Category: English

Source: APO

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Advocate Adrian Carl Mopp as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for the Western Cape Division, with effect from 10 September 2026.

The appointment was made in terms of section 13(1)(a) of the National Prosecuting Authority Act, 1998 (Act No. 32 of 1998), following consultation with the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi, and the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Andy Mothibi.

In considering Advocate Mopp for the position, the President took into account his extensive legal and prosecutorial experience spanning more than 30 years, including more than 23 years as a member of the NPA’s Senior Management Service. He was admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa in 1993.

During this period, Advocate Mopp has played leadership roles at both provincial and national levels, equipping him with a thorough understanding of the significant responsibilities associated with the position of Director of Public Prosecutions. 

Advocate Mopp has served as Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions in the Western Cape since 2009 and previously held senior positions in the Directorate of Special Operations and the Asset Forfeiture Unit, including serving as Regional Head of the Directorate of Special Operations in the Western Cape from 2004 to 2009. 

He holds advanced qualifications in law, criminal justice, criminology and international studies, including a Master of Philosophy in Law and a Master of Laws in Criminal Justice and Criminology.

President Ramaphosa wishes Advocate Mopp well as he assumes the responsibilities of Director of Public Prosecutions for the Western Cape and trusts that he will continue to contribute to the delivery of independent, effective and efficient prosecution services.

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

Source: APO

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MEC of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, yesterday conducted a site visit to the flood-damaged Krans Bridge Siphon near Klawer to assess the extent of the damage and engage stakeholders on the coordinated response required to restore this critical water infrastructure. 

The visit included representatives from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), the Lower Olifants River Water User Association (LORWUA), local government representatives and technical experts. Stakeholders received updates on the damage assessment, the implications for downstream users, and the interventions required to restore the system. 

The Krans Bridge Siphon sustained significant damage during the severe floods experienced in May 2026 when floodwaters and debris shifted the steel pipeline on its supporting structures. The infrastructure forms a critical component of the regional bulk water supply network and serves communities including Vredendal, Klawer, Vanrhynsdorp, Lutzville and Koekenaap, as well as extensive agricultural and industrial users across the Lower Olifants region. 

MEC Bredell said the restoration of the siphon is essential for the continued wellbeing of communities and the regional economy.

“This infrastructure is of strategic importance to the communities, agricultural sector and industries that depend on a secure and reliable water supply. The damage caused by the floods highlights the growing pressure that severe weather events place on critical infrastructure.”

Bredell confirmed that the Western Cape Department of Local Government will coordinate efforts among all relevant stakeholders to support the restoration process.

“The Department of Local Government will play a coordinating role to ensure alignment and cooperation between national, provincial and local institutions involved in this process. While the technical assessments and implementation responsibilities rest with the relevant authorities and infrastructure owners, our role will be to facilitate collaboration, remove obstacles where possible and ensure that all stakeholders remain focused on restoring this critical asset as quickly as possible.”

Discussions during the site visit focused on the engineering assessments required to determine the most appropriate repair and rehabilitation options. Stakeholders also considered the broader implications for water security, economic activity and infrastructure resilience in the region. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Government.

Source: APO

• Black Market was shot on the Canon EOS C400, bringing Canon’s professional Cinema EOS technology into Rixel Studios’ new Nollywood feature production.
• The project continues Canon’s creative relationship with Nora Awolowo following Racket Queen, which was also shot entirely on the EOS C400.
• Black Market is scheduled for a one-night screening at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, on 26 September 2026.

A crowded market. A dangerous operation. A story rooted unmistakably in Nigeria. Behind the world of Black Market is another story: a new generation of African filmmakers combining ambitious storytelling with professional cinema technology to shape how their stories look, feel and travel.

Canon, a global leader in imaging technology, through Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA), today announced its latest creative collaboration with Nigerian filmmaker and cinematographer Nora Awolowo, whose forthcoming feature film Black Market was shot on the Canon EOS C400.

Produced by Rixel Studios and directed by Fatimah Binta Gimsay, Black Market represents the latest chapter in Awolowo’s creative journey and in her relationship with Canon. The feature film will make its highly anticipated premiere on 26 September 2026 at Lagos’ iconic Tafawa Balewa Square, bringing its story, scale and distinctly Nigerian cinematic vision to the big screen

For Canon, the significance of the collaboration goes beyond a camera credit. It is about what happens when technology gives filmmakers the confidence and flexibility to focus on what matters most: the story.

