President Ramaphosa: Appeal of High Court ruling aimed at saving grid
President Cyril Ramaphosa says government’s appeal of the High Court judgment on load shedding is a means of saving the grid from collapsing.
News
Manufacture Her Day This Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is upon us, which means it’s time to spoil the original love of your life. The million-rand question is, what do you get the woman who has spent her entire life loving and caring for you? Well, unfortunately, a hand-drawn picture and breakfast in bed may not cut it. Here are some gadgets …
Maximizing Style and Function: How Designer Pool Covers Can Benefit Your Outdoor Living Space
Are you trying to find a constant source of happiness? You might concur that the ideal choice for such a source is a cool swimming pool. Its sparkling water may brighten your life, enhance your health, and help you unwind after a long day. Beyond its advantages, a swimming pool needs ongoing maintenance to maintain …
Work underway to reduce severity and frequency of load shedding
President Cyril Ramaphosa says all hands are on deck to ensure that the severity and frequency of load shedding is reduced in the immediate term and brought to an eventual end.
United States Pledges $12 Million toward Tanzania Youth Agribusiness
The United States Government has pledged $12 million (TZH 28 billion) to support Tanzanian youth in starting, operating, and financing agricultural businesses on the mainland and in Zanzibar. The announcement was made by U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania Michael A. Battle and the USAID/Tanzania Mission Director V. Kate Somvongsiri at launch events for the Feed the Future (FtF) – Private Sector Strengthening Activity (PSSA) in Zanzibar and Dodoma.
“For over six decades, the United States has cherished its partnership with Tanzania,” said U.S. Ambassador Battle during the PSSA launch in Zanzibar on May 5. “The U.S. Government remains committed to our partnership to generate new job opportunities, improve access to financing, and advise on establishing an enabling environment where entrepreneurs and the private sector can invest and prosper in Tanzania's future.”
In addition to helping youth in Tanzania get business loans, teaching them important business skills, and helping them find customers, PSSA is also working to ensure fair and equitable administration of the government's business regulations to support young entrepreneurs. Targeting Tanzania's SAGCOT regions of Iringa, Mbeya, Morogoro, and the Unguja and Pemba regions of Zanzibar, PSSA will award grants on an open, competitive basis to private sector associations, organizations, and lead firms working to improve the business enabling environment and expand economic opportunities for youth. Overall, PSSA aims to reach 30,000 youth, enhance business support services for 6,000 youth-led enterprises, offer financial services to over 3,000 young people, and establish ten new policies to stimulate economic opportunities for youth and facilitate expansion into new markets.
During the May 11 launch of PSSA in Dodoma, USAID/Tanzania Mission Director Kate Somvongsiri said, “Feed the Future Tanzania Private Sector Strengthening Activity prioritizes investing in youth. By working together with private sector associations and aligning with the Ministry of Agriculture's Building a Better Tomorrow, we can support the implementation of policies that help youth overcome barriers to their economic empowerment. PSSA can only achieve its goals in partnership with the Tanzanian government and private sector partners across the country.”
The Deputy Permanent Secretary, Dr. Hussein Omari, Ministry of Agriculture officiating at the event in Dodoma commented, “I see opportunities for collaboration between PSSA and our Building a Better Tomorrow: Youth Initiative for Agribusiness program. The Government of Tanzania is fully committed to working with this activity to support youth in the private sector and promote local and international investment.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Embassy in Tanzania.
No Intent. No Transformation.
The year is 2023 and it’s the 70th anniversary of the Cannes Lion awards, the respected global benchmark for creative excellence. I, a black South African is counted amongst the group of individuals who are now a part of history as this year, Cannes Lions boasts the highest ever representation from Africa and the Middle …
Project for Innovative Agent Network Solutions in Ethiopia
On 27 April 2023, the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), with the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, launched the Cash-in/Cash-Out (CICO) project in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The launch brought together key stakeholders from Ethiopia's banking sector, MNOs, Fintechs, MFIs, development agencies and other digital financial services ecosystem players. High-level speakers from the National Bank of Ethiopia, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the UN Resident Coordinator's office in Ethiopia joined the UNCDF Ethiopia Country Coordinator to express their commitment to the CICO project as a significant step to ensure financial inclusion for all Ethiopians.
The CICO project aims to strengthen Cash-in/Cash-out (CICO) networks in Ethiopia. This will be done through ecosystem-wide boot camps, the improvement or launch of new technology solutions, and the development of a CICO measurement dashboard for industry players, including the regulatory body.
The project will contribute to efforts by the Ethiopian government to achieve 70% mobile account ownership by 2025 as per its revised National Financial Inclusion Strategy 11. According to the World Bank's 2022 Findex report, mobile account ownership in Ethiopia is currently at 46.5%, meaning that efforts at expanding the agent network need to be ramped up to achieve the government's 2025 target. Through this project, different ecosystem players will be empowered to generate meaningful insights and make evidence-based decisions to ensure the inclusion and participation of unserved and underserved constituents in the digital economy.
The project will run for two years and focus on activities such as CICO boot camps, a digital distributor incubator, and support to the central bank to expand an automated data collection system on CICO and financial services access points. About 15 service providers, including mobile money providers and their agents, retail banks, microfinance institutions, etc., will receive training in foundational and specialized digital money distribution courses through the boot camps.
Through the digital distributor incubator, CICO managers and technology firms will be able to develop and test the viability of their new technology ideas. Selected service providers (CICO providers and technology firms) with the most viable solutions will be awarded US$50,000 and will work with financial service providers to bring their solutions to market. Through this activity, more sustainable solutions can scale faster, offering better services, lower network costs, and limiting dormancy in agent networks.
Speaking at the launch event, Ariel Delaney, Ethiopia Program Officer, Financial Services for the Poor, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said, "The Gates Foundation recognizes that UNCDF has a strong track record of supporting financial inclusion initiatives in Ethiopia and is well-positioned to implement this project effectively. By partnering with UNCDF, we hope to leverage our expertise and resources to make a meaningful impact in Ethiopia and help to build a more inclusive financial system in the country."
The CICO project aims to increase women's active participation in the digital economy. It will ensure the adequate representation of women by highlighting the case for sex-disaggregated data to the Central Bank and regulated entities and identify opportunities to disaggregate some data points by gender. The World Bank's Global Findex Database of 2021 indicates that only 29% of women in Ethiopia have an account compared to 41% of men, with the gap even wider in rural areas, where only around 15% of the population have an account.
Emphasizing the need for gender inclusion in the project, Abibatou Wane-Fall, Chief of Mission to Ethiopia, International Organization for Migration (IOM), who represented the UN Resident Coordinator, stressed that "we must take targeted action to address this issue and increase financial inclusion among marginalized communities in Ethiopia. This includes expanding access to financial services, promoting financial literacy, and addressing cultural and social barriers that prevent women and youth from accessing financial services."
The National Bank of Ethiopia's Acting Director of Payment Systems and Settlements Directorate, Solomon Damtew, said, "The National Bank of Ethiopia fully supports this project, and we are committed to working closely with UNCDF and the Gates Foundation to ensure its success. We hope this project will help us identify areas where we need to improve our policies and regulations further and support the growth of CICO networks sustainably and responsibly. This will not only benefit the financial sector but also contribute to the overall development of our country. I urge all stakeholders to support this project and work together to improve financial inclusion in Ethiopia."
During the panel session of the launch, panelists from the private and public financial services space agreed that Ethiopia had made significant progress in its agent network journey. However, they emphasized that access to financial services still needs to be improved, particularly in rural areas. They highlighted challenges like limited infrastructure, lack of awareness and trust in digital financial services, limited technical capacity, and inadequate regulatory frameworks. Also, the lack of coordination among stakeholders leads to fragmentation and inefficiencies in the system. They concluded that these challenges need to be addressed. Thus, improving the reach and quality of CICO networks is a critical step towards achieving financial inclusion for all Ethiopian citizens, particularly the underserved.
Endashaw Tesfaye, Digital Finance Country Lead and Ibrahim Mamma, Country Coordinator for UNCDF Ethiopia, both affirmed UNCDF's belief in the transformative power of digital technologies to improve access to financial services, create new business opportunities and enhance social inclusion, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital era. Improving CICO networks in Ethiopia and enhancing data collection and analysis for the Central Bank, will ensure that underserved populations such as women, youth and rural dwellers in Ethiopia can also access and benefit from the digital economy.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).
Nzimande sends condolences to Niddrie family
Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, has extended his heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and comrades of David Niddrie, who was a ministerial envoy responsible for advising the Minister on the National Skills Development policies and strategy.
This Tshwane police station has not had electricity for three years
Rietgat station in Soshanguve used to get electricity from the train station
Takalani Sesame’s Current Huge Feelings Special Gets Children Talking About Their Emotions
National heroes Banyana Banyana and comedian David Kau are joining the much-loved crew from Takalani Sesame to teach children and their families how to manage their emotions in The Big Feelings Special, airing on SABC 2 at 17.30 on Saturday, 20 May 2023. With South African families still dealing with the aftermath of the COVID-19 …
MIFP seeks to Unblocks Investments Of Over R1 Billion
In a bid to bolster investment in Nelson Mandela Bay the need for a transversal investment facilitation forum was raised by Executive Mayor Cllr Retief Odendaal, to create a platform to unblock investment-related opportunities within NMBM and promote economic development, increase employment, and reduce poverty. This forum would also serve as platform/structure for the private […]
#WeAre26 launched
Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ (www.FIFA.com) Brand to be launched in Los Angeles, USA, on 17 May 2023; #WeAre26 campaign launched, revealing the faces and places of the 16 Host Cities and inviting fans to get involved; 16 bespoke Host City brands developed by FIFA in an unprecedented initiative to unite fans across the continent.
On Wednesday, 17 May 2023, the Official Brand of the 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup™ will be unveiled to fans around the world, with FIFA and host countries Canada, Mexico and the USA celebrating a major milestone on the road to the biggest sporting event ever. The unveiling will take place at 19:30 local time (04:30 CEST on 18 May) in Los Angeles, USA, one of the tournament's 16 Host Cities, at a star-studded show with special guest performances live-streamed to the whole world on FIFA+ (https://apo-opa.info/3BkOp6O).
Projections, events and digital amplifications across the other Host Cities in Canada, Mexico and the USA will also take place on 17 May, giving fans another opportunity to get involved in the Official Brand launch and start counting down the days until kick-off.
Anticipation has already started building as FIFA, the 2026 host countries and the event's commercial partners launched #WeAre26, a campaign that will empower people, places and communities to play an integral role in introducing the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Official Brand. The campaign will capture portraits of faces and places that tell their own unique FIFA World Cup stories, featuring individuals and experiences that await fans in 2026 and inviting everyone to be a part of #WeAre26.
“The Official Brand introduces fans to the tournament's new emblem, typeface and striking colour palette, three exciting elements that will bring this tournament to life in the coming months and years. But it also goes beyond that, as we open countless opportunities to local communities and our partners to integrate their own story. A local football fan, a global superstar or a famous location, the brand will spotlight distinctive aspects and highlight the inclusive and diverse aspect of the first FIFA World Cup featuring 48 teams,” said FIFA's Chief Business Officer, Romy Gai.
The Official Brand will be accompanied by 16 bespoke Host City brands developed by FIFA in an unprecedented initiative to integrate local fans and cultures across Canada, Mexico and the USA. Each Host City brand embodies its own world‑renowned culture and heritage, in which millions of international fans will immerse themselves when kick-off comes in 2026. The public in all 16 Host Cities will be treated to a range of activations on 18 May, when the artworks will be presented by the hosts themselves. Everyone taking part is encouraged to use the hashtags #FIFAWorldCup and #WeAre26 and join the celebration.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the biggest single-sport event ever. Three host countries, 16 Host Cities, 48 teams and 104 matches will unite an entire continent and showcase a momentous new tournament to ensure the ultimate football show. The much-loved four-team group stage phase remains ahead of an expanded knockout phase that will see the 32 world's best teams fight it out for the game's ultimate prize.
With more countries, cities, teams and matches, the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the most inclusive and diverse sporting event ever, uniting the entire world on a vast stage and engaging millions of fans across 16 stadiums and billions worldwide.
Fans and members of the media worldwide are invited to tune in to the event via FIFA+ (https://apo-opa.info/3BkOp6O).
For general FIFA media enquiries, please contact the FIFA Media Team on media@fifa.org. The FIFA Media Team can also assist with specific Host City media team contacts if required.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of FIFA.
Contact for African media:
AfricanMedia@fifa.org
Excitement builds ahead of the MANCOSA Mid-Year Graduation Ceremonies
Excitement builds ahead of the MANCOSA Mid-Year Graduation Ceremonies As we approach the second half of the year, the excitement starts to build up at tertiary institutions as they prepare for their Mid-Year Graduation Ceremonies. “We cannot underestimate the achievements of these graduates,” says Professor Kiveshni Naidoo, Academic Director at MANCOSA. She adds that these …
Cabinet welcomes measures to push ahead with NHI
Cabinet says it welcomes the adoption of measures needed to “recalibrate” the health system and accelerate National Health Insurance (NHI) reforms.
