On May 6 (local time), Chad held a presidential election, and on May 16 (local time), the Constitutional Council of Chad announced the election of H.E. Mr. MAHAMAT IDRISS DEBY ITNO as president-elect. Japan welcomes the efforts of the Chadian people having conducted this election in a generally peaceful manner in order to consolidate democracy.

Japan looks forward to the progress of democracy in Chad in an inclusive, peaceful and transparent manner by conducting further national dialogue following this presidential election, which constitutes an important process for the democratic transition in Chad.

Japan reiterates its respect for the important role that Chad plays for peace and stability in the region, and will continue to support peace and stability in African countries, including Chad, through the TICAD process among others.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande will officially open the Gert Sibande TVET College, Balfour Campus, in Mpumalanga, on 24 May 2024.

The official opening event will be preceded by a Career Expo on 23 May 2024, which aims to attract learners and the communities in and around the Balfour area.

The Career Expo is aimed at exposing learners and communities to available opportunities in the post-school education and training sector.

This new campus is part of the Department of Higher Education and Training’s programme to take Technical and Vocational Education and Training to rural communities.

The Balfour campus came about as a solution to accommodate the increasing enrolments at colleges across South Africa.

The College was established in the year 2014 and began enrolment in the same year with 170 students, currently sitting at 571 students.

This is a huge milestone for the Department and a unique opportunity for the youth and nearby communities in Balfour for their education and skills development needs.

Equally important, this campus forms part of the 12 campuses that the Department has built so far as part of expanding infrastructure in our PSET system.

The media are invited as follows:

Date: 23 – 24 May 2024
Time: 09:00
Venue: Gert Sibande TVET College, Balfour Campus, 110 Minaar Street, Balfour, Mpumalang

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

Dr. Desta Tiruneh, the newly appointed World Health Organization Representative for Zimbabwe, officially presented his credentials to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Honorable Frederick Shava, marking the commencement of his tenure.

His appointment took effect on 1 April 2024.

Hon. Shava welcomed Dr Tiruneh and pledged the Government of Zimbabwe’s full cooperation during his tenure. He expressed gratitude for WHO’s invaluable technical support in addressing public health challenges, including ongoing cholera and polio outbreaks.

Hon. Shava noted that Zimbabwe will continue to work with the WHO to ensure that it improves and strengthens health systems and the health sector in general as well as building the capacity of health sector experts to enable them to deal with and control various diseases emerging in society.

“We acknowledge the role of WHO and appreciate the work being done in various pillars to support country priorities,” he said.

Acknowledging Zimbabwe’s ongoing efforts to address health challenges amidst issues like brain drain, Dr. Tiruneh, praised the country’s commitment to health sector reforms and collaboration with international bodies like WHO.

Dr. Tiruneh brings over two decades of development experience to his role. He served as WHO Representative in The Gambia from September 2017 to March 2024.

A medical doctor by profession, Dr. Tiruneh previously served as an assistant professor at a medical school and held various leadership roles in health program management at district, regional, and national levels in Ethiopia. He holds M.D. and M.P.H. degrees from the University of Addis Ababa. Following his entry into WHO in 2021, he served as an advisor for over 17 years in immunization programmes and communicable and non-communicable disease prevention, control, elimination, and eradication efforts.

In his new role, Dr. Tiruneh looks forward to collaborating with the Government of Zimbabwe, the UN system, bilateral and multilateral partners, civil society, and the private sector to accelerate progress towards achieving health-related goals, with a particular focus on strengthening the country’s health systems.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organzation (WHO) – Zimbabwe.

Last week Premier Alan Winde and members of his government received a status update from the team of structural engineers appointed by the Western Cape Government (WCG) to investigate the cause of the George building collapse, that occurred on 6 May 2024.

V3 Consulting Engineers is leading the provincial government’s investigation, which comprises several phases.
The search and recovery operation was concluded on Friday, 17 May, and the site was then handed over to the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The WCG’s probe was launched just a day after the tragedy. “While we are aware of other investigations that are under way by other bodies, this incident happened in our province and impacted our residents. As Premier I have a responsibility to our residents to ensure that we get the answers that everyone is seeking,” said Premier Winde.

It was emphasised that the collecting of samples from the site had to be done as soon as possible before the rubble was removed to ensure the integrity of the process. At the same time, it was important to ensure that no investigation interfered with the search, rescue, and recovery operation.

Material samples needed to be collected and meticulously documented. “The process began as soon as the investigating team arrived on site and was undertaken with the cooperation of the SAPS. Evidence was collected under the supervision of the SAPS. “We will continue to work together until the conclusion of all investigations. 

We will do everything possible to ensure this entire process is handled with the professionalism and delicacy that it deserves. But we also have a commitment to the residents of this province to help them understand what happened and if steps need to be taken what actions should be taken,” the Premier said.

Documents that are being sourced include:

Construction drawings;
Planning and approval applications;
Occupational Health and Safety reports; and
Site diaries.

Once all the documents are sourced and all materials are collected, they are accordingly analysed.

Technical testing will also be carried out, which is part of a geotechnical assessment.  Interviews will also be conducted with service providers involved in the project.

Premier Winde stressed that this must be a clinical, thorough process to ensure that all evidence that is processed and documented will be sufficient enough to hold up in any ensuing legal matter. “There must be consequences for this tragedy,” he emphasised, adding, “We owe this to the victims and their families. We also have a responsibility to ensure that everything is done to prevent a similar tragedy like this happening in our province again.”

The Premier extended his condolences to the loved ones of another patient who was extracted from the debris but has since passed away in hospital.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.