Mandy Wiener

Today we witnessed democracy at work and it was beautiful. South Africa showed many first world countries how it is done. At a national level, Parliament sat and with dignity and decorum elected office bearers. Candidates were nominated and where issues arose, they were reasonably ventilated and contested. In provinces across the country, that process was replicated. Premiers and Speakers were elected. We saw political parties from across the spectrum working together in the interests of getting the government working. The judiciary presided with gravitas and respect. Law enforcement kept close watch and rule of law was maintained. Let’s hope that holds. It is remarkable that the governing party, in power for over three decades, so maturely and willingly transitioned to a Government of National Unity - which in reality is a coalition. We saw the outcome of the elections being accepted by opposition parties even though they didn’t like it or necessarily agree with it. We can never take the peaceful transfer of power from one administration to another for granted. What a privilege to witness this day unfold and help to write the first draft of history for this beautiful country. The road ahead will be turbulent and rocky. But for now, let’s celebrate what we have achieved today South Africa 🇿🇦.

@Arfness Got a bit nervous there!

@MandyWiener oops wrong mandy. I meant Mandy Collins. sorry.

Well done Sundowns! Well done Pirates! Well done Arsenal! Well done Villa!

🏆 Mamelodi Sundowns: CAF Champions League winners! They have also secured a place in the forthcoming FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.

A crucial win on the final day 👊

👀

🏆 ARSENAL ARE CHAMPIONS 🏆

🚨 The full interview you’ve been waiting for is finally live! 🔗Link: youtu.be/UQsJbVoSTUQ At the first-ever Speakery event, Rachel Kolisi & Zibu Sithole joined Mandy Wiener for a powerful conversation about “Falling Forward”. #TheSpeakeryLive #FallingForward #RachelKolisi

Two sold out full house events at @FranLitFest. My panels are done but there are other great sessions planned. Always excellent to catch up with people and talk about books, politics and current affairs! Tickets available via Webtickets: webtickets.co.za/v2/EventCatego… #FLF2026

Yesterday was an incredibly difficult and emotional day for our Station 42 crew. Our crew responded alongside emergency services to devastating flooding along the Old N1 between Worcester and Rawsonville, where families were left trapped on rooftops as floodwaters rapidly rose around them. Despite dangerous and exhausting conditions, our crew worked tirelessly to help bring more than 20 people to safety — including babies, toddlers, children, elderly residents, a blind man, and a paraplegic woman. Families and their animals were evacuated in relays using rescue craft, ladders, and sheer determination. Our rescuers spent hours wading and swimming through flooded terrain, pushing through strong currents, cold water, exhaustion, and emotionally overwhelming scenes to reach those still waiting for help. Yesterday, however, our hearts were heavy. At least three lives were sadly lost in this tragedy, and while every possible effort was made, not all animals could be reached before conditions became too dangerous. We continue to hold onto hope that many survived as waters begin to subside. To our Station 42 crew — thank you for your courage, compassion, and unwavering commitment to saving lives, no matter the conditions. The emotional toll these operations take is enormous, yet you continue to show up when people need you most. We are deeply proud of every single crew member who stood shoulder to shoulder during this operation. Please keep all affected families, rescue teams, and communities in your thoughts during this heartbreaking time. 💙 #NSRI #Station42 #FloodRescue #SavingLives #RescueCrew

🚨 N1 CLOSED | Avoid all travel through the Cape Winelands in both directions. Du Toitskloof, Bainskloof, Huguenot Tunnel & Mitchells Pass all closed. Multiple N1 sections closed due to flooding. Do not travel unless absolutely essential. ⚠️ More info: m.facebook.com/story.php?stor…

JUST IN : Vincent Magwenya tells me on #TheCMShow that the President’s legal strategy is NOT to interdict the impeachment committee while he takes report on review, at this stage. He says the onus is on parliament to decide what to do while the report is taken on review.

Urgent announcement: N1 closed at Worcester, along with various passes along the escarpment. This is severely impacting access to and from Cape Town. We strongly advise anyone currently using the N1 towards CT to find a safe place to stop and sleep until other routes open up.

Severe weather continues to disrupt electricity supply across the Western Cape. Eskom recovery teams face challenges due to flooding and unsafe conditions while working with Provincial Disaster Management. We urge your patience as we restore power. Thank you for your support.

So as expected then.

[JUST-IN] ANC National officials are this morning since 10:30 meeting with the Speaker of Parliament Thoko Didiza, Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli and Adv Thembeka Ngcukaitobi who represented the President on the Section 89 #PhalaPhala Report at the Constitutional Court. #sabcnews

Today we lost our great friend, Greg Blank. Greg lived a remarkable life. Not because it was perfect, but because it was deeply, unmistakably human. As a young man, he was one of South Africa’s finest tennis players - a Wimbledon-quality talent who rose to number two in the country during a golden era of South African tennis. He later became a hugely successful stockbroker during Johannesburg’s great financial years. But what always struck me most about Greg was not what he achieved, but how he carried himself through life. The Greg I knew wore humility naturally. No bravado. No self-importance. Just intelligence, warmth, humour and enormous humanity. We used to have breakfast together often and every single time he saw me, he would greet me with a huge hug and those words in his unmistakable voice: “Hello Mikey… how are you, Mikey?” And then those famously piercing blue eyes would light up with curiosity, warmth and genuine interest in life and in people. But above everything else in Greg’s life was his family. His beloved wife, Dawn. His son, Lex. His daughter, Ella. They were not simply part of his life. They were his entire world. You could feel it every time he spoke about them. The pride. The devotion. The love. And he was a deeply loyal friend. I was just one of his many friends. Some far closer to him than I was, and yet he made you know how much he enjoyed spending time with you, and cherishing your company. One of the things I admired most about Greg was his refusal to become bitter. Even after enduring public disgrace, prison, a long cancer battle and immense personal hardship, he somehow retained optimism, accountability and grace. Many people speak about resilience. Greg lived it. Even in prison, his instinct was not only to survive, but to improve the lives of others around him, building recreation programmes, creating opportunities for inmates, restoring dignity where little existed. That tells you everything about the man. He once said: “In life you can’t trade backwards, you have to go forwards.” And he did. With courage. With honesty. And with humanity. Like many who loved Greg, I truly believed there would still be more time. His passing at just 67 feels unbearably young. But what remains is the memory of a truly good man. Loved by many. A man who acknowledged his faults. Who sought redemption and found redemption. Who tried not only to overcome his mistakes, but wherever he could, to make good. And he did. Rest peacefully, Greg. You will be deeply missed my friend 💔

DA Federal leader Geordin Hill-Lewis says they’ll not protect wrongdoing regarding President Cyril Ramaphosa’s #phalaphala matter at the impeachment committee. He says the ANC has been trying to reach out to him after the Concourt ruling. @ZiyandaNgcobo has more. Watch: tinyurl.com/2wkesbhy

@sandileskhosi @JayBean6869 You can’t review a constitutional court decision.

@MandyWiener @JayBean6869 It would have helped a lot if you also factored in the ramifications of a possible court review application to your opinion piece.

What the Phala Phala judgment actually MEANS…