Rachel Savage
@rachelmsavage.bsky.social
Southern Africa Correspondent at The Guardian. Brit abroad.
I am fascinated by Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's choice of an all-black outfit for her recent court appearance, complete with a harness and stilettos.
If she'd worn a beret, I'd have said she was aiming for 'sexy Marxist', but I'm not sure Marxists are known for their harnesses
If she'd worn a beret, I'd have said she was aiming for 'sexy Marxist', but I'm not sure Marxists are known for their harnesses
November 28, 2025 at 3:52 PM
I am fascinated by Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's choice of an all-black outfit for her recent court appearance, complete with a harness and stilettos.
If she'd worn a beret, I'd have said she was aiming for 'sexy Marxist', but I'm not sure Marxists are known for their harnesses
If she'd worn a beret, I'd have said she was aiming for 'sexy Marxist', but I'm not sure Marxists are known for their harnesses
Despite Kit Williams' obsession with painting young, slim, naked women, I still think his work is astounding. The imagination and the skill!
Look at the way he paints moonlight in Hunter's Moon (2008). He makes all the frames himself and the end of the bow that threads through this one. /5
Look at the way he paints moonlight in Hunter's Moon (2008). He makes all the frames himself and the end of the bow that threads through this one. /5
November 27, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Despite Kit Williams' obsession with painting young, slim, naked women, I still think his work is astounding. The imagination and the skill!
Look at the way he paints moonlight in Hunter's Moon (2008). He makes all the frames himself and the end of the bow that threads through this one. /5
Look at the way he paints moonlight in Hunter's Moon (2008). He makes all the frames himself and the end of the bow that threads through this one. /5
This is such a lame hit job on @meghamohan.bsky.social, who is an incredibly talented, sensitive, thoughtful journalist, unlike those at the Telegraph who wrote, edited and signed off on this.
Also, digging out an email sent in 2018? Extra lame.
Also, digging out an email sent in 2018? Extra lame.
November 10, 2025 at 3:28 PM
This is such a lame hit job on @meghamohan.bsky.social, who is an incredibly talented, sensitive, thoughtful journalist, unlike those at the Telegraph who wrote, edited and signed off on this.
Also, digging out an email sent in 2018? Extra lame.
Also, digging out an email sent in 2018? Extra lame.
"Stance" bikers like Percy and Lesedi from Sentech Croozers put frames on smaller wheels (these are 20 inch frames on 16 inch wheels) and add huge handlebars to make the bikes extra long and low slung. They're all self-taught too.
📸 James Oatway
📸 James Oatway
November 3, 2025 at 2:43 AM
"Stance" bikers like Percy and Lesedi from Sentech Croozers put frames on smaller wheels (these are 20 inch frames on 16 inch wheels) and add huge handlebars to make the bikes extra long and low slung. They're all self-taught too.
📸 James Oatway
📸 James Oatway
There are white jacarandas in Pretoria too! Never seen one in Joburg though
October 29, 2025 at 8:29 PM
There are white jacarandas in Pretoria too! Never seen one in Joburg though
In Joburg, we got up before dawn to take the 6.15am train from Soweto to the CBD. It was packed but most commuters still had to take private minibus taxis onwards to their final stop.
South Africa's taxis are notorious for poor maintenance, dangerous driving & shootings between rival taxi mafias
South Africa's taxis are notorious for poor maintenance, dangerous driving & shootings between rival taxi mafias
October 29, 2025 at 8:27 AM
In Joburg, we got up before dawn to take the 6.15am train from Soweto to the CBD. It was packed but most commuters still had to take private minibus taxis onwards to their final stop.
South Africa's taxis are notorious for poor maintenance, dangerous driving & shootings between rival taxi mafias
South Africa's taxis are notorious for poor maintenance, dangerous driving & shootings between rival taxi mafias
YouTube's algorithm being shady as hell promoting Lily Allen's pre-divorce AD video 👀
(Make of the other recommendations what you will)
(Make of the other recommendations what you will)
October 27, 2025 at 4:34 PM
YouTube's algorithm being shady as hell promoting Lily Allen's pre-divorce AD video 👀
(Make of the other recommendations what you will)
(Make of the other recommendations what you will)
Altogether now...
"SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLE"
"SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLE"
October 24, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Altogether now...
"SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLE"
"SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLE"
The double jasmine in my garden smells incredible right now.
There may be cold rainy snaps, but spring in Joburg is pretty great.
There may be cold rainy snaps, but spring in Joburg is pretty great.
October 21, 2025 at 4:18 PM
The double jasmine in my garden smells incredible right now.
There may be cold rainy snaps, but spring in Joburg is pretty great.
There may be cold rainy snaps, but spring in Joburg is pretty great.
Aina Sarobidy Randriamiharisoa is hoping to find a sponsor to buy him a prosthetic leg so he can return to work.
He said he was unsure about the new military rulers' intentions: “I don’t know if there’s something behind it, if it’s politics or if they just want to profit off the situation.”
He said he was unsure about the new military rulers' intentions: “I don’t know if there’s something behind it, if it’s politics or if they just want to profit off the situation.”
October 19, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Aina Sarobidy Randriamiharisoa is hoping to find a sponsor to buy him a prosthetic leg so he can return to work.
He said he was unsure about the new military rulers' intentions: “I don’t know if there’s something behind it, if it’s politics or if they just want to profit off the situation.”
He said he was unsure about the new military rulers' intentions: “I don’t know if there’s something behind it, if it’s politics or if they just want to profit off the situation.”
The shooting didn't stop on Oct 11, when the military said they wouldn't fire on protesters.
Aina Sarobidy Randriamiharisoa was shot through the thigh by the gendarmerie, just before they retreated when soldiers joined demonstrators.
“I’m just thinking in a positive way. I did it for my country."
Aina Sarobidy Randriamiharisoa was shot through the thigh by the gendarmerie, just before they retreated when soldiers joined demonstrators.
“I’m just thinking in a positive way. I did it for my country."
October 19, 2025 at 3:11 PM
The shooting didn't stop on Oct 11, when the military said they wouldn't fire on protesters.
Aina Sarobidy Randriamiharisoa was shot through the thigh by the gendarmerie, just before they retreated when soldiers joined demonstrators.
“I’m just thinking in a positive way. I did it for my country."
Aina Sarobidy Randriamiharisoa was shot through the thigh by the gendarmerie, just before they retreated when soldiers joined demonstrators.
“I’m just thinking in a positive way. I did it for my country."
A view from a coup.
Colonel Michael Randrianirina being sworn in as president by Madagascar's constitutional court yesterday
Colonel Michael Randrianirina being sworn in as president by Madagascar's constitutional court yesterday
October 18, 2025 at 9:09 AM
A view from a coup.
Colonel Michael Randrianirina being sworn in as president by Madagascar's constitutional court yesterday
Colonel Michael Randrianirina being sworn in as president by Madagascar's constitutional court yesterday
The mood in Madagascar's Place 13 Mai was positively festive today, as people enjoyed live music and speeches celebrating the overthrow of President Andry Rajoelina.
Meanwhile, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, head of the elite Capsat military unit, said he would be sworn in as president within days.
Meanwhile, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, head of the elite Capsat military unit, said he would be sworn in as president within days.
October 15, 2025 at 5:48 PM
The mood in Madagascar's Place 13 Mai was positively festive today, as people enjoyed live music and speeches celebrating the overthrow of President Andry Rajoelina.
Meanwhile, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, head of the elite Capsat military unit, said he would be sworn in as president within days.
Meanwhile, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, head of the elite Capsat military unit, said he would be sworn in as president within days.
I'm sorry but what in the everloving-lack-of-a-human-editor happened to this wine label?!
'To fully express the balance, yet somewhat "wild"'
That isn't even the worst thing on there.
'To fully express the balance, yet somewhat "wild"'
That isn't even the worst thing on there.
October 11, 2025 at 6:50 PM
I'm sorry but what in the everloving-lack-of-a-human-editor happened to this wine label?!
'To fully express the balance, yet somewhat "wild"'
That isn't even the worst thing on there.
