With perfect weather forecast all along the Overberg coastline, Thursday was the perfect day to conduct the first Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit aerial southern right whale survey for 2019… writes marine conservation photographer Jean Tresfon. I arrived at the airfield early and was already warming up the gyrocopter on the apron before sunrise when […]

We all know how beautiful South Africa is, but many of us don’t get to see the stunning landscape from above. Here – thanks to businessman and SAPeople contributor Stan Sanetra, who flies between the Western Cape and Gauteng each week – are aerial pictures from the passionate photographer that show the beauty of SA […]

“Did you know I was a falconer?” Johnny had said to me some time ago. “I used to have falcons, you know, as pets.” I remember how he smiled with his eyes. His voice sang with laughter and amusement as he told the story of how he would need to feed the falcons mice, and […]

The heatwave which gripped parts of Europe in the past few days was felt not just by millions of humans, but by the many wild animals held captive in zoos across the continent. As temperatures rose to record-breaking figures – 45.9 degrees in southern France – Reuters photographers captured photos of some of the zoo […]

Europe’s record-breaking heat wave – which has seen temperatures soar to over 45 degrees in some parts – is putting South Africans in the shade, literally. A large reservoir of hot air from the Sahara has engulfed Europe, with France registering its hottest day ever on record today, the first time the country has raised […]

Guests on holiday at Giant’s Castle in the Drakensberg, South Africa, were treated to a spectacular ‘clash of the Titans’ scene this weekend as Cape Vultures and Bearded Vultures rushed in to eat, and to chase off a jackal trying to get in on the mountain action. Check out the spectacular photos by Paul Labuschagne, […]

AMSTERDAM – Just as visitors to the Western Cape and Northern Cape of South Africa are treated to fields of wild flowers in South Africa’s springtime, so too are expats in the Netherlands treated to spring flower fields around the nation as the country’s famous tulips burst into bloom at this time of year… painting […]

This week The New York Times featured one of the Karoo’s (and South Africa’s) greatest secrets – Prince Albert, an 18th century village they describe as “an oasis of sorts, a dusty Afrikaans dorp, or farming village” that’s like suddenly “spying the Emerald City after a long trek on the Yellow Brick Road”.   Before […]

South African wakeskater Matti Buys invited one of the most influential pioneers of the sport, Brian Grubb, for a trip around some of the most iconic landmarks in Durban. Here is all you need to know: – Wakeskating is an adaptation of wakeboarding without the rider being bound to the board in anyway, similar to […]

The week got off to a fabulous start in Cape Town, South Africa, where a drizzly dawn was transformed by a bright double rainbow that seemed to stretch across the entire Mother City. Several Capetonians stopped on the side of the road to snap photographs of the exquisite double rainbow as it lit up their […]

Once upon a time… in a beautiful forest on the magical Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains… writes Sheryn Nader who took these beautiful photographs of nature’s delight in South Africa’s newest world heritage site. Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains in Mpumalanga was officially declared a World Heritage Site in July 2018, becoming South Africa’s 10th World Heritage site, and the […]

‘Cape of Storms photographer’,Gale McAll passionately blends photography and art. She has a deep love for the sea and for stormy weather which radiates from her work. A bio on her website, Gale McAll Photography, describes Gale as someone who is “a master at capturing the souls of people in their environments [and that] her […]

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) descended on the City of Cape Town this month to honour the bravery of sons and daughters of our country who lost their lives in the fateful 1917 sinking of the SS Mendi. SAPeople contributor Alan Rudnicki was present to photograph the Armed Forces Day Parade at Bloubergstrand […]

What would you pack in a suitcase if you suddenly had to abandon your home because of fire? Pat had chosen a blue suitcase with wheels. She packed 3 sets of clothes for her husband, a pair of knickers and a top for herself; 2 books from her Book Club; their passports and ID documents; […]

Fire has been much in the news lately. Runaway fires in the Western Cape, fanned by gale force winds, have become an annual summer phenomenon, amidst much speculation as to the causes… writes marine conservation photographer Jean Tresfon. Some are clearly cases of arson, others just sheer stupidity or negligence. Over the last few weeks there […]

Every day, 365 days a year, a clutch of people – with backpacks that are perhaps a bit too heavy the first day – set off for one of the most incredibly beautiful hikes in the world… writes author and SAPeople editor Ted Botha. To say ‘incredibly beautiful’ is actually selling it short. You have […]

Pretoria resident Ria Viljoen is fortunate to be able to visit the Rietvlei Nature Reserve regularly because the City of Tshwane’s 3,800 ha reserve is just 15-20 minutes from her doorstep. But this week Ria had an extra stroke of luck… a rare sighting of cheetahs on the hunt amongst the pink pompoms. On Saturday, Ria […]

Andrew Patterson (39) from Sea Point, Cape Town, climbed Table Mountain every day in 2018 to raise funds for three non-profit organisations; Habitat for Humanity, One Heart for Kids and The Sunflower Fund. Through the wind, rain, freezing temperatures, clouds and sun, Andrew was committed to his cause and hoped to inspire South Africans to […]

The South Easter is pumping and the waves are breaking in the Western Cape, South Africa… writes Nigel Riley, whose photos are featured on this page. While Kalkies and the Harbour House were overflowing with visitors, enjoying the traditional fish and chips, a few took time out to watch and enjoy the waves breaking over […]

Almost two years ago I photographed a fire that threatened St Francis Bay as well as Cape St Francis… writes Christopher Scott. People feared the inevitable, but all was saved. A close shave as some would say. Today 18th December 2018, a week before Xmas I saw a posting ‘FIRE in St Francis Bay, houses […]

BANGKOK – Miss South Africa Tamaryn Green has won second place in the Miss Universe competition! The crown was scooped on Monday by Miss Philippines Catriona Gray, with Miss Venezuela in third place. Miss South Africa organisers said Monday morning: “Good morning, South Africa. ICYMI, our Tamaryn has just placed 1st runner up out of […]

While fires raged across the scenic Garden Route in South Africa this month, our country’s firefighters left their own husbands, wives, parents and children behind to help rescue and ensure the safety of other South African families. For over eight days, these brave men and women lived together in makeshift conditions in Rosemore Stadium in […]

The 16th Penguin Festival was held this morning at Seaforth Beach in Simon’s Town… where Nigel Riley captured the ‘waddle to freedom’ of 21 rehabilitated African penguins as they were released back into the wild ocean. The liberation was made even more special for one penguin that had been at a Sanctuary for a whole […]

Firefighters have been battling raging fires on South Africa’s scenic Garden Route for eight days now. These hauntingly beautiful photos by Marie Morley capture the “apocalyptic skies” that have resulted from fires which stretch over 70,000 ha with a frontline of over 100km. We are immensely grateful to all the firefighters who have been out there […]

For all those missing SA, proud South African Adri Joubert Alborough has put together a compilation of  beautiful photos taken around South Africa. Like many South Africans, Adri has family scattered around the world in the US, UK, New Zealand and Taiwan. “I have so many friends abroad, and am constantly being asked for photos… so […]