Hundreds of birds died on New Year’s Eve in Rome, Italy, allegedly killed by the shock of celebratory fireworks and firecrackers, although this has not been confirmed. The birds, mostly starlings that fill the southern European skies at this time of year, are believed to have been startled when people set off fire crackers near […]

In South Africa’s latest Covid-19 update on Friday night, Health Minister Dr Zwelini Mkhize revealed that with 16,726 new cases reported on New Year’s Day, this represents a positivity rate of 33.4 %, SA’s highest daily positivity rate. Dr Mkhize said in a statement on 1 January 2021: “As of today, the total number of […]

History was made today in South Africa with drastically reduced trauma cases being seen in hospitals on the first day of the year. South Africa’s stricter lockdown 3 regulations – including an alcohol ban and curfew of 9pm – are what probably led to a significant reduction in trauma cases this New Year’s Eve. An […]

The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Parys is seeking assistance in finding a missing woman who was last seen running barefoot towards the Vaal River. Police said the missing person, Rita Hawkins (53), is from Bellville and was visiting her aunt in Parys. “She was last seen on Wednesday, 30 December 2020 at about […]

A magical floral fireworks video has been going viral on WhatsApp in South Africa, and around the world, as the planet ushers in 2021… filled with hope and appreciation for the beauty in nature. The video begins with the message ‘Happy New Year / Naturally’ and ends with ‘2021’. In between it features amazing footage […]

This week Carte Blanche investigates a shipping provider who went into liquidation in 2020 and COVID-19 got the blame… while many emigrating South Africans suffered. Shipping Swindle It’s estimated that more than 20,000 South Africans emigrate every year. Finding a reliable service to courier a life’s worth of possessions and valuables is one of the […]

Enjoying the festive season, these monkeys in Umdloti, just north of Durban, appeared to be having some quality family time when Andrea Ben captured these cute photos of them “monkeying around” yesterday. Vervet monkeys are regular visitors to many gardens along the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) coast, and residents have been encouraged by Monkey Helpline to plant […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa has delivered the following New Year Message to all South Africans: As we reflect on the year that now draws to a close, we see a world that is fundamentally different to anything we have known before. There is no corner of the earth, nor any part of our country, that has […]

JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s representative of the hospitality industry, FEDHASA, has called on the government to fast track its vaccine deployment to make SA a more attractive destination to international travellers. South Africa’s competitiveness as a global tourism destination depends on perceptions of safety for travellers New AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine provides another viable alternative The […]

LIMPOPO – Police in Lephalale have launched a manhunt for an unknown number of suspects in a rhino poaching incident that took place on Monday evening at a nature reserve in South Africa. The South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a media statement that the poaching of the protected and endangered species was discovered […]

A video of a horse “dashing through the snow” in New York State, USA, has brought joy to millions around the world. Watch below to see the pure unadulterated delight of the animal as it plays and frolics in the deep snow. The video was uploaded to Facebook by Rachelle Huston on 17 December and […]

Eskom will again implement stage 2 load shedding tonight, beginning at 22h00 (10pm). Wednesday’s load shedding marks day two of load shedding after the power utility announced that it would cut power on Tuesday into Wednesday morning. Load shedding is expected to conclude at 5 am tomorrow. In a statement on Tuesday, the power utility […]

The South African Government has outlined plans for operations at the ports of entry from 2 January until 14 January that have been approved by the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJoints). During this period, traveller volumes are expected to be above normal because of people returning to South Africa. “The Department of Home […]

Rachel Kolisi, wife of Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, says Covid is not like flu… it’s far worse. Sharing her experience of testing positive for Covid-19, Rachel says that at first she thought she just had a sinus infection. She had no fever, sore throat or coughing; and actually spent the day in the swimming pool. […]

A simple bath in South Africa – with a stupendous view – is becoming a bit of an international star. Appearing today in The Daily Mail, one of the world’s most popular online media outlets, Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is featured as one of the amazing hotels on the planet where “the bath is the […]

Eskom has announced it will implement loadshedding Stage 2 at 22:00 in South Africa this evening, until 05:00 on Wednesday morning. The power cuts will be repeated on Wednesday night through to Thursday morning 31 December 2020. “This loadshedding is necessary to preserve emergency generation reserves in preparation for higher demand expected during January as […]

News that convicted prisoners may be amongst the first group of people to receive Covid-19 vaccinations has been met with “alarm” by the Democratic Alliance (DA), says MP James Selfe, DA Shadow Minister of Correctional Services. “We trust that this proposal will not be accepted or implemented,” said Selfe in a press statement on Tuesday. […]

The mutated Covid-19 variant (known as the 501.V2 Variant), which was announced in South Africa 10 days ago, has been discovered for the first time in Australia in a person who recently returned from SA. The female traveller was in quarantine in Queensland when she tested positive for the new ‘super strain’. It’s therefore hoped […]

South Africa now has 1 011 871 COVID-19 cases after the Health Department reported 7 458 new cases on Monday. A further 336 COVID-19 related deaths were also reported with 109 in the Eastern Cape, while the Free State recorded 8, Gauteng 22, KwaZulu-Natal 49 and Western Cape 148. This brings the total to 27 […]

With the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases and the increase in trauma cases, South Africa’s hospitals are almost full to capacity, according to SA’s President Cyril Ramaphosa. “Our hospitals, both private and public, are already close to full capacity in a number of provinces, and ICU beds are either full already or rapidly filling up,” […]

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has pointed out that in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement this evening, in which he has returned South Africa to Lockdown Level 3, the President has “still neglected to speak with clarity and certainty” on the acquisition and provision of the coronavirus vaccine. ”We understand that the resurgence in Covid-19 cases is […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa tonight issued a heartfelt plea to South Africans to do what they can to stop the spread of Covid-19. In an address to the nation, the SA president announced that South Africa will enter an adjusted Level 3 from midnight tonight, which includes a ban on the sale of alcohol. The President […]

Cape Town City and Bafana Bafana midfielder Thabo Nodada takes a long view of professional and personal success, even if that means making difficult decisions and putting hard graft before glitz. His isn’t a typical football story, nor is his approach to money that of the stereotypical big-spending soccer star. At school he was a […]

Forests are good for the planet: they purify the air and moderate the climate. They are abundant in resources, providing habitat, food, shelter and a rich biodiversity of plant and animal life. So it’s a worry that forests located near major cities are exposed to metals commonly found in atmospheric pollution. Metal contamination is one […]

More than 3 000 motorists in South Africa have been arrested throughout the country for allegedly violating traffic regulations since the start of December. “The majority of suspects (1 328 or 43%) were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. A total of 496 or 16% were arrested for driving speeds above the legal […]