THE AFRICAN STORY

ISSUE NUMBER 724 VOLUME 2 15 - 21 JUNE 2020

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EU experts see some risk of return to lockdown in COVID-19 second wave

Ugandans Melt Plastic Waste Into Coronavirus Face Shields

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COVID-19 CASES COVID-19 CASES ACCELERATING ACCELERATING IN AFRICA IN AFRICA -Continent records -Continent records 100 000100 000 cases in 18 days cases in 18 days to a total to a total 200 000 200 000 with over with over 5600 5600 deaths deaths

-WHO says pace of spread is quickening -WHO says pace of spread is quickening

CORONAVIRUS:CORONAVIRUS:

Echo Newspaper 15 - 21 June 2020 2 Echo Report

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THE AFRICAN STORY

Covid-19 Cases Covid-19 Cases Accelerating In AfricaAccelerating In Africa -Continent records -Continent records 100 000100 000 cases in cases in 18 days18 days to a total to a total 200 000200 000 with over with over 5600 deaths5600 deaths

--WHO says pace of spread is quickeningWHO says pace of spread is quickening

COVID-19 cases in Africa are accelerating following the recording of 100 000 confirmed cases in 18 days as the pandemic continues to spread in the continent. The virus was first detected on the continent in mid-February 2020. More than 200 000 cases have been confirmed so far, with more than 5600 deaths. It had initially taken 98 days to reach 100 000 cases.

“For now, Africa still only accounts for a small fraction of cases worldwide,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa.

“But the pace of the spread is quickening. Swift and early action by African countries has helped to keep numbers low but constant vigilance is needed to stop COVID-19 from

overwhelming health facilities.” Ten out of 54 countries are

currently driving the rise in numbers, accounting for nearly 80% of all the cases. More than 70% of the deaths are taking place in only five countries: Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Sudan.

South Africa is the most affected, accounting for 25% of the continent’s total cases, with the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces reporting high number of cases and deaths daily.

More than half of the countries in the continent are experiencing C O V I D - 1 9 c o m m u n i t y transmission. In many cases this is concentrated in capital cities, but cases are spreading into the provinces.

Many countries were quick to make difficult decisions and put in place lockdowns and key

public health measures such as promoting physical distancing, good hand hygiene and testing, tracing of contacts of people with COVID-19 and isolation of cases. With the support of WHO and other partners, governments also rapidly started to scale up health workforce and laboratory capacities, and to set up points-of-entry screening at airports and border crossings. These public health and social measures have been effective in slowing the spread of COVID-19 in Africa.

In recent weeks, countries began relaxing lockdowns to resume some economic and social activities. The shutdowns have come at considerable socioeconomic cost.

“Stay-at-home orders and closing of markets and businesses have taken a heavy toll, particularly on the most

vulnerable and marginalized communities,” said Dr Moeti. “So, the need to balance between saving lives and protecting livelihoods is a key consideration in this response, particularly in Africa.

Easing restrictions should be a controlled process and needs to be coupled with ensuring that widespread testing capacities and mechanisms are in place. These steps need to be constantly adapted according to the trends in the data and maintained until the pandemic is contained or there is a vaccine or treatment for COVID-19 which is accessible to everyone.

As countries ease restrictions, health authorities will need to ensure continuity of essential health care services while also resuming the full gamut of routine health services.

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Republic of Botswana

Ministry of Health and Wellness

Throw the used tissue safely in the rubbish bin and wash your hands.

Keep a distance of 1-2 meters between youand another person.

Cover your nose and mouth with a flexed elbow or tissue when sneezing or coughing.

Wear a face cloth mask when with other people.

Avoid touching your face, eyes,nose, and mouth.

Wash your hands: Wet, apply soap, rub, rinse and dry while singing a “happy birthday” or alphabet song.

PREVENTION MESSAGES FOR CHILDREN

Vision: A Healthy Nation by 2023 Values: Customer Focus, Botho, Timeliness, Equity, Teamwork, Accountability.

Ministry of Health & WellnessCOVID-19 CALL CENTRE: 16649

Echo Newspaper 15 - 21 June 2020 4 Echo Report

The risk of a second wave of COVID-19 infections big enough to require European lockdowns to be reimposed is moderate to high, EU health experts said on Friday, and depends on the gradual easing of restrictions and how people stick to them.

A pandemic risk assessment by the European Centre for Disease

Prevention and Control also predicted a moderate pick-up in infection rates in the coming weeks, although it said transmission has passed its peak in most European countries.

“The pandemic is not over,” ECDC director Andrea Ammon said in a statement accompanying the assessment.

She said that while there are decreasing trends of COVID-19 infections across Europe, efforts are still needed to limit the spread of the disease.

“It is important to comply with recommendations regarding physical distancing and maintain high standards of hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette,” she

said. “Everyone’s contribution makes a difference.”

The Stockholm-based ECDC monitors and advises on disease and public health in the European Union.

Its assessment found that stringent physical distancing measures imposed by many governments have reduced

transmission. It also noted that the enforced

stay-at-home orders have been “highly disruptive to society, both economically and socially”, and that many countries have now begun a full or partial reopening of shops and public spaces.

“At the present time, just before the summer holiday period, as member states relax limitations, there is a risk that people will not adhere firmly to the recommended measures still in place due to ‘isolation fatigue’,” the ECDC warned.

It said the risk of COVID-19 incidence rising to a level that may require the re-introduction of stricter control measures is high if lockdown measures are phased out when there is still ongoing community transmission, and if no appropriate monitoring, testing and tracing systems are in place.

The risk would be moderate, however, if measures are phased out gradually, if transmission has been reduced to sporadic levels, and if disease test and track systems are in place.

World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a ceremony in Geneva late last week “the threat of a resurgence remains very real...Now is the time to be even more vigilant.

“We must also remember that although the situation is improving here in Europe, globally it’s getting worse. We still have a road ahead and we will continue to need global solidarity to defeat this pandemic fully,” Tedros said.

(Reuters.)

Lesotho’s new prime minister Moeketsi Majoro said on Friday stabilising its political system was among his top priorities

after replacing his scandal-hit predecessor last month.

Lesotho, a mountainous kingdom that is entirely

surrounded by South Africa, has seen several coups and waves of unrest since independence from Britain in 1966.

Majoro, who was previously finance minister, said it is critical the country moves quickly to set up a stable government to

serve its people better.“The people of Lesotho have

welcomed our government with opened hands and in the (next) two years they would like us to focus as much as possible on services to them and to stop quibbling,” Majoro said during a courtesy call with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria.

Majoro will stay in charge until scheduled elections in June 2022.

Former premier Thomas Thabane bowed to calls to resign in May, three months after police named him and his current wife Maesaiah as suspects in the murder of his estranged former spouse in a case that plunged Lesotho into a political crisis.

A new coalition government under Majoro was formed just before he was sworn in on May 20.

“Our hope and our intentions in negotiating a new coalition is (to) let us come together and seek to stabilize Lesotho’s coalition government, which has been fractious since 2012,” Majoro said.

(Reuters.)

