South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize on special leave, replacing him with SA’s Tourism Minister. Dr Mkhize had requested special leave in order to attend to allegations and investigations concerning contracts between the Department of Health and a service provider, Digital Vibes. The corruption scandal involves a R150-million contract […]

Simon’s Town’s penguins are poised to become global superstars, as they feature in a new Netflix original documentary series that is sure to have the world fall in love with the endangered African Penguins. Watch the trailer below. It’s very cool! This is what Netflix has to say about the TV series, which starts in […]

Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown says he believes at least $30 billion is needed annually for an effective global vaccination plan… and he would like this high on the agenda for next week’s G7 Summit in Cornwall, England, where the UK, US, Germany, France, Italy, Japan and Canada will be meeting. He’s not the only […]

“It is clearer than ever that the occupation is not temporary, and there is not the political will in the Israeli government to bring about its end” – By Ilan Baruch and Alon Liel. During our careers in the foreign service, we both served as Israel’s ambassador to South Africa. In this position, we learned […]

A South African woman who had reportedly broken a world record by giving birth to 10 babies, the world’s first Decuplets, apparently made it up. According to Pretoria News, Gosiame Thamara Sithole (37) gave birth to the children in a Pretoria hospital on 7 June. UPDATE 18 June 2021: It appears this story – which […]

South Africa’s Rooibos has become the first African food to receive the status of a protected designation of origin in the European Commission register. This decision by the EU means that the name ‘Rooibos’ or ‘Red Bush’ can only refer to the dried leaves of 100% pure ‘Rooibos’ derived from Aspalathus linearis that has been […]

South African rugby players Damian de Allende and RG Snyman, who were recently named in the Springbok squad for the Lions tour, were involved in an accident in Munster, Ireland, over the weekend that has left them with “substantial” burns to their legs, hands and faces. According to their Head Coach they are “ok”. Munster […]

South African student voices have largely remained unheard in formal discussions around COVID-19. A pandemic that should not be put to waste, COVID-19, on some podiums, is seen as laying the groundwork for germination of seeds of change… write Peet van Aardt, University of the Free State and Brian Sibanda, University of the Free State. […]

Eskom says it regrets to announce the implementation of Stage 1 load shedding between 5pm and 10pm on Monday evening… and cautioned that more power cuts are likely in the near future. According to the State-owned entity, tonight’s load shedding was due to the loss of two generation units at Kusile, and one each at […]

Legendary South African TV, film and theatre actress, Shaleen Surtie Richards, has sadly died at the age of 66. No further details have yet been issued. The South African government tweeted: “We have lost an icon.” Shaleen became a household name with her roles in movies like Fiela se Kind and popular TV series like […]

Despite yesterday winning his match in the third round of the French Open at Roland Garros Stadium in Paris, Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer (39) has withdrawn from the tournament. In a statement posted on his Twitter account, Federer, whose mother is a South African expat, said: “After discussions with my team, I’ve decided I […]

Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan have broken their silence for the first time since welcoming their daughter Lilibet Diana into the world on Friday 4 June, admitting they feel very “blessed”. Royal family ‘delighted’ with birth of baby girl, Lilibet Diana Buckingham Palace has welcomed the news, saying: “Congratulations to The Duke and Duchess of […]

Charismatic – and controversial – Nigerian preacher and pastor, Prophet TB Joshua, has passed away at the age of 57. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in South Africa led tributes from the continent and abroad. A post on the evangelist’s Instagram page says: “God has taken His servant Prophet TB Joshua home – as it […]

Patricia de Lille has tested positive for Covid-19. In a tweet an hour ago (around 10am on Sunday), Patricia said: “Good Morning. I have tested positive for Covid-19. I took the test on Friday after showing some symptoms.” Lille said that as per South Africa’s COVID-10 regulations, she immediately self-quarantined. “I also informed those who […]

Frans Steyn and Morné Steyn are in line to experience the rare honour of facing the British & Irish Lions for a second time after being named in a dynamic Springbok squad featuring several Rugby World Cup winners and exciting uncapped players for the Castle Lager Lions Series and Georgia internationals. Mark Alexander, President of […]

If you haven’t yet viewed them, the 2020/2021 Hermanus Sculptures on the Cliff – which explore our relationship with the environment – are breathtaking… as are the endless views. Western Cape photographer Nigel Riley captured these exquisite photos today, on World Environment Day. As he says, “it’s a Must Visit”… According to Fynarts Gallery, ‘Sculpture […]

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) – For the Khoi and San – South Africa’s first inhabitants – a verdant patch of land in Cape Town embodies victory and tragedy… writes Wendell Roelf. The two communities drove back cattle-raiding Portuguese soldiers there in 1510. But, a century and a half later, it was where Dutch settlers launched a […]

A radio DJ from Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, has bravely shared her heartbreaking – and heartwarming – real-life story that is inspiring South Africans across the nation. Angel’s life may have sadly begun in a cardboard box… but now she’s dreaming of becoming Miss South Africa, and vibrantly showing others how to think outside the box. Fikile […]

The war on poachers in South Africa appears to have taken a sharp turn in the right direction… with successful convictions during May, as well as several arrests. Just in the past week, the South African National Parks (SANParks) has arrested another four poaching suspects. SANParks announced today (5 June 2021) that well executed operations […]

Passengers on the inaugural United Airlines flight from New York to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, received a warm welcome on Friday 4 June 2021. The flight left Newark International Airport on Thursday, where the Consul General of South Africa in New York, Dr Motumisi Tawana, spoke at the launch. In South Africa, Tourism […]

The Kiffness – Alugalug Cat has been a surprise hit worldwide! The song – in which South African musician David Scott harmonises with a wailing cat – has clocked up 1.3-million views on YouTube… and inspired several covers of the track by musicians abroad. Today, he’s uploaded a new video… showcasing some of their talents. […]

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Researchers in South Africa are working on a potentially new method to deter rhino poachers and smugglers by using radioactive markers to make smuggled horns detectable at global ports of entry and less desirable to buyers. The new radioactive study is a collaboration between the University of Witwatersrand and a global team […]

Two more poachers, caught on South African soil, were sentenced on Thursday (3 June) after they killed an elephant in November 2018 in the Skukuza National Park. The two men – both from Mozambique – were sentenced at Malamulele Regional Court to eight years imprisonment. Enock Sibanda (31) and Eckson Shirinda (28) both pleaded not […]

A lone driver in South Africa got the fright of his life when an elephant charged and attacked his vehicle on Tuesday, 1 June 2021, as he was driving through the Klaserie Nature Reserve in the Limpopo Province. The video went viral, showing the elephant appearing behind trees on the side of the road… while […]

Four people, including former Transnet Board member Izbal Sharma, appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court today, on charges of procurement fraud involving R24 million, paid by the Free State Department of Agriculture (FSDoA) to Nulane Investment 204, a company owned and controlled by Sharma… that diverted funds to the Gupta family. The National Prosecuting Authority […]