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

The World Health Organization (WHO), says despite notable strides made in African countries, an accelerated response to the burgeoning threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is critical to avert predictions of 4.1 million related deaths annually by 2050, with severe consequences for health care and economic stability. For more on this, we are now joined on the line by Dr Ali Yahaya, Antimicrobial Resistance Team Leader at World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa

Kenya has secured a 200 million US Dollars loan from the African Development Bank. The country's finance ministry says they are also in talks with the World Bank for a new 750 million dollars loan.  The East African nation has been struggling with heavy debt- while scrambling for new financing after deadly protests in June forced it to scrap planned tax hikes worth more than 2-point- 68 billion dollars. Kenya will target a budget deficit of 3.8% of GDP in the 2025/26 financial year. The government was forced to raise the budget deficit after the deadly protests. Channel Africa's Mabu Boloka spoke to Economist based in Kenya, Dr. Francis Sang.

The University of Johannesburg in South Africa on Thursday evening hosted the annual Pendoring Awards ceremony, celebrating the very best of South African indigenous language creativity. This year, the annual Pendoring Awards, a communication awards system, celebrates 29 years and continues to create a space for freedom of expression in South African languages.

International best-selling Author and leadership expert, Robin Sharma, is headlining Momentum's annual Science of Success festival this year.  This event, set to take place today in Johannesburg, South Africa, provides consumers with practical skills to achieve their money ambitions. For more on this, our reporter Lebogang Mabange spoke to Executive Head of Momentum Brand, Qhawekazi Mdikane

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is grappling with severe food insecurity, with 25.6 million people at crisis or emergency levels, according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC )report. Armed violence, conflict, displacement, and soaring food prices are the primary drivers, affecting millions, particularly in the eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP) emphasize the need for urgent action. For more on this, Shelley Thakral, Head of WFP DRC for Communications and Media.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Chief Yoav Gallant, as well as a Hamas leader, Ibrahim Al-Masri, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza conflict. In their decision, the ICC judges said there were reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant were criminally responsible for acts including murder, persecution and starvation as a weapon of war as part of a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population of Gaza. For more on this, Peter Ndoro spoke to Sanusha Naidu, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Global Dialogue

South Africa's Deputy Minister of Small Business Development Jane Sithole says that the two day Inaugural Embassies Business Fair and Conference being held at the Modderfontein Golf Club in Johannesburg will unlock barriers to trade and stimulate discussions for seamless cross border trade between the African nations. Speaking to Channel Africa on the margins of the conference on Wednesday, Sithole was pleased with the role women are playing in exploring the uncharted territories of small businesses. About 30 embassies are in attendance. Channel Africa reporter Micheal Mbewe had a chat with Deputy Minister of Small Business Development in South Africa Jane Sithol

South Africa's Deputy Minister of Small Business Development, Jane Sithole says the two day Inaugural Embassies Business Fair and Conference being held at the Modderfontein Golf Club in Johannesburg, Gauteng region emphasizes the need for opening doors for collaboration between nations in order to succeed. Speaking to Channel Africa on the margins of the conference, Deputy Minister Sithole said that the gathering also serves as a vehicle for fostering easy cross border trade mechanism and show the globe that Africans can support one another. Channel Africa reporter, Micheal Mbewe reports 

Malawi's Attorney General Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda, is facing mounting pressure as human lawyer Alexious Kamangila, calls for his investigation and arrest over alleged corruption. Kamangila has made some serious allegations against Chakaka Nyirenda in several Facebook posts. For more on this story is,Human Lawyer Alexious Kamangila.

Professor Wiseman Lumkile Nkuhlu, renowned for being the first black chartered accountant in South Africa and a beacon of purposeful leadership across the continent. Nkuhlu's contributions to education and leadership span over four decades. His recent book, described as thought provoking, gives insight into leadership strategies, qualities and policies necissary for an African renewal.

South Africa's department of water and sanitation has denied that delays in the Lesotho highlands water project are exacerbating the country's water crisis. Phase two of the project will see a third dam built to add to the other two dams in Lesotho, but construction for this dam was delayed for nine years. Big provinces in the country have been imposing water restrictions but the department responsible says there is no risk of taps running dry.  Our reporter Dimakatso Leshoro spoke to the Director General of the water and sanitation department and filed this report.

