Kruger National Park Calendar - October!

Weather:

• daytime temperatures soar
• first hard rains
• it can get extremely hot & humid if the rains are late

Temperatures:

• between 16°C - 32°C (Fahrenheit: e.g. 28°C = [(28x9)]/5 + 32 = 82.4°F)
• visit our webcam page for live footage from Kruger National Park!

 
Landscape:

• grassland beginns turning green
• many trees in flower
• lush vegetation
• river levels start rising

Animal Activity:

• breeding season begins for many antelopes
• game begins dispersing through the Park
• most of the northern migrant raptors arrive

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Qantas will resume flights between Australia <> South Africa in 2022!

The flag carrier of Australia, Qantas, has provided more detail on preparations for restarting its international flights, with plans linked to the vaccine rollout in Australia and key overseas markets. Australia is expected reach the critical threshold of 80% of the adult population fully vaccinated in December 2021 ("National Cabinet's Phase C"), triggering the gradual reopening of international borders. Qantas' key markets like the UK, North America and parts of Asia have also high and increasing levels of vaccination. This makes them highly likely to be classed as low risk countries for vaccinated travellers to visit and return from under reduced quarantine requirements, pending decisions by the Australian Government and entry policies of other countries. Flights to destinations that still have low vaccine rates and high levels of Covid-19 infection will now be pushed out from December 2021 until April 2022. This includes, among others, flights to OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, South Africa. We'll keep you posted!

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Covid-19: Malawi has eased entry restrictions!

Malawi has relaxed the requirements for travellers intending to visit the country with immediate effect (27 August 2021). Travellers are no longer required to obtain a waiver from the Ministry of Health, but are required to present a negative PCR Covid-19 test result done not more than 72 hours before arrival in Malawi. Travellers are also required to follow the Covid-19 prevention and control regulations and rules as guided by the Presidential Task Fore on Covid-19 during his/her stay in Malawi. The requirement for quarantine for travellers originating from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Brazil has been removed as there countries are no longer considered high risk.

Covid-19: Mozambique eases some of the preventive measures!

Mozambique's President Filipe Nyusi announced in an address to the nation on 27 August 2021 the easing of several preventive measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the country. Schools in Mozambique are allowed to re-open, but might be forced to close again depending on the epidemiological trend and the capacity to comply with preventive measures against the pandemic. Pre-school education remains banned.
The curfew in Mozambique now begins at 22:00. Restaurants are allowed to open between 06:00 and 20:00 hours every day of the week. The new trading hours for shopping centres are between 09:00 and 18:00 on Mondays to Saturdays. On Sundays and holidays shops must close at 17:00. Other commercial establishments and services are allowed to operate between 09:00 and 18:00 and have to be closed on Sundays and holidays. Bakeries and convenience stores can operate between 06:00 and 19:00.
Casinos in Mozambique are allowed to re-open. Large and medium sized gymnasiums are also allowed to re-open. However, large gyms are restricted to operating at no more than 25% of their capacity and medium sized gymnasiums at 10%. Small gymnasiums remain closed.
All religious ceremonies remain suspended. All private social events in Mozambique are banned with the exception of weddings. A maximum of 20 people can attend a wedding, but there can be no parties or receptions afterwards.

Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) has announced the dates for the annual "Mpumalanga Parks Week"!

The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) has announced the dates for the Mpumalanga Parks Week 2021. The week-long event will take place from 13 - 17 September 2021. During the week, South African citizens will have free access to eleven Provincial Nature Reserves in Mpumalanga. According to the terms and conditions of the Mpumalanga Parks Week 2021, free entry is only applicable for day visitors. Accommodation and tourism activities on offer are not included. The free access is only applicable to groups of not more than 20 people. In order to be allowed free access, visitors will be required to present their South African Identity documents or valid South African driver's license.

The following nature reserves will take part in the "Mpumalanga Parks Week 2021":

1. Manyeleti Nature Reserve
2. Andover Nature Reserve
3. Songimvelo Nature Reserve
4. Nooitgedacht Dam Nature Reserve
5. Kromdraai Camp (in Songimvelo Nature Reserve)
6. Loskop Dam Nature Reserve
7. Ohrigstad Dam Nature Reserve
8. SS Skosana Nature Reserve
9. Mahushe Shongwe Nature Reserve
10. Sterkspruit Nature Reserve
    
11. Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve (Free entry only applicable on 17 September 2021)

Namibia: FlyWestair has launched flights between Windhoek <> Katima Mulilo!

Namibian privately-owned passenger airline FlyWestair has launched a new service to Namibia's Zambezi Region. The airline is now offering three weekly flights on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays between Eros Airport (ERS) in Windhoek and Katima Mulilo Airport (MPA) in Katima Mulilo. Flights depart Windhoek at 11:00 and arrive in Katima Mulilo at 12:25 while the return flights depart Katima Mulilo at 13:05 and arrive in Windhoek at 14:30. 

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South Africa: Comair to re-start kulula and British Airways flights!

South African airline Comair, which operates the low-cost kulula brand and a local franchise of British Airways, has announced that it will be back in the skies again from 01 September 2021 as planned. The airline temporarily suspended operations on 05 July 2021 in response to the implementation of an adjusted Level 4 lockdown in South Africa, the prohibition of all non-essential travel in and out of Gauteng and low demand for air travel. During the suspension the services, the airline has developed some new, flexible fare options for its kulula brand to better meet customers’ differing requirements. Called Travel Your Way the three bundled kulula fare offerings allow customers to pay only for what they need. They are:

• Fly Light: A hop-on, hop-off option for those with only cabin bags offering the best possible fares. A change of booking fee of R299 applies.
• Pack & Go: An all-round option to suit most traveller’s needs including one piece of checked luggage weighing up to 20kg and two free booking changes.
• Fully Loaded: A fully flexible option allowing unlimited booking changes, two checked bags and Q-Jump to speed-up check-in procedures.

British Airways (operated by Comair) will re-launch it’s Johannesburg <> Mauritius route operating two flights a week from 30 November 2021. It plans to add a third flight in future.

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Zimbabwe: Air Zimbabwe to resume flights between Harare <> Johannesburg!

Zimbabwe's flag carrier, Air Zimbabwe, is set to resume flights to Johannesburg in South Africa. According to Bulawayo24, a Zimbabwean online news resource from Bulawayo, the airline has placed advertisements in local newspapers on 25 August 2021 in which it is announcing the resumption of flights between RG Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg on 01 September 2021. 

Air Zimbabwe to resume Johannesburg - Harare flights https://t.co/Kb18a9V8rw via @Bulawayo24News

— Bulawayo24 News (@Bulawayo24News) August 25, 2021

Zimbabwe: Air Zimbabwe returns to South Africa! (09 June 2021) >>
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South Africa: South African Airways to resume operations! [update]

update (30 September 2021): South African Airways' Maputo service will not start until December 2021. Selected flights to Kinshasa have been removed for sale during September and October 2021, while flights to Lusaka have been reduced to four flights per week  during September 2021 and October 2021 with daily flights resuming from November 2021.

update (15 September 2021): South African Airways (SAA) has announced the following schedule ahead of its take off:

• Three daily flights between Johannesburg <> Cape Town from 23 September 2021.
  
• From 27 September 2021, daily return flights to Harare, Lusaka and Maputo ex Johannesburg.
  
• Also from 27 September 2021, three weekly flights to Accra and Kinshasa ex Johannesburg.
  

update (02 September 2021): South African Airways (SAA) has published its re-start schedule. On its only domestic route between Johannesburg <> Cape Town, the airline will initially operate three flights per day from Mondays to Fridays, two flights per day on Saturdays and three flights per day on Sundays. Flights to Harare, Lusaka and Maputo will be operated daily, while three flights per week are planned to Accra (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays) and Kinshasa (Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays).

South Africa's national carrier, South African Airways (SAA), which is now 51% privately owned by the Takatso Consortium, has announced the resumption of domestic and regional services. Effective from 23 September 2021, the airline will as an initial phase operate flights from OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, Kotoka International Airport (ACC) in Accra, N'djili International Airport (FIH) in Kinshasa, RG Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare, Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka and Maputo International Airport (MPM) in Maputo. More destinations will be added to the route network as it ramps up operations in response to market conditions. Tickets will go on sale on 26 August 2021. Voyager bookings and Travel Credit Voucher redemption will be available from 06 September 2021.

