MyZA
News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff
Cisco Van Doorn: The South African Innovator Who Helped Shape the Future of Insurance Technology Cisco Van Doorn’s story is one of rare ambition, relentless experimentation, and an instinct for innovation far ahead of its time. Born in South Africa in the 1980s, his career began unusually early in the short term insurance industry. By …
The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has referred a supplier of ready-to-eat Hummus products, BM Foods Manufacturers (Pty) Ltd (BM Foods), to the National Consumer Tribunal (Tribunal) for adjudication following the detection of Listeria monocytogenes in products that were supplied to Shoprite Checkers. This referral follows a recall initiated by Shoprite Checkers in September 2024, affecting …
South Africa is stepping confidently onto the global investment stage. Over the past few years, the country has not only set ambitious investment targets but has also exceeded them, securing more than R1.5 trillion in commitments across sectors ranging from energy and telecommunications to advanced manufacturing and infrastructure. The 2026 South Africa Investment Conference alone …
Luke Fraser ·15 Apr 2026 Businesses in South Africa have welcomed the appointment of Roelf Meyer as the country’s next ambassador to the US. President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed his ally to the next ambassador to the US following the expulsion of Ebrahim Rasool as ambassador last year. Ramaphosa worked closely with Meyer, a former member …
Mahindra & Mahindra is at an advanced stage of assessing plans to upgrade its South African plant, according to people familiar with the matter, as India’s second-largest automaker looks to capitalise on rising demand for affordable vehicles. The company has been working with the state-owned Industrial Development Corp to assess the feasibility of setting up …
Last month marked a historic moment for Isuzu Motors South Africa (IMSAf) and its bakkie-building plant at Struandale in Gqeberha, as it managed to break its annual local production record. During the company’s financial year ended 31 March 2026, Isuzu recorded a massive 21% year-on-year increase in production volumes for both the D-Max bakkie and …
More than R60 billion is allocated annually to water services authorities. Despite water access rising from 55% in 1994 to 90% in 2026, millions of South Africans still face unreliable and unsafe water supplies. The Department of Water and Sanitation has outlined a multi-pronged response but admits that the gap between available funding and what …
Luke Fraser ·15 Apr 2026 South Africa’s economy lifted in March despite the global impact of the war in the Middle East, but South Africa is not out of the woods. This is according to the PayInc Economic Index, which measures the value of electronic transactions processed through the PayInc platform. “The PayInc Economic Index …
Thanks to ongoing conflict in the Middle East and fluctuating international oil prices ($96,12, or R1,572.73 a barrel at the time of writing), South African motorists should brace for even higher fuel costs in May, with the latest data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) showing growing under-recoveries across all fuel grades. The CEF’s latest …
Wednesday, April 15, 2026 President Cyril Ramaphosa undertook a Working Visit to the Kingdom of Spain on Wednesday night. “His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa is this evening undertaking a working visit to the Kingdom of Spain, where the President will have an audience with the King of Spain, His Majesty Felipe VI, and a bilateral …
ActionSA notes the response issued by the Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Jacob Mamabolo, in which he dismisses our concerns regarding the R16 million fleet procurement scandal in Emfuleni Local Municipality.
The post Mamabolo Must Answer: Has A Criminal Case Been Opened On Emfuleni’s Missing R16 Million? appeared first on ActionSA.
Nigeria’s external debt climbed to $52 billion in 2025, highlighting the country’s significant reliance on foreign borrowing, even as fiscal […]
The post Nigeria’s Foreign Debt Hits $52 Billion as Borrowing Pressures Mount appeared first on Impact Newswire.
They argue that jobs and training will “restore dignity, stability, and growth in our communities”.
Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, marks World Art Day 2026 through their Pan-African “Art and Fashion with Purpose” community, established by Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation. On this occasion, the Merck Foundation also proudly celebrates the 6-year anniversary of this impactful community, which continues to harness the power of art and fashion to address critical health and social issues in Africa and beyond.
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), CEO of Merck Foundation and One of 100 Most Influential Africans 2019 – 2025 shared “I am happy to mark World Art Day 2026, and I firmly believe that art, fashion, and media are powerful tools for raising awareness and addressing critical social and health issues. We also proudly celebrate the 6-year anniversary of our ‘Fashion and Art with Purpose' Community, established in 2020. Through this dynamic community, we continue to raise awareness on important health and social issues like breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education, ending FGM & child marriage, stopping gender based violence, women empowerment and diabetes, hypertension & cancer awareness, while empowering artists across Africa and beyond to use their day-to-day creative work as a powerful tool for awareness, education, and driving a meaningful cultural shift within their communities.
Our community today brings together talented members from more than 25 countries. I am proud of what we've built together and the positive social impact it continues to create.”
Merck Foundation has launched many initiatives including their first-ever pan-African TV program, ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation', which uniquely highlights pressing issues across the continent through the voices of their 'Fashion and Art with Purpose' community.
‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation' is a pan African TV program that is conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation to feature African Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent experts from various domains with the aim to raise awareness and create a culture shift across Africa. The program has captured the attention and hearts of millions of viewers across Africa.
“Our Africa” has been broadcast on prime TV stations of many countries, and is currently on social media handles of Social Media handles of Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Facebook: http://apo-opa.co/48J4p3p, Instagram: http://apo-opa.co/4culcsi, Twitter: http://apo-opa.co/4tTfJ5q and YouTube: http://apo-opa.co/4epNu9P) and Merck Foundation (Facebook: http://apo-opa.co/41VbnyR , Instagram: http://apo-opa.co/4cmNdTX, Twitter: http://apo-opa.co/4mym2ZI and YouTube: http://apo-opa.co/4cnwDln).
Watch the Promo of the Program here: https://apo-opa.co/4mzhrGv
Beyond Our Africa TV Program, Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Ladies of Africa announces annually 8 important Awards, under two themes, for Media, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers and Musicians/ Singers, and potential young African talents in these fields. The themes of the two categories of awards are: 1) Breaking Infertility Stigma, Support Girls' Education, End Child Marriage, End FGM, Stopping GBV and/ or Women Empowerment at all levels and 2) promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.
Entries for the 2026 Awards can be sent to: submit@merck-foundation.com
A significant part of Merck Foundation's “Art and Fashion with Purpose” Community is made up of the talented winners of Merck Foundation annual Fashion, Film, and Song Awards.
“I am proud and delighted to share that in partnership with my dear sisters, The First Ladies of Africa, we have so far recognized and celebrated 175 exceptional talents as our winners from 25 countries through our Fashion, Film, and Song Awards. Each winner has become a valued member of our ‘Fashion and Art with Purpose' Community. Together, they continue to use their voice, art, and influence to spark meaningful conversation, challenge deeply rooted perceptions, and raise awareness about sensitive social and health issues across their communities,” added Dr. Rasha Kelej.
The 175 winners include 102 Fashion Award winners, 53 Song Award winners, and 20 Film Award winners, selected for their outstanding creativity and impact from 25 countries including Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, CAR, Congo-Brazzaville, DRC, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Also, as a part of the Community Awareness Programs, Merck Foundation has created over 30 songs with many African Artists, in English, French, Portuguese and also local African languages to address critical issues like breaking infertility stigma, empowering women, supporting girl education, ending child marriage, diabetes awareness, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and more.
Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Ladies of Africa has also launched 9 Children's Storybooks in five languages - English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili. Additionally, Merck Foundation has adapted their storybooks to create 6 Awareness Animation films in five languages - English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili, with the purpose of reaching out to the communities to raise awareness on the important issues with an aim of instilling change at grassroot levels.
To listen to the Merck Foundation songs, read Merck Foundation storybooks and watch Merck Foundation animation films, click on the below links:
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.
Contact:
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager
Phone: +91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
Email: mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com
Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard!
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/41VbnyR
X: https://apo-opa.co/4mym2ZI
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/4cnwDln
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/4cmNdTX
Threads: https://apo-opa.co/4vsXtS1
Flickr: https://apo-opa.co/4cfycmQ
Website: www.Merck-Foundation.com
Download Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/3OrcbYP
About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare & scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4vwms6V), X (https://apo-opa.co/4vxZNXU), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/4vEuAlZ), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4cnwDln), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/3QGXNfL) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/4cfycmQ).
The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavours.
Beijing’s growing interest in Somalia is less about development corridors and more about political alignment.
