The suspects facing charges of stealing more than R9 million from a couch in President Cyril Ramaphosa private game farm, Phala Phala. By The Quest Correspondents Where did it all begin? The Phala Phala saga began in February 2020, when burglars broke into President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm (official site: https://www.thepresidency.gov.za (thepresidency.gov.za in Bing)). They allegedly stole $580,000 (about R9.6 million) hidden in furniture. Ramaphosa later ex

Deadly Shootout Near Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park Five suspected poachers were killed in a shootout near Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park’s Memorial Gate on 9 May 2026, as Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and the South African Police Service (@SAPS) intensified their war on rhino poaching in KwaZulu‑Natal. By CHRIS MAKHAYE On Saturday, 9 May 2026, the R22 road leading to Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park’s Memorial Gate became the scene of a deadly confrontation. A joint operation between the South African Police

By LINDA XIMBA For a province widely regarded as the “Mecca of Boxing” for its rich production of world and national champions, it is almost unfathomable that the Eastern Cape has yet to produce a World Boxing Council (WBC) world champion. Boxer Kuse with his opponent, Wanheng Menayothin, in Thailand Winning the coveted green-and-gold belt sanctioned by the World Boxing Council remains the ultimate achievement in professional boxing, and over the years the Eastern Cape has pr

By CHRIS MAKHAYE In the port city of Durban, the noisy car hoots, the throb of music spilling from shopfronts, hawkers calling out to passing customers, and drinks swirling in the hands of those unwinding after a long week make the local The Workshop Mall its usual theatre of sound. On this Friday, 8 May 2026, it was no different. The air pulsed with chaos, the kind of rhythm that defines the city’s heartbeat. Yet, on the western edge of The Workshop, at Gugu Dlamini Park, si

Column By KASI PATRIOT I am loath to opine on issues of femininity–Black femininity more pointedly–because of the obvious fact that I am not female. Because of my sexual orientation which places me in the opposite side of the gender divide, I cannot, therefore, claim to sufficiently understand the female psyche to the point of knowing more about the female condition than women themselves. The burden of Black aesthetics I do, however, my lack notwithstanding, want to broach t

By MBULELO BALOYI South Africa’s Constitutional Court has reignited the politically explosive Phala Phala saga, ruling that Parliament failed in its constitutional duty to properly scrutinise allegations against President Cyril Ramaphosa. The CoCourt ruling on Phala Phala farm theft has put the spotlight back on President Cyril Ramaphosa In a landmark judgment that sharpens the spotlight on executive accountability, the apex court found that the National Assembly could not si

The Madlanga Probe has emerged as a significant investigation within South Africa’s legal and political landscape. It has attracted considerable attention due to its implications for governance, accountability, and the rule of law. This article aims to provide a clear and comprehensive overview of the probe, outlining its background, key figures, and the broader context in which it operates. By presenting the facts in a structured and accessible manner, the discussion will he

By SOLLY PHETOE On 1 May, COSATU will host rallies across all nine provinces, with workers gathering in their thousands to celebrate Workers’ Day. Yet this annual show of unity and pride was hard won. From Apartheid Defiance to Democratic Gains In South Africa, May Day only became an official public holiday in 1995, following the country’s first democratic elections in 1994. Crucially, the apartheid government was compelled to recognise the significance of the day after COSAT

KASI PATRIOT My uncle’s name was Ranger. Yes, Ranger, as in the fearless lawman from the 90s American television series who protected the innocent and punished the villains. But unlike that famous Ranger, my uncle earned his nickname through a far less noble trade: walking the alleys and gambling on cards. In township gambling circles, the King card is called the “Ranger.” Every card, in fact, has a moniker. The number “7” for instance, is called ‘S'gebengu’, “2” is called ‘u

By PALI LEHOHLA South Africa’s 32nd year of democracy is not a moment for jubilation but for sober reflection. My six decades of statistical work, consolidated into 2,752 instruments of the Lehohla Ledger, compel me to excavate evidence of progress—or its absence. Guided by the philosophy of Morena Mohlomi, the 18th‑century Mosotho sage, I argue that democracy must be measured not by ritual but by the convergence of economic participation with human dignity. The national mood

