Acting President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile has extended heartfelt congratulations to several South African sportsmen and women for their exceptional achievements over the past weekend.

Their victories have ushered the nation into the spring season, filled with hope and a renewed sense of national pride.

“Sports have a unique ability to bring South Africans together and uplift the nation’s spirits, even amidst our challenges,” said Acting President Mashatile.

“The incredible performances by our athletes this past weekend serves as a testament to their dedication, hard work, and the indomitable spirit of our people.”

The  weekend’s achievements highlights include: Mpumelelo Mhlongo who secured a gold medal in his 100m event, while Bayanda Walaza made history in Peru, becoming the fastest young man on earth with the remarkable times of 10.19 seconds in the 100m sprint and 20.52 seconds in the 200m sprint.

Also in Peru, Hannah Van Niekerk won a silver medal in Kima 400 m hurdles in the World U20 tournament.

In team sports, the National Rugby Team, the Springboks (Boks) defeated New Zealands All Blacks 31-27, while Stellenbosch FC and Orlando Pirates proceeded to the Final of the MTN 8 Cup. 

These remarkable results demonstrate the athletes’ prowess, showcasing the strength and talent of South African athletes on both local and international stages.

“The triumphs of Mhlongo, Walaza, and our esteemed sports teams are not just victories for them but for every South African who finds joy, pride, and unity in our nation’s sporting successes,” Acting President Mashatile added.

 “We celebrate these achievements and look forward to many more moments of national pride and joy.”

Acting President Mashatile concluded by emphasizing the power of sports in fostering unity and hope, urging all South Africans to continue supporting and celebrating their athletes as they represent the country on various platforms worldwide.

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

Algerian authorities have maintained their repression of civic space by continuing their brutal crackdown on human rights including the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association in the run up to the country’s presidential elections scheduled to be held on 7 September, said Amnesty International today.

Over the past two years authorities have also introduced a series of alarming legal amendments as well as new legislation that has dealt a heavy blow to human rights, most notably amendments made to the penal code in April 2024.

“In recent years Algeria has experienced a steady erosion of human rights through the authorities’ dissolution of political parties, civil society organizations and independent media outlets, alongside a spike in arbitrary arrests and prosecutions using trumped-up terrorism charges. Alarmingly, this reality has remained bleak in the run up to the elections,” said Amjad Yamin, Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa.

“Algerian authorities have cemented their clampdown on civic space with the adoption of a series of deeply flawed amendments to the penal code and new pieces of legislation that have wide repercussions for the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. This only further illustrates the authorities’ commitment to maintaining a zero-tolerance approach towards dissenting opinions.

“The authorities must end their ongoing repressive crackdown, immediately release those arrested solely for peacefully exercising their human rights and ensure people’s rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association in the country are protected.”

Over the past month the authorities have continued to harass and intimidate political opposition activists. On 6 August a member of the suspended political party the Democratic and Social Movement (MDS), political activist Yacine Mekireche, was arbitrarily arrested in relation to his social media posts on Facebook. At least 60 political activists, most of them from the political party the Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD) were arrested on 20 August as they attempted to commemorate the first congress of the National Liberation Front (FLN) of August 1956 (the Soummam congress).

Algerian authorities have also continued to restrict the space for the exercise of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association by civil society activists and other people through arbitrary arrests and interrogations. On 29 June police disrupted a book signing event at a bookstore in the city of Bejaia, ordering the closure of the shop and arresting all those attending for participating in an unauthorized gathering.

On two consecutive occasions authorities on 29 February and 9 March 2024 also prevented the Algerian NGO, SOS Disappeared, from holding two separate human rights events on the organization’s premises. In both instances large numbers of police surrounded the association’s offices blocking access to it and turning away people due to attend.

Algerian authorities have persisted in using bogus terrorism charges to silence peaceful dissent, including calls for political change. Authorities have unjustly held activist and poet Mohamed Tadjadit in pre-trial detention since January 2024 under such charges.

Algerian authorities further introduced multiple legal amendments to the penal code in April 2024 as well as a set of legislation related to media activity in August and December 2023 and amendments on legislation related to money laundering and the financing of terrorism in February 2023, in a clear setback for the right to freedom of expression.