EU experts see some risk of return to lockdown in COVID-19 second wave

New Lesotho PM Majoro to focus on stability after scandal

Echo Newspaper 15 - 21 June 2020 5Echo Report

Announcement

BBS LIMITED ADVERTISEMENT FOR AN INDEPENDENT BOARD PERFORMANCE ASSESSOR

The Board of Directors of BBS Limited has put in place a “Peer to Peer Review Process” to assess the performance of its Directors individually. This is in addition to the assessment of the Board and its 4 Sub- Committees. Therefore, BBS Limited seeks to engage a suitably qualified and experienced independent assessor to facilitate the process at the end of each BBS Limited financial year which is 31 December. The BBS Limited Constitution allows for up to 9 Board Members, 7 of which are Non-Executive Directors and 2 are Executive Directors. Currently, it has 6 Directors, 5 of whom are Non-Executive and 1 is an Executive.

Qualifications of Board Performance Assessor

The candidate, or entity, should not be a service provider to BBS Limited and will work with the Company Secretary to facilitate the performance assessment of individual Directors to enhance their performance and effectiveness on the BBS Limited Board. The exercise will include the Board and its Sub- Committees to ensure a comprehensive assessment. Requirements

At least 10 years’ experience working in a financial services, auditing or banking environment. Sound knowledge of Board affairs, Board administration and corporate governance. Solid experience in Board Directorships. Professional qualification in finance, risk, compliance, audit or law.

Tenure The assessor will be appointed for an initial three year period beginning in 2020. Qualified candidates or entities should submit their details curriculum vitae or profiles, certified copies of qualifications, fees structure and submit applications to BBS Limited marked “BBSL Board Independent Assessor” no later than 15 July 2020. Company Secretary BBS Limited House, Broadhurst Fourth Floor Corner of Lemmenyane Way and Segoditshane Road Or email to showas@bbs.co.bw Closing date 15 July 2020 Only shortlisted candidates or entities will be contacted.

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Authorities in Addis started rounding up street children in March to prevent them from contracting and spreading the virus - so far more than 4,100 have been placed in shelters - and the drive is being ramped up as coronavirus cases rise nationwide.

Ethiopia has recorded at least 2,670 cases and 40 deaths, and its caseload has more than doubled since the start of June.

Begging to survive on the streets had become increasingly tough an estimated 10,000 homeless children in Ethiopia’s capital, since the arrival of the new coronavirus.

Despite rapid growth in the past decade, inequality is stark in Ethiopia where a growing number of children have been driven from their homes - by poverty or neglect - and ended up begging or selling wares to survive life on the streets, charities said.

Some are subjected to labour exploitation and sexual abuse; others become addicted to sniffing glue or drugs such as khat.

About 16 million children aged between 5 and 17 are engaged in child labour across Ethiopia, a 2018 national survey found.

Street children who are taken to shelters by the authorities or charities receive food, clothes, healthcare and counseling. They tend to stay for between three and six months before being reunited with their relatives or returned to their communities.

“Many have to recover from drug addiction and psychosocial problems,” said Nigat Kebede, a director at the Elshadai Relief and Development Association that runs seven shelters for vulnerable people.

Most street children come from rural areas and have at least one living parent, yet family reunification efforts have been put on hold due to the pandemic, said Mulugeta Tefera, a civil servant who leads the Labor and Social Affairs Bureau in Addis.

In the long term, the government plans to create more job opportunities for children back home, Mulugeta said, so they do not return to the streets in Addis where they are prey to abuse. Child rights activists and academics said children must not be forced to stay in shelters and should be given a say in their future rather than pressured to head home without a plan.

“From a public health perspective, there is a need to offer safe and supportive shelter,” said Karin Heissler from the United Nations children’s agency (UNICEF) in Ethiopia.

“But you need to balance it with a human rights approach that ensures ... children are not forced into confinement,” she said ahead of World Day Against

Child Labour on June 12.“Shelters have to be recognized

as a temporary solution.”Campaigners have previously

raised concerns about children being violently removed from the streets - especially ahead of high-profile events in Addis such as African Union summits - while a law was drafted in 2019 to ban begging on the roadside.

Yet charities said the authorities had shown progress in recent

months regarding their treatment of street children and working more closely with civil society groups on the issue.

Tatek Abebe, an academic who has done research into Ethiopia’s street children, said factors such as rural poverty and ethnic violence meant most of these children would prefer to remain in Addis rather than move back home to the countryside.

( Reuters.)

Ethiopia moves children from streets to slow coronavirus

Echo Newspaper 15 - 21 June 2020 6 Echo Report

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to burn around the world, it has also caused severe disruptions in supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE), according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The problem is particularly severe in poorer countries with few resources to pay high prices in a competitive global market. In March, WHO officials urged companies around the world to increase production by 40% if possible to meet growing demand.

In Uganda, medical workers have discussed work boycotts to protest the lack of protective equipment in hospitals, especially after several healthcare workers were confirmed infected with the virus.

W h e n t h e U g a n d a n government ordered all non-essential workplaces shut to contain the coronavirus pandemic in late March, Peter Okwoko and his colleague Paige Balcom kept working.

But the pair - who had been turning collected plastic waste into building materials such as roofing tiles and pavers since last year - shifted gear and instead began manufacturing makeshift plastic face shields from discarded plastic bottles.

When they posted pictures of their prototypes on social media,

they got a surprise phone call from the local public hospital.

“The doctor from Gulu regional referral hospital requested we make 10 face shield masks urgently because they didn’t have enough” and the hospital had just received its first COVID-19 patient, said Okwoko, 29, a co-founder of Takataka Plastics.

The social enterprise set to work shredding plastic, melting it and shaping the liquid plastic into face shields and frames, using locally made moulds. Soon a first set of shields was delivered.

But “in the afternoon, the hospital called again. They said they needed more face shields because the previous ones had worked out well for them”, Okwoko said.

“The situation is critical. Many people are working without PPE,” Dr. Mukuzi Muhereza, secretary general for the country’s health workers’ body, the Uganda Medical Association, warned last week.

“That is hampering the fight against COVID-19 because there’s fear among health workers that anytime I touch a patient I might be a COVID patient myself,” he said.

Late last month, the Ministry of Health said Uganda’s public hospitals are likely to run out of existing stocks of protective equipment within three months.

“It’s true we are facing shortages in PPEs,” Emmanuel Ainebyoona, a spokesman for the ministry, said in a phone interview.

“We are urging all hospitals to

utilise the little they have by prioritising (medical workers) who are at most risk.”

In his state of the nation address last week, President Yoweri Museveni said the East

African nation - which so far has about 650 confirmed cases of the virus - has certified 10 local industries to begin making PPE.

But Takataka Plastics has been manufacturing in Gulu since March, with 14 staff now having made about 1,200 of the recycled plastic face shields, Okwoko said.

About 500 have been sold at low cost to NGOs and private health facilities and an additional 700 donated to public hospitals, he said.

Balcom, 26, a mechanical engineer who met Okwoko in 2019 while doing research on plastic pollution in Uganda, said some of the material used in the face shields now comes from hospital waste, such as used intravenous drip bottles.

Six of those making the shields are homeless youths employed by the group, she said.

To make the face shields - a two-day process - workers sort, clean, shred, melt and mould the waste plastic. Then they attach an adjustable strap, sometimes made from slices of old bicycle innertubes.

