Guest: Steve Letsike : Deputy Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities 

 

The Morning Brief  

Afrika Update Report  

10 December 2024  

1. France – Rwanda  

Charles Onana found guilty of contesting crimes against humanity 

Charles Onana, a 60-year-old Franco-Cameroonian author, was found guilty by a Paris court on December 9 for “complicity in publicly contesting the existence of a crime against humanity”. His conviction stems from statements in his 2019 book, Rwanda, the Truth About Operation Turquoise, where he referred to the notion of a Hutu-planned genocide as “one of the greatest scams of the 20th century.” 

2. Kenya- Ichaweri 

William Ruto Appreciates Uhuru After Meeting, Having a Meal in Ichaweri: “Thank You for Nyama choma”  

Kenyans were surprised by a cordial reunion between President William Ruto and retired president Uhuru Kenyatta, marked by a hearty handshake and friendly banter.  

3. Somalia- Ethiopia 

Somalia Accuses Ethiopia of Smuggling Arms to Jubaland Amid Rising Tensions 

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s government in Mogadishu is accusing Ethiopia of shipping firearms to Jubaland, a member of the federal government of Somalia in the south. 

It said two Ethiopian planes entered Kismayo, a port city in southern Somalia, over the past few weeks, carrying illegal firearms. 

4. Botswana- Gaborone 

Botswana's economy is in bad shape, deputy president and finance minister Ndaba Gaolathe has told its parliament – but with hard work and sometimes uncomfortable measures, the new administration can clean up the "undesirable" mess it inherited. 

Botswana's economy is in bad shape, says new administration as it eyes electricity exports to SA 

• Botswana's government is spending wildly above its means, its finance minister told its parliament. 

• Diamond revenues have plummeted, while state-owned enterprises are in poor shape. 

• Botswana now wants to fix its airline, and export electricity to South Africa. 

5. In our historical archives, it was on this day 10 December 1949 when a South African multi-instrumentalist, jazz musician and producer. Ismail Pops Mohamed was born in Benoni, Gauteng. 

South African residents with rooftop solar systems who live in areas that receive municipal-supplied electricity could soon have to pay a surcharge on their systems to help improve municipal revenue generation. Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa revealed this in response to parliamentary questions from ANC MP Nombiselo Sompa-Masiu. 

 

Guest: Wayne Duvenage – Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) CEO 

It’s the festive season, families across South Africa are gearing up for joyous reunions and celebrations. However, the occasion also presents a challenge: managing alcohol consumption during these gatherings. 

Guest: Melandri Bridges, a psychological counsellor at the Journey Recovery and Wellness Centre 

the growth of gambling being on the rise in SA, according to the latest set of statistics from the South African National Gambling Board. Gross gambling revenue totalled R59,3 billion in 2023/24, a 25,7% rise from the year before. This follows an increase of 37,0% in 2022/23.2 

Guest: Peter Ucko CEO at TOBACCO ALCOHOL AND GAMBLING ADVISORY ADVOCACY AND ACTION GROUP 

This year will be the world's warmest since records began, with extraordinarily high temperatures expected to persist into at least the first few months of 2025, European Union scientists said on Monday. 

Guest: Peter Johnston, climate scientist, UCT 

The Road Freight Association (RFA) has repeatedly noted the security conditions, as well as interrupted logistics operations, to the various authorities – who have done admirable things above and beyond their daily requirements to address the symptoms (or consequences) of what is happening across the border. 

 

Guest: Gavin Kelly, CEO of the Road Freight Association 

 

 

Guest: Kaizer Kganyago – SIU Spokesperson 

AFRIFORUM’S annual, independent blue and green drop report indicates that 87% of municipal drinking water is safe for human consumption but warns that South Africans should not be relieved about this, as this year’s green drop results indicate that only 13% of processed sewage meets the minimum standards for discharge into a water resource. 

 

Guest: Lambert de Klerk manager: environmental affairs, AfriForum