The Governing Council of the Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism -AFFM, has issued a call for greater action to secure adequate financing for the continent's fertilizer sector at its ninth meeting held recently. During the meeting, which was held virtually, and attended by 13 institutional members, the Council adopted the report on the year 2020 activities and endorsed a work program for 2021. The Council also commended AFFM's achievements, which include the formation of a partnership with Fertilizer group -OCP Africa-, aimed at improving access to quality inputs for 430,000 smallholder rice and maize farmers. To get some reaction on this, Khumbelo Munzhelele spoke to Dr Fadel Ndiame, Deputy President of The Alliance for Green Revolution for Africa -Otherwise known as -AGRA...

The UK Minister for Africa, James Duddridge says the integrated review will strive to position his country as a great partner in helping address some of the humanitarian challenges Africa faces, provide young girls with quality education as well as help get COVID-19 vaccines to the continent through the COVAX initiative. The document is a comprehensive articulation of the UK's national security and international policy. Among other things, it puts an emphasis on openness as a source of prosperity and places an increased determination on seeking multilateral solutions to challenges like climate change. Duddridge elaborates on what the Integrated Review is....

Issues of sustainability are becoming very crucial to businesses. This is according to Industry Trend Analyst Dion Chang.He was speaking at a panel discussion hosted by Ricoffy in Johannesburg. The panel heard that COVID-19 has offered brands, especially those previously hesitant about jumping on the bandwagon due to expense, the opportunity for a do-over to instil sustainability holistically throughout their company. Chang says sustainability is quickly becoming a must do for most companies..

As countries marked International Womens Day *yesterday, The US Department of state announced the winners for the 15th International Women of Courage Awards. The annual award honors women who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership in acting to improve the lives of others. Since its inception, the US Department of state has recognized more than 155 remarkable women from over 75 countries around the world with the IWOC award. Three of the winners this year are from Africa. Maximilienne Ngo Mbe from Cameroon is one them.She is said to have demonstrated extraordinary leadership, courage, and perseverance through adversity in promoting human rights in Cameroon and Central Africa.

After a year of disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the path to recovery for the people of Ghana can finally begin. This is thanks to the arrival of some 600 000 COVID-19 vaccine doses shipped this week via the COVAX Facility. The shipment is part of an initial tranche of deliveries of the AstraZeneca / Oxford vaccine licensed to the Serum Institute of India, which represent part of the first wave of COVID vaccines headed to several low and middle-income countries. To discuss this further, Samora Mangesi spoke to Celestin Traore, UNICEF's Regional Immunization Advisor on the line from Dakar, Senegal..

A new partnership that will seek to advance capacity building for equitable COVID-19 vaccine introduction around the world has been launched. This is thanks to a partnership between the University of New Mexico's Health Sciences Center's Project ECHO and the Country Readiness and Delivery Workstream, which is a collaboration of global health organizations led by the World Health Organization. To discuss this further, Tracey Boomgaard spoke to Dr Bruce Struminger, a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of New Mexico……

South Africa is this week observing National Pregnancy Awareness Week to strengthen pregnancy education and stress the important issues that promote a healthy pregnancy and safe motherhood. Paed-IQ Babyline, a telephonic-based, medical advice subscription service for caregivers to babies and children is shining the spotlight on the issue of miscarriage, which is often traumatic for many, but very hardly spoken about. Dr Iqbal Karbanee, who is the CEO of Paed-IQ Babyline discusses this further….

Advocates and affected communities working towards the global scale-up of a short-course TB preventive therapy have hailed the recent announcement of the launch of what they say is a decently priced, patient-friendly fixed-dose combinations of FDC 3HP in five high burden HIV and TB countries. The news, made possible by a Unitaid-funded project comes at a time as communities grapple with the devastation wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic. To discuss this further, Tracey Boomgaard spoke to Lynette Mabote, Advocacy advisor with the Treatment Action Group ….

South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his wife Leah have thrown their weight behind the covid-19 vaccine. Tutu has pledged that he will get vaccine as soon as one becomes available. In a statement released by the Tutu and Leah Legacy Foundation, they sympathised with the people whose lives have been destroyed by the virus. Channel Africas Nhlanhla Mahlangu reports.

Simple, practical solutions could help bring an end to load-shedding and set Eskom on the path to successfully meeting its objective of effectively delivering electricity in South Africa. This is the thrust of the #PowerToThePeople campaign launched by the Institute of Race Relations, IRR, aimed at building public pressure on Minister of Energy Gwede Mantashe to consider a range of measures that have the potential to end load-shedding. More from Hermann Pretorius, IRR Head of Strategic Initiative.

In an effort to ignite the festive spirit in Johannesburg, South Africa for staycationers and explorers alike, Gauteng's MMC of Economic Development, Lawrence Khoza has unveiled the Festive Season Tourism Activities Campaign. The campaign also seeks to highlight township tourism in a bid to re-ignite, revitalise and restart the local tourism sector post the pandemic hard lockdown. More from MMC Lawrence Khoza..

A new short oral treatment for most lethal forms of drug-resistant Tuberculosis including Extensively Drug-Resistant TB or XDR-TB has been launched in South Africa to assist patients with the condition while also helping to stop transmission. The six-month all-oral regimen is funded by the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, through a Clinical Access Program by USAID partner, the Clinical HIV Research Unit, at the country's Wits Health Consortium in Johannesburg. More from USAID Acting Mission Director in South Africa, Rebecca Krzywda..

A pledge to end all forms of violence and set in motion a grassroots civil society campaign to promote peace has been launched by a coalition of community activists, artists, victims of war, academics, business leaders and African youth. The launch coincides with the conclusion of the African Union heads of state summit this past weekend to review progress towards "Silencing the Guns by 2020: Creating Conducive conditions for Africa's Development". African heads of state at the 14th Extraordinary Session of the Assembly on Silencing the Guns unanimously agreed to extend the initiative's efforts to end hostilities for another ten years. More from South African musician, Zoe Modiga.

The 16 days of activism for no violence against women and children campaign is underway in South Africa. The United Nations led campaign is held from the 25th of November to the 10th of December every year and seeks to raise awareness of the negative impact that violence and abuse have on women and children. During the 16 Days period, government together with civil society and the private sector host a series of community and sector dialogues and activities to foster a collaborative effort in dealing with gender-based violence and femicide. As part of activities to highlight the scourge of abuse Financial Wealth Coach Samke Mhlongo has launched the book titled- Ringfence. Nhlanhla Mahlangu spoke to Mhlongo

The financial well-being of each household has a direct impact on the country's economic stability. With household debt far exceeding disposable income, and high unemployment, how prepared is the average household for unforeseen financial setbacks? The Momentum Unisa Household Financial Wellness Index seeks to not only determine the state of the nation's financial wellness, but provide effective insights to help enhance the financial wellness of all South Africans. In an effort to explore the finding of the index, Momentum recently hosted 2020 Science of Success festival in Johannesburg, which brought a fresh perspective to household financial wellness using data and insights of the index in an accessible and unconventional way. More from Charlotte Nsubunga Mukasa Momentums Head of Marketing

South African singers ,the princess of Africa- Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Afro pop songstress Amanda Black , have remade the popular South African Umqombothi song. The hit song was composed by the legendary Sello Chicco Twala and speaks to the pride of brewing African Beer. First performed by Yvonne Chaka-Chaka in 1988, The "Umqombothi" song has proved over the years to be a classic. As Channel Africa’s Nhlanhla Mahlangu reports the latest remake came after the two singers partnered with King Korn.

Young South African designers have once again been given the platform to showcase their skills. The Nandos Hot Young Designer is a talent search competition that opens a door for undiscovered young South African design .Katlego Tshuma was this years winning designer for his submission – Sangu Bench. Sangu is the Xitsonga word for a traditional African grass mat. Tshuma elaborates.

With COVID-19 infections surging worldwide, a coalition of eighteen companies representing a large portion of the world's generic pharmaceutical manufacturers have pledged to work together to accelerate access to hundreds of millions of doses of new interventions for low- and middle-income countries. This coalition includes generic manufacturers from South Africa, India, China, South Korea, and Bangladesh. The companies will do this under the umbrella of the non-profit organization, Medicines Patent Pool - MPP. To discuss this further, Samora Mangesi spoke to Charles Gore, Executive Director of MPP……

The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the world putting a more considered slant on giving as we know it with people living, thinking and buying differently. One thing is for sure - the 2020 festive season will also be different - putting a more considered slant on giving.This has led to Pernod Ricard South Africa to partnering with Springbok stalwarts Siya Kolisi and Cheslin Kolbe to encourage South Africans to stand together to invest in the local economy by giving 'gifts that give'. This is part of the Sisonke Mzansi campaign which sees Pernod Ricard flagship brands together with local artists, makers and manufacturers from local communities conceptualise, design and create a range of truly South African gifts that give. More from Springboks captain Siya Kolisi.

DRC's President Felix Tshisekedi's camp says it remains hopeful that the ruling coalition will overcome challenges its currently facing This is according to Abraham Lwakabuanga press director for DRC's President Felix Tshisekedi who is in South Africa on a working visit to galvanise support and intervention .The coalition between former President Joseph Kabila and President Felix Tshisekedi appear to be in constant disagreement over internal negotiations .More from Abraham Lwakabuanga press director for DRC's President Felix Tshisekedi

With the festive season fast approaching South Africa gin brand has pushed the envelope with the launch of Inverroche Gin Schools in Gauteng. Through the gin schools people will be taught the wonders of gin as well as learn the basics of creating quality gin through an innovative experience .More from Lorna Scott founder of Inverroche Gin .

SympliFi, a U.K.-based fintech company has announced a finalization of a partnership with the United Nations Capital Development Fund, the United Nations agency charged with making public and private finance work for the poor in least-developed countries. The UNCDF partnership will expand SympliFi's digital financial solutions to migrants and their families in Africa. SympliFi offers a first of its kind solution that enables migrants and diaspora to digitally guarantee a microfinance loan for family in their home country, in minutes. Maurice Iwunze, co-founder of SympliFI elaborates..

At a time when the South African economy is shedding jobs, Bathu, a local sneaker brand, continues to make strides since its inception in 2015.The man in charge, Theo Baloyi is a former accountant who built his sneaker business from his uncle's back room in the township of Alexandra. He has since partnered with other brands and says he wants to tell a proudly South African township story through his successful sneaker brand. He elaborates.

The 2020 edition of Moshito music conference and exhibition has been launched in Johannesburg, South Africa. Now in its 17th year, Moshito has positioned itself as Africa's premiere music industry event. This year's edition will take place from the 4th to the 7th of November at various venues including the Joburg Theatre and Vilakazi Street in Soweto. Veteran musician Steve Kekana and singer Makadzi are this years ambassadors. Channel Africa's Nhlanhla Mahlangu caught up with Steve Kekana..

Many women in Africa work in the informal sector and since the lockdown across the continent, have lost their livelihoods due to borders being shut and economic activity slowing down. Being aware of the adverse effects of the virus on women entrepreneurs across the continent and in South Africa particularly, need to think about the long-term issues faced by women within the sector and how to overcome them. Some very fundamental issues include the lack of skills for women to enter the formal sector and the design of many economic sectors that continue to maintain shut doors for women. One woman that's tackling some of these issues head-on is Lebo Letsoalo, founder of African Women in Supply Chain Association. With her recent partnership with the UN Women, Letsoalo is setting up a skills development programme to help women penetrate the male-dominated logistics sector in the post-COVID South Africa. Letsoalo explains...

South African comedians Donovan Goliath ,Lihle Msimang and Mojak Lehoko have teamed up with Castle Lite to launch South Africa's first-ever YouTube news talk show,Lite News. The show focuses on wrapping up the weekly headlines in a light-hearted way, giving South Africans the opportunity to stay abreast of the latest news while enjoying a good laugh as they tackle the strain of the national lockdown. More from comedian Lihle Msimang.

The South African University of Witwatersrand's Dr. Bernard Coetzee has been announced as the winner of the second, annual 150-thousand US dollars Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer Grant. Dr Coetzee, who is with the university's Global Change Institute was selected from a record entry of 217 applications from 26 different countries in Africa. He spoke to Samora Mangesi about his achievement......

Policy drivers, thought leaders, expert clinicians and decision-makers in healthcare will from *today take park in a virtual event which will focus on transforming healthcare's most pressing challenges through collaboration and empowerment. The five-day event will unite some of the most innovative and knowledgeable minds from African healthcare communities, allowing attendees to keep up to date on the latest developments shaping the African healthcare industry. Wouter Molman, Executive Vice President for Informa Markets - Healthcare elaborates on what the aims of Omnia Health Live Africa are....

As Uganda marks 58 years of independence today, some citizens say they find little to celebrate in a country with high unemployment, poverty, corruption and political repression, while others believe self-autonomy is worth celebrating regardless. Uganda, known as the 'Pearl of Africa', attained its independence from Britain on October 9, 1962, after many years of British colonial rule. This year's independence day theme is 'Celebrating Uganda's steady progress towards economic take off and self-sustaining economic growth'.

The Wits School of Public Health in South Africa together with other partners recently hosted a convention on decolonizing health systems in Africa - which they say are predominantly westernized amidst the existence of alternative healing systems in Africa. Among other things, the virtual event was aimed at providing a platform for conversations to build solidarity across Africa and to eradicate colonial-imposed divides in health systems on the continent. To discuss this further, Zikhona Miso spoke to Shehnaz Munshi , a Lecturer in the Wits School of Public Health..

With South Africa on level one of the national lockdown, artists and musicians are now able to perform provided event organisers implement various measures and protocols to curb and prevent the spread of the corona virus.Musician Manu World Star recently performed in Rosebank at the Clubhouse in Johannesburg. Channel Africa's Nhlanhla Mahlangu caught up with him.

This week saw South Africa open up almost all sectors as the country moved to level one of the national lockdown. One such sector is the entertainment and eventing industry which has since implemented various measures and protocols to curb and prevent the spread of the corona virus. Beverage brand Flying Fish has launched an exclusive gateway to fashion collaborations, entertainment and reveals of the latest culture trends, the Clubhouse in Rosebank, Johannesburg. One such collaboration is by one of South African's most credible high street fashion designers, Amen who are showcasing what progressive bespoke insight localisation looks like. More from the designer duo Amen

South Africa joined the rest of the World on Sunday in marking World Tourism Day. Celebrated annually on the 27th September,this year's international day of observation was held under the theme of 'Tourism and Rural Development'. It came at a critical moment as the tourism sector looks to drive recovery, including that in rural communities where the sector is a leading employer and economic pillar. Gauteng Tourism Authority led the 2020 edition of World Tourism Day through a series of celebrations highlighting the unique role that tourism plays in providing opportunities outside big cities and preserving cultural and natural heritage. Nhlanhla Mahlangu reports..

The South African Medical Technology Industry Association, SAMED recently held its first virtual conference under the title: "Partnering to shape healthcare and grow medtech". The three-day event which comprised of about twenty-four sessions, was attended by over 200 delegates. To shed some light on the outcomes of the meeting, Samora Mangesi spoke to Tanya Vogt, Executive Officer of SAMED….

Opposition figures have reacted angrily after Ivory Coast's Constitutional Court rejected 40 candidates for upcoming presidential elections, validating the contested bid of incumbent Alassane Ouattara but sidelining his predecessor, Laurent Gbagbo. Former Prime minister Guillaume Soro, a onetime Ouattara ally who had been sentenced to 20 years in absentia over alleged embezzlement of public funds, was also barred from contesting the vote. With tensions running high ahead of the polls protests broke out in several cities, including in southeastern Bonoua, where some young people marched against Ouattara's candidacy in defiance of a ban on demonstrations. For some reaction to the Constitutional Court's ruling, Channel Africa spoke to Kone Adama, secretary general of the Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace party-RHDP.

The international charity organization, Oxfam has warned that wealthy nations representing about thirteen percent of the world's population have already secured more than half of the promised doses of leading COVID-19 vaccine candidates. Oxfam's warning follows a meeting of health and finance ministers of G20 countries which took place virtually this week to discuss the global pandemic. Mthandazo Ndlovu Hlahla is the Governance, Democracy and Strategic Alliances Manager at Oxfam South Africa.....

The search for a COVID-19 vaccine recently hit a hurdle with the suspension of the Oxford trial due to a reported side effect in a patient in the UK. While the trial has since resumed, some experts have raised questions about the current safety protocols in place for vaccine trials. Globally, some 18 000 individuals have received study vaccines as part of this trial. More from Dr Caryn Fenner, Technical director of the South African company, Afrigen.....

September is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Awareness Month, a condition that affects one in ten women. The condition can lead to symptoms like acne, excessive body hair growth, infertility, inability to lose weight and irregular periods among others. To shed some light on this, Zikhona Miso spoke to Karen Lamelle medical trainer at Lamelle Reseach Laboratories….

South African property brand, Private Property has today launched the Virtual Property Show. The platform has been created to allow key players in the property sector to engage with consumers in an interactive and innovative way. The Property Show will host 10 000 visitors in a virtually exclusive environment. The virtual event will bring together diverse thought leaders and brands that are keen to offer property consumers insights, information and tools required to further their property goals. More from Tracy Miller Brand and marketing executive at Private Property, the conveners of the virtual property Show

The University of Witwatersrand in South Africa is part of a new study that will explore SARS-CoV-2 transmission by asymptomatic people in rural and urban households in the country. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes coronavirus disease. Cheryl Cohen is the Professor of Epidemiology in the Wits School of Public Health and Head of the Centre for Respiratory Disease and Meningitis at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases in the National Health Laboratory Service she talks to Teddy Sibiya about the study..

Cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo's latest Ebola outbreak has surpassed the one-hundred mark, prompting the World Health Organization to describe the situation as concerning. The new Ebola outbreak is DRC's eleventh and was declared on June 1st. The last outbreak of Ebola in the Kivu province only just ended as the current one in Équateur began. More from Dr Mory Keita of the World Health Organisation.....

In an effort to increase female representation amongst investors, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange - JSE will be hosting its third #JSESheInvest summit on Saturday the 8th to mark Women's Day. South Africa celebrated Women's Day annually on August the 9th. The JSE's annual event aims to empower, educate and support women who want to achieve financial freedom through investing on the stock market. Due to lockdown regulation, this will be a virtual event, with the digital platform providing an opportunity to expand its footprint and reach even more women from all walks of life. Each year the summit aims to build the movement adding even more empowered women, who are determined to build wealth for themselves and future generations. Zanele Morrison, Director of Marketing and Corporate Affairs at the JSE, and one of the speakers at the event explains...

The glass container industry in South Africa has been hardest hit by the alcohol ban imposed by the country government last month in order to curb high number of hospitalization as the country combats the COVID-19 pandemic. The industry has warned that if the ban continues, there'll be catastrophic consequences on livelihoods. The ban is the second of its kind, the first one was imposed in late March when the government declared hard lockdown restrictions. The ban was subsequently lifted and reinstated last month. Isanti Glass and Consol are the southern African nations biggest suppliers to the alcohol and non-alcoholic beverage. They produce about five million bottles a year. Managing Director at Isanti Glass, Shakes Matiwaza has more...

The International Women's Forum of South Africa, IWFSA, has welcomed the statement issued by Cabinet of the Republic of South Africa advising the approval by Cabinet of three vitally important Gender Based Violence - GBV - Bills. The IWFSA recognises the approval by cabinet of the theme of Women's Month as 'Realising women's rights for an equal future' and further applauds cabinet for the approval of three Bills namely the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Bill of 2020; National Register for Sexual Offences) and the Domestic Violence Amendment Bill for submission to Parliament. For more on the subject, Samora Mangesi spoke to Tryphosa Ramano, board member of the International Women's Forum of South Africa.

There's concern on the levels of alcohol on some sanitizers being sold to the public in South Africa. The latest research carried out by accredited laboratory SciCorp in the country's KwaZulu-Natal province, has shown that out of 11 hand sanitizers, 9 bought from stores and two samples given out at the entrance to a mall or shop, only five were found to be non-compliant. This means they didn't contain the minimum 70 percent alcohol content, required by law. Chief Executive Officer at Biodx which manufactures sanitizers, Burt Rodrigues explains..

CNBC Africa, in partnership with Forbes Africa and prominent sponsors, will host the "future of work virtual conference" 20th of this month. The event will be hosted on Hopin, an online events platform that allows attendees to engage in interactive virtual networking sessions and expo booths. Businesses on the African continent are at a crossroads, with the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbating existing cracks in the system, creating an urgent need to adopt innovative technologies for future success. Sid Wahi, Managing Director of CMA Investment Holdings has more..

Dating back some one - hundred thuosand years, the KwaXolo Caves, located inland of Margate in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal -KZN- South Coast, were once open-rock shelters for indigenous San communities, with the history of these people echoed in the rock paintings evident today. Set atop the precipice of a deep gorge and boasting some of the region's most magnificent views, these once-inaccessible caves are now a top tourist attraction following the launch of the KwaXolo Caves Adventures earlier this year. Tour Operator at the caves, Shaun Makhanya explains...

The Jack Ma Foundation continues commitment to addressing barriers to economic development and entrepreneurship across Africa in various ways. Their current and ongoing initiative is the 2020 Africa's Business Heroes (ABH) prize competition which identifies and awards top outstanding business heroes from across Africa who are creating significant impact and driving change in their local communities. This year, 50 - Entrepreneurs from across Africa have been selected where the top ten finalists will enter a grand finale later this year and take the stage to pitch business legends - including Jack Ma - for a chance to win their share of a 1- point - 5 million dollars prize pool. The 2020 finalists represent 21 African countries which include: Algeria, South Africa, Kenya, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon and Zimbabwe among others. These represent 18 sectors such as, agriculture, AI, Big Data, business services, construction and transportation. More from Partnerships and Program Manager for the Jack Ma Foundation's Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative, Zahra Baitie...

South Africa's live entertainment industry is in need of serious love and support. Through the #LightSAred campaign, the industry will host a live stream event today to raise awareness about the jobs that were instantly lost when the lockdown was announced at the end of March. freelancers, venues, theatres, artists, musicians, technical crew, backstage professionals and performers, companies and businesses, in the live entertainment industry have been affected by the blanket ban on all events. The campaign is calling on government and financial institutions to extend financial relief to those who earn a living in the technical production and live events industry until they are permitted to resume work. Alistair Kilbee of the LightSAred campaign has more...

Leading South African digital bank TymeBank has reached another key milestone as it on boarded two - million individual customers since formally launching the bank in February 2019. Over a million of these are regarded as active customers.The bank has achieved this milestone five months ahead of its initial target date of 31 December 2020. In addition to onboarding individual customers, the bank has already onboarded over 18 - thousand 000 small businesses as customers as part of its small business proposition. TymeBank CEO Tauriq Keraan spoke to Channel Africa about this milestone....

Almost one quarter of women of reproductive age living in low- and middle-income countries has an unmet need for modern contraception. This is one of the findings of a study by the research and policy organization, the Guttmacher Institute released this week under the title: "Adding It Up". To discuss this further, Samora Mangesi spoke to Dr. Elisabeth Sully, the lead author of the study, from Washington DC..

Mental health challenges and substance use disorders continue to affect people's lives regardless of the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has also, in some cases, brought about mental health challenges for individuals. Mental health experts in South Africa say it is therefore essential that specialized multi-disciplinary in-patient care remains available, even for those individuals who may be COVID-19 positive but are medically well. To discuss this further, Samora Mangesi spoke to Mark de la Rey, Clinical psychologist and unit manager at the Akeso Kenilworth Adolescents and Young Adults mental health facility..

One of the best ways to prevent a coronavirus infection is to wash your hands with soap and water - and when soap and water aren't available, public health experts have recommended an alcohol-based hand sanitizer as the next best option. But just how effective are some of the gels and sprays on the market when it comes to getting rid of dangerous germs, such as the coronavirus?More from Judy Sunasky, Owner and Managing Director

More than 22-thousand students, teachers, and academics were injured, killed, or harmed in attacks on educational facilities during armed conflict or insecurity over the past five years. This is according to Education under Attack 2020, a new 300-page report published today by the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack. According to the report, more than 11-thousand separate attacks on education facilities, students and educators took place between 2015 and 2019. To discuss this further samora mangesi spoke to Marika Tsolakis and Jerome Marston, both from the Global Coalition to Protection Education from Attack..

Re-booting Africa's industrialisation to generate national wealth and create jobs, along the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, took centre stage yesterday at a webinar on Africa's integration. For more on this Channel Africa's Zikhona Miso spoke to Martin Bwalya, Head of Industrialisation at AUDA-NEPAD ,the development agency of the African Union. She began by asking him about the purpose of the Webinar.

The residence and citizenship planning firm-Henley and Partners has updated its passport index for 2020, ranking all the world's passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. The ranking comes as much of the world remains under varying degrees of lockdown amid the global Covid-19 pandemic, but excludes temporary bans as a result of the outbreak in its tally. However, the group has not ignored the pandemic in its assessments.For more on this Channel Africa’s Samora mangesi spoke to Amanda Smit , director of Henley and Partners South Africa..

The first-ever virtual edition of the world's largest conference on HIV is underway this week with a focus on the links between HIV and the COVID-19 pandemic and recognition of global debates around racism. Delegates from 175 countries are attending the conference, originally set to take place in Oakland and San Francisco, in the United Sated. The delegates at the conference will hear the results of a study of a new treatment regimen for people suffering from highly drug-resistant forms of TB, including people living with HIV. To discuss this further, Samora Mangesi spoke to Dr. Folu Olugbosi, Senior Director for Clinical Development at the TB Alliance..That was Dr. Folu Olugbosi, Senior Director for Clinical Development at the TB Alliance speaking to Samora Mangesi.

Minding one's mental health has become a great priority during the global coronavirus pandemic. Covid 19 has changed lives, industries and the world as we know it…so how does one stay sane, positive and most importantly psychologically healthy during such a tough time? Counsellor - Ruth McKenzie answers some of these questions.

One of the biggest Rooibos brands globally, Laager Rooibos is celebrating 75 years of existence. The history of Rooibos dates back to possibly thousands of years when this tea was first used by South Africa's KhoiSan people as a medicinal herb, with leaves harvested from the Aspalathus Linearis plant used to make natural remedies for a variety of ailments. The plant is grown exclusively on the Cederberg Mountains of the country's Western Cape Province. Laager Rooibos Marketing Manager, Candice Sessions, tells us more..

Over 250-million children and youth were entirely excluded from education, with poverty as the main obstacle to access. This is among the findings in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO's 2020 Global Education Monitoring - GEM Report titled "INCLUSION AND EDUCATION - ALL MEANS ALL." Dr. Manos Antoninis, report director explains what teachers can do to reach out to learners who have been left behind due to lockdowns as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic..

Fewer than ten percent of countries have laws that help ensure full inclusion in education. This is according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO's 2020 Global Education Monitoring Report titled "INCLUSION AND EDUCATION - ALL MEANS ALL." The report provides an in-depth analysis of key factors for exclusion of learners in education systems worldwide including background, identity and ability, that is, gender, age, location, poverty, disability, ethnicity, indigeneity, language, religion, migration or displacement status or sexual orientation among others. It identifies an exacerbation of exclusion during the COVID-19 pandemic and estimates that about 40 percent of low and lower-middle income countries have not supported disadvantaged learners during temporary school shutdown. The Report urges countries to focus on those left behind as schools reopen so as to foster more resilient and equal societies. The report's director, Dr. Manos Antoninis starts by explaining what the report is about..

An ambitious digitisation project that will not only improve the care of seriously ill COVID-19 patients, but also reduce the risk of infection to hospital staff, is being launched at the South African Cape Town-based Tygerberg Hospital. The digitisation of the hospital's COVID-19 intensive care unit, ICU, will do away with paper-based patient records that have to be manually captured by the patients' bedside, and replace it with a new digital system relying on cameras and computer tablets used to monitor patients' vitals. A partnership between Stellenbosch University and Western Cape Provincial Health hopes that this project will contribute towards improved care for patients with COVID-19, as well as a safer working environment for health care workers in the ICU environment. Senior pulmonologist at Tygerberg Academic Hospital's pulmonary unit, Dr. Brian Allwood explains..

