Category: Africa

Posted on

President Ramaphosa receives second Madlanga Commission interim report

Source: Government of South Africa

President Ramaphosa receives second Madlanga Commission interim report

The Presidency has confirmed that President Cyril Ramaphosa has received the second interim report of the Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, known as the Madlanga Commission.

The commission was established to investigate allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on 6 July 2025 relating to criminality, political interference and corruption within the criminal justice system.

“President Ramaphosa will study the latest report while the commission continues its proceedings.

“President Ramaphosa has expressed his appreciation for the interim report as well as his expectation that the commission will, as part of its terms of reference, refer actions thought to be criminal acts for prosecution,” the Presidency said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB

0

Posted on

HIV in South Africa: why rolling out a groundbreaking new shot will miss a critical group of men

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Paul Bowen, Professor Emeritus and Senior Research Scholar in the Department of Construction Economics and Management, University of Cape Town

The first shipment of Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable that prevents HIV with two shots a year, arrived in South Africa from the United States in early April 2026. Clinical trials showed close to 100% efficacy. The rollout, expected to begin in June 2026, prioritises adolescent girls and young women, pregnant and breastfeeding women, transgender people, sex workers, men who have sex with men, and people who inject drugs.

These are the right populations to start with. But one group repeatedly slips through the cracks: adult, employed men in mobile, male-dominated industries, who move between work sites and home, between long-term partners and casual or paid encounters. In epidemiology, they are a “bridging population”: people whose sexual networks connect higher-prevalence groups to lower-prevalence groups.

In 2017, UNAIDS named the problem in its Blind Spot report, showing that men across sub-Saharan Africa are less likely than women to test for HIV, less likely to be on treatment, and more likely to die of Aids-related illness. A 2022 meta-analysis of 168 studies confirmed that across sub-Saharan Africa, men remain missing along the HIV care continuum, and South Africa, with the world’s largest HIV burden, is a particular concern. South African men are less likely than women to know their HIV status, link to treatment less often, and are 27% more likely to die from HIV.

For decades, South Africa’s HIV campaigns have focused on awareness. That work has largely succeeded: in our work on HIV-related risk behaviour and condom use among male construction workers, spanning 2008 to date, nearly all participants understood how HIV is transmitted and what condoms do. The problem is that this knowledge does not translate into consistent behaviour. We are researchers working in the field of HIV/Aids in the South African construction industry since 2008, with a particular focus on the psycho-social aspects of the disease. We focus primarily on site-based construction workers.

Like the military, mining and trucking industries, construction work is highly mobile and male-dominated. Workers move between sites, spend long periods away from long-term partners, and live in worker hostels where shebeens and sex work flourish. These conditions are linked to multiple and overlapping partnerships, long identified as a key driver of transmission.

In our 2023 study, we showed how condom use varies by partner type: participants were far more likely to use condoms with sex workers and casual partners than with long-term partners. A follow-up study of participants reporting concurrent relationships confirmed that what predicted consistent use was not awareness, but how much men felt they could insist on and use a condom, and how much at risk they felt.

Attitudes to condoms matter

In our most recent study of male construction workers who self-reported that they were clients of sex workers, the same pattern held: how much men felt they could insist on and use a condom (perceived control), and their attitudes towards condoms, mattered far more than awareness. Men in this group were also relatively more likely to use condoms with sex workers, and less so with long-term partners. It looks like sensible risk management, and at the individual level it is. But HIV prevalence among female sex workers in South Africa is around 62%.

It only takes one unprotected encounter to acquire the virus, and once a man does acquire it, his steady partner becomes his highest-probability transmission target: not because she is high risk in the abstract, but because the sex is unprotected.

The evidence on this is consistent.

A KwaZulu-Natal study found HIV prevalence of 21% among rural partners of migrant men and 26% among the men themselves, with modelling suggesting that migration accounts for a tenfold increase in HIV among migrants’ female partners. Similarly, female partners of migrant miners in the southern African region have been found to be 8% more likely to be HIV positive than partners of non-migrants, and miners themselves are 15% more likely to be HIV positive.

Because condoms are associated with risky sex, introducing one into a marriage may import a meaning of infidelity. Research with married couples in rural South Africa has documented the pattern directly. Married women who suggested condom use described being beaten after raising it. Others said persistence risked the husband seeking sex outside the marriage. The rational choice for a woman in a long-term relationship who suspects her husband is at risk is often to say nothing, even when saying nothing may be the choice that infects her.

