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Supernova theory links an exploding star to global cooling and human evolution

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Francis Thackeray, Honorary Research Associate, Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand

What’s the link between an exploding star, climate change and human evolution? Francis Thackeray, who has researched ancient environments and fossils for many years, sets out his ideas about what happened in the distant past – with enormous consequences.

Global cooling that happened millions of years ago was thought to be the result of ocean currents. He suggests instead it could have been due to the impacts of remnants of supernovae. The timing of supernovae, climate changes and species evolution coincides.

What is your supernova hypothesis?

My hypothesis is that remnants of a supernova – an exploding star – had an impact on the Earth’s past climate, causing global cooling, between 3 million and 2.6 million years ago and that this indirectly affected the evolution of hominins (ancient relatives of humans).

How does this change assumptions held until now?

It has been considered by some that global cooling in the Plio-Pleistocene might have been due to changes in ocean currents. This may well be correct to some extent, but I think that the supernova hypothesis needs to be explored.

It’s super-exciting to think that our evolution may to some extent be associated with supernovae as part of our dynamic universe.

How did you come to your supernova hypothesis?

Supernovae include stars which are extremely massive (as much as five times the mass of our Sun) and have reached the end of their stellar evolution. These explosions are rare. On average, within our galaxy (the Milky Way), only one or two per century are visible from Earth as temporary bright stars.

As a result of such explosions, material is expelled into outer space at almost the speed of light. Chemical elements are formed, including a kind of iron (the element Fe) known as isotope Fe-60. It has 26 protons and as many as 34 neutrons.

Traces of Fe-60 iron isotopes from supernovae within the last ten million years have been discovered on Earth in marine deposits such as those drilled in cores in the east Indian Ocean.

Read more: Our oceans give new insights on elements made in supernovae

The deep-sea deposits with Fe-60 can be dated using radioactive elements which decay at a known rate. This is called radiometric dating.

There was a regular increase in extremely small traces of Fe-60 for the period between 3 million and 2.6 million years ago. We know this from data published by Anton Wallner and his colleagues. Since this is a linear trend I have been able to extrapolate back to 3.3 million years when initial cosmic rays may have first hit Earth. I have proposed in the Quest magazine that this initial cosmic impact correlates with a major glaciation (cooling) event called M2 in an otherwise warm period.

A “near earth” supernova could have produced cosmic rays (radiation from outer space) which might have caused a reduction in the earth’s ozone layer. Increased cloud cover associated with cosmic radiation could have been a factor related to changes in global climate. Specifically, the change would have been global cooling.

This cooling would have affected the distribution and abundance of plant species, in turn affecting that of animals dependent on such vegetation.

What potential new insights does the hypothesis give us into human evolution?

Populations of Australopithecus may have been indirectly affected by the decrease in temperature.

Australopithecus is the genus name for distant human relatives which lived in Africa in geological periods called the Pliocene and Pleistocene. The boundary between these time intervals is 2.58 million years ago. At that time, certain species went extinct. The period coincides closely with the maximum of Fe-60 in marine deposits and a change in Earth’s magnetic field.

Australopithecus africanus: cast of Taung child. Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

The first fossil of Australopithecus to be described, 100 years ago, was placed by the palaeontologist Raymond Dart in a species called A. africanus. Dubbed the “Taung Child”, it was discovered in South Africa. Its biochronological age, recently based on mathematical analyses of tooth dimensions, is about 2.6 million years – at the Plio-Pleistocene boundary.

It cannot be concluded that the death of the Taung Child was directly caused by a supernova. This would be far-fetched. There is in fact evidence that this individual, about 3 years old, was killed by an eagle.

However, it is plausible to suggest that in Africa, in the Plio-Pleistocene, populations of Australopithecus were affected by a decrease in temperature affecting the distribution and abundance of vegetation and the animals dependent on it.

Recently, a new species of Australopithecus (as yet not named, from Ledi-Geraru) has been discovered in Ethiopia, in deposits dated at about 2.6 million years ago – also the time of the maximum in Fe-60 in deep-sea deposits.

The appearance of the genus Homo is close to the Plio-Pleistocene boundary, reflected by fossils reported recently by Brian Villmoare and his colleagues and well dated at about 2.8 million years ago. The origin of Homo may relate to changes in temperature and associated changes in habitat, as recognised five decades ago by South African palaeontologists Elisabeth Vrba and Bob Brain, although they emphasised a date of 2.5 million years ago.

Is it possible that cosmic radiation stimulated genetic changes?

I have been told by my peers that I am inclined to think “out of the box”. Well, in this case I would like to propose a “hominoid mutation hypothesis”. The hypothesis states that the speciation of hominoids (including human ancestors and those of chimpanzees and gorillas) was to some extent associated with mutations and genetic variability caused by cosmic rays.

It is interesting to consider the possibility that the origin of our genus Homo relates in part to cosmic radiation. Going deeper back in time, Henrik Svensmark has demonstrated that there is a correlation between supernova frequency and speciation (increased biodiversity associated with the evolution of new species), for the last 500 million years (the Phanerozoic period). I think it’s entirely possible that one important cause behind this correlation was the mutagenic (mutation-causing) effect of cosmic rays on DNA, such that rates of speciation exceeded those of extinction.

