The 2016/2017 Fire Season took its toll on the Western Cape in South Africa – 17,000 fires were reported and damage is estimated to have exceeded R500 million with 142 fatalities. To try and prevent this tragedy recurring next year, a new project is being launched… “I’m excited to announce the launch of the Before the Burn […]

Five dune buggies took a unique offroad trip through some of the most beautiful kilometres of South African soil – Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve, near Port Elizabeth. The adventurers included Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University student Matthew Watson and Anna Lindstrom, Grace Gnahn, Madi Lacy, Matt Watson, Nick van der Merwe. They said “the experience was unlike any other” […]

The Australian government, led by Malcolm Turnball, has announced that the skilled 457 visa is to be scrapped, and replaced with a new temporary work visa. The 457 visa has been a popular visa amongst South Africans emigrating to Australia. Today’s announcement is part of the Australian government’s efforts to prioritise Australian workers for local jobs which […]

A Danish vocal group – called the Baobab Sisters – are so passionate about South African songs that they’re putting together an album of SA songs, sharing culture through music. Band member Henny Hagerup told SAPeople that they’ve toured SA many times in the past seven years, “cooperating with many amazing people, such as Bra Hugh […]

George Airport in the Western Cape is doing it again. Last year it made headlines globally when it launched a 750Kw plant to become the first airport in South Africa that will get a lot of its power from solar energy… and this year it has received exemption from the South Africa Civil Aviation Authority […]

Those South Africans who could, have flown to their holiday destinations this Easter, to avoid the chaos on the roads as over 1.2 million vehicles take to the roads this holiday weekend. Twitter is already being populated by photos of car crashes on the roads. A total of 18,819 traffic officers are being deployed on South Africa’s […]

On Wednesday evening, a small but passionate group of South Africans in London congregated in solidarity with those who marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa. And on Saturday, a separate group will protest outside UK PR firm Bell Pottinger’s London office. The Democratic Alliance (DA) Abroad group in London, who arranged the candlelit […]

Thousands of Golden Arrow and MyCiTi commuters have been left stranded on Wednesday as bus drivers are staging a nationwide strike. Commuters have been urged to use alternative forms of transport. It comes as ongoing wage negotiations with several labour unions, including the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (SATAWU), and the SA Bus Employer’s Association […]

No matter how tough things get for the Wilkinson family… they continue to find a way to encourage good in this tumultuous time in South Africa. Their #ThePlatterProject has launched its first live auction… with ALL FUNDS being donated to very good causes. Regular SAPeople readers will already know the Wilkinson family. Mom Di was diagnosed […]

Thanks to the combined efforts of the Wits Justice Project, human rights attorney Egon Oswald, advocate Carol Steinberg and wrongfully convicted co-accused Thembekile Molaudzi, two men have left prison carrying little else besides a heavy burden of betrayal by the criminal justice system… writes CAROLYN RAPHAELY. Before convicted murderers Samuel ‘Sampie’ Khanye and Victor Moyo […]

Here’s a beautiful prayer poem written by South African expat HERMY BALCOM who is based in Denver, Colorada, USA. She originally wrote the poem for a book specifically for the children of South African expats, “to teach them about the magic of our home country through a sensory experience”. But today the poem is just […]

They say nothing unites people more than a common enemy… and Jacob Zuma has accomplished this in South Africa. In a groundbreaking move today, the leaders of the DA, EFF, IFP, COPE, UDM, and ACDP met in Johannesburg Monday – following what they call the “hostile takeover of the Treasury, and selling of the country” by its […]

As the new Minister of Finance, Malusi Gigaba, takes office Monday at the National Treasury… South Africans seem split about his appointment. Many at a press conference today clapped and cheered for him, whilst others jeered and asked when he was resigning. It’s only been three days since his appointment – to replace popular Pravin Gordhan – […]

An elephant in the Kruger National Park (KNP) has tragically killed a female staff member, and seriously wounded another. In a statement today, the park confirmed an employee of South African National Parks (SANParks) based in the Kruger National Park (KNP) was trampled to death by an elephant and another sustained serious injuries. The tragic incident […]

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned that the next summer has an increased likelihood of the development of El Nino conditions, which are often associated with drought and water scarcity – as has been suffered recently in South Africa. SAWS’ Chief Forecaster, Dr Eugene Poolman, revealed the unwelcome news during his presentation to the National Disaster Management Advisory Forum […]

International Piano Day was celebrated on top of Table Mountain yesterday… with the grand gesture of a grand piano being taken up to the top of one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Piano Day is celebrated annually on the 88th day of the year, in honour of the 88 keys on a piano. Yesterday […]

Tourism Deputy Minister Tokozile Xasa says tourism is one of South Africa’s biggest success stories since the dawn of democracy, and that it continues to grow and provide a livelihood for many households. International tourism to South Africa has increased since last year (and looking at these photos, and the state of the Rand, it’s not […]

The DA said it was shocked to learn of another farm attack that took place on the farm, Jakkelsdraai, outside Hertzogville, in the Tokologo Local Municipality, Free State, on Saturday night. International media have described the latest spate of attacks in SA as “almost unthinkable” in any other country. Leona Kleynhans MPL – DA Member in […]

Ground crews in the Western Cape were faced with a Mammoth task that will be known as the #RobertsonBeast for months to come… writes JUSTIN SULLIVAN.   A fire reported on the 21st of March at approximately 15:00 quickly spread throughout the mountains and surrounding Farm Land. Cape Winelands lead efforts to control the blaze, with […]

Despite the stunning pictures of the storm over Cape Town on Monday night, the clouds brought only enough rainfall to fuel hope that winter rains are on their way, but not enough to soak the soil and fill the dams. With today – Wednesday 22 March 2017 – being World Water Day, photographer JON KERRIN […]

South African cuisine takes centre stage at a restaurant in London. Situated near Buckingham Palace, bbar serves everything from boerewors to bunny chow. A hop and a skip away from Buckingham Palace in London lies bbar, a cocktail bar and restaurant offering an array of South African dishes. Think bobotie springrolls, biltong, chakalaka, boerewors and […]

A new wildlife organisation has launched with the ambitious aim of saving every single surviving rhino or elephant victim of poaching. It’s called The Now or Never African Wildlife Trust (NNAWT)… and it has search giant Google on its side! NNAWT brings together key players – with extensive experience and contacts – in the war on poaching, […]

A fire ignited between Rooi Els and Pringle Bay on Sunday morning 19 March 2017, prompting the immediate deployment of aerial and ground crews… as well as photographer JUSTIN SULLIVAN who captured the photos on this page. Read Justin’s eye witness account below… Fighting the Dragon at #RooiElsFire… by Justin Sullivan Strong winds were fuelling the fire and posed threat to […]

Joburg is the leading destination in Africa on the Fortune 500 List, according to a new report released by global business research company, Infomineo. The company, which specialises in the Middle East and Africa (MEA), says the region has become increasingly important for the majority of global Fortune 500 countries. The report focuses on multinationals looking at entering, […]

As most people know, the 40th Cape Town Cycle Tour was cancelled last weekend, for the first time in history, due to gale force winds. But what many don’t know is that on every full moon, once a month in Cape Town, there’s a special ‘moonlight mass cycle tour’ around the Mother City! This year’s Cape […]