With their long trunks, elephants have a remarkable sense of smell. Now, a South African is training a group of the pachyderms to smell out explosives and narcotics. The US army hopes to understand the biology and turn it into science. You’ve heard of sniffer dogs and rats trained to detect landmines; now get ready […]

We just love these photos of South Africa that Derrick Watterson has taken during his trips back home to Durban. Like so many others who’ve left South Africa’s shores, there’s no greater appreciation of the uniqueness of SA than when you no longer live here. Derrick, who moved to the UK 14 years ago, takes regular trips back to South […]

Last month the Department of Home Affairs announced plans about the rollout of its new Smartcard IDs and passports. It also said that in order to alleviate queues at its offices – which many have been complaining about – it had come to an agreement with several banks to have kiosks at their branches (and also […]

After yet another tragic and cruel poaching incident near to Graaff Reinet, Wilderness Foundation and private game reserve owners have clubbed together to offer a R150,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest that is associated with any rhino poaching incident on Mount Camdeboo. (Please be warned. The pictures below are graphic…but this is […]

The daughter of a man who could be lost at sea between Cape Town and Thailand has joined the families of his fellow crew members to launch a campaign that all South Africans – and anyone around the world – can take part in to try track them down. England-based Storme Robertson and the families […]

Fresh off ‘Fifty Shades of Grey,’ Irish actor Jamie Dornan will soon be heading to South Africa to shoot a biopic set in the Congo. The 1960s-era movie, ‘Jadotville,’ will be filmed in Ireland and South Africa starting in April, according to Netflix, which has bought the worldwide rights for $17-million. The movie is based […]

From teacher to broadcaster and now back to working with youth, news anchor Pat Pillai has come a long way. In his new home at LifeCo UnLtd SA, he plans to help young South Africans live lives more in the spirit of Nelson Mandela. Pat Pillai, the veteran anchorman of eNews, has left the programme […]

As hoped by so many people who have been following the story of Thandi – the brave rhino who survived a cruel poaching incident exactly three years ago today – her little rhino calf, whom she miraculously gave birth to recently, has been named Thembi. The name is meaningful for two reasons. Firstly, Thembi means Hope in isiXhosa. And […]

Kirstenbosch’s suspended walkway, the Boomslang, was today declared Most Beautiful Object in South Africa (MBOISA) at Design Indaba Expo 2015. This award comes hot on the heels of the announcement that Cape Town’s Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden attracted more than one million visitors last year, securing it as one of the most important tourist attractions in South […]

Ardmore Ceramic Art, a studio based at the foothills of the Drakensberg mountains in KwaZulu-Natal province, marks its 30th anniversary this year. Best known for its work in clay, Ardmore pieces can now be found in prestigious public and private collections around the world. The pieces are highly prized and have been given as state […]

Initial reports that China had banned ivory imports for a year got a severe dousing later today after it was clarified that this ban only referred to ivory carvings. The ban, effective immediately from today (Thursday 26 February 2015), was reported by various media around the world. The New York Times quoted international conservation organizations […]

What she did for him 19 years ago was amazing. What he does for her now is awesome… Bernina RSA posted the following story a couple of days ago about one of their employees. The story has – unsurprisingly – gone viral. It captures the essence of what often goes unnoticed but which happens daily in […]

An exquisite series of photographs taken in Pondoland of the local Xhosa cattle – the ones that are famous for hanging out at the beach – will be the focus of an exhibition in New York in April. And all South Africans in New York are welcome! The 20-large scale works were taken by professional photographer and South African expat […]

As South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma sends warm New Year wishes to the Chinese community in South Africa and around the world, here are some facts about this event and the Year of the Sheep/Goat (see Fact #2)! The South African President said the Chinese Year of the Sheep is a “symbol of peace, harmonious […]

The savage poaching epidemic in South Africa – that has seen over 54 rhino poached in the first six weeks of this year in the Kruger National Park alone – has an impact on not only the rhino, but on the humans who work tirelessly to protect them and are faced with excruciatingly difficult decisions. Karen […]

Five South Africans have made it on to the shortlist of 100 candidates being considered for the Mars One space programme. Initally, more than 200 500 people applied to be trained as astronauts to stay on Mars. Mars One aims to establish a permanent human settlement on the Red Planet. Funding for the project has […]

Even though actor Aaron Paul was exposed to a lot of surreal stuff during the filming of the popular TV series Breaking Bad, he was still blown away by some of the scenes South Africa had on offer during his recent holiday to the country. Speaking on the Jimmy Kimmel Live Show in December, Aaron discussed the lions he saw at […]

Since their ignominious defeat in the 1999 Cricket World Cup final against Australia, the tag “chokers” has hung over the Proteas. But with a mix of formidable experience and exciting new talent, the squad that takes to the field this Sunday may have a chance to throw off the jinx.   South Africa begins their […]

In their opening World Cup match against Zimbabwe, the Proteas’ David Miller and JP Duminy made a couple of records in what Britain’s Ebony Rainford-Brent called “some of the best hitting I’ve ever seen”. It was an unbeaten partnership that rescued South Africa and will not be soon forgotten. Imran Tahir had career best figures […]

Canadian photographer Kristian Holmes fell in love with a South African…and ultimately with her country, or more specifically with the city she was born and raised in – Johannesburg. Kristian and AJ (who is now his wife, also a photographer), have put together a wonderful list of why they love Jozi. And we love it! […]

Daphne Mashile-Nkosi is the owner of a multimillion-rand manganese mine in the arid Northern Cape town of Hotazel and one of a handful of women in South Africa’s mining industry. Battle-hardened by her experiences in the struggle against apartheid, she’s not afraid to tackle those who stand in her way.   Hotazel, as its name […]

Yesterday marked the twenty-fifth anniversary since Nelson Mandela walked free – on 11 February 1990 – after 27 years in apartheid prison. It was an event that had been unthinkable to most South Africans, and the world, until only a few weeks before. Here is a fascinating look back at how South African newspapers reported on the […]

Durban witnessed what is arguably its most successful tourism year in 2014, with an increase in visitor numbers of 12.8% over 2013, according to the eThekwini municipality. In total, 7.4 million people visited the warm East Coast city, with a total direct spend of R19.2-billion and 95 396 jobs created and sustained over the year, […]

The Tate Modern in London is hosting a retrospective exhibition for South African-born painter Marlene Dumas. The exhibition, titled The Image as Burden and made up of more than 100 paintings and drawings, opened on 5 February and will run until 10 May. It was curated by Helen Sainsbury. In 2005, Dumas’ painting The Victor […]

Whenever South Africa is on a sports field, the fiercest rivals always come from Australia. When both countries put on their green and gold colours, encounters usually turn into dogfights. With Australia being the co-hosts for the upcoming Cricket World Cup, we look back at the history of this bloodthirsty rivalry in various sports South […]