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Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) and Prince Mohammed Bin Salman College of Business & Entrepreneurship (MBSC) Celebrate Graduation of Strategic Business Leadership Program Participants

Source: APO

The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (https://IsDBInstitute.org/) and Prince Mohammed Bin Salman College of Business & Entrepreneurship (MBSC) celebrated the graduation of the participants of the Strategic Business Leadership Program, recognizing 30 leaders from 15 IsDB Member Countries and Muslim communities.

Jointly developed by IsDBI and MBSC, the program combines executive education with practical learning to help leaders strengthen strategic execution, innovation, organizational transformation, and sustainable value creation.

The Strategic Business Leadership Program benefited from the support of three IsDB Group entities, namely the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), and International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

The graduation ceremony took place on 27 August 2026 at the IsDB Headquarters in Jeddah. It brought together senior representatives from the IsDB Group, MBSC, and program partners, along with the graduating participants.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDB Institute, emphasized the importance of investing in human capital, knowledge, and institutional capacity to help Member Countries address emerging challenges and unlock new opportunities. He thanked ICIEC, ICD, ITFC, MBSC and all the team members who contributed to the success of the program.

The ceremony featured keynote remarks from Dr. Khalid Khalafalla, CEO of ICIEC and Acting CEO of ICD, and Mr. Nazeem Noordali, COO of ITFC, whose participation underscored the Group’s commitment to strengthening private-sector development, trade, investment, risk mitigation, and economic opportunity across IsDB Member Countries.

Dr. Zeger Degraeve, Executive Dean of MBSC, reflected on the partnership with IsDBI and commended the caliber of the graduating cohort, emphasizing the importance of translating leadership learning into tangible organizational and societal impact.

Dr. Muhammad Azam Roomi, Professor of Entrepreneurship at MBSC and Faculty Director of the program, highlighted the practical dimensions of the learning journey, including entrepreneurial thinking, strategic decision-making, innovation, and opportunity recognition and urged the participants to change lives.

Mr. Yahya Rehman, Head of IsDBI’s Knowledge Leaders Section, highlighted the Institute’s role in developing human capital and providing knowledge-based solutions that contribute to sustainable economic advancement across IsDB Member Countries.

Two representatives of the graduating cohort, Mr. Hesham Ahmed Suqail and Ms. Mahwish Naeem, also shared the participants’ perspective, reflecting on the program’s value, practical learning experience, and opportunity for peer exchange across countries and professional backgrounds. They expressed their gratitude to the IsDBI and MBSC for the life changing experience and learning.

The ceremony concluded with the award of certificates and recognition of program partners. The graduation marks the beginning of the participants’ next stage of leadership, equipping them to contribute to stronger organizations, more innovative businesses, and greater economic and societal impact in their respective countries.

The IsDBI–MBSC partnership provides a continuing platform for developing leadership capabilities across the IsDB ecosystem and empowering a new generation of leaders to translate knowledge into action and learning into sustainable development outcomes.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI).

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About the IsDB Institute:
The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) is the knowledge beacon of the Islamic Development Bank Group. Guided by the principles of Islamic economics and finance, the IsDB Institute leads the development of innovative knowledge-based solutions to support the sustainable economic advancement of IsDB Member Countries and various Muslim communities worldwide. The IsDB Institute enables economic development through pioneering research, human capital development, and knowledge creation, dissemination, and management. The Institute leads initiatives to enable Islamic finance ecosystems, ultimately helping Member Countries achieve their development objectives. More information about the IsDB Institute is available on https://IsDBInstitute.org/

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Nigeria advances early childhood development through primary health care

Source: APO

Every month at the Primary Health Care Centre in Ugbor, Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State, in southern Nigeria, mothers gather with their babies for routine immunization and growth monitoring services. Among them is Mrs Shegu Ritawaits who arrived one morning with her eight-month-old child expecting a routine clinic visit.

But that day, the interaction went beyond immunization. Alongside routine checks, a health worker demonstrated how simple activities such as talking, singing, playing, smiling and responding to a baby’s cues can support learning and development during the earliest years of life.

