Soldiers Hit the Streets of Mitchells Plain a Day After a Shooting
Homes were searched for firearms in Beacon Valley
Hidden Health Risks in Older Buildings: What Property Owners Should Know
Buildings constructed before the 1990s often contain materials that were considered safe at the time but are now known to cause serious health problems. Renovating, demolishing, or even just maintaining an older property can expose workers and occupants to substances that damage the lungs, skin, and nervous system over years of contact. Among the most …
Farmers Suffering Devastating Losses
Tuesday, 31 March 2026. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has begun receiving an overwhelming number of submissions from farmers across South Africa who have suffered devastating losses due to the outbreak and mismanagement of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) by Democratic Alliance (DA) Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen and his department. These submissions paint a painful […]
Preparing Land for Development: What Happens Before Building Starts
Most people picture construction as cranes and scaffolding going up. But before a single brick gets laid, the land itself needs serious preparation. Raw plots are rarely flat, stable, or ready for foundations. Trees need clearing, soil needs moving, and the ground needs shaping to match engineering plans. This early phase is where the real …
From Rubble to Ready: How Aggregate Gets Made on Construction Sites
Every construction project creates waste. Broken concrete, old brickwork, rocky soil, and leftover building materials pile up fast. Most people assume this rubble goes straight to a landfill. In reality, much of it can be turned into usable aggregate right there on the job site, saving time, money, and trips to the dump. The process …
Why Mozambique Is Becoming Africa’s Most Sought-After Beach Destination
The east coast of Africa holds a stretch of coastline that many seasoned travellers consider one of the last unspoiled beach destinations on the planet. Mozambique, with its 2,500 kilometres of Indian Ocean shoreline, offers something increasingly rare in the age of mass tourism: genuine remoteness, crystal-clear water and marine ecosystems that have not been …
NMBM’s Proposed 11,2% Electricity Increase Places an Unsustainable Burden on Residents
The 11,2% electricity tariff increase proposed by the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro (NMBM), which has been submitted to NERSA for approval, will place an unfair and unsustainable burden on residents and businesses who are already under severe financial pressure. Households are already contending with rising living costs and such a tariff hike will exacerbate the […]
The post NMBM’s proposed 11,2% electricity increase places an unsustainable burden on residents appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
How to Find Reliable Roofers in Your Area
A roof is one of those things that rarely gets attention until something goes wrong. A leak during a storm, missing shingles after high winds or visible sagging along the roofline all trigger the same urgent search: who can fix this, and how quickly? The challenge is that not all roofing contractors deliver the same …
Celebrate Freedom Day Weekend in True Rock-And-Roll Style – Powerhouse Lineup Set to Ignite the Hangout Fest 3
Johannesburg: Music lovers are invited to celebrate Freedom Day weekend in true rock-and-roll style as The Hangout Fest 3 returns with an electrifying lineup, vibrant atmosphere, and a strong message of freedom, connection, and self-expression. Set to take place on Saturday, 25 April at The German Club in Edenvale, this highly anticipated event promises a full day of …
Young South African Scientists Excel at International Science Competitions in Tunisia and China
Wednesday, 01 April 2026: South Africa’s young scientists have once again demonstrated excellence on the global stage, achieving outstanding results at the International Festival of Engineering Science and Technology in Tunisia (IFEST²) and the Beijing Youth Science Creation Competition (BYSCC) in China. At IFEST², held from 23 to 29 March 2026, three learners who represented...
Water Corruption: Hundreds of Cases Referred for Prosecution, but No Arrests
MPs concerned that criminals are getting away with large-scale fraud and corruption over water and sanitation projects
AL for Governance Network Partnership Trains 45 Emerging African Public Leaders in Data Literacy
Afrobarometer (http://Afrobarometer.org), in partnership with the African Leadership (AL) for Governance Network, concluded the 2026 Governance Sector Challenge in March, an eight-week immersive policy research and innovation programme designed to equip young African leaders with the skills to develop data-driven solutions to Africa's most pressing governance challenges.
Under the theme “Building public trust in institutions for better governance,” the 2026 sector challenge brought together 45 emerging public leaders to explore the drivers of institutional trust across the continent and co-create evidence-based policy recommendations that strengthen leadership accountability, institutional legitimacy, and the social contract between citizens and the state.
The training programme provided a rare opportunity for participants from 14 countries (Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe), many of whom had never used Afrobarometer data previously, to work in interdisciplinary teams to build foundational skills in accessing, interpreting, and analysing public-attitude data.
Participants engaged with expert mentors from the Afrobarometer network, learning how to design practical, context-sensitive policy proposals aimed at rebuilding trust in public institutions. The programme combined hands-on research, targeted coaching, workshops, and competitive pitching sessions. Outstanding policy briefs will be published in the AL for Governance Journal, amplifying youth-driven perspectives on governance reform.
“This partnership with AL for Governance reflects our shared commitment to building a new generation of African leaders who use data to drive change,” said Dominique Dryding, Afrobarometer's capacity building manager (basic track).
“We celebrate the incredible work of participants who have transformed ideas into impactful policy briefs, and we look forward to seeing how they take Afrobarometer's work forward.”
Lesego Otlhabanye, AL for Governance programme manager, highlighted the value of the training for promoting evidence-based policy advocacy grounded in citizen experiences: “This challenge represents a critical opportunity for young African leaders to translate data into meaningful policy action.”
“By equipping participants with Afrobarometer's robust governance data and connecting them with experienced mentors, we've enabled the next generation to tackle one of Africa's most pressing challenges by rebuilding trust between citizens and their institutions. The evidence-based solutions that have emerged from this programme have the potential to reshape how governments engage with and serve their communities.”
The training programme forms part of Afrobarometer's commitment to placing young leaders at the centre of policy innovation by strengthening data literacy, promoting empirical decision making, and expanding the pool of practitioners who can responsibly use public-attitude data to help improve democratic governance on the continent.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afrobarometer.
For more information, please contact:
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About Afrobarometer:
Afrobarometer (AB) is a trusted source of high-quality data and analysis on what Africans are thinking. With an unmatched track record of 450,000+ interviews in 45 countries, representing the views of more than 75% of the African population, AB is leading the charge to bridge the continent's data gap. AB data inform many global indices, such as the Ibrahim Index of African Governance, Transparency International's Global Corruption Barometer, and the World Bank's Worldwide Governance Indicators. The data are also used for country risk analyses and by credit rating and forecasting agencies such as the Economist Intelligence Unit. All AB data sets are publicly available on the website (http://apo-opa.co/4bJbzXF) and may be analysed free of charge using AB's online data analysis tool (https://apo-opa.co/3NDS3m9)
Visit us online at: www.Afrobarometer.org
About AL for Governance:
Founded in 2019, AL for Governance is a pan-African network of over 400 impact-driven leaders committed to ethical leadership, effective public institutions, and inclusive governance. Through mentorship, peer learning, and strategic partnerships, the network supports young Africans to pursue meaningful careers in public service and governance reform.
Visit us online at: AL for Governance (http://apo-opa.co/4uSmju6)
About Efrusy Family Foundation:
The Efrusy Family Foundation is the proud sponsor of the AL for Governance Journal (https://apo-opa.co/47wM8WC), enabling the continued publication of this annual platform for youth-led thought leadership across the continent. Through this partnership, the foundation is investing in the amplification of emerging African voices, advancing evidence-based insights, and fostering dialogue on critical governance challenges. Its support underscores a shared commitment to strengthening inclusive, responsive, and forward-looking governance systems in Africa.
