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South Africa produces enough food, yet millions face hunger. Better cold storage could help change that

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Ikechukwu Opara, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Stellenbosch University

South Africa can produce enough food for its population, according to official statistics. But millions face hunger, partly because food is lost and wasted in the value chain. An estimated 10.3 million tonnes of food are wasted annually in the country, 19% of it fresh produce.

A substantial portion of this loss and waste occurs during harvesting, transportation and marketing in the form of handling problems and inadequate infrastructure.

Read more: Food waste in South Africa is dumped in landfills – study weighs up healthier and more sustainable options

We are agri-food systems specialists who have studied food waste both at the farm level and further along the chain towards consumers. For example, I (Opara) have found that for pomegranates, 15.3% to 20.1% of the harvest is lost at the farm (for several reasons, but mainly sunburn and cracks) and 6.74% to 7.69% at the packhouse (as a result of superficial injuries and missorted fruits from the farm).

Another study (Opara) measured post-harvest waste at a produce market. This ranged from 0.68% to 1.26%.

The research confirms that food waste is partly due to inadequacies or failures in the cold chain, especially during summer when temperatures are high, affecting the physical quality of fresh produce. A cold chain is a temperature-controlled supply chain that keeps perishable products safe and fresh.

Better cold storage would reduce waste.

Impact of seasons on fresh produce waste

My (Opara) recent study set out to assess the magnitude and seasonal variations of postharvest waste at the wholesale level using a case study of a fresh produce market in Gauteng province, South Africa. The study used the historical fresh produce waste data of the market over three years (2021 to 2023).

The results show that fresh produce is affected by seasonal heat and humidity, which affect the physical quality and consumer acceptability of fresh produce. Fresh produce is marketed and sold on claims of its freshness.

High temperatures typically result in increased moisture loss. If that’s uncontrolled, the produce deteriorates and can’t be sold or safely eaten. Across the seasons in South Africa, temperatures and humidity levels vary considerably.

Much of the fresh produce waste occurs during summer, often requiring improvement in handling, storage and maintaining the cold chain to preserve quality.

The study shows that about 9,124 to 17,969 tonnes, which is about 0.68% to 1.26% of the supplied fresh produce, are discarded annually at the fresh produce market. Much of it is a result of high temperatures during summer, which is a period when cold storage facilities are stretched the most due to high demand.

Cold chain for food security

That’s why an efficient cold chain system and storage is so important. Cold chain systems involve a sequence of supply chain processes that are temperature-controlled, aimed at managing the temperature of perishable items from the moment they are harvested until they reach store shelves. This can involve storing fresh produce under shades immediately after harvesting, and insulating them from heat or direct sunlight through refrigeration throughout the supply chain.

This regulation slows down biological deterioration and spoilage. The cold chain is crucial for extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables by ensuring optimal transport, storage and sales conditions. Maintaining a consistent cold chain preserves food quality and enhances safety, reducing the risk of foodborne diseases. This increases the availability of fresh produce and helps keep prices affordable for consumers.

Solutions to reduce fresh produce waste

One key to solving food waste problems in the country is investment in cold chain facilities. The wholesale markets in South Africa are formalised and the cold chain system is advanced compared to many sub-Saharan African countries. But more investments are needed in cold chain logistics, packhouses and storage, especially at the National Fresh Produce Markets, which serve as storage, distribution and wholesale hubs.

Read more: Johannesburg’s produce market has supplied the informal sector for decades: a refresh is due

Small-scale farmers and packhouse operators need financial help to build refrigeration infrastructure, especially for first-mile cooling, and temporary storage before fresh produce is processed for the market. One instrument is blended investment: a mix of public funds and private capital. This approach attracts private investors as public money takes the first financial hit if an investment fails, thereby protecting private investors. It can drive innovation and investment in the food system.

Collaboration between research institutions and industry will aid in measuring food loss and waste effectively, enabling evidence-based decision-making to reduce food waste.

In addition to these solutions, studies elsewhere in the world have shown that integrating AI could enhance cold chain systems to reduce waste, improve food quality, lower costs and increase access to nutritious foods.

AI enhances the efficiency of the cold chain system. The national fresh produce markets can benefit from the automation and efficiency of AI integration to monitor cold storage temperatures. Advanced algorithms can help manage cold storage demand using real-time data and predictive modelling to balance energy use, cut costs and keep temperatures stable, especially during periods of high demand. This would minimise waste and ensure fresh produce reaches consumers in good condition.

Read more: Tanzania’s tomato harvest goes to waste: solar-powered cold storage could be a sustainable solution

A collective effort from farmers, cold chain operators, transport and logistics, research institutions and the government is vital. South Africa must focus not just on food production but on preserving what is produced through improved cold chain infrastructure.

– South Africa produces enough food, yet millions face hunger. Better cold storage could help change that
– https://theconversation.com/south-africa-produces-enough-food-yet-millions-face-hunger-better-cold-storage-could-help-change-that-288445

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Ageing with HIV: global report highlights the need to prepare health systems

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Luicer Anne Ingasia Olubayo, Visiting Researcher at Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of the Witwatersrand

The Lancet HIV Commission on Ageing’s 2026 report highlights how profoundly the global HIV epidemic is changing.

