标签： Africa

Across Ethiopia on Monday, millions of Orthodox Christians participated in vibrant Timkat celebrations, the Ethiopian Epiphany commemorating Jesus Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River. The festival, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2019, represents one of the nation’s most significant religious observances alongside Easter and Christmas.

In the lakeside town of Batu, Oromia Region, thousands of pilgrims immersed themselves in the blessed waters of Lake Dambal following ceremonial blessings by priests. This ritual reenactment of baptism symbolized spiritual purification and renewal for participants. Meanwhile, in the capital Addis Ababa, massive crowds gathered to witness the ceremonial procession of tabots—sacred replicas of the Ark of the Covenant—which were transported to public spaces for overnight prayers before returning to their home churches amid hymns and chanting.

The celebrations extended to the historic Fasilides Fortress in Gondar, located within the conflict-affected Amhara region, demonstrating the festival’s enduring significance despite regional instability. Participants expressed profound spiritual fulfillment, with Addis Ababa resident Bereket Adugna noting, ‘We are celebrating the baptism of Jesus Christ, and our hearts are filled with joy.’

Deacon Asnake Dechasa emphasized the festival’s communal aspect, stating, ‘For us Ethiopians, Epiphany is an opportunity to share what we have with those who need our help.’ This sentiment emerges against a backdrop of escalating tensions with neighboring Eritrea and worsening famine conditions, with humanitarian organizations reporting millions of Ethiopians requiring emergency food assistance amid declining international support.

Dubai has embarked on a groundbreaking pilot program that could fundamentally reshape the city’s morning commute. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in collaboration with Yango Group and Urban Express, has launched an innovative school transport pooling system utilizing shared SUV vehicles for students traveling to and from nearby educational institutions.

The initiative specifically targets high-congestion school clusters, beginning with Al Barsha and surrounding neighborhoods where parking limitations and peak-hour traffic create significant challenges. The program represents a strategic response to extensive RTA research identifying key issues including excessive private vehicle usage, prolonged student travel durations, and morning traffic bottlenecks.

Participating schools in this initial phase include prominent institutions such as Al Mawakeb School Al Barsha, American School of Dubai, Bloom World Academy, Brighton College Dubai, Dubai Heights Academy, Dubai International Academy, and multiple GEMS Education schools, among others in the area.

The operational model employs demand-based routing rather than fixed lines for individual schools. After registration, students from similar neighborhoods share SUV vehicles with routes and schedules meticulously planned in advance to align with school timings. Vehicles are assigned to designated parking zones serving several neighboring schools, minimizing unnecessary detours and maintaining journey times within a 60-minute threshold.

Parents of students at participating schools can register interest through Yango’s online portal or the Urban Express platform. Registrations are processed continuously, with routes activated based on demand feasibility and school coordination. The rollout employs a phased approach to ensure service quality, clear family communication, and smooth school coordination.

During the pilot phase, the service operates on a monthly subscription model with introductory rates ranging between Dh800 and Dh1,000, payable exclusively online. The current structure prioritizes predictable attendance to maintain pooling efficiency, though term-based plans may be considered as the service evolves.

This initiative supports the RTA’s broader objective to increase shared or school transportation usage among students to 60% within the next three years. Notably, officials emphasize that the system complements rather than replaces existing bus transport infrastructure.

Expansion into additional communities will occur in phases, contingent on demand patterns, route feasibility, and regulatory approvals. Parents whose schools or residential areas aren’t yet covered can still register interest for future expansion planning.

A devastating road accident in South Africa’s Gauteng province has resulted in the deaths of thirteen schoolchildren after their minibus collided with a heavy goods vehicle. The tragic incident occurred on Monday morning at approximately 07:00 local time near Vanderbijlpark, located south of Johannesburg.

According to police spokesperson Mavela Masondo, preliminary investigations indicate the minibus driver attempted to overtake two vehicles before crashing into the oncoming lorry. The impact proved immediately fatal, with eleven students pronounced dead at the scene. Two additional children later succumbed to their injuries in medical facilities, while two remain in critical condition fighting for their lives.

Law enforcement authorities have confirmed the initiation of a culpable homicide case as part of the ongoing investigation. The minibus driver is reportedly receiving hospital treatment, though the condition and whereabouts of the lorry driver remain uncertain according to official statements.

This tragedy highlights South Africa’s persistent road safety crisis, where factors including excessive speeding, dangerous driving behaviors, and inadequate vehicle maintenance contribute to alarmingly high accident rates. Recent statistics reveal that despite a 6% reduction in road fatalities from the previous year, 11,418 individuals lost their lives in traffic incidents throughout 2025 – averaging 31 daily deaths.

President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed profound distress regarding the incident, emphasizing that “our children are the nation’s most precious assets.” The president called for comprehensive safety measures encompassing both road regulation compliance and improved standards for scholar transport services.

A devastating head-on collision between a school minibus and a truck in Gauteng province has resulted in the tragic deaths of 13 schoolchildren, marking one of South Africa’s most severe educational transport accidents in recent memory. The catastrophic incident occurred approximately at 7 a.m. on Monday during morning transportation operations in the southwestern region of Johannesburg.

According to preliminary investigations by emergency response teams, 11 children lost their lives immediately at the accident scene, while two additional students subsequently succumbed to critical injuries after emergency medical transfers to nearby healthcare facilities. The private minibus was actively engaged in transporting students to multiple primary and secondary educational institutions when the collision transpired.

Eyewitness accounts provided to law enforcement officials indicate the school transport vehicle was attempting to overtake stationary traffic when it directly collided with the oncoming truck. Gauteng Emergency Medical Services coordinated the immediate response, transporting five critically injured patients to Sebokeng Hospital and two others to Kopanong Hospital for specialized trauma care. The minibus driver, who also sustained injuries in the catastrophic impact, remains under medical supervision.

Provincial Education Department Minister Matome Chiloane confirmed both drivers will face comprehensive investigations, with particular scrutiny directed toward potential reckless operation of the school transport vehicle. Concurrent police investigations are examining all contributing factors to the tragic collision.

Distressing scenes unfolded at the accident location as grief-stricken parents arrived, with many overcome by emotional devastation. Emergency personnel were observed recovering scattered educational materials and personal belongings from the crash site.

President Cyril Ramaphosa issued an official statement expressing profound national sorrow, emphasizing that “our children represent the nation’s most precious assets” while calling for enhanced road safety measures and improved transportation standards. The national government has committed to providing comprehensive psychosocial support services to affected families, schools, and communities.

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube highlighted concerning patterns in school transport safety, noting that numerous accidents result from driver error while urging the Transportation Department to intensify vehicle roadworthiness verification processes for all educational transport providers.