Category: MIL-OSI

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Communities important to wetland conservation

Source: Government of South Africa

Communities important to wetland conservation

Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Deputy Minister Narend Singh, in partnership with the City of Cape Town, is today marking World Wetlands Day at the Rondevlei section of the False Bay Nature Reserve — one of South Africa’s internationally recognised RAMSAR sites.

The commemoration is taking place under the global theme: “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage”, placing the spotlight on the vital role that indigenous knowledge, local communities and cultural heritage play in protecting wetlands for future generations.

A key highlight of the programme is interaction with the City of Cape Town’s River Wardens, young environmental stewards, who form part of a city-led skills development initiative aimed at strengthening wetland conservation and biodiversity management. The wardens will showcase their work on the ground and share insights into how communities are actively involved in caring for local ecosystems.

False Bay Nature Reserve was designated a RAMSAR site on World Wetlands Day in 2015 after meeting nine international ecological criteria. These include its exceptional biodiversity, the presence of rare and threatened species, and its importance as a habitat for migratory birds.

The River Warden Skills Development Programme was launched on 1 July 2024 through a partnership between the City of Cape Town and Nature Connect. According to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the programme targets youth and women from communities surrounding the False Bay, Zandvlei, Edith Stephens and Table Bay Nature Reserves.

The initiative offers participants a three-year conservation stewardship programme, a Further Education and Training (FET) Certificate in Nature Conservation (NQF Level 4), temporary employment and hands-on work experience. To date, 57 participants have benefited from training, mentorship and practical conservation exposure.

World Wetlands Day is celebrated annually on 2 February to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands and to mark the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971. The day serves as a reminder of the critical role wetlands play in sustaining biodiversity, providing clean water, supporting livelihoods and addressing the urgent need for conservation and sustainable use. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin

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Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Meets Saudi Ambassador

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha | February 02, 2026

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met on Monday at the Amiri Diwan with HRH Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the State of Qatar Prince Saad bin Mansour bin Saad bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.
During the meeting, they discussed cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to support and enhance them, in addition to several topics of mutual interest.

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Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI)-International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF) Islamic Finance and Development Journal Retains Scopus Indexing

Source: APO


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The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (https://ISDBInstitute.org) is pleased to announce that the International Journal of Islamic Finance and Sustainable Development (IJIFSD), published through a collaborative initiative between IsDBI and the International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF), continues to be indexed in the Scopus database following a successful post-rebranding re-evaluation.

The Journal was rebranded from the ISRA International Journal of Islamic Finance (IJIF) in September 2024, to reflect an expanded and interdisciplinary scholarly scope that integrates Islamic finance, sustainability, and development-oriented research, while preserving full publication continuity and academic integrity.

In line with Scopus requirements, the re-branded Journal underwent a mandatory re-evaluation process by Elsevier, necessitated by the adoption of a new journal title and e-ISSN. As a result of this successful re-evaluation, Scopus indexing now covers all issues published under the rebranded title from September 2024 onward. Articles published prior to September 2024 will continue to be indexed in Scopus under ISRA International Journal of Islamic Finance (IJIF), ensuring uninterrupted citations integrity and archival permanence.

Commenting on the milestone, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of the IsDB Institute, emphasized that the continued Scopus indexing of IJIFSD reflects the strength of institutional collaboration between IsDBI and INCEIF. He noted the Journal serves as an important knowledge platform through which IsDBI advances rigorous, open-access scholarship that informs policy, supports sustainable development, and strengthens the global Islamic finance ecosystem.

This milestone reflects the Journal’s strong academic foundations, rigorous peer-review processes, and growing international impact, supported by established editorial governance within INCEIF and reflected on the Journal’s official publishing platform.

IsDBI remains committed to supporting high-quality research platforms that advance knowledge at the intersection of Islamic finance and sustainable development.

IsDBI extends its sincere appreciation to the Journal’s authors, reviewers, editorial board members, and readers for their continued engagement and support.

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

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

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Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Receives Phone Call from Algerian Prime Minister

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha | February 02, 2026

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani received a phone call on Monday from HE Prime Minister of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria Sifi Ghrieb.
During the call, the two sides discussed bilateral cooperation relations and ways to strengthen and develop them, in addition to the latest regional developments and issues of mutual concern.
They also stressed the importance of intensifying regional and international efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region through dialogue and peaceful means, with the aim of consolidating regional security and stability.

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Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Meets Company Executives on Sidelines of Web Summit Qatar 2026

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha, February 01, 2026

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met separately on Sunday with founders, chairpersons, and executives of a number of companies on the sidelines of the Web Summit Qatar 2026, held in Doha.

The meetings discussed cooperation relations, along with a number of topics of common interest.

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President Ramaphosa to address Innovative Building Technologies Summit

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, 03 February 2026, deliver a keynote address at the Innovative Building Technologies (IBTs) Summit.

The Summit is a two-day event at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg.

The gathering brings together Government, the building and construction industry, academia, investors, and civil society to advance innovative solutions for the delivery of sustainable human settlements.

Held under the theme “Mainstreaming Innovative Building Technologies for Sustainable Human Settlements”, the IBT Summit aims to accelerate the adoption of Innovative Building Technologies (IBTs) to enhance the delivery of housing across South Africa.

IBT’s offer viable and cost-effective alternatives that enhance efficiency through lightweight structures, energy-efficient designs, prefabrication, and environmentally sustainable construction methods.

The Summit comes at a critical time as South Africa continues to confront a significant housing backlog, rapid urbanisation, and the increasing impacts of climate change.

The objectives of the IBT Summit include strengthening policy integration for IBTs within human settlements, fostering collaboration and investment between Government, the private sector, non-profit organisations, and international stakeholders, and showcasing disruptive innovation in construction.

The Summit will further promote IBT’s as solutions for disaster-resistant and climate-resilient housing, supporting community rebuilding efforts and ensuring better preparedness for future crises.

In addition, it aims to raise awareness among beneficiaries, policymakers, and industry stakeholders about the affordability, speed, and sustainability of Innovative Building Technologies.

The President’s participation in the IBT Summit affirms Government’s commitment to addressing inequality and reversing pre-1994 spatial planning patterns, as articulated in the 2025 State of the Nation Address.

The Summit will take place as follows: 

Date: Tuesday, 03 February 2026
Time: 10h00
Venue: Nasrec Expo Centre, Johannesburg

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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President Ramaphosa mourns passing of struggle veteran Leon Levy

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his deep sadness at the passing in Cape Town of Mr Leon Levy, aged 96, who was the last surviving signatory of the Freedom Charter and Accused No 4 in the 1956 Treason Trial.

President Ramaphosa offers his deep sympathy to the family and friends of Mr Levy who took on numerous roles in the struggle alongside his equally committed identical twin brother, Norman, who passed away in July 2021.

Leon Levy, whose parents had emigrated from Lithuania, joined the Communist Party of South Africa when he was a teenager and became a trade unionist when he was 24 – two years before he was elected president of the South African Congress of Trade Unions that he had helped to establish.

He was among the organisers of the Congress of the People which adopted the Freedom Charter on 26 June 1955.

The six Charter signatories were African National Congress President Chief Albert Luthuli; Jimmy La Guma of the South African Coloured People’s Congress; Monty Naicker of the Natal Indian Congress; Pieter Beyleveld of the Congress of Democrats and Leon Levy of the South African Congress of Trade Unions.

In December 1956, security police arrested the Levy brothers as part of a crackdown on liberation movement leaders and charged the activists with high treason, which carried the death penalty as a possible sentence.

While Norman Levy was discharged later, Leon Levy remained on trial until his acquittal in 1961.

The brothers remained politically active, with Norman Levy serving three years after being convicted under the Suppression of Communism Act.

Leon Levy was subjected to two periods of detention, after which he went into exile in England, where Norman joined him after being released from prison.

President Ramaphosa said: “The passing of Leon Levy is a sad moment for us as fellow human beings. It is particularly sad for us as citizens of a South Africa that attained freedom from apartheid through the hard and sacrificial activism of Leon Levy and those who were in the trenches with him, including his brother, Norman.

“As we mark 70 years since the Treason Trial of 1956, we are obliged to pay tribute to the cohort of leaders and other activists who fought the apartheid state based on their belief in the inherent equality and dignity of all people.

“Leon Levy attached his signature to the Freedom Charter that lives on in our Constitution whose 30th anniversary we observe as well in 2026.

“Leon Levy was part of a generation whose contributions to a better life and a better world for all South Africans and humanity globally must never be forgotten or dishonoured.

“May his soul rest in peace.”

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria
 

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Eskom progress continues

Source: Government of South Africa

Eskom progress continues

Eskom’s recovery continues to yield results as the power utility records some 260 days without the implementation of load shedding.

The sustained progress stems from implementation of the Generation Recovery Plan, government’s Energy Action Plan and the improvement in the Energy Availability Factor (EAF).

“Together, these developments are enhancing operational reliability and supporting South Africa’s long-term energy security,” Eskom said in a statement.

According to the electricity provider, the EAF increased to 64.95% between 1 April 2025 to 29 January 2026, underscoring the “progress made in restoring reliability and enhancing system stability.”

“The fleet has now achieved or exceeded the 70% EAF mark on 64 occasions [un-audited figures].

