As you drive into Beaufort West, the largest town in the Great Karoo in South Africa, you’ll pass a sign at the entrance that announces that the dam is only 5% full. And they can’t use that 5%. As the drought which has gripped parts of South Africa has dragged on, the longest in over […]

They say dogs are a man’s best friend. But in South Africa, this Anatolian Shepherd dog is becoming a baby rhino’s best friend… and protector. The dog, named David, has been introduced to baby rhinoceros Esme at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC). The young rhino calf was adopted by HESC a few days ago […]

It sounds like an oxymoron for President Robert Mugabe’s detractors, and at first sight appears to be fake news… but Zimbabwe’s President has indeed been appointed to serve as Goodwill Ambassador on NCDs (Non-Communicable Diseases) for Africa. The announcement was made at the WHO Global Conference on NCDs – being held in Montevideo, Uruguay – […]

Public Prosecutions boss, Adv Shaun Abrahams, has confirmed that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has started its preparation towards the 783 charges against South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma… and that the evidence is ready, and the witness list is to be finalised by 30 November 2017. According to DA leader Mmusi Maimane, the NPA National […]

At least 94 people have now died, and 1,153 have been infected, in the latest alarming outbreak of plague in Madagascar. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has labelled the spread “highly challenging”… although there is some good news – it has fortunately not spread to the Seychelles as had been suspected. WHO said in a […]

Well known South African radio personality Kate Turkington was one of the lucky few to be on the inaugural flight of Airlink to one of the most remote islands on earth – St Helena, famous for the Boer prisoners-of-war and for being the place of Napolean’s exile and death. Here Kate shares her photos and […]

The Minister of Finance, Malusi Gigaba, has officially announced that South African Airways (SAA) Chairperson Dudu Myeni will no longer serve as a board member, along with five others… but questions linger over her departure. Gigaba announced the Cabinet-approved six new members in a statement today. The new Chairperson will be Johannes Bhekumuzi Magwaza. The […]

Tourists visiting South Africa have been told to rest assured that they can safely enjoy their holidays, thanks to a new R52.7 million tourism monitor campaign… which will also give jobs to unemployed youth. Tourism Minister Tokozile Xasa launched the pilot Tourism Safety Monitors Programme in Gauteng on Tuesday. The programme places youth aged 18-35 in […]

South African photojournalist Brent Stirton has scooped the grand title of Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 for a photo he captured of a de-horned black rhino, after a poaching kill, in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. The image – Memorial to a Species – was chosen by an international panel of judges as the winning picture from […]

Many of the kind deeds that take place every day in South Africa don’t make the news… so most of us are oblivious to the generous gestures made regularly by institutions like Joburg Theatre (and many more). But this pic was too gorgeous to pass by without sharing. It captures the sensational smiles and happy […]

CAPE TOWN – Just a week after Cape Town International Airport was named Africa’s Leading Airport, there has been a shooting of an alleged gang leader at the Western Cape airport in South Africa. SA Police Service (SAPS) said: “This morning at approximately 5:15 am, a man, approximately 50 years of age, was shot and […]

It was all change on Tuesday in South Africa as President Jacob Zuma announced yet another reshuffle of the National Executive and a new SABC board. In a statement, Zuma announced the following new cabinet appointments: Hlengiwe Mkhize has been appointed as the Minister of Higher Education and Training Ayanda Dlodlo is the Minister of […]

One of South Africa’s most precious biodiversity hotspots – Fernkloof Nature Reserve – is under threat, according to locals… and a petition has been set up as the Overstrand community rallies together to prevent Municipality plans to change the beautiful reserve into a commercial venture. A petition has been set up on Avaaz by Tanya […]

Thanks to team effort, a lioness on the loose on the N4 in South Africa was safely returned to the Kruger National Park this morning. Tour guide Mario Paul, from Izwe African Safaris, was on his way to do a game drive from Crocodile Bridge, when he received a call from fellow tour guide David […]

The Eiffel Tower in Paris dimmed its lights on Monday night (watch below) to mourn the death of over 300 people in Somalia’s twin bomb explosions on Saturday, the country’s deadliest attack in over a decade. More than 500 people were wounded in the truck bombings in Mogadishu. Nobody has yet claimed responsibility although the […]

It seems to be Zuma Statue/Monument Season… as less than a fortnight after the unveiling of a Zuma Monument (the questionably named ‘Jacob Zuma’s Capture Site‘) in South Africa, Nigeria has unveiled a large statue in the SA President’s honour! And not just a statue. Nigeria has also named a road after Zuma – the […]

Tributes are pouring in from around South Africa for farmer Mark Fagan who was shot dead after midnight on Friday night, on a farm near Philadelphia, northeast of Melkbosstrand, in the Western Cape. He becomes the 66th South African ‘Farm Murder’ victim in 2017 (see more stats below). Fagan was attempting to protect his family […]

Congratulations to South African pro triathlete James Cunnama who came fifth in the 2017 World Ironman Championship – held in Kona, Hawaii – on Saturday 14 October 2017. It’s been a big build-up to the World Champs… with James focussed not only on training, but visualising the race too. In an interview published on Ironman’s […]

DURBAN – Sibusiso Matrick Mbhele, the Durban hero who captured the hearts of South Africans, has been reunited with the stranger he saved during the horrific Durban storm on Tuesday 10 October 2017, which claimed at least eight people’s lives. A photo of the Time Freight driver bravely wading through the flooded N2, bare-chested and wearing […]

A mineral which was recently found in Barberton, South Africa, has been named after University of Free State (UFS) professor, Prof Marian Tredoux, by the International Mineralogical Association. The naming is a rare honour, shared by less than 700 people in the world… making Prof Tredoux one in 10 million! The mineral – which contains nickel, […]

A total of 30kg of cocaine estimated at almost R9 million was seized by South African Revenue Service (SARS) customs officials in two separate incidents at OR Tambo International Airport on Friday. In a statement, SARS said collaboration between customs officials and the South African Police Service led to the arrest of a passenger disembarking […]

About a hundred people attended the unveiling by Mayor Patricia De Lille of Philip Kgosana Drive in Cape Town on Thursday. Members of the Kgosana family, the Pan Africanist Congress and the Langa community, retired archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane, and several other notable figures attended the colourful event. The Vumani Choral project choir provided entertainment. Kgosana […]

JOBURG – Last night police members based at the OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) and the Johannesburg East Cluster made a significant breakthrough in what has been dubbed the “airport-following” robberies, committed in and around the Johannesburg area… leading to the arrest of six suspects, including a security company manager. The team, acting on information, monitored […]

Firefighters in the Western Cape are facing a challenging day ahead to contain and extinguish fires in the region, which continue to blaze into the fourth day since the 12 Apostles Fire began. Photos by Justin Sullivan. Volunteers Wildlife Services (VWS) said it’s going to be a “difficult day” for crews from VWS, Working on […]

It’s that time of year when Joburg and Pretoria turn purple. There is a saying amongst students that if you haven’t started revising for your exams by the time the streets turn purple it’s too late. The Jacaranda’s don’t last all that long; the best time is usually the second or third weekend in October, […]