Last Saturday, 7 December, something wonderful happened at Woolworths in Parkview, Pretoria. The Soweto Gospel Choir had been due to perform a rendition of James Brown’s “I Feel Good” as part of the Woolies nationwide Operation Smile Christmas campaign. But, as South Africa’s beloved former President Nelson Mandela had just passed away, the choir decided […]

South African singer Pierre de Charmoy has released a beautifully haunting tribute song to Nelson Mandela, aptly titled ‘Tribute to Madiba’.  “I was invited to participate in the making of the tribute song by music producers Jim Brown and Giles Chapman,” says the former best-selling solo artist who enjoyed hits in the ’80s with songs […]

Cape Town honoured the life of former South African President Nelson Mandela in a most fitting memorial service last night, as they celebrated Tata Madiba in an unforgettable concert at the Cape Town Stadium. (See the photos below by Louise van den Aardweg.) Although a small group of ANC supporters toy-toyed and tried to disrupt […]

South African singer Karen Zoid delivers one of the most beautiful renditions of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”…in a very emotional and moving tribute to former South African President Nelson Mandela. Watch it here: Karen Zoid (35), who was actually born in Belgium, first shot to fame in South Africa 10 years ago with her first solo […]

While South Africa’s President Zuma was booed, it went to President Obama today to capture the humanity and spirit of Nelson Mandela and the lessons and legacy that he has left  behind. Speaking at the Memorial Service for Nelson Mandela, at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, Obama said that he  first heard about Nelson Mandela […]

Please see below for  live coverage of the State Memorial Service for the late former South African President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WBoWoRZ20w&feature=share The programme for today, 10 December 2013, is as follows: Mr Cyril Ramaphosa and Ms Baleka Mbete 11:00 – 15:00 National Anthem: Mass Choir Welcome and Opening Remarks: Programme Directors Tribute by Family […]

For a man who spent a huge chunk of his adult life unable to be quoted, South Africa’s former prisoner and President became one of the planet’s most quoted and inspirational people. Here is a collection of some of the finest Nelson Mandela Quotes: “Death is something inevitable. When a man has done what he […]

When American talk show host Oprah Winfrey interviewed Nelson Mandela in 2000, she found him to be the most inspiring and humble man she had ever met…particularly when he asked what the subject of the show would be… The whole video interview is worth watching, but don’t miss 1:50 where Oprah reveals the extent of […]

South Africa’s beloved Tata  Madiba – Nelson Mandela – has sadly passed away today, 5th December 2013, at the age of 95…leaving a legacy that will last many lifetimes. The Presidency has confirmed that the former South African president will be accorded a State Funeral, and that all the flags of the RSA will be lowered […]

South African musician Marshall Harmse has come up with a brilliantly catchy Christmas song, with a great video (see below) to get South Africans in the mood for Christmas. Well, sort of.  It’s more a protest song than a Christmas carol…with the chorus chant of  “My heart is as heavy as a stone is…Coz they […]

A wonderful story of inspiration is unfolding in Empire Road and other streets of Johannesburg where a well-known South African storyteller has discovered an unknown book-lover. Three days ago South African director, cinematographer and storyteller Tebogo Malope (29) posted a video interview with an unlikely bookworm – 24-year-old homeless man, Philani. The story of the […]

South African author Anita Pouroulis has won one of children’s publishing’s top awards for her picture book ‘Oh, What a Tangle’.  The former primary school teacher from Bedfordview in Johannesburg won the Best World Children’s Book Award at the China Children’s Book Fair in Shanghai earlier this month. ‘Oh, What A Tangle!’ was released in the […]

It was announced today, by the South African President’s Office, that President Zuma has signed into law the Protection of Personal Information Bill. According to a statement issued by The Presidency, the Act will “give effect to the right to privacy, by introducing measures to ensure that the personal information of an individual is safeguarded […]

Saturday night’s rugby match between France and South Africa was not only a big night for the Springboks, it was a huge night for Bongani Tembe, SA’s celebrated tenor. The opera singer proudly performed South Africa’s national anthem at the start of the test match that marked 100 years of international rugby between France and […]

We love Jo’burg! I have always been a fan of Johannesburg, but never more so than a few weeks ago, after spending only four days there. This city is pulsing, pulling in vibes and influences from all over the world to create a metropolis quite unlike any other. Even the people who live there are […]

In response to the outrage sparked by photos of American TV celebrity Melissa Bachman gloating behind a lion she killed in South Africa, a retired professional hunter speaks exclusively to SAPeople about the well-meaning but potentially dangerous implications of the flurry of anti-hunting social media campaigns. More than 430,000 people have signed a petition calling […]

It turns out that while South Africa is hotly debating the pros and cons of fracking in the Karoo, Botswana has gone right ahead with gas extraction and quietly opened up vast areas which include some delicate ecosystems. The development has allegedly gone unchecked, and poses a grave impact on the rights of the people, […]

South African President Jacob Zuma visited former President Nelson Mandela at his home in Houghton this morning, before officially opening the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory this evening. During this morning’s visit, the President conveyed the well wishes of South Africans and those of people around the world. Zuma reported that Madiba’s health remains the […]

Through mud and rain, the Springboks played an awesome match against Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday 17 November, claiming a 28-0 victory! It’s the first time in two years that the Scots have been left scoreless.  The South African tries in Edinburgh were scored by Willem Alberts, Willie le Roux, JP Pietersen and Coenie Oosthuizen; […]

Nobel-prize winning author Doris Lessing has passed away peacefully at her home in London this morning. She was 94-years-old. Lessing, who was brought up in Zimbabwe (then Southern Rhodesia), wrote numerous novels of which the most famous is probably ‘The Golden Notebook’, published in 1964. She was born Doris May Taylor in Iran (then Persia) […]

South African jazz musician Julius Schultz talks exclusively to SAPeople about the power of a supportive wife, chicken curry and the value of being colour blind. The Johannesburg-born guitarist, and father of two, who already has three albums under his belt…has recently released his latest offering…’COLOUR BLIND’. 1. When did you learn to play guitar? […]

Candice Swanepoel gave fans a sneak preview of herself  in a multi-million dollar bra hours before parading the ‘famous’ Fantasy Bra on the catwalk at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. The cool South African supermodel uploaded the image to Instagram a couple of hours before the show, with the message “it’s almost time!” All week […]

Compiled by Gary Green Check out the quiz questions below. We’ll publish the answers on Wednesday (6 November 2013). Monday morning music quiz. Six clues for six songs. 1) The dilemma is whether to depart or remain. 2) A piece of granite and a islamic fortress. 3) The junior male is not permitted to shed […]

South African surfer Jordy Smith is in with a chance of winning the Moche Rip Curl Pro at Supertubos in Peniche, Portugal today! After four lay days, competition resumed yesterday in firing 1-1,5 metre waves. Earlier today Australia’s Mick Fanning was knocked out in the quarter finals which allows Jordy, Joel Parkinson (Australia) and Kelly […]

South African supermodel Candice Swanepoel has put a smile on many faces in the past week – modelling for Operation Smile charity and posing in video clips. But the biggest  smile  was the one on her own face…when she spotted her mom at the airport in South Africa. She described it, on Instagram, as “that […]