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Cape Town march in support of Palestine
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Kolisi dedicates World Cup win to all South Africans
With the melting pot of different cultures in the Springbok team, Captain Siya Kolisi has attributed winning the 2023 Rugby World Cup to the champions working together in pursuit of inspiring the nation.
Addressing a media briefing upon their arrival at OR Tambo International Airport from France, Kolisi thanked South Africans for supporting the team during the tournament and dedicated the win to people who want to achieve their dreams regardless of their circumstances.
“We wanted to make sure that this win was for the people of South Africa because of the diversity in our team. We all come from different walks of life and different races. This trophy is for people who come from tough circumstances and disadvantaged areas… who want to make something out of their lives. This is for you because we also come from those environments. We want people to get a reference point to see how they can make it from their situation. It is also for people who come from rich homes,” Kolisi said on Tuesday.
The national team was welcomed at the airport by scores of jubilant South Africans donning the Springbok colours with hopes of getting a glimpse of the world champions. This is after they triumphed over New Zealand in the final match of the 2023 Rugby World Cup tournament, beating New Zealand 12-11 on Saturday to lift the Webb Ellis Cup once more.
“As a team we had to learn [to work together]. We knew our cultures were different and that comes with differences amongst ourselves. We had a coaching staff who knew how to align us as a group; who knew how to put us together so we can focus towards a common goal, which was the Springboks and the people of South Africa.
“Our coaches taught us about taking care of each other and reminded us about our painful past, which some people have not healed from. We speak about it honestly amongst our team and talk about transformation. It is important to talk about healing from our past. We need to know the way forward; how do get better as South Africa,” he said.
Kolisi said transformation is about people changing internally; understanding each other’s cultures and taking care of each other.
“I know this win is going to inspire the country but it will not change people’s circumstances. For us as players, it will give us a platform that can open opportunities through the work that we do with our foundations,” he said.
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa said the victory paid homage to President Nelson Mandela who had the vision that sport has the ability to unite.
“Your performance both on and off the field has represented you well as ambassadors of the country of our dreams, united as defined in the preamble of our Constitution,” he said.
South Africans will get the opportunity to see the 2023 Rugby World Cup trophy in person when the Springboks embark on a four-day tour from Thursday.
The tour has been meticulously planned to convey the team’s appreciation and proudly showcase the trophy as it embarks on another four-year journey in South Africa.
The tour will start in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Soweto – concluding at FNB Stadium – on Thursday, 2 November. It will then continue in Cape Town (Friday, 3 November) and Durban (Saturday, 4 November) before concluding in the Eastern Cape (East London) on Sunday, 5 November.
“The locations have been selected for population size in the first three instances and because of the Eastern Cape’s rugby significance in the fourth. Satellite tours to Bloemfontein, Nelson Mandela Bay and other centres will be scheduled for 2024. Such tours following the 2019 victory had to be abandoned because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The route for each tour has been prepared in consultation with the respective local authorities and the South African Police Service,” SA Rugby said on Sunday.
Route maps and timings will be published at www.springboks.rugby and on SA Rugby’s social media channels and by local authorities. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Tue, 10/31/2023 - 13:55
Springbok supporters await arrival of their champions
Scores of jubilant South Africans donning the Springbok colours have arrived at OR Tambo International Airport to welcome the world champions back home after their victory at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The national side triumphed over New Zealand in the final match of the 2023 Rugby World Cup tournament, beating New Zealand 12-11 on Saturday to lift the Webb Ellis Cup once more.
The supporters, who have braved the cold and rainy weather to get a glimpse of the team, are in high spirits, singing and dancing. The team will address the nation at a media conference that has been scheduled upon their arrival from France on Tuesday.
Boks head coach Jacques Nienaber, Captain Siya Kolisi and other squad members are expected to attend a media briefing at 12pm.
The team arrives in South Africa on Tuesday (10:55am) and will commence a four-day trophy tour to major regional population centres from Thursday.
The tour has been meticulously planned to convey the team’s appreciation and proudly showcase the trophy as it embarks on another four-year journey in South Africa.
