South African Breeder Is Accused of $14 Million Rhino Horn Smuggling Ring

South African breeder is accused of $14 million rhino horn smuggling ring By Michelle Gumede, 10 hours ago South AfricaRhino Syndicate Crime Invision South African prosecutors have accused a well-known rhino breeder of operating a global rhino horn smuggling network alongside five other people. John Hume, 83, owns one of the world's largest rhino herds at his Johannesburg ranch. He and the others are accused of a scheme involving 964 rhino horns valued at $14.1 million. Hume has not publicly commented. Hume was granted $5,000 bond by the Pretoria magistrates court, according to the National Prosecuting Authority, after he and the others handed themselves over to police on Tuesday. Bail conditions included turning over their passports. Prosecutors said they next appear in court on Dec. 9. A seven-year investigation by South African authorities found the suspects allegedly secured permits under false pretenses to buy and sell rhino horns domestically while funneling the horns into illegal markets in Southeast Asia. Under South African law, domestic trade is permitted with valid permits. However, international commercial trade in rhino horn is banned under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. According to a blog promoting the private reserve that he opened in 2009, Hume and his staff at Rhinos of Buffalo Dream Ranch care for over 1,600 rhinos, including over 1,000 that have been bred there. The six suspects, including a lawyer, insurance broker and game reserve manager, are charged with 55 counts including racketeering, fraud, theft and money laundering. The country's environment minister, Dion George, called the investigation “a powerful demonstration of South Africa’s resolve to protect its natural heritage.” South Africa fights an ongoing battle to protect endangered rhinos, with a reported 103 killed between Jan. 1 and March 31, according to the government. Authorities have focused in recent years on criminal syndicates they believe are behind much of the poaching. The country has the world's largest rhino population with an estimated 16,000 to 18,000, according to conservation groups. That includes white rhinos and the critically endangered black ones.

Angola: Nothing To Lose Protestors Will Continue Despite Crack Down

Nothing to Lose: Frustrated Angolans Say They Will Continue Protests Despite Crackdowns Angola A few weeks ago, the National Association of Taxi Drivers of Angola called a strike to protest a 33 percent increase in the price of fuel in the capital city of Luanda. The local police department, however, banned the strike, calling it a rebellion. The strike morphed into a popular uprising in Angola, one of Africa’s leading oil producers. Thousands of people hit the streets in cities across the country for three days to protest the ban, the petrol price increase, and the rising cost of living. “The fuel price issue is just the last straw that has reignited widespread public discontent,” Laura Macedo, who was participating in the protests, told the BBC. “Hunger is rife. People are fed up.” There were violent clashes between protesters and police, who used live ammunition and accused the strike leaders of terrorism. When the violence was over, dozens lay dead, hundreds more were injured, and more than 1,000 had been jailed. Analysts say such events are routine for Angola, which has been ruled with an iron fist by the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) party since the country gained independence from Portugal in 1975. But many Angolans are tired of the situation now, say observers. “The protesters are frustrated not only by the fuel hike, but also …the perceived indifference of the government to the struggles of everyday Angolans,” wrote Deutsche Welle. The government says the petrol price hike is necessary: Subsidies for fuel account for about 4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), and debt exceeds 60 percent of GDP. It adds that the crackdown was justified because of the looting and vandalism that occurred during the protests, calling the unrest “unpatriotic” and a threat to “unity, reconciliation, peace and progress.” But observers say almost all protests, no matter how peaceful, elicit harsh responses. For example, earlier this year, the Angolan Student Movement took to the streets to demand more investment in public education and improved conditions for teachers and students. Police responded with violence and arrested at least 50 students and three journalists covering the protest. A protest in early July against the rise in fuel prices and the elimination of subsidies for public transportation was also met with excessive force, wrote Human Rights Watch. Desperate conditions in Angola mean that protesters are going to keep coming back, say analysts. The capital may be full of gleaming skyscrapers and colonial architecture, but that shiny exterior hides grim statistics. Despite its oil-rich soil, Angola’s minimum monthly wage is under $76, one of the lowest globally. The average person earns $200 a month, and more than 80 percent of those with jobs work in the informal sector. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate among 15-24 years old is 54 percent. As a result, the MPLA has sunk deeply in the polls. President João Lourenço came to power after a disputed election in 2017, replacing José Eduardo dos Santos, who ran the country for 38 years. Lourenço promised to reform the economy, restore democracy, and crack down on corruption. But midway through his second and final term, he hasn’t delivered, observers say. Instead, the opposition has made gains, with the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) winning the capital in the 2022 elections and the MPLA just barely squeezing out a majority nationwide. Now some worry that the protests will continue and become more violent, eliciting harsher crackdowns and threatening the stability of the country. “A greater use of force won’t stop future protests,” David Boio, a sociology professor in the central Angolan city of Huambo told Bloomberg. “These young people have nothing to lose.”

Fighting Resumes Between The Congo and M23 Rebels Despite Cease Fire

Fighting Resumes Between DRC and M23 Rebels Despite Ceasefire Democratic Republic of the Congo / Rwanda Fighting has broken out between the Congolese army and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in the mineral-rich eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), despite agreeing to a ceasefire last month, Le Monde reported. The DRC and the M23 rebels, which have been clashing since Friday near the town of Mulamba in the South Kivu province, signed a declaration of principles in Qatar on July 19 and a permanent ceasefire following a US-brokered peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda in late June. M23 spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka accused the DRC on Monday of “offensive military maneuvers with a view to a large-scale conflict.” On Tuesday, the DRC army said daily attacks by M23 were taking place and that it “reserved the right to respond,” added France 24. According to the declaration of principles, the DRC and the M23 rebels committed to a ban on aerial, ground, maritime, and lake-based attacks, as well as acts of sabotage, hate propaganda, and any attempt to gain new ground by force. The deal also held a provision to restore DRC authority across the eastern part of the country held by the M23 rebels. M23 has gained significant territory in resource-rich eastern DRC after it invaded the region earlier this year, also taking the regional centers of Goma and Bukavu. The conflict has killed thousands of people and displaced millions, creating one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

Nigerian Military Target Bandit Group Terrorizing Local Population

Nigerian Military Target Bandit Group Terrorizing Local Population Nigeria The Nigerian military launched air and ground raids over the weekend that killed more than 100 gunmen, known locally as bandits, suspected to be members of criminal gangs operating in the northwestern Zamfara state, the BBC reported. The air force said it conducted the raid Sunday in the restive Zamfara state’s Bukkuyum area, where fighter jets and ground troops targeted a gathering of more than 400 gang members at their camp in the Makakkari forest. The operation aimed to eliminate the gunmen, suspected of carrying out high-profile kidnappings in the region, after surveillance detected the bandits preparing to attack a farming village. A spokesperson for the air force said the strikes killed several notorious bandit leaders and dozens of their soldiers, including some trying to flee the area, according to France 24 Armed groups of bandits have plagued communities in northwest and central Nigeria for years, attacking villages, abducting residents for ransom, and setting homes on fire after looting them. In the past two weeks, armed gangs have attacked nearby settlements, leaving dozens of people dead and abducting numerous others. In an attack on Bukkuyum’s Adabka village Friday, an unknown number of residents were kidnapped and at least 13 members of security forces were killed. Nigeria’s banditry crisis began as a dispute over land and water rights between herders and farmers but has now morphed into an organized crime war, with gangs targeting rural communities that have little to no government support. In these impoverished areas, cattle rustling and kidnapping are lucrative activities, while the gangs also impose taxes on farmers and artisanal miners. The conflict is worsening malnutrition in the northwest by forcing people to abandon their farms, a situation further complicated by climate change and Western aid cuts. The violence has persisted despite efforts by the government, with analysts explaining that the military is stretched thin while bandits expand beyond their stronghold in the northwest into central Nigeria. Bandits, mostly driven by financial gain, have been teaming up with Nigeria’s jihadist groups, which have been engaged in a separate armed insurgency in the northeast for the past 16 years.

(2 Year Old Belgian Nobleman To BE Tried For The Murder Of The Leader Of The Congo Over 60 Years Ago

