‘Bergman Island’ is a stunning film for anybody who’s ever loved the legend of the late and great Swedish director Ingmar Bergman. Or even been a fan of his late movie star daughter Ingrid (who graced the Cannes Film Festival poster not that many years ago). The film takes you on a journey to excellence […]

There are a record two African films competing in this year’s Official Competition at the Cannes Film Festival (06/07/21 – 17/07/21) with one of the jury members being Senegal’s Mati Diop. In a first for African films, two were selected for the official competition, Chadian film Lingui – The Sacred Bonds from director Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, […]

In Secrets from the Cockpit, Robert Schapiro offers a rare insider’s view on life as an international pilot. Schapiro, who was a pilot for the South African Airlines in the 1980s before flying internationally, describes near misses and emergency landings… but also explains how pilots kept rowdy travellers in check. Enjoy this excerpt from the […]

Jacob Zuma today, Friday 2 July, made a last-minute attempt for freedom as Sunday rapidly approaches, by which time he has to hand himself in to Nkandla Police Station to serve a 15-month prison sentence. Don’t miss Carte Blanche this Sunday at 7pm (or Showmax on Tuesday if you’re abroad) as the current affairs show […]

Legendary South African singer and songwriter, Steve Kekana, has sadly passed away today, 1 July 2021, at the age of 62. According to the SABC, Kekana died in hospital on Thursday after being admitted for his diabetes condition. Other reports say he had tested positive for coronavirus and died from Covid-19 related complications with his […]

Robert Schapiro always wanted to fly, so much so that he had to rise above the challenge of anti-Semitic bullying, mockery and fierce rivalry to realise his dream… but rise he did. In a new book – ‘Secrets from the Cockpit’ – Schapiro reveals everything about international pilots behaving badly, and other flying stories. Schapiro […]

The Drakensberg Boys Choir is giving the nation goosebumps again. This time the famous South African school choir has posted a moving video tribute to healthcare workers around the world “for their selfless humanity in this very difficult time”. Watch below as the Choir brilliantly and aptly performs an ovation-worthy cover of Queen’s “We Are […]

Classic 1027 has released a statement clarifying that the change in format, which they recently announced, and which comes into effect on 1 July, does not mean that Classic is shutting down. “Classic 1027 fans will still be able to listen to their favourite music 24 hours a day online via streaming audio and DSTV […]

The incidents of hunting with dogs is escalating across South Africa, particularly in rural KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). This week, Carte Blanche investigates to find out: is it an innocent traditional pastime fuelled by poverty… or a brutal, self-serving gambler’s game? Hunting with Dogs In a controversial practice that is increasing across the country, participants in so-called […]

For the first time in history, the entire country of South Africa may soon be lit up. Eskom has never been able to provide power to 100% of the population. And while the state-owned enterprise has battled to keep existing lights on, it has been unable to spend the time and energy needed to resurrect […]

Fabulous South African soprano – Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha – has won the Song Prize at the prestigious BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2021. The 27-year-old rose to victory – against finalists from Madagascar, Wales, South Korea and Austria – with a mix of popular Lieder, South African song (in Xhosa!) and spirituals. “Masabane Cecilia […]

My Octopus Teacher, the Oscar-winning South African documentary about a Western Cape man’s special friendship with a female octopus, has spawned numerous videos and spoofs. Here’s the latest video that’s been going viral on social media – showing viewers on the UK’s Gogglebox watching the Netflix show. Their comments are classic. When well-known SA writer Max […]

South African immigrant and Hollywood actor-producer Stelio Savante has two new films, UNDER THE STADIUM LIGHTS and DESTINATION MARFA, making news right now. The first was released in the US last week, and the second is due for release in August. Savante was recruited to the United States from South Africa three decades ago on […]

On Johannesburg’s West Rand, over 1700 hectares of waste piles and open pits have been left behind after the 2018 liquidation of the Australian company Mintails Mining South Africa. Click here if you’re looking for the latest update on what’s coming up on Carte Blanche this Sunday. With an ongoing legal battle relating to a […]

The Kiffness continues to conquer the world. The South African musician who has teamed up with everyone from his dad to a hadeda… and whose recent Alugalug Cat video spawned several international covers (and was shared by Hollywood celeb Ryan Reynolds), has now teamed up with London East End’s famous ‘One Pound Fish Man’ (£1 […]

Simon’s Town’s penguins are poised to become global superstars, as they feature in a new Netflix original documentary series that is sure to have the world fall in love with the endangered African Penguins. Watch the trailer below. It’s very cool! This is what Netflix has to say about the TV series, which starts in […]

Make the circle bigger cause it’s time to JIVA! Today, Netflix dropped the official trailer for the streaming platform’s latest local original series, JIVA!, about a vibrant dancer from Durban, Ntombi (played by Noxolo Dlamini) who does everything in her power to live out her passion. Lead actress Noxolo is naturally very excited for JIVA”s […]

South African student voices have largely remained unheard in formal discussions around COVID-19. A pandemic that should not be put to waste, COVID-19, on some podiums, is seen as laying the groundwork for germination of seeds of change… write Peet van Aardt, University of the Free State and Brian Sibanda, University of the Free State. […]

Here are the highlights of the hot new series, movies, doccies – and of course, one special that’s big, big news – and streaming on Showmax in June. Don’t be left out in the cold – watch Friends: The Reunion and more of the most-talked-about shows streaming right now, from Kate Winslet’s bleak, brilliant Mare […]

This month, Netflix is super excited to bring you more local titles that will keep you company during the cold Winter days.  The well-loved franchise in South Africa, the Kandasamys is back  as best friends Shanti and Jennifer plan a couples’ getaway to rekindle their marriages. The highly anticipated African original, JIVA! is set to […]

It’s been three and a half years since the epic crash of retailing giant Steinhoff – the biggest corporate scandal in South Africa’s history… which wiped more than R200 billion off the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The company has admitted unlawful conduct, yet there have been no charges and no prosecutions. Currently, Steinhoff faces about 90 […]

The Kiffness – Alugalug Cat has been a surprise hit worldwide! The song – in which South African musician David Scott harmonises with a wailing cat – has clocked up 1.3-million views on YouTube… and inspired several covers of the track by musicians abroad. Today, he’s uploaded a new video… showcasing some of their talents. […]

The Ndlovu Youth Choir is giving Africa and the world chills with its Xhosa cover version of Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s duet ‘Shallow’, from the movie “A Star is Born”. The band said this morning that this is a “special South African version”… with only the last line sung in English. It’s filmed in […]

Whatever one thinks of Helen Zille – and I think highly of her – no-one could suggest that she is behind the curve… writes MARTIN PLAUT. While politicians in Britain and the USA are only gradually coming to terms with the problem of “woke” politics, she has been highlighting the issue for years. Now these […]

“The idea of a woman marrying more than one man has been the subject of heated debates over the last few weeks (in South Africa),” says Carte Blanche presenter Claire Mawisa. There have also been memes and video jokes posted with many men finding the idea “preposterous” and women joking that who would want to […]