WEATHER ALERT
After a 2-year investigation, South African president won't be charged over $580K hidden in a couch
Read full article: After a 2-year investigation, South African president won't be charged over $580K hidden in a couchProsecutors say South African President Cyril Ramaphosa won’t face criminal charges over a hidden cash scandal that was revealed more than two years ago and triggered an investigation by a special police unit.
South Africa's top court will decide if impeachment proceedings against the president can be revived
Read full article: South Africa's top court will decide if impeachment proceedings against the president can be revivedSouth Africa’s Constitutional Court says it will hear a case next month brought by two opposition parties to revive impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Pravin Gordhan, a South African government minister who was activist against apartheid, dies at 75
Read full article: Pravin Gordhan, a South African government minister who was activist against apartheid, dies at 75Pravin Gordhan, who was a South African government minister for many years after beginning his political career opposing apartheid, has died.
South Africa's justice minister denies corruption allegations against her in a mutual bank scandal
Read full article: South Africa's justice minister denies corruption allegations against her in a mutual bank scandalSouth Africa’s justice minister has denied corruption allegations against her related to a mutual bank scandal in which thousands of retirees lost their life savings.
South Africa's DA party takes ANC to court in sign of friction between new coalition partners
Read full article: South Africa's DA party takes ANC to court in sign of friction between new coalition partnersSouth Africa’s Democratic Alliance is taking the African National Congress, the party it co-governs the country with, to court over a preelection speech given by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Former South African president Zuma faces expulsion from the ANC after joining a rival party
Read full article: Former South African president Zuma faces expulsion from the ANC after joining a rival partyFormer South African President Jacob Zuma’s disciplinary hearing with the African National Congress has been postponed for more arguments, as he faces expulsion for campaigning against the organization he once led as head of a new political party.
South Africa's unprecedented new coalition has 7 parties in the Cabinet. Here's a breakdown
Read full article: South Africa's unprecedented new coalition has 7 parties in the Cabinet. Here's a breakdownSouth African President Cyril Ramaphosa has included seven different parties in his Cabinet in an unprecedented power-sharing agreement for the continent’s most industrialized country.
South African president says Parliament will open July 18 amid discord in the new coalition
Read full article: South African president says Parliament will open July 18 amid discord in the new coalitionSouth African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that Parliament will open on July 18 as he remains locked in negotiations with other parties to form a Cabinet well before then amid rifts in the new governing coalition.
Ramaphosa is sworn in for a second term as South Africa's president with help from coalition parties
Read full article: Ramaphosa is sworn in for a second term as South Africa's president with help from coalition partiesCyril Ramaphosa has been sworn in for a second term as South Africa's president in a ceremony in the administrative capital, Pretoria.
How South Africa's rival parties 'found each other' in a last-ditch deal that saved a president
Read full article: How South Africa's rival parties 'found each other' in a last-ditch deal that saved a presidentSouth Africa’s main political rivals are now partners in government after they came together in a last-ditch coalition deal that ensured President Cyril Ramaphosa was dramatically reelected with cross-party support.
South Africa's President Ramaphosa is reelected for second term after a dramatic late coalition deal
Read full article: South Africa's President Ramaphosa is reelected for second term after a dramatic late coalition dealSouth African President Cyril Ramaphosa has been reelected by lawmakers for a second term after his African National Congress party struck a dramatic late coalition deal with the main opposition and other parties.
South Africa's ANC says it has broad agreement with main opposition, others on coalition government
Read full article: South Africa's ANC says it has broad agreement with main opposition, others on coalition governmentA top official with South Africa’s African National Congress party says it has a broad agreement with the main opposition and other parties to form a coalition government.
South African opposition parties holding crunch talks on the ANC's unity plan. But deep rifts remain
Read full article: South African opposition parties holding crunch talks on the ANC's unity plan. But deep rifts remainSouth African opposition parties are meeting and will continue crunch talks into next week to consider the ruling African National Congress’ offer to become part of a government of national unity.
South Africa's ANC leans toward a 'unity' government that evokes Mandela but divisions are there
Read full article: South Africa's ANC leans toward a 'unity' government that evokes Mandela but divisions are thereSouth African President Cyril Ramaphosa is meeting with senior officials of the African National Congress to decide how to go about forming a government after the party lost its 30-year grip on power and left a post-election deadlock.