INTROThe South African Breweries, SAB, says it's a hundred percent behind the implementation of a zero percent breath alcohol content limit. With South Africa having moved to level three of lockdown as of the 1st of June, and eased regulations coming into effect, there is a visible increase in the number of road users which has made the National Road Traffic Amendment Bill of 2019 more important than ever before. The bill, which was submitted by Government to Parliament at the beginning of this year, is poised to completely prohibit the consumption of alcohol if driving. The SAB says the move is both necessary and welcomed. Corporate Affairs Manager at SAB, Thabang Mashia explains..

The proposed Control of Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Services Bill is currently moving through its policy pathway in South Africa. The Bill, a comprehensive piece of tobacco control legislation, is consistent with South Africa's obligations under the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and brings South Africa back to the forefront of international tobacco control best practice. The Thina Abantu Protect Our Next movement, which aims to inspire young South Africans and indeed all South Africans to say yes to the bill and no to tobacco, launched earlier this month. Dr. Catherine Egbe, Specialist Scientist for Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit at SAMRC explains..

The COVID - 19 pandemic has presented entrepreneurs to with an opportunity to take centre stage in solving the economic troubles through innovation. Danny Tong, Chief Executive Officer at InvesTong doesn't subscribe to the notion that someone can entirely dictate a business' destiny. He believes the entrepreneurship journey is shaped by the economic landscape where one has to continuously scan the environment in search of opportunities that exist in the market, conduct market and product research and development in order to create innovative products and services that are comparable to none and improves efficiency and economic growth. Tong explains....

The past two months of South Africa's national lockdown and measures implemented to counteract the spread of Covid-19 have brought about a new reality for society. Priorities have shifted and the importance of one's residential location in light of the global pandemic - particularly for those seeking retirement homes - has become paramount. An unexpected result of the pandemic and associated economic recovery measures could well prove to be a boost to the local property market. KwaZulu-Natal's South Coast is emerging as one of the safest options in terms of location, and the most in-demand areas in terms of coastal living. Phil Barker of Renishaw Property Developments, believes this is also great for those looking to invest in a retirement home...

Sony Music Entertainment Africa and Celebrity Service Africa have announced a new joint venture which will facilitate existing artist-brand opportunities and develop new talent on the continent. It's the first of its kind in Africa.C.S.A. Executive Director Davin Phillips elaborates on the collaboration

Sardine activity has picked up in South Africa's KwaZulu Natal's province as Level three is implemented. The annual Sardine Run - is in full swing on the South Coast with permitted seine netters taking to the shores of the South Coast, following all necessary health and safety precautions in line with Covid-19 protocols. The Sardine Run takes place every winter, with this province and South Coast benefiting from the majority of the action. To tell us more about this run, here's Chief Executive Officer at Ugu South Coast Tourism, Phelisa Mangcu..

A few months ago Singular Group, a global management consultancy and business turnaround specialist embarked on a pro bono effort to extend some help to South African leaders and decision-makers during this unprecedented time of the Covid- 19 pandemic. As part of their, "Survival Framework" Singular is dedicating substantial time to research and analyse the best sources out there and share learnings from more than a decade of experience in helping corporates and decision makers globally in the ups and in the downs.The groups is working in collaboration with The London School of Business, on the learnings from companies that survived the Great Recession in 2008. Co founder and Senior Partner at Singular Group, Lorenzo Tencati elaborates..

The South African Tourism and Hospitality sector is facing an imminent sustainability crisis, as insurance companies are rejecting claims related to the Covid-19 pandemic, for which many policyholders believe they are covered under their Business Interruption extension. Insurance Claims Africa, ICA - a specialist public loss adjustment firm - has over 4 - hundred claimants in this sector against a number of insurers. The firm acts exclusively on behalf of the claimants, assisting them in a time of crises to prepare, motivate, quantify and negotiate settlement of their insurance claim. ICA is currently in discussions with leading insurance companies, in an attempt to reach a sensible settlement for these businesses who face imminent closure. If these discussions are unsuccessful, it will turn to the courts. More from ICA's Chief Executive Officer, Ryan Woolley....

GoDaddy, the company empowering everyday entrepreneurs and the world's largest domain registrar, has brought its 'Build Your Online Presence' workshop presented by Empower by GoDaddy to more than 500 small and medium enterprises and emerging, black-owned companies in South Africa's Gauteng province since June 2019. The workshops - many of them hosted in townships - aim to empower entrepreneurs with digital skills and tools that can help them to grow their business. Attendees learn the value of building their brand and discover how creating websites can help grow their digital presence. Selina Bieber, Regional Director for Turkey and MENA at GoDaddy EMEA has more..

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in both a health and an economic crisis across the globe. South Africa, like many other countries, has not been spared. Up to now many studies have been conducted on the impact of lockdowns, as a short-term measure to slow down the infection, on the economy in general, but none has focused on the impact on township economies. In view of this, the University of South Africa - Unisa Press, in partnership with Township Entrepreneurs Alliance (TEA), is undertaking a study to investigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on township economies. The study is aimed at both formal and informal businesses and entrepreneurs and will serve to inform policy makers and government of the extent of the economic impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on township economies. Director at Unisa Press, Dr Meiya Nthoesane elaborates...

ChairClub, South African manufacturers of world class office seating, recently partnered with the Adopt-a-School Foundation, to launch an initiative that supports local education. The chair manufacture says this is due to committing that for every chair sold from the ChairClub office chair range, the company will donate a school chair to one of a number of disadvantaged schools in rural and urban communities across the country. Managing Director at ChairClub, Travers Hathrill explains...

Today Marks World Environment Day. This year's theme is "Time for Nature". The day is one of the biggest days of recognition for encouraging people worldwide to save and protect the environment from different environmental challenges the world is facing today. The day has been marked since 1974. Thuto Ngobeni compiled this report..

On the 7th of May this year Mauritius was added to the European Commission's draft list of High-Risk Third Countries, which includes those jurisdictions deemed to have strategic deficiencies in their Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism regimes. While the draft list still requires European Parliament and Council approval, and is set to apply only from the 1st of October, inclusion on such a list presents Mauritius with both reputational risk and other financial implications. Soria Hay, head of Corporate Finance at the independent Southern African investment banking firm BRAVURA HOLDINGS, speaks to Samora Mangesi..

South Africa and the world's tourism industry is facing its biggest crisis in history as local and international travel bans as well as trade restrictions have forced hotels, airlines, tourist attractions, and numerous other hospitality businesses to close in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic. As lockdown measures are now slowly being eased in South Africa, the sector is lobbying government for more tourism-related businesses to be allowed to operate in the nationwide lockdown Level 3. More from David Frost, Chief Executive Officer of the Inbound Tourism Association SATSA...

South Africa- born Elon Musk's rocket company, SpaceX, has made history on Saturday, when its Crew Dragon capsule safely reached space carrying two NASA astronauts. It was the first time a private company put a human into orbit. The docking occurred just 19 hours after a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket blasted off from Kennedy Space Center, the United States' first astronaut launch to orbit from home soil in nearly a decade.For more on what the SpaceX launch means for the space industry, Channel Africa’s Khumbelo Munzhelele spoke to Tiaan Strydom, Space operations Business development manager at the South African National Space agency.

For the first time in the history of the Miss South Africa pageant, the top three finalists will represent the country at the world's three most prestigious pageants. Previously, the Miss South Africa Organisation has sent a representative to both Miss Universe and Miss World, but will also now be fielding a candidate to Miss Supranational. To tell us more about this, here's Chief Executive Officer at Miss SA, Stephanie Weils..

Vice Chancellor at Africa's leading institute of distance learning, the University of South Africa or Unisa, Professor Mandla Makhanya says Africa has a reason to celebrate its achievements. Makhanya spoke to Channel Africa exclusively as the continent celebrated Africa day yesterday. He says Africa has done excellent work in pioneering many fields, such as education..

The Institute of Business Advisors Southern Africa, IBASA, has welcomed partnerships to assist Small Medium and Micro Enterprises during and post, the COVID-19 financial crisis. The IBASA COVID-19 SUPPORT programme for small businesses, will provide mentorship and business advice by graded business advisors to all distressed businesses. IBASA has proposed mentoring clients to mitigate against loan defaults, nationally, by offering to provide services in remote areas, where the corporate or government agencies may not have a footprint. Chair and Board member at IBASA, Brian Moodley has more..

According to the World Health Organisation, there are at least 4- thousand 500 cancer fatalities and 8 thousand more from cardiovascular disease. These statistics are exacerbated by the circumstances and lack of health care for many of these victims in developing countries. Professor Resia Pretorius, Head of Stellenbosch University's Physiological Sciences Department in the Faculty of Science, and her team of researchers, engineers and scientists, hope to address these needs with the patenting and development of the BioCODE 2-in-1 nano-sensor to determine disease risk in patients. The team is the first recipient of University Technology Funding - UTF. Prof Pretorius starts by explaining what the UTF is..

About a month ago, Africa's largest content house launched the first factual Video on Demand platform on the continent, www.yebo.live. The aim was simple, to show case the side of the continent that A24 Media's crews experience while on assignments, the fun and adventurous, resilient and innovative while remaining brutally honest to how they tell the stories. A24 Media has covered the continent for over 12 years. Channel Africa spoke to founder of A24 and also Media Enterpreneur, Asif Sheikh..

Professor Mandla Makhanya, Vice Chancellor at Africa's leading institute of distance learning, the University of South Africa or Unisa, says the founding fathers of the African Union, would be pleased with the fact that governments on the continent are working together on a political level, but the lack of integration would leave them questioning this failure. Makhanya spoke to Channel Africa exclusively on isssues of African unity and education..

It has been 60 days since South Africa went in to a lockdown in an effort reduce the infection rate of the COVID- 19 pandemic. Since then, the country has moved from a complete lockdown of level 5, to level 4 and is set to move to level 3 as of next month. We took to the streets get people's feelings about the lockdown.

The blockchain token for ZIMBOCASH, a project developing a national decentralised currency network in Zimbabwe, has been listed on international cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb Global, which originated in Korea. Blockchain technology has been the game-changer to enable the creation of an alternative currency for an entire nation in crisis as Zimbabwe struggles with hyperinflation. Communications Director at Zimbocash, Phillip Haslam elaborates..

The need for ongoing social relief will be front of mind for a network of African purpose-led Shared Value companies and leaders, who will participate in the continent's first ever virtual Shared Value Leadership event to be held next month on the 2nd. The event to be held until the June the 5th will discuss challenges faced by business in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, how business has had to adapt, and what economic recovery will look like for the region. Titled "Beyond Borders: 2020 Africa Shared Value Leadership eSummit", this virtual event is aimed at creating a platform for leaders to openly share their experiences and tough decisions made when facing such challenges. The event was set to take place in Kigali, Rwanda, but due to the pandemic CEO at Shared Value, Tiekie Barnard says they decided to host the event virtually..

Pregnancy is a special time full of excitement and anticipation. But for expectant mothers facing the outbreak of the coronavirus disease, fear, anxiety and uncertainty are clouding this otherwise happy time. Morgan Brink is a wife and mother of a three year old boy and is expecting her second child. But on April 1st, she tested positive for the virus, days after returning from a cruise on the MSC Orchestra with her family. She has since recovered from the virus and shares her story with us.....

Water wastage is among the biggest contributors of loss of this priced commodity in South Africa. As the country marks Water week, Lesira-Teq smart meter believes its technology can play a role towards achieving control of water consumption. This gives consumers the power to have control over their water consumption and notify Municipalities of detected leaks through their smart technology. Lesira-teq, a smart metering company that designs, manufacturers and supplies smart metering systems has designed and manufactured smart meters that uses long range wireless communication via Internet of Things Network. Group CEO at the company, Edwin Sibiya explains..

Grindrod Bank appointed Amanda Dambuza as the banks chairperson of the Board of Directors. While Dambuza has been a Non-Executive Director of the board for several years, this appointment makes her the first African female to be appointed chairperson of a bank in South Africa. Dambuza is the Chief Executive of Uyandiswa, a project management consulting firm she founded 7 years ago. She is also the Director of Leadership Development Strategies, a company focusing on leadership & executive development, coaching, talent identification and teaming. Dambuza says this appointment is a great honour for her..

Four outstanding young people have won the Commonwealth Youth Awards for innovative projects that are delivering sustainable development in their countries. The awards recognise exceptional contributions by young people whose ventures are helping their countries achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Winner of the African region, Ugandan Galabuzi Kakembo spoke to Samora Mangesi about his achievement....

South Africa's Gauteng Province continues to position itself as preferred home and destination for investments, trade, competitive sports and sustainable tourism. This was evident last Friday when officials from provinces tourism authority together with the media embarked on a road tour to showcase various new establishments in the province. Channel Africa's Nhlanhla Mahlangu was there and filed this report..

French firm - IGN FI, a world leader and international major player in the field of geomatics, in partnership with the World Bank and Uganda's Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development is hosting an International Conference to mark the end of a very successful 10-Year initiative to computerize Uganda's land administration. Currently underway, in Uganda, Entebe, the conference aims to share benefits of Global Modernization of Land Administration to the world. Delegates from over 30 countries across Africa including, experts from the World Bank, Sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of the World are among those attending the event. More from General Manager at IGN FI, Christopher Dekeyne...

South Africa's Stellenbosch University and the University of Cape Town will be co-investing with the newly established 10-million dollar University Technology Fund that was set up by the SA SME Fund. The fund was set up with the aim of partnering with South African universities in order to commercialise the technologies and business ideas that arise from these institutions. Stocks & Strauss was appointed as the Fund Manager for this initiative. Fund manager, Wayne Stocks explains..

Somaliland Minister of Energy and Minerals Jama Mohamoud Egal says he hopes his visit to South Africa will help build mutual relations between the two countries after many yearsof strained relations. Egal was on three day visit to South Africa aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries as his country lobbies the international community to recognise it as an independent country. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, but it is not recognized by any country in the world. Channel Africa's Khumbelo Munzhelele spoke to Mohamoud Egal, and he began by asking him what he hopes to achieve through the visit.

The Central African Republic CAR is today celebrating the first anniversary of the Khartoum peace agreement signed between the government and 14 armed groups. Amnesty International says first anniversary of the peace agreement in the Central African Republic must be another opportunity to strengthen efforts to protect the civilian population from violence and to bring alleged perpetrators of crimes under international law to justice.The groups Legal Advisor Alice Banens, says one year after the peace agreement was signed, violence against civilians has not stopped and various armed groups continued to commit serious abuses against civilians, including killings and sexual violence..

Mining companies ,stakeholders,investors, governments and politicians have gathered in Cape Town , South Africa for the world's biggest mining investment conference. Known as the Mining Indaba, the conference brings together investors from around the world to discuss mining interests in Africa. This year's programme and discussions are focused on forging the future direction of the African Mining industry. Under the theme 'Optimising Growth and Investment in the Digitised Mining Economy', key topics include green and sustainable technology, investment opportunities in African mining, resource nationalism, climate change and youth challenges amongst others. More from Stephen Karangizi Director for Africa Legal Support Facility at the African Development Bank.

Lesotho attorney general Haae Phoofolo has told the police that calling Prime minister Tom Thabane to answer questions on the murder of his former wife Lipolelo Thabane is tantamount to undermining his executive authority. This comes after Police summoned Thabane for questioning over alleged links to the 2017 murder. The couple had been embroiled in bitter divorce proceedings and the killing of the 58 year old outside her home in the capital Maseru, sent shockwaves through the Mountain Kingdom. Several high-profile figures have also been summoned to provide information on the case, including Thabane's current wife.For more on this Channel Africa’s Samora Mangesi spoke to Billy Ntaote, founding partner of MNN Centre for Investigative Journalism in Lesotho.

Weak domestic and regional institutions undermined human rights in several Southern African Development Community member countries during 2019. These are the findings of Human Rights Watch World Report 2020. The report says despite commitments to protect human rights in their constitutions, several countries struggled to promote human rights and failed to play a leadership role in placing human rights issues on the regional agenda. Channel Africa's Nhlanhla Mahlangu has more..

The World Food Programme, WFP has warned that a record forty-five million people - mostly women and children - in the sixteen-nation Southern African Development Community, SADeC are gravely food insecure. This follows repeated drought, widespread flooding and economic disarray. As the crisis deepens, the WFP has called on the world to step up now to save lives and enable communities to adapt to climate change. More from the organization's, Southern Africa Spokesperson, Gerald Bourke.....

The National Arts Council (NAC) in South African has announced that it has notified the arts organisations and individuals whose funding applications have been successful for this financial year. A total of two-hundred-and-thirty-seven organisations and individual projects, across the nine provinces in South Africa, have received grants totaling three-million-four-hundred US Dollars, with bursary funding for 2020 due to being announced soon. The total comprises one-million-five-hundred US Dollars for arts organisations and one-million-eight-hundred US Dollars for arts practitioners and projects. More from Rosemary Mangope, Chief Executive Officer of the NAC...

The Stamp Out Marine Plastic Pollution (STOMP) Awards made a call out in October for South Africans to enter ideas and solutions that could reduce, or eliminate plastic pollution, which ultimately ends up in the ocean destroying habitats, and endangering marine species. Over 60 entries in five categories were submitted, and five winners were selected in the five categories. More from the Project Manager of the STOMP Awards, Duncan Pritchard...

Lekhureng Colour Fun Run, an annual 10-kilometres and 5-kilometres marathon in Limpopo, South Africa, is in it's second year this year with an objective to keep a girl child in school by gathering as many sanitary towels as possible to be distributed to schools. This year the run is taking place on the twenty eighth of this month, and to discuss further on the event, Matome Seema, founder of the Annual Lekhureng Colour Fun Run speaks to Zikhona Miso on the line...

Christmas season is the best time of the year; it's a time for family, friends, and lots of merriment. Sadly, statistics also indicate that burglaries around this time of the year spike exponentially. This has a lot to do with the fact that burglars are aware that there are lots of gifts in the house and probably extra money lying around. This is according to Shaun Rademeyer, Chief Executive Officer of MultiNET Homeloans, who has more on the tips of how to keep your home safe over the festive season...

Due diligence is a fundamental to sound practice, and yet so many companies overlook this fact, with grave consequences. Just a few years ago, the only security a company need worry about concerned physical measures. These measures could be easily quantified and reviewed. However, with the steady online migration and greater emphasis and reliance on data, cyber security is gaining prominence, which means that due diligence is becoming increasingly important too. Chief Executive Officer at Africa Forensics & Cyber, David Loxton explains..

The United Kingdom has been widely condemned for ignoring a United Nations deadline to hand the Chagos Islands back to Mauritius. A six-month deadline to return control of the overseas territory came and passed with the UK refusing to recognise Mauritius's claim of sovereignty over the islands. The United Nations overwhelmingly voted in May to set the six-month deadline for UK's withdrawal from the Indian Ocean archipelago in a major diplomatic blow. For more on this, Channel Africa’s Khumbelo Munzhelele spoke to Olivier Bancoult, Chagossian activist and leader of the Chagos Refugee Group. He says UK's refusal to give up control of the islands shows it considers itself to be above international law.

This year, Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) is celebrating four distinct themes: Education, Ecosystems, Inclusion and Policy. Shared workspaces have gained popularity over the years and are integral to the growth of businesses. Ideally these spaces need to embody the themes of GEW, but often do not. Now to discuss the importance of creating ecosystems in the workspace for entrepreneurs and how workspaces are evolving to meet the needs of entrepreneurs, Channel Africa’s Zikhona Miso spoke to David Seinker the CEO The Business Exchange and began by asking him what co-working is and who it is for?...

Longitudinal health research studies conducted in South Africa, Brazil, Guatemala, and the Philippines have concluded that early child development, and ensuring that all children stay in school are the keys to ensuring that these children maximize their intellectual potential. The investigators, aiming to generalise data and analysis to inform health interventions in developing countries, formed the Consortium on Health-Orientated Research in Transitioning Societies or COHORTS. This collaboration is the first of its kind in the global South. More from Lethu Kapueja, the Manager of the Centre of Excellence in Human Development hosted by Wits University.....

A number of high ranking US Government officials are among delegates attending the 2nd Africa Investment Forum in Johannesburg. The aim of the three day event is to raise capital, advance projects to bankable stage and accelerate financial closure of deals. More on THEIR interest in the Forum from TOM HARDY, Acting Director of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, which connects America's private sector to infrastructure projects in developing and middle-income countries ...

South Africa's most prestigious app developers have been recognised at the MTN Business App of the Year Awards held in Johannesburg last week. The Best Women in STEM Solution Award for the best app developed by women in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics went to LocTransi. The app allows parents and caregivers to monitor and keep track of their children's school transportation in real-time. The free app keeps parents informed via a messaging system of delays or problems along the route, and the driver can alert parents about emergencies immediately. Schools can track when learners enter or leave the premises. More on the app from Tshidi Morabi

Uganda has started immunizing more than eighteen million children against measles, rubella and polio as part of efforts to interrupt the circulation of the three diseases. The eastern African nation has experienced measles outbreaks across numerous districts in the past three years. At the same time, polio remains a daunting threat, given evidence of vaccine-derived strains circulating in neighbouring countries. More from Dr Emmaculate Lebo, the Measles and Rubella Focal point at the World Health Organization East and Southern Africa Regional Office…..

Trade ministers and senior officials from 53 Commonwealth countries met in London, to explore strategies for deepening trade and investment, while supporting a transparent, inclusive, fair, and open rules-based global trading system. The focus of the Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting, chaired by the UK, focussed on strengthening multilateral trade, fighting protectionism and progressing efforts to achieve 2 trillion dollars worth of trade within the Commonwealth by 2030. To find out more on this, Samora Mangesi spoke to Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland...

October is Transport Month in South Africa. During this month, the country's Department of Transport and its entities showcase transport infrastructure services in aviation; maritime; public transport and roads. This month will also be used to further advance the country's road safety initiatives, while also creating awareness of the economic benefits of the sector. For more on this, we spoke to Ayanda Allie-Paine, spokesperson for the Transport Department..

Polio has reared its ugly head in the Philippines after officially being eradicated some nineteen years ago. This has prompted aid agencies to scale up efforts in an effort to help contain the virus. According to the World Health Organization, polio, which has no cure, can be prevented with multiple doses of a safe and effective vaccine. More than two billion children globally are protected against polio through these vaccinations. Chris Staines, Head of Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, IFRC says it is not yet known how the virus made an alarming come-back after all these years....

Haiti is bracing for fresh round of protests amid calls for President Jovenel Moïse to resign. Opposition leaders have called for a nationwide mass protests this week to paralyze the country's economy as they press for Moïse to give up power. Haitians are angry about what they say is public corruption, spiralling inflation as well as a dwindling supply of gasoline that has forced many gas stations in the capital to close as suppliers demand the cash-strapped government pay them more than $100 million owed.Police fired live rounds and tear gas as they clashed with protesters in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, on Friday. For more on this, Channel Africa spoke to Etzer Emile, Haitian Economist.

Sudan's transitional government has ordered the immediate closure of the nation's borders with Libya and Central African Republic , the first such measure taken by the new Sudanese authorities since the demise of President Omar al-Bashir. The announcement followed a meeting between the transitional government and the government of South Darfur State, part of Sudan's western Darfur region that has suffered from violence since 2003 . The northeast African country has often complained about arms trafficked through its borders with the two countries.For more on this, Channel Africa’s Khumbelo Munzhelele spoke to Mr Mohamed Hassan, Sudan's Ambassador to South Africa

Two political outsiders will compete in a run-off vote to become Tunisia's next president after they topped the first round of voting. Kais Saied, an independent candidate and law professor, won a shock victory with 18.4% of the vote. He was followed in second place by Nabil Karoui, who received 15.6% of the vote. Initially scheduled to take place in November, the vote was brought forward following the death of President Beji Caid Essebsi in late July.For more on the significance of the vote, Channel Africa spoke Dr Mohamed Chtatou, an expert on North African Politics.

Pope Francis has urged Catholics to increase their zeal for evangelization, and to invite the young to be an active part of the Church as he wrapped up his Africa visit. The three- nation trip took him to Mozambique, Madagascar as well as Mauritius. Addressing the mass in the small island of Mauritius , Francis said despite the country's economic growth in the last few decades, many young people are still suffering from unemployment, which makes them uncertain about the future. Channel Africa spoke to Reverend Father Patrick Rakeketsi, Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference associate Secretary General, about Pope Francis’ Africa visit and its significance.

Cruising is becoming a popular holiday destination and the industry continues to see growth. This as South Africa celebrates Tourism Month, an annual celebration held in September to focus on the importance of tourism to the economy. The month long campaign provides the tourism industry with the opportunity for a heightened focus on the importance of tourism to the local economy. It also serves as an opportunity to promote domestic tourism and create a culture of travel.MSC Cruises recently announced it will be bringing two ships to South Africa's shores for the 2020/2021 cruise season. More from Ross Volk, Managing Director for MSC Cruises South Africa..

The ASI Thought Laboratory 2019 brought together 500 high-impact individuals from various industries in South Africa on Wednesday, to rise to the challenge of fighting corruption within the countries most important economic sectors. The event sought to take a bold step towards tabling a sustainable redress and launch an effective solution for this epidemic. It was held at the Constitutional Hill in Johannesburg. For more on this, Nhlanhla Mahlangu spoke to Anthony Gove, CEO at Corporate Financial Advisory Firm ASI....

South Africa's biggest township Soweto last Friday played host to the annual Kasi food and drink festival at Soweto theatre. Now in its 5th year the South African food, drink, culture and lifestyle festival celebrates all things South African. It is a place for people to come together and enjoy the alchemy of culture and culinary delight with variety of food stalls, music art and crafts. More from Lance Nkwe, Business Leader of Emerging Markets at the Flight Centre Travel Group. and Mashoto Mokgethi, head of domestic tourism at South African Tourism supporters of the festival.

Russia's former Ambassador to South Africa, Mikhail Petrakov has recently completed his 7-year tenure in the country. Before packing his bags for his return to Moscow, he sat down with Channel Africa's Jenine Coetzer to talk about his experiences of South Africa and what he will remember the most in this part of the world. Petrakov also reflects on his diplomatic career starting as a student at the former Soviet Union's New Delhi Embassy in 1981, followed by foreign postings in India, Australia and Brussels, before taking up office in South Africa in 2012:

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

The situation remains tense and unpredictable in El-Obeid town, north Korodofan region, west of Sudan's capital, Khartoum, where at least six people including four secondary school students were killed after security forces opened fire to disperse hundreds of demonstrators. James Shimanyula reports…

Broadway renowned, award winning South African production of SARAFINA is back at the Joburg theatre. The musical deals with the radicalisation of a young school girl who becomes involved in the riots and is tortured by the South African police. The primary setting is the Morris Isaacson High School where students revolt against the use of Afrikaans as medium of instruction. More from the shows director Nhlanhla Ngema .

The third annual youth academy continues in Kigali in Rwanda under the theme: "Youth Contribution to Prevent and Mitigate Electoral and Political Violence in African Countries". The overall objective of the academy is to strengthen capacities and skills of participants to become more effective agents of positive and constructive change in electoral and political conflict prevention and mitigation in their respective countries. It is hosted by the department of Political Affairs of the African Union Commission and the Africa and West Asia Programme of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, in partnership with the African Governance Architecture Secretariat and the National Consultative Forum of Political Organizations in Rwanda. More from Hassa Mahboub Maalim, policy analyst: conflict prevention at the early warning division of the AU"s Peace and security department.

Interview with Channel Africa Executive Producer for the Chinyanja service Daniel Banda on Malawi…

Last week we spoke about South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma attending the state capture enquiry this week – what is twitter saying?

The Italian government has come under fire after passing a security decree that aims to curb migration by criminalizing charity search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean, despite repeated warnings - including from the United Nations - that the new rules violate the rights of refugees and rescuers alike. The decree, which was championed by far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, also gives additional power to the Ministry of the Interior on issues of migration, and mandates that ships which ignore bans and limitations on entering Italian waters will be seized. More than 12,000 people have died since 2014 trying to flee Libya to Europe by what the UN refugee agency calls the world's deadliest sea crossing. Channel Africa's Khumbelo Munzhelele earlier spoke to Professor Paolo Quercia, an Italian Immigration expert, about the controversial rules. He says it is highly unlikely that the new measures will be withdrawn.OUTROProfessor Paolo Quercia, Italian Immigration expert on the line from Rome in Italy.-talking to Khumbelo Munzhelele.

A row has broken out in Tanzania over the government's decision to impose a tax on wigs and hair extensions. In his budget speech in parliament last Thursday, the country's Minister of Finance - Philip Mpango announced a 25% tax on imported wigs and hair extensions and a 10% tax on those made locally as part of a series of measures aimed at increasing government revenue. Wigs, most of which come from overseas, are commonly worn by women in the country. Many women have taken to Tanzanian WhatsApp groups to complain about the new measures, accusing the government of punishing them. Monica John is from the Tanzania Gender Networking Programme - TGNP - one of organisations that are calling for the new taxes to be scrapped.Monica John - Spokesperson of Tanzania Gender Networking Programme - TGNP - on the line from Dares Salaam talking to Khumbelo Munzhelele.

Today is World Refugee Day. The day is commemorated every year on 20 June. It is a special day when the world takes time to recognise the resilience of forcibly displaced people throughout the world. It is celebrated annually to honour the courage, strength and determination of women, men and children who are forced to flee their homes under threats of persecution, conflict and violence. On this day, the international community seeks to draw attention to the plight of refugees and celebrate their courage and resilience. More from Julius Jackson Technical Officer at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

The number of people fleeing war, persecution and conflict exceeded 70 million in 2018. This is the highest level that UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has seen in its almost 70 years. Data from UNHCR's annual Global Trends report released today, shows that almost 70.8 million people are now forcibly displaced. This is double the level of 20 years ago and 2.3 million more than a year ago. More on the findings from UNHCR´s Senior Regional External Relations Officer and Spokesperson for Southern Africa region Markku Aikomus.

The resilient spirit of the youth of 1976 continues to shine at the 58th International Art Exhibition-La Biennale Di Venezia where provocative and engaging art works by leading South African visual artists adorn the walls of the South African Pavilion at one of the biggest and most celebrated art destinations, Arsenale, Venice. The exhibition themed under: 'The Stronger We Become' celebrates the contribution made by the youth of 1976 in instilling a spirit of selflessness, social and political resistence. Established in 1895, La Biennale di Venezia is one of the oldest art events in the world, with over 80 countries and artists represented at various individual pavilions. More from the director general at the department of arts and culture in South Africa Vusi Mkhize..

Adverse childhood experiences like emotional neglect, violence and sexual abuse work together to cause specific health issues in early adolescence in the world's poor urban areas, often with life-long consequences. This is the crux of a new study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in the United States. The study looked at children between the ages of ten to fourteen years of age in the urban areas of Beijing, Baltimore, Nairobi and South Africa among others. More from Robert Blum, a Professor at the John Hopkins University.....

In an effort to create jobs in South Africa, a number of multinational companies are signing up for the Equity Equivalent Investment Programme. Samsung South Africa this week announced its multi million dollar programme which is projected to have a measurable impact on job creation and a contribution to the South African economy. The equity equivalent investment programme is an initiative of the Department of Trade and Industry where multinational companies that are unable to sell equity in South Africa are invited to participate and contribute positively towards B-BBEE and development of South Africa. More from Hlubi Shibanda, director for corporate affairs at Samsung South Africa..

Emerging scholars from different parts of Africa are meeting in South Africa for the 13th annual Africa Young Graduates and Scholars conference at the University of Johannesburg in Auckland Park Kingsway .Taking place under the theme, Youth Development in Africa: Challenges, Solutions and the Way Forward, the AYGS 2019 Conference, co-hosted this year by the Africa Institute of South Africa in the HSRC and the Division for Internationalisation at the University of Johannesburg, will explore youth development challenges in Africa based on solicited scholarly papers from emerging academics and researchers from the continent. Participants include young academics from Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.More from Frank Lekaba researcher at the Africa Institute of South Africa.

Preparations 7th Tokyo International Conference for African Development have begun.TICAD 7 will be held this year in Yokohama City, Japan from the 28th to the 30th of August. TICAD is the largest initiative by Japan to assist African development, particularly with regards to the improvement of social and economic conditions on the continent. Ahead of the event the Embassy of Japan in South Africa this week organised a media tour to discuss the upcoming 7th TICAD amongst others. More from Minister Shuichiro Kawaguch deputy head of mission at the Japanese embassy in South Africa.

A huge fire has destroyed property worth millions of dollars at an open air market in Nairobi's Kibera slums. Reports say more than 5 000 businesspeople carry out businesses at the market. Channel Africa's James Shimanyula has more from Nairobi…

The seventh annual inter-hotel challenge has been launched. The challenge has become a huge event for the South African tourism and hospitality industry. Its primary objective is to partner with the industry in order to create and sustain a strong national base of top quality chefs, bakers and wine stewards in South Africa's tourism industry. More on the challenge from Wendy Coetzer.

The United Nations – Under Secretary For Humanitarian Affairs, Mark Lowcock has concluded his three-day trip to Zimbabwe by visiting villages affected by drought and economic meltdown.On Friday, Lowcock visited a Bindura and surrounding villages, approximately 90 kilometers north of Harare, where he witnessed first hand effects of drought.Meanwhile the United Nations has launched the Zimbabwe Flash Appeal aimed at raising US$ 234 million to cater for millions of hungry Zimbabweans.More from our Harare based Correspondent, Simon Muchemwa.

The tit-for tat trade embargoes and tariffs imposition by the global key economies have had negative consequences for the global air cargo transportation. This is according to the head of cargo at The International Air Transport Association - IATA, Glyn Hughes. Hughes says while the bulk of the tariff measures implemented to date have largely been between the US and China, the threat of a global trade war is rising. It is estimated that globally $5.9trn worth of goods are flown by air cargo annually which is about 35% of global trade by value and generates annual revenues of more than $50bn for airlines. Channel Africa's Khumbelo Munzhelele spoke to Glyn Hughes about air cargo transportation in Africa. He began by asking him about the challenges facing the industry.

A campaign commemorating South African achievement and progress has been launched by global brand Jonny Walker.The Keep Walking SA campaign seeks to highlight South African's narrative on progress .It is about being aspirational and encouraging South Africans to keep walking against all odds to achieve success.The likes of South Africa's most famous media export Trevor Noah, the country's first black female pilot Refilwe Ledwaba , actress and businesswoman Enhle Mbali and Olympic swimmer Chad le Clos are some of the faces of this campaign.More from Refilwe Ledwaba who holds the title of being the first black woman to fly for the police and the founder of the Southern African Women in Aviation SAWIA.

Aggressive promotion of the growing of pulses in Africa could substantially mitigate the effects of climate change in the continent, so says Dean Miller from AGT Africa, a branch of the largest pulse-processing company in the world.While veganism is arguably on the rise globally, there is a belief that growing of crops such as peas, beans, lentils and chickpeas could supplement the important vitamins and minerals like potassium, folate and iron. Pulses are rich in fibre, which is beneficial to weight management.“Most regions that are drought stricken; that have less than four hundred millilitres of rainfall annually, for one kilogram of dried pulses, it only takes fifty litres of water to grow”, said Dean Miller- Group Marketing Manager at AGT.Crops such as pigeon peas and Bambara beans (which are in the pulses family) are almost ancient grains, but can be cultivated in very poor soils and in semi-arid areas in Africa. These crops are climate smart as they simultaneously adapt to climate change and contribute towards mitigating its effects. It is believed that 85 million hectares of pulses have contributed globally 3-6 million tonnes of nitrogen in soils.Miller says, while one kilogram of pulses can take fifty litres of water to grow, the same weight on beef, will take thirteen thousand litres of water for only one cow to come to fruition and for it to be slaughtered. This, he calculates to twelve thousand, nine hundred and fifty (12,950) more litres to produce beef with the exact, same, type of protein as opposed to producing a pulse.Crops such as pigeon peas and Bambara beans (which are in the pulses family) are almost ancient grains, but can be cultivated in very poor soils and in semi-arid areas. These crops are climate smart as they simultaneously adapt to climate change and contribute towards mitigating its effects.AGT, which stands of Alliance Grain Traders, is one of the largest suppliers of value-added pulses, staple foods and food ingredients.

O autor Adildo Soares Gomes lançou esta quinta-feira, 24 de janeiro, na Cidade do Tarrafal, o livro “Cabo Verde e a ...Segunda Guerra Mundial: A Importância Geoestratégica do Arquipélago na Política Externa Portuguesa (1939-1945).

The global tourism and meetings industry will gather in Johannesburg, South Africa next month for the annual Meetings Africa, a business and events trade show .The travel and tourism industry continues to recognise Africa as a sought-after destination and Meetings Africa showcases the continents diverse offering of services and products. This year marks the 14th instalment of the show which will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre on 26th and 27th February. More from the South African Tourism Chief Executive Officer - Sisa Ntshona..

The managing director for Tanzania advocacy group known as under the same sun that helps people with albinism, Berthasia Ladislaus, has urged the government to continue supporting people with Albinism in Tanzania by providing education and sensitizing the public on issues affecting their lively hood. Ladislaus said this in Dar es salaam during the 10-year anniversary of the organisation's existence in Tanzania.Our reporter, Gabriel Zakaria, has more from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania…

Zambia's Young African Leaders Initiative says it is disappointed at the manner in which the country's National Dialogue Process is being handled.

The United Nations says it remains ready to assist in mediation if all political sides in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) request such an intervention. The global organisation's remarks come amidst regional calls for a negotiated settlement that could lead to a government of national unity or a possible recount at the discretion of national authorities in the country. The electoral authority in the DRC earlier announced Felix Tshisekedi as the provisional winner of the presidential election but runner-up, Martin Fayulu, has challenged the outcome in the country's Constitutional Court.

Lawyers for Mozambique's former finance minister, Manuel Chang, have challenged the lawfulness of Chang's detention in South Africa.

A unique digital lifestyle platform designed for the youth market has been launched by South African banking group Standard Bank.The Sorted digital lifestyle platform combines banking, lifestyle and social functions. It is the first of its kind to be launched in South Africa which enables the user to access multiple lifestyle services including social media products under a single digital platform. More from Lincoln Mali - Head of Card and Emerging Payments at Standard Bank.

South Africa commemorated Reconciliation Day yesterday. Observed annually on the 16th of December, the day seeks to commemorate the end of apartheid as well as promote national unity. Musician and cultural activist Selaelo Selota says the country still has a long way to go to fully reconcile..

Land owners in South Sudan's capital, Juba, and the north-eastern town of Wau, have accused the United Nations Mission in the country, UNMISS, of illegally taking hundreds of acres of their land.But UNMISS says it will revert the land back to the owners once the displaced people return to their homes next year.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

The Nubian Music Festival is back for another installment this coming weekend. Due to take place at the Eagle Waters Wildlife Resort, in Hartbeespoort Dam, in the North West Province, the music festival is a celebration of African culture through the powerful medium of music and dance. Nhlanhla Mahlangu reports.

Global beverage brand, Coca-Cola has teamed up with four South African designers to create a collaboration called Coke Threads. The collection is a multi-sensory and multi-platform experience that brings to life collaborative creations in a fresh and impactful way. Mpho S-God Makua is one of the designers..

The world marked International Men's Day on Monday the 19th of November 2018. Experts say such a day, is an opportunity to take men's issues such as gender violence and scourge of toxic masculinity head on. South Africa's nongovernmental organisation Sonke Gender Justice hosted a forum for such discussions. Dr Rafael Cazarin, Research Fellow at Sonke Gender Justice, spoke to Channel Africa's Reporter Kgomotso Mophulane...

Donor funding can perpetuate human trafficking especially in orphanages. This is according to Sophie Otiende, a survivor of trafficking and Programme Consultant at Awareness Against Human Trafficking- HAART - in Kenya. According to the 2018 Trafficking in Persons Report, orphanages are increasingly becoming hubs for human trafficking around the world. Research also shows that the vast majority of children in orphanages have living parents. Otiende has been speaking to Channel Africa's Reporter Kgomotso Mophulane, on the sidelines of the Trust conference, which took place in London last week. She says there's a need to reconsider funding mechanisms of nongovernmental organisations...

The health of Gabonese President Ali Bongo continues to be a matter of concern for the Gabonese citizens after almost three weeks of his absence. Bongo was hospitalized in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last month where he was attending the Future Investment Initiative conference. Following his admission, the government had claimed Bongo was only under observation due to severe fatigue while reports suggested that Bongo had suffered a stroke instead. Bongo took over when his father, Omar Bongo, died in 2009 after nearly 42 years at the helm.For more on Bongo's absence and whether it could result in a power struggle in the Oil -rich West african nation, Channel Africa spoke to Professor Douglas Yates, Gabon expert at the American Graduate School in Paris France.

African heads of state are set to gather this weekend for a special summit aimed at pushing through long-debated reforms to the continental body. The changes seek to streamline and empower the African Union (AU) a call for an organisation often seen as toothless and donor-dependent. The summit will be held at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at the insistence of Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, the pioneer of the reforms.The AU has been credited with taking a stand against coups on the continent, and laying the groundwork for a continental free trade area. But critics say the body has kept quiet over human rights abuses and relied on nations outside the continent to sanction rogue governments. According to Elissa Jobson, Head of African advocacy for the International Crisis Group, the Prospects for an agreement on the proposed reforms will depend on the countries that show up at the summit..

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

The Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) is commemorating Malaria Day, observed annually on the 6th of November, to create awareness about the mosquito borne disease. Sub-Saharan Africa carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden, with 89 per cent of malaria cases recorded in the region in 2015. Scientists believe that a gene-drive, which is also endorsed by the African Union, could be a transformative tool towards malaria eradication. However, the proposed gene-drive is not without criticism, with concerns that this latest form of genetic engineering poses environmental and health threats. To unpack the controversy around the gene drive here's the Director of the African Centre for Biodiversity, Mariam Mayet. talking to Zikhona Miso.

The goverment of Cameroon says it has deployed its military and intelligence services to search for and make sure that 79 students and three of their teachers abducted from a presbyterian secondary school in the restive english speaking region are found and brought back alive. Moki Kindzeka reports from Bamenda, Cameroon...

The government of Tanzania says it has not expelled the European Union Ambassador to Tanzania, Roeland van de Geer, instead noting that the decision to recall him was taken after mutual discussion by authorities from both sides. Over the weekend, news outlets across the city of Dar es Salaam speculated that the vocal Envoy to Tanzania had been ordered by Tanzanian authorities to leave the country within 24 hours for unknown reasons. Our Reporter, Gabriel Zakaria, has more from Dar es Salaam...

After nearly five years of stalled investigations, South African prosecutors have finally called an inquest into the brutal strangling to death of Rwandan dissident, Patrick Karegeya, a former close aide to Rwandan President Paul Kagame. At least 30 witnesses are expected to testify, beginning in January, in an inquest that could lead to criminal charges, according to senior prosecutor Yusuf Baba, who opened the inquest on Thursday. For more on this, Channel Africa's Nixon Katembo spoke to Karegeya's Nephew David Batenga…

The situation remains calm throughout South Sudan and for the first time in five years.Guns have gone silent, a day after more than 14 million people in that country held a historic celebration to mark the signing of a new peace agreement.James Shimanyula takes up the story…

South African horror film ''the Tokoloshe'' takes a bow in Sweden and Belgium, having scored rave reviews from international film festival critics. The film tells the story of a young woman who befriends someone who believes she is being terrorised by a supernatural being called tokoloshe. The film continues to travel to festivals around Europe ahead of its release on the 2nd of November in South Africa. It will also be screened at the Africa International Film Festival in Lagos, Nigeria next month. One of its starring actresses Petronella Tshuma, explains how she prepared for her character ''Busi''...

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

South Africa's involvement in the trade in tigers and tiger products is of increasing concern. This is according to recent research by international animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS. The study shows that legal and illegal trade of endangered tigers and their body parts are flourishing in Europe. FOUR PAWS is calling on the European Union to ban the tiger trade for good. Here's Fiona Miles, FOUR PAWS SA Country Director.

Affordable, accessible and good quality health care should be the cornerstone of the South African health care system. These are the sentiments of the Board of Healthcare Funders of Southern Africa. The BHF is a representative body of the healthcare funding industry available in Botswana, Malawi and Zimbabwe among other countries. Board's Managing Director, Dr Katlego Mothudi explains...

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

A new report by the International Food Policy Research Institute in partnership with the Ohio State University show that domestic migration raises incomes and lowers happiness. The research establishes the impact of internal migration on migrants' happiness in a developing country. According to the study, migrants suffer an emotional setback due to a rising gap between their aspirations and their actual accumulation of assets. International Food Policy Research Institute Senior research fellow, and co-author of the report Katrina Kosec, tells us more..

Today marks Global Handwashing Day. Annually observed on the 15th of October, the day is dedicated to increasing awareness about the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent illnesses. Many diseases, including diarrhoea, are transmitted by a failure to practise basic hygiene. Research shows that washing hands with soap and water can reduce diarrhoea deaths by more than 40 per cent. For more on this issue here's Dr. Susan Louw, a medical doctor and qualified pathologist at Wits University in South Africa..

The month of October has been declared Mental Health Awareness month in South Africa, with the objective of not only educating the public about mental health but also to reduce the stigma and discrimination that people with mental illness are often subjected to. Mental health is one of the most neglected forms of illness despite it accounting for most suicides among young people. According to the World Health Organisation 800-thousand young people commit suicide worldwide each year. Further studies have found that 21% of South African youngsters had attempted suicide at least once. For more on teen depression in the country, Jane Rabothata spoke to a Social worker from Life healthcare group, Charlene van Rooyen..

An HIV positive mother in South Africa has saved the life of her child who had end-stage liver disease, after she donated a part of her own liver. This successful world- first operation was conducted by a medical team from Wits University in Johannesburg. The country's Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, has commended the doctors, arguing that although there are concerns that the child may have been exposed to HIV, the child's life has been prolonged. Jane Rabothata attended the press briefing where the medical team shared the ethical dilemma they faced in performing the operation, and filed this report:

Africa's most populous country, Nigeria, today marks its 58th anniversary of independence. Addressing the nation on this very important occasion, President Muhammadu Buhari said today is a day of celebration and solemn reflection. In celebration of the Independence celebration, the Female Artists Association of Nigeria, FEAAN, in collaboration with the Nigerian Consulate in South Africa, is holding an art exhibition, themed, 'Nigeria@58: The journey so far.' in Pretoria. Chinze Ojobo, president of FEAAN, paid a visit to our studious earlier today: the painter said that reflection is crucial for Nigerians to build and move the nation forward .. .

The Kruger National Park in South Africa's Mpumalanga Province has launched its first solar fuel service station to mitigate carbon emissions. The initiative forms part of a 60 years partnership between Total South Africa and SANPARKS. The project is expected to be extended to the other 21 service stations in the national parks. Channel Africas Nhlanhla Mahlangu was there and filed this report.

Global education experts have raised concerns with a newly proposed'' Education Outcomes Fund'' initiative which seeks to raise 1 billion US dollars to transform education by paying for results achieved in Africa and the Middle East. Civil society organisation Global Campaign for Education says this initiative will distract attention from the development of Africa and Middle East education sector and exacerbates discrimination against most disadvantaged children. UNESCO estimates that currently about 264 million children are out of school. Global Campaign for Education Spokesperson, Chikezie Anyanwu, elaborates..

An American fellowship program -the Hubert Humphrey program- this year celebrates forty years and will mark it this weekend by a Pan-African alumni conference in Johannesburg. The three-day event will focus on economic development and good governance. Joseph Mayombo Founder and CEO of the Congo Basin Network for the Local Communities in Gabon, is an alumni of this programme..

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says the signing of a peace agreement between South Sudan's warring parties is a hopeful sign that a sustainable solution can be found for a conflict that has had tragic consequences for millions of civilians. This as rivals President Salva Kiir and rebel Chief Riek Machar are set to formally sign a peace agreement at a summit of regional leaders in Ethiopia this week. The rivals have already approved a deal that was negotiated during weeks of talks between the warring factions. However, several peace deals have been signed between the two leaders previously, only to be broken thereafter. For more on this issue here's the ICRC's Crystal Wells.....

Activities and events to highlight the importance of the tourism sector continue in South Africa. This, as the country marks Tourism Month ,an annual celebration held in September to focus on the importance of tourism to the economy of South Africa. It seeks to highlight the importance of tourism and its invaluable contribution to South Africa's economy, culminating on the United Nations World Tourism Organisation's Tourism Day on 27 September. Nhlanhla Mahlangu reports..

A recent study by the South African University of Cape Town suggests that one woman in every three in the country bleaches her skin. The worrying trend is also being perpetuated by celebrities like an actress who acknowledged that they are using skin lightening procedures. The products used range from skin-lightening pills, creams and injections. In a bid to shed light on the less spoken about health effects of some of these products, DMK, a skin care company, has been running an educational drive. Mathapelo Mpati, is the product trainer at DMK..

Alcohol and substance abuse is very high in the San community situated in Kimberley, in South Africa's Northern Cape province. This is what Channel Africa has heard during a visit to the Wildebeest Kuil Rock Arts Centre over the weekend. The centre is home to a collection of Khoisan rock engravings, still situated in their original setting, some of them dating back 200 years ago. Although some community members get to work at the centre, it is struggling financially, as a result not very beneficial to the !Xun and Khwe people. Petrus Wilson, tour guide at the centre...

Although tourism contributes greatly to South Africa's gross domestic products, sustaining about 1-point-5 million jobs and making up 9 point 5 percent of total employment, female representation in the sector remains extremely low. Research shows that the participation of black women in the corporate sector is low, with some enterprises not complying to the 10 percent Black female shareholding. Tim Smith, Managing Director at global hospitality consultancy HVS Africa explains...

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa is addressing the ongoing Agribusiness transformation conference tonight. The 3-day conference taking place in Johannesburg, is under the theme "Re-organise, Sustain and Industrialise". Dr. Vuyokazi Mahlati, is President at African Farmers Association of South Africa..

A campaign focusing on HIV prevention and self-testing, especially among the youth, has been launched in South Africa and Cote D'ivoire. AIDS remains the leading cause of death among 10- to 24-year-olds in Africa. The 3 year partnership between the MTV Staying Alive Foundation and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, will introduce storylines on HIV innovation into the award-winning drama series MTV Shuga. The programme targets hard-to-reach populations in French- and English-speaking African countries. Georgia Arnold, Executive Director of the MTV Staying Alive Foundation and Executive Producer of MTV Shuga explains...

Latest research by South Africa's Stellenbosch University shows that the country's science sector is doing well. Researchers say the growth in publication output has coincided with an increase in the visibility of the country's scientific papers. The country's scientists are also seen to be collaborating more with scholars internationally than before. Professor Johann Mouton is one of the researchers of this report and Director at the Centre of Excellence in Scientometrics and Science, Technology and Innovation Policy...

South Africans will now be able to pay their bills and transact through social media platform WhatsApp. This, as one of its banks -ABSA- has recently launched a chat banking service. Experts say because WhatsApp has secure end-to-end messaging encryption, this will make the risk of transaction minimal. So far 3 other Nigerian banks have also recently launched this service. More from Deon van Heerden, Clickatell's Chief Executive Officer of Messaging and Group Chief Financial Officer...

Despite increased awareness of the benefits of breast milk for babies, mothers continue to face a number of challenges to uphold their right to breastfeed especially in public.Rallying behind nursing mothers, Nestle South Africa is commemorating World Breast Feeding Week by setting up a Breastfeeding Station at the Baragwanath Taxi Rank in Soweto, South of Johannesburg, for the month of August. The Swiss multinational is known to be supporting its breastfeeding staff, with a designated booth which enables mothers to express milk at work to feed to their babies later. Jane Rabothata reports....

South Africa's minister of women in the presidency Bathabile Dlamini says the commitment to development and investment by BRICS leaders should be commended. Dlamini says commitment to investment that will change the quality of life of the people, particularly women should be a priority. She was speaking exclusively to Channel Africa at the 10th BRICS summit underway in Sandton, North of Johannesburg in South Africa. “President Cyril Ramaphosa has pronounced on the issue of investment that benefit women and ours is to try to consolidate the programme of action”, she said. Speaking to Channel Africa’s Nhlanhla Mahlangu, Dlamini says they seek to work closely with other countries:

David Beasley - Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Program - WFP - is meeting with officials from the South African government to sign a partnership agreement designed to further strengthen the collaboration. South Africa has made significant donations to WFP's operations in African countries. However, more still needs to be done urgently, to address the deep chronic hunger that is a source of suffering and hardship for tens of millions of people across the region. The WFP Chief says the level of hunger globally is concerning.............

Traditional healing methods have a potential of tackling mental illness. This is according to a young South African scientist who is also undertaking training to practice as a traditional healer. Sinethemba Makanya, Science communicator and PhD student at Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research, has written a doctoral thesis titled Ukugula Kwabantu: A study of Traditional Healers' constructions of Mental Health. She has recently been listed on a trailblazers list of the Mail & Guardian Young 200 South Africans. Makhanya explains..

The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition’s regional office says it is worried about the continued harassment of anti-corruption and human rights activists by the government of Zambia. The move follows the summoning, by the Supreme Court of Zambia of five civil society activists, to appear before the court on July 17 on charges on contempt of court. The activists, Bishop John Mambo and Southern Africa Network Against Corruption Executive Director, Gregory Chifire, among others, had questioned a judge's conduct in a case where he is alleged to have received bribes. More from Blessing Vava Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition Regional Information and Advocacy Co-ordinator..

The South African Reserve Bank has officially launched its first commemorative banknotes in honor of the centenary birthday of the late former president Nelson Mandela. The notes highlight Madiba's historical journey. The launch took place at Freedom Park in Pretoria. The banknotes cover all denominations from ten-rand up to 200-rand. The Reserve Bank also issued a new five-rand coin which features a portrait of Madiba.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged South Africans to emulate the legacy of the late former President Nelson Mandela by making a meaningful and lasting difference in their communities. The country will celebrate Madiba's birthday on Wednesday. The late struggle icon and statesman would have been 100 years old had he lived. Former US President Barack Obama will deliver the 16th Nelson Mandela annual lecture in Johannesburg on Tuesday. President Ramaphosa says showing compassion for the poor will be a fitting legacy for Madiba.

Former US president Barack Obama has arrived in Kenya, the country of his father's birth, his first visit to the country since leaving office. Obama is in Kenya to help launch the sports and training centre founded by his half-sister, Auma Obama, through her foundation Sauti Kuu. After landing in the capital, Nairobi, Obama met President Uhuru Kenyatta at the official residence. Large crowds are expected in the city of Kisumu, where Obama will fly today before driving to his father's home village of Kogelo in Siaya County.

South Africa's Environmental Affairs Minister, Edna Molewa, was given the highest French decoration this weekend at the French Residence in Pretoria. French Minister for Ecological and Inclusive Transition Nicolas Hulot, awarded the medal in Pretoria on behalf of the French President. The National order was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 and is the highest decoration in France. Molewa received the award for amongst others her work to fight climate change.

Amnesty International has called on all political parties and independent parties in Zimbabwe to commit to protection of human rights in their election manifestos. Zimbabwe will be holding its first elections without Robert Mugabe on July 30, but scars of the atrocities of the past continue to haunt the Southern African nation. During the launch of the Human Rights Manifesto called “Breaking Away From The Past”, Amnesty highlighted seven key issues that candidates and political parties should prioritise.

Its the second and last day of the Barron Africa Forum where a number of different industry experts are engaging on different topics such as managing the risk of doing business in Africa" .They are unpacking risk and how it can be managed and mitigated on the continent in the process of doing business. More from Mike Salomon, commercial director at Barron ...

