Published on 14 December 2023

Photo: Walumbi Village

Uganda, a nation celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife, is fast emerging as a trailblazer in sustainable and ecotourism. Uganda is a global pioneer for profound transformation towards responsible and conscientious exploration in the world. It offers a unique blend of pristine nature, cultural richness, and innovative ecotourism initiatives, beckoning to adventurers seeking a unique travel experience. Uganda’s commitment to sustainability promises a “green” safari that transcends the ordinary.

Uganda’s Untouched Beauty

Photo: Memorial Monument

Winston Churchill aptly coined Uganda the “Pearl of Africa,” a testament to its unparalleled richness in biodiversity – Ranging from the mist-covered mountains of the Rwenzori to the vast savannahs of Murchison Falls National Park. Uganda is a haven for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. However, with this bounty of natural treasures comes the responsibility of preserving them for future generations.

Uganda is increasingly becoming a sought-after destination for eco-conscious travelers. At the heart of this burgeoning tourism industry are eco-lodges and sustainable accommodation options that seamlessly blend luxury with environmental responsibility.

1. Bwindi Lodge: Where Luxury Meets Conservation

Located in Buhoma, Bwindi Lodge is a testament to luxury living in harmony with nature. Embracing eco-friendly practices, the lodge utilizes renewable energy sources and actively minimizes its environmental footprint. What sets it apart is its dedication to supporting local initiatives and employing staff from neighbouring communities, creating a sustainable ecosystem that goes beyond tourism.

2. Wildwaters Lodge: A Riverside Haven of Sustainability

Situated on a private island on the Nile River, Wildwaters Lodge is an oasis of tranquility that takes its commitment to sustainability seriously. Through solar energy, rainwater harvesting, and eco-friendly wastewater treatment, the lodge minimizes its impact on the pristine surroundings. Constructed with locally sourced materials, it champions responsible tourism and offers an immersive experience in the lap of nature.

3. Kyambura Gorge Lodge: Where Conservation Meets Comfort

In the heart of the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kyambura Gorge Lodge seamlessly blends luxury with conservation. The lodge actively engages in community development, employing local staff and supporting grassroots initiatives. From minimizing its carbon footprint to preserving its natural habitat, Kyambura Gorge Lodge exemplifies a dedication to responsible tourism beyond its stunning location.

4. Mihingo Lodge: Sustainable Serenity near Lake Mburo

Adjacent to Lake Mburo National Park, Mihingo Lodge stands as a testament to sustainable living. Through eco-friendly building practices and solar energy utilization, the lodge effortlessly integrates into its natural environment. Actively participating in community development and wildlife conservation, Mihingo Lodge offers a serene escape with minimal impact on its surroundings.

5. Primate Lodge Kibale – a Community-centric Conservation

Nestled in Kibale National Park, Primate Lodge Kibale embodies the principles of eco-tourism and community engagement. Actively involved in local projects, supporting schools, and employing staff from nearby communities, the lodge is more than a place to stay—it is a hub for responsible tourism. With a focus on waste management and energy conservation, Primate Lodge Kibale showcases Uganda’s commitment to a sustainable future.

As Uganda’s tourism sector continues to grow, these eco-lodges stand as beacons of sustainable hospitality, offering travelers a place to stay and a chance to contribute to the preservation of the country’s natural wonders and local communities. In a world where responsible travel is gaining prominence, Uganda’s eco-lodges shine as exemples of a harmonious coexistence between luxury and the environment.

Photo: NyeroRock Paintings 

Community Empowerment

One of the hallmarks of sustainable tourism in Uganda is its emphasis on community empowerment. By involving indigenous populations in tourism activities, the country ensures that the economic benefits are distributed more equitably. Initiatives such as community-based tourism projects and cultural experiences provide visitors with an authentic taste of Ugandan life while directly contributing to the well-being of local residents.

The Batwa Experience, for instance, offers a unique opportunity to interact with the Batwa people, one of Uganda’s indigenous communities. Through guided tours, visitors gain insights into their traditional way of life, fostering a sense of cultural appreciation and understanding.

Conservation Through Education

To create lasting change, Uganda recognizes the importance of education in fostering a culture of conservation. Several conservation organizations and national parks offer educational programs for both locals and visitors. These initiatives aim to raise awareness about the fragility of ecosystems, the importance of wildlife conservation, and the role every individual play in preserving the environment.

For the formal sector audience, these educational programs offer a chance to combine business trips with impactful learning experiences. Corporate retreats can be organized to include elements of wildlife conservation, contributing to team-building while fostering a sense of social responsibility.

Photo: Kampala Kasubi Tombs

Innovation in Sustainable Transportation

Uganda is also addressing the environmental impact of transportation, a significant concern to the general population. The introduction of electric safari vehicles in some national parks represents a leap towards sustainable tourism. These electric vehicles not only reduce carbon emissions but also provide a quieter and less intrusive safari experience, allowing visitors to connect more intimately with the natural surroundings.

While the adoption is in its early stages, several initiatives signal a collective commitment to reducing the ecological footprint of safari adventures. Moreover, the use of bicycles for guided tours in certain areas promotes a low-impact, eco-friendly means of exploration. This innovative approach not only reduces the ecological footprint but also provides a healthier alternative for travelers.

The Ugandan Wildlife Authority (UWA), the custodian of the nation’s natural treasures, has been at the forefront of discussions surrounding sustainable tourism. While the transition to electric safari vehicles is not yet ubiquitous, the UWA has shown interest in pilot projects to assess the feasibility and impact of incorporating eco-friendly alternatives into their safari operations.

Photo: Kasubi Tombs Uganda

Preserving Cultural Heritage

Sustainable tourism in Uganda extends beyond the realm of nature conservation to encompass the preservation of cultural heritage. As visitors explore the country’s historical sites, museums, and cultural festivals, they contribute to the preservation of Uganda’s rich and diverse heritage.

Engagement with Uganda’s cultural tapestry offers a unique diplomatic avenue. Cultural exchange programs, art exhibitions, and collaborative projects can be forged to strengthen international ties while promoting the importance of preserving cultural diversity.

Challenges and Future Prospect

While Uganda has made remarkable progress in sustainable tourism, challenges persist. Balancing the growing demand for tourism with conservation efforts requires ongoing vigilance. The delicate balance between economic development and environmental preservation remains a constant challenge for policymakers and conservationists alike.

