International Day For Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) 2025

Source: APO


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On this 13th of October 2025, the ECOWAS Commission proudly joins the global community in commemorating the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) under the global theme, “Fund Resilience, Not Disasters.” This theme calls for a transformative shift in how nations and institutions invest in disaster risk reduction (DRR)—prioritizing proactive resilience-building over reactive disaster response.

In West Africa, the economic toll of disasters continues to rise, mirroring global trends that estimate annual losses exceeding $2.3 trillion when indirect costs are considered. Yet, investments in reducing disaster risks remain insufficient. ECOWAS recognizes that reversing this imbalance requires bold action: increasing DRR financing in public budgets and international assistance, and ensuring that all development and private sector investments are risk-informed and resilient.

Through the Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs (DHSA) and its Disaster Operations Centre (DOC), ECOWAS has made significant strides in advancing DRR across Member States. Over the past year, ECOWAS has: Operationalized multi-hazard early warning systems across the region; Delivered targeted capacity-building programs for national DRR agencies: Strengthened partnerships with development actors and technical institutions and Enhanced the visibility and readiness of the ECOWAS DOC as a regional coordination hub.

These efforts reflect ECOWAS’s unwavering commitment to empowering communities through education and institutional coordination—ensuring that resilience is built from the ground up and sustained through collaborative governance.

As we mark IDDRR 2025, ECOWAS pledges to: Advocate for increased DRR financing within national and regional budgets; Promote DRR education at all levels—from grassroots communities to policy leadership; Foster institutional coordination among Member States and partners; Support data-driven decision-making and anticipatory action and Elevate the role of the ECOWAS DOC in regional preparedness and response.

Let this day serve as a powerful reminder: resilience is not a cost—it is an investment. By funding resilience, we safeguard lives, protect development gains, and build a West Africa that is not only prepared for disasters but empowered to prevent them.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) improves menstrual health and well-being for over 5,000 young girls in Zè and Djidja, Benin

Source: APO


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From the 25th of September to the 3rd of October 2025, the ECOWAS Representation in Benin conducted a large-scale awareness campaign on menstrual hygiene management (MHM) and distributed 5,000 reusable sanitary towel kits in the municipalities of Zè and Djidja, as part of the implementation of the project ‘Support for Benin’s initiatives to raise awareness among young girls about good personal and menstrual hygiene practices and promote ECOWAS among young people’ funded by the West African Health Organisation (WAHO).

This initiative follows on from the training of trainers sessions organised from 16 to 19 September 2025 in Zè and Djidja for around 20 participants from the departmental social affairs and secondary education services. These trainers then visited 10 general education colleges in the municipality of Zè and 13 colleges and vocational training centres in the municipality of Djidja to raise awareness among young girls about reproductive health, menstrual hygiene management and the sustainable use of reusable sanitary pads.

These activities not only improved the knowledge of more than 5,000 young girls on good hygiene practices, but also strengthened their self-esteem and dignity, thereby contributing to a reduction in school absenteeism related to menstruation.

As part of a monitoring and encouragement initiative, His Excellency Mr Amadou DIONGUE, Ambassador and ECOWAS Resident Representative in Benin, conducted a field visit on the 2nd and 3rd of October 2025 to Zè and Djidja respectively. This visit brought together several key players, including the Departmental Directors of Social Affairs and Secondary Education, teams of trainers, and the heads of the beneficiary establishments.

On the sidelines of this mission, the Resident Representative paid courtesy visits to the Mayors of the municipalities of Zè and Djidja. The latter, who was unable to attend, was represented by his first deputy. These exchanges provided an opportunity to commend the commitment of the local authorities and to reaffirm ECOWAS’s commitment to local cooperation, which is the foundation of ECOWAS of the Peoples.

