Government welcomes court order on driving license card machine tender
The Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, and Deputy Minister, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, have welcomed the High Court’s declaratory order that sets aside the appointment of IDEMIA as a preferred bidder for the driving license card machines tender.
On Tuesday, the Gauteng North High Court declared that the tender was irregular, invalid, unlawful and unenforceable. Consequently, the tender has been set aside by the court. The Department of Transport has been ordered to re-advertise the tender within 30 days.
“Pending the appointment of a successful service provider under the re- advertised tender, the department has also been allowed by the court to outsource the services of printing and issuing of driving license (cards) to the Department of Home Affairs,” the department said on Wednesday.
The court’s declaratory order is based on the department’s court application, following the findings of the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) that pointed out irregularities in the tender process.
Reacting to the court’s declaratory order, the Minister said that the court outcome is a vindication of the department’s commitment to the transparency and legitimacy of tender processes with the decision to approach the court for guidance on the matter as a necessary step for effective regulation.
Meanwhile, on 9 December 2025, the Driving Licence Card Account (DLCA) agency cleared the backlog of driving license cards that were outstanding for printing, following the breakdown of the printing machine from February to May 2025.
As a result, from 8 May to 8 December 2025, a total of 2 239 456 driving license cards were printed by the DLCA.
The State Security Agency has approved the prototype driving licence card designed by the Government Printing Works (GPW).
“The establishment of the network connection between the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and GPW was successfully tested. This will allow the transfer of data/files required by GPW to print the driving license cards.
“A Cabinet process will soon be undertaken to sought Cabinet approval of the prototype card design,” the department said. –SAnews.gov.za
Current Head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Advocate Shamila Batohi, has expressed confidence in Advocate Andy Mothibi’s ability to “take the NPA to greater heights”.
Mothibi is expected to take over the reins at the prosecutorial body from next month when Batohi retires from the position.
“Advocate Mothibi is a person of integrity, who comes with a great track record and who knows what it means to fight for the rule of law in the country.
“As the head of the SIU, and as a key stakeholder and partner in the law enforcement environment, he is no stranger to the work of the NPA and the criminal justice system. I have every confidence that Adv Mothibi will take the NPA to greater heights,” Batohi said.
She described the fight for justice as an “ongoing battle”.
“There is much to be done, and I have no doubt that with Adv Mothibi at the helm, the staff of the NPA remain resolute in their dedication to his leadership in advancing justice and the rule of law, and that together, they will strengthen the role of the NPA at the heart of our constitutional democracy in the service of the people of South Africa,” Batohi said.
The prosecutorial body assured that a handover report has been compiled to “ensure a smooth transition”.
“[The] report… will be shared with the President, the Minister, the Chairperson of the Justice Portfolio Committee and Advocate Mothibi.
“This report not only documents progress, including on a number of strategic initiatives, but also identifies key risks, opportunities and unfinished work in the process of continued rebuilding and reform. We are also scheduling a programme of briefings to Advocate Mothibi before he assumes duty on 1 February,” the NPA said. – SAnews.gov.za
Algeria’s state-owned oil company Sonatrach and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the auspices of the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO), formalizing plans for a strategic partnership focused on research, development and innovation (R&D) in the oil and gas sector. Signed in Brazzaville, the Republic of Congo – the headquarters of APPO – and in the presence of APPO’s recently appointed Secretary General Farid Ghezali, the MoU establishes a framework for assessing joint opportunities, sharing expertise and creating structured working mechanisms to support the development of hydrocarbon resources for energy security and sustainable development across Africa.
The African Energy Chamber (AEC) welcomes the agreement and expresses its full support for Sonatrach and GNPC in advancing African-led R&D collaboration. The agreement signifies APPO as not only an instrumental part in facilitating the partnership but a central force in bringing all parties together to ratify this important deal. Under the leadership of Ghezali, APPO continues to showcase its commitment to unifying nations – as well as the broader industry – to reach decisive agreements such as this one. The partnership also reflects a growing recognition among national oil companies (NOC) that innovation, technology and knowledge-sharing are essential to unlocking value, reducing costs and ensuring Africa remains competitive in a rapidly evolving global energy market. The AEC believes that this collaboration is expected to move the entire industry into its next phase of development.
