Category: MIL OSI

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Former President of Madagascar, 25 CEOs Receive African Leadership Awards…Inducted into CEOs Hall of Fame

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English – Report:

Headline: Former President of Madagascar, 25 CEOs Receive African Leadership Awards…Inducted into CEOs Hall of Fame

As part of its efforts towards promoting entrepreneurship and development in Africa, the African Leadership Magazine U.K. (http://AfricanLeadership.co.uk) recently held her annual African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year Award. The award which is in its 6th-run was also used to unveil inductees into the inaugural African CEOs Hall of fame.

The two-day event, which was held between 23rd and 24th, February 2018 was a gathering of some of Africa’s finest, business and political leaders. The dinner was preceded by a pre-event breakfast business meeting, with a panel discussion on the theme: Africa Beyond 2020: Sustaining Africa’s fastest-growing economies.

The dinner which was held at the Sandton Convention Centre Johannesburg, South Africa, with the theme: “Driving African Growth Through Private Sector Mobilization,” had in attendance, Her Excellency, Mrs. Lalao Ravalomanana, Mayor of Antananarivo and wife of the former president of Madagascar, who represented His Excellency Mr. Marc Ravalomanana, former president of Madagascar; Dr. Manu Chandaria, Chairman Comcraft Group, Kenya; Dr. Adesola Kazeem Adeduntan MD/CEO, First Bank Nigeria MD/CEO First Bank, Nigeria; amongst other African business leaders.

In his welcome speech, the Chairman of the Advisory Board of the African Leadership Magazine, North America, Ambassador Joe Beasley, maintained that, “This year’s event is remarkable in many ways; but, more importantly, this event happens to be holding about 200 meters from the Nelson Mandela square, and about five months to his posthumous 100th birthday. Expectedly, the South African government have lined series of activities to celebrate the great Madiba in July.” Continuing, he said, “Nelson Mandela means so many things to so many people, but above all, he is a symbol of leadership.  And, as we gather here today, we must self-examine, and also ask the tough questions that may only be answered by actions – how would the world remember us? How would posterity judge us?”

While congratulating the honorees, he mentioned that the Persons of the Year Award was conceived in 2010 in keeping with African Leadership Magazine’s tradition of presenting the sides of the continent, which hardly finds placement at the global stage, and celebrating exemplary leadership and individuals who have contributed to shaping the global perception of the African continent.

He also reiterated the magazine’s firm believe in the continent, “We are believers. We are gathered here today, to send a simple message, “Africans can solve Africa’s problems.” We must, therefore, chose to see possibilities, where others see difficulties; a continent of limitless opportunities, where others see threats.”

The Persons of the year dinner, as well as the pre-event business breakfast is been described as a strategic attempt in recent times to confront the the twin problems of unemployment and poor Intra-Africa trade, as the event brought together business and political leaders from over 23 countries from the East, West, South, North and Central Africa. Participants at the event made commitments to redouble their efforts towards job and wealth creation.

In his remark, the President of Madagascar, highlighted his desire to see the entrenchment of Democracy in his country, as well as his efforts towards improving the living conditions of his people, as he looks to contest the coming elections.

The inaugural event saw the induction of CEOs of 25 leading brands on the continent. Also, The African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year saw outstanding Africans clinch coveted prizes in seven categories;

Some of the Awards recipients include His Excellency, Marc Ravalomanana, former President of Madagascar; Dr Manu Chandaria, Chairman, Comcraft Group, Kenya; Ms Suzan Mashibe, Executive Director, Tanjet Aviation. Tanzania; Mr. Godfrey Itaye, Director General, Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority; Dr Adesola Kazeem Adeduntan MD/CEO, First Bank Nigeria PLC; Mr. Frank Adu, MD/CEO, CAL Bank Ghana; Mr. Abdalla Abdulkhalik, Managing Director, Gulf African Bank, Kenya; Mr. Corneille Karekezi, CEO African Re-Insurance; Mr. Sanjit Chowdhry, Chief Executive Officer, Banyan Tree Bank Limited, Mauritius;   Mr. Mesmin Kabath, CEO Keco Group, Congo Brazzaville; amongst other leading business leaders.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Leadership.

Media enquiries: 
Contact Kingsley on: Kingsley@AfricanLeadership.co.uk  

About African Leadership Magazine: 
The African Leadership magazine is published by African Leadership (UK) Limited (http://AfricanLeadership.co.uk), a company registered in the United Kingdom (Company No. 07435198). The magazine focuses on bringing the best of Africa to a global audience, telling the African story from an African perspective; while evolving solutions to peculiar challenges being faced by the continent today.
Since its maiden edition, African Leadership Magazine has grown to become a leading pan-African flagship leadership-focused publication read by over 1, 000, 000 targeted international investors, business executives, government policy makers and multilateral agencies across Africa, the Middle East and Asia, Europe and the US. It is distributed at major international and African Leadership events around the world. The magazine has over 850,000 subscribers/Followers on facebook and a virile readership on other social media platforms. It is a niche and unbiased African voice born out of a desire to ameliorate the lot of Africans by focusing on individuals and corporate bodies that are known for their legacy-based approach to leadership. We believe in building sustainable leadership in Africa through exchange of ideas in tandem with global best practices. The magazine shall continually seek to herald the dawn of a new Africa as the continent of promise and global leadership, championed by people of integrity and resilience who are rising from the challenges of an unpleasant past; thereby preserving a legacy for future generations of our people.

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Statement by Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Julie Bishop MP on Humanitarian Assistance to Somalia

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English – Report:

Headline: Statement by Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Julie Bishop MP on Humanitarian Assistance to Somalia

Statement by Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, The Hon. Julie Bishop MP on Humanitarian Assistance to Somalia:

Today I announce that the Australian Government is providing humanitarian assistance to people in Somalia facing severe food insecurity due to conflict and drought.

The $17 million in assistance that we provided to Somalia in 2017 helped prevent widespread famine. In 2018, six million people remain in need of humanitarian assistance, including more than two million who are displaced – more than 1.3 million are children.

The risk of famine persists due to widespread violence, displacement and consecutive seasons of failed rains.

Australia is providing $5.5 million in emergency food, clean water and shelter to vulnerable Somali communities. Our support will be delivered through the United Nations and trusted humanitarian partners.

Australia’s humanitarian contribution will help affected communities improve their agricultural practices and financial management so they can be more resilient in the face of protracted drought.

The Australian Government remains committed to doing our part to help address global humanitarian needs, particularly those arising from conflict and food insecurity.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

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How Can Countries Reduce Poverty? Invest in Women’s Human Capital

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English – Report:

Headline: How Can Countries Reduce Poverty? Invest in Women’s Human Capital

Investing in women’s health and education is not just a moral imperative but also makes sound economic sense – policies that foster female empowerment are particularly powerful because they can make a vast contribution to economic growth. In a recent Credit Suisse Research Institute study on “Eradicating Extreme Poverty”, we look at why investment in women’s human capital can make a big difference to poverty levels.

Many studies have shown that getting women into the workforce is a major way for countries to boost economic growth and reduce poverty. As paid members of the workforce, women contribute directly to the economy as taxpayers and consumers. However, investing in women also makes a number of indirect contributions to economic development, which should not be ignored.

Breaking out of the Poverty Trap

Thanks to technological progress, today’s jobs increasingly demand brain-power over physical strength, allowing women to overcome their comparative disadvantage in competing for physical jobs and play to their comparative strength in “brain”.  Consequently, women in low-income countries should have an increasing number of employment opportunities, raising their earnings potential and their standing at home and in society.

Working women in low-income households can help their families escape the poverty trap by being able to invest in their children’s education and health, leading to better prospects for the next generation. On a national scale, investing in women’s empowerment can therefore generate more sustainable growth in developing countries.

