South Africa's Department of Health says a new tuberculosis (TB) vaccine could help eliminate TB as a public health threat by 2030. The M72/AS01E vaccine is currently in Phase 3 trials across five countries and, if approved, would become the first new TB vaccine introduced in more than 100 years.


South Africa plans to roll out TB vaccine

A South African couple found themselves in a rare situation when they witnessed a humpback whale “Supergroup” consisting of nearly 300 of the giant marine mammals gathering together.

World's Whales make a stunning comeback

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has sought an interim interdict to halt a probe linked to the controversial 'Farmgate' scandal. The legal move comes as political pressure mounts over allegations surrounding the case, which has sparked renewed debate in South African politics.

 S African President Ramaphosa seeks interim interdict to avoid probe

Ebola frontline workers in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo have gone on strike over months of unpaid salaries, disrupting response efforts in one of the country's most vulnerable regions. The protest highlights growing concerns over delayed funding and the impact on healthcare workers battling infectious disease outbreaks.

Ebola frontline workers protest delayed pay in Northeast DR Congo

Zimbabwe has confirmed that more than 60,000 of its citizens have returned home as rising anti-illegal immigration sentiment in South Africa prompted thousands of migrants to leave. According to official figures, 11,065 Zimbabweans were repatriated through government-led efforts, while 47,703 returned voluntarily.

Zimbabwe confirms repatriation of over 60,000 citizens from South Africa

Thousands of protesters marched across South Africa's major cities demanding that undocumented migrants leave the country. Authorities deployed heavy police and private security amid fears of violence after anti-migrant groups set a deadline for undocumented foreigners to depart. The demonstrations come as thousands of migrants have already left or been repatriated, highlighting rising tensions over immigration and border security in South Africa.

South Africa sees massive anti-immigration protests, heavy police deployed 

Thousands of people have fled South Africa in recent weeks ahead of a June 30 'deadline' for undocumented immigrants to leave the country announced by anti-immigrant groups. Protestors Chant 'Let Them Go' as Anti-Immigrant Sentiment Grows. 


South Africa Faces Anti-Immigrant Unrest Ahead of June 30 'Deadline'

Canada defeated South Africa 1-0 in their World Cup Round of 32 knockout match in Los Angeles. Canada will now move on to the Round of 16, playing either Morocco or the Netherlands in Houston on July 4.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Canada beats South Africa 1-0 in World Cup's first knockout match

South Africa's migrant crisis is taking a growing human toll as hundreds of Malawian migrants remain stranded without basic amenities. Among them are pregnant women, sick children and families who say they have been abandoned by both the South African and Malawian governments.

South Africa: 600 Migrants Left in Limbo as Crisis Deepens

South Africa's long-running 'Cash in the Sofa' controversy is back in the spotlight as President Cyril Ramaphosa seeks to halt an impeachment inquiry linked to the 2020 Phala Phala farm scandal. The case centers on allegations surrounding large sums of cash reportedly stolen from his game farm, triggering years of political and legal scrutiny.

Ramaphosa Impeachment Row: South African President Seeks Relief

HIV: A groundbreaking HIV-prevention drug, developed with support from the Gates Foundation and Unit Aid, is now available at just $40 per year for low-income countries. Experts say this affordable treatment offers a genuine chance to curb the global HIV epidemic, providing hope to millions at risk worldwide.


South Africa: HIV-prevention drug at $40 per year 

The elephant named Charlie in South Africa’s zoo has been released back to the wild after being in a cage for 40 years.

The elephant was captured in 1984 and taken to Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park when he was two years old.

He was trained to perform tricks at Boswell Wilkie Circus in South Africa. In the 2000s, he was again relocated to the country’s only national zoo.

Animal welfare groups put forward their concerns regarding the elephant’s deteriorating health and suggested putting him back into the wild.

EMS Foundation, which advocates for the rights of wildlife, announced that after “a nail-biting four-hour trip to freedom,” the elephant has found his new home at the Shambala Private Reserve in Limpopo province.

This profound event took years of effort and negotiation with the South African government. It was made possible after the EMS Foundation and its associates provided scientific evidence proving that elephants suffer in zoos.

In the zoo, the elephant Charlie witnessed the death of four other elephants, including his calf, who was just an infant.

In 2019, it was observed that Charlie was displaying distressed behaviour similar to other animals in captivity.

The South African National Biodiversity Institute, which supervises the zoo, said it was the activities taught to him during his circus days that Charlie never really unlearned. The EMS Foundation said this was an inaccurate explanation.

Josef Pfabigan, Four Paws chief executive, said, “Together with our partners, we have been working tirelessly to end the loneliness of Charlie to see him thrive in his new species-appropriate home.”

The elephant’s assigned home is a 10,000-hectare reserve, with a prosperous population of elephants, known to successfully reintegrate animals returning to the wild.

There, Charlie will be under the supervision of veterinary and behavioural experts.

“We dream that at his own pace, Charlie will learn to be the elephant he was always meant to be, and that soon, he will meet up and integrate into the existing elephant community on Shambala,” the EMS Foundation said. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The elephant named Charlie in South Africa’s zoo has been released back to the wild after being in a cage for 40 years. The elephant was captured in 1984 and taken to Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park when he was two years old.

The elephant named Charlie in South Africa’s zoo has been released back to the wild after being in a cage for 40 years. The elephant was captured in 1984 and taken to Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park when he was two years old. He was trained to perform tricks at Boswell Wilkie Circus in South Africa. In the 2000s, he was again relocated to the country’s only national zoo. Animal welfare groups put forward their concerns regarding the elephant’s deteriorating health and suggested putting him back into the wild. EMS Foundation, which advocates for the rights of wildlife, announced that after “a nail-biting four-hour trip to freedom,” the elephant has found his new home at the Shambala Private Reserve in Limpopo province. This profound event took years of effort and negotiation with the South African government. It was made possible after the EMS Foundation and its associates provided scientific evidence proving that elephants suffer in zoos. In the zoo, the elephant Charlie witnessed the death of four other elephants, including his calf, who was just an infant. In 2019, it was observed that Charlie was displaying distressed behaviour similar to other animals in captivity. The South African National Biodiversity Institute, which supervises the zoo, said it was the activities taught to him during his circus days that Charlie never really unlearned. The EMS Foundation said this was an inaccurate explanation. Josef Pfabigan, Four Paws chief executive, said, “Together with our partners, we have been working tirelessly to end the loneliness of Charlie to see him thrive in his new species-appropriate home.” The elephant’s assigned home is a 10,000-hectare reserve, with a prosperous population of elephants, known to successfully reintegrate animals returning to the wild. There, Charlie will be under the supervision of veterinary and behavioural experts. “We dream that at his own pace, Charlie will learn to be the elephant he was always meant to be, and that soon, he will meet up and integrate into the existing elephant community on Shambala,” the EMS Foundation said. (With inputs from agencies)

Elephant in South Africa zoo released into the wild after 40 years of captivity

Extreme temperatures are being reported across Africa's Sahel region. Many of the Sahel countries are facing power cuts during the heat episode, making it especially difficult for the population to cope with the extreme temperatures.

Extreme heatwave recorded across Africa's Sahel region

South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma will able to contest the upcoming general elections. He was earlier barred from standing in elections which are scheduled in may. Zuma had challenged the decision. Now a court has ruled the decision of the electoral commission to uphold an objection to former president Jacob Zuma has been dismissed.

Jacob Zuma can now contest in elections | Trouble mounts for Ramaphosa's ANC party

South Africa crackdown on corruption saw its first victim in now ex-speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula who was arraigned and charged with money laundering. Her case came weeks before the nation heads to polls and has added to the woes of the ruling ANC.

South Africa's speaker becomes first victim of graft war

In South Africa, just days before Easter, a bus crash on Thursday (Mar 28) claimed the lives of 45 pilgrims travelling to an Easter service. The bus carrying 46 people was travelling from Botswana's capital, Gaborone, to an Easter service in the town of Moria in the north of South Africa.

South Africa Bus Accident: Tragic bus crash kills easter pilgrims, 8-year-old lone survivor

A dire situation unfolds in West and Central Africa as a record-breaking 49.5 million people brace for a looming hunger crisis. The United Nations issues a chilling warning, citing a 4% surge from 2023 and pointing to a perilous mix of conflict, climate change, and soaring food prices.