Shopkeeper alleges protesters stabbed his brother
Anyone who has spent time in a hospital, clinic, or treatment centre knows that the experience of being a patient or a caregiver is shaped by more than just the medical care itself. The environment matters. The comfort of the space matters. And one of the most overlooked elements in that environment is the seating. …
WESGRO (https://apo-opa.co/4cMtugg), the official tourism, trade and investment promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape, has partnered with Enlit Africa 2026 as a provincial partner, reinforcing the province's position as a leading destination for energy investment, infrastructure growth and green economy development.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing dialogue, collaboration and investment across Africa's evolving power, energy and water sectors. By participating in Enlit Africa 2026, WESGRO aims to showcase Cape Town and the Western Cape as a competitive regional economy, facilitate strategic partnerships across the energy value chain and strengthen the province's visibility as a gateway for energy investment into Africa.
At a time when the continent is accelerating its shift towards more sustainable, resilient and diversified energy systems, Enlit Africa provides a valuable platform to connect public and private sector stakeholders, unlock new opportunities and support practical conversations around energy security, innovation and sustainability.
“Cape Town and the Western Cape is not just planning for a green economy, we are actively building one,” said Wrenelle Stander, CEO at WESGRO. “With a target to add 5 700 MW of power generation through renewable energy projects and a strong pipeline of emerging opportunities, the region is positioning itself as a leading hub for sustainable energy investment.
“In this context, we are prioritising the attraction and facilitation of new investment into key export sectors such as the Green Economy and Green Manufacturing. These industries that will shape the region's long-term competitiveness, particularly in energy and green technologies.
“Platforms such as Enlit Africa play a critical role, as engagement at this level is essential to unlocking investable projects and translating opportunity into sustained economic activity,”
This partnership aligns with WESGRO's broader mandate to drive inclusive and sustainable economic growth, strengthen competitiveness, grow exports, attract investment and support job creation across the Western Cape. Through its presence at Enlit Africa 2026, WESGRO will engage with industry leaders, investors, project developers, utilities and policymakers to highlight the province's strengths and the opportunities available across its fast-growing energy landscape.
Enlit Africa, part of VUKA Group, will once again bring together the people, ideas and technologies shaping the future of power, energy and water across the continent, making it a key meeting place for stakeholders looking to connect, collaborate and drive impact.
Register to attend Enlit Africa 2026 and be part of the conversations, partnerships and solutions shaping Africa's energy future: https://apo-opa.co/4cKuXDQ
View the Enlit Africa 2026 programme to explore the sessions, speakers and insights driving the event agenda: https://apo-opa.co/4ccb4FE
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.
About Enlit Africa:
Enlit Africa brings together utilities, municipalities, investors, technology providers, and policymakers to shape Africa's energy and water future. Co-located with Water Security Africa, Project & Investment Network, Utility CEO Forum, Municipal Forum, and Women in Energy, the event provides a platform for strategic decision-making, deal facilitation, and technical knowledge transfer.
Enlit Africa 2026 takes place 19-21 May at the CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa. www.Enlit-Africa.com
About VUKA Group:
VUKA Group connects people and organisations across Africa's energy, mining, mobility, green economy, and retail sectors through events, content, and strategic networking. Venture partners to The Global Trust Project and leaders of NPO Go Green Africa. www.WeAreVUKA.com
When people renovate or build a home, most of the attention goes to the big decisions: paint colours, flooring, kitchen layouts, and bathroom tiles. The smaller fittings and fixtures tend to get chosen quickly at the end of the project when budget and energy are both running low. That’s a mistake, and most homeowners only …
ActionSA expresses serious concern over the South African Human Rights Commission’s (SAHRC) continued failure to provide any feedback on a formal complaint and follow-up questions submitted in June 2025 regarding water access violations in Mangweni (Ward 17) and Emjindini Trust (Ward 41).
The post ActionSA Questions SAHRC’s Commitment Following Silence on Water Complaint appeared first on ActionSA.
Spills happen. In warehouses, workshops, factories, laboratories, and even office kitchens, liquid ends up where it shouldn’t. Most of the time it’s an inconvenience. Sometimes it’s a safety hazard. And in certain environments, it’s an environmental incident with regulatory consequences. Having the right equipment on hand changes how quickly and effectively a spill gets dealt …
Liquid leaks and drips are part of working with machinery, chemicals, fuel, and lubricants. It doesn’t matter how well equipment is maintained or how careful a team is. At some point, something drips, leaks, or overflows. The question is whether there’s something in place to catch it before it becomes a problem on the floor, …
Wednesday, 15 April 2026. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) rejects the appointment of Roelf Meyer as South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States of America by President Cyril Ramaphosa. This appointment is not only politically tone-deaf but is a deliberate insult to our democratic struggle. Roelf Meyer’s history locates him as a central figure within […]