Age-disparate relationships

Relationships where young women have partners five or more years older have become more common over the past two decades. A report by the Human Sciences Research Council shows such partnerships among adolescents rose from around 39% in 2005 to nearly 48% in 2017.

A recent national study found that young women in relationships with men who were five or more years older faced higher rates of HIV, sexually transmitted infections, intimate partner violence and pregnancy than peers not in such partnerships. The age gap and financial dependence which often accompanies such partnerships leave little room to negotiate condom use. As one participant put it: “When he says no condom, I can’t say no to him.”

Why this matters for the Lenacapavir rollout

Who is reached matters as much as how many. Clinics, schools and maternal health programmes do not easily accommodate men who spend up to ten hours a day on site, change sites every few months, and distrust formal health settings.

The priority groups for the Lenacapavir rollout are the right ones. These are the populations at highest risk of acquiring HIV.

But the rollout still has a gap. Protecting people who are likely to acquire HIV is one half of prevention; reaching the people who transmit it is the other. A 36 year old woman in a rural area, who is not pregnant, not breast feeding and not a sex worker, is not a priority, but she is at risk every time her migrant husband comes home. The husband himself, older, employed, heterosexual, and likely having casual or paid sexual encounters during his time away, fits no category the rollout names, even though he is the one who acquires and transmits HIV.

Estimates indicate that sex between clients of female sex workers and their long-term partners accounted for 42% of new infections in South Africa between 2010 and 2019. Female sex workers are in the priority list, their clients are not. A strategy that does not address who transmits HIV will always have a gap.

Two practical shifts would help.

First, prevention services, PrEP, post-exposure prophylaxis, testing and, where appropriate, Lenacapavir, must reach men where they already are: construction sites, transport hubs, taxi ranks, and mining hostels. The Test@Work model, piloted in the UK and adaptable in South Africa, shows opt-in workplace testing in general health checks achieves high uptake among men who rarely visit clinics.

Second, men who are clients of sex workers, and older men in age-disparate relationships with young women, should be named explicitly in the national prevention framework. They are a bridging population into otherwise low risk groups, including adolescent and young women.

Kamal Yakubu is a co-author on this article.

– HIV in South Africa: why rolling out a groundbreaking new shot will miss a critical group of men
– https://theconversation.com/hiv-in-south-africa-why-rolling-out-a-groundbreaking-new-shot-will-miss-a-critical-group-of-men-282618

Posted on

Les Pitcher Awards annoncent les lauréats 2026, marquant une année décisive pour la créativité panafricaine

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Les Pitcher Awards, référence panafricaine en matière d’excellence créative, ont dévoilé les lauréats de leur édition 2026, célébrant des travaux remarquables provenant du continent et d’ailleurs. Cette année marque une étape historique, avec la participation pour la première fois du Mozambique et des États‑Unis d’Amérique, soulignant l’expansion internationale du festival et son engagement à célébrer une créativité sans frontières.

Réagissant aux résultats de cette édition, Dr. Nnamdi Ndu, Président du Pitcher Festival, a déclaré :

« Les Pitcher Awards 2026 témoignent de l’évolution extraordinaire de la créativité africaine. Les travaux récompensés cette année révèlent une audace, une profondeur culturelle et une maîtrise technique qui continuent de hisser notre région sur la scène mondiale. Accueillir de nouveaux pays — et les voir exceller — renforce notre conviction que la créativité n’a véritablement aucune frontière. Nous célébrons chaque lauréat et attendons avec impatience une 10ᵉ édition inoubliable en 2027. »

Les distinctions Gold et Grand Prix ont été révélées lors de la première diffusion officielle du show, tandis que l’ensemble des Shortlist, Bronze et Silver est disponible sur le site du festival.

