It’s Thursday night in downtown Johannesburg and some 500 people are packed into Bassline, a warehouse-like club in a hipster-friendly neighborhood. They’re here for South Africa’s longest-running sound system, or crew of reggae DJs. But tonight they get something extra: a young woman with dreadlocks and an army cap gets on the mic to freestyle. [...]
South Africans Fear Mandela’s Death Would Bring Violence
March 31, 2013 | Posted by
South Africa is holding its collective breath in fear of uprisings and riots that could follow the death of political icon Nelson Mandela, who is 94 and struggling with health issues. The Nobel Peace Prize-winner is in his fifth day of another hospital visit for a lung infection. Ernst Roets, deputy executive chief of South [...]
Nelson Mandela Responding Positively to Treatment of Lung Infection
March 29, 2013 | Posted by
South Africa remains anxious over the health of former President Nelson Mandela, who has “responded positively” to treatment for a lung infection during his third hospital visit in the last four months. The civil rights icon spent almost three weeks in hospital in December. Though an overnight checkup went well earlier this month, he has [...]
BRICS Leaders Meet, But Still No New Development Bank
March 29, 2013 | Posted by
The leaders of the BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa—agreed in principle on the broad outlines of a much-anticipated new development bank that would serve the same purpose as the World Bank. But they said they needed to conduct further talks in order for the idea to actually materialize. The BRICS meeting took place in [...]
Bashar Al-Assad Calls on BRICS Nations to Help End Conflict in Syria
March 17, 2013 | Posted by
With the country entering its third year of civil warfare, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad issued a plea to the BRICS nations, asking them to help end the conflict. The BRICS nations, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, will host a summit later this month. Only Russia has spoken out in support of Assad’s regime [...]
Bus Crash Kills 24 in South Africa
March 15, 2013 | Posted by
A church bus carrying over 60 passengers crashed in South Africa’s Western Cape Friday, killing 24 and injuring dozens more. A crane lift was required to lift the bus and separate victims trapped beneath it at the scene, 80 miles northeast of Cape Town. Reuters reports that 44 passengers were hurt in the accident. “It [...]
Nelson Mandela Discharged From Hospital After Checkup
March 10, 2013 | Posted by
Former South African president Nelson Mandela was discharged from a Pretoria hospital Sunday after undergoing a scheduled checkup. The anti-apartheid leader was admitted for an overnight stay Saturday, and has returned to his Johannesburg home. “The doctors have completed the tests. He is well and as before, his health remains under the management of the [...]
Nigeria Projected to Surpass South Africa as Continent’s Largest Economy
March 7, 2013 | Posted by
LAGOS, Nigeria – The ever-expanding moonscape that stretches behind a wall holding back the Atlantic Ocean here will one day host a project designed to help anchor Nigeria as Africa’s biggest economy. But if the ambitious plan to construct a new city on land reclaimed from the sea represents Nigeria’s future, it is one that [...]
Oscar Pistorius’ Father Called ‘Racist’ By ANC After Critical Comments
March 7, 2013 | Posted by
The African National Congress fired back at the father of accused murderer Oscar (Blade Runner) Pistorius, calling his comments that the ANC was not willing to protect white South Africans “racist.” Henke Pistorius angered black South Africans with his claims and insulted the ANC. “Not only is this statement devoid of truth, it is also [...]
South African Police Under Scrutiny Again For Dragging Incident That Led to Death
March 1, 2013 | Posted by
The South African police force is involved in yet another scandal, at a time when international attention to its actions is higher than ever. Sadly police misconduct seems to be a common practice, as officers demonstrated when they handcuffed Mido Macia to the back of a truck and dragged him along a road, resulting in [...]