Educated Women: A Catalyst for the Economy

While it’s not surprising that better health conditions and a greater access to education lead to economic growth and less poverty in general, not all investments in people lead to the same returns.

Devoting resources to women’s human capital appears to bring unexpectedly large returns relative to the size of the investment. Improving female health outcomes can also have a particularly positive effect on the economy. Healthier women tend to be more economically productive and earn more. Through better education, women can become more conscious of family size – in turn, this leads to smaller families with more resources and life chances.

Policies aiming to improve women’s health and schooling can be extremely powerful in combination. Healthier women can make better use of their education, increasing the lifetime return on investment of money spent on schooling. Meanwhile, educated women take better care of themselves and their families, for example by making sure their children are immunized.

Making Change Happen for Women

Many studies report that female access to healthcare and education remains unequal in developing countries. Women and girls experience worse health outcomes, less healthcare spending and less education. Often when girls do receive schooling, it is of a lesser quality than schooling for boys. With strong evidence that these inequalities harm economic growth, what can policymakers do to reduce poverty?

Firstly, spend more on health and education overall – investing in more and better quality schooling for boys and girls alike is good for the economy in general. Secondly, focus on getting more girls and women into secondary and tertiary education to boost the potential of female labor force participation, and avoid the damage to economic growth caused by educational inequalities. This requires everything from improving school infrastructure to increasing the density of schools so students have less distance to travel.

Thirdly, improve access to birth control – if women can control their fertility, they will be empowered to steer their family planning, contributing to reduced poverty levels. And fourthly – make sure women have equal access to good jobs, executive positions and political offices, to increase aspirations for young women and their families and allow them to reach their potential while having a positive effect on economic growth.

Investing in women’s health, education and empowerment can pay enormous dividends. Beyond the simple moral imperative to improve women’s lives because it’s the right thing to do, the potential for female empowerment to fuel economic growth is a strong incentive for policymakers to think carefully about how to invest in women and reduce poverty at the same time.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Credit Suisse Research Institute.

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Minister unpacks Gupta naturalisation processes

Source: South Africa News Agency

Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba says the Parliamentary Committee responsible for providing oversight on Home Affairs has accepted the explanation provided by the department on the application of naturalisation for some of the members of the Gupta family.

The Minister said this when he briefed the media at the department’s Cape Town offices on Tuesday.

“We have just returned from the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs which after three sessions to discuss the issue of the naturalisation, the committee has concluded the matter and I am quite happy that the matter has now been concluded with the committee where the department handed the documents first to provide a technical explanation of the process that was followed until that process was finalised today. We provided a political explanation which the committee required from us,” he said.

This comes after media reports that some members of the Gupta family had been unduly granted the South African citizenship by the department.

Briefing journalists, the Minister said the matter involved five people belonging to the Ajay Gupta family who applied for naturalisation in March 2013.

The Minister said that some of them had received permanent residence in 2003 while two of them received it in 2008.

“Miss Angul Gupta, who had applied for permanent residency and attained it in 2003 and applied for naturalisation in 2013.

“By law, she would have qualified for naturalisation but she then contravened the immigration act by being out of the country for longer than 90 days during this period and therefore her application was rejected.

“Mr Ajay Gupta himself had got permanent residential permit in 2008 and applied for naturalisation in 2013.

“Legally, he qualified for naturalisation but his application was rejected because these five people applied as a family, they did not apply as individuals. They applied as a family and therefore, one of the members did not qualify, all of them would therefore not qualify. The entire family application would then be rejected,” the Minister said.

He also said that Ajay’s wife, Shivani Gupta, got permanent residency in 2012 and applied for naturalisation in 2013 and this was rejected because she had not completed five years.

Ajay’s sons Kamal Singhala and Surya Singhala got permanent residency in 2008.

They applied for naturalisation in 2013 – both of them had complied with all the regulations and the law but their application was rejected on the basis that the entire family was not qualified.

“It is therefore important to establish the facts in this regard, the first being that they applied as a family and not as individuals so if one family member was rejected, the rest would be rejected.