Economy By SINDI CELE and The Quest Correspondents Durban: The war in Iran and the wider Middle East has upended global shipping, forcing vessels to abandon the Suez Canal and Red Sea in favour of the longer Cape of Good Hope route. That diversion has turned South Africa’s Port of Durban into a chokepoint of both opportunity and strain, as container traffic surges and supply chains buckle. Port Strain The congestion is partly caused by an increasing number of vessels stopping

By CHRIS MAKHAYE The rolling hills of northern KwaZulu‑Natal - stretching into Mozambique and Eswatini - have become a battlefield where elephants, villagers and poachers collide. This borderland has turned into a staging ground for both human‑wildlife conflict and organised poaching syndicates. This is happening despite repeated interventions by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and conservation groups. Since 2022, a number of elephants have been killed in the region. Some were shot by

Media and Society By MARGARET NDAWONDE My name is Margaret Ndawonde. I am a writer by instinct, and a Media and Communications professional by trade. My journey into the industry began in the mid-1990s, rooted in Creative Writing before evolving into a trainee reporter role at a time when South Africa itself was undergoing a profound transformation. I entered the field through magazine journalism as a feature writer—an entry point some of my peers at the time regarded as “sof

By CHRIS MAKHAYE As soon as President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that South Africans will head to the polls on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, the country’s restless social media community erupted. Within minutes, timelines filled with sharp commentary, biting humour and weary cynicism. One viral post quipped: “If they fix the potholes before November, I’ll vote twice — once for the road, once for the party.” Another joked: “Electricity cuts are so bad, I’ll take my ballot to Esko

The Quest Correspondents A cartoon of Don and Ben in a Zulu village Historical Background The roots of the current war stretch back decades. In 1953, a CIA-backed coup in Iran reinstated Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, aligning Iran closely with the United States and Israel. During the Shah’s reign, Iran supplied oil to Israel and cooperated militarily against Arab neighbors. This alliance collapsed with the 1979 Islamic Revolution, when Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini established th

By LINDA XIMBA With just 42 days to go before Bafana Bafana kick off their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign in Mexico, anticipation is building across South Africa as fans await the final squad announcement. Drawn in Group A, Bafana will face hosts Mexico, South Korea and the Czech Republic in what promises to be a thrilling group. As the nation waits, The Quest has stepped into the selector’s seat to predict the 23-man squad that could carry South Africa’s hopes on the global st

The Betrayal of the Poor Continues By THAPELO MOHAPI Thapelo Mohapi says the freedom has been for the rich as the poor continued to suffer hardships in last 32 years South Africa is preparing to mark 32 years of democracy. We are told that we are free. We are told that we should celebrate. For millions of people, especially the poor, there is nothing to celebrate. The promise of a better life for all was made to our people. That promise was carried by those who fought, those

By LINDANI BUTHELEZI When South Africa gained independence in 1994 it was not only the political landscape that changed. The automotive sector was one industry that was poised to shift. Thirty-two years later South Africa didn't just gain democracy, it gained a car culture entirely its own. From the days of leaded fuel, when a clean light grey tailpipe told your neighbours everything they needed to know about how well you looked after your machine, or insimbi, iketi, ikari

By LINDA XIMBA South Africa’s sporting journey since the end of apartheid in 1994 has been defined by symbolic triumphs, global competitiveness, and persistent challenges around transformation and consistency. Siya Kolisi has been pivotl in Springobok's recent sucess. The country has often punched above its weight on the international stage across multiple codes, while using sport as a powerful tool for nation-building and social cohesion. This vision was most powerfully embo

By MBULELO BALOYI and CHRIS MAKHAYE DURBAN — Confidence in democracy in KwaZulu-Natal is rapidly eroding. This is according to the new survey findings of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and Human Sciences Research Council’s 2026 Voter Participation Survey presented during stakeholder engagements in Durban this week. Eroding Confidence in Democracy The findings point to deep public disillusionment with political leadership, governance and the performance of dem