Following massive fires and a major storm – in which eight people lost their lives – the Western Cape Government has issued the following updates, and asked evacuees to please not return home until informed that it is safe to do so: Knysna Fire update: Humanitarian support is being co-ordinated for an estimated 8,000-10,000 residents […]

Miss South Africa Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters has survived a hijacking incident, which occurred early Wednesday evening outside Hyde Park Shopping Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. Her personal belongings were stolen, but the thieves fled leaving her car behind. She was unharmed. Fikile Mbalula, RSA Minister of Police, said he was “shocked” by the “brazen” attempt and that […]

After a devastating night in which many homes and other buildings have been burnt in raging fires in Knysna, some good news comes this morning from the Western Cape, as Working on Fire (WOF) report that the right flank of the Pezula Area, which ran the risk of jumping over to private property, is now […]

A fifth-generation Knysna resident, Natalie Grundlingh, has set up a fundraising page as her beloved town burns to the ground. Natalie says: “I’m just an average woman from a small town in the Western Cape of South Africa, called Knysna. “Knysna is not only a paradise for its locals, it’s appreciated by many South Africans […]

Eden District is burning out of control this evening in South Africa, after a day in which extremely strong winds fanned fires in the Western Cape and left at least three people dead. SAPeople follower Ester Beukes is on the scene and is one of those who has been evacuated. Apparently Knysna High School is one of […]

One woman was flung across a plane during a Joburg to Cape Town flight this morning, when the aeroplane she was travelling on was caught in major turbulence due to the Cape Town storm in South Africa. As the plane was shaken by the turbulence, the lady was flung from her seat and injured her […]

The Eden District Municipality has confirmed that tragically three people have died in the fire near Rheenendal settlement. The deceased were a farm worker, his wife and their son. There are several large fires raging on South Africa’s famous Garden Route, as gale force winds batter the region. The Knysna Municipality has activated a local JOC […]

PRETORIA – Western Cape residents were told to brace themselves for snowfall, following the strong winds and heavy rains that have gripped the province. And already some snow has fallen! Here are some of the snow photos which have been posted to Snow Report SA: The first report of snow (above) came in to the popular facebook page a […]

This gorgeous video is going viral – showing Michaela Gabriel’s dog on the beach in South Africa, as strong winds blow through the Western Cape… and her ears. Michaela captioned the video: “Nana’s ears have measured wind speeds of up to 60km/h this morning at Milnerton beach. Be safe everyone! #capestorm.” Watch how patiently Nana […]

The much awaited #CapeStorm has arrived. Regular SAPeople contributor ALAN RUDNICKI managed to capture this footage of high winds blowing through and wild seas. This morning Alan said: “The wind is insane at the moment. Very cold too now. The rain stopped this morning but more is expected later.” The footage below is of trees in […]

Okay, first the serious stuff. Here is everything you need to know about what some are calling ‘Dik Wednesday‘ (inspired by the surf movie ‘Big Wednesday’). The Western Cape could be in for a very, very severe storm if predictions are correct. (Scroll down also for some of the memes and jokes that are already being […]

The severe storm headed to the Western Cape is predicted to make landfall at midnight tonight, and ALL schools in the Western Cape will be closed tomorrow as a precautionary measure. In a statement Tuesday afternoon, Brian Schreuder, Head of Education Western Cape, said: “After extensive consultation with all roleplayers and at the recommendation of the Provincial […]

CAPE TOWN – South Africa is officially in recession, for the first time since 2009, with the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) having contracted to -0.7% in the first quarter of 2017, Statistics South Africa announced on Tuesday. The news, just over an hour ago, has already caused the Rand to start plummeting, falling 1% on […]

Over 200 people led by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) marched in Cape Town on Sunday to demand an end to violence against women and children. The demonstration was also supported by Sonke Gender Justice and the South African Communist Party. “Most of our workers are women, especially with [the South African […]

Rhino poaching is spirally out of control in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, and the original home of the iconic species has become the new ground zero as Kruger stabilizes… writes JAMIE JOSEPH, founder of Saving the Wild. Government organisation Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife is bleating on about ‘budget cuts’, but the truth is, you can have […]

PRETORIA – The City of Cape Town is on standby following a warning from the South African Weather Service (SAWS) of high rainfall, gale-force wind and possible snowfalls later this week. “All City services and relevant external agencies are on standby to deal with the consequences of the severe weather that has been forecast,” the city’s […]

The DA claims the recent publication of emails, known as the #GuptaLeaks, lends credence to what they have long believed… that the Free State Provincial Government has been captured by the Guptas long before their sustained attack on National Treasury. The full statement by Dr Roy Jankielsohn – Leader of the Official Opposition, says: ‘It is […]

DUBAI (Reuters) – The Arab world’s biggest powers cut ties with Qatar on Monday, accusing it of support for Islamist militants and Iran, and reopening a festering wound two weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump’s demand for Muslim states to fight terrorism. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain severed diplomatic relations with […]

A South African expat‘s photo has gone viral around the world… after she snapped a shot of her husband casually mowing the lawn while a gigantic tornado appeared to be heading his way. Cecilia Wessels, who now lives in Three Hills, Alberta, Canada, told a local radio station she wasn’t actually taking the photo of her […]

Fish Hoek is the seaside town with the “HUGE heart”, according to photographer ROBYN GWILT, as locals from around the Far South Peninsular gathered in their hundreds this evening, in a show of solidarity with the parents of murdered Stellenbosch University Student, Hannah Cornelius. Watch video at top or bottom of page… “This town and the residents of […]

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The body of Charlotte Nikoi, associate director of UNICEF, who was reported missing during a family holiday in South Africa over two months ago, has been found on Table Mountain. UNICEF issued a statement from its New York headquarters on Sunday, saying: “We learned with great sadness that the remains of our colleague Charlotte (Nana […]

‘Down run’ champion three years ago, Bongmusa Mthembu of South Africa added the ‘up’ run title to his collection when he won Sunday’s legendary Comrades Marathon between Durban and Pietermaritzburg. KwaZulu-Natal’s Mthembu covered the 87-kilometre route in 5hr 35min 34sec. He was followed home by Hatiwande Nyamande from Zimbabwe (5:38.48) and previous winner Gift Kelehe, […]

The Presidency has issued a statement refuting front page allegations that he owns a ‘palace’ in Dubai. “The story in the Sunday Times newspaper today, 4 June 2017, that President Jacob Zuma owns a “palace” in Dubai is a fabrication,” said the Presidency. “President Zuma does not own any property outside South Africa and has […]

Two of the rescued ex-circus lions, that captured the world’s attention when they were rescued and sent ‘home’ to Africa, have been shockingly killed at Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary by poachers in South Africa. Animal Defenders International (ADI), which helped facilitate the rescue, said: “Everyone at ADI and Emoya is heartbroken and devastated that two ADI family […]