Entrepreneurs at the ongoing Embassies Business Fair and Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa have emphasized the crucial role of artificial intelligence in boosting trade across Africa. They believe embracing technology can unlock new opportunities for businesses throughout the continent Channel Africa reporter Innocent Semosa has more.

In South Africa, the Community leaders around Shaft 11 at Stilfontein which is a former mining town in the North West Province who have been helping with the efforts of rescuing illegal miners say they've been left out of the process as things are now in the hands of the government. They are concerned at the pace at which government is continuing with the operation.  Sisi Segalo reports.

Prominent Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye is being held at a military jail in Kampala following his alleged abduction during a book launch in Kenya over the weekend. Besigye, a long-time critic of President Yoweri Museveni, has run against him in four elections, consistently rejecting the results over claims of fraud and voter intimidation. A frequent target of arrests, Besigye has faced detention numerous times throughout his political career. His wife, Winnie Byanyima, has called for his immediate release in a post on X. Our Ugandan correspondent, Cassius Edouards OchokoMbege, has more.

Corporates in South Africa joined the rest of the global community yesterday to mark World Children's Day. First established in 1954 - as Universal Children's Day - the day is celebrated on the 20th of November yearly - to promote unity and awareness among children worldwide - and improve their welfare. Nhlanhla Mahlangu report

The opposition leader of the self-declared republic of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, has won the presidential election. The 69-year-old, a former speaker of parliament, received 64% of the vote to become Somaliland's sixth president since it broke away from Somalia in 1991. He beat incumbent Musa Abdi Bihi, who received 35% of the vote. For analysis on this is Dr Mohamed Farah Hersi, the Director of the academy for peace and development based in Hargeisa, Somaliland

Ahead of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (PMNCH) has raised awareness about the significant health risks associated with violence against women. PMNCH highlights that women who experience violence are 1.5 times more likely to give birth to low-birth-weight babies, a leading cause of infant mortality. To discuss this further, is Kadi Toure, Communications Lead at PMNCH

The SADC Extraordinary Summit wrapped up in Harare, Zimbabwe, with a key decision to extend the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMI-DRC) by another year. The move aims to support stability in the DRC's conflict-stricken eastern region, where over 6.4 million people, mostly women and children, have been displaced, severely affecting humanitarian aid delivery. The summit also reviewed a report by Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi on Mozambique's recent elections, which were overshadowed by post-election violence. John Cassim reports.

Thousands of people in North Darfur, Sudan, have started to receive hot meals as hostilities intensify and food shortages spike. According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), eight community kitchens are providing two hot meals per day for around ten-thousand newly-displaced people in the Zamzam camp, south of Al-Fasher. The city has witnessed severe fighting over several months, disrupting the delivery of essential supplies and forcing tens of thousands of people from their homes. To speak to us about this is ICRC Sudan Spokesperson, Germain Mwehu.

South Africa's Information Regulator (IR) has issued a directive to the Department of Basic Education (DBE) prohibiting the publication of the 2024 matric results in newspapers. The IR's enforcement notice highlighted that the department had violated the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) by failing to obtain students' consent before making their information public. For more, we are joined by Advocate Pansy Tlakula, Chairperson of the Information Regulator.

It is a Wednesday and today and we're profiling Nigerian activist that is dedicated to advancing women's rights in her country. Priscilla Ikos Usiobaifo, is the Executive Director of BreaveHeart Initiative for Youth and Women in Nigeria. The United States Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, named Usiobaifo as its 2024 Woman of Courage, for the two decades of unwavering contribution to reforming laws and dismantling socio-cultural norms perpetuating gender-based violence in Nigeria.

The seventh annual "State of the Luxury Market in Africa" report, released by Luxity-one of the continent's largest resellers of authentic, pre-owned luxury fashion-reveals that Africa's demand for high-end goods, particularly in South Africa, remains strong. Despite a decline in Sub-Saharan Africa's GDP per capita and inflation soaring to 15.28% this year, the African luxury sector has defied the odds. For more, Luxity co-founder,Michael Zahariev.

Oxfam has praised Brazil's G20 Presidency for prioritizing global inequality, hunger, and climate challenges. Executive Director Viviana Santiago emphasized the importance of the G20's pledge to tax the super-rich, advocating for higher global tax rates to tackle inequality and fund solutions for climate change and poverty. She also urged South Africa to sustain this momentum during its upcoming G20 Presidency. Joining Peter Ndoro from Rio de Janeiro to discuss this further is Lebogang Ramafoko, Executive Director of Oxfam South Africa.

The eleventh European House Ambrosetti (TEHA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dialogue on Southern Africa, was recently held in Johannesburg, South Africa. It brought together a diverse group of leaders and experts from the African continent to discuss the key priorities for Southern Africa and areas of collaboration with Europe and other countries. Channel Africa Business Reporter Innocent Semosa has more.

Wealth tax, a political divisive economic policy, it's been in the public discourse for many years now South Africa, but government has not been able to implement it. There could be good reason for that with tax practitioners' adamant that this will decimate the very limited very wealthy tax base that the country has. It's clear what would have been considered by the country's National Treasury to make this a viable option. The proposed changes to the Introducing a wealth tax in South Africa have been seen as a controversial.  Dimakatso Leshoro spoke to tax practitioners and filed this report.

The Women Creating Wealth Summit underway in Johannesburg, South Africa, has touched on the worrying factor for most businesses funding. The Graca Machel Foundation which is hosting the summit says there are alternative models for women to fund their businesses other than the banks. Channel Africa reporter Sisi Segalo reports.

South Africa's Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation David Mahlobo is urging private sector investment in sanitation emphasizing that it will bring long-term benefits to companies that focus on sustainable sanitation solutions. Mahlobo made these remarks at the Next Generation Water-Efficient Sanitation Technologies Investment Summit in Johannesburg. Channel Africa Business Reporter Innocent Semosa reports.

The First South African National Gender-Based Violence Study has revealed that women with disabilities experience higher rates of all types of violence. According to the South African National Gender-Based Violence Study 2022 by the Human Sciences Research Council, a higher proportion of ever-partnered women with disabilities, compared to those without disabilities, have experienced lifetime physical violence, physical and sexual violence, emotional abuse, economic abuse and controlling behaviour by a partner. Nhlanhla Mahlangu reports....

The Graca Machel Trust says their programme known as Women in Wealth has created thousands of jobs in the African continent this is despite the barriers that women entrepreneurs continue to face like access to land and finance. The trust is hosting a three-day summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, to take stock of how the programme is doing. The founder of the trust Graca Machel was a keynote speaker. Sisi Segalo attended the first day of the summit and has compiled the following report.

Zimbabwe rolled out a new gold-backed currency called the ZiG, or Zimbabwe Gold, earlier this year. This in an effort to mitigate the currency instability and hyperinflation that has plagued the country for decades. But, in less than a year after it was launched. Zimbabwe was forced to devalue the newest currency. Now to discuss this further and look at the challenges for the Southern African country's efforts to reduce dependency on the United States dollar, is Development Macroeconomist based in Zimbabwe, Prosper Chitambara as well as  CEO of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce, Takunda Mugaga....

Group Chief Managing Officer at African Bank Sbusiso Khumalo has emphasized the crucial role of collaboration between corporate entities and small businesses  in fostering sustainable economic growth across Africa. He made the remarks during the Bank's annual ESD Summit in South Africa's capital Pretoria. The summit themed Sustaining Entrepreneurship, Reclaiming Heritage paid tribute to the entrepreneurial legacy of the Bank's founding chairman. Channel Africa's Innocent Semosa has more.

Representatives of the ACT Alliance, World Council of Churches, Lutheran World Federation, and other groups gathered at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan  to express concern  as negotiations move into the second week. Faith actors present have seen some worrying trends, including rising levels of nationalism , the presentation of alternative facts, questioning of multilateralism and the double standards of states. For more on this joining in on the line from Baku, Sostina Takure , Coordinator of the ACT Zimbabwe Forum...

This week marks International Fraud Awareness Week, a global initiative aimed at raising awareness about the impact of fraud and the measures being taken across different sectors to combat it.  In South Africa, the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service highlights the growing challenges posed by online fraud as the country becomes more connected. To speak to us more about this, Roy Retief, Head of Operations at SAFPS.

