Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) will from 15 October start a countrywide Census of Commercial Agriculture. The exercise will see Stats SA deploy about 600 field staff to various commercial farms across the country. The study, according to Stats SA, will establish: the number of farms, their size of farms, crop types being farmed in […]

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa’s Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene apologised on Friday for visiting the home of the Gupta brothers – friends of scandal-plagued former leader Jacob Zuma – as pressure mounts on one of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s key allies. Nene has become an increasingly divisive figure after testimony he gave at an inquiry into […]

Three South African chefs have been included in the prestigious World Top 300 Chef Awards, which were announced on Monday evening in Milan, Italy. Last year’s Best Lady Chef, Chantel Dartnall, came in at number 79. This year she said she had the “incredible honour” of handing over her title to Chef Emma Bengtsson from […]

This week’s episode of Carte Blanche investigates some of the hottest current topics in South Africa – fuel hikes, awaiting trial prisoners, police brutality on the East Rand and the next viable source of nutrition… Gourmet Insects! The show is available to South Africans abroad from Tuesday 09th October 2018 – if you subscribe to […]

South African Airways (SAA) has appointed Deon Fredericks as its new interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Fredericks’ appointment was announced by South Africa’s national carrier on Thursday. His appointment is effective from 15 October and he is on secondment from Telkom for a 12-month period. “We welcome the appointment of Fredericks to ensure that SAA’s […]

PRETORIA (Reuters) – South Africa have drafted number eight Francois Louw back into the team after an emergency call-up as one of three changes to face New Zealand in their Rugby Championship test at the Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. Louw, 33, had gone back to play for Bath in the English Premiership after featuring for […]

The South African Police Services (SAPS) in Dobsonville, west of Soweto, is investigating the discovery of two decomposed bodies of children that were found buried in a shallow grave on Monday. The grim discovery, according to police, was made by a passer-by in a veld behind the Slovoville cemetery. “The decomposed bodies of the unidentified […]

Take a virtual walk into the heart of the Kruger, South Africa. Western Cape photographer and videographer Justin Sullivan was involved in this very cool virtual reality production… that allows viewers to interact with the video and immerse themselves in “Africa’s hidden secrets”. The video showcases life on a walking safari in the Klaserie Private […]

South African expats came out in full for this year’s annual Heritage Day celebrations… held in sunny Wimbledon Park, London in the UK.  And being South African – they jolled like only South Africans know how to. WATCH the video at the bottom of the page… Organisers – South African Diaspora Ubunye Trust – said: […]

Congratulations to six-year-old South African, Khumo Makapela, who has been crowned Little Princess of the World. The little princess – from Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape – was crowned at the Princess of the World / Universe Pageant in Kuşadası in Turkey. She also won the Best of the Best title! The pageant – […]

This week Carte Blanche investigates South Africa’s shocking crime statistics which were announced last week. Murder, rape, bank robberies and sexual offences have all increased… and with 57 South Africans now being killed daily, the SA Minister of Police admitted “it borders close to the war zone”. But, the statistics could herald a silver lining… […]

According to a South African travel company, most South Africans abroad miss biltong, braais and Cape Town! The company says they launched a survey across several social media platforms to find out what South Africans miss most about home while travelling or living abroad. The information gathered revealed some expected trends and a few unexpected ones. The survey […]

If you’re missing home, here’s a wonderful visual trip back to the beautiful land and people of South Africa… (and a chance until midnight on Sunday 2 December 2018 to WIN a trip back to SA!) The song – “Africa’s Time” – is performed by Jeremy Olivier, and features the 5-time Grammy award-winning Ladysmith Black […]

If you’ve never visited Clarens – the ‘jewel’ of the Free State – these gorgeous photos by Walter Gie are likely to tempt you to make the unforgettable trip next time you’re in South Africa (or if you’re here already!). The small Eastern Free State town is built on sandstone formation – the most famous […]

The South African government has encouraged all SA travellers to be alert and sensitive to possible security challenges in areas they are working in or visiting outside of South Africa. The announcement came following the confirmation by the government that a South African national has been kidnapped in Burkina Faso. “Government, through the South African […]

South African squash star Alexa Pienaar kept the University of Johannesburg flag flying high when she won the silver medal at the World University Squash Championships women’s event earlier this month. The 24-year-old UJ player produced one of the best performances by a South African at the tournament, played in Birmingham, England, when she qualified […]

Trevor Noah Presents NationWild, a 13-part comedy showcase of South Africa’s brightest young comedians, is now streaming first and only on Showmax. “I’m really excited for Mzansi audiences to discover their new favourite comedians,” says Trevor. The comedy series is available to watch by South Africans in SA… and those living abroad.   Considering that […]

Take a look at the powerful waves during Equinox this weekend, crashing onto the shores of East London, South Africa. The pictures of the phenomenal surf were taken by photographer Mike Geyer. As Mike says it only happens twice a year, and the waves were HUGE. “It was dramatic and exciting… I could’ve spent all […]

PRETORIA – South Africa will ease some immigration rules, including agreeing visa waiver agreements with more countries, in an effort to boost investment and tourism, Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba confirmed on Tuesday. As reported by SAPeople a couple of days ago, the changes are part of a broader economic turnaround programme announced by President […]

According to comedian Trevor Noah, South African emergency operators have a very different definition of ’emergency’ to their counterparts in the US. Watch below as the South African expat describes his recollections of the 10111 service in South Africa, pointing out how casual it is and that unlike in the US there’s no chance the […]

A life-size statue of Nelson Mandela has been unveiled at the United Nation’s (UN’s) headquarters in New York, USA. The statue of South Africa’s founding father is intended to immortalise Madiba’s values and serve as a reminder forever of everything SA’s exceptional statesman stood for. South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa – who is in New […]

Over 500 rhinos were poached for their horns in South Africa in the first eight months of 2018… which while still horrific, is a 26 % drop from the 691 who were slaughtered in the same period last year, the Department of Environmental Affairs said on Friday as it released the latest South African rhino […]

This week’s episode of Carte Blanche, screened on Sunday in South Africa, is available to South Africans abroad from Tuesday 25th September 2018 – if you subscribe to Showmax.This week’s topics include: Hangberg on Edge Missing and presumed dead, small-scale fisherman Durick van Blerk disappeared overboard after a confrontation with anti-poaching police patrol in August. […]

PRETORIA (Reuters) – South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a multi-billion-dollar stimulus programme on Friday, earmarking funds for job creation and infrastructure development as he seeks to make good on a pledge to revive the country’s ailing economy. Speaking a day after the central bank disappointed some in his ruling African National Congress (ANC) party […]

PRETORIA – South Africa’s central bank left its benchmark repo rate on hold at 6.5 percent on Thursday, in a tight call, with the bank’s governor striking a more hawkish note than at the last rate meeting in July. The rate decision by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) was closely watched after emerging market […]