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Covid-19: Zimbabwe further extends the current level four lockdown! [update]

update (26 August 2021): According to tweets by Zimbabwe's Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting, restaurants are now allowed to re-open for sit-in patrons who are fully vaccinated subject to the production of vaccination cards and strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols. Schools will re-open on 30 August 2021 for examination classes and on 06 September 2021 for non-examination classes. Intercity and intracity transportation for learners (!) will be allowed during this period.

Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa has further extended the enhanced level four lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19 in Zimbabwe by another two weeks. According to the country's Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa, there has been a notable decrease in the number of infections with Covid-19 and death through the disease in Zimbabwe, but more efforts are required to contain the third wave of the pandemic.
Zimbabwe is in level four lockdown since end of June 2021. It has been reviewed several times and certain amendments to the restrictions have been introduced. Under the current level four lockdown in Zimbabwe, intercity movement is prohibited, except for production and distribution of food and medicine. Businesses are only allowed to operate from 08:00 - 15:30 and general curfew hours are 18:30 - 06:00.

South Africa: Seasonal rainfall & temperature outlook (August - December 2021)!

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has released the Seasonal Climate Watch for the period August 2021 to December 2021. According to the multi-model rainfall forecast, South Africa's north-eastern half will mostly experience above-normal rainfall throughout the spring to early summer season. The south-western half of the country, which falls outside the parts which receive summer rainfall, is mostly expected to receive below-normal rainfall. In terms of temperatures, South Africa is expected to experience above-normal minimum and maximum temperatures across the country between August 2021 and December 2021.

Emirates & CemAir have signed an interline agreement!

South African domestic and regional carrier CemAir and the largest airline and flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates, Emirates, have signed an interline agreement. This marks the first partnership between both airlines, and Emirates' fourth airline partnership* in South Africa. The agreement between Emirates and CemAir includes the convenience of single ticket itineraries with onwards booking and baggage transfers from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Bloemfontein, Kimberley, Margate, Durban, Hoedspruit, Plettenberg Bay**, George and Sishen.

* Emirates already has interline and codeshare partnerships with South African Airways, Airlink and Flysafair.
** South Africa: CemAir suspends all services to Plettenberg Bay due to airport downgrading! [update]

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South Africa: CemAir to launch flights between Cape Town <> Hoedspruit!

South African domestic and regional carrier CemAir is set to launch a new service between Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and Hoedspruit Airport (HDS) in Hoedspruit, Limpopo Province. Effective from 01 September 2021, the airline is planning to operate daily non-stop flights. Flights will depart Cape Town at 10:10 and arrive in Hoedspruit at 12:25, while the return flights will depart Hoedspruit at 13:00 and arrive in Cape Town at 15:30.
Hoedspruit Airport (HDS) is located just outside Hoedspruit, in the eastern reaches of South Africa’s Limpopo Province. The airport offers quick access to Kruger National Park as well as to the towns of Tzaneen and Phalaborwa.

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Lufthansa Group to increase flights to South Africa!

Following the recategorizing of South Africa as a Covid-19 high risk country from 01 August 2021 by the German Government and the easing of travel restrictions, the Lufthansa Group has revised its schedules by increasing the number flights to South Africa. Effective from 24 August 2021, Lufthansa will increase capacity between Frankfurt Airport (FRA) in Frankfurt, Germany, and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg to five weekly flights. Additionally, the airline will increase flights between Frankfurt and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town to three weekly flights. SWISS will also increase return flights to Cape Town from Zurich Airport (ZRH) in Zürich, Switzerland.

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South Africa: Airlink & Emirates have expanded their existing partnership into a unilateral codeshare agreement!

South African privately-owned regional carrier Airlink and the largest airline and flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates, Emirates, have announced the expansion of their existing partnership into a unilateral codeshare agreement, giving travellers to and from South Africa access to more than 40 domestic and regional destinations across 12 African countries.
Customers travelling to South Africa can now transfer from Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban to domestic points like Bloemfontein, George, Upington, Nelspruit, Hoedspruit, Kimberley, Skukuza, Pietermaritzburg, Richards Bay, Sishen, Mthatha and Port Elizabeth, as well as points across Southern Africa like Gaborone, Kasane, Vilanculos, Lubumbashi, Dar es Salaam, Entebbe, Maseru, Antananarivo, Pemba, Tete, Maun, Victoria Falls, Walvis Bay, Maputo, Windhoek, Harare, Lusaka, Ndola, Bulawayo and Livingstone amongst many other cities.
The expansion of the existing partnership into a unilateral codeshare agreement comes as Emirates resumes its flights to South Africa and ramps up its operations to provide customers with enhanced connectivity via its gateways Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. 

