South Africa

Politics

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the controversial Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) bill into law, but delayed the implementation of two controversial clauses relating to language policy and the powers of school governing bodies, Bloomberg reported Sept. 13.

South Africa: Ramaphosa Signs Education Bill Into Law, Delays Implementation of Controversial Provisions 

Social Issues

The center-right Democratic Alliance (DA) threatened to exit South Africa's coalition government if President Cyril Ramaphosa signs an unamended version of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) into law following a statement from the presidency that Ramaphosa will sign the bill Sept. 13, News 24 reported Sept. 11.

South Africa: Democratic Alliance Threatens to Exit Coalition Government Over Education Bill

Economics

Energy

The South African government said it would set up a new body to raise 319 billion rand ($18 billion) to repair and upgrade South Africa’s municipal power grids, Bloomberg reported on Aug. 26. 

South Africa: Government Seeking $18B To Upgrade Municipal Power Grids 

Deputy President and co-founder of South Africa's far-left Economic Freedom Fighters, or EFF, Floyd Shivambu announced that he would not renew his membership of the party and instead join former President Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto weSizwe, or MK, party, Reuters reported on Aug. 15. 

South Africa: EFF Deputy President Quits Party, Joins Zuma's MK Party

South Africa's presidency outlined its upcoming priorities to reform the country's power sector, including expanding the electricity grid and power generation capacity, as well as reforming the electricity market, Bloomberg reported on Aug. 14.

South Africa: Government Outlines Next Priorities for Power Sector, Hints at Further Intervention Into Transnet 

South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said he would begin implementing the National Health Insurance, or NHI, Act's transitional mechanisms, known as Section 57, as well as launch consultations with stakeholders in the healthcare sector to hear what form of universal healthcare coverage they would support, News24 reported on Aug. 7.

South Africa: National Health Insurance Act Moves Forward Amid Fresh Consultations With Healthcare Sector

Military & Security

South Africa's ruling African National Congress, or ANC, expelled former President Jacob Zuma from the party for supporting the rival uMkhonto weSizwe, or MK, party in the May parliamentary election, Bloomberg reported on July 29.

South Africa: Ex-President Jacob Zuma Expelled From ANC for Backing Rival Party

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his Opening of Parliament Address in which he unveiled the government of national unity's priorities for the next five years, Reuters reported on July 18.

South Africa: Ramaphosa Unveils Coalition Government's Priorities

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Yael Braun-Pivet, a French lawmaker for the ruling Renaissance party, delivers a speech after being reelected as National Assembly president following the third round of voting on July 18, 2024.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: France Resumes Political Horse-Trading, Blinken Returns to Middle East

Photograph of the Union Buildings in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa, at night. 

The government will likely face intra-coalition challenges and strong pushback from trade unions, but early signs of compromise from both the DA and ANC suggest it could successfully pass several structural reforms in the coming years.

The Challenges Facing South Africa's New Coalition Government 

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U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during a press conference at the 75th NATO Summit in Washington, D.C., on July 11, 2024. 

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

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Biden's exit from the U.S. presidential race will free him to pursue more aggressive action against Russia over Ukraine and increase pressure on Israel to end its war with Hamas. 

What To Expect from Biden's Foreign Policy Farewell Tour

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Parc des Champions on July 4, 2024, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower at the Trocadero in Paris.

The Weekly Rundown: The Paris Olympics, Netanyahu Addresses Congress

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The European Commission in Brussels. On July 18, incumbents Roberta Metsola and Ursula von der Leyen are expected to be confirmed for a second term as presidents of the European Parliament and the European Commission, respectively.

The Weekly Rundown: A New European Commission President, the Third Plenary Session of the CPC

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A map illustrating Turkey (in red) and the BRICS countries (in blue).

Joining BRICS would underscore Turkey's balancing act between the West and the Global South, but the organization's weaknesses will limit its potential for economic growth.

For Turkey, BRICS Is Far From a Political and Economic Panacea

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President Cyril Ramaphosa is sworn in as member of parliament during the first sitting of the new South African parliament on June 14 in Cape Town, South Africa. Ramaphosa will be inaugurated to a second term in a ceremony scheduled to take place June 19 in Pretoria.

The Weekly Rundown: Ukraine's Peace Summit, South Africa's Inauguration

South African President and leader of the African National Congress (ANC) Cyril Ramaphosa (center) delivers his remarks after the official announcement of the results of South Africa's general election at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, on June 2, 2024. 

Global Elections

To secure a parliamentary majority, President Ramaphosa appears likely to seek an agreement with the center-right Democratic Alliance party, which would raise investor confidence but also risk triggering violent unrest.

What's Next for South Africa Following the ANC's Historic Electoral Defeat

Mexico

A rally for Morena party candidate Claudia Sheinbaum on May 29 in Mexico City's Zocalo.

The Weekly Rundown: South Africa's ANC Faces a Reckoning, Mexican Voters Select a New President

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Supporters of the African National Congress (ANC) party dance, sing and chant slogans during a campaign march on May 24, 2024, in Johannesburg, South Africa. 

The Weekly Rundown: South Africa's General Election, Israel Resumes Hostage Talks With Hamas

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa greets supporters during an election rally on May 17, 2024, at Lakhis Sports Ground in Greytown, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. 

The May 29 election will likely usher in a new era of coalition governments in South Africa, with President Ramaphosa likely governing with the support of smaller, mostly centrist parties.

Previewing South Africa's General Election

The skyline of Johannesburg, South Africa, is seen on April 19, 2023.

The government that emerges from the May 29 election will probably fail to address the structural factors holding back South Africa's economy, but a financial crisis remains unlikely for now.

Assessing South Africa's Post-Election Economic Outlook

At the tip of the African continent lies South Africa. The country borders Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique and also surrounds Lesotho and much of Swaziland. South Africa's current borders were consolidated by the British in 1910 as the Union of South Africa, following the Boer Wars between the United Kingdom and Dutch settlers.    The Drakensberg and Karoo mountains rim the coastlines, separating a dry interior from a coastal region, which captures the majority of the country's rainfall.    Two key factors distinguish South Africa from much of the rest of the continent. The country has a malaria-free climate, which attracted European settlers. It also has abundant mineral resources — including gold, diamonds, coal and platinum — in the north-central interior.    This mining area is the geographic core of South Africa — encompassing the cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria and adjoining parts of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and Free State provinces. This core is connected by road and rail to a series of ports — from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, to Durban and Richards Bay — that carry goods and resources to and from Gauteng.    The wealth generated there underwrites financial, agricultural, industrial and manufacturing activity in other parts of South Africa.    South Africa's geographic challenge is to protect the extraction of natural resources in its interior while striving to maintain sufficient employment. It must then find ways to disperse enough wealth to appease its populations in the Gauteng and peripheral zones of the country.

SITUATION REPORTS

South Africa: Ramaphosa Signs Education Bill Into Law, Delays Implementation of Controversial Provisions

South Africa: Democratic Alliance Threatens to Exit Coalition Government Over Education Bill

South Africa: Government Seeking $18B To Upgrade Municipal Power Grids

South Africa: EFF Deputy President Quits Party, Joins Zuma's MK Party

South Africa: Government Outlines Next Priorities for Power Sector, Hints at Further Intervention Into Transnet

South Africa: National Health Insurance Act Moves Forward Amid Fresh Consultations With Healthcare Sector

South Africa: Ex-President Jacob Zuma Expelled From ANC for Backing Rival Party

South Africa: Ramaphosa Unveils Coalition Government's Priorities

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