Through this action, ECOWAS is demonstrating its willingness to go beyond institutions to reach out to citizens, particularly young people and girls, by working concretely for their well-being, health and dignity. This initiative is part of the vision of an inclusive and united ECOWAS of the People, serving sustainable human development and equal opportunities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Eritrea: Henok Mulubrhan Wins Stage 3 of Tour de Kyushu

Source: APO


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Eritrean professional cyclist Henok Mulubrhan, member of Kazakhstan’s Astana Team, won the third and final stage of the Tour de Kyushu held in Japan today.

The race covered 119.25 kilometers, and Henok completed it in 2 hours, 36 minutes, and 6 seconds.

Henok stood third in the second stage and first in the third stage, winning the Red Jersey with the total points he accumulated.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Eritrea: Training on Film and Drama Production to Youth in Southern Region

Source: APO


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Theoretical and practical training on film and drama production has been provided to 37 youth in the Southern Region. The trainees were selected from the 12 sub-zones of the region.

The training that was organized in Dekemhare covered the similarities and differences between film and drama, the role of a director in drama and casting, film and drama directing, film production, the significance of a story, as well as scriptwriting.

Mr. Abraham Yohannes, Director General of Culture and Sports in the region, said that the objective of the training was to develop the capacity of the youth and enable them to play their due part in the development of cultural activities in the region.

Mr. Habteab Tesfatsion, Governor of the region, for his part, expressed the readiness of the regional administration to play its part in organizing similar training programs.

Similarly, vocational training in various fields has been provided to 208 youth, including 57% female participants, in Dekemhare sub-zone. The trainees were from five administrative areas in the sub-zone.

The training covered beauty salon management, electronics, as well as painting and drama directing.

Mr. Filmon Mesfun, head of the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students branch in the sub-zone, noting the significance of the training in developing the capacity of the youth, called on them to apply the skills they gained from the training to improve their livelihoods.

Mr. Yemane Abera, administrator of the sub-zone, called on the trainees to turn the skills they acquired into income-generating activities and to develop their economic status.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

President Ramaphosa to respond to questions for oral reply in the National Council of Provinces

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, 14 October 2025, brief the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in Parliament, Cape Town, on various national developments including efforts to better monitor service delivery and the quality of services offered by all Government spheres.

In his response to NCOP Questions for Oral Reply, President Ramaphosa will also address the issue of criminality and corruption in South Africa.

The President will speak on Government’s revival of local industries and the strengthening the manufacturing sector through localisation.

This includes supporting the automotive and agricultural industries to strengthen their capacity to create more employment opportunities for local communities.

President Ramaphosa will outline Government’s plans to revive the rail sector that will contribute to job creation and economic growth.

President Ramaphosa will also provide an update on South Africa’s International Court of Justice (ICJ) case against the state of Israel.

Details of the engagement are as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 14 October 2025
Time: 14h00
Venue: National Council of Provinces, Cape Town

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Le Chef de l’État prend part à la Messe de Clôture du Jubilé d’Or du Diocèse de Franceville et Jubilé National des Groupes Mariaux

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


Le Président de la République, Chef de l’État, Chef du gouvernement, Son Excellence Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema a pris part ce jour à la Messe de Clôture du Jubilé d’Or du Diocèse de Franceville et Jubilé National des Groupes Mariaux en la Cathédrale Saint Hilaire de Franceville.

C’est aux côtés de la communauté catholique de la localité et des responsables d’églises, que le Président de la République a honoré de sa présence ces moments de prière Présidés par le Nonce Apostolique pour le Congo et le Gabon, Monseigneur Javier Herrera Corona en présence de la Conférence Épiscopale du Gabon.

Prenait également part à cette grande Messe, le Cardinal Diego Stella, Envoyé Spécial du Pape qui a félicité l’église du Gabon tout en exhortant l’assistance à demeurer dans la mission qui consiste à répandre l’Évangile et à prôner l’amour et la paix. Cette messe a par ailleurs été l’occasion d’adresser des prières au Dieu créateur en faveur de notre pays.

