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South Africa
South Africa
The latest news, analysis and opinion on South Africa. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Iranian protesters from footage on social media validated by AP. (Photo: UGC via AP)
Diplomacy

China’s oil risks worsen as Trump threatens Iran

The US president’s suggestion of potential intervention in Iran after the fatal suppression of protests adds new jeopardy to China’s oil imports.

Hong Kong police

Editorial | Interpol meet will enable Hong Kong to bolster global crime-fighting ties

China-South Korea relations

Li Qiang and Lee Jae Myung back free trade and multilateralism in Beijing talks

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Science

China fossil unveils cross-equator migration corridor in supercontinent Pangaea

Remains of a new dicynodont species dating back over 250 million years link China and South Africa, suggesting passage of large animals.

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An artist’s rendering of the Dinanomodon guoi, a new species of dicynodont found in China’s Gansu province. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong police

Police to deepen Asean ties as Hong Kong set to host first top Interpol meeting

Police chief Joe Chow says Hong Kong’s high standing will help foster ties as city looks to host 196 member country representatives in November.

China’s military drills

China to lead joint naval drills with Brics nations in South African waters

It is the first defence cooperation under the Brics framework, with the Russian and Iranian navies reportedly taking part.

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

Opinion | Why China has moved to curb steel exports

China’s pivot to emerging markets has kept its export machine running. But frictions are growing and steel is the most visible flashpoint.

Crime

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

Manhunt under way after the second South African mass shooting in three weeks.

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

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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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the recent G20 summit in Johannesburg. Photo: AFP
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.

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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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Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim hands the gavel over to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr at the closing ceremony of the 47th Asean summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 28. The Philippines takes over as Asean chair on January 1. Photo: Xinhua
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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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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India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney speak before a meeting at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, in June. Photo: AP
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.

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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Chinese Premier Li Qiang has urged the G20 community to speed up the reform of global financial institutions, and reaffirmed Beijing’s support for debt relief for developing countries while rejecting “unilateralism and protectionism”. Photo: Handout
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.

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.

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