Category: English

Source: APO

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The devastating floods in Limpopo and Mpumalanga in recent weeks have brought to the fore the stark reality that many South Africans have long known – the country’s healthcare system is under-prepared for the challenges posed by natural disasters. The tragic loss of life and the suffering of countless families serve as a powerful reminder of South Africa’s urgent need for a resilient healthcare infrastructure capable of withstanding such catastrophes.

“In light of the recent disastrous floods and fires that have ravaged the country, I extend my heartfelt condolences to all families who have lost loved ones during this challenging time,” said Ms Faith Muthambi, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health.

“The impact on our healthcare infrastructure is profound. It is imperative that we address both the immediate and long-term consequences of these disasters. The loss of life remains the foremost concern,” she said.

The floods wreaked havoc on communities, displaced families, destroyed homes and left many without access to basic necessities. Amidst this disaster, the healthcare sector faces a crisis. Clinics and hospitals are strained and are now inundated with patients suffering from flood-related injuries, while simultaneously grappling with the risk of disease outbreaks.

The South African Medical Research Council has raised alarms about potential cholera outbreaks due to compromised water quality in the affected areas. This situation not only highlights the immediate healthcare needs but also underscores the long-term implications of inadequate infrastructure.

The loss of loved ones, homes and livelihoods creates an environment ripe for mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. As families grapple with grief it is imperative that mental health services are equally prioritised. The healthcare system must extend its reach beyond physical ailments to encompass the psychological well-being of the population. Ensuring that mental health resources are available and accessible should be a priority in any disaster response plan.

The infrastructure of our healthcare facilities, particularly in rural areas, has been compromised. Many clinics have been rendered inaccessible, exacerbating the healthcare system’s challenges. In the Western Cape, the recent fire at Paarl Provincial Hospital at Drakenstein Municipality serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities intrinsic in our healthcare system. Although the fire was quickly contained and no injuries were reported, it raises critical questions about the preparedness of our hospitals to respond to emergencies effectively.

The Disaster Management Act mandates a coordinated response to emergencies, yet the reality on the ground when such disasters occur reveals a different story. Fragmentation between various departments and agencies can lead to delays in response times and inadequate resource allocation. It is essential that we foster collaboration among all relevant stakeholders, including government departments, healthcare providers and the community to create a unified front in disaster preparedness and response.

The recent floods have illuminated the critical need for proactive measures to strengthen our healthcare system. As the Portfolio Committee on Health prepares for its oversight visit in Mpumalanga and Limpopo next week, committee members will visit the affected areas. This will be an opportunity to gather firsthand information on the conditions of healthcare facilities and allow us to identify necessary interventions that are desperately needed in communities. The oversight is not just a formality or ticking of the box. The visit represents a commitment in ensuring that the healthcare needs of our communities are met, both in times of crisis and in everyday life.

Natural disasters like the floods in Limpopo and Mpumalanga serve as a wake-up call that our healthcare system must develop to meet the challenges of an unpredictable future, Ms Muthambi said.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, MS FAITH MUTHAMBI.

For media inquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Yoliswa Landu (Ms)
Cell: 081 497 4694
E-mail: ylandu@parliament.gov.za

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

Source: APO

The “Invest.EastAfrica! – Business and Investment Forum” concluded at the GIZ (www.GIZ.de/de) Representation in Berlin, launching five new business partnerships by leading European companies such as Bayer, Melitta and ofi with their East African partners. The partnerships are designed to accelerate sustainable trade, stronger value chains and inclusive growth — from digital business models and artificial intelligence to coffee and cashew processing, entrepreneurship, and venture building.

Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Bärbel Kofler: “The five partnerships between German and East African private sector actors and the BMZ presented today send a clear message: Germany and the EAC are driving a form of private sector cooperation that delivers economic growth while creating tangible benefits for people. The BMZ will continue its close collaboration with the East African Community to strengthen regional integration and improve reliable investment framework conditions.”

Over the course of the forum, more than 350 representatives of German companies met a delegation of 60 East African businesses across a three-day programme in Frankfurt am Main and Berlin. Participants explored concrete cooperation opportunities in joint investment priority areas, such as agri-business, pharmaceuticals, AI, carbon credits as well as tourism.

East Africa is fast consolidating its positions as Africa’s economic powerhouse with inter-regional trade expanding by more than 12 percent. At the same time, the East African Community is reviving their efforts to finalise the EAC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement—a timely step, given that the EU currently ranks only as the region’s fourth-largest trading partner. Against this backdrop, the forum—hosted in the State of Hesse, one of Germany’s economic powerhouses—aimed to deepen German-East African economic ties and diversify both regions trade and investment portfolios in an era of mounting geopolitical challenges.

“At a time when the world is once again turning to isolation, we are sending a clear signal for open trade and the diversification of our economic relations. East Africa, with its more than 320 million inhabitants, is an important future market for Hessian companies—dynamic, innovation-strong and strategically relevant,” says Manfred Pentz, Hessian State Minister for International Affairs.

In the same spirit—moving from political intent to practical delivery—Christoph Kannengießer, CEO of the German-African Business Association Afrika-Verein, emphasizes: “Invest.EastAfrica! shows how purposeful dialogue can translate into concrete cooperation. Over three days, companies moved from initial interest to structured project pipelines—agreeing next steps and timelines on a foundation of trust. Diversifying markets is a shared strategic objective, and this forum helps turn it into practical, investable collaboration.”

