S&P Global on Friday downgraded its outlook for South Africa’s credit rating to negative, citing weak pace of economic growth, mounting government debt burden and liabilities related to the country’s energy utility, Eskom. The downgrade significantly increases the probability of a downgrade in the sovereign rating of Africa’s most industrialized economy. South Africa is already […]

Visitors to the Kruger National Park in South Africa are feeling blessed this morning after one of the world’s most famous wildlife reserves received an abundant summer rainfall on Saturday… although overnight rain did also cause flash floods with evacuations from the Sable Height camp and the Letaba River low water bridge was left under […]

A third tornado has been confirmed to have hit South Africa this month, again in KwaZulu-Natal. The tornado struck on Friday evening, 22 November, with the damaging winds tearing through the Utrecht area. “The South African Weather Service (SAWS) can confirm that a tornado did occur in the Utrecht area in KwaZulu-Natal…” said the country’s […]

Two women who are believed to have been kept against their will in Arcadia, Pretoria, have been rescued thanks to an Intelligence-driven operation comprising a team of experts from various units within the South African Police Service (SAPS). “The women aged 19 and 21 years were allegedly forced into prostitution for several months. “The latest […]

Elon Musk’s launch of his Tesla Inc futuristic Cybertruck pickup suffered a setback when its “armoured glass” windows shattered during a presentation, but it was the overall look of the car that attracted the most comments and worried Wall Street on Friday… with the company’s shares falling more than 6%. Online critics made fun of […]

A third lion pride has been brutally butchered in a MONTH in South Africa by poachers who hacked off their heads and paws and stole them to be used to make traditional medicine potions… with the lion owner alleging that there appears to be a link between lion farms being audited and then attacked. Distraught […]

JOHANNESBURG – South African Airways (SAA) reached a deal on wages with two striking unions on Friday to end an eight-day strike at the state airline. Already reliant on government handouts to survive, SAA had to suspend hundreds of flights after the South African Cabin Crew Association (SACCA) and the National Union of Metalworkers South […]

Miss South Africa Zozibini Tunzi has revealed a couple of the costumes she will be wearing in Atlanta, USA, to compete with beauty queens from around the world in the Miss Universe competition (which has its Final on 8 December). And South Africans have mixed reactions. Revealing the ‘Wave of Love’ National Costume, on Friday, […]

Each year, South Africans produce about 40 million tonnes of general waste, only 10% of which is recycled, according to the State of Waste Report published by the Department of Environmental Affairs in 2018. The other 90% ends up in landfills or waste storage facilities around the country. But what happens to the 10% of materials […]

Beyond the statistics of a drought that continues to scorch parts of South Africa – particularly in the Northern Cape – are hundreds of stories of residents and animals trying to cope under duress with the dire conditions. This is one of those stories. It’s heartbreaking. And it’s just one of many. Filmmaker and lecturer […]

South Africa‘s National Transport Movement (NTM) on Friday signed a wage deal with South African Airways (SAA) for a 5.9% pay rise for the 2019/20 financial year that started in April, according to a copy of the deal seen by Reuters. NTM is one of the largest unions at state-owned SAA, but its members are not participating in […]

Many Johannesburgers will be looking for the best vantage point downtown on Sunday, 24 November, to view the implosion of the former Bank of Lisbon building, marking the end of a sad downward spiral for one of the city’s tallest buildings. The 31-storey 1970 structure, on Sauer Street between Albertina Sisulu and Helen Joseph, was […]

The festive season is fast approaching, and in an annual tree lighting ceremony that’s becoming as hotly anticipated in South Africa as that in New York’s Rockefeller Centre or St Petersburg’s Palace Square, Cape Town’s Moët & Chandon Golden Tree is the place to be for the launch of the festive season… and this year […]

AUSTRALIA – The woman seen in the heartbreaking viral footage of a koala being rescued from one of the multitude of fires burning across Australia this week, has reunited with the koala. In the video the grandmother of seven can be seen running into the burning area, desperate to help the crying koala, risking her […]

As reported earlier today, South African comedian Trevor Noah has been nominated for a Grammy Award. Since announcing the exciting news, Trevor has posted another heartfelt message on social media… which could even be his speech should he win! The South African expat – who now lives in New York – has been nominated for […]

South Africa’s popular Ndlovu Youth Choir and award-winning flutist Wouter Kellerman have been awarded an international accolade at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards in the USA. An elated Kellerman said on social media Thursday morning (Wednesday night US time): “Fantastic news!! We just heard we won the HMMA (Hollywood Music in Media Award) with […]

JOHANNESBURG – A South African union filed a case on Thursday asking a court to subject the distressed state-owned airline SAA to a business rescue, with the aim of restoring it to profitability. Solidarity, which mostly represents white, Afrikaans-speaking employees, said it would “mean that the court can appoint a business rescue practitioner with comprehensive […]

The Office of the Chief Whip in Parliament has issued a statement following the arrest of ANC Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, Bongani Bongo, who was arrested this morning in Cape Town, South Africa. “We are aware that the MP was arrested by the Hawks on allegations of […]

Legendary Cape Town venue – the Fireman’s Arms – was in flames last night. This morning, Cape Town residents were in mourning, remembering the many memories they made at one of South Africa’s most famous pubs… well known for its beers, wine, food and sport! Fireman’s Arms was established in 1864 and is one of […]

Team SA has returned from the World Para Athletics Championships with a bagful of medals and a total of 10 qualifiers for next year’s Tokyo Paralympics – and counting. There were 11 medals won in Dubai, two of them gold, with three silvers and six bronzes. Anrune Weyers was the show-stopper from a Team SA […]

Auditor General Kimi Makwetu has called on government leaders to take urgent action to halt the trend of disappointing audit results, restore accountability and prevent mismanagement of public funds. Releasing the 2018-19 general report for national and provincial departments as well as their entities, Makwetu said political leaders, accounting officers, authorities and oversight structures must […]

An elated Trevor Noah tweeted Wednesday: “Today I woke up to the news that I’ve been nominated for a Grammy Award!!! I’m so grateful. ????????????????” The South African comedian (and expat who now lives in the US), has been nominated in the Best Comedy Album category for his ‘Son of Patricia’ comedy special, which first […]

When insurance company Old Mutual refused to pay out on the death of a loved one in South Africa, insisting on more proof, the victim’s family complied – and brought the corpse into their offices in Stanger, in a body bag. The incredible footage (see below) was shot in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) after two bereaved female […]

A senior state prosecutor who was accidentally shot dead in her own court room was blasted by a police officer who was handing over a gun as an exhibit in a robbery trial, it can be revealed. The South African Police Service (SAPS) is treating the incident as culpable homicide and senior detectives have interviewed […]

CAPE TOWN – World champions South Africa will play two home tests against Scotland in July before hosting Tier 2 side Georgia for the first time. The Springboks will welcome the Scots on July 4 and 11, before playing Georgia a week later, South African Rugby said on its website on Wednesday. The venues for […]