Here are the top stories from Africa: Botswana’s President delivered his first State of the Nation Address, outlining his vision for the country’s future.
In Mozambique, prosecutors are demanding $525,000 in damages from Mondlane over recent protests. Nigeria is gearing up for local production of vehicle spare parts, while a Nigerian governor has signed a new N70,000 minimum wage agreement with labor leaders.
Meanwhile, South Africa has reported 890 food poisoning cases since September 2024, prompting stricter regulations for school vendors. Lastly, travel bans against Julius Malema have been lifted in Botswana and Zambia, signaling a shift in regional diplomatic dynamics.
Check out all the top stories below:
HERE ARE THE TEAMS THAT QUALIFIED FOR AFCON 2025
The final list of 24 Nations that have qualified for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 has been finalized.
The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 will be played in Morocco between 21 December 2025 – 18 January 2026.
Here are the teams that qualified for AFCON Morocco 2025:
- Morocco (Hosts)
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Cameroon
- Comoros
- Cote d’Ivoire
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Gabon
- Mali
- Mozambique
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- South Africa
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe.
BOTSWANA PRESIDENT DELIVERS HIS FIRST SONA
On Tuesday, November 19, Botswana’s new President, Duma Boko, delivered the State of the Nation Address (SONA), marking the first by the opposition coalition UDC, which ended the BDP’s 58-year reign in recent elections.
In his address, Boko revealed plans for Botswana to shift from its dependence on diamonds by venturing into medicinal cannabis and tapping into the country’s rich solar energy potential.
Boko also committed to prioritizing improved service delivery nationwide, recognizing the pressing issues facing Botswana.
Boko addressed the economic necessity of moving beyond diamonds, stating, “The decline in diamond revenues by over 60 percent in recent years is a clear signal that we can no longer afford to depend on a single commodity.”
His government aims to foster growth in renewable energy, agriculture, tourism, and technology. Emphasizing Botswana’s solar potential, he shared, “Botswana receives more than 3,200 hours of sunlight annually and averages 21 megajoules per square metre which is among the highest in the world. The potential of solar energy is abundant.”
Boko also revealed plans to tap into the cannabis and hemp markets, forecasting a boost to the country’s economy. “Our forecast in Botswana is to significantly increase our GDP with cannabis and hemp-related products,” he said, while assuring, “We will create jobs in this industry.”
MALEMA’S TRAVEL BAN LIFTED IN BOTSWANA AND ZAMBIA
Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has had his travel ban to Botswana lifted, nearly ten years after his controversial comments led to the restriction.
Newly elected President Boko has cleared Malema’s name from Botswana’s travel restrictions, alongside former EFF Deputy President Floyd Shivambu and businesswoman Bridgette Radebe, who were also previously banned.
In a similar turn of events, Malema is now welcomed back in Zambia after President Hakainde Hichilema lifted the seven-year travel ban that was imposed on him under the previous administration. Malema was labeled persona non grata in 2017 by then-President Edgar Lungu after he showed support for opposition leader Hichilema.
MOZAMBIQUE PROSECUTORS SEEK $525,000 IN PROTEST DAMAGES FROM MONDLANE
The Mozambican public prosecutor is seeking €480,000 in damages from Venâncio Mondlane and Podemos for recent demonstrations in Maputo.
Internal documents from the Attorney General’s Office (PGR) obtained by Lusa reveal that a lawsuit has been filed at the Maputo City Judicial Court, with similar cases to follow in other provinces.
The attorney general’s office accuses Mondlane and Podemos leader Albino Forquilha of orchestrating protests that disrupted the country and caused significant damage to both public and private property.
“Despite warnings and summonses issued by the public prosecutor’s office, the co-defendants (Venâncio Mondlane and Albino Forquilha, leader of Podemos) continued to issue calls and appeals for the mass participation of citizens in the aforementioned protest movements, inciting them to fury and paralysing all activities in the country,” the PGR statement reads.
It concludes that the defendants bear responsibility since their influence directly led to the crisis, notably the destruction of government property.
890 FOOD POISONING CASES REPORTED IN SOUTH AFRICA SINCE SEPTEMBER 2024
On Friday (15 Nov. ), President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation and outlined the government’s response to the foodborne illness crisis, including the deaths of children due to the illnesses.
Key Highlights of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Address on Foodborne Illness Crisis
- Foodborne Illness Crisis Overview:
- Since September 2024, 890 foodborne illness cases have been reported across South Africa, with Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal being the hardest-hit provinces.
- The illness has led to the deaths of at least 22 children, including six children in Soweto last month.
- Contaminated food, purchased from spaza shops and street vendors, has been identified as the source.
- Cause of Deaths – Terbufos Chemical:
- The deaths of the six children in Naledi, Soweto, were linked to Terbufos, a toxic pesticide.
- Terbufos is used illegally in townships for controlling rats and has been found in some spaza shops.
- Other hazardous chemicals, such as Aldicarb, are also being sold illegally in informal markets.
- Government Response and Interventions:
- Immediate Action: Spaza shops linked to the deaths will be closed. All food-handling facilities must be registered within 21 days.
- Law Enforcement: Authorities, including the South African Police Service, will investigate and prosecute offenders.
- Pesticide Control: The sale of hazardous pesticides will be regulated, with inspections of suppliers and manufacturers to prevent illegal distribution.
- Children’s Protection Measures:
- The Department of Basic Education will issue guidelines on food safety for schools.
- A public education campaign will be launched to raise awareness about foodborne illnesses and the dangers of hazardous chemicals.
- Long-Term Solutions:
- Rat infestations, exacerbated by poor waste management, will be addressed at the municipal level.
- A Ministerial Health Advisory Committee will be set up to develop long-term preventive measures.
- The Department of Agriculture is reviewing pesticide regulation to ensure stricter controls.
- Community Involvement and Safety:
- President Ramaphosa urged South Africans to only purchase food from licensed, regulated vendors, check food safety labels, and report unsafe practices to the National Consumer Commission.
- He emphasized the importance of responsible pesticide use and proper storage, especially in informal shops.
- Collective Responsibility:
- The president called for nationwide unity in combating this crisis, underscoring that tackling this issue requires cooperation from all sectors of society, from local communities to national authorities.
SOUTH AFRICA SETS STRICTER RULES FOR SCHOOL VENDORS FOLLOWING FOOD POISONING CASES
After President Ramaphosa’s address on child deaths linked to foodborne illnesses, the Gauteng Department of Education has set tighter regulations for school food vendors. The department’s Tuesday announcement specifies that vendors must meet strict standards for food safety and storage to protect students from harm.
- Compliance Requirements: All food vendors must adhere to legal and health regulations to ensure safe food handling and storage.
- Certificate of Acceptability (CoA): Vendors must have a valid CoA, verified by an Environmental Health Practitioner (EHP).
- Registration Deadline: Unregistered sellers must register with relevant authorities within 21 days from 15 November 2024.
- Verification: Districts and schools must verify vendors’ CoAs and confirm compliance with hygiene and safety standards.
- Food Sourcing: Vendors must ensure food is sourced from reputable suppliers and is free from harmful substances.
- Reporting and Awareness: Schools must submit daily food-related incident reports, share food safety materials, and follow National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) guidelines.
- Foodborne Illness Management: Schools must follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for food poisoning cases and ensure quick responses.
- Non-Compliance Reporting: Instances of non-compliance should be reported to the District Office or Consumer Goods Council for inspection and necessary actions.
ZAMBIA, ESWATINI SIGNS MOU TO EXPAND INVESTMENT AND TRADE RELATIONS
The Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) have formalized a partnership through an MoU aimed at enhancing bilateral business cooperation.
The agreement aims to boost trade and investment between Eswatini and Zambia, emphasizing institutional growth, mutual capacity building, and collaboration in areas like trade promotion, investment facilitation, and the sharing of data on policies, regulations, and incentives.
ZDA and EIPA will collaborate on technical exchanges, linking exporters with local buyers, promoting SME partnerships, and organizing trade missions, exhibitions, and conferences to strengthen business ties and development efforts.
ZDA Board chair Biemba Maliti called for a clear strategy between ZDA and EIPA to implement the MoU, emphasizing collaboration to promote investment, skill transfer, and the growth of key economic sectors in both countries.
NIGERIA SET TO LAUNCH LOCAL PRODUCTION OF VEHICLE SPARE PARTS
The NADDC has announced plans for Nigeria to begin local production of vehicle spare parts, helping to reduce the $1 billion the country currently spends annually on imports.
During a two-week automotive training in Abuja, NADDC Director General Joseph Osanipin stated that the required structures are set up, and Fidelis Achiv reaffirmed the council’s commitment to revolutionizing Nigeria’s automotive sector.
Achiv stated, “We are working to achieve a level whereby we can go back to assembling vehicles that have up to 40% locally manufactured components,” pointing out that current assembly practices do not contribute much to the economy.
Achiv pointed out the need to move from simply assembling vehicles to domestic production of essential parts, suggesting that manufacturing just 10 high-quality components locally could greatly boost Nigeria’s economy, with “Our economy will change,” he stated, stressing the potential for job creation and value addition.
The training, in collaboration with Midas IT Co., taught 15 participants advanced Midas NFX software skills, while Zubair urged them to apply their learning to drive innovation in the automotive industry.
NIGERIAN GOVERNOR SIGNS N70,000 MINIMUM WAGE WITH LABOUR LEADERS
On Tuesday (19 Nov.), Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji signed an agreement with state workers to implement a new minimum wage of N70,000, effective 1 December.
The state government and labor leaders have agreed on the new minimum wage through a signed MoU, which will now include all Ekiti workers and pensioners.
The wage deal was officially signed by the Head of Service, Folakemi Olomojobi, for the state government, and by labor leaders for the workers.
Mr. Olomojobi shared that Governor Oyebanji approved the template as presented, showing his commitment to workers’ welfare, and thanked the labor leaders for their support, calling the governor a “worker-friendly governor.”
NAMIBIA ELECTIONS: HERE ARE THE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT
Namibia is set to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on November 27, after Nangolo Mbumba replaced the late Hage Geingob as interim president.
Here are the main candidates running for president:
NETUMBO NANDI-NDAITWAH
Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, a former SWAPO representative and Namibia’s first female presidential candidate, has held key government roles, including minister of international relations and environment.
PANDULENI ITULA
Panduleni Itula, 67, former SWAPO youth leader, gained 29% of the 2019 presidential vote as an independent, later founding the IPC party.
MCHENRY VENAANI
McHenry Venaani, 47, leader of Namibia’s largest opposition party, the PDM, holds 16 out of 96 seats in parliament and came third in the 2019 presidential race with 5% of votes.
BERNADUS SWARTBOOI
Bernadus Swartbooi, 47, leader of the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) holds four parliamentary seats and secured 3% of the vote in the 2019 presidential election.
JOB AMUPANDA
Job Amupanda, 37, a former SWAPO youth leader, founded Affirmative Repositioning in 2014, focusing on land reform, and served as Windhoek’s mayor in 2021 while teaching political science at the University of Namibia.
UGANDAN OPPOSITION POLITICIAN KIDNAPPED IN KENYA, HIS WIFE SAYS
Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye was “kidnapped” in Nairobi on Saturday (16 Nov.) and is now confined in a military prison in Kampala, this is according to his wife also Executive Director of
UNAIDS Winnie Byanyima.
According to his wife, Winnie Byanyima, Dr. Kizza Besigye went missing on Saturday in Nairobi, where he was attending a book launch hosted by Kenya’s former Justice Minister, Martha Karua, and is now detained.
Winnie Byanyima wrote on Twitter (now X), demanding the government of Uganda to release leader Kizza Besigye.
Per the Tweet:
“I request the govt of Uganda to release my husband Dr Kizza Besigye from where he is being held immediately.
He was kidnapped last Saturday while he was in Nairobi for Hon Martha Karua’s book launch. I am now reliably informed that he is in a military jail in Kampala.
We his family and his lawyers demand to see him. He is not a soldier. Why is he being held in a military jail?”
Dr. Resila Atieno Onyango, the spokesperson for the Kenyan National Police Service, has refuted the allegations that the Ugandan opposition leader was abducted in Nairobi.
ABDIRAHMAN MOHAMED ABDULLAHI WINS SOMALILAND PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
The recent presidential election in Somaliland saw Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi of the Waddani Party win with over 50% of the vote, according to the electoral commission’s announcement on Tuesday (19 Nov.).
He defeated the sitting president, Muse Bihi Abdi, who garnered just over 30% of the votes.
Despite Somaliland’s self-declared independence since 1991, Somalia still claims it as part of its territory.
This election follows delays due to funding issues and comes amid growing tensions in the Horn of Africa region, especially after Somaliland’s recent agreement with Ethiopia, which recognizes its sovereignty in return for access to the Indian Ocean.
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