The South African Weather Service (SAWS) says typical winter conditions are expected across the country this week, with some cold fronts passing south of South Africa.
“No significant weather is expected. Monday’s conditions will be fine and cool to warm, but partly cloudy in places, with isolated showers and rain along the east coast and adjacent interior,” the weather service said.
SAWS said forecasts and warnings will be updated as the likelihood and severity of impacts become clearer.
The public is also advised to remain cautious of unauthorised or unverified information sources and to refrain from sharing such information. — SAnews.gov.za
South Africa’s universities: A global story of excellence and impact
By William Baloyi South Africa has built a world-class higher education system that has become a strategic national asset. Our universities are not only recognised among the best globally; they are centres of excellence that drive innovation, strengthen the economy, develop highly skilled graduates and contribute to global knowledge creation.
The growing international recognition of South Africa’s universities is a story worth celebrating. It reflects the enduring vision of a society where education, knowledge and opportunity are powerful drivers of transformation and progress. This vision was central to the legacy of Nelson Mandela, who recognised education as one of the most important tools for empowering people and building a more equal society. Today, the strong performance of South African universities in respected global rankings is more than a source of national pride; it reflects the country’s intellectual capital, capacity for innovation and ability to compete on the global stage.
As South Africa works to accelerate inclusive economic growth and create sustainable opportunities, the achievements of its universities serve as a powerful reminder that investing in knowledge is ultimately an investment in the nation’s future. This is a story of excellence, innovation and national capability. It reflects the quality of scholarship, research and graduates that South Africa continues to produce, while demonstrating how universities are advancing practical solutions to some of the country’s most pressing development priorities, from energy security and public health to food security, climate resilience and the future of work.
International rankings consistently place South African universities among the world’s leading institutions. The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) has emerged as Africa’s leading university in the 2026 Centre for World University Rankings (CWUR). This recognition reflects the university’s excellence in research, educational quality, faculty performance, and graduate employability, reinforcing the important role that South African universities play in advancing knowledge, innovation, and development across the continent and beyond.
The University of Cape Town (UCT) continues to receive global recognition for its academic excellence and research impact. In major international rankings, including the 2026/27 US News & World Report Best Global Universities rankings and the QS World University Rankings 2027, UCT is recognised as one of Africa’s highest-performing universities, reflecting its strength in research reputation, academic excellence, international collaboration and graduate outcomes. Together, these achievements demonstrate the depth of excellence within South Africa’s higher education sector and the ability of multiple institutions to compete among the world’s best.
The impact of South Africa’s universities is perhaps best demonstrated through the groundbreaking research they produce, including the work of Wits University public health leader and vaccinologist, Professor Shabir A. Madhi, who has been recognised with one of the world’s leading infectious disease honours. Professor Madhi will be receiving the 2026 Maxwell Finland Award for Scientific Achievement, a recognition that not only reflects hard work and dedication but also affirms the global significance of South African research in combatting some of the world’s deadliest childhood diseases and pandemic threats.
Across the country, revolutionary breakthroughs are emerging through South African research as scholars develop practical solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. At the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), researchers are leading Africa’s first HIV cure trial, which has shown promising results in enabling some participants to remain virally suppressed without lifelong antiretroviral therapy, a significant milestone in the global fight against HIV. UKZN researchers are also advancing innovative solutions to improve water quality through cutting-edge chemistry research aimed at removing harmful pollutants from wastewater.
Similar contributions are being made at Stellenbosch University, where researchers are advancing work in areas such as renewable energy, agriculture, biotechnology and health sciences. The university’s efforts in developing innovative agricultural technologies, improving food security and advancing sustainable energy solutions demonstrate how research can respond to national priorities while addressing global challenges. Through collaboration with industry, government and international partners, Stellenbosch University continues to translate scientific knowledge into solutions that support economic development and improve livelihoods.
South Africa’s commitment to impactful research is equally evident at the University of Pretoria (UP), where researchers are making significant contributions in fields including veterinary science, agriculture, engineering and artificial intelligence. Through the development of solutions that strengthen food security, improve animal health, support disease prevention and advance technological innovation, UP demonstrates how higher education institutions can play a vital role in strengthening communities and building a more resilient economy.
