South Africa

The Taiwanese government has firmly declined South Africa's request to shift its representative office from Pretoria to Johannesburg. This demand followed pressure from China, which had urged the South African administration to complete the relocation by the end of October. Speaking on behalf of Taiwan, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung emphasized the importance of honoring a 1997 agreement. That year marked a significant turning point; Pretoria officially severed diplomatic ties with Taipei but allowed Taiwan to retain its…

South Africa is currently grappling with a profound water crisis, a situation deeply entrenched in failing infrastructure, sluggish governmental action, and a staggering lack of access to clean water for countless individuals. This predicament jeopardizes not only public health but also the socioeconomic fabric of the nation. Consider the eThekwini Municipality, where a staggering 54% of water revenue is lost due to leaks, theft, and unbilled usage. Without prompt repairs to these leaks, residents might face ongoing water…

Some conspiracy enthusiasts posit that mpox was engineered by a shadowy elite aiming to reduce populations and reap profits for "big pharma." According to these theories, individuals who get vaccinated against mpox are doomed to suffer from heart attacks and a host of other grave illnesses. As highlighted by Helen McCarthy in The Conversation Africa, these conspiracies often focus on the LGBTQ+ community, casting suspicion and fear upon them. Misinformation about mpox is blooming, reminiscent of the early stages of the…

In South Africa, the battle for women's rights has reached a new crescendo, with dedicated activists rallying against the anticipated performance of the controversial U.S. artist, Chris Brown. The advocacy group, Women For Change, has initiated a petition aimed at urging both the government and concert promoters to reevaluate the decision to host him in December. The petition articulates a clear demand: the Department of Home Affairs should revoke Brown's visa, thereby preventing him from entering the country altogether.…

Tributes are flooding in for Tito Mboweni, the former Governor of the Reserve Bank and South Africa's Labour and Finance Minister, who sadly passed away following a brief illness. He was 65 years old. Mboweni's political journey began in South Africa’s first democratically elected Cabinet, where he held the position of Minister of Labour from 1994 to 1999. He later took the helm as the Governor of the South African Reserve Bank, serving from 1999 until 2009. His tenure in government culminated in his role as Minister of…

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has opted not to pursue charges against President Cyril Ramaphosa or anyone involved in the Phala Phala affair, which originated from a criminal complaint lodged by former intelligence official Arthur Fraser back in 2022. Known colloquially as "Farmgate," the controversy erupted when Fraser accused Ramaphosa of covering up the theft of $4 million after a burglary at the president's Phala Phala game farm. The president firmly rejected these allegations, asserting that the funds taken…

A trio of fascinating new marine species has recently been unearthed within the extraordinary waters of South Africa, influenced by the intricate dance of the Benguela and Agulhas currents. These discoveries include the charming "walking sponge" (Suberites ambulodomos), a minuscule clam (Brachiomya ducentiunus), and an elusive parasitic isopod (Pseudionella pumulaensis). Jannes Landschoff provided these insights in an article for The Conversation Africa. Though these organisms may be diminutive, their impact on marine…

In recent days, a passionate group of environmental advocates filled the streets of Sandton and Cape Town, South Africa, making a resounding call for a boycott of an event known as Africa Energy Week, or Africa Oil Week, happening in Cape Town this week. Following a protest in Cape Town that drew inspiration from horror themes, activist Lisa Makaula had a conversation with Bush Radio’s Renato van Schalkwyk. Makaula emphasized the urgent need for the government to pivot its investments towards renewable energy sources,…

In a significant turn of events, the former Chief Financial Officer of Steinhoff, Ben la Grange, has been handed a prison sentence of 10 years, with half of that time suspended. This sentence comes after La Grange pleaded guilty to a singular fraud charge linked to a staggering amount of R367 million. The stipulation for the suspended sentence mandates that La Grange must stay clear of any future fraud convictions during this period. Additionally, he is required to serve as a witness for the state in any upcoming…

Authorities have taken one individual into custody for interrogation regarding the tragic mass shooting in Lusikisiki, in which 18 lives were lost in the Eastern Cape. This horrific incident unfolded at a homestead within Ngobozana village, where a family was in the midst of preparing for a traditional ritual. This ceremony was designed to signify the conclusion of a mourning period for a mother and daughter who had been tragically killed in August of the previous year. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his…