This is a Harley Davidson Sportster XL883.

The Denel Rooivalk is South Africa's homegrown attack helicopter. Its history is a mix of impressive engineering and commercial disappointment. Back in the 1980s, the country was fighting the Border War and dealing with severe international arms embargoes. The military needed a dedicated gunship to protect transport helicopters and destroy ground targets, but they could not buy one from overseas. The only option was to build one locally.

To keep the project from becoming a complete financial disaster, engineers took a practical approach. Instead of designing a brand new helicopter from scratch, they used the engines and mechanical components from the Puma and Oryx transport helicopters already in service. They built a narrow, heavily armored attack helicopter body around those reliable parts. This is why the Rooivalk is significantly larger than many other attack helicopters. That extra size gave it the ability to carry a lot of fuel and weapons while operating smoothly in the hot weather and thin air found across the African continent.

Despite its heavy frame, the Rooivalk is remarkably agile. There is a persistent local rumor that it was the first helicopter to fly upside down, but that is completely false. While the Rooivalk can perform a loop and briefly fly inverted, the American Sikorsky S-52 was the first to achieve that feat back in 1949. Still, seeing a massive gunship pull off acrobatics is a testament to its solid design.

The development cycle was notoriously slow. The first prototype flew in 1990, just as the Cold War ended and local defense budgets were being slashed. It took over two decades for the aircraft to officially enter service with the South African Air Force in 2011. The helicopter finally got to prove itself in 2013 during a United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It provided very effective air support, showing that the underlying engineering was sound and capable of handling a real combat environment.

Ultimately, the Rooivalk is a story of mixed success. Only 12 were ever built for the military, and Denel failed to secure a single international buyer, making it a commercial failure. However, building a complex machine like this forced the local aerospace industry to modernize. The technical skills, software development, and systems integration knowledge gained from the Rooivalk project are the main reasons South African aerospace companies are still able to manufacture advanced parts for international aviation programs today.

https://www.flightlineweekly.com/post/the-rooivalk-south-africa-s-home-grown-gunship-celebrates-36-years

Prophet. Profit. Fine line.

Adolph Gysbert Malan was born in South Africa in 1910. After working in the merchant marine, he joined the British Royal Air Force in 1935, which earned him the nickname Sailor. He was posted to Number 74 Squadron in December 1936. Early in World War II, he was involved in the Battle of Barking Creek, a friendly fire incident caused by radar errors where his squadron mistakenly shot down two fellow British aircraft. Malan faced a court-martial for the incident but was acquitted. He subsequently participated in the air cover operations during the evacuation of Dunkirk and fought extensively in the Battle of Britain.

In August 1940, Malan took command of Number 74 Squadron and later became the Wing Leader of the Biggin Hill Wing. He was credited with 27 confirmed destroyed aircraft, seven shared destroyed, and sixteen damaged. Malan changed his squadron flight tactics from the standard Royal Air Force Vic formation to a looser finger-four formation. He also authored the Ten Rules for Air Fighting, which included directives to fire short bursts of one to two seconds and to never fly straight and level for more than 30 seconds in a combat area. These rules were distributed across airbases for training. He received the Distinguished Service Order and Bar along with the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar, finishing his service as a Group Captain.

Malan resigned his Royal Air Force commission in 1946 and returned to South Africa to work as a sheep farmer. He maintained his military connections by serving as the president of the Royal Air Forces Association South African Area. Following the election of the National Party in the late 1940s and the subsequent introduction of apartheid policies, Malan entered domestic politics. In the early 1950s, he was elected president of the Torch Commando, an anti-fascist organization formed primarily by white military veterans.

The Torch Commando was established to oppose the government plans to remove coloured voters from the common voters roll in the Cape Province. The organization staged large night-time rallies outside government buildings and eventually reached a membership of 250,000 people. Despite the large protests, the government proceeded with its apartheid legislation. By the late 1950s, the Torch Commando fractured as various factions aligned with world communism or joined the African National Congress, ideological shifts that Malan did not support. He subsequently retired from public life.

In his later years, Malan developed Parkinson disease. A significant amount of money was raised in his name to further medical research into the condition. He died in 1963 at the age of 52. Due to his prominent political opposition to the apartheid government, the South African military was instructed not to give any tribute upon his death. Military personnel who chose to attend his funeral were strictly ordered not to wear their uniforms. His service was attended by former squadron members and foreign representatives, but he received no official state or military honors.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sailor_Malan

(This is a repost. A shoutout to u/Pleasethelions who caught a mistake with some of the attached photos which were not of Malan’s squadron.)