Former top government officials in Sierra Leone are facing arrest as part of a crackdown on graft by new President, Julius Maada Bio's government. Last week, former Vice President, Victor Foh, was arrested and charged with various counts of public fund mismanagement, including the embezzlement of money meant to help poor Muslims make the pilgrimage to Mecca. The move followed the release of the long-awaited report into the management of the country's affairs by the government of former President, Ernest Bai Koroma. The report is replete with instances of massive corruption by ministers and officials and over a billion dollars is estimated to have either been stolen or misused.More from Sierra Leonean Journalist Elias Bangura in the capital, Freetown …

South African men are expected to take to the streets the capital Pretoria tuesday*, to address the scourge of gender based violence in the country. On average, one in five women older than 18 has experienced physical violence in the country. The #100Men march is expected to go to the official seat of government-Union Building. Mbuyiselo Botha, from the Commission for Gender Equality in South Africa elaborates...

The ongoing National Arts Festival in the newly named town of Makhanda previously known as Grahamstown, in South Africa's Eastern Cape province, has introduced the inaugural Creative Digital Arts Festival into its programme. The platform has been created to allow artists to be able to embrace innovation and explore new ideas through technology. Its jam-packed programme also includes lectures, workshops, film and performances. Tony Lankester, Chief Executive Officer at the National Arts Festival elaborates...

Mali has joined a call for increased efforts to end the plight of child under nutrition. The recent Cost of Hunger in Mali study shows that 34 per cent of infant mortality cases in the country are associated with under nutrition. Experts say the results of this study demonstrate the urgency for Mali to mobilize more efforts to reduce child malnutrition in order to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Cecilia Aspe is Communication & Knowledge Manager at the World Food Programme..

The world's first web-based tool designed to collect and share agricultural development solutions for developing countries has recently been launched by the the International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD. The Rural Solutions portal is expected to facilitate peer-to-peer learning and encourage the cross-fertilization of ideas in the agricultural sector. Ashwani Muthoo is IFAD's Director of the Global Engagement and Multilateral Relations Division.....

With the latest data breach of South African firm Liberty Life, said to the biggest breach yet of a financial services corporation in the country, experts say cyber risks and security are often taken for granted. Force Solutions Manager at Thryve, a risk management company, Riaan Bekker, says even the best-prepared companies can become successful targets to cyber criminals..

Baka Pygmies in eastern Cameroon are protesting the massive destruction of the forest, their natural habitat, by European and Chinese logging companies. The pygmies say the logging companies leave nothing in return and expose them to disease and poverty. Our West Africa correspondent, Moki Kindzeka, reports from a refugee settlement in Lomie, eastern Cameroon...

Each year South African newspaper Mail & Guardian profiles young people under the age of 35, who stand out and are trailblazers in their own right, in a programme called the Mail& Guardian Young200 South Africans. One of the young people who made the 2018's edition of this pack is Stephanie Redinger, a postgraduate student doing her master's in Medical Science in Paediatrics at the University of Witwatersrand. She is also a researcher at the Human Sciences Research Council of South Africa in the area of maternal depression and child development....

Ambassadors of an initiative aimed at raising funds for vulnerable communities in South Africa - The School Sleep Out Movement- are participating in a boot-camp today in Johannesburg, to prepare for the campaign, which takes place on the 18th of next month, observed as International Mandela Day. The project, which sees participants sleeping outside, seeks to also raise awareness of the plight and injustice of homelessness. Kim Currin, Principal for The School Sleep Out Movement elaborates...

Savings Month podcast

A three-day seminar is underway in the Zambian town of Livingstone, focusing on cross-border trade in Southern Africa. The Southern African-structured trade seminar will provide a platform where experts from various sectors will discuss investment match making and business to business facilitation and also tackle commodity challenges and outline a viable roadmap for inter-regional trade in Africa.Hilda Akekelwa reports from Livingstone.......

As part of the build-up to the centenary celebrations for Global icon and former South African president Nelson Mandela, Phillips South Africa together with the Nelson Mandela Foundation have launched a new campaign Shave To Remember. The campaign calls on all South Africans and global citizens to reignite the unwavering spirit of Madiba by recreating the iconic Madiba hair line. Nhlanhla Mahlangu reports..

Kenya's leading power producer, KenGen, has announced that it is turning to innovation to enhance efficiency and increase productivity, as it seeks to roll out power generation projects worth 1 trillion Kenyan shillings over the next decade, amounting to approximately $1 million.KenGen, which produces more than 70% of the power consumed in the country, says it wants to transform its approach to power generation.At the same time, KenGen says it wants to minimize its carbon footprint. More from Diana Wanyonyi in Mombasa…

Forced displacement rose above 68 million people in 2017, making a new global deal on refugees critical. This is according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR. The Refugee agency released its annual Global Trends report ahead of World Refugee Day observed each year on the 20th of June. UNHCR's Markku Aikomus elaborates....

The authorities in South Sudan want the June 20 face-to-face meeting between President Salva Kiir and his principal political and military opponent, Riek Machar, to take place in South Africa. The authorities regard South Africa as "neutral ground" and are now urging the Inter-governmental Authority on Development who is organising the meeting, to shift the venue from the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, to South Africa.

Religion has divided many countries across the globe. The African continent itself has seen a rise in sectarian violence. The South African Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities, CRL recently hosted a dialogue on the issues of African Religion in Johannesburg. Earlier this month three men armed with guns and knives slit the throats of three worshippers at a mosque near Durban. The deadly attack was believed to show signs of extremism. More from Proffesor David Mosoma, Deputy Chairperson of the CRL...

With Africa's growing youthful population, more attention is needed in investing on young people to help grow the economies of the continent's nations. This is the message of the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, in marking Africa day. Dr Julita Onabanjo is UNFPA's regional director for East and Southern Africa...

Africa, have we lost it? This is the question at the center of a new campaign in celebration of Africa month. The campaign aimed at savouring the beauty and pride of the African heritage and culture.Titled "Get it Back" the campaign urges Africans to re-discover and celebrate their unique roots.More from South African Radio and TV personality Ntombi Mzolo.

South Africa's constitution was the first in the world to forbid discrimination based on sexual orientation, and it is the only African country to date to allow same-sex marriage. Yet, anti-gay violence still persists. The Centre for Conflict Resolution hosted a dialogue on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender rights yesterday in Cape Town. The meeting which was under the theme Equality and Inclusion on Paper Versus Practice, was to look at the gap between policy and its possible challeges to implementation. More from Liberty Matthyse, Director at Gender DinamiX...

The World Health Organisation has sent the first four-thousands doses of an Ebola vaccine to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the hope to contain the outbreak.This is the first experimental vaccine to be deployed since it was developed during the last big outbreak two years ago. For and update on the situation here's WHO representative in South Africa, Dr Rufaro Chatora..

In this week’s segment of African Arty Beats: South African rap sensation Cassper Nyovest and Nigeria's own superstars Davido along with Tiwa Savage have been announced as nominees for the this year's BET Awards, Germany's Hamburg museum says its Benin bronzes could return to Nigeria and the millions across the world are looking forward to the wedding of Prince Harry and former American Actress, Meghan Markle...

Today marks World Intellectual Property Day. In South Africa it comes at a time where fashion brand MaXhosa by Laduma Ngxokolo has filed a legal action against global clothing giant Zara after it allegedly stole a signature design. A pack of socks by Zara emerged on social media earlier this week bearing a similar print to that of MaXhosa, modern Xhosa-inspired knitwear collection. Retailer Zara has confirmed that they will be removing the socks from their online and retail stores. More from Prof Sadulla Karjiker of the University of Stellenbosch.. That's Prof Sadulla Karjiker of the University of Stellenbosch, talking to Kgomotso Mophulane.

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa leads a delegation to The Double Troika Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in Angola, Thousands of South Africans take to the streets to voice their dissatisfaction over a proposed national minimum wage.And mass graves believed to date back to the 1994 genocide in Rwanda have been discovered.

The mining indaba is taking place in New Castle, KwaZulu Natal a town devastated and impoverished because of historical coal mining. Robby Mokgalaka, Groundwork's coal campaigner says ironically the meeting is being hosted in areas where there were recent forced removals to make way for mining. Mokgalaka says his organisation is of the opinion that mining in the area will not be meaningfully discussed because community participation has been restricted. And that the case is a clear example that mining does not bring development, instead it thtreatens the livelihoods of thriving sustainable communities.

Welcome to Africa News round-up. On the program this week: Thousands flocked to South Africa’s Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg to pay tribute for the late anti-apartheid struggle icon, Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela; Rwanda commemorates 24 years anniversary of genocide; and London Museum says It’s willing to return looted Ethiopian Artifacts on long-term loan.Channel Africa’s Khumbelo Munzhelele has more.

The passing of South Africa's Anti-apartheid struggle icon, Winnie Madikizela- Mandela, the release of political prisoners in South Sudan and the swearing-in of Sierra Leone's new leader, Julias Maada Bio.For more... here is Khumbelo Munzhelele with this week's edition of ‘Africa's News round-up’.

It has been another busy week on the news front with Former South African President, Jacob Zuma, being served with summons to appear in court for corruption charges.Boko Haram fighters arrested in Cameroon, and the Southern African Development Community Ministerial meeting in Pretoria, South Africa. Channel Africa’s Khumbelo Munzhelele has more on this week’s top stories.

It is that time when we bring you a round-up of the top stories of the week. From the Esidimeni Arbitration hearing judgment, Mauritius President's Resignation, and the historic signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area Treaty. These are just some of the stories that dominated the headlines this week.Khumbelo Munzhelele has more…

From now on, Channel Africa will, every Friday, be giving you top stories of the week. With a lot happening on the continent, this is what unfolded:From The United States' Charm offensive in Africa, to frustrations over the Democratic Republic of Congo's new Mining Code and the South African ruling party's olive branch towards opposition leader, Julius Malema. These were some of the big stories this week. For more, here is Channel Africa's Khumbelo Munzhelele with a round-up of the week's big stories:

Experts say the key message that should be echoed at the annual Meetings Africa conference in Johannesburg, South Africa is that continent is open and desirable for business and tourism. A report by the UN Conference on Trade and Development shows that four out of 10 tourists in Africa come from the continent itself. Evidence of this growth can also be seen in airlines announcing new routes across the continent. More from Jan van der Putten, Vice President for Operations at Hospitality Company Hilton's Africa & Indian Ocean region..

There's a national call for all South Africans to do their bit to save water, as the country battles drought. A looming 'Day Zero'' in Cape Town- a day when the city will be forced to turn off most of its taps- has now been pushed to July from April. If Cape Town runs out of water, it will be the first major city in the world to do so. The World Wildlife Fund estimates that by 2025, two-thirds of the world will have water shortages. Kgomotso Mophulane reports...

It is a tragedy for the women of South Africa to have Minister Bathabile Dlamini head the Portfolio for Women in the Presidency. This is according to Ndileka Mandela, the eldest granddaughter of former President Nelson Mandela. Some of the new ministers that now form part of President Cyril Ramaphosa's Cabinet were sworn in yesterday. Ramaphosa announced his Cabinet reshuffle on Monday, reappointing Nhlanhla Nene as finance minister. Dlamini will co- head the Presidency portfolio with Dr Nkosazana-Dlamini Zuma. Mandela says she can only give the new President the benefit of the doubt..... Ndileka Mandela

Mozambican authorities are urged to set up a commission of inquiry in to the garbage disaster on the outskirts of Maputo which killed 17 people and left many injured. Residents surrounding the Hulene dump are still trying to pick up the pieces after the 15 metre high pile of waste collapsed on their houses due to heavy rains on Monday. Giving an update on the situation is Deacon Mercio Langa of the Anglican Church which has donated goods to victims:

The fight against several ills confronting the East and Southern African region such as unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections and sexual and gender based violence has received a new boost. This comes after the launch of a new joint programme by several UN agencies at the 8th African Conference on Sexual and Reproductive Health last week in Johannesburg, South Africa. The new programme is the brainchild of several UN organizations, including the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children Fund and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, UNAIDS. In East and Southern Africa, about four thousand adolescent girls and young women are infected with HIV each week. Also, an average of three in ten girls and young women between the ages of 15 to 24 years reported experiencing violence at the hands of their intimate partners in 2016. Dr. Catherine Sozi, Director of the UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Eastern and Southern Africa expands on the idea behind the new programme..

The United Nations says it has registered eighteen alleged cases of sexual abuse and exploitation by its peacekeepers and civilian personnel in the Democratic Republic of the Congo last year. Some incidents relate to events that date back as far as 2013. The United Nations Mission in the DRC otherwise known as MONUSCO has nearly 17-thousand-500 troops and police serving in the country, its biggest mission. Complaints against UN staff have also previously been made in Senegal and Uruguay. For more on this, Channel Africa's Khumbelo Munzhelele spoke to MONUSCO Spokesperson Florence Marchal...........

The crisis in Cameroon is getting worse each day as fighting between separatist groups degenerates with casualties on both sides. The situation has been disturbing following the kidnapping of the most senior government official in the English speaking north western town of Batibo by the separatists. Moki Kindzeka reports from Batibo in Cameroon..

An international human rights watchdog has told the UN Security Council that potential voter fraud during the voter registration process in the Democratic Republic of Congo could undermine upcoming elections in December. Some 46 million registered voters will finally go to the polls on December 23 after several years of delay to cast ballots in Presidential, Legislative and Provincial elections expected to end the incumbency of President Joseph Kabila. But the international community remains on edge due to a worsening political, economic, human rights and humanitarian situation in the country that could undermine any future electoral process. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.

With conflict and climate-related shocks sending global hunger numbers marching back up after declining for decades, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, FAO, is asking for some one billion dollars to save lives and livelihoods, and address acute hunger in 26 countries. With donor support, FAO is hoping to reach 30 million people who rely on agriculture for their livelihoods via a range of interventions that seek to rapidly restore local food production and enhance nutrition. Dominique Burgeon, the Director of FAO's Emergency and Rehabilitation Division explains:

Technology experts currently meeting in the Rwandan capital Kigali, have expressed concerns over existing standardization gap when it comes to regulating information and technology on international level. They say Africa must have collective voice on international arena in bridging this gap. Sylvanus Karemera has more from Kigali

After successfully combating the outbreak of monkey pox which affected a number of people in the last quarter of 2016, Nigeria is once again battling with the case of an outbreak of Lassa Fever in 10 states. The pandemic which first occurred in the North Eastern State of Borno in 1969, has claimed dozens of lives in the current outbreak, with other suspected cases confined to designated wards in hospital for expert attention. Channel Africa's Lagos correspondent, Collins Nosa Atohengbe reports.......

South Africa's power utility, Eskom, is looking to convert debt into equity for its lenders as a solution for its liquidity challenges. Eskom is struggling to recapitalise its business as its debt burden continues to worsen. Government has asserted that it is not in a position to bailout the utility, therefore the new leadership will have to find creative ways of reducing debt and building equity in the company. Eskom's debt currently stands at over 300-billion rand. Naledi Ngcobo reports..

Steinhoff's acting chairman, Heather Sonn, says the company has reported its former CEO Markus Jooste to the Hawks for fraud. Jooste resigned as CEO of Steinhoff International last year, amid an investigation into accounting irregularities. This led to the company's share price plummeting more than 80 percent. Steinhoff is appearing before joint committees of parliament following the crisis that threatened more than 50-thousand jobs in South Africa. Joseph Mosia reports..

Labour experts at the annual World Economic Forum have warned that workers who are not willing to undergo continuous re skilling risk being targets of job losses. This has emerged during a panel discussion at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Director of London School of Economics Minouche Shafik says future jobs will require workers who possess more than one-skill. Tshepo Mongoai is there…

Cameroon is distributing 500-thousand computers to all university students in what it says is a move to significantly boost education and research. But the distribution of what is said to be a gift from Paul Biya, one of the longest serving presidents in the world, months before presidential election has generated criticisms. Over 133 million dollars is invested to buy the computers while countries like Gambia invested just 7-point-5 million dollars to begin an technology assembly plant and that Kenya also has one. Moki Kindzeka reports from Yaounde..

South Africa's Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa says team South Africa will be taking the message of unity and renewal to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Swizerland. Ramphosa was speaking at Pre-World Economic Forum breakfast briefing in Sandton ahead of the conference next week. Ramaphosa said he was determined to sell South Africa as an attractive investment destination. Naledi Ngcobo reports

The Zimbabwe Peace Project says it welcomes the signing into law of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission Act by President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Mnangagwa last week signed the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission Bill into law, making operational the Commission that was appointed in 2016. Zimbabwe Peace Project which monitors and documents incidents of human rights violations and breaches of peace says while the Act has been anticipated for a while it is a step in the right direction towards promoting national healing , unity and cohesion from wounds and trauma brought about by the Southern African country’s legacy of sad episodes of conflict.The organization’s director Jestina Mukoko explains:

A senior lecturer in Public Law at South Africa’s University of Cape Town, Dr Cathy Powell, says the fact that Jacob Zuma is no longer president of the African National Congress could negatively affect the dynamics of the so-called Zuma impeachment case. The Constitutional Court is this morning delivering judgment in the case. The Economic Freedom Fighters and other parties brought the case in a bid to seek impeachment proceedings against Zuma with regard to upgrades to his private home in Nkandla. This is on grounds that no action has been taken against Zuma after the court ruling in March 2016 which found that he failed to uphold, defend and respect the Constitution. Powell elaborates…

People intent on causing harm to others by misusing the Internet are a modern-day threat that the global IT community is doing all it can to overcome, one of the web's so-called "founding fathers" said this week. Dr. Vinton Cerf, Chief Internet Evangelist at Google and one of the original designers of the virtual network, gave the reassuring message at the Internet Governance Forum in Geneva. In addition to improving cybersecurity, Dr. Cerf told Daniel Johnson that other challenges include creating an affordable information sharing platform that far more people could use, as more than half the planet still lacks online access.

According to the United Nations: "Population ageing is poised to become one of the most significant social transformations of the twenty-first century." Nearly all countries in the world will have more older people by number and also proportion of their population than ever before. Scientists in the United States are predicting that there will soon be drugs that could help defy the ageing process, and so help people live more healthily for longer. The BBC's Fergus Walsh has been to America to meet some 'superagers' and the scientists leading the research

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

Around-the-clock enforcement is on the cards around South African roads this festive season. Traffic officers will work closely with the police services monitoring drunk driving, speeding and other traffic violations. Motorists have been urged to "exercise extreme caution" when travelling. Kgomotso Mophulane reports..

In a surprise turn of events, South Africa's President Jacob Zuma announced that government will subsidise free higher education for all poor and working class students. Zuma made the announcements just hours before the start of his party's 54th National Elective Conference. Just four weeks ago, the Heher Commission which looked into the feasibility of providing free education advised that the country does not have the financial capacity to do so. Political economist Lebohang Pheko says the move is good but is ill-intentioned. She agrees with the sentiment that this will throw the new president of the party under the bus. Selinah Ntobong report..

The international community needs to do much more to agree on practical solutions that will help the world's 22.5 million refugees, the UN said on Tuesday. In its push for a Global Compact on the issue, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is hosting a two-day Dialogue in Geneva. Challenges that need to be addressed include the detention of refugees and their lack of access to basic services including work, education and healthcare. For more on this UN Radio's Daniel Johnson, Adrian Edwards from UNHCR ....

Nigerian legislator have called for tougher laws to deal with perpetrators of domestic violence and safe guard the interest and wellbeing of victims. Participants at a Media Forum on the Domestic Violence say even men suffer immensely from domestic violence but do not report because of ego or cultural themes. Channel Africa's correspondent in Lagos, Collins Nosa. Atohengbe reports.

The New African Magazine has revealed its 100 Most Influential Africans of 2017. The list profiles both continental and Diaspora Africans nominated by their peers and industry insiders, spread over eight categories, including politics, civil society activism, as well as arts and culture. For the first time since the magazine began publishing the list five years ago, the 2017 list features 42 women out of the one hundred, the highest number of female entries so far.A deaf blind Harvard University law graduate activist, an attitude-changing teen dance troop from a Ugandan slum, and a Mauritanian modern day slavery abolitionist hero, are among the fresh faces joining renown business magnates, political heavyweights and showbiz stars in the New African Magazine annual 100 Most Influential Africans of 2017 list released today. The list, the magazine’s most diverse to date, is spread over eight categories: politics and public service; business and finance; civil society and activism; education; science, technology and innovation; media; arts and culture; and sport - profiles both continental and Diaspora Africans nominated by their peers and industry insiders.“What our readers will find pleasing is the almost bewildering diversity of this list in terms of race, ethnic and national diversity. This list, if nothing else, displays the beauty and power of the diversity that makes the Africa we all love,” says Omar Ben Yedder, Group Publisher and Managing Director of IC Publications.Editor of The New African Magazine Anver Versi says there are a lot surprises in this year's list:

The Zimbabwean government on Wednesday renamed army barracks in a bid to re-write the country’s history.King Albert Fredrick Arthur George known as King George Barracks (KGV1) in the capital was renamed to Josiah Magama Tongogara as President Emerson Mnangagwa ushered in a new era. The ceremony in the capital, Harare, at the military headquarters, brings a new wave of independence and democracy as the country rid itself of the colonial mentality. KGV1 is where prisoners from former President Robert Mugabe era were kept during the military intervention, leading to him resigning. According to President Emerson Mnangagwa, Wednesday’s event marks the beginning of some renaming of the National Defence University renamed to General Rogers Alfred Nikita Mangena, Headquarters 3 Infantry Brigade in Mutare renamed to Herbert Chitepo and Flyde Airforce Base renamed to Jason Ziyapapa Moyo. Mnangagwa had this to say:

Over 4,000 delegates who include heads of state, ministers, business leaders, UN officials and civil society representatives are meeting in Nairobi at the third UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi to discuss ways of curbing pollution. The assembly will finalise a declaration committing to end global pollution, which accounts for loss of human life, economic and ecosystems decline. This is the third environment assembly. Sarah Kimani reports from Kenya.

The IMF has announced plans to provide support to Zimbabwe in restoring economic stability and growth. It follows the resignation of President Robert Mugabe after 37 years in power. From Washington, Kevin McAleese reports...

Kenya's main opposition leader Raila Odinga says he does not recognise Uhuru Kenyatta as the legitimate President. Kenyatta was sworn in ealier this week for a second term as president of Kenya, after winning a repeat election on October 26 which the opposition claimed was not free and fair. Odinga says the repeat election was fake, and he has announced that his supporters will have a People's Assembly on December 12 where he will be officially inaugurated as a legitimate leader. Months of acrimonious campaigns and sporadic clashes have already divided the East African nation down the middle. Philip Etale, Raila Odinga'spokesperson has more on the planned inauguration..

South Africa is lobbying EU member states to support its aspirations to be elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the period 2019-2020. President Jacob Zuma has met with the President of the EU Commission Jean Claude Juncker on the side-lines of the 5TH AU-EU Summit underway in Ivory Coast's commercial capital of Abidjan. Pretoria has occupied the non-permanent of the council twice in the past. Ntebo Mokobo reports..

African leaders have vowed to push for a redefined model of partnership between the continent and European countries. They will hold the 5th Africa-EU Summit in Ivory Coast's commercial capital Abidjan later this morning. And South African President Jacob Zuma is leading the country's delegation to the two day meeting which seeks to strengthen political and economic relations between 54 AU member states and their 28 EU counterparts. Ntebo Mokobo has more.....

South Africa's Health Minister, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi says the country has to provide quality primary and preventative healthcare services to the millions of commuters that the taxi industry carries on a daily basis if the corner is to be turned on diseases such as HIV/AIDS, TB, Diabetes and Cancer. He was one of the speakers at the launch of a health promotion campaign targeted at the industry in the country's capital, Pretoria yesterday. Dubbed the PHILA Taxi Industry Campaign, the initiative aims to strengthen and intensify the delivery of health and wellness services in the taxi industry as countries gear themselves up to mark World AIDS Day this coming Friday. Motsoaledi elaborates on the aims and objectives of the campaign..

South African parliamnet's Portfolio Committee on Communications says they are satisfied with the progress made by the South African Broadcasting Corporation board on the implementation of the recommendations of the Public Protector report titled "When Governance and Ethics Fail" and Ad Hoc Committee on the SABC Board Inquiry. The current SABC Board rescinded the decision of the previous Board to take the Public Protector report on a judicial review. It implemented the recommendations, including resuscitating disciplinary hearing against former Chief Operations Officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng, who was subsequently dismissed for misconduct. Pearl Magubane has more..

Some Zimbabwean nationals who've been residing in South Africa are contemplating going back home following the resignation of former president Robert Mugabe. Emmerson Mnangagwa who arrived in Zimbabwe on Wednesday, after being in hiding for two weeks, is expected to be sworn-in as president today. The Zimbabweans say it's still too early to pack up and leave as Ditaba Tsotetsi reports..

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says President Mugabe's resignation is an "historic moment" that has given Zimbabwe "an extraordinary opportunity to set itself on a new path". At least fifty thousand Zimbabweans are believed to live in the United States. Many of them celebrated the departure of Mr Mugabe, and the new opportunities for their country. Harry Horton reports from Washington DC.

United Nations Chief has told members of the Security Council that world leaders have a "collective responsibility" to stop human trafficking and modern slavery. Secretary-General António Guterres spoke during an open debate on the trafficking of persons in conflict situations, given added impetus following universal outrage at a television news report this week documenting young migrants being sold at a slave market in Libya. Matt Wells has more....

The South African Constitutional Court is being asked to remove an apartheid era law which drew a distinction between rape and molestation - deemed "less serious". Eight alleged sexual assault victims of businessman Sidney Frankel may never see justice. They came forward nearly four decades after the alleged molestation. The National Prosecuting Authority declined to prosecute, because they had missed a 20 year deadline. Candice Nolan has more….

Close to 100 countries, including South Africa, will attend a two-day United Nations ministerial meeting beginning on Tuesday in Vancouver, Canada where improving the gender balance of peacekeeping operations and ending the recruitment of child soldiers will be among the main focal points. The host government has also appealed to UN member states to sign up to the Vancouver Principles, a set of 17 focal points to provide concrete steps on how to prioritize and further operationalize child protection within UN peacekeeping operations. This as UN Women has raised concern over the low levels of female representation in peacekeeping operations worldwide. Sherwin

Sudan is hoping that its ancient civilisations could help build up its tourism industry after the US lifted sanctions just last month. While pyramids are normally associated with neighbouring Egypt, there is a larger collection of more than two hundred and thirty in Sudan. Archeologists are still discovering ancient sites around the country, pointing at civilisations that flourished thousands of years ago. But it is Sudan's young population who are leading the charge, rediscovering a once forgotten history. The BBC's Tomi Oladipo met some of them in the ancient city of Meroë. (ME-row-wee).

Police Week which began at UN Headquarters in New York yesterday* is a "unique time" for all involved in policing to exchange experience and learn from each other. That's the view of Luis Carrilho, who took up his latest post as the new UN Police Adviser with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations at the beginning of this month. He's served as UN Police Commissioner in three different peacekeeping operations in the Central African Republic, Haiti and Timo-Leste.He talks about his main priorities in his new role....

The United States has again reverted to its previous position of voting against a United Nations General Assembly resolution on the necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial blockade of Cuba. The no vote from the administration of President Donald Trump marks the 25th time in 26 years that the US has tried to block the resolution. In a historic move last year, the administration of former President Barack Obama abstained during the vote as part of a period of détente between to the longtime foes. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.

Breast cancer awareness month ended yesterday - and the survival rate is the highest it's ever been. If it's diagnosed early, it's close to a 100 percent - unless, of course, you live in a developing country, where your chances of dying from breast cancer are often as high as your chances of getting it. Late diagnosis coupled with little or no access to treatment means having cancer is a death sentence for millions of women. The BBC's Tamasin Ford reports from Abidjan in the Ivory Coast.

African National Congress stalwart and order of OR Tambo recipient, Michael Dingake, who stays in Gaborone in Botswana, says there are lessons for the ANC of today to learn from OR. Tambo's generation. One of these would be how to deal with the leadership contest as the party prepares for its December elective conference. Dingake was one of those who were instrumental in the fight against apartheid in South Africa and in Botswana. Itumeleng Kgajane reports.....

