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South Africa’s Freedom Day celebrations in Bloemfontein highlighted both the promise of democracy and the persistent inequality facing millions, as leaders and citizens reflect on 32 years since the end of apartheid. Today (April 27) marks Freedom Day in South Africa, a time to honor the sacrifices made to end apartheid while reflecting on the …
Four offences seem to have been committed but only one fine was imposed by the fisheries department
At the end of the third full week of April, data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) showed that South Africa’s motorists can expect a price hike in May, though not as much as was feared earlier in the month. The CEF’s latest report, published at the end of last week, revealed that under-recoveries for …
Flagship range-extending five-seater is expected either before year-end or early 2027. Having made the rounds at a number of high-profile events since its world debut last year, iCaur officially removed the wraps from the right-hand drive market specific V27 at the Beijing Motor Show last Friday. The Chery-owned new energy brand’s first range-extending electric vehicle …
Motorists are paying up to R208 more to fill up their tanks with petrol than they were at the start of the year. South Africa got off to a great start in 2026 with fuel prices dropping to a four-year low in January. Prices dropped even further in February, but this positive momentum has since …
South Africa would seem like the perfect place for widespread uptake of solar energy, not least because switching to solar would help cut electricity bills, which have more than doubled over the last 10 years. Yet solar power makes up less than 10% of the country’s energy mix. About 74% of South Africa’s electricity still …
Check against delivery Speech by the President of the United Democratic Movement and Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Bantu Holomisa at the UDM Qonce (King William’s Town) Rally 27 April 2026 Fellow South Africans, Leaders of our communities, Members of the United Democratic Movement, And to our new members who …
South Africa has abruptly withdrawn its draft national artificial intelligence policy after a controversy over fabricated references exposed serious flaws […]
The post South Africa Pulls AI Policy After Fake Sources Scandal Erupts appeared first on Impact Newswire.
Communities in and around Bloemfontein in the Free State have gathered at the Dr Rantlai Molemela Stadium in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality for the national Freedom Day celebrations. President Cyril Ramaphosa will give the keynote address at the stadium. Similar celebrations are being held in all provinces throughout the country, led by the Premiers. Freedom …
Africa’s clean energy funding would work much better if projects could borrow on fairer terms, and have longer to pay back loans.
Luke Fraser ·27 Apr 2026 Millions of young South Africans have matriculated from the school system, but many lack the necessary skills to enter the job market. While South Africa’s matric pass rate reached a new record of 88% in 2025, South African students have continued to struggle in previous years. This is due to …
Trevor Noah has officially stepped back onto the South African comedy stage, bringing with him a bold new vision… a nationwide comedy movement designed to spotlight local talent, reignite live performances and remind audiences why laughter is one of the country’s greatest strengths. South Africa (27 April 2026) – I attended a special (top secret) …
Every year, South Africans are afforded a public holiday to celebrate Freedom Day. We do this in remembrance of our first democratic elections that were held on 27 April 1994.
The post Let’s Not Be Delusional About Freedom For Majority of South Africans appeared first on ActionSA.
The Royal African Society (https://RoyalAfricanSociety.org) is pleased to announce the co-option of four distinguished leaders to its Council: Ifrah Hassan Ibrahim, James Benoit, John Butt, and Tammy Brophy. Their appointments further strengthen the Society's leadership as it celebrates its 125th anniversary, bringing together expertise across finance, sustainability, policy, investment, education, and global development.
Chairperson's Welcome
Ms. Arunma Oteh, Chairperson of the Royal African Society, said:
“As we mark 125 years of the Royal African Society, we are reminded of our enduring mission to deepen understanding of Africa and amplify African voices globally. The exceptional leaders we welcome to our Council embody this mission. Their diverse expertise, passion for the continent, and track records of excellence will strengthen our ability to serve as a bridge between Africa, the United Kingdom, and the wider world.”
CEO's Remarks
Stella Okuzu, CEO of the Royal African Society, added:
“I am thrilled to welcome these four distinguished leaders to our Council. Their combined experience in finance, investment, sustainability, education, and leadership will greatly enhance our ability to deliver impactful programmes and expand our reach across Africa and the United Kingdom. Their insight and strategic guidance come at a crucial moment in our growth as an organisation.”
Profiles of the Newly Co-opted Council Members
Ifrah Hassan Ibrahim
Ifrah Hassan Ibrahim is the Founder of Protea Advisory Limited, a London-based consultancy advising African and Emerging Market sovereign clients on debt management, sustainable finance, and access to international capital markets.
She brings over 15 years' experience in global investment banking, having started her career in Zurich at UBS, and later held senior roles at Credit Suisse and Barclays, where she led Sub-Saharan Africa coverage and worked closely with Ministries of Finance, central banks, and multilateral institutions such as the World Bank.