Read more: Exploding stars are rare but emit torrents of radiation − if one happened close enough to Earth, it could threaten life on the planet

In hominoids, cosmic rays could have contributed not only to global cooling but also to genetic changes, with subsequent anatomical (morphological) changes related to speciation.

If we go back to about 7 million years ago (when Fe-60 again reflects supernova activity), we would expect to find fossils that are close to a common ancestor for chimpanzees and humans. In terms of the hominoid mutation hypothesis, the split could have been associated with cosmic radiation. One hominoid species about 7 million years old is Sahelanthropus (discovered by Michel Brunet in Chad). In my opinion this species is very close to the common ancestor for Homo sapiens (us) and chimps.

– Supernova theory links an exploding star to global cooling and human evolution
– https://theconversation.com/supernova-theory-links-an-exploding-star-to-global-cooling-and-human-evolution-263748

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DRC’s latest peace deal is breaking down and it isn’t the first – what’s being done wrong

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Kristof Titeca, Professor in International Development, University of Antwerp

A series of peace initiatives since 2021 have sought to address the escalation of conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following a renewed offensive from the M23 rebel group.

The origins of this crisis go back to the First Congo War in 1996. Since then, the intensity of conflict in eastern DRC has ebbed and surged. The current M23 offensive represents one of its most violent phases.

Over nearly three decades, numerous peace efforts have been undertaken, yet neither local, regional nor international interventions have succeeded in bringing lasting stability. Crucially, they have failed to tackle the broader dynamics that perpetuate violence in the country’s mineral-rich east, where at least 120 armed groups are estimated to be active.

These recent efforts include the Nairobi process launched in April 2022 by the East African Community, and the Luanda process in June of the same year, launched by Angolan president João Lourenço.

The East African Community deployed its regional force to the DRC in November 2022. This was followed by the Southern African Development Community deploying troops in December 2023. These troops withdrew in 2023 and 2025, respectively.

More recently, there have been peace talks in Doha, which started after a meeting between the presidents of Congo and Rwanda in March 2025. The US mediated in Washington from April 2025.

The conflict has continued to escalate. More than 7.8 million people are now internally displaced in eastern DRC. Another 28 million people are facing food insecurity, including nearly four million at emergency levels.

Why have peace processes failed to deliver stability, and what could be done to strengthen them?

I have studied the dynamics of conflict in central Africa for decades, and in my view, the persistence of conflict in DRC’s eastern region isn’t due to a lack of peace initiatives. I argue that some initiatives suffer from flawed design, others from difficult implementation, and some from a combination of both.

Deep mistrust, stalled commitments, the exclusion of key actors, fragmented mediation efforts, an overemphasis on economic incentives, and weak domestic legitimacy have all undermined progress.

Ideally, peace processes would address these shortcomings comprehensively and lay the foundations for lasting stability.

But ideal conditions rarely exist.

The challenge, therefore, is to use sustained diplomacy to make the current imperfect frameworks work more effectively, while gradually building the trust and inclusivity needed for more durable peace.

What’s gone wrong

1. Deep mistrust between the parties

Peace processes since 2021 have focused on negotiating peace between the DRC government, M23 representatives (and their political wing Alliance Fleuve Congo) and the Rwandan government. The UN and many others have shown that Rwanda has been supporting the M23, a claim Kigali repeatedly denies.

At the heart of the failures of these processes lies a profound lack of trust. Relations between Kinshasa, M23 and Kigali are marked by hostility, mutual suspicion and broken promises.

Moreover, M23, Alliance Fleuve Congo and Rwanda cannot be treated as interchangeable actors. Among these actors, differences remain over the ultimate objectives of the rebellion – whether to march on Kinshasa, secure control over key territories in the east, or build influence through Congolese state structures versus a de facto separate administration.

Continued atrocities on the ground reinforce distrust. Recent reports from the UN, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International document continued killings and summary executions of Congolese civilians by M23 rebels with Rwandan backing, raising concerns of ethnic cleansing. These have happened alongside abuses by Congolese forces and allied militias (grouped as Wazalendo).

2. Poor implementation measures

Because of this mistrust, parties are reluctant to take the first step in implementing agreements. The 19 July 2025 Doha Declaration of Principles, for example, committed both sides to prisoner exchanges and the restoration of state authority in rebel-held zones. Yet, Kinshasa refused to exchange prisoners before a final settlement, a condition M23 saw as essential.

3. Failing to include all regional actors

The war in eastern DRC involves multiple neighbouring states. Uganda, in particular, has a significant military presence and shares Rwanda’s concerns and motivations: both see the area as a security threat and an economic opportunity, especially through gold exports and cross-border trade. Yet, Uganda has been excluded from some negotiations.

In early August 2025, African states announced they would merge mediation structures by the East African Community, the Southern African Development Community and the African Union into one solidified process led by the African Union. This could potentially bring in these regional actors, particularly Uganda.

4. Duplication and fragmentation of initiatives

A recurring problem since the renewed outbreak of conflict in 2021 has been the proliferation of parallel and overlapping peace initiatives, involving different actors, and not necessarily bringing coherence.

5. The role and limits of external pressure

The success of negotiations to some extent depends on how much diplomatic bandwidth the mediating actors want to spend.

In the current context, US pressure is key. And indeed, in light of renewed fighting in mid-August 2025, the US has released a number of statements and sanctions against the parties involved – mostly M23. Yet, expectations of heavy-handed US intervention, including the unrealistic notion of American “boots on the ground”, have created disappointment among a number of actors, particularly in the DRC.

6. Economic incentives alone are insufficient

The Washington process placed heavy emphasis on promoting trade with the US, presenting economic growth as a pathway to stability. But peace requires more than economic deals. This approach risks reducing a multidimensional conflict – rooted in political, security and social grievances – to a question of markets. This risks prioritising US economic interests rather than addressing local realities.

7. Weak internal legitimacy

Finally, the legitimacy of the current peace deals within the DRC remains contested. The intensifying conflict has coincided with mounting domestic criticism of President Felix Tshisekedi, whose authority was undermined by his inability to resolve the violence. Agreements have been criticised by Congolese civil society as externally driven and insufficiently inclusive. They have not been ratified by parliament nor have they involved civil society or grassroots actors.

What needs to change?

Eastern DRC remains mired in conflict despite peace initiatives. Broken promises, weak implementation, and deep mistrust keep progress at bay. Economic incentives alone can’t solve a crisis rooted in politics, security and social grievances.

Outside powers can only apply leverage. Durable peace must be negotiated and owned by the parties themselves. And without broader buy-in, peace processes risk functioning merely as cooling-off mechanisms, not genuine pathways toward resolution.

– DRC’s latest peace deal is breaking down and it isn’t the first – what’s being done wrong
– https://theconversation.com/drcs-latest-peace-deal-is-breaking-down-and-it-isnt-the-first-whats-being-done-wrong-264064

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Breast cancer: new study finds genetic risk in African women

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Mahtaab Hayat, Lecturer, University of the Witwatersrand

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. In sub-Saharan Africa, it is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women.

Risk factors for developing breast cancer include being female, increasing age, being overweight, alcohol consumption and genetic factors.

Read more: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the world. 5 reads that could save lives

In this field, genome-wide association studies are a powerful tool. They can identify common genetic variants, or mutations, that can affect your likelihood of developing a trait or disease. These studies scan the whole genome (all of a person’s DNA) to find genetic differences present in people with a particular disease or traits.

Since their introduction in 2005, these studies have provided insights that can help in the diagnosis, screening and prediction of certain diseases, including breast cancer. Recent findings have been used to develop prediction tools that help identify individuals at high risk of developing diseases. Genetic risk scores (also known as polygenic risk scores) estimate disease predisposition based on the cumulative effect of multiple genetic variants or mutations.

But most research has been conducted on populations of European ancestry. This poses a problem, as genetic diversity and environmental variability differ across the world. In Africa, even greater genetic diversity is observed across populations.

Read more: Major study unveils complexity and vast diversity of Africa’s genetic variation

To fill this gap we – researchers from Wits University, Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience, and our collaborators, the South African National Cancer Registry – conducted the first genome-wide association study of breast cancer in a sub-Saharan African population.

We compared genetic variation between women with breast cancer and those without, looking for variants that occur more frequently in the cancer patients.

We identified two genomic variants close to the RAB27A and USP22 genes that contribute to the risk of breast cancer in South African black women. These genetic variants have not been previously found to be associated with breast cancer in non-African populations.

Our findings underscore the importance of identifying population-specific genetic variants, particularly in understudied populations. Different populations may carry unique variants that contribute differently to breast cancer risk. Risk variants found in other populations might not be found in African populations. This reinforces the idea that research efforts and risk scores must be done in different populations, including African ones.

Read more: West Africans have a high risk of kidney disease – new study confirms genetic cause

Comparing women’s DNA

DNA samples from 2,485 women with breast cancer were compared to 1,101 women without breast cancer. All the women were residents of Soweto in South Africa. The breast cancer cases were recruited to the Johannesburg Cancer Study over 20 years and the controls were from the Africa Wits-INDEPTH Partnership for Genomic Research study.

The analysis used technology (called a DNA chip) specially designed by the H3Africa consortium to capture the genetic variants within African populations.

By comparing genetic variation in women with breast cancer and in those without, we identified two genetic variants that contribute to the risk of breast cancer in South African black women. They occur around genes that are involved in the growth of breast cancer cells, in the ability of cancer cells to metastasise (spread), and in tumour growth in different cancers.

We also applied polygenic risk scores to our African dataset. This is a method that estimates the risk of breast cancer for an individual based on the presence of risk variants. These are derived from the results of genome-wide association studies. The risk score we used was based on risk variants from a European population. We used it to evaluate its ability to predict breast cancer in our African population.

