Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: APO

On 26 August 2026, H.E. Ambassador Zhou Ding hosted the awarding ceremony for the 2026 Chinese Government Scholarship and China-Zimbabwe Friendship Scholarship. The Honourable Ambassador Dr. Frederick Shava, Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development of Zimbabwe, attended the event, together with over 100 guests comprising education sector representatives and scholarship recipients.

In his remarks, Ambassador Zhou highlighted the long-standing, robust educational cooperation between China and Zimbabwe, which has delivered fruitful, tangible outcomes and serves as a vivid testament to the two countries’ all-weather community with a shared future. As 2026 marks the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, the ceremony carries added symbolic significance. As a cornerstone of bilateral people-to-people bonds, educational cooperation has broadened avenues for Zimbabwean youth to pursue personal advancement and professional growth. Ambassador Zhou encouraged all awardees to cherish this hard-won opportunity, strive for academic excellence, and contribute to Zimbabwe’s national development and the enduring China-Zimbabwe friendship.

Minister Shava affirmed that China-Zimbabwe educational cooperation has played an instrumental role in nurturing skilled human resources and unlocking the innovative potential of Zimbabwean youth. China’s consistent support has underpinned Zimbabwe’s socioeconomic development and advanced the realization of its Vision 2030 goals.

Viewing their scholarships as both a great honour and a profound responsibility, student recipients pledged to study diligently in China, serve their motherland upon graduation, and pass on the time-honored friendship between China and Zimbabwe from generation to generation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Zimbabwe.

Source: APO

When Pavati Plastics Southern Africa set out to build a black women-led manufacturing business, the ambition was to develop a sustainable enterprise capable of responding to market needs, developing new products and replacing products previously imported into South Africa.

Today, Pavati Plastics is a 100% black-owned and black-managed company, with 51% black women ownership, and has evolved from a service business into a manufacturing enterprise with capabilities spanning extrusion, printing and specialised packaging.

The company’s expansion was supported by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) through the Black Industrialists Scheme (BIS), which approved a R50 million matching grant in March 2021 for its capital expansion project.

Between 2015 and 2021, Pavati transitioned from a service business into manufacturing, with its expansion focused on building local manufacturing capacity and replacing specialised products that had previously been imported.

“Between 2015 and 2021, Pavati Plastics evolved from a service business into manufacturing. We were building a black-managed, sustainable packaging entity with capabilities in extrusion, recycling and specialised manufacturing. By 2021, the business had moved into a capital expansion phase focused on import replacement,” said Pavati Plastics Financial Director, Ms Ntombenhle Nhleko.

The expansion has increased the company’s capabilities across extrusion, printing and bagging. Its products include machine and manual pallet wrap, Zip Lock coin bags, cast polypropylene (CPP) and monoaxially oriented polypropylene (MOPP).

Nhleko said that the investment has strengthened Pavati’s ability to respond to customer requirements and pursue new opportunities in the market.

“The investment has allowed us to expand our manufacturing capabilities and diversify our product offering. It has also enabled us to respond to customer requirements more effectively and pursue opportunities that were previously beyond our capabilities,” says Nhleko.

Pavati’s product development process starts with understanding customer requirements. The company conducts market research and trend analysis, engages machinery suppliers to assess production capabilities, and develops and tests products according to customer specifications before obtaining approval from the customer or brand owner.

“We engage with customers to understand their packaging needs and future objectives, conduct market research and look at industry trends. We then work with our machinery suppliers to understand the functionality of the equipment, develop and test the product and obtain approval from the customer,” stresses Nhleko.

She emphasises that collaboration with customers, suppliers, employees, funders and regulatory stakeholders is central to the process, while intellectual property arising from new products remains with Pavati.

Nhleko adds that the company’s investment in new manufacturing technology has also supported its sustainability efforts.

“Our company’s investment in new technology has also improved the efficiency of its manufacturing processes, and Pavati Plastics was named a joint winner of the Sustainability Awards at the 2024 Black Industrialists Awards. Our newer machinery uses less energy and allows production offcuts to be fed back into the manufacturing process. This helps us reduce waste while improving the efficiency of our operations,” she says.

The Black Industrialists Scheme provides financial and non-financial support to black industrialists to expand existing operations or establish new manufacturing operations. The scheme provides a cost-sharing grant of between 30% and 50% of qualifying project costs, capped at R50 million.

For Pavati, the support was directed towards its capital expansion project to increase manufacturing capacity and produce specialised polypropylene substrates that had previously been imported into South Africa.

In June 2025, the Black Industrialists Financing Forum Adjudication Committee approved a further 12-month extension of the BIS project to 31 May 2026. The approval recorded Pavati’s transition from 51% to 100% black ownership.

From a service business to a black-owned manufacturing enterprise, Pavati’s journey reflects its focus on developing local production capacity, responding to customer needs and using technology and innovation to strengthen its position in the manufacturing value chain.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Republic of South Africa.

Source: APO

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Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ending new HIV infections, adolescent pregnancies and sexual and gender-based violence among adolescents and young people.