Looking ahead, Uganda is exploring innovative solutions, such as incorporating sustainable practices into the mainstream tourism industry and encouraging responsible tourism through certifications. The goal is to create a self-sustaining model where tourism contributes not only to the country’s economic growth but also to the preservation of its natural and cultural heritage.

Uganda’s commitment to sustainable tourism positions it as a leader in the evolving landscape of conscientious travel. For the formal sector audience, from business executives to diplomats, Uganda offers a unique opportunity to engage in eco-friendly practices while enjoying the unparalleled beauty of the Pearl of Africa. As the world increasingly prioritizes sustainability, Uganda stands as a shining example of how tourism can be a force for good, providing a blueprint for a green safari that leaves a positive impact on both the environment and the communities it touches.

Published 30 November 2023

                                           

Photo: Badr Jafar

                                                                                                                                            

1000 top CEOs and philanthropists will gather at the inaugural COP28 Business and Philanthropy Climate Forum, marking the first-time business and philanthropy has been included within the official COP agenda, alongside the World’s Leaders Summit. What does the Forum’s inclusion signify and how do you hope it impacts the broader global climate action agenda?

For too long, the climate narrative has been seen through the prism of, activism equals good, and capitalism equals bad. Whether you think that is fair or not, the reality is that this kind of adversarial thinking doesn’t get us anywhere nearer to solving the problem. That is why the COP28 President, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, has called for a new paradigm based on the concept of actionism, which embraces the dynamism, capital and action networks that business and philanthropy can provide. 

One of the most prominent examples of that approach is the Business & Philanthropy Climate Forum, which will be held on 1-2 December 2023, in parallel with the World Climate Action Summit. This CEO-level Forum will bring together 1,000 leaders from across business and philanthropy to exchange ideas, co-create solutions and drive tangible climate action. By hosting this event directly alongside the heads of state/government summit, the Forum aims to ensure that the private sector, which encompasses business and philanthropy, can be a full partner in the process from now on.  

In terms of objectives, the agenda of the COP28 Business & Philanthropy Climate Forum mirrors the four pillars laid out by the COP28 Presidency, including fast-tracking the global energy transition, transforming climate finance, putting nature and people at the heart of climate action, and delivering the most inclusive COP ever. Specific proposals on the table are expected to include ways to accelerate technology transfer, de-risk green investments, enhance nature capital, boost green SMEs and start-ups, and increase investment in resilience for vulnerable communities. 

Ultimately, the Forum is part of a broader effort to enable business and philanthropy stakeholders to move beyond pledges and declarations and into the much more important work of sustained action and implementation.

 

• Public-private partnerships (PPP) have been instrumental in achieving positive climate contributions and net zero goals. How can business more effectively leverage their innovation and green skills within these collaborations? 

Governments at all levels will always have a leading role to play in overseeing responses to climate change. However, that doesn’t give the private sector a free pass. On the contrary, business has an equally, if not more important role to play in helping the world to meet its climate and nature goals.    

Public-private partnerships can be an attractive way for businesses and governments to collaborate, and they allow government entities to draw upon the private sector’s expertise, operational efficiency, innovative thinking and financial resources to deliver projects at a scale and on a much faster timeframe than they otherwise could. 

PPPs have been hard wired into the UAE’s national economic strategy for decades, and they will likely be central to enabling us to meet our net zero targets in the future. PPPs are also enabling much-needed investment in climate-smart infrastructure in emerging economies around the world.  

However, what I think PPPs really demonstrate is the power of blending capital and capabilities across sectors, and finding new ways to scale up these types of creative and blended approaches is high on the agenda of the COP28 Business & Philanthropy Climate Forum.

 

• The Forum aims to foster entrepreneurial innovation to address critical climate issues. What steps need to be taken to further mobilize and support entrepreneurs in this mission?

I am not alone in believing that the private sector holds the greatest potential to accelerate the implementation of the world’s climate and nature goals, and that innovators and entrepreneurs will be integral to realising that potential. 

The interesting thing is that we know exactly what it takes to cultivate entrepreneurial ecosystems, because we have seen it work in many different industries and geographies. We just need to channel more of that entrepreneurial energy and creativity towards developing solutions to our climate and nature challenges specifically, and to provide financing and support to entrepreneurs in more parts of the world, including in the Global South.    

The good news is that this is already happening. If you just look at the UAE, in a report we recently commissioned at Crescent Enterprises, we discovered an eleven-fold increase in venture funding towards green tech over the past 5 years, with 144 new green tech start-ups enabled by $650m in venture funding. This is an encouraging trend, and the more that we can continue to debunk the myth that the greener something is, the less profitable it will be, then the more capital we will see flowing into the green tech sector.

The COP28 Business & Philanthropy Climate Forum is also working to accelerate this process. The Forum has released a set of 22 actions that business and philanthropy stakeholders can take to help support the climate action agenda. Several of these are aimed directly or indirectly at supporting entrepreneurs, including initiatives focused on strengthening innovation ecosystems in the Global South, funding climate and nature moonshots, and accelerating innovation related to water, agriculture and food. 

 

• Private philanthropy plays a pivotal role in closing the annual $4 trillion financing gap to achieve key goals from net-zero emissions and environmental restoration, already outpacing government assistance fivefold. What strategies can enhance philanthropy’s impact in this arena?

Fixing climate finance is one of the key priorities of COP28, and by extension, of the COP28 Business and Philanthropy Climate Forum. We know that we have a big hill to climb here. Global investment of over 3 trillion dollars a year will be needed to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, and it is estimated that developing countries alone will require investments of 2.4 trillion dollars annually through to 2030 to meet Paris Agreement Goals. 

It is clear that we will need to unlock additional sources of capital, and this is one area where philanthropy could play a transformative role. It is estimated that the total amount of philanthropic capital flowing through the global financial system each year is well over one trillion dollars. Redirecting a portion of these funds towards climate-focused projects and initiatives could make a significant contribution to closing the climate finance gap. 

It is also not just the quantity of philanthropic capital that sets it apart from other forms of funding. By its nature, philanthropic capital can often be deployed in more flexible, risk-tolerant and patient ways than other forms of finance. When we combine philanthropic capital with business or public sector capital, or both, we can create a multiplier effect that produces outcomes that not one of these funding sources could achieve on its own. 

We still have a long way to go, though, with recent estimates suggesting that less than 2% of philanthropic giving is currently focused on climate-related causes. Over time, though, climate philanthropy has the potential to become part of the glue that binds business, government, and civil society together in a concerted effort to achieve our net zero and nature positive goals. 

 

• Given the disproportionate impact of climate change on women, and the connection between gender justice and environmental issues, how could a focus on inclusivity and equity lead to more effective solutions in the fight against climate change?

The UAE has made no secret of its ambition to make this most inclusive COP ever. That is not a talking point. It’s a genuine commitment that has shaped every aspect of COP28, including the design of the COP28 Business & Philanthropy Climate Forum.

In relation to women specifically, a number of important steps have been taken to elevate women’s voices in the COP process and to empower women around the world, including in the Global South, to play a leading role in the global response to climate change.

For example, the COP28 Presidency has called on all participants to assemble gender balanced delegations that include youth, indigenous and subnational representatives. It has also committed publicly to ensuring that gender diversity is represented in all COP28 workstreams and events. COP28 will feature a dedicated Gender Day, which coincides with Finance Day, on which stakeholders will make a joint commitment to ensuring a gender-just transition and expanding direct access to climate financing for women and girls around the world. Informed by its consultations, the COP28 Presidency has also identified a need for higher quality, gender-disaggregated climate data, and is looking at various ways to address this. 

Ultimately, this is yet another example of why we can no longer afford to separate the human development agenda from the climate and nature agenda. They are two sides of the same coin, and the edge of that coin is conducive and inclusive climate policy that embraces a greener evolution of all of our systems, while ensuring equitable opportunities for the billions of people who have not always been afforded them in the past. 

Badr Jafar is the COP28 Special Representative for Business & Philanthropy, and CEO of UAE-based Crescent Enterprises Badr Jafar is a renowned billionaire and philanthropist. He is Special Representative for Business, Philanthropy & Private Sector to the COP28 summit, and host of the COP28 Business & Philanthropy Climate Forum on 1-2 Dec which will be opened by King Charles. He is a member of the United Nations Secretary General’s High-Level Panel on Humanitarian Financing, a member of the UNESCO International Commission on the Futures of Education and CEO of Cresent Enterprises. He is a signatory to the Bill Gates and Warren Buffet Giving Pledge.

By Susan Novela                            29 November 2023

 

Photo;  Kilimanjaro in 2021

What comes to mind when one contemplates a holiday in Uganda?  you envision It could be sunrise at the source of the White Nile at Lake Victoria and the adrenaline before white water rafting. Or perhaps gorilla tracking in pristine mountains. For the culinary it could be a sumptuous breakfast or dinner consisting of the best of tropical pine apple, bananas, Nile Perch or Lake Victoria Tilapia with Cassava starch, and such other treats in a Five Star Hotel. 

For some, they visualize a ride through the raucous and rancour that is Kampala on a Boda boda (Motor bike taxi). Touch down at Entebbe Airport with the illusion of splashing onto the lake conjures up the pearly images of a tropical but complexly fabricated pearl. For business travelers, it offers a promise of a mélange of business deals struck against a backdrop of night life entertainment just down Kololo Hill at Centenary Park.

Uganda indeed offers all this and more to its visitors, claiming its rightful nomenclature as the Pearl of East Africa. Nestled among Kenya (to the east), South Sudan (to the north), Tanzania (to the south), The Democratic Republic of the Congo (to the west) and Rwanda (to the south-west), it holds its own as a unique destination, with its two summers and 2 springs. 

On things climatic

Its equatorial climate, ensures a very lush vegetation through most of the country, with humidity, a small price to pay for the brilliance of the beauty such a climate entails. The fauna and plant life are as diverse as they are mesmerizing. Uganda is very much home to the Big Five – Lion, Rhino, Buffalo, Elephant, and Leopard. Honorary mention goes to Hippo, Giraffe, Hyena, Wild dogs and majestic Kudus among others. All manner of floral and green plants flourish in the lush, richly manured dark loam soil, forming a tapestry of tropical seduction.

Photo: Mount Kilimanjaro Dec 2009

The People, Culture and Heritage

Some of the major peoples of Uganda include the Baganda, Banyankole, Acholi, Nubi, Banyarwanda and many others. I have counted no less than 35! Thus, the cultural diversity is vast. This translates into amazing variation in dress, dance, cuisine, and ways of life among Ugandans. Fancy dress and mouth-watering dishes are a permanent feature of weddings and various other celebrations. The sweet irony is that the cultural diversity has emerged as a uniting beacon that emerged from the end of the tyrannical era of Idi Amin.

One can easily and happily lose oneself Uganda’s vibrant cultural and historical heritage. This ranges from the high life and Afrohop rhythmic beats of Kampala’s urban life to the sacred grounds of the Kasubi Tombs, the historical Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, and Fort Jesus in Jinja, as Uganda’s history comes alive. The Igongo Cultural Centre preserves the traditions of the Ankole people, while traditional performances and craft markets add a dynamic layer to the cultural spirituality. Uganda’s cultural richness transcends mere exploration; it amounts to a dynamic odyssey of cultural assimilation through time and tradition. One becomes one with the captivating narrative that is historical and contemporary Uganda. 

The following are some of the notable (but certainly not the only wonders) that Uganda has to offer:

Photo:  Qenp

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: A Magical Wilderness Encounter

Our odyssey commences in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a haven and heaven for wildlife enthusiasts. Secure elusive permits for an intimate gorilla trek, led by seasoned park guides through challenging yet enchanting terrain. Witness the intricate social dynamics of mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, contributing to conservation efforts with permit fees that support the protection of these omniscient creatures. Gorilla trekking is not merely an adventure; it is a ritualistic dance between humanity and nature—a harmonious co-existence etched into permanent memory.

Photo:  Unwinding your self

Murchison Falls National Park: A Cacophonous Symphony of Wildlife in the Savanna

Progress the adventure through Murchison Falls National Park, where the Nile River sets the stage for a grand orchestra of wildlife. Safari through the savannah, surrounded by the roaring sounds of intrepid lions, trumpeting elephants, and graceful giraffes. The Rhino Sanctuary proffers a powerful crescendo, and the park’s 450 bird species contribute nature’s sweet melodies to the complex oratory of nature. The climax awaits at the breathtaking Murchison Falls, a poignant reminder of the park’s unwavering commitment to conservation, and a reflective pause to the colonial past of Captain John Speke.

Lake Bunyonyi: A Tranquil Oasis in the Southwest

Discover the epitome of serenity at Lake Bunyonyi, a virgin masterpiece in southwestern Uganda. The landscape, adorned with terraced hills and crystal-clear waters, paints a canvas of vibrant colours and reflections. Explore the 29 islands, each with its unique narrative, as traditional dugout canoes gracefully navigate the waters. Over 200 bird species contribute to the air’s melody, seamlessly blending with the cultural richness of local communities. Lake Bunyonyi is not just a destination; it is an artistic portrayal—a hidden gem in Uganda’s creative landscape.

A Call to the Eager Tourist

In the heart of Africa lies Uganda the Mother Pearl of Africa, which extends an open invitation to adventurers, families and business people. It lures them to partake in a journey that transcends the ordinary but escalates into a spiritual, cultural and entertainment encounter. Here, wildlife roams freely, cultural traditions are woven into the fabric of everyday life, and landscapes paint a calligraphy of unparalleled beauty. Join us in discovering the wonders of Uganda, the “Pearl of Africa,” where every moment is a brushstroke on the canvas of a unique and unforgettable travel 

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The UAE ranked seventh in the world in terms of per capita national income, according to the latest data released by the World Bank.

The per capita income in the UAE, based on purchasing power parity (PPP) in current international dollars, rose to Int$87,729 in July 2022, an increase of Int$10,781 from 2021.

The international dollar is a virtual currency used to compare the purchasing power of different countries. It is based on the US dollar, but it has the same purchasing power as the local currency in each country.

According to the latest update by the World Bank, the UAE solidified its position on the list of countries with the highest income per capita based on the Atlas method while also using current US dollar prices.

The World Bank classifies the world’s economies into four groups based on income using the Atlas method, which are low-income, lower-middle-income, upper-middle-income, and high-income. The classifications are updated yearly at the beginning of July based on per capita income from the previous fiscal year.

According to the Atlas method, the per capita national income in the UAE, in current US dollars, increased to US$48,950 in 2022 from its previous level of US$43,460 in 2021, surpassing the pre-COVID-19 level of US$46,210.

The expression of Gross National Income (GNI) in US dollars is done using the Atlas method, which was introduced in its current form in 1989 and utilised derived conversion factors.

The classifications can change for two reasons. Firstly, there could be changes in per capita GNI according to the Atlas method. Economic growth, inflation, exchange rates, and population growth can affect the per capita income level according to the Atlas method in each country. Reviews related to improving methods and data can also have an impact.

Secondly, changes aimed at maintaining income boundaries in real terms as annual adjustments for inflation are made using the Special Drawing Rights (SDR) deflator, which is a weighted average of the deflators for gross domestic product in China, Japan, the UK, the US and the EU.

The new classification boundaries for per capita gross national income under the Atlas method for 2022 differ from 2021.

In the latest classification, countries with low income have a per capita income of less than US$1,135, lower-middle-income ranges from US$1,136 to US$4,465, upper-middle-income ranges from US$4,466 to US$13,845, while high-income is above US$13,845.

In the previous classification, the thresholds were lower for all categories, with low-income countries having a per capita income of less than US$1,085, lower-middle-income ranges from US$1,086 to US$4,255, upper-middle-income ranges from US$4,256 to US$13,205, and high-income exceeds US$13,205.

Regarding per capita GNI, according to the Atlas method, nearly 80 percent of countries showed improvements in 2022 from the pre-pandemic period in 2019.

Source: Muhammad Aamir / Khoder Nashar

Photo: Celebrating Nelson Mandela’s Legacy, President Ramaphosa, to unveil two Mandela statues in Eastern Cape as part of Nelson Mandela Day celebrations
Photo Credit: GCIS

President Cyril Ramaphosa will unveil the statues in Mthatha and Qunu as part of Nelson Mandela Day celebrations.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, July 18 2023, deliver the keynote address at the national commemoration of the United Nations-endorsed Nelson Mandela International Day and will preside over the unveiling of two statues commemorating the legacy of former President Nelson Mandela.

A statue honouring the Father of the Nation will be unveiled at the Bhunga Building in Mthatha before the President delivers the keynote address and presides over a second unveiling at the Youth and Heritage Centre in Qunu, Eastern Cape.

The two monuments serve as a tribute to Madiba’s enduring impact on South Africa and the world and commemorate the 67 years he dedicated to the fight against apartheid.

The United Nations proclaimed the Nelson Mandela International Day in 2009. Since then, the Nelson Mandela Museum has observed the global Nelson Mandela International Day as a strategic opportunity to promote his values and foster his legacy.

A number of activities have been lined up to celebrate Mandela, including the unveiling of statues in Qunu and at the Nelson Mandela Museum in Mthatha.

 

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Photo: Ribbon cutting: HE Cyril Ramaphosa, flanked by HE Chinese Ambassador Chen Xiaodong (Left), and Huawei Sub-Saharan Africa President, Leo Chen (Centre Right) and Huawei South Africa CEO, Will Meng Wei (Right)
Photo Credit: GCIS

Photo: President Ramaphosa was accompanied by a delegation including, Ms Stella Ndabeni Abrahams – Minister of Small Business Development , Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga – Minister of Transport, Mr Cassel Mathale – Deputy Minister of Police, Mr Philly Mapulane – Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mr Itiseng Morolong – Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Ms Phindile Baleni – Director-General and Secretary to Cabinet, Ms Roshene Singh – Deputy Director General and Mr Vincent Magwenya – Spokesperson to the President.

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa officially opened the Huawei Innovation Centre in Woodmead, Johannesburg. President Ramaphosa said that facilities like this innovation centre, along with the adoption of a range of cutting-edge technologies being pioneered by companies such as Huawei, will enable South Africa and the wider African continent to leapfrog into the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

According to Huawei South Africa, the newly launched Innovation Centre serves to foster and encourage joint innovation with Huawei’s South African partners, app developers, and SMMEs (small, medium, and micro enterprises) in the ICT space. It also showcases Huawei’s latest and most innovative digital technologies and solutions such as 5G, Cloud, and AI.

