To mark the 120th anniversary since Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika was composed (in 1897) and the 112th anniversary since the death of its composer Enoch Sontonga, here are some of our favourite videos of the African melody being performed… Sontonga, who died on 18 April 1905 at just 32, wrote the first two stanzas of Nkosi Sikelel iAfrika. It’s a […]

It’s all systems go as South Africa gets ready for a National Day of Prayer this Saturday, 22 April 2017… and South Africans abroad are invited to join in to make this an even more powerful day of prayer, asking God for “restoration and peace in our nation”. Expats in cities like Perth have arranged gatherings […]

It’s a very difficult thing on occasion to ignore what’s going on around you. Or at least, not to react too negatively towards it. Being one who doesn’t read the newspaper or watch the news on TV, I pretty much get wind of happenings on social media (cue Facebook and Twitter…) With everything that’s been […]

If you’ve always dreamed of swimming with dolphins, here’s a chance to experience it vicariously… Mike Kirk uploaded this fooage, filmed in KwaZulu-Natal last week – at Umdloti Beach, near Durban – on 12 April 2017. Surfing with Dolphins at Umdloti Beach, South Africa https://youtu.be/8_2zeuAhElQ

Lungile Gongqa became the first Capetonian to win the annual Two Oceans Ultra Marathon in 44 years, racing to victory in the Mother City on Saturday in a time of 03:09:43. It was an exciting close call between the South African and Warinyane Lebopo, from Lesotho, in the last few kilometres of the 56 km race. In third […]

George Airport in the Western Cape is doing it again. Last year it made headlines globally when it launched a 750Kw plant to become the first airport in South Africa that will get a lot of its power from solar energy… and this year it has received exemption from the South Africa Civil Aviation Authority […]

Siyabonga Duma, 28, wants to inspire other young people. The Port Elizabeth artist is making a living by turning beach sand into sculptures. The unemployed 28-year-old, who moved from Durban last year, displays his work at PE’s popular Hobie and Kings beaches. Every morning he and his 22-year-old brother Sizwe wake up early to collect sand […]

On Wednesday evening, a small but passionate group of South Africans in London congregated in solidarity with those who marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa. And on Saturday, a separate group will protest outside UK PR firm Bell Pottinger’s London office. The Democratic Alliance (DA) Abroad group in London, who arranged the candlelit […]

The first few months of 2017 have been both exhilarating and concerning for many South Africans. We have witnessed some great moments and some terrifying ones… writes JUSTIN SULLIVAN. I tend to expose the hard truths of reality sometimes (with photographs from the Western Cape fires to children in townships), and even though it may […]

Tens of thousands of marchers – some estimate over 100,000 – made their way peacefully to the Union Buildings in Pretoria today. CAROL ALLAIS was there to capture most of the photos on this page, from a remarkable day that will go down in history… In a show of unity – seldom seen anywhere in […]

President Jacob Zuma’s birthday celebrations are underway in South Africa… and although thousands marched to the Union Building in Pretoria today to call for the 75-year-old to step down as leader of the country, there’s apparently still a lot of love for the man his staunch supporters call by his clan name, Msholozi… as can be […]

LONDON (Reuters) – Cricket umpires have been given the power to eject disobedient players while tethered bails will be permitted to protect wicketkeepers from eye injuries as part of a series of law changes coming into effect from Oct. 1. The new ‘Players conduct’ rule will allow on-field officials to remove a misbehaving competitor temporarily […]

President Jacob Zuma has unintentionally united South Africans in a way never seen before… and seldom seen in any country on the planet: members of opposition political parties are gathered together in Pretoria, singing together, with one united voice: “Zuma Must Fall”. These South Africans – from all races and walks of life – have […]

Popular 50/50 television presenter Ntokozo Mbuli, who enters South Africans’ living rooms each Sunday, has announced she is becoming ambassador for the Rory Hensman Elephant Research and Conservation Unit (RHCRU). During her ten years on the wildlife programme Ntokozo has won multiple awards, and is also – unknown to many – the show’s executive producer. She says she […]

Are You Ready? Time to party!!! Turn it up and shake off the hassles of the day… Kryoman was in South Africa recently, in February – at the 2017 Ultra Music Festival, one of the world’s top electronic dance music (EDM) events, held at the Cape Town Stadium. Even if EDM isn’t your usual flavour […]

Opposition parties have reacted with more passion, and conviction to march tomorrow, following President Jacob Zuma’s attempts to paint the marches last week as ‘racist’! The Democratic Alliance (DA) uploaded this video of their leader Mmusi Maimane, passionately imploring South Africans to march on for a better future. The DA said: “Please WATCH and SHARE! – […]

The below photo by Peter Greenwall has gone viral, capturing the incredible spirit of unity being experienced in South Africa right now. Many said “where else in the world” (although to be fair to the world, this type of unity is seen in many places!). The lady on the right – or hippie as she calls herself- […]

The 2017 SA National Aquatic Championships in Durban wrapped up on Saturday, with a total of 24 Junior and eight Senior FINA World Championships qualifications, as well as four Deaf Olympics and seven World Para Swimming Championships qualifiers. Chad le Clos celebrated the confirmation of his third qualification time for Hungary in the 100-metre butterfly […]

Winnie Mabaso Foundation founder Lisa Ashton gave a shout out today to a very special doctor on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast… who demonstrated exactly what South African Ubuntu is all about. The children and staff, and staff’s children, from the Winnie Mabaso orphanage in Gauteng are currently on their annual holiday, at Port Edward. This morning, […]

1. You look for tracks in the ground and markings on the trees when you go for a walk in your local park. 2. You don’t look at house cats the same way. I mean, they’re like tiny leopards, right? 3. David Attenborough has now made it onto your list of the three people you’d […]

When last did you visit South Africa’s Garden Route National Park? Whenever it was… this video is sure to tempt you to book another trip to ‘paradise’ asap! Watch above or below, as Cape Town-based Zimbabwean model and TV presenter Kim Jayde Robinson goes ziplining at Tsitsikamma, kayaking from the ocean into Storm River, strolling along a […]

South African expat Charlen Boboko is using her opportunity as a contestant in the Miss Africa Perth cultural and beauty pageant, in Australia, to inspire young teenage mothers about the possibility of making your wildest dreams come true… something she knows firsthand as she pursues her dream to bring clean water to a million people within the […]

As much as congratulations have poured in for Sergio Garcia, who won a sudden-death playoff on Sunday to be crowned 81st Masters champion… so too has praise poured in for South African-born, English player Justin Rose who showed true sportsmanship in the face of defeat. (Watch below.) Sky TV presenter Jacquie Beltrao said: “Anyone watching especially kids – […]

Sitting on the shoulders of another South African abroad, expat Sarah Montgomery delivered a hard-hitting speech on Saturday in Trafalgar Square, London. Beginning with the words “I’m just a very ordinary South African”, Sarah’s words hit a chord with many other South Africans who no longer live in the country they still call home. Whilst […]

The Springbok Sevens team maintained their strong lead at the top of the World Rugby Sevens Series, despite losing to Fiji in a whitewash in the final of the Hong Kong Sevens on Sunday. A title at the Hong Kong National Stadium keeps on eluding the Blitzboks, but coach Neil Powell will be pretty pleased […]