Category: Africa

Source: APO

As industrial technologies continue to evolve and mining, manufacturing and industrial businesses across Africa pursue greater productivity, improved safety, operational efficiency and more sustainable practices, the need for practical technologies, trusted expertise and strong business partnerships has never been greater. From automation and digitalisation to energy efficiency, sustainability and advanced engineering, organisations are seeking solutions that deliver measurable business value while supporting long-term growth.

Taking place from 7-11 September at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec, Johannesburg, Electra Mining Africa will once again provide a meeting place for industry. Recognised as one of Africa’s leading industrial exhibitions, the event will bring together more than 1,000 predominantly local exhibitors, together with international companies, country pavilions, industry organisations, technical specialists, business leaders and decision-makers from across mining, manufacturing and related industries.

By bringing together six complementary sectors—mining, manufacturing, automation, electrical and power, transport and related engineering sectors—under one roof, Electra Mining Africa enables visitors to explore how integrated technologies and solutions can improve productivity, safety and operational performance. The exhibition provides a unique opportunity to compare products, engage directly with technical experts and discover how innovations from different sectors are increasingly working together to support smarter industrial operations.

Reflecting continued industry confidence, Electra Mining Africa has expanded its footprint for the 2026 edition, growing by 4,000m² to a record 44,000m² of net exhibition space across six indoor exhibition halls and expanded outdoor display areas.

Visitors will have the opportunity to explore solutions ranging from large-scale mining equipment and industrial machinery to automation systems, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, digital manufacturing, predictive maintenance technologies, power solutions and advanced engineering services. The exhibition also features pumps, valves, welding and fabrication equipment, safety solutions, personal protective equipment (PPE), tools, components and specialist industrial services.

Electra Mining Africa has become an important business platform for companies serving markets across Africa. At the previous edition, industry professionals from 58 countries were represented, reflecting the exhibition’s growing international reach and its role in connecting manufacturers, technology suppliers, distributors, buyers and decision-makers from across the continent and beyond. For many exhibitors, the exhibition provides opportunities to strengthen customer relationships, meet prospective buyers, appoint distribution partners and explore new business opportunities. For visitors, it offers access to both internationally recognised brands and locally developed technologies designed to address the operational requirements of African industry.

Beyond the exhibition floor

Electra Mining Africa offers an extensive programme of technical knowledge sharing, professional development and industry collaboration. Free-to-attend seminars hosted by the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) will explore practical operational challenges and emerging technologies, while the Society for Automation Instrumentation Mechatronics and Computer Engineering (SAIMC) will present specialist workshops on advances in automation and mechatronics. WiMSA’s Women in Mining workshop will provide a forum for discussion around leadership, opportunity and professional development, and the Lifting Equipment Engineering Association of South Africa (LEEASA) will host its two-day National Conference, bringing together industry professionals to share knowledge and discuss developments affecting the sector.

New for 2026, the SA Institution of Mechanical Engineering (SAIMechE) Skills and Career Hub will strengthen collaboration between industry and the education and training sector, encouraging conversations around future workforce requirements, skills development and innovation. Visitors will also be able to experience the Geological Society of South Africa (GSSA) Explorers Pitch, where finalist student teams present their mineral exploration projects to an expert industry judging panel before the winning team is announced.

Also taking place during Electra Mining Africa are the New Products and Innovation Awards, which recognise outstanding achievements by both local and international exhibitors. Adjudicated by the South African Capital Equipment Export Council (SACEEC), entries are evaluated against a comprehensive set of criteria, including innovation, engineering excellence, research and development, product quality, technical expertise and the practical value each solution delivers to industry. The winners are announced during the exhibition, recognising companies whose products and innovations are advancing technology, performance and industrial application.

“Industrial businesses are facing increasingly complex challenges that cannot be solved in isolation. Electra Mining Africa brings together the technologies, expertise and industry relationships that help organisations make informed decisions, identify practical solutions and build partnerships that support long-term growth. That’s what makes the exhibition such an important meeting place for industry, not only in South Africa but for businesses operating across the African continent,” says Charlene Hefer, Portfolio Director at Montgomery Group, organisers of Electra Mining Africa..