In 2025, an estimated 11.5 million (29%) people living with HIV were aged 50 years and older. This is projected to increase to 20.2 million by 2040. That would account for more than half (51%) of all people living with HIV. And, crucially, 96% will live in low- and middle-income countries. Sub-Saharan Africa is continuing to shoulder the greatest burden of the global HIV epidemic.

Much of this change reflects the success of antiretroviral therapy (ART), which has enabled millions of people who acquired HIV earlier in life to grow older. The challenge has gone beyond helping people live longer, to ensuring they age well – that they maintain good health, independence and quality of life throughout older age.

Older adults are also acquiring HIV and being diagnosed later in life. But prevention and testing campaigns remain focused on younger people.

Older adults are often assumed to be at low risk because of the misconception that they are no longer sexually active. Healthcare workers may be less likely to discuss sexual health, recommend testing or offer prevention options such as PrEP. Moreover, older people may not see themselves reflected in HIV messaging that’s directed to younger people. These assumptions contribute not only to delayed diagnosis and treatment, but also to discrimination within healthcare, where opportunities for prevention and early detection may be missed.

African context

Our recent Lancet Healthy Longevity study, using data from the Africa Wits-Indepth Partnership for Genomic Research (AWI-Gen), provides an important longitudinal (long-term) African perspective that reinforces the Lancet Commission’s message. We analysed data from more than 7,000 adults 40 years and older in Kenya and South Africa, including rural and urban populations. The data was collected in 2013-2016 and 2019-2022. Data like this helps us examine what is changing over time: whether treatment outcomes are improving, and which groups remain overlooked.

Read more: HIV is on the rise among older Africans, but care and research overlook this group – lessons from Kenya and South Africa

Our findings also show that older adults are not one uniform population. HIV risk was shaped by gender, education, socioeconomic circumstances and place.

Widowed women had the highest HIV prevalence, at 30.8%. This may reflect economic insecurity and persistent gender inequalities that continue to influence HIV vulnerability later in life. Prevention must respond to these gendered and social realities.

Stigma and ageism compound the problem. The perception that HIV is a disease of younger people can make diagnosis in later life feel especially shameful. Older adults may delay testing or avoid discussing their sexual health because they do not perceive themselves – or are not perceived by others – as being at risk. This can affect testing, disclosure, mental health and continued engagement with care.

Comorbidity

The Lancet Commission supports our findings that the population over 50 is more likely to receive a delayed HIV diagnosis, and calls for tailored HIV prevention and screening for this age group. It further recognises the need for thoughtful screening and management of age-related comorbidity. In addition it calls for the integration of HIV services with health services provided to the general public.

A distinctive strength of our work is that we do not study HIV in isolation.

Through the long-term research undertaken be the MRC/Wits Agincourt unit and AWI-Gen, we have spent years examining ageing and health in African populations. Our longitudinal data allow us to consider HIV alongside hypertension, diabetes, obesity and other chronic conditions, and to investigate how these conditions accumulate and interact as people age.

A person may be taking ART with medicines for hypertension and diabetes while also coping with reduced mobility, depression or financial insecurity. Several individually appropriate treatment guidelines can become unmanageable when applied to the same person. Care must consider physiological rather than chronological age (what’s happening to a person’s body, not just how old they are in years), functional ability (what they are still able to do), polypharmacy (being on multiple medications) and what matters to the individual.

Health systems must also adapt to these new circumstances where more people are living with different chronic (long-term) conditions. An older person should not have to attend separate clinics and make repeated journeys. This is particularly burdensome in rural areas. HIV, chronic disease and healthy-ageing services need to be brought closer together, with HIV testing available through chronic disease services and HIV care routinely addressing noncommunicable diseases and mental health.

Looking ahead

The Lancet HIV Commission provides a timely roadmap for responding to this changing epidemic, but its success will depend on evidence generated where the need is greatest.

The international value of this evidence is clear. Historically, much of what’s known about ageing with HIV has come from wealthier settings, yet the overwhelming majority of older adults living with HIV now live – or soon will live – in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The HIV response must prepare for people growing older with HIV while recognising that older people remain at risk of acquiring it.

– Ageing with HIV: global report highlights the need to prepare health systems
– https://theconversation.com/ageing-with-hiv-global-report-highlights-the-need-to-prepare-health-systems-289168

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Refinery rivalry: billion-dollar oil projects expose East Africa’s long-running regional tensions

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Brendon J. Cannon, Associate Professor, Khalifa University

East Africa, a region that has been working to deepen economic integration for more than 25 years, has a history of disagreements about the location of energy infrastructure. Uganda discovered oil in 2006 with the potential to pump an estimated 210,000 to 230,000 barrels of oil per day at peak production. Back in 2014, Kenya and Uganda agreed on a joint crude oil pipeline from Uganda’s oil fields at Lake Albert to the Indian Ocean. But the plan was shelved in 2016. Eventually, Uganda chose a southern route through Tanzania, forcing Kenya back to the drawing board.

This year, Kenya’s president William Ruto and Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni announced plans for a new east African oil refinery, reportedly in Tanzania by Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest person and the founder, president and chief executive of the Dangote Group. The refinery plans looked like a win for east African solidarity and sovereignty. However, days later, President Samia Hassan said she hadn’t been consulted on the plans to build it in Tanzania.

