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Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

December

• South Africa's Ramaphosa Faces Challenges Despite Re-Election to Top ANC Spot VOA 19 Dec 2022 -- With Cyril Ramaphosa being re-elected as leader of South Africa's ruling party on Monday, he now has a clear path to winning another term as the country's president in 2024. But analysts say Ramaphosa has been weakened politically by a corruption scandal and intra-party rivalries.
• Ramaphosa Re-elected Head of Ruling ANC Party VOA 19 Dec 2022 -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa won a battle for the leadership of his African National Congress party (ANC) on Monday, beating his only rival by a large margin.
• South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa Re-elected as ANC President Sputnik 19 Dec 2022 -- The 55th National Conference of South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) party is taking place from 16 to 20 December. As part of the conference, the party elects its leader for the next five years.
• South Africa Deploys Army to Power Stations Amid Energy Crisis VOA 18 Dec 2022 -- The South African government has stationed members of the armed forces at several of the country's beleaguered power stations, amid rolling blackouts and allegations of sabotage and corruption.
• South Africa's Parliament Votes Against Ramaphosa Impeachment Over 'Farmgate' Scandal Sputnik 14 Dec 2022 -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has been facing calls to step down after he was accused in a report of corruption and breaching the constitution. Lately, the parliament postponed a vote on his impeachment as leaders of the governing party voiced support for the president, recommending that the corruption charges be dismissed.
• South Africa's President Faces ANC Vote After Parliament Decides Against Impeachment Inquiry VOA 14 Dec 2022 -- South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa survived a vote in parliament that could have threatened his presidency — but can he survive another to keep his position as head of the ruling party? He finds out this weekend when the African National Congress party meets to elect its new leader.
• South Africa's Ruling ANC in Crisis of Leadership and Support VOA 12 Dec 2022 -- South Africa's ruling African National Congress is kicking off its party conference this week amid a leadership crisis and dwindling public support. The divided party will have to decide whether to keep the current president in power — a decision that could drastically change the political landscape in the country.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor US Dept. of State 08 Dec 2022
• South African Parliament Postpones Vote on Ramaphosa's Impeachment After ANC Lends President Support Sputnik 06 Dec 2022 -- A day before the initial vote date, top leaders of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) recommended its governing body to dismiss the corruption allegations against the president and party leader.
• South Africa's President Asks Court to Overturn Report Recommending Impeachment Inquiry VOA 06 Dec 2022 -- South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa is asking the country's Constitutional Court to overturn a parliamentary report that says he may have broken the law and could lead to his removal from office.
• South Africa's Ramaphosa Will Not Resign Over 'Farmgate' Scandal, Official Says Sputnik 04 Dec 2022 -- Cyril Ramaphosa has placed great emphasis on combating corruption, which worsened during the presidency of his predecessor of his predecessor, Jacob Zuma. Now, Ramaphosa himself is accused of corruption as opponents seek to remove him from power.
• South African president under pressure to quit amid cash burglary scandal Press TV 02 Dec 2022 -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is reportedly in talks with the country's ruling African National Congress (ANC) party as pressure mounts for him to quit or be forced from office over a cash burglary scandal at his farm that he allegedly covered up.
• South Africa's Ruling Party Meets to Discuss President's 'Farmgate' Scandal VOA 02 Dec 2022 -- South Africa's ruling African National Congress party is holding emergency talks after an independent panel called for an impeachment inquiry, saying President Cyril Ramaphosa may have broken the law.
• South Africa's President Could Face Impeachment Inquiry VOA 01 Dec 2022 -- A report by an independent panel appointed by South Africa's parliament contends that President Cyril Ramaphosa violated his oath of office, which could lead to an impeachment inquiry. The panel finds the president has to answer for the theft of at least a half-million dollars from his game farm that may not have been declared in his taxes.

November

• Study: South Africa Resilient to Chinese Attempts to Influence Media VOA 30 Nov 2022 -- South Africa's free press has been largely successful at resisting efforts by the Chinese government to influence its content, say analysts, affirming a recent study by the U.S.-based think tank Freedom House.
• South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal Rules Ex-President Zuma Must Return to Prison Sputnik 21 Nov 2022 -- South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruled on Monday that former President Jacob Zuma, previously released on medical grounds, should return to prison.
• South African Court Rules Former President Zuma's Medical Parole Unlawful VOA 21 Nov 2022 -- South Africa's highest appeals court has ruled that former President Jacob Zuma must return to prison, saying his release from a contempt of court sentence last year on medical parole was unlawful.
• Measures 'Under Way' to End Power Cuts, Claims South African Official Sputnik 21 Nov 2022 -- South Africa is currently experiencing a severe energy crisis as the utility firm Eskom implements nationwide power cuts to reduce pressure on the grid following the breakdown of its old coal-powered plants. Frequent blackouts negatively impact economic activity.
• President Xi Jinping Meets with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa PRC MofA 15 Nov 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Call with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor US Dept. of State 02 Nov 2022

October

• South Africa's Former Electricity Boss Charged With Corruption VOA 28 Oct 2022 -- South African investigators have arrested the former head of the country's national power provider, Eskom, on corruption charges. South African analysts say while this is a significant step toward tackling state graft, it won't fix the country's worsening energy crisis.
• South Africa Urged to Deny Russian Billionaire's Yacht Entry VOA 27 Oct 2022 -- Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has urged the South African government to deny entry to a Russian billionaire's megayacht, warning that allowing it to dock in the country could lead to sanctions.
• US Embassy Warns of Terror Threat in South Africa's Richest Shopping District VOA 27 Oct 2022 -- The U.S. Embassy in South Africa has issued a rare warning of a possible terror attack this coming weekend in Sandton, an upmarket business district of Johannesburg sometimes dubbed "Africa's richest square mile." South Africa's president has criticized the U.S. for putting out the alert and causing "panic" without first consulting the government.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Pandor US Dept. of State 23 Oct 2022
• South African Ex-President Zuma Calls Courts Unjust After Completing Jail Term VOA 22 Oct 2022 -- South Africa's scandal-embroiled former president, Jacob Zuma, addressed the media Saturday for the first time after completing a 15-month jail term for contempt of court, alleging the country's justice system is unjust and infiltrated by foreign interests.
• Majority Union Signs Deal to End South Africa's Freight Transport Strike VOA 19 Oct 2022 -- The state-owned company that runs South Africa's freight rail and port systems is a step closer to ending a strike that has idled imports and exports for nearly two weeks. The union that represents a majority of workers from Transnet has signed a three-year wage deal to end the work stoppage. Not everyone is happy about the move.
• Striking Workers Bring Freight Rail and Ports to Standstill in South Africa VOA 17 Oct 2022 -- A strike by 36,000 South African freight rail and port workers who are seeking a wage increase for inflation has entered its second week. The strike is costing South Africa's economy an estimated $44 million a day.
• INDIAN NAVAL SHIP TARKASH REACHES SOUTH AFRICA FOR IBSAMAR VII India PIB 12 Oct 2022 -- INS Tarkash reached Port Gqeberha (also known as Port Elizabeth), South Africa to participate in the seventh edition of IBSAMAR, a joint multinational maritime exercise among Indian, Brazilian and South African Navies from 10 - 12 Oct 22.
• Under Secretary Nuland and South African DIRCO Director General Dangor Convene the U.S.-South Africa Working Group on African and Global Issues US Dept. of State 01 Oct 2022

September

• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa Naledi Pandor Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 22 Sep 2022
• South African Energy Crisis Sees Rolling Blackouts VOA 19 Sep 2022 -- South Africa's state power utility, Eskom, has implemented its highest level of nationwide power cuts to reduce pressure on the grid after two more of its aging power plants broke down.
• Readout of Vice President Harris’s Meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa The White House 16 Sep 2022
• Remarks by Vice President Harris and President Ramaphosa of the Republic of South Africa Before Bilateral Meeting The White House 16 Sep 2022
• Background Press Call by Senior Administration Officials on the Upcoming Visit of President Cyril Ramaphosa of the Republic of South Africa The White House 15 Sep 2022
• 'Difficult' Discussion on Ukraine Predicted at Biden-Ramaphosa Meeting VOA 15 Sep 2022 -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will meet U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House Friday, with trade, energy, and security all on the agenda. What’s not officially on the program, but will likely be discussed, analysts say, are the two democracies’ differences over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
• South African Utility Giant Eskom Introduces Power Cuts Due to Breakdowns Sputnik 11 Sep 2022 -- While Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the least electrified regions in the world, South Africa introduced a national electrification program following the end of apartheid that connected three million households to the national grid. However, this increased demand and put a strain on the existing power network, which led to rolling blackouts.
• South Africa Reaches Deal With India to Boost Domestic Vaccine Production VOA 02 Sep 2022 -- The Serum Institute of India signed a deal this week with South Africa's Aspen Pharmacare to make four vaccines used in Africa.
• Statement by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on the Meeting Between President Joe Biden and President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa The White House 01 Sep 2022

August

• South Africa's Defense Minister in Russia for Security Conference VOA 15 Aug 2022 -- South Africa's Defense Minister Thandi Modise has arrived in Russia for a Moscow-hosted conference on international security. The visit comes amid Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine and as Russian forces there are occupying Europe's largest nuclear power plant. It also comes just days after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited South Africa in part to try to win more African support against Russia's invasion.
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with South African President Ramaphosa US Dept. of State 09 Aug 2022
• Remarks at a South African Women's Day Event US Dept. of State 09 Aug 2022
• Blinken Gives US-Africa Strategy Address in Pretoria VOA 08 Aug 2022 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken gave a speech on the key U.S. strategy for sub-Saharan Africa at the University of Pretoria on Monday, on the first leg of his Africa trip.
• Vital Partners, Shared Priorities: The Biden Administration's Sub-Saharan Africa Strategy US Dept. of State 08 Aug 2022 -- Speech by Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
• FACT SHEET: U.S. STRATEGY TOWARD SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA The White House 08 Aug 2022
• South African Minister Accuses West of 'Bullying' On Ukraine VOA 08 Aug 2022 -- South African Minister of International Relations Naledi Pandor accused the West of sometimes taking a patronizing and bullying attitude toward Africa, as she hosted U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the first leg of his Africa visit. Pandor made it clear that South Africa has different views from the U.S. on Ukraine, China, and Israel and the Palestinians.
• Blinken in South Africa; Compares South African Struggle for Equality to US VOA 08 Aug 2022 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in South Africa on the first leg of an Africa trip. His first stop was a poignant one, as he visited a museum that commemorates a key moment in the anti-apartheid struggle.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor at a Joint Press Availability US Dept. of State 08 Aug 2022
• Remarks at the Opening of the U.S.-South African Strategic Dialogue US Dept. of State 08 Aug 2022
• Blinken Heads to South Africa Amid New 'Cold War' VOA 06 Aug 2022 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in South Africa on Sunday, in what analysts say is an attempt to counter Chinese and Russian influence in the region.

July

• South African Foreign Minister Says Israel 'Implementing Apartheid' VOA 28 Jul 2022 -- South Africa's chief rabbi has condemned Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor for saying that Israel is "implementing apartheid" in its treatment of Palestinians. Pandor made the comparison to South Africa's past oppressive system of racial segregation during a meeting of the Palestinian Heads of Mission in Africa, held in Pretoria.
• Is South Africa Headed Toward its Own 'Arab Spring?' VOA 26 Jul 2022 -- Former South African president Thabo Mbeki launched a rare attack last week on the ruling African National Congress party and President Cyril Ramaphosa. Mbeki said public discontent with the government is so high the country could be headed toward its own "Arab Spring," the uprising that toppled leaders starting in 2010 and spread across parts of the Arab world.
• South Africa's Corruption Watchdog to Subpoena President Ramaphosa Over Farm Scandal Sputnik 20 Jul 2022 -- South Africa's Public Protector's Office in Pretoria said on Tuesday that she would invoke "subpoena powers" to get testimony from President Cyril Ramaphosa after he refused to give requested answers about the theft of foreign currency at his Phala Phala game reserve.
• South Africa 'on the precipice of explosive xenophobic violence', UN experts warn UN News 15 Jul 2022 -- A group of independent UN human rights experts have condemned reports of escalating violence targeting foreign nationals in South Africa, and called for accountability against rising xenophobia, racism and hate speech aimed at migrants, refugees, asylum seekers - and even citizens perceived as outsiders - throughout the country.
• New York Army National Guard, South Africa train together Army News 13 Jul 2022 -- New York Army National Guard Soldiers will spend the next two weeks working on an exercise with their State Partnership Program partners in South Africa.

