News Bulletin of 8 January 2026, 6pm

Recruitment group DNA Employer of Record reports a 70% rise in South Africans wanting to return home from cities like London, Amsterdam, Toronto, and Sydney. Many cite missing the weather, raising children near family, and life abroad feeling less appealing. Positive economic signals are also attracting returnees. South Africa has posted two consecutive primary budget surpluses for the first time in 15 years, lowered inflation to 3%, and stabilised its debt-to-GDP ratio. The rand has strengthened by about 10%, while the JSE has grown 50% last year on strong commodity prices. Eskom has drastically reduced load shedding, and private power generation is expanding.

Creative tourism in South Africa, including activities like cooking, crafts, and music, is on the rise. Research on millennials (born 1981–1996) found they prefer domestic experiences, drawn by authentic, skill-building opportunities. Women showed more interest than men in culture- and heritage-focused activities. Domestic trips were linked to learning, while international travel was often about escaping daily routines, highlighting domestic tourism’s strong potential for creative tourism growth.

Guided hikes, heritage trails and storytelling sessions have returned to the Melville Koppies Nature Reserve and Heritage Site following its reopening after the festive season.
The Koppies are open on Sundays between 08:00 and 11:30. Visitors can enjoy a range of activities, including a 5km self-paced hike, a self-guided heritage trail, or exploring the reserve using available maps. Guided activities include 90-minute tours on Sundays at 08:00, an 8km group hike held on the last Sunday of each month, and a children’s storytelling session on the second Sunday of every month.