Industry professionals wishing to attend Electra Mining Africa can register (https://apo-opa.co/4xthQPH) as a Standard Visitor free of charge. There is also an option to upgrade to a Diamond Select Visitor.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Montgomery Group Africa.

Media Contact:
Natasha Heiberg
Head of Marketing
Montgomery Group Africa
T. +27 (0)11 835 1565
​E. natasha.heiberg@montgomerygroup.com

About Electra Mining Africa:
Electra Mining Africa (www.ElectraMining.co.za) is Southern Africa’s leading industrial exhibition, bringing together the latest innovations in mining, manufacturing, automation, electrical and power, transport and logistics. Held every two years, the exhibition connects technology providers, equipment manufacturers, engineering specialists and industrial professionals from across the industrial value chain. Through technology showcases, specialist conferences and networking opportunities, Electra Mining Africa provides a platform for industry to exchange knowledge, build business relationships and explore technologies that improve productivity, efficiency, safety and sustainability.

About Montgomery Group Africa:
Montgomery Group Africa (https://apo-opa.co/4gI7iWA) unites Montgomery Group’s divisions across Africa into a single agile and future-focused organisation. With a strong portfolio of world-class exhibitions, the company is committed to building deeper connections across the continent – unlocking opportunities for innovation, business growth, and lasting impact in every market we serve. Backed by Montgomery Group’s 130-year heritage, Montgomery Group Africa has built a proud track record of delivering influential events since 1968. With a strong portfolio spanning Southern Africa through Eastern and Western Africa, they create platforms where industries connect, ideas thrive, and communities benefit. Their forward-looking approach ensures they remain a trusted leader in shaping the future of exhibitions across the continent.

Source: APO

• New shareholder alignment funds the multibillion-rand buildout of a purpose-built 5G-Advanced fixed wireless access (FWA) network.
• Wholesale model enables established ISPs, MVNOs, WISPs and new market entrants to access South Africa’s fastest-growing broadband category.
• Network brings stable, high-speed home connectivity and greater consumer choice to a growing market across the nation, including underserved areas, starting in Gauteng.

Comsol (https://Comsol.co.za/), a South African fixed wireless connectivity and private network operator with a history spanning nearly three decades, is entering the home broadband market as a wholesale provider of 5G infrastructure. The move is backed by two new shareholders: Platform Investment Partners, which has made 10 founder-stage fibre investments across four geographies over the past decade, and Wimsey Capital, a privately held investment company.

The new shareholding follows the exit of Nedbank Private Equity, part of Nedbank CIB, from its investment in Comsol. Convergence Partners, a major shareholder and long-standing investor in the business, together with Solcon Capital, is investing additional growth capital. Founder and CEO Iain Stevenson (through Mactavish Investments) retains his stake and is also investing additional capital into the company. RMB arranged and provided an innovative and holistic funding solution that enabled the shareholder transaction and will support the business in its strategic capex roll-out plan.

The move gives South African internet service providers, mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) and other potential partners access to a standalone 5G-Advanced* network purpose-built for fixed wireless access (FWA). Comsol owns and operates the network as an end-to-end wholesale product, while its partners control the customer relationship and go-to-market strategy, including branding, commercials and support.

One million households in Gauteng already covered

Comsol started building its network six months ago and already covers more than a million households in Gauteng. The company is targeting full coverage of Gauteng by March 2027. Expansion into the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and major regional centres will follow in 2027 and 2028. 

Comsol aims to blanket South Africa with around 2,000 base stations, representing one of the country’s largest standards-based and highest-capacity 5G networks. The network creates a new wholesale option for South African service providers, giving them more network capacity choice through new infrastructure, enhancing the competitive landscape to the benefit of the consumer.

“Comsol anticipates where the market is heading and builds ahead of demand,” said Stevenson. “This is why we were investing in licensed spectrum years before its strategic value was widely understood and building private 5G before the market had grasped what it would enable. We see 5G-Advanced for the home as a big growth opportunity.

“ICASA has allocated spectrum to network providers to expand broadband access and increase competition in the market. We believe the way to honour that mandate is to build wholesale infrastructure that extends high-speed broadband to new customer segments and creates a platform for more competition at the well-established service provider layer.” 

Backed by investors with deep experience in telecom infrastructure

Shaun Clark, CEO of Platform Investment Partners, added: “We have spent years investing in the construction of open-access digital infrastructure in South Africa, and were founding investors in assets such as DFA, Conduct, Vumatel and N99. Our approach has always been to identify trends in technology adoption and invest behind them. We see fixed wireless as an important part of the connectivity market. Comsol is a natural fit with our portfolio of digital infrastructure businesses, which are all centred around a neutral host model.”

Richard Ladbrook, Director of Wimsey Capital, said: “We see a significant opportunity in 5G fixed wireless access to bring high-quality connectivity to more South African households. Comsol has a multi-decade track record of successfully building and delivering advanced wireless networks in diverse contexts. We are excited to back the business and partner with the world-class Comsol team as they build and scale this next phase of growth.”

Said Andile Ngcaba, executive chairman of Convergence Partners and chairman of the Comsol board: “Comsol is well positioned as the world transitions from 5G to 6G. The depth of its spectrum and nationwide network presence across all provinces creates a significant opportunity to serve South Africa’s enterprise, private and public sectors. Comsol’s platform is equally relevant to urban and rural markets, and to companies of all sizes.”

For Nedbank Private Equity this exit concludes a successful nine-year investment in Comsol. “We are proud to have supported the company’s growth, network rollout and value creation journey alongside management and our co-shareholders. The transaction positions Comsol strongly for its next phase of growth,” said Yougan Moodley of Nedbank Private Equity.

The commercial case for advanced home 5G

Comsol’s wholesale 5G-Advanced offering complements existing fibre networks, expanding consumer choice and the reach of home connectivity.  Approximately 15% of South African households are connected to fibre, largely concentrated in dense metro areas where trenching costs are justified. This leaves a significant market adjacent to suburban markets where 5G FWA can be deployed quickly and at a substantially lower cost. The 5G-Advanced FWA network deployed by Comsol provides high capacity to support home broadband at scale, enabling entire towns to be covered in weeks.

Regulatory and technology developments in recent years have further strengthened the commercial case for 5G-Advanced FWA home connectivity. Comsol received its C-band spectrum licence from ICASA in 2022, providing investors with the certainty to fund the network rollout. The allocated spectrum supports speed-tiered plans with competitive pricing for consumers. Meanwhile, declining 5G chipset and CPE costs have lowered the upfront cost for consumers and ISPs entering the 5G FWA market. As a new entrant into the 5G wholesale market, Comsol also benefits from a modern 5G-Advanced standalone core, unencumbered by legacy technologies. 

These advantages of 5G FWA are expected to drive significant growth over the next five years. ICASA data shows FWA subscriptions growing by roughly 39% year on year in 2025.** BMIT predicts that 5G may account for up to 67% of all residential FWA connections by 2029, up from 35% in 2024.*** 

Built differently

Comsol’s network is one of only two production 5G standalone cores currently live in South Africa. The network offers a level of ultra-low latency and dedicated capacity control that hybrid 4G/5G deployments cannot match, along with roughly double the uplink performance of typical 5G mobile operator networks.

Comsol’s implementation of 5G-Advanced is IMT-conformant, taking advantage of standards-based technologies that deliver significantly greater capacity at a lower cost per bit. Comsol’s network is purpose-built to deliver high-capacity 5G home connectivity at scale.

Advantages for partners

Comsol operates as a wholesaler and does not compete with its consumer-facing partners. ISPs and other partners retain ownership of their go-to-market strategies, including product commercials, packaging, billing and branding. Comsol’s API-driven platform enables partners to bring a branded 5G-Advanced FWA offering to market in weeks, while retaining a high degree of control over their products and customer engagement.

Comsol has designed the network to enable ISPs to reach new customer segments with connectivity geared towards streaming, video calls and smart-home use that make up the bulk of home broadband needs. Its API-driven architecture gives partners the flexibility to build differentiated packages for different customer segments and implement or adapt products within hours, enabling them to respond quickly to changing market demand.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Comsol.

Notes and sources:
*The next step in the development of cellular technologies, 5G-Advanced (https://apo-opa.co/4xLp8h9) refers to a suite of technologies that will be introduced with Release 18 of the 3GPP standards.
** The-State-of-the-ICT-Sector-Report-of-South-Africa-31-March-2026.pdf (https://apo-opa.co/4xWItMF)
***5G expected to reshape South Africa’s wireless broadband market (https://apo-opa.co/45CaVr6)

For media enquiries, please contact:
Masamo Majapelo
PR Account Director at Idea Engineers (on behalf of Comsol)
Cell: +27 (0)73 333 6858
Email: masamo@ideaengineers.co.za

About Comsol:
Comsol is South Africa’s leading wholesale connectivity and network infrastructure provider, with nearly 30 years of wireless expertise. Working through service provider partners, Comsol enables connectivity for enterprises, businesses and homes.

Its capabilities span licensed fixed wireless access, private networks and other business-critical solutions, underpinned by significant spectrum assets, including the country’s largest contiguous holding of 28 GHz spectrum and 60 MHz in the 3.7 GHz band. Comsol has a nationwide enterprise network and is rolling out a new 5G-Advanced network for home connectivity, starting in Gauteng and expanding across South Africa.

For more information, please visit https://Comsol.co.za/

Source: APO

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The Gauteng delegation of permanent delegates to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Wednesday called for urgent corrective action and greater accountability after oversight visits revealed persistent delays at two school construction projects and the Women Living Monument in Pretoria.

The visits form part of the NCOP’s 2026 Provincial Week programme, through which it aims to assess progress against earlier commitments and recommendations during previous oversight engagements.

The delegation started in Daveyton, where it was joined by the MEC for Infrastructure Development and COGTA, Mr Jacob Mamabolo. Senior government officials accompanied the MEC. At the Barcelona Primary School, Members expressed concern that construction remains delayed despite earlier commitments to address the challenges affecting the project. The delegation was informed that the previous contractor’s services had been terminated because of poor progress on the project. Members heard that the process to appoint a new contractor is underway. The department indicated that the bid evaluation process for the new contractor was completed on 12 August 2026 and the aim is to make an appointment by 28 August 2026.

Members questioned the causes of the delays and called for strict timelines to return the project to schedule. They also called for consequences where wrongdoing or failure is established, as well as closer monitoring of contractor performance and procurement processes. The delegation emphasised that communities should not continue to wait indefinitely for infrastructure that is critical to the provision of quality public services.

The delegation further sought clarity on the financial implications of terminating the previous contractor. Members called for appropriate measures to protect public funds and to recover any amounts due to the government, where applicable. Mr Mamabolo undertook to provide further information on the project within 14 days. This will include the implementation plan and timelines for completing the school.

At Semphato Secondary School in Soshanguve, the delegation raised concern about continued construction delays and discrepancies in the reported progress of the project. Members questioned the termination and reinstatement of contractors, project expenditure and the lack of tangible progress since the delegation’s previous oversight visit. The delegation also raised concern about the condition of temporary classrooms and ablution facilities used by learners, despite earlier undertakings to address these problems.

The delegation requested separate detailed written reports from the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development and COGTA and the provincial education department within 14 working days. The infrastructure report is expected to address the status of the project, the terminated contractor, consequence-management measures, investigations into allegations surrounding the project, and clear timelines for completion. The delegation further called on the department to consider opening criminal cases against parties where investigations establish possible criminal conduct arising from breaches of contractual obligations.

The education department is expected to report separately on the condition of the temporary learning facilities and ablution blocks, the interventions required and the timeframes for addressing the concerns raised. The delegation emphasised that commitments made during parliamentary oversight must be matched by measurable action, particularly where learners’ safety and dignity is a concern.

At the Women Living Monument in Pretoria, the delegation expressed concern that the facility remains non-operational despite previous commitments to complete the outstanding requirements. The delegation was particularly concerned about the outstanding occupancy-related certification required before the facility can become operational. Members recalled that, during the previous oversight engagement, officials had committed to securing the outstanding certificate that day. The delegation expressed dissatisfaction that the responsible municipal official was not available to account for the outstanding certification. Members stressed that commitments made to Parliament must be honoured.