June

• Striking South African Electricity Workers Return to Work Amid Severe Outages VOA 29 Jun 2022 -- South Africa's state-owned power company, Eskom, said some workers were returning to their posts Wednesday, amid a strike over pay issues that caused severe nationwide power cuts. The rolling blackouts have dealt a blow to South Africa's already ailing economy.
• PM meeting with President Ramaphosa: 27 June 2022 Gov.UK 27 Jun 2022 -- Prime Minister Boris Johnson met South African President Ramaphosa at the G7 Summit in Germany today.
• Taps in South Africa's Eastern Cape Go Dry VOA 24 Jun 2022 -- South Africans living in the Eastern Cape are counting down to "Day Zero" when the taps in the Nelson Mandela Bay area will run dry. Experts say climate change induced drought has left reservoirs almost empty, while municipal mismanagement has city authorities scrambling to plug more than 3,000 leaking water pipes.
• South Africa Releases Damning Report Into Zuma-Era Graft VOA 23 Jun 2022 -- South Africa's Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has released a final and damning report after a long-running inquiry into influence-peddling and corruption during former President Jacob Zuma's nine years in office. It recommends several high-ranking officials face investigation and prosecution.
• South Africa Can't Refine Russian Oil, Opposition Politician Says VOA 17 Jun 2022 -- Three times this year, South Africa has abstained from voting on United Nations resolutions condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
• Telephone conversation with President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa President of Russia 15 Jun 2022 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa at the South African side's initiative.
• South Africa's President Sidesteps Money-Hiding Allegations in Parliament Speech VOA 09 Jun 2022 -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed parliament Thursday for the first time since a former spy boss last week accused him of hiding millions of dollars in his farmhouse.
• South African President Faces Criminal Charges — But Will He 'Step Aside'? Sputnik 07 Jun 2022 -- South Africa's ruling party the ANC passed a resolution at its 2107 conference instructing party members to 'step aside' from official government positions if they are charged with corruption or other serious offences. Now that may force President Cyril Ramaphosa to take indefinite leave from leading the country.
• South Africans React to Arrest of Zuma Allies Accused of Stealing Billions VOA 07 Jun 2022 -- South Africans were relieved Tuesday to learn that two businessmen who've been fugitives since being accused of looting billions of dollars from the state have been arrested in Dubai. But their extradition and prosecution could be a complex and drawn-out legal battle.

May

• Secretary Blinken's Call with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Pandor US Dept. of State 25 May 2022
• South Africa Poised to Exploit Growing Demand for Platinum Group Metals VOA 10 May 2022 -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the country is poised to take advantage of the growing demand for platinum group metals, as Western sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine have forced mining investors to look to Africa.
• South African Opposition Chief Warns Africa to Brace for Ukraine War Impact VOA 05 May 2022 -- While South Africa's African National Congress-led government has refused to condemn Russia's war on Ukraine — preferring to take a neutral stance and calling for mediation — the Democratic Alliance Party's John Steenhuisen isn't mincing his words.
• South Africa Urges Africa's First COVID-19 Vaccine Plant to Keep Its Doors Open VOA 04 May 2022 -- South African health officials are urging COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer Aspen to keep its plant in the Eastern Cape province open. This follows a Reuters article quoting Aspen's senior director saying they may have to shut down as there have been no orders for their rebranded COVID vaccine.
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meetings with South African Minister Pandor and Deputy Minister Botes US Dept. of State 04 May 2022

April

• Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan call with South African National Security Advisor Sydney Mufamadi The White House 25 Apr 2022
• Concerns Rise Over Sharp Increase in South Africa's COVID-19 Cases VOA 21 Apr 2022 -- South Africa has recorded a sharp increase in COVID-19 infections, the highest rate in three months, raising concerns about a possible larger surge in the disease.
• South Africa Floods Could Hurt China Trade VOA 20 Apr 2022 -- Some of the worst flooding in South Africa's history has left more than 400 people dead and some 40,000 displaced, dealing a devastating blow to the eastern city of Durban, which has a seaport that has also been badly affected.
• South African speaker appointed to mediate in Russia-Ukraine conflict People's Daily 14 Apr 2022 -- The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has appointed Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa, to its task force to mediate in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, South Africa's parliament said on Wednesday.
• South Africa to Quadruple Mozambique Deployment as SADC Converts to Peacekeeping Force Sputnik 13 Apr 2022 -- Due to neoliberal reforms triggered by International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan terms, Mozambique lacks the budget to support an armed force capable of pacifying the Islamist rebels in the north, forcing it to contract unreliable mercenaries and appeal to other nations for help, including Portugal, against which it fought a long independence war.
• Readout of President Biden's Call with President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa The White House 08 Apr 2022
• South Africa Ends COVID-19 State of Disaster after 750 Days VOA 05 Apr 2022 -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced Monday the end of the country's state of disaster brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