The results showed that the risk score was less able to predict breast cancer in our sub-Saharan African population compared to a European population.

What next?

This is the first large-scale genome-wide association analysis in sub-Saharan Africa to find genetic factors that affect an individual’s risk of developing breast cancer.

Our study included fewer than 4,000 samples. Larger breast cancer genetic studies have involved over 200,000 cases and controls, but without representation from sub-Saharan African populations. This highlights the urgent need for greater research efforts and increased participation from the continent.

The results from this and future studies will help doctors screen patients and pinpoint those with a high risk. Once we know who is at high risk, they can be offered more frequent check-ups and preventive measures. This allows us to catch breast cancer early – or even prevent it – before it has a chance to develop or spread.

Read more: How we found the gene for a rare heart disease and why it matters

Further research will be needed to understand how these genes increase the risk of developing breast cancer and improve breast cancer prediction. Notably, applying European-derived polygenic risk scores did not accurately predict breast cancer in the African dataset. And they performed worse than in non-African datasets. These results are consistent with findings reported previously for other diseases.

We are involved in a global study of the genetics of breast cancer called Confluence which is looking at genetic risk factors in many populations, including African ones.

Professor Christopher Mathew and Beth Amato helped in the writing of this article.

– Breast cancer: new study finds genetic risk in African women
– https://theconversation.com/breast-cancer-new-study-finds-genetic-risk-in-african-women-263227

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Qatar Expresses Solidarity with Sudan Following Deadly Landslide in Darfur

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha – September 2, 2025

The State of Qatar expresses its solidarity with the Republic of Sudan following the devastating landslide in the Marra Mountains region of Darfur, western Sudan, which resulted in hundreds of deaths and injuries.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs extends Qatar’s heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, and to the government and people of Sudan. The Ministry also wishes a speedy recovery to those injured in the disaster.

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Cacao :Prime de Qualité :Paul Biya instruit la distribution de près de deux milliards de FCFA aux producteurs

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Pour les Campagnes Cacaoyères 2020-2021, et 2021-2022 le Ministre du Commerce, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana depuis le lundi 25 août 2025, a procédé au lancement de  la troisième opération  de distribution de la Prime Qualité Cacao aux cacaoculteurs méritants à Ntui ,département du Mbam et Kim. 

Cette étape  l’a conduit à Obala ,Bot Makak,Makénéné,Ndom ,Nyanon, dans le Centre ,Buéa dans le Sud-Ouest , et Loum dans le Littoral .A Makénéné  le 26 août 2025 ,face à la presse ,il a déclaré que :« Le producteur a le choix entre le marché local et le marché à l’exportation ».Il s’agit de la concrétisation de l’annonce du 07 août dernier au lancement de la campagne cacaoyère 2024-2025 à Mbankomo dans la Mefou et Akono  .  

La Prime Qualité  est une mesure qui fait partie des politiques gouvernementales  mises en œuvre  en 2016-2017 pour remédier à la baisse des cours sur le marché international. Elles portent sur l’amélioration continue de la qualité qui a permis de  faire du Cameroun une référence  au niveau mondial .Pour preuve, les mouvements incessants des chocolatiers européens à la recherche de la fève d’une couleur inégalée.  

« On parle désormais de la fève du Cameroun dans  tous les marchés du monde alors que c’était le rebus. L’avenir du cacao s’inscrit désormais en lettres d’Or .Le marché avait collé l’étiquette de Smoke cocoa. Désormais, c’est celle de Golden cocoa», a coutume d’expliquer le ministre lors des descentes sur le terrain. Bien avant, les marchés européens et américains étaient les principales destinations commerciales.  

La triste réputation de la fève  en   2013 se justifiait par la vente du cacao humide, et la vente du cacao non fermenté sur le goudron. Pour y remédier Paul Biya l’avait ordonné à procéder à la distribution des bâches de séchage .Ajouté à la mise en place du Plan   de Développement  de la Transformation du Cacao qui favorise la multiplication des unités de transformation locales. Le prix du kg qui à l’époque coutait 500,700 F/kg est passé de 3200 -5000 F.  

Nigeria  premier  importateur africain du cacao  

Protais Nzuebet , représentant des producteurs de Makénéné  salue   l’impact de la Prime Qualité :« Cette initiative a interpellé  beaucoup d’entre nous à plus d’ardeur au travail. Grâce au meilleur prix, nous construisons de belles maisons et nous n’envions rien des fonctionnaires ». Pour l’édition en cours lancée à la veille de la  nouvelle rentrée scolaire le 8 septembre 2025,42052 producteurs des huit bassins de production  recevront 1,744248728 de F CFA. 

La caravane de distribution de la Prime Qualité organisée par l’Office National du Cacao et du Café(ONCC) dirigée par le président du Comité Prime Qualité Cacao, Michael Ndoping  conduite par le ministre du Commerce, se déroule en présence des autorités administratives, des représentants de l’Interprofession (ONCC, CICC, FODECC, producteurs  …), des autorités traditionnelles, religieuses et des populations. 