“The improvements in EAF demonstrate both recovery and sustained improvement in EAF performance, reinforcing energy security, grid stability and security of the national electricity supply,” Eskom added.

Unplanned outages have also shown improvement and have decreased from 12 993MW during the period between 23 January and 29 January last year to some 8 362MW during the same period this year – an improvement of 4 630MW.

“Over the same period, the Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor [UCLF] reduced to 17.27%, a significant improvement of 9.90% compared to 27.17% recorded during the same period last year.

“During the same period, Eskom’s Planned Capacity Loss Factor [PCLF] – essentially planned maintenance – averaged 10.46%, compared to 15.82% in the previous financial year.

“This reduction is consistent with Eskom’s maintenance schedule and reflects our strategy to enhance plant reliability, strengthen operational stability and support long-term fleet performance,” the power utility said.

Improvements in the EAF have allowed Eskom to decrease reliance on diesel generation with expenditure on the costly fuel remaining below budget in the year to date.

“After five consecutive weeks with no diesel expenditure for Open-Cycle Gas Turbines [OCGT] operations, diesel spend of R1.61 million was recorded [last] week, with 0.285GWh of associated energy send-out.

“Despite this, the total diesel expenditure remains R4.26 billion lower than at the same point last year. This sustained reduction reflects both significant cost savings and ongoing improvements in operational performance driven by Eskom’s turnaround initiatives. Overall, the trend underscores the increasing stability, efficiency and resilience of the power system,” Eskom noted.

Some 2 200MW of generation capacity is expected to be brought online this week. – SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB

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Cancer preventative HPV vaccination campaign kicks off in schools

Source: Government of South Africa

Cancer preventative HPV vaccination campaign kicks off in schools

The Department of Health will today kick off its 2026 Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination drive.

The drive is aimed at vaccinating girls aged 9 years and older to protect them from developing cervical cancer later in life.

“South Africa continues to record a high number of cases of cervical cancer and related deaths annually, despite the availability of lifesaving vaccines at public health facilities and the private health sector. 

“Over 5 700 cases of cervical cancer are reported each year in the country, while more than 3 000 women die from cervical cancer-related complications. This means, unvaccinated girls and women living with HIV are at a higher risk of serious health complications if develop cervical cancer later in life, compared to the general population,” the department said.

The department assured that trained teams of healthcare workers will carry out the vaccinations.

“This school-based HPV vaccination campaign is implemented in partnership with the Department of Basic Education and other stakeholders including the World Health Organisation and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund. 

“The HPV vaccine is safe and most effective when provided from age nine or before girls become sexually active. In South Africa, the HPV vaccination was approved by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority in 2008 for its efficacy and safety. Millions of girls in South Africa have received the HPV vaccine without any serious side effects,” the department explained.

Some 3.6 million girls – mostly in public schools – have benefitted from the HPV vaccination with more than 7.2 million doses administered since 2014.

“The programme has now been expanded to reach all girls in both public and private schools, including special independent schools to ensure no one is left behind. This annual campaign will target mostly girls in Grade 5 aged 9 years and older to protect them from cervical cancer, which remains the second most common cancer among women in South Africa, after breast cancer. 

“The success of the campaign to protect girls from this preventable, yet deadly disease hinges on stronger collaboration among all stakeholders, particularly parents and caregivers, who are required to complete the vaccination consent forms issued by schools to eligible girl learners,” the department added.

Parents, caregivers and legal guardians are requested to sign consent forms issued by schools to enable the girls to receive the vaccination. – SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB

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Intent HQ confirmed as Diamond Sponsor; Absa Bank as Platinum Sponsor & BEES joins as Gold Sponsor for Converge Africa 2026

Source: APO

Africa’s digital commerce economy is growing fast, but not without friction. Fragmented retail, inconsistent data, complex payments, rising fraud risk and disconnected customer journeys continue to slow down scale for retailers, brands and marketplaces across the continent.

Converge Africa 2026 will place these challenges at the centre of its agenda, as the continent’s leading digital commerce, fintech and retail technology players gather from 4 to 6 May 2026 at the CTICC in Cape Town to define what frictionless, borderless and trusted digital trade should look like for Africa.

The event today confirms Intent HQ as Diamond Sponsor, Absa Bank as Platinum Sponsor, and BEES as Gold Sponsor, three organisations operating at different layers of the commerce stack, united by a common mission: enabling African businesses to trade smarter, faster and at scale.

Converge Africa unites leaders across Retail and eCommerce, Digital Marketing, Payments and Fintech, Digital Security, and Fulfilment, Logistics and Last Mile for three days of strategy, technology and high value meeting introductions.

The real challenge: turning African digital growth into profitable, scalable commerce

Across Africa, digital adoption is accelerating. Consumers are shopping online, mobile payments are mainstream, and informal retail is rapidly digitising. Yet many organisations are struggling to convert this growth into sustainable, profitable digital commerce.

