Sowetan Podcast

Inside South Africa’s gambling recovery programme

During the 2025/26 financial year, the foundation’s Counselling Helpline assessed 5,199 people for gambling-related harm. Of those, 3,541 received treatment, while 1,658 dropped out before completing the programme.

24 Jul 23 min

‘I gambled my family’s furniture money’

The 27-year-old from KwaZulu-Natal is among the 2,670 young people who sought help for gambling addiction through the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation during the last financial year.

24 Jul 19 min

How a childhood gambling habit destroyed one man’s life

What started as a game with a single one-rand coin at the age of 13 turned into a 32-year gambling addiction that cost Raymond Phillips his marriage, his career, more than R1m and nearly his life.

24 Jul 18 min

'This position is not ceremonial'- Botha

The Gauteng Provincial Government, represented by Ewan Botha, Member of the Executive Council for Environment, has been elected Vice-President for Africa of Regions4, the global network of regions driving action in climate change, biodiversity, and sustainable development.

24 Jul 6 min

'We never thought he had it in him' - mom

Lubanzi 's mother Nomtha Dube says they are still in disbelief about his achievement at the World Startup Forum which they attended in hopes to attract  investors for his grand idea  on making soles for flat footed people.

24 Jul 17 min

UIF fraud leaves women unable to access their own benefits after identities linked to bogus employer

Two women have been left unable to access their Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) benefits after discovering that their identity numbers had allegedly been fraudulently linked to Ziqoqe Construction.

23 Jul 3 min

"This is pure bad governance"-Samwu

Samwu Free State provincial secretary Thabang Tseuoa confirms salary delays for municipal workers of Maluti- A -Phofong local municipalities.

23 Jul 4 min

Why Gauteng’s taxi industry is threatening a province-wide shutdown

The taxi industry has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi, warning that taxi operators across the province could embark on protest action and shut down services if government fails to address their grievances.

22 Jul 1 min

Mark Fish on why Safa wants to keep Broos

Bafana Bafana legend Mark Fish says he understands why Safa wants incumbent coach Hugo Broos to continue.

22 Jul 1 min

UIF fraud leaves women unable to access their own benefits after identities linked to bogus employer

Two women have been left unable to access their Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) benefits after discovering that their identity numbers had allegedly been fraudulently linked to Ziqoqe Construction.

20 Jul 7 min

Consumers ditch beef as rising prices force households to rethink meals

For 42-year-old Sechaba May, the decision to stop buying red meat was driven by both the rising cost of living and concerns about his health.

19 Jul 3 min

We are doing our best to help Dhludhlu, Sello

Marumo Gallants chairman Abram Sello says they are doing their best to help midfielder Thapelo Dhludhlu, who is suspended by the club following alleged fake kidnapping.

15 Jul 2 min

ZEP holders express fear for their children's education amid immigration tensions.

As anti-immigration tensions continue to grip parts of South Africa, parents holding Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP) say they are being forced into an impossible choice: keep their children in schools where they fear harassment or uproot them to Zimbabwe, where many risk repeating grades because of differences in the education…

13 Jul 1 min

Morero blames election excitement for mixed messaging in City of Joburg

Joburg mayor Dada Morero says the excitement surrounding the upcoming local government elections has contributed to communication challenges within the mayoral committee, with some members already shifting into campaign mode

13 Jul 2 min

'We had so many expectations and plans' - Luqobo 'Bibo' Makwedini's uncle

Mpumzi Zuzile, uncle to deceased 20-year-old SA rugby star Luqobo 'Bobi' Makwedini says his nephew was in high spirits when they last spoke on Tuesday.

12 Jul 8 min

Lebo Mashile believes SA’s acting industry is on the brink of becoming a global storytelling powerhouse

Acclaimed actress, poet and presenter Lebo Mashile reflects on landing a role in the international psychological thriller Strung and why she believes South African talent is ready to take center stage globally. Speaking to Sowetan, Mashile opens up about starring alongside Chloe Bailey, Lynn Whitfield, Coco Jones, Lucien Laviscount and…

12 Jul 14 min

Chetegei ready to make history.

Uganda International and World record holder Joshua Chetegei says he he is eager to make history on African soil by running under 27 in the Absa Run Your City in Durban on Sunday.

10 Jul 3 min

Challenge remains holding home affairs to account and adherence to policy

Mpho Makhubela Communications Officer for Lawyers for Human Rights says Concourt has confirmed that specific provisions of the Refugees Act are unconstitutional because they create procedural barriers that prevent asylum seekers from having their claims determined on their merits, contrary to the Constitution and the principle of non-refoulement.

10 Jul 2 min

National Debt Advisors is warning taxpayers not to spend money they haven’t received yet.

Debt counsellor Sharon Mmitsi says many consumers are taking out short-term loans after seeing the amount they expect to receive from SARS, only to discover their actual refund is lower because of tax debt, penalties or other deductions.

9 Jul 11 min

Land Party targets young voters with Ntsiki Mazwai

Land Party Leader Gcobani Ndzongana says they are trying to appeal to young voters with naming Ntsiki Mazwai as their Mayoral candidate for Joburg. But they will be fielding more candidates in other areas.

9 Jul 11 min