Speaking after the ribbon-cutting ceremony and a tour of the facility, President Ramaphosa said both the solutions at the Innovation Centre and the ICT knowledge on display by Huawei employees were, “impressive and encouraging.”

He said that initiatives like the Innovation Centre are firmly in line with the South African government’s policy of emphasising digital technologies for economic development.

“It is our hope that this Innovation Centre will be a springboard for the launch of new local ICT enterprises that create jobs,” he said. “We hope it will be a springboard to new business processes that grow our economy and support our national developmental goals.”

President Ramaphosa also acknowledged the role of ICT technologies in helping various industries embark on digital transformation.

“The application of digital technologies to improve production processes spans a broad range of economic sectors from mining to ports to transportation and others,” he said. “Last year, for example, the first 5G coal mine was launched in South Africa through a partnership with Huawei, partnership between Huawei, and its industry and telecom partners. This centre is a signal of Huawei’s confidence in the South African economy and its potential.”

The president also said the South African government has focused on several structural reforms to stimulate the development of the digital economy.

“The actions we have taken include the auction of high-demand spectrum that took place last year, which – alongside digital migration – will significantly expand access to broadband and bring down data costs,” he said. Digital migration refers to South Africa’s shut-off of analogue broadcast signals and migration to all-digital.

The president expressed his hope that the Innovation Centre would focus on knowledge and skills transfer, as well as SMME development. He congratulated Huawei’s work in cultivating local digital talent through its LEAP digital talent programme, ICT academies, and Tech4All-DigiSchool projects.

Chinese Ambassador HE Chen Xiaodong said, under the framework of South Africa-China cooperation, the launching of the Huawei innovation centre shows that the Chinese private business sector and players are ready to stand by South Africa’s side to accelerate the deployment of 5G applications and jointly embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Leo Chen, President of Huawei Sub-Saharan Africa, said: “We’ve been encouraged by the South African government’s strong vision for its digital economy. South Africa is becoming a role model for the continent, as well as on the global stage, in fields such as 5G deployment and 5G-driven industrial digital transformation.”

He added that Huawei is proud to be embarking on this digital journey together with the South African government and its business partners. Chen stressed that Huawei is fully committed to contributing more to the country’s ICT infrastructure development and industry digitisation by introducing the latest technologies to South Africa. Huawei will continuously contribute to training South Africa’s young people so they can participate in—and benefit from—the digital economy.

President Ramaphosa was accompanied by a delegation including, Ms Stella Ndabeni Abrahams – Minister of Small Business Development , Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga – Minister of Transport, Mr Cassel Mathale – Deputy Minister of Police, Mr Philly Mapulane – Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mr Itiseng Morolong – Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Ms Phindile Baleni – Director-General and Secretary to Cabinet, Ms Roshene Singh – Deputy Director General and Mr Vincent Magwenya – Spokesperson to the President.

Photo:Nelson Mandela Museum Bhunga Building.
The Museum at Bhunga
Photo Credit: Nelson Mandela Museum

Mthatha: In the heartland of Eastern Cape province lies a small town of Mthatha, the town is home to the beautiful Nelson Mandela Museum.

The Museum is named after the first democratically elected President of the
Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Nelson Mandela. This Nelson Mandela Museum was gift to the people of Eastern Cape and South Africa.
The town of Mthatha is in the King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality under O.R. Tambo District Municipality.

The Nelson Mandela Museum
repositioned itself as a gateway to the Wild Coast Region, which is blessed with a fabulously beautiful subtropical coast stretching from Coffee Bay to Port St Johns.

This museum serves as a springboard and a channel for visitors to follow in the footprints of Nelson Mandela, a global icon and champion for
human rights. A man whose long walk to freedom began in the foothills that rise from the banks of the Mbhashe River in Mvezo where his umbilical cord is buried to the rolling hills of Qunu.
Mandela`s second home was in Qunu where his parents relocated to after his father Chief Gandla was deposed as legitimate chief.
And just after the death of his
father, Mandela was moved to Mqhekezweni. It was at Mqhekezweni where Mandela had the privilege of listening and learning from his elders
about the battles that took place in defence of the motherland.
He gained this knowledge under the guardianship of Regent Jongintaba of
Mqhekezweni.

The Museum oversees two sites; Nelson Mandela Museum Youth and Heritage Centre and Nelson Mandela Museum Bhunga Building.

The Museum at Bhunga Building operates in a building with layers of colonial and Bantustan history and made unique with outstanding Victorian architecture and
marked with imposive public presence.
The same building serves as Nelson Mandela Museum keeping the gifts and collections of Mandela.
This building serves as a national and international symbol of hope. It is
now home to a priceless collection of gifts bestowed upon Nelson Mandela
by various institutions, statesmen, kings, queens, and ordinary people from different parts of the world.
The second site is Nelson Mandela Youth and Heritage Centre which is at Qunu and serves as the youth’s leadership and training development
centre. The statue of Nelson Mandela as a traditional Thembi man is installed next to the main entrance of the centre. It has become a
symbolic tourism attraction that tells a story about Mandela as a Xhosa man grounded in his cultural values and heritage.
The centre is now
fully operational to welcome inbound and outbound tourists.
The recent installation of the two statues on is Bhunga building in Mthatha and the other one in Qunu will help to serve as a catalyst for local economic development opportunities that will come as a result of the installation of these statues. The installation of the Statues is an
enhancement of the Nelson Mandela Museum as a space of engagement and dialogue with compelling exhibitions that tell the life and times of
Nelson Mandela. These two compelling life-size statues of Mandela will further encourage Local, National, and International tour Operators to
include Nelson Mandela Museum in their itinerary. And at the same time, the addition of the two statues would help to anchor the local tourism
economy that would contribute to the creation of job opportunities in the area.

The Museum’s existence is steadied on the values of integrity, ubuntu, and stewardship as its anchor. For the past years, the Museum has
managed to achieve unqualified audits and clean audit outcomes consecutively.

