Topic: South Africa

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Africa Monitor Eastern Congo's new peace process: What you need to know

In late February, 11 African nations signed a new 'vision document' for peace in the eastern Congo. Regional expert Meredith Hutchison breaks down what it could mean for the region's future.
#RainbowNation: The rise of South Africa's 'black Twitter'

Twitter use is booming in South Africa and a loose, outspoken community of black tweeters are using the short-form platform to bypass traditional media and add their own voices to social debates.
Reeva Steenkamp photo shows her firing gun

Reeva Steenkamp photographed firing a gun similar to her murder weapon. The Reeva Steenkamp photo emerges at a time when the Steenkamp and Pistorius families are feuding over guns in South Africa.
Whitney Houston: FBI releases 128-page file (+video)

Whitney Houston's FBI file includes letters from fans that Whitney Houston found threatening, as well as an attempted extortion attempt that the FBI investigated.
Israel takes heat for de facto segregation on new West Bank buses

Israel's government inaugurated two new buses in the West Bank that are effectively Palestinian-only. Critics say it's an attempt to separate Israeli settlers from Palestinian neighbors who commute side-by-side.
Miriam Makeba: What's up with that clicking sound anyway?

Miriam Makeba, whose life is celebrated on Google's homepage on what would be her 81st birthday Monday, helped introduce the world to the Xhosa language and its distinctive click consonants.
Miriam Makeba: A woman with 9 passports but no home (+video)

Miriam Makeba, who would have turned 81 today, is remembered as the renowned singer and activist Mama Africa. Her exile from South Africa caused a lifetime of pain, but it also led her to lead a life of service and empowerment.
Miriam Makeba: The fame and exile of 'Mama Africa'

Miriam Makeba led a life of song and protest. Google celebrates the South African singer Monday, on what would have been her 81st birthday.
Africa Monitor South Africa police face scrutiny after video of dragging goes viral

While the murder trial of Oscar Pistorius has focused renewed global attention on South Africa’s epidemic of violence, for many the death of a young cab driver highlights a more familiar story.
Africa Monitor In eastern Congo, a new peace deal brings halting optimism

Eleven countries signed a deal this week to bring troops and support to the conflict-ridden region, but stability is still a long way off, writes Tom Murphy.
Pistorius tragedy, characters, prove a never-ending soap opera in South Africa

One longtime columnist, Max du Preez, says the Pistorius drama is turning out to be a bigger shock for the nation than the release of Nelson Mandela.
Focus Will Twitter make an impact in Kenya's elections next week?

Smart phones now affordable for the first time and can carry messages of reconciliation as well as hate.
Africa Monitor Sugar Man: Did the Oscar-winning documentary mislead viewers?

The film tells the story of an unknown American musician who struck it big in apartheid South Africa – but critics says it omitted crucial facts about the life of Sixto Rodriguez.
The Monitor's View Is Oscar Pistorius really Africa's 'biggest' story?

Last week, when the West and UN were intervening in a host of problems in Africa, much of the world focused on Oscar Pistorius, the Olympic hero charged with murdering his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp. Africa needs a better media spotlight.
Ranulph Fiennes pulls out of 'Coldest Journey' expedition

British polar adventurer Ranulph Fiennes, known as the oldest person to summit Mount Everest in 2009, couldn't continue his winter Antarctica crossing expedition, dubbed 'The Coldest Journey,' due to frostbite.
Pistorius' brother faces culpable homicide charge for 2008 car accident (+video)

Carl Pistorius, brother of Oscar Pistorius, currently faces a culpable homicide charge for a 2008 car accident in which a woman motorcyclist was killed. Olympic star Oscar Pistorius is charged with premeditated murder in the Feb. 14 shooting of his girlfriend.
Academy Awards behind-the-scenes chatter: Will ‘Argo’ or ‘Lincoln’ win? (+video)

The talk in Hollywood has gone beyond the single efforts of ‘Argo’ and ‘Lincoln’ to an evaluation of the careers of their directors, Ben Affleck and Steven Spielberg.
Steenkamp family struggles with grief, Pistorius released on bail

Oscar Pistorius spent Saturday at his uncle's home after being released on bail. Pistorius, the double-amputee South African Olympic sprinter, is accused of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. The Steenkamp family has been beset by grief.
Pistorius lived in elite, gated, alternate South Africa

Oscar Pistorius, who killed his girlfriend last week, was granted $113,000 bail today but told he can't live in his posh Silver Woods estate ahead of a June 4 trial date.
Briefing: How violent is South Africa?

The prosecution say Oscar Pistorius murdered his girlfriend. He says he shot her in mistaken self-defense, taking her for a burglar. Whatever the truth, the case has put a spotlight on crime in South Africa.
Pistorius 'Blade Runner' gets bail, and freedom, after weepy week in court

Iconic South African sports hero told to forsake alcohol, firearms, passport, and to post $113,000 ahead of June 4 trial.
Judge frees Oscar Pistorius on bail as Steenkamp family watches (+video)

Oscar Pistorius ruled to be no threat to society and not a flight risk. South African judge sets bail at about $114,000. Sprinter's hands trembling early but Oscar Pistorius' face unmoved in bail decision.
Africa Monitor How many immigrants does South Africa have? That depends who you ask.

Immigration is a hot-button issue in South African politics, but one of the most important questions about migrants remains the most basic: How many are there?
Global News Blog Can South Africa's justice system handle the Oscar Pistorius case? (+video)

The lead detective in the Oscar Pistorius murder case has been replaced. But can the South African police force recover from the mistakes made to date?
Oscar Pistorius bail hearing: Is the prosecution's case unraveling? (+video)

Oscar Pistorius, a South African Olympic athlete, has been accused of murdering his girlfriend on Valentine's Day. A bail hearing in the case is ongoing. Testimony so far has brought to light some mistakes in the police investigation following the woman's death.