The number of confirmed COVID-19 in South Africa is 37 525, while the death toll has spiked to 792. Almost 80% are in the Western and Eastern Cape Out of the 37 recorded deaths on Wednesday, 29 are in the Western Cape, seven in the Eastern Cape and one in KwaZulu-Natal. On Tuesday, 50 people […]

Two communal vegetable gardens have made a big difference to life in Khenana informal settlement in Durban, where residents have used the money from sales of spinach and cabbage to buy masks, gloves and sanitisers for everyone during the Covid-19 pandemic. The first garden in the settlement in Cato Crest was started in June last […]

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has expressed confidence that the aviation industry and South Africa’s airports will adhere to COVID-19 regulations and directives, as the sector reopens. See below for the process passengers will now go through to travel by air. Speaking on Wednesday at the O.R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, where he was inspecting […]

The South African Government says it has taken note of the Johannesburg High Court ruling, which declared COVID-19 lockdown regulations in levels 3 and 4 unconstitutional and invalid. The court, however, suspended the declaration of invalidity for a period of 14 days. “This means that the Alert Level 3 regulations remain in operation for now,” […]

Confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa have now reached 35 812 — an increase of 1 455 in the last 24 hours. According to Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, the Western Cape still has the majority number of cases with 23 583, followed by the Eastern Cape with 4 324, Gauteng with 4 276, and […]

The South African government says it has observed the protests in the USA following the tragic death of George Floyd, and calls on all in America – especially the security forces – to exercise maximum restraint in responding to the anger and frustration felt by many of its citizens, friends and international partners. DIRCO Minister […]

In welcome news for stranded expats who need to head back to their homes or jobs in the UK, or from London to South Africa, two potential flights have been announced for next week. The target timing of the flights is 11 and 12 June, but a minimum number of 450 passengers (in- and outbound) […]

KLM / Air France have announced more repatriation flights scheduled from South Africa to Europe! These flights will also be useful for the many South African expats, or those with work visas currently stuck in SA, to return to the UK. KLM says they have worked hard to get the flights displayed on their websites […]

A total of 22 new COVID-19 related deaths – all in the Western Cape – have been recorded as the total number of positive cases in South Africa climbs to 34,357 on Monday. The 22 new deaths bring the total to 525 deaths in the Western Cape, increasing the national figure to 705. This means […]

South African Airways (SAA) has received approvals to operate several repatriation flights in June, including to and from destinations not on their usual routes. See list below. As SA’s national carrier, it was able to secure approvals to operate repatriation flights during Lockdown, despite the closure of borders. Since 3 April the airline has conducted […]

One of South Africa’s most wanted criminals was fatally wounded in a shoot-out with police on Friday night, 29 May. The South African Police Service (SAPS) said that members of the Tshwane Tactical Response Team (TRT), Ekurhuleni TRT and Gauteng Traffic Police were following up on intelligence-driven information that led them to the “most wanted […]

The ANC Caucus says that “unwarranted racist and misogynistic attacks” on COGTA Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma have continued unabated despite several condemnations by the ANC leadership and progressive sectors of society. This comes after a Western Cape social media user posted a morphed photo depicting Dr Dlamini-Zuma as an ape. The ANC says: “We will […]

King Price has proved again that South African ads are some of the best in the world. Watch the below hilarious interaction between a traffic officer and a female motorist. “The current reality of getting lost in translation!” says Gauteng publicist Georg Knoke. “A typical South African scene!” This is the latest video commercial to […]

Watch South African comedian Kevin Fraser give a spot-on depiction of life for families under lockdown. The video is actually an ad for a pizza take-away company in SA, but it’s good value and worth watching for classic Kevin Fraser humour. WATCH VIDEO: Families Under Lockdown – by Kevin Fraser https://www.facebook.com/kevinfraserofficial/videos/699151150904484/

The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) has entered into a partnership with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to host a Deep Space Ground Station. The station, which will be based in Matjiesfontein in the Western Cape, will support human spaceflight missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond. It will be integrated into […]

COGTA Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma’s Level 3 regulations for South Africa, released today, have been met with frustration and widespread shock and horror. The keyword in response seemed to be “irrational” with the DA adding that the regulations “lack scientific basis” and AfriForum demanding  the Minister recall them. The DA said it will use all […]

Watch the video below for the live television coverage of the launch of Crew Dragon from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center at 10.33pm South African time, the first time a private company – SA expat Elon Musk’s Space-X – will travel to the International Space Station. The two astronauts on board are best friends and seasoned […]

Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Minister of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs, has been served a lawyer’s letter on Wednesday by AfriForum, informing her that the organisation plans to take further legal action if the smoking ban is not lifted. This ban refers to the sale of tobacco products that are currently illegal, AfriForum said in a […]

As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases rises to 24 264, South Africa is working around the clock to ramp up its testing capacity. However, South Africa is now faced with the challenge of a shortage of test kits – a problem not unique to the country. “As a country, we are now facing a […]

The family of a South African Airways (SAA) crew member, who sadly passed away on Sunday, have been left dismayed by rumours circulating in SA that she died from Covid-19. Through the SA National Defence Force (SANDF), the family has issued a statement laying claim to the facts surrounding the tragic death of the 39-year-old […]

Rhino poaching in South Africa has (fortunately) suffered a significant decline during lockdown… although sadly it has not ground to an absolute halt, and could spike after the pandemic as poachers make up for their losses. But for now, the good news is that in April 2020 the Kruger National Park recorded the fewest rhinos […]

The fight for the rights of South African citizens who work, live or study abroad to be allowed to leave the country is looking positive. Locked in South Africa (#LISA), which represents around 3,500 South Africans stuck in SA, confirmed today (Monday) that “this morning, the State Attorney made contact with our legal representative and […]

At least 14 people have now died and ten more are reportedly fighting for their lives in hospital after drinking home-brew beer, with lethal sources of alcohol added to it, made to get round South Africa’s lockdown alcohol ban. Police have revealed that three people died in each of three different villages close to each […]

A group of caring family doctors in Cape Town, South Africa, have initiated a Masks for Medics crowdfunding campaign to raise crucial funds to provide PPE to healthcare workers caring for positive Covid-19 patients. While there have been campaigns to support frontline healthcare workers, this campaign is “focusing on the forgotten; the home-based carers, the […]

A video of South Africans appearing to be celebrating the lifting of the alcohol ban in Level 3 has gone viral in SA and amongst expats around the world. (Watch below.) The video, posted by Joburg marketer and public speaker Mike Said, shows a crowded bar erupting in cheers as Ramaphosa is seen making the […]