What would you pack in a suitcase if you suddenly had to abandon your home because of fire? Pat had chosen a blue suitcase with wheels. She packed 3 sets of clothes for her husband, a pair of knickers and a top for herself; 2 books from her Book Club; their passports and ID documents; […]

Scotty rescued Nonzame Vuyi in a shack fire in Cape Town; now he may have to be sent to the Eastern Cape. “Do you know how painful it is to not be able to afford to buy even a R30 pantihose for your daughter to wear at school?” asked Nonzame Vuyi, a 41-year-old resident of […]

South African expat Nitanja Steyn has lived in the Netherlands, the US and Germany since leaving SA in 2014. But no matter where she lives… her heart belongs back home in South Africa. Yesterday she penned a poignant poem ‘Die Verlanging van ‘n Suid-Afrikaner’, in Afrikaans (see below). Here she has kindly translated it into […]

Zimbabwe’s Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is receiving treatment in South Africa, the second time in four months, after falling ill last week, a privately owned newspaper reported on Monday. The health of Chiwenga, 62, is closely followed in Zimbabwe because he is widely seen as the power behind President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the front-runner to […]

The National Press Club has named President Cyril Ramaphosa as the 2018 Newsmaker of the Year. This annual award, hosted by the National Press Club since 1980, awards a newsmaker in a calendar year based on the amount of media coverage received as well as the impact thereof. Nominations and motivations are received from members […]

Yesterday, South African musician Seb Goldswain shared the following inspiring encounter he had with road accident victim, Kobus, on Facebook. Here is Seb’s account, in his words: “Yesterday I received a phone call from Brett Nydahl, a psychologist friend, asking if I would consider playing a few songs for one of her hospital patients on his […]

The Quadriplegic Association of South Africa (QASA) has issued a challenge to all major retail stores in South Africa to “take a page out of Richdens Spar, Hillcrest, KZN on the exemplary customer service to wheelchair users!” Spar went to the trouble of creating wheelchair-friendly trolleys after a request from customers. QASA issued the challenge […]

Madibaz cricketer Lutho Sipamla was “surprised and shocked” to get a call-up to the Proteas cricket team, but is determined to make the most of the opportunity. The 20-year-old fast bowler, who is in the second year of a business management degree, was named on Friday in the national squad for the three-match Twenty20 series […]

While visiting the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town on Sunday I dropped my iphone in the parking lot without realizing it and thought never to see it again writes Sergio Coelho. Here is the story Sergio shared on his Facebook page yesterday: On Sunday evening around 10.30 pm, I received a call on Melissa’s cell […]

Seven years ago at the age of 3, Ubuko Mpotulo from East London had both his legs and a finger amputated after being diagnosed with Meningococcal Septicaemia.  This condition caused damage to his blood vessels, narrowing of his arteries and ultimately the cutting off of the blood supply, resulting in the amputations. Despite coming from […]

There are not many South Africans who have been honoured by having a statue of themselves erected in London… writes Peter Ball from The Heritage Portal. Only two come readily to mind and they are Jan Smuts and Nelson Mandela, whose statues stand proudly in Parliament Square, Westminster. However, there is a lesser known South African […]

I am writing this story for me. I have always written, and it has always helped to offer insight and gain perspective. It is cathartic and, right now, I know that I need it to heal. I am writing this story for Mick, Alessia and Claudia. I had never, ever wanted to live as much […]

Canada, as everyone knows, is awesome… writes Phil Maloney from Maple and Marula. We invented all the best stuff in the world, like the internet, steak, clothes, and Beyonce. OK, like, maybe we didn’t INVENT all that stuff, but we HAVE it in Canada. And, to America’s constant surprise, we also have running water, electricity, and […]

While statistics reveal the sad state of so many households in South Africa where children are growing up with absent fathers, there are men like 27-year-old Sabelo Malusi Thabethe whose greatest dream is to hold down his job so that he can buy a home in a safe area and take care of his daughter. […]

When Free Speech is counter-attacked by intense scrutiny, intimidations and death threats because of unpopular views, we should all be concerned as that’s not how Constitutional democracy operates, write Neo Nino Mofokeng. Shashi Naidoo is yet another high profile South African who has been scrutinised, viciously attacked by the popular left and in the extreme, […]

British Airways is adding some extra sparkle to customers’ journeys ahead of Prince Harry’s marriage to American TV star Meghan Markle. To celebrate the Royal wedding this Saturday, 19 May 2018, the BA93 to Toronto – the city where their relationship took off – will be operated by an all-star crew of only Meghan and Harry’s. The […]

The South African Cabinet has extended well wishes to the Muslim community as they begin fasting for the holy month of Ramadan next week. During Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, as they spend time deepening their spirituality. Ramadan in 2018 will begin on the evening of May 15 and will end on the […]

On the south east coast of South Africa, along the Elephant Coast, there is a campground called Mabibi. It is the ideal escape, hours from civilisation, across the semi-tropical coastline… writes Annie DuPre-Reynolds. Disclaimer: if you dislike finding sand in your clothing for weeks to come, stay away. Mabibi is not glamping. It is rugged, wild and […]

Twenty-four years into democracy and we still have people who live fearful because of what skin colour they were born with. Rituals and spiritual philosophies about albinism have led to brutal murders, especially of children. This is despite the campaigns initiated around South Africa to curb the attacks on people with albinism. It is no […]

No other woman – in life and after – occupies the place that Winnie Madikizela-Mandela does in South African politics. A stalwart of the African National Congress (ANC), she nevertheless stands above, and at times outside, the party. Her iconic status transcends political parties and geographical boundaries, generations and genders. Poets have honoured her, writers […]

One of the most mind-blowing things about South Africa is its wildlife… writes Phil Maloney. Have you ever watched the National Geographic channel on TV? It’s like that, but with the added thrill of getting malaria (for real – if you go to the Kruger Park, take malaria medication). There are kabillions (rough estimate – […]

Scandal Veteran actor, Sandy Mokwena has died at the age of 68, writes Wendy Mothata. Mokwena is well known in South Africa for his role as Eddie Khumalo on eTV’s popular weekday soap, Scandal!… a role he has played since 2005. Sunday World reports that the channel’s spokesperson Michael Pocock confirmed Mokwena’s passing. “We can […]

South Africa’s governing party, the African National Congress (ANC), has a new president – Cyril Ramaphosa. But who is he? Ramaphosa cuts a fitting figure to take over government, stabilise the economy, and secure the constitutional architecture that he helped create at the end of apartheid. But to expect more would be expecting too much. […]

South Africa’s Chris Barnard stands out in medical history as the heart surgeon who became a global household name after transplanting the first human heart on 3 December 1967. The historic surgery captured the world’s imagination and was hailed by 20th-century historians as socially and scientifically of equal significance compared to the moon-landing in 1969. I examined […]

The annual family vacation is a time that we all look forward to, but deciding where to go and planning it can be a real challenge! With large families that have a diverse range of likes and members of various age groups, it can become tricky to plan a holiday that offers something for everyone. […]