Day: April 23, 2023

Several parts of the coastal city of Mombasa and its outlying areas got flooded following a heavy downpour. The heavy downpour that started at the wee hours and continued in the better part of Saturday caused flooding and left residents dazed and marooned in their homes. The incessant rain left many roads and streets flooded and littered with debris as the heavy rain yet again exposed the susceptible city infrastructure. Residents took to social media to express their disappointment at the condition of the roads and posted advisories to apprise people of the situation. The heavy rains caused street flooding and congestion in most parts of Mombasa and left scores of stall owners along the Mombasa-Kwale highway counting their losses after flood waters swept their flimsy structures. Traders interviewed blamed the problem to lack of proper drainage in the town as water did not recede in most low lying streets causing vehicular and human traffic in the town centre for the better part of the day as the rains continued intermittently. Areas such as the Central Business District (CBD), Likoni, Kisauni, Changamwe and Jomvu were affected by the floods due to heavy rains that have been pouring down the city for hours on end. Sections of Muslims in Mombasa that have held Eid-al-Fitr prayers marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadhan were forced to offer the special prayers in mosques and community halls instead of open grounds and stadiums. Despite heavy downpour Muslims came out in large numbers to attend Eid prayers and the faithful were drenched in rain water. Residents have expressed their anger and lamented at how properties were destroyed due to the rainwater entering the homes and business premises. Those interviewed by KNA blamed poor town planning, poor drainage systems and climate change for the flooding. A spot check in low lying areas show that residents bore the brunt of the flooding and remained indoors for the better part of the day. Roadside traders said flooding swept away their structures and stalls and the few that remained standing were waterlogged. The heavy downpour that has caused havoc in different parts of the port city have also resulted in vehicular traffic. The weather service last week issued an advisory that more heavy rain of more than 30mm is expected in various parts of the coastal strip and that fishermen were asked not to venture out. The weatherman has further advised against walking in moving water or open fields to minimise lightning strikes. Addressing the media after Eid prayers at Memon hall, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir said the county government has formed a disaster management committee to assess and respond to any emergency issues as a result of heavy downpour being experienced in the coastal region. Governor Nassir said the devolved government will constitute a disaster team that will carry out surveys on the extent caused by the heavy rains. ‘The disaster committee will take details of the situation and teams will be deployed to carry out rescue operations if need be,’ he said.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The South African Government has joined the international community in its call for parties involved in the conflict in Sudan to lay down their weapons, return to the negotiating table and unite the people of Sudan.

“South Africa reiterates its appeal on the parties involved in the conflict to heed international calls for an immediate ceasefire as unarmed civilians, including visitors from many parts of the world, remain stranded and fast running out of supplies,” the Presidency said on Friday.

The government expressed deep concern about the unfolding situation in Sudan, where violence erupted last week following a breakdown in negotiations on political and security sector reforms.

“Over a prolonged period, the people of Sudan have endured instability and strife. The deterioration of the situation this week further complicates their yearning for a stable government that is civilian-led.

“South Africa sends a message of solidarity to the people of Sudan as they mark conclusion of the Holy Month of Ramadan and wishes them well during the Id-Ul-Fitr,” the Presidency said.

The Presidency said the conflict in Sudan marks a setback in Africa’s efforts to silence the guns and usher in a sustained period of peace, stability and development.

South Africa is currently serving as a member of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC). In this role, the country has been seized with the situation in Sudan, working with other African countries towards peace and stability in Sudan.

South Africa supports the role played by the African Union (AU), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) IGAD and the East African Community (EAC) in their mediation roles in Sudan.

“We will engage directly with the leaders of the armed forces in Sudan as part of our endeavours for peace in Sudan,” the Presidency said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The National Treasury and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has called on the public to comment on the draft legislative amendments to give effect to the two renewable energy tax incentives, announced in the 2023 Budget.

The proposals, which were published on Friday, assist in partially addressing the country’s energy crisis and encourage private investment into expanding electricity generation.

“This initial batch of the 2023 draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill (TLAB) covers these two specific tax amendments, and are urgent, due to the proposed early effective dates for implementation, and to enhance certainty for individuals and businesses that would like to immediately invest in renewable energy.

“The publication of the initial batch of the 2023 draft TLAB enables an early, and additional, public comment process, that will enable the more detailed second round process of public comment when these provisions are incorporated in the more comprehensive 2023 draft TLAB in July 2023,” National Treasury said.

