South African firebrand opposition politician Julius Malema says he has been denied a visa to attend a conference in the UK on 10 May. Malema said the UK had no “substantial justification” for its decision, and he saw it as an “attempt to silence a dissenting political perspective”. In a leaked letter to Malema’s deputy,…
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a judicial inquiry into allegations of political interference in the prosecution of apartheid-era crimes. The announcement comes three decades after the end of white-minority rule – and after a group of survivors and victims’ relatives sued Ramaphosa’s government over a perceived lack of justice. The Truth and Reconciliation…
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky is on a historic visit to South Africa, signalling a dramatic improvement in the once-strained relations between the two nations. The visit marks a diplomatic breakthrough for the Ukrainian leader in his efforts to counter Russia’s strong – and growing – influence in Africa. “I’m sure that Russia will be annoyed…
A selection of the week’s best photos from across the African continent and beyond: CEM OZDEL / GETTY IMAGES In Senegal’s capital city Dakar, Muslims belonging to the Layene Sufi order make their way to evening prayers on Friday… CEM OZDEL / GETTY IMAGES Worshippers typically dress all in white. OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT / AFP…
As he flew back from the Group of 7 allies meeting in Canada on Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio made an announcement that essentially expelled South Africa’s ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool. Mr. Rubio wrote on social media that the ambassador was a “race-baiting politician who hates America” and President Trump. He…
A selection of the week’s best photos from across the African continent and beyond: Esa Alexander / Reuters A reveller sees the bright side of life at the Cape Town Pride celebration in South Africa on Saturday. Luc Gnago / Reuters Four-year-old Maëlis Kouakou dresses up for Mardi Gras, or Shrove Tuesday, in Abidjan, Ivory…
Danai Nesta Kupemba BBC News Esa Alexander / Reuters Politicians, musicians, and celebrities arrived in their most glamorous looks for one of South Africa’s biggest political events – the State of the Nation Address (Sona), making it almost as much about fashion as politics. Sona is a joint sitting of the two houses of parliament…
Ed Habershon BBC News, Johannesburg Getty Images Ponte Tower is the tallest residential building in South Africa, and at one point became a hub of criminal activity The view is spectacular from the top of Ponte Tower, one of the most famous buildings in the South African city of Johannesburg. Built in 1975, standing almost…
The Anglican Church of Southern Africa (Acsa) has apologised for failing to protect the public from the risk posed by a prolific British child abuser who had moved to South African in 2001. Senior barrister John Smyth, who died in South Africa in 2018 at the age of 77, abused over 100 children and young…
The first wife of South Africa’s Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has failed in her legal attempt to halt his plans to take a third wife. Queen Ntokozo kaMayisela went to court ahead of what was expected to be the wedding later this week. But despite the ruling, it is not clear whether the wedding will…
