The Portfolio Committee on Social Development welcomes the preliminary investigation report confirming the validity of the findings about the vulnerability assessment and penetration testing challenges on the South African Social Security Agency's (SASSA) Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant application and payment system. The system assessment revealed several vulnerabilities, including potential issues with authentication mechanisms, server configurations, data encryption, and missing security headers. These vulnerabilities allow attackers to exploit weak […]

 President Wavel Ramkalawan hosted the fourth Presidential Dialogue in collaboration with the National Council for Children (NCC) to mark UN Universal Children’s Day. The event, held under the theme “Listen to the Future,” brought together 19 students from schools across the nation, emphasizing the pivotal role of children as change-makers for a brighter tomorrow. In his opening address, President Ramkalawan warmly welcomed the participants for this important occasion. He expressed […]

 In separate engagements with the Asante Regional House of Chiefs at Manhyia and the people of the region on radio earlier today, Asanteman came to a standstill with euphoric scenes of gratitude upon the arrival of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, as part of his three-day tour of the Asante region. Before heading to Manhyia to meet His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu, President Akufo-Addo, was met with thunderous shouts of […]

 President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has amidst an overjoyed population made up of the Chiefs and people of Akim Oda, commissioned a newly built ultra-modern market Akim Oda, in the Birim Central Municipality of the Eastern region. In September 2021, a raging inferno razed down the old, dilapidated market destroying hundreds of sheds and wares and displacing many hardworking traders. Constructed under the auspices of the District Assemblies Common Fund, […]

 The UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, Ben Saul, will visit Côte d’Ivoire from 29 November to 9 December 2024. The Special Rapporteur will assess the extent to which Côte d’Ivoire’s laws and practices to counter terrorism comply with international human rights law, including criminal laws and measures to counter the financing of terrorism and violent extremism. Saul will […]

 Nigerian police used excessive force against protesters during the nationwide #Endbadgovernance demonstrations between 1-10 August, killing at least 24 people in the states of: Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa and Niger, Amnesty International said in a briefing published today. “Bloody August: Nigerian Government’s Violent Crackdown on #Endbadgovernance Protests” documents the violent crackdown on peaceful protests against rampant corruption and economic hardship. Those killed included 20 young people, an older person and […]

 Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) established a hatchery and fish feed production unit as part of the “Guichet Unique 3A” project initiated by Niger’s Ministry of Hydraulics, Sanitation and Environment. The project aims to expand freshwater and pond fisheries while enhancing existing production systems. In Niger, a country where agriculture and animal husbandry dominate, government-supported initiatives in pond and freshwater fisheries, along with alternative production facilities, are increasingly becoming […]

 The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education said yesterday that universities should prioritise submitting accurate student registration and enrolment data to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) at the beginning of the academic year to ensure accurate funding decisions. The committee was speaking during a briefing from the Department of Higher Education and Training, Universities South Africa, the South African Public Colleges Organisation, NSFAS, the South African Union of Students […]

 A cost-effective intervention Maternity waiting homes (MWHs) are hardly a new development within global or public health. Rather, they have a relatively long, extensive history. Also known as maternity waiting areas, mother’s shelters, or antenatal villages, MWHs can simply be understood as standalone, safe residential facilities where pregnant women can stay for an extended period prior to the onset of labor or before being transferred to other health facilities for […]