Category: Africa

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Human traffickers are using football dreams to lure young Ghanaian men to Nigeria – how to stop it?

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Suleman Lazarus, Visiting Fellow, Mannheim Centre for Criminology, London School of Economics and Political Science

For a young man growing up in Ghana or Nigeria, few dreams burn brighter than becoming a professional footballer. Icons like Michael Essien (Ghana), Jay-Jay Okocha (Nigeria) and Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria) didn’t just win trophies. They escaped poverty, provided for their families, and earned the respect of entire communities.

Football, in much of west Africa, isn’t just a sport. It is a promise.

This promise has led to an elaborate trafficking scheme that claims many young, African victims every year. Victims are lured with promises of football trials, academy placements or opportunities in Europe, only to end up in exploitative conditions in Nigeria. They may be confined, stripped of their documents, and forced to solicit money from relatives, while their devices are used in further fraud schemes run by traffickers.

I am a criminologist who has also researched the socio-cultural dynamics of online offending and victimisation for over a decade. In a recently published paper I examined how deceptive football recruitment can be a form of trafficking.

The paper focused on the case of 76 young Ghanaian footballers who were trafficked to Nigeria for fake trials in 2025 (before being rescued). I examined how digital tools, legal loopholes and emotional appeals were used to entrap the victims.

I concluded that this case was unlikely to be exceptional but part of a wider, emerging form of exploitation in which traffickers weaponise young people’s sporting ambitions through digital deception. That conclusion draws not from this case alone, but from a wider body of research showing how football ambitions can be channelled through exploitative recruitment networks, deceptive intermediaries, and precarious migration pathways.

The key argument is that football migration, cyber-enabled fraud, and human trafficking cannot be treated as separate domains of research. Treating them in isolation has harmful consequences, because this fragmentation creates the very blind spots traffickers exploit. I suggest that prevention requires coordinated regulation, athlete protection, digital monitoring, and stronger oversight from sport and regional bodies.

I also challenge the policy framework that treats sport aspiration and cybercrime in west Africa as separate domains.

Hijacked dreams

The 76 young Ghanaian men were trafficked to Nigeria under the guise of football trials and academy placements.

Recruiters used Facebook posts, WhatsApp messages and targeted digital ads to present themselves as legitimate scouts, complete with the language, branding and rituals of real sports agencies.

When the victims arrived, the reality was very different. Their phones and identity documents were confiscated. They were confined to overcrowded compounds and cut off from the outside world. They were then coerced into contacting their own relatives and fabricating stories about training fees and travel costs to extract money from families back home. Their phones – and the trust embedded in their contact lists – were turned into instruments of fraud.

Some were pressured to recruit their peers, turning the scheme into something resembling a coercive multi-level marketing operation. Eventually, authorities intervened and the victims were rescued.

But the damage – financial, psychological and social – had already been done.

Why football makes such effective bait

To understand why this works, you have to understand what football means in this context. For young men with limited access to education or formal employment, football represents a socially sanctioned path out of precarity. Families invest emotionally and financially in these dreams. To be offered a trial with a club in another country is not just an opportunity. It is a validation of everything a family has hoped for.

Traffickers understand this intimately. They don’t need to drag victims across borders by force. They simply need to make an offer that feels too real, and too meaningful, to question. The coercion comes later, once victims are far from home, stripped of documents and dependent on their captors.

This is a shift from more familiar trafficking patterns. Unlike the well-documented trafficking of women and girls for sexual exploitation, this case involved young men trafficked between two African countries for what researchers call “forced criminality” – being made to commit fraud against their own communities.

Blind spot in policy and research

Sport-enabled trafficking barely registers in anti-trafficking policy or academic research. Most frameworks still focus on sexual exploitation, domestic servitude and irregular migration to Europe.

Intra-African trafficking, particularly through digital deception and aspirational manipulation, remains largely invisible.

There is also a structural problem. In both Ghana and Nigeria, cybercrime enforcement and anti-trafficking responses operate in separate silos. But this case shows how those two worlds overlap: digital recruitment, physical confinement and coerced online fraud are all part of the same operation.

Treating them as distinct policy problems means traffickers can exploit the gaps between them.

Research shows that some Nigerian cybercriminals move to Ghana to expand and protect their operations. The free-movement protocols of the Economic Community of West African States, designed to promote regional integration, also play an inadvertent role. With minimal border checks between Ghana and Nigeria, traffickers can move victims across borders with ease and near impunity.

What needs to change

Policymakers have been cautious about linking football to trafficking, partly because football is widely seen as a source of hope, prestige and opportunity in many communities. But that reluctance is itself a vulnerability.

Several things need to happen.

Firstly, Ghana and Nigeria must improve cross-border intelligence sharing and coordinate enforcement, specifically around sports-linked fraud.

Secondly, awareness campaigns need to reach not just young men, but their families – the people who unwittingly provide the emotional and financial fuel that traffickers exploit.

Thirdly, digital platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp, which serve as the primary recruitment channels, must take more responsibility for flagging fraudulent sports content.

Fourth, broader institutional reforms are also necessary. Ecowas, Fédération Internationale de Football Association (Fifa) and national sports ministries must strengthen agent licensing, regulate intermediaries more rigorously, and embed athlete-protection measures into football governance.

