On 26 April 2024, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA) announced the launch of the 2024 Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards (WCPAA). This esteemed event celebrates the invaluable contributions made by agri workers to the sustainability and growth of the agricultural sector in the Western Cape.

We are pleased to announce that Shoprite will once again partner with the department as the main sponsor of the competition, reaffirming their commitment to supporting the agricultural community.

The WCPAA features eleven categories in which agri workers will compete at the regional level across 15 different regions. Last year, over 1067 agri workers participated, and we anticipate an even greater turnout this year. Regional winners will advance to the provincial level, competing for the prestigious title of Western Cape Agri Worker of the Year. The overall winner will be revealed at a gala ceremony in November 2024.

This initiative, previously known as the Farm Worker of the Year competition, has been a cornerstone project for the department since its inception in 2002. Originally launched in the Hex Valley region with 36 participants, it has since expanded to encompass agri workers across the entire province.

Shoprite’s continued sponsorship of the project, totalling R400 000 in gift vouchers for regional and provincial winners, demonstrates their unwavering support for this vital initiative. The WCPAA has become the leading social upliftment project of the Department, impacting the lives of agri workers and their families positively.

An independent evaluation conducted in 2015 underscored the significant impact of the competition, highlighting its role in enhancing the lives of participants and fostering positive perceptions of agri workers within their communities.

To date, over 16,000 agri workers in the Western Cape have participated in the competition, showcasing their knowledge and skills across various categories. The regional competitions cover 16 regions, providing a platform for workers to demonstrate their expertise and contribute to the growth of the agricultural sector.

Agri workers remain a priority for the WCDoA and their unhinging support amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic was pivotal in ensuring that the sector continued to grow, deeming them as “essential workers”. The WCPAA serves as an opportunity to honor and recognize these essential workers, every single day, for their dedication and resilience to the sunrise sector.

The WCDoA looks forward to hosting the 2024 WCPAA and celebrating the dedication and achievements of agri workers in our province.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic Of South Africa: Western Cape Provincial Government.

The People’s Republic of China’s Peacekeeping contingent with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) transferred ownership of assets valued at $US 7.3 million to the Congolese government. An event marking the transfer of the assets was held today at the Chinese contingent’s camp on the outskirts of Bukavu, South Kivu Province. This handover took place in the context of MONUSCO’s disengagement from South Kivu, initiated in January 2024.

Since 2003, the Chinese contingent’s Engineer Company has supported the strengthening of the province’s infrastructure. Today’s transfer of 46 767 pieces of equipment including bulldozers, forklifts and dump trucks is intended to help authorities meet its construction and development needs. In addition, the hospital managed by the Chinese contingent in Bukavu donated 43 043 pieces of assets, including an ambulance, other vehicles and medical equipment. The total value of these donations is US $7,359,922.

The Government of the DRC has promised to use the assets for peace building and social development.

The Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), Ms. Bintou Keita, welcomed the initiative and praised the generosity of Chinese authorities. “Over the years we have witnessed the critical importance of infrastructure in maintaining and building peace and security. This transfer of assets demonstrates the commitment of the People’s Republic of China to supporting peace consolidation and development efforts in the DRC. I reiterate my gratefulness to the Chinese Peacekeepers for their dedication and professionalism during the two decades of their deployment in South Kivu,” said Ms. Bintou Keita.

This transfer of assets comes two weeks after MONUSCO and DRC authorities paid tribute to China’s Blue Helmets in a high-profile ceremony.

Since its deployment to South Kivu more than 20 years ago, the Chinese contingent has implemented a series of important engineering projects which have helped improve access and mobility in the province. These include the completion of over 580 engineering projects, the repair of 1,800 kilometres of roads (over the years, the same area of road has at times needed maintenance), and the rehabilitation of over 80 bridges, and the construction of 20 helipads.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mission de l’Organisation des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO).

Authorities in Togo must end their escalating crackdown on human rights including the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly amid political tension around the adoption of changes to the constitution, as Togolese vote in parliamentary and regional elections today, Amnesty International said.

Authorities banned demonstrations planned by political parties and civil society organizations on April 11, 12 and 13 to protest the amendments to the constitution that are likely according to them to allow President Gnassingbe to extend his 19-year rule. Citing “corroborating and reliable information,” the government accused protest organizers of violent intentions to justify the bans.

“In Togo, it has been difficult, if not impossible, to contribute freely to the debate on the new constitution.” Samira Daoud, Amnesty International’s regional director for West and Central Africa

On 23 April, the Ministry of Territorial Administration sent a letter to two representatives of the opposition coalition, Dynamique Monseigneur Kpodzro (DMK), banning a peaceful sit-in planned for 25 April in front of the Constitutional Court, on the pretext that the request had been “signed by two people instead of three”. 

“In Togo, dissenting voices can no longer enjoy their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. It has been difficult, if not impossible, to contribute freely to the debate on the new constitution without fear of reprisals including arbitrary detention, despite repeated commitments by the authorities to guarantee human rights”, said Samira Daoud, Amnesty International’s regional director for West and Central Africa.

“The way in which the Togolese authorities have trampled upon the rights of those opposed to constitutional changes is appalling. The crackdown on human rights must end.”

Arbitrary arrests and detention

On 3 April nine members of the DMK were arbitrarily arrested on charges of “aggravated disturbance of public order”. Four of them were about to carry out a public awareness action to denounce the constitutional change. The other five were at the home of a DMK activist, where a political meeting was being held. They were all released on 9 April by a Lomé court. The prosecutor has announced his intention to appeal.

On 27 March, at least three press conferences and meetings bringing together political parties and/or civil society organizations wishing to express their disagreement with the constitutional change were banned in Lomé and Tsévié and dispersed by the security forces.

“The authorities must respect, protect, promote, and fulfil the human rights of everyone in the country, including those who disagree with them.” Samira Daoud, Amnesty International’s regional director for West and Central Africa

The right to freedom of expression and press freedom have also been widely violated in recent weeks. On 15 April, the High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication announced it would temporarily suspend accreditations to journalists, citing “problems” linked to the arrival of a French journalist, and “serious shortcomings in the coverage of political news on Togo by [French media] RFI and France 24”. The journalist was arrested on 15 April and deported the following day, after receiving a six-month suspended prison sentence for “illegal entry”.

Meanwhile, Apollinaire Mewenemesse, editor of the newspaper La Dépêche, was detained from 26 March to 9 April after publishing an article raising questions about the murder of an army officer in 2020. Placed under judicial surveillance, he is being prosecuted for allegedly spreading false news, undermining the honour of the President of the Republic, committing contempt of courts and tribunals, and forgery and use of forgeries, his lawyer told Amnesty International.

“The continued harassment and intimidation of those with dissenting voices, including through arbitrary arrests and banning of public gatherings and protests, is an affront to the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. The authorities must respect, protect, promote, and fulfil the human rights of everyone in the country, including those who disagree with them,” Samira Daoud said.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.

As we recognize World Malaria Day on April 25, we reflect on the relentless battle against malaria, a life-threatening disease transmitted by female malaria-carrying mosquitoes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2022, there were 5.1 million people affected by malaria in Ethiopia, and about 75 million people were at risk of contracting the disease. In addition to its public health impact, malaria imposes a large financial burden on households. Malaria is estimated to cost Ethiopia about USD 200 million annually and hence, reducing the malaria disease burden has the potential to improve socioeconomic development.

The United States President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), the U.S. government’s largest program leading the fight against malaria, has been a cornerstone in the global fight against this disease since its inception in 2006. With a strategic focus on 30 countries, including Ethiopia since 2008, PMI’s efforts have yielded remarkable outcomes, dramatically slashing malaria cases and enhancing national and regional health infrastructure. Further, the US government is the largest donor to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, comprising one-third of all resources.

US efforts in Ethiopia: A decade of progress and innovation

PMI’s partnership with Ethiopia has been instrumental in the national effort to control and eventually eliminate malaria. Since 2008, by distributing over 53 million mosquito nets, over 15 million malaria treatments, and over nine million diagnostic kits, the initiative has substantially decreased the prevalence of the disease. PMI has also procured 27 million antimalarial medicines and more than two million injectable antimalarial medicines for treatment of severe malaria.

Furthermore, PMI has supported the Federal Ministry of Health to spray over 700,000 houses with mosquito killing insecticides to protect over two million people from malaria every year. PMI also invests in Ethiopia’s efforts to strengthen its health system, including by training and supporting health workers to respond to malaria outbreaks.

One innovative approach in Ethiopia has been the fight against the invasive Anopheles stephensi mosquito, which poses a new challenge due to its unique breeding habits and resistance to conventional control measures. PMI’s introduction of larval source management appears to be an effective way to control An. stephensi killing mosquitoes before they reach adulthood. This control measure has been piloted in eight towns.

The pilot project – which began in July 2022 in Dire Dawa and seven other locations in Afar, Oromia, and Somali Regions – reduced An. stephensi larval numbers by over 95 percent on average. However, additional research and data are required to verify the impact of larval source management on malaria cases within the population.

Challenges and the road ahead

Despite the successes, the fight against malaria in Ethiopia faces significant challenges, including the emergence of insecticide resistance, changing weather patterns and severe weather events, and ongoing conflicts that disrupt malaria prevention and treatment campaigns. The recent global increase in malaria cases reported by the WHO underscores the need for continued innovation and collaboration among international partners, local governments, and communities.

Alongside the Federal Ministry of Health of Ethiopia and other stakeholders, PMI and the US government remain dedicated to the goal of eliminating malaria by 2030. However, getting back on track towards malaria elimination will require additional resources both domestically and globally and ensuring that all partners work together to implement quality, comprehensive, accessible and timely interventions.

As we mark World Malaria Day, all stakeholders must reinforce our commitment and adapt to the evolving challenges of malaria control to achieve a malaria-free Ethiopia. This goal, and the journey to achieve it, is not just about combating a disease but also about increasing economic stability and improving the quality of life for millions.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia.