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Kristle Laäs – VF+ Candidate for By-Election in Tshwane’s Ward 56

Location: News

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) was proud to announce its candidate, Kristle Laäs, for the by-election in Tshwane Metro’s Ward 56 last night (Tuesday). The event was attended by, among others, Dr Corné Mulder, Freedom Front Plus leader, Mr Jaco Mulder, Gauteng provincial leader and Mr Grandi Theunissen, Freedom Front Plus caucus leader in […]

The post Kristle Laäs introduced as Freedom Front Plus candidate for by-election in Tshwane’s Ward 56 appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.

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2nd Annual Sub-Saharan Africa Safer Internet Summit in Cape Town

Location: News
TikTok

TikTok (www.TikTok.com) hosted its second Annual Africa Safer Internet Summit in Cape Town, South Africa, bringing together government officials, regulators, and industry leaders from across Sub-Saharan Africa. Delegates from South Africa, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Kenya, and other countries convened to discuss critical issues on online safety, content moderation, and digital policy development.

The Summit underscores TikTok's ongoing efforts to prioritise user safety in Africa while fostering an open dialogue with policymakers to shape robust frameworks that protect users' rights while encouraging innovation and creativity in the digital space.

Government and Industry Leaders Discuss Digital Safety

The Summit was officially opened by South Africa's Hon. Solly Malatsi, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, who highlighted the importance of collaboration among governments, technology platforms, and communities to foster a safer digital ecosystem.

Helena Lersch, TikTok's Vice President for Public Policy, in her remarks, reaffirmed the platform's commitment to user safety and the role of partnerships in creating a secure digital environment.

“Billions of people come to TikTok every day to create, share and connect and we're continually evolving our policies and practices to safeguard our platform so our community can discover and do what they love. This summit underscores the importance of collaboration between industry leaders and regulators in shaping a digital ecosystem that is both innovative and secure," said Lersch.

Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda, Director of Public Policy & Government Relations for Sub-Saharan Africa, further emphasised the significance of collective efforts in digital safety, stating that the Summit serves as a valuable platform for sharing insights, strengthening collaboration, and ensuring that African users, particularly young people, are protected online.

Content Moderation in Africa

During the summit, TikTok reported a significant upward trend in its content removal rate across Sub-Saharan Africa, with data showing a 249.81% increase in content removals from the second quarter of 2023 to the fourth quarter of 2024. This improvement aligns with TikTok's global standards for content moderation and community guidelines enforcement. TikTok's Community Guidelines Enforcement Reports (https://apo-opa.co/3QMZNQH) reflect the platform's continued investment in automated moderation technology, alongside human safety experts that enables the detection and removal of harmful content before it reaches users. Globally, between July and September 2024, TikTok removed more than 147 million videos, of which 118 million were detected and removed automatically using these technologies.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, TikTok removed over 7.5 million videos in Q3 2024, rising to more than 8 million in Q4 2024—an increase of 14.06% quarter-on-quarter. Notably, 99.5% of these videos were removed before any user reports, underscoring TikTok's commitment to proactive moderation and swift action.

A similar trend was observed in North Africa, where TikTok removed over 7 million videos in both Q3 and Q4 of 2024. This represented an 8.70% increase in removals between the quarters, with 99.3% of these takedowns also occurring before user reports.

These figures highlight TikTok's ongoing efforts to provide a safe and positive online environment through robust, technology-enabled content moderation systems.

#SaferTogether - Driving Safer Digital Engagement

As part of its broader commitment to digital safety and education, TikTok is expanding its efforts across Africa through strategic partnerships and training programs that promote digital literacy, safety awareness, and responsible content creation.

At the forefront of these efforts is TikTok's flagship #SaferTogether campaign, which has achieved notable milestones since its launch in 2022.

In Kenya, the initiative, run in partnership with Eveminet (https://apo-opa.co/3Y8mHG7), a youth online protection organisation, has reached over 406,000 participants through in-person workshops across the country. These sessions provided communities with the knowledge and tools needed for responsible online engagement, particularly among students, teachers, and parents.

By working closely with civil society organisations, educators, and government agencies, TikTok continues to integrate proactive safety measures into its platform governance, creating safer digital environments for young users.

