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Breast health sits high on the list of things women should pay attention to across their lives. The science is clear that catching changes early makes a massive difference in outcomes. Yet plenty of women still skip regular checks, miss screening appointments, and avoid the topic until something feels wrong. This article looks at the …
Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, marks World Art Day 2026 through their Pan-African “Art and Fashion with Purpose” community, established by Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation. On this occasion, the Merck Foundation also proudly celebrates the 6-year anniversary of this impactful community, which continues to harness the power of art and fashion to address critical health and social issues in Africa and beyond.
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), CEO of Merck Foundation and One of 100 Most Influential Africans 2019 – 2025 shared “I am happy to mark World Art Day 2026, and I firmly believe that art, fashion, and media are powerful tools for raising awareness and addressing critical social and health issues. We also proudly celebrate the 6-year anniversary of our ‘Fashion and Art with Purpose' Community, established in 2020. Through this dynamic community, we continue to raise awareness on important health and social issues like breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education, ending FGM & child marriage, stopping gender based violence, women empowerment and diabetes, hypertension & cancer awareness, while empowering artists across Africa and beyond to use their day-to-day creative work as a powerful tool for awareness, education, and driving a meaningful cultural shift within their communities.
Our community today brings together talented members from more than 25 countries. I am proud of what we've built together and the positive social impact it continues to create.”
Merck Foundation has launched many initiatives including their first-ever pan-African TV program, ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation', which uniquely highlights pressing issues across the continent through the voices of their 'Fashion and Art with Purpose' community.
‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation' is a pan African TV program that is conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation to feature African Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent experts from various domains with the aim to raise awareness and create a culture shift across Africa. The program has captured the attention and hearts of millions of viewers across Africa.
“Our Africa” has been broadcast on prime TV stations of many countries, and is currently on social media handles of Social Media handles of Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4uVAy0u, Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/4uVXlJF, Twitter: https://apo-opa.co/3POrnQz and YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/4uUAONa) and Merck Foundation (Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/42DgwMe, Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/42HjDTq, Twitter: https://apo-opa.co/3RfS1Ck and YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/4dhieZN).
Watch the Promo of the Program here: https://apo-opa.co/4uUPsE6
Beyond Our Africa TV Program, Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Ladies of Africa announces annually 8 important Awards, under two themes, for Media, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers and Musicians/ Singers, and potential young African talents in these fields. The themes of the two categories of awards are: 1) Breaking Infertility Stigma, Support Girls' Education, End Child Marriage, End FGM, Stopping GBV and/ or Women Empowerment at all levels and 2) promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.
Entries for the 2026 Awards can be sent to: submit@merck-foundation.com
A significant part of Merck Foundation's “Art and Fashion with Purpose” Community is made up of the talented winners of Merck Foundation annual Fashion, Film, and Song Awards.
“I am proud and delighted to share that in partnership with my dear sisters, The First Ladies of Africa, we have so far recognized and celebrated 175 exceptional talents as our winners from 25 countries through our Fashion, Film, and Song Awards. Each winner has become a valued member of our ‘Fashion and Art with Purpose' Community. Together, they continue to use their voice, art, and influence to spark meaningful conversation, challenge deeply rooted perceptions, and raise awareness about sensitive social and health issues across their communities,” added Dr. Rasha Kelej.
The 175 winners include 102 Fashion Award winners, 53 Song Award winners, and 20 Film Award winners, selected for their outstanding creativity and impact from 25 countries including Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, CAR, Congo-Brazzaville, DRC, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Also, as a part of the Community Awareness Programs, Merck Foundation has created over 30 songs with many African Artists, in English, French, Portuguese and also local African languages to address critical issues like breaking infertility stigma, empowering women, supporting girl education, ending child marriage, diabetes awareness, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and more.
Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Ladies of Africa has also launched 9 Children's Storybooks in five languages - English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili. Additionally, Merck Foundation has adapted their storybooks to create 6 Awareness Animation films in five languages - English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili, with the purpose of reaching out to the communities to raise awareness on the important issues with an aim of instilling change at grassroot levels.
To listen to the Merck Foundation songs, read Merck Foundation storybooks and watch Merck Foundation animation films, click on the below links:
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.
Contact:
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager
Phone: +91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
Email: mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com
Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard!
