In a closed-off facility around 620 miles east of Moscow, the Kremlin is luring hundreds of young African women to Russia with promises of a better life. But what awaits them is not a Slavic paradise, but a living hell of grinding labour, racism, and in some cases, even prostitution. The Alabuga Special Economic Zone
Feith Shimila Murunga says her boss groped, beat and raped her. Mary Wanjiru Nyambura says she was thrown from a balcony. Winfridah Kwamboka never even made it back home. East African leaders and Saudi royals are among those profiting off a lucrative, deadly trade in domestic workers. By Abdi Latif Dahir and Justin Scheck Photographs
The US is expelling South Africa’s ambassador to Washington, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying he is “no longer welcome in our great country”. In a post on X, Rubio accused Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool of hating America and President Donald Trump. He described him as a “race-baiting politician”, adding “we have nothing to discuss
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday said South Africa’s ambassador to the U.S. was no longer welcome in the country, while calling him a “race-baiting” politician who hates America and President Donald Trump after he said the commander-in-chief is leading a global White supremacist movement. On Thursday, South African Ambassador Embrahim Rasool addressed the Mapungubwe
Athol Fugard, who has died aged 92, was widely acclaimed as one of South Africa’s greatest playwrights. The son of an Afrikaner mother, he was best known for his politically charged plays challenging the racist system of apartheid. Paying tribute to Fugard, South Africa’s Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie hailed him as “a fearless
In 2012, playwright Athol Fugard, who was then 80, said, “I have a greater sense of adventure at this moment in my life than I ever had in the past.” Fugard is pictured above in February 1985. John Minihan/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption John Minihan/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images In 2012, playwright Athol Fugard, who
Survivors include his second wife, Ms. Fourie, his daughter from his first marriage, Lisa Fugard, two children from his second marriage, Halle and Lanigan, and a grandson. An ‘Ugly’ Experience The Fugards moved to Johannesburg in the late 1950s, and for three months Mr. Fugard took a job as a clerk in a court that
It is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a woman – or a Christian. Disease is rampant, and children as young as 4 are being forced to work in mines. The Democratic Republic of Congo is 95% Christian, yet the faithful are being targeted by jihadists. Just last month, Islamist
The United States will immediately start offering a rapid pathway to citizenship for South African farmers, President Trump said in a social media post on Friday, falsely claiming that South Africa’s government was confiscating their land “and MUCH WORSE THAN THAT.” The post largely echoed what Mr. Trump has previously said about South Africa, including
For the past two days, under the soft lights of chandeliers in a Marriott basement a block from the White House, energy ministers and tech founders from across Africa gathered to discuss how best to bring electricity to more than 600 million people on the continent who have none. Much of their hope, and fear,