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Has South Africa Truly Defeated Apartheid? U.S.A., 2020 – 63% U.K., 2019 – 62% 60% 49% 40% 20% 1994 2004 2014 2019 Sources: Collette Schulz-Herzenberg, "The South African non-voter: An analysis"; Konrad Adenaur Stiftung, 2020 (South Africa); Pew Research (United States and U.K.)On a continent where coups, autocrats and flawed elections have become common, South Africa is a widely admired exception. −4% −6% Sources: Harvard Growth Lab analysis of World Economic Outlook (South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa) and World Development Indicators (upper-middle-income countries). 50% unemployment rate 40% Black unemployment rate 30% The unemployment gap between Black and white South Africans remains wide. In 2022, about 6 percent of South Africans aged 18 to 29 were enrolled in higher education, according to Statistics South Africa.

Persons: Nelson Mandela, they’ve, Collette Schulz, Konrad Adenaur Stiftung, —, Walter Sisulu, Joao Silva, New York Times Jack Martins, ”, Mandela’s, Wandile Sihlobo, Johann Kirsten, Sihlobo, Kirsten, haven’t, Zinhle Nene, Peter Mokoena, “, Mokoena, Nokuthula Mabe, Mabe, Jacob Zuma, Chrispin Phiri, Cyril Ramaphosa, Israel, Sibusiso Zikode, Zikode, Mr Organizations: African National Congress, Pew Research, Human Sciences Research, World Bank, Black South, Charter, New York Times, University of Cape Town’s Liberty Institute of Strategic Marketing, Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Economic Empowerment, South, Harvard, Economic, Government, Black, Mr, Stellenbosch University . White, Statistics, Security, JOHANNESBURG Jobs, JOHANNESBURG Sandton Downtown, West University, Education, Statistics South, General Household Survey, of, Stellenbosch University, Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services, Institute for Security Studies, International Court of Justice Locations: Africa, South Africa, Black, States, Soweto, Kliptown, Johannesburg, South, Saharan Africa, Carletonville, JOHANNESBURG, Downtown Soweto, JOHANNESBURG Sandton, JOHANNESBURG Sandton Downtown Soweto, North, Mahikeng, Botswana, Statistics South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Philippines, African, Germany, Russia, India, China, Ethiopia, Burundi, Zimbabwe, Ukraine, New York Times South Africa, Gaza, Durban, South Africa’s

☆ South Africa’s democracy is turning 30 – but a silent crisis threatens its hard-fought gains
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( David Mckenzie | Sarah Dean | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Soweto, South Africa CNN —Seth Mazibuko strides into the intersection of Moema and Vilakazi Street in Soweto, gesturing to the spot that changed South African history. Cars are used as roadblocks on June 21, 1976, during unrest in Soweto, South Africa, stemming from protests against the use of Afrikaans in schools. But as South Africans celebrate 30 years of democracy this week, many educators and activists believe that there is a crisis hollowing out the country’s education system – a crisis that threatens democracy’s hard-fought gains. Despite substantial education funding, South African students consistently rank among the lowest in global assessments of literacy and numeracy skills. South Africa has the highest unemployment rate in the world and many university graduates struggle to enter the workforce.

Persons: South Africa CNN — Seth, ”, Mazibuko, Mike Mizleni, Prince Mulwela, Angie Motshekga, Motshekga, Nelson Mandela, Walter Dhladhla, it’s, Ann Bernstein, Bernstein, Morris Isaacson, “, ‘, ’, General, Mbali Msimanga, Atlegang Alcock, Mandela Organizations: South Africa CNN, Black South, Getty, Keystone, Hulton, “, Morris Isaacson High School, CNN, South, Basic, African National Congress, ANC, of Development, Enterprise, Corruption, South African Democratic Teachers Union, Cape Town Locations: Soweto, South Africa, Moema, gesturing, AFP, Africa, Canada, Kenya, Oshlange, Black, Durban, South Africa's, Johannesburg, Robben, Cape

☆ South Africa’s 2024 National Election: What to Know
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( John Eligon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

This year is the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s first democratic elections, but millions of people continue to suffer from economic challenges similar to those during apartheid. Most Black South Africans do not earn enough to meet their basic needs. All this has placed the African National Congress, the liberation party that has governed since the start of South Africa’s democracy, under more pressure than ever before as it enters an election on May 29. In the six previous national elections, the party comfortably won an absolute majority in Parliament, allowing it to govern as it wished. The party has also had to work hard to heal its internal divisions and address corruption among its ranks.

Organizations: African National Congress

☆ Jacob Zuma, South Africa’s Scandal-Ridden Ex-President, Is Running Again
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Lynsey Chutel | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Jacob Zuma, who resigned as South Africa’s president in shame in 2018, is now staging his biggest comeback act yet by running in next month’s parliamentary elections with an upstart opposition party at the top of its ticket — the slot designated for a party’s presidential contender. Mr. Zuma’s participation in the race is a blow to a faltering African National Congress — the party he once led — which has governed the country since the end of apartheid three decades ago. and its leader, the country’s current president, Cyril Ramaphosa, are now struggling to win back the trust of voters disillusioned by a stagnant economy and years of corruption. On Wednesday, his party — uMkhonto weSizwe — released its list of national candidates with his name at the top. His party, known as MK, was formed only last December, but has already climbed in the polls, gained ground in local elections and won several legal battles for the right to contest the May 29 election.

Persons: Jacob Zuma, Mr, Cyril Ramaphosa, Zuma, — Organizations: South, African National Congress

☆ South Africa crime wave: This cash van guard is just one of the victims
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( David Mckenzie | Sarah Dean | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Johannesburg, South Africa CNN —For South Africans, normality is a sliding scale. In October, a heavily armed gang blocked off one of the busiest highways near Johannesburg as it blew up a cash-in-transit vehicle – a security van carrying cash. Cash-in-transit, or CIT, heists are one of the most dramatic illustrations of a crime wave that has shocked even the most hardened South Africans. His argument is not entirely factual: crime affects South Africans from all walks of life, not just those earning a comfortable living. The South African police minister, Bheki Cele, recently highlighted what he called the successes of the Crime Intelligence division in tackling organized crime and rooting out corruption within the ranks of the force.

Persons: Nelson Mandela, ”, Byron Blunt, Ngwenya, —, “, Petrus Mthembu, SAPS, Athlenda Mathe, Bheki Cele, Joe van der Walt, Esa Alexander, Gareth Newham, What’s Organizations: South Africa CNN, heists, CIT heists, National Congress, ANC, CNN, “, CIT, Motor Transport Workers Union, South African Police Service, Reuters, Hawks, AK, South, Crime Intelligence, Focus Group, ” Police, Town, Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority, Institute for Security Studies Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa, Africa, R350,000, Makhado, Limpopo, Cape Town , South Africa

☆ International Elections 2024: What You Need to Know
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-21 | by ( The New York Times | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

International Elections 2024: What You Need to KnowRussia U.K. United States E.U. Mexico India Indonesia 900M South Africa 90M Voting-age population Russia U.K. United States E.U. Mexico India Indonesia 900M 90M South Africa Voting-age population Russia U.K. United States E.U. Upcoming Elections India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a divisive figure who has aggravated the religious and ethnic fault lines in the hugely diverse country, is seeking a third term. United States A rematch between President Biden and former President Donald J. Trump adds another layer of uncertainty to the global political landscape.

Persons: Narendra Modi, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, Paul Kagame, Biden, Donald J, Trump Organizations: United, Africa, Russia U.K, India, National Congress, European, Party, Lithuanian Christian Democrats, Conservative Party, Labour Party Locations: Russia, United States, Mexico India Indonesia, Mexico, India, South Africa, Venezuela, Sudan, Panama, Chad, Europe, Rwanda, Austria, Lithuania, Sri Lanka

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Historic hearings are opening on Monday at the United Nations’ top court into the legality of Israel’s 57-year occupation of lands sought for a Palestinian state. Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Mideast war. It has built 146 settlements across the West Bank, according to watchdog group Peace Now, many of which resemble fully developed suburbs and small towns. An additional 200,000 Israelis live in settlements built in east Jerusalem that Israel considers to be neighborhoods of its capital. Israel’s annexation of east Jerusalem, home to the city’s most sensitive holy sites, is not internationally recognized.

Persons: Israel, ”, Omar Awadallah, Yuval Shany, It’s Organizations: United Nations ’, International Court of, General Assembly, of Justice, West Bank, Palestinian, Palestinian Foreign Ministry, Hebrew University, Israel Democracy Institute, Hamas, South, African National Congress Locations: HAGUE, Netherlands, Palestinian, Israel, Gaza, Jerusalem, Jordan, Egypt, South Africa, israel

☆ Zuma’s Enduring Appeal Threatens His Old Allies’ Hold on South Africa
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( John Eligon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

When the African National Congress suspended former President Jacob Zuma this week, a top party official portrayed him as a traitor to the ongoing struggle for Black prosperity in South Africa and a symbol of corruption that the organization is looking to move past. But to Vincent Mthembu, a longtime A.N.C. activist on the local level, Mr. Zuma was the only hope for the party, which has governed South Africa for 30 years, and the country. “He is the people’s president,” Mr. Mthembu, who owns a construction business in Johannesburg, said on Tuesday. “Whatever that he was doing was enriching Black people.”Many countries seem to have their Donald J. Trumps these days — brash, populist leaders who, no matter how many corruption allegations or legal troubles they face, attract fiercely loyal supporters.

Persons: Jacob Zuma, Vincent Mthembu, Zuma, ” Mr, Mthembu, Donald J Organizations: African National Congress Locations: South Africa, Johannesburg

☆ South Africa's Ruling ANC Suspends Membership of Ex-Leader Zuma
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Nellie PeytonJOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) said on Monday it had suspended the membership of former president Jacob Zuma after he announced he would vote for another party in this year's general election. His suspension reflects deep-seated divisions in the party of liberation hero Nelson Mandela that has governed South Africa since the end of apartheid. "The formation of the MK party is not an accident," the ANC said in a statement. The MK party is named after the ANC's former armed wing, in a challenge to the long-dominant movement. Zuma has been at odds with the ANC's leadership since he was forced to quit as party leader in 2018.

Persons: Nellie Peyton JOHANNESBURG, Jacob Zuma, Zuma, Nelson Mandela, Cyril Ramaphosa, Nellie Peyton, Alexander Winning, Andrew Heavens Organizations: National Congress, Analysts, ANC, Forces, Natal Locations: South Africa, KwaZulu

☆ African National Congress Suspends Former President Jacob Zuma
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Lynsey Chutel | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

South Africa’s governing party, the African National Congress, moved to kick Jacob Zuma out of the party on Monday, punishing the former president for campaigning for a rival political party. The party announced that it had suspended Mr. Zuma’s membership after he helped to form a rival party, of which he has become the “figure head,” the party’s leadership said. The announcement followed a meeting of its National Executive Committee. It was not immediately clear whether Mr. Zuma would be allowed to challenge his suspension or face an internal disciplinary process. In the aftermath of his presidency, Mr. Zuma continued to sow political chaos as he evaded accountability and undermined the party’s current leadership through stinging public statements.

Persons: Jacob Zuma, Zuma Organizations: African National Congress, National, Committee

☆ U.S. slams 'meritless' Israel genocide suit, reigniting tensions with South Africa
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-09 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The International Court of Justice, the U.N.'s highest legal body, will this week hear a case brought by South Africa that accuses Israel of committing genocide against Palestinian people during the assault on the Gaza Strip. Ambassador Reuben Brigety accused South Africa of running guns for Russia via a mystery merchant ship, a South African inquiry found no evidence of the alleged arms shipment, but ties between the two historical allies remained taut. "Over the past two years a succession of frustrations, including South Africa feeling it is being pushed on Russia-Ukraine, the U.S. Ambassador's statements on South African domestic security and on its relationship with Russia, and U.S. policy on China in Africa, have all contributed to the worsening of this relationship," Vandome said. 'Solidarity against apartheid oppression' South Africa's close relationship with Russia is based on a multitude of factors past and present.

Persons: John Kirby, Kevin Lamarque, Israel, Reuben Brigety, Cyril Ramaphosa, Chris Vandome, Vandome, Sergey Lavrov, Naledi Pandor Organizations: White, Reuters, U.S, Court of Justice, Palestinian, . National Security, Chatham, CNBC, South, Russian, African Foreign, Pretoria Ihsaan Haffejee, Anadolu Agency, Getty, United States Trade, Solidarity, Congress, ANC, Party Locations: Washington , U.S, South Africa, Gaza, Israel, Washington, Pretoria, Russia, China, African, Ukraine, Africa, U.S, Palestine, PRETORIA, Pretoria Ihsaan

☆ S.African lawmakers vote to suspend diplomatic ties with Israel, shut embassy
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Supporters of South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) and various political parties including civil society groups gather in solidarity with the Palestinian people outside the Israeli embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, October 20, 2023. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCAPE TOWN, Nov 21 (Reuters) - South African lawmakers voted on Tuesday in favour of closing down the Israeli embassy in Pretoria and suspending all diplomatic relations until a ceasefire is agreed in its war with Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Gaza. The Israeli embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On Monday, the Israeli ambassador in Pretoria was recalled to Tel Aviv for consultations ahead of the vote, which on Tuesday was resoundingly adopted by a 248-91 margin. Reporting by Wendell Roelf; editing by Mark HeinrichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Siphiwe, Cyril Ramaphosa's, resoundingly, Nelson Mandela, Pemmy Majodina, Wendell Roelf, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: National Congress, ANC, REUTERS, Palestinian, Hamas, Court, Fighters, EFF, Nations, Thomson Locations: Pretoria, South Africa, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Israel, Africa, Hamas

☆ Israel recalls its ambassador to South Africa for consultations
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

JERUSALEM, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Israel has recalled for consultations its ambassador to South Africa following the "latest statements from South Africa", Israel's Foreign Ministry said on Monday. South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) party on Thursday had said it would support a parliamentary motion calling for the Israeli embassy in South Africa to be closed. South Africa, which is highly critical of Israel's campaign in Gaza against Hamas, has recalled its diplomats from Israel. Hamas militants rampaged through southern Israel on Oct. 7., sparking the devastating war in Gaza. Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Alex RichardsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ari Rabinovitch, Alex Richardson Organizations: National Congress, ANC, Thomson Locations: Israel, South Africa, Gaza

☆ Mourners gather in South Africa for funeral of controversial Zulu prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Reuters —Thousands of mourners gathered in eastern South Africa on Saturday for the state funeral of Mangosuthu Buthelezi. The veteran South African politician, Zulu prince and controversial figure during the apartheid liberation struggle, died last week aged 95. South African media reported that two giraffes and six impalas had been slaughtered and skinned as part of the ritual preparations. At a stadium in the town of Ulundi, mourners gathered around the coffin of Buthelezi, who died aged 95. Some dressed in traditional Zulu outfits made of leopard and other animal skins and held shields crafted from cow hides.

Persons: Mangosuthu, Buthelezi, Marco Longari, Nelson Mandela Organizations: Reuters, South, Getty, Freedom Party, IFP, Home Affairs, African National Congress, ANC Locations: South Africa, Ulundi, AFP, KwaZulu, Natal, Xhosa, South Africa’s

☆ Mourners gather in South African for funeral of controversial Zulu prince Buthelezi
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

South Africa's leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) Mangosuthu Buthelezi speaks to supporters ahead of the national elections, in Richards Bay, north of Durban, in South Africa, April 19, 2009. REUTERS/Rogan Ward/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsULUNDI, South Africa, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Thousands of mourners gathered in eastern South Africa on Saturday for the state funeral of Mangosuthu Buthelezi. The veteran South African politician, Zulu prince and controversial figure during the apartheid liberation struggle, died last week aged 95. South African media reported that two giraffes and six impalas had been slaughtered and skinned as part of the ritual preparations. Like the ANC, he was critical of white minority rule, which had relegated Zulus and other Black South Africans to downsized 'homelands'.

Persons: Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Rogan Ward, Mangosuthu, Buthelezi, Nelson Mandela, Siyabonga Sishi, Tim Cocks, Mike Harrison Organizations: Freedom Party, IFP, REUTERS, South, Home Affairs, African National Congress, ANC, Thomson Locations: Richards Bay, Durban, South Africa, Ulundi, KwaZulu, Natal, Xhosa, South Africa's

CNN —Veteran apartheid-era South African politician and Zulu prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi has died aged 95, the country’s president announced Saturday. The Zulu chief, a controversial figure who had a seat on South Africa’s National Assembly and a long political career, led a movement that underwent deadly clashes with the African National Congress (ANC). Buthelezi and his liberation movement Inkatha ye Nkululeke ye Sizwe clashed with the African National Congress (ANC) over many years, particularly throughout the 1980s during rebellions against apartheid. He became a member of the Youth League of the ANC while studying at South African Native College (now the University of Fort Hare), but was expelled for his political activities. Buthelezi won a seat in the National Assembly, and was appointed minister of home affairs in ANC leader Nelson Mandela’s coalition government.

Persons: Mangosuthu Buthelezi, “, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Prince, KwaPhindangene, Cyril Ramaphosa, “ Prince Buthelezi, ”, Nelson Mandela, Buthelezi, ” Ramaphosa, waKwaPhindangene’s, Sizwe, Walter Dhladhla, Tom Stoddart, Peace, Nelson Mandela’s Organizations: CNN, Veteran, Zulu Monarch, Freedom Party, South Africa’s, Home Affairs, Africa’s National Assembly, African National Congress, ANC, Royal Household, Zulu Nation, Getty, Youth League of, South African Native College, University of Fort, IFP, Zulu, Hulton, Inkatha, National Assembly Locations: South, Africa’s, AFP, Mahlabatini, KwaZulu, Natal, University of Fort Hare

☆ Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Zulu Prince Who Roiled South African Politics, Dead at 95
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +6 min

(Reuters) -Mangosuthu Buthelezi, a veteran South African politician, Zulu prince and controversial figure during the apartheid liberation struggle, has died, the presidency said on Saturday. Critics dubbed Buthelezi a war lord but to his legion of followers in the rural Zulu heartland, he was a visionary. A Zulu chief, Buthelezi became KwaZulu's chief minister in the 1970s, where he tried a delicate balancing act: refusing outright independence and criticising Pretoria's racial policies while still playing a role in the homeland farce. Ashpenaz Nathan Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi was born on Aug. 27, 1928, in Mahlabathini, the son and heir of Chief Matoli Buthelezi and Princess Constance Magago Dinuzulu. In 1953 he was installed as acting chief of the prominent Buthelezi clan and four years later was confirmed as chief.

Persons: Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Prince, KwaPhindangene, Cyril Ramaphosa, Buthelezi, Nelson Mandela, Critics, Inkatha, Thabo Mbeki, King Cetshwayo, Henry Kissinger, Peter Carrington, Ashpenaz Nathan Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi, Matoli Buthelezi, Princess Constance Magago Dinuzulu, Irene Mzila, Bhargav Acharya, Nelson BanyaEditing, Angus MacSwan, Frances Kerry Organizations: Reuters, South, Freedom Party, Home Affairs, African National Congress, Zulu Monarch, IFP, ANC, British, Black University of Fort, ANC Youth League, U.S Locations: KwaZulu, Natal, South Africa, Zulu, Johannesburg, Black University of Fort Hare, Lesotho, Mahlabathini

☆ Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Zulu prince who roiled South African politics, dead at 95
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

South Africa's leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) Mangosuthu Buthelezi speaks to supporters ahead of the national elections, in Richards Bay, north of Durban, in South Africa, April 19, 2009. REUTERS/Rogan Ward Acquire Licensing RightsSept 9 (Reuters) - Mangosuthu Buthelezi, a veteran South African politician, Zulu prince and controversial figure during the apartheid liberation struggle, has died, the presidency said on Saturday. South Africa's main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) party described Buthelezi as a "great leader". "Prince Buthelezi was a giant on South Africa's political landscape," DA leader John Steenhuisen said. Critics dubbed Buthelezi a war lord but to his legion of followers in the rural Zulu heartland, he was a visionary.

