Neelam Rahim / neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
16 February 2023 / 09:53 CAT

Image: Aperian GLOBAL

In this week’s edition of the Africa Report with Radio Islam International, Senior Research Fellow at Africa Asia Dialogues, Thembisa Fakude, speaks from the perspective of the SONA following the announcement of a new Electricity Minister and covers some issues that were not talked about amongst others that have been exhausted in the media over the past weekend.

He said the speech of Thabo Mbeki, which went on to say, ‘I’m an African and what defines the African is the hills and the rivers and the mountains’, the President went on to say, no, that’s not what defines Africans. Contrary to what Mbeki said, many saw that as a direct attack on Mbeki.

Gun Violence is the big story in South Africa after mass killings and apparent assassinations. Fakude has argued, speaks and writes that the issue should be questioned to be continually dealt with as gun Violence or should it start being looked at as terrorist attacks on the people and government of South Africa.

“The killing of celebrities in South Africa is also concerning. The killing of musician AKA has raised once again questions the issue of gun Violence which is much more serious,” he added.

Meanwhile, an orthodox church in Ethiopia has been having internal challenges, with three men within the orthodox declaring themselves as church Bishops. The population of Ethiopia comprises 40/orthodox worshippers, mainly concentrated in Oromia, creating a problem, and members of the church have accused the Prime Minister Abhi Ahmed of meddling with the issues with the matters of the church following social media restrictions.

According to Fakude, the church members have planned a massive march resulting in social media being suspended. It is a platform through which members and general populists in Ethiopia can mobilize.

Listen to the Africa Report with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat and Thembisa Fakhude on Radio Islam’s podcast.