Latest news with #SouthernAfrican
TimesLIVE
18 hours ago
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Zambia wants to extend IMF loan programme by 12 months
Zambia's government wants to extend its International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme another 12 months beyond its current expiry at the end of October, a cabinet statement said on Wednesday. The copper-rich Southern African nation has been trying to get its public finances back on track with IMF support after running up a huge debt pile. Its 38-month extended credit facility was approved in August 2022 for an initial $1.3bn (R23.54bn) but was later increased to $1.7bn (R30.78bn). So far about $1.55bn (R28.06bn) has been disbursed. The cabinet statement said finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane had been authorised to ask the IMF for the 12-month extension. "The objective is to consolidate the gains achieved during the programme period into 2026" and help support economic reforms, the statement said.
The Citizen
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
WATCH: Massive python pulled from safari vehicle near Pretoria
A routine vehicle check turned into an unexpected wildlife encounter at Mongena Game Lodge near Pretoria, when field guides discovered a massive Southern African python curled up in the undercarriage of a safari vehicle. The protected snake appeared to be stuck between parts of the game viewer, prompting a carefully coordinated rescue mission that lasted over an hour. The entire operation — from dismantling parts of the vehicle to gently washing and safely releasing the snake — was captured on video, offering a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into bushveld life when the wild comes to camp. Watch the video here: According to a statement by the lodge on Facebook the python was discovered on Monday. 'This stunning Southern African Python had made itself home in the undercarriage of one of the game viewers and seemed stuck between the various parts of the vehicle. It furthermore said Southern African Pythons are a protected species in South Africa and play an important role within a healthy and functioning ecosystem. 'Fearing it might injure itself, a rescue plan was quickly put in motion, and a team assembled to safely remove the snake without causing it any harm. 'After more than an hour, including removing parts of the vehicle, the python was successfully extracted. It was gently washed to remove any oils or residue it may have picked up and thoroughly examined for injuries. Once cleared, it was released safely back into the bush.' Also read: Snowfall alert for SA while Pretoria faces bitterly cold mornings Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
Fox News
a day ago
- Business
- Fox News
Dozens dead as violence erupts over government plans to eliminate fuel subsidies, army takes to streets
At least 22 people have died amid violent protests in Angola against a fuel hike, as unrest continues to spread across the oil-rich nation. Unrest broke out in the African country on Monday after the minibus taxi associations launched a three-day strike against a government move to increase the price of diesel by one-third in an effort to curb costly subsidies and shore up public finances, Reuters reported. Looting, vandalism and clashes between protesters and authorities began in the capital of Luanda before spreading to at least six other provinces. Government officials met on Wednesday to get an update on the death toll and police response. In addition to the 22 deaths, the office of President Joao Lourenco said there were 197 people injured and more than 1,200 arrests. Sixty-six shops and 25 vehicles were vandalized, and some supermarkets and warehouses looted, a presidential statement said. The army was deployed to restore order as the riots "triggered a climate of widespread insecurity," the statement said. Since 2023, Angola has been removing fuel subsidies, a policy encouraged by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). A price hike that year also triggered deadly protests. Subsidies amounted to as much as 4% of gross domestic product (GDP) last year, according to the Southern African oil-producing country's finance minister.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Ray Allen Inspires Africa's Next Generation At Jr. NBA Clinic In Soweto
When Ray Allen arrived in South Africa, it wasn't just another overseas trip, it was a return to something deeper. For the two-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer, it was a homecoming to Ubuntu—the Southern African philosophy that shaped his 2008 Celtics team and still guides his views on community and legacy. 'Being here, there is a sense of unity and camaraderie I felt in the country,' Allen shared with in Johannesburg. 'It is unique compared to America. Having been in Rwanda and now South Africa, similar plights for Black people, you see togetherness and people encouraging each other.' Ubuntu, I am because we are, is more than a concept to Allen. Experiencing it in Africa gave the word renewed meaning. 'It's been extremely peaceful everywhere I've gone,' he said. 'Understanding the music, food, and the belief in the earth, people live it here.' The Celtics adopted Ubuntu in 2008 through Kita 'Thierry' Matungulu, then on the coaching staff and now NBA Africa's Director of Basketball Operations. It became the heartbeat of their title run, their first in over 20 years. Allen's bond with Matungulu, a respected African basketball figure, helped bring him to the continent. 'Kita and I have been friends for close to two decades,' Allen said. 'He always talked about the players and passion here. Now to see it, it's special.' Their long-standing friendship helped spark Allen's visit, but it also signalled his deeper connection to Africa's rising basketball movement. 'There's a resource here,' he said. 