Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: APO

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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, through the Regional Trade Facilitation Committee (RTFC), held the second meeting of the Sub-Committee on Women in Trade virtually on the 21st and 22nd of October 2025. The meeting aimed to review the implementation of the Subcommittee’s three-year work plan and strengthen women’s participation in cross-border trade in the West African region.

In her opening remarks, the Honourable Dr Isata Mahoi, Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs of the Republic of Sierra Leone, highlighted the essential role of women, whether formal or informal traders, in West African economies. She nevertheless pointed out that they continue to face systemic barriers such as limited access to finance, markets and decision-making. The Minister commended ECOWAS for its Gender and Trade Action Plan, stressing the need to go beyond infrastructure to include capacity building, digital inclusion and targeted support for women-led businesses.

Highlighting Sierra Leone’s leadership, she presented the national reforms implemented under the National Policy on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (2020) and the National Medium-Term Development Plan (2024–2030). These policies give particular priority to women’s economic participation, their integration into value chains and the promotion of gender-responsive investments. She reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to regional and international frameworks, including the ECOWAS Gender and Trade Action Plan, the AfCFTA Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade, and international conventions such as CEDAW and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5. Dr Mahoi finally urged ECOWAS Member States and partners to translate dialogue into concrete actions so that women traders, particularly those in rural areas and the informal sector, are fully integrated into the regional trade ecosystem.

Speaking on behalf of the Honourable Dr Kalilou Sylla, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, and Professor Fatou Sow Sarr, Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Mr Kolawole Sofola, Director of Trade, reaffirmed ECOWAS’ commitment to promoting inclusive and gender-responsive trade facilitation across the region. He recalled that the Regional Trade Facilitation Committee (RTFC) is an essential platform for ensuring that the free movement of goods benefits men and women equally. He also highlighted that the Sub-Committee on Women in Trade was established to encourage women’s participation in cross-border trade through structural reforms, targeted interventions and gender-sensitive policies, in line with Pillar V of ECOWAS Vision 2050, which promotes inclusion and equitable development.

Mr Sofola welcomed the achievements of the Subcommittee’s first meeting, in particular the development of a three-year work plan aimed at addressing the major challenges faced by women traders, such as the lack of adequate border infrastructure, the complexity of customs procedures and a lack of knowledge of regional trade rules. He urged delegates to work towards integrating this plan into national reform programmes and to ensure sufficient budgetary support.

Over two days, experts from member states representing ministries of trade and women’s affairs reviewed activities carried out under the three-year work plan, including the third edition of the awareness campaign for small cross-border traders along the Abidjan-Lagos corridor, the ECOWAS-ECOBANK empowerment programme, and digital skills training for rural women.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to review the activities of other regional partners in order to avoid duplication, capitalise on good practices and strengthen synergies.

At the end of the meeting, several recommendations were made, including strengthening advocacy among policy makers for better allocation of resources to programmes dedicated to the economic empowerment of women traders, including those in rural areas. Participants also recommended promoting women’s participation in border governance in order to combat harassment and gender-based violence at borders. Finally, Member States called on the ECOWAS Commission to extend existing programmes to all countries in the region in order to ensure greater participation by women in economic development and regional integration.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Source: APO

Three decades is a long time. In the Zambian film and television industry, it’s literally transformational period of time. That is how long MultiChoice (www.MultiChoice.com) has been operating in Zambia, and our sector is now almost unrecognisable from 1995, when we set up business in Lusaka.

The media landscape has been revolutionised over those three decades, and I’m proud to say that MultiChoice has been at the forefront of leading that revolution.

Technology evolution

The arrival of the MultiChoice brand heralded the introduction of satellite broadcasting in the country. Subsequently, MultiChoice would also help to introduce a range of other innovations.

We expanded beyond satellite-only television by introducing GOtv for affordable access, launching DStv/GOtv Stream and Showmax for streaming content, and mobile apps for flexible viewing anytime, anywhere.

We are proud to have been part of this technology evolution, helping to redefine how entertainment is shared and experienced in Zambia. However, I am equally proud when I consider the broader social contribution that a video-entertainment business can make.

Social impact

Fundamentally, it’s about knowledge empowerment. Digital connectivity gives users access to global content – real-time access to international news, sport, documentaries, and educational content. Local audiences become part of global conversations, cultures, and innovations.

This broadens horizons and sparks an interest in lifelong learning, which in turn inspires Zambians to become part of the global knowledge economy.

On the other side of the coin, Zambians have brought their own insights to the global conversation, as local culture is showcased across our region, and we begin to consolidate our own cultural identity through homegrown Zambian talent and productions.

Industry development

These productions have been part of a steadily growing creative economy, which not only strengthens national pride, but creates thousands of jobs within TV and film production, as well as advertising, events, hospitality and technology.

Driving this economic multiplier effect has been the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), which has one of its three pan-African training academies in Lusaka. 

MTF Academy graduate courses, masterclasses and mentorship programmes equip young creatives with practical production skills. Graduates emerge industry-ready, well prepared to help drive Zambia’s creative ecosystem.

From a situation where Zambia produced only a handful of local productions, channels like Zambezi Magic now host hit local drama, comedy and reality shows, including Mpali, Zuba, Makofi, Mungoma, Ubuntu, Ten Tamanga Street and Date My Family Zambia.

These 30 years of industry growth have seen a surge in not just quantity, but quality too. Notably, MTF alumnus Cosmas Nga’ndwe won an AMVCA (Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award) (https://apo-opa.co/48W3Rs1) this year for best indigenous language film.

