South Africa abstained in a vote in the United Nations General Assembly on the resolution condemning the Russian invasion of the Ukraine, and demanding their withdrawal. By Keith Gottschalk, University of the Western Cape The South African government has explained that it enjoys good relations with both Russia and the Ukraine; hence it abstained in […]

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has had a private discussion with Russia’s President Putin concerning the Russian attack of Ukraine. In a tweet, Ramaphosa said: “Thanking His Excellency President Vladimir Putin for taking my call today, so I could gain an understanding of the situation that was unfolding between Russia and Ukraine.” President Ramaphosa says […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo as the next Chief Justice of South Africa with effect from 1 April 2022. The President’s decision follows consultation with the Judicial Service Commission and leaders of parties in the National Assembly on four nominees for appointment as Chief Justice. The process began in September […]

There were only tears of joy and relief this morning at OR Tambo International Airport in Joburg, South Africa, as ten students who had been studying in Ukraine, were safely returned home after being evacuated thanks to a partnership between DIRCO and Aspen Pharmacies. Medical student Vuhlari Mtonga, was just one of the South Africans […]

You don’t often see killer whales in Algoa Bay (in the Eastern Cape, South Africa), so you can imagine the excitement when Raggy Charters – Marine-Eco Cruises spotted TWELVE of them this week! “Initially we saw two males with their tall dorsal fins breaking the surface,” says Raggy Charters. “As we looked around our catamaran […]

The Speaker of the National Assembly has agreed to a request from the DA for an urgent debate on the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on South Africa. Yesterday, in the face of the national government’s ambiguous stance, the DA-led Western Cape Government issued a statement unequivocally condemning “Russia’s illegal invasion of a sovereign […]

The Telegraph newspaper in the UK has declared Cape Town, South Africa, “the greatest city in the world to visit right now”. Of course Capetonians already knew that, but it always feels so good when the rest of the world acknowledges it… and the compliments for Cape Town are bursting in this particular Telegraph article, […]

South Africa’s polar research and logistics vessel, S.A. Agulhas II, has helped enable an expedition team to find the wreckage of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship, Endurance… which was crushed by ice in the Weddell Sea, off the coast of Antarctica, back in 1915. For over a century, the Endurance has been one of the most […]

South Africa’s totally awesome Gift of the Givers – the largest disaster relief organisation of African origin – has begun distributions in the Ukraine. Distribution has begun some distance from #IvanoFrankivsk, the organisation confirmed on social media. “More distributions to follow in the coming days.” Supplies will also be sent to Kharkiv, they said. The […]

As #VaccineSideEffects and #Pfizer tweets go viral in South Africa, trending in the top two spots, SA’s fast food peri-peri chicken outlet Nando’s has joined the thousands of South Africans on Twitter, with its own tweet in response. “Nando’s never fails,” said one social media user. “Nando’s does it again,” said many others. The restaurant […]

Nearly two weeks after the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) approved a 9.6% tariff hike for Eskom, the power utility has promptly subjected South Africans to another bout of rolling blackouts (which have just been extended to Saturday)… writes Kevin Mileham MP – DA Shadow Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy. After promising […]

Court orders Lindsay Maasdorp and Zwelakhe Dubasi to pay R200,000. By Tania Broughton The Equality Court has found office bearers of Black First, Land First (BLF) guilty of hate speech for celebrating the deaths of white school children. The complaint was lodged by the families of four children who died when a walkway bridge collapsed […]

The French government has further eased travel restrictions previously placed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, making it easier for tourists from South Africa to travel to France. Air France confirms that, effective immediately, South Africa has been moved to the ‘Green’ country list for France. The new regulations feature some significant changes – […]

A remix by South African musician David Scott, of a folk song recorded by a Ukrainian rock singer as he joins the army, has attracted over 4 million views on Facebook, another half a million on YouTube and over $7,000… in just one day! UPDATE 9 March: The song has now had over 1 millions […]

When the news broke it was tempting to conclude swiftly that Shane Warne died as he had lived. On holiday in Thailand, nudge nudge. The tabloids, especially in Britain where he lived much of his life, had luridly chronicled his life. Many may have speculated that he died living life to the fullest. By David […]

Australian cricket star Shane Warne has tragically passed away at the age of 52. He died from a suspected heart attack whilst on the island of Koh Samui in Thailand. South Africa’s Kevin Pietersen’s tweet sums up the shock felt by so many by the sportsman’s sudden death. (See below.) Shane’s management team said in […]

The International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) has issued a red notice for two members of the wealthy but now disgraced Gupta family, Atul and Rajesh Gupta. This could now pave way for their arrest and extradition from the United Arab Emirates to face fraud and money laundering charges in South Africa. The Guptas – who […]

The United Nations Secretary General is “shocked by the numerous reports of racism, harassment and discrimination that people of different races have been subjected to” as they flee Ukraine, according to the UN SG’s spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric. Dujarric said they have seen reports of “basically outright racism” as these people have tried to leave Ukraine, “as […]

Ticket sales for the Springboks’ home test matches will go on public sale at noon on 9 March in a unique, coordinated launch. Hosting venues for the Castle Lager Incoming Series against Wales and the Castle Lager Rugby Championship matches have aligned their on-sale dates for the first time. Virtual card holding clients of Springbok […]

Ukrainian expats describe their anguish… By Liezl Human. Nadia Pryimak is a Ukrainian citizen who lives in South Africa. She starts every morning reading news and updates on the situation in her home country. Then she asks her sister, her cousin, or her nephew whether they are all still alive and okay. “I cannot sleep. […]

The exquisitely filmed ‘Kingdoms of Fire, Ice & Fairy Tales’ will make its European broadcast premiere tomorrow evening (Friday 5 March). The film was created by well known South African duo – director Susan Scott and presenter Bonné de Bod, the talented filmmakers behind multi award-winning anti-rhino documentary ‘STROOP, Journey into the Rhino Horn War’. […]

During the last six years (2016 to 2021) there have been 364 (verified) farm murders, of which only 33% of those arrested convicted. These were the findings of an AfriForum report, shared with the media today. In its report, AfriForum highlights the poor arrest and conviction rates of perpetrators involved in farm murders. Using an […]

“The DA is appalled that South Africa abstained from the UN General Assembly vote condemning Russia last night,” says Darren Bergman MP – DA Shadow Minister of International Relations and Cooperation. “This was an opportune time for our government to take a clear and moral stand that would gain them ground. It was also the […]

Tons of West Coast rock lobster have beached themselves along South Africa’s west coast, particularly around Elands Bay and Doring Bay. The reason is harmful algal blooms… known as HABs. Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Education Centre explained the HABs occur when colonies of algae (which are simple plants that live in the sea and […]

Chelsea fans have flooded Twitter and other social media channels with gratitude to Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich who helped their club win ever major trophy in football. On Wednesday evening, Abramovich confirmed that he is selling Chelsea Football Club (which he has owned since 2003), and – risking the ire of Russian President Vladimir Putin […]