The tour will start in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Soweto – concluding at FNB Stadium – on Thursday, 2 November. It will then continue in Cape Town (Friday, 3 November) and Durban (Saturday, 4 November) before concluding in the Eastern Cape (East London) on Sunday, 5 November.
“The locations have been selected for population size in the first three instances and because of the Eastern Cape’s rugby significance in the fourth. Satellite tours to Bloemfontein, Nelson Mandela Bay and other centres will be scheduled for 2024. Such tours following the 2019 victory had to be abandoned because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The route for each tour has been prepared in consultation with the respective local authorities and the South African Police Service,” SA Rugby said on Sunday.
Route maps and timings will be published at www.springboks.rugby, on SA Rugby’s social media channels and by local authorities in due course. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Tue, 10/31/2023 - 10:09
JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) extends its gratitude to President Cyril Ramaphosa for his unwavering support for the Proteas at the...
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About The Coca-Cola Company:
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company's purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. We sell multiple billion-dollar brands across several beverage categories worldwide. Our portfolio of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta. Our water, sports, coffee and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, BODYARMOR, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Gold Peak and Ayataka. Our juice, value-added dairy and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife and AdeS. We're constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people's lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.Coca-ColaCompany.com and follow us on Instagram (https://apo-opa.info/3ONNWlI), Facebook (https://apo-opa.info/43DKtu5) and LinkedIn (https://apo-opa.info/408cAAi).
Springboks to embark on a four-day trophy tour
South Africans will get an opportunity see the 2023 Rugby World Cup trophy when the Springboks rugby team tour the country this week.
The world champions will embark on a four-day Trophy Tour to major regional population centres from Thursday. The team arrives back in South Africa on Tuesday (10:55am) at OR Tambo International Airport and will commence the tour 48 hours later.
This as the national side triumphed over New Zealand in the final match of the tournament, beating New Zealand 12-11 on Saturday to lift the Webb Ellis trophy.
The tour will start in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Soweto – concluding at FNB Stadium – on Thursday, 2 November. It will then continue in Cape Town (Friday, 3 November) and Durban (Saturday, 4 November) before concluding in the Eastern Cape (East London) on Sunday, 5 November.
“The locations have been selected for population size in the first three instances and because of the Eastern Cape’s rugby significance in the fourth. Satellite tours to Bloemfontein, Nelson Mandela Bay and other centres will be scheduled for 2024. Such tours following the 2019 victory had to be abandoned because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The route for each tour has been prepared in consultation with the respective local authorities and the South African Police Service,” SA Rugby said on Sunday.
Route maps and timings will be published at www.springboks.rugby, on SA Rugby’s social media channels and by local authorities in due course. –SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Mon, 10/30/2023 - 09:34
Rugby World Cup fever mounts
South Africans across the country are gripped by the green and gold fever ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup final on Saturday, which will pit South Africa’s Springboks against the All Blacks from New Zealand.
If the semi-final is anything to go by, the final game promises to be a nail-biting encounter that will keep every fan on the edge of their seat as the teams go head-to-head at 9pm sharp.
From schools, companies, and restaurants to social media posts, the Springbok jersey-wearing South Africans are counting down the hours to what will go down in history as one of the most memorable World Cup finals in Stade de France.
If South Africa wins, this will be the first time any country will hold four Rugby World Cup titles.
Even President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to be cheering in the crowd as he will be travelling to Paris to support the Springboks in their quest to defend the Webb Ellis trophy.
“The President is really looking forward to being invited onto the pitch for a second time by captain Siya Kolisi to help lift the cup for the world champions,” said the President’s Office.
Meanwhile, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister, Zizi Kodwa on Friday joined the Springbok captain’s run to send well wishes to the Bokke.
“The Springboks are ready for the final. This is your team, fellow South Africans. Let’s get behind our pride and joy! Yivale maBhokobhoko,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
According to SA Rugby, Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber predicts a powerful onslaught from the All Blacks and said they posed threats in every aspect of the game.
