DAR ES SALAAM – Ten opposition parties in Tanzania say proposed amendments to a law governing political parties would criminalise their activities. Critics of President John Magufuli, who was the darling of social media when he first came to power in 2015, say he is increasingly cracking down on dissent with restrictions on the political […]

On Monday, about 15 people gathered outside the Wynberg Magistrate Court in South Africa to protest the bail hearing of the man accused of attacking 63-year-old Dianne Case. Case, an award-winning children’s book author and community worker, was stabbed 14 times. According to Case’s daughter, Maxine, on the afternoon of 28 November the doorbell rang. […]

The case against controversial Nigerian pastor, Timothy Omotoso has been postponed to February 2019… because the defence team submitted copies instead of original documents to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in their petition. Many say this is yet another delay tactic in the case which has seen thousands of South Africans rally to support […]

JOHANNESBURG – The South African government needs to “bite the bullet” and bail out struggling state-run power firm Eskom, which has asked for R100 billion ($7 billion) in government support, the chief executive of Rothschild & Co in South Africa told Reuters. Rothschild advised Eskom in 2008 when it last received a major cash injection […]

JOHANNESBURG – The chairman of KPMG South Africa on Monday appealed for the firm to be seen as a changed business, following months of efforts to regain public trust after becoming embroiled in major corruption scandals. In an open letter published in South African newspapers, KPMG South Africa’s executive chairman Wiseman Nkuhlu said the local […]

While Eskom is currently not implementing Stage 1 load shedding, the risk of load shedding across South Africa remains high for Monday. “Eskom will not implement Stage 1 rotational load shedding from 9 am today. However, the electricity system remains tight and the risk of load shedding still remains high for today should power station […]

Santa made many kids happy – and adults laugh (!) – when he cruised into Bakoven Beach in Cape Town, South Africa, this weekend. After chanting a merry ‘ho ho ho’, Santa promptly fell off the boat!!! Which proves just why he usually prefers to travel on a sleigh drawn by reindeer! (And enter via […]

Respecting the tight budget that most South Africans are currently on and sensitive to the current economic climate, President Cyril Ramaphosa has decided not to increase the salaries of Ministers, even though an increase of 4 percent had been recommended. In a statement the Presidency said: “President Ramaphosa has determined that there will be no […]

This is not a South African story, but a human story. An American mother’s post, searching for an airplane traveller – Passenger 2D – has gone viral as the man’s kindness has touched hearts around the world, from the US – where it started – to Australia, from the UK to South Africa. Since Kelsey […]

Coming up on South Africa’s favourite current affairs show Carte Blanche on Sunday 9 Dec in South Africa, and available to stream from Tues 11 Dec for South Africans abroad. (14-day Free Trial). Johannesburg Graft Unit A leaked report, prepared by investigators on behalf of the City of Johannesburg, alleges that cases of corruption involving city officials […]

Walt Disney’s black empowerment superhero movie “Black Panther“, set in an imaginary African country, received a best drama nomination for the Golden Globes this week, edging out hopefuls like the female-led heist thriller ‘Widows’ (which received no nominations) and moon landing movie ‘First Man’ (which had to settle for nominations in two other categories). South African […]

Professor Kelly Chibale, founder and director of the Drug Discovery and Development Centre, H3D, at the University of Cape Town, has been awarded the prestigious Gold Medal for 2018 by the South African Chemical Institute (SACI). Chibale said he was deeply honoured by the award, which is made to a person whose scientific contribution in […]

Despite a very bumpy start with shocking sleeping conditions for some swimmers, Team South Africa have scooped an impressive 12 medals on their first day of competition, all obtained by the judokas. These included four gold, six silver and two bronze spread amongst boy and girl competitors. Team SA had to contend with very challenging […]

Animal protection groups have joined forces to persuade Johannesburg Zoo in South Africa to move a 39-year old female elephant called Lammie – who is living a lonely, sad existence since her mate died in September – to a sanctuary. The groups are the Humane Society International / Africa, the EMS Foundation and the Elephant […]

JOHANNESBURG  – South Africa’s new national minimum wage will take effect from January 2019, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday, ensuring workers earn at least R20 an hour. Ramaphosa last month signed into law the national minimum wage bill, part of efforts by the government to tackle wage inequality in South Africa. The National Minimum […]

Former team-mates, friends and customers of Barend Britz (63) have spoken today with shock of his horrific murder last night at his bar in Perpignan, in southern France, and spoken of a gentle giant who was popular with everyone. The former SA provincial rugby player – who played lock for then Transvaal and Northern Transvaal […]

PRETORIA – President Cyril Ramaphosa’s pledge to clean state-run organisations from corruption continued today with South African Energy Minister Jeff Radebe announcing that the government has replaced the entire board of directors of state-run nuclear firm NECSA… and suspended its chief executive (Phumzile Tshelane) over problems with how it was governed. Radebe said the challenges […]

Johannesburg residents have been urged to drop off any donations which can assist the victims of a fire that swept through over 500 shacks in Alexandra yesterday. Residents are urged to donate tinned foodstuff, rice, mielie meal, baby formula, long-life milk, tea, sugar, jam, toiletries, sanitary pads, nappies, school stationery, uniforms, blankets, clothing and crockery […]

It has been claimed that for two nights this week, South African female swimmers attending the U20 Youth Games in Botswana had to sleep on a floor with no pillows or showers. Meanwhile SASCOC board members allegedly get paid big salaries which is apparently against Olympic rules. Sports journalist Graeme Joffe, who has had his […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed sadness at the passing away of Dr Alex Boraine, the former vice-chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and co-founder of the Institute for a Democratic Alternative in South Africa (Idasa). Boraine, a lawyer and theologian, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 87, after a long illness. He […]

The South African government has welcomed rating agency Fitch’s decision to affirm SA’s long term foreign and local currency debt ratings at ‘BB+’ and maintain the stable outlook, National Treasury said. Fitch’s outlook assessment on Thursday keeps South Africa’s foreign and local currency credit ratings below investment grade (subinvestment). Fitch warned that low growth and […]

JOHANNESBURG – Ratings firm Fitch on Thursday kept South Africa sub-investment grade credit rating steady at subinvestment and maintained its stable outlook, but warned that low growth and rising debt of state-owned firms posed a risk. “South Africa’s ratings are weighed down by low growth potential, sizeable government debt and contingent liabilities,” Fitch said in […]

A video of a crowd behaving badly, throwing food and bottles at a stage, has been going viral in South Africa over the past three days with outrageous claims about it showing an ANC dinner party where guests were not happy with the food… to it being a wedding in East London where the the […]

The Kruger National Park (KNP) on Tuesday unveiled four fantastic activity vehicles that will be used to transport tourists with mobility challenges on game viewing activities. The 14-seater activity vehicles form part of the KNP Visitor Management Plan, and can lift weight up to a maximum of 250 kg. “KNP aims to enhance the recognition […]

CAPE TOWN – South Africa have named uncapped middle-order batsman Zubayr Hamza and fast bowler Duanne Olivier in their squad for the three-test home series against Pakistan starting in Pretoria on Boxing Day. Cape Town-born Hamza, 23, averages almost 50 in first class cricket but has had a modest domestic season to date with two […]