JULISHA INTERNATIONAL NEWS ROUND-UP (Africa).
ZIMBABWE.
An eight-year-old boy has been found alive after surviving five days in a game park inhabited by lions and elephants in northern Zimbabwe, according to a member of parliament.
The ordeal began when Tinotenda Pudu wandered 23 kilometres (14 miles) from home into the “perilous” Matusadona Game Park.
According to Mashonaland West MP Mutsa Murombedzi post on X, the young boy has left many bewildered following the ordeal.
He spent five days “sleeping on a rocky perch, amidst roaring lions, passing elephants, eating wild fruits”, the Legislator said.
Matusadona game park has about 40 lions. At one point, it had one of the highest lion population densities in Africa, according to African Parks.
Murombedzi said the boy used his knowledge of the wild and survival skills to stay alive.
Tinotenda survived his ordeal by eating wild fruit. He also dug small wells into dry riverbeds with a stick to access drinking water – a skill taught in the drought-prone area.
Members of the local Nyaminyami community started a search party and beat drums each day to try and guide him back home.
But ultimately, it was park rangers who managed to find him.
On his fifth day in the wild, Tinotenda heard a ranger’s car and ran toward it, narrowly missing it, the MP said.
Luckily, the rangers returned, spotted “fresh little human footprints,” and searched the area until they found him.
“This was probably his last chance of being rescued after 5 days in the wilderness,” said the MP.
The park is over 1,470 sq km (570 sq miles) and is home to zebras, elephants, hippos, lions and antelope.
Across social media, people have been praising the young boy for his resilience.
"This is beyond human comprehension,” one person wrote on X. Another user wrote: “He’s going to have one hell of a story to tell when he gets back to school.”
NIGERIA.
In his New Year address to Nigerians, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced plans to reduce the country’s inflation rate from its current 34.6% to 15% by 2025.
Despite the challenges of 2024, Tinubu expressed optimism, citing positive economic indicators. He highlighted that Nigeria had achieved foreign trade surpluses for three consecutive quarters, a decrease in fuel prices, and an increase in foreign reserves.
Additionally, the naira had strengthened against the US dollar, contributing to greater economic stability.
Tinubu further pointed to the stock market’s growth and the surge in foreign investment as signs of renewed confidence in the Nigerian economy.
He acknowledged the hardship faced by Nigerians, particularly due to inflation, but assured the public that the government was focused on achieving the inflation target by 2025.
Addressing the nation with hope for a brighter future, Tinubu emphasized that tackling inflation would be one of the key priorities for his administration in the coming year.
However, the president’s ambitious plan to curb inflation has drawn mixed reactions. While some citizens have expressed hope, others remain skeptical, questioning the feasibility of such a drastic reduction.
The government is expected to implement several measures aimed at stabilizing the economy, though experts warn that achieving the 15% target will be a complex and challenging task.
UGANDA.
Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has challenged East African nations to wake up and explore the moon, deep oceans and venture into tech.
Museveni, was worried that people from other continents were exploring these spaces while East Africans were doing nothing.
"We need strength, including people operating from the moon. They look at us from there as if we are small insects. They can spray things on us that we don’t know, and we are here, defence forces. What are you defending? You don’t even know what is in the sky." He said.
"We don't even know what is happening deep in the ocean. It is worrying. I am here to warn East Africans that if they don't wake up, they should not say that the elders didn't tell them. Have a research unit in your group." Museveni added.
"If you want our children to survive in the modern world, work on prosperity, strategic security and undugu. We achieve these through integration," Museveni reiterated.
MALAWI.
Malawi has procured 51 million liters of fuel from the United Arab Emirates UAE.
Deputy Chief Executive for the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA), Micklas Reuben says the fuel falls under an emergency procurement riding on the Government to Government arrangement.
He has disclosed this in Tanga, Tanzania where an entourage led by Minister of Energy, Ibrahim Matola is receiving the fuel to ease challenges of shortage of fuel in Malawi.
Earlier, the minister, officials from the National Oil Company of Malawi, NOCMA who is the appointed agent in the arrangement and Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) had an interface with authorities Gulf Bulk Petrolium (GBP) at the port.
Among the fuel, 28.5 million liters is petrol and 22.5 million liters is diesel whose discharging off the vessel will be completed in the wee hours of Friday.
SOUTH AFRICA.
Power Utility Firm, Eskom has successfully synchronised Unit 2 of the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station in Cape Town, to the national grid.
The unit was synchronised to the national grid on Monday, marking a significant milestone in the Generation Operational Recovery Plan and South Africa’s pursuit of a dependable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable energy supply.
“This achievement follows an extensive Long-Term Operation (LTO) programme designed to extend Unit 2’s operational lifespan by an additional 20 years,” the power utility said in a statement on Tuesday.
It said that the maintenance programme for Unit 2 included the replacement of three steam generators, comprehensive inspections, and refuelling activities to ensure the reactor's continued safe and efficient performance.
“These enhancements align with Eskom’s broader strategy to secure the future of Koeberg’s reactors, which are critical to the country’s energy security. With a 930MW contribution, Unit 2 plays a significant role in Eskom’s goal to increase its capacity by 2 500MW by March 2025,” it explained.
The National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) is anticipated to decide on the extension of Unit 2’s operational license in 2025.
“This comes after the successful renewal of Unit 1’s license, which extends its operation until 2044. Unit 1, contributing 930MW to the grid, has shown exceptional reliability since its return to service. Combined, Units 1 and 2 will supply 1 860MW - approximately 5% of South Africa’s total electricity - playing a vital role in reducing loadshedding and stabilising the grid.” it added.