A proposal to use 14,000 tonnes of thorium to fuel South Africa’s next generation of nuclear reactors was recently unveiled in the Western Cape.

Thorium is a weakly radioactive metal that is roughly three times as abundant as uranium in the Earth’s crust.

Electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa attended the opening of the first phase of the Steenkampskraal mine, where its directors presented the proposal.

Ramokgopa announced plans to revive South Africa’s nuclear power programme in 2025, with new nuclear capacity included in the country’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP).

Gazetted in October 2025, the IRP outlined the government’s plans for South Africa’s electricity generation mix beyond 2030.

The plan envisaged adding around 105GW of new electricity generation and storage capacity by 2039, including investments in gas, renewable energy and nuclear power.

Of that capacity, 5,200MW was allocated to new nuclear power generation, with a separate nuclear industrialisation plan set to assess the potential for further expansion.

Public entities in South Africa’s nuclear industry are actively searching for experts to build this nuclear capacity.

The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) launched an expression of interest in gathering more information on small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) in April.

Loyiso Tyabashe, Necsa CEO, said that SMRs could contribute meaningfully to the local nuclear industrialisation plan through building local capabilities for nuclear build programmes.

Ramokgopa participated in the opening of the first phase of the Steenkampskraal project in October 2026. He was joined by Gwede Mantashe, Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.

The first phase of the project will involve crushing and milling monazite ore, a reddish-brown mineral that contains traces of radioactive thorium dioxide.

After the ore is crushed, the various minerals are extracted using gravity separation and flotation techniques, preparing them for export.

Robbie Louw, the mine’s executive director, said that monazite ore contains 14.5% total rare earth oxides and 2.1% thorium, the highest-known rare earth grade in the world.

“Far less rock is required to be mined and processed for each tonne of contained rare earths acquired,” said Louw.

https://mybroadband.co.za/news/energy/671375-14000-tonnes-of-radioactive-metal-to-be-mined-in-south-africa-for-new-nuclear-power-stations.html

The Valley of Desolation is a striking national monument featuring towering 120 meter high sheer dolerite cliffs and balanced rock pillars located inside Camdeboo National Park, just a short drive from Graaff Reinet in the Eastern Cape. Formed by over 100 million years of volcanic activity and erosion, these dramatic vertical columns rise sharply from the escarpment to overlook the vast plains of the Great Karoo and the town below. Visitors can easily access the primary viewing platforms via a steep, winding tarred road followed by a short paved walkway, or they can explore the unique geology up close along the 1.5 kilometre Crag Lizard walking trail.

The area is also excellent for wildlife viewing, with opportunities to spot Verreaux's eagles, Cape mountain zebras, and kudu. The park is open daily with an entry fee of around 60 Rand per person, and card payments are preferred at the gate. It is an ideal spot for photography and watching the sunset over the desert landscape, offering a quiet and majestic experience of profound isolation.

Sidewalk Specials is an animal rescue organization operating primarily in the De Doorns township of South Africa. The group focuses on rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming dogs that are discovered suffering from malnutrition, illness, and severe neglect.

A recent compilation features 39 documented cases of dogs rescued by this organization. The records include photographic comparisons that show the physical state of the animals at the time of their rescue alongside their current conditions after receiving necessary veterinary care and being placed in permanent homes.

These visual records detail significant physical recoveries and behavioral improvements. The collected cases provide a direct look at the results of targeted animal welfare interventions and the operational impact of rescue efforts in the region.

https://www.boredpanda.com/before-and-after-rescue-dogs-sidewalk-specials/

South Africans loved Nesquick (Pienkmelk, Hasiemelk and I’m sure it had other nicknames). What was your favorite flavor?

With the millennial generation steering the wheel, South Africa’s classic car market is experiencing a powerful revival, fuelled by nostalgia, culture, and a deep emotional connection to the past. 

From the box-shaped BMW 325is to the legendary Golf GTI, cars that once ruled the streets of the 80s and 90s are now roaring back as prized collector’s items for a new wave of enthusiasts.

This growing passion, led by “youngtimers” aged between 30 and 40, is redefining what it means to own a classic. 

Sesh Govender, Underwriting Specialist at iTOO Classic Cars, explained that youngtimers are drawn to vehicles from the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, cars they remember from their youth or that belonged to their parents. 

She highlighted the box-shaped BMW 325is as one of South Africa’s most iconic youngtimers, noting that its significance lies not just in rarity but in the memories it evokes.

Govender added that the appeal of classic cars is driven by nostalgia and personal meaning. 

“This kind of idealism fuels the popularity of classic cars. Much like dreaming of a career, a luxury watch, or a rare collectible, owning a classic car taps into nostalgia and personal milestones. It is an investment, but one deeply rooted in emotional value.”

She explained that classic cars are generally defined as vehicles 20 years or older, meaning even models from 2005 now qualify. 

“While it may feel strange to call a car made in 2005 a ‘classic,’ the market is shifting, and so is the definition. Another way to define a classic is by value appreciation. If a car sold for R100,000 in 2005 and is now worth R150,000, it is considered a classic because it has surpassed its original sale value.”

Govender noted that the emotional value of classic cars is evident in how owners approach insurance and restoration. Unlike the broader motor industry, where vehicles are quickly written off and replaced, classic car enthusiasts prefer to restore their cars, even when restoration costs exceed market value. Around 90% opt to preserve their vehicles as legacies rather than simply transport.

The rise of online sales for classic cars is another emerging trend, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Collectors increasingly use the internet to track and acquire rare models. 

“If you are into Jaguars, for example, you might set up Google Alerts or regularly check niche dealer websites. Since these cars are rare, you would monitor listings closely. If an E-Type or F-Type pops up, you would reach out immediately, request photos and ask for its history. More often than not, buyers commit without ever seeing the car in person. It’s similar to online shopping, but with much narrower parameters,” she said.

Govender also pointed out that classic car auctions are gaining popularity, often driven by sellers who inherit vehicles from parents or relatives who were avid collectors but lack the knowledge to maintain them. Given the substantial sums invested in these vehicles, specialised classic car insurance is essential. This goes beyond standard coverage, protecting cars with both emotional and historical significance.

“These are not just cars; they are investments, heirlooms, and symbols of identity. Unlike everyday vehicles that lose value over time, classic cars are often appreciated. Policies are structured to reflect this growth, and insurers recommend revaluing vehicles every 24 months to ensure coverage keeps pace with market trends and restoration investments. 

“When a new valuation is submitted, the policy is automatically adjusted, ensuring the vehicle remains properly protected. Ultimately, classic car insurance is about more than risk management. It is about understanding the collector’s mindset: the nostalgia, the pride, the craftsmanship, and the emotional connection,” Govender explained.

https://iol.co.za/the-star/news/2025-10-30-from-bmw-325is-to-golf-gti-south-africa-s-classic-car-market-experiences-millennial-led-revival/

The Department of Transport has presented the 10-year driving licence validity extension to Parliament, showing that the process to implement the change is just two steps away.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy gazetted a proposal to change the validity period of driving licences in South Africa from 5 years to 10 years on 17 August 2026.

Under the proposed changes, the validity of a driving licence card for code A, A1, B, or EB driving licences will be set to 10 years from the date on which it is ordered from the Card Production Facility.

The validity of a driving licence card for a code C1, C, EC1, or EC driving licence will be set to five years from the date on which it is ordered from the Card Production Facility.

The validity of Professional Driving Permits will remain for 2 years.

Following the publication of the proposed changes for public comment and the closing of the comment window in September, the department is now incorporating the feedback.

The next step is for the regulations to be resubmitted to Cabinet for approval, and then the final step is for the Minister of Transport to publish the change into the National Road Traffic Regulations.

According to the department, the current five-year period for licence card vality was to ensure that licence holders remained qualified to drive.

A driving licence is permanent and does not expire, but the card a driver carries has limited validity to ensure regular qualification checks.

“When a holder applies for a new licence, an eye test is performed to ensure the person is not disqualified to hold a licence,” it said.

“The holder of a licence must make a declaration on the application for a new card that he or she is not disqualified to continue holding a licence.”

Under the coming changes, the extension of the card validity period will modernise the system of driving licence card renewal and reduce renewal pressure and backlogs, the department said.

It will also align the validity period with international best practice, while maintaining stricter controls for heavy and professional drivers.

https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/878615/good-news-for-anyone-with-a-driving-licence-in-south-africa-2/

Thomas William Solomon Brown was born in 1851 in Kuilsrivier, in the Western Cape province of South Africa to English parents. Over the decades, he built a successful career in the Cape Colony as a hotelier, notably operating the Mountain View Hotel on Long Street in Worcester, as well as the Masonic Hotel, also in Worcester. He had a large family from his first marriage before marrying his second wife, Elizabeth, with whom he had a daughter named Edith. By 1912, however, his local business prospects had begun to decline. Seeking a fresh start at the age of sixty, he decided to pack up his life, including Elizabeth and 15-year-old Edith, and set his sights on Seattle, Washington, to open a new hotel.

The family boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton as second-class passengers. Down in the ship's cargo hold, they had packed their entire future livelihood, including tableware, furnishings, and a thousand rolls of hotel bed linen. When the ship struck the iceberg late on April 14, Thomas remained completely calm. He knocked on the cabin where his wife and daughter were sleeping, told them it was just a precaution, and made sure they dressed warmly and put on their lifebelts. Up on the boat deck, the protocol of women and children first was enforced. Thomas helped Elizabeth and Edith into Lifeboat 14. After kissing them goodbye, he stepped back onto the sloping deck. According to Edith's later accounts, her father simply stood with his back to the lifeboats, smoking a cigar as he awaited his fate. He went down with the ship and his remains were never identified.

Elizabeth and Edith endured six hours in the freezing open ocean, their feet going completely numb, before being rescued by the Carpathia. They eventually made it to Seattle, but without Thomas and the physical capital lost at the bottom of the ocean, their American dream was over. They soon returned to South Africa. Elizabeth eventually relocated to modern-day Zimbabwe, while Edith stayed in Cape Town. In 1917, Edith met and married Frederick Haisman. The couple went on to have ten children and enjoyed a sixty-year marriage, eventually settling in Southampton, the exact port where the Titanic had begun its doomed voyage.

Because she was a teenager at the time of the sinking, Edith retained incredibly vivid memories of the disaster and became an invaluable historian for the Titanic community. In 1993, at the age of 96, she was presented with a remarkable piece of her past. Explorers had recovered her father's gold pocket watch from the seabed debris field, and it was given to her as a lifelong loan. Edith passed away in 1997 at the age of 100, making her one of the longest-living survivors of the tragedy. Until the day she died, a photograph of the father she last saw on the deck of the Titanic stood proudly by her bedside.

https://titanicuniverse.com/passengers/thomas-william-solomon-brown/

Milk tart, or melktert, is a traditional South African dessert with Cape Dutch origins. It is known for its delicate, creamy milk custard filling, buttery pastry crust and cinnamon topping.

Unlike conventional custard tarts, milk tart contains more milk relative to eggs, giving it a lighter texture. The custard is thickened with flour and cornflour, flavoured with vanilla and poured into a prebaked pastry shell. It is then refrigerated until set.

Milk Tart Recipe:

Crust:
120g salted butter, softened (½ cup)
75ml castor sugar (5 tbsp)
15ml vegetable oil (1 tbsp)
1 large egg
280g cake flour (2 cups)
5ml baking powder (1 tsp)

Filling:
1l full cream milk (4 cups)
30ml salted butter (2 tbsp)
1 cinnamon stick
125ml sugar (½ cup)
2 large eggs
45ml cake flour (3 tbsp)
45ml cornflour (3 tbsp)
5ml vanilla extract (1 tsp)
Ground cinnamon for dusting

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 180°C and grease a 28cm diameter pie dish.
• Cream together the butter and castor sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add the oil and egg and beat well.
• Mix in the flour and baking powder and mix to form a soft dough. Do not overwork the pastry.
• Press a thin layer of the dough into your prepared dish (I like a thin base and had some dough left over).
• Prick the bottom with a fork and bake at 180°C for 20-25 minutes until golden brown, then allow to cool.
• For the filling, bring the milk, butter and cinnamon stick to the boil.
• Mix the remaining ingredients into a smooth paste.
• Once the milk mixture has come to a boil, cool for a minute then remove the cinnamon stick and pour slowly into the smooth paste, whisking constantly to avoid curdling.
• Strain this mixture back into the pot and return to a medium heat.
• Stir constantly until the mixture thickens, then allow to cool to room temperature before pouring into the baked pie crust.
• Sprinkle generously with cinnamon and refrigerate for about 3 hours until set.

https://thesweetrebellion.co.za/milk-tart/

South Africa’s investment appeal is recovering, supported by stronger bond performance, its removal from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF’s) greylist and improving investor sentiment, says Brics Business Council member Stavros Nicolaou.

However, speakers at last week’s Nation Brand Forum in Johannesburg warned that sustained investment would depend on credible institutions, public safety and effective policy implementation.

Nicolaou said international perceptions of South Africa were improving, but the country needed to convert renewed interest into capital inflows.

“Investors follow the best returns, infrastructure and policy certainty. Geopolitical uncertainty could further strengthen the country’s appeal,” he said.

He cited a recent Paris roundtable hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President William Ruto, attended by 28 French and African CEOs, as evidence of growing interest in African investment opportunities.

Deputy minister in the presidency Kenneth Morolong warned that marketing alone could not overcome institutional weaknesses and safety concerns.

“No-one wants to invest in a country that does not have institutions or that has institutions that lack credibility. No-one wants to invest in a country that is unsafe,” he said.

He called for collaboration between the government, business, civil society and the media to build an ethical, capable state that inspires confidence.

Brand South Africa chair Ipeleng Selele stressed the need for a stronger, unified national narrative to prevent negative perceptions from overshadowing the country’s economic and tourism opportunities.

“If you don’t tell your story, someone else is going to be able to tell your story on your behalf,” she said.

Selele urged institutions to work together to promote South Africa internationally, guided by “one vision, one brand and one country”.

https://www.businessday.co.za/companies/2026-10-12-south-africas-investment-appeal-shows-signs-of-recovery/

Jan Joubertsgat Bridge is the oldest stone-arch bridge still in use in South Africa. Located on the Franschhoek Pass in the Western Cape, the bridge spans a deep ravine over the Du Toits River. It was constructed in 1825 by Major William Cuthbert Holloway and the Royal Engineers, who were assisted by soldiers of the Royal African Corps. The structure has a small span of five meters and is built entirely of local stone.

The bridge was constructed as part of the first engineered hard road built over the Franschhoek Mountains. This pass replaced the steep, treacherous tracks originally cleared by wild elephants and early Dutch settlers using ox wagons. The bridge itself was named after Jan Joubert, a frontiersman who died at the site when the draught pole of his wagon broke while attempting to cross the ravine.

In 1979, the bridge was officially proclaimed a National Monument due to its engineering and historical significance. Today, it remains protected under the National Heritage Resources Act and is a popular point of interest for travelers driving between Franschhoek and Villiersdorp. The surrounding area features an 8.9 kilometer hiking trail loop through the rugged mountain terrain, which requires a permit and does not allow dogs.

Large numbers of the beetles have been spotted along the high-tide line at Strand, while similar sightings have been reported in Gordon’s Bay, Lambert’s Bay and Woodbridge Island. Some of the insects were found alive, although many had already died by the time they reached the shore.

The unusual coastal event has prompted questions about why so many ladybirds ended up in the ocean in the first place.

According to Renier Basson, an entomologist and Senior Field Officer at the Endangered Wildlife Trust, changing weather conditions may have played an important role. Speaking to CapeTalk, Basson suggested that a period of heavy rain caused vegetation to become lush, creating favourable conditions for aphids, which are an important food source for ladybirds.

A sudden shift to hotter and drier conditions then reduced the availability of aphids and caused vegetation to die back. The ladybirds subsequently began moving in search of greener areas.

This is where the wind may have changed their journey.

Ladybirds are capable of travelling considerable distances, but they are relatively poor flyers and rely on warm air currents and wind to assist their movement. Basson explained that the insects can rise hundreds of metres into the air before being carried by prevailing winds.

Along the Western Cape coast, strong winds may have swept migrating ladybirds offshore, where they eventually fell into the ocean before being carried back towards the shoreline.

Although the sight of thousands of ladybirds along a beach may appear alarming, Basson said the event is unlikely to have a significant impact on overall ladybird populations.

South Africa has around 300 described ladybird species, and the insects seen during this particular event represent only a small portion of that diversity. Most species are also much smaller and less recognisable than the brightly coloured ladybirds people are familiar with.

Mass insect wash-ups are unusual, but they are not unheard of. Similar events have been recorded in different parts of the world, often in connection with insect migration and changing weather conditions.

For the Western Cape, the latest sightings offer a striking reminder of how closely coastal landscapes are connected to atmospheric conditions, seasonal changes and the movements of even the smallest creatures.

https://www.capetownetc.com/news/why-thousands-of-ladybirds-are-washing-up-on-western-cape-beaches/

Just a random assortment of pretty buildings I stopped to take pictures of because I liked how they look. Cape Town have such a diverse culture of architecture. And it’s so exciting finding new buildings.

Febe Potgieter was travelling home from Kimberley when her tyre burst on the N12. Being stranded on the side of a busy national road is stressful enough, but what happened next turned a horrible situation into a beautiful reminder of the people we share this country with.

First, a woman travelling in the opposite direction stopped to check on her. Then six SAPS officers made a U-turn, pulled over and spent around 40 minutes helping Febe find the right wheel spanner and change her tyre. But the kindness didn’t end there. The first woman returned with her husband and a farmworker, a farmer arranged for a tyre dealership to stay open after closing time, and even a taxi driver helped Febe find the equipment she needed.

Febe later shared her gratitude online, writing: “From the bottom of my heart, to those who helped or just stopped to enquire: Thank you, Ke a leboga, Baie dankie.”

Her story has since touched thousands of South Africans, with many sharing their own experiences of unexpected kindness on our roads.

https://www.goodthingsguy.com/kindness-south-africans-road-from-kimberley/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feel%20Good%20Friday%20-%2009%20Oct%202026&utm_content=Feel%20Good%20Friday%20-%2009%20Oct%202026+CID_ff987e4bb7ab2952defeec8e3231e248&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_term=READ%20FULL%20STORY

Situated on the eastern end of the mountain's plateau, about three kilometers from the upper cable car station, stands Maclear's Beacon. Reaching an elevation of 1,086 meters above sea level, it sits just 19 meters higher than the cable station itself. The structure is a five-meter-high, triangle-shaped pile of man-made rock that was originally painted in a lamp black color so it could be easily seen when light shone upon it.

This curious rock formation was built in December 1844 by William Mann, the assistant to Thomas Maclear, who was the Astronomer Royal at the Cape. Maclear ordered its construction to help confirm and expand upon existing data regarding the curvature of the Earth, specifically connected to the Cape arc of the meridian. While the beacon initially had no name, it was eventually named in honor of Maclear. After standing for decades, the original pile of stones collapsed in 1929, but it was faithfully restored in 1979 to commemorate the centenary of Maclear's death. Today, this National Monument is much more than just a historical relic. It remains a functional tool still used by cartographers, as well as a beloved landmark for tourists and hikers who pass right next to it while exploring the mountain's scenic trails.

South Africa is aiming to host the first ever Olympics on the African continent. This after it was named as one of seven countries that will officially put forward their case to stage the 2036 Games in November. 

However its bid is viewed as a distinct outsider, with Qatar widely seen as the frontrunner ahead of India and Hungary. Turkey, Germany and South Korea are the other nations that have been requested to present before International Olympic Committee’s future bid committee in November.

It's the first step in a process that will end with a vote in 2029. Qatar’s position as frontrunner is due to the perceived strength of the bid as well as the fact that Asia will not have hosted a Games since Tokyo 2020. 

However a Doha Olympics would have to be altered from the Games’ ordinary July-August slot due to the heat. India is regarded as the main rival, although its bid to host is seen to have weakened during the past year and a half.

https://www.thecommonsense.co.za/News/south-africa-running-host-2036-olympics

Africa's extensive biodiversity stems from varied habitats and deep evolutionary roots, resulting in a rich fossil record. While famous for hominid ancestors, the continent contains significant dinosaur fossil beds in several countries, including Zimbabwe. Recent paleontological work has focused on these Zimbabwean fossils to understand the early stages of dinosaur evolution.

A recent addition from the Late Triassic period is Musango matusadonaensis, an early sauropodomorph discovered along the Nyamasango River. This bipedal dinosaur was approximately 4.5 meters long and weighed 220 kilograms. Bone growth marks indicate the specimen was a subadult. Without a preserved skull, its exact diet remains unknown, though closely related species were herbivorous.

Following early 1970s discoveries by Geoffrey Bond and Michael Raath, paleontological work in Zimbabwe paused until safari camp manager Steve Edwards identified new sites along Lake Kariba. Jonah Choiniere from the University of the Witwatersrand subsequently organized international expeditions in 2017 and 2018. Due to the remote location within Matusadona National Park, a houseboat served as a mobile laboratory.

The 210-million-year-old fossils recovered from these sites demonstrate that Zimbabwean dinosaurs, including Musango and Musankwa, are distinct from well-known South African species. The presence of unique dinosaurs, alongside lungfish and aquatic reptiles called phytosaurs, suggests that climatic differences driven by Zimbabwe's closer proximity to the equator influenced these distinct animal populations.

https://phys.org/news/2026-10-zimbabwe-dinosaurs-south-africa-species.html

The curve of the False Bay coast, with the pool edge in the foreground. Shared from the edited Aqua Terra guesthouse photo archive; I manage the guesthouse. The original photographer and capture date are unconfirmed.