Skabenga, the famous housecat-in-residence at the Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga, assists with a check-in today, by turning his back on the checker-inner and blithely ignoring the rather obvious mouse just to his right… writes Gus Silber. Skabenga – a mangling of the isiZulu term, S’gebengu, meaning “vagabond” or “hooligan” – is a former feral […]

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa’s Famous Brands said on Tuesday its UK-based unit Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) has closed 14 out of 17 under-performing stores following the approval of a restructuring plan by creditors. A string of British store groups have either gone out of business or announced plans to close shops this year, as […]

The eThekwini Council in South Africa just spent a whopping R2-million, according to the DA, on a trip to Colombia that never happened. The Durban delegates – all 59 of them! – were unable to board the plane in Brazil for the final flight to Colombia because they didn’t have the correct visas! The Democratic […]

Good news for South Africans as Eskom says it will not implement Stage 1 rotational load shedding today. “Eskom will not implement Stage 1 rotational load shedding from 9am today. The electricity system remains tight and the risk of load shedding still remains high for today should power station units fail to return as planned,” […]

The Springboks will get to play only two home tests in South Africa next year during a curtailed build-up to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, with Johannesburg and Pretoria set to host the matches. There will be no June international window in World Cup year and the Rugby Championship has been cut to […]

Coming up on South Africa’s favourite current affairs show Carte Blanche on Sunday 9 Dec in South Africa, and available to stream from Tues 11 Dec for South Africans abroad. (14-day Free Trial). Johannesburg Graft Unit A leaked report, prepared by investigators on behalf of the City of Johannesburg, alleges that cases of corruption involving city officials […]

Professor Kelly Chibale, founder and director of the Drug Discovery and Development Centre, H3D, at the University of Cape Town, has been awarded the prestigious Gold Medal for 2018 by the South African Chemical Institute (SACI). Chibale said he was deeply honoured by the award, which is made to a person whose scientific contribution in […]

Animal protection groups have joined forces to persuade Johannesburg Zoo in South Africa to move a 39-year old female elephant called Lammie – who is living a lonely, sad existence since her mate died in September – to a sanctuary. The groups are the Humane Society International / Africa, the EMS Foundation and the Elephant […]

Cape Town is abuzz with sevens rugby action this week in the build-up to the highly-anticipated fourth instalment of the Cape Town Sevens, the second tournament on the World Rugby Sevens Series. If you’re attending the event, make sure you know all the ins and outs of what will be happening on Saturday and Sunday. […]

This may be an old video but unfortunately it’s timeless when it comes to load shedding! In this stand-up comedy routine, South African comedian Trevor Noah perfectly captures the frustration in calling City Power to get some answers on just when the electricity will be turned back ON! WATCH Trevor Noah on Load Shedding in […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed sadness at the passing away of Dr Alex Boraine, the former vice-chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and co-founder of the Institute for a Democratic Alternative in South Africa (Idasa). Boraine, a lawyer and theologian, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 87, after a long illness. He […]

The South African government has welcomed rating agency Fitch’s decision to affirm SA’s long term foreign and local currency debt ratings at ‘BB+’ and maintain the stable outlook, National Treasury said. Fitch’s outlook assessment on Thursday keeps South Africa’s foreign and local currency credit ratings below investment grade (subinvestment). Fitch warned that low growth and […]

The Kruger National Park (KNP) on Tuesday unveiled four fantastic activity vehicles that will be used to transport tourists with mobility challenges on game viewing activities. The 14-seater activity vehicles form part of the KNP Visitor Management Plan, and can lift weight up to a maximum of 250 kg. “KNP aims to enhance the recognition […]

JOHANNESBURG – South Africa‘s government is discussing restructuring the debt of state-run utility Eskom but will only give details of what it plans to do next year, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan said on Thursday, in comments which sent Eskom’s bonds tumbling. The cash-strapped power firm said this week that it wanted the government to […]

Just over a month ago a tiny kitten was handed over to the Mdzananda Animal Clinic based in Khayelitsha in Cape Town, South Africa. The poor little thing had suffered from a horrible blunt force head trauma, the cause unknown. The clinic’s head veterinarian, Dr Friedl le Roux, believes the kitten was either hit on […]

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Zweli Mkhize has extended good wishes to Kumkani Zanozuko Tyelovuyo Siqcau and the AmaMpondo people after he was officially recognised as a king. The South African government has issued a certificate of recognition to Kumkani Zanozuko Tyelovuyo Siqcau as the King of AmaMpondo. The king was recognised in terms of the […]

Motorists will this week get an early Christmas present with the price of all grades of petrol set to come down by R1.84 a litre. The Department of Energy announced that both grades of petrol 93 (ULP and LRP) and 95 (ULP and LRP) will decrease by R1.84. The price of Diesel 0.05% sulphur will come […]

Three farm attacks took place in the Western Cape last weekend (Fri 23 to Mon 26 Nov), in the Porterville, Paarl and Wellington regions, according to AfriForum. Apparently, in the case of the Porterville attack, there had been ominous messages spray-painted on the door of the farmhouse six weeks beforehand. The messages allegedly said: ‘Kill […]

The DA says it is urging various municipalities in Limpopo, South Africa, to implement water restrictions – similar to those which have become world famous in Cape Town – to preserve the remaining water in different reservoirs and dams, and avoid the looming water crisis during this festive season and beyond. The effect of the […]

An Air New Zealand advertisement released for the Christmas season this week takes a dig at U.S. President Donald Trump by portraying an American boy wearing a “Make Christmas Great Again” red cap being laughed at by other children on Santa’s “naughty” list. The three-minute advert beckoning travellers with a Christmas greeting from “the nicest […]

NAIROBI – Perhaps South Africa can learn something from Ethiopia which has overtaken Dubai as the top feeder for long-haul passengers to Africa, highlighting the success of the state airline’s expansion drive and the reforms of its new prime minister… which include allowing visitors to apply for visas online. Travel consultancy ForwardKeys said on Wednesday […]

The Girl From St Agnes, Showmax’s first original drama, wrapped on Wednesday (28 November 2018) after filming in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands and Johannesburg in South Africa. The eight-part whodunnit premieres on Showmax on 31 January 2019. “Our first Original – last year’s light-hearted comedy Tali’s Wedding Diary – had the most successful launch day of […]

Higher Education and Training Minister Naledi Pandor will today be presented with the award of Officer in the French Legion of Honour for her remarkable and life-long achievements during her time as Minister of Science and Technology. The Ambassador of France to South Africa Christophe Farnaud will, on behalf of the French President, bestow the award […]

The South African delegation participating in the G20 Summit will use the platform to promote and strengthen the interests of the country and the African continent, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) said on Thursday. Led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the delegation left South Africa on Thursday for Buenos Aires, Argentina, for the […]

Sectors from from South African society – including business and government sectors – on Thursday added their signatures to the pledge against corruption. Government officials as well as faith-based NGOs all signed the pledge to end corruption, at a workshop held at the GCIS head office in Tshwane. GCIS has made the fight against corruption […]