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South Africa

South Africa
South Africa
The latest news, analysis and opinion on South Africa. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Family members of a victim react at the scene of an attack at a tavern in Bekkersdal, Johannesburg, on Sunday. Photo: AFP
Crime

South African gun violence kills 9, wounds 10 in pub shooting

With almost 26,000 homicides in 2024, or more than 70 per day on average, South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world.

China-Africa relations

Entrepreneurs vie for Africa’s Business Heroes titles in start-up bonanza

Africa

Opinion | How China can help Africa build human capital

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China-Africa relations

China promised zero tariffs for Africa. Why is South Africa missing out?

Botswana, Lesotho and Namibia also miss out on duty-free treatment over fellow trade bloc member eSwatini’s diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

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Chinese Premier Li Qiang (fourth left) poses with African and other G20 leaders, in Johannesburg on November 22. He has said Beijing is willing to work with South Africa to promote the early implementation of zero-tariff treatment for its goods. Photo: AFP
Crime

Mass shooting at a South African bar leaves 11 dead, including 3 children

Police say shootings at illegal taverns are becoming a serious problem, and over 11,000 such establishments have been shut down recently.

Donald Trump

US wipes South Africa’s G20 website clean for 2026 Trump summit

The US presidency of the G20 begins with the first-ever exclusion of a member nation.

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G20

Ramaphosa dismisses Trump’s threat to bar South Africa from 2026 G20 summit

South Africa’s president labels Donald Trump’s repeated claims about his country as ‘misinformation’.

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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the recent G20 summit in Johannesburg. Photo: AFP
China-Africa relations

China set to benefit as South Africa looks to diversify away from US

As ties with Washington deteriorate, Pretoria is ‘determined to pursue economic diplomacy’ as it pursues new markets in Asia and Europe.

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War and conflict

Zuma’s daughter quits South African parliament amid Russian mercenary scandal

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla is under investigation for allegedly recruiting South Africans for Russian mercenary roles in Ukraine.

Asean

Opinion | In its year under Malaysia, Asean tried to set systemic reform in motion

Despite grumbles about loss of focus and misgivings about the longevity of new networks, Malaysia, ironically, perhaps didn’t go far enough.

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Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim hands the gavel over to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr at the closing ceremony of the 47th Asean summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 28. The Philippines takes over as Asean chair on January 1. Photo: Xinhua
Donald Trump

Trump barring South Africa from next year’s G20 summit in Miami

South Africa denounces US president’s G20 ban as punitive as relations between the two nations sour.

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A protester wears a Trump mask, as Oxfam activists demanding the taxing of the super-rich in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Saturday, the opening day of the G20 leaders’ summit. Photo: Reuters
Diplomacy

Opinion | Why next year’s G20 could be make or break for global development

As the US prepares to chair the G20, it faces a strategic choice: engage or revert to a narrower agenda.

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China-Japan relations

Why China took Japan criticism to UN twice but did not raise it at G20

Analysts say Beijing views the UN as a platform to ‘anchor’ its position on Taiwan, particularly because it offers a wider reach.

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India

Economics above politics? India and Canada to resume trade agreement talks

While their ties plunged in 2023 over the death of a Sikh separatist, they are keen to restart trade talks due to US tariffs, analysts say.

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India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney speak before a meeting at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, in June. Photo: AP
China-UK relations

Starmer met Premier Li Qiang at G20 in South Africa amid Beijing visit rumours

Speculation on a Beijing trip comes as Britain’s PM said he would protect UK national interests after questions about engagement with China.

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday. Photo: AFP
Alibaba

Alibaba’s Cainiao expands service in Africa as demand for Chinese goods surges

The logistics arm of Alibaba is rolling out its small-parcel service in more parts of Africa to tap growing demand for made-in-China goods.

Ukraine war

South Africa police investigate claims Zuma’s daughter in Russia recruit scheme

Men were lured with job promises, but were allegedly handed to a Russian mercenary group for Ukraine war effort.

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Mainland China

China, allies drive agenda at G20 South Africa summit amid US no-show

All participants but one endorse Johannesburg Declaration focusing on African debt crises, climate initiatives and critical minerals.

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Chinese Premier Li Qiang has urged the G20 community to speed up the reform of global financial institutions, and reaffirmed Beijing’s support for debt relief for developing countries while rejecting “unilateralism and protectionism”. Photo: Handout
Canada

Carney: global economic ‘centre of gravity’ shifting away from US

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the world can make progress on a range of issues without the US, following consensus reached at a G20 leaders’ meeting.

Africa

Africa attracts smaller EU nations scrambling for influence

Estonia and Finland are among those seeking to boost their presence on the continent, revamping diplomatic and trade ties over the past five years.

G20

At G20, China pushes multilateralism, solidarity and free trade amid US boycott

Chinese Premier Li Qiang urges reform of major Western-led international organisations, says developing countries must have a greater voice.

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Chinese Premier Li Qiang addresses the first session of the 20th G20 summit, in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Saturday. Photo: Xinhua
SCMP Highlights

US ‘biggest recipient’ of China debt; Beijing’s warning: SCMP daily highlights

From a study of China’s lending since 2000 to analysts’ views on Beijing’s spat with Tokyo, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

The US flag towers above hundreds of containers the Port of Los Angeles in California. China has lent far more to the United States in recent years than previously understood, a new AidData study has found. Photo: EPA-EFE
United States

Outside In | Trump’s G20 boycott sums up a year of US attacks on multilateralism

Despite the duress, most countries clearly do not prefer Trumpian unilateralism. But while multilateralism is not dead, it is limping badly.

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G20

US boycott and China-Japan rift loom large over South Africa G20 summit

Geopolitical friction threatens to derail talks in Johannesburg, with observers saying it could be hard to reach consensus on key issues.

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G20

White House denies reversing G20 boycott, hits out at South African leader

Cyril Ramaphosa said the US had a last-minute change of mind, but the White House had sharp words in response.

Banners displaying the faces of various G20 leaders displayed along a Johannesburg freeway. Photo: AP
Donald Trump

Trump administration warns South Africa not to issue G20 statement

US opposes South Africa’s G20 agenda, while Trump escalated tensions with false accusations of genocide against White Afrikaners and land grabs.

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A G20 summit sign is seen at Johannesburg Expo Centre on Monday. Photo: EPA
Malaysia

Can Malaysia gain foothold in Africa against entrenched competition?

While Africa may offer ‘long-term opportunities’, analysts say Malaysia can only gain traction by focusing on areas with clear strengths.

China-Africa relations

Huge security operation in place for Africa’s first G20 summit

South Africa’s G20 summit will see representatives of 42 countries meet in Johannesburg this weekend, but not the United States.

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