office
Attorneys GroundUp spoke to have described the Pretoria Master’s Office as “completely dysfunctional” and “abysmal”. The Pretoria Master’s Office is in disarray, with backlogs and disorganisation, with one attorney describing its service as “abysmal”. Allegations of corrupt practices such as the use of “runners” to queue-jump for a fee and the vulnerability of the office to fraud were also raised by attorneys. The Department of Justice says it is addressing the backlogs, filling vacant posts, …
Dealer and Distributor Excellence Awards
PRETORIA – Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (Manufacturing) Pty Ltd (“Ford South Africa”) showcased the strength and longevity of its dealer and distributor network across South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) at the Ford Recognition Awards for 2025, highlighting both top performance and multi-generational partnership. Held in Johannesburg, the annual event spotlighted excellence across sales, aftersales, Ford Credit, Ford Protect, customer experience and operational standards. More …
A R6 Million (Or So) Exclusive Expression of South African Artistry
Pretoria: Inspired by platinum – a rare metal admired for its beauty, lustre and strength – the Range Rover SV Platinum Edition is a meticulously curated expression of modern craftsmanship. Every detail has been considered to echo the qualities of its namesake, from its refined material palette to its bespoke detailing. Just five examples have been commissioned, exclusively for South Africa. The exterior of the Platinum Edition draws inspiration from the craftsmanship and precise finish of fine …