Selon le rapport de  l’Office National du Cacao et du Café, le Nigéria a été le premier  importateur africain du cacao lors de la dernière campagne (21000  t/kg). En raison des exportations frauduleuses (des pertes de près de 70 milliards de FCFA), une  mesure conservatoire d’interdiction  des exportations a été  prise  pendant la campagne 2022-2023. 

Au cours  de la chute des prix de la fève (500, 700,1000 F/kg) dans les années 2013, le Président Paul Biya  a instruit des mesures qui ont hissé  le cacao camerounais sur  le toit du monde. En guise de récompense, les producteurs appellent  à sa candidature à l’élection  présidentielle du 12 octobre 2025 tout en  l’assurant de leur soutien indéfectible et inconditionnel. Ils s’engagent à lui renvoyer l’ascenseur par un vote de 100 %.207  millions de F ont été distribués dans  le Mbam et Kim ,81 millions de F dans le Mbam et Inoubou, 159.561.400 F distribués à Loum, 406 millions de F à Buéa . 

Distribué par APO Group pour Continental Infos Cameroon.

Contacts : 
00237677794485
00237694975520 

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AFREXIMBANK: Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2025 AFRICA24 – an Exceptional Coverage

Source: APO – Report:

From 4 to 10 September 2025 in Algiers (Algeria), the fourth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) will take place in the Algerian capital, under the theme “Building Bridges for a Successful AfCFTA.” Organized by Afreximbank in collaboration with the African Union Commission and the AfCFTA Secretariat, this fair stands as a major strategic platform to boost intra-African trade, attract investments, and strengthen continental integration.

This edition will bring together more than 1,600 exhibitors, 35,000 participants, and delegations from 75 countries, with an expected business volume exceeding USD 44 billion. It will highlight key sectors such as innovation, value-added industrialization, technology, creative industries, automotive, youth, and women in business.

IATF, a Driver of Transformation

The stakes of IATF 2025 are of the highest importance. The event aims to support the rise of a truly unified African market, backed by the power of 1.4 billion consumers and a combined GDP of more than USD 3.4 trillion. It also seeks to promote deeper economic integration under the AfCFTA, through the signing of concrete trade agreements and the organization of strategic sectoral forums.

Beyond trade exchanges, IATF 2025 will showcase African innovations in key areas such as technology, agriculture, sustainable industry, and creativity. Special focus will be placed on the inclusion of youth, women, and entrepreneurs, whose dynamism remains a key driver of the continent’s economic transformation.

Africa24’s 360° Editorial Coverage

Africa24 Group, the leading pan-African media network, is deploying a comprehensive audiovisual and digital coverage to bring IATF 2025 to life:

  • Live broadcasts of opening sessions, sectoral panels, ministerial forums, and exhibition zones.
  • Exclusive interviews with Heads of State, business leaders, financial institutions, entrepreneurs, and young leaders.
  • Immersive reports from country and company pavilions, Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX), Automotive Show, Youth and Women in Trade Programmes, and Investment Deal Rooms.
  • In-depth analysis on AfCFTA prospects, green industrial transformation, and value addition across Africa.

Follow IATF 2025 with Africa24

Experience every highlight of this continental event live, on replay, or on demand:

  • AFRICA24 in French (Channel 170) and AFRICA24 English (Channel 176) on Canal+Afrique
  • MyAfrica24 app (Google Play)
  • Website www.Africa24tv.com with exclusive reports, analyses, interviews, and special features.

With Africa24 Group: Together, Let’s Transform Africa.

– on behalf of AFRICA24 Group.

Contact Details:
Communication Department – Africa24 Group
Gaëlle Stella Oyono
Email: onana@africa24tv.com
Tel: +237 694 90 99 88  
@ africa24tv  
www.Africa24tv.com

About Africa24 Group:
Founded in 2009, Africa24 is the first TV and digital media group dedicated to Africa. It offers four HD channels broadcasting 24/7 (news, sports, creativity) and the HD streaming platform MyAfrica24. Carried by major international operators (Canal+, Orange, etc.), Africa24 reaches more than 80 million households and gathers over 8 million digital subscribers.

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Youth urged to embrace BRICS cultural diversity

Source: Government of South Africa

Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, has called on young people to embrace the rich cultural diversity of BRICS and recognise its role in shaping a more inclusive global order.

Addressing the 2025 BRICS Summer School in Johannesburg, on Monday, Letsike said BRICS is more than an economic and political bloc.

“BRICS is not just an economic and political bloc. It is a strategic initiative for global transformation, grounded in multipolarity, justice, inclusion, and the self-determination of peoples,” Letsike said.

Letsike noted that from its founding, BRICS, which has expanded to include eleven member states – Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia and Iran, has sought to rebalance the world order, moving away from unipolar dominance and towards a more equitable system of governance.

She said BRICS represents nearly half the world’s population and over a third of global GDP.

“The numbers themselves speak powerfully: the original BRICS five nations represented 42% of the world’s population and 31.5% of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP). With expansion, BRICS nations today represent 46% of the global population and 37% of the world’s GDP. 

“This is not just arithmetic. It is a declaration that the Global South will no longer be spectators in history, we are authors of it. Authorship requires us to bring in every voice, including those of women, youth, persons with disabilities, and LGBTI communities, whose realities are too often erased when we speak in generalities,” Letsike said.

Held under the theme: “Innovatively Inclusive Futures for BRICS and the Global South”, the summer school brings together high school learners from grades 9 to 12, including unemployed graduates, researchers, youth activists, entrepreneurs, and young professionals.

The programme explores the bloc’s history, principles, current initiatives, and future prospects.

Letsike said this year’s theme aligns with Brazil’s 2025 BRICS Presidency, which focuses on “strengthening Global South cooperation for more inclusive and sustainable governance.”

The key priorities identified include global health cooperation, trade and finance, climate change, artificial intelligence governance, peace and security, and institutional development.

Intersectionality and inclusion

The Deputy Minister stressed that these priorities cannot be pursued in a vacuum but must be informed by intersectionality at the core.

“Young women are not affected by climate change in the same way as young men; that persons with disabilities face unique challenges in accessing digital technologies. The LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex) youth may be excluded from peacebuilding or education initiatives,” the Deputy Minister said.

Letsike warned against the dangers of invisibility in society. 

“Erasure is not only about forgetting people’s names. It is about designing economies, policies, and institutions that pretend entire groups do not exist,” she said.

The Deputy Minister added that invisibility is not only about silence; it is about the absence of women in boardrooms, absence of persons with disabilities in classrooms, absence of LGBTI voices in peace negotiations, and the absence of rural youth in digital economies. 

“When people are made invisible, they are made vulnerable. When they are erased from our statistics, from our stories, and from our strategies, their needs remain unaddressed, their struggles remain unacknowledged, and their potential remains untapped.”

Citing South Africa’s history of struggle against invisibility, from the 1956 women’s march against pass laws, to the 1976 youth uprisings, to the activism of LGBTI and disability rights groups, Letsike said the same spirit of inclusion must guide the BRICS agenda.

“Intersectionality therefore becomes both a moral and political imperative. No one is expendable, no one is peripheral, no one should be erased.” – SAnews.gov.za

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Government launches Public Service Month  

Source: Government of South Africa

Public Service and Administration Minister Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi has launched the Integrated Public Service Month, with a strong message that professionalising the public service is a constitutional and developmental imperative that is a non-negotiable.  

“We will build a workforce that is defined by competence, ethics and accountability as mediocrity has no place in this vision,” Buthelezi said at the media launch of the IPSM, in Pretoria on Tuesday.

“We will be transparent about progress, honest about setbacks and be visible in our communities.”

Buthelezi said every citizen must feel the tangible difference of a responsive and ethical state.

“We will also hold ourselves accountable through clear indicators like improved service satisfaction, reduced corruption and strengthened ethics as well as increased citizen engagement,” the Minister said.

WATCH | Launch of Public Service Month 

[embedded content]

As part of the IPSM, members of Executive, including Ministers, the President and the Deputy President, as well as senior officials, will conduct unannounced oversight visits in priority districts where services are failing to unblock bottlenecks.

“These visits will inform planning, budgeting and resource allocation,” the Minister said.
He also reminded public servants that they are there to serve and not to be served.

“We are the face of a new public service – one that is professional, ethical and responsive. And we must carry this responsibility with pride. To our partners, join us in a holistic society approach to restoring dignity through service.”

In her welcoming remarks, Public Service and Administration Deputy Minister Pinky Kekana said the launch of IPSM is not merely a ceremony, but a pledge to South Africans that people are at the heart of everything that government does.

“This year’s theme, ‘Professionalising the Public Service to Build Trust and Restore Confidence in Government’, speaks to the urgent question of can citizens trust their government to listen, respond and deliver,” she said.

Kekana said the IPSM has been repositioned as a year-round platform of action, a platform for reform, aligned with the Medium-Term Development Plan (2024–2029).

She also called on public servants to be professional and ethical.

“Colleagues, professionalism is not about hierarchy. It is about making a real difference in people’s lives,” Kekana said.

The IPSM 2025 programme aims to transform the government-citizen relationship through a sustainable system focused on efficient, respectful and accountable service delivery. 

Key initiatives include an Executive Service Delivery Blitz and Public Service Charter Dialogues, empowering citizens to shape service standards.

“For far too long, our people have endured the indignity of long queues, broken promises and crumbling infrastructure,” Buthelezi said.

The Minister said the launch is not a ceremonial event but a strategic call to action, especially in the current era, where the voices of the citizens are amplified through multiple platforms. 

“IPSM 2025 is therefore our turning point. It is a contract between government and citizens to deliver services that dignify, empower and uplift, especially the most vulnerable in our society.”

He further added that IPSM is South Africa’s practical expression of the values championed by the African Public Service Day (APSD). 

