South Africa's largest bank has frozen former President Jacob Zuma's accounts due to non-repayment of a loan of approximately 480,000 euros. Zuma, who was forced to resign in 2018 amid corruption allegations, had previously been embroiled in scandal for using taxpayer money for upgrades to his country home, which he claimed were for security purposes. He was ordered to repay the state, but his loan remains unpaid. The MK party, which Zuma is actively supporting for the May 29 general elections, sees the account freeze as a political move by the ANC to weaken him. Zuma's daughter, Duduzile, has called for an end to the banking cartel on social media. The Zuma family is known for its populist rhetoric against the Constitution, media, and now banks, aiming to distract from the former president's misconduct.

The Burundian basketball club Dynamo Burundi Basket Club forfeited their second match in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) in Pretoria against FUS de Rabat due to their refusal to wear the official sponsor's logo, 'Visit Rwanda'. The players had covered the logo with black tape, reflecting ongoing tensions between Burundi and Rwanda. Burundi had previously closed its borders with Rwanda in January 2024, accusing Kigali of harboring the headquarters of the Burundian rebel group Red-Tabara and expelling Rwandan nationals from its territory. The president of the Burundian basketball federation, Jean-Paul Manirakiza, confirmed the request to avoid the logo, which was sent an hour before the game. Despite the political interference, the team's coach, Julien Chaignot, had urged his players to focus on the game.

The FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, also known as 'la Calebasse' due to its African percussion instrument-shaped architecture, is a legendary venue that has hosted the most significant events in South African political and sports history. As part of the 'Mythical Stadiums of the Continent' series, it is highlighted for its unique blend of politics, sports, music, and entertainment.

The legacy of Nelson Mandela, who passed away a decade ago, is being commemorated in South Africa with the unveiling of two new statues by President Cyril Ramaphosa in Mandela's birthplace, Mthatha, Eastern Cape. Mandela's image has become widely sanitized, risking the loss of his political depth and complexity. Mandela, a former member of the Communist Party, is celebrated globally with statues in various countries.

A decade after Nelson Mandela's death, South Africans reflect on his legacy with a mix of nostalgia and criticism. Mandela is remembered for his selfless leadership, but his successors, including Thabo Mbeki, Jacob Zuma, and Cyril Ramaphosa, have been associated with significant failures such as the AIDS crisis, corruption, and unresolved economic issues. The youth, including Anda Dilaza, express admiration for Mandela's values but are critical of subsequent leaders who have strayed from these ideals. The black population remains disproportionately affected by unemployment and poverty, and land redistribution post-apartheid has not been achieved. The Nelson Mandela Foundation encourages a critical yet balanced view of Mandela's legacy.

Representatives of the five main opposition candidates in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are meeting in Pretoria, South Africa, with mediators from the In Transformation Initiative (ITI) to attempt to present a united candidacy against the incumbent President Félix Tshisekedi in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for December 20. The non-governmental organization, which specializes in conflict resolution, had previously been involved in similar efforts prior to the 2018 election. The delegates are working on criteria for a joint candidacy and project, with security in the eastern part of the country being a point of consensus. The outcome of these negotiations is seen as crucial for the stability of the DRC and is of interest to the South African government, which views itself as a diplomatic destination for resolving conflicts.

U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety, known for his bow tie and outspokenness, denounced a South African arms shipment to Russia without providing evidence, causing U.S. Congress members to suggest relocating the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) forum and potentially excluding South Africa from its trade benefits. Despite these tensions, South Africa hosted the AGOA forum, and the White House expressed appreciation for South Africa's serious investigation into the allegations, which found no evidence of arms shipments. The trade relations between the two countries continue, with Ambassador Brigety and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai present at the forum's closing ceremony.

The summit for African beneficiaries of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) began on November 2 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The US law exempts certain African countries from paying duties to export their products to the US, but requires adherence to democracy and human rights standards. President Joe Biden intends to exclude Gabon, Niger, the Central African Republic, and Uganda from these trade privileges due to recent coups, lack of political pluralism, and human rights violations. Uganda's economic strategy, which relied heavily on its exports, is particularly affected by this exclusion, especially after enacting a law that harshly criminalizes homosexuality. South Africa, the summit's host, was also scrutinized for its diplomatic ties with Russia. The AGOA is set to expire in September 2025, and while its success is mixed, the Biden administration supports its extension and aims to improve its impact.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa leverages the Springboks' Rugby World Cup victory to bolster national unity, echoing the team's slogan 'We are stronger together' in an attempt to gain citizens' trust. He plans to address the nation following the team's fourth world title win. While Ramaphosa sees the Springboks' success as a metaphor for overcoming adversity, South Africans draw a different lesson, emphasizing the importance of having the right people in the right positions, in contrast to the government's alleged cronyism and mismanagement.