A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Ifrah combines deep technical expertise in international finance with a strong commitment to Africa's and broader Emerging Markets' long-term economic development. Her work focuses on supporting primarily African, as well as other Emerging Market sovereign borrowers, in strengthening their access to global capital markets, giving her valuable insight into the economic and policy challenges facing the continent.
Born to Somali parents and raised in Switzerland, she brings a genuinely international perspective and strong diaspora connection. Fluent in French, English and Somali, and conversant in German, she is based in London and is well placed to support the Royal African Society's mission of connecting African expertise with UK audiences and institutions. Her experience at the intersection of finance, public policy and international development would offer valuable strategic insight into the economic trends shaping Africa–UK relations.
James Benoit
James Benoit is a Canadian–Mauritian banking executive with more than two decades of global leadership experience across Africa, Europe, Asia and North America. A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), he has built a distinguished career connecting African markets with international capital and financial institutions.
As Managing Director and CEO of FCMB Bank (UK), James led the transformation of the institution into a fully licensed UK-regulated bank, expanding services across corporate, retail and diaspora markets while strengthening its role as a bridge between African and UK economies. He has also played a foundational role in AfrAsia Bank and has held senior leadership positions in international banking, capital markets and regulatory strategy.
James has extensive experience advising financial institutions and governments on market entry, regulatory frameworks and capital-raising strategies, alongside a strong commitment to inclusive and ethical finance. His global networks span investors, policymakers, financial institutions and diaspora entrepreneurs.
With deep personal and professional ties to Africa, James brings strategic vision and international networks that would strengthen the Royal African Society's work in fostering partnerships and investment relationships between Africa and the UK.
John Butt
Born in Cameroon, John Butt has built a career driven by curiosity, pursuing the frontiers where disruption meets opportunity for growth. As General Partner of Conduit Ventures Ltd, a regulated UK-based investment firm backed by sovereign and institutional capital, he sets the strategic direction of funds that deploy innovative solutions in energy transition, water risk, and food security to catalyse sustainable economic growth. He pursues these themes with particular conviction across Africa, alongside select markets in Latin America, Europe, and Asia.
His career spans policy and investment banking at Citigroup Global Markets and Price Waterhouse in Washington DC, Europe, and the former Soviet bloc, where he worked with governments and the private sector, building on early foundations at the Bank of England. Having lived and worked across North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, including China and Japan, he draws on a distinctive cross-border lens. His work is informed by an appreciation that culture, innovation, consensus-building, and partnerships are as decisive as capital in driving positive outcomes across transition and established economies alike.
He holds a Biochemistry degree from the University of St Andrews, Scotland, and an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Kenan-Flagler Business School, USA.
Tammy Brophy
Tammy Brophy is Associate Director of the Oxford MBA at the University of Oxford's Saïd Business School, where she provides strategic leadership for one of the world's leading business education programmes. She leads Oxford Saïd's Africa Initiative, developing partnerships across academia, government and industry to strengthen engagement with African business ecosystems.
With over a decade of experience at Oxford and earlier professional experience in South Africa, Tammy has built a strong record of connecting academic insight with practical leadership and enterprise development. She has played a key role in expanding African participation in the Oxford MBA and securing more than £1 million in scholarship partnerships for African and female students.
Tammy's work focuses on inclusive growth, leadership development and knowledge exchange, and she has led major initiatives including the Oxford Africa Business Forum and programmes supporting gender equity in business education.
A dual South African–British national, Tammy brings deep experience of building partnerships across sectors and borders. Her expertise in education, leadership development and Africa-focused collaboration would support the Royal African Society's mission to promote knowledge, dialogue and connections between Africa and the UK.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Royal African Society.
Media Contacts:
Uchechi Eke
ue3@soas.ac.uk
Tracy N. Walakira of APO Group
tracy.walakira@apo-opa.com
About The Royal African Society:
The Royal African Society, established in 1901, is one of the UK's oldest and most respected institutions and the only Royal Charter dedicated to promoting a deeper understanding of Africa and fostering stronger relations between the UK, Africa, and the wider world. Our Royal Patron is HRH Prince Williams, Prince of Wales.
Through conferences, cultural festivals, publications, and policy dialogues, the Society brings together business leaders, artists, academics, policymakers, and civil society to showcase Africa's achievements and address its challenges.
Implementation of a WTO initiative to strengthen use of the ePing SPS & TBT Platform is now under way, helping governments, exporters and other stakeholders better track and engage in evolving product requirements affecting international trade. Funded by the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), the three year project focuses on five African countries and aims to enhance transparency, predictability and market access.
The project is being implemented by the WTO in Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda. It brings together governments, the private sector and international partners to improve how regulatory information is shared, accessed and used in sectors affected by sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures and technical barriers to trade (TBT).
