Category: Africa

Source: APO

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The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health, Ms Faith Muthambi, has joined South Africans and the international community in commemorating National Cancer Survivor Day, observed annually on 1 June.

“Today, we honour and celebrate the courage, resilience and strength of individuals who have faced cancer and continue to live as survivors,” said Ms Muthambi.

National Cancer Survivor Day serves not only as a celebration of life, but also as a reminder of the ongoing physical, emotional and financial challenges experienced by cancer patients and their families. Ms Muthambi emphasised that these challenges highlight the need for a strong, responsive and compassionate healthcare system.

“Cancer does not only affect the individual diagnosed; it has a profound impact on families and communities. The journey to recovery is often long and difficult, which is why early detection, timely diagnosis, and access to effective treatment and care remain critical,” she said.

Cancer remains a significant public health challenge in South Africa, affecting thousands of people each year. According to the 2024 South African National Cancer Registry Report, South Africa records more than 90 000 new cancer diagnoses annually. Cancer is the second leading cause of death, contributing to more than 65 000 deaths each year. The most prevalent cancers include breast cancer, prostate cancer and cervical cancer, with breast cancer remaining the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women. These figures underscore the growing burden of cancer and increasing pressure on the health system to strengthen prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment services.

Ms Muthambi further highlighted the heavy financial burden associated with cancer treatment. In public health facilities, the cost of treating and managing cancer patients ranges between R40 000 and R100 000 per patient per year, depending on the type and stage of the disease. In the private healthcare sector, costs can exceed R500 000 for advanced treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy.

“While many South Africans depend on medical aid schemes, coverage is often insufficient, leaving patients and their families with significant out-of-pocket expenses,” said Ms Muthambi.

The Chairperson acknowledged the state’s challenges in responding to the cancer burden, including limited resources in public health facilities and shortages of specialised oncology professionals, which contribute to delays in diagnosis and treatment.

The committee emphasised that cancer prevention and regular screening must remain a national priority. Public awareness and education play a vital role in reducing cancer incidence and improving health outcomes. “We remain committed to strengthening the healthcare system to ensure that all patients, regardless of socio-economic status, have access to quality care, psychosocial support and reliable information on treatment options,” Ms Muthambi said.

As South Africa observes National Cancer Survivor Day, the Chairperson called on all citizens to support cancer awareness initiatives and to participate in community programmes that promote healthy lifestyles and early detection.

“We honour the bravery of those who have battled cancer, celebrate the resilience of survivors, and remember with respect those who have lost their lives. Their legacy strengthens our resolve to build a more equitable and responsive healthcare system,” said Ms Muthambi.

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

Source: APO

•  RSSB Tigers Become First BAL Champion from Rwanda

• Tigers Guard Craig Randall II Named 2026 BAL Most Valuable Player, Receives Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy

• BAL Sets Records Across Attendance, Social Media Engagement, and Partner Support 

Rwanda’s RSSB Tigers today defeated Angola’s Petro de Luanda 90-88 to win the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) (https://BAL.NBA.com) Championship, which took place at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, and reached fans in 214 countries and territories.  The Tigers are the first team from Rwanda to win the BAL Championship.

The 2026 BAL season set records across attendance, social media engagement, and partner support.  More than 110,000 fans attended BAL games this season, including record attendance for the group phase games in South Africa and Morocco.  The BAL generated a record of more than 1.1 billion views on social media this season, and a record 22 marketing, merchandising and institutional partners supported the league throughout the season.

Following the game, BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall and FIBA Africa President Anibal Manave presented the RSSB Tigers with the BAL Championship Trophy and Tigers guard Craig Randall II with The Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy for winning the 2026 BAL Most Valuable Player Award.  Randall recorded per game averages of 36.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists during the season, setting a BAL record for most points in game when he scored 54 points against Tanzania’s Dar City on April 4.

The Tigers went 6-2 during the Kalahari Conference group phase and Playoffs, defeating Morocco’s FUS Rabat and Egypt’s Al Ahly in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, to advance to the Championship.  Libya’s Al Ahly Ly defeated Al Ahly 106-98 in the third-place game earlier today.

Notable attendees throughout the 2026 BAL Playoffs and Finals included NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum; FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis; NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi; Fall; Manave; Dallas Mavericks President and Alternate Governor Masai Ujiri; BAL Ambassadors Luol Deng, Joakim Noah, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Ian Mahinmi and Chiney Ogwumike; WNBA legend and Boston Celtics Vice President of Team Operations and Organizational Growth Allison Feaster; and former WNBA player and 2026 FIBA Hall of Fame inductee Clarisse Machanguana.

The BAL has also announced the Coach of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Sportsmanship Award winner, All-BAL First Team, All-BAL Second Team, All-BAL Defensive First Team, All-BAL Defensive Second Team and Ubuntu Award winner.  The voting panels varied for each award and comprised fans, coaches, team captains, media, broadcasters, and scouts.

2026 BAL Coach of the Year

RSSB Tigers head coach Henry Mwinuka led the team to a 4-1 record and first-place finish in the Kalahari Conference group phase before leading the team to its first BAL Championship.  Mwinuka is the first Tanzanian to win the award.

2026 BAL Defensive Player of the Year

RSSB Tigers center Mangok Mathiang received The Dikembe Mutombo Trophy after helping his team to a 7-2 record and recording per game averages of 16 points, 14.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks.

2026 BAL Sportsmanship Award

Al Ahly Ly point guard Mohamed Sadi received The Manute Bol Trophy for exemplifying the ideals of sportsmanship and camaraderie.

2026 BAL Ubuntu Trophy Presented by Qatar Foundation

On May 27, Nairobi City Thunder forward Ariel Koranga was honored with the 2026 BAL Ubuntu Award in recognition of his efforts in his native Kenya to use basketball to empower young women.  Through a program that combines basketball training with mentorship, education, life skills and mental health support, he has reached more than 300 athletes across the country, including from underserved communities.

2026 All-BAL First Team

Position	Player	Team
Guard	Childe Dundão	Petro de Luanda
Guard	Craig Randall II	RSSB Tigers
Guard/Forward	Donovan Williams	Al Ahly Ly
Forward	Majok Deng	Al Ahly Ly
Forward/Center	Mangok Mathiang	RSSB Tigers

2026 All-BAL Second Team

Position	Player	Team
Guard	Omar Abada	Club Africain
Guard	Zachary Lofton	Al Ahly
Guard/Forward	Kevin Murphy	Al Ahly
Forward	Aboubakar Gakou	Petro de Luanda
Forward/Center	Jo Lual-Acuil Jr.	Al Ahly Ly

2026 All-BAL Defensive First Team

Position	Player	Team
Guard	Childe Dundão	Petro de Luanda
Guard	Mohamed Sadi	Al Ahly Ly
Guard/Forward	Aminu Mohammed	Club Africain
Forward	Mouhamadou Diagne	FUS Rabat
Forward/Center	Mangok Mathiang	RSSB Tigers

2026 All-BAL Defensive Second Team

Position	Player	Team
Guard	David Michineau	Dar City
Guard	Axel Toupane	ASC Ville de Dakar
Guard/Forward	Majok Deng	Al Ahly Ly
Forward	Osayi Osifo	Al Ahly
Forward/Center	Jo Lual-Acuil Jr.	Al Ahly Ly

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Basketball Africa League (BAL).

Contact:
Marie-Pierre Anamba Onana
Basketball Africa League
+221 78 637 70 62
Manamba@theBAL.com

Source: APO

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Parliament’s Committee on Appointments has commenced the vetting of 81 persons nominated for various ministerial positions.

The Appointments Committee is chaired by the Speaker, Jacob Marksons Oboth and deputised by the Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa and has scheduled to handle the vetting process today and tomorrow, Tuesday, 2 June 2026.

