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[1/4] Olympic and Paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius leaves court after appearing for the 2013 killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, South Africa, June 14, 2016. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/Files Acquire Licensing RightsJOHANNESBURG, Nov 24 (Reuters) - South African former Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius, jailed nine years ago for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, was granted parole on Friday effective from Jan. 5. His total sentence was lengthened to six years in 2016, less than half the 15-year minimum term sought by prosecutors. In 2017, the Supreme Court more than doubled his total sentence to 13 years and five months, saying the six-year jail term was "shockingly lenient". Pistorius was denied parole in March after it was ruled that he had not completed the minimum detention period required to be considered for parole.

Persons: Oscar Pistorius, Reeva Steenkamp, Siphiwe, Pistorius, Steenkamp, Mr Pistorius, Rob Matthews, I'm, Oscar, Matthews, Bhargav Acharya, Tannur Anders, Nick Macfie, Toby Chopra, Andrew Heavens Organizations: North, North Gauteng High Court, REUTERS, Rights, Paralympic, Appeal, Department of Correctional Services, Pistorius, Rehabilitation, Constitutional, Thomson Locations: North Gauteng, Pretoria, South Africa, Rights JOHANNESBURG

[1/3] Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba looks on during his meeting with his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor, as they hold a joint press conference in Pretoria, South Africa, November 6, 2023. Jacoline Schoonees/DIRCO/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsPRETORIA, Nov 6 (Reuters) - South Africa is recalling diplomats from Israel to assess its relationship with the country amid a rise in civilian casualties from its war with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, its foreign minister said on Monday. South Africa does not have an ambassador in Israel. The country is "extremely concerned at the continued killing of children and innocent civilians" in the Palestinian territory, the foreign minister said. Over 1,400 people were killed by Hamas in the deadly Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel, which South Africa has condemned, while also calling for the return of hostages.

Persons: Dmytro Kuleba, Naledi, Jacoline, Naledi Pandor, Cyril Ramaphosa, Pandor, Carien du Plessis, Tannur Anders, Bhargav, Promit Mukherjee, Christina Fincher Organizations: Ukrainian Foreign, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Palestinian, Hamas, ., Cairo Peace, United Nations, Ukrainian, Thomson Locations: Pretoria, South Africa, Handout, Rights PRETORIA, Israel, Africa, Palestine, Cairo, Gaza, Russia, Ukraine

First launched in 2000, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) grants exports from qualifying African countries duty-free access to the United States - the world's largest consumer market. African countries are pushing for an early 10-year extension without changes to reassure businesses and investors. A recent push in the U.S. Senate is aiming to pass a quick AGOA renewal. 'FORWARD-LOOKING VISION'Over $10 billion worth of African exports entered the United States duty free last year under the programme. More than 80% of duty-free non-petroleum AGOA exports, for example, have come from just five countries - South Africa, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar and Ethiopia - in recent years.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Jonathan Ernst, Joe Biden's, Biden, Blinken, Katherine Tai, Cyril Ramaphosa, Harriet Ntabazi, We've, Ntabazi, Carien du, Tannur Anders, Alexander Winning, Nick Macfie Organizations: Hamas, Joint Base Andrews, REUTERS, U.S . Senate, United States Congress, United, U.S . International Trade Commission, U.S . Trade, U.S ., Central African, Thomson Locations: Israel, Gaza, Washington, East, Asia, Joint Base Andrews , Maryland, U.S, JOHANNESBURG, United States, Africa, China, Johannesburg, South Africa, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Gabon, Niger, Uganda, Central African Republic, AGOA, Carien du Plessis

☆ South African violist tackles legacy of alcohol payments to labourers
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Thando Hlophe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

South African violist, Lynn "Daphne" Rudolph, who uses music and art to explore the painful legacy of how labourers at wineries in the Western Cape province were for centuries given wine as part of their payment, looks on during a rehearsal at an arts venue in Johannesburg, South Africa, October 13, 2023. Rudolph created and performed in a show called "Dop is my Taal", which means "Alcohol is my Language" in Afrikaans, at an arts venue in Johannesburg. The show involved Daphne playing music she had composed, interspersed with excerpts from the South African national anthem, while another musician performed using beer bottles, domino pieces and thimbles -- objects associated with the daily lives of farm labourers. Audience members at the performance of "Dop is my Taal" said the work had articulated uncomfortable truths and given expression to a part of South African society that sometimes feels marginalised. "I love the fact that she's taking upon herself to do a work that speaks for so many other voices."

Persons: Lynn, Daphne, Rudolph, Lynn Rudolph, Kelly, Eve Koopman, Julia Zenzie Burnham, Thando Hlophe, Tannur Anders, Estelle Shirbon, Aurora Ellis Organizations: REUTERS, South African, Thomson Locations: Western Cape, Johannesburg, South Africa, JOHANNESBURG

☆ South Africa says it discussed aid with Hamas leader, denies reports of support
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Local publication News24 earlier reported a statement from Hamas that the group had received a call of support from South Africa's foreign minister. It said the Hamas statement did not name Pandor. South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor attends a press conference as BRICS foreign ministers meet in Cape Town, South Africa, June 1, 2023. REUTERS/Nic Bothma/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights"We do not have a bilateral relationship with Hamas... Support for the Palestinian struggle against occupation does not equate to support for Hamas," South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. South Africa has long been an advocate for peace in the region, likening the plight of Palestinians to its own under an apartheid regime that ended in 1994.

Persons: Naledi Pandor, Ismail Haniyeh, Nic Bothma, Cyril Ramaphosa's, Vincent Magwenya, Israel, Tannur Anders, Bhargav, Nick Macfie Organizations: South African Foreign, government's Department of International Relations and Cooperation, South Africa's, REUTERS, Hamas, Twitter, Thomson Locations: JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Gaza, Israel, South, Cape Town , South Africa, Africa, Israel's

MARRAKECH, Morocco, Oct 13 (Reuters) - After getting debt relief from China, Ethiopia is requesting similar treatment from other creditors, the International Monetary Fund's deputy director for Africa said on Friday. Ethiopian authorities said in August that China was allowing Ethiopia to suspend debt payments for the fiscal year running until July 7, 2024. "The Chinese authorities have already provided debt relief to Ethiopia and we understand that they're in the process of requesting a similar treatment from other creditors. "There is a debt service suspension with China, which is providing substantial relief," she said, adding that this was the agreement announced in August. Ethiopia regularly suffers from foreign exchange shortages and a wide gap between the official and black market currency exchange rates.

Persons: Africa's, Annalisa Fedelino, Fedelino, Rachel Savage, Dawit Endeshaw, Tannur Anders, Bhargav, Alexander Winning, Susan Fenton Organizations: Monetary, IMF, Boston University, birr, Thomson Locations: MARRAKECH, Morocco, China, Ethiopia, Africa, Marrakech, birr, Addis Ababa

☆ South African rand slightly firms as US dollar dips
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

South African Rand coins are seen in this illustration picture taken October 28, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings/Illustration Acquire Licensing RightsJOHANNESBURG, Oct 4 (Reuters) - The South African rand traded slightly higher on Wednesday following several days of weakness as the softening of the U.S. dollar supported risk sentiment. At 1619 GMT, the rand traded at 19.2800 against the dollar , about 0.3% stronger than its previous close. South Africa's benchmark 2030 government bond was weaker in afternoon deals, with the yield up 6.5 basis points to 11.085%. Reporting by Tannur Anders and Anait Miridzhanian; Editing by Alexander Winning and Chris ReeseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mike Hutchings, Tannur Anders, Anait, Alexander Winning, Chris Reese Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S ., P, Africa PMI, Local, Woolworths, Africa's, Thomson Locations: Rights JOHANNESBURG, Africa, Stillwater, Johannesburg

