Two people have died and a third has been injured in a climbing accident on Table Mountain, a major tourist destination in the South African city of Cape Town.

The South African city of Cape Town is instructing people to severely restrict water use because of the area's worst drought in more than a century.

Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu shed tears of gratitude on his 85th birthday as he presided over a cathedral mass despite his poor health, after saying he would like the option of a "dignified assisted death" when the time comes.

About 500 people protested outside a Cape Town venue where Pharrell Williams was due to perform yesterday, demonstrating against the US pop star’s promotional deal with South African retailer Woolworths and its trade ties with Israel.

South African firefighters are battling to control a wildfire that has burned down five homes in Cape Town's southern peninsula.