The scope of cooperation outlined in the MoU is both comprehensive and forward-looking. It includes advanced onshore and offshore seismic technologies such as high-definition processing and interpretation, artificial intelligence-enabled subsurface analysis, 4D seismic and real-time reservoir modeling. The agreement also covers digital wells and digital oilfields, enhanced and improved oil recovery, stratigraphic exploration objectives, integrity and corrosion management and oil and gas valorization – capabilities that directly improve recovery rates, extend the life of producing assets and maximize returns from existing infrastructure. The partnership also integrates energy transition and environmental priorities alongside core upstream development. Areas of cooperation include carbon footprint reduction, low-carbon industrial solutions, hydrogen and green technologies, as well as water and waste treatment and air pollution mitigation. This reflects a pragmatic African approach: developing hydrocarbons responsibly while embedding sustainability and emissions management into project design and operations from the outset.
The agreement comes at a critical time for both markets. For Ghana, the MoU signals a commitment to leveraging innovation to revitalize oil production as the nation looks to revive oilfields, diversify the industry through gas and support broader regional energy growth. With 17 oil and gas projects scheduled for development by 2027, Ghana is working to expand exploration, ramp up production and deepen private sector participation. Recent milestones point to a strong resurgence across the market. Just this month, Kosmos Energy announced that it successfully drilled and completed the J-74 well – part of the larger 2025-2026 Jubilee field development campaign. In partnership with the GNPC and Tullow, the company plans to drill 20 wells at Jubilee under a $2 billion upstream expansion plan, five of which are planned for 2026. Alongside oil Ghana is advancing gas developments under efforts to monetize its over 2.1 trillion cubic feet of available resources. Projects such as a planned second processing plant – with a capacity of 150 million standard cubic feet per day – are underway and will complement operational facilities such as the Atuabo Plant.
As one of Africa’s biggest oil and gas producers, Algeria is well-positioned to support Ghana’s hydrocarbon goals. The country is advancing its own ambitious hydrocarbon strategy, anchored by a five-year plan endorsed by Sonatrach that will mobilize up to $60 billion in investment. The program prioritizes sustained exploration and production to offset natural decline, alongside the modernization and expansion of downstream infrastructure to strengthen value addition, boost export capacity and enhance long-term energy security. Through this strategy, Algeria is reinforcing its role as a continental energy leader while generating technical expertise and operational know-how that can be leveraged through partnerships with peers such as GNPC. By prioritizing R&D, embracing technology and aligning hydrocarbons development with sustainability objectives, Sonatrach and GNPC are setting a strong precedent. The AEC commends both companies and APPO for advancing an African-led model that supports energy security, economic growth and sustainable development across the continent.
“APPO continues to showcase a commitment to advancing Africa’s hydrocarbon development. This MoU shows that African NOCs are investing in innovation to secure the continent’s energy future. Research and technology are critical to producing oil and gas more efficiently and sustainably, while supporting the broader energy transition. Africa needs oil and gas to develop, and partnerships like this ensure those resources deliver long-term value for our people,” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, AEC.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a passing trend; it is reshaping industrial operations at every level. Nowhere is this transformation more visible than in the maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) supply chain, where AI is driving efficiency, predictive insight, and smarter decision-making.
Industrial organisations have long relied on data to guide decisions, but today’s AI goes far beyond traditional analytics. Advanced machine learning and generative AI can synthesise vast volumes of information, uncover patterns across previously siloed datasets, and generate insights that fundamentally change how businesses operate. The real value of AI lies in its ability to turn fragmented data into actionable intelligence that enhances operational performance and supports strategic decision-making.
At the heart of AI’s impact is data. Capturing, structuring, and standardising information across processes and systems forms the foundation of effective AI deployment. When data is complete, accurate, and contextualised, AI can augment predictive maintenance where asset behaviour changes gradually and predictably, supported by reliable sensing, adequate signal quality and repeatable failure modes. Under these conditions, it can also optimise inventory and improve overall supply chain reliability. Organisations with mature processes can leverage AI to anticipate demand, reduce stock errors, and ensure critical parts are available when needed. Those still building operational foundations may struggle to realise the full potential.