☆ Naspers & Prosus CEO steps down, M&A chief Ervin Tu is successor
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Bob van Dijk, CEO of e-commerce group Naspers, poses for a photograph in front of the company logo after holding a media briefing in Johannesburg, South Africa, October 9, 2019. The companies named investment chief Ervin Tu, a previous VisionBank manager and Goldman Sachs technology banker, as interim CEO. However it coincides with the unwinding Monday of a cross-structure between Prosus and Naspers. Van Dijk oversaw Prosus's 2019 IPO and the company's stock boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic. However he struggled to close a valuation gap between Prosus, Naspers and the value of their biggest asset: Chinese software giant Tencent(0700.HK) .

Persons: Bob van Dijk, Siphiwe, Ervin Tu, Goldman Sachs, Naspers, Van Dijk's, van Dijk, Van Dijk, Prosus, Tannur Anders, Toby Sterling, Radhika Anilkumar, Sherry Jacob, Phillips, Stephen Coates, Michael Perry, Louise Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Prosus NV, Johannesburg Stock Exchange, HK, Thomson Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa, Rights JOHANNESBURG, Prosus, Tencent, Russia, Ukraine, Amsterdam, Bengaluru

☆ Naspers/Prosus CEO steps down, M&A chief Tu takes the helm
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Tosterling Tannur Anders | Tannur Anders | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

But it coincides with a restructuring in Naspers/Prosus relations, with Prosus no longer holding shares in Naspers. Analysts said he was the most likely candidate to succeed Van Dijk permanently. At 0910 GMT, Prosus shares were trading down 0.9% in Amsterdam, while Naspers' shares were 1.5% lower in Johannesburg. Tencent shares closed down 1.6% in China. Van Dijk oversaw Prosus's 2019 IPO and the company's stock boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Persons: Bob van Dijk, Siphiwe, Ervin Tu, Naspers, Prosus, Van Dijk's, Van Dijk, Koos Bekker, Tannur Anders, Promit Mukherjee, Toby Sterling, Radhika Anilkumar, Louise Heavens, Mark Potter Organizations: REUTERS, HK, Vision, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa, Tencent, JOHANNESBURG, AMSTERDAM, Naspers, Naspers ., Amsterdam, China, Prosus, Bengaluru

☆ South African rand firms after consumer confidence, current account data
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

South African Rand coins are seen in this illustration picture taken October 28, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings/Illustration Acquire Licensing RightsJOHANNESBURG, Sept 7 (Reuters) - The rand recovered some losses on Thursday after a consumer confidence index improved, although new data also showed that South Africa's current account deficit had widened. "Today's consumer confidence and current account figures beat estimates providing some encouragement in what has been a tough year for South Africa with the rand attempting to claw back some lost gains," said DailyFX analyst Warren Venketas. Central bank data earlier on Thursday showed South Africa's net foreign reserves fell to $55.444 billion by the end of August from $55.626 billion in July. South Africa's benchmark 2030 government bond was stronger, with the yield down 2.5 basis points to 10.385%.

Persons: Mike Hutchings, Warren Venketas, Tannur Anders, Nellie Peyton, Bhargav Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Thomson Locations: Rights JOHANNESBURG, Africa, Johannesburg

☆ Sibanye brings in Chinese partner for Mopani Copper Mines bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Felix Njini | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Johannesburg-based precious metals producer is on the shortlist of potential buyers for the copper mines owned by a unit of the Zambian government. The Chinese company has a presence in copper mining and would be joining Sibanye as an investment partner, Froneman said. The Chinese investor could help derisk the investment at Mopani, Froneman said. "They are an investment partner but technically they understand the copper business and smelting, so it's managing risk," he said. The Mopani assets require significant investment but spending would be spread over a number of years, Froneman said.