“Secondly that out of the five, four qualified to apply for naturalisation. They had been in the country for long enough but out of the four that qualified, one was disqualified on the basis that during her stay, she then left country for 90 days.”

The Minister said the affected members of the Gupta family then appealed the decision in accordance with the law and upon appeal, the department received further documentation from them.

“We looked at a number of documents – the quantum of their investments into the country, the quantum of the people that are employed.

“In their application, they indicated that they were employing more than 7000 people. When we verified their documents, we found that they were employing close to 15 000 people. The company that they had registered was a JSE-listed company and in addition, they had a number of other philanthropic projects that they were involved in.

“…when we received the letter of appeal, we forwarded it as it was to the department and the department set up a panel of members that reviewed the appeal and decided to overturn its initial decision.”

The Minister also said in the case of Ajay Gupta, his application for naturalisation was, upon appeal, rejected again because he refused to renounce his Indian citizenship.

“There has been an argument that the decision to favour this fellow [Ajay] by expediting their application, their appeal [and] maliciously granting them South African citizenship. We need to clarify that as we did with the [portfolio] committee. Their application was done in 2013, it was rejected in 2014. They appealed, we considered new facts through an independent panel established in the department based on the documents submitted. The decision was overturned.

“But secondly, they were asked to renounce their citizenship of the country of their origin, at which point Mr Ajay Gupta declined renouncing his Indian citizenship and therefore Mr Ajay Gupta is not a South African citizen. He is a permanent residence permit holder which he received in 2008 but he is not a South African citizen.” – SAnews.gov.za

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Land matter to be handled appropriately

Source: South Africa News Agency

Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has urged South Africans, investors and the international community to exercise patience and trust the capabilities of Parliament to handle the matter of expropriation of land without compensation.

“The department is constitutionally enjoined to change the skewed land-ownership patterns while maintaining economic growth, food security, increased agricultural productions which are priorities for the Government and this Department,” the department said in a statement on Tuesday.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane has noted the media discussions and speculation concerning the recent motion passed by Parliament to allow for the expropriation of land without compensation pursuant to the resolution of the ruling party. 

The resolution established a Constitutional Review Committee to consider all aspects of expropriation without compensation, including the legal and economic aspects thereof. 

The resolution of Parliament thus sets forth a process and the Constitutional Review Committee must report back to Parliament by 30th August 2018.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane has reiterated the assurance by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the 2018 State of the Nation Address that the expropriation of land without compensation will be done in a manner that ensures food security, increases agricultural production and improves economic growth.

“The Land Audit report on private land ownership by race, gender and nationality, released by the Department earlier this year, reveals that black South African’s own only 4% of the land in this country.

“This is a direct result of the historical injustices that resulted in skewed land ownership patterns along racial lines; hence this matter cannot be left unresolved,” the department said.

The department meanwhile will strive to accelerate land reform within the current policies and legislation whilst the Parliamentary processes are being finalised.

The department has over the Medium Term Expenditure Framework been allocated by the National Treasury a sum of R10.8 billion to accelerate settlement of the 2581 restitution claims and R4.2 billion to acquire 291 000 hectares of strategically located land.

“We shall, in this regard, continue to follow political undertakings and make necessary input into parliamentary processes to address land dispossession, rural development and food security. The time is now,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

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International Women’s Day Celebration and Launching Ceremony of the “Libya for Peace” Campaign, 8 March 2018

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English – Report:

Headline: International Women’s Day Celebration and Launching Ceremony of the “Libya for Peace” Campaign, 8 March 2018

We are pleased to invite you to cover the launch of the “Libya for Peace” Campaign in conjunction with the International Women’s Day held in cooperation with the General Authority for Culture and the support of the United Nations.

“Libya for Peace” Campaign aims at promoting a culture of peace and peaceful coexistence and highlighting the role of women in peacemaking. This Campaign was initiated by a group of Libyan women after a series of meetings and conferences that resulted in the nomination of seven women from different regions of Libya as coordinators of the campaign.

