Zaheer Cassim

South Africa Helps Provide COVID Vaccines to Undocumented Immigrants

South African government, with help of nonprofits, has begun vaccinating undocumented immigrants to combat COVID-19

South African Tech Firm Creates App to Tackle Gender-Based Violence

App can bring immediate help to victims, but experts say more is needed to end what the South African president calls the country’s ‘second pandemic’

Experts Say Travel Bans Another Blow to Crippled South African Economy

Nearly 47% of people were not employed in the year’s third quarter, according to government data

South Africa’s ‘Little People’ Urge Better Accessibility

'Nothing about us without us,' says Piet Nel, founder of Short Statured Persons South Africa

Music to South Africa’s Ears

With the arrival of a new season and low COVID-19 infection rates, the South African government has reopened music events across the country to the delight of audiences and artists. For VOA, Zaheer Cassim joins music fans in Johannesburg as live performances becomes the norm again

Volunteers Attempt to Reclaim Hijacked Buildings in South Africa

A local charity is reclaiming and restoring a historic building to provide shelter for those in need

South Africa’s Soaring Unemployment Hits Women Hardest 

Nearly 35% of people are unemployed, with rates hitting 41% among Black women 

South African University Embraces Virtual Reality for Distance Learning

University of Johannesburg brings students into virtual laboratories

Women Miners in South Africa Break Barriers with Mentors' Help

A new mentorship program is helping young women enter the male-dominated industry

Mentors Help South African Women Miners Break Barriers  

The program focuses on young women and provides training to assist them in entering the male-dominated industry 

South Africa Shuts Borders, Schools to Try to Slow COVID Spread

President Cyril Ramaphosa announces 'urgent and drastic measures' including curbs on gatherings

In South Africa, HIV's Patients Survive Disease But Are Weary of Its Toll

South Africa has the world's largest antiretroviral therapy program with over 4 million people receiving treatment. But the ARV drug therapy, regarded by many as a panacea for HIV, is complicated and comes with its a number of side effects, both physical and mental. As VOA's Zaheer Cassim explains from Johannesburg, perceptions of those side effects and the complex nature of the treatment has brought a new serious problem: many people just do not want to take the drugs anymore.

Xenophobic Violence Erupts in South Africa

Xenophobic Group Marches in Johannesburg After Violent Killings of Foreigners

Some 2 million foreign nationals live in South Africa, according to a census report

South African Youth Eagerly Await Obama Visit

Former US president Barack Obama enjoyed huge popularity on the African continent while he was president. The much-loved Obama returns to Johannesburg next month hoping to promote inclusiveness and unity, not division. Zaheer Cassim is in South Africa for an advance look at the former US president's much-anticipated visit.

As World Cup Fever Spreads, Africa Unites

The World Cup attracts billions of viewers across the globe, many of them in Africa. As the best footballers in the world battle it out to be crowned champion, Zaheer Cassim in Johannesburg explores how Africans are putting aside their differences and are backing all the teams from the continent.

South Africa Tests Potential Game-Changer in HIV Treatment

What if refilling a prescription was as easy as withdrawing money from an ATM? A South African tech company wants to make that possible. Its innovation, the Pharmacy Dispensing Unit, is being tested in Johannesburg, and health experts say it could provide a strong boost for the fight against HIV/AIDS in South Africa, and potentially the region. Zaheer Cassim reports for VOA from Alexandra township of Johannesburg.