标签： Africa

Zimbabwean opposition lawmaker and celebrated poet Desire Moyo tragically lost his life in a fatal accident early Friday morning when the vehicle he was traveling in collided with an elephant. The incident occurred on the Bulawayo-Gweru highway, as reported by the state-owned broadcaster ZBC. Moyo, who was a day shy of his 46th birthday, died instantly, while four fellow Members of Parliament sustained injuries and were hospitalized. Moyo, affectionately known as Moyoxide, was a prominent figure in Zimbabwe’s political and cultural spheres. He represented the Nkulumane Constituency in Bulawayo and was a member of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), led by Nelson Chamisa. He also served on the parliamentary committee for sport, recreation, arts, and culture. Tributes have flooded in for the award-winning poet, educator, and arts administrator, who was widely recognized for his dedication to nurturing Zimbabwe’s creative sector. Fellow lawmaker Caston Matewu described Moyo as ‘one of the hardest working MPs in Parliament,’ while the City of Bulawayo, led by Mayor David Coltart, hailed him as an ‘iconic leader and creative’ who championed the arts both locally and nationally. The Nkulumane Constituency expressed its ‘deep sorrow and profound shock’ over the loss of their representative. The tragic accident has left Zimbabwe mourning the loss of a multifaceted leader whose contributions to politics and the arts will be deeply missed.

The Kenyan Catholic Church has unveiled a new brand of altar wine, exclusively for use in Holy Mass, to address concerns over the previous brand’s widespread availability in secular outlets. The new wine, labeled ‘Mass Wine,’ features the official coat of arms of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) and a signature certifying its authenticity. Archbishop Anthony Muheria of Nyeri emphasized that the wine is not for commercial sale but is imported and owned by the KCCB, distributed solely to dioceses. The decision follows the discovery that the former wine, supplied by a local alcohol manufacturer, was being sold in bars, hotels, and supermarkets, diminishing its sacred significance. The new wine, sourced from South Africa, was officially introduced during Kenya’s National Prayer Day at the Subukia National Marian Shrine in Nakuru. Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba, KCCB chairman, announced that this wine will be the only one used in Mass celebrations nationwide, urging priests to adhere to the new distribution guidelines. The label on the wine reads, ‘The fruit of the vine and the work of human hands will become our cup of joy,’ reflecting its sacred purpose. The move has been praised by the Catholic faithful, who view it as a step toward preserving the sanctity of the Eucharist. Altar wine, known as ‘divai’ in Swahili, is consumed variably across dioceses, with demand peaking during major religious events like Easter and Christmas. Kenya’s Catholic community, comprising about 10 million people or 20% of the population, has welcomed the change, expressing relief that the new wine ensures proper reverence in liturgical practices.

In the arid landscapes of Kilifi County, Kenya, the daily struggle to secure food and water is a relentless burden, particularly for women who shoulder the majority of household responsibilities. The region, one of Kenya’s poorest, faces the dual challenges of poverty and a changing climate, which exacerbates the stress and anxiety of its residents. Women traverse miles with buckets of water, while maize crops wither under the scorching sun, leaving families with little to sustain themselves. This dire situation has profound implications for mental health, especially among women, who are often the primary caregivers in their families. Zul Merali of The Aga Khan University, which has established a local institute for mental and brain health, highlights the immense pressure these women endure. “They are responsible for ensuring their families are fed, yet they face constant uncertainty due to unpredictable weather patterns,” he explains. Kilifi County is one of Kenya’s most studied populations, with community health workers conducting monthly visits to assess the well-being of residents. These workers, like Humphrey Kitsao, who oversees 115 households, have witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of climate change on livelihoods. “Farming remains the primary source of income, but yields have drastically declined, leaving families with little to no harvest,” Kitsao notes. Jasmit Shah, a data scientist at The Aga Khan University’s Brain and Mind Institute, has been researching the link between climate change and mental health in rural Kenyan women. His study, which surveyed nearly 15,000 women, revealed alarming correlations between climate shocks—such as droughts and heatwaves—and increased suicidal thoughts. Elizabeth Amina Kadenge, a 41-year-old farmer and mother of four, exemplifies this struggle. Her maize crops have failed repeatedly due to erratic weather, leaving her family without food or income. To cope, she has turned to planting cassava, a more resilient crop, but its long growth cycle means families often harvest it prematurely for food, sacrificing potential income. Despite these challenges, mental health remains a neglected issue in rural Kenya. Mercy Githara of the Kenya Red Cross emphasizes the need for greater awareness and access to mental health services. “Climate change-induced disasters like droughts and floods have severe psychological impacts, leading to conditions such as depression,” she says. Shah is optimistic about the government’s efforts, including the community health promoters program, which includes mental health training. However, Merali stresses that long-term support is essential. “Climate change is not a temporary crisis; it’s a persistent reality that demands sustained action,” he asserts.

In a renewed surge of activism, Moroccan youth took to the streets of Casablanca and other cities on Thursday, reigniting their calls for sweeping governmental reforms. The protests, orchestrated by the ‘Gen Z 212’ movement, demand the dismissal of Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch and a crackdown on corruption, alongside improved public services in health and education. This latest wave of demonstrations follows a brief midweek hiatus, strategically timed to culminate in a powerful display of dissent ahead of King Mohammed VI’s anticipated parliamentary address on Friday.

A harrowing courtroom testimony has revealed the gruesome details of a South African farm worker’s forced involvement in disposing of two women’s bodies by feeding them to pigs. Adrian De Wet, 21, recounted to the Polokwane High Court how his boss, farm owner Zachariah Johannes Olivier, coerced him into throwing the bodies into a pig enclosure after they were shot. De Wet explained that Olivier believed the pigs would consume the evidence, stating, ‘When pigs are hungry enough, they’ll eat anything.’

De Wet admitted to firing shots alongside Olivier on the night of August 17, 2024, when they heard voices of trespassers on the farm. The victims, Maria Makgato, 45, and Lucia Ndlovu, 34, were allegedly searching for food on the property. The following morning, De Wet and Olivier discovered the bodies and disposed of them in the pigsty. A second body was found nearby and similarly discarded. Days later, they returned to find the pigs had devoured large portions of the women’s flesh, as evidenced by graphic photos presented in court.

De Wet, initially accused of murder, was granted immunity after agreeing to testify against Olivier and another suspect, William Musora. He claimed he acted under duress. Olivier and Musora face murder charges, with the case reigniting racial tensions in South Africa, where private farmland remains predominantly owned by the white minority, while black farm workers endure poor wages and living conditions.

The trial has sparked national outrage, highlighting the persistent racial divide in rural areas, decades after the end of apartheid. The defense’s cross-examination of Olivier and Musora is set to resume next Wednesday.