UPDATED: Iran hits US Gulf base in retaliation against attacks on Tehran:
| A missile strike has hit a service facility linked to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, drawing American military infrastructure in the Gulf directly into the confrontation between Israel, Iran and the United States.
Bahrain’s state news agency confirmed on Saturday that the Fifth Fleet service centre was targeted in the strike which followed Israeli and United States aerial operations earlier in the day against sites inside Iran, including Tehran. Explosions were reported across parts of the Iranian capital. Air defence systems were activated. The US central command had not, at the time of publication, released a damage assessment or confirmed casualties. In an address posted on social media on Saturday, President Donald Trump said the US aim was to “defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime”. He warned members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard — a powerful branch of Iran’s armed forces — to lay down their arms or face “certain death”. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said the country’s armed forces had begun what it described as a decisive response to US actions carried out in coordination with Israel. The council warned that further operations in Tehran and other cities were expected and ordered schools and universities closed until further notice. Government offices will operate at reduced capacity, while banks remain open. A spokesperson for the Iranian Armed Forces said Iran would “teach Israel and the United States a lesson they have never experienced in their history”. Iranian state-linked outlet Fars News Agency reported that additional US installations — Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait and Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates — were also targeted. Authorities in those countries had not confirmed impacts. Washington earlier described its strikes inside Iran as aimed at degrading military capabilities. Iranian officials characterised them as violations of sovereignty and signalled that US military assets in the region would be treated as legitimate targets. In South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed concern over the escalating tensions in the Middle East, which he said posed a serious threat to regional and international peace and security, with far-reaching humanitarian, diplomatic and economic consequences. “President Ramaphosa calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to act in a manner consistent with international law, international humanitarian law and the principles of the United Nations Charter,” the presidency said in a statement. Article 51 of the UN Charter provides for self-defence only when a state has been subjected to an armed invasion. Anticipatory self-defence is not permitted under international law and self-defence cannot be based on assumption or anticipation. “We urge the international community, including multilateral institutions and regional partners, to redouble efforts aimed at promoting mediation and peaceful resolution,” the statement quoted Ramaphosa as saying. “As a nation that has emerged from conflict through dialogue and reconciliation, South Africa remains steadfast in its belief that peace is not only possible, but imperative for the shared future of the Middle East and the world.” *This story has been updated with comments from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa |
The psychology of car colours in focus:
Every morning on South Africa’s highways, byways and off the beaten tracks, a moving mosaic of colour tells a story about who we are.
The white bakkie chasing a deadline, the silver sedan blending into the cityscape, the red hatchback darting through traffic with youthful bravado — each shade is a clue to the driver’s personality. Car colours are not just cosmetic; they’re emotional, cultural and deeply psychological. Manufacturers study them, insurers price them and motorists — knowingly or not — express themselves through them. Colour, in motoring, is identity on wheels.
White: Order, optimism and economic sense: Numero uno on our starting grid is white — and for good reason. White has dominated our national sales charts for years and not only because it reflects heat in our sun-soaked African climate. White signals clarity, cleanliness and control. It appeals to motorists who like things neat, predictable and presentable.
There’s also a hard-nosed economic layer: white cars hold their value. In a country where resale matters, white becomes the safe bet — the colour of motorists who think ahead. Psychologically, white suggests a desire for a fresh start, a clean slate, a sense of modernity. It’s the Apple aesthetic on four wheels.
Silver and grey: professionalism and discretion: Silver and grey are the quiet achievers of the motoring palette. They appeal to motorists who prefer neutrality, maturity and understated sophistication. Grey, in particular, has surged because it feels modern without being flashy — the colour of the urban commuter who wants to blend in rather than broadcast. It hides dust, disguises scratches and projects a calm, corporate confidence.
Silver carries a slightly more futuristic sheen, the choice of the tech savvy driver who likes a bit of sparkle without stepping into showmanship. These colours dominate corporate fleets globally and South Africa is no exception.
Black: power, prestige and a hint of mystery: Black is the boardroom on wheels. It’s the colour of motorists who want to project authority, elegance and control.
A black car looks presidential, even if it’s just popping into the supermarket.
But black also reveals a willingness to invest in image. It shows every scratch, every smudge, every raindrop. Choosing black is a commitment — a statement that presentation matters. There’s also mystique. Black is for motorists who prefer to be noticed but not known.
Blue: calm, trustworthy and emotionally balanced: Blue is the colour of reliability. Light blues feel friendly and youthful; dark blues feel professional and conservative. Blue car drivers often want to stand out gently — not with a shout but with a steady, confident presence. It’s no accident that banks, uniforms and corporate brands lean heavily on blue. It communicates trust.
Red: passion, performance, and personality: Red is the extrovert of the road. It signals energy, confidence and emotional intensity. Red cars feel fast even when they’re parked. These motorists enjoy being seen — and don’t mind being remembered. The old myth that red cars attract more speeding fines is just that: a myth. But the perception persists because red is visually arresting.
