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Customarily married couples have until 31 August to regularise unregistered unions

Source: Government of South Africa

Customarily married couples have until 31 August to regularise unregistered unions

By Sihle Manda
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has urged couples in unregistered customary marriages to regularise their unions before the looming 31 August 2026 deadline.

Speaking to Newzroom Afrika on Thursday, Deputy Director-General of Operations at the DHA, Thulani Mavuso, said the department was concerned about the legal difficulties that arise when customary marriages remain unregistered.

The registration allows couples to comply with the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act of 1998, and provides legal proof of their union. The Act came into effect on 15 November 2000 and recognises customary marriages concluded before its commencement. It also requires marriages concluded afterwards to be registered within three months.

However, Mavuso said many couples had failed to register marriages concluded both before and after the law took effect.

“The bigger problem then comes in when one of the spouses dies. We then find ourselves having to conclude a marriage posthumously. In most instances, those are contested by families, which creates problems for matrimonial property and also the conclusion of the estate,” he told the news platform. 

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schrieber gazetted the deadline in September 2024, using a provision in the Act that permits the Minister to prescribe a registration period longer than the standard three months.

The extended window covers older marriages that were never registered, as well as later unions whose statutory three-month registration period has elapsed.

Failure to register, Mavuso said, can leave surviving spouses struggling to prove that a marriage existed and expose them to disputes over assets.

“In most instances, women suffer if those marriages are not registered, and all the assets that belong to them in the marriage end up in the hands of the wrong people, be it the family of the husband or vice versa,” Mavuso said.

He cited a recent case in which a husband sought to register his marriage after his wife died, but her family disputed that the union was still valid because the couple had been living separately.

Mavuso said registration could also help establish the legal relationship between parents when official consent is needed for matters involving their minor children, including passport applications.

Couples seeking registration must provide evidence showing that customary negotiations or practices took place. This may include proof of lobola negotiations or a marriage ceremony. They must also bring witnesses who can confirm the union.

“It is actually a simple process because, if people leave these things longer, they create problems downstream,” he said.

Delayed registration could force the DHA to adjudicate conflicting claims between families and decide whether a marriage may be registered posthumously.

“It is a very difficult process that also subjects the department to litigation together with the applicant. We then have to go to court to defend a decision that would not have arisen had people taken into consideration that they are in these customary marriages and that they have to register them,” he said.

Marriage officers at the DHA offices can advise couples according to their circumstances.

Mavuso stressed that the 31 August deadline was intended to encourage people with longstanding unregistered marriages to come forward. However, the cut-off date does not mean Home Affairs will refuse every application submitted afterwards.

“We will not prevent them from registering that particular marriage, even after that particular period. But we do encourage people that this is a legally protected way of ensuring that your marriage is recognised in law,” he emphasised. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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Chikunga calls for measurable action on women’s empowerment

Source: Government of South Africa

Chikunga calls for measurable action on women’s empowerment

Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga has called for a shift from symbolic commitments to measurable action on women’s empowerment, warning that South Africa’s progress on gender equality is being undermined by unemployment, violence and weak implementation of laws and policies.

Speaking at a National Press Club and stakeholder engagement at the UNISA School of Business and Leadership on Wednesday, Chikunga said the country had made significant gains since the 1956 Women’s March, but that the economic and social realities facing women showed that much work remained.

The engagement formed part of Women’s Month 2026 celebrations, marking 70 years since about 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956.

Chikunga said the demands contained in the 1954 Women’s Charter remained relevant seven decades later, particularly those relating to equal pay, ownership of property, childcare, economic opportunity and protection from violence.

“The Women’s Charter is not a museum piece. It is the founding mandate of the Department I lead,” she said.

She said government was working on several initiatives aimed at translating those historic demands into practical programmes.

These include the development of a national care economy strategy, gender-responsive budgeting through the Women’s Economic Assembly, the work of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, regulations following the signing of the Public Procurement Act, and progress towards a cooperative financial institution owned and governed by women.

Chikunga said the procurement reforms could bring government closer to legally requiring that 40% of government procurement goes to women-owned businesses.

“For years the 40% was a presidential target with no legal teeth,” she said, adding that government now had an instrument to move the target towards implementation.

Despite these developments, the minister acknowledged that women continued to face severe economic inequality.

She cited Statistics South Africa figures showing that women’s unemployment stood at 36.4% in the first quarter of 2026, compared with 29.6% for men. Among black African women, unemployment stood at 40.5%.

