Africa Day has people across the continent celebrating who they are and where they come from.
To mark the creation of the African Union (AU)‚ formerly known as the Organisation of African Unity‚ May 25 is celebrated as Africa Day.
Today social media is abuzz with celebrities posting gratifying tributes to the second-largest continent on Earth.
Most of them took to social media this morning to celebrate the day‚ flooding the Internet with messages showcasing culture, harmony and being proudly African.
Those that shared their messages on social media include radio and television personality Unathi Masengana, radio presenter Pabi Moloi, singer Kelly Khumalo, television presenter Minnie Dlamini, actress Terry Pheto and radio DJ and motivational speaker Criselda Dudumashe.
Are you celebrating who you are and where you’ve come from this Africa Day? Tweet us your outfit, get-together or evening meal to @TheCitizen_News using #AfricaDay
Equatorial Guinea is to launch an oil and gas technical training programme, covering critical industry disciplines, which will see students spend two years in Canada at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT Polytechnic).
The Ministry of Mines, Industry and Energy of Equatorial Guinea has announced that it has signed an agreement with the SAIT to provide comprehensive technical training to Equatorial Guinea nationals in Calgary in Canada. The two-year programme, which will provide the students with core and specialised oil and gas knowledge, is part of the government’s drive to promote workforce nationalisation in the industry.
SAIT’s ‘International Workforce Development’ and ‘Workforce Nationalisation Training’ have been successful in transferring technology to Africa countries, boosting national capacity and promoting local content. The first partnership between SAIT and Equatorial Guinea saw the training and development of the first nationals to work in the oil and gas industry, specifically on the offshore Zafiro complex, the country’s largest oil field.
“The oil and gas sector is driven by people and technology. Through this historic training programme, we are investing in both,” said Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima, Minister of Mines, Industry and Energy. “The government of Equatorial Guinea is empowering its nationals with the technical tools they need to lead the next generation of our nation’s oil and gas industry so we can be better stewards of our resources.”
The curriculum will cover production field operations, energy asset management, maintenance of operations and electrical instrumentation and mechanical training. Underpinning the programme will be extensive safety training. Upon completion, every student will receive an SAIT Certificate of Achievement and will return to Equatorial Guinea equipped to handle the rigorous demands of the oil and gas industry.
Equatorial Guinea produces nearly 300,000 barrels per day of petroleum liquids and exports 3.7 million tonnes per annum of liquefied natural gas to markets worldwide. As the output of its offshore legacy oilfields decline, the country is investing heavily in improved oil recovery methods and technologies to maximize every drop in reserve. Equatorial Guinea operates at the cutting edge of industry practices and is expanding its role in the energy value chain through megaprojects that push the technological envelope. This includes the Fortuna floating liquefied natural gas facility, which will be the first of its kind for Africa when it produces first gas in 2019, the Bioko Oil Terminal and the Riaba Petrochemicals Complex.
THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION AND THE KOFI ANNAN INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING TRAINING CENTRE CONCLUDED THE TRAINING PROGRAMME OF THE AU HUMAN RIGHTS OBSERVERS
Accra, Ghana, 20 May 2016: The African Union Commission (AUC) and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeepers Training Centre (KAIPTC) have concluded the training programme designed for the human rights observers that are to be deployed to Burundi. The training programme was held at the KAIPTC in Accra, Ghana and was financially supported by GIZ-Ghana.
The KAIPTC is a regional Centre of Excellence for the delivery of training and research in the areas of conflict prevention, management and peace building. The KAIPTC has to date offered over 230 courses in diverse aspects of peace support operations for over 11,000 military, police and civilian personnel. This course was designed by Experts aiming at building and enhancing the capacities of the Human Rights Observers involved in multi-dimensional peace operations to ensure human rights compliance, address human rights violations and mainstream human rights principles and practices.
The special objectives of the course were to enhance participants’ ability to understand, identify and apply international legal, policy and institutional frameworks for the promotion and protection of human rights; provide participants with practical skills and strategies to advocate and support the implementation of human rights mandates; and expose participants to the challenges of human rights promotion and protection and equip them with the knowledge and skills required to overcome them.
Amb. Salah S. Hammad, Senior Human Rights Expert, representing H.E. Dr. Aisha L. Abdullahi, Commissioner for Political Affairs, addressed the Closing Ceremony of the Training Programme and thanked the KAIPTC for its efforts to train the African Union Human Rights Observers that are to be deployed to Burundi in conformity with decisions of the AU Peace and Security Council.
The AUC and the KAIPTC discussed ways and means to enhance the existing working relationship and recommended that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) should be signed between the two institutions as a platform to strengthen this important partnership.
The proposed MoU is expected to avail opportunities for cooperation and non-exclusive partnership in the following areas:
Training programmes for the human rights observers for deployment by the AU;
The development of a well-designed roster of personnel trained in areas needed by the KAIPTC;
Assist the AU in policy development and the provision of resource persons for common programmes in the area of Human rights, rule of law and other peace support operation courses that may be needed by the AU;
KAIPTC will develop other training support AU might require.
Geneva, Switzerland, 21 May 2016-Ahead of the Wold Health Assembly African Ministers of Health met on Saturday and adopted key health policy instruments that will provide the strategic direction for the continent for the next fifteen years. These health policy instruments were finalised by Member State Health experts meeting in Addis Ababa in April this year for consideration by health ministers.
“I am confident that the Africa Health Strategy will provide the strategic direction that is needed to create better performing health sectors and address the major challenges impeding our efforts to reduce the continent’s disease burden” said Dr. Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko, the Commissioner for Social Affairs at the African Union Commission.
The revised African Health Strategy provides the overarching superstructure to address Africa’s broad health and development agenda in the next 15 years. To strengthen health systems the strategy addresses issues related to health financing, governance and improved multi-sectoral partnerships. The framework also refocuses service delivery, community empowerment and seeks to expand social protection to address equity. The blueprint also prioritises human resources for health, commodity security, regulatory and support environment for provision of quality medicines and technologies, disease surveillance and disaster management.
“I commend the increasing role played by the African Union Commission in positioning health at a very high level on the continental agenda.These health policy instruments are important reference frameworks for addressing the unfinished agenda of the MDGs and for meeting the new SDG agenda” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the Regional Director for Africa, World Health Organisation.
During the meeting the Ministers of Health also adopted the Maputo Plan of Action (2016-2030) and theCatalytic Framework to end AIDS, TB and Eliminate Malaria in Africa by 2030. The revised Maputo Plan of Action provides a framework for the full implementation of the continental policy framework on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. The action plan seeks to catalyse the expansion of contraceptive use, reduce levels of unsafe abortion, end child marriage, eradicate harmful traditional practices, eliminate all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls and ensure access to services by young people.
The Catalytic Framework provides a business model for investing for impact to end AIDS, TB and Eliminate Malaria in Africa by 2030. The framework focusses on three strategic investment areas, each with clear catalytic actions. These areas are health systems strengthening, generation and use of evidence for policy and programme interventions and advocacy and capacity building.
During the meeting the Ministers of Health adopted the concept document on the establishment of the African Health Volunteers Corps which will operate within the umbrella of the recently established Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Through this dedicated Corps the Africa CDC’s capability to assemble, equip, and mobilise a deployable roster of volunteer medical and public health professionals will be assured. This will ensure rapid and effective responses to public health emergencies to Member States and address matters of global concern including health impacts of natural disasters and humanitarian crises.
For further details please contact:
Mr. Tawanda Chisango| AIDS Watch Africa (AWA) Program Advocacy & Partnership Expert| Department of Social affairs | African Union Commission | Email: Chisangot@africa-union.org| Tel:+251934167052
The living twin sister was lowered into the grave before and after her brother’s coffin was put in to prevent bad luck and death from following her. Photo by Trevor Kunene ~
THE 11-year-old boy, allegedly killed by his father to please his stepmum, was buried yesterday.