A l’issue de sa participation à la messe de clôture du jubilé d’Or du Diocèse de Franceville et Jubilé National des Groupes Mariaux, le Président de la République a procédé à une visite de chantiers. Il s’agit entre autres du chantier de construction de la foire municipale de la commune de Franceville, de 200 logements sociaux ainsi que le site destiné au projet de construction du futur CHU de Franceville.

Distribué par APO Group pour Présidence de la République Gabonaise.

GITEX GLOBAL 2025 Opens Landmark 45th Edition: Uniting Policy, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Enterprise Leaders to Shape the Intelligence Economy

Source: APO

  • Record-breaking crowds join a milestone 45th edition gathering 6,800+ exhibitors, 2,000 startups, and tech delegations from 180 nations
  • Ministers and investors from the UAE, Europe, and Asia dissect the AI economy, geopolitics, and startup investment frontiers 
  • Major unveilings across generative AI, connected cloud, and next-gen enterprise systems herald the age of integrated AI 

Today, the world’s largest tech and AI event, GITEX GLOBAL 2025 (www.GITEX.com) opened to capacity crowds and the largest coalition of global government leaders, tech enterprises, startups, investors, and business executives, capping a formidable 45-year journey at Dubai World Trade Centre. 

Taking place from 13-17 October 2025, the monumental edition brings together more than 6,800 exhibitors, 2,000 startups, 1,200 investors, and delegations from over 180 countries. Beyond the scale lies the global impact, with this year’s edition echoing the accelerating fusion of technology, economic strategy, and geopolitical ambition – positioning Dubai as the convening force where governments, industry leaders, and innovators collaboratively confront the challenges and opportunities of building intelligence-driven economies and societies.

Global Ministers Collaborate on AI’s Economic and Policy Impact

Opening the landmark discussions to a packed audience on the main stage, H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, addressed the theme “The Race Beyond Innovation: AI, Geopolitics, and the Global Economic Reset,” underscoring how innovation and economic diversification remain at the heart of the UAE’s national strategy.

H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism: “The United Arab Emirates, thanks to the forward-looking vision of its wise leadership, is not merely participating in the global race for innovation; it is shaping its contours and cementing its foundations by building an economic model defined by resilience and a future orientation, grounded in knowledge and advanced technology. This strengthens the nation’s position at the forefront of the global economic landscape.”

Shifting into the global impact of deep tech, Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation at the European Commission, joined Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO of Technology Innovation Institute, the applied research pillar of the UAE’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), to explore the influence of deep-tech ecosystems on nations.

Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation at the European Commission: “The European Union and the UAE share a vision to drive innovation that benefits our citizens. We are aligned on the importance of startups and scaleups for our economies. This journey starts at GITEX 2025.”

The “Intelligence Super-Cycle” panel brought together Hon. Evan Solomon, Canada’s Minister for AI and Digital Innovation; and Amandeep Gill, UN Envoy for Digital Technologies, to examine how AI is becoming the defining economic infrastructure of the century.

Hon. Evan Solomon, Minister for AI and Digital Innovation, Government of Canada: “GITEX is an absolutely core example of entrepreneurs being launched at a speed we’ve never seen – and we need to keep our values and build together. It’s fantastic to meet people, meet companies, and to see our profound partnership with the UAE deepen as we share this mission to transform AI from a trustworthy technology to one that is built for all.”

Andrew Feldman, CEO of Cerebras, a unicorn that launched the world’s largest supercomputer for AI training in partnership with G42, discussed how the company achieved the fastest AI inferencing speeds that could redefine high-performance computing.

Andrew Feldman, CEO of Cerebras: “We built the largest chip in the history of the computing industry, the size of a dinner plate. By going big on chips, we were able to keep more information on the chip and move it less. This meant less power was used, and the results were delivered more quickly.”

