Africa Rise & Shine

South African troubled suspended Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya has resigned from the South African police service. Sibiya through his legal team submitted the resignation letter on Monday, just as his internal departmental disciplinary hearing was about to begin. He faced several charges of misconduct including corruption allegations. Sibiya also faces criminal charges of rape, sexual grooming of a minor, and human trafficking. He was arrested three weeks ago and still in custody. To unpack this further we are spoke Security expert and retired Interpol Ambassador, Andy Mashaile

As South Africa prepares for local government elections on the fourth of November, questions over political coalitions, accountability and the delivery of basic services are taking centre stage. An indaba hosted by the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs at the University of South Africa in Pretoria has brought together political analysts, academics and governance experts to examine the challenges facing local government. The discussions include lessons from coalition governments formed after the 2024 national elections, and what these could mean for political stability and service delivery at municipal level. Channel Africa's Michael Mbewe reports.

As Burundi prepares for re- election to the United Nations  Human Rights Council in a vote today, Human Rights Watch says the government of this Central African country has not improved its abusive human rights conditions.Burundi is one of the four African countries running for the same number of seats on the 47-nation council. Central Africa director at Human Rights Watch Lewis Mudge says despite some positive government statements  Burundi has not  carried out meaningful reform to address longstanding concerns related to governance, justice, or accountability.  

It's time now for the Tuesday edition of The Discourse, and this morning we're looking at how extreme heat is putting pregnant women and newborn babies at risk around the world. The issue was highlighted at a climate meeting in Fiji last week, where the United Nations climate chief warned that extreme heat is creating a new fault line in the climate crisis, with serious consequences for pregnancy and childbirth. A global survey commissioned by Wellcome found that 73 per cent of healthcare professionals surveyed had seen an increase in heat-related pregnancy complications over the past five years. So, what can be done to protect mothers and babies as temperatures rise? For more, we're joined by Professor Sibusiso Mkwananzi, Associate Professor and Senior Researcher in Climate and Health Implementation Science at the Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute in South Africa.

Cameroon's long-running Anglophone separatist movement is entering another potentially significant phase. A faction of the self-declared Interim Government of Ambazonia has announced plans to reconstitute itself as the Ambazonia People's Liberation Authority, or APLA. The announcement, signed by Interim Government Vice President Dabney Yerima, describes the move as a transition from an interim government structure towards what it calls a broader liberation authority. The announcement also comes just days after the first of October - a highly symbolic date. It marks the 1961 union of the former British Southern Cameroons with the Republic of Cameroon, while Ambazonian separatists also observe the date as the anniversary of their declaration of independence in 2017. So what exactly is changing - and does this new structure bring the movement any closer to unity or to resolving a conflict that has now lasted almost a decade? We spoke  To Dabney Yerima, former Vice President of the Ambazonia Interim Government now special envoy of the newly formed Ambazonia People's Liberation Authority, or APLA and  began by asking why APLA was created

Time now for our daily Africa RoundUP. Each morning, just after six o'clock news, we bring you a concise update on the key developments shaping 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.

We now look at some of the stories making headlines in the East Africa region. We speak to Dennis Beru, Journalist and Team leader at Grassroot Journalism Kenya

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which highlights the importance of early detection and support for people affected by the disease. In South Africa, Tebele Makhetha has published a memoir, I Choose Life, about her experience of breast cancer and how it shaped her life, including her journey through motherhood and a career in the corporate world. She spoke to Tracey Boomgaard about her story, beginning with what the title of the book means to her personally.

South Africa's asylum system is facing renewed uncertainty after the Department of Home Affairs withdrew a directive that had expanded access to asylum applications. The decision has disappointed some foreign nationals seeking to regularise their stay in the country. It follows protests over a Constitutional Court ruling that removed certain procedural barriers to applying for asylum. The government now plans to introduce a digital registration and appointment system for asylum seekers by the 10th of November, as it reviews how to implement the court ruling without overwhelming the asylum system. Channel Africa's Lebogang Mabange reports.

South Africa's National Blood Service says it is working to encourage young people to become regular blood donors. But it faces a challenge in keeping them involved after they finish high school and move on to university or work. The organisation is introducing programmes to help young donors stay connected and continue donating blood wherever they go. This was revealed at the premiere in Johannesburg of Why Blood Matters, a documentary that takes viewers behind the scenes of blood donation in South Africa. Sisi Segalo reports.

