The South African’s ten most-read stories of 2019

2019 has been a whirlwind of happening news events at The South African (TSA) and we loved every single minute of it – doing what we do best: Curating up-to-date content for our readers. 

Of course there were some stories that exceeded our expectations. You may remember them, you may not, but here are our top ten stories of the year and here’s to topping each one of them in 2020.

1. Election results 2019

South Africa headed to the polls for its sixth democratic election on 8 May 2019. TSA listed the results from a national tally from the IEC’s captured votes and South Africans watched with great anticipation. 

 Elections 2019 results latest: One day’s counting done, expect more delays

2. Nigerians call on Boko Haram to attack SA

As the situation intensified between foreign nationals and locals in most parts of Gauteng, Nigerians launched a revolt against what was being termed as xenophobic attacks, and called on the infamous terrorist group Boko Haram to “unleash revenge in South Africa”.

  Xenophobia: Nigerians call on Boko Haram to attack South Africa

3. Eskom’s load shedding schedule

In an effort to be prepared for Eskom’s recent wake of load shedding, a daily schedule was released, contact numbers for municipal power suppliers and a detailed explanation of what each stage means. This proved to be extremely useful to all South Africans left in the dark.  

Here’s how you can check Eskom’s daily load shedding schedule

4. Rachel Kolisi’s Instagram war

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi’s wife, Rachel, went buck after she found DMs from a random woman on her husband’s phone. South Africa wanted to know who this mysterious woman was – and, oh, did she tell them. 

  Rachel Kolisi sparks Instagram war after nudes land in Siya’s DMs

5. Arnold Schwarzenegger attacked in Johannesburg

Actor and bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger is sure not to have the fondest memories of his trip to South Africa after he was fly-kicked by a member of the public at the Sandton Convention Centre in May 2019. 

Watch: Arnold Schwarzenegger attacked in Johannesburg

6. A look at EFF members’ abusive littering 

The University of Free State (UFS) was disrupted by protests in March 2019, but the video footage of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) members littering the campus, had people up in arms.

 Watch: Outrage over EFF members’ abusive littering

7. SA’s biggest water park opens in Johannesburg 

Located just north of Johannesburg, the state-of-the-art aqua adventure officially opened in January 2019. Complete with a comprehensive fun guide on the water park’s offering – pictures and all the key details. Mzansi just couldn’t get enough. 

SA’s biggest water park just opened in Johannesburg and it’s LIT

8. Horrific early morning shootout in Johannesburg

Despite being subjected to horrific crimes on almost a daily basis, this shootout that took place in Johannesburg in March was beyond shocking. It was alleged that an attempted robbery involving a taxi driver lead to the thief’s grizzly demise on the streets of Hillbrow.

Watch: Johannesburg turns into Wild West during early morning shootout

9. Johannesburg earthquake 2019

Residents of Johannesburg were awakened on a Friday morning in March by a small-scale earthquake, which was also labelled as a tremor. It was reported by several seismologists that the tremor took place at 6:56, with some institutions measuring it at 4.6 on the Richter scale.

 Johannesburg ‘earthquake’: Early morning tremor leaves Gauteng shook

10. Julius Malema denies being rushed to hospital 

Stories began to emerge of Juju needing “emergency medical treatment” in April 2019. Some suggested he had been taken to a private facility in Umhlanga. The exact nature of his illness had not been disclosed, and there was no official statement from any party representatives or structures. However, South Africans could not help but zero in on the speculation. 

 Julius Malema denies he was “rushed to hospital” on Tuesday night