Gabon-A Promise Fulfilled

Share this story A Promise, Fulfilled Gabon Gabonese voters cast their ballots in favor of a new constitution in a referendum over the weekend that would also see the Central African country end the transitional military government that deposed long-time President Ali Bongo Ondimba last year, Africanews reported. Provisional results on Sunday showed a 91.8 percent “yes” vote based on turnout of just under 54 percent, Gabon’s interior minister said on state television. Saturday’s referendum came more than a year after the army led by Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema seized power shortly after Bongo was reelected as president in the August 2023 elections. the Voice of America reported. The army and opposition parties said the election was rigged. The coup ended the rule of the Bongo dynasty which had controlled the Central African nation for nearly 60 years, starting with Omar Bongo, who died in 2009 and power was handed to his son, Ali. Nguema – who became head of the military government – vowed to hand power back to civilians after a two-year transition and urged voters to support the new constitution, Al Jazeera added. Analysts said the new charter would prevent political dynasties as it would bar the president’s relatives from succeeding him. The draft constitution also increases the president’s term from five to seven years and imposes a two-term limit. While some citizens were pleased with the provisions, opposition politicians and civil society groups expressed concern over some changes that would give more power to the president. These include removing the post of prime minister and being granted the power to dissolve parliament, as well as hiring and firing vice presidents. Others also warned that the draft constitution was tailor-made for a strongman to be able to remain in power, noting that junta leader Nguema is not barred from running. Local media reported that early results showed that a majority of voters approved the new charter. The final results will be released by the constitutional court – although officials did not provide a specific timeline. After the results, Gabon will revise its electoral laws in February and establish an elections management body, Nguema said. The oil-rich country is expected to hold presidential, parliamentary, and local elections in August 2025. Share this story

Islamic Violence And Political Instability In Burkina Faso

The Coup Trap Burkina Faso When a military junta seized power more than two years ago in Burkina Faso, the coup leaders promised to end the violence and fighting that were plaguing the country. They failed. Islamist fighters now hold sway over 40 percent of the landlocked West African country, according to ACAPS, a research firm. Jihadists have also killed more than 2,000 people this year, an almost 75 percent increase over the rate before September 2022, when the junta staged its coup against a leader who had taken power only nine months earlier in another coup, World Politics Review added. These are some of the reasons that some people in Burkina Faso have lost faith in their armed forces. A video now circulating in the country, for example, depicts Volunteers for the Defense of the Fatherland, a government-sanction militia group, hacking corpses with machetes, while “gloating” on camera, the BBC reported. The military under Burkina Faso’s interim president, Capt. Ibrahim Traore, is now investigating the matter. News in the country now often centers on lethal attacks where the central government and its militia allies have not been able to defend their positions. Last month, al Qaeda-linked terrorists killed as many as 600 people in the remote northern town of Barsalogho. CNN dubbed the attack one of the deadliest in Africa in decades, describing the violence as another example of how the region – called the Sahel – has become increasingly unstable in recent years. Investigators at Human Rights Watch later concluded that Burkinabe troops could have prevented the attacks if they had not forced civilian laborers to dig a trench around a military base in the town, creating a target for the jihadists, and then leaving those civilians defenseless. The same al Qaeda-linked militants killed more than 100 Burkinabe soldiers in the town of Mansila near the border with Niger, added Al Jazeera. Another 150 people died when terrorists attacked the northeastern town of Manni, wrote the Catholic News Agency. Traore bears responsibility for these losses. He came to power in 2022, a year when Burkina Faso saw two coups and three presidencies. He has retained power, rather than setting up democratic elections or another transfer of power as he promised in the early days of his administration, saying that the security situation in the country has warranted it. Writing in Geopolitical Intelligence Services, African affairs expert Teresa Nogueira Pinto described Traore’s situation as a “coup trap” where juntas come under pressure to solve the problems that weakened the previous government they overturned. In Burkina Faso, where the junta has lost control over half of its territory and where one in four Burkinabe now requires humanitarian aid, the coup has had disastrous consequences. “Over the past decade, and particularly in the last four years, militant insurgency has upended security and humanitarian conditions in the Sahel, now considered the global epicenter of jihadism,” she wrote. “Amid regional turmoil and domestic political instability, Burkina Faso – until recently viewed as a beacon of stability – has become the epicenter of religious extremism in the Sahel.” Share this story

