As we wrap up the week, here are the top stories from Africa. The World Health Organization has declared Mpox a global health emergency, yet Africa may face delays in receiving crucial vaccines.
Uganda mourns as the death toll from a devastating garbage dump landslide climbs to 30, while over 700,000 people in West and Central Africa are reeling from severe flooding.
In business news, TikTok has cut jobs across its African offices, marking a significant development in the region.
Check out all the top stories below:
WHO DECLARES MPOX GLOBAL HEALTH EMERGENCY
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a global health emergency due to increasing cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the risk of further spread.
The World Health Organization (WHO) renamed the virus Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, due to concerns over stigma and racism. First detected in humans in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970, Mpox symptoms include fever, aches, and skin lesions.
This year, Africa has reported over 15,000 suspected mpox cases, resulting in 461 deaths, primarily among children in Congo.
The virus has also hit South Africa.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the rise of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and several other African nations as a health emergency.
In declaring the PHEIC, Dr Tedros said, “The emergence of a new clade of mpox, its rapid spread in eastern DRC, and the reporting of cases in several neighbouring countries are very worrying. On top of outbreaks of other mpox clades in DRC and other countries in Africa, it’s clear that a coordinated international response is needed to stop these outbreaks and save lives.
AFRICA MAY FACE DELAYS IN RECEIVING MPOX VACCINES
Vaccines aimed at controlling a rising mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and nearby nations may not arrive in the Central African country for several months, even as the World Health Organization considers declaring the outbreak an emergency, following Africa’s leading public health agency, this according to Reuters.
The publication further reports that challenges such as insufficient vaccine availability, lack of funding, and ongoing outbreaks of other diseases continue to hinder efforts to address the mpox situation effectively.
“It is important to declare an emergency because the disease is spreading,” said Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum, head of Congo’s Institut National pour la Recherche Biomedicale (INRB). He said he hoped any declaration would help provide more funding for surveillance as well as supporting access to vaccines in Congo.
Africa CDC announced last week that it received $10.4 million in emergency funding from the African Union to aid its mpox response. Director General Jean Kaseya stated there is a plan to secure 3 million vaccine doses this year. However, sources involved in the vaccination rollout in Congo indicated that only 65,000 doses are expected to be available soon, and vaccination campaigns may not start until at least October.
DEATH TOLL OF GARBAGE DUMP LANDSLIDE IN UGANDA CLIMBS TO 30
On Saturday, a landslide occurred at a massive garbage dump in Kampala, leaving 30 people dead and 39 others missing, including 35 local residents and four garbage collectors, according to Ugandan officials on Wednesday.
Mayor Eria Lukwago warned that numerous bodies may still be buried under the debris at the Kiteezi landfill in Wakiso District, the main dumpsite for garbage collected throughout the city’s metropolitan area.
As of Saturday, earlier reports placed the death toll from the landslide at eight.
The landslide, which buried people, homes, and livestock, was caused by heavy rainfall that has affected parts of East Africa in recent weeks.
President Yoweri Museveni has approved compensation of five million Ugandan shillings ($1,300) for each death and one million shillings ($270) for each injured individual.
The president has sent special forces to the landslide site to aid recovery and questioned why people lived near such a dangerous dump despite residents’ long-standing complaints.
ACKERMAN FAMILY TO GIVE UP CONTROL OF PICK N PAY
The Ackerman family, which founded South Africa’s Pick n Pay, plans to reduce its voting rights from 52% to 49% by giving up 3% to aid the company’s transformation efforts.
This decision supports the company’s plan for transformation and financial recovery, marking a significant shift in Pick n Pay’s governance. Although Raymond Ackerman resigned as chairman in 2010, his family maintained control until now, but Gareth Ackerman will also resign as chairman due to the retailer’s disappointing financial performance.
According to Business Tech, Pick n Pay has encountered major financial difficulties, reporting a loss of R3.2 billion for the financial year ending February 29, 2024 (FY24). While Boxer and Pick n Pay Clothing generated profits, the group’s main grocery business resulted in a R2.8 billion non-cash impairment on the assets of company-owned stores.
AFRICA WINS BIG AT OLYMPICS 2024
The 2024 Paris Summer Olympics ended its 19-day competition on August 11, with 12 African nations achieving remarkable success.
Nine of these countries secured gold medals, with Kenya leading the way by winning a total of 11 medals: four gold, two silver, and five bronze.
BOTSWANA FILLS STADIUM TO WELCOME TEBOGO MASISI
Earlier this week, President Mokgweetsi Masisi declared a half-day public holiday for the nation to celebrate and welcome sprinter Letsile Tebogo, who won two medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Tebogo, 21, made history as the first African to win the men’s 200m at the Olympics, setting a continental record of 19.46 seconds on August 8, ahead of Team USA’s Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles in Paris.
Additionally, he secured a silver medal in the men’s 4x400m relay, marking Botswana’s fourth Olympic medal.
To celebrate this milestone, over 30,000 fans filled a stadium to welcome the Olympic hero.
TIKTOK CUTS JOBS IN AFRICA
TikTok has reduced its African workforce by approximately 50%, impacting staff in Nigeria and South Africa, though the company states that these layoffs are not a response to possible removal from the US market.
The job cuts affected teams in South Africa and Nigeria, which are the company’s only offices on the continent.
A report from TechCabal indicates that both locations previously employed about 100 people, but this number has now been reduced by half across the two countries. The layoffs affected staff in areas such as content operations, marketing, and trust and safety.
According to two employees who spoke to the publication, staff in Africa are anticipating another round of layoffs in the third quarter of the year. TikTok announced global job cuts in May, particularly affecting those in marketing and operations, which has led to the recent reductions in Africa.
CHINA TO BUILD HUGE SOLAR FARM IN BOTSWANA
A consortium of Chinese firms, led by China Harbour Engineering Co, has secured a contract to construct a 100MW solar plant in Botswana, marking the country’s second large-scale renewable energy project.
China Harbour, in collaboration with China Water and Electric Development Co and local investors, is set to complete the project by the second quarter of 2026, with the contract valued at $78.3 million (R1.4 billion), according to Zhitong Finance.
President Mokgweetsi Masisi was present for the contract signing on Monday in Jwaneng, a diamond mining town located 200 km west of Gaborone, the capital.
CHIDINMA ADETSHINA TO COMPETE IN MISS UNIVERSE NIGERIA 2024
The organizers of the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant have invited former Miss South Africa contestant Chidimma Adetshina to take part in the 2024 edition.
The 23-year-old withdrew from the Miss SA pageant following the Department of Home Affairs’ disclosure of initial evidence of fraud and identity theft involving Adetshina’s mother, which emerged during its investigation into her citizenship.
In an official statement (09 August 2024) signed by Guy Murray-Bruce, the National Director of Miss Universe Nigeria, Adetshina received a formal invitation to participate in the upcoming Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 pageant.
Per the statement:
“We at Miss Universe Nigeria have been closely following the developments regarding your decision to bow out of the Miss South Africa beauty pageant. We acknowledge the circumstances surrounding your withdrawal and understand the challenges you may be facing.
In light of these events, we want to extend our support and encouragement. We believe that your journey in the world of pageantry is far from over and that there are still numerous opportunities for you to showcase your talent, grace, and beauty.
As a Nigerian by heritage, we would like to formally invite you to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 pageant. This is an opportunity to represent your father’s native land on an international stage, and we believe you would be an outstanding contender.
Should you wish to participate, all you need to do is respond to this invitation, and we will be delighted to guide you through the next steps.
We look forward to hearing from you and hope to see you continue your journey in pageantry with the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant.“
In a video posted on X.com by Silverbird Group founder Ben Murray-Bruce on Wednesday, Adetshina thanked her supporters and announced her decision to pursue the prestigious title.
“I have decided to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 beauty pageant… I am looking forward to participating in Africa’s most prestigious beauty pageant – Miss Universe Nigeria,” she said.
She added, “I understand the expectations and responsibilities that come with this title, and I am so excited to embark on this journey.
KENYAN CULT LEADER WHO STARVED OVER 200 TO DEATH IS BACK IN COURT
On Monday, Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, the leader of a Kenyan sect linked to starvation, faced trial for manslaughter following the deaths of more than 400 followers in a tragic cult incident.
