South Africa Honors Late King While Navigating Social and Sporting Challenges
President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a Category 1 state funeral for the late King Makhosonke II, who passed away after 40 years on the throne. The national flag will fly at half-mast on June 13 and 14 to honor his long legacy. At the same time, the organization Equal Education is planning a march in the Western Cape. They are protesting the lack of school places for many black and coloured students, calling for urgent action before the third school term begins.
In social news, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has avoided a major problem regarding old-age grant payments for July 2026. More than four million beneficiaries can now breathe a sigh of relief as their payments are secure and a potential disaster has been averted. However, citizens are warned to prepare for the elements, as very cold weather is expected to hit all nine provinces this Saturday, June 13.
In international sports, Canada’s soccer team celebrated a historic moment by earning their first-ever World Cup point. They secured a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina thanks to a late goal by Cyle Larin. Meanwhile, in South African soccer, politician Gayton McKenzie has reached out to Bafana Bafana player Sphephele “Yaya” Sithole. McKenzie offered words of encouragement after Sithole was criticized online following the team’s recent loss to Mexico.
The Bulls rugby team is also making headlines as they prepare for their fourth United Rugby Championship final in five years. Coach Johan Ackermann noted that the team has grown stronger by overcoming a very difficult season. In other soccer news, Tshegofatso Mabasa has shared his feelings about leaving Orlando Pirates after eight years. The striker expressed confusion over his lack of game time before his departure from the club.
For car enthusiasts, the new BYD Atto 8 is creating excitement. This Chinese-made seven-seater is a powerful plug-in hybrid that can reach 100km/h in just 4.9 seconds. Reviewers say it offers high performance and great value, competing well against much more expensive SUVs. It is being described as a vehicle that offers both family space and impressive speed, rather than just being a typical family car.
To wrap up the news, the Daily Lotto results for Friday, June 12, 2026, have been released. A jackpot of R420,000 was up for grabs for those participating in the draw. As the country moves into the weekend, South Africans are dealing with a variety of stories, from national mourning and social activism to exciting developments in sports and technology.