Latest news with #SouthernAfrican
The Citizen
3 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Historic Fochville site in danger as illegal dumping continues despite community pleas
The once-scenic veld behind the Gert van Rensburg Stadium in Fochville, Gauteng, is now an unofficial dumping ground, sparking outrage among residents. Despite multiple reports and pleas from the community, the Merafong City Local Municipality has yet to take any meaningful action. The area, known for its quiet beauty and cultural significance, contains the ruins of ancient Sotho-Tswana settlements, which date back over 300 years. According to research conducted by archaeologist Mark Steven Anderson in his 2009 doctoral thesis at the University of Cape Town, this region was home to a thriving community that farmed, herded cattle, and accepted refugees during a turbulent period of Southern African history. However, this vital piece of South Africa's pre-colonial heritage is now being buried beneath piles of building rubble and household waste. Shockingly, eyewitnesses have previously reported municipal vehicles contributing to the illegal dumping. 'We have asked the municipality so many times to help, but have given up because they just don't seem to want to do anything about the problem,' said Corne van der Merwe, a concerned resident. Another local, Johan Knell, highlighted the tragic irony: 'By the looks of it, thousands of people stayed here hundreds of years ago, and now no one seems to care.' Despite being made aware of the issue last year, and again recently, the Merafong City Local Municipality has not erected 'No Dumping' signs, fenced off the area, nor enforced any waste management bylaws. Calls and queries by the local media continue to go unanswered. Environmental degradation, public health concerns, and the irreversible loss of cultural heritage now hang in the balance. Why This Matters The site reflects the legacy of the Sotho-Tswana people, who lived in the area until the 1820s. It holds archaeological significance as a potential educational and tourism asset. Its current state could result in the permanent loss of historical artefacts and cultural knowledge. What needs to happen Residents are urging: Immediate clean-up of the site. Installation of no-dumping signs and surveillance. Intervention from the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) or relevant government departments. Recognition of the area as a protected heritage site. Until such measures are taken, the community fears that a unique piece of South Africa's history may be lost forever under heaps of waste. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Namibia honours victims of colonial genocide as reparation calls grow
Namibia honoured the victims of mass killings during German colonial rule with an inaugural memorial day on Wednesday, as politicians and affected communities voiced fresh calls for reparations from Berlin. German soldiers killed some 65,000 OvaHerero and 10,000 Nama people in 1904-1908 in what historians and the UN have long called the first genocide of the 20th century. In 2021 Germany officially described the massacre as a genocide for the first time, agreeing to fund development projects worth €1.1bn (R22.24bn) in the Southern African country, but stopping short of paying reparations. Namibian officials and representatives of the OvaHerero and Nama people say that is not enough. "We should find a degree of comfort in the fact that the German government has agreed that German troops committed a genocide," Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told a solemn memorial event in the parliament gardens. "We may not agree on the final quantum, but that is part of the complex negotiations we have been engaged in with the German government since 2013," she said. A spokesperson for the German embassy in Windhoek in response to an e-mail request for comment referred Reuters to a statement the German government published on the memorial day. "The federal government acknowledges Germany's moral and political responsibility [for the killings] and emphasises the importance of reconciliation," the statement said. Namibia's government chose to mark Genocide Remembrance Day on May 28 because it was on that date that German colonial authorities ordered the closure of concentration camps. Charles Kakomee Tjela, a descendant of genocide victims who attended the event in the parliament gardens, told Reuters the genocide should feature more prominently in school curricula. Hoze Riruako, an OvaHerero chief, said the colonial-era atrocities were a prelude to the Holocaust but "people are not aware of what has happened here to the same level". Some representatives of the OvaHerero community boycotted memorial proceedings because they think the agreement for Germany to fund development projects over 30 years does not address their grievances. Nandi-Ndaitwah said on Wednesday negotiations with Germany would continue and that any final agreement should be "satisfactory, particularly for the directly affected communities". McHenry Venaani, an opposition leader, agreed Germany's initial offer was insufficient. "We are demanding a fair deal," Venaani said. Reuters
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Namibia honours victims of colonial genocide as reparation calls grow
By Nyasha Nyaungwa WINDHOEK (Reuters) -Namibia honoured the victims of mass killings during German colonial rule with an inaugural memorial day on Wednesday, as politicians and affected communities voiced fresh calls for reparations from Berlin. German soldiers killed some 65,000 OvaHerero and 10,000 Nama people in 1904-1908 in what historians and the United Nations have long called the first genocide of the 20th century. In 2021 Germany officially described the massacre as a genocide for the first time, agreeing to fund development projects worth 1.1 billion euros ($1.2 billion) in the Southern African country, but stopping short of paying reparations. Namibian officials and representatives of the OvaHerero and Nama people say that is not enough. "We should find a degree of comfort in the fact that the German government has agreed that German troops committed a genocide," Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told a solemn