Congratulations to “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” for scooping its first award of the film awards season last night at the 71st Annual Golden Globes in America…and well done to Bono for managing to refrain from swearing whilst on stage! The lead singer of U2 admitted backstage afterwards that he’d been a little worried that […]

The New York Times has selected Cape Town as the Number One destination in a list of “52 Places to Go in 2014”! And most Capetonians would undoubtedly agree! The New York Times said that by November 2013 they already had a “strong sense that Cape Town would be our No. 1 destination, but the subsequent […]

If you live in South Africa and haven’t done so already, don’t forget to register for the 2014 National and Provincial Elections. The FINAL registration weekend is 8/9 February! Don’t miss it! Register at your correct voting station on those dates from 8 am to 5 pm. If you have any queries: visit the website […]

Submitted by Hayley Short Do you know South Africans abroad can VOTE in this years elections? It will be the most defining elections since 1994 and this year your vote counts more than ever! If you would like to know how you can register before the 7 Feb deadline (if you aren’t already on the […]

Submitted by Carlene Muilwyk So you want to vote in the upcoming elections but don’t know how, here is some info for all the South Africans living in Australia: We can only register to vote and Vote in Canberra so if you can make your way to the South African High Commission in Canberra please […]

Here’s a headline you don’t often hear a President making: “Witchcraft Reports are Ridiculous”. But, following certain allegations and possible misunderstandings by the South African press, the country’s leader Jacob Zuma felt compelled to make this statement yesterday. The problem arose while the President was speaking in KwaNyamazane, Mpumalanga. He told the audience how he […]

A New Zealand traffic advert has gone global with its simple yet powerful message.  The ad – ‘Mistakes’ – is an initiative of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA), who state that in New Zealand:  “Last year, 83 people were killed and 408 were seriously injured in speed-related crashes.” Currently there are no stats available […]

The effects of Cyclone Bejisa swept into Durban this week, creating a swell that had surfers and spectators out in full force.  Professional photographer Greg Ewing captured the scenes – from a spectacular sunrise on Tuesday morning, to the determination of surfers to bypass barricades and paddle through monster rips for a chance to ride […]

The Democratic Alliance has called on all South Africans living overseas to use their opportunity to register to vote in the upcoming elections. If you’re a South African living abroad, you can register to vote at your closest South African Embassy, High Commission or Consulate during normal working hours up until the 7th February. PLUS […]

South African photographer Kierran Allen captured these breath-taking pictures of Durban beachfront on New Year’s Day…an annual event which has become legendary in Kwa Zulu-Natal, when people from near and far make a pilgrimage to the beach to celebrate and welcome in the New Year. Kierran is a local professional photographer who is passionate about […]

South African Princess Charlene spent the morning making Christmas dreams come true for many of the children of Monaco as she handed out gifts to them. And the children delighted her with an entertaining performance. The Princess and her husband, Prince Albert II, share a close relationship with the inhabitants of their small principality in […]

Stunning South African supermodel Candice Swanepoel completed her last shoot for 2013 for Victoria’s Secret today. The 25-year-old posted a picture on Instagram, holding  her prized Jack Russell Milo, with the message “My last @victoriassecret shot of 2013! What a year!!! Thank you to everyone in the vs family for an awesome year. Much love […]

This article has been updated with the latest IEC announcements: 02 January 2014. The end of apartheid saw our first truly democratic elections in 1994. The Bill of Rights, a key part of our famously progressive constitution, ensures universal adult suffrage – the democratic right to have your vote counted. In 2009 our Constitutional Court […]

President Zuma unveiled a nine-metre high Madiba statue at the Union Buildings in Pretoria this morning, a day after the the country’s beloved Nelson Mandela was buried in Qunu in the Eastern Cape. The statue replaces one of Prime Minister Hertzog which has been relocated. In a speech to commemorate the National Day of Reconciliation and […]

President Jacob Zuma will officially unveil a new Madiba statue on Monday morning at 10 am at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. The statue of the former South African President stands nine-metres tall, and the unveiling will be part of commemorating the National Day of Reconciliation and the Centenary of the Union Buildings. This event […]

Malawi’s President Joyce Banda received a standing ovation during her inspiring speech at Nelson Mandela’s funeral today. In case you missed it, here’s a transcript below: I stand before you today to join you, the people of South Africa, and the world, to mourn the loss of a great leader: Nelson Rohlihlahla Mandela. I join […]

South African President Jacob Zuma’s delivered a very moving eulogy today at the State Funeral in Qunu, Eastern Cape, for former President Nelson Mandela. Below is a transcript of the speech: “Today marks the end of an extra-ordinary journey that began 95 years ago. It is the end of 95 glorious years of a freedom […]

Au Revoir Tata Madiba! Just as South Africa’s former President Nelson Mandela illuminated his nation’s lives with messages of peace, hope and inspiration…so too is the world now honouring him by lighting its iconic landmarks in his name. As South Africa and the world bid a final farewell to Tata Madiba, the French will celebrate […]

In a conversation with CNN’s Anderson Cooper today, Archbishop Desmond Tutu revealed that he and Nelson Mandela did not agree upon everything. Laughing at the memories, the Archbishop shared the following anecdote during a live conversation to honour the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela. “I don’t think he liked getting my advice on his […]

Last Saturday, 7 December, something wonderful happened at Woolworths in Parkview, Pretoria. The Soweto Gospel Choir had been due to perform a rendition of James Brown’s “I Feel Good” as part of the Woolies nationwide Operation Smile Christmas campaign. But, as South Africa’s beloved former President Nelson Mandela had just passed away, the choir decided […]

South African singer Pierre de Charmoy has released a beautifully haunting tribute song to Nelson Mandela, aptly titled ‘Tribute to Madiba’.  “I was invited to participate in the making of the tribute song by music producers Jim Brown and Giles Chapman,” says the former best-selling solo artist who enjoyed hits in the ’80s with songs […]

Cape Town honoured the life of former South African President Nelson Mandela in a most fitting memorial service last night, as they celebrated Tata Madiba in an unforgettable concert at the Cape Town Stadium. (See the photos below by Louise van den Aardweg.) Although a small group of ANC supporters toy-toyed and tried to disrupt […]

South African singer Karen Zoid delivers one of the most beautiful renditions of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”…in a very emotional and moving tribute to former South African President Nelson Mandela. Watch it here: Karen Zoid (35), who was actually born in Belgium, first shot to fame in South Africa 10 years ago with her first solo […]

While South Africa’s President Zuma was booed, it went to President Obama today to capture the humanity and spirit of Nelson Mandela and the lessons and legacy that he has left  behind. Speaking at the Memorial Service for Nelson Mandela, at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, Obama said that he  first heard about Nelson Mandela […]

Please see below for  live coverage of the State Memorial Service for the late former South African President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WBoWoRZ20w&feature=share The programme for today, 10 December 2013, is as follows: Mr Cyril Ramaphosa and Ms Baleka Mbete 11:00 – 15:00 National Anthem: Mass Choir Welcome and Opening Remarks: Programme Directors Tribute by Family […]