August 22, 2023
South Africa: Pomp, Pageantry and Protests As Brics Summit Begins
Delegates from across the globe arrived for the 15th BRICS Summit, taking place in Johannesburg from 22 to 24 August. As planes touched down, officials were met with flags, music… Read more »
South Africa: Babita Deokaran Killers Plead Guilty, but the Shooter and Assassination Mastermind Remain At Large
The six men received sentences ranging from six to 22 years on Tuesday, but the court and public at large are left with questions on whose instructions the six acted. The National… Read more »
South Africa: Tributes to 'National Treasure' and Broadcasting Legend Derek Watts Pour In
A consummate professional and national treasure, Carte Blanche's Derek Watts died on Tuesday at the age of 74 after a short battle with cancer. Read more »
August 21, 2023
South Africa: Trimming Reliance On the Dollar High On Brics Summit Agenda
About 40 countries have shown an interest in joining the bloc and leaders at the meeting in SA will discuss criteria for new membership and the necessary financial contributions. Read more »
South Africa: Chinese President Makes Rare Trip Abroad to Touch Many Bases in South Africa
For Xi, this rare venture outside China is an opportunity to cement relations with Pretoria, which is China's key partner in Africa, and to meet the more than 30 African heads of… Read more »
South Africa: Why Another Western Cape Taxi Strike Is Unlikely to Unfold Despite Tension After Santaco's Legal Loss
Commuters and the public can breathe a sigh of relief after the Western Cape Division of the High Court declared an agreement signed between Santaco and local government to be an… Read more »
South Africa: Cumesh Moodliar to Take the Reins At Investec Bank
In an internal promotion, Cumesh Moodliar has been appointed as the new chief executive officer of Investec Bank, taking over from Richard Wainwright on 1 April 2024. Read more »
South Africa: 'Brics Bank' Throws Weight Behind Use of Local Currencies for Trade and Financing
Although the New Development Bank has always stated its intention to increase its local currency fundraising and lending, it has rarely provided details on the mechanisms of doing… Read more »
South Africa: IMF Voting Power Doesn't Reflect What the Brics Countries Claim
Few things have been debated more thoroughly and at greater length than the IMF voting system. The current system is the product of more than a decade of negotiations. Read more »
South Africa: Families of the Five Western Cape Taxi Strike Victims Try to Pick Up the Pieces
Among those who died in the taxi strike were a 36-year-old worker from Gugulethu, an Atlantis taxi owner, a 33-year-old LEAP officer, a man transporting people to work and a… Read more »
South Africa: Reserve Bank's Phala Phala Cop-Out Puts President in the Clear
Central Bank gives Ramaphosa the final get-out of jail free card on the buffalo sale and dollar theft at his farm. Read more »
South Africa: How to Grow Rhinos in a Lab - the Science That Could Save Endangered Species
Efforts to save one species can provide scientific knowledge that enables us to save other creatures in need. Read more »
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 »