Seems like there is an upstream cable fault (being investigated) that has caused international browsing from South Africa outward to fail.

Pings reveal failing terminations on the entry points into continental Europe and the US.

IS has reported it as follows, all others are piggy-backing (or just silent on the matter):

AFFECTED SERVICES: International Consumer ADSL
LOCATION: National
GRADE OF SERVICE IMPACT: Major
SERVICE IMPACT: Packet loss
CAUSE OF EVENT: Cause unknown
TIME: 2-12-10 07h32
OUR REF: 1-890339090
CURRENT STATUS: Investigating
ATTENDING: Upstream Service Provider
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
None