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Mpumalanga Men's Conference encourages leadership

Mