Welcome to South Africa is 𝗟𝗘𝗞𝗞𝗘𝗥! (Free) We’re so glad you’re here — this is your space to connect, share, and celebrate what makes South Africa truly lekker... nice! 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗪𝗶𝗻 (𝗗𝗼 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁) 1. Introduce yourself in the General section — tell us who you are and where you’re from. 2. Like this post and drop an emoji in the comments that best represents YOU. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 - Start here: Click HERE for a informative guide - Need help? DM @Tamsin Boshoff or @Pat Van Schalkwyk anytime for support Jump in, share your story, and let’s make this community lekker!

Here’s a snapshot of South Africa’s news this week... 𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗟: Malema’s firearm conviction triggers MP disqualification process🏛️ EFF supporters' stage nationwide solidarity actions 😳 Madlanga Commission hears claims of systemic police corruption🤯 Metro Police officials plead self-incrimination risk🤬 Tongaat Hulett faces possible liquidation after 134 yrs 🌾 Sugar industry warns of job losses & supply disruption🧑‍🌾 SA reform loses some steam as rail & ports lag😤 ActionSA seeks revival of Phala Phala probe📂 Eskom hits extended no load shedding milestone💪🏻 SA ramps up fuel imports from US as war jolts trade⛽️ Eskom asserts winter generation confidence❄️ New SA coins include gold collectible issues 🪙 CPT luxury homes sell above asking price🏘️ Taxi crash in EC injures commuters🚐 Road rage killer handed double life sentence disinflation progress 😡 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘: SARB monitors AI‑driven banking threats🔐 Energy prices drive transport & food inflation🥴 Diesel refunds provide some cushion for agriculture and mining⛽ The Central Energy Fund (CEF) shows under‑recoveries have eased; motorists still face hikes in May 🆙 IMF downgrade highlights fragility, but strong commodity prices offer support 🛢 𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗦: JSE@116566⬇️ DOW@49230↘️ FTSE@10379↘️ R/$16.50 R/£22.33 R/€19.37 Bitcoin $77524 Brent crude $105 Gold $4740 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗦: The Blitzboks are riding high after their historic Hong Kong Sevens triumph🏉 Wolvaardt blasts record century as Proteas women brushes aside Indians🏏 Markram & Quinny earn big at 100 auction🏏 Pirates and Chiefs brace for fierce Soweto derby⚽️ Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

South Africa is known around the world for five things: Table Mountain, Nelson Mandela, the “Rainbow Nation,” apartheid, and "braai." But if you live here, there’s a sixth thing: “Sit down, eat, and talk.” This is the slogan of Tannie (Aunty) Evita Bezuidenhout. Tannie Evita was “born” in the late 1970s during one of the darkest periods in our history. Pieter‑Dirk Uys, a fearless columnist and satirist, created her as a fictional politician’s wife who used humour to expose the absurdities and injustices of apartheid. Through her, he said what many South Africans could not safely say themselves. Soon she stepped off the newspaper page and onto the stage — long eyelashes, high heels, sharp wit, and the kind of sophistication South African women admired. She became a household name, loved across all colours of the Rainbow Nation, and eventually an international icon. Around dinner tables, men debated her political commentary while women swapped her recipes. She became part of our culture, our humour, and our healing. Eventually, Tannie Evita found a real home in the small West Coast town of Darling. She bought an old, unused train station and transformed it into Evita se Perron — a quirky, colourful, proudly South African landmark. It may no longer welcome trains, but it welcomes everyone else: locals, tourists, rental cars, taxis, and busloads of visitors. And the best part? It costs nothing to visit. I’ve been there a few times. My last visit was in October 2018 with my stepchildren and eldest grandchild. The moment we walked in, the kids were captivated — posing as Tannie Evita, laughing at the displays, and exploring the quirky items for sale. I never imagined that old apartheid signs and cement figurines of politicians could bring so much joy, but somehow they did. A highlight melktert (milk tart) from Tannie Evita’s kitchen. Will I go again? Absolutely. Tannie Evita se Perron is part of who we are. Have you been to Tannie Evita's Perron?