Yellow and Orange: creativity, youthfulness and playfulness: These are the colours of motorists who refuse to blend into the traffic stream. Yellow and orange signal creativity, optimism and a sense of fun. They’re rare — which is precisely the point. These drivers often see their cars as extensions of their lifestyle: expressive, adventurous and unafraid of standing out. Manufacturers tend to reserve these colours for niche models, reinforcing their playful identity.
Green: nature, individualism, and quiet confidence: Green is making a global comeback, especially among EV buyers. It appeals to motorists who value individuality, environmental consciousness and quiet confidence. Dark greens evoke heritage and nostalgia; lighter greens feel fresh and eco forward. Green car drivers often want to be different without being loud.
The South African layer: Here, colour choice is shaped by climate, resale value, fleet culture, and safety perceptions.
White bakkies and taxis normalise certain colours. Bright hues are sometimes avoided because they “attract attention” — wanted or unwanted. Our roads reflect our realities: practical, aspirational, expressive and sometimes contradictory.
The future: As electric vehicles reshape global design language, we’re seeing pastels, matte finishes and two tone palettes emerge as the new markers of innovation.
Whether we admit it or not, our paintwork speaks long before we do — and it tells a remarkably accurate story about who we are behind the wheel.
Electric vehicles are rewriting the colour code. As cars become more digital, colour becomes a branding tool — almost like choosing a smartphone finish.
Younger buyers, especially, are gravitating toward expressive, tech forward hues.
Geordin Hill-Lewis accepts nomination to succeed John Steenhuisen as DA leader:
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has announced his candidacy for national leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA), positioning himself to succeed outgoing John Steenhuisen before the party’s upcoming congress in April.
Hill-Lewis made the announcement on Friday in Cape Town, weeks after Steenhuisen confirmed he would not seek re-election. The decision clears the way for a leadership contest at the DA’s federal congress where delegates will elect a new leader.
Tshwane mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink endorsed Hill-Lewis, describing him as a leader who had taken “difficult decisions standing up for the rule of law” despite political pressure.
“He stood up for what was right,” Brink said, adding that Hill-Lewis brought “intellect, competence, the experience of government” and the ability to unite a “diverse party” around shared values.
“It is my absolute pleasure today … to nominate, to propose for the leader of the Democratic Alliance, Geordin Hill-Lewis,” Brink said. “We are not just presenting a candidate to lead the party here today. We are presenting a candidate to lead the country.”
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube also backed Hill-Lewis, telling party members that the DA was a growing force in local, provincial and national government.
“We did not enter government for comfort. We entered government to rescue the country,” Gwarube said.
She said the party had restored “stability and credibility in national government” and pointed to what she described as positive economic indicators, including four-consecutive quarters of economic growth and an upgrade by S&P for the first time in 20 years.
“The polls are showing growing confidence in our party. Now more than ever, we must be resolute in our mission to be the largest party in local government and in 2029.”
On backing Hill-Lewis, Gwarube said: “I did so deliberately, I did so thoughtfully and I did so with conviction. I believe in his ability to lead the DA.”
Hill-Lewis accepted the nomination with what he called “a sense of responsibility I cannot ignore”.
He said South Africa was full of good people who were prepared to work hard to give their children a better life. Politics should be guided by “a generosity of spirit, a tolerance of others and a commitment to the rule of law”.
He touted the DA’s governance record in Cape Town, saying the city had invested in essential infrastructure and led the country in new investments in affordable housing.
“We’ve become the country’s leading city in the growth of new jobs, with 470 000 new jobs in Cape Town, more than all other cities combined. When cities work, people work,” Hill-Lewis added.
He thanked Steenhuisen for his leadership, saying the DA was “much stronger today because of John’s service”.
Hill-Lewis drew a contrast between the DA and other political parties, saying internal democracy was a defining feature of the party.
“One of the things I love about the DA is that we don’t appoint our leaders, we elect them,” he said, adding that the party did not have “leaders who run their party like it’s their personal fiefdoms, presidents for life. We don’t have leaders who never even bother to have a congress”.
“I will be asking for a mandate to build a stronger DA, because if we are going to build a stronger South Africa, then we must have a stronger DA,” he said.
DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga put his hand up on Friday for the federal chair position held by Ivan Meyer.
Accepting his nomination in Pretoria, Msimanga said he was humbled by “the trust that you [have] bestowed [upon] me and humbled by the nomination. I am deeply aware of the responsibility that comes when accepting this nomination. I accept nomination as the candidate for the federal chairperson of the Democratic Alliance — not for the title, not for prestige but for purpose”.
Deputy Finance Minister Ashor Sarupen also raised his hand to be the chairperson of the federal council, a position currently held by Helen Zille. Zille has said she would not contest for the position as she focuses on claiming the Johannesburg mayoral position.
*This story has been updated with Ashor Sarupen running for federal council chair.
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