The University of Cape Town is also contributing to solutions for one of South Africa’s most pressing challenges: energy security. Through its Energy Systems Research Group, UCT is conducting groundbreaking research that combines modelling, policy analysis and field-based studies to support evidence-based decision-making on energy transitions in South Africa and the broader region. This work assists policymakers, industry and communities in identifying pathways towards a more sustainable and reliable energy system.
UCT-led researchers have also made important advances in cancer research by studying how cancer cells change in ways that allow them to avoid detection by the immune system. This research could contribute to the development of new cancer treatments, early detection methods and vaccines, while demonstrating how South African scientists are contributing to global efforts to better understand and fight complex diseases.
The University of South Africa (UNISA) adds another important dimension to this story by demonstrating how open and distance learning can expand South Africa’s research capacity. In 2025, UNISA produced more than 550 doctoral graduates, highlighting the important role of accessible higher education in developing advanced skills, strengthening research capacity and producing the next generation of scholars and innovators. Each doctoral graduate represents new knowledge, innovation and future leadership that can contribute to South Africa, the continent and the world.
The global recognition of South Africa’s higher education excellence will reach another milestone when the University of Cape Town (UCT) hosts the Times Higher Education World Academic Summit from 29 September to 1 October 2026, marking the first time this prestigious gathering will be held on African soil.
Co-hosted with the University of Bristol, the summit will bring global leaders in higher education, research, policy, business and civil society to South Africa. It is a historic platform to showcase Africa’s contribution to global knowledge and to place South African scholarship at the centre of debates about inclusive, sustainable and future-ready societies.
As South Africa reflects on the remarkable achievements of its universities, we are reminded that education has always been at the heart of building a better society. Nelson Mandela understood that education is a powerful tool for transformation, one that unlocks human potential, expands opportunities and empowers generations to shape their own futures.
Today, South Africa’s universities are carrying this legacy forward. They are not only producing graduates and advancing knowledge; they are solving complex challenges, driving innovation and contributing to the development of a more inclusive and competitive nation. Their achievements demonstrate that South Africa has the talent, creativity and intellectual capacity to make meaningful contributions to the world. The success of these institutions is the success of South Africa itself.
*Baloyi is the Deputy Spokesperson of the South African Government
eThekwini clarifies position on former flood-displaced families occupying TEA site
The eThekwini Municipality has moved to clarify its position regarding 13 former flood-displaced families currently occupying the area outside the Temporary Emergency Accommodation (TEA) facility on Mahatma Gandhi Road.
The families were initially accommodated through government emergency relief measures following the devastating April 2022 floods.
The municipality said that, as part of its ongoing flood recovery programme, a comprehensive occupancy review and beneficiary verification process was undertaken to determine eligibility for permanent housing assistance and continued occupation of TEA facilities.
According to the municipality, the review was conducted in accordance with the National Housing Code, applicable housing legislation and approved government housing programmes.
The assessment considered several criteria, including registration on the Housing Subsidy System (HSS), ownership of residential property by beneficiaries or their spouses, previous receipt of government housing assistance, household income in relation to subsidised housing thresholds, and compliance with registration and verification requirements.
“The outcome of the assessment confirmed that the affected households do not meet the eligibility requirements for the available government housing intervention programmes.
“As a result, they do not qualify for continued accommodation under the TEA programme or for permanent subsidised housing assistance within the current policy framework,” the municipality said in a statement.
“The municipality added that the assessment outcomes were formally communicated to the affected households, and the required notices were issued. While opportunities were provided to engage on available options, the municipality said these processes were not concluded.
According to the municipality, the verification process identified several factors affecting eligibility, including existing property ownership, previous housing subsidy benefits, housing allocations already in progress and household income levels that exceed the qualifying threshold for subsidised housing programmes.
Despite the outcome, the municipality said it remains committed to engaging the affected households in a lawful, humane and constructive manner.
“Municipal officials continue to assess individual circumstances to determine whether any alternative interventions may be appropriate and available.”
Although some households do not qualify for a Breaking New Ground (BNG) housing subsidy, the municipality said other forms of housing support may be considered, subject to eligibility and availability.
These include rental housing opportunities, alternative accommodation arrangements, relocation options where appropriate, and access to social support services through relevant government departments and agencies.
