2024’s top local stories: Triumphs, tragedies and unforgettable moments
From black mamba bites to twin doctors graduating and a viral dance video, these stories had South Africa buzzing.
A snake catcher who miraculously survived a black mamba bite, a huge mayonnaise spillage on a major highway and criminal syndicates using steel ramps to drive stolen vehicles out of South Africa.
These are some of the news headlines that caught the attention of Caxton Local Media’s readers in 2024.
As we wrap up the year, we revisit trending articles from some of the top community newspapers in the country – celebrating impressive achievements, highlighting unexpected challenges and sharing the lighter moments that brought us together.
Have a look at some of the trending stories of 2024:
George building collapses, killing 34 people – George Herald
On May 6, tragedy struck when a newly built four-storey apartment block in Victoria Street, George, collapsed, leaving 62 workers buried beneath tons of crumpled steel and concrete.
Of the 62 victims pulled out of the wreckage, 34 lost their lives. The remaining 28 survivors were left severely traumatised, with many suffering acute physical injuries as well as the loss of limbs.
According to Garden Route Disaster Management, 19 of the victims were from Mozambique, 15 from South Africa, 13 from Malawi, nine from Zimbabwe, four from Lesotho and two remain ‘unknown’.
George Herald recently interviewed some of the survivors and heard tales of horror and heartbreak.
Watch the video here:
Snake catcher lucky to survive back mamba bite – Pretoria Rekord
A snake catcher from Pretoria is lucky to be alive after being bitten by a black mamba in February.
Hermien Grobler, a member of Centurion Snake Catchers, was called to remove a black mamba from a vehicle.
She was bitten by the mamba and given the rapid action of its venom, there was no time to wait for an ambulance, so she drove herself to the nearest hospital. Grobler got there just in time – collapsing upon arrival.
Twin brothers graduate as medical doctors from UKZN – The Witness
Our readers loved the story of twin brothers from KZN who graduated as medical doctors from UKZN in May.
Ziphozonke and Velenkosini Lamula said their ceremony felt surreal as the day resulted from six years of ‘hard work and sleepless nights’.
While admitting that the journey was difficult, the brothers said it had been rewarding too and they feel like ‘the hard work is finally paying off’.
Mayonnaise spill on the R21 creates chaos – Kempton Express
In March, a truck transporting mayonnaise lost its load on the R21 near Pomona Road in Gauteng.
Chaos ensued. The road was slippery and had to be closed – creating heavy traffic congestion. The situation worsened when bystanders started looting containers of the condiment.
Middelburg business targeted by ‘mafia-style’ security company – Middelburg Observer
In a story that sounds like it’s straight from a movie, a security company offering debt-collecting services was accused of attempting to intimidate a Middelburg businessman to pay a ‘cancellation fee’.
When two muscled men walked into his office early in July, he did not find it strange and had no idea what would unfold in the coming weeks.
Kwaito star fails to halt seizure of his lavish Midrand guesthouse – Midrand Reporter
Readers were abuzz when the Pretoria High Court dismissed an application by kwaito musician and producer Arthur Mafokate to have his property released from a preservation order.
In December 2022, the National Prosecuting Authority obtained an order to preserve a property in Midrand belonging to Mafokate, described as a lavish guesthouse.
An NPA spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, said at the time the investigations revealed the South African Arts and Development Organisation (SAADA) was granted R9.3m to assist unemployed youth in poor and rural areas of the country, to impact skills in music, business video, film production dance and the overall business of radio.
“Instead, SAADA used only R1.8m of those funds on the project and used the remaining funds of R7.5m to purchase a guesthouse known as La Villa Rosa in Midrand,” said Mahanjana.
Read more on Midrand Reporter.
Criminal syndicates using steel ramps to drive stolen cars out of SA – The Witness
Despite the construction of a solid concrete fence on the border of South Africa and Mozambique, criminal syndicates found new ways of getting their stolen goods out of South Africa, The Witness reported in March.
They resorted to building makeshift steel bridges that they used to move stolen vehicles over the fence.
Viral video: Middelburg learner shows off his dancing skills – and South Africa loves it! – Middelburg Observer
Social media was set ablaze by a video showing Hoërskool Middelburg learner Daniël Cronjé dancing.
The video, which was published on Daniel Shabalala’s TikTok account, has amassed over one million views on the platform.
Watch the video and read more on Middelburg Observer.
Durban North businessman capitalises on strike – Northglen News
When services from the eThekwini Municipality Cleansing and Solid Waste came to a grinding halt due to protesting staff in March, the strike awakened the ‘businessman’ in several locals who offered a garbage collection service to residents in various areas across Durban.
Read more about this on Northglen News.
Popular uMhlanga beachfront restaurant closes – Northglen News
July marked the end of a 28-year era for the popular La Spiaggia restaurant on Umhlanga Beach.
Heartwarming messages from the community came pouring in after the restaurant announced its closure.
Nicole Olivier, who was a partner in the family business, said the eThekwini municipality had put out the restaurant for a retender, prompting their decision to close their doors.
Manager of Tintswalo Safari Lodge paralysed after being shot in spine – Letaba Herald
In a tragic incident in July, news broke that Emily Leuner (38), the general manager of Tintswalo Safari Lodge in the Manyeleti Nature Reserve, would not be able to walk again after she was shot in her spine, allegedly by a disgruntled employee dismissed after a disciplinary hearing.
Read original story on www.citizen.co.za
