Africa in Focus with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa

1.    Ghana – Accra 
Ghana opposition protests over claims of ‘democracy under attack’
Ghana’s main opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has staged protests accusing the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government of undermining democracy, restricting free speech and targeting political opponents.
Hundreds of NPP supporters, lawmakers and party leaders marched through Accra wearing red and black, presenting petitions to the Supreme Court, Parliament and the Presidency.

2.    South Afrika - Malawi
Malawian President Peter Mutharika Departs for South Africa As Reports On Trip Spark Uncertainty
President Peter Mutharika has jetted off to South Africa yet again -- his fourth "private visit" in barely seven months -- fuelling fresh speculation about what exactly is so private when the traveller is the Head of State.
State House confirmed on Wednesday that the 86-year-old President would leave Kamuzu International Airport for South Africa, offering no details on the purpose of the trip and its duration.
3.    South Afrika – Tshwane 
On 9 August 2026, South Africa will mark the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Women’s March. On that day, more than 20,000 women marched to the Union Buildings to protest the extension of the Pass Laws and the Urban Areas Act
 The commemoration will be held under the theme “Empowered Women Empower The Nation” and will pay tribute to the women of 1956 who fought for human rights, gender equality and social justice.

4. In our historical archives, it was on the 9th of August 1982 when the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations was held in Geneva. ( Tribute to Sarah Baartman)
Building on that, on 23 December 1994, the General Assembly adopted resolution 49/214, formally establishing that the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples should be observed on 9 August each year. 
The day was first celebrated during the first International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, which ran from 1995 to 2004.