As we wrap up the week, and the Mpox continues to spread in parts of Africa, here are the top stories from the continent: Nearly 4,000 new cases of Mpox were reported last week.
Johann Rupert has surpassed Aliko Dangote to become Africa’s richest person, and the world’s second-largest diamond was discovered in Botswana.
In sports, Nigeria is set to face Benin, Libya, and Rwanda in the upcoming AFCON qualifiers this September.
Check out all the top stories below:
WORLD’S SECOND-LARGEST DIAMOND FOUND IN BOTSWANA
A 2,492-carat diamond was discovered at Botswana’s Karowe Mine, possibly making it the second-largest ever found.
This 2,492-carat gemstone, unearthed by Lucara Diamond Corp, is considered the largest discovery in a century and the second-largest on record.
Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi presented the diamond in his office, confirming it as the largest ever found in the country.
Lucara Diamond Corp. did not provide a value or assess the quality of the diamond but described it as “one of the largest rough diamonds ever unearthed.”
JOHANN RUPERT SURPASSES ALIKO DANGOTE TO BECOME AFRICA’S RICHEST PERSON
Dangote, who previously led the rankings, saw his wealth drop to $13.4 billion after a $1.7 billion decline, while Rupert’s net worth surged to $14.3 billion, surpassing him, according to the latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
This major change is due to a $1.87 billion boost in Rupert’s wealth this year, while Dangote’s fortune has decreased by $1.69 billion.
Rupert controls Cie Financiere Richemont, the world’s largest luxury watchmaker based in Bellevue, Switzerland, which includes prestigious brands such as Jaeger-LeCoultre and Cartier.
Dangote’s fortune is primarily linked to his 86% ownership of publicly traded Dangote Cement, alongside investments in Dangote Sugar, Nascon Allied Industries, United Bank for Africa, and ventures in food manufacturing, fertilizer, oil, and the Dangote Refinery in Lagos.
NIGERIA TO PLAY BENIN, LIBYA, RWANDA IN AFCON QUALIFIERS IN SEPTEMBER
Bruno Labbadia, the new head coach of the Super Eagles, has announced a 23-man squad for Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda.
The team will first play against Benin’s Cheetahs at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, 07 September 2024. They will then travel to Kigali to face Rwanda’s Amavubi at the Amahoro Stadium on Tuesday, 10 September 2024.
The players are set to arrive in Uyo on Monday, 02 September 2024, ahead of the important AFCON qualifiers, as Nigeria looks to secure a spot in the 2025 tournament.
The 2025 AFCON will take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, due to CAF’s decision to reschedule the tournament to fit the crowded FIFA calendar.
Here are the confirmed player to play at upcoming qualifiers:
Goalkeepers:
Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa);
Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy);
Amas Obasogie (Bendel Insurance FC).
Defenders:
William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia);
Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey);
Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa);
Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal);
Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England);
Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England);
Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England).
Midfielders:
Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England);
Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium);
Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA);
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC, Italy);
Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England);
Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England).
Forwards:
Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy);
Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy);
Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain);
Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany);
Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France);
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy);
Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England).
MACKLEMORE CANCELS UAE SHOW OVER SUDAN WAR
American rapper Macklemore has canceled his October concert in Dubai to protest the UAE’s backing of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), involved in the ongoing civil war.
“The current situation in Sudan is urgent, horrific and it’s going largely unnoticed globally. I’m following the lead of Sudanese organisers and activists who are trying to be heard,” he wrote in an Instagram post on Saturday explaining his decision to cancel the October 4 concert.
The war in Sudan erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF, causing over 10.2 million people to be displaced.
“Until the UAE stops arming and funding the RSF I will not perform there,” the rapper added.
The conflict in Sudan has worsened the country’s pre-existing issues, such as ongoing violence, disease outbreaks, economic instability, and climate crises. Meanwhile, tensions between Sudan’s army and the UAE have risen over allegations of UAE support for the RSF, which the UAE denies, though U.N. experts have deemed it credible.
NAMIBIA TO CULL 723 WILD ANIMALS, AND DISTRIBUTE MEAT TO PEOPLE AFFECTED BY DROUGHT
Namibia is set to cull 723 animals, including 83 elephants, and distribute the meat to drought-stricken communities, the Environment Ministry said.
The cull will target parks and communal areas where there are too many animals for the available resources, the statement added.
The cull is also a response to the severe drought gripping Southern Africa, which has drained 84 percent of Namibia’s food reserves and is set to increase food insecurity for nearly half of its population.
Without intervention, the environment ministry warns that the crisis could heighten conflicts between humans and wildlife.
ZIMBABWEAN BISHOP APPREHENDED IN NIGERIA FOR VISA VIOLATION
Zimbabwean Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa has been reportedly detained in Yola, Adamawa State, for allegedly breaching Nigeria’s immigration regulations.
Kenneth Udo, the public relations officer at the Service Headquarters in Abuja, revealed on Wednesday that Nhiwatiwa, who entered Nigeria on August 21, 2024, with a Tourist Visa (F5A) meant only for tourism, had reportedly breached immigration rules.
However, authorities found that the Bishop was involved in the Methodist Church leadership elections, violating the Tourist Visa conditions according to Nigeria’s 2024 Visa Policy.
In response to the violation, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, with approval from the Minister, has ordered Nhiwatiwa’s immediate repatriation from the country.
KENYA WELCOMES OPENS NEW CAFE WITH ROBOT ASSISTANTS
Kenya has opened a new dining cafe with robot assistants serving guests.
Robot Café, Kenya’s first robot restaurant in Kileleshwa, Nairobi, features AI-powered robots working alongside human staff.
The robot employees, equipped with AI and remote controls, perform various tasks: one greets you at the entrance, another takes and delivers your order, and they use built-in trays to transport food from the kitchen to your table.
HEAVY RAINS TO CONTINUE HITTING PARTS OF AFRICA THIS SEASON
Heavy rains and severe flooding have affected over 700,000 individuals in West and Central Africa.
Severe rains and flooding in the Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, Mali, and Togo have affected over 700,000 people, according to Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, during a daily briefing.
The situation has led to many displacements and considerable destruction, affecting homes, schools, and infrastructure, and resulting in the loss of crops and livestock.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted that the forecast for 2024 indicated higher-than-normal rainfall from June to August and July to September in regions already vulnerable to flooding in the Sahel and parts of West Africa.
In South Africa, Cape Town was hit by a record rainfall in July.
With that said, Cape Town continues to experience severe weather, as the SA Weather Service warns of damaging winds up to 100 km/h and large waves in the Western Cape between Tuesday and Thursday (this week).
UGANDAN TOURIST JAILED IN ZIMBABWE OVER POSSESSION OF SEX TOY
A Ugandan tourist who spent 24 days in a Zimbabwean prison for having a sex toy is now awaiting deportation after being cleared of all charges.
Tom Ssekamwa, 24, was detained on August 2 outside a lodge in Masvingo, 292 kilometers south of Harare, alongside Czech tourist Lucas Slavik.
This week, Mr. Ssekamwa was found not guilty by Magistrate Isaac Chikura of both criminal nuisance and violations of the Censorship Act, following the discovery of a rubber male organ in his bag.
Prosecutors claimed that police discovered the sex toy during a search, but Magistrate Chikura dismissed the charges, stating that its presence in Mr. Ssekamwa’s bag did not harm the public or cause any disturbance, as there was no intent to display it. His lawyer, Knowledge Mabvuure from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, noted that Mr. Ssekamwa is now in immigration custody, awaiting deportation.
MOROCCO PARDONS NEARLY 5,000 CANNABIS FARMING CONVICTS
Nearly 5,000 individuals facing charges or convictions related to illegal cannabis cultivation have been pardoned by King Mohammed VI of Morocco, the justice ministry reported on Monday (19th August 2024).
The amnesty is intended to motivate farmers “to engage in the legal process of cannabis cultivation to improve their revenue and living conditions,” said Mohammed El Guerrouj, head of the Moroccan cannabis regulator Anrac, to Reuters.