As tradition demands, the boy’s twin sister was lowered into the grave before and after his coffin was lowered.
Traditional and community leader Sibangani Khanyile (40), said this was done to prevent bad luck and death from following the living twin.
The boy’s sombre funeral was organised by community members as the whereabouts oftheir mother’s family is unknown. The community came out in large numbers to say their last goodbyes.
The twins are originally from Mpumalanga and were brought to Kagiso, Mogale City by a friend of their mum after she died.
A neighbour said after the twins arrived in Kagiso they were ill-treated by their stepmum, who said she couldn’t accept them because their father had cheated on her with their mum.
The boy was killed last Saturday and his body was found on Tuesday.
His father has reportedly confessed to killing him.
At the funeral the boy’s devastated sister was comforted by their mum’s friend, Nomgqibelo Maphanga (49), who brought them from Mpumalanga.
Nomgqibelo expressed her pain and said she had lost the most free-spirited child she has ever come across.
She expressed her appreciation and relief that the funeral arrangements went according to plan.
“My prayer now is that his soul rests in peace,” she added.
The father has been charged with murder and is still in police custody.
The body of one of two miners trapped underground at Impala Platinum's mine in Rustenburg, North West, has been found, the company said yesterday.
"This is a tragic loss for everybody and our heartfelt condolences are with the families of our colleagues," Implats CEO Terence Goodlace said in a statement. A search and rescue team found the body on Thursday. It could however not be recovered yet as it was in an unstable area.
Efforts to find the second missing miner were continuing.
The two were trapped underground at the mine's 1 Shaft after a rock fall on Tuesday.
According to reports, seven other miners working in the same area got out unharmed.
The families of the two workers had been receiving support from the mine, the mineral resources department, and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction union.
They had asked that the identities of the miners not be made public.
TOUCH OF CLASS: Sergio Cabonge in one of his expensive possessions. Photos by Samson Ratswana
IT’S HARD to remember that he spent seven years behind bars awaiting trial.
Today Sergio Cabonge is a famous blesser, with at least five blessees whom he showers with money.
BUT HE CLAIMS HE DOES WHAT HE DOES OUT OF RESPECT FOR WOMEN.
He said he believes in sharing his fortune with young girls.
“I take them out to expensive clubs and buy them expensive clothes, food and wine.
“And of course I give them money,” he said.
“A woman needs to be spoiled. It all depends on her age and her needs but I do spend thousands.
“I’m blessed and I share my blessing by being a blesser,” he said.
Serge, as he is popularly known on networks around the world, believes he knows what it takes to be the best.
“Respecting women makes you the best blesser. Blessers respect their women,” he said.
Sergio spent seven years in jail after he was arrested and charged with international fraud.
He said while he was in prison it was women who took care of him.
“I got a lot of support from women while inside and when I got out and appeared in the newspapers. I realised they liked attention and money,’ he said. He said after his release he worked hard to pay all the women who were there for him.
“I realised that South African women needed to be pampered and taken care of and they lacked love.”
His life took a drastic turn when he bumped into his old friend, Kenny Kunene, in Sandton, Gauteng.
“I met Kenny in prison and when we met again there was no turning back,” he said. Kenny took Sergio under his wing and he turned out to be a success.
Today he is living a lavish lifestyle in Centurion, Gauteng with his wife and three children.
He travels in and outside the country making international deals for his artists.
But he said he hates women who throw themselves at men for money.
Since he appeared on SABC’s Cutting Edge he says he’s had thousands of invitations from hopefuls. “They send me messages.
“Some are naked. They want me to be their blesser but things don’t work that way.
“A woman must respect herself before demanding respect,” he said.
He said he is flying to New York, then Miami and Las Vegas to shoot his forthcoming blessers’ reality show.
He denied being responsible for a Facebook page, supposedly his, that referred to him not using condoms.
“I do not have an account on any network, but I thank the person who did it because even bad publicity helped people to have a debate about such issues.”
He said these days people are giving him lots of attention and even popular five-star clubs are inviting him to attend so that he can attract women clients.
