South Africa

The New Guard
South Africa, Morocco, Sudan

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

South AfricaJaco-Louis du Plessis, soldier turned business diplomacy consultant

MoroccoAsmaa Chakir Alaoui, queen of the pros on two wheels

SudanHozaifa Elsiddig, art against arms

Start-up delay confirmed for new state oil company SANPC

A number of obstacles have stood in the way of the South African National Petroleum Co, an entity that suffers in particular from a lack of funding.

Cyril Ramaphosa's impossible task to appoint new ambassador in the US

Deputy Justice Minister Andries Carl Nel is being considered, among other potential candidates, to take over the South African embassy in Washington given current diplomatic tensions. But this nomination risks destabilising an already fragile government coalition.

Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala's AfDB presidency campaign under the radar

South Africa's Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala is still hoping to chair the African Development Bank, despite her country's official support for her Zambian rival, economist Samuel Munzele Maimbo.

Gunvor wavers on fund to help fuel its Shell stations purchase

The Swiss trading company Gunvor is bidding to buy Shell's petrol stations in South Africa, but has yet to finalise its choice of local partner. The Matasis fund is now being considered.

Pretoria sends mission to Washington to save its trade, with AGOA under threat

Faced with the threat of his country being excluded from the economically beneficial African Growth and Opportunity Act, President Cyril Ramaphosa has asked four of his closest aides to lead a delegation to the US.

Sesakho Magadla's return as PetroSA boss dismays employees

Magadla's appointment as PetroSA acting CEO has sparked concern within the country's national oil company. Managers reproach her over failed negotiations with TotalEnergies and for signing controversial contracts when head of operations for the group.

Finance minister mulls resignation over contested VAT hike

Enoch Godongwana of the African National Congress is under pressure after the Democratic Alliance, the ANC’s most important partner in the government of national unity, rejected his budget on 19 February.

Mantashe's empty promises about new mining cadastre

Mineral Resources Gwede Mantashe’s officials believe they will not be able to meet the June 2025 deadline for South Africa's new online mining cadastre to come into service, despite the minister's claims that it will be ready on time.