Lauréats 2026 — Grand Prix & Or

Grand Prix

  • Culture – Gestion de l’image et de la réputation d’entreprise— NoVita par The Bar Africa pour NuVita Biscuits, Kenya
  • Médias traditionnels – Publicité extérieure, ambiante et installations — MozaMbique Has 2M par Create Mozambique pour 2M Beer, Mozambique

Or

  • Soins – Santé publique et sécurité— La caravane d’excision – The FGM Caravan par L’Agence X pour Mouvement femmes et paroles, Côte d’Ivoire
  • Canal – Utilisation des médias— MozaMbique Has 2M par Create Mozambique pour 2M Beer, Mozambique
  • Culture – Gestion de l’image et de la réputation d’entreprise — Portrait of a Nation par Create Mozambique pour Millennium Bim, Mozambique
  • Culture – Utilisation des connaissances culturelles — Maggi Tales of Ramadan par All Seasons Zenith pour Maggi, Nestlé Nigeria
  • Culture – Utilisation des connaissances culturelles — NoVita par The Bar Africa pour NuVita Biscuits, Kenya
  • Culture – Utilisation des connaissances culturelles — MozaMbique Has 2M par Create Mozambique pour 2M Beer, Mozambique
  • Divertissement – Film de divertissement— First Beach par Dentsu Creative pour Corona Africa, South Africa
  • Efficacité – Impact commercial — 2M SAMMA FRESH par Create Mozambique pour 2M Beer, Mozambique
  • Médias traditionnels – Film — The Origin of Wonder par Dentsu Creative Kenya pour Magical Kenya, Kenya Tourism Board
  • Médias traditionnels – Activations extérieures — BUSiness UNUSUAL par The Quollective pour Kiira Motors Corporation, Uganda
  • Médias traditionnels – Publicité extérieure, ambiante et installations — Martell on the Move par PHD Nigeria pour Pernod Ricard, Nigeria
  • Médias traditionnels – Presse— The Sun‑Powered Print Ad par Dentsu Creative South Africa pour Corona Africa

Prix Spéciaux — 2026

  • Agence digitale de l’année: digitXplus, Nigéria
  • Agence média de l’année: PHD Nigeria
  • Agence de publicité de l’année: Create Mozambique
  • Réseau média de l’année: OMD
  • Réseau d’agences de publicité de l’année: Dentsu Africa
  • Réseau indépendant de l’année: The Quollective Africa
  • Groupe régional de l’année: Omnicom Media Group
  • Marque de l’année (Nationale): 2M Beer Mozambique
  • Marque de l’année (Multinationale)Martell
  • Entreprise de marketing de l’année (Nationale) : Kiira Motors Corporation, Ouganda
  • Entreprise de marketing de l’année (Multinationale): AB InBev

Appréciation au Jury International

Le Pitcher Festival adresse sa profonde gratitude au jury international, composé d’experts issus de pays à travers l’Afrique et au‑delà, qui ont méticuleusement évalué, sélectionné et établi les références de l’édition 2026. Leur expertise et leur engagement ont permis de garantir un niveau d’excellence exceptionnel.

Les jurys de chaque catégorie ont été présidés par :

  • Soins — Kerstin Trikalitis, CEO & Co‑Founder, Out There Media
  • Canal — Dozie Okafor, MD/CEO, PHD Nigeria & Président du MIPAN
  • Exécution – Craft— Yash Deb, Co‑Founder & Creative Partner, The Bar Africa, Kenya
  • Culture — Anand Badami, SVP & Growth Lead, Publicis West Africa
  • Digital — Karim Yermeche, CEO, Lotus Conseil, Algérie
  • Bien & Efficacité— Dawn Rowlands, CEO, Dentsu Africa
  • Divertissement  — Steve Babaeko, CEO/CCO, X3M Ideas & Vice President, Area Director for Africa, IAA
  • Médias traditionnels — Maxwell Ngari, Chief Creative Officer, Dentsu Creative East Africa

Une célébration de la créativité africaine

L’édition 2026 a une fois de plus mis en lumière l’imagination, la rigueur et l’excellence créative qui façonnent l’avenir du storytelling africain. Les travaux primés seront présentés dans plusieurs villes du monde dans le cadre du Pitcher Showcase, l’exposition itinérante du festival.

À l’approche de la 10ᵉ édition en 2027, les Pitcher Awards préparent une célébration encore plus grandiose d’une décennie d’excellence créative.

Découvrez tous les lauréats et travaux reconnus sur www.PitcherFestival.com.

Distribué par APO Group pour Pitcher Festival.

À propos du Pitcher Festival : 
Le Pitcher Festival est la principale célébration africaine de la créativité dans les domaines du marketing, de la publicité, des médias, des relations publiques, du digital, du divertissement et des industries connexes. Au cœur du festival se trouvent les prestigieux Pitcher Awards, référence panafricaine en matière d’excellence créative, qui récompensent les agences, les marques et les talents qui façonnent le récit du continent. Les principaux volets du Festival comprennent: Pitcher Awards, Pitcher Learning, Pitcher Archive, Pitcher Impact et Pitcher Showcase.