At its core, the initiative seeks to improve the use of the ePing SPS & TBT Platform to enhance transparency for market access, with a strong focus on raising awareness of the platform, especially in the five African countries where national workshops will take place. These in-country workshops are designed to strengthen practical use of ePing among regulators, enquiry points, exporters, trade associations and other stakeholders who rely on timely regulatory information to access markets.
"Timely access to regulatory information is essential for trade," said Deputy Director-General Jean-Marie Paugam. "As project implementation gets under way, improving how ePing is used on the ground and upgrading the platform based on user feedback will help traders - particularly small and medium-sized enterprises - avoid costly surprises at the border and make better use of market access opportunities."
Governments worldwide continue to introduce and revise regulations related to food safety, animal and plant health, product quality and technical standards. Keeping track of these changes can be challenging, especially for exporters operating in multiple markets. ePing, a tool developed by the WTO, the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), helps address this challenge. ePing is a free, global platform that allows users to follow notified draft SPS and TBT measures in real time, receive tailored email alerts, and engage with regulators before new requirements enter into force.
The urgency of strengthening ePing use is underscored by growing volumes of regulatory activity. In 2025, more than 7,000 SPS and TBT notifications were issued globally, the highest number on record, with African members accounting for an increasing share. As notifications continue to rise, missing or late information can result in rejected exports, compliance costs and lost market opportunities. Effective use of ePing can help mitigate these risks by improving transparency and facilitating early dialogue domestically and with trading partners.
National and regional workshops form a central pillar of project implementation. These workshops will combine hands-on training, peer exchange and needs-assessment sessions to better understand how different users interact with ePing. The workshops will also build on synergies with other projects and tools from international partners, such as ITC's global trade helpdesk.
The workshops will gather structured feedback from users on challenges they face in navigating large volumes of notifications and identifying information that matters most to them. This feedback, to be complemented by a survey among all WTO members, will feed directly into technological and functional enhancements of the ePing platform, aimed at making it more intuitive, responsive and user-friendly.
Project implementation builds on momentum generated at a regional launch event in Nairobi in December 2025, which highlighted the role of digital tools in supporting regulatory transparency. Activities are now moving into a national phase, starting with a workshop in Arusha, Tanzania, from 28 to 30 April 2026, to be followed by similar events across the other participating countries.
By strengthening capacity, raising awareness and incorporating user-driven improvements, the WTO aims to ensure that ePing delivers even greater value - not only in the five participating African countries, but also for WTO members as a whole, contributing to safer, more predictable and more inclusive trade.
More information on ePing is available here. Information on the STDF project for improving the use of ePing SPS&TBT Platform to enhance transparency for market access is available here.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Trade Organization (WTO).
Barely weeks after Nigerian banks completed a sweeping recapitalisation exercise that raised about $3 billion, the mood across the sector […]
The post Something Is Happening to Nigerian Banks Barely a Month after Ambitious $3 Billion Recapitalisation appeared first on Impact Newswire.
On this Freedom Day, we honour the struggle that secured our democracy while confronting the reality that for many South Africans, freedom has yet to translate into dignity, opportunity, and a functioning state.
The post ActionSA Continues To Build The Big Green Umbrella To Make Freedom Work For South Africans appeared first on ActionSA.
Emergency services responded to the scene of a crash where two vehicles collided on Kruis Road, Brackenfell. 1 patient with moderate injuries. Sadly, 1 fatality. Sustainability Models: Media organizations are exploring new business models, including subscriptions, memberships, and crowdfunding. Read More at the Source
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SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer has voiced concern over reports the British & Irish Lions are considering changes to their long-standing 12-year rotation model. The Telegraph reported earlier this week that the Lions have begun exploring alternative touring models beyond their long-standing rotation between South Africa, New Zealand and Australia – a system in place …
Wellington just needed a way to get to his driver’s licence test… what he got instead was a community that refused to let him “drive” that road alone. South Africa (26 April 2026) – Two days. That’s all it took for a story to turn into something far bigger than anyone expected… and for one …
‘Even when the blockades are lifted, it will take months at the very least for fuel production to return to its previous output.’ A looming jet fuel supply crunch in Southern Africa is raising concern among airlines, with operators warning that uncertainty over availability beyond May could disrupt schedules and push up costs across the …
The US-Israel war on Iran is exposing deep structural vulnerabilities in the global economy, sending shockwaves through energy markets, driving up fertiliser costs and threatening food security in ways that could linger well beyond the immediate crisis, analysts at the World Resources Institute (WRI) have warned. At a briefing this week, ahead of the First …
Luke Fraser ·26 Apr 2026 Many South Africans believe that joining a medical scheme means that their hospital treatment is fully covered, only to be shocked when they receive their bill. James White, Director of Sales at Turnberry Management Risk Solutions, said that patients are increasingly having to pay out of pocket despite being part …