Since 2021, Morocco has permitted the cultivation, export, and use of cannabis for medicinal and industrial purposes, but it remains illegal for recreational use.
Morocco’s first legal cannabis harvest was 294 metric tons in 2023, according to official figures. Legal exports since 2023 so far stood at 225kg, Guerrouj said.
This year’s production is anticipated to rise due to an increase in farming permits and Anrac’s approval of the local Beldia strain for cultivation.
NAMIBIA TO LAUNCH 5G IN 2026
Telecom Namibia (TN) is planning to roll out commercial 5G services in select areas by 2026.
With this move, TN aims to deliver faster speeds, lower latency, and greater capacity for its 5G network services.
As reported by The Brief, telecommunications operator CEO Stanley Shanapinda said the company is set to begin trial deployments in Otjozondjupa and Omaheke regions in 2025, complying with CRAN requirements, as a precursor to full-scale 5G rollout.
“While we haven’t begun trials in the designated areas of Otjozondjupa and Omaheke, we anticipate starting these trials next year and launching commercial 5G services in 2026, initially in targeted areas,” he said.
He further explained that the company is enhancing its core network infrastructure to support the new technology by upgrading existing systems to 4G and 4.5G networks, ensuring seamless connectivity for customers.
GOVERNMENT BANS UNDER-18s FROM WRITING WAEC, NECO EXAMS
The Federal Government has declared that those under 18 will no longer be permitted to take the National Examinations Council (NECO) and West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams.
This was disclosed by Education Minister Prof. Tahir Mamman on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’.
The Minister further mentioned that WAEC and NECO are required to enforce the new 18-year age limit for all exam candidates.
He emphasized that this reaffirms existing regulations rather than introducing new policies and also confirmed that the age limit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), administered by JAMB, remains at 18 years.
He stated, “It is 18 years, during our meeting with JAMB in July, we agreed to allow this year as a grace period for parents. This means that JAMB will admit students below 18 years old this year, but starting next year, the age requirement of 18 will be strictly enforced for university admissions in Nigeria.”
NEARLY 4,000 CASES OF MPOX REPORTED LAST WEEK
Mpox continues to surge in Africa, with nearly 4,000 cases reported last week, this is according to Africa’s main public health body, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
Dr. Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa CDC, reported that 81 more people died from mpox in Africa last week, pushing the continent’s totals to 22,863 cases and 622 deaths.
In terms of vaccines, Congo will receive its first batch on Sept. 1, consisting of 50,000 doses from the U.S. government and 15,000 from GAVI.
Worldwide, the mpox outbreak has affected 116 countries and territories across all WHO regions, with 99,176 confirmed cases and 208 deaths (0.2% fatality rate) reported from May 2022 to June 2024.
SUDAN’S HEAVY RAINS KILL 138 PEOPLE
Heavy rains have led to a death toll of 138 across 10 states in Sudan, the Health Ministry reported Tuesday.
According to a statement from the ministry’s Autumn Emergency Room, “A total of 138 deaths have been recorded, while 31,666 families, comprising more than 129,650 people, were affected,” with 12,420 houses completely collapsing.
The statement also reported that Sudan has seen 102 new cases of cholera and five additional deaths across five states, bringing the total to 1,223 infections and 48 deaths.
NIGERIA’S WEEKS OF FLOODING CLAIM 170 LIVES
According to data from Nigeria’s Flood National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC), over two weeks of flooding left at least 170 people dead, nearly 2,000 injured, and displaced more than 205,000 individuals.
As of Tuesday, NEOC figures from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) report that 170 people have died, 1,941 have been injured, and 205,338 have been displaced across nearly all states.
The northern region has been particularly hard hit, with eight states experiencing severe impacts from the persistent rainfall, which is expected to continue for the next month, according to meteorological forecasts.
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The post Top Stories in AFRICA this week: Mpox cases, Johann Rupert, Botswana diamond & more appeared first on YOMZANSI. Documenting THE CULTURE.
