South Africa

BRICS expansion as a win for African countries

Business /

Experts from the Global South view the recent expansion of the BRICS bloc as a positive development. “Any expansion means more voices for those who were unheard and left out of the integration process,” stated Aravind Yelery, a professor at India’s Jawaharlal Nehru University. This perspective emerged during a meeting of 40 think tanks organized by the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the China Media Group. The gathering addressed the future of global development amid significant change and turmoil, ahead of the upcoming BRICS summit in Russia from October 22-24. Originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, BRICS expanded earlier this year to include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, and Ethiopia. Many believe this expansion will amplify the voices of more countries on the international stage. With the Global South representing about 40% of global GDP and 85% of the world’s population, its influence in global affairs is growing. The expansion of BRICS is seen as a way to create more balance against the Western-dominated international order.

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South Africa asks Taiwan to move embassy, signaling China’s influence

Africa /

South Africa has requested that Taiwan relocate its de facto embassy from Pretoria to Johannesburg, giving Taipei six months to make the move. This decision underscores Beijing’s growing influence among developing nations. While Taipei accuses Pretoria of yielding to Chinese pressure, Beijing has welcomed the move. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, stated, “The One China principle is the foundation for China’s diplomatic relations. We appreciate South Africa’s decision to relocate the Taipei liaison office from Pretoria. Taiwan independence is unpopular and doomed to fail.” China established its embassy in South Africa in 1998, following Pretoria’s severance of formal ties with Taiwan, over which Beijing claims sovereignty. However, South Africa has continued to maintain unofficial relations with Taiwan. This development occurs amidst rising tensions between Beijing and Taipei. Taiwan recently celebrated its national day, rejecting China’s sovereignty claims, while China conducted military drills near Taiwan shortly thereafter. China is South Africa’s largest global trading partner, and both nations aim to enhance cooperation. They are also members of the BRICS bloc, which will hold its annual summit in Russia next week.

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Mpox deaths exceed 1,000 as outbreaks widen across Africa

Africa /

Mpox-related deaths have surpassed 1,000 amid outbreaks affecting 18 of Africa’s 55 nations, according to the head of the Africa CDC, Jean Kaseya. This week alone saw 50 new fatalities, bringing the total to 1,100. Kaseya urged international partners to fulfill their pledges to support Africa’s response, highlighting a nearly $600 million budget for a six-month plan developed by Africa CDC and the WHO. Of this amount, 55% is earmarked for addressing mpox in 14 affected nations and enhancing preparedness in 15 others. Mpox, related to smallpox, typically causes milder symptoms like fever and body aches, but severe cases can result in lesions. Zambia and Zimbabwe recently confirmed new cases, with eastern DRC remaining the epicenter of the outbreak. The mpox virus was first identified in Denmark in 1958, and while it had sporadically spread in central and West Africa for years, a global outbreak began in 2022, prompting rapid vaccine distribution from wealthy countries.

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Tito Mboweni, SA’s first labour minister post-apartheid, dies at 65

Africa /

Tito Mboweni, South Africa’s first Minister of Labour after the end of Apartheid, has passed away at the age of 65. Local media reported that he died on Saturday night (Oct. 12) in a Johannesburg hospital, surrounded by loved ones, after a short illness. Mboweni was a prominent anti-Apartheid activist and served as Minister of Labour from 1994 to 1999 in the Cabinet of founding President Nelson Mandela. Following this, he held the position of Governor of the South African Reserve Bank for a decade, starting in 1999. He also served as Minister of Finance during the first term of current President Cyril Ramaphosa. In a statement released on Saturday (Oct. 11), President Ramaphosa praised Mboweni as “a leader and compatriot who has served our nation as an activist, economic policy innovator, and champion of labour rights.” He expressed shock at Mboweni’s passing, noting, “Given his vitality and engaging spirit, Dr. Mboweni’s loss at 65 is deeply felt.”

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