“Matches between the Springboks and All Blacks are always special and hard-fought, and with this being a World Cup final, the rivalry is expected to be more intense. They have an experienced squad with a physical pack and a backline that can create magic from nothing, so we’ll have to be at our best on attack and defence to get the result.”
For Springbok fans, SuperSport, the home of the Rugby World Cup 2023, will broadcast the final match live.
The South African game will be also shown on SABC.
And for those who prefer big screens and a bit of a crowd, provinces across South Africa are gearing up for the showdown and bringing on the heat to support the Bokke by having dedicated fan parks.
Some of these, of which most entrance is free, fans can also enjoy some live music in the build-up to the game.
Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation in Mpumalanga, said it has identified three sites for public viewing, one in each district of the province.
“These public viewing areas will be located in previously disadvantaged communities, which over the years have shown growing interest in the sport of rugby.”
Where to watch the Rugby World Cup across the country.
Eastern Cape
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (free entry, gates open at 7pm).
Sisa Dukashe Stadium (Mdantsane).
Police Park (East London).
Baby Swag (Zwelitsha).
Macelegusha.
Northern Cape
AR Abass Stadium in Kimberley (gates open at 4pm to enjoy some live musical entertainment in the build-up to the game).
Limpopo
Civic Centre Park in Polokwane (free entry).
Mpumalanga
Nkangala District (Siyabuswa Retail Centre, Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality).
Gert Sibande District (Loft Lounge Corner Ennis and Oosthuise Street, Ermelo, Msukaligwa Local Municipality).
Ehlanzeni District (Praxos Butchery, Schoemansdal, Nkomazi Local Municipality).
Gauteng
Soweto Theatre in Johannesburg (gates to open from 7pm). Fans can also expect to be entertained by Jozi FM DJs in the lead-up to the game.
Pretoria’s Loftus Park (gates open at 6pm). R 120 per person for general admission includes a free parking ticket and can be purchased electronically.
North West
Hoërskool Rustenburg (Bojanala) and Maseru Park (Mahikeng).
Free State
SaamTrek Fan Park – Phakisa Raceway.
Western Cape
Bree Street (between Church and Hout Street, Cape Town CBD). There will be soft road closures from Wale to Strand Street and Loop to Buitengracht, including all side roads leading to the venue.
Monwabisi Sport and Recreation Centre (Langa).
Westridge Civic Centre (Mitchells Plain).
KwaZulu-Natal
Durban ICC (gates swing open at 7pm). Fans can expect the big screen, refreshing drinks and delectable food, drink specials and secure and hassle-free parking facilities.
Pietermaritzburg’s Woodburn Rugby Stadium (gate to open at 3pm). Children below 12 years free and there will be food stalls live music and secured parking. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Fri, 10/27/2023 - 15:28
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The results are in and today, organisers of the annual Africa Tech Festival (https://apo-opa.info/3myppVu), taking place in Cape Town 14 – 16 November, announced the top ten finalists of the AfricaIgnite Pitch Competition who will battle it out to win the opportunity to represent the African continent in the Startup World Cup (https://www.StartupWorldCup.io/) on 1 December this year.
Making the announcement, James Williams, Senior Director, Events | Connecting Africa | Informa Tech, remarked: “Congratulations to everyone who entered. We called for the continent's brightest, most inspiring founders to apply to help build the African innovation ecosystem and they certainly delivered.
“I know I speak for my colleagues, the investors and judges who will be closely monitoring the pitch competition, when I say that Africa's talent, ingenuity, and unmatched potential is abundant and diverse, and this is clearly represented in this broad array of finalists. It is therefore going to be no small task to select just one winner who will represent the continent at the Startup World Cup Final, held by Pegasus in San Francisco on 1st December.”
Providing insight as to what she will be looking for in the winning pitch, investor, and AfricaIgnite Pitch Competition judge, Keshni Morar of Investable (https://www.Investable.Business/), warns contenders to come prepared. Morar will be looking for the granular detail in the presentations, with a demonstrable understanding of the market in which the start-up is looking to play or is already active. Depth of the go to market strategy too for those start-ups at pre-seed capital, is a vital consideration.
