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Suthentira Govender

Suthentira Govender is a seasoned reporter with more than 20 years' experience in print and more recently digital journalism. During her 18 years at the Sunday Times, she has cut her teeth as a reporter under the guidance of experienced newshounds. She has a passion for telling provocative human interest stories, enjoys unpacking research and loves the occasional quirky story to delight and entertain audiences and readers.

The National Debt Counselling Association says it hopes some of its recommendations will be included in amendments to the National Credit Act and its regulations. Stock photo.

Move to regulate debt management industry and hold counsellors accountable

The National Debt Counselling Association wants government to enhance standards in the industry to prevent unregistered or unethical debt counsellors.

Retail sales are forecast to rise by 2% in real terms in 2025, with slightly slower growth expected in 2026 and 2027.

Squeezed but enough breathing room to see out 2025, say financial experts

South Africa’s consumer class who live in mid- to top-income households are cautiously optimistic about the future amid persistent economic headwinds

The latest quarterly evaluation of debt counselling shows South Africans are still under severe financial strain. Stock photo.

South Africans relying on overdrafts to make ends meet: report

Though consumer sentiment continues to improve in 2025, South Africans are still under severe financial strain, according to DebtBusters’ Q3 2025 debt index report.

The SA Anti-Bullying Institute has urged Milnerton High School, where eight senior pupils allegedly beat younger boys, and other schools to adopt proactive measures to ensure the safety and dignity of pupils.

Anti-bullying institute calls for strict measures at schools after Milnerton incident

The South African Anti-Bullying Institute has urged Milnerton High School in Cape Town to employ measures to prevent and address bullying after eight senior pupils allegedly beat younger boys with sticks and belts. Toto Geza, director of…

The Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group's household affordability index, which tracks the prices of 44 basic foods from 47 supermarkets and 32 butcheries around the country monthly, found core foods went up in price this year. Stock photo.

Cost of basic core foods piling pressure on households, study finds

Struggling South Africans are paying more for core foods – bought first to ensure families don’t go hungry – than they did a year ago.

The South African Social Security Agency will introduce the Beneficiary Biometric Enrolment system to improve its services. Stock image.

Sassa to roll out mandatory biometrics nationally on September 1

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) will introduce a mandatory biometrics enrolment system at all its offices from September 1 in a bid to detect fraudulent activities.

The Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group's household affordability index, which tracks the prices of 44 basic foods from 47 supermarkets and 32 butcheries around the country monthly, found core foods went up in price this year. Stock photo.

Despite VAT exemption, some zero-rated food prices increased in past 12 months

Despite being exempt from VAT, the prices of some zero-rated foods increased by 4.1% over the past 12 months, according to the latest Household Affordability Index report.

Two teens die in separate Father's Day crashes in KZN

Two Pietermaritzburg families are mourning the loss of their teenage sons killed in separate accidents on Father’s Day.

Sardine run forces municipalities to ban swimming at beaches

As sardine fever escalates in KwaZulu-Natal, municipalities have banned swimming along the south coast from Port Edward to Isipingo.

Guests at a baby shower at an Umhlanga restaurant were suprised when the mom-to-be went into labour and gave birth to a girl.

Unexpected guest makes surprise arrival at Umhlanga baby shower

Guests at a baby shower hosted at a posh Umhlanga restaurant got more than they bargained for when the mum-to-be gave birth to a bouncing baby girl.

Gauteng traffic police and other law enforcement agencies during a previous multidisciplinary Easter road safety campaign on the N12 near Slovo Park. File photo.

Brace for traffic congestion during first of three long weekends

The N3 Toll Concession has warned motorists to expect congested traffic conditions and slower travel times as the first of three consecutive long weekends is about to kick off.

Hindu leader and lawyer Ashwin Trikamjee has died.

Ramaphosa hails late religious leader and lawyer Ashwin Trikamjee as 'outstanding icon'

President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed Hindu leader Ashwin Trikamjee — who died on Wednesday night — as an “outstanding icon”.

Households with less take-home pay spend a greater proportion on food. Stock photo.

Low-income earners spend more than half their disposable income on food, study finds

South Africans in low-income bands fork out more than half their earnings to put food on the table, according to the latest insights from a DebtBusters study.

Kelpie, uShaka Marine World's oldest male dolphin, has died a month after turning 41.

Beloved uShaka dolphin Kelpie dies

Kelpie, the oldest and largest male dolphin at uShaka Marine World in Durban, has died.

Inflation is the reason people are borrowing to make ends meet. Stock image.

More South Africans turn to personal loans as financial lifelines

Personal loans have become a lifeline for more South Africans over the past seven years and debt to income ratios for top income earners are at an all-time high.