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Tanzania: Women Coalition Wants Legal Changes to Remove Unopposed Candidates

DAR ES SALAAM: A COALITION of Women on Constitution, Elections and Leadership has called for changes in the electoral laws to remove unopposed candidates in the councillorship and parliamentary elections. The coalition which includes more than 200 non-governmental organisations and civil society organisations suggested that voters should vote even if only one candidate vies for […]

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South Africa: Cape Fishers Worried About Declining Fish Populations

“The South African story has already been written in Namibia” where there was a three-year moratorium on sardine and anchovy catch because stocks were so low Mario Jacobs is worried. He has had a commercial fishing license since 1998, and has an annual quota for catching sardines and anchovies. But sardine stocks have been in […]

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South Africa: Several Parts of KZN Classified Disaster Areas Following Floods

Several flood-stricken parts of KwaZulu-Natal have been classified disaster areas by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister, Thembi Nkadimeng. The move will enable government to access additional funding from provincial and national departments to start repairs as soon as possible. According to the SABC, the disaster areas include Ilembe, Ugu and UMzinyathi municipalities and […]

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Ghana: Vice President Bawumia Launches Ghc660m Project to Empower Youth, PWDs

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has launched a multimillion-cedi project design to create employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for the youth, women and vulnerable persons. The GHC660 million Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA)/Mastercard Foundation Business in A Box (Bizbox) project aims to empower 250,000 individuals, support 125,000 with start-up kits and provide market access to 50,000 businesses and […]

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Morocco: Moroccan Referee Bouchra Karboubi, First Arab Woman to Officiate Afcon Match

Rabat — Moroccan referee Bouchra Karboubi became, on Monday, the first Arab woman to officiate a football match at the Africa Cup of Nations (2023 AFCON). Karboubi led the decisive match between Nigeria and Guinea Bissau at the Félix-Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, on the 3rd and final day of Group A of the 2023 AFCON. […]

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Africa: Scared of Sharps? This Map Shows the Way to Delivering Painless Vaccines

Seoul — If the fear of sharps makes a visit to the doctor dreadful, you need not dread it anymore. A South Korean company’s invention of an innovative micro-needle patch could make you look forward to your next doctor’s visit. The micro-needle patch (MAP) is a painless, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly way to administer vaccines […]

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Rwanda: Why Animals Should Not Be Stressed Before Slaughter

Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection Authority (RICA) has warned of animal stress before being slaughtered which leads to low-quality meat. According to Gaspard Simbarikure, Veterinary Hygiene and Quarantine Specialist at RICA, poor conditions before an animal goes into slaughter can affect the quality of meat. Discussing the importance of safety and the need for […]

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South Africa: Ekurhuleni Launches Clean Up Campaign

The City of Ekurhuleni has launched a clean up campaign aimed at addressing illegal dumping and maintaining green spaces in the municipality – particularly in the township. The Clean Your Kasi, Manje Namhlanje campaign, was launched in Thembisa. Addressing the campaign launch, MMC for Environmental Resource and Waste Management, Leshaka Manamela, said: “It cannot be […]

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Zambia: Perceptions of China’s Influence On Zambia Remain Positive, Though On the Decline

Favourable assessments have dropped by 30 percentage points since 2014. Key findings Four in 10 Zambians (42%) said the economic and political influence of China on their country is “somewhat positive” or “very positive,” matching favourable assessments of U.S. influence and surpassing those of Japanese (31%) and European Union (28%) influence. Only small minorities saw […]

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Sudan: Climate Change a Priority in Sudan – Among Those Who Have Heard of It

Citizens aware of climate change say action is needed from government, developed countries, business and industry, and ordinary people. Key findings More than half (51%) of Sudanese say flooding has become more severe in their region over the past decade. About four in 10 citizens (39%) say the same about droughts. A slim majority (54%) […]

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Seychelles: Digital Surveillance – Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority to Use Earthranger for Protecting National Reserves

The Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority (SPGA) has taken steps to revolutionise its operation by implementing a new digital system covering the different protected areas it manages. The chief executive of the SPGA, Allen Cedras, said that Authority has partnered with a Kenya-based organisation as it begins to make use of the EarthRanger. A team […]

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Kenya: We Want Guaranteed Minimum Return Now, Nyeri Farmers Tell Ruto Minister

Nyeri — Coffee farmers in Nyeri have demanded the immediate implementation of Guaranteed Minimum Returns (GMR) for their produce as promised by President William Ruto’s campaign in 2022. The farmers joined by local leaders said it was time the Kenya Kwanza administration delivered on its promise to reward them for turning out to vote for […]

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Seychelles’ 3rd Saya De Malha Expedition Collects FADs and 6.1 Tonnes of Waste From Aldabra

The third Saya De Malha Expedition to collect fish aggregating devices (FADs) and debris from the Seychelles Outer Islands group concluded with the return of the crew on December 11, 2023, according to a statement from the Ministry for Fisheries and the Blue Economy on Wednesday. The crew removed seven intact FADs and five others […]

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Mozambique: 14 Cholera Disinformation Incidents Lead to Three Deaths

Maputo — A wave of disinformation about the causes of cholera has led to the murder of at least three community leaders and the destruction of 50 houses in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado, according to a report in Wednesday’s issue of the independent newssheet “Carta de Mocambique’. There have been 14 incidents […]

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Malawi: Water in Lake Malawi Rising – Now Govt Is Very Worried

Officials from National Water Resources Authority (NWRA) say they are worried with the unprecedented rising of water levels on Lake Malawi. They say the water levels on Lake Malawi reached 494.97 meters above sea level (masl) as of January 3, 2024, 52 centimeters higher than the corresponding period last year and any other year in […]

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Zimbabwe: Teachers Stage Sit in As Schools Open for 2024, Demand U.S.$1,2k Salary

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) claims its members across the country staged a sit-in on the first day of the 2024 school calendar in protest over poor salaries and working conditions. The labour union demanded that the government increase the minimum wage from the current US$300 monthly pay to US$1, 260. ARTUZ […]

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South Africa: Children Kayak in Kariega’s Flooded Streets

Local business owners scupper latest effort by Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality to remove water Madikizela and Mabhida streets in KwaNobuhle township, Kariega have been flooded with foul-smelling water for eight months. Residents say their complaints about the stagnant water have fallen on deaf ears. Many were unable to access their driveways over the festive season […]

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Seychelles Islands Foundation Plans Feasibility Study to Eradicate Cats and Rats From Aldabra

The Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) is planning to undertake a feasibility study on eradicating cats and rats on the Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The SIF is hoping to collect vital information that will help to decide if eradication is possible and how it should be done. This first phase, which will take […]