But in short, Morar says: “Like every other serious investor out there, I look for the coherence between the pitch story and the data points. If it's not there, there's no chance of us getting involved.”
The top ten looking to win the AfricaIgnite Pitch Competition Final are:
AsaanaPay (https://apo-opa.info/46O2WGc)- a payments and rewards platform for minority owned businesses enabling offline and online payments and unrestricted cash back rewards to attract and retain customers. Asaana facilitates local and global payments through a variety of channels from mobile wallets and traditional banks to everything in between. Headquartered in Kenya, Asaana services the world.
Tausi App (https://TausiApp.com/)– beauty is freedom and beauty is also big business in Africa, which is how Tausi came about. An app that connects beauticians to clients and provides professional hair and make-up and other services to make clients feel fabulous, with a rating system and in-depth onboarding process that is simple to use. Headquartered in Kenya with more than 6000 registered beauticians on their books and having helped more than 20 000 clients.
Bus54 (https://Bus-54.com/)– Based in Nigeria, Bus54 is a mobility technology company providing a platform to aggregate intercity bus transportation in Africa, allowing passengers to search, compare, book, and manage their journeys online. The platform enables transport operators to manage their end-to-end operations from a secure portal with no need for additional investment in IT software or hardware, and an additional channel to sell their tickets.
Delta Scan (https://DeltaScan.global/)– a specialist engineering inspection, digitisation and BIM company based in South Africa that digitize the world around us to create powerful analytical 3D models to extract engineering value. The company, based in South Africa, strives to improve efficiency, bring down costs, and provide comprehensive information to make better informed decisions. Combining cutting edge aerial platforms and scanning technology together with 3D digitization, artificial intelligence and engineering analysis principles.
Oneway Connect (https://www.OnewayConnect.co.za/)- a cutting-edge job matching and recruitment software prioritizing cultural alignment that is shaping the future of hiring. Beyond traditional CVs, the platform evaluates capabilities and traits, fostering purposeful performers for businesses. At the heart of their mission is creating a fair candidate experience. With a simple click, jobseekers are seamlessly connected to their ideal roles while assessments empower employers to truly understand candidates' potential beyond mere keywords.
Ukwenza VR (https://UkwenzaVR.com/)- a social enterprise based in Kenya that focuses on creating educational Virtual Reality (VR) content to complement classroom learning and offer additional learning on social and environmental issues e.g. conservation and plastic pollution.
We work with schools & educators to create and deliver the content to ensure it meets learning standards that serve the community.
Hippocampus Education (https://HippocampusEducation.io/)- Hippocampus is an adaptive tutoring Facebook Messenger bot that provides differentiated instruction and instant feedback that is customized to meet each individual's learning needs. It acts as a liaison between the lecturer and the student or between the tutor and the student, supporting in assessment activities, facilitating a learning environment that meets each student's learning needs, and provides positive and constructive feedback on the progress and performance of the student.
BenaCare (https://BenaCare.or.ke/)– a Kenyan based social enterprise that delivers affordable clinical and supportive care to patients with life limiting illnesses at the comfort of their own homes. They also reduce and re-distrinbute unpaid care performed by women family caregivers in rural Kenya, by training them on the basics of caregiving like wound care, vitals taking, grooming, ambulation, pressure are care and toileting. IN this way Benacare improves the outcome of the patients taken care of and equip these women with caregiving skills which can then earn them a living.
Gradlinc (https://Gradlinc.co.za/)– more than a matchmaker between graduate and employer and vice versa, Gradlinc helps prepare graduates for the workplace from helping with CVs to creating personal brands and is free to graduates. It is a vital two-way bridge between ‘people', not jobs and workers, as matching values, and individuality in people – whether the graduate or the employer – builds long-term successful relationships with mutual benefits.
Kyanda Africa (https://Kyanda.co.ke/)– seamless payment solutions with easy financial reach, Nairobi-based Kyanda Africa provide safe and easy access to financial and related services simultaneously in an affordable, efficient, and transparent manner for all at all times. They are on a mission to drive down the number of unbanked and underbanked people across Africa.
The AfricaIgnite Pitch Competition Final takes place at Africa Tech Festival in the Auditorium 2 of the CTICC on 16th November from 2pm to 3.30pm. An open-to-all feature, the Final will bring a great crowd of founders, tech leaders and investors to witness who will be crowned winner. Free entry to start-ups and visitors is available – please see below for further details about registration.
For more information about Africa Tech Festival, please see website here: https://apo-opa.info/3myppVu
For more information about the AfricaIgnite Pitch Competition, please visit: https://apo-opa.info/46I88va
For more information about the Startup World Cup, powered by Pegasus, please visit: https://www.StartupWorldCup.io/
View all ticket options for Africa Tech Festival, including start-up passes, here (https://apo-opa.info/3Q04o2r)
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Tech Festival.
For media enquiries, interviews and/or images please contact:
Kaz Henderson kaz@networxpr.co.za or call on +27 (0) 82 339 1199
Social Media Handles:
Facebook: https://apo-opa.info/3S47ALC
Twitter: https://apo-opa.info/3EZ7RYB
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.info/3EcywR6
About Startup World Cup:
Startup World Cup is a global conference and competition with the goal of bridging start-up ecosystems worldwide. The competition gives start-up companies from all over the world a chance to win a US $1,000,000 prize in the form of an investment. This year, there will be 50+ regional events across North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, leading up to the Grand Finale in San Francisco in September. Startup World Cup is organized by Pegasus Tech Ventures, a Silicon Valley-based global venture capital firm.
About Africa Tech Festival 2023:
Africa Tech Festival, including anchor events AfricaCom, AfricaTech and AfricaIgnite is part of the Informa Tech Connecting Africa event series. A vibrant celebration of Africa's diverse community of tech champions, Africa Tech Festival is the largest tech and digital connectivity conference and exhibition in Africa, attracting hundreds of exhibitors, more than 400 speakers and more than 15000 delegates.
Key themes for 2023 continue to explore the creation and sustainability of a connected Africa and the impact this can have for the people of the continent but also the commercial prospects for local and global businesses and governments. Topics will include Telcos of Tomorrow, Connecting the Next Billion, Digital Infrastructure Investment, Sustainability & Climate Resilience, ICT Policy and Regulation, Fintech & MFS, Broadcast Media & Entertainment, Pioneer Tech, the Future of Work and Talent and Skills Development. Africa Tech Festival also incorporates the Africa Tech Festival Awards, an exclusive ceremony celebrating Africa's tech pioneers and held at the luxury 5-star The Bay Hotel, as well as the LeadersIn Africa Summit, an exclusive, VIP-only feature offering high-level presentations and roundtable discussions to Africa's tech elite.
World Rugby clears Mbongeni Mbonambi
World Rugby has determined that there is insufficient evidence at this time to proceed with charges against South African rugby player Mbongeni Mbonambi.
Mbonambi was accused by England’s Tom Curry of using discriminatory language during the England versus South Africa Rugby World Cup 2023 semi-final last Saturday.
In addition, a further allegation was brought forward in recent days about a previous match in the Autumn Nations Series 2022.
“Any allegation of discrimination is taken extremely seriously by World Rugby, warranting a thorough investigation. Having considered all the available evidence, including match footage, audio and evidence from both teams, the governing body has determined that there is insufficient evidence at this time to proceed with charges.
“Therefore, the matter is deemed closed unless additional evidence comes to light,” World Rugby said in a statement on Thursday.
The body said it accepts that Curry made the allegations in good faith, and that there is no suggestion that the allegation was deliberately false or malicious.
“World Rugby is also concerned by the social media abuse that both players have been subjected to this week. There is no place in rugby or society for discrimination, abuse or hate speech, and World Rugby urges fans to embrace the sport’s values of respect, integrity and solidarity,” it said.
This news comes ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup final where South Africa will take on New Zealand, also known as the All Blacks, at Stade de France in Paris, on Saturday.