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4uT0z0e
X: https://apo-opa.co/4uXc333
Youtube: https://apo-opa.co/49UgNhA
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/4uYYFvp
Threads: https://apo-opa.co/4tGxBzI
Flickr: https://apo-opa.co/4dxqwvo
Website: www.Merck-Foundation.com
Download Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/3RfRQqE
About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare & scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/42DgwMe), X (https://apo-opa.co/3RfS1Ck), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/42HjDTq), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/49UgNhA), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/4tGxBzI) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/4dxqwvo).
The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavours.
The Joburg inner city has gone through plenty of changes over the past few decades. What started as the heart of South African business in the early 1900s shifted through different periods of growth, decline, and now steady renewal. Areas that were once written off as no-go zones have come back into the conversation, with …
Military regimes have shifted from presenting themselves as temporary ‘corrective’ interventions to becoming personalised systems of rule.
There is a persistent assumption that buying property on the KZN North Coast is, at its core, an emotional decision. The beach. The weather. The pace of life. The idea of raising children somewhere that feels less pressured than Johannesburg or Cape Town. These things are real, and they matter to buyers. But if the …
Invest Africa (www.InvestAfrica.com) is pleased to announce Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) as Headline Partner for the 12th edition of The Africa Debate, taking place on Wednesday, 3 June 2026 at the Guildhall, London.
This year's extraordinary speaker line-up includes H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, and AFC's President and CEO, Samaila Zubairu, alongside global business leaders and investors shaping Africa's next chapter.
As the UK's leading forum for high-level dialogue on Africa's economic future, The Africa Debate 2026 will convene over 800 senior leaders from government, finance and industry under the theme: 'Redefining Partnership: Navigating a World in Transition'.
As the global order evolves and new economic and geopolitical realities emerge, discussions will focus on how to accelerate investment, unlock growth and strengthen development outcomes through a new era of collaboration.
This year's speaker line-up reflects the breadth of voices shaping Africa's next chapter, from heads of state to the stewards of global capital.
Highlights include:
H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana
The Rt. Hon. Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister for International Development and Africa
Key ministers include:
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Ghana
Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resource, Republic of Ghana
Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister of Finance, Republic of Ghana
Hon. Judith Salvio Kapinga, Minister for Industry and Trade, United Republic of Tanzania
H.E. Taiwo Oyedele, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Federal Republic of Nigeria
Dalu Ajene, CEO & Head of Coverage, Africa, Standard Chartered
Runa Alam, Co-Founder & CEO, Development Partners International
Haythem El Maayergi, Executive Vice President, Global Trade Bank, Afreximbank
Dr. Awele V. Elumelu, Co-Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation
Claver Gatete, Under Secretary General & Executive Secretary, UNECA
Amadou Hott, Chair, Africa Advisory Board, Vision Invest
Kola Karim, Group Managing Director & CEO, Shoreline Energy International
Leslie Maasdorp, Chief Executive Officer, British International Investment
Zemedeneh Negatu, Chief Executive Officer, CBE Capital Investment Bank and Chairman, Fairfax Africa Fund
Hardy Pemhiwa, President & CEO, Cassava Technologies
Commenting on AFC's partnership with Invest Africa, Samaila Zubairu, President and CEO of Africa Finance Corporation, said: “We are entering a decisive period for Africa and the global economy. As trade routes, supply chains, and industrial capacity are being reshaped, Africa has a historic opportunity to move from the margins of the global economy to a more central role in powering future growth, resilience, and industrial competitiveness.
Realising that opportunity will require mobilising capital at scale toward the infrastructure, energy systems, logistics networks, and industrial ecosystems that enable productive economies to grow and create jobs.
The Africa Debate comes at an important moment to deepen partnerships, align long-term capital with long-term opportunity, and accelerate the practical solutions required to help build the Africa our children will inherit.”
Chantelé Carrington, CEO of Invest Africa, added: “The world is in transition, and Africa is no longer waiting to be invited to shape it. From the race to secure critical minerals and redefine development finance, to the urgent need to unlock energy access and accelerate digital transformation, this year's Africa Debate puts Africa's priorities first.
With AFC as our Headline Partner, we have a bold, visionary institution that understands what long-term, bankable investment in Africa truly looks like. Together, we are convening a conversation that goes beyond rhetoric, focused on the partnerships, the financing models, and the structural shifts that will define Africa's next decade.”
Confirmed Partners of The Africa Debate Include: Africa Finance Corporation (Headline Partner), Absa Group, Afreximbank, Africa GreenCo, Brand South Africa, FirstBank UK Limited, Invest Durban, London Stock Exchange Group, Manufacturing Africa, Premier Invest, Rawbank, S-RM, Société Nationale d'Électricité (SNEL), Standard Bank Group and Standard Chartered.