President Yoweri Museveni appointed the Cabinet and State Ministers on Tuesday, 26 May 2026. Subsequently, Parliament approved the composition of the Committee on Appointments during plenary sitting on Thursday last week.

It also comprises Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi and Members of Parliament nominated across the political divide.  

The vetting process commenced at 7:30am and among the Ministers designated who have already interacted with the committee are; Crispus Kiyonga (2nd Deputy Prime Minister & Deputy Leader of Gov’t Business in Parliament), Frank Tumwebaze (Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries)  and Jonard Asiimwe (Minister, Office of the President in charge of Science, Technology and Innovation), among others.

The Appointment’s Committee falls under Standing Committees, whose term in office lasts two and a half years.

The Committee’s primary role is to scrutinise, vet, and approve or reject nominees put forward by the executive (such as the President) for senior public offices, ministerial positions, and judicial appointments.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

Source: APO

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Sudan is bracing for a rise in child malnutrition as the lean or pre-harvest season starts with the prospects for crop production looking bleak after more than three years of war with conflict ongoing, warned Save the Children.

Agriculture accounts for up to 80% of food [1] and income in Sudan, but the conflict, combined with climate pressures, has decimated farming and further declines in cereal production are forecasted [2] ahead of planting starting this month.

Already about 19 million people – or two in every five Sudanese – are facing acute food insecurity, according to the World Food Programme [3]. The ongoing conflict has caused the world’s largest displacement crisis, forcing about 14 million people [4] from their homes, reducing access to farmland, damaging infrastructure and irrigation systems and causing shortages of seeds, fertilizers, and equipment. 

In the eastern state of Gedaref, once known as the breadbasket of Sudan, the impact is visible in overcrowded nutrition clinics treating growing numbers of malnourished children. Omer*, aged 12 months,  is one of about 50 babies treated for severe acute malnutrition in the past month at a Save the Children nutrition clinic, where staff say numbers are rising and set to get worse.

Omer’s mother Reem*, 35, said her son had faced health issues since birth but his admission for severe acute malnutrition was due to the conflict, with less farming and more people to feed. Up to one million people arrived in Gedaref at its peak to escape violence in the capital Khartoum, adding a third to the population. The number of displaced people living there now is about 200,000.      

“The war has made life harder for us all as there is less food due to less farming and more people,” said Reem, a mother of 10, who is feeding her son therapeutic milk every two hours.

Save the Children staff at the nutrition clinic said they treated more than 1,400 children for severe acute malnutrition last year, with 38 dying of hunger-related causes. So far this year they have treated about 200 children with 3 deaths, and they expect numbers to rise rapidly in the lean season before the harvest starts in October.

Meanwhile, the war has also crippled the health system, with 37% of health facilities [5] across Sudan’s 18 states non-functional, according the World Health Organization, and aid cuts forcing the closure of health centres across the country. On top of this, the crisis in the Middle East has disrupted shipments of urgently needed medicines [6] and therapeutic foods as well as leading to spike in prices for fuel and fertilizer needed in farming.

Save the Children’s Sudan Country Director, Mohamed Abdiladif said:

“The situation for children in Sudan is deteriorating even further as this conflict continues, with millions of children in the country impacted. What should be one of the country’s most productive agricultural regions is now struggling to feed its own people, with families pushed to the brink. Children are arriving at clinics dangerously malnourished, and without urgent support, many more will follow as the lean season sets in.

“The international community cannot look away. We urgently need increased funding and access to deliver life-saving nutrition and healthcare to children before this crisis spirals even further out of control.”

With only 22% of the $2.9b UN appeal for 2026 covered [7], Save the Children is urgently calling for increased funding to the humanitarian response in Sudan to continue providing vital services to the most vulnerable communities across the country.

Save the Children has worked in Sudan since 1983 and provides programming for children and families affected by conflict, displacement, extreme poverty and hunger. 

*Names changed to protect identities

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Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Save the Children.