insert_link South Africa South African Communist Party Clarifies Independent 2026 Election Bid South African Communist Party general-secretary Solly Mapaila says their decision to independently contest the 2026 local elections should not be seen as trying to weaken the ANC and the alliance. He was speaking at the 30th commemoration of the passing of the former SACP general secretary Joe Slovo in Soweto on Monday. The ANC declined to 40-percent in last year’s elections, down from 57-percent in 2019. Mapaila says the […] today7 January, 2025
insert_link Business / Economics Economist Critiques China’s Influence in Africa Amid Minister’s Visit Reports indicate that Economist Salomo Hei criticized China's influence in Africa, calling it one-sided. Hei’s remarks came in response to the visit of China’s foreign affairs minister Wang Yi, who met with Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at the Old State House in Windhoek. Wang, whose visit marks his first stop in Africa, will continue his tour with visits to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, and Nigeria. Hei noted that […] today7 January, 2025
insert_link Africa Niger Military Government Takes Control of Orano’s Uranium Mine France's Orano reported that Niger's military government has taken operational control of its Somair uranium mining subsidiary, following a coup in July 2023. And according to Al Jazeera, the company stated that the Nigerien authorities were refusing to halt production and were preventing the export of uranium, which has affected local communities and workers. The move comes after the ECOWAS imposed sanctions on Niger, halting all exports, including uranium. today7 January, 2025
insert_link South Africa In S.A, at least 18 people have been killed in a multiple-vehicle crash In S.A, at least 18 people have been killed in a multiple-vehicle crash involving a truck, minibus, and a light motor vehicle at Van Reenen’s Pass in KwaZulu-Natal last night. According to reports 13 adults and five children are dead while a baby is among the survivors but is in a critical condition. N3 Toll Concession chief operating officer, Thania Dhoogra, says all lanes of the N3 are closed to […] today7 January, 2025
insert_link World Trudeau resigns as Canadian PM Canadian Prime minister Justin Trudeau haș announced he is stepping down as leader of the country and his party - after nearly a decade as prime minister. He said he would remain in both roles until his replacement has been chosen through a party election. Our North America correspondent Kate Fisher: today7 January, 2025
insert_link Africa Zimbabwe Seeks Bids for Energy Storage to Tackle Power Shortages The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission & Distribution Company has invited bids to install energy-storage systems to combat the nation’s chronic power shortages. The project will establish battery storage at four locations, each delivering 600 megawatts for three hours during peak demand. Severe drought conditions have reduced hydropower output, forcing miners to rely on imported electricity from Mozambique. today7 January, 2025
insert_link South Africa City of Johannesburg council speaker affirms commitment to the rule of law City of Johannesburg council speaker Nobuhle Mthembu has affirmed the office’s commitment to the rule of law. This was after the High Court in Johannesburg declared the council’s VIP protection policy unlawful. The court found the policy was put in place without a required threat assessment from the police. Mthembu says the office is reviewing the judgment and will act based on legal advice: today7 January, 2025
insert_link Namibia Festive season sees Nampol Issue over 12 000 summonses The festive season saw 472 crashes, resulting in 80 fatalities and 918 injuries. Law enforcement attributes the tragedies to multiple factors, despite law enforcement issuing over 12,000 summonses and suspending unsafe vehicles. Commissioner Petrus Swartz is the head of the Traffic Division at NamPol: today7 January, 2025
insert_link Namibia NamWater reports a substantial rise in dam levels NamWater’s Weekly Dam Bulletin highlights positive inflows, including Swakoppoort at 24.4% and Von Bach at 23.5%. The Hardap Dam, now at 14.8%, received the highest flow, enhancing water availability nationwide, spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata confirms. today7 January, 2025
