Category: MIL-OSI

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WC government condemns deadly taxi rank shooting

Source: Government of South Africa

Western Cape MEC for Mobility Isaac Sileku has called on law enforcement authorities to move swiftly to bring to justice the people responsible for the fatal shooting at the Nyanga Terminus Taxi Rank on Wednesday morning.

The attack left two women dead and eight people injured.

According to police reports, all 10 victims were members of the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA). They were travelling in a Sprinter minibus taxi to a scheduled CATA meeting near the Cape Town International Airport, when unknown gunmen opened fire on the vehicle.

Police confirmed that two women died at the scene, while seven other women and one man sustained gunshot wounds. The injured were transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment.

The shooting occurred less than 24 hours after Sileku visited the same site as part of the Department of Mobility’s ongoing road user education campaign.

Sileku expressed sadness over the incident, describing it as a senseless act of violence.

“I am heartbroken by this tragedy. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased and those currently recovering in the hospital.”

The MEC urged law enforcement authorities to move swiftly in apprehending the perpetrators and appealed to members of the public to assist police with any information that could help the investigation.

“Violence of any kind, especially in spaces meant for safe public transport and daily commuting, cannot and will not be tolerated. We must work together to restore safety and dignity in our taxi ranks and the sector in general,” Sileku said.

The MEC reaffirmed the department’s commitment to supporting law enforcement agencies and ensuring that public transport facilities remain safe for all commuters and operators.

Lentegeur triple murder under investigation

Meanwhile, police in the Western Cape have launched an intensive investigation after three bodies were discovered inside a silver VW Polo at the corners of Hillcrest Road and Park Way in Montclair, Lentegeur, on Wednesday morning.

The victims, two men and a woman, all in their 20s, sustained fatal gunshot wounds.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), preliminary investigations suggest the incident is gang-related. Detectives have been assigned to the case and are pursuing several leads in a bid to track down those responsible.

Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General (Advocate) Thembisile Patekile, has strongly condemned the killings, reaffirming SAPS’s commitment to dismantling gang networks and bringing perpetrators to justice.

“Gangsterism has no place in our society. The SAPS will continue to exert pressure on these criminal networks until every individual involved in violent crimes is brought to justice,” Patekile said.

Members of the public with information are urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or submit tips anonymously via the MySAPS mobile app. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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New digital licensing system set to transform Gauteng’s public transport sector

Source: Government of South Africa

Gauteng’s public transport sector is set for a major overhaul with the introduction of a new technology-driven operating licensing system, which promises to streamline applications, enhance data integrity, and improve service delivery across all transport modes.

Announcing the development, Gauteng Roads and Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, described the system as a “game-changer” that will modernise the province’s public transport regulation framework and eliminate long-standing inefficiencies in the licensing process.

The initiative forms part of the work of the Gauteng Public Transport Crisis Committee, established in January 2025 to address the province’s persistent operating licence backlog.

The committee, established and chaired by Diale-Tlabela, works with the minibus taxi industry, represented by the Gauteng National Taxi Alliance (GNTA) and the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) Gauteng, alongside the Gauteng Provincial Regulatory Entity (GPRE), to find sustainable solutions to the backlog crisis.

Since its formation, the committee’s scope has expanded to include all affected public transport modes, including e-hailing, scholar transport, bus, and metered taxi operators, reflecting a fully integrated approach to public transport regulation.

“The department is confident that the new, technology-driven operating licensing system will be a game-changer for Gauteng’s public transport sector, streamlining applications, strengthening data integrity, and improving service delivery for all,” Diale-Tlabela said.

According to the MEC, from September 2025 to date, a total of 354 operating licences have been issued, 5 049 applications approved, and 2 247 cases sent for adjudication.

“This process has taken time, but it has also fostered a shared understanding that all operators exist for the same purpose, face similar challenges, and must work together for the greater good of the public transport system,” Diale-Tlabela said.

Diale-Tlabela emphasised that verifying each application and cleaning up the existing public transport database has helped identify the root causes of the backlog, while minimising disputes and potential conflicts within the sector.

The new provincial licensing system will purify public transport data by removing duplications, fraudulent entries, and outdated records.

“Once completed, the operating licences, routes, and operators will be recorded accurately, transparently, and digitally, enabling better law enforcement on high-risk routes and reducing operator disputes,” she said.

The MEC noted that the crisis committee, which brings together all transport operators, law enforcement agencies, municipal representatives, and departmental officials, is making remarkable progress in verifying what constitutes old and current backlogs across all modes.

As part of its broader reform agenda, the committee has also advocated for the finalisation of the amended Land Transport legislation and the new e-hailing regulations, promulgated by the Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, on 12 September 2025.

Diale-Tlabela said the provincial regulations are now being developed to support the effective implementation of these reforms. – SAnews.gov.za

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Gauteng to mark World Diabetes Day

Source: Government of South Africa

The Gauteng Health Department will join the globe in marking World Diabetes Day on Friday where it will also mobilise communities to make healthier life choices.

Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, will lead the commemorative event which will take place at the Protea South Community Hall in Soweto.

World Diabetes Day is an annual global campaign that raises awareness of diabetes and other Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). 

“A key aspect of this year’s campaign is its emphasis on the workplace challenges faced by individuals with diabetes. It further promotes healthier lifestyle choices and encourages early screening to reduce the risk of severe health complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, and vision problems,” said the department in a statement on Wednesday.

Under the slogan: “Know more and do more for diabetes at work” –  the department is calling on employers to raise awareness about the challenges people with diabetes face in the workplace such as stigma, discrimination, and misconceptions.|

Early detection through regular screening is crucial, especially for individuals aged 35 to 75 who are overweight or obese, as they are at higher risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. 

Additionally, monitoring blood glucose (HbA1c) levels is essential for assessing diabetes management, as poorly controlled diabetes can lead to serious health issues.

“As a result, the department has intensified efforts to monitor diabetes control performance across facilities. In the past year, the overall diabetes control rate in Gauteng has remained steady at around 65%, showing that just over six in 10 monitored patients achieve reasonable glycaemic control,” it said.

In line with the overarching 2024 – 2026 global theme: “Diabetes and Well-being,” the commemoration will highlight the importance of a holistic approach to managing diabetes that addresses physical, mental and social challenges.

Ahead of Friday’s commemoration, the MEC will turn on the blue lights at Pholosong Regional Hospital on Thursday, symbolising the commitment to raising awareness about diabetes and highlighting the importance of prevention, management and support for those affected.

The provincial government will mark World Diabetes Day in partnership with Novo Nordisk and the City of Johannesburg.  –SAnews.gov.za

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South Africa needs to rethink its community media policy – 4 ways to close the gaps

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Franz Krüger, Associate researcher, University of the Witwatersrand

Community media have received support for around three decades, and yet South Africa’s information landscape remains deeply unequal.

The distribution of media closely matches the country’s socio-economic inequality. People in middle-class suburbs have access to an ever-growing range of information sources. Poorer areas and the countryside are often news deserts.

Sustained support for community media has undoubtedly led to growth in media in marginalised areas. Around 230 community radio stations are currently licensed, according to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa. The Association of Independent Publishers lists around 190 print and online members.

However, many are enterprises battling simply to survive. The distribution of media outlets skews strongly to cities, provincial capitals, and other political and economic centres.

In a new policy paper, South African media scholars Sarah Chiumbu, Jayshree Pather and I set out to understand how the post-apartheid project to create room in the media for marginalised voices played out. We studied what it has delivered and what adjustments might be suggested.

Our report, Levelling the media playing field: Lessons from South Africa, examined the development and implementation of policy over the last 30 years. We found that it has been marred by confusion, blind spots and politicisation. We argue that it is time for a fresh look at what can be done to improve access to media in a rapidly shifting technical environment.

What we found

We analysed 30 years of policymaking and identified several weaknesses. The initial impetus for media reform came from a strong desire to make South Africa’s democracy more inclusive. The idea was to create room for previously suppressed and marginalised voices.

Over time, however, political dynamics and growing tensions between the ruling African National Congress and mainstream media shaped the government’s attitude towards community media. At the same time, weaknesses and recurrent crises in key state institutions, like the Media Development and Diversity Agency, limited their ability to make a positive contribution.

Community television has been particularly hard-hit by the policy muddle. Given the higher costs of the medium, there was extensive confusion as to whether a non-profit model was viable, or if commercial or regional public service models should be adopted. And community TV operators have complained that the much-delayed and poorly managed move to digital terrestrial television has failed to consider their needs. They have warned that its design threatens their future.

More fundamentally, a failure to deal with the economic realities of poor communities has encouraged operators to adopt a commercial model and logic. This moves away from the idealised notion of community media.

Read more: South Africa’s media have done good work with 30 years of freedom but need more diversity

Though regarded as insufficient, advertising by various government entities has become a key source of income. This has created a vulnerability to capture by local powerholders.

We came across the story of a newspaper in a mining town in the Northwest province whose mayor tried to buy out the publisher. When he was turned away, he tried to start a rival newspaper. The effort was unsuccessful, so he stopped municipal advertising with the paper. It had to close for some years. It is now back in business after a change in local political leadership.

Community media policymaking has also become subsumed into considerations of new media technologies. The current draft White Paper on Audio and Audio-visual Media Services and Online Safety, issued in July 2025, continues this trend.

It declares its aim as being to ensure that

all South Africans, regardless of geography or economic status, can access a wide range of high-quality, relevant and responsible content.

But it pays little attention to the practical and economic constraints operating on the margins of the information ecosystem.

Undoubtedly, the speed and complexity of technical innovation creates a challenging policy environment. However, we argue that taking citizens’ right to information as a starting point – while recognising the reality and importance of unequal access – should be at the centre of discussions.

Our recommendations

Our top-line recommendation is for a policy focused on information inequality. We propose four concrete measures to improve the environment for small, independent media in marginalised areas.

  • The full set of existing policies, practices and institutions should be examined to see how well they serve the needs of those still on the margins of the information ecosystem. Relevant institutions, like the state-owned Media Development and Diversity Agency, need an overhaul to ensure they are fit for purpose.

  • Opportunities in the market and the state should be identified for better support of independent local media. Examples include more sustained access to government skills development funds. There are also new funding streams available from Internet giants like Google and initiatives like the Digital News Transformation Fund.

  • Government communication spending should benefit independent local media. However, we argue strongly that there is need for a new framework to ensure it is fairly and transparently used by all levels and arms of government, as is the practice in some other countries.

  • We suggest a basic income grant for media on the furthest edges of the information ecosystem. Local economies in marginal areas are not able to sustain local media. The call for news providers in these communities to stand on their own feet is simply unrealistic. Some form of ongoing subsidy will be necessary to ensure citizens in these areas are served. The design of such a scheme, however, would need considerable further discussion.

The Wits Centre for Journalism will present a public webinar on the paper, Levelling the media playing field: Lessons from South Africa, on 17 November 2025 at 13:00 (SAST). Register here.

– South Africa needs to rethink its community media policy – 4 ways to close the gaps
– https://theconversation.com/south-africa-needs-to-rethink-its-community-media-policy-4-ways-to-close-the-gaps-268926

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Qatar, Palestine Discuss Humanitarian Cooperation and Gaza Aid Efforts

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha, November 12, 2025

HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Dr. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad held a virtual meeting on Wednesday with members of the Palestinian government operations room, chaired by Dr. Samah Hamad, Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of Relief Affairs of the State of Palestine.

The talks reviewed bilateral cooperation between Qatar and Palestine and addressed the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories.

Discussions focused on easing the humanitarian suffering of civilians in Gaza, enhancing partnerships in development and knowledge exchange, and coordinating the entry and distribution of aid, particularly ahead of the winter season.

The meeting was part of Qatar’s ongoing efforts to ensure the effective and sustainable delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Representatives from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and around 48 humanitarian organizations and officials took part in the discussions.

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Cassava Technologies and Entanglement, Inc. partner to accelerate Artificial Intelligence (AI), cyber security, and quantum innovation across Africa and the Middle East

Source: APO – Report:

Cassava Technologies (www.CassavaTechnologies.com), a global technology leader of African heritage, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Entanglement, Inc., a U.S. pioneer in next-generation computing and AI, to fast-track advanced digital solutions in high-growth markets in Africa and the Middle East.

The partnership combines Cassava’s extensive infrastructure – including high-speed fibre networks, GPU-enabled compute, and regional data centres – with Entanglement’s expertise in AI, cyber security, and quantum-inspired platforms. Together, the companies will deliver transformative technologies across Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, and the Gulf, addressing urgent needs in cyber security, healthcare, climate sustainability, and data centre efficiency.

“This partnership comes at an exciting time for Cassava Technologies, coinciding with the launch of our GPU-as-a-Service. Across Africa, we are seeing growing demand for secure, reliable digital infrastructure with powerful processing capabilities. Collaborations like the one we have launched with Entanglement enable us to support the continent’s stakeholders in developing AI solutions relevant to Africa. By combining our infrastructure with Entanglement’s world-class AI and quantum-inspired technologies, we are creating a foundation for innovation that will transform entire industries, strengthen cyber security, and drive sustainable economic growth across Africa and the Middle East,” said Hardy Pemhiwa, President & Group CEO of Cassava Technologies.

Entanglement is uniquely positioned to lead the AI revolution through its proprietary methods that fuse quantum logic with all facets of AI to deliver superintelligence. By pairing these advances with novel chip architectures, Entanglement delivers quantum-level performance on today’s AI compute hardware. This unlocks solutions that were previously impossible across industries as diverse as telecommunications, cyber security, finance, logistics and transportation, biosurveillance and climate modelling.

“Entanglement is building the most foundational technologies to realise not only superintelligence, but also scalability in the AI ecosystem by uniting proprietary methods and novel chip architectures,” said Jason Turner, Chairman and CEO of Entanglement. “Our partnership with Cassava not only opens access to some of the fastest-growing digital economies on the planet but also positions us for long-term leadership in markets such as Africa which have been traditionally constrained by infrastructure, energy, and scale.”

The partnership will initially focus on:

  • Cyber security, network, and AI model security, deploying seQure’s Ground-Truth™ for telecommunication and cyber operations, and assuring governmental compliance for the use of AI.
  • AI Infrastructure Assurance and Export Compliance – collaborating on advancing seQure’s DCAP (Data Center Awareness Platform) at Entanglement’s secure West Palm Beach data center, located on the Mar-A-Lago power grid, to help standardize the assurances required for U.S. chip exports while preventing the misuse of AI infrastructure globally.
  • Data Centre optimisation, scaling hyper intelligence Hyper.Train™ to reduce AI infrastructure energy costs while boosting the performance of AI training and inference.
  • Biosurveillance, implementing Prepaire™ to provide real-time pathogen detection.
  • Climate intelligence, rolling out Quantum Almanac™ forecasting..

Beyond technology, the collaboration will establish innovation hubs, training programmes, and co-create initiatives to ensure that African and Middle Eastern markets can fully participate and take advantage of the global innovation economy. Aligning with Cassava’s focus on skills development for the next generation of digital innovators, these programmes will foster talent development, knowledge transfer, and new research initiatives in partnership with governments, enterprises, and academia.

– on behalf of Cassava Technologies.

