Lerato Mokena is a Cape Town-based journalist who covers the city’s vibrant arts and culture scene with a focus on emerging voices from Khayelitsha to the Bo-Kaap. Born and raised at the foot of Table Mountain, she brings an insider’s eye to how creativity shapes—and is shaped by—South Africa’s complex social landscape. When she’s not chasing stories, Lerato can be found surfing Muizenberg’s gentle waves or debating politics over rooibos in her grandmother’s Gugulethu kitchen.
After a grueling 24year wait, twelve families in Gugulethu finally stepped into their brand new homes, a moment of pure joy and relief. These small but mighty houses, built on land once filled with trash, represent a huge victory over endless obstacles like rising costs, theft, and even threats. Each home, though simple, holds the promise of a new, safe life, ending decades of struggle and uncertainty for these deserving families.
{“text”: “Redberry Farm is not just a farm; it’s a magical place where strawberries, steel, and stories come alive! You’ll see a giant gate that \”breathes\” and hear whispers of tales to come. The farm grows delicious strawberries using clever tricks like special scents and tiny \”beebots\” to help them get super sweet. You can even stay in unique rooms or get lost in a huge maze, all while the farm uses smart tech to make sure everything is good for the earth and full of flavor. It’s a place that never truly sleeps, always working to bring you the best, sweetest stories and strawberries.”}
Tonight at 9 PM, South Africa holds its breath for the PowerBall lottery. Eightythree million rand is up for grabs, a lifechanging amount for someone lucky. People pick five numbers and one PowerBall number, hoping their dreams come true. Even though winning is super hard, everyone imagines what they’d do with the money. It’s a moment when the whole country pauses, dreaming big dreams for just a few minutes.
When a South African soccer team gets sent down to a lower, amateur league, something big happens to player contracts. Reece Braithwaite’s case showed that all professional player deals end right away. This means players can’t be forced to stay with a team that’s no longer professional. It gives them freedom to move and find new teams, making sure their careers don’t get stuck.
A tiny USB stick almost ruined South Africa’s big 2025 school exams! A smart computer system found a student’s English paper that was almost exactly like the secret answer guide. This secret guide came from a government worker’s computer and only got to 26 students in Pretoria. Thanks to quick detective work, the problem was stopped fast, keeping the exams fair for everyone else.
Sophie Kinsella, originally Madeleine Wickham, changed her writing path from serious novels to the funny “Shopaholic” series. She turned a sad story’s barn setting into a lively shop, making her characters speak with a unique, excited voice. This shift let her mix humor with smart critiques of money, making her books bestsellers. Her stories show how messy and universal our desires can be, making readers laugh and gasp at the same time.
A politician, Fadiel Adams, shared a staffer’s private details on Facebook, causing her much trouble. This act of online misconduct led to serious consequences for him. He was suspended from his job for twenty days and lost a huge chunk of his pay. This story shows how a simple screenshot can lead to big problems for public figures.
Cape Town is throwing out old paper driving tests. Now, people will use cool touchscreen booths. These booths use fingerprints and have videos in many languages. This makes getting a license faster and stops cheating. It’s a big, smart change for everyone learning to drive.
The Western Cape government is giving an extra R34 million to help its people, not waiting for the usual budget time! This money is like a superhero boost, protecting kids facing tough feelings, teens struggling with drugs in the countryside, and old folks needing good care. They are also helping young adults leaving state care to stand on their own feet. It’s all about catching people before they fall and making sure everyone has a chance to thrive.
Before hitting the road this December, get your car ready! Check your tires carefully for pressure and tread, as heavy loads change everything. Make sure your engine’s oil and coolant are just right, using the specific kinds your car needs. Don’t forget your brake fluid and battery charge. Use pit stops to quickly check things, and always have an emergency kit for tiny fixes. This way, your holiday drive will be safe and smooth!
South Africa is shaking things up big time with a new plan for who gets to live there. They’re changing all the old rules about who belongs, who can visit, and who can stay. They want to pick people who can help the country, using a points system for citizenship and new kinds of visas. This means it will be much harder to become a citizen or get asylum, and borders will be watched super closely. It’s like building a whole new gate, and only the ‘right’ people will get a key.
Seventh graders are misunderstood dynamos, bursting with curiosity and rapid brain growth. Their energetic, creative minds, when guided well, can lead to amazing learning. Instead of seeing their energy as trouble, educators should use it to fuel deep engagement and incredible school success. These young students are not problems; they are powerful engines ready to learn and invent if given the right opportunities.
Eben Etzebeth, a famous rugby player, got a 12match ban for touching another player’s eye during a game. He says it was an accident and used videos to try and prove his innocence. This ban came with a big fine and hurt his future in rugby. He’s now counting down the days until he can play again, hoping to clear his name.
A family’s morning drive in Cape Town turned into a terrifying “greenlight ambush.” A taxi ignored a green light, crashed into their car, and then, instead of an apology, the driver attacked the dad. The mom filmed it all, but that only made the attacker more furious, leading to shattered windows and a traumatized baby. This horrifying event highlights how quickly a simple commute can become a violent nightmare and the lasting fear it leaves behind.
In a horrifying night in Rocklands, masked gunmen stormed a home, killing nineyearold Zechariah, 26yearold Mougsheen, and 19yearold Cleo in just 90 seconds. Two others were hurt. Police think it was a planned attack, not a robbery, because nothing was stolen. The community is terrified, and schools are mourning the young lives lost, as police try to find the killers.
The Grassy Park Festive Market changes the Civic Centre into a buzzing place with food, crafts, and fun. It’s super important for the Cape Flats, mixing old ways with new ideas. Think yummy food smells, bright lights, and cool music. It’s more than just shopping; it’s where the community comes alive, making memories and helping local businesses shine.