South Africa’s Deputy President David Mabuza delivered the following Christmas message to the nation… Fellow Compatriots, The end of the year is a special time for everyone. It marks the pinnacle of individual and collective journeys we have traversed in the course of the year. It is a time to reflect on where we are, […]

The Department of Water and Sanitation says South Africans are poised for a bumper wet Christmas following persistent rains that fell over large parts of the country in the past month. (Although it looks like sunshine on Christmas Day for the Northern Cape and most of the Western and Eastern Cape.) South African Dam Levels […]

The South African government may have to review current lockdown restrictions and consider further measures to curb the exponential spread of the COVID-19 virus, says Health Minister, Dr Zwelini Mkhize. He warned that within days the number of daily positive cases recorded in SA will surpass that of the peak during the first wave. The […]

Following the recent massive fire that destroyed over 1,000 homes in Masiphumelele and led to the City of Cape Town declaring it a local disaster, the government has called on the public to assist where they can. Here’s a first hand account from volunteer Lynn Duddy… When you arrive it is a bit overwhelming, like […]

The Western Cape High Court has extended beach opening hours, but has judged in favour of keeping the Garden Route’s beaches closed for the festive season, as announced by South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa last week (along with all beaches in the Eastern Cape). The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it notes the ex tempora judgement […]

As thousands prepare to travel long-distance, operators say they need help with masks and sanitisers. Though numbers are down because of Covid-19 job losses, about 20,000 people are expected to travel from the Western Cape to the Eastern Cape this year. Taxi associations say they are taking precautions but need help from the authorities. Taxi […]

Colin Gertse, a 57-year old South African family man and pastor from Montagu, travelled to the US in March to earn money as a truck driver and create a better life for his family back home in SA… but sadly, in October he suffered an aneurysm. Colin is currently in critical care in a St. […]

The novel Coronavirus continues to spread rapidly amid the second wave of infections, with the country recording another 9 131 confirmed cases in the last 24 hours. This is after South Africa topped the 10 000 mark of new cases on Wednesday — for the first time since August. Meanwhile, 184 people succumbed to the respiratory […]

Epidemiologist and Chair of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19 in South Africa, Professor Salim Abdool Karim, has been awarded the 2020 John Maddox Prize. Prof Karim was named joint winner with Dr Anthony Fauci from the US. President Cyril Ramaphosa was one of the first to congratulate Prof Karim, saying: “It is an honour […]

A team of mercenaries plunge into a rural part of Africa, rescuing a hostage from ruthless terrorists. They make quick work of the bad guys until their extraction helicopter is shot down during the firefight. The team treks to a nearby site to await rescue, but stumbles across something much worse: a rogue lion with […]

The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it will lay a complaint with Parliament’s Ethics Committee against the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, after he appeared to issue unlawful operational instructions to South African Police Service (SAPS) officials to shut down a film shoot at Camps Bay beach on Wednesday. The incident occurred yesterday when the Police […]

The latest weekly report by the Department of Water and Sanitation shows that dam levels in the Eastern Cape are sitting at 51% after the recent torrential rains. “With more rains expected in the run-up to Christmas, it is likely that the levels may soon soar to 55% and beyond,” the department said on Wednesday. […]

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 infections has increased to 883 687 after 10 008 new cases were recorded, the latest data showed on Wednesday. According to Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, the country has breached the 10 000 mark for new cases. The last time South Africa recorded over 10 000 new cases was on […]

With some viruses, once you have been infected and have developed antibodies, you will be immune to that virus for life. Past infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, does not, as far as is known at this stage, guarantee protection against future infections. It’s not absolutely clear whether this virus may become dormant […]

Five parents – whose children have allegedly been disadvantaged by Netball South Africa (NSA) – have agreed to be part of AfriForum’s court case at the International Netball Federation (INF), where the organisation has a case against discrimination in school netball. This signifies progress in the case for AfriForum, who were last month informed by […]

It’s December and time to celebrate with gifts, love and family, however you unite to share your joy this season. But what can you give the whole family that’s delicious yet won’t stretch your waistband, educational without giving anyone the back-to-school jitters, that’ll take you all over the world without even the slightest risk, and […]

Prof Jean Greyling and his team from Computing Sciences at Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth has received the Vice Chancellor’s Excellence Award, in the category “Engagement Project”. This follows on the Innovation Excellence Award also from the Vice Chancellor in 2019. Prof Greyling is very passionate about introducing learners to software development as a […]

Eskom, South Africa’s state-owned power utility, has a litany of financial and operational problems. In 2017 the Goldman Sachs Group declared it the biggest risk to the South African economy. Several cabinet members have said so too. President Cyril Ramaphosa declared that Eskom is “too big to fail”. The first huge problem is debt of […]

Following a video showing what appeared to be a packed crowd dancing at a Cape Town venue on Sunday, with flagrant disregard to Covid-19 protocols, the federated hospitality association of South Africa, FEDHASA, has condemned in the strongest terms what it brands “irresponsible behaviour by hospitality establishments and consumers” which may contribute to the increased […]

If you’ve never heard of this beautiful South African Christmas carol, turn it up, sit back and let the music and lyrics wash over you. It’s called ‘Come, Colours Rise’ and was composed by Grant McLachlan with lyrics by Frank Barry. It will leave you with a lump in your throat as big as Africa. […]

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has urged South African motorists to remain vigilant on the roads during this festive season following three major crashes this past weekend. “(Motorists) are urged to choose daytime driving and to keep their lights on at all times. Motorists are also warned to refrain from speeding and from driving […]

How do we save whales and other marine animals from plastic in the ocean? Our new review shows reducing plastic pollution can prevent the deaths of beloved marine species. Over 700 marine species, including half of the world’s cetaceans (such as whales and dolphins), all of its sea turtles and a third of its seabirds, […]

South Africa has recorded 7 999 new COVID-19 cases while 170 more people lost their lives, bringing the country’s total tally to 860 964 and the COVID-19 death toll to 23 276. The Eastern Cape recorded 94 deaths, Free State 11, Gauteng 3, KwaZulu-Natal 4, Northern Cape 4 and Western Cape 54. “We convey our […]

Starfish launched their annual ‘Dinner of Hope’ drive for the festive season, on 1 December (World AIDS Day), and are now inviting anyone anywhere in the world to join in and host a fun dinner with friends and, at the same time, help vulnerable children in South Africa. As Starfish says, these kids are even more vulnerable […]

This week Carte Blanche meets a 100-year-old survivor of another global pandemic – the Spanish Flu – which swept across the globe in 1918. You can watch the show on Sunday 13  December in South Africa on DStv Now or stream it overseas in most countries from Tues 15  December if you’re abroad. STORIES OF […]