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In the ever-evolving landscape of modern medicine, diagnostic imaging plays a pivotal role in understanding and addressing various health concerns. The power of these technologies extends to the realms of women’s health and general well-being, providing crucial insights for healthcare professionals and patients alike. Women’s Imaging: Mammograms: Mammography stands as a cornerstone in the …
In the realm of healthcare, a dedicated establishment stands out for its unwavering commitment to women’s well-being. Their array of specialized imaging services offers a holistic approach to women’s health, addressing crucial aspects that demand attention and care. Let’s explore the range of services they provide, each playing a vital role in ensuring the continued …
People gathered at Parliament and at the University of Cape Town to express solidarity with Palestine
N West Premier Maape to resume official duties following sick leave
North West Premier Kaobitsa Bushy Maape will officially resume his duties following sick leave on Monday next week.
Maape took ill following minor orthopaedic surgery in June this year.
“He was subsequently advised by his medical team to take a rest while receiving medical attention,” the Premier's office said.
According to the Premier’s office, Maape has since been medically advised that he has sufficiently recovered to resume his duties as the North West’s first citizen, with effect from 13 November 2023.
“His programme and engagement with stakeholders will be communicated in due course,” the office said.
Acting Premier Nono Maloyi has taken the opportunity to thank colleagues in the North West Executive Council and all stakeholders for their support and well wishes during Maape’s recovery. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Wed, 11/08/2023 - 11:57
CAPE TOWN – SOUTH AFRICA – A host of South African celebs have taken up the challenge to #StepItUp for children born with clubfoot. Kicking off Disability Awareness Month, which runs from 3 November to 3 December, Britain’s Got Talent finalist Musa Motha has co-choreographed a TikTok dance routine to the sound of an original …
South Africans play a greater role in becoming scam victims than they care to admit The South African fraud landscape is becoming increasingly risky as fraudsters and scammers look to target individuals with highly sophisticated scams in an environment where it is becoming increasingly difficult for lawmakers and authorities to bring these criminals to justice. …
Dear Editor The Department of Basic Education’s (DBE) response to the Nguvu Change’s petition to eradicate pit toilets in Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape seems quite disingenuous. In response to the organisation’s presentation of its petition to the parliamentary portfolio committee on basic education yesterday, DBE asked why they did not interact with the …
A major new report published today finds that governments plan to produce around 110% more fossil fuels in 2030 than would be consistent with limiting warming to 1.5°C, and 69% more than would be consistent with 2°C.
This comes despite 151 national governments having pledged to achieve net-zero emissions and the latest forecasts which suggest global coal, oil, and gas demand will peak this decade, even without new policies. When combined, government plans would lead to an increase in global coal production until 2030, and in global oil and gas production until at least 2050, creating an ever-widening fossil fuel production gap over time.
The report's main findings include:
The 2023 Production Gap Report: “Phasing down or phasing up? Top fossil fuel producers plan even more extraction despite climate promises” is produced by Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Climate Analytics, E3G, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). It assesses governments' planned and projected production of coal, oil, and gas against global levels consistent with the Paris Agreement's temperature goal.
“Governments are literally doubling down on fossil fuel production; that spells double trouble for people and planet,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “We cannot address climate catastrophe without tackling its root cause: fossil fuel dependence. COP28 must send a clear signal that the fossil fuel age is out of gas — that its end is inevitable. We need credible commitments to ramp up renewables, phase out fossil fuels, and boost energy efficiency, while ensuring a just, equitable transition.”
July 2023 was the hottest month ever recorded, and most likely the hottest for the past 120,000 years, according to scientists. Across the globe, deadly heat waves, droughts, wildfires, storms, and floods are costing lives and livelihoods, making clear that human-induced climate change is here. Global carbon dioxide emissions — almost 90% of which come from fossil fuels — rose to record highs in 2021–2022.
“Governments' plans to expand fossil fuel production are undermining the energy transition needed to achieve net-zero emissions, throwing humanity's future into question,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP. “Powering economies with clean and efficient energy is the only way to end energy poverty and bring down emissions at the same time."
“Starting at COP28, nations must unite behind a managed and equitable phase-out of coal, oil and gas — to ease the turbulence ahead and benefit every person on this planet,” she added.
The 2023 Production Gap Report provides newly expanded country profiles for 20 major fossil-fuel-producing countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Germany, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Qatar, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America. These profiles show that most of these governments continue to provide significant policy and financial support for fossil fuel production.
“We find that many governments are promoting fossil gas as an essential ‘transition' fuel but with no apparent plans to transition away from it later,” says Ploy Achakulwisut, a lead author on the report and SEI scientist. “But science says we must start reducing global coal, oil, and gas production and use now — along with scaling up clean energy, reducing methane emissions from all sources, and other climate actions — to keep the 1.5°C goal alive.”
Despite being the root cause of the climate crisis, fossil fuels have remained largely absent from international climate negotiations until recent years. At COP26 in late 2021, governments committed to accelerate efforts towards “the phasedown of unabated coal power and phase-out of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies”, though they did not agree to address the production of all fossil fuels.
“COP28 could be the pivotal moment where governments finally commit to the phase-out of all fossil fuels and acknowledge the role producers have to play in facilitating a managed and equitable transition,” says Michael Lazarus, a lead author on the report and SEI US Centre Director. “Governments with the greatest capacities to transition away from fossil fuel production bear the greatest responsibility to do so while providing finance and support to help other countries do the same.”
More than 80 researchers, from over 30 countries, contributed to the analysis and review, spanning numerous universities, think tanks and other research organizations.
Reactions to the 2023 Production Gap Report
"The writing's on the wall for fossil fuels. By mid-century we need to have consigned coal to the history books, and slashed oil and gas production by at least three quarters — well on the way to a full fossil phase-out. Yet despite their climate promises, governments plan on ploughing yet more money into a dirty, dying industry, while opportunities abound in a flourishing clean energy sector. On top of economic insanity, it is a climate disaster of our own making.” – Neil Grant, Climate and Energy Analyst, Climate Analytics
"Despite governments around the world signing up to ambitious net zero targets, global coal, oil and gas production are all still increasing while planned reductions are nowhere near enough to avoid the worst effects of climate change. This widening gulf between governments' rhetoric and their actions is not only undermining their authority but increasing the risk to us all. We are already on track this decade to produce 460% more coal, 82% more gas, and 29% more oil than would be in line with the 1.5°C warming target. Ahead of COP28, governments must look to dramatically increase transparency about how they will hit emissions targets and bring in legally binding measures to support these aims." – Angela Picciariello, Senior Researcher, IISD
“With demand for coal, oil and gas set to peak this decade even without additional policies, it's clear that the new economic reality is becoming one of clean energy growth and fossil fuel decline — yet governments are failing to plan for the reality of the inevitable energy transition. Continuing investments into new fossil fuel production as global demand for coal, oil and gas narrows is a near term economic gamble for all but the cheapest producers. And climate damages will be aggravated further unless we stop fossil fuel expansion now. The time is now for governments to take control of the clean energy transition and align their policies with the reality of what's needed for a climate-safe world.“ – Katrine Petersen, Senior Policy Advisor at E3G
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
September floods declared a national disaster
The Western Cape Provincial Government has welcomed the decision to declare the floods that took place in September as a national disaster.
In a notice published in the Government Gazette on Tuesday, the National Disaster Management Centre declared the floods as a National Disaster for the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces.
“We are pleased with this declaration, as it now enables all three spheres of government to work together to fund and repair the damage left in the wake of the unprecedented rains experienced over the Heritage Day long weekend in September,” Western Cape Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC, Anton Bredell, said.
Bredell said the disaster classification makes it possible for the provincial government to approach the National Disaster Management Centre for relief funds to support the work needed to recover and repair damages suffered to public infrastructure, including buildings, roads, bridges, and water networks.
The MEC said the damage assessments for the September floods are estimated at R441 million for provincial infrastructure, and a further R154 million for municipal damages.
“We will now request the National Disaster Management Centre to approach National Treasury with these numbers [but] there is no certainty on how much or when we will receive any support from the national government. The provincial government will reprioritise existing budgets and continue with our own recovery efforts as best we can,” Bredell said.
According to the latest figures from provincial Infrastructure Department, 22 roads remain closed as repairs are prioritised for roads that connect communities and vital for economic activity.
In the aftermath of the floods, both the N1 and N2 highway, including more than 150 other roads, were closed.
The Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Department has so far received 238 applications to do emergency repairs in rivers and streams that under normal conditions would require lengthy environmental approvals.
“The department has already finalised 196 of these applications making use of Section 30A of the National Environmental Management Act, which allows for verbal approval in an emergency to carry out listed or specified activities to prevent or contain further damages to affected areas,” Bredell said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Wed, 11/08/2023 - 10:07
8 November 2023 – Race Director of the aQuellé Midmar Mile Wayne Riddin has said he was honoured to be named Coach of the Year at the KwaZulu-Natal Sports Awards but what made the accolade even sweeter was sharing the stage with his swimmers. Four-time race winner at the aQuellé Midmar Mile and two-time Paralympian …
Dear Editor The ANC/EFF Doomsday Coalition has decided to waste millions of residents’ money to protect their corrupt agenda. The ruling coalition chooses to ignore the damning findings by the High Court in their unlawful appointment of Floyd Brink as City Manager. They have placed their own interests above the needs of the residents and …
Cape Town, 8 November 2023 – The Cape Town Arts Festival (CTAF) is excited to announce the launch of the ‘Shine Visual Arts Exhibition’, as part of its upcoming festivities. Hosted at the Castle of Good Hope, this exciting showcase runs from 6th- 15th of December and is free to attend. It is a moving, …
Chery South Africa has retained its 6th position among the top ten passenger vehicle brands in South Africa. This follows several months of above-average sales while the new-vehicle market continued to decline. In August, for instance, Chery sold a record 1 498 new vehicles. This was followed in September by 1 240 sales and 1 …
Dear Editor During a presentation before the Parliament Portfolio Committee on Transport, on infrastructure rehabilitation in KZN and the Eastern Cape following the July 2022 floods, a representative from the Auditor General’s (A-G) office made a startling revelation that the ANC government and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) entered into negotiations with …
In 2006, the Santa Shoebox Project began with a modest 180 shoeboxes in Cape Town, South Africa. Over the past 17 years, it has blossomed into an annual tradition of generosity and kindness, amassing an astonishing 1,152,587 shoebox donations. This heartwarming initiative now touches the lives of over 1,000 recipient facilities annually, employing a network …
Come and experience the vibrant energy of Hout Bay’s, Bay Harbour Market, where the festive season is an eclectic fusion of creative flair and local spirit. Tucked away inside a working harbour, this bustling marketplace is a hub of activity where people from all walks of life gather to celebrate all that makes South Africa …
Pandor warns of looming genocide in Gaza, calls for immediate cease fire
International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, on Tuesday warned that the crime of genocide “sadly” looms large in the current situation in Gaza, as the conflict between Israel and Palestine continues.
“We recall that in 1994, a genocide occurred on the African continent, with much of the whole world watching as innocent people were massacred,” she said.
Pandor, who delivered a statement in the National Assembly explaining the country's standpoint on the war, called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the opening of humanitarian corridors and basic services to allow much-needed aid to reach those that are injured.
“The actions that we are witnessing daily by Israel are a violation of international law, including the United Nations Charter, the Geneva Convention and all its protocols, and its attacks on and kidnapping of innocent civilians.”
While she did not mince her words when talking about Israel, she told the Members of Parliament that Hamas has also violated international law.
“While we express horror at the violence, it is critical that we acknowledge that the illegal occupation of Palestine by Israel for several decades has led to bitter hatred and increased violence, and this violence is not the first violence the people of Palestine have experienced.”
The violation, she said, has been going on for decades.
“The murder of children of women... is an act that should have resulted in the International Criminal Court issuing an immediate arrest warrant for key decision makers, including Mr Benjamin Netanyahu, who is responsible for violations of international criminal law.”
According to Al Jazeera, at least 10 328 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed in Israeli attacks since October 7. Meanwhile, the news channel said the death toll in Israel over the same period stands at more than 1 400.
Pandor has once again stressed that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be solved through the establishment of two States, Palestine and Israel, living side by side in peace.
“The Palestinian State should be created along the lines of the 1967 border with East Jerusalem as its capital, and in line with standing multiple UN resolutions.”
Pandor believes that for this two-State solution to materialise, a peace process initiated by the United Nations (UN) needs to commence urgently.
