Author: WAJ Team

South African businesses and consumers are grappling with challenges due to the recent ban on poultry imports from the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. The decision was prompted by a single outbreak of Newcastle disease, a viral infection affecting birds, reported on July 9. The incident marked Brazil’s first recorded outbreak of Newcastle disease since 2006. Despite the disease’s limited scope, South Africa’s Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has imposed sweeping trade restrictions. These measures include an immediate halt on imports of day-old chicks, hatching eggs, table eggs, and poultry meat from Rio Grande do…

On Thursday, the Democratic Republic of Congo announced that the mpox outbreak has led to 548 deaths this year. This comes as Sweden reported its first case of the virus’s more dangerous variant outside Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the situation a global public health emergency, expressing concern over the increasing number of cases in the DRC and its spread to nearby countries. DRC Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba shared in a video message that the country has identified 15,664 possible cases and 548 deaths since the start of the year, with all provinces affected. The most severely impacted…

The renowned Afro-pop group Mafikizolo is gearing up for a sensational performance in Namibia this Friday. The South African duo arrived in Windhoek on Thursday night and is promising an unforgettable experience for their fans at the Doc Jubber Hockey Field. Vocalist Theo Kgosinkwe expressed his excitement about the upcoming show. “We’re eager to see a full house; it’s going to be an electrifying performance that Namibians will remember,” Kgosinkwe stated. Fellow member Nhlanhla Mafu also shared her enthusiasm, saying, “We are incredibly excited and can’t wait to take the stage.” This concert marks Mafikizolo’s return to Namibia after more…

Tensions have flared in Soweto after a 21-year-old man was shot at a spaza shop, prompting a crackdown by Operation Dudula and the Patriotic Alliance (PA). This week, these groups targeted and shut down several foreign-owned spaza shops in White City, escalating fears of xenophobic violence and looting in Gauteng’s largest township. The shooting, which involved Lusanda Ngcobo being hit twice in the stomach during a heated dispute with a shop owner, has triggered widespread anxiety about a potential wave of violence similar to previous xenophobic incidents. Operation Dudula, known for its anti-immigrant agenda, plans to extend its campaign to…

Experts estimate that Africa is losing about $89 billion (around R1.6 trillion) each year to illicit financial flows (IFFs)—an amount twice the continent’s total aid from Western donors. At the SA Federation of Trade Unions’ political school, IFF analysts Isaac Agyiri and Jaco Olofsen painted a stark picture of the widespread damage caused by these illicit activities. They revealed that these flows significantly hinder Africa’s economic growth, undermine social services, and violate human rights. Agyiri noted that roughly 60% of these financial losses are due to tax evasion by individuals and businesses across the continent, including in South Africa. Reinforcing…

UN-appointed experts called on Zimbabwe on Thursday to release three human rights activists, who they say were tortured while in custody, as the country prepares for an important regional summit. The activists were identified in the experts’ statement as Namatai Kwekweza, a rights advocate; Robson Chere, a leader of a teachers’ union; and Samuel Gwenzi, a former municipal councilor in Harare. The three were detained on July 31 for protesting in support of imprisoned opposition figures Jameson Timba and other activists. According to the UN experts, unknown men forced the activists off a plane and kept them incommunicado for eight…

The role of seaweed in absorbing atmospheric carbon is debated, but it remains valuable for other reasons. Mozambique, with its 2,700 km coastline and vulnerability to tropical cyclones, faces significant climate challenges. Recent years have seen devastating storms, floods, and droughts, all exacerbated by climate change, impacting thousands and resulting in numerous fatalities in this southern African nation. In 2021, the Oceanographic Institute of Mozambique (InOM) initiated a seaweed farming pilot project in the northern region. Supported by Selt Marine Mozambique—a subsidiary of the Tunisian company Selt Marine Group specializing in seaweed farming and processing—the project aims to combat climate…

One hundred military police officers from the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) have finished a demanding six-week training course, held in partnership with the Qatar Armed Forces. Hosted at Rwanda Military Academy GAKO, the training emphasized crucial skills including counterterrorism, VIP protection, and riot control. This collaborative effort highlights the strong alliance between Qatar and Rwanda and their mutual commitment to strengthening security capabilities. The training program equipped RDF members with advanced techniques to address new security challenges, protect high-profile individuals, and manage emergency situations, aiming to enhance overall security and stability in Rwanda and beyond. At the graduation ceremony, Gen.…

This year, outbreaks of cholera and Lassa fever in Nigeria have resulted in over 300 deaths. Government figures report 156 fatalities from cholera and 163 from Lassa fever, though the true death count could be higher as these numbers are based on data through the end of July. Nigeria has seen 4,809 suspected cases of cholera across 35 states. With a population of about 229 million, the country is divided into 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory, where Abuja is located. Cholera cases predominantly affect children under five, with a secondary impact on individuals aged 25-34. Among the reported…

The National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) has unveiled a major initiative to replace aging coffee trees across Rwanda to boost production and enhance industry sustainability. NAEB reports that Rwanda’s coffee plantations cover 42,229 hectares, but 26.8 percent of these trees are outdated and yield insufficient berries, impacting profitability. The first phase of the initiative is underway in districts across the Western Province—Karongi, Nyamasheke, and Rusizi—and the Southern Province—Ruhango, Huye, and Nyamagabe. On August 13, NAEB Chief Executive Officer Claude Bizimana addressed local coffee producers, farmers, and officials in Rubengera Sector, highlighting that the program’s goal is to increase coffee…

Nelson Mandela, born in 1918 in South Africa, began his journey as a trained lawyer and quickly became a pivotal leader in the fight against apartheid. His defiance against racial segregation led to a 27-year imprisonment, a period that underscored his unwavering commitment to justice. Following his release in 1990, Mandela played a crucial role in steering South Africa towards democracy, culminating in his election as the nation’s first black president in 1994. His efforts to promote peace were internationally recognized when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. Mandela’s enduring message, “It always seems impossible until it’s…

Cybersecurity threats are escalating across Africa, with several countries prominently featured in global cyberattack rankings. Check Point Software Technologies, a leading global provider of cybersecurity solutions known for its advanced threat prevention and AI-driven protection for networks, endpoints, cloud environments, and mobile devices, highlighted this trend in its Global Threat Index for July 2024. According to Check Point’s latest report, Ethiopia is the most vulnerable country surveyed, with a Normalised Risk Index of 78.9, indicating high susceptibility to cyber threats. Zimbabwe is the third most attacked country worldwide, while Nigeria ranks 19th. Kenya and Ghana have also seen notable increases,…

UNICEF’s analysis has found that nearly 500 million children are growing up in regions where the frequency of extremely hot days has more than doubled compared to 60 years ago. This marks the first time the UN’s children’s agency has evaluated changes in children’s exposure to extreme heat over such an extended period. As global temperatures continue to rise, people everywhere are encountering more severe climate threats, including frequent and intense heatwaves. Children are particularly at risk from these extreme conditions. To gauge the increase in extremely hot days, defined as those exceeding 35°C (95°F), researchers compared data from the…

On Wednesday, August 14, President Paul Kagame stated that Rwanda’s issue with the DR Congo centers on the FDLR, a militia composed of survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and supported by the Congolese government. Speaking after the swearing-in of Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente and new Members of Parliament, Kagame noted that attempts to neutralize the FDLR over the past 30 years have only managed to sustain it. He emphasized that Rwanda should not be held responsible for the insecurity in eastern DR Congo, criticizing the Congolese government for arming the FDLR, which it employs against the M23,…

On Wednesday, six additional bodies, including those of two children, were recovered from the site of a major garbage landslide in Kampala, Uganda.This has raised the confirmed death toll to 30. The disaster occurred at the Kiteezi landfill on Saturday, where the collapse buried numerous people, homes, and livestock under piles of waste. Authorities reported that by 5:30 p.m. local time, the total number of bodies found had reached 30. The latest victims included a three-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl, according to the updated list of recovered individuals. Earlier, the spokesperson for Kampala metropolitan police reported that 26 people…

A public health emergency of international concern has been declared due to the emergence of a new mpox virus variant in Africa, marking the highest level of alert. As of Wednesday, cases have been detected in 13 African countries, with the new variant spreading quickly. This is the second time in two years that such an alert has been issued for this disease. The declaration follows an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which has now extended to neighboring nations. “The emergency committee met today and advised me that the current situation represents a public health emergency of…