The Long Arc of Atonement: Belgium to Try Nonagenarian Nobleman For Six-Decade-Old Congolese Murder Belgium On June 30, 1960, Patrice Lumumba gave a landmark speech at a handover ceremony marking the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s independence from Belgium, telling the audience in an indictment of colonialism that “…(it was a) humiliating slavery which was imposed on us by force.” With that speech, the fiery critic of colonial rule became an African icon. But the country’s first prime minister also angered the West, especially Belgium and its ruler, King Baudouin, who was in attendance that day, and who, according to witnesses, spoke about independence as if it were a gift from his country. Seven months later, Lumumba was dead, ousted in coup, shot and dismembered with his body burned in acid – essentially disappeared – with the backing of Belgium and the United States: Belgium opposed Lumumba’s plans to nationalize the country’s mines, while the US was threatened by his closeness to the Soviet Union in the midst of the Cold War. Now, more than six decades later, Belgium is set to try one of its scions of society, Étienne, Count Davignon, 92, for complicity in Lumumba’s murder in what is the latest attempt by European countries to atone for their colonial legacies. “There are very few cases where a former colonial state agrees to address colonial crimes and to consider (trying perpetrators) … even if it’s a very long time after,” Christophe Marchand, a lawyer for the Lumumba family, told the Guardian. “The idea is to have a judicial trial and to (discover) the truth about what happened, and not only the role of Étienne Davignon – because he was just one part in the whole criminal enterprise.” In June, Belgian prosecutors announced they would try Davignon, who in 1961 was a well-connected diplomat-in-training in the Congo when Lumumba, 35 – along with two other officials – were killed. Davignon is the only one out of 10 Belgians accused of complicity in the murders who is still alive. If he goes on trial, Davignon would be the first Belgian to face justice in Lumumba’s killing. “We’re moving in the right direction,” Juliana Lumumba, the daughter of the former Congolese leader, told Belgian broadcaster RTBF. “What we’re seeking is, first and foremost, the truth.” The “truth” about Lumumba’s murder has been the subject of numerous books and articles over the past few decades, and now even two recent films. Lumumba became Congo’s first prime minister after it gained independence from Belgium, whose rule was brutal even by colonial standards. Meanwhile, besides being despised and feared by Belgium and the United States, he was presiding over a divided country and was ousted in a coup orchestrated by separatists a few months after taking office. Imprisoned, he escaped but was recaptured and transferred to the southern region of Katanga, where he was executed on January 17, 1961, with the support of Belgian mercenaries. His body was never recovered. Davignon, meanwhile, who went on to serve in high-level positions in the Belgian government and also in business, also served as vice president of the European Commission in the 1980s. He is accused of involvement in the “unlawful detention and transfer of a prisoner of war,” his “deprivation of the right to a fair trial,” and his “inhuman and degrading treatment,” Belgian prosecutors said. He had also been charged with intent to kill but that charge is expected to be dropped. The first hearing in the case is set for January 2026. The case is the latest effort by Belgium to reckon with its role in Lumumba’s killing.  In 1999, Belgium launched a parliamentary commission to examine the murder after the publication of an explosive book on the subject. The commission concluded that Belgium had “moral responsibility” for the assassination. The government apologized to the Democratic Republic of the Congo a year later. About a decade later, Juliana Lumumba’s brother François filed a complaint with the courts, accusing the Belgian state of war crimes and torture, and of complicity in the murder of his father. In 2022, Belgium returned a tooth belonging to Lumumba to his family: It was seized by Belgian authorities in 2016 from the daughter of a policeman, Gérard Soete, who had admitted to dismembering Lumumba and the other two officials, and taking two teeth, while working in the Congo. These efforts fall short, say Lumumba’s family members, who add that his murder reverberates to this day. “It was Congolese democracy that was beheaded with Lumumba’s assassination – Congo still suffers from it today,” a relative of the former prime minister, Jean-Jacques Lumumba, told Afrique XXI. “The fact that this democracy was halted in its early stages plunged the country into the chaos we still know.” Share this story

Mali: Dozens Of Soldiers Arrested For Alleged Coup

Dozens of Soldiers Arrested in Mali For Alleged Coup Mali Malian officials arrested dozens of soldiers suspected of plotting to overthrow the ruling military junta, which itself came to power through a coup, amid growing discontent among the military and the public over the ongoing turmoil across the nation, France 24 reported. A Malian security official told Agence France-Presse that at least 20 people were arrested, while a lawmaker in the National Transition Council put the number at 50, saying they were all soldiers who shared the goal of overthrowing the junta. Among those arrested was Gen. Abass Dembele, a respected military officer and former governor of the central Mopti region. The wave of arrests highlights rising tensions within the military government amid reports of a jihadist insurgency gaining ground in the north region of the West African country. Analysts say there is also growing political tension following the junta’s crackdown on former prime ministers Moussa Mara and Choguel Maïga, accused of damaging the state’s reputation and embezzlement, the BBC noted. Mara, a vocal critic of the military government, has been in custody since Aug. 1, while Maïga faces ongoing judicial proceedings. Junta leader Gen. Assimi Goïta, 41, seized power in a coup in 2020 and then again in 2021. He had promised elections to return the country to civilian rule last year but has not set a date. In July, the transitional period was extended by five years, allowing Goïta to stay in power until at least 2030. In May, the junta also dissolved all political parties after rare anti-government protests, a move that Mara called a serious setback to the reconciliation efforts launched by the military leaders last year. Mali has been grappling with Islamist insurgencies since 2012, a key reason for the military takeover. However, violent attacks by militants linked to Al-Qaeda or Islamic State groups have escalated in the country. Along with its neighbors, Niger and Burkina Faso, the junta expelled French troops after the coups and formed new alliances, notably with Russia, whose mercenary Wagner Group and its successor Africa Corps have helped in the fights against jihadists and separatists, but are also accused of human rights violations.

Zimbabwe: Is "Trying To Right A Wrong" Zimbabwe Divises The Country

In Trying To Right a ‘Wrong,’ Zimbabwe Divides the Country Zimbabwe When Zimbabwe earlier this year decided to pay reparations to White farmers who were forced off their land 25 years ago – often at gunpoint – many believed the country could turn the page on its past. However, most of the farmers offered money said thanks, but no thanks. They believe they are getting a bad deal, saying that the majority of the payment, in bonds that mature in 10 years, is too little, too late. “The limited number of farmers who have accepted the government’s revised deal have generally done so because they are destitute and require urgent funds for food, accommodation and healthcare,” Deon Theron, 71, who was forced off his farm in 2008 and represents 1,000 other White farmers, told the Associated Press, adding that there are no guarantees the bonds would be honored in a decade. White farmers also say the new program is a stunt to curry favor with US President Donald Trump, who began a refugee resettlement program this year for White South African farmers he claims face threats from the government. Meanwhile, the push to reconcile the past is dividing the country, with many Zimbabweans furious over the deal. “There is no justification whatsoever for compensating the former commercial farmers because for decades, they made huge amounts of money from that land,” Kudzai Mutisi, a Zimbabwean analyst, told Voice of America. “And that land, they acquired these through colonization – they never bought the land – it is something that they acquired through use of brutal force. But here we are: A Black government trying to compensate the abuser. It is irrational, it is bizarre and it should be stopped immediately.” Before the turn of this century, the country had about 4,000 White farmers. White Zimbabweans then made up 4 percent of the population and owned half of all the land in the country. But long-time dictator Robert Mugabe, facing growing opposition to his rule, particularly from independence war veterans, launched a land reform program to seize these parcels in 2000, ostensibly to redress colonial-era land grabs: Zimbabweans were violently forced off their land after the British arrived in 1890. His plan became Africa’s biggest modern-day land revolution, say analysts, while bringing down the wrath of the Western world on the country in the form of economic sanctions, White flight, and the exit of multinationals. The economy collapsed. In the ensuing years, the agricultural sector, the backbone of the Zimbabwean economy, collapsed because many of those who took over the farms didn’t have the skills, the finances, the labor or sometimes the interest to manage the farms. After Mugabe was ousted in 2017, his successor, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, inherited a broken economy, barely functioning farms, food shortages, and soaring unemployment. In an effort to turn the situation around, he’s pushing the compensation program in the hopes of getting foreign loans, investment, and the restructuring of the country’s huge foreign debt – a condition imposed by Western donors. The program, under the law, is to provide money to the farmers only for infrastructure and improvements to the land such as buildings. The land itself, says the government, was illegally seized from its original owners and merits no compensation. The government is offering compensation totaling $3.5 billion but the farmers can only receive 1 percent of the total in cash – the rest is in US dollar-denominated treasury bonds that mature in a decade. The payouts are to 3,500 White Zimbabwean farmers, 400 Black farmers, and a few dozen foreign farmers, mainly Europeans. However, the farmers want a $10 billion settlement in cash immediately. Meanwhile, veterans of the 1970s war of independence say they are angry at how long land reform took following independence from the United Kingdom in 1980: British land appropriations were at the heart of that struggle. As a result, some veterans are suing over the program, saying that Zimbabwe can’t afford to pay the White farmers while the rest of the country is struggling. They add that the compensation agreement was kept secret, a violation of the law. Others say the original 2000 land reform program didn’t benefit many landless Black Zimbabweans but instead doled out land to those connected to the Mugabe regime and other wealthy elites, to reward loyalty. Rejoice Ngwenya, a political analyst based in Harare, says Mugabe’s land reform was not about Black empowerment. “It had motives: firstly, to pacify war veterans that were agitating for more recognition – secondly, to punish white commercial farmers who were supporting the opposition,” he told Al Jazeera. “The man was insecure.” Analysts added that while the 2000 land reform program did help some Black Zimbabweans, some Black farmers saw their land taken from them, too. Still, a small group of farmers has accepted the deal, most of them elderly, ill, and desperate for the cash. “I believe this is the only opportunity. We can’t wait 10 years for another deal,” 71-year-old Arthur Baisley told the BBC. “It was difficult for my family in the beginning but life goes on, you have to move on.”

Cape Town To Get Second Tallest Skyscraper In Africa

Cape Town CBD to get second-tallest skyscraper After more than a decade of planning, speculation, and redesign, Cape Town is officially entering a bold new era of urban development. Author picture By Garrin Lambley 09-08-25 13:46 in Property Cape Town skyscraper After more than a decade of planning, speculation, and redesign, Cape Town is officially entering a bold new era of urban development. Image: Supplied After more than a decade of planning, speculation, and redesign, Cape Town is officially entering a bold new era of urban development. The city’s second-tallest skyscraper, a 41-storey mixed-use tower, has received final approval from Building Development Management (BDM), clearing the way for full-scale construction at 1 Bree Street. Cape Town’s tallest building is the Portside Tower, which stands at 139m. ADVERTISEMENT The landmark project, which has already begun preliminary demolition works, is poised to become a new architectural icon in the Mother City, dramatically altering the skyline and revitalising the heart of the Central Business District. Ambitious Scale and Vision Standing at a projected height of 131 metres, the new tower will encompass 66 000m² of developed space. The building will feature: 505 hotel rooms 270 residential apartments 4 000m² of retail space A luxurious 22nd-floor swimming pool with sweeping city views The design also thoughtfully integrates a heritage building on the corner of the site, merging historic charm with contemporary glass and steel architecture. ‘Acsiopolis 2’: A Nickname for a Landmark Online fans and architecture watchers have already dubbed the development “Acsiopolis 2”, drawing comparisons to the original high-rise of the same name in Sandton, Johannesburg. Much like its northern counterpart, the Cape Town tower aims to blend lifestyle, commerce, and hospitality in a vertical format that reflects global urban design trends. ADVERTISEMENT The project is being led by a prominent developer listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), with an extensive portfolio spanning light industrial, retail, and mixed-use assets both in South Africa and internationally, including in Cyprus. Their experience is expected to deliver a high-quality build that speaks to both scale and sophistication. With its elegant architecture, diverse functionality, and central location, the 1 Bree Street skyscraper is set to become a flagship feature of Cape Town’s future skyline, reinforcing its position as a modern African metropolis. If you can’t go sideways, go up … right? 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Protestors In Ivory Coast Oppose Leader's Fourth Term

Protesters In Ivory Coast Oppose Leader’s Fourth Term Ivory Coast Thousands of people took to the streets of the country’s largest city, Abidjan, over the weekend to protest the exclusion of leading opposition figures from Ivory Coast’s October presidential election, as incumbent President Alassane Ouattara said he would seek a fourth term, the Associated Press reported. On Saturday, demonstrators protested in Yopougon, a densely populated suburb of the city, carrying banners reading “Enough is enough!” and “No true democracy without true justice.” They also voiced support for former President Laurent Gbagbo and Democratic Party of Ivory Coast (PDCI) leader Tidjane Thiam, who were barred – along with two other opposition figures – from running in the upcoming race. Gbagbo and Thiam formed an alliance earlier this year to challenge Ouattara, who has been in power since 2010. Ouattara, 83, announced in July that he would seek another term, sparking criticism from opponents who accuse him of undermining democracy. Analysts said that Ouattara is able to run because he amended the constitution in 2016 to remove presidential term limits. The move makes the West African president the latest among a growing number of regional leaders who remain in power by changing the rules. There was no immediate response from Ivorian authorities to Saturday’s protest, but past elections in Ivory Coast have been marred by unrest. Ouattara’s bid for a third term in 2020 triggered violence that left several people dead. The president cited unprecedented security, economic, and monetary challenges that required experienced leadership as his reason to run again, according to Agence France-Presse. Ivory Coast, a top producer of cocoa, is one of the biggest economies in West Africa. However, armed groups affiliated with al Qaeda and Islamic State have been spreading from the Sahel region into wealthier West African coastal states, such as Ivory Coast, Togo, and Benin. Share this story

Rwanda Becomes The Latest African Country To Accept U.S. Deportees

Rwanda Becomes Latest African Country To Accept US Deportees Rwanda Rwanda confirmed this week that it will accept up to 250 deportees from the US under a new deal with the Trump administration, becoming the latest country to join Washington’s expanding third-country deportation program, the Associated Press reported. Rwanda government spokesperson Yolande Makolo confirmed the deal but didn’t provide a timeline for the deportations. According to the scheme, the migrants would receive “workforce training, health care, and accommodation to jump start their lives in Rwanda,” Makolo confirmed to the BBC. Rwanda, an East African nation of around 15 million people, will have the right to approve every person considered for resettlement. Rumors of a deal between Rwanda and the US first arose in May, when Rwanda’s foreign affairs minister said that, having endured a genocide in the mid-1990s, the country is guided by a spirit of offering “another chance” to migrants facing issues in countries across the world. Makolo said Rwanda proceeded with the deal with the US because many Rwandan families have experienced the challenges of displacement firsthand. She emphasized that the values of Rwandan society are deeply rooted in reintegration and rehabilitation. Human rights experts, however, warned that deporting migrants to a country that is not their place of origin – known as a third country – could be a violation of international law. In recent years, Rwanda has positioned itself as a destination for migrants that Western countries would like to remove, Reuters noted. However, the country has faced criticism over its human rights record, with concerns that migrants sent there might be deported again to countries where they could face harm and where they might have no ties and not even speak the language. The Rwandan government insists it can offer a safe place for these individuals. Rwanda reached a deal in 2022 with the United Kingdom to take migrants who had traveled to the UK to seek asylum. According to the plan, their asylum claims would be processed in Rwanda, and those approved would remain there instead of returning to the UK. This controversial agreement faced strong criticism from human rights organizations and was abandoned after the UK’s Supreme Court ruled it was unconstitutional in 2023. The US is seeking additional deals with African nations to take in migrants whose home countries have refused to allow them to return. This is part of US President Donald Trump’s plans to expel people he claims entered the country illegally and labeled as “the worst of the worst.” Eswatini and war-torn South Sudan have already accepted 13 people deported by the US, while Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Panama have taken in hundreds of Venezuelans and other deportees. Some analysts say the US has used aid and trade to pressure countries such as South Sudan and Eswatini into taking the deportees.

The Ceasefire Between Rwanda and The DRC-Peace Is An Afterthought

In The Ceasefire Between Rwanda And The DRC, Peace Is An Afterthought Democratic Republic of the Congo / Rwanda There was much fanfare after a peace agreement was signed in late June to end decades of warfare between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Officials such as US President Donald Trump hailed the US-brokered agreement as a big step in finally stopping a brutal conflict that has killed thousands and displaced millions just this year. “Today, the violence and destruction comes to an end, and the entire region begins a new chapter of hope and opportunity, harmony, prosperity and peace,” Trump told the foreign ministers of the two countries at the White House signing, calling the agreement the “Washington Accord.” But despite the ceremonies and the plaudits, many observers just shake their heads, saying the peace won’t hold because it wasn’t the main aim in the first place. “While Trump has all but proclaimed a historic peace, worthy in his mind of the Nobel Peace Prize he covets, the war has raged on, deepening a humanitarian catastrophe worsened by the impact of US funding cuts to international aid,” wrote World Politics Review. “These contradictions have fueled skepticism among observers about whether these diplomatic breakthroughs will deliver on the ambitious promises made to the people of the region, or whether they are simply politically expedient transactional exchanges based on narrow security and economic interests.” In this deal, the DRC and Rwanda have agreed to respect each other’s territorial integrity and cease hostilities, while the agreement also paves the way for greater US investment in the DRC’s critical minerals. Another agreement, negotiated by Qatar in July, was signed by the DRC and the M23 militia, the Rwanda-backed rebel group that invaded parts of eastern DRC earlier this year. It pledges to end the fighting in the eastern DRC but doesn’t address Rwandan and M23 withdrawals from that region or when Congolese authority over the captured territory will resume. It does, however, set a date for negotiations for a peace agreement – Aug. 8 – and a deadline 10 days later to finalize a deal. The problem is that both agreements do little to address the root causes of the conflict, omissions that some say will preclude a lasting peace. Others, however, are more optimistic, adding that they promote long-term stability in the region. The fighting between the two countries has its roots in the Rwandan genocide in 1994. After it ended, some of those responsible fled to the DRC to escape retribution from troops led by Paul Kagame, who led a rebel army in the 1990s and has been president of Rwanda since 2000. Since then, Rwanda has periodically invaded the DRC – either directly or through its proxies – it says to capture those former Rwandan soldiers, some of whom formed the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). Those attempts have led to two regional wars that killed millions of people in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The fighting, however, continues to this day, now involving more than 120 militias and armed groups active in the eastern provinces of the DRC – some are aligned with Rwanda or the Congolese army, while others fight Burundi or Uganda, or are affiliated with Islamic State. During the most recent flare-up that began in January, the M23 militia, backed by Rwanda, marched into the eastern region and captured territory that included the regional centers of Goma and Bukavu. M23’s brutal advance, which killed 7,000 people and displaced millions, threatened to blow up into another regional war, drawing in Burundi, Uganda, and South Africa. That’s part of the problem with the peace agreements now, say observers. They fail to involve other regional players in a conflict that is broader than just the DRC or Rwanda. Another issue is that it is based on narrow interests beyond peace, say analysts. For example, the US wants to displace China, which dominates the mineral-rich country’s mining sector and open the door for its investors. Qatar is looking out for its existing investments in Rwanda and the DRC. Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, who as per the agreement has promised to disband the FDLR, wants to stay in power and keep his country together. Meanwhile, Rwanda and its M23 partners, which hold the cards, have no interest in leaving the eastern part of the Congo without the threat of harsh sanctions or a steep payoff, say observers, adding that such a carrot-and-stick approach may not be enough to offset the territorial ambitions of Rwanda and the riches they covet from the region. In the DRC, meanwhile, locals speak about the peace deals as if they have heard it all before. “People are tired,” one resident of Goma told the BBC. “They are not interested in talks. All they want is peace.”

Stranger than Oumuamua UPDATE! What will happen if 3I Atlas hits the Ea...