About Cassava Technologies:
Cassava Technologies is a global technology leader of African heritage providing a vertically integrated ecosystem of digital services and infrastructure enabling digital transformation. Headquartered in the UK, Cassava has a presence across Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the United States of America. Through its business units, namely, Cassava AI, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Liquid C2, Africa Data Centres, and Sasai Fintech, the company provides its customers’ products and services in 94 countries. These solutions drive the company’s ambition of establishing itself as a leading global technology company of African heritage.

https://www.CassavaTechnologies.com/      

About Entanglement, Inc:
Entanglement, Inc. (EI) is a next-generation computing and AI company pioneering the fusion of quantum logic, all facets of AI and advanced algorithms, and novel chip architectures to deliver solutions once thought impossible. Powered by a world-renowned team of scientists, engineers, and innovators, Entanglement’s portfolio spans cybersecurity, AI infrastructure optimization, bio-surveillance, maritime intelligence, and quantum climate modeling. Its technologies are validated through government, enterprise, and global-scale deployments—delivering secure, high-performance systems with unmatched speed, accuracy, and scalability. www.Entanglement.ai

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The Africa24 Group presents: The launch ceremony for the exploration of Simandou minerals

Source: APO – Report:

Starting this Tuesday, 11 November 2025, follow live and exclusively on Africa24 Group channels (https://Africa24TV.com/) the ceremony marking the first export of Simandou iron ore. This marks the fulfilment of the commitments made by Djiba Diakité, Chairman of the Simandou 2040 Strategic Committee, to the President of the Republic, Mamadi DOUMBOUYA, on 28 October 2025.

Based on five strategic pillars, Simandou 2040 is an ambitious plan to transform Guinea’s resources into development, human capital and industrialisation.

The ceremony is being attended by several guest countries, including the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, the President of the Republic of Gabon, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, and several other African leaders.

About the Simandou 2040 Project

The Simandou 2040 mega project, including mines and infrastructure, is considered the largest mining investment in sub-Saharan Africa. A consortium between Simandou (WCS) and the Guinean government, it includes the construction of 650 kilometres of railway linking the Simandou mountains to the port of Morébaya, as well as a state-of-the-art mineral terminal.

The extracted ore, which is exceptionally pure (more than 65% iron), could make Guinea one of the world’s leading exporters by 2026. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), exploitation of the site could increase Guinea’s GDP by 26% by 2030 and generate tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs.

The Africa24 Group 360° coverage and global broadcasting to 120 million households

Watch ‘Launch Ceremony – Simandou 2040’ live, on replay and on demand on all your screens at :

  • AFRICA24 in French (channel 249) et AFRICA24 English (channel 254) of the Canal+ Africa bundle
  • On myafrica24 Africa’s first HD streaming platform.
  • On https://Africa24TV.com/ which offers you a full access to all our programmes.

Africa24 Group, Transforming Africa Together.

– on behalf of AFRICA24 Group.

Contact:
Communication Department – Africa24 Group
Gaëlle Stella Oyono
Email: onana@africa24tv.com
Tél. : +237 691 30 03 40

Follow Africa24 Group:
@ africa24tv

About the Africa24 Group:
Launched in 2009, the Africa 24 Group is the continent’s leading TV and digital media publisher, with four full HD channels broadcast in the major cable packages. A leader among decision-makers and senior executives on the continent, Africa24 in French and Africa24 English, the Group is the pioneer and leader in African news channels. Africa24 has strengthened this leadership through sport with Africa24 Sport, Africa’s leading channel dedicated to sports news and competitions, and Africa24 Infinity, the first channel dedicated to creative industries that showcase the creative genius of African youth in art, culture, music, fashion, design and more.…

The leading audiovisual brand on the continent, the AFRICA24 Group has four full HD television channels, each a leader in its segment :

  • AFRICA24 TV : Leading French-language source for African news, published by AMedia
  • AFRICA24 English : Leading African news source exclusively in English.
  • AFRICA24 Infinity : The creative talent channel dedicated to music, art and culture.
  • AFRICA24 Sport : Leading sports and competition news channel.

The AFRICA24 Group publishes myafrica24 (Google store and App Store), the world’s first HD streaming platform in Africa available on all screens (television, tablet, smartphone, computers) … More than 120 million households have access to Africa24 Group channels through major operators such as Canal+, Bouygues, Orange, Bell, etc., and more than 8 million subscribers on various digital platforms and social networks.

https://Africa24TV.com/

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Le Groupe Africa24 vous offre : La Cérémonie de lancement de l’exploration des minerais de Simandou

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

A Partir de ce Mardi 11 novembre 2025, suivez en direct et en exclusivité sur les antennes du Groupe Africa24 (https://Africa24TV.com/), la cérémonie de la première exportation des minerais de fer Simandou. Une concrétisation des engagements pris par Djiba Diakité le président du Comité Stratégique de Simandou 2040 devant le président de la République, Mamadi DOUMBOUYA, le 28 octobre 2025.

Articulé autour de cinq piliers stratégiques, Simandou 2040 se veut un plan ambitieux pour transformer les ressources de la Guinée en valorisation du développement, du capital humain et de l’industrialisation.

La Cérémonie se déroule en présence de plusieurs pays invités dont le Président de la République du Rwanda Paul Kagamé, le Président de la République du Gabon, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema et plusieurs responsables du continent.

À propos du Projet Simandou 2040

Le projet méga projet Simandou 2040, incluant Mines et infrastructures est considéré comme le plus grand investissement minier d’Afrique subsaharienneonsortium Simandou (WCS) et l’État guinéen, il comprend la construction de 650 kilomètres de voie ferrée reliant les montagnes de Simandou au port de Morébaya, ainsi qu’un terminal minéralier ultramoderne.