The South African rugby team, the Springboks, have become the most titled team in the Rugby World Cup with their latest victory, marking their fourth win. Celebrations erupted in the FAN zone of Johannesburg, with supporters expressing national pride and unity. Despite close victories against France, England, and New Zealand, the spirit of resilience was highlighted as emblematic of the South African spirit. The World Cup victory served as a moment for the diverse South African society to come together, transcending racial and ethnic divisions.

Over 500 South African miners have been trapped underground for over 36 hours due to a standoff between rival unions NUM and AMCU. The conflict centers around union recognition at a Gold One-operated gold mine in Springs, east of Johannesburg. AMCU denies holding the miners against their will, stating they are participating in a protest sit-in. AMCU is demanding official recognition as the majority of miners have signed up with them, while NUM is accused of negotiating independently and has called for police intervention. Gold One has expressed concern, referring to the situation as a hostage-taking.

South Africa, known for hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup, held a 'Granny Football' World Cup in March 2023. The event, inspired by the Vakhegula Vakhegula ('the grannies' in Tsonga) club founded by 'Mama Beka' Rebecca Beka Ntsanwisi, aims to change societal perceptions of old age. The club began in the mid-2000s when Mama Beka started walking for health reasons and was joined by other women. It has grown to 200 teams across South Africa. The 'Granny Football' World Cup, despite financial challenges, showcased the empowerment and community support among elderly women, with teams like France's 'Footeuses à tout âge' participating. The event has garnered international attention, with Jean Duffy writing a book, 'Soccer Grannies,' and the initiative is seen as a way to honor and respect elderly women, transforming them from caregivers to village heroines.

In South Africa, the Springboks rugby team represents a beacon of hope amidst a backdrop of crime, corruption, unemployment, poverty, inflation, electricity crisis, infrastructure issues, and health concerns. The national team's jerseys for the 2023 World Cup are sold out, with Nike facing criticism for not producing enough and limiting retailers. South Africans are encouraged to wear the team's colors every Friday, fostering a sense of unity. Despite the challenges, the Springboks' slogan 'Stronger together' resonates with the patriotic spirit of the nation.

Hamas' revelation of a phone call with South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor has embarrassed the South African government, which denies supporting Hamas' 'Al-Aqsa Flood' operation that resulted in 1,400 deaths in Israel. The South African Jewish Board of Deputy criticizes Pandor for engaging with Hamas, while the ruling ANC party defends her, stating the call was about humanitarian aid to Gaza. The government and ANC distance themselves from Hamas, emphasizing support for the Palestinian people, not the militant group. The incident complicates South Africa's international relations, especially with the US and European countries, at a time when diplomatic ties are already strained due to accusations of South African arms shipments to Russia.

South Africa is experiencing unprecedented egg shortages due to an avian flu epidemic that has led to the culling of over 5 million laying hens. With no vaccine available in the country, prices have nearly doubled, and supermarkets like SPAR are considering importing eggs from neighboring countries to meet demand. Namibia has halted imports of South African poultry to protect itself. The shortage is expected to extend to poultry meat as well, with over 2 million breeding hens culled.

Michel-Jack Chasseuil, a 79-year-old French collector, has amassed one of the world's most precious wine collections, which he keeps in his basement in La Chapelle-Bâton, France. Chasseuil, who began as a stamp collector and later worked at Dassault Aviation, has dedicated his life and savings to collecting rare wines, which he never drinks. His collection, which includes bottles like 1945 Romanée-Conti, is set to be displayed in a new earthquake-proof bunker. Despite attempts by robbers to steal his collection and criticism from some for not opening the bottles, Chasseuil plans to make his cellar a tourist attraction, partnering with a local luxury hotel.

Sea Shepherd, an ocean protection NGO, is assisting the Gambian government in combating illegal fishing along the Gambian coast. The NGO operates covert night patrols to detect industrial fishing vessels illegally operating within a zone reserved for artisanal fishers. Although no arrests were made during a particular patrol, the presence of Sea Shepherd and the Gambian Coast Guard, supervised by an inspector from the Ministry of Fisheries, is deemed effective. The collaboration, funded by donations to Sea Shepherd, began with a contract signed in 2019 and is set to continue until 2021, with each month of patrol costing the NGO approximately 100,000 euros.

French dishes such as pot-au-feu, garbure, and cassoulet are known to cause digestive discomfort and gas due to their high fat content and the body's difficulty in absorbing dairy products. The traditional French diet poses a challenge for digestion, with meals being a minefield for the stomach. Despite this, gourmet restaurants in France are reintroducing these traditional dishes, bringing them into the 21st century culinary renaissance. MUNCHIES in France has compiled a list of the most digestion-inhibiting French recipes.