Monday 7 June 2020 was the first day of school for Grade 7 and 12 learners across South Africa, under the COVID-19 learning environment – complete with face masks, screening and social distancing protocols. On the first day of the reopening of schools, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga visited various schools across Gauteng to oversee […]

On Monday (7 June), members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria (as well as at consulates in Johannesburg and Cape Town), in condemnation of the killing of George Floyd… whose death in the US has kindled global protest and debate about justice, prejudice and police brutality. Demonstrators branded […]

The mayor of Johannesburg, Geoff Makhubo, has gone into self-isolation after a member of his staff tested positive for COVID-19 after attending a funeral in the Western Cape. Makhubo earlier today visited a school in Johannesburg to see the safety preparations made for returning learners. Makhubo said that even though he had tested negative recently, […]

After years of South African train stations being subjected to unsolved arson attacks and hundreds of trains being burned, the Passenger Rail Agency of SA has dismissed four senior officials over their awarding of security-related tenders. Prasa said in a statement today that this followed a disciplinary enquiry of the executives, who were in its […]

This is one of the most iconic images in sporting history. It was shot by John Dominis, for Life magazine, during the medal ceremony for the men’s 200-metre sprint, at the Summer Olympics in Mexico City in October 1968… writes South African journalist and scriptwriter Gus Silber. In the middle, wearing the gold, is Tommie […]

About 30 South Africans who have been stranded in Panama for the past few months, under stringent lockdown rules, are desperate to catch a flight out of Panama to Brazil where they could board the final SAA repatriation flight back home to SA. They say it’s their last hope. UPDATE: Most South Africans stuck in […]

Every year, the world produces about 300 million tonnes of plastic. Somewhere between 5 million and 12 million tonnes of it finds its way into the oceans, according to a 2015 study by Jenna Jambeck and colleagues. But only a tiny fraction of that is estimated to be floating at sea – around 200,000 to […]

Government’s lack of transparency means analysts cannot evaluate whether a strategy is working… writes Alex van den Heever on GroundUp. The response required to address the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa could reasonably be argued to necessitate the extraordinary step to invoke the Disaster Management Act. After all, in times of crisis, even the old Roman […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa says he has one simple but fundamental message for his fellow South Africans: “Don’t be alarmed. Be prepared.” He says he, like most people, has noticed the number of confirmed Coronavirus cases in SA rising fast. “More than a half of all cases since the start of the outbreak were recorded in […]

A very large Squid – believed to be a Giant Squid – washed up on a beach in St Helena Bay on the West Coast of South Africa on Sunday morning. Adele MomNdele Grosse captured the following photos and video of the rare sighting. Adele told SAPeople it is likely the Squid – which measured […]

South African music legend Johnny Clegg would have turned 67 today, 7 June 2020. In memory of his father, Jesse Clegg has shared the below video: “I’ve Been Looking”. It’s a song that meant a lot to Jesse and his dad. It was their first collaboration, and it pays tribute to the importance of family. […]

Crises bring out the the best and worst of politicians and populations. Folly, fear and fortitude are on display everywhere. In the main, democracies have fared better than non-democracies in handling the coronavirus pandemic… writes Lawrence Hamilton from the  University of the Witwatersrand. But the record is very varied indeed. What explains this? What can […]

Many Cape Town residents have been left reeling after the suicide death of a reported dog-walker who has been unable to work during Lockdown in South Africa. The man was found tragically hanging with a dog leash in Sea Point, outside the home of Rev. Natalie Angela Barnard, from St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. On Thursday […]

There are calls again for the KZN government in South Africa to prioritise the safety of rural communities following the murder this morning of the owner of an eatery in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands community. UPDATE 9 June: Despite earlier reports that the attack happened at well known eatery Gunther’s, a close friend of the former […]

After a decade of South Africa’s embassies around the world becoming a laughing stock and a dumping ground for Jacob Zuma’s cronies, former cabinet ministers or people who allegedly had something on him, there might be some cause for celebration. On Friday President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law the Foreign Service Act, which “provides for […]

South Africans across the country captured last night’s Strawberry Full Moon – 5 June 2020 – in beautiful and creative photos. Nigel Riley photographed the Strawberry Full Moon rising over the lighthouses last night at Kalk Bay harbour. According to USA Today, this month’s full moon derives its name – Strawberry Moon “from the Algonquin […]

Former Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba has lashed out at the ANC for “looting the public purse” since the party came into leadership. Mashaba said in a Facebook post on Friday afternoon: “Since 1994 your focus has been looting the public purse, not serving society.” Mashaba’s comments came following the declaration by the ANC’s Jessie Duarte […]

South Africa’s famous anti-poaching hero – an award-winning dog by the name of Killer – was sadly put down this morning due to ill health, according to the film makers of multi award-winning rhino documentary STROOP. Stroop said late on Friday afternoon: “Such sad news coming out of Kruger today: Anti-poaching hero, Killer was put […]

South Africans in SA and around the world are called on to support (and enjoy!) the ‘Lockdown Legends online event, an initiative that’s raising funds for the South African music industry by members of the industry. Due to the devastating impact of Covid-19, artists and music industry professionals have been denied any source of income. […]

This Sunday Carte Blanche investigates allegations of historical abuse at a prestigious all-boys public school in Gauteng, and how the deadly coronavirus has left hundreds of restaurants across South Africa on their knees; plus former Joburg mayor Herman Mashaba talks about his political journey. You can watch the show on Sunday 7 June in South […]

Once famous in international horse-racing circles and for his parties and mixing in famous circles in the Swinging Sixties, Sir William Pigott-Brown, 79, has died in a nursing home in Cape Town, where he chose to spend out his years living in Clifton. His country estate at Aston Tirrold in Oxfordshire, was, according to the […]

The Western Cape needs about 30,000 beds as the number of Coronavirus infections in the province is expected to continue to surge, it was announced today when President Cyril Ramaphosa opened the 850-bed Hospital of Hope at the CTICC. Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize, who was on the visit with Ramaphosa and Western Cape Premier […]

South Africans who have been stranded abroad for months were finally – and with great relief – set to return home today from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on a TUI Airlines flight… however, at the last minute they have been informed that the flight is not cleared to land in South Africa! A few days ago, […]

Diligent detective work by the Protected Resources Division (PRD) of the Namibian Police, has led to more poaching charges being registered against well known Prophet Jackson Babi… writes Niël Terblanché from Informante. Prophet Babi, the founder of the House of Joy Ministries, is currently in police custody in Namibia, on poaching charges that stem from […]

To take the shortest route to the shops and to school, shack dwellers of Elias Motsoaledi informal settlement in Soweto had to cross a deep gully with a polluted stream. Although only a few metres wide it could be treacherous. In the summer rains, it was prone to flooding. People fell and had to have […]