2025 has been a busy year for South Africans. Money moves, grant changes, sports drama and tech upgrades are all making headlines. Below you’ll find the stories that mattered most, broken down so you can grab the facts fast.
First Bank of Nigeria broke ground on a 40‑storey green tower in Lagos that will be West Africa’s tallest building. The project promises jobs, new office space and a push for sustainable construction. While the tower rises in Nigeria, South Africa’s own social grant system is in the news.
SASSA rolled out October 2025 grant payouts with a modest R10 increase. The agency warned fraudsters are targeting the new amounts, so double‑check any messages that ask for personal details. A few days later, SASSA published the August grant calendar – older persons can collect on August 5, children’s grants on August 7 – and reminded beneficiaries to update their bank details.
European football kept fans on edge. AZ Alkmaar edged Tottenham 1‑0 in the Europa League first leg thanks to a own‑goal, only to see Tottenham storm back 3‑1 in London and go through on aggregate. In France, a storm forced the Marseille‑PSG clash to move a day later, showing how weather can still rewrite match schedules.
South Africa’s Betway Premiership delivered jaw‑dropping goalkeeper saves in August, proving that a solid keeper can decide a league table. Meanwhile, Inter Miami snapped a winless streak with a 4‑2 victory over CF Montréal, highlighted by two Messi goals.
Rugby fans watched Zebre Parma fight for survival in the URC. New signings gave the Italian side a glimmer of hope, but a 15th‑place standing shows the road ahead is tough.
Telkom entered the MVNO market in March, teaming up with an MVNE platform to meet ICASA’s Black‑ownership rules. The move adds competition for FNB Connect and Capitec Connect, and could lower prices for consumers.
On the security front, three Russian MiG‑31s briefly entered Estonian airspace, prompting NATO’s Italian F‑35s to scramble. The incident highlights lingering tensions in the Baltic region and the importance of rapid air‑policing.
At home, a shocking incident at Utah Valley University made headlines when activist Charlie Kirk was reported shot and killed during a campus event. Police launched a manhunt, underscoring the need for tighter campus security measures.
In pop culture, Ariana Grande is set to appear in the upcoming “Meet the Parents” sequel, scheduled for a Fall 2026 release. The casting news shows how music stars continue to cross over into film.
Meanwhile, the UEFA Youth League gave us a classic comeback as Chelsea U19 beat Bayern Munich U19 3‑2. Young players like Shin Mayuka proved that resilience pays off on the biggest stages.
Finally, Real Madrid secured the signing of 16‑year‑old Moroccan prodigy Abdellah Ouazane, beating Barcelona and Ajax for his signature. The move signals Xabi Alonso’s focus on building a pipeline of home‑grown talent.
All these stories together paint a picture of a dynamic 2025 – a year of growth, challenges, and moments that keep South Africans and the world watching. Stay tuned to Daily Wacek News for more updates as they happen.