South Africa's president urges parties to find common ground in talks after election deadlock
Read full article: South Africa's president urges parties to find common ground in talks after election deadlockSouth African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for his country's political parties to overcome their differences and find “common ground” to form the first national coalition government in its young democracy.
The ANC party that freed South Africa from apartheid loses its 30-year majority in landmark election
Read full article: The ANC party that freed South Africa from apartheid loses its 30-year majority in landmark electionThe African National Congress party has lost its parliamentary majority in a historic election result that puts South Africa on a new political path for the first time since the end of the apartheid system of white minority rule 30 years ago.
South Africa heads for 'coalition country' as partial election results put ruling ANC well below 50%
Read full article: South Africa heads for 'coalition country' as partial election results put ruling ANC well below 50%South Africa is heading closer to the reality of a national coalition government for the first time as partial election results put the ruling African Nation Congress well short of a majority.
South Africa's election results may only be the start of a rocky political process. Here's why
Read full article: South Africa's election results may only be the start of a rocky political process. Here's whyThe real politicking in South Africa may start after the election results are announced as the country faces the possibility of no outright winner.
Partial count in South Africa election puts ruling ANC below 50% as country senses momentous change
Read full article: Partial count in South Africa election puts ruling ANC below 50% as country senses momentous changePartial results in South Africa’s national election have put the long-ruling African National Congress at less than 50% of the vote.
When South Africa's election results are expected and why the president will be chosen later
Read full article: When South Africa's election results are expected and why the president will be chosen laterSouth Africans have voted in a national election that could be the country’s most hotly contested in 30 years.
Polls close and South Africa counts votes in election framed as its most important since apartheid
Read full article: Polls close and South Africa counts votes in election framed as its most important since apartheidSouth Africans have voted in an election seen as their country’s most important in 30 years.
South Africa's opposition parties make a final call for historic change the day before election
Read full article: South Africa's opposition parties make a final call for historic change the day before electionSouth African opposition parties are making a final appeal to voters as the country faces the possibility of a landmark change in its young democracy.
South Africa's election could bring the biggest political shift since it became a democracy in 1994
Read full article: South Africa's election could bring the biggest political shift since it became a democracy in 1994South Africans will vote Wednesday to decide whether their country takes its most significant political step since it brought down apartheid and achieved democracy 30 years ago.
South Africa's 4 big political parties begin final weekend of campaigning ahead of election
Read full article: South Africa's 4 big political parties begin final weekend of campaigning ahead of electionSouth Africa’s four main political parties have begun a final weekend of campaigning before a possibly pivotal election that could bring the country’s most important change in 30 years.
It's possible no party will get a majority in South Africa's election. Here's what that would mean
Read full article: It's possible no party will get a majority in South Africa's election. Here's what that would meanThe focus for South Africa’s national election next week is on the fate of the African National Congress party and whether it is going to lose its parliamentary majority for the first time.
Former South African President Jacob Zuma criticizes top court over election disqualification
Read full article: Former South African President Jacob Zuma criticizes top court over election disqualificationFormer South African President Jacob Zuma has criticized the country’s highest court and his former allies in the ruling African National Congress over his disqualification from next week’s election.
Ex-South African leader Zuma, now a ruling party critic, is disqualified from next week's election
Read full article: Ex-South African leader Zuma, now a ruling party critic, is disqualified from next week's electionFormer South African President Jacob Zuma has been disqualified from running for a seat in Parliament in next week's national election because of a previous criminal conviction.
Former South Africa leader Zuma promises jobs and free education as he launches party manifesto
Read full article: Former South Africa leader Zuma promises jobs and free education as he launches party manifestoFormer South African President Jacob Zuma has lamented the high levels of poverty among black South Africans and promised to create jobs and tackle crime as he launched his new political party’s manifesto ahead of the country’s much anticipated elections.
South Africa's election might be a defining moment — with new complications. Here's what to know
Read full article: South Africa's election might be a defining moment — with new complications. Here's what to knowSouth Africa’s election will determine how weary the country has become of the ruling African National Congress party, which has been in power since the end of apartheid 30 years ago.
