Category: Africa

Source: APO

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he Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development has invited nominations and applications from individuals and organisations for two suitable people to be appointed as members of the Information Regulator for a period of five years.

According to the Chairperson of the committee, Mr Xola Nqola, one position is full-time and the other is part-time.

A list of all the nominations and applications received with the accompanying Curricula Vitae (CVs) and suitably redacted personal information will be published on Parliament’s website for public comment on the suitability of candidates. Shortlisted candidates will be subjected to a screening process.

In terms of the Protection of Personal Information Act No. 4 of 2013, members of the Regulator must be South African citizens who are appropriately qualified, fit and proper persons and:

• At least one of whom must be appointed on account of experience as a practising advocate or attorney or a professor of law at a university; and
• The remainder of whom must be appointed on account of any other qualifications, expertise and experience relating to the objects of the Regulator.

Nominations and applications must be accompanied by a Curriculum Vitae (CV) providing the nominee or applicant’s:

• Full name, ID number and gender;
• Contact details, including physical address, telephone/cell number and email address;
• Relevant previous experience (including relevant dates and organisations concerned); and
• Academic qualifications.

In addition, nominations must contain the full name, address or email address and contact details of the person or organisation making the nomination and a signed acceptance of the nomination by the nominee.

Nominees and applicants are also requested to indicate whether they would be available to serve as a member of the Regulator in a full-time or part-time capacity, or both, should they be appointed.

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

Source: APO

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The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Public Infrastructure and Minister in the Presidency, Mr Rikus Badenhorst, today congratulated the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Mr Dean Macpherson, and the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) for the decisive steps taken to hold non-performing contractors accountable.

Mr Badenhorst described the announcement that the CIDB has blacklisted 40 contractors since June 2024 as “nothing short of historic”.

“In the 22 years prior, only a single contractor had been blacklisted. The failure to act against non-performing contractors created an environment in which incomplete, poorly built, and abandoned projects became commonplace. This eroded public trust in government’s ability to deliver. Under the Minister’s leadership, and with the CIDB acting decisively, that chapter is now closed,” said the Chairperson.

Mr Badenhorst stressed that this turnaround is more than a statistic. It is a signal that the department, together with its entities, is serious about restoring professionalism, cleaning up procurement and ensuring that public funds deliver tangible infrastructure for South Africans. The CIDB’s action directly supports the Minister’s vision of a department that is a highly effective delivery unit, capable of supporting economic growth and job creation.

The Chairperson said that the committee also welcomes the additional reforms announced by the Minister, including refining blacklisting processes, recovering funds from delinquent contractors, filling key vacancies, and tightening accountability mechanisms. “These reforms, reinforced by the CIDB’s enforcement powers, represent the kind of systemic change that Parliament has long called for,” he said.

According to the Chairperson, there is now a clear message to communities across South Africa that the days of impunity are over. The combination of ministerial leadership and the CIDB’s decisive action is ensuring that contractors who betray the public trust will no longer be allowed to do business with government.

Mr Badenhorst said the committee will continue to exercise its oversight role to ensure that these reforms are sustained, that the CIDB is supported in its regulatory mandate and that South Africans see the results in the form of quality infrastructure that is delivered on time and within budget.

“The committee congratulates the Minister and the CIDB on this important milestone. It represents a fresh start for the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and a renewed commitment to accountability, delivery, and economic growth.”

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

Source: APO

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Africa’s premier gathering for mining stakeholders, African Mining Week (AMW), will feature a distinguished lineup of regional and global energy leaders at its 2025 edition, taking place on October 1–3 in Cape Town. Confirmed speakers include Francesco La Camera, Director General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA); Oliver Johnston, CEO of SOLINK; Richard Doyle, Managing Director of JUWI South Africa; Grant Berndsen, CEO of Terra Firma; and Dr. Vincent Amu, Managing Director and CEO of Oildynamix.

AMW 2025 will provide a platform for dialogue on best practices and innovative solutions to ensure a resilient energy supply for Africa’s mining sector. The event will feature high-level panel discussions, deal signings, project showcases and exclusive networking sessions aimed at strengthening collaboration at the energy–mining nexus.