A collaboration moving from one story to the next

Canon’s relationship with Awolowo has developed through a shared focus on filmmaking craft and visual storytelling. In 2025, Canon celebrated her short film Racket Queen through exclusive screenings in Lagos and conversations around the creative and technical choices behind the production. The film was shot entirely on the EOS C400.

With Black Market, that relationship moves onto a larger feature-film canvas, putting the EOS C400 into the hands of a filmmaker already familiar with the system and allowing the technology to serve a new story, a new visual language and a different production environment.

“Every film asks something different of you as a cinematographer. With Black Market, we were creating a world that needed to feel immediate, textured and unmistakably Nigerian, while still giving the story the cinematic scale it deserved. The EOS C400 gave us the flexibility to move with that world across different environments, lighting conditions and the pace of the production without losing the visual language we wanted to create. Having worked with Canon before, there is also a level of trust in the relationship. It is not simply about having a camera on set; it is about having the freedom and confidence to concentrate on the story.”

— Nora Awolowo, Producer and Director of Photography, Black Market 

Built for the unpredictability of a film set

At the centre of the production was the Canon EOS C400, a full-frame Cinema EOS camera developed for professional cinema and video production. Its 6K full-frame back-illuminated stacked CMOS sensor, Triple Base ISO and compact, configurable body are designed to give filmmakers greater flexibility across changing production environments.

The EOS C400 supports 6K RAW recording, oversampled 4K and Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF II. On a production such as Black Market, however, the value of those capabilities is ultimately measured not on a specification sheet, but in the images they help filmmakers create: faces, movement, light, locations and atmosphere that serve the story on screen.

Technology in service of African stories

The collaboration comes as Nigerian filmmakers continue to expand the visual and technical ambition of Nollywood, pairing the industry’s celebrated pace, entrepreneurship and storytelling energy with an increasing focus on cinematography and production craft.

For Canon, supporting that evolution means going beyond introducing equipment into the market. It means working alongside filmmakers, understanding the realities of African productions and creating opportunities for technology, education and creative experience to meet.

Black Market is a powerful example of what becomes possible when creative ambition and the right technology come together. Seeing how Nora, Fatimah and the wider team have used the EOS C400 to bring their vision to life is what makes this collaboration particularly meaningful for us. Technology matters when it gives filmmakers greater freedom to represent their own world, their own people and their own stories with the quality and authenticity they envision. Our relationship with Nora has grown from one project to the next, and that is exactly the kind of collaboration we want to build across Africa long-term relationships where Canon listens to creators, supports their craft and gives their ambition room to grow said Rashad Ghani, B2C Business Unit Director, Canon Central and North Africa 

From Racket Queen to Black Market

Black Market marks the second time Canon has worked with Nora Awolowo on a film project, following its earlier collaboration with her around Racket Queen. While the two productions are entirely separate, the continued engagement reflects Canon’s approach to building longer-term relationships with

filmmakers rather than treating individual projects as isolated technology showcases. Through these real-world collaborations, Canon is creating a broader conversation around cinematography — connecting professional equipment with practical production experience, filmmaker education and the voices of the people working behind the camera.

Black Market features an ensemble cast led by Lateef Adedimeji and Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, alongside other Nigerian screen talent. As audiences prepare to see the finished film in Lagos on 26 September, Canon’s role remains where it belongs: behind the camera, alongside the filmmakers whose ideas ultimately determine what appears in front of it.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA).

Media enquiries, please contact:
Canon Central and North Africa
Jayashri Namdar
e. jayashri.namdar@canon-me.com

APO Group – PR Agency
Rania ElRafie
e. Rania.ElRafie@apo-opa.com

About Canon Central and North Africa:
Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) (https://en.Canon-CNA.com/) is a division within Canon Middle East FZ LLC (CME), a subsidiary of Canon Europe. The formation of CCNA in 2016 was a strategic step that aimed to enhance Canon’s business within the Africa region – by strengthening Canon’s in-country presence and focus. CCNA also demonstrates Canon’s commitment to operating closer to its customers and meeting their demands in the rapidly evolving African market.

Canon has been represented in the African continent for more than 15 years through distributors and partners that have successfully built a solid customer base in the region. CCNA ensures the provision of high quality, technologically advanced products that meet the requirements of Africa’s rapidly evolving marketplace. With over 100 employees, CCNA manages sales and marketing activities across 44 countries in Africa.

