Oscar pistorius

Ralph Ziman worked with a group of Zimbabwean wire beaders to make replica AK-47s and ammunition. Then he took photos in downtown Joburg, depicting an eerie, frightening world for his exhibition, Ghosts. It was not to glamorise guns, he says, but to spark a debate.

Johannesburg and Cairo are the most active on Twitter, according to new research by Portland Communications. English, French and Arabic are the most common languages, accounting for over 75% of all tweets on the continent. But African languages, notably isiZulu, Swahili, Afrikaans and isiXhosa, are making an increasingly strong showing.

Johannesburg and Cairo are the most active on Twitter, according to new research by Portland Communications. English, French and Arabic are the most common languages, accounting for over 75% of all tweets on the continent. But African languages, notably isiZulu, Swahili, Afrikaans and isiXhosa, are making an increasingly strong showing.

Medical advances are making history, and people – and babies – are surviving extraordinary odds. Many of these ground-breaking medical techniques are mastered by doctors in South Africa. In some instances, they are showing the world the way.

After more than three years of fighting extradition to South Africa, murder accused Shrien Dewani may finally arrive in the country to be tried by a judicial system already proving robust and competent as the world watches the Oscar Pistorius trial.

Instead of relying on a jury of peers, the South African justice system makes provision for assessors. They are highly skilled, legally trained people selected by the judge, if he or she feels the need. In the Oscar Pistorius trial, there are two assessors, who may overrule the judge on a verdict when it comes to the facts of the case.

The murder trial of Oscar Pistorius is setting a precedent when it comes to press coverage of a criminal trial: never before has there been such interest in a court matter in South Africa. That reporters are allowed to live tweet from court, that cameras are allowed to film in the court building are big steps towards a more transparent, freer media.