Global Enterprises Unveil the Future of Cloud, Mobility & AI

On the show floor, visitors experienced a wave of breakthrough technologies from global tech enterprises. 

e& drew massive crowds with 90+ showcases of mobility, robotics, digital healthcare and consumer tech. Among the jaw-dropping highlights were the eVTOL prototypes powered by six independent batteries and multiple engines, as well as air taxis to autonomous solutions and record-setting electric vehicles, able to run thousands of kilometres on a single charge.

Oracle presented a suite of enterprise AI solutions including agentic AI tools that can plan finances, smart supply-chain management, alongside the popular Oracle Red Bull Racing, showing the power of Oracle Cloud powered real time data plays in helping the team win.

BlackBerry launched their mission-critical communications platform at GITEX GLOBAL 2025. As per a senior brand representative, BlackBerry has the only “tech in the market certified by many governments around the world for data sovereign classified comms, and they are a trusted partner for several G20 governments and 8 of the top 10 banks”.

The world’s largest cloud company, AWS showcased the true power of their cloud with in-built cybersecurity and operational capabilities, alongside the undisputed advantage their customers get in accessing AWS marketplace to plug new solutions into the cloud.

HCL Software unveiled innovations enabling real-time website and application customisation through generative AI, enhanced cybersecurity systems, and its endpoint management platform, BigFix. With a focus on AI education and practical implementation, HCL’s showcase highlights how businesses can securely and intelligently evolve.

The day was also marked by a record level of international participation, with Brazil joining as Country Partner with its largest-ever delegation, alongside national pavilions from Canada, Spain, Türkiye, Chile and Ecuador, and expanded representation from Europe, Central Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Levant.

What Next – AI-Native Societies Take Centre Stage

Day two continues the exciting unveilings and insightful discussions, with Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI marking his first GITEX GLOBAL address, in a virtual conversation with Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42, together exploring the structural foundations of AI-Native Societies. The nation-scale discussions continue with senior leaders from G42, OpenAI, Microsoft, Cisco, Oracle, Khazna Data Centres, Cerebras, TAMM-Department of Government Enablement (Government of Abu Dhabi), Presight, Core42, Inception, AIQ and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence.

High-level policy briefings, major tech launches, and cross-sector business networking will continue to buzz through the halls, as GITEX GLOBAL its role as the world’s most influential platform for technology, investment, and global collaboration. For more information, visit: www.GITEX.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GITEX Global.

Media Contact:
Tayce Marchesi 
PR Manager, DWTC
tayce.marchesi@dwtc.com 
+971 58 552 3994

Mai Bakry 
Senior PR Manager | Seven Media
maibakry@sevenmedia.ae or gitex@sevenmedia.ae
+971 55 611 3550

Follow GITEX GLOBAL on social media: 
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4ocjVu4
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Hashtag: #GITEXGLOBAL

About GITEX GLOBAL: 
GITEX GLOBAL, the world’s largest tech and AI event, celebrates its 45th edition in 2025. Organised by Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the landmark event takes place from 13-17 October at DWTC, featuring over 6,800 exhibitors, including 2,000 startups from 180 countries, alongside 1,200 investors with a combined US$1.1 trillion in assets under management (AUM) and more than 40 unicorns. Running in parallel is GITEX GLOBAL’s startup showcase, Expand North Star, organised by DWTC and hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, from 12-15 October 2025 at Dubai Harbour. Converging one of the largest cohorts of growth and late-stage startups, scaleups, venture capitalists, corporate investors and startup ecosystem operators, the show positioned as the world’s largest startup and investor connector event. In 2026, GITEX GLOBAL and Expand North Star reunite in a new home at the Dubai Exhibition Centre – Expo City Dubai, with a new format that begins on 7 December with the GITEX Scale Summit, followed by an immersive Exhibition from 8-11 December. Recognised as the world’s largest technology and AI event brand, GITEX now spans 14 cities across multiple continents. More information: www.GITEX.com

Media files

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Media briefing by Presidential Spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, at the Union Buildings, Pretoria

Source: President of South Africa –

President Ramaphosa to respond to questions for oral reply in the National Council of Provinces

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, 14 October 2025 respond to questions for oral replay in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in Parliament, Cape Town, on various national developments.

