City of Cape Town authorities and services are on standby to deal with any weather-related impacts as the South African Weather Service has issued an advisory for inclement weather expected from Sunday until Tuesday. According to the weather services, two cold fronts are set to make landfall, with the first on Sunday morning and the second on Monday. The frontal systems are forecast to result in disruptive rainfall, leading to potential localised
Processes are underway to introduce digital IDs in South Africa. The Home Affairs Minister, Leon Schreiber, earlier this week gazetted draft amended regulations which seek to allow residents to use their cell phones to store and access identity documents, birth and marriage certificates, as well as any other Home Affairs-related material. The Department of Home Affairs said the proposed amendments are aimed at creating the regulatory framework needed for a new
The Health Department is monitoring four people from the Western Cape, linked to the international response surrounding the MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak. Health Department spokesperson Foster Mohale confirmed to Smile FM that the four individuals were passengers on the same Airlink flight from Saint Helena to Johannesburg (on 25 April) as the Dutch woman who later died from hantavirus-related complications. READ: A timeline of the MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak The Dutch
The World Health Organisation has allayed fears that the current hantavirus situation could spiral out of control. During a briefing yesterday, leaders assured that the hantavirus has been around for a long time, and that it does not spread in the same way as coronaviruses. The WHO says to date, eight cases linked to the passenger ship MV Hondius have been reported, including three deaths. Five of the eight cases have been
Today, the world celebrates 100 years of Sir David Frederick Attenborough. 8 May 2026 marks the centennial birthday of the veteran environmentalist and broadcaster. A special concert is being held at the Royal Albert Hall in London in his honour, amongst several public celebrations worldwide. In a voice message, Attenborough shares how he thought he would celebrate his birthday “quietly”, thanking all those who have wished him well.