“As directed by Cabinet in August 2024, the 2025-2026 IPSM Implementation Framework marks a decisive shift as it is no longer a once-off event but now a year-round platform for reform and the improvement of service delivery,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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AFREXIMBANK : Foire commerciale intra-africain (IATF) 2025 AFRICA24 un dispositif exceptionnel

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Du 4 au 10 septembre 2025 à Alger (Algérie), la quatrième édition de l’Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) se tient dans la capitale algérienne, sous le thème « Bâtir des passerelles pour une ZLECAf réussie ». Organisée par Afreximbank en collaboration avec la Commission de l’Union africaine et le Secrétariat de la ZLECAf, cette foire constitue une plateforme stratégique majeure pour dynamiser le commerce intra-africain, encourager les investissements et renforcer l’intégration continentale.

Cette édition rassemblera plus de 1 600 exposants, 35 000 participants et délégations de 75 pays, avec un volume d’affaires attendu dépassant les 44 milliards USD. Elle mettra en lumière des secteurs clés tels que l’innovation, l’industrialisation à valeur ajoutée, les technologies, les industries créatives, l’automobile, la jeunesse et les femmes en affaires.

L’IATF, un moteur pour la transformation

Les enjeux de l’IATF 2025 sont de premier plan. L’événement vise à soutenir l’essor d’un marché africain véritablement unifié, porté par la force de 1,4 milliard de consommateurs et un PIB cumulé de plus de 3,4 trillions de dollars. Il s’agit également de promouvoir une intégration économique renforcée sous l’égide de la ZLECAf, en favorisant la conclusion d’accords commerciaux concrets et la tenue de forums sectoriels stratégiques.

Au-delà des échanges commerciaux, l’IATF 2025 entend valoriser les innovations africaines dans des domaines clés tels que la technologie, l’agriculture, l’industrie durable et la créativité. Une attention particulière sera accordée à l’inclusion des jeunes, des femmes et des entrepreneurs, dont le dynamisme constitue l’un des moteurs essentiels de la transformation économique du continent.

Une couverture éditoriale à 360° par Africa24

Le Groupe Africa24, média panafricain de référence, déploie un dispositif audiovisuel et digital complet pour faire vivre l’IATF 2025 :

  • Diffusions en direct des sessions d’ouverture, panels sectoriels, forums ministériels et zones d’exposition.
  • Interviews exclusives avec chefs d’État, dirigeants économiques, institutions financières, entrepreneurs et jeunes leaders.
  • Reportages immersifs depuis les pavillons pays & entreprises, Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX), Automotive Show, Youth and Women in Trade Programmes, et Investment Deal Rooms.
  • Analyses approfondies sur les perspectives de l’AfCFTA, la transformation industrielle verte et l’ajout de valeur continentale.

Suivez l’IATF 2025 avec Africa24

Vivez chaque temps fort de cet événement continental en direct, en replay ou à la demande :

  • AFRICA24 en Francais (chaîne 170), AFRICA24 English (chaîne 176 ) du bouquet Canal+Afrique
  • Application MyAfrica24 (googlePlay)
  • Site web www.Africa24tv.com, avec reportages exclusifs, analyses, interviews et dossiers spéciaux

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. : +237 694 90 99 88
@ africa24tv  
www.Africa24tv.com

À propos du Groupe Africa24 :
Fondé en 2009, Africa24 est le premier groupe média TV et numérique dédié à l’Afrique. Il propose quatre chaînes HD 24h/24 (information, sport, créativité) et la plateforme de streaming HD MyAfrica24. Repris par les principaux bouquets internationaux (Canal+, Orange, etc.), il couvre plus de 80 millions de foyers et rassemble plus de 8 millions d’abonnés numériques.

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Canon Expands Market Presence in Tanzania with Print Pack Sign Expo 2025 Showcase

Source: APO

  • Canon showcased innovative printing solutions at the Print Pack Sign Expo 2025 in Tanzania,  highlighting its commitment to enhancing customer experience and market penetration in East Africa through strategic collaboration. 
  • The exhibition featured specialised zones featuring Canon’s advanced technologies, including the imagePRESS V1000 for commercial print, the imagePROGRAF TM255 & TC20 for CAD & GIS industry, and the Colorado and Arizona applications for interior décor, demonstrating their versatility across various applications.

Canon Central North Africa (CCNA) (https://en.Canon-CNA.com/) unveiled its latest commercial printing technologies at the Print Pack Sign Expo 2025 in Dar es Salaam, responding to rising demand in Tanzania’s fast-growing print and packaging industry. The country’s expanding consumer goods and infrastructure sectors are driving a need for more advanced printing capabilities. Canon’s presence at the Expo indicated a strategic move to support local businesses with scalable solutions for packaging, signage, CAD, GIS, and interior décor. 

The company’s exhibit featured three experiential innovation zones, each offering visitors an immersive journey through cutting-edge solutions backed by live product demonstrations and on-site expertise.

Tanzania’s print market is undergoing significant growth. According to 6Wresearch (https://apo-opa.co/4lVG1zt), the broader printing sector is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9% between 2025 and 2031, driven by increasing demand for promotional materials, packaging, and educational books. Commercial printing remains dominant, with steady expansion in brochures, flyers, and marketing collateral.

