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Locals and visitors flocked to Lookout Beach in their hundreds to help save as many washed-up seahorses as they could. Photographer: David Ritchie / African News Agency (ANA)

Rangers in high spirits at the Southern African Wildlife College in Limpopo, where they participated in a 21km race known as the Wildlife Ranger Challenge in the blistering heat of nearly 40 degree celsius. @SANParksKNP

Protest

People were walking home from work on Friday afternoon, walking as far as from Cape Town to Khayelitsha, and also to Dunoon, due to the taxi strike which has left many taxi commuters stranded. Video: Ayanda Ndamane/African News Agency

Minister David Maynier on the impact of the taxi strike on Western Cape schools

Chaos erupts as taxi unrest escalates in Cape Town. South African National Taxi Council has decided to embark on a stay-away for six days starting this afternoon. This was decided by all eight regions who gathered at the Desmond Tutu Community Hall in Makhaza, Khayelitsha.

Chaos erupts as taxi unrest escalates in Cape Town

Chaos erupts as taxi unrest escalates in Cape Town. South African National Taxi Council has decided to embark on a stay-away for six days starting this afternoon. This was decided by all eight regions who gathered at the Desmond Tutu Community Hall in Makhaza, Khayelitsha.

Nyanga Temirnus bus burning Photographer Ayanda Ndamane African News Agency

South Africa - Cape Town - 2 August 2023 - South Africa's Proteas drew against New Zealand's Silver Ferns in the 2023 Netball World Cup at the CTICC on Wednesday evening. New Zealand has won the Netball World Cup five times and is currently the reigning world champions after winning gold at the last Netball World Cup, Liverpool 2019, when they beat Australia in the Final by one goal. The Netball World Cup 2023 (NWC2023) in Cape Town, South Africa will run from the 28th of July to the 6th of August and will be the first to take place on the CTICC. Photographer: Armand Hough / African News Agency (ANA)

South Africa - Johannesburg - 2 August 2023 - Police raid the Zamimpilo informal settlement to fight illegal mining activities in the area. Police arrested a man with illegal mining tools. Video: Itumeleng English / African News Agency (ANA)

South African National Taxi Council has decided to embark on a stay-away for six days starting this afternoon. Immediately after the resolution was taken, a MyCiTi bus was stoned in Khayelitsha. Video: Ayanda Ndamane/African News Agency

As the African National Congress’ Women’s League 13th national conference kicks off in Johannesburg, the party’s Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has called for a united a strong league to emerge. Following previous disbandment and political upheaval, Mbalula said this was the conference where the women of the organisation united in their fight against gender equality, even among the organisation itself. He urged the delegates to make their voices heard in all struggles of the country, and to come to the defence of women who face attack in tertiary institutions, boardrooms and other sectors of society. “Don’t always fight for men to lead the ANC. “The Women’s League must be in those struggles where our revolution is being attacked. The Women’s League must be the first to defend [UNISA VC Puleng] LenkaBula and UCT [Mamokgethi] Phakeng are vandalised and attacked. Where are you,” he asked the delegates. He further called for the ANCWL to adapt and modernise, and be strong and lead the fight against gender oppression in South Africa.

The number of South Africans who have been forced to sell their homes because they can no longer keep up with their bond repayments is rising rapidly. And many more on the brink of selling are watching the upcoming interest rate decisions. In the first three months of this year, 17% of sellers were giving up their homes due to money issues, but the latest figures show this figure to have climbed to 24% for Q2 2023. This is 6% higher than the historical average of 18%, and just 6% lower than the 30% reported in the last three months of 2022. It is also 4% higher than the same period last year, says FNB property economist Siphamandla Mkhwanazi. As expected, sales due to financial pressure are disproportionately higher in the affordable market segment, with an estimated 32% of sales for this reason. “This reflects the impact of the sharp increase in debt servicing costs, which should have a more pronounced impact on lower-income households.” Richard Gray, chief executive of Harcourts South Africa, says the number of people selling because they can no longer afford their homes depends on the price bracket. In the mid- to lower-market, the proportion is far higher at 20% to 30% compared to the higher price brackets where the proportion is about 10% to 15%. Since last year, the numbers have “definitely increased”. “The primary reason has been the increase in the prime lending rate but is also coupled to other factors such as load shedding, fuel prices and general cost of living. We have also seen an increase in bank-assisted sales where clients have fallen behind on their mortgage payments.”

Stock: A Steenberg, Cape Town Family has fun with the hail which fell in July 2023

Stock: property sold

Stock: retail stores

Stock: buying a new car

Stock: Absa bank and ATM

Stock: Berg River during June 2023 floods

Stock: Moscow, Russia

Stock: Winter's day in front of the heater

Stock: A money box is a good tool for introducing children to the concept of saving money.

Stock: South African Identity card

Stock: Philippi farms