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South Africa

The Republic of South Africa (RSA) is the southernmost country in Africa. Its population of 57 million people has a wide variety of cultures, languages, and religions.

From 1948 until 1992, South Africa enforced a system of apartheid by segregating black South Africans from their white counterparts, leading to the systematic discrimination of the non-white population. This page collates DW content relating to South Africa.

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Bitcoin's carbon footprint, South Africa and Europe's energy transitions 13.01.2022

The cryptocurrency Bitcoin consumes a huge amount of energy. We take a look at why this is and what can be done about it. And how do lawmakers ensure a green energy transition actually reduces fossil fuel use? South Africa is planning to move away from its reliance on coal, but plans are afoot to extract natural gas from the ocean. In the EU, new regulations make exceptions for nuclear and gas.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - JANUARY 04: Zandile Christmas Mafe, a suspect in connection to a fire at the South African Parliament, appears in the Cape Town Magistrates Court in Cape Town on January 04, 2022. The fire began in the early hours on Jan. 2, 2022 and devastated much of the parliament complex in Cape Town. Xabiso Mkhabela / Anadolu Agency

South Africa charges parliament fire suspect with terrorism 11.01.2022

Prosecutors have added terrorism to the five charges a man who allegedly set fire to South Africa's parliament was already facing. The 49-year-old was also diagnosed with "paranoid schizophrenia."
15/07/2020 Flughafen Frankfurt Rhein Main. Frankfurt Airport. Ein Airbus A320 der südafrikanischen Fluggesellschaft South African Airways, im Landeanflug auf die Südbahn. Am Rumpf Werbung für American Express Kreditkarten.

COVID: EU lifts flight suspension to southern Africa 10.01.2022

EU members have decided to lift a suspension of air travel from several southern African nations. The restriction was imposed to halt the spread of the omicron strain.
06.01.2022, Berlin: Im Simon-Dach-Kiez ist an einem Lokal ein Schild Nur 2G+ angebracht. Berlins neue Gesundheitssenatorin Gote hat vor den Bund-Länder-Beratungen zur Corona-Lage strengere Zugangsregelungen für Restaurants ins Gespräch gebracht. Foto: Joerg Carstensen/dpa +++ dpa-Bildfunk +++

Coronavirus digest: Restaurants in Germany criticize new restrictions 08.01.2022

The German Hotels and Restaurants Association has criticized new rules requiring a negative test or booster shots for diners. Meanwhile, South Africa is urging its citizens to get vaccinated. Follow DW for the latest.
Original master key to cells at Robben Island Prison, at Nelson Mandela The Official Exhibition celebrating the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid revolutionary and former President of South Africa, showcasing personal belongings and objects. Nelson Mandela The Official Exhibition press view, London, UK - 7 February 2019. CAP/JOR ©JOR/Capital Pictures

Auction of Nelson Mandela's prison cell key halted 08.01.2022

The key to the Robben Island prison cell, where South Africa's first Black president was held, was scheduled to go under the hammer later this month.

Südafrika I Blick über das Meer der Baracken des Armenviertels

World in Progress: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome affects millions of kids in South Africa 06.01.2022

When pregnant women drink alcohol, the impact on their babies' health can be severe. In South Africa, more than ten percent of kids suffer from Fetal Alcohol symptome - the highest figure worldwide.

12.08.2021 *** South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa touches his head during the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, in Johannesburg, Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021. Ramaphosa is testifying on the second day at the judicial investigation into corruption during former president Jacob Zuma's term as president from 2009 to 2018, (AP Photo/Sumaya Hisham/Pool)

South Africa: Zuma-era graft report given to President Ramaphosa 04.01.2022

Almost four years after it began, the Zondo Commission has completed the first part of its anti-graft report. Two more installments are expected before those implicated are likely to be prosecuted.
Zandile Christmas Mafe, a suspect accused of breaking into Parliament when the fire started, leaves after appearing in the Cape Town Magistrate Court, in Cape Town, South Africa, January 4, 2022. REUTERS/Sumaya Hisham