Canon’s corporate philosophy is Kyosei (https://apo-opa.co/46oWBm4) – ‘living and working together for the common good’. CCNA pursues sustainable business growth, focusing on reducing its own environmental impact and supporting customers to reduce theirs using Canon’s products, solutions and services. At Canon, we are pioneers, constantly redefining the world of imaging for the greater good. Through our technology and our spirit of innovation, we push the bounds of what is possible – helping us to see our world in ways we never have before. We help bring creativity to life, one image at a time. Because when we can see our world, we can transform it for the better.

For more information: https://en.Canon-CNA.com/

Source: APO

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Minister of Education Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah has welcomed a new cohort of Peace Corps Volunteers to Liberia, encouraging them to approach their service with humility, openness, and respect for the communities where they will work.

Speaking at the Peace Corps Volunteers’ Swearing-In Ceremony at Monrovia City Hall, Minister Jallah congratulated the volunteers on completing ten weeks of pre-service training and reminded them that their most important learning will continue in the communities to which they are assigned.

“Go first as learners,” she told the volunteers, urging them to listen, build relationships, and work alongside Liberian teachers, education officials, health workers, parents, students, and community leaders.

For volunteers assigned to schools, the Minister emphasized the importance of working as partners with the people already serving within Liberia’s education system, rather than approaching communities with the assumption that they have come to provide all the answers.

She also called on County and District Education Officers, school administrators, and local stakeholders to receive the volunteers as colleagues and support their integration into the communities where they will serve.

Minister Jallah reflected on the longstanding relationship between Liberia and the Peace Corps and expressed appreciation to the organization and the Government and people of the United States for their continued partnership.

She encouraged the newly sworn-in volunteers to serve with integrity, cultural sensitivity, and a genuine willingness to learn, while contributing meaningfully to the schools and communities they will call home during their service.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Education: Republic of Liberia.

Source: APO

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The Government of South Africa has signed a $1 billion loan agreement with the New Development Bank (NDB) to upgrade infrastructure for the Metropolitan Municipal Services as part of the Metro Trading Services Reform Programme (MTSR). 

The NDB is financing the programme with the World Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, KFW Development Band, and French Development Agency.

The MTSR is a South African government-led reform programme aimed at improving the governance, financial sustainability and operational performance of municipal trading services in metropolitan municipalities, particularly in water and sanitation, electricity and energy, and solid waste management.

The financing supports a government-led, performance-based reform programme implemented through South Africa’s existing legal, fiscal and institutional framework. This is a performance-based loan with financing linked to institutional strengthening and the achievement of independently verified measurable performance targets, that are approved by metro Councils for their trading services.

NDB’s financing forms part of the government’s broader efforts to reform municipal trading services in metropolitan municipalities and offers favourable concessional financial terms as follows:

• Nominal value: $1 billion
• Maturity: 16 years
• Grace period: 3 years
• Interest rate: Daily SOFR plus 1.18508%.

The NDB loan was prepared in coordination with development partners active in South Africa’s infrastructure sector.

National Treasury extends its appreciation to the NDB for its support to this government-led reform towards better services for residents and stronger, more sustainable cities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Government.

Source: APO

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Minister of Education Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah has convened education leaders from Liberia’s 16 educational counties, including 125 District Education Officers (DEOs), as part of preparations for the reopening of schools for the 2026/2027 academic year.

Held at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, the engagement brought together the Ministry’s Senior Management Team, County Education Officers (CEOs), DEOs, and other education stakeholders to review school readiness and reinforce expectations for supervision, accountability, and compliance across the education system.

Discussions focused on teacher availability, student enrollment and attendance, school infrastructure, learning materials, school monitoring, and adherence to established policies and administrative procedures.

Minister Jallah called on CEOs and DEOs to intensify school and classroom monitoring, identify challenges early, and ensure that decisions and interventions are informed by evidence from the field.

She also emphasized professionalism, integrity, transparency, effective communication, and respect for established supervisory structures. In particular, the Minister cautioned against unauthorized teacher transfers, stressing that no teacher should be moved outside the approved administrative process.

The engagement forms part of the Ministry’s preparations to ensure that county and district education structures are fully engaged in school reopening and that schools begin the new academic year with stronger supervision, clearer accountability, and minimal disruption to teaching and learning.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Education: Republic of Liberia.

Source: APO

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The Western Cape Government joins communities around the world in commemorating World Ozone Day, also known as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, on 16 September.

