MPUMALANGA – Two brothers appeared briefly in the Belfast Magistrates’ Court today, facing charges of human trafficking after 39 human trafficking victims were rescued from a farm in Belfast (South Africa), including seven women, nine children under the age of five, and 23 males over the age of 18. The brothers – Carlos Bernardo Guambe […]

As the world’s eyes are on South Africa right now, SA Tourism has issued a statement about the tragic deaths of 20 teenagers at a popular tavern night club in East London last night. Headlines from Sweden to the Middle East, New York to Britain, have reported on the mystery deaths and hospitalisation of two […]

South African Police Minister General Bheki Cele broke down in tears today whilst addressing the media about the tragic deaths of 21 teenagers at a tavern in Scenery Park, East London, in the early hours of this morning (Sunday, 26 June). One other youngster is in critical condition in hospital. (These figures have been updated, […]

At least 17 youngsters – many between the ages of 18 and 20, and some possibly even younger – have died under mysterious circumstances in a popular tavern in East London, South Africa. (Initially 22 people were feared dead, but this has been revised to 17.) Nomthetheleli Mene, Eastern Cape Police Commissioner, confirmed there was […]

The Pumas emerged as the Cinderella men of the Carling Currie Cup’s modern era when they pipped Griquas 26-19 in a momentous final in Kimberley, South Africa, on Saturday afternoon to clinch their first title. In a historic battle of ultimate underdogs, the visitors maximised their maiden finals appearance by outscoring the hosts by three […]

The 19th FINA World Championships are under way in Budapest, Hungary. In Friday’s action Lara van Niekerk won her 50m breaststroke heat in an African record 29.77, which qualified her the fastest from the heats. After missing out on qualifying for the 100m breaststroke, Lara says: «I’m excited about the 50. With all the speed […]

Many South Africans may be enjoying more than one braai this weekend as Eskom today escalated load shedding to Stage 4, blaming it on the ongoing unprotected labour action. In a statement, Eskom said it was compelled to take precautionary action to conserve emergency generation reserves. “Load shedding will regretfully be implemented to stage 4 […]

Eskom says over the past 24 hours it has experienced protests at nine of its power stations and other operating facilities, which are increasing the risk of loadshedding. The unprotected strike action is by some Eskom employees, following a deadlock in wage negotiations on Tuesday. “These protests included incidents of intimidation of working employees and […]

Many South Africans have been relieved today to whip off their masks as several Covid-19 regulations – relating to face masks, gatherings and people entering SA – were repealed on Wednesday. But now some have a cupboard full of unused masks… and aren’t sure what to do with them. That’s where fabulous South African humour […]

The first case of Monkeypox in South Africa has been confirmed, Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, said during a media briefing in Pretoria on Thursday. The patient is a 30-year-old male from Johannesburg, Gauteng, who has no travel history, meaning that this cannot be attributed to having been acquired outside South Africa. Phaahla said: “Late […]

Quantas is expected to soon announce direct flights between Johannesburg, South Africa, and Perth, Australia, three times a week from 1 November, according to The West Australian. The new flight schedule is most likely to be a year-long service and not just a seasonal addition which had been discussed a few years ago. There are […]

Senior Judge Raymond Zondo has handed over the final part of the State Capture Report, and while former President Jacob Zuma is identified for his role in state capture, current President Cyril Ramaphosa is not let off the hook for his inaction in preventing the rot during a period in which he was Deputy President […]

South Africa’s travel operators have welcomed the lifting of Covid restrictions, and expect a boost to tourism in the country. Flight Centre MD Euan McNeil says: « The COVID entry requirements imposed by our government during COVID made sense at the height of the pandemic. Lately, however, these restrictions have been causing some confusion for travellers […]

The UK government’s announcement of a new work visa option aimed at attracting top graduates has elicited some backlash because the list of eligible institutions features no universities from Africa, Latin America or South Asia. The Conversation Africa’s Nontobeko Mtshali asked Orla Quinlan, Director of Internationalisation at Rhodes University in South Africa, to share her […]

Mineral Sands Resources has prevented legal action, at least for now, over its West Coast operations. By John Yeld. Australian company Mineral Sands Resources (MSR) has agreed to take measures to improve the environmental impact of its West Coast operation. MSR must also motivate for the environment minister to commission an environmental assessment of the […]

An application to the High Court of South Africa has been lodged to release three elephants, known as Lammie, Mopane and Ramadiba from the Johannesburg Zoo into a rewilding facility. According to Animal Law Reform South Africa (ALRSA) these elephants are currently being held in conditions unsuited to their basic needs, and they are living […]

Eskom has announced the implementation of Stage 2 load shedding from 5pm to 10pm on Monday. In a statement, Eskom said Stage 2 load shedding would remain in place until Thursday evening. The power utility said load shedding was being implemented due to the continued shortage of generation capacity. “Eskom will continue to closely monitor […]

Legendary South African ultramarathon athlete, Bruce Fordyce (66), who has won the Comrades Marathon eight years in a row and nine times overall, is supporting a new challenge to provide each parkrun event in South Africa, with a defibrillator to help save lives. Bruce, who took part in his first parkrun at Bushy Park in […]

Power utility Eskom has cautioned South Africans of possible load shedding (power cuts) due to the continued shortage of generation capacity. In a statement, Eskom said the power system is very constrained for this evening and for the next few weeks. “There are a number of generating units expected to return to service during the […]

A desperate Capetonian mother sent out a message for help. Her daughter needed a wheelchair and she couldn’t afford it. Luckily her message was heard, and thanks to the kindness of a stranger, a radio presenter, a councillor and the Fish Hoek community… her daughter now has her own much-needed wheelchair. And thank you also […]

People living in South Africa’s biggest city Johannesburg have been subject to pungent smells in the air similar to rotten eggsIt’s not the first time citizens have complained about the smell which is related to polluted air. We asked Rebecca Garland an expert in air quality and climate change to shed some light on what’s […]

Luxolo Adams claimed the biggest victory of his career when he took down a quality field, including Olympic champion Andre de Grasse of Canada, in the men’s 200m at the Paris Diamond League meeting on Saturday night. Running from lane eight, South Africa’s Adams set a new personal best of 19.82 seconds in the 200m. […]

On the eve of his 80th birthday this weekend, music legend Paul McCartney played in his Got Back tour show at MetLife stadium in New Jersey, USA. South African radio presenter (from LM Radio), Gavin Koppel was there for the historic occasion… Gavin (aka The Funky Monkey) says: “I had the great privilege of being […]

Infusing joyful youth and pride into South Africa’s national anthem with voices that soar as high as the bright South African skies, and as deep as its beautiful oceans, this rendition of SA’s national anthem – Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika – is hailed by many South Africans as the best ever. Although it was recorded in […]

PRETORIA – In light of the recent US$4 million scandal involving President Cyril Ramaphosa, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) sent a letter today urging the South African Revenue Service, the Financial Intelligence Centre, and the Financial Surveillance Department of the South African Reserve Bank to investigate Ramaphosa’s pigeon-racing financial dealings for any […]