This initial batch of the 2023 draft TLAB is intended to solicit comments on the following two specific and urgent amendments and serves as notice to taxpayers for earlier effective dates of the proposed amendments.

Expansion of the renewable energy tax incentive

Under the enhanced renewable energy tax incentive, taxpayers who are conducting businesses will be able to claim a 125 percent tax deduction (in the first year) for qualifying capital expenditure in respect of all renewable energy projects, with no threshold on generation capacity.

The enhanced incentive will be available for a period of two years and apply to investments in renewable energy projects brought into use for the first time on or after 1 March 2023 and before 1 March 2025.

Rooftop solar tax incentive

With respect to the rooftop solar tax incentive, individuals will be able to receive a tax rebate to the value of 25 per cent of the cost of any new and unused solar PV panels, up to a maximum of R15 000.

“The rooftop solar tax incentive will be available for a period of one year and will apply to new and unused solar PV panels that are acquired by the individual and brought into use for the first time on or after 1 March 2023 and before 1 March 2024.

“The draft legislation and the accompanying draft explanatory memorandum containing a comprehensive description of the proposed amendments can be found on the National Treasury (www.treasury.gov.za) and SARS (www.sars.gov.za) websites,” National Treasury said.

Due date for public comments

Written comments can be forwarded to the National Treasury’s tax policy depository at 2022AnnexCProp@treasury.gov.za and SARS at acollins@sars.gov.za by the close of business on 15 May 2023.

Public comments may include proposals by body corporates on how the rooftop solar incentive could be applied to members of the body corporate if a body corporate were to install solar PV panels for members’ benefit.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Seychelles will soon have its first harvest of mangrove honey, which is being produced by bees in the mangrove forest surrounding the Constance Ephelia Resort in Port Launay on the west of the main island of Mahe.

Mangrove honey is a unique and delicious type of honey produced in tropical climates. It is made from the nectar of mangrove trees found near the coastlines of South America, Africa, Asia, Australia and now in Seychelles.

In Seychelles, this is a new concept and was brought to the island nation by the sustainability coordinator at Constance Ephelia Resort, Hilary Albert, as part of her project in a training programme held by the hotel.

“It was through a development programme that, after some research, I learned about mangrove honey, and since at this hotel we have a large wetland area, which contains all seven types of mangrove, I felt it would be a good idea to try it out here,” Albert told SNA.

As part of her job, Albert regularly takes visitors on tour around the hotel, including in the mangrove area.

At the moment, only two bee colonies have been placed in the mangrove area. (Constance Ephelia Resort) Photo License: All Rights Reserved

“I noticed that after one year on, I was still only showing clients the mangrove and with mangrove honey, I will now have something more to talk to them about,” she added.

This sort of honey is produced by mangrove trees that thrive in saltwater conditions, and the flavour of their honey is well-known. The coastal environment gives mangrove honey a slightly salty flavour. It is also a strong-flavoured, viscous, light-brown honey that has been compared to butterscotch or licorice.

“Aside from producing honey, the bees are also very effective pollinators and so they will also help this wetland to become more dense as well,” said Albert.

Some of the best mangrove honey in the world is produced in Mexico and Florida, which have coastal areas with extensive mangrove forests.

Beekeepers must set up their hives close to mangrove trees in order to generate honey. The bees will go to the mangroves and gather nectar from the flowers, bringing it back to the hive where it will be converted to honey.

Albert explained that she had never done any sort of beekeeping before taking on this project.

She had to learn through other experienced local beekeepers and sat for an online course to become a certified beekeeper as well.

Albert explained that she had never done any sort of beekeeping before taking on this project. (Constance Ephelia Resort) Photo License: All Rights Reserved

At the moment, only two bee colonies have been placed in the mangrove area, but Albert says that more will be added in the future as she continues to monitor the progress of the current ones.

The Port Launay wetlands cover an area of 120.6 hectares on the western coast of Mahe, and have the highest-diversity mangrove areas in Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean.

It is also the biggest mangrove site in the Indian Ocean and the first site in Seychelles to be designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.

“The hotel management has been very helpful towards my project, where they have financed my equipment and supported me throughout this journey,” added Albert, who only joined Constance Ephelia in 2021.

Clients staying at Constance Ephelia will be able to taste the mangrove honey in a few weeks’ time, with Albert saying that they will be giving the honey to clients as part of the souvenir of their stay at the hotel.

Source: Seychelles News Agency

A 47-year-old man allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself in the head with a hunting rifle at a game farm in the Otavi district on Saturday morning.

