THE MORNING BRIEF

In Mozambique, police stations and schools have been burnt down, toll gates destroyed, and other public infrastructure damaged, while the main road to the airport in Maputo was barricaded under the latest nationwide protests dubbed "Turbo V8". Guest: Prof. Adriano Nuvunga, director of the Centre for Democracy and Human Rights (CDD)

Guest: Thembisa Fakude - senior research fellow at Africa Asia Dialogues

Chrispin Phiri - DIRCO Spokesperson

Guest: Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa - Chair South African Medical Association

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru), is urgently calling for the nationalisation of traffic police officers under the Department of Transport, following the release of a mid-festive season safety report which showed a 3% increase in road fatalities since December 1. Guest: Richard Mamabolo - POPCRU Spokesperson

Alarmed by the high rate of initiate injuries and deaths in the Eastern Cape, two members of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of SA (Contralesa) leadership have made a call for traditional male initiation to be halted for two years to address the crisis. Guest: Kgosi Mathupa Mokeona - Contralesa president

Afrika Update Report Extended 25 December 2024 1. Mozambique – Maputo At least 21 people have been killed in unrest since Mozambique’s top court confirmed the governing party Frelimo’s victory in disputed elections. The dead include at least two police officers, Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda has informed the media yesterday. 2. Mozambique – South Afrika South Africa calls on all parties to commit to an urgent dialogue in Mozambique Following the proclamation final electoral results by the Constitutional Council of Mozambique, South Africa has noted with concern the ongoing violence and the subsequent disruptive protest in reaction to the announcement. South Africa calls on all parties to commit to an urgent dialogue that will heal the country and set it on a new political and developmental trajectory. 3. Afrikan super election year in 2024 – reflections and deflections Across Africa, power struggles involving military governments, coup attempts, and armed conflict are common, but the southern and western Afrikan region has largely been more stable and elections in some countries brought joy and hopes of a better future. In Southern and Western Africa, where democracy remains relatively stable, elections held in 2024 saw long-governing liberation parties struggling to survive. 4. nternational Monetary Fund (IMF)- Afrikan Indebted Countries in 2024 Top 10 most indebted countries in Africa African countries are grappling with mounting debts to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as ten nations emerge as the most indebted in Q4 2024. These debts reflect a dependence on external financing to address fiscal challenges, particularly during economic crises. Here are the top 10 African countries with the highest IMF debt as of December 2024: 1. Egypt: Leading with $9.45 billion in IMF credit, Egypt faces ongoing struggles to stabilize its fiscal and economic outlook. 2. Kenya: At $3.02 billion, Kenya continues reforms aimed at managing debt while fostering growth. 3. Angola: Owes $2.99 billion, relying on IMF support to counter oil price fluctuations and diversify its economy. 4. Ghana: With $2.25 billion in debt, Ghana focuses on currency stabilization and economic resilience. 5. Côte d’Ivoire: Utilizes its $2.19 billion debt to sustain development and infrastructure projects. 6. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): Holds $1.6 billion in debt, essential for managing economic challenges in a resource-rich nation. 7. Ethiopia: Owes $1.31 billion while balancing reforms and recovery from internal conflicts. 8. South Africa: At $1.14 billion, South Africa aims for economic recovery and sustainable growth. 9. Cameroon: With $1.13 billion in debt, Cameroon strengthens its fiscal framework and supports key sectors. 10. Senegal: Uses its $1.11 billion debt to drive development and economic stability. 5. In our historical archives, it was on this day 25 December 1992 when Helen Beatrice May Fennell Joseph passed away in Gauteng at the age of 87 years.

