Category: Reportage

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Kenya take silver at World Rugby Sevens in Canada after beating England and France

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English – Report:

Headline: Kenya take silver at World Rugby Sevens in Canada after beating England and France

Kenya 7s rugby team’s gallant run at the Canada Sevens ended at the last hurdle, finishing second overall after a 31-12 cup final defeat to Fiji on Monday morning. The result sees Kenya Sevens, also known as “Shujaa”, stay eighth on the Sevens World Series standings with 64 points. Two Kenyan players, Collins Injera and Oscar Ouma also made the team of the tournament

Nelson Oyoo started Kenya’s first attack with an excellent turnover at the breakdown. Quick hands kept the ball moving at pace and a final overhead pass out to Willy Ambaka ensured that he had the time and space to surge over the line. Samuel Oliech added the conversion.

Fiji responded with a converted try of their own.

Eroni Sau’s offload off the deck was absolutely outstanding and it found Josua Vakurunabili who didn’t need to break his stride to score. Vatemo Ravouvou added the conversion to tie the match at 7-7.

Kenya knew that they had to be so clinical in this final and they were certainly doing that. Oliech produced a monster fend and touched down at pace. This time the conversion didn’t have the distance and Kenya had to settle for five points.

The last word of the half went to Fiji after a Kenyan error off the restart. Sevuloni Mocenacagi plucked the ball athletically out of the air, went through the gears and levelled the scores going into the break, all square at 12-12 with all to play for in the second half.

Fiji enjoyed a purple patch after the restart and took their output up a gear. Mocenacagi soon added his second, Amenoni Nasilasila and Alasio Naduva then provided electric impact off the bench before Naduva added their fourth try to go 26-12 up.

It was soon 31-12 to Fiji. They kicked for the corner off a penalty and went to the short side of a well-taken lineout. Paula Dranisinukula had his eyes firmly set on the line and Kenya’s final defenders just could not stop him.

The Kenyans were still fighting, staying hungry and tenacious despite the score. Ambaka flew down the left-wing and looked like he was to go over to give Kenya the last say on the scoreboard. However, the determination of Jerry Tuwai was shown in full force. Tuwai bundled his opponent into touch and after that his side controlled possession until the hooter sounded.

The full-time whistle signaled Fiji’s victory and as a result they became the first team to record two tournament titles this season. As for Kenya’s Shujaa, they live to fight another day, Innocent Simiyu must be proud of his charges performance and will certainly want more as the series heads into its final four rounds. He will also keep tabs on Commonwealth Games and Rugby World Cup Sevens as well, looking to best the beat out of Shujaa.

Injera inspires Shujaa

Collins Injera inspired Shujaa, the Kenya 7s rugby team, to a 24-19 win over the USA in a dramatic Canada Sevens semifinal, setting up a date against Fiji in the cup final.

It was the USA, winners at last weekend’s USA Sevens in Las Vegas who started well, going 14-0 up through Perry Baker’s two converted tries.

Nelson Oyoo scored the first of his two tries in emphatic fashion, receiving the ball and leaving USA battering ram Danny Barrett for dead to touch down. Sammy Oliech added the conversion to half the deficit.

Injera would read Folau Niua’s loose pass like a book, pouncing on it and racing clear before getting caught by Carlin Isles but he had the ability to fly the ball all the way out to Oyoo who went over for his brace, the 14-12 score seeing Shujaa trail the USA by two points at the break.

Isles restored the USA’s lead, scoring at the corner after the restart but pulled up with what looked like an uncomfortable hamstring.

Shujaa kept snapping at the USA, forcing them into errors. They would find themselves in possession, Collins Injera turning back the clock and creating a sumptuous try for Willy Ambaka, Eden Agero converting to tie up the score.

The USA gained the ball back from the restart and progressed up the field with purpose but the indefatigable Injera gained a monster turnover at the breakdown, popping the ball to Agero who offloaded to Oscar Ouma, nothing was going to stop Ouma from crossing the chalk and winning the game for Kenya, making their first cup final since that famous 30-7 win over Fiji at the 2016 Singapore Sevens.

Kenya shock England

Shujaa defeated defending champions England 12-0 to reach the cup semifinal at the Canada Sevens in Vancouver on Sunday night. This was Shujaa’s first win over England since 2011.

They took a 7-0 lead into the break after Oscar Ouma’s try on the verge of half time was converted by Sammy Oliech. Billy Odhiambo added a second try deep in the second half to claim the result and a semifinal date against the USA.

There was concern for Kenya in the opening minutes of this final Cup quarter-final as Collins Injera received treatment for an injury during kickoff. He was eventually back on his feet as he left the field, replaced by Eden Agero with many fearing that his tournament was over.

Moments later it looked for all the money in the world that Odhiambo was certain to go over for Kenya’s first score but Tom Mitchell’s desperate tackle halted him.

Kenya broke free on the stroke of half time with Ouma scoring under the posts, Sammy Oliech adding the conversion for a 7-0 lead, a great way for them to finish the half.

Phil Burgess’ outstanding tackle, over the line, prevented Oliech from scoring Kenya’s second but they soon did.

The run up to this try was characterized by Injera’s return to the field of play, after many thought his tournament was over. He took his position to strike off the five-metre scrum. They would swing it wide after gaining a further penalty, creating a four-on-two situation that set up Odhiambo for the try.

The team had earlier finished second in Pool C after posting two wins against France (14-7) and Spain (43-0) before losing 24-21 to Fiji.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kenya Rugby Union (KRU).

Media contact:
Rugby@APO-opa.org

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Free Trade deal to turn Africa’s fortunes around

Source: South Africa News Agency

An agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which is envisaged to offer opportunities to create large economies of scale has been reached, said the Department of Trade and Industry.

Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies and his Deputy Bulelani Magwanishe attended the recent African Union Ministers of Trade (AMOT) two-day meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, that concluded on Friday.

The AfCFTA, which also offers an opportunity to create a bigger market and to improve the prospects of the African continent’s ability to attract investment, was among the key issues discussed by Ministers at the meeting.

“The African Ministers of Trade considered and approved, for submitting to the Extra-Ordinary Summit of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government, the Agreement Establishing the AfCFTA as well as the Protocols on Trade in Goods and Trade in Services that will form part of the Agreement.

“The Ministers also approved a Work Programme for concluding the outstanding issues for implementation that will start after the Extra-Ordinary Summit of the AU Heads of State and Government that will take place on 21 March 2018 in Kigali, Rwanda,” said the dti.

Negotiations of the AfCFTA were launched in Johannesburg, South Africa, in June 2015.

At the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government in January 2018 in Ethiopia, it was agreed to hold an Extraordinary Summit on 21 March 2018 to consider the AfCFTA legal instruments and Declaration launching the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area.

“South Africa is, therefore, committed to a coordinated strategy to boost intra-Africa trade and to build an integrated market in Africa that will see a market of over 1 billion people with a GDP [Gross Domestic Product] of approximately US$2.6 trillion. Beyond the Tripartite Free Trade Area, the AfCFTA will provide new export opportunities for South African products and services in West Africa and North Africa,” said the department on Sunday.

The AfCFTA is being pursued under the development integration approach. This approach combines market integration with industrial and infrastructure development to address Africa’s productive capacity and supply side constraints.

“The AfCFTA is also expected to facilitate the movement of goods and services among African countries. It will also result in harmonisation of customs documentation and processes thus enhancing trade facilitation,” said the dti. – SAnews.gov.za

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Finance Minister approves VBS curatorship

Source: South Africa News Agency

Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene has approved the Registrar of Banks’ recommendation to place VBS Mutual Bank under curatorship.

“The National Treasury can confirm that the Minister of Finance has approved the recommendation of the Registrar of Banks to place VBS Mutual Bank under curatorship in order to nurse the bank back to health,” said Treasury in a statement on Sunday night.

Earlier in the day, at a media briefing at its premises in Tshwane, the Reserve Bank announced that it had placed the black-owned bank which has most of its branches in Limpopo under curatorship.

Reacting to the announcement, Treasury said the Registrar of Banks which is located within the Reserve Bank fulfils a critical role in the regulatory framework to protect depositors, customers, and the shareholders of a mutual bank.

Turning VBS around

Treasury said the aim of the curatorship is ultimately to turn the mutual bank around.

“This is in contrast with liquidation, where the mutual bank is closed down. The curator is given the legal means to create the necessary mechanisms to implement a resolution plan which will ensure the long-run sustainability of VBS. The recent example of African Bank which emerged as a stronger bank after curatorship should be noted,” said Treasury.

In mid-2017, following an application from the Financial Services Board, the High Court placed two related parties, Bophelo Beneficiary Fund and Bophelo Benefit Services under curatorship.

“It is critical to protect customers, particularly widows and orphans who may have their savings affected by this problem. The Financial Services Board has indicated that there are other related parties that may be impacted by the curatorship,” said Treasury.

The rationale for restricting municipalities and their entities from placing funds into mutual banks is consistent with the objective of ensuring that funds meant for service delivery are managed as responsibly as possible. The list of permitted investments therefore does not include any equity or equity-like instruments, for example shares in an institution.

Complying with the law

Treasury said being highly regulated entities, all banks need to not only set aside large capital reserves, but take care not to break the law in all their activities, and fully comply with laws like the Public Finance Management Act, Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) and Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) Act.

The MFMA does not allow municipalities to bank with a mutual bank, but allows it to do so with a fully registered bank.

“Any bank must ensure that at all stages, it takes deposits in line with our laws. Whilst sensitive to the need to prevent a bank from failing, the National Treasury cannot and will not do so by breaking any laws. To the extent that any bank is experiencing any prudential challenges, it is between the Reserve Bank and that bank to consider how best to ensure the bank is safe for all its depositors.”

In  addition, the Board of any bank must at all times operate within the law, and must take full responsibility for its business model, and the risks that go with such a business model.

Since late 2016, National Treasury has been working to try and find an orderly resolution to the problem of municipalities placing deposits in contravention of the MFMA.

The matter of municipalities investing in mutual banks was also raised in a series of parliamentary questions during the course of 2016 and 2017.

In August 2017 Treasury issued a communication to selected municipalities drawing attention to legal requirements as part of its monitoring and compliance functions. Since then, no circular was issued to municipalities.

“Municipalities make their own decisions on banking and investment, as long as it is within the framework of the law,” Treasury said, adding that it will engage affected municipalities to determine the extent of their potential loss and ensure that service delivery is not affected.

“In the past few weeks, National Treasury and the Reserve Bank have been working closely to try and save the bank so as to protect ordinary depositors. It is never the intention of Treasury for any bank to be liquidated, particularly a small black-owned bank.

“National Treasury’s actions are trying to balance the need for a more diversified small banking sector against the need for well-run and well-governed municipalities,” it said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Klerksdorp brothel set to be demolished

Source: South Africa News Agency

The house used as a brothel in Klerksdorp, North West, is set to be demolished following a successful forfeiture order granted by the North Gauteng High Court.

Pretoria High Court granted the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) in the North West a forfeiture order on Friday, the Hawks said on Monday.

The Priority Crime Specialised Investigations (PCSI) unit of the Hawks in North West that specialises in asset and financial investigations made a submission to the AFU to have the building on number 5 Viljoen Street in Pienaarsdorp be forfeited to the state.  

Provincial Head Major-General Linda Mbana said the PCSI had to gather evidence to prove that the property was used solely for criminal activities in contravention of the Prevention of the Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998.

Mbana said the preparations for the demolition are underway.

“After a lot of hard work by the Hawks, the AFU and the NPA, the forfeiture order has finally come to fruition. We hope that the demolition of this property will give the community of Pienaarsdorp hope,” she said.