South African Airways Launches Direct Flights between Cape Town and Mauritius

New international route from Cape Town set to launch this December Capetonians can now anticipate a new non-stop international flight from the city directly to the island paradise of Mauritius. By Sundeeka Mungroo 29-07-25 18:04 in Featured international flight A new international flight from Cape Town kicks off this December. Image: Pexels South African Airways (SAA) will expand its regional network by launching its first direct flights between Cape Town and Mauritius. The airline will begin the service on Tuesday, 9 December 2025, giving Western Cape travellers a quicker and more convenient connection to the popular island destination. This new international route is expected to boost tourism in both South Africa and Mauritius. SAA to launch first-ever Cape Town–Mauritius direct route The airline will initially operate three weekly flights to the island on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, according to the following schedule: Outbound flight: Departs Cape Town at 09:25, arriving in Mauritius at 16:30 (approximately five hours). Return flight: Departs Mauritius at 17:20, landing in Cape Town at 21:30. Then, from mid-January to mid-March 2026, the route will shift to twice-weekly operations to align with seasonal travel demand. SAA described the launch as a key milestone in its network strategy as well as a win for leisure travellers. “Connecting Cape Town with Mauritius is a fascinating achievement that our team has been aspiring towards for quite some time,” the airline said, as per BusinessTech. “The introduction of this route demonstrates SAA’s role in promoting leisure travel across the region and supports the broader tourism objectives for both South Africa and Mauritius.” it added. Tags: Cape Town DMumani featured flight Important Mauritius South Africa

A Great Cape Town Winery

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Angola: Anti Government Protests Erupt

Demonstrations Against Government Erupt in Angola Angola Anti-government demonstrations involving thousands of people in Angola’s capital of Luanda turned violent this week, killing four, in one of the most disruptive waves of mass protests the country has seen in recent years, the BBC reported. The demonstrations, which continued Tuesday and closed major shops, banks, and businesses, arose from a three-day strike by taxi drivers over the weekend protesting rising petrol prices. It then morphed into anti-government demonstrations against the almost five decades of rule by the governing People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) party. The protests were smaller than Monday’s demonstrations, where angry Angolans blocked roads, looted shops, torched cars, and clashed with police. “The fuel price issue is just the last straw that has reignited widespread public discontent…,” local activist Laura Macedo told the BBC. “People are fed up. Hunger is rife.” After Monday’s clashes, officials warned residents to stay home, describing the protests as “acts of vandalism” aiming to undermine the celebration of Angola’s 50th anniversary of independence. The protests erupted after taxi drivers called the strike in response to the government’s decision earlier this month to raise the price of diesel by more than 33 percent. The move is part of efforts to eliminate fuel subsidies in the oil-rich country. This price hike has not only led to higher taxi fares for Angolans, who rely on taxi services, but has also caused the prices of basic goods to increase. Angolan President João Lourenço belittled these concerns, arguing that protesters are using the price hikes as an excuse to undermine the government. He added that even after the increase, the price of diesel in Angola remains one of the lowest in the world. The average monthly salary in Angola is around $75, and the president’s promise to increase wages to around $120 has gone nowhere, critics say.

A Brave South African Woman Pilot From World War II

The Giant Killer · Follow July 27 at 1:38 PM · WWII Hero Spitfire Pilot Jackie Moggridge: Moggridge joined the Hatfield Ferry Pool on July 29th 1940, being the youngest of the female pilots, aged 18. The South African safely handed over 1,500 aircraft during the war, 83 different types and 200 more than any other ATA pilot. She had a very lucky escape on January 5, 1941 when ferrying an Oxford Mk I to RAF Kidlington, Oxfordshire, with no R/T to meet up with 1st O Amy Johnson who was bringing one in from Blackpool. Both went off course in adverse weather conditions, with Johnson following the rules, bailing out and drowning in the Thames Estuary. Sorour went down to a few hundred feet and found herself over the Bristol channel with 20 minutes fuel remaining. She claimed that she did not want to take to the chute because she had broken her leg during a parachute jump in 1938. Jackie also encountered a V-1 flying bomb in the air over Surrey while flying a Tempest. She altered course, fully intending to attempt to topple it with her wingtip, but failed to catch up to it. Jackie was also the first woman in South Africa to make a parachute jump. (4,000 feet).She was South Africa’s youngest pilot of her time age 17 years. November 1959 was awarded Jean Bird trophy as Woman of the year . She flew Lancaster, Spitfire and other planes as a RAF pilot during world was 2. She logged over 4,000 miles in flying over europe, North Africa and Middle East. To learn more about History's Bravest Women Warriors please the Book and Audiobook "Women in War"... A stirring, raw, and profoundly inspiring collection of over twenty true stories about the brave women who served and fought throughout history. Narrated by Julia Whelan, who provided the voice for NY Times best-selling book, The Women by Kristin Hannah. Buy it now! Amazon Link: https://a.co/d/ewuH7Yq #thewomen #kristinhannah #Armynurses #Nurses #Womenwarriors #biographies #Womeninhistory #inspirationalwomen #Thewomen #Womenincombat #Womenshistory #WW2 #Britishmilitary #Britishwomen #Booksonwomen #Audiobooksonwomen #kristinhannah

What $1,600,000 Will Buy You In Cape Town

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Sudan's RSF Forms Rival Government

Sudan’s RSF Forms Rival Government, Raising Split Fears Sudan Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its allies announced over the weekend they would form a parallel government in RSF-controlled territories, a move that has sparked fears of the East African country splitting apart, the Associated Press reported. The newly-formed Tasis Alliance named RSF commander Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo – also known as Hemedti – as head of a 15-member sovereign council, which will serve as head of state in the new government, mainly overseeing the western region of Darfur. Rebel leader Abdelaziz al-Hilu of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) will act as Dagalo’s deputy, while former civilian official Mohammed Hassan al-Taishi is appointed prime minister. The announcement took place in Nyala, the largest city in Darfur. Regional governors were also named, including for areas currently held by the Sudanese army. The new parallel government comes more than two years after Sudan plunged into civil war following a fallout between Dagalo and Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The two men had previously shared power after the ouster of autocrat Omar al-Bashir in 2019. However, a 2021 coup by the two forces then ousted civilian politicians, sparking a war over troop integration during a planned transition to democracy. The ongoing conflict has displaced millions, with tens of thousands killed and half the population facing famine, according to the United Nations. Both the SAF and RSF have been accused of war crimes, with both Dagalo and Burhan sanctioned by the United States over their role in the conflict. Saturday’s announcement came months after the RSF and allied groups signed a charter in February in Kenya that outlined plans for a secular “New Sudan” government, Reuters added. The SAF and the internationally recognized government in Khartoum immediately condemned the RSF’s move over the weekend. Sudan’s foreign ministry called the new administration a “fake government” and urged the international community not to engage with it. While Burhan has vowed to continue fighting until the army regains full control of Sudan, analysts warned that the formation of a rival administration risks further fragmentation.

Togo: Nowhere To Turn

Nowhere To Turn: Frustrated Voters in Togo Are Caught Between a Brutal Dictator, a ‘Useless’ Opposition, and ‘Violent’ Protesters Togo In mid-July, Togo held an election to choose 1,527 municipal representatives. Polling stations, however, were largely deserted in Togo’s capital of Lomé and elsewhere. Some voters stayed away out of fear of violence. Others said the elections wouldn’t change anything, so there was no point in voting. “I’ve been voting since 1998, but this year is nothing like the others,” Sémon Aboudou told the Associated Press, standing outside of a nearly empty voting center in the capital’s Bè district, considered an opposition stronghold. “Even in 2019, there was more enthusiasm. Now people don’t see any change coming.” There wasn’t any change coming from this election: The ruling Union for the Republic (UNIR) party, in power in some form for almost 60 years, won with about 75 percent of the vote. The main reason for the voter apathy and their fear was the outbreak of violence in June ahead of the elections. Days of anti-government protests, rare in the country of nine million, were met with an ensuing crackdown that left at least seven people dead, more than 100 people detained, and others who are still missing. Still, something has shifted in the country, say analysts. The protesters, defying a ban on demonstrations, turned out in force because they were furious over a constitutional reform that took effect in May that changed the governance system. That reform gave the country’s longtime ruler, Faure Gnassingbé, even more power, and allows him to stay in office indefinitely. It also meant that the presidents of the country are no longer elected directly. Gnassingbé took over the country after the death of his father, Gnassingbé Eyadéma, in 2005 without an election. His father was in power for almost four decades after assassinating the country’s first post-independence president in 1963 and launching two coups. Since then, the West African country, one of Africa’s poorest, but also one becoming increasingly important as a maritime and transit hub in the region, as well as a gateway to the Sahel – it is currently battling jihadists in that northern part of the country – has seen repression, rigged elections, and leaders that run the country like absolute monarchs. Before the protests erupted, anger had already been simmering over the spiraling cost of living in the country. Meanwhile, the results of the reform are deeply troubling even for a country that sees harsh repression but few protests, analysts say. “Togolese citizens have been stripped of their right to elect their president,” Paul Amegakpo, president of the Tamberma Institute for Governance, a Togolese think tank, told World Politics Review. “Even if elections were routinely rigged, removing (voters) altogether is deeply humiliating. And without term limits, Faure Gnassingbé can now remain in power for life.” The protests were initially sparked by calls for demonstrations by the popular rapper known as Aamron, who had long been publicly critical of the reforms. But they grew after he was arrested and physically and psychologically abused in custody. “Young people are exasperated by shortsighted and aimless governance, and by being held hostage by a regime incapable of providing the population with the basic necessities of life,” Bertin Bandiangou, a student who was arrested for opposing the government and tortured while in detention, told the Guardian. “Our message is clear: we no longer want a regime that imprisons our dreams and has terrorized an entire people for nearly six decades.” The outrage over his arrest was further inflamed after the government shut down the Internet, suspended international media outlets, and cracked down violently on protesters, deploying security forces as well as local and foreign militias to do so. For example, the parents of a 16-year-old boy found dead on June 27 told Amnesty International that members of the security forces in black uniforms had entered the neighborhood the previous day and fired tear gas and beat residents. The boy’s body was found along with that of another child, 15. The government, however, said the boys had “drowned,” according to “forensic analyses.” Meanwhile, the protests, which continue to simmer, are unique in that they were not led by the opposition – which is seen as ineffective and co-opted by the government – but by the young, mobilizing via social media, analysts added. “The Togolese are aware that there will always be repression, but they have reached a point where they can no longer stop themselves from expressing their frustrations,” political scientist Madji Djabakete told Deutsche Welle, adding that the protests to date were merely a “test” for a more structured uprising to come. Until then, the oldest dynasty in Africa remains entrenched in power, with no end date in sight, say analysts. And voters, meanwhile, are often caught in the middle between the protesters and the regime. “People are afraid, afraid of being attacked by protesters for legitimizing these elections, or afraid of being dispersed by security forces,” Edem Adjaklo, a voter in the capital, told Africanews. “They feel it’s pointless to vote because the results are always the same – predetermined.”

