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19 May 2025

Unlocking Africa’s $180 Billion Digital Trade Economy

The future of African trade is digital, and it's unfolding. From Dakar to Durban, a quiet but steady transformation is taking shape. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), global trade hit a record $33 trillion in 2024, with developing economies, including Africa, playing a growing role in that expansion.

The African Free Continental Trade Area offers the largest free market, including 55 countries, a population of 1.3 billion and a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion. The opportunities are vast, yet the strategies required for industrial players to source, move and manage raw materials and finished goods remain a challenge.

“The continent's digital economy is projected to reach $180 billion by 2025, up from $115 billion in 2020, thus contributing significantly to Africa's GDP, creating new job opportunities, and expanding regional trade. Digital trade is transforming the continent's economic landscape, creating new opportunities for real economic growth, productive job creation, and poverty reduction.” H.E. Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Minister, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment

“Building on this rapid expansion, our focus must shift from isolated digital initiatives to a fully integrated ecosystem that streamlines every step of trade—sourcing, supplying, logistics and payments. By integrating these functionalities on a single platform, Matta enables manufacturers to navigate sourcing headaches and suppliers to manage cross-border complexities with confidence and unlocks new markets in Africa in real time. This holistic approach is what will transform digital trade's potential into tangible, inclusive economic growth across Africa.” Mudiaga Mowoe, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Matta.

Launched to enable sustainable African economies, Matta's integrated ecosystem—today powered by the Matta digital marketplace (www.Matta.Trade) and the Flux logistics management tool, with Oxide Finance (Matta's upcoming trade-financing and cross-border payments platform) arriving soon—empowers manufacturers and suppliers across food & beverage, home & personal care, paints & coatings, agro-processing, automotive assembly, textiles, construction, and beyond with truly end-to-end sourcing, movement, and settlement. Rather than supplanting traditional trade networks, this unified platform amplifies human partnerships through real-time visibility, traceability, and seamless transactions.

This evolution in digital trade and industrial growth is one of the key conversations that will take centre stage at the West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing & Trade (West Africa IMT) Summit and Exhibition, set to take place from October 21-23, 2025. West Africa IMT is a high-level platform for government leaders, investors, manufacturers, and technology innovators to align practical solutions and policy frameworks for accelerating Africa's industrial transformation.

Matta, Africa's integrated ecosystem for industrial trade, will join other industry stakeholders across the continent at West Africa IMT 2025 to discuss the potential opportunities for industrial growth in the West African sub-region. As manufacturers increasingly seek more innovative, more efficient ways to power production beyond physical infrastructure and policy support, there's an urgent need for systems that simplify sourcing, enhance transparency, and ensure supply chain reliability. Matta addresses these challenges by connecting African manufacturers directly to verified suppliers of raw materials and commodities, ensuring business continuity in an environment where procurement bottlenecks often slow production timelines.

Digital platforms address multiple challenges simultaneously: procurement complexities, logistics coordination, payment processing, and data-based planning. By integrating these capabilities into industrial operations, West African economies can accelerate development timelines and establish competitive manufacturing centres that participate effectively in global markets.

As African nations chart independent economic paths, digital trade platforms like Matta will significantly influence how quickly and effectively new industrial capabilities develop. The transformation in African trade is already underway, with effects that will continue to reshape economic relationships for years to come.

West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing & Trade Summit & Exhibition

21-23 October 2025 I Landmark Centre | Lagos | Nigeria

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of dmg Nigeria events.

Contact Details:
Roshan Jan-Mahomed
Head of Marketing – Africa
Email: info@westafricaimt.com
www.WestAfricaIMT.com

About the West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing & Trade Summit and Exhibition 2025:
The Pre-eminent Global Gathering Driving West Africa's Industrial Revolution

The West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing and Trade (West Africa IMT) Summit and Exhibition will unite the industrialisation ecosystem, including energy, finance, infrastructure, manufacturing, raw materials, logistics/supply chain, technology, trade and security, to accelerate a sustainable industrial revolution for West Africa. As governments across the region have declared industrialisation as a key priority, the Strategic Summit will feature the visions from Heads of government seeking public–private partnerships to drive industrial revolution across the region. Decisive action is at the core of the agenda, providing solutions for sustainable resource valorisation and opening up trade pathways for economic development and prosperity.

Participation is expected from across the global industrialisation value chain including the following industries: Aerospace, Agriculture, Automotive, Chemicals, Construction, Energy & Utilities, FCMG, Heavy Industries, ICT & Electronics, Infrastructure, Logistics & Transportation, Machine & Equipment, Maritime, Medical, Mining, Plastics & Rubber, Pharmaceuticals, Retail, Technology Solution Providers, Textiles, Water & Utilities.

● 15+ African ministers

● 25+ countries represented from around the globe

● 70+ expert industry speakers

● 250+ exhibiting companies

● 500+ conference delegates

● 2,500+ attendees

About dmg Nigeria events:
dmg Nigeria events is a subsidiary of dmg events. dmg events is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Daily Mail and General Trust plc (DMGT), an international portfolio of information, media and events businesses.

DMGT manages a diverse, multinational portfolio of companies, with total revenues of around £1 billion, that provide businesses and consumers with compelling information, analysis, insight, events, news and entertainment. Its venture capital business, dmg ventures, holds minority stakes in early-stage businesses and focuses particularly on disruptive consumer media propositions.

Headquartered in Dubai, UAE since 1989 with offices in Canada, Egypt, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand and the UK. dmg events is an international exhibition, conference and intelligence company, attracting more than 1,000,000 attendees to a portfolio of over 80 events each year.

This global portfolio works closely with key stakeholders across the industry to facilitate pragmatic dialogue, serving as a platform for the latest discussions at the forefront of change.

For more information on dmg events, visit: www.dmgevents.com

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12 May 2025

Revolutionising Cloud Access for Nigerian Business With Local Innovation

Location: Business

At the recent Connect Xperience event, TelCables Nigeria unveiled how Clouds2Africa, a locally hosted cloud solution, is transforming the way businesses in Nigeria access, manage, and expand their digital resources.

“Clouds2Africa is tailored to Nigeria's unique business environment”, explained Israel Ogboi, Pre-Sales Engineer at TelCables Nigeria. “With its scalable infrastructure, robust security protocols and user-friendly interface, our solution rivals – and in some cases surpasses – the more complex international cloud offerings.” Hosted in two Tier III data centres in Lagos, the platform guarantees lower latency, full compliance with local regulations and enhanced reliability.

In a live demo, Israel showed how businesses can efficiently scale operations and securely store data while meeting performance expectations. He also highlighted ACloudConnect, a hybrid Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) option that provides secure, dedicated links between on-premises infrastructure and global cloud providers – bypassing the public internet and reducing vulnerability.

Despite existing challenges such as policy constraints and talent shortages, Ogboi noted that TelCables is working closely with government and partners to drive skills development and cloud literacy. “We're debunking myths and breaking barriers. Through events like Connect Xperience and our local Partner Enablement Program, we're enabling ISPs and resellers to adopt revenue-sharing models and deliver future-ready cloud services,” he said.

Fernando Fernandes, CEO of TelCables Nigeria, added: “Backed by Angola Cables' extensive global infrastructure – including an integrated subsea cable network and over 300 cloud onramps – we're positioning Nigeria at the heart of Africa's digital future. Our mission is to empower local businesses with the tools they need to compete globally.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Angola Cables.

About Angola Cables:
Angola Cables is an internationally established ICT and digital solutions and network services provider. The company specializes in connectivity solutions for the wholesale market and offers tailored digital services and solutions across multiple industries, including Cloud resources for the corporate enterprise sector.

Known for its innovation, Angola Cables operates a robust global backbone network, providing access to major IXPs, Tier I operators, and global content providers. With more than 30 PoPs and connections to plus 930 interconnected Data Centres and 6000 peering agreements, traffic over its international network is more than 18 500 Tbps.

The company has its own submarine cable network spanning over 33,000 kilometres (WACS, SACS, and MONET) and extends its services to over 50,000 kilometres through partner cables, connecting the Americas, Africa, Europe, and Asia.

Additionally, the company operates two world-class Data Centres, AngoNAP Fortaleza in Brazil and AngoNAP Luanda in Angola. Angola Cables also manages PIX in Brazil and AngonIX in Angola - one of the leading internet traffic exchange points in Africa that directly connects to over 21 IXPs worldwide.

With a significant international presence, Angola Cables is expanding its operations into strategic markets such as Brazil, South Africa, the United States and Nigeria. The company promotes intercontinental interconnection, driving digital and economic development, and ranks among the top 25 internet service providers in the world today.

*The Center for Applied Internet Data Analysis (CAIDA) 2023

For more information, visit the website: www.AngolaCables.co.ao

About TelCables West Africa:
TelCables West Africa is powered by the Angola Cables network, a multinational telecommunications company operating in the wholesale market. The company operates connectivity, IT solutions and services as well as international data circuit capacity and IP Transit via submarine cables.

As the most connected network operator in Africa, we provide secure, low-latency direct routes from West Africa to the USA and South America and from West Africa to London. With our presence across a few Nigerian IP hubs from Lekki, WACS CLS, Medallion DC, Rack Centre and others, and connections across Africa via the Djoliba network, we can connect your business to the world.

For more information, visit the website: https://TelCables.ng/

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30 April 2025

Telcables Nigeria to Host Connect Xperience Event to Discuss the Future Adopation of Local Cloud Services

Location: Business

Angola Cables
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TelCables Nigeria, a subsidiary of Angola Cables (www.AngolaCables.co.ao), is proud to announce that it will be hosting the Connect Xperience event. This initiative will bring companies and strategic partners together to evaluate how local cloud infrastructure and services can assist in accelerating digital transformation and bring far reaching benefits to multiple sectors across the Nigerian economy.

At present, Nigeria's cloud computing market is valued at around $1.03 billion and is expected to grow to $3.28 billion by 2030. With the exponential growth in the digitalization of the financial, technological and commercial sectors, dependence on cloud services is becoming increasingly critical.

The event will highlight the advantages of adopting a local cloud solution, that offers lower latency, greater data sovereignty, enhanced security and improved compliance with local regulations.

The IT sector currently contributes approximately 20% to Nigeria's real GDP, underscoring the pivotal role that the sector plays in the nation's economy.

Fernando Fernandes, CEO of TelCables Nigeria said, “we believe that the future of the cloud in Africa lies in innovative and adaptable solutions that have been developed in Africa, for Africa - and the unique requirements and demands of businesses and users across the continent. With strategic data centers and world-class connectivity, we are ready to support sustainable digital growth in Nigeria.”

During the Connect Xperience, TelCables experts will present cloud models tailored to the needs of Nigeria companies, from startups to large corporations, as well as opportunities for local resellers and integrators looking to expand their services based on a robust, affordable and available infrastructure in Lagos.

“Connect Xperience promises to be a meeting point for IT decision-makers, business leaders and industry professionals interested in exploring reliable, scalable and local cloud solutions that can improve business processes and boost the local Nigerian economy,” concluded Fernandes.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Angola Cables.

*The Center for Applied Internet Data Analysis (CAIDA) 2023

For more information, visit the website: www.AngolaCables.co.ao

As the most connected network operator in Africa, we provide secure, low-latency direct routes from West Africa to the USA and South America and from West Africa to London. With our presence across a number of Nigerian IP hubs from Lekki, WACS CLS, Medallion DC, Rack Centre and others, and connections across Africa via the Djoliba network, we can connect your business to the world.

For more information, visit the website: https://TelCables.ng/

25 April 2025

COGTA Committee Commends CRL Rights Commission for Efforts to Safeguard Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Rights

Location: News

Republic of South Africa: The Parliament
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The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs on Friday reaffirmed its support for the Cultural, Religious and Linguistics (CRL) Rights Commission's efforts to safeguard these rights.

The committee received briefings from the CRL Rights Commission and the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) on their strategic and annual performance plans. The MDB's mandate includes, among other things, the delimitation of municipal wards after consulting the Independent Electoral Commission.

Committee Chairperson Dr Zweli Mkhize acknowledged the commission's role in addressing harmful practices performed under the guise of religion. He also encouraged the commission in its ongoing efforts to confront psychological, physical and sexual abuse linked to such cases. “While we respect religious freedom in South Africa, these rights must be exercised in line with constitutional protections and human dignity,” he said.

The commission's briefing follows the recent Eastern Cape High Court judgement, which cleared Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso of all charges, including sexual assault and human trafficking.

Welcoming the commission's presentation, the Chairperson reaffirmed the importance of the commission's work in protecting the rights of cultural, religious and linguistic communities and the crucial role this plays in nation-building and social cohesion.

The committee noted the challenges impacting the commission's work, particularly budget constraints. It was encouraged by ongoing efforts to recognise and develop historically marginalised languages, such as SePulana (a language spoken by the Mapulana people in Limpopo and Mpumalanga) and isiMpondo (spoken by the AmaMphondo people in the Eastern Cape).

The committee also welcomed the continued focus on customary initiation practices and ensuring they conform to constitutional principles. The Chairperson stressed that there should be zero tolerance for illegal schools, mutilation, or loss of life in exercising this traditional custom. “There can be no acceptable number when it comes to mutilations or fatalities. Our goal must be zero in all respects. There is no acceptable threshold for such harms,” he said, stressing the need for stronger oversight, awareness and community education.

The committee also welcomed the shift in focus of the commission's referral and oversight systems that now ensure matters brought before it are addressed, even when other departments are involved. Previously, the commission would refer matters to relevant departments.

Meanwhile, while welcoming the MDB's presentation, the committee expressed concerns about the practicalities and impact municipal boundary determinations may have on communities. Highlighting that communities are often built on relationships and shared access to services, the Chairperson cautioned the Board against only relying on legal frameworks when making boundary determinations that may split communities and social networks. “The MDB must be sensitive to avoid dividing a settled cohesive community into different wards, municipalities, districts, and sometimes provinces as this practice may disrupt social stability and access to social amenities and centres for service delivery.”

Moreover, the committee sought concrete evidence of public consultation during demarcation. Members also called on the MDB to be more responsive to dissatisfaction in affected communities and asked for evidence that public education initiatives helped build public trust in the demarcation process.

Noting the budget constraints, the committee urged the MDB to build its institutional capacity and not solely rely on municipalities to do its work at the local level.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

16 April 2025

90-Day Blitz to Crush Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Launched

Location: News

Republic of South Africa: Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)
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The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster Ministers and senior officials convened a special sitting on Monday, 14 April 2025, under the leadership of Cluster Co-Chairs, Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu.

This urgent meeting was convened in response to the alarming surge in Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) incidents across the country. It culminated in the adoption of a 90-day acceleration programme to intensify the national response and fast-track the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF.

Recognising the gravity of the crisis, the Cluster resolved to revitalise and urgently reconstitute the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on GBVF, with a formal request to the President for its re-establishment under the 7th Administration. The IMC's inaugural meeting is scheduled to take place within two weeks. It will serve as the central coordinating mechanism to expedite government interventions, resolve systemic bottlenecks, and ensure measurable progress.

A dedicated GBVF Priority Committee will also be established within the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), co-chaired by the Departments of Social Development and Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. This structure aims to improve the coordination of frontline security and protection interventions.

Acknowledging the inadequacy of relying solely on the national government for local-level interventions, the Cluster directed the revitalisation of JCPS structures across all provinces. Provincial JCPS Committees, comprising security cluster executives and senior officials, will be established to drive targeted and localised implementation of GBVF interventions. The Cluster further directed the activation of government machinery at the grassroots level, with a strong emphasis on community mobilisation and the involvement of local structures in the fight against GBVF.

To address inefficiencies within the criminal justice value chain, a team of senior officials has been tasked with aligning police, prosecutorial, and correctional services systems to eliminate delays in GBVF case processing. Departments have also been instructed to identify critical institutional gaps and propose actionable, time-bound measures.

The meeting mandated the consolidation of GBVF-related statistics across the JCPS value chain, from arrest, prosecution, conviction to incarceration, into a single integrated report. This report, along with each department's intervention points, will be submitted to the IMC.

The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) has been instructed to coordinate a national webinar on GBVF, led by government experts, and to deliver targeted communication training to officials. The training will focus on ensuring message alignment and professional public engagement. The Cluster also resolved to prioritise the accelerated rollout of Thuthuzela Care Centres across all provinces to provide holistic, survivor-centred support services.

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development was specifically tasked with urgently addressing the repair and maintenance of SOS systems in court facilities. This is aimed at enhancing safety for survivors and witnesses, especially minors, and ensuring the prevention of secondary victimisation. Further, the meeting underscored the need to rebuild the social fabric of society, particularly the family unit, as a foundational step in the long-term prevention of GBVF. Departments were directed to develop results-driven action plans with clear timelines, defined target communities, and measurable outcomes.

To strengthen the National Council on GBVF, departments will propose sustainable funding models and nominate board members at Deputy Director-General level or higher to reinforce institutional capacity. The meeting further resolved to intensify training across the Cluster on the revised legislation, regulations, and guidelines for handling GBVF cases. In addition, concern was raised about the growing number of children arrested for sexual offences, prompting a directive for NATJOINTS to develop an appropriate and urgent response to this emerging crisis.

Importantly, the Cluster affirmed the need to reclaim the national narrative on GBVF and broader security matters, ensuring that government, not external actors, leads public discourse on these issues. This 90-day blitz marks not only a declaration of intent but the beginning of a coordinated, government-wide campaign to end GBVF. Implementation began immediately following the meeting, and the Co-Chairs emphasised that incremental change is no longer sufficient.

Government enters this period with full force, calling on every organ of state and sector of society to play an active, decisive role in eradicating GBVF.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).

15 April 2025

Crèche Owners March in Joburg Demanding Changes to By-Laws

Location: News

“The by-laws are too strict”

15 April 2025

Lamola arrives in Russia for working visit

Location: News

Lamola arrives in Russia for working visit

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, arrived in Moscow, Russia, on Monday for a two-day working visit.

During his trip, Lamola will preside over the 18th Inter-Governmental Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation, a structured mechanism for coordinating economic and trade relations between South Africa and Russia.

In addition, he is scheduled to hold political consultations with his counterpart, Minister Sergey Lavrov.

According to the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, the Minister is also expected to visit the memorial centres dedicated to South Africa’s liberation heroes, John Beaver (JB) Marks and Moses Kotane. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Tue, 04/15/2025 - 09:26
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11 April 2025

Hlabisa urges communities to protect children

Location: News

Hlabisa urges communities to protect children

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, has urged communities to be vigilant and proactive in protecting the health and well-being of children.

The Minister was speaking at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto, Johannesburg, where he was visiting an eight-year-old boy. It was reported that the boy was hospitalised after he fell ill after consuming contaminated snacks purchased from a spaza shop in Mapetla, Soweto.

According to reports, the eight-year-old boy was taken to a nearby clinic after complaining of persistent pain.
After his condition deteriorated, he was transferred to the hospital over the weekend.

“Government plays a crucial role, but we also urge communities to take shared responsibility,” Hlabisa said on Friday.

He urged communities to protect all children and work together with government to create safer and healthier environments.
In November 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa issued a directive requiring all spaza shops and food-handling facilities to register with their respective municipalities.

This action was prompted by incidents involving foodborne illnesses that resulted in over 890 cases and nearly 30 deaths since September 2024.

In October last year, six primary school children from Naledi, Soweto, died after allegedly eating snacks from a foreign-owned local spaza shop.

Some of the children were confirmed to have died of poisoning linked to the agricultural pesticide terbufos.

According to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), spaza shops are crucial in local communities, often serving as the primary source of essential goods in underserved areas.

“We are here on humanitarian grounds to stand in solidarity with this young boy and his family during this difficult time,” said Hlabisa.

“It was our sincere hope that such incidents of poisoning would never happen again.”

READ | Hlabisa to visit child who consumed alleged contaminated snacks

The Minister believes that tragedies of this nature demand a united front and reaffirmed government’s commitment to working collaboratively to protect vulnerable communities.

“We are here in the spirit of the District Development Model because incidents like these require the combined efforts of all of government and all of society,” he said.

The District Development Model aims to improve the coherence and impact of government service delivery with focus on 44 Districts and 8 Metros around the country as development spaces that can be used as centres of service delivery and economic development, including job creation. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Fri, 04/11/2025 - 12:31
103 views

10 April 2025

US Funding Cuts Could Cause Over 150,000 Extra HIV Infections in SA by 2028

Location: News

Experts say this can be avoided if the South African government covers some of the defunded services

10 April 2025

South Africa Could Do Far More for Congolese Refugees

Location: News

The long war in the Democratic Republic of Congo has displaced millions of people

9 April 2025

Southern African Countries Launch Climate-Resilient Health Initiative With WHO Support

Location: News

2025 GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition
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Eight Southern African countries have embarked on a landmark effort to bolster emergency preparedness and response systems in the face of increasing climate-related health threats.

With financial support from the Pandemic Fund, and technical assistance from World Health Organization (WHO) in the African Region and other partners, Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe are advancing their capacity to protect public health, and respond to emergencies.