RS South Africa has been at the forefront of bringing these capabilities to life. By integrating AI into MRO operations, RS enables clients to identify patterns in part usage, standardise inventory across multiple sites, and unlock efficiencies that were previously hidden in complex supply chains. The application of AI allows for more accurate stock planning, faster part identification, and optimised working capital — ensuring organisations operate with maximum uptime and minimal waste.
The benefits of AI extend beyond inventory. Predictive analytics allow organisations to anticipate equipment failures and schedule maintenance proactively, reducing unplanned downtime and extending asset lifecycles. By using AI to simplify part naming, classify spare components, and optimise procurement processes, organisations achieve cost reductions and improve operational reliability. This is particularly valuable in Sub-Saharan Africa, where industries such as mining, manufacturing, and defence may operate with ageing assets, have complex supply chains, and limited access to highly skilled technicians.
Tools to support this transformation are already in use at RS South Africa. AI-enabled applications can rapidly help to identify parts in storerooms, reduce manual input, and improve data accuracy. Cloud-based platforms provide real-time visibility, streamline procurement, and enhance operational efficiency. Together, these technologies enable RS to deliver faster, safer, and more reliable MRO services, allowing organisations to focus on strategic operational improvements rather than transactional tasks.
Collaboration and integration are key to realising AI’s full potential. By working with RS, organisations gain access to end-to-end services, from data standardisation and process optimisation to supplier coordination and inventory management. Combining technological capability with industry expertise accelerates AI adoption and ensures tangible improvements across the supply chain.
The South African context highlights the transformative potential of AI. Research by PwC South Africa shows that 81% of operations executives expect AI to boost operating profits by at least 3 percentage points by 2030, with over 50% anticipating gains of 5 percentage points or more. Yet only 13% report achieving a significant return on investments made so far, highlighting the opportunity as local adoption evolves.
Looking ahead, AI will move from optimisation to transformation. Advanced algorithms will enable predictive maintenance, dynamic inventory management, and intelligent supply chain orchestration. Organisations that embrace AI strategically, align it with core processes, and invest in data quality will not only improve efficiency but unlock entirely new ways of operating.
The future of MRO supply chains is intelligent, integrated, and proactive. Through initiatives led by RS South Africa, AI is becoming the key to creating resilient, cost-effective, and high-performing operations. By leveraging AI, African industrial organisations can improve uptime, optimise inventory, and transform their MRO supply chains from cost centres into strategic enablers of operational excellence.
RS South Africa (https://Africa.RSDelivers.com/) is a trading brand of RS Group plc (LSE: RS1) and a leading provider of industrial product and service solutions.
References
PwC South Africa. AI in Operations: Unlocking Value in Industrial Operations. 2023. (https://apo-opa.co/4bnDgVW)
About RS:
RS is a global product and service solutions provider for industrial customers, enabling them to operate efficiently and sustainably.
We operate in 36 markets, stock over 800,000 industrial and specialist products and list an additional five million relevant for our industrial customers, sourced from over 2,500 suppliers. This extensive range supports our customers across the industrial lifecycle of designing, building, and maintaining equipment and operations.
We enhance their experience through a tailored service model, leveraging our efficient physical, digital and process infrastructure sustainably. We combine a technically led and digitally enabled approach with an exceptional team of experts; ultimately, it’s our people that make the difference.
Our purpose, making amazing happen for a better world, reflects our focus on delivering results for people planet and profit.
RS Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange with stock ticker RS1 and in the year ended 31 March 2024 reported revenue of £2,942 million.
As part of the voluntary communications programme managed pro bono by APO Group (https://APO-opa.com) to support the Roman Catholic Church in Africa, we are seeking an experienced Website Developer & Designer.
Location: Remote (Europe or Africa) Type: Volunteer (Unpaid) Commitment: 2 days per week, for at least 6 months
About the Role
The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), the governing body of the Roman Catholic Church in Africa, is inviting applications for a Website Developer & Designer to strengthen and enhance its digital presence.