Retailers battle with disconnected customer data and slow decision making.
Brands struggle to digitise fragmented trade networks.
Marketplaces face trust, fraud and cross border payment complexity.
Customers expect personalised, real time experiences without sacrificing privacy.

Converge Africa 2026 is designed to tackle these realities head on, bringing together the platforms, infrastructure and intelligence required to build the next generation of African digital commerce. Expect main stage keynotes, track led content, hands on workshops, an exhibition of market ready solutions, and structured networking to enable meaningful partnerships and tangible ROI.

It is within this context that Intent HQ, Absa Bank and BEES take centre stage.

“Scaling digital commerce in Africa requires more than a single solution, it requires intelligence, infrastructure and execution working together. Converge Africa brings that full commerce stack into one room. ” said Terry Southam, Group Director of Retail – Converge Africa.

Sponsor announcements and why they matter now

Intent HQ: powering real time, privacy first customer decisioning (Diamond Sponsor)

Intent HQ is the Human to AI Context Company that helps enterprises anticipate and activate real customer intent in real time, safely and at scale. Its flagship platform, IntentOne, sits between enterprise data estates and execution channels to orchestrate the moments that matter.

It detects intent signals, recommends next best actions, and activates decisions instantly across existing martech and experience stacks without replacing them. By combining always on data with on device Edge AI, Intent HQ delivers higher conversion, loyalty and lifetime value under strict privacy and security governance.

At Converge Africa, retailers and marketplaces will see live demos of IntentOne’s Customer Intent Engine, showing how to align engagement to true shopper readiness, improve decision velocity for promotions and service recovery, and prove measurable uplift with responsible AI. This speaks directly to the data fragmentation and personalisation challenges facing South African e commerce.

“We’re excited to return to Converge Africa to showcase our award-winning Agentic Customer AI. By understanding behavior and intent, we help brands deliver smarter, more inclusive digital services.”

– Jonathan Woolf, Chief Revenue Officer, Intent HQ

Absa Bank: enabling trusted, scalable digital commerce (Platinum Sponsor)

Absa Bank is a leading pan African financial services group serving retail, business and corporate clients with acquiring, payments, embedded finance and risk solutions across the continent. Absa stands out by blending African insight, strong digital ambition, responsible banking, and human centred leadership to create real economic impact, not just financial results.

Absa’s presence underscores the centrality of secure, seamless payments to e commerce growth. Delegates can expect insights on cross border enablement, fraud and digital security, omnichannel merchant services, and the rails that support scalable digital trade, core to resolving payment complexity and trust deficits in South Africa’s online market.

BEES: digitising the retail value chain at scale (Gold Sponsor)

BEES is a global B2B digital commerce platform connecting FMCG brands with millions of independent retailers. Through a single app, retailers can order, pay, access promotions and insights, while suppliers unlock data driven route to market, trade activation and loyalty at scale.

BEES brings proven playbooks for digitising fragmented retail, which is critical in Africa’s mixed trade landscape. Delegates can expect practical sessions on retailer onboarding, in app merchandising, incentives, and how first party trade data can drive better demand planning, fulfilment and ROI for brands and distributors. This directly addresses the fragmentation and execution gaps holding back South African e commerce.

“BEES is a B2B digital commerce platform that elevates every interaction with our retailers from ordering to delivery. Powered by AI, it enables us to influence retailers more successfully, improve sales effectiveness, and deliver superior service, resulting in stronger performance.” – Representative BEES.

How Converge Africa 2026 addresses today’s pain points

Retail and eCommerce: Connecting channels and data to create seamless journeys and increase decision velocity at the point of need.
Digital Marketing: Operationalising real time intent to lift acquisition efficiency and lifetime value, while protecting privacy.
Payments and Fintech: Building trusted, scalable rails for omnichannel commerce, including cross border, risk and fraud controls.
Digital Security: Hardening the ecosystem against evolving threats with enterprise grade governance, identity and compliance.
Fulfilment, Logistics and Last Mile: Turning demand into on-time delivery through better planning, inventory visibility and execution.

About Converge

Africa Converge Africa is the continent’s leading platform for digital commerce leaders to connect, learn and grow. Held annually at the CTICC in Cape Town, the event convenes retailers and eCommerce brands, payments and fintech innovators, cybersecurity specialists, logistics and last-mile providers, and digital marketers to shape the future of Africa’s online economy.

Converge Africa 2026 4–6 May, CTICC, Cape Town

Frictionless digital commerce. Transacting seamlessly, without borders.

Registration & Sponsorship

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

Additional Link:
https://apo-opa.co/3ZcWVRe

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