The US$ 35-million, three-year programme is aimed at supporting these countries as they strengthen national and regional systems for early warning, disease surveillance, laboratory diagnostics and workforce development – key pillars of health emergency readiness.

While implementation activities are yet to begin on the ground, coordinated planning efforts are well under way, including the establishment of governance structures at country and regional levels. Through a dedicated technical coordination capacity at the WHO Emergency Hub in Nairobi, Kenya, WHO is putting in place systems to ensure agile implementation and project monitoring, evaluation, research and learning over the three-year project duration.

To date, all eight countries have convened multi- disciplinary National Steering Committees and have undertaken a detailed microplanning activity with key stakeholders. Furthermore, initial funds have been disbursed to countries, marking a critical early milestone in a regionally coordinated, country-driven initiative to build climate-resilient health systems.

A formal launch event is planned for next month.

“This investment represents a vital turning point for Southern Africa, a region on the frontlines of the climate and health crisis. Countries now have a unique opportunity to develop systems that are robust, responsive and resilient to emerging threats,” said Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting WHO Regional Director for Africa.

Southern Africa is warming at nearly twice the global average. Droughts, floods and cyclones are becoming more frequent and severe, fuelling the spread of vector- and waterborne diseases such as malaria and cholera, and placing added strain on health systems.

Five of the countries involved in the initiative – Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe – rank among the world's 50 most vulnerable nations to infectious diseases. Many also face high climate risk, compounded by structural challenges such as weak infrastructure, limited resources and high levels of cross-border migration, underlining the urgent need for coordinated preparedness across the region.

The new programme, developed under the leadership of national governments, is focused on addressing critical gaps in three priority areas:

Early warning and disease surveillance: Strengthening real-time, cross-border detection and information-sharing systems across the One Health spectrum, including human, animal and environmental health.
Laboratory systems: Enhancing national and regional laboratory networks, including upgrading diagnostic capacity and regional testing hubs.
Public health and community workforce: Supporting the development of a skilled, coordinated workforce aligned with countries' Human Resources for Health strategies.

The proposal was developed as part of the Common Africa Approach under the Joint Emergency Action Plan, with WHO in the African Region, Africa Centres for Disease Control and WHO's Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. Proposal development was supported by the Gates Foundation.

It builds on existing primary health care and community health efforts, and is aligned with global standards, including the International Health Regulations (2005) and the One Health approach.

One of its most ambitious long-term goals is the creation of a Climate-Health Observatory, a platform to support early warning systems and evidence-based decision making by tracking climate-sensitive health risks across borders. The observatory will facilitate data-driven policymaking and foster long-term resilience in the region.

In addition, the programme will help strengthen leadership and governance by establishing a regional network of connected leadership across Ministries of Health and National Public Health Agencies, further enabling swifter and smarter coordination during responses to emerging threats.

“These efforts are essential in a region with frequent population movement, fragile health systems, and limited emergency response capacity,” said Dr Abdou Salam Gueye, WHO's Africa Regional Emergency Director. “Our role is to support countries with the expertise, tools and evidence they need to lead these efforts effectively.”

Funding is provided by the Pandemic Fund, which supports pandemic prevention, preparedness and response capacity in low- and middle-income countries. The programme also contributes to building sustainable, resilient health systems that can withstand future pandemics and climate shocks.

By working together, and with strong technical support from WHO and partners, countries in Southern Africa are laying the foundation for a scalable model for climate-resilient health security – grounded in national ownership, regional solidarity and a shared commitment to protecting health and saving lives.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of 2025 GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition.

8 April 2025

President calls for holistic overhaul of policing

Location: News

President calls for holistic overhaul of policing

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for a bold, coordinated, and community-driven approach to crime-fighting, describing policing in South Africa as being at a crossroads that demands urgent reform and collaboration from across all sectors of society.

The President was delivering the keynote address at the 2025 Policing Summit held in Ekurhuleni on Tuesday.

President Ramaphosa applauded the Ministry of Police for convening what he termed a “critical” gathering, which brings together government, civil society, business, interfaith groups, labour, and communities to reshape the country’s safety and security strategy.

“Safeguarding our nation’s safety and security requires that we are proactive, innovative and solution-oriented in our approach… Just as crime is an all-of-society problem, overcoming crime must be an all-of-society effort.

“In doing so, we must marshall our full support behind the hardworking men and women of the South African Police Service," the President said.

The President said crime has a direct impact on the economy, as it discourages investment, disrupts business activity and leads to increased security costs for companies.

He noted that social ills such as poverty and inequality, unemployment, lack of opportunity, patriarchy and misogyny, and broken family structures are just some of the issues that contribute to crime and criminality.

“Addressing crime without understanding its root causes is like a doctor treating a patient for a fever without diagnosing the underlying illness.

“It is therefore encouraging that this summit has as one of its key objectives adopting a more holistic approach to law-enforcement, encompassing not just the police but the entire policing system,” the President said.

The President emphasised that policing must be grounded in the Batho Pele principles of service delivery, which include respect, empathy, accessibility, and accountability.

He said that the policing terrain of today is complex and multi-faceted and the police strive to fulfil their mandate in the context of emerging threats.

These threats, he said, include transnational organised crime, illegal mining, extortion syndicates, the theft of economic infrastructure, money laundering and terror financing.

“And yet, even in this extremely challenging environment, the South African Police Service continues to register successes in fighting crime in its various operations,” the president said.

