As South Africa gears up to observe 16 days of activism against women and children from Monday, a team of professionals from Shout-it-Now says it's imperative to focus on adolescent girls and young women. Monday also marks International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.   Lulu Gaboo spoke to Veronica Molefe from Shout-it-Now and 2nd deputy chairperson on SANAC's Health Professionals Civil Society Forum.

The local Councillor in the Diepkloof Soweto area in South Africa, Brenda Dammie has called on the community to boycott the shops of foreign nationals in the area. She was speaking to Channel Africa on the sideline after the candlelight ceremony held in memory of the latest child to die of alleged food poisoning after consuming snacks bought at the local spaza shop. Dammie also cautioned them against registering the shops on behalf of the foreign nationals. The alleged food poisoning in the country has resulted in the deaths of at least 22 children. Lulu Gaboo spoke to Channel Africa reporter, Sisi Segalo.

The Pan-African Parliament is hosting a meeting of the Permanent Representatives Committee Sub-Committee on Human Rights, Democracy, and Governance to deliberate on key issues shaping Africa's governance and human rights landscape in Midrand, Johannesburg South Africa. The two-day session includes high-level presentations, discussions, and strategic planning aimed at advancing democratic governance and human rights across the continent. Channel Africa reporter, Nhlanhla Mahlangu spoke to Ambassador Salah Hammad Head of the African Governance Architecture at the African Union.

Almost 190 journalists have been killed in Gaza since the war began 14 months ago. Hamza Chalan, a dedicated and passionate photojournalist has spent years documenting the human stories in Gaza, capturing both the hardships and the enduring spirit of its people. His work has garnered international attention for its raw authenticity and emotional depth, providing a window into a world seldom seen by outsiders. Lulu Gaboo spoke to Hamza Chalan who is in South Africa to give a talk at the Soweto Muslim Association

The operation to bring illegal miners who remain underground at an unused mine shaft in South Africa's North West province has begun. The Stilfontein mine shaft 11 has been a talking point for many days and left community members eager to assist. With the appointment of the task team by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu the community says they have been left out of the process. Community leaders say they are worried about the miners underground as they are not being provided with food and water. Lulu Gaboo spoke to Channel Africa reporter, Sisi Segalo

The Southern African Development Community (SADC)'s Executive Secretary, Elias Magosi says it's been a busy period for the region as Botswana, Mozambique and Mauritius held their presidential elections. The SADC leaders at the extraordinary Troika summit in Harare, Zimbabwe reflected on these elections. However, there's been no indication of the recent protests in Mozambique due to the disputed election results featured on the agenda.   Lulu Gaboo spoke to Kwezi Mngqibisa, Research Associate at the Center for African Diplomacy and Leadership at the University of Johannesburg.

Today marks World Children's Day. First established in 1954 as Universal Children's Day, the day is celebrated on the 20th of November each year to promote international togetherness and awareness among children worldwide and improve children's welfare. As countries commemorate the day, children from seven countries in Southern Africa have called for improved conditions in education and better protection. The more than seven thousand children met with Presidents from Botswana and Zimbabwe as well as high-level officials from Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia, as part of the 2024 Regional World Children's Day celebration. Lulu Gaboo spoke to Angela Travis, Regional Chief of Communication at UNICEF.

Some residents living near the Stilfontein Mine in South Africa's Northwest province say they are concerned that the illegal miners who remain trapped underground have not received food. This is the task team led by Northwest Province Community Safety MEC, Wessels Morweng has begun the first phase of the retrieval operation to bring illegal miners to the surface. Lulu Gaboo spoke to Channel Africa's reporter Sisi Segalo.

Namibians are scheduled to vote in the presidential and parliamentary elections on the 27th of November. Some commentators say these elections could mark a historic shift in the country's political landscape if the ruling Southwest Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) party, which has been in power since independence in 1990 loses control of the presidency or parliament for the first time. SWAPO has won every election since independence, but its margins have been decreasing the party dropped from 87 per cent in the presidential election 2014 to 56 per cent in 2019. Lulu Gaboo spoke to the former Ambassador and political analyst, Tuliameni Kalomoh.

Prominent Ugandan opposition politician Kizza Besigye is at a military jail in Kampala after he was kidnapped during a book launch in Kenya over the weekend. Besigye has run against Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in four elections and lost each time, although he has rejected the results, alleging fraud and voter intimidation. He has been arrested dozens of times before. In a post on X, his wife Winnie Byanyima has called for his immediate release. Channel Africa reporter, Nhlanhla Mahlangu spoke to Ugandan correspondent Cassius Edouards Ochokombege.

The plight of access to safe, decent and dignified sanitation comes under the spotlight as the world marks World Toilet Day. The Water Research Commission believes it is imperative for the business community to play a role in the reinvention of sanitation. For more on this Lulu Gaboo spoke to Jay Bhagwan, Executive Manager: Water Use and Waste Management at the Water Research Commission.

Nigeria has started administering mpox vaccination shots to health workers and people with weak immune systems at hospitals in the capital Abuja, more than a month after the programme was scheduled to start.The country received its first batch of 10,000 doses of the mpox vaccine from the United States in August after the World Health Organization declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years. Nigeria, has recorded 94 cases and no deaths since the start of this year. For more on this Lulu Gaboo spoke to our correspondent Johathan James Lyamgohn.

Namibia is set to hold its presidential and parliamentary elections on the 27th of November. Voters in Namibia will go to the polls on 27 November to choose their next president and parliamentary representatives. The ruling party, South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO)- has been in power since independence in 1990 is facing stiff competition from other political parties. Some analysts say these elections will be the biggest test for Namibia's constitutional democracy and rule of law since independence- as Swapo faces a quality of opposition this time around. For more on this Lulu Gaboo spoke to political journalist at the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation, Charles Tjatindi.

Gabonese voted for a new constitution with over 90 per cent of the people voting yes in a referendum held over the weekend. The new constitution will impose a seven-year term, renewable only once, instead of the current charter allowing for five-year renewable terms without limit. It also says that family members cannot succeed as presidents and that the position of prime minister should be abolished. The referendum comes a year after the soldiers overthrew the country's longtime President, Ali Bongo Ondimba. Lulu Gaboo spoke to the Advocacy Officer and ECOWAS Liaison Lead for the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS), Austin Aigbe.

An extraordinary summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is underway in Harare, Zimbabwe to discuss and find solutions to the security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as the political unrest in Mozambique. Ministers of Defence including those responsible for foreign affairs convened on Sunday ahead of the Heads of States Summit on Wednesday. The summit comes at a time when Zimbabwean President Emerson Mnangagwa, was one of the first heads of state to congratulate Chapo and Frelimo on electoral victory even before the Mozambique electoral body announced official results. Lulu Gaboo spoke to SABC Foreign Affairs editor, Sophie Mokoena.

Amnesty International has called the Southern African Development Community, SADC to take a strong stand against spiralling police killings and assault on peaceful assembly in Mozambique ahead of the SADC extraordinary summit from Saturday the 20th in Harare, Zimbabwe. The rights group was responding to the apparent police killings of seven people amid post-election protests in Nampula on the 13th. Mozambican authorities have launched a massive crackdown on protesters following disputed elections on 9 October. Police have killed dozens of people so far, injured over one hundred and arbitrarily arrested or detained thousands, according to Mozambican civil society organizations.  Amnesty International Mozambique Campaigner, Cidia Chussungo.

Senegal goes back to the polls on Sunday to elect new leaders following the dissolving of parliament in September. Voters will elect 165 MPs for five-year terms. Unemployment stands at over 20 percent and many people continue to risk their lives every month in a bid to reach Europe by boat. Lulu Gaboo spoke to Nyasha Mpina, Project leader for the data for the governance alliance project at the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) said the regional bloc will meet in Harare for an extraordinary summit from tomorrow the 16th with the main event taking place on the 20th. The SADC comprises 16 nations: Angola, Botswana, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Lulu Gaboo spoke to Professor Kula Ishmael Theletsane, Director of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs at the Southern African Development Community, SADC Secretariat.

Today on World Diabetes Day, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is holding a protest at Novo Nordisk's office in Johannesburg, urging the pharmaceutical giant to continue producing affordable human insulin pens. MSF says Novo Nordisk's recent decision to phase out these pens could lead to a shift towards pricier diabetes treatments, like Ozempic, which would further limit access in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where over 80% of diabetes cases exist. Lulu Gaboo spoke to Janice Barnes from T1 International, MSF's partner organization.

The Southern African Council of Churches (SACC), travelled to Mozambique this week as part of an official solidarity visit to the people of Mozambique who have been calling for an end to the hostilities in the country.   The meeting was led by the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) President, Bishop Sithembele Sipuka, who is also the current president of the SACC. They met with the Catholic community and other leaders who are members of the Christian Council of Mozambique, to discuss the situation in the southern African nation.  Lulu Gaboo spoke to SACC General Secretary, Reverend Mzwandile Molo.

Spokesperson for the National Association of Artisanal Miners, Zethu Hlatshwayo says the situation at an unused mine in Stilfontein in South Africa's Northwest province is a cause for concern, warning that the country is on the brink of a major catastrophe. Around 4000 illegal miners are trapped underground. Lulu Gaboo spoke to Thembile Botman, a Community Leader in Stilfontein.

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has drawn widespread condemnation and anger following her decision not to rescue the illegal miners. When asked about the government's response to scores of illegal miners trapped underground in Stilfontein Minister Ntshavheni said: "We will smoke them out". Her remarks have been met with fierce condemnation, with many accusing the government of callously abandoning the trapped miners. Lulu Gaboo spoke to Makhosonke Buthelezi, Spokesperson for the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.

Polling stations across Somaliland opened this morning as citizens go to elect a new president for the next five years. The Somaliland National Electoral Commission says over 1 million registered voters are set to participate in the election. The election was delayed for two years and comes as regional tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia over the Somaliland Red Sea access deal with Ethiopia remain tense. Lulu Gaboo spoke to Dr Greg Mills, Director of the Brenthurst Foundation.

Nigerians living in the Northwestern enclave of Nigeria have cried out for help over a new terror group known as Lakurawa which is giving their lives a nightmare and forcing whole communities to relocate into internally displaced people camps in Sokoto and parts of Kabbi States. The group is believed to be made mainly of foreign elements from Mali, Algeria, Niger Libya and Chad and is now busy recruiting youths in the affected communities luring them with excessive financial incentives. Channel Africa News Correspondent in Nigeria Collins Nosa Atohengbe filed this report.

Mauritius' opposition leader Navin Ramgoolam was appointed prime minister following Sunday's general election, after the Alliance of Change won 60 of the 64 seats in parliament. The Lepep alliance, a coalition of parties led by Pravind Jugnauth, now has two seats in parliament compared to the 42 after the 2019 election. Ahead of the November 10 polls, the country was faced with a phone-tapping scandal, with leaked recordings of public figures posted online, leading to the government issuing a social media ban until after the election. However, this led to an outcry and the decision was reversed within 24 hours. Lulu Gaboo spoke to Professor Kula Ishmael Theletsane, Director of the Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Affairs at the Southern African Development Community-   SADC Secretariat.

The Inaugural one-day Border Management Conference and Expo 2024 hosted by South Africa's Border Management Authority (BMA) is underway at the CSIR International Convention Centre in the capital, Pretoria. The inaugural Conference this year seeks to drive critical discussions about developments within border management, and the latest trends in technology, products and services within both the public and private sectors. South Africa's Minister of Home Affairs minister Leon Shrieber delivered a keynote address. Lulu Gaboo spoke to former South African statistician general Dr Pali Lehohla.

Namibians living abroad are today casting their ballot under the special voting window. Polling stations open at 7 am and will close at 9 pm inside the country as well as at Namibian diplomatic missions abroad.  Lulu Gaboo spoke to Channel Africa reporter Thuto Ngobeni at the Namibian High Commission in Pretoria.

The world is marking global Anti-Bullying Week until Friday the 15th under the theme "Choose Respect".   Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-aged children. It involves a real or perceived power imbalance and can be physical, verbal, or relational. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems. Lulu Gaboo spoke to Polly Sekwala - ILizwe Lam Project Manager at Dignify Africa.

Over 500 education leaders, including 28 ministers of education and ministerial representatives from 39 African countries, have gathered in Kigali, Rwanda, for the second edition of The Africa Foundational Learning Exchange (FLEX 2024). Hosted by the Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Education, FLEX 2024 is the largest country-to-country platform for knowledge exchange dedicated to advancing foundational learning. Lulu Gaboo spoke to Wongani Taulo - UNICEF Education advisor for UNICEF.

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr. Ronald Lamola, is addressing a media briefing to address key issues pertaining to the implementation of South Africa's foreign policy and outline upcoming engagements. Lulu Gaboo spoke to Channel Africa reporter Michael Mbewe.

The South African civil society group, Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia, has voiced strong criticism of the government's decision to suspend food sales on and around school premises. The suspension was introduced as a safety precaution after multiple foodborne illness outbreaks affected hundreds of learners across various provinces. However, the organization argues that this measure could worsen the high unemployment rates faced by black women, as many rely on informal food vending as their primary source of income. Our reporter, Lebogang Mabange, spoke to Dr. Dale McKinley, spokesperson for Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia.

The Zimbabwe Youth Alliance is urging the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to take action regarding the ongoing political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe. Recently, the alliance boycotted Zimbabwe's assuming the SADC chairmanship in protest. Meanwhile, the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng province has reported that approximately 60% of individuals arrested for violent crimes in the country are illegal immigrants, including some from Zimbabwe. Lulu Gaboo spoke to Zimbabwe Youth Alliance Spokesman, Tino Maclean.

As the African Union braces itself for a leadership election set for February 2025, there are two notable front runners for the Chairperson position, Raila Odinga, the former Prime Minister of Kenya, and Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Djibouti's long-serving Foreign Affairs Minister. It has been reported that some international observers say this race presents a dichotomy of experience, regional influence, and vision for Africa's future. Meanwhile, Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to unveil Odinga's vision and strategic priorities for his African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson bid. Lulu Gaboo spoke to Gordon K'achola, CEO of the Africa Center for Diplomatic Affairs.

The 24th South African Heart Congress has concluded in Johannesburg, South Africa.   It brought together specialists in the area of cardiovascular healthcare across four continents of the world.   The organizers say this year the Congress theme, "Cardiology Connections," underscored the spirit of collaboration within the cardiovascular community and aligned with the South Africa Heart Association's mission to promote public awareness and improve treatment guidelines in cardiovascular healthcare. Sisi Segalo filed this report.

Southern African Development Community has called for an extraordinary summit following escalating violence in Mozambique. The summit will take place on the 16th of this month. Operations at the Lebombo port of entry at the border between South Africa and Mozambique remain suspended. The ongoing violent post-election protests in Mozambique have led to the suspension of operations at the border post. Business owners in Komatipoort say they are losing money. Opposition parties in Mozambique have denounced the results of last month's election results. 

 As the twelfth edition of the World Urban Forum is underway in Cairo, Egypt- the summit seeks to address issues such as finance, and housing, and explore ways to ensure adequate housing and build partnerships for empowering women at the local level. The Summit is held under the theme, "It All Starts at Home. Local Actions for Sustainable Cities and Communities". Lulu Gaboo spoke to South Africa's minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi.

Civil society organisation Defend our Democracy in South Africa has called on organisations across the country to recommit to confronting state capture and corruption.  Various sectors have been encouraged to mark anti-corruption week from 3 to 10 December.   Defend our Democracy and other civil society organisations gathered in Johannesburg to raise awareness.   Thami Ngubeni spoke to Andries Sibanyoni, the Communication Officer for Defend Our Democracy.

Kenyan President William Ruto is in Juba, South Sudan, to talk with President Salva Kiir over the Tumaini (hope) Initiative to consolidate the country's political transition. The two leaders have agreed to secure the regional endorsement of the Tumaini Initiative and urge the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to mobilise resources and goodwill of the international community, including the Troika group of nations to enable full implementation of the peace initiative.  Lulu Gaboo spoke to the Managing Editor at the Dawn Newspaper in South Sudan, Denis Elamu.

Vote counting continues after hotly contested presidential elections in the United States. The FBI issued a warning over two new fake videos that are inciting terror threats and voter fraud. Officials expect disinformation to intensify in the coming hours and days. Lulu Gaboo spoke to the Senior Research Fellow for African Diplomacy and Leadership at the University of Johannesburg, Dr Oscar van Heerden... 

The Southern African Development Committee (SADC) members have been called on to intervene as deadly violence escalates in Mozambique. There have also been reports of internet blackouts in parts of the country. South Africa's Border Management Authority temporarily closed the Lebombo border due to reports that vehicles were being burnt on the border. Lulu Gaboo spoke to Channel Africa correspondent in Mozambique, Milton Maluleque...

