A South African woman came by my Swedish brother- and sister-in-law’s bakery in Billeberga, Sweden the other day, and mentioned that she’d heard of another South African (me) who was flitting about town. And as the story goes with most South African expats – she proceeded to make a case for why she and her husband […]

The International Kite Festival kicked off today in Muizenberg with brilliant blue-sky conditions providing the perfect backdrop to showcase those kites. Zaahid Appoles and Robyn Gwilt were there to capture the photographs on this page – from Cape Town-loving kites to international flags, Pegasus, a shark, a dragon (of course!)…and many more. “I woke to a really calm, windless morning….but […]

South Africa’s legendary Lion Whisperer Kevin Richardson has received two rescued lion cubs from Spain…and it’s clear from the video on this page that the cubs couldn’t be in better hands. A few hours ago Richardson posted the following excited message on his facebook page: “THE CUBS ARE HERE, THE CUBS ARE HERE!! Meet George and […]

Thirty percent of South Africans have an alcohol problem or are on the verge of having one. Sixty percent of road traffic accidents in South Africa are a result of someone driving under the influence of alcohol. In South Africa, the penalty for driving under the influence is a maximum of R120,000 or six years in jail […]

After years of talking about it, months of organising it, and one crazy day of filming it – Durbanite Marc Williams has produced a Zombie short film just in time to get us in the mood for Halloween. The film – which lasts about six minutes – took Marc an entire year of on and off editing…but […]

South Africa’s dance community has come together to support prize-winning Cape Town choreographer and dancer Christopher Kindo who is battling cancer. Kindo has moved back onto the Simonstown property from which he was evicted as a child. Born in 1955, he grew up in Simonstown but his family was moved to Ocean View under the […]

Oops, it appears the very smart people at Forbes Africa have created a website that’s not that intuitive or, um, smart enough for us simple folk to use! So here’s a guide on how to Vote for South Africa’s Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, AND make sure your vote definitely worked! 1. Go to this URL: http://www.poy2014.com […]

A young South African – who celebrated her 20th birthday yesterday – has started a serious conversation in the country, with a kind invitation to join her at her 21st party next year. Although she’s not sure if she’ll be there. Jenna Lowe cannot breathe on her own, and will need a new pair of lungs […]

The 2014 edition of the HSBC Expat Explorer survey spins a really good story for South Africa. Expatriate workers looking for a balance between work and a decent family life rated South Africa the second best destination in the world, after New Zealand. The annual survey measures four categories: earnings, lifestyle, raising children and the […]

Most of us, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, have complained at some point about the ‘thieving’ monkeys in South Africa who brazenly enter our homes and steal our bananas. But deep down we’re secretly a little fond of them. We admire their agility, apparent humour and ability to outwit us! And we quite enjoy the fact that […]

Buyisiwe Sondezi started her academic life at a simple rural school near Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal. She had nine siblings and a burning desire to cure Aids. Today she is Dr Buyisiwe Sondezi, mother of two children and the first woman in Africa to be awarded a doctoral degree in experimental physics of highly correlated matter. […]

Apart from the Protea, there’s probably no other plant that evokes as much emotion in a South African as the sight of a Jacaranda tree in full bloom – and it’s not just because of its beauty.  It’s thanks to the memories it triggers: The times your family drove to Pretoria so that your mother could take photographs […]

Congratulations to South African golfer Lee-Anne Pace who won the  Blue Bay LPGA Championship in Hainan Island, China, this morning! It’s her second worldwide win in less than ten days! The tournament at Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course was besieged by four days of torrential rain (forcing the organisers to reduce the competition to 54 holes), […]

That South Africa punches well above its weight in the global luxury travel market was again confirmed with the release of this year’s prestigious Condé Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards.The country garnered the top spot in the best 100 hotels and resorts, and Cape Town was voted fourth out of the world’s 25 must-see cities. […]

President Jacob Zuma has reacted to rumours that he cancelled his trip to the UK because he was refused an audience with British Prime Minister David Cameron. In a media statement released today the Presidency said it has noted these reports, and that they are “incorrect and mischievous”. President Zuma was scheduled to open the […]

As the competition’s heating up for the big event that kicks off at 5 pm today in Cape Town, social media is alive with the jokes that are being shared. Here’s just a sample of some that have been sent in to SAPeople from rugby fans, including a Lion’s video that has been dug up […]

A wonderful production of Thumbelina opened at the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town last night, presented by Cape Town City Ballet as part of its 80th Birthday Celebration. Local photographer Robyn Gwilt had the “privilege of shooting rehearsals” earlier in the week. Her photographs are on this page. “Do yourself and your kids a favour and go […]

The US Department of Justice revealed yesterday that two South African brothers who own Out of Africa Adventurous Safaris have been charged with conspiracy to sell illegal rhinoceros hunts in South Africa in order to defraud American hunters, and engage in money laundering and the secret trafficking of rhino horns. UPDATE JULY 2021: Dawie Groenewald and AB […]

Students in South Africa surprised a homeless man in Cape Town with an act of kindness, after being inspired by a popular video on YouTube of three German students playing music for a homeless man. But there was one big difference between their videos…(watch both videos below). The German video was actually a short film to […]

One of the most popular videos on social media this week is one filmed in Cape Town by a tourist…who may have inadvertently broken the law. The video shows the stunning beauty of Cape Town and its surroundings including Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, Cape Point, Seal Island, Hout Bay and Simon’s Town…and also stars a shark […]

Dr Buyisiwe Sondezi, a student at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), is the first woman in Africa to be awarded a doctoral degree in experimental physics of highly correlated matter. Sondezi graduated as a Doctor of Physics at UJ in September this year. The title of her thesis was “The physical properties of ferromagnetic CeTX […]

If you recognise these words – “Alan! Alan! Alan! Oh wait, that’s not Alan. It’s Steve!” – you’ve probably watched the BBC’s ‘Funny Talking Animals – Walk on the Wild Side’ before. In fact you’ve probably watched it a few times! The show was aired on BBC One back in 2009…but is still as popular […]

So this is a true Karoo Moment… Jules and I are sitting on the front stoep of the Karroo Theatrical Hotel. We’re spending the entire afternoon on this stoep, drinking much wine and shooting the breeze with the innovative hotel owners, Mark Hinds and Jacques Rabie. But lest you think we’re a bunch of old […]

Four friends from the UK won the trip of a lifetime to South Africa earlier this year. The two couples flew out to South Africa in April for a fortnight of exploring the country – from Gauteng to KwaZulu-Natal, and then to the Western Cape. Married couple Lucy and Andrew (both Project Managers and both […]

South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma has wished a Happy Diwali to all. In a message published on The Presidency website this morning, Zuma says: “We would like to extend good wishes to the Hindu, Tamil, Gujerati and other communities who celebrate Diwali or Deepavali, as it is also known. “Diwali honours the triumph of light over […]