Author: Chukwu Godlove
Ugandans planning to travel to the United States will soon face a steep rise in visa costs following the enactment of a controversial new US immigration law that introduces a $250 “Visa Integrity Fee” for most non-immigrant visas. The fee, part of what President Donald Trump has branded the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (BBB), was signed into law on July 4, 2025, and is expected to take effect from late 2025 or early 2026, likely around October 1 when the U.S. financial year begins. The new surcharge applies to nearly all temporary visa categories, including those for tourism (B1/B2), students…
Image: Facebook / Oubaas Fourie Photographs confirm Oupoot, the elusive matriarch of the Knysna forest, is still alive and roaming ALSO READ: South Africa moves to ban new lion breeding facilities A rare sighting of Oupoot — the last-known elephant of the Knysna forest — was spotted for the first time in six years. Images captured by Karatara farmer Oubaas Fourie on Thursday, 17 July, shows the lone elephant moving calmly along the forest edge and across farmland. In the images captured, she briefly pauses and turns toward the camera, as if issuing a silent warning to keep distance, before…
Sundays are sacred—not just in churches and temples, but around the table. Across continents and cultures, Sunday is a day to reset, reflect, and reconnect. And what better way to do that than through food? From the comforting aroma of a roast in the oven to the vibrant spices of simmering stew, Sunday meals are a cultural ceremony. Here’s a look at how different cultures mark their Sundays with dishes that mean far more than just a full plate. South Africa: The art of the Sunday Roast Sunday Roast/Sebastian Coman Photography/Unsplash In many South African households, Sunday lunch is non-negotiable,…
Few places deliver drama quite like the Scottish Highlands. Jagged peaks and sweeping valleys roll across the landscape like nature’s own theatre, while deep, inky lochs reflect skies in constant motion. The Highlands aren’t gentle—they’re rugged, raw, and wildly atmospheric. Scottish Highlands/Niklas Weiss/Unsplash Places like Glen Coe, with its steep, glacial valleys and tragic history, evoke a quiet intensity. You don’t just see it—you feel it. The silence hums with memory. The brooding presence of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, towers above the town of Fort William like a sentinel watching over centuries. Whether you’re driving the winding roads of…
Cape Town doesn’t sit still — and neither do its trendsetters. Whether you’re chasing bold flavours, well-dressed crowds, or slick spaces with just the right lighting. Image used for illustrative purposes/Marlin Clark/Unsplash Some are brand new; others are reinvented icons — but all are places where the buzz is real, the bookings are tight, and the vibe is just right. These 12 hotspots are currently drawing the city’s most curious (and clued-up) diners, drinkers, and dancers. Una Más Mezcaleria — For smoky sips and sultry energy Spanish for “One More,” Una Más is Cape Town’s first dedicated Mezcaleria (and Tequileria),…
Skyscrapers, neon lights, buzzing trams, and business deals over dim sum? That’s one side of Hong Kong. But there’s another—quieter, older, and steeped in tradition. Think of incense curling through ancient temples, fishing boats rocking gently off island shores, and festivals that honour the past. Island escapes: From Lantau to Peng Chau Tian Tan Buddha, Lantau Island/Nadie Marfurt/Unsplash Lantau Island is more than just the site of the airport and Disneyland. It’s home to the Tian Tan Buddha—a 34-meter-high seated bronze statue perched serenely above the Po Lin Monastery. While tourists often take the cable car to admire the Buddha,…
The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) has welcomed a landmark move by South Africa’s Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Dr Dion George, who has announced the imminent publication of a Lion Prohibition Notice. This notice will ban the establishment of new captive lion breeding facilities in the country. Image of lions used for illustrative purposes/Leornard von Bibra/Unsplash Calling the decision “long-awaited,” the NSPCA praised the reform as a turning point in the effort to dismantle an industry rooted in systemic cruelty. The organisation stated that the ban reflects years of relentless legal battles, public pressure, and on-the-ground inspections.…
These midweek deals, from mountainside lodges to farm retreats and coastal hideaways, make it easier (and more affordable) to explore the best of South Africa. Whether you’re seeking a romantic break, a digital detox, or a friend-filled escape, these specials are valid from winter into early spring – and they’re worth planning around. KWAZULU-NATAL Drakensberg Amphitheatre/© Ad Meskens/Wikimedia Commons Alpine Heath Resort – Northern Drakensberg From R1,231 p/p for 3 nights (based on 6 sharing)Valid: 11 August – 15 September 2025 | Deal Number: ZA41997 Group getaway goals unlocked. Nestled between Durban and Joburg, this 4-star resort is made for…
Image: Getty South Africa’s coastline is dotted with lighthouses — some still active, still guiding ships, and still manned. A few also offer rare overnight stays, giving travellers the chance to sleep beside a functioning beacon. These aren’t polished luxury escapes. They’re quiet, self-catering cottages in remote locations, often right next to the tower. It’s a chance to experience life on the edge of the coast — with weather, waves and history right outside your door. ALSO SEE: Best beach towns for winter sun and quiet sands Cape Columbine Lighthouse, Paternoster — coast lights and keeper cottages Tucked into the…
The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a civil society organization, has called on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards to immediately organize an appraisal of the 2025 Hajj exercise. In a statement signed by its National Coordinator Ibrahim Muhammed, IHR urged NAHCON and relevant agencies to establish an open platform to review the 2025 operations. IHR emphasised that the review should be a candid self-evaluation based on factual references, avoiding self-congratulations or political grandstanding. While acknowledging improvements in some areas, such as the first phase of the airlift and services in Mina, IHR highlighted…