The country's prime minister is not likely to gain much support from neighboring governments.

Pretoria aims to play a major role in shaping the upcoming period of historic change in Zimbabwe.

Financial and political constraints will make it harder for many governments to maintain balance in the coming months.

Pretoria's recent troop deployment to Bangui could be a move to establish itself as a regional leader.

Shale gas production is part of Pretoria's plan to lessen its dependence on coal.

Generational changes worldwide will be hard to deny in 2013.

Pretoria wants to boost its international influence by funding projects elsewhere in Africa and in the West.

High production costs may discourage gold producers, but they may not deter platinum producers.

Coal will remain a competitive South African export, but its rising price is a concern for Pretoria.

Indian investors continue to target East Africa due to domestic economic problems and the region's growth potential.