Southern Africa

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed former mayor, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, to the newly created position of electricity minister in an effort to address the country’s long-running power crisis. The new minister faces two vast challenges. Power cuts of up to 12 hours a day – the government has declared …

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will announce changes to the national executive on Monday, presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya said on Sunday. “The president is finalising his reconfiguration of the national executive,” Magwenya said at a news briefing, adding that he was taking into account the swearing in of some members …

Twelve South African cheetahs began a voyage to India on Friday as part of an intergovernmental agreement to reintroduce the big cats to the Asian country, Reuters agency reported. They will join eight cheetahs from neighbouring Namibia that were released into the Kuno National Park in central India last year. …

A request by a provincial government for a state funeral to be given to a popular South African rapper murdered last week has been rejected by the president, local media report. Gauteng’s premier Panyaza Lesufi had written to President Cyril Ramaphosa requesting permission to give slain rapper Kiernan Forbes, popularly …

South African new electricity minister will assume full responsibility for overseeing all aspects of the country’s response to crippling power cuts, Reuters agency reported on Thursday, citing President Cyril Ramaphosa. Ramaphosa said he would appoint the new minister last week during a State of the Nation Address (SONA) in parliament. …

South Africa declared a state of national disaster on Monday evening after floods caused by heavy rains in recent days, which have already left 7 people dead and missing, according to disaster management centers in several provinces. “The government has declared a state of national disaster to allow for a …

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a state of disaster to try to deal with an energy crisis. The president’s announcement on Thursday gives the government additional powers to tackle crippling electricity shortages that have worsened in recent months. He insisted South Africa would emerge with a more efficient …

South African MPs have dropped a proposed sponsorship deal with Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur which sparked a public outcry after details leaked to the media. The country’s official tourism board had conditionally approved the proposed three-year deal worth 900m South African rand ($52.5m). But critics said the amount could …

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has asked his deputy, David Mabuza, to remain in his position until a transition is finalized. Mr Mabuza is reported to have told a funeral gathering on Saturday that the president had “accepted” his resignation and that an announcement on his departure was coming. He …

Gunmen opened fire on a group of people celebrating a birthday in a township in South Africa on Sunday, killing eight and injuring three, police said Monday. “The owner of the house was celebrating his birthday when two unknown persons, armed, entered the property on Sunday evening in the port …