'To fully express the balance, yet somewhat "wild"'
That isn't even the worst thing on there.
Members of Madagascar's military are addressing cheering protestors outside Antananarivo's city hall (Lapan Ny Tanana).
All in Malagasay, so local reporters will bring us any news
web.facebook.com/100075732734...
All in Malagasay, so local reporters will bring us any news
web.facebook.com/100075732734...
October 11, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Members of Madagascar's military are addressing cheering protestors outside Antananarivo's city hall (Lapan Ny Tanana).
All in Malagasay, so local reporters will bring us any news
web.facebook.com/100075732734...
All in Malagasay, so local reporters will bring us any news
web.facebook.com/100075732734...
A view of Johannesburg's CBD before sunrise today
October 8, 2025 at 5:43 AM
A view of Johannesburg's CBD before sunrise today
October 7, 2025 at 5:05 PM
'Judith' fled the DRC in 2016, after armed men killed her parents. Just 14, she was left caring for her three siblings, then 8, 9 and 11.
Judith also had to do sex work. She has one child and another on the way. When I asked her if she had any hopes for the future, she said, "I don't know."
Judith also had to do sex work. She has one child and another on the way. When I asked her if she had any hopes for the future, she said, "I don't know."
September 16, 2025 at 12:40 PM
'Judith' fled the DRC in 2016, after armed men killed her parents. Just 14, she was left caring for her three siblings, then 8, 9 and 11.
Judith also had to do sex work. She has one child and another on the way. When I asked her if she had any hopes for the future, she said, "I don't know."
Judith also had to do sex work. She has one child and another on the way. When I asked her if she had any hopes for the future, she said, "I don't know."
The story of 'Francine' will stay with me.
She fled Burundi in 2014 when her uncle was killed. In 2022, a sex work client refused to pay. When she blocked the doorway, he threw a boiling-hot saucepan of beans over her.
“Sometimes I ask myself, ‘Why is it that I don’t get helped like others?'”
She fled Burundi in 2014 when her uncle was killed. In 2022, a sex work client refused to pay. When she blocked the doorway, he threw a boiling-hot saucepan of beans over her.
“Sometimes I ask myself, ‘Why is it that I don’t get helped like others?'”
September 16, 2025 at 12:36 PM
The story of 'Francine' will stay with me.
She fled Burundi in 2014 when her uncle was killed. In 2022, a sex work client refused to pay. When she blocked the doorway, he threw a boiling-hot saucepan of beans over her.
“Sometimes I ask myself, ‘Why is it that I don’t get helped like others?'”
She fled Burundi in 2014 when her uncle was killed. In 2022, a sex work client refused to pay. When she blocked the doorway, he threw a boiling-hot saucepan of beans over her.
“Sometimes I ask myself, ‘Why is it that I don’t get helped like others?'”
🎨 Mapopa Hussein Manda, shown by Modzi Gallery from Lusaka
September 4, 2025 at 6:26 PM
🎨 Mapopa Hussein Manda, shown by Modzi Gallery from Lusaka
Loved this year's FNB Art Joburg. Need to win the lottery expeditiously.
September 4, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Loved this year's FNB Art Joburg. Need to win the lottery expeditiously.
This is so sad. Tshidi Madia, EWN's Associate Editor: Politics, has passed away after a short illness. I'll really miss hearing her on 702 radio.
www.ewn.co.za/2025/08/27/p...
www.ewn.co.za/2025/08/27/p...
August 27, 2025 at 2:24 PM
This is so sad. Tshidi Madia, EWN's Associate Editor: Politics, has passed away after a short illness. I'll really miss hearing her on 702 radio.
www.ewn.co.za/2025/08/27/p...
www.ewn.co.za/2025/08/27/p...
This is extremely important news, to me, personally.
August 26, 2025 at 8:57 PM
This is extremely important news, to me, personally.
No idea where Google Meet's auto-transcribe function got this from lol
August 14, 2025 at 12:27 PM
No idea where Google Meet's auto-transcribe function got this from lol
Belated, but I really enjoyed this meme
July 18, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Belated, but I really enjoyed this meme