The Government of Rwanda has severed diplomatic relations with Belgium, effective immediately, and instructed all Brussels’ diplomats to leave the East African country within 48 hours. In a media statement on Monday, 17 March 2025, Rwanda accused Belgium of having “consistently undermined Rwanda, both well before and during the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in which Belgium has a deep and violent historical role, especially in acting against Rwanda.” Rwanda further alleged that Belgium employed “lies…

Ethiopia is set to strengthen its space capabilities with the launch of its third Earth observation satellite, as reported by DNE Africa, a partner of TV BRICS. Developed in partnership with China, the satellite will provide advanced imaging technology to support agriculture, climate monitoring, and disaster management. Ethiopia’s space programme began with the launch of two satellites, both developed with Chinese aerospace collaboration. According to the officials, these satellites have played a crucial role in land use planning, environmental monitoring,…

The Limpopo Department of Public Works, Roads, and Infrastructure has announced an out of court settlement between the Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL) and its former CEO, Gabriel Maluleke, ending a bitter legal battle marked by multiple court defeats for the department. In a media statement released on 14 March 2025, the department confirmed that Maluleke withdrew his High Court application challenging his suspension and the unlawful dissolution of the RAL board by MEC Ernest Rachoene in 2024. In return, RAL…

The Russian Embassy in South Africa this week hosted a cultural event celebrating artistic collaboration and shared heritage, while reinforcing ties between BRICS nations and the Global South. The twofold occasion, blending a prestigious international photo exhibition with a cinematic homage to Russian folklore, underscored the deepening cultural diplomacy between Moscow and Pretoria. The evening opened with the launch of the 10th Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest Exhibition, showcasing works by photographers from Russia, South Africa, China, India, Myanmar,…

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has announced the termination of its military mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and ordered the phased withdrawal of all SAMIDRC (SADC Mission in the DRC) troops. The decision, finalised during an Extraordinary Virtual Summit chaired by Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on 13 March 2025, signals a strategic shift toward political and diplomatic solutions to end years of devastating conflict in eastern DRC. The SAMIDRC mandate, launched in December 2023 to support…

The University of South Africa (UNISA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two Russian universities to promote language exchange programmes. The partnership, formalised on 04 March 2025, with Tyumen State University (UTMN) and the Patrice Lumumba Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN) will see isiZulu taught at the Russian institutions, while UNISA’s College of Human Sciences (CHS) will offer Russian language courses, the university said. The agreement was witnessed by South Africa’s Department of Higher Education and Training…

In a landmark achievement, three professors from the University of South Africa (UNISA) have been recognised at the South African Medical Research Council’s (SAMRC) 11th Scientific Merit Awards, the nation’s premier platform for celebrating excellence in health research. Professors Zilungile Mkhize-Kwitshana, Lindiwe Zungu, and Usisipho Feleni were honoured for their pioneering contributions to public health, occupational safety, and environmental sustainability, cementing UNISA’s role as a leader in innovative and socially impactful research. Established in 1969, the SAMRC is dedicated to…

The University of South Africa (UNISA) held a career day exhibition for female inmates at the Gender Responsive Centre, formerly the Female Correctional Centre, in Atteridgeville, Pretoria, on Thursday, 13 February 2025. The initiative, organised in partnership with the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) and It’s Possible for All, a non-profit organisation, provided academic guidance, addressed administrative queries, and facilitated dialogue on the transformative role of education. Attendees included incarcerated students and correctional officials. During the event, the university donated…

The University of South Africa (UNISA) has described Dr Karen Stander’s appointment as chairperson of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) board as an indication that its staff and graduates are among the sought after industry leaders in the country and beyond. Dr Stander, a senior lecturer in UNISA’s College of Economic and Management Sciences, was appointed by Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane to lead the embattled NSFAS for a four-year term starting 1 February 2025.  She…

In a bold move to restore stability in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), regional leaders from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have decided to neutralise destabilising forces and facilitate direct talks among all warring parties. They convened a Joint EAC-SADC Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on 8 February 2025 where they also agreed on steps to restore security, peace and stability in the Great Lakes region. To achieve this,…