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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.
Boys stand in a field during traditional Xhosa male circumcision ceremonies into manhood in Qunu, South Africa, in June 2013. Photo: AP
Africa

41 young men die in South Africa from circumcision procedures

The procedures were done as part of traditional initiation, a rite of passage into manhood for young men from various ethnic groups.

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China economy

Opinion | Why China has moved to curb steel exports

Crime

Multiple gunmen open fire at South Africa pub, killing 9 and wounding 10

China-Africa relations

Entrepreneurs vie for Africa’s Business Heroes titles in start-up bonanza

Record 32,000 applications from 54 nations vie for seventh Africa’s Business Heroes awards to recognise 100 start-ups over 10 years.

A record 32,000 entrepreneurs applied for the 7th Africa’s Business Heroes competition in Kigali, Rwanda, on December 13, 2025. Photo: Handout
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?

Botswana, Lesotho and Namibia also miss out on duty-free treatment over fellow trade bloc member eSwatini’s diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

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Crime

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

Police say shootings at illegal taverns are becoming a serious problem, and over 11,000 such establishments have been shut down recently.

Police speak to a resident at Saulsville Hostel in Atteridgeville on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
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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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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Pretoria is trying to secure investment and new market access for South African goods, particularly in manufacturing and agriculture. Photo: China News Service via Getty Images
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.

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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.

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.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives for the second day of the G20 Leaders’ Summit at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg on Sunday. Photo: AFP
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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