Metaverse Network Media

29/05/2026

29/05/2026

Current Affairs

SA Agulhas II relief voyage back home

Resplendent in her red and white livery, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs' flagship, the SA Agulhas II returned to Cape Town this week, following a 6-week delay due to fuel.

29/05/2026

Environmental Affairs
Current Affairs

Marion Island team safely back after 6-week long delay

Facing man-made problems in an already-difficult environment, the team which bravely travels and conduct research on Marion Island has returned safely to Cape Town, South Africa.
Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Mr Willie Aucamp, welcomed the 2025/26 Marion Island overwintering team back to South Africa, following his instruction for their urgent evacuation after delays affecting the departure of the SA Agulhas II relief voyage.
“While the temporary closure of the base is unfortunate following the emergency evacuation, my team and I felt it important to prioritise the safety and well-being of our people,” said Minister Aucamp. “That is why I ordered the evacuation, and it was worth it.”
The delays were caused by the unavailability of crucial fuel products that are mixed with normal diesel and are used to create the special polar diesel required to keep the base running within extremely low outside temperatures that would crystalise normal diesel. The vessel was authorised to sail on “Ice Mode”, which is the use of maximum speed in order to reach Marion Island as quickly as possible.
Owing to the importance of the research and environmental management programmes being undertaken at the base, Minister Aucamp has confirmed that the Department is working hard to get the base back up and running, with a full team and adequate supplies. It is hoped that this can be achieved within two-to-three weeks, dependent on a couple of factors, including safe weather conditions that allow helicopter operations at the base.

“Now that we have secured the wellbeing of our people, we will work to restart the systems at the base, undertake repairs, restock the food and fuel supplies, while also initiating various interventions to mitigate against future risks during all voyages to the three South African remote scientific bases,” said the Minister.

22/05/2026

Travel and Tourism: Africa Travel Indaba 2026

Experience Koingnaas-Namaqua in the Northern Cape

Experience Host.. a term as onomatopoeically-prompted in relation to the authentic Namaqualand adventure. Magic carpets of colour (the desert flowers), the indulgently-unique food sensations. the esoteric storytelling under the astronomically-clear Northern Cape skies. Africa Travel Indaba 2026 certainly unearthed the great expanse of untravelled SA; where nature and humans develop symbiosis of existence that serves a unique identity.

Painting the heart and soul of the Koingnaas-Namaqua Experience is the very epitome of Northern Cape cordiality and hospitality: Mr Andrew "Drew" Cloete. The Metaverse Network Media team was met with exuberance and hospitality as deeply reflective of their overall hospitality one can expect on their tours.

Klein Oqis is the restaurant business where Mr Cloete and his adventurous traveller brigade ushered in the real soul of the Namaqua - an area as wide and long as it is serenely lonely. Keeping it pristine. Mr Cloete maintains stringent preservation laws to conserve the Northern Cape beauty while beckoning intrepid travellers to seek the wide paths to soulful travel adventures - from tours, guided hikes, off-road adventures, camping, Namaqua dining.

And what adventures they model. From world-famous unique plant and fauna species to moonscapes of netherworlds. Vast, unhurried spaces of pollution-free wilderness, interspersed with evolved ecosystems without human encroachment, Andrew's soulful travel hosting invites you back, seeking the path over the dunes, the West Coast, the unhurried melodies of cherubic landscapes and coruscating sunsets designed by ancient plateaus and escarpments.
When it is time for the wonders of Namaqua drinks and a food bevy of succulent choices. That food experience that titillated tantalisingly upon Andrew's promises transforms into culinary adventures. Roostebrood, snoek, tender and succulent Karoo lamb, sheep tails on the braai...a superlative seduction of soul adventures topped with the real soul food.

Andrew Cloete and Klein Oqis: 0733268671 | www.kleinoqis.com

18/05/2026

Sports: Golf

Clean break for Peplar in Kit Kat open

GAUTENG, Pretoria: Gerhard Pepler made his second Sunshine Tour title a memorable one as he claimed a wire-to-wire victory in the Kit Kat Cash & Carry Pro-Am at Irene Country Club on Sunday.
 
Mr Pepler closed with a 65 to win on 24 under par, and withstood a strong challenge from Graham van der Merwe whose 61 earned him second place on 22 under par.
 
“I still don’t really know what’s going on. It’s so overwhelming,” a happy Pepler said after sinking the winning putt on the 18th green.
 
The final round was a true battle, with three other players also pushing hard for the title.
 
Welshman Jack Davidson fired the first shot, tying the lead after an eagle two on the first hole. But Pepler answered with back-to-back birdies on the first two holes to regain a two-shot lead. Van Der Merwe and Jaco Prinsloo joined the hunt and came close to the lead on numerous occasions.
 
Van Der Merwe finished with four birdies over the last five holes to join Pepler on 22 under par and holding the clubhouse lead.
 
But it was Pepler’s eagle on the par-five 17th that made the crucial difference as it took him two shots clear again. A par on the 18th then secured him the title.
 
