Vaal News

6️⃣ 🥪🔥 VAAL KOTA FESTIVAL TAKES OVER EMERALD TODAY!

VANDERBIJLPARK — Kota lovers from across the Vaal are making their way to Emerald Resort & Casino today for the highly anticipated Vaal Kota Festival 2026.

From massive kasi-style Kotas to creative new combinations, the festival is bringing together food vendors from around the Vaal for a full day of food, music, entertainment and family fun.

The event runs from 10:00 until 22:00, giving foodies plenty of time to find their favourite Kota — or discover a new one. 😋🔥

And let's be honest… the real question isn't “Are you going?”

It's:

“HOW MANY KOTAS ARE YOU EATING?” 😂🥪

📍 Emerald Resort & Casino, Vanderbijlpark
📅 29 August 2026
⏰ 10:00 – 22:00

🔥 VAAL NEWS — YOUR HOME OF VAAL ENTERTAINMENT & COMMUNITY STORIES

5️⃣ VAAL MAN ANNOUNCES HE IS FINALLY RETIRING FROM BORROWING MONEY 😂💸

VAAL — A local man has reportedly announced that he is officially retiring from asking friends and family for money.

The announcement reportedly came after he sent his final “Bro, please help me with R50” message.

According to the man, he has decided to become financially independent and “never borrow again.”

Friends reportedly celebrated the announcement — until approximately 17 minutes later, when he allegedly sent another message:

“Guys, I know I said that… but this is actually an emergency.” 😂

His friends are reportedly demanding proof that this is his final loan request.

Meanwhile, one friend allegedly said: “We have heard ‘last time’ 46 times this year.”

💸 VAAL NEWS —

4️⃣ VAAL HUSTLER OPENS “LUXURY” CAR WASH WITH ONE BUCKET 🪣😂

VAAL — A local entrepreneur has reportedly launched a new “luxury car wash” using just one bucket, a hosepipe and an impressive amount of confidence.

The entrepreneur says customers should not judge the business by its equipment, but by the “premium experience.”

The car wash allegedly offers three packages:

🚗 Basic Wash — one bucket of water
💦 Executive Wash — two buckets
👑 VIP Wash — the owner personally holds the hosepipe

Customers who ask why there is only one bucket are reportedly told: “Quality over quantity.”

The entrepreneur has already announced plans to expand the business, with a second bucket allegedly being considered once profits improve.

😂 VAAL NEWS —

3️⃣ VAAL COUPLE REPORTEDLY STARTS MAJOR FAMILY INVESTIGATION OVER LAST PIECE OF CHICKEN 🍗😂

VAAL — What started as an ordinary family dinner reportedly turned into a full-scale investigation after the last piece of chicken mysteriously disappeared from the plate.

According to the family, nobody admitted to eating it.

The situation reportedly escalated when one family member demanded that everyone explain their whereabouts during the “critical 30-minute period.”

Phones were allegedly checked. Kitchen cupboards were opened. Even the person who said, “I don't even eat chicken like that,” reportedly became a suspect.

One family member allegedly said: “We are not fighting. We are simply looking for the truth.”

The investigation remains open, with the family reportedly considering reviewing the CCTV footage — despite the fact that there is no CCTV. 😂

🍗 VAAL NEWS

2️⃣ BOPHELONG MAN CLAIMS HE HAS BEEN WAITING FOR A TAXI SINCE 2024 🚕😂

BOPHELONG — A local man has allegedly claimed that he has been waiting for a taxi for so long that he can no longer remember what his original destination was.

The man says he initially planned to take a short trip, but after years of waiting, he has apparently entered what he calls his “permanent taxi-rank era.”

According to people around him, he now knows every taxi driver, every shop owner and almost everyone who passes through the area.

“I came here to catch a taxi. Now people come to me asking which taxi goes where,” he reportedly said.

The man allegedly refused to give up, saying: “I've waited this long. I'm not leaving without that taxi.”

😅😅😅VAAL NEWS —

1️⃣ VAAL RESIDENT DECLARES WAR ON LOADSHEDDING ⚡

VAAL — A local resident has reportedly had enough of load shedding and has officially declared “war” on Eskom.

According to the resident, years of switching off appliances, charging phones at neighbours’ houses and planning his life around the electricity schedule have finally pushed him too far.

“I don't check the load-shedding schedule anymore. The schedule checks on ME,” he allegedly said.

The resident has reportedly started charging every device in his house whenever electricity returns — including phones, power banks, rechargeable lights and even devices he “doesn't remember owning.”