Health Ministers from across the SADC region are in Harare, Zimbabwe this week - to discuss pressing health issues facing the region. Key topics on the agenda include Mpox, Malaria, HIV/AIDS - and other emerging outbreaks. Regional integration is also a major focus - as the region aims to achieve a harmonized approach to combating diseases like Tuberculosis. Channel Africa's Correspondent in Zimbabwe, John Cassim filed this report... 

The families of two detained South African engineers have staged a protest outside the Africa Energy Week conference underway in Cape Town, South Africa. The families are appealing to government officials from Equatorial Guinea, who are in attendance at the conference, for clemency and the release of the two. The two were arrested on drug trafficking charges in Equatorial Guinea just two days after South African courts seized the luxury super yacht belonging to Equatorial Guinea's vice president. Lulu Gaboo spoke to Shaun Murphy, spokesperson for the families of the two men, Peter Huxham, a dual UK-South African citizen, and Frik Potgieter, a South African.

Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris, is hoping to make history, by becoming not just the first female US president, but also the first black female president.   She spent the final day of campaigning in Pennsylvania, which many believe holds the keys to the White House. Her rival, Donald Trump, campaigned in North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Michigan. But polls suggest nationally the two are tied, as the country heads into the election.   Nick Harper reports from Washington. Channel Africa's Mabu Boloka spoke to Professor Kealeboga Maphunye, Professor of African Politics, at the University of South Africa (UNISA)'s Department of Political Sciences and Fulbright Scholar-In-Residence, Department of Political Science, Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, USA.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki says it's high time that the Pan African Parliament moves from being a consultative body to an institution with full legislative powers.   He addressed the sixth parliament's fourth ordinary session virtually.   He says PAP was envisaged to be the voice of the African people. Lulu Gaboo spoke to Channel Africa reporter, Nhlanhla Mahlangu

Botswana's former president, Mokgweetsi Masisi, officially handed over the office of the presidency on Monday to his successor, President Duma Boko. The handover ceremony, which took place at the government enclave in Gaborone, Botswana's capital city, was characterized by peace and tranquillity. This contrasts sharply with the situation in neighbouring Mozambique, where incidents of violence have escalated following the October 9 polls. Channel Africa's Shingirai Madondo filed this report from Gaborone in Botswana.

The government of Mauritius has lifted the social media ban that was imposed as a result of what they call cyber-terrorism risks. Communication regulators ordered the restrictions after a wiretapping scandal shook the country, exposing about 20 leaked conversations between politicians, police, lawyers, journalists, and civil society members. The island nation's decision to cut off social media access was met with widespread opposition from civil society groups and individuals who argued it would stifle democratic processes. Lulu Gaboo spoke to Nirmal Busgopaul, Lawyer and Director of Operations at Halley Movement.

As Tanzania prepares to hold local government elections on the 27th of November, many are calling for clarity on the electoral bill that was passed in February this year as it's still not clear who will oversee the local government elections. The country's official opposition party CHADEMA opposed the passing into law of the bill, citing that the bills maintained the status quo and that the 2024 and 2025 elections are unlikely to be fair and free. Lulu Gaboo spoke to a Political Analyst based in Tanzania, Dr Albanie Marcus.

The demise of Akua Donkor, one of Ghana's presidential candidates for the upcoming December 7 elections has brought a lot of uncertainty in the country. The founder of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) died at a hospital in Ghana's capital, Accra, on Monday. 72-year-old Akua Donkor, one of only two female candidates in the election alongside Nana Frimpomaa of the Convention People's Party (CPP), was diagnosed with abdominal complications. Veteran broadcaster in Ghana Clement Akoloh, says it is still not clear if her death will affect the ballot paper position of other candidates in the election.

Democratic Republic of Congo president, Felix Tshisikedi wrapped up a one-day working visit to Uganda where he met with his Ugandan counterpart, President Yoweri Museveni. Lulu Gaboo spoke to Channel Africa's correspondent in Uganda, Mike Arereng.

The President of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi has conceded defeat following the October 30 general elections. Preliminary results released so far indicate that the ruling Botswana Democratic Party is likely to suffer a historic defeat after governing Botswana for nearly six decades- this as results show that opposition parties won at least 35 of 61 seats in parliament. The Independent Electoral Commission in Botswana is expected to release the official results later today. Lulu Gaboo spoke to Channel Africa's Correspondent in Botswana, Shingirai Madondo and Dr Sizo Nkala, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Centre for Africa-China Studies, University of Johannesburg, South Africa.