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South Africa: South African Airways' flight resumption draws closer!

South Africa's national carrier, South African Airways (SAA), which is now 51% privately owned by the Takatso Consortium, has taken another important step towards flight resumption with the arrival of two Airbus A320. The two aircraft have been in storage and have accomplished 6-year maintenance "C-Checks" in Abu Dhabi during the carrier’s time in business rescue. Over that period both aircraft underwent rigorous technical checks and have been fully cleared for passenger flights. The two Airbus A320, which are licensed to carry 138 passengers, are displaying SAA livery and will, once hangered, undergo minimum routine maintenance and re-installation of mandatory SAA equipment. According to news reports, South African Airways (SAA) is planning to initially resume domestic flights linking Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. No official re-launch date has been set so far, but news sources from South Africa are expecting the airline to be in the air again by early September 2021. South African Airways (SAA) received a renewed air operator's certificate (AOC) by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) on 04 August 2021. We'll keep you posted!

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Covid-19: Namibia extends the adjusted Public Health Regulations until 14 September 2021!

Namibia's President, Dr. Hage G. Geingob, announced on the occasion of the 33rd Covid-19 briefing on the national response measures on 13 August 2021 that the current Covid-19 public health measures have been reviewed and some adjustments were proposed. The following regulations will come into force in Namibia, for an extended period of 31 days from Sunday, 15 August 2021 until midnight, Tuesday, 14 September 2021.

• Public gatherings as defined in the regulations have been adjusted to 100 persons per event.
• The curfew in Namibia will remain in force from 22:00 to 04:00 daily.
• Education: All schools and educational institutions in Namibia will operate at full capacity, with strengthened Infection prevention and control measures in place.
• Restrictions related to liquor:
• The sale of liquor in Namibia remains restricted, on take-away basis between 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday, except for those hospitality establishments that have resident guests.
• The sale of alcohol remains in Namibia prohibited on Saturday to Sunday, except at restaurants, guesthouses and similar establishments with resident guests. On-site consumption of alcohol is allowed with meals at restaurants until 22:00.
• Business operations:
• Gyms, nightclubs, casinos, gambling and betting houses may resume operations, allowing patrons up to half capacity. The number of persons inside a facility may not exceed 50% floor carrying capacity or 100 persons at any one time.
• All contact sports may resume, however without spectators. Management of the various sports codes must ensure the safety of sports persons and staff, during training and games.
• Motor vehicle passenger restrictions remain in force, loading public transport vehicles at half capacity. Vehicles that are transporting tour groups who are travelling together may load such tourists at full capacity.
• Burials: due to COVID-19 must take place within a period of ten days, all the current burial related regulations remain in force. The number of 100 persons per gathering applies to mourners, excluding essential workers.

According to Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, Minister of Health and Social Services, the following regulations are in place for Covid-19 test results upon entry into Namibia:

• A person who enters Namibia with a negtive SARS-COV-2 PCR test result which is older than 72 hours, calculated from the date when the sample for testing was taken, will be subjected to mandatory supervised quarantine for seven days and Covid-19 testing, at his or her own cost.
• Persons who depart from Namibia with a negative Antigen Rapid Diagnostic test result or a negative PCR test result and re-enter Namibia within seven days from the date the sample was taken for testing are not subject to PCR testing on re-entry into Namibia. This applies also to truck drivers.
• Non-Namibians may enter Namibia either with a PCR negative result or with a de-isolation certificate without being subject to further test or quarantine.

Namibia: Massive 89.4% decline of tourist arrivals in 2020!

The Namibian Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, announced on the occasion of the virtual launch of the National Tourist Arrival Statistics Report 2020, the Tourism Revival Initiative (TRI) Report for the period September 2020 to March 2021 and the COVID-19 Socio-Economic Impact Assessment on Tourism in Namibia for 2020 on 11 August 2021, that Namibia recorded at total of 192,026 foreign arrivals in 2020, of which 169,565 were recorded as tourists. The total tourist arrivals of 169,565 represent a massive 89.4% decline in comparison to the 1,595,973 tourist arrivals of 2019. 81.0% of these tourists were recorded between January and March 2020 meaning before the State of Emergency and lockdown issued for the 1st time in Namibia. 

