(Reuters) – Seven times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton on Thursday welcomed the sport’s expansion in the United States… but called also for a return to South Africa. Formula One last raced at the Kyalami circuit, north of Johannesburg, in 1993 but there have been talks about a return. Chloe Targett-Adams, the sport’s head […]

Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has responded to frustrated citizens who are queueing outside Home Affairs’ offices long before dawn, and even then they might not be served. The need for IDs as the local government elections loom and also the school holidays has added demand. Meanwhile the department has been reducing active staff due to Covid […]

Fikile Ntshangase was at home with her grandson Buyile in Ophondweni, Kwazulu-Natal province, South Africa, when three unknown men walked in and shot her dead in her living room. Fikile was a mother and grandmother, a campaigner, and a leader, who had been opposing the extension of Tendele Coal mine in Northern KZN. Friday the […]

South African author and publisher Joanne Fedler, who lives in Australia, recently returned home to SA to be at her beloved mother’s bedside as she sadly passed away. Yesterday, Joanne penned this poignant post from SA as she contemplates her return to Australia, her other home, filled with the ‘glad sad’ emotions that live in […]

As a South African expat living in Australia, and travelling around the world on tour, comedian Kevin Fraser clearly knows what it’s like to be asked about your accent… and then to try explain that South Africa… Is… A… Country! Kevin posted the following video on Facebook less than 4 hours ago, saying “THAT ONE […]

Viewfinder analyses 47,000 cases of police brutality, and the results are horrifying. By Daneel Knoetze… On average, police in South Africa kill someone every day. Viewfinder has now published the police watchdog’s database on these killings, along with other complaints of police brutality and corruption: more than 47,000 cases registered between 2012 and 2020. The […]

Government Communication and Information Systems (GCIS) Director General Phumla Williams and former South African Airways (SAA) Group Treasurer Cynthia Stimpel are expected to share their whistleblower experiences during a webinar this Sunday, October 24. The webinar – titled The Lives and Trials of Whistelblowers in South Africa – is the second of a five part […]

Sixty thousands books that were meant to be distributed to libraries across the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province in South Africa, have instead been sitting gathering dust at the Head Office for Library Services… since 2019, according to the DA. There are also concerns that there has been a misuse of funds by the KZN Department of […]

Some scientists argue it will reduce transmission, but the South African regulator is worried. By James Stent and Gareth Kantor Is South Africa overlooking a vital tool for cutting down Covid infection rates? In April this year, the UK government announced that it would provide free kits for rapid antigen testing to all. People are […]

World Rugby has confirmed the schedule for the much-anticipated HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2022 as the sport looks to capitalise on a highly successful and impactful Olympic Games in Tokyo. Here’s everything you need to know: The 2022 Series will include 10 men’s and seven women’s rounds over six months Series to kick-off with […]

Eight foreign nationals, aged between 33 and 52, were arrested in the early hours of Tuesday morning for their links to an alleged R100-million internet scam during a large-scale operation in Cape Town. The group was arrested in a joint operation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United States Secret Service (USSS) […]

Former SA Schools and Junior Springbok captain Salmaan Moerat has earned his first Springbok call-up in a squad of 32 players named by Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber on Tuesday for the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour to the United Kingdom in November. The Springboks will play three Test matches on the tour – against Wales in […]

The use of Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine will remain “not approved” by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) amid concerns that it may increase the risk of HIV contraction among vaccinated males. Please see UPDATE from the Gamaleya Research Institution of Epidemiology and Microbiology further down the page. In the statement on […]

Four suspected rhino poachers were arrested over the weekend (15-18 October) in the Kruger National Park, thanks to the brave efforts of members of the Rangers Corp, assisted by the K9 Unit and the Aviators of the Airwing. The arrests – as well as one fatality – took place in the Stolznek section of the […]

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) – In South Africa’s Franschhoek mountains a helicopter drops off abseilers to cut down invasive pine trees that are choking off water supplies to millions of Cape Town residents already facing climate change-induced shortages. By Wendell Roelf. The crews are there to help to remove 54,000 hectares of alien trees by 2025, […]

Hippos and crocodile are being covered in human faeces and toilet paper in the Lake Mzingazi region, near Richard’s Bay in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa, according to the Democratic Alliance (DA). South Africa’s biggest opposition party said it conducted an oversight inspection of the area which revealed the “utter degradation” of the lake and associated […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa has been one of the first to congratulate SA’s new Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane, who was crowned at a glittering event in Cape Town on Saturday night. The President tweeted: “Congratulations to our new #MissSA2021, Lalela Mswane, who took the hotly contested title last night against a group of highly inspirational […]

On Sunday morning, the office of Chief Whip Hon. Pemmy Majodina issued a statement – in light of South Africa’s local government elections, coming up on 1 November – admitting to challenges in the ANC’s service delivery, but insisting that improvements are being made. But for many citizens it’s too little, too late. Across the […]

She’s 90 years old and thrashing runners half her age! Undefeated by lockdown or the pandemic, South Africa’s astonishing Deirdre Larkin kicked off her ninth decade with a gentle 10km run. This Sunday Carte Blanche meets the humble, humorous South African running legend, a national treasure who turned 90 on SA’s Heritage Day (24 September).  […]

A 36-year-old man in Bloemfontein in the Free State, South Africa, has been arrested for being in possession of valuable goods including Kruger Rands and antique watches. The suspect was arrested by the Parkweg Tracing Intervention Unit. The South African Police Service (SAPS) said their team received intelligence-driven information about the suspect being in possession […]

Dear Family and Friends, When it started raining at dusk and went on all night I knew I had a problem… writes Cathy Buckle in her latest Letter from Zimbabwe. With a friend on the banks of a river in a mountainous area where the roads are all steep hills, sharp corners and red soil […]

Learners from five primary schools in the township of Langa, Cape Town, will now benefit from a bus transformed into a fully equipped mobile classroom. The 42-seater Atlas Digibus is kitted out with laptops, two teaching stations, and Wi-Fi for learners to participate in online teaching programmes like coding. After successfully launching its tuk-tuk mobile […]

The Department of Health on Friday announced that children aged 12 to 17 years old in South Africa are next in line to receive the COVID-19 vaccine from next week. “We are now ready to start vaccinations for this group of young people from the age of 12 to 17 years,” said Health Minister, Dr […]

Nederburg has been showered in medals awarded by the 2021 International Wine & Spirit (IWSC) Competition based in London, winning three gold and three silver medals across its multi-tiered range, with Cabernet Sauvignon taking centre stage. All IWSC entries are tasted blind. Niël Groenewald, Nederburg’s managing director, says: “We’re delighted with our IWSC medals and immensely […]

Nelson Mandela’s family will be auctioning over 70 of his treasures in New York City on early December, in order to help finance the building of the Mandela Memorial Garden, which is being created in Qunu where the late great statesman is buried. The auction, by prestigious auction house Guernsey’s, will take place on 11 […]