As South Africans in SA have marched in cities around the country to protest against xenophobia and the violence in general that troubles their beloved land, those abroad are following suit to lend their support. Yesterday South Africans marched in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and today they gathered in London, and more is planned. For South Africans abroad the […]

South African expat – and accomplished musician – Kieran Ballard-Tremeer has become the first woman to swim around Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, the iconic artificial island which can be viewed from space. Kieran (38) completed the 14.5 km swim around the palm-shaped island last Saturday morning in four hours and 25 minutes. The 38-year-old undertook the swim in aid […]

It’s been open season on Open Letters in South Africa recently…mainly addressed to the President. Today, the President has responded to one such letter, that written by Mozambican writer and poet Mia Couto. In the letter the President declares that “South Africans are definitely not xenophobic. The actions of a small minority should not be […]

South African Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa and the Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS), amongst others, have sent condolences to the families of Darrell Rea and Jastun Visagie who tragically lost their lives on Wednesday while battling a mountainside fire in the Bains Kloof area, near Wellington in the Western Cape…which is still burning. VWS said “we, as […]

South Africans continue to stand and march together as a movement against violence sweeps the nation. Following last night’s march in Port Elizabeth, a huge peaceful rally – the People’s March Against Xenophobia – took place in downtown Johannesburg today and was said to have drawn more people than any such gathering since 1994. Except […]

South Africans at home and abroad are coming together in solidarity in a call for an end to violence against anyone – be they foreign, local, white, black…or any shade of the rainbow nation in between. South Africa has been rocked recently with a fresh spate of horrific xenophobic attacks in KwaZulu-Natal and Johannesburg (which […]

We are so sad to report that the body of Jayde Panayiotou has been found this morning. Desperate messages to help find the 28-year-old teacher from Port Elizabeth (PE) had been shared on social media in the past 24 hours, since she went missing yesterday morning. In one Monica Dimopoulos said “my cousin’s wife in Port Elizabeth, […]

Google has commemorated Earth Day 2015 with another one of its engaging and creative doodles that allows users to engage…and learn a little. This year’s doodle features a spinning globe. When users click through they are given a quick and fun quiz which asks: which animal are you? (Jokingly) Google claims it’s a “totally scientific and 1,000% […]

As South Africa’s Army is deployed to volatile areas that have experienced attacks on foreign nationals, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has declared  that “perpetrators will face the full might of the law”…although this message comes on the same day that  South African illustrator Zapiro has published a cartoon showing a different side to the story. Zapiro’s cartoon (see […]

King Goodwill Zwelithini, the Zulu king held responsible by many for the fresh spate of xenophobic attacks, is addressing a stadium in Durban today in a bid to quell the violence. The Zulu monarch arrived at Moses Mabhida Stadium a few minutes ago. Ten thousand people are expected to listen to his address in which he will reportedly call […]

The annual TIME 100 Most Influential People list always raises eyebrows, for the people it includes as much as the ones it doesn’t. This year finds the extremes of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau – ‘The Scourge of Africa,’ the magazine calls him – and, at the other end of the spectrum, ex-South African billionaire […]

The last few days have not only been emotional for many South Africans left reeling after the death of five people in brutal xenophobic attacks…but also for our brothers and sisters across our borders. SAPeople has received an outpouring of messages from (angry and) heartbroken residents of other countries in Africa. Below are some of them. […]

The South African husband of an Australian mom who received a ‘poison pen’ letter about photos she posted to Facebook has spoken out against his wife’s so-called friends. The letter is receiving worldwide attention as it grapples with a topic familiar to so many social media users.  How many baby photos is enough? Should we really post photos of […]

Two Durban photographers share their photos and different thoughts on today’s events. “Anti-Xenophobia Peace March – Durban” – by Kierran Allen Today the Anti-Xenophobia Peace March led by eThekwini Mayor James Xumalo and KZN Premier Senzo Mchunu had a phenomenal turnout with thousands of people marching from Curries Fountain to the City Hall in Durban’s […]

South Africans woke up this morning to an announcement from Eskom, posted just after 5 am saying “Eskom regrets to announce that Stage 1 #load_shedding will resume from 06:00 to 22:00 today.” But an hour ago it just got worse. Eskom announced “#PowerAlert” revealing it will move “from stage 1 to stage 2 load shedding […]

There have been uplifting, joyous scenes at the Peace March this morning in Durban as South Africans unite to let the perpetrators of attacks on foreign nationals – as well as the African continent and the world – know that South Africans say #NoToXenophobia. Durban photographer Graham Carruthers has captured the photos on this page of the […]

South Africans are uniting in a stand against #xenophobia after recent attacks on foreign nationals in KwaZulu Natal have left five dead and thousands displaced. As headlines have spread around the world, South Africans have reacted with shock, outrage…and action. And it’s not just by sharing positive and unifying messages like “I’m an African before […]

South African flank Schalk Burger has won the Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award in Shanghai, China, today. In his moving acceptance speech, the Springbok player said he had not been “ready to say goodbye”. Schalk has received this Award thanks to his spectacular return to the Springboks in 2014 after 18 months out of action. Schalk had […]

It has been a sad day for South Africa as over 2,000 people brought Durban’s CBD to a standstill following days of xenophobic attacks in the KwaZulu Natal province. The recent flare up of attacks against foreign nationals has been blamed by some on a recent comment made by King Goodwill Zwelithini, King of the Zulus, saying “foreigners must go”. He […]

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 […]

On the 22nd Anniversary of the assassination of South African Communist Party (SACP) leader Chris Hani, President Jacob Zuma used the opportunity to reaffirm that South Africa belongs to black and white people, and to address the vandalising of statues and treatment of foreign nationals. As part of South Africa’s new national identity, the SA President also announced […]

This is not the time for hyperbole. No, there is not a race war coming. No, there will not be wholesale changes to memorials on or off university campuses. No, the country is not about to implode because some UCT students tackled the Rhodes statue. This turmoil will pass. The reason is simple: the overwhelming […]

In a statement late tonight University of Cape Town (UCT) Vice–Chancellor Dr Max Price offers insight into what has been going on on the UCT campus and claims that tonight’s decision to remove the statue of Cecil John Rhodes from campus is a turning point for transformation. Here is the full statement by Dr Max Price on UCT […]