Fifty years after Bruce Haigh resisted apartheid, South Africa honours fearless Australian diplomat

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has arrived in South Africa for the G20 summit, aiming to support British businesses. His visit comes at a crucial time as the UK prepares for a budget announcement, with Starmer seeking to secure investments to address the ongoing cost of living crisis and bolster support for Ukraine.

A weekly round-up of stories from Africa with Georja Calvin-Smith highlights the update of a significant book detailing the continent's historical contributions. The report also notes the troubling decline of South Africa's household help sector, which has lost approximately 400,000 jobs in five years. Additionally, there are increasing reports of civilian suffering amid the RSF's conflict to control El Fasher in Darfur.

Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of the G20 as a vital platform for promoting British business, despite Donald Trump's decision to boycott the summit in South Africa. Starmer's remarks highlight the ongoing relevance of the G20 in global economic discussions.

Keir Starmer has defended his trip to South Africa for the G20 summit, which takes place just days before the budget announcement. The Prime Minister aims to secure investment to address the cost of living crisis and bolster support for Ukraine. His attendance comes despite the absence of Donald Trump, who has chosen to boycott the summit.

Al-Majd Europe, the organization responsible for a flight transporting Palestinians from Gaza to South Africa, has publicly addressed the situation for the first time. The flight has raised significant concerns regarding the circumstances of the evacuation and the motivations behind it.

French President Emmanuel Macron commenced a five-day tour of Africa, starting in Mauritius and continuing to South Africa, Gabon, and Angola. This trip marks a shift in French diplomacy following the withdrawal of French forces from the Sahel region, aiming to strengthen ties with African nations.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the United States has reversed its decision to boycott the G20 summit in Johannesburg. However, he did not confirm whether former President Donald Trump, who previously indicated he would not attend, would now participate.

South Africa has rejected additional flights carrying Palestinians from Gaza, raising concerns over the circumstances of their arrival. The decision follows the arrival of 153 Palestinians, who reportedly paid for their evacuation, leading to questions about the motivations behind these flights and the organization facilitating them.