Debt, Duty and Family: The Hidden Cost of ‘Black Tax’ This Family Day
Debt, Duty and Family: The Hidden Cost of ‘Black Tax’ This Family Day With 44% of households supporting extended family and one income often stretched across multiple generations, black tax is driving hidden debt in SA Sebastien Alexanderson unpacks. 1 April 2026: In South Africa, 44% of households support multiple generations, with one income often …
Navigating South Africa’s Fuel Price Crisis: Pre-Owned Hybrids Offer Practical Protection as Global fuel Shock Hits Home
South African drivers are bracing for one of the biggest fuel price hikes in the country’s history. Escalating conflict in the Middle East, including the ongoing war involving Iran and the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, has triggered major oil supply disruptions. Global oil markets have seen Brent crude surge past $105 per …
Today is Ramaphosa’s deadline to publish water crisis plan, and South Africa awaits it by close of business | SA News
Soundbite by Stephen Moore MP. In Parliament on 12 March 2026, President Cyril Ramaphosa promised that his Water Crisis Committee’s Action Plan would be ready for publication by the end of March 2026, which is today. Today is the deadline set by the President himself, and South Africa awaits the President’s publication of this plan, …
Spinal Decompression Therapy: A Non-surgical Approach to Disc Pain
Back pain that radiates down the leg, numbness in the feet or a constant ache that makes sitting unbearable can all point to problems with the spinal discs. When a disc bulges, herniates or slips out of position, the pressure on nearby nerves can create pain that affects every part of daily life. For many …
Maruleng Draft Budget Fails to Strike a Balance Between Administrative Costs and Service Delivery
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) simply cannot support the draft budget for 2026/27, with its accompanying tariff increases, of the Maruleng Local Municipality (Hoedspruit, Kampersrus, Ofcolaco). Residents will find themselves under greater financial pressure with an average increase of 3,7%, while administrative costs and certain capital expenditure will shoot up simultaneously. Key objections include: […]
The post Maruleng draft budget fails to strike a balance between administrative costs and service delivery appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
Africa’s fastest-growing hotel group CityBlue Hotels selects Inntelo AI to deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI)-native operations across portfolio
CityBlue Hotels, one of Africa's fastest-growing hotel groups, has selected UK-based platform Inntelo AI to deploy AI-native concierge agents across its portfolio, marking a significant step in the group's strategy to lead the next phase of hospitality innovation across the continent. The announcement will be unveiled at the Future Hospitality Summit Africa (www.FutureHospitality.com) taking place in Nairobi on 31 March 2026.
The rollout represents one of the first scaled implementations of AI-native concierge agents in African hospitality, positioning CityBlue Hotels at the forefront of AI-driven transformation in the sector.
Operating across Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and expected to open soon in Ghana, Uganda and Zambia, with additional strategic tie-ups in South Africa and Mozambique, CityBlue Hotels' partnership with Inntelo AI comes amid continued growth in Africa's tourism sector, supported by rising intra-African travel and increasing global demand for new destinations.
As part of its broader digital strategy, CityBlue Hotels will deploy Inntelo AI's platform to embed AI directly into hotel operations. The AI-native system coordinates guest interactions and service workflows in real time, enabling faster response times, improved task prioritisation, and consistent service delivery at scale, while allowing teams to focus on high-value, in-person guest engagement.
The partnership also includes the development of educational programmes to advance skills, innovation, and AI adoption across Africa's hospitality industry.
Jameel Verjee, said:
“CityBlue has always been focused on where our markets are going. As we scale, AI-native operations become essential to delivering consistency, speed, and quality across multiple geographies.
“This partnership allows us to embed AI at the core of how we operate—supporting our teams in real time, reducing friction, and elevating the guest experience across every property. Just as importantly, we are shaping how AI is applied within an African context.”
Asif Alidina, added:
“CityBlue Hotels is exactly the kind of operator that defines where the industry is heading. Their focus on AI-native operations and scalable systems makes them a natural partner.
“Together, we are deploying technology that is purpose-built for hospitality—combining conversational and agentic AI to support teams, enhance guest experiences, and set a new standard for modern hotel operations in Africa.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Future Hospitality Summit Africa (FHS Africa).
Media Contacts:
Group Digital Office
Nairobi, Kenya
CityBlue Hotels
Email: grow@citybluehotels.com
London EC2V 7AW
United Kingdom
Inntelo AI
Email: hello@inntelo.com
About CityBlue Hotels:
CityBlue Hotels is one of Africa's fastest-growing hotel groups, with properties across major cities in East and West Africa. Founded in 2013, the African-born brand focuses on delivering modern, business-friendly accommodation supported by a strong digital infrastructure.
Operating across key commercial and travel hubs including Accra, Dar es Salaam, Kigali, Mombasa and Nairobi, CityBlue Hotels serves both business and leisure travellers. The group continues to expand its footprint across the continent, with a focus on combining international standards with locally rooted hospitality.
About Inntelo AI:
Inntelo AI is the first AI-native platform unifying guest experience, operations, and real-time personalisation for hospitality and real estate. It empowers hotels to work smarter, grow revenue, and deliver seamless service by combining communications, task automation, personalisation, and predictive intelligence into one stack.
