Louise Redvers
latest news & developmentsAngola’s fearful culture of silence
The divided country is celebrating 40 years of independence but it has been denied the chance to confront the past and heal its wounds.
Dos Santos feels heat over ‘murder’
The disappearance of two activists is a serious challenge to Angola’s leader before he retires.
Angolan journo recognised for anti-corruption fight
Angolan journalist Rafael Marques de Morais has won a prestigious award recognising his efforts to fight graft and expose human rights abuse.
And – surprise – the winner is … King Mswati!
Swaziland’s polls offer little hope of change, but some candidates believe they can be agents of change, writes Louise Redvers.
Mozambican politicians ignore probity law
Laws meant to reduce Mozambican officials’ conflicts of interest are clear but not enforced.
Angola’s trophy city a ‘ghost town’
The Nova Cidade de Kilamba – New City of Kilamba – is far too expensive and has not been designed to address the population’s needs.
IMF urges Swaziland to reduce state wage bill
Swaziland’s economic woes continue and the International Monetary Fund has forecast a gross domestic product contraction of 1.5%.
Angola: Who’s who in the palace?
Tipped as a potential successor to his father, Jose Filomeno de Sousa dos Santos, also known as Zen, has kept out of the limelight until now.
Heirs to a private business empire called Angola
Jose dos Santos’s supporters brush off the allegations of nepotism and say his kids are well educated and simply want to be involved in their country.
Zuma fails to impress foreign hacks
The president has missed the chance to win over the media with his artless answers to critical questions. Louise Redvers reports.
Swazi MPs in dramatic U-turn
The Law Society of Swaziland is planning to take legal action against the Swazi government after MPs reversed their no-confidence vote.
Angolan wealth fund gets president’s son on board
Angola, Africa’s second-largest oil producer, has become the latest country on the continent to launch a sovereign wealth fund.
Swaziland’s phone wars spark crisis
The long-running row between MTN Swaziland and the country’s telecommunications operator has grown into what’s been dubbed a "constitutional crisis".
Oil-rich Cabinda the poorer for it
Fishing is the lifeblood of Cabinda, a small exclave of Angola separated from the rest of the country by a sliver of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Angolan opposition alleges fraud
Three of Angola’s eight opposition parties are formally contesting the August 31 election results.