“We are aware that increasing settlements and illegal occupation have been used to make the creation of a Palestinian State almost impossible.”
Pandor has since outlined concrete actions to end the suffering, including an immediate comprehensive ceasefire and the opening of humanitarian corridors.
She called on all parties to exercise restraint and to desist from fueling unjust war and human suffering, including by seizing the supplying of weapons to the various parties and for the release of all civilian hostages.
“Africa seeks the resumption of a comprehensive dialogue led and owned by Palestinians and Israelis themselves and facilitated by the United Nations,” she said.
In addition, she called for the deployment of a UN Rapid Deployment Force in Palestine mandated to monitor the implementation of a ceasefire, cessation of hostilities and most importantly, to protect civilians.
“Our common humanity dictates that all human lives matter. The time for the international community to stand together and act is now. We, who enjoy freedom from apartheid, can never ever be the ones who agree to any apartheid form of oppression.
“This brutality should not be accepted. We must call for a ceasefire.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Wed, 11/08/2023 - 10:19
The 2023 Overseas Chinese World Conference for Promoting Peaceful Reunification of China was held Tuesday in Johannesburg, South Africa, with the theme of "Adhering to the 1992 Consensus and striving for the early realization of the great cause of China's reunification."
Su Hui, vice chairperson of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and vice chairperson of the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification, attended the conference and delivered a speech.
Su stressed that the reunification of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait is the trend of the times and the aspiration of the people, and represents the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation, which cannot be stopped by anyone or any force.
In the great struggle to oppose "Taiwan independence" and promote reunification, the compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan and overseas Chinese have played a vital role in advancing the great cause of peaceful reunification of the motherland, Su said.
"In the face of new circumstances and challenges, we must fully recognize the legitimacy and righteousness of opposing 'Taiwan independence' and promoting reunification, accurately grasp the principles and flexibility in defeating separatism and external interference, deeply understand the importance and urgency of promoting cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, effectively enhance the effectiveness and precision of external communication and exchanges, actively recognize the breadth and representativeness of the forces to oppose 'Taiwan independence' and promote reunification and promote the further development of global anti-independence and reunification movements," Su said.
"As we comprehensively advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, we must unswervingly advance the cause of national reunification," she said.
More than 800 representatives from over 100 organizations promoting China's peaceful reunification in more than 30 countries and regions attended the conference in person, and around 200 people were present online at a parallel session in Taiwan.
The conference adopted the Johannesburg Declaration.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.
Cyber risks could derail the adoption of the Production Possibility Frontier Plenty of literature has been written about the challenges facing the South African economy and the fact that there are no immediate solutions to fast-track economic growth. The biggest challenges facing the South African economy are the Energy Crisis and the Logistics Crisis, a …
SA remains the preferred investment destination in Africa
President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised that South Africa remains one of the preferred investment destinations and is an important gateway for markets and other business opportunities throughout the continent.
The President was delivering remarks at the Procter & Gamble Plant launch in Kempton Park, in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.
“As a clear demonstration of the value of trade between African countries, Procter & Gamble currently exports from South Africa to Namibia, Swaziland, Mozambique and Botswana. We understand that the company is set to supply the African continent from South Africa through the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“The African Continental Free Trade Area will unlock opportunities for the development of export markets, enhance industrial bases and regional value chains.
“We expect the continental free trade area to reduce the cost and improve the ease of doing business in Africa,” he said, adding that government wants to make the movement of products, processes and people seamless as companies increase their footprint on the continent.
Over the years, P&G has been a valuable partner to the South African government through the South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC), continually announcing new investments.
Procter & Gamble stands behind many brands that are household names in South Africa, such as Vicks, Old Spice, Gillette, Oral B and Pampers, amongst others, and has a strong manufacturing footprint in the country.
The company has been in Africa for over 50 years. It has manufacturing operations in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt and Morocco, and has distributor operations in over 45 countries.
The President said that it has been greatly encouraging to see the company’s response to South Africa’s ambitious investment drive and the investment commitments made by the company at the five South Africa Investment Conferences that we have held since 2018.
“It is a pleasure being here today with all of you to launch this state-of-the-art production line of Pampers Premium Care. The timing of this launch is very opportune.