Persons: Neal Froneman, we've, Froneman, Felix Njini, Tannur Anders, Sharon Singleton, David Holmes Organizations: Mines, Reuters, China's Zijin Mining, U.S, Rothschild & Co, Thomson Locations: NAIROBI, Stillwater, Johannesburg, Zambian, Southern Africa, Europe, U.S, Mopani, Switzerland, ZCCM

☆ South African rand pares losses after Powell speech
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

South African Rand coins are seen in this illustration picture taken October 30, 2020. At 1528 GMT, the rand traded at 18.6550 against the dollar , about 0.9% stronger than its previous close, after gaining as much as 1% earlier in the day. The rand has had a turbulent week, contributing to its over 4% losses month-to-date. The risk-sensitive rand often takes cues from global factors like U.S. monetary policy in the absence of domestic economic data cues. South Africa's benchmark 2030 government bond was weaker, with the yield up 1 basis points at 10.210%.

Persons: Mike Hutchings, Jerome Powell, Danny Greeff, Jackson, Greeff, Tannur Anders, Sonia Cheema, Devika Syamnath, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S . Federal Reserve, Treasury, Analytics, Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Thomson Locations: Rights JOHANNESBURG, United States, Johannesburg

Marco Longari/Pool via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsJOHANNESBURG, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to China's President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg and highlighted concerns India has about border issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), India's foreign secretary said. Modi and Xi agreed "to direct their relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and de-escalation," Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said. On the sidelines of the BRICS summit Modi highlighted to Xi "India's concerns on the unresolved issues along the LAC", Kwatra said. This is the first time that Modi has brought up the issue directly with Xi, repeating India's stand that has been shared with China through other ministers multiple times. "The two sides should bear in mind the overall interests of their bilateral relations and handle properly the border issue so as to jointly safeguard peace and tranquillity in the border region," Xi said.

Persons: India Narendra Modi, Cyril Ramaphosa, China Xi Jinping, Marco Longari, Narendra Modi, Xi Jinping, Modi, Xi, Vinay Kwatra, Kwatra, Bhargav Acharya, Tannur Anders, Michael Martina, Krishn Kaushik, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Indian, LAC, Xinhua, Shanghai Cooperation, Thomson Locations: India, China, Sandton, Johannesburg, Rights JOHANNESBURG, Indonesia

REUTERS/Alet Pretorius Acquire Licensing RightsJOHANNESBURG, Aug 22 (Reuters) - African countries want China to shift its focus from building infrastructure on the continent to local industrialisation, China's top Africa diplomat said on Tuesday at a briefing on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in South Africa. "African integration is already escalating and many African countries (have) asked China to consider (a) shift (of) our focus," Wu Peng, director-general of China's department of African affairs at its foreign ministry, said. China will talk through its plans for African industrialisation with African leaders on Thursday at a special roundtable on the sidelines of the Aug. 22-24 meeting of the BRICS bloc - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Between 2000 and 2020, Chinese lenders - mostly state-owned banks - agreed to lend $160 billion to African countries, according to Boston University. He also said that investments by Chinese companies in Africa, especially from small and medium-sized companies, would increase.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Alet Pretorius, Wu Peng, Wu, Xi, Carien du Plessis, Tannur Anders, Emelia Sithole Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Africa Continental Free Trade, Boston University, for, Africa Cooperation, Thomson Locations: Pretoria, South Africa, Rights JOHANNESBURG, China, China's, Africa, Brazil, Russia, India, for China

☆ South African rand lifted by falling U.S. yields as BRICS summit kicks off
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

South African Rand coins are seen in this illustration picture taken October 28, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings/Illustration Acquire Licensing RightsJOHANNESBURG, Aug 22 (Reuters) - The South African rand gained on Tuesday as risk appetite returned to global markets due to falling U.S. Treasury yields, as the first day of the BRICS summit of emerging economies kicked off in Johannesburg. At 1605 GMT, the rand traded at 18.7900 against the dollar , about 0.9% stronger than its previous close. South Africa is hosting the leaders of Brazil, India and China for the Tuesday-to-Thursday summit, while Russian President Vladimir Putin will join virtually. The BRICS summit "is unlikely to provide the market with significant or sustainable momentum until the bloc adopts implementable policies," Greeff said.