Neighbours say he has also developed a new survival strategy: whenever the lights come back on, everyone in the house starts shouting “CHARGE EVERYTHING!”

One neighbour reportedly described the situation as “a national emergency.”

VAAL NEWS —

BOPHELONG ENTREPRENEUR THABISO MTHABELA WINS JUNIOR BUSINESSMAN OF THE YEAR
By Vaal News
BOPHELONG – Local entrepreneur Thabiso Mthabela has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to business after receiving the Junior Businessman of the Year Award at the Golden Triangle Chamber of Commerce Awards, held at Pont de Val on 25 July 2026.
Born and raised in Bophelong, Mthabela described the award as an honour and said it motivates him to continue striving for excellence.
"I feel honoured, recognised and appreciated. Awards are important for every individual doing a great job here in the Vaal. Being nominated alone motivates you to keep going and aim higher, so winning the award makes one a whole different person," he said.
Mthabela's entrepreneurial journey began after graduating with an Information Technology Diploma . Unable to secure employment, he chose to create opportunities instead.
"What drives me is purpose. I graduated with an IT Diploma from Vaal University of Technology and couldn't find a job, so I decided to create jobs instead of waiting for one," he explained.
Starting with no funding four years ago, Mthabela launched a Gas LPG business that has since expanded to two branches serving different communities. He later entered the food industry, gaining experience as a pie shop manager before establishing Dolly's Pies and investing in a bicycle business.
Reflecting on his success, Mthabela said resilience has been the key to overcoming adversity.
"I don't just run two businesses that support each other—gas powers the pies, and my IT background helps me build systems for both. I've survived two business break-ins in consecutive months and a house robbery involving five armed men. They took money, but they couldn't take my mindset. I'm still standing, and I'm still employing 10 people," he said.
For Mthabela, his proudest achievement is the positive impact his businesses have made in the community by creating employment
vaal news at your service

VAAL NEWS | SPORTS

VAAL NEWS IS WATCHING THE WORLD STAGE

19 July 2026

As the football world turns its attention to the FIFA World Cup Final today, all eyes will be on Spain's teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal, as he prepares to face Argentina in what promises to be one of the biggest matches of his career.

At just 19 years old, Yamal has already established himself as one of football's brightest stars. Wearing the iconic Spain No. 19 jersey, the young winger has dazzled fans throughout the tournament with his pace, creativity and fearless attacking football.

Today's showdown against Argentina is more than just a final—it's an opportunity for Yamal to help write another chapter in Spanish football history against one of the world's strongest national teams.

Here at VAAL NEWS, we don't only cover local stories—we also keep an eye on major events shaping the world. From the streets of the Vaal to the biggest sporting stages on the planet, we see everything happening.

Kick-off: 19 July 2026
Match: Spain vs Argentina – FIFA World Cup Final
Player in Focus: Lamine Yamal
Age: 19
Jersey Number: 19

Stay with VAAL NEWS for more updates as the world's biggest football match unfolds.

NEWBORN BABY ALLEGEDLY FOUND ABANDONED IN SASOLBURG
SASOLBURG – A newborn baby was allegedly found abandoned in an open field in Sasolburg on Tuesday, sparking shock and concern among residents.
According to information circulating on social media, the infant was discovered wrapped in clothing and lying in the grass. Community members reportedly alerted emergency services after making the heartbreaking discovery.
The baby's condition and whether the child survived have not yet been officially confirmed. Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and work to identify those responsible.
Police have urged anyone with information that could assist the investigation to come forward.
VAAL NEWS will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Note: This report is based on true events and yet the authorities have been informed and still waiting independently to be verified by authorities.

🚨 VAAL NEWS | BREAKING NEWS 🚨

PASSENGER ESCAPES AFTER ALLEGED TRUCK HIJACKING ON N1 NEAR SEBOKENG

SEBOKENG – A passenger travelling from Welkom narrowly escaped after a truck was allegedly hijacked by eight armed men on the N1 highway shortly after Vaal Plaza near Sebokeng on Saturday.

According to the survivor, one of the suspects was armed with a firearm, although no shots were fired during the incident.

The passenger said the attackers appeared determined to kill.

“They came with a mission to shoot and kill. One of them got out while the others were still inside because a vehicle behind them couldn't get past. While that suspect was busy attacking the driver, I grabbed my bag and escaped,” the survivor told VAAL NEWS.

The passenger ran to nearby homes in Sebokeng, where residents assisted by providing a place of safety.

The motive for the hijacking remains under investigation. Police have not yet released further details regarding the incident or confirmed any arrests.

VAAL NEWS will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates as more information becomes available.