Africa / World

Moses Magadza In a groundbreaking innovation poised to transform lives, 15-year-old Mwape Chimpampa, a Grade 11 pupil from Naboye Secondary School in Kafue District in Zambia, has developed an organic sunscreen to address the dire need for sun protection among people with albinism.  Her invention, named The Organic Sunscreen, is incubated at the Zambia Research and Development Center (ZRDC), where efforts are underway to bring it to mass production. For Chimpampa, this innovation is deeply personal. Having lost her father to skin cancer  in the year 2017, she was determined to create a solution to prevent others from facing the…

Moses Magadza A project titled, “Strengthening Parliamentary Capacity in the Southern African Development Community” that the SADC Parliamentary Forum implemented from 2019 to 2023 posted impressive results despite the impacts of COVID-19, an official has said. Last week, Sheuneni Kurasha, the manager of the Programme on Democracy, Governance & Human Rights at SADC PF, highlighted some of the project’s successes. The project sought to enhance parliamentary capacity in the SADC region, with a vision of transforming the SADC PF into a fully-fledged Regional Parliament.  This transformation was endorsed by the 41st SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in August…

Moses Magadza A workshop aimed at enhancing the monitoring and evaluation framework for the SADC Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriage and Protecting Children Already in Marriage got underway in Johannesburg, South Africa. The SADC Parliamentary Forum partnered with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Plan International, Hivos, Girls Not Brides and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to convene the workshop that drew members of the Regional Parliamentary Model Laws Oversight Committee (RPMLOC) of the SADC PF and technical partners. The workshop follows the recent launch of the SADC PF’s Strategic Plan (2024-2028), which seeks, inter alia, to promote robust democracy,…

Moses Magadza The Regional Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (RWPC) of the SADC Parliamentary Forum recently held a virtual statutory meeting and public hearing, focusing on enhancing women’s leadership roles in climate change and disaster risk management. The meeting, chaired by Shally Josepha Raymond of Tanzania, also addressed key barriers to women’s political participation and discussed strategies for gender-responsive budgeting within national and regional development plans. Additionally, it addressed barriers to women’s political participation and strategies to strengthen regional cooperation in tackling gender inequality. The public hearing highlighted necessary policy reforms aimed at economically empowering women in rural and informal sectors, ensuring…

Moses Magadza As Batswana started voting on Wednesday , the secretary general of the SADC PF, Boemo Sekgoma, issued a message encouraging active participation in the electoral process. “Dear Batswana, as you vote today, I extend my warm wishes on behalf of the SADC PF,” wrote Sekgoma. “This year’s elections represent yet another milestone in Botswana's long established democratic tradition, which began with the first election under universal suffrage in 1965,” she said. Sekgoma underscored the role of voter participation. “Your participation in the voting process today is crucial as it demonstrates your unwavering commitment to democratic principles and is…

Moses Magadza A public hearing convened by the SADC Parliamentary Forum’s Standing Committee on Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Climate Action (FANRCA) on 18 October received presentations from different organisations within the SADC region and beyond. Namibian lawmaker Phillipus Katamelo chaired the meeting, which was held virtually, under the theme: “Leveraging the Role of SADC Parliamentary Forum in Facilitating Citizen Participation in SADC Regional Integration for Enhanced Accountability and Inclusive Socio-Economic Development and Cohesion.” Rachel Mundilo manages the Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Climate Action (FANRCA) Program at SADC PF and serves as secretary for its Standing Committee. She said…

Moses Magadza A regional capacity development workshop focusing on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR),HIV and AIDS began in Johannesburg on Monday, with the secretary general of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, Boemo Sekgoma, calling for collaboration among regional parliaments, civil society organisations, and educational institutions to effectively implement key initiatives for democratic governance and health rights. Officially opening the workshop, she explained that the capacity development session was meant to enhance the appreciation of all parliaments that have signed the agreement to implement the three-year SIDA-funded SRHR and HIV and AIDS and Governance Project. Sekgoma highlighted the role that various…