Rachel Savage
@rachelmsavage.bsky.social
Southern Africa Correspondent at The Guardian. Brit abroad.
The Hong Kong fire is just horrific. Being trapped in a burning high rise is one of my worst nightmares. And I can't help but think of Grenfell.
November 26, 2025 at 7:10 PM
The Hong Kong fire is just horrific. Being trapped in a burning high rise is one of my worst nightmares. And I can't help but think of Grenfell.
If you want to know what's really going on in Nigeria, where Trump & Nicki Minaj claim there's a "Christian genocide", read The Long Wave newsletter with @eromoegbejule.bsky.social.
"There’s never enough data, no one even truly knows the true size of the economy, it’s just inshallah and vibes."
"There’s never enough data, no one even truly knows the true size of the economy, it’s just inshallah and vibes."
‘Ignoring minorities is our original sin’: the complex roots of Nigeria’s security crisis
Criminal exploitation, economic opportunism and religious persecution are all factors in a broader picture of insecurity
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:51 PM
If you want to know what's really going on in Nigeria, where Trump & Nicki Minaj claim there's a "Christian genocide", read The Long Wave newsletter with @eromoegbejule.bsky.social.
"There’s never enough data, no one even truly knows the true size of the economy, it’s just inshallah and vibes."
"There’s never enough data, no one even truly knows the true size of the economy, it’s just inshallah and vibes."
Another coup in Guinea-Bissau (I couldn't find a complete list, but there've been several). This time, it looks like it was successful.
AFP reports soldiers said they were taking "total control" of the country, suspending its electoral process and closing its borders, three days after elections
AFP reports soldiers said they were taking "total control" of the country, suspending its electoral process and closing its borders, three days after elections
November 26, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Another coup in Guinea-Bissau (I couldn't find a complete list, but there've been several). This time, it looks like it was successful.
AFP reports soldiers said they were taking "total control" of the country, suspending its electoral process and closing its borders, three days after elections
AFP reports soldiers said they were taking "total control" of the country, suspending its electoral process and closing its borders, three days after elections
Reposted by Rachel Savage
SA’s National Treasury also then releases all budget documentation as soon as the finance minister starts speaking, and then after that the minister, deputy minister, and civil servants are usually available to press and investors. Quite different to the UK’s leaky accountability sink approach.
South Africa keeps its Budget very under wraps and the finance minister refuses to discuss anything substantive about it ahead of time.
I've only been here for one finance minister so far, but it does feel like a more "serious" process, which is of course itself a political choice.
I've only been here for one finance minister so far, but it does feel like a more "serious" process, which is of course itself a political choice.
I don't think we should know even one thing about the Budget until the chancellor gets to the despatch box on the day, surprise us
November 26, 2025 at 12:12 PM
SA’s National Treasury also then releases all budget documentation as soon as the finance minister starts speaking, and then after that the minister, deputy minister, and civil servants are usually available to press and investors. Quite different to the UK’s leaky accountability sink approach.
South Africa keeps its Budget very under wraps and the finance minister refuses to discuss anything substantive about it ahead of time.
I've only been here for one finance minister so far, but it does feel like a more "serious" process, which is of course itself a political choice.
I've only been here for one finance minister so far, but it does feel like a more "serious" process, which is of course itself a political choice.
I don't think we should know even one thing about the Budget until the chancellor gets to the despatch box on the day, surprise us
November 26, 2025 at 12:02 PM
South Africa keeps its Budget very under wraps and the finance minister refuses to discuss anything substantive about it ahead of time.
I've only been here for one finance minister so far, but it does feel like a more "serious" process, which is of course itself a political choice.
I've only been here for one finance minister so far, but it does feel like a more "serious" process, which is of course itself a political choice.
I immediately sent this to a friend who's an interior architect
As any architect knows, there’s nothing worse than a nightmare client.
@washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
@washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
November 26, 2025 at 11:59 AM
I immediately sent this to a friend who's an interior architect
I found this story deeply depressing and also unsurprising.
"Every media era gets the fabulists it deserves... this generation’s internet scammers are scavenging in the wreckage of a degraded media environment."
"Every media era gets the fabulists it deserves... this generation’s internet scammers are scavenging in the wreckage of a degraded media environment."
A few months ago @thelocal.to got a promising pitch from a writer with bylines in whole bunch of reputable publications—The Cut, The Guardian, Dwell, Architectural Digest, etc. Then I started investigating. Here's a story about fabulists in journalism's AI slop era. thelocal.to/investigatin...
Investigating a Possible Scammer in Journalism’s AI Era | The Local
A suspicious pitch from a freelancer led editor Nicholas Hune-Brown to dig into their past work. By the end, four publications, including The Guardian and Dwell, had removed articles from their sites.
thelocal.to
November 26, 2025 at 7:40 AM
I found this story deeply depressing and also unsurprising.
"Every media era gets the fabulists it deserves... this generation’s internet scammers are scavenging in the wreckage of a degraded media environment."
"Every media era gets the fabulists it deserves... this generation’s internet scammers are scavenging in the wreckage of a degraded media environment."
