South Africa’s Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga says the introduction of Kiswahili (or Swahili) in the National Curriculum Statement will go a long way towards contributing to decolonisation. It will also strategically help as Swahili is projected to become the official business language of Africa. “The introduction of Kiswahili Second Additional Language (SAL) in the […]

Mother Nature showed off big-time this morning (Thurs, 20 May) in Durban and surrounds with the most magnificent sunrise and colours. Residents all the way from Chatsworth to Amanzimtoti, Pinetown to the city centre splashed spectacular pictures of the stunning South African sunrise on social media this morning. Here are just some of the fabulous […]

Currently, Covid-19 vaccine sites will only vaccinate if a person has an appointment through the Electronic Vaccine Data System (EVDS). After registering online, one must wait for an SMS with the time and location for vaccination. Walk-ins are not accepted. But on Tuesday, things did not go according to this plan at the Discovery Health […]

Phumzile Van Damme has resigned as a Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Parliament (MP). In a statement issued early on Thursday evening, Van Damme stressed that her resignation has nothing to do with accusations that the DA is a ‘racist party’… and is rather because “of a clique of individuals”. She said: “To be clear […]

The student guide who was attacked by a black rhino yesterday – Wednesday 19 May 2021 – in a game reserve in northern Zululand, South Africa, has been discharged and is apparently bruised (the rhino knocked him into a tree, hitting his head, and her calf ran over his legs) but is in fine spirits […]

Ten diplomatic missions abroad are to be closed, due to South Africa’s “fiscal constraints” which have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 Pandemic. This will come as a blow to South Africans living and travelling abroad in those areas, who have already been suffering long waiting periods due to the under-staffing of many SA embassies and […]

The first official trailer for the much anticipated ‘Friends Reunion Special’ is out, and fans worldwide – including in South Africa – are loving it! Watch below… although be prepared for a few tears. As Rachel star, Jennifer Anniston, says: “Where’s the tissue box?” The trailer includes all six friends reuniting, reminiscing and revisiting the […]

A beautiful bride who stopped at a petrol station to go to the loo – in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa – found herself surrounded by loving strangers singing in celebration for her. The video of the impromptu event has gone viral, with South Africans everywhere saying it brings them goosebumps and reminds them why they love […]

A student game ranger, from Scotland, was injured on Wednesday when he was charged by a rhino on a game reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The British trainee was apparently on a 10-week training course in northern Zululand, and was being taught field craft when he and his tutors surprised a large black rhino. According […]

While the situation in Gaza – where fighting has entered a tenth day – is “most worrying”, there is hope and South Africa could play a vital role, according to South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has likened some of the current events to South Africa under apartheid. Last night more Israeli air strikes hit […]

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded a successful visit to Paris, France, where he attended the Summit on the Financing of African Economies, organised by and hosted by France’s President Emmanuel Macron. Possible French partnership with SA for vaccine production Separate to the Summit, President Ramaphosa met with the French President at Élysée Palace […]

Following Covid-19 cluster outbreaks in public schools, the Council of Education Ministers (CEM) has pulled the plug on all contact sports, with immediate effect. The decision was taken this morning after a virtual meeting, according to the Department of Basic Education (DBE). Non-contact sports training is permitted to continue… provided all safety protocols are observed […]

South African born and bred Jenni Rivett is one of the most highly respected and sought-after trainers and nutritionists in the world… writes Kim Carillo. Known for her ability to transform women’s bodies with her “Train Like A Woman” programme, she’s trained the likes of British actress Elizabeth Hurley, Pussy Cat Doll Ashley Roberts, and […]

Over 100 people picketed outside the Pretoria High Court on Monday to show solidarity with the “Deadly Air” case, which had its first day of court proceedings. The case deals with air pollution in the Mpumalanga Highveld. It was brought by two environmental activist organisations – groundWork and Vukani Environmental Justice Movement in Action (VEJMA). […]

South African National Parks (SANParks) has today, 18 May 2021 welcomed the culmination of two long-running rhino poaching trials by the Skukuza Regional Court. One rhino poacher was sentenced on 14 May whilst three – including a former SANParks employee – were sentenced on 17 May. The Managing Executive of the Kruger National Park, Gareth […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived yesterday, 17 May 2021, in Paris, France, to participate in the Summit on the Financing of African Economies. At the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, South Africa’s Ramaphosa will be joining several African Heads of State and Government as well as leaders of global financing institutions at the Grand Palais […]

Living legend Emeritus Archbishop Desmond Tutu received his Covid-19 vaccination today, with the Western Cape Government hoping the staunch vaccine supporter’s participation in their vaccination drive will encourage others to follow suit. The Western Cape Government confirmed on social media: “Earlier today, Archbishop Emeritus, Desmond Tutu and his wife, Leah Tutu, were vaccinated as part […]

Kuils River Magistrate Court’s has issued a summons to the EFF to pay over R80,000 in damages they caused during their protests in Brackenfell in the Western Cape last year. The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it welcomes the summons.  In November 2020, EFF protesters descended on Brackenfell High School, in protest against alleged racism at […]

Rugby, travel, cycling and a pair of mad-cap adventurers. What could possibly go wrong? A whole lot, although in the case of the intrepid James Owens from the UK and Ron Rutland from South Africa, their extraordinary journey to the 2019 Rugby World Cup held the ‘key’ to an amazing adventure that was remarkable for […]

Xoliswa Ndoyiya was Nelson Mandela’s private chef for 22 years, from the time he was released from prison until his death in 2013.  Madiba always treated Xoli more like family than an employee – even paying for her children to go to school and asking her to look after his grandchildren. Xoli often travelled with […]

The DA is calling on Eskom to provide an urgent state-of-the-system update and explain how its loadshedding schedule will be managed to ensure that it does not affect the vaccine rollout process. The latest announcement of loadshedding from Eskom, announced yesterday evening and just minutes before it began at 5pm, was yet another reminder that […]

The Kruger National Park (KNP) today, 17 May 2021 announced their management plans in anticipation of the coming winter fire season which usually takes place between June and October. Fires are a common and natural occurrence in KNP which is found within the Savanna biome (also knows as the Tropical Grasslands), and like the Fynbos […]

It has been just over a month since gentle KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) farmer, Neil McKay, was tied up in his wheelchair and strangled to death. There have still been no arrests, according to the McKay family’s spokesperson. It is not surprising to discover that farming communities in the South African province – which have suffered at […]

During Lockdown last year, Afrikaans musician Du Preez Stoltz created his own version of Meatloaf’s ‘I Will Do Anything’. Instead of for love, he says he will do anything for a braai; and instead of “but I won’t do that”, he sings “but I won’t do bats”! Listen below… Du Preez jokes: “When you miss […]

SA Agriculture Minister Thoko Didiza has called an attack on farmers in South Africa an attack on the country’s food security. A Rural National Safety Plan has long been mooted, but, Carte Blanche asks this weekend, where are the results? With 15 recorded murders on KwaZulu-Natal farms in the last year, farmers are coming together […]