Before school, during break, in class, in the bathroom. Even in chapel, high school pupils are secretly vaping. “They can vape anywhere, any time. The vapour evaporates and it smells like mint or cherry chewing gum,” says UCT pulmonologist Prof Richard van Zyl-Smit, lead author of the first big national study, released this weekend, which exposes the high use of e-cigarettes across South African schools. 

 

Guest: Richard Van Zyl - Smit - Professor and Consultant Pulmonologist at UCT 

 

 

Guest: Benoit Le Roy - CEO of the SA Water Chamber 

 

Guest: Helmoed Heitman - Military And Defense Analyst 

As the world marks International Day for Persons with Disabilities (3 December), Dr Armand Bam, Head of Social Impact at Stellenbosch Business School, calls for a renewed focus on invisible disabilities and chronic illnesses in the workplace.  

Guest: Dr Armand Bam - Head of Social Impact at Stellenbosch Business School 

 

 

Guest: Nkosi Mwelo Nonkonyana – Chairperson of CONTRALESA in the Eastern Cape 

 

The Morning Brief  

Afrika Update Report  

29 November 2024 

 

1. Namibia- Windhoek  

Update on Namibia’s Elections 

VOTING CONTINUES: The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) in Kunene has announced that around 15 polling stations in the region are still in the process of voting. 

These stations experienced delays on Wednesday due to a shortage of ballot papers, which affected the voting schedule.  

 

2. Mozambique-UK, US 

UK, US demand Mozambique's government to investigate deaths in post-election protests 

Alarmed by deadly post-election protests in Mozambique, several countries including Britain, the US and Canada have denounced what they called the 'escalation of violence against civilians'. 

In a statement, the countries demanded Mozambique's government to look into reports of disproportionate use of force, and to ensure those responsible are brought to justice. 

 

3. South Sudan- Juba 

President Salva Kiir Mayardit affirmed his commitment to a general election in December 2026 during the Governor's Forum. 

Elections where initially scheduled for December of this year, but they were postponed in September - in line with the two-year extension of the country's transition period. 

In his address, South Sudan's President also pointed to the importance of concluding the Tumaini peace negotiations, underlining that talks with hold-out groups don't seek to replace the existing Revitalized Peace Agreement. 

 

4. Nigeria – France  

Nigeria seeks to boost economic ties with France as Tinubu visits Paris 

For the first time in 24 years, a Nigerian President began a state visit to France on Thursday to boost economic ties and attract foreign investments. 

The visit is symbolic to Nigeria's leadership as it marks the first appearance of a sitting president at Champs-Élysées in two decades. 

Bola Tinubu chaired meetings at the Elysée Palace aimed at bolstering his country's position as a top trade partner for France. 

 

5. In our historical archives, it was on this day 29 November 2003 when an event called the 46664 Concert was held at Green Point Stadium, Cape Town. 

Following the successful global Anti-Apartheid Conference held from May 10-12 2024 in Johannesburg, the South African Chapter of the Anti-Apartheid Movement (AAM) was launched yesterday. This movement is a timely and necessary response to a growing global crisis that is threatening to take humanity back into the primitive and Dark Ages. 

Guest: Reverend Frank Chikane is the chairperson of the steering committee responsible for the launch of the South African chapter of the Anti-Apartheid Movement. 

 

 

Guest: Dr Malcolm Figg: Shadow MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure in the Eastern Cape  

 

 

Guest: Advocate Simba Chitando, who is representing ZEP Permits Holders Association