Know Afrika

Amid escalating anti-foreigner marches and a highly volatile socio-political atmosphere, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation to announce an aggressive migration crackdown. In a major shift from previous policies, the government will now seek criminal prosecution and prison sentences for business owners who illegally hire undocumented workers. Ramaphosa emphasized that authorities can no longer allow guilty executives to simply pay a fine and continue exploiting undocumented foreign nationals in violation of domestic statutes. This unprecedented legislative pivot targets the economic incentives driving migration. In his official statement, President Ramaphosa detailed a comprehensive approach to managing illegal immigration , aiming to defuse street-level tensions while simultaneously protecting local labor standards from systemic corporate exploitation. President Cyril Ramaphosa in his speech  says in tackling illegal immigration, government will be 'ste...

South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has officially rebuffed demands from the United States to isolate Iran, marking a new low in bilateral relations. On March 16, 2026, Director-General Zane Dangor confirmed that South Africa has "no reason" to cut diplomatic ties with the Islamic Republic, emphasizing the nation's commitment to an independent, non-aligned foreign policy despite escalating threats from the Trump administration. South Africa has Rejected United States Orders. March 16 2026 South Africa has no reason to cut ties with Iran, its director general of foreign affairs said, after the new U.S. ambassador was quoted as saying the country's association with the Islamic Republic was an impediment to good relations with Washington. https://t.co/gE7PEuR3OQ — Reuters Africa (@ReutersAfrica) March 16, 2026 Why is the new U.S. Ambassador sparking a diplomatic firestorm?   The friction reached a boiling point after the newly a...