South Africa’s Ramaphosa walks tightrope as he promises to ‘do better’ if re-elected president
In comments broadcast on national television, he said the ANC would focus on getting more South Africans into work, tackle the high cost of living, maintain existing social grants and progressively implement a basic income support grant for the unemployed.
Accustomed to friendly crowds, Trump faces hostile audience at Libertarian convention
Libertarians, who prioritise small government and individual freedoms, are often sceptical of the former president, and his invitation to address the convention has divided the party. Trump tried to make light of that by referring to the four criminal indictments against him and joking, “If I wasn’t a Libertarian before, I sure as hell am a Libertarian now.”
Trump’s allegations that agents in classified documents probe plotted to assassinate him irks prosecutors
Prosecutors on special counsel Jack Smith’s team said in court papers late on Friday that Trump’s statements falsely suggesting that federal agents “were complicit in a plot to assassinate him” expose law enforcement – some of whom prosecutors noted will be called as witnesses at his trial – “to the risk of threats, violence, and harassment.”
Uncertainty hangs over ruling ANC party as South Africans get ready to vote next week
The vote occurs in the lower house of Parliament, known as the National Assembly, and it needs at least 201 votes from its 400 lawmakers to elect a president. The ANC has always had a majority in Parliament since 1994 and so the president has always been from the ANC.
VP Harris announces during Kenya’s President Ruto’s US tour plans to raise internet access in Africa by 80 per cent
Africa has struggled to receive the capital needed to build up its industrial and technological sectors. The United Nations reported last year that foreign direct investment in the continent fell to $45 billion in 2022, from a record high $80 billion in 2021.
Biden, Kenya’s President Ruto vow to defend democracy and rule of law in Africa and beyond
On Thursday evening, Ruto was the guest of honour at a lavish state dinner that drew a wide range of guests, from singer-songwriter Don McLean to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, the CEOs of Walmart and Pfizer as well as former President Bill Clinton. Former President Barack Obama, whose father was Kenyan, made a brief appearance before the meal.
South Africa’s Hammanskraal community’s struggles for clean and safe water symbolise widespread political pessimism
Resident gather at a water tank to collect water in the Hammanskraal township, Pretoria, south Africa on may 22, 2024. Hammanstraal’s problems are a snapshot of the issues affecting millions and driving a mood of discontent in South Africa that might force its biggest political change in 30 years in the next week’s national elections.
Biden heaps praise on Kenya’s President Ruto for ‘his bold leadership’ as White House marks state visit
Biden and Ruto are using the three-day state visit to Washington, in part, to call on economies around the globe to take action to reduce the enormous debt burden crushing Kenya and other developing nations.
South Africa dropped its optimist ‘Rainbow Nation’ tag to become world’s crime capital where immigrants are hunted like rats
Dudula’s Deputy Secretary General Isaac Lesole rejected the allegations that the group harassed or abused migrants in the block. He said the group’s code of conduct, allowed members only to ask if someone has legitimate visa papers, not to demand to see them. He disputed the charge of vigilantism, saying their role was always to alert legitimate authorities.
How Mandela’s vision of Black unity faded in the heat of xenophobia as South Africa slammed doors on migrants
The May 29 election could mark the end of an era for post-liberation South Africa, with the long-dominant ANC expected to lose its parliamentary majority for the first time, abandoned by voters incensed at a litany of national woes including a dearth of decent housing, frequent power cuts, water shortages, poor schools, rampant joblessness and high crime.