Persons: Mike Hutchings, Danny Greeff, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Greeff, Tannur Anders, Bhargav Acharya, Mark Potter, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Treasury, Analytics, Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Thomson Locations: Rights JOHANNESBURG, Johannesburg, U.S, Africa, Brazil, India, China, South Africa, Ukraine

☆ South Africa's Women's World Cup success highlights unequal pay issues
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Thando Hlophe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

South Africa's women's team, known as "Banyana Banyana", reached the last 16 at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand earlier this month -- the first time either the men's or women's team had achieved the feat. In a 2022 investigation into the bonus structure for Banyana Banyana, South Africa's Commision for Gender Equity found that "players are not remunerated on the same scale (as) ... their male counterparts". For instance, South Africa's women's players received only a 55,000 rand ($2,885) bonus for reaching the final of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, which they went on to win. "We're coming from very disadvantaged homes, we become breadwinners," Portia Modise, former Banyana Banyana captain, told Reuters after playing a friendly in the township of Soweto. That figure compared with $440 million for the men's tournament in Qatar.

Persons: Dhlamini, Carl Recine, SAFA, Portia Modise, Linda Zwane, Thando, Tannur Anders, Tim Cocks, Toby Davis Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Sydney Football Stadium, REUTERS, Rights, Africa's, South African Football Association, Gender Equity, Africa, of Nations, Reuters, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Netherlands, South Africa, Sydney, Australia, Rights JOHANNESBURG, Qatar, Soweto

A view of logo of New Development Bank (NDB) at its headquarters in Shanghai, China July 10, 2023. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said boosting local currency usage among the NDB's members will also be on the agenda, with the aim of de-risking the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations rather than de-dollarisation. "Most countries that are members of the NDB have been encouraging (it) to provide loans in local currencies," Godongwana said. Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsSo far, China is by far the NDB's most successful local currency market. GROWING MEMBERSHIPNevertheless, the NDB, established with $10 billion in paid-in share capital from each BRICS country, wants to expand.

Persons: Aly, Enoch Godongwana, Godongwana, Leslie Maasdorp, Maasdorp, Alexander Ekbom, Chris Humphrey, Humphrey, Rachel Savage, Brenda Goh, Tannur Anders, Vincent Flasseur, Karin Strohecker, Joe Bavier, Alexander Smith Organizations: New Development Bank, REUTERS, Reuters, Finance, Federal Reserve, Reuters Graphics Reuters, U.S ., United Arab, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Reuters Graphics, Overseas Development Institute, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China, Africa, JOHANNESBURG, SHANGHAI, Russia, South Africa, Brazil, India, Johannesburg, Ukraine, United States, Mumbai, Brasilia, Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Uruguay, Algeria, Honduras, Zimbabwe, Saudi Arabia, Asia, London

☆ South Africa's recognition of sign language signals new hope for the deaf
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Thando Hlophe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Before it was an official language... there was absolutely no access" to communicating with other people, he signed. Still, South Africa only has about 40 deaf schools and one tertiary institution that is fully accessible to deaf people, meaning there is still work to be done to improve that access. "It is a very rich, beautiful language but we need people who are going to be equipped enough to develop it even more," said Andiswa Gebashe, a South African Sign Language activist and former interpreter for Ramaphosa. World Atlas, an online site that studies demographics, says only 41 countries recognise sign language as an official language, just four of them in Africa - Kenya, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe. "Now that it's an official language, I know that I can go to university and I can make my dreams come true," he said in sign.