Designed for hotels, resorts, branded residences, and mixed-use venues, Inntelo AI transforms performance while keeping people at the centre. The company is backed by leading venture investors, including Antler, Haatch, Look AI Ventures, and the British Business Bank.
Hundreds of fuel stations run dry 24 hours before record price hikes in South Africa – report | SA News
Malcolm Libera ·31 Mar 2026 Well over 100 petrol stations are temporarily dry, putting major strain on the country’s fuel delivery system as motorists rush to fill up before record-high prices kick in. As of Monday, 30 March, News24 reported that hundreds of service stations had run out of petrol and diesel as demand surged …
Creative Easter Swaps – For All the Fun Without the Sugar Rush!
Modern Easter celebrations often involve brightly coloured chocolate eggs and sweet treats hidden around the garden for excited children to find. But while a little indulgence is part of the fun, the amount of sugar children consume during Easter celebrations can quickly add up. With the variety and visibility of Easter eggs at an all-time …
Warning over higher minibus taxi fares in South Africa | SA News
The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) is the latest organisation to call on the South African government to review its plan to implement higher fuel levies from tomorrow. Local fuel prices are expected to increase drastically from midnight, due to oil price pressures stemming from the ongoing Middle East conflict, a weak rand/dollar exchange …
African Mining Week (AMW) to Link Investors with Africa’s Coal Prospects Amid Rising Global Demand
As disruptions to global shipping routes continue to increase energy prices – with oil prices reaching over $100 per barrel in March 2026 – the upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) conference will connect global investors with emerging supply and investment opportunities across Africa's coal value chain.
The event will feature a panel titled Africa's Mining Opportunity in the Geopolitical Sphere, examining how ongoing geopolitical tensions and disruptions to global shipping routes are reshaping energy markets and creating new opportunities for Africa's coal mining sector.
Coal demand is rising as Asian economies turn to coal to stabilize power generation and mitigate volatility in oil and gas prices caused by ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz - a waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, which transports 20% of the world's oil and gas. According to research from Morgan Stanley, coal demand in South Korea, Japan and Taiwan could increase by 1.5 - 2 million tons per month should disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz persist. This represents an 8 - 10% increase in import demand, presenting an opportunity for coal-producing regions such as Africa to expand exports, strengthen revenues and contribute to global energy security.
African producers are already positioning themselves to capitalize on this growing demand. For instance, South African mining company Exxaro Resources targets to increase coal exports by 12% in 2026 to approximately 8 million metric tons (Mt), up from 7.1 million tons in 2025. In 2025, the company reported higher coal production and sales volumes of 39.9 Mt and 39.6 Mt respectively, alongside a 2% increase in coal export volumes, highlighting its potential to contribute to the growing demand.
At the national level, efforts by South Africa to revamp its rail infrastructure will increase export capacity by an additional 6 million tons in 2026, enabling the country to capitalize on the growing coal demand for higher export revenue. Meanwhile, Mozambique's plan to boost coal production by 15% to over 22 million tons in 2026 comes at a strategic moment, positioning the country to benefit from rising coal demand amid ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Zimbabwe, having achieved a 100% increase in coal exports in the first eight months of 2025, is well positioned to leverage its production and export capacity to expand its role in the global coal supply chain. Similarly, Botswana, pursuing a strategy to diversify its mining sector beyond diamonds through expanded coal production, is strategically positioned to capitalize on the rising coal demand and oil and gas market disruptions to boost revenue.
Against this backdrop, AMW 2026 will serve as a strategic platform connecting global investors with opportunities across Africa's coal mining value chain - from exploration and project development to infrastructure and export logistics.
Co-located with the Invest in African Energies: African Energy Week conference and exhibition – Africa's premier gathering for energy stakeholders - the event will offer attendees a unique opportunity to engage with stakeholders across both the mining and energy sectors, fostering partnerships that support Africa's growing role in meeting global energy demand.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.
2 Women, 1 Ocean: How the Oceans 8 Charity Swim Has Sparked an Extraordinary Story of Resilience
In a true reflection of the heart of the Oceans 8 Charity Swim, two South African women – each navigating their own extraordinary challenges – have come together in a powerful act of courage and generosity. This year’s event, taking place on 23 to 24 (25) May 2026 at Vetch’s Beach, will see Alwande Mthembu …
Salt River Market Families Told to Leave
About 21 households remain on the site earmarked for social housing