The 76 Ghanaians trafficked to Nigeria are not an anomaly. They are a warning. Where football dreams are powerful, they will be exploited, unless the systems around sport, migration and digital life are brought into alignment.

Football has lifted many young men out of poverty across west Africa. That possibility is worth protecting. But protecting it means being honest about how the dream itself can be turned against the dreamers.

– Human traffickers are using football dreams to lure young Ghanaian men to Nigeria – how to stop it?
– https://theconversation.com/human-traffickers-are-using-football-dreams-to-lure-young-ghanaian-men-to-nigeria-how-to-stop-it-277536

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Electric vehicles could soon be cheaper than petrol cars in Africa – if financing barriers fall

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Christian Moretti, Senior Researcher, Paul Scherrer Institute PSI, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich

The cost of electric vehicles (EVs) has long looked like a barrier to adoption in Africa. Most researchers didn’t expect battery power to become affordable enough to replace petrol or diesel on the continent before 2040.

But falling battery costs, surging global EV production and abundant solar resources are changing that view.

Our new research shows that EVs, particularly when paired with off-grid solar charging, may be cheaper than petrol- or diesel-powered cars in many African countries in the not-so-distant future. However, several factors are still limiting up-take. We argue that financing is a big one.

We are researchers working on energy policy, life-cycle assessment and low-carbon technologies at ETH Zürich and the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI. With African university partners, we’ve spent the past two years examining whether African countries can proceed directly to electric mobility, bypassing older technology. This study came out of the need for context-specific evidence to assess whether EVs can play a meaningful role in the region’s transport future. This could improve local air quality and also transform the emissions trajectory of one of the world’s fastest-growing transport sectors.

The main challenge is not whether electric mobility makes sense technically for the African context – it does – but rather, how to make financing work at scale.

High interest rates, risk premiums and limited access to long-term credit still make electric vehicles unaffordable for most Africans. But in lower-risk countries such as Botswana, Mauritius and South Africa, the financing conditions today are already close to making costs the same for electric and fossil fuel cars.

Our research shows that if an EV is purchased with cash upfront, excluding taxes, in certain scenarios it would be cost-competitive already today.

There is a need for focused research into scalable financing solutions to unlock accelerated growth of EVs in Africa. We outline four potentially relevant points for researchers, African policymakers and international finance institutions.

Financial de-risking alongside indirect public subsidies

Africa’s EV market is growing fast, reaching US$17.4 billion in 2025 and expected to hit US$28 billion by 2030, despite currently being less than 1% of the total on-road vehicle fleet.

Our research looks at the total cost of ownership competitiveness of EVs across 52 African countries in six passenger vehicle segments: small and medium two-wheelers; small, medium, and large four-wheelers; and a minibus segment. We also looked at three timeframes: 2025, 2030 and 2040.

We found that, for more than half the countries examined, financing costs would need to fall by 7-15 percentage points for EVs to reach cost parity with conventional vehicles by 2030. That drop can reduce lifetime financing expenses by thousands of dollars, often enough to shift a vehicle from being unaffordable to firmly within reach.

Technology risk is no longer the problem: EVs are now commercially mature and widely used around the world and increasingly in Africa.

Country-specific risk is more the problem. It reflects several perceived or actual investment risks such as macroeconomic or institutional instability, currency volatility, or unfamiliarity with EV business models among lenders, which results in elevated purchase prices.

Indirect subsidies such as tax or import duty exemptions for EVs are helpful and popular in many African countries.

But to accelerate and sustain EV adoption, countries may also need tools that transfer financial risk from private lenders to public actors. This could lower the overall price of the vehicle.

Among these tools could be credit guarantees, concessional loans and blended finance structures. In practice, this means governments or other public financial institutions would absorb part of the risk associated with EV loans. This would make lenders feel more comfortable to finance EVs. By absorbing some risk, these instruments could lower interest rates to levels that make EVs more affordable – speeding up adoption and shortening the window where public subsidies are needed.

EVs as financial assets

EVs are well suited to de-risking. Cars and charging systems are standardised assets with predictable cash flows. Loans can be bundled and securitised, meaning individual vehicle loans are pooled together and converted into tradable financial products. A similar thing happens with mortgages, but not with most infrastructure projects. In this sense, EV financing could be simpler and more scalable than traditional development finance.

Packaging thousands of small EV loans into investable products could attract pension funds, insurers and impact investors – capital pools far larger than traditional development aid.

Multilateral development banks play a critical role here, not as primary lenders but as market makers. By helping structure financial products, setting standards and offering partial guarantees, they can crowd in private capital at scale.

Public financing to reinforce private sector momentum

Private companies are already proving that electric mobility can work in lower-risk African markets.

In Kenya and Rwanda, firms offering battery-swapping, leasing and pay-as-you-go models for electric two- and three-wheelers are expanding rapidly. These business models reduce up-front costs for consumers and generate operating data that builds confidence among investors.

The opportunity now is to secure public funding to build on these early successes. Private firms can bundle vehicle loans and charging assets into regional portfolios, spreading risk across countries and customer segments. Once these portfolios are established, public actors, like development banks or climate funds, could scale them, particularly in higher-risk markets. They could help to, for example, build pan-African EV financing platforms that channel capital smartly across high and low risk environments.

EV policies and country-specific financing conditions

Financial de-risking efforts for EVs in Africa must be developed along with broader EV policy. Clear, predictable national policy frameworks can reduce investment uncertainty and directly lower financing costs.

Kenya’s National Electric Mobility Policy is a leading example. In addition to offering incentives to increase EV adoption, the policy strengthens regulatory frameworks and supports expansion of charging infrastructure. It encourages local EV manufacturing and assembly too, potentially helping to create opportunities for green economic growth.

This does not mean every country needs aggressive EV mandates tomorrow. Within the continent, there are strong cross-country differences in both financing needs and policy environments for e-mobility. Some countries may require more public intervention than others.

Effective policy measures may include:

  • temporary import duty exemptions

  • targeted purchase incentives for lower-income buyers

  • fuel tax reforms

  • clear strategies for phasing out high-polluting used vehicles.

Policies should be time-bound and regularly reviewed, avoiding long-term fiscal burdens as EV prices fall naturally.

Targeting incentives towards smaller, mass-market vehicles can also improve equity. This would ensure that public support benefits first-time buyers rather than wealthier households.

The evidence is clear, Africa does not need a technological breakthrough to electrify passenger transport. What it needs is cheaper capital and supportive policy environments for accelerated EV adoption.

– Electric vehicles could soon be cheaper than petrol cars in Africa – if financing barriers fall
– https://theconversation.com/electric-vehicles-could-soon-be-cheaper-than-petrol-cars-in-africa-if-financing-barriers-fall-275732

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President Boakai Declares J.J. Roberts’ 217th Birth Anniversary a National Holiday

Source: APO


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The President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has by Proclamation declared Sunday, March 15, 2026, as the 217th Memorial Birth Anniversary of President Joseph Jenkins Roberts and is to be observed on Monday, March 16, 2026 as a Public Holiday throughout the Republic. 

The Presidential Proclamation orders all Government offices, public buildings, and business houses closed during the observance.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, the Proclamation is in consonance with an Act enacted by the Forty-Second National Legislature of Liberia declaring March 15th of each year as the birth anniversary of Joseph Jenkins Roberts, First President of the Republic of Liberia, a National Holiday as a mark of respect and reverence to his memory and untiring efforts in organizing the government of the Republic as well as negotiating and concluding treaties with foreign powers which gave recognition to the founding of the Liberian Nation. 

The Liberian leader, in his Proclamation, stresses that it is befitting that such honor accorded the memory of this distinguished Statesman serves as a challenge to all Liberians to aspire to higher and noble endeavors by emulating his courage, endurance, selflessness and commitment to the principles and ideals of democracy as portrayed as in his works and life as our first President.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia.

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Lekota lauded as a man who pursued justice over popularity

Source: Government of South Africa

Lekota lauded as a man who pursued justice over popularity

The late struggle veteran Mosiuoa ‘Terror’ Lekota will be remembered as a principled leader who remained steadfast in his pursuit of justice and service to the people, says Deputy President Paul Mashatile.

Delivering the eulogy at Lekota’s Special Official Funeral Category 2 in Bloemfontein on Saturday, Deputy President Mashatile said the former Defence Minister was known for his courage to speak the truth, even when it was unpopular.

“Ntate Lekota was a man who told the truth, even when it was uncomfortable. He did not chase popular acclaim; he chased justice. His integrity was not for sale, nor was his commitment to the downtrodden found wavering. 

“He believed that the true measure of our liberation was not in the opulence of the few but in the dignity of the poor,” the Deputy President said. 

Deputy President Mashatile delivered the eulogy on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa at the funeral held at the Old Grey Sports Club. 

Lekota passed away on 4 March 2026 at the age of 77.

The Deputy President described Lekota as a towering figure of South Africa’s liberation struggle whose political journey spanned several defining moments in the country’s history. 

He noted that Lekota began his activism in the 1970s through the South African Students’ Organisation (SASO), where he championed Black Consciousness and mobilised communities against apartheid.

Lekota was later imprisoned on Robben Island alongside several struggle leaders, including former President Nelson Mandela.

“From his youth, through the United Democratic Front and into government, his journey was marked by sacrifice and service,” the Deputy President said.

In the democratic era, Lekota served as the first Premier of the Free State between 1994 and 1996, where he played a key role in establishing the province’s first democratic administration.

He later became the inaugural chairperson of the National Council of Provinces and served as Minister of Defence from 1999 to 2008.

Deputy President Mashatile said during his tenure as Defence Minister, Lekota helped shape a defence force committed to protecting democracy and peace.

“He envisioned a [South African National] Defence Force not as an instrument of repression, but as a guardian of democracy and peace, a vision that continues to guide us today. In guiding the SANDF, the former  Minister ensured that the instruments of war became guardians of peace, transforming them into protectors of a democracy still in its infancy. 

“His vision was clear: that the strength of a nation lies not in its weapons, but in its ability to reconcile, to heal, and to live in harmony,” the Deputy President said.

