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In December 2022, Volkswagen hosted the inaugural VW Vaya Cup tournament (formerly known as the Junior Masters), which provides an opportunity for young soccer players to display their talent in a highly competitive tournament. The tournament attracted 24 teams, with the girls’ team from Bidvest McCarthy VW Constantia and the boys’ team from Lindsay Saker …
Pedigree, heritage and tradition will be the highlight when the Premier Interschools game between Paarl Boys’ High and Grey College kicks off in Paarl this weekend. Paarl Boys’ High (1868) and Grey College (1855) are amongst the oldest rugby schools in South Africa. They first played each other in 1950 and did not have a …
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has signed a contract extension which will see him lead the side up until April 2026. Townsend began his term in 2017 and has since become the longest serving head coach of the Scotland national team in the professional era. After securing third place in the Guinness Six Nations this …
In today's rapidly changing world, access to free education is essential for sustainable development and for children to thrive. Although current international treaties only prioritize a right to free education at the primary level, more and more countries are recognizing that this is insufficient, and are enacting national laws to expand children's right to free education at the pre-primary and secondary levels.
Since 2015, 16 countries have adopted laws to provide or expand free pre-primary education. Pre-primary education, which takes place during the early years when children's brains are rapidly developing, has profound benefits for children's long-term development. But for many low-income families, it is out of reach. When Azerbaijan adopted legislation providing three years of free pre-primary education, participation rates shot up from 25 percent to 83 percent in four years. Armenia and Uzbekistan also saw large increases in pre-primary participation after adopting laws to expand free pre-primary.
Sierra Leone is the latest country to expand free education for children. In 2018, the government launched an ambitious Free Quality School Education program to provide free education from pre-primary through secondary schools. Enrollment across all levels surged from 2 million students to 3.1 million by 2021, with the biggest gains from low-income families. On April 24, Sierra Leone enshrined free education in its national law. Sierra Leone children are now legally guaranteed 13 years of free schooling, from one year of pre-primary through secondary school.
A new UNESCO report finds that countries with laws guaranteeing free education have significantly higher rates of children in school. Political commitments to free education are simply not enough. As part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), all countries have agreed that by 2030 they will provide access to pre-primary education for all, and that all children will complete free secondary school education. But among the countries that have set specific education benchmarks as part of the SDGs, barely one in three is on track to achieve them.
The growing trend of national legislation to expand free education access is encouraging, but for the millions of children out of school, progress is too slow. International law more explicitly guaranteeing at least one year of free pre-primary and free secondary is needed to accelerate progress at the global level and turn political commitments into binding legal obligations.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Human Rights Watch (HRW).
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for an end to the conflict in the war-torn region of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
World Cocktail Day conveniently falls on a Saturday (13th May) this year and to celebrate ANGOSTURA® proposes three ways to raise your cocktail party game at home. It’s time to re-imagine the cocktail party. While you could go all out throwing a spectacular themed party with roaring twenties Gatsby-esque sequins and glitter, or glamorous fifties …
Global progress in reducing deaths of pregnant women, mothers and babies has flatlined for eight years due to decreasing investments in maternal and newborn health, according to a new report from the United Nations (UN). The report shows that over 4.5 million women and babies die every year during pregnancy, childbirth or the first weeks after birth - equivalent to 1 death happening every 7 seconds - mostly from preventable or treatable causes if proper care was available.
“Pregnant women and newborns continue to die at unacceptably high rates worldwide, and the COVID-19 pandemic has created further setbacks to providing them with the healthcare they need,” said Dr Anshu Banerjee, Director of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing at the World Health Organization (WHO). “If we wish to see different results, we must do things differently. More and smarter investments in primary healthcare are needed now so that every woman and baby - no matter where they live - has the best chance of health and survival.”
The report, Improving maternal and newborn health and survival and reducing stillbirth, assesses the latest data on these deaths - which have similar risk factors and causes - and tracks the provision of critical health services. Overall, the report shows that progress in improving survival has stagnated since 2015, with around 290 000 maternal deaths each year, 1.9 million stillbirths – babies who die after 28 weeks of pregnancy – and a staggering 2.3 million newborn deaths, which are deaths in the first month of life.
The COVID-19 pandemic, rising poverty, and worsening humanitarian crises have intensified pressures on stretched health systems. Since 2018, more than three-quarters of all conflict-affected and Sub-Saharan African countries report declining funding for maternal and newborn health. Just 1 in 10 countries (of more than 100 surveyed) report having sufficient funds to implement their current plans. Moreover, according to the latest WHO survey on the pandemic's impacts on essential health services, around a quarter of countries still report ongoing disruptions to vital pregnancy and postnatal care and services for sick children.
“As is too often the case, vulnerability, fear, and loss are not spread equally around the world,” said Steven Lauwerier, UNICEF Director of Health (a.i.). “Since the COVID-19 pandemic, babies, children and women who were already exposed to threats to their well-being, especially those living in fragile countries and emergencies, are facing the heaviest consequences of decreased spending and efforts on providing quality and accessible healthcare.”
Funding shortfalls and underinvestment in primary healthcare can devastate survival prospects. For instance, while prematurity is now the leading cause of all under-five deaths globally, less than a third of countries report having sufficient newborn care units to treat small and sick babies. Meanwhile, around two thirds of emergency childbirth facilities in sub-Saharan Africa are not considered fully functional – meaning they lack essential resources like medicines and supplies, water, electricity or staffing for 24-hour care.
In the worst-affected countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and Central and Southern Asia – the regions with the greatest burden of newborn and maternal deaths - fewer than 60% of women receive even four, of WHO's recommended eight, antenatal checks.
"The death of any woman or young girl during pregnancy or childbirth is a serious violation of their human rights,” said Dr Julitta Onabanjo, Director of the Technical Division at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). “It also reflects the urgent need to scale-up access to quality sexual and reproductive health services as part of universal health coverage and primary health care, especially in communities where maternal mortality rates have stagnated or even risen during recent years. We must take a human rights and gender transformative approach to address maternal and newborn mortality, and it is vital that we stamp out the underlying factors which give rise to poor maternal health outcomes like socio-economic inequalities, discrimination, poverty and injustice".
To increase survival rates, women and babies must have quality, affordable healthcare before, during and after childbirth, the agencies say, as well as access to family planning services. More skilled and motivated health workers, especially midwives, are needed, alongside essential medicines and supplies, safe water, and reliable electricity. The report stresses that interventions should especially target the poorest women and those in vulnerable situations who are most likely to miss out on lifesaving care – including through critical subnational planning and investments.
Improving maternal and newborn health further requires addressing harmful gender norms, biases and inequalities. Recent data show that only about 60% of women aged 15-49 years make their own decisions regarding sexual and reproductive health and rights.
The new report was launched at a major global conference held in Cape Town, South Africa. The conference aims to accelerate recovery and progress in maternal and newborn health, promoting targeted investments in primary healthcare as well as innovation and bolder partnerships across programmes that help countries improve survival.
Based on current trends, more than 60 countries are not set to meet the maternal, newborn and stillborn mortality reduction targets in the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
On 5 May 2023, My Vote Counts (MVC), the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA), together with other organisations and individuals, made a submission to Legislative Reform Reference Group of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council (NACAC). Money has always been an integral part of politics, including democracy, and South Africa is no exception. However, the nature …
The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to advise travellers that controlled blasting is scheduled to take place at the new Belstone Interchange in eQonce (formerly King Williams Town) at 3pm on Friday, 12 May 2023. The blasting operations will take place at the corner of Joubert Street and the MR0688. The …
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has challenged role players in the sector to go all out to push visitor numbers to the country to pre-COVID figures.
Cabinet Secretary for Health Nakhumicha S. Wafula has been named among the 100 Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) in the Health and Wellness edition for her outstanding efforts in improving healthcare in Kenya. MIPAD is a global initiative that recognizes people of African descent who are making a positive impact on their communities and the world.
The announcement of the Global lists was made by MIPAD CEO Kamil Olufowobi on May 1, with the recognition of CS Nakhumicha's contribution to healthcare in Kenya being a significant milestone and a testament to the Kenyan government's commitment to providing quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare to its citizens.
CS Nakhumicha's leadership has resulted in significant improvements in maternal and child health, disease control, and the provision of essential medicines and supplies. Her tireless efforts to improve healthcare in Kenya have not gone unnoticed, and her recognition as one of the 100 Most Influential People of African Descent in Health and Wellness is well-deserved.
Expressing her gratitude for the recognition, CS Nakhumicha stated, “I am honored to be named among the 100 Most Influential People of African Descent in Health and Wellness. This recognition is not only a personal achievement but a reflection of the dedication and hard work of the Ministry of Health team in providing quality healthcare services to Kenyans. We will continue to work tirelessly to improve healthcare in Kenya and ensure that every Kenyan has access to quality, affordable healthcare.”
This recognition is a significant achievement for the Ministry of Health and the Kenyan government's efforts in improving healthcare. It serves as an inspiration to other healthcare leaders in Kenya and worldwide, demonstrating that with dedication and hard work, positive change can be created, and lives can be impacted positively.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.
Municipalities’ water and sanitation failure violates Constitution, SAHRC finds
The U.S. Mission to South Africa and the Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) (https://www.AWIEForum.org/) are once again partnering to implement the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs program in South Africa. To expand the reach of this successful program, the U.S. Mission has extended participation to Lesotho and Eswatini for the first time.
The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. It supports the U.S. National Strategy on Gender, Equity and Equality. Implemented in nearly 100 countries since 2019, the program has enabled about 25,000 women entrepreneurs to explore the fundamentals of business and learn new skills, including how to create business plans and raise capital. The program aims to promote economic growth and prosperity and empowers women to build better futures for their families and communities.
The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs Lesotho, Eswatini and South Africa will implement a hybrid program from July to November 2023. The program will select 140 participants to join activities in: Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Maseru, Mbabane and Pretoria. With this expanded 2023 cohort, the total number of women entrepreneurs trained through the U.S Mission to South Africa and AWIEF partnership will surpass 550. The program will combine the DreamBuilder online platform (developed through a partnership between Arizona State University's Thunderbird School of Global Management and global copper mining company Freeport-McMoRan) with in-class discussion, mentoring and support from local business experts.
Irene Ochem, AWIEF Founder and Chief Executive Officer, said: “The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs program has been a huge success in South Africa, empowering enterprising young women not only with the knowledge, networks and access they need to launch and scale successful enterprises, but also personal development and growth. We are excited to be continuing in our role as implementing partner and extending the impact to women in Lesotho and Eswatini.”
What do you gain from participating in the AWE LESA program?
What are the criteria to apply?
Applications Open Now!
Academy for Women Entrepreneurs applications are officially open for highly motivated and self-driven young women from Lesotho, Eswatini and South Africa. THERE IS NO COST TO APPLICANTS AT ANY STAGE.
To submit your application, please follow this link: https://apo-opa.info/42zRWtB
The deadline for submission is May 31, 2023 at 11:59pm Central Africa Time (CAT).
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF).
For more information email: info@awieforum.org
Flash floods and landslides in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on May 4 and 5 have killed almost 400 people and wounded at least 150. Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has sent an emergency team to South Kivu's Kalehe territory—the worst-affected area.
Ulrich Crepin Namfeibona, emergency coordinator for MSF in South Kivu province gave the following statement:
The situation across various locations of the territory of Kalehe is catastrophic following the devastating floods and landslides that hit this area of South Kivu province. The catastrophe hit overnight, and, as Thursday was market day, the population in Bushushu was twice as large as usual.
Hundreds of people have died, many others remain missing, and about 150 wounded people have already been admitted to different health structures. Some villages have been completely [swept away by] the floods, including houses, fields, and livestock.
On Saturday May 6, [MSF] arrived with an emergency team to the two most heavily affected areas—the villages of Bushushu and Nyamukubi—to support the local authorities and the Ministry of Health. In Nyamukubi, around half of the village has been destroyed. Due to the floods, the main road between Nyamukubi and Kalehe is not [usable] anymore, which is hampering the arrival of humanitarian aid.
The most pressing need for MSF was to organize the evacuation of severely injured people to ensure they get timely and appropriate medical care. As of today, our team managed to refer 36 patients by boat to hospitals in Kalehe and Bukavu. We have also been donating body bags, medicines, and medical supplies to several health structures [that are] treating [injured] patients. We will continue to monitor the situation in the [coming] days to evaluate the medical and humanitarian needs.
Poor living and sanitation conditions in the aftermath of floods create high risk of disease—such as skin infections and diarrheal diseases—especially in this area close to Lake Kivu where cholera is endemic.
Shelter, food, and other basic [supplies] are urgently needed for these communities who have lost everything. We are also seeing children who have lost their parents and need protection.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).
Family still has many unanswered questions
Dear Mr Silinga The reason for my letter is multi-fold but mainly addresses how TNPA continues to deny Gqeberha, South Africa a continued proven opportunity to international recognition through a sport that needs access to the sea via your ports. Mr Silinga, I ask for you to please put some time aside in your busy […]
By the directive of the Speaker of Council, Cllr Gary van Niekerk the special Council scheduled for today, 8 May 2023 has been cancelled. The special council meeting was set to take place to debate a motion of no confidence against DA mayor, Retief Odendaal, will be debated. But Odendaal went to court to prevent […]
Mountain bikers and trail runners taking part in the 2023 Fedhealth Magalies Monster MTB Classic and Fedhealth Platinum Trail Run on Saturday 03 and Sunday 04 June 2023 respectively will stand a chance to secure their share in the R52 000 combined Prize Purse. “We would like to offer mountain bikers and trail runners an …
Johannesburg, May 2023: With the ongoing decline in the popularity of cash, the vast majority of businesses in the modern era will need to be able to receive electronic payments of some kind or another. Whether through EFT credits, debit orders, card payments, these businesses will all require a “payment solutions provider” with access to …
But the City of Cape Town says tenants of the N2 Gateway flats have refused to sign lease agreements, making maintenance impossible
Maintaining good oral health is essential for a healthy and confident smile. However, as we age, our teeth may become damaged or decayed, leading to tooth loss. Fortunately, there are several dental treatments available to restore missing teeth, including dental implants, dentures, teeth in a day, and dental hygienist services. Dental implants are a …
Africa's estimated 125.3 billion barrels of crude oil and 620 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves present an opportunity for the continent to accelerate the diversification of the energy mix and address energy poverty while driving industrialization, employment creation, gross domestic product growth and environmental sustainability. In this regard, the 2023 edition of the African Energy Week (AEW) conference and exhibition – Africa's premier event for the energy sector which takes place in Cape Town from October 16-20 – is proud to take place under the theme, ‘The African Energy Renaissance: Prioritizing Energy Poverty, People, the Planet, Industrialization and Free Markets.'
With over 600 million people across the continent living in energy poverty, 900 million without access to clean cooking solutions and African economies grappling with chronic shortages and high energy prices, the AEW 2023 theme reflects the urgent need for Africa to prioritize the needs of its people while correspondingly promoting sustainable development and industrialization, creating opportunities for free and open markets.
"Africa has the potential to become a global leader in energy, but we must first address the urgent need to provide reliable, affordable and sustainable energy to our people," said Verner Ayukegba, Senior Vice President of the African Energy Chamber, adding that, "This year's theme underscores the importance of addressing energy poverty, driving large-scale project developments across the oil, gas, renewable and broader power sectors. At the same time, it reflects that it is imperative that we create the right conditions for investment to flow and the private sector to flourish.”
Alleviating energy poverty will all come down to the continent's strong pipeline of oil and gas projects. On the oil front, upstream projects to the likes of Eni's Baleine project in Ivory Coast; Namibia's three-fold discoveries in the Orange Basin; Zimbabwe's onshore exploration campaign in the Muzarabani Basin, among others, continue to showcase the potential for upstream investment. Downstream, Angola's three-refinery developments (Soyo, Cabinda and Lobito); the East African Crude Oil Pipeline; and other infrastructure developments offer new opportunities for petroleum distribution in Africa. All of these projects will be key for addressing energy poverty while accelerating industrialization.
Meanwhile, climate action remains a top priority for Africa, as it represents the continent most impacted by climate change. As such, a series of sizeable low-carbon natural gas projects have and continue to be launched including Eni's Coral South Project in Mozambique; TotalEnergies' Mozambique Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) development; bp's Greater Tortue Ahmeyim project in Mauritania/Senegal; Perenco's $1 billion LNG development in Gabon, among others. These developments open new prospects for power generation and distribution, job creation and capacity building, as well as revenue generation for countries continent-wide. As such, AEW 2023's theme reflects the urgency behind these projects, focusing dialogue and deals on energy poverty, people and the planet.
On the renewables front, Africa has emerged as a global green hydrogen investment hub with large-scale projects underway in Mauritania, Namibia, Egypt and South Africa. These projects aim to capitalize on the continent's immense solar and wind potential, accelerating energy access and reducing carbon emissions. The continent's focus on sustainable energy is underscored by AEW's focus on the planet.
While global energy transition related policies and restrictive local regulations and fiscal terms have disrupted the flow of foreign direct investments into African energy, this year's AEW theme depicts the need for both established and emerging African energy producers to revitalize energy laws and prioritize the creation of enabling environments in which the private sector will thrive. In order for the continent to meet its energy and economic developments goals, prioritization must be placed on free markets, and AEW 2023 represents the platform where discussions on this topic will be held. Featuring investment-dedicated discussions and summits, AEW 2023 enables industry stakeholders to discuss best practices for the continent to maximize private sector participation while addressing investment and infrastructure gaps.
"AEW 2023 will be a critical opportunity to advance the energy agenda in Africa and promote sustainable development across the continent. We have said it time and time again, Africa needs free market, increased private sector participation and business-enabling fiscal terms to grow. The AEW theme reflects this clearly and we look forward to welcoming delegates from across the globe to Cape Town for what promises to be a dynamic and productive event,” Ayukegba continued.
Under this market-focused theme, a suite of high-level speakers will discuss growth opportunities across Africa's entire energy value chain with the aim of accelerating energy security, climate change mitigation and value addition for local economies and people. In addition to dialogue, AEW 2023 will feature exclusive networking sessions and deal-signings, uniting African energy policymakers and companies with global investors. Additionally, technical workshops and presentations will showcase the latest innovations in technology and services while youth-led side events provide a platform for young entrepreneurs and industry players to engage with market leaders.
For more information about AEW 2023, please visit the event website at www.AECWeek.com and secure your spot at the biggest gathering of energy stakeholders on the continent. Join the African Energy Chamber's AEW 2023 and be part of the African energy renaissance.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
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Every two minutes, a woman dies during pregnancy or childbirth; every 16 minutes, a baby is stillborn – most of these deaths are preventable with access to skilled midwives.
At the 5th Global Midwifery Symposium from 7 to 8 May 2023, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), and over 20 global partners from civil society, academia, the private sector, professional bodies, and donors highlighted the critical role midwives play in ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths and stillbirths, and leading the way in improving quality maternal and newborn care worldwide. Jointly, the partners reaffirm their commitment in improving access to skilled midwives to ensure universal and equitable access to comprehensive maternal and newborn healthcare services.
There is solid evidence that midwives play an important role in stopping preventable maternal and newborn deaths. Well-trained and supported midwives have the potential to provide 90 per cent of all essential sexual, reproductive, maternal, and newborn health services, contributing to 4.3 million lives saved annually by 2035. Midwives also improve women's birthing experiences and reduce healthcare costs. However, midwives represent only 10 per cent of the global health workforce, with a current shortage of 900,000 midwives. Additionally, these health providers, mostly women, are often underpaid and undervalued.
The global context demands urgent action as maternal and newborn mortality reduction rates stagnate in many parts of the world. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 70 per cent of global maternal deaths. The burden of mortality is borne by the poorest or the most disadvantaged living in low- and middle-come countries.
Achieving the target of a global maternal mortality ratio of 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030 requires an annual reduction rate of 11.6 per cent. Universal coverage of midwife-delivered care could prevent more than two-thirds of maternal and newborn deaths worldwide. As the Sustainable Development Goals deadline of 2030 looms near, the Symposium partners pledge to take this commitment forward and integrate midwifery in all respective maternal and newborn health programmes, by speaking with one voice and coordinating with each other to maximize impact.
With the Call to Action, the UN with partners, strongly commit to ensure that every woman and newborn has access to quality, respectful, and rights-based care in all parts of the world.
The call for a stronger collective action towards a healthier, more equitable world for all requires much more commitment from governments, policymakers, donors, and the global health community to join in investing in midwives and the midwifery profession.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UNFPA - East and Southern Africa.
