Energy Transition: South Africa is sitting on strong solar potential, but its national energy plan has largely overlooked concentrating solar power (CSP) despite coal still supplying 74% of electricity and CSP being a good fit for the country’s dry, clear-sky conditions. City Accountability: A new Centre for Development and Enterprise report warns Johannesburg’s failures—potholes, water losses from leaks and illegal connections, and heavy electricity losses—could drag down the whole country, calling for making “preventing the collapse of Johannesburg” a national priority. AI Governance: South Africa’s Draft National AI Policy was withdrawn after reviewers found fabricated citations, and a separate example from Australia shows how generative AI can produce polished text with serious underlying flaws—plus the human cost to how we think. Public Safety Tech: Western Cape launches a “Lawyers in Police Stations” project to help SAPS improve statements and docket preparation, aiming to strengthen cases amid gang violence in Mitchells Plain. Digital Identity & Fraud: South Africa’s new travel system is blocking thousands of fraudulent applications, while experts warn AI-enabled scams are rising. Electricity Affordability: Government proposes updating free basic electricity allocations (possibly 200–300 kWh) and creating a central national database to modernise administration. Science & Trade: India approved extra cold-treatment options for South African citrus fruit flies, improving market access after nearly a decade of talks. Security Tech: Evidence at the Madlanga Commission points to alleged use of “IMSI catcher” style surveillance gear in a police-infiltration scandal.