The Dangote refinery has now been slated for Lamu, Kenya’s new port north of Mombasa. That should have closed the matter but it did not. Uganda and Tanzania have since signed a memorandum of understanding with commodity trader Vitol Bahrain to build a US$20 billion regional energy hub in Tanga, Tanzania complete with petroleum storage, refining, logistics, trading and distribution facilities.

Brendon J. Cannon and Stephen Mogaka have written about east African politics, pipelines and security for over a decade. They shed light on these latest developments.

You studied the regional energy rivalry in east Africa over a crude oil pipeline. How did it play out?

Uganda and Kenya agreed in 2014 to jointly build a pipeline from Uganda’s oilfields to Kenya’s planned port at Lamu.

The deal collapsed within two years. Kenya’s push for its northern route, inflated security concerns and land compensation issues all played a part.

But the decisive factor was Total, the French oil major developing Uganda’s fields. It lobbied for and helped finance an alternative pipeline bypassing Kenya entirely to Tanzania’s port of Tanga. Landlocked Uganda’s chronic unease about depending on Kenya did the rest.

Author provided

By 2016, the pipeline deal was dead. The Uganda-Tanzania route, known as the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, is becoming a reality, at reportedly 90% complete as of August 2026. The first oil is expected in early 2027.

The heated pipeline will carry Uganda’s waxy crude oil from its Lake Albert oilfields to Tanga in Tanzania for export.

What drives mistrust and competitive statecraft in the east African region?

Competitive statecraft in east Africa, particularly between Kenya and Tanzania, is old and deep. It is rooted in divergent post-independence ideologies, and in recent decades by rival ambitions to be the region’s main commercial gateway to international markets.

Kenya’s post-independence leaders were once dismissed by Tanzanian president Julius Nyerere as running a “man-eat-man” society on account of Nairobi’s capitalism. Kenyan attorney-general Charles Njonjo shot back, calling socialist Tanzania a “man-eat-nothing” society.

The legacy of mutual suspicion continues to cast a shadow despite some improvements in bilateral relations between Kenya and Tanzania.

Kenya has pushed for decades to fully develop its northern transport corridor. Tanzania has attempted to do the same for its central and southern routes. As early as 2016, journalists were already describing Kenya’s planned port at Lamu and Tanzania’s answer at Bagamoyo as rivals in the race to become east Africa’s most important port.

Kenyan transport officials are still weighing upgrades to the northern corridor to fend off Tanzania’s expanding central corridor and its new electric railway.

Each has courted landlocked Uganda and Rwanda, and more recently Uganda’s oil, as the prize that determines which corridor prevails. But the biggest prize of all would be a pipeline corridor to South Sudan and its oil, with proven reserves of of 3.5 billion barrels, making it the third-largest holder of oil reserves in sub-Saharan Africa and the primary major oil producer in east Africa.

Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania have been consulted on the Dangote-financed refinery. Does the Lamu decision mark a break from past rivalries?

The decision to build what is billed as east Africa’s only refinery in Lamu seems, at first, to be more of the same politics of intrigue.

But it’s worth pointing out that the Tanga idea began as a joint regional concept: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and others floated a Dangote-style refinery in early 2026.

And Dangote offered to lead its construction if governments agreed on a site.

Ruto’s early embrace of Tanga was itself widely misread in Kenya as him favouring Tanzania over his own country. It prompted uncomfortable questions about his motives before Dangote’s own commercial preference for the Kenyan coast settled the matter. His public rebuke by Tanzania’s president only added to the ill will.

Reports on the deliberations indicate Dangote’s team weighed Uganda’s oilfields near Hoima, Mombasa and Tanga before settling on Lamu. This was on the strength of ample land suitable for large-scale industrial development and a functioning deep-water port. Kenya’s more liquid banking sector was also capable of helping underwrite the US$16-US$17 billion project.

As with the east African pipeline saga in 2014, an external investor’s commercial calculus, not regional consensus, decided the outcome.

Dangote does not need east African solidarity. If one government proves difficult, he can build elsewhere, exactly as Total once did.

Kenya, chastened by its clumsy pipeline diplomacy circa 2014, appears to have lobbied more skilfully this time. It has reportedly pledged seed capital totalling KSH 21.5 billion (approximately US$166 million) and invited its neighbours to take stakes.

Yet within weeks, Uganda and Tanzania answered with their own Tanga hub, framed around retaining more value from regional oil rather than exporting crude and importing refined fuel.

Uganda, notably, keeps hedging: attempting to finance its own Hoima refinery while backing both Lamu and Tanga.

Rivalry has not disappeared from east Africa. It has simply been repackaged as parallel, competing “regional” projects.

How strong is the case for a regional refinery?

The underlying economic logic for a refinery is strong.

East Africa refines almost none of its own fuel despite an estimated 4.7 billion barrels of reserves across Uganda, Kenya, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Iran’s threats and attacks against shipping in the Gulf this year underscored how vulnerable the region is to Middle Eastern supply shocks.

A Lamu refinery sits at the terminus of a multi-country corridor: the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport project. This is a multi-decade, multi-billion-dollar plan to link the deep-water port at Lamu with road, rail, pipeline and airport infrastructure reaching South Sudan and Ethiopia.

It will also potentially carry South Sudan’s abundant, higher-quality crude (still shipped mostly through Sudan), plus Kenya’s own onshore reserves in Turkana and prospective offshore fields.