He also reflected on Lekota’s role in founding the Congress of the People (COPE), describing him as a leader who remained guided by principle throughout his political career.

He said Lekota consistently reminded leaders that democracy required integrity, vigilance and a commitment to improving the lives of ordinary citizens.

“He was clear that corruption robs the poor, inequality divides the nation, and unemployment steals hope. He challenged us to confront these realities with honesty and courage, and to govern not for ourselves but for the millions who look to democracy as a promise of a better life,” the Deputy President said.

He added that Lekota’s passing during Human Rights Month should prompt reflection on the country’s progress in addressing inequality, unemployment and gender-based violence.

“We can state without hesitation that Honourable Lekota’s footprint is indelible in the milestones of our democracy. His hand is evident in the triumph of universal suffrage, in the expansion of housing and healthcare, in the opening of classrooms and the provision of social grants,” he said.

The Deputy President extended condolences to the Lekota family, thanking them for sharing a leader who dedicated his life to the struggle for freedom and democracy. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Eskom marks 300 days without load shedding

Source: Government of South Africa

Eskom marks 300 days without load shedding

South Africa has reached 300 consecutive days without load shedding, marking a significant milestone in the recovery of the country’s electricity generation system. 

In a statement on Friday, Eskom said the milestone was achieved at midnight on 12 March 2026, reflecting improvements in the performance and reliability of its generation fleet under the Generation Recovery Plan.

“This achievement reflects the sustained upward trajectory in plant performance, supported by an Energy Availability Factor (EAF) that is consistently above 65%, currently at 65.85% for the financial year to date (1 April 2025 to 12 March 2026), demonstrating the sustained progress in Eskom’s turnaround strategy. 

“Notably, the generation fleet has also achieved or exceeded the 70% EAF milestone on 83 occasions so far over this timeframe,” the power utility said. 

Eskom said the improvement is also reflected in the significant reduction in unplanned outages, with a 53% decrease in average unplanned outages recorded. 

“Between 6 and 12 March 2026, average unplanned outages recorded at 7 224MW showing a notable improvement from the 15 382MW experienced during the same week last year, a reduction of 8 158 MW. This underlines the ongoing gains in reliability across the fleet,” Eskom said. 

Over the same period, the Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF), reflecting unplanned outages, was at 14.85%, representing a reduction of 17.22% compared to the 32.07% recorded during the same period last year.

During the same period, Eskom’s Planned Capacity Loss Factor (PCLF) which reflects planned maintenance, averaged 13.81%, up from 10.21% in the previous financial year, as part of efforts to ensure environmental compliance, improve reliability, and support long‑term sustainability

In addition, the power utility said 5 861MW is currently in cold reserve due to excess capacity.

Diesel usage has also declined significantly.

For the financial year to date (1 April 2025 to 12 March 2026), diesel expenditure is R8.58 billion lower than during the same period last year, a 57.35% reduction year on year.

Over the past week, diesel usage contributed 10.08GWh of electricity to the grid at a cost of R59.70 million, resulting in a weekly load factor of 1.76%.

“The use of diesel this week was due to statutory grid code testing and to meet the reserve requirements, as specified in the South Africa Grid Code. Year‑to‑date, diesel expenditure remains consistently below budget and is expected to remain below budget through to the end of the financial year,” the power utility said. 

South Africa has now experienced 301 consecutive days without any interruption in electricity supply, with only 26 hours of loadshedding recorded in April and May 2025 during the current financial year.

Eskom to add 3 330MW to grid ahead of evening peak demand

To further ensure a stable electricity supply, Eskom plans to bring 3 330MW of generation capacity online ahead of the evening peak on Monday, 16 March 2026. 

Evening peak demand is forecast at 23 858MW, with 27 652MW of available capacity, providing a healthy reserve margin above current demand.

Eskom published the Summer Outlook on 5 September 2025, covering the period 1 September 2025 to 31 March 2026, which projects no loadshedding due to sustained improvements in plant performance from the Generation Recovery Plan.

Key Performance Highlights

  • For the financial year to date, the UCLF decreased to 22.73%, reflecting a week-on-week improvement of 0.17% and remaining well below last year’s 25.74%.
  • For the financial year to date, planned maintenance was at an average of 5 377MW, accounting for 11.42% of total generation capacity, more than last week’s 11.38% and lower than the 12.61% over the same period last year.
  • Between 1 April 2025 and 12 March 2026, Eskom generated 1 075.23GWh from OCGT plants at a diesel cost of R6.381 billion. This is significantly lower than the 2 498.75GWh generated during the same period last year (1 April 2024 to 12 March 2025), which resulted in costs of R14.963 billion. Notably, diesel usage has declined consistently month-on-month since May 2025, and the month-to-date load factor stands at 1.11%.
  • The year-to-date OCGT load factor has further decreased to 3.79%, reflecting a 0.03% improvement from the previous week. This is significantly lower than the 8.81% recorded during the same period last year and remains below the set target.

Progress on ending load reduction

On progress made in ending load reduction, Eskom said199 160 customers are no longer affected during peak periods.

