Yesterday comedian Russell Brand gave evidence to British MP’s about his battle with addiction during a renewal of the government’s current drugs policy. True to his style, Brand sported a sleeveless t-shirt that showed off his heavily tattooed arm, copious jewellery, cowboy boots and hat, and a long trenchcoat. His colourful speech included a description of how emotional and psychological difficulties led to him becoming addicted to drugs.

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Forbes.com released a list of Africa’s 20 most powerful business people yesterday (they do like a list over there at Forbes) and it wasn’t too hard to pick up a trend on the list of the continent’s commercial high flyers – no less than 12 of them are South African. Are we awesome, or what? We’ve got the full list, including our Mzansi business powerhouses, after the jump!

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This morning a man was shot in the neck outside the Cape High Court, and is currently fighting for his life. His attackers are unknown and immediately fled the scene. According to people who know the victim, he was attending a murder trial involving five members of the Junky Funkie Gang.

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James Murdoch has defended his actions in the News International scandal, blaming subordinates for feeding him wrong information around just how illegally the company’s flagship newspaper, News of the World, had been conducting its journalism. This emerged today during the Leveson Inquiry into press standards, which we reported on earlier.

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In traditional Nandos style, the nation’s favourite Portuguese fast food outlet recently spoofed an iconic ad, originally flighted by Santam. Check out the original Santam ad, here! Check out the spoof, here! In a fantastic display of advertorial sparring, Santam have hit back at Nandos, with this: That went down so well.

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The Eastern Cape education crisis deepened yesterday as it was announced that Modidima Mannya had resigned as Eastern Cape education department head. Eastern Cape Premier, Noxolo Kiviet, made the announcement and said the agreement was “in the best interest” of education in the province.

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Old Spice – makers of the best TV adverts in the world – has a new campaign. In it, they urge the average guy on the street to simply believe “in yoursmellf.” But what does a skinny white guy who wins all the sports, has a sophisticated group of friends, and dating Heather Graham have to do with it all? You’ll have to see for yourself.

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SABC Radio and The New Age newspaper have reported that Julius Malema’s expulsion from the ANC has been upheld. As from today, 24 April 2012, Julius Malema is no longer a card-carrying member of the ANC, and holds no office in the party, or any of it’s organs.

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It’s Mount-Everest-climbing season, apparently – with the National Geographic team attempting to recreate the route used in the first American ascent of the mountain, the 1963 NG-sponsored American Mount Everest Expedition. The team is live-updating their progress online, with a live stream of photos, blog posts, and twitter updates. I think one of them’s using Instagram, too.

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The South African Post Office is celebrating the 18th anniversary of our transition to democracy this Friday with a set of eight gorgeous new stamps designed by Lize Marié Dreyer, a third-year student at the Open Window School of Visual Communication in Gauteng. We’ve got the full set of these philatelic fancies, after the jump!

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In the modern times in which we find ourselves, the definition of a “real man” has become somewhat blurred. Male grooming, manscaping and metrosexuality have all but replaced rugged faces, calloused hands and auto-mechanical knowledge. As a result of this, a few brave men have set about creating a documentary that seeks to answer the question, what is a real man?

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The movie “Borat” didn’t exactly do well in Kazakhstan. After being banned, it took a full six years to realise the touristic potential of the film, Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan. But, the “glorious nation” has now issued an official thank you to Sacha Baron Cohen.

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Both James and Rupert Murdoch are due to give new evidence to the Leveson Inquiry into press standards, starting today. James will appear first, followed by his father, tomorrow. The inquiry will now focus on the relationship between the press and politicians.

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Interorbital Systems, an American aerospace company that constructs rocket and spacecraft, has announced an exciting product development: you can now very cost-effectively buy, and launch your own satellite into orbit.

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If you’ve been following the Kony 2012 movement, you’d remember they called for an April 20 world wide canvassing campaign. “Cover the Night” also hit Cape Town over the weekend and saw activists put up their share of posters around town. See all the “excitement” after the jump.

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Downed mining magnate and Presidential nephew, Khulubuse Zuma’s belongings are on auction in Verulam, KZN. We’re following Sarah Britten (@anatinus) on Twitter to get the low down on the high price of Zuma’s luxury living. All our favourite tweets and pics, courtesy of Ms. Britten, after the jump!

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Recent research confirms that the vast majority of South African internet users bank online, but that banks have been very slow to make use of digital channels to meet customers’ needs. A study by market research firm Columinate, which assessed consumer internet banking behaviour and satisfaction levels, suggests there is plenty of room for improvement for banks trying to connect digitally with their customers.

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The New iPad is expected to launch on 27 April. The next question on everyone’s lips is: What are we going to have to fork out for the delicious Retina goodness? I have some good news.

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Acting national police commissioner, General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, hinted on Thursday to MP’s that police had been instructed on which cases were “off limits” to them. He said this was something that was happening a lot “of late”, and that the instructions came from “powers beyond us”.

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This weekend, Indian authorities announced that they planned to establish Assam tea as the national drink, celebrating the life and work of the man who introduced tea farming to Assam state, and also died trying to boot the British out. More of this hot cup of history, after the jump!

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Google, Apple, Adobe and Intel – among other companies – have been accused of restricting salary increases and restricting career development by agreeing not to poach each other’s staff; California District Judge Lucy Koh has found that there’s enough evidence to support trial for antitrust injury. Intuit, Pixar, and Lucasfilm are also involved.

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Just after midday on Saturday, at Camps Bay, hundreds of surfers paddled out into the bay to celebrate the life of David Lilienfeld. He passed away last week after being bitten by a shark at Koegel bay. Sea Rescue boats from Bakoven and Table Bay were also there on behalf of the NSRI. See a full gallery of the very moving event after the jump.

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The City of Cape Town has released its official report on the fatal shark attack that claimed the life of bodyboarder, David Lilienfeld, 20, on Thursday at Kogel Bay, “Caves”, near Gordons Bay. In it, the City concluded that the tagging of False Bay sharks for a documentary could not be directly linked to the attack.

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This is pretty big, and you may not even be aware of it. If you’re using a computer, you my find yourself suddenly unable to go online, and it’s got nothing to do with the ADSL going down in your area or your ISP. Find out if you’re safe.

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Time-tested wisdom says the sky’s the limit. However, a group of billionaires are looking to change that as they launch the first ever venture to mine asteroids, in space. For real. Click through for the details.

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Yesterday bodyboarder David Lilienfeld suffered fatal injuries after being attacked by a shark near Cape Town. On the same day, several international websites also happened to run a feature on Andre Hartman, South Africa’s “Shark Whisperer”. Pictures of Hartman placing his hand on the snout of a great white shark and “putting it in a trance” were the main focus. See them inside.

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The lengths people will go to for beer these days. Seriously. A little short on cash and a little thirsty, five people decided that the cash office of the local brewery would be a fantastic target. Also, robbing a brewery also carries some serious bragging rights. They didn’t plan on security having guns though.

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Wherever humans and wild animals come into close contact with one another, there will likely be negative consequences for one or the other, or both. 13-year-old Richard Turere, who lives in Empakasi, on the edge of the Nairobi National Park, just south of Nairobi, has invented a system that keeps his family’s cattle safe from lions that had previously sought an easy meal from their herd.

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Martez Wright is currently serving some time in a Memphis jail. But this did not stop him from keeping his Facebook profile active via an illegal cellphone. His good run ended, however, after he uploaded a video in which he boasts about smoking weed, partying, and getting the munchies. Someone alerted the authorities and he got busted. See Martez’ on-screen antics after the jump.

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Much like Jeb Corliss took BASE jumping to new heights, a group of adrenaline-thirsty snowboarders have taken their obsession to the next level. Who would’ve guessed that ditching snowy slopes for icy glaciers would make for such amazing pictures.

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