Women’s median monthly earnings were also at 82% of men’s earnings, according to figures cited by Chikunga.

“Implementation remains our weakest link,” she said, warning that laws could exist without being effectively enforced and that procurement targets could fail to benefit women if government departments did not monitor compliance.

Chikunga also described violence against women as “our deepest failure”.

Citing the most recent national femicide study by the South African Medical Research Council, she said three women were killed by an intimate partner every day and that South Africa’s intimate-partner femicide rate was five times the global rate.

“We have the laws. We now have the Council. What we do not yet have is a fall in the number of funerals,” she said.

The Minister also called on journalists to scrutinise government programmes rather than focusing only on announcements.

She urged the media to “follow the money” by examining how much of the country’s R1.5 trillion procurement pipeline reaches women-owned businesses, follow gender-based violence cases from the police station through to conviction, and report on whether government commitments translate into actual delivery.

“An announcement makes a headline and delivery makes a life,” Chikunga said.

She proposed establishing a standing partnership between her department, the National Press Club, the UNISA School of Business and Leadership and research institutions. The partnership, she said, should meet quarterly, examine data and publicly assess whether commitments made during Women’s Month were still being implemented.

Chikunga also called for greater resources for her department, arguing that its mandate covering women, young people and persons with disabilities was not matched by its budget.

“A mandate of this scale requires means of a matching scale,” she said.

As part of her proposed long-term approach, Chikunga unveiled what she called the “Charter Compact: Seventy Years, Five Promises”, designed to turn the theme “Empowered Women Empower Nations” into a measurable movement beyond the 2026 commemorations.

The five promises focus on ownership, earnings, care, safety and power.

Under the proposal, progress would be measured through indicators such as land and property ownership by women, the gender earnings gap, recognition and payment of care work, the number of women killed, and women’s representation in institutions where decisions are made. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Police launch manhunt for a murder suspect

Source: Government of South Africa

Police launch manhunt for a murder suspect

Police in Moeka Vuma, near Makapanstad in the North West, have launched a manhunt for a 41-year-old man who is wanted in connection with the brutal murder of three people.

This is as the South African Police Service (SAPS) intensifies its fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) and serious and violent crimes perpetrated against women, children and vulnerable groups during Women’s Month. 

The 41-year-old James Mohajane is wanted for the murder of his girlfriend and her sister, as well as her sister’s boyfriend.

“It is alleged that the three victims were last seen together at a house belonging to Tshepo Molekwa. On Sunday morning, the bodies of the three victims were discovered at the house. They had allegedly been hacked to death with a spade,” the police said in a statement.

Police said the suspect was nowhere to be found when they arrived at the scene. However, police found his cellphone at the crime scene.

The motive for the killings is still under investigation.

In a statement on Wednesday, the SAPS appealed to anyone who may have information on the whereabouts of James Mohajane to contact Sergeant Nhlapo on 078 918 7746.

Members of the public are urged not to approach or confront the suspect, but to immediately provide information to the police.

“The SAPS reiterates its commitment to intensifying efforts to prevent and combat GBVF and violent crime, particularly crimes targeting women and vulnerable groups,” the police said. – SAnews.gov.za

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How Guyana’s Expanding Oil Sector Is Driving Historic Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Growth and Local Investment

Source: APO


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Guyana’s projected 16.2% GDP growth in 2026, underpinned by an anticipated 17.9% rise in oil production and $2.79 billion in oil revenues, underscores how is the oil and gas sector is transforming the economy.

Higher Oil Production Targets Drive Guyana’s Economic Expansion

With oil output expected to average 840,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2026, with 309 crude cargoes forecast for export compared with 260 cargoes in 2025, the sector’s contribution to GDP is expected to remain bullish.

The government is targeting crude oil production of 1.3 million bpd by 2027 and 1.7 million bpd by 2030, creating the foundation for higher export earnings, stronger fiscal revenues and continued GDP expansion. Upcoming developments, including the $12.7 billion Uaru project, Whiptail, Hammerhead and Longtail, are expected to significantly increase production, and expand the sector’s contribution to an anticipated to reach GDP of between $50 billion and $69 billion by 2030.

Oil Investment Creates Opportunities Beyond Production

The sector’s contribution extends well beyond crude exports, with projects development accelerating the growth of a broader domestic economy as capital flows into construction, logistics, engineering, manufacturing, transport and financial services. The sector spent an estimated $3.6 billion with local businesses between 2019 – when first oil production was achieved – and 2025, reflecting the success of Guyana’s local content framework in ensuring that petroleum development generates tangible economic benefits for domestic companies and communities.

The petroleum sector has been the primary driver of Guyana’s exceptional economic performance. Oil production supported GDP growth of 63.3% in 2022, 33.8% in 2023, 43.6% in 2024 and 10.3% in 2025. According to the International Monetary Fund, offshore oil development has enabled Guyana’s economy to significantly outperform regional peers while accelerating its transition toward high-income economy status. The sector has also transformed the country’s fiscal position, with the Natural Resource Fund exceeding $3.1 billion by the end of 2024, including more than $1.1 billion deposited during 2024 alone, providing the government with unprecedented resources to finance national development priorities.

Oil Wealth Funds Infrastructure and Social Development

Oil revenues are also becoming a key source of financing for Guyana’s national development agenda. The government plans to utilize petroleum revenues to construct 40,000 homes over the next five years, while simultaneously investing in critical infrastructure, healthcare, education and transportation. In the energy sector alone, oil revenues are funding flagship initiatives such as the 300 MW Gas-to-Energy project, transmission network upgrades and clean cooking solutions, supporting energy mix diversification, improving electricity affordability and strengthening grid reliability.

As production continues to grow and new offshore projects enter development, oil and gas will play an increasingly important role in shaping Guyana’s economic future. Beyond generating export revenues and fiscal income, the sector is strengthening local industries, attracting international capital, supporting infrastructure development and creating opportunities across manufacturing, construction, finance and technology.

Caribbean Energy Week 2027 to Spotlight Guyana’s Growth Story

The role of oil and gas in driving GDP growth, investment and economic transformation will be a central focus at Caribbean Energy Week 2027, held under the theme “Unlocking the Caribbean Energy Corridor: Oil, Gas, LNG & Investment for a New Global Hub.” Bringing together governments and international partners, the conference will examine how Guyana and the wider Caribbean can maximize hydrocarbon revenues to unlock the next phase of regional economic growth.

Ahead of the conference, an in-country launch in Guyana on 1, September 2026 at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown, will explore strategies driving the Caribbean’s emergence as one of the world’s fastest-growing energy markets. The event will bring together government officials, investors, operators and industry stakeholders for an early look at the opportunities, priorities and partnerships that will shape the region’s energy future. To register, please visit https://apo-opa.co/46phc9L.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Seychelles: Cabinet Business, Wednesday 26th August, 2026

Source: APO


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President Dr Patrick Herminie chaired a scheduled meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday 26th August, during which a number of legal and policy memoranda were approved.

Cabinet approved the signing and ratification of both the African Charter on Statistics and the SADC Protocol on Statistics, reaffirming Seychelles’ commitment to strengthening its national statistical system and aligning it with African, regional and international standards. These instruments will enhance the quality, reliability, harmonisation and comparability of official statistics, support evidence-based policymaking and decision-making, improve the monitoring of national and regional development priorities, strengthen institutional capacity through technical cooperation and resource mobilisation, and reinforce Seychelles’ contribution to regional integration and collaboration. Both initiatives are expected to be implemented with minimal financial implications while creating greater opportunities for capacity building and partnerships with regional and international development partners.

Cabinet approved the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development Strategic Plan 2026–2030 as the national roadmap for advancing education and human resource development. The Plan focuses on improving teaching and learning, strengthening leadership and governance, developing the workforce, accelerating digital transformation, and enhancing institutional capacity. Cabinet also directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to work together to implement the Plan. It further supported the mobilisation of financial, technical and institutional resources through existing Government planning and budgeting mechanisms to ensure the Plan is successfully delivered between 2026 and 2030.

Cabinet approved the Revised National Policy for Open and Distance Learning (ODL), 2026 as the national framework for expanding accessible, inclusive and technology-enabled education and lifelong learning in Seychelles. The Policy strengthens governance, institutional capacity, digital transformation, quality assurance, learner support and partnerships. The Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development will lead its implementation in collaboration with all relevant Government entities and stakeholders. A costed National ODL Action Plan will be developed and a National ODL Steering Committee will be established.  

Cabinet approved in principle the National Addressing System Bill, 2026, which establishes the legal and institutional framework for a standardised national addressing system.  The aim of the Bill is to improve public service delivery, emergency response, land administration, infrastructure planning and digital government services. Cabinet also approved the establishment of the National Addressing System Department under the Ministry of Local Government and Inner Islands.  The Bill will be finalised and submitted to the National Assembly for consideration.

Cabinet approved in principle the Law Enforcement Integrity and Accountability Bill, 2026. The Bill establishes a comprehensive legal framework to strengthen integrity, accountability and operational security across Seychelles’ law enforcement and security agencies. It introduces measures such as the mandatory use of body-worn cameras during specified operations, stronger protection of classified operational information, and new offences relating to bribery, information leaks and interference with operational recordings.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

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ESI Africa releases Nuclear Energy volume tracking Africa’s shift from nuclear ambition to bankable projects

Source: APO

ESI Africa, published by VUKA Group (www.WeAreVuka.com), today released its Nuclear Energy volume, examining how more than a dozen African countries are moving nuclear power from policy ambition toward financed, under-construction projects.

The volume arrives as two of the continent’s most advanced nuclear programmes reach fresh milestones. In Egypt, the reactor pressure vessel for Unit 2 of the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant, the country’s first nuclear facility, was installed in its design position on 9 July 2026, following the same milestone at Unit 1 in November 2025. The four-unit, 4,800MW plant is being built by Rosatom under an intergovernmental agreement signed in 2015.

In South Africa, Koeberg’s Unit 2 received its long-term operating licence in November 2025, extending operations to 9 November 2045, following Unit 1’s extension to 21 July 2044, granted in July 2024.

The Volume also reviews the reactor technology South Africa is likely to consider once bidding opens for its second nuclear build, targeted at 5,200MW by 2039, comparing the construction cost and delivery record of the AP1000, the EPR, South Korea’s APR-1400, Russia’s VVER-1200 and China’s Hualong One designs.

“The countries that treat nuclear as an execution problem to be solved, rather than a philosophical question to be revisited indefinitely, are the ones who will set the terms for everyone else,” said Nicolette Pombo-van Zyl, Editor-in-Chief of ESI Africa.

Elsewhere in the Volume, interviews recorded at the Nuclear in Africa side event at Enlit Africa 2026 and on the sidelines of World Atomic Week gather insight from government leaders, utilities, regulators, financiers and academics from South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, Ghana, Türkiye and France.

Their consistent message is that institutional readiness, financing structures and public trust, not reactor construction itself, will determine whether Africa’s nuclear ambitions become bankable reality.

A separate opinion piece by South African nuclear physicist Dr Kelvin Kemm argues that small modular reactors could put nuclear power within reach of mines, municipalities and industrial users across the continent, an opportunity one estimate cited in the issue values at $105 billion.

The full issue is available at https://apo-opa.co/4gXUmev

Continue the conversation at Enlit Africa 2027

This conversation will continue at Enlit Africa 2027, where nuclear will form part of the wider discussion around Africa’s future energy mix, including financing, policy, SMRs, large-scale nuclear and project delivery. If nuclear is part of your organisation’s future plans, pre-register for Enlit Africa 2027, 11 – 13 May at  the CTICC in Cape Town, South Africa: https://apo-opa.co/3SwV4ag 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

Media Contact:
Nicolette Pombo-van Zyl Editor-in-Chief, ESI Africa
nicolette@wearevuka.com 

About ESI Africa:
ESI Africa is a pan-African power, energy, water and infrastructure publication marking its 30th year in 2026. Published by VUKA Group, it delivers insights and analysis on the sectors shaping the continent’s future. www.ESI-Africa.com

About VUKA Group:
VUKA Group connects people and organisations across Africa’s energy, mining, mobility, green economy, and retail sectors through events, content, and strategic networking. Venture partners to The Global Trust Project and leaders of NPO Go Green Africa. www.WeAreVuka.com

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Report unsafe, illegal electricity connections to save lives

Source: Government of South Africa

Report unsafe, illegal electricity connections to save lives

As Eskom continues to observe Electricity Safety Month in August, it has urged South Africans to report unsafe electricity connections and help save lives.

Eskom Senior Manager for Occupational Health and Safety Miranda Moahlodi said communities face serious safety risks linked to “illegal connections, low-hanging and exposed wires, cable theft, infrastructure vandalism and attacks on electricity workers”.

“Eskom has reported around 200 public safety impacts linked to electricity-related incidents, and we remain concerned that many more incidents may go unreported where communities protect the illegal connections responsible for many of these hazards,” she said in a statement on Wednesday.

