Stories from South Africa

Health MEC DiGietzeng Masheho confirmed the death of the second baby in a set of triplets due to respiratory distress complications. This follows the death of the first boy in the triplet set earlier this week. The surviving child is currently receiving specialized care at Manguang Hospital. The children were reportedly abducted from their home in Guadalupe on Tuesday nights.

Members of the March & March group are targeting individuals suspected of being undocumented migrants in Durban. The group is reportedly conducting unauthorized arrests and looting shops. Mike Milovou of the CAX anti-xenophobia coalition confirmed that videos of these attacks have circulated on social media for several weeks.

A new surge of xenophobic violence has been reported in the coastal city of Durban, South Africa. The situation has drawn international attention and indignation in cities such as Accra. Demonstrators are also targeting immigrants by blocking access to schools and clinics. Mike Milovou of the CAX coalition reported that these groups have been illegally obstructing essential services for several months. Militant groups identified as March & March are targeting migrants in Durban, claiming to oppose illegal immigration. Local coalitions, including CAX, are monitoring the social media footage of these incidents. Protests against migrants are planned for Johannesburg and Pretoria. Over 3 million foreign nationals currently reside in the country and are seeking stronger government protection.

The South African Constitutional Court ruled that the South African Human Rights Commission (SHRC) maintains constitutional importance despite lacking legally binding enforcement powers. The Commission said the need for careful reading of the judgment to avoid ultra vires actions. No specific timeline for legislative changes was provided. Spokespeople said the commission's ongoing role in protecting the rights of vulnerable and poor populations. The court affirmed the commission's function as a watchdog to ensure South Africans can access avenues for addressing human rights violations. The Constitutional Court has issued a judgment said the investigative role of the Commission for Gender Equality. The organization said that the move is intended to fulfill its mandate to protect human rights.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed a high-level event at Wits University regarding global inequality. He said that addressing inequality requires collective architecture of reform and credible monitoring. Ramaphosa noted that actionable insights must guide governments, multinational agencies, academia, and civil society. The speech followed the publication of the first G20 Inequality Report last year. He stressed that social and economic development remains severely constrained by these disparities. He cited the G20 Inequality Report which shows the richest 1 percent of the global population captured 41 percent of all new wealth between 2000 and 2024. The report notes the poorer half of humanity captured only 1 percent of new wealth created in that period.

Activists from CSOMA and Sibone Lunganana Trawa are calling for South Africa to reflect on hate crimes against the LGBTQI community. The group notes that while the national constitution prohibits discrimination based on gender orientation or identity, these protections are not reflected in the lived reality of community members. The call for reflection comes as the country prepares to observe Freedom Day tomorrow. Activists in Johannesburg are expressing concern regarding the exclusion of the queer community from constitutional protections. Nana Trawa highlighted that while the nation has served as a beacon for human rights, the lived realities for LGBTQI individuals often differ from constitutional ideals. The group is working to ensure community members understand their rights within the current framework.

Kwaito music has been a driver of black empowerment in South Africa, growing into an industry worth $130 million annually.

Former beauty queen Cynthia Schange has passed away at the age of 76. Schange received lifetime achievement awards from the SAFTAS and the Simon Mabonu Sabela Awards. Her death was reported by SAFM and other sources. She passed away in Durban. A former Taiwanese ambassador to Eswatini, Zheng Jiansheng, died in a car accident in 1973 while en route to a meeting with the Prime Minister of Mozambique. The accident occurred at night on a road without streetlights. Zheng Jiansheng was the second ambassador to Eswatini and was also responsible for consular affairs in Mozambique. This incident is remembered as a tragedy for Taiwan's diplomatic corps. The cause of death and other details surrounding her passing have not been immediately released. Further details regarding the cause of death were not immediately available.

Former beauty queen Cynthia Schange passed away at age 76 early Sunday morning. She died at a hospital in Guasalnatal following an illness. Schange rose to prominence in the 1970s as the first Black Miss Africa South. She represented South Africa at the Miss World competition in London. She leaves a legacy in South Africa's arts and entertainment industry. She was a recipient of lifetime achievement awards from the Saftes and the Simon Mabonu Sabela Awards. The announcement was made on behalf of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her death was announced by her family. Details regarding memorial services have not yet been confirmed.

South African vaccine manufacturer BioVac has secured a financing package of 1.8 billion UAH from the International Finance Corporation, the European Commission, and the European Investment Bank. The company will build Africa's first end-to-end multi-vaccine manufacturing site in Cape Town. This initiative aims to enhance self-reliance in vaccine production for Africa, addressing gaps identified during the COVID-19 pandemic.