Nov 28 WHO criticizes travel bans on southern African countries By Andrew Meldrum, Associated Press The World Health Organization on Sunday urged countries around the world not to impose flight bans on southern African nations due to concerns over the new omicron variant. WHO’s regional director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, called on countries to follow… Continue reading
Nov 27 South African scientists brace for wave propelled by omicron By Andrew Meldrum, Associated Press In the space of two weeks, the omicron variant has sent South Africa from a period of low transmission to rapid growth of new confirmed cases. The country’s numbers are still relatively low, with 2,828 new confirmed cases recorded Friday,… Continue reading
Nov 26 Watch 9:42 Alarm grows after emergence of new omicron COVID-19 variant. Here's what you need to know A newly emerged variant of the coronavirus known as “omicron” is causing widespread concern. First discovered in South Africa, it's now been detected in multiple nations, including Europe and Israel. Many nations including the U.S. are considering travel bans to… Continue watching
Nov 26 AP explains: What we know so far about the new COVID variant in South Africa By Maria Cheng, Associated Press South African scientists identified a new version of the coronavirus this week that they say is behind a recent spike in COVID-19 infections in Gauteng, the country's most populous province. Continue reading
Nov 11 South Africa's last apartheid president, F.W. de Klerk, dies By Andrew Meldrum, Cara Anna, Associated Press F.W. de Klerk, who shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Nelson Mandela and as South Africa's last apartheid president oversaw the end of the country's white minority rule, has died at the age of 85. Continue reading
Nov 02 Wealthy nations partner to help South Africa ditch coal By Associated Press One focus of the initiative will be helping to create new jobs for tens of thousands of people in South Africa’s coal mining industry. Continue reading
Jul 15 South Africa deploys 25,000 troops to end week of rioting By Andrew Meldrum, Mogomotsi Magome, Associated Press South Africa’s army has begun deploying 25,000 troops to assist police in quelling the weeklong riots and violence sparked by the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma. Continue reading
Jul 14 Watch 2:12 Chaos in South Africa as riots, looting follow Zuma's jailing By Nick Schifrin, Ali Rogin In South Africa, rioting and looting rocked parts of the country again overnight. The trouble began last week after the country’s former leader Jacob Zuma was jailed, and police say more than 70 people have been killed and 1,200 arrested. Continue watching
Jul 13 Death toll mounts in South Africa rioting after Zuma jailing By Mogomotsi Magome, Andrew Meldrum, Associated Press Sporadic violence broke out after Zuma on Thursday began serving a 15-month sentence for contempt of court for refusing to testify at an investigation of allegations of corruption while he was president. Continue reading
Jul 11 South Africa ramps up vaccine drive, too late for this surge By Andrew Meldrum, Associated Press Some in wheelchairs, others on canes, hundreds of South Africans waited recently on the ramps of an open-air Johannesburg parking garage to get their COVID-19 vaccine shots. Despite the masks, social distancing and blustery weather of the Southern Hemisphere winter,… Continue reading