Get ready for an unforgettable experience at the Joburg Festival of Lights, where dazzling illuminations, captivating performances, and a host of family-friendly activities come together to create the ultimate festive atmosphere. Guest: Lindiwe Lekasapa - Executive Producer for festival of light

SERVICE providers for KwaZulu-Natal's National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) are raising alarm again over delayed payments. They have also alleged mismanagement by the provincial Department of Education. Guest: Mr Lindani Matiwane – chairperson: KwaZulu-Natal's National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP)

The South African Depression and Anxiety Group has now said as South Africans approach the festive season, which for many is a time to unwind and celebrate, it is also a period that brings undue financial stress and family issues to the surface, leading to an increase in anxiety, depression, loneliness, and domestic violence fuelled by alcohol. Guest: Professor Saths Cooper: Past President: Psychological Society of SA

On 23 December 2024, the Information Regulator (Regulator) issued an Infringement Notice to the Department of Basic Education (DBE) in which it ordered the DBE to pay an administrative fine of R5 million following its failure to comply with the Enforcement Notice issued by the Regulator on 18 November 2024. Guest: Adv. Pansy Tlakula is the Chairperson of the Information Regulator of South Africa

The Bela Act is not a silver bullet for solving South Africa’s education challenges. However, what it will potentially achieve is addressing the sad legacy of apartheid where language was weaponised and used as a tool to separate people, writes Professor Thabo Ditsele Guest: Prof Thabo Ditsele is a full professor of sociolinguistics and linguistic anthropology, and an NRF-rated researcher. He is based at Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria.

MORE than 35% of children are dating someone they met online and have never met in real life. Children as young as 12 were also found to be accessing dating apps, often bypassing age restrictions with ease. This is according to the latest annual statistics report from the National Centre for Child Protection (NCCP) Guest: Danie Van Loggerenberg: Managing Director of the National Centre For Child Protection

At least 28 people, including children, have died in a wave of Israeli military strikes throughout the Gaza Strip, according to Gaza's civil defence agency. A school sheltering displaced families was among the facilities struck, killing eight people including four children over the weekend, the agency said. Guest: Arina Muresan - Researcher For The Institute For Global Dialogue

The Morning Brief Afrika Update Report 24 December 2024 1. Mozambique- Maputo Frelimo’s Chapo declared winner of disputed Mozambique elections The Mozambican Constitutional Council has declared Daniel Chapo of the Frelimo party as the winner of the disputed October elections. Maputo has seen massive protests after the poll. Opposition leader Venancio Mondlane has vowed to intensify demonstrations. Mondlane says the polls were rigged. There are fears that the announcement by the Constitutional Council could worsen the situation in Maputo. 2. Kenya- Nairobi Kenyan Presidency and Government has Welcomed 2.5mn Tourists in 2024 and Eyes 7mn By 2027 Kenya has recorded 2.5 million tourist arrivals in 2024, up from 1.9 million last year, with the government targeting 7 million visitors by 2027, President William Ruto has announced. 3. ECOWAS- Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Alliance of Sahel States rejects ECOWAS timeline for its withdrawal The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) comprised of Mali Burkina Faso and Niger have rejected the timeline issues by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) claiming it is a scheme to destabilize their newfound entity. 4. Rwanda- Burundi Burundian Refugee Uses Film to Educate On Violence Against Women in Rwanda In Gikondo, one of the neighborhoods in Rwanda's capital city, Kigali, Jeaninne Niyoyankunze, a Burundian refugee, is scripting a narrative that she hopes will amplifying voices often unheard and ultimately inspire change in her community. "Through film, I can draw attention to issues like gender-based violence, reaching a wider audience and creating a lasting impact." 5. In our historical archives, it was on this day 24 December 1970 when a South African jazz pianist and marimba player, acclaimed also as a composer and arranger Gideon “Mgibe”Nxumalo dies at the age of 41 . One of the South Africa's greatest unsung musical and cultural heroes in South Afrika.

Mozambique’s Constitutional Council today proclaimed Daniel Chapo, the candidate supported by Frelimo, as the winner of the presidential election with 65.17% of the votes, succeeding Filipe Nyusi as President of the Republic. Guest: Estacios Valoi - Journalist In Mozambique

Guest: Bennie Van Zyl - Transvaal Agricultural Union of South Africa general manager

THE ANC Youth League (ANCYL) in Gauteng demands transparency in the disbursement of the R500 million to support spaza shops. The party said there had been no clarity on the allocation process and the beneficiaries. Guest: Cde Ntsako Mogobe - Gauteng Provincial Chairperson of the ANCYL

Guest: Riaan van der Bergh - Deputy CEO of the Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools.

Guest: Professor Tinyiko Maluleke is the vice-chancellor of TUT and the deputy chairperson of the National Planning Commission (NPC).