The Department of Infrastructure Development and the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation undertook to ensure that the outstanding processes are concluded and that the monument is officially opened by the end of August 2026. The delegation will follow up on this commitment to ensure the facility’s ultimate intention to commemorate and preserve the history and contribution of women in South Africa is realised.

Across the three sites, the delegation identified recurring concerns affecting public infrastructure delivery, including project delays, contractor performance, procurement and supply-chain weaknesses, consequence management and the protection of public funds. The delegation emphasised that the purpose of oversight is not merely to receive explanations for delays, but to ensure that identified challenges result in specific corrective action.

Gauteng Provincial Whip and leader of the delegation, Ms Jane Mananiso, said the site visits reinforced the importance of the legislature in conducting oversight and accountability. “Oversight cannot simply be about visiting projects, listening to explanations and then moving on. Our responsibility is to follow through on commitments made to Parliament and to the communities we represent. Where projects are delayed, there must be clear corrective measures, accountability and realistic timelines. Where public resources have been compromised, there must be consequence management,” she said.

Ms Mananiso said the delegation would assess the commitments made during the visits as part of its provincial debriefing and reflect the outstanding matters in its report to Parliament.
 

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

Source: APO

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has launched a comprehensive general and specialist healthcare programme in the East Wollega and West Wollega zones of Ethiopia’s Oromia region.

We aim to restore access to essential services for host communities and internally displaced people in hard-to-reach rural areas, while strengthening the capacity of key health facilities.

In these rural zones, limited movement of patients, staff and supplies – along with shortages of medicines and medical equipment, financial barriers and weak referral systems – have made it harder to deliver timely, quality healthcare. Some facilities have operated at reduced capacity or faced temporary interruptions. 

As a result, communities have experienced untreated illness, challenges in sustaining immunisation and maternal health services, a high burden of malaria along with a greater risk of disease outbreaks, and increased pressure on the health facilities that remain functional. 

Despite the scale of need, the presence of humanitarian organisations in these zones remains limited, leaving significant gaps in both general and specialist care.

“The area has unmet health needs,” said Dr Sigrid Lamberg, MSF country director in Ethiopia. “Communities often lack routine care, while referral facilities have had little support to strengthen infection control, staff capacity and essential services.”

“The limited presence of international organisations in this area has created significant and growing gaps in essential health services,” says Dr Lamberg. “These gaps mean that people often delay seeking care or travel long distances when they become ill.”

In response, we started running mobile clinics that bring healthcare directly to areas with limited access in East Wollega and West Wollega. These mobile teams provide outpatient consultations, routine nutrition assessments, health promotion activities, and essential medicines with a strong aim to reduce preventable deaths. In West Wollega, MSF is providing targeted specialist-level support to Begi hospital, which serves a larger catchment of approximately 1 million people.

Our team focuses on strengthening infection prevention and control systems and building the capacity of health workers. This support is being rolled out in phases, beginning with the maternity department, with the aim of gradually reinforcing broader hospital functions. 

In July, the first month of operations, the mobile clinics provided outpatient care and essential services to 4,243 people; during the same period, at Begi hospital’s maternity department, our team supported 137 deliveries in collaboration with hospital staff.

By combining outreach with support to a key referral facility, our activities seek to create a more continuous and resilient pathway of care. Throughout the implementation of the programme, MSF has been working in close partnership with the Ministry of Health, local health authorities, and local communities.

“Communities in East Wollega and West Wollega have faced prolonged disruptions to basic health services,” said Dr Lamberg. “Our goal is to reinforce the capacity of selected facilities and outreach services so that quality care can be delivered closer to the communities who need it most.”

“It’s a collaborative approach to ensure that our support strengthens existing health structures rather than creating parallel systems,” they conclude.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).

Source: APO

Across East and Southern Africa, governments, regional institutions and women’s rights advocates are driving a growing movement to tackle one of the continent’s most persistent challenges: violence against women and girls. At the same time, they are advancing a parallel agenda to strengthen care systems and social protection, recognizing that gender equality cannot be achieved without addressing both safety and economic security. ​

This momentum was on full display during a recent high-level UN Women mission to Namibia, where leaders gathered to advance support for the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU-CEVAWG) and shape regional discussions on care-responsive policies. The mission highlighted how efforts to end violence against women and girls are increasingly linked to investments in care systems, social protection and women’s economic empowerment. 

A landmark opportunity to strengthen protections for women and girls

Violence against women and girls remains one of the most widespread human rights violations globally, with significant social and economic consequences for individuals, families and communities. Across Africa, governments are increasingly recognizing the need for stronger legal frameworks, prevention measures and survivor-centered services.

The African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls represents a major step forward in establishing a continent-wide framework to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. During the mission to Windhoek, Namibia signaled its commitment to advance national processes towards signing and ratifying the Convention, adding momentum to efforts to secure the 15 ratifications required for the treaty to enter into force. 

“Ending violence against women and girls requires not only strong laws but also strong political leadership and collective action,” said UN Women Deputy Executive Director Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda. “The momentum we witnessed in Namibia demonstrates a growing commitment across Africa to accelerate implementation of the AU Convention and ensure that every woman and girl can live free from violence.” 

The Convention is expected to strengthen accountability, harmonize regional standards and encourage countries to invest in prevention, protection and survivor support services. Its advancement reflects a broader recognition that ending violence against women and girls is essential to achieving sustainable development, peace and inclusive economic growth. 

The care economy: An untapped driver of equality and growth

Alongside efforts to eliminate violence, African governments are placing increasing attention on the care economy, a sector that includes both paid and unpaid care work such as childcare, elder care, healthcare and domestic work.

Women and girls continue to shoulder a disproportionate share of unpaid care responsibilities, often limiting their opportunities for education, employment, leadership and economic participation. Investments in accessible, affordable and quality care services can help reduce these burdens while creating jobs and strengthening social protection systems.

This issue featured prominently during the Sixth African Union Specialized Technical Committee (STC) on Social Development, Labour and Employment, where ministers adopted a landmark decision calling for the integration of care systems into national social protection frameworks through dedicated strategies, sustainable financing and gender-responsive budgeting. 

The decision aligns with UN Women’s advocacy to recognize, reduce, redistribute, reward and represent both paid and unpaid care work. By placing care at the center of development planning, governments can help create more inclusive economies while improving the wellbeing of families and communities. 

According to UN Women East and Southern Africa Regional Director Anna Mutavati, the discussions highlighted the growing understanding that social and economic policies are deeply interconnected.

“A key takeaway from the STC was the recognition that social policy is economic policy. When governments invest in care systems and gender-responsive social protection, they are investing in resilience, productivity and inclusive growth,” said Mutavati. 

Connecting safety, care and women’s empowerment

Violence against women and girls and unequal care responsibilities are often mutually reinforcing challenges. Women experiencing violence frequently face economic insecurity, while excessive unpaid care work can limit access to education, employment and support services. Effective social protection and care systems can help reduce vulnerability, support survivors and strengthen women’s economic independence.

Across East and Southern Africa, governments, women’s organizations and development partners are therefore increasingly pursuing integrated approaches that address both protection and economic empowerment. These efforts include strengthening survivor services, expanding social protection, supporting community-based care models and promoting policies that enable women to participate fully in economic and public life.

The high-level mission to Namibia reinforced this approach by bringing together discussions on violence prevention, care systems and gender-responsive social protection, demonstrating how regional engagement can accelerate policy change and strengthen collaboration among Member States. 

Building momentum across Africa

The visit also underscored the importance of partnerships among UN Women, the African Union and Member States in turning continental commitments into concrete national action. As countries consider ratification of the AU Convention and advance reforms to strengthen care systems, regional cooperation will remain critical to sustaining momentum and sharing lessons across borders. 

“Regional engagement creates opportunities to turn continental commitments into national action,” said Doris Mpoumou, Representative of the UN Women African Union Liaison Office. “By working closely with Member States and the African Union, we can build the momentum needed to translate commitments into tangible results for women and girls.” 

As Africa advances efforts to end violence against women and girls while investing in care systems and gender-responsive social protection, the message emerging from Windhoek is clear: protecting women’s rights and valuing care work are not separate priorities. Together, they are essential building blocks for inclusive development, economic transformation and a future where all women and girls can live free from violence and realize their full potential. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women – Africa.