Human trafficking of girls in South Africa is an escalating crisis, with females accounting for 55,5% of all trafficked individuals in the country. Tears Foundation - a non-profit organisation says South Africa operates as a source, transit, and destination country for syndicates exploiting highly vulnerable children. Statistics indicate that more than three-quarters of all victims are between the ages of 12 and 25, and local civil society networks note that a child goes missing or is taken roughly every 5 hours in the country. The latest incident in South Africa of the two children who were trafficked into Malawi, has confirmed the data that children represent a significant proportion of trafficking victims. We are now joined by Melissa Visser, Reach Coordinator of A21 South Africa - a global organization committed to eradicating human trafficking and modern-day slavery

Human trafficking of girls in South Africa is an escalating crisis, with females accounting for 55,5% of all trafficked individuals in the country. Tears Foundation - a non-profit organisation says South Africa operates as a source, transit, and destination country for syndicates exploiting highly vulnerable children. Statistics indicate that more than three-quarters of all victims are between the ages of 12 and 25, and local civil society networks note that a child goes missing or is taken roughly every 5 hours in the country. The latest incident in South Africa of the two children who were trafficked into Malawi, has confirmed the data that children represent a significant proportion of trafficking victims. We are now joined by Melissa Visser, Reach Coordinator of A21 South Africa - a global organization committed to eradicating human trafficking and modern-day slavery

South Africa faces growing crisis as girls make up more than half of trafficking victims

Illegal gambling is emerging as a major challenge for African regulators, with industry experts warning that unlicensed operators are taking billions in potential revenue away from the regulated market and leaving consumers without adequate protection. The issue has come under the spotlight at the African Lotteries and Gaming Association's CEOs Forum in Durban, where regulators and industry stakeholders are calling for stronger cooperation to tackle illegal gambling. Channel Africa's Lebogang Mabange is attending the event and filed this report..

Illegal gambling is emerging as a major challenge for African regulators, with industry experts warning that unlicensed operators are taking billions in potential revenue away from the regulated market and leaving consumers without adequate protection. The issue has come under the spotlight at the African Lotteries and Gaming Association's CEOs Forum in Durban, where regulators and industry stakeholders are calling for stronger cooperation to tackle illegal gambling. Channel Africa's Lebogang Mabange is attending the event and filed this report..

Illegal gambling costs African economies billions and leaves consumers vulnerable

On today's The Discourse, we focus on Haiti, which remains in the grip of a devastating gang crisis, with armed groups controlling large parts of Port-au-Prince and violence continuing to displace and kill civilians. For nearly two years, Kenyan police were at the centre of an international effort to help Haitian authorities confront the gangs, but the mission struggled with resources, staffing and the sheer scale of the violence. Kenya has now withdrawn as the international operation moves into a new phase under the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF) authorised to deploy up to 5,500 personnel. The new force has begun receiving contingents, including troops from Chad, but questions remain over whether a larger international presence can succeed where the Kenya-led mission struggled. So what went wrong with the Kenya-led intervention, what can the GSF realistically achieve, and why should Haiti's crisis matter to Africa? I spoke to Diego Da Rin, a Haiti Analyst at the International Crisis Group and began by asking him about the current security situation on the ground in Haiti.

On today's The Discourse, we focus on Haiti, which remains in the grip of a devastating gang crisis, with armed groups controlling large parts of Port-au-Prince and violence continuing to displace and kill civilians. For nearly two years, Kenyan police were at the centre of an international effort to help Haitian authorities confront the gangs, but the mission struggled with resources, staffing and the sheer scale of the violence. Kenya has now withdrawn as the international operation moves into a new phase under the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF) authorised to deploy up to 5,500 personnel. The new force has begun receiving contingents, including troops from Chad, but questions remain over whether a larger international presence can succeed where the Kenya-led mission struggled. So what went wrong with the Kenya-led intervention, what can the GSF realistically achieve, and why should Haiti's crisis matter to Africa? I spoke to Diego Da Rin, a Haiti Analyst at the International Crisis Group and began by asking him about the current security situation on the ground in Haiti.

Haiti gangs: Can the new UN-backed force succeed where Kenya’s mission struggled?

A new global stockpile of mpox vaccines is being established to help countries respond more quickly to outbreaks and ensure timely and equitable access to vaccines. The initiative, funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is expected to begin operations later this month and builds on lessons from the global mpox emergency declared in 2024. With two-thirds of reported mpox cases occurring in Africa, questions remain about how quickly vaccines can reach the communities most at risk. For more on this, we're joined by Dr Emanuele Capobianco - Director for Global Health Security at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which works globally to expand access to lifesaving vaccines, particularly in lower-income countries. 