South Africa braces for what may be a milestone election. Here is a guide to the main players
Read full article: South Africa braces for what may be a milestone election. Here is a guide to the main playersAfter 30 years of dominating South African politics, the ruling African National Congress will face its toughest election this month as most opinion polls predict it will lose its parliamentary majority for the first time.
It's 30 years since apartheid ended. South Africa's celebrations are set against growing discontent
Read full article: It's 30 years since apartheid ended. South Africa's celebrations are set against growing discontentSouth Africa has marked 30 years since the end of apartheid with a ceremony in the capital.
Girl, 8, only survivor of bus crash that kills 45 Easter pilgrims on South Africa's deadly roads
Read full article: Girl, 8, only survivor of bus crash that kills 45 Easter pilgrims on South Africa's deadly roadsAn 8-year-old girl was the lone survivor after a bus full of Easter pilgrims from Botswana making their way to a popular church festival in rural South Africa crashed off a bridge on a mountain pass and plunged into a ravine before bursting into flames.
Why South Africa is facing a turning point in May's national election and who the major players are
Read full article: Why South Africa is facing a turning point in May's national election and who the major players arePolls suggest South Africa faces a historic turning point in a national election in May.
South Africa's ANC launches election manifesto as president highlights party's achievements
Read full article: South Africa's ANC launches election manifesto as president highlights party's achievementsSouth Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has highlighted the achievements of his ruling African National Congress, which has ruled the country for all of its 30 years of democracy, as it heads into a tight race in May’s election.
South Africa sets May 29 elections that could be the most pivotal since apartheid ended
Read full article: South Africa sets May 29 elections that could be the most pivotal since apartheid endedSouth Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the highly anticipated national election will be held on May 29.
South African president defends 30 years of ANC rule in speech to Parliament ahead of elections
Read full article: South African president defends 30 years of ANC rule in speech to Parliament ahead of electionsSouth African President Cyril Ramaphosa confronted some of his country’s deep problems in his annual State of the Nation speech in Parliament on Thursday.
South Africa says Israel's campaign in Gaza amounts to genocide. What can the UN do about it?
Read full article: South Africa says Israel's campaign in Gaza amounts to genocide. What can the UN do about it?Israel is defending itself in the United Nations’ highest court against allegations that it is committing genocide with its military campaign in Gaza.
Mbongeni Ngema, South African playwright and creator of 'Sarafina!', is killed in a car crash at 68
Read full article: Mbongeni Ngema, South African playwright and creator of 'Sarafina!', is killed in a car crash at 68The family of renowned South African playwright, producer and composer Mbongeni Ngema said he has died in a car crash at the age of 68.
South African ex-President Jacob Zuma has denounced the ANC and pledged to vote for a new party
Read full article: South African ex-President Jacob Zuma has denounced the ANC and pledged to vote for a new partyFormer South African President Jacob Zuma has denounced the governing African National Congress party and announced that he will vote for a newly-formed political formation in the country’s general election next year.
A court sets aside the South African president's recognition of the Zulu king
Read full article: A court sets aside the South African president's recognition of the Zulu kingA South African court has overturned President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to recognize Misuzulu kaZwelithini as the king of the country’s 15 million-strong Zulu nation in what may spark a lengthy battle for the throne.
South African leader accuses Israel of war crimes. Putin and Xi strike more cautious note at meeting
Read full article: South African leader accuses Israel of war crimes. Putin and Xi strike more cautious note at meetingSouth African President Cyril Ramaphosa has accused Israel of war crimes and genocide in Gaza during a virtual meeting of leaders of developing countries including Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping.
South African lawmakers vote in favor of closing Israel's embassy and cutting diplomatic ties
Read full article: South African lawmakers vote in favor of closing Israel's embassy and cutting diplomatic tiesA majority of South African lawmakers have voted in favor of a motion calling for the closure of the Israeli embassy and the cutting of diplomatic ties until Israel agrees to a cease-fire in Gaza.
