Southern Africa

The literary world is mourning the loss of the illustrious Struggle poet, esteemed publisher, and gifted writer James Matthews, who peacefully passed away in his sleep at his Cape Town residence. He graced us with his presence for 95 remarkable years. Matthews's poignant poetry faced banishment under the oppressive apartheid regime, exposing him to relentless intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and the stifling of his artistic expression. His work vividly echoed the hardships and realities faced by Cape Town’s marginalized…

At the 2024 Paralympic Games, a remarkable accomplishment unfolded as ten African nations stood proudly on the podium, collectively clinching a total of 23 gold medals across eight countries. This achievement highlights the growing prowess of athletes from the continent in various sporting disciplines. On this grand stage, Morocco distinguished itself as the standout performer, amassing an impressive haul of 15 medals. Yet, it was Algeria that stole the spotlight with a remarkable six golds, marking its dominance in the…

In an unexpected turn of events, former President Ian Khama has returned to Botswana after almost three years spent in voluntary exile. His comeback comes at a tumultuous time, as he confronts a staggering 14 charges, including unlawful firearm possession and allegations of money laundering. Khama, who now heads a splinter opposition party known as the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF), staunchly refutes these accusations. He maintains that they are rooted in political vendettas rather than factual misconduct. Khama’s…

Pravin Gordhan, the former minister and notable anti-apartheid campaigner, has passed away. His legacy is celebrated for his unwavering integrity, exceptional leadership, and courage in combating state capture. Gordhan held the position of Minister of Finance for two significant periods: first from 2009 to 2014, and then again from 2015 to 2017. He also took on the role of Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from 2014 to 2015, followed by his service as Minister of Public Enterprises from February…

Farai Maguwu, the Director at the Center for Natural Resource Governance, has voiced strong apprehensions over such a proposal to cull elephants. He fears it would meet with intense backlash, reminiscent of the uproar following Namibia's similar decision. In Zimbabwe, approximately 100,000 elephants roam the land; however, the ecosystem can realistically support around 45,000. Complicating matters further, Zimbabwe faces restrictions on the sale of these majestic creatures due to the regulations set forth by the Convention…

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa declared that Pretoria will steadfastly pursue its genocide case against Israel for alleged atrocities in Gaza. He announced that fresh evidence will be submitted to the World Court next month. This case, lodged by South Africa in December, accuses Israel of violating the 1948 U.N. Genocide Convention through attacks in Gaza. These attacks are claimed to indiscriminately hit schools, refugee shelters, hospitals, soup kitchens, aid workers, and designated safe zones. "We are…

Shifting Power Dynamics in South Africa's Parliament The African National Congress (ANC), South Africa's longstanding ruling party, appears poised to relinquish its majority status after securing approximately 41% of the votes, based on 85% of ballots tallied, as reported by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). Should these figures hold true in the final tally this weekend, while the ANC would remain the largest party, it would need to seek partnerships in parliament to maintain its hold on power. These…

South Africa Seeks Urgent Measures from ICJ to Protect Palestinians in Rafah

How can African companies be helped in the context of an international crisis? How to promote investment and trade on the continent despite the disorganization of the value chains on the continent? These are some of the assignments for International Finance Corporation (IFC), the leading development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. Its CEO, Makhtar Diop, gave an interview to RFI to describe his actions and his…

It is the end of a year of excitement for the Zulu people. After the death of King Goodwill Zwelithin in March 2021, the coronation of Prince Misuzulu is approaching. Part of the family questioned in court his accession to the throne that the queen had…