Sixty thousands books that were meant to be distributed to libraries across the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province in South Africa, have instead been sitting gathering dust at the Head Office for Library Services… since 2019, according to the DA. There are also concerns that there has been a misuse of funds by the KZN Department of […]

Some scientists argue it will reduce transmission, but the South African regulator is worried. By James Stent and Gareth Kantor Is South Africa overlooking a vital tool for cutting down Covid infection rates? In April this year, the UK government announced that it would provide free kits for rapid antigen testing to all. People are […]

World Rugby has confirmed the schedule for the much-anticipated HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2022 as the sport looks to capitalise on a highly successful and impactful Olympic Games in Tokyo. Here’s everything you need to know: The 2022 Series will include 10 men’s and seven women’s rounds over six months Series to kick-off with […]

Eight foreign nationals, aged between 33 and 52, were arrested in the early hours of Tuesday morning for their links to an alleged R100-million internet scam during a large-scale operation in Cape Town. The group was arrested in a joint operation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United States Secret Service (USSS) […]

Former SA Schools and Junior Springbok captain Salmaan Moerat has earned his first Springbok call-up in a squad of 32 players named by Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber on Tuesday for the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour to the United Kingdom in November. The Springboks will play three Test matches on the tour – against Wales in […]

The use of Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine will remain “not approved” by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) amid concerns that it may increase the risk of HIV contraction among vaccinated males. Please see UPDATE from the Gamaleya Research Institution of Epidemiology and Microbiology further down the page. In the statement on […]

Four suspected rhino poachers were arrested over the weekend (15-18 October) in the Kruger National Park, thanks to the brave efforts of members of the Rangers Corp, assisted by the K9 Unit and the Aviators of the Airwing. The arrests – as well as one fatality – took place in the Stolznek section of the […]

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) – In South Africa’s Franschhoek mountains a helicopter drops off abseilers to cut down invasive pine trees that are choking off water supplies to millions of Cape Town residents already facing climate change-induced shortages. By Wendell Roelf. The crews are there to help to remove 54,000 hectares of alien trees by 2025, […]

Hippos and crocodile are being covered in human faeces and toilet paper in the Lake Mzingazi region, near Richard’s Bay in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa, according to the Democratic Alliance (DA). South Africa’s biggest opposition party said it conducted an oversight inspection of the area which revealed the “utter degradation” of the lake and associated […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa has been one of the first to congratulate SA’s new Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane, who was crowned at a glittering event in Cape Town on Saturday night. The President tweeted: “Congratulations to our new #MissSA2021, Lalela Mswane, who took the hotly contested title last night against a group of highly inspirational […]

On Sunday morning, the office of Chief Whip Hon. Pemmy Majodina issued a statement – in light of South Africa’s local government elections, coming up on 1 November – admitting to challenges in the ANC’s service delivery, but insisting that improvements are being made. But for many citizens it’s too little, too late. Across the […]

She’s 90 years old and thrashing runners half her age! Undefeated by lockdown or the pandemic, South Africa’s astonishing Deirdre Larkin kicked off her ninth decade with a gentle 10km run. This Sunday Carte Blanche meets the humble, humorous South African running legend, a national treasure who turned 90 on SA’s Heritage Day (24 September).  […]

A 36-year-old man in Bloemfontein in the Free State, South Africa, has been arrested for being in possession of valuable goods including Kruger Rands and antique watches. The suspect was arrested by the Parkweg Tracing Intervention Unit. The South African Police Service (SAPS) said their team received intelligence-driven information about the suspect being in possession […]

South Africans are going crazy for Adele’s new single ‘Easy On Me’ (WATCH VIDEO BELOW), with Adele’s name topping the Twitter Top 5 trends in SA for the second consecutive day… since the British singer-songwriter made her highly anticipated music comeback on Friday, releasing her first new record since the 2015 Grammy award-winning album “25”. […]

Dear Family and Friends, When it started raining at dusk and went on all night I knew I had a problem… writes Cathy Buckle in her latest Letter from Zimbabwe. With a friend on the banks of a river in a mountainous area where the roads are all steep hills, sharp corners and red soil […]

The Department of Health on Friday announced that children aged 12 to 17 years old in South Africa are next in line to receive the COVID-19 vaccine from next week. “We are now ready to start vaccinations for this group of young people from the age of 12 to 17 years,” said Health Minister, Dr […]

Nederburg has been showered in medals awarded by the 2021 International Wine & Spirit (IWSC) Competition based in London, winning three gold and three silver medals across its multi-tiered range, with Cabernet Sauvignon taking centre stage. All IWSC entries are tasted blind. Niël Groenewald, Nederburg’s managing director, says: “We’re delighted with our IWSC medals and immensely […]

Nelson Mandela’s family will be auctioning over 70 of his treasures in New York City on early December, in order to help finance the building of the Mandela Memorial Garden, which is being created in Qunu where the late great statesman is buried. The auction, by prestigious auction house Guernsey’s, will take place on 11 […]

A special police task force in South Africa has reportedly stormed a hotel in Pretoria, using teargas, to rescue Defence Minister Thandi Modise and two other ministers who were allegedly held hostage by disgruntled military veterans. Modise had been at St George’s Hotel with Deputy Defence Minister Thabang Makwetla, and Minister in the Presidency Mondli […]

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union and South Africa are in “intense talks” on how to increase the availability of vaccines to developing countries, potentially breaking a year-long global deadlock on the topic, an EU official said on Thursday. The two have been on either side of the debate at the World Trade Organization – […]

Former South African President Jacob Zuma today reiterated that there had been attempts to remove him from power within the ANC party since the mid-1990s. He claims that his imprisonment was the final move by those who fear him. Zuma was speaking remotely to supporters gathered at the ‘National Welcome Prayer’ event at Moses Mabhida […]

Road rage incident sparks violent clashes between taxi operators and shop owners… By Joseph Chirume, GroundUp. Several minibus taxis and a car were torched in Korsten, Gqeberha on Wednesday. This followed after an accident between a taxi driver and a motorist turned into an altercation. Other taxi operators got involved and are alleged to have […]

A total of 34.7% of the adults in South Africa have received at least one dose of the Pfizer or the Johnson & Johnson single-shot COVID-19 vaccine. According to the Department of Health, 19 668 177 doses have been administered to 13 799 325 eligible vaccinees since the start of the country’s inoculation rollout programme. […]

South Africa’s Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has gazetted an extension of the National State of Disaster on COVID-19 until 15 November 2021. The Ministry said the decision was taken following consultations with relevant stakeholders and Cabinet approval. “The extension takes into account the need to continue observing all […]

Eskom suspended loadshedding on Thursday morning, following six days of rolling blackouts throughout South Africa. The State-owned power utility said it has used the past six days to repair generating units and conduct its maintenance programme. “While Eskom teams have returned some generation units to service… we have unfortunately suffered further breakdowns during the period. […]