Zuma Said to Tell Communist Officials He’s Firing Gordhan

South African papers vent their frustation over travel bans imposed after the country detected a new coronavirus variant. For l'Humanité, the Omicron variant is proof that "vaccine access for all is a global emergency". Other French papers examine the crisis in Guadeloupe and Martinique, puzzled by a proposal to give the territories more autonomy. Plus, a snow storm strands 61 people in a UK pub - a reminder that some lockdowns can be fun!

Turkey's Finance Minister, Lutfi Elvan, has resigned amid another plunge in the value of the country's currency, the lira. He is being replaced by his deputy, Nureddin Nebati, who supports President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's controversial economic policies. The lira has lost almost half of its value this year as Erdogan has pushed for low interest rates, despite rising inflation. Also today, we look at how some French parents are choosing to rent toys for their children, instead of buying new ones.

Blaming South Africa for the new COVID-19 variant is wrong. A global crisis needs a global response, says DW's Sertan Sanderson. Instead of finger-pointing and isolation, there should be more solidarity.

A fire erupted at the South African parliament in Cape Town on Sunday, with media coverage showing flames coming from the roof of the building and a plume of smoke that could be seen from some miles away. It wasn't immediately clear if anyone was in the building. The fire was on the third storey of the building and initial reports indicated that it started in the office space and spread towards a gym, said Jean-Pierre Smith, a Cape Town mayoral committee member responsible for safety and security.

Fire reignites at South African Parliament a day and a half after flames first broke out. A man is due in court this week in connection to the devastating blaze. The Sudanese army's power has grown following the resignation of civilian transitional PM Hamdok over the weekend. Generals now have sole governing authority as fatal tensions continue to deepen. And Kenyan conservationist Richard Leakey dies aged 77, after spending a life defending his country's endangered wildlife.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is waiting for the full release of the Zondo report before responding to its findings on state corruption. The first instalment of the investigation accuses former president Jacob Zuma of having encouraged graft by his closest allies during his time in power. Meanwhile in Tunisia, several critics of President Kais Saied are on hunger strike, denouncing unlawful arrests. Finally, preparations are in full swing in Cameroon's city of Bafoussam ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Here are a few reasons to pick up a copy of The Guardian on Friday⁣. Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Friday.⁣

Ukraine's former finance minister has told FRANCE 24 that any company doing business with Russia is indirectly financing the war in Ukraine. Natalie Jaresko was in office from 2014 to 2016, when Russia annexed Crimea and conflict was raging in the eastern Donbas region. She described the current situation facing Ukraine as an "economic strangulation of the country" and called on global firms to stop any operations in Russia.

Dope Saint Jude grew up in Cape Town, South Africa in a religious household. But in no way did that stop her from becoming one of the country's leading queer feminist rappers, bringing messages of hope and empowerment to the world. Her background in music production and brief stint as a drag king respectively paved the way for her beat-making skills and love for the stage. Her new EP "Higher Self" looks set to take her to the next level. Marjorie Hache sat down with her in Paris to chat about her career and some of her influences.

South African police Sergeant Busisiwe Mjwara was searching the Msunduzi River for three people who were swept away in heavy flooding when she and her dog drowned. Their deaths highlight the risks to emergency services personnel when they are called upon to save victims of extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent as the climate warms.

Coal producers in South Africa try to recover some of the market share lost by Russia following Europe's sanctions. Some of them last traded with the continent more than a decade ago. Also, the Central African Republic makes Bitcoin its official currency alongside the CFA franc, but the move is raising eyebrows in a country with little internet access. And we take you to the Paris Saint-Germain football academy in Rwanda, six months after it opened.

South African authorities are investigating the deaths of at least 22 young people found inside a popular tavern in the coastal town of East London, provincial health officials and the presidency said on Sunday.