1. Mozambique- Maputo 

Mozambique has been rocked by the murder of two prominent opposition figures, ratcheting up tensions ahead of planned protests against the election results. 

New opposition party Podemos’ lawyer , Elvino Dias, who was also advisor to its presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane, died alongside party official Paulo Guambe. 

 

1. Sudan – Chad 

Sudan Finance Minister Calls for Chad Border Crossing 'To Be Closed Today Before Tomorrow' 

Sudan's Finance Minister Gibril Ibrahim has called for the immediate closure of the Adré border crossing with Chad, on the premise that "the route is used to supply the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)".  

 

1. Kenya – Nairobi 

Kenya's impeached deputy president, Rigathi Gachagua, said yesterday that his security protection team had been withdrawn and that President William Ruto would be responsible if anything happened to him. 

 

1. Angola – Luanda 

AU Gives Positive Grade On Women's High-Level Forum of Great Lakes Region 

The special envoy of the chairperson of the African Union Commission for Women, Peace and Security, Bineta Diop, made a positive assessment of the high-level forum of women in the Great Lakes Region on Saturday in Luanda. 

 

1. In our historical archives, it was on this day 21 October 1989 when the African Commission adopted Resolution ACHPR/Res.1(V)89 on the celebration of an African Day of Human and Peoples’ Rights. It is for this reason that Member States of the African Union commemorate 21 October of each year as the African Human Rights Day 

 

 

Guest: Dr MJ Maboya: Free State Education MEC 

 

 

Guest: Themba Godi: Former SCOPA chair 

 

 

Guest: Gillian Maree: Gauteng City-Region Observatory - Senior Researcher 

 

Guest: Prof Lucia Anelich: Food Safety Specialist and Owner of Anelich Consulting. 

The recent announcement by the Zimbabwean government regarding the transferability of land previously allocated under the fast-track land reform program has sparked significant debate. Former Cabinet minister Walter Mzembi raised concerns that this move could allow elite individuals to profit from land they acquired at little to no cost, potentially undermining the original objectives of the land reform initiative. 

Guest: Dr ibbo mandaza: Political Analyst  

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky unveiled his long-awaited “Victory Plan” to the parliament in Kyiv, aiming to strengthen Ukraine’s position in the ongoing conflict with Russia. Despite recent discussions with European allies yielding limited support, Zelensky remains hopeful that his comprehensive five-point strategy can pave the way for future peace talks and bolster Ukraine's defense and economy. 

Guest: Abel Esterhuyse - Professor Of Strategy: Faculty Of Military Science:Stellenbosch University  

The Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO), in collaboration with the Multidimensional Poverty Peer Network (MPPN), is hosting a two-day hybrid roundtable aimed at equipping Members of Parliament (MPs) with the skills to effectively utilize the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) for oversight and policy-making. This event seeks to enhance understanding of poverty measurement and foster dialogue on effective poverty reduction strategies in South Africa. 

Guest: Dumisani Jantjies: Director of the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) 

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is facing significant governance and financial challenges, as highlighted in its recent presentation to Parliament. The scheme, which manages nearly R50 billion annually, is struggling with inadequate IT systems and poor cash management. Officials have proposed a turnaround plan to address these issues and improve its operations. 

Guest: Mr Sithembiso freeman Nomvalo: Administrator, NSFAS 

 

Afrika Update Report  

18 October 2024  

1. Kenya – Nairobi 

Kenya's senate voted to dismiss Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua from office by impeachment on five out of 11 charges levelled against him on Thursday, in an unprecedented move that risks pushing the country towards a political crisis. 

 

1. Mali - Bamako

The head of the military junta that seized power in Mali in 2020 promoted himself this week to the rank of army general with special title:  

Colonel Assimi Goita of the land army, the highest military distinction held only by two former heads of state in the country’s history. The move by Goita is a sign that he has no intention of ceding power to civilians in the landlocked West African country. 

 

1. USA- Angola 

United States President Joe Biden will finally make his long-awaited African trip a month after the presidential elections slated for 5 November, the White House announced this week. 

That will fulfil his promise to visit Africa while in office, though either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris will almost certainly be president-elect by then.  

 

1. Zimbabwe – Harare 

Zimbabwean government says it will compensate local and foreign white farmers who lost land and property more than 20 years ago in farm seizures meant to redress some of the wrongs of colonialism. 

About 4,000 white farmers lost their homes and swathes of land when the Black-majority country’s then-president, Robert Mugabe, launched the often-chaotic redistribution program in 2000, which turned violent at times. 

 

1. In our historical archives, it was on this day 18 October 2007 when Lucky Phillip Mtima Dube, a revered South African reggae musician and Rastafarian was murdered in Rosettenville, Johannesburg.

The news of his death shook the music world and sent shockwaves through South Africa and beyond.