Echoes of apartheid-style exploitation of workers have resurfaced in recent years in South Africa. Debates around these malpractices were given fresh impetus four years ago with the release of a documentary, Bitter Grapes. Produced by Danish journalist Tom Heinemann, it featured workers from South Africa’s winelands. Bitter Grapes cast light on wide-ranging exploitation. Hardships included […]

David Scott from The Kiffness has penned an open letter to Woolworths after the South African multi-national retail chain announced its decision this week to stop playing copyright-protected music in their nationwide stores, in favour of royalty free soundtracks. According to SAMPRA, this effectively means South African music will no longer be played and promoted […]

Nearly 66% of this year’s SAFTA nominations in the TV categories are available to binge now on Showmax, with more to come soon. This includes more than 85% of the drama and over two-thirds of the soap and telenovela nominations, as well as both the most-nominated series overall and the most-nominated telenovela (The River, with 15 nominations), and the most-nominated drama […]

Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu is mostly known to the world for his highly prominent role in the campaign against apartheid in South Africa. This role was internationally recognised by the awarding of the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize. Tutu continued his activism even after the country’s democratic transition in South Africa in the early 1990s. Among […]

There are about 85 South Africans currently stuck in China, despite wanting to be evacuated and returned to South Africa in light of the outbreak of the new Coronavirus, according to the Democratic Alliance (DA). In a statement today, Darren Bergman MP – DA Shadow Minister of International Relations and Cooperation – said whilst the DA […]

“This is Jesse, he is a drifter who lives near the bridge in my area.  He owns nothing but a bike, a bird and a bag of about 10 items,” writes Tony Biggs. “Yesterday, while I was riding my bike down around the beach – which is about 5km from my house – I got […]

Egypt announced its first Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case on Friday, making it Africa’s first documented infection. “This is not unexpected and South Africa remains vigilant for cases of COVID-19,” South Africa’s National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) said in a tweet on Saturday. (Watch video below on how ready South Africa is for the […]

Cape Town Water Crisis déjà vu floods over me as I step into Shanghai’s Pingwu Road and see the long line of people outside the pharmacy. We’re eight days into our self-imposed Coronavirus quarantine and my husband and I have finally decided to leave the apartment… writes Anique Kruger who has been living and teaching […]

Anti-drug trafficking groups say an increasing number of South Africans are getting arrested abroad for drugs smuggled through O.R. Tambo International Airport. This Sunday Carte Blanche investigates the status quo at the airport, as well as celebrating Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi, remembering Ladysmith Black Mambazo founder Joseph Shabalala and finding out why a popular Western […]

The Democratic Alliance (DA) says while it welcomes South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that municipalities will be allowed to purchase power from Independent Power Producers (IPPs), it’s meaningless unless timelines are swiftly announced; and has urged Ramaphosa to stop the government fighting the City of Cape Town in court and allow the Mother City […]

Not quite sure where the time has gone, but somehow my logbook told me it had been a month since my last flight… writes marine conservation photographer Jean Tresfon. With the forecast looking good for Wednesday I planned to head around the Peninsula and see what marine life was in evidence, hopefully even spotting some […]

With just over an hour to go before President Cyril Ramaphosa tables the State of the Nation Address (SONA), the spotlight is on praise singer Masingita Shibambu, who is tasked with ushering in the President into the Parliamentary chambers. Over the years, the 19-year-old has perfected her craft at Sunday school, parties and funerals of […]

Up until 5 months ago, Llewellyn Barnes (59) was a homeless man, living on the streets of Pretoria, South Africa… but this March, against all odds, he will participate amongst professional players in the Senior Tour, a major golf tournament! A difficult childhood At an early age, Llewellyn faced many obstacles. He became like an […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his deep sadness at the passing of Ladysmith Black Mambazo founder Joseph Shabalala. “The passing of Joseph Shabalala is a terribly sad moment for a nation and a world in whose ears the isicathamiya and mbube crafted by Ladysmith Black Mambazo will ring for generations to come,” said President Ramaphosa. […]

Actress Nandi Mbatha’s debut on the runway at SA Men’s Fashion Week was a show-stopper… as she stepped out in this very South African mini-dress, designed by QUITERIA. Mbatha was under the spotlight as she closed QUITERIA’s show at the V&A Waterfront event in Cape Town, South Africa. QUITERIA founder Quiteria Kekana – who was […]

One lucky person from Johannesburg has become a millionaire overnight by hitting the Powerball jackpot this Tuesday. It is still unknown who exactly this lucky resident is since the winnings have yet to be claimed. The winning ticket was bought at the Victor and Son Corner Café, Shop Number 6 Theos Court in Roodepoort, west […]

A coding project called TANKS – which originated at Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth, South Africa – will be flying the flag high for SA, sharing the global stage at UNESCO’s Mobile Learning Week in Paris early March. Of 250 submissions from across the world, it is the only project invited to a plenary session […]

“A visual essay and tribute to the good, friendly and welcoming people of Alex… where life is still so hard, but goes on,” is how Gauteng photographer CHARLES JOHNSTONE describes the emotive pictures on this page. They offer a glimpse into the heart and soul of Alexandra, the famous township that borders Sandton… and which […]

Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer is clearing having a great time in his mom’s home country, South Africa. (Federer’s mother Lynette is an SA expat from Kempton Park.) https://www.facebook.com/Federer/photos/a.214046249940/10157936485264941/ Federer has posted a couple of ‘holiday snap’ type photos, taken in Cape Town today… as he prepares for tonight’s big match against the World’s Number […]

Have you ever been unlawfully detained? A staggering number of people in South Africa have, and they’ve instituted civil claims totalling billions of rands against the police for  Unlawful Arrest and Detention. On this week’s episode of Carte Blanche, the current affairs show investigates: what are the reasons behind this disturbing trend? And what to […]

Tennis legend Roger Federer was in Namibia yesterday (5 Feb) where he spent time with learning groups and children who are supported by his Roger Federer Foundation. He also met with the Namibian President. Roger was in Namibia in his capacity as President of his Foundation, on his way to South Africa to play in […]

As the Chinese government tries to contain the coronavirus, other cases have occurred across the globe. This raises the question: Will this spread – to me? Am I at risk? Not now, because currently every case of the novel coronavirus is linked to Wuhan. There are lots of different coronaviruses that group into three types. […]

Thirty years ago, on 2 February 1990, a speech was delivered by then President FW de Klerk that marked the beginning of a radically new political landscape for South Africa. In his opening address to parliament, De Klerk unbanned the exiled liberation movements, notably the African National Congress (ANC), Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC) and South African […]

With violent incidents taking place across South Africa and crime stats resembling those of a war-torn country, in this week’s episode of Carte Blanche the team examines personal safety and questions whether the State should limit a citizen’s right to own firearms. Tonight’s episode (Sunday 2 February) is available on DStv Now if you’re in South […]

Parliament announced, on Thursday, that it has extended the deadline for public comment to 29 February on the land expropriation with compensation proposal, apparently bending to pressure after numerous submissions were blocked by parliamentary IT servers for “unacceptable content”. The extension comes after several people attempting to make submissions to the designated parliamentary email address […]