What is an Influencer Agreement and Which Businesses Need One?
What is an influencer agreement? A social media influencer is a user on social media who has established credibility in a specific industry. These content creators have access to a large audience and can share information and content to persuade others through their authenticity and reach. An influencer agreement is a contract between a brand …
Nigeria gaining ground and winning hearts
Artificial pitch built in Kebbi, a state in northwestern Nigeria; another being installed further south in Ugborodo, in Delta State; projects supported by the FIFA Forward Programme (https://www.FIFA.com).
“Before it became a career, I just played football for fun. Farming was my main job. I had to finish work on the farm before I could go and play football. The only goal I had in life was to have my own farm.”
Reported in the Nigerian press, those words belong to Porto and Nigeria full-back Zaidu Sanusi, who hails from the state of Kebbi. They could, however, belong to any number of young people who live in this northwestern corner of Nigeria, which is home to 4.4 million people and lies on the borders with Niger and Benin. It is a part of the world where football is secondary in importance to other matters, but where talented players like Sanusi are not in short supply.
It is no surprise, then, that Birnin Kebbi, the capital of Kebbi, was chosen back in 2020 as the site for the construction of an artificial football pitch that is now available for young boys and girls to use. Meanwhile, a second pitch is under construction in Ugborodo, situated further to the south. Undertaken by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), these two ambitious projects have received around USD 2 million in funding from FIFA through its Forward Programme.
The main goal of the programme, which is now into its third cycle, is the growth of football around the world. Forward 3.0 (https://apo-opa.info/3VWIiPy) is giving the game's global governing body the chance to redouble its efforts and lay down ever more solid foundations for promoting this growth, with the construction of facilities an important lever in supporting the whole process.
“The aim is simply to develop football in the region,” said Alhadji Abubakar Ladan, NFF representative for the state of Kebbi. “Of the seven states in the northwestern region [Nigeria has 36 states in all], Kebbi has the largest number of amateur teams. Even so, there is no question that it also has fewer football facilities than the rest. The NFF is aware of the efforts being made to develop football here, but these efforts are being held back by the lack of facilities. This artificial pitch is a boost and a push in the right direction.”
It has certainly proved a source of motivation and delight for local young footballers, who have made it their second home as they work on the skills they hope will one day make them Super Falcons and Super Eagles. A unique pitch flanked by a stand that is regularly filled with enthusiastic supporters, it is now the scene of friendlies, competitive matches and training sessions.
“Football used to be just a street sport for us, so we're delighted to be able to play on this wonderful pitch,” said Zeynup Dauda, a teenager from Birnin Kebbi. “This sport means a lot to me. I tend to get a bit bored at home, but when I'm on the pitch, it's magical. I forget everything. My ultimate dream would be to play for a big team in a big stadium and on a big pitch. I want to play all over the world. I want to play for the whole nation.”
Zaidu Sanusi has shown the way for his home region and has proved that nothing is impossible, that there are pathways running from the street to the football pitch, between farms and the world's greatest stadiums, and between dreams and reality.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of FIFA.
Contact for African media:
AfricanMedia@fifa.org
5 Reasons Why You Should Hire a Corporate Lawyer
What does a corporate lawyer do? In short, a corporate lawyer is responsible for negotiating, drafting or reviewing agreements, terms and conditions, finance terms and other documents of a business nature. Company law is the body of law that governs the rights, relations, obligations and conduct of persons, companies and businesses. Businesses can be run …
Understanding Competition Law in South Africa – A Quick Guide
What is competition law and why is it important in South Africa Competition law is a field of law that seeks to maintain competition in all markets by guarding against anti-competitive conduct by companies. It allows for the investigation, control and evaluation of restrictive practices, abuse of dominant positions, and mergers. Competition law is not …
South African companies are paying for poor mental health
The number of people struggling with everything from depression to acute anxiety, burnout and even addiction is increasing exponentially in South Africa. This is due to an ever-growing number of factors outside of one’s control – from load shedding to worries about job losses, climbing interest rates, food prices and even crime and violence. Jared …
Everything You Need To Know About The Conduct of Financial Institutions Bill
What is it, why does it exist and why is it important? The draft Conduct of Financial Institutions Bill (COFI) was released for public comment in 2018. COFI was drafted in conjunction with the Financial Sector Regulators Act of 2017 (FSR Act) as part of an extensive reform of the South African financial services legal …
Parents block school entrance in Cofimvaba after scholar transport cancelled
Most of the affected learners live in St Mark’s, about 26 kilometres from Isikhoba Nombewu Technical School
Understanding the Various Aspects of Corporate Law
What is Corporate Law? Corporate law is a complex and dynamic field that plays a crucial role in economic and social development. Corporate and Commercial Law involves the interactions and transactions within and between: Companies and other juristic entities and individuals, Shareholders and companies, and Shareholders of a company (themselves). Corporate law can be described …
Documenting Allegations of Human Rights Violations in Sudan – SA Abstains
The Human Rights Council this afternoon concluded its thirty-sixth special session on the human rights impact of the ongoing conflict in Sudan, adopting a resolution in which it decided that the mandate of the designated Expert of the High Commissioner on human rights in Sudan should, with immediate effect, also include detailed monitoring and documentation of, and reporting to the Human Rights Council on, all allegations of human rights violations and abuses since 25 October 2021, including those arising directly from the current conflict.
In the resolution on the human rights impact of the ongoing conflict in Sudan (A/HRC/36/L.1) as orally amended, adopted by a vote of 18 in favour, 15 against, and 14 abstentions, the Council, welcoming the appointment by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights of Radhouan Nouicer as his designated Expert on human rights in the Sudan on 16 December 2022: expressed its grave concern at the serious outbreak of conflict and escalation of violence in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, which could undermine the progress made towards a peaceful transition to democracy and stability in Sudan. The Council called for an immediate cessation of violence by all parties, without pre-conditions, the rapid establishment of full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access, the rehabilitation of critical basic infrastructure, a negotiated and peaceful resolution to the conflict on the basis of inclusive dialogue, and the recommitment of all parties with the people of Sudan to return to its transition towards a civilian-led government.
The Council condemned all reported violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law, including reported acts of sexual and gender-based violence, committed since the start of hostilities by all parties to the conflict across the country and called upon the parties to the conflict in Sudan to demonstrate the utmost restraint and to refrain from further violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law. It also called upon all parties to the conflict to cease any measure that exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, and to rapidly allow and facilitate the full, safe and unhindered passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need.
In the resolution, the Council condemned any attacks on humanitarian and health workers, and on the premises and members of international organizations, civil society organizations and the diplomatic community in Sudan, and urged all parties to the conflict in Sudan to respect and protect civilians, including those who were humanitarian workers and health workers, and civilian infrastructure, and to allow and facilitate full, safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid into and throughout Sudan.
The Council decided that the mandate of the designated Expert of the High Commissioner should, with immediate effect, also include detailed monitoring and documentation of, and reporting to the Human Rights Council on, all allegations of human rights violations and abuses since the 25 October 2021, including those arising directly from the current conflict, as well as a specific focus on prevention of further such violations and abuses from occurring. The resolution requested the High Commissioner, with the assistance of the designated Expert on human rights in Sudan, to present to the Human Rights Council, at its fifty-fourth and fifty-seventh sessions, an oral update on the human rights situation in Sudan.
The results of the vote were as follows:
In favour (18): Argentina, Belgium, Chile, Costa Rica, Czechia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Montenegro, Paraguay, Romania, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and United States.
Against (15): Algeria, Bolivia, China, Cuba, Eritrea, Gambia, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, Qatar, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, and Viet Nam.
Abstention (14): Bangladesh, Benin, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Honduras, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Maldives, Nepal, South Africa, and Uzbekistan.
The Council adopted the report of the special session ad referendum.
The special session started this morning with a statement by Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, who strongly condemned this wanton violence, in which both sides had trampled international humanitarian law, notably the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution. He said it was essential that both parties urgently committed to an inclusive political process and to a negotiated peace. Mr. Türk said the Human Rights Council had called this special session to express its urgent concern for the rights and lives of Sudan's people. He urged all States with influence in the region to encourage by all possible means the resolution of this crisis.
The fifty-third regular session of the Human Rights Council will be held from 19 June to 14 July 2023.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
Vital court battle over temporary toilets
Ekurhuleni community wants unsafe and unhygienic chemical toilets replaced with flushing ones