Becoming part of industry development at this level has underlined a fundamental truth in our partnership with the Zambian people. We are here to add value. It’s about far more than providing a service. It’s about long-term investment and national growth.

We see ourselves as a trusted development partner, creating jobs, driving tech innovation, and empowering youth to create inspirational content that will shape Zambian culture for years to come.

We have come to understand that we do this most effectively when we place our customers at the heart of everything we do, understanding their needs, anticipating challenges, and delivering solutions that enhance their experiences.

Growing our people

This partnership approach extends to our people; helping them to develop their careers and to grow as individuals. We have been proud to see employees start out in customer service or technical support and rise into leadership through continuous training and development.

We also run wellness programmes that help staff feel valued and supported. Passionate staff become ambassadors, helping us deliver impact well beyond the screen – in the form of reliable service, problem-solving and customer satisfaction.

Other key Zambian stakeholders we have been fortunate to build relationships with have been ZNBC and the free-to-Air channels. Our close relationships have helped all of us expand our reach and bring Zambian culture to a wider audience.

We look forward to the next 30 years of working together – MultiChoice Zambia and our partners – developing Zambian talent, launching new productions, and giving local creators greater opportunities.

Personally, it has been incredibly rewarding to see Zambian stories gain recognition across Africa, and to see MTF graduates emerge and start developing the country’s film industry.

Like everyone on the MultiChoice Zambia family, I am proud to contribute beyond the screen; to not just deliver television entertainment, but to help shape Zambia’s national identity.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of MultiChoice Group.

Source: APO

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The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs has concluded the Western Cape leg of public hearings on the Marriage Bill with mixed views received from residents of the greater City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality. The committee held the last hearing in the Western Cape at the OR Tambo hall in Khayelitsha.

With the recognition of polygamous marriages being one of the contentious clauses for residents, some participants argued that in passing the bill as it is, Parliament will perpetuate gender-based violence, as women in South Africa remain in a weak position to negotiate, either financially or physically. As a result, participants argued that women will be coerced into agreeing to enter a polygamous marriage.

Also, participants from faith-based organisations argued that marriage, according to their teachings and values recognises marriage as being between “one woman and one man”. Thus, the recognition of polygamy directly contradicts their teachings and values, hence the opposition to the bill.

There was also a concern that the bill perpetuates gender inequality, in that by recognising polygamy and its silence on polyandry marriages it discriminates against women and undermines the provision of equality in the Constitution.

There were also diverse views on the recognition of same sex marriages, with some participants highlighting that every South African is entitled to the protection of their right to marry whomever they choose. The opposing view from faith-based organisations was that same sex marriage is not in line with cultural and religious beliefs and represented “state recognised fraud”, which they were unwilling to accept.

There was also widespread agreement about the increase in the legal age of consent from 18 years to 21, as participants argued that marriage requires a level of maturity that an 18-year-old does not possess.

Meanwhile, some Islamic organisations called for a rethink of the Marriage Bill, as they are of the view that it contradicts the Department of Home Affairs’ own green paper, which says that a single marriage statute would be unconstitutional. This, they argue, is because the Constitution says the people of South Africa are united in their diversity, but the Marriage Bill undermines the recognition of South Africa’s diversity. Participants further argued that the bill forces everyone to be united under one law and does not recognise diversity of religions and cultures in South Africa.

With a balance of views supporting or rejecting the bill, some participants argued that the bill should include recognition of cohabiting partners to protect their property rights, which are often disregarded when one partner passes away.

Meanwhile, there was a concern that the bill makes the registration of customary marriages compulsory, which might negatively affect partners who do not register their marriage. Participants argued that consideration should be made to prevent having a law-making registration mandatory.

With the completion of the Western Cape public participation process, the committee is left with Limpopo as the last province where provincial public participation will be undertaken. The committee intends to undertake the hearings sometime in November and the dates and venues will be communicated in due course.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Source: APO

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The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) has unanimously resolved to subpoena Mr Collins Letsoalo, the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Road Accident Fund (RAF) after repeated attempts to secure his voluntary appearance before the committee in late November 2025.

In its meeting yesterday, Thursday 30 October, the committee resolved to send Mr Letsoalo a final letter of invitation, failing which the committee would consider issuing summons to him in terms of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities Act of 2004 (“the Act”). On Thursday evening the committee heard from Parliament’s Legal Advisor, Ms Fatima Ebrahim, that Mr Letsoalo had failed to respond to the final letter, which offered him an opportunity to voluntarily appear before the committee.

Upon Ms Ebrahim’s report, the committee deliberated and decided to issue a summons in terms of the Act.

Explaining the post-resolution procedures, the Chairperson of the committee, Mr Songezo Zibi, said he will write to the Speaker of the National Assembly (NA), Ms Thoko Didiza to seek her concurrence. Since a summons is a drastic step, the letter will explain that the information the committee seeks is within Mr Letsoalo’s personal knowledge and cannot be obtained by other means.

If the Speaker concurs, the Secretary to Parliament will ensure the summons is delivered to Mr Letsoalo. Members of the committee stressed the importance of Mr Letsoalo’s appearance and presenting himself before the committee.

The committee expressed the view that the former CEO is central to the enquiry and his evidence will assist in developing a complete picture of the RAF’s challenges over the last five years.

Mr Zibi said: “Several witnesses have made averments that fairness demands Mr Letsoalo is given an opportunity to respond. His insights as CEO of the RAF will also assist the committee to reach well-informed conclusions and recommendations to the NA through the committee’s final report.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.