South Africa Will Not Help 4,000 Illegal Miners Trapped in a Mine

South Africa South Africa’s government said will not help 4,000 illegal miners stuck inside a mine without basic necessities because they want to “smoke them out” and stop the illegal mining in the country, the Associated Press reported. Recently, police closed off the entrances to an old mineshaft in Stilfontein in northwestern South Africa, leaving thousands of illegal miners, known locally as “zama zamas” stuck without food, water or other basic supplies. The closure is part of the police’s Vala Umgodi operation, or “Close the Hole”, which aims to cut off entrances used by the miners to transport supplies, in an effort to force them to return above ground and face arrest. Police have estimated that as many as 4,000 miners may be below the surface. In the past weeks, over 1,000 miners have emerged sick and hungry from various mines in the region after going weeks without basic supplies. They were arrested by authorities. “We are not sending help to criminals,” said Cabinet Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni. “We are going to smoke them out. They will come out. Criminals are not to be helped. We didn’t send them there.” Illegal mining is common in South Africa’s former gold mining areas, with miners going into closed shafts to search for gold and other minerals. The illegal miners often hail from neighboring countries and are part of larger syndicates that employ the miners. The miners work in extremely dangerous conditions, but are also deemed dangerous by South African authorities, noted Deutsche Welle. Nearby communities have complained about the presence of the illegal miners, saying that they commit crimes such as robberies and rape. Disputes sometimes between rival mining groups result in fatalities, as the groups are known to be heavily armed. Share this story

Cape Town Named The Best Food City In The World!