The day serves as an important reminder of the vital role the ozone layer plays in protecting life on Earth, as well as what can be achieved when countries work together to address global environmental challenges.

The ozone layer is a protective layer of gas that is found high up in the earth’s atmosphere, about 15 to 35 kilometers above the earth’s surface. It contains relatively high concentrations of ozone and absorbs most of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, particularly UV-B and UV-C radiation.

Without this natural protection, increased levels of harmful UV radiation would reach the Earth’s surface, increasing risks to human health, including skin cancer and eye damage, while also affecting terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, agriculture and biodiversity.
A global environmental success storyOzone depletion was largely driven by human-made chemicals known as ozone-depleting substances, including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which were historically used in products and equipment such as refrigeration and air-conditioning systems, aerosol products and solvents.

In response to growing scientific evidence of ozone depletion, countries adopted the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer on 16 September 1987. The international agreement established measures to phase out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances.

South Africa is a signatory to the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol and has contributed to global efforts to phase out ozone-depleting substances and phase down of hydrofluorocarbons. These efforts support the recovery of the ozone layer while also contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

The progress achieved through the Montreal Protocol is widely recognised as an environmental success story, demonstrating what can be achieved through sound science, international cooperation, and effective environmental action.

The Western Cape Government’s commitment to protecting the atmosphereThe progress achieved through the Montreal Protocol also demonstrates how global environmental commitments can translate into action at national, provincial and local levels.

In the Western Cape, protecting the air we breathe forms part of the Province’s broader commitment to air quality management, climate change response and sustainable environmental governance.

The Western Cape Government continues to promote cleaner technologies, responsible environmental practices and greater awareness of how individual and collective actions can contribute to cleaner air, healthier communities and a more resilient environment.

Protecting the ozone layer not only helps reduce exposure to harmful ultraviolet radiation but also supports broader efforts to address climate change and safeguard the Province’s people, biodiversity, agriculture and natural resources for future generations.

Global action for a cooler planetThe theme for this year’s International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is “Global action for a cooler planet – Celebrating 10 years of sustainable cooling under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.”

This theme highlights the important link between protecting the ozone layer and addressing climate change. Efforts to phase out ozone-depleting substances and transition to more climate-friendly alternatives contribute to both a healthier atmosphere and a more sustainable future.

The Western Cape Government encourages residents to play their part by making environmentally responsible choices and supporting efforts to protect the atmosphere.Simple actions include:

1. Choose products responsibly: Where possible, check product information and avoid products containing ozone-depleting substances.
2. Support cleaner energy: Support renewable energy and energy-efficient choices that can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Maintain cooling equipment: Ensure air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment is properly maintained and that refrigerants are handled and recovered responsibly.
4. Reduce unnecessary consumption: Reduce waste and avoid unnecessary single-use products where practical.
    

World Ozone Day reminds us that environmental protection is a shared responsibility. The success of the Montreal Protocol demonstrates what can be achieved through science, cooperation and collective action. The Western Cape Government remains committed to protecting the ozone layer, improving air quality, addressing climate change and promoting a healthy environment for present and future generations.

As the world continues to face interconnected environmental challenges, lessons from the protection of the ozone layer remain relevant: science matters, cooperation matters, and collective action can make a difference.

MEC Anton Bredell, Provincial MEC of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning said, “The protection of the ozone layer is one of the clearest examples of what we can achieve when science, international cooperation and practical environmental action come together. In the Western Cape, we remain committed to cleaner technologies, responsible environmental practices, and protecting the health and wellbeing of our residents and our natural environment. A cooler planet starts with collective action, and every contribution matters.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Government.

Source: APO

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Seven months after breaking ground, the Government of Liberia has completed and officially turned over the Beh Town Public School in Dewoin District, Bomi County, providing the community with improved classrooms, more than 200 student chairs, whiteboards, and a better environment for teaching and learning.

The new school is part of the Ministry of Education’s wider effort to ensure that more children can access and benefit from public education. Registration from Kindergarten through Grade 6 is now free, removing an important financial barrier for families. Bomi is also one of seven priority counties under the Back to My Classroom Campaign, which is working to return out-of-school children to education.

At the dedication, Minister of Education Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah joined county and district authorities, traditional leaders, teachers, parents, students, and community members in formally handing the facility over for use.

With the school now completed, the Ministry’s work continues through teacher support, stronger school management, and measures to help children enroll, attend regularly, and progress in their education.