The municipality noted that each case is assessed individually, taking into account the verification outcome, household income category, ownership status, subsidy eligibility, and the availability of suitable accommodation interventions.
“The municipality has a responsibility to ensure that limited public housing resources are allocated fairly, transparently and in accordance with legislative and policy requirements. This is necessary to ensure that qualifying beneficiaries receive assistance through approved government housing programmes.
“The municipality, together with the relevant Human Settlements authorities, will continue engaging affected households and reviewing individual circumstances where appropriate to ensure that all reasonable and available housing options are explored,” the municipality explained.
It reiterated its commitment to supporting flood-affected residents within the framework of applicable legislation and approved housing programmes while advancing sustainable and equitable housing solutions for qualifying beneficiaries. – SAnews.gov.za
Gauteng Health urges parents to support HPV vaccination drive
The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) is urging parents, caregivers and legal guardians to return consent forms to schools to ensure eligible learners receive the life-saving Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination.
The department is rolling out the HPV vaccination campaign until 9 October 2026, at both independent and public schools.
The vaccine will be offered to all eligible Grade 5 girls aged nine years and older.
“A single dose of the vaccine provides effective protection against HPV infection and significantly reduces the risk of developing cervical cancer later in life.
“Cervical cancer, also known as cancer of the cervix, remains one of the most common cancers affecting women in South Africa. However, it is largely preventable through HPV vaccination and regular cervical cancer screening,” the department said in a statement.
HPV affects both men and women with types 16 and 18 of the virus responsible for over 70% of cervical cancer cases.
“The HPV vaccine, used in the public health programme, Cervarix, is safe and highly effective in protecting against these high-risk strains.
“A recent study published in The Lancet Global Health found that South Africa’s school-based HPV vaccination programme reduced infections caused by HPV types 16 and 18 by 83% among young women, including those living with HIV.
“The findings demonstrate the substantial public health benefits of achieving high HPV vaccination coverage,” the statement explained.
More than 80 000 girls were vaccinated during the 2025/26 rollout campaign however, the department faced challenges including:
Declining access to vaccination teams
Learner absenteeism on vaccination days which affected 1 830 learners
Non-return of 24 327 parental consent forms.
Misinformation and vaccine hesitancy also contributed to lower vaccination rates in some schools.
“The success of this campaign depends on parental and community support. No learner will be vaccinated without a signed consent form.
“However, learners aged 12 years and older may provide their own consent in accordance with national health guidelines. The department nevertheless encourages parents and caregivers to remain actively involved in this important health intervention.
“Parents and guardians are urged to read the information provided by schools, complete the consent forms and return them promptly to ensure eligible learners do not miss the opportunity to receive protection against cervical cancer,” the statement read. – SAnews.gov.za
The organizing committee of the International African Energy Oil and Gas Summit (IAEOGS 2026) is proud to announce that the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) have officially joined the 2026 summit as its co-host.
IAEOGS 2026 is the premier platform where the global energy industry meets Africa’s opportunity. Scheduled to take place from October 20–24, 2026, at the Hilton Hotel in Windhoek, the summit arrives at a critical turning point for the continent’s energy ecosystem. With Namibia rapidly emerging as a global hotspot for oil, gas, and green hydrogen exploration, this partnership between industry leaders and academia highlights the vital connection between local capacity building, cutting-edge research, and global investments.
As co-host, NUST will bridge the gap between academic innovation and industrial development. The university’s involvement ensures that critical discussions on resource management, technological advancement, and sustainable development are backed by scientific research and local expertise.
“We are thrilled to welcome NUST as our co-host for IAEOGS 2026,” said Noah Ajare MD International Energy Summits Ltd. “Africa’s energy sector cannot achieve sustainable growth without empowering local talent and integrating institutional research. This collaboration ensures that as global investors look to Africa for untapped oil and gas potential, local institutions are leading the conversation on technology transfer, workforce development, and economic transformation.”
IAEOGS 2026 will gather international energy executives, government officials, policymakers, engineering experts, and academic researchers. Over the course of five days, delegates will explore critical themes, including local content policies, energy transition strategies, infrastructure financing, and emerging technologies in deepwater exploration.
Registration, sponsorship, and exhibition opportunities are still open. For more details on the event agenda or to secure your pass, please visit www.IAEOGS.com or contact the summit secretariat.
Issued by:
The IAEGOS 2026 Organizing Committee
July 30, 2026
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Peace Magazine.
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Alex Dyzenhaus, Lecturer in the School of International Relations, University of St Andrews
More than 30 years after South Africa achieved democracy it remains one of the world’s most unequal countries. The democratic transition has not produced the transfer in wealth and ownership from a white minority to Black majority population that many had hoped for.
Land is at the centre of the debates about this lack of transfer of wealth. During apartheid, because of racist laws around land ownership, Black South Africans could only own land in 13% of the country’s territory even when they made up 80% of the population.
In 1995, the government set an initial target to redistribute 30% of all white-owned land to Black farmers under a market-based programme, which ensured the white farmers could choose whether to sell their land and did so at or above market value. But only between 12% and 20% of the land has been redistributed so far.
For the last seven years, I have studied the land reform programme as a political scientist, merging my knowledge of political, social and economic forces to better understand why land reform has failed to live up to its initial goals.
In a recent paper I set out to gain a deeper understanding of how land reform occurred and under what conditions transfers of land from white to Black farmers had taken place. To do this, I looked at both sides of the process.
On the one hand, I examined what motivated existing landholders to transfer land, including economic incentives to keep farms productive and social factors shaped by the legacy of apartheid and segregation. On the other hand, I looked at the forces driving demand for land reform, including land claims and pressure from landless people.
A KwaZulu-Natal cattle farm.Courtesy Alex Dyzenhaus
I held in-depth conversations with established white commercial farmers and Black land reform farmers, asking white farmers why they had sold their farms for the purposes of land reform, or why they had refrained from doing so. I then asked Black farmers about their experiences as emerging farmers in South Africa.
I found that landowners’ decisions were shaped by South Africa’s history of racial segregation. Some white farmers used land redistribution to create a buffer between their farms and neighbouring Black communities. Others, in areas with many Black farmers, used land redistribution to bring Black farmers into their farming businesses.
My findings show that where land ownership is very unequal, land redistribution doesn’t always reduce old divides. In some cases, it can actually reinforce them.
These findings are important because the powerful US government has recently taken strong action against the South African government, with US president Donald Trump publicly and wrongly accusing the land reform programme of persecuting white farmers, expropriating their land and encouraging violence against them.
Based on this, Trump withdrew all aid from South Africa and opened up an asylum process for South Africa’s white farmers to come to America as refugees.
But as my research shows, land reform does not unfairly target white farmers. Instead, white farmers find it to be a useful and profitable tool to resolve longstanding problems that they face. This shows that the best way to understand land reform is to look at the evidence rather than the political debate.
Land reform to buffer against theft
An emerging farmer’s farm in the Free State.Courtesy Alex Dyzenhaus
I looked at how land reform was going in the Free State province, a part of South Africa with historically stark spatial segregation that led to minimal Black agriculture and high urbanisation. During apartheid, white and Black residents interacted in specific buffer zones between Black towns and white rural areas.
I interviewed 10 white farmers who lived next to the buffer areas. They said they were afraid of livestock theft and land reform had allowed them to sell their land to the state for a good price and move into the rural heartland.
It also meant that stock theft then became the problem of the new group of Black land reform farmers, just as national statistics on farm attacks have shown that Black people make up most of the victims of rural crime.
How land reform preserved old farming patterns
I also interviewed a dozen KwaZulu-Natal farmers to find out why they had sold their land. In this province, white farmers historically employed Black workers in a form of semi-feudal servitude called labour tenancy. Labour tenants were given access to small plots of land in exchange for their labour on the white-owned farm.
This meant that many more Black rural dwellers had small livestock farms scattered among the province’s white commercial farms in KwaZulu-Natal than in Free State.
Some white farmers sold part of their land through the land reform programme because they wanted to separate labour tenants’ small cattle herds from their larger commercial herds. Before land reform, labour tenants’ cattle often roamed across the farm, breaking fences and mixing with commercial cattle, which made grazing and disease control more difficult. Selling land allowed farmers to confine former labour tenants and their livestock to one part of the farm, separate from the commercial herd.
However, my research found that this left Black land reform beneficiaries on small plots with little opportunity to expand into profitable commercial farming, preserving the economic divide between the white commercial and Black cattle sectors.
What needs to happen next
My research suggests we need to rethink land reform rather than abandon it. In South Africa, much of the land has been redistributed through willing sellers selling land to willing buyers, with government support. This approach may help keep farms profitable, but it does little to tackle the deep inequalities created by colonialism and apartheid over many centuries.
While the US government has strongly condemned South Africa’s state-driven land reform framework, my research suggests the opposite problem: the state has relied too heavily on market forces instead of taking a more active role in deciding how land is transferred and supporting new farmers.
For example, in the Free State, land reform did little to reduce racial divisions where people live or the large gap in land ownership between Black and white South Africans. The state must do more to acquire farms or create incentives for existing landowners to sell if it wants to change the make-up of the Free State’s agriculture.
In KwaZulu-Natal, the government redistributed more land, but many of the small-scale farmers who received it have not been given the support they need to succeed. If the government wants more people to benefit from South Africa’s farming economy, rather than simply transferring land, it needs to do more to help emerging farmers get access to larger farms or earn a decent living from the land they already have.
Land reform will inevitably change agricultural practices in South Africa. It is up to the state and commercial sector to more equitably incorporate the new modes of farming that are present in the growing Black farming sector.
– How white farmers still dominate land ownership in South Africa in spite of land reform – new research – https://theconversation.com/how-white-farmers-still-dominate-land-ownership-in-south-africa-in-spite-of-land-reform-new-research-285507
The African Power & Energy Elites, brought to you by ESI Africa, part of VUKA Group (https://WeAreVUKA.com), has officially rebranded as the African Infrastructure Elites: People and Projects.
The new identity reflects the initiative’s evolving reach and its recognition of the interconnected people, projects and systems supporting Africa’s socioeconomic growth. While power and energy remain central to the platform, the African Infrastructure Elites will provide a broader space to recognise leadership, innovation and delivery across essential infrastructure sectors, including energy, water and transport.
Now entering its 11th edition, the annual African Elites initiative has built a strong legacy of showcasing the professionals and projects making a measurable contribution to the continent. Previous volumes have profiled utility executives, engineers, developers, financiers, policymakers, emerging professionals and project teams working to improve infrastructure access, resilience and sustainability.
The rebrand builds on this legacy while creating greater opportunity to tell the stories behind Africa’s infrastructure transformation.
The African Infrastructure Elites will continue to recognise both established leaders and rising stars, as well as projects across categories that include grid-tied and off-grid infrastructure, smart and digital solutions, clean transport (rail, road, air, shipping), energy at mines, water and sanitation, and finance and investment.
African Infrastructure Elites Advisory Board
Each nomination will be reviewed by the African Infrastructure Elites Advisory Board, a panel of experienced industry professionals responsible for assessing submissions on merit. The board’s independent vetting process plays an essential role in maintaining the credibility of the annual publication and ensuring that the selected people and projects demonstrate meaningful achievement, innovation and impact.
The Advisory Board includes:
Chanda Nxumalo – Managing Director, Harmattan Renewables, South Africa
George Aluru — Chief Executive Officer, Electricity Sector Association of Kenya (ESAK)
Gordon Molefe — Founder and CEO, Business4U Consultants, Botswana
Ifey Ikoneu — Energy Policy, Markets & Regulation Consultant, Ghana
Suleiman Babamanu — Nigeria Program Director, RMI
Yolanda Mabuto — Managing Director, Divaine Growth Solutions, South Africa
Selected nominees will be featured in the African Infrastructure Elites: People and Projects 2026/2027 publication and promoted through ESI Africa’s digital channels, multimedia platforms, webinars, social media campaigns and industry events.
The African Infrastructure Elites online library will also continue to provide access to previous editions, preserving a record of the individuals and projects that have shaped Africa’s power, energy and infrastructure landscape over the years.
Organisations and individuals are invited to nominate colleagues, partners, industry leaders, rising professionals or projects demonstrating tangible results and the potential to inspire or be replicated elsewhere in Africa.
Nominations for the 2026/2027 edition close on 2 October 2026.