According to Minister Shifeta, South Africa overtook Angola to become the main African source market providing 28.6% of total tourists to Namibia in 2020. Germany retained their position as the key overseas tourist market by 11.6% of total tourist arrivals.
The Tourism Revival Initiative (TRI) Statistics Report for the period September 2020 to March 2021 recorded 61,663 tourist arrivals in Namibia.

South Africa: Mango placed in voluntary business rescue! [update]

update (18 August 2021): South African low-cost airline Mango is meeting with creditors and employee representatives today (18 August 2021) to chart the way forward for the carrier's business rescue efforts.

The South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has placed South African low-cost airline Mango, a subsidiary of South Africa's state-owned flag carrier South African Airways (SAA), into voluntary business rescue. The High Court dismissed an application by the Mango Pilots Association, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa and the South African Cabin Crew Association to have the low-cost airline placed in business rescue. It instead accepted an application by Mango to go into business rescue voluntarily. This allows the airline a say in who gets appointed as the business rescue practitioner. The effective date was ruled to be 28 July 2021.
Mango flights were grounded in April 2021 due to outstanding payments to Air Traffic and Navigation Services SOC Ltd (ATNS). 

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Zambia: Zambia Airways to launch operations!

Zambia Airways, a joint venture between Zambia's state-owned Industrial Development Corporation (IDC; 55%) and Ethiopian Airlines (45%), is set to commence operations. The IDC has announced that Zambia's new national carrier will start operating on 30 September 2021. According to IDC CEO, Mr. Mateyo Kaluba, the operationalization of Zambia Airways will play a catalytic role in reviving the tourism industry in Zambia which has been negatively impacted by the Covid-19 global pandemic.
Zambia Airways will initially operate domestic flights to Livingstone, Ndola and Solwezi and regional flights to Johannesburg and Harare, using a fleet of three leased aircraft including two Bombardier Q400s and one Boeing 737-800. So far, Zambia Airways has trained 25 Zambian cabin crew at the Ethiopian Aviation Academy in Addis Ababa and has recruited five Zambian flying pilots, who are currently in Ethiopia to receive additional training. 

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Lufthansa Group's brand new airline "Eurowings Discover" now connects Frankfurt <> Windhoek!

Eurowings Discover, Lufthansa Group's news leisure airline, has begun operations in Windhoek, Namibia. The airline touched down at Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) for the very first time this morning (11 August 2021). Flight 4Y132 departed from Frankfurt Airport (FRA) in Frankfurt, Germany, on 10 August 2021 and arrived in Windhoek at 08:05. Eurowings Discover is the only European airline currently offering direct flights to Namibia.
Eurowings Discover operates five weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between Frankfurt and Windhoek in 2021. From March 2022, the airline will increase its service to daily flights with three weekly onward tag flights to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

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South Africa: CemAir suspends all services to Plettenberg Bay due to airport downgrading! [update]

update (09 August 2021): CemAir and the Bitou Municipality announced in a joint media statement that they are in the process of entering into a binding agreement to restore the Plettenberg Bay Airport License and return CemAir’s scheduled airline flights to the Airport. It is hoped that with the support of the South African Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) it will be possible to recommence commercial flights to Plettenberg Bay during October 2021. We'll keep you posted!

update (12 August 2021): Following the downgrade by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), no commercial flights are allowed to operate from Plettenberg Bay Aerodrome (PBZ).

South African domestic and regional carrier CemAir has announced the suspension of all flights from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg into Plettenberg Bay Aerodrome (PBZ), a small airport serving Plettenberg Bay in the Western Cape. According to the airline, the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has downgraded the airport to below the minimum category required for CemAir's flights to operate into the airport. Passengers with tickets already booked on CemAir flights to or from Plettenberg Bay Aerodrome (PBZ) will be re-accommodated on flights from George Airport (GRJ) in George. In addition, CemAir will be introducing a George to Cape Town service to accommodate customers on this routing. We'll keep you posted!

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South Africa: Negative PCR test required for transit in Dubai!

