On the same night that Nando’s #FiredUpSoweto launch is trending high on Twitter, the famous restaurant chain’s 2012 Diversity advert has gone viral again as its message (that most of us were once foreigners) becomes appropriate to present day South Africa. And the recent xenophobic events in Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Joburg were clearly on most people’s […]

Twenty-one year old Busi Skinn’e Mjiyakho has caught a lot of people’s attention with her three letters to black people, white people and the South African government (all published below) which she posted on Facebook this weekend. So who is Busi? “I’m the future president of South Africa but for now I’m an (un)registered law student at […]

A young South African rugby team had the time of their lives in Monaco this weekend as the special guests of Princess Charlene of Monaco’s Foundation. The Under 12 team was invited as part of the South Africa – Monaco Rugby Exchange which was announced in February. Charlene’s brother Gareth Wittstock was one of the main people […]

Helen Zille, leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA), has abruptly announced this afternoon that she is stepping down and will not stand for re-election at the Federal Congress on 9 May. She apparently took the decision last Thursday night. Some media on Twitter are reporting that insiders say the DA leader was pushed. DA Deputy Federal Chairperson […]

An African American male, Will Stack, has made a video message after being pulled over by a caucasian policeman. His video, which he uploaded to Facebook on Wednesday, has gone viral and already been viewed by over 1-million people. Its message hits home for Americans…and for South Africans who are now sharing it too. Stack […]

The tragic deaths this morning of Minister of Public Service and Administration, Collins Chabane, and two of his protectors – Sgt Lesiba Sekele and Sgt Lawrence – in a car accident highlight the importance in South Africa to prioritise safety on our roads according to Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe. Radebe said the circumstances of their […]

A South African great-grandmother is making headlines around the world with her 100th birthday celebrations. Footage of Georgina Harwood skydiving near Cape Town yesterday has been aired on international news channels everywhere. The BBC in the UK put together a wonderful compilation, set to the ‘Chariots of Fire’ music as the 100-year-old was escorted from the airport […]

A businessman from South Africa who was in Finland for a conference has been reported missing after he did not return on a flight home this weekend. Herc Croeser, 60, of Boksburg is a manager at Metso Minerals. According to reports, Croeser’s belongings, including his passport and a large amount of money, were found in […]

We are heartbroken to report that a Working on Fire helicopter pilot – Hendrik Marais (known to his friends as ‘Bees’) – has lost his life fighting in the Cape Point fire today. Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) said “we have tragically lost a brother in our firefighting family today. Hendrik Marais will be fondly remembered […]

It’s International Women’s Day – #IWD2015 – and sadly, it’s as important today as it was when it began over 100 years ago in New York in 1909. Women today are still struggling for true equality, and are still subjected to shocking sexual and physical abuse around the world, including in South Africa. Here, a young […]

Today is ‪#‎WorldPangolinDay‬ – an important day to raise awareness for the Pangolin, which is not only one of the world’s weirdest animals (with a tongue longer than its body) but also one of the most heavily trafficked wild mammals in the world. Like the rhino and elephant before it, the Pangolin is threatened by […]

Good news for all South Africans who want to do something positive to help inspire each other (oh, and perhaps the world too while we’re at it!). Brent Lindeque – the guy who changed one thing last year…and changed everything – is launching a new RAKNomination campaign and YOU can be part of it! Brent […]

Yesterday SAPeople and other facebook pages shared a photo that had been uploaded to FB by Mbali Ndhlovu showing an entrepreneurial homeless guy on a street corner, offering Zulu lessons in exchange for cash (at the very reasonable rate of R1 per word!). Some people suggested “give that guy a Bells”. Well today he’s been given […]

Wow! We knew millions of people loved Table Mountain…but we’re blown away by how many millions! Today – 20 January 2014 – the 24th millionth visitor stepped in to the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway to make her way to the top of South Africa’s legendary landmark. The lucky lady was Maria Usenne (27) from Mozambique. She’s […]

As predicted yesterday a big swell hit Durban today (20 January 2015), creating massive waves and smashing into piers! Mitch Meyer was there to capture it on film. (UPDATE 12 MARCH 2017: If you’re looking for video and photos of the freak tsunami-like waves that hit Durban beachfront on Sunday 12 March 2017, please click […]

We’re always celebrating South Africa’s stunning beaches and sensational safaris…but there are so many other hidden treasures in the land. Here is just one of them – the Sevilla Rock Art Trail. All photographs by Andre Buser (thank you!). Ten Things you should know about the Sevilla Rock Art Trail: 1. Some of the paintings […]

As South Africans around the country are plunged into occasional darkness with the latest onslaught of loadshedding, and being bombarded with even darker headlines that there may be no light at the end of this tunnel for a while yet…some South Africans are finding a way to see the brighter, ‘lighter’ side of things…particularly Ursula Botha in […]

Showing just how much he must have loved his wedding to Namibian supermodel Behati Prinsloo, rock star Adam Levine has become a bit of a ‘wedding crasher’ in his band’s latest music video. The band of course is Maroon 5, and the song is ‘Sugar’.  It begins with Levine addressing the camera: “December 6th, 2014 – […]

This morning began with a message from renowned South African writer Max du Preez on his Facebook page declaring he has “ended my association with the Independent Media Group and will no longer write a weekly column for its newspapers.” (Read the full transcription below.) In response to this and other recent media events, Gauteng businessman […]

There is happy news from the Bush today. Thandi, the female rhino that survived a horrific poaching attack almost three years ago, gave birth to a calf this morning at 08h50. The birth took place at Kariega Game Reserve where two rangers witnessed the joyous event. Shortly afterwards wildlife veterinarian Dr William Fowlds observed the mother and her calf from […]

Former Springbok captain and flank Theuns Stofberg got together recently for a braai and a trip down memory lane with former team-mates and old friends (Johann) de Villiers Visser and Rudi ‘Vleis’ Visagie. Stofberg, who captained the South African rugby team between 1980 and 1984, met up with the two former locks at Visser’s home near Franschoek […]

It’s touted as the toughest and greatest rally in the world, pitting 50 nationalities against each other in some of the world’s most stunning deserts…all united by one core value – “competition and help go hand in hand”. And South African team Johan van Staden and Mark Lawrenson upheld that value when they stopped mid-race […]

Durban has been named as one of the top destinations to visit in one of the world’s most prestigious annual lists – the New York Times ’52 Places to Go in 2015′ list. In fact it’s included in the Top 10 at position #7. And if you have ever met anyone from Durban, you’ll know just how much that […]

Yesterday was declared a public holiday in Monaco as Princess Charlene (36) and Prince Albert (56) joyfully introduced their twins to the residents of the small, but luxurious, principality on the French Riviera. Church bells rang, a military band performed, and crowds – waving flags – clapped and cheered as the couple took to the Palace balcony, each […]

South African writer Max du Preez has called on fellow citizens to quit whinging about the state of the nation’s services…and just get on with a little DIY. Do it yourself. Undeterred by the Presidency’s outrage, expressed in a statement last week, that an article he wrote made a “personal attack on President Jacob Zuma”, Du Preez has […]