Media files

Posted on

Pitcher Awards Announces 2026 Winners, Marking a Landmark Year for Pan‑African Creativity

Source: APO

The Pitcher Awards, the pan‑African benchmark for creative excellence, has announced the winners of its 2026 edition, celebrating groundbreaking work from across the continent and beyond. This year marks a historic milestone as the festival welcomed entries from Mozambique and the United States of America for the very first time, underscoring its expanding global reach and commitment to celebrating creativity without borders.

Reflecting on this year’s achievements, Dr. Nnamdi Ndu, Chairman of the Pitcher Festival, said:

“The 2026 Pitcher Awards showcase the extraordinary evolution of African creativity. This year’s winners demonstrate a boldness, cultural depth, and technical mastery that continue to elevate our region on the global stage. Welcoming new countries into the competition—and seeing them excel—reinforces our belief that creativity truly has no borders. We celebrate every winner and look forward to an unforgettable 10th edition in 2027.”

Gold and Grand Prix winners were unveiled during the official streaming premiere, while all Shortlist, Bronze, and Silver recognitions are available on the festival website.

2026 Grand Prix & Gold Winners

Grand Prix

  • Culture – Corporate Image & Reputation Management — NoVita by The Bar Africa for NuVita Biscuits, Kenya
  • Heritage – Outdoor Ambient & Installations — MozaMbique Has 2M by Create Mozambique for 2M Beer, Mozambique

Gold

  • Care – Public Health & Safety — La caravane d’excision – The FGM Caravan by L’Agence X for Mouvement femmes et paroles, Côte d’Ivoire
  • Channel – Use of Media — MozaMbique Has 2M by Create Mozambique for 2M Beer, Mozambique
  • Culture – Corporate Image & Reputation Management — Portrait of a Nation by Create Mozambique for Millennium Bim, Mozambique
  • Culture – Use of Cultural Insights — Maggi Tales of Ramadan by All Seasons Zenith for Maggi, Nestlé Nigeria
  • Culture – Use of Cultural Insights — NoVita by The Bar Africa for NuVita Biscuits, Kenya
  • Culture – Use of Cultural Insights — MozaMbique Has 2M by Create Mozambique for 2M Beer, Mozambique
  • Entertainment – Entertainment Film — First Beach by Dentsu Creative for Corona Africa, South Africa
  • Effectiveness – Business Impact — 2M SAMMA FRESH by Create Mozambique for 2M Beer, Mozambique
  • Heritage – Film — The Origin of Wonder by Dentsu Creative Kenya for Magical Kenya, Kenya Tourism Board
  • Heritage – Outdoor Activations — BUSiness UNUSUAL by The Quollective for Kiira Motors Corporation, Uganda
  • Heritage – Outdoor Ambient & Installations — Martell on the Move by PHD Nigeria for Pernod Ricard, Nigeria
  • Heritage – Print — The Sun‑Powered Print Ad by Dentsu Creative South Africa for Corona Africa

Special Awards — 2026

  • Digital Agency of the Year: digitXplus, Nigeria
  • Media Agency of the Year: PHD Nigeria
  • Advertising Agency of the Year: Create Mozambique
  • Media Network of the Year: OMD
  • Advertising Agency Network of the Year: Dentsu Africa
  • Independent Network of the Year: The Quollective Africa
  • Regional Holding Company of the Year: Omnicom Media Group
  • Brand of the Year (National): 2M Beer Mozambique
  • Brand of the Year (Multinational): Martell
  • Marketing Company of the Year (National): Kiira Motors Corporation, Uganda
  • Marketing Company of the Year (Multinational): AB InBev

Appreciation for the International Jury

The Pitcher Festival extends its deep appreciation to the international jury, composed of industry leaders from across Africa and beyond, who meticulously judged, curated, and benchmarked the 2026 entries. Their expertise and dedication ensured that this year’s awards upheld the highest standards of creative excellence.

The category juries were led by the following Jury Presidents:

  • Care — Kerstin Trikalitis, CEO & Co‑Founder, Out There Media
  • Channel — Dozie Okafor, MD/CEO, PHD Nigeria & President, MIPAN
  • Craft — Yash Deb, Co‑Founder & Creative Partner, The Bar Africa, Kenya
  • Culture — Anand Badami, SVP & Growth Lead, Emerging Markets & Innovation, Publicis West Africa
  • Digital — Karim Yermeche, CEO, Lotus Conseil, Algeria
  • Good & Effectiveness — Dawn Rowlands, CEO, Dentsu Africa
  • Entertainment — Steve Babaeko, CEO/CCO, X3M Ideas & Vice President, Area Director for Africa, IAA
  • Heritage — Maxwell Ngari, Chief Creative Officer, Dentsu Creative East Africa

A Celebration of African Creativity

The 2026 edition once again highlighted the imagination, discipline, and creative excellence shaping the future of African storytelling. Winning entries will be featured globally as part of the Pitcher Showcase, the festival’s traveling pop‑up exhibition.

As the Pitcher Awards prepares to celebrate its 10th edition in 2027, the festival looks ahead to an even grander celebration of a decade of creative excellence.

Explore all winners and recognized work at www.PitcherFestival.com or continue with more festival updates.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Pitcher Festival.

About the Pitcher Festival: 
The Pitcher Festival is Africa’s leading celebration of creativity across marketing, advertising, media, PR, digital, entertainment, and related industries. At its core is the prestigious Pitcher Awards, the Pan‑African benchmark for creative excellence, honouring outstanding agencies, brands, and talent shaping the continent’s narrative. Key tracks of the Festival include: Pitcher Awards, Pitcher Learning, Pitcher Archive, Pitcher Impact, and Pitcher Showcase.

Media files

.

Posted on

Ghana Commemorates 78th International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers

Source: APO


.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the United Nations Office in Accra commemorated the 78th International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers with a solemn Flag-Raising and Wreath-Laying Ceremony on 29th May, 2026 at the Forecourt of the State House under the theme “Invest in Peace”.

Delivering his remarks, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Honourable James Gyakye Quayson (MP) emphasized that peace requires deliberate commitment, strategic investment and collective action. He noted that in the face of global challenges such as conflict, terrorism, political instability and climate-related security threats, United Nations peacekeeping operations remain indispensable. He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to international peace and security through its continuous contribution to United Nations peacekeeping missions and highlighted the role of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in strengthening peace support operations. He also called for enhanced cooperation between the United Nations, the African Union and other partners, noting that investing in peace is ultimately an investment in humanity’s shared future.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mr. Zia Choudhury on his part paid tribute to peacekeepers for their dedication and sacrifice serving in some of the world’s most challenging environments. He acknowledged the challenging global security environment and its attendant resource constraints and stressed that United Nations peacekeeping remains one of the international community’s most effective tools for protecting civilians, supporting political solutions and maintaining stability. He, therefore, called on Member States to provide sustained political and financial support for peacekeeping operations. He added that investing in peace is more cost-effective than addressing the consequences of war. He further highlighted Ghana’s longstanding contribution to international peace and security and informed of the the deployment of more than 1,900 military and police personnel across eight UN missions, as well as Ghana’s leadership in promoting the participation of women in peacekeeping operations. He paid tribute to peacekeepers who lost their lives in line of duty.

The ceremony brought together members of the Diplomatic Corps, government officials, traditional authorities, representatives of the security services, students and members of the media to honour peacekeepers and reaffirm Ghana’s commitment to global peace and security.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Ghana.

Posted on

South Africa: President Ramaphosa receives second interim report of Madlanga Commission

Source: APO


.

President Cyril Ramaphosa received, on Friday, 29 May 2026, the second interim report of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System.

President Ramaphosa established the Commission, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, in July 2025.

President Ramaphosa will study the latest report while the Commission continues its proceedings.

President Ramaphosa has expressed his appreciation for the interim report as well as his expectation that the Commission will, as part of its terms of reference, refer actions thought to be criminal acts for prosecution.

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

Posted on

Asmara Marathon 2026 to be held

Source: APO


.

Col. Solomon Seium, head of follow-up of national federations and the Olympic and Paralympic committees at the Commission of Culture and Sports, announced that Asmara Marathon 2026 will be held on 7 June on the streets of Asmara.

Col. Solomon said that the Asmara Marathon will be held for the seventh time and that athletes from five countries, namely Eritrea, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Uganda, are expected to take part.

Indicating that a 21 km race for female athletes will be organized for the first time, Col. Solomon said that competitions for disabled citizens and a three-kilometer mass sport event will also be part of Asmara Marathon 2026.