The house was hijacked by drug dealers and human traffickers, and over the years it became a nuisance to the community and local authorities.

The property was raided twice by the Hawks, first in 2016 when 26 women and girls were rescued from the property and again in 2017 where 34 women were rescued.

During the raids, two Nigerian nationals were arrested for human trafficking and drugs and money was seized.

Mbana further thanked everyone involved and encouraged the members of the community to report criminal activities. – SAnews.gov.za

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Madiba centenary: Icon’s records at your fingertips

Source: South Africa News Agency

Not many people are able to set foot at the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory in Johannesburg, which houses the archives of the late former president and icon of South Africa’s struggle for liberation, Nelson Mandela.

If missing out on some of the interesting pieces of information and records about Mandela’s political life worries you, then worry no more.

A historic partnership between the Nelson Mandela Foundation and one of the world’s most popular social networking sites, Facebook, will make these records available at your fingertips.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation, in partnership with Facebook, are marking the centenary celebrations of the world’s most loved statesman by availing to millions of people around the globe, archive material that chronicles the journey of the man affectionately known as Madiba.

After a successful partnership with Facebook on the live streaming of the 14th Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture delivered by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates on 17 July 2016, the penny dropped on the huge potential of the social platform.

“When Bill Gates delivered the lecture, we got Facebook to be our partner and that was the lecture that ended up being one of the biggest due to the use of that platform.

“Following that, we thought maybe we should explore other possibilities with Facebook.  This year, they came in and we are doing the project which is to archive Madiba’s records and preserve them,” says Nelson Mandela CEO Sello Hatang.

The collaboration comes as the foundation, government and people the world over celebrate 2018 as the Nelson Mandela Centenary.

Mandela, who died on 5 December 2013, would have turned 100 years-old on the 18th of July 2018, had he lived.

The centenary celebrations will run from July 2018 until July 2019.

Under the theme, “Be the Legacy”, South Africans and the world are called to find the Madiba within themselves and work towards upholding the principles which the former statesman lived by which are non-racialism, equality and integrity amongst others.

“For us, the message for the centenary is threefold – with the first being encouraging people to identify oneself as not only believing in Madiba’s way of governance but actually try and be the legacy. The second part of the message is for us to find the Madiba in ourselves and finally to build a values based society,” says Hatang.

What is in those archives?

As it stands, over eight million Facebook users follow the Foundation’s account. It is on this account where they have access to Madiba’s quotes from speeches he delivered over the years and accounts of pivotal moments of his life.

According to Hatang, the social media site will create a portal where Facebook users who follow the Foundation’s account will be able to view records, documents, paintings, awards and donated items.

The items document the life of the man born in Mvezo, Eastern Cape, who became South Africa’s first democratically elected President.

It will be on this portal where a user will be able to view the archives on their Facebook feed.

The archives have something for everyone. The rugby jersey former Springbok captain, Francois Pienaar wore on the day South Africa won the 1995 Rugby World Cup which he later donated to the Foundation.

That World Cup was a watershed moment in South African history that Madiba used to bridge the gap between the black and white people as he walked into Ellis Park stadium shortly after assuming his Presidency after the fall of apartheid.

The Nobel Peace Prize, awarded jointly to Mandela with Former President Frederik Willem De Klerk in 1993 for the peaceful transition into democracy, is also kept in the strong room that houses the archives.

Bookworms will get a snippet of the manuscripts of Madiba’s memoir, Long Walk to Freedom and what would have been its sequel Dare Not Linger: The Presidential Years, which was completed with the help of Mandla Langa.

The archive project will be funded by Facebook and spans the course of three years.

With the backing of Facebook, the Foundation which has a total of 12 million followers on its social media platforms collectively, envisions to increase its online following.

“Facebook is funding the preservation of Madiba’s archive which includes building a portal that we will host. They will help us advance our social media platforms and help train our people to assist us increase our footfall on Facebook,” says Hatang. 

Live Stream the Annual Nelson Mandela Foundation Lecture

By increasing its social media presence, Hatang hopes the Foundation will achieve its goal to spark conversation.

