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As inflation and interest rates continue their upward trajectory, causing concern among households and businesses, Fred Razak, Chief Trading Strategist at the online trading platform CMTrading, provides insight into the factors contributing to these increases and offers his perspective on what the future may hold. An Uncertain Future “In recent times, we’ve witnessed the Core …
Johannesburg, 30 August 2023: Apple’s meteoric rise to prominence is nothing short of exceptional, with its impressive performance in 2022 carrying over to 2023. Fred Razak, Chief Trading Strategist at CMTrading, delves into the factors underpinning this sustained success and the road ahead. A Resilient Position “Apple’s unrivalled streak of non-negative quarters since 2009, spanning …
“When life gives you lemons, buy a freaking jet” - Lesley Ramulifho
South Africa records 207 Child Marriages in 2021 - Stats SA
South Africa recorded 207 child marriages in 2021, with 188 kids taken as brides.
This was revealed on Monday by Statistics South Africa to the African Union Special Rapporteur, who is currently in the country to monitor and evaluate progress on how South Africa is performing in its campaign to end child marriages.
The South African office on the Rights of the Child within the Department of Social Development is hosting the African Union Stakeholder Engagement Mission on Child Marriages and Harmful Practices in Pretoria and Johannesburg.
Stats SA’s Director: Education and Child Statistics, Dr Seble Worku, shared that of the 207 recorded child marriages, 188 were brides and 19 were grooms.
She further revealed that 37 of the child marriages were registered as civil marriages and 19 were customary.
“While Dr Worku showed an improvement in children living in low income households at 2.6 million with 4 million in high income households, pensions and grants were still the highest source of income for children in rural areas.
“She revealed that the number of children who lived with only their mothers continued to rise in the country, while the number of orphaned children declined to 11.5% in 2021 from 14.3% in 2002,” the Department of Social Development said in a statement.
The host, Honourable Takam Kembo of Cameroon, the Special Rapporteur and Social and Health Envoy from the African Union Commission are on a mission to conduct a monitoring visit on the progress that South Africa has made to end child marriages and harmful cultural practices against children.
The mission started its series of high-level engagements with the Departments of Social Development, Basic Education, Home Affairs, and Women, Youth and Persons with disabilities.
Today the delegation will engage human rights institutions, civil society organisations and conclude with a session with children.
These engagements will focus on children's rights to capture current progress, challenges, best practice, lessons learned and make recommendations for fast-tracking progress to end violence against women and children.
This monitoring visit comes before the country launches its Women’s Month programme under the theme, 'Accelerating socio-economic opportunities for women’s empowerment'.
Furthermore, this visit is part of a series of visits that the AU Commission is expected to conclude around the region ahead of the upcoming 4th African Girls Summit in November this year.
They will go to Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Madagascar, Tunisia, Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Seychelles and Namibia.
This continental perspective will allow them to understand successful strategies and practices in different regions of Africa so that countries can learn from one another.
In 2014, the then Chairperson of African Union Commission, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, launched the campaign to end child marriages in Africa.
At the time, the AU Commission estimated that about 14 million adolescent and teen girls were married. To date, more than 30 Member States have responded by accelerating the implementation of ending child marriage programmes and interventions.
The AU Commission team expressed gratitude for South Africa's hospitality and willingness to share insights into their legislative framework and efforts to protect children.
“The AU mission aims to understand how South Africa is working to protect its children. It focuses on examining the child protection system, its effectiveness, and how it addresses various forms of violence such as child marriage, female genital mutilation, and online exploitation and abuse,” Kembo said.
The monitoring mission will evaluate policies and strategies that the country has in place to end various forms of harmful cultural practices against children.
Kembo noted variations in terms of geographical patterns, provinces with high and low prevalence indicating a need for alignment of strategic interventions to the local context.
The Special Rapporteur is expected to produce a detailed progress report with observations and recommendations for the country within six months. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Tue, 08/08/2023 - 12:06
The President of the Republic, Mr Wavel Ramkalawan who is currently leading a high-level delegation in Abu-Dhabi concluded a series of discussions for two national development projects, namely the Seychelles Airport and the Port.
In reference to the Seychelles Airport project, following the meeting held yesterday (Wednesday 10th May 2023) discussions were centered on a full review of the concept and works completed so far. For the next step, a technical team comprising of both Abu Dhabi and Seychelles will conduct final planning works after which the comprehensive Airport concept proposal will be presented to the Cabinet of Ministers for approval.
For the development of the port, a technical team from Abu Dhabi Ports will undertake a working visit to Seychelles before the end of May 2023 for a complete audit of the port which will include the infrastructure, shipping and trade elements. From there, the way forward will be decided.
Following discussions, President Ramkalawan has expressed his total satisfaction with both meetings held and has conveyed his sincere gratitude to the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for the collaboration and his personal interest in the development in our two main facilities that connects us to the world.
Members of the delegation present for the Airport discussion from the Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer H.E. Eng. Jamal Salem Al Dhaheri, the Acting Chief Strategy Officer, Ahmed J. Al Shamisi, the Vice President Corporate Strategy, Archana Gautam Narwani, Head of CEO Office and Fahd Salem Al Wahedi. From Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company PJSC, included the Executive Director Portfolio Management for Aviation and Logistics, Ms. Elena Sorlini –-Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company and the Senior Investment Manager - Portfolio Management for Aviation and Logistics -Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company, Martin Asenov.
For the ports meeting, members present included the Managing Director and Group CEO, Mohamed Al Shamisi, the Maritime Cluster CEO, Ammar Al Shaiba and Ports Cluster CEO Saif Al Marzouee.
Members of the Seychelles delegation currently present for the Abu Dhabi mission includes the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Mr Sylvestre Radegonde, the Minister for Transport, Mr Antony Derjacques, the PS of Finance, SS Patrick Payet, the Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) Mr. Gary Albert and the Chief Executive Officer of Seychelles Ports Authority (SPA), Mr Sony Payet.
The meetings were attended by thé Seychelles Chargé in UAE, Mr Terry Romain, as well as by the UAE Chargé in Seychelles Mr. Ahmed Alneyadi.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House – Office of the President of the Republic of Seychelles.
The Seychelles Country Team of the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) held its first Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Open Day in Seychelles on Thursday, 27 April 2023.
A total of 25 representatives of CSOs, including the umbrella body, Citizens Engagement Platform Seychelles (CEPS), joined to discuss the bank's country strategy and portfolio and identify opportunities for collaboration towards sustainable and inclusive development in Seychelles. This includes addressing energy transition and youth development.
Attendees include the African Development Bank's Director General for East Africa, Mrs. Nnenna Nwabufo, the Principal Secretary for National Planning in Seychelles, Ms. Elizabeth Charles Agathine, the Director for Special Programs at the Office of the President, Ms. Maria Mulindi, and the CEO of CEPS, Mr. Alvin Laurence.
Mrs. Nwabufo reiterated the Bank's commitment to engaging civil society organizations in implementing the Bank's High 5s for inclusive, sustainable growth and development in Seychelles.
The bank instituted CSO Open Day as a platform for sharing information on its portfolio, shared learning, and an opportunity for civil society bodies to provide feedback on the Bank's country engagement.
Ms. Agathine reaffirmed the government's commitment to working with CSOs and other stakeholders to solve the country's development challenges. “We believe working together can create a more just, inclusive, and sustainable society.”
Recognizing the role of CSOs in the development process, Ms. Mulindi encouraged the participants to develop a keen interest in the Bank's development projects. This would ensure the realization of the intended social benefits for the people while strengthening the Bank's impact on livelihoods.
The Bank presented its strategy and results achieved since 2021. The presentation made by Mr. Tilahun Temesgen, Chief Regional Economist, highlighted the key challenges, including cross-cutting issues.
CEPS CEO Laurence gave an overview of civil society engagement in Seychelles, challenges and possible opportunities for collaboration.
Some of the critical recommendations raised at the event were:
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
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
The President of the Republic, Mr Wavel Ramkalawan will lead a high-level delegation to Abu Dhabi, UAE to undertake discussions on the development of two major national projects which includes the Seychelles Port and the Airport developments.
Members of the delegation accompanying the President will include the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Mr Sylvestre Radegonde, the Minister for Transport, Mr Antony Derjacques, the PS of Finance, SS Patrick Payet, the Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) Mr. Gary Albert and the Chief Executive Officer of Seychelles Ports Authority (SPA), Mr Sony Payet.
During President Ramkalawan's absence from the country, his duties and responsibilities will be discharged by Vice-President Ahmed Afif.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House – Office of the President of the Republic of Seychelles.