Dr Oluga made the remarks today during a mentorship and advocacy engagement at Mawego Technical Training Institute in Homa Bay County. The event was presided over by First Lady H.E. Rachel Ruto, EGH, under the Voice of Children Initiative, convened by the Office of the First Lady through the Organization of African First Ladies for Development.

The PS said the three interconnected challenges threaten the health, education, safety and future of young people and require coordinated action as part of Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage agenda.

Adolescents account for about 24 per cent of Kenya’s population, while 59 per cent of Kenyans are below the age of 24. In Homa Bay County, approximately 65 per cent of the population is aged 24 and below, underscoring the need for stronger adolescent-responsive health and protection services.

Dr Oluga said the Government is scaling up prevention and early intervention through Primary Health Care. Community Health Promoters are helping to identify vulnerable adolescents and link them to HIV prevention and testing, sexual and reproductive health services, maternal care and support for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.

He also highlighted the role of the Social Health Authority in reducing financial barriers to essential maternal health services, particularly for pregnant adolescents.

The PS called for stronger collaboration among healthcare providers, schools, families, communities and government agencies to keep children in school, prevent violence and exploitation, provide accurate health information and ensure vulnerable adolescents receive timely care and protection.

He welcomed the Voice of Children Initiative as an important platform for young people to participate in finding solutions to the issues affecting their health, safety and future.

Also present were Homa Bay Governor H.E. Gladys Wanga; Principal Secretary for Children Services CPA Caren Ageng’o; National Syndemic Diseases Control Council Chief Executive Officer Dr Douglas Bosire; Head of the National AIDS and STI Control Programme Dr Andrew Mulwa; the Homa Bay County Commissioner; senior National and County Government officials; Ministry of Health staff; community leaders; young people and other stakeholders.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.

Source: APO

Kenya and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening health cooperation and supporting the long-term sustainability of Kenya’s health system.

Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga chaired the sixth Joint Health Cooperation Framework Steering Committee Meeting to review progress in implementing the Kenya–United States Government Health Cooperation Framework.

The meeting brought together senior representatives from both governments, including United States Deputy Chief of Mission Ms. Carla Bernini, Head of the Project Management Unit Dr. Mohammed Abdi Sheikh, representatives from the Council of Governors and the National Treasury, as well as technical partners.

Discussions focused on progress towards the sustainable transition of supported health programmes to government leadership, financing, risk mitigation and preparations for the next phase of cooperation.

The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of both governments to aligning the partnership with Kenya’s health priorities and strengthening a resilient, sustainable and government-led health system.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.

Source: APO

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that the late Justice Fikile Eunice Mokgohloa will be honoured with a Special Official Funeral Category 2 tomorrow, Saturday, 29 August 2026.

Justice Mokgohloa passed away on 20 August 2026, at the age of 65.

President Ramaphosa offers his deep condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the late judge, who has served the nation and the judiciary with distinction, integrity and dedication over the last 20 years.

Justice Mokgohloa was a Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal since June 2019, after serving as Deputy Judge President of the Limpopo Division of the High Court.

She also served as Acting Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Appeal.

President Ramaphosa has paid tribute to Justice Mokgohloa for her contribution to the judiciary and jurisprudence.

The President said: “Judge Mokgohloa has left us at the pinnacle of her commitment to the rule of law and the administration of our courts.

“Her legacy is entrenched in the many landmark judgments she delivered and in her exceptional judicial leadership.

“May her soul rest in peace.”

Justice Mokgohloa will be buried in Pretoria.

The funeral service will take place at 07h30 tomorrow, 29 August, at the Hillsong Church in Wonderboom Pretoria.

The Special Official Funeral Category 2 will feature ceremonial elements provided by the South African Police Service.

President Ramaphosa has directed that the National Flag be flown at half-mast at all flag stations until tomorrow evening, 29 August.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

Source: APO

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Parliament, through its Research Unit, will on Monday, 31 August 2026, host a Youth Colloquium and Youth Innovation Expo under the theme: “Youth employment, economic growth, skills and challenges faced by young people in the labour market.”

The colloquium will bring together young people, policymakers, educators, industry representatives and civil society to deliberate on the challenges confronting young people in the labour market, including skills gaps, systemic barriers to employment and the need for meaningful youth participation in the digital economy.

The colloquium seeks to examine the gaps between evolving labour market demands and the capacity of education and training systems to respond. As the skills landscape shifts towards digital literacy, creativity, innovation and adaptability, many young people continue to face barriers to acquiring relevant skills and accessing employment and economic opportunities. Discussions will explore ways to strengthen education and training systems, address skills gaps and create more effective pathways for young people to participate meaningfully in the changing economy.

A key feature of the programme will be the Youth Innovation Expo, which will showcase youth-led solutions and initiatives in areas including technology, green innovation, creative industries and community development. The expo will provide young innovators with an opportunity to demonstrate their ideas, products and solutions while engaging with policymakers, industry and other stakeholders.

The colloquium will provide an interactive platform for participants and members of the audience to engage with panellists through comments and questions.

The programme takes place against the backdrop of Youth Day, which commemorates the 1976 Soweto Uprising, when young people mobilised against an unequal and discriminatory education system. The legacy of the 1976 generation continues to inform national conversations on youth development, education and economic opportunity.

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