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ALL ARTICLES SOUTH AFRICA

Diplomacy 29/09/2022

South Africa resists expanding BRICS bloc

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, 16 September 2022. © Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

Energy 28/09/2022

PetroSA and oil ministry feel industry pressure over South Africa petroleum bill

With the adoption of a new oil law still far off, companies are losing patience - and missing no opportunity to take the state oil company and energy ministry to task over the project. [...]

Diplomacy 27/09/2022

Brazil names new Cape Town consul to appease South Africa after Bolsonaro gaffe

President Bolsonaro's attempt last year to appoint a political ally as ambassador to Pretoria went badly wrong and led to turbulent relations between the two countries. The appointment of a new Brazilian consul in Cape Town aims to further ease the tension. [...]

Diplomacy 27/09/2022

Who is on the shortlist to be France's next ambassador to South Africa?

Since mid-September, the French foreign ministry has been studying applications from those in the running to be France's next ambassador to South Africa, following current ambassador Aurélien Lechevallier's appointment as head of the Direction générale de la mondialisation (DGM). The ministry has drawn up a shortlist of three candidates. [...]

Politics Diplomacy 26/09/2022

Ramaphosa takes active stance against Africa's "Anti-Russia bill" on Washington trip

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa met his US counterpart Joe Biden in Washington on 16 September 2022. © Pete Marovich - Pool via CNP/picture alliance / Consolidated News Photos/Newscom/MaxPPP

Politics 22/09/2022

Portugal overhauls its Africa policy team

The Portuguese foreign ministry has decided to overhaul its entire Africa department just months after its first change of boss since 2015. [...]

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Politics 20/09/2022

Ramaphosa irked by constitutional court president

South Africa's head of state, who is due to release his anti-corruption plan in a month, did not take kindly to comments by Raymond Zondo, who vehemently defends the work of his commission of enquiry. [...]

South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa in Germany, 27 June 2022.

Running story Politics

The fight against corruption: after the Zondo commission, what next for Ramaphosa?

South Africa's commission on "state capture", set up in 2018 and led by judge Raymond Zondo, interrogated around 300 witnesses over the rampant corruption and misuse of public funds that allegedly occurred under Jacob Zuma's reign, from 2009 to 2018. [...]

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa appears on behalf of the ruling party African National Congress (ANC) at the Zondo Commission of Inquiry in Johannesburg, South Africa, 12 August 2021.

Politics Diplomacy 19/09/2022

South Africa appoints 11 new ambassadors

Most of the changes at the top of foreign missions are in Africa and involve both career diplomats and political appointees. [...]

Defence 16/09/2022

AAD arms expo dominated by Turkish, Chinese and Russian suppliers

The 2022 Africa Aerospace & Defence (AAD) expo, slated for 21-25 September at Waterkloof airbase on the outskirts of Pretoria, will host a strong showing of Turkish firms. [...]

Defence Diplomacy 15/09/2022

Washington launches charm offensive for Ramaphosa visit

Joe Biden will receive his South African counterpart at the White House on 16 September. High on their talks agenda will be boosting links between the two countries, as the battle of influence rages between the United States and Russia to win over South Africa. [...]

Joe Biden talks with South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa during G7 summit in Carbis Bay, Cornwall, Britain, 12 June, 2021.

SpotlightPolitics Diplomacy 14/09/2022

Pretoria's thwarted plans for the DRC

After the SADC summit, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa remains wary of his Congolese counterpart Félix Tshisekedi, who has distanced himself from Pretoria in favour of new countries like Kenya. [...]

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (L) shaking hands with the president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Felix Tshisekedi (R) during the Southern African Development Community (SADC) 42nd Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Kinshasa, DRC, 17 August 2022.

Politics 14/09/2022

With Ramaphosa enquiry, Advocate Gcaleka seeks to restore image of Public Protector institution

Suspended public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has had to leave the institution in the hands of her deputy, Kholeka Gcaleka, who is fighting to restore the institution's credibility after serious questions were raised about its capacity to remain unbiased. [...]

Politics 12/09/2022

Battle Royale in works at Constitutional Court

The appointment of Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya to the highest court in South Africa on 1st September is shaking up the informal organisation put in place by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. He is set to retire in 2024. [...]

The South African Constitutional Court in session, 22 June 2017.

Inner circles Politics 09/09/2022

How key ANC body steers South Africa's foreign policy Free

At its conference in December, delegates from the ruling party will vote on a range of new national measures. Led by Lindiwe Zulu, the ANC's powerful international relations sub-committee is once again set to impose its will on the executive, with implications for Israel, Russia and Western Sahara. [...]

Lindiwe Zulu, chairperson of the ANC foreign policy sub-committee.

Running story Politics

The ANC's fierce leadership contest

Cyril Ramaphosa has led South Africa since 2018, when he pushed out Jacob Zuma, and the president hopes to secure a second term as head of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) following the party's internal election in December 2022. [...]

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa.

Politics 07/09/2022

Ramaphosa under threat from ANC Treasurer Paul Mashatile

Some Cyril Ramaphosa allies fear that the president's chances of re-election in the December ANC conference have been weakened by scandal. The ANC Treasurer General Paul Mashatile, a shrewd tactician, intends to take advantage of this. [...]

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the African National Congress in Johannesburg on 31 July 2022.

Diplomacy 06/09/2022

US senators and Russian Rosneft executives' near miss at Kruger Park

A delegation of US officials visiting the famous game reserve Kruger Park had an unexpected encounter. A private jet carrying representatives of the Russian oil giant Rosneft was on the tarmac of the park's airport as they were about to leave. [...]

Energy 05/09/2022

Time ticking on TotalEnergies' goal to achieve first gas on 11B/12B by 2027

The French major has no time to lose if it is to achieve its goal of starting production on the South African offshore block by 2026-2027. There are still the rights, final investment decision, pipeline connection and numerous other administrative and logistical tasks to work out. [...]

TotalEnergies' gas delivery plan for Mossel bay.

Diplomacy 01/09/2022

ACCORD, Pretoria's mediator of choice

The conflict management organisation ACCORD, led by South African Vasu Gounden, is helping to facilitate negotiations in the South Sudanese peace process. Close to the ANC, it is also active in Lesotho and Eswatini. [...]

Diplomacy 30/08/2022

Pretoria's vested interest in keeping Russia close

Pro-Moscow ministers are stepping up efforts to boost relations between both countries. They are succeeding in shifting the neutral stance advocated by President Cyril Ramaphosa. [...]

Infrastructures 25/08/2022

Oppenheimer family sees opportunity in VIP terminal's uncertain future

Faced with the withdrawal of Denel, Fireblade Aviation - owned by Oppenheimer Generations - needs to negotiate a new lease with the South African Airports Company. At stake is the continued use of the luxury private-jet owners terminal in Johannesburg. [...]

Business 24/08/2022