As we move through the annual paediatric surge season, the Western Cape Health and Wellness Department has urged parents and caregivers to take extra care during this time as more young children become ill with diarrhoea and pneumonia. These illnesses are reportedly common in young children every year from November to May. During periods of very hot weather, health facilities across the province also see an increase in children who arrive with gastro-related
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has encouraged parents to support the upcoming HPV school immunisation drive, which commences on 2 February 2026. School health nurses will visit schools until 27 March to offer a single-dose HPV vaccine at no cost to Grade 5 girls aged 9 years and older. The Department says by supporting this programme, parents and caregivers can ensure that their daughters are better protected in adulthood
The Western Cape’s historic matric achievements have set a powerful benchmark, and now the spotlight shifts to the Class of 2026. As the province celebrates yet another record-breaking year, Western Cape Education MEC David Maynier says the challenge has been firmly laid before the next cohort of matric learners. Speaking at a special awards ceremony hosting the country’s top achievers, Maynier paid tribute to two extraordinary young women who stood at the centre
The world is four seconds closer to catastrophe, with the Doomsday Clock now 85 seconds to midnight. The clock was reset by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists’ Science and Security Board (SASB) on 27 January 2026 to reflect what it described as “the closest the Clock has ever been to midnight”. As such, the President and CEO of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Alexandra Bell, called for immediate action. “The
The South African Reserve Bank’s decision to keep the repo rate unchanged has been welcomed by property market experts, who say the move provides stability and supports growing confidence among homebuyers. With the repo rate holding at 6.75% and the prime lending rate at 10.25%, experts say the steady rate environment provides much-needed certainty for both homeowners and prospective buyers at the start of 2026. Toni Anderson, Head of Home Services at
