On 27 April, Freedom Day, President Jacob Zuma will bestow National Orders on a number of worthy South Africans and citizens of foreign countries. The Presidency released the list of recipients for 2011 on 21 April. Zuma will confer the six categories – each one representing a specific service offered to the country – of […]

Enoch Mankayi Sontonga, a teacher and lay preacher from the Eastern Cape, died in obscurity 106 years ago today, aged just 33. But he left an indelible legacy. His hymn “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika” (God bless Africa) went on to become the continent’s most famous anthem of black struggle against oppression. Sontonga wrote the first verse […]

Congrats to Caster Semenya who had two big wins at the South African championships earlier this month. She won the 800 metres and the 1,500 metres at King’s Park Athletics Stadium in Durban. Caster is putting the gender controversy behind her, and told reporters that “That’s in the past and I’m looking to the future. […]

Three South African short films have been selected for the prestigious Internationale Kurzfilmtage Oberhausen, or Oberhausen International Short Film Festival, to be held in May in the river city of that name in the Ruhr region of Germany.   The films are Atrophy by Palesa Shongwe, Balance by Colleen Alborough and Steglitz House by Bridget Baker. The Kurzfilmtage is […]

South Africa’s favourite icon Nelson Mandela has joined global social phenomenon Twitter. Sort of. It’s not actually Nelson who’ll be tweeting to us folk. It’s his foundation. A British online consultant, Richard Millington, had owned the @NelsonMandela account on Twitter, but very graciously handed it over to the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory last week. […]

South African princess-in-waiting, Charlene Wittstock enjoyed the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters on Sunday 17th April with her prince, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco. Rafael Nadal played against his fellow Spaniard David Ferrer and won his seventh straight tournament.  

Check out the great South African exhibition at London’s prestigious V&A (Victoria & Albert Museum). The exhibition – ‘Figures & Fictions: Contemporary South African Photography’ – presents the vibrant and sophisticated photographic culture that has emerged in post-apartheid South Africa. It features works by some of the most exciting and inventive photographers living and working […]

The third summit of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) group of emerging nations takes place in China on 14 and 15 April under the theme Broad Vision, Shared Prosperity. South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma, representing the country for the first time at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao, addressed […]

A South African friend of sapeople has helped put together an amazing auction of memorabilia from artists like the Beatles, Duffy and Coldplay – to raise money for the Japanese tsunami survivors. There’s a Ferrari, one of Jane Birkin’s own handbags (a Birkin of course)…and a cupcake trampoline from Katy Perry. Plus loads more, with […]

by Ray Maota OR Tambo International Airport is Africa’s best, according to a survey of more than 11-million airline passengers of 100 different nationalities. Africa’s Best The airport, based in Kempton Park, east of Johannesburg, won the title of “Africa’s Best Aiport” at the World Airports Awards, held in Copenhagen on 30 March 2011. The […]

by Ray Maota Campaign Earth Hour was celebrated amid a shower of candlelight and music in Johannesburg recently. The cause was symbolically marked in the city by the switching off of lights at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto, south-west Johannesburg, on 26 March 2011 between 8.30pm and 9.30pm. The celebrations, held at the Orlando West […]

from an email doing the rounds (both men & women, sons & daughters – need to read this) After 17 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, ‘I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend […]

The Twickenham Stoop (Langhorn Drive) will be hosting a Sharks v Stormers pre-match party where fans can get pumped up for the game together! There will be fantastic socialising, live music and Boerewors Rolls, Biltong, Kiwi and SA snacks available to purchase and not to mention a free ticket to watch the Harlequins v Hull […]

by Nicky Rehbock As the first black African to summit Mount Everest and walk to the South Pole completely unaided, Sibusiso Vilane, 40, is one of South Africa’s – and indeed the continent’s – most inspirational heroes. He is also the first black man to climb the highest peaks on all seven continents, earning him […]

The royal wedding of Prince Albert II in early July will be a huge day for Monaco…and for his beautiful bride Charlene Wittstock. In an interview with Monaco-Matin the South African former Olympic swimmer said “I feel immense joy and emotion as you can imagine. I also know that this is an important time for […]

Charlene Wittstock will be wearing a Giorgio Armani-designed dress for her fairytale wedding to Prince Albert II of Monaco, in July. The fashion icon has previously designed outfits for Charlene and was selected for his elegant style. Traditionally, royal weddings in Monaco are held behind the closed doors of the principality’s Cathedral. But Prince Albert […]

From an email doing the rounds… Dear Noah, We could have sworn you said the ark wasn’t leaving till 5. Sincerely, Unicorns Dear Twilight fans, Please realize that because vampires are dead and have no blood pumping through them, they can never get an erection. Enjoy fantasizing about that. Sincerely, Logic Dear Icebergs, Sorry to […]

by Janine Erasmus South Africa’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) has thrown its weight behind the study of a small indigenous legume that, reports say, is effective in treating symptoms of HIV/Aids. The humble Sutherlandia frutescens is a small shrubby plant that’s popular in South African gardens because it’s hardy, attractive, and brings sunbirds to pollinate […]

by Bongani Nkosi “It was daunting. The ocean is very deep, very dark and very cold. The shores are rocky and dangerous.” This is how 53-year-old Ram Barkai describes the waters off Cape Horn, where he and four fellow extreme swimmers became the first men in international history to cross a section. “This was completely […]

After having dug to a depth of 10 feet last year, British scientists found traces of copper wire dating back 200 years and came to the conclusion that their ancestors already had a telephone network more than 150 years ago. Not to be outdone by the Brits, in the weeks that followed, an American archaeologist […]

by Janine Erasmus Major Catherine Labuschagne completed her maiden solo flight in October 2010 in the South African Air Force’s (SAAF) Gripen Jas 39C. When Labuschagne touched down at Makhado Air Force Base in  Limpopo province, she had become the first woman fighter pilot ever to fly solo in the supersonic aircraft. Formerly known as […]

by Wilma den Hartigh For those of us who enjoy our daily rooibos cuppa, a good flavour is all-important. However, for the uninitiated it is only possible to distinguish basic flavour characteristics. Now, with the help of a newly developed rooibos flavour wheel, anyone can identify a full spectrum of tastes and aromas of this […]

by Ray Maota The Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG) is marking 100 years of art-collecting with an elaborate celebration and launch of a new catalogue detailing the various works in its possession. The event will take place at the gallery in Joubert Park, Johannesburg, on 28 November 2010 at 5pm. The public is welcome to attend […]

by Nicky Rehbock A South African public service organisation has come up with a novel festive season gift concept that will have a lasting effect on the country’s less fortunate children and animals. The idea is being rolled out through the online Gifts4Good campaign, which offers internet shoppers a range of alternative gifts that support […]

Most of us wish certain things would improve in South Africa, but we tend to be passive whingers rather than active citizens. The following 15 philanthropists fall into the latter group. They’re active citizens who are helping make a real difference. These exceptional individuals were honoured for their financial contributions at the annual Inyathelo Philanthropy […]