This saying applies repeatedly as correct, as shown by the latest Nachrichten Deutschland Afrika (NADA)!
South African palaeontologists revealed the discovery of a burial site near Johannesburg of the remains of the Homo naledi, a tree-climbing hominid and distant relative of human, who had been thought incapable of this until now.
This challenges the previous understanding of human evolution. The oldest graves found in the Middle East and Africa, are around 100,000 years old and contain the remains of Homo sapiens. The new finds date back at least 200 000 years before Christ!
Good news also came from conflict-ridden Mali concerning a unique public school that received its status in June. It concerns a school teaching classes in tents, surrounded by small walls and also outdoors on an island on the Niger River, which flows through the capital, Bamako. Each school day, 200 children are transported in pirogues to and from school. Unfortunately, over 2 million are prevented from attending school for a variety of reasons.
Another good news item from Mali concerns the country’s only passenger train between the 400 km route between Bamako and Kayes, which started operating again in June after the 2018 suspension.
A NADA message from the devastated Congo DRC, concerns a small beacon of hope for some of the 20 000 street children in the capital Kinshasa, who each day struggle for survival. This is a small cultural centre named Mokili Na Poche that promotes creativity, in particular music. This may provide living for a number of gifted children. Despite its rich mineral resources, the country is one of the poorest worldwide. About 2/3 of the 100 million people live on less than $2.15 a day. It is urgent that the government does all in its power to use the country’s natural resources not for the enrichment of the few, but for the welfare of the entire population.
Interesting is NADA’s news item that an expert 200-man South African team has joined other nationals’ aid effort to assist Canada battle the devastating coast-to-coast wildfires in Atlanta. These have destroyed millions of kilometres of forest and displaced hundreds of thousands people.
The situation of the approximately 178,000 Zimbabweans living in South Africa is less than satisfactory. Their work licences have now been renewed until December. Should these be withdrawn, it would be catastrophic for themselves as well as for their families in Zimbabwe, whom they support.
South Africa could lose its USA ‘African Growth and Opportunity Act’ (AGOA) status agreed between 2000 and 2025 with 39 countries. This allows duty-free access for certain goods, which for South Africa accounts for 25% of exports. Above all, an AGOA loss would be a huge blow for South Africa’s automobile production, as the USA is its second largest export market. The reason is due to Pretoria’s relationship with Russia and arms supplies. It is therefore proposed that the next AGOA summit should not be held in South Africa.
Even before the current conflict in Sudan, the maternal mortality rate in that country was one of the highest globally. When the war broke out, 219,000 pregnant women were considered at risk. Almost all hospitals are now closed. In those that are still open, there is often a lack of electricity and even water, which is extremely dangerous during an operation.
One can only pray that the opposing parties will settle their dispute, for the sake of the people’s welfare!
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has temporarily suspended its Ethiopian food aid because of theft. The government has agreed to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice. Around 20 million out of 120 Ethiopians are dependent on food aid due to conflict and drought.
In order to prevent Tunisians from fleeing to Europe and to restore economic stability in the North African country, the EU President Ursula von der Leyen has promised a “stronger partnership” and aid of more than one billion. Since the 2011 Tunisian revolution and a new constitution, economic output has slowed, resulting in a lost decade of growth. This was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and currently the Ukraine war. Despite some improvements in 2022, unemployment remains high, as does government debt. Inflation increased in February 2023. It is necessary to address old structural problems. It remains to be seen how the EU initiative will support reform and growth.