South Africans celebrated 20 years since Nelson Mandela finally left prison and walked out a free man. And what an incredible walk to freedom it has been. Mandela was already an international icon at the time – February 11, 1990 – but he has been one of those rare individuals whose life, spirit and insight […]

by Janine Erasmus “I wish to put it plainly that the government has taken a firm decision to release Mr Mandela unconditionally. I am serious about bringing this matter to finality without delay.” With those words, said on 2 February 1990, then-state president FW de Klerk set a remarkable chain of events in motion. An […]

From an email doing the rounds… 1. The Cape Times ( Cape Town ) “I have promised to keep his identity confidential,’ said Jack Maxim, a spokeswoman for the Sandton Sun Hotel, Johannesburg , “but I can confirm that he is no longer in our employment. We asked him to clean the lifts and he […]

Two hundred relatives, friends and fans of Mahatma Gandhi gathered in Durban to scatter some of his last remaining ashes into the Indian Ocean on 30 January. The sacred ritual was arranged by his granddaughter Ela Gandhi and marked the anniversary of the famous pacifist’s death 62 years ago. Traditionally, ashes are immersed in rivers […]

An email doing the rounds… FYI – IMHO stands for In My Humble Opinion

From an email doing the rounds… WOW!!!! The astonishing scene of a leopard savaging a crocodile has been  caught for the first time on camera. A series of amazing pictures were taken at the Kruger National Park in 2008. It’s thought to be the first known time that a leopard has tackled and overcome a […]

We’ve received a mountain of amazing, inspiring emails during the course of the Luxury Woolies Hampers give-away competition. Here’s a sample of some that touched our hearts. We asked visitors to the site to tell us who they thought deserved to win a free luxury Woolies Hamper. Here’s what they said: Nominee: Ethel Cronje Nominated […]

interviewed by Jenni Baxter Melanie Walker is sapeople’s featured blogger in Johannesuburg. She also has a ‘few’ other jobs – which include writing  for SA Garden and Home, presenting a gardening show, “Grounded” on 1485 am Radio Today; scriptwriting and researching for a couple of shows on DSTV (including Studio 53 – lifestyle and entertainment […]

The third ticketing sales phase for South Africa’s 2010 Fifa World Cup has seen the number of tickets applied for hit the 500 000 mark in the first 10 days. South Africans made 77% of the requests, or 386 300 ticket applications, and the rest of the world 114 237 applications. The US was the […]

NOW YOU CAN HAVE THE PERFECT GIFTS DELIVERED ANYWHERE IN SOUTH AFRICA Always looking for ways to make your life easier, Woolworths has just introduced an online gift hamper solution just in time for Christmas. Now no matter where in the world you live, you can have the perfect gift for any occasion delivered anywhere […]

PACE – Promoting Access to Carbon Equity – is a non-profit organisation that runs a programme called “Credible Carbon”. Through this programme PACE encourages businesses and individuals to reduce their carbon footprint. This has seen PACE invest in solar water heaters in Benoni, solar panels in Welbedacht township, and bioethanol gel stoves the rural Umdoni […]

In the build up to next year’s football tournament to be held in South Africa, Engen has launched a TV, radio, print and Internet campaign to show the world our African face. The campaign, known as African Welcome encourages each and every South African to express their support for the upcoming tournament under the banner […]

Caster Semenya – the South African athlete who has been dogged by controversy over her gender – is apparently going to be allowed to keep the gold medal that she won in the 800 metre race at the World Championships in Berlin in August. According to South Africa’s sports ministry the International Association of Athletics […]

Past Experiences is a fabulous new Johannesburg company that specialises in archeological experiences in South Africa and offers unique tours around Jo’burg for the locals. We spoke to archeologist Jo Buitendach, whose inspiration it was to start this company. Tell us a little about Past Experiences As a company, one of our most important values […]

Just seven months after being elected President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma has received the prestigious African President of the Year Award for 2009! The award, an initiative of the African Consciousness Media and the Kenneth Kaunda Foundation, is bestowed upon an African leader to recognise and honour their achievements. During his speech – at […]

by Bongani Nkosi It also recognises Mandela’s “leading role in and support for Africa’s struggle for liberation and unity, and his outstanding contribution to the creation of a non-racial, non-sexist democratic South Africa”. The UN invited all member states, its organisations and other international organisations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organisations and individuals, […]

Raise more than a smile this Christmas! Make sure your Christmas cards get delivered on time by sending a digital greeting card that supports the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (UK) to your friends, family and cilents. Every card sent raises at least £1 for the NMCF UK’s work in South Africa. For more information visit […]

Satan visits Cape Town and meets Gatiep. “Do you know who I am?” says Satan. “Nay,” says Gatiep, “gie my a hint.” Satan says, “I am the Prince of Darkness.” “Fok!” says Gatiep, “jy’s mos die CEO van Eskom!”

We may just get to see a Southern African become the next addition to the British Royal Family. Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy seem to be back on again…with bookies in England lowering the odds of them getting engaged before Christmas to 4/1. They were seen together at the rugby at Twickenham over the weekend. […]

Just a little email to brighten your day: Always try to help a friend in need Believe in yourself Study hard Give lots of kisses Laugh often Don’t be overly concerned with your weight, it’s just a number Always try to see the glass half full Meet new people, even if they look different to […]

Reg Bamford’s website 1st Contact is one of those must-use sites for any South African on  a working holiday to the UK. Here, the 42-year-old entrepreneur – who happens to have walked to the North Pole – discusses life, lessons and the positive attitude that enabled him to build a successful company overseas. 1. You […]

Charlize Theron proved she’ll do anything for charity…by kissing a woman to raise money for children in need. The 20-second kiss took place on stage at the OneXOne Fundraiser in San Francisco on October 22. Charlize had offered the kiss up for auction after a lacklustre response to her original (fabulous) package  of a trip […]

Check out Charlize Theron kissing a girl (who paid $140,000 to charity for the honour!): http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=722B539E11F95803

South Africans featured in “Life of Pi” by Yann Martel (winner of The Man Booker Prize 2002) OK, so they’re not exactly South African people, but a whole colony of meerkats appear in the middle of Pi’s survival adventure in the Pacific Ocean. “But it was the meerkats that impressed themselves most indelibly on my […]