Southern Africa

Some South Africans are calling for Britain to return the world’s largest diamond, known as the Star of Africa, which is set in the royal sceptre that King Charles III will hold at his coronation on Saturday. The diamond, which weighs 530 carats, was discovered in South Africa in 1905 …

Twelve stories, breathtaking views of Table Mountain and a minimal ecological footprint: in the center of Cape Town will soon rise the world’s tallest building constructed from industrial hemp. The workers are putting the finishing touches to this future “Hemp Hotel”, a hemp hotel which will have 54 rooms and …

A United Arab Emirates court has dismissed South Africa’s request to extradite Atul and Rajesh Gupta, brothers who face charges of political corruption, but the Gulf state said on Friday the extradition request could be resubmitted, Reuters reported. The Guptas are accused of using their connections with Jacob Zuma, president …

A South African pilot managed to land his plane leaning against a cobra present in the cockpit, a gesture welcomed by the country’s authorities on Friday. “I felt this cool feeling, kind of going up my shirt,” Rudolf Erasmus, a South African pilot who suffered a huge scare during his …

One of eight cheetahs flown to India from Namibia in September last year died on Monday, local media reported. Namibia’s environment ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said the cheetah, aged five, died of kidney failure. He said the cheetah, named Sasha, was under medical care for the past three months. “The …

At least 87 people have been arrested in South Africa in connection with opposition protests, local media reported, citing police. Police Minister Bheki Cele said on Monday that most of the arrests were made in Gauteng province. “Most were found making fires, blocking roads and trying to prevent people from …

Floods and landslides have killed more than 200 people in Malawi and Mozambique, ravaging towns and villages, making it difficult to trace survivors, local media reported. Cyclone Freddy followed a looping path rarely charted by meteorologists, making landfall for the second time over the weekend in Mozambique, before heading into …

Six Zimbabweans, all suspected armed robbers, escaped from custody while on transit on Monday morning after their accomplices engaged South African police in a shoot-out, local media reported. In a statement, South African police said they have launched a manhunt for the “heavily armed” suspects who freed the six prisoners …

South Africa has deployed military personnel to hospitals as a public health crisis intensifies after medics joined other public service workers in a strike to demand better pay. The military personnel are offering medical services in the worst affected facilities. Public workers have been protesting since Monday last week to …

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says he is concerned about the ongoing wage strike by public workers that is affecting essential services in the country. The strike by the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) started on Monday, as the workers demanded a 10% pay hike after rejecting …