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African Arty Beats: Celebrating the Week's Standout Arts and Culture Stories
Here's this week's segment of the African Arty Beats.
World Blood Donor Day Highlights Urgent Need for Safe Blood Across Africa
Welcome to the Friday edition of The Discourse. And this morning we turn our attention to World Blood Donor Day, which will be marked on Sunday, 14 June 2026, highlighting the vital role of voluntary blood donors in saving lives around the world. The World Health Organization says safe and sufficient blood remains essential for emergency care, surgeries, childbirth, cancer treatment, and the management of chronic and life-threatening conditions. This year's campaign, under the theme "One Drop of Humanity. Give Blood. Save Lives.", calls for stronger solidarity and regular voluntary donation, as many countries-particularly in Africa-continue to face shortages and unequal access to safe blood and blood products. To discuss the challenges and the state of blood safety on the continent, Peter Ndoro spoke to Dr. Roland Willy Niyibizi, Technical Officer for Blood Safety, Organ and Tissue Transplants at the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa.
Kenya Secures Landmark UN Climate Funding to Support Communities Hit by Disasters
Kenya has become the first African country to secure landmark climate disaster funding. The 700, 000 dollars in funding comes from the Santiago Network on Loss and Damage, a Switzerland-based United Nations mechanism funded by voluntary contributions from developed countries and the international community, it was established in 2019. Kenya is expected to us the money on those affected by severe weather conditions. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Isaac Mwaura, Kenya Government Spokesperson
First Repatriated Nigerians Return Home as South Africa Intensifies Immigration Crackdown
The first group of Nigerian nationals who have been repatriated from South Africa have arrived home yesterday afternoon, a flight landed in Nigeria carrying 270 citizens who wanted to be repatriated from South Africa. The second flight is scheduled for Monday. This after weeks of protests in South Africa against undocumented migrants. The Nigerian consulate in South Africa says around one-thousand of its citizens had registered to return home. The Department of Home Affairs in South Africa says 586 Nigerian nationals have been processed for repatriation after being found residing in South Africa illegally. Peter Ndoro spoke to Douglas Ogbankwa, Nigerian Lawyer and Convener of the Security Situation Room - a publication
Africa Roundup: Key Continental and Global Developments Shaping the Day Ahead
Time now for our daily Africa Roundup. Each morning, just after the six o'clock news, we bring you a concise update on the key developments shaping the continent and the world over the past 24 hours. With insights from our team of journalists, analysts, and newsmakers, we place the day's biggest stories into context - helping you stay informed, connected, and prepared for the day ahead...
Amnesty Report Raises Concerns Over Gaza Destruction, Urges Ceasefire Efforts
INTRO: Amnesty International South Africa released a report on the ongoing war in Gaza, Palestine. In its findings, the organisation raises serious concerns - alleging that Israel's actions in the region may amount to ethnic cleansing. The report highlights widespread destruction, noting that thousands of buildings have been damaged or destroyed and that many Palestinians have been displaced. The human rights organisation is also calling on the international community to increase efforts to encourage a ceasefire in Gaza. Ditaba Tsotetsi has more
Mpumalanga Groups Demand Faster Action on Highveld Air Pollution Crisis
Civil society organisations in South Africa's Highveld region of Mpumalanga Province have raised concerns over slow government action on air pollution, despite several court rulings in their favour. They say little progress has been made since the area was declared a high-priority zone under the National Environmental Management Air Quality Act in 2007, due to high emissions affecting parts of Mpumalanga and Gauteng Provinces. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has held a dialogue in Middelburg with civil society, communities and experts to address air quality challenges. Michael Mdluli reports.
WFP Warns Funding Cuts and Middle East Conflict Are Driving Global Hunger Crisis
The acting head of the World Food Programme says they are experiencing historic drops in funding with a 40% drop year to year, creating a perfect storm with already record levels of hunger around the world, further exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The U.N. Agency that provides food assistance in theatres around the world, warned in March that were the conflict in the Middle East to persist, that some 45 million people would fall into acute food insecurity - a situation confirmed to now be playing out in real time including raising the cost of running humanitarian operations that have gone up dramatically in an already precarious context. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.
Gauteng Police Pursue Leads as Cleveland Mass Shooting Death Toll Stands at 12
Police Commissioner in South Africa's Gauteng Province, Tommy Mthombeni, says investigators are making progress in tracking down those responsible for a mass shooting at the Jumpers informal settlement in Cleveland, east of Johannesburg. Twelve people were killed when gunmen reportedly opened fire near a tavern on Tuesday night. The number of people injured has risen from 10 to 15. Police say the motive for the attack remains unclear and is a key focus of the ongoing investigation. No arrests have been made. Sashin Naidoo reports
UN Marks Disability Rights Milestone as Access, Inclusion and Recognition Improve Globally
The United Nations has marked a major milestone in the global fight for disability rights, as Secretary-General António Guterres says millions of people with disabilities have seen improved access, recognition and respect over the past two decades. Speaking at the 2026 Conference of States Parties to the Convention in New York on Wednesday, Guterres said the agreement has expanded access, strengthened recognition, and promoted greater respect for persons with disabilities by placing human rights at the center of disability inclusion. Channel Africa's reporter Micheal Mbewe has more
Rwandan military forces and M23 rebels linked to forced recruitment and abusive detention of thousands of captured combatants and DRC civilians
Human Rights Watch says Rwandan military forces and the M23 armed group carried out a campaign of forced recruitment and abusive detention of thousands of captured combatants and civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. .In a 78-page report, titled "'Death Was Everywhere': Arbitrary Detention, Killings, and Forced Recruitment by the M23 and the Rwanda Defence Force," the rights group documents large-scale roundups and arrests in North and South Kivu provinces in eastern Congo, as well as grave abuses against detainees at the Rumangabo and Tshanzu training camps in North Kivu, between mid-2024 and December 2025.Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Clémentine de Montjoye, senior Great Lakes researcher at Human Rights Watch.
Central African Republic "becomes rapidly expanding network of transnational organised crime" and illicit global timber, gold, drugs and diamond flows
Central African Republic has become a major hub for what investigators describe as a rapidly expanding network of transnational organised crime, linking armed conflict to global flows of gold, diamonds, timber and illicit drugs. That's according to a new report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, which says a range of foreign actors-including Russia-linked Wagner networks and other international interests-are embedded in these illicit economies. The report suggests that criminal markets are now deeply intertwined with political and military structures inside the country, raising concerns about worsening violence and state capture. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke Ruben de Koning, senior expert at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.
International Day of Play recognises importance of of play as a fundamental part of every child's learning, development and wellbeing
It's time now for the discourse - and today we're marking the International Day of Play, a global initiative recognised by the United Nations, first celebrated in 2024, to highlight the importance of play as a fundamental part of every child's learning, development, and wellbeing. The day serves as a reminder that play is not a luxury, but a right that helps children build creativity, resilience, and essential life skills.From South Africa to communities across the African continent and beyond, millions of children continue to face barriers such as poverty, unsafe environments, and inequality that limit their ability to simply be children. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke Megan Briede, Director of Programmes at Save the Children South Africa.
African Refugee Crisis Deepens as Host Nations Struggle Under Economic and Social Pressures
Cross-border migration in Africa... millions of Africans cross borders fleeing wars, conflics and dire humanitarian situations some running away from political tortures from countries of origin. They flee to neighboring African countries...South Africa, Uganda, Chad, and Egypt are among the primary African nations where the massive influx of arriving refugees has collided with severe domestic economic strain, leaving both host communities and displaced populations in a state of crisis. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke PROF Bheki Mngomezulu: Professor of Political Science & International Relations and Director of CANRAD Centre at Nelson Mandela University in South Africa,
SABC Sport Brings Inclusive 2026 FIFA World Cup Coverage with Live Sign and Khoi-San Language Access
The wait is officially over! The 2026 FIFA World Cup has finally arrived, bringing the absolute pinnacle of football magic straight to our doorsteps. From the streets of Johannesburg to villages across our beautiful provinces, the entire country is buzzing with pure football euphoria. As the official public broadcaster, SABC Sport is ensuring that no one is left behind. In a truly historic milestone for inclusive broadcasting, SABC is rolling out live sign language interpretation during halftime commentary and analysis. This game-changing move ensures that our Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities can fully immerse themselves in the world's biggest sporting spectacle. Whether you are tuning in through your television screens on SABC 1 and SABC 3, streaming on SABC Plus, or listening to your favourite SABC Radio Stations in your language of choice-universal access is the name of the game this year. For more on what you can expect, Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Head of Productions at SABC Sport, Orapeleng Lebethe
Africa Roundup: Key Continental and Global Developments Shaping the Day Ahead
Time now for our daily Africa Roundup. Each morning, just after the six o'clock news, we bring you a concise update on the key developments shaping the continent and the world over the past 24 hours. With insights from our team of journalists, analysts, and newsmakers, we place the day's biggest stories into context - helping you stay informed, connected, and prepared for the day ahead
UN Inquiry Accuses Israel of Backing Settler Attacks on Palestinians in West Bank
A United Nations inquiry says Israeli authorities are directly involved in settler attacks in the occupied West Bank that have killed, injured and displaced Palestinians, with Israeli security forces also accused of providing protection to settlers.
Africa Roundup: Key Continental and Global Developments at a Glance
Time now for our daily Africa Roundup. Each morning, just after the six o'clock news, we bring you a concise update on the key developments shaping the continent and the world over the past 24 hours. With insights from our team of journalists, analysts, and newsmakers, we place the day's biggest stories into context - helping you stay informed, connected, and prepared for the day ahead...
SA Parliament Raises Alarm Over Withdrawn Statutory Rape Cases, Calls for Stronger Action
According to South Africa's Parliament's Portfolio Committe on Police, is concerned about the high number of statutory rape cases withdrawn over the past five years, calling for stronger interventions to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice. More than 1800 statutory rape cases were withdrawn between the 2020/21 and 2024/25 financial years. Some of the factors contributiing to this withdrawal of cases, including harmful cultural beliefs, social and economic pressures, barriers to reporting, fear of victimisation and stigmatisation. To talk to us further on this, we spoke to General Manager Operations at TEARS Foundation Celeste Louw
12 Killed in Mass Shooting at Johannesburg Informal Settlement as Manhunt Intensifies
At least 12 people have been killed and nine others injured in a shooting at an informal settlement in Cleveland, east of Johannesburg in South Africa. Police say more than 10 suspects opened fire at the Jumpers settlement on Tuesday evening before fleeing the scene in a white Toyota Quantum. Authorities have launched a manhunt, while the motive for the attack remains unclear. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, spokesperson for the South African Police Service in Gauteng Province.
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