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President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for urgent continental cooperation following the declaration of a new Ebola-related public health emergency involving the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda. The outbreak has already triggered international concern after confirmed cases of the Bundibugyo strain were detected in both countries, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the situation a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

The Gauteng Department of Health has issued a public warning over the growing use of illegal injectable substances marketed for body enhancement and sexual performance after two patients in Ekurhuleni were hospitalised with severe complications, including organ failure.

South African motorists may soon face another sharp fuel price increase, with early forecasts showing petrol prices could rise by more than R2 per litre in June 2026. The projected increase comes just weeks after May’s major fuel hike and as National Treasury prepares to reduce temporary fuel levy relief introduced earlier this year.

South Africans could soon face another wave of food price increases as rising fuel and diesel costs begin filtering through the country’s supply chain, with economists and retailers warning that household affordability may come under growing pressure during the coming months. The warnings come as new affordability data shows the average household food basket increased again in April, while major retailers say suppliers have already started notifying them about upcoming price hikes.

South Africa’s unemployment rate increased to 32.7% during the first quarter of 2026, with Gauteng among the provinces hardest hit by job losses. New data released by Statistics South Africa shows that 345 000 jobs were lost nationally between January and March, while youth unemployment climbed sharply as 258 000 young people lost work.

South African health authorities are currently monitoring 97 people who may have come into contact with confirmed hantavirus cases linked to a British patient medically evacuated to Johannesburg. The patient, who was transported to South Africa after falling ill on St Helena Island, is reportedly recovering in hospital while health officials continue contact tracing efforts alongside the World Health Organization (WHO).

Eskom has released its latest load reduction timetable affecting multiple communities across Gauteng between Monday, 11 May and Monday, 18 May 2026. The planned outages are expected to affect areas in Soweto, Orange Farm, Sebokeng, Tsakane, Vosloorus, Mabopane and parts of the West Rand during both morning and evening peak periods.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to officially open and address Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban. The annual tourism trade gathering brings together African tourism leaders, investors, tour operators, buyers and government representatives from across the continent and abroad.

Health authorities and airline officials are working to trace passengers and crew linked to a flight that carried a tourist infected with the Andes strain of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) to Johannesburg. The tracing process began eight days after the passenger arrived in South Africa, raising concerns among medical experts about delayed outbreak response measures.

South Africans will get unexpected relief at the pumps in May after the government corrected an error that had overstated a fuel price increase. The Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources confirmed that diesel users will now pay nearly R1.00 less per litre than initially announced.