Eritrea has formally petitioned the United Nations Security Council to intervene in its rapidly deteriorating standoff with Ethiopia, saying that Addis Ababa's recent accusations of an invasion constitute a declaration of war. In a letter sent to the council on Saturday, Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh requested - deterrent measures of the UN Charter to stop what he characterized as a manufactured pretext for an Ethiopian war of aggression. This diplomatic crisis follows an Ethiopian complaint to the UN claiming Eritrean troops had launched an "all-out invasion" 60 kilometers deep into the northern Tigray region. It marks a near-total breakdown in relations after a month of severed diplomatic ties, expelled diplomats, and intensifying border hostilities tied to Ethiopia's geopolitical ambitions for Red Sea access. We spoke to Prof Bheki Mngomezulu, Professor of Political Science and  International Relations and Director of CANRAD Centre at Nelson Mandela University in South Africa

Time now for our daily Africa RoundUP. Each morning, just after six o'clock news, we bring you a concise update on the key developments shaping 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.

We now look at some of the stories making headlines across the continent, we speak to Mighti Jamie, Political analyst

On The Discourse this morning, we turn our attention to Zimbabwe, where the ruling, Zanu-PF party is insisting that the country's payment of over 500 million US dollars in compensation to former white commercial farmers, is the will of the Zimbabwean people. The payments form part of efforts to address past land seizures and rebuild investor confidence in the country’s economy. However, the controversial Global Compensation Deed, signed in July 2020, has raised questions about the terms of compensation, the treatment of affected farmers and Zimbabwe’s legal obligations. Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements, or BIPPAs, also remain central to the debate over property rights and investor protection. In an effort to get more clarity on what the latest initiative means, Rise and Shine earlier spoke to Farai Muroiwa Marapira, ZANU PF's Director for Information. For a response for the white farmers of Zimbabwe, we are joined on the line by Ben Freeth, Executive Director of the Mike Campbell Foundation and spokesperson for SADC Tribunal Rights Watch, in Zimbabwe 

The Kenyan government says it is stepping up its preparedness and response measures following the detection of its first imported Ebola case in Nairobi, raising concerns about the risk of further transmission. Humanitarian organisation, Médecins Sans Frontières, also known as Doctors Without Borders, is working alongside health authorities to strengthen readiness and support efforts to contain the disease. The experience of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Ebola outbreaks have been compounded by public distrust and community resistance, offers important lessons for the region. As Kenya strengthens its surveillance, treatment and infection prevention measures, questions remain about the next steps in containing the threat. To discuss MSF’s support, lessons learned and what lies ahead, we spoke to the organisation's Dr Grace Vugutsa.

Lesotho is preparing for the possibility of drought, with forecasts of below-normal rainfall during the country’s main planting season.The European Union has allocated 150-thousand euros to help vulnerable communities prepare, through early-warning measures and cash assistance.About 311-thousand people — around one in five people in Lesotho — are projected to face food insecurity between October and March.For more on the drought outlook and the humanitarian response, we spoke to Gina Modungwa, Co-focal Point for Lesotho at the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, known as ECHO, based in Pretoria.

The United States has imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court, saying it wants to prevent the tribunal from pursuing cases against American citizens.  Based in The Hague, in the Netherlands, the ICC investigates and prosecutes individuals accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. The sanctions could affect the court’s access to essential services, including banking and technology, and raise questions about how it can continue its work. For more on the implications of these measures, we spoke to James Patrick Sexton, a PhD researcher in public international law at the T.M.C. Asser Instituut in The Hague and the University of Amsterdam. He’s also the managing editor of the Yearbook of International Humanitarian Law. 

The Oppenheimer Research Conference enters its third day today in Johannesburg, South Africa, bringing together scientists, conservationists, policymakers and students to share research and explore solutions to real-world challenges. The annual conference, organised by Oppenheimer Generations Research and Conservation, focuses on connecting scientific research with practical action. Thuto Ngobeni has more

Here's this week's segment of the African Arty Beats.

More than 26 thousand people have been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in Johannesburg, South Africa, over a three-year period. An analysis by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department and alcohol-harm reduction organisation AWARE.org found that most of the arrests were made at night, particularly between eight and eleven o'clock. The organisations say the findings point to the need for year-round efforts to prevent drink-driving and enforce road safety laws. Channel Africa's Lebogang Mabange reports.

 Calm has returned to the streets of Orlando West in the South African city of Johannesburg, following violent protests sparked by a recent Constitutional Court ruling on the country's Refugee laws. Members of the South African National Defense Force and riot police were deployed to the area after atleast 10 vehicles were torched and damaged, folowing a surge in the number of foreign nationals seeking assistance at Home Affairs and immigration offices. Local residents say they feel unsupported by government and want their concerns over immigration and economic opportunities in the township addressed. For more on what is happening on the ground, we spoke to SABC News Reporter, Lerato Makola 

Uganda celebrates 64 years of independence today, marking more than six decades since the country gained freedom from British colonial rule in 1962. But as Ugandans reflect on that journey, the country continues to grapple with economic pressures, unemployment, inequality and the rising cost of living. On the political front, questions around democracy, governance, human rights and political freedoms remain central as Uganda heads towards the 2026 elections.  To unpack Uganda’s hopes and challenges going forward, we spoke to activist and lawyer, Godwin Toko from the Agora Centre for Research in Uganda.

The World Wildlife Fund say global leaders have a shrinking window to reverse a 73% average decline in monitored wildlife populations. WWF released its  Living Planet Report 2026 on Thursday* warning that governments have to stop the nature's collapse and that to reverse the biodiversity finance gap and deforestation, global leaders need to set aside 942 billion dollars for the protection of wildlife. To discuss this further we spoke to the World Wildlife Fund South Africa CEO,  Dr. Morné du Plessis

The 15th annual Windaba Conference, which concluded this week in South Africa's Cape Town city, called for concrete, actionable resolutions to unlock South Africa's wind sector. Key outcomes from the two-day summit include an official commitment by the country's Ministry of Electricity and Energy to rapidly procure commercial battery energy storage technologies to anchor the national grid and absorb off-peak wind generation. To manage excess capacity, government and industry stakeholders finalized strategies to export surplus power to regional African neighbours, while implementing AI-driven verification systems to dramatically accelerate curtailment financial settlements. The summit is the flagship event of the South African Wind Energy Association and it has been held annually since 2020\ Now to unpack the 2026 agreements and resolutions, we spoke to Interim CEO at South African Wind Energy Association, Titania Stefanus- Zincke

Time now for our daily Africa RoundUP. Each morning, just after six o'clock news, we bring you a concise update on the key developments shaping 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.

It’s time now for the Friday edition of The Discourse, and this morning we look at Africa’s new credit rating agency and whether it can change how international investors assess the continent.The African Union has launched the Africa Credit Rating Agency, or AfCRA, in Mauritius.It will rate governments, banks and companies, providing what the AU says will be an assessment of African economies based on local data and expertise.The agency is intended to give investors more information about risks in African markets and could help countries lower their borrowing costs.But its success will depend on whether investors trust its ratings to be independent and credible.  For more on this, we spoke to Dennis Shen, Lecturer in Finance at the International School of Management in Berlin and a former sovereign analyst, speaking to us from Mauritius this morning.

As we look ahead to World Mental Health Day on Saturday, Doctors Without Borders, or MSF, is highlighting a rarely told side of the child malnutrition crisis — the emotional and psychological toll on parents and caregivers.Medical statistics can tell us how many children are admitted and how many recover. But they cannot capture the fear, exhaustion and distress experienced by caregivers caring for a sick child, while worrying about other children they may have left at home.At MSF’s Nilefa Kiji nutrition facility in Maiduguri, in Nigeria’s Borno State, mental health and psychosocial support is integrated into the care of children with severe malnutrition. For more on the emotional impact of the crisis on caregivers and the support available to families, we spoke to Mbali Mzinyane, Digital Fundraising Specialist at Doctors Without Borders, MSF Southern Africa

South Africa's growing culture of political coalitions is under the spotlight, with the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection, MISTRA, releasing the third edition of its Coalitions Barometer. The 2026 edition tracks coalition formation and breakdowns, the roles played by political parties, different coalition models and their impact on governance over the past five years. For more on the findings and what they reveal about South Africa's coalition landscape, we spoke to MISTRA Senior Researcher in the Faculty of Humanities, Dr Laurence Caromba 

Belgian-American scientist Francis Halzen has won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work detecting high-energy neutrinos - elusive particles that can provide scientists with clues about the universe. Halzen helped develop a giant observatory beneath the Antarctic ice to detect these particles. In this clip, he explains how the observatory works.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign in South Africa is calling on the government to impose sanctions on Israel over the war in Gaza. Members of the group held a silent procession outside the Cape Town Holocaust and Genocide Centre, where they unveiled a 20-metre handwritten shroud bearing the names of children they say have been killed in Gaza since October 2023. Andile Mbanjwa reports.

The African Union has officially launched the Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA) on Wednesday, establishing the continent's first homegrown, independent credit rating institution. The rating agency was launched in Port Louis in Mauritius. The private-sector-driven agency aims to challenge the dominance of the -big three - Western firms-S&P, Moody's, and Fitch-which African leaders have long accused of carrying structural biases that inflate borrowing costs for African nations. AfCRA will also issue inaugural credit scores for the 23 African nations currently unrated by global agencies. We spoke  to Tembisa Fakude, he is Director and Senior Researcher at the Africa Asia Dialogues (Afrasid) 

It's time now for The Discourse, and we're turning to Haiti, where armed groups continue to control large parts of communities, with women and girls facing particularly severe risks. More than 5,500 incidents of sexual and gender-based violence were recorded in the first six months of this year, according to the United Nations. A recent analysis by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime says sexual violence is being used not only against individuals, but also to intimidate and control communities. The analysis draws lessons from Colombia's civil war, including how sexual violence was documented and addressed as part of wider efforts towards justice and accountability.  For more on this, Dr Dorly Castañeda, Senior Researcher at the GI TOC Observatory on Violence and Resilience in Haiti and the Caribbean, joins us from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic

Time now for our daily Africa RoundUP. Each morning, just after six o'clock news, we bring you a concise update on the key developments shaping 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.

We now look at some of the stories making headlines in the Central Africa region. We speak to Aaron Nga'mbi, Geopolitical Analyst 

The third anniversary of the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel has been marked, with the war it triggered continuing to have devastating consequences across the region. More than a thousand people were killed and over 200 taken hostage in the attack, which prompted Israel's military campaign in Gaza. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have since been killed. Three years on, Palestinians continue to face widespread destruction and displacement. Ditaba Tsotetsi reports.

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has described a new pharmaceutical research and manufacturing facility in Pretoria as a potential game-changer for the country and the wider region. The FuturePharma facility, operated by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, is designed to strengthen research, innovation and pharmaceutical production. At its official launch, President Ramaphosa said the investment would build infrastructure and industrial capacity, while developing skills and creating opportunities for people across Africa and the wider Global South. Sisi Segalo reports.

South Africa's wind-energy sector is at the centre of discussions at the Windaba 2026 conference in Cape Town. Policymakers, economists, academics and industry experts are considering how trade policies and import tariffs could support local manufacturing, while ensuring renewable-energy projects remain financially viable and attractive to investors. Our economics reporter, Innocent Semosa, reports.

Scientists from Africa and other parts of the world have gathered in Johannesburg, South Africa, for the Oppenheimer Research Conference. The conference has become an important event on the international academic calendar, showcasing research into a wide range of environmental and natural science issues. It brings together researchers to share findings and explore some of the challenges facing the environment and the natural world. Thuto Ngobeni reports.

South Africa's Free State province is set to launch a major industrial and investment project on Friday, aimed at boosting manufacturing and creating jobs in one of the country's economically challenged areas. The Catalytic Investment and Industrialisation Project, in partnership with Chinese investors Joy Long-YJC, will focus on vehicle assembly, electric mobility, solar battery production, energy systems, logistics and skills development. President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to deliver the keynote address. Channel Africa's Michael Mbewe reports.

More than 2.6 million US dollars is being invested in clean-energy projects across eight African countries, in an effort to reduce the use of fossil-fuel generators. The funding from the United Kingdom will support projects including renewable power for hospitals in Kenya, as well as cleaner energy solutions for telecommunications, food systems and small businesses.  The aim is to take technologies that have already been tested and expand their use commercially. Channel Africa's Lebogang Mabange reports.

Germany's new Ambassador to South Africa, Oliver Rentschler, has warned of growing geopolitical tensions, rising authoritarianism and challenges to international cooperation and free trade. Speaking at Germany's Unity Day reception in Pretoria, he said strengthening strategic partnerships, including between Germany and South Africa, was more important than ever. Channel Africa's reporter Michael Mbewe has more

Minerals such as lithium, cobalt and copper are vital to the global shift towards clean energy, and Africa has some of the world's largest reserves. But questions remain over how much of the economic value from these resources stays on the continent. Experts meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, are discussing how stronger governance, greater transparency and local participation could help African countries turn their mineral wealth into jobs, investment and broader economic growth. Innocent Semosa reports

Cameroon is marking ten years since the start of a conflict in its English-speaking regions that has killed thousands and displaced more than one-and-a-half million people. The Anglophone crisis began in October 2016 and has had a particularly serious impact on children. There is still no definitive record of the number of people killed, with estimates ranging from 6,500 to more than 10,000. Rights organisations, including the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa, have documented about 4,000 deaths between 2016 and 2023, with around half of the victims identified by name. Moki Kindzeka reports from Yaounde, Cameroon.

Kenya has reported its first confirmed case of Ebola, with the patient dying after returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo via Uganda. The Kenyan citizen had been living and working in the DRC for seven years. Health Minister Aden Duale said on Tuesday that the patient fell ill about a month ago and was treated at several hospitals in the DRC before travelling to Kenya. Thuto Ngobeni has the report.

Zimbabwe has paid just over 500 million dollars to white former commercial farmers as part of the country's ongoing efforts to resolve a decades-long- land dispute and t-o rebuild investors trust. The payouts are part of a 3 point 5 billion dollars global compensation agreement that was signed in 2020. To fund this deal, government issued US dollar treasury bonds to hundreds of displaced white farmers. The first payments where made in April this year. The agreement covers about 4000 commercial farmers. Some of the farmers have rejected the compensation and payment structure. We spoke to Farai Muroiwa Marapira, Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU PF Director for Information

More than 1,900 children have lost or been separated from their parents or caregivers since an Ebola outbreak was declared in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in May. UNICEF says more than 2-thousand children have contracted the virus, with at least 1,100 deaths recorded. Children under five are particularly vulnerable, with seven in ten confirmed cases in this age group resulting in death. The outbreak is also unfolding amid conflict and displacement, making it harder for children to access care and protection. We're now joined by Halimatou Amadou, Communication Specialist at the UNICEF West and Central Africa Office to discuss the situation and the impact on children....

Anti-migrant group March and March on Tuesday shut down the Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre in the city of Durban in South Africa, bringing asylum applications to a standstill as undocumented migrants seek to enter the refugee system. The latest confrontation came as Home Affairs was directed to accept asylum applications from undocumented people who indicate that they want protection in South Africa, following a Constitutional Court ruling that strengthened access to the asylum system. To discuss this further we have Immigration law expert, Ashraf Essop.

It's time now for our weekly profile interview, and this morning we're speaking to South African chemical engineer Professor Dyllon Randall. He's a Professor of Water Quality Engineering at the University of Cape Town, and CEO and co-founder of PeeCycling, a company that grew out of research at the university and is developing technology that recovers valuable resources from human urine. The work has its roots in research that began in 2017 and has now moved into commercial use, with the system operating at Cape Town's DHL Stadium. It processes urine into concentrated liquid fertiliser while recovering water that can be reused for purposes such as cleaning, irrigation and toilet flushing. The technology can process up to 3,000 litres of urine a day, and every 1,000 litres processed can save about 2,000 litres of drinking water. And PeeCycling is now one of four finalists for the 2026 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation. Professor Randall, it's good to have you with us.

We now look at some of the stories making headlines in the West Africa region. we speak to Dr David Matsanga, Political scientist and Conflict resolution analyst.

Time now for our daily Africa RoundUP. Each morning, just after six o'clock news, we bring you a concise update on the key developments shaping 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