Earlier this week, the High Court of Malawi delivered a judgment declaring that the unwritten or written policy of the Government requiring all learners, including children of the Rastafari community to cut their hair before admission into government schools is unlawful and constitutes a violation of the right to education, freedom of religion and amounts to discrimination on grounds of religious affiliation.

We talk to Chikondi Chijozi of Southern Africa Litigation Centre (Represented the applicants) Victor Mhango, Executive Director of the Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance, Malawi (Supported the case).

Earlier this week, the High Court of Malawi delivered a judgment declaring that the unwritten or written policy of the Government requiring all learners, including children of the Rastafari community to cut their hair before admission into government schools is unlawful and constitutes a violation of the right to education, freedom of religion and amounts to discrimination on grounds of religious affiliation.
We talk to Chikondi Chijozi of Southern Africa Litigation Centre (Represented the applicants) Victor Mhango, Executive Director of the Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance, Malawi (Supported the case).

Serious and topical issues on continent, breaking stories.

Serious and topical issues on continent, breaking stories.

The Upside

Malawi High Court declares unconstitutional the banning of dreadlocks in government schools

As household budgets remain under pressure, many shoppers are changing the way they buy clothes. Instead of paying full price, more consumers are looking for recognised brands at lower prices, while fashion companies are searching for better ways to deal with excess stock without hurting their brand value. That shift has helped create new opportunities in the retail space.

One company making the most of this trend is FARO, a South African off price fashion retailer that turns surplus branded inventory into affordable shopping opportunities. From strong store growth to plans for international expansion, the business believes the same challenges shaping South Africa's retail market are playing out around the world. Joining us on the line is Chris Makhanya, FARO’s Co-Founder and Chief Buying Officer

As household budgets remain under pressure, many shoppers are changing the way they buy clothes. Instead of paying full price, more consumers are looking for recognised brands at lower prices, while fashion companies are searching for better ways to deal with excess stock without hurting their brand value. That shift has helped create new opportunities in the retail space.
One company making the most of this trend is FARO, a South African off price fashion retailer that turns surplus branded inventory into affordable shopping opportunities. From strong store growth to plans for international expansion, the business believes the same challenges shaping South Africa's retail market are playing out around the world. Joining us on the line is Chris Makhanya, FARO&rsquo;s Co-Founder and Chief Buying Officer

What changing shopping habits mean for the future of fashion retail 

More than two million South Africans are living with diabetes, yet for many, the cost of treatment remains a major challenge. Now, a new partnership aims to make one of the world's most widely used diabetes medicines more accessible. Novo Nordisk has announced the launch of an authorised copy of semaglutide in South Africa, offering patients a more affordable treatment option without changing the medicine itself.

Unlike generic or compounded alternatives, an authorised copy is produced by the same manufacturer using the same active ingredient, manufacturing process and injection device as the original medicine, while meeting the same regulatory standards. To further unpack we are joined on the line by Sara Norcross, General Manger of Novo Nordisk South Africa

More than two million South Africans are living with diabetes, yet for many, the cost of treatment remains a major challenge. Now, a new partnership aims to make one of the world's most widely used diabetes medicines more accessible. Novo Nordisk has announced the launch of an authorised copy of semaglutide in South Africa, offering patients a more affordable treatment option without changing the medicine itself.
Unlike generic or compounded alternatives, an authorised copy is produced by the same manufacturer using the same active ingredient, manufacturing process and injection device as the original medicine, while meeting the same regulatory standards. To further unpack we are joined on the line by Sara Norcross, General Manger of Novo Nordisk South Africa

Why this new Semaglutide launch matters for everyone living with type 2 Diabetes 

For generations in Kenya, children have traditionally inherited their father's first name as their surname. Today more men are carrying their mother's name instead, particularly within the Kikuyu community. For some, it reflects the reality of being raised by strong single mothers while for others it is a deliberate choice to honour the women who shaped their lives.

The growing use of female surnames has sparked debate, with some celebrating it as a sign of changing attitudes towards women, while others argue it goes against tradition and even questions masculinity. As more public figures, musicians and politicians embrace their mother's names, the conversation is raising bigger questions about culture, absent fathers and gender roles. Joining us on the line Arnold Malimba, Kenyan based journalist

For generations in Kenya, children have traditionally inherited their father's first name as their surname. Today more men are carrying their mother's name instead, particularly within the Kikuyu community. For some, it reflects the reality of being raised by strong single mothers while for others it is a deliberate choice to honour the women who shaped their lives.
The growing use of female surnames has sparked debate, with some celebrating it as a sign of changing attitudes towards women, while others argue it goes against tradition and even questions masculinity. As more public figures, musicians and politicians embrace their mother's names, the conversation is raising bigger questions about culture, absent fathers and gender roles. Joining us on the line Arnold Malimba, Kenyan based journalist

Malawi High Court declares unconstitutional the banning of dreadlocks in government schools

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