Category: MIL-OSI

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Vodacom Group strengthens East Africa presence; acquires increased shareholding in Safaricom for R36 billion

Source: APO

Vodacom Group (www.Vodacom.com), a leading pan-African telecommunications group, today announced a transaction that would significantly increase its ownership in Safaricom, reinforcing its commitment to the East African markets of Kenya and Ethiopia.

Under the terms of this transaction, Vodacom has entered into an agreement with the Government of Kenya to acquire 15% of Safaricom PLC and an additional 5% from Vodafone at KES34 per share, valuing the deal at $2.1 billion (R36 billion). Should the transaction receive requisite approvals from regulatory and governmental authorities in Kenya, Ethiopia and South Africa, this will see Vodacom’s stake in Safaricom – which will remain listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange – increase from 35% to 55%.

The move is a key milestone in Vodacom’s Vision2030 strategy, which includes deepening its leadership in Africa’s high-growth markets and scaling its diversified portfolio. In accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), Safaricom’s financial results will transition from being accounted for on an associate basis to being fully consolidated, increasing Vodacom Group’s revenue towards R220 billion.

“This landmark transaction will mark a pivotal step in Vodacom’s journey to accelerate growth and deepens our impact across Africa,” said Shameel Joosub, CEO of Vodacom Group. “Acquiring a controlling stake in Safaricom strengthens our position as a market leader, while at the same time unlocks new opportunities to drive digital and financial inclusion at scale in Kenya and Ethiopia. Safaricom’s outstanding track record and differentiated growth outlook perfectly complement our Vision 2030 ambitions, empowering us to deliver sustainable value for all stakeholders and to connect millions more people for a better future. I look forward to working even closer with the Safaricom team and taking some of the learnings from their success and leveraging it across the Group.”

Commenting on the transaction, Peter Ndegwa, Safaricom CEO, said: “Vodacom has been a trusted partner in Safaricom’s journey from the very beginning, and we welcome their continued commitment and long-term investment in our business. Their confidence in Safaricom is a testament to the strength of our people, our strategy, and the opportunities ahead. We look forward to deepening our collaboration as we continue to scale innovation, expand regionally, and deliver transformative digital and financial services to our customers.”

Safaricom is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most attractive assets, combining telecommunications, fintech and technology services. It has consistently delivered strong financial results, with industry-leading margins and resilient cash generation. Through the flagship platform M-Pesa in Kenya, it drives high-growth fintech revenue, while expansion opportunities in Ethiopia and a growing suite of cloud, IoT and enterprise services position Safaricom for continued growth.

On behalf of the Government of Kenya, Hon. John Mbadi, Cabinet Secretary for The National Treasury and Economic Planning, said: “This transaction is one of the first steps in the President’s stated agenda of innovatively unlocking capital, without increasing taxes or the countries debt burden, to allow additional investment in critical infrastructure to support future growth. Safaricom has been, and continues to be, a key strategic investment for us, as we are retaining a 20% stake as well as board representation.”

This transaction underscores Vodacom Group’s vision of converting scale, customer momentum, and strategic investments into sustainable value for all stakeholders, while staying true to its purpose of connecting people to a better future.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Vodacom Group.

Media files

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President Ramaphosa mourns passing of former SARS Commissioner Oupa Magashula

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa offers his deep condolences to the family and friends of former South African Revenue Service Commissioner Oupa Magashula who has passed away at the age of 63.

President Ramaphosa’s thoughts are with the Magashula family, as well as friends and associates of the former Commissioner who held office from July 2009 to July 2013.

Mr Magashula has passed away after an extended period of illness and hospitalisation.

In his early career, he worked as a trade unionist before joining the corporate sector and the public service in the form of the South African Revenue Service.

Following his SARS tenure, he held various leadership roles in business.

President Ramaphosa said: “Oupa Magashula devoted his life to the development of our economy and the stimulation of entrepreneurship among a new business generation.

“He led SARS at a critical period during which our economy was affected by the global downturn of 2008 but during which we also relied on fiscal resources to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

“Oupa Magashula was an astute, compassionate leader whose mission at SARS was driven by the needs of the most vulnerable South Africans and the requirements for economic growth.

“He went on to contribute to growth through his roles as chair or director of diverse business that benefited from his intellect, varied professional experience and commitment to a better South Africa.

“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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Manamela demands answers over alleged degree-selling syndicate at VUT

Source: Government of South Africa

Thursday, December 4, 2025

Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Buti Manamela has expressed serious concern over reports of an alleged degree-selling syndicate operating at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT), reportedly involving foreign nationals.

While the Ministry had previously stated it would await the findings of VUT’s internal investigation, Manamela said he is disturbed by allegations that senior management may have had credible evidence from a whistleblower for over a year without taking decisive action.

“It is unacceptable for allegations of this magnitude, which threaten the integrity of our National Qualifications Framework to be met with administrative delays. If management knew about this a year ago, as alleged, simply ‘investigating’ is no longer enough. We need to know why the perpetrators were supposedly left in the system to potentially corrupt the 2026 intake,” the Minister said.

On Wednesday, Manamela wrote to the VUT Council Chairperson demanding a preliminary report by Friday, 5 December 2025.

The Ministry has requested clarity on the alleged 12-month delay in responding to the whistleblower’s claims, evidence that consequence management is actively underway, and details of immediate measures to secure the 2026 registration cycle from possible manipulation.

Manamela reiterated that the selling of degrees constitutes a criminal offence. Should VUT’s internal processes prove insufficient, he said the department would escalate the matter to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks). – SAnews.gov.za

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Government reaffirms commitment to a disability-inclusive South Africa

Source: Government of South Africa

Government has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing a disability-inclusive society through strengthened partnerships, improved access to services, and the protection of the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.

Delivering the keynote address at the national commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, held on Wednesday, at Rustenburg, North West, Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, said government is strengthening partnerships, expanding access to services, and advancing concrete reforms to protect the rights of persons with disabilities across all sectors.

“Today, South Africa joins the world in commemorating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities — not as a routine observance, but as a nation that has bound itself to the principle that every person is equal in dignity and in rights,” Chikunga said.

The event concluded the National Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM), observed under the theme “Disability Inclusion: Creating Strategic Multisectoral Partnerships for a Disability-Inclusive Society.” At global level, the United Nations also called on countries to foster disability-inclusive societies that advance social progress.

Chikunga noted that progress must not be measured by statements, but by whether persons with disabilities can learn, work, travel, access services, participate in sport, and live safely and independently in their communities.

She acknowledged that many South Africans with disabilities still face avoidable barriers that should not exists. These include inaccessible buildings and transport, services that do not accommodate different needs, attitudes that exclude, and economies that do not open real opportunities.

“Their exclusion is not a side issue; it speaks to the kind of society we are choosing to build,” she said.

Rustenburg takes centre stage

Rustenburg will host the 2026 Special Olympics South Africa National Summer Games and prepare athletes for the 2027 World Games in Santiago, Chile.

Chikunga said the city’s role reflects South Africa’s broader undertaking to ensure people with disabilities are recognised as rights-holders and leaders.

“Our presence here — across all spheres of government, SAPS and law enforcement, Special Olympics South Africa, families, communities and athletes — signals a shared undertaking: that persons with disabilities will never be treated as an afterthought, but as rights-holders and leaders whose full participation strengthens our democracy,” the Minister said.

Earlier in the day, leaders participated in the ceremonial handover of the Special Olympics Flame of Hope, a tradition symbolising dignity, courage and inclusion. The flame, previously guarded by SAPS Limpopo, was passed to the North West Province as the next host of the National Summer Games.

Chikunga said the passing of the flame represents a shared commitment that national government will lead on policy and coordination, provinces and municipalities will implement with urgency, law enforcement will uphold dignity and safety, and families and communities will continue to advocate for inclusion.

“The Flame of Hope belongs to every person with a disability in our country, whose full participation we are obligated to ensure.”

From commitments to concrete action

Chikunga highlighted several initiatives underway to transform disability inclusion from policy into action.

An overarching Disability Rights Bill is being finalised to consolidate protections into a single, comprehensive law aligned with the Constitution and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Government is also reconstituting the Presidential Working Group on Disability to ensure persons with disabilities and their representative organisations help shape policy and monitor implementation.

“Through the Medium-Term Development Plan, we have secured disability-specific targets in education, transport, employment, health, social protection and economic inclusion,” the Minister said.

On economic inclusion, Cabinet has supported reforms allowing public entities to procure from Supported Employment Enterprises (SEE), creating jobs for persons with disabilities.

 Provinces have already begun placing significant orders, including school furniture. Government is further working toward a 7% public-sector disability employment target, while urging the private sector to move beyond current 1–2% levels.

“Through the National Skills Fund’s Disability Support Fund, we are strengthening specialised training, enterprise development and workplace readiness for persons with disabilities.”

Chikunga also highlighted work underway to electrify special schools, improve inclusive education, strengthen community-based support, and increase accessibility across public infrastructure. Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) response programmes are being adapted to better protect women and girls with disabilities.

“As part of the legacy of our G20 Presidency, we are establishing a Disability Inclusion Nerve Centre — a national hub for data, research and coordination — to turn commitments into measurable change in education, employment, GBVF response and service delivery.

“Government must ensure commitments become accessible schools, clinics, transport and services. The private sector must open real pathways into workplaces. Communities must and families must reject stigma and ensure that no child or adult with a disability is ever hidden or excluded.

“Persons with disabilities must continue to guide and hold us accountable. If we feed this flame with political will, resources, partnerships and respect, it will burn brighter than today — lighting the path toward a South Africa where everyone can belong, participate and thrive.” Chikunga said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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National Committee for Preparation of National Human Rights Action Plan Holds Fourth Meeting

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha|December 04, 2025

The national committee tasked with preparing the National Action Plan for Human Rights (2026-2030) held its fourth meeting at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the meeting, the committee discussed the latest developments in preparing the national action plan, the outcomes of the consultative sessions, and progress made in drafting the plan and the goals to be included-aimed at promoting and protecting human rights in the country.
The committee also discussed mechanisms to enhance coordination among the various entities and to ensure that the plan aligns with national strategies, international best practices, and the State of Qatar’s commitments in the field of human rights. 

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Africa sets course for affordable, quality medicines with new 10-year roadmap

Source: APO – Report:

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African leaders and global partners have agreed on a bold 10-year regional vision to redesign how essential health products are financed, produced, and delivered, marking a major step toward ensuring that everyone in the African Region can access affordable, quality-assured medicines and health technologies.

Meeting at the Blue-Sky Visioning and Think Tank Workshop in Johannesburg from 25 to 27 November 2025, policy-makers, technical experts, and development partners co-created the foundations of a Regional Strategy on Market Shaping and Supply Chain for Essential Health Products (2025–2035). This forward-looking strategy sets out 14 strategic pillars to renovate Africa’s fragmented systems and build resilient, efficient supply chains that can withstand global shocks.

This strategy represents a paradigm shift from Africa’s current fragmented and donor-dependent health product landscape to a coordinated, self-reliant system. Today, only 35% of essential medicines are available in public health facilities, and out-of-pocket spending can represent up to 90% of total health expenditures in some countries, leaving millions exposed to catastrophic costs. In several countries, such as Malawi, where external aid accounts for up to 65% of all health spending, the system remains highly vulnerable to sudden funding shocks. Donor investments are also heavily concentrated in a few vertical programmes: one-third of all health aid goes to HIV/STI control and 14% to malaria, while less than 1% supports noncommunicable diseases. A recent WHO assessment found that 56% of African countries are already facing shortages of essential products, including vaccines, tuberculosis medicines, neglected tropical disease treatments, and NCD supplies, with some facilities temporarily closing due to stock-outs.

The new regional strategy aims to revamp production and access by promoting local manufacturing, pooled procurement, and coordinated, shock-resistant supply chains. The 10-year roadmap prioritizes regional procurement platforms and strategic warehousing, mechanisms expected to reduce reliance on emergency imports, which proved inadequate during COVID-19 when 38 African countries urgently requested medical supplies.

The strategy also aligns with the African Medicines Agency (AMA) mandate and leverages the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to reduce or eliminate tariffs on locally manufactured health products. By fostering domestic resource mobilization and innovative financing tools such as debt-for-health swaps and health impact investment platforms, the strategy moves Africa away from donor-driven models toward sustainable, homegrown solutions.

“This meeting is about reimagining what is possible when African countries take the lead in designing resilient and self-reliant systems to deliver essential health products. We are building a future where no community is left behind due to stock-outs, inefficiencies, or unaffordable prices” said Dr Adelheid Werimo Onyango, Director for Health Systems and Services, WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Participants at the workshop applied a creative, “blue-sky thinking” methodology to tackle long-standing bottlenecks. Discussions explored innovative approaches to strengthen governance, improve financing, drive digital transformation, promote local production, modernize waste management, and enhance emergency preparedness, aying the foundations for a future-proof supply chain ecosystem.

The initiative aligns with major regional and global frameworks, including the African Union’s Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan, the African Medicines Agency (AMA) mandate, the WHO Access to Medicines Roadmap, and Sustainable Development Goal 3.8 on universal access to essential medicines and vaccines.