“Although the power system remains stable and generation capacity continues to exceed demand, illegal connections and meter tampering persist, causing infrastructure damage and posing serious safety risks. In response, Eskom continues to implement load reduction as a temporary measure in high-risk areas to protect both communities and the electricity network,” Eskom said. 

To address these challenges sustainably, Eskom has launched a phased programme to eliminate load reduction by 2027. 

The programme targets 971 feeders and will benefit approximately 1.69 million customers across all provinces, out of Eskom’s total customer base of 7.2 million.

Key interventions include the rollout of smart meters, the integration of Distributed Energy Resources, and the expansion of Free Basic Electricity support. These measures will be accompanied by targeted customer education initiatives. 

To date, Eskom has installed 444 062 smart meters nationwide, of which 171 507 (about 39%) have been deployed on load reduction feeders. These installations empower customers with greater visibility and control over their electricity consumption, support accurate billing, and significantly enhance the overall user experience.

Of the 171 507 smart meters installed on load reduction feeders, approximately 90% are concentrated in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu‑Natal, where network risk is highest.

The phased programme to eliminate load reduction programme targets the installation of 577 347 smart meters on load reduction feeders by March 2026, with full rollout on these feeders planned for completion in 2027. 

Current implementation represents approximately 30% of the total end‑state target.

“The rollout is deliberately focused on high-loss areas affected by illegal connections, meter bypassing, overloaded infrastructure and widespread electricity theft. Eskom has undertaken extensive community and stakeholder engagement through ward councillors, public meetings, radio platforms and social media to support the implementation of the programme,” Eskom said. 

Eskom further explained that despite these efforts, installation teams continue to face persistent resistance, including intimidation, violent incidents and repeated work stoppages. These disruptions have led to deployment delays, the redeployment of teams, and heightened safety risks for Eskom employees and contractors. 

As a result, approximately 122 000 planned meter conversions have been delayed to date, undermining the stability and predictability of the rollout programme. – SAnews.gov.za 

 

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SADC Council of Ministers calls for accelerated regional integration

Source: Government of South Africa

SADC Council of Ministers calls for accelerated regional integration

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers has called for the accelerated implementation of policies and programmes to advance regional integration and development.

The call was made at the conclusion of the two-day Council of Ministers meeting held in Pretoria from 12 to13 March 2026 under the theme “Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation, and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC”.

The meeting was opened and chaired by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Ronald Lamola, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers.

South Africa is currently leading the regional bloc following its election as the interim Chairperson of SADC during a virtual Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government held on 7 November 2025. 

Minister Lamola called for enhanced regional cooperation to make a tangible difference in the lives of the SADC citizens through improved livelihoods, jobs, food security, energy access and resilience. 

He also stressed that SADC citizens are looking forward to seeing regional integration producing meaningful economic opportunities and improving their prospects for a better future.

“If integration remains rhetorical, confidence in our common agenda will diminish. But if we act decisively and implement agreed commitments effectively, our region has the potential to emerge as a dynamic force for industrial growth, innovation and sustainable development,” the Minister said. 

He called on the Member States to strengthen resource mobilisation efforts, ratify legal instruments that support regional cooperation, and leverage the opportunities that arise from strategic partnerships.

The Chairperson of the Council of Ministers noted progress made, including the expansion of digital connectivity, with internet penetration in the region reaching 54%. 

Progress was also reported in infrastructure development through the rollout of One-Stop Border Posts and the addition of more than 14 000 megawatts of new generation capacity, which has increased the share of renewable energy in the regional energy mix from about 25% to 38%.

SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi highlighted that consolidating peace and security remains a top priority for regional development.

“Without stability, industrialisation falters, investment declines, and Vision 2050 slips beyond reach,” Magosi said. 

He added that the region continues to engage actively in addressing the situation in both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Madagascar to find a sustainable solution to the peace, security and governance challenges facing the two countries.

On trade integration, the SADC Executive Secretary highlighted the advancements made in increasing intra‑SADC trade in manufactured goods which has risen modestly from 19% to 22%, reflecting progress in market integration and value chain development. 

He called on Member State to put in place measures to eliminate trade barriers and boost economic growth.

Magosi highlighted that the region is repositioning the mining sector as a catalyst for industrialisation, with the current shift in focus from exportation of raw materials to value addition.

“Our challenge has never been scarcity, but value addition,” Magosi said, citing the revision of the SADC Protocol on Mining to align with its Regional Mining Vision and the adoption of the Critical Minerals Framework at the G20 Summit as opportunities for SADC to reshape global supply chains and fuel prosperity at home.

On resource mobilisation to support regional integration and development, Magosi stressed the importance of the Regional Development Fund (RDF), a regional financing mechanism for driving regional integration and development. 

“The RDF is our vehicle for transformation. Without it, we stand still. And with it, we can boldly move forward together,” he said.

Key outcomes of the Council of Ministers meeting

The Council approved the 2026–2027 Annual Corporate Plan, which outlines interventions and outputs designed to accelerate the implementation of the priorities of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–2030. 

These priorities include Peace, Security, and Good Governance; Industrial Development and Market Integration; Infrastructure Development in Support of Regional Integration; Social and Human Capital Development; as well as cross-cutting issues such as Gender, Youth, Environment, Climate Change, and Disaster Risk Management.

