As we wrap up the week, here are the top stories from Africa. Kenya’s attempt to impose charges for obtaining ID cards faced a legal halt, while veteran actor Dr. John Kani was honored with an OBE by King Charles for his remarkable contributions to the world of theater.
Nigeria’s former Central Bank head, Emefiele, found release after five months in jail. In another financial move, Tinubu signed a $2.8 billion budget that raised eyebrows, allocating funds for bulletproof cars and even a yacht.
Terrence Mukupe faced conviction for fuel smuggling, and Rwanda made a significant announcement, declaring visa-free travel for all Africans.
Check out all the top stories below:
RWANDA ANNOUNCES VISA-FREE TRAVEL FOR ALL AFRICANS
Last week, President Paul Kagame announced that Rwanda will allow visa-free travel for Africans.
Meanwhile, Kenya is planning to end visa requirements for all African visitors by the end of the year.
Kagame made this announcement during a gathering in Kigali, where he emphasized Africa’s potential as a united tourism destination, highlighting that the continent still receives 60% of its tourists from outside Africa, according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
“Any African, can get on a plane to Rwanda whenever they wish and they will not pay a thing to enter our country” said Kagame during the 23rd Global Summit of the World Travel and Tourism Council.
KENYA AIMS TO IMPOSE CHARGE OBTAINING ID—COURT HALTS DECISION
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki’s notice revealed that getting an ID won’t be free anymore, and if Kenyans need a replacement, they’ll have to pay Sh2,000 instead of the Sh100 they used to pay, a 20-fold increase.
In the past, Kenyans have been able to obtain their ID cards for free once they turned 18.
However, in the latest developments…
The Kenyan High Court has halted a controversial fee for national identity cards, following a public uproar, after surgeon Magare Gikenyi’s petition argued that the government’s introduction of the charges was done in a seemingly random and unfair way, making ID cards unaffordable for many regular citizens.
FLIGHTS CANCELLED AS LABOR UNIONS PROTEST AT ABUJA AIRPORT
On Thursday, November 9th, numerous travelers found themselves stranded at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, as members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) barricaded the entry and exit points of the airport to disrupt flights.
Last week, the unions called for a nationwide work stoppage following an attack on Joe Ajaero, the president of the NLC, in Imo state.
Labour said that Hope Uzodinma, Imo’s governor, and the police in the state were to blame for Ajaero’s bad experience, but both the governor and the police denied being involved.
This resulted in aviation unions instructing their employees to stop working on Wednesday for all flights to Owerri from every airport in Nigeria, following organized labor’s instructions.
The NLC and TUC unions announced that a nationwide strike, in protest of the treatment Joe Ajaero received, is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, November 14.
NIGERIA: TINUBU SIGNS $2.8 BILLION BUDGET INCLUDING FUNDS FOR BULLETPROOF CARS, YACHT
Amidst widespread criticism from citizens grappling with the high cost of living in Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has signed a $2.8 billion supplementary budget, allocating funds for new bulletproof cars for both himself and his wife.
The budget was approved by lawmakers on 2 November 2023.
In this budget bonanza, approximately U.S. $38 million has been allocated for a presidential air fleet, new vehicles, and even a home makeover for the president, vice president, and the first lady.
The Nigerian House of Representatives rejected the government’s $6.1 million plan to buy Tinubu a yacht, criticized as an excessive indulgence in the midst of an economic crisis.
Originally, the yacht budget was part of the Nigerian Navy’s $53 million allocation but was later shifted to the student loan section by the House.
SOUTH AFRICA: DR JOHN KANI AWARDED AN OBE – ORDER OF BRITISH EMPIRE BY KING CHARLES
Renowned actor and playwright, Dr John Kani, was honoured with the esteemed Order of the British Empire (OBE) by King Charles III in acknowledgment of his exceptional contributions to the world of theater.
Over the course of his illustrious career, spanning many decades, Dr. John Kani has delivered groundbreaking performances on both stage and screen, beginning with his co-authored anti-apartheid play ‘Sizwe Banzi Is Dead’ in 1975, and later leaving a lasting impact with unforgettable roles in productions such as ‘Kunene and the King,’ the remake of ‘The Lion King,’ and ‘Black Panther.’
Apart from the OBE, Kani’s remarkable achievements include the Lifetime Achievement Award from the South African Film and Television Awards and the Order of Ikhamanga Silver, honoring his pivotal role in South Africa’s theater scene during its quest for inclusivity and democracy.
NIGERIA’S FORMER CENTRAL BANK HEAD EMEFIELE, RELEASED AFTER FIVE MONTHS IN JAIL
In a recent turn of events, Nigeria’s former central bank governor, Godwin Emefiele, who had been held in detention since June 2023 due to procurement fraud charges, was granted bail by a high court, following his first court appearance in August, during which the judge ruled for his immediate release or a scheduled court appearance.
He spent 151 days in custody under security agencies’ watch.
Emefiele, facing a 20-count fraud charge, has been granted bail with the requirement to surrender his passport, and he must make a court appearance on November 15, 2023, for the next hearing.
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu suspended Emefiele on June 9, 2023, followed by an arrest the next day, and Emefiele’s eventual resignation in August, paving the way for Tinubu to appoint Yemi Cardoso as the new Central Bank governor in September 2023.
ZIMBABWE: FORMER DEPUTY MINISTER CONVICTED OF SMUGGLING FUEL
Zimbabwean former Deputy Finance Minister Terrence Mukupe, along with former legislator Same Kapisoriso, Ngonidzashe Mutsvene, and Joseph Taderera, has been found guilty of smuggling 138,979 liters of fuel.
Awaiting their sentencing, the group, as proven by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), smuggled a tanker filled with diesel into the country without paying duty in 2017.
In a statement released Wednesday evening, NPA said the State had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
“Former Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Development Terrence Mukupe together with 3 others have been convicted of importing 138 979 litres of fuel without paying duty. In doing so the accused prejudiced the State of revenue amounting to US$55 591.
“The accused are in custody pending their sentence on November 9 at the Harare High Court.”
In Zimbabwe, the four swapped diesel with water in the tanker before being stopped by ZIMRA officials in Chirundu.
KWAZULU-NATAL POPULATION INCREASES BY 21%
Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke presented the 2022 Census results to the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Executive Council, and these figures indicated a significant 21% increase in the province’s population.
The KZN population in the province increased from 10.2 million in the 2011 Census to 12.4 million in 2022.
The population results revealed that the eThekwini Municipality maintains its position with the highest population at 4.2 million, while the uMgungundlovu District follows closely with 1.2 million residents.
“AVOID MAJOR HOTELS IN NIGERIA” U.S. WARNS ITS CITIZENS VISITING NIGERIA
The United States has issued a warning to its citizens in Nigeria, cautioning them to steer clear of major hotels in the country due to security threats specifically aimed at these hotels in the country’s larger cities.
This warning was contained in an official message to American citizens dated 3 November 2023.
Per the statement:
“The U.S. Government is aware of credible information that there is an elevated threat to major hotels in Nigeria’s larger cities. The Nigerian security services are working diligently to counter the threat”.
The message advised US citizens to stay watchful at big hotels, stay aware of their surroundings, keep a low profile, and check the travel advisory for Nigeria before staying at any hotels.
MRBEAST FACES CRITICISM AFTER BUILDING 100 WELLS IN AFRICA
Popular YouTube figure MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) recently posted on his Twitter (now X) over the weekend to announce that he has funded the construction of 100 wells in Africa.
“We built 100 wells in Africa,” read the post.
However, since then, certain Kenyan activists and journalists have argued that he has drawn attention to the shortcomings of the Kenyan government. Nevertheless, MrBeast, expects that he will “get canceled” and may face significant backlash in response to his actions.
“I already know I’m gonna get canceled because I uploaded a video helping people, and to be 100% clear, I don’t care. I’m always going to use my channel to help people and try to inspire my audience to do the same,” MrBeast said in a Twitter post.
The recently posted YouTube video depicts Donaldson and his companions traveling through Africa, including countries like Zimbabwe and Kenya, where they fund and aid in building modern wells in villages with limited access to clean water.
MrBeast in the video claims that the new wells will offer clean drinking water to as many as 500,000 people in Cameroon, Kenya, Somalia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
Prominent activist Boniface Mwangi compared Donaldson’s humanitarian efforts to the Kenyan government, saying, “we are a shameful, horrible country … a begging nation governed by millionaires,” per CNN.
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