Six recent by-election results reconfirm the ANC’s dominant position in politics – but also show its percentage of the vote is falling as opposition parties are gaining support. A DA by-election victory in Tshwane may mark a turnaround in the party’s fortunes.

The first ever African Union summit, which opened on Monday, comes at a critical time. While African leaders try to resolve key sticking points hampering the six-month old organisation, crises rage in countries such as Ivory Coast, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A French-brokered peace accord aimed at ending more than four months of conflict in Ivory Coast is an important first step, the representative for UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said on Monday.

With five days to go before the official opening of the Cricket World Cup, South African Tourism has finalised preparations to ensure that the country’s reputation as a year-round, preferred tourist destination is reinforced and carried home by both fans and players visiting the country.

The South African government will continue working in partnership with the mining industry and other stakeholders to ensure that the principles and values of the new mining legislation are upheld, Minister of Minerals and Energy, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, said in a statement.