Naming is a very important tool used among various African cultures to convey certain messages, either to an individual, family members, or a community.

In this week’s edition of the culture corner, Lerato Mbele speaks to Professor Sihawukele Ngubane about the importance and significance of names given to people and looks into naming ceremonies practices by different cultures across the continent.

Naming is a very important tool used among various African cultures to convey certain messages, either to an individual, family members, or a community.
In this week&rsquo;s edition of the culture corner, Lerato Mbele speaks to Professor Sihawukele Ngubane about the importance and significance of names given to people and looks into naming ceremonies practices by different cultures across the continent.

POWER Talk is a mid-morning talk show programme, hosted by Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi. The show delves deeper into the news of the day along with larger societal themes, inviting listeners to help unpack issues on the day’s current affairs agenda and topics close to their hearts. Ndlozi also interviews the biggest newsmakers and experts in South Africa, helping listeners make sense of their world.

POWER Talk is a mid-morning talk show programme, hosted by Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi. The show delves deeper into the news of the day along with larger societal themes, inviting listeners to help unpack issues on the day&rsquo;s current affairs agenda and topics close to their hearts. Ndlozi also interviews the biggest newsmakers and experts in South Africa, helping listeners make sense of their world.

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Culture Corner: African names significance and naming ceremonies

HIV is still a critical issue in South Africa. While rates of HIV in children have declined significantly since the early 2000s, an estimated 270 000 children aged 0 –14 are living with HIV, 10 000 become newly infected and 2100 die from AIDS each year, according to UNAIDS. The majority of HIV-positive children are infected before and during birth, whereas others acquire HIV later through breastfeeding. 

HIV is still a critical issue in South Africa. While rates of HIV in children have declined significantly since the early 2000s, an estimated 270 000 children aged 0 &ndash;14 are living with HIV, 10 000 become newly infected and 2100 die from AIDS each year, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://aidsinfo.unaids.org/">UNAIDS</a>. The majority of HIV-positive children are infected before and during birth, whereas others acquire HIV later through breastfeeding.&nbsp;

HIV Infections in Children: Why Children are Left Behind

The City of Tshwane is the capital of South Africa and is the largest municipality, as measured by land mass. Tshwane is amongst the six largest metropolitan municipalities in South Africa and the second largest in Gauteng, as measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Tshwane region covers 6 368km² of Gauteng’s 19 055km² and houses approximately 2,9million residents. Tshwane consists of seven regions with 105 wards and 210 councilors. Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi spoke to Dr Nasiphi Moya, executive mayor of Tshwane. 

The City of Tshwane is the capital of South Africa and is the largest municipality, as measured by land mass. Tshwane is amongst the six largest metropolitan municipalities in South Africa and the second largest in Gauteng, as measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Tshwane region covers 6 368km&sup2; of Gauteng&rsquo;s 19 055km&sup2; and houses approximately 2,9million residents. Tshwane consists of seven regions with 105 wards and 210 councilors. Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi spoke to Dr Nasiphi Moya, executive mayor of Tshwane.&nbsp;

State of City of Tshwane

The recent standoff between the Trump administration and Harvard University marks a pivotal moment in American higher education policy, with global implications on funding and academic freedom. Triggered by disputes over race-conscious admissions and broader ideological battles, the administration moved to suspend or revoke federal funding for elite universities it perceived as out of step with its political agenda . These efforts extended beyond financial penalties to include visa restrictions targeting international students.

The recent standoff between the Trump administration and Harvard University marks a pivotal&nbsp;moment in American higher education policy, with global implications on funding and academic freedom. Triggered by disputes over race-conscious admissions and broader ideological battles, the administration moved to suspend or revoke federal funding for elite universities it perceived as out of step with its political agenda . These efforts extended beyond financial penalties to include visa restrictions targeting international students.

Culture Corner: African names significance and naming ceremonies

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