This inaugural ceremony is the first of several activities to highlight the general plan of the “Libya for Peace” Campaign and the Women’s Peace Document that emerged from the Libyan Women’s Peace Conference held in Montreux, Switzerland, in September 2015.

Date and Time: 08 March 2018, from 11 a.m–14:45 p.m.

(Media outlets wishing to cover the event are kindly requested to send a confirmation email to kamkal80@hotmail.com,  including full names of the team members before 07 March 2018).

 Place: Lebda Hall-Corinthia Hotel-Tripoli

Opening Remarks:

  •       Coordinators of the “Libya for Peace” Campaign
  •       Dr. Hassan Ewneis, Director of the General Authority for Culture
  •       Dr. Asma Alosta, Minister of State for Women Affairs and Social Development
  •       Dr. Ghassan Salamé, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Libya.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

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EnergyNet, organisers of the Africa Energy Forum, is partnering with African Business to publish this year’s Africa Energy Yearbook – the official publication of the annual Africa Energy Forum 2018

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English – Report:

Headline: EnergyNet, organisers of the Africa Energy Forum, is partnering with African Business to publish this year’s Africa Energy Yearbook – the official publication of the annual Africa Energy Forum 2018

Celebrating 20 years of projects, deals & partnerships, the Africa Energy Forum (www.Africa-Energy-Forum.com) will celebrate its 20th anniversary in Mauritius from 19-22 June. As the official publication of the Forum, the 9th Africa Energy Yearbook will reflect on the achievements of Africa’s energy sector over the last 20 years with a special anniversary edition examining the role which the African power community has played in these successes.

Content from the yearbook will also be compiled into a Special Energy Report to be published in African Business magazine (www.AfricanBusinessMagazine.com) and circulated throughout the magazine’s global distribution network. The report will feature a number of CEO interviews, thought leadership pieces and in-depth analysis on a number of energy-related issues that are shaping the African continent. Distribution will reach 300,000 readers at business lounges and newsstands in over 75 countries.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of EnergyNet Ltd..

For advertising opportunities in the Special Energy Report please contact: 
Pedro Besugo – P.Besugo@ICPublications.com | +44 (0) 20 7841 3232

About African Business
African Business (www.AfricanBusinessMagazine.com) is the undisputed market leader and best-selling monthly pan-African business magazine considered essential reading for anyone with an interest in the continent’s economy and its development.
 
As the biggest-selling English language business magazine in Africa, African Business sells over 25,000 copies every month to the most influential demographic on the continent, including Presidents; Ministers; CEOs; Thought-Leaders, Academics & NGOs and Senior Decision-Makers from across a wide spectrum of businesses.
 
About the Africa Energy Forum
The Africa Energy Forum (AEF) (www.Africa-Energy-Forum.com) is the global investment meeting for Africa’s power, energy, infrastructure and industrial sectors. Now in its 20th year, AEF brings together senior decision-makers active in Africa’s energy sector to form partnerships, identify opportunities and collectively move the industry forward. AEF has a loyal following of credible players working in the power space, and a track record of delivering a valuable networking experience.

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President Ramaphosa meets DIRCO

Source: South Africa News Agency

President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to use its diplomatic presence in the world to attract investment and facilitate greater volumes of trade. 

President Ramaphosa also underscored the significance of DIRCO “as the face and mirror of our country”.

The President said this on Tuesday when he visited DIRCO head offices at Oliver Tambo House, in Tshwane, accompanied by Director-General Cassius Lubisi.

He was received by DIRCO Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and Deputy Ministers Llewellyn Landers and Reginah Mhaule.

“Today’s engagement took the form of an extended briefing by DIRCO to President Ramaphosa on South Africa’s foreign policy priorities and key international engagements that will form part of the President’s schedule in the coming months,” the Presidency said in a statement after the meeting. 

The occasion also gave President Ramaphosa an opportunity to meet the political leadership, senior management and staff, the Presidency said.

