South Africans sent shivers around the world on Friday, with an outpouring of love, grief and tributes to their beloved rugby legend – Joost van der Westhuizen – and the country he “loved with all his heart”, South Africa. On their own, or in groups, South Africans were united across borders and oceans on Friday […]

A minute’s silence (and/or applause) is being held in honour of Joost van der Westhuizen, who passed away on Monday, at each of the Six Nations matches this weekend. Six Nations organisers posted a photo Saturday afternoon to Twitter of the minute’s silence before the Ireland vs Italy match in Rome. The message said: “A rugby legend. […]

SYDNEY (Reuters) – Whale rescuers in New Zealand linked arms in neck-deep water on Saturday to try and prevent about 200 pilot whales from stranding themselves again in a remote bay, where 300 of the animals died this week. The incident, in the shallow muddy waters of Golden Bay, at the northwest tip of South […]

If you missed it earlier, these are the two videos most people have searched for on SAPeople, following rugby legend Joost van der Westhuizen’s public memorial service at Loftus Versveld in Pretoria on Friday. Tribute from Amor Vittone, mother of Joost van der Westhuizen’s two children Tribute from Sumari (Sumi) Botha, Joost’s Niece MORE Video, […]

Virginia Machpelah suffered from Alzheimer’s. She was fun-loving, a good person, a fellow South African… and tragically she was also one of the 94 victims of the Gauteng Health Department’s #LifeEsidimeni blunder. On Wednesday night her sister Christine Nxumalo said: “She loved kids and was just generally a very good person who didn’t do nothing wrong, really. […]

South African athlete and Rio Olympics 800-metre gold medallist Caster Semeyna is in line to be awarded an additional Olympic gold medal. This could transpire following media reports that Russian runner Maria Savinova has been stripped of her 2012 Olympic gold medal for doping. Associated Press reports that Savinova, who won the 800-m title at the […]

45 white doves were released for every year of Joost van der Westhuizen’s short life. And beautiful tributes were delivered for the rugby hero, who became a legend when he fought a disease so bravely and publicly… and reached out to help others affected by the same Motor Neurone Disease (MND) with his J9 Foundation. Sports Minister […]

A different battle was fought on the streets of SONA (State of the Nation Address) in Cape Town, South Africa yesterday – one that saw ANC school children aggravate EFF supporters, resulting in police using unnecessary force to disperse children no older than 15… writes JUSTIN SULLIVAN. An elderly man raising his hand to a younger […]

South Africans from New Zealand and Australia, to Hong Kong and the Philippines, Gibraltar, the UK, USA and Canada… not to mention South Africa, Kenya and everywhere in between are wearing their Springbok colours today, to pay tribute to Joost van der Westhuizen. From sunny Australia… To a snowy Canada… On public transport… And at […]

The State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa, was a lot of the same old same old. Chaos. Brawls. Political parties kicked out of parliament (EFF). Parties walking out (DA). Buthelezi wearing his feather. Lots of pointing, and even more ‘points of order’. Swearing, insults and fists being thrown. And although […]

CAPE TOWN – After the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in which President Jacob Zuma announced that radical economic transformation is coming South Africa’s way, Nando’s delivered again… with an ad saying “Some addresses will leave you in a state”. During SONA2017, President Zuma declared, in his annual address to the nation, that “today […]

NAIROBI (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Experts are divided on the impact of Madonna’s adoption of four-year-old twins from Malawi, saying it could fuel child trafficking in Africa or provide relief to the country’s overcrowded orphanages. [By Katy Migiro] On Tuesday, Malawi’s High Court granted the 58-year-old U.S. singer permission to adopt the girls, following her […]

WASHINGTON – A former Wits Executive Director, Dr Eugene Sickle, has been arrested in the United States for money laundering committed in relation to HIV/AIDS programs being supported in South Africa by USAID (US Agency for International Development). USAID announced the arrest of the top South African doctor this week. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. […]

CAPE TOWN – President Jacob Zuma has said he is looking forward to delivering the State of the Nation Address (SONA) this evening. “The time has come… we are very happy this moment has come,” he said. (Watch below.) Meanwhile the National Assemply Speaker Baleka Mbete clarified no members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) […]

Fire fighting services reacted fast to a wildfire that was rapidly spreading at the base of Table Mountain this afternoon. The fire was allegedly ignited after a car caught alight. JUSTIN SULLIVAN was there and captured the photos on this page (apart from the car pic). According to Philip Prins from SANParks’ Table Mountain National Park (TMNP), the fire […]

Joost van der Westhuizen, who passed away on February 6 2017 at 45 after a prolonged battle with motor neurone disease, holds a special place in the annals of South African rugby. He was just Joost, one of those sports legends known by his first name – almost like Brazilian football stars. His status as […]

The question many South Africans are asking today, is why President Jacob Zuma has authorised the employment of 441 members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) for service in cooperation with the SA Police Service (SAPS) “to maintain law and order” at the Opening of Parliament, where Zuma will deliver his State of the Nation Address (SONA) […]

Opposition parties have reacted with outrage to the announcement that the army will be on hand to help “maintain law and order” at the Opening of Parliament on Thursday, where President Jacob Zuma will deliver his State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2017. Both the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) condemned […]

eNCA are calling it ‘the moment of the day’ – when President Jacob Zuma laughed – and laughed off – their TV journalist’s question about reshuffle rumours. The South African President was briefing the press following a business meeting luncheon in Cape Town today, ahead of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday. The […]

Tributes have poured in for Joost van der Westhuizen from around South Africa, and the world. Nando’s posted a simple but powerful picture of the restaurant chain’s logo with the words “Our number one number 9″… referring to the former scrumhalf’s Springbok jersey number. (Watch a fan’s Number 9 tribute video below, featured on SAPeople in […]

Heartbreaking footage has been taken of a tame rhino calf – an orphan – who was shot and seriously wounded by poachers in Polokwane, South Africa, over the weekend. The little rhino, called ‘Vrystaat’, was shot twice. And while his horn was being brutally hacked off, he tried to stand and escape… and was shot again […]

Joost van der Westhuizen’s J9 Foundation has announced that a Public Memorial Service will be held in Gauteng, South Africa, on Friday. (Update, 10 Feb: Watch the moving tributes for Joost from Amor Vittone, Sumari Botha, PJ Powers, SA Sports Minister and more at Joost’s Public Memorial.) In a message on Facebook, J9 said: “A […]

Joost van der Westhuizen’s estranged wife, Amor Vittone, posted a heartfelt message Monday afternoon for her “first love”, the former Springbok legend who died today – at the age of 45 – after a long and brave battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). She said: “Dis met n seer en swaar hart, dat ons afskeid geneem […]

It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Joost van der Westhuizen has passed away. He died at the age of 45. His J9 Foundation announced at about 14h25, Monday afternoon: “It is with great sadness that we confirm the passing of Joost. He passed away in his home surrounded by his loved […]

Five suspects arrested for human trafficking were set to appear before the Newcastle Magistrate’s Court this morning. The five, aged between 18 and 35, were arrested on Friday after the Hawks rescued 72 foreigners, who were allegedly trafficked from Swaziland and Lesotho. The foreign nationals were labour exploited in one of the factories in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal. […]