Southern Africa

South African leader to sign controversial health bill before election

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is due to sign into law a contentious national health bill that aims to provide universal coverage to millions of poor citizens. The National Health Insurance (NHI) bill seeks to give South Africans “of all races, rich or poor and legal long-term residents” access to …

Read More »

Mozambique: over 100 dead and several missing after a boat tragedy

Shipwreck between Kinshasa and Brazzaville kills five people

More than 100 people died and several others remain missing, after their boat capsized in the northern coast of Mozambique, President Felipe Nyusi said on Monday. Lourenco Machado, an official from the country’s Maritime Transport Institute (INTRASMAR) said the vessel carrying 130 passengers was an overloaded fishing boat and was …

Read More »

South African president meets Kagame to discuss DRC unrest

South African president meets Kagame to discuss DRC unrest

Rwandan President Paul Kagame met his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa and they reaffirmed their support in finding a “political situation” to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mr Ramaphosa was visiting the East African country to take part in the 30th commemorations of the Rwandan genocide. President …

Read More »

South African Parliament Speaker Mapisa-Nqakula resigns

South African Parliament Speaker Mapisa-Nqakula resigns

South Africa’s Speaker of Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has resigned after police raided her home during a corruption investigation, local media reported. Ms Mapisa-Nqakula is accused of soliciting bribes in return for awarding contracts during her time as defence minister. She has denied the charges and said her resignation was “in …

Read More »