The group is manufacturing both single-use shields that cost about one dollar (3,000 Ugandan shillings), with frames made of cheap foam, or reuseable ones, with plastic frames, that cost about $2.70 (10,000 shillings), Okwoko noted.

In a country where an estimated 600 tonnes of waste plastic is thrown away daily - more than half it uncollected and less than 5 percent recycled - the effort is also helping battle plastic pollution and dirty air.

Burning of plastic waste - which can produce toxic gases and carcinogens - is common, Balcom said.

In the northern town of Gulu, where Takataka operates, at least 80% of plastic waste isn’t collected, she said, and piles of it end up in waterways, on roadsides and on vacant land.

Takataka now hopes to expand its operations into a full-scale plastic processing plant capable of recycling 9 tonnes of plastic waste monthly, up from about 60kg of plastic a day currently.

But “our focus at the moment is to fight COVID-19,” Balcom said.

(Reuters.)

Ugandans Melt Plastic Waste Into Coronavirus Face Shields

Echo Newspaper 15 - 21 June 2020 7Echo Report

Ivory Coast’s Coffee and Cocoa Council (CCC) has said it is introducing reforms aimed at boosting domestic exporters, including by reducing fees they pay when acquiring beans.

The new measures also limit stockpiling of beans by multinational traders that domestic exporters say drive up prices and prevent them from fulfilling export contracts.

T h e n e w r e fo r m s a r e recommended in an audit ordered by the CCC. The audit found domestic exporters have been paying certain fees to the CCC, including for storage and security, both when purchasing excess beans from multinationals and when exporting.

The double payment, which added 40.6 CFA francs ($0.0711) per kilo to export costs, was due to an error in the CCC’s system for calculating fees, the audit said.

The audit also recommended that the CCC reduce the amount of beans that exporters can stockpile to 2% more than the volumes they have export contracts for, rather than the current 10%.

That measure could make additional beans available to domestic exporters, who said in February that they were at risk of default because they could not acquire enough - even as multinational traders sat on large stocks.

In addition, the audit recommended that cooperatives be required sell their cocoa stocks within 21 days in order to curb price speculation.

Two sources at the CCC and four industry sources said the CCC had already started to implement some of the reforms and planned to have them all in place by the start of the 2020/21 growing season in October.

One domestic exporter said the moves were a welcome step to redress some of the imbalances with the larger traders.

The CCC and GEPEX, which represents the multinational companies, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. One source from a multinational company said the decision to limit traders’ stocks would “slow us down, but it is a decision we respect.”

(Reuters.)

Ivory Coast To Reduce Fees Paid By Domestic Cocoa Exporters

Echo Newspaper 15 - 21 June 2020 8 Echo Report

The World Food Programme has warned that the COVID-19 pandemic could cause one of the worst food crises since World War II. It predicts a doubling of the number of people going hungry – more than half of them in sub-Saharan Africa. While wealthier people stay inside and practise physical distancing, the economically marginalised populations risk going out in search of food. They take decisions between livelihoods and life in the most extreme cases. Such food inequities show the need for system-level action.

So far, the global food system has proven to be resilient to the COVID-19 pandemic. Food is still being produced, processed and distributed. Unfortunately, the system’s underlying injustices and inequities continue too. Around 1.58 billion people globally can’t afford healthy diets.

These inequities are especially stark on the African continent. Even before the COVID-19 crisis, the African food system was ailing. Food is perennially in short supply. In 2018, more than 250 million people in sub-Saharan Africa experienced severe food insecurity, incomes for farmers are lower than anywhere globally in real terms, and more than 30% of children are stunted partly due to poverty and poor diets.

Africa’s food system is no stranger to crises. Droughts, El Niño events, pests and diseases, terrorism, migration, and political upheaval have all taken a toll. Crises like these, shock the system, causing crop and food losses, pushing people into poverty and putting more people at risk of severe food insecurity and malnutrition.

Each crisis tends to be met with a response to mitigate the harm, but the system always seems to return to its earlier undesirable state.

The shock set off by COVID-19 is likely to be different. That’s because it is causing simultaneous and synchronised system failures that will erode economic opportunities now and potentially for years to come. For example, tourism will be hit by limitations on travel and gatherings.

What we see happening as a result of actions to contain COVID-19 is more like a global natural disaster.

It’s also an opportunity for a different kind of recovery. With less inertia resulting in a return to the previous state, alternative scenarios become plausible. In this respect it’s similar to the oil crisis of the 1970s, which changed societies fundamentally.

Going back to “business as usual” investments in agriculture and food systems could reproduce those systems’ inequities. Instead, recovery efforts should be geared towards creating a better future.

Researchers have already done the background work to inform this process.

We believe it is possible to redesign food systems to deliver healthy foods, allow farming families to make a good living, and support thriving societies while generating sustainable ecosystem services. The COVID-19 recovery is a time to put decades of data about this to work.

Here we outline three ways to improve agriculture in line with the sustainable development goals: to make

systems resilient, sustainable and fair. The examples have all been developed and tested by researchers at universities and research centres.

Focus on nutrition-sensitive agriculture

The World Health Organization has identified a double burden of malnutrition: poor nutrition along with overweight or obesity. This is a growing problem worldwide.

There are various ways agriculture can help tackle the problem. Among them are better integration of crops and livestock, climate smart agriculture, conservation agriculture, and using woody perennials in fields and landscapes to ecologically increase productivity of more diverse food items.

The underlying ideas are focusing on more integrated farming systems that use species diversity as a source of resilience and diversified diets while

reducing the use of harmful chemicals.

Artificially stabilised starch food markets distort prices and consumer incentives. When governments subsidise inputs for certain crops, their production becomes relatively cheaper and so do consumer prices. So, especially poorer consumers are more likely to choose these starchy food items that do not provide sufficiently balanced nutrients.

Nutrition-sensitive agriculture supporting diverse diets needs to be encouraged instead. Smart subsidies could steer food production into a state that supports healthy food choices and increases biodiversity in landscapes.

Reframe development progressPeople l iving in rural

regions should not have to depend on agriculture alone. Complementary opportunities should be part of rural development and human

wellbeing. The most vulnerable rural people are the least likely to progress through agriculture because their farms are small.

There should be a greater variety of ways to meet everyone’s aspirations and needs. Activities such as processing harvests and adding value to products will also improve the functioning of food systems – so these activities should be supported and encouraged. Young people who are turning away from agriculture could play a pivotal role in developing complementary businesses in rural spaces.

Recognise planetary healthHuman modification of the

natural environment is linked to health problems ranging from stress to infectious disease. With direct effects on diets, pollution, climate change, and disaster risk reduction, agriculture is central in achieving the majority of the sustainable development goals.

The various linkages between the health of natural resources, agriculture or agroforestry, humans and the environment have to be recognised and purposefully managed to optimise impacts and avoid unintended consequences.

Way forwardThese building blocks provide

starting points for a new political discourse about agriculture. It should be guided by the overall goal of a resilient, sustainable and fair food system. Resulting strategies must consider the variety of biophysical, social and economic conditions across African countries.

We believe it is now time to focus on the opportunity this crisis has brought and “build back better”. While medics and humanitarian aid agencies prepare for the worst, scientists too must choose their contributions.

