South Africans in the Karoo region were singing in the rain on Wednesday as they finally received a huge downpour of summer rain, after about five years of devastating drought. In some areas there was flooding… but gratitude was the only emotion most residents felt. There was jubilation in the Northern Cape as rivers were […]

South Africa finished their ATP Cup campaign in Brisbane as runners-up to Serbia in Group A after a comeback victory over France 2-1. Represented by Kevin Anderson, Lloyd Harris, Raven Klaasen, Ruan Roelofse, Kholo Montsi (who broke into the Top 12 IFP Rankings this week) and Jeff Coetzee (captain), the country needed to win 3-0 […]

Buckingham Palace says it “understands” Prince Harry and Meghan’s desire – to step down as ‘senior’ members of the royal family, and live between North America and the UK. The Palace said in a short statement on the Royal Family’s website: “Discussions with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage. We […]

South African teen sensation Kholo Montsi has broken into the Top 12 of the ITF (International Tennis Federation) Junior rankings! Tennis South Africa announced the news on Wednesday evening, saying: “‪What a moment for ?? Kholo Montsi! ?‬” The 17-year-old has been seen court-side in Brisbane, Australia, this week where he was part of Team […]

Louis Oosthuizen has given Team SA a big boost by making himself available for the Tokyo Olympics later this year, writes GARY LEMKE. The country’s No1 golfer, ranked 20th in the world, confirmed his availability for the Games as he prepared for the defence of his SA Open title, starting at Randpark in Johannesburg on […]

Representing South Africa, Kevin Anderson fought his way to a close victory against France’s Benoit Paire in Brisbane, Australia, on Wednesday evening local time at the ATP Cup. The first set went to the Frenchman, 6-2. In the second set, Anderson fought back for SA to level the match 7-6 against a frustrated Paire. In […]

Congratulations to Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis who has been named the African Women’s Coach of the Year again. Ellis has proved herself again to be a coach extraordinaire! In January 2019 the formidable South African coach was named the CAF Women’s National Team Coach of the Year 2018, and during 2018 Ellis made […]

The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it is “horrified and outraged” at the shooting of one of its Members of Parliament, Cameron Mackenzie MP, in an attempted robbery at Dainfern Ridge Estate in Midrand, north of Johannesburg, on Tuesday night. MacKenzie was wounded and rushed to hospital. “This attack has proved yet again, that no one […]

South Africa’s prevention of mother-to-child transmission programme has achieved remarkable successes in recent years. It has improved the health and life expectancy for pregnant women living with HIV, and it has reduced the risk of transmission of the virus to their offspring. HIV can be transmitted during pregnancy, at the time of delivery, and through […]

The Class of 2019 matriculants are expected to be glued to their television screens tonight as Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga announces the national results of the 2019 National Senior Certificate matric exams. The Independent Examinations Board (IEB) announced the private schools’ matric results at midnight last night. The Basic Education Department will release the […]

Kevin Anderson (33) may live in the USA, but the SA expat is playing with all his heart in Australia – representing South Africa!  On Monday in Brisbane, Anderson continued his strong start to the 2020 tennis year when he beat Chile’s No1 player Cristian Garin 6-0, 6-3 to deliver South Africa their first ATP […]

  There was a wonderful moment at the Golden Globes ceremony at the Beverley Hills Hilton in Los Angeles last night – where Tom Hanks, recipient of the 2020 Cecil B. Demille award, and South Africa’s Charlize Theron (who presented it to him) showed off their mutual admiration… but that’s not the moment that Hanks […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his condolences to the family of esteemed business leader Dr Richard Maponya, following his passing in the early hours of Monday. Widely respected as the doyen of black business, Dr Maponya passed away in Johannesburg just a few days after his 99th birthday. “We have lost a pioneer, a trailblazer and a […]

The Four Paws team announced in a statement on social media on Monday that they are mourning the loss of FOUR PAWS Founder and President, Heli Dungler, who died suddenly and unexpectedly on Sunday. “His death is a severe blow for us and fills us with great pain. Our thoughts and our deepest sympathies are […]

Eskom will not be implementing load shedding on Monday, despite a constrained and vulnerable system. “There is sufficient water at the pumped storage schemes and we have managed to conserve diesel at our open cycle gas turbine generators and continue to work to replenish the diesel levels,” Eskom said. These emergency reserves will supplement the […]

SA Rugby President Mark Alexander has paid tribute to Johan Prinsloo, a former CEO of the organisation, who passed away earlier on Sunday after a battle with cancer. Prinsloo, who was born in 1951, joined SA Rugby as CEO in 2004 and served until 2011, after which he moved to the South Western Districts Eagles […]

South African Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has condemned the torching of 24 Shosholoza Meyl coaches in Bloemfontein at the weekend. Mbalula said the arson attack is a pure act of criminality and will be dealt with as swiftly and as harshly as possible. The damage is estimated at R90 million. According to the Ministry of […]

The festive holiday season came to an abrupt end on Saturday for South Africans… who were plunged back into darkness by Eskom’s power cuts. The state power utility – which did its best to keep the lights on for Christmas and New Year – announced on Sunday morning that loadshedding Stage 2 would continue today […]

Sixteen lions at a lodge in Rustenburg, South Africa, have been killed by poachers. The faces and paws of eight of the adults were hacked off, most probably to sell their teeth and claws to be used in ‘black magic’ potions or ‘muti‘. Distraught Gert Blom, 51, who owns Predators Rock Bush Lodge in North […]

A young 22-year-old hunter is being hailed a hero for risking his own life to save nine koalas injured by the relentless fires ravaging Mallacoota in East Gippsland on the New South Wales coast of Australia. Patrick Johnson who is more accustomed to hunting animals than rescuing them, said all those he has rescued so […]

Carte Blanche covers a Rolex murder, Sperm Donor Siblings, DNA database disasters plus more, on Sunday 5 January – on DStv Now if you’re in South Africa, and available to stream from Tues 7 January on Showmax International in most other countries.  Mammoth Families – the Stories of Sperm Donor Siblings How would you feel if […]

Around 480 million animals are estimated to have been killed in New South Wales (NSW) alone since the start of  bushfires which have turned parts of Australia into apocalyptic scenes with landmark buildings, schools and homes burnt to the ground, cars gutted and thousands huddled on beaches beneath blood red skies. The fires began in […]

A South African expat, now living in Spain, has posted an emotional plea for help for his wife after a tragic turn of events. Tim Beckerling, Executive Creative Director at MRM//McCann Madrid, posted his message a few hours ago saying: “THIS IS A CALL FOR HELP! PLEASE READ AND SHARE!!! My Wife, the bravest woman […]

The Department of Home Affairs has extended its working hours in anticipation of an increase in demand for services. “The Department of Home Affairs is extending operating hours to 7pm from 02 January to 10 January 2020 to meet the anticipated increase in demand for our services during the period before the schools reopen. The […]

As many South Africans prepare to hit the road on their way back from Christmas holidays, South African Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has urged drivers to remain vigilant on the road as the festive season draws to a close. The Minister’s call comes after seven people lost their lives, while 15 others sustained moderate to […]