“I did not know that talking and playing with my baby could help her learn,” said Mrs Shegu. “Now I try to do it every day, even when I am cooking or washing clothes.”

The early years of life are a critical period for brain development and lay the foundation for lifelong learning, health and productivity. Nurturing care during this period helps children develop the cognitive, language, motor, social and emotional skills they need to thrive. However, poor developmental outcomes continue to affect an estimated two-thirds of children in sub-Saharan Africa, underscoring the need for stronger support for caregivers and young children.

Investments in nurturing care, including health, nutrition, responsive caregiving, early learning, and child protection, are essential to ensure that Nigerian children survive, thrive, and reach their developmental potential. Despite progress, millions of young children remain at risk of developmental delay due to preventable social, economic, and health-related factors.

Primary health care as a platform for nurturing care for early childhood development

This was the focus of discussions during a World Health Organization (WHO)-convened high-level panel on nurturing care at the Africa Primary Health Care Forum (APHCF) 2026 in Abuja. A total of 513 participants from six countries attended the forum
Participants agreed that primary health care is one of the most effective platforms for delivering nurturing care services to pregnant women, caregivers, infants, and young children, while facilitating collaboration with other sectors for coordinated action.

“Primary health care remains the government platform with the widest and most consistent contact with pregnant women, caregivers and young children. Integrated action is needed to promote early childhood development,” said Dr Amina Mohammed, Director, Child Health Division, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare 

What implementation can look like: lessons from Osun State
While policy discussions continue at national level, experiences from Osun State illustrate how developmental support can be embedded within health systems.

A partnership between the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), UK, and founded under the Global Health Workforce Programme, is strengthening the early identification and referral of children with developmental delays and disabilities.

The initiative has trained 278 frontline health workers and established referral pathways linking primary health care centres with specialist services.

According to DrOluwatosin Olorunmoteni, consultant paediatric neurologist at OAUTHC and co-lead of the partnership, earlier identification is beginning to improve referrals.

“With this intervention, children below one year are referred, and for some less than six months.”
Health workers involved in the programme also report greater confidence in assessing children and making appropriate referrals.

Meanwhile, at the Ugbor Primary Health Care Centre, caregivers are reportedly showing greater interest in children’s developmental progress.

According to Caroline Ugbomor Osato, a nurse at the facility:

“Before, many parents came only for immunization. Now some ask what they can do at home to help their child speak, play and learn.”

Supporting caregivers and strengthening families

The Osun State initiative also supports families through ‘Baby Ubuntu’ caregiver groups, which provide opportunities for caregivers of children with developmental disabilities to share experiences, receive peer support and learn how to encourage their child’s development.

Since they were established, the groups have, reached many caregivers.

For Faridat Adegoke, a caregiver of a child with cerebral palsy and a parent support group coordinator, the groups provide encouragement and practical support.

“We share our stories. We share the pains together. We share our success together. It has been a kind of relief.”

WHO’s role in Nigeria
WHO’s role in Nigeria is to provide technical leadership, convene stakeholders and support multisectoral dialogue on nurturing care and early childhood development.

Through APHCF 2026, supported by the European Union funded project SPIN, WHO brought together government leaders, development partners, researchers, health professionals and regional networks to examine how nurturing care can be integrated into existing primary health care services.

WHO continues to advocate for evidence-based approaches that strengthen health systems and improve child development outcomes through coordinated action across sectors.

“Nurturing care for early childhood development is not an extra task for the health system,” said Dr Joy Ufere, WHO Technical Officer. “It is a core component of quality care for every child, delivered through integrated multisectoral action.”
Government leadership remains central to scaling these efforts.

“Our priority is to ensure that every child is seen, supported and given the chance to develop fully,” said Dr Mohammed. “WHO’s support is helping us bring sectors together around a shared goal.”

With Africa’s young population, investing in early childhood development is both a health priority and a smart economic investment, with returns estimated at US$6 to US$17 for every US$1 invested.

