On a sunny afternoon in Sea Point, South Africa, Toby Finneran, a 31yearold triathlete and avid surfer from Farnham in Surrey, quickly transformed into a hero. While strolling along the Sea Point Promenade, Finneran noticed two distressed boys on the beach, pointing towards the ocean.
The recent capture of Odis Maluleke on May 6, 2023, is a significant development in the ongoing struggle against rhino poaching in South Africa. Maluleke is one of Mpumalanga’s most wanted rhino poaching suspects. His capture marks a testament to the persistence of law enforcement and conservation organizations in their efforts to conserve rhino populations and bring notorious criminals to justice.
On the 6th of May 2023, Linda Thompson, a resident of Cape Town, joined an elite group of twelve swimmers who have successfully swum the 33km stretch from Rooi Els to Miller’s Point across False Bay without a wetsuit. The swim is notoriously challenging due to its unpredictable weather and strong currents, and only a few seasoned openwater swimmers have managed to complete it.
Cape Town and the Western Cape have experienced a recordbreaking cruise tourism season between October 2022 and May 2023, establishing the region as a top destination for luxury cruise holidays. Highspending tourists from the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom have contributed to the success of the season.
Kenya experienced its worst mass suicide incident in the southeast of the country, with over a hundred confirmed deaths, including children, at the New Life Prayer Centre and Church. Led by Pastor Paul Mackenzie, the church captivated followers from all over Kenya with his apocalyptic narratives and controversial teachings. Autopsies revealed that most victims had starved to death at his urging to “meet Jesus” in the afterlife, while others, including children, had been strangled or suffocated.
South Africa’s tourism industry is pushing to reach preCOVID visitor numbers by 2030. Patricia de Lille, the Tourism Minister, has called on stakeholders to unite and foster growth to achieve over 21 million tourist arrivals before the end of the decade.
The funeral of Katlego Bereng, a young man whose charred body was used as a decoy in a convicted murderer and rapist’s plot to escape prison, occurred at Bloemfontein’s South Park cemetery last Sunday. The funeral was attended by Bereng’s family, friends, and community members, who were all filled with sadness and confusion due to the many unanswered questions surrounding his death.
The water and sanitation crisis affecting several towns in South Africa has led to broken pipes and maintenance holes, causing severe sewage issues that impact the lives and health of thousands of residents. This crisis is evident in towns like Sannieshof, Ottosdal, and Delareyville, where raw sewage has flooded parts of the local cemetery and forced some households to avoid using their toilets due to backflows from the blocked sewerage system.
Deputy Minister David Mahlobo has called for the acceleration of water projects in the Waterberg District during a recent multistakeholder water and sanitation engagement session held on May 9th, 2023, in Mokopane, Limpopo. This session brought together various representatives, including traditional leaders, provincial leadership of the Department of Water and Sanitation, mayors, municipal managers, and ward councillors from the local municipalities within the Waterberg District.
Deputy Minister of Social Development, Mme Hendrietta BogopaneZulu, has partnered with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to launch ChommY, a social and behavioral change program. The program aims to support children aged 10 to 14 years from Ekurhuleni hostels, promote awareness, develop essential life skills, and empower young individuals to make informed choices.
South Africa faces an alarming energy crisis, with citizens experiencing daily blackouts for up to 10 hours due to current Stage 6 load shedding. The situation is becoming increasingly severe as Stage 9 and beyond protocols are being finalized, leaving citizens and experts alike profoundly concerned about the future.
The City of Cape Town has announced its plans to construct a new overnight shelter for homeless individuals in Green Point to house 300 people by the end of this year. The “Safe Space” project received full support from the Green Point Ratepayers and Residents Association (GPRRA).
South Africa is in mourning following the death of Klaas de Jonge, an exceptional Dutch activist who fought against apartheid and was a member of uMkhonto weSizwe (MK). De Jonge died at the age of 85 on May 5, 2023. This article pays tribute to his life and legacy as a symbol of international solidarity in the fight for justice and freedom.
The RMB National Rowing Squad of South Africa has begun their international season with a remarkable performance at the Rowing World Cup in Zagreb, Croatia. The team’s athletes have shown their skills and determination, securing silver and bronze medals in the Men’s Four and Women’s Double Scull events, respectively.
South Africa is hosting the Fifth Global Conference on Biodiversity Finance in Cape Town, bringing together delegates from various parts of the world, including representatives from Brazil, Cambodia, Germany, and UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen, to discuss crucial challenges and opportunities related to financing biodiversity conservation.
South Africa’s agricultural sector must undergo transformation and evolution to redress the historical injustice of the Native Land Act and ensure economic growth, social wellbeing, and environmental sustainability. This article explores the necessary steps to revitalize the agricultural sector, including investments in underutilized communal lands, enhancing rural economies, tackling climate change, empowering previously disadvantaged farmers, and leveraging technology for rural development.
