Popular French songstress Jain has released ‘Makeba’, a song that honours the late South African singer and civil rights activist, Miriam Makeba… aka Mama Africa – and showcases SA and South Africans in a brilliantly creative visual production. Watch children dance and Joburg’s buildings go up… and down. The 24-year-old singer-songerwriter, born Jeanne Galice, says: “Miriam […]

The late Nelson Mandela’s presence was very much felt on Friday as his widow, Graca Machel, helped officially open the children’s hospital he dreamed of… The building of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital (NMCH) in Johannesburg has been a team effort of love, hard work, dedication and donations. The MRI machine is quieter than most to […]

Standard and Poor’s (S&P) is expected to announce its rating decision with regards to South Africa’s economy today. In the meantime, the Rand has weakened at the prospect of the country being downgraded to ‘junk’ status for the first time since 2000. S&P currently rates South Africa one notch above junk status. The rating agency’s […]

A joint operation by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Pretoria based members of the US Homeland Security led to the arrest of three suspects in KwaZulu-Natal, on 29 November 2016, for allegedly being involved in child pornography. The suspects appeared in the Durban Regional Court yesterday, 01 December. The trio, aged between […]

Johannesburg-based artist Di Wilkinson completed a beautiful platter – featuring the precious and ruthlessly poached pangolin – the day before she was admitted to hospital for ongoing treatment regarding a life-threatening condition. While Di has been facing extraordinary hurdles in her own battle for survival, and has lost both kidneys, she has focused her attention […]

World Aids Day has been commemorated around the world, with Prince Harry and pop star Rihanna taking HIV tests in Barbados (see below); Bill Gates commending South Africa on its leadership in HIV prevention; and SA’s Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa calling for an urgent focus on slashing the HIV infection rate. American philanthropist Gates tweeted […]

If it’s not cellphone charges, it’s bank charges that are upsetting South Africans… who feel their “ridiculous” charges are not in line with most of the rest of the world. One South African bank customer, MEL HAWES, has had enough and has a suggestion… She would like South Africans to stand together – protest, petition and […]

Philanthropist Bill Gates is the founder and co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It has committed more than US$3 billion in HIV grants to organisations around the world and more than US$1.6 billion to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Gates answers questions from several African academics about HIV/AIDS on the […]

If Cape Town could take its own selfie – this would be it. The ultimate selfie… taken with a drone. In fact it’s a series of selfies taken from different fabulous locations around Cape Town. The video was filmed by photographers, students and friends Luke Bell and Hloniphizwe Coleman; and features lots of well known faces from the local […]

Nine copper thieves were arrested in one week as part of Eskom’s fight against electricity theft. In a statement on Wednesday, the power utility said the fight against electricity theft, particularly cable or copper theft, continues to show progress. The arrests took place in the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and in Mpumalanga. The equipment that was […]

South Africans have been sharing an awesome story of brotherly love and loyalty, and doing what they can to help two brothers from Zimbabwe. Their story was told on Facebook page, I Have a Name: I Have a Name wrote this morning: *** I drove to the petshop on Saturday afternoon to buy some bird food but found […]

South Africans have always loved their Rooibos tea, and now there’s even more reason to do so. According to research, Rooibos – which is unique to SA – offers untold health benefits including the potential to delay and prevent the onset and progression of type 2 diabetes (T2D). The T2D findings were announced during November’s World […]

A twenty-seven year old entrant in a South African YouTube-related competition has realised during the qualifying rounds, that there is something more important than winning this comp. – being part of a movement to create more love in South Africa. Pretoria-based Daniel Rademeyer (27) describes himself as “a musician, business owner, creative, videographer and photographer that Loves […]

Opposition parties – the EFF (Economic Freedom Fighters) and Democratic Alliance (DA) – are laughing after yesterday’s decision by the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to continue to support Jacob Zuma and his leadership of the country, thereby potentially weakening the ANC’s chance of re-election in 2019. The DA said the unconventional attempt to table a “motion […]

South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma has travelled to Havana, Cuba to attend the funeral of the late former President of Cuba, Fidel Castro Ruz, who passed away on Friday at age 90. Zuma joins several leaders from around the world… although neither America’s President Obama nor Russian President Vladimir Putin will be present. President Zuma ordered that the National […]

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 […]

Lately the world’s gone crazy with ‘Mannequin’ challenge videos – when large groups of humans freeze in position while being filmed – but this has to be one of the BEST! It was shot in Cape Town, South Africa, on Sunday afternoon at Camps Bay. Participants to the “craziest #mannequinchallenge” video were invited to “Bring your summer A-game. […]

South Africa’s legendary mainly-female anti-poaching team – the Black Mambas – are set to be immortalised on screen in a new Hollywood movie produced by actress Jessica Chastain. The IndieWire has reported that two-time Oscar nominee Jessica, more famous for her acting than producing, has teamed up with ‘The Walking Dead’ star Danai Gurira who will […]

According to reports in South Africa’s Sunday Times newspaper, new Public Protector (PP) Busisiwe Mkhwebane has laid criminal charges against former PP Adv Thuli Madonsela, for releasing the audio recordings of her ‘State of Capture’ interview with President Jacob Zuma. Madonsela released the recordings following the President’s denial that any meeting ever took place during […]

Here’s a little premature Christmas Cheer from South Africa from South African YouTuber and dancer, Kelly KiKx. Kelly, who is taking part in a local SA YouTube-related competition says: “I have passion for making the world smile, laugh and enjoy the ups and downs of life!” Enjoy… Watch Premature Christmas Cheer from South Africa

Fitch ratings agency has affirmed South Africa’s credit rating at BBB- (a notch above sub-investment), but dropped the outlook from Stable to Negative. The government welcomed the news of the investment status being maintained, saying it “demonstrates the resilience of the country and its people” who had worked hard together to avert a downgrade to […]

The trial of alleged rhino poaching kingpin, Dumisani Gwala, at KwaZulu-Natal’s Ngwelezana courthouse has been “postponed AGAIN”, according to Saving the Wild’s founder Jamie Joseph. “Defense is making a mockery of justice system,” Jamie tweeted Friday, after yet another postponement in the trial. Jamie said: “It appears Gwala’s defense attorney is having difficulties understanding instructions. […]

The ICC has issued a statement saying they are “disappointed” that Faf du Plessis has chosen not to accept the findings of Match Referee Andy Pycroft and will instead exercise his right to appeal. A Judicial Commissioner will now be appointed to hear the appeal at the earliest opportunity. The full statement reads: “Mr du […]

Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Jamba Ulengo and Uzair Cassiem will make their Springbok debuts against Wales in the Principality Stadium on Saturday, while a fourth uncapped player, Jean-Luc du Preez, has been included on the bench for the final match of the 2016 Castle Lager Outgoing Tour. Strongly-built inside centre Janse van Rensburg, who takes […]

The BBC has selected four fabulous South African women to appear on its ‘100 Women List for 2016’, which was announced this week. The list celebrates the most inspirational and influential women in the world for the year 2016. The four brilliant South African women are: Adv Thuli Madonsela It seems no inspirational list would […]