Namibian Police Force (NamPol) Unit Commander for Community Affairs in the Otjozondjupa Region, Inspector Maureen Mbeha in an interview with Nampa on Sunday said the deceased was identified by his relatives on Saturday as David Tuutaleni Ndeyamo Nanjemba, who was employed at the game farm.

“Nanjemba allegedly committed suicide shortly after a telephone conversation with his employer, and he had allegedly revealed his plan of killing himself to his employer in that conversation,” Mbeha said.

No suicide note was found, Mbeha said.

In a separate but similar incident, Mbeha confirmed that the lifeless body of a woman found hanging on a tree in Camp Five bushes at Otjiwarongo on Friday afternoon was on Saturday identified by close relatives as that of 48-year-old Felesmine Tamukondjo Johannes.

“Her body was found by a cattle herder on Friday at 14h10 while it was still hanging from a tree with a rope intact around the neck,” she said.

No foul play is suspected in both incidents and police investigations continue.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Members of the Swapo party on Saturday gathered at Grootfontein in the Otjozondjupa Region to celebrate the political formation’s 63rd birthday.

The event was attended by hundreds of people who were addressed by the party’s president, Hage Geingob.

Geingob, in his speech, said it was a joyful moment to attend the 63rd anniversary of the party, which was founded on 19 April 1960 and became the liberation struggle movement that freed Namibia from the colonial oppressors.

Geingob expressed pleasure to earnestly honour the luminaries of Swapo, especially those that steered hundreds of followers to succeed during the liberation struggle days.

Such luminaries include Namibia’s Founding President, Sam Nujoma, former President, Hifikepunye Pohamba, Libertine Appolus, Peter Katjavivi and late liberation stalwarts Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, Hendrik Witbooi, Peter Nanyemba, Peter Mweshihange, Richard Kapelwa, David Meroro, Moses Garoeb, Greenwell Matongo, Ngarikutuke Tjiriange, Hidipo Hamutenya, Dimo Hamaambo, Theo-Ben Gurirab and Mose Tjitendero.

Geingob said Swapo would not have been what it is today without their determination.

“Therefore, as we celebrate 63 years of existence of our party, let us embrace our glorious history, as a successful liberation struggle movement,” he said.

He added that Swapo liberated Namibia to ensure that people live dignified lives, and now wants them to unite in fighting against the inequalities of all spheres.

“Swapo has been hard at work for the equal rights of all citizens, so that people have access to health, education, food and security,” he said.

Geingob likened Swapo to a relay sprinting race, saying Founding President Nujoma had passed on the baton of leadership to Pohamba, who also passed the same baton to him (Geingob), and that he will also soon pass it over to Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the party’s current vice president.

Geingob further called on all Namibians to hold hands and march forward for Swapo to deliver prosperity to all.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat extended the African Union’s honor to Ethiopia for its conviction to the principle of finding homegrown African solution to African problems in peace agreement.

Ethiopia has ended a two-year long war through peace talks under the African Union which has been considered as a testimony for the continent to manage its problems through its own capacity.

Speaking at the recognition ceremony hosted by the Ethiopian government at Friendship Park under the theme: “Enough with War, Let us Sustain Peace!,” the African Union Commission Chairperson said that the union is grateful to the extraordinary journey of peace building.

“Ethiopia showed confidence in the African Union and so did your deep conviction to the principle of finding homegrown African solutions to African problems,” he noted.

The chairperson also appreciated the strong leadership and the courage that has been shown by the federal government of Ethiopia under the leadership of Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed for realization of the peace agreement.

“The leadership under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his brothers from Tigray region for their common decision to silence guns and in favor of peace and national reconciliation, is commendable,” according to Mahamat.

Though many things have remained to be done, the commissioner is confident that the two parties will succeed in the process of political dialogue, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration on the ongoing implementation of peace agreement.

“With peace, everything is possible. I witnessed this determination of your leaders…So I look forward for successful national dialogue as part of the agreement that will be owned by Ethiopians themselves,” he underlined.

The chairperson expressed hope that as Ethiopia knows the price of war and the price of peace, the country will share the collective wisdom and experiences as well as cement it in the leadership of the African Union.

As the African region particularly, the Horn of Africa still has some security changes and instability, Ethiopia should play its leading role in this regard.

“Now more than before, the region needs this leadership from Ethiopia. The country also needs to support her neighbors as you have done diligently in the past. So they might also find the road for peace building, security and sustainable development,” Moussa Faki Mahamat urged.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency