The royal wedding of Prince Albert II in early July will be a huge day for Monaco…and for his beautiful bride Charlene Wittstock. In an interview with Monaco-Matin the South African former Olympic swimmer said “I feel immense joy and emotion as you can imagine. I also know that this is an important time for […]

Charlene Wittstock will be wearing a Giorgio Armani-designed dress for her fairytale wedding to Prince Albert II of Monaco, in July. The fashion icon has previously designed outfits for Charlene and was selected for his elegant style. Traditionally, royal weddings in Monaco are held behind the closed doors of the principality’s Cathedral. But Prince Albert […]

From an email doing the rounds… Dear Noah, We could have sworn you said the ark wasn’t leaving till 5. Sincerely, Unicorns Dear Twilight fans, Please realize that because vampires are dead and have no blood pumping through them, they can never get an erection. Enjoy fantasizing about that. Sincerely, Logic Dear Icebergs, Sorry to […]

by Janine Erasmus South Africa’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) has thrown its weight behind the study of a small indigenous legume that, reports say, is effective in treating symptoms of HIV/Aids. The humble Sutherlandia frutescens is a small shrubby plant that’s popular in South African gardens because it’s hardy, attractive, and brings sunbirds to pollinate […]

by Bongani Nkosi “It was daunting. The ocean is very deep, very dark and very cold. The shores are rocky and dangerous.” This is how 53-year-old Ram Barkai describes the waters off Cape Horn, where he and four fellow extreme swimmers became the first men in international history to cross a section. “This was completely […]

After having dug to a depth of 10 feet last year, British scientists found traces of copper wire dating back 200 years and came to the conclusion that their ancestors already had a telephone network more than 150 years ago. Not to be outdone by the Brits, in the weeks that followed, an American archaeologist […]

by Janine Erasmus Major Catherine Labuschagne completed her maiden solo flight in October 2010 in the South African Air Force’s (SAAF) Gripen Jas 39C. When Labuschagne touched down at Makhado Air Force Base in  Limpopo province, she had become the first woman fighter pilot ever to fly solo in the supersonic aircraft. Formerly known as […]

by Wilma den Hartigh For those of us who enjoy our daily rooibos cuppa, a good flavour is all-important. However, for the uninitiated it is only possible to distinguish basic flavour characteristics. Now, with the help of a newly developed rooibos flavour wheel, anyone can identify a full spectrum of tastes and aromas of this […]

by Ray Maota The Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG) is marking 100 years of art-collecting with an elaborate celebration and launch of a new catalogue detailing the various works in its possession. The event will take place at the gallery in Joubert Park, Johannesburg, on 28 November 2010 at 5pm. The public is welcome to attend […]

by Nicky Rehbock A South African public service organisation has come up with a novel festive season gift concept that will have a lasting effect on the country’s less fortunate children and animals. The idea is being rolled out through the online Gifts4Good campaign, which offers internet shoppers a range of alternative gifts that support […]

Most of us wish certain things would improve in South Africa, but we tend to be passive whingers rather than active citizens. The following 15 philanthropists fall into the latter group. They’re active citizens who are helping make a real difference. These exceptional individuals were honoured for their financial contributions at the annual Inyathelo Philanthropy […]

Lucille Davie World-renowned artist and Johannesburg resident William Kentridge has received the 2010 Kyoto Prize for Arts and Philosophy, for his insights and reflections on human nature through his work. Known as much for his stage designs and hand-drawn animated films as for his artwork, Kentridge is the first African to receive the award, now […]

April McAlister JamiiX, an online counselling service operating on the Cape Flats, was a finalist in the inaugural Bees Awards. The ceremony, which took place in San Francisco on 9 November 2010, recognises the most innovative use of social media in business and communication. In the category of best use of mobile social media, developer […]

South Africa’s unique mix of energy, humanity, sheer doggedness and knack for problem-solving are showcased in a six-page supplement in the prestigious Washington Post newspaper, titled South Africa Now and produced on behalf of Brand South Africa. The supplement hit the streets of Washington, DC, in the 6 October 2010 edition of the newspaper. It […]

OK, OK, he’s not exactly South African, but he did spend a good few weeks in South Africa until Portugal were eliminated from the Fifa World Cup (and he had his photo taken with Nelson Mandela). So, on that technicality, here’s one for the girls – a sneak peek at football player Ronaldo’s new Armani […]

Pretoria – Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has released the National Crime Statistics for the past fiscal year announcing a significant decline in the murder rate for that period. Murder decreased by 8.6 percent from 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010. “We have seen the third largest decrease since 1995. For the first time in […]

by Nicky Rehbock Prof Alice Walker has arrived in South Africa to deliver the 11th annual lecture honouring the late Stephen Bantu Biko, an anti-apartheid activist and leader who founded the Black Consciousness Movement. Walker, best known for her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Colour Purple, was invited to the country by the Steve Biko Foundation, […]

South African archaeologists have found what is believed to be the earliest evidence of human-made stone-tipped arrows, 64 000-year-old stone tools – still with traces of blood and bone – that push the development of bow-and-arrow technology back 20 000 years and throw light on humanity’s cognitive development. The finds, unearthed from layers of very […]

From an email doing the rounds… You’ve just got to love South Africa!! Here’s an extra pic sent in by Jan Taljaard who now lives in New Zealand. He says: “Na aanleiding van julle fotos…. Net een uit N Zealand. Weet nie of die Kiwis die humor raaksien nie. Groete.” A shop owner in Brakpan, […]

by Janine Erasmus South African researcher Alison Kock of the Save Our Seas Foundation’s Cape Town shark centre, is one of an international group of contributors to an extensive photo library of great white shark fins – one they hope will enable them to eventually track the movements of every great white and boost shark […]

From an email doing the rounds…

It appears that low-budget South African airline Kulula keeps their prices down by borrowing international jokes. So while an email doing the rounds claims these are “uniquely South African” jokes, they couldn’t be further from the truth – they’re from Canada and they’re just fun light-hearted jokes that most of the world relates too. The […]

A young Zimbabwean is about to become a household name in Britain (and maybe the world), thanks to TV show X-Factor and her extraordinary talent. Her name is Gamu (Gamuchirai) Nhengu and she’s 18. The new season of X-Factor kicked off with Gamu’s audition in Glasgow in June. In the show, Gamu said it’s her […]

by Janine Erasmus The City of Cape Town has launched a campaign to encourage people to eat less meat – at least once a week – for the sake of the environment and the welfare of humans and farm animals. Cape Town executive mayor Dan Plato made the official announcement at the end of July […]

From an email doing the rounds. Submitted by Marie Naude. The picture is priceless, but the verse is wonderful WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN’T LOOKING A message every adult should read because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say. When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you hang […]