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JOHANNESBURG—Wealthy nations are sending tens of billions of dollars to poorer ones for clean energy, the linchpin of a global strategy to cut greenhouse-gas emissions in the developing world. But two of the most ambitious efforts yet—in South Africa and Indonesia—are now at risk of unraveling, sowing doubts about the rich world’s ability to push developing countries away from coal and other fossil fuels.

Organizations: JOHANNESBURG — Locations: JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Indonesia

☆ Deadly Mine Accident Highlights Dangers of South Africa’s Deep Underground Shafts
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Alexandra Wexler | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

A view of the Impala Platinum site near Rustenburg, South Africa. Photo: phill magakoe/AFP/Getty ImagesJOHANNESBURG—An industrial elevator that plunged some 650 feet down a decades-old shaft killed 11 miners and injured 75 others at South Africa’s largest platinum mine, the mine’s owner, Impala Platinum , said Tuesday. The accident was one of the worst in years at a facility run by an international mining major, and the deadliest in South Africa in more than two decades. It highlights the dangers involved in mining in the country, the largest producer of platinum globally and a major gold producer. Hundreds of thousands of workers still toil underground here in some of the world’s oldest and deepest shafts.

Persons: phill magakoe Organizations: Impala, Getty Locations: Rustenburg, South Africa, AFP, JOHANNESBURG, South

☆ Olympian Oscar Pistorius Granted Parole 10 Years After Killing Girlfriend
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Alexandra Wexler | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Former South African Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius will be released from jail in January 2024 after being granted parole on Friday. Pistorius was convicted of murdering his girlfriend in 2013. Photo: Siphiwe Sibeko/ReutersJOHANNESBURG—Former Olympic and Paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius, who was convicted of murdering his girlfriend, was granted parole on Friday after serving half of his 15-year sentence. Pistorius will be released from prison on Jan. 5, according to a statement from South Africa’s Department of Correctional Services, after a decision issued by the parole board at Atteridgeville Correctional Centre in Pretoria, where Pistorius has been incarcerated since 2016.

Persons: Oscar Pistorius, Pistorius, Siphiwe Organizations: South African Paralympic, Reuters, Olympic, South, South Africa’s Department of Correctional Services, Atteridgeville Correctional Locations: Reuters JOHANNESBURG, South Africa’s, Pretoria

☆ Visa, Mastercard Want a Slice of Africa’s Mobile Money
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Alexandra Wexler | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

JOHANNESBURG—African fintech companies have found creative ways to help the continent’s consumers spend their money. Traditional payments companies want in. Global payment giants, including Mastercard and Visa , are pouring billions of dollars into African companies that have powered a sharp expansion in e-commerce on the continent. Recent deals have focused on mobile-money operators, which allow users to send funds using simple cellphones, and platforms that facilitate such payments for merchants such as Uber Technologies , Netflix or Estée Lauder without relying on credit cards or bank accounts.

Persons: Lauder Organizations: Mastercard, Visa, Uber Technologies, Netflix Locations: JOHANNESBURG, Global

☆ Walmart Goes All In on Africa
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Alexandra Wexler | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/business/retail/walmart-goes-all-in-on-africa-147e6ef0

Persons: Dow Jones Organizations: walmart Locations: africa

Landing feet first on the ground, Mnqandi felt his right leg crack. His son seemed OK, and there was his wife, dazed, but alive. But there was no sign of his stepdaughter, Melita. The 16-year-old had turned back to fetch some blankets to use as ropes to shorten the terrifying distance to the bottom.

Persons: Mnqandi, Melita

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/world/africa/deadly-fire-exposes-freedoms-failed-promise-in-south-africas-city-of-gold-b6a9f1f3

Persons: Dow Jones Locations: africa

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/world/africa/deadly-fire-exposes-freedoms-failed-promise-in-south-africas-city-of-gold-b6a9f1f3

Persons: Dow Jones Locations: africa

☆ Johannesburg Fire Kills at Least 73 in Multistory Building
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Alexandra Wexler | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/world/africa/johannesburg-fire-kills-at-least-63-in-apartment-building-89d7aff7

Persons: Dow Jones Locations: africa, johannesburg

☆ In Quest for Battery Metals, U.S. Takes On Cobalt’s ‘Inconvenient Truth’
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Alexandra Wexler | Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Persons: Dow Jones

☆ Iran, Saudi Arabia, Others Invited to Join Brics Group
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Alexandra Wexler | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/world/iran-saudi-arabia-others-invited-to-join-brics-group-239736d8

Persons: Dow Jones Locations: iran, saudi, arabia

☆ Brics Nations at Odds Over Adding to Their Number
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Alexandra Wexler | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/world/brics-nations-at-odds-over-adding-to-their-number-63d2dd06

Persons: Dow Jones

☆ Race to Control Electric-Vehicle Supply Chains Leads to Africa
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Alexandra Wexler | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/race-to-control-electric-vehicle-supply-chains-leads-to-africa-5e5437b

Persons: Dow Jones Locations: africa

☆ This Western Investor Plans to Stick to China Despite Global Tensions
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Alexandra Wexler | Raffaele Huang | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/prosus-tencents-biggest-shareholder-is-sticking-to-china-18a39779

Persons: Dow Jones

☆ Diamond Giant De Beers to Let Botswana Keep Half of Production
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( Alexandra Wexler | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/diamond-giant-de-beers-to-let-botswana-keep-half-of-production-110d3570

Persons: Dow Jones Locations: botswana

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/mineral-rich-developing-nations-demand-bigger-piece-of-the-ev-pie-d1421603

Persons: Dow Jones

☆ Watch: Senate Passes Bill to Suspend the Debt Ceiling, Avoid Default
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Big Tech Relies on Outsourcing. Facebook content moderators hired by a third-party contractor in Kenya are suing over working conditions. The contractor involved denies the allegations and Facebook parent Meta is arguing it shouldn’t be involved in the lawsuit. The outcome of this case and two others could have a profound impact on big tech and the industry’s outsourced workforce. WSJ South Africa-based business reporter Alexandra Wexler joins host Zoe Thomas to explain.

Persons: shouldn’t, Alexandra Wexler, Zoe Thomas, Daniel Irungu Organizations: Tech, Facebook, Meta, WSJ Locations: Africa, Kenya

☆ Satellite Images Reveal Russian Defenses for Ukraine Counteroffensive
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Persons: shouldn’t, Alexandra Wexler, Zoe Thomas, Daniel Irungu Organizations: Tech, Facebook, Meta, WSJ Locations: Africa, Kenya

☆ Watch: Biden Falls at U.S. Air Force Academy Commencement
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Persons: shouldn’t, Alexandra Wexler, Zoe Thomas, Daniel Irungu Organizations: Tech, Facebook, Meta, WSJ Locations: Africa, Kenya

The fighting in Sudan has frozen trade of raw gum arabic both within the country and across its borders. Photo: ashraf shazly/Agence France-Presse/Getty ImagesThe conflict in Sudan has disrupted the supply of a little-known but crucial ingredient in soft drinks, chocolate bars, red wine and many other products, sparking concerns over shortages later in the year. The deadly power struggle between the East African nation’s top generals has claimed over 500 lives, left thousands injured and displaced many more. A lesser consequence of the fighting has been to choke the supply of gum arabic—80% of which is produced by Sudan’s acacia trees.

☆ In South Africa, Insurers Fix Potholes, Sponsor Fire Brigades and Direct Traffic
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( Alexandra Wexler | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Firefighters in Johannesburg extinguish a fire. The city has a shortage of operational fire engines. JOHANNESBURG—Insurance companies in South Africa are fixing potholes, sponsoring fire brigades and directing traffic in an attempt to lower payouts and lure new clients as the country’s government increasingly struggles to provide vital public services. Corruption, mismanagement and the deepest recession on record amid the coronavirus pandemic have eroded the finances of South Africa’s municipalities and state-owned companies that are responsible for repairing infrastructure and providing essential services. With their unusual activities, South African insurers are joining other private companies in taking over public services, such as security, healthcare, education and mail delivery, in a country that the World Bank ranks as the most unequal on earth.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is the highest ranking in a string of top administration officials to travel through Africa this year. The Biden administration is pushing hard for American businesses to invest in Africa despite the obstacles they face there, more than a decade after China began expanding its economic and political ties with countries across the continent. Vice President Kamala Harris pledged Tuesday in Ghana’s seaside capital to “double down” on efforts to bring billions of dollars in investments to Africa, a continent that many Western investors still view as high risk. Ms. Harris is the highest ranking in a string of top White House and Biden administration officials to travel through Africa this year, promising to unlock American investment as both the U.S. and China look to tap into the continent’s vast natural resources.

☆ South Africa President Declares State of Disaster Over Power Cuts
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Alexandra Wexler | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

JOHANNESBURG—South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday declared a national state of disaster over the country’s rolling power cuts and said he would appoint a minister of electricity to oversee the response to the outages, which have reached new records in recent weeks. The power cuts—caused by constant breakdowns and lengthy maintenance shutdowns affecting South Africa’s aging fleet of coal-fired power stations—have left households and businesses without electricity for as much as 11 ½ hours a day over the past three months.

☆ Watch: U.S. Military Tracks Suspected Chinese Spy Balloon
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

In Africa, FTX Promised Stability and SwagAcross Africa FTX used brand ambassadors and glitzy events to attract new users. Many customers saw cryptocurrency as a way to protect against inflation in local currencies. But when the crypto exchange collapsed many lost their savings. WSJ reporter Alexandra Wexler joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss how FTX grew in Africa and what happened to investors.

☆ South Africa Seeks State Power Chief After CEO Says He Was Poisoned
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( Alexandra Wexler | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

JOHANNESBURG—One Monday last month, the chief executive officer of South Africa’s state-owned power company Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd., André de Ruyter , woke up for his 5 a.m. gym routine, then headed to an off-site meeting with the chairman of the board. Hours later, he lay shaking in a clinic bed. Blood tests viewed by The Wall Street Journal showed that he had ingested cyanide. Now, the South African government is looking for a successor to Mr. de Ruyter, who says he handed his resignation to the Eskom board chairman hours before he started feeling nauseous and confused in his office on Dec. 12. Mr. de Ruyter says he suspects the cyanide was added to a cappuccino he drank from his personalized mug at his office.

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