South African maritime emergency teams are searching for eight missing fishermen whose boat capsized several days ago, killing at least one crew member.

Less than 10 years ago, South Africa looked on the cusp of a glorious period. Instead it is in danger of throwing it all away through misstep after misstep, writess Kyran Fitzgerald.

South Africa's parliament descended into chaos as opposition politicians denounced President Jacob Zuma as a "scoundrel" and "rotten to the core" because of corruption allegations and then brawled with guards who dragged them out of the chamber.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today

South Africa’s High Court ruled a decision seven years ago to drop 783 corruption charges against President Jacob Zuma was irrational and should be reviewed, another setback for the scandal-ridden leader who faces calls for his resignation.

After years of waiting, it’s finally here: Fed week. Barring a shock, the Federal Reserve will raise US interest rates tomorrow for the first time since June 2006, a full year before the global financial crisis began.

President Michael D Higgins is starting the second leg of his state visit to Africa today.

South Africa’s election commission completed a vote count that confirms the ruling African National Congress as the winner, but also shows the strengthening of prominent opposition groups, according to results yesterday.

South Africa’s election commission completed a vote count that confirms the ruling African National Congress as the winner but also shows the strengthening of prominent opposition groups, according to results today.

Tens of thousands of spectators have braved foul weather to join heads of state from around the world in celebrating the life of Nelson Mandela in South Africa.

South Africans were praised for the “dignified” way in which they have commemorated the death of Nelson Mandela as the memorial service for the anti-apartheid hero got under way.

With hymns and eulogies, South Africans of all colours and creeds remembered Nelson Mandela in a day of prayers yesterday, holding him up as a symbol of freedom, forgiveness, and hope for the nation and the world.

Some 60 heads of state or government will take part in the memorial service or state funeral of Nelson Mandela next week.

South Africans have flocked to houses of worship for a national day of prayer and reflection to honour former president Nelson Mandela.

South Africans united in mourning for Nelson Mandela yesterday, but while some celebrated his remarkable life with dance and song, others fretted that the anti-apartheid hero’s death would make the nation vulnerable again to racial and social tensions.

Although South Africa had months, if not years, to prepare a farewell for Nelson Mandela, the 10 days of mourning before his funeral speak of a heartfelt need to hold on to him and all that he represents.

Preparations are well underway for the state funeral of Nelson Mandela which will take place on Saturday week.

South Africans have gathered to mourn the death of Nelson Mandela – and celebrate his colossal life.

The murder of two toddlers whose bodies were found in a toilet in a township north of Johannesburg has sparked riots with people accusing police of failing to protect them.

South African authorities say 27 people have died in a road collision in the eastern part of the country.

South Africa’s president said Nelson Mandela has been discharged from the hospital in the capital, Pretoria.

South Africa has been celebrating Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday, a milestone capped by news that the former president's health was improving after fears that he was close to death during ongoing hospital treatment.

Nelson Mandela has made “dramatic progress” and may be going home “any time soon” his daughter said as the former South African president celebrates his 95th birthday today.

Retired Archbishop Desmond Tutu has warned the Mandela family to end a bitter feud over his burial site.

Nelson Mandela is being kept alive by a breathing machine and faces “impending death”, South African court documents show.

Doctors treating Nelson Mandela said he was in a “permanent vegetative state” and advised his family to turn off his life support machine, according to court documents.

Court documents obtained by AFP news agency show that doctors have advised that Nelson Mandela's life support be turned off.

The remains of Nelson Mandela’s three dead children have been reburied at their original resting site, a day after a court ordered their return two years after a Mandela grandson moved the bodies.

US President Barack Obama is meeting South Africa’s leader in a visit that will pay tribute to the legacy of critically ill former president Nelson Mandela.

Members of Nelson Mandela’s family as well as South African Cabinet ministers have visited the hospital where the 94-year-old former president is critically ill.

Nelson Mandela’s health improved overnight and although his condition remains critical it is now stable, the South African government says. One of the former president’s daughters said he is still opening his eyes and reacting to the touch of his family.

Nelson Mandela’s health has deteriorated and he is in critical condition, the South African government said.

The wife of former South African president Nelson Mandela said today that love and generosity from across the world have brought comfort and hope during the 94-year-old’s latest spell in hospital.

There has been sustained improvement in the condition of Nelson Mandela from the recurring lung infection that is forcing him to spend a ninth day in hospital, South Africa’s president said today.

Relatives of Nelson Mandela have visited the former South African president in hospital where he is being treated for a lung infection.

Former South African president Nelson Mandela remains in hospital for a fifth day after being admitted on Sunday for a recurring lung infection.

Nelson Mandela remains in a serious but stable condition in a Pretoria hospital with a recurring lung infection.

Nelson Mandela has been taken to a hospital because of a lung infection, according to the office of South Africa’s president.

Nelson Mandela is breathing “without difficulty” after undergoing a procedure to clear fluid in his lung area which was caused by pneumonia, a South African presidential spokesman said today.

A lung infection that has plagued 94-year-old Nelson Mandela has struck again, prompting doctors to admit the former South African president to hospital.