The Trans Agulhas Challenge – nicknamed the “World’s Toughest Inflatable Boat Challenge” – is on again in South Africa… and Stan Sanetra was in Struisbaai to capture these awesome action-packed photos. The five-day water sports event is held annually between Natures Valley and Strand, where it finishes, and includes about 60 inflatable boats battling it […]

After a major thunder and hail storm in Johannesburg on Saturday, which caused devastating damage to buildings from Lenasia to Soweto, these rare Mammatus clouds – photographed by Raymond J. O’Connor  – formed over Pretoria. (These photos have not been photoshopped!) “They got the storm, we got the clouds,” he told SAPeople. “It rained for a […]

Drought, protests, anger over the social grants payment system, and the collapse of Metrorail marked this year in South Africa. A man walks through Marikana in Philippi East, on 14 February 2017. A high-profile court case eventually resulted in the City of Cape Town being ordered to buy the land on which Marikana is located. […]

There were many haunting and heroic moments this year, all deepening my understanding of these experiences and propelling me to further pursue my quest for expressing our truth in an unseen world… writes Western Cape photographer JUSTIN SULLIVAN. Witnessing bravery in the path of destruction and experiencing the suffering of others, through all the heartache and […]

Most of the rest of the world just can’t get used to South Africans’ habit of kissing on the lips… and so a photo of Winnie Mandela greeting Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma with a kiss on the lips – at the 54th ANC National Conference at the NASREC Expo Centre in Johannesburg on December 16, 2017 – […]

Just after some South African streets – particularly in Pretoria – famously turn purple with Jacaranda petals, there’s a fabulously flamboyant flush of red flowers that are less well known. These are are Delonix regia… known in English as Royal Poinciana trees… or, quite aptly, Flamboyant trees! Fortunately Ria Viljoen in Pretoria and Sheryn Nader in […]

Despite hectic winds and cold conditions, the Noordhoek community had a strong turn-out for their Peace Walk on Sunday evening. Residents gathered to walk for a safer beach environment, following attacks on the beach… including the brutal attack on Austrian tourists – Klaus (63) and Johanna (68) Michl – who were hospitalised a couple of weeks […]

A fire that started mid-morning on Saturday in the Bainskloof Valley quickly spread due to high velocity winds and challenging undulating terrain. I spent the night with NCC hotshot crews as they tackled the right flank up the mountain… writes Western Cape photographer Justin Sullivan. Teams from Cape Winelands DM, Cape Nature, WOF (Working on Fire), […]

Fabulous new restaurant venue Fifty-One-Oh-One (5101) was launched last night at Johannesburg’s iconic Ponte City, with insane views and mopani worms – amongst other things – on offer. Ted Botha was there… “The only thing they lack at Ponte is a balcony to check this view! Not that I’d venture out onto it!” he admits. […]

President Jacob Zuma has congratulated the reigning Miss South Africa, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, on being crowned Miss Universe 2017. “Our nation is immensely proud of Ms Nel-Peters for this tremendous achievement.  She has hoisted the South African flag higher and continues to inspire many young women who look up to her to reach even higher for […]

On Saturday Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden hosted a farewell to Johnny Clegg. Johnny, who has played at the Garden for the past 10 years, agreed to bring his Final Journey Tour to the Garden. Robyn Gwilt was there to capture these awesome photos. Clegg was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer two years ago and is currently in remission. It […]

Several civil rights organisations and opposition parties today took part in a protest march to the Union Building in Pretoria to hand over a memorandum to the state president, to demand the prioritisation of farm murders. Despite a downpour of rain an estimated 1,500 people braved the wet weather to participate in the Tshwane march. […]

With Windguru showing red across the board (southeaster is set to scream for the next week) I thought I’d take the gap and get in a flight around the Peninsula yesterday… writes marine conservation photographer Jean Tresfon. The morning started out overcast with low cloud but cleared sufficiently to allow for a flight. We started […]

It’s been a busy long weekend for Princess Charlene of Monaco as the principality’s National Day 2017 (Fête du Prince) has been celebrated. On Friday the former South African Olympic swimmer and her husband, Prince Albert II, distributed gifts to beneficiaries of the Monegasque Red Cross, as is the annual tradition. During the course of […]

The devastation caused by the Gordon’s Bay Fire in South Africa, which engulfed the area earlier this week, has fanned the community spirit in the area. With strong winds feeding it, the fire raged through the region burning down at least four houses, two sub-stations, a vegan deli and restaurant and an entire horse farm […]

The launch of ‘The President’s Keepers‘ at Hyde Park on Wednesday evening began with protesters outside (protesting for media freedom under the threat of the book being banned)… and ended with a power outage! Photos by Andrea Ben. Author Jacques Pauw took centre stage at the Hyde Park shopping centre, with crowds packed to the […]

BBC Travel has posted a video of South Africa’s legendary Chapman’s Peak Drive (aka Chappies), saying: “We were unaware that we were about to embark on the most scenic drive of our lives.” Unfortunately – as pointed out by many South Africans viewing the video – the footage of the 9km route doesn’t actually include […]

On Monday 30 October 2017 South Africans all over the world wore black to mourn the deaths of all the farmers who’ve been murdered. Just like every other South African I feel frustrated with the ongoing violence that South Africans of all races face daily. It is evil, brutal and unnecessary… writes Vicky McLachlan. I live […]

Not even the rain could dampen the spirits of South Africans in London who gathered today in a peaceful protest to raise awareness about the murders in SA, particularly those of farmers and farmworkers. Well known South African expat Hayley Reichert, who helped arrange the event in Trafalgar Square, outside the South African High Commission, […]

Less than a week after the murder of farmer Joubert Conradie, his widow Marlene, together with their son and daughter, joined mourners in an incredible gathering in Klapmuts this morning. Stellenbosch photographer Zel Athena Archer captured these heartbreaking photos of the crowds in Klapmuts today, on #BlackMonday. The #BlackMonday initiative – to wear black in memory […]

South Africa’s streets may not be paved with gold… but the streets in Pretoria are currently paved with beautiful purple petals. As Ria Viljoen – who photographed the stunning pictures on this page – says, “I am again overwhelmed with the beauty of the purple display of blossoms and blessings in the streets of the […]

South African photojournalist Brent Stirton has scooped the grand title of Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 for a photo he captured of a de-horned black rhino, after a poaching kill, in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. The image – Memorial to a Species – was chosen by an international panel of judges as the winning picture from […]

Firefighters in the Western Cape are facing a challenging day ahead to contain and extinguish fires in the region, which continue to blaze into the fourth day since the 12 Apostles Fire began. Photos by Justin Sullivan. Volunteers Wildlife Services (VWS) said it’s going to be a “difficult day” for crews from VWS, Working on […]

The 12 Apostles Hotel and Spa was evacuated yesterday evening as a veld fire – which started on Wednesday in the Camps Bay area – continued burning through its second night last night, as strong winds have fanned the OudeKraal wing in the Western Cape, South Africa. “Crews were battling with gusting winds of up […]

In a repetition of that week in July last year when South Africa experienced a tornado, snow and floods in just seven days… the same has happened in the last 24 hours: tornado and floods in Joburg, Gauteng yesterday; terrible floods in Durban today… and in between some beautiful snow in parts of the Eastern […]