Final year students in South Africa, and those graduating in 2020, may return to campus under level 3 lockdown. And struggling students will receive free data for three months, subsidised by the SA government. Briefing the media on measures in response to COVID-19, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, said […]

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa has reached the 20 000 mark, as the country’s death toll increased by 28 to 397 on Friday. According to the Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, the total number of confirmed Coronavirus cases in is now 20 125 which increased by 988 new cases in the […]

The United Nations (UN) in South Africa has shared a video, featuring SA, that launches a new initiative to help citizens of the word share accurate information about coronavirus. Watch below. The campaign – Verified, which features two ticks – is a UN initiative to encourage everyone to check the advice they share. On the […]

After an appeal on Twitter, well-known South African filmmaker Dan Mace got 36 people from around the world, many of them South African, to help him put together a lockdown version of “arguably the happiest song in the world,” Bob Marley’s “Don’t Worry Be Happy.” He asked them to make sounds with household items like […]

Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, says South Africa is moving forward with confidence, backed by science, with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic. He said government has taken the necessary bold steps needed to prevent the rapid spread of Coronavirus. “The numbers would have been extremely high and quickly overwhelmed the system, had we not taken […]

South Africa has recorded 30 new COVID-19 related deaths bringing the total number of deaths to 369. The number of cases in the country has risen to 19 137. “We wish to express our condolences to the loved ones of the deceased and thank the health care workers who treated these patients,” said Health Minister, […]

As the numbers of COVID-19 cases increase, South Africa has recorded its first death of an infant due to Coronavirus. According to Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, a two-day-old was born prematurely and had lung difficulties that required ventilation support immediately. “The mother had tested positive for COVID-19 and the child subsequently tested positive for […]

South Africa’s Department of Water and Sanitation has called on water users in Gauteng to use water responsibly. In a statement on Wednesday, the department urged water users to be cognisant that the Vaal Dam is responsible for supplying water to households and businesses. This follows a concern raised by the department over shrinking water […]

A second couple has died in South Africa after making up a batch of home-brewed drink to get round the country’s alcohol ban on buying or selling alcohol during lockdown. Western Cape couple Melvin Afrikaner, 54, and his wife Winnie, 50, were rushed to hospital on Friday after reportedly downing several bottles of potent home-made […]

It is around 2pm on a cold afternoon in Tsakane in Gauteng, South Africa. Two friends, Musa*, 12, and Thato*, 11, are trying to sell the last of the stock of cigarettes and rizlas which they hide in their pockets. They are not wearing warm clothes or masks, and they haven’t showered or had breakfast […]

South Africa’s COVID-19 cases rose to 17 200, with the Northern Cape which has the least number of infections in the country, recording its first death. “Regrettably we report a further 26 COVID-19 related deaths. This brings the total national deaths to 312,” Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said on Tuesday. On Tuesday, South Africa […]

Some parents in South Africa may heave a sigh of relief as Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga announced on Tuesday that SA schools will reopen on 1 June 2020, with Grade 7 and Grade 12 learners returning to the classroom. “Independent and public ordinary schools will open, even in the metropolitan areas,” the Minister said. […]

The Free State government has identified 25 quarantine facilities to accommodate people who have had contact with COVID-19 patients. “We have 10 quarantine facilities that are state-owned whilst 15 are privately-owned. The rest will be announced once ready for occupation,” Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela said. Addressing a media briefing on Tuesday, on the province’s […]

When Zizipho Chwethisa, a cashier at a supermarket in the Bayside Mall, Table View, was told by telephone that she had tested positive for Covid-19 at Dunoon Clinic, she didn’t know what to do. She stayed in her one-room shack, which she shares with her husband, for five days. Then she contacted her ward councillor, […]

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, Monday, 18 May 2020, address the virtual 73rd Session of the World Health Assembly (WHA), at the invitation of the Director- General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom. President Ramaphosa has been invited to participate as a guest alongside German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who toured […]

A majority of SAA unions have called for Business Rescue Practitioners (BRP) to resign and withdraw their legal advisors if they are not willing to categorically support the vision of a new national airline. The unions have also accused the BRPs of continuing the “looting of SAA as a national asset”. The unions are the […]

While stressing that Lockdown’s priority is to save lives, President Cyril Ramaphosa has conceded in his latest weekly letter to the nation, that each South African citizen has the right to pursue litigation if they are not happy with Lockdown. The President said that when asked recently by a journalist whether he was concerned at […]

South Africa’s ‘Zol’ song – making fun of Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma’s explanation about the smoking ban in SA – has not only gone viral, it’s also topped the Apple Music Charts in South Africa, made international news and become a Friends video meme. The BBC said – in a story titled “South African minister embraces […]

As many people around the world have discovered, quarantine can be an interesting time… especially if you find yourself totally alone, as happened recently to Mark Fay, an Australian tour guide who’s used to having people around him all the time… and never staying still in one place! His mom’s advice to him was to […]

Nursing staff at Karl Bremer Hospital in Belville, Cape Town, were captured on film doing the sweetest South African dance of celebration. South Africa’s Department of Health tweeted the video, saying: “Nursing staff at Karl Bremer Hospital in Belville, Cape Town, celebrate themselves and their hard work in fighting COVID-19.” The Health Dept said: “We […]

Spaza shop owner in South Africa says ban on alcohol and tobacco has cost him R25,000. By Mosa Damane… “I think the government is violating the rights of smokers by banning cigarettes. It is my money and health and I have a right to decide when to quit,” says Veli Hlongwane from Maliwa street, Mzimhlophe […]

South Africa’s confirmed COVID-19 cases stood at 12,739 on Thursday night, with 19 more deaths recorded. “Regrettably we report a further 19 COVID-19 related deaths. This brings the total national deaths to 238,” said Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize. The Minister expressed his condolences to the loved ones of those who passed on, while also […]

AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit, headed by well known Advocate Gerrie Nel, is currently investigating the recent incident in Chaka’s Rock, KwaZulu-Natal, involving a four-year-old child who was seen being manhandled by two officers in video footage that went viral around South Africa. AfriForum said in a press statement that the organisation is investigating the “unjust […]

The avalanche of cruel, thoughtless, badly informed, often racist sh*t after Cyril Ramaphosa’s latest speech leaves me astounded, angry, deeply saddened… writes well known motoring journalist, Peter Frost. Rational people who I believed to be considerate human beings overcome by the seduction of conspiracy after conspiracy. It’s as if a huge chunk of South Africa […]

Athletics South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal Athletics and Comrades Marathon Association have announced the cancellation of the 2020 Comrades Marathon, after long discussions. Making the announcement, ASA President Aleck Skhosana said: “Cancelling what would have been the 95th edition of the Comrades Marathon was a long and arduous decision to make. With the race’s rich history, its […]