KINSHASA, 29 (Reuters) – Democratic Republic of Congo’s government said on Friday that it has decided to open up parts of Virunga and Salonga National Parks, home to mountain gorillas, bonobos and other rare species, to oil drilling. Earlier proposals to allow oil exploration in the parks met fierce resistance from environmental activists, who say […]

The Department of Arts and Culture announced in South Africa on Friday that the name of Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape is soon to be changed to Makhanda, . The name change was published in the Government Gazette on Friday after almost two decades of calls for a change, according to the Department. Arts Minister Nathi […]

Contrary to reports, although an intense cold front is expected to hit South Africa on Sunday into Monday, there is NOT a tropical cyclone heading for South Africa! The South African Weather Service (SAWS) said on Friday night that the confusion was caused by a symbol used for their alerts. In a playful dig at […]

If you’re in the UK on Sunday 1 July – you’re in luck! One of the most beautiful choirs in the world – the award-winning Stellenbosch University Choir – will be performing for one night only in London… on their way to performing at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod in Wales (which we hope they win!). […]

Snow Report SA has confirmed that the ‘blanket of snow’ that’s predicted for South Africa from Sunday to Tuesday IS still on track… with a likelihood of at least 2cm of snow on Table Mountain, Cape Town, on Sunday evening. The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has also issued warnings about the cold front, which […]

South African Minister of Police Bheki Cele and National Police Commissioner Kehla Sitole have on Friday morning officially launched a SAPS anti-corruption strategy. Several police officers and stakeholders were joined at the Tshwane Police Academy for the launch. Sitole said: “A professional police organisation needs to be free of any corruption. If you love your […]

The South African Department of Energy is expected to announce a fuel price adjustment later on Friday. Automobile Association (AA) has on Thursday released the petrol price outlook for July. The AA said the petrol prices are anticipated to increase by 26 cents a litre in July‚ meanwhile diesel will increase by 24 cents and […]

Missing Cape Town psychologist Diane Elizabeth Nelson has sadly been found deceased. Her body was reportedly discovered on Table Mountain, in South Africa, on Thursday. Nelson was last seen on Saturday 23 June 2018 at around 20h00. Her vehicle was recovered at Cecelia Forest, with her handbag reportedly in it. Her cell phone was allegedly not […]

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa’s rand steadied early on Thursday after slipping to a seven-month low the previous day amid broad-based dollar gains. At 0625 GMT, the rand traded at 13.8625 per dollar, not far off its New York close of 13.8550 on Wednesday. The rand slipped to 13.9375 on Wednesday, its weakest since Nov. […]

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – A U.S. law firm has filed a class action lawsuit against South African miner Sibanye-Stillwater on behalf of shareholders to recover losses suffered after a spate of deaths at its mines triggered a sharp fall in its share price. Bernstein Liebhard LLP said in a statement the suit would deal with “misleading […]

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa’s state power utility Eskom has raised its wage increase offer for this year to 6.2 percent from 4.7 percent previously, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) said on Thursday. NUMSA said in a statement that three unions negotiating with Eskom were demanding a 9 percent increase in […]

South African struggle veteran and Ambassador, Billy Modise was finally laid to rest on Thursday at the West Park Cemetery in Johannesburg. Dignitaries including former presidents Kgalema Motlanthe and Thabo Mbheki, as well as current South African President Cyril Ramphosa attended the Special Official Funeral. Motlanthe, Mbeki and Ramaphosa also each delivered a speech. President […]

Snow Report SA says it looks like Christmas is coming a little early for South Africans, as a cold front due from Sunday to the early hours of Tuesday – “will very likely bring a blanket of snow right across the country, as it makes its way from west coast to east coast”. The cold front […]

Wikipedia mania is about to hit South Africa… in the form of the first Wikimania conference to be held in sub-Saharan Africa – in Cape Town from 18-22 July. And the key focus will be to increase regional contribution to the world’s largest free, collaboratively-built online encyclopedia. According to Wikimedia SA President, Douglas Scott, there […]

South African expats in the UK are in for a major treat as top South Africans artists Prime Circle, Just Jinjer and Tailor will be performing together on one stage in London in August! PLEASE NOTE: EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED. After successful runs in Johannesburg and Cape Town, Real Concerts are bringing A Night To […]

With just three days left of June, there has already been a 34% increase in farm attacks in South Africa during the first six months of 2018, according to AfriForum… with another couple losing their lives yesterday. AfriForum claims that during the first six months of 2017, 157 farm attacks took place and 40 farm […]

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) – South Africa’s main opposition group – the Democratic Alliance (DA) – broke the law when it sacked the mayor of Cape Town Patricia de Lille, judges ruled on Wednesday, in a further blow to a movement already split by the dispute. The DA, preparing to fight the ruling African National Congress […]

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South African tycoon Christo Wiese sold part of his stake in grocer Shoprite on Wednesday, raising R3.6-billion ($264 million) and shoring up his finances, which were dented by his exposure to scandal-hit Steinhoff. Nearly $15 billion has been wiped off Steinhoff shares over the last six months after the owner of Mattress […]

Carte Blanche has defended its expose on Sunday night of the international gun trade which fuels the slaughter of South African rhino at an alarming rate of one every eight hours. In a statement on their site, together with international trafficking investigator Kathi Lynn Austin, Carte Blanche says “disrupting the supply of weapons used in wildlife […]

With a high chance of rainfall in Cape Town today, volunteers helping in the search for a local woman – who has been missing since Saturday early evening – are asked to please think twice about participating today. Popular Claremont clinical psychologist Diane Nelson was last seen on Saturday 23 June 2018 at around 7pm. Her […]

South African Communications Deputy Minister Pinky Kekana says social media platforms like Facebook have become more than just a networking site, they are now used for news, marketing and even campaigning… and need to be used for good, not bad. Speaking at the inaugural Facebook NGO DAY in Sandton, Johannesburg, Kekana said a study had […]

Members of the public are urged to come forward with any information related to the murder of two members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in separate incidents. One reservist Constable was killed in Section H, Ekangala near Bronkhorstspruit on Monday morning when he was responding to a complaint. On arrival at the scene, […]

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Glencore said on Tuesday that eight people were injured at its South African smelting operations in the North West province during a protest. Glencore said a security company at its Wonderkop Smelter fired rubber bullets to disperse the protestors, who were demanding employment, resulting in eight people sustaining minor injuries. (Reporting by […]

South African National Parks (SANParks) has issued a statement  “categorically” stating that a story which appeared on Carte-Blanche on Sunday evening, regarding gun trade, is “characterised by inaccuracies and is regrettable”. In the show Kathi Lynn Austin alleged that SANParks senior personnel, together with members of the South African law enforcement agencies, could by implication […]

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa’s economic growth prospects will be limited by weak business confidence while uncertainty around land and mining reforms remain a concern for investors, ratings agency Moody’s said in its research report on Tuesday. “Uncertainty over how this (land reform) will be achieved continues to limit near-term investment,” said Moody’s analyst and […]