China’s top legislator Zhao Leji on Wednesday met separately with Azerbaijan’s Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova and Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar, who are in south China’s Hainan Province for the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2026. Zhao, chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, also met…
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on Monday met with UN officials, including Director-General of the UN Office at Nairobi (UNON) Zainab Hawa Bangura, UN-Habitat Executive Director Anaclaudia Rossbach and Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region Xia Huang, in Nairobi, Kenya. Han stressed that China places importance on the role of…
A South African commission of inquiry has heard explosive testimony suggesting that senior police officials and government figures may have misused cybercrime legislation to pursue the arrest of a social media personality. The case centres on the 2025 arrest of gossip blogger Musa Khawula, an operation that reportedly involved multiple elite law enforcement units and…
South Africa’s government is reaffirming its commitment to sweeping healthcare reform, with President Cyril Ramaphosa insisting that the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme remains central to addressing long-standing inequalities in access to medical services. The renewed push comes despite ongoing legal challenges that have temporarily delayed the implementation of key aspects of the legislation. Push…
South Africa’s monetary policy outlook has undergone a dramatic shift, with markets now bracing for potential interest rate hikes instead of the previously expected easing cycle. In recent months, expectations had leaned toward multiple rate cuts by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), supported by relatively stable inflation. However, escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle…
Global financial markets have entered a period of heightened uncertainty, with South Africa’s currency coming under sustained pressure as geopolitical tensions disrupt energy supply expectations. The rand has weakened notably over recent weeks, reflecting a broader shift toward safer assets. By Monday, 23 March, the currency had fallen to around R17.25 against the US dollar,…
South Africa’s correctional facilities are increasingly being used as informal bases for fraud, highlighting growing weaknesses in the country’s criminal justice system and prison management. A hidden layer of organised crime inside prisons A recent report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime has revealed that inmates in South Africa are continuing criminal activities…
South African families are increasingly reconsidering traditional education choices as private school fees continue to climb, prompting a noticeable shift toward homeschooling across the country. Cost pressures and system challenges reshape education choices Private education in South Africa has become significantly more expensive over the past decade, placing it out of reach for many middle-income…
South African law enforcement authorities have intensified efforts to combat drug-related crime, with recent operations in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape leading to multiple arrests and significant drug seizures. Coordinated raids uncover illegal dagga shops in KZN In KwaZulu-Natal, police dismantled four suspected cannabis distribution outlets during a coordinated operation across the eThekwini District. The…
Public discontent over perceived United States interference in South Africa’s domestic affairs surfaced prominently over the weekend, as a large-scale protest in Johannesburg drew widespread participation. Protest highlights rising tensions over sovereignty The march, which moved from Newtown to Constitution Hill, carried broader political implications beyond its immediate demands. Demonstrators displayed placards reading “We will…
