Within the next 24 hours Cape Town swimmer, adventurer, inspirational author – and all-round passionate rescuer of the planet – Lewis Pugh will attempt the most southern swim in the world.  Lewis, who is the United Nations Patron of the Oceans, will be the first human ever to take on the freezing cold 1 km stretch around […]

Five South Africans have made it on to the shortlist of 100 candidates being considered for the Mars One space programme. Initally, more than 200 500 people applied to be trained as astronauts to stay on Mars. Mars One aims to establish a permanent human settlement on the Red Planet. Funding for the project has […]

Since their ignominious defeat in the 1999 Cricket World Cup final against Australia, the tag “chokers” has hung over the Proteas. But with a mix of formidable experience and exciting new talent, the squad that takes to the field this Sunday may have a chance to throw off the jinx.   South Africa begins their […]

Yesterday marked the twenty-fifth anniversary since Nelson Mandela walked free – on 11 February 1990 – after 27 years in apartheid prison. It was an event that had been unthinkable to most South Africans, and the world, until only a few weeks before. Here is a fascinating look back at how South African newspapers reported on the […]

The Tate Modern in London is hosting a retrospective exhibition for South African-born painter Marlene Dumas. The exhibition, titled The Image as Burden and made up of more than 100 paintings and drawings, opened on 5 February and will run until 10 May. It was curated by Helen Sainsbury. In 2005, Dumas’ painting The Victor […]

Once a year South Africans have an appointment with the President of Republic at which he personally provides a progress report on government programmes as well as detail plans for the upcoming year. This year the State of the Nation Address take place on Thursday at 7pm. It also marks the start of the annual […]

President Jacob Zuma will on Friday lead the South African delegation to the 24th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly (AU Summit) to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The summit will consider the adoption of Agenda 2063, the continental plan to ensure positive socio-economic transformation within the next 50 years. It will also […]

President Jacob Zuma has returned to Pretoria on Saturday upbeat and satisfied with the outcome of South Africa’s participation at the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. The President led a seven-minister delegation, where they promoted South Africa as a key destination for foreign direct investment and development partnerships. The President attended […]

Good news for all South Africans who want to do something positive to help inspire each other (oh, and perhaps the world too while we’re at it!). Brent Lindeque – the guy who changed one thing last year…and changed everything – is launching a new RAKNomination campaign and YOU can be part of it! Brent […]

South African batsman AB de Villiers wrote his name indelibly into cricket’s history books when he produced one of ODI’s greatest innings against the West Indies at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium on Sunday. De Villiers hit eight fours and 10 sixes to reach his century in just 31 balls, erasing New Zealander Corey Anderson’s previous […]

The absence of Africa’s two most successful teams – Egypt and Nigeria – makes this edition of the Africa Cup of Nations one of the most open ever. There are favourites of course – Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cameroon and even a resurgent South Africa – but with some of the biggest stars of African football […]

As an Indonesian official reports that the missing AirAsia plane may be at the bottom of the sea, a South African publicist and PR on holiday in Asia has described the ‘uncomfortable’ feeling at airports in Asia right now as he heads to Singapore, the same destination that Flight QZ8501 was en route to yesterday when it vanished from […]

Both locals and South Africans abroad will be pleased to know the South African Post Office (SAPO) is back to full operation! But please do exercise a little caution as they catch up on the backlog… SAPO made the announcement a few hours ago, revealing that they have appointed a special team to implement ground-breaking initiatives […]

Today – Friday, 5 December 2014 – marks a full year since South Africa’s beloved statesman and icon of peace Nelson Mandela passed away. Here are some ways to honour his memory today. 1. Buy a book The Nelson Mandela Foundation has launched a campaign requesting individuals, companies and organisation to buy a book – one […]

In a series of powerful videos, South Africans of all kinds share their experiences of finding out they were HIV-positive, and how being open about their status helped them fight the stigma of the virus and find real support from true friends and family. Cindy Pivacic, 56 Ten years ago, Cindy Pivacic’s partner infected her […]

On yesterday’s World Aids Day 2014, the South African National Aids Council (Sanac) called on all the people of the country to join its campaign for the next 12 months: Zero Stigma, Zero Discrimination.   World Aids Day, commemorated on 1 December every year, gives all communities the opportunity to unite in the fight against HIV, […]

A young South African is making his country (and sister) proud in Las Vegas this weekend, after being selected to represent South Africa and the African continent, for the very first time, in the SuperKarts Supernationals World Finals in the USA! Sixteen-year-old Ewan Taylor is competing against the best drivers from around the world, including the likes of […]

The International Kite Festival kicked off today in Muizenberg with brilliant blue-sky conditions providing the perfect backdrop to showcase those kites. Zaahid Appoles and Robyn Gwilt were there to capture the photographs on this page – from Cape Town-loving kites to international flags, Pegasus, a shark, a dragon (of course!)…and many more. “I woke to a really calm, windless morning….but […]

Fashion designer, pop star, wife of the world’s most famous football player – and now UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador – Victoria Beckham has pledged to help the “wonderful” young women  in Soweto and to raise awareness about the vulnerability of women and girls to HIV. The former Spice Girl was moved to make the announcement during her […]

Countries around the world are taking part in the Global March for Elephants and Rhino this weekend, with South Africa’s Soweto making history as it becomes the first time ever that the people of Soweto – who have marched so many times over the years – will now march together for animals. That is how serious the situation […]

Storytelling is the new rock n roll, says Rian Malan. Known for his own expert storytelling, his latest project, with Ann Toerien, is bringing out the stories of Johannesburg. Invited artists will tell their tales of the city of gold in The Unbelievable Truth, four themed evenings about life in Jozi. To some, Johannesburg is […]

Congratulations to South African surfer Jordy Smith who has just won the 2014 Hurly Pro Championship at Trestles in Clemente, Southern California! The Durban surfer beat Hawaiian John John Florence in the Final to take the title. John John beat USA champ Kelly Slater in the semi-finals while Jordy out-surfed Australian Adrian Buchan. Jordy wasn’t sure until […]

Watch Day 2 of the Oscar Pistorius trial live. Judge Masipa is currently delivering judgment in the trial that has captivated the attention of the nation and parts of the world. LIVE VIDEO: Oscar Pistorius Verdict Day 2 For those (eg. in Germany) who can’t see the stream above, please follow Suzanne Brenner (@prowriting) who will be […]

The challenges of social integration were increasing, and it was essential to update democracy. “We must take on the challenges of the future, not just consolidate our wins.” Chilean President Michelle Bachelet expressed these sentiments in delivering the 12th Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture, in the City Hall, Cape Town, on Women’s Day – 9 August. […]

A fusion of African and European cuisine will be a feast for the eye and a temptation for the taste bud at the inaugural Mzansi International Culinary Festival, taking place from 7 to 10 August. It has been planned to celebrate the culinary expertise of female chefs from across the globe – Europe, the Americas, […]