Col. Solomon also said that the East African half marathon, which Eritrea is organizing, is officially recognized by the International Athletics Federation, marking a new stage in the development of athletics in the country.

Mr. Efrem Tekeste, President of the Athletics Federation of Eritrea, said that the racing route has been measured by the International Athletics Federation and that records will be documented starting from this competition.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Posted on

Powerful call for dialogue and compromise to secure peace in South Sudan issued on International Peacekeepers Day

Source: APO


.

“Peace doesn’t happen by chance. It is a shared responsibility.”

This is the simple but powerful message on the importance of investing in peace issued by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.

Speaking at an official commemorative ceremony in Juba, Anita Kiki Gbeho, stressed the immense harm caused by persistent conflict in South Sudan, with many lives lost and millions of people displaced from their homes.

“Peace requires commitment, collective action, and continuous investment. It means choosing dialogue over division, cooperation over competition, and cohesion over conflict,” she stated.

“That is why it is so important that South Sudan’s leaders resolve differences through inclusive dialogue and political compromise and cease all hostilities to deliver the peace their people so richly deserve.”

In a demonstration of partnership and solidarity, the Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Albino Akol Atak emphasized the Government’s commitment to working closely with UNMISS to ensure that peacekeepers are accorded the necessary cooperation, protection and operational support to carry out their mandate.

He also reiterated the Government’s commitment to securing sustainable peace.

“The Government of the Republic of South Sudan remains committed to the implementation of the peace agreement, national reconciliation, political dialogue, democratic transition, and the creation of conditions necessary for peace and prosperity in our country,” he said.

“We believe that investing in peace today is an investment in the future of our children and generations to come.”

Tribute was paid to the 50,000 peacekeepers serving with courage and commitment in some of the world’s most complex and dangerous environments, and the 4,500 personnel who have given their lives while serving under the UN flag since peacekeeping began.

The 13 UNMISS personnel who passed away in the past year were also remembered, including the late Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Nicholas Haysom.

At a ceremony in New York, the late Sergii Prykhodko, who served as an aviation contractor will be awarded the Captain Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage after he was killed during an attack on an UNMISS helicopter in Nasir in March 2025.

To honor these colleagues, the UN and South Sudan flags were lowered to half-mast as the Last Post was played at the ceremony.

The efforts of peacekeepers to save and change lives for the better in South Sudan were also highlighted.

Examples included peacekeepers providing sanctuary to more than 2,300 civilians under live gunfire; securing airdrop zones for humanitarian actors and providing escorts to convoys carrying vital supplies to the most vulnerable people in conflict-affected Jonglei; rolling out mobile courts across the country to give victims of crime the justice they deserve; and working alongside partners to progress the country’s transition towards sustainable peace.

UNMISS is facing mounting challenges in carrying out this important work, including the impact of the UN-wide financial crisis which has required a significant reduction in peacekeepers and the closure of bases.

While these financial constraints are likely to continue, Ms. Gbeho said the guiding principle remains clear: “people must come first in all that we do”.

“We pay tribute to the people of South Sudan, who we serve, and who inspire us with their resilience and persistence in the pursuit of peace,” she said.

“Rest assured that we remain committed to helping South Sudan realize its shared vision of a peaceful, stable and prosperous nation where no one is left behind.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Posted on

Over 1,000 Participants Join Rwenzori Marathon Activation Run in Mombasa

Source: APO


.

More than 1,000 runners and fitness enthusiasts turned up for the Rwenzori Marathon Activation Run in Mombasa, underscoring the growing popularity of the annual marathon and strengthening ties between Uganda and Kenya through sports and tourism.

The event was graced by Ambassador Charles Ssentongo from Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who was warmly welcomed by the Consul General, Ambassador Herbert Kiguli. The activation run forms part of a series of promotional activities aimed at mobilizing participants ahead of the 2026 Rwenzori Marathon, scheduled to take place in Uganda this August.

Addressing participants, Amb. Ssentongo encouraged the Mombasa community and the wider Kenyan public to take part in the Rwenzori Marathon as a means of promoting regional integration, exploring the beauty and diversity of East Africa, and fostering cultural exchange between Uganda and Kenya.

He emphasized that sports have the power to strengthen people-to-people connections, enhance mutual understanding, and contribute to deeper cooperation among East African nations.

Speaking on behalf of the Mombasa County Government, the County Executive Committee Member for Tourism, Trade and Culture, Mr. Mohamed Osman Ali, called on the gathering to embrace East African tourism and cultural integration as a driver of economic growth and development.

He noted that countries within the region should view one another as partners rather than competitors, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts to promote East Africa as a single tourism destination. According to Mr. Ali, increased cultural and tourism exchanges between Uganda and Kenya can create new economic opportunities, strengthen regional unity, and improve livelihoods across the region.

The activation run highlighted the growing enthusiasm for the Rwenzori Marathon and reinforced its role as a platform for promoting sports tourism, healthy lifestyles, and regional cooperation. Participants expressed excitement about the upcoming marathon, which continues to attract runners from across East Africa and beyond.

Organizers hope the Mombasa activation will inspire more athletes, adventure seekers, and tourists to travel to Uganda in August to experience the unique marathon route set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains.

As preparations for the marathon gather momentum, the event continues to serve as a powerful symbol of East African integration, friendship, and shared prosperity through sports, tourism, and cultural exchange.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Republic of Uganda – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Posted on

Keynote Address by the Deputy President Mr Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile at the occasion of the South Africa-India Technology, Trade and Investment Roundtable.

Source: President of South Africa –

Programme Director;
Chairperson of the Global Trade and TechnologyCouncil of India, Dr. Rashmi Saluja;
Ministers and Deputy Minister;
Government Representatives from South Africa and India; 
High Commissioner of South Africa to India, Prof Anil Sooklai;
Leadership of GTTCI;
Business leaders and captains of the industries;
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a privilege to join you at this South Africa–India Technology, Trade and Investment Collaboration. I am joined by ministers, deputy minister and senior officials from our government and state agencies. 

Since our arrival yesterday, we have been received with great warmth. Truly, the people of India embody the timeless saying, “Atithi Devo Bhavah — the guest is equivalent to God,” for your hospitality and generosity are unmatched. This gesture reflects the spirit of fraternity that binds our nations, and it strengthens our resolve to walk together in partnership and mutual respect.

South Africa and India share a historical and cultural relationship, unified by their commitment to non-alignment and the development of the Global South through South-South partnerships. Both nations are active in multilateral organizations such as the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), BRICS, IBSA, and IORA, reflecting their dedication to these principles and democratic values.

The story of India and South Africa is one of moral courage, scientific discovery, and economic partnership. It is a relationship that began with the struggles of Gandhi, was carried forward by Mandela, and today finds expression in shared innovation and prosperity.

The first pillar of our bond is the Gandhi–Mandela legacy, rooted in Mohandas Gandhi’s evolution into Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa, where he pioneered non-violent resistance. Nelson Mandela later affirmed India’s solidarity, highlighting that “the soul of India lies in South Africa.” India actively opposed apartheid from 1946, cutting trade ties and supporting the African National Congress. Following South Africa’s freedom, India was quick to re-establish relations, exemplified by the Red Fort Declaration of 1997, underscoring the moral foundation of our friendship.

The second pillar of our partnership is in science and technology, established by a 1995 agreement. This collaboration has included fields such as astronomy, agriculture, health sciences, and indigenous knowledge. 

A significant project is the Square Kilometre Array, the world’s largest radio telescope, led by South Africa with India as a key partner. This endeavor symbolizes the progress of two nations, transforming past struggles into a joint aspiration for discovery, embodying the spirits of Gandhi and Mandela.

The third pillar is our expanding economic partnership, with trade between the nations increasing from $4 billion in 2005 to nearly $20billion in 2024, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. 

India consistently ranks as one of South Africa’s top overall trading partners, as well as South Africa’s largest export market on the Asian continent.Initiatives like the India–South Africa CEOs Forum and the Joint Ministerial Commission are fostering opportunities for hMSMEs and entrepreneurs. 

This growth showcases solidarity and shared prosperity, reaffirming South Africa’s commitment to collaborate on significant development agendas.
As we approach the future, we face significant challenges such as climate change and resource depletion, highlighting the limits of our planet. 

Additionally, rapid technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence, are transforming economies and governance. There is also concern about the rise of unipolar forces that may prioritize their self-interest over international law and the needs of smaller nations.

Our collective task is therefore to transform these shared challenges into opportunities, to turn climate action into renewal, technology into empowerment, and global governance into a voice for all. 

This is the call of our time to face the limits of our planet with courage, to harness the power of innovation with wisdom, and to defend the dignity of nations with unity.

Recent engagements between President Cyril Ramaphosa and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including during South Africa’s G20 Presidency, have reaffirmed our shared commitment to unity, deeper cooperation in technology, skills, infrastructure and critical minerals. 

Through BRICS, IBSA and the G20, our two countries continue to champion a more inclusive global economic order.

The question before us today is therefore not whether South Africa and India should work together. The question is how decisively we move from dialogue to delivery. 

I wish to outline a focused collaboration agenda built around four strategic priorities, supported by three concrete flagship outcomes.

First: Industrial and SMME CoCreation

Small, medium and micro enterprises are central to inclusive growth. India’s globally competitive MSME ecosystem and South Africa’s industrial and entrepreneurial base offer powerful complementarities.

We will therefore work with GTTCI, the DTIC and SEDA to establish an SA–India SMME Industrial Linkage Programme, focused on supplychain integration, coproduction and joint market access.This partnership will prioritise sectors where our strengths are complementary, agroprocessing, mining beneficiation, renewable energy components, pharmaceuticals and digital services and will move beyond trade facilitation toward true industrial cooperation.

Critically, this collaboration must be digital by design. India’s experience in technologyenabled MSMEs, including AI and automation, offers valuable lessons as South Africa strengthens the competitiveness of its own small business sector.

Second: Technology Joint Ventures and Digital Infrastructure

South Africa is Africa’s leading digital gateway. India is one of the world’s foremost technology ecosystems. 

Together, we must shift from technology transfer to technology cocreation. We see immediate opportunity in fintech and digital payments, health technology and pharmaceutical manufacturing, and agricultural technology, including precision farming and coldchain logistics.

South Africa welcomes Indian investment into data centres, cloud infrastructure and fibre connectivity, strengthening Africa’s digital economy and enabling scale under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Artificial intelligence will shape competitiveness across mining, logistics, retail and public administration. South Africa and India must be active architects of this transformation, while deepening cooperation on AI ethics, governance and public trust.

Third: Investment for Beneficiation and Industrial Capacity
Trade and investment today are measured not only by volumes, but by their contribution to productive capacity and jobs. India already has a strong investment footprint in South Africa. We now seek to deepen this through beneficiationled and manufacturingfocused investment, particularly in critical minerals such as platinumgroup metals, manganese and vanadium, as well as pharmaceuticals and renewable energy technologies.

South Africa’s Special Economic Zones fromCoega and East London to Richards Bay and Dube TradePort provide globally competitive platforms for exportoriented production. Through InvestSA and our One Stop Shop, government stands ready to support investors seeking longterm, valueadding partnerships. 

We invite GTTCI and Indian investors to engage actively in South Africa’s upcoming Investment Conferences as we build a stronger bilateral pipeline.
Fourth: Skills, Talent and Innovation Ecosystems

Industrialisation cannot succeed without people.India’s strength in higher education, technical training and industrial skilling aligns closely with South Africa’s priority to expand capability in software engineering, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and green technologies.

We will therefore pursue an SA–India Skills and Innovation Exchange, anchored in university partnerships, youth technology programmes and vocational training aligned to industry demand.

At the same time, we see strong potential to connect our innovation hubs, from Cape Town and Johannesburg to Bengaluru and Hyderabad creating an Africa–Asia Innovation Bridge that supports startups, coinvestment and global scaling.Indiaaffiliated Global Capability Centres in South Africa present a particularly exciting opportunity, leveraging our skilled talent base and continental reach.

To focus our collective effort, we propose three flagship outcomes from this collaboration: First, the launch of the SA–India SMME Industrial Linkage Programme within the next year. Second, the establishment of at least two joint technology or pharmaceutical manufacturing projects serving African markets. Third, the rollout of an SA–India Youth Technology Skills Programme, targeting AI, digital services and advanced manufacturing.

These initiatives will provide tangible platforms for partnership, investment and job creation.

Ladies and Gentlemen, technology and automation must become tools of inclusion, not exclusion. Renewable energy, business process outsourcing, ITenabled services and agroprocessing all present powerful opportunities to create work, particularly for young people.

Let us therefore act with ambition and urgency. Let us build industries that create jobs. 

We are here to forge a partnership worthy of the extraordinary history that binds South Africa and India together.

In conclusion, in one of the African languages we say, “Kule Ndi Husina Wa Hau”. 

Simply translated it means there is no place too far as long as you have a family, and India is our family.

I thank you