The life story of Nelson Mandela, a powerful tale of a charismatic lawyer and human rights activist whose work to dismantle apartheid landed him in prison for 27 years before he ultimately became the country’s first democratically elected president, has been told time and time again. Films of his journey have been made for the […]

As international tourists and South Africans from around the country head to the coast for their summer holidays, the NSRI (National Sea Rescue Institute) has released a selection of photographs to show swimmers exactly what rip currents look like. And even if you’re a seasoned swimmer – it’s worth taking a look because sometimes the […]

If the history of South Africa is in large part one of racial divisiveness, today it can also be seen as the story of the creation – from tremendous diversity – of a single nation. Sections in this article: Earliest inhabitants Colonial expansion Diamonds and British consolidation Gold and war Union and the ANC The […]

South Africa has a vast system of natural reserves established to protect the country’s indigenous plants, animals, landscapes and associated cultural heritage, ranging from the vast flagship Kruger National Park – occupying an area larger than Swaziland – to the tiny Bontebok National Park in the Western Cape. These are managed by South Africa National […]

As an Indonesian official reports that the missing AirAsia plane may be at the bottom of the sea, a South African publicist and PR on holiday in Asia has described the ‘uncomfortable’ feeling at airports in Asia right now as he heads to Singapore, the same destination that Flight QZ8501 was en route to yesterday when it vanished from […]

Adventurers, travellers and others can follow the Madiba route by ticking off 27 landmarks across South Africa, learning more about his legacy along the way. Following in Nelson Mandela’s footsteps, the journey is expected to encourage tourists who were inspired by the anti-apartheid freedom fighter and father of the nation, to visit South Africa and […]

By 2035, half of Africa’s population will be living in urban areas. Megacities that will sprout to house this population will strain infrastructure and exert pressure on the environment. Cape Town, Africa’s greenest city, is planning for that future. The Mother City, as it is known in South Africa, is the greenest city on the […]

It’s summertime in South Africa, and time to head for the beach. The country has more than 2 500 kilometres of coastline, stretching from the cold waters off the arid West Coast region, southwards around the tip of Africa, and heading up again all the way to the lush St Lucia estuary in the east. […]

A group of South Africans  gathered in London last week to sing Christmas Carols including Silent Night…and its Afrikaans version “Stille Nag…Heilige Nag”. The SA Gemeente London’s ‘Kerssangdiens’ was held on the 7th December at City Temple in Holborn and everyone you see on stage is proudly South African. “Whilst all in South Africa are […]

Somewhere between Wellington and Paarl in the dark hours of early morning a few nights ago – Robyn Gwilt and a couple of other photographers were enjoying “the smell of Africa and sheep, and the cold wind making our cheeks glow pink!” They had set out from Cape Town at 11 pm to find and photograph […]

It’s the Christmas Song that’s swept South Africa this season – the local-is-lekker version of Twelve Days of Christmas. And it’s not just the melody and words that make it so great…but the way it’s changing perceptions, and making a Summer Christmas just as cool and ‘real’ for kids as the snowy winter one they see in […]

British photographer Richard Humphries, who recently won an award for his graphic photographic portrait of “South Africa’s Rhino War”, describes the poaching scenes he witnessed in the Kruger National Park as nothing less than a “full-on war”. Richard has a history with South Africa, having lived in the country, with his wife Jill, for three years from […]

Congratulations to South African actor Stelio Savante for winning the Award of Merit as leading actor for Once We Were Slaves. The film, with Stelio in the lead role, premiered at LA Shorts Fest this past July. The short film is directed by Dallas Jenkins and is the story of an influential event 2,000 years ago, from […]

A letter of thanks from an injured Dutch tourist to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) in South Africa [see below] has touched the nation, gone viral on social media, and filled SA citizens with immense pride in the country’s rescue workers, many of whom are volunteers. The incident occurred last month, on 10 November, when a 31-year-old orthopaedic surgeon from […]

Both locals and South Africans abroad will be pleased to know the South African Post Office (SAPO) is back to full operation! But please do exercise a little caution as they catch up on the backlog… SAPO made the announcement a few hours ago, revealing that they have appointed a special team to implement ground-breaking initiatives […]

The rare and adorable twin elephants that were born in South Africa last week have provided a feel good ‘Christmas miracle’ story in times of Eskom-generated darkness. The twins, who were born on Thursday at the big-four Pongola Game Reserve in Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal, have not yet been named as experts have given them their space, and […]

Nelson Mandela may have freed the nation, but his impact was global, with people taking inspiration from his forgiving and compassionate nature. “Our history books will refer to this period as the ‘The Age of Mandela,’” said Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor in her reflections on the former statesman. Pandor was among a host […]

Today – Friday, 5 December 2014 – marks a full year since South Africa’s beloved statesman and icon of peace Nelson Mandela passed away. Here are some ways to honour his memory today. 1. Buy a book The Nelson Mandela Foundation has launched a campaign requesting individuals, companies and organisation to buy a book – one […]

Many South Africans, who have become expats themselves, may find the latest survey by banking giant HSBC quite interesting. It turns out that thousands of expats from different nationalities rate South Africa as one of the best countries for children to grow up in! Regina Graeff from ExpatCapeTown.com compiled the following report. With her kind permission we hereby publish […]

In a series of powerful videos, South Africans of all kinds share their experiences of finding out they were HIV-positive, and how being open about their status helped them fight the stigma of the virus and find real support from true friends and family. Cindy Pivacic, 56 Ten years ago, Cindy Pivacic’s partner infected her […]

On yesterday’s World Aids Day 2014, the South African National Aids Council (Sanac) called on all the people of the country to join its campaign for the next 12 months: Zero Stigma, Zero Discrimination.   World Aids Day, commemorated on 1 December every year, gives all communities the opportunity to unite in the fight against HIV, […]

On 5 December South Africa will mark one year since Nelson Mandela passed away in his Houghton home, after many months of ailing health. The world mourned his departure, having lost one of its greatest inspirations. US President Barack Obama said we should “pause and give thanks for the fact that Nelson Mandela lived”. The […]

Cape Town has a new beacon of light, shining brightly into the night…and the future. It’s the new 24-metre high art installation, designed by artist Christopher Swift, that is now providing a physical and figurative glimmer of light on Signal Hill in Cape Town. Powered by solar energy, the light from the eight-pointed star (which […]

Saturday 15 November marked a new beginning for the city of Joburg as one woman bravely began her mission to transform the city that’s been called the unfriendliest in the world, into JOYburg. Sue Jameson, Joy Activist and Laughter Coach, kicked off the first part of her first prize in the Vodacom #Firsts competition with her ‘my #First Laughter Mob’. […]

A kind and unassuming waiter by the name of Vincent has become the most talked about South African employee in the past 24 hours. Yesterday he performed a good deed at the Wimpy branch in Canal Walk, Cape Town…which did not go unnoticed. And today he is being celebrated all over social media for his kind […]