This is a wild story. Jacob Zuma's daughter Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube has accused her sister Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla of tricking 17 South African men into fighting for Russia in Ukraine.
Duduzile now says she was also duped, into recruiting the men for what she thought was a legitimate training program
Duduzile now says she was also duped, into recruiting the men for what she thought was a legitimate training program
Jacob Zuma’s daughter accused of tricking men into fighting for Russia in Ukraine
South African police investigate allegations made against Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla by another of ex-president’s daughters
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:32 PM
This is a wild story. Jacob Zuma's daughter Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube has accused her sister Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla of tricking 17 South African men into fighting for Russia in Ukraine.
Duduzile now says she was also duped, into recruiting the men for what she thought was a legitimate training program
Duduzile now says she was also duped, into recruiting the men for what she thought was a legitimate training program
South Africa wrapped up the G20 yesterday, framing it as a triumph for multilateralism in the US' absence.
South Africa offered a “junior” diplomat to hand the G20 presidency to the US acting ambassador at the foreign ministry. Foreign minister Ronald Lamola said: “We are done. It’s up to them.”
South Africa offered a “junior” diplomat to hand the G20 presidency to the US acting ambassador at the foreign ministry. Foreign minister Ronald Lamola said: “We are done. It’s up to them.”
Cyril Ramaphosa closes G20 summit after US boycott and handover row
South African president bangs gavel after rejecting plan from US, which hosts next meeting, for him to hand over to junior official
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:42 AM
South Africa wrapped up the G20 yesterday, framing it as a triumph for multilateralism in the US' absence.
South Africa offered a “junior” diplomat to hand the G20 presidency to the US acting ambassador at the foreign ministry. Foreign minister Ronald Lamola said: “We are done. It’s up to them.”
South Africa offered a “junior” diplomat to hand the G20 presidency to the US acting ambassador at the foreign ministry. Foreign minister Ronald Lamola said: “We are done. It’s up to them.”
South Africa has declared gender-based violence a "national disaster", following years of campaigning by activists that culminated in thousands of people protesting on Friday to coincide with the G20 summit
South Africa declares gender-based violence a national disaster amid G20 protests
Women’s groups welcomed the announcement on the eve of the international leaders’ summit in Johannesburg
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:38 PM
South Africa has declared gender-based violence a "national disaster", following years of campaigning by activists that culminated in thousands of people protesting on Friday to coincide with the G20 summit
This story made my blood run cold.
Women lost their babies or gave birth to disabled children after birth complications that were completely avoidable, because they were scammed by grifters selling "wild pregnancies" and "free births" without any medical help.
Women lost their babies or gave birth to disabled children after birth complications that were completely avoidable, because they were scammed by grifters selling "wild pregnancies" and "free births" without any medical help.
Influencers made millions pushing ‘wild’ births – now the Free Birth Society is linked to baby deaths around the world
A year-long investigation reveals how mothers lost children after being radicalised by uplifting podcast tales of births without midwives or doctors
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:35 PM
This story made my blood run cold.
Women lost their babies or gave birth to disabled children after birth complications that were completely avoidable, because they were scammed by grifters selling "wild pregnancies" and "free births" without any medical help.
Women lost their babies or gave birth to disabled children after birth complications that were completely avoidable, because they were scammed by grifters selling "wild pregnancies" and "free births" without any medical help.
I see Mitchell Starc is bowling again.
November 22, 2025 at 5:34 AM
I see Mitchell Starc is bowling again.
Reposted by Rachel Savage
This is just insane for a number of reasons. Why is it the responsibility of ethnic minorities to ask “what is the cause of our division”? Who the hell thinks this is a good stance to hold?
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood made more explicit her argument that when ethnic minorities face racism, "we have no choice but to ask: what is the cause of our division"
Her answer is the level of net migration, 2019-23 causes racism. (She on Monday said it was caused by the scale of asylum)
Her answer is the level of net migration, 2019-23 causes racism. (She on Monday said it was caused by the scale of asylum)
November 21, 2025 at 6:02 PM
This is just insane for a number of reasons. Why is it the responsibility of ethnic minorities to ask “what is the cause of our division”? Who the hell thinks this is a good stance to hold?
White House spox Karoline Leavitt accused South Africa's president of "running his mouth" and said an embassy rep would only come to the end of the summit to take over the G20 presidency.
South Africa said Ramaphosa won't hand over to a "junior embassy official".
The South Africa-US row rumbles on
South Africa said Ramaphosa won't hand over to a "junior embassy official".
The South Africa-US row rumbles on
Run-up to G20 in South Africa marred by host’s simmering row with US
Group’s first summit on the continent, which opens on Saturday, comes at a febrile time in global politics
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:11 PM
White House spox Karoline Leavitt accused South Africa's president of "running his mouth" and said an embassy rep would only come to the end of the summit to take over the G20 presidency.
South Africa said Ramaphosa won't hand over to a "junior embassy official".
The South Africa-US row rumbles on
South Africa said Ramaphosa won't hand over to a "junior embassy official".
