Latest from South Africa

Neighbour's suicide fears for Pistorius

A neighbour of the athlete Oscar Pistorius feared that the athlete might use the same gun he used to shoot his girlfriend to kill himself when he arrived to offer assistance.

Pistorius asked friend to take blame

Oscar Pistorius asked a friend to take the blame for him after he accidentally fired a gun at the floor of a restaurant, his murder trial heard today.

Pistorius case: Husband's turn for grilling

Oscar Pistorius' defence lawyer last night again tried to pick holes in the testimony of witnesses who said they heard fighting the morning Reeva Steenkamp was killed.

Oscar Pistorius in the dock

The murder trial of the world's most famous disabled athlete begins in Pretoria next week. What should we expect?

Could Pistorius' texts be key to trial?

Three weeks out from Oscar Pistorius' murder trial, investigators want access to his iPhone to check his text messages so they can be presented in court.

South Africa: Cruise by the Cape

P.K. Stowers visits Cape Town's famous harbour and gets a view from the waves.

Friendly, fair - why I love cool Kiwis

In the first of a new series on ambassadors in New Zealand, we talk to South African High Commissioner Zodwa Lallie.

Giant Nelson Mandela statue unveiled

On a public holiday dedicated to reconciliation, South Africans started coming to terms with the loss of Nelson Mandela, unveiling a giant statue to honour his struggle for equality.

Full honours for Mandela's farewell

South Africa put on a display of military might as Nelson Mandela was laid to rest in his home village of Qunu.

Investigation into 'fake' interpreter

"There was no meaning in what he used his hands for." An investigation is launched into whether a fake sign language interpreter worked his way into Mandela's service.

UK PM laughs off 'selfie' at Mandela service

"You should always remember that the television cameras are always on." David Cameron has laughed off criticism of his funeral 'selfie' with US President Obama.

Desmond Tutu burgled while he was at Mandela funeral

Burglars broke into the Cape Town home of South African peace icon Desmond Tutu when he was away speaking at Nelson Mandela's memorial.

John Key an 'unidentified guest'

He may be well known at home but according to major US paper, John Key was just an "unidentified guest" at Nelson Mandela's memorial service.

Taxpayers pay for Harawira's trip

Taxpayers are footing the bill for Hone Harawira's trip to attend Nelson Mandela's memorial service in South Africa.

Bryan Gould: Mandela is dead and still we sleep

Nelson Mandela at least had the satisfaction of living long enough to see his life's work vindicated, even by many of those who opposed him, writes Bryan Gould.

Leaders' funeral selfie

Memorial service farewells Madiba

Nelson Mandela the peacemaker has achieved something in his death that had not been seen before. A US President shook hands with a President of Cuba.

Obama shakes hands with Cuba's Raul Castro

US President Barack Obama shook hands with Cuban President Raul Castro at a memorial service for Nelson Mandela, a simple gesture that signalled possible thawing between the leaders of two Cold War foes.