The Rugby World Cup final kicks off at 9pm and will be broadcast live on SuperSport and SABC.
Excitement is mounting in the country, with supporters looking forward to watching the historic World Cup final game, which will also be screened at various fan parks.
The City of Cape Town has announced three public viewing areas and the Free State province will have a fan park at the SaamTrek Fan Park - Phakisa Raceway.
“The World Cup this year has been one of the most exciting and unifying sporting events in our nation's history. For the final, the City is pleased to announce three public viewing sites in the CBD, Langa and Mitchells Plain where residents can get together and hopefully watch the Springboks make history by winning the title for a fourth time,” Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said.
Free State MEC for Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Thabo Meeko, called on citizens to back the national rugby team at the SaamTrek Fan Park - Phakisa Raceway.
Entrance will be free. Additional activities and entertainment include a kiddie’s village, biker stunts show, car drifting, music performances, food stalls, and tourism products exhibitions. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Thu, 10/26/2023 - 11:01
Are you navigating Google Search Ads in 2023? This guide will provide you with the information and strategies you need to understand the new features and maximise your return on investment. We’ll discuss the benefits of Google Search Ads, how to create effective ad copy, target customers, and optimise bidding. We’ll also look at how …
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Load shedding suspended for the weeekend
Eskom has announced that it expects to suspend load shedding for the entirety of the coming weekend including Friday (today).
The State-owned power utility said on social media platform, X, that load shedding is expected to resume on Monday.
“The suspension of load shedding for more than three days is as a result of the continued good generation fleet performance and the expected lower weekend demand.
“Breakdowns have reduced to 12 925MW, whilst planned maintenance is at 4 889MW of generation capacity. A further update will be provided on Sunday afternoon. Eskom will communicate should any significant changes occur,” Eskom said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Fri, 10/20/2023 - 09:42
Should you have a main prepaid electricity meter in your home it may have to be ‘recoded’ in order to continue dispensing electricity after November 2024. Please note that this also applies to PRIVATE pre-paid meters as supplied by Straton Electrical Pre-Paid and the many other vendors around the world. With regards to the main …
“Believing that one pursues a worthy cause in the public interest does not justify publishing false statements about another party”
Southern African Litigation Centre says reports of war crimes must be probed
The digital marketing landscape is a complex web of strategies aimed at enhancing online visibility, with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) sitting at its core. As businesses vie for top spots on search engine results pages (SERPs), the relevance of SEO firms and consultants has skyrocketed. But what exactly is an SEO firm? What role does an …
Ntshavheni calls on Meta to address misinformation
Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, has challenged tech conglomerate Meta to deal with misinformation and called for fair treatment when dealing with developed and developing countries.
Speaking at the Meta for Government engagement on Wednesday, the Minister decried Meta’s platforms that are still flooded with fake news and misinformation.
The engagement was in partnership with the Presidency and Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), and Meta, the parent company of Facebook.
“Anybody can be a journalist because of the ability of social media to be able to communicate and share information instantly.”
The Minister also posed a question to Meta about the perception that accounts of African leaders seem to be easily hacked.
The challenge, according to the Minister, is for both parties to put systems in place to deal with security concerns.
“When that information goes out there sometimes you have accounts that are not verified and then spread fake news.
“The challenge I want to pose to Meta is why do African leaders and leaders in developing countries, in general, have accounts on your platforms that can be hacked, duplicated and used for scams as where leaders from the US or China [have a] single account.
“I’m still yet to explain to my President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa why there is a fake Cyril Ramaphosa account when he’s the only Cyril Ramaphosa in the world,” she told attendees.
She described the situation as an injustice.
“Other leaders aren’t treated the same and therefore fake news can be used through their platforms that are fake and there’s no recourse on it.
“I’ve also been dealing with a scam that says I’m providing 5GB of free data in the country and people take it seriously and later suffer greater losses,” the Minister said.
She is of the strong view that the tech giant needs to address these issues for the partnership to be more meaningful.
“How do we deal with fake news if it is not tackled fast enough?”