'A resource for connection, for young people to see a path forward. And Kita, who's been in the trenches for years, is now leading the charge.' Inspiring the Next Generation That philosophy echoed loudly at the Jr. NBA clinic where Allen spent time with dozens of South African children eager to learn from him. For someone whose name is etched into basketball history for holding the all-time three-point record for a decade, it wasn't his shot that inspired the young players, but his presence. Many of the children weren't even born when Allen won his first NBA championship with the Celtics in 2008. By the time he secured his second title with the Miami Heat in 2013, cemented by one of the most iconic shots in Finals history, many were only beginning to run around their family yards. And yet, here they were: wide-eyed, attentive, and ready to listen to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer. 'Walking into a room of kids who have so much joy and excitement for life, I think about their potential, not what they look like now, but what they can do if you pour into them,' Allen said. 'Just seeing me inspires, and that's always going to stay with me.' What Makes Me an Expert is That I Didn't Quit To the young South African hopefuls gathered around him, the advice came with no illusions. 'The one thing I tell kids always is that what makes me an expert is that I didn't quit,' he said, pausing to make eye contact with a boy near the front of the group. 'It's going to get difficult. You're going to have obstacles to overcome. There's going to be things and people standing in your way telling you that you're not good enough.' It wasn't just motivational talk. It was a lived experience. The road to success in basketball, or any field, is rarely losses, injuries, and self-doubt are familiar companions. But he encouraged the kids to see adversity not as a reason to stop, but as fuel to keep going. 'You're going to have bad days. You're going to have bad games. There's always going to be a player better than you are,' he said. 'Find that player and learn what they know. Compete against them and just keep showing up for yourself every single day.' In the rhythm of drills and the sweat of determination, the players weren't just building skills. They were absorbing a lesson in perseverance: keep showing up, and slowly, you'll rise from your neighbourhood, to your province and eventually to the national level. The Impact Beyond the Court Of course, not every child who picks up a ball will make it to the professional ranks, and that's okay. When asked what he hoped the kids would take from the clinic, his answer was deeply grounded in care. 'I just want these kids to realise that we care about them,' he said. 'We didn't grow up here, but spreading the love of basketball, that message, if you can teach kids how to play, there are lessons in the game that most likely you're not going to learn at home.' Basketball becomes a classroom of its own. It teaches discipline, teamwork, nutrition, rest, communication, and resilience. It's a silent teacher, constantly giving its players real-world lessons in how to handle pressure, how to trust others, and how to bounce back after a fall. His message extended beyond those who make the team. He pointed to the success of Masai Ujiri, the former president of the Toronto Raptors and a pioneer for African basketball leadership. 'Masai played basketball, but even without playing in the NBA, he is successful,' he said. Ujiri's path is proof that the ecosystem around sport is just as important. From coaching to scouting, operations to media, marketing to development, there's a place for everyone. 'He's also a lesson to kids in Africa that if you don't make it based on the odds, there are still so many opportunities around the game, whether in college or the professional ranks, that you can be successful in.' The Power of Influence and Unity Through Basketball In South Africa, the mantra that 'sport has the power to unite and change the world' resonates across generations, and for Allen, it's a belief reinforced by both personal experience and global perspective. Whether mentoring kids at a clinic, reflecting on the cultural impact of He Got Game, or discussing the business of sport, Allen continues to think deeply about how influence travels. 'Basketball is not just a sport,' he said. 'It's business, it's education, it's community, it's a resource, a community resource. It's real estate when you talk about building facilities and arenas that give people jobs and bring tourism to your city.' He's seen it firsthand. In cities across America that once lacked a sporting identity, basketball became the heartbeat of revitalisation. New teams brought pride, investment, and hope. Young kids growing up in overlooked neighbourhoods began to dream beyond their circumstances because someone who looked like them was not only visible but reachable. 'When you have a professional sports team or a college in your town, kids have that opportunity to participate,' he said. 'In most of the team cities that I played in, you do school visits a lot, so the kids in the community see you and realise that as much as they support us, we support them.' Basketball's true power, he suggested, lies in its ability to connect people. In a divided world, a great game can bring thousands together. Wins are shared, losses are mourned, and identity is shaped around the team. 'It's been a uniter of people,' he said. 'You just see people come together in support of their team, and it's such a beautiful experience. It makes them feel good about themselves.' However, true connection isn't limited to the arena. It extends into culture and imagination. 'Movies like He Got Game matter,' Allen said. 