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Brazilian chef Alex Atala prepares a dish for diners at a restaurant at the Xcaret resort in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Ants disappear from plates in Brazil, Denmark uses chocolate without cocoa, and warm-water fish is served in Japan. Extreme weather events, such as El Niño are forcing chefs to adapt their menus. Picture: Elizabeth Ruiz / AFP

El Niño rewrites the menu in the world’s top restaurants

A record-breaking El Niño is forcing top chefs worldwide to adapt their menus due to unpredictable weather impacting ingredient availability, quality, and prices.

Take softwood cuttings from your daisies
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IN THE GARDEN | The art of cuttage

Spring is the ideal season to propagate herbaceous plants, which have soft, green stems, by taking softwood cuttings for rapid root development.

Rachel Kolisi interacts with fans in the foyer of the Guild Theatre during her Falling Forward Documentary Roadshow which is on ts second national tour across South Africa and Namibia. The documentary is intimate and deeply personal film following Rachel Kolisi through the defining seasons of her life — identity, loss, healing, motherhood, courage, faith, and rediscovery. Picture ALAN EASON
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Full house for Rachel Kolisi’s Falling Forward screening

Rachel Kolisi’s Falling Forward documentary drew a full house at KuGompo City’s Guild Theatre, focusing on women, connection, and shared experiences as part of a national tour.

Filmmaker Stefanus Nel set out to discover the authenticity of this Tretchikoff painting in a short documentary. With him is a cardboard cut-out of his dachshund Rocky who accompanied him on his quest. Pictures: BARBARA HOLLANDS
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Trying to uncover the truth behind painting by ‘King of Kitsch’

For generations of South Africans, living room décor was incomplete without “The Green Lady” adorning the mantle piece or “The Dying Swan” hanging above the settee.

'Agency' author Ashley Brownlee with life partner Andre Hagan and their ridgeback Buggy on the stoep of their Klein Karoo guesthouse Wolverfontein Karoo Cottages. PICTURE: Coco Van Oppens

‘Agency’ a story of reinvention, healing and humour

Ashley Brownlee's memoir Agency explores his journey of identity, healing, and humour as an adopted child navigating illness, loss, and belonging in South Africa. From confronting childhood traumas and the impact of HIV/Aids to finding…

Sprinter Sinesipho Dambile returned home with Commonwealth Games gold, while 16-year-old Lisolihle Nyingwa arrived back from Brazil after being crowned first princess at the Miss Teen Global Beauty International 2026 pageant.

Double celebration as Eastern Cape stars return home

A jubilant homecoming greeted Eastern Cape stars Sinesipho Dambile and Lisolihle Nyingwa at King Phalo Airport after their international achievements.

The XC60 can travel up to 200km electrically, while the XC90 offers up to 160km of electric range. Picture:

Volvo more than doubles electric range of XC60 and XC90 hybrids

Long-range plug-in hybrids are expected in South Africa during the first half of 2027

South African buyers will get two versions of the new Outback, including this turbocharged Wilderness designed for more demanding terrain. Picture:
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New Subaru Outback brings turbocharged Wilderness to SA

Subaru’s all-new Outback will arrive in South Africa in the fourth quarter of 2026 with a more SUV-like design, an updated interior and, for the first time locally, a turbocharged Wilderness derivative with a rugged styling

The new N Line flagship brings 118kW turbo performance to Hyundai’s compact SUV range. Picture:

Hyundai cuts Creta price and adds turbocharged N Line

Facelift brings fresh styling, lower pricing and a new turbocharged N Line flagship

Bromeliads add a festive tropical feeling to the garden.
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Wild about bromeliads

Lyn Wegner developed a passion for gardening and bromeliads from her childhood, eventually turning it into a global pursuit and business with her nursery, Bromeliads for Africa.

Gerald Beech putting his V8 Chevrolet Camaro through its paces at Aldo Scribante Raceway last Saturday.

Confident Beech heads to Zwartkops Raceway

Gerald Beech, representing Algoa Motorsport Club, heads to Zwartkops Raceway for his first competitive race there in the Dunlop V8 Supercars, buoyed by recent technical improvements to his Chevrolet Camaro and increased confidence from…

GO BOKKE: Daily Dispatch reporters Rosa-Karoo Loewe and Anathi Wulushe inside the media green bus during the Springboks trophy tour around KuGompo City in 2023.
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When ‘book club’ becomes the Bok Club

Today, we have made so much progress. We now have vibrant club and international women’s rugby and you know how much I love it.

Azola Mteto (B-Boy Ranks) captured performing a kickout freeze during his run at the Red Bull BC One Cypher South Africa national finals in Cape Town. Picture: MFUNDO PILISO

Mdantsane breakdancer spins his way into SA elite

Mdantsane breakdancing veteran Azola “B-Boy Ranks” Mteto has achieved his best result yet at the Red Bull BC One SA national final, breaking into the top eight in Cape Town at the weekend.

EP Elephants lock Calvin Bosch is tackled by Border's Ahluma Mbinqo during a SA Rugby U21 Shield clash at Sisa Dukashe Stadium on Saturday Picture Alan Eason

Oliver toasts Baby Elephants character after comeback win over Border

Eastern Province U21 coach Shaun Oliver commended his players for showing grit in their 41-12 victory over their Border counterparts at Mdantsane’s Sisa Dukashe stadium in KuGompo City on Saturday.

The poster for 'Invisible'.
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Hollywood humbled him, SA embraced him: Frank Rautenbach’s second act

Frank Rautenbach, a South African actor, returned home after struggling to find success in Hollywood, enduring jobs like limousine driving and janitorial work.

(FILES) Dolly Parton performs at the Schermerhorn Symphony Centre on March 20, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. Parton, the country music star who rose from grinding poverty in Tennessee to become a rhinestone-studded cultural icon with hits like 'Jolene' and '9 to 5' has died at 80, her family said on August 25, 2026. Picture: GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP
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Flags lowered across US for country music legend Dolly Parton

Flags were lowered across the US as fans mourned country music legend Dolly Parton, who died at 80 after a brief battle with cancer.

Creative minds at play at Cambridge High and Primary schools on display. Pictures: DELORIS KOAN
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DELORIS KOAN | All love from two detainees of the Eighties

School reunions are the crack letting in the light.

Almonds are rich in magnesium and Vitamin E, and they are associated with a calmer, more settled nervous system, while miso caramel provides a savoury sweet taste. Picture:
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Four quick and easy recipes for a weekend of warmth and TLC

With Saturday being International Relaxation Day, here are some treats to cook

'MasterChef SA' winner Andrew 'Benjie' Benjamin with runner-up Candice Meth at the end of the final.
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‘Meat and potatoes’ chef reveals secrets of his culinary journey

A self-proclaimed introvert with a contagious giggle and a penchant for meat and potatoes is the latest winner of MasterChef South Africa and R1m.

Spekboom seedlings at the Kalkfontein nursery. The hope is that the first batch of plants will be ready to planted in the field early next year
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Spekboom: SA’s humble green wonder

Spekboom, a succulent indigenous to South Africa’s Eastern Cape, has moved from being a backyard snack to a celebrated eco-friendly plant known for its exceptional carbon-absorbing abilities and adaptability.