Court upholds eviction of circus occupiers
Residents offered accommodation at the Culemborg Safe Space and must be out by 31 July
News
Tenuous at best – current report blames a product for governments’ lack of delivery
“Tenuous at best, passing the buck at worst” is the reaction from South African National Bottled Water Association CEO, Charlotte Metcalf, to a report shifting the blame for the lack of progress towards safe drinking water for all goals from the world’s governments to its bottled water industry. Metcalf was commenting on an article republished …
Banking Sector Concerns Resurface
The US stock markets were under pressure due to mixed corporate reports and fresh worries about the banking industry following First Republic’s disclosure of a significant decline in first-quarter deposits. Although the bank reported a deposit loss of $100 billion since the start of the crisis, this figure was significantly higher than what the market anticipated and …
A Glance At Data Protection Across Africa
The last two years have seen a massive uptake in data protection laws and regulations in Africa with South Africa, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Swaziland all passing laws and/or regulations in this regard. Compliance is mandatory in these countries, however, in Botswana you have until October 2023 to fully comply as that is when …
European Central Bank Ploughs on with Interest Rate Hikes
Just after the US Federal Reserve (Fed) raised its rates for what is thought to be the last time this year, the European Central Bank (ECB) followed in its footsteps. Markets showed little reaction at first, but then concerns about the banking sector once again shacked up the financial scene. The market’s expectations were confirmed …
School land occupiers demand relocation to serviced sites
East London shack dwellers say they won’t move unless it is somewhere with water, electricity and toilets
“Stop the rot”: Court interdict sought against Operation Dudula
Immigrant organisations also seek to stop police tolerance and “collusion” with the anti-immigrant movement
Cabinet commends DWS fight against corruption
Cabinet has commended the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) for the strides made in the fight against corruption.
Government continues to test all possible sources of contamination after cholera eruption
Cabinet says extensive work is underway to test all possible sources of the contamination after the cholera outbreak that claimed 17 residents from Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria.
‘Justice will be done’
One of the world's most wanted genocide fugitives has been arrested after being on the run for more than two decades, the UN tribunal prosecuting war crimes committed in Rwanda announced on Thursday.
Fulgence Kayishema is alleged to have orchestrated the killing of approximately 2,000 Tutsi refugees at Nyange Catholic Church during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) said in a statement.
He was arrested in South Africa on Wednesday in a joint operation between the IRMCT Office of the Prosecutor and the authorities.
Finally facing justice
Kayishema has been at large since 2001 and was among four remaining fugitives from the genocide, during which an estimated one million people were killed, and roughly 150,000 to 250,000 women raped, over a period of some 100 days.
In a statement released by his Spokesperson, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the arrest "sends a powerful message that those who are alleged to have committed such crimes cannot evade justice and will eventually be held accountable, even more than a quarter of a century later."
Mr. Guterres commended the cooperation between the IRMCT and the South African authorities for the apprehension, and recalled that "all States have an obligation to cooperate with the Mechanism in the location, arrest, detention, surrender and transfer of the accused persons still at large."
IRMCT Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz said his arrest ensures the long-standing fugitive will finally face justice for his alleged crimes.
“Genocide is the most serious crime known to humankind. The international community has committed to ensure that its perpetrators will be prosecuted and punished. This arrest is a tangible demonstration that this commitment does not fade and that justice will be done, no matter how long it takes,” he added.
International partners for justice
Mr. Brammertz said the thorough investigation that led to the arrest was made possible through the support and cooperation of South Africa and the Operational Task Team established by President Cyril Ramaphosa to assist the ICMRT Fugitive Tracking Team.
They also received “vital support” from similar Task Forces in other African countries, notably Eswatini and Mozambique.
“Rwandan authorities under the leadership of Prosecutor General Aimable Havugiyaremye continued to be our strongest partners and provided essential assistance,” he said.
The Chief Prosecutor also cited support from other countries, including the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, saying “Kayishema's arrest demonstrates yet again that justice can be secured, no matter the challenges, through direct cooperation between international and national law enforcement agencies.”
The IRMCT performs essential functions previously carried out by the UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), which closed in December 2015, and another for the former Yugoslavia, which concluded two years later.
Kayishema was indicted by the Rwanda tribunal in 2001.
He was charged with genocide, complicity in genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, and crimes against humanity for killings and other crimes committed in Kivumu Commune, Kibuye Prefecture, during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
According to the indictment, he and other co-perpetrators murdered more than 2,000 refugees - men, women, elderly persons, and children - at the Nyange Church in Kivumu commune, on 15 April 1994.
He “directly participated in the planning an execution” of the massacre, working methodically over two days following, to transfer the corpses to mass graves.
‘Further step forward'
The arrest marks “a further step forward” in the effort to account for all those fugitives still at large who have been indicted by the ICTR.
Since 2020, the OTP Fugitive Tracking Team has accounted for five of the fugitives at large, including another of the architects of the genocide which was orchestrated by the extremist Hutu regime at the time, Félicien Kabuga, as well as Augustin Bizimana, Protais Mpiranya, and Phéneas Munyarugarama. There are now only three outstanding fugitives.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.
Measures in space to address SANDF sexual exploitation
Cabinet has commended a set of measures that have been put in place to address the incidents of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) within the SANDF peace keeping missions.
The green economy should be the catalyst for a current wave of entrepreneurship – and the opportunity to turn South Africa’s economy around.
Another week, another set of challenges for the country. We all know what they are – failing energy and transport systems, catastrophically high unemployment, scarce water, largely ineffective municipalities, the real possibility of renewed social unrest, and the list goes on. Daunting though these challenges are, we need to think in terms of solutions. South …
Nurses protest against staff shortage at hospital treating cholera patients
About 100 nurses originally contracted to deal with the Covid pandemic have not had their contracts renewed
Tropika’s “Smoooth Rider” Advert Delivers a Nostalgic Celebration of Local Talent and the Novel Tropika Zero product range
Tropika’s “Smoooth Rider” Advert Delivers a Nostalgic Celebration of Local Talent and the New Tropika Zero product range. Cape Town, South Africa – Tropika, the iconic South African dairy fruit juice brand, has released their latest TV advert as part of their 2023 Campaign, titled “Smoooth Rider,” which is currently airing on local TV stations, …
Cholera death toll rises to 20
The Department of Health has announced that the number of deaths related to the cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, has soared to 20.
HI-TEC SA – Returns as The Official Footwear & Apparel Sponsor Of The KNYSNA FOREST MARATHON 2023
Hi-Tec, one of South Africa’s leading outdoor footwear, apparel, and accessories retailers has once again come on board as the official footwear and apparel sponsor of the Knysna Forest Marathon. The Knysna Forest Marathon is held annually during the Knysna Oyster Festival and is one of the most popular, not to mention beautiful races on …
If You Can’t Secure To Cannes Lions, Cannes Lions Will Near To You… Hosted By Ster-Kinekor
25 May 2023 – The 70th edition of the annual Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity takes place in Cannes, France, from 19 – 23 June this year. This much anticipated and globally celebrated festival is recognised as the ‘Oscars’ of the creative industry but, like the Academy Awards, not everyone gets invited! If you …
Rwandan fugitive wanted for genocide nabbed in SA
A Rwandan fugitive, wanted in connection with the 1994 Rwandan genocide, has been arrested in Paarl in the Western Cape by a South African Operational Task Team (OTT).
African Banker Awards 2023
The African Banker Awards 2023 Gala Ceremony, the most prestigious event in the African banking calendar, took place last night at the Rixos Hotel in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt on the sidelines of the African Development Bank Annual Meetings. The ceremony was attended by over 300 of the continent's leading bankers, regulators, and policymakers.
Now in its 17th edition, the African Banker Awards celebrate the achievements of individuals and institutions that have contributed significantly to the growth and development of Africa's banking sector over the past year.
Highlights from the ceremony:
Esther Kariuki becomes the second woman to win African Banker of the Year Award
Perhaps one of the most coveted prizes of the evening, the African Banker of the Year prize was awarded to Esther Kariuki, Head of Agriculture Business at the Co-op Bank of Kenya. Ms Kariuki has been a central figure in advancing agriculture as a key asset class for her institution. Not only a leader and role model, she was also responsible for considerably increasing lending to the agriculture sector and oversaw the roll-out of the platform Co-op Bank Soko, a digital marketplace that connects the agriculture value chain and ensures, among other things, that small-holder farmers receive a higher price for their produce.
Afreximbank scores a brace at African Banker Awards 2023
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) won two prestigious awards in Sharm El Sheikh, in recognition of its growing leadership within Africa's financial services sector. The Cairo-based institution was celebrated as both African Bank of the Year and Development Financial Institution of the Year, making it the sole institution to win more than one award during this year's ceremony.
Mauritius' Harvesh Seegolam wins Central Bank Governor of the Year
The youngest ever serving governor of Mauritius Central Bank, Harvesh Kumar Seegolam, took the Central Bank Governor of the Year Award. Appointed at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Seegolam leveraged Mauritius Investment Corporation (MIC) to provide critical financial support to key sectors of the economy by investing in private sector operators. Its latest returns report demonstrated that the investments made through the MIC have increased in value, despite the challenging economic conditions faced.
South African banks swept many of the Deal of the Year categories. South Africa's Enoch Godongwana won the Minister of Finance of the Year Award. He was recognised for his steadfast management of the economy as finance minister as well as the work he has done to encourage investment to accelerate the energy transition.
The African continent has the highest percentage of women entrepreneurs in the world. Letshego Nigeria took the inaugural AFAWA Bank of the Year Award, a category spotlighting financial institutions empowering female entrepreneurs across the continent. The Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) is a pan-African initiative to bridge the $42 billion financing gap facing women in Africa.
The African Banker Icon was won by veteran dealmaker Miguel Azevedo, head of investment banking for sub-saharan Africa excluding South Africa at Citi. The lifetime achievement award went to another veteran banker, Hisham Ezz Al-Arab, former Managing Director and current Non-executive Chairman of CIB Bank, Egypt's largest private sector bank.
“This year's award ceremony is a testament not only to the vibrancy and dynamism of Africa's banking industry but also its increasing diversity,” said Omar Ben Yedder, Committee Chairman and Group Publisher at IC Publications, publishers of African Banker. “The financial services industry continues to demonstrate excellence, innovation and impact in their respective markets and regions.
FinTech, Climate Finance, Cross-Border payments are all being shaped by the leaders we are recognising today.”
The ceremony is organised by African Banker magazine with the African Development Bank as its High Patron. This year's AfDB Meetings focused on mobilising private sector finance towards green growth. The 2023 edition was sponsored by the African Guarantee Fund, the Trade and Development Bank (TDB) and Tanzania's CRDB Bank.
Full list of winners:
Banker of the Year
Ms Esther Kariuki, Co-operative Bank of Kenya
Bank of the Year
Afreximbank
African Banker Icon
Miguel Azevedo, Citi
Lifetime Achievement
Mr. Hisham Ezz Al-Arab, Commercial International Bank
Central Bank Governor of the Year
Harvesh Seegolam, Bank of Mauritius
Minister of Finance of the Year
Hon. Enoch Godongwana, South Africa
Sustainable Bank of the Year
Nedbank, South Africa
DFI of the Year
Afreximbank
Fintech of the Year
MFS Africa
SME Bank of the Year
La Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations - CDC
Deal of the Year – Debt
Harmony Gold Company syndicated multi-tranche, multi-currency, loan facility of US$400m and R4bn – Absa & Nedbank
Deal of the Year – Equity
US$298m Infinity Energy equity investment and Lekela Power acquisition – Africa Finance Corporation
Deal of the Year – Agriculture
US$78m funding facility for the Southern Oil Structured Commodity Finance Transaction – Absa
Deal of the Year – Infrastructure
US$900m debt funding facility for Scatec Solar PV plus Battery Storage Project – Standard Bank
Regional Bank of the Year – North
Bank of Africa
Regional Bank of the Year – Southern
Zambia National Commercial Bank (Zanaco)
Regional Bank of the Year – East
CRDB Bank
Regional Bank of the Year – Central
Trust Merchant Bank
Regional Bank of the Year – West
Vista Bank
AFAWA Bank of the Year Award
Letshego, Nigeria
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Banker.
Media Contact:
awards@icpublications.com
African Banker:
African Banker is a quarterly magazine dedicated to banking and finance in Africa. It taps into the growing demand for information about Africa's banking and financial world, a sector that is consolidating rapidly and reshaping the economy of the continent. The magazine is published by IC Publications which also publishes African Business and New African.
Procure Kosher Certified by MK and Tap into the $15 billion Kosher Food Industry
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You are in the Team! NO, Hang on a bit, You are NOT in the Team!
Dear Editor The DA strongly condemns the recent incident in which four talented young girls were unjustly removed from the Boland hockey team due to racial quotas. This decision, driven by political interference and the misguided concept of affirmative action, undermines the principles of fairness, equality, and meritocracy that should govern our sporting institutions. In …
Interest rates rise again
Today, the South African Reserve Bank announced yet another interest rate hike, taking the prime lending rate to 11.75% (a level last seen mid-2009). The extended hike cycle is widely attributed to the Monetary Policy Committee’s ongoing struggle to curb inflation, which remains stubbornly outside of its target range of 3% to 6%. “South Africans …
Grain Hits 50
The experienced Veroeshka Grain will play in her 50th provincial match for DHL Western Province when they host Gauteng visitors, the Mastercard Golden Lions Women, at Athlone Stadium on Friday in the fourth round of the SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division. Grain, who has played in the green and gold for both the Springbok Women …
R750 000 to fix Digitech website – Nice Work if One Can Get it!
Dear Editor It was revealed this week from a reply to a DA parliamentary question that the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies had to spend R743 644 to fix their controversial Digitech website. For those who remember, the Department held a launch event for the embarrassingly poor quality Digitech website. Many users who visited …