The government will release 700,000 hectares, the equivalent of 7000 square kilometres, of vacant state land in the next two weeks and lease it to qualifying applicants. The vacant or underutilised land is made of of 896 farms in all provinces except the Western Cape and Gauteng, according to a statement today by Agriculture, Land […]

There has been widespread condemnation after a pride of seven lions in the Karoo National Park in Beaufort West were killed, apparently put down by the South African National Parks (SANParks)… but this evening SANParks will be holding a webinar where its conservationists and other experts will answer questions, and explain their reasons behind the […]

A 2.8 magnitude earth tremor was felt in Gauteng, South Africa, on Thursday afternoon just after quarter to one, as confirmed by the South African Council for Geoscience (CGS). The epicentre was measured about 5km south east of Randfontein, in the West Rand of Johannesburg, said the CGS. Gauteng Weather said on Twitter: “BREAKING: Preliminary […]

An uplifting story about a pregnant dolphin rescued by legendary Italian diver, Enzo Maiorca – who inspired the 1988 film ‘The Big Blue’ – is inspiring a new generation to take care of the ocean… with social media users passionately sharing the Facebook post this week. The tale was posted on Friday, and recounts the […]

Sean Williams and Lovemore Robson have been inspiring Gauteng with their incredible mission to clean up the litter around Lonehill and Fourways, and protect the planet… but it’s Lovemore’s first trip to the beach that’s creating the most waves in South Africa. The duo have been cleaning up the streets of the Joburg suburbs, and […]

If you are from a country that has been listed by South Africa in the High Risk category for Covid-19 infection and transmission rate, and you need to undertake a business trip to SA, you may do so from 1 October 2020 by following the below guidelines. While leisure travel to South Africa is not […]

You’ve probably watched more than enough Jerusalema Dance Challenge videos by now… but this beautiful performance by the community of Oudtshoorn in Klein Karoo, South Africa, is sooo worth the watch – uniting people of all shapes and sizes, colours and creeds for a wonderful uplifting dance challenge that involved the whole town. Filmed last […]

It was a gift that Trevor Noah, a nonfan of Donald Trump if ever there was one, couldn’t have hoped for in his wildest dreams to celebrate his five-year anniversary on the “Daily Show”: the first debate between Donald Trump and the Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden. The debate last night – there are meant […]

During his testimony to the Zondo commission into state capture yesterday, Gauteng businessman Edwin Sodi (who was arrested today by the Hawks) said that over the years he made donations to several cabinet ministers and deputies, including health minister Zweli Mkhize and deputy minister of state security Zizi Kodwa.   The Democratic Alliance said today […]

South Africans have been crying for the arrest of big-name politicians and businessmen over state capture, and Hermione Cronje of the National Prosecuting Authority promised last month that there would be arrests in September. Well, on the last day of the month, it’s come true. The arrests seem to have begun in earnest. The Directorate […]

While travellers from all African countries are allowed in and out of SA, visitors from the countries listed below will not yet be allowed permission to travel to South Africa… but this will be revised in a couple of weeks’ time. UPDATE 11 November 2020 : ALL countries are now allowed to visit South Africa. […]

The Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (CONTRALESA) in the Eastern Cape is threatening to take government to court should the summer circumcision season not be allowed. Traditional leaders are threatening to go to court if the December circumcision season is not allowed. The June season for traditional circumcision schools was suspended because of […]

Gauteng Premier David Makhura has placed the provincial Health Department head, Professor Mkhululi Lukhele, on immediate precautionary suspension for allegedly failing to exercise responsibility in the COVID-19 related procurement. The development comes after the Special Investigating Unit, in a report dated 22 September 2020, made the recommendation. “The Special Investigating Unit found that the Head […]

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a yellow warning for “severe thunderstorms with possible flooding of susceptible low lying areas” in parts of South Africa later today. SAWS warned there could be disruption to traffic because of reduced visibility and “strong damaging winds” that may cause some damage to informal settlements. The storm […]

The Electoral Commission has rejected the registration of former Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba’s ACTIONSA as a political party, citing the infringement of sections of the Electoral Act. “ACTIONSA was informed in writing yesterday of the failure of its application based on the similarity of its symbol or distinguishing mark to that of another party already […]

The back and forth of the South African Airways Saga continues, as the business rescue practitioners in charge of the airline’s future or demise have suspended all operations with immediate effect until they have a clearer picture of whence (and if) the money is coming to save the beleaguered carrier. “The BRPs have made a […]

Despite the South African economy shedding 2.2 million jobs due to the COVID-19 lockdown, unemployment in the country dropped from 30.1% to 23.3% in the second quarter of 2020, according to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA)… the lowest rate since 2009! However, before we all celebrate, the sharp fall in unemployment – as published in […]

South Africans have been urged to think twice before sharing unconfirmed crime-related information on social media platforms, following a fake kidnapping video that spread fear. The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena urged members of the community to exercise caution, following a video that went viral on social media platforms, particularly on […]

The World Table Tennis Championships is coming to Durban, South Africa, for the first time ever in 2023, and to the African continent for the first time since Cairo played host in 1939. Durban comfortably beat the rival bid from Dusseldorf at the International Table Tennis Federation’s (ITTF) virtual Annual General Meeting, enjoying a commanding 90 […]

Farms and unused parcels of land sitting empty for years in rural areas will be occupied and instead used for housing and other recreational facilities. Farm workers and dwellers have warned that unused land will be occupied. They were attending a three-day land colloquium webinar hosted by the Women on Farms Project. Issues discussed included […]

GENEVA – Curbing capital flight and illicit financial flows in Africa could generate new funds to respond to the COVID-19 crisis on the continent, says UNCTAD’s Economic Development in Africa Report 2020, which was launched on Monday 28 September. The UN estimates that African countries will need to raise at least $200 billion to cope […]

Researchers at Stellenbosch University have found that South Africa has sufficient log resource options for a sustainable wood residential building market. “Our study showed that with the use of wood resources currently exported as chips, as well as planting trees in areas that have been earmarked for afforestation, it will be possible (in the long […]

There was much excitement this weekend as Theewaterskloof Dam, Cape Town’s main source of drinking water, appeared to be overflowing. But it turns out that was the wind pushing the water over, and not the dam that was actually all the way full just yet. But it is close… as can be seen by these […]

Five suspects, arrested in connection with alleged human trafficking, are expected to appear in the Rustenburg and Kuruman Magistrate Courts today, in South Africa. The five men were arrested on Sunday morning following a Hawks Northern Cape and North West Serious Organised Crime investigation with the assistance of Crime Intelligence, K9, TRT, Crime Scene Investigation […]

South African singer Belinda Davids flew the flag high for SA, making it to the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent. On Saturday night she blew the nation away with her rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” on BGT. BGT said: “Not many people can take a Whitney Houston song and make it sound even […]