In a very sweet scene in South Africa, a major golf tournament was brought to a temporary standstill when a band of mongooses (also known as a ‘curiosity of mongooses’) trotted onto the green… just as the golfers were poised to putt. The pack of 20 mongooses (also known as a ‘curiosity of mongooses’ but apparently not […]

South Africans have taken to social media to support former Public Protector (PP) Thuli Madonsela after the President lashed out at her for a speech given in Stellenbosch yesterday, labelling it “unbecoming” and accusing her of “leaking” audio recordings of her discussions with President Jacob Zuma. The Presidency said on Friday that it was concerned by “continuing […]

Johannesburg actress Ursula Botha set comedian Donovan Goliath a challenge to see how many of South Africa’s famous Chappies wrappers’ Did You Know facts he knew. Check how many you can answer before Donovan does… Questions in the video include: Can a crocodile stick out its tongue? How many hearts does an octopus have? What percentage of […]

“Chase beautiful memories” is Nisha Varghese’s message to the world… and this week she did just that, ziplining through the exquisite forest at Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour, making memories… and raising awareness for children’s charity Smile Train. Nisha (23) was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy (CP) at six months… and as a result is unable to walk and her […]

A rhino poacher in KwaZulu-Natal was shot dead whilst poaching rhino in South Africa’s iSimangaliso Wetland Park on Thursday. iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority confirmed that on the evening of Thursday 3rd November, game rangers monitoring a group of four rhino on the Eastern Shores section of the Park, intercepted two men. According to a statement, issued on behalf of the […]

As dam levels drop – with the Vaal Dam running dangerously close to empty – and the drought in South Africa dragging on… you’d be forgiven for mistaking some of these photos by RONEL ERLANK SLABBERT for a beach or a desert. (Scroll down for Vaal Dam update.) In fact, these are the scenes along the road […]

Like most South Africans who move abroad, DAVID MAAS really missed his biltong! And when his bi-annual biltong treats became too expensive… he decided to make his own. Now he has a small business that’s growing rapidly, and he is liaising with a UK university about the nutritional value that biltong has to offer. Ja, it turns out biltong […]

As the roof of Jacob Zuma’s presidency begins to cave in, there is the suggestion that, to save South Africa and the continuing damage that his incumbency is doing to the economy, he should be given amnesty. It would seem this is meant to give Zuma a cast iron assurance that the charges pertaining to […]

The march/marches tomorrow, 2 November, in Tshwane will go ahead despite charges against Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan being dropped. The DA, EFF and Save South Africa have all confirmed their commitment. All three marches begin at different venues with EFF in red, DA in blue and Save SA in colours of the national flag. Economic […]

South African endurance swimmer LEWIS PUGH, who lives between London and Cape Town, has been credited by the United Nations (UN) for his “Speedo diplomacy” which has helped lead to the creation of the biggest protected marine area in history! Here’s the backstory, as told by Lewis himself… Sometimes “Crazy” Gets the Job Done – by Lewis […]

Springbok coach Allister Coetzee is excited about the prospect of seeing several young South Africans in action on November 5 when the Springboks face the Barbarians in an international rugby match at Wembley Stadium in London. The Springbok coach has included 12 uncapped players in his travelling squad of 30 for the match, while Barbarians coach Robbie Dean also selected a number […]

Cape Town held its 22nd International Kite Festival over the weekend, with awesome creations flying high in Muizenberg, as seen here in photos taken by ZAAHID APPOLES. The annual festival attracts kiters from around the world, as well as thousands of locals who come to enjoy the kites and family entertainment. The event is hosted […]

There’s one more exquisite reason to visit the Western Cape – a magnificent rose garden with 80 different rose varieties was opened today at Vergelegen Estate in Somerset West. The wine estate, which is over three centuries old, already has 18 beautiful gardens over 10 hectares and draws at least 100,000 visitors annually, half of whom are […]

Isn’t this gorgeous… and only in South Africa (well, maybe other parts of the continent too). Jana Coetzee, a nurse with a heart as big as Africa, posted these photos of herself at work in the pediatric oncology unit at Netcare Unitas Hospital in Centurion, Pretoria. Her caption read: “When your patient doesn’t want to leave you […]

PRETORIA – The total number of children born in South Africa is declining, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) said on Thursday. They also revealed the most popular names for babies with Junior heading the list for boys, and Precious for girls. The most popular baby name for males in 2015 was Junior, followed by Blessing and […]

With its evening gowns, celebrity judges and tears of joy, the beauty pageant in Kenya’s capital was like others elsewhere, except for one thing – all 20 contestants who strutted, sashayed and swaggered down the catwalk had albinism. In the world’s first contest of its kind, 10 men and 10 women competed in the Mr […]

The first trailer for ‘Mandela’s Gun’ has just been released, ahead of its world premiere on Friday night, 28 October, when it opens the inaugural Joburg Film Festival. The film stars SAFTA-winner, Tumisho Masha, as the first South African to play Nelson Mandela in the lead role of a major film. Mandela’s Gun is both a spy thriller […]

South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma fell asleep in Parliament yesterday during Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan’s very important mid-term budget speech! Parliament cameras caught the 74-year-old President napping at around one hour and 14 minutes into the speech at the National Assembly on Wednesday afternoon Other ministers (some of whom appeared to nod off momentarily as well) […]

CAPE TOWN – The #FeesMustFall march to Cape Town Parliament today turned violent when police and protesters clashed throughout the afternoon in the CBD, resulting in several terrifying scenes including an incident at MacDonalds fast food restaurant. Photographer JUSTIN SULLIVAN witnessed and photographed a “terrifying incident [which] occurred at the MacDonalds, where a family sitting close […]

LONDON (Reuters) – Britain on Tuesday gave Heathrow Airport the green light to build a new $22 billion (18 billion pounds) runway, ending 25 years of indecision with the most ambitious option available to boost global trade links following the vote to leave the EU. Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, had been battling with its smaller […]

If you’re looking for a taste of home, savour this video – with majestic scenery, wonderful wildlife, South African sunsets… and to top it all, a reading of ‘The Real Africa’ poem that will give you goosebumps. The footage was filmed around Durban, St. Lucia wetland and the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve. Rhys Scott-Dawkins produced the video for his company, […]

The old Top Gear team reckon they visited South Africa the most “because the three of us like coming here more than anywhere else in the world”. During an interview in South Africa, when Jeremy Clarkson was still part of the team, he and teammates James May and Richard Hammond said they can’t even decide which city is […]

South Africa’s most iconic rock singer, PJ Powers, will tour the UK to launch an online mentoring programme for disadvantaged South Africans… in an initiative that would make Nelson Mandela proud; and which is set to inspire a new way of giving that lets South African expats contribute to the homeland they still love so […]

A terminally ill little boy’s dream came true in Durban recently, thanks to the efforts of Little Fighters Cancer Trust, GEMS, Netcare 911, uShaka Marine World and King Shaka International Airport. Seven-year-old Muhammad Hussain, from Port Elizabeth, is sadly suffering from terminal cancer. He has been battling for his life since the tender age of six months […]

While student #FeesMustFall protests have swept university campuses around South Africa, polarising those who support the movement and those who don’t; one student’s efforts to bridge the gap and conquer all with love has gone viral. Since posting on social media, Rynaard de Goede’s video “Love overcomes” has been viewed over 30,000 times on YouTube and […]