Questions for Oral Reply is one of the mechanisms Parliament uses to hold the Executive to account.

The session will cover amongst other issues mechanisms to monitor the state of service delivery and quality of services that are offered by all government levels, progress in reviving local industries and strengthening the manufacturing sector and an update on South Africa’s International Court of Justice (ICJ)case against the state of Israel.
 

President Ramaphosa to address the Public Protector SA – 30th Anniversary International Conference

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, 14 October 2025 deliver the keynote address during a dinner of the Public Protector South Africa 30-year Anniversary International Conference to be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Western Cape Province.

The Conference will take place from 13-15 October 2025 under the theme: “30 Years of strengthening constitutional democracy-a transformative journey.

One of the primary aims of the International Conference will be to affirm the strength, resolve and resilience of South Africa’s Constitutional democracy.

Over the past thirty years, the PPSA institution has grown in leaps and bounds, and encountered a litany of challenges. It has, however, through sheer institutional resilience and resolve, recalibrated itself and has managed to maintain its key strategic role in South Africa’s democratic ecosystem and continues to play an important role in enforcing the democratic values of good governance, the rule of law and quality of life.

This Conference will bring together governance and accountability institutions from the BRICS group of nations, The Commonwealth, International Ombudsman Institute (IOI), Africa Ombudsman and Mediators Association (AOMA), the European Union and the G20.
 

7th Social Justice Summit

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 17 October 2025 deliver the keynote address at the 7th Social Justice Summit, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

The host is Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), in collaboration with the United Nations, the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), among other partners.

The Summit will bring together policymakers, legislators, civil society, traditional leaders, academics and the Judiciary, to engage in high-level dialogue.

It is hosted under the theme: “Social Justice, Food Security and Peace: Pathways to Equality, Solidarity, Sustainability and Climate Resilience.”

The Summit aligns with the G20 Development Working Group (DWG) priorities, including mobilising finance for development, promoting social protection levels and addressing global public goods (GPGs) to enhance resilience.

The Summit will also continue to propel forward the conversation on accountability for constitutional governance, which includes the advancement of equal enjoyment of all rights and freedoms. That is essentially advancing social justice through transformative governance and civil society action, incorporating the role of business and development partners.

Three-nation visit to Southeast Asia: 22 – 28 October 2025

President Cyril Ramaphosa will undertake a three-nation visit to Southeast Asia from 22 to 28 October 2025, reflecting South Africa’s commitment to deepening strategic ties with this dynamic region. The visit will include a State Visit to Indonesia (22–23 October), a State Visit to Vietnam (23–24 October), and a Working Visit to Malaysia (25–28 October), where President Ramaphosa will also participate as Guest of the Chair at the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit. 

These engagements underscore the growing importance of Southeast Asia in South Africa’s efforts to diversify and expand its export markets, and to strengthen inter-regional cooperation. The President’s participation in the ASEAN Summits follows South Africa’s recognition as a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN in 2023, marking a significant milestone in advancing South-South cooperation and fostering inclusive, sustainable development through enhanced political, economic, and multilateral collaboration.

This visit to South East Asia, including several that precedes it and a few still to follow this year, are part of an ongoing intensification of opening new trade opportunities and expanding existing trade markets  for South African goods and produce. Over and above a laser focus on trade, President Ramaphosa has been seeking more opportunities for skills development exchanges that will benefit the youth of South Africa. In all the visits, in engagements with Heads of State as well as with captains of industry, the President has sustained a consistent theme of seeking out more and more skills development opportunities for young people.
 

Maumela house video

The Presidency would like to address falsehoods that have been spread through a video showing the President with Dj Tbo Touch outside Morgan Maumela’s house.  