As the country gears up for national elections next year, Ntshavheni said government needed to engage with various platforms to convey a genuine government message without fear of fake news.
Meanwhile, the Minister called on Meta to pay African content creators the same as their counterparts across the globe.
She believes these conversations are necessary to build a relationship between the state and Meta.
“That partnership can only be meaningful and work if we play fair with each other and treat each other as equals. Your ability to make sure that your platforms contribute determines your legacy in the world,” she stressed.
Meta said it was constantly beefing up its processes to fight fake news and misinformation across its platforms, especially on Facebook.
Narratives about SA
Meanwhile, in his address at the gathering, Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said although there are negative narratives about South Africa, the country has many positive stories to tell.
“In every space where we see hopelessness, people who are thousands of miles away look at this information and they see South Africa as a mouth-watering investment destination.
“Why can we not package that story and share that story with the country?
“It does not mean we won’t be criticised. It doesn’t mean that we will be sweeping under the carpet the nature of the challenges we have as a country. It just says we are a growing democracy that is very well aware of its challenges and we are hard at work to resolve those challenges and we are positively engaged with all our stakeholders as a nation,” he said.
He told communicators at the gathering that transparent, two-way communication directly with citizens is imperative in building trust and partnerships with the nation.
“The real people that need to hear from us; it's very powerful to engage people directly, face to face. Allow them to ask questions.
“We cannot rely on the media to do our work for us. We need to be out there with fellow officials that have the technical capacity and understanding of our various portfolios engaging these audiences,” Magwenya said. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Wed, 10/18/2023 - 14:34
Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej and African First Ladies of Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of Congo, to inaugurate 10th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2023 (http://www.Merck-Foundation.com); More than 10,000 participants including healthcare providers, policymakers, researchers, academia and media representatives from 70 English, French, Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries attended the Luminary through hybrid model to benefit from five parallel scientific and social sessions to advance healthcare capacity and awareness in 42 critical and underserved medical specialties; Celebrating 6th Anniversary of Merck Foundation and marking 11-year journey of their development programs, during 2023 Luminary; Merck Foundation reported the impact of providing 1700 scholarships to doctors from 50 countries in 42 critical and underserved specialties such as; Oncology, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Preventive, Endocrinology, Fertility, Embryology, Reproductive Care, Respiratory Care, Acute and Intensive Care, Neonatal Care, Pediatric Emergency, Advanced Surgery, Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine, Ophthalmology, Psychiatry, Palliative Care and Pain Management and more; Merck Foundation marked Cancer Awareness Month during their annual conference.
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, conducted their annual conference, the 10th Edition of “Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary”, in partnership with Tata Memorial Centre and Department of Atomic Energy, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health of India, State Protocol Office of Government of Maharashtra and Krishna World University, Karad, on the 18th of October 2023 in Mumbai, India. The conference was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and Chairperson of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, along with African First Ladies of 11 countries;
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and Chairperson of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary emphasized, “I am very proud to welcome our Guests of Honors and Keynote Speakers, the First Ladies of Africa and Ambassadors of “More Than a Mother” Campaign, for our annual conference that we have conducted first time in India. Together, we shared experiences and discussed the impact of our programs to transform patient care and raise awareness on a wide range of sensitive and critical social and health. Today we are also marking together Cancer Awareness Month, it is great to remember that Merck Foundation provided 138 scholarships of Oncology Training in many sub-specialties to doctors from 37 African countries, many of them have become the first oncologists in their countries. We are making history together in Africa, with our Ambassadors, First Ladies of Africa and our partners, Tata Hospital and Krishna University.”
Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp Chairman of both of Executive Board of E.Merck KG and Merck Foundation Board of Trustees expressed “At Merck Foundation, our goal is improving overall health and well-being by building healthcare capacity and by providing access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in the Africa, Asia and beyond. I would like to thank our partners, African First Ladies and Health Experts, Policy Makers, Government Officials, Academia and Media from more than 70 countries to join hands with us in order to realize the vision of Merck Foundation that “Everyone can lead a Healthy and Happy life.”