“When that putt went in on the par-five for eagle, I totally blacked out. I had my gameplan set for the 18th hole. I knew it’s iron of the tee box, hit it in the middle of the green, and try and make par,” said Pepler, who had his parents with him to witness his victory for the first time in his career.
 
Pepler’s previous only victory on the Sunshine Tour came back in 2023. Having tied for second place at this tournament last year, it was an emotional moment as he went one better this year.
 
“I was hoping it would come, I just didn’t expect it to be this early in the season. I am very happy,” Pepler said.
 
Davidson closed with a 66 to finish third on 21 under par, with Prinsloo fourth on 20 under par after a final round of 67.

Scores

264 - Gerhard Pepler 63 64 72 65
266 - Graham van der Merwe 69 68 68 61
267 - Jack Davidson 66 67 68 66
268 - Jaco Prinsloo 70 65 66 67
269 - Christiaan Burke 66 68 67 68
272 - Charl Barnard 68 70 66 68

13/05/2026

Travel and Tourism

Hotel stay a la opulence

Africa Travel Indaba, currently on at the picturesque Durban’s ICC, unearthed a treasure trove of hospitality. and hotel group expresses bespoke nuances of opulence and luxury in Africa's richest zone: Sandton and Franschhoek wine country.

Our charismatic host, Ms Palesa Moima: Head of Sales at the relatively new independent hotel group, is elegance bespoke as the luxurious services proffered by her hospitality group.
Relatively new ( : 4 years, at 1 year), the hotels are a veritable variety of luxuriousness, lifestyle, business, retreat, and escapism.
While is nested in the opulence of Sandton, with access to high-class retail and business enterprises, is serenely positioned in the winelands rustic of Western Cape.
From luxurious rooms, studio rooms to penthouses, pools, cinema, to spa, sports to deli and liquor stores, guests are treated to every amenity desired - even Sandton Kids for 5 months-5years.
Video interview: Ms Palesa Moima tantalises the toast of luxury hotels .

11/05/2026

Sports: Golf

SA golfers dominate worldwide

Golf's unique style a la SA variety put many SA golfers on winning platforms across the world in a weekend of winners. in a true representation of the Sunshine Tour’s statement that “Greatness Begins Here”.
 
In one of the country's most impressive collective performances in one weekend, South African professionals won on three different tours.
 
In Spain, Yurav Premlall made DP World Tour history when he won the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship by a staggering 14 shots – a record-winning margin for a maiden title on the DP World Tour.
 
In Zimbabwe, Altin van der Merwe claimed his maiden victory on the Sunshine Tour in the FBC Zim Open.
 
In Asia, Ian Snyman claimed a maiden victory on the Asian Tour in the Taiwan Glass Taifong Open.
 
In the United States on the PGA Tour Champions, Ernie Els was one shot off the lead going into the final round of the Insperity Invitational at the time of writing.
 
Yurav Premlall set the tone for his victory with a course record 63 in the third round, which earned him $50 000 for the Course Record presented by Nexo. The young South African was chasing Tiger Woods’s DP World Tour record winning margin of 15 strokes, but was more than happy to settle for a life-changing maiden victory on the Tour at 28 under par.
 
“I’m just so grateful, so it’s a dream come true. I’ll start with my mum – at least it’s a Mother’s Day present, so happy Mother’s Day, mum. And yeah, for my dad, we worked so hard to get here. It’s so rewarding to stand up on this pedestal and be able to thank everyone for being part of this journey so far,” Premlall said.
 
The South African flag flew proudly in Spain as second place went to countryman, Shaun Norris , on 14 under par, whiIn Zimbabwe, former Sunshine Tour Rookie of the Year, Altin van der Merwe, claimed his maiden Sunshine Tour title with a four-stroke triumph on 21 under par.

Van Der Merwe led by four strokes going into the final round and closed with a 68 to add his name to a list of former champions of this tournament that includes Major winners and world number ones.

09/05/2026

Travel and Tourism

Snowy Canada to spring blossom

Over a space of one and a half months, Ottawa, in Canada, transformed fairytale-like from wintry wonderland to spring blossoms in a bevy of colour and floral showmanship. From 1 degree Celsius.
Skiers indulged competitive slopes (skiing is as normal there as swimming in winter in Durban), sculptors transformed ice into ice sculptures, and streets bedecked in white glory.
Then spring arrived. Lucid flora in a blaze of colours. Ottawa...beautiful Ottawa in the spring.

08/05/2026

Business and Economics

Richard Bay IDZ progress vital

The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau visited the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone in KwaZulu-Natal today and expressed confidence and satisfaction in the impact of the progress at the zone. The zone, which has also received funding from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) Special Economic Zone programme, has R252.39 billion investment in pipeline with 23 investors and one strategic partner.

Minister Tau was joined by the Deputy Minister of the Department of Science and Technology, Ms Nomalungelo Gina, the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Reverend Musa Zondi and the MEC for Transport and Human Settlement, Mr Siboniso Duma.