This year’s theme, Access and Affordability empower security for All, speaks directly to one of Africa’s most pressing development imperatives. Reliable and affordable access to energy and power, clean potable water and sanitation, and sustainable and clean transport remains fundamental to economic growth, social wellbeing and long-term resilience.
About ESI Africa:
ESI Africa is a leading multimedia publication delivering news, analysis, interviews and technical insight to professionals working across Africa’s power, energy, water and infrastructure sectors. www.ESI-Africa.com
About VUKA Group:
VUKA Group connects people and organisations to information and opportunities that drive meaningful development across Africa. Through its media platforms, conferences, exhibitions and industry networks, VUKA Group supports collaboration, knowledge sharing and sustainable growth across key economic sectors. https://WeAreVUKA.com
Le ministre de l’Agriculture, du Développement rural et des Productions vivrières, Bruno Nabagné Koné, a procédé, le 31 juillet à Grand-Béréby, au lancement officiel du programme intérimaire de développement des filières palmier à huile et coco, marquant la volonté des plus hautes autorités ivoiriennes de repositionner la Côte d’Ivoire parmi les principaux producteurs et transformateurs de palmier à huile et de noix de coco.
Selon Bruno Nabagné Koné, le programme intérimaire est la phase pilote dont le succès va poser les bases d’une mise en œuvre plus efficace et à une échelle beaucoup plus grande des différentes stratégies en préparation. « Notre ambition est de reconstruire une filière coco sinistrée pendant trop longtemps », a-t-il expliqué.
Face aux défis majeurs de la faible productivité des vergers et des difficultés d’accès aux plantations villageoises, plus de 100 000 hectares de nouveaux vergers de cocotiers sont prévus d’ici dix ans, portés par une stratégie nationale en cours d’élaboration. Grâce aux avancées de la recherche agronomique, de nouvelles variétés rendent désormais possible l’implantation du cocotier dans plusieurs régions du pays, une véritable ouverture de perspectives pour les producteurs, a souligné le ministre Bruno Nabagné Koné.
Pour la filière palmier à huile, le ministre de l’Agriculture a annoncé la mise en place d’une nouvelle stratégie d’appui au développement, d’un coût global de 1 077 milliards FCFA. Les objectifs fixés par le gouvernement sont, entre autres, l’accès aux engrais, l’accès aux plants certifiés pour améliorer les rendements, l’amélioration de l’état des pistes de desserte agricole et l’accès au crédit pour les producteurs afin de moderniser les outils de production industrielle.
Toutes ces initiatives visent à garantir la compétitivité et la durabilité de ces deux filières au profit des acteurs. « Nous avons confiance en nos producteurs. Le gouvernement sera à leurs côtés pour transformer le potentiel agricole de notre pays en véritables opportunités économiques », a-t-il assuré.
Pour sa part, Félix Anoblé, président du conseil d’administration du Conseil Hévéa-Palmier à Huile-Coco, a exhorté les pépiniéristes à produire des plants certifiés afin de garantir la compétitivité, avant d’insister sur la transformation locale pour créer des emplois, plus de valeur ajoutée et de revenus.
Distribué par APO Group pour Portail Officiel du Gouvernement de Côte d’Ivoire.
Après le défilé militaire marquant les festivités du 66ᵉ anniversaire de l’accession du Bénin à la souveraineté nationale et internationale, le Président de la République, Monsieur Romuald WADAGNI, a pris part, le samedi 1er août 2026, sur l’Esplanade de l’Amazone à Cotonou, au lancement de la 2ᵉ édition du Tournoi national de pétanque.
Organisée par le Ministère des Sports et de l’Engagement civique (MSEC), avec l’appui technique de la Fédération Béninoise de Pétanque, cette compétition a été officiellement lancée par le Ministre Benoît DATO, qui a donné le coup d’envoi de deux journées de compétition placées sous le signe du rassemblement, de la cohésion et du vivre-ensemble.
Réunissant des sélections issues des douze départements du Bénin, cette deuxième édition, inscrite au programme officiel de la fête nationale, illustre la volonté du Gouvernement de faire du sport un puissant levier de cohésion sociale, de fraternité et de promotion du vivre-ensemble.
Dans son allocution, le Ministre des Sports et de l’Engagement civique a souligné que le choix de la pétanque pour accompagner les célébrations de l’Indépendance répond à une vision bien précise : « La pétanque incarne des valeurs qui font écho à l’identité de notre nation. Sport accessible et populaire, elle rassemble les générations, les familles, les amis et les communautés autour de ce qui compte le plus : le respect, la solidarité, le partage et le plaisir d’être ensemble ».
Le Ministre a ensuite rappelé que cette initiative, offerte à l’ensemble de la population béninoise, traduit l’engagement du Gouvernement en faveur du sport pour tous et repose sur une conviction forte. « Ce qui nous rassemble sera toujours plus fort que ce qui nous différencie. Le sport, par son pouvoir de réunir, demeure l’un des plus beaux symboles de cette ambition », a affirmé Benoît DATO.
Déclarant officiellement ouverte la compétition, le Ministre des Sports et de l’Engagement civique a invité les participants à faire vivre les valeurs du fair-play, du respect et de la convivialité, tout en souhaitant aux différentes délégations un tournoi riche en performances, en émotions et en fraternité.
Distribué par APO Group pour Gouvernement de la République du Bénin.
Today in El Alamein City, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Transport Lieutenant General Engineer Kamel El-Wazir, and Advisor to the President for Urban Planning Major General Amir Sayed Ahmed.
The Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, stated that the meeting reviewed the implementation status of the development projects at Greater Safaga Port, Damietta Port, Greater Alexandria Port, and Ain Sokhna Port. President El-Sisi stressed that all projects be completed within the designated timelines while adhering to the highest standards of quality.
The meeting also reviewed efforts to develop various modes of transport to support intra-regional trade, enhance the efficiency of maritime and land connectivity, and facilitate the movement of people and goods, thereby reinforcing Egypt’s position as a regional trade hub. In this vein, President El-Sisi stressed the importance of advancing logistics projects and various transport initiatives to strengthen trade and economic integration, including with Arab and African countries.
The meeting addressed the latest developments regarding the implementation of the High-Speed Electric Rail Network, the East and West Nile Monorail projects, and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project on the Ring Road. The Minister of Transport stated that trial operation of the first line of the High-Speed Electric Rail Network (Ain Sokhna–El Alamein–Marsa Matrouh) will commence in September 2026 and continue for six months. He also reviewed the economic feasibility and implementation status of the network’s second and third lines, emphasizing their importance in linking newly developed agricultural areas with consumption centers and export ports, connecting tourist destinations, and supporting population redistribution while creating new development corridors.
Regarding the East and West Nile Monorail projects, the Minister of Transport explained that, upon its inauguration, the East Nile Monorail will significantly reduce travel times between Greater Cairo, New Cairo, and the New Capital, while providing a modern, safe transportation service in accordance with the highest international standards. As for the West Nile Monorail, which extends 43.8 kilometers from October City to Wadi El-Nile Station in Mohandessin and includes 13 stations, the Minister indicated that operations are scheduled to begin in 2027. Concerning the second phase of the BRT project, he noted that it is ready for operation and will serve the country’s most densely populated areas. In this context, President El-Sisi gave directives that sustainable green mass transit projects be completed as swiftly as possible, given their vital role in supporting urban, industrial, and tourism development.
The meeting also reviewed the maintenance and upgrading plan for a number of roads and bridges across Egypt. Lieutenant General Engineer Kamel El-Wazir presented the implementation status of the Upper Egypt Western Desert Road (Giza–Abu Simbel), as well as the dual carriageway project for the Aswan–Berenice Road, which extends 327 kilometers to connect Upper Egypt governorates with the Red Sea coast and the development corridors of the Salloum Plateau. The Minister affirmed that the project is one of the State’s key strategic east-west corridors, linking the Nile Valley with border crossings and Red Sea ports.
The Minister also reviewed the measures undertaken to address traffic congestion on the 6th of October Bridge through a comprehensive maintenance plan aimed at resolving congestion and upgrading the bridge’s structural components following the emergence of issues affecting pavement layers and expansion joints in several sections. In this regard, President El-Sisi underscored the importance of completing all the aforementioned projects according to the specified timelines, with the highest quality standards and within the shortest possible timeframe.
– on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
