African Arty Beats: Celebrating the Week's Standout Arts and Culture Stories

Welcome to the Friday edition of The Discourse. And this morning we turn our attention to World Blood Donor Day, which will be marked on Sunday, 14 June 2026, highlighting the vital role of voluntary blood donors in saving lives around the world. The World Health Organization says safe and sufficient blood remains essential for emergency care, surgeries, childbirth, cancer treatment, and the management of chronic and life-threatening conditions. This year's campaign, under the theme "One Drop of Humanity. Give Blood. Save Lives.", calls for stronger solidarity and regular voluntary donation, as many countries-particularly in Africa-continue to face shortages and unequal access to safe blood and blood products. To discuss the challenges and the state of blood safety on the continent, Peter Ndoro spoke to Dr. Roland Willy Niyibizi, Technical Officer for Blood Safety, Organ and Tissue Transplants at the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa.

Welcome to the Friday edition of The Discourse. And this morning we turn our attention to World Blood Donor Day, which will be marked on Sunday, 14 June 2026, highlighting the vital role of voluntary blood donors in saving lives around the world. The World Health Organization says safe and sufficient blood remains essential for emergency care, surgeries, childbirth, cancer treatment, and the management of chronic and life-threatening conditions. This year's campaign, under the theme "One Drop of Humanity. Give Blood. Save Lives.", calls for stronger solidarity and regular voluntary donation, as many countries-particularly in Africa-continue to face shortages and unequal access to safe blood and blood products. To discuss the challenges and the state of blood safety on the continent, Peter Ndoro spoke to Dr. Roland Willy Niyibizi, Technical Officer for Blood Safety, Organ and Tissue Transplants at the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa.

World Blood Donor Day Highlights Urgent Need for Safe Blood Across Africa

Kenya has become the first African country to secure landmark climate disaster funding. The 700, 000 dollars in funding comes from the Santiago Network on Loss and Damage, a Switzerland-based United Nations mechanism funded by voluntary contributions from developed countries and the international community, it was established in 2019. Kenya is expected to us the money on those affected by severe weather conditions. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Isaac Mwaura, Kenya Government Spokesperson

Kenya has become the first African country to secure landmark climate disaster funding. The 700, 000 dollars in funding comes from the Santiago Network on Loss and Damage, a Switzerland-based United Nations mechanism funded by voluntary contributions from developed countries and the international community, it was established in 2019. Kenya is expected to us the money on those affected by severe weather conditions. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Isaac Mwaura, Kenya Government Spokesperson

Kenya Secures Landmark UN Climate Funding to Support Communities Hit by Disasters

The first group of Nigerian nationals who have been repatriated from South Africa have arrived home yesterday afternoon, a flight landed in Nigeria carrying 270 citizens who wanted to be repatriated from South Africa. The second flight is scheduled for Monday. This after weeks of protests in South Africa against undocumented migrants. The Nigerian consulate in South Africa says around one-thousand of its citizens had registered to return home. The Department of Home Affairs in South Africa says 586 Nigerian nationals have been processed for repatriation after being found residing in South Africa illegally. Peter Ndoro spoke to Douglas Ogbankwa,  Nigerian Lawyer and Convener of the Security Situation Room - a publication

The first group of Nigerian nationals who have been repatriated from South Africa have arrived home yesterday afternoon, a flight landed in Nigeria carrying 270 citizens who wanted to be repatriated from South Africa. The second flight is scheduled for Monday. This after weeks of protests in South Africa against undocumented migrants. The Nigerian consulate in South Africa says around one-thousand of its citizens had registered to return home. The Department of Home Affairs in South Africa says 586 Nigerian nationals have been processed for repatriation after being found residing in South Africa illegally. Peter Ndoro spoke to Douglas Ogbankwa, &nbsp;Nigerian Lawyer and Convener of the Security Situation Room - a publication

First Repatriated Nigerians Return Home as South Africa Intensifies Immigration Crackdown

Time now for our daily Africa Roundup. Each morning, just after the six o'clock news, we bring you a concise update on the key developments shaping the continent and the world over the past 24 hours. With insights from our team of journalists, analysts, and newsmakers, we place the day's biggest stories into context - helping you stay informed, connected, and prepared for the day ahead...

Time now for our daily Africa Roundup. Each morning, just after the six o'clock news, we bring you a concise update on the key developments shaping the continent and the world over the past 24 hours. With insights from our team of journalists, analysts, and newsmakers, we place the day's biggest stories into context - helping you stay informed, connected, and prepared for the day ahead...

Africa Roundup: Key Continental and Global Developments Shaping the Day Ahead

INTRO: Amnesty International South Africa released a report on the ongoing war in Gaza, Palestine. In its findings, the organisation raises serious concerns - alleging that Israel's actions in the region may amount to ethnic cleansing. The report highlights widespread destruction, noting that thousands of buildings have been damaged or destroyed and that many Palestinians have been displaced. The human rights organisation is also calling on the international community to increase efforts to encourage a ceasefire in Gaza. Ditaba Tsotetsi has more

INTRO: Amnesty International South Africa released a report on the ongoing war in Gaza, Palestine. In its findings, the organisation raises serious concerns - alleging that Israel's actions in the region may amount to ethnic cleansing. The report highlights widespread destruction, noting that thousands of buildings have been damaged or destroyed and that many Palestinians have been displaced. The human rights organisation is also calling on the international community to increase efforts to encourage a ceasefire in Gaza. Ditaba Tsotetsi has more

Amnesty Report Raises Concerns Over Gaza Destruction, Urges Ceasefire Efforts

Civil society organisations in South Africa's Highveld region of Mpumalanga Province have raised concerns over slow government action on air pollution, despite several court rulings in their favour. They say little progress has been made since the area was declared a high-priority zone under the National Environmental Management Air Quality Act in 2007, due to high emissions affecting parts of Mpumalanga and Gauteng Provinces. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has held a dialogue in Middelburg with civil society, communities and experts to address air quality challenges. Michael Mdluli reports.

Civil society organisations in South Africa's Highveld region of Mpumalanga Province have raised concerns over slow government action on air pollution, despite several court rulings in their favour. They say little progress has been made since the area was declared a high-priority zone under the National Environmental Management Air Quality Act in 2007, due to high emissions affecting parts of Mpumalanga and Gauteng Provinces. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has held a dialogue in Middelburg with civil society, communities and experts to address air quality challenges. Michael Mdluli reports.

Mpumalanga Groups Demand Faster Action on Highveld Air Pollution Crisis

The acting head of the World Food Programme says they are experiencing historic drops in funding with a 40% drop year to year, creating a perfect storm with already record levels of hunger around the world, further exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The U.N. Agency that provides food assistance in theatres around the world, warned in March that were the conflict in the Middle East to persist, that some 45 million people would fall into acute food insecurity - a situation confirmed to now be playing out in real time including raising the cost of running humanitarian operations that have gone up dramatically in an already precarious context. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.

The acting head of the World Food Programme says they are experiencing historic drops in funding with a 40% drop year to year, creating a perfect storm with already record levels of hunger around the world, further exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The U.N. Agency that provides food assistance in theatres around the world, warned in March that were the conflict in the Middle East to persist, that some 45 million people would fall into acute food insecurity - a situation confirmed to now be playing out in real time including raising the cost of running humanitarian operations that have gone up dramatically in an already precarious context. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.

WFP Warns Funding Cuts and Middle East Conflict Are Driving Global Hunger Crisis

Police Commissioner in South Africa's Gauteng Province, Tommy Mthombeni, says investigators are making progress in tracking down those responsible for a mass shooting at the Jumpers informal settlement in Cleveland, east of Johannesburg. Twelve people were killed when gunmen reportedly opened fire near a tavern on Tuesday night. The number of people injured has risen from 10 to 15. Police say the motive for the attack remains unclear and is a key focus of the ongoing investigation. No arrests have been made. Sashin Naidoo reports

Police Commissioner in South Africa's Gauteng Province, Tommy Mthombeni, says investigators are making progress in tracking down those responsible for a mass shooting at the Jumpers informal settlement in Cleveland, east of Johannesburg. Twelve people were killed when gunmen reportedly opened fire near a tavern on Tuesday night. The number of people injured has risen from 10 to 15. Police say the motive for the attack remains unclear and is a key focus of the ongoing investigation. No arrests have been made. Sashin Naidoo reports

Gauteng Police Pursue Leads as Cleveland Mass Shooting Death Toll Stands at 12

The United Nations has marked a major milestone in the global fight for disability rights, as Secretary-General António Guterres says millions of people with disabilities have seen improved access, recognition and respect over the past two decades. Speaking at the 2026 Conference of States Parties to the Convention in New York on Wednesday, Guterres said the agreement has expanded access, strengthened recognition, and promoted greater respect for persons with disabilities by placing human rights at the center of disability inclusion. Channel Africa's reporter Micheal Mbewe has more

The United Nations has marked a major milestone in the global fight for disability rights, as Secretary-General Ant&oacute;nio Guterres says millions of people with disabilities have seen improved access, recognition and respect over the past two decades. Speaking at the 2026 Conference of States Parties to the Convention in New York on Wednesday, Guterres said the agreement has expanded access, strengthened recognition, and promoted greater respect for persons with disabilities by placing human rights at the center of disability inclusion. Channel Africa's reporter Micheal Mbewe has more

Rise & Shine

Social links:

5,956 clip(s)