Today is Day 20 of the Khoisan6’s peaceful protest at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa… writes concerned Tshwane resident, Lisa Marcelle Hold. Last night they went hungry and are in desperate need of food and fresh water. Conditions over the past week have been horrendous with unbearable weather – either searing heat or torrential rain […]

Even his detractors would concede that Cyril Ramaphosa has greatly improved the political atmosphere in South Africa since assuming the presidency in February 2018. True, the scope for any further deterioration was minimal. So squalid was his predecessor’s rule that virtually any new leader from outside the Zuma patronage machine would have offered some respite […]

Turkish Airlines is now flying twice a week between the Zambian capital Lusaka and Istanbul, via Dar es Salaam. The new route was launched on 14 December 2018 and it makes Lusaka the 306th destination serviced globally by Turkish Airlines – more than any other airline. Turkish Airlines’ Senior Vice President of Sales Kerem Sarp […]

Antonia Mtambo, (69) a pensioner and domestic worker from Willowfountain, Pietermaritzburg, was living in a home that became irreparable when a white-ant infestation destroyed her house and exposed her to the elements… Her plight broke the hearts of her employers of over 15 years – Michelle Hugo (68) and daughter Kerry (35)… and so they […]

Environmentally conscious consumers often ask me whether a real Christmas tree or an artificial one is the more sustainable choice. As a horticulture and forestry researcher, I know this question is also a concern for the Christmas tree industry, which is wary of losing market share to artificial trees. From seedling to wood chipper And […]

Here’s what’s coming up on South Africa’s favourite current affairs show Carte Blanche on Sunday 16 Dec in South Africa. If you’re a South African living abroad – subscribe to Showmax to watch from Tues 18 Dec, and don’t miss out on the 14-day Free Trial. The State of the Nation 2018 In February Cyril Ramaphosa became […]

A South African High Court has passed an important judgment putting a stop to the pervasive practice by companies to mine ancestral lands in rural areas without the villagers’ consent. The case was brought by the community of rural UMgungundlovu, a small cluster of villages that fall under the Amadiba traditional authority on the largely […]

Grammy award winning singer Nancy Wilson, 81, died peacefully at her California home Thursday after a long illness, her longtime publicist said. The torch singer of the 1960s called herself a “song-stylist” and resisted being labeled a jazz singer for most of her career because she could cross so many genres. “She was one of […]

A lot happened in the world of palaeontology in 2018. Some of the big events included some major fossil finds, a new understanding of our reptile ancestors and a major controversy whose outcome could rewrite human history. The Conversation Africa asked Dr Julien Benoit to discuss five important moments in palaeontology you may have missed […]

The Department in the Presidency responsible for Women has commended the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruling to dismiss the petition of appeal by Pastor Timothy Omotoso’s legal team in having Judge Mandela Makaula recuse himself. Minister in the Presidency Responsible for Women, Bathabile Dlamini, said that recent events in the unfolding of the trial […]

Trevor Noah REALLY wants Idris Elba to star as James Bond… but the South African comedian has realised, after a trip to Scotland, that there may be one hiccup. The drop-dead gorgeous British actor may not always blend in in spots that criminals hang out in, which is the key to being a spy. In […]

Skabenga, the famous housecat-in-residence at the Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga, assists with a check-in today, by turning his back on the checker-inner and blithely ignoring the rather obvious mouse just to his right… writes Gus Silber. Skabenga – a mangling of the isiZulu term, S’gebengu, meaning “vagabond” or “hooligan” – is a former feral […]

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa’s Famous Brands said on Tuesday its UK-based unit Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) has closed 14 out of 17 under-performing stores following the approval of a restructuring plan by creditors. A string of British store groups have either gone out of business or announced plans to close shops this year, as […]

The eThekwini Council in South Africa just spent a whopping R2-million, according to the DA, on a trip to Colombia that never happened. The Durban delegates – all 59 of them! – were unable to board the plane in Brazil for the final flight to Colombia because they didn’t have the correct visas! The Democratic […]

Good news for South Africans as Eskom says it will not implement Stage 1 rotational load shedding today. “Eskom will not implement Stage 1 rotational load shedding from 9am today. The electricity system remains tight and the risk of load shedding still remains high for today should power station units fail to return as planned,” […]

The Springboks will get to play only two home tests in South Africa next year during a curtailed build-up to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, with Johannesburg and Pretoria set to host the matches. There will be no June international window in World Cup year and the Rugby Championship has been cut to […]

Coming up on South Africa’s favourite current affairs show Carte Blanche on Sunday 9 Dec in South Africa, and available to stream from Tues 11 Dec for South Africans abroad. (14-day Free Trial). Johannesburg Graft Unit A leaked report, prepared by investigators on behalf of the City of Johannesburg, alleges that cases of corruption involving city officials […]

Professor Kelly Chibale, founder and director of the Drug Discovery and Development Centre, H3D, at the University of Cape Town, has been awarded the prestigious Gold Medal for 2018 by the South African Chemical Institute (SACI). Chibale said he was deeply honoured by the award, which is made to a person whose scientific contribution in […]

Animal protection groups have joined forces to persuade Johannesburg Zoo in South Africa to move a 39-year old female elephant called Lammie – who is living a lonely, sad existence since her mate died in September – to a sanctuary. The groups are the Humane Society International / Africa, the EMS Foundation and the Elephant […]

Cape Town is abuzz with sevens rugby action this week in the build-up to the highly-anticipated fourth instalment of the Cape Town Sevens, the second tournament on the World Rugby Sevens Series. If you’re attending the event, make sure you know all the ins and outs of what will be happening on Saturday and Sunday. […]

This may be an old video but unfortunately it’s timeless when it comes to load shedding! In this stand-up comedy routine, South African comedian Trevor Noah perfectly captures the frustration in calling City Power to get some answers on just when the electricity will be turned back ON! WATCH Trevor Noah on Load Shedding in […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed sadness at the passing away of Dr Alex Boraine, the former vice-chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and co-founder of the Institute for a Democratic Alternative in South Africa (Idasa). Boraine, a lawyer and theologian, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 87, after a long illness. He […]

The South African government has welcomed rating agency Fitch’s decision to affirm SA’s long term foreign and local currency debt ratings at ‘BB+’ and maintain the stable outlook, National Treasury said. Fitch’s outlook assessment on Thursday keeps South Africa’s foreign and local currency credit ratings below investment grade (subinvestment). Fitch warned that low growth and […]

The Kruger National Park (KNP) on Tuesday unveiled four fantastic activity vehicles that will be used to transport tourists with mobility challenges on game viewing activities. The 14-seater activity vehicles form part of the KNP Visitor Management Plan, and can lift weight up to a maximum of 250 kg. “KNP aims to enhance the recognition […]

JOHANNESBURG – South Africa‘s government is discussing restructuring the debt of state-run utility Eskom but will only give details of what it plans to do next year, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan said on Thursday, in comments which sent Eskom’s bonds tumbling. The cash-strapped power firm said this week that it wanted the government to […]