Le minerai extrait, d’une pureté exceptionnelle (plus de 65 % de fer), pourrait placer la Guinée parmi les principaux exportateurs mondiaux dès 2026. Selon le Fonds monétaire international (FMI), l’exploitation du site pourrait augmenter le PIB guinéen de 26 % d’ici à 2030 et générer des dizaines de milliers d’emplois directs et indirects.

Le Groupe Africa24 Une couverture 360° et une diffusion mondiale pour 120 millions de foyers

Retrouvez « Cérémonie de Lancement – Simandou 2040 » Disponible en direct, replay et à la demande sur tous vos écrans :

  • AFRICA24 en français (chaîne 249) et AFRICA24 English (chaîne 254) du bouquet Canal+ Afrique
  • Sur myafrica24 la première plateforme de streaming HD de l’Afrique.
  • Sur https://Africa24TV.com/ qui vous offre accès intégral à tous les programmes

Avec le Groupe Africa24, Ensemble, transformons l’Afrique.

Distribué par APO Group pour AFRICA24 Group.

Contact :
Direction de la Communication – Groupe Africa24
Gaëlle Stella Oyono
Email : onana@africa24tv.com
Tél. : +237 691 30 03 40

Suivez le Groupe Africa24 :
@ africa24tv

A propos du Groupe Africa24 :
Initié en 2009, le Groupe Africa 24 est le premier éditeur TV & média digital du continent avec 4 chaînes full HD en diffusion dans les plus grands bouquets. Leader chez les décideurs et cadres dirigeants du continent, Africa 24 en Français et Africa 24 English, le Groupe est le pionnier et leader des chaînes d’informations sur l’Afrique. Africa 24 a renforcé ce leadership à travers le sport avec Africa24 Sport, première chaine en Afrique dédié à l’information sportive et aux compétitions et Africa24 Infinity, première chaîne dédiée aux industries créatives qui valorisent le génie créatif de la jeunesse africaine dans l’art, la culture, la musique, la mode, le design…

Première marque audiovisuelle du continent, le Groupe AFRICA24 dispose de 4 chaînes de télévisions en full HD chacune leader dans son segment :

  • AFRICA24 TV : Leader de l’information Africaine en Français, édité par AMedia
  • AFRICA24 English : Leader de l’Information Africaine exclusivement en Anglais
  • AFRICA24 Infinity : La chaîne des talents créatifs dédiée à la Musique, l’art, la culture.
  • AFRICA24 Sport : Première chaîne d’information sportive et des compétitions

Le Groupe AFRICA24 édite myafrica24 (Google store et App Store), la première plateforme de streaming HD mondiale sur l’Afrique disponible sur tous les écrans (Télévision, tablette, smartphone, ordinateurs) …Plus de 120 millions de foyers ont accès aux chaînes du Groupe Africa24 à travers les plus grands opérateurs : Canal+, Bouygues, Orange, Bell…et plus de 8 millions d’abonnés sur les différentes plateformes digitales et réseaux sociaux.

https://Africa24TV.com/

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CEO de la Fondation Merck et les Premières Dames d’Afrique et d’Asie ont célébré le Mois de la Sensibilisation à l’Infertilité lors de leur Initiative des Premières Dames de la Fondation Merck (Sommet MFFLI 2025)

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

  • Lien vers la Session Inaugurale de l’Initiative des Premières Dames de la Fondation Merck – Sommet MFFLI 2025 : https://apo-opa.co/4p6eQE7

La Fondation Merck (www.Merck-Foundation.com), branche philanthropique de Merck KGaA Allemagne, a organisé la 7ème Édition de l’Initiative des Premières Dames de la Fondation Merck – Sommet MFFLI 2025 les 19 et 20 juin à Dubaï, aux Émirats Arabes Unis. Il a été inauguré par le Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman du Conseil d’Administration de la Fondation Merck, et la Sénatrice, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO de la Fondation Merck et Présidente de l’Initiative des Premières Dames de la Fondation Merck, ainsi que par les Premières Dames de 14 Pays Africains et Asiatiques, qui se sont joints à nous en tant qu’Invités d’Honneur et Conférencières Principales.

Sénatrice, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO de la Fondation Merck et Présidente de « l’Initiative des Premières Dames de la Fondation Merck », a souligné : « C’est un grand honneur pour moi d’accueillir nos distingués Invités d’Honneur et Conférencières Principales, les Premières Dames d’Afrique et d’Asie, et Ambassadrices de notre Campagne « Plus Qu’une Mère » à la 7ème Édition de l’Initiative des Premières Dames de la Fondation Merck – Sommet MFFLI.

Grâce à cette plateforme importante, nous avons collectivement échangé de précieuses expériences et engagé des discussions constructives sur l’impact de nos programmes, qui visent à transformer les soins aux patients et à sensibiliser à un large éventail de questions sociales et sanitaires cruciales. »

Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Chairman du Conseil d’Administration de la Fondation Merck, a ajouté : « À la Fondation Merck, notre objectif est d’améliorer la santé et le bien-être en général en renforçant les capacités en matière de soins de santé et en offrant un accès à des solutions de soins de santé de qualité et équitables en Afrique, en Asie et au-delà. Je tiens à remercier sincèrement nos Ambassadrices et partenaires. Ensemble, avec votre soutien et votre collaboration indéfectibles, nous continuerons à œuvrer pour notre vision d’un monde où chacun peut mener une vie saine et heureuse. »

Les Premières Dames de 14 pays, qui sont également les Ambassadrices de la « Fondation Merck Plus Qu’une Mère », étaient Invités d’Honneur et Conférencières Principales. Il s’agit de :

  • S.E. Dr. ANA DIAS LOURENÇO, La Première Dame de la République d’Angola
  • S.E. Dr. DÉBORA KATISA CARVALHO, La Première Dame de la République du Cap-Vert
  • S.E. Madame BRIGITTE TOUADERA, La Première Dame de la République Centrafricaine
  • S.E. Madame ZITA OLIGUI NGUEMA, La Première Dame de la République Gabonaise
  • S.E. Mme FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, La Première Dame de la République de Gambie
  • S.E. Mme LORDINA DRAMANI MAHAMA, La Première Dame de la République du Ghana
  • S.E. Mme RACHEL RUTO E.G.H., La Première Dame de la République du Kenya
  • S.E. Mme KARTUMU YARTA BOAKAI, La Première Dame de la République du Libéria
  • S.E. Mme SAJIDHA MOHAMED, La Première Dame de la République des Maldives
  • S.E. Dr. GUETA SELEMANE CHAPO, La Première Dame de la République du Mozambique
  • S.E. Sénatrice OLUREMI TINUBU, CON, La Première Dame de la République Fédérale du Nigéria
  • S.E. Mme MARIA DE FATIMA VILA NOVA, La Première Dame de la République Démocratique de São Tomé et Príncipe
  • S.E. Madame MARIE KHONE FAYE, La Première Dame de la République du Sénégal
  • S.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, La Première Dame de la République du Zimbabwe

Sénatrice, Dr. Rasha Kelej a déclaré : « Je suis fière d’annoncer que la Fondation Merck a octroyé plus de 2 400 bourses à de jeunes médecins de 52 pays dans 44 spécialités cruciales et mal desservies. Nombre de nos Anciens Boursiers de la Fondation Merck deviennent les premiers spécialistes de leur pays. Avec nos Ambassadrices et partenaires, nous écrivons l’histoire et transformons le paysage des soins aux patients en Afrique et au-delà. Nombre d’entre eux deviennent les premiers spécialistes de leur pays. »

« Lors de notre Conférence, nous avons également célébré ensemble le Mois Mondial de Sensibilisation à l’Infertilité, célébré en juin, grâce à notre campagne phare « Fondation Merck Plus Qu’une Mère », qui vise à autonomiser les femmes infertiles et sans enfant en leur donnant accès à l’information, à l’éducation et à un changement de mentalité. Je suis heureuse d’annoncer que sur un total de 2 400 bourses, plus de 760 bourses ont été accordées pour des formations en Fertilité, Embryologie, Médecine Sexuelle et Reproductive, Psychiatrie Clinique, Santé des Femmes, Urologie, Compétences Chirurgicales Laparoscopiques et Médecine Familiale, afin d’améliorer l’accès aux soins de fertilité et la santé des femmes », a-t-elle ajouté. 

Lors de la 7ème Édition du Sommet « l’Initiative des Premières Dames de la Fondation Merck – MFFLI », deux événements importants ont été célébrés : Le 8ème Anniversaire de la Fondation Merck et les 13 années des Programmes de Développement de la Fondation Merck, lancés en 2012.

Le premier jour, la Session Plénière du Sommet de l’Initiative des Premières Dames de la Fondation Merck – MFFLI a eu lieu, avec une table ronde de haut niveau réunissant les Premières Dames d’Afrique et d’Asie. De plus, une table ronde ministérielle de haut niveau a réuni des ministres africains et des experts de la santé du monde entier.

Le deuxième jour de la conférence comprendra trois sessions parallèles clés : deux sessions médicales et scientifiques portant sur l’Oncologie et la Fertilité, et une session de sensibilisation communautaire, la Formation des Médias sur la Santé de la Fondation Merck. Cette session mettra l’accent sur le rôle crucial des médias pour influencer les communautés et favoriser le changement culturel, concernant un large éventail de questions sociales et sanitaires telles que la lutte contre la stigmatisation liée à l’infertilité, le soutien à l’éducation des filles, la lutte contre les violences basées sur le genre, l’éradication du mariage des enfants et des MGF, l’autonomisation des femmes, et la sensibilisation sur le diabète et à l’hypertension.

La conférence se déroule dans un format hybride, permettant à plus de 6 000 participants de plus de 70 pays de bénéficier, de se rencontrer et de discuter de stratégies et de solutions pour relever les défis sanitaires et sociaux dans leurs pays, en toute sécurité et efficacement.

Pays participant à la 7ème Édition de l’Initiative des Premières Dames de la Fondation Merck :

Allemagne, Angola, Bangladesh, Bénin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroun, Canada, Cambodge, Côte d’Ivoire, République du Congo, République Démocratique du Congo, Egypte, Éthiopie, France, Gabon, Ghana, Guinée-Bissau, Guinée-Conakry, Inde, Indonésie, Kenya, Lesotho, Libéria, Malawi, Malaisie, Maldives, Mali, Mauritanie, Maurice, Mexique, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibie, Népal, Niger, Nigeria, Pérou, Philippines, Russie, Rwanda, Sénégal, Sierra Leone, Somalie, Afrique du Sud, Sri Lanka, Soudan, Tanzanie, Thaïlande, Gambie, Togo, Tunisie, Émirats Arabes Unis, Royaume-Uni, Ouganda, États-Unis, Vietnam, Zambie, Zimbabwe et plus encore.