Looking ahead
The experience from Osun State demonstrates how earlier identification, stronger referral systems, trained health workers and caregiver support can strengthen services and create a better start for children with developmental delays and disabilities.
As policymakers and partners consider recommendations emerging from APHCF 2026, the focus will be on expanding such evidence-based approaches, strengthening coordination across sectors, mobilizing sustainable investment and ensuring that more children can access the support they need for healthy growth and development.

Attribution
The Osun State example featured in this story is drawn from The Early Childhood Development Initiative, a global partnership between Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), UK, founded under the Global Health Workforce Programme.  The programme benefits from technical collaboration through State-level WHO representatives but is not directly implemented by WHO. The example is included to illustrate how approaches discussed during the Africa Primary Health Care Forum can be applied in practice within health systems.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

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Rwanda: Ambassador Attends Handover Ceremony of Masaka Hospital Renovation and Expansion Project

Source: APO – Report:

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On August 28, Ambassador Gao Wenqi attended the handover ceremony of the Masaka Hospital renovation and expansion project. Hon. Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Alphonse Rukaburandekwe, Director General of the Rwanda Housing Authority, representatives from the Rwandan Prime Minister’s Office and various walks of life, the Chinese medical team to Rwanda were present.

Ambassador Gao noted that the Masaka Hospital renovation and expansion project is a concrete action to implement the consensus reached by the Heads of State of the two countries, an important outcome of the FOCAC “Ten Partnership Actions”. As Rwanda’s largest, best-equipped, and most comprehensive, modern teaching hospital, it will empower Rwanda’s medical tourism industry, and serve as a regional medical hub of Eastern Africa. It will also benefit the African continent, and inject brand-new momentum into Africa’s public health sector. This year marks 55th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Rwanda, in line with the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, the Chinese side will continue to deepen the China-Rwanda comprehensive strategic partnership, and support Rwanda in its realization of Vision 2050.

Minister Nsanzimana, on behalf of the Rwandan government, expressed sincere appreciation to China.He noted that Masaka Hospital expansion and renovation project serves as the best example of the friendship between Rwanda and China, which  is deeply rooted in the general public and benefits both peoples. Starting from this milestone, Rwanda stands ready to deepen cooperation with China in health sector, and continuously enrich the connotation of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

At the event, the two sides signed the handover certificate and exchanged the symbolic key of the hospital.

The China-aided expansion and renovation project of the Masaka Hospital was launched in 2022. After completion, the hospital’s total floor area increased from 6,398㎡ to 56,957 ㎡, and the number of beds rose from 127 to 837. It now holds the capacity to provide medical services for more than 300,000 local residents.

– on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Rwanda.

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Joint Statement by the Delegation of the European Union and the Diplomatic Missions of the European Union (EU) Member States to Libya on progress in the United Nations (UN)-facilitated political process in Libya

Source: APO


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The Delegation of the European Union and the Diplomatic Missions of the EU Member States to Libya welcome the announcement of an agreement signed today by the Libyan representatives participating in the UN-facilitated “Small Convening” on the reconstitution of the Board of the High National Elections Commission and on the electoral framework.

We recognise this agreement as a meaningful milestone towards unifying the institutions and creating the conditions for credible national elections. We commend the Libyan participants for their constructive approach, political responsibility and readiness to find common ground in the national interest.

We call on the House of Representatives and the High Council of State to engage positively with the outcome reached by the “Small Convening” and to take the necessary steps for its implementation without delay. All Libyan institutions and stakeholders should seize this opportunity to build on the progress achieved and embrace compromise to advance the country towards renewed institutional legitimacy and unity.

We remain fully supportive of the efforts of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and Special Representative of the Secretary-General Hanna Tetteh to facilitate a genuinely Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process. We will continue to stand by Libya and its people in support of the country’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Delegation of the European Union to Libya.

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Minister McKenzie assures runners 100th Comrades Marathon will go ahead

Source: Government of South Africa

Minister McKenzie assures runners 100th Comrades Marathon will go ahead

Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has assured runners that the 100th running of the Comrades Marathon will take place on 13 June 2027, with the full support of national and provincial government.