This is a hands-on, execution-driven volunteer role focused on the design, development, and ongoing maintenance of SECAM’s websites and digital platforms. While content will be provided by other team members, the position centres on ensuring technical implementation, smooth functionality, consistent and professional design aligned with SECAM’s brand standards, user-friendly navigation, and strong site performance.
We are seeking a dedicated individual who can work independently on clearly defined tasks, follow established brand guidelines and UX best practices, and collaborate effectively with content creators, communications teams, and project stakeholders. This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by shaping SECAM’s digital presence and ensuring its platforms remain accessible, engaging, and reliable.
This role is part of the pro bono volunteer programme facilitated by APO Group (https://APO-opa.com). Learn more about the initiative: SECAM Africa Newsroom (https://apo-opa.co/4puAWzY).
The programme operates within European and African time zones. For this reason, applications are only open to candidates based in these regions.
As a Website Developer & Designer, you will:
Develop and launch websites, landing pages, and enhancements based on provided requirements.
Translate design mock-ups and supplied content into functional, high-quality web pages
Website Administration & Maintenance
Apply SECAM brand guidelines to ensure visual consistency and professional design quality.
Ensure strong usability, accessibility, and clear visual hierarchy.
Maintain reusable templates and design components.
Collaborate with content owners to ensure layouts support communication objectives.
Performance, SEO & Accessibility
Implement technical SEO best practices and page-level optimizations.
Optimise site speed, performance, and responsiveness.
Apply accessibility standards (WCAG) and usability best practices.
Support analytics, tracking, and performance monitoring where required.
Collaboration & Process
Work closely with content creators, communications leads, and project managers.
Provide practical input on technical feasibility and timelines.
Document site structures, updates, and maintenance processes.
Required Skills & Experience
3–5 years of professional experience in website development and web design.
Strong working knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Experience with at least one CMS platform (e.g. WordPress, Webflow, Drupal).
Proficiency with design tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, or similar.
Solid understanding of responsive design and UX/UI principles.
Familiarity with hosting environments, DNS, and deployment workflows.
Strong communication skills in English (French or Portuguese is an advantage).
Nice-to-Have
Experience with modern frameworks or libraries (React, Vue, etc.).
Basic back-end knowledge (PHP, Node.js, or similar).
Experience with e-commerce or membership-based websites.
Version control experience (Git).
Requirements
3–5 years of professional experience in website development and web design.
Strong working knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Experience with at least one CMS platform (e.g. WordPress, Webflow, Drupal).
Proficiency with design tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, or similar.
Solid understanding of responsive design and UX/UI principles.
Familiarity with hosting environments, DNS, and deployment workflows.
Strong communication skills in English (French or Portuguese is an advantage).
What We Offer
The opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the mission of the Roman Catholic Church in Africa.
Hands-on experience supporting international digital platforms in a mission-driven context.
A multicultural, collaborative, and purpose-driven volunteer environment.
The chance to strengthen your CV and expand your international professional network.
This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the Church’s noble mission, while also enhancing your professional experience, strengthening your CV, and broadening your international network.
I M P O R T A N T: Only applicants who complete the form below will be considered.
The Catholic Church operates 82,235 Catholic Schools in Africa, educating 30,629,476 pupils. Its extensive network of care includes 13,880 facilities such as hospitals, clinics, dispensaries, leprosy centres, homes for the elderly and chronically ill, centres for disabled people, orphanages, kindergartens, and marriage counselling centres.
According to the 2022 State of the World’s Volunteerism Report compiled by the United Nations, the global number of volunteers stands at 862.4 million. Embracing volunteerism provides individuals with unparalleled firsthand professional experience, allowing them to enrich their CVs with valuable expertise gained through meaningful contributions.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group Jobs.
About APO Group:
Founded in 2007, APO Group (https://APO-opa.com) is the leading award-winning pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service. Renowned for our deep-rooted African expertise and expansive global perspective, we specialise in elevating the reputation and brand equity of private and public organisations across Africa. As a trusted partner, our mission is to harness the power of media, crafting bespoke strategies that drive tangible, measurable impact both on the continent and globally.
Our commitment to excellence and innovation has been recognised with multiple prestigious awards, including a PRovoke Media Global SABRE Award and multiple PRovoke Media Africa SABRE Awards. In 2023, we were named the Leading Public Relations Firm Africa and the Leading Pan-African Communications Consultancy Africa in the World Business Outlook Awards, and the Best Public Relations and Media Consultancy Agency of the Year South Africa in 2024 and again in 2025 in the same awards. In 2025, Brands Review Magazine acknowledged us as the Leading Communications Consultancy in Africa for the second consecutive year. They also named us the Best PR Agency and the Leading Press Release Distribution Platform in Africa in 2024. Additionally, in 2025, we were honoured with the Gold distinction for Best PR Campaign and Bronze in the Special Event category at the Davos Communications Awards.
APO Group’s esteemed clientele, which includes global giants such as Canon, Nestlé, Western Union, the UNDP, Network International, African Energy Chamber, Mercy Ships, Marriott, Africa’s Business Heroes, and Liquid Intelligent Technologies, reflects our unparalleled ability to navigate the complex African media landscape. With a multicultural team across Africa, we offer unmatched, truly pan-African insights, expertise, and reach across the continent. APO Group is dedicated to reshaping narratives about Africa, challenging stereotypes, and bringing inspiring African stories to global audiences, with our expertise in developing and supporting public relations campaigns worldwide uniquely positioning us to amplify brand messaging, enhance reputations, and connect effectively with target audiences.
Um grupo de especialistas* independentes das Nações Unidas lembrou ao Governo de Uganda da sua obrigação de garantir a participação da população nos assuntos públicos sem violência e discriminação.
Uma nota publicada em Genebra alerta para “um clima generalizado de medo” no país africano, na preparação para as eleições gerais agendadas para 15 de janeiro. Para eles, esse cenário “não é propício à realização de eleições pacíficas”.
Apoiadores da oposição
O ambiente eleitoral é marcado por alegações de desaparecimentos forçados, uso desproporcional da força contra apoiadores da oposição política e a intensificação da repressão à sociedade civil e à mídia independente.
Os padrões até agora observados são considerados preocupantes e “muito semelhantes aos relatados nas eleições de 2021”. Nesse ano, pelo menos 18 casos de desaparecimento forçado foram confirmados.
Desde o início da campanha eleitoral para a atual corrida eleitoral, as autoridades teriam mobilizado forças de segurança de forma robusta “para reprimir os comícios do principal partido de oposição, a Plataforma de Unidade Nacional, NUP.
As forças policiais usaram agentes químicos inflamatórios, canhões de água e munição real a curta distância, resultando em pelo menos uma morte confirmada.
Uso de veículos não identificados
Em 2025 há alegações de que houve 160 casos de desaparecimento forçado com agentes de segurança utilizando veículos não identificados para sequestrar membros da oposição e mantê-los em detenção incomunicável em “casas de segurança” não identificadas.
Outra questão é a presença permanente de veículos de controle de multidões, como canhões de água, “sem que haja uma situação específica que justifique seu uso” o que o s peritos consideram que não é um bom presságio para eleições pacíficas.
Até 550 membros e apoiadores da NUP teriam sido presos devido a atividades políticas. O governo também não cumpriu prontamente uma decisão da Suprema Corte que exigia a transferência dos casos de tribunais militares para civis.
Os especialistas defendem que é preciso aprimorar várias questões para assegurar que as eleições de 2026 ocorram livres de violência e represálias.
Período da campanha eleitoral
Outro ponto observado pelos especialistas foi a liberdade de imprensa e os direitos digitais. Para o grupo estes “não devem ser atacados simultaneamente, como tem acontecido durante todo o período da campanha.”
Em março, pelo menos 32 jornalistas foram agredidos ou tiveram seus equipamentos danificados durante uma única eleição suplementar. As autoridades ugandesas suspenderam programas de rádio e repórteres tiveram suas credenciais confiscadas por cobertura crítica do Parlamento. A dissidência online está sendo silenciada por meio da Lei de Abuso de Computadores.
Os especialistas observaram ainda que defensores dos direitos humanos e organizações da sociedade civil enfrentaram barreiras arbitrárias, incluindo o congelamento de contas bancárias, atrasos na renovação de licenças e a instrumentalização de onerosos memorandos de entendimento em nível distrital.
Acesso não autorizado a telefones
As medidas relatadas afetam ainda organizações que trabalham com orientação sexual e identidade de gênero.
Novos relatos sobre vigilância digital de defensores dos direitos humanos e líderes da sociedade civil, incluindo o acesso não autorizado a telefones e o uso de softwares maliciosos, “surgiram no período que antecede as eleições.”
Os especialistas também pediram às autoridades o fim imediato da violência, que elas expliquem o paradeiro dos desaparecidos, acabem com o uso de força e das medidas desproporcionais, como o bloqueio da internet ou das redes sociais.
*Os especialistas são independentes da ONU e não recebem salário pelo seu trabalho.
Cultural and arts competitions (Walta Award), organized by the Ministry of Defense and conducted over a period of about three months, enthusiastically concluded on 2 January at Cinema Roma here in Asmara.
The competition covered dance, music, songs, drama, comedy, directing, painting, and short stories, and was participated in by groups from the Eastern Command, Western Command, Naval Force, Rapid Deployment Command, Central Command, Popular Forces Command, 74th Mechanized, Sawa National Service Training Center, as well as the administrative staff in Beleza.
The Egri-Mekel cultural troupe of the Central Command emerged as the overall winner.
According to the Promotion and Information Unit of the Central Command, upon arrival in Dekemhare on 3 January, the Egri-Mekel cultural troupe was accorded a warm welcome.
Capt. Berhane Arefaine, head of the Promotion and Information Unit of the Command, said that the competition contributed to enabling participants to identify their talents. He also expressed hope that the competition will continue annually in earnest.
Brig. Gen. Tekle Kiflai, Commander of the Central Command, congratulated the members of the cultural troupe and expressed the readiness of the Command to provide all necessary support for the troupe’s development.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.
Christmas has been colorfully celebrated at Fenkil Air Force Camp in Massawa in collaboration with the Ministry of Information, the Commission of Culture and Sports, as well as the Eritrean Air Force.
At the event, in which Mr. Tewolde Kelati, Minister of Marine Resources, and Ms. Asmeret Abraha, Governor of the Northern Red Sea Region, as well as other invited guests took part, Maj. Gen. Teklai Habteselasie, Commander of the Eritrean Air Force, said that religious festivities reflect the values as well as harmony and unity of the Eritrean people. He also expressed appreciation to those who contributed to and participated in the colorful program.
The occasion featured cultural and artistic programs.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Eutychus Ngotho Gichuru, PhD Candidate in Educational Management, Makerere University
Academics today, around the world, are confined by the way their research output is measured. Indicators that count the number of times their work is cited by other academics, and the relative prestige of journals that publish their papers, determine everything: from career development to research funding.
What does this international system mean for African scholars like ourselves? Our work has found that metrics for measuring excellence are instead acting as a disadvantage for academics who seek to generate knowledge relevant for their communities.
The higher the traditional indicators like citation counts and impact factors are for African scholars, the lower their score for local relevance and community impact. The globally accepted metrics punish what matters most, while blocking African scholars’ career progress.
Our findings show that there’s a need for a philosophical and practical alternative to the existing system. Ngotho’s work towards a PhD in educational management offers one: an assessment framework built on the African ethical principle of ubuntu – “a person is a person through others”. The PhD work suggests a practical, quantifiable assessment tool to create an ubuntu score for academic output.
Taking an academic’s measure
The doctoral study first looked at the evaluation mechanisms being used across all African Research Universities Alliance member universities.
It found that the indicators used as the basis for academic assessment across the globe appear objective in design, but they are not. They foster a deep bias against African scholarship.
The h-index measures both publication productivity and citation impact. This inherently disadvantages collaborative scholarship, particularly community-based work, which is essential for social transformation. Our research indicates that 73% of faculty who are engaged in participatory research have h-indices that fail to reflect their true impact. The index has other flaws: it can be artificially inflated through self-citations, and its value changes depending on which database calculates it.
Journal impact factors favour journals from the global north. Western Europe and North America dominate academic publishing, contributing 74% of indexed public health journals. Africa represents just 2%. This forces scholars to bypass excellent regional journals that their peers and policymakers actually read. In effect, it silences locally important conversations.
