ZAOwnership & classification
Founded: 1999
Ownership
IOL (Independent Online) is the news website of Independent Media, South Africa's second-largest newspaper group. Since 2013 it has been controlled by Sekunjalo Investment Holdings and its chairman Dr Iqbal Survé, held via the subsidiary Sagarmathra/Sekunjalo Independent Media. The 2013 buy-out of Independent News & Media SA was financed mainly by a loan from the state-owned Public Investment Corporation (which took 25%), with two Chinese state-owned entities holding a further 20%.
Funding
It is funded by advertising and digital revenue, but the underlying group has been heavily dependent on the PIC (Government Employees Pension Fund) loan and Chinese state-linked investors, and on cross-subsidy within the Sekunjalo group.
Affiliation & stance
Although nominally a commercial outlet, IOL is classified DEPENDENT because it is controlled by Iqbal Survé's Sekunjalo group and propped up by state-pension and Chinese state-linked financing; its coverage is widely seen as aligned to Survé's business and political interests, and it has been criticised for partisan, pro-owner content.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 1334
84/100
Factual
79/100
Objective
1873
Articles
1838
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
The elite coaches SA keeps at home
South Africa's national rugby team, the Springboks, has achieved remarkable success in recent years, including two consecutive Rugby World Cup victories and consistent performance in the Rugby Championship. This success stems from a robust domestic coaching structure that starts at the school level and extends through provincial systems, emphasizing professionalism, intensity, and high standards. Despite producing talented coaches, South Africa has struggled to export these experts to major international clubs. Some notable exceptions include Rassie Erasmus, Jacques Nienaber, Johann van Graan, and Franco Smith, who have had successful careers abroad. However, figures like Zacharia 'Swys' de Bruin, a highly regarded coach known for his player development and tactical acumen, have not secured prominent roles overseas. De Bruin's career highlights include transforming the Lions into Super Rugby finalists and contributing to the Springboks' 2019 World Cup campaign.
‘Shut Up! Men Are Talking’ brings local film to Movie Room
The South African feature film 'Shut Up! Men Are Talking' is set to premiere on DStv's Movie Room channel on August 31, marking the first locally produced film to air on the platform. Self-funded and directed by Chris Q. Radebe, the film gained significant attention after its YouTube debut, drawing 10 million views and calls for a mainstream TV broadcast. The movie explores themes of male abuse against women and aims to provoke reflection on toxic masculinity. Thulani Mtsweni, known for comedic roles, takes on a villainous part, which has sparked mixed reactions from his fanbase. Filmmaker Radebe highlighted the challenging nature of shooting sensitive scenes, noting the emotional toll on both himself and Mtsweni. The film also features Jo-Anne Reyneke, who took charge of directing certain scenes and rejected the need for an intimacy coordinator. The production faced budget constraints, leading to most scenes being filmed in Johannesburg despite strong local ties.
Dave Rennie hails All Blacks’ ‘massive’ effort after Springbok smash-and-grab at Ellis Park
New Zealand's All Blacks defeated South Africa's Springboks 33-16 in a match at Ellis Park, with coach Dave Rennie emphasizing the team's resilience and defensive efforts over the scoreline. Despite being under pressure and conceding territory, the All Blacks converted their opportunities efficiently, scoring five tries to one. Rennie acknowledged the Springboks' dominance but praised his team's ability to limit their effectiveness, crediting defense coach Tana Umaga and the players for their work ethic. The win came at a cost, with two players needing head impact assessments, leading to last-minute squad changes.
Cole Palmers is determined to enjoy his football: Alonso backs Chelsea star to shine
Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso has praised Cole Palmer as a 'world-class' player and expressed confidence in his ability to perform at his best during the 2026/27 Premier League season. Palmer, who has become a key attacking player for Chelsea, completed a full pre-season under Alonso and is focused on staying fit and connecting well with teammates. Alonso noted that Palmer has overcome past injury issues and is now prioritizing fitness and recovery. The team is set to start their Premier League campaign against Fulham.
Mamelodi Sundowns' Siyanda Ndlovu urged to remain grounded against familiar Golden Arrows
Siyanda Ndlovu, a new signing for Mamelodi Sundowns, has been praised by fans and has shown promise in his brief appearances. Coach Miguel Cardoso emphasizes the importance of Ndlovu maintaining consistency and avoiding complacency despite his early success. Ndlovu, who previously played for Golden Arrows, is expected to contribute significantly in the upcoming MTN8 semi-final clash between Sundowns and Golden Arrows. While acknowledging Ndlovu's offensive flair, Cardoso notes areas where he needs improvement, particularly defensively. The coach highlights the need for Ndlovu to earn his place through sustained performance, referencing past experiences with other players who lost form.
Proteas sweat over Kagiso Rabada hamstring injury ahead of bumper home summer
The South African cricket team, the Proteas, are concerned about Kagiso Rabada's right hamstring injury ahead of their busy home summer schedule. Rabada, who finished as the top wicket-taker in the Indian Premier League, has not played cricket since the IPL and was not part of the recent MLC or The Hundred tournaments to stay fresh. His injury occurred during a winter training program, and he will undergo further assessments before facing Australia in an upcoming ODI series. Proteas coach Shukri Conrad expressed confidence in Rabada's physical and mental readiness for the season. Meanwhile, all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy is also sidelined due to a lower-back spasm, adding to the team's injury concerns.
