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ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa was so impressed with 89-year-old Liza Nogqala's knitting that he purchased a jersey during his door-to-door visit in Mdantsane on Friday. Picture: MARK ANDREWS © DAILY DISPATCH
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Ramaphosa banks on Eastern Cape and key strongholds to bolster ANC election drive

ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa rallied supporters in the Eastern Cape's Buffalo City Metro, saying the party is relying on key provincial strongholds to power its upcoming municipal election campaign.

Operation Smile medical volunteers Dr Bruce Lelala (plastic surgeon), Dr Zamantungwa Khanyile (plastic surgeon trainee) and Dr Thando Dlamini (plastic surgeon observer) provide life-changing surgery to a patient.

Operation Smile brings new hope to Eastern Cape families

Operation Smile returns to Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha to offer free, life-changing cleft lip and palate surgeries for children and adults across the Eastern Cape.

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Buhlungu's sacking exposes enduring 'Zuma effect', says Ndletyana

Political scientist Prof Mcebisi Ndletyana links the axing of University of Fort Hare vice-chancellor Prof Sakhela Buhlungu to the enduring 'Zuma effect' in Eastern Cape politics.

York Road in Mthatha has been changed to Dr Laura Mpahlwa Street.
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Mthatha street renaming must spark renewal, say activist's families

Families of anti-apartheid icons honoured in Mthatha's latest street renaming have called on the King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality to match the gestures with urgent infrastructure upgrades.

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Suspended metro officials paid millions to stay at home

Buffalo City Metro is spending nearly R900,000 every month to pay eight suspended officials who remain at home, according to a confidential council report. Among those on suspension are three employees accused of copper cable theft and…

Getting an early look at a new book about Eastern Cape rugby were, from left, Yazeed le Roux (PESLT), Bernard Petersen (former Saru player), Sedick Crombie (author) Peter Slabbert and Graeme Sauls (PESLT).

New book recalls untold rugby stories from apartheid years

A new book by Sedick Crombie chronicles the untold stories of Eastern Cape rugby legends who fought for non-racialism during the apartheid era.

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Anxious moments as bomb hoax causes delays at King Phalo Airport

Eastern Cape police are tracking down an anonymous caller after a hoax bomb threat targeting a FlySafair flight from Johannesburg triggered emergency security protocols at King Phalo Airport.

Driven by his mom's love of clean spaces and his own need to make a difference, a young man began experimenting with household products. It's been three years of hard-won milestones but Luckin is 'starting to feel like a brand'. Picture: SUPPLIED
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Eastern Cape teen turns mom's struggle into thriving startup

Inspired by his mother's struggles to afford basic cleaning supplies, 22-year-old entrepreneur Luzuko Memela built Luckzin Detergents into a certified brand supplying local supermarkets and creating jobs in his village.

A scientist tests water samples.

Water contamination concerns probed after Rhodes hit by gastro outbreak

Health authorities are investigating a gastroenteritis outbreak at Rhodes University in Makhanda, after preliminary water tests detected E. coli and over 100 people reported falling ill.

Municipal employees in Matatiele reporting to work late at the municipal offices, were left stunned when they were barred from entering on Friday morning.
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Matatiele municipal workers locked out of offices after arriving late

Municipal employees arriving late in Matatiele were locked out of council offices on the orders of municipal manager Mothusi Lepheane, drawing fierce criticism from labour unions.

Community members gather together a police forensics come on the scene of the fatal shark attack that claimed the life of swimmer Janine Lochrenberg, on Tuesday morning at Orient Beach in KuGompo City.
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SHARK ATTACK: Horrified onlookers describe Orient Beach shark attack

A 65-year-old retired nuclear physicist, Janine Lochrenberg, has died after being attacked by a shark while swimming with a group off Orient Beach.

Independent candidate Bhekizenzo Gigi with supporters.
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Independent councillor Gigi fights to retain seat in Kumkani Mhlontlo

Independent ward councillor Bhekizenzo Gigi is campaigning to retain his seat in Kumkani Mhlontlo's Ward 14, standing again amid service delivery challenges and internal ANC tensions.

Premier Oscar Mabuyane met the University of Fort Hare council at Lillian Diedericks House in Bhisho on Tuesday.
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University precincts may be built in Bhisho, Dikeni and KuGompo City

The Eastern Cape government and the University of Fort Hare are exploring the creation of university precincts across Bhisho, Dikeni, and KuGompo City to integrate higher education infrastructure with regional development.

An illustration of a healthcare worker testing for mpox.
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Two new mpox cases confirmed in Eastern Cape as health officials warn against stigma

Health authorities in the Eastern Cape have confirmed two new cases of mpox in Ndlambe and Makhanda, bringing the total to 26 as officials urge the public to avoid stigmatisation and ramp up contact tracing.

Police along the N2 with a hijacked truck
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Fresh hijacking spike sparks fears for motorists

A surge in armed carjackings across Buffalo City has put motorists and e-hailing drivers on high alert as survivors recount terrifying escapes and recent crime data reveals critically low prosecution rates.