La 7ème Édition de l’Initiative des Premières Dames de la Fondation Merck est diffusée en direct sur les réseaux sociaux de la Fondation Merck et de la Sénatrice, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO de la Fondation Merck :

@ Merck Foundation: Facebook (http://apo-opa.co/445CBE4), X (http://apo-opa.co/4p93EGW), Instagram (http://apo-opa.co/3WTSRV0), et YouTube (http://apo-opa.co/3LDai9M).

@ Rasha Kelej: Facebook (http://apo-opa.co/4pbHoME), X (http://apo-opa.co/4oCQ4M3), Instagram (http://apo-opa.co/3WPky1b), et YouTube (http://apo-opa.co/4oAA4df).

Lien vers la Session Inaugurale du Panel de Haut Niveau des Premières Dames de la Fondation Merck : https://apo-opa.co/4p6eQE7

La Fondation Merck transforme le paysage des soins aux patients et écrit l’histoire avec ses partenaires en Afrique, en Asie et au-delà, à travers :

  • Plus de 2400 Bourses offertes par la Fondation Merck pour les médecins de 52 pays dans 44 spécialités médicales critiques et mal desservies. 

La Fondation Merck crée également un changement de culture et brise le silence sur un large éventail de problèmes sociaux et sanitaires en Afrique et dans les communautés mal desservies grâce à :

  • Plus de 3700 Journalistes de plus de 35 pays formés pour mieux sensibiliser sur les différents problèmes sociaux et sanitaires.
  • 8 Prix Différents lancés chaque année pour la meilleure couverture médiatique, les créateurs de mode, les films et les chansons.
  • Environ 30 chansons pour aborder les problèmes sanitaires et sociaux par des chanteurs locaux à travers l’Afrique.
  • 9 livres de contes pour enfants en quatre langues – Anglais, Français, Portugais, et Swahili.
  • 6 Films d’Animation de Sensibilisation en cinq langues : Anglais, Français, Portugais, Espagnol et Swahili pour sensibiliser sur la lutte contre la stigmatisation liée à l’infertilité, soutenir l’éducation des filles, la prévention et la détection précoce du diabète, de l’hypertension et du cancer.
  • Programme Télévisé Panafricain « Notre Afrique par la Fondation Merck » abordant les problèmes sociaux et sanitaires en Afrique à travers la communauté « Mode et L’Art avec un But ».
  • Plus de 1 040 bourses d’études accordées chaque année à des écolières africaines très brillantes mais défavorisées de 18 pays, pour leur permettre d’atteindre leur plein potentiel.
  • 15 chaînes de réseaux sociaux avec plus de 8.5 millions de d’abonnés.

Distribué par APO Group pour Merck Foundation.

Contact :
Mehak Handa
Responsable du programme de sensibilisation communautaire
Téléphone : +91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
E-mail : mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com

Rejoignez la conversation sur nos plateformes de réseaux sociaux ci-dessous et faites entendre votre voix
Facebook : http://apo-opa.co/445CBE4
X : http://apo-opa.co/4p93EGW
YouTube : http://apo-opa.co/3LDai9M
Instagram : http://apo-opa.co/3WTSRV0
Threads : http://apo-opa.co/4pdkkNv
Flickr : http://apo-opa.co/448i3Lb
Website : www.Merck-Foundation.com
Télécharger l’Application de la Fondation Merck : https://apo-opa.co/4i3dibS

À propos de la Fondation Merck : 
La Fondation Merck, créée en 2017, est la branche philanthropique de Merck KGaA Allemagne, vise à améliorer la santé et le bien-être des populations et à faire progresser leur vie grâce à la science et à la technologie. Nos efforts sont principalement axés sur l’amélioration de l’accès à des solutions de soins de santé de qualité et équitables dans les communautés mal desservies, à renforcer les capacités de recherche sur les soins de santé et la recherche scientifique, l’autonomisation des filles à travers l’éducation et l’autonomisation des personnes en STEM (Science, Technologie, Ingénierie et Mathématiques) avec un accent particulier sur les femmes et les jeunes. Tous les communiqués de presse de la Fondation Merck sont distribués par e-mail en même temps qu’ils deviennent disponibles sur le site Web de la Fondation Merck. Veuillez visiter www.Merck-Foundation.com pour en savoir plus. Pour en savoir plus, contactez nos réseaux sociaux de la Fondation Merck : Facebook (http://apo-opa.co/445CBE4), X (http://apo-opa.co/4p93EGW), Instagram (http://apo-opa.co/3WTSRV0), YouTube (http://apo-opa.co/3LDai9M), Threads (http://apo-opa.co/4pdkkNv) et Flickr (http://apo-opa.co/448i3Lb).

La Fondation Merck se consacre à l’amélioration des résultats sociaux et sanitaires pour les communautés dans le besoin. Bien qu’elle collabore avec divers partenaires, y compris des gouvernements, pour atteindre ses objectifs humanitaires, la fondation reste strictement neutre sur le plan politique. Elle ne s’engage pas et ne soutient pas d’activités, d’élections ou de régimes politiques, se focalise uniquement sur sa mission d’élever l’humanité et d’améliorer le bien-être tout en maintenant une position strictement apolitique dans toutes ses activités.

Media files

Posted on

Keynote address by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the National Construction Summit 2025, Birchwood Hotel, Gauteng

Source: President of South Africa –

Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Mr Dean Macpherson;
Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Mr Sihle Zikalala;
Executive Mayor of Ekurhuleni, Cllr Nkosindiphile Xhakaza;
Ministers and Deputy Ministers;
Premiers and MECs;
Mayors;
Industry leaders;
Representatives of the Construction Industry Development Board;
Representatives of business, academia, labour and civil society;
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen;

Good morning.

It is my pleasure and an honour to address this National Construction Summit.

We are a gathered here not just to talk about building an industry, but to build a nation.

We are gathered here to share a dream and determination to build a country that works for all its people.

A country where everyone has water, sanitation and electricity.

Where there are roads and railway lines to take people to work and goods to markets.

A country where there are enough classrooms for all children, enough wards for all patients, and enough accommodation for all students.

Where no child has to swim across a river to get to school.

Where all schools have safe and appropriate sanitation.

That is why we are here.

From a social development perspective, infrastructure provides people with what they need to thrive. It improves the quality of life and can play a key role in reducing inequality. Through reliable infrastructure we can boost productivity and reduce costs of living.

It provides countries with what they need to grow and develop. Infrastructure facilitates trade and commerce. When we boost infrastructure through the construction industry we attract investment.

The roads we build, the bridges we construct, the schools and hospitals we erect are the foundations of opportunity and hope.

Infrastructure is the engine that drives economic growth and social transformation.

We know how inadequate infrastructure can hold a country back.

We have seen how decades of apartheid spatial planning left vast swathes of our country without any meaningful economic capacity.

We saw how the denial of basic services to the black majority robbed many generations of both opportunity and dignity.

More recently, we have seen how the lack of investment in our roads, rail lines and ports have hampered the growth of industries such as mining, agriculture and manufacturing.

We have seen how a lack of municipal maintenance has left communities without water or electricity, and has driven businesses to relocate.

But we have also seen how infrastructure can transform societies.

The massive investment in electricity, water, sanitation and housing provision that followed the advent of democracy fundamentally changed the lives of millions of people.

The construction industry has a multiplier effect that spans manufacturing, mining, transport and services.

Infrastructure is the backbone of development because, among many other reasons, it bolsters economic competitiveness and sustainability. Without infrastructure economic growth slows down, inequality deepens and the quality of life declines.

The construction industry supports the Sustainable Development Goals by enabling resilient infrastructure and sustainable urban development.

We are beginning to witness the recovery of our construction industry.

Infrastructure is poised to once again become the flywheel of the economy.

Infrastructure investment is one of the most effective levers for stimulating economic activity.

This is evident in the employment figures released by Statistics SA earlier this week.

The Quarterly Labour Force Survey indicates a decrease in the official unemployment rate from 33.2 percent in the second quarter of this year to 31.9 percent in the third quarter.

Employment increased by 248,000 in the third quarter.

Construction was the biggest contributor with 130,000 new jobs.

These statistics reflect an upswing in the industry.

Earlier this year, at the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium, we showcased over 250 fully-funded projects valued at more than R230 billion.

These investments in water, energy, transport and digital infrastructure are transforming communities, creating jobs and laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and prosperous South Africa.

That momentum needs to be sustained.

That is why Government has committed R1 trillion in infrastructure spending over the medium-term.

As the Minister of Finance indicated in the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement yesterday, we are shifting the composition of spending from consumption to investment.

Capital payments are the fastest growing expenditure item in our national budget. They are expected to increase at 7.5 percent over the medium-term.

Alongside the increase in public infrastructure spending, we are taking measures to enable far greater private investment in infrastructure.

These include amendments to the regulations on public-private partnerships and new guidelines on unsolicited bids.

The purpose of this Summit is to ensure that these investments and reforms do indeed turn the country in a building site.

We want to see cranes and construction vehicles in cities, townships, villages and rural areas.

When visitors travel by road or rail or air, they must see a country at work.

We will not let anyone derail these efforts.

We will not negotiate with construction mafias. We will not yield to cable thieves or those who vandalise infrastructure.

The law enforcement agencies will deal with those who break the law.

As part of its contribution to accelerated infrastructure development, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure recently announced the South African Construction Action Plan.

It is a framework for collective and individual accountability, a plan that sets measurable targets, real timelines and enforceable consequences.

The plan outlines actions to prevent underperforming contractors from securing new contracts from the state. It aims to fix cash-flow constraints and use technology to track construction projects in real time.

Every Public Works department will establish a Procurement War Room to identify blockages, speed up evaluations and ensure that projects move from bid to site without unnecessary delay.

The plan includes actions to strengthen audit and governance outcomes and
professionalise the built environment in the public sector.

In essence, this plan will ensure that projects are started and completed on time, within budget, and with no wastage.

In just over a week from now, we will host the first G20 Leaders’ Summit on African soil.

We commend the work of the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group.

Through this work, we have placed on the global agenda the need to ensure that infrastructure is built to withstand extreme weather events and that countries have the resources needed to rebuild in the wake of natural disasters.

In doing so, we have placed infrastructure at the centre of economic progress and human development.

We look forward to the outcomes of this National Construction Summit, confident that it will place infrastructure development on a new trajectory.

Confident that it will turn plans into projects and confident that it will accelerate progress towards a South Africa that works for all.

I thank you.