Restoring public trust

The President warned that restoring public trust in the police is critical to winning the fight against crime.

“We need to improve the relationships between the police and the communities they serve. We need to work to improve the morale of SAPS members, many of whom are battling heavy workloads, insufficient resources and outdated systems.

“Even as the SAPS budget has increased over the past ten years, the reality is that the number of police personnel has been declining while the country’s population has been growing,” the President said.

President Ramaphosa stressed that policing cannot succeed without the active involvement of communities.

He called for a stronger role for Community Policing Forums (CPFs), citizen empowerment, and partnerships with the private sector, which has already played a crucial role in equipping victim support centres and bolstering frontline capacity.

“We know that communities are the most potent resource for fighting crime. Crimes happen in communities and criminals are often known to communities.

“From this summit we need a clear plan on how to better involve communities in crime prevention and detection, and on harnessing the potential of CPFs in line with relevant legislation and regulations,” he said.

The role of technology and data

The President welcomed and backed the focus of the summit on exploring the role of technology in modern policing, investigation and intelligence.

“We need to harness modern technologies to support crime-fighting. Technology is particularly crucial when analysing crime trends and patterns. It is also valuable in empowering citizens,” President Ramaphosa said.

He further advocated for applying a socio-economic lens to crime data to better tailor responses for example, by examining links between substance abuse and robbery, or alcohol abuse and gender-based violence.

“Data plays a pivotal role in policing and law-enforcement. And we need to apply a socio-economic lens when analysing such data. The data may tell us, for example, about a community with a high prevalence of housebreaking and robbery, in which substance abuse is also rife.

“Understanding the connections revealed by this data should inform the approach to policing in that community. There is ample data on the linkages between alcohol abuse and the prevalence of gender-based violence,” the President said.

He added that a holistic policing approach would, for example, need to involve working with local authorities to enforce municipal by-laws for establishments selling alcohol.

As part of facilitating access to SAPS services, the President said it is encouraging that discussions are planned for how to leverage innovative digital platforms such as mobile apps, online reporting systems and virtual communication channels to improve the public’s interaction with the police.

“To turn the tide against crime, we need better collaboration among the different agencies in the law-enforcement space,” he said.

The President further highlighted that there is a proliferation of organised crime in South Africa, including the manufacture of illicit drugs, kidnapping for ransom and money laundering.

He said this is taking place alongside a growth in illegal mining, extortion in the construction sector, and the theft of public infrastructure.

Addressing corruption

The President urged police to stay away from corrupt activities, stressing that corruption has infiltrated every part of society, including the SAPS.

He said while prosecuting corrupt officers is important, it is equally crucial to instil a culture of honesty and integrity within the police service.

The President emphasised the need to strengthen the fundamentals of policing through ethics, accountability, and professionalism.

He expressed hope that the summit would focus on promoting ethical conduct, restoring public trust in law enforcement, and upholding the rule of law.

Key initiatives include protecting whistleblowers, implementing the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, and improving recruitment and training to attract the right calibre of candidates to the SAPS.

“If the SAPS is to fulfil its crucial mandate, we have to emerge from these few days with a clear plan on how to address the systemic deficiencies that are negatively impacting policing.

“As a country we owe the SAPS our full support. As government we remain committed to turning the tide against crime and to making our communities safer.

“It is our hope that the recommendations emerging from this summit translate into deeper collaboration, more effective methods and a promising future for policing in South Africa,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Tue, 04/08/2025 - 13:57
366 views

7 April 2025

Budget 2025 vital for economic growth and poverty alleviation

Location: News

Budget 2025 vital for economic growth and poverty alleviation

In his weekly newsletter, President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised the crucial role of the 2025 Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals, which were recently passed by Parliament, in driving economic growth and relieving the effects of poverty.

The budget – tabled by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana in Parliament last month – was passed by Parliament last week.

“The 2025 Budget is directed at growing the economy and supporting the livelihoods of our people.

“It is a critical instrument to drive development, eradicate poverty and narrow inequality. At a time of constrained economic growth and narrow fiscal space, the budget must direct sufficient resources to activities that encourage inclusive growth and lay the groundwork for sustained economic recovery.

“It reflects the strategic priorities of the Government of National Unity: inclusive growth and job creation, reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living and building a capable, ethical and developmental state,” he said.

Uplifting the nation

The budget has a strong focus on the social wage with 61% of resources directed at, amongst others, healthcare, education, housing and social grants.

“Over the past 24 years we have implemented an indigent policy under which free water, electricity and sanitation services are provided to qualifying households.

“Social grants, like the childcare, old age and disability grants, are another tool for alleviating poverty. This year, the value of these grants will increase at above inflation. The Social Relief of Distress grant, which has played an important role in poverty alleviation, will also be extended for another year," President Ramaphosa said.

As part of improving access to healthcare, the President said there will be a higher allocation of funding to clinics and community health centres.

He said government is investing in the recruitment and retention of health personnel, particularly doctors and nurses, and to employ newly qualified doctors after their community service ends.

The budget also allocates substantial funding to “other frontline services such as teachers, police, emergency personnel and the Border Management Authority”.

“Improving educational outcomes is key to community upliftment, development and producing the skills needed by our economy. Budgetary allocations have been made to support teacher training, for expanded mother-tongue bilingual education and for early reading programmes.

“This year sees a substantial investment in early childhood development, reflecting our commitment to establishing a solid foundation for the development of every child,” the President added.

Funding for public employment programmes and to support small businesses has also been allocated.

Driving growth

President Ramaphosa noted sustaining expenditure on the social wage requires “higher levels of economic growth”.

“The budget allocates considerable resources to encourage infrastructure development, which drives growth and job creation.

“Taken together, up to R1 trillion will be spent on infrastructure over the medium term. This includes the allocation in this budget of an additional R62 billion over the next three years for road maintenance, electricity transmission lines, water and sanitation projects, school infrastructure and to support the ongoing recovery of our rail networks.

“Support is also provided to other growth enhancing measures in the medium term, including incentive programmes in automotive, business process outsourcing, special economic zones, electric vehicle production, clothing and textiles, and other sectors,” he said.

South Africa’s municipalities will also receive adjusted budget allocations to help them address infrastructure needs and improve service delivery.

“In a challenging economic environment – both locally and globally – this year’s budget supports measures to drive growth and relieve the effects of poverty. At the same time, it aims to stabilise public finances and continue to reduce our national debt.

“The budget reflects the priorities of Government’s Medium Term Development Plan, a five-year programme of action that prioritises rapid, inclusive growth, creating a more just society and building state capacity.

“At a time when our singular focus must be the South African people, we need to use the limited resources we have to work together for the common good,” President Ramaphosa concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Mon, 04/07/2025 - 09:37
135 views

4 April 2025

NPA head requests report on Omotoso case

Location: News

NPA head requests report on Omotoso case

National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Advocate Shamila Batohi, has requested a report from the Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Barry Madolo, on the judgement in the Timothy Omotoso case.

Timothy Omotoso and his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho, were acquitted by the Gqeberha High Court of 32 serious charges, including allegations of rape, racketeering and human trafficking, on Wednesday.

In a stinging judgement, Judge Irma Schoeman noted that the prosecution’s cross-examination of the accused was “shallow and lacking the intention to uncover the truth” – leading to the acquittal as the prosecution did not prove their case beyond reasonable doubt.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Advocate Mthunzi Mhaga said Batohi would “carefully study the judgment when it is made available to the parties”.

“In the meantime, she has expressed her serious concerns about adverse findings made by the judge against the prosecution team, relating to the manner in which the prosecution was conducted.

“The NDPP has called for a transcript of the proceedings and will consider it in order to determine whether the criticism of the prosecution team is warranted. Depending on the outcome of this process, the NDPP, together with the DPP: EC [Eastern Cape], will decide on appropriate action,” Mhaga explained.

He added that the DPP in the Eastern Cape has also “indicated that the team will study the judgement and decide on whether to bring an application to appeal the judgement”.

Mhaga emphasised that the NPA has demonstrated commitment to the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) and sexual offences.

“The NPA has a world-class special unit called the Sexual Offences and Community Affairs Unit which is dedicated to dealing with sexual violence and related cases. The NDPP appreciates the public outrage expressed by many in response to the judgment in view of its devastating impact on the victims in this case, and the fight against the scourge of gender-based violence in the country.

“The NDPP is proud of the NPA’s track record in providing victim-centred and professional support to victims of gender-based violence, including through the national rollout of Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) that for the past eight years have provided specialised support in almost 280 000 matters (or 34,600 matters per year).

“This recent judgement represents a travesty of justice that we cannot accept. The NDPP awaits the report from the DPP EC and will consider the next steps to ensure that this tragic outcome is dealt with swiftly and appropriately, based on the facts and the legal dimensions relevant to the judgement,” Mhaga concluded.

Meanwhile, Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, has expressed her deep concern regarding the manner in which the case of Timothy Omotoso and his co-accused was handled by the prosecuting team.

READ | Justice Minister requests comprehensive report on Omotoso acquittal

– SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Fri, 04/04/2025 - 09:24
192 views

1 April 2025

Three Common Myths About US Funding Cuts to South Africa

Location: News

US and South African officials have contributed to misinformation about the cancellation of funding

31 March 2025

Lottery Ticket Sales Likely to Be Suspended From 1 June

Location: News

Minister Tau backtracks on temporary licence, will announce permanent operator at end of May

31 March 2025

Cassava Technologies Collaborates With Microsoft to Launch Community Engagement Initiative Creating Youth Employment Opportunities in South Africa’s Renewable Energy Industry

Location: Business

Pan-African technology company Cassava Technologies (www.CassavaTechnologies.com), in a strategic collaboration with Microsoft, has launched a community engagement initiative focused on South Africa. Through this initiative, the two organisations will establish training hubs for youth in the local communities that will help spur employment opportunities in the renewable energy industry.

By prioritising renewable energy skills development, energy efficiency, and community microgrids, the initiative will empower the next generation to lead in the transition to clean energy. Activities will be focused in Johannesburg and Cape Town, where Cassava and Microsoft operate.

The project's training hubs will play a vital role in equipping Africa's women and youth with the skills they need to thrive in the renewable energy industry and ensure that the benefits of the energy transition are realised by all.

Cassava Technologies, through its renewable energy company and co-location companies, will be a key player in this collaboration. Their local renewable energy expertise will ensure that the initiative delivers tangible benefits linked to clean energy jobs and projects to the communities that are involved. Through this initiative, Cassava and Microsoft are supporting community engagement and sustainable development in the region and across the continent, which lays the groundwork for expansion into other African markets.

