news From All Africa
- KZN-Based Sluu Fashion Brand keen to expand footprint to Zimbabwe
KwaZulu-Natal fashion designer and owner of fashion brand Sluu, Ms Silungile Mokoena says that her primary objective for participating in this year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) which is taking place in Bulawayo next week, is that it falls in line with her goals of expanding her brand’s footprint beyond South Africa.
Mokoena, who will be forming part of a business delegation that will be led by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) to the 2017 ZITF, holds a National Diploma in fashion design and specialises in the manufacturing of high-end boutique wear, corporate uniforms and bridal wear.
“Zimbabwe makes for a favourable market for me to venture into because of its proximity to South Africa which makes it easy for me to move my goods. In addition, the cultural similarities between the two countries makes it an attractive market to venture into,” adds Mokoena.
Mokoena further mentions that her bridal range has been receiving such positive demand in Bulawayo, so much so that she has been invited to showcase her designs at the Bulawayo Fashion Week which will be on Friday, 28 April 2017.
“My long long-terms goals include me obtaining my accreditation from the National Department of Higher Education and establishing a boutique for bridal wear. I have also been receiving numerous requests from people interested in learning about fashion design. I would like to establish an academy locally to tap into that demand and establish also a satellite branch in Bulawayo going forward,” adds Mokoena.
South Africa’s participation at the ZITF follows on the heels of a successful participation in 2016 where a reported total of 431 trade leads were secured by exhibitors, with a total of 21 Zimbabwean agents appointed and export sales totalling R10 million recorded through participation.
The companies that are part of the delegation will be assisted by the dti through its Export Marketing and Investment Assistance Scheme (EMIA) which aims to develop export markets for South African products and services and to recruit new foreign direct investment into the country.
Distributed by APO on behalf of The Department of Trade and Industry, South Africa.
- IMF Media Advisory – Press Briefing: African Department
This briefing will focus on recent economic developments in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including the current macroeconomic situation in SSA, the near-term outlook, and the policies and reforms needed to ensure a stronger and durable recovery.
When: Friday, April 21, 2017 at 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Washington, DC time
Who: ABEBE AEMRO SELASSIE, Director, African Department, IMF Andrew Kanyegirire, Senior Communications Officer, IMF (Moderator)
Where: IMF HQ1-B-640Media contact: Andrew Kanyegirire AKanyegirire@IMF.org/ Press Center +1 (202) 623-7100.
Distributed by APO on behalf of International Monetary Fund (IMF).
- Minister for Africa meets members of the Somali Diaspora
Africa Minister Tobias Ellwood met 25 members of the Somali Diaspora, invited by the Anti-Tribalism Movement (ATM), on 19 April to talk about the UK’s policy on Somalia which will be delivered through the London Somalia Conference.
ATM’s guests were from different sectors including community leaders representing minorities, campaigners including for women’s rights such as anti-FGM, the media, lawyers, students, and NGOs including the umbrella group for over 80 British Somali groups called the Council of Somali Organisations.
After briefing the community, the Minister consulted the group on their views, identifying shared priorities and opportunities to work together. Discussions were useful and wide ranging, including on the role of the Somali diaspora, the ongoing drought and environmental protection, Security Sector Reform, the African Union Mission to Somalia and accountability, migration and refugees.
The London Somalia Conference, due to take place on 11 May 2017, aims to accelerate progress on security and agree the new international partnership needed to keep Somalia on track towards increased peace and prosperity by 2020. It will also take stock of the response to the humanitarian crisis affecting Somalia.
With support from the international community, Somalia has made real progress since 2012. Al Shabaab has been driven from most cities. A federal structure is being built and an electoral process concluded on 8 February with a peaceful transition of power. But these gains are fragile and significant challenges remain, most urgently the threat of a third famine in 25 years.
The time is therefore right for the international community to come together with the Federal Government of Somalia to agree how to make the most of the present opportunities and to tackle the significant challenges the country continues to face. The new four year term of the Federal Government of Somalia and the need for a replacement to the expired ‘New Deal’ mean this a watershed moment for all interested parties to come together to agree a long-term plan for achieving Somalia’s stability and prosperity.
Distributed by APO on behalf of United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
- Alumni TIES Seminar on “Access to Energy for All”
The U.S. Embassy, in collaboration with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State and World Learning, are organizing an international exchange seminar on “Access to Energy for All,” which explores the expansion of energy access in Africa. This Alumni Thematic International Exchange Seminars (Alumni TIES) program will bring together 21 alumni of U.S.-government sponsored exchange programs representing 11 Sub-Saharan African countries. From April 24-28, 2017, participants will examine how expanding access to energy creates greater prospects at the community level to free up human capital.
Seminar topics include:
– Exploring how energy independence is becoming a global trend and how the trend is developing on the African continent;
– Discussing possibilities for entrepreneurs and marginalized populations to access energy and advance stability, security, and economic progress;
– Examining the role of regulatory agencies and national and regional policies in fostering decentralization of energy;
– Engaging in intra-regional alumni networking and collaboration to develop action plans to improve access to energy in their own communities.You are invited to attend the welcome remarks and keynote address on:
Date: Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at 8:30 am
Venue: Capital Hotel, Omo HallPlease RSVP to Zelalem Befekadu (091-150-9522) or Ali Suleiman (0911-509-510).
Distributed by APO on behalf of U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- Ghana Navy Officer awarded by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for Training Excellence
On Wed 12 April 2017, SLt. George Acquah of the Ghana Navy was presented with the prestigious Admiralty Prize by His Royal Highness the Duke of York , Prince Andrew at the Lord High Admiral’s Divisions’ Parade, which was conducted at the Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth in the United Kingdom. SLt Acquah is the latest in a long line of Ghana Navy officers to have successfully completed their training with the Royal Navy. Only on this occasion, he was judged to also have been the best of all the International Officer Cadets to have completed initial officer training throughout the entire year.
In the citation for his award, SLt. Acquah was described as ‘an officer who exudes a natural calmness, confidence and leadership style‘ and who was academically ‘outstanding’; he has provided ‘an example to all, and with a ‘natural affinity for life at sea’, he was considered to be ‘thoroughly deserving of this award’.
With the UK having arranged for SLt. Acquah and his parents to travel from Ghana in order to attend the parade, he was presented with his award, which is a telescope personally gifted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, in front of around 800 families, friends and distinguished guests of those on parade. On completion of the parade and award ceremony SLt. Acquah was able to enjoy a special lunch at the historic British Naval College, where he was sat next to the Duke of York throughout. Only last week, SLt. Acquah was also presented to Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal, Princess Anne during her visit to Ghana; the Princess was very interested to hear of SLt. Acquah’s award.
Commenting on his award, the UK’s Defence Adviser to Ghana, Lt Col Simon Westlake of the Royal Marines said: “I am extremely pleased that we have been able to arrange for SLt Acquah and his parents to return to the UK to receive this award from the Duke of York. His is a significant achievement, as shown by the fact that the award is a gift from HM Queen Elizabeth II, and that it is was personally presented by the Duke of York at the Lord High Admiral’s Divisions – itself a very historic event. This all demonstrates the significance with which the Royal Navy views this particular award. I believe that Ghana and especially the Ghana Navy can be very proud of SLt Acquah and his achievements. In fact, his success has led to 2 Ghana Navy officers being offered places at the Britannia Naval College this year – I look forward to them achieving the same level of success and to seeing SLt Acquah pursue a very successful career in the Ghana Navy. It is experiences and occasions like these that bound our two Navies so closely together and long may this continue.”