Authorities have continued to clamp down on journalists through arbitrary detention and prosecutions, arbitrary restrictions on their right to freedom of movement and unfounded sanctions imposed on media outlets.

The recent arrests and restrictions on the right to freedom of movement faced by journalists Merzoug Touati, Mustapha Bendjama and Farid Alilat illustrate the lack of space for independent media activity, while social media users and civil society activists like Rabeh Kadri continue to be prosecuted simply for their online activity, including for comments expressing opposition to a second term for President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

The Algerian authorities’ ongoing infringement of the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association and media freedom has contributed to a climate of fear and censorship in the country.

According to the UN Human Rights Committee, the full enjoyment of the right to take part in the conduct of public affairs requires the open sharing of information and ideas about public and political issues as well as the respect for the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.

The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Windhoek, Namibia, participated in the largest trade exhibition in Namibia, the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF), held in Ongwediva, Oshana Region, from August 23 to 31, 2024. This year’s OATF, which had the theme “Bridging Tradition and Innovation,” featured 457 local and international exhibitors, including those from Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, and Indonesia.

The OATF was officially opened by Namibia’s Vice President, Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who expressed that OATF 2024 is expected to pave the way for the success of Namibian SMEs in the regional and global economy.

Following the opening ceremony, Vice President Nandi-Ndaitwah visited several exhibitor stands, including the Indonesian Embassy’s stall.

The Vice President of Namibia appreciated the Indonesian Embassy’s support at OATF 2024 and the ongoing activities organized by the Namibian Government. 

At OATF 2024, Indonesian Embassy’s​ promoted consumer products from well-known Indonesian companies, such as PT ABC President, PT Borden Eagle Indonesia, PT Porto Indonesia Sejahtera, PT Kobe Indonesia, PT Kalbe International, PT Mayora Indah Tbk, and PT Dami Sariwana.

The Embassy has been participating in OATF since 2002. In addition to promoting Indonesia’s featured products, the Embassy aims to increase Namibians’ awareness of Indonesia.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Windhoek, Republic of Namibia.

For over one decade Nigeria has witnessed serious security concerns occasioned by the activities of Boko Haram. This has resulted to unprecedented loss of lives, displacements, loss of livelihoods and exacerbation of food and nutrition crisis. These insecurities and hostilities have been recorded majorly in the Northern States of Nigeria. The affected population has been forced to move many times sometimes from being internally displaced and vice versa. The situation has seriously fragilized the coping mechanisms and thresholds of the individuals as well as communities.

In line with the directives of the Heads of State, the ECOWAS Commission established a Stabilization Fund with a commitment of the sum of one (1) Million USD in the 2020 budget as part of its commitment to supporting the Nigerian Government’ Economic Recovery and Growth plan the “Buhari Plan” and other ongoing efforts by the International Community in the region. Sequel to the 2020 budget, another sum of one (1) Million USD was approved in the 2023 budget of ECOWAS to further assist the victims of the crisis in the North.

Accordingly, the kick off of the implementation of the Stabilization fund held in Katsina, Katsina State, Nigeria on 30 August 2024. The event was graced by the Executive Governor of Katsina State, His Excellency Mallam Dikko Umaru Radda Ph.D. The Governor was accompanied by the Deputy Governor and members of the State Executive Council.

Other dignitaries present were the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mr. Abel Enitan, The Permanent Representative of Nigeria to ECOWAS, Ambassador Musa Sani Nuhu and the Head of the ECOWAS National Unit in the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olawale Awe. The ECOWAS Commission was represented by Mr. Alozie Amaechi Godfrey, from the Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs.

During the event, nutrition assistance was provided for six months to 6,788 malnourished children and 5,657 pregnant and breastfeeding women in Katsina and Sokoto States. The sum of One hundred and Seven thousand Two hundred Naira (N107, 200) was also provided in form of cash-based transfers to help meet the food assistance needs of 1,949 Internally Displaced Persons and other most vulnerable groups.

Other assistances provided included livelihood assistance, capacity strengthening of states systems and psycho-social support for social cohesion and peace.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).