Zuma wary of impact of probes on SA, India ties

President Jacob Zuma has welcomed the investigations into the landing of a Gupta family-chartered jet at Waterkloof Air Base, but emphasised that it should not impact negatively on the relations between SA and India.

• Expose 'real' Gupta culprits, says Vavi
• Gupta saga: Indian official in hot seat
• Minister: Guptas could be investigated

Protocols tightened as Gupta guests leave

A special team has been deployed to OR Tambo International Airport to ensure procedures are followed as the Gupta's family guests depart for home, a report says.

• Briefing was damage control exercise, DA says
• Gupta saga raises concerns over security
• Gupta escort 'not provided by police'

Germany lauds SA's role in Africa

Germany's Foreign Affairs Minister Guido Westerwelle has lauded South Africa for its interventions in strife-torn countries on the African continent.

• SA, CAR relations personalised - PM
• No policy change on CAR - Zuma

Zuma arrives in Algeria for talks

President Jacob Zuma has arrived in the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria for bilateral talks with his Algerian counterpart, the presidency says.

• Zuma to visit Algeria, Nigeria
• SA 'is safer now' says Cabinet
• Manage public opinion, SA diplomats told

Envoys sent to CAR rebels - minister

South African envoys will take part in a diplomatic mission by the central African regional bloc to convey its condemnation to rebels who have seized control of Central African Republic.

• We didn't bolt from CAR - Minister
• Probe into SA troops killed in CAR
• Defence minister: We weren't prepared

Probe into SA troops killed in CAR

Government will investigate international reports querying the death toll of South African soldiers in CAR, International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane says.

• SA sends more troops to CAR - report
• SA troops leaving CAR - union
• SANDF denies CAR troop build-up

SA women face rights challenges

Women continue to face challenges in accessing their rights, the Human Rights Commission says.

• Cabinet concerned about gender violence
• Xingwana hounded out of Parliament
• Zuma: No one should be raped in SA

SA gears up for historic Brics summit

Preparations for the first Brics summit on African soil, hosted by South Africa in March, are at an advanced stage, says Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

• Brics eye $240bn forex reserves pool
• SA keen to host planned Brics bank
• Brics holds opportunities for SA

Loyalists not rewarded - Mantashe

ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe says no ANC member has been elected to a position of leadership because of loyalty to President Jacob Zuma.

• Greed devouring the ANC - Mantashe
• Mantashe 'bit disappointed' at NEC outcome

Zuma to lead delegation to SADC summit

President Jacob Zuma will lead a delegation to the Southern African Development Community summit in Tanzania, the international relations and co-operation department says.

• Zuma attending extraordinary SADC summit
• Zim to provide troops for DRC mission
• 4 000 SADC troops pledged for DRC

Malema claims he was victim of a plot

Former ANCYL leader Julius Malema has threatened to reveal details of a plot by several government officials to bring about his downfall.

• Malema: Racketeering a serious charge
• Malema case postponed to April 2013
• We have a president who can't read - Malema

SA condemns Israel's use of force

The force used by Israel in its attacks on Hamas militants in Gaza is "disproportionate", Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane says, as she called on both sides to agree to a ceasefire.

• Turkey accuses Israel of 'ethnic cleansing'
• Israel: Gaza ground attack plan on hold
• Gaza crisis underlines Obama's ME dilemma

SA interests in Zim protected - minister

SA's economic interest and investments in Zimbabwe will remain protected, Zimbabwean Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi says.

• SA court dismisses Zim govt appeal
• Weapons sold to Zim for peacekeeping - report
• SA has a lot to learn from Zim - Malema

Zuma to address UN

President Jacob Zuma will lead South Africa's delegation to the sixty-seventh sitting of the United Nations.

SA sends aid to Niger

SA is set to send its first consignment of humanitarian aid to Niger after it committed assistance to four Sahel region countries suffering from severe climatic conditions.

• First aid plane arrives in flooded Niger
• Oxfam: Act to save West Africans
• Niger: Help needed for hungry children

US seeks to add value: Hillary Clinton

The United States is seeking to give rather than take in its relationship with Sub-Saharan Africa, says visiting Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

• Clinton urges SA to take leading role
• Clinton holds strategic talks in SA
• Hillary Clinton visits Mandelaview

Clinton holds strategic talks in SA

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is meeting top South African officials in talks focused on HIV/Aids, trade and the response to events in global hotspots.

• Smiling Mandela meets Hillary Clinton
• Hillary Clinton in SA for 4-day tour
• Hillary Clinton visits Mandelaview

Stability vital for region - Mashabane

SA's international relations minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane says stability and democracy are vital for the development of the Southern African Development Community.

• Infrastructure first - AU chair
• Dlamini-Zuma pledges to build unity
• Cabinet congratulates Dlamini-Zuma

No word from presidency on Dlamini-Zuma

The presidency will respond to Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma's election as AU commission chairperson after voting results are officially announced as it would be “inappropriate” to comment before then, it says.

• Dlamini-Zuma 'will make AU accountable'
• Dlamini-Zuma named AU commission chair
• Dlamini-Zuma to lead AUwatch

Minister: Developing countries frustrated

Limiting industrial expansion to avoid pollution is fundamentally unfair to developing countries, says International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

• South Africa seeks to strengthen Belgium ties
• Minister: IMF loan gives SA influence
• Brics to launch development bank in 2013

Hostage couple thanks government

The couple rescued from Somali pirates has thanked the government for working towards to their release after an emotional homecoming.

• Hostage couple arrives in Joburg
• SA hostage 'dreamed of chocolate cake'
• Pirate couple to start their journey home

Africa to reach out to diaspora

Africa will make an effort to reach out to citizens living outside the continent, International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane says.

• SA a 'ray of light' in Africa - minister

SA a 'ray of light' in Africa - minister

South Africa is one of the rays of light on the African continent, International Relations and Co-operation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane says.

• SA intervenes in Sahel region
• Dlamini-Zuma punted for AU top job
• SA, Somalia establish diplomatic ties

SA forks out R12m on guests at ANC bash

South Africa spent R12m on hosting foreign guests at the ANC's 100-year celebrations, says International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

• Leaders left high and dry at ANC bash
• ANC marks a 100 years with R100m party
• ANC marks 100 yearsview