Author: eradmin

Youth in Kajiado County have been urged to embrace agribusiness so as to tackle unemployment and boost food security. Speaking at Latia Agripreneurship Institute in Isinya, Welt Hunger Hilfe (WHH) Skill Up Programme Manager, Farida Juma noted that many youth are still grappling with unemployment yet there are many opportunities in the agricultural sector that are still untapped. Juma urged the youth to embrace agriculture so as to fend for themselves as well as create employment instead of searching for elusive white collar jobs. She added that through the Skill Up programme offered at Latia, over 300 youth had been trained on agripreneurship and had gained various skills which will enable them to start up their own agricultural enterprises. ‘There are many opportunities available in agriculture sector. We need to change the perception of the youth on agriculture so as to tackle unemployment. The Skill Up programme gives young people the chance to generate their own income,’ said Juma. The Manager emphasized that training of youth in agribusiness and establishing links to markets is key to development, economic growth and food security. Charles Macharia, Managing Director Latia Resource echoed Juma’s sentiments adding that agriculture was the backbone of the economy and encouraged the youth to embrace agribusiness to boost the economy as well as ensure food security. Macharia revealed that the 300 youth who graduated from the free agripreneuship training sponsored by BMZ, A German Organization, would be provided with vegetable seedlings, traditional chicks for rearing and feeds to enable them start up their enterprises. Bahati Charo, one of the beneficiaries of the training, says he used the skills gained to establish his own farm in Kilifi County. Charo grows vegetables, onions, tomatoes and keeps poultry and has so far managed to employ five people in his 5-acre farm which he leased. He noted that many youth were still unemployed due to ignorance and called on them to embrace agriculture as it was a sure way out of poverty. ‘I used the skills I gained through the Skill Up programme to start my own farm. I grow all kinds of vegetables and keep poultry, I have even managed to employ people to help me on the farm,’ he said.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Ethiopian delegation led by Finance Minister, Ahmed Shede held discussion with the officials World Bank, International Monitory Fund (IMF) and the International Finance Cooperation (IFC) in Washington.

The delegation met the officials of these international financial institutions on the side line of the World Bank and IMF Spring Meeting.

During the occasion, important briefing related to recent and current situations, economy, financing and partnerships that are important to Ethiopia’s development are discussed, according to Ethiopian Ambassador to the USA, Seleshi Bekele.

Governor of National Bank of Ethiopia, Mamo Mihretu was among the Ethiopian delegation members.

The World Bank and International Monetary Fund’s spring meetings kicked off on Monday in Washington D.C.

The meeting brought central bankers, ministers of finance and development, parliamentarians, private sector executives, representatives from civil society organizations and academics.

The participants will discuss issues of global concern, including the world economic outlook, poverty eradication, economic development, and aid effectiveness during their week-long meeting.

Also featured are seminars, regional briefings, press conferences, and many other events focused on the global economy, international development, and the world’s financial system.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

North West Premier Kaobitsa Bushy Maape has expressed sadness at the passing of Chief Madoda Shadrack Zibi.

Chief Zibi was the Principal Traditional Leader of Amahlubi in both the Eastern Cape and North West.

According to a statement issued by the Zibi Royal Council, the Chief passed away peacefully on Saturday, 8 April, at his homestead of Khayakhulu, surrounded by family.

Maape described Chief Zibi as an astute traditional leader, who led his people with respect and dignity.

The late Chief served as chairperson of the North West Provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders and worked closely with government in addressing several issues relating to traditional leadership in the province.

The Premier said the province is poorer without him.

“He was an academic and equally an intellectual in his own right. He was a proponent of the history, culture and heritage of African people. Throughout his life, he championed the socio-economic development and self-reliance of communities in rural areas, many of which fall under the jurisdiction of traditional leaders,” Maape added.

According to the provincial government, Amahlubi settled among the Batswana people after World War I.

They arrived in the North West on 20 September 1924. They were then led by Chief Zibi, who was among the young men who volunteered to serve as soldiers in France alongside the Allied Forces in World War I.

This led to some of these men dying when their ship, the SS Mendi, sunk.

According to the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA), Chief Zibi was an elder who was very instrumental in the establishment and sustenance of the Khayakhulu Congregation, which is on the outskirts of Rustenburg, within the Presbytery of Tshwane.

“He was the longest-serving clerk of the session of that congregation,” the statement read.

He was a retired Professor of Humanities from the University of North West, where he also served as a Deputy Vice Chancellor.

The funeral service will be held at the Amahlubi Great Place in Khayakhulu on Saturday, 15 April 2023, at 09:00.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport has reopened the N3 freeway between Hilton and Cedara after hours of closure following a multi-vehicle crash on Monday afternoon.

In a statement on Monday, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Sipho Hlomuka, said various government emergency response services had worked tirelessly to ensure the reopening of the freeway, removing the wreckage of five trucks, eight minibus taxis and 22 light motor vehicles which were involved in the pile up.

Vehicles were moved amid a long backlog of traffic on the N3 northbound (Johannesburg bound).

“The road was opened after the recovery of all the five bodies of the deceased, assisting survivors on scene and transporting critical patients to health care facilities for urgent medical attention.

“Through an integrated government response, various interventions are being made, including setting up shelter in uMngeni Town Hall and activating an emergency contact centre. Various social partners are also mobilised and are also assisting the affected motorists and public transport commuters,” Hlomuka said.

The taxi industry provided alternative transport to public transport commuters, who wished to continue with their journey to their respective destinations.

The MEC commended the hard work by various emergency services and sent his deepest condolences to all the affected families, and wished a speedy recovery to all those who sustained injuries.

“We acknowledge the magnitude of this horrific accident and the trauma felt by all those involved. Some motorists have been stuck for hours and lost a lot of time in traffic.

“We, however, wish to salute all the emergency response teams for a job well done under such unfavourable weather conditions. As provincial authorities, we are hugely disappointed with the fatal crashes recorded during this Easter weekend,” Hlomuka said.

Hlomuka appealed to motorists who will be continuing with their journey and those who are still going to travel to be on high alert and ensure maximum adherence to traffic regulations.

“To those who still wish to locate their family members or get a status update on the road are urged to contact the emergency contact centre number on 033 940 8484,” the MEC said.

Meanwhile, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube said the provincial government is working closely with law enforcement agencies to investigate the cause of the accident and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

“Our priority at this time is to provide support and assistance to the injured and the families of the deceased. We urge all road users to exercise caution and adhere to road safety rules and regulations to prevent such tragedies from happening in the future,” Dube-Ncube said.

The Premier has also sent her condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives.

Transport Minister Sindi Chikunga is expected to visit the accident scene this afternoon to assess the level of damage and progress made to reopen the highway for traffic.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Principal Secretary for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Ms. Susan Mangeni has underscored the need to nurture sports talents among the youth.

Speaking during the Busia Border Marathon race at Busia Polytechnic on Sunday, Mangeni said that talents and sports are the new frontiers for economic development all over the world.

‘These budding athletes will be our future sportsmen,’ she said, adding that the County has produced several champions like Ferdinand Omanyala among others.

She urged the organizers of the event to ensure that the activity takes place thrice a year so that it can offer the county a comparative advantage.

‘I want the organizers of this event to register the participants in different groups so that we can train them on how to venture into business activities,’ she said.

She further stated that Sh3 billion will be set aside for establishment of Nasewa Industrial Park which will serve East and Central Africa.

Teso South MP Ms. Mary Emase pleaded with the County government to decongest Busia County Referral hospital.

Emase argued that the facility is congested because almost all patients within the County go to the hospital for treatment instead of referrals.

‘We can upgrade at least one health Centre in every Sub County with enough capacity and resources so that local residents can only be referred to Busia,’ she said.

The legislator noted that a number of health centres are not operational currently hence the need to revive them.

She urged the organizers of the Border Marathon to have the activity run at least twice a year and engage leaders early enough for its preparation by lobbying for resources.

Busia Border Marathon Vice chairperson Ms. Sarah Martha said that the event that was launched in 2018 has continued to attract an increasing number of participants.

‘We started with 50 athletes in 2018, 92 in 2019 and 136 in 2023,’ she said, expressing confidence that the number will be much bigger in 2024.

Martha explained that the first edition of the marathon in 2018 addressed teenage pregnancies, second edition addressed (2019) early marriages and this year’s event addressed health and wellness among the local residents.

‘We have decided that we will use the Marathon as an avenue to complement what our health practitioners are doing in hospitals,’ she said.

She appreciated all the partners for their support adding that the event was organized through local resource mobilization.

The official urged the County government to allocate an appropriate budget towards the event since it nurtures talents and promotes wellness among the youth.

The forum attracted adult male and female athletes who participated in 10 and 15 kilometers races alongside 5 kilometer fun race for children and other interested adults.

Participants also had a chance to access free cancer screening, blood donation, eye checkup and nutrition screening.

Source: Kenya News Agency