Building on the momentum of the first edition, the event partners — including Afrika-Verein, the State of Hesse, German Development Cooperation (GIZ), IHK Frankfurt & Friedberg and Berlin, BVWM, as well as the East African Community and the East African Business Council (EABC) — will support the development of ten additional business cooperations to be launched at next year’s forum. These projects are expected to target an estimated 500 million EUR in investment volume and involve German companies such as Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, ODDO Bank, Lufthansa, Fresenius alongside their East African partners such as Cassava, Bedi Investment, Hormuud and Equatorial Nuts. “As business community of East African we are welcoming the rich results of the business forum and are ready to implement these agreed cooperation projects and more to boost economic ties with Germany.”, concluded Jaswinder Bedi, Vice-President of the East African Business Council.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GIZ.

Media contact:
diana.mutabazi@giz.de

About Invest.EastAfrica!:
Invest.EastAfrica! is the German-East African Business & Investment Forum, convening companies and decision-makers to advance concrete cooperation between Germany and the East African Community (EAC). The inaugural forum took place from 27-29 January 2026 in Frankfurt am Main and Berlin.

Source: APO – Report:

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For years, the beaches in the Gambia were simply a weekend spot for families and friends to relax. That changed when the first Perreh Bi Fest transformed the beach into a scene of cultural parades, music, sports and entrepreneurship – creating a new attraction for Gambian tourism.

The festival featured live music, traditional wrestling, volleyball, art exhibitions and small businesses showcasing their products and services. Families and visitors came together to celebrate Gambian creativity.

For small businesses, the event offered a unique opportunity to showcase their products, gain exposure and make money. Vendors sold pressed juice, fashion, crafts and food, all contributing to a lively marketplace that combined culture and commerce.

Events like Perreh Bi are one way that the International Trade Centre (ITC) supports small businesses so that they can create jobs, through the European Union Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) – Tourism and Creative Industries.

‘I am currently being trained in bakery and pastry through the EU YEP – Tourism and Creative Industries,’ said Bernadette Jatta, a young entrepreneur who exhibited at the festival. ‘This platform is helping me put my skills into practice and reach new customers.’

New ways of thinking about Gambian tourism

Ya Awa Nyassi, an ITC specialist in Monitoring and Creative Industries Development, noted that the event represents a shift in how Gambians engage with their coastline.

‘The Perreh Bi Fest will transform the coastline into a hub of cultural celebration and economic activity,’ she said. ‘The festival aims to provide a significant boost to local businesses by offering a dedicated marketplace for vendors, from fruit sellers and juice pressers to craftspeople. It also seeks to celebrate The Gambia’s rich cultural heritage through curated performances while promoting environmental sustainability with eco-friendly practices at all events.’

Tourism is a key driver of the Gambia’s economy, contributing approximately 20% of GDP and providing jobs for nearly one in five Gambians. The creative industries also hold significant potential for youth employment, with estimates suggesting up to 50,000 jobs by 2026. Perreh Bi Fest is strengthening domestic tourism while supporting small businesses.

The festival ran monthly from November 2025 to January 2026. This gave consistent platforms for artists and entrepreneurs to connect with visitors and grow the tourism and creative industries.

The event was made possible through the support of the European Union through the EU YEP – Tourism and Creative Industries project, implemented by ITC in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture with a focus on promoting the inclusiveness, sustainability and competitiveness of the tourism and creative industries.

– on behalf of International Trade Centre.

Source: APO – Report:

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In line with ECOWAS Vision 2050, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), through its Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, has allocated USD 719,733 to the Republic of Togo to support refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), asylum seekers, returnees, and host communities.

The humanitarian assistance project was officially launched on Monday, 26 January 2026, during a symbolic ceremony in Lomé, where the ECOWAS Representative to Togo, Ambassador Deweh Emily Gray, formally presented a cheque to Commissioner KADJA Hodabalo-Pitemnèwèa, representing the Minister of Security and Civil Protection of Togo.

The ceremony reaffirmed ECOWAS’ strong commitment to solidarity, regional cooperation, and humanitarian action, in line with Vision 2050 — an ECOWAS of the People, Peace and Prosperity for All, where borders do not limit opportunities and every citizen has a voice.

Funded by ECOWAS, the intervention is implemented and coordinated by the National Civil Protection Agency (ANPC) under the authority of the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection of Togo, with technical support from the World Food Programme (WFP). The project seeks to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable populations while mitigating the impact of humanitarian crises.

The initiative aims to strengthen the livelihoods and production capacities of displaced persons and host families, improve access to safe drinking water, hygiene, and sanitation services and provide food and non-food assistance to 10,000 vulnerable people, including refugees, IDPs, and members of host communities.

Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Prof. Fatou Sow SARR, the ECOWAS Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, Dr. Sintiki Tarfa-Ugbe, called for shared responsibility in supporting populations affected by conflict, crises, climate change, and other disasters.

She outlined the programme’s phased approach, combining immediate humanitarian assistance with long-term recovery and community resilience, and urged governments, partners, and communities to uphold protection, solidarity, and inclusion.

“Humanitarian support is not charity; it is justice. It is the recognition that every individual, regardless of circumstance, has the right to safety, dignity, and hope,” she stated.

In his welcome address, the Director General of the National Civil Protection Agency (ANPC), Lieutenant-Colonel BAKA Yoma, reaffirmed ANPC’s commitment to the transparent and effective implementation of the project in line with ECOWAS guidelines and WFP standards. He highlighted its strategic importance in strengthening social cohesion in the Savanes and Kara regions through urgent humanitarian support and sustainable resilience-building efforts.

On behalf of the Government of Togo, Commissioner KADJA Hodabalo-Pitemnèwèa called on all stakeholders to take full ownership of the project, stressing that such commitment is essential to its success and sustainability. Underscoring the initiative as a reflection of the Government’s continued determination, alongside its partners, to leave no one behind while reinforcing stability and social cohesion in affected communities.

– on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).