8 Incredible African Analysis To Visit In 2025

8 incredible African island destinations to visit in 2025 Whether you’re into diving, hiking, food, or just doing nothing on a perfect beach, there’s an island in Africa that hits the spot… Author picture By Sundeeka Mungroo 25-07-25 16:58 in Lifestyle island destinations africa Santa Maria beach in Cape Verde. Image: canva Africa’s coastline is dotted with islands that fly under the radar but pack a serious punch when it comes to beauty, culture, and adventure. From volcanic peaks to turquoise lagoons, these African islands are worth putting on your travel list this year. Take a look… ADVERTISEMENT 1. Zanzibar, Tanzania island destinations africa The Mnemba Atoll in Zanzibar, Image: canva A short ferry ride from Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar is where Indian Ocean paradise meets Swahili culture. Expect white sand beaches, spice farms, and the labyrinthine streets of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s laid-back but full of life. 2. Mauritius, Africa This island destination in the Indian Ocean feels like a cross between Africa and Asia, with its mix of Creole, Indian, French, and Chinese influences. You’ll find luxury resorts, but also volcanic mountains, rum distilleries, and bustling markets in Port Louis. 3. São Tomé and Príncipe island destinations africa Rolas Island, São Tomé and Príncipe. Image: canva One of Africa’s least-visited countries, this two-island nation off the coast of Gabon offers lush rainforests, volcanic peaks, and colonial-era charm. It’s a dream for eco-travellers and anyone craving real peace. 4. Nosy Be, Madagascar, Africa Just off Madagascar’s northwest coast, Nosy Be is known for its coral reefs, lemurs, and clear waters. It’s tourist-friendly but still feels unspoiled. Don’t miss a trip to nearby Nosy Komba and Nosy Tanikely for hiking and snorkelling. 5. Djerba, Tunisia Djerba, Tunisia. Image: canva In North Africa, Djerba offers a distinct island vibe, one that is more desert than jungle. Think whitewashed buildings, ancient souks, and beaches framed by palm trees. The island also has one of the oldest synagogues in the world. 6. Lamu Island, Kenya, Africa Lamu is like a living museum of Swahili culture. There are no cars here, just donkeys and boats. Explore old stone houses, quiet beaches, and local markets. It’s raw, real, and unlike any other beach destination. ADVERTISEMENT 7. Comoros island destinations africa Anjouan island in the Comoros. Image: canva Rarely visited but absolutely worth it, the Comoros islands are made up of three islands, which sit between Madagascar and Mozambique. It’s remote, wild, and full of volcanic landscapes and coral reefs. It’s not polished, but that’s part of the appeal. 8. Cape Verde (Cabo Verde), Africa Located in the Atlantic, this archipelago blends African roots with Portuguese culture. Each island has a unique character: Sal is popular for beach resorts, Santiago for history, and Santo Antão for hiking. Have you visited any of these African island destinations? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

Randberg Company Pioneering Rare Earths Extractions

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F.W de Klerk's Widow Meets With Survivors of Cradock 4 1985 Slaughter

https://www.news24.com/southafrica/news/she-cried-with-me-how-fw-de-klerks-widow-and-cradock-4-family-found-reconciliation-20250724-1268?lid=yr04qo9rlbnw

Five Top Spots To Experience Winter Snow In South Africa

Five top spots to experience winter snow in South Africa Although snowfall in South Africa is uncommon and unpredictable, some areas transform into icy playgrounds in winter. By Nozibusiso Mazibuko 22-07-25 10:54 in Featured Snow Sutherland, Northern Cape. Image: Shutterstock Although snow isn’t usually the first thing people associate with South Africa, certain regions transform into icy wonderlands between May and August. Here are some of the top spots to experience winter snow in South Africa: Sutherland snowfall, Northern Cape Sutherland, one of the country’s coldest towns, often experiences snowfall in July and August. Verlatenkloof Pass and nearby farms usually receive the first snowflakes. With its clear, star-filled skies and crisp mountain air, Sutherland offers a peaceful winter getaway. Visitors from across the country flock here to enjoy the combination of snow and stargazing. Cathedral Peak, Drakensberg For hikers and mountain lovers, Cathedral Peak offers a snow-covered adventure in the northern Drakensberg. Winter delivers bright, stable weather and blankets the trails with snow. After snow falls, clear visibility creates perfect hiking conditions to the summit. Although some routes become slippery, experienced hikers can safely reach the peak within a day. Matroosberg, Western Cape Matroosberg, situated 35km from Ceres, offers some of the most dependable snowfalls in the Western Cape. Nestled within the Matroosberg Private Nature Reserve, it features the province’s second-highest peak. In winter, the slopes attract snow lovers and 4×4 adventurers, while nearby campsites and cottages provide accommodation for overnight guests. The area also hosts The Ski Club of South Africa, making it a central spot for local snow enthusiasts. Golden Gate Highlands National Park, Free State Golden Gate grows far quieter in winter than in summer, transforming into a silent snowfield, especially around Glen Reenen Rest Camp. Visitors can enjoy near solitude and stunning white landscapes. Nearby, the Golden Gate Hotel and Highlands Mountain Retreat provide warm, cosy retreats, ideal places to watch snow drift down while relaxing by the fire. Underberg and Sani Pass, KwaZulu-Natal Tucked into the southern Drakensberg, Underberg and Himeville serve as snowy gateways to Sani Pass. Though snow isn’t guaranteed every year, 4×4 trips in winter often reward travellers with icy scenes on the Lesotho border. These towns also charm with rustic cafés and mountain lodges ideal for post-snowstorm relaxation. 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Don't Ignore These Warning Signs of Dementia Memory and Health | Sponsored Cardiologists Recommend: Eat 1 Teaspoon Tonight – Wake Up With a Flatter Stomach Hollywood News | USA | Sponsored Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It? Memory Health | Sponsored The Surprising Habit Tied to Dementia—Millions Do It Without Realizing Memory Health | Sponsored CVS Hides This $1 Generic Viagra - Here’s the Aisle It's Really In. Friday Plans | Sponsored Millionaire in the Making? AI Platform Transforms $900 into $38,000 in 30 Days for Beginners Early adopters report rapid gains with this AI system. Financial experts weigh in on the potential risks and rewards of automated investing. FX Market Insights | Sponsored Homeless Americans watch as Afrikaner ‘refugees’ arrive seeking a ‘better life’ - SA People SA People #Goosebumps: Well Known Farmer's Message After Brutal Attack in South Africa - SA People SA People Latest Posts Winning the Away Game launch in London. Sven Boermeester, Renier Lombard and Nic Latouf. New book showcases South African success stories abroad – UK Edition launches 25-07-25 11:33 A TikTok influencer account has mocked the parents of Hilton College. ‘Wealthy Hilton College parents’: TikToker pokes fun at SA’s priciest school 25-07-25 09:31 You might know Sbu because of his popular brand of socks. He is now looking to create a local car brand. Fashion designer aims to launch SA’s first car brand 25-07-25 08:36 Hulk Hogan dies at 71. Hulk Hogan’s cause of death confirmed 25-07-25 08:20 Fastjet New flight route enhances access to Victoria Falls 25-07-25 09:43 South African roads South Africans skeptical that R7 billion BRICS loan will improve roads 24-07-25 14:04

Neighboring Origins

Neighboring Origins Archeologists recently sequenced the complete genome of an Ancient Egyptian man, who lived around the time of the first pyramids more than 4,500 years ago. The man’s remains were originally unearthed in Nuwayrat – a village more than 160 miles from Cairo – in the early 20th century. Now a new genetic study of the skeleton has revealed a closer connection between ancient Egypt and the eastern Fertile Crescent, which includes present-day Iraq, western Iran, and parts of Syria and Turkey, than initially thought. “He lived and died during a critical period of change in ancient Egypt,” explained co-senior author Linus Girdland Flink in a statement. “We’ve now been able to tell part of the individual’s story, finding that some of his ancestry came from the Fertile Crescent, highlighting mixture between groups at this time.” The skeleton was excavated in 1902 and donated to World Museum Liverpool, where it then survived bombings during the Blitz in World War II that destroyed most of the human remains in their collection. Radiocarbon dating of the skeleton confirmed that it belonged to a middle-aged man who died sometime between 2855 and 2570 BCE. Flink and his colleagues believe the man was in his 60s at the time of his death – an unusually old age for that era. The man appeared to have lived a physically demanding life. His bones bore signs of extended sitting and reaching forward, leading researchers to suggest he may have worked as a potter. The research team was also able to extract DNA from the roots of his teeth and sequenced his entire genome. The ability to do this with remains found in Egypt and elsewhere in the region is rare because hot temperatures degrade DNA quickly. Roughly 80 percent of the man’s genetic ancestry was clearly North African, but it was the remaining 20 percent that caught the researchers’ attention: The findings showed the man’s genome matched populations from the eastern Fertile Crescent, particularly an area called Mesopotamia – roughly modern-day Iraq. Past archaeological research has already found links between Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, but the recent study provides genetic evidence that people moved into Egypt and mixed with local populations during that time. The findings may also offer new clues about the development and spread of writing systems. “The first writing systems emerged almost contemporaneously in the two regions,” first author Adeline Morez Jacobs told New Scientist, referring to cuneiform in Mesopotamia and hieroglyphics in Egypt. The researchers hope future studies will provide a clearer picture of migration patterns and ancestral links in this historically rich region. Share this story

Mocambique Opposition Leader Faces Terrorism Charges

Mozambique Opposition Leader Faces Terrorism Charge Mozambique Mozambique’s Attorney-General’s Office this week charged the country’s top opposition leader with terrorism, following unrest set off by last year’s disputed elections that left hundreds dead, Agence de Presse Africaine reported. Venâncio Mondlane, a fierce critic of the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) party, was also charged with “incitement to disobedience,” and “public instigation to crime.” He denied all charges and said they are politically motivated. He added he is being targeted for revealing what he described as “massive electoral fraud” in the October presidential election, won by President Daniel Chapo, Africanews added. Western observers have complained that the election was neither free nor fair. Mondlane ran in the election as an independent candidate and, after his loss, led months of unprecedented protests over the results, which extended the ruling party’s five decades in power. The demonstrations spread across the country and were met with a violent government crackdown that left at least 400 people dead and 600 injured. More than 30 police officers are on trial for their role in suppressing the protests. Mondlane is widely popular, especially with younger voters. Mondlane also accused the Chapo administration of breaking the peace deal they signed in March, which had raised hopes of easing the post-election crisis, paving the way for new reforms, and obtaining justice for the victims of the violence.

DRC and M23 Reach Peace Deal With Some Hopefully Skeptical Democratic Republic of the Congo

DRC and M23 Reach Peace Deal With Some Hopefully Skeptical Democratic Republic of the Congo The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) signed an agreement with M23 rebels to end fighting in the mineral-rich eastern part of the country over the weekend, even as analysts say they are cautious about celebrating any peace just yet, Africanews reported. According to the Qatar-brokered ceasefire deal, the DRC government and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels committed to a permanent ceasefire, a ban on aerial, ground, maritime, and lake-based attacks, as well as acts of sabotage, hate propaganda, and any attempt to gain new ground by force, Deutsche Welle wrote. The agreement would also restore DRC authority across the eastern part of the country, including the reintroduction of the army, police, judiciary, and civil administration to areas currently under M23 control. Some say that this text is particularly significant as it comes with a clear timeline: It must be implemented by July 29. Direct negotiations toward a comprehensive peace agreement are scheduled to start on Aug. 8. The talks will be based on the peace deal signed between the DRC and Rwanda in the US last month. The goal is to sign a comprehensive peace agreement by Aug. 18. Observers in Goma, the capital of the North Kivu province in eastern DRC, currently under the control of Rwanda-backed M23 insurgents, remain skeptical that the deal will last. For example, tensions arose soon after signing, with the DRC government saying that insurgents agreed to withdraw from occupied areas, while the M23 rebel officials denied any plans to retreat. Congolese civil rights activist Maude-Salomé Ekila told Africanews that this is just another deal that, like the ones that came before, sparks hope at the moment of signing only to be undermined later by the self-interest of the parties involved. The conflict between the DRC and M23 rebels escalated in January, when M23 captured two of the DRC’s largest cities and seized key areas in the mineral-rich eastern part of the country. The conflict has killed thousands of people and created one of the most significant humanitarian crises in the world, displacing millions of people.

More Violence In Kenya

Protests and Funerals: Kenyan President’s Failure to Listen Threatens Kenya’s Stability Kenya Vendor Boniface Kariuki, 22, was selling masks at a rally against police brutality in June in his hometown of Kangema near the Kenyan capital of Nairobi when a police officer in riot gear asked him to move. He did. The officer shot him anyway. The incident, captured on film, ricocheted around Kenya, setting off fury around the country over police brutality and at a government that many see as corrupt, unaccountable, and murderous. “We can’t feed our families, so we have to be on the street to stop the increasing prices, to stop the (police) abductions, and to stand up for our country,” Festus Muiruri, a 22-year-old protester in Nairobi, told Reuters. “We want the president to hear us.” Kariuki is one of more than 100 people who have been killed across Kenya since last year, when protests initially broke out against tax hikes on everyday items such as bread and cooking oil: These hikes came as the average Kenyan struggled with a cost-of-living crisis while accusing government officials of living extravagantly. Those demonstrations, led by Kenyan youth, were met with a violent crackdown. They culminated with protesters storming the parliament. The government backed off its tax measures. Now, a year later, the protesters’ calls for an end to government corruption and justice for those killed in 2024 were never resolved, say analysts, just put away for the next time public anger was triggered. It was in June after the death of a teacher and blogger, Albert Ojwang, in police custody. He was arrested for “the offense of false publication” and died of “self-inflicted” wounds, which the state pathologist refuted. Protests broke out over Ojwang’s death, leading to the rare arrest and resignations of those involved. However, on July 7th, demonstrations against the government ignited again after Kenyans marched to mark the anniversary of a 1990 uprising known as the “Saba” (Swahili for Seven-Seven) protests that returned the country to a multi-party democracy after years of autocratic rule by then-President Daniel arap Moi. The government, led by President William Ruto, however, moved in forcefully, with police using live bullets, teargas, and water cannons, also hitting the relatives mourning the death of loved ones last year. At least 31 people died. Now protesters are calling for the president to step down, yelling, “Ruto must go” and “wantam” (one term) at rallies. The government has gone on the offensive, calling protesters terrorists who are orchestrating a “coup,” with Ruto ordering police to “shoot their legs and take them to court.” Hundreds have been arrested. The government also threatened the media if it didn’t halt its coverage of the protests. The protests have created tremendous turmoil in Kenya, East Africa’s economic heavyweight, with shops and businesses closing, and some even destroyed by protesters and looters. They are also scaring off tourists and investors. Another impact is on Ruto himself. Elected in 2022 with the help of young voters on promises to improve their lives and put a stop to police brutality, extrajudicial killings, and corruption, he will face a tough election in 2027. Analysts say the likelihood of his resignation is low – one big issue is that there is no obvious successor: In March, Ruto allied with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, previously his main rival. Regardless, his political capital is far lower than it was three years ago, much of that due to a promise he made when he was elected and then promptly broke – he told his young supporters he would listen to them. “If the Ruto administration is failing at every turn, it is because Ruto struggles with the very concept of democracy, adamantly refusing to listen, let alone respond to any kind of dissent,” World Politics Review wrote. “Yet Kenyans have a clear vision of what kind of society they want to live in, and it is not one in which an impervious ruler barricades himself in a tower dictating to the people below by force and fiat. They want to be heard.” On the last day of June, Kariuki died of his wounds at a local hospital, another victim of Ruto’s unwillingness to listen, the magazine added. The officer who shot him has been charged with murder. A plea hearing is set for next week. Regardless, observers say the protests will go on, as will the funerals. “We are in sorrow,” Edwin Kagia, 24, Kariuki’s friend and fellow vendor, told Al Jazeera at the funeral. “I used to hear that police kill people, but I could not imagine it would happen to my brother.”

A Disabled Former South African Air Force Fighter Pilot Keeps Flying

Arthur Piercy Takes To The Air At The SAAF Museum By Garth Calitz The South African Air force Museum hosted their monthly flying training day on Saturday 3 November and the day started as usual with the pilots briefing attended by Mrs. South Africa, the lovely Lynné De Jager and her husband Wilhelm to the delight of the SAAF museum pilots and crew. Lynné will be representing South Africa in the Mrs World competition later this year and we wish her all the best - “Bring it home”. All the visitors to the Museum including Mrs Ina Strijdom, the DA councilor for Centurion South, quickly realized that this was no ordinary flying day with the arrival of a Yak 52, Antanov AN2, two ex-military bosbok “converters “now in private hands, a Alouette II and a Tigermoth. The Tigermoth was flown in by Dan Perry, an airline pilot with Comair, especially to take Arthur Piercy for a flight. Arthur is wheelchair bound following an accident in September 1987. The tail of his Mirage F1CZ was badly damaged in a dogfight with a Cuban Mig 23 and this left him without brakes or a drag chute. On landing he unfortunately could not stop the aircraft which raced off the end of the runway and in the process his ejection seat deployed resulting in a very serious back injury. Arthur's Energetic and positive outlook on life is an inspiration to people worldwide. He is currently the Public Relations officer at Association for the Physically Disabled in Greater Johannesburg area and is very involved with the SAAF Museum. Sgt's Prinsloo and Jooste from Waterkloof fire & rescue services and Warrant officer du Toit from Mobile Deployment Wing were at hand with a “cherry picker” to hoist Arthur into the Tigermoth closely watched by his fiancé Gerda, father Cyril and Lt Col Mike O'Connor officer commanding the SAAF Museum . It was quite an involved process fitting Arthur with a harness. Once this was complete the actual hoist into the front seat of the Tiger and was fairly simple. Dan taxied out and took off chased by Grant Timms in the War Birds formation Yak 52. Unfortunately they could only do one wide circuit before the Tigermoth developed a radio snag and they were forced to land and abandon the sortie. The Museum use their monthly flying days as a means of thanking the people for their continuous support to the Museum. Many people were taken for “flips” in the various Historic aircraft such as the De Havilland DH115 T55 Vampire, Harvard's and Alouette II and III helicopters. Lynné and Wilhelm De Jager were treated to a flight in one of the two flying Alouette III's. The public were also wowed by a skydiving display by the SAAF “Golden Eagles” skydiving team as they were dropped by the Museums Atlas C4M Kudu. The next SAAF Museum flying day will be held on the 1st of December. The flying days are generally well attended, food and drinks are always on sale at “The Windsock” restaurant and at the kiosk run by the “The Friends of the SAAF Museum”. See you there!! Events 2012 South African Air Force

Legacy Conversations - Arthur Piercy - SAAF Mirage F1 pilot FESTIVE SEAS...