“The European Union is committed to advancing equitable access to essential health products across Africa. By supporting this regional strategy, we are investing in resilient health systems, stronger supply chains, and sustainable solutions that safeguard health for all” said Bianca Baluta, Health Policy Expert, European Union.

Once finalized, the strategy will serve as a unified blueprint to strengthen market systems, expand access to affordable, high-quality health products, and reinforce Africa’s health security for the decade ahead.

– on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

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Eritrea: Livestock vaccination in Molqui sub-zone

Source: APO – Report:

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During a livestock vaccination program conducted in November, around 100 thousand livestock were vaccinated in the Molqui sub-zone, according to Mr. Leul Gaim, head of livestock resources in the sub-zone.

In the program, which was carried out in 19 administrative areas of the sub-zone, 65 thousand livestock were vaccinated against various animal diseases, while 2,000 dogs were vaccinated against rabies.

Mr. Leul, indicating the cooperation of livestock owners, said that thanks to their support, the program was successfully implemented.

Commending the efforts the Government is undertaking to ensure the health of their livestock, the farmers called for the sustainability of the program.

According to the report, similar vaccination programs were carried out in the sub-zone in the months of April and May.

– on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

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Eritrea: Social science training to youth in Sawa

Source: APO – Report:

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Social science training organized by the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students has been provided to 1,875 youth from the Warsai-Yikealo School in Sawa.

The training covered the National Charter, administration and leadership, types and objectives of government, foundations of Eritrean national culture and values, health and productivity of youth, the foothold and unity of the Eritrean people, nation-building and development, benefits and significance of organization, globalization and its influence, importance and influence of mass media, as well as the history of the armed struggle for independence and safeguarding national sovereignty.

Ms. Helen Amine, head of follow-up of regions at the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students central office, noted that strong efforts are being exerted to expand and strengthen organization with a view to nurturing competent youth, and that the training program was part of that initiative.

Representative of the trainees expressed readiness to practically translate the knowledge they gained from the training into their daily activities.

Col. Debesay Ghide, Commander of the National Service Training Center, called on the trainees to apply the knowledge they gained in serving their society and influencing their peer groups.

In related news, the Amberbeb Share Company provided training on material management to 50 workers from seven Government institutions.

The training covered scientific methods of material management, materials and workshop handling, as well as spare-parts management.

Indicating that the training was unique in its type, Mr. Solomon Negash, head of material management at the company, commended the interest the trainees demonstrated during the program.

Mr. Girmay Berhe, manager of the company, for his part, indicating that the program was a continuation of efforts to enhance the capacity of members of the company and partner institutions, called on the trainees to apply the knowledge they gained in their daily activities at their respective workplaces.

– on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

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Eritrea: International Day of Persons with Disabilities observed

Source: APO – Report:

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International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3 December, has been observed today in Asmara at the national level under the theme “Holistic Participation of Persons with Disabilities for Development.”

Mr. Mihreteab Fesehaye, Director General of Social Welfare at the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, said that before the International Day of Persons with Disabilities came into effect at international level, in Eritrea there had been customary laws in place for a long time that respected the equitable rights and human values of citizens with disabilities. He also said that the day serves as a reminder to acknowledge the situation and challenges of persons with disabilities and to conduct coordinated efforts for prevention and support.

Mr. Abdullahi Mohammed Yussuf, UNICEF Representative in Eritrea, for his part, said that across the world, persons with disabilities are not passive recipients of assistance; they are innovators, leaders, and agents of change, and that efforts should be made to ensure that children with disabilities have equal access to education, health care, protection, and participation.

Mr. Abdullahi also commended Eritrea’s strides to ensure that nationals with disabilities have inclusive access to education and community-based rehabilitation services.

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is being observed for the 30th time at the national level.

The event featured exhibition of paintings, ceramics, and other artifacts produced by citizens with disabilities.

– on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

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Minister of State for International Cooperation Meets UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha, December 3, 2025

HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Dr. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad met on Wednesday with the visiting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.
Discussions during the meeting dealt with cooperation between the State of Qatar and the United Nations in the areas of human rights protection and human development.
They also discussed the human rights situation in crisis zones, mechanisms for supporting the most vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, and a number of other topics of mutual interest.
During the meeting, HE the Minister of State for International Cooperation affirmed the State of Qatar’s commitment to supporting UN efforts aimed at promoting human rights and strengthening multilateral partnerships to achieve more effective responses.
For his part, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights commended the State of Qatar’s role in humanitarian and diplomatic work and its efforts in supporting protection and promoting human rights at the international level.