Opening time
Monday to Friday: 09h00 to 16h00
Saturdays:09h00 to 13h00 Sundays: Only advanced
booked tours

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Photo: UAE Cabinet meeting chaired by Sheikh Mohammed.
Image Credit: WAM

Photo: Mohammed Hasan Al Suwaidi was appointed as the national Minister of Investment
Image Credit:WAM

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, approved the establishment of a Ministry of Investment at a Cabinet meeting.

Mohammed Hasan Al Suwaidi was appointed as the Minister of Investment, Sheikh Mohammed said.

“The Ministry has been established with an aim to develop the UAE’s investment vision, stimulate the investment environment and enhance the competitiveness of legislation to ensure the UAE remains a global investment hub and an active player in the movement of international investment,” Sheikh Mohammed said in a tweet.

The Vice-President also approved an updated national energy strategy to cope with rapid changes in the energy sector and increase the contribution of renewable energy three folds within the next seven years.

National Hydrogen Strategy

A National Hydrogen Strategy was also approved at the Cabinet meeting, with the aim to strengthen the UAE’s position as a leading producer and exporter of low-carbon hydrogen within the next eight years.

Additionally, a specialised national centre for research and development on the hydrogen sector will be established to further drive advancements in the field.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said, “Today, I chaired the Cabinet meeting in Qasr Al Watan, in Abu Dhabi, where we adopted under the directives of the President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, the establishment of the Ministry of Investment and appointed Mohamed Hassan Al Suwaidi as the Minister.

Our aim is to develop the investment vision of the UAE and promote the investment environment and the competitiveness of this sector in the country.”

His Highness added, “As a result of the accelerated economic growth, we approved the updated UAE National Energy Strategy, which aims to triple the contribution of the renewable energy over the next 7 years, and invest AED150 to AED200 billion during the same period to meet the country’s growing demand for energy.”

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed said, “We also approved the National Hydrogen Strategy, which has recently emerged as one of the most important types of clean energy. The strategy aims to promoting the UAE’s position as a producer and exporter of low-emission hydrogen over the next eight years through the development of supply chains, the establishment of hydrogen oases and a national research and development centre.”

Ministry of Investment

Under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE Cabinet has approved the establishment of the Ministry of Investment and appointed Mohamed Hassan Al Suwaidi as the minister.

The Ministry will support the UAE’s business objectives and investment policies and promote its world-class infrastructure as a global platform to attract investments in various sectors.

The ministry will be responsible of proposing the general investment policies of the UAE in coordination with the relevant authorities, in addition to preparing strategies, legislation, plans, projects and national programmes to promote the investment environment in the country and enhance its competitiveness.

UAE National Energy Strategy 2050

The Cabinet approved the updates on the UAE National Energy Strategy 2050, aiming at increasing reliance on renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and promoting the use of clean energy. The strategy will support research and development programmes in energy technologies, in addition to encouraging innovation and investment the n energy sector.

The National Strategy will work on strengthening the country’s capacity to provide clean and sustainable energy, raising its global competitiveness in the energy sector and consolidating its position as one of the most countries attracting innovation and investment in the sector.

The strategy provides new investment opportunities in renewable energy, supports efforts to strengthen cooperation with international partners to achieve sustainability goals in the energy sector, and constitutes a long-term national programme to balance meeting energy needs with ensuring the sustainability of natural resources for future generations.

The strategy aims to triple the contribution of renewable energy by 20 , to reduce the effects of climate change and achieve climate neutrality. The strategy’s objective is to achieve up to AED100 billion financial savings by 2030, and increase national energy investments between AED150 – 200 billion until 2030, in addition to raising the share of clean energy in the total energy mix to 30 percent by 2031.

National Hydrogen Strategy

Within the UAE’s initiatives and projects to invest in new clean energy sources, and as part of the country’s preparations to host COP28, the UAE Cabinet approved the National Hydrogen Strategy to support low carbon local industries, contribute to achieving climate neutrality and enhance the UAE’s position enhance among the largest producers of hydrogen by 2031, through 10 main enablers.

The strategy aims at accelerating the growth of hydrogen economy and enhancing the global position of the UAE among the world’s largest producers of low-carbon hydrogen, through developing energy policies, and attracting investments in this sector.

Raising the bar on policies and partnerships for African people: July 2023 to July 2024.

The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, also known as the Maputo Protocol on Women’s Rights, provides comprehensive rights for women and girls in Africa. The Protocol guarantees extensive rights to women, including the right to take part in the political processes, to social and political equality with men, improved autonomy in their reproductive health decisions, and an end to harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation, among others. It covers a broad spectrum of civil, political, economic, social, cultural, and environmental rights and is considered one of the most progressive human rights instruments globally.

As at June 2023, 44 out of 55 African Union Member States have ratified the Maputo Protocol on Women’s Rights, with the Republic of South Sudan being the 44th African Union (AU) Member State to deposit its instruments of ratification to the AU Commission on the 7th of June 2023. A few more Member States have committed to ratifying the Maputo Protocol in 2023 to mark the 20th anniversary of this instrument on July 11th.

The theme, “Raising the Bar on Policies and Partnerships for African People” highlights the 20-year journey of the Maputo Protocol and how it has positively changed Africa’s GEWE landscape. It provides an opportunity to focus on a 3Ps framework recently promulgated by the AUC-WGYD, that looks at ‘Policies, Partnerships and People’ with Promising Practices as a thread that runs across the three PS.

The framework highlights three tiers of impact in development seeking to:

Explore the Policies and legislative frameworks developed at a regional/macro level by the African Union, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and related AU Organs and Specialised Agencies to set norms and standards on gender equality and women’s empowerment, informed by global normative frameworks and the lived realities and needs of women and girls across the continent.

Spotlight the role of strategic Partnerships and collaboration with development partners, civil society organisations (CSOs), private sector and other stakeholders and how these partners serve as the bridge to decentralize and operationalise policies adopted at regional and national levels.

Demonstrate the positive impact on the lives of the African People, in particular women and girls, to ensure sustainable and tangible benefits and overall improved livelihoods and development outcomes.

Promoting Women Rights In Africa.

