Ramaphosa at Zulu king memorial: ‘Our nation is in mourning’

The king's health had deteriorated while in hospital, the royal family confirmed.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expresses his condolences to the Zulu nation for the passing of King Goodwill Zwelithini, the late leader of South Africa's largest ethnic group, saying: "It is a difficult day because a huge tree has fallen. ... Our nation is indeed in mourning."

South Africa's Zulu people gather outside the gates of the royal palace to bid farewell to their departed king. Goodwill Zwelithini was the longest-serving monarch in Zulu history, reigning for half a century through years of apartheid and democratic transition. He died last Friday, aged 72, after weeks of treatment for a diabetes-related illness.

In tonight's edition: South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa admits that the country's ruling party could have done more to halt state graft under his predecessor Jacob Zuma as he testifies before an anti-corruption inquiry. In Somalia, the president tries to diffuse tensions over a proposed two-year extension of his mandate by inviting parliament to debate the move over the weekend. And hospitals in Madagascar are overwhelmed with an intensified wave of coronavirus cases in the country.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says the country is heading towards a third virus wave as the nation looks to re-impose stricter measures against Covid-19. South Africa is officially the worst-hit country on the continent with more than 1.65 million cases and 56,363 deaths.

Security agencies in South Africa say they have identified the alleged instigators of the violence in the country. President Cyril Ramaphosa said he will visit the worst-hit province as violence in the country eases.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says recent violent unrest and looting, which claimed more than 200 lives, united the country as well, as he visits cleanup and rebuilding efforts in Soweto township in Johannesburg.

In a stunning jump in South Africa's death toll from the ongoing unrest, nearly 100 more people are reported dead. President Cyril Ramaphosa says the country was not prepared for the violence. Also, FRANCE 24 takes you inside the fight over parts of Ethiopia's Tigray region. With Tigrayans fleeing, the Amhara see a chance to take back what they claim as their land. And despite having never seen cycling until age 14, South African Songezo Jim is now at the top of the sport – he tells us more.

S.Africa's Ramaphosa welcomes Zuma's medical parole

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday hosted his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, in the Presidential Villa Abuja.⁣ ⁣The South African President who is accompanied by a delegation of ministers and business leaders is on a state visit expected to reinforce South Africa’s bilateral relations with Nigeria as well as strengthen partnerships directed at African development and cooperation in multilateral forums.⁣

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has said the country's present situation of "deep poverty, unemployment and inequality" is unacceptable, as he made a State of the Nation address.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has held a phone call with South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa about the war in Ukraine, but Pretoria has still stopped short of condemning the Russian invasion. Also, Nairobi says it will host talks between the Congolese government and rebels that have been terrorising parts of eastern DR Congo. The announcement comes after leaders from across East Africa met in Kenya to discuss the crisis. Plus, our correspondents report on how park rangers in Burkina Faso are facing the twin threat of poachers and jihadists.