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South Africa
Pretoria's vested interest in keeping Russia close

Pro-Moscow ministers are stepping up efforts to boost relations between both countries. They are succeeding in shifting the neutral stance advocated by President Cyril Ramaphosa. [...]

Published on 30/08/2022 at 06:00 GMT Reading time 2 minutes

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Diplomacy

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African National Congress
Antony Blinken
Cyril Ramaphosa
David Mabuza
Gwede Mantashe
Lindiwe Sisulu
Lindiwe Zulu
Naledi Pandor
Rosneft
Sergei Shoigu
Thandi Modise
United Manganese of Kalahari
Viktor Vekselberg
Vladimir Putin

South Africa
Moscow courts far-right South African cells

The Kremlin is using a Russian nationalist organisation, the Double-Headed Eagle Society, to woo South Africa's white supremacists. Its goal is to discreetly exert pressure on the majority party, the ANC, a long-standing ally of Moscow.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 21.11.2024

Inner circles | South Africa
Armscor leaders overwhelmed by demands of South Africa's decrepit military

South Africa's cash-starved arms procurement agency, whose largely civilian management is far removed from the realities of the military world, is struggling to deliver the overhaul the defence force desperately needs.

Subscribers only Defence 28.10.2022

South Africa, United States
US military transport plane offer divides South Africa government

Discussions are underway between the US and South Africa to transfer a dozen C130H transport aircraft to help Pretoria fight Islamist militants in Mozambique. But the South African defence minister is reluctant.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 24.10.2022

South Africa
Gift of the Givers, the NGO that puts Pretoria at odds with Moscow

Gift of the Givers continues to provide help to Ukraine despite Pretoria's reluctance. But the South African government knows it cannot do without the humanitarian aid organisation that often helps get it out of tricky situations.

Subscribers only Politics, Diplomacy 10.10.2022

Lesotho, South Africa
Fed-up Pretoria takes action on Basotho gang gold raids

The people injecting the most cash into the Lesotho general election campaign, local gangs, get much of their money from raiding disused gold mines in South Africa. These Basotho gangs are now threatening active mines, sparking tensions between Pretoria and Maseru.

Subscribers only Mining, Politics 05.10.2022

Zama zamas in Roodepoort, on 13 April 2012.

Russia, South Africa, United States
Washington launches charm offensive for Ramaphosa visit

Joe Biden will receive his South African counterpart at the White House on 16 September. High on their talks agenda will be boosting links between the two countries, as the battle of influence rages between the United States and Russia to win over South Africa.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 15.09.2022

Joe Biden talks with South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa during G7 summit in Carbis Bay, Cornwall, Britain, 12 June, 2021.

Inner circles | South Africa
How key ANC body steers South Africa's foreign policy

At its conference in December, delegates from the ruling party will vote on a range of new national measures. Led by Lindiwe Zulu, the ANC's powerful international relations sub-committee is once again set to impose its will on the executive, with implications for Israel, Russia and Western Sahara.

Free access Politics 09.09.2022

Lindiwe Zulu, chairperson of the ANC foreign policy sub-committee.

South Africa
US senators and Russian Rosneft executives' near miss at Kruger Park

A delegation of US officials visiting the famous game reserve Kruger Park had an unexpected encounter. A private jet carrying representatives of the Russian oil giant Rosneft was on the tarmac of the park's airport as they were about to leave.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 06.09.2022

South Africa, South Sudan
ACCORD, Pretoria's mediator of choice

The conflict management organisation ACCORD, led by South African Vasu Gounden, is helping to facilitate negotiations in the South Sudanese peace process. Close to the ANC, it is also active in Lesotho and Eswatini.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 01.09.2022

South Africa
Ramaphosa and his inner circle convene to discuss 'farmgate'

With the ANC's five-yearly national conference due to take place in December, the South African president has been weakened by a scandal involving money stolen from one of his farms. At a recent meeting, his inner circle raised its concerns.

Subscribers only Politics 21.07.2022

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa.

Russia, South Africa
VIPs expected at Russia-South Africa business forum in Johannesburg

The Russian Export Center (REC) is holding a business forum in Johannesburg from 20 to 21 July that will be attended by several prominent figures from the South African business world.

Subscribers only Business 15.07.2022

Spotlight | Southern Africa
Putin's envoy reassures Harare and Maputo but avoids Pretoria

On a tour of southern Africa, Russian Federation Council leader Valentina Matvienko promised Zimbabwe and Mozambique that their imports of basic necessities would not be hit by the war in Ukraine. But the Kremlin envoy notably did not include South Africa in her trip.

Subscribers only Commodity traders, Diplomacy 16.06.2022

Valentina Matvienko, President of the Council of the Russian Federation.

South Africa
ANC pushing to curb party funding law's transparency clauses

For over a year now political parties have been required to publish the names of their donors under the new Political Party Funding Act. The African National Congress, however, is uncomfortable with disclosing its supporters and plans to revise the law.

Subscribers only Politics 06.06.2022

On our other sites

Moscow courts South Africa's far-right cells

The Kremlin is using a Russian nationalist organisation, the Double-Headed Eagle Society, to woo the rainbow nation's white supremacists in the hope of influencing Pretoria from the wings.

Subscribers only Intelligence Online 21.11.2024

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African National Congress
Antony Blinken
Cyril Ramaphosa
David Mabuza
Gwede Mantashe
Lindiwe Sisulu
Lindiwe Zulu
Naledi Pandor
Rosneft
Sergei Shoigu
Thandi Modise
United Manganese of Kalahari
Viktor Vekselberg
Vladimir Putin

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Senegal
Guns and oil drive Russia's Dakar courtship

Botswana, South Africa
From Gaborone to Antwerp, is De Beers's empire on the rocks?

South Africa
Pretoria's vested interest in keeping Russia close

This article may be accessed by subscribers

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Set up email notifications for these topics

South Africa
Moscow courts far-right South African cells

Inner circles | South Africa
Armscor leaders overwhelmed by demands of South Africa's decrepit military

South Africa, United States
US military transport plane offer divides South Africa government

South Africa
Gift of the Givers, the NGO that puts Pretoria at odds with Moscow

Lesotho, South Africa
Fed-up Pretoria takes action on Basotho gang gold raids

Russia, South Africa, United States
Washington launches charm offensive for Ramaphosa visit

Inner circles | South Africa
How key ANC body steers South Africa's foreign policy

South Africa
US senators and Russian Rosneft executives' near miss at Kruger Park

South Africa, South Sudan
ACCORD, Pretoria's mediator of choice

South Africa
Ramaphosa and his inner circle convene to discuss 'farmgate'

Russia, South Africa
VIPs expected at Russia-South Africa business forum in Johannesburg

Spotlight | Southern Africa
Putin's envoy reassures Harare and Maputo but avoids Pretoria

South Africa
ANC pushing to curb party funding law's transparency clauses

Moscow courts South Africa's far-right cells

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Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

About Africa Intelligence

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Indigo Publications' websites

Senegal Guns and oil drive Russia's Dakar courtship

Botswana, South Africa From Gaborone to Antwerp, is De Beers's empire on the rocks?

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East Africa's hotly contested coffee sector

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South Africa Pretoria's vested interest in keeping Russia close

This article may be accessed by subscribers

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create a free account

Set up email notifications for these topics

South Africa Moscow courts far-right South African cells

Inner circles | South Africa Armscor leaders overwhelmed by demands of South Africa's decrepit military

South Africa, United States US military transport plane offer divides South Africa government

South Africa Gift of the Givers, the NGO that puts Pretoria at odds with Moscow

Lesotho, South Africa Fed-up Pretoria takes action on Basotho gang gold raids

Russia, South Africa, United States Washington launches charm offensive for Ramaphosa visit

Inner circles | South Africa How key ANC body steers South Africa's foreign policy

South Africa US senators and Russian Rosneft executives' near miss at Kruger Park

South Africa, South Sudan ACCORD, Pretoria's mediator of choice

South Africa Ramaphosa and his inner circle convene to discuss 'farmgate'

Russia, South Africa VIPs expected at Russia-South Africa business forum in Johannesburg

Spotlight | Southern Africa Putin's envoy reassures Harare and Maputo but avoids Pretoria

South Africa ANC pushing to curb party funding law's transparency clauses

Moscow courts South Africa's far-right cells

Set up email notifications for these topics

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Senegal
Guns and oil drive Russia's Dakar courtship

Botswana, South Africa
From Gaborone to Antwerp, is De Beers's empire on the rocks?

South Africa
Pretoria's vested interest in keeping Russia close

South Africa
Moscow courts far-right South African cells

Inner circles | South Africa
Armscor leaders overwhelmed by demands of South Africa's decrepit military

South Africa, United States
US military transport plane offer divides South Africa government

South Africa
Gift of the Givers, the NGO that puts Pretoria at odds with Moscow

Lesotho, South Africa
Fed-up Pretoria takes action on Basotho gang gold raids

Russia, South Africa, United States
Washington launches charm offensive for Ramaphosa visit

Inner circles | South Africa
How key ANC body steers South Africa's foreign policy

South Africa
US senators and Russian Rosneft executives' near miss at Kruger Park

South Africa, South Sudan
ACCORD, Pretoria's mediator of choice

South Africa
Ramaphosa and his inner circle convene to discuss 'farmgate'

Russia, South Africa
VIPs expected at Russia-South Africa business forum in Johannesburg

Spotlight | Southern Africa
Putin's envoy reassures Harare and Maputo but avoids Pretoria

South Africa
ANC pushing to curb party funding law's transparency clauses