Southern Africa

2024 Regional World Children’s Day Commemorations – Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

World Children’s Day activities are held in over 130 countries to provide a platform for children to speak out about their concerns and advocate for children being left behind. Windhoek, 11 November 2024: Following the regional tradition of World Children’s Day celebration which started in Kazangula, Botswana in 2021, this year, over 200 children and Heads of State from seven SADC countries will gather in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, from […]

November 12, 2024 26

Local

FNB First to Launch Enhanced Cross-Border Payments with BankservAfrica’s TCIB Solution

11 November 2024 WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA – Cross-border payments are a lifeline for many people and businesses in Africa. These customers rely on fast, secure, and cost-effective payment offerings to manage the daily transfer of funds to friends, associates, and family members in other countries. To meet the evolving needs of its customers, FNB has partnered with BankservAfrica for its Transactions Cleared on an Immediate Basis (TCIB) system. This solution will […]

November 12, 2024 7

Africa

Southern Africa Faces Unprecedented Food Crisis as WFP Warns of Funding Shortfalls

Millions across southern Africa are facing the worst food crisis in decades, as reported by the World Food Programme on Tuesday. According to CNBCAfrica, the agency warned that its capacity to provide essential relief is threatened by funding shortages. Amid severe drought conditions, five countries—Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe—have declared a state of disaster and are calling for international humanitarian assistance. Angola and Mozambique are also significantly affected, with […]

October 16, 2024 7

Africa

Zimbabwe targets elephant population in drought response

Bloomberg reports that approximately 200 elephants will be targeted from the nation’s population of over 100,000. Park officials say the overall elephant population is double what the national parks can sustain. Tinashe Farawo, spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority said the cull falls within the country’s permitted hunting quota. According to Farawo, the elephants will be removed from regions where their population has become unsustainable. The culling […]

September 18, 2024 39

Africa

Zimbabwe considers elephant culling for food amid drought

Zimbabwe is considering culling elephants for the first time since 1988 as the country grapples with a devastating drought. Environment Minister Sithembiso Nyoni told lawmakers in Mount Hampden, near Harare, that discussions are underway to cull elephants and distribute the meat to drought-stricken communities in need of protein. This move comes as Zimbabwe faces one of the worst droughts in recent decades, leaving many communities food insecure. According to Bloomberg […]

September 12, 2024 75

Uncategorized

SADC holds 44th summit in Harare

The Southern African Development Community is holding its 44th Ordinary Summit in Harare, Zimbabwe. This annual summit, attended by Heads of State and Government from the 16 SADC member states, is the key policy-making event for the region, setting overall policy direction and managing the community's functions. Here is the Executive Director of the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, Penda Naanda. The Harare Times reports that President […]

August 15, 2024 44

Namibia

New flights to link Windhoek to Botswana and Durban

Air Connect Namibia and Air Botswana will launch new flights connecting Windhoek with Maun, Kasane, and Gaborone, with the Gaborone service extending to Durban. These routes will strengthen business and leisure travel between Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa. The Namibia Airports Company, facilitating these operations, said the initiative will increase air access to Namibia. NAC spokesperson, Dan Kamati. Starting from 1 November, Air Botswana will introduce two additional […]

August 15, 2024 97

Africa

World Food Programme can only secure 20% of drought aid for Southern Africa

The United Nations World Food Programme has secured only 20 percent in drought aid for Southern Africa. This is approximately N$ 1.5-billion of its almost eight-billion-target, to address the drought in seven affected countries. The region has been hit hard by the El Niño weather pattern and faces its worst drought in decades. Despite donor support, the WFP can only provide aid to 5.9 million of the 27 million people […]

August 7, 2024 8

Africa

Lesotho declares food insecurity emergency

Lesotho's government says people are at risk of extreme hunger in the next eight months. The country's Prime Minister Sam Matekane has declared a national food insecurity disaster spanning eight months from July 2024 to March 2025. The Lesotho Times reports Matekane announced that severe El Niño-induced droughts are causing extreme hunger for at least 700,000 Basotho, a notable rise from the 582,000 affected in the 2022/2023 period. This crisis, […]

July 24, 2024 39