memorial event in the parliament gardens. "We may not agree on the final quantum, but that is part of the complex negotiations we have been engaged in with the German government since 2013," she said. A spokesperson for the German embassy in Windhoek in response to an email request for comment referred Reuters to a statement the German government published on the memorial day. "The federal government acknowledges Germany's moral and political responsibility (for the killings) and emphasises the importance of reconciliation," the statement said. Namibia's government chose to mark Genocide Remembrance Day on May 28 because it was on that date that German colonial authorities ordered the closure of concentration camps. Charles Kakomee Tjela, a descendant of genocide victims who attended the event in the parliament gardens, told Reuters the genocide should feature more prominently in school curricula. Hoze Riruako, an OvaHerero chief, said the colonial-era atrocities were a prelude to the Holocaust but "people are not aware of what has happened here to the same level". Some representatives of the OvaHerero community boycotted memorial proceedings because they think the agreement for Germany to fund development projects over 30 years does not address their grievances. Nandi-Ndaitwah said on Wednesday negotiations with Germany would continue and that any final agreement should be "satisfactory, particularly for the directly affected communities". McHenry Venaani, an opposition leader, agreed Germany's initial offer was insufficient. "We are demanding a fair deal," Venaani said. ($1 = 0.8838 euros)
DW
5 days ago
- Health
- DW
Malawi-Israel health workers deal: Who benefits the most? – DW – 05/26/2025
Malawi churns out more nurses from college than it can employ. A new deal to send health workers to Israel promises jobs and relief, but will it drain Malawi's already fragile health care system? With high unemployment among health care professionals, an agreement between Malawi and Israel will see the Southern African nation send trained nurses and midwives to Israeli health institutions. The Malawian government says the bilateral deal, signed in April, will benefit health care workers by giving them a job, new skills and a way to support their families through remittances. This offers a chance for unemployed Malawian nurses, like Christina Jere, who is enthusiastic about the prospect. "I would definitely go. I have been qualified for three years and I haven't even been called for an interview," Jere told DW. "Malawi is my home, but why would I stay in a country where I have spent so much on college fees without a job? Elizabeth Gondwe—another trained nurse—has similar aspirations. "I've stayed here for a long time without being employed. I'm so excited because here in Malawi I was unable to help my family," Gondwe explained to DW, adding that she eventually envisions returning to Malawi with more skills and experience. Criticism of the Malawi-Israel health care workers' deal Not everyone is thrilled about the idea of sending skilled health care workers abroad. A similar deal agreed in 2023, in which Malawians went to work in Israel's agricultural sector, caused uproar amid reports of exploitation , poor working conditions, and Malawian workers being deported for breaching their work contracts. Critics also say Malawi's health system is under-resourced and cannot afford to lose trained personnel. Malawi's nurse-to-patient ratio is about one-third below that of the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended ratio of at least one nurse per 1,000 patients. While the deal has been seen as a win for the Malawian government, Malawian observers have also questioned the government's motives, seeing this as a political move, rather than taking the interests of Malawian citizens into account . Malawian healthcare workers could soon be working in hospitals such as this one in Tel Aviv Image: polk430/Depositphotos/IMAGO In addition, Malawi's policies regarding Israel break with the existing trends of other countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Notably, South Africa has accused the Israeli leadership of war crimes in Gaza during Israel's war on Hamas. In contrast, Malawi opened an embassy in Tel Aviv in 2024 and is seen by Israel as a strong ally on the continent. Lastly, watching the Malawian government invest in training health care workers only to see them encouraged to move abroad, taking their skills and knowledge with them, has stirred debate in Malawi. However, Mercy Mwalilino, a practicing midwife in Malawi, told DW that some nurses are earning as little as 3,453 Malawian Kwacha ($2, €1,75) a day. According to Mwalilino, only a quarter of qualified nurses have found employment within Malawi's health care system. How will Malawian health care workers fare in Israel? Concerns have also been raised about working conditions in Israel and whether proper protections are in place for the Malawian workers. The previous initiative, which saw Malawian agricultural workers go to Israel, was stopped after the workers complained of difficult working conditions, left their jobs to work in the informal sector, or sought asylum in Israel. In contrast, this bilateral deal for the nurses was driven by private labor recruiters. Malawi: Ending period poverty using banana fiber pads To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video For Mercy Mwalilino, the bilateral agreement between Israel and Malawi gives a sense of security to the deal. "The Malawi government is finalizing this deal in conjunction with the National Organization of Nurses and Midwives of Malawi, which is responsible for looking into all those conditions for the nurses before sending them there," she told DW, adding that those willing to go can earn $200 to $300 a month. When asked about the possibility of Malawians potentially working in a dangerous part of Israel threatened by war, Mwalilino admitted this was a concern. "Those in dilemma because of the security risks will not be forced to go." Will Malawian health care workers return? Other potential candidates, like Esther Malanga, are more circumspect about working in the Middle Eastern country. "Adapting to a new language, culture and work environment could be a challenge, and could impact my personal life. Initially I would consider working in Israel for one to two years." Malawian officials justified the policy by saying nurses and midwives would be upskilled in Israel before coming back when their contracts are over. For Malanga, that would be an attractive option. Malawi strikes deal with Israel to send nurses To play this audio please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 audio "Going to Israel would help me improve patient care and learn about different health systems, approaches and technologies that I could bring back to Malawi," she told DW. However, others like Christina Jere are not sure about returning. "Going to Israel is something exciting, and I don't think I would come back." Josephine Mahachi contributed to this article Edited by: Chrispin Mwakideu