To register as a delegate for The Africa Debate, please visit: https://apo-opa.co/4dqVaqk.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa.
For more information or media enquiries, please contact:
Fiona Hannig
Marketing & Communications Manager
Invest Africa
T: +44 2037 305 035
E: fiona.hannig@investafrica.com
About The Africa Debate:
The Africa Debate is London's premier investment forum dedicated to shaping the future of African trade, investment and economic transformation. Now in its 12th year, the event serves as a critical platform for global businesses, investors, policymakers, and thought leaders to engage in high-level discussions on Africa's evolving role in the global economy.
About Invest Africa:
Invest Africa is a leading pan-African business and investment platform, that drives trade and investment across the continent. With over seventy years' experience in Africa, we provide our network with trusted market insights, tailored business support, and platforms for meaningful engagement. Our network includes more than 400 multinational corporations, investors, policy makers and entrepreneurs, united by a shared commitment to building sustainable opportunity across Africa.
About Africa Finance Corporation:
Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) is Africa's leading multilateral finance institution, focused on bridging the continent's infrastructure gap through innovative, commercially viable, and sustainable investments. AFC has deployed over $14bn across 42 African countries.
Wanted: SA’s best boerewors! 2026 Championship Boerewors entries now open. The search for South Africa’s ultimate boerewors is back as Shoprite and Checkers officially open entries for the 34th annual Championship Boerewors competition. If your friends already call you the Braai-n Habana of boerewors, now’s your chance to prove it. From backyard braai masters to …
ActionSA welcomes the landmark ruling by the Constitutional Court declaring key provisions of the National Health Act unconstitutional.
The post ActionSA Welcomes Landmark ConCourt Ruling Limiting Health Minister’s Powers Over Doctors appeared first on ActionSA.
Encountering a website that seems like it was designed to frustrate might leave you saying ‘there oughta be a law,’ but to have a case you need to show that the site tried to swindle you.
Now in its fourth year, Woodlands Boulevard ‘s Annual Primary Schools’ Art Exhibit gives learners aged 5 to 13 a public stage for their work, with food voucher prizes and a R10 000 school prize sponsored by Thunder Valley Spur. Some of the most interesting art in Pretoria this month has been created by children …
Statement by Adv. Glynnis Breytenbach MP – DA Spokesperson on Justice and Constitutional Development: The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to explain why its prosecutor failed to pitch in the Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni bail hearing on Monday. We note that the NPA has now suspended the Prosecutor in this case. …
Statement by Michele Clarke MP – DA Spokesperson on Health: The DA welcomes the Constitutional Court confirmation of the High Court ruling that Certificates of Need (CONs) in the National Health Act (Clauses 36 – 40) are unconstitutional. These provisions sought to give government powers to decide whether health practitioners may open, acquire, or operate …
This National Rescue Dog Day, FOUR PAWS encourages South Africans to take action, from fostering to supporting local rescue initiatives. Cape Town, 18 May 2026 — As South Africa marks National Rescue Dog Day on 20 May, global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS is calling on communities across the country to play an active role …
The apex court has unanimously ruled that sections of the National Health Act requiring private hospitals and doctors to get government permission to operate, were unconstitutional
Norman Rautenbach, NSRI Richards Bay station commander, said: At 14h58, Sunday, 17 May, NSRI Richards Bay duty crew were activated by NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) following reports from ARCC (Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre) of a light aircraft landed on Long Beach, on the coastline North of Richards Bay, in an emergency landing. Police and …
South African-born film composer Dr Trevor Jones will receive the prestigious Order of Ikhamanga in Silver from President Cyril Ramaphosa at the National Orders ceremony taking place in Pretoria on Tuesday, 19 May 2026. The Presidency announced that Dr Jones is being recognised for his “contribution to musical arts and cinema through his composition of highly acclaimed scores for internationally …
Statement by George Michalakis MP – DA Parliamentary Leader: I am pleased to announce the appointment of Adv Glynnis Breytenbach as the Democratic Alliance’s new Chief Whip in the National Assembly. Breytenbach brings 12 years of experience in Parliament and decades before that as senior state prosecutor, to this position. She will be the custodian …
The upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is the biggest of its kind to date, with 12 teams taking part. Their paths to England have taken varying forms – here is a look at how they got there and the format which awaits them once action gets underway. How they qualified England qualified automatically as …
The GOOD Party welcomes the swift response by senior officials of Stellenbosch Municipality following the formal submission of an urgent letter regarding the ongoing structural damage and flooding crisis affecting residents of Fontein Street in Cloetesville by GOOD Councillor Robin Hendrikse.