COVID-19 emergency funds could change the trajectory of agriculture. It’s time to build scientists into the planning for the future and initiate the development of a comprehensive strategy for Africa’s future food solutions.

(TheConversation.)

COVID-19 recovery is a chance to improve the African food system

Echo Newspaper 15 - 21 June 2020 9 Echo Report

Conflict resolution is a recurrent theme in East Africa. This has prompted the need for innovative ways to create lasting consensus in the region as well as across the continent. One of these innovative ways is peace journalism. It can stimulate peaceful resolution of conflict by voicing different conflicting parties and issues in a balanced and objective manner. The Conversation Africa’s Julie Masiga spoke to Fredrick Ogenga about the role of peace journalism in Africa.

Peace journalism is evident when reporters and editors make deliberate choices in their day to to day work that create opportunities for society at large to consider and value nonviolent responses to conflict.

The approach opens the possibility of a new road map tracing the connections between journalists, their sources, the stories they cover – and the consequences of their journalism. It builds awareness of nonviolence and creativity into the practical job of everyday editing and reporting that brings different parties to the negotiating table.

However, it is a Western concept that needs decolonising in terms of orientation and applicability. African peace journalism rejects the notion that “nothing good can come out of Africa”. It seeks to challenge the negative narratives about Africa. Africans can be both authors and sources of positive narratives. This requires us to rethink our set of news values

if we are to imagine a new kind of transformative journalism.

We must also be clear about what peace journalism isn’t. It is not reporting that is wholly or even primarily oriented towards peace at all costs. It does not sacrifice truth and justice for a “law and order” type of peace as defined by the state. Instead, the essential elements of this form of journalism include sensitivity, agility, caution, factual information and self-reflectivity in relation to what media practitioners put into the content of news reports and editorials.

The nature of conflicts and the degree of media freedom varies from country to country. For this reason, these elements may not be uniformly applicable. For instance, covering a civil war will differ from reporting on terrorism or political or election-related conflict. However, these elements and the values will help foster a culture of peace and nonviolent conflict resolution across the region.

The manual for media practitioners that I recently edited tries to present this vision. The publication was the outcome of a workshop of journalists and scholars in the area of conflict and peacebuilding in East Africa.

Contributing experts are of the view that sensitivity to peace and the nonviolent prevention and resolution of conflict is best captured within the conceptual framework of “peace journalism”.

What are the highlights of the manual?

The manual offers refreshing perspectives on peace journalism by exploring the core values of truthfulness, social justice, equity, African cultures of peace, and balanced news reporting.

The chapters cumulatively represent a rich repertoire of experiences and cases that skilfully tell the story of the connections between media and peacebuilding in East Africa.

African peace journalism is journalism with African nuances and lenses that imbibe African values and philosophies. These would mean the inclusion of Utu/Ubuntu (humanity), Harambee (collective responsibility), and Umoja (unity) as news values. The manual captures these Afrocentric views of journalism in the context

of the continent’s peace and security challenges.

Here are three highlights: Gloria Laker explores the role

of peace journalism in ending the Lord’s Resistance Army insurgency (1988-2006) in northern Uganda, drawing upon Laker’s own experience as a war reporter.

Duncan Omanga approaches the concept of terrorism as a form of political communication through public spectacle (and mass hysteria) and warns of the dangers of inappropriate labels in news coverage and reportage.

Finally, I offer a conceptual overview of a hybrid (African) peace journalism in the context of emerging terrorist threats in Kenya. I explain how this unique approach to peace journalism combines elements from Western

peace journalism and African lenses in conflict-sensitive reporting.

Our contribution to the peace journalism debate as Africans is slowly gaining popularity in the minds of ordinary people. This has been made possible through social media spaces where local content creators are taking the lead in pushing the narrative especially when it comes to contentious issues such as electoral politics. User generated content holds sway on social media.

Nevertheless, the manual has some good examples of both peace journalism and Africa peace journalism capturing cases in Kenya and Uganda. Most of these are stories are about ethnic politics, gender body politics, human rights and violent extremism.

Are there instances where the media have made conflict worse?

Yes. This was experienced in Kenya’s 2007-2008 general elections, which ended in post-election violence. It was at that point that I began exploring ways to make the media part of the solution and not the problem. Kenya’s media has often behaved ignorantly when reporting electoral politics and even violent extremism when it has manifested in terrorist attacks.

A keen observer knows well that the way the Kenyan media covered the Dusit Hotel attack in 2019 was different from the manner they reported the Westgate attack in 2013. The Westgate Mall attack coverage was much more sensationalist. The difference didn’t happen by chance. It was deliberate. The 2019 coverage was a product of extensive advocacy and training over the years on conflict sensitive journalism, which is largely the objective of the peace journalism manual.

During the 2013 general election, the Kenyan media was accused of pursuing the peace agenda at the expense of independence. Where do you draw the line?

We do not want journalists to be peace crusaders or televangelists. All we need to see is some journalism with an African lens, that speaks to Africa’s sense of agency, context and locality.

Decolonising Peace Journalism – And Putting It To Work In East Africa

Echo Newspaper 15 - 21 June 2020 10 Business & Finance

By Emmanuel Allottey

Businesses looking for avenues to increase their profitability have resorted to E-commerce to expand their customer reach. Research has shown that more and more customers search the internet before making a purchase decision.

The use of a business website augments social media presence

by providing a tangible platform to convert customer interest into sales. Amazon is a successful example of the growth potential of E-commerce. In Africa, E-Commerce sites such as Jumia, Konga, Takealot, Zando have emerged as leaders in the industry.

Technological advances and innovation have undeniably played a critical role in the adoption of online selling and

purchasing in Africa. Africa has the fastest growing internet penetration in the world, with more than 500 million internet users. The rapid Internet penetration through smartphones will sustain the growth of Africa’s E-commerce.

More and more businesses with established online presence, are promoting, advertising and actively selling their products and services.

For digital customers this is the most convenient, time saving means of buying a product or service.

E-commerce has many advantages. E-commerce provides an inexpensive way for start-up and small businesses to grow by creating a cost-effective sales channel. However, E-commerce may not be suitable for all types of businesses. Each business has its

unique customer behaviour that influences the rate of adoption of online shopping platforms.

Businesses invested in E-commerce, should consider adopting the following:

Warehousing and delivery infrastructure

T h e b i g g e s t r i s k i n E-commerce is non-delivery of products. This risk usually arises due to inadequate logistical planning or deficient warehouse management. Products must be stored safely and delivered on time and in perfect conditions to customers on order. Non-delivery of products damages the credibility of the business.

Secure Payment SystemWith all purchases there is

an element of risk and online purchases carry a slightly elevated type of risk. The risk of online fraud often

repels potential buyers. The availability of a secure payment system will mitigate customers issues of trust and increase adoption of online buying.

Customer Satisfaction processAs with every sale, there is an

inherent risk that the customer maybe displeased with the product. Clear communication must be provided that outlines the steps a customer should follow when they are dissatisfied with a product. This will increase customer trust and brand loyalty.

Business in Africa is rising and through the adoption of E-commerce Businesses will profit!

In a bid to continue diversifying its portfolio, BotswanaPost has expanded its Smart Partnerships model which has seen the introduction of Choppies as an extension of its channel to offer PosoMoney, payments of Social Grants and other postal services.