The South Africa-US row rumbles on
Ok, maybe England is not too bad at cricket. For now.
This is incredible bowling from England. Been a long time since we've had a spell this good in Australia.
November 21, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Ok, maybe England is not too bad at cricket. For now.
Waking up to this Ashes score was not in my fantasy, but very familiar. Probably for the best that I'll be busy with work for the next few days!
November 21, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Waking up to this Ashes score was not in my fantasy, but very familiar. Probably for the best that I'll be busy with work for the next few days!
Ramaphosa just told an EU-SA summit that the US has changed its mind and they're now discussing attending the G20 "in one shape, form or another". No mention of whether that includes Trump, but his tone didn't make it sound like the US representation would be at that level
x.com/CyrilRamapho...
x.com/CyrilRamapho...
November 20, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Ramaphosa just told an EU-SA summit that the US has changed its mind and they're now discussing attending the G20 "in one shape, form or another". No mention of whether that includes Trump, but his tone didn't make it sound like the US representation would be at that level
x.com/CyrilRamapho...
x.com/CyrilRamapho...
As I said in replies, I had assumed Nnamdi Kanu was convicted years ago - a product of both me not covering Nigeria any more and how long this saga has been dragging on...
Nnamdi Kanu convicted of terrorism. #Nigeria www.reuters.com/world/africa...
www.reuters.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:16 PM
As I said in replies, I had assumed Nnamdi Kanu was convicted years ago - a product of both me not covering Nigeria any more and how long this saga has been dragging on...
I love this profile of a thriving Chinatown in Bamako by @rchason.bsky.social. The presence of ordinary Chinese entrepreneurs across Africa is always so much more grassroots and diverse than people might think if they only read 'Belt & Road' coverage
Inside a thriving Chinatown neighborhood in the heart of West Africa
Chinese migrants have created a lively community in the Malian capital of Bamako but the advance of Islamist militants has them questioning their futures.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:05 PM
I love this profile of a thriving Chinatown in Bamako by @rchason.bsky.social. The presence of ordinary Chinese entrepreneurs across Africa is always so much more grassroots and diverse than people might think if they only read 'Belt & Road' coverage
South Africa has accused the US of attempting “coercion by absentia” after Trump’s administration confirmed it would boycott the G20 meeting in Johannesburg and said no final statement by G20 leaders could be issued without its presence
South Africa says US boycott of G20 is ‘coercion by absentia’
US says Johannesburg meeting cannot issue final statement without its presence and says summit’s priorities ‘run counter to US policy views’
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:33 PM
South Africa has accused the US of attempting “coercion by absentia” after Trump’s administration confirmed it would boycott the G20 meeting in Johannesburg and said no final statement by G20 leaders could be issued without its presence
Every time you think anything related to Epstein can't get worse...
gosh I wonder why they called her peril www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
November 17, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Every time you think anything related to Epstein can't get worse...
The "protest" at the opening of the Museum of West African Art in Benin, Edo state looks bad for Nigeria.
The museum was meant to host returned Benin Bronzes, but now won't due to rivalry between the ex & former Edo governors. As a Nigerian friend said, "Who wants to return the Bronzes to us now?"
The museum was meant to host returned Benin Bronzes, but now won't due to rivalry between the ex & former Edo governors. As a Nigerian friend said, "Who wants to return the Bronzes to us now?"
Protesters target major new Nigerian museum embroiled in looted artefacts row
Protest at Mowaa comes amid dispute over ownership of Benin bronzes looted by British colonial forces
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:35 PM
The "protest" at the opening of the Museum of West African Art in Benin, Edo state looks bad for Nigeria.
The museum was meant to host returned Benin Bronzes, but now won't due to rivalry between the ex & former Edo governors. As a Nigerian friend said, "Who wants to return the Bronzes to us now?"
The museum was meant to host returned Benin Bronzes, but now won't due to rivalry between the ex & former Edo governors. As a Nigerian friend said, "Who wants to return the Bronzes to us now?"
This is such a lame hit job on @meghamohan.bsky.social, who is an incredibly talented, sensitive, thoughtful journalist, unlike those at the Telegraph who wrote, edited and signed off on this.
Also, digging out an email sent in 2018? Extra lame.
Also, digging out an email sent in 2018? Extra lame.
November 10, 2025 at 3:28 PM
This is such a lame hit job on @meghamohan.bsky.social, who is an incredibly talented, sensitive, thoughtful journalist, unlike those at the Telegraph who wrote, edited and signed off on this.
Also, digging out an email sent in 2018? Extra lame.
Also, digging out an email sent in 2018? Extra lame.
Reposted by Rachel Savage
Maybe Keir should demand the heads of major US news networks any time they imply Britain is on the brink of civil war or that we live under sharia law. Or does it not work both ways?
November 10, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Maybe Keir should demand the heads of major US news networks any time they imply Britain is on the brink of civil war or that we live under sharia law. Or does it not work both ways?
Whew this pulls absolutely no punches
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Whew this pulls absolutely no punches