1. South Africa- African Union 

Following a decision by the 49th Ordinary Session of the African Union’s (AU) Executive Council not to discuss migration at the upcoming AU mid-term review meeting, South Africa reaffirms its support for the long-standing decision of the African Union to convene a continent-wide conference on migration.

The 25th African Union Assembly, held in Johannesburg in 2015, called for an African migration conference to discuss, among other issues, approaches to accelerating mobility and development within the continent while also addressing the challenges posed by increased irregular migration and developing capacity to manage migration flows. South Africa supports the implementation of this decision and believes that a continent-wide convening on migration should consider migration holistically, including its relationship with peace and stability, economic development, regional integration and democratic governance

1. Angola- Luanda 

Unitel Cyberattack Exposes Angola's Strategic Vulnerabilities

Angola's largest telecommunications operator has entered a second day of severe disruption following a cyberattack that affected voice calls, mobile data and internet access across the country. With approximately 21 million customers, Unitel holds the largest share of Angola's personal, business, and institutional communications. The network outage has left families unable to reach one another, disrupted internet-dependent businesses, hindered payments and commercial transactions, and affected ride-hailing services and numerous other daily activities.

1. Ghana- Accra  

Ghana's government on Thursday accepted a proposal to extend the presidential term from four to five ‌years.

This followed a review of the 1992 constitution by a committee set up last year by President John Dramani Mahama. 

Other recommendations accepted by the government include extending Parliament’s tenure to align with the new presidential term. 

It also accepted the committee’s recommendation to lower the minimum age requirement for presidential candidates, from the current 40 to 35, not 30 as proposed.

The government says that—given that transitions take time, as do elections —the extension will give administrations more time to implement their agendas.

1. Brazil- USA- Afrika 

A U.S. State Department presentation at a major global health conference has sparked criticism after an AI-generated map of Africa wrongly labelled every country on the continent. The mistake happened during the AIDS 2026 Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where U.S. officials were presenting new global health partnership plans. Among the most striking errors, Nigeria was shown as a landlocked country deep in the Sahara Desert despite being on West Africa's Atlantic coast. Mozambique was moved from southeastern Africa to the Horn of Africa, while the Ivory Coast appeared on the opposite side of the continent.

1. In our historical archives, it was on this day, 31 July 1962, when the Pan-Afrikan Women Organisation (PAWO) was established in Dar es Salaam, in Tanzania. 

According to PAWO, the annual event honours the resilience, unwavering spirit, and revolutionary leadership of African women across the continent in their continuous pursuit of liberation, social justice, and self-determination

The March and March Movement says it is tightening its internal governance while pressing ahead with its campaign against illegal immigration and crime. Following its latest National Executive Committee meeting, the movement announced it has resolved to cut ties with activist Ngizwe Mchunu, pending further investigations into events surrounding the 30 June protests.

Guest: Sandile Dube - March and March Movement's National Spokesperson 

The IEC’s Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo, says the number of registered political parties has increased from 508 to 620. He was briefing the media ahead of the last and final voter registration weekend on the 1st and 2nd of August. Close to 24 000 voting stations across the country will operate from 8am to 5pm this Saturday and Sunday.

Guest: Sy Mamabolo - IEC’s Chief Electoral Officer 

• US growth slows in Q2

• 2. Apple and Amazon end Big Tech earnings season on a strong note
• 3. Market update

The Global Briefing: Tensions are rising on NATO's eastern flank after Poland launched an investigation into a reported airspace violation during another wave of Russian attacks on Ukraine.

A UN fact-finding mission is urging Venezuela to reverse its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, warning the move could weaken accountability for alleged human rights abuses

Australia is taking messaging platform Telegram to court in a case that could test how far governments can go in holding tech companies accountable for online safety and regulatory compliance.

Guest: Dr Joan Swart - Researcher in Military Science at the University of Stellenbosch 

Built in Mzansi: why science engagement is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’ but a national imperative, and about the National System of Innovation to improve public participation in science. 

Guest: Dr Saahier Parker - Senior Research Specialist in the Centre for Science in Society of the Equitable Education and Economies (EEE) unit  at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)

Municipal Watch: The South African Municipal Workers’ Union, SAMWU, says that National Treasury’s recent withdrawal of withholding equitable shares from poor-performing municipalities came after extensive damage was already done, leaving many municipalities unable to pay workers’ salaries in July. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s announcement that R7.1 billion withheld from 49 municipalities early this month will be to them tomorrow 

Dumisane Magagula - SAMWU General Secretary

Reality Check with Dr Stavros Nicolau: Access to precision Meds & dealing with illicit trade in meds & Compounded meds

Guest: Dr Stavros Nicolau - Group Senior Executive, Aspen Pharma Group

 

The legal battle involving Chidimma Adetshina continues to raise important questions about South Africa's immigration system, citizenship laws and public confidence in government institutions. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber insists the department acted within the law, saying its investigation uncovered alleged identity fraud involving Adetshina's mother and that the courts will ultimately decide the matter. Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs is considering concerns over a perceived conflict of interest involving Immigration Advisory Board member and immigration attorney Stefanie de Saude-Darbandi, who is also representing Adetshina in her legal challenge against the department.

Guest: Craig Smith - immigration lawyer and immigration law expert.  

 

A decade after the implementation of the amended Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, a new report paints a mixed picture of South Africa's transformation journey. While Black ownership, skills development and enterprise supplier development have shown measurable improvement, progress in management control and representation at board and executive level remains slow.

Guest: Lindiwe Ncube - Accreditation Manager from the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS).