Tag: South Africa
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As Venetia mine transitions underground, SA’s diamond production drops to 6m carats
Diamond mining production in South Africa has hit a 10-year low. The country was producing an average of 8.5-million carats a year, but by 2023 this had dropped to 6.1-million carats. The reason for this is that De Beers’ Venetia diamond mine reached the end of its open-pit operations in December 2022. The mine, which…
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SA steps up to meet growing global demand for avos
The world can’t get enough avocados, and South African farmers are capitalising on the soaring demand for this popular superfruit. Exports have increased by 63% over the past decade, according to the SA Avocado Growers’ Association. About 74,4000 tonnes of avocados were exported last year, just 9,500 shy of 2018’s record. ITC figures show the…
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Younger, bigger and GNU: Ramaphosa breaks records with coalition cabinet
When he announced his cabinet on 30 June, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that although he had hoped to reduce the number of portfolios it had not been possible as he wanted to include ‘all the parties’ in the Government of National Unity. To do this, he has added new portfolios and new posts. The new…
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SA’s mayoral churn: 3+ mayors in 3 years for these 15 municipalities
Although coalitions may be relatively new at a national level, local municipalities are all too familiar with the idea of power sharing. Almost one-third of South Africa’s municipalities had no party with an outright majority after the 2021 local government elections so were run by coalition agreements. Of the 213 local municipalities and metros, 71 had…
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Internet access still lags in Africa despite massive mobile uptake
African countries have leapfrogged fixed-line technology and gone straight to mobile. There are 89 mobile phones for every 100 people living in sub-Saharan Africa, but fewer than one landline (0.6) per 100 people. Some countries are well over the world average of 108 mobile phones per 100 people. South Africa has about 167 per 100…
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Democracy in South Africa: 30 years in 8 charts
As South Africa marks 30 years of democracy, the legacy of the African National Congress is under scrutiny. On one hand, nearly half the population receives some form of grant funding, but unemployment rates are alarmingly high and business confidence has waned significantly. These economic challenges cast a dark shadow over the milestone that is 3 decades…
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Record marathoners: Keeping up with Africa’s fastest women
Africa has come to dominate long-distance running. No less than 82 of the world’s 100 fastest female runners were born in Kenya and Ethiopia.