The first two deaths from Coronavirus in South Africa have been reported, two women in the Western Cape, according to statements released today, as the number of positive cases in the country went over 1,000. “This morning we wake South Africans up with sad news that we now have our first deaths resulting from COVID-19,” […]

With the words “You are the defender of the lives of our people,” President Cyril Ramaphosa, dressed in army fatigues as the commander in chief of the South African National Defence Force, addressed soldiers last night before they began their task of assisting the police enforce the 21-day lockdown starting across the country at midnight. […]

Almost 50 South Africans were still stranded late Thursday night at Heathrow Airport after their connecting flights to South Africa were cancelled, whilst others have managed to find hotels and one large group is apparently being accommodated at the YMCA in London. When the South Africans (almost 150 in total originally) – mainly seasonal workers […]

Following SAPeople’s story earlier today about over 100 South Africans who were stranded in transit at Heathrow Airport in the UK, unable to get home to South Africa, the SA High Commissioner in London has partly come to the rescue. The South Africans – mainly seasonal workers – got stuck after President Ramaphosa yesterday announced […]

The number of positive Coronavirus cases in South Africa has risen to 927, up 218 from a day earlier, according to the NICD. The increase yesterday was 155. The upward trend in new infections is continuing, according to the figures released by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, which said in a statement late today […]

South Africa’s fast food chicken restaurant chain, Nando’s (which has branches around the world), has done it again! Always famous for their thought provoking adverts which usually poke fun at local politicians, this advert does the opposite – praising South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for his leadership during these difficult days of Corona virus. And […]

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling on the Departments of Transport and International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to urgently engage with international airlines on the specifics of air travel ahead of the nationwide lockdown. “This comes after the DA has been fielding queries from South Africans stranded in airports all over the world as airlines […]

Several South Africans are stranded abroad – from Morocco to Mauritius, Ireland, Saudi Arabia to Peru and the UK – and are desperate to get home. The DA has called on the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Naledi Pandor, to urgently intervene in bringing them home as a 21-day lockdown for South Africa […]

Across Africa distribution has started of over 1 million Coronavirus test kits and tons of protective clothing donated by the Chinese billionaire founder of the AliBaba Group, Jack Ma. Fewer than 3,000 cases of Coronavirus have been reported across Africa’s 1.2 billion people, a relatively low number in global terms. A possible cause is that […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa, as chairman of the African Union, is leading a teleconference today among African leaders to come up with a coordinated plan for the continent – where 2,746 positive cases have been recorded – on how to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. “Today’s consultative meeting is aimed at developing a common response of […]

About 100 South Africans making their way home to South Africa have found themselves trapped in transit in Terminal 3 at Heathrow Airport in London. The South Africans, who are mainly seasonal workers who have flown in from different parts of the world, were on their way back to SA via London. But on landing […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa has invited all South Africans to take part in a National Day of Prayer wherever they are, in response to Coronavirus (COVID-19). The President made the call on the eve of the 21-day national lockdown, which will start at midnight Thursday (tonight). Following discussions with religious leaders, President Ramaphosa called on citizens […]

The South African president Cyril Ramaphosa tested negative for the Coronavirus, his office said in a statement today. The president submitted for testing as a precautionary measure upon the advice of his physicians on Tuesday and received his results last night, according to a statement released by the presidency. “The Presidency has deemed it necessary […]

A group of 17 lions and tigers rescued from circuses in Guatemala made it to South Africa before the lockdown, in what the rescue organisation Animal Defenders says was “one of the luckiest breaks ever.” The cats landed in South Africa nine weeks ago, which seems like a long time, but the Coronavirus was already […]

The South African government has released its final regulations covering the 21-day lockdown to start at midnight on Thursday, and it said that people were meant to stay in their homes at all times except to obtain essential goods and services. The Minister of Police Bheki Cele said at a press conference, where several ministers […]

The Kiffness has been keeping South African informed about Coronavirus… and entertained. David Scott’s COVID-19 version of Toto’s Africa went hugely viral, and his latest is sure to be just as popular. This time he’s done a Bohemian Rhapsody Parody… called the Lockdown Rhapsody… The lyrics, as usual, are spot on! “This is the real […]

The municipality of Stellenbosch has taken the unprecedented step of suspending the collection of property rates for three months for businesses and households negatively impacted by the Coronavirus, the DA-led body said today. “The payment holiday will last for three months,” the Democratic Alliance said in a statement. “Once the crisis is over, the municipality […]

Now more than ever, South Africans (and people around the globe) need to look after each other. But sadly Pick ‘n Pay says some shoppers are still stockpiling unnecessarily, leaving empty shelves for others in need, and creating panic. Therefore the supermarket chain has produced this video with some of SA’s top musicians reminding locals […]

Prince Charles has tested positive for Corona Virus and is self-isolating with his wife Camilla at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, Clarence House disclosed in a statement Wednesday morning. The 71-year-old heir to the British throne is displaying only mild symptoms, according to a Clarence House spokesperson, and “otherwise remains in good health”. The Duchess of […]

A number of existing drugs are being re-purposed and tested in South Africa for their efficiency in the potential treatment for the Coronavirus (COVID-19). “Preliminary work on the development of vaccines has started with University of Cape Town (UCT), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Biovac. Progress is expected in over 18 months,” […]

South Africa’s COVID-19 cases have increased to 709 confirmed positive cases as of the latest Coronavirus Update on Wednesday. Speaking to the public broadcaster, the SABC, on Wednesday morning, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced the latest figures which increased by 155 cases overnight. With 64 new cases, Gauteng led the pack of the provinces with […]

Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town may be closed to prevent the spread of coronavirus in South Africa, but the penguins are having a blast… and lifting the spirits of all those, preparing for lockdown, who have watched videos of the happy penguins not only going walk-about… but running and hopping too! A few days […]

At the stroke of midnight on Thursday, South Africa will go on a nationwide lock-down with the exception of essential services. President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement on Monday evening, following a meeting on Sunday with the National Coronavirus Command Council. The lockdown is the South African government’s bid to contain and slow down the […]

The Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has announced that as of Tuesday, South Africa has 554 confirmed COVID-19 cases. This is an increase of 152 new cases from Monday’s announcement. The update follows the President’s televised address to the nation on Monday night, where he announced a nationwide lockdown in South Africa as part […]

“No one is safe until we are all safe. The next few weeks are going to be critical — we will need to work together to reduce the spread of the virus,” explains the signup sheet of a new Covid-19 response initiative. The Cape Town Together Community Action Network is an initiative that has been […]