Cash strapped consumers in South Africa will breath a sigh of relief this week if the South African Reserve Bank cuts interest rates as expected on Thursday.  The SARB's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is widely expected to cut interest rates by 25 basis points at its last meeting of the year. This will be a second consecutive cut which will likely boost consumer and business confidence during the festive season and in the coming quarters as well as boost economic growth. Our reporter Dimakatso Leshoro reports.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on G20 leaders to leverage their influence to address pressing global challenges. Speaking on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Guterres described the current moment as a tipping point, citing critical issues such as climate change and ongoing conflicts. To discuss the significance of the G20 to Africais former U.N official , Analyst and author, Simon P Alain Handy.

Today marks World Toilet Day, an official United Nations observance aimed at raising global awareness and action to address the urgent sanitation crisis. This year's theme is 'Toilets - A Place for Peace' which emphasizes that billions of people face heightened threats to sanitation due to conflict, climate change, natural disasters, and systemic neglect. A critical aspect of this crisis is the lack of clean and safe toilet facilities in schools, which directly impacts students' health, education, and safety. For more, Aurelie Kalenga spoke to  Mandisa Mavuso, Brand Manager at Domestos

Senegal headed to the polls on Sunday to vote in a legislative election that the President hopes will give his party the clear majority it needs to implement an ambitious agenda for reforms. The heated campaign period has revived concerns about unrest as political rivals clashed, sometimes violently.  The West African nation saw some of the worst political violence in recent history ahead of the presidential election in March. For more on this,  from the capital Dakar by Human Rights Consultant and Vice President of Senegalese Human Rights League, Professor Denis Ndour.

The High Court in Pretoria, South Africa, is set to hear a crucial case tomorrow regarding the fate of hundreds of illegal miners trapped underground at a mine in Stilfontein, located in the North West province. The case had previously been postponed, but the court ruled that the mine, which had been blocked off by authorities, must be unblocked to facilitate ongoing rescue operations, which are set to resume today. The situation has become increasingly urgent, with reports indicating that those trapped underground may have run out of food and water, raising serious concerns about their survival. To shed light on the legal and human rights aspects of this situation,Peter Ndoro spoke to Human Rights Attorney Yasmin Omar, of Zehir Omar Attorneys.

Research Fellow at the University of South Africa (UNISA) says most state owned enterprises in Africa are struggling to fulfil their social and commercial objectives.  This is due to a number of problems ranging from the non-balanced board structures, corporate governance and political interference amongst others. He was speaking at the last day of the State Owned Enterprise conference hosted by MILLA SA held in Johannesburg, South Africa this past Friday. Sisi Segalo compiled the following report

Ministers and officials from the Southern African Development Community - SADC - are gathering in Zimbabwe's capital Harare ahead of an extraordinary Summit expected to centre around Mozambique's post election turmoil which has claimed dozens of lives and disrupted regional trade. The summit comes as Mozambique has been embroilled in sporadic violent protests since the announcement of results of the October 9 elections won by the governing party, Frelimo -  but rejected as a fraud by opposition parties. The protests have led to several closures of the main border crossing between Mozambique and South Africa and has resulted in severe regional trade restrictions because of desruptions to the Port of Maputo and the Maputo Trade Corridor. Mozambique government, then responded by imposing a ban on demonstrations, after the deadly post-election protests. Now for the latest Peter Ndoro spoke to Director of the Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Mozambique, Prof Adriano Nuvunga...

Leaders from the world's twenty largest economies, G20, are gathering in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from today to discuss the world's most pressing challenges. The focus on the summit will be social inclusion, global governance reform, and energy transitions. Also high on the list of agenda items this year are ongoing geopolitical and trade tensions, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and US-China trade relations. For more on what we can expect from the G20 Summit, Peter Ndoro spoke to Dr Kenneth Creamer, Financial Economist & Academic Wits University in Johannesburg....