Long walk to school: 30 years into freedom, many kids in South Africa still walk miles to class
Read full article: Long walk to school: 30 years into freedom, many kids in South Africa still walk miles to classThousands of children in South Africa's poorest and most remote rural communities still face a miles-long walk to school, nearly 30 years after the country ushered in democratic change.
At UN, African leaders say enough is enough: They must be partnered with, not sidelined
Read full article: At UN, African leaders say enough is enough: They must be partnered with, not sidelinedAt the U.N. General Assembly meeting in New York, African leaders are relaying a unanimous message, that their continent of more than 1.3 billion people is done being a “victim” of a post-world war order and must be recognized and partnered with as a global power in itself.
South Africa didn't know a US-sanctioned Russian ship carried its military purchases, inquiry finds
Read full article: South Africa didn't know a US-sanctioned Russian ship carried its military purchases, inquiry findsA presidential inquiry in South Africa has found government officials didn't know a U.S.-sanctioned Russian ship was assigned to deliver military equipment to the country until the vessel neared national waters.
A building marked by fire and death shows the decay of South Africa's 'city of gold'
Read full article: A building marked by fire and death shows the decay of South Africa's 'city of gold'The fire that killed at least 76 people last week in a rundown apartment block in Johannesburg has exposed not only the urban decay of South Africa's “city of gold” but also a failure of its post-apartheid government to provide for many of its poor Black majority.
India's Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping agree on efforts to de-escalate border tensions
Read full article: India's Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping agree on efforts to de-escalate border tensionsIndia’s prime minister and China’s leader have agreed to intensify efforts to de-escalate tensions at the disputed border between them and bring home thousands of their troops deployed there.
Iran and Saudi Arabia are among 6 nations set to join China and Russia in the BRICS economic bloc
Read full article: Iran and Saudi Arabia are among 6 nations set to join China and Russia in the BRICS economic blocIran and Saudi Arabia are among six nations that have been invited to join the BRICS bloc of developing economies, along with the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Egypt and Ethiopia.
Xi, Putin and other leaders locked in discussions over an expansion of the BRICS economic bloc
Read full article: Xi, Putin and other leaders locked in discussions over an expansion of the BRICS economic blocThe leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa have held closed-door discussions on the possible expansion of their BRICS economic bloc.
Putin denounces sanctions on Russia during his speech for a South Africa economic summit
Read full article: Putin denounces sanctions on Russia during his speech for a South Africa economic summitRussian President Vladimir Putin has taken multiple shots at the West on the opening day of an economic summit in South Africa.
China fines US research firm $1.5 million in crackdown on information-gathering
Read full article: China fines US research firm $1.5 million in crackdown on information-gatheringAn American research firm has been fined $1.5 million by China’s government in a crackdown on information-gathering that has rattled foreign investors.
Putin was meant to be at a summit in South Africa this week. Why was he asked to stay away?
Read full article: Putin was meant to be at a summit in South Africa this week. Why was he asked to stay away?Vladimir Putin will be the odd one out when leaders from the BRICS economic bloc of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa meet in Johannesburg this week.
Russia, China look to advance agendas at BRICS summit of developing countries in South Africa
Read full article: Russia, China look to advance agendas at BRICS summit of developing countries in South AfricaRussia and China will look to gain more political and economic ground in the developing world at a summit in South Africa this week.
Former South African President Zuma taken back to prison and released again within 2 hours
Read full article: Former South African President Zuma taken back to prison and released again within 2 hoursFormer South African President Jacob Zuma was taken back to prison after his parole was ruled invalid, only to be released again within two hours under a new program to reduce overcrowding in jails.
South Africa says Putin will skip a Johannesburg summit next month because of his ICC arrest warrant
Read full article: South Africa says Putin will skip a Johannesburg summit next month because of his ICC arrest warrantSouth Africa says Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend an economic summit in Johannesburg next month.
The death toll from a South Africa gas leak blamed on illegal gold processing has risen to 17
Read full article: The death toll from a South Africa gas leak blamed on illegal gold processing has risen to 17The death toll in a toxic gas leak in South Africa blamed on an illegal gold processing operation in a settlement of closely packed shacks has risen to 17.
South African president cleared of wrongdoing in scandal over $580,000 in cash stolen from his farm
Read full article: South African president cleared of wrongdoing in scandal over $580,000 in cash stolen from his farmSouth African President Cyril Ramaphosa has been cleared of wrongdoing by a public watchdog over a scandal involving the theft of more than half a million dollars in U.S. currency that had been stashed in a sofa at his farm.
German foreign minister poses challenge to South Africa over its position on Russian war effort
Read full article: German foreign minister poses challenge to South Africa over its position on Russian war effortGermany's foreign minister has called for Russia “to stop the bombing” of Ukraine, a pointed message to South Africa as it draws accusations of aiding Moscow's war effort.
Putin meets with African leaders in Russia to discuss Ukraine peace plan, but no visible progress
Read full article: Putin meets with African leaders in Russia to discuss Ukraine peace plan, but no visible progressRussian President Vladimir Putin has met with a group of leaders of African countries who traveled to Russia on a self-styled “peace mission” the day after they went to Ukraine.
Zelenskyy urges African leaders to press Putin on release of political prisoners
Read full article: Zelenskyy urges African leaders to press Putin on release of political prisonersUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appealed to a group of African leaders to ask his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, to free political prisoners from Crimea and beyond — saying it could be an important part of their trip to Russia on Saturday.
US lawmakers ask Biden administration to punish South Africa for alleged support for Russia
Read full article: US lawmakers ask Biden administration to punish South Africa for alleged support for RussiaA bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers wants the Biden administration to punish South Africa for its alleged support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
South Africa's ruling party expels former top official accused of corruption
Read full article: South Africa's ruling party expels former top official accused of corruptionSouth Africa’s ruling African National Congress party expelled its former secretary-general on Monday for misconduct and other breaches of party rules.
South African president appoints judge to oversee weapons-for-Russia inquiry
Read full article: South African president appoints judge to oversee weapons-for-Russia inquirySouth African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed a judge to oversee an inquiry into allegations that the country supplied arms to Russia on a ship that docked secretly at a naval base in December.
South Africa under more scrutiny over Russian ship as ruling ANC says it would 'welcome' Putin
Read full article: South Africa under more scrutiny over Russian ship as ruling ANC says it would 'welcome' PutinThe South African government has come under growing pressure after it declined to release cargo documents relating to the visit by a Russian ship that the United States alleges collected a consignment of weapons for Moscow.
Peace, food and fertilizer: African leaders' challenge heading to talks with Moscow, Kyiv
Read full article: Peace, food and fertilizer: African leaders' challenge heading to talks with Moscow, KyivA delegation of six African leaders set to hold talks with Kyiv and Moscow aim to “initiate a peace process” but also broach the thorny issue of how a heavily-sanctioned Russia can be paid for the fertilizer exports Africa desperately needs, a key mediator in the talks said.
Putin, Zelenskyy agree to meet with 'African leaders peace mission,' says South Africa president
Read full article: Putin, Zelenskyy agree to meet with 'African leaders peace mission,' says South Africa presidentSouth African President Cyril Ramaphosa says his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts have agreed to separate meetings with a delegation of African heads of state to discuss a possible plan to end the war in Ukraine.
South African army general in Moscow days after country accused of sending weapons to Russia
Read full article: South African army general in Moscow days after country accused of sending weapons to RussiaRussia’s top army general and his South African counterpart have discussed “military cooperation” while meeting in Moscow.
South Africa summons US ambassador over weapons for Russia allegations
Read full article: South Africa summons US ambassador over weapons for Russia allegationsSouth Africa’s foreign ministry has summoned the U.S. ambassador to a meeting over allegations he made that the country had provided Russia with arms and ammunition for its war in Ukraine.
Blackout-beset South Africa may delay closing coal stations
Read full article: Blackout-beset South Africa may delay closing coal stationsPresident Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa may delay the timetable for shutting down many of its highly polluting coal-fired power stations as the nation deals with crippling daily electricity blackouts.
South Africa ends 'state of disaster' over electricity
Read full article: South Africa ends 'state of disaster' over electricityThe South African government has terminated the national state of disaster it declared two months ago to deal with an electricity crisis, although there are no signs that the power problems are ending.
