Looking back: A seismic election changes SA politics forever, the 'Miracle of Dunkirk, and black South African on top of the world
Sibusiso Vilane at the summit of Mount Aconcagua in the Andes, the highest mountain in the Americas, in 2005. Vilane will soon be the first African to complete the Three Poles Challenge " having reached the North Pole, South Pole, and Mount Everest. Sibusiso Vilane at the summit of Mount Aconcagua in the Andes, the highest mountain in the Americas, in 2005. Vilane will soon be the first African to complete the Three Poles Challenge " having reached the North Pole, South Pole, and Mount Everest.
1872 During a 'terrific gale', seven ships are wrecked, with the loss of 10 lives, at the Buffalo River, East London.
1878 Interpretive dancer Isadora Duncan is born in San Francisco. She revolutionised the entire concept of dance by developing a free-form style and rebelled against tradition, performing barefoot in a loose fitting tunic. She experienced worldwide acclaim as well as personal tragedy. Her two children drowned, her marriage failed, and she met a bizarre death in 1927 when a scarf she was wearing caught in the wheel of the open car in which she was riding, strangling her1908 The first big commercial oil strike in the Middle East is made in Persia (Iran).
1940 The Dunkirk evacuation is begun to save the British Expeditionary Force trapped by advancing German armies on the northern coast of France. Boats and vessels of all shapes and sizes ferried 200 000 British and 140 000 French and Belgian soldiers across the English Channel by June 2.
1948 The Herenigde Nasionale Party pulls off a surprise general election win which will change the landscape of South Africa.
1961 A US Hustler bomber crosses the Atlantic in about 3 hours, twice as fast as an airliner.
1991 Major-General Ken van der Spuy, veteran of both world wars, as well as the Russian Civil War, dies aged 99. He was South Africa's first qualified military pilot and the first South African Air Force pilot.
2003 Sibusiso Vilane, 32, is the first Black South African to summit Mount Everest.
2004 The New York Times publishes admission of journalistic failings, claims its flawed reporting and lack of scepticism during buildup to 2003 Iraq War helped promote belief that Iraq possessed large stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction.
2018 Real Madrid beat Liverpool for their third straight Champions League title. Manager Zinédine Zidane becomes the first to win 3 consecutive titles.
2019 Nine climbers die in a week on Mount Everest after overcrowding leads to queues.
2021 Amazon says it will buy 97-year-old film and TV studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for $8.45 billion.
DAILY NEWS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
11 hours ago
- The South African
Kerishnie Naiker recalls freak accident that left her in a wheelchair
Former Miss SA Kerishnie Naiker has reflected on the first anniversary since a freak accident that left her temporarily wheelchair bound after dislocating both ankles. The 51-year-old beauty queen suffered a serious fall after bumping into a tourist at Cape Point in May last year. After undergoing intensive rehabilitation, she slowly regained mobility, but with limitations. In 1997, Kerishnie became the first South African of Indian descent to win Miss SA. In an Instagram post over the weekend, Kerishnie Naiker reflected on a year of intense rehabilitation since her horror accident at a Cape tourist destination last year. Sharing footage of her time in hospital, she shared: 'Adaptability is an art and an advantage. The focus has not once been on the negligent, selfie-addicted tourist, but rather on being solution-driven and healing. Earlier this month, Kerishnie claimed she had '28% sports ability' and also revealed she experienced nerve damage in her toes. According to Kerishnie Naiker, she suffered a serious fall last year after bumping into a tourist on a steep flight of stairs. She shared: 'I was accidentally tripped by a tourist while she was taking photographs. While on the stairs from the lighthouse at Cape Point, she walked backward into me, tripping me down two steps. She tried to get the lighthouse in focus and took one step too far'. The beauty queen dislocated both her ankles and had to undergo an intensive rehabilitation programme. Kerishnie Naiker has shared a health update after a freak accident. Images via Instagram: @kerishnie_naiker In light of the accident, Kerishnie Naiker has used her platform to share the lessons she learned from the experience. She shared: 'I feel it imperative to use this platform to reaffirm that we: 'Do not take photos at the peril of others or ourselves 'Are observant, cognizant of our surroundings, and situationally aware 'Savour every moment and take it all in without having to witness it all through a lens 'Are mindful, kind, and not oblivious of the well-being of others.' She added, 'Too many are dying while taking selfies and recording reels, and others are getting injured and killed by their negligence.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
16 hours ago
- The Citizen
Africa Food Show: Tapping into the potential of the continent's food and beverage market
Out of the 350 exhibitors at the Africa Food Show 2025, approximately 50% are South African. The inaugural African Food Show will be hosted in Cape Town this week. Picture: Supplied With the African Development Bank estimating that the African food and beverage market is set to reach $1 trillion by 2030, the inaugural Africa Food Show, taking place in Cape Town this week, is tapping into this emerging market. Set to be hosted at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), the Africa Food Show is expected to bring together over 350 exhibitors and 6,000 visitors from more than 25 countries. 'Out of the 350 exhibitors at the Africa Food Show 2025, approximately 50% are South African. The remaining exhibitors are international participants from over 30 countries,' Events manager at dmg events, Margaret Peters tells The Citizen. Peters says the balanced representation of exhibitors highlights the show's dual focus. 'Showcasing South Africa's vibrant food and beverage sector while also fostering global trade and collaboration.' The two-day food and beverage gathering is part of the globally recognised Gulfood series, which includes the world's largest food and beverage exhibition in Dubai. 