insert_link South Africa SA’s African Transformation Movement concerned about the administrative collapse within the Department of Mineral Resources The African Transformation Movement in SA says it is concerned about the devastating consequences of the administrative collapse within the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. The department has failed to finalise two-thousand-525 mining licence applications received since the beginning of the 2023/2024 financial year. There are also growing calls for artisanal mining licences to be issued to South Africans living in mining communities. ATM’s spokesperson, Zama Tshona, says they […] todayJanuary 17, 2024 18
insert_link Namibia Keetmanshoop Municipality Unveils N$296 Million Budget for 2023/2024 Fiscal Year The Keetmanshoop Municipality revealed its approved budget of N$296 million for the upcoming 2023/2024 financial year. The budget, which received the green light from the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, was presented by Lee Mwemba, the head of the information and communication technology division at the municipality's Electricity Business Unit. In comparison to the previous fiscal year, Mwemba highlighted a notable 13.8% increase, with the budget rising from N$255 […] todayJanuary 17, 2024 15
insert_link Environment An ancient system that could bring water to dry areas By Gaathier Mahed, Nelson Mandela University Some of Africa’s dry areas face serious water shortages due to minimal rainfall. An ancient system of drawing water from aquifers, the “qanat system”, could help. Gaathier Mahed, an environmental scientist and expert on the management of groundwater, has studied the feasibility of these systems. He tells us more. How does the qanat system work? There are bodies of water underground known as […] todayJanuary 17, 2024 16
insert_link Health / Medical Dangerous chemicals found in recycled plastics, making them unsafe for use – experts explain the hazards By Bethanie Carney Almroth, University of Gothenburg and Eric Carmona Martinez, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ Plastic pollution is a menace worldwide. Plastics are now found in every environment on the planet, from the deepest seas to the atmosphere and human bodies. Scientific evidence describing harm to the environment and humans is growing. Hence, the United Nations has resolved to negotiate a legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution. […] todayJanuary 17, 2024 13
insert_link Interview Transcripts Interview: Empowering Tsumkwe’s San Communities Through Education: Women in Media’s Grassroots Initiative Jemima Beukes, one of the two members of the Women in Media organization shared the below insights on their venture in the village of Tsumkwe. The journalists donated food items and hosted a dinner for the Tsumkwe Secondary school learners recently. Here is the full interview transcript. "My name is Jemima Beukes, and I am one of the co-founders of Women and Media, established by myself and Limba Mupetami in […] todayJanuary 17, 2024 23
insert_link Opinion Pieces South Africa’s ANC marks its 112th year with an eye on national elections, but its record is patchy and future uncertain By Sandy Africa, University of Pretoria The speech President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered at the 112th birthday celebration of South Africa’s governing party, the African National Congress (ANC), on 13 January can be seen as the party’s opening election gambit: a stadium packed to capacity, the display of a united leadership, and an invocation of three decades of success, delivered by a leader firmly in control of his party. The […] todayJanuary 17, 2024 12
insert_link APO International “It’s about our health and our future”: Ensuring sexual and reproductive health support in northern Mozambique Early in the morning, queues begin to form outside the Lichinga health centre in Mozambique’s northwest Niassa province, as staff prepare to treat patients. Nearby, health workers offer HIV tests and information about family planning options – a crucial commitment to service provision as communities across the region grapple with violence, insecurity and a series of health crises. The initiative is particularly welcome for women and girls in Niassa province, where […] todayJanuary 17, 2024 9
insert_link APO International Fight against terrorism: Council adds an individual to its autonomous sanctions list against ISIL(Da’esh) and Al-Qaida The Council today decided to add one individual to the list of those subject to restrictive measures against ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them. The measures target Ahmed Khaled Müller, a member of Al-Shabab in Somalia. The sanctioned individual has participated in combat operations and committed terrorist acts on behalf of Al-Shabab. The latter operates in the Horn of Africa region, is responsible for numerous terrorist acts […] todayJanuary 17, 2024 1
insert_link Africa Uganda’s battle for the youth vote – how Museveni keeps Bobi Wine’s reach in check By Rebecca Tapscott, University of York and Anna Macdonald, University of East Anglia Uganda is one of the youngest countries in the world, with an average age of 15.9 years. Young people aged below 30 make up about 77% of the country’s population of 47 million people. Young people have legitimate and wide-ranging grievances, from unemployment to disenfranchisement. Opportunities remain limited, with two-thirds of Ugandans working for themselves or […] todayJanuary 17, 2024 6