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South Africa
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South Africa

South Africa
South Africa
The latest news, analysis and opinion on South Africa. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at a budget committee session at the National Diet in Tokyo on Thursday. Her trip to India later this year would be part of the two nations’ practice of reciprocal visits by their leaders. Photo: AFP
Japan

Japan’s PM Takaichi eyes India trip for talks with leader Modi

The leaders plan to discuss strengthening supply chains of critical goods given concerns about China.

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United States

US to slash number of embassies in Africa that process visas

Crime

Murder probe launched after tourists found killed in South Africa national park

China-Africa relations

Will Zimbabwe’s lithium strategy help it break into the value-adding game?

Arcadia starts processing Chinese lithium in hopes of snapping the ‘digging and shipping’ cycle following Harare’s raw mineral export ban.

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A worker inspects an open cast at the Arcadia lithium mine in Goromonzi, Zimbabwe. Photo: Getty Images
Science

China confirms death of hypersonic weapon expert Fang Daining in South Africa

The Chinese Academy of Sciences has announced Fang’s death, confirming an SCMP report in March.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

AI | China’s Ganfeng secures orders amid surge in demand for energy storage, AI boom

Company says its orders are booked through the first half of 2027 as it plans to increase production volume by 50 per cent next year.

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Indonesia

Police raids reveal Indonesia as new hub for scam, gambling syndicates

Hundreds of foreigners have been arrested in Indonesia recently following crackdowns against crime groups in Cambodia and Myanmar.

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Foreign nationals suspected of running an online gambling operation at an office building in Jakarta await transport after being arrested in the Indonesian capital on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
Diplomacy

Opinion | Just because Brics isn’t a coherent bloc doesn’t mean it’s impotent

The grouping has a future, not as a binding structure demanding policy alignment but as a tool for members to enhance leverage and maximise options.

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Cyril Ramaphosa

South Africa’s Ramaphosa defies calls to resign over ‘cash-in-sofa’ scandal

President pledges to fight misconduct charges after a ruling by the nation’s top court resurrected the scandal.

China-Africa relations

Why China’s new duty-free access is a lifeline for South African exporters

South African trade is pivoting to China as US tariffs bite, but Chinese industrial dominance poses a new dilemma.

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Chinese customs officers inspect South African apples at Shenzhen Bay port on April 30, just before a new zero-tariff arrangement took effect. Photo: Xinhua
Spain

Spain to repatriate guests as hantavirus-hit cruise ship heads for Canaries

The MV Hondius is expected to reach the port of Granadilla on the island of Tenerife on Sunday.

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Members of the media await the arrival of the cruise ship MV Hondius at the port of Granadilla on the island of Tenerife, Spain, on Friday. Photo: Reuters
Singapore

Asia faces low hantavirus risk as Singapore isolates 2 from cruise over cases

Eight hantavirus cases linked to the cruise have been reported so far, including three deaths, the WHO says.

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China-Latin America relations

Lula won’t sideline China on rare earths, tells Trump refining stays in Brazil

In a three-hour White House meeting on Thursday, Brazil’s president pitched his country’s minerals to all comers.

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Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong seeks more details from WHO on hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship

Health authorities say they are taking a ‘proactive and precautionary’ approach to safeguarding city despite low global health risk.

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Early signs of the virus include flu-like symptoms such as fever, headaches and muscle pain. Photo: Hans R. Gelderblom/RKI/dpa
Disease

Nations race to trace passengers of hantavirus-hit cruise ship

Cruise operator says 29 passengers left the MV Hondius in St Helena on April 24, after the first death.

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A person in a white hazmat suit disembarks a medical aircraft in Amsterdam on Wednesday. Photo: ANP via AFP
Singapore

Singapore isolates 2 residents linked to cruise ship hantavirus outbreak

If the two men test positive for hantavirus, they will remain in hospital for monitoring and treatment.

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Disease

Deadly hantavirus may have spread between humans on cruise, but risk low: WHO

The MV Hondius will be sailing to Spain’s Canary Islands, where the 150 people on board will be examined, cared for and sent home.

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China-Africa relations

Ni hao, new hire: Africa’s growing Mandarin job boom

While Chinese firms have long brought their own translators to the continent, they are now often hiring local linguists.

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A Chinese language class underway at the Confucius Institute of the University of Lagos in Nigeria. Recent job posts on a leading social media networking site reveal continent-wide demand for Mandarin skills in sectors including real estate, mining, hospitality, healthcare and manufacturing. Photo: Xinhua
US-China relations

Letters | China’s stance on Iran war has strengthened its global position

Readers discuss how the world perceives China, and the work to be done to prevent rape.

China-Africa relations

China cuts tariffs on African goods but is it enough to close the trade gap?

Analysts urge Beijing to invest in Africa’s industrial capacity to reduce its substantial trade deficit and create a more balanced relationship.

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US-China relations

Minerals over ideology? US moves to break China’s rare earths grip

Washington under Trump is eager to secure alternative supplies, but Beijing’s dominance appears too strong to break soon, observers say.

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A front-end loader transports phosphogypsum in Phalaborwa, South Africa, site of a US-funded rare earths project. Photo: AP
Africa

Mali turmoil tests Russia’s image as a security guarantor in Africa

Large-scale attacks targeting Mali’s military government pose a serious threat to Russian strategic and economic interests.

A monument for the Malian army in Bamako. Over the weekend, separatist rebels as well as jihadists launched the largest assault on the country in nearly 15 years. Photo: AFP
Expeditions and adventures

2 guys, 1 Reliant Robin and a long road trip to Cape Town – what could go wrong?

22,500km, 22 countries, 1 Reliant Robin. Two friends’ intercontinental road trip was risky and rewarding. But why embark on such a journey?

Rare earths

Trump backs US$50 million investment for South Africa rare earths

Despite a rift with South Africa, the current Trump administration has proceeded with the project to broaden US access to critical minerals.

China-Africa relations

China steps up aid to Africa but huge funding gap left by Trump’s cuts remains

Beijing’s efforts in food and medical relief, a sector traditionally dominated by US programmes, could partly fill the void, observers said.

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Togo has been a recipient of emergency food aid from China. Photo: Xinhua
Donald Trump

Russia’s Lavrov says balance of power shifting to emerging economies

At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, Lavrov said the foundations of globalisation powered primarily by the US had ‘come to an end’.

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks during a session at Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, Turkey on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
Donald Trump

South African politician sentenced to 5 years for firing rifle at rally

Julius Malema faces disqualification as a lawmaker if his appeal fails following a conviction for firing a rifle at a 2018 rally.

China-Africa relations

Why China’s trade with Africa benefits from Trump’s policy volatility

Continent is China’s fastest growing export market in first quarter of 2026, with machinery and hi-tech shipments leading US$60 billion surge.

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