South Africa's Forgotten Air Wars

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QegS7TJml2o

South Coast South Africa

Seychelles or South Coast? Discover paradise-like spots in KZN Dreaming of an island getaway? You might not have to fly, paradise is just a road trip along the KZN South Coast away… By Sundeeka Mungroo 15-07-25 08:11 in Featured Seychelles Umzumbe on the South Coast. Image: canva Think paradise requires an international flight? Think again. KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast delivers tropical charm, no passport needed. With palm-fringed beaches, secluded coves, and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, parts of this coastline could easily be mistaken for the Seychelles. Here’s where you can experience KZN’s island-style escape… 1. Umzumbe: Secluded and serene Locals often keep this small village a secret, treating it like a hidden gem. The beach holds Blue Flag certification, ensuring it’s clean, safe, and perfect for swimming. What sets Umzumbe apart is its untouched charm, no crowds, no concrete, just swaying palms, rock pools, and soft sand. It gives off Seychelles vibes. 2. Port Edward: Turquoise waters, golden sands Situated near the Wild Coast border, Port Edward in KZN offers a relaxed, barefoot-luxury vibe. The beaches stretch wide, the surf stays clean, and the water shines a glassy blue, especially at Silver Beach. With subtropical vegetation hugging the coastline and the Mkambati Nature Reserve just beyond, this is where you go when you want to feel off-the-grid but still have access to a decent espresso. 3. Margate to Ramsgate: Classic South Coast coastline with flair Ramsgate beach. Image: canva This stretch is where the South Coast shows off. Margate brings the buzz with beachfront cafes and boardwalks, while Ramsgate dials it down with its lagoon, art galleries, and chill pace. The water here is warm year-round, the palm trees are real (not imported), and the sunsets can hold their own against any Indian Ocean island. 4. Umtentweni, KZN: Green meets blue Umtentweni sits just north of Port Shepstone and blends lush greenery with the glitter of the sea. Think forested dunes rolling down to the shoreline, monkeys in the trees, and golden hour lighting that could make any Instagram filter redundant. Quiet, scenic, and ridiculously photogenic. 5. Oribi Gorge: Not a beach, but still a showstopper kzn south coast Oribi Gorge. Image: wikimedia commons If your idea of paradise includes more cliffs and canopies than waves and coconuts, the South Coast’s Oribi Gorge delivers. Just inland from the coast, this dramatic canyon carves through the countryside like something out of a nature doc. There are waterfalls, zip lines, suspension bridges, and views that remind you that paradise isn’t only found at the beach. Tags: DMumani featured Important Seychelles South Africa Post navigation Next Article

6 South African Towns Where You Can Buy The Freshest Fish

6 South African coastal towns where you can taste the freshest fish ever Seafood in South Africa is top-notch! Check out these 6 coastal towns where fish go straight from the boat to your plate… By Sundeeka Mungroo 16-07-25 14:59 in Featured Coastal towns Fishing boats in Kalk Bay. Image: canva South Africa takes its seafood seriously. Stretching over 2,500 kilometres along the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, the coastline offers a paradise for fish lovers. Forget the flashy tourist spots, if you’re after true boat-to-plate freshness, make your way to the small coastal towns where fishing is a daily livelihood, not just a pastime. Here are six towns that dish up some of the freshest, most flavourful fish you’ll ever eat. 1. Arniston, Overberg, Western Cape, South Africa coastal towns south africa A stretch of beach in Arniston. Image: canva Quiet, windswept, and a little out of the way, Arniston is the kind of coastal town where you go to unplug and eat like royalty. Fishermen from the Kassiesbaai community continue to use traditional techniques passed down through generations. They catch fish by line and harvest abalone (perlemoen) and lobster, which families prepare in their own kitchens. At Willeen’s, right by the beach, they grill the catch of the day and serve it with authentic local flair—a meal not to be missed. 2. Paternoster, West Coast, Western Cape This sleepy, whitewashed village is a seafood legend. Fishermen launch their boats right from the beach, and what they haul in shows up on your plate by lunch. Think crayfish, snoek, and mussels grilled over open coals or baked into traditional West Coast potjies. Head to Voorstrandt, a bright red tin shack on the beach, for a meal with ocean views and zero pretence. 3. Kalk Bay, Cape Peninsula, Western Cape, South Africa Kalk Bay blends timeless charm with top-tier seafood. This coastal town remains a working fishing harbour, so it’s common to see fishermen cleaning their fresh catch while you enjoy a glass of wine nearby. Yellowtail, hake, and calamari are local favourites. Grab a casual bite at the legendary Kalky’s on the dock, or opt for a refined experience at Harbour House—both serve fresh fare straight from the sea. 4. Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa Hout Bay might be just 20 minutes from central Cape Town, but it feels like its own seaside town. Boats come in daily with kingklip, kabeljou, and tuna, which you can buy straight off the dock or enjoy prepared at the Bay Harbour Market, where locals and visitors alike gather for craft food and ocean-fresh dishes. 5. Port St. Johns, Wild Coast, Eastern Cape coastal towns south africa Port St. Johns, Wild Coast. Image: canva Raw, wild, and untamed, Port St. Johns is where the land meets the sea dramatically. It’s not fancy, and that’s the whole point. The seafood here is real, grilled fish fillets seasoned with nothing more than salt, lemon, and smoke. Try local shacks or family-run guesthouses that serve the catch of the day alongside pap or chakalaka. 6. Struisbaai, Overberg, Western Cape, South Africa Located just south of Cape Agulhas, Struisbaai boasts one of the longest beaches in the Southern Hemisphere and serves up some of the freshest seafood you’ll find. The harbour stays busy with fishermen hauling in yellowtail, red roman, and cob. At Pelican’s Harbour Café, you can enjoy grilled fish just steps from where it was caught, all while watching stingrays glide through the nearby shallows.

92-Year Old Cameroonian Will Run For Eight Term As President

92-Year-Old Cameroonian President Will Run for Eighth Term Cameroon Cameroon President Paul Biya, 92, who has held the position for more than 40 years, announced this week he would run for an eighth term in October’s election, ending uncertainty about his political future and that of the troubled country, Semafor Africa reported. Biya became president in 1982 and scrapped term limits in 2008. He is now the second-longest-serving president in Africa, behind only Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. Biya cited “numerous and insistent” calls from across Cameroon as the reason behind his decision to run again. Opposition figures and human rights advocates criticized Biya’s decision, saying the announcement underscored how the country is stuck politically and needed democratic change and accountable leadership, Africanews wrote. Meanwhile, Biya’s age is often contrasted with the population of the country – the median age is 19. Among the opposition leaders who plan to run in the election is Maurice Kamto, 71, who came in second in the last presidential election in 2018. Two former allies of Biya’s have also announced they will run, noted Reuters. In the 2018 election, Biya obtained over 70 percent of the vote in a race marked by allegations of fraud and violence. During his time in office, Biya has been accused of corruption and of failing to tackle public discontent. Moreover, he has often traveled outside the country for medical treatment, raising concerns about his health status and whether he can still govern effectively as the country grapples with a civil conflict and jihadist groups. Cameroon, a major cocoa and oil producer, has been shaken by a separatist conflict, originating in the Anglophone regions – the majority of the country is Francophone – which has left thousands dead and thousands more displaced. Cameroon is also fighting the jihadist group Boko Haram in the north of the country.

Gold-Digigng Mali Fights Mining Companies

Gold-Digging: Mali Fights Mining Companies To Battle Rebels and Terrorists Mali Last week, Mali’s military government seized more than $117 million worth of gold from Canada’s Barrick Mining’s Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex with the aim of restarting operations there. The move is part of efforts by Mali – and other countries in West Africa – to take over foreign-owned gold mines. Aiding in that effort, a Malian court recently allowed the government to restart operations at the mine, which produced around 720,000 ounces of gold in 2024, Mining.com reported. Officials had suspended Barrick’s management in a dispute related to local mining codes and allegedly unpaid taxes. Mali’s military government, which won power through a coup in 2020, is a major shareholder in the company, which is a massive source of foreign cash for the impoverished country. If gold prices continue to soar amid disruptions in the global financial system, the mine could generate more than $1 billion next year, wrote Reuters. Barrick has sought to negotiate. Malian authorities also arrested Barrick employees and seized three tons of gold bullion from the company over their regulatory and tax disputes. In a similar case, an Australian mining company late last year paid Mali at least $80 million to release their chief executive and two employees, reported France 24. Foreign miners in the country are worried, added African Business. Locally sourced miners don’t necessarily have the expertise or access to capital to run all the country’s mines. Regardless, the mineral resources are already financing new infrastructure and civil services that are essential to develop local economies in Mali, noted Université des Sciences Sociales et de Gestion de Bamako researcher, Mamadou Camara. But he still hoped those riches would fuel sustainable investments and “equitable exploitation” under more direct Malian government control, even those that remain inaccessible due to an insurgency. “Mali is rich in mineral resources – the country has vast untapped potential throughout its territory,” he said. “However, security issues in the north hinder exploration and mining activities. Some areas remain unassigned to companies due to ongoing insecurity.” Malian President Assimi Goïta, who led the 2020 coup and was recently granted a new five-year, perpetually renewable term in office without elections, as Al Jazeera explained, is fighting rebel movements and jihadists seeking to control swaths of its vast interior, much of it part of the Sahara desert. Al-Qaeda affiliate Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin recently launched attacks on seven military outposts in western Mali, for instance, the BBC reported. The group, meanwhile, has been rampaging across Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, while also abducting foreigners and demanding ransoms for their release, the Times of India added. Their leader, alleged war criminal Iyad Ag Ghali, is an ethnic Tuareg who staged an uprising against Mali’s central government in 2012 to establish an independent Tuareg state called Azawad. Goïta has called in 2,000 mercenaries from Russia’s Africa Corps – formerly the Wagner Group but now controlled by the Kremlin – to help combat the jihadists and rebels, France 24 reported. At the same time, the mercenary group is accused of committing war crimes in the region. Mali has been fighting insurgent groups linked to the so-called Islamic State and al Qaeda for more than a decade, trying to prevent them from holding onto or even increasing their territory even as they attempt to expand to the West African coast: This would allow them to significantly boost their revenue through human trafficking, smuggling and arms trading with other parts of Africa, Europe and elsewhere. In May, Gen. Michael Langley, who leads the US Africa Command, warned that the Sahel, has become the “epicenter of terrorism on the globe.”