South Africa Parliament arson suspect appears in court 04.01.2022

The man faces five counts, including two of arson. Meanwhile, firefighters said the blaze was back under control after strong winds had fanned the embers.
February 8, 2021, Freising Bei Muenchen, Bavaria, Germany: The entry/reentry area of the Munich International Airport where arrivals to Germany are recorded. The Bavarian Interior Ministry in collaboration with the German Federal Police (Bundespolizei) and the Grenzpolizei (Border Police) held a presentation on their roles in fighting the Corona pandemic at airports. Part of the strategy to prevent the importation of the novel Coronavirus, particularly the mutant variants prevalent in South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Brazil involves the DEA Digital Entry Regulation, testing at the airports, quarantine, and an agreement from airlines to not transport passengers from risk areas. (Credit Image: © Sachelle Babbar/ZUMA Wire

Germany loosens omicron travel restrictions for UK, South Africa 04.01.2022

People traveling from the UK or South Africa to Germany will no longer have to quarantine for two weeks. The rule changes come as omicron continues to spread across Europe.
Smoke rises after a fire broke out at the Parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, January 2, 2022. REUTERS/Sumaya Hisham

South Africa: Parliament fire flares up again 03.01.2022

A man is set to appear before court over the fire that ripped through South Africa's Parliament complex in Cape Town. The oldest section of parliament was still burning over a day later, though the blaze was contained.
A firefighter looks at the smoke rising after a fire broke out in the Parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, January 2, 2022. Elmond Jiyane/GCIS/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT

Cape Town: Fire ravages South African Parliament 02.01.2022

Firefighters are battling a blaze in the national Parliament buildings that caused the roof of the old National Assembly to collapse. The cause is not yet known, although a person has been detained for questioning.
01.01.2022+++Kapstadt, Südafrika+++ The coffin is carried out of the cathedral at the end of the funeral service for Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu in St. George's Cathedral in Cape Town, South Africa, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. Tutu, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning activist for racial equality and LGBT rights died Sunday at the age of 90. (Nic Bothma/Pool Photo via AP).

South Africa lays Archbishop Desmond Tutu to rest 01.01.2022

A modest requiem Mass for Archbishop Desmond Tutu took place at Cape Town's Anglican cathedral. The anti-apartheid hero died aged 90 on December 26.
Datum: 31.12.2021 Ort: Cape Town, South Africa Anlass: Desmond Tutu in Kunst und Kultur Urheber: Sertan Sanderson/DW

Desmond Tutu: An inspiration for a broken nation 31.12.2021

His smile could light up the room. His infectious laughter became his trademark. And despite his fairly small stature, Archbishop Desmond Tutu became known globally as a larger-than-life personality — even in the arts.
Two women walk past a COVID-19 graffiti in Soweto's Orlando West township near Johannesburg, South Africa, Thursday Nov. 19, 2020. Africa has surpassed 2 million confirmed coronavirus cases as the continent's top public health official warns that “we are inevitably edging toward a second wave” of infections. The 54-nation continent of 1.3 billion people is being warned against “prevention fatigue” as countries loosen pandemic restrictions to ease their economies’ suffering and more people travel. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

Fake news hinders Africa's fight against COVID 31.12.2021

Damaging myths about the coronavirus have been spreading across Africa through social media — fueling mistrust for vaccines designed to protect people. Even prominent influencers have been peddling false news.
19.10.2021, Kapstadt****Scientists reenact the calibration of equipment at an Afrigen Biologics and Vaccines facility in Cape Town, South Africa, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. In a pair of warehouses converted into airlocked sterile rooms, young scientists are assembling the equipment needed to reverse engineer a coronavirus vaccine that has yet to reach South Africa and most of the world's poor. ​(AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

South Africa 'may have passed' peak of fourth COVID wave 31.12.2021

Health officials reported a nearly 30% drop in new COVID cases, suggesting the country has passed the peak of its fourth wave of infections, and prompting the easing of some restrictions.
Germany’s fight against the omicron variant Rechte: Emmanuelle Chaze/DW Sendedatum: 28.12.2021 (English News) Bildbeschreibung: In Germany, tougher rules aimed at restricting the spread of the coronavirus come into effect ahead of New Year celebrations. Meanwhile, people have been flocking to vaccination centers for their booster shots.

COVID: Omicron 'not a common cold' yet, virologist warns 30.12.2021

Wolfgang Preiser, the virologist who first discovered omicron, has spoken to DW about the rapid rise in casesof COVID-19. He predicts that most people will catch the new variant.
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