South Africa

Economics

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Chief Financial Officer of South Africa's state-owned utility company Eskom Calib Cassim hinted that the company may be compelled to request fresh financial support from South Africa's National Treasury by the end of the 2020s if debt arrears from municipalities keep rising at their current rate, News24 reported on Oct. 15.

South Africa: Eskom Flags Bailout Risk if Municipal Debt Remains Unaddressed

Environment, Science & Technology

Science & Technology

South Africa's state-owned bulk water supplier Rand Water warned that water reservoir levels in Gauteng province were "critically low" and would soon be depleted if municipalities did not act on its recommendations, Bloomberg reported on Oct. 14.

South Africa: Rand Water Warns of 'Critically Low' Water Levels in Gauteng

The National Transmission Company of South Africa, or NTCSA, unveiled its priorities at its official launch ceremony, including the delivery of reliable access to power, the creation of a competitive electricity market and the expansion of South Africa's transmission grid, ESI-Africa reported on Oct. 8.

South Africa: NTCSA Unveils Strategic Priorities for Transmission Grid

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa launched Phase 2 of the Business and Government Partnership, which aims to boost freight, improve grid capacity and tackle crime, Bloomberg reported Oct. 1.

South Africa: Ramaphosa Launches Phase 2 of Business and Government Partnership

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) confirmed that state-owned utility company Eskom had applied for a 36% increase in electricity tariffs in the fiscal year starting April 1, 2026, Bloomberg reported Sept. 25. 

South Africa: Eskom Requests 36% Increase in Electricity Tariffs in 2026

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the controversial Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) bill into law, but delayed the implementation of two controversial clauses relating to language policy and the powers of school governing bodies, Bloomberg reported Sept. 13.

South Africa: Ramaphosa Signs Education Bill Into Law, Delays Implementation of Controversial Provisions 

Social Issues

The center-right Democratic Alliance (DA) threatened to exit South Africa's coalition government if President Cyril Ramaphosa signs an unamended version of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) into law following a statement from the presidency that Ramaphosa will sign the bill Sept. 13, News 24 reported Sept. 11.

South Africa: Democratic Alliance Threatens to Exit Coalition Government Over Education Bill

The South African government said it would set up a new body to raise 319 billion rand ($18 billion) to repair and upgrade South Africa’s municipal power grids, Bloomberg reported on Aug. 26. 

South Africa: Government Seeking $18B To Upgrade Municipal Power Grids 

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Vehicles pass by a banner thanking outgoing Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and congratulating President-elect Prabowo Subianto and Vice President-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka ahead of their Oct. 20 inauguration in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Oct. 17, 2024.

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: An Impeachment Case in Kenya, an Inauguration in Indonesia

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Yael Braun-Pivet, a French lawmaker for the ruling Renaissance party, delivers a speech after being reelected as National Assembly president following the third round of voting on July 18, 2024.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

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The Weekly Rundown: France Resumes Political Horse-Trading, Blinken Returns to Middle East

Photograph of the Union Buildings in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa, at night. 

The government will likely face intra-coalition challenges and strong pushback from trade unions, but early signs of compromise from both the DA and ANC suggest it could successfully pass several structural reforms in the coming years.

The Challenges Facing South Africa's New Coalition Government 

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U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during a press conference at the 75th NATO Summit in Washington, D.C., on July 11, 2024. 

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Biden's exit from the U.S. presidential race will free him to pursue more aggressive action against Russia over Ukraine and increase pressure on Israel to end its war with Hamas. 

What To Expect from Biden's Foreign Policy Farewell Tour

Parc des Champions on July 4, 2024, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower at the Trocadero in Paris.

The Weekly Rundown: The Paris Olympics, Netanyahu Addresses Congress

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The European Commission in Brussels. On July 18, incumbents Roberta Metsola and Ursula von der Leyen are expected to be confirmed for a second term as presidents of the European Parliament and the European Commission, respectively.

The Weekly Rundown: A New European Commission President, the Third Plenary Session of the CPC

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A map illustrating Turkey (in red) and the BRICS countries (in blue).

Joining BRICS would underscore Turkey's balancing act between the West and the Global South, but the organization's weaknesses will limit its potential for economic growth.

For Turkey, BRICS Is Far From a Political and Economic Panacea

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President Cyril Ramaphosa is sworn in as member of parliament during the first sitting of the new South African parliament on June 14 in Cape Town, South Africa. Ramaphosa will be inaugurated to a second term in a ceremony scheduled to take place June 19 in Pretoria.

The Weekly Rundown: Ukraine's Peace Summit, South Africa's Inauguration

South African President and leader of the African National Congress (ANC) Cyril Ramaphosa (center) delivers his remarks after the official announcement of the results of South Africa's general election at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, on June 2, 2024. 

Global Elections

To secure a parliamentary majority, President Ramaphosa appears likely to seek an agreement with the center-right Democratic Alliance party, which would raise investor confidence but also risk triggering violent unrest.

What's Next for South Africa Following the ANC's Historic Electoral Defeat

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A rally for Morena party candidate Claudia Sheinbaum on May 29 in Mexico City's Zocalo.

The Weekly Rundown: South Africa's ANC Faces a Reckoning, Mexican Voters Select a New President

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Supporters of the African National Congress (ANC) party dance, sing and chant slogans during a campaign march on May 24, 2024, in Johannesburg, South Africa. 

The Weekly Rundown: South Africa's General Election, Israel Resumes Hostage Talks With Hamas

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa greets supporters during an election rally on May 17, 2024, at Lakhis Sports Ground in Greytown, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. 

The May 29 election will likely usher in a new era of coalition governments in South Africa, with President Ramaphosa likely governing with the support of smaller, mostly centrist parties.

Previewing South Africa's General Election

At the tip of the African continent lies South Africa. The country borders Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique and also surrounds Lesotho and much of Swaziland. South Africa's current borders were consolidated by the British in 1910 as the Union of South Africa, following the Boer Wars between the United Kingdom and Dutch settlers.    The Drakensberg and Karoo mountains rim the coastlines, separating a dry interior from a coastal region, which captures the majority of the country's rainfall.    Two key factors distinguish South Africa from much of the rest of the continent. The country has a malaria-free climate, which attracted European settlers. It also has abundant mineral resources — including gold, diamonds, coal and platinum — in the north-central interior.    This mining area is the geographic core of South Africa — encompassing the cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria and adjoining parts of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and Free State provinces. This core is connected by road and rail to a series of ports — from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, to Durban and Richards Bay — that carry goods and resources to and from Gauteng.    The wealth generated there underwrites financial, agricultural, industrial and manufacturing activity in other parts of South Africa.    South Africa's geographic challenge is to protect the extraction of natural resources in its interior while striving to maintain sufficient employment. It must then find ways to disperse enough wealth to appease its populations in the Gauteng and peripheral zones of the country.

SITUATION REPORTS

South Africa: Eskom Flags Bailout Risk if Municipal Debt Remains Unaddressed

South Africa: Rand Water Warns of 'Critically Low' Water Levels in Gauteng

South Africa: NTCSA Unveils Strategic Priorities for Transmission Grid

South Africa: Ramaphosa Launches Phase 2 of Business and Government Partnership

South Africa: Eskom Requests 36% Increase in Electricity Tariffs in 2026

South Africa: Ramaphosa Signs Education Bill Into Law, Delays Implementation of Controversial Provisions

South Africa: Democratic Alliance Threatens to Exit Coalition Government Over Education Bill

South Africa: Government Seeking $18B To Upgrade Municipal Power Grids

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