Five Tranquil Estuary Towns To Visit In South Africa

Where river meets ocean: 5 tranquil estuary towns to visit in South Africa South Africa’s estuary towns offer pure tranquility—from Kosi Bay to Kenton-on-Sea, here are five river escapes you need to explore… By Sundeeka Mungroo 12-07-25 08:34 in Featured River and ocean Where the river meets the sea in Nature's Valley, Western Cape. Image: wikimedia commons South Africa’s estuary towns offer more than scenic beauty, they play a vital ecological role. The rivers filter water, shield coastlines from storms, and nurture marine life during its most fragile stages. In these unique places, saltwater mixes with freshwater, tides shift with the currents, and the landscapes flow into a natural harmony. Here are five of the top estuary towns to explore in South Africa… 1. Kenton-on-Sea, Eastern Cape, South Africa estuary towns south africa Kenton-on-Sea, Eastern Cape. Image: canva Kenton-on-Sea sits between Port Alfred and Port Elizabeth, framed by two rivers and expansive beaches. Its estuaries teem with life—visitors can paddle through narrow channels at high tide or watch kingfishers dart through the mangroves. The Bushmans River, one of South Africa’s longest navigable rivers, flows gently, offering ideal conditions for peaceful boat rides and relaxed fishing trips. The town is small, safe, and perfect for a laid-back, barefoot lifestyle. 2. Witsand, Western Cape Witsand, Western Cape. Image: canva Witsand rests peacefully at the mouth of the Breede River, offering a haven for families, anglers, and Southern Right whales. In winter, whales gather in the bay to calve in the shallow waters, while summer invites warm days perfect for kite surfing or kayaking up the river. The town’s estuary stretches wide and shallow, safe for children and rewarding for birdwatchers. Witsand invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and embrace its unpretentious charm. 3. St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa estuary towns south africa St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal. Image: canva St Lucia is wild in the best way. It’s the gateway to iSimangaliso Wetland Park, where hippos graze on the edge of town and crocodiles float like logs. The estuary stretches over 80 km and pulses with life, reedbeds, fish eagles, and rare swamp forests. It’s not the usual beach town: it’s more primal, more alive. You come here to slow down, but you also come here to remember nature’s raw power. 4. Nature’s Valley, Western Cape Nature’s Valley. Image: wikimedia commons Nature’s Valley barely counts as a town, and that’s part of the magic. Tucked inside the Tsitsikamma section of South Africa’s Garden Route National Park, it’s a ribbon of homes between forest, lagoon, and sea. The Groot River estuary is calm and glassy, perfect for paddling or drifting. Hikes lead to waterfalls, beaches curve empty for miles, and at night, you’ll hear frogs instead of traffic. This place isn’t curated, it’s untouched. 5. Kosi Bay, KwaZulu-Natal estuary towns south africa Kosi Bay. Image: wikimedia commons Right near the Mozambique border, South Africa’s Kosi Bay is a remote masterpiece. It’s not just one estuary, it’s a system of lakes, channels, and tidal mouths forming a kind of natural maze. Traditional fish traps built by the Thonga people still stand in the water, undisturbed for centuries. Snorkel in the estuary’s shallows and you’ll find tropical fish inches from your mask. This is the wild edge of the country, and one of the last true frontiers. Tags: DMumani featured Important ocean South Africa

Coastal South African Towns Offering Great Seafood

5 coastal towns in South Africa serving up top-notch seafood These coastal towns don’t just serve seafood—they embody it. And they dish it up the way it’s meant to be: fresh, authentic, and truly memorable. By Sundeeka Mungroo 09-07-25 15:29 in Featured Seafood Seafood. Image: Pexels South Africa’s coastal towns deliver more than scenic views and great waves—they haul in some of the country’s best seafood. From quiet fishing villages to lively seaside cities, these five destinations dish out ocean-fresh meals that easily outshine most inland eateries. No frills, just exceptional seafood.Take a look… 1. Hout Bay, Western Cape Grilled calamari. Image: canva What to eat: Snoek & chips, grilled calamari Just 20 minutes from Cape Town, Hout Bay is a working harbour with real grit and flavour. Locals line up at fish-and-chip spots along the harbour for deep-fried snoek, slap chips, and takeaway calamari. They enjoy their seafood perched on the rocks, taking in panoramic views of the Atlantic. 2. Knysna, Garden Route Knysna is known for its oysters. Image: canva What to eat: Oysters Knysna isn’t just pretty, it’s the oyster capital of South Africa. The Knysna Oyster Festival draws crowds, but you can score fresh oysters year-round from lagoon-facing spots like 34° South. Whether raw, grilled, or soaked in Champagne, Knysna oysters are clean, plump, and impossible to forget. 3. Paternoster, West Coast, South Africa What to eat: Crayfish, mussels This quiet fishing village still preserves its timeless charm. At dawn, fishermen set out in wooden boats and return with nets brimming with crayfish. Much of the catch lands on beach braais or is plated at Wolfgat, arguably the country’s most talked-about restaurant. Even the modest beach shacks dish up mussels so fresh they carry the scent of the sea. 4. Gansbaai, Overberg Abalone sashimi. Image: canva What to eat: Abalone (perlemoen), yellowtail Gansbaai, famous for its shark cage diving, also boasts one of South Africa’s richest marine ecosystems. Several abalone farms operate in the area, and some restaurants legally and sustainably serve this rare delicacy. You can enjoy it grilled or thinly sliced like sashimi. Another local favourite is yellowtail, best enjoyed simply, fresh off the coals. 5. Port St. Johns, Wild Coast, South Africa What to eat: Grilled fish, seafood potjie Far from the tourist traps, Port St. Johns is raw, wild, and packed with flavour. The seafood is rustic and real, think whole fish grilled over open flames, spicy seafood potjies bubbling over fire, and prawns that taste like they came out of the ocean an hour ago. Don’t expect white tablecloths, just good food and a front-row seat to the Indian Ocean. Tags: DMumani featured Important seafood South Africa

4 Wild Places To Explore On South Africa's West Coast

4 wild places to explore on South Africa’s West Coast South Africa’s West Coast isn’t polished, it’s shaped by wind, waves, and time. Here’s where you can feel its true essence… By Sundeeka Mungroo 09-07-25 17:51 in Featured West Coast Lambert's Bay, West Coast. Image: wikimedia commons South Africa’s West Coast wears its ruggedness with pride. It doesn’t chase luxury—it embraces wind, salt, and raw beauty. Here, dunes spill into the icy Atlantic, and small towns echo with stories older than colonial borders. If you’re after untamed nature, this is where the desert collides with the sea—and adventure unfolds without a filter. 1. Namaqua National Park: West Coast flowers in the sand Flowers in bloom in Namaqualand. Image: canva When spring arrives, wildflowers burst into bloom across the drylands of South Africa’s Namaqualand. Sun-scorched scrubland transforms into a vivid display of daisies, succulents, and bulbs that blanket the desert. You’ll hike through surreal fields of colour, with the crisp ocean breeze reminding you the coast is nearby. Spend the night at the remote Skilpad Rest Camp, where the stars outshine city lights and silence becomes your companion. 2. Elands Bay: Surfing and San rock art This town in South Africa is tiny, scruffy, and loved by surfers who prefer barrels to beach bars. Elands Bay delivers legendary left-hand point breaks that draw dedicated surfers from far and wide whenever the swell rolls in. But the magic isn’t limited to the waves, Baboon Point, perched above the bay, shelters ancient San rock art in caves that watch over the rugged coastline. Here, you get prehistoric paintings, desert cliffs, and ocean mist, all in one unforgettable West Coast scene. 3. Lambert’s Bay: Birds, boats, and braais Cape Gannets in Lambert’s Bay. Image: canva Lambert’s Bay mixes the rough edges of a working harbour with raw coastal beauty. Walk over to Bird Island, just off the shore, and watch Cape gannets up close without needing binoculars. Then dig into a crayfish braai on the sand. Locals still make a living from the ocean here, and every weather-beaten wall proudly shows off the untamed spirit of the West Coast. 4. Paternoster: Still wild beneath the West Coast calm Paternoster earns its title as the West Coast’s postcard village with whitewashed cottages, stylish guesthouses, and seafood so fresh it could still be flapping. But step away from the main drag and you’ll discover windswept dunes, empty beaches, and fishermen reeling in snoek the traditional way. Paddle out with dolphins in a kayak or hike to Cape Columbine Nature Reserve, where the coastline stretches like it’s the end of the earth. Tags: DMumani featured Important South Africa Wild Coast

Kenya: Demonstrators And Police Clash In Anti-Government Protests

Demonstrators and Police Clash in Kenya During Anti-Government Protests Kenya Thousands of people took to the streets of Kenya on Monday to protest against the government and call for President William Ruto’s resignation, triggering a heavy crackdown where police closed roads, erected metal spikes on the streets, and fired teargas to disperse demonstrators, Africanews reported. Local media reported that at least 11 people died and several others were injured as protesters, some blowing whistles, marched in the city despite the police deployment, Al Jazeera wrote. Police said 52 officers were wounded and more than 560 people were detained. Some schools, businesses, and roads around the capital, Nairobi, were closed Monday as a precaution for possible clashes, with a large police presence close to government buildings, the BBC noted. In other Kenyan cities, police responded with tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators, who had lit fires on the streets. The protests this year were part of annual demonstrations every July 7 to commemorate the anniversary of a 1990 uprising known as the “Saba Saba” (Kiswahili for 7/7) protests that returned the country to a multi-party democracy after years of autocratic rule by then-President Daniel arap Moi. Even so, they were also part of ongoing mass protests against the administration of Kenyan President William Ruto, who took power in 2022, that began a year ago over corruption, police brutality, and the unexplained disappearance of numerous opposition members. At least 80 people have been killed in protests since June 2024, while dozens have been detained. Last month, dozens of people died and thousands of businesses were vandalized in demonstrations. The protesters say that authorities are hiring armed vandals to discredit their movement’s image, while the government called the demonstrations an “attempted coup.” On Sunday, a press conference calling for an end to “enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings” by the Kenyan Human Rights Commission was interrupted by men, some armed with sticks, storming the building. The recent death of blogger Albert Ojwang while in police custody has escalated the protests and the fury of protesters. Prosecutors have charged six people in relation to his murder, including three police officers.