A wave of public anger has followed revelations of extravagant ministerial travel costs in 2025, with parliamentary replies exposing millions of rand spent on flights, luxury accommodation and transport — even as South Africa faces rising unemployment, budget cuts and deepening economic hardship.  

Guest: Themba Godi - former chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA)

 

Guest: Mpho Seopa: Coordinator of the National African Football Supporters Association

 

 

Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa

24 December 2025

1.    Central African Republic - Bangui

CAR Decides 2025 

Distribution of voter cards underway ahead of the election

In the Central African Republic, voter registration card distribution is well underway as the general elections draw closer.

In Bangui and in several cities across the country, many citizens have already been able to collect their cards at polling stations since mid-December.

2.    Mali -Bamako – Alliance of Sahel State Summit 2025

The Alliance of Sahel States is taking its next steps toward regional autonomy, with the military leaders of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso holding high-level talks in Bamako.

The second edition of the AES summit aims to strengthen cooperation within the alliance and reduce reliance on the West African regional bloc ECOWAS.

It focuses on defence and security, development, communication and counterterrorism efforts across the three states.

 

3.    Malawi – United Kingdom

Malawi Vice President Mme Jane Ansah is alleged to have spent $1.3 million in Public Funds to Attend her husband’s lavish 80th Birthday In the UK.

An official document dated December 11 from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Malawi Mission in London showed that Ansah is scheduled to be in Nottingham from December 26 to January 10. 

There is public outrage in Malawi as Malawian Vice President Jane Ansah come under fire and intense backlash following revelations that she is travelling to the United Kingdom with a large, taxpayer-funded entourage. 

4.    Ghana – Accra 

Ghana Government distances itself from ‘Detty December’ label despite tourism boom.

Ghana’s government wants to move away from the popular phrase “Detty December”, saying the label carries meanings it does not wish to associate with the country, even as end-of-year celebrations continue to draw tens of thousands of visitors.

Kofi Okyere-Darko, Ghana’s Director of Diaspora Affairs, stated that he is personally uncomfortable with the term and does not want it associated with Ghana’s national image.

5.    In our historical archives, it was on this day, 24 December 1920- 06 January 2020, when Ntate Pelwana Richard John Maponya, one of South Africa’s wealthiest businessmen, was born in Lenyenye in the Northern Transvaal (now Limpopo Province). 

The founder and first president of the National Federated Chamber of Commerce (NAFCOC), Maponya is also a trustee of the Urban Foundation and the SA Foundation. 

Maponya studied teaching but worked as an administration clerk instead after he qualified.

1. The U.S. has been conducting intelligence-gathering flights over large parts of Nigeria since late November, according to flight tracking data and current and former U.S. officials, in a sign of increased security cooperation between the countries.

 

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s confirmation of nominations to the National Dialogue Steering Committee, calling it a positive step toward inclusive, citizen-led engagement. However, the federation has cautioned that while dialogue is important, workers are demanding tangible action as South Africa grapples with deepening social and economic challenges.  

Guest: Mr Ashley Benjamin: Deputy General Secretary  Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) 

 

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has strongly criticised a recommendation to increase the salaries of public office bearers by 4.1%, arguing that the proposal is out of touch with the country’s economic reality. The suggested increase, which would benefit politicians, senior government officials and judges, has sparked widespread backlash from labour unions and political parties. 

Guest: Mathew Parks: Parliamentary Coordinator, Congress of South African Trade Union (COSATU) 

As search and rescue operations continue in Amanzimtoti for three people feared missing, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has begun oversight visits to flood-affected areas on the South Coast to assess the damage and coordinate government response efforts. 

Guest: Thamsanqa Ntuli: KwaZulu-Natal Premier 

Rand West City Local Municipality has condemned a deadly mass shooting in Bekkersdal that left nine people dead and at least ten others injured. The municipality says the attack underscores a growing wave of violent crime allegedly linked to illegal mining activities and is now calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to deploy the South African National Defence Force to the area.

Guest: Cllr Nontombi Molatlhegi: Deputy Executive Mayor, Rand West City Local Municipality  

 

South Africa’s High Court has delivered a stinging rebuke to Eskom and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), rejecting a behind-closed-doors settlement that would have saddled electricity consumers with an additional R54 billion in costs. The ruling reinforces the constitutional requirement for transparency and public participation in decisions that affect national electricity tariffs.  

Guest: Professor Vally Padayachee:  power and energy expert and a former executive manager of Eskom and a former senior executive of City Power Jhb 

 

Japan has taken a decisive step toward reviving nuclear power, nearly 15 years after the Fukushima disaster, as Niigata prefecture’s assembly voted to back the restart of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant. The decision marks a watershed moment in Japan’s energy policy shift amid concerns over energy security, rising fuel costs, and growing electricity demand—while reigniting deep public unease over nuclear safety.  

Guest: Prof David Monyae - Director for the Centre for Africa-China Studies at the University of Johannesburg 

 

 

23 December 2025

1.    Guinea- Conakry 

Guinea Conakry decides 2025 in five days. 

The December 28 vote, which Doumbouya once pledged not to contest, is expected to cement his grip on power in the West African country after key challengers were sidelined.

A former special forces commander, believed to be in his early 40s, Doumbouya gained broad support after leading the September 2021 coup against then-President Alpha Conde, who had sparked protests by seeking a controversial third term.

 

2.    Kenya – Nairobi

Gen Z Protest Victims Blocked from Marching to State House, Several Arrested

A group of individuals affected by the Gen Z protests attempted to march to State House, Nairobi, on December 22, but were blocked by anti-riot police.

According to witnesses, police intervened to prevent the protesters from reaching the State House grounds, citing security concerns.

 

3.    USA – Nigeria – Afrikan countries  

 Trump Recalls U.S. Ambassadors From Nigeria, 29 Other Countries

The United States President, Donald Trump, has recalled nearly 30 career diplomats from ambassadorial and other senior embassy postings, including Nigeria, in a move aimed at reshaping Washington's diplomatic posture in line with his "America First" priorities.

Africa is the most affected continent, with ambassadors from 15 countries recalled. They include Nigeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gabon, Côte d'Ivoire, Madagascar, Mauritius, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, Algeria, Egypt and Uganda.

 

4.    Somalia – UN Security Council 2026.

Somalia to Assume UN Security Council Presidency in January 2026

Somalia will take over the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council in January 2026, marking a landmark diplomatic moment for the country and elevating its voice on the international stage.

During its presidency, Somalia will help set the council's agenda, chair high-level meetings, and oversee discussions on critical global security issues, including peacekeeping operations, counterterrorism, regional stability, and humanitarian challenges, according to diplomats.

 

5.    In our historical archives, it was on this day (23 December 1960- 13 July 2020) when the daughter of the late Tata Mandela and Mama Winnie Mandela , Zindziswa “Zindzi” Nobutho Mandela was born in Soweto, Gauteng.

Zindzi served as deputy president of the Soweto Youth Congress, was a member of the Release Mandela Campaign, was recruited as an underground operative of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK). 

She worked with the communities of Weilers/Orange Farm to launch the first ANC branch with struggle leader Walter Sisulu in the 1990s, and served in the MK Veterans' Association in the Lesley Moatshe branch.

RIP Zindzi Mandela | Reading her father's iconic 1985 letter in Soweto