In Nigeria, TikTok launched Phase 2 of the #SaferTogether campaign in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) (https://apo-opa.co/3FFyx4d) and Data Science Nigeria (DSN) (https://apo-opa.co/3QNqzbJ). Building on the success of Phase 1, which educated parents in major cities such as Abuja, Lagos, and Kano on TikTok's safety features and mental well-being tools, the second phase aims to reach additional states and expand safety awareness among parents, teachers, and guardians.

Since September 2024, TikTok has also partnered with local creators across Sub-Saharan Africa to raise awareness about its safety features and Community Guidelines.

In Egypt, TikTok signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Journalists Syndicate to boost digital awareness, media literacy, and the detection of misinformation and online privacy risks. As part of this partnership, TikTok and the Syndicate hosted a one-day workshop equipping journalists and media professionals with the skills to navigate digital technologies safely and effectively. This collaboration underscores TikTok's ongoing commitment to empowering media professionals and supporting a more informed and digitally literate society.

Shaping the Future of Digital Safety in Africa - Global Youth Council

TikTok is also making a significant step in amplifying youth voices by expanding its Global Youth Council (https://apo-opa.co/4j2OWxZ) for 2025, further strengthening African representation. Originally launched in 2023 to empower young users and shape platform policies, the Global Youth Council has now nearly doubled in size, featuring 28 members from 15 countries. New representatives from Nigeria, Cameroon, Canada, Qatar, and Australia will join returning members from Brazil, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, the UK, and the US for a second term. The Youth Council plays an important role in shaping TikTok's safety, well-being, and inclusivity policies, ensuring that young users have a voice in the platform's continued evolution.

The Safer Internet Summit serves as an essential forum for best practice sharing between industry leaders and policymakers. By fostering collaboration, TikTok aims to ensure that digital spaces remain safe, inclusive, and conducive to creativity while balancing the need for effective governance and innovation.

"We value forums such as TikTok's Safer Internet Summit, which bring policymakers into one room for a shared purpose: keeping internet users safe. We are incredibly proud to be a partner of TikTok's #SaferTogether campaign. This collaboration not only underscores our shared commitment to fostering a safer online environment, but also opens new avenues for innovation and collaboration that will enable us to scale our efforts effectively for a safer internet for all.." — Emmanuel Edet - Acting Director, Regulation and Compliance NITDA

For more information on TikTok's safety policies and initiatives, visit our Safety Centre (https://apo-opa.co/4iYko0q), Guardian's Guide (https://apo-opa.co/3QPAKfS) and Youth Safety Center (https://apo-opa.co/4j9JWrB).

Link: https://apo-opa.co/4hZ3JZS

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of TikTok.

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A Competition to Drive Eswatini’s Artisans to Success

Location: News

International Trade Centre
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The European Union (EU) and International Trade Centre (ITC) launched a unique competition to empower Eswatini's artisans by providing game-changing support to small businesses. This collaboration, with a Toyota 2.8 GD6 vehicle as the grand prize, aimed at driving innovation, market expansion, and new opportunities.

When Bafanabethu ‘Bethu' Gina, Managing Director of Favourite Designs, entered the competition, he saw it as more than just an opportunity to win a vehicle worth close to €18,000 – it was a chance to accelerate his company's expansion.

Favourite Designs, a fast-growing furniture and décor manufacturing enterprise in Eswatini, has been paving its way in the artisan industry. He uses traditional techniques like grass weaving to create baskets, lamp shades and other homewares with a modern sensibility.

‘This vehicle is more than just a mode of transport – it's a game-changer for our business,' says Bethu. ‘It will allow us to reach new customers, access rural suppliers more efficiently, and expand into the South African market. Our goal is to triple our market size by leveraging this opportunity to grow beyond Eswatini.'

Preserving culture with innovation

Founded in Matsapha, Eswatini, Favourite Designs combines modern design principles with traditional Swati craftsmanship. The company works closely with rural artisans, particularly women, sourcing raw materials and helping to preserve Swati cultural identity through handcrafted pieces. Bethu sees his role not only as a designer and entrepreneur but as someone who inspires fellow artisans to integrate design thinking into their craft, making their products more competitive in the global market.

‘I love how Emaswati artisans have preserved our culture through beautiful, handcrafted work, passing down traditions from generation to generation,' he says. ‘I see Eswatini's artisan and design industry growing substantially in the next five years. But we need to inspire artisans – both aspiring and practicing – to intentionally apply design principles from conceptualization to realization. This will enhance product quality and make Eswatini crafts globally competitive while preserving our cultural heritage.'

Plans to scale are in motion

Favourite Designs is a key participant in the EU, ITC, and House on Fire Artisanal Incubator Programme, which nurtures emerging businesses in the handcraft and artisanal food sectors. Through this initiative, Bethu's company has:

  • Showcased work at major events like the MTN Bushfire Festival and Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival
  • Collaborated with international designers, including Finnish designer Mari Koppanen
  • Featured at prestigious international exhibitions, such as the Paris Design Show in 2024

The new Toyota 2.8 GD6 vehicle will expand these opportunities. It will help Favourite Designs connect with international buyers, attend trade shows, and access key regional markets like South Africa. He'd already been saving for a vehicle so that he can meet with his rural suppliers and make deliveries to customers. Now he can use those savings to invest in other parts of his business.

The EU seeks to foster space for enterprise creativity 

The EU and ITC structured this competition not just as a giveaway but as an opportunity to reward resilience and innovation.

‘Rather than a simple donation, we designed a competition to reward an entrepreneur who has demonstrated resilience and innovation,' said EU Ambassador to Eswatini, Karsten Mecklenburg. ‘Favourite Designs has shown exceptional growth potential, and we are confident this vehicle will be instrumental in their success.'

Bethu's winning competition entry video creatively told the company's story while addressing the competition's objectives. He structured the submission like a design brief, integrating a script, storytelling elements, and real footage from his journey with ITC since 2023.

‘I wanted to demonstrate the progress we've made as a result of ITC's intervention and how the vehicle would boost our operations and growth,' he explains. ‘The first minute of the video is a skit showcasing how we would use the vehicle, followed by three minutes of our ITC-supported journey, and a final call-to-action statement. I shot and edited everything using just my mobile phone.'

Favourite Designs is a shining example of how local businesses can scale internationally with the right support, vision, and innovation.

With a new vehicle and growing recognition, Favourite Designs is well on its way to becoming an international success story.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.

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Kenya’s President Ruto Awards African Development Bank’s Adesina Highest National Honour

Location: News
African Development Bank Group (AfDB)

  • “I am proud of the journey we started together ten years ago; I can see its fruits. Kenyans can feel its benefits,” President Ruto
  • “What a great honour! What a rare privilege! What a historic recognition!” Adesina

Kenya's President H.E. William Samoei Ruto has conferred the country's highest honour, Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart CGH, on the President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr Akinwumi Adesina (www.AfDB.org).

Dr Adesina becomes the 20th recipient of the honour that was established in 1967 and first awarded to Kenya's founding father and former President, H.E. Jomo Kenyatta. Others include globally renowned leaders such as former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, South Africa's Nelson Mandela, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, Uganda's Yoweri Museveni and Kenya's subsequent Presidents Daniel arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta and Dr Ruto.

During a colourful investiture ceremony at Nairobi's State House, President Ruto praised Dr Adesina's distinguished service, commitment, and passion for the economic development of Kenya and Africa.

President Ruto congratulated Adesina and told him, “You are amazing. You are a great leader. You deserve this honour and investiture.” 

The two leaders share a warm relationship that dates back 20 years when Adesina lived and worked in Kenya for the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa, AGRA. At that time Ruto was Kenya's Minister for Agriculture. Both recalled how they worked together to provide subsidies to farmers despite opposition at the time from some donors and global financial institutions.

President Ruto said under his presidency he has continued with the same policy of offering subsidies to farmers, leading to an increase in the country's food production.

“Our maize production increased from 40 million to 70 million bags last year. Our sales from tea, generated more than 220 billion shillings [approximately $1.7 billion], the highest ever earnings.”

“I am proud of the journey we started together ten years ago; I can see its fruits. Kenyans can feel its benefits,” President Ruto told Adesina who was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Grace Yemisi Adesina.

In its citation, the Kenya government recognized Adesina as a distinguished economist and a global development leader.

“He transformed the African Development Bank into a globally recognized institution for financial innovation and development impact and grown  the Bank's general capital from $93 billion to $318 billion,” the citation reads.