“I am proud to share that Merck Foundation has provided more than 1700 scholarships to young doctors from 50 countries in 42 critical and underserved specialties such as Oncology and Cancer care, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Cardiovascular, Fertility Care, Embryology, Sexual & Reproductive Medicine, Internal Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Acute Medicine, Critical Care, Pediatric Emergency, Gastroenterology, Rheumatology, Clinical Psychiatry, Urology, Ophthalmology, General Surgery, Trauma & Orthopedic, Dermatology, Neonatal Care, Pain Management, Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Advanced Surgical Practice, Neuroimaging for Research and more. Many of them are becoming the first specialists in their countries. Many of these scholarships were conducted in India where a state of art clinical training was provided at the prestigious training institutions of our partners such as Tata Memorial Center, Manipal University, Maharashtra University, Krishna University, Indra IVF Training and more. Therefore, we are very happy to be this year in India to celebrate our 10 years partnership with our respectable Indian partners”, added Senator Kelej.
During the 10th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, the First Ladies of 11 African Countries, also the Ambassadors of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother”, celebrated the 6th Anniversary of Merck Foundation and marked the 11-year journey of Merck Foundation development programs that started in 2012.
During the day 1 of the conference, the Plenary Session of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2023 was held, during which a high-level panel meeting of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit was conducted.
Day 2 of the conference will have important five parallel Medical and Scientific Sessions on Oncology, Diabetes & Hypertension, Fertility and Reproductive Care, and medical capacity building of other specialties such as; respiratory, acute care, emergency pediatric and neonatal care and more. Additionally, a community awareness session, the Merck Foundation Health Media Training session will also be conducted for the African journalists, to emphasize on the important role that they play to influence the community to create a cultural shift with the aim to Break Infertility Stigma, Support Girl Education, Stop GBV, End Child Marriage, End FGM, and Women Empowerment at all levels.
Countries participating in the 10th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary include:
Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central Africa Republic, Cambodia, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Guinea – Bissau, Guinea – Conakry, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, The Gambia, Togo, Tunisia, U.A.E, UK, Uganda, US, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe and more.
The 10th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2023 was streamed live on the social media handles of Merck Foundation (https://apo-opa.info/3Ykd3hH) and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (https://apo-opa.info/3SfA0AF).
Link to the Facebook live steam of Inaugural Session of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary & African First Ladies High Level Panel: https://apo-opa.info/3RYXLPa
Summarizing Merck Foundation's initiatives and impact:
Merck Foundation is transforming the Patient care landscape and making history together with its partners in Africa, Asia, and beyond, through:
• 1700+ Scholarships provided by Merck Foundation for doctors from 50 Countries in 42 critical and underserved medical specialties.
Merck Foundation is also creating a culture shift and breaking the silence about a wide range of social and health issues in Africa and underserved communities through:
• 3000+ Media Persons from more than 30 countries trained to better raise awareness about different social and health issues
• 8 Different Awards launched annually for best media coverage, fashion designers, films, and songs
• Around 30 songs to address health and social issues, by local singers across Africa
• 8 Children's Storybooks in three languages - English, French, and Portuguese
• 7 Awareness Animation films in four languages - English, French, Portuguese and Spanish to raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes & Hypertension and supporting girl education.
• Pan African TV Program "Our Africa by Merck Foundation” addressing Social and Health Issues in Africa through “Fashion and ART with Purpose” Community
• 1000+ Girls from 15 African countries supported through scholarships or school items, annually.
• 12 Social Media Channels with more than 5 Million Followers.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.
Media contact:
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager
+91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com
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Website: Merck-Foundation.com
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About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. Please visit Merck-Foundation.com to read more. To know more, reach out to our social media: Merck Foundation (Merck-Foundation.com); Facebook (https://apo-opa.info/3Ykd3hH), Twitter (https://apo-opa.info/3Yo3y11), Instagram (https://apo-opa.info/3lsqM7q), YouTube (https://apo-opa.info/3CNFGLa), and Flickr (https://apo-opa.info/3JT8BSC).