Linking this to a refinery, rather than only a crude export pipeline, would give Lamu a far more durable rationale than the aborted Uganda-Kenya pipeline ever had. Whether this happens depends less on engineering than on east Africa’s politics and financing.

Stephen Mogaka contributed to this article.

– Refinery rivalry: billion-dollar oil projects expose East Africa’s long-running regional tensions
– https://theconversation.com/refinery-rivalry-billion-dollar-oil-projects-expose-east-africas-long-running-regional-tensions-289820

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Egypt: President El-Sisi Meets Prime Minister and Ministers of Education and Higher Education

Source: APO

Today in New Alamein City, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Prime Minister, Dr. Moustafa Madbouly, Minister of Education and Technical Education, Mohamed Abdel Latif, and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa.

Spokesman for the Presidency Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy said the meeting discussed recent developments with regard to the work of the Ministries of Education and Technical Education, and Higher Education and Scientific Research, within the framework of ongoing preparations for the launch of the new academic year 2026/2027 across all schools, institutes, and universities in Egypt.

President El-Sisi gave directives to increase efforts to organize exhibitions for the sale of school supplies at affordable prices before the start of the academic year, while stressing the importance of ensuring the application of the minimum wage in schools for all categories, including teachers, technicians, administrators, and others. The President also emphasized the need to strengthen the governance of school fees in a manner that alleviates the financial burdens on students and their families.

The meeting also reviewed the mechanisms for implementing the Egyptian Baccalaureate system and its examination framework, including the regulations governing study and evaluation methods. These measures are designed to ensure flexibility in educational pathways and provide students with multiple opportunities to enhance their academic performance.

The Minister of Education and Technical Education explained that the curricula of the Egyptian Baccalaureate have received accreditation from the International Baccalaureate Organization, marking a qualitative development that reflects the ongoing modernization of Egyptian curricula.

In this context, President El-Sisi emphasized the necessity for the Ministry to ensure that examinations are drawn exclusively from the official school textbooks and assessment materials issued by the Ministry, in addition to the relevant preparatory tests. The President also underscored the importance of giving due attention to subjects such as Arabic language, religious education, and history, and of teaching them in accordance with the Ministry’s curricula.

With regard to the development of university programs and curricula, the Minister of Higher Education indicated plans to launch international programs, dual degrees, and joint degrees, as well as expand partnerships with international universities. He reviewed efforts made to foster cooperation between Egyptian and foreign universities and open branches of foreign universities in Egypt. He also reviewed efforts to develop and operate university hospitals and the Ministry’s vision for their development. President El-Sisi stressed the necessity of taking all necessary measures to ensure the quality of university education and services provided by university hospitals. The President also emphasized the importance of the involvement of universities and research centers in the study and analysis of the problems and challenges facing the Egyptian state, examining and evaluating them, and proposing practical recommendations and solutions. Furthermore, the President stressed the need to continue efforts to implement automation in various Egyptian universities to ensure the quality of education and the objective assessment.

The Minister of Higher Education reviewed the status of university admissions for high school graduates in Egyptian colleges and universities. The President emphasized the importance of preparing qualified cadres who meet the needs of the local and international labor market. This is in addition to launching initiatives to support talented individuals and nurture gifted students using the best professional methods and innovative investment solutions. The Minister also reviewed the preparations for hosting the 12th African University Games, scheduled to be held in Cairo from September 8 to 16, 2026. The President stressed the need for the tournament to be a success.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Media files

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Solar Turbines Targets Angola’s Growing Gas Value Chain as Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2026 Associate Sponsor

Source: APO


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Angola’s gas industry has entered a new phase of development, creating opportunities for technology providers across gas production, processing, compression and power generation. As the market expands, Caterpillar company Solar Turbines has joined the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2026 Conference and Exhibition as an Associate Sponsor, bringing more than five decades of experience in the Angolan market.

Solar Turbines is a global manufacturer of industrial gas turbines, gas compressors and related energy solutions, serving oil and gas and power generation customers worldwide. In Angola, the company has established a substantial installed base: its first gas turbine was installed in the country in 1971, with more than 150 turbines and compressors now in operation, according to its official local partner, Atlantic Logistic Services.

This experience takes on greater relevance as Angola accelerates its transition from predominantly associated gas production toward dedicated gas development. In March 2026, the country achieved first gas from the New Gas Consortium’s (NGC) Quiluma field, marking the start of production from Angola’s first non-associated gas development. Initial supply was 150 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscf/d), with production expected to rise above 300 mmscf/d during 2026. Gas is processed at the NGC treatment plant in Soyo before being supplied to the Angola LNG facility for export and domestic consumption.

The project builds on other investments designed to strengthen Angola’s gas supply chain. The Sanha Lean Gas Connection project, led by Chevron, started production in December 2024, supplying gas from Block 0 to Angola LNG and the domestic market. Together, Sanha and the NGC are helping establish more reliable feedstock for Angola LNG, which has liquefaction capacity of 5.2 million tons per year.

These developments are creating a larger market for the infrastructure required to move and monetize gas. Industrial gas turbines and centrifugal compressors play important roles across gas compression, processing, pipeline transportation and power generation – areas in which Solar Turbines specializes.

As an Associate Sponsor, Solar Turbines’ participation comes at a pivotal point for Angola’s gas ambitions. With new non-associated supply coming online, LNG feedstock increasing and further gas commercialization opportunities emerging, technology capable of improving compression, reliability and efficiency will be increasingly important to converting Angola’s gas resources into production and long-term economic value.

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

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Western Cape Delivers 400 000 Chronic Medicine Parcels a Month, Freeing Up Clinics for Patient Care

Source: APO


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The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness’ Chronic Dispensing Unit (CDU) packs approximately 2 million individual medicine items into an average of 400 000 patient-specific parcels every month.

Through the CDU, an average of R42 million of medication a month is distributed to healthcare facilities and approved alternative collection points across the province. 

By allowing clinically stable patients to collect pre-packaged medication quickly and closer to home, the CDU reduces queues and congestion at healthcare facilities. This gives healthcare workers more time to counsel patients, attend to acute cases and care for people who require clinical attention.

Following a visit to the CDU, Premier Alan Winde said the scale of the operation demonstrated how effective systems could improve access to healthcare and protect continuity of treatment.

“The size and scale of this operation are truly impressive, and the CDU plays an important role in buffering our medication stock levels. By maintaining sufficient stock to cover the following six to eight weeks it helps us mitigate the effects of supply disruptions, supports treatment adherence and protects the health of our residents. This is about building a healthcare system that is reliable, accessible and focused on patients,” said Premier Winde.

The scale of the service is also reflected in the 3.26 million CDU encounters recorded during the 2025/26 financial year. This represents significant growth since the CDU began distributing fewer than 1 000 parcels a month in 2005.

More importantly, the service enables better patient care.

The CDU processes and verifies prescriptions before packing medication for individual patients. Parcels are then delivered to healthcare facilities and approved alternative collection points, including community centres, wellness hubs and e-lockers.

Patients receive a collection date, enabling them to collect their medication without waiting in long queues or, at some collection points, entering a healthcare facility at all.

Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness Mireille Wenger said the CDU benefits patients and the healthcare professionals caring for them.

“For patients, this service makes collecting chronic medication far more convenient. Instead of spending hours waiting at a clinic, a patient may be able to collect their medicine quickly on the way to work or from a collection point closer to home.

“This also enables better patient care. When stable patients do not need to wait inside a healthcare facility simply to collect medication, clinics are less congested and healthcare workers have more time to counsel patients, attend to acute cases and support those who need clinical care,” said Minister Wenger.

Approximately 6% of parcels delivered to healthcare facilities are not collected. Patients receive SMS reminders ahead of their collection dates and are encouraged to keep their cellphone numbers up to date at their local facilities.

“By bringing chronic medication closer to patients and freeing healthcare professionals to spend more time caring for those who need them, the CDU is helping us build a healthcare system that treats every resident with care and dignity.”

Clinically stable patients who take chronic medication are encouraged to ask the healthcare team at their local facility whether they are eligible to receive their medicine through the CDU.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Western Cape Government: Office of the Premier.

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eThekwini urged to strengthen response to water challenges

Source: Government of South Africa

eThekwini urged to strengthen response to water challenges

The Department of Water and Sanitation has called on eThekwini Municipality to strengthen its response and accelerate efforts to address persistent water and sanitation challenges affecting communities across the metro.

Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister, Dr Jack Bloom, made the call during a two-day strategic oversight visit to the municipality from 20 to 21 August 2026, which placed water and sanitation service delivery, environmental protection and accountability under the spotlight.

During the visit, the Deputy Minister engaged directly with affected communities, municipal leadership, officials and other stakeholders to assess the challenges and identify practical interventions. 

Bloom emphasised that persistent service delivery challenges require decisive action, stronger accountability and measurable results.

While acknowledging the scale and complexity of the challenges facing eThekwini, he stressed that these cannot be used as a reason for delays, particularly where communities continue to experience disruptions to basic water and sanitation services and failures in wastewater management pose risks to the environment and water resources.

“We need to see a stronger and more urgent response to the water and sanitation challenges facing communities in eThekwini. Where problems have been identified, there must be clear responsibility, decisive intervention and consistent follow-through,” Bloom said.

A key focus of the oversight programme was direct engagement with communities affected by water and sanitation challenges.

In Verulam, the Deputy Minister met with community members through the Verulam Water Crisis Committee, where residents raised concerns about water supply and service delivery challenges affecting households and communities.

Bloom also engaged with residents in Buffelsdraai, where he listened to their concerns and gained first-hand insight into the challenges experienced by the community. 

The engagements enabled the Deputy Minister to hear directly from affected residents and ensure that their concerns were considered alongside information provided by municipal officials and findings from infrastructure inspections.

Management of wastewater infrastructure 

The oversight programme also included inspections at the Phoenix Wastewater Treatment Works, the eZimbokodweni River in the Amanzimtoti Golf Club area, and the Southern Wastewater Treatment Works in Merebank. 

The inspections focused on reported pollution and sewage spills, the condition and performance of wastewater infrastructure, environmental and water-quality impacts, contributing factors, and interventions required to address identified challenges.

The inspections highlighted the need to strengthen the operation, maintenance and management of wastewater infrastructure.

Bloom warned that pollution of rivers and other water resources cannot be normalised and requires urgent corrective action.

Particular attention was also given to compliance and enforcement, with the Deputy Minister committing to follow up with the department’s Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement Unit on directives previously issued and action required to address cases of non-compliance.

He emphasised that oversight visits must go beyond identifying problems and should result in concrete action, accountability, and measurable improvements.

“An oversight visit must lead to action and where directives have been issued, we need to see implementation and appropriate enforcement where required,” Bloom said.

The two-day programme also included engagements with municipal leadership, officials, civic organisations and other stakeholders on governance, accountability, service delivery, and efforts to strengthen water security in eThekwini.

Bloom called for stronger cooperation between the department, eThekwini Municipality, water sector institutions and communities, emphasising that collaboration must be supported by clear responsibilities, measurable commitments and regular follow-up.

He said the visit reinforced the importance of responsive and accountable government, particularly in ensuring that communities have reliable access to water and sanitation services and that water resources are protected from pollution.

The Department of Water and Sanitation will continue to monitor progress on matters raised during the oversight visit and engage with eThekwini Municipality and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that identified challenges are addressed.

This will include efforts to strengthen water security, improve wastewater management, protect water resources and promote greater accountability in the delivery of water and sanitation services for all. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Merck Foundation Congratulates Burundi’s First Lady and Fondation Bonne Action Umugiraneza on the 2026 United Nations Population Award

Source: APO

  • Merck Foundation celebrates the international recognition of its long-term partner in Burundi and highlights the impact of its partnership in healthcare capacity building, girls’ education and community awareness

Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, congratulates H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE, First Lady of the Republic of Burundi, on the prestigious international recognition of Fondation Bonne Action Umugiraneza, which she chairs, as the recipient of the 2026 United Nations Population Award in the institutional category.

The award, presented at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, recognizes the outstanding contribution of Fondation Bonne Action Umugiraneza towards improving the health, education and well-being of communities in Burundi.

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative, MFFLI, said: “I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to my dear sister, H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE, First Lady of the Republic of Burundi, and to Fondation Bonne Action Umugiraneza on receiving the prestigious 2026 United Nations Population Award in the institutional category.

This recognition is very well deserved and reflects the commitment and important work of the Foundation to improve the health and well-being of the people of Burundi.

I am especially proud because this recognition comes to a long-term and valued partner of Merck Foundation. Since 2020, we have worked closely with Her Excellency the First Lady, her Office, Fondation Bonne Action Umugiraneza, and the relevant Ministries to achieve important and measurable impact in Burundi.”

The 2026 recognition follows another significant milestone for H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE, who was herself selected as the recipient of the United Nations Population Award in the individual category in 2023, in recognition of her leadership and advocacy in improving health and well-being in Burundi.

A Partnership Built on Complementary Roles and Shared Goals

Merck Foundation’s partnership in Burundi brings together complementary roles to achieve sustainable impact.

In her capacity as the First Lady of the Republic of Burundi and Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother,” H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE has played an important role to support advocacy and local coordination, including collaboration with the relevant Ministries of Health, Education, communication and Gender  in identifying the appropriate beneficiaries, facilitating local processes, supporting the return and integration of trained healthcare professionals into their countries and public health systems, and advancing awareness and creating a culture shift around critical and sensitive social and health issues such as girls’ education, ending child marriage, and addressing stigma surrounding infertility, stopping gender-based violence, empowering women, and promoting prevention and early detection of critical health conditions such as; diabetes and hypertension via our community awareness program and its different initiatives such as; health media training and media, song, film and fashion awards.

Through this coordination and advocacy partnership, the First Lady has helped to transform patient care landscape and amplify important messages at national and community levels and mobilize stakeholders around these critical issues.

Fondation Bonne Action Umugiraneza, as a separate institutional partner, has collaborated with Merck Foundation in the implementation of initiatives including the “Educating Linda” program, which supports annually the education of 40 high-performing but underprivileged schoolgirls in Burundi till they finish their school education. 

Through the program, Merck Foundation is currently providing annual educational scholarships to 40 high-performing but underprivileged Burundian schoolgirls, helping them to remain in school and pursue their education. Moreover, distributing thousands of school items sets and storybooks on school students.

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej emphasized, “I strongly believe that educating girls is one of the most powerful ways to empower women and transform communities. Through our ‘Educating Linda’ program, and with the valuable coordination of Fondation Bonne Action Umugiraneza, we are supporting the education of 40 Burundian deserving girls annually.

At the same time, through Her Excellency’s role as our ‘More Than a Mother’ Ambassador, we work together to advocate for girls’ education and address the social issues that can prevent girls from completing their education such as ending child marriage.

These are complementary roles: coordination, advocacy and awareness create the cultural change, while the structured program of “Educating Linda” translate that commitment into direct and measurable impact for beneficiaries.”

Transforming Healthcare Capacity in Burundi

The partnership between Merck Foundation and Burundi has also achieved important milestones in healthcare capacity building.

Through our partnership with the office of the First Lady and Ministry of Health, Merck Foundation Scholarships program and in coordination with Burundi’s health authorities and partners, Merck Foundation has provided 55 scholarships for Burundian doctors across critical and underserved medical specialties, contributing to building sustainable local healthcare capacity in the public sector.

An important example of this long-term approach has been the development of local expertise in fertility care. Merck Foundation provided specialized training for Burundian first fertility specialists, embryologists and technicians, contributing to the establishment of the country’s first public IVF centre.

The partnership has similarly supported the development of expertise across other critical medical specialties such as cancer care and diabetes care, with the objective of strengthening the country’s capacity to provide specialized care locally and sustainably.

“Our philosophy has always been to build healthcare capacity, not dependency,” Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej shared.

“We invest in people to strengthen the public healthcare sector hence improve access to quality and equitable healthcare solutions in Africa, Asia and developing communities. We provide scholarships for healthcare providers so that countries can develop their own specialists and health experts who remain part of their healthcare systems and serve their communities for many years to come.

Our partnership in Burundi is a strong example of what can be achieved when healthcare capacity building, education and community awareness work together.” Dr Kelej added.

From Advocacy to Sustainable Impact

Beyond medical training and girls’ education, Merck Foundation and its partners in Burundi have implemented community awareness initiatives using media, educational materials, children’s storybooks, songs and other creative platforms to address sensitive social and health issues.

These initiatives complement the advocacy leadership of H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE as Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother,” while working with relevant national institutions and partners to ensure that programs reach their intended beneficiaries.

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej concluded, “Once again, I congratulate my dear sister, H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE, and the entire team of Fondation Bonne Action Umugiraneza on this prestigious United Nations recognition.

I am proud of what we have achieved together with both entities since the beginning of our partnership in 2020, and I look forward to continuing and expanding our collaboration.

Our shared objective remains very clear: to transform patient care, build sustainable healthcare capacity, support girls to complete their education, empower women, and create the cultural change needed to improve the lives of people in Burundi and across Africa.

Congratulations to Fondation Bonne Action Umugiraneza on this remarkable and well-deserved international recognition.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

Contact:
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager 
Phone: +91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
Email: mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com

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About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare & scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4gyH1ZH), X (https://apo-opa.co/3UzPiVP), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3UQldBr), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4xk4Iw5), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/4wIPEqI) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/4zF4EbS).

The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavors.

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South Africa: Klerksdorp Residents Call for Decisive Action on Corruption, Which They Blame for Poor Water Services

Source: APO


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The Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation has heard a strong call from residents of the greater Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality for decisive action against corruption and poor accountability, amidst municipalities’ continued failure to provide reliable water services.

During the final North West public hearing on the Water Services Amendment Bill at the Klerksdorp Civic Centre, residents argued that corruption in the tendering system, particularly around water tanker contracts, must be confronted if government is to restore sustainable and dignified water services to communities.

While expressing overwhelming support for the Bill, participants said they hoped it would strengthen accountability and ensure that municipal officials implicated in corruption are held accountable.

Participants further emphasised that their daily struggles with water provision were often disregarded, while some municipal officials appeared more concerned with personal enrichment. Residents called for stronger enforcement of standards and consequences for water services licence holders and other service providers who fail to meet their obligations.

Participants also reiterated their dissatisfaction with the growing reliance on water tankers to provide communities with water. They argued that resources should instead be directed towards the development and maintenance of infrastructure that can provide long-term and sustainable access to water.

According to participants, water tankers provide an unreliable service and, in many instances, fail to reach all communities in need. They argued that the continued dependence on water tankering does not provide a sustainable solution to the country’s water challenges.

Despite the overwhelming support for the Bill, participants stressed the importance of effective enforcement and continuous monitoring of the quality of services provided. They argued that communities had suffered for too long because of the failure to enforce existing laws and regulations.

Rural communities also raised concerns that their particular challenges were not adequately addressed in the Bill. They called for an inclusive legislative framework that considers the unique challenges affecting water provision in rural and underserved communities.

On sanitation, participants criticised the continued underdevelopment of adequate infrastructure to meet the demands of growing populations and expanding development. They argued that the Bill must contribute towards halting and reversing the persistent challenges in the provision of sanitation infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation expressed concern at the lived realities of communities in the area. Members were particularly disturbed by reports that some elderly residents are forced to use their social grants to purchase water.

The committee said this was not only unacceptable but also reflected a serious failure to ensure that communities are treated with dignity and have access to basic services.

Following the conclusion of the North West leg of the public hearings, the committee will next travel to Limpopo, where public hearings on the Water Services Amendment Bill are scheduled to take place from 28 to 30 August 2026 in Tzaneen, Polokwane and Bela-Bela.

The committee encourages residents of Limpopo to come out in their numbers and make their voices heard on the Bill.

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

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Africa’s first full-stack hydrogen hub powers up in Namibia

Source: APO

Namibia is demonstrating what is possible in Africa’s energy transition with the continent’s first fully integrated green hydrogen facility.

The CMB.TECH Namibia facility in Walvis Bay brings together solar power generation, green hydrogen production, and energy storage in a single operational ecosystem, demonstrating how clean energy can be produced at industrial scale while supporting industrial decarbonisation and long-term energy resilience.

This landmark project marks a key step in sustainable energy infrastructure. It integrates solar power generation, green hydrogen production, and energy storage within one ecosystem. This shows how clean energy can be produced at scale to support industrial decarbonisation and long-term energy resilience.

“Africa’s first fully integrated green hydrogen facility demonstrates that large-scale clean energy production is not a future ambition, but a present-day reality. Operating successfully in one of the world’s most demanding environments, it showcases the viability of green hydrogen as a cornerstone of the continent’s energy transition,” Sabine Dall’Omo, CEO, Siemens Sub-Saharan Africa, tells ESI Africa (https://apo-opa.co/4d0HFy3), part of VUKA Group.

Hydrogen for local industrialisation in Namibia

The hydrogen produced at CMB.TECH will initially power local industrial applications, like dual-fuel trucks, generators and Namibia’s first hydrogen-powered freight locomotive. In the future, the plant will expand and integrate more with port infrastructure, transforming maritime decarbonisation by refuelling ships with ammonia from green hydrogen.

This will boost Namibia’s renewable energy use and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, especially in the hard-to-decarbonise shipping sector.

As the technology partner underpinning the operation, Siemens provides the integrated electrical, automation and safety infrastructure that enables seamless coordination across the site, creating a high-availability platform that supports the future of green industrial development.

Namibia is one of the sunniest countries in the world, with about 300 sunny days a year, and solar power can be harnessed in abundance. In Walvis Bay, that solar power drives an electrolyser that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen. To produce marine fuel, the hydrogen will be combined with nitrogen from the air to create ammonia, which is then liquefied.

“In a region where reliable energy is essential for economic growth and social development, what matters most is a system that simply works,” says Dall’Omo. “The CMB.TECH plant can only deliver on its promise if all technologies operate seamlessly as one. That is where Siemens makes the decisive difference. Working as a ONE tech company and serving as the unified interface for automation, control, and power distribution, we ensure the facility runs reliably from day one.

“Our long presence in the region, deep understanding of local conditions, and close collaboration across our businesses help reduce complexity, solve issues quickly, and keep operations stable. In short, we bring the entire system to life, enabling the plant to become a dependable, future-shaping asset for the customer and the wider community.”

Integrated hydrogen economy

CMB.TECH is a “Living Lab” for an integrated hydrogen economy. “The facility includes a solar-powered off-grid electrolyser for renewable hydrogen production, a refuelling station for hydrogen-powered vehicles and industrial applications, and an on-site Hydrogen Academy for local talent development,” says Roy Campe, Chief Technology Officer at CMB.TECH.

The plant’s 5MWp solar park covers 6.5 hectares and feeds a hydrogen production facility with a 5MW Proton Exchange Membrane electrolyser and a 5.9MWh battery. The fully off-grid electrolyser produces green hydrogen using electricity from the solar park and energy stored in the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).

CMB.TECH built the facility and is using the green hydrogen for its local industrial applications, making the company its own first customer and ensuring a guaranteed buyer from day one. “Many green hydrogen projects are stalling because, while they invest heavily in solar energy and green hydrogen production, there is often no commercial offtake agreement in place to secure demand for the hydrogen produced,” says Dall’Omo.

“Beyond its role as an energy production facility, the project illustrates how green hydrogen can accelerate the decarbonisation of transport and logistics value chains. From supporting local mobility solutions to enabling future maritime refuelling infrastructure, it provides a tangible pathway toward lower-carbon industrial and shipping ecosystems,” says Wiebke Polomka, Senior Manager: Southern Africa, Afrika-Verein der deutschen Wirtschaft.

Hydrogen Academy in Namibia

In addition to ecological and economic effects, knowledge transfer is central. The Hydrogen Academy on site trains drivers, technicians, and scientists and strengthens the labour market. Today, 24 of the facility’s 25 employees are Namibian and received training through the Hydrogen Academy.

“By partnering with local universities and institutions like the Namibia Institute for Mining Technology, the project is training a new generation of engineers and technicians. This creates a sustainable pipeline of local expertise, positioning Namibia as an exporter of not just green molecules, but also the technical knowledge required to operate and maintain a hydrogen economy,” says Johannes Shimbilinga, Municipal Mayor of Walvis Bay.

The plant also provides a model for collaborative energy transformation. “The project underscores the importance of ecosystem-led execution in delivering complex energy transitions,” Dall’Omo concludes. “By bringing together developers, systems integrators, technology partners, and cross-border industry stakeholders, it demonstrates how strategic collaboration can unlock sustainable industrial growth and long-term economic resilience.”

The current 5MWp solar park occupies only a fraction of the available land. “The next step is to increase capacity to 250MW, then to 500,” says Campe. “We want to turn Namibia into a global energy hub and export energy to Europe and the rest of the world. Today we have 7,000 solar panels. In the future, there could be millions.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

About ESI Africa:
ESI Africa – Africa’s trusted power, energy, water, transport and utility multimedia platform – is positioned as an impartial industry mouthpiece, delivering the latest technical developments and analysis in both print and digital formats since 1996.

The brand’s various routes to market are expertly primed to build a bridge between readers and solution providers as ESI Africa sifts through the daily noise and delivers the tale of Africa’s infrastructure transformation to the African and global market.

Join the ESI Africa on WhatsApp channel (https://apo-opa.co/4gvE9wK) for insights on how the power, energy, water and transport sectors are evolving. 

About VUKA Group:
VUKA Group connects people and organisations across Africa’s energy, mining, mobility, green economy, and retail sectors through events, content, and strategic networking. Venture partners to The Global Trust Project and leaders of NPO Go Green Africa. www.WeAreVuka.com

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