Category: South Africa

African Countries Want More Chinese Tourists, but They’re Using Flawed Strategies, Say Experts

JOHANNESBURG—African countries are spending billions of dollars trying to penetrate the biggest outbound tourist market in the world but with limited success. China is the continent’s largest single trade partner, but its citizens remain hesitant to explore a continent that’s often in the news for the wrong reasons, such as conflict, extremist attacks, and food…


South Africa Killings Ignite Manhunt for Bulgarian Mafia Kingpins With US Links

JOHANNESBURG—On the morning of May 25, a volley of gunshots rang out in Constantia, Cape Town. The suburb is home to some of South Africa’s wealthiest people, including business magnates and politicians.  It was also home to a married couple who a neighbor later described as “very quiet; from somewhere in Europe.”  No one knew…


Toxic Gas Leak in South Africa Has Killed 16 People, Including 3 Children, Police Say

JOHANNESBURG—At least 16 people, including three children, were killed by a leak of a toxic  being used by illegal miners to process gold in a settlement of closely packed metal shacks, South African police, and local officials said late Wednesday. Emergency services initially announced that as many as 24 people might be dead in the…


Madikwe: The Most Amazing Game Reserve You’ve Never Heard Of

The sky was just turning to rust, a pale reflection of the iron-rich red soil below, here in the far reaches of the Kalahari Desert. With the day quickly fading, we needed to make a reluctant retreat back to the lodge. But it was hard to leave. After all, we had just witnessed was one…


Deepening Mystery of South Africa’s ‘Militia’ on Peace Mission to Ukraine

JOHANNESBURG—When Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and Senegal’s Macky Sall disembarked at Warsaw’s Chopin Airport on the morning of June 16, they were each accompanied by 12 bodyguards.   Comorian President Azali Assoumani’s entire security detail consisted of two men.  The leaders were part of the African Peace Mission to Russia and Ukraine. Hichilema, Sall, and Assoumani…


South Africa Brands as Unfair US Politicians’ Call to Punish It for ‘Supporting’ Russia

JOHANNESBURG—The South African government says any “punitive action” taken against it by the Biden administration for Pretoria’s perceived support of Russia in its war against Ukraine would be based on “hysteria, hearsay, and contempt for South Africa’s sovereignty.” The reaction comes after four powerful United States Congressmen from the Democratic and Republican Parties wrote a…


Ashleigh Buhai Comes From Behind to Win ShopRite LPGA Classic

Major champion Ashleigh Buhai of South Africa prevailed on American soil for the first time when she won the ShopRite LPGA Classic on Sunday, June 11, in Galloway, N.J. Buhai, 34, fired her second straight round of 65 to finish at 14–under 199 in the 54-hole event, winning for the fourth time worldwide in the…


Wagner Group Set to Launch ‘Information War’ to Keep South Africa’s ANC in Power, Say Analysts

Global intelligence analysts, political risk consultants, and members of security establishments are warning of the “probability” of Russia interfering in South Africa’s election next year. “The goal of the interference would be to ensure that a pro-Russian government is elected in one of the world’s most resource-rich nations, and that means the Kremlin-funded Internet Research…


A Morning Mountain Tour in Zululand

It had been a very nice drive, already. Sitting in the open air in the back of a safari Jeep, rolling along winding roads that curved and curled through a dramatic mountain range, the vibrant, verdant flanks giving way to craggy peaks. The morning chill is cut by warm blankets, and there’s the promise of…


South African Adventure: Kruger and Klaserie

In moments like these, the air feels more rare, time seems to slow down, and everything crackles with tension. Just a few minutes earlier, a call came over the radio and my guide, Khutso, quickly put our open-backed Jeep in gear. Doing his best imitation of a Formula One driver, he roared over the rough…