With some (but not all) countries in the European Union temporarily suspending the use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine as a precautionary measure – based on reports of rare blood coagulation disorders (blood clots) in some people who had received the vaccine – the World Health Organisation (WHO) has released the following statement. “Vaccination against […]

South African tennis player Lloyd Harris continued his dream week by becoming the first qualifier to reach the Dubai Tennis Championships semi-finals. World No 81 (although not for much longer!) Harris advanced to his first ATP 500 semi-final with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 victory over former World No 4 Kei Nishikori in 1hr 37min. Having […]

South African tennis player Lloyd Harris is continuing his dream run at the ATP Tour’s Dubai Championships. He has reached the quarter-finals with a straight sets win over Serbian Filip Krajinovic, 7-6 (5), 6-4. The 24-year-old came into the tournament as a qualifier but has reached the quarter-finals where he will face Japan veteran Kei […]

John Joseph Pombe Magufuli was a man who deftly played the long political game. He was nevertheless a puzzle both to Tanzanians and the world… writes Aikande Clement Kwayu, University of Wisconsin-Madison. When he first entered the presidency in 2015, he gained worldwide acclaim for his no-nonsense approach to fighting corruption and imprudent government spending. […]

Tanzanian President John Magufuli has died at the age of 61 at a hospital in Dar es Salaam, according to his vice president who announced it on state television on Wednesday. South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed condolences and “deep sadness” for the passing of President John Pombe Magufuli. President Ramaphosa said: “South Africa is […]

The body of King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu will be interred, referred to as ukutshala in isiZulu (meaning planting), on Wednesday at midnight. The Monarch will be planted in accordance with all customs and traditions befitting the King. According to the royal family, regiments called Amabutho, will be part of the planting ceremony tonight. The King’s […]

South Africans around the world are so proud of ‘My Octopus Teacher’, the SA documentary that has been officially nominated for an Oscar in the Best Documentary Feature category. Below is one of the best tributes we’ve seen about the underwater film that features the unlikely and touching friendship between a human and an octopus. […]

South Africa’s Department of Correctional Services has vowed to take “strong action” against one of its officials for allegedly having intimate relations with an inmate. The department said it is appalled by a video doing the rounds on social media, depicting sexual activity between the official and a prisoner at Ncome Correctional Centre in KwaZulu-Natal. The […]

  Watch below as South African comedian Trevor Noah blushes bright red when legendary US comedian Eddie Murphy says a certain word… not once, but twice! Trevor, host of The Daily Show, was interviewing the American star about his latest movie – ‘Coming 2 America’ – which is currently showing on Amazon Prime. The film […]

The suspects in two long-standing rhino poaching trials in the Mhala Regional Court have finally been successfully prosecuted. The South African National Parks (SANParks) today, 17 March 2021, commended the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Mpumalanga for the successful prosecution. In February 2021, three accused suspects – who were arrested back in August 2018 – […]

The National Assembly today voted to establish a parliamentary inquiry into Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office, in effect initiating removal proceedings against South Africa’s Public Protector. The motion was voted for by 275 Members of Parliament, while 40 MPs voted against. Welcoming the news, Natasha Mazzone, DA Chief Whip, said: “We are pleased that […]

Trucks transporting 100 donkeys for the donkey skin trade were intercepted last Monday evening near Mooiriver, after almost 18 months of inactivity, according to the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA). The NSPCA said it was alerted to the trucks and immediately contacted the Mooi River SPCA and local South African Police Service (SAPS) who assisted […]

In December 2020, the Democratic Alliance (DA) revealed damning evidence related to a “Mystery Project” in Louis Trichardt to which South Africa’s National Lotteries Commission (NLC) had given R5.5 million. Things just got a little murkier, according to the DA. “We discovered that Uprising Youth Development (UYD), the recipient of this funding, was allegedly aligned […]

The beautiful stone pub has underground passages where mine workers used to train… by Kimberly Mutandiro Albert and Hettie Rogers run and live at the historic Grutte Bush Pub, which has been going for about 20 years, but now they face eviction. The pub is on Marievale military base land and the army wants them […]

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has denied shooting and wounding a person during the ongoing student protests in Johannesburg on Monday. In a statement, SAPS spokesperson Vishnu Naidoo said police had taken note of a video circulating and reports of a female that was “shot” during protests in Braamfontein. “The SAPS can report that […]

Protests against debt escalate. By Julia Evans and Joseph Chirume. After attempting to meet with University of Johannesburg (UJ) management, over 100 students led by the South African Students Congress (SASCO) and the Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command (EFF SC) marched along Kingsway Avenue and blocked University Road outside the Auckland Park campus. The students said […]

GAUTENG – Four police officers from the Public Order Policing Unit have been arrested by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) in connection with the death of Mthokozisi Ntumba. Ntumba was shot dead in Braamfontein, Joburg, last week on Wednesday when he was allegedly caught in the crossfire as police were dispersing a group of […]

The orphaned elephant calf, Fenya, who captured the hearts of locals in Hoedspruit, South Africa, and social media users worldwide with her brave battle to survive – after falling victim to snaring – has tragically passed away, leaving the team who valiantly tried to save her absolutely gutted. Watch a tribute video to Fenya below. […]

Actor-producer Priyanka Chopra Jonas and singer, songwriter and actor Nick Jonas announced the 93rd Oscars® nominations today (March 15), live from London, via a global live stream on Oscar.com, Oscars.org, the Academy’s digital platforms, an international satellite feed and broadcast media. We’re clearly over the moon about the Oscar nomination for South Africa’s My Octopus […]

Repairs at the Genevafontein site in George, South Africa – where an SUV was swallowed by a sinkhole on Saturday – have been delayed following heavy rains. George Municipality said in a statement on Sunday evening that the rain and stormwater have caused a small mudslide into the work site. The Municipality said: “It has […]

It’s a big night for Trevor Noah and music tonight, Sunday 14 March 2021… as the South Africa comedian hosts the Grammy Awards, live at 8pm ET, 5PM PT and available in SA to watch on DStv’s 1Magic (103) at 3am (Mon morning). DStv will repeat it again at 20h30 on Monday evening. This is […]

Popular South African actor Menzi Ngubane has sadly passed away at the age of 56. No official statement appears to have been released yet, but his passing has been confirmed by Mzansi Magic. Mzansi Magic tweeted: “Today we join the nation in mourning the loss of a true titan of the industry. An unforgettable and […]

Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, who has passed away at the age of 72, was the longest reigning of all Zulu kings on record. This was the 50th year of his incumbency… writes Gerhard Maré, University of KwaZulu-Natal. His reign spanned turbulent decades in South Africa. He assumed the throne at the height of apartheid, and went […]

King Goodwill Zwelithini KaBhekuzulu sadly passed away on Friday morning, in hospital, at the age of 72. South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has led tributes, saying he is “deeply saddened” by the news of the passing of Isilo Samabandla, King Goodwill Zwelithini KaBhekuzulu. “This sad news come at a time when we had all been […]

Natasha Mazzone, Democratic Alliance (DA) Chief Whip, has been recognised for her leadership skills in South Africa and given the honour of The Star of Italy, the country’s equivalent of Knighthood. Ivan Meyer, DA Federal Chairperson, tweeted a message of congratulations to Mazzone, the daughter of an Italian, on Thursday afternoon. He said she received […]