“South Africa has just hosted the 20th AGOA Forum. It was an opportunity to showcase the capabilities of the African continent to the United States, the world’s largest consumer market. I was pleased to see that leading companies that have an established presence on our continent, like Procter & Gamble, were represented,” he said.
The launch of Tuesday’s production line is the latest in a number of projects that have given effect to Procter & Gamble’s investment pledges.
Through these and other investments, Procter & Gamble is contributing to the reindustrialisation of South Africa’s economy.
“To drive growth that is sustainable and inclusive, we are working to expand and diversify our manufacturing base, and improve its competitiveness and dynamism,” he said.
The President noted that disruptions to global supply chains caused by COVID-19 lockdowns have highlighted the imperative for companies all over the world to diversify their sources of supply.
Investment
“Just as we have seen the benefits of nearshoring and localisation for South African manufacturers, we can appreciate its value to broader global supply stability.
“South Africa is an investment destination with significant untapped potential. We have the ability to attract higher levels of investment and we look forward to working with Procter & Gamble on its future pipeline of investments,” he said.
While investment decisions often take several years to reach fruition, the President said that the investment commitments made to date have already resulted in substantial investment into the productive economy and have created jobs.
He highlighted that Procter & Gamble has heeded government’s call and has sought to increase the participation of small South African businesses in its value chains.
“We are encouraged by the company’s commitment to sourcing local materials, reducing waste, promoting skills development and creating more roles for women in the company.
“We welcome the work the company has undertaken alongside government departments in expanding access to menstrual hygiene products and supporting Early Childhood Development centres.
“We see these partnerships as a testament to the continued commitment of Procter & Gamble to South Africa and the African continent,” the President said.
The President emphasised that government will continue to support Procter & Gamble to increase its footprint through local sourcing and to contribute to job creation, technological development and sustainability.
He congratulated the Procter & Gamble team, from the shop floor to the senior executives, on the launch of this production line.
The President further congratulated the team for the continuous stream of investments being made to increase the company’s footprint on the continent.
“Through the launch of this production line, Procter & Gamble is making a worthy contribution towards our vision of African producers supplying quality goods to African markets.
“This is the vision of a continent that is emerging as the next frontier of global production, meeting the needs of its own people and the peoples of the world,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Wed, 11/08/2023 - 15:55
And its website is out-of-date and poorly maintained
Bid to lower intensity of load shedding on track
Minister in the Presidency for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, says it is important for Eskom to up the reliability of generating units in order to maintain the credibility of efforts to lessen the intensity of load shedding.
The Minister was speaking at Arnot Power Station in Mpumalanga on Monday, where he kicked off a series of follow-up visits to power stations.
“We are on track to reducing significantly the intensity of load shedding. Of course, we had a period of eight days with no load shedding, then we hit a snag where 11 units were out as a result of boiler tube leaks. Those units are coming back.
“It’s important that we maintain the reliability of these units so that we are able to restore and maintain the credibility of our efforts and the ability of Eskom to resolve this challenge,” he said.
Ramokgopa said over the next two months, more generating units are expected to return to service – further boosting generation capacity for the grid.
“We are expecting Kusile [Power Station] Unit 2 to come on stream by the third week of November, and Unit 5 by the third week of December.
“But that’s not sufficient. We need additional generation capacity, especially renewable energy sources, because the Eskom fleet alone won’t resolve load shedding and secure energy security. That’s why we are investing a lot of effort and resources to ensure that we find a solution for the financing and rollout of transmission,” he said.
The Minister said financing for the rollout will cost “upward of R390 billon".
“We are at an advanced stage, and taking a proposal to Cabinet to say this is how we think we can be able to tap into the liquidity that exists in the private sector so that we don’t just over-rely on these units that are ageing.
“We need additional generation sources and those principally have to be renewables. But renewables need transmission capacity… renewables also thrive on the existence of baseloads [like] coal, nuclear and hydro, [which] are some of those that are important to the resolution of this problem,” Ramokgopa said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Tue, 11/07/2023 - 10:03
“We want people to have a say in decisions that affect their lives, and you are in that equation, contributing to ensure that we advance the agenda and amplify the voices of citizens on the continent,” Afrobarometer (https://www.Afrobarometer.org/) CEO Joseph Asunka told participants in the network's summer school on Monday in Pretoria, South Africa.
