Despite criticism that South African expats can be negative about their homeland, many abroad know that it’s often quite the opposite. Some of South Africa’s BEST ambassadors ARE its expats. And here’s a case in point. American traveller Rodney Mallari, and two of his mates, recently enjoyed a three-week holiday in South Africa… thanks to the recommendations of South […]

The topic of murder was debated in South African Parliament on Tuesday. According to the Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africa has a “shocking murder rate” with 18,673 murders recorded during 2015/16… which averages out to about 51.2 murders per day. “We have become so accustomed to this that we don’t even blink an eye anymore when […]

In one week Florence Mudzivo’s life has changed radically for the better… thanks to knocking on the right door (and to hard work, perseverance and the kindness of South Africans!). The 53-year-old Zimbabwean widow sadly lost her husband in 2011 and was left alone to single-handedly provide for her four children and one grandchild. With […]

An Emergency Medical Services (EMS) employee was shot dead during an armed robbery incident at the Odi EMS base, Tshwane District in Pretoria on Saturday, says Gauteng Department of Health. According to the department, the paramedic was shot in the abdomen while on duty. He was then taken to hospital but succumbed to his injuries […]

Only five African cities feature in the top 100 rankings in regards to quality of living, according to Mercer’s 19th Quality of Living ranking… and three of those are in South Africa! Five Africa cities managed to remain in the top 100 rankings in regards to quality of living, with Port Louis in Mauritius topping the […]

It’s official. New BBC research – which included South African participants – reveals that watching nature programmes makes you happier! BBC Earth, the BBC’s global factual brand, has today published findings of an international study titled The Real Happiness Project showing nature programming’s direct impact on the mood and wellbeing of its viewers. The research […]

At least 500 children, possibly many more, have reportedly been left homeless and without any possessions after a huge fire ravaged Mandela Park, in the Imizamo Yethu informal settlement, on Friday night and Saturday… but thanks to the efforts of some Capetonian teenagers, the children will hopefully soon have clothes, shoes and stationery. The teens accompanied their […]

The South African Police Services (SAPS) says the cars used to commit the armed robbery at OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday night were bogus police cars. The two cars were found abandoned in Mamelodi, east of Pretoria, on Wednesday. “The vehicle found abandoned in Mamelodi proved to be one with fake police markings. When […]

The Pretoria High Court today granted a request from AfriForum (a largely Afrikaans civil rights group) to bar Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) leader Julius Malema from encouraging and inciting land grabs in South Africa. Just days ago, he discussed his position on Land, Parliament and EFF policies in an exclusive interview with South Africa’s national […]

Brand South Africa is in Australia on a “charm offensive” to woo South African expats living ‘down under’ – who are apparently the most negative about SA – to rather fly the flag for South Africa and become ambassadors for their former homeland… Brand SA – which is responsible for promoting a positive reputation for […]

Award-winning South African journalist Jonathan Ancer posted a heartfelt message on Facebook late Sunday night, after his 8-year-old daughter – Rachel – was admitted to Groote Schuur Hospital earlier in the afternoon to prepare for a bone marrow transplant, and start chemotherapy today. Jonathan pointed out it is “auspicious” that she was admitted now, during Bone […]

Megan Richards worked as a volunteer at Fundimvelo Thula Thula Rhino Orphanage for a year – from April 2015 to April 2016 – and in that time she cared for both the rhino orphans, Impi and Gugu, who were lost through the horrific and tragic poaching attack that happened early last week. It is Megan who set up […]

The Western Cape government could be the first to build a water desalination plant as the province finds itself in the midst of a crippling drought. Many residents have taken to social media over the past few months to call for a desalination plant… but it would come at a high cost. Desalination is a process […]

A video of a dwarf mongoose taking on South Africa’s lethal black mamba has been going viral this week, after Brett Horley Safaris captured the footage in the Greater Kruger National Park. The mongoose seems fearless and brave as it tries to tackle Africa’s longest snake… which is also, according to the National Geographic, the […]

Rachel O’Neill’s Little Dresses for Africa has been delivering dresses, made from pillowcases, to young girls in Africa since 2008. She’s already delivered over 3.5 million dresses (and britches for boys)… but recently she was reminded of just why she started this ‘little’ non-profit organisation. In a post on her blog this week – after […]

On Monday morning, at 5.30 am, the Vaal Dam in South Africa reached 100% capacity, according to the Department of Water and Sanitation. Dirk Grobler captured this drone footage of the dam, at its fullest in six years. “This video shows the dam at capacity and compares clips from previous videos in the series. 30 […]

I watched ‘Out of Africa’ for the first time just now, writes VIV VERMAAK. OVERALL SCORE: ‘Meh’ out of 10. MOVIE REVIEW: For starters, way too long. I know movie producers place their money on the suspension of the ‘neverending f**k’, but jissus, it took the main players seven years to get together in this story. […]

A group of postgraduate students at Stellenbosch University are embarking on an ambitious project to solve South Africa’s water problems and do their part for a sustainable water future. The “Know Your Water” project is the brainchild of Jared van Rooyen and forms the basis of his MSc. The project involves a countrywide field excursion to […]

Patrick Mwalua drives a truck hundreds of kilometres four times a week to deliver much needed water supplies to animals in Kenya’s drought-stricken Tsavo West National Park. The 41-year-old Kenyan pea farmer and conservationist Patrick Mwalua is the founder of Tsavo Volunteers, a small but passionate operation that delivers water to areas of southern Kenya, […]

As xenophobic violence rears its head again in South Africa, a widely quoted figure of how many Nigerians live in South Africa is completely unsupported. Researched by Vinayak Bhardwaj Xenophobic unrest has flared up in parts of South Africa once again, with incidents of looting and violence reported in Johannesburg and Pretoria. The Nigerian government is […]

There has been an outpouring of grief, kindness, money and love for Thula Thula Rhino Orphanage in South Africa, which suffered an unprecedented attack in the early hours of Tuesday morning – when their staff were taken hostage, assaulted, and made to witness the merciless killing of two of their beloved rhino orphans in front […]

While parts of South Africa are expecting flooding today, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a Warning of “extremely high fire danger conditions expected in the Cape Metropole, Cape Winelands, West Coast District of WC” today, Wednesday 22 February 2017. The Western Cape faced multiple fires on Monday afternoon (20/02/17), with one property destroyed […]

As the Kruger National Park (KNP) announces that its gravel roads have been re-opened today (21 February 2017) for tourists, a video has emerged of a determined elephant chasing a car for miles in South Africa’s famous national park (watch below). The gravel roads had been closed as a precautionary measure due to heavy rain on 16 February 2017, brought […]

The Kalahari is experiencing a miracle this year, according to ‎local Pieter Kotzé‎ who has compiled a video of stunning photographs that showcase the unbelievable transition from barren desert landscape to a luscious green paradise. Pieter told SAPeople the desert region has transformed into the “Highlands of Scotland” in less than two months. From this… To this… […]

‘Stick Man’, South Africa’s Triggerfish Animation Studios’ collaboration with Magic Light Pictures, won four awards at the Kidscreen Awards last week, making it the most awarded animation on the night.. and bringing its awards total to 11. Stick Man beat Shaun the Sheep: The Farmer’s Llamas and Bruno & Boots: Go Jump In The Pool to […]