Fool me once: The best April Fools' jokes of 2025
April Fools’ Day 2025 has kept us on our toes with the most outrageous pranks, from stolen waterfalls to spicy skincare. Catch up on some of the best (and hottest) pranks from this year.
It’s April 1, 2025. So, you know what that means? We’re officially 25% through the year. Oh, and it’s April Fools, which means you should’ve been sceptical of anything and everything you’ve heard or read today.
Maybe you woke up to a message from from your uncle saying that the SABC is launching an ad-free channel, or someone forwarded a voice note claiming that petrol prices just dropped below R20 (so not cool).
Whatever weird news you’ve come across today, chances are it was all a joke.
Here’s our round up of the best April Fools' jokes we’ve come across today – and we’re telling you that they were indeed pranks.
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1. Korea is not suing South Africa for the bunny chow
East Coast Breakfast confidently announced the shocking news that South Korea was suing South Africa for the name of Durban’s most loved delicacy – the bunny chow.
In a blog published at 6 am, a whole story was created around South Korea having an issue with the name as it was too similar to the Buneechô region in Korea. It's not even a real place.
In fact, there is no such thing as the South African Culinary Standards Authority and Dr Reshma Naidoo was none other than Annalakshmi. So, you can rest assured that bunny chow is still bunny chow.
If you believed it though, consider yourself fooled.
2. Howick Falls is not moving to Pietermartizburg
In what might be the biggest water heist since Moses parted the Red Sea, Pietermaritzburg officials supposedly approved a secret plan to steal the uMngeni River, rerouting it from Howick Falls to leave the town high and dry.
The news sent Howick officials into full-blown panic mode, with one senior uMngeni official calling it “outrageous” and vowing to fight for their beloved falls. Meanwhile, Pietermaritzburg engineers claimed they weren’t “annexing” anything – just letting gravity do the work.
Although, before you start planning a road trip to see PMB’s new “thunderous” attraction… take a deep breath. It was all an April Fools’ joke.
Well played, The Witness.
3. Mxit isn’t making a comeback – Eskom is just a “Push”
The legendary app we all "love", EskomSePush, gave many of us a fright by announcing the return of the iconic social media platform, Mxit. They seemingly paid homage to the app by redesigning the ESP platform to resemble the retro Mxit look.
In an exclusive Open Letter, they announced the return of the chatroom app, retro blurry profile pictures and the pixelated heart. The nostalgia got many of us excited and reminiscing about the good old days (when petrol was still R6/l).
Sadly though, as much as we’d all love to go back to those simple times, it was just a prank.
No Mxit for you – just another April Fools' joke.
4. Cake it easy, everyone. It’s a joke
Krispy Kreme made a shocking announcement this morning to say they’re discontinuing the iconic Cheesecake donut in Mzansi. Whaaaatt??
According to Krispy Kreme, Tiaan, Phindile, Lerato, Prishana, Andrew, and many others DM’d to request the return of this donut.
Unfortunately for them, they were fooled! There’s no way we’re losing the cheesecake donut – or are we?
5. Fraser Street Park is still alive and well
Mourners supposedly gathered today to mark a historic moment, saying goodbye not just to loved ones, but to Fraser Street Park itself.
According to a Facebook announcement by Chris Pappas, Mayor of uMngeni Municipality, the beloved community space had been sold and was set to become Howick’s newest cemetery due to limited burial space.
Thankfully, this was all dead wrong! Pappas was just having a little April Fools’ fun.
So don’t worry, Fraser Street Park is definitely still a place for the living.
6. Sea Harvest isn’t bottling sea water
“Why settle for regular water when you can hydrate with the pure, salty essence of the sea?”
Sea Harvest announced they’re launching Sea Water – untamed hydration straight from the deep Atlantic.
According to their announcement, this isn’t just any water; it’s pure, wild-caught, and 100% organic hydration straight from the deep Atlantic, packed with natural electrolytes and minerals.
The company promised it to be the ultimate thirst-quencher, best served icy cold at 2°C – because who needs plain water when you can drink straight from the ocean?
However, before you start reaching for a bottle (or worrying about your sodium intake), take a breath. This was an April Fools’ joke! No one’s bottling the Benguela current just yet.
Well played, Sea Harvest. You really had us hooked!
7. The new Suzuki two-wheel, four-wheel-drive Slimny
Suzuki Australia had us all doing a double take with their latest “innovation” – the Suzuki Slimny.
Billed as the world’s first two-wheel, four-wheel drive, the Slimny is a narrower, sleeker version of the beloved Jimny, designed to squeeze through tight spots – even down most corridors.
This collaboration between Suzuki Motorcycles and Suzuki Automobiles promised all the off-road capability of the Jimny, just… with less width.
Sadly, this was all an April Fools’ joke. No ultra-slim off-roader is hitting the market. But admit it… you kinda wish it was real.
Well played, Suzuki.
8. The only moisturiser that can make you hotter
Just when you thought skincare couldn’t get any hotter, Tabasco announced a body lotion guaranteed to light things up.
Tabasco promised “tasty results” with this moisturiser, making even the blandest of us much hotter. Although, this fiery moisturiser did leave fans wondering if it would leave them glowing – or just burning.
Luckily, this was all an April Fools’ joke and no one needs to worry about accidentally turning their skincare routine into a hot sauce challenge.
Nice try, Tabasco – our skin thanks you.
So there you have it. Another April Fools’ Day full of jaw-dropping pranks, fake announcements, and moments that made us question everything.
As we hit the 25% mark of 2025, remember if something sounds too good (or too outrageous) to be true, it probably is.
Whether you’ve been caught out or you’ve been playing the fool, laughter is always the best way to get through the day.
Happy April Fools’ Day, everyone! Keep those pranks coming, but maybe… let’s leave the spicy moisturisers and sea water hydration for next year.
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