'We have changed the game': Cape Town crowned best food city in the world accreditation Noluthando Ngcakani Comments Comments add bookmark Bookmark 08:11 Cape Town is officially the world's best food city. Cape Town is officially the world's best food city. Cape Town has been named the World's Best Food City in the 2024 Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards, scoring an impressive 95.65 and surpassing culinary destinations like Tokyo, Rome, and Porto. The accolade highlights the city's unique blend of African, Dutch, Malay, and Indian culinary influences, celebrated by local chefs and restaurateurs contributing to its diverse and innovative food scene. Chefs and restaurateurs anticipate the accolade will elevate Cape Town's global standing, showcasing its rich cultural heritage and culinary excellence. Cape Town has been crowned the World's Best Food City in the 2024 Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards. The city, sprawling with tasty corners and crevices, is proud of its intricate and often complex food story, which adds to its charm. With a tantalising 95.65 score in the prestigious competition, Cape Town bested culinary hotspots like Tokyo, Rome, and Porto, cementing itself as the world's culinary capital. Millions of global travellers ranked the award based on the foods on offer in cities, as well as on quality, service, and overall experience. Cape Town's unique blend of African, Dutch, Malay, and Indian influences made it the top food city. Its rich cultural heritage has shaped the city's culinary landscape, resulting in diverse flavours and cooking styles. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bo-Kaap Kombuis (@bokaapkombuis) One example of its vibrant heritage is Die Kombuis, a landmark eatery in Cape Town's historic Bo-Kaap neighbourhood - where owner Yusef Larney and his wife, Nazli, have been serving authentic Cape Malay cuisine for more than 19 years. Larney expressed his excitement about the city's recognition, telling News24 Food: "Cape Town deserves it - it speaks to the diversity of our people and how we can stick together." He built his business brick-by-brick, transforming a once humble two-bedroom house in the Bo-Kaap into a four-storey building that is home to a guesthouse and bustling eatery. "I have had a dream [of opening a restaurant] since high school." Die Bo-Kaap Kombuis is Larney's celebration of his Cape Malay roots and its bold and aromatic cuisine. Cape Malay cuisine first took shape in the 17th century when the Dutch East India Company brought enslaved people from Indonesia, Malaysia, and other Southeast Asian countries to the Cape. Larney says these enslaved people played a significant role in shaping the region's culinary landscape, adding: Cape Malay cuisine is a melting pot of history and a labour of love. When the Dutch came here and displaced people from Malaysia and Indonesia and brought them here as enslaved people. "They mixed with indigenous people from here; not only were their bonds born from that, but also this merging of different flavours." The Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry. READ| The story of Cape Malay cuisine as told by proud chefs Home of the culinary innovator The city's culinary scene is not just about tradition. It's also a hub of innovation, with chefs like James Gaag of La Colombe inspired to push the boundaries of fine dining. Gaag believes the award will further elevate Cape Town's global standing on the international fine dining stage. "As with any award, it does come with a fair amount of pressure to maintain high standards - but this isn't an industry you get into if you can't handle a little pressure. "We are spoilt for choice when it comes to dining options in the city - of course, fine dining has a special place in my heart - but I do love that no matter what you're craving, you'll find it in Cape Town." Edge Africa co-founder Absie Pantshwa echoes Gaag's sentiments, adding these awards should aim to give African ingredients and culinary techniques on the international stage. Pantshwa and award-winning chef Vusi Ndlovu founded Edge Africa, a culinary collective committed to showcasing Africa's culinary glory. READ| Ex-cop goes from serving his country to serving up traditional meals at his restaurants "We are opening up our minds more about what is available around us than looking outside of the country and continent. "We have always been focused on the African ingredients narrative, cooking over fire and giving the ingredients we have around us the respect they deserve. It's about providing a voice to African ingredients and growing." View this post on Instagram A post shared by EDGE Restaurant (@edge.africa) Pitso Chauke, the owner of Pitso's Kitchen, expressed his excitement about Cape Town's culinary diversity, comparing it to a blend of Europe and Africa. The Limpopo-born food entrepreneur is a former Cape Town detective who quit the police to follow his culinary passions, opening his first restaurant at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock in 2016. "It's so exciting. We all know this place is so diverse - like Europe and Africa in one place. It is fascinating. About seven years ago, I read an article about Cape Town not having African cuisine, 20-something years after apartheid - now, looking at it, we have changed the game." Forgotten gems South African cookbook author Errieda du Toit further emphasises the broader impact of Cape Town's recognition in the culinary world, highlighting the rising prominence of African cuisine. "I know that part of Cape Town's food magic is rooted in its powerful diversity. The city increasingly shows a much larger diversity. I think the recognition and nature of the award will further encourage growth in the diversity of its food offerings." Du Toit also points out while Cape Town offers a rich culinary experience, much remains to be done to promote the food offerings in the rural areas of the Western Cape. sleepwalking chef Celebrity chef and food writer Errieda du Toit says she’s been sleepwalking for years – and then creates the weirdest dishes. (PHOTO: Supplied) She hopes the award will encourage more people to explore these areas, which offer incredible produce, scenery, and people. "I feel that we have a long way to go in what we offer tourists outside the city - our countryside. I am not talking about the Stellenbosches and the Elgins that come with the West Cape - these platteland dorpies I find when I go there; they cater for every palate." The top ten Cape Town, South Africa. Score 95.65 Milan, Italy. Score 95.20 Valencia, Spain. Score 95.00 Tokyo, Japan. Score 94.78 Porto, Portugal. Score 94.48 Hong Kong, China. Score 93.94 Bangkok, Thailand. Score 93.71 Rome, Italy. Score 93.33 Singapore. Score 92.90 Sydney, Australia. Score 92.50