Medical experts fear the plague outbreak raging in Madagascar could worsen as the death toll hits over 120 and leaves more than 1,300 infected. The World Health Organisation has now issued alerts for nine countries surrounding the Indian Ocean Island, as the outbreak is considered a much bigger threat to the region than in previous years. Many organisations are working on the ground to try to stop the outbreak in its tracks. One such organisations is the international medical humanitarian organisation, Doctors Without Borders or MSF, as Dr. Tomislav Jagatic explains..

The "epidemic" of violence against women in the Solomon Islands can be stopped and the whole Pacific region is already taking "proactive steps". That's the view of Yannick Glemarec, deputy chief of UN Women, the world body's gender agency. Glemarec recently returned from a visit to the remote Pacific island nation, where nearly one in four women have suffered some form of sexual violence before they reach the age of 15. He says that Uganda's successful community-based SASA scheme to prevent violence against women and children was being adapted and scaled-up across the Pacific. Glemarec spoke to Matt Wells back at UN Headquarters about the trip, and why it was important to see conditions there for himself.

As South Africa celebrates the legacy of OR Tambo, the former leader of the African National Congress, his links with Lesotho evoke memories of the 9 December 1982 massacre of 30 South African refugees and 12 Basotho. Tambo attended the mass funeral. The party that was governing Lesotho at the time, the Basotho National Party, organises annual events to commemorate the Day. Nthakoana Ngatane reports:

Nigerians and a civil society group, Civil Society Network Against Corruption, have criticised their government for bestowing President Jacob Zuma with numerous honours - including a giant bronze statue a week ago. Zuma was on a visit to Nigeria's Imo State, to strengthen economic ties when the state governor Rochas Okorocha unveiled the statue. A street was also named after Zuma, he was also awarded the Imo Merit Award - the state's highest honour for distinguished personalities. Channel Africa's Collins Atohenge reports from Lagos

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

Marta Santos Pais, the UN Special Representative on Violence against Children says although some progress has been made, the "clock is ticking" and if more action is not taken "we won't get there." She was in the UN Headquarters in New York, to launch the book "Celebrating Childhood: a journey to end violence against children", published by her office....Marta Santos Pais, the UN Special Representative on Violence against Children, talking to UNRadio's Agnese Pastorino…

The Nelson Mandela Foundation has officially launched the late statesman second book, Dare Not Linger. The book which was expected to be the sequel to Madiba's autobiography "Long Walk To Freedom" is based on Mandela's Presidential years soon after the African National Congress took over government in 1994. Mbali Sibanyoni has more…

Cricket is helping Caribbean children to forget the horrors of Hurricane Irma. The Category 5 storm, which hit in early September, decimated the tiny island of Barbuda, forcing families to seek shelter on the sister island of Antigua. There, the Ministry of Education and the West Indies Cricket Board recently organized a match bringing together children from both sides. Muriel Mafico is with the United Nations Children's Fund, which runs a psycho-social support programme for the young evacuees called Return to Happiness....

An agreement has been reached on the roadmap that will lead to the much anticipated elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This came out during a meeting between DRC President Joseph Kabila and President Jacob Zuma who is also the Chairperson of the SADC regional body. Both leaders met in the capital Kinshasa to discuss issues of peace and security in the Great Lakes region with a particular focus on the delayed elections in the DRC. But no details were made public on the actual date of the elections Ntebo Mokobo has more from Kinshasa.

South Africa has committed to working with Zambia on challenges facing the SADC region. This comes as Zambia prepares to take over the rotating chairpersonship of the regional block's Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation. President Jacob Zuma made the undertaking during a two-day state visit to Lusaka. He says Zambia should use it's tenure to advance a continental goal of ending conflict by 2020. The two countries have also cemented economic and co-operation relations. Amos Phago reports from the Zambian capital, Lusaka.

The close relations between South Africa and Zambia should translate into tangible benefits for the people of the two countries. This is the message from both sides as President Jacob Zuma prepares to undertake a two-day state visit to Zambia. The two countries forged relations during the struggle days and the ANC's longest leader Oliver Tambo set up base in Lusaka. Tambo will be honored as the house in which he used to stay will be unveiled as a National Heritage site. Amos Phago reports.

The death toll from a storm that caused chaos in many parts of South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province, has now risen to at least six. The province is expected to be taking stock today of the damage that was caused when strong winds and heavy rains lashed the coastline and adjacent inland areas. At least 9 hospitals in the eThekwini metropolitan municipality suffered storm damage while two people drowned when they tried to cross swollen streams. Motorists who were trapped by the heavy rains on low-lying parts of freeways in the city, abandoned their vehicles and fled to safety as the floodwater rose to window level. Dries Liebenberg reports .

An absence of laws is an "obstacle to advancing gender equality" because it doesn't give women the support they need to report cases of gender based violence.That was the reality confronting Assistant Inspector of Police Annah Chota when she got to Abyei, Sudan, to take up her post. In response, she helped to start a new network that would allow women to speak out. Chota recently received the International Female Police Peacekeeper Award for her service and achievements in the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). She spoke with Ana Carmo about her passion for gender equality.

South Africa's Limpopo Province legislature's portfolio committee on Safety and Security, says security needs to be beefed up along the Beitbridge border line between South Africa and Zimbabwe. The fence has collapsed along the border in the town of Musina. Criminals are said to be taking advantage and smuggle cars and other goods through the Limpopo river. Several vehicles have been found by the police in the area. Witness Tiva reports

Lesotho's media freedom is once again in the spotlight following news yesterday that a South Afican Broadcasting Corporation Correspondent Nthakoana Ngatane had to flee the country following numerous threats on her life. This is the latest in a string of incidences of violence and intimidation against journalists in the landlocked country. Earlier this year two Lesotho radio stations were cut off air, allegedly on instructions from the Minister of Communications. The stations were later re-opened after obtaining a court order. In July 2016, another journalist Keiso Mohloboli fled Lesotho after being arbitrarily arrested and interrogated in relation to an article she published in the Lesotho Times and after her editor was shot and seriously injured. For more on this Amanda Matshaka spoke to Nthakoana Ngatane in studio....

The governments of South Africa and Zimbabwe have established a joint technical committee to develop the necessary legal framework on the one stop border post at Beitbridge. This is one of the outcomes of the second session of the Bi-national Commission between the two countries. President Jacob Zuma hosted Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe in Pretoria yesterday where the two Heads of State exchanged views on a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest. Channel Africa's Nhlanhla Mahlangu was there..

An estimated five-hundred schools in South Africa's Gauteng province will receive sanitary towels and puberty education over the next five years. Through the Always Keeping Girls in School programme by consumer goods cooperation Procter & Gamble, about one-hundred-and-fifty-thousand girls in South Africa and Kenya have benefitted from this initiative in the past ten years. To further enable this programme, the Department of Social Development in Gauteng has announced its commitment to collaborating with the company. Jeanne Du Plessis, Communications Manager at Procter & Gamble explains...

Cultural practices such as Female Genital Mutilation not only violate the rights of young girls but also put them at the risk of death and infections. This is according to 14 year old Purity Obwocha, a Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative Child representative in Kenya. Millions of women and girls alive today have been mutilated in over 30 African countries. Obwocha is calling on the government of Kenya to educate the Maassai tribe among others about the danger of these practices.....She spoke to Channel Africa's Kgomotso Mophulane....

Kenya's Electoral Commission met with representatives from President Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee Party and those from former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's Opposition NASA coalition to iron out outstanding issues ahead of fresh presidential elections in October. The meeting came just a day after NASA held street protests in Nairobi and other major cities in the country demanding the removal of electoral commission officials whom it accuses of bungling the August 8 elections. Sarah Kimani reports...

African leadership urged to support youth innovation

South African President Jacob Zuma says the world needs political will to change the structure of the global economy In order to achieve sustainable development and inclusive growth. He was addressing the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly in New York last night. The president also reiterated South Africa's call for the UN member states to dismantle their nuclear weapons and instead to use them for peaceful means. Ntebo Mokobo has more.

The African Union says Africa has its own judicial mechanism to try cases involving African nations. This, in response to the UN Security Council's decision to ask the International Criminal Court to prosecute some individuals from Burundi. The UN claims that some top government officials have continued to commit human rights violations in the country but go unpunished. Coletta Wanjohi reports..

Members of Burundi's ruling party marched in the capital Bujumbura to condemn a recent UN commission of inquiry report which said crimes against humanity, including killings and sexual violence, are being committed in the East African nation. Protesters accused the Commission of being manipulated by the European Union, and ruling CNDD-FDD party Secretary General has urged the UN to reject the report. Bernard Bankukira report from Bujumbura.

South African President Jacob Zuma will convene a Southern African Development Community double-Troika Summit to discuss political tensions in Lesotho today. The Heads of State Summit will feature a report back from the Ministerial Fact-Finding Mission which was deployed to the mountain kingdom last month - following the assassination of the head of the army. The Summit will take place in Pretoria. Noma Bolani reports..

Today it will be 40 years since South African anti-apartheid struggle stalwart Steve Biko died. A full calendar of events has been planned at various venues throughout the country this month to celebrate the legacy of Biko. King Williams Town in the Eastern Cape Province hosted a sporting event in his name much to the delight of scholars from the area. Over 30 schools took part. The Steve Biko Foundation believes sport is one of the best tools to encourage unity. Yanga Funani has more.

South African President Jacob Zuma has condemned the continuing political killings in KwaZulu-Natal Province. This follows the death of former ANC Youth League secretary general, Sindiso Magaqa, on Monday. He succumbed to multiple wounds sustained when he was shot during an ambush in July this year. Speaking during a visit to the family, ANC NEC member Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said political killings in the province would only end when party members acted in accordance with their consciences. Dlamini-Zuma and the party's provincial chairperson, Sihle Zikalala, led a delegation to pay their respects to Magaqa's family. Vusi Makhosini reports....

The reopening of the 2017, 2018 school year has been very timid in Cameroon's English speaking regions with millions of school children failing to show up in educational establishments after 9 months of absence during which they were pressing for the unconditional release of all English speakers arrested in connection with the strike over the overbearing use of French. Last week, president Biya released 3 Anglophone leaders and 52 others, but activists insisted that 20 others should be released and those on exile called back before children will be allowed to go to school. Moki Kindzeka reports from Bamenda, north western Cameroon.

Millions of Kenyans are still celebrating the historical verdict delivered last Friday by the country's Supreme Court, which officially nullified re-election of President Uhuru Kenyatta. The nullification followed a petition filed by Kenya's veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga challenging Kenyatta's victory on allegations of election malpractices, and irregularities. James Shimanyula prepared this special report..

Cameroon's president Paul Biya has ordered a military court to drop its prosecution of three Anglophone activists and some of their supporters in a bid to ease tensions in the central African nation's minority English-speaking regions. The activists were arrested following mass protests late last year by English speakers demanding equal treatment in the majority Francophone country. Human Rights group Amnesty International which has been campaigning for the release of detained activists has welcomed the Presidential decision, but the group is also urging the authorities to release many others that are still in detention on what it says are trumped-up charges. Samira Daoud, Amnesty International's deputy regional director for West and Central Africa has more.

Despite a new administration in Washington, the commitment of the United States to Africa's development remains unwavering. That's the assurance from the new USAID/Southern Africa Mission Director, John Groarke, who will be responsible for all USAID programming in the SADeC region for the next 4 years. USAID's programs in the region promote trade and investment, combat gender-based violence, increase basic literacy and support the South African government to fight the duel epidemics of HIV/AIDS and TB, amongst others. Mr Groarke paid a visit to Channel Africa to tell us more about his past experience on the African continent, and his future vision..

The state of Africa's medical laboratories and their ability to diagnose disease have come under the spotlight at the 67th Session of the World Health Organization Regional Committee meeting for Africa, which is taking place this week in Victoria Fall in Zimbabwe. Our reporter, Elizabeth Lediga is attending the five-day meeting and has the details....

British charity organisation, Oxfam has warned that South Africa's efforts to alleviate poverty will fail because government's policies do not put enough focus on job creation. The warning comes after Statistics South Africa released its Africa poverty trends for the period from 2006 to 2015. According to the report, 55 percent of South Africans are living in poverty, with children being the most vulnerable. Thembinkosi Dlamini of Oxfam South Africa has some advice for the government:

In a landmark resolution, the 37th Ordinary Southern African Development Committee Summit has admitted the Union of Comoros into the SADC fold, bringing the membership of the regional bloc to 16. Comoros and Burundi - have for the past years expressed interest in joining SADC in hopes to expand the membership of the regional organization. As Channel Africa's Nhlanhla Mahlangu reports the heads of state and government have reiterated their collective resolve to promote peace and stability in the region..

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

Kenya's opposition coalition, the National Super Alliance, NASA has demanded that its presidential candidate Raila Odinga be declared winner of the just concluded presidential elections. NASA's chief agent Musalia Mudavadi said information in their hands indicated that Odinga had won the polls with 8 point 4 Million votes against Uhuru Kenyatta's 7 point 7 Million votes. The ruling Jubilee party's secretary General Raphael Tuju has however dismissed the opposition indicating that the declaration. International observers applauded the electoral commission for how it has handled the elections this far. Sarah Kimani reports.

A decade after the adoption of a landmark declaration that upholds their rights, indigenous people worldwide still suffer racism, discrimination, unequal access to education and other injustices. That assertion has been made by three UN human rights experts in a joint statement issued this Wednesday, the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples.Dianne Penn has been speaking to one of the experts, Albert Barume, chair of a UN mechanism that helps countries to promote and protect indigenous people, who make up less than five per cent of the global population. He began by outlining the significance of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, adopted 10 years ago this September.

The International Organisation for Migration, IOM, has called for the creation of safe channels of migration for African nationals fleeing to Europe. According to some European human rights organisations, as many as one million migrants are already on the way to Libya and Europe from countries across Africa. African Parliamentarians meeting in Midrand north of Johannesburg, are debating measures to curb the influx of African migrants into Europe. Tshepo Ikaneng has more

Zimbabwe's main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has reunited with his former allies to agree a pre-election pact to challenge President Robert Mugabe's near four-decade hold on power at the polls next year. On Saturday, Welshman Ncube, who led a break-away MDC faction in 2004 and Tendai Biti, who left the main opposition in 2014, signed a pact that would see them fielding parliamentary candidates in some constituencies under the MDC Alliance banner and would support Tsvangirai's fourth bid for the presidency. Simon Muchemwa reports from Harare..

This week marks the anniversary of the atomic bombings of the two Japanese cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 by the US. Seventy-two years on since this deadliest bombing, calls to stop the use of nuclear weapons grow louder. The Red Cross movement however believes that there is hope, as states are challenged to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons at the United Nations in New York on 20 September. For more on the significance of this treaty we are now joined on the line by Louis Maresca, legal advisor to the arms unit of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has raised concerns over a humanitarian crisis brewing in the Republic of Congo's Pool region.

The Land Portal Foundation and the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations has launched a thematic portfolio on land conflicts. Nicholas Tagliarino, research analyst at the Land Portal Foundation says the root causes and pervasive impacts of land conflicts need to be carefully scrutinized and comprehensively documented of which access to reliable information on land conflict is key, given the importance of this subject as a critical issue affecting land governance.

The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court has ordered a review of a lower chamber's decision to remand former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo to continued detention in the Hague, pending the conclusion of his trial. The appeals judges, in a unanimous decision, found that the lower chamber had erred on a number of issues, most notably considering as a punitive factor Gbagbo's denial of responsibility for the crimes he's accused of. The former Ivorian leaders has been in detention at The Hague since November 2011 where he has pleaded not guilty to four crimes against humanity charges, including murder and rape in the aftermath of a disputed election in 2010. Sherwin Bryce-Pease for us at the UN in New York.

Nelson Mandela's values of building a future where everyone can live in peace, prosperity and in harmony with nature remain principles central to what drives the United Nations everyday. That's the word from senior officials at the global organisation where Nelson Mandela International Day was birthed in the General Assembly almost 8 years ago. Hollywood star and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Danny Glover will headline the official commemoration in New York later today. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports..

Nelson Mandela International Day celebrations have started at the late former statesman's birthplace of Mvezo outside Mthatha in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province. Mandela's eldest grandson, Mandla Mandela, showered children from the Nolusapho Kindergarten with gifts, as part of spending 67 minutes in honour of Madiba . Fundiswa Mhlekude has more.....

The political comeback of Senegalese former president, Abdoulaye Wade has been described by some as a ploy to get his son ascend to the presidency. The 91-year-old politician returned to Senegal this week, after spending years abroad, following a failed attempt at securing a third term in office. He will be heading up the list of candidates for his opposition party, Senegalese Democratic party in the upcoming legislative elections. He is also heading up other opposition parties that are working together to obtain a majority in parliament. Wade last returned to senegal three years ago as his son Karim wade was to face trial for charges of corruption. Channel Africa spoke to Professor Mamadou Diouf about the significance of Wade's political comeback, and whether he still has an active role to play in Senegalese politics?

Women in northern Uganda, who have borne the brunt of a 20-year war, now need full access to justice and their basic rights for society to make a full recovery.That's the view of Uganda's Chief Justice, Bart Katureebe, speaking at a High-Level meeting on Women's Access to Justice at UN Headquarters in New York. He explained that while the constitution protects women, parliament needed to put laws in place to make those provisions operational. Just before the meeting began, the Chief Justice told Liz Scaffidi about the challenges women are facing in the region.

The continental gathering of African intellectuals has closed in Kigali with the warning that if countries do not work together quality education on the Continent will remain an ambitious target. It has also been noted that Africans should stop thinking that they can only get good education abroad.Sylivanus Karemera reports...

As Zimbabweans prepares for another closely contested election in 2018, land has once again emerged as the trump card for the ruling party. Whilst every political party is hoping the youths vote would decide the outcome of the polls, the ruling ZANU PF could be having an upper hand as they have residential stands on offer. Considering Zimbabwe would not be stretching further to create land for every citizen, the demand for the pieces of land has gone up. Simon Muchemwa reports from Harare..

Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe has called for more innovative ways of funding African Union programmes. He was speaking at the 29th ordinary session of the AU assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he handed over a one million dollar cheque to the continental body's foundation. The money was raised from the sale his herd as well as those donated by Zimbabweans. Amos Phago reports from Addis Ababa

South Africa's minister of environmental affairs Edna Molewa, attended the third BRICS meeting of ministers of environment in Tiajin, Peoples Republic of China. Minister Molewa says the meeting discused the development of the enviromental technology platforms as well as the BRICS City Partnership for Environmental Sustainability Initiative, proposed by the Peoples Republic of China.

The South African National Nuclear Energy Regulator has received International recognition from the International Atomic Energy Agency for its contribution to Nuclear Safety and Security. Bismark Tyobeka, chief executive officer for the National Nuclear Regulator was selected as the new Chair of the Regulatory Co-operation Forum. Bismark Tyobeka, explains.....

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

South Africa's ruling ANC says it will continue it's efforts to withdraw South Africa from the International Criminal Court and is taking the necessary steps. This was announced by the sub-committee on the party's Policy Discussion Documents on International Relations. Mbali Sibanyoni has more...

The South African Communist Party has called for an independent judicial commission of inquiry into state capture to be established immediately. This is in the wake of continuing media reports of a trail of leaked emails cementing perceptions of the wealthy Gupta family's hold over the state. Speaking after the party central committee meeting, SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande says the emails are worrying. Amos Phago reports.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

Kenyan electoral body has cleared leader of opposition National Super Alliance, Raila Odinga, to run for presidency during the August 8 general election. Odinga and his running mate, Kalonzo Musyoka met the threshold set by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to run for presidency. This will be Odinga's fourth attempt at presidency. James Shimanyula has more..

New French President, Emmanuel Macron, has made Africa his government’s top priority for the next few years, emphasising that some parts of the continent are still in need of support. About a week ago, Macron was in Mali.

African Union Chairperson Mousa Mahamat has expressed concerns over the ongoing conflict in South Sudan citing "unspeakable suffering" of civilians in Africa's youngest nation. In a speech read on his behalf during celebrations to mark Africa Day in Nairobi, Mahamat called on leaders from both sides of the conflict to stop the killings and establish inclusive dialogue. South Sudan has witnessed renewed fighting despite a peace agreement signed in August 2015. At least one million people have fled the country and another 2 million are living in camps for displaced persons. Sarah Kimani takes a look at the highlights of Africa Day celebrations in Kenya..

Education and Technology organisations from Finland and South Africa and Finland have partnered in running creative coding workshops, targeting girls who remain under-represented among the users and creators of technology. The Code Bus Africa will run workshops which aim to boost the importance of technology amongst the youth. The Code Bus will be covering ten countries including South Africa. Kimberley in Northern Cape Province is the final stop of the tour. Noluthando Ngcakani reports from Kimberly…

The SADC Election Observation Mission has arrived in Lesotho ahead of the June 3 snap election. It is deployed by the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, Tanzanian President, Dr John Magufuli, and it will be headed by Tanzania's Foreign Minister - Dr Augustine Mahiga. Nthakoana Ngatane reports...

A race against the clock has begun to contain an outbreak of Ebola in a remote northern area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on the border with the Central African Republic, the World Health Organization has announced. Twenty cases of Ebola have been reported, two have been confirmed by laboratory tests and three people have died so far, the agency says.This is the eighth outbreak in the DRC since 1976. The most recent was in 2014, around the same time the virus wreaked havoc in West Africa, killing more than 11,000 people. Jocelyne Sambira has the story.

The South Africa Airways has told Parliament's oversight committee on Finance that it is relying on lenders to survive. The airline was presenting its Corporate plan, and its quarterly report to the committee. Over the years the airliner has accumulated nearly more than 19 billion rand on guarantees. Lulama Matya reports..

The 27th World Economic Forum which is on its last day today in South Africa's coastal town of Durban, has highlighted both opportunities and challenges facing the continent. Investors say while the country offers good returns for their investments - the risks associated with doing business on the continent are high. Tshepo Mongoai reports...

The governments of Nigeria and South Africa have failed to implement consistent economic policies that attract foreign investment. Experts gave updates on Africa's two biggest economies at a session at the World Economic Forum in Africa currently underway in Durban, South Africa. They say both countries are failing to give clear signals on what their economic policies are -and this is making it difficult for investors to do business with them. Amina Accram reports

Aid and development charity, Oxfam, has launched an inequality report on the eve of WEF Africa 2017 in Durban, entitled "Starting with People - A Human Economy Approach to Inclusive Growth in Africa". Latest data reveals that seven of the twenty most unequal countries in the world, are African. It calls on African leaders to create quality jobs and to invest in public services, particularly healthcare and education. Minoshni Pillay looks at this report and Kwazulu Natal province's readiness to host WEF-Africa 2017..

The official May Day celebrations in South African town of Bloemfontein on Monday ended in shambles. President Jacob Zuma was heckled and booed and as a result of security concerns -planned speeches by trade union Cosatu President and SACP General Secretary Blade Nzimande were cancelled. Zuma was expected to deliver the keynote address at the labour federation's annual May Day celebrations. The events of the day have seen leaders present reflect on the state of the alliance. Mbali Sibanyoni reports…

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma says a lot has been achieved over the past 23 years of freedom, but admits the democratic dividends have not reached everyone. He was speaking at the Freedom Day celebrations at Manguzi in KwaZulu-Natal Province yesterday. The event was attended by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and several cabinet ministers as well as Acting Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Sihle Zikalala. Ntebo Mokobo has more.

South African President Jacob Zuma says black people will remain poor for as long as the issue of land re-distribution is not addressed and that the economy remains in the hands of the few. President Zuma was speaking during the commemoration of ANC members who were killed during political violence in areas around Mpangeni in the KwaZulu-Natal Province. Zuma also attributes problem facing the ruling ANC to smear campaign by some countries plotting regime change both in the ANC and in the country. Vusi Makhosini reports…

Former AU Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma who is also member South Africa's ruling ANC national Executive Committee, says the ruling party is unapologetic for forging ahead with accelerated land redistribution and radical economic transformation. She was addressing scores of ANC Youth League supporters attending the free education lecture in Durban. Dlamini Zuma also told the Youth League that free education up to the university level should not be delayed on the basis that there is no money to fund it. Meanwhile the youth league re-iterated Dlamini Zuma as their preferred candidate for the ANC President position. Vusi Makhosini reports.....

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

Nearly 200 medical doctors are gathering in the Zambian town of Livingstone for a four-day World Medical Association Council meeting.

A early night court ruling ensured that the march to the Union Buildings to demand the resignation of President Jacob Zuma takes place today. Earlier the Tshwane Metro administration had prohibited the march saying some requirements had not been complied with. The situation got more confused when the mayor, Solly Msimanga tweeted that - as far as he was concerned - the march had not been prohibited. But a court ruling cleared the whole confusion. The Presidency also said in a statement that it was not opposed to the march. Meanwhile the South African police say they will be ready for all the marches taking place countrywide. Phanuel Shuma reports...

South Africa and the government of the Central African Republic have intensified diplomatic efforts to bolster bilateral trade and investment cooperation. This was revealed after the meeting between President Jacob Zuma and his counterpart from the Central African Republic Faustine Touadera. The C.A.R leader is on a working visit to South Africa. Tshepo Ikaneng reports..

South African President Jacob Zuma says a united and stable National Treasury is critical for government and the economy of the country. This in the wake of the public uproar following the decision of rating agency Standard and Poor's to downgrade South Africa's credit rating to junk status. It also follows the replacement of Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and his deputy Mcebisi Jonas. Tshepo Ikaneng has more from Pretoria...

Ratings agency Standard and Poor's has downgraded South Africa to junk status. The rating change follows a Cabinet reshuffle that saw finance minister Pravin Gordhan and his deputy Mcebisi Jonas removed from the Treasury. S&P held an emergency meeting over the weekend after perceptions were created that the move was intended to push through a one-trillion rand nuclear deal and to bail out entities like the South African Broadcasting Corporation and South African Airways. The move weakened the rand against major currencies. In December, S&P kept the country's sovereign credit rating at one notch above junk status. To find out more on this, Siphumelele Zondi spoke to Economist Mike Schussler ........

Some 40 countries, INCLUDING permanent five members the United States, France and the United Kingdom, will boycott the negotiations at the United Nations to create a legally binding treaty to prohibit nuclear weapons leading towards their total elimination. South Africa immediately labeled the move morally inexplicable after a majority of UN member states in the General Assembly voted last December to establish the negotiations and encouraged all countries to participate. The protesting countries believe negotiations starting today will not lead to effective progress on global nuclear disarmament. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.

The outgoing United Nations Peacekeeping Chief has acknowledged failures during his tenure, but believes their core mandate of protecting civilians is an incredibly difficult issue to manage. Herve Ladsous was speaking to the media after over five years as the under Secretary General for Peacekeeping. His tenure has seen deployments that have taken place in increasingly complicated theatres, often where there was a fragile peace to keep or none at all. And with rising concerns about funding for peacekeeping operations, he revealed that three missions would be shut down within the next year. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.

Governments around the world are being urged to take action to stop the fear and misinformation about minorities and migrants that is inciting racial hatred and profiling. The call was made by UN human rights experts on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, observed annually on 21 March. A debate was held on Tuesday at the UN General Assembly on how governments can help counter the global rise in racism and intolerance. Jocelyne Sambira has more.

Tremendous progress" has been made in stabilizing the Central African Republic (CAR) since the election of a new government early last year, but the situation "remains volatile. That's according to the head of the UN Peacekeeping Mission there (MINUSCA), Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, who's been at UN Headquarters calling on Member States to honour a 2.2 billion US Dollar aid commitment to CAR, made at a special funding conference last November. MINUSCA had to intervene last month in fighting around Bambari, in which four peacekeepers were wounded. Clashes between the mainly Muslim Séléka rebel coalition and anti-Balaka militia, which are mostly Christian, plunged the country of 4.5 million people into civil conflict in 2013.Special Representative Onanga-Anyanga spoke to Isabelle Dupuis.

Torture, rape, unlawful killings, arrests and detentions "have become the norm" in South Sudan, as the human rights situation continues to deteriorate. That's the stark conclusion of a report by the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, presented to the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday. The world's youngest country has been mired in conflict since 2013 between rival factions, which has left hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced. The commission was appointed last June to report on the human rights situation and make recommendations for improvements. Team leader Yasmin Sooka, told Nelson Lwak, that ethnic cleansing was "definitely underway" in parts of the country.

Accessing health care is a challenge for most people in Syria, where six years of conflict have left more than half of all public hospitals and primary health centres closed or only partially functioning. That information comes from the World Health Organization - WHO, adding that nearly two-thirds of health workers have fled the country. In marking the "sad anniversary" of the start of the war in Syria, WHO is calling for unhindered access so that it can deliver life-saving medicines, supplies and equipment to people in need. WHO representative in Syria Elizabeth Hoff explains why the UN agency considers health care a "casualty" of the conflict...

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari returned to the West African country on Friday after a near-two month medical leave, but sounded a note of caution that he may need further treatment in the near future. The 74-year-old leader left Nigeria on the 19th of January for what was originally planned as a short vacation, including medical checks. But Buhari extended his stay in the UK due to medical advice, prompting speculation in Nigeria that he was critically ill or even dead, rumors which were consistently denied by officials. Collins Atohengbe, reports from Lagos.......

Lacamento de Livro

United States President Donald Trump has signed a revised Executive Order barring the entry of citizens from predominantly Muslim countries from entering the country. The new order has been narrowed to exclude citizens of Iraq, an important ally fighting alongside U.S. forces as it relates to defeating ISIS in the Middle East. The order also exempts citizens of the six blacklisted countries who are already in possession of legal travel and resident documents for entry and stay in the United States. As Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports, the new order is likely to again end up in the Courts.

The South African parliament has celebrated the 20th anniversary of the signing and adoption of the Constitution by the late former President Nelson Mandela. Former cabinet ministers, former MPs, and some members of the judiciary who played a pivotal role in ushering in a new Constitution. They all hail the constitution as a livng document which has helped restore people's dignity and upheld their rights. Abongwe Kobokana reports.

Lesotho is once again teetering on the brink of a political crisis after lawmakers in the Mountain Kingdom voted to remove Prime Minister Phakaditha Mosisidi from power. The vote against Pakaditha Mosisidi, head of a coalition government, came two years after his Democratic Congress ousted former prime minister Thomas Thabane by uniting with smaller parties. Following the vote against him in parliament, Mosisidi has the option of stepping down or advise the country's monarch King Letsie III, to dissolve parliament and call for elections. Channel Africa spoke Professor Roger Southall, Emeritus Professor in Sociology at WITS University about the vote against Prime Minister Mosisidi and what it means for Lesotho's body politics..

South Africa's ruling ANC caucus within the North West Provincial Legislature has urged Premier Supra Mahumapelo to go ahead with his government's plan to erect President Jacob Zuma's statue in Groot Marico outside Zeerust. The provincial government is planning to put up a six metre tall statue of President Zuma. The Provincial Culture, Arts and Traditional Affairs Department has already advertised the tender to sculpt and erect the statue. Patrick Dintwa reports ...

Up to 90 per cent of women report that they've been harassed on their way to work, according to information cited by UN Women. The agency is holding a forum in Mexico City looking at ways to make public spaces safe and empowering for women and girls. More than 200 urban experts and community leaders from across the world are sharing their approaches and best practices. Pierre-Marc René has been speaking to Purna Sen, Director of the Policy Division at UN Women.

The South African National Defence Force, SANDF, says it is ready to host the Armed Forces Day today despite the rainy weather conditions in Durban. More than four-thousand soldiers are expected to parade through the city. The celebration has brought together various services of the SANDF to showcase its capabilities. The event will also remember the South African troops that drowned in the English Channel when the SS Mendi sank during the first World War in 1917. Nonkululeko Hlophe (Nguni) and Nonjabulo Mntungwa (Eng) compiled this report.....

South African opposition parties in parliament have lamented the confirmation that power utility Eskom's former chief executive officer, Brian Molefe, would be sworn in as a member of parliament.The announcement was made in a two line statement issued by Parliament. Molefe has since resigned after the public protector released the state capture report which implicated him with having relations with the politically connected Gupta brothers.Zalene Merrington reports..

The use of marijuana for prescribed medication will potentially be legalised in South Africa this month, and would make the country the first in Africa to downgrade cannabis from a schedule 7 banned substance to a schedule 6 prescription drug. Dr. Shaquir Saldeker, board member of the Psychiatry Management Group, says he believes the proposed legislation requires review and thorough research, which to date has not been done..

Lesotho Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing says the rate of maternal mortality in the country has reached crisis proportions. The number of women dying during childbirth has more than doubled from 419 in 2001 to more than 1000 deaths for every 100,000 births in 2014. Metsing launched the 2015 Millennium Development Goals report and the country's programme for Sustainable Development Goals. Nthakoana Ngatane reports from Maseru

The Lesotho Chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) says it is mobilising international support to curtail what it sees as government intimidation of the media. This after two Lesotho radio stations were cut off air, allegedly on instructions from the Minister of Communications. The stations were later re-opened after obtaning a court order. Nthakoana Ngatane has more from Maseru

Tanzania's President Dr. JOHN MAGUFULI says Tanzanians arrested in foreign countries over drug dealings should never expect assistance from his government. President Magufuli's warning comes at a time when the Regional Commissioner of Dar es Salaam Paul Makonda is being criticized for announcing that 65 people among them high ranking politicians and businessman are facing allegations of drug trafficking. Our Reporter Gabriel Zakaria has more from Dar es Salaam.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation is expected to launch the Nelson Mandela Centenary Programme, which will mark 100 years since the birth of the world icon. Madiba as he was affectionately known by many, was born in Mvezo in the Eastern Cape on the 18th of July 1918. He died on the 5th of December 2013 at the age of 95. Mbali Sibanyoni reports..

EFF members were once again carried out of the South African parliament by security officers last night. This is after the party disrupted the started of the State of the Nation Address by more than an hour. They were demanding that President Jacob Zuma not be allowed to address the house after the Constitutional Court had found that the had breached his oath of office Joseph Mosia reports...

The South African ABSA Premier Soccer league kicked off earlier on Tuesday after a month long recess due to the recent 2017 AFCON Finals in Gabon . Before going into the break , three teams were top of the log and only separated by goal difference . The situation remained the same after match day 1 of the second round with three log leaders winning their matches while defending Champions Sundowns stormed into the to five .Channel Africa’s Sports Editor Thabiso Ntema reviews round 16 .

The Africa mining sector needs transparency, good governance and sustainable practises. This according to some panel experts attending this year's mining Indaba, Cape Town. Experts attending the second leg of the conference say the sector still faces some regulatory challenges and political risks in some countries. Even companies such as Anglo America is calling for mining companies to do things differently and support local communities. Amina Accram reports..

Journalists in South African parliament have raised concerns about what they say are over the top security measures ahead of the State of the Nation Address on Thursday evening. The Parliamentary Press Gallery Association is especially concerned about what it says are restrictions on the movement of journalists. Parliament has however dismissed the concerns as baseless and has promised that security measures will not change. Joseph Mosia reports..

This year's mining Indaba is expected to attract more delegates as investors seek to benefit from the strengthening commodity prices. The week-long event hosted in Cape Town kicks off today. More than six thousand delegates from across the globe have already confirmed their attendance. South Africa minister of mineral resources Mosebenzi Zwane is expected to speak to delegates to address issues of beneficiation, investment and regulations affecting the sector. A total of 24 African mining ministers have already confirmed their attendance. Amina Accram reports .

A 385 thousand US Dollar contribution from Canada is being used by the World Food Programme (WFP) to provide cash transfers to thousands of Congolese refugees in western Tanzania.The pilot programme at the Nyarugusu Refugee Camp will give households the freedom to purchase items at a nearby market which will also inject money into the local economy. Under the three-month scheme, 10,000 refugees will receive twice-monthly transfers of 4 US Dollars to their mobile phones, as well as food. Stella Vuzo has been speaking to Saidi Johari, head of WFP's office in Kasulu, located in the Kigoma region of Tanzania.

The African Union has been challenged to put more effort In uniting the continent by ending conflicts. It has to continue its efforts towards sustainable development, peace and security. These were some of the messages delivered during the opening session of the 28th African Union Summit held in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. Messages support came from as far and the middle east and America. Amos Phago reports from Addis Ababa

It is "imperative" that the upcoming elections in Somalia are handled correctly given that the electoral process for parliament was marred by corruption and intimidation. That's the message that Michael Keating, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia and Head of the UN Assistance Mission in the country, UNSOM, delivered to the UN Security Council on Friday. The country is holding presidential elections on 8 February. Having a President viewed as "legitimate" by the Somali population and the international community will help tackle some of its most "pressing" issues such as drought, security and inter-clan conflicts. Keating sat down with Joshua Mmali ahead of his Council briefing.

The UN Mission in South Sudan,UNMISS, has protested the arrest of a journalist working for the UN's radio station in Juba. The Radio Miraya journalist and UN staff member was detained for five hours, by government soldiers while covering a story at the John Garang Mausoleum on Tuesday. UNMISS spokesperson Daniel Dickinson says the UN Mission has been in touch with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the incident. He spoke to Gabriel Shadar.

South African President Jacob Zuma has welcomed ambassadors and high commissioners from 15 countries at his guesthouse in Pretoria. The new ambassadors and commissioners who presented their credentials letters of appointment include those from African countries like Egypt and Senegal. Zuma used the occasion to wish new US President Donald Trump luck in his endeavours. Neo Makwiting reports..

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met his Tanzanian counterpart John Magufuli in Dar es Salaam on Monday to discuss trade and security. Erdogan urged president Magufuli to shut down institutions linked to a Muslim cleric who is accused by Turkey of leading a failed coup last year in that country. The two leaders also signed agreements of cooperation between both countries which is part of Turkey's effort to improve relations with Africa. Gabriel Zakaria has more from Dar es Salaam.....

United States President Donald Trump's stance on climate change is a setback to the work that has been done to address global warming. This is according to international nongovernmental organisation 350 Africa org. At the time president-elect Trump was quoted saying he wants to dismantle the Paris Agreement that sets targets to reverse the worst effects of global warming, which nearly 200 countries have agreed to. As the year 2016 was also recorded as the hottest year, experts say world leaders must collectively heed the call to intensify strong leadership in climate actions. More from Lerato Letebele, Communications Coordinator for Africa Arab World at non governmental organisation 350 Africa org...

West African nations halted a military operation in Gambia yesterday to give a final chance to mediation efforts, but will resume at noon today if Yahya Jammeh still refuses to hand over power to the new president. The move came several hours after, Adama Barrow, Gambia's newly sworn-in president ordered the country's armed forces to abandon any loyalty to Yahya Jammeh, as troops from neighbouring Senegal crossed the border to oust him. Collins Atohengbe has more

In its first meeting on the Palestinian question since a landmark resolution demanding Israel halt its settlement activity in occupied territory late last year, the Security Council received a firm rebuke from Israel's envoy who labeled the Council's action an inspiration for terror. Ambassador Danny Danon sited the Palestinian driven truck attack on soldiers in Jerusalem last week that killed four while injuring dozens among a host of examples while announcing the suspension of several millions from its annual contribution to the UN for 2017. The Palestinian envoy for his part, said the resolution not only revived hope in the prospects for peace but revived convictions in international law and the Council's credibility. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.

Over one thousand data experts from around the world are meeting this week in South Africa's coastal city of Cape Town, for the inaugural United Nations World Data Forum. The three day conference aims to serve as a launching pad for various data producers and users, to be able to get behind a new Global Action Plan for Sustainable Development Data. One of the key policy issues to be examined includes rethinking how to strengthen official statistical capacity in those countries where it is needed. More from Francesca Perucci, Chief Statistical Services of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs......

The presidency of Ghana has apologised after it emerged that the country's new president, Nana Akufo-Addo plagiarised parts of the inaugural speech of former US President George W. Bush. After being sworn in on Saturday, President Akufo-Addo asked Ghanaians to be citizens, not spectators, and citizens, not subjects. The same words were used by Bush in 2001 as indicated in these clips...

Like in previous years, in the last month of November, the spotlight was shone on prostate and testicular cancer, and men around the world over the age of fifty were once again encouraged to get themselves tested. But, according to one South African oncology expert, patients need more counselling on the pros and cons of prostate cancer screening, as well as the risks and over-diagnosis. Prostate cancer remains the second-most diagnosed cancer in men and the third-most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide. In our weekly look at health issues, Dr. David Eedes, a Clinical Oncology Advisor at the Independent Clinical Oncology Network, ICON explains the difference between prostate and testicular cancer.. Dr. David Eedes, Clinical Oncology Advisor at the Independent Clinical Oncology Network, ICON speaking to Elizabeth Lediga.

The Rwandan government has released over 800 inmates following an amnesty from President Paul Kagame. Many of those released had committed numerous crimes including illegal abortions, and murder. More from Sylvanus Karemera in Kigali :

Women are more reluctant to engage in the digital economy because of cultural and safety barriers, coupled with a lack of technical skills. That's according to Barbara Wanner, Vice President for information, communications and technology at the United States Council for International Business. She's been attending the Internet Governance Forum in Mexico, organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. She explains what specific challenges women face in the digital technology field....

Malawi stands to benefit together with some countries in Southern Africa from a newly launched Southern Africa Tuberculosis and Health Systems Support Project, courtesy of World Bank's 122 million dollar financial assistance to tackle Tuberculosis. The project launched on Wednesday in Maputo will also benefit TB-affected individuals in Mozambique, Lesotho and Zambia. George Mhango has more

The much awaited President Robert Mugabe's State of Nation address on Tuesday left citizens wondering where the country could be heading as it failed to address key issues. Mugabe who spoke with a stammering voice focused on the obvious and avoided to address corruption, unemployment, poverty, cash shortages, bond notes and drought. The much-publicised SONA was initially supposed to be delivered on the 1st of December but was postponed to yesterday as the 92 year-old leader, was outside the country. Simon Muchemwa reports from Harare..

South Africa's Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on for South Africans to emulate Madiba's legacy, unite and continue his long walk. Ramaphosa was speaking at the 3rd anniversary memorial of late President Nelson Mandela, where he delivered the keynote address. Mbali Sibanyoni has more

Veterans of South Africa's ruling ANC in the Cape Town area say leaders must reflect on whether they are following in in the footsteps of former President Nelson Mandela. Party members gathered in Athlone last night to remember Madiba on the third anniversay of his death. Thandiswa Mwu reports...

The South African Medical Association, SAMA has urged doctors, healthcare professionals and members of the public to join the rest of the globe in observing World Aids Day . World Aids Day is about increasing awareness of HIV and AIDS, with this year's theme as "It is in our hands to end HIV and TB". More from Professor Mark Sonderup, Vice-Chairperson of SAMA..

Zambian President Edgar Lungu has wrapped up his three day visit to Tanzania. President Lungu met his Tanzanian counterpart Dr John Magufuli, at the state house in Dar es Salaam, and vowed to strengthen relations between the two countries and to revamp operations of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority,TAZARA. Gabriel Zakaria has more from Dar es Salaam...

The United Nations would like to see the era of détente and openness between the United States and Cuba continue. That's the word from the spokesperson of the Secretary General after concerns in some quarters that the new era of engagement under the administration of President Barack Obama will be undone by the incoming Republican administration of Donald Trump. Senior Trump officials have in recent days indicated that the President-elect might roll back some of the Obama achievements if Cuba did not make greater concessions, particularly in the area of human rights and press freedom. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.

South Africa's ruling ANC and it's veterans have agreed to soon convene a follow up meeting with the intension of resolve all outstanding issues. The party's national working committee met with the veterans in Pretoria yesterday to discuss concerns around the state of the ANC and the country. The meeting comes in the backdrop of growing calls , particularly by senior party members that president Jacob Zuma should step down. Amos Phago reports.

At least 120 people died when an overnight passenger train derailed in northern India early on Sunday and the search for more bodies is underway. The accident, the worst in seven years, has put the spotlight back on the antiquated service used daily by 27 million Indians. Rana Sen reports

Save South Africa member and ruling ANC stalwart, Sipho Pityana, has called on the public to pray for the downfall of President Jacob Zuma. Pityana, staunch critic of Zuma received a thunderous applause from the packed audience at Nongoza Jebe Hall in Port Elizabeth last night. Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Mayor, Athol Trollip, members the civil society and clergy were among the audience. Thabo Daniels reports.

Challenges facing the Haitian government and UN teams, working to vaccinate 800,000 people from cholera, can be overcome to reach the most vulnerable. That's according to Jean-Luc Poncelet, who heads the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and World Health Organization (WHO) teams in the Caribbean country. There has been an uptick in cholera cases since Hurricane Matthew struck last month, and a joint campaign by the Haitian Health Ministry, WHO and other partners, began earlier this week to try and head off a possible epidemic.Cristina Silveiro asked Poncelet how the campaign targeting the 16 most affected communes had gone so far.

A delegation from the United Nations Security Council is expected in the Democratic Republic of Congo today. The delegation will meet with different authorities, including President Joseph Kabila, before flying to the eastern territory of Beni for a clear understanding of the security situation there. Jean Noel Ba-Mweze reports from Kinshasa..

Donald Trump is so far performing better than expected in the US presidential contest. As votes are counted across the United States, the Republican candidate is projected to have won Ohio, Florida and North Carolina. Trump and his Democrat rival, Hilary Clinton, competing neck and neck to hit 270 electoral votes. Trump is currently leading in the popular and college votes. Out 538 college votes, Trump has won 238 while Clinton has got 209. For more on this, Palesa Chubisi spoke to US correspondent Sherwin Bryce Pearse live from New York.....

The United States will elect its next President today and while four candidates are on the ballot in most states only two have a viable chance of winning enough electoral college votes to replace President Barack Obama in the White House. National polls have Democratic Hillary Clinton maintaining a three to six point advantage over Republican nominee Donald Trump while the candidates and their surrogates have spent the last weeks of this campaign, barnstorming the all important battleground states that will determine the outcome of today's poll.

Despite some gains, the role of women in peacemaking and peacebuilding remains far from equitable. So says the United Nations Secretary General while briefing the Security Council during an open debate on Women, Peace and Security. Ban Ki Moon expressed his anger at the continued political exclusion of women to the detriment of peace gains in conflicts in South Sudan, Syria and Yemen while his head of UN Women also warned Council members that women's political participation had not improved over the last five years. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.

The United Nations Children's Fund says breakthrough prices have been achieved with six vaccine suppliers who offered to price pentavalent vaccine at an 84 cents a dose average - half the price that the agency currently pays.The pentavalent vaccine is a combination of five vaccines in one: diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenza type b (the bacteria that causes meningitis, pneumonia and otitis). The new pricing will also be accessed by governments and will generate over 366 million US Dollars in savings for donors. More from Shanelle Hall, Director, Supply Division at the United Nation's Children's Fund...

Hundreds of Mozambican nationals gathered at the heroes square yesterday in the country's capital city Maputo for the 30th commemoration of the death of president Samora Machel. President Machel and other officials were returning from a summit in Zambia when their plane crashed at Mbuzini village near the border of Mozambique and Swaziland south east of South Africa's Mpumalanga Province. Machel and 34 others were killed. Vusi Twala reports from Maputo..

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma has called on his country's ambassadors to promote the country's economic sectors in the their respective host countries. President Zuma was addressing the Heads of missions conference currently underway in the capita Pretoria. The biennial conference brings together all the Heads of diplomatic missions abroad to determine a strategy that reflects Pretoria's foreign policy vision. Despite recent indications of growth Zuma says South Africa's economy remains confornted with challenges. Amos Phago reports.

The 30th commemoration of the late Mozambican President Samora Machel was characterised by the showcasing of the diverse traditions of both Mozambique and South Africa. Dignitaries, ordinary people and traditional dancers came together at the Samora Machel Monument in Mbuzini, Mpumalanga Province here in South Africa yesterday, to celebrate the life of the late freedom fighter. Vusi Twala reports.....

As the anniversary of the death of former President of Mozambique, Samora Machel approaches, it's still not known who was behind his death. President Machel died while on board a plane that crashed in Mbuzini in South Africa's Mpumalanga Province, on October 19, 1986. He was leader of the Mozambican liberation movement Mozambique Liberation Front,FRELIMO. The crash also claimed the lives of 34 other passengers, including Mozambique's Minister of Transport Luis Maria De Alcantara Santos and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Carlos Lobo. Abongile Dumako has more

The United Nation's Secretary General-designate Antonio Guterres says he will make human dignity the core of his work at the helm of the organisation. In his maiden address to the General Assembly after member states endorsed the Security Council recommendation to appoint him, the former Portuguese Prime Minister and High Commissioner for Refugees expressed his humility and gratitude for the confidence placed in him by all one-hundred-and-ninety-three member states of the organisation. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.

The UN says it has yet to receive official notification of Burundi's intention to withdraw from Rome Statute and thereby the International Criminal Court. The move comes just days after the East Africa nation banned three UN human rights investigators, among them a South African, from entering the country following a report citing serious violations by government officials against their opponents. Burundi's lower-house earlier voted overwhelmingly to withdraw from the ICC, a move that was then approved by the Senate that now awaits the President's signature. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.

The UN's top official to the Democratic Republic of Congo says the country has entered a period of extreme risk to its stability. Addressing the Security Council, the head of the MONUSCO - THE UN Mission to that country - warned that the electoral crisis had become a constitutional crisis with deepening political polarization with no immediate resolution in sight. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.

Some communities in the south of Haiti have been totally destroyed as a result of the hurricane which swept over the Caribbean nation. Media reports put the number of dead due to Hurricane Matthew at up to eight hundred people. Around 1.2 million have been affected and some 350-thousand are in need of immediate humanitarian assistance. Enzo di Taranato, head of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs' Haiti office explains..

Governments of South Africa and Namibia are consolidating efforts to ensure that both countries cooperate in initiatives to secure energy security. President Jacob Zuma will today host his Namibian counterpart President Hage Geingob of Namibia, where both leaders will chair the 2nd Session of the South Africa-Namibia Bi-National Commission. The one-day meeting will among others discuss measures to strengthen trade and investment ties in the fields of transport, health, education, science and technology, agriculture, immigration, and energy. Tshepo Ikaneng reports...

South African Broadcasting Corporation,SABC, will soon get a new board. This is after parliament's Communications Committee took a unanimous decision that the current board has failed to carry out its mandate and therefore needs to be dissolved. Yesterday, the committee called the board to account on various issues, including the appointment of Hlaudi Motsoeneng first as COO and then as Group Executive for Corporate Affairs. Joseph Mosia reports...

The United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora - CITES - meeting has come to an end on yesterday at the Sandton Conventon Centre north of Johannesburg in South Africa. South Africa's minister of environment Edna Molewa says the 17th Conference of the parties to CITES was a success as it adopted most of its proposals through concensus and accommodated a variety of discussions on curbing illegal trade in global wildlife.

The Vice- President of the Council of State of Cuba, Mr Salvador Mesa, is in Tanzania for a three day official visit.The Cuban vice President who arrived in Dar es Salaam Tanzania on Sunday night from Cuba has held private talks with his counterpart, Tanzanian Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan and President John Magafuli, before he left to Zanzibar to continue his visit in the Isle. Cuba has supported Zanzibar and Tanzania's main land in combatting Malaria and the construction of an antimalaria factory in Coast Region, a unique institution in Africa that would produce biotech products to eliminate mosquito larvae. Our Correspondent Gabriel Zakaria tells us more from Dar es Salaam.

More than a million migrants and refugees made their way to Europe last year, 350 thousand from Syria alone. A recent IMF study says people fleeing conflict areas in the Middle-East and North Africa has brought about the biggest refugee crisis since World War 2. The UN's Kyung-Wha Kang says the 1951 UN convention for refugees is no longer enough..

Batswana have called on the government of Botswana to address the challenge of unemployment, especially among the youth, as it holds independence celebrations. The World bank report indicates that unemployment rate in Botswana can be estimated at around 17 point eight percent. This leads to graduates having to stay at home after completing their studies. The landlocked country's economy is heavily reliant on diamond mining, and calls by its citizens have been mounting over the years for government to diversify the economy. Botswana will mark fifty years of its existence as an independent state at tommorow . It attained independence from Britain in 1966. Itumeleng Kgajane reports from Gaborone …..

Direct targeting of medical facilities and staff has become a "shocking hallmark" of the Syrian conflict. That's according to an international human rights expert, citing figures which show that more than 700 health workers have been killed since fighting broke out in March 2011. At a press conference in Geneva on Monday, a Syrian doctor also appealed for greater protection and an end to attacks. Dianne Penn reports.

South African struggle veteran Winnie Madikizela-Mandela says the Freedom Charter's clause on free education needs to be revisited. She was reacting to the country-wide protests by university students over possible fee increases for 2017 during a meeting with young people in Soweto. In 1955, the Freedom Charter promised that doors of learning shall be opened to all. And the governing African National Congress's 2007 Polokwane conference pledged free education for all poor learners until their first degree. But Madikizela-Mandela says making this a reality now appears impossible. Ntebo Mokobo reports..

More than a million citizens of South Sudan have fled their troubled country over the past two months following fighting between two rival military forces supporting President Salva Kiir and his rival Riek Machar. James Shimanyula reports..

South Africa's chief diplomat says it would be very strange if the country is not considered a front-runner for one of two proposed permanent seats on a reformed United Nations Security Council. In a broad-ranging interview after traveling to New York from the Non Aligned Movement Summit in Venezuela, South Africa's International Relations Minister, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, says her country has never refused to serve when called upon to do so. This as President Jacob Zuma met privately with Secretary General Ban Ki Moon among a number of key bilaterals on his first full day in New York. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.

Over 130 heads of state and government will make their annual pilgrimage to the United Nations in New York next week for the High Level Segment of the recently convened 71st session of the General Assembly. And while this year's gathering is expected to be somewhat less congested than 2015's jam-packed programme that included the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals and a visit by the Pope in additional to the General Debate, the issues to be addressed are no less urgent. It's a unique opportunity for just about everyone in geo politics to meet on an equal footing amidst a frenzied media focus, a highly sophisticated security apparatus and bottles and bottles of hand-sanitizer. Sherwin Bryce-Pease looks ahead.

Deteriorating security challenges around the world have made it imperative that the Security Council should be reformed. So says the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon speaking to the media ahead of the High Level Segment of the 71st session of the General Assembly which gets underway in New York next week. Ban Ki Moon also highlighted three areas that he believes should command the attention of the over 130 heads of state and government who will descended on UN Headquarters, for what will be his last *GA debate before leaving office. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.

Members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Tanzania and the business community have contributed about 700 thousand US Dollars and other relief supplies to help Tanzania's earthquake victims. An earthquake, measuring at a magnitude of 5 point 7 on the Richter scale, hit the Tanzania's Kagera region on Saturday. It left at least 17 people dead and over 200 injured, while thousands of houses were damaged. Gabriel Zakaria has more from Kagera West region of Tanzania.

Zambia's Supreme Court has rejected an application by the main opposition party to stop President Edgar Lungu's inauguration, set for today after last month's contested election. Lungu's inauguration after the August 11 election was postponed because opposition leader Hichilema challenged the result in court, saying the vote was rigged. Hilda Akekelwa reports..

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto launched a new political party on Saturday ahead of next years general elections. The Jubilee party's launch follows the merger of 11 political parties including President Kenyatta's The National Alliance Party and Ruto's United Republic Party. Kenya is due to hold elections in August next year. President Kenyatta will be seeking relection for a second and final term. Sarah Kimani reports.

The East African Community Heads of State meeting gets underway in Dar es Salaam Tanzania today. The meeting will be considering the EAC Council of Ministers Report on Economic Partnership Agreement,EPA, with the EU, where by Tanzania will be taking a position against the signing of trade pact. And regional leaders will also discuss a report on the Inter-Burundi Dialogue - including the Council Report on matters relating to South Sudan. Gabriel Zakaria has more from Dar es Salaam..

