Kate Bartlett

China’s new pledges reflect concern over its competition in Africa

Despite being in its ‘small is beautiful’ era, Beijing is still investing in infrastructure

Docking of Russian naval ship in South Africa sparks controversy

South Africa's Ukrainian Association calls into question Pretoria's purported neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict

China's lending to Africa increased in 2023, study shows

Facing barriers in West, China to push green products at Africa summit    

Beijing has said green energy is high on the agenda of this year’s Forum on China-Africa Cooperation 

Rural South Africans flock to Chinese classes

China’s Confucius Institutes teach Chinese around the world, but there’s more to them than that. VOA's Kate Bartlett visited a new one that is hundreds of kilometers outside the capital in rural South Africa that’s also focusing on green technology. Camera: Zaheer Cassim.

Kremlin-backed TV channel woos Africa

Sanction-hit RT, branded a propaganda outlet by the West, undertakes a massive media blitz in Africa

China, trying to address trade deficit, moves to boost agriculture imports from Africa

The first batch of South African avocados will soon be headed to China

South Africa's African National Congress expels ex-President Zuma

Decision comes amid disciplinary hearing after Zuma campaigned for rival party in May elections

Chinese e-commerce companies popular in South Africa  

Chinese-linked e-commerce companies have gained a strong foothold in Africa’s biggest economy, but planned changes to how customs duties are applied aim to level the playing field 

New sports minister promotes South African car 'spinning'

South Africa’s newly-appointed minister of sports – a self-described former gangster – wants to promote a sport that has associations with South African gangster culture. The sport of “spinning” involves fast-moving cars and dangerous stunts.

Ramaphosa names bloated new South African Cabinet

Ministers from different parties will now have to put political differences aside to run country successfully

Deadly Kenya protests spurred by international debt woes

Experts say IMF, China are major lenders to Kenya but no one source bears all the blame

South Africa's Ramaphosa sworn in amid political shift

Ramaphosa now heads a coalition government because the ANC party lost its majority

Johannesburg: The Evolving Face of Chinatown and South African Chinese

Chinese escaping poverty at home in the 19th and early 20th centuries sought their fortunes in South Africa’s 'City of Gold.' Newer migrants are still coming with money as China prospers in recent decades. Kate Bartlett has the story

South Africa’s ANC to start closely watched coalition talks

After losing their majority at the polls, Cyril Ramaphosa’s ANC party must find new partners to form a coalition government

Ramaphosa says election results show South Africa’s strong democracy

The governing African National Congress has accepted it lost its majority for the first time in three decades and will now have to enter into a coalition

South Africa’s governing ANC humbled after historic vote

Party once led by Nelson Mandela will need to start looking for coalition partners after taking a bashing at the polls

South Africa's ANC loses its 30-year majority in landmark election

Once-storied party of Nelson Mandela will be looking for coalition partners after historic election

South Africans vote in most pivotal elections since apartheid

Thirty years into South Africa’s democracy, many voters say they are unhappy with the status quo. Kate Bartlett spoke to voters in two very different areas of Johannesburg about why they felt it was important to turn out

Populist parties push for gains in South African elections

Some South African opposition parties have spoken vicious rhetoric against immigrants and threatened to resume the death penalty