As the world marks International Men's Day today, scores of men from all walks of life gathered in Johannesburg, South Africa  on Saturday to celebrate this the day at the annual EmpowaMen Summit. Observed annually on November 18th, this year's theme is: Zero Male Suicide by addressing the underlying factors that contribute to this crisis. Thuto Ngobeni compiled this report

On the 'roundup wrap' segment of the show resident Political Analyst Mighti Jamie, spoke to Peter Ndoro about some of the stories highlighted earlier as well as throw forward to the week ahead..... TALKING POINTS: ** Senegal headed to the polls on Sunday to vote in a legislative election that the president hopes will give his party the clear majority it needs to implement an ambitious agenda for reforms. Another election in Senegal this year, will get the much needed parliamentary majority. ** Gabon held a referendum on a new constitution on Saturday, marking a significant step toward democratic governance following last year's coup that ended the Bongo dynasty's long rule. The proposed constitution introduces a two-term limit for the presidency, eliminates the role of prime minister, and designates French as Gabon's working language. Concerns persist about the impartiality of the process and consolidation of authority in the president's hands.  Is this a significant step toward democratic rule for Gabon? ** Mozambique's government has imposed a ban on demonstrations, after deadly post-election protests broke out in October. It insists the move is needed to restore public order. The country's interior minister has called on residents to cooperate with authorities to halt the protests, which he described as 'acts of terrorism'. ** Thousands of Nigeriens marched Saturday in the streets of Niamey in support of the ruling CNSP and to denounce foreign destabilization attempts. A coalition of civil society organizations had called for a protest after authorities said they arrested a French 'spy'. Many protesters also voiced their support of Burkinabe and Malian authorities. Niger with these two countries form the Alliance of Sahel States or AES. **  Nigeria and India on Sunday agreed to deepen collaboration in maritime security, intelligence and counter-terrorism during a state visit to the West African country by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi is the first Indian premier to visit Nigeria in 17 years after an invitation by President Bola Tinubu, who is seeking investments from some of the world's biggest economies. How important is this visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi? ** Diplomatic tensions over global warming will take center stage at the G20 summit in Brazil today and tomorrow, as negotiators at UN. talks in Azerbaijan hit an impasse on climate finance that they hope leaders of the world's 20 major economies can break. What can the African continent expect from the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro? ** Recently appointed Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime swore in new cabinet members on Saturday. Fils-Aimé was sworn a week ago as the new interim prime minister following the departure of his predecessor Garry Conille, who was ousted by the transition council that aims to reestablish democratic order in the Caribbean nation.  Huge challenges for this new administration as armed gangs continue to wreck havoc across the country

While the SADC region faces uncertainty and violent clashes in Mozambique following recent disputed elections, the region has generally been characterized as stable and peaceful.  The situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has also led to the displacement of millions, particularly women and children. This was highlighted during the official opening of the Ministerial Committee of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, ahead of the SADC Extraordinary Summit scheduled for Wednesday in Harare. John Cassim reports from Harare, Zimbabwe

In recent years, South Africa's captive lion industry has faced increasing ethical, regulatory, and conservation challenges. With the country housing the world's largest captive lion population, estimated at around 8,000 lions, the industry has become a key point of debate on animal welfare and global trends. In response, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment has introduced a voluntary exit program to address these issues. To discuss this further, Peter Ndoro spoke to Kam Chetty, Chairperson of the Extended Ministerial Task Team on voluntary exit options and pathways from the captive lion industry in South Africa....

The President of the Pan African Parliament, Chief Fortune Charumbira has commended the sitting of the Fourth Ordinary Session of the Sixth Parliament of the Pan-African Parliament which took place in Midrand in Johannesburg in South Africa over the last two weeks. Channel Africa's Nhlanhla Mahlangu reports.

The second day of the State-Owned (SOE's) Enterprises 2024 conference continues today in Johannesburg, South Africa.   The conference hosted by MILLASA is attended by SOE'S, higher institutions of learning, government and civil society.   Dr TK Pooe, a Public Policy Specialist at the Wits School of Governance says the relative importance of state ownership has increased.  Over the last two decades the share of SOE's in the list of the top five hundred global companies tripled. He spoke to Peter Ndoro.

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

Votes counting continues in Somaliland , following Wednesday's presidential elections. Somaliland, which occupies a strategic position near the entry-way to the Red Sea, declared independence from the Somali government in 1991, but has not been recognised by anyother country. This has restricted access to international finance and the ability of its 6 million people to travel. The elections, originally scheduled for 2022, were postponed for two years due to internal economic and political challenges. To discuss this further we are joined on the line by Dr Greg Mills, Director of the Brenthurst Foundation, followed by Dr David Matsanga, He is the founder and chairperson of the Pan African Forum