Citation counts reinforce negative tendencies against African scholarship in fields like public health and agricultural development. The constant pressure for high publication counts values quantity over quality. According to the PhD research, 61% of African faculty report excessive pressure to publish, leaving insufficient time for the deep contextual analysis that our communities need.
Even altmetrics, designed to track broader societal impact, are calibrated for global north social media ecosystems. They typically ignore how knowledge is transmitted in African contexts, for example through community radio programmes, speaking and local workshops. This means promotion committees, focused on social media mentions and blog citations, overlook how African academics actually engage with their communities.
Many African scholars suffer from geographical bias before their work is even read. As the study contends, abstracts have even been rejected if reviewers have low regard for the authors’ institution or country of origin.
Ubuntu: an African alternative
The PhD thesis research provides a philosophical and practical alternative to this dysfunctional system. It’s an assessment framework founded on the African ethical principle of ubuntu, “I am because we are”, which means that any individual’s identity is fundamentally connected to collective wellbeing.
An “ubuntu score” allows for traditional measurement, complemented or surpassed by a collaborative impact quotient. It measures co-creation of knowledge with communities, interdisciplinary teamwork, custodian partnerships, and similar cooperative efforts in forming indigenous knowledge. Ubuntu metrics invert assessment from individual prestige to collective wellbeing, placing value on:
research disseminated in regionally relevant venues like the African press.
From theory to practice: early successes
Preliminary trials carried out in Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia and the University of Nairobi in Kenya revealed that 68% of faculty disadvantaged by the traditional journal impact factor rated highly on the ubuntu-based evaluation, which measured their contribution to society.
Pilot stakeholder panels were conducted at the University of Pretoria (South Africa) and echoed this finding. High-impact scholars who were overlooked by promotion committees wedded to citation counts were identified by community residents. Their excellence, embedded and serving their communities, was erased by conventional metrics.
This is in line with the growing realisation that African universities must shift from being research institutions to innovation engines.
The issue is far bigger than just creating new measures; it involves an entire transformation of academia’s culture.
Ranking systems should come from the African universities themselves. Encouraging citations of relevant articles from one’s region could build up the presence and influence of African publications.
Beyond alternative metrics, a total recomposition of academic values is what ubuntu-style assessment buys into. It does not ask “How visible is this scholar to the world?” but “How has this scholar’s work strengthened their community?” It measures not citations in far-away journals but solutions in local contexts.
– Measures of academic value overlook African scholars who make a local impact – study – https://theconversation.com/measures-of-academic-value-overlook-african-scholars-who-make-a-local-impact-study-269201
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Hayley Clements, Senior Researcher, African Wildlife Economy Institute and Centre for Sustainability Transitions, Stellenbosch University
South Africa has a thriving wildlife economy – enterprises like trophy and meat hunting, ecotourism, live wildlife sales and game meat production.
Government policy considers the sector key to integrating conservation with rural development. The national 2024 strategy is to grow “sustainable and inclusive eco-tourism-based businesses by 10%” every year.
It is also projected that the GDP contribution of game meat will increase from US$4.6 billion (2020) to US$27.6 billion by 2036. The overarching aim is to:
grow the wildlife economy to include more black landholders and communities
expand the amount of land that is conserved “from 20 million ha (hectares) to 34 million ha by 2040”.
In South Africa, land uses based on wildlife could address the twin land reform objectives of economic development and empowerment, while also conserving biodiversity.
Land reform is central to the country’s strategy to rectify historical inequities in land access. Beneficiaries of reform include black individuals, families and communities.
Yet little is known about how land reform beneficiaries – who often begin with fewer resources – might realistically participate in the wildlife economy.
We are conservation and wildlife economy researchers with a focus on South Africa’s inclusive conservation agenda. In a recent paper, we explored whether land reform beneficiaries were engaging in the wildlife economy, and what might hold them back or help them.
Knowing more about this would be useful for policymakers.
We found that new landholders were not yet participating meaningfully in the wildlife economy. With focused government help and investment they could benefit from the land through mixed livestock–wildlife enterprises that align with their experience and resources. In this way, South Africa could promote inclusive economic development while safeguarding its wildlife.