In light of geopolitical tensions, economic volatility, climate-induced shocks, and disruptions in global supply chains, all of which directly affect the SADC region, Council resolved to convene an urgent meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs to assess the impact of these geopolitical developments on the region. 

The Council approved three years of funding for 12 projects to be implemented in SADC Member States under the SADC HIV and AIDS Special Fund Round IV. The selected projects focus, among other areas, on HIV prevention research; integration of mental health services; Sexual and Reproductive Health and Gender-based Violence prevention and response; and targeted interventions for key populations, including both in-school and out-of-school youth.

Three Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were approved between SADC and Japan, the African Wildlife Economy Institute (AWEI), and the World Food Programme (WFP). 

These agreements are designed to strengthen cooperation in key areas that align with regional priorities, Agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The next Ordinary Council meeting will take place in August 2026, ahead of the 46th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government to be held in eThekwini, KwaZulu Natal. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Eulogy by Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile at the Special Official of Mosiuoa Gerard Patrick "Terror" Lekota at Old Grey Sports Club, Willows, Bloemfontein, Free State

Source: President of South Africa –

Programme Director / Chairperson;
The Lekota Family;
The Honourable Premier of the Free State;
The Honourable Speaker of the Free State Legislature;
The Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Thoko Didiza;
The Honourable Chairperson of the Council of Provinces, Ms Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane;
Former Presidents Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe;
Leaders of the Government of National Unity;
Leaders of Opposition Parties present here today;
Honourable Premiers and Speakers present;
Honourable Ministers and Deputy Ministers;
Members of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures;
Traditional and Religious Leaders;
Veterans of our Liberation Struggle;
Members of the the Diplomatic Corps;
Fellow South Africans, Dumelang!

Today, we gather as a nation united in grief, remembrance, and gratitude to bid farewell to a towering figure of our liberation struggle and democratic state.

We honour Ntate Mosiuoa “Terror” Lekota, a giant whose life was defined by uncompromising dedication to justice and service to the people.

Ntate Lekota’s political journey traversed the defining epochs of modern South Africa.

From the ideological awakening of Black Consciousness to the frontlines of the United Democratic Front, the leadership corridors of the ANC’s National Executive Committee, and ultimately the founding of the Congress of the People. His life was lived in pursuit of a better South Africa, marked always by honesty, integrity, and courage.

Ntate Lekota understood that leaders are transient, but the “Congress” as an ideal of unity and justice is eternal. He knew that the measure of a leader is not how long he holds office, but how faithfully he serves the covenant of Congress. From Dr A.B. Xuma’s reminder that “to Congress we are loyal” to the steadfast guardianship of Sisulu and Tambo, that covenant has been passed like a torch across generations.

Lekota carried that torch with unyielding fidelity. He stood as proof that while names may fade from ballots, the Congress ideal remains, a beacon of unity, a compass of justice, a promise to the people.

Ntate Lekota understood that leadership is not command, but service. For him, democracy was never a distant set of rules; it was a living instrument to transform the lives of ordinary citizens.

He dedicated himself to ensuring that the Constitution became a shield for the vulnerable and a bridge across the chasm of inequality. He remained an outspoken voice, reminding all of us that democracy requires vigilance and principled leadership.

Terror Lekota’s activism began in the 1970s with the South African Students’ Organisation (SASO), where he championed Black Consciousness and the liberation of oppressed communities. His imprisonment on Robben Island alongside Nelson Mandela deepened his conviction that freedom was non-negotiable. From his youth, through the United Democratic Front (UDF), the infamous Treason Trial, and into Government, his journey was marked by sacrifice and service.

As the first Premier of the Free State, Honourable Lekota stepped into a province scarred by apartheid and laid the foundations of a unified, non-racial government. He was instrumental in forming the provincial administration, in advocating for, and in embarking on the long journey to build a government that served all citizens.

As Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces and later Minister of Defence, he carried the burdens of leadership with dignity. He envisioned a Defence Force not as an instrument of repression, but as a guardian of democracy and peace, a vision that continues to guide us today.

In guiding the Defence Force, the former minister ensured that the instruments of war became guardians of peace, transforming them into protectors of a democracy still in its infancy. His vision was clear: that the strength of a nation lies not in its weapons, but in its ability to reconcile, to heal, and to live in harmony.

Ntate Lekota strongly believed that reconciliation was not weakness but strength; peace was not the absence of struggle but the triumph of justice. He reminded us that democracy is not a gift, but a responsibility, a constant refrain that challenged each generation to guard and nurture it.

President Cyril Ramaphosa captured his essence when he said, “Ntate Mosiuoa Lekota belonged to a generation of leaders who placed the interests of the people above their own, who understood that freedom demands sacrifice, and that democracy must be defended with courage and integrity.”

Indeed, these words capture the essence of a life lived in service of South Africa. He stood among those who carried the heavy burden of resistance, who risked their freedom so that ours might be secured.

During the turbulent days of student activism, he would arrive at meetings with nothing more than a notebook in his hand and conviction in his voice. He would listen carefully, then rise with calm authority and remind everyone that “Our struggle is not for ourselves, it is for the generations to come.” That was his gift to turn passion into discipline, and discipline into action.