The power utility warned that although electricity remains essential to everyday life, “illegal connections, exposed conductors and tampered infrastructure continue to place communities, employees and contractors at serious risk”.

“Poorly installed, overloaded or tampered electrical lines remain among the biggest contributors to fires in informal settlements and residential areas. Early reporting can prevent devastating fires, protect children and families, reduce unplanned outages and support a safer, more reliable electricity network.

“This is where the Eskom See–Act–Immediately approach becomes critical: when communities see a fallen or low-hanging wire, an open electrical box, a damaged meter box, a vandalised transformer, or unsafe connections running through trees, across streets or over rooftops, they must act immediately by moving away, warning others and reporting the hazard.

“Do not touch it, do not remove it, and most importantly, do not ignore it,” the power utility stated.

Furthermore, vandalism, cable theft and illegal electricity operations can lead to “extended outages, damage essential services, and expose communities, employees and contractors to potentially fatal risks”.

Report electricity-related crime, illegal connections and unsafe electrical hazards to the Eskom Crime Line on 0800 11 27 22 or email eskom@whistleblowing.co.za or SMS 31090.

“Together, we can create safer homes, safer workplaces, and safer communities. Report illegal connections, exposed wires, damaged electrical equipment, meter tampering, cable theft, or vandalism to Eskom or your local municipality.

“Your report could prevent an injury, save a child’s life, and help keep South Africa’s electricity infrastructure safe and reliable,” Eskom said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Westbury engagement session places gun violence under the spotlight

Source: Government of South Africa

Westbury engagement session places gun violence under the spotlight

As part of efforts to end gun violence, the Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety will today participate in a community engagement session hosted by Gun Free South Africa.

“The choice of Westbury as the venue is significant, as the community continues to grapple with the devastating impact of gun violence, with innocent lives lost, and families left to mourn their loved ones,” the Committee said ahead of Thursday’s session.

Gun Free South Africa is a non-government organisation committed to reducing gun violence through public policy advocacy, education, awareness and community mobilisation.

The portfolio committee said the session, which is set to take place at the Master’s Field in Dowling Avenue, will provide an opportunity for community members, including mothers who have lost their children to gun violence, to share their lived experiences and highlight the human cost of gun violence in the community.

Discussions will focus on the lived realities of gun violence, community-led prevention initiatives, gun-free zones, challenges confronting communities and practical measures to strengthen collaboration between civil society, communities and the legislature in preventing gun violence and promoting public safety across Gauteng. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making call centres more expensive – not cheaper (By Sanjay Govender)

Source: APO

By Sanjay Govender, Head of GBS/BPO Solutions at Qrent (https://Qrent.co.za/).

The BPO industry has embraced AI as a technology capable of improving operational efficiency, enhancing customer experiences, and supporting business growth. But inside South African call centres, the opposite is quietly happening.

As AI tools become deeply embedded into customer engagement environments, many operators are discovering that the real cost of AI is not the software licence – it’s the infrastructure required to run it.

From voice neutralisation software and real time call assistance to AI driven first line support and live agent coaching, the processing demands inside modern BPO environments have increased dramatically over the past 18 months.

What many providers underestimated was the backend impact. AI does not run for free. It requires compute power, memory, networking throughput, low latency environments, and increasingly expensive infrastructure to support it at scale.

The result is that many BPOs are now facing a difficult and expensive decision. One approach is to run AI workloads directly on endpoint devices. This means moving away from standard workstation deployments toward higher specification machines capable of handling AI assisted applications locally.

In practical terms, this is driving a noticeable shift away from traditional Intel i5 deployments toward growing demand for i7 powered devices on the call centre floor. AI enhanced workloads are forcing hardware upgrades far earlier than many refresh cycles originally planned for.

The second option is to keep endpoint devices relatively standard while shifting the AI processing burden into the backend environment. In this model, AI applications and workloads are hosted centrally on servers, reducing the processing demand on the user device itself. While this avoids large scale desktop upgrades, it introduces a different problem – significantly increased server infrastructure requirements.

This is where many BPOs are starting to feel the financial pressure. Backend server environments capable of supporting AI driven workloads require substantially higher compute density, increased storage performance, more advanced networking, and far greater scalability than traditional call centre infrastructure.

The cost of expanding on premises server stacks to accommodate these workloads is rising rapidly, particularly as demand for AI capable hardware continues to grow globally.