In a statement on Friday, the Minister said government would ensure that the centenary race goes ahead despite an ongoing dispute involving athletics federations.

The assurance comes as entries for the historic race are open, with thousands of runners committing to the event and beginning their preparations.

“The 100th running of the Comrades Marathon must go ahead, and it will go ahead. Enter the race. Book your accommodation. Tell your family to come and stand on that road. This race has survived a world war and a pandemic. It is not going to be stopped by a disagreement between committees,” he said. 

The Comrades Marathon was first held in 1921 and has been staged every year except during the war years and the two years affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2027 edition will mark the 100th running of the race and the 50th running of the traditional down route from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, finishing at the Kings Park precinct.

“This race does not belong to a federation and does not belong to an association. It belongs to the people who run it, to the families who wait at the finish, and to the towns along that route who have built a hundred years of their identity around one Sunday in June. Nobody has the right to take that away from them, and this government will not allow anybody to try,” the Minister said. 

McKenzie said government would guarantee the necessary state support for the mass-participation road event.

He said approvals relating to event categorisation and safety certification under the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act, as well as municipal, traffic, policing and emergency services arrangements, are functions of the State and its authorised structures.

These arrangements, he said, are not dependent on the outcome of an affiliation dispute between federations.

The Minister has directed the Department to engage the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality and Msunduzi Local Municipality to ensure that the necessary operational support is in place well ahead of June 2027.

The Department will also work with organisers to make the centenary race the largest and best-supported Comrades Marathon in its history.

No sanctions for runners

McKenzie has called on Athletics South Africa (ASA) and KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA) to provide the assurance requested by the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) that no athlete, club or technical official will face sanctions for entering, participating in or officiating at the 100th Comrades Marathon.

“I will not have ordinary runners used as hostages in a fight they did not start. These are people who get up at four in the morning to train. They are not parties to this, and anybody who thinks of punishing them for entering a race will answer to me and to the public,” he said. 

The Minister’s assurance follows an online meeting with representatives of the CMA, ASA and KZNA, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture Mntomuhle Khawula, and the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC).

The meeting sought to establish the causes of the dispute, with the Minister saying he listened to each party.

At its Annual General Meeting in November 2025, CMA members resolved to withdraw the Association’s status as a Special Member of KZNA and affiliate directly with the national federation.

According to the statement, ASA declined the request and advised the CMA that direct affiliation was not possible, directing the Association back to the provincial structure.

The matter was put before CMA members again at a Special General Meeting on 1 August 2026, where more than 1 000 members voted. A total of 694 voted against re-affiliation with KZNA, while 338 voted in favour.

The Minister said the CMA had not walked away from organised athletics and remained willing to work with the national and provincial federations.

“The Comrades people were very clear with me that they are willing to keep working with the national and provincial federations.”

Government to address athletics governance

McKenzie described the dispute as a wake-up call for Athletics South Africa, federations and government.

“This is a wake-up call – to Athletics South Africa, to every federation in this country, and to us in government too. Administrative dysfunction comes at a price. For years we have treated bad administration as an irritation, something we complain about and then live with. It is not. It costs you your biggest asset. When the organisers of the world’s oldest ultramarathon decide they are better off outside your structures than inside them, it is time to do deep introspection,” McKenzie said. 

The Minister confirmed that he and the Department had engaged World Athletics directly at senior level in recent months on athletics in South Africa.

Looking beyond the centenary race, he said the Department would pursue the underlying governance challenges in partnership with World Athletics, SASCOC, MEC Khawula and the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government.

“We intend to work closely with World Athletics on the solutions. They are the custodians of this sport globally and South Africa needs to remain a member of that family in good standing. Whatever is done to restore the administration of athletics in this country will be done with World Athletics, alongside them and within their framework – not around them, and not against them. Government is not trying to run athletics. Government is trying to make sure there is athletics left worth running.

“Our objective is to restore our federations to something the Comrades Marathon Association can be proud to associate with again. This was never about picking a winner between organisations. It is about supporting and growing athletics in South Africa, and athletics does not grow when the people who build things spend their year fighting the people who are supposed to support them,” the Minister said. 

The Department will announce further steps in due course. – SAnews.gov.za

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African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson at 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa

Source: APO

Speaking at the 21st Extraordinary African Union (AU) Summit on conflict prevention & resolution in Luanda this morning, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf called for urgent reform of Africa’s peace & security architecture.

He observed that from Sudan & eastern DRC to Somalia, the Sahel, Libya, northern Mozambique & Madagascar, persistent crises and emerging threats, including terrorism, violent extremism, piracy, transnational crime & the mistreatment of migrants, demand stronger collective action.

“Prevention must become our priority. We need a strengthened continental early-warning system, more effective implementation of AU decisions, sustainable financing for peace operations and a fully operational Peace Fund”, he said.

Chairperson Youssouf added that partnerships, including with the United Nations, must reflect Africa’s realities and expectations. The implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2719 is a legitimate and urgent call.

He also emphasised  that AU’s Regional Economic Communities & Regional Mechanisms remain central to preventive diplomacy. Continuous consultation among the PSC, the Commission, Member States and regional bodies is essential.

He further underscored that no single country can confront these threats alone. Solidarity, pooled resources and greater Pan-African sovereignty in peace and security are imperative, he added.

On unconstitutional changes of government, he said that the AU position remains clear: “firmness in defending AU norms, alongside dialogue and support.”

In conclusion, H.E. Mr. Youssouf said that this is a long-term undertaking requiring unwavering political, underscoring  that the Summit be a Summit of choices; choices that strengthen Africa’s capacity to take collective ownership of its peace & security.

Convened under the leadership of H.E João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola, & AU Champion for Peace & Reconciliation in Africa, & chaired by H.E. Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi, the Chairperson of the African Union. 

The Summit will provide an opportunity for Heads of State & Government to undertake a strategic assessment of the effectiveness of existing continental mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).

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President Ramaphosa to address Volkswagen Group Africa 75th anniversary dinner

Source: Government of South Africa

President Ramaphosa to address Volkswagen Group Africa 75th anniversary dinner

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Monday deliver the keynote address at the Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) 75th Anniversary Gala Dinner at the Volkswagen plant in Kariega, Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape.

In a statement, the Presidency said the event will be held under the theme: “A Legacy in Motion: Honouring the past, celebrating today, driving tomorrow.”

The celebration marks 75 years of Volkswagen in South Africa and recognises the company’s contribution to the country’s automotive industry, economy, skills development and communities.

The first Volkswagen Beetle rolled off the production line at the Kariega plant, then known as Uitenhage, on 31 August 1951.

The plant was initially established in 1946 as South African Motor Assemblers and Distributors (SAMAD) for the local assembly of Studebaker cars and commercial vehicles.

Over the past 75 years, the Kariega plant has produced nearly 40 different models and built more than 4.8 million vehicles, with more than three million produced for the local market.

Today, the plant is the sole manufacturer of the Volkswagen Polo worldwide, exporting the model to 38 countries, while also producing the Polo Vivo for the local market.

Volkswagen Group Africa has also expanded its footprint on the continent, with assembly facilities in Kenya, Rwanda and Ghana.

The company remains a significant contributor to South Africa’s automotive manufacturing sector and to the economy of the Nelson Mandela Bay region.

Volkswagen Group Africa employs approximately 3 600 people and supports 1 440 suppliers, while its wider operations are estimated to support approximately 50 000 indirect jobs.

Since 2010, the company has invested more than R13 billion in its South African facilities, while its Corporate Social Investment investment since 1994 has exceeded R800 million.

“The objectives of the 75th Anniversary Gala include reflecting on Volkswagen’s journey and contribution to South Africa’s automotive industry, economy and communities; honouring the generations of employees, partners, dealers, suppliers and customers who have shaped the company’s legacy; and highlighting key milestones and achievements over the past 75 years.

“The celebration will also provide an opportunity to reflect on the state of the local automotive industry, including industry challenges, competitiveness, policy requirements and the future of manufacturing in South Africa,” the Presidency said. 

As part of the anniversary celebrations, Volkswagen will officially unveil a new vehicle model to be built at the Kariega plant, demonstrating its commitment to local manufacturing and future growth.

The event will also showcase Volkswagen’s expanding footprint across Africa and its strategy to develop sustainable automotive ecosystems and strengthen mobility solutions across the continent. – SAnews.gov.za

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NDB and South Africa sign US$405m loan agreements for infrastructure projects

Source: Government of South Africa

NDB and South Africa sign US$405m loan agreements for infrastructure projects

The New Development Bank (NDB) and the South African Government have signed two loan agreements worth a combined US$405 million to support infrastructure projects in Limpopo, North West and Gauteng.

In a statement on Friday, National Treasury said the financing will support the Limpopo Central Hospital Project and the Magalies Bulk Water Supply Scheme, as part of efforts to advance South Africa’s sustainable infrastructure priorities.

The NDB will provide a US$200 million loan for the Limpopo Central Hospital Project, which involves the construction of a new 488-bed tertiary central hospital in Polokwane.

The flagship investment is expected to strengthen tertiary healthcare services, expand access to quality medical care and improve health outcomes for the people of Limpopo.

The province faces growing demand for tertiary healthcare services, ageing hospital infrastructure and shortages of specialised medical facilities.

The new hospital will provide modern and resilient healthcare infrastructure, equipped with advanced diagnostic, treatment and information technology systems.

It will also serve as the principal referral hospital for the province and increase capacity to provide specialised and advanced healthcare services.

The facility will further support medical education, clinical research and the training of future healthcare professionals.

Water security

The NDB will also provide US$205 million for the Magalies Bulk Water Supply Scheme, which aims to improve reliable access to drinking water and support inclusive growth in the North West and Limpopo provinces.

The project responds to severe water shortages affecting six local municipalities where current water demand exceeds available supply.

These municipalities are Bela-Bela, Modimolle-Mookgophong, Mogalakwena, Moretele, Moses Kotane and Rustenburg.

According to National Treasury, both loans have a maturity period of 10 years, including a four-year grace period, with an interest rate of daily SOFR plus 0.93508%.

The financing forms part of Government’s broader efforts to strengthen public health and water infrastructure.

National Treasury expressed its appreciation to the NDB for its continued partnership and support towards South Africa’s infrastructure development and long-term sustainable development objectives.

“The NDB’s project loans, together with financing secured from other multilateral development partners, have enabled Government to meet its 2026/27 foreign currency borrowing requirement of US$3.2 billion,” National Treasury said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Minister Chikunga condemns alcohol advert linked to Women’s March

Source: Government of South Africa

Minister Chikunga condemns alcohol advert linked to Women’s March

Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga has expressed concern over the use of alcohol in an advertisement referencing the historic 1956 Women’s March.

In a statement on Friday, Minister Chikunga said the use of alcohol in the marketing campaign trivialises the historic and ongoing struggle of South African women for freedom, equality, dignity and justice.

She stressed that the Women’s March of 1956 was not a commercial slogan or marketing opportunity, but a defining moment in South Africa’s liberation history.

On 9 August 1956, about 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings in protest against apartheid pass laws.

“The struggle of the women of 1956 cannot and must not be reduced to a marketing gimmick. Their courage, sacrifice and resistance were about freedom, dignity, equality and justice. 

“It is deeply concerning when that historic struggle is appropriated to sell products, particularly products such as alcohol that continue to have devastating social consequences for many women, children and families,” Minister Chikunga said.

The Minister emphasised that alcohol was never a symbol of the women’s struggle for freedom and should not be retrospectively presented as such for commercial purposes.

The whisky brand referenced in the advertisement has since apologised and removed the social media post.