Initially introduced in 2011 with the ‘Icon of Excellence’ strategy, this model has seen the Post grow from being solely a postal operator, to an innovative powerhouse that is progressive within and outside its field, with a vast footprint even in the most rural areas of

the country. This model has also seen the Company grow from a loss-making entity to a P6.2m profit before tax in 2019.

“In partnering with Choppies to expand our channels, BotswanaPost will be able to tap into their branch network of over 90 stores countrywide,

thus continuing to bring the Post ever closer to communities. Increasing access points for postal services by using the ‘Multichannel Access Approach’ will circumvent the added costs of setting up brick and mortar structures. Extending beyond the newly introduced

collection of Social Grants and PosoMoney, BotswanaPost’s partnership will also include the setting up of Postal Kiosks in select Choppies stores across the country.

The COVID-19 era has made paramount the need to decongest post offices, especially during peak periods. The need to comply with the social distancing protocols and guidelines, and putting the health and safety of customers first, necessitated the rolling out of pay points for Social Grants to both Choppies and PosoMoney.

This will, with time, also see the introduction of a near-field communication (NFC) enabled VISA Card for pensioners and

other Social Grants recipients. This move will enable other shops, from large retailers to small general dealers, to be able to benefit from this Government programme as purchases are also made at their stores.

BotswanaPost endeavors to continue to explore ways of easing the collection of Social Grants and where possible, also engage other retailers in subsiding goods for the elderly and other beneficiaries.

Doing Business in Africa – The Rise of E-Commerce

Botswana Post expands channels through smart partnership channels

Echo Newspaper 15 - 21 June 2020 11Echo Report

Findings are the first in a series of Diamond Insight ‘Flash’ Reports De Beers Group will publish

A new research undertaken by De Beers Group has revealed that consumers in the US reassess their purchasing behaviour in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, gifts that are meaningful and that retain their value will be the priority as people emerge from lockdown.

The research demonstrated that lockdown had made many consumers feel grateful for things they used to take for granted, such as spending time with family, and that this would influence their purchasing and gifting behaviour in future.

When it came to gifting and in particular looking forward to the holiday season, 56 per cent of respondents felt gifts should be meaningful, over, and above being practical, functional or fun. Diamonds were seen as the top gift for symbolising intimacy, connectedness and love among both men and women, with the primary desire for purchasing being a reflection of gratitude and acknowledgement during the current crisis.

Ninety per cent of respondents said that choosing gifts that hold their value over time would be an important consideration this holiday season, and more people chose diamonds as the top choice for a gift of this nature from a list of luxury items including designer clothing and accessories, electronic devices, a piece of furniture, or other jewellery.

The findings are the first in a series of Diamond Insight ‘Flash’ Reports that De Beers Group will publish to share insights regarding the evolving

consumer perspective and what it means for diamonds as the world passes through the stages of the COVID-19 crisis. Other findings from the first report published last week are that around two-thirds of the consumers polled indicated their personal finances have not been affected by COVID-19.

The other finding is that three-quarters of consumers said that COVID-19 had not impacted their likelihood to purchase diamond jewellery and the majority of respondents continued to wear their diamond jewellery during lockdown because it made them ‘feel connected to someone’

Consumers felt safest shopping

for jewellery online; however, they clearly distinguished local independent jewellers as the best source for knowledge and product quality, as well as being considered the safest of all the physical outlets for jewellery shopping.

Forty-five per cent of respondents said that they would seek to buy fewer, better things when considering clothing and jewellery purchases after the lockdown.

Consumer preference for travel continues to show a declining trend, with 39 per cent of consumers saying it will be seven to 12 months before their travel spending stabilises.

Bruce Cleaver, CEO, De Beers

Group, said: “The COVID-19 crisis and associated lockdowns have caused people all around the world to re-evaluate aspects of what’s important in their lives and have reinforced the value of personal relationships. While consumer confidence and spending has been significantly impacted in the US, this research highlights that diamonds will nonetheless have a unique role to play in people’s lives in a post-lockdown world as they seek to celebrate their most meaningful relationships.

While it will take some time for the market to recover fully, there is hope that these insights will assist large and independent jewellery retailers

alike to understand the evolving consumer perspective as we move through and emerge from the crisis.”

De Beers Research Shows Consumers Will Seek Meaningful Gifts Enduring Value After Lockdown

‘‘Bruce Cleaver, CEO, De Beers Group, said: “The COVID-19 crisis and associated lockdowns have caused people all around the world to re-evaluate aspects of what’s important in their lives and have reinforced the value of personal relationships.

Bruce Cleaver, CEO, De Beers

Echo Newspaper 15 - 21 June 2020

From Kenya’s Masai Mara to the Okavango Delta in Botswana, rural communities that depend on safaris for income are seeing their livelihoods and dreams shattered. Hundreds of thousands of people rely on the sector, not to mention their dependents.

A slump in tourist dollars has hit conservation projects hard. And even as countries around the world loosen lockdowns, game parks, lodges and travel agencies face a grim future.

The safari industry generates some $12.4 billion in annual revenues for South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania Uganda and Zambia - Africa’s top wildlife tourist destinations - according to an estimate by SafariBookings.

But a survey of over 300 tour operators conducted by the online safari travel platform this month showed that almost 93% reported a drop in bookings of at least 75% due to the pandemic. Cancellations have also spiked, the majority of them said.

Now, with borders closed and airlines grounded due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Africa’s multi-billion-dollar safari industry is unravelling and operators can no longer afford to sustain their businesses.

A survey of close to 500 businesses in the Kruger Lowveld district - South Africa’s safari heartland - conducted by the local tourism agency last month, found 90% believed they would not survive even if international borders opened immediately.

Over two-thirds of them have laid off employees.

The lack of tourist dollars is forcing wildlife projects across Africa to make cuts, and beyond the human cost, conservationists worry that growing desperation in rural communities hit by COVID-19 could fuel a wave of poaching.

A survey of close to 500 businesses in the Kruger Lowveld district - South Africa’s safari heartland - conducted by the local tourism agency last month, found 90% believed they would not survive even if international borders opened immediately.

Over two-thirds of them have laid off employees.

The lack of tourist dollars is forcing wildlife projects across Africa to make cuts, and beyond

the human cost, conservationists worry that growing desperation in rural communities hit by COVID-19 could fuel a wave of poaching.

Three popular game parks in South Africa recently dehorned dozens of rhinos as a preventative measure, hoping that it would make them less attractive targets for poachers.

In Mabarhule, a community on the edge of Kruger National Park, roughly half of residents were already jobless before the pandemic.

In South Africa, which has recorded the most COVID-19 cases of any African nation, Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane warned parliament last month that up to 600,000 jobs were at risk if

the sector remained shut until September.

Governments’ relief initiatives - like South Africa’s offer of 50,000 rand ($3,000) one-time grants to small tourism businesses - will do little to staunch the losses, some operators said.

In the face of looming financial calamity, the Tourism Business Council of South Africa - the industry’s lobby group - is pushing for international tourism to resume as early as September.

With the pandemic’s peak on most of the continent still predicted to be months away, that appears unlikely.

South Africa’s government has instead said regional and international tourism are only expected to resume next year.