The largest airline of the United Arab Emirates and the flag carrier of the Emirate of Dubai, Emirates, has released an update about passengers travelling from South Africa in order to transit in Dubai. According to the airline, passengers travelling from South Africa must complete all the requirements of their specific destination and present a valid negative Covid-19 PCR test certificate for a test taken not more than 72 hours before the date of travel. Passengers are required to wear protective equipment (i.e. mask) upon entering the airport terminal and comply with sanitisation and social distancing measures as per the relevant health protocols on safety and prevention of the spread of Covid-19. A temperature test is also getting performed at the terminal entrance. Passengers must provide a negative Covid-19 PCR test certificate with a QR code from one of the following facilities in South Africa:

• Ampath - https://www.ampath.co.za
• APS - Atter Pathology Service - https://www.atter.co.za
• Pathcare – www.pathcare.co.za
• Lancet - http://www.lancet.co.za 

Also read: Emirates to allow "eligible" travellers from South Africa and Zambia to transit in Dubai! >>
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Survey: Cape Town International Airport in Cape Town named Best Airport in Africa for the sixth consecutive year!

Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town was named Best Airport in Africa for the sixth consecutive year at the 2021 SKYTRAX World Airport Awards™. Durban's King Shaka International Airport (DUR) came in second in the continental category, followed by OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) in Port Elizabeth, which used to be named Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ) until February 2021, was named 9th Best Airport in Africa, while Bram Fischer International Airport (BFN) in Bloemfontein was ranked on 10th position. Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Rwanda's capital Kigali was voted 8th Best Airport in Africa 2021.
Cape Town International Airport (CPT) also won the Best Airport Staff in Africa Award and the Best Airport Cleanliness in Africa Award, while King Shaka International Airport (DUR) won the Best Regional Airport in Africa Award.
SKYTRAX' annual airport customer survey for the Passenger’s Choice Awards operated from August 2020 until July 2021, with many travellers voting for their favourite / best airport based on pre-pandemic travel experiences, whilst other customers voted after their Covid-19 Airport Experience during the past 12 months. The SKYTRAX World Airport Awards™ began in 1999, when SKYTRAX launched its first global, airport customer satisfaction survey. They are regarded as a quality benchmark for the world airport industry, assessing customer service and facilities across over 500 airports.

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Covid-19: Zimbabwe extends the current level four lockdown!

Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced in a televised address to the nation on 09 August 2021 that the level four lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19 in Zimbabwe is getting further extended by two weeks. The current lockdown restrictions were imposed by the President on 29 June 2021. Under level four lockdown, intercity movement in Zimbabwe is prohibited, except for production and distribution of food and medicine. Businesses are only operating from 08:00 - 15:30 and general curfew hours are 18:30 - 06:00. According to President Mnangagwa, since the imposition of the enhanced level four lockdown restriction, Zimbabwe has recorded "relative success" in reducing infections with Covid-19.

Also read: Victoria Falls: Zimbabwe re-opens the Victoria Falls border post & Kazungula border post for vaccinated travellers! (28 July 2021) >>

Cape Town: The Deer Park in Table Mountain National Park has been re-opened!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced the re-opening of Deer Park in the Northern Section of Cape Town's Table Mountain National Park, which has been closed off to the public since April 2021 following a fire that started in the Rhodes Memorial area. The rehabilitation work has been successfully completed and the contractor was appointed to fell and remove dangerous trees. The Rhodes memorial/Estate and Game Camp will still remain closed until further notice and the contractor has started with the tree felling process.

Also read: Cape Town: Re-opening of burnt areas in the northern section of Table Mountain National Park! >>

Namibia: FlyWestair to launch flights between Windhoek <> Rundu!

Namibian privately-owned passenger airline FlyWestair has announced the introduction of flights between between Eros Airport (ERS) in Windhoek and Rundu Airport (NDU) in Rundu, the capital of the Kavango Region in northeastern Namibia. Effective 24 August 2021, the airline will operate two weekly flights on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Flights will depart Windhoek at 11:00 and arrive in Rundu at 12:00, while the return flights will depart Rundu at 12:40 and arrive in Windhoek at 13:40. 

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South Africa renames a town in the Free State after Winne Mandela!

South Africa's Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, has approved another name change. According to Government Gazette No. 44943 (06 August 2021) the town of Brandfort in the Free State will be renamed after South African anti-apartheid activist and politician Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (26 September 1936 – 02 April 2018). However, is not clear if the name chane will take immediate effect.

The second wife of Nelson Mandela was banished from Soweto to Brandfort by the apartheid regime in May 1977. She lived at house number 802 in the Black township in Brandfort.
Brandfort is a small agricultural town in central Free State, about 60 km northeast of Bloemfontein.