South Africans have already raised over R400,000 in a crowdfunding campaign to support star triathlete Mhlengi Gwala, who suffered a horrific chainsaw attack by thugs who callously tried to saw off his legs. UPDATE: The figure has now risen to over half a million rand! Mhlengi was cycling near the University of KwaZulu-Natal (Howard College […]

South Africa’s economy grew by 3.1% in the fourth quarter of 2017 ending the year on a strong footing, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) announced on Tuesday. At a media briefing in Tshwane, Stats SA’s Deputy Director-General: Economic Statistics Joe de Beer announced that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the fourth quarter grew by 3.1% […]

In this week’s episode of Carte Blanche, Showmax international subscribers can discover more about the latest hot topics in South Africa, available to stream from Tuesday – 6th March 2018. Estina Dairy Farm 3 For years, the Estina Dairy farm project, which was intended for the benefit of local Free State farmers, has been at […]

The official trailer for South Africa’s crime thriller, NOMMER 37, was released today… and is set for its official world premier in the USA next week. The film, produced by Gambit Films, is set in a fictional Cape Flats area. “You would think that this is a film about gangsters – it’s not,” says director and […]

South Africans of all political leanings and colours have come out against Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) Leader Julius Malema’s latest apparent racist rant. At a time when the country is urgently seeking unity, relieved to be rid of the allegedly corrupt Jacob Zuma years and revived under the promising new leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa; […]

The first Indian all-women crew, who are circumnavigating the globe, were welcomed to Cape Town’s shores on Friday morning. The sailing crew, aboard the INSV Tarini, were welcomed by Mayor Patricia de Lille as well as the Indian high Commissioner to South Africa and the Indian Consult General for Indian in Cape Town. The Mayor […]

South Africa is a culturally diverse country, one nation made up of many nations, a multiplicity of traditions and beliefs… and once a year in Germany, during the summer, South African expats living in Europe are invited to a South African Weekend Away to connect, network and celebrate that wonderful heritage. This year the event […]

A large wildfire quickly spread on the Cape Peninsula yesterday, 1 March 2018, as crews battled the blaze in strong South Easterly conditions. Western Cape photographer Justin Sullivan captured these photos of the Link Road Cape Point Fire. “Approximately 90 firefighters were on the line, with three Hueys and a Spotter plane,” said Justin. “Crews […]

South African female comedian, Tumi Morake has announced on her breakfast show (Breakfast with Martin Bester and Tumi Morake) that she is officially leaving Jacaranda FM. This follows after the comedian has not been with the station that long. “It’s only been eight months… but it feels like eight years,” she said. Morake said that […]

Popular South African actress, model, radio and TV presenter Minnie Dlamini is fresh from tying the knot in 2017 – bringing two very different families together – and she’s brought her trials, tribulations and big day to Showmax, in ‘Becoming Mrs Jones’. The show – which is already live in South Africa, where people are LOVING […]

The ‘honeymoon’ between opposition parties the DA and EFF seems to be over, after the DA voted against the EFF’s motion for land expropriation without compensation in Parliament earlier this week. Although the EFF’s motion was successfully passed with a majority vote, the EFF retaliated against the DA by tabling a motion of no confidence […]

Former Springbok captain Rassie Erasmus has been appointed as the new coach of the Springboks until the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, SA Rugby confirmed on Thursday. “Rassie Erasmus will spearhead a streamlined but experienced Springbok management team until the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup,” it said in a statement. The […]

I have been a professional wildlife photographer for 30-plus years, but never before have I seen eight adult cheetahs in one group… writes Daryl Balfour. A mother and six tiny cubs, yes, (and that was with the selfsame Malaika in these pictures)… but eight big cheetahs… never. I came upon this scene with my guest […]

South Africans around the country – and as far away as Canada – have been baking up a storm today on National  Melk Tert Dag (Milk Tart Day)… the day South Africans are united in their love for this scrumptious national treasure. One school in Pretoria – Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool – baked 600 milk tarts! While another […]

Heres a Top 10 “Aussie Facts” list that every South African should know before arriving Down Under… from the personal point of view of South African expat comedian Kevin Fraser who now calls Australia home. WATCH Top 10 Aussie Facts from a South African Expat Kevin Fraser’s Top 10 Facts about Australia you need to […]

In February 2017, the city of Cape Town in South Africa was declared to be in a water crisis, and it was predicted it would become the first major city in the world to run out of water. DAY ZERO was looming, and coming closer if residents used too much water… It had all the […]

An operation by the Hawks and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has led to the seizure of 1.6 tonnes of abalone valued at R2.37 million! According to a recent investigative programme by Carte Blanche, abalone poaching is so rampant in South Africa it is driving the shellfish to extinction. The revenue service said in […]

For weeks two opposing conspiracy theories about Cape Town’s drought have been circulating. One appears to have traction in the Muslim community, and the other in the Jewish community. In the past few days they’ve entered the mainstream, one receiving support from an ANC politician and the other from the Wall Street Journal. News24 reported […]

A cut in funding from the Lottery has forced the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), to reduce its free services, including the work it does in poor communities. Since its launch 62 years ago, one of the services it has offered is the care and treatment of beasts of burden, like […]

Following a complaint by the DA, the Public Protector has found Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown guilty of misleading Parliament, when she failed to disclose if there had been any contracts of engagement between Eskom and Gupta-linked, Trillian. The report has now given President Cyril Ramaphosa 14 days to take action against the Minister after it found […]

Here are the latest hot topics due for broadcast on Carte Blanche this Sunday, and available for South Africans living abroad from Tuesday – 27th February 2018, if they’re a subscriber of Showmax International. Otto van Tonder What’s worse than a bad credit record when you desperately need to secure finance? Getting ripped off by the […]

A mountain drive through a scenic pass in South Africa is magical, and exploring South Africa’s passes is now on the list of ‘must do’ attractions for both locals and tourists… writes Beverley Ballard-Tremeer. The passes may not be the longest or the highest in the world, but never-the-less many are spectacular. Two are listed in […]

On Tuesday vet Myra Marais was called out to deep rural Limpopo for a very sick calf… In a Facebook post to Mutale Animal Clinic yesterday, Myra described her heart-stopping experience… ‘It has been raining cats and dogs here in Limpopo, so while I was examining the little calf in knee high mud and shoulder […]

In this week’s episode, Showmax international subscribers will find out from the Carte Blanche team about the most important development of last week: the end of Zuma’s presidency. Country on the verge of change It’s been a tumultuous week of anxiety and insecurity as South Africans waited for developments in the political arena, which culminated […]

Gauteng’s top Engen Maths and Science Schools (EMSS) 2017 matriculant Esther Shuping had two secret weapons to ensure her success – her mother Puleng Shuping and the brilliant EMSS teachers, who helped her secure a clean sweep of straight As.  And although Esther begun her B. Pharmacy studies at Wits University earlier this month, she […]