In the face of the potential pandemic, The Gift of The Givers is issuing a call to action to all South African citizens, private & corporate, individuals and companies, to come together and support the medical staff and facilities on the frontline, who will be treating those affected by the coronavirus. To raise funds to […]

The number of COVID-19 infections in South Africa has risen to 51, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced on Sunday. A Wits medical student has also tested positive, according to a private laboratory test which is still to be confirmed by the SA Health Department. The confirmed number has risen by 13 from Saturday’s figure of […]

Almost immediately after the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in South Africa, the jokes started. From memes featuring prominent politicians to bad puns, from TikTok video clips to pictures of people posing with silly home-made protective gear, South Africans took to Twitter, WhatsApp and Facebook to make fun of the virus. It is not […]

Dear Family and Friends, In the bright light of the moon a pair of owls call to each other across the neighbourhood: Hoo hoo, Whoo hoo. It’s not quite 4.00am but already their dominance of the darkness is being disturbed as Zimbabwe wakes to try and get a head start on the next sixteen hour […]

The number of COVID-19 infections has grown to 38 in South Africa, the Health Minister Zweli Mkhize confirmed on Saturday… an increase of 14 new confirmed cases since Friday’s 24. “In view of the rising numbers, President Cyril Ramaphosa called for an urgent Cabinet meeting to be held on Sunday. This meeting will explore ways […]

South Africa’s Health Department has confirmed eight new cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of cases to 24. “At this point, I wish to also bring it to your attention that there are more positive results that have come out. “The NICD [National Institute for Communicable Diseases] and NHLS [National Health Laboratory Service] […]

South Africa on Thursday confirmed its first local transmission of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Free State. UPDATE: The man in the Free State has been tested against and although he initially tested positive has subsequently been found to be negative. According to the Department of Health, a 32-year-old male came into contact with a […]

Hollywood stars Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson have tested positive for the Corona virus, whilst Tom is filming in Australia. Both are doing just fine, says their son Earlier on Thursday, Tom Hanks (63) – who has 7 million followers on Instagram – posted a message saying: Hello, folks. Rita and I are […]

South Africa’s popular Ndlovu Youth Choir – who shot to fame internationally when they made it through to the finals of America’s Got Talent last year – have posted a video with tips on avoiding getting the novel Coronavirus. The choir said on social media: ” There are already many dangerous myths and misunderstandings about the […]

Thirteen positive cases of Coronavirus in South Africa have now been confirmed, the Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize announced on Wednesday morning. The Health Department said: “The Minister of Health wishes to inform the public that six new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed. This takes the total number of coronavirus positive patients in […]

Grayston Preparatory School in Gauteng, South Africa, will today undergo a “deep-cleaning process” in preparation for re-opening its doors to learners on Wednesday. On Monday, the school closed its doors after it emerged that a staff member came into contact with one of the people who tested positive for Coronavirus last week. “As the department, […]

China, home of kung fu, kung pao chicken and the coronavirus… writes South African teacher in China Michael Herbstein. As a Saffer living in China during these exciting times, and having a mother that some would politely describe as neurotic, I’m constantly shared an endless stream of news surrounding COVID-19 from back home. Some of […]

The number of novel Coronavirus cases in South Africa has risen to seven, after four more patients – all from the same group who recently returned from a ski holiday to Italy – were confirmed to be positive for the virus on Monday. (Ski slopes in the northern region of Italy have now been closed […]

Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize, has confirmed South Africa’s second case of the Coronavirus, whilst also calling for calm. The patient had also been on the ski trip to Italy. “The second patient who has now tested positive for COV-19 will now be immediately admitted to a public health facility in Gauteng that government has […]

South Africa’s first confirmed Coronavirus patient is now in a stable condition at Grey’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg, where he is being treated. The unnamed 38-year-old man was on Thursday hospitalised after being in self-quarantine following a doctor’s visit, which picked up a suspected infection. Briefing reporters on Friday, the Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, […]

The KZN father of two who has become the first person tested positive for Coronavirus in South Africa, has been housebound with his wife and children since returning from a holiday in Italy… but to be safe, his children’s school have closed today and cancelled the weekend’s sports’ activities. The man’s travelling companions have also […]

Since South Africa confirmed its first case of Coronavirus, locals have predictably responded with humour (those that aren’t queuing up to buy hand sanitisers!). The Coronavirus jokes and memes are being shared (faster than the virus thank goodness!) all over social media in South Africa… (All new Corona virus jokes and memes are added near […]

The Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has confirmed the first case of Coronavirus in South Africa on Thursday afternoon – a family man who recently returned from a holiday to Italy. The Minister took to Twitter to make the announcement just moments before a Parliamentary debate on South Africa’s readiness to deal with Coronavirus […]

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on industry and governments to increase manufacturing of surgical masks and protective gear, as the Coronavirus (COVID-19) spreads to more countries. According to WHO, industries and governments need to increase manufacturing by 40% to meet rising global demand. WHO warned that severe and mounting disruption to the global […]

As cases of Coronavirus (Covid-19) in Europe steadily climb, some Europeans have been stocking up in preparation for voluntary quarantines or forced lockdowns. The risk of contracting coronavirus within Europe has been raised by the EU today from ‘moderate’ to ‘high’. These photos were taken today at a supermarket in Germany, close to the border […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa has at last directed the repatriation of South African citizens from Wuhan city in Hubei province, China… as other news comes to light that two South Africans working aboard the Japanese Diamond Princess Cruise Ship have tested positive for Coronavirus (Covid-19). According to a statement from the SA Health Department, 12 of […]

In a segment on his award-winning The Daily Show, South African expat and comedian Trevor Noah says: “The coronavirus is the worst global pandemic since Baby Shark” and asks (with tongue in cheek): “Is this how we die?” The talk show host also shares footage from around the world on leaders responding to the epidemic […]

While there has been no case of Coronavirus reported in South Africa, people who develop symptoms of respiratory illness during or after travel to countries where the outbreak is known to be circulating, have been advised to seek early medical care. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) on Monday said it continues to monitor […]

There are about 85 South Africans currently stuck in China, despite wanting to be evacuated and returned to South Africa in light of the outbreak of the new Coronavirus, according to the Democratic Alliance (DA). In a statement today, Darren Bergman MP – DA Shadow Minister of International Relations and Cooperation – said whilst the DA […]

Egypt announced its first Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case on Friday, making it Africa’s first documented infection. “This is not unexpected and South Africa remains vigilant for cases of COVID-19,” South Africa’s National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) said in a tweet on Saturday. (Watch video below on how ready South Africa is for the […]