Meanwhile, Tanzania’s interior décor segment (https://apo-opa.co/4pkSHmD) especially textiles and homeware is projected to reach US $63 million in ecommerce revenue by 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 13.4% through 2029.  This indicates strong opportunities for locally produced high-quality print and décor solutions. In this context, Canon’s presence in Dar es Salaam was not just symbolic; it was a deliberate strategic move.  

“Our participation at Print Pack Sign Expo marks a significant step in bringing Canon’s latest technology closer to Tanzanian customers,” said Amine Djouahra, B2B Business Unit Director, Canon Central & North Africa. “We are committed to empowering local businesses with innovative, reliable print solutions that help them compete on a global scale.”

As visitors entered the Canon exhibit, they were welcomed into the Commercial Print Zone, where the Canon imagePRESS V1000 (https://apo-opa.co/45KP9lN) took center stage. The imagePRESS V1000 delivers sharp, high-quality colour and can print on a wide range of materials and finishes, including matte and embossed. It’s designed to meet the needs of Tanzanian packaging companies (https://apo-opa.co/41yOvFp) that are keeping pace with the fast-growing consumer goods market. With digital workflows and robust automation, it delivers both speed and consistent quality, two critical needs in local packaging.

In the CAD & GIS Print Zone, guests experienced Canon’s large-format imagePROGRAF TM255 (https://apo-opa.co/45UkJO9) and imagePROGRAF TC-20 (https://apo-opa.co/4m5RUTK) printers. These machines offer vibrant, high-speed output designed for CAD & GIS drawings, banners, signage, booklets, and brochures. As Tanzania’s commercial printing industry transitions (https://apo-opa.co/4p3cuqd) from traditional offset methods, these inkjet solutions offer the scalability and cost-efficiency local businesses need to grow alongside evolving marketing demands.

In the Interior Décor Zone, Canon highlighted the Colorado (https://apo-opa.co/4oXCDqt) and Arizona (https://apo-opa.co/4p1bdjp) series. The Colorado printer, with its UVgel technology, produces durable, high-resolution prints ideal for décor, wall graphics, and technical drawings. The Arizona flatbed printer is built for rigid substrates, including wood, acrylic, and glass, enabling customized décor applications. These solutions arrive at a crucial moment: Tanzania’s textiles and home décor market is expanding rapidly (https://apo-opa.co/4g48bXz), fueled by urbanization, rising incomes, and consumers’ desire for sustainable, artisan-quality products, with renewed emphasis on e-commerce and retail channels.

Canon specialists walked attendees through live demos at each zone, showing real print samples like envelopes, booklets, brochures, packaging, door hangers, and labels. Visitors got a hands-on look at how Canon’s technology performs across different business needs.

Canon’s participation in the Expo went beyond displaying new technology. It reflected a broader commitment to the Tanzanian market. By connecting directly with local partners and customers, the company aims to strengthen its support network, offer hands-on training, and improve service delivery across the region.

Close proximity to end-users will enable quicker turnaround, stronger customer relationships, and tailored solutions for businesses and consumers. “Canon is more than a solution provider, we aspire to be a strategic partner, providing technologies that drive efficiency, elevate quality standards, and open new creative possibilities for Tanzanian businesses.” added Amine Djouahra.

The event presented a unique opportunity for Tanzanian businesses to experience first-hand how Canon’s technology and expertise can help them thrive in the evolving print landscape.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA).

Media enquiries, please contact:
Canon Central and North Africa
Mai Youssef
e. Mai.youssef@canon-me.com

APO Group – PR Agency
Rania ElRafie
e. Rania.ElRafie@apo-opa.com

About Canon Central and North Africa:
Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) (https://en.Canon-CNA.com/) is a division within Canon Middle East FZ LLC (CME), a subsidiary of Canon Europe. The formation of CCNA in 2016 was a strategic step that aimed to enhance Canon’s business within the Africa region – by strengthening Canon’s in-country presence and focus. CCNA also demonstrates Canon’s commitment to operating closer to its customers and meeting their demands in the rapidly evolving African market.

Canon has been represented in the African continent for more than 15 years through distributors and partners that have successfully built a solid customer base in the region. CCNA ensures the provision of high quality, technologically advanced products that meet the requirements of Africa’s rapidly evolving marketplace. With over 100 employees, CCNA manages sales and marketing activities across 44 countries in Africa.

Canon’s corporate philosophy is Kyosei (https://apo-opa.co/3I4I2vj) – ‘living and working together for the common good’. CCNA pursues sustainable business growth, focusing on reducing its own environmental impact and supporting customers to reduce theirs using Canon’s products, solutions and services. At Canon, we are pioneers, constantly redefining the world of imaging for the greater good. Through our technology and our spirit of innovation, we push the bounds of what is possible – helping us to see our world in ways we never have before. We help bring creativity to life, one image at a time. Because when we can see our world, we can transform it for the better.

For more information: https://en.Canon-CNA.com/

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