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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.
A woman walks her daughter to school in Eikenhof, South Africa, on August 24, 2020. Photo: Reuters
Africa

Opinion | How China can help Africa build human capital

To truly harness their potential, countries across the continent seeking to industrialise must develop education and infrastructure in tandem.

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China-Africa relations

China promised zero tariffs for Africa. Why is South Africa missing out?

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Crime

Mass shooting at a South African bar leaves 11 dead, including 3 children

Donald Trump

US wipes South Africa’s G20 website clean for 2026 Trump summit

The US presidency of the G20 begins with the first-ever exclusion of a member nation.

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US President Donald Trump. Photo: AFP
G20

Ramaphosa dismisses Trump’s threat to bar South Africa from 2026 G20 summit

South Africa’s president labels Donald Trump’s repeated claims about his country as ‘misinformation’.

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China-Africa relations

China set to benefit as South Africa looks to diversify away from US

As ties with Washington deteriorate, Pretoria is ‘determined to pursue economic diplomacy’ as it pursues new markets in Asia and Europe.

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War and conflict

Zuma’s daughter quits South African parliament amid Russian mercenary scandal

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla is under investigation for allegedly recruiting South Africans for Russian mercenary roles in Ukraine.

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, arrives to appear in court on charges of terrorism in Durban, South Africa earlier this month. Photo: EPA
Asean

Opinion | In its year under Malaysia, Asean tried to set systemic reform in motion

Despite grumbles about loss of focus and misgivings about the longevity of new networks, Malaysia, ironically, perhaps didn’t go far enough.

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Donald Trump

Trump barring South Africa from next year’s G20 summit in Miami

South Africa denounces US president’s G20 ban as punitive as relations between the two nations sour.

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Diplomacy

Opinion | Why next year’s G20 could be make or break for global development

As the US prepares to chair the G20, it faces a strategic choice: engage or revert to a narrower agenda.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
China-Japan relations

Why China took Japan criticism to UN twice but did not raise it at G20

Analysts say Beijing views the UN as a platform to ‘anchor’ its position on Taiwan, particularly because it offers a wider reach.

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Fu Cong, China’s permanent representative to the UN, has described the comments of the Japanese prime minister as “gravely erroneous” and having a “profoundly malicious nature and impact”. Photo: Reuters
India

Economics above politics? India and Canada to resume trade agreement talks

While their ties plunged in 2023 over the death of a Sikh separatist, they are keen to restart trade talks due to US tariffs, analysts say.

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China-UK relations

Starmer met Premier Li Qiang at G20 in South Africa amid Beijing visit rumours

Speculation on a Beijing trip comes as Britain’s PM said he would protect UK national interests after questions about engagement with China.

Alibaba

Alibaba’s Cainiao expands service in Africa as demand for Chinese goods surges

The logistics arm of Alibaba is rolling out its small-parcel service in more parts of Africa to tap growing demand for made-in-China goods.

Cainaio is expanding in Africa to tap surging demand for made-in-China goods. Photo: Alibaba
Ukraine war

South Africa police investigate claims Zuma’s daughter in Russia recruit scheme

Men were lured with job promises, but were allegedly handed to a Russian mercenary group for Ukraine war effort.

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma, in Durban on November 11. Photo: EPA
Mainland China

China, allies drive agenda at G20 South Africa summit amid US no-show

All participants but one endorse Johannesburg Declaration focusing on African debt crises, climate initiatives and critical minerals.

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Canada

Carney: global economic ‘centre of gravity’ shifting away from US

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the world can make progress on a range of issues without the US, following consensus reached at a G20 leaders’ meeting.

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Africa

Africa attracts smaller EU nations scrambling for influence

Estonia and Finland are among those seeking to boost their presence on the continent, revamping diplomatic and trade ties over the past five years.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa speaks with EU Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen at the G20 Leaders’ Summit plenary session in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Saturday. Photo: AFP
G20

At G20, China pushes multilateralism, solidarity and free trade amid US boycott

Chinese Premier Li Qiang urges reform of major Western-led international organisations, says developing countries must have a greater voice.

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SCMP Highlights

US ‘biggest recipient’ of China debt; Beijing’s warning: SCMP daily highlights

From a study of China’s lending since 2000 to analysts’ views on Beijing’s spat with Tokyo, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

United States

Outside In | Trump’s G20 boycott sums up a year of US attacks on multilateralism

Despite the duress, most countries clearly do not prefer Trumpian unilateralism. But while multilateralism is not dead, it is limping badly.

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US President Donald Trump speaks to media aboard Air Force One on November 14, while in flight from Washington to West Palm Beach International Airport. Photo: Getty Images/TNS
G20

US boycott and China-Japan rift loom large over South Africa G20 summit

Geopolitical friction threatens to derail talks in Johannesburg, with observers saying it could be hard to reach consensus on key issues.

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Leaders are gathering in Johannesburg for the Group of 20 summit this weekend. Photo: AFP
G20

White House denies reversing G20 boycott, hits out at South African leader

Cyril Ramaphosa said the US had a last-minute change of mind, but the White House had sharp words in response.

Donald Trump

Trump administration warns South Africa not to issue G20 statement

US opposes South Africa’s G20 agenda, while Trump escalated tensions with false accusations of genocide against White Afrikaners and land grabs.

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Malaysia

Can Malaysia gain foothold in Africa against entrenched competition?

While Africa may offer ‘long-term opportunities’, analysts say Malaysia can only gain traction by focusing on areas with clear strengths.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (right) with South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa during the Asean summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 26, where both countries agreed to boost cooperation in several areas. Photo: AP
China-Africa relations

Huge security operation in place for Africa’s first G20 summit

South Africa’s G20 summit will see representatives of 42 countries meet in Johannesburg this weekend, but not the United States.

Members of the South African Presidential Protection Service salute during the Integrated Law Enforcement parade near the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg. Photo: AFP
China-EU relations

Europe seeks common ground with Indo-Pacific nations bruised by US-China rivalry

Senior officials and diplomats from Asia, Africa and the Pacific will attend a forum in Brussels. Beijing and Washington aren’t invited.

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China-Africa relations

Railway deal and a toxic spill to top agenda as Chinese premier visits Zambia

Strategically important Tazara project will be the focus for Li Qiang in Lusaka, but he could also face fallout over copper mine pollution.

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