Day: September 13, 2024

Shijiazhuang: By applying the techniques Augustine Phiri learnt in China to his hometown’s farmland, the corn yield in Malawi’s experimental field increased dramatically so far this year, rising from 2.1 tonnes per hectare in 2023 to 8 tonnes per hectare — nearly four times the previous yield.

In 2019, Augustine Phiri embarked on a three-year agricultural technology study program in China as part of the Sino-Africa Science and Technology Backyard (STB) Project.

This project brought together 34 African students from eight countries to enhance their knowledge and practical skills in modern agricultural practices in 2019, when it was launched by the China Agricultural University at the Quzhou Experimental Station in north China’s Hebei Province.

Up to now, a total of 91 international students from 12 African countries have participated in the project.

“The project addresses the gap between agricultural theory and practice in Africa, as well as the shortage of skilled agricultural workers. Our aim is to trai
n a new generation of innovative talent with both modern agricultural theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills to improve smallholder farmers’ productivity and agricultural standards across Africa,” said Jiao Xiaoqiang, head of the program and an associate professor at the university’s college of resources and environmental sciences.

Francina Lerata Kuwali, another student involved in the program, highlighted the severe impact of the El Nino phenomenon on Malawi. The southeastern African nation has experienced frequent droughts and floods in recent years. On March 23, Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera declared a national state of disaster in 23 districts of the country hit by a dry spell caused by El Nino, which has left those districts with little or no harvest.

However, under the guidance of students from the Sino-Africa STB Project, 15 farmers in Malawi reported an average corn yield of 7.9 tonnes per hectare in April — more than triple the yields compared to the previous year. This not only solved foo
d security concerns but also provided surplus crops for these farmers, helping to boost local food production.

“During our study, we spent the first year completing the theoretical courses and practical training in China. In the second year, we applied these skills in Africa, and in the third year, we returned to China to write and defend our theses. Throughout the process, the professors provided guidance via WeChat, with important issues resolved through online meetings,” said Francina.

Jiao added that international students play a vital role in encouraging African farmers to engage in experiments, helping them master and spread agricultural technology. By combining the knowledge gained in China with the realities of African farming, students help localize these technologies, ultimately driving productivity for smallholder farmers. In Mzuzu City, northern Malawi, farmers have composed this story into a song to express their gratitude.

Having recently returned from a visit to Kenya, Jiao shared that the f
uture plans include expanding the Sino-Africa STB Project to other African nations such as Kenya, Zambia and Ethiopia.

China feeds over 1.4 billion people with only 9 percent of the world’s arable land. The agricultural technology is well-suited to the needs of Africa’s smallholder farmers, and African agriculture can greatly benefit from China’s agricultural expertise, said Jiao. Enditem

Source: The Namibia News Agency

WINDHOEK: The Indonesian Embassy in Namibia is hosting its first – ever cultural event in Windhoek , on 26 September 2024 to showcase the country ‘ s way of life and further strengthen its bilateral relations with Namibia . Addressing a press conference here Friday , Head of Education , Social and Cultural Affairs at the Embassy , Kurnya Kusuma Dewy said the free event titled ‘ Harmony of Nusantara : The Colours of Indonesia ‘ will see participation of traditional dances from various regions of Indonesia as well as music performances featuring Namibian artists . She explained that the two nations have a long – standing relationship of 31 years , however , the cultural knowledge of each country is still very limited . ‘ It will be easier for us to enter the people of Namibia by introducing more of Indonesia through the cultural stage . We hope that in the future we have more people – to – people contact and so we could have more Namibians knowing about Indonesia and in the future enhance economic relations as
well as strengthen political relations ,’ she said . She indicated that about 140 Indonesians are living in Namibia , mostly employed as seafarers , teachers , and at the embassy . Dewy noted that the attendees should make reservations to enter the event . At the same event , First Secretary for Economic Affairs at the embassy , Ari Hadiman indicated that the two countries ‘ trade bilateral relations include amongst others , the import of Namibian date fruits and the export of certain fish species to Namibia . ‘ Annually Indonesia imports dates from Namibia because Indonesia is one of the Muslim population countries and we buy dates for our consumption during the Ramadan time and fortunately the harvesting of dates is suitable with the Ramadan time ,’ he explained . He noted that more than five Namibian companies have registered to participate in the 39th Trade Expo Indonesia in October 2024 which is considered the largest business – to – business expo in Indonesia and a trusted platform for international buy
ers to find export products and services with competitive pricing and reliable quality .

Source: The Namibia News Agency

Dalian: Iron ore futures closed lower on Friday in daytime trading at the Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE).

The most active iron ore contract for January 2025 delivery dipped 2 yuan (about 28 U.S. cents) to close at 694 yuan per tonne.

On Friday, the total trading volume of 12 listed iron ore futures contracts on the exchange was 561,290 lots, with a turnover of about 39.54 billion yuan.

As the world’s largest importer of iron ore, China opened the DCE iron ore futures to international investors in May 2018. Enditem

Source: The Namibia News Agency

Dozens of athletes held a procession in northwestern Kenya with rousing calls to end gender-based violence, as they escorted Uganda Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei’s casket as it began its final journey on Friday ahead of her funeral across the border.

The body of Cheptegei, who died on Sept. 1 after allegedly being set on fire by her partner in Kenya, was received by family and anti-femicide crusaders on the eve of her burial.

The Paris 2024 Olympic runner who finished 44th in the women’s marathon will be buried in her ancestral home in Bukwo district, eastern Uganda with full military honors on Saturday.

“Not only is the killing of Rebbeca a case of femicide but also it’s particularly a case of what we have seen happening to athletes here in Kenya.

“Kenya prides itself in the fact that it has a lot of training camps for athletes from across the world and if you are going to oblige global citizens to come to your country, to pay to train within your camp, you have an obligation to protect them,” an activist,
Mary Liz Biukwa, said during the procession.

Viola Cheptoo, the founder of Tirop Angels, an organization that was formed in honor of Kenyan athlete Agnes Tirop who was stabbed to death in 2021, said stakeholders need to ensure this is the last death of an athlete due to gender-based violence.

There was a sombre mood at the mortuary in Eldoret city as athletes and family members viewed Cheptegei’s body which sustained 80 percent burns after she was reportedly doused with gasoline by her partner Dickson Ndiema.

Ndiema who also sustained 30 percent burns on his body also succumbed on Monday evening.

The estranged couple are reported to have quarreled over a piece of land the athlete bought in Kenya before the attack. Enditem

Source: The Namibia News Agency

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister, Parks Tau, has approved the Legal Sector Code in terms of section 9(1) of the B-BBEE Act which aims to accelerate the transformation of the legal sector.

‘This administration has committed itself to accelerating transformation, guided by the preamble of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa which emphasises the need to correct the injustices of the past. This is captured in the statement of intent of the Government of National Unity (GNU),’ Tau said.

Tau said the process of drafting the Legal Sector Code commenced in the previous administration led by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, together with the Legal Practice Council.

The process has paved the way for the sector to achieve its Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) objectives of the following:

an ownership target of 50% and black women ownership of 25% over 5 years.

a management control (executive and board participation) target of 50% representation of black pra
ctitioners and a target of 25% for black women practitioners, particularly as equity partners and associates.

a skills development target of 3.5% expenditure on training programmes for black candidates. The aim is also to ensure training in specialised skills for black legal practitioners, candidate legal practitioners, candidate legal practitioners and black junior advocates within the following designated categories: black women, black youth, black people with disabilities and black people from rural areas.

a procurement target of 60% by the private sector, and there is a target of 80 % to be achieved through the specialised procurement scorecard applicable to the public sector. This will ensure fair and equitable access to specialised areas of law and complex matters when the state procures legal services from black Legal Sector Measured Entities (LSMEs) and ensure the sustainability of LSMEs.

‘The implementation of the Legal Sector Code is in line with the objectives of B-BBEE and will enhance inclusiv
e growth in line with the transformation objectives of the Government of National Unity (GNU).

‘There is strong evidence to support the transformation of the legal sector which this sector code will help accelerate. We look forward to the speedy implementation of the Legal Sector Code,’ Tau said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

President Cyril Ramaphosa has granted lifelong activist and former Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan an official funeral.

Gordhan passed away in hospital in the early hours of Friday morning after a battle with cancer. He was 75 years old.

The late former Minister will be laid to rest in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday.

Speaking during the signing ceremony of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill in Pretoria on Friday, President Ramaphosa said Gordhan was one of the most principled and courageous freedom fighters the country has produced.

‘South Africans woke up to the sad news of the passing of former Minister Pravin Gordhan. I had the occasion to go and spend some time with him last night in hospital as I returned from Cape Town before he passed on.

‘I was able to get a moment to speak to him even though he could no longer hear me. But it was a sad moment for me to be able to watch him as he was passing on to his journey to another world,’ the President said.

President Ramapho
sa extended his condolences to the Minister’s wife, Vanitha Raju, daughters Anisha and Priyesha, as well as his family members across the world.

‘Gordhan dedicated his life to the struggle and freedom of our people, he fought to liberate this country from the shackles of apartheid. From inequality, poverty and hunger, he is one person who was driven by a vision of a society in which all people have achieved their full potential and which all may realise their dreams.

‘I have decided that we will have an official funeral to say our goodbyes to him as a nation,’ the President.

Gordhan served as Minister of Finance from 2009 until 2014 and again from 2015 until 2017. He also served as Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from 2014 until 2015. He also served as Minister of Public Enterprises from February 2018 until announcement of his planned retirement in March.

Gordhan was appointed as Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service in 1999, after serving as the Deputy Commissioner
of the revenue service.

His contribution to the public sector arose from his involvement in the anti-apartheid struggle, including his role in the student and civic movements in the 1970s and ’80s, as an executive member of the Natal Indian Congress and military operative in the armed wing of the African National Congress.

During South Africa’s transition to democracy and in the early years of the new dispensation, Gordhan played a leading role in the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) multi-party dialogue and was later appointed as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Constitutional Committee.

The year 2023 marked 50 years since Gordhan graduated from the University of Durban-Westville with a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree which led to him working at the King Edward VIII Hospital in Durban from 1974 to 1981.

In the early 1980s, his activism led to his dismissal from the hospital, as well as detention by police and banning orders.

Source: South African Government News Agency