South Africa urges immediate Gaza ceasefire, foreign minister says in Egypt
Ronald Lamola holds political consultations with Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty
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South Africa
Families wait for trapped miners at South African mine
Police have blocked supplies of food and water to force the miners out for arrest, as they seek leftover gold—a longstanding issue in South Africa
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South African police standoff with illegal miners in abandoned shaft
The confrontation comes after weeks of police operations aimed at emptying the abandoned gold mine in North West province as part of a broader crackdown on illegal mining
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Over 800 million affected by diabetes, treatment lags in Africa
A new study reveals that over 800 million adults worldwide suffer from diabetes, with more than half of those over 30 not receiving any treatment. African countries are among the hardest hit, as non-communicable diseases like diabetes account for 17 million premature deaths each year, many of which occur before the age of 70. The report highlights that in sub-Saharan Africa, only about 5 to 10% of adults with diabetes receive any form of treatment. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has called for urgent action to address the growing diabetes epidemic. “We’ve seen a concerning rise in diabetes over the past three decades, driven by factors such as increased obesity, the marketing of unhealthy foods, physical inactivity, and economic challenges,” Dr. Ghebreyesus said. He stressed the importance of policies promoting healthy diets and physical activity, as well as strengthening healthcare systems to focus on prevention, early detection, and treatment. The WHO has set global targets for improving diabetes care by 2030, with a particular focus on increasing access to diagnosis and treatment across Africa, aiming to improve the quality of life and health outcomes for millions.
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Johannesburg’s Wits Planetarium reopens with new digital dome
The largest planetarium in sub-Saharan Africa is set to reopen in Johannesburg early next year, featuring a fully upgraded digital dome that will offer stunning visuals of the solar system. On Wednesday, visitors got a preview of the newly renamed Wits Anglo American Digital Dome at Wits University, where demonstrations showcased the immersive experience. The dome is equipped with 10 state-of-the-art digital projectors and surround sound to bring the cosmos to life. Moumita Aich, head of the dome, said the new technology will transform learning for both children and adults, who are often absorbed in their cellphones. “This is screen time, but you’ll actually learn a lot in 20 or 30 minutes,” Aich explained. Since its opening in 1960, the planetarium has attracted tens of thousands of school children and aspiring astronomers, offering them a chance to explore the wonders of the solar system. With the renovation, the planetarium aims to inspire even more people to engage with the science of the universe, while also providing a research space for scientists to showcase their discoveries on the 360-degree screen.
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SAFA President Danny Jordaan arrested on fraud charges
The arrest follows an investigation by South Africa’s Hawks, the organised crime unit, into fraud and theft at Safa between 2014 and 2018, totaling 1.3 million rand ($72,000, £57,000)
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South Africa: Israel uses hunger as weapon in Gaza genocide case
Evidence in detailed memorial presented by South Africa at ICJ demonstrates unequivocally Israel’s genocidal intent in Gaza strip, says South African foreign minister
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South Africa’s unemployment falls after coalition boost
This positive shift follows the formation of a coalition government in June, after the African National Congress (ANC) lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in 30 years
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IFAD calls for climate finance goal for farmers at COP29
Ahead of the COP29 climate change summit, the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is urging world leaders to set an ambitious global finance goal for climate adaptation. One of the key topics for discussion at the summit in Azerbaijan will be the New Global Quantified Goal (NCQG), with a focus on supporting small-scale farmers in adapting to climate change. Although African countries have contributed little to global climate change, they are among the most severely impacted. African leaders have long advocated for increased funding for both mitigation and adaptation efforts to address the continent’s climate challenges. In Africa, agriculture is largely dependent on rainfall, making it highly vulnerable to the extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change. Zimbabwe, for example, is currently facing its worst drought in over four decades. However, thanks to an IFAD-funded irrigation project, farmers have still been able to grow crops despite the drought. “This year, we couldn’t harvest anything because the rains didn’t come as expected. The seasons have changed,” said Tinomuounga Hove, chairperson of the Biri Irrigation Scheme. “Having an irrigation scheme helps us a lot. Even without rains this year, we were still able to grow crops.” IFAD is also supporting similar climate adaptation projects around the world to help smallholder farmers increase their food production in the face of climate challenges. The COP29 climate summit will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11-22, bringing together climate negotiators, activists, and leaders from around the globe. “This is essentially a negotiation on how much wealthier countries should contribute to help developing nations cope with climate change,” said IFAD President Alvaro Lario. Lario emphasized the importance of a climate finance plan that includes a specific goal for adaptation, with a focus on the needs of small-scale farmers. “Small farms are the backbone of global food systems, but they are also the most vulnerable to climate change,” he said. “Investing in them is crucial if we are to ensure global food security.”
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Prince William visits South Africa ahead of Earthshot prize ceremony
Prince William Visits South African President Ahead of Earthshot Prize Ceremony Prince William visited South African President on Tuesday after joining conservationists and rangers at Table Mountain National Park. His trip, part of a multi-day visit, underscores the UK’s strong ties with South Africa, according to the South African presidency. The Prince is in South Africa for the Earthshot Prize awards ceremony, taking place on Wednesday. Launched four years ago, the prize aims to recognize innovative solutions to climate and environmental challenges, with each winner receiving $1.3 million. This year’s finalists include the Amazon Sacred Headwaters Alliance, focused on forest protection, and the Alton Dala Conservation Initiative, which helped save the Saiga Antelope from extinction. The Earthshot Prize ceremony is being held in Africa for the first time, during William’s first visit to the continent since 2018. He will also attend a wildlife summit and participate in climate-related events throughout his trip.
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