South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has disputed reports alleging that the department has facilitated the repatriation of hundreds of ISIS fighters. This follows media reports indicating that hundreds of former ISIS fighters have been repatriated to South Africa through a “secret operation” carried out since 2019. DIRCO spokesperson, Clayson Monyela, said […]

Although 15 countries have collectively reported more than 140 monkeypox cases, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has confirmed that there are currently no cases of the virus in South Africa. In a statement on Monday, the NICD reported that on 13 May 2022, the World Health Organisation (WHO) was notified of two laboratory-confirmed […]

Education department says it will consider disciplinary steps after receiving the outcome of the criminal trial from the National Prosecuting Authority. By Marecia Damons In 2017 a teacher at a Cape Town high school sexually assaulted a learner. After an investigation, the education department decided not to charge him. But a bit more than a […]

The latest outbreak of monkeypox has, at the time of writing, reached 17 countries with 110 confirmed cases and a further 205 suspected cases. It’s a fast-moving story, so if you need to catch up on the latest, here are answers to some of the most pressing questions. By Ed Feil, University of Bath How […]

On May 18, 2022, Massachusetts, USA, health officials and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed a single case of monkeypox in a patient who had recently traveled to Canada. Cases have also been reported in the United Kingdom, Europe and Australia. By Rodney E. Rohde, Texas State University As of 21 May, […]

At 14 years old, Amy Martin began to experience weakness and difficulty moving the left side of her body. A neurologist confirmed a devastating diagnosis: Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma – a rare brain tumour affecting children. Amy’s inspiring story from a dreadful diagnosis to a PhD is featured on Carte Blanche tonight – you can watch on […]

Durbanites have had another sleepless night as torrential rain and subsequent floods are ravaging the region yet again, with more heavy showers expected through Sunday. The KZN residents were still recovering from the devastating floods in April, that claimed the lives of over 300 people. The South African Weather Service issued a flood warning for […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent his “warmest congratulations” to SABC news presenter Leanne Manas who was this week honoured as a Knight of the French National Order of Merit for her immense contribution to journalism, media and charitable causes. The South African president said: “We look forward to many more informative and inspirational mornings with you […]

International Tea Day (21 May) is a highlight on every tea lover’s calendar – no matter where in the world they find themselves… especially if they love South Africa’s Rooibos! According to the SA Rooibos Council (SARC) more consumers than ever are sampling Rooibos, but interestingly, every nation has its own distinct way of drinking […]

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Dripping with champagne, diamonds and catty dialogue, two made-in-Africa reality TV series have transfixed viewers on the continent, showcasing ritzy lifestyles that are a far cry from stereotypical images of African hardship. By Sisipho Skweyiya. On Netflix’s “Young, Famous & African”, a group of music and showbiz celebrities from around the continent […]

Western Cape resident Mark Meyer is thanking his guardian angels today for keeping him safe during a major multiple-vehicle pile-up on the N1, outside Cape Town, South Africa. Mark was driving on the N1, near the Plattekloof off-ramp, on Friday morning when he said a truck crashed into him from behind, triggering the mass collision […]

Vangelis, the Greek composer whose rousing electronic theme music for the Oscar-winning 1981 film “Chariots of Fire” became one of the most loved movie scores around the world – including in South Africa where it was very popular – has died at the age of 79. Quoting Horatio from Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’, South African expat Elon […]

South African comedian Trevor Noah has thanked his fellow half South-African, half-Swiss friend Roger Federer for an incredible trip to Switzerland, the land that his father comes from. Trevor, who is now based in New York where he is host of The Daily Show, said in a post on social media: “Switzerland ?? what a […]

The South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has once again increased the benchmark repo rate by 50 basis points to 4.75%. The decision was in line with a Reuters poll published last week. Reuters said “South Africa‘s central bank on Thursday increased its main lending rate by the largest margin in more than […]

Up and coming young South African surfer, Ntokozo Surprise Maphumulo is on his way to Surf City El Salvador in Central America to compete against the best in the world at the ISA (International Surfing Association) World Junior Surfing Championship on May 27 to June 5, 2022! For Durbanites, it’s no ‘surprise’! They’ve been watching […]

Mark Pilgrim, one of South Africa’s well-known radio DJs, has shared fantastic news on his journey, as he undergoes treatment for cancer. Back in March, South Africans were devastated when the popular British-born TV personality announced that after a couple of scans and 33 years in remission, he had been diagnosed in February with stage […]

The NSRI and Bitou Municipality have appealed to residents and tourists in the area to exercise caution on the Keurbooms River and along the Plettenberg Bay coastline, due to shark activity. (Watch video below.) It’s unusual to find a White Shark in the river, but there was a sighting on Wednesday evening (18 May) during […]

REUTERS – Britain’s Prince Harry and his American wife, Meghan, celebrated their third wedding anniversary on Thursday (May 19). Meghan, a former U.S. actress, and Harry, Queen Elizabeth’s grandson and sixth in line to the British throne, became one of the world’s biggest celebrity couples since their glittering marriage at Windsor Castle. The Duke and […]

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has called upon residents to exercise extreme caution as inclement weather conditions are expected this weekend. This follows a South African Weather Service (SAWS) advisory that a cut-off low pressure system could bring light snowfall, freezing temperatures and severe thunderstorms in parts of the country, including […]

Disney+, the streaming service from The Walt Disney Company, launched yesterday in South Africa. Standard pricing at launch was confirmed at R119 per month, or R1190 for an annual subscription, with sign-up information available at DisneyPlus.com. Disney+ offers over 1000 films, more than 1500 series and a slate of 200 exclusive Originals from Disney, Pixar, […]

After outrage, almost as huge as a proposed R22-million flag pole project in South Africa, Arts Minister Nathi Mthethwa has backed down and directed his department to review plans to erect the giant 100-metre flag at Freedom Park in Tshwane. “Over the past few days, the Minister has followed and taken note of public discourse […]

Strap in, earthlings. The most critically acclaimed South African sci-fi film since District 9, Ryan Kruger’s Fried Barry starts streaming on Showmax on Thursday, 19 May 2022, having already taken the world by storm. Acclaimed local indie horror film Fried Barry is shot in Cape Town and directed by Ryan Kruger 80% critics’ rating on […]

Astronomers have revealed the first image of the black hole at the centre of our galaxy, the Milky Way. The image was produced by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) Collaboration, an international team made up of over 300 scientists on five continents – including Africa. Black holes were predicted by Albert Einstein’s General Theory of […]

A total of 56 769 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in the last 24 hours in South Africa, including 14 409 Johnson & Johnson vaccines and 42 360 Pfizer vaccines. According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) report on Tuesday, the vaccines administered in the last 24 hours included 20 063 first doses, […]

Commissioned six years ago and kept under lock and key by the Office of the KZN Premier until now, the hidden report into rhino poaching in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has been partially released to the Democratic Alliance (DA) following extensive pressure. Last month the DA submitted a Public Access to Information Application (PAIA) for the report, […]