“The contributions that you make to publications will be helpful in making sure that we take our data and analysis to new audiences, driven by new actors like yourselves,” Asunka added in his video message.
The summer school is Afrobarometer's flagship capacity building event, aimed at equipping African scholars with solid skills in research design, survey methodology, and the use of social statistics as part of a broader effort to strengthen research capacity on the continent.
Over the next three weeks, Afrobarometer will be hosting the free training programme in collaboration with the University of Pretoria's Future Africa, a pan-African research institute pioneering approaches to research and innovation on the continent and beyond. At the end of the summer school, participants are expected to produce a research paper.
Describing the summer school, Capacity Building Manager Thomas Isbell said, “One of the core objectives of Afrobarometer is to strengthen capacity for survey research, analysis, and communication on the African continent. In a world that is increasingly dependent on credible data, these skills are needed more than ever to ensure that this work continues to be for Africans and by Africans.”
The 18 participants – 50% women – represent 11 countries: Benin, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda.
This year's summer school marked the introduction of an online component to allow participants to build their research skills and understanding of Afrobarometer prior to arriving on campus.
“You are the pioneers of this new model, and I hope that you will set a good example and a good bar for future iterations of the programme,” Asunka said.
Reflecting on the importance of summer school, Adivhaho Florence Ramaite, research officer at the Institute for Security Studies and a 2023 summer school participant, noted, “Afrobarometer aims to be the voice of the people. As researchers, it's crucial we grasp and effectively communicate these findings to policy makers, policy advocates, and NGOs for the promotion of the well-being of Africans.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afrobarometer.
For more information, please contact:
Asafika Mpako
Afrobarometer communications coordinator for Southern Africa
Email: ampako@afrobarometer.org
Telephone: +27 83979 8299
Visit us online at www.Afrobarometer.org
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Visit us online at www.Afrobarometer.org
Follow our releases on #VoicesAfrica.
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 more than 370,000+ interviews in 42 countries, representing the views of 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 (https://www.Afrobarometer.org) and may be analysed free of charge using AB's online data analysis tool (https://apo-opa.info/3lVrwlT).
About Future Africa at the University of Pretoria:
The University of Pretoria established the Future Africa initiative as a platform to develop leadership in transdisciplinary research in Africa. Future Africa is a hub for African and global research networks to address the challenges that hamper transformation toward a prosperous, equitable, and sustainable future in Africa.
SA records over 7 400 malaria cases
South Africa has recorded over 7 400 malaria cases between January and October this year, with only 17% of these having been locally acquired.
This means that more people got infected while out of the country, while the country logged at least 66 deaths during the same period.
The Department of Health has since urged all people travelling to and from malaria-endemic or high-risk areas to take the appropriate precautionary measures to prevent possible infection, as the country enters malaria season.
“Summer season marks the start of the malaria period in South Africa due to higher temperatures and increased rainfall in the malaria transmission areas,” the department explained.
Cases are starting to rise in some parts of the country, especially in high-risk areas.
Malaria symptoms include headache, fever, chills, and muscle and joint pain. The department advised citizens, who experience these signs, to visit their local health facility without delay for effective treatment.
“Late presentation to a health facility with symptoms is one of the contributing factors to increasing malaria morbidity and mortality rates,” the department said.
Malaria is defined as a life-threatening, but preventable and curable disease.
“Early detection saves lives,” the department stressed.
The department has since intensified its malaria response plan through screening and testing around borders in high-risk provinces such as KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo throughout the year for early detection of imported cases.
The department is also embarking on public education campaigns and indoor residual spraying in high-risk areas every year from September until the beginning of the following year.
The department warned pregnant women and children under five years to avoid visiting malaria-endemic areas, unless they take extra caution.
As the Southern African Development Community (SADC) observed Malaria Day on Monday, the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) said it continues to target public transport nodes, such as taxi ranks and bus stations, to heighten education among the public on prevention measures.
This comes as Gauteng hospitals reported 1 105 malaria cases and 10 deaths from January to September 2023, as a result of the life-threatening disease spread to humans by mosquitoes in endemic areas.
“The majority of people who were admitted and those who have demised as a result of the disease had travelled to Mozambique, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Angola,” the GDoH said, adding that these countries are known to be malaria-endemic regions. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Tue, 11/07/2023 - 10:08