Guest: Nkululeko Nkewu: Co-founder of iDiski Media

 

 

Guest: Mdumiseni Ntuli: African National Congress (ANC)'s parliamentary Chief whip

 

 

Guest: Samkele Maseko: Political Reporter, SABC

 

 

19 February 2025

 

1. DR Congo- South Kivu- UN

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk yesterday has accused Rwanda-backed rebels, who seized a second major city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, of killing children and attacking hospitals and warehouses storing humanitarian aid.

Turk said in a statement on Tuesday that his office “confirmed cases of summary execution of children by M23 after they entered the city of Bukavu last week. We are also aware that children were in possession of weapons”.

 

1. Ethiopia- Somalia- Turkey

Ethiopia and Somalia hold a first round of technical talks in Turkey toward resolving their dispute

Top diplomats from Ethiopia and Somalia on Tuesday held a first round of technical talks aimed at resolving a dispute sparked by a deal between Ethiopia and Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said.

Turkey has been mediating between the Horn of Africa countries after concerns about potential conflict in an already volatile region. Tensions have simmered since landlocked Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland last year to lease land along its coastline to establish a marine force base.

 

3.Liberia- Barbados – AU Theme 2025 Unpacked

 President Joseph Boakai of Liberia and Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley of Barbados have pushed for Reparatory Justice for Africans at the recent AU Summit in Addis Ababa.

For many Africans, discussions about reparations have long been seen as abstract, disconnected from the urgent struggles of unemployment, inflation, and underfunded public services.

For Liberia, a country founded by freed African Americans, the reparations debate is especially relevant. On Saturday, February 15, President Joseph N. Boakai reaffirmed Liberia's commitment to the cause, linking it to the nation's unique historical role in African liberation.

That same day, Barbados' Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley delivered a fiery speech that energized the summit, urging African and Caribbean nations to seize this moment to push for reparatory justice on the global stage.

 

4.Zimbabwe – Harare

I Won't Be Swayed to Extend My Term – President Emmerson Mnangagwa repeats

President Mnangagwa has reaffirmed his commitment to observe his two-term limit of office that is expected to end in 2028, saying he will not be swayed by current efforts being made to extend the tenure to 2030.

He said those pushing to have his term extended were exercising their democratic right, but those efforts will not in any way persuade him to remain in office when his term ends. He will allow his party Zanu PF and the country to elect his successor.

 

5.In our historical archives, it was on this day 19 February 1990 when the late South Afrikan President Tata Madiba Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was issued with his first passport (1990) just eight days following his release from 27 years of imprisonment.

 

 

Guest: Advocate Tshepo Madlingozi: Commissioner, The South African Human Rights Commission’s (SAHRC)

 

 

Guest: Ishaam Abader - SA Weather Service CEO SA’s permanent representative at the World Meterological Organisation UN Agency

 

Guest: Zwelinzima Vavi: General Secretary of the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) 

 

 

Guest: Phutego Mogapele: Aviation Expert

 

 

Guest: Nape Senong is the Mobiliser Strategist at Youth Capital

 

 

Guest: Sibongile Gangxa: Managing Executive: Special Projects at Empowaworx