DIRCO is trusted with the formulation, promotion and execution of South Africa’s foreign policy. The department has one of the biggest contingents of diplomats in the world, with 125 diplomatic missions in 107 countries located in all corners of the world.

“President Ramaphosa underscored the centrality of DIRCO – as the face and mirror of our country – in solidifying South Africa’s position in the region, continent and the world and sustaining the pursuit of a better South Africa in a better Africa and a better world.”

Minister Sisulu committed that DIRCO would in 2018, as the year of Founding President Nelson Mandela’s centenary, advance regionally, continentally and globally Madiba’s values of resolving international disputes through peaceful means.

The visit is as part of President Ramaphosa’s commitments made in the State of the Nation Address in which he indicated that he will be visiting the national departments to engage with the senior leadership to ensure that the work of government is effectively aligned.

This is part of the President’s new dawn approach — visiting where public service should undertake their responsibilities with efficiency, diligence and integrity. Where tasks are done with new discipline, correctly, completely and timeously. – SAnews.gov.za

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Support for small tourism businesses in N West

Source: South Africa News Agency

Tourism Deputy Minister Elizabeth Thabethe has visited the North West as part of the Enterprise Development Awareness campaign, which started in Gauteng last month. 

The campaign aims to create an awareness of opportunities offered to small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) through the Enterprise Development Programme by the Department of Tourism to ensure they become sustainable in the long term. 

“This programme is part of the greater objective of the revised National Tourism Sector Strategy 2016 & 2026 that seeks to ensure sustainable development and growth of tourism enterprises in a manner that facilitates inclusive participation, job creation and contributes to the competitiveness of tourism destinations,” Minister Thabethe said. 

The Tourism Enterprise Development Programme provides training and support for emerging and existing tourism businesses to ensure their sustainability in the sector. 

The programme includes an incubator programme, which was first launched in 2016 in Pilanesberg with 50 incubatees. 

The incubator services are designed to address the identified needs of the SMMEs, and constant monitoring conducted by both the department’s Monitoring and Evaluation as well as Enterprise Development units respectively. 

 “Our objective was to create an Enterprise Development Support Programme that is aligned to government’s focus on SMMEs and through the programme, we hope to facilitate the process of transforming the sector, making it inclusive and accessible to new entrants, especially businesses owned and managed by women and the youth,” Minister Thabethe said. 

The North West campaign also featured presentations and exhibitions from various financial institutions and private banks, who presented on their financial models and products available to support SMMEs. – SAnews.gov.za

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President Cyril Ramaphosa engages with the Department of International Relations and Coope

Source: President of South Africa –

Headline: President Cyril Ramaphosa engages with the Department of International Relations and Coope

President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) at Oliver Tambo House, Rietondale, Pretoria, today, Tuesday 06 March, as part of his undertaking in the 2018 State of the Nation Address to engage with government departments.

Today’s engagement took the form of an extended briefing by DIRCO to President Ramaphosa on South Africa’s foreign policy priorities and key international engagements that will form part of the President’s schedule in the coming months.

The occasion also gave President Ramaphosa an opportunity meet the political leadership, senior management and staff of DIRCO.

President Ramaphosa, who was accompanied by Presidency Director-General Dr Cassius Lubisi, advisers and officials, was received by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ms Lindiwe Sisulu and Deputy Ministers Llewellyn Landers and Reginah Mhaule.

President Ramaphosa underscored the centrality of DIRCO – “as the face and mirror of our country” – in solidifying South Africa’s position in the region, continent and the world and sustaining the pursuit of a better South Africa in a better Africa and a better world.

The President called on the Department to use South Africa’s diplomatic presence in the world to attract investment and facilitate greater volumes of trade. 

Minister Sisulu committed that DIRCO would in 2018, as the year of Founding President Nelson Mandela’s centenary, advance regionally, continentally and globally Madiba’s values of resolving international disputes through peaceful means.

Enquiries: Tyrone Seale, Acting Spokesperson on 083 5757 440

Issued by: The Presidency 
Pretoria