Happy Wednesday everyone, hope the week is treating you alright so far.
Wednesday, 29 April 2026
The government wants to make going solar harder, and people are ready to fight back
So after years of Eskom making our lives miserable and basically forcing us all to figure out solar for ourselves, the government is now tightening the rules around home and business solar installations. The details are still unfolding but it’s already got legal experts and industry players talking about court challenges. Honestly, the nerve. We invested our own money to keep the lights on when the state couldn’t, and now they want to complicate it.
Fuel tax relief is being extended, which is actually decent news
National Treasury and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources have confirmed the fuel tax relief is continuing, which means petrol and diesel prices won’t be as brutal as they could’ve been. With the cost of living squeezing everyone right now, this is one of those small wins we’ll take. Don’t get too excited though, it’s still not cheap out there.
Post Office workers marching in Tshwane today, so brace yourself if you’re driving through
If you’re in Pretoria today and need to get anywhere near the Union Buildings in Arcadia, just add some serious time to your commute. Post Office workers are marching and the traffic is going to be a mess. The SA Post Office situation has been a slow-motion disaster for years now, so you can’t really blame the workers for being angry. Just plan your route accordingly.
R285 million textbook scandal and Gwarube wants answers
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has asked Treasury to investigate what looks like serious irregularities in a R285 million textbook tender. Education activists are backing the call, which is encouraging. Meanwhile that cartoon doing the rounds about Gauteng’s 70:1 pupil-teacher ratio is genuinely depressing to look at. Our kids deserve so much better than this.
Also worth noting, first frost of the season is expected in parts of the country today, so if you’re in the highveld or the Berg areas, dress warm this morning.
So here’s what I want to know from you guys, the solar rules story is the one that’s got me most fired up today. Do you think South Africans will actually take this to court, and would it even make a difference? Drop your thoughts below.