South African President Cyril Ramaphosa blamed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) for the ongoing war in Ukraine and said he would resist calls to condemn Russia. “The war could have been avoided if NATO had heeded the warnings from amongst its own leaders and officials over the years that …
Read More »South Africa: President Ramaphosa recognizes Prince Misuzulu as Zulu King
The South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has recognized Prince Misuzulu Sinqobile Zulu as the new King of the Zulu community. Prince Misuzulu, 46, is the eldest son of the late Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini, who died last year. Recognition from the president gives him legitimacy since some family members have …
Read More »South Africa: President Ramaphosa appoints new Justice Chief
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Raymond Zondo as the country’s new chief justice, the presidency said in a statement on Thursday following a public selection process. Approved by political parties, Judge Raymond Zondo is hailed for his long experience in the judicial field. But Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom …
Read More »South Africa called upon to mediate in Ukraine war
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has said his country has been approached to play a mediation role in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Mr Ramaphosa did not say who had made the approach but said he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday and urged him to …
Read More »South Africa: government split over Ukraine invasion by Russia
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is angry with his Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor after the Foreign Office issued a statement calling for Russia’s immediate withdrawal from Ukraine, local media reported. News 24 reported (paywall) that Ms Pandor “raised the ire” of Mr Ramaphosa after her department issued a statement calling …
Read More »South Africa: government to formalize cannabis industry
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday his government wants to expand its nascent domestic cannabis industry as it looks to tap global demand and grow local production and exports. Africa’s most industrialized nation plans to streamline the “regulatory processes so that the hemp and cannabis sector can thrive …
Read More »South Africa: President Ramaphosa pledges fundamental economic reform
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday his country needed fundamental change to revive economic growth. Addressing the many troubles that have plagued the country in the past decade in his State of the Nation speech, Ramaphosa singled out its unreliable power supply as one of the biggest threats …
Read More »South Africa: President Ramaphosa gets second report on corruption under Zuma
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has received a second report on corruption during the reign of his predecessor Jacob Zuma. The President should receive a total of three reports. The second part was received behind closed doors unlike the first one which was presented on live TV. The latest volume …
Read More »Billionaire Soon-Shiong opens new vaccine plant in South Africa
South African-American businessman Patrick Soon-Shiong opened a new vaccine plant in Cape Town on Wednesday, intended to help his local NantSA company make COVID-19 shots in future and address the continent’s lack of manufacturing capacity, Reuters reports. The coronavirus pandemic has exposed a global lack of access to life-saving vaccines, …
Read More »South Africa: President Ramaphosa awaits report on Zuma corruption inquiry
A South African judicial commission will formally hand over the first part of its report to President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday following its inquiry into corruption during former president Jacob Zuma’s time in power, a Cabinet minister said on Friday. The judicial commission was due to deliver the first part …
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