49.5 million face hunger crisis in West & Central Africa

South African court ruled government’s recognition of the Zulu king was unlawful. Cyril Ramaphosa ordered to set up an inquiry into King Misuzulu Zulu’s accession amid a dispute over the process.

South African court rules government’s recognition of Zulu king unlawful

Heavy rains linked to the El Nino phenomenon, followed by flash floods, have submerged towns across East and the Horn of Africa, leaving hundreds of thousands of people homeless. In Kenya, the death toll from the floods stood at 52 and was expected to rise. Weather forecasters say there is more to come.

Floods wreak havoc in Horn of Africa

The presidential ambitions of jailed senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Socko suffered two setbacks after the Supreme Court annulled a lower court's decision ordering his reinstatement in the voter roll. Separately, a West African regional court backed the government of Senegal in a legal battle with Sonko, who had filed a case claiming the state violated his human rights. 49-year-old Sonko has faced a flurry of court cases over the past two years for charges including libel and rape, which he denies.

Senegalese opposition figure suffers setback

More than 100 miners escaped from a gold mine in South Africa on Wednesday after being held underground for three days by fellow employees in a union dispute, a company official said. Around 450 workers remain in the mine, the official said, with an unknown number of them preventing the others from leaving as they demand formal recognition of their labour union.

South Africa:  ‘Hostage’ miners emerge from underground amid union dispute

Leaders from the economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa attended the Business Forum of the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg on Tuesday. The summit, scheduled to take place from August 22 to 24, saw the attendance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, upon the invitation of South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa.

PM Modi, Xi Jinping face-to-face in Johannesburg; pose for a group photo with other leaders

Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Tuesday unexpectedly skipped a business forum of the BRICS economic group in South Africa, sending his commerce minister instead to deliver a fiery speech in his name that decried US hegemony.

BRICS Summit 2023: China's Xi unexpectedly skipped a business forum

The BRICS Summit 2023 will take place in Johannesburg next week. The conference will be attended by several other foreign leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Putin will virtually be present at the conference.

BRICS Summit 2023: Russian President Putin to not go to South Africa for the Summit

More than 40 nations have indicated an interest in joining the BRICS bloc of major developing economies as it seeks to expand to grow its political clout, South Africa’s ambassador to the group said.

BRICS expansion plan draws interest from more than 40 nations

The arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin overshadowed the BRICS foreign ministers meeting in South Africa. Why the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin? What did the BRICS foreign ministers say during the meeting in Capetown? The power of an ICC arrest warrant versus the weight of diplomatic immunity and similar scenarios from the past & how they played out. BRICS leaders have said they are open to admitting new members, an expansion is likely on the agenda of the ongoing meeting. Iran's foreign minister and his Saudi counterpart were also in cape town to participate in the BRICS forum.

BRICS Summit 2023: South Africa FM says mulling over if Putin attend August meet

South Africans on Monday blamed their local government for failing to provide clean water as deaths from cholera rose to 15 in the country's most populous province.

Cholera outbreak claims 21 more lives in South Africa

South Africa's economy is facing significant challenges, including an energy crisis, low economic growth, and a weakening currency. Despite raising interest rates to combat inflation and support the currency, the south african rand remains weak. Rate hikes are further impacting the already slowing economic activity, making it difficult for the country's central bank to find a solution. Nigeria is also facing currency troubles, with expectations of devaluing the naira by about 15% due to declining forex reserves, complicating the country's prospects.

South African rand's downfall accelerates

South Korea said on Tuesday that information contained in a purportedly leaked U.S. confidential document that appeared to be based on internal discussions among top South Korean security officials was "untrue" and "altered".

South Korea says leaked US intel document 'untrue', amid spying allegations

Lesotho legislators are debating a motion that proposes reclaiming large parts of South African land that Dutch settlers seized from the small mountain kingdom in a series of territorial wars in the 19th century.

South Africa rubbishes Lesotho MP's claim on land

South Africa is is bracing for a “national shutdown” as an opposition party holds protests demanding the resignation of the president, sparking fears of violence.

South Africa braces for ‘nationwide shutdown’

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