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Five members of the victorious Junior Springbok team who won the World Rugby Under-20 Championship earlier this year in Italy were included in the SA Rugby U19 Academy training squad, that will go leave a three-game tour of Europe at the end of October. The triumphant Junior Boks who are part of the training squad …
Africa's vast natural resources hold enormous potential to drive climate action and sustainable growth, but turning that potential into investment requires collaboration, integrity and readiness. From 21 to 23 October, the Carbon Markets Africa Summit (CMAS) in Johannesburg will bring together over 280 policymakers, investors and project developers from 40 countries to accelerate the continent's participation in high-integrity carbon markets.
Hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with AUDA-NEPAD as strategic institutional partner and One Carbon World as official climate impact partner, CMAS marks the first continental event dedicated to unlocking Africa's carbon value through integrity, investment and impact.
“Carbon markets can unlock billions in finance for the continent,” says Maxwell Gomera, Resident Representative of UNDP South Africa and Director of the Africa Sustainable Finance Hub. “With the right partnerships and governance, Africa can convert its natural wealth into climate-resilient growth and jobs.”
For Madeleine Garlick, Africa Director at One Carbon World, partnerships are key: “African innovators are leading the market now, but with collaboration, we can achieve the scale needed to ensure it delivers for everybody.”
Turning ambition into action
The summit's theme of collaboration is reflected in its sponsors: TASC, an award-winning developer of high-impact carbon projects, is the diamond sponsor, joined by FSD Africa, SGS, and Trees for the Future as gold sponsors, and GIZ and Carbon Coin as silver sponsors.
“Our projects are having a monumental impact at a grassroots level—all this enabled through carbon finance,” says Shelley Estcourt, CEO Africa at TASC. Francesca Cerchia, Global Head of Climate Solutions at SGS, adds: “We need to make sure Africa is at the centre of voluntary carbon market development.”
Meanwhile, Tim McLennan, CEO of Trees for the Future, notes: “Farmers are the most vulnerable to climate change; our mission is to assist them to restore land and unlock prosperity.”
Scaling Africa's solutions
With participation from nine African governments—including Comoros, DRC, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, and Uganda—and 14 innovative carbon projects, five of which are raising capital, CMAS will showcase how the continent's solutions are both local and transformative.
“The carbon economy is global, but its solutions are local,” says Chidalu Onyenso, Founder and CEO of Earthbond (Nigeria). Another expert speaker at the summit, Nicole Dewing, Co-Founder of Africa Carbon & Commodities (Senegal), explains that: “High-integrity plastic credits can underwrite a circular economy where communities earn, oceans recover and investment delivers verifiable impact.”
Driving a just transition
CMAS features a full programme of ministerial and investor roundtables, technical workshops, and sector dialogues featuring pan-African projects and pioneers in energy and cookstoves, blue carbon, nature-based solutions and urban circularity.
According to Gabriel Labbate, Global Team Leader of the UN-REDD Programme (UNEP), “Initiatives like the REDD+ Investments in Africa Roundtable at CMAS are crucial to bridging the gap between supply and demand and turning ambition into implementation.”
As Daniel Okoth, Head of Carbon at SunCulture (Kenya), puts it: “We're not just creating carbon credits—we're creating climate-smart livelihoods.”
Marc Baker, Director of Carbon Tanzania, adds: “We are at an inflection point in the carbon markets, with growth, increasing integrity and the emergence of Article 6.2 providing opportunities for scale.”
For more inspiring interviews with CMAS partners and speakers, click here (https://apo-opa.co/4n6bkrV).
To download the full CMAS programme, click here (https://apo-opa.co/477DHQB).
VUKA Group
Carbon Markets Africa Summit is part of the green economy portfolio of VUKA Group (https://WeAreVUKA.com/), which has more than 20 years' experience in serving the business community across Africa.
Event dates and location:
21 October: Pre-summit day
22–23 October: Summit
Venue: Protea Hotel by Marriott–Balalaika Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa
Website: Carbon Markets Africa (www.CarbonMarketsAfrica.com)
Download our Programme Brochure here: https://apo-opa.co/4nThSLO
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.