To do this, the Foundation will once again draw on its partnership with Facebook to deliver the 16th Annual Nelson Mandela Lecture this year via live stream.

The Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture series is an important event on the Foundation’s calendar as it encourages not just thought leaders, but ordinary people to have debates on difficult issues in order to find solutions.

Previous speakers of the lecture series include Archbishop Desmond Tutu; former president Thabo Mbeki; Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai; former Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and former US president Bill Clinton.

In 2018, the Foundation aims to highlight eradication of poverty and inequality, the dismantling of structural racism and the broadening of freedom in their debates.

Facebook proved to be an easy choice for partner, as it does not only carry the huge audience reach but also has common ideals of connecting and building communities.

“Facebook is a platform for building communities connecting people across the globe and building communities. If we are to talk about building a values based society we hope that it will help in that venture too,” Hatang said.

Books about Madiba

Apart from the Facebook venture, a number of centenary celebrations are lined up for the year ahead, each demonstrating Madiba’s passions.

“One of the projects that we will be doing is releasing a book of people who worked for and with Madiba. What we hope to achieve out of that, is that these people bring forward not just the icon but someone who cared as a father and grandfather to their children.

“Someone who cared about the education of their children and how he not only invested his time but also invested himself,” says Hatang.

The book, which will have anecdotes from those who shared in Madiba’s journey is set to be released in May this year.

“In there, you will hear about the Madiba that is not known out there. We knew Madiba as someone who was very humourous and we hoping that will also come forth in the book.”

An international book titled “Children’s Letters for Mandela” is also on the cards to commemorate Madiba’s love for children.

“We will have letters from children in Japan, Australia, China but predominantly from South African children telling Madiba about their world without him. Of course, most have never met or seen Madiba, so it will be stories about what they have been told about Madiba,” says Hatang.

Through these books, the Foundation hopes to present a fresh angle to Madiba from the well-known facets of him as a political activist, prisoner 46664 at Robben Island and President but rather as an ordinary human being who led an extraordinary life.

Exhibitions and documentaries

 A number of exhibitions will also take place across the globe that will honour the global icon.

 “In terms of the exhibition, there will be three kinds of exhibitions. There will be an international one that will run for five years. It will start in Australia then head to New Zealand, the UK, Europe and then make its way back home on the fifth year, it will have artefacts.”

The second exhibition, which aims to bring Madiba closer to the people is that of a design of his hand that we will be placed in public parks in collaboration with municipalities.

Third amongst the exhibitions will be the Unthreading Mandela exhibition, which can be seen at the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory in Houghton, Johannesburg.

The exhibition’s looks at two elements. The first being Mandela, the stylish man who had a daring fashion sense and came to be known for his colourful and unorthodox shirts later known as the Madiba shirt. It also speaks to uncovering his legacy and finding ways to build on the legacy he started.

Reflecting on his interactions with Madiba, Hatang said he admired the humility of the legend.

“You know Madiba could make you feel like you could be Madiba. I like how he would make people so comfortable around him and he would say, I am so honoured to be in your presence and meanwhile you are actually thinking that you are the one who is honoured.”

As the Foundation gets the ball rolling on the centenary celebrations, Hatang calls on South Africans to give their time to causes that evoke change in society.

He makes reference to knitting projects through the Blankets for Mandela initiative which demonstrate that anyone can lend a hand.

“We run a knitting project with the Department of Correctional Services. In that project prisoners are knitting and knitting to try and regain trust of society, by giving something back in the form of these blankets. I think if it can be done by even those who have wronged society and are behind bars surely those who have hands and have the presence of mind to help others can do the same,” says Hatang. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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IEC again urges South Africans to register to vote

Source: South Africa News Agency

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) urged all South Africans on Sunday to use the next few hours left in the  weekend voter registration drive by visiting voting stations to ensure they are able to vote in the upcoming elections.

In a statement on Sunday afternoon, the commission reported that voting stations opened in the day at 8am for the final day of the weekend registration drive.