Persons: Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Rogan Ward, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Prince, KwaPhindangene, Cyril Ramaphosa, Buthelezi, Nelson Mandela, Prince Buthelezi, John Steenhuisen, ANC Buthelezi, Critics, Inkatha, Thabo Mbeki, King Cetshwayo, Henry Kissinger, Peter Carrington, Ashpenaz Nathan Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi, Matoli Buthelezi, Princess Constance Magago Dinuzulu, Irene Mzila, Bhargav Acharya, Nelson, Angus MacSwan, Frances Kerry Organizations: Freedom Party, IFP, REUTERS, South, Home Affairs, African National Congress, Zulu Monarch, ANC, Nelson, Nelson Mandela Foundation, Mandela's, Democratic Alliance, Reuters, British, Black University of Fort, ANC Youth League, U.S, Thomson Locations: Richards Bay, Durban, South Africa, KwaZulu, Natal, Zulu, Johannesburg, Black University of Fort Hare, Lesotho, Mahlabathini

☆ South Africa's Ramaphosa urges enforcement of laws over 'hijacked' buildings
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] A police officer walks past the apartment block where a deadly fire broke out, in Johannesburg, South Africa, September 1, 2023. "Local government has to enforce the laws," Ramaphosa said at a governing African National Congress party event. Municipal officials have said efforts to evict residents in illegally occupied buildings are often hamstrung by court orders stopping the evictions. Ramaphosa said he has asked government ministers to look into ways of enforcing laws without violating people's rights. Ramaphosa said he collected his passbook at the building about 50 years ago, when he worked in the city.

Persons: Siphiwe, Cyril Ramaphosa, Ramaphosa, Carien du, Olivia Kumwenda, Ros Russell Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Saturday, African National Congress, Government, Black, Thomson Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa, Rights JOHANNESBURG, Africa, Carien du Plessis

☆ Opinion: Putin’s virtual bravado, Xi’s big win, and 6 new members. Why this was a summit like no other
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Opinion Michael Bociurkiw | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The move breathes new life into a group set to rival the G7 and brings the world closer to multi-polarity. BRICS leaders could be forgiven for not knowing whether to exhibit exuberance or concern on Wednesday. (Summit host, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, said it should be seen as an accomplishment for the entire BRICS bloc.) Hours later, just as BRICS leaders were sitting down to dinner, news alerts started to steal the show on the crashed private jet said to be carrying Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin. Host South Africa just manages to pull it offThat South Africa managed to pull off hosting the summit is an accomplishment in itself.

Persons: Michael Bociurkiw, Michael Bociurkiw Chrystia, “, —, Xi Jinping, you’ve, Nicolás Maduro, Russia’s, Cyril Ramaphosa, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner, couldn’t, Swagger, I’ve, Modi, Vladimir Putin’s, Sergey Lavrov, Lula da Silva, Lula, Vladimir Putin, Michele Spatari, It’s, ” Nontsikelelo, Facebook Xi, Xi, Putin Organizations: Atlantic Council, Organization for Security, Cooperation, CNN, Johannesburg CNN, United Arab, —, for Security, UN, Wagner, Getty, Democratic, Twitter, Facebook, National Congress, ANC Locations: Odesa, Europe, Johannesburg, Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Africa, ”, Beijing, Donbas, Ukraine, AFP, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon

☆ ‘Kill the Boer’ Song Fuels Backlash in South Africa and U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( John Eligon | More About John Eligon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Mr. Malema leads the Economic Freedom Fighters, a party that advocates taking white-owned land to give to Black South Africans. That has made his embrace of the chant all the more disturbing to some whites. Despite the words, the song should not be taken as a literal call to violence, according to Mr. Malema and veterans and historians of the anti-apartheid struggle. But the A.N.C., the liberation party that has governed South Africa since the beginning of multiracial democracy nearly 30 years ago, distanced itself from the song in 2012 — the same year it expelled Mr. Malema for his incendiary statements. The people singing those songs were not actually planning to march to Pretoria, nor did they really think that Mr. Mandela was about to be released, he said.

Persons: Donald J, Malema, Peter Mokaba, Bongani Ngqulunga, Nelson Mandela, Mandela Organizations: Trump, Economic, Fighters, Black, African National Congress, University of Johannesburg Locations: South Africa, United States, Pretoria

☆ South Africa’s stance on Russia puzzles many. Could a mine in the desert hold answers?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( David Mckenzie | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Johannesburg, South Africa CNN —To many observers, South Africa’s stance on Russia’s war in Ukraine is puzzling. This week, while many African leaders stay away, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is attending a Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg along with key ministers. So, why is South Africa putting this important relationship at risk? The US had long treated South Africa with kid gloves, he said, mindful of not risking an important relationship. Officials have denied that anything was loaded up, but the claim is now subject to a sealed South African government inquiry.

