IN THE NEWS TODAY | 06 February 2026 | 18:00 PM SAST

SOUTH AFRICA | KEY DEVELOPMENTS

US–South Africa Tensions Escalate Amid Trump’s Land Reform Criticism

What happened
U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated threats to cut funding to South Africa, accusing the government of “confiscating land and treating certain classes of people very badly,” referring to South Africa’s land expropriation policy. President Cyril Ramaphosa responded that South Africa “will not be bullied,” defending the policy as necessary to address historic racial inequities in land ownership.

Why it matters
The diplomatic rift risks further economic isolation for South Africa following the U.S. aid freeze in 2025. It could threaten AGOA-linked trade benefits and strain South Africa’s positioning within the Global South, while intensifying domestic political divisions ahead of the 2026 local government elections.

Details
Speaking in Cape Town, Ramaphosa said the land reform framework complements AGOA and AfCFTA objectives, positioning South Africa as a continental growth hub. The exchange trended heavily on social media, with Afrikaner lobby groups welcoming Trump’s stance and opposition parties, including the EFF, criticising government handling. Analysts warn retaliatory tariffs are possible, noting U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s boycott of G20 events hosted by South Africa.

Broken by
Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/south-africa-will-not-be-bullied-ramaphosa-says-after-trump-attack-2025-02-06
Al Jazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/10/white-victimhood-to-g20-whats-behind-trumps-attacks-on-south-africa

Additional reporting
Analysts expect short-term market volatility but point to longer-term trade diversification opportunities with China and BRICS partners following recent economic agreements signed in Beijing.

DA Leadership Uncertainty Deepens With Steenhuisen’s Exit Confirmation

What happened
Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen confirmed he will not seek re-election at the party’s April congress, amid internal financial pressures and coalition strain within the Government of National Unity (GNU).

Why it matters
As a core GNU partner, leadership uncertainty within the DA could destabilise coalition cohesion, disrupt economic reform agendas, and weaken investor confidence in South Africa’s political stability ahead of 2026.

Details
Figures such as Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis are emerging as potential successors. Debate intensified on X over GNU durability. Steenhuisen cited coalition stabilisation as his priority, while critics reference a default judgment linked to party finances. The leadership transition follows earlier factional tensions and policy pressure linked to Foot-and-Mouth Disease impacts on agriculture.

Broken by
Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/south-africas-da-leader-wont-seek-re-election-april-2026-02-04
IOL: https://iol.co.za/news/politics/2026-02-06-da-leadership-race-heats-up-ahead-of-april-congress

Additional reporting
Political analysts see renewal potential but warn against fragmentation, particularly as fiscal oversight intensifies ahead of the 2026/27 budget cycle.

South Africa Launches Local Foot-and-Mouth Vaccine Amid Outbreak

What happened
Government announced the first locally produced Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine in two decades, developed by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), to counter the country’s worst outbreak in years.

Why it matters
FMD has disrupted livestock exports and food security. Local vaccine production strengthens industrial capacity and positions South Africa as a regional leader in agricultural resilience amid weak growth and intensifying global competition.

Details
The ARC will produce 20,000 doses weekly from March, scaling to 200,000 doses by 2027, targeting 80% herd coverage. Officials framed the initiative as complementary to Afreximbank’s $8 billion industrial financing programme.

Broken by
Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/south-africa-launches-local-foot-and-mouth-vaccine-infections-spread-2026-02-06
Business Day: https://www.businessday.co.za/opinion/2026-02-06-claire-bisseker-sa-has-some-breathing-room-we-dare-not-waste-it

Additional reporting
The move aligns with broader reform signals, supported by recent rand gains and stabilising PMI data.

AFRICA | KEY DEVELOPMENTS

Zimbabwe Secures IMF Staff-Monitored Programme

What happened
Zimbabwe agreed to a 10-month IMF Staff-Monitored Programme focused on fiscal and monetary reforms, commencing next month.

Why it matters
The programme could unlock future IMF funding and improve investor confidence, though debt clearance remains a prerequisite for full financial support.

Details
Officials cited reform consolidation but warned low revenues and high borrowing costs remain vulnerabilities, echoing S&P concerns over Africa’s $90 billion debt wall.

Broken by
Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/zimbabwe-says-it-has-agreed-staff-monitored-programme-with-imf-2026-02-06

Additional reporting
The development contrasts with Nigeria’s deteriorating security environment following recent mass-casualty attacks.

