Although Oscar Pistorius’ case was one of the highest profile events of 2015 in South Africa, it was one amidst many that shaped the year in one of the continent's 'big four.' Here are a some of the other interesting things that happened, just in case you missed them.

The blade runner was found guilty of murder

Following his release from prison on October 19, 2015, Oscar Pistorius was found guilty of murdering his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp by a constitutional court, in Bloemfontein, South Africa in December 2015. Pistorius shot Steenkamp four times, back in 2013 through a closed toilet door. Although the minimum sentence for murder in the country is 15 years, the BBC reported that South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that the lower court did not correctly apply the rule of ‘dolus eventualis’ - whether Pistorius knew that death would be a likely result of his actions. The date for his new sentencing is yet to be set. “As a matter of common sense, at the time the fatal shots were fired, the possibility of the death of the person behind the door was clearly an obvious result. And in firing not one but four shots, such a result became even more likely”, said Justice Eric Leach.

Ntombi–futhi Samantha + Chris Rock adoption scandal

In 2008, when she was barely a year old, Samantha Ntombi-futhi was taken by Hollywood actor Chris Rock and his wife, Malaak Compton-Rock, to the United States of America on a tourist visa and the couple began raising her as their own daughter. A divorce and seven years later, South Africa filed a lawsuit against the celebrity asking why no legal adoptive process was instituted to make Samantha a member of the Rock family, formally. Over the years, the Rock family have said Samantha was the child of a South African family friend who Compton-Rock met through her charity endeavor, it turns out the bubble burst when Compton-Rock began a legal process to formally adopt the 7-year old girl. The United States authorities alerted South Africa’s Hawk police department and they have been trying to determine if the case is in anyway related to child trafficking. According to News Dze Zimbabwe, the South African child adoption process goes thus; the prospective parents will submit an application through an accredited adoption agency, then they get screened by a social worker and will have to go through medical examinations, marriage and psychological assessments, home visits and police checks, they are put on a waiting list, then they appear at a children’s court where their application is subject to approval by a presiding judge.

South Africa Day is launched

November 12, 2015 was the day South African business leaders came together to host the first South Africa day. Henceforth, it will be celebrated every second Saturday of November and will provide motivation for South African businesses to work within and support their local communities. The national coordinator, Bheki Shongwe said, “South Africa Day will focus on making a contribution to the country and will put South Africa first. It will signify the creation of social cohesion, celebrating the country, its people and achievements and the day will take pride in its people and country.” Archbishop Thabo Makgoba appealed to businesses to support the South Africa Day Bursary Fund which will raise funds to support deserving students and pupils in South Africa.

H&M twitter controversy

A South African national, Tlalane Letlhaku, mentioned H&M South Africa on twitter for their lack of diversity on the models used for their campaign while advising them to diversify so as to appeal to everyone.

@hmsouthafrica I was at your CT store. Most, if not all your posters in store have no black models. Please work on that to appeal to everyone.

— Tlalane Letlhaku (@Tlaly_Branch) November 2, 2015


The response she got was rather controversial as the store insisted their campaign was dedicated to promoting a positive and inspiring image. Dazed Digital reports that H&M said its marketing is supposed to be “inspiring” and that it’s essential for them to “convey a positive image” suggesting that white models embody the positivity the brand seeks to present. Of course there was backlash on social media for the seemingly inappropriate response. After which the store offered an apology, saying it embraces all people who are inspired by fashion, regardless of ethnic background, gender or culture.

Residents at iThemba Lam get a chance to develop their spirituality

iThemba Lam is a safehouse located on the outskirts of Cape Town which offers refuge to homosexuals who have suffered any kind of persecution from friends and family members. They get to stay for up to three months at iThemba Lam (meaning My Hope in Xhosa). The center has been operational since 2006, however, it recently had the opportunity to develop the spirituality of its residents when the Inclusive and Affirming Ministries (IAM) created an outreach program for the people at the center. Michelle Boonzaaier is a Dutch Reformed Church minister who conducts clergy outreach for the group. She is also actively involved in identifying potential “change agents” within congregations, setting up trainings around sexual orientation and gender identity expression and using those opportunities to open dialogue about LGBTI inclusion. Also, a pentecostal minister, Rev. Zongamele Baliso, decided to bring Grace Community Church to the center. His action bordered on the fact that iThemba Lam was dedicated to feeding the hungry and clothing the naked, which lines up with the charitable works preached in the Christian religion.

La Liga opens in Johannesburg

The Spanish football league, La Liga, opened its first African office in Johannesburg, South Africa, this year in an effort to get closer to fans and broadcasters. According to sportindustry.co.za, the La Liga president, Javier Tebas, was in Johannesburg for the opening, alongside representatives of Spanish companies and South African institutions, members of the PSL and other personalities including the Spanish ambassador to South Africa, Juan Sell. “It is a historic day for La Liga. We are very happy to open this office in Johannesburg and to be closer to our loyal fans and broadcasters. To La Liga, being here is a strategic move and we want to be even more present in the future”, said Tebas. He also pledged that the LFP World Challenge will become present on the continent. LFPWC is a La Liga initiative which was launched in 2014 to feature friendly matches in Europe, North and South America and Asia in order to promote Spain overseas.

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What is our business with south-africa??