A new global stockpile of mpox vaccines is being established to help countries respond more quickly to outbreaks and ensure timely and equitable access to vaccines. The initiative, funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is expected to begin operations later this month and builds on lessons from the global mpox emergency declared in 2024. With two-thirds of reported mpox cases occurring in Africa, questions remain about how quickly vaccines can reach the communities most at risk. For more on this, we're joined by Dr Emanuele Capobianco - Director for Global Health Security at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which works globally to expand access to lifesaving vaccines, particularly in lower-income countries.&nbsp;

New global mpox vaccine stockpile aims to speed up access during outbreaks

Two South African sisters, aged nine and 15, have been rescued from an international human trafficking network and returned to South Africa from Malawi. The girls were received by South Africa's Social Development Minister, Dina Pule, at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Their return follows efforts to rescue children trafficked across international borders and reunite them with their families. Channel Africa's Michael Mbewe reports. 

 

Two South African sisters, aged nine and 15, have been rescued from an international human trafficking network and returned to South Africa from Malawi. The girls were received by South Africa's Social Development Minister, Dina Pule, at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Their return follows efforts to rescue children trafficked across international borders and reunite them with their families. Channel Africa's Michael Mbewe reports.&nbsp;
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Two South African sisters rescued from human trafficking network and returned home from Malawi

The U.N. General Assembly will vote today on an African-led effort to change how the world sees itself on a map. The draft resolution argues that the centuries-old Mercator projection dramatically enlarges landmasses farther from the Equator -- leaving Africa appearing disproportionately small. Backed by the African Union, the text encourages governments, schools, international organizations and technology companies to use "Equal Earth" and other equal-area maps -- where continental size matters. It doesn't ban Mercator, but seeks to establish more proportionally accurate maps as a new global norm. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports... 

 

The U.N. General Assembly will vote today on an African-led effort to change how the world sees itself on a map. The draft resolution argues that the centuries-old Mercator projection dramatically enlarges landmasses farther from the Equator -- leaving Africa appearing disproportionately small. Backed by the African Union, the text encourages governments, schools, international organizations and technology companies to use "Equal Earth" and other equal-area maps -- where continental size matters. It doesn't ban Mercator, but seeks to establish more proportionally accurate maps as a new global norm. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports...&nbsp;
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UN to vote on African-backed push for more accurate maps showing the continent’s true size

The World Meteorological Organization says there is a 100 percent likelihood that the El Niño climate pattern will persist through to February 2027. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo says the climate phenomenon is now firmly established. She was speaking at a press conference in Geneva. Thuto Ngobeni reports. 

The World Meteorological Organization says there is a 100 percent likelihood that the El Ni&ntilde;o climate pattern will persist through to February 2027. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo says the climate phenomenon is now firmly established. She was speaking at a press conference in Geneva. Thuto Ngobeni reports.&nbsp;

WMO says El Niño is certain to persist through February 2027

Reparatory justice is not charity or aid, it is a legal, economic, and moral imperative to correct centuries of systemic exploitation and address the structural development deficit across our continent. Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Mottley has more 

Reparatory justice is not charity or aid, it is a legal, economic, and moral imperative to correct centuries of systemic exploitation and address the structural development deficit across our continent. Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Mottley has more&nbsp;

Reparatory justice is a legal, economic and moral imperative for Africa : Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Mottley

Senegal and the International Monetary Fund have reached a new 2.2 billion dollar loan agreement, aimed at helping the West African nation address its mounting debt and restore economic stability. The deal comes after a major revision of Senegal's public finances revealed previously undisclosed debt. It is also expected to support reforms aimed at strengthening public finances while creating a path towards sustainable economic growth. Innocent Semosa has more …

 

Senegal and the International Monetary Fund have reached a new 2.2 billion dollar loan agreement, aimed at helping the West African nation address its mounting debt and restore economic stability. The deal comes after a major revision of Senegal's public finances revealed previously undisclosed debt. It is also expected to support reforms aimed at strengthening public finances while creating a path towards sustainable economic growth. Innocent Semosa has more &hellip;
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Senegal secures 2.2 billion dollar IMF deal to tackle debt and restore economic stability

Kenya is facing a looming maize shortage, with drought severely affecting domestic production and the country potentially needing to import around two million tonnes of maize. South Africa has a significant surplus, but restrictions on genetically modified maize could prevent it from supplying the Kenyan market. In a recent article, agricultural economist Wandile Sihlobo argues that Kenya's GMO restrictions could worsen food insecurity and calls for a more science-based approach to agricultural trade. He now joins us on the line to discuss Kenya's maize situation and the broader implications for food security in the region.

Kenya is facing a looming maize shortage, with drought severely affecting domestic production and the country potentially needing to import around two million tonnes of maize. South Africa has a significant surplus, but restrictions on genetically modified maize could prevent it from supplying the Kenyan market. In a recent article, agricultural economist Wandile Sihlobo argues that Kenya's GMO restrictions could worsen food insecurity and calls for a more science-based approach to agricultural trade. He now joins us on the line to discuss Kenya's maize situation and the broader implications for food security in the region.

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