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The Lebombo port of entry between South Africa and Mozambique has been partially reopened as of 15:00 on Friday, to allow for the movement of people between both countries.

Cargo processing will continue once Mozambique officials are stationed at processing areas.

Deadly protests began after the Frelimo party was announced as winner of the national elections on October 9.

In response to the protests, South Africa closed its main crossing border.

The Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA) Dr Michael Masiapato said on Friday that the Port Management Committee, the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, under MEC Jackie Macie, agreed to partially reopen the border with safety measures in place.

"The high-level engagement was fruitful with the Government of Mozambique's national leadership at the Lebombo port of entry for workable solutions and discussions. Cargo movement between South Africa and Mozambique will resume as soon as the systems on the Mozambique side are ready. This meeting was critical and provided a strategy for a safe and controlled partial reopening of the border", Masiapato said.

Further, discussions with trucking companies and traders will take place.

Parliament's Education, Sciences and Creative Industries Select Committee said on Friday it wants government to ban foreign nationals from operating spaza shops and maintain an updated register of people who sell snacks at schools.

This comes after the deaths of several young primary school learners and hundreds others who have taken ill, owing to poisonous snacks.

African National Congress secretary-general Fikile Mbalula announced on Thursday that the party is exploring the development of tailored local by-laws to better regulate spaza shop operations and ensure public health is prioritised.

The committee noted the Gauteng Department of Education's temporary suspension of consumables within and around school premises.

"This intervention was occasioned by foreign nationals who perhaps were thankless to the generosity of South Africans, who were always willing to share their country with the visitors. Now the time and circumstances determine that there be strict enforcement of legislation and policies," said committee chairperson Makhi Feni.

Feni said the committee also wanted government to ban situations where homes were sub-let to illegal immigrants for purposes of operating spaza shops.

"The undesirable effects of foreign ownership, like the protection fee and the massive killings over the collection of these monies, should be decisively dealt with," he explained.

Feni said the committee's interest was the safety of poor South Africans and their children, noting that the report of poisonous snacks sold to children had reached crisis point.

Meanwhile, ActionSA said it believed it was unacceptable that learners continued to be exposed to dangers owing to inadequate food safety oversight in communities, calling for an immediate clampdown on these unmonitored vendors.

"It is imperative that health and safety checks are enforced rigorously, and that all food vendors operating around schools are certified and regularly inspected to ensure compliance with food safety standards," said ActionSA Free State chairperson Patricia Kopane.

Kopane pointed out that parents should never have to fear that their children's health will be compromised by buying lunch or snacks near their schools.

The party called on local and provincial authorities to act decisively.

ActionSA proposed the establishment of strict regulatory frameworks for informal vendors and spaza shops operating in school zones to ensure that only those meeting the highest standards of food safety are permitted to operate.

"We demand that food safety be prioritised to prevent the recurrence of incidents like this, which compromise the health and future of our youth. The safety and well-being of our children is non-negotiable," said Kopane.

South Africa is concerned by the impact Donald Trump's election as the next president of the United States may have on talks to tackle climate change, its environment minister said on Friday.

Trump's election and the collapse of Germany's coalition government this week have come right before COP29 talks aimed at curbing global warming, which scientists blame for destructive hurricanes, floods and heatwaves across the world this year.

"We are concerned about America because we don't know what they're going to do ... how (it) is going to approach COP," South African Environment Minister Dion George told Reuters.

"Mr. Trump said that he would withdraw from the Paris Agreement, but we don't know what will happen," George added in a telephone interview on Friday.

International partners are concerned that the prospect of an administration led by Trump, who has called climate change a hoax, will de-motivate poor and middle-income countries who want rich nations to shoulder more of its financial burden.

South Africa, which is one of the world's top 15 greenhouse gas emitters and accounts for 30% of the continent's emissions, has accepted $11.6-billion from rich nations, mainly in loans, for a switch from coal to renewable energy.

This is seen as a potential model for other 'Global South' countries who say financing pledges of $100-billion, which took years to come through, are insufficient.

"It's certainly not enough. We need another target," George said. "But then the question is: as the voter base is shifting in developed economies, are they actually going to pay it?"

The South African minister said he had been reassured by German officials that Europe's stance at the COP29 climate talks will not be hurt by Berlin's political crisis.

George said that Jennifer Morgan, Germany's state secretary for international climate action, had contacted him to say it will be up to the European Union to maintain leadership.

"Their position is not changed and that is how they will approach COP," George said, adding: "They're on Team Europe. The European Union and German have clearly set out their objectives."

President Cyril Ramaphosa described the unveiling of King Shaka's statue at the King Shaka International Airport, in KwaZulu-Natal, on Thursday, as a great source of pride that tells the history of Shaka's life and his contribution, all of which he said are being retold and reclaimed by the generation born into democracy.

Ramaphosa was speaking in Durban, where he said the statue stood as a testament to a "glorious era" in the life of the Zulu nation during the reign of King Shaka.

He described Shaka as a warrior king, a unifier and a reformer, saying it was fitting that he had been immortalised in the statue, which he said represented, not just a great person, but a history, a value system and the aspirations of a people.

"This statue is a testament to unity. Since his reign began in the early 1800s, King Shaka used the military and political systems he established to bring his people together. He forged alliances, integrated rival clans and reformed social structures to unite AmaZulu towards a common identity and a common purpose," Ramaphosa stated.

He added that it was an aspiration that transcended generations, and said government had a responsibility to strive towards this goal "no matter how difficult it is or how long it takes".

He stated that King Shaka's illustrious history was well-known, describing his reputation as legendary.

"And yet for centuries, those who oppressed the South African people sought to denigrate his name to suit their own ends. During colonial and apartheid rule, we were force-fed the history of the oppressor. We were taught about Vasco da Gama, Henry Francis Fynn, Sir Harry Smith and Piet Retief," Ramaphosa pointed out.

He stated that the story of the young King Shaka and how he triumphed over a difficult childhood was not told to inspire young black children.

"Instead, we had to recite poems about John Ross and Dirkie Uys," he said.

Ramaphosa said the democratic government had been deliberate in its work to restore pride in the history of all South Africans by reconstructing and rebuilding what is taught in schools.

"We will reclaim our history. We will ensure that it is glorified in this generation and into the next. We will lift high our heroes. We will name our streets and buildings after them, write books about them, make television shows about them, and erect statues in their honour. We do so because these heroes represent our past and reflect our aspirations for the future," he stated.

Democratic Alliance (DA) KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson on sports, arts and culture Tammy Colley said the "long overdue" unveiling of the King Shaka statue was a significant event that highlighted the province's rich cultural heritage and shared history.

"As the founder of the Zulu nation, King Shaka played a crucial role in shaping KwaZulu-Natal's identity, and this statue serves as a symbol of pride for our province," she said.

Colley highlighted that in terms of cultural tourism, the statue can serve as a focal point for attracting visitors.

"This not only enriches the local economy through tourism revenue but also creates job opportunities in various sectors such as hospitality, guide services, and handicrafts. Furthermore, initiatives that highlight the province's cultural significance can inspire the development of community programs, allowing locals to actively engage with their heritage while benefiting economically," she said.

Legal professional Dali Mpofu has followed in the footsteps of former Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) members and has joined the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), saying the new party is the vehicle through which "much needed black and progressive unity" will be achieved.

Mpofu resigned from the EFF, after serving as the chairperson for five years.

"After a lot of soul searching, I have taken a decision that I will be joining MKP. I am joining MKP because I believe that it is the vehicle through which we will achieve the much needed black and progressive unity," he said in a news interview.

He explained that his decision was not personal, and that he tried reaching out to the EFF president Julius Malema.

"There was no need to inform anyone, at any particular time. I am sure there is no bad blood, so we will talk. I will extend that courtesy after this announcement and I am sure that our paths will meet in this difficult journey for unity," Mpofu stated.

He pointed out that his decision was not made in response to a particular person, and explained that he was doing it for "his people".

The MKP has in recent months welcomed the EFF's Floyd Shivambu, who is now the party's national organiser; Mzwanele Manyi, who serves as parliamentary whip and Busisiwe Mkhwebane, the party's new Mpumalanga convener.

Shivambu welcomed Mpofu to the organisation, describing it as having superior ideological, political and organisational capacity, composure and temperament to "unite all anti-colonial, anti-imperialist and anti-racist progressive forces in South Africa to fight for total political, economic, social, spatial, cultural and knowledge/ideological freedom and emancipation".

He said the party was blessed to be joined by "capable, disciplined, hardworking and selfless leaders".

The African National Congress (ANC) has "categorically rejected" what it labelled as baseless claims by Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Council chairperson Helen Zille regarding the blue party's alleged role in shaping South Africa's Government of National Unity (GNU).

This after Zille told the South Africa Chamber of Commerce UK that the DA was instructed by the business community to protect President Cyril Ramaphosa from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP)

Zille claimed that EFF and MKP were not suitable GNU partners because their presence would prompt large investors to leave the country.

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said on Thursday that his party viewed Zille's claims not only as "false but deliberately misleading, aiming to distort historical facts and elevate her importance in national matters where they lack any foundational relevance."

Mbalula said Zille's repeated urge to interfere in the ANC's internal affairs and her ongoing public attacks on Ramaphosa exposed a "shameless bid for power and influence," which he said she has not earned and will not attain through reckless posturing.

"We see through these calculated attempts to undermine the ANC's leadership. It is clear that Zille and her party seek only to weaken the ANC from within, hoping to gain what they cannot secure at the ballot box," he said.

Mbalula said the DA did not produce genuine criticism, but rather a "desperate grasp at relevance by a party failing to appeal to the vast majority of South Africans."

He said the ANC does not need external figures to "prop up" its President.

"We stand as the legitimate representatives of our people, continuously renewing and strengthening our movement to uphold the will of the people," he said.

Mbalula further stated that Zille's claims of "introducing" public-private partnerships to South Africa are nothing short of ludicrous, stating that the ANC-government has long pioneered cooperative projects that have led to significant milestones.

"…all achieved through effective planning and coordination under ANC leadership. To suggest otherwise is a transparent attempt to hijack the legacy of ANC-led governance for her party's political gain," Mbalula stated.

He said in her remarks, Zille exposed her agenda, to push herself into a position of "undue influence" within the GNU while undermining the ANC's foundational role.

"We need to make it very clear, if the DA wants to leave the GNU, it is their call, they can leave tonight, they can leave tomorrow, anytime they want to leave or they wish to leave, they can go," he said.

He said the ANC remained resolute to deliver on its commitments, including the National Health Insurance (NHI) rollout, strengthening social cohesion through the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act, and attracting investments.

Meanwhile, Mbalula said the ANC will meet with South African Communist Party (SACP) leadership to clarify whether recent statements made by the alliance partner reflected the official stance of the SACP or personal views of SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila.

Recent public statements by Mapaila appeared to challenge ANC leadership and particularly target Ramaphosa.

Mbalula pointed out that while the ANC respected the SACP as a key ally, the party believes that differences within the alliance should be managed internally "with the appropriate decorum, honouring shared history and revolutionary principles".

South Africa has temporarily closed its main border crossing with Mozambique over safety concerns, its border authority said on Wednesday, as protests against last month's disputed election in Mozambique continued to escalate.

At least 18 people have been killed in the protests, according to human rights groups, as opposition supporters demonstrate against what they say is a fraudulent election win by Frelimo, the party that has ruled Mozambique since 1975.

Security forces have responded with tear gas and live ammunition while the government has restricted internet access and threatened to deploy the army.

South Africa has closed the Lebombo port of entry in its Mpumalanga province after receiving reports of vehicles being torched on the Mozambican side, the authority said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

"Due to these security incidents and in the interest of public safety, the port has been temporarily closed until further notice," it said, adding that seven Mozambican officials had requested refuge in South Africa for safety and protection.

A reporter for South Africa's public broadcaster SABC posted a video on X showing a long line of trucks which he said stretched for kilometres waiting to cross the border.

The latest protests in Mozambique are part of a week of demonstrations called by presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane, who came second in official results for the October 9 election but claims to have won.

The electoral commission has declined to comment on allegations of fraud and Frelimo has not replied to requests for comment.

The protests are set to culminate in a march on the capital Maputo on Thursday. Mozambique's Defence Minister Cristovao Chume said on Tuesday the military was ready to intervene and warned against attempts to grab power.

The Mozambican Centre for Democracy and Human Rights said that 24 people had been killed due to police violence. Human Rights Watch researcher Zenaida Machado told Reuters that she had verified 18 deaths so far but believed there had been more.

The interior minister has defended the police response, saying the protests were violent and that security forces were compelled to restore public order, which resulted in deaths.

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday congratulated former US President Donald Trump on his re-election as the President, saying South Africa looked forward to continuing the partnership between both countries.

Trump defeated the US Vice-President Kamala Harris chalking up more than the 270 Electoral College votes required.

"I look forward to continuing the close and mutually beneficial partnership between our two nations across all domains of our cooperation. In the global arena, we look forward to our Presidency of the G20 in 2025, where we will work closely with the US who will succeed us in the G20 Presidency in 2026," said Ramaphosa.

ActionSA president Herman Mashaba said it was important that South Africa maintained and grew its relations with the US, no matter the President and differences on international relations.

He said South Africa should also play its part in other areas of international cooperation to build a better world with the US and other partners.

Mashaba pointed out that there were more than 600 US companies in South Africa and noted that bilateral trade between the two countries exceeded $20-billion a year.

"As the US's biggest trading partner in Africa, South Africa also benefits from the African Growth and Opportunity Act from which we would not want to be excluded," he stated.

Mashaba highlighted that most of the world had been watching this US election with great interest because of the historic role and impact of the US on global affairs.

"US Presidents still get referred to as the most powerful president in the world. It makes sense for us, in South Africa, to be interested in the outcome of any American election. This is primarily because of the important economic relations we have with the US," he said.

"One thing Donald Trump must avoid. Dictators in Africa who do not win elections but instead abuse their people and destroy their economies," said Build One South Africa president Mmusi Maimane.

Donald Trump was elected president, capping a remarkable comeback four years after he was voted out of the White House and ushering in a new American leadership likely to test democratic institutions at home and relations abroad.

Trump, 78, recaptured the White House on Wednesday by securing more than the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the presidency, Edison Research projected, following a campaign of dark rhetoric that deepened the polarisation in the country.

The former president's victory in the swing state of Wisconsin pushed him over the threshold. As of 5:45 am ET (1045 GMT) Trump had won 279 electoral votes to Democratic candidate Kamala Harris' 223 with several states yet to be counted.

He also led Harris by about 5-million votes in the popular count.

"America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate," Trump said early on Wednesday to a roaring crowd of supporters at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in Florida.

Trump's political career had appeared to be over after his false claims of election fraud led a mob of supporters to storm the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, in a failed bid to overturn his 2020 defeat.

But he swept away challengers inside his Republican Party and then beat Harris by capitalising on voter concerns about high prices and what Trump claimed, without evidence, was a rise in crime due to illegal immigration.

Harris did not speak to supporters who had gathered at her alma mater Howard University. Her campaign co-chair, Cedric Richmond, briefly addressed the crowd after midnight, saying Harris would speak publicly later on Wednesday.

"We still have votes to count," he said.

Republicans won a US Senate majority, but neither party appeared to have an edge in the fight for control of the House of Representatives where Republicans currently hold a narrow majority.

Major stock markets around the world rallied following Trump's victory, and the dollar was set for its biggest one-day jump since 2020.

JOBS AND ECONOMY

Voters identified jobs and the economy as the country's most pressing problem, according to Reuters/Ipsos opinion polls. Many Americans remained frustrated by higher prices even amid record-high stock markets, fast-growing wages and low unemployment. With the administration of President Joe Biden taking much of the blame, a majority of voters said they trusted Trump more than Harris to address the issue.

Hispanics, traditionally Democratic voters, and lower-income households hit hardest by inflation helped fuel Trump's election victory. His loyal base of rural, white and non-college educated voters again showed up in force.

Trump prevailed despite persistently low approval ratings. Impeached twice, he has been criminally indicted four times and found civilly liable for sexual abuse and defamation. In May, Trump was convicted by a New York jury of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments to a porn star.

His victory will have major implications for US trade and climate change policies, the war in Ukraine, Americans' taxes and immigration.

His tariff proposals could spark a fiercer trade war with China and US allies, while his pledges to reduce corporate taxes and implement a spate of new cuts could balloon US debt, economists say.

Trump has promised to launch a mass deportation campaign targeting immigrants in the country illegally.

He has said he wants the authority to fire civil servants he views as disloyal. His opponents fear he will turn the Justice Department and other federal law enforcement agencies into political weapons to investigate perceived enemies.

A second Trump presidency could drive a bigger wedge between Democrats and Republicans on issues such as race, gender, what and how children are taught, and reproductive rights.

HARRIS FALLS SHORT

Vice President Harris fell short in her 15-week sprint as a candidate, failing to galvanise enough support to defeat Trump, who occupied the White House from 2017-2021, or to allay voters' concern...

Britain's Prince William paid a visit to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday in Cape Town after taking a nature walk with rangers and conservationists at Table Mountain National Park.

The Prince of Wales is on a four-day trip to South Africa for the annual awards ceremony of his Earthshot Prize, which will be held on Wednesday. He will also attend a global wildlife summit and hold other climate-focused engagements.

Video footage shared by Ramaphosa's office showed William and Ramaphosa shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries at the start of their meeting.

"The visit is indicative of the strong ties the United Kingdom, including the Royal Family, share with South Africa, and also another step towards the deepening of these historic ties," South Africa's presidency said in a statement.

The presidency said South Africa was pleased to host this year's Earthshot Prize awards because it highlights the impact climate change and environmental degradation have in Africa.

Launched in 2020, the prize aims to find innovations to combat climate and other green issues, and awards five winners £1-million each to drive their projects.