AGOA Extension Provides Short-Term Trade Relief Amid U.S. Tensions

What happened
President Trump signed a one-year extension of AGOA, retroactive to September 2025, though uncertainty remains for South Africa.

Why it matters
The temporary reprieve supports exporters but underscores U.S. leverage, accelerating African efforts to diversify trade partnerships.

Details
Analysts flag South Africa’s fragile AGOA status amid diplomatic strains, pointing to Afreximbank-backed alternatives.

Broken by
Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/trump-signs-extension-africa-duty-free-trade-program-ustr-says-2026-02-03
Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/trumps-one-year-african-growth-act-extension-offers-brief-fragile-trade-reprieve-2026-02-04

Additional reporting
Fiscal pressure remains elevated across the continent amid weak revenue growth.

WORLD | KEY DEVELOPMENTS

US–Iran Indirect Talks Conclude in Oman With Cautious Optimism

What happened
Indirect nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran ended in Oman with agreement to continue discussions.

Why it matters
The talks are seen as a last opportunity to avert escalation that could destabilise global energy markets.

Details
Iran seeks sanctions relief; the U.S. demands enrichment limits. Domestic unrest in Iran adds urgency.

Broken by
Al Jazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2026/2/6/us-iran-talks-live-critical-negotiations-set-to-begin-in-oman
Al Jazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/6/trumps-maximalist-demands-for-iran-put-talks-in-oman-on-uncertain-ground

Additional reporting
Russian strikes on Ukraine continue, worsening humanitarian pressures.

Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Officially Open

What happened
The Winter Olympics opened with a dual-city ceremony in Milan and Cortina.

Why it matters
The Games signal a shift toward climate-adaptive hosting while symbolising unity amid global tensions.

Details
Protests occurred in Milan alongside tightened security. Early events include curling and skeleton.

Broken by
Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/sports/milano-cortina-games-begin-with-unique-twinned-opening-ceremony-2026-02-06
New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/06/world/europe/olympics-world-order-war.html

Additional reporting
Pope Leo issued a message of peace to athletes and spectators.

Suicide Bombing at Islamabad Mosque Kills 31

What happened
A suicide bomber attacked a Shia mosque in Islamabad during Friday prayers, killing 31.

Why it matters
The attack highlights persistent sectarian violence and regional security fragility.

Details
No group immediately claimed responsibility.

Broken by
Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/explosion-rocks-shiite-muslim-mosque-islamabad-casualties-feared-say-police-2026-02-06
Al Jazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com

Additional reporting
The incident compounds humanitarian stress as winter deepens across conflict zones.

BUSINESS, TECH & FINANCE | KEY DEVELOPMENTS

AI Spending Spree Triggers Global Tech Stock Rout

What happened
Big Tech’s $600 billion-plus AI investment plans accelerated a global software sell-off.

Why it matters
Markets are repricing AI’s profitability, fracturing the once-uniform “AI trade.”

Details
Amazon, Alphabet, and others increased capex; investors turned selective.

Broken by
Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/futures-stabilize-after-tech-rout-amazon-slides-ai-capex-lift-2026-02-06
Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/global-software-stocks-hit-by-anthropic-wake-up-call-ai-disruption-2026-02-04
Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/global-software-data-firms-slide-ai-disruption-fears-compound-jitters-over-600-2026-02-06

Additional reporting
Capital flows shifted toward Europe and Asia.

Global Chip Sales Projected to Reach $1 Trillion

What happened
The Semiconductor Industry Association forecast $1 trillion in global chip sales for 2026.

Why it matters
AI-driven demand is reshaping supply chains, raising cost pressures for consumer devices.

Details
Memory chip sales surged nearly 35%.

Broken by
Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/global-chip-sales-expected-hit-1-trillion-this-year-industry-group-says-2026-02-06
Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/pricier-iphones-global-memory-chip-crunch-puts-spotlight-apple-2026-02-06

Additional reporting
The boom contrasts with significant EV sector writedowns.

SPORTS | KEY DEVELOPMENTS

Milano Cortina Winter Olympics Kick Off With Curling and Skeleton Action

What happened
Opening events saw mixed doubles curling victories and high-speed skeleton runs.

Why it matters
New formats and venues reinforce sustainability while sustaining global engagement.

Details
The U.S. beat Canada 7–5; Italy rebounded. High-profile figures attended.

Broken by
Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/sports/curling-us-britain-maintain-winning-streaks-champions-italy-bounce-back-2026-02-06
Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/sports/skeleton-where-fear-meets-exhilaration-85mph-2026-02-06

Additional reporting
Despite protests, focus remains on competition.

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