The Mayor of Ditsobotla, Daniel Buthelezi, is being held hostage in Lichtenburg by protestors; and a fire is raging through municipal offices, allegedly caused by petrol bombs thrown into the building by unhappy residents… who have been protesting about poor service delivery in the North West area. According to several tweets from the area, a Service Delivery […]

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) – British police on Tuesday identified the suicide bomber who killed 22 people, including children, in an attack on a crowded concert hall in Manchester, and said they were trying to establish whether he had acted alone or with help from others. The man suspected of carrying out Britain’s deadliest bombing in […]

A South African expat and former student from Durban High School (DHS), in KwaZulu-Natal, tragically passed away last week in France, whilst rescuing the lives of others. Lorenzo Rodrigues had been living in Nimes, France, with his wife and daughter, and worked in the French Foreign Legion. DHS posted a message on its Facebook page Monday […]

Former Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan did not hold back today in accusing the Eskom board members of “abusing” the power utility. Speaking in parliament during Public Enterprise Minister Lynne Brown’s ‘explanation’ on the Brian Molefe reinstatement fiasco (did he retire, resign, take long leave… or maternity leave?!)… Gordhan slated the board. He said: “The public is becoming […]

Sir Roger Moore’s family has announced that the former James Bond actor, Unicef Ambassador and Author has passed away at the age of 89. In a statement, his children – Deborah, Geoffrey and Christian – said: “It is with a heavy heart that we must announce our loving father, Sir Roger Moore, has passed away today […]

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) – At least 22 people were killed and 59 wounded in an explosion at the end of a concert by U.S. singer Ariana Grande in the English city of Manchester on Monday, in what two U.S. officials said was a suspected suicide bombing. Prime Minister Theresa May said the incident was being treated […]

South African music lost one of its sweetest and most talented drummers yesterday. Tributes have been pouring in for former Watershed drummer, Tulsa Pittaway, who was killed in a car crash in South Africa on Sunday. His former bandmates wrote: “To Tulsa: Our memories of you will remain vivid. Here’s to band mates, tour buddies, […]

CAPE TOWN – Premier Helen Zille has officially declared the Western Cape a disaster area in response to the current drought crisis – the worst since 1904. “The disaster declaration will accelerate the Western Cape Disaster Management Centre’s Project “Avoiding Day Zero”, the Province’s strategy to ensure that taps do not run dry,” said Premier […]

Captured in Africa Foundation (CIAF) founder, Drew Abrahamson, has issued an urgent appeal for a young lion on the loose in Limpopo to be sent to a safe reserve. Late Sunday night, Drew said: “A young male Lion has left the safety of a reserve in Limpopo close to Phalaborwa. Apparently from Letaba Ranch, he has […]

Well known South African trophy hunter and father of five, Theunis Botha, was killed on Friday afternoon when a fatally wounded elephant fell on him, crushing him to death. The news was confirmed by Africa Big Hunt booking agent yesterday. They said it was “with great sadness we confirm that fellow professional hunter, outfitter and […]

In a shocking and astonishing move, three men who are prime suspects in 99 rhino poaching cases – dating back to 2009 – have been released on just R15,000 bail in South Africa. Filmmaker Bonné de Bod said: “While filming numerous rhino cases for STROOP [the rhino poaching documentary], this was a “no-brainer”. “Three men – […]

An anti-poaching team, on the hunt for poachers, were fortunately in the right place at the right time to rescue a teenage girl who had been abducted and raped in Zimbabwe. Damien Mander, founder of the International Anti Poaching Foundation (IAPF), reported the incident on facebook. He said the IAPF’s Victoria Falls ranger team were […]

The Springbok Sevens team on Saturday suffered a 24-12 defeat to the USA in pool A of the London Sevens tournament, BUT still achieved close wins over Kenya and Wales to progress to the Cup quarterfinals of the tournament, played at Twickenham Stadium. Phew! South Africa have made all ten Cup quarterfinals in the 2016/17 series […]

Durban’s children – and its adults – are being poisoned by toxic industrial pollution, according to an explosive exposé on Al Jazeera (AJ). According to an AJ programme which was aired this week, people living along the coast, in South Durban, have complained for years about the effects of toxic industrial pollution. But now they are […]

South African men turned up today in Tshwane, to stand up for women. To march against abusive men. To say “Not in My Name”. The men – young and old – were joined in the march to the Union Building in Pretoria by Government Communication officials, a wide range of political parties, and celebrities like Cassper […]

Kruger National Park (KNP) Management has cautioned visitors to South Africa’s wildlife park to take precautionary measures against Malaria before visiting the Park, due to recent heavy rain. The Kruger Park said in a media release that although the Park is classified as a low risk area, it is situated in a malaria area… and, “due […]

The body of Karabo Mokoena, who was allegedly murdered by her 27-year-old boyfriend Sandile Mantsoe, was laid to rest in Westpark Cemetry in South Africa today. The funeral service of the 22-year-old – whose charred remains were found in a shallow grave – was aired nationally… her death symbolic of what appears to be an increasing […]

A concerned local resident of Coligny, North West, had to be escorted away from EFF protestors on Friday, apparently for her own safety… after her courageous attempt at apology and reconciliation was not met that warmly by the marchers. Tension between white and black residents has been running high in the area since the alleged murder of […]

“I am desperate and I know you…. yes YOU… the good people of South Africa, will reach out and help!!!” says Caroline van Saasen, founder of Water Shortage South Africa (WASSA). “These photos are not old… and they are not from the Northwest Province…. “They are from a farm 50km from Pofadder…. “These farmers are […]

NEW YORK (Reuters) – A speeding car plowed into pedestrians on a sidewalk in New York City’s busy Times Square on Thursday, killing one person and injuring a dozen, according to witnesses, and police said the incident did not appear to be an act of terrorism. A Reuters witness said one person was covered with […]

CAPE TOWN – President Jacob Zuma paid a visit Thursday afternoon, 18 May, to the family of the little three-year-old girl – Courtney Pieters – who was tragically found murdered and buried in a shallow grave in Elsies River, in Cape Town, South Africa. Just over 10 days ago, missing posters had gone up looking for the […]

Soon there’ll be no more braaivleis, rugby, sunny skies AND Chevrolet… as General Motors (GM) announced Thursday 18 May that it plans to sell its operations in South Africa. This, as well as its decision to stop selling cars in India, comes as the company decides to focus on fewer, more profitable markets. Last year […]

Before I had kids, I watched a friend clear their newborn baby’s nose by sucking out the mucous, as the infant simply could not breathe. With a mixture of incredulousness and admiration, I wondered how on earth he did that, without even thinking twice. Then I became a parent. And with every fibre in my body, […]

It’s domestic workers’ struggle for housing, not a hidden agenda, that is behind the campaign for Tafelberg… Dear Premier Zille My name is Sheila Madikane. I am a domestic worker, a housing activist, and one of the leaders of Reclaim the City. We have met a number of times over the last few weeks at […]

The perilous state of Cape Town’s water supply is starkly visible… [This is part one of a GroundUp special series on Cape Town’s water crisis.] There are six major dams in Cape Town: Berg River, Steenbras Lower, Steenbras Upper, Theewaterskloof, Voëvlei, and Wemmershoek. These hold 99.6% of the city’s water capacity, with eight smaller dams, mostly […]