Persons: Cyril Ramaphosa, Manana, Andiswa Gebashe, Wilma Newhoudt, Thando, Tannur Anders, Alexander Winning, Nick Macfie Organizations: inclusivity, Sizwile School, Thomson Locations: Pretoria, Read, JOHANNESBURG, Johannesburg, Dobsonville, Soweto, South Africa, Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe

The South African Reserve Bank's (SARB) monetary policy committee (MPC) kept rates at 8.25% as inflation forecasts came in lower than previous ones and economic conditions improved. Kganyago said future rate decisions would continue to depend on economic data and risks to the inflation outlook. The bank expects inflation to fall back to the midpoint of the target range sustainably only by the third quarter of 2025. Jason Tuvey, deputy chief emerging markets economist at Capital Economics, said in a note that rate cuts were likely to materialise only early next year. "The split vote suggests that inflation concerns continue to linger and it is likely to take some time before a majority on the MPC are in favour of rate cuts," Tuvey said.

Persons: Lesetja Kganyago, Kganyago, Jason Tuvey, Tuvey, Kuben Naidoo, Nellie Peyton, Tannur Anders, Kopano, Anait Miridzhanian, Promit Mukherjee, Rachel Savage, Alexander Winning, Olivia Kumwenda, Frances Kerry Organizations: South, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Capital Economics, MPC, Thomson Locations: PRETORIA

☆ In upcycling drive, South African designers give new life to Western fashion waste
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Catherine Schenck | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] South African aspiring designer Khumo Morojele inspects a second hand clothing imported from the West and sold in bales in markets known as Dunusa, at his studio, in Johannesburg South Africa, July 3, 2023.REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File PhotoJOHANNESBURG, July 14 (Reuters) - Two South African aspiring designers, Khumo Morojele and Klein Muis, spend hours at a second-hand street market in Johannesburg looking for fashion items. The duo then upcycles what they find into clothing or accessories they say express uniquely African style. The duo's current project, "Dunusa: Life of a Garment", sees them sourcing second-hand clothing often sent to Africa from European countries, which are then deconstructed and reworked into avant-garde and abstract fashion. They are working with a Ghanaian shoemaker on a project to turn old soccer boots into sandals that reflect both African and European love for the sport. Reporting by Catherine Schenck, Writing by Tannur Anders; Editing by Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo and Rosalba O'BrienOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Khumo Morojele, Siphiwe, Klein Muis, Catherine Schenck, Tannur Anders, Olivia Kumwenda, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Johannesburg South Africa, JOHANNESBURG, Johannesburg, Africa, Berlin

☆ Johannesburg residents stunned by once-in-a-decade snowfall
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] Children play in the snow at Laerskool Orion, a school located in Brackenhurst, a suburb south of Johannesburg in South Africa, July 10, 2023. REUTERS/Siphiwe SibekoJOHANNESBURG, July 10 (Reuters) - Residents of South Africa's biggest city Johannesburg were stunned by the first snowfall in over a decade on Monday, with some children seeing snow for the first time. While parts of South Africa regularly receive snowfall over the southern hemisphere winter months around June to August, Johannesburg last saw snow in August 2012. South of the city in Brackenhurst, a Reuters photographer saw children making snowballs and snow angels in a school's grounds. But for others, like delivery driver Chenjerai Murape whose motorbike would not start, the snow made life difficult.

Persons: Jennifer Banda, Chenjerai, Snow, Tannur Anders, Thando Hlophe, Catherine Schenck, Shafiek, Alexander Winning Organizations: REUTERS, Nelson, Reuters, African Weather Service, Thomson Locations: Brackenhurst, Johannesburg, South Africa, Siphiwe, JOHANNESBURG, South Africa's, Gauteng, Pretoria, Mpumalanga province

[1/6] Members of a local dance group 'Via Katlehong' perform 'Pantsula', a dance known for its syncopated, quick-stepping, low to the ground format at the Joburg Theatre in Johannesburg, South Africa, July 1, 2023. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File PhotoJOHANNESBURG, July 7 (Reuters) - Thato Qofela first performed 'pantsula', a symbol of Black South African culture and resistance to the apartheid regime, in his childhood backyard. Now, he is helping to revive the dance style and take it on to the global stage. It later enjoyed popularity among South Africans of different races, but waned somewhat as modern dance styles gained prominence. Now, Qofela's dance troupe, Via Katlehong, wants to drive a revival of the style, and has taken the dance to the global stage with shows in France, the Netherlands and Portugal.