Beh Town reflects the broader direction of the Ministry’s reform agenda: investing in public schools while removing the barriers that prevent children from accessing and benefiting from education.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Education: Republic of Liberia.

Source: APO

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The Speaker of the Parliament, Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth, has committed Uganda to kickstarting processes to further deepen and strengthen bilateral and parliamentary relations with Pakistan.

Speaking during a bilateral meeting with the Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Oboth emphasized that Uganda is identifying a select group of countries to establish stronger bilateral ties, naming Pakistan as a key ally.

The meeting took place on Monday, 14 September 2026 on the sidelines of the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference being held in Cape Town, South Africa.

The pledge signals a focused trajectory for Uganda-Pakistan relations, prioritizing legislative cooperation in trade, economic diplomacy, capacity building, research, climate change, and educational exchanges. The two leaders stressed the necessity of moving beyond ceremonial engagements to establish operational frameworks that create genuine opportunities for the citizens of both nations.

Developing his remarks on parliamentary diplomacy, Speaker Oboth highlighted the historical ties between the two countries, noting that Pakistan remains a key partner whose citizens actively contribute to Uganda’s economic landscape. He pointed to the Pakistani community residing and operating businesses in Uganda as a strong foundation for expanded bilateral engagement.

“Uganda is willing and ready to strengthen this relationship so that we offer our citizens greater opportunities,” Oboth said.

“Pakistan has been a key ally of Uganda, with several Pakistanis residing and doing business in Uganda”.

Emphasizing that legislative bodies must play a direct role in national and economic development, Oboth urged parliamentarians to use legislative tools to advance international trade, tax frameworks and economic diplomacy. He urged parliaments to look beyond traditional ceremonial roles to tackle pressing socio-economic priorities.

“This friendship puts in place grounds for deeper bilateral engagements between the two countries, including exchange programmes. [Parliament of Uganda] is ready to share experiences in areas of capacity building, education, research and information sharing,” Oboth said.

Addressing shared global concerns, Speaker Oboth reiterated Uganda’s commitment to jointly combat climate change alongside willing international partners. He specifically commended Pakistan’s leadership and commitment in addressing climate issues on the international stage.

The bilateral discussions also recalled past cooperation between the two legislatures within the Commonwealth framework. Speaker Oboth acknowledged Pakistan’s appreciation of Uganda’s support in the election of the Pakistani Speaker as President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) in the meetings that were held in Cameroon in October 2014. In particular, Oboth cited the contribution of former Ugandan Speaker, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, who spearheaded the establishment of East African Community (EAC) and Africa-level parliamentary caucuses. Oboth also expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s support to Kadaga during her tenure as Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women’s Forum.

Responding to Oboth’s remarks, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, welcomed Uganda’s commitment and expressed gratitude for Uganda’s support during his election as CPA President at the CPA meetings held in Cameroon in 2014. Sadiq noted that Uganda’s influence was instrumental in convincing African countries to back Pakistan’s candidature.

Speaker Sadiq informed the meeting that Pakistan has formally decided to focus on Africa in its foreign policy agenda. He noted that significant potential exists between Uganda and Pakistan, which the two countries should actively embrace through Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) frameworks.

Sadiq shared that Pakistan initiated formal Parliamentary Diplomacy in 2014 and remains willing to cooperate with Uganda across international forums such as the CPA and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). .

On climate action, Speaker Sadiq highlighted global warming as a primary concern for Pakistan, stating that Pakistan’s Parliament and school systems have adopted innovative approaches such as going paperless to combat climate change, an area where Pakistan seeks to cooperate with Uganda.

Closing the session, Speaker Sadiq invited Speaker Oboth to visit Pakistan in the near future to engage directly with the Parliament and government officials, reaffirming both nations’ shared commitment to strengthening Uganda-Pakistan parliamentary diplomacy.

Speaker Oboth was accompanied by a Ugandan parliamentary CPA delegation that included Hon. Emely Kugonza (NRM, Buyanja East), Hon. Naome Kabasharira (NRM, Rushenyi County), Hon. Otim Benard (NRM, Maruzi North County), Hon. Fortunate Rose Nantongo (NUP, Kyotera District), Hon. Silas Aogon (Kumi Munic.), Hon. Adrine Katusiime (NRM, Sheema District). These were also joined by Hon. Paul Omiat Amoru the High Commissioner of the Republic of Uganda to the Republic of South Africa.

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