The war in South Sudan might be far from over... the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission in the country has warned that there was limited progress in implementing Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan. A delegation from the African Union's Peace and Security Council, arrived in Juba yesterday (Thursday) for a three-day assessment. But the United Nations says South Sudan is headed towards a potential return to full-scale civil war, despite a 2018 peace deal. The country has faced intensified fighting since late 2024, resulting in massive displacement and a deepening humanitarian crisis.  We spoke to Dr Majak D'Agoot, Former South Sudan Defence Minister

The war in South Sudan might be far from over... the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission in the country has warned that there was limited progress in implementing Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan. A delegation from the African Union's Peace and Security Council, arrived in Juba yesterday (Thursday) for a three-day assessment. But the United Nations says South Sudan is headed towards a potential return to full-scale civil war, despite a 2018 peace deal. The country has faced intensified fighting since late 2024, resulting in massive displacement and a deepening humanitarian crisis.&nbsp; We spoke to Dr Majak D'Agoot, Former South Sudan Defence Minister

Africa Rise & Shine

Rise & Shine

South Sudan peace deal falters as rising violence sparks fears of renewed civil war crisis

Good morning and welcome to the Friday edition of The Discourse. We're coming to you just after World Book Day, a global celebration of books and reading. But beyond the symbolism, it leaves us with a pressing question here in South Africa and across the continent: are we truly building the conditions that allow children not only to go to school, but to become confident readers who understand what they read?The latest evidence continues to point to serious gaps in early reading, with many children still struggling to reach basic reading benchmarks in the first years of school. That raises deeper issues around access to books, the language of learning, classroom support, and the broader ecosystem that supports literacy. To unpack this, we spoke to Caroline Munier, Programme Specialist in the Culture Sector at UNESCO and Thembalethu Shangase, Executive Director of Book Dash, a South African non-profit organisation.

Good morning and welcome to the Friday edition of The Discourse. We're coming to you just after World Book Day, a global celebration of books and reading. But beyond the symbolism, it leaves us with a pressing question here in South Africa and across the continent: are we truly building the conditions that allow children not only to go to school, but to become confident readers who understand what they read?The latest evidence continues to point to serious gaps in early reading, with many children still struggling to reach basic reading benchmarks in the first years of school. That raises deeper issues around access to books, the language of learning, classroom support, and the broader ecosystem that supports literacy. To unpack this, we spoke to Caroline Munier, Programme Specialist in the Culture Sector at UNESCO and Thembalethu Shangase, Executive Director of Book Dash, a South African non-profit organisation.

Literacy crisis persists as Africa grapples with gaps in early reading and access to learning resources

Health experts say Malaria is no longer just a public health concern but an escalating economic threat. They say despite years of intervention, malaria continues to tighten its grip on Africa. Africa bears the world's heaviest malaria burden, with 94% of cases and 95% of deaths - figures that signal not just a stalled fight, but a crisis at risk of being normalised.As countries mark World Malaria Day this Saturday the 25th of April, Dr Chris van Straten, Global Health Advisor, Clinical Governance at International SOS has called on businesses to self-assess their commitment and efforts towards addressing malaria in the workplace.

Health experts say Malaria is no longer just a public health concern but an escalating economic threat. They say despite years of intervention, malaria continues to tighten its grip on Africa. Africa bears the world's heaviest malaria burden, with 94% of cases and 95% of deaths - figures that signal not just a stalled fight, but a crisis at risk of being normalised.As countries mark World Malaria Day this Saturday the 25th of April, Dr Chris van Straten, Global Health Advisor, Clinical Governance at International SOS has called on businesses to self-assess their commitment and efforts towards addressing malaria in the workplace.

Malaria crisis deepens in Africa, with experts warning of rising economic threat and urgent action needed

The standoff over late Zambian former President Edgar Lungu's burial, continues...The impasse revolves around a deep rift between the Lungu family and the administration of his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema. The Zambian government on Wednesday announced it had executed on the Court in Pretoria's judgment that entitles it to repatriate the remains from South Africa to Zambia. The Lungu family then obtained an urgent interdict ordering the return of the remains until the matter returns to court on the 21st of May. Lungu died almost a year ago in South Africa and his body has been kept in the country and the legal battle over where he should be buried, is yet to be resolved.  To hear more about what Zambians think about this rift, Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Damiona Mabingo, He is a Zambian author, young politician, and activist

The standoff over late Zambian former President Edgar Lungu's burial, continues...The impasse revolves around a deep rift between the Lungu family and the administration of his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema. The Zambian government on Wednesday announced it had executed on the Court in Pretoria's judgment that entitles it to repatriate the remains from South Africa to Zambia. The Lungu family then obtained an urgent interdict ordering the return of the remains until the matter returns to court on the 21st of May. Lungu died almost a year ago in South Africa and his body has been kept in the country and the legal battle over where he should be buried, is yet to be resolved. &nbsp;To hear more about what Zambians think about this rift, Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Damiona Mabingo, He is a Zambian author, young politician, and activist

South Sudan peace deal falters as rising violence sparks fears of renewed civil war crisis

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