Topic: Cape Town

Laura Dekker close to completion of solo round-the-world sail

Laura Dekker set sail on her own back in 2010. Now on the final leg of her journey, Laura Dekker is scheduled to finish on the Caribbean island of St. Maarten.

Sometimes There Is a Void

A messy memoir from an important African voice.

Africa Monitor Oh snap! Bungee jumper plunges into Zambezi River at Victoria Falls

The Australian survived, but tourists who assume that extreme venues in Africa are safe may be fooling themselves.

Change Agent In Africa, producing food from waste

Farmers in southern Africa use composted food scraps, human waste, and livestock manure for many purposes, from enriching soil to feeding fish.
11/23/2011 10:00 am

South Africa's assembly passes 'secrecy bill,' stirring journalists' fears

Journalists and civic groups warn that the Protection of Information or 'secrecy bill,' will criminalize investigative journalism. The government says it will bolster South Africa's national security.
11/22/2011 02:53 pm

Crossbones

Two brothers enter the war-torn expanse of Somalia in search of answers.
10/27/2011 07:10 am

Global News Blog Good Reads: Innovation and survival as seen through caveman cosmetics factory, post-Jobs Apple

Today's Good Reads focuses on offbeat news stories, including the discovery of a 100,000-year-old caveman cosmetics factory in a South African cave, and a profile of a young executive at Apple who may keep the creative juices flowing.
10/14/2011 09:27 am

Caveman cosmetics? Scientists say ocher tool kits date back 100,000 years.

Throughout history ocher has been used for art and adornment. Scientists report finding evidence of a 100,000-year-old cosmetics/paint workshop for producing a pigmented compound in a South African cave.
10/13/2011 07:05 pm

Dalai Lama cancels South Africa trip. Did China trade ties get in the way?

The Dalai Lama said he was forced to cancel a trip to South Africa due to visa delays. Critics say it's a foreign policy embarrassment.
10/04/2011 12:45 pm

Falling satellite: 10 times space junk has crashed into Earth

Falling satellite trackers at NASA say it will hit Friday night or Saturday morning and has a small chance of crashing in the US. But the precise track and timing of the falling satellite is still hard to predict. What is known is that events like this have happened before. From NASA rockets to Soviet satellites – including debris that actually hit someone – the history of falling space junk is long. Here are 10 other pieces of space junk that have survived the blazing voyage through Earth's atmosphere.
09/23/2011 09:37 pm

Africa Monitor Why I will not take part in a South African 'SlutWalk'

The global 'SlutWalk' campaign doesn't work as well in South Africa due to the country's more conservative values and high rape rates, writes guest blogger Zama Ndlovu.
08/23/2011 12:20 pm

Change Agent Food gardens at Cape Town area schools grow food and teach farming skills

The SEED Organic Classroom Programme at 21 South African schools teaches sustainable farming techniques while feeding students.
08/16/2011 11:13 am

Global News Blog Nelson Mandela's birthday prompts national outpouring of service

The United Nations called for people to perform 67 minutes of community service on Nelson Mandela International Day, which marks the iconic South African leader's birthday.
07/18/2011 05:01 pm

Africa Monitor Africans planning electric power with climate change in mind

Africa is set to be hit hard by climate change, and it already faces the highest electric power costs in the world. But new initiatives could put Africa at forefront in adapting alternative energies.
06/28/2011 11:55 am

Photos of the Day Photos of the Day 06/23

In Pictures Michelle Obama travels with her girls

Africa Monitor Michelle Obama starts South Africa goodwill tour

Mrs. Obama says her trip highlights the growing importance of Africa on the world stage, but it's also an attempt to smooth the somewhat strained relationship between the US and South Africa.
06/21/2011 10:52 am

Global News Blog Cape Town's Muslim residents regret not reading the fine print

Residents of the mostly Muslim Bo-Kaap neighborhood in Cape Town welcomed the establishment of a 'dry' hotel in their area, not realizing it could be easily sold to another company looking to sell liquor.
06/15/2011 03:12 pm

Latin America Monitor Latest activist murder in the Amazon highlights battle over land, logging

The death of Obede Loyla Souza in Para state in the Brazilian Amazon is the fifth murder in a month. It may have been the result of a land conflict, underscoring a pattern that pits development against the environment.
06/15/2011 01:09 pm

Difference Maker Larry Joe, who found his music behind bars, now inspires others

Larry Joe voluntarily turned himself in to police in South Africa, then found music in prison. He's turned his life around and now preaches against drugs and gangs.
05/30/2011 11:04 am

Africa Monitor South Africa's ANC retains control in local elections, but grip is slipping

The ANC retained a majority, but a smaller one compared to 2006. The opposition Democratic Alliance made big inroads, particularly with non-white voters. Is South Africa creeping toward true multiparty democracy?
05/20/2011 12:36 pm

Photos of the Day Photos of the day 05/18

Africa Monitor South Africa's many small parties highlight vibrant democracy

The variety and number of parties – 121 in total – who've registered for today's municipal elections is a good indication of the strength of South Africa’s 17-year-old democracy, political analysts say.
05/18/2011 12:06 pm

South Africa election: Why some poor black voters may ditch the ANC this time

Failure to deliver basic services has debased the once-vaunted party of anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress (ANC) may lose some municipalities in Wednesday's local elections.
05/17/2011 09:06 am

In South Africa, lesbian murder case highlights justice system's slow response

Human Rights Watch calls the April murder of Noxolo Nogwaza a hate crime. Local gay-rights activists say that police and judges need to be trained to take the crimes committed against gay South Africans more seriously.
05/12/2011 01:48 pm