South African builds world champs confidence as Cherop edges Xaba in Tshwane thriller
In a closely contested women's 10K race at the Absa Run Your City Tshwane event, Kenyan runner Doreen Cherop narrowly defeated defending champion Glenrose Xaba of South Africa by three seconds, with another Kenyan, Deborah Chemutai, finishing third. Cherop executed a decisive move in the final kilometer to secure the win in 31:35, while Xaba finished in 31:38. Despite the loss, Xaba expressed satisfaction with her performance, viewing it as a positive sign for her upcoming World Athletics Road Running Championships. Both athletes acknowledged the challenging nature of the Tshwane course, which features elevation changes and is run at altitude. Xaba highlighted her recent hill training as part of her preparation for the global championships and emphasized the confidence gained from competing against top-tier athletes.
Billions for water, but SA’s taps, pipes and sewers keep failing
South Africa continues to face severe water and sanitation crises, with reports of damaged pipelines leaking raw sewage and clean water into streets and rivers. The government has allocated over R156 billion in grants and subsidies over three years to improve local water and sanitation access. However, challenges persist, including water shortages due to increased demand, climate change, aging infrastructure, and high levels of water loss. In Durban, the eThekwini Municipality reported water losses exceeding 65% and thousands of leaks, despite efforts to address the issue through new procurement processes and infrastructure reforms. Officials have called for oversight visits and additional funding to upgrade wastewater treatment facilities.
Nine-year-old rescued after falling sleep and being locked inside Cape Town library
A nine-year-old boy became accidentally trapped inside Cape Town’s Central Library after falling asleep while waiting for his father to finish work. The child had gone to the library in the East City area, lured by the quiet environment and books, but remained inside unnoticed as staff closed the facility at 4pm. He woke up around 6:45pm, frightened and unable to exit, and began calling for help. A CCID Public Safety Officer responded to the commotion, coordinated with the library staff, and helped retrieve the boy. His father, who had been waiting outside the barbershop for his son, was later reunited with him after the incident.
Two arrested over R61,000 scam involving fake cops and ‘traditional medicine’
In Polokwane, Limpopo province, a woman was scammed out of R61,000 by three men who impersonated police officers and claimed she was being targeted by a scam involving 'traditional medicine.' The suspects led her to a police station, convinced her to withdraw the money to protect it, and allegedly promised to keep it safe. When the woman returned the next day with her children to check on her money, she discovered the men were not police officers and had stolen the cash. Police later arrested two of the suspects during a pursuit near Polokwane Provincial Hospital. The suspects are facing charges of robbery and impersonation, with ongoing investigations to determine if they are connected to other similar incidents.
Two arrested in murder of former world champion Zolani Tete
Two men, aged 30 and 22, have been arrested in connection with the murder of former world boxing champion Zolani Tete, who was shot dead outside his home in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, on Friday. The arrest followed an intelligence-led operation by police, who stated that the suspects are being questioned in relation to both Tete's murder and the attempted murder of a 27-year-old woman who was injured during the attack. Police have asked the public and media to avoid spreading unverified information, as it could hinder the investigation. Tete, a prominent South African boxer with numerous world titles and records, was shot while waiting in his car for the gate to open. Two armed men in balaclavas approached his vehicle and fired shots, leading to Tete's death and the woman's injury. The police have not yet disclosed the motive behind the attack but indicated that more arrests are expected.
Abdeslam Ouaddou ‘can’t say too much' about Patrick Maswanganyi's situation at Orlando Pirates
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou confirmed that there is an ongoing matter involving player Patrick Maswanganyi at the club, which is why he did not select him for the MTN8 semi-final match against Sekhukhune United. Ouaddou opted for a makeshift lineup, including several players making their debuts or rare appearances, while leaving out established figures like Tshepang Moremi and Maswanganyi. Moremi's exclusion was explained as a precaution due to an injury sustained in the previous game. However, Ouaddou refused to elaborate further on Maswanganyi's situation, stating he could not disclose information he was not authorized to share. There are rumors that Maswanganyi may be wanted by new Pyramids coach Rulani Mokwena in Egypt's Premier League, though this remains unconfirmed.
Kayla Jenecker's three-day run to raise awareness against bullying
Kayla Jenecker, part of the Mitchells Plain siblings Celita and Kayla Jenecker, is organizing a three-day running event to raise awareness against bullying. The initiative stems from Celita's nine-year experience of being bullied by 42 classmates, which led to academic decline and eventual withdrawal from school. Kayla founded the non-profit organization 42 Unbreakable to provide support and resources to victims of bullying. The running event, scheduled from August 24 to 26, involves visiting 42 schools across the Western Cape, with Kayla accompanied by community members and supporters. The campaign emphasizes emotional support and practical tools for those affected by bullying.