The post GOOD PARTY WELCOMES SWIFT MUNICIPAL RESPONSE AND COMMITMENTS TO RESOLVE CLOETESVILLE FLOODING CRISIS appeared first on For Good.
We had the privilege of hosting former South African Olympic paddler Cyprian Ngidi this past weekend, who ran a slalom paddling course from Friday afternoon through to Sunday. While the primary focus was on the four paddlers selected to represent South Africa in Poland this July—Jayden Davis and David Dent (Treverton), Hannah Trower (TWC), and …
Converge Africa 2026 returned to the CTICC in Cape Town and delivered three packed days of practical, outcomes led conversations about how Africa buys, sells and transacts in a world that is moving fast. The event brought the full digital commerce ecosystem into one place, from payments and fintech to retail and eCommerce, logistics and fulfilment, digital marketing, cybersecurity and customer experience.
In total, the event welcomed more than 1,400 attendees from 600 companies across the 3 days. It featured 100 plus speakers, and hosted 50 plus exhibitors, creating a high energy environment for learning, benchmarking, and high value connections across the ecosystem.
This year's agenda was designed to be hands on and commercially useful. Across the Converge Money and Store Chat stages, plus workshops and masterclasses, the programme put a spotlight on the themes leaders are actively solving for right now: agentic and conversational commerce, trust and data integrity, payments certainty, and the operational realities of delivering better customer experiences at scale.
A big part of what made the event so actionable was sponsor participation woven directly into the programme. Intent HQ led workshop sessions focused on agentic personalisation and enterprise readiness, helping teams translate AI ambition into practical paths for execution. Amazon South Africa featured through a keynote and dedicated masterclasses built around seller growth and operational enablement, including onboarding essentials and fulfilment strategies.
On the payments side, Ecentric Payment Systems featured in the agenda with sessions focused on payment certainty and performance, reinforcing that payments are no longer just a backend function but a conversion and trust driver. BBD Software contributed workshop content focused on cloud cost forecasting, observability and control, supporting the wider push toward scalable infrastructure and operational performance. ABSA was represented as part of the broader leadership mix contributing to the conversation, alongside organisations driving commerce, trust and financial inclusion across the continent.
Converge Africa continues to be guided by a simple idea that showed up across the programme in different ways: frictionless digital commerce depends on the entire ecosystem working together. When payments, delivery, identity, data standards, security and customer experience are treated as one connected system, the market moves faster and growth becomes easier to unlock.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.
Converge website: https://apo-opa.co/4dPDHcp
Register to attend or exhibit in 2027: (http://apo-opa.co/4eTKtyY)
Media enquiries:
Steven Dennett
steven.dennett@wearevuka.com
About Converge Africa:
Converge Africa brings together digital commerce leaders and innovators to reimagine customer experiences, harness AI, and unlock cross border growth across Africa's digital economy. The event convenes retailers and eCommerce brands, payments and fintech innovators, cybersecurity specialists, logistics and last mile providers, and digital marketers to shape the future of Africa's online economy.
The main problem of the ANC-controlled Mogale City Local Municipality (Krugersdorp, Magaliesburg, Muldersdrift) is not only the daily infrastructure failures, but also the Municipality’s laxity or failure to provide feedback to councillors and residents. When water pipes burst, substations go offline and households are left without essential services for hours or days, it is impossible […]
The post Mogale City’s poor feedback regarding service delivery problems leaves residents frustrated appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
BulkSMS and Kero unite SMS, WhatsApp for Business and RCS for Business into one intelligent messaging ecosystem Celerity, the global messaging group behind BulkSMS and Kero, will exhibit at London Tech Week 2026, bringing a comprehensive deep-dive into the Rich Business Messaging landscape for enterprise brands navigating the rapid convergence of SMS, WhatsApp for Business …
Owame Mapedi Named Among 12 Global Fellows Selected from Hundreds of Applicants Across 10 Countries The ACA and Effie South Africa are proud to announce that Owame Mapedi, a 3rd and final year BCom Marketing Management student at University of Johannesburg (UJ), has been selected as a Effie LIONS Foundation 2026 Voices of the Future …