As South Africa commemorates 70 years since the historic Women’s March, Chikunga said the anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on the gains made since 1956 while confronting persistent challenges that continue to undermine women’s safety, dignity and economic and social wellbeing.

She cautioned that the normalisation and glamorisation of alcohol consumption cannot be separated from broader social challenges facing South African communities.

Alcohol abuse and harmful drinking, she said, can exacerbate gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), family instability, child neglect, interpersonal violence and other forms of social harm.

“We cannot celebrate the courage of the women of 1956 while simultaneously commercialising and trivialising their struggle. The legacy of these women demands that we advance a society in which women are safe, empowered, economically independent and treated with dignity—not one in which their historic struggle is packaged as a commodity for profit,” Chikunga said. 

She said the 70th anniversary of the Women’s March must serve as a reminder that the freedom enjoyed by South Africans today was secured through sacrifice, courage and collective action.

The women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956, she said, were not fighting for commercial recognition or corporate branding, but for the liberation of a nation and the dignity of generations to come.

“We have a responsibility to ensure that younger generations understand that our democracy was not handed to us. It was built through struggle, sacrifice, courage and the collective action of ordinary South Africans, particularly women who stood at the forefront of resistance. 

“Civic education must therefore become a deliberate instrument for preserving our history, strengthening democratic values and ensuring that the sacrifices of those who came before us are never forgotten or reduced to commercial symbolism,” the Minister said. 

Chikunga said her department remains committed to ensuring that the legacy of the women of 1956 is preserved, respected and translated into meaningful action towards achieving substantive equality and advancing the rights and empowerment of women and girls. – SAnews.gov.za

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21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union to be Held in Angola

Source: APO

The Republic of Angola will host, on 30 August 2026, in Luanda, at the Luanda Convention Centre (PCL), the XXI Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, dedicated to the Strengthening of Conflict Prevention and Resolution Mechanisms in Africa.

The session, which will bring together in Luanda the Heads of State and Government of African countries, stands as an important space for dialogue, analysis and political concertation among the Member States of the Union, focusing on the strengthening of the continental mechanisms for conflict prevention, the promotion of peace and political stability, as well as the peaceful resolution of the crises affecting different regions of the continent.

Among other outcomes, this important event is expected to propose innovative models to revitalise the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), with strong emphasis on a diplomacy focused on coherent, coordinated and timely prevention, capable of averting the escalation and aggravation of conflicts, in articulation with the Roadmap on Silencing the Guns by 2030, so as to enable the full implementation of Agenda 2063 (The Africa We Want).

In this context, under the theme “Strengthening of Conflict Prevention and Resolution Mechanisms in Africa”, the meeting is expected to contribute to deepening dialogue among Member States and to strengthening African responses to the challenges related to continental peace and security, ensuring effective, coherent and sustainable responses.

This Extraordinary Session of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union stems from a recommendation arising from the High-Level Meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC), held under the Chairmanship of Angola on the margins of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, in New York, on 24 September 2025. With this event, the Republic of Angola thereby reaffirms its commitment to the continental peace and security agenda, in keeping with the mandate of His Excellency João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic, as African Union Champion for Peace and Reconciliation.

It should be noted that the 26th Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union, the statutory platform bringing together the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, will be held on 29 August, as an antechamber to and in preparation for the Agenda and the Documents to be considered by the Heads of State and Government, among which are the Draft Decision and the Luanda Plan of Action on the “Strengthening of Conflict Prevention and Resolution Mechanisms in Africa”.

NATIONAL DIRECTORATE OF INFORMATION AND INSTITUTIONAL COMMUNICATION OF THE MINISTRY OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES AND SOCIAL COMMUNICATION, in Luanda, 25 August 2026.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication, Angola.

Contact:
Talatona, Luanda – Angola
Rua do MAT, Complexo Administrativo
Clássicos do Talatona, edifício n.º 3
Tel.: (+244) 222 210 723
dnici.geral@minttics.gov.ao 
https://MINTTICS.gov.ao/

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