Ke n y a , N a m i b i a a n d Rwanda also remain closed to international visitors, while in Zambia tourists are permitted but face a two-week quarantine upon arrival. Tanzania has dropped quarantine requirements and is welcoming foreign guests.

One East African tour operator said even if restrictions were eased, international travellers could be discouraged by the possibility of quarantines when they return home.

In the meantime, South Africa, for one, hopes domestic visitors can drive the first phase of a recovery. South African national parks are now opening for self-driving safaris.

But overnight visits and travel across provincial borders remain banned under current restrictions. Even when permitted, some operators worry that local visitors will not be enough to save their businesses.

“To open for two or four or six people, is it actually worth it?” asked lodge owner Plutsick. “I’ll just be digging myself a bigger hole.”

(Reuters.)

12 Travel

Africa’s Deserted Safaris Leave Mounting Toll

Echo Newspaper 15 - 21 June 2020 Environment 13

The modern world seems to lurch from one crisis to another. What if that is because the crises have shared underlying causes, and therefore tackling them as if they were independent events is doomed to fail?

The issues of climate change and biodiversity are deeply intertwined. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on Biological Diversity, the international treaties charged with solving two of the biggest problems of the 21st century, were both due to hold make-or-break meetings in 2020. COVID-19 – yet another crisis with strong connections to the other two – has forced the meetings to be postponed. The only positive result is that the delay provides an opportunity to better coordinate actions, in order to lead to better outcomes.

To mark World Environment Day on 5 June, the Commonwealth Academies released a statement on climate change, biodiversity and sustainable energy. The statement stressed the grave risks to people and nature of allowing the global climate to warm at its current rate and draws attention to the accelerating rate of biodiversity loss. It proposes that a rapid transition to predominantly renewable energy sources can help alleviate both issues. The statement calls for urgent leadership.

This article explains the logic behind that statement, linking three apparently different issues. By identifying the connections

we reveal the opportunities for coordinated action and the pitfalls of continuing to pursue independent agendas.

Rapid species extinctionThe world is in the throes of

a “sixth extinction crisis” – an accelerating loss of species at a rate far more rapid than the evolution of new species. Such a loss was last seen sixty million years ago, when Earth collided with an asteroid. The result is the unravelling of the ecosystems which we depend on for our well-being.

For the past few centuries, the main cause of declining biological diversity has been habitat loss

– the relentless replacement of natural ecosystems by croplands, cities and managed forest, to meet human demands for food, timber and raw materials. That process continues.

Apart from driving our co-inhabitants of the planet to extinction, land use change is the most important cause of climate change after the burning of fossil fuels. Human encroachment on nature is also the root cause of the emergence of novel zoonotic diseases such as COVID-19. So if we could stop deforestation, we would help solve three problems at the same time.

Climate changeBut as we move into the middle

part of the 21st century, the biggest future threat to plants and animals is climate change. Despite the undertaking by most of the countries of the world in Paris in 2015 to stabilise the global climate at safe levels by mid-century, the climate continues to warm at an accelerating rate.

As a result the climate comfort zones of millions of species are moving faster than they can keep up. Our main strategy thus far for conserving biodiversity – the creation of protected areas – is increasingly irrelevant. The single most important thing we can do

to save nature (and ourselves) in the 21st century is to cap global warming at no more than 1.5. In other words, the fate of nature is being decided by the outcome of climate negotiations, not biodiversity discussions.

There are also examples where an action taken to address one of the crises makes things worse for another. For instance, there is great enthusiasm for planting forests to soak up carbon dioxide. Many of the targeted areas – which need to be huge to make a useful difference – are not places that formerly supported forests.

As South Africa learned the hard way, when we afforest ancient, species-rich grasslands with monocultures of alien trees, the rivers dry up and biodiversity is lost. There are potentially similar problems with simply replacing fossil fuels with bio energy crops. The vast areas required will either displace food crops or further encroach on natural habitats.

Energy generationR e n e w a b l e e n e r g y –

particularly solar and wind power – offer far more sustainable futures. They are not without impacts on biodiversity, but the magnitude of those impacts is much less than the effects of climate change, driven by fossil fuels and land use change.

The remarkable worldwide reduction in atmospheric pollutants and the resurgence of nature while travel and economic activity were suspended under COVID-19 restrictions give us a glimpse of what we have lost and what we stand to gain.

Those effects will be short-lived, but they do show that when the world perceives a problem to be urgent and critically important, it can very quickly take actions previously said to be completely impossible. That is the lesson we need to apply to the much more life-threatening, and just as urgent, challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.

(TheConversation.)

Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss And Other Global Ills Share Root Causes

Echo Newspaper 15 - 21 June 2020

AFRICANSPORTS BRIEFS

Botswana to the aid of ex-Zebra defender RamohibiduIn marking the eight-year

anniversary of the Zebras qualification to the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, the Botswana Football Association (BFA) has offered support to one of the key actors of the historic feat, Mosimanegape Ramohibidu, now unable to walk due to an accident.The 35-year old was involved

in accident over four years ago which has confined him to a wheelchair.BFA president Mclean Letshwiti

led a delegation including the Footballers Union of Botswana (FUB) to donate food supplies and financial support to Ramohibidu and other national players in such conditions during period of the COVID-19 pandemic.Ramohibidu also received BWP

7000 (about USD 600) as a token for his upkeep during these times.Meanwhile, the FUB and BFA

have announced the creation of a relief fund to support needy players in critical situations.“We have decided to work

together with the FUB to form a relief fund for the future. There are lessons learnt all the time from difficult situations. In this pandemic, we also decided to take some lessons home,” Letshwiti said.Ramohibidu is one of the few

notable players to have played for all the junior national teams. He made his name at the now defunct BMC Football Club, and was on the books of FC Satmos before the accident cut short his career.He featured in all three games

as Zebras exited at the group stage of the 2012 AFCON after defeats to Ghana (1-0), Guinea (6-1) and Mali (2-1).

(cafonline)

14 Sports

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IN THE MAGISTRATE COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF GABORONEHELD AT VILLAGE

CDM POULTRY FARM (PTY) LTD Plainti�

ONTIRETSE T. BOGATSU Defendant

NOTICE OF SALE IN EXECUTION

CASE NO. CCMVL-000333-18

H/W MAKOFI

TERMS OF SALE: Cash or bank guaranteed cheques

DATED AT GABORONE THIS 10TH DAY OF JUNE 2020.

Deputy Sheri� Meshack Moshabi (71623026)C/o Serole & PartnersThe Courtyard, Lot 54513, Unit 1P O Box 1679 ABG, SebeleGABORONE

In the matter between:

And

BE PLEASED TO TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to judgment granted in the above Honourable Court on 4th September 2018, the Defendant’s property will be sold by auction to the highest bidder by Deputy Sheri� Meshack Moshabi.

DATE OF SALE: 25th June 2020VENUE: Broadhurst Police Station TIME: 10:30 am PROPERTY TO BE SOLD :

1 x 1 Homemade Trailer, Registration No. B630 BID, white in colour, 1 x 1 Gas cylinder and 1 x 1 Base bed.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANAHELD AT LOBATSE

CDM POULTRY FARM (PTY) LTD Plainti�

BAITAPISI LEINANE Defendant

NOTICE OF SALE IN EXECUTION

CASE NO. CVHGB-001258-18

BUSANG J

TERMS OF SALE: Cash or bank guaranteed cheques

DATED AT GABORONE THIS 10TH DAY OF JUNE 2020.

Deputy Sheri� Meshack Moshabi (71623026)C/o Serole & PartnersThe Courtyard, Lot 54513, Unit 1P O Box 1679 ABG, SebeleGABORONE

In the matter between:

And

BE PLEASED TO TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to judgment granted in the above Honourable Court on 29th August 2018, the Defendant’s property will be sold by auction to the highest bidder by Deputy Sheri� Meshack Moshabi.

DATE OF SALE: 25th June 2020VENUE: Broadhurst Police Station TIME: 10:30 am PROPERTY TO BE SOLD :

1 x 1 Samsung Plasma TV, 1 x 1 DSTV decoder, 1 x 3 Black leather sofas, 1 x 1 LG Double door fridge, 1 x 1 Deep freezer, 1 x 1 19kg Gas cylinder, 1 x 1 Four burner gas stove, 1 x 1 Mercedez Benz of Registration No. B 699 BGP, Gold in colour, 1 x 1 Ipsum of Registration No. B 589 BHJ, White in colour..

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFIED COPY OF A LOST DEED OF TRANSFER

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned intends to apply for a certi�ed copy of a lost Deed of Transfer No. 194/73 dated 28th day of September 1973 in favour of STEVENSFORD ESTATES (PROPRIETARY) LIMITED in respect of the below-mentioned property, namely:

Certain: piece of land being Portion 32 (Vergenoeg) of the farm Stevensford No.5-MQ;

Situate: in the Central Administrative District;

Measuring: 729,6568Ha (Seven Hundred and Twenty Nine Comma Six Five Six Eight Hectares); Held: under Deed of Transfer No. 194/73 dated 28th day of September 1973 made in favour of Stevensford Estates (Proprietary) Limited.

All persons having objection to the issue of such copy is hereby requested to lodge same in writing with the Registrar of Deeds Francistown, Private Bag F72, Francistown within twenty one (21) days from the second publication of this notice.

Dated at Gaborone on this 3rd day of June, 2020.

RAHIM KHAN & COMPANYApplicant’s AttorneysO�ce#1, Plot 50362Showgrounds O�ce ParkP.O. Box 1884Gaboroneinfo@rahimkhan.co.bwTel. 3188988/9 Fax 3188951/3188990

IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA HELD AT GABORONE

CASE NO. CCMLB-000388-17 In the matter between:

MOTOVAC (PTY) LTD PLAINTIFF

and

TERMS OF SALE: Cash or bank guaranteed cheque. (Detailed Conditions of Sale may be viewed at the Deputy Sheri�’s o�ce) DATED AT GABORONE THIS 8th DAY OF JUNE 2020

DEPUTY SHERIFF LETAMO VAECell: 72404659/2614643C/O KHUMOMOTSE LAW PRACTICE[Inc. MAPHAKWANE & PARTNERS]Plot 104, Unit 3Gaborone International Commerce ParkP O Box 60783 Gaborone West KioskGABORONETel: 3190914/5

RESHAM HYDRAULICS (PTY) LTD 1st DEFENDANTESMAEEL MUBIRU 2nd DEFENDANT MPHO ESMAEEL 3rd DEFENDANT

BE PLEASED TO TAKE NOTICE THAT pursuant to judgment granted by the Honourable Court, the 2nd Defendant’s movable property shall be sold by public auction by Deputy Sheri� Letamo Vae to the highest bidder as follows:

DATE OF SALE: 26th June 2020 SITUATED: Broadhurst Magistrate Court TIME: 10:00 am;

PROPERTY TO BE SOLD:

NOTICE OF SALE IN EXECUTION

1 x Honda Fit Colour: Blue Reg No: B240 AYD Engine: L15A1120933Chassis: GD31518714

LOST TITLE DEED

Notice is hereby given that we intend applying for a certi�ed copy of MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT OF LEASE number 1196/2013 dated 16th August 2013 made in favour of SALLYKGOMOTSO MOTLHALA in respect of

CERTAIN: piece of land being Plot 1319 Kumakwane.

SITUATE: At Kumakwane in Bakwena Tribal Territory

MEASURING 1417m2 (One thousand four hundred and seventeen Square Metres)

AS WILL MORE FULLY APPEAR: from diagram D.S.M No.1981/2013 surveyed in June 2013 by Land Surveyor I.M. Kimengi and approved by the Director of Surveys and Mapping onthe 25th July 2013.

All persons having objection to the issue of such copy are hereby required to lodge the samein writing with the Registrar of Deeds within three weeks from the last date of publicationof this notice.

DATED at Gaborone this 5TH day of June 2020.

MOAHI ATTORNEYSApplicant’s Legal PractitionersPlot 117, Unit 6CKwena House, GIFPP O Box 374 AADPoso HouseGaborone

Application for a Certi�ed Copy of Lost Title Deed

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned intends applying for a certi�ed copy of Memorandum of Agreement of Grant of Lease No. TG 302/2013 dated 5th September 2013, made in favour of Basnar Pule in respect of the following property:

CERTAIN: Piece of land being Tribal Grant No. 8609-KO;SITUATE: In the Bakwena Tribal Territory;MEASURING: 6248 m2 (Six Thousand Two Hundred and Forty Eight Square Metres);

Any person having objection to the issue of such copy, is hereby required to lodge the same in writing with the Registrar of Deeds, Private Bag 0020, Gaborone within 21 days from the second publication of this notice.

DATED at GABORONE this 8th day of June 2020

BABUSENG & MASWABI ATTORNEYS AT LAW, Unit 29, Plot 113, 114 (207), Kgale Mews, Gaborone, Botswana, P.O. BOX 549 AAH, Masa Square, Gaborone, Tel: (+267) 3115000 Fax: (+267) 3115001

Echo Newspaper 15 - 21 June 2020

Tunisia have continued to perform at a consistently high level in recent years despite repeated changes of coaches.

This was evidenced not just by the Eagles of Carthage being the leading African side in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking for lengthy periods of time – they are currently second behind Senegal – but also in qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and reaching the semi-final of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2019 in Egypt.

After reaching the last four of the continental tournament, the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) began a new project, focusing on the 2021 AFCON and, more importantly, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifiers.

The FTF appointed a Tunisian technical team led by head coach Mondher Kebaier, who they considered well equipped to lead Tunisia to new heights.

“We started working on 1 September 2019 after our AFCON participation,” Kebaier told FIFA.com. “It was a difficult time, as we worked to bring on our players, especially their physical fitness.”

Asked to elaborate further on this process, the coach said: “We started with high-level friendly games against countries like Mauritania, Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon. That prepared us well for the African Nations Championships and the AFCON qualifiers. We’ve played seven games so far, and I can see positive energy in our performance.

Our first official game was against our neighbour Libya. Matches between neighbours are usually tough, but we prevailed with a great result, scoring four goals. Then we won another difficult away game against Equatorial Guinea.”

Fifa.

15Sports

CAF in partnership with Speak Up Africa has kicked off the #19KickUpsAgainstCovid19 social media challenge, encouraging everyone to share information online to help stop the spread of COVID-19 on the African continent.

The new online challenge forms part of the Stay Safe Africa campaign, which seeks to empower communities and individuals to take simple and proven preventive measures to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in Africa. Stay Safe

Africa, launched by Dakar-based advocacy tank Speak Up Africa, brings together partners to work towards a common goal of saving lives by increasing investments and awareness to protect our continent from this new threat while ensuring access and treatment from other ongoing health threats.

As part of the challenge, influential players are inviting their peers and everyone to participate in the challenge by recording a video of them doing 19 kick ups and sharing it on

social media. To date, African football legends Ahmed Hassan (Egypt), Perpetua Nkwocha (Nigeria), Joseph Yobo (Nigeria), Karim Haggui (Tunisia) and Trésor Lomana Lualua (DR Congo) have shared videos.

Furthermore, , CAF Deputy General Secretary Anthony Baffoe, has also participated in the challenge, as CAF lends its influential voices, clubs and legends to the campaign to help protect one billion Africans from COVID-19.

“Football brings together so

many people from different backgrounds, nationalities and languages, and we hope that this social media challenge will bring people together in the same way. Even though the football season has been put on hold, we must all continue to come together, with distance, and fight the spread of this disease and misinformation. I personally took part in the challenge and I hope players and fans will engage and continue the chain,” Baffoe said..

In Africa, there are currently over 157,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and over 4,000 deaths. Several risk factors mean the virus could spread quickly across the continent. A coordinated Africa-led approach to stop the spread of COVID-19 is crucial, as high population densities, communal living as well as the constrained access to water and washing facilities all increase the likelihood of coronavirus infections and fatalities.

“We are thrilled to have CAF’s influential players and members taking part in this exciting social media challenge and raising awareness of the importance of protecting yourself and others from COVID-19. Sport is a powerful tool to transform the continent, particularly when it comes to health initiatives. We encourage everyone to take part in this online challenge to raise awareness and incite positive change in health practices and behavior”, said Yacine Djibo, Executive Director of Speak Up Africa.

(cafonline)

The U.S. Soccer Federation on Wednesday said it had repealed its requirement that players stand during the national anthem, saying the policy was wrong and detracted from the Black Lives Matter movement. The policy was adopted in 2017

after U.S. women’s national team member Megan Rapinoe took a knee during the playing of the anthem prior to a match in 2016 in solidarity with NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who knelt to call attention to racial injustice.

“We apologize to our players - especially our black players - staff, fans, and all who support eradicating racism,” the federation said in a statement. “Sports are a powerful platform

for good, and we have not used our platform as effectively as we

should have. We can do more on these specific issues and we will.” Going forward it will be up to

the players to determine how they want to use their platforms to fight racism, discrimination and inequality, the federation said. Kaepernick’s protest, which

sought to highlight racial inequality including police brutality against black people, set off a firestorm of controversy and he never found work again in the NFL after the 2016 season. The controversial issue has

returned to the fore in the wake of the killing of George Floyd, a black man in Minneapolis who died last month after a white police officer kneeled on his

neck for nearly nine minutes, prompting protests in the United States and beyond. U.S. President Donald Trump

has been one of the most vocal critics of players kneeling during the anthem, tweeting on Sunday that NFL players who did so were “disrespecting our Country & our Flag.” Several players, including

Washington running back Adrian Peterson, have said they plan to take a knee during the playing of the song next season.

(Reuters.)

U.S. Soccer Says It Will Allow Protests During Anthem

African Legends embrace #19KickupsAgainstCovid19 in support of Stay Safe Africa campaign

Tunisia’s spirit key to World Cup hopes

Sport15 - 21 JUNE 2020 Echo Newspaper

THE AFRICAN STORY

June 11, Thursday last week marked 10 years since South Africa hosted a World Cup highly charged with symbolism but dogged by questions about the wisdom of spending billions on a sports event that might have been better used elsewhere.

Hosting the first soccer World Cup in Africa was seen as a coming of age for Africa.

B u t t h e m o n t h - l o n g tournament, which had a US$3-billion price tag, also came at a time when the country faced an enormous backlog of social needs such as housing, hospitals, water and electricity.

Danny Jordaan, who was the

force behind the successful bid and then ran the local organising committee, insists the 2010 World Cup - which was won by Spain - has left a positive legacy for the country and was money well spent.

“There was never money taken away from the delivery of essential services. The money that built the World Cup was always intended for new infrastructure,” Jordaan said in an interview.

He said airports, roads and stadiums built for the tournament had proven a major boon, not only for South African sport but also its economy, notably

tourism.“We changed the negative

perception about the country and tourism has been a major winner since,” said Jordaan, who is now president of the South African Football Association.

“There was the sentiment that Africa did not have the capacity and that it couldn’t be trusted. We were under so much pressure to deal with the world’s negativity, but after the World Cup, we saw a lot of that Afro-pessimism end.”

South Africa Tourism said visitor numbers have risen steadily since to a high of 10.2 million last year, and contribute

close to 10% of the GDP of Africa’s most industrialised economy.

The new stadiums and improved pitch conditions had also boosted the standard of the domestic league, said Jordaan, which in turn won a five-year US$277-million television contract in 2013.

“The Premier Soccer League has made strides and taken amazing steps forward in becoming a better league and is definitely the best in Africa,” said Benni McCarthy, one of South Africa’s top players and later a coach in the league.

“But when it comes to the national team, we’ve just gone

completely backwards.” Hopes that the 2010 finals would spur African football onto greater heights have been dashed.

“That not a single African country got past the first round at the last World Cup in Russia is a great worry,” Jordaan admitted.

South Africa has notably lagged in the decade since the tournament, outside the top 50 of the FIFA rankings and failing to qualify for the last two World Cups.

“And that really is just sad to know after all the money that was spent‚” added McCarthy.

(Reuters).

Soccer-A decade Soccer-A decade on, South Africa on, South Africa insists World insists World Cup worth Cup worth investmentinvestment

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MOCHUDI BOSEJA WARD OPPOSITE MOLEFI SSS MAIN GATE (FETA REYE KOO GENERAL DEALER) CALL\APP: 72910735

PALAPYEEXTENSION 2 ALONG LANDBOARD\ COUNCILROAD BESIDES PALAPYE TECHNI-CAL COLLEGE CALL\APP: 71228567

SELIBE PHIKWE ABOVE CHRIST EMBASSY CHURCH MERITING SHOPPING COMPLEXCALL: 71228564 APP: 77494750

KASANEPLOT 987, PLATEAUBHC HOUSESCALL\APP: 73280671

KANYE MONGALA WARD SECOND TURN BEHIND MONGALA MALL ALL THE WAY TO RIC CALL: 71237634 APP: 71665358 SEROWEMAIN MALL OPP MAGISTRATE COURT1ST FLAT FROM EAST CALL: 77070015

MOLEPOLOLEBLOCK 5, NEWTOWNALONG THE TARRED ROADAFTER TSHEGETSANG JSSCALL\ APP: 76 109 655

TUITION

CALL CRACKIT TUITION CENTRES COUNTRYWIDE AND LEARN HOW YOU CAN TURN AROUND YOUR RESULTS.

WE OffER TUITION ON THE fOLLOWING LEvELS : IGCSE . BGCSE . JCE . PSLE