The video shows 4 gentlemen, namely; Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya, who at the time the video was recorded on the 29th of September 2023, was the Special Advisor to the President, you see President Ramaphosa in the middle with famous radio Dj, Tbo Touch and Bishop Noel Jones. 

It is well known that President Ramaphosa loves to walk whenever he finds time, that is how he keeps himself fit. On this day, he had invited Mr. Sibiya on a walk, which it’s something he does regularly to invite his staff, even ministers for walks. 

They passed a house which is now well known as Maumela’s house. As they were passing this house, they were stopped by Tbo Touch, who was in the company of his mentor and friend, Bishop Noel Jones. They took pictures and recorded a video. During the walk, the President had stopped and spoke to several people along the way, including taking pictures with those people.

Indeed, where you see them is in front of Maumela’s house, but they were not visiting the house or coming out of the house. It so happened that Tbo Touch stopped his car to greet the President as he was walking past what is now well known as Maumela’s house. The President did not even know whose house it was. 

The President regularly takes walks and drives past the house because this is the street that is not too far from his house in Hyde Park. It’s a street that he would use when driving to and from Sandton. I also do use the same street quite often when going to the President’s house coming from Sandton direction or when departing the house heading to a northernly direction.

We have also heard a claim that the President visits Maumela’s house every week. It’s a complete lie that the President visits Maumela’s house or anybody every week. With his extremely busy schedule, there are 4 categories of people that can say they see the President every week. His family, his security detail, his Union Buildings staff, in particular, Private Office staff and ANC officials that he meets every Monday. 

There are two homes that are visited by the President whenever he finds a gap, but not every week. His sister, who resides in Soweto, and the home of his long-time comrade and mine workers union friend, Mr. James Motlatsi. There’s no other household that can claim to be visited by the President every week. It is practically impossible with his work schedule. 

President Ramaphosa maintains that he has no personal relationship with Maumela. He is not related to him except that he was once married to Maumela’s aunt. 

We note the ongoing desperate media attempts to link the President to this gentleman.

As the President’s Office, we have gone further to obtain confirmation from Dj Tbo Touch that the video and picture was his original post. He was coming from the airport going to the Saxon Hotel with Bishop Noel Jones. At the time, what we now know as Maumela’s house was under construction. The President had no knowledge of whose house it was. Therefore, we reject the suggestion that the President may have been visiting Maumela’s house as being very far from the truth.

Just before the President was appointed Deputy President, he gathered his immediate family and relatives and sternly instructed all of them to either exit or stop any business that they did or intended to do with the Government or State institutions. Maumela was not part of that family gathering. He couldn’t have been part of the meeting because he is not part of the President’s immediate family. It is for this reason that we’re going to consistently reject the narrative that seeks to link his existence and whatever else he is involved in to the President.

It was President Ramaphosa that signed the proclamation that has lifted the lid on the extent of the corruption and criminality in and around the Tembisa Hospital. In this regard, the President calls on all law enforcement agencies to accelerate their criminal investigations into the Tembisa Hospital matter in order to expedite the arrest of all those involved without fear or favour and regardless of who they are or purported to be related to.

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

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Multi-planting season to promote KZN sustainable agriculture

Source: Government of South Africa

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government has reaffirmed the province’s focus on self-sufficiency, rural revitalisation, and long-term food security.

Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli unveiled the 2025 Provincial Multi-Planting Season, a flagship provincial initiative aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture, strengthening food security, and revitalising rural economies.

The Multi-Planting Season was launched on Friday at eNhlanhleni Mission in Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Local Municipality, under the Harry Gwala District, setting the tone for a productive agricultural season ahead.

The programme, led by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, also underscores the province’s commitment to empowering local farmers and communities to produce more food, reduce hunger, and contribute to KwaZulu-Natal’s economic resilience.

Delivering his keynote address at the event, Ntuli noted the recent studies, which revealed that 15% of people in KwaZulu-Natal still experience food shortages, especially in rural areas.

These challenges have been worsened by recurring natural disasters, such as droughts and floods, and the lingering socio-economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Premier emphasised that the Provincial Government’s Multi-Planting Season Programme was a key response to these challenges, designed to boost local food production, improve livelihoods, and stimulate agricultural productivity across districts.

“Agriculture must be seen as a weapon to defeat hunger and grow our economy. We must work together to ensure that every piece of arable land is used productively to feed our people and strengthen our communities,” the Premier said.

He urged young people to see agriculture as a viable career path and a driver of socio-economic transformation.

The Premier also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting smallholder farmers through access to inputs, training, and infrastructure, as part of a broader effort to build a resilient and inclusive agricultural economy.

He emphasised that the success of the Multi-Planting Season relies on strong partnerships between government, farmers, private sector stakeholders, and communities.

“This collaborative approach is vital to ensuring that food production efforts translate into sustainable growth and improved quality of life in rural areas,” he said.

Ntuli was accompanied by MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Thembeni KaMadlopha Mthethwa, Harry Gwala District Speaker, Sibongiseni Mdunge, Deputy Mayor of Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Local Municipality, Kholeka Hadebe, and senior government officials. – SAnews.gov.za

R230bn EU investment package will support growth

Source: Government of South Africa

The European Union’s €11.5 billion (R230 billion) investment package into South Africa is a springboard that will support the country on its march towards inclusive and sustainable growth.

This according to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who addressed the nation through the weekly newsletter.

The package was announced last week by the EU at the Global Gateway Forum at held in Brussels, Belgium.

READ | President Ramaphosa welcomes €11.5 billion EU investment in South Africa

This innovative partnership focuses on priorities that South Africa has set for itself as it strives to improve the lives of its people. These priorities include investment, the clean energy transition, skills and technology, connectivity and developing strategic industries. Importantly, the partnership will contribute to the work being done to create jobs.

“The investment package covers areas such as critical minerals, e-battery development, green hydrogen, renewable energy and vaccines. This will lead to the creation of a number of jobs, skills development and transfer of technology.

“As we said in Brussels, these investments will support our effort to build the economy of the future in the South Africa of the present. They will help to accelerate South Africa’s ambitious transition to a low-carbon economy that is just and inclusive,” President Ramaphosa said.

He explained that the package is aimed at mobilising finance to “invest in local processing and refining of minerals that are critical to the energy transition”, including investments in green hydrogen and the acceleration of large-scale solar and wind power projects, while boosting energy efficiency.

“As a country, we have always insisted that our energy transition must be just and inclusive, and that we must take deliberate measures to protect workers, communities and businesses that would be affected.

“That is why part of the investment package is dedicated to re-skill, train and provide entrepreneurship opportunities. It will also be used to expand access to clean water, waste management and energy efficient public services,” the President said.

Furthermore, the package will also support developing South Africa’s rail, road and ports infrastructure, logistics and digital connectivity

“These investments will also support the local manufacturing of pharmaceuticals through partnerships with regulatory authorities, as well as innovative research projects, training and capacity building on biotechnology and pharmaceutical infrastructure.

“As a country, we have made immense progress in overcoming our energy supply constraints through the improved performance by Eskom and a massive investment in renewable energy generation. We are improving efficiencies at our ports and opening our freight rail lines to private operators. We are undertaking a massive investment in infrastructure and streamlining regulations to improve the environment for investors.

“The progress we are making with our reforms is recognised and it’s making our country an investment destination. We are seen as the gateway into the African continent,” the President said.

He noted that the investment takes place at a time of a “more volatile global environment”.

“There is a significant realignment of trade and investment between countries. In addition, rapid advances in technology and the escalating climate crisis are contributing to greater uncertainty.

“That is why South Africa is forging ahead with the work of building a resilient and sustainable economy that address the needs of the present while positioning itself for the needs and challenges of the future,” President Ramaphosa concluded. – SAnews.gov.za