'When young Black and Brown kids see the struggles people go through on screen, it's both an education and an inspiration. They see it and say: I want that to be me someday.' So, what does legacy look like for a man who's already done it all on the court? For Allen, it's about showing up, being seen, and passing the torch, again and again. 'Just being here, knowing that what I did in my career still matters to people, it encourages me,' he shared. 'It reminds me to keep using my platform to grow the game, to inspire young people, and to remind them: you are seen. And you matter.' A Lasting Connection With Fans Beyond the clinic, Allen's impact was equally visible at a local NBA Store meet-and-greet. A line of between 50 and 100 fans, spanning generations, waited patiently for a chance to meet him. Some came for photos, others for an autograph, and more than a few tried to sneak in a question about shooting mechanics or what it takes to go pro. From Milwaukee to Seattle, Boston to Miami, many of the fans had followed his career for years. They watched the smooth-shooting guard light up arenas, break records, and hit clutch shots. For them, this wasn't just nostalgia; it was recognition of a legacy that helped shape their love for the game. Africa's Basketball Rise and Global Influence Having represented Team USA in the 2000 Olympics, Allen has witnessed basketball's global evolution firsthand. And perhaps nowhere has that growth been more inspiring than in Africa, making reference to Luol Deng's efforts with South Sudan, which made their Olympic debut at the 2024 Paris Olympics or even Dikembe Mutombo's lasting impact through his involvement in NBA Africa and the BAL and his humanitarian efforts. 'What Luol Deng is doing with South Sudan, what Dikembe Mutombo has done by building hospitals and raising awareness. These players may live abroad, but their roots are here. Their success sends a clear message to kids across the continent: You can do it too.' 'You look at Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Pascal Siakam, so many great players have come from Africa. That should be an inspirational message for all these young kids: you too can make it.' The clinic wasn't just about passing on skills; it was about planting seeds. Among the young faces could be future national team stars, coaches, trainers, doctors, arena architects, or NBA draftees. The pathways are expanding, and the possibilities are endless.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Fikile Mbalula: No Arms to Ukraine, South Africa Stays Committed to Peace
Liberation Movements Summit 2025 class photo. Image: X/ANC By Bayethe Msimang South Africa has reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to neutrality and peace in international conflicts, including the war in Ukraine. This stance was underscored by African National Congress Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula during his address at the recent summit of Southern African liberation movements. Speaking to an audience of political veterans and representatives from across the region, Mbalula emphasised that no South African arms manufacturer, whether public or private, will be permitted to export weapons or ammunition to any party involved in the war. 'As the ANC, we have taken a decision – consistent with South Africa's constitutional values and foreign policy traditions – that South African arms manufacturers will not be allowed to export weapons or ammunition to the war zone in Ukraine,' Mbalula said. His remarks were not presented as a new policy initiative, but rather as a public reaffirmation of South Africa's deeply rooted principles in international engagement. For decades, South Africa's foreign policy has emphasised peaceful conflict resolution, respect for sovereignty, and a strong commitment to international law. Mbalula's words served to restate that approach at a time when the global arms trade and its implications for ongoing conflicts are under intense international scrutiny. Over the past several years, public interest in arms transfers has steadily grown, both within South Africa and abroad. This has been driven by a broader international dialogue around transparency, ethics, and the unintended consequences of global weapons flows. Within this climate, South African defence manufacturers — including well-known entities such as Rheinmetall Denel Munition — have occasionally appeared in investigative reporting and academic research exploring the complexities of modern arms production and end-user accountability. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ It was in this context of heightened awareness that Mbalula's remarks were made. Rather than responding to any specific incident, his statement served as a principled reminder of the frameworks that already guide South Africa's approach to arms exports. Reassuring both local and international observers, Mbalula emphasised that the decision not to authorise exports to the Ukrainian war zone was not an exceptional case, but a confirmation of South Africa's broader diplomatic posture. The guiding principle remains consistent: military goods should not be exported to regions experiencing active conflict, particularly when there is a risk that such exports could contribute to further escalation. In this way, South Africa continues to walk a path defined not by alignment with global power blocs, but by its own moral compass and legal obligations. The government's position reflects its historical role as an advocate for dialogue, mediation, and peaceful coexistence values that have shaped its diplomatic identity since the end of apartheid. Mbalula's message thus serves a dual purpose: it reassures domestic audiences that South Africa's defence industry remains under firm legal and ethical guidance, and it signals to the world that the country remains committed to its role as a bridge-builder in times of war. At a moment when the international order is marked by volatility and mistrust, South Africa's quiet consistency may well be its greatest diplomatic strength. IOL