Africa has noted that despite positive achievements registered recently in decision- making, women, as the largest proportion of our population; still remain vulnerable, at-risk and impoverished due to the challenges caused by social, economic, cultural and political marginalization, gender-based violence and discrimination against women, terrorism, conflict, and fundamentalism. Africa is committed to resolve and ending violence against women and girls, and improving access to, and control of, finances, land, education, health, information, services, sciences and technology and decision-making in political governance and business enterprises in Agenda 2063 and continental, regional and national Gender Architectures.

Agenda 2063 envisages a non-sexist Africa, an Africa where girls and boys can reach their full potential, where men and women contribute equally to the development of their societies. The vision of Africa expressed in Agenda 2063 is one of an Africa whose development is people-driven, especially relying on the potential offered by its women and youth, aspiration 6 of Agenda 2063.

Under this vision, it is envisaged that there will be gender equality in all spheres of life and an engaged and empowered youth. Women are key contributors to global economies and play a critical role in the development of their societies. Without the equal and effective participation of women in all spheres of socio-political and economic life, the vision of agenda 2063 might not be realized.

By 2063, all forms of violence and discrimination (social, economic, political) against women and girls would have been eliminated and they would fully enjoy all their human rights. This means an end to all harmful social practices and that all barriers to access to quality health and education for women and girls would be non-existent. In addition, the Agenda 2063 would see fully empowered women with equal access and opportunity in all spheres of life. This means that the African woman would have equal economic rights, including the rights to own and inherit property, sign a contract, register and manage a business. Over 90% of rural women would have access to productive assets, including land, credit, inputs and financial services.

Agenda 2063 promotes the attainment of full gender parity with women occupying 50 percent of elected offices at state, regional and local bodies, and 50 percent of managerial positions in government and private sector. The economic and political glass ceiling hindering women’s progress would finally have been broken.

As the blueprint and master plan for the Africa we want for the future, Agenda 2063 puts gender equality at the forefront of the continent’s vision. Among the 7 Aspirations outlined in the Agenda, Aspiration 6 and its related Goal 17 specifically focus on achieving full gender equality to enable a people driven development for Africa. To this end, Agenda 2063 identifies two main priority areas: women’s and girls’ empowerment; and violence and discrimination against women and girls. Because of this large timeframe, mechanisms have been put in place to ensure adequate tracking and monitoring of the progress being made by the continent as a whole.

In 2000, the African Union established its Women, Gender and Development Directorate (WGDD), now Women, Gender and Youth Directorate (WGYD), with the aim of promoting and mainstreaming gender equality within and throughout the Union and its Member States. The Directorate effectively became the Union’s main organ for leading, guiding, defending and coordinating the efforts on gender equality and development as well as promoting women’s empowerment across the continent.

By working with other departments and organs within the Union, the WGDD has designed programmes and delivered projects based on the policies and frameworks adopted by the Member States. These include the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa signed in 2004 which is a reporting framework on gender equality and women’s’ empowerment (GEWE) and reaffirms the Member States’ commitment to gender equality as enshrined in Article 4 (1) of the Constitutive Act of the African Union; and the 2003 Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol) which provides a legal framework for ensuring civil and political, economic, social and cultural as well as environmental rights for all African women.

These two frameworks have paved the way for other important regional commitments such as the inclusion of gender equality and women’s empowerment in Agenda 2063 and the development of the 2018-2028 African Union Strategy for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, which supports the work of the Agenda as well as gender mainstreaming within the Union. The newly developed Gender Strategy is premised on the 2009 African Union Gender Policy which provided the policy framework on GEWE.

In response to the exacerbated impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women and girls’ human rights, the AUC also developed the Maputo Protocol Scorecard and Index (MPSI), which is an innovative contribution to the body of tools that seek to enhance accountability and assess progress by Member States in implementing gender equality, women’s rights and women’s empowerment commitments under the Maputo Protocol. The AU further developed the One Million by 2021, now the One Million Next Level Initiative (1MNL) to empower young people, especially young women with opportunities for Education, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Engagement as well as Health and Wellbeing, all in alignment with the relevant provisions of the Maputo Protocol. The and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child also secures the rights of children.

To respond to women’s economic development as outlined in the Maputo Protocol, the AU further developed the African Union Women and Youth Financial and Economic Inclusion Initiative (WYFEI) to advocate for parity in employment, unlock financing for African women and youth entrepreneurs, mobilize key stakeholders to provide financial products and services for African women and youth and contribute to business environment reforms in Africa.

Significant impact of the AU Agenda 2063 and other regional legal frameworks such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Violence against Women (CEDAW), the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), has been recorded all over the continent.

Over the years, legislations have been adopted, policies formulated, resources allocated, institutions created and remedies provided as a direct consequence of states parties’ compliance with their women’s rights obligations. The All for Maputo Protocol Programme (AMPP) was developed by the AU Commission in 2018 to mark the 15th anniversary of the Maputo Protocol. The AMPP provides an overall framework, shared understanding, and vision of the work and engagement around the Maputo Protocol.

It also seeks to ensure coherence and synergy among the various initiatives and programs being implemented at different levels, highlighting the complementarity and convergence among various parties and actors, including AU, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Member States, UN Agencies, civil society, women’s rights organizations, human rights institutions, academia, media, eminent personalities, development partners, and others. The AMPP roadmap aims to prevent fragmentation, duplication of efforts, and wastage of scarce resources, while also amplifying the Maputo Protocol outcomes to ensure the realisation of the overall objective of universal ratification and increased domestication and implementation of the Maputo Protocol.

Gender mainstreaming in the African Union is essential for a truly inclusive Africa where the voices and concerns of its 600 million women and girls, which represent about half of the population on the continent, are heard and welcomed at the decision-making tables. Gender equality has been and continues to be important to the AU not just because it is part of its Constitutive Act, but also because it is a fundamental human right that is integral to the economic growth and social development of the continent as a whole. As the leader and representative of a united Africa, the Union has the responsibility to add a gendered dimension to its work and activities.

Commemorating 20 Years, Calendar Of Activities

The African Union Commission’s Women, Gender and Youth Directorate (AUC-WGYD), in collaboration with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa (SRRWA) of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), the Solidarity for African Women’s Rights (SOAWR), the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN-OHCHR) and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), with the support of African CSOs, UN Agencies and International Development Partners, will host celebratory events between 10 and 11 July 2023, to mark the 20th anniversary of the Maputo Protocol on Women’s Rights. The celebrations will also kick-start year-long commemorative events that will begin in July 2023 and last until July 2024.