The UN Security Council has condemned the latest ballistic missile launches conducted by the DPRK on Monday in violation of several resolutions. After an emergency meeting of the Council at the behest of the United States, Japan and South Korea, the Council issued a tersely worded statement deploring the rouge state's activities noting that they contribute to the DPRK's development of nuclear weapons delivery systems and increase tensions in the region. The Council agreed to closely monitor the situation and take further significant measures in line with their previously expressed intentions. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni have decried lack of urgency when it comes to implementing large scale development projects in Africa. Both leaders believe although Africa is progressively emerging economically it is high time penalties are given for those fail to meet set deadline. This emerged at the two days global African Investment summit which has just kicked off in the Rwandan Capital Kigali. Sylivanus Karemera reports..

South Africa and other BRICS countries are pushing for a better policy coordination to rid the world of inequality and underdevelopment. These countries are participating in the G20 Summit currently underway in Hangzhou, China. The two-day meeting is called to find a new growth path against the backdrop of sluggish growth of less than five percent globally. President Jacob Zuma is leading the country's delegation to the meeting. Ntebo Mokobo is there and filed us this report..

The Democratic Republic of Congo civil society organizations are busy celebrating after the country's justice released four Congolese pro-democracy activists. The prisoners released earlier this week include Fred Bauma, Yves Makwambala and Christopher Ngoy, while Jean-Marie Kalonji was released Saturday. Jean Noel Ba-Mweze reports from Kinshasa...

The SADC Facilitator for Lesotho, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, has described the mountain kingdom as work in progress. Speaking to the SADC organ on Peace, Security and Defence in Mbabane, Swaziland yesterday*, Ramaphosa says that the SADC Troika on Peace, Defence and Security must seek to find a swift resolution of the political situation in that country. The political situation in Lesotho has dominated the meeting of the SADC Troika in Mbabane Swaziland ahead of the Heads of state Summit of the region. Busi Chimombe reports...

The annual meeting of the World Health Organization's regional commission is underway in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The meeting seeks to review strategies to boost health systems in the African continent. The 47 members of the WHO's African region are also discussing ways to tackle the current outbreak of yellow fever in some countries in Africa. Coletta Wanjohi reports:

South Africa's Deputy Public Protector Kevin Malunga did not make it to the top five candidates to be considered for the position of Public Protector. The Adhoc Committee on the Appointment of the Public Protector met yesterday (thursday 18 August) to reduce the number of candidates from 14 to five. Our Parliamentary Correspondent Mercedes Besent tells us more...

The state of South Africa's economy and the impact of hung municipalities on service delivery are expected to top the agenda at the four-day cabinet meeting which resumed in Pretoria yesterday. President Jacob Zuma and his deputy Cyril Ramaphosa are co-chairing the meeting which is attended by Ministers, their Deputies, heads of government departments, and state-owned enterprises. The quarterly meeting is used to discuss and review government's socio-economic development policies and programmes. Tshepo Ikaneng reports..

Zambia's President Edgar Lungu has been re-elected into office as the opposition prepares to contest the results. The electoral commission declared the Patriotic Front leader President YESTERDAY. He won 50 point 3 percent of the vote avoiding a second round of voting with main rival Hakainde Hichilema. Shingai Nyoka has more from Lusaka

The Economic Freedom Fighters has told the South Africa's ruling African National Congress not to even bother to call should it need to form a coalition government, especially in the four hotly contested metropolitan areas. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research has predicted that neither the ANC nor the DA will obtain an outright majority in the three Gauteng Province metros and the Nelson Mandela bay in the Eastern Cape Province. The CSIR is tracking results in the country's fifth municipal elections. Mahlatse Gallens reports

South African President Jacob Zuma says after interacting with ordinary South Africans during the election campaign, he is optimistic about the country's future under ANC leadership. He was speaking at his party's final rally before Wednesday's municipal elections. The Siyanqoba Rally at a packed Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg, was also attended by ANC veterans Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Rivonia Trialist Andrew Mlangeni as well as leaders of the tripartite alliance the SACP, Cosatu and Sanco. Ntebo Mokobo was there and filed this report.

South Africa's ruling ANC is confident of its prospects come August the third. This is the message as leaders prepare for the final election campaigns with the Siyanqoba rally at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg this Sunday. It will be a show of force - with the party streaming it live at four other venues in Gauteng and Free State Provinces. Leaders continued to criss-cross the country to campaign for the party. Angela Bolowana has more..

Zimbabwe is to introduce command agriculture' to shore up maize production. This as the country battles to overcome widespread drought that has affected 4 million Zimbabweans. Under a special programme, the government will identify farms that will be required to produce maize for the next three years. It aims to reduce grain imports and improve food security. Shingai Nyoka has more from Harare....

The clock has started ticking for South African President Jacob Zuma to pay back monies for non-security upgrades to his Nkandla home. The Constitutional Court has formally accepted a Treasury report detailing the amounts the President is personally liable for. Treasury found that President Zuma is liable for eighty seven-point-nine-four (87.94%) percent of the costs. These costs relate to the swimming pool, visitors centre, ampitheatre, cattle kraal and chicken run.Candice Nolan reports..

South African President Jacob Zuma launched a scathing attack on opposition parties as he began the final push for votes ahead of August 3rd elections. Zuma told residents of Ga-Seleka village in Lephalale, Limpopo - that voting for opposition party is a wasted vote as they only help the politicians to get parliamentary seats. Deputy political editor Mahlatse Gallens was there and filed this report…

Zimbabwe's former liberation war fighters say they have ended their support for president Robert Mugabe citing maladministration and misrule, as the citizens suffer. It's an unprecedented move from the country's largest war veterans group which names president Mugabe as its patron. The group met on Thursday and resolved not support president Mugabe at the 2018 polls. They accused the veteran leader of dictatorial tendencies and of sidelining the war veterans in favour of the youth league. War veterans say since 1980 Zanu PF has failed to address their welfare needs. Shingai Nyoka reports from Harare

South Africans have been urged to continue participating in the Trek for Mandela expedition to honour the life of Gugu Zulu who died while climbing mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The Trek for Mandela team arrived home to a very sombre welcome last night. This follows the passing of Race Car Driver Gugu Zulu who was part of the forty South Africans who went to climb Kilimanjaro for Mandela Day. Horisani Sithole was at the OR Tambo International Airport and has filed this report...That report by Horisani Sithole in Johannesburg, with voices of South African Sports Minister, Fikile Mbalula, Nelson Mandela Foundation CEO Sello Gatang, Expedition Leader Sibusiso Vilane, Gauteng Province MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture Faith Mazibuko, Team Doctor Roxanne Schutte, team member and TV Presenter Leanne Manas and Tanzania High Commissioner to South Africa, Radhia Msuya. Backround Music by Toumani Diabate.

Rwanda's President Paul Kagame says the decision to adopt a new funding formula for the African Union Commission is a major step toward ensuring that the continent is self-reliant and able to fund its own investment and peace keeping initiatives. African leaders meeting at the Rwandan capital Kigali have agreed to raise about 1-point-2 Billion US dollars a year to fund the AU Commission. President Jacob Zuma is amongst leaders attending the mid-year gathering of the 54 member continental body. Presidential Correspondent Tshepo Ikaneng is in Kigali and has filed this report..

A terrorist gunman killed 80 people and wounded scores when he drove a heavy truck at high speed into a crowd that had watched Bastille Day fireworks in the French Riviera city of Nice yesterday. The driver also opened fire before police shot him dead. And US President Barack Obama has condemned the attack in Nice as "horrific" and says he's offering the French government whatever assistance they need bringing those responsible to justice. Simon Marks reports from Washington.

One of the most powerful and wealthiest philanthropists in the world, Bill Gates, will deliver the 14th Nelson Mandela lecture on Sunday at the University of Pretoria's Mamelodi campus. The theme of this year's lecture is Living Together. The Nelson Mandela Foundation says this highlights the need for a new social pact across the globe to end conflict, improve access to healthcare and education, while reducing poverty. Morafe Tabane profiles Bill Gates and also looks at his philanthropic work..

A new report released this week shows that there will be short-term implications of Brexit for African economies. This will be mainly noticeable through market volatility. However, according to Control Risks and NKC African Economics, the longer-term impact on Africa from Brexit are speculative. Amina Accram reports..

South Africa and France have agreed to explore ways to increase future trade and investment. Despite longstanding relations between the two countries, the two-way trade is standing at around 223 million dollars in favour of France. South African President Jacob Zuma and his French counterpart Francois Hollande held trade talks in Paris yesterday in a bid to scale up investment. The two leaders have also witnessed the signing of four bilateral agreements. Ntebo Mokobo reports.....

The South African government says improved relations between South Africa and France will benefit ordinary South Africans. President Jacob Zuma is in the French capital Paris on a two day state visit aimed at advancing economic relations between the two countries. France is currently South Africa's 4th biggest trading partner in the European Union after Germany, the UK and Italy. Both President Zuma and his French counterpart Francois Hollande are expected to sign three bilateral agreements. Ntebo Mokobo has more.

Convicted murderer, Oscar Pistorius, last night spent the first night in prison. Yesterday, Judge Thokozile Masipa sentenced him to 6 years in prison for killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentines day in 2013. Liela Magnus reports from Pretoria..

Convicted murderer, Oscar Pistorius, could find himself back in jail serving a lenghty sentence. That's according to criminal law experts. Today, Judge Thokozile Masipa is expected to hand down judgment in sentence in Pretoria's High Court. Pistorius's defence team argued last month for a non-custodial sentence while the state is looking for the minimum sentence of 15 years behind bars. The former athlete shot and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp in February 2013. Noma Bolani reports..

The South African government has dismissed criticism for supporting a campaign to have Botswana Foreign Minister Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi to be elected chairperson of the African Union commission. Its crunch time for African diplomats who are lobbying support for a candidate that will replace Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as head of the continental body's administrative body. African leaders will meet in the Rwandan capital Kigali in two weeks time for the African Union mid-year summit. Tshepo Ikaneng has filed this report

Bangladesh says home-grown militants led the weekend siege of a café in capital Dhaka which left 20 hostages killed. The claim came after Islamic State militant group claimed credit for the carnage which could intensify an ongoing crackdown against opposition parties in the South Asian nation. Rana Senhas more..

Lesotho is yet to implement the recommendations of the commission that probed the causes of instability it experienced in 2014. This was revealed by the SADC secretariat following the Double Troika's two-day Extraordinary summit in Gaborone, Botswana. The commission was instituted following the failed coup and the killing of Lesotho army general Maaparankoe Mahao. Opposition party leaders, who feared for their lives, also fled the country. Now, Lesotho has until this August to provide the SADC Double Troika with details of the progress it has made to implement the recommendations of the Phumaphi commission. Itumeleng Kgajane reports from Gaborone...

South African President Jacob Zuma has arrived in Gaborone, Botswana, for SADC Extra-ordinary double troika summit. The Summit aimed at taking stock of the situation in Lesotho, started yesterday*, with meetings of senior officials from the member states. It was convened to follow up on the implementation of the recommendations of the commission tasked with probing the instability that dogged the mountain kingdom since 2014. Lesotho's former Prime Minister, Tom Thabane alleged then that there were plans to overthrow his government. This was followed by bloodshed that led to some politicians and members of the defence force fleeing the country Itumeleng Kgajane reports from Gaborone…..

Somalia's Al Shabab militants have announced through their clandestine radio station, heard in the capital Mogadishu, that they will unleash another major attack before the end of the holy month of Ramadan. This comes after an attack by the group on a hotel in Mogadishu on Saturday, claiming the lives of at least 15 people. Here is James Shimanyula with the latest ......

South African DJ Black Coffee has beaten compatriots Cassper Nyovest and AKA to become the first South African music artist to win a BET Award. The multi-awarding winning DJ/Producer was crowned Best International Act from Africa at the international segment of the BET's ahead of the main event last night in Los Angeles. Because BET has exclusive rights to the event we are unable to share the audio of the ceremony, but correspondent Sherwin Bryce-Pease was able to speak with Black Coffee and other music superstars just moments before he was announced the winner.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

The South African government says it's working around the clock to contain on-going unrest in Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. Tensions have been high in the capital, Pretoria since Sunday following an announcement that ANC National Executive Committee member and National assembly chairperson Thoko Didiza has been selected as the Metro's mayoral candidate in the upcoming local government elections. Vehicles were torched and roads barricaded in townships such as Soshanguve, Mamelodi, Hammanskraal and Atteridgeville as well as Central Pretoria. That's despite repeated calls from regional, provincial and national leadership for calm in the area. Senior political journalist Amos Phago reports.

Seven people have died in Tanzania while 21 others are quarantined at the Dodoma Regional Referral Hospital and Kondoa District Hospital after they contracted a mysterious disease in Chemba and Kondoa districts. The country's Minister for Health Ummy Mwalimu, says samples of the victims are now being clinically tested to identify the strange disease. Our reporter Gabriel Zakaria has more from Dar es Salaam...

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees says South Africa has one of the best refugee programmes in the word. This as the country joins the world to mark World Refugee Day today. South Africa is home to close to a million refugees and asylum seekers. Many come here to escape wars and conflicts in their home countries and to settle for a better life. Mlamli Maneli reports......

Pretoria High court set for more emotional testimony today, when state advocate, Gerrie Nel, calls his last witness in aggravation of sentencing against convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius.Nel has indicated that this will be his last witness and it is understood it will be a family member of Reeva Steenkamp. Pistorius was found guilty of killing Steenkamp on 14 February 2013 at his luxury house in an estate east of Pretoria. Liela Magnus reports…

A representative of a South African charity organisation will today testify on behalf of the convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius. The testimony will be Pistorius' last bid to convince the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of 15 years for murder. Pistorius is back in the Pretoria High Court after the Supreme Court of Appeal overturned his culpable homicide conviction last year, finding him guilty of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013. Liela Magnus reports..

Arguments for aggravation and mitigation of sentencing in the Oscar Pistorius trial will begin this morning in the Pretoria High Court in South Africa. Last year, the Supreme Court of Appeal overturned the High Court's ruling of culpable homicide - finding the former Paralympian guilty of murder. Pistorius shot and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp at his Pretoria home in February 2013. He was also found guilty of the negligent discharge of a firearm and acquitted on two other gun-related charges. Noma Bolani compiled this report outlining expectations for the sentence hearing...

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali will be buried in the US state of Kentucky later today. Since his death on Saturday the world has been paying tribute to the man who managed to transcend the sport of boxing. Ali influenced and inspired people worldwide with his caring, funny nature. One place he touched was a boxing gym in New York, which he regularly visited and trained at. Our US Correspondent Nick Harper went to the Gym to meet those who knew him.

Widespread and systematic crimes against humanity have been committed in Eritrea since it gained independence in 1991 for which the perpetrators should face international justice, leading UN human rights investigators said Wednesday. The recommendation is just one of 40 made by a UN probe into human rights in the Horn of Africa country in response to hundreds of testimonies from expatriate Eritreans indicating offences ranging from unending national service to arbitrary execution. The Eritrean government has denied the report's findings ahead of its presentation at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, describing them as "sensational" and "patently false". Here's Daniel Johnson in Geneva.

In 2013, the African Union outlined its vision to end all wars in Africa by 2020. But with four years to go, Africa is still facing the challenge of conflicts - making it hard for the continent to reach its set goals. The African union had consultations with experts in Peace and security on the way forward. Colleta Wanjohi

The European Union's Foreign Policy Chief has told the Security Council that if Palestinians and Israelis don't get back to meaningful negotiations, there will be "yet another open war between the two sides". Frederica Mogherini is in New York for a Council briefing on Cooperation between the UN and regional organisations. Her comments come after a recently concluded summit in Paris on reviving the talks that have been stalled for two years. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.

The ANC in South Africa's Gauteng Province has hailed the staging of a rally to mark the launch of its local government election manifesto as a major success. About 85-thousand party's rank and file filled the FNB stadium in SOWETO on what is viewed as the show of force by the ruling party ahead of the August 3rd local government elections. Gauteng Province is expected to be hotly contested terrain as the opposition DA and the EFF intensify the campaign to take control of the country's economic powerhouse. Tshepo Ikaneng has more....

The Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa, IEC, has hailed its online registration system for candidates as a success despite some glitches. The online registration was a first for the continent as registration for parties and independent candidates contesting the municipal elections drew to an end yesterday. However the electoral commission is now facing a court challenged from Land First Black First, who didn't get that opportunity to register. Tshepo Ikaneng reports..

Uganda has confirmed that it will withdraw its troops from an African Union the Regional task force that has been fighting the Lords Resistance army since 2011. The force is comprised of troops from Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. Uganda says it prefers to train the military of Central African Republic and leave them with the responsibility of security in their own country. Channel Africa's Colleta Wanjohi reports..

Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has promised to stamp out corruption in his government for the coming five years and even warned western countries that he will not be lectured in any way on the issue of democracy. Our Kampala correspondent Tonny Singoro has more

Former Chad president Hissene Habre, was convicted on Monday of war crimes and crimes against humanity for ordering the killing and torture of thousands of political opponents during his eight-year rule. The verdict capped a 16-year battle by victims and rights campaigners to bring the former strongman to justice in Senegal, where he fled after being ousted in a 1990 coup. Habre, 73, was sentenced to life in prison by the Special African Chamber, a tribunal created in 2013 by Senegal and the African Union. He was also convicted of rape. For more on this, Gosego Dingake spoke to Andrew Stroehlein, Media Director at Human Rights Watch, on the line from Senegal........

judges at the Extraordinary African Chambers in the Senegal court system will deliver their verdict in the trial of former dictator of Chad, Hissène Habré. Habré faces charges of crimes against humanity, torture and war crimes, and the prosecutor has asked the court to hand down a life sentence. The chambers were inaugurated by Senegal and the African Union in February 2013 to prosecute the "person or persons" most responsible for international crimes committed in Chad between 1982 and 1990, the period when Habré was president. The trial began on July 20, 2015 and ended on February 11, 2016, after testimony from ninety-three witnesses and final arguments. It was the first trial in the world in which the courts of one country prosecuted the former ruler of another for alleged human rights crimes. It was also the first universal jurisdiction case to proceed to trial in Africa. For more on this, Gosego Dingake spoke to Andrew Stroehlein - Media Director at Human Rights Watch on the line from Brussels.

The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has defended the body's process of conducting preliminary examinations into certain countries before a final decision to move forward with an investigation is taken. This despite a narrative from certain countries and regions that the Court is not an effective judicial body given its selectivity in prosecuting certain cases while others languish in slow moving examinations. The Prosecutor was also pressed on what final action the Court could take against Parties to the Rome Statute that have violated their commitments, particularly in executing existing arrest warrants. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.

Increased intra-African trade and rapid industrialisation could help stimulate the continent's economic growth. This is according to South African President Jacob Zuma who addressed a gala dinner in Cape Town last night to mark the 53rd commemoration of the Africa Day. The theme of this year's celebrations is "Building a Better Africa and a Better World", a rallying call for African leaders and citizens to work towards the socio-economic advancement of the continent. Tshepo Ikaneng was there...

Premier of South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province Senzo, Mchunu, has stepped down after wide speculations that he was due to relinquish his position. Reports surfaced on Friday that ruling ANC Provincial Executive Committee had asked him to vacate his position. Mchunu is expected to be re-deployed to parliament. Meanwhile reports of a possible cabinet reshuffle are rife. Vusi Makhosini reports....

Tanzania's president has sacked his home affairs minister after he turned up to parliament and answered questions while under the influence of alcohol. President John Magufuli, who took office in November, has promised to tackle corruption and inefficiency in government. He has sacked several senior officials for graft and cut spending he deemed wasteful, such as scrapping official Christmas cards. Charles Kitwanga is the first minister to be fired since the cabinet's appointment. Gabriel Zakaria reports from Da es Salaam..

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma says the country's agro-processing sector could benefit from exporting agricultural produce to Qatar. Zuma who concluded his state visit to the oil rich gulf state, was addressing the South Africa-Qatari business forum in the capital Doha. Bilateral trade between South Africa and Qatar is valued at just above 7-billion rand. Tshepo Ikaneng reports..

South Africa's diplomatic efforts to increase trade ties with the gulf states will be further enhanced during President Jacob Zuma's state visit to Qatar. Zuma who is accompanied by a high level government delegation has arrived in the capital Doha. About 6-thousand South African expatriates work in various sectors in the oil-rich state and in trade between the two countries is on the increase. Tshepo Ikaneng reports from Doha

A recent survey by research group Afrobarometer has revealed that the ANC remains a party of choice for most South Africans. This is despite evidence of growing support amongst some opposition parties. The survey conducted amongst 2400 people shows that majority of the population trust the ANC and that the ruling party would have retained it support if elections were to have been held last year. The study was released at the university of Johannesburg last night. Senior political journalist Amos Phago reports.

Health experts estimate that up to 80 percent of South Africans are living with hypertension, most of them are not even aware of it. They say there's been an increase in the number of people with hypertension or high blood pressure in younger people including children in our country. This comes as the world commemorates World Hypertension Day today. The theme for this year is Know your blood pressure. Thabile Mbhele reports....

The Pan African Parliament has dismissed any assertions that it's independence might be compromised by funding received from the European Union. The EU is believed to have injected a multi-million euro bail out into coffers of the cash strapped PAP. The initiative is a result of a 2015 draft declaration on the European Parliament's technical support to PAP . The money is set be used to fund the operations of the parliament including fact finding missions on the continent. Senior political journalist Amos Phago reports

The South African Broadcasting Corporation, SABC, has announced that it will start playing 90% local music across all its platforms. This in a bid to ensure that the broadcaster prioritises more local content that reflects the diversity of South African cultures. This follows extensive consultation with various stakeholders including music representatives. The public broadcaster says it will continue to engage its audiences to evaluate whether they are satisfied with these changes. For more on this, Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC's spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyakgo., and Acclaimed South African musician, Don Laka..

MTN's courage to enter the Rwandan market following the country's genocide is now yielding positive outcomes for the mobile company. MTN first opened its doors in Rwanda back in 1998 at a time when the country was still perceived by most investors as a high risk investment destination. Today MTN Rwanda enjoys more than fifty percent of the market share in one of the fastest growing economy on the continent. Tshepo Mongoai is in Kigali Rwanda and has filed this report…

A 10-billion rand fund has been established to help stimulate economic growth in South Africa through the empowerment of small business operators. This emerged after the meeting between government, business and labour leaders at the Union Buildings last night. In its latest report, the International Monetary Fund applauded government's recent increased partnership with the private sector and social partners saying this could speed up the implementation of reforms and support economic growth. Tshepo Ikaneng has filed this report...

Allocation of power to chapter nine institutions and leaders failure to respect the constitution are some of the stumbling blocks that South Africa face, 22 years into the democracy. This was said at the Foundation of the Supreme Law conference on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the South African Constitution in Johannesburg. The event is aimed at honouring those who suffered for justice and freedom in South Africa. Horisani Sithole has compiled this report..

Medial Aid Group Doctors Without Border or Medecins Sans Frontieres has announced it is pulling out of the landmark UN World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, Turkey later this month. In a statement the group says it no longer has any hope that the Summit will address the weakness in humanitarian action and emergency response, particularly in conflict areas or epidemic situations. The United Nations has expressed its disappointment at the group's withdrawal. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports...

Medical professionals from Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa have been trained in a nuclear-derived technique that can quickly detect the Zika virus. Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) can detect the virus within three hours. More than 30 countries have been affected by the Zika virus, which is associated with microcephaly, a birth defect that results in babies being born with abnormally small heads, as well as neurological disorders in adults. It is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Steve Thatchet reports on the training course conducted by the UN's nuclear energy agency, the IAEA.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

Human right issues, peace and security and giving the Pan African Parliament legislative powers are some of the issues set to dominate discussions at the upcoming session of parliamentarians taking place in Johannesburg next week. This was announced by the President of the Pan African parliament Roger Nkodo Dang. He was speaking after meeting with South African based ambassadors at the parliamentary headquarters in Midrand, north of Johannesburg. The ambassador's forum sought to discuss the set agenda for the 2nd Ordinary Session Of the 4th Parliament of the Pan African Parliament, taking place from 3rd until the 13th of May. President Roger Nkodo Dang elaborates.

A crowd of nearly three thousand people marched to South Africa's Parliament to display their dissatisfaction with the country's President Jacob Zuma. The "Zuma Must Fall" protestors say they do this on Freedom Day to remind the governing party and citizens of the gains the country had made. Various pickets also took place around the city as Zalene Merrington reports...

llicit financial flows from the African continent are now estimated to stand at 90 billion US dollars. Former South African president Thabo Mbeki who is heading an African Union/United Nations Panel investigating ways to stem the problem - addressed the media in Johannesburg yesterday. The panel has presented recommendations which have also sparked an interest from other continents. Angela Bolowana reports..

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

Reports from South Sudan say rebel leader Riek Machar, has failed to land in the capital Juba, for the second time after the authorities there refused to issue flight clearance for a plane carrying forty-two of his top military men and women. James Shimanyula has more

The deaths of three activists arrested at a peaceful protest last week are indicative of the alarming political situation in the Gambia. That's according to Ravina Shamdasani, Spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Leading opposition politician, Solo Sandeng, was among the three activists who died when state security forces broke up peaceful protests last week. Demonstrations in the West African country come ahead of elections in December, where President Yahya Jammeh has been in power for more than 20 years. Reports indicate other detainees are suffering from injuries and need urgent medical care.Ravina Shamdasani speaks about the worrying situation...

South Sudan rebel leader Riek Machar, is expected to arrive in the capital Juba today - more than two years after he signed a peace agreement with his principal political and military opponent Salva Kiir. Machar's long-awaited arrival will pave the way for the formation of a transitional government of national unity. In the new government, Machar will retain his Vice-President position while Kiir will remain President. James Shimanyula reports..

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

Denouncing sexual abuse by international peacekeeping forces is not enough, the UN must respond quickly to help the victims and help render justice. That's according to a senior UN official in charge of improving the United Nations response to sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA). The Central African Republic has a history of military coups and rebellion has been plagued by sectarian violence between two opposing groups for the past three years. Jocelyne Sambira has the story.

South Sudan mediation has officially ended. The special envoys tasked with mediating the negotiation between the government and rebel factions have handed over their final report. Although the mediation led to the signing of a peace deal, conflict in the world's youngest nation continues. Colleta Wanjohi reports..

Terrorist groups are "spreading like a cancer" that will require a new, preventative, global approach if they're to be beaten, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has warned. Speaking at a conference on violent extremism in Geneva, the UN chief urged all nations to support his recommendations to address the root causes of radicalisation. Here's Daniel Johnson in Geneva.

South African civil society organisations are planning mass mobilisation around the country to pressurise President Jacob Zuma to resign. The Unite Against Corruption movement led by ANC veterans, leading clerics, activists, former judges and activists, are pushing for President Zuma to go following a Constitutional Court judgement found that he failed to uphold respect and defend the Constitution. Angela Bolowana reports...

South African President Jacob Zuma's nephew, Khulubuse Zuma, says there is nothing illegal he committed in facilitating investment of funds to an off-shore account. Zuma is among those named in millions of confidential documents that have been leaked from one of the world's most secretive law firms, Mossack Fonseca, exposing how the rich and powerful have hidden their money. The documents reveal links to 72 current or former heads of state and accuse some of them of having vested interests in their own banks and looting their own countries. Tshepo Ikaneng has more..

