Masabata Mkwananzi

Senior Multimedia Journalist at The Star

Young South African entrepreneurs rise to the challenge, but sustainability remains elusive

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

With South Africa’s youth unemployment soaring, many young people are turning to entrepreneurship not as a choice but as a necessity. Yet research shows up to 80% ...

Remembering 'Terror' Lekota: From football pitch to political powerhouse

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

In remembrance of a man whose nickname encapsulates not only his youthful prowess but also his profound impact on South Africa, Mosiuoa " Terror" Lekota’s life serves ...

City Power pulls the plug: Randburg residents in the dark

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

Residents of the Oasis on Pine complex in Randburg CBD remain without power after a special meter audit revealed the building was overloading the local electricity ...

Relief for Gauteng families as all Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners are placed

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

The Gauteng Department of Education has confirmed the successful placement of all remaining unplaced Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners, bringing the total number of pupils ...

EXCLUSIVE: Law enforcers 'breaking the law': 24 Amapanyaza vehicles 'operating illegally' as 4-year-old is hit

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

Twenty-four Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens (Amapanyaza) vehicles are operating with expired licence discs, despite being tasked with enforcing the law. The revelation ...

Man held as police recover stolen R1.9 million Toyota Land Cruiser V8 on N1 highway

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

A 30-year-old man has been arrested after police intercepted a stolen Toyota Land Cruiser V8 worth R1.9 million on the N1 near Modimolle. The vehicle, reported stolen ...

At least six dead, several trapped after building collapse in Ormonde

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

Six people have been confirmed dead following the collapse of a two-storey building under construction at Amethyst Business Park in Ormonde, south of Johannesburg, ...

From rash to alarm: South African women confront risks in everyday pads

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

A University of the Free State study has found hormone-disrupting chemicals in all tested sanitary pads and pantyliners sold in South Africa, raising concerns about ...

Public outrage: Thousands sign petition against Gauteng education budget 'cuts'

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

A political battle has erupted in Gauteng after more than 10 000 residents signed a DA petition opposing alleged budget cuts to Quintile 5 schools. While the DA ...

Don't let SA fall! RISE Mzansi's call to combat gambling woes

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

South Africa faces a mounting gambling crisis, with political party RISE Mzansi warning that the proposed 20% national online gambling tax alone will not be enough ...

Explosive found in home: Behind the bribery and arrest of Limpopo couple

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

A joint intelligence-led operation in Northam, Limpopo, resulted in the arrest of a 27-year-old woman for possession of explosives and her 39-year-old boyfriend ...

SAPS raises over R16 million to support children of fallen officers

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

Following the annual SAPS National Golf Day, more than R16 million was raised for the South African Police Service Education Trust (SAPSET), which assists children ...

Clayville construction site raid: Over 50 immigrants without papers arrested

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

A multidisciplinary operation led by the Department of Employment and Labour on Friday, 27 February, resulted in the arrest of over 50 undocumented foreign nationals ...

City Power warns of fraudulent job training scam targeting unemployed residents

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

City Power has alerted the public to a fake training advertisement targeting N1–N6 Electrical Engineering graduates, designed to steal personal details. The utility ...

Two men apprehended with stolen luxury Range Rover worth R2.1 million

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

Two men remain behind bars after being found in possession of a luxury vehicle reported stolen in Gauteng and recovered along the N1 near Kranskop. Their arrest ...

Lesufi warns of nighttime water cuts; opposition parties voice concerns

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s 2026 State of the Province Address has drawn mixed reactions. While BOSA’s Ayanda Allie criticised ongoing service delivery failures ...

Mayor relieved as Ekurhuleni protest suspension promises stability in the metro

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza welcomes the suspension of the Tembisa protest, calling it an opportunity for dialogue and structured interventions. ...

Tembisa erupts as residents' outrage over power cuts spill into streets

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

Parts of Tembisa came to a standstill on Monday as residents blocked major roads with burning tyres and debris in protest against electricity disconnections. The ...

Olievenhoutbosch Police Station in crisis as suspects are held at front desk

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

An oversight visit by the Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has exposed alarming conditions at Olievenhoutbosch Police Station, ...

Limpopo police crackdown on organised crime nets R1 million worth of dagga

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

Limpopo police scored major wins over the weekend, seizing R1 million worth of dagga in Leboeng and arresting two men, while also dismantling a vehicle theft syndicate ...

Election showdown looms over Johannesburg as service delivery crisis mount

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

As Johannesburg approaches its local government elections, the city faces worsening service delivery, a critical water crisis, and rising political tension. Four ...

Political parties clash over Gauteng's crime statistics

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

Gauteng remains South Africa’s crime hotspot despite national declines in murder and violent crime, according to the latest third-quarter statistics from the South ...

SACP slams Ramaphosa for halting National Health Insurance implementation

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

Two years after the NHI Act was signed into law, the ambitious healthcare reform remains in limbo, stalled by sustained legal and political opposition, including ...

Limpopo man receives 11-year jail sentence for brutal rape of teenager

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

Makibelo approached the young woman armed with a broken bottle and forcefully dragged her from the vehicle. He later returned with a knife, again pulling her out ...

Student allowances being diverted to gambling, NSFAS intervenes

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

Student financial aid meant for education expenses is increasingly being diverted to gambling, prompting NSFAS and the National Gambling Board to launch a joint ...