South Africa's Ramaphosa welcomes Belgium's King Philippe
Read full article: South Africa's Ramaphosa welcomes Belgium's King PhilippeSouth African President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilda to the capital Pretoria, lauded the European country for its assistance to Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic.
South Africans demonstrate and call for president to resign
Read full article: South Africans demonstrate and call for president to resignSouth African police on Monday monitored protests by the country’s leftist Economic Freedom Fighters party, which is demanding the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
South African leader grapples with ever-worsening power cuts
Read full article: South African leader grapples with ever-worsening power cutsSouth Africa’s ever-worsening power crisis — putting homes and businesses without electricity for up to 10 hours per day — is strangling Africa’s most developed economy.
South Africa's Ramaphosa to address nation amid power cuts
Read full article: South Africa's Ramaphosa to address nation amid power cutsSouth African President Cyril Ramaphosa is under pressure to convince the country that his government is addressing the nation’s dire electricity crisis and bleak economic outlook in his annual State of the Nation Address on Thursday.
South Africa's ruling ANC party fetes 111th anniversary
Read full article: South Africa's ruling ANC party fetes 111th anniversarySouth Africa’s ruling African National Congress party on Sunday marks its 111th anniversary with celebratory events in Mangaung, Free State province, where the organization was founded in 1912.
South Africa leader fights for political future over scandal
Read full article: South Africa leader fights for political future over scandalThe president of South Africa is fighting for his political future in a dramatic reversal of fortunes for an anti-apartheid icon once admired for tackling the problems of Africa’s most developed economy.
South Africa's parliament votes against impeaching Ramaphosa
Read full article: South Africa's parliament votes against impeaching RamaphosaSouth Africa’s parliament voted against starting impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa over a report that says he held undeclared foreign currency at his farm in 2020.
Biden wants African Union to be added to Group of 20 nations
Read full article: Biden wants African Union to be added to Group of 20 nationsPresident Joe Biden plans to announce at next week’s U.S.-Africa summit that his administration supports adding the African Union as a permanent member of the Group of 20 nations.
South Africa's ruling party stands by leader despite scandal
Read full article: South Africa's ruling party stands by leader despite scandalA crucial meeting of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress party to discuss the future of President Cyril Ramaphosa got underway in Johannesburg on Monday.
South African president awaits party decision on his fate
Read full article: South African president awaits party decision on his fateSouth African President Cyril Ramaphosa looked relaxed and shared a joke with journalists as the African National Congress party’s national working committee is discussing his political fate.
EXPLAINER: Why South Africa's president might lose his job
Read full article: EXPLAINER: Why South Africa's president might lose his jobSouth Africa’s president might lose his job as he faces possible impeachment over claims that he tried to cover up the theft of millions of dollars stashed inside a couch on his farm.
More calls for South Africa leader to quit over theft probe
Read full article: More calls for South Africa leader to quit over theft probeSouth African President Cyril Ramaphosa is facing calls to step down after a parliamentary probe found he may have breached anti-corruption laws in connection with the alleged theft of a large amount of money from his Phala Phala game farm.
South Africa faces challenges in transition away from coal
Read full article: South Africa faces challenges in transition away from coalLiving in the shadow of one of South Africa’s largest coal-fired power stations, residents of Masakhane fear job losses if the facility is closed as the country moves to cleaner energy.
South Africa to let Russian billionaire's superyacht dock
Read full article: South Africa to let Russian billionaire's superyacht dockSouth Africa will allow a $500 million superyacht linked to sanctioned Russian billionaire Alexey Mordashov to dock in Cape Town despite attempts from the city’s mayor to get its entry blocked.
South Africa's Ramaphosa denies money-laundering allegations
Read full article: South Africa's Ramaphosa denies money-laundering allegationsSouth African President Cyril Ramaphosa has denied allegations of money laundering while being questioned by lawmakers over a scandal that threatens his position and the direction of Africa’s most developed economy.
South Africa's beleaguered Zuma open to return to politics
Read full article: South Africa's beleaguered Zuma open to return to politicsBeleaguered former South African President Jacob Zuma has said he is ready to make a surprise return to politics by standing for a top position when the ruling African National Congress holds a conference in December.