The United States has expressed concerns over the decaying human rights situation in Burundi. Speaking in Bujumbura on Saturday at the end of his two-day visit in the country, Tom Malinowski, the US assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labour urged government to stop arresting peaople are perceived to be sympathisers of the opposition. Bernard Bankukira reports from Bujumbura

Opposition parties in South Africa, the Democratic Alliance and the EFF enjoyed a resounding victory in the country's Constitutional Court. The highest court of the country not only affirmed the powers of the Public Protector, but it also declared that the President and the National Assembly's acted in breach of their constitutional obligations. This relates to their handling of the Public Protectors 2014 report into upgrades to the Presidents' Nkandla home. The court described the judgement as of monumental importance to the nation and wellbeing of the country's constitutional democracy. Candice Nolan reports

The Constitutional Court in South Africa will today deliver judgment in arguably one of the most politically charged legal cases to rock the presidency. The Court is expected to settle the long standing debate on the powers of the Public Protector, which dates back to the release of her report into the upgrades at President Jacob Zuma's private home in Nkandla. President Zuma put paid to the debate - when he made surprise concessions at the February hearing. Senior Constitutional Court Reporter, Candice Nolan looks back on the arguments .....

There has been international condemnation of the terror attacks that occurred in Brussels Tuesday. US President Barack Obama called for unity while European leaders pledged their support for Brussels and said they would unite to fight terrorism. The series of attacks left at least 34 people dead. The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attacks amid many unanswered questions. From London, Catherine Drew reports.

Rwanda's envoy to the United Nations has rebuked the United States for criticizing the lack of political space in his country and for warning against a government centered around one man. The United States has long condemned President Paul Kagame's third term ambitions and again raised the issue during a broader UN Security Council discussion on the stability in the Great Lakes Region. Ambassador Samantha Power questioned the democratic space in several countries in the region - Burundi, the DRC, Uganda and Rwanda - but got a vigorous retort from Kigali's Representative to the UN. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.

Morocco ordered the United Nations on Thursday to pull 84 international staff from its Western Sahara mission after accusing U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon of no longer being neutral in a conflict over the disputed territory. The Moroccan government, however, reversed a previously announced decision to withdraw all of its troops from U.N. peacekeeping missions worldwide.The United Nations and the African Union have three days to remove 84 civilian staff from Western Sahara. Sherwin Bryce Pearse has more

Economic problems caused by more than two years of fighting between South Sudan government forces and rebels loyal to one-time vice president Riek Machar, have forced the authorities in Africa's newest nation to close down some of its thirty-two embassies abroad. The closure comes at a time when plants in two oil-producing regions north of Juba, remain unproductive. James Shimanyula reports..OUTRO

Meanwhile - The South African Government says it may take the Supreme Court of Appeals ruling on Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to the Constitutional court. It was reacting to the SCA's dismissal of government's appeal against the Pretoria High Court ruling that al-Bashir should have been arrested when he attended the African Union (AU) Summit in Johannesburg in June last year. The SCA ruled that government as a signatory to the Rome Statute, was obliged to arrest Al-Bashir and hand him over to the International Criminal Court in the Hague and that it had acted unlawfully by allowing him to leave the country. Busi Chimombe REPORTS....

South Africa's ruling ANC in Ekurhuleni region has given the Constitutional Court thirty days to respond to it's memorandum of demands. Scores of party members marched to the highest court in the land to register their dissatisfaction over the imminent release of Janusz Walus from prison. The High Court in Pretoria last week ruled that Walus, who was serving a life sentence for the 1993 killing of popular SACP and ANC senior leader Chris Hani, be released on parole. Amos Phago reports.

Increased awareness is not enough, action is required'. So says the under Secretary General of the UN's Entity for Women Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka at an event to mark International Women's Day at the United Nations in New York yesterday. UNWOMEN is mobilizing people globally to champion its campaign of gender parity or Planet 50-50 by 2030 with a call from the highest office at the UN for greater investment in initiatives that work to meet this deadline in 15 years. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.

Religious leaders have a huge role to play in finding a solution to a crisis in any country. Thiats according to Reverant Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary of World Council of Churches, who headed a delegation of church leaders on a solidarity visit to Burundi last week. The group met with several of the country's key players, including religious leaders, political actors and humanitarian organizations, to discuss the current crisis in the central African country. Bernard Bankukira has more from Bujumbura

Burundians have lauded the appointment of the former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa, as facilitator of the inter-Burundian dialogue. For them, Benjamin Mkapa is a wise man who is expected to use his experience to bring all conflicting sides in Burundi to the negotiating table. Bernard Bankukira has more from Bujumbura.

East African Community leaders, are meeting in the northern Tanzanian town of Arusha, to decide on the admission of four countries into the regional body. As James Shimanyula reports, the countries are the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Somalia and South Sudan.....

The United Nations has confirmed that South African President Jacob Zuma, and his French counterpart Francois Hollande will head a new High Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth. Earlier, the Presidency released a statement announcing the appointments, pre-empting an official statement by the UN Secretariat in New York. The Commission will focus on implementing post-2015 sustainable development agenda through growing health workforces in low to middle income countries and the question of inclusive economic growth globally. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.

Central Africa Republic's interim president,Catherine Samba-Panza, says she is now ready to hand over power to the newly elected president of her country to mark the end of the transition - but is calling on Central African's where ever they are to accept the election results. Samba-Panza who was speaking in Cameroon also called on voters to massively participate at the March 27 legislative elections re-run. Channel A\frica's Moki Kindzeka reports from Yaounde

Uganda's electoral commission has declared incumbent President Yoweri Museveni the winner of the country's 2016 elections. Museveni won with 60 point 7 percent of the votes while his closest competitor, opposition leader Kizza Besigye, had 35 point 3 percent. Museveni has been in office since his rebel group seized power in 1986. For more on this, we earlier spoke to our Kampala correspondent Tony Singoro.....

Human rights group, Amnesty International has slammed the Ugandan government's decision to block access to social media on mobile phones during the election. Voting has been extended after serious delays yesterday. Opposition candidate, Kizza Besigye was also briefly detained. For the latest from Uganda, Lulu Gaboo spoke to our correspondent Tony Singoro...

The late former United Nations Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali attempted to assert an authoritative role in his position and that is precisely what led to his downfall. In an exclusive interview with SABCNEWS in New York, former South African President Thabo Mbeki hailed Africa's first UN Chief as a political leader who embraced the responsibility to represent the people's of the world and lamented the loss of an outstanding African. Mbeki also had choice words about the role of Secretary General and on the type of leader the job of leading the United Nations required. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.

Former U.N.Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, whose term was marked by war in the former Yugoslavia and famine and genocide in Africa, has died, the president of the Security Council said on Tuesday. He was 93. Sherwin Bryce Pearse has more from New York

Zimbabwe police say they are still assessing the matter of a dead body found in a compartment on a South Africa-bound cargo plane. The US based private plane was on route from Germany to South Africa when a technical fault forced it to land in Zimbabwe. Blood was seen coming from a crevice on the side of the plane and the body of a man was found. The plane was hired by the South African Reserve Bank to carry newly printed notes from Munich to Durban. The plane's crew and two South Africa Reserve Bank Officials who accompanied the consignment are assisting with investigations. Shingai Nyoka reports...

Thousands of Burundians on Saturday participated in government-sanctioned demonstrations against neighbouring Rwanda whom it accuses of supporting a rebellion to topple Burundi's president. The demonstrations highlight the souring of relations between the Central African neighbours since Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza was re-elected for a disputed third term. Bernard Bankukira reports from Bujumbura..

The South African Government will tighten the public purse as the country battles a weakened economy and dwindling tax revenue. President Jacob Zuma announced new measures to curb wasteful expenditure. However he has made it clear social spending will not be compromised. He delivered his state of the nation address in parliament last night - spending much of his address on plans to revive the ailing economy. Presidential Correspondent Tshepo Ikaneng has more...

South African political parties want President Jacob Zuma to tell the nation what his plans are to revive the economy. Some have also urged him to apologise for refusing for two years to adhere to the recommendations of the Public Protector on paying for non-security upgrades at his Nkandla home. Zuma will deliver the annual State of the Nation Address later this evening. His lawyers told the Constitutional Court on tuesday that he now believes the Public Protectors findings are binding. Joseph Mosia reports...

The UN Secretary General has launched a event on mobilizing the global community to end female genital mutilation by 2030. Eliminating FGM is part of the goal on women's empowerment and gender equality adopted last year as part of the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals by all UN member states. According to the UN Children's Fund, at least 200 million women and girls alive today have undergone female genital mutilation or "cutting" in some 30 countries, many in Africa. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.

The second deadline has passed without South Sudan President Salva Kiir and his rival Riek Machar, forming a Transitional Government of National Unity as per the recent schedule set under the Inter-Governmental Authority for Development, IGAD, an East African regional trade bloc. James Shimanyula, has more..

A Zimbabwe magistrate yesterday [Tuesday] released the country's Prosecutor General Johannes Tomana on bail. Tomana the country's first Prosecutor General was arrested on Monday on a charge of criminal abuse of office in a case involving president Robert Mugabe's Gushungo dairy business. The state says Tomana obstructed the course of Justice when he dropped charges against two of four men accused of attempting to bomb the president's dairy business. The four appeared in court yesterday* facing a fresh charge of treason.

The second round of the South African ABSA Premier Soccer League kicked off last weekend and as usual provided sparks on the field of play and controversy. Log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns maintained their position while Bidvest Wits tumbled to third . The Soweto Derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Pirates ended in a stalemate resulting in match officials getting the flack. A total of 18 goals were scored in the weekend that saw Bloemfontein Celtic breaking their 9 match winless streak .Channel Africa’s Sports Editor Thabiso Ntema reviews this round .

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

A technique developed and demonstrated in Zimbabwe to be an inexpensive, effective way to alleviate depression and other mental illness symptoms, will expand to reach fourteen thousand additional people this year, thanks to a recent international investment. The 'Friendship Bench' program is said to have had a powerful impact in reducing depression in the country. This project, like many others on the African continent who's had a positive impact on the respective communities, have earned scale-up investments from Grand Challenges Canada, totalling about six million US dollars. Mental health disorders constitute 14% of global disease worldwide. But almost three quarters of this burden occurs in low- and middle-income countries, where a shortage of trained personnel and other resources leave enormous populations with little or no access to mental illness treatment. Dixon Chibanda is Leader of a Nongovernmental Friendship Bench project, in Zimbabwe..

The remains of four of Kenya's fallen soldiers were yesterday airlifted from Somalia to Nairobi, as it emerged that al shabab militants are holding an unknown number of soldiers hostage. Earlier, sixteen soldiers were airlifted to Nairobi following a search and rescue operation in El Adde. Kenya is yet to give casualty figures following Friday's assault on African Union military base in Somalia. Kenya's Defence Secretary , Raychelle Omamo, says more bodies are expected in Nairobi within the course of the week. Sarah Kimani reports.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

South Africa's renowned soccer analyst , Thomas Kwenaite says banned UEFA president Michel Platini stands zero-chance in winning an appeal for his 8 year-ban from all FIFA activities. In December, FIFA's ethics tribunal ruled that Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini had abused their positions over a 2 million Swiss francs payment made to Platini in 2011 for work carried out between 1999 and 2002. Blatter, who has headed FIFA since 1998, was also fined 50 000 Swiss francs while Platini, a FIFA vice-president, was fined 80 000 Swiss francs. Fifa’s ethics tribunal insisted that there was "no legal basis" for the payment that Blatter authorised for Platini in 2011. Kwenaite says Platini’s planned appeal will fail as he has failed to give reasons on why he received money from former FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

South African President Jacob Zuma says true reconciliation cannot be achieved simply by forgiving and forgetting, but it must be accompanied by a collective resolve to deal with poverty, landlessness and inequality confronting the black majority. Zuma was speaking at the commemoration of the National Reconciliation Day in Port Elizabeth yesterday. Ntebo Mokobo was there..

Veteran anti-Apartheid campaigner and British Labour Party MP Peter Hain, says any attempt to question Nelson Mandela's legacy, risks undermining Madiba's contribution to peace and reconciliation. Hain has been awarded the Order of the Companions of Oliver Tambo by President Jacob Zuma in Pretoria. He was part of the 32 local and foreign nationals given the highest national orders - presided by President Zuma at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest house in Pretoria. Tshepo Ikaneng reports..

Rwanda's President Paul Kagame's position on whether he will step down or not, when his tenure ends in 2017 is still hanging. Speaking in Kigali at his party's political bureau caucus, Kagame said his answer is a subject to the outcomes of the upcoming referendum to be held possibly later this month. From Kigali Sylivanus Karemera reports

South African President Jacob Zuma says the 6th China-Africa Forum starting in Johannesburg today is a business meeting of equal partners and not a gathering called to ask help from China. The president and over 50 other African leaders will meet with their Chinese counterpart Xi Jin Ping and his government and business delegation later this morning. They will discuss development and ensure a more secure and more inclusive environment. Our Presidential Correspondent Ntebo Mokobo has more. OUTRO:

South African President Jacob Zuma says increased Chinese investment in South Africa is crucial in reducing the current trade imbalance between the two countries. Trade relations between South Africa and China were further bolstered after the signing of bilateral investment agreements to the tune of 94 billion rand. President Jacob Zuma and his Chinese counterpart XI JINGPING presided over the endorsement of twenty-six cooperation agreements at the Union Buildings in Pretoria last night. Presidential Correspondent Tshepo Ikaneng has filed this report

South African President Jacob Zuma will *today host the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, on a state visit. This, ahead of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, FOCAC summit which is taking place for the first on African soil this weekend. The forum will be preceded by a meeting of senior officials on today followed by the Sixth Ministerial Meeting of FOCAC on Thursday. President Xi Jinping and President Zuma will co-chair the actual summit on Friday and Saturday. African Heads of State and Government, representatives from the African Union, heads of regional organisations and multilateral organisations will also participate in the summit which will be held under the theme 'Africa-China Progressing Together: Win-Win Cooperation for Common Development. For more on this, Jazaar Raad spoke to Yazini April Research - a specialist at the Human Sciences Reseach Council of South Africa. ...

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma has addressed world leaders at the start of a major climate change summit - saying developed countries have a "legal obligation" to help developing nations... More than 140 world leaders have attended the opening of COP21 in Paris. Delegates are aiming to secure agreements to ensure greenhouse gas emissions do not rise by more than 2 degrees celsius. Our correspondent Dan Whitehead is at the summit and brings us this report… OUTRO

There is no perfect agreement and we have no time to waste. That's the view of the UN Secretary General, in an exclusive interview ahead of the start of the historic Climate Change Conference in Paris today. COP21 will see delegations from over 190 countries tackle final negotiations in the hopes of reaching a legal binding agreement that would set the world on a path to comprehensively mitigate and adapt to the consequences of the earth's unsustainable warming. For more on the talks in Paris, Sherwin Bryce Pearse spoke to UN Secretaty General Ban Ki Moon and began by asking if we are on the cusp of something historic in Paris…..

As Pope Francis' visit to Kenya enters its third and final day - excitement is mounting in neighbouring Uganda as they count down the hours to his arrival. Billboards of the smiling Pope Francis line the streets from the airport to the city. Mahlatse Gallens is in the Capital Kampala ahead of the visit and has compiled this report

The UN Security Council has heard that the Sahel region in Africa risks becoming a hub for mass migration or recruitment by extremist groups without sustained international engagement.UN envoy Hiroute Guebre Sellassie told the 15-member body that security is the main concern for the region, whose countries are among the poorest in the world.In addition to the threats posed by terrorist organizations such as Boko Haram, Sahel countries are also combating drug trafficking, desertification and lack of opportunities for their young people.Dianne Penn reports.

Deputy Executive Director of UN Women, the United Nations' gender agency, Lakshmi Puri, says violence against women should be recognized as a "global epidemic. This as the world mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women today. The day kicks off a 16 day campaign to stop this gross violation of women's human rights. The campaign runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. UN Women says violence affects at least one in three women and girls worldwide. Pooja Premchandran asked Puri how it could be stopped.

Excitement is mounting in East Africa as the hour nears for Pope Francis to touch down in Kenya. This is his first visit to Africa since he was elected leader of the Catholic church in 2013. He will also visit neighbouring Uganda and a trip to the troubled Central African Republic is on the cards. As the continent builds up to Pope Francis first visit to the continent - Mahlatse Gallens spoke to one Kenyan who is pinning her hope on Pope Francis to give hope especially to disillusioned youth turning to militant group Al Shabab.

The African Union Commission was honoured this past weekend for its work to end conflicts on the African continent. The commision's chairperson, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, received the 2015 Africa Peace Award in front of up seven hundred delegates who gathered at Durban's International Convention Center, including the United Nations Under-Secretary and Special Advisor on Africa - Maged Abdelaziz, the president of South Africa Jacob Zuma and the human rights advocate, Graca Machel. The award event was organised by the African Center for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes, or Accord, and despite the focus being on achieving peace, many speakers emphasised the various challenges of conflict faced on the African continent. Benjamin Moshatama reports.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

Forum for China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) comes to South Africa early December and the African Union believes this has a special significance for Africa. Pule Phalatse reports from Abidjan that AU Commissioner for Energy Dr Elham Ibrahim says at the summit, Africa will be looking at strengthening relations between the continent and China on matters of infrastructure.

South Africa's International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, is in Moscow, Russia, to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries. Nkoana-Mashabane co-chaired the 13th session of the annual South Africa-Russia Joint Inter-governmental Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation with Russian Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Sergey Donskoy. Albina Kovalyova reports from Moscow

African and European leaders are meeting for the second and final day of a major summit on migration in Malta. A new trust fund is expected to be signed worth 1 point 8 billion euro - to help African countries tackle the migrant crisis. The money is aimed at improving prospects in African countries which see high numbers of nationals leaving for Europe. Dan Whitehead reports from Malta...

The United States is urging all stakeholders in Burundi to join an inclusive dialogue without preconditions - to end the current political crisis. The call was made by Tom Perriello, the US Special Envoy in the Great Lakes region, after meeting several Burundian leaders. Our correspondent in Bujumbura Bernard Bankukira has more.

France has ramped up the pressure on Burundian stakeholders with a Security Council draft resolution that warns the government to cooperate with regional mediation efforts and for all parties to reject violence. With tension escalating fear of a return to an ethnically based civil war in the country, the draft warns of Council's intention to consider additional measures, including targeted sanctions whose actions and statements impede the search for a peaceful solution. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.

At least nine people were killed in a nightclub attack in Burundi's capital Bujumbura on Saturday. The attack occurred as the deadline to owners of illegal arms to hand them in to security forces expired on Saturday. Residents of two of the opposition strongholds fled their homes in fear of a possible violence that could follow the expiration of the deadline. From Bujumbura Bernard Bankukira reports.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

Tanzania's ruling party candidate John Magufuli has been declared winner of the Presidential elections, after garnering 8 point 8 million votes against his main opponent Dr. Edward Lowassa who managed only 6 million votes. Magufuli with 58 percent of the total votes cast will now become Tanzania's 5th President succeeding Jakaya Kikwete who retires after ten years in office. The opposition has rejected the results alleging massive rigging. Sarah Kimani has more OUTRO

South African President Jacob Zuma says the demands by students for a zero increase in tuition fees at tertiary institutions are justified. Zuma was speaking following his meeting with Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi. Mozambique is South Africa's top trading partner on the continent - and new gas development plans are expected to further bolster economic trade. Tshepo Ikaneng reports..

India will host the largest gathering of African leaders next week to seek solidarity among emerging states with shared history of colonialism and foreign occupation. But experts say rivalries between China and India and other thorny issues are likely to dominate the historic diplomatic event. Rana Sen reports...

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

Week five of the South African ABSA Premier Soccer league produced 22 goals and produced a fifth successive log leader. Channel Africa’s Sports Editor Thabiso Ntema reviews round 5 which had shocks for the traditional big two and a rare win for under pressure Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane.

Week four of the South African ABSA Premier Soccer league saw Maritzburg United sacking of Mandla Ncikazi following Saturday’s loss to Bloemfontein Celtic . This was Maritzburg United third loss of the season. He becomes the second coach to be sacked following Kinner Phiri by Free State Stars in round three. Channel Africa’s Sports Editor Thabiso Ntema brings you the review of round four which produced 20 goals and the fourth log leader after match day four .

The outgoing President of the General Assembly has welcomed a decision to move the inter-governmental process on Security Council reform to a text-based negotiation. Speaking after the GA adopted a negotiating text on reform, the President of the 69th session welcomed the decision that will be carried forward to the 70th session that begins on Tuesday . Reform of the United Nations in general and the Security Council in particular has been the subject of debate and discussion for two decades. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.

Representatives of countries and wildlife experts met in Cape Town, South Africa this week, to address the poisoning of migratory birds, a problem that also threatens important predators. Fernando Pina, President of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, says the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds and the Memorandum of Understanding on Birds of Prey, have convened the meeting..

Not only has Lesotho's Child Grants Programme, CGP, improved the standard of living of orphans and vulnerable children, the programme has had spill-over effects on the local economy. A government-commissioned impact evaluation has found that the unconditional cash transfer targeted at poor and vulnerable households has stimulated the demand for locally supplied goods and services. The largest positive impact is on retail, followed by crop and livestock businesses. Selinah Ntobong reports

With over half a million children with disabilities currently being excluded from formal education in South Africa and facing discrimination when trying to access schools, the country's Human Rights Commission and the lobby group Human Rights Watch have launched a new report highlighting the problem. The report titled " Complicit in Exclusion: South Africa's Failure to Guarantee Inclusive Education for Children with Disabilities " documents the stigma and barriers children with disabilities face and the lack of reliable data to assess budget for existing needs, despite the government's 14-year-old policy to end the exclusion of children with disabilities. Kgomotso Mophulane reports

Brand South Africa - the official marketing agency of the country - has a new Chief Executive Officer: on the first of this month experienced former diplomat Kingsley Makhubela assumed the postion, for the period 2015 to 2020. Mr Makhubela has had an illustrious and distinguished career in the public service, having recently concluded his tenure as the Director-General of the Department of Tourism. He also has a long career in the diplomatic service, serving most recently as the Chief of State Protocol at the Department of International Relations and Co-operation, and between 1996 and 2005 her served South Africa in the capacity of Ambassador to Portugal and High Commissioner to Kenya. Another feather in Mr Mathebula cap is that he is very familiar with the African developmental agenda, and this will be of great benefit to his new postion. IN a visit to Channel Africa's studios in Johannesurg, Mr Makhubela told Lulu Gaboo more about his plans for marketing South Africa continentally AND globally

Leader of South Africa's opposition party, the EFF, Julius Malema says the only way out to make President Jacob Zuma pay back the money used on non security upgrades at his Nkandla private residence is through the constitutional court. He was addressing the media in parliament following President Zuma's oral reply session. Malema also says the opposition parties and the ANC have now become the enemy of the EFF in Parliament after they all agreed to pass rules to remove MPs. Our Parliamentary Correspondent Mercedes Besent tells us more

The political process in the Central African Republic,CAR, is moving forward despite ongoing tensions between rival communities, according to the UN's top envoy in the country. CAR has been mired in sectarian violence between Muslim and Christian militias for the past two years. The insecurity has forced over 820 thousand people to flee their homes -- half have crossed into neighbouring countries as refugees. Babacar Gaye, the head of the UN mission in the country, MINUSCA, was in New York to brief the Security Council. Cristina Silveiro

As South Africa marks the National Organ Donor Month, medical experts in the country have urged people to register as proud donors. Statistics from the non-profit, Organ Donor Foundation, indicate that there are about four-thousand-three-hundred South Africans awaiting life-saving organs and cornea transplants. Elizabeth Lediga reports on the importance of this annual awareness campaign and organ donation in general…..

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

SADC Facilitator for Lesotho, South Africa's Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa says he has agreed with the government, and the opposition, to revise the terms of reference of the SADC Commission of Inquiry established to probe that country's security situation. Ramaphosa altered his itinerary and scheduled an additional meeting with the prime minister before meeting with the opposition. A SADC Double Troika summit resolved to establish the commission of inquiry following the death of former army commander Maaparankoe Mahao. Nthakoana Ngatane reports..

The month of July which has been declared Mental Health Awareness Month in South Africa draws to an end this week. The objective of this annual awareness campaign is to not only educate the public about mental health but also to reduce the stigma and discrimination that people with mental illness are often subjected to. One of the mental health problems the month focused on this year is panic disorder, which healthcare professional say is often difficult to diagnose but treatable. In our weekly focus on health issues, our reporter Elizabeth Lediga takes a look at mental health as a growing public health problem.

Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza has won a controversial third term, taking nearly 70 per cent of the vote. According to provisional results from the country's electoral commission, opposition leader Agathon Rwasa won 19 per cent of the vote. Bernard Bankukira reports from Bujumbura..

The Botswana Court of Appeal has reserved judgement on government's appeal against a high court ruling to provide foreign prisoners with ARVs. The matter also involves an HIV-positive Zimbabwean prisoner who is demanding to be released due to the failure of government to provide ARVS. Sentleeng Lehihi reports from Gaborone…

Presidential elections in Burundi have complicated the political crisis in the Great Lakes country, this according to a senior United Nations official in the region.Burundi has been in political turmoil ever since the incumbent President decided to run for a third term.An estimated 144,000 people have left the country since pre-election violence began in April.UN Radios Tsigue Shiferaw has been speaking to Abdoulaye Bathily, the head of UNOCA, the United Nations political office tasked with helping to consolidate peace and prevent conflict in the Central African region.She began by asking him for his assessment of the situation there following Tuesday's vote.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has dismissed the issue of gay-rights in Kenya as one of the agenda in his bilateral discussion with US President Barrack Obama during his three day visit to Kenya. A number of Kenyans have threatened to lead a march of naked men and women to protest against Obama's support for gay rights in the country. But according to President Kenyatta, issues of economic development and security were his priorities during Obama visit. Mwai Gikonyo reports from Nairobi..

Voting is underway in Burundi presidential election, amid unrest over incumbent President Pierre Nkuruniziza's bid for a third term in office. Fears have been rife that the polls may trigger violence. A grenade exploded in Bujumbura, the capital's central business district yesterday. For an update from Burundi's capital Bujumbura, Lulu Gaboo spoke to our coresspondent there Bernard Bankurira

Peace talks to resolve Burundi's violent political crisis were suspended on Sunday, after the government side failed to show up. Crispus Kiyonga, the Ugandan defense minister who chaired the talks, said it was not clear why the government stayed away and said they would resume when it sends representatives.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will call for continued solidarity with the three West African countries most impacted by the unprecedented Ebola outbreak at today's International Ebola Recovery Conference in New York. The conference will seek to raise 3 point 2 billion Dollars over the next two years so that Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone can fully rebound from the crisis

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

Southern African parliamentarians want those who knowingly spread HIV and AIDS to be criminally charged. This is one of the suggestions to be discussed and most probably adopted as they meet for the 37th Plenary Assembly of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum underway in Durban South Africa.

Co-founder of South African mbhaqangqa group Soul Brothers, David Masondo, has died after spending almost two months in the Garden City Hospital in Johannesburg. Managing Director of Johan Sibiya Music Promotions, where Masondo recorderd his last album confirmed the news yesterday. Masondo was born in Hammersdale in Durban in 1950. His Soul Brothers group popularised the South African soul concept umbhaqanga

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

A variety of Channel Africa's Podcasts. It also features interviews, reports, analysis and statements.

Chairperson of the AU Commission Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma says she doesn't understand the fuss over Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir's attendance of the AU Summit in South Africa. She says like all other leaders of the AU member states, Bashir was invited to attend the two day meeting which ended in Johannesburg on Monday. The Sudanese had to cut his stay short after a court ruling that he be detained and handed over to the International Criminal Court to face genocide charges. Ntebo Mokobo reports..

UN special envoy to the Great Lakes Region, has stepped away from his role as a negotiator between Burundi's ruling party and opponents who continue clashing violently over the current president's decision to run for a third term. Some opposition leaders reportedly accused Said Djinnit of not focusing the talks he was hosting on the conflict's core issue.

The authorities in Khartoum have denied providing food and weapons to three groups of rebels fighting troops of the Juba government led by President Salva Kiir. Channel Africa's James Shimanyula has more

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Aïchatou Mindaoudo says if the planned November polls go well, then that the country would be back on the track of stability and development. The special representative of the West African nation was briefing the Security Council *yesterday on the situation in that country. Côte d'Ivoire is recovering from a political crisis and violence that followed the refusal of former President Laurent Gbagbo to concede defeat in the 2010 presidential election.