In a move to bolster aviation links between South Africa and the world, South African Airways (SAA) and Emirates have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand their codesharing agreement and explore deeper collaboration in loyalty programmes and cargo operations. According to a statement released, the MoU was signed by Professor John Lamola, Group Chief Executive Officer of South African Airways, and Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer of Emirates, at the 2025 Dubai Airshow. “The partnership…

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has congratulated Kenyan Professor Phoebe Okowa on her historic election to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). In a statement, the AU Commission Chairperson said Professor Okowa’s achievement “is a proud moment for Africa and a testament to the continent’s growing contribution to the strengthening of the global rule of law and multilateralism”. He emphasised that her election reflects the high regard for her “scholarship, integrity, and commitment to justice,”…

In a significant step to deepen economic ties and foster youth-driven innovation, the Young Innovators Dialogue, hosted by the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in South Africa, has created a pivotal platform connecting the country’s emerging entrepreneurs with opportunities in the UAE. The event, held in Sandton, Johannesburg, on Tuesday, brought together young innovators, investors and mentors, underscoring a shared commitment to cross-border collaboration. As stated by Mahash Saeed Alhameli, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to South…

The University of South Africa (Unisa) made history on 25 April 2025 by hosting the launch of the Academia-Public-Private-Diplomatic Corps Forum at the G20 Africa Investment Summit (AIS), a first-of-its-kind initiative to unite universities, governments, businesses, and diplomats in advancing Africa’s economic transformation. Themed “The Road to G20 Through Research, Innovation, and Collaboration in the Intelligent Age”, the event brought together G20 delegates, government officials, business leaders, academics, diplomats, and traditional leaders to forge actionable strategies for Africa’s sustainable development.…

University of South Africa (UNISA) students marched to the institution’s main campus in Pretoria on Friday, 4 April 2025, demanding urgent institutional action against gender-based violence (GBV) following the alleged rape of 7-year-old Cwecwe at Bergview College in Matatiele, Eastern Cape. The march, which began at Sunnyside Police Station, saw students deliver a memorandum demanding Africa’s largest distance learning institution take a stronger stand against GBV. The National Student Representative Council (NSRC) emphasised that while the victim – identified only…

Nornickel (Norilsk Nickel), the world’s largest palladium producer, has unveiled an ambitious strategy to expand the metal’s role in high-tech industries, particularly in the fields of energy, electronics, and green technology, at the 8th annual PGMs Industry Day in Johannesburg. The event, held on 3 April 2025 and chaired by industry veteran Bernard Swanepoel, brought together leading platinum group metal (PGM) producers, end-users, and policymakers to discuss critical sector challenges, including evolving demand amid the global energy transition. South African…

UNISA has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Óbuda University in Hungary to boost collaboration in engineering and technology disciplines that are central to Unisa’s 10 catalytic niche areas. This follows a similar deal signed earlier in 2025 with Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary’s oldest and largest university. The agreements were finalised during the Hungarian-South African Rectors’ Forum in Budapest, which took place from 31 March to 4 April 2025. The Hungarian-South African Rectors’ Forum is a platform created by…

The University of South Africa (UNISA), in collaboration with the Water Research Commission (WRC) and the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), hosted the 2025 Water Imbizo on Tuesday, 25 March 2025, under the theme “Forging Collective Solutions Towards the South African Water Crisis.” Held during National Water Week, the event brought together academics, researchers and stakeholders to address critical issues such as declining water reserves, intergenerational water preservation and equitable resource management. Professor Puleng LenkaBula, UNISA Principal and Vice-Chancellor,…

The Government of Rwanda has severed diplomatic relations with Belgium, effective immediately, and instructed all Brussels’ diplomats to leave the East African country within 48 hours. In a media statement on Monday, 17 March 2025, Rwanda accused Belgium of having “consistently undermined Rwanda, both well before and during the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in which Belgium has a deep and violent historical role, especially in acting against Rwanda.” Rwanda further alleged that Belgium employed “lies…

The Limpopo Department of Public Works, Roads, and Infrastructure has announced an out of court settlement between the Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL) and its former CEO, Gabriel Maluleke, ending a bitter legal battle marked by multiple court defeats for the department. In a media statement released on 14 March 2025, the department confirmed that Maluleke withdrew his High Court application challenging his suspension and the unlawful dissolution of the RAL board by MEC Ernest Rachoene in 2024. In return, RAL…