The Cidade Maravilhosa Experience

by Jayde Bhana

13 February 2026

Celebrating New Year on the white-sand beaches of Rio de Janeiro is a bucket list item for many around the world. Tourists (local and international) make the pilgrimage to the famous Brazilian city to experience the massive party complete with live music on multiple stages and topped off with a colourful fireworks display. Backdropped by the iconic Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado mountain and engulfing the west of Guanabara Bay, Cidade Maravilhosa is worth visiting, and for South Africans, is easy to get to.

Lunar New Year brings Tariff-Free Access to China’s Market

By Kirtan Bhana

12 February 2026

The signing of the Framework Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Prosperity between South Africa and the People’s Republic of China on 6 February 2026 marks a historic milestone in bilateral economic relations. As part of the broader China-Africa Economic Partnership Agreement (CAEPA), the framework paves the way for duty-free (tariff-free) access for South African exports to China’s super-massive market, with an Early Harvest Agreement expected by March 2026.

AU Commissioner Mataboge Declares Africa the Architect of its Energy and Digital Future

10 February 2026

The African Union Commission (AUC) delegation, led by Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Lerato D. Mataboge, has concluded a series of high-level engagements at the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026. The delegation secured critical political and institutional support for a new model of African infrastructure anchored in sovereignty, bankability, and domestic resource mobilization.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov: BRICS could play key role in shaping Greater Eurasian Partnership

In an exclusive interview with TV BRICS, the head of Russia’s foreign ministry assessed BRICS’ role on the global stage, the prospects for the group’s development, and the objectives of India’s 2026 chairmanship

TV BRICS - 10 February 2026

Mr. Lavrov, 10 February is annually marked in Russia as Diplomatic Worker’s Day – the professional holiday of employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and Russia’s overseas missions. You presumably always mark this day at work. How do you assess this holiday? How important is it for you and your colleagues? And, more broadly, what do you consider to be the main results of the Ministry’s work?

Team South Africa in Greece marks a successful New Year celebration

9 February 2026

The South African community (Team SA) in Greece, in close collaboration with the South African Embassy in Athens, proudly hosted a vibrant New Year gathering at the Rythmos Event Hall on 31 January 2026. 

CMG hosts 'Prelude to the Spring Festival Gala' in Addis Ababa
Africa

07 February 2026
CGTN

China Media Group (CMG) hosted its special "Prelude to the Spring Festival Gala: The World Watches the CMG Gala Together" event in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Friday, marking a significant moment in the global celebration of the Chinese New Year. Held at the African Union Headquarters, the event attracted more than 400 attendees, including officials, diplomats, and cultural enthusiasts. It kicked off with screenings of the 2026 CMG Spring Festival Gala and “China Travel with Chinese Films” promotional videos, setting a festive and celebratory tone for the occasion.

Iran launches national AI assistant to accelerate scientific research
New platform aims to streamline data analysis, academic writing and access to advanced computing tools

TV BRICS

4 February 2026

Iran has introduced a new artificial intelligence assistant designed to support researchers and modernise scientific workflows across the country. The platform has been developed to empower the national research community by providing integrated access to advanced AI tools within a single digital environment.

UNESCO reaffirms its commitment to restitution of African cultural heritage
Cultural cooperation and shared responsibility take centre stage in discussions on heritage and identity

TV BRICS

UNESCO reiterated its firm commitment to the restitution of African cultural heritage, emphasising that the return of displaced cultural property is a cultural right, an act of historical justice, and an essential element of people's identities, according to ENA, a partner of TV BRICS.  

SA’s accession to Afreximbank a turning point for continental economic integration

5 February 2026

President Cyril Ramaphosa has described South Africa’s accession to the African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank) as a major milestone in advancing Africa’s economic integration, industrial development and intra-continental trade.

SA Medical Research Council conducts groundbreaking HIV vaccine trial in humans

5 February 2026

The first participant in the BRILLIANT 011 first-in-human clinical trial for the HIV vaccine has been enrolled at the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation (DTHF) site at the Groote Schuur Hospital.

Zimbabwe expands summer cereal plantings beyond 100,000 hectares
TV BRICS

4 February 2026

Agricultural authority strengthens strategic grain reserves and advances rural development goals⁠

Zimbabwe’s Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) has surpassed 101,000 hectares under maize and traditional grains for the 2025/26 summer season, marking the highest cereal hectarage in its history. This is reported by The Herald, a partner of TV BRICS. 

The result supports the country’s Strategic Grain Reserve and reinforces national food security efforts as implementation of National Development Strategy 2 (2026–2030). Officials noted that ARDA’s production drive highlights the country’s growing capacity to secure grain supplies for both strategic reserves and market needs.