Earlier this year, we reported that Mackenzie was charged with manslaughter along with his wife and 93 other accomplices.
Mackenzie and 94 other suspects appeared in a Mombasa magistrate’s court. In January, they pleaded not guilty to manslaughter charges related to the “Shakahola Forest Massacre,” a series of incidents involving mass fatalities.
Prosecutor Alexander Jami Yamina emphasized that this case is unprecedented in Kenya, as the accused will be tried under a law concerning suicide pacts, making it a distinct manslaughter case.
Prosecutors have prepared 420 witnesses for the trial, which is expected to last four days due to its seriousness.
Mackenzie is accused of encouraging his followers to starve themselves to “meet Jesus,” causing worldwide outrage. He faces charges of terrorism, murder, and child cruelty in connection with the Shakahola massacre, where approximately 440 bodies were discovered in mass graves.
RWANDA’S KAGAME SWORN IN FOR FOURTH TERM
Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame was sworn in for a fourth term on Sunday after winning last month’s elections with over 99% of the vote.
Kagame won 99.18% of the votes cast, securing another five years in power, according to the National Electoral Commission.
Dozens of heads of state and dignitaries from African nations attended the inauguration ceremony at a full 45,000-seat stadium in Kigali, where crowds began gathering early in the morning.
Kagame swore his oath of office before Chief Justice Faustin Ntezilyayo, promising to maintain peace and national sovereignty and strengthen national unity.
ZAMBIA REOPENS BORDER WITH DRC AFTER TRADE DISPUTE
Zambia will reopen its border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo after temporarily closing it over the weekend due to a trade dispute.
The border, which was briefly closed due to a trade dispute, reopened on Tuesday.
“The Zambian party informed the Congolese party that the border will be reopened, in order to allow the free movement of people and goods between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Zambia,” said the ministers of commerce of the two countries in a joint statement.
Zambia shut its border after Congo prohibited the import of soft drinks and beer from Zambia. In reaction, Congolese truck drivers protested near the border town of Kasumbalesa, and Zambian business groups voiced their criticism of the decision.
UGANDA ANNOUNCES 2026 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION DATE
Uganda’s Electoral Commission (EC) announced on Wednesday a revised electoral roadmap, stating that the presidential and parliamentary elections will take place between September 17 and October 3, 2025.
This is according to Justice Simon Byabakama, the chairperson of the commission, who stated that campaigning will start in the second week of October 2025.
OVER 700,000 AFFECTED BY FLOODING IN WEST, CENTRAL AFRICA
Heavy rains and severe flooding have affected over 700,000 individuals in West and Central Africa, just two months into the rainy season, a UN spokesperson reported on Tuesday.
Severe rains and flooding in the Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, Mali, and Togo have affected over 700,000 people, according to Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, during a daily briefing.
In Chad, the hardest-hit area, over 245,000 people have been impacted by rising waters in just a few weeks, according to OCHA. The floods have damaged or destroyed more than 60,000 homes, affected schools and medical facilities, and hindered access to healthcare and education.
OCHA noted that the forecast for 2024 indicated higher-than-normal rainfall from June to August and July to September in regions already vulnerable to flooding in the Sahel and parts of West Africa.
CAPE TOWN RECORDS SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL IN JULY 2024
Cape Town received a record amount of rainfall during the month of July, according to the South African Weather Service.
“July 2024 saw record-breaking rainfall totals in some areas of the southwestern parts of South Africa, following a slow start to the winter rainfall season,” SAWS said in a statement issued on Monday.
Starting in June, rainfall was significantly below average, aligning with seasonal predictions for a drier winter. However, in July, a series of cold fronts moved through the area, bringing severe weather and heavy rainfall.
The SAWS reported that Cape Town received 317.6 mm of rain in July, significantly surpassing the average of 128.0 mm, with the Cape Town International Airport station recording its highest monthly total since July 1956.
The SAWS found that most rainfall stations in Cape Town recorded above-average rain in July, with some setting new records, leading to significant damage in the Western Cape Province.
Share your thoughts on this article and join the conversation on Twitter or Facebook.