In his acceptance speech, Adesina said: “I am greatly humbled by your incredible kindness! What a great honour! What a rare privilege! What a historic recognition!”

Adesina spoke about Kenya's special place in the history of the Bank which was established in 1964. Since then, the Bank has financed a total of 167 projects, with financial commitment of $7.8 billion.

He said the Bank's current portfolio in Kenya consists of 45 projects worth $4.09 billion. They include, among others: 

  • The Last-Mile Connectivity electricity project, which has helped to increase the number of Kenyans connected to the national electricity grid from 2.42 million households in 2014 to 9.7 million households in 2024.
  • The expansion of the Thika-Nairobi Highway, which has drastically reduced travel time from 2-3 hours to just 30-45 minutes between the two destinations.
  • The Bank is providing $634 million for the Kenya Town's Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation project. This includes 314.92 million Euros for the construction of the Thwake Multipurpose Water Dam, to be completed by July 2026. It will provide water to about 1.3 million people in Kitui and Makueni counties, as well as the Konza Techno-City in Machakos County.
  • The Bank's support for the private sector in Kenya includes over $700 million in lines of credit to more than eight commercial banks.

President Ruto said the Bank's support to the country's mortgage sector has boosted the government's national housing programme, with 150,000 houses under construction, generating jobs for 260, 000 youth.

Speaking about Kenya's high youth unemployment, Adesina pointed to several youth riots that shook the country last year.

In addition to providing $309 million for eight on-going projects targeting skills development, Adesina said the Bank is preparing for Board approval, financial support for the establishment of a Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank of Kenya.

“This will be a stand-alone financial institution, that will be 100 percent dedicated to providing technical assistance, debt and equity financing for youth businesses in Kenya.”

Adesina was accompanied by Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth Dr Kevin Kariuki, the Vice President for Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery Nnenna Nwabufo; the Director General for East Africa, Kennedy Mbekeani; the Executive Director for Eastern Africa, Jonathan Nzayikorera; and his Senior Advisor to the President for Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Dr Victor Oladokun, who delivered the opening prayer for the ceremony.

“This is an honour that I will cherish for life,” Adesina said. “It will be a constant reminder that the country I love so much, Kenya, loves me back, appreciates and celebrates my leadership at the African Development Bank, and values and honours the incredible contributions of the Bank to its development. I accept this honour with great humility.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

To look at the album click  here (apo-opa.co/3FzwNt7).

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa's premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

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Ruberto Scholtz, Sindiso Nyoni, Rowan Sakarombe and Botswana Metalheads From Southern Africa Join KFC Streetwise to Celebrate the Power of Influence and Inspiration

Location: News
KFC Africa

Cultural Creators from three of South Africa's neighbouring countries feature in KFC Streetwise's (https://Global.KFC.com/) new Original Feeds Original campaign, which celebrates the inspiration that feeds creativity.

Windhoek fashion designer Ruberto Scholtz, Harare visual director Rowan Sakarombe and the Botswana Metalheads feature in the campaign's epic TV commercial (https://apo-opa.co/43najWe), which stars Khuli Chana, Blxckie and 25K. The commercial's soundtrack (https://apo-opa.co/4irtnad) is a new song, the Originals Anthem, written and recorded by the rappers.

“Just as KFC's Streetwise brand takes its inspiration from the iconic taste of KFC's Original Recipe – while adding bucketloads of value for a new generation – the film depicts Khuli, Blxckie and 25K inspiring each other and those who will follow them,” says KFC Africa Chief Marketing Officer Grant Macpherson. “The Cultural Creators are part of the same powerful narrative.”

Scholtz, who made the suits Blxckie and 25K wear in the photoshoot scene in the TV commercial, is inspired by collaborations. “If you see someone who can do something well, why not work with them?” he says.

Sakarombe appears in the film shooting the Originals Anthem music video in the street with Khuli Chana, Blxckie and 25K. He says he's inspired by the “raw experiences of life around me” and the vibrant energy, constant motion and diverse cultures of cities.

The Originals Anthem inspires the Botswana Metalheads – whose music often contains local influences and whose style reflects cowboy culture - to infuse their originality and give it a heavy metal angle.