Despite isolated disruptions in certain areas, the IEC said it was pleased that most incidents, which had affected registration operations on Saturday had been resolved, and almost all voting stations were operational on Sunday.

“The Electoral Commission would like to express its appreciation to community leaders, political leaders and traditional leaders, as well as the community members themselves for their assistance and support in ensuring voter registration activities could continue in almost all areas today.

“The Electoral Commission would also like to express its thanks to the security agencies, including the South African Police Service and various municipal police departments for their assistance in ensuring the safety and security of voters and our staff over the weekend,” the commission said.

The commission also urged all registered voters and all potential voters to make the most of the opening of over 22 600 voting stations close to where they live to conveniently and easily update their details on the voters’ roll. 

Voters visiting their voting station should take a copy of their bar-coded ID book, smart card ID or temporary ID certificate as identification.

They will be assisted to complete a registration form providing their home address at which they ordinarily reside which will allow the Electoral Commission to place them in the correct voting district. Proof of residence is not required

Voting stations will open until 5pm on Sunday.

Registered voters wishing to check or revise their address can also do so online on www.elections.org.za

For more information, voters can call the IEC Contact Centre 0800 11 8000. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Renovations in Minister’s office due to health reasons

Source: South Africa News Agency

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, Dr Zwelini Mkhize, has called on South Africans to register to vote and check their addresses on the voters’ roll this weekend to secure their 2019 vote.

“It is vital that citizens register to vote so that they can exercise their democratic right to vote during the 2019 elections… See more

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Voter registration off to a positive start

Source: South Africa News Agency

The first day of the voter registration started on a positive note with over 73 000 election officials reporting for duty at some 22 600 voting stations around the country to help voters register and update their details on the voters’ roll.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) opened its voting stations this morning to allow new eligible voters to register to vote, and those already registered but have since moved addresses since last election, to reregister in their correct voting district.

Updating the media on the progress of the first day of the registration weekend on Saturday, Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo said that in a handful of isolated areas, a small number of voting stations around the country were unable to open on time, or were forced to close shortly after opening due to a range of incidents.

“The most common of these was due to community protests which used the high profile of the voter registration activities to draw attention to their grievances, and in some instances blockaded staff and voters from reaching the voting stations or conducting registrations,’ said Mamabolo.

Among the affected areas included Katlehong in Gauteng, Ntabankulu in the Eastern Cape, parts of Wonderkop in North West, Tongaat in eThekwini KwaZulu-Natal, Qwaqwa in Free State and Denoon in Western Cape.

Mamabolo said that the provincial election staff is working closely with the community leaders and security forces in all the affected areas to ensure voting stations open as soon as possible, to allow citizens to enjoy their Constitutional right to register as voters.

Other incidents reported included two accidents involving election personnel, who were on their way to open voting stations.

Mamabolo said the staff were hospitalised, one with minor injuries and one with more serious injuries. The commission wished them a speedy recovery.

The weather in most parts of the country was reported to be conducive to high participation and turnout with little rain reported.

The IEC urged all registered voters to use the opportunity of the opening of voting stations or the online facility to check their address details, and for all unregistered eligible voters to visit their voting stations.

Voters visiting their voting stations should take a copy of their bar-coded ID book, smart card ID or temporary ID certificate.

Voting stations are open from 8am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, voters can call 0800 11 800. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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First time voters look forward to 2019

Source: South Africa News Agency

South Africans, young and old, are showing interest in exercising their democratic right to vote during the 2019 elections. This was evident on Saturday as many went out to register to vote and check their addresses on the voters’ roll.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is hosting the registration drive this weekend opening doors to its 22 612 voting stations across the country.

According to the IEC, there are currently 2.8 million registered voters whose addresses do not show on the voters’ roll. Voters are required to register where they live.

Although numbers were low at some voting stations this morning, those who came expressed their satisfaction saying they were looking forward to add their voice towards the running of the country.

Hlengiwe Mchunu, 17, from Sunnyside, Tshwane, said she came to register to vote and had waited for many years to be of elligible age to vote.

“I’m happy I would be voting for the first time next year, and that’s why I came to register because I don’t want to miss this opportunity as I want to add my voice on issues affecting young people,” Hlengiwe said.

Eighteen year old Zandelene Maritz said she was excited to vote in the 2019 election as it would her first time voting.

“It is important for the youth to come in their number and ensure that they register to vote because they are also affected with what is currently happening, amongst others the issue of free education and unemployment,” said Maritz.

Madimetja Makhafola, who is in his early thirties, said the aim for voting is to take people from where they are currently are to greener pastures.

“We don’t want to go back to where we come from and that’s why it is important for all citizens to come this weekend and make sure that their names appear on the voters roll so that they can vote in next year’s elections,” said Makhafola.

Janey Sindane aged 65, who was at Laerskool Danie Malan to check her address on the voters’ roll said she has been voting since 1994 and will never stop as it is important to take part in changing the lives of people.

“I’m old now but my vote is important for the future of my children and grandchildren. I want to do right by them,” Sindane said.

IEC official Molefe Mokgadi, who was stationed at Laerskool Danie Malan said things went smoothly, despite slow numbers.

“We arrived here at 6am and the station opened at 8am. By 10am, eight people had come to check their name from the voters roll and three came to register to vote,” Mokgadi said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Royal Visit: The Duke of Gloucester to visit Malawi in the Commonwealth Week

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English – Report:

Headline: Royal Visit: The Duke of Gloucester to visit Malawi in the Commonwealth Week

His Royal Highness (HRH) The Duke of Gloucester will arrive in Malawi on 12th March – Commonwealth Day – to shine a spotlight on the progress the UK and Malawi are making together in fighting local and global challenges.

His Royal Highness will meet several key government Ministers and officials, including His Excellency the President of the Republic of Malawi, Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika.

He will start his visit by celebrating a “Commonwealth Big Lunch” with stakeholders in the education sector and 100 schoolgirls who are beneficiaries of the UK’s investments in girls’ education. In parallel, a Big Lunch will be held in Edinburgh with the Secretary of State for Scotland to celebrate the vast connections between the UK and Malawi.

To appreciate how the UK and Malawi are working together to address chronic climate vulnerability faced by rural people in Malawi, His Royal Highness will travel to Kasungu to see a UK Aid-funded project that supports climate change-affected communities to recover their agricultural systems. Also in Kasungu, he will unveil Malawi’s dedication to the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy – Chimaliro Forest.

His Royal Highness will travel to Liwonde National Park to see the significant achievements that Malawi has made with UK support in its fight against illegal wildlife trading. As patron of the Lilongwe Wildlife Trust he will join their 10 year anniversary celebrations.

The visit will contribute to the build up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting that will take place in London in April this year, and the London 2018 Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference that will take place in October, where Malawi is expected to have a central role at both events – showcasing achievements and driving ambition for future change.

Commenting on the impending royal visit, the British High Commissioner to Malawi, Ms Holly Tett said:

“The visit by The Duke of Gloucester exemplifies the strong friendship that exists between our two countries. On Commonwealth Day last year we had the Countess of Wessex visiting Malawi and in the past we have hosted a number of high profile royals including Her Majesty The Queen. I hope they keep coming!”

“It is also encouraging that the President will visit London next month for the Commonwealth Summit and that Malawi will have a good story to tell on so many issues including health progress, education, the illegal wildlife trade and human trafficking. These are truly exciting times for both our countries to take our partnership to another level, re-energise the Commonwealth as a grouping through which we can together tackle the issues that matter to our people.”

The Duke is a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, and 2nd son of Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, who was the third eldest son of George V, and Princess Alice. At the time of his birth he was 5th in line to the throne.

He is a full-time working member of the Royal Family who carries out public duties on behalf of the royal family and in support of The Queen as Head of State and is a patron of several societies and organisations.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of British High Commission – Lilongwe.

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