by Janine Erasmus The choir of Stellenbosch University took part in the World Choir Games in Shaoxing, China, in July, and walked off with a world title in two categories. Thousands of entrants gathered in the town in the eastern coastal province of Zhejiang for the sixth edition of the biennial competition, which ran from […]

by Janine Erasmus Laser physicist Dr Christine Steenkamp is one of three African women scientists, out of a group of 12, who recently received international recognition for excellence in research. Steenkamp and her colleagues, from the Middle East, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as Africa, were honoured at the fourth General Assembly […]

President Jacob Zuma congratulated South African golfer Louis Oosthuizen yesterday for making the country proud by winning the British Open (on a day when the newly united South Africa and the world celebrated the iconic life of former President Nelson Mandela). “For a 27-year old, this is no small feat,” said President Jacob Zuma. “Oosthuizen […]

by Mary Alexander Leaders across the world extended birthday wishes to former South African president Nelson Mandela on 18 July. US President Barack Obama: US President Barack Obama hailed the “extraordinary vision, leadership, and spirit” of the South African statesman and global icon of freedom. “On behalf of the United States, I wish Nelson Mandela […]

WELL DONE LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN. The 27-year-old South African golfer has just won the British Open…and the hearts of many spectators at St Andrews in Scotland who spent the week trying to learn how to pronounce his surname. The first thing Louis said was “I’d like to take this opportunity to say happy birthday to Mr […]

by Ndaba Dlamini, Lucille Davie and Mary Alexander President, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and statesman, Nelson Mandela, the world’s icon of reconciliation, compassion and goodwill, turned 92 on Sunday  18 July 2010. The day was the first international Nelson Mandela Day, as declared by the United Nations in 2009. On the day, people around the […]

Durban surfer Jordy Smith has become the first South African to win a World ASP Tour Event, after winning the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay this weekend, and is now leading the World Surfing Tour. He shot to the number one spot in the world ASP Rankings over the weekend, knocking veteran Kelly Slater off. The […]

Trenton & Free Radical are currently taking London by storm, and recently supported Johnny Clegg at his London gig. Their music draws on reggae, hip-hop, electro and global influences to create something uniquely melodic and hip-shakingly danceable. Originally from Johannesburg, Trenton is a contemporary nomad soul, a global citizen who spent his early life in […]

FREE “MR MANDELA” DOWNLOAD, FAB VIDEO, AND LIVE TRENTON & FREE RADICAL GIG IN LONDON on 18 JULY You can celebrate Nelson Mandela’s birthday this week by downloading “Mr Mandela” for free (one week only)…and then watch Trenton and Free Radical’s video of the track (see below) which was shot in and around Cape Town. […]

South African Louis Oosthuizen is in lead position at the British Open golf tournament, which has sent sporting  journalists at St Andrews in Scotland scrambling to learn how to pronounce his name! On a day when rain and strong winds hindered most players, Louis – who played earlier in the day – shot a 67 […]

Oh wow! How amazing was the moment when Nelson Mandela appeared at Soccer City this evening! The crowd went crazy as Mandela and his wife Graca Michel entered the stadium in a buggy.  There was a standing ovation. The ROAR of vuvuzelas. Chanting of ‘Madiba’. And there was Nelson’s broad smile. His Twinkling eyes. And […]

South African athlete Caster Semenya has been cleared to return to track racing with immediate effect. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) issued the following statement today: “The process initiated in 2009 in the case of Caster Semenya (RSA) has now been completed. The IAAF accepts the conclusion of a panel of medical experts […]

First Nelson Mandela sent a letter of support to the Ghana team before their match on Friday against Brazil. Then he sent a message of condolence to Ghana’s heartbroken Asamoah Gyan who broke down in tears after losing the match and the chance for Africa’s last hope to play in the semi-finals. And now he’s […]

As South Africa enters its last week of hosting the 2010 Fifa World Cup, President Jacob Zuma has said in an interview with Fifa that his country’s organisation of the tournament has exceeded expectations – and confounded the sceptics. Speaking at the presidential residence in Pretoria, Zuma discussed the legacy of the tournament, its effect […]

by Bongani Nkosi Abject poverty in some African communities could soon be tackled in formidable fashion, if a newly launched five-year campaign – led by famous US designer Tommy Hilfiger – has its way. The Tommy Hilfiger Group has launched a campaign to support Millennium Promise, an international NGO working towards achieving the Millennium Development […]

South African former Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock is to marry her prince. The Royal Palace of Monaco today announced the engagement of Prince Albert II and Charlene Wittstock (proving that Southern African girls are the most popular with princes…well at least with Prince Harry and Prince Albert!) The couple met 10 years ago when Charlene […]

by Janine Erasmus Legendary African footballer Roger Milla and Fifa are to tackle malaria by joining the United Against Malaria partnership. The former Cameroonian forward, whose Milla jiggle is said to have sparked the popular trend of dancing in celebration when a goal is scored, joins fellow football stars such as Kolo Toure and Didier […]

by Bongani Nkosi Cobus Potgieter, a self-taught South African drummer, is an authentic international trendsetter who’s capturing the hearts of fans the world over. The 23-year-old East London-based musician has found his niche on the internet, using social networking sites to grow his support base in the global music market. He’s amassed more than 100 000 […]

Today’s Youth Day – when South Africa remembers the young people who lost their lives in the Soweto riots of 1976, fighting against Apartheid and Bantu Education. President Jacob Zuma’s speech at the National Youth Day celebrations at Thulamahashe, Mpumalanga Province is printed in full below (with the best bits in bold for your easy […]

As South Africa prepares to play Uruguay today, Nandos has issued another quirky ad. Remember last time they offered the Mexicans free chicken if they lost. This time they’re offering the South Americans free coke. The small print says: No, not that kind of coke – we’re a family restaurant. We will, however, give all […]

A new book about emigrating from SA has been released that’s sure to stir the conversation at braais and dinner parties in South Africa and across the globe: Should I Stay Or Should I Go? Yes, it’s a song by The Clash, but it’s also a defining question for the modern Rainbow Nation and now, […]

Actress, presenter and model Vanessa Haywood, who was recently voted by FHM as one the world’s 100 sexiest women, will take part in the Big 5 Challenge at the Knysna Oyster Festival. She aims to raise much needed funds for children orphaned or made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS in South Africa. The 11-day challenge starts on […]

It’s just two months since SHOUT was launched, and already the anti-crime movement is set to make its first cheque handover at the end of June. Proving that South Africans can SHOUT against crime and make a difference! “SHOUT’s message has hit all the right notes with South Africans and their unprecedented response is beginning […]

In typical entrepreneurial South African fashion, five South African university campuses have been transformed into fun and affordable accommodation for the duration of the FIFA World Cup. So for those who are desperate to watch the games but don’t want to spend a fortune on huge hotel bills – this is a fantastic alternative. The […]

The World Cup is almost upon us. And maybe you’re not really a football (or soccer) fan. Or you’ve been living outside South Africa for so long you’ve never heard of a vuvuzela. So, here’s a quick World Cup for Dummies guide to help you navigate your way through the next month. 1. So what […]