IRENA’s La Camera will participate in the Critical Minerals & Value Creation: Africa’s Step Beyond Extraction panel. This discussion will highlight Africa’s pivotal role in the global energy transition, given its 30% share of the world’s critical minerals – including cobalt, lithium and copper – essential for renewable energy technologies. Mineral-rich countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, the world’s largest supplier of cobalt, and South Africa, the top producer of platinum group metals, will play a central role as global demand for critical resources is projected to quadruple by 2030.

SOLINK, JUWI South Africa and Terra Firma will be represented on the Resilient Energy Mix: Balancing Renewables and Traditional Resources for Sustainable Mining panel. This session will explore strategies for integrating renewable energy into mining operations to enhance energy security, reduce costs and meet ESG commitments.

Meanwhile, Oildynamix will host a workshop showcasing innovative technologies and services designed to improve efficiency in drilling, exploration and production across the mining and extractive industries.

Held under the theme From Extraction to Beneficiation: Unlocking Africa’s Mineral Wealth, AMW 2025 will bring together African energy and mining stakeholders with global investors and partners to drive collaboration, strengthen value chains and advance the continent’s sustainable development agenda.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

About African Mining Week:
African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Source: APO

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UN human rights experts* today expressed deep concern over the continued detention of political cartoonist Ashraf Omar and the sweeping misuse of counter-terrorism legislation in Egypt to silence artists and journalists and curtail freedom of expression.

“The case of Ashraf Omar illustrates a deeply worrying practice in Egypt of criminalising political expression, including in the form of art, under the guise of national security and counter-terrorism,” the experts said.

Arrested on 22 July 2024, and accused of joining a terrorist group, disseminating and publishing rumours and false news and information, and abuse of social media, Ashraf Omar remains in pre-trial detention, deprived of fair trial guarantees.

“Cartoonists, writers and journalists must be free to express critical views without fear of arrest or prosecution. Artistic expression is a cornerstone of cultural rights and an integral aspect of the right to freedom of expression. Silencing it undermines both individual freedoms and the cultural life of society as a whole,” the experts said.

Omar was reportedly interrogated on his artistic work as a cartoonist and his motivations for drawing satirical images critical of the authorities, and no evidence was presented to him or his lawyer of the alleged videos or online content forming the basis of the accusations.

“The detention of Ashraf Omar is arbitrary and unlawful. It violates Egypt’s obligations under international human rights law to protect freedom of opinion and expression, including artistic expression, cultural rights, liberty and security of person, and the right to a fair trial and due process,” the experts said.

“We urge the authorities to release him immediately and ensure that he benefits from all fair trial guarantees,” they said. “Egypt must bring its counter-terrorism legislation in full compliance with international standards and stop using pre-trial detention as a tool of repression.”

The experts are in contact with Egyptian authorities on this case.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Source: APO

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The Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, Tlaleng Mofokeng, today welcomed reports of a directive by the South African Police Service to end the unnecessary confiscation of syringes and needles.

“This development supports recommendations I have previously made in my reports with regards to harm reduction policy tools, to include Needle and syringe programmes as an essential component to the right to health and the right to benefit from scientific progress and its applications,” Mofokeng said.

The Special Rapporteur encouraged all states to desist from law enforcement practices that hamper the right to health, including the seizure or destruction of injection equipment and the prosecution of healthcare and harm reduction service providers.

“While this is a positive development in South Africa, I want to underline the importance of committing fully to alignment with international human rights norms and standards, harm reduction approaches and the operationalisation of the right to health approach – that services are available, acceptable, accessible and of quality,” she said.

“Governments must facilitate drug laws and policies at the domestic level that are centred on people’s dignity, public health and human rights, and grounded in the best available evidence, free from conflicts of interest,” the expert said.

Mofokeng urged Member States to move expeditiously to end criminalisation, stigmatisation and discrimination, because they represent structural barriers to accessing services and establishing therapeutic relationships, leading to poorer health outcomes.

“It is essential to ensure that people do not have to fear legal consequences when they access services,” she said, calling on all Member States to integrate harm reduction within a universal health coverage, to advance public health and contribute to better global health outcomes.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Source: APO

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In a decisive move toward operational modernization and national policy alignment, WHO Ethiopia has completely transitioned its fuel management system to the fully digital TeleBirr       e-payment platform, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to transparency, efficiency, and digital transformation.

Beginning in April 2024, all fuel transactions across Ethiopia were mandated by the Ethiopian Petroleum and Energy Authority to shift from traditional paper-based coupons to electronic payment systems. 

WHO Ethiopia, with its fleet of 89 vehicles deployed across urban and remote regions to support public health initiatives, has embraced this transition by integrating Ethio-Telecom’s SMS-based TeleBirr system into its transport operations.

This digital transformation comes at a critical time, not only for compliance with national regulations but also for strengthening WHO Ethiopia’s capacity to manage resources with accountability and agility. By going digital, WHO has eliminated the need for physical fuel coupons and manual processes, replacing them with a real-time, traceable payment system that simplifies fuel purchases across the country.

“This shift represents more than just a change in payment methods,” said Monssan Basile Yapo, WHO Ethiopia Senior Operations Officer. “It’s about building a smarter, more responsive operational framework that supports our health teams in the field with minimal disruption and maximum accountability.”

The selection of TeleBirr was a strategic one. TeleBirr operates via SMS, making it especially reliable for remote and underserved areas where connectivity remains limited. With close to 52 million users nationwide, the platform is not only robust but also widely accessible—an ideal fit for WHO Ethiopia’s expansive, field-based operations.

Through a phased implementation, WHO Ethiopia has registered all its suboffices with TeleBirr, procured necessary mobile hardware, and established unique e-wallet accounts for secure fund management. Each regional and central office now uses a short code linked to its respective wallet, allowing for targeted fuel disbursements and instant monitoring.

The rollout followed rigorous system testing, the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for fuel disbursements and replenishments, and comprehensive training for drivers, transport officers, and regional program assistants.

“From headquarters in Addis Ababa to distant health outposts, WHO staff are now equipped to purchase fuel quickly and securely, without the need for cash or paperwork”, the senior operations officer added.

“The impact of this transition is already being felt across multiple fronts. Transactions are now digitally recorded, offering real-time visibility into fund flow and fuel consumption. Secure digital tracking has eliminated opportunities for misuse of fuel allocations, and the burden of managing, storing, and distributing paper coupons has been lifted” WHO Transport Officer, Kalkidan Alemayehu indicates.

Time and resources once spent on manual fuel tracking are now redirected toward mission-critical work. Vehicles across the country can refuel confidently, regardless of their location or internet access, ensuring continuous support to health interventions in even the most hard-to-reach communities, she added.

Behind the scenes, cross-functional coordination has been key. The project was led collaboratively by WHO Ethiopia’s Operations, Finance, ICT, and transport teams, with close engagement from the WCO Ethiopia Management Team and WHO Global Fleet Management Unit. Field office staff, including regional coordinators and transport officers, played an essential role in training and feedback collection, ensuring a smooth adoption process.

While the transition has been largely successful, adapting to a fully digital system did come with initial hurdles. Some drivers and staff required time to adjust to the new SMS-based interface, especially those less familiar with mobile money systems. However, targeted trainings and ongoing technical support helped bridge the gap.

“Change is never without its learning curve, but the benefits far outweigh the challenges,” Ayenachew Zewdie, WHO ICT Focal Person. “Now, we have a smarter system that puts control and accountability at our fingertips.”

This initiative positions WHO Ethiopia as a model for operational innovation within the United Nations system in Ethiopia. It reflects a broader institutional shift toward digital-first approaches, supporting Ethiopia’s national digital transformation goals while enhancing the Organization’s ability to respond rapidly and effectively to health emergencies and development priorities.

By embracing TeleBirr for fuel payments, WHO Ethiopia has not only ensured compliance—it has unlocked new levels of operational integrity, responsiveness, and service delivery. As this system continues to evolve, the lessons and best practices gathered will inform future digital initiatives across the Organization’s workstreams.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Ethiopia.