JOHANNESBURG – The Guptas – who are believed to have a close relationship with President Jacob Zuma – have announced their intention to sell shareholding in all South African businesses by the end of 2016. Following their earlier statement today about newspaper reports of alleged comments made by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, accusing the Gupta […]

JOHANNESBURG – In response to an article in News24 yesterday – headlined “Guptas are attacking me, Gordhan tells Treasury staff” – the Gupta Family has issued a statement expressing “deep disappointment”; and claiming they firmly believe in the rule of law and are happy to answer to any and all allegations made against them. The News24 article claimed that […]

A South African newlywed couple – Riaan and Vasti Manser – are making news in the USA where they have broken a record by rowing a kayak from California to Hawaii in 39 days… even though Riaan was injured during the first week when their boat – aptly named ‘OnHoneymoon’ – capsized. The 2,400 mile […]

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has announced it will unveil new visa regulations before the end of 2016. The legislative reform will aim to provide a balance between the competing interests of the tourism sector and the need to protect the country’s borders and prevent child trafficking. Stringent visa regulations were introduced to South Africa in 2014… resulting in an […]

Zimbabwe has reportedly suffered its worst protests in over two decades as a peaceful “mega demonstration” in the capital, Harare, against President Robert Mugabe’s long rule of 36 years turned violent. The protests came after new that the 92-year-old president plans to stand for re-election again. Mugabe warned there will be no ‘Arab Spring’. Opposition leader […]

Hot on the heels of the Olympic Games in Rio, South Africa’s silver-medallists Chad le Clos and Cameron van der Burgh have both raced to Gold in their respective races today at the 2016 FINA World Cup series in Paris-Chartres! Chad le Clos won the Men’s 200m butterfly for the 19th time! Only two male swimmers […]

JOHANNESBURG – Judge Thokozile Masipa has refused the State the right to appeal the Oscar Pistorius sentence… which she herself handed down in July, giving the former Olympian a six-year sentence for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day 2013. The State had applied for leave to appeal the sentence – which they felt […]

JOHANNESBURG – Businessman and former trade unionist Sipho Pityana has been praised for his no holds barred speech at the funeral of former Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile yesterday… hailed by some South Africans as the first to “have the backbone” to say what is on the minds of many ANC members. Pityana delivered a bold and brutal indictment on the […]

If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s John Steenhuisen of the Democratic Alliance (DA) taking on the ANC for their poor election results. Watch Video: DA John Steenhuisen Grills ANC on Election Results In typical Steenhuisen fashion he throws out insults wrapped in metaphors – accusing the ANC Chief Whip of having “more spin than on an […]

PRETORIA – South Africa’s population is estimated at 55.91 million, Statistician General Pali Lehohla said on Thursday; and over half of those – 51 percent – are women… and they’re likely to live over five years longer than their men. Other interesting stats released today in the 2016 Mid-Year Population Estimates for South Africa include: South […]

Triplets born to a gay couple from Pretoria have made medical history in South Africa by being the first recorded triplets to be born with two fathers’ DNA. Theo and Christo Menelaou each fertilised one egg of a surrogate mother. One of those eggs split, creating identical twins, and resulting in the surrogate giving birth […]

South Africa’s rand recovered some losses and bonds bounced off two-month lows after Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan refused to present himself to police over a probe into an alleged ‘spy’ unit at the country’s tax service. David Pollard reports in the video below. South Africa’s had its crises, but this is still massive headline news. […]

PRETORIA – The Rand has reportedly stabilised in the last couple of hours following South African President Jacob Zuma’s announcement that he has “full support and confidence” in Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan. The Treasury confirmed earlier this week that specialist police unit, the Hawks, had summoned Gordhan to “present himself” on Thursday. Gordhan responded yesterday, saying the […]

Could this be the future for rhino? A zoo in Tel Aviv, Israel, is celebrating the birth of a male white rhino, born to a 23-year-old white rhino – named Tanda – which the zoo received 13 years ago. The Zoological Center of Tel Aviv-Ramat Gan is renowned or its record-breaking rhino births, explained by its […]

The 2-year-old daughter of a South African family who was washed into the sea in Cornwall in the UK a few days ago has tragically passed away. The Bruynius family of five – from South Africa and living in Surrey in the UK – were holidaying in Newquay last week when they were swept off rocks at South […]

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recommended on Wednesday that the world body appoint an eminent person to review any new information uncovered about a 1961 plane crash that killed then U.N. chief Dag Hammarskjold. Hammarskjold – a Swede elected as the world body’s second chief in 1953 – was killed along […]

At least 250 people have died after a massive earthquake – of magnitude 6.2 – struck central Italy in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Many people are still trapped under rubble. The quake hit approximately 76 km south east of the city of Perugia (in Umbria), a region popular with tourists… especially now during the European summer. By […]

Opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), has reacted to news that the Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, has been requested to report to the Hawks at 10h00 on Thursday 25 August 2016… calling it a “major escalation in the ‘SARS Wars’.” David Maynier, Shadow Minister of Finance, said the fact that Gordhan has reportedly been requested […]

The Rand has fallen to its lowest against the dollar since 3 August, after reports surfaced in the Daily Maverick that South Africa’s Finance Minister – Pravin Gordhan – has been summoned by the Hawks to “present” himself on Thursday… which could signal Gordhan’s dismissal from office. With the elite police division circling the Treasury Chief, the Rand […]

Television viewers in the UK were treated to a brilliant performance by KwaZulu-Natal’s LIV choir on BBC1 yesterday evening… and today hundreds have written on the BBC’s facebook page about how the broadcast gave them goosebumps and inspired them with their ability to make good out of bad circumstances. The amazing 20-strong LIV Choir – who come from […]

JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s athletes have returned to a heroes’ welcome… as they arrive home from their record-breaking Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil – where they scooped more medals than they won in London (2012) and an equal tally of 10 from Antwerp (1920) and Helsinki (1952). Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula was on hand to welcome the […]

JOHANNESBURG – The Democratic Alliance’s Herman Mashaba has been elected as the new Executive Mayor of Joburg, replacing the ANC’s Parks Tau. On Twitter, DA supporters were already rejoicing before the official announcement, and even Wikipedia confidently updated their entry for the businessman before it was announced: Earlier today the DA’s Vasco da Gama was elected as Speaker (unleashing […]

JOHANNESBURG – A female councillor for the ANC has sadly passed away during the Joburg Council meeting today. The inaugural meeting – in which the Speaker, Mayor and Chief Whip are being elected – was adjourned when the councillor fell ill and collapsed, apparently battling to breath. She was led out of the chambers by medics shortly […]

JOHANNESBURG – Democratic Alliance (DA) Councillor Vasco Da Gama has been elected as Speaker of the Johannesburg Council… and it’s – predictably – launched a wave of tweets: …and cue the sailing and sailor puns. And go!!! #VascoDaGama #JoburgCouncil — Michael 🍏 (@TheMikeAppel) August 22, 2016 Jesus is back and he didn't come back alone. #VascoDaGama https://t.co/xyFiM3LIar […]

JOHANNESBURG – The Joburg Council was forced to adjourn after a scuffle broke out between party agents over the secret ballot and voting process. The IEC has however said it’s satisfied with the process and counting, and has called for proceedings to continue. The scuffle had broken out between the EFF Deputy President and an unknown Councillor. Both had […]