Author: Chukwu Godlove
As December wanes and the year draws to a close, cities across Africa come alive with celebrations that reflect the continent’s diversity. Fabio Eckert / Pexels While New Year’s Eve (December 31) is globally marked with countdowns and confetti, Africa’s cities each bring distinct flavors to the occasion, shaped by local traditions, climates, and communities. Cape Town: fireworks over the Waterfront In South Africa’s Mother City, New Year’s Eve is a vivid blend of outdoor energy and harborfront spectacle. Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront remains a central gathering spot, drawing thousands for live music, entertainment, and one of the country’s most…
The City of Cape Town has reiterated its strict stance against the illegal sale, storage, and detonation of fireworks, emphasising that only approved displays with valid permits are permitted. According to Cape ETC, This crackdown comes as part of ongoing efforts to safeguard public safety, protect animal welfare, and alleviate pressure on emergency services as Cape Town heads into its festive season. In an official statement shared on social media, the City made it clear that it no longer designates specific fireworks sites for events such as Diwali, Guy Fawkes, or New Year’s Eve. This means that any use of…
As the festive season takes hold, airports across Africa are shifting into high gear. From families reuniting and diaspora travellers returning home to end-of-year escapes and business trips wrapped around the holidays, December is one of the continent’s busiest months for air travel. A collection of aircraft at Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport/FrogsLegs71/Wikimedia Commons New data from aviation analytics firm OAG reveals which airports carried the most departing passenger seats in December 2025, offering a snapshot of how and where Africa was moving as the year drew to a close. While growth was seen across the board, a handful of…
In Kenya’s Maasai Mara, local people say a new luxury safari hotel is threatening the ecosystem – and the livelihoods of those for whom tourism was supposed to bring opportunity. At dawn, when the mist is still clinging to the grass, Nasieku Kipeke’s hands are already moving through beads. Red, blue, white… she threads them with the same rhythm her mother taught her. The beaded bracelets she makes will end up in the hands of tourists who come to the Maasai Mara to witness the Great Migration – the epic annual journey made by 2 million zebras, wildebeest and gazelles…
Nature Connect’s Small Grants programme will fund six community organisations across the Cape Floristic Region in 2026, supporting local conservation and youth development, reports Cape {town} Etc. Picture: Nature Connect The Table Mountain Fund backs the grants. They aim to strengthen grassroots capacity and build networks among community stewards. The selected projects come from Ocean View, Khayelitsha, Lavender Hill, Nyanga and the Cape Flats. Activities include: indigenous gardening beach clean-ups youth hikes nature education The scheme also offers mentorship and training on measuring impact. ‘These Small Grants will strengthen local conservation work and open pathways for young people,’ said Llewellyn Williams, Nature Connect media…
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade has taken note of the recent travel advisories issued by Canada, the Russian Federation and the United States of America on security measures, among others, to be observed by tourists travelling to Mauritius. The Ministry wishes to reassure travelers that Mauritius is a safe destination as highlighted by the 1,008,098 tourists who visited the country from January to September 2025. The latest figures indicate that out of the number of reported cases of theft for the period January to 27 December 2025, only negligible eases involved foreign nationals. The data…
If New Year’s Eve has crept up on you (again), Cape Town is one city that makes last-minute plans feel intentional. cottonbro studios / Pexels From sunset picnics and beach braais to rooftop parties and low-key midnight moments, the Mother City offers plenty of ways to ring in the new year without weeks of advance planning. Whether you’re after something festive, romantic, or refreshingly calm, here are some easy, last-minute ideas for celebrating NYE in Cape Town. Watch the sunset (and fireworks) by the sea Cape Town’s coastline is always a good idea, especially on New Year’s Eve. Head to…
Vihiga — Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi visited the historic Mungoma Caves in Vihiga County, fondly known as “Hango Humulogoli,” the sacred home of Mulogoli, founder and hero of the Maragoli community. The tour of the caves, which serve as a vital cultural and historical landmark, offered Mudavadi a deep sense of reflection and appreciation for the Maragoli heritage. The caves, regarded as the womb of Maragoli culture, continue to host rituals, ceremonies, and initiation rites, preserving centuries-old traditions. “Stepping inside feels like entering a mythical underworld, rich with history, folklore, and the spiritual identity of the Maragoli people,”…
Watching the first sunrise of 2026 is a grounding and peaceful way to welcome the year ahead. Cape Town Coast/Thomas Butler/Unsplash South Africa offers a remarkable range of viewpoints where the moment feels both personal and expansive. From coastal cliffs and mountain peaks to desert horizons and riverbanks, these sunrise spots reward early risers with perspective, stillness, and natural beauty. Whether you are travelling or staying close to home, these are some of the most memorable places to greet the year’s first light. Cape Point, Western Cape As one of the most south westerly points of the African continent, Cape…
Moscow, Russia — Uganda intends to consider the possibility of abolishing visa requirements for Russian tourists in the future, head of the International Legal and Social Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uganda John Leonard Mugerwa told TASS. Asked whether visas for Russian tourists with regular rather than diplomatic passports could be abolished in the future, he answered in the affirmative. “We believe that in the future we will find ways to simplify the visa regime for Russians visiting Uganda. Currently, visas are processed online and issued within two days, but we will consider the possibility of…