Supported technically and financially by local, regional and international NGOs as well as UN Agencies and International Development Partners, the Maputo@20 celebrations will be held as follows:

1. Maputo Protocol Diplomatic Advocacy Week: Addis Ababa and Nairobi

With Addis Ababa as the Diplomatic capital of Africa and Nairobi hosting the largest number of African Diplomatic Missions, WGYD with its CSOs and UN partners will organise a High-Level Diplomatic Dialogue with AU Missions in Addis Ababa, to be followed by targeted Advocacy Visits to the Embassies of the 11 AU Member States that have not yet ratified the Maputo Protocol in Nairobi, Kenya. The objective of the Dialogue and Advocacy Visits is to encourage the diplomatic missions to push their Member States to ratify the Protocol and submit their instruments of ratification to the AUC by the end of 2023 and for those who have ratified, to accelerate implementation.

The Diplomatic Advocacy Week will be divided into two sessions:

▪ Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: 20 June, Diplomatic Dialogue led by the AUC Deputy Chairperson, H.E. DR. Monique Nsanzabwagana and H.E. Commissioner Janet Ramatoulie Sallah-Njie, Special Rapporteur on Women’s Rights in Africa, African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR). The Diplomatic Dialogue will also launch the Roadmap for the yearlong Maputo Protocol 20 years’ commemorative activities 2023-2024.

▪ Nairobi, Kenya: 10 – 13 July, Diplomatic Advocacy visits led by the AU and Members of the Solidarity for African Womens Right’s (SOAWR) Network.

2. Grassroots mobilisation and High-Level Conference.

To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Maputo Protocol on Women’s Rights: 10 and 11 July 2023. The meeting will be organised as a High-Level Hybrid Conference from 10 to 11 July 2023, in Nairobi, Kenya. The event will be attended by women leaders, including young women from across the African continent among them rural women, women living with disabilities and women living with HIV/AIDS; AU Ministers in Charge of Gender and Women’s Affairs; AU Organs; AU Specialized Agencies; Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms (RMs); Civil Society Organizations (women’s rights organizations, young women’s organizations, Community-Based Organisations (CBOs)); Members of the Diplomatic Corps; United Nations Agencies and International Organisations; International Development Partners and Private Sector Partners.

The High-Level Conference will launch the African Women’s Decade on Financial and Economic Inclusion (AWD-FEI) 2020-2030 Roadmap and engage AU citizens on accelerating the implementation of the Roadmap as well as mobilising partnerships for delivering on its flagship programme, notably the AU Women and Youth Financial and Economic Inclusion Initiative (WYFEI).

The AU Campaign on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls will be launched, kick- starting the process towards continental consultations and negotiations on the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls adopted by the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government in February 2023, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Anchored on the rights enshrined in the Maputo Protocol, this historic AU decision has its origin in the Kinshasa Declaration and Dakar Call to Action on Positive Masculinity in

Leadership to End Violence Against Women and Girls in Africa, adopted during the Inaugural and Second Men’s Conference, respectively held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo in November 2021 and in Dakar, Senegal in November 2022.

The two-day High-Level Conference will be convened in different sectoral and thematic working groups to tackle critical priority areas of concern and come up with strategies and solutions to accelerate impactful action. As the celebrations coincide with Africa Women’s Month and especially Africa Women’s Day on July 31, 2023, the high-level event will also be an opportunity to honour African women who contributed to Africa’s liberation and development over the 60 years since the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and the 20 years of the African Union.

The outcomes of the High-Level Conference will be a Report that will be published as part of the 20th Anniversary of the Maputo Protocol celebrations as well as a Declaration on 20th Anniversary of the Maputo Protocol to be presented to the AU Heads of States during the AU Summit in February 2024 through the Specialised Technical Committee on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC), and Executive Council. The outcomes will also be presented at the Women Deliver 2023 Conference to be held from 17 – 20 July, 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda.

3. 20th Anniversary of the Maputo Protocol July 2023 to July 2024 celebrations.

There will be year-long celebrations of the 20th Anniversary of the Maputo Protocol starting in July 2023 and ending in July 2024. While a Roadmap is under development and will be launched during the Diplomatic Advocacy Week, some of the celebratory events will include, among others:

▪ Advocacy Missions to AU Member States that have not yet ratified the Maputo Protocol;

▪ Follow-up Missions to AU Member States that have received capacity building on the Maputo Protocol Scorecard and Index;

▪ Promotion Missions led by the Special Rapporteur on Women’s Rights in Africa, African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR);

▪ Development and publication of knowledge products on the Maputo Protocol

▪ Activities targeting in-country advocacy with other duty bearers such Ministries of

Justice, Parliamentarians etc.

▪ Grassroots mobilisation of women and girls, as well as civil society organisations, media, and other key actors to popularise the provisions of the Maputo Protocol

▪ Activities targeting young women on the Maputo protocol.

The AU and its partners will also take advantage of other continental and global platforms during the 20th Anniversary of the Maputo Protocol year to celebrate and raise awareness about the Maputo Protocol.

Source: The African Union Commission

The Diplomatic Informer Magazine SA wishes to congratulate the Government and the people of the Republic of Malawi on the occasion of Independence Day. Wishing the Government and the people of Malawi continued peace, stability, unity, prosperity, and economic growth.

Independence Day is a public holiday in Malawi observed on July 6th each year. Also known as Republic Day, this is Malawi’s National Day and commemorates independence from Britain on this day in 1966.

The Warm Heart of Africa was colonised by the British in the late 19th century, with the British Central Africa Protectorate created in 1891.

The region was renamed Nyasaland (the name of the land before the arrival of the British) and joined with Northern and Southern Rhodesia in 1953 to form the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

Local political efforts to seek independence in Malawi had begun as early as 1915 but gained momentum when Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda returned to the country in 1958. In 1961, his party won a clear victory in local elections, with the British Government agreed to give Nyasaland self-governing status in 1963.

Later that year, Hastings Banda became Prime Minister, and a new constitution took effect. The Federation was dissolved on December 31st 1963.

At midnight on July 6th, 1966, Malawi became a fully independent member of the Commonwealth.

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#MalawiIndependenceDay