Finhai Munzara, Chief Corporate Development Officer of Cassava Technologies, said, “We are honoured to collaborate with Microsoft on this project, which ensures that we bring all Africans along as we transition to a digitally connected future using sustainable energy. By leveraging our technological expertise, on-the-ground experience, and Microsoft's global reach, we are poised to make a lasting, positive impact on South African communities.”

"We are pleased to work with Cassava to support climate initiatives in South Africa that enhance local communities, ensuring that those all have the tools to thrive," said Markus Swart, Director of Data Centre Operations in South Africa at Microsoft.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Cassava Technologies.

About Cassava Technologies:
Cassava Technologies is a global technology leader of African heritage providing a vertically integrated ecosystem of digital services and infrastructure enabling digital transformation. Headquartered in the UK, Cassava has a presence across Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the United States of America. Through its business units, namely, Cassava AI, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Liquid C2, Africa Data Centres, and Sasai Fintech, the company provides its customers' products and services in 94 countries. These solutions drive the company's ambition of establishing itself as a leading global technology company of African heritage.

www.CassavaTechnologies.com

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28 March 2025

Human Settlements moves help Eastern Cape storms victims

Location: News

Human Settlements moves help Eastern Cape storms victims

Human Settlements disaster relief teams from all spheres of government have arrived Amatole District Municipality, in Eastern Cape, to assess damage and give immediate help to communities affected by heavy storms.

The storms ripped through several municipalities on Tuesday, leaving a trail of destruction, including electricity infrastructure and properties.

The department said that after receiving notification on Tuesday, Human Settlements Minister, Thembi Simelane, immediately deployed three teams from the Emergency Housing Unit to assess the situation and determine the kind of help necessary in relation to the provision of much needed shelter during these difficult times.

“The teams will do a verification process in the three affected municipalities in the Amatole District, which include Great Kei, Raymond Mhlaba and Amahlathi Local Municipalities. However, people in need of immediate accommodation have been temporarily housed in mass care centres available in the area,” the department said in a statement on Wednesday.

The Minister has also tasked officials to work around the clock to relocate other victims to the Temporary Emergency Housing units, with the assistance of the local municipalities.

Based on the preliminary report from the deployed teams, the department said there is a need to relocate families whose mud houses collapsed during storms to Temporary Residential Units (TRUs) and provide building materials for the communities to rebuild their destroyed structures.

“The team will have a clear magnitude of the of disaster once the verification process has been completed,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Fri, 03/28/2025 - 13:24
56 views

28 March 2025

Former Woodstock Hospital Can Be Developed Without Displacing Its Occupiers

Location: News

City of Cape Town should work with and not against the building’s residents, say urban researchers

24 March 2025

Cassava to Upgrade Its Data Centres

Location: Business

Cassava Technologies (www.CassavaTechnologies.com) announced today that it plans to build Africa's first AI factory — a powerful and super-secure data centre facility powered with NVIDIA AI computing technology. This will give African businesses, governments and researchers access to cutting-edge AI computing capacity — helping them develop smarter AI products, streamline operations and stay competitive in a fast-changing world. It provides the supercomputers and software needed to train AI while keeping data within Africa's borders.

Cassava plans to deploy NVIDIA accelerated computing and AI software using NVIDIA Cloud Partner (NCP) reference architectures, at its data centres in South Africa by June 2025, with expansion planned at its other data centre facilities in Egypt, Kenya, Morocco and Nigeria. Cassava's AI Factory will leverage the company's pan-African high-speed, ultra-low-latency, fibre-optic network with sustainable data centres to deliver AI as a Service (AIaaS). Cassava's world-class data centres are designed to be energy efficient, using less electricity to power AI computing workloads.

NVIDIA GPU-based supercomputers will power the AI factory, enabling faster AI model training, fine-tuning and advanced inference capabilities. Cassava aims to be the first to introduce these accelerated computing platforms to Africa as an NCP, playing a crucial role in the continent's AI ecosystem.

The Cassava AI Factory will ensure businesses and researchers have access to the AI computing power required to scale, boost productivity and power innovation. By using this secure, high-performance AI Factory, African businesses and governments can develop local solutions to local challenges, enabling Africans to build, train, scale and deploy AI in a secure environment compliant with global and local regulations.

“Building digital infrastructure for the AI economy is a priority if Africa is to take full advantage of the fourth industrial revolution. Our AI Factory provides the infrastructure for this innovation to scale, empowering African businesses, startups and researchers with access to cutting-edge AI infrastructure to turn their bold ideas into real-world breakthroughs — and now, they don't have to look beyond Africa to get it,” said Strive Masiyiwa, Founder & Chairman of Cassava. “Collaborating with NVIDIA gives us the advanced computing capabilities needed to drive Africa's AI innovation while strengthening the continent's digital independence.”

“AI is helping innovators solve our greatest challenges in agriculture, healthcare, energy, financial services and many other industries creating opportunity in Africa,” said Jaap Zuiderveld, VP EMEA at NVIDIA. “As an NVIDIA Cloud Partner, Cassava is providing essential infrastructure and software to help pioneering companies and organizations accelerate AI development to foster innovation across the continent.”

Cassava's AI Factory marks the next step in the group's long-standing leadership in providing world class digital solutions, reinforcing its broader commitment to responsible AI adoption, innovation and productivity growth in Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Cassava Technologies.

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21 March 2025