Persons: South Africa CNN —, Cyril Ramaphosa, Viktor Vekselberg, Vladimir Putin, Byron Blunt, Chancellor House, Mogopodi Mokoena, Mokoena, UMK, ”, Karam Singh, Steven Gruzd, Reuben Brigety II, Brigety, Mikhail Metzel, Chancellor House’s, Putin, Yuri Trutnev, Konstantin Zavrazhin, Vekselberg, “, “ Mr Organizations: South Africa CNN, Russia, United Nations, Russian Navy, National Congress, Soviet Union, AmaBhungane, Investigative Journalism, CNN, Chancellor House Holdings, ANC, Mail & Guardian, Chancellor House, Corruption Watch, Chancellor, South African Institute of International Affairs, US, South, AP Mokoena, International Criminal Court, ICC, Getty, Treasury, FBI, Renova Group Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa, Ukraine, Africa, United States, Russian, Russia, St . Petersburg, States, St, Petersburg, Cape Town, African, Cape Town , South Africa, Mallorca, UMK, Cyprus, South

☆ South Africa says Putin agreed not to attend BRICS summit
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

JOHANNESBURG, July 19 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the summit of the BRICS group of emerging economies in South Africa in August "by mutual agreement", South Africa's presidency said on Wednesday. Russia will instead be represented by its Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the Johannesburg summit, alongside the leaders of Brazil, India, China and South Africa, the presidency said in a statement. South Africa faced a dilemma in hosting the summit because, as a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), it would theoretically be required to arrest Putin for alleged war crimes if he were to attend. The ICC in March issued an arrest warrant for Putin, accusing him of the war crime of illegally deporting children from Ukraine. On Wednesday, the Kremlin said Russia did not tell South Africa that arresting Putin on an ICC arrest warrant would mean "war".

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Sergei Lavrov, Putin, Cyril Ramaphosa, Dmitry Peskov, Nellie Peyton, Anait, Alexander Winning, William Maclean Organizations: Criminal Court, ICC, South, African National Congress, Thomson Locations: JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, South, Russia, Johannesburg, Brazil, India, China, Ukraine, Moscow, Kremlin

In South Africa, Nelson Mandela is everywhere. The country’s currency bears his smiling face, at least 32 streets are named for him and nearly two dozen statues in his image watch over a country in flux. The party Mr. Mandela led after his release from prison, the African National Congress, is in serious danger of losing its outright majority for the first time since he became president in 1994 in the first free election after the fall of apartheid. Mr. Mandela’s image — which the A.N.C. has plastered across the country — has for some shifted from that of hero to scapegoat.

Persons: Nelson Mandela, Mandela Organizations: Mandela, African National Congress Locations: South Africa

☆ South Africa to host BRICS summit despite Putin arrest warrant
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( Carien Du Plessis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

South Africa has a duty as a signatory to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to arrest Putin if he attends the talks between the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India and China, due to an arrest warrant over the deportation of children from Ukraine. "South Africa will host the 15th BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Sandton, Johannesburg, from 22 to 24 August 2023," the Department of International Relations said in a statement. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed to Reuters in a text message that this meant the whole summit, including the main part involving the BRICS heads of state, would take place in South Africa. He and a spokesperson for the international relations department declined to comment on whether or not Putin will attend. On Tuesday, South Africa's Minister of International Relations Naledi Pandor said Putin had not yet replied to an invitation, sent before the ICC charged him on March 18.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Putin, Cyril Ramaphosa, Vincent Magwenya, International Relations Naledi Pandor, Xi Jinping, Narendra Modi, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Pandor, Sergey Lavrov, Tim Cocks, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: International Criminal Court, ICC, African National Congress, ANC, Department of International Relations, Reuters, South Africa's, International Relations, India's, Thomson Locations: JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, China, Brazil, Russia, India, Ukraine, Africa, Sandton, Johannesburg

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