Tag: Africa

Africa Day Marks Resistance to State-Sponsored Homophobia

Africa will not be free until all its people are free and LGBTI persons are allowed to live their lives without fear, says South African-based advocacy organisation Iranti. “ Across the continent we see countries acting against law-abiding citizens because they do not conform to a heteronormative view of the world. Yet perpetrators of gender-based violence operate

South Africa: Daylin Mitchell Appointed Western Cape Transport and Public Works MEC Following Bonginkosi Madikizela’s Resignation

Daylin Mitchell, the youngest member of Alan Winde’s provincial cabinet, replaces Bonginkosi Madikizela who resigned after a qualifications scandal about a month ago. Western Cape Premier Alan Winde announced on Monday, 24 May that Daylin Mitchell, a member of the provincial legislature, has been appointed as the new MEC for Transport and Public Works. Madikizela

Africa: China Ready to Offer Leading Role in Africa’s Pandemic Recovery

The Chinese government says Beijing is stepping up support for Africa’s post-pandemic recovery, with initial focus on vaccine access, as a “public good” The details emerged on Friday in a series of public comments by Chinese officials who argue that Africa’s recovery will also ensure the world defeats Covid-19. At the UN Security Council, Chinese

Africa: Covid-19 – Why Critically Ill Patients in Africa Are Taking a Bigger Hit

In March 2020, those of us living on the African continent were terrified about what would happen. We had watched Wuhan and then Italy get overrun by Covid-19. These were environments far more resourced than Africa . We knew that we had a limited healthcare workforce. And we have estimated that there was about one

South Africa: How Raymond Rhule Broke the Shackles of Doubt

The former Springbok who received most of the backlash following South Africa’s heaviest defeat contemplated quitting the sport afterwards. He explains how he got over the period to become a sensation in France. Doubt is an insidious thing. It oozes across the mind like lava, biding its time as it incinerates whatever belief once existed

Africa: Hapag Lloyd Is Desperate to Make West Africa Its Garbage Dump – After Senegal, Now Mauritania

After German shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd was caught in the act of fraud by Senegalese customs, it has since been spotted docked in neighbouring Mauritania. Greenpeace fears that the vessel might try to dump its shipment of plastic waste there. According to Liberation, the fifth largest ship owner in the world was fraudulently trying to bring

Africa: Wang Yi Chairs UN Security Council Open Debate on ‘Peace and Security in Africa’

On May 19, 2021, at the initiative of China, which holds the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council (UNSC) this month, the Security Council held an Open Debate on “Peace and Security in Africa: Addressing Root Causes of Conflict in Post-Pandemic Recovery in Africa” via video link. The meeting was chaired by Chinese State

Africa: WHO Issues New Guidance for Research on Genetically Modified Mosquitoes to Fight Malaria and Other Vector-Borne Diseases

Geneva, 19 May – New guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) sets essential standards to inform future research and development on genetically modified mosquitoes, particularly in addressing issues relating to ethics, safety, affordability and effectiveness. Malaria and other vector-borne diseases, including dengue and Zika, affect millions globally. More than 400 000 people a year

HORN OF AFRICA : MBZ dominates fence-mending efforts between Abiy and Hamdok

Officially, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki visited Khartoum earlier this month with his special adviser Yemane Gebreab on his own initiative. Source link

Africa Financing Summit in Paris Ends With Calls for Funding, Vaccines

Paris — A Paris summit on supporting African nations hard-hit by COVID-19’s fallout wrapped up Tuesday with sweeping calls for massive financial and vaccination support for Africa — and a broader sea change in relations between donor nations and the continent. French President Emmanuel Macron called earlier for a new deal for Africa. Among the

Africa: Towards the Regeneration of the University and Public Policy in Africa (Part One)

A grounded university curriculum that reflects the realities and is responsive to the needs of the poor, hungry and homeless of Africa is urgent and long overdue. This translates to a radical rethink of the purpose and mission of higher education. Taking billions away from higher education to bail out a historically mismanaged and looted

South Africa: Behind the Scenes – How the First 500 000 Vaccine Doses Administered in SA Were Secured

On 1 February 2021, a million doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India arrived at OR Tambo International Airport. Everything seemed set for the country’s vaccine rollout to kick off two or so weeks later. But just a few days later on 7 February, the devastating news came that

Africa: President Arrives for the Summit On Financing for African Economies

President Cyril Ramaphosa has this morning , 17 May 2021, arrived in Paris, France, to participate in the Summit on the Financing of African Economies. At the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic, the President will join several African Heads of State and Government as well as leaders of global financing institutions

South Africa: Phase Two of Covid Vaccine Roll-Out Starts Off By Prioritising Old Age Homes

Phase Two of SA’s Covid-19 vaccine roll-out is officially under way from today, Monday, 17 May. The vaccine doses are in hand, with more on the way. National and provincial governments have admitted that the start will be slow, but promised it will start on time and with some of the most vulnerable: those living

Africa: As Cities Grow Across Africa, They Must Plan for Water Security

Here’s a startling figure: 1.5 billion people will live in African cities by 2050, more than double the number today. African cities – including unplanned urban areas and informal settlements – are already facing staggering challenges: poverty, the need for more and better jobs, and a lack of housing and basic infrastructure, all of which

LEBANON/AFRICA : Lebanese banks' African subsidiaries hit by chaos back home

Finance is at the heart of Lebanon’s turmoil, as illustrated by two recent events. In early May, a judge ordered Source link

Africa: Millions of African Muslims Mark Eid Holiday Amid Uncertain Times

Johannesburg — Eid al-Fitr is a special time of year for the nearly half of Africa’s population who are adherents of Islam. But this year’s celebration is different amid the continuing coronavirus pandemic and the devastation it has caused across the continent. Last year’s festival was overshadowed by lockdowns and pandemic restrictions worldwide. Some of

Africa: Nearly 15.5 Million Covid-19 Vaccinations Administered Across Continent

As of May 13, confirmed cases of Covid-19 from 55 African countries reached  4,656,385 while over 15,420,119 vaccinations have been administered across the continent. Reported deaths in Africa reached  125,364 and  4,210,924 people have recovered. South Africa has the most reported cases –  1,602,031 – and  54,968   people died. Other most-affected countries are Morocco ( 

Africa: Rivers of Sewage – Solving South Africa’s Wastewater Treatment Problem

Two weeks ago, DM168 published an investigation looking into the dismal state of SA’s sewage treatment works. Struck by the report’s findings, we asked you, the reader, to suggest solutions. Here’s what you had to say: First published in the Daily Maverick 168 weekly newspaper. Read the original investigation here: South Africa’s rivers of sewage:

Africa: The Basketball Africa League Has Arrived – Here’s Why It Matters

Set to tip off on May 16, the Basketball Africa League (BAL) has finally arrived. Delayed a year by COVID-19, the BAL represents the National Basketball Association (NBA)’s first investment in an NBA-branded league outside of North America and the most consequential US recognition of the African sports sector to date. The league offers a

Southern Africa: SADC Concerned With Expiry Date of Covid-19 Vaccines

Maputo — Mozambican Health Minister Armando Tiago has warned that the issue of African countries receiving Covid-19 vaccines shortly before their expiry date is a stumbling block for the management of health systems, imposing an urgent need to vaccinate a great many people in a very short time. In his opening remarks on Tuesday from

Africa: Surge in India’s Covid Infections Is a Warning to Africa, Who Says

The spike in India’s Covid-19 infections and deaths is a wake-up call for African countries not to let their guard down, the continent’s health bodies have warned. According to both Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (AfricaCDC) and World Health Organisation, Africa region (WHO-Afro), the continent has to act now, collectively and decisively, to

Africa: Busybodies Outside the Gates – Nigerian Social Media Obsession With Gates’ Divorce Ignores Its Own Marriage Crisis

The Gates break-up is somehow being framed in Nigerian media as irrefutable evidence that divinity, and not money, sustains a marriage. In other words, if the Gates had a little more god, the marriage might have been saved. It’s the sort of awkward, largely conservative thinking that suggests that wealth and successful marriage are incompatible.

South Africa: Covid-19 Variants – First Detected in India and UK – Hit South African Shores

South Africa’s Health Ministry has officially confirmed the presence of the B.1.617.2 variant of Covid-19, which was discovered in India, and another variant first detected in the UK. Minister Zweli Mkhize says new variant threats are a concern and the government is discussing potential travel regulations, following ‘appropriate consultations’. On the evening of Saturday 8

Africa: How Podcasting Is Taking Africa By Storm

Josephine Karianjahi is an international development consultant and podcaster from Nairobi, Kenya. As the Co-Director of Africa Podfest and host of the ‘This I Can Do’ podcast, Ms. Karianjahi fosters social change through collaboration and inclusivity in podcasting. In this article, she details the mission of Africa Podfest and the challenges facing African podcasters: The

South Africa: Safa Welcomes Decision to Postpone Qatar 2022 World Cup Qualifiers

Africa’s World Cup qualifiers were moved from June this year to September while other corresponding matches will be played in October and November. South Africa are Group G, together with Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and Ghana. The decision by CAF to postpone the Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifiers was to enable most African countries to fulfil FIFA

Africa: WHO lists additional COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use and issues interim policy recommendations

Geneva — WHO today listed the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, giving the green light for this vaccine to be rolled out globally. The Sinopharm vaccine is produced by Beijing Bio-Institute of Biological Products Co Ltd, subsidiary of China National Biotec Group (CNBG). “The addition of this vaccine has the potential to rapidly accelerate

South Africa: Robben Island Museum Is Ailing and Yet R102 Million of Its Infrastructure Grant Went Unspent

Robben Island is showing signs of dereliction. Yet the Robben Island Museum failed to spend R102 million of its infrastructure grant and the reasons provided for this are unconvincing. The Department of Public Works and the museum failed to respond to questions asking why the money has not been spent. According to the annual reports

Africa: USADF President and CEO C.D. Glin Stepping Down

Washington D.C — President and CEO C.D. Glin stepping down to join Pepsico; Chief Program Officer Elisabeth  Feleke to serve as Acting President and CEO Today, the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) announced that President and CEO C.D. Glin will depart to join PepsiCo as Vice President, Global Head of Philanthropy. USADF’s Board of Directors has named Elisabeth (Liz) Feleke, USADF’s Chief Program Officer, as Acting President and CEO effective May 17, 2021.  

Africa: G7 Leaders Know What Needs to Be Done to Prevent Famines, but Will They Act?

Today’s G7 meeting is a potential gamechanger for preventing famine in crisis countries if world powers step up There is no shortage of food in the world today, yet hunger levels are rising. While global food production increases, hunger afflicts more people now than at any time since 2015, when governments around the world agreed