Persons: Siphiwe, Qofela, pantsula, Lethabo, Sisipho Skweyiya, Tannur Anders, Olivia Kumwenda, Emma Rumney Organizations: Katlehong, Joburg Theatre, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa, JOHANNESBURG, France, Netherlands, Portugal, Katlehong

[1/3] One of Tiger Brands' most popular beverage products, Oros, is seen during production at a manufacturing facility in Germiston, South Africa November 17, 2022. This investment, sometimes at the cost of essential capital expenditure, will eventually be passed onto consumers, making food prices higher for longer, food companies, economists and lobby groups told Reuters. It comes at a time when South Africa is already struggling with acute unemployment, 14-year high interest rates and ballooning inflation and complicates efforts of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) to ease interest rate hikes. Poultry producer Astral (ARLJ.J), diversified food producers AVI (AVIJ.J) and RCL Foods (RCLJ.J) have indicated in their recent earnings statements the mitigating measures would eventually translate into higher food prices. The listed food producers have collectively lost almost 15% in their market value since the beginning of the year.

Persons: James Oatway, Derek McKernan, Kobus, Pieter Taljaard, Thomas Funke, Charles Rossouw, Rosle, Cloete, Gertenbach, Tannur Anders, Anait, Promit Mukherjee, David Evans Organizations: Tiger Brands, REUTERS, Reuters, South African Reserve Bank, Reuters Graphics, Premier, RCL, Grain SA, Cane Growers ' Association, Food, Agricultural, Thomson Locations: Germiston, South Africa, JOHANNESBURG, Africa

JOHANNESBURG, June 12 (Reuters) - The South African rand extended gains on Monday, building from the previous week, as investor sentiment towards Africa's most industrialised economy improved. At 1517 GMT, the rand traded at 18.5600 to the dollar, about 0.87% stronger than its closing level on Friday. South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected this week to travel to Russia and Ukraine for an Africa-led peace mission in an attempt to end the ongoing war. South Africa's sovereign dollar-denominated bonds also continued their June rally, with the 2044 maturity up and rising 1.153 cents at 1526 GMT to 73.017 cents in the dollar, according to Tradeweb data. South Africa's benchmark 2030 government bond was stronger, with the yield down 5.5 basis points to 10.765%.

Persons: Vladimir Putin's, Kieran Siney, Cyril Ramaphosa, Casparus Treurnicht, Razia Khan, Nellie Peyton, Tannur Anders, Rachel Savage, Bhargav, Alexander Winning, Toby Chopra Organizations: Analytics, Gryphon Asset Management, Standard Chartered, Johannesburg Stock Exchange, U.S . Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Bank of Japan, Thomson Locations: JOHANNESBURG, Johannesburg, South Africa, Russia, Ukraine, Africa

☆ South African rand hits new low amid dollar strength, poor outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

JOHANNESBURG, May 30 (Reuters) - The South African rand hit a record low on Tuesday on the back of a strengthening dollar and souring local investor sentiment that has seen massive capital outflows from the country. At 1518 GMT, the rand traded at 19.690 against the dollar , about 0.09% weaker than its previous close. Greg Davies, head of wealth at asset manager Cratos Capital, said South Africa was now a less desirable investment destination for international investors due to the local power crisis. "We've had poor results coming from Tiger Brands and Pepkor; two companies closely followed by foreigners," said Casparus Treurnicht, analyst and portfolio manager at Gryphon Asset Management. Tiger Brands shares crashed by more than 16%, while major retailer Pepkor (PPHJ.J) lost over a tenth of its market value.

Persons: Warren Venketas, Greg Davies, We've, Casparus Treurnicht, Alexander Winning, Tannur Anders, Rachel Savage, Sonia Cheema, Alison Williams Organizations: greenback, Cratos, Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Tiger Brands, Gryphon Asset Management, Thomson Locations: JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Johannesburg

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