Several South Africans have rejoiced at news that United States President, Donald Trump, has signed a visa-free travel policy for South Africans wishing to enter the USA. However, it is FAKE news, and identical articles were published on the same fake news site, making identical claims for the Caribbean and Asia. The article, entitled “Donald […]

South African rugby legend Joost van der Westhuizen remains in a “stable but critical condition”, according to the latest official update from his J9 Foundation facebook page. [UPDATE 6 Feb: Joost van der Westhuizen has sadly passed away at the age of 45.] Despite the rumours and media reports claiming he has passed away, his J9 […]

Beloved South African rugby player Joost van der Westhuizen has been rushed to hospital in critical condition. He is still alive, despite rumours on social media. [UPDATE 6 Feb: Joost van der Westhuizen has sadly passed away at the age of 45.] His foundation – the J9 Foundation – said on Facebook minutes ago: “Joost is still […]

Two large fires have been raging in Du Toits Kloof, Western Cape, since yesterday… with reports that some farming communities in the area have had to evacuate. JUSTIN SULLIVAN captured these photos of the rapidly spreading wildfire, and the firemen who worked bravely through the night to fight the flames as they burnt across the Du Toitskloof Pass, […]

A 34-year-old New Zealand citizen discovered – while applying for the newly required visa to visit South Africa on holiday – that she has been South African all along without realising it! Her South African expat mother, Cheryl Jury, has shared her story with SAPeople in the hope it can enlighten other South African families who may […]

During the recent flooding of the Sabie River in the Kruger National Park, it wasn’t only the vehicles that battled to cross the river… but the wildlife too. Marijke Arends-Meiring shared the below video to a Kruger National Park group page on Facebook, showing some elephants getting into trouble as they tried to cross the […]

When South African expat Phumeza Gogela passed away in the UK on Christmas Eve, just a week after her 35th birthday and at 25 weeks pregnant, South Africans in the UK rallied to support her newborn baby Phumeza Esther (who was in a critical condition) and help her family find closure by having her body […]

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for the resignation of Gauteng Premier David Makhura after the “horrifying deaths of at least 94 mental health patients”, as revealed by Health Ombudsman Malegapuru Makgoba in a report released Wednesday. Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, said in a statement Thursday that the Premier “should have acted […]

A visibly distressed South African woman, Gail Freathy, has been ordered to leave the UK after her and her husband Paul’s personal income did not show they were earning enough. In fact the couple was earning a lot more than the minimum requirement of £18,600 for those on a spousal visa, but they had chosen […]

WESTERN CAPE – A pair of alleged criminals involved in wildlife poaching were caught in Houtbay, South Africa, after being naive enough to try to claim back a bag filled with processed rhino horn and ivory which they’d inadvertently left at a restaurant! The two Chinese Nationals are expected to appear in the Wynberg Magistrate‘s Court on […]

South African Minister of Tourism Derek Hanekom said he was deeply saddened and disturbed when he heard of the fatal robbery at the popular Sakhumzi restaurant in Soweto at the weekend; and Joburg mayor Herman Mashaba paid the restaurant a visit today.  A manager died on Saturday night after an attempted robbery at the popular […]

After the shock announcement that Gerrie Nel – who became world famous during the Oscar Pistorius trials – has quit the NPA (National Prosecuting Authority), the top State Prosecutor has confirmed he is joining civil-rights group AfriForum… and Twitter is abuzz with rumours that he will go after President Jacob Zuma. Nel will head up the […]

Johannesburg was hit by floods again Monday with sink holes reported at various locations from Houghton Drive to Thembelihle Township (see full list below). The downpour resulted in flooded roads and major traffic delays, as well as reports of accidents. It’s estimated that at least 70mm fell in Alberton, Gauteng, since 9h00 Monday morning. Other parts of South […]

In September 2016, CITES* met in Johannesburg for CoP17 – a meeting of member states to clarify and review trade in endangered species. One particular talking point was met with shock and condemnation from the conservation world – South Africa would be permitted to legally trade in captive bred lion bones – against the general […]

South Africans have reacted with outrage at rumours reported in the Sunday Times today that disgraced ex-Eskom CEO Brian Molefe is set to be sworn in as a Member of Parliament (MP) after the Opening of Parliament on 9 February 2017. DA (Democratic Alliance) Shadow Minister of Public Enterprises, Natasha Mazzone MP, said Parliament should not […]

PRETORIA – Popular South African gospel singer Lundi Tyamara has passed away, his management announced on Friday. He was only 38. Manager and family spokesperson, Anele Hlazo, said Tyamara passed on peacefully at 12.40am today at Edenvale Hospital, where he was being treated for TB (tuberculosis) of the stomach and a liver condition. “Lundi put up […]

The City of Cape Town has approved even tighter water restrictions as dam levels are at an all time low, and will turn its attention to 20,000 residential consumers who appear to be ignoring the water restrictions. The announcement was made by the City’s Executive Mayor, Patricia De Lille, at a full council meeting on Thursday, 26 […]

South Africa has variously styled itself as a “bridge” between the North, the global South and Africa as well as a “gateway” into the continent. It also sees itself as a spokesperson for Africa, given its membership of the alliance of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa BRICS and the G20. It has declared […]

Popular American actress Mary Tyler Moore has passed away at the age of 80. Her longtime representative Mara Buxbaum issued a statement Wednesday saying: “Today beloved icon Mary Tyler Moore passed away at the age of 80 in the company of friends and her loving husband of over 33 years, Dr. S. Robert Levine.” TMZ had […]

I can already hear the intense Capetonian eye roll all the way from my lovely Jozi-based bed. But the truth is, this is not a “my city is better than your city” debate, this is just an honest and subjective look at the good, the bad and the ugly (which is few and far between […]

The NSPCA’s Farm Animal Protection Unit has uncovered another horror donkey killing site in the Northern Cape, where allegedly hundreds of donkeys were “illegally and brutally slaughtered” on a farm in Olifantshoek. According to a news release on the NSPCA’s website, two men – named as Heinrich Smit and Dawid Pappie – were arrested and have […]

There has been chaos and confusion for many South Africans living in New Zealand who have booked trips home this year… but now need a visa for their Kiwi spouse or children (or even for themselves where they’ve become a New Zealand citizen). As of last week (starting Monday 16 January 2017) New Zealand passport holders […]

Two videos – including drone footage and a close-up view – show a massive and developing sink hole that is threatening to swallow part of the R31, between Daniëlskuil and Kuruman, in the Northern Cape, South Africa! Both videos were filmed just over a week ago, on 12 January 2017. The Department of Roads and Public Works has […]

Family, friends, community members and media colleagues of kidnapped South African photojournalist Shiraaz Mohamed gathered at the Lenasia South Civic Centre on Wednesday night to hold a prayer vigil in which they called for the safe return of the lensman. At the multi-faith prayer service community leaders spoke of the easy going, warm-hearted and generous […]

South African rugby legend Joost van der Westhuizen – or somebody administering his Twitter account – Friday denied reports that he was in critical condition in hospital, as had been widely reported in South African media and around the world. [UPDATE 6 Feb: Joost van der Westhuizen has sadly passed away at the age of 45.] “Thank […]