March

• South African Parliament Votes Against No Confidence Motion Against Acting Cabinet Sputnik 30 Mar 2022 -- The South African National Assembly, the lower house of the country's parliament, did not uphold on Wednesday the no confidence motion against the acting government.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with South African Foreign Minister Pandor US Dept. of State 23 Mar 2022
• Ukraine-Russia War: Africa Undercuts Ability to Mediate, Analysts Say VOA 22 Mar 2022 -- Political analysts say South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has undercut his own utility as a potential mediator of the war in Ukraine with a controversial suggestion that NATO's own actions are to blame for Russia's invasion of its western neighbor.
• South African Women Hardest Hit in World's Most Unequal Country, Report Finds VOA 15 Mar 2022 -- The consequences of inequality are playing out every day in the historically Black community of Soweto.
• South Africa's Ramaphosa Asked to Mediate Russia-Ukraine Talks VOA 11 Mar 2022 -- South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa says he has been asked to help mediate peace between Russia and Ukraine, after having spoken to his counterpart Vladimir Putin. But some analysts are questioning whether South Africa's ties to Russia could impact its neutrality.
• Telephone conversation with President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa President of Russia 10 Mar 2022 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa at the South African side's initiative.
• South Africa's Neutral Stance on Russia Risks International Ties: Analysts VOA 07 Mar 2022 -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday defended his neutral stance on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, calling for talks — not condemnation.
• South Africa Criticized for Abstaining on UN Ukraine Resolution VOA 03 Mar 2022 -- South Africa chose to abstain Wednesday when the United Nations General Assembly voted on a resolution calling on its BRICS partner, Russia, to withdraw its military forces from Ukraine. South Africa's U.N. ambassador defended the move, but some South Africans were unhappy with the decision.
• Interpol Issues Red Notices for Gupta Brothers Wanted in South Africa VOA 02 Mar 2022 -- South Africa said this week the International Criminal Police Organization, Interpol, has requested countries seek out and arrest Rajesh and Atul Gupta, two brothers and businessmen who allegedly bribed top officials, including former president Jacob Zuma, to gain lucrative government contracts.
• China, South Africa agree in opposing hegemonism, enhancing cooperation PLA Daily 01 Mar 2022 -- Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe held talks with Thandi Modise, minister of defense and military veterans of South Africa,via video link on March 1, 2022.

February

• South Africa Sending Fresh Troops to Mozambique to Fight Islamist Insurgents VOA 22 Feb 2022 -- South Africa is sending fresh troops and armored vehicles to Mozambique's northern Cabo Delgado province as part of efforts to fight Islamic State-connected insurgents.
• WHO lauds 'historic initiative' on vaccine equity underway in South Africa UN News 14 Feb 2022 -- During a COVID-19 global action meeting on Monday, the UN health chief described the progress underway at the World Health Organization (WHO) mRNA vaccine technology transfer Hub in South Africa, noting that the "historic initiative comes at a critical time" in the global fight against the virus.
• Health regulator okays Chinese Sinopharm vaccine for use in South Africa Press TV 07 Feb 2022 -- A South African health regulator has approved China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine for adults aged 18 and above even though a senior health official said the government would not immediately procure its doses.

January

• US Billionaire Opens COVID, Cancer Vaccine Plant in South Africa VOA 19 Jan 2022 -- South African-born U.S. billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa have cut the ribbon Wednesday at a new vaccine manufacturing plant. It is hoped the facility will soon start making Africa's first locally produced COVID-19 vaccines, as well as cancer vaccines and other pharmaceuticals.
• Analyst: Release of Corruption Report a First Step in Repairing South Africa's Democracy VOA 05 Jan 2022 -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says a scathing report by an inquiry into state graft marks "the end of an era" of corruption. But analysts say it's only the beginning of efforts needed to restore public trust in South Africa's political institutions.