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Cape Town News
The timbuktoo Creative Hub in Cape Town’s District Six is Africa’s first creativetech center, offering free spaces, mentorship, and digital tools to young artists and entrepreneurs. It turns a place once marked by hardship into a lively hub where creativity and technology meet, sparking new ideas and teamwork. Here, people from across Africa come together to learn, create, and build businesses, all inspired by their rich culture and shared dreams. This vibrant space shines as a bright new chapter for District Six and a hopeful example for the whole continent.
In South Africa, shocking claims have surfaced that some judges, police, and crime groups might be secretly working together. This has shaken people’s trust in the courts, which are supposed to be fair and protect democracy. Leaders are calling for clear investigations and honesty to restore faith. The situation is tense, but many hope that by facing the truth openly, South Africa can keep its promise of justice and fairness for all.
The 2025 tax season in South Africa brings fresh changes like earlier deadlines, expanded autoassessment, and new deductions that help taxpayers save money. Filing early, keeping good records, and using trusted tax experts can make the process smoother and less stressful. Technology plays a bigger role now, making filing easier, but careful attention is still key to avoid costly mistakes. Paying taxes on time is not just a rule—it helps build a stronger, fairer society for everyone. With the right mindset, tax season becomes a chance to take control of your financial future.
A new team made up of the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, Shark Spotters, SAIAB, and SANPARKS is using special underwater technology to track and protect sharks and rays in False Bay. By tagging these animals with tiny transmitters, researchers can follow their movements and learn more about their hidden lives. This exciting work not only helps keep marine life safe but also teaches the public and students about the importance of ocean conservation. Together, they are shining a light on the mysterious creatures beneath the waves and working to keep False Bay’s waters healthy for the future.
The Southern Ocean, once a steady guardian of Antarctica’s ice, is now changing in surprising ways. Instead of staying cold and fresh, its surface is growing saltier as warm, deep waters rise, melting sea ice and releasing ancient carbon into the air. This shift threatens Antarctic wildlife, like penguins and krill, and could speed up global warming while altering weather far beyond the South Pole. What seemed like a stable natural fortress is now a warning sign of a fragile climate, urging us to act before more damage unfolds.
Dr Paulo de Valdoleiros runs a special clinic in Bloemfontein where people get care no matter how much money they have. His “paywhatyoucan” model helps patients feel respected and cared for, offering not just medicine but also advice on food and feelings. Starting late in life, Dr Paulo’s story shows how kindness and trust can change lives. His clinic is a warm, hopeful place where healing goes beyond just fixing bodies—it lifts spirits too.
Nettleton Road in Cape Town is a stunning street of luxury homes perched high on cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Its sleek villas have giant glass walls, infinity pools, and private cinemas, blending nature’s beauty with bold, modern design. This exclusive enclave offers quiet privacy and breathtaking sunsets, attracting wealthy people from around the world. More than just fancy houses, Nettleton Road feels like a peaceful paradise where elegance meets the wild sea and sky.
Direct flights like FlySafair’s new route from Cape Town to Hoedspruit are making South African safaris quicker, cheaper, and easier to reach. What was once a long, complicated trip can now be a short escape, inviting city dwellers to enjoy wildlife adventures more often. This change is opening the wild to everyone, turning rare journeys into everyday delights, and bringing the magic of the bushveld closer than ever before.
The Stellenbosch University Choir is a proud South African group known worldwide for its beautiful and powerful singing. From the green valleys of Stellenbosch, they blend African folk, jazz, and sacred music into lively and moving performances. Led by André van der Merwe, they have won many gold medals at international competitions, showing the world the magic of their rich culture. Beyond contests, their music builds friendships and spreads hope, proving that voices joined together can create something truly special.
Tammy Taylor Nails grew from a small California salon into a glamorous, worldwide beauty brand known for style and luxury. When South African franchisees Peet and Melany Viljoen used the Tammy Taylor name without permission, it sparked a big legal fight. The court ruled they must stop using the brand and pay a hefty fine of R71 million. This case shows how important it is to protect a brand’s identity and that copying without permission can lead to serious consequences. In the end, the story reminds us that true beauty brands are built on trust and originality.
Paige Bell was a young crew member aboard the luxurious superyacht *Far From It* who tragically lost her life after a violent attack in the yacht’s engine room. Despite the yacht’s glittering beauty and wealth, her death revealed a dark and painful reality behind the glamorous facade. Those who knew Paige remember her as bright and kind, full of hope and dreams, making the loss even more heartbreaking. Her story shines a light on the hidden dangers in the highpressure world of superyacht life and calls for more care and safety for those who work there.
Caster Semenya is a worldfamous South African runner whose incredible talent sparked a big debate about gender in sports. Because of her natural biology, she faced tough rules that forced her to take medicine just to compete as a woman. Her story isn’t just about running fast—it’s about fairness, identity, and how sports decide who belongs where. As courts and sports groups argue, Semenya’s case is changing how we think about gender and what it means to compete fairly. This battle will shape the future for many athletes who don’t fit simple categories.
In 2024, South Africa’s social grant system faced a crisis when a planned card swap by Postbank went badly wrong, leaving millions confused and unable to access vital funds. Poor communication and rushed changes caused long lines and frustration among elderly and vulnerable people who rely on these grants to survive. The fiasco revealed deep problems in managing and protecting social support, with a looming deadline to find a new payment system by 2025. This crisis threatens not just money, but trust between the government and its people, putting the nation’s promise to care for its poorest at serious risk.
Mackenzie Knott climbs some of South Africa’s highest mountains to help orphaned rhinos. These young rhinos, left without mothers because of poaching, need lots of special milk to survive. By taking on tough challenges like the 13 Peaks Challenge, Mackenzie raises money to buy milk and care for them. Her climbs turn fitness into a powerful way to protect these vulnerable animals and inspire others to join the fight. Every step she takes helps give rhino calves a chance to live and grow strong.
South Africa’s latest car recalls warn drivers about serious safety problems in popular vehicles. Volkswagen Golf models have faulty front passenger seatbelts that might not hold in a crash. Volvo’s XC90 hybrids face braking glitches that could make slowing down tricky on hills. Meanwhile, many Toyota Hino trucks lack the right tool to release their parking brakes in emergencies. These recalls remind everyone how important it is to check and fix cars quickly to stay safe on the road.
Cape Town faces a huge housing crisis rooted in its painful past, with over 400,000 people waiting for homes. The city aims to build 12,000 affordable houses but struggles with red tape, less money, and fights over where to build. While some new homes are planned near the city center, many are far away, making access to jobs and schools hard. The fight for affordable housing is more than just building houses—it’s about fixing deep inequality and giving everyone a fair chance to belong. Despite slow progress, communities and leaders keep pushing for a city where everyone can have a safe, affordable place to live.
