67 ordinary residents of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) – who do extraordinary things within their communities – were honoured by East Coast Radio over the weekend for living Madiba’s values every day. The 67 people, from across KZN, were nominated by radio listeners for the way in which they work tirelessly in the service of others, influences lives in […]

Mandela Day is an opportunity to reflect on how we help each other to get on in life. Educational institutions play an important role in this regard. As Madiba said: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” As far as universities are concerned, this mainly occurs through the […]

On Tuesday morning I had a beautiful experience, an extended interaction with four otters on Scarborough beach! Elusive, in 15 years living in Scarborough I have only twice caught brief glimpses of single otters. This was a complete treat, a full romp of them in a mood to engage. They were extremely confident and inquisitive…it felt like they were […]

To celebrate Mandela Day tomorrow (18 July), the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) Computing Science department has created an awesome video which highlights world events that occurred during the former South African President’s 27 years in prison (see below). Head of Department Professor Jean Greyling told SAPeople that “in celebration of Mandela Day, NMMU Computing Sciences put together […]

Watch the video above (or below) for a view into the spectacular and often unseen side of Cape Town. If anything is going to lure you into wanting to take on the 100 km Ultra-Trail Cape Town race – it’s this video which reveals the stunning landscape and seascape as runners take on the mountain […]

When South Africans get together it’s always a jol. And they always braai! Check out this fun-loving video, filmed recently at a bazaar in Seoul. “If there is one thing any true Saffa loves it’s Braai, and boy do we take it seriously!” says blogger and vlogger Heshina Pillay who uploaded the video to YouTube. […]

Social worker, writer and film-maker John Clarke has created a light-hearted video to send a serious message about saving the Pondoland Wild Coast of South Africa from Australian mining entrepreneur Mark Victor Caruso. The Australian executive chairman of MRC Ltd has been embroiled in the Xolobeni mining conflict on the Wild Coast, which is home to titanium […]

Yes, we have Table Mountain, the Big Five, pristine beaches, the alluring winelands and world-class airports…but South Africa also has food experiences as diverse as our Rainbow Nation. You can expect everything from fine dining to Cape Malay cuisine and that old South African favourite, the braai (barbecue). Here are some food experiences to try if you […]

It dawned on me yesterday morning around 3 hours into the most boring “Game” drive of all time. I was doing brain exercises in order to ensure that I didn’t lose consciousness from the devastating cold and from the mind numbing nothingness of the experience, and in order to ensure that I didn’t slip away […]

It’s official! Fridays in South Africa are now green and gold. Yesterday Minister of Sport, Fikile Mbalulato, called on Corporate South Africa to support their workforce in wearing Springbok jerseys on the 11 Fridays until the big World Cup kickoff. Starting today. BUT not all South African fans are happy to comply… “It’s that time of year again where we […]

Almost eight months after suffering a devastating knee injury Jean de Villiers is set to make his comeback this weekend – from the bench – when the Springboks take on the World XV at Newlands in Cape Town. De Villiers, who plays centre, suffered a dislocated knee and ligament damage during the final match of 2014 against […]

We are without a doubt commencing tennis’ finest hour. I am filled with excitement and anticipation of the weeks to come at the Wimbledon Championships located in SW19. For most tennis players, the ultimate dream is to lift the trophy with a golden hue at the ‘home’ of tennis, where the history and prestige of […]

Photos from Plot 111, Moloto, Pretoria. June 2015. South African writer, broadcaster and photographer DAVID BATZOFIN was invited by a group distributing food, toys and clothes to this little-known community. This is his account… [vc_button title=”1″ color=”default”] Martie and Marius de Klerk This husband and wife couple are the “caretakers”. Marius used to work for Transnet, but left […]

Starfish Greathearts Foundation, a charity working with children in South Africa orphaned or made vulnerable by HIV and AIDS, are holding an inspirational evening of jazz and classical music alongside traditional songs from South Africa this evening. The event – ‘Hope and Harmony’ – promises a wonderful line up of musicians, including: Queen of Afro-Jazz Pinise […]

Here’s the lowdown on what the 28 squad members have done since winning the World Cup 25 years ago. This article was first republished five years ago (for the 20th anniversary) with kind permission from SA Rugby magazine. As Breyton Paulse tweeted this morning: “Exactly 25 years ago today, what a moment, what a team, […]

The photos of an unfortunate African Rock Python, and its equally unfortunate meal – a porcupine – are making news around the world with headings like ‘Python comes to prickly end’ and ‘Snake bites off more than he can chew’.  The story of the python and the porcupine began on Sunday 14 June 2015 when one […]

It’s been four months since young filmmaker Howard Fyvie traded in his rental home in Woodstock for a bunk bed in DuNoon, a township on the fringes of Milnerton. And now that the “Honeymoon period has officially worn off”, he has some insider tips on how to navigate a township… The 27-year-old says: “I’ve started to see […]

Dear Friend, It has been an eerie thing for me these past few years: sort of a déjà vu experience to watch the news and read about Ferguson, Eric Garner, Baltimore riots, McKinney and, most recently, the horrific shooting in Charleston. I’ve been watching #blacklivesmatter trend on Twitter: grief and outrage and opinions from every corner. […]

A well-deserved congratulations to Cape Town photographer Eric Nathan whose shot of the Mother City at night has earned him the top prize at the International Earth & Sky Photo Contest. But, as exquisite as his photo is, it also highlights the effect light pollution has on our skies and the need to reclaim and reconnect […]

Here’s a shout out from Carina McAlpine for her neighbour who bravely risked his life to rescue her during an assault…even though at that stage they were just polite neighbours who barely knew each other. Carina posted the following message to Facebook with the photo above: “Ladies and gentlemen…please salute my neighbour, Joseph Hlengane Hlongwane, who […]

An artisanal beer-making tsunami has hit South Africa in the last few years and resulted in 135 craft breweries that have popped up throughout the country (see infographic below). The below quote is the top definition of what constitutes a craft beer in the tongue-in-cheek Urban Dictionary. [quote_center]CRAFT BEER – “An explosion of art and science coming together to build […]

The iconic, mysterious and magical African baobab, probably the most identifiable and prehistoric-looking tree on earth, suddenly seems to be coming into its own in the 21st Century. Several companies are getting the name of the tree out there – literally – selling products that take advantage of its health and medicinal properties. One company even promotes the […]

The new immigration regulations concerning travelling with children in and out of South Africa, implemented on 1 June 2015, have caused some confusion and a flood of questions. Here’s a guide that should make it simple and hassle-free so that you can focus on having a holiday while the SA government can focus on ensuring […]

So now we have established that most of us expats are not hell bent on taking the country to the dogs, let’s talk about why we upped sticks and left. I come from a family of expats. Mum is English, Dad from South Africa but raised in Kenya and Zambia, grandparents from SA and the UK. […]

Messages of love and support have poured in for the family and friends of 20-year-old Jenna Lowe, the #GetMeTo21 organ transplant campaigner who tragically passed away on Monday. Here is one that says it all…and more. Penned by Vanessa Raphaely for her brave and beautiful friend, Gabi Lowe – mother of Jenna and Kristi, we […]