DW
6 days ago
- Health
- DW
Malawi-Israel healthworkers deal: Who benefits the most? – DW – 05/26/2025
Malawi churns out more nurses from college than it can employ. A new deal to send health workers to Israel promises jobs and relief, but will it drain an already fragile healthcare system? With high unemployment among healthcare professionals, an agreement between Malawi andIsrael will see the Southern African nation send trained nurses and midwivesto Israeli health institutions. The Malawian government says the bilateral deal, signed in April, will benefit healthcare workers by giving them a job, new skills and help them support their families through remittances. Several Malawian nurses, like Christina Jere, are excited about the prospect of working in Israel. "I would definitely go. I have been qualified for three years and I haven't even been called for an interview," Jere told DW. "Malawi is my home, but why would I stay in a country where I have spent so much on college fees without a job? Elizabeth Gondwe—another trained nurse—has similar aspirations. "I've stayed for a long time without being employed. I'm so excited because here in Malawi I was unable to help my family," Gondwe explained to DW, adding that she eventually envisions returning to Malawi with more skills and experience. Criticism of the Malawi-Israel healthcare workers' deal Not everyone is thrilled about the idea of sending skilled healthcare workers abroad. A similar deal agreed in 2023, in which Malawians went to work in Israel's agricultural sector, caused uproar amid reports of exploitation , poor working conditions, and Malawian workers being deported for breaching their work contracts. Critics also say Malawi's health system is under-resourcedand cannot afford to lose trained personnel. Malawi's nurse-to-patient ratio is about one-third below that of the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended ratio of at least one nurse per 1,000 patients. While the deal has been seen as a win for the Malawian government, Malawian observers have also questioned the government's motives, seeing this as a political move, rather than taking the interests of Malawian citizens into account . Malawian healthcare workers could soon be working in hospitals such as this one in Tel Aviv Image: polk430/Depositphotos/IMAGO In addition, Malawi's policies regarding Israel break with the existing trends of other countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Notably, South Africa has accused the Israeli leadership of war crimes in Gaza during Israel's war on Hamas. In contrast, Malawi opened an embassy in Tel Aviv in 2024 and is seen by Israel as a strong ally on the continent. Lastly, watching the Malawian government invest in training healthcare workers only to see them encouraged to move abroad, taking their skills and knowledge with them, has stirred debate in Malawi. However, Mercy Mwalilino, a practicing midwife in Malawi, told DW that some nurses are earning as little as 3,453 Malawian Kwacha ($2, €1,75) a day. According to Mwalilino, only a quarter of qualified nurses have found employment within Malawi's healthcare system. How will Malawian healthcare workers fare in Israel? Concerns have also been raised about working conditions in Israel and whether proper protections are in place for the Malawian workers. The previous initiative, which saw Malawian agricultural workers go to Israel, was stopped after the workers complained of difficult working conditions, left their jobs to work in the informal sector, or sought asylum in Israel. In contrast, this bilateral deal for the nurses was driven by private labor recruiters. Malawi: Ending period poverty using banana fiber pads To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video For Mercy Mwalilino, the bilateral agreement between Israel and Malawi gives a sense of security to the deal. "The Malawi government is finalizing this deal in conjunction with the National Organization of Nurses and Midwives of Malawi, which is responsible into looking into all those conditions for the nurses before sending them there," she told DW, adding that those willing to go can earn $200 to $300 a month. When asked about the possibility of Malawians potentially working in a dangerous part of Israel threatened by war, Mwalilino admitted this was a concern. "Those in dilemma because of the security risks will not be forced to go." Will Malawian healthcare workers return? Other potential candidates, like Esther Malanga, are more circumspect about working in the Middle Eastern country. "Adapting to a new language, culture and work environment could be a challenge, and could impact my personal life. Initially I would consider working in Israel for one to two years." Malawian officials justified the policy by saying nurses and midwives would be upskilled in Israel before coming back when their contracts are over. For Malanga, that would be an attractive option. "Going to Israel would help me improve patient care and learn about different health systems, approaches and technologies that I could bring back to Malawi," she told DW. However, others like Christina Jere are not sure about returning. "Going to Israel is something exciting, and I don't think I would come back." Malawi strikes deal with Israel to send nurses To play this audio please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 audio Josephine Mahachi contributed to this article Edited by: Chrispin Mwakideu
