Reports today that the ANC is negotiating an exit deal for President Jacob Zuma is nothing but “betrayal to the people of South Africa whose lives have been worsened during his tenure as the president”, according to the DA. DA National Spokesperson Refiloe Nt’sekhe stated in a press release Sunday that “President Zuma and those […]

South Africa’s Blitzboks blasted past arch-rivals England 33-12 to book their place in the HSBC Sydney Sevens quarter-finals in Australia on Saturday. After an easy tournament-opener victory against Papua New Guinea (50-0), coach Neil Powell’s men sailed past Spain, 38-0 in their first match of day two… Rosko Specman snatching two tries. Their second Pool […]

Ian Neilson, JP Smith and Priya Reddy respond to readers’ questions… We asked readers to send questions about the water crisis for the City of Cape Town to answer. We selected and edited the best ones. Ian Neilson (Deputy Mayor), JP Smith (Mayco Member for Safety & Security and Social Services) and Priya Reddy (Director […]

While most of South Africa received rain today, including the Karoo… unfortunately the Western Cape and Northern Cape were very much ‘plunged’ into sunshine-y brightness amidst a never-ending drought (the longest in recorded history)… As Day Zero approaches rapidly (now set for 12 April, when residents’ taps will be turned off), Western Cape Premier Helen […]

Here are the latest hot topics due for broadcast on Carte Blanche this Sunday, and available for South Africans living abroad from Tuesday – 30th January 2018, if they’re a subscriber of Showmax International. Life Esidimeni Hearings Continued Former Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu was finally in the hot seat at the Life Esidimeni Arbitration hearings […]

The folk in the Karoo, South Africa, are happily sitting on their porches this afternoon, listening to the rain as it soaks the soil and replenishes their souls… Stormy conditions were expected over most of the country on Friday, with some severe thunderstorm warnings issued for parts of the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho. WATCH […]

A South African architecture firm has created one of the most exquisite new homes on the French Riviera. The luxury residence – in St Tropez – is billed as a “modern  interpretation of Côte d’Azur living”. The prestigious project, in one of the world’s most sought-after destinations for the rich and famous, landed in the […]

The Free State Provincial Government has committed to fully cooperate with the Hawks as they investigate matters relating to allegations of impropriety at Vrede Dairy Farm, which is at the centre of allegations involving the Gupta Family. The commitment comes as search and seizure operations by the Hawks are currently underway at the offices of […]

The Drakensberg Boys Choir School has paid tribute to “the late great” South African musician, Hugh Masekela, who passed away earlier this week – at the age of 78 – after a long battle with prostate cancer. During the video – performing ‘Stimela’ (Coal Train) – a young boy can be heard saying: “Dear Mr […]

The trial of KwaZulu-Natal alleged rhino poaching “kingpin”, Dumisani Gwala and his co-accused is set to finally start on 22 May 2018, almost three and a half years after their initial arrests. Gwala, together with his co-accused, Aubrey Dlamini and Wiseman Makeba, faces a combined 10 charges relating to the illegal purchase and possession of […]

The South African Government’s focus on anti-corruption strategies in the protracted battle to protect the rhino is starting to yield dividends, with 21 officials arrested for poaching related offences… and a slight decrease in the number of rhino it claims were killed by poachers during 2017. There’s also news that SA will be sending rhino […]

Today the DA laid charges of incitement to violence at the Vereeniging Police Station against Facebook user, Aubery Thamasanqa Mabele, who called on President Jacob Zuma to “give him a gun to defend our democracy… one bullet, een Boere kind” while checking in at Hoerskool Overvaal.   In another post he asked for a “menu […]

The North Gauteng High Court has ruled that the reappointment of the former Eskom Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Brian Molefe, was unlawful and has been set aside. The court found that Molefe’s claim of early retirement was contrived and therefore invalid. Molefe was also found to not be entitled to a pension pay out […]

Western Cape Premier Helen Zille told BBC Newsnight on Thursday evening that today’s crisis in Cape Town was not meant to hit for another ten years. She said the weather services got it wrong… because of climate change. “This drought could never have been foreseen,” Zille said. “The South African Weather Services have said to […]

The DA caucus of the City of Cape Town last night decided by 84 votes to 59, and one spoilt vote, that it has lost confidence in Mayor Patricia de Lille. Bonginkosi Madikizela – DA Western Cape Leader – said in a statement Thursday that this vote was requested by Cllr Mercia Kleinsmith, and was […]

Scandal Veteran actor, Sandy Mokwena has died at the age of 68, writes Wendy Mothata. Mokwena is well known in South Africa for his role as Eddie Khumalo on eTV’s popular weekday soap, Scandal!… a role he has played since 2005. Sunday World reports that the channel’s spokesperson Michael Pocock confirmed Mokwena’s passing. “We can […]

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, as head of Team SA at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, has assured potential investors that South Africa is politically stable and open for business. “The South African delegation to the World Economic Forum 2018 (WEF) in Davos Switzerland, has been assuring partner governments, investors and finance institutions […]

Miss Universe 2017, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, flew in to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Wednesday morning. It is her first visit back home to South Africa, since she was crowned Miss Universe last year and relocated to New York. Demi-Leigh was met by family, friends, fans… and a furry creature too – her pet […]

South African Police Minister, Fikile Mbalula, paid a visit to the community of Kagiso near Krugersdorp on the West Rand on Tuesday, where he listened to and recognised the concerns of “human trafficking” and “prostitution” raised by the residents… writes Wendy Mothata. The residents were gathered at the Kagiso Community Hall, but after it became full […]

Cape Town’s Day Zero continues to make world headlines. Here’s a news segment broadcast on TV in New Zealand on Wednesday 24 January 2018. South African expat, living in New Zealand, Marlene Bayley said – “On television in NZ tonight… on Day Zero. We’re thinking of you Cape Town!”

Right now there’s nothing that infuriates a water-conserving Capetonian more than somebody who uses precious drinking water to wash their cars! Watch the two videos below… Cape Town is fast approaching Day Zero – currently set at 21 April 2018 – when the taps will be turned off, and residents will have to queue for […]

YAY! Revolting Rhymes is one of five animated short films nominated for an Oscar! The announcements were made in the USA on Tuesday. https://www.instagram.com/p/BeTNnRwFtvK/?taken-by=art_of_revoltingrhymes Revolting Rhymes is an adaptation of Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake’s classic book of surprising fairy tales. Produced by Magic Light Pictures, Revolting Rhymes was animated at Magic Light’s Berlin studio […]

Trumpeter, flugelhorn-player, singer, composer and activist Hugh Ramapolo Masekela has passed away after a long battle with prostate cancer. When he cancelled his appearance last year at the Johannesburg Joy of Jazz Festival, taking time out to deal with his serious health issues, fans were forced to return to his recorded opus for reminders of […]

Johnny Clegg, who is currently in remission from pancreatic cancer, has shared a fitting tribute on social media to Hugh Masekela – who sadly died today from prostate cancer. The two South African musical giants have so much in common. Both apartheid-fighting musicians who helped change their nation. Both icons whose music is enjoyed internationally. […]

Here’s this week’s Carte Blanche line-up, available for South Africans living abroad from today Tuesday – 23 January 2018 – if you subscribe to Showmax International. Watch the trailer at the bottom of page. Please note this is a 90-minute extended broadcast. First Strike From The AFU This week the Asset Forfeiture Unit launched their first strike […]