The campaign, which launches on 04 March 2025 across SADC regions, also features a packaging collaboration between KFC Streetwise and Cultural Creator Sindiso Nyoni, a Bulawayo-born illustrator who has built a stellar career after being inspired by an “original” – his high school art teacher, a retired graphic designer.

Making a mark

Macpherson says it's a time when young people are hungry to share their unique signature with the world. “Who better to feed their hunger than the originals who came before them?” he says.

“We want the Originals Anthem and all the activity around it to inspire all the young Africans trying to make their mark through their creativity and individuality.”

Khuli Chana says that as one of the legends of South African hip-hop, he's passionate about inspiring new artists. “The reason I started Maftown Heights in 2009 was to help rappers from Mahikeng find their footing in Joburg with a sound and language that wasn't mainstream at the time,” he says. “It led to great things and it's still giving new artists a platform. I love inspiring musicians to find their original sound.”

Blxckie says his career and development has been built on collaborations, and every one of them keeps him original. “Musicians lift each other up,” he says. “They support each other and make each other better at what they do.”

25K was introduced to rap by artists such as DJ Mojava, Ghetto Squad, and old school hip-hop groups Dead Prez and Outcast, and became an original by rapping in S'Pitori, a mixed language spoken in Pretoria.

“I want to be remembered for that and I want to inspire kids,” he says. “When I'm no longer here, I want to feel like I left something that will make it easier for another kid to come out of Pretoria.”

Other Cultural Creators who appear in the Original Feeds Original TV commercial include Kind Kid toymaker Sanele Qwabe, “Nail Pimp” Nailed Ntswembu, the Island Gals skateboarders and custom car pimper Ofentse Mphatsoe.

Passing the torch

The commercial begins with Khuli starting to write the Originals Anthem and ends with him as the OG, welcoming Blxckie and 25K on stage and handing the mic to them.

“It's the story of my life and it's the story of KFC Streetwise,” says Khuli. “Passing the mic is like passing the torch, and that's how Original Feeds Original.”

Director Sam Coleman says the 90-second video portrays the endless cycle of inspiration, in which each creator is galvanised by the ones before and motivates those who follow. “It's an explosive mix of visual eye candy, entertainment, musical reward, style, and unique brand integration that instantly hijacks your attention and eyeballs,” he says. “Everything about it is engaging, surprising and fresh.”

And there's an extra twist to the campaign, says Macpherson. “Every time someone streams the Originals Anthem, the money it earns will go to KFC Add Hope. It will be used to feed malnourished children throughout South Africa.

“Among the kids who benefit from Add Hope are the next generation of Khulis, Blxckies and 25Ks and the Cultural Creators of the future. So, anyone who listens to the anthem will be helping them on their way.”

The Originals Anthem is available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify (https://apo-opa.co/4irtnad), YouTube Music (https://apo-opa.co/4if2LsS) and Apple Music (https://apo-opa.co/43srwgO).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of KFC Africa.

30” TVC available here (https://apo-opa.co/4h9AfYu)
90” TVC available here (https://apo-opa.co/43najWe)

KFC socials:
KFC Eswatini
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4ilOwlT
Instagram: @ kfc_eswatini - https://apo-opa.co/43mH322

About KFC Africa:
KFC has been in South Africa for over 53 years and has more than 1,300 stores across the country. The first KFC restaurant in South Africa opened in 1971 in Orange Grove, Johannesburg. KFC is the leading quick-service restaurant brand in South Africa with just under a third of market share, according to Brand Image Tracker. KFC serves more than 20 million customers a month and we work hard to ensure that no matter which of our restaurants they walk into, they will get that distinctive KFC flavour and have a great experience. KFC's Original Recipe® Chicken was first made by Colonel Harland Sanders in 1940 when he perfected his secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices at his restaurant in Kentucky. Today, KFC is the world's most popular chicken restaurant, still preparing our chicken with the Colonel's secret recipe to his exact standards. Every KFC restaurant follows the same global processes and procedures to ensure that our customers get great-tasting food, every time. KFC Streetwise is a registered trademark.

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Read moreRuberto Scholtz, Sindiso Nyoni, Rowan Sakarombe and Botswana Metalheads From Southern Africa Join KFC Streetwise to Celebrate the Power of Influence and Inspiration