The State Of Democracy In The World-Adriaan Basson

Letter from the editor: Truth, trust and Trump in a time of AI   ADRIAAN BASSON, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dear Subscriber, I write this letter from London where I am attending the Thomson Reuters Foundation's annual conference on trust. The conference gives a glimpse into the state of democracy and freedom of speech globally, and the latest developments in technology affecting public trust. This year's conference had a specific focus on the explosion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) – generative AI in particular – and its impact on society. It is clear to me that we are at the beginning of an historic era of change in how society works and interacts, not unlike the beginning years of the internet. It is wise not to make too many hard predictions or bets on how AI will (or won't) change the world, suffice to say it is happening every day, on every connected device and will only intensify for the rest of our lives. AI isn't good or bad – it is both – and I listened to many forces for good talking about the incredible opportunities AI will create to improve the world for millions of people. We all need to stay on top of the developments of AI in our industries and how it will impact the future of work, health, finance and communication. AI will fundamentally shape and influence our relationship with facts and the truth – and this is where journalism and News24 comes in. I leave London with the distinct belief that quality journalism – digging through the garbage (a word used aplenty in relation to the poor use of AI) in search of the magical truth – has an even bigger role and purpose in this brave new world. "AI is having a profound impact on society and democracy. AI is clearly the new battleground for trust," said the foundation's impressive CEO, Antonio Zappulla. What does this mean for the average South African citizen who wants to stay on top of the latest developments in news, business, sport and entertainment? It means that you simply cannot depend on social media platforms like Facebook, Google, X, WhatsApp or TikTok for credible, trusted content. Viral messages forwarded on your community WhatsApp group are likely false. We saw shocking examples of how these platforms are used by agents of disinformation to spread lies, fears and influence agendas. Which brings me to the US presidential election on 5 November. There was a tangible tension in the conference hall that the re-election of former US president Donald Trump could intensify attacks on the truth, democracy and freedom of speech. These fears aren't unfounded. During his first term, Trump illustrated his disdain for the facts when they don't suit his agenda and labelled credible sources of news, critical of his presidency, as "fake". This had a chilling impact globally, also in South Africa. It has become commonplace for South African consumers on social platforms to glibly call articles or publications they don't agree with "fake news". This poses an immediate and immense challenge for those of us who pride ourselves on factual, fair reporting as journalists. Firstly, we have to up our game and ensure that our journalism is top notch. This counts for every single journalist working for News24. Yes, we will make mistakes, but we need to limit this to the absolute minimum, acknowledge when we have erred and uphold the best standards of quality reporting as outlined by the Press Code. Secondly, we have to admit that we cannot compete with the big platforms like Facebook, X and WhatsApp on their terms. They are not interested in the truth; they are owned by a handful of dollar billionaires in Silicon Valley who have little interest in the public good or creating better societies. They will increasingly use AI to feed algorithms for the highest bidder. This means we have to be better, smarter and more innovative on our own platforms. Lastly, when and where we experiment with AI tools in disseminating the journalism we gather, we need to be upfront with you, our readers, that AI was involved and always ensure that a human editor signs off on any piece of content AI has touched. The opportunities for using AI to distribute and enrich our quality journalism are immense and we should not shy away from embracing technology for the good. My promise to you is that we will do this in a way that is ethical and transparent. It remains an enormous pleasure and privilege to work as a journalist in a democratic country that enshrines freedom of speech in its Constitution. As we were congregating in London, 320 journalists globally remain imprisoned while more than 100 have already been killed this year, largely in the Middle East. We cannot do this alone. Your subscription to News24 enables us to stand firm in the face of misinformation and those who abuse technology to divide and destroy democracy. Adriaan

Nigeria Suffers Its 6th Nationwide Power blackout

Nationwide Blackout As National Grid Collapses Sixth Time This Year Like Comment Oct 16, 2024 98 views By: Our Correspondents Source: Daily Independent The national power grid on Monday experienced another collapse, marking the sixth time that the coun­try has being plugged into darkness this year. According to data ob­tained from the Nigerian System Operator’s portal between 7:00p.m and the time of filing this report, the grid recorded an un­precedented zero mega­watts (MW). Data gleaned showed that all 22 generation companies (GenCos) were down. Advertisement This collapse marks the sixth grid disturbance in 2024, adding to challenges that have long plagued Ni­geria’s power sector. Despite the widespread impact of the blackout, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) had not stated to confirm the oc­currence, leaving the pub­lic and stakeholders in the dark about the source and resolution of the newest crisis. generation grid international utility business Discussions

South Africa: 28 Million People On Grants With Only 7.4 Million Tax Payers Paying The Bill

South Africa has 28 million people on grants – but only 7.4 million taxpayers Daily Investor • 14 October 2024 Social grants The South African Social Security Agency’s (SASSA) annual report for the 2023/24 financial year revealed that it pays grants to 28 million South Africans. In turn, the National Treasury’s 2024 Budget Review shows that 7.4 million individuals in South Africa pay income tax. SASSA CEO Busisiwe Memela told Parliament on 11 October 2024 that South Africa serves two groups of clients. The first group is their ‘core clients, which are traditional grant recipients, and the second is recipients of the Social Relief Distress (SRD) grant of R350. Memela said 19 million South Africans receive grants, including older people, children, people with disabilities, war veterans, and people in distress. 55% of these grant recipients are from four regions – KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Limpopo, and the Eastern Cape. There are also 9 million SRD grant recipients, which started during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Memela told Portfolio Committee on Social Development members that South Africa has 28 million grant recipients. Put differently, approximately 45% of South Africa’s 64 million population benefits from social transfers. Social development is the third-largest line item in South Africa’s 2024/2025 national budget, with R387 billion planned to be spent this year. This amount includes R107 billion in old-age grants, R89 billion in social security funds, and R86 billion in child support grants. The budget further includes R73 billion for other grants, R22 billion for provincial social development, and R10 billion for Policy oversight and grant administration. National Treasury said R1.17 trillion is allocated for social grants and welfare services over the medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF) period. Social grants constitute 81.8% of spending in this function over the medium term, including helping women, youth and people with disabilities. Expenditure on social grants, excluding the SRD grant, will increase from R217.1 billion in 2023/24 to R259.3 billion in 2026/27. The SRD distress grant will receive R33.6 billion in 2024/25. Provisional allocations for social protection will be added to the fiscal framework in 2025/26 and 2026/27. Tax revenue to fund social grants Tax revenue to fund South Africa’s budget comes from three main sources: personal income tax, value-added tax (VAT), and corporate income tax. Personal income tax is the largest contributor to tax revenue at R739 billion, followed by VAT at R467 billion and corporate income tax at R303 billion. However, South Africa faces a challenge. It has only 7.4 million personal income taxpayers, while the state supports 28 million people through grants. The National Treasury’s 2024 Budget Review revealed that 7,409,406 people earn a high enough salary to pay income tax. There are 6.8 million registered individuals in South Africa with taxable income below the income‐tax threshold of R95,750 per year. The biggest contributors are people who earn above R1.5 million per year. They contribute R236 billion, or 32%, to personal income tax revenue. What is concerning is that there are only 197,866 people in South Africa who earn over R1.5 million. This means that 2.7% of people who pay personal income tax account for 32% of all collections from this important revenue source. Even more concerning is that South Africa’s expenses, particularly related to social grants, are increasing much faster than tax revenue. For the past decade, the government has consistently outspent its revenue, and it expects to run a deficit of R347 billion in the current financial year. To fund these deficits, the government takes on more debt. South Africa’s debt-to-GDP ratio is around 75%, growing from 2% to 3% annually. This is unlikely to stop. President Cyril Ramaphosa said in July that the government plans to use the SRD grant as the basis for some form of a Basic Income Grant. “We will use this grant to introduce a sustainable form of income support for unemployed people to address the challenge of income poverty,” he said. Creating a permanent basic income grant will add billions to the budget annually, which the country cannot afford. Renowned economist Dawie Roodt said South Africa’s growing debt burden is the biggest threat to the country’s future. “We are heading for a financial crisis in South Africa. The state owes too much money. We cannot afford to spend like we do,” Roodt said. Maybe someone far cleverer has the answer to where the money will come from to repay the debt. Or, is the plan of this government to knowingly default on its debt repayments? Warm regards Cliff photo CLIFF HALL indlovu@axxess.co.za 0827810544