The latest weekly report by the Department of Water and Sanitation shows that dam levels in the Eastern Cape are sitting at 51% after the recent torrential rains. “With more rains expected in the run-up to Christmas, it is likely that the levels may soon soar to 55% and beyond,” the department said on Wednesday. […]

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 infections has increased to 883 687 after 10 008 new cases were recorded, the latest data showed on Wednesday. According to Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, the country has breached the 10 000 mark for new cases. The last time South Africa recorded over 10 000 new cases was on […]

With some viruses, once you have been infected and have developed antibodies, you will be immune to that virus for life. Past infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, does not, as far as is known at this stage, guarantee protection against future infections. It’s not absolutely clear whether this virus may become dormant […]

Five parents – whose children have allegedly been disadvantaged by Netball South Africa (NSA) – have agreed to be part of AfriForum’s court case at the International Netball Federation (INF), where the organisation has a case against discrimination in school netball. This signifies progress in the case for AfriForum, who were last month informed by […]

It’s December and time to celebrate with gifts, love and family, however you unite to share your joy this season. But what can you give the whole family that’s delicious yet won’t stretch your waistband, educational without giving anyone the back-to-school jitters, that’ll take you all over the world without even the slightest risk, and […]

Prof Jean Greyling and his team from Computing Sciences at Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth has received the Vice Chancellor’s Excellence Award, in the category “Engagement Project”. This follows on the Innovation Excellence Award also from the Vice Chancellor in 2019. Prof Greyling is very passionate about introducing learners to software development as a […]

Eskom, South Africa’s state-owned power utility, has a litany of financial and operational problems. In 2017 the Goldman Sachs Group declared it the biggest risk to the South African economy. Several cabinet members have said so too. President Cyril Ramaphosa declared that Eskom is “too big to fail”. The first huge problem is debt of […]

Following a video showing what appeared to be a packed crowd dancing at a Cape Town venue on Sunday, with flagrant disregard to Covid-19 protocols, the federated hospitality association of South Africa, FEDHASA, has condemned in the strongest terms what it brands “irresponsible behaviour by hospitality establishments and consumers” which may contribute to the increased […]

If you’ve never heard of this beautiful South African Christmas carol, turn it up, sit back and let the music and lyrics wash over you. It’s called ‘Come, Colours Rise’ and was composed by Grant McLachlan with lyrics by Frank Barry. It will leave you with a lump in your throat as big as Africa. […]

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has urged South African motorists to remain vigilant on the roads during this festive season following three major crashes this past weekend. “(Motorists) are urged to choose daytime driving and to keep their lights on at all times. Motorists are also warned to refrain from speeding and from driving […]

How do we save whales and other marine animals from plastic in the ocean? Our new review shows reducing plastic pollution can prevent the deaths of beloved marine species. Over 700 marine species, including half of the world’s cetaceans (such as whales and dolphins), all of its sea turtles and a third of its seabirds, […]

South Africa has recorded 7 999 new COVID-19 cases while 170 more people lost their lives, bringing the country’s total tally to 860 964 and the COVID-19 death toll to 23 276. The Eastern Cape recorded 94 deaths, Free State 11, Gauteng 3, KwaZulu-Natal 4, Northern Cape 4 and Western Cape 54. “We convey our […]

Starfish launched their annual ‘Dinner of Hope’ drive for the festive season, on 1 December (World AIDS Day), and are now inviting anyone anywhere in the world to join in and host a fun dinner with friends and, at the same time, help vulnerable children in South Africa. As Starfish says, these kids are even more vulnerable […]

This week Carte Blanche meets a 100-year-old survivor of another global pandemic – the Spanish Flu – which swept across the globe in 1918. You can watch the show on Sunday 13  December in South Africa on DStv Now or stream it overseas in most countries from Tues 15  December if you’re abroad. STORIES OF […]

It’s been a tumultuous year filled with uncertainty, social distancing, lockdowns and travel restrictions with South Africans finding ways to escape, travel and connect with the real world. And What We Watched 2020 – this year’s South Africa viewing trends on Netflix – reflects those high and lows. This year, South Africans more than doubled […]

Durban-based Creative Director Anthony George Kirkwood was on his way back from a project on Tuesday when he noticed smoke in the distance and could tell there was a “big problem”. What he was seeing was the massive explosion at Zeta Chemicals in Otto Volek Road in Pinetown, South Africa, that has sadly left 13 […]

Despite a recent slight decline due to the COVID-19 pandemic, greenhouse gas emissions continue to accumulate in the atmosphere. They are projected to rise again once the economy recovers. The current pledges by governments across the world to reduce emissions are insufficient to keep global warming within safe levels (that is, below 2°C). Although with […]

Local brewers and mixologists are capitalising on the opportunity which South Africa’s rich plant life presents by developing unique beverages for local and international markets… enhancing sensory experiences for tourists and locals alike. Find out more below including their fabulous recipes for Rooibos Spritz and Table Mountain cocktail! SA’s first black female brew-master creates new […]

An extensive and sobering report, Serial Rape in South Africa, has been published revealing the extent and brutality of the rape crisis in SA. The report, published by Afriforum, contains devastating rape statistics and has used news reports, available data, research performed by various institutions, court cases and other sources. According to the latest annual […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed sadness at the recent death of South Africa’s ambassador to Senegal, Lenin Magigwane Shope. In a statement issued on Saturday, the Presidency said ambassador Shope passed away at his official residence in Dakar, Senegal, earlier last week. President Ramaphosa offered his sincere condolences to Shope’s mother, Ma Gertude Shope, a […]

The South African Department of Health has issued an urgent announcement to all parents and learners who attended Ballito Rage event in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) to get tested for COVID-19 after it was identified as a super-spreader event. Anyone who attended a Ballito Rage event is a ‘contact’ “We confirm that we have now identified a […]

About 70 parents, teachers, learners, and community members gathered at Heathfield High School in Cape Town on Wednesday night to support the principal, who faces disciplinary action after refusing to open the school during the Covid-19 pandemic peak. The principal of Heathfield High School in Cape Town, Wesley Neumann, faces a disciplinary hearing from today. […]

One night in August, in a quiet suburban complex in Port Elizabeth, Selina and Stanton Ingram spent the evening at home together with their children, twelve-year-old Tammy and seventeen-year-old Matthew. Little did they imagine that this would be the last time they would be together as a family… A Poisonous Pesticide Just a few hours […]

The number of COVID-19 cases in South Africa has topped 800 000, after 4 400 people were confirmed to have contracted the virus. This brings the total number of COVID-19 cases to 800 872 since the first case was reported in March this year. Meanwhile, 94 more people succumbed to the respiratory disease which pushes the death toll to […]

Locust outbreaks are currently plaguing South Africa in parts of the Free State, Northern Cape and Western Cape, fuelled further by strong winds, according to Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza. “Control measures are currently being implemented to curb the spread of the locusts. The current strong winds are aiding the fight […]