'This association lends the event significant credibility and draws international attention. The show is also backed by dmg events and the Dubai World Trade Centre, both experienced in organizing large-scale global expos,' shares Peters. The show will take place from June 10 to 12. ALSO READ: Cape Town is on the up, here's why Cape Town's appeal Cape Town's global appeal as a film destination is driving a significant economic upswing in the city's hospitality industry. According to the City's Film Permits Office, from November 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, film crews booked more than 59,000 beds in Cape Town, spending nearly R148 million. The Cape Town CBD is a well-managed CBD, with several partners working together to ensure it is safe, clean, and a welcoming environment in which to visit and conduct business. This is one of the main reasons organisers of the Africa Food Show decided to host their inaugural event on the continent in the Western Cape city. 'Its global appeal, bolstered by a strong tourism sector and vibrant hospitality industry, makes it an attractive destination for both business and leisure travellers,' says Peters. 'Additionally, the city's alignment with themes of innovation and sustainability complements our Africa Food Summit, which focuses on climate-smart and healthy food solutions.' ALSO READ: For all the tea in… Mzansi Industry focused The Africa Food Show is primarily targeted at companies, brands, and industry professionals rather than the general public. Its focus is on creating a platform for business-to-business (B2B) engagement, where food and beverage manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and retailers can connect, showcase innovations, and explore trade opportunities. 'That said, while the core audience is industry-focused, events like this often include public-access days or consumer-focused segments, especially to promote local products or culinary experiences,' says Peters. NOW READ: Beer lovers and cannabis connoisseurs to gather in Gauteng's biggest cities this weekend
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Economic impact of the Comrades Marathon on South Africa
Yogashen Pillay | Published 3 hours ago Tourism and hospitality industry and economists believe that the 98th edition of the Comrades Marathon on Sunday will provide an economic boost to the KZN and South African economies . Brett Tungay, East coast chairperson for the Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (Fedhasa), said that the Comrades marathon has a huge impact on the KZN hospitality and tourism and the KZN economy. 'In Pietermaritzburg, most of the occupancies have been reported as fully booked, which is great news. We all expect a great turnout for Durban with both local and international arrivals. Comrades is not just a KZN event; it really impacts people from across South Africa.' Tungay added this is great news for sports and events tourism. 'This is something that we have been pushing for as events and sports tourism gives a huge boost for the tourism and hospitality sector. We recently had a major event with the Nedbank Cup final in May between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. It was a huge event for KZN; restaurants, retailers, and accommodation were fully booked. So the Comrades Marathon is also going to be huge, and we are expecting to be very busy. We do need international arrivals as numbers have been down since the Covid 19 pandemic and events like this boost international arrivals.' Rosemary Anderson, National Chairperson Fedhasa, said that the Comrades Marathon is one of South Africa's most iconic sporting events and plays a vital role in driving tourism. 'Each year, it attracts thousands of runners, supporters, and families from around the country and the world. This influx of visitors boosts demand for hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, tour services, and transport – creating a ripple effect across the local and regional economy. It's not just about race day – it's about the extended stays, pre- and post-race travel, post-race dining and celebrations, and the vibrant atmosphere that energises the entire hospitality sector. Anderson added that the Comrades Marathon is a brilliant catalyst for the tourism and hospitality industry. 'It fills accommodations, packs out restaurants, and showcases South Africa's warm hospitality to both locals and international guests. Beyond the economic boost, it gives destinations like Durban and Pietermaritzburg a valuable platform to market themselves globally. Visitors often extend their stay to explore other attractions in KwaZulu-Natal and beyond, amplifying the tourism spend. Importantly, it also creates temporary and permanent job opportunities across tourism-related services – from event logistics to food vendors, tour guides, and more.' Anderson said that large-scale events like the Comrades Marathon, the Cape Epic, or international rugby and cricket sporting events are powerful tourism drivers. 'They not only bring in international visitors but also elevate South Africa's global profile as a dynamic, welcoming, and world-class destination. The more successful events we host, the more we can stimulate local economies, create jobs, and diversify our tourism offerings. They give people a reason to travel here – and often, once they experience the country, they return for leisure holidays, business, or further sporting events. Major events are a smart, sustainable way to grow tourism and showcase South Africa's unique spirit.' Umhlanga Tourism chairperson Jeannie Sarno said that the office is looking forward to welcoming the annual Comrades Marathon and the influx of visitors it brings to the area. "It's not just runners that attend the Comrades; they travel with friends, supporters, coaches, and even family. The majority of our establishments are fully booked, and this is a great relief to the tourism-related businesses who have had low bookings for March and April this year." Sarno added she encourages the community to continue to be welcoming to our visitors and helpful to assist when it comes to recommendations of restaurants and tourism attractions for the days leading to the run and the days after. 'Many families allow the runners to 'do their thing' on the pre- and post-race, and the families enjoy the sites and attractions in and around Umhlanga.' Waldo Krugell, an economics professor at the North-West University (NWU) and a previous Comrades Marathon runner, said that he always gets excited during Comrades weekend. 'There is a clear positive economic impact. Previous research indicates that it contributes significantly to the provincial economy. It is not only the athletes, but the supporters that travel along and frequently stay longer as well. Comrades has a larger impact on the local economy than many similar sport events, and this is attributed to the specialised nature of the event.' BUSINESS REPORT Visit:
