Author: Chukwu Godlove
As the world observes Endangered Species Day, South Africa highlights not only the richness of its biodiversity but also the threats it faces — and the determined efforts to protect it. Picture/SANBI/Funananirabambi The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) is leading the charge, working alongside national and international partners to safeguard plants and animals teetering on the edge of extinction. South Africa is home to a stunning variety of species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. From rare flora hidden in rocky outcrops to gibbons swinging through the trees, each life form contributes to a complex web…
We’re not quite sure if it’s the creamy sweetness of the drink, the bursts of flavours from the popping bubbles, the delightful chewiness of the tapioca pearls, or the aesthetically pleasing vibes it effortlessly emits that make bubble tea (or boba) one of our all-time favourite drinks. Picture: RDNE Stock Project / Pexels Cape Town offers a multitude of places to grab these iconic, thick-strawed drinks in a plethora of flavours and toppings that can be enjoyed as a refreshing drink or a liquid dessert – appropriate at any time of the day. Here are six places in and around…
Silence has become a luxury. In a world wired with notifications, background chatter and city buzz, truly quiet camping is rare — but not impossible. South Africa still has wild places where you can hear yourself think, sleep under star-thick skies, and wake to nothing but the rustle of wind through reeds. Here’s where to find that elusive hush, what to bring and how to stay safe while soaking it all in. Jeffrey Keenan/Unsplash What makes a place truly quiet? It’s not just the absence of people. Remote terrain, low tourism traffic, no roads nearby, and minimal infrastructure all contribute…
Tunis, May 11 — There is the impossibility of continuing with the current model of tourism across the world, said former minister of tourism and Tunisia’s candidate for the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Secretary-General position Habib Ammar. This pattern will cause the tourism industry to collapse in some eighty years. The current model is non-eco-friendly, Ammar further said in an interview with TAP, and will have an adverse impact on the sector’s sustainability that could even result in its collapse. Beach tourism for instance, he highlighted, would most likely disappear in Europe. It is of critical importance to…
Most food-focused road trips in South Africa come with a side of sauvignon blanc, but what if you’re not a wine drinker? If you would prefer your meals with a cup of perfectly roasted coffee, a glass of cider, or a house-fermented ginger beer, there’s a whole world of flavour waiting—no corkscrew required. These destinations offer immersive, flavour-forward experiences for the wine-free wanderer. Hogsback – Eastern Cape Picture/SA Venues Tucked into the Amathole Mountains, Hogsback is a misty, mushroom-loving town perfect for forest feasts and fireside food. While most accommodation here is self-catering—like those at Away with the Fairies—you can…
Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire — Thank you, Kendra, for the kind introduction and for hosting this event alongside the American Chambers of Commerce in West Africa and the U.S. embassy. It’s an honor to be here and to be part of today’s discussion on strengthening U.S.-Africa business partnerships – a topic that is both a personal passion of mine and a central priority for the Trump Administration in Africa. READ: Senior Bureau Official Fitrell Highlights U.S. Commitment to Stronger Commercial Ties with Africa During Visit to Côte d’Ivoire From Washington we see what everyone in this room sees – Africa’s extraordinary…
When the city lights fade, the stars come out to play—and nowhere is this truer than in South Africa’s wild spaces. With some of the world’s lowest levels of light pollution and a culture deeply rooted in storytelling, our landscapes offer front-row seats to the cosmos. From desert dunes to mountain plateaus, these accommodation spots don’t just offer a bed—they invite you to sleep beneath the stars. Here are South Africa’s best stays that deliver the night sky on a silver platter. !Xaus Lodge – Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape Picture/SafariNow With zero light pollution and a view stretching across…
Across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, the crisis of student accommodation has long been a quiet emergency. Overcrowded hostels, dilapidated buildings, and the high cost of off-campus housing have painted a bleak picture of student life until now. To curb this ugly trend, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) initiated a transformative partnership model that aims to tackle the student housing crisis head-on. With the introduction of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework, TETFund is calling on institutions to rethink how they provide safe, affordable, and modern housing for students. At a recent one-day strategic engagement with heads of institutions, bursars, and heads…
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has confirmed the declaration a new nature reserve. It is the iNkonjane Nature Reserve, a 182-hectare protected area adjacent to iMpendle Nature Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal. As reported by Tourism Update, the announcement was made by Musa Zondi, the province’s MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs earlier this month. This new nature reserve represents strategic expansion of the provincial protected area network, supporting multiple threatened species. It aims to serve as a critical foraging habitat for the endangered blue swallow, as the country has 30 remaining breeding pairs. Endangered blue swallows (Picture: Supplied / Roger J…
Tunis — – Tunisia is vying for the Secretary-General position of the United Nations Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) for the 2026-2029 term, presenting Habib Ammar as its candidate for the first time. He will compete against five nominees from Georgia (represented by the current Secretary-General), Ghana, Greece, Mexico, and the UAE. Ammar’s campaign is built on a 7-point programme under the slogan “Together We Make Tourism an Engine of Prosperity for All.” Ammar’s career began in Tunisia’s public sector, where he held key roles, including Minister of Tourism in 2020 during the COVID-19 crisis and later Acting Minister of Cultural Affairs.…