According to Gartner, worldwide spending on AI optimised servers is accelerating sharply as organisations race to support enterprise AI workloads, contributing to overall global IT spending reaching $6.15 trillion in 2026 (https://apo-opa.co/4gTlf4e).

The third route many organisations are exploring is moving AI infrastructure off premises entirely through hyperscale providers such as Amazon Web Services or colocation environments like Teraco. In this model, the infrastructure is rented rather than owned, with AI workloads hosted externally and delivered to the BPO environment through cloud or hosted platforms.

While this removes the burden of large upfront infrastructure investment, it introduces ongoing rental and operational expenditure costs that must be managed carefully over time. For some BPOs, this creates far greater flexibility. For others, especially those operating at scale with strict latency and compliance requirements, the long-term cost equation becomes more complex.

What is becoming increasingly clear is that AI is fundamentally changing the economics of the BPO industry. For years, cost optimisation in call centres focused largely on labour efficiency. Today, infrastructure efficiency is becoming equally important.

The conversation is shifting from simply how many agents a BPO can support, to how much compute power it takes to support them effectively in an AI enabled environment. This is why the traditional procurement model is coming under pressure. Many operators still attempt to purchase server infrastructure outright through large capital expenditure projects.

But in a market where AI workloads are evolving rapidly, hardware demands are changing constantly, and infrastructure pricing remains volatile, locking large amounts of capital into fixed infrastructure is becoming increasingly risky.

A growing number of BPOs are instead exploring leasing and rental models for backend AI infrastructure. Rather than purchasing expensive server environments upfront, providers can deploy infrastructure through operational expenditure models that spread costs over time while maintaining flexibility as AI requirements evolve.

This approach also reduces the risk of overinvesting in hardware that may become insufficient or obsolete far sooner than traditional infrastructure cycles allowed for. In an AI driven environment, scalability and adaptability are becoming more valuable than ownership itself.

The uncomfortable reality is that AI is not automatically reducing operational costs inside BPOs. In many cases, it is increasing them. The difference is that the costs are shifting away from people and moving into infrastructure.

That changes everything, because the next competitive battle in the BPO industry may not be about who has the cheapest labour model. It may be about who can afford to power AI at scale.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Qrent.

Media Contact:
Sanjay Govender
sgovender@qrent.co.za

More about Qrent:
Qrent is a leading provider of sustainable IT asset management solutions, specialising in the refurbishment, rental and sale of refurbished high-quality computers, laptops, and other IT equipment. Based in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, Qrent offers businesses an eco-friendly alternative to traditional IT procurement by extending the lifecycle of technology through refurbishment, reducing e-waste, and lowering carbon footprints.

With a commitment to the circular economy, Qrent helps companies meet their sustainability goals while maintaining the performance and efficiency of their IT infrastructure. Through their comprehensive IT asset management services, including equipment rentals, sales, and responsible recycling, Qrent ensures businesses can make a positive environmental impact without compromising on cost-effectiveness or quality.

As an advocate for green tech solutions, Qrent plays a key role in reducing the growing global e-waste crisis, empowering organisations to adopt smarter, more sustainable IT practices. By choosing Qrent, businesses not only benefit from superior tech solutions but also contribute to a more sustainable future for all.

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Seychelles: President Shares Message of Support Following Devastating Flash Floods in Nepal

Source: APO


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President of the Republic of Seychelles, Dr Patrick Herminie, has expressed his solidarity with the people of Nepal following the devastating flash floods that struck the country on 26 August 2026.

In a message, President Herminie said: “The devastating flash floods in Nepal are truly heartbreaking. Seychelles is home to a significant Nepalese community, and I hope we can acknowledge this tragedy and let them know that the people of Seychelles stand with them during this painful time. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have lost loved ones and everyone affected by this disaster.”

The President’s message comes as Seychelles stands in solidarity with its Nepalese community and with the people of Nepal during this time of profound loss and uncertainty.

The flash floods struck northern Nepal on Wednesday, particularly along the Bhote Koshi River near the border with Tibet, sweeping through communities and causing widespread destruction to homes, roads, bridges and other infrastructure. The flooding was linked to an ice-and-rock avalanche or glacial collapse, which caused a sudden surge of water downstream.

According to the latest reports, at least 160 people have died in Nepal and hundreds remain missing, while Nepal’s Tourism Board has reported 403 tourists unaccounted for, including 341 foreign nationals. Rescue and search operations remain ongoing as authorities continue to assess the full extent of the damage and reach affected communities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.