The study
Since 1994, the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development has pursued a constitutional mandate of land restitution, land tenure reform and land redistribution. The intention is to redress the historical injustices of apartheid and promote equitable access to land and livelihoods. Many redistributed farms fall within areas of high biodiversity value that are well-suited to wildlife-based enterprises.
In South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, for instance, herds of kudu and springbok are a common sight on hillsides. The land that they roam is no longer managed by white farmers only, but also by black farmers, enabled in part by the country’s land reform programme.
During our study in Addo-Amathole Biodiversity Economy Node we interviewed 19 land reform beneficiaries. It is one of the government’s focal areas in the Eastern Cape for promoting the wildlife economy. It also overlaps with one of the “mega living landscapes” in South African National Parks’ new Vision 2040. The farms in our study cover nearly 50,000ha. They represent two-thirds of the land reform beneficiaries in the province who aspire to be part of the wildlife economy.
Distribution of land reform properties across South Africa. The area sampled in this study is shown in green.Author provided
To date, land reform programmes in rural South Africa have focused strongly on agriculture. In the Addo-Amathole region, this means livestock farming.
Interviews were conducted in English and isiXhosa and covered wildlife and livestock numbers, revenue streams, infrastructure, business planning, employment, skills and barriers to market access.
We set out to understand how the characteristics of land reform farms align with existing wildlife ranches, what types of infrastructure and investment they would need to grow, and where their strengths already lie. These 19 properties were compared with 74 established wildlife ranches in the region.
The findings
One of the most striking findings is that land reform farms in this region hold a lot of ecological value. Most of the land overlaps with critical biodiversity areas.
Yet only 42% of the farms earned any income from wildlife. On average it contributed less than 5% of total income. Almost all income still came from livestock, despite all of the beneficiaries’ business plans being focused on wildlife enterprises.
The greatest barrier was the lack of basic infrastructure needed to participate legally and commercially in wildlife markets.
Only six farms out of 19 had any perimeter game fencing. Water systems, vehicles and access to game meat processing facilities were very limited. Accommodation for visitors was scarce, with about two-thirds of farms lacking suitable facilities.
Another important finding was that almost all of the land reform beneficiaries’ business plans (submitted to government in their application for land) emphasised specialised trophy hunting or high-end ecotourism enterprises.
These enterprises require hundreds of millions of rands in infrastructure, charismatic wildlife such as rhinos and lions, skilled staff and access to specialised markets.
However, the size and current wildlife densities on land reform farms closely resemble mixed livestock–wildlife ranches. These focus on a mix of trophy and meat hunting, game meat sales and domestic tourism, alongside more traditional livestock farming.
Mixed ranches require far less initial investment and align more closely with the skills many emerging farmers already have. As seen in the COVID-19 pandemic, diversified wildlife ranches can also be more resilient.
What should happen
South Africa’s wildlife economy could become more inclusive if land reform farms were supported to adopt realistic business models in stages. It’s not realistic to copy the high-capital enterprises of some established ranches.
This starts with growing mixed livestock-wildlife enterprises that match existing knowledge and allow farmers to build experience and capital.
Landscape partnerships like conservancies – where landowners cooperate to manage their land for environmental and economic sustainability – are an option.
National and regional government entities responsible for agriculture, land reform or the environment need to work together.
Joint initiatives could also allow for private investment via the government’s Biodiversity Sector Investment Platform. The platform aims to connect investors with investment opportunities in the sector.
Meanwhile, established ranchers and private operators can mentor emerging wildlife ranchers and help them access markets. Beneficiaries could build on their existing livestock experience while gradually expanding into wildlife activities that match their capacities and resources.
Inclusive wildlife economies could connect economic opportunity, land justice and biodiversity conservation in ways that advance South Africa’s transformation and development goals.
Naledi Mneno co-authored the research on which this article is based.
– Land reform in South Africa: how new landholders could prosper from wildlife and not just farming – https://theconversation.com/land-reform-in-south-africa-how-new-landholders-could-prosper-from-wildlife-and-not-just-farming-270986
