South Africa
South Africa is a country located at the southern tip of the African continent, bordered by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Eswatini, with Lesotho as an enclave within its territory. The capital cities are Pretoria (executive), Cape Town (legislative) and Bloemfontein (judicial). With a population of about 60-million people, South Africa has the most industrialised and diversified economy on the continent, historically built on mining—particularly gold, platinum and diamonds—but also encompassing manufacturing, finance, agriculture and services. The country's currency is the rand. South Africa operates as a parliamentary republic with a president serving as both head of state and head of government. It is a member of the Southern African Development Community, the African Union, BRICS Plus and the Commonwealth. The economy is characterised by significant infrastructure, including extensive rail and port networks, but faces challenges including high unemployment, inequality and intermittent electricity supply constraints. Key exports include minerals, metals, vehicles and machinery. Since the end of apartheid in 1994, South Africa has pursued economic liberalisation and regional integration whilst grappling with the legacy of racial segregation and uneven development.
South Africa Updates
Daily Podcast – June 17, 2026
By: Thabi Shomolekae 17th June 2026 Making headlines: Aucamp replaces Steenhuisen as Agriculture Minister; Labour unions urge workers to shun anti-migrant protests; And, EU supports... →
SA: Cyril Ramaphosa: Address by South Africa's President and African Union Champion for Pandemic Preparedness, Prevention and Response (16/06/2026)
17th June 2026 It has been a month since we last met, where we demonstrated political will and mobilised just under 500 million US dollars in pledges from various... →
Labour unions urge workers to shun anti-migrant protests 
By: Reuters 17th June 2026 South Africa's biggest labour unions on Wednesday urged workers not to participate in anti-immigrant protests that have seized the country, and... →
Home Affairs and Constitutional Development establish priority court in Durban
17th June 2026 The Department of Home Affairs, in collaboration with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, has established a priority court to... →
Miss Lambert Steps Aboard Danger
17th June 2026 TO BE RELEASED EARLY 2027 Faber announces a new novel by Kazuo Ishiguro, Miss Lambert Steps Aboard Danger →
SA: Cyril Ramaphosa: Address by South Africa's President, at the special meeting with faith-based organisations, Union Buildings, Pretoria (17/06/2026)
17th June 2026 It is in that spirit that we meet today, to reflect together upon two matters: the challenge of migration and our National Dialogue. Although they... →
SACP message of condolences to the family of South African jazz icon Abdullah Ibrahim
17th June 2026 The South African Communist Party (SACP) joins the nation and people across the world in mourning the death of one of South Africa's most... →
Government Is Delaying Government - And Young People Are Paying the Price
17th June 2026 Every June, South Africans rightly pause to honour the courage and sacrifice of the young people of 1976. Their struggle was about more than... →
Youth Day 2026 commemorative statement
17th June 2026 The Presiding Officers of Parliament, led by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Thoko Didiza, and the Chairperson of the National Council of... →
Xenophobia in South Africa: state’s complicity with gangs and vigilantes is threatening its ability to govern
17th June 2026 Marches, Mozambicans murdered, state-sponsored evacuations, a nationally televised presidential address. Anti-immigrant mobilisation has again... →