From his student activism with comrades like Steve Biko and Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, to his leadership in government, he carried the vision of a South Africa that is non‑racial, non‑sexist, democratic and united. He held fast to the ideals of the ANC Bill of Rights and the 1955 Freedom Charter, that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black and white.

One thing that also made him an exceptional comrade was his remarkable ability to engage across political and ideological divides, while remaining firmly anchored in the values of the Freedom Charter.

In moments of heated debate, he was never swayed by partisanship or personal gain; instead, he returned again and again to the Charter’s call for unity, equality, and shared belonging.

This fidelity made him not only a defender of constitutionalism, but also a reconciler, a leader who could listen, who could reason, and who could remind us that our democracy is strongest when it embraces diversity of thought while holding fast to the principles that unite us.

Ntate Lekota’s passing during Human Rights Month, just before the 30th anniversary of our Constitution, urges a reflection on whether we have honoured the rights and freedoms for which he dedicated his life and efforts. His passing compels us to ask ourselves whether we are living up to the promise of the rights and freedoms for which he laboured.

This is the question that demands deep introspection and honest reflection. It is the question that calls us to measure our progress not by ceremony and speeches alone, but by the lived reality of dignity, equality, and justice in the daily lives of citizens.

Indeed, we have walked far since 1994, but we cannot yet claim to have arrived. How can we say we are there when a child who has met every requirement for a degree still stands on the verge of opportunity, with no unemployment?

How can we say we are there when Gender‑Based Violence remains one of South Africa’s most devastating and persistent human rights violations? Violence continues not in distant places, but in our homes, in our relationships, in our communities. As a society, we must all play a role in challenging harmful norms that normalise GBV.

How can we say we are there when we still carry the highest income inequality in the world, and uneven opportunities that divide our people? Progress without opportunity is incomplete. Freedom without dignity is unfinished, and justice without inclusion is unfulfilled.

Nevertheless, we can state without hesitation that Honourable Lekota’s footprint is indelible in the milestones of our democracy. His hand is evident in the triumph of universal suffrage, in the expansion of housing and healthcare, in the opening of classrooms and the provision of social grants.

These achievements are the bricks and mortar of dignity, and the lifelines of hope. In democracy, in human rights, in infrastructure, and in social development, his legacy is etched into the very fabric of our nation.

Those who walked this journey with Honourable Lekota remember him as a leader of conscience, discipline, and integrity. Former President Thabo Mbeki has often reminded us that true leaders understand power as responsibility, not reward. In this tradition, Ntate Lekota stood out as a principled defender of constitutionalism, collective leadership, and strong democratic institutions.

Former President Kgalema Motlanthe, himself a custodian of unity and ethical leadership, has spoken of humility in power and fidelity to constitutional values. These principles found deep expression in Ntate Lekota’s life, a leader whose moral authority flowed not from office, but from service; not from title, but from trust; not from privilege, but from the people.

His life reminds us that true leadership is not measured by titles, but by values upheld and trust earned.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Ntate Lekota’s contribution did not end with the struggle for freedom. In our democratic government, he carried forward the same determination, turning his energy to the challenges that continue to face our people. He understood that political freedom must be matched by social and economic justice.

In all his endeavours, he was determined to create opportunities for every child to learn, for every worker to earn a decent living, and for every family to live with dignity. He believed that education was the key to breaking the cycle of poverty, that skills development was the bridge to employment, and that empowering the youth was the surest way to secure our future.

Ntate Lekota was a man who told the truth, even when it was uncomfortable. He did not chase popular acclaim; he chased justice. His integrity was not for sale, nor was his commitment to the downtrodden found wavering. He believed that the true measure of our liberation was not in the opulence of the few but in the dignity of the poor.

He was clear that corruption robs the poor, inequality divides the nation, and unemployment steals hope. He challenged us to confront these realities with honesty and courage, and to govern not for ourselves but for the millions who look to democracy as a promise of a better life.

Most of us sitting here are aware that Ntate Lekota spoke truth to power even when it came at great personal cost to his political career. In the ANC and in opposition benches, he acted with deep-seated integrity, embodying the belief that public office is a calling to serve the people, not oneself.

Perhaps his most profound contribution was his belief that a nation divided by the atrocities of apartheid could not prosper without profound healing. He understood that wounds of our past were deep- emotional, psychological, and physical. Yet, he believed in the power of reconciliation, not as a forgetting, but as a facing the truth to lance the boil of hatred.

If we draw from Lekota’s life and convictions, his voice on today’s conflicts would be clear and principled. Lekota would likely remind leaders that democracy and sovereignty must be defended through dialogue, not domination. I believe that Lekota’s refrain would echo that true strength lies not in weapons, but in the ability to reconcile, to heal, and to move forward together.

Compatriots,

The world does not need war. We do not need any violence and destruction. What humanity needs is the courage to resolve our differences in peace, in negotiation, and in diplomacy. This was the conviction that Ntate Lekota carried, that dialogue is stronger than division, that reconciliation is greater than retaliation, and that peace is the highest form of justice.

Even now, in his passing, Ntate Lekota has achieved what so few can: he has brought us together. He has forced us to pause, look beyond our political divides. As a principled leader who valued dialogue, we should continue in his spirit to use the context of the National Dialogue for engagement and coming together to shape the next chapter of our democracy.

I must further highlight that Ntate Lekota’s life speaks powerfully to the spirit and purpose of the Government of National Unity. Long before cooperation across political lines became a constitutional arrangement, he practiced it as a leadership value, understanding that unity across difference is the foundation of social cohesion and nation‑building.

While his departure leaves a void, his legacy as a committed freedom fighter who sacrificed his own freedom for ours will never be forgotten.

As we bid farewell to Ntate Lekota, we embrace his enduring values and vision alongside our mourning. Today we must recommit ourselves to unity across difference, to justice without compromise, and to building a South Africa that truly belongs to all who live in it.

To his wife, children, and family, we thank you for sharing this titan with the nation. Though his voice is silent now, the echoes of his courage will resonate for generations.

Robala ka kagiso, Patrick Mosiuoa “Terror” Lekota. Your journey is complete, but the freedom you fought for lives on. Your life will remain a compass for our democracy, and your values will continue to guide our nation.

Hamba kahle, Mkhonto!

Thank You.
 

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President Ramaphosa to address inaugural National Transport Conference

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Monday, 16 March 2026, address the inaugural National Transport Conference at Gallagher Estate, Midrand.

The conference takes place under the theme: “Transport: The Driver for Growth, Job Creation, Inclusivity and Sustainability.” 

The gathering will bring together decision-makers, investors and innovators to engage on how to build a sustainable transport system that works for the economy and job creation. 

Given the role of transport as a facilitator of economic growth and an enabler of social development, the conference will tackle the sector’s most pressing issues. 

These include modernising failing passenger rail systems and resolving port and freight bottlenecks. 

Part of the discussions will be how to improve road safety to save lives, clearing infrastructure backlogs and meeting climate and sustainability targets.

The address will take place as follows:
Date: Monday, 16 March 2026
Time: 09h00
Venue: Gallagher Estate, Midrand in Johannesburg

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

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Mauritius Explores Creole in Parliament as Speaker Meets President Herminie

Source: APO – Report:

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The Speaker of the National Assembly of Mauritius, Hon. Mrs. Shirin Aumeeruddy-Cziffra, paid a courtesy call on the President of the Republic of Seychelles, Dr Patrick Herminie, on Friday 13th March, 2026, during the President’s State Visit to Mauritius. The meeting focused on parliamentary cooperation and legislative best practices, with particular attention given to Mauritius’ initiative to introduce Mauritian Creole as a language of debate in the National Assembly, an approach inspired in part by the experience of the National Assembly of Seychelles in making parliamentary proceedings more accessible to citizens.

During the discussions, Speaker Aumeeruddy-Cziffra briefed President Herminie on the initiative, which aims to allow parliamentary debates to be conducted in Mauritian Creole so that proceedings can be more easily understood by the wider public. She noted that implementing this proposal would require the necessary legal and procedural adjustments, including amendments to the Constitution and revisions to the Standing Orders of the National Assembly.

The meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on legislative matters and share experiences from their respective parliamentary systems. President Herminie, who previously served as Speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles, reflected on his experience in parliamentary leadership and governance, and welcomed continued dialogue between the two legislatures.

The discussions also touched on the importance of inclusive representation in democratic institutions. Speaker Aumeeruddy-Cziffra commended Seychelles for its high representation of women in the National Assembly and for the significant roles women occupy in leadership positions across government.

The courtesy call underscored the close cooperation and mutual respect between the legislative institutions of Mauritius and Seychelles, as well as the shared commitment of both countries to strengthening democratic governance, parliamentary practice, and citizen engagement.

– on behalf of State House Seychelles.

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Chief Justice of Mauritius Pays Courtesy Call on President Herminie

Source: APO – Report:

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The President of the Republic of Seychelles, Patrick Herminie, received the Honourable Chief Justice of the Republic of Mauritius, Rehana Bibi Mungly-Gulbul, for a courtesy call on Friday, 13 March 2026, during his State Visit to Mauritius.

The meeting provided an opportunity for an exchange of views on the important role of the judiciary in upholding the rule of law and safeguarding democratic governance. Both sides also reflected on the longstanding legal and institutional ties between Seychelles and Mauritius.

During the discussion, the close professional links between the two judicial systems were highlighted, including the presence of a Seychellois-born judge practising in Mauritius and a Mauritian-born judge serving on the Seychelles Court of Appeal. These exchanges were noted as a testament to the strong legal cooperation and shared traditions between the two countries.

President Herminie expressed his appreciation for Mauritius’ longstanding support in the training and development of legal professionals from Seychelles, noting the important contribution this partnership has made to strengthening the country’s legal and judicial capacity.

Both parties also exchanged views on the functioning of their respective judicial systems and explored potential avenues for further cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Chief Justice Mungly-Gulbul further informed the President that she has been invited to participate in the East African Judges Forum 2026, scheduled to take place in Seychelles from 21 to 25 March 2026. She expressed her interest in meeting again with President Herminie during the forum to continue their discussions on strengthening judicial cooperation between the two nations.

– on behalf of State House Seychelles.