As part of the new high-performance pathway plans, a men’s Scotland sevens programme will be run by Scottish Rugby in conjunction with Great Britain Sevens, competing on the HSBC SVNS World Series. Scottish Rugby will now run a full-time Scotland men’s sevens programme and take charge of the oversight of the men’s and women’s Great …
Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) says enough is enough. Minister of Social Development, Nokuzola Tolashe, must return from her overseas trip and appear before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Social Development to explain how she will address the ongoing crises in her department. The recent revelation of a letter from the minister to Director-General …
Dear Editor The South African Police Service (SAPS) has announced that the first quarter crime statistics for 2025/26 will finally be released this Friday. These statistics are long overdue and highlight the ongoing collapse of SAPS, both in accountability and operational capacity. The DA has consistently raised concerns about the exclusion of crimes against women …
The recipients of the inaugural The Bill McLaren Foundation Bursary scheme, which was launched in May of this year, have been named. Five male and five female players, all of whom are part of Scottish Rugby’s existing pathway structure, have been given funding to a total tune of £30,000 in order to assist with some …
It’s a fixture and a rivalry which has resonated with Josh van der Flier ever since he was a youngster. So the significance of the Leinster-Munster derby is certainly not lost on him now as a player. The Ireland flanker is anticipating a titanic tussle when the two arch enemies lock horns in front of …
Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan has returned to the top position in the ICC Men’s ODI Bowling Rankings after playing a crucial role in a 3-0 series win over Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi. Rashid, who finished with 11 wickets in the series that included a five-for in the second match, has moved up five slots to …
Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes with profound concern Bloomberg reports that laser range-finding equipment manufactured by South African firm LightWare Optoelectronics has been recovered from Russian suicide drones used in the war against Ukraine. This is deeply alarming. It threatens South Africa’s already fragile international standing, risks complicity in violations of international law, …
Dear Editor Songezo Zibi, chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA), is stonewalling attempts to access crucial documents related to scandals at the Public Investment Corporation. This despite multiple requests from MPs spanning nearly a month. Four weeks ago, Zibi’s office took possession of a stack of hard copy documents from the Public …
The commemoration of Transport Month in October highlights the vital role of access to reliable transport in individuals’ prosperity and the economic development of South Africa. Despite these reminders, the persistently high number of uninsured vehicles, ranging between 65% and 70% of all vehicles in the country, shows a lack of appreciation for the importance …
Ahead of World Food Day, South Africa's hunger crisis just met its next wave of disruption. Sixty of the country's smartest Gen Z innovators spent a week hacking one of the nation's toughest problems, child hunger, and emerged with breakthrough, tech-powered ideas that could change how food insecurity is tackled.
Artificial intelligence, blockchain, data visualisation and community-driven platforms were among the technologies harnessed during The Biggest Hunger Hack, a challenge hosted by KFC Africa. The event invited young digital natives to re-engineer the brand's Add Hope open-source blueprint (https://AddHope.KFC.co.za/).
Add Hope, powered by millions of R2 donations from KFC customers, already fuels 3,300+ feeding centres across the country, reaching over 154,000 children last year. But Gen Z just showed how the recipe can get a digital boost. Potential seed funding of up to R1 million could be allocated to the development of the winning solution.
Stand-out solutions
The overall winning team. Ctrl-Alt-Del-Hunger, turned South Africa's food waste crisis into a social impact opportunity. Their Misfits Mzansi app rescues ‘ugly' fruit and veg that would normally be trashed on farms and delivers it to food-insecure families.
The platform also hosts short-form cooking challenges, edutainment content, and ad-driven donations so users literally feed families by engaging with content. “You become a philanthropist just by watching a video,” said the team.
Streetwise scripters built a social-media-first donation ecosystem. Their concept includes a real-time donor dashboard, donation hotspot map, and a KFC loyalty rewards integration where good deeds unlock free meals. Plus, they proposed @ KFCAddHopeSA, a TikTok-to-Till campaign for digital storytelling that keeps donors looped in.
Bit Coders' chatbot ecosystem makes donations inclusive and transparent — even for non-KFC customers. It features AI-driven donor insights, rewards, and tax certification downloads for big donations, using the MTN MoMo API for seamless payments.
Hack 4 Hope's solution showcased a WhatsApp chatbot that allows customers to scan a QR code from their KFC till slip to instantly donate. Built on blockchain, the system provides proof of every R2's journey, from donor to meal served, creating full transparency and reinforcing trust. The platform's “HopeCoins' reward repeat donors and gamify giving.
The ultimate ingredient: collaboration
“The Biggest Hunger Hack showed what happens when young digital natives use tech for good,” said Andra Nel, KFC Africa's Head of Brand Purpose and ESG. “They understand hunger because many have lived it and they understand technology because they were born into it. That's the sweet spot for innovation with purpose.”
Stakeholders from business, government, and civil society joined the event in Johannesburg to see the hackers pitch live and explore ways to scale their ideas nationally.
Nel says the next step is to co-develop pilot programmes with Add Hope partners, aiming to showcase results by the time the National Convention on Child Hunger convenes early next year.
“Collaboration is our key ingredient, from customers dropping R2 at the till, to partners like McCormick, Tiger Brands, Foodserv, CBH, Nature's Garden, Digistics, and Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa, all rallying behind the Add Hope recipe,” she said.
“Opening up Add Hope as an open-source blueprint has unleashed an outpouring of ubuntu that's turning this fight into a movement, one that South Africa, and the world, can learn from.”
“These Gen Z hackers showed how tech can supercharge reach and transparency. Now the goal is to turn their best concepts into live pilots with our 128 feeding partners.” Nel said.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of KFC Africa.
#KFCAddHope #AddHopeHackathon
About KFC Africa:
KFC has been part of Africa's story since 1971, when the first restaurant opened in Johannesburg. Today, with more than 1,400 restaurants across 22 sub-Saharan countries, it stands as the continent's leading quick service restaurant brand and home of the Original Recipe® fried chicken that millions love.
At KFC Africa, we feed more than hunger, we feed potential. Every meal served is part of a bigger purpose: creating a seat at the table for everyone and ensuring that potential isn't just seen, it's nurtured. That commitment comes to life through initiatives that make a measurable difference. Our Streetwise Academy, backed by Services SETA accreditation, equips team members with skills to thrive across frontline leadership, HR and operations, achieving a 75% promotion and retention rate that proves the power of investing in people. Our Add Hope programme delivers over 30 million meals to vulnerable children each year, while Mini Cricket, South Africa's largest grassroots sports programme, reaches more than 120,000 young players guided by 13,000 coaches. Beyond food, initiatives such as the Ikusasa Lethu scholarships and youth empowerment programmes across Africa open pathways to education, livelihoods, and brighter futures.
With over 40,000 team members powering our business, KFC Africa is proud to be an employer of choice, cultivating careers, fairness, and integrity while serving millions daily. Because when individuals rise, families strengthen. Communities grow. Nations transform. That's the undeniable impact we are proud to serve.
About KFC Add Hope:
Add Hope isn't just spare change, it's real change. Every time you add just R2 to your KFC meal, you're helping a child in South Africa get the nutritious food they need to learn, grow, and thrive. Here's the kicker: KFC has donated over R400M in the last 16 years. Since 2009, together we've raised over R1.2 billion, serving up more than 30 million meals every year through thousands of feeding centres and non-profits. That's millions of kids with the energy to show up at school, focus, play, and dream bigger.
But Add Hope doesn't stop at full stomachs. It opens doors. It gives kids the chance to play through Mini Cricket, offers high school scholarships through Ikusasa Lethu, and levels up futures with the Streetwise Academy. Add Hope is one of South Africa's most impactful social purpose brands. Because this isn't just about food. It's about feeding potential. More at www.AddHope.co.za.
On behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa extends his heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Kenya on the passing of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Mr Odinga, who led Kenya from 2008 to 2013, has passed away at the age of 80 in India, where he was receiving medical treatment.
President Ramaphosa's thoughts and prayers are with the Odinga family and friends and associates of the late former Prime Minister, including the Orange Democratic Movement.
President Ramaphosa said: “The nation of Kenya and our continent have lost a patriotic and selfless leader whom I knew and worked with as a friend and brother.
“Raila Odinga was committed to the development of his own nation as well prosperity and the silencing of the guns on our Continent, as evidenced by his appointment by the African Union to advance peace in Côte d'Ivoire in 2010.
“He remained unwaveringly true to his principles and vision in the face of deep personal sacrifice and obstacles and remained a leader who placed the interests of his country and continent first.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.
For many African medical students, the dream of becoming a doctor extends beyond graduation, it’s also about where and how they practice. The United Kingdom is a top destination: its National Health Service (NHS) provides structured training, career opportunities, and exposure to diverse patient populations. But before stepping into a UK hospital, every doctor must …
The Freedom Front Plus Youth (VF Plus-jeug) strongly condemns the ongoing unrest and vandalism on campuses of the University of the Free State (UFS) fuelled by students claiming that the new financial policy is racially discriminatory, despite clear communication regarding the matter from the University. The University clearly stated that the new arrangements regarding outstanding […]
The post Campus violence shows how ANC’s racial politics has misled youth appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
Deputy Minister in The Presidency, Ms Nonceba Mhlauli, will on Thursday, 16 October 2025 at 09h00 host a G20 Community Leaders Dialogue at the Roodepan community's Roman Catholic Church in the Sol Plaatje Municipality, Frances Baard District, Northern Cape.
This activity will form part of the Government's country-wide G20 outreach programme. The objectives of the outreach are to:
- Create awareness about South Africa's membership to the G20;
- Inform the public about South Africa's role as the Presidency of G20 through profiling lead roles and achievements of South Africa's contribution to the continent and the African Union through trade and financial policy statements;
- Solicit stakeholder engagement and advocacy for South Africa's role in the G20 with various stakeholders; and,
- Profile the outcomes of the 130 identified G20 meetings, including the summit through both the Sherpa and Finance tracks.
The dialogue will be preceded by the visit of the Deputy Minister and other leadership to housing project in Roodepan at 09h00, and then proceed to the Roman Catholic Church for engagement with the community leadership that will commence at 10h00.
Deputy Minister Mhlauli, as the District Development Model (DDM) Champion for the France Baard District, will use the opportunity to engage the Roodepan leadership on the District Development Model in general and how it will better the lives of the people.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.
he Portfolio Committee on Police resolved to adjourn its scheduled meeting with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Civilian Secretariat for Police, which was set to assess the 2024/25 annual report. This decision follows the absence from the meeting of both the acting Minister of Police and the National Commissioner.
The committee underscored that accountability and transparency are non-negotiable principles in a constitutional democracy, particularly given the serious challenges currently facing the SAPS and the persistently high crime rates affecting communities across the country.
“Accountability and openness are sacrosanct in a democratic institution. Without the executive authority and the accounting officer, it was impossible to interrogate the performance, both financial and against planned targets,” said Mr Ian Cameron, Chairperson of the committee.
The committee expressed its appreciation to the Office of the Auditor-General, which was present and prepared to engage in an in-depth discussion on SAPS's performance. However, the committee maintained that proceeding without SAPS's senior leadership would undermine its constitutional mandate of oversight.
Additionally, the committee voiced concern over procedural irregularities regarding apologies from the executive. The acting Minister's apology failed to follow the standard protocol for official correspondence with the committee. More concerning was the absence of any apology or communication from the Director-General of the Civilian Secretariat for Police.
“What is even worse is that the Director-General of the Civilian Secretariat of Police did not even bother to submit an apology to the committee,” Mr Cameron emphasised.
The committee reiterated the importance of the Budget Review and Recommendations Report process as a vital oversight tool used to assess the efficient use of public funds and the achievement of departmental objectives.
It is on this basis that the committee resolved to adjourn the meeting, sending a clear and strong message: oversight cannot be ignored or undermined.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
The Western Cape’s fast-growing population demands a stronger economy with many more jobs. This was the focus of Premier Alan Winde’s engagements this week with Cape Town business owners and law enforcement officials. On Monday, 13 October 2025, Premier Winde visited several growing enterprises that are contributing to job creation and community development. At Durbanville …
Sri Lanka and New Zealand’s chances of boosting their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 qualification hopes were spoiled by the rain as their group stage clash was abandoned in Colombo. The rain arrived at the midway point and denied spectators an intriguing run chase, Sri Lanka having posted 258 for six in their 50 …
15 October 2025 – The South African Football Association (SAFA) and renowned French sportswear brand Le Coq Sportif have announced the conclusion of their five-year partnership, set to officially end in December 2025. Launched just prior to the global pandemic, the collaboration has been defined by landmark achievements and powerful moments in South African football.
The post SAFA and Le Coq Sportif conclude five-year Partnership appeared first on South African Football Association.
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) implores the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and the Department of Home Affairs to take decisive action against the growing wave of illegal informal trade engulfing Johannesburg’s streets and undermining law and order. Areas such as the CBD, Fordsburg, Hillbrow, Yeoville and Berea have turned into unregulated marketplaces where […]
The post Illegal informal trade undermines law and order in Johannesburg appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
Refugee offices are still not processing new applications unless immigrants have a transit visa, despite a court ruling that this is unconstitutional
South Africa thrashed a hapless Rwanda side 3-0 in their final 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification (Group C) match played at the Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday evening. South Africa takes a deep breath 🇿🇦💥 Bafana Bafana 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐋 return to the #FIFAWorldCup 🏆✈️#WCQ | #SSFootball pic.twitter.com/sjcOxHknpE — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 14, 2025 The result …