August 21, 2023
South Africa: Ramaphosa Performs a Balancing Act Between West and South Africa's Geopolitical Stance Ahead of Brics Summit
President Cyril Ramaphosa endorsed the expansion of BRICS and continued partnership between members of the forum ahead of this week's summit in Sandton. He also indicated that… Read more »
South Africa: Multi-Party Charter Is a Headache for the ANC - But Still Has to Weather Many Storms
The formation of the Multi-Party Charter for SA has the potential to be the start of a massive new dynamic in our politics. While there is still a great deal of work to do, this… Read more »
South Africa: Police Criticised By No-Nonsense Judge in Meyiwa Murder Trial
This week, the state made inroads in its bid to link at least one of the five men accused of shooting Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa to the murder. But the judge also… Read more »
South Africa: United Democratic Front 40th Anniversary Celebration Stresses Need for Active Citizenry
There was a jubilant and reflective atmosphere at the 40th-anniversary commemoration of the United Democratic Front, with calls for active citizenry and community mobilisation. Read more »
August 20, 2023
South Africa: Ramaphosa Likely to Use Brics Summit As a Platform to Position Himself As a Winner At Home and Abroad
President Cyril Ramaphosa will use this week's BRICS Summit to position himself as a global statesman and a shoo-in for a second term after the 2024 election. With an expected 40… Read more »
South Africa: IEC Raises Concerns Over Impact Independent Candidate Concourt Cases Could Have On Poll Timelines
IEC chairman Sy Mamabolo says that it must prepare for elections at the 'earliest possible date', which is 22 May. But it won't be able to do this until the issue of how… Read more »
Africa: Morocco Furiously Denies South African Claim That It Has Sought Membership of Brics
Rabat also insists it will not attend the BRICS Summit this week 'at any level whatsoever'. Read more »
South Africa: Platinum Group Metal Sector's Woes Get Worse After Prices Plummet
A really bad week for platinum group metals and Chinese property has repercussions for SA's National Treasury. Read more »
South Africa: Wholesale Review of Immigration Regimen May See South Africa (Temporarily) Exit UN Convention On Refugees
South Africa could drop out from the United Nations refugee convention, while also repealing its domestic refugee, immigration and citizenship laws in efforts to 'reshape the… Read more »
South Africa: Application for Class Action Suit Over Lung Disease Filed Against Oxygen-Deprived Coal Sector
Richard Spoor, who spearheaded the R5bn silicosis class action settlement against South Africa's gold sector, is now targeting the coal industry over occupational lung disease. It… Read more »
August 19, 2023
South Africa: Delivery of Crucial Services Under Threat After Treasury Desperately Calls for Public 'Fiscal Consolidation'
To prevent a total collapse in the country's finances, National Treasury has told all government departments in provinces that no new spending will be allocated to them. The… Read more »
August 17, 2023
South Africa: Activists Celebrate as Court Orders Covid-19 Vaccine Contracts to Be Made Public
Several civil society organisations fighting for transparency in the procurement of Covid vaccines by the South African government celebrated on Thursday after the Gauteng Division… Read more »
South Africa: Opposition Multi-Party Charter Agrees On Key Power-Sharing Principles
All parties involved in the Multi-Party Charter for South Africa signed a pre-election agreement, which covers their vision, priorities and shared governing principles. They also… Read more »
August 16, 2023
South Africa: Country's First Royal Ballet Principal Dancer Johaar Mosaval Dies
Johaar Mosaval has passed away. Born in Cape Town's District Six, he was South Africa's first black principal dancer at England's Royal Ballet. Mosaval performed on international… Read more »
South Africa: Fear, Violence and Extortion in Cape Town - Luxury Venue Closes Amid Claims of Gangsterism and Threats
The Ayepyep Lifestyle Lounge in Cape Town, marketed as a luxury venue, recently closed its doors following claims and counterclaims about gangsterism, business shares and life… Read more »
South Africa: Consumers Fight the Inflation Dragon With Blunt Sword of Debt
Although consumers undoubtedly sighed with relief when the South African Reserve Bank put a brake on the increasing interest rates in July, it was not much of a reprieve for… Read more »
South Africa: India Not Opposed to Brics Expansion - If the Criteria for Membership Are 'Clearly Defined'
While India and Brazil have been reportedly concerned that expanding BRICS membership will dilute their influence in the bloc, India's external affairs minister says the country… Read more »
South Africa: SA House Price Growth Slows in July, Average Bond Amount Falls in Q2 for First Time in 14 Years - FNB
The FNB House Price Index saw growth slow to 1.1% in July, down from a revised 1.6% in June, as household incomes remain pressured by high interest rates and a fragile economy. For… Read more »
South Africa: Wealth Inequality Has Increased Markedly Over Past Two Decades - Report
Wealth inequality in South Africa has risen significantly over the past two decades, according to the latest UBS Global Wealth Report published this week. Read more »
South Africa: ActionSA Scores a Victory At National Coalition Convention
On the first day of the national convention on coalitions, ActionSA appeared to score a victory by inviting the Patriotic Alliance to participate in further talks on how a broad… Read more »
South Africa: South Africa Moves to Protect Airspace Ahead of Brics Summit
Plans have been rolled out to tighten security and ensure that all the international guests at the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg are able to travel without any risks. Read more »
South Africa: The Brics Summit in Johannesburg - What's It All About?
The BRICS bloc of emerging economies -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- will hold its 15th summit in Johannesburg next week. Here's what you need to know. Read more »
South Africa: Bheki Cele Defends SAPS in Parliament While Assault Case Against Paul Mashatile's Protectors Continues
Commenting in Parliament on the case against the eight officers attached to Deputy President Paul Mashatile's protection unit, Police Minister Bheki Cele clarified that Mashatile… Read more »
South Africa: Chris Hani Baragwanath Runs Out of Life-Saving Adrenaline After Gauteng Switches Suppliers
After doctors reported that the last vial of Adrenaline at Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital was used up this week, the supplier, Pharma-Q, blamed load shedding for its failure to… Read more »
August 15, 2023
South Africa: Seven Opposition Parties to Kick Off National Coalition Convention
Following weeks of discussions, seven opposition parties vying to take power after the 2024 elections are set to participate in a national coalition convention in Kempton Park. Who… Read more »