Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco are sending out a glamorous and beautiful family photo for their annual Christmas Card, featuring their children Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella (and a painting of the late Princess Grace). The card says simply: “May the joy and peace of the holiday season be with you in this New Year 2017.” […]

South Africa has welcomed the festive season with shimmering and glittering Christmas decorations and the beautiful sounds of Christmas carols. Here are some of the best pics from around the country… Christmas in KwaZulu-Natal Andrea Sander: “Christmas carols at Inchanga, KZN, with the magnificent steam locomotive Wesley. Thanks to Pierre Retief for the wonderful display.” […]

We were having a late lunch at Montego Resort in Xai-Xai, Mozambique, when the manager turned to us and asked: “Have you been to the haunted hotel?” I could see the mix of excitement and hesitation in the eyes of every person on our team. Who doesn’t like a good ghost story… and to have the […]

Conflict on campuses, hint of justice for miners, a heated election, our most successful Olympics, and other stories on GroundUp this year Accusations against police are commonplace in South Africa. Police work under stressful conditions for mediocre pay. Accusations of brutality are often too glibly made. However a description of officers assaulting a homeless man and […]

With less than ten days until Christmas, the holiday spirit is clearly in the air for many as Durban beaches were swamped today by beachgoers enjoying the public holiday in South Africa for Reconciliation Day, 16 December. The South African Police Service’s (SAPS) #Airwing took these aerial photos of Durban beachfront earlier today – as the long […]

While many are complaining and criticising almost everything and blaming almost everyone – from politicians to the global economy – for South Africa’s dire conditions, thousands gathered a couple of weekends ago in the Callabash (FNB Stadium/Soccer City) to ask for a divine Holy intervention from the Almighty God, writes NEO NINO GIOVANNI MOFOKENG. Approximately 50,000 Christians […]

The summer feeding aggregation of humpback whales has been taking place off our South African shores for a few weeks already, north of Dassen Island. On Friday the whales moved much further south and into the public eye… After a constant stream of calls and messages to keep me updated on their antics I’ve spent […]

Johannesburg is 130 years old this year. What started off as a tented village on the dusty Highveld is now a huge city with a population of about five million. Everyone knows that ‘Johannesburg’ is synonymous with gold, and is also known as ‘the City of Gold’ and ‘Egoli’. On this 130th anniversary of its […]

The fire on Table Mountain, South Africa, has been contained, according to SANParks – Table Mountain National Park. Western Cape photographer JUSTIN SULLIVAN was on the scene. “Fire above De Waal Drive in Cape Town has been contained thanks to the swift efforts from NCC Environmental Services and City of Cape Town Fire Department,” says Justin. De Waal […]

It’s fire season again in South Africa with Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) warning residents and tourists to Greater Cape Town that the forecast for tomorrow is in the ‘Very Dangerous’ range. After a tough 2015/2016 season, photographer JUSTIN SULLIVAN has created a photographic tribute to the teams that keep us safe… “I would like to take […]

East London photographer MIKE GEYER captured these photos of the rough ocean seas as waves pounded the rocks and shore in the eastern cape, South Africa… providing an ideal playground for kite surfers (watch video at bottom of page). “Yesterday the power of the sea after the super moon – which we did not get to […]

For everyone who missed the Supermoon on Monday 14 November 2016 because of clouds and rain, here it is in all its spectacular glory, in the heart of the Karoo, South Africa… photographs captured by YOLANDE SINGERY. “This is what the moon looked like on Monday night from the Weltevrede road in Prince Albert,” says Yolande.  […]

Many South Africans waited patiently tonight – Monday 14 November 2016 – to photograph  the biggest, brightest Super Moon (Supermoon) in 68 years… But in KwaZulu-Natal it was bad news for Supermoon spotters… but good news for rhinos as it rained (meaning the poachers couldn’t use the bright light to find rhinos at night). And […]

Today in Kalk Bay! The swells caused by the Super Moon swept in and NIGEL RILEY was there to capture the action… The world is currently witnessing the biggest, brightest super moon in 68 years, which brings more extreme Spring High and Low Tides. These photos were taken at approximately 16:00. NSRI (National Sea Rescue Institute) in […]

A couple of incredible photos of big waves hitting the rocks in front of Beacon Island hotel in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa, are causing a stir on social media with some people questioning their authenticity – arguing that they’re either old photos or photoshopped. It appears the photos – uploaded by Vinthi Vinni Nueufeld – are not photoshopped. Similar […]

The biggest, brightest super moon in 68 years will be rising on Monday 14 November 2016… but on Sunday evening, the moon was already looking fabulous at over 98.8% illuminated over South African skies (and the rest of the world!). The last time the full moon was this close to Earth was on 25 January 1948. The next […]

A photo uploaded to social media, a day after the devastating Joburg floods, has gone viral amongst South Africans as proof of the force behind the flash floods. In fact, the photo is four months old and wasn’t taken anywhere near Joburg. It was taken from a helicopter in Phoenix by weather photographer Jerry Ferguson. According […]

CAPE TOWN – On Friday South Africa’s iconic Table Mountain celebrated its fifth anniversary since it was announced as one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Nature on 11/11/11, a title which has boosted tourism numbers to the legendary landmark, benefiting both the Mother City and the country. “It took millions of votes and several […]

Welcome to Africa’s most beautiful garden – Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, in the Western Cape. As can be seen from these magnificent photos, taken by ALAN RUDNICKI a few days ago, the grounds in South Africa’s most famous garden are currently alive with a fiery and spectacular display of King Proteas and Pincushion Proteas in […]

LONDON – South Africa drew today against the Barbarians at London’s Wembley Stadium, 31-all, in a 10 try thriller! South Africa recovered from being 31-19 down with just nine minutes left on the clock… to draw with the Baa-Baa’s (whose Taqele Naiyaravoro, from Australia, was outstanding!). Both South African centres Francois Venter and Rohan Janse van […]

Enjoy a page of exquisite photos by RIA VILJOEN of the purple-lined avenues in Pretoria as the trees blossom, and their fallen petals carpet the streets… plus take a drive through Joburg with ALI RAZA at the bottom of the page. “Some pictures are with the early morning sunbeams, others after the rain, others in the […]

CAPE TOWN – The #FeesMustFall march to Cape Town Parliament today turned violent when police and protesters clashed throughout the afternoon in the CBD, resulting in several terrifying scenes including an incident at MacDonalds fast food restaurant. Photographer JUSTIN SULLIVAN witnessed and photographed a “terrifying incident [which] occurred at the MacDonalds, where a family sitting close […]

This has to be one of the craziest photos we’ll ever see of Gary Player. We all knew NBA star Yao Ming was tall… but this photo demonstrates it SO well. The Chinese retired basketball player is 7’6″! Player is around 5’5″. The two stars, both ‘giants’ in their respective games, were photographed together at the Mission Hills China […]

The finalists in the annual Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards have been announced. Forty photos from around the world have been selected from over 2,000 submissions. The competition was founded by Arusha-based Paul Joynson-Hicks (whose charitable work in Tanzania has earned him an MBE from the Queen). Paul’s a wildlife photographer who started the comp as […]

This is why they call Pretoria Jacaranda City! CAROL ALLAIS captured these photographs of Jacaranda trees in Tshwane this week… “Pretoria is looking absolutely spectacular at the moment,” she says. Lydia Potgieter says the jacarandas “appear to be at different stages in the blooming cycle. Maybe as a result of drought.” And it’s not only Jacarandas […]