South African Minister of Tourism Derek Hanekom said he was deeply saddened and disturbed when he heard of the fatal robbery at the popular Sakhumzi restaurant in Soweto at the weekend; and Joburg mayor Herman Mashaba paid the restaurant a visit today.  A manager died on Saturday night after an attempted robbery at the popular […]

After the shock announcement that Gerrie Nel – who became world famous during the Oscar Pistorius trials – has quit the NPA (National Prosecuting Authority), the top State Prosecutor has confirmed he is joining civil-rights group AfriForum… and Twitter is abuzz with rumours that he will go after President Jacob Zuma. Nel will head up the […]

GQ Men’s Magazine has posted a video apologising to the world for the “unforgivable actions of the man who has assumed power here”, while South African President Jacob Zuma’s ex-wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has slammed the United States for taking slaves from Africa, yet banning “refugees from some of our countries”. In the seven-minute presentation of The Resistance, […]

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – Chadian Foreign Minister Hon. Moussa Faki Mahamat has been elected incoming Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission by the gathered AU heads of State and Government, who form the Assembly of the African Union. Mahamat’s dream is for an Africa where the “sound of guns will be drowned out by cultural […]

Johannesburg was hit by floods again Monday with sink holes reported at various locations from Houghton Drive to Thembelihle Township (see full list below). The downpour resulted in flooded roads and major traffic delays, as well as reports of accidents. It’s estimated that at least 70mm fell in Alberton, Gauteng, since 9h00 Monday morning. Other parts of South […]

In September 2016, CITES* met in Johannesburg for CoP17 – a meeting of member states to clarify and review trade in endangered species. One particular talking point was met with shock and condemnation from the conservation world – South Africa would be permitted to legally trade in captive bred lion bones – against the general […]

Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille announced today she has resigned as DA Western Cape leader, to focus on her role as mayor of the City of Cape Town… as it embarks on a mission to redress the legacy of Apartheid in the city.  She said: “The DA-run City of Cape Town is taking a new […]

For the first time in five years Swiss tennis player Roger Federer (who credits his South African mother for much of his success) is a major champion again, after beating Spanish sportsman Rafael Nadal in an epic nail-biting five-set battle at the Australian Open. Federer danced with joy when he realised he had won (watch […]

South Africans have long LOVED Nando’s for its brilliantly conceived advertising campaigns… let alone its tasty peri-peri chicken. And now Americans are catching on quickly too with the fast food restaurant chain’s latest political statement even making it yesterday to the pages of esteemed national newspaper, The Washington Post. Nando’s grabbed attention – and customers – in Washington […]

South Africans have reacted with outrage at rumours reported in the Sunday Times today that disgraced ex-Eskom CEO Brian Molefe is set to be sworn in as a Member of Parliament (MP) after the Opening of Parliament on 9 February 2017. DA (Democratic Alliance) Shadow Minister of Public Enterprises, Natasha Mazzone MP, said Parliament should not […]

Following rumours that Rassie Erasmus may replace Springbok rugby coach Allister Coetzee (who has had a disastrous run, helping plummet South Africa’s national team to historic losses)… the SA Rugby Union (SARU) released a statement saying an announcement will be made towards the end of this forthcoming week. Erasmus’ lawyer has denied the rumours, and […]

The Springbok Sevens team on Sunday clinched the Wellington Sevens tournament and extended their lead on the overall World Rugby Sevens Series log. A thrilling 26-6 win over Fiji secured only their second ever tournament win in New Zealand. And Seabelo Senatla broke the Blitzboks’ try-scoring record, achieving his 180th try in the final. (Watch […]

Brave rhino poaching survivor Thandi – who was left for dead almost five years ago after her horn was hacked off (in an attack which ultimately resulted in the death of two other rhino) – has given birth to a second calf at Kariega Game Reserve in South Africa. The surprising and wonderful news has brought […]

On behalf of the people of South Africa, President Jacob Zuma has wished “all members of the Chinese Community in South Africa a happy and successful New Year – the Year of the Rooster.” (See 11 Chinese New Year Fun Facts below.) He said the Year is known for bringing success to those who have been patient, and signifies the […]

Over 30 cake sales are being held around South Africa today in a final bid for South Africans to raise  funds for Operation SA’s #SaveSyria initiative. The humanitarian campaign kicked off last month, and has already raised R12.45-million – money which, with a 100% donation policy, goes directly to the people in need in Syria. Social […]

With just two days to go until the Miss Universe pageant in the Philippines, Miss South Africa Ntandoyenkosi (Ntando) Kunene is already one of the favourites of the 86 contestants. Ntando (24) is a Bachelor of Education Honours graduate and is the official ambassador for Take a Child to Work Day. Ntando’s mission, if she […]

Two movies with South African themes have generated a lot of interest at the famous Sundance Film Festival in Utah, United States. They are ‘Trophy’ and ‘The Wound’ – shining a spotlight respectively on hunting’s role in wildlife conservation, and on sexuality and masculinity. Trophy is a documentary about poaching, wildlife conservation and the complex role […]

PRETORIA – President Jacob Zuma has been granted an extension by the Public Protector to comment on the provisional report regarding the South African government’s alleged failure to recover public funds from ABSA. “President Jacob Zuma has been granted an extension until the end of February 2017 by the Public Protector, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane, to comment on […]

Africa’s first waste-to-energy facility has been opened in the Athlone Industria, Cape Town. Speaking at the official launch earlier this week, Mayor Patricia de Lille called it a “very exciting addition to our city’s green economy”… as the Mother City continues to build its reputation as one of the green capitals of the world. She said the R400-million […]

PRETORIA – Popular South African gospel singer Lundi Tyamara has passed away, his management announced on Friday. He was only 38. Manager and family spokesperson, Anele Hlazo, said Tyamara passed on peacefully at 12.40am today at Edenvale Hospital, where he was being treated for TB (tuberculosis) of the stomach and a liver condition. “Lundi put up […]

With a little too much bleak news floating around, zoos in the United States decided to have a Great National Cute Animal Tweet Off of 2017… but before you could say “hashtag what?” the whole world had joined in and it became an international #CuteAnimalTweetOff. South African television personality Bonné de Bod – from Stroop (The Documentary […]

The Western Cape Government Thursday welcomed Queen Mary 2 luxury liner into Table Bay, South Africa. QM2 set sail from Southampton 16 days ago on a 118 night World Voyage. She will be docked in Cape Town for two nights, the first stop on her grand tour. UPDATE: This article has been updated with photos taken on 27 January […]

The City of Cape Town has approved even tighter water restrictions as dam levels are at an all time low, and will turn its attention to 20,000 residential consumers who appear to be ignoring the water restrictions. The announcement was made by the City’s Executive Mayor, Patricia De Lille, at a full council meeting on Thursday, 26 […]

PRETORIA – South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma has congratulated the medical team and the management of Unitas Hospital in Centurion, Pretoria, for successfully separating three-week old conjoined twin girls. The operation to separate the conjoined twins, Uwenzile and Uyihlelile Shilongonyane, took place this past weekend. The twins – who were born on 2 January 2017 – […]

Popular American actress Mary Tyler Moore has passed away at the age of 80. Her longtime representative Mara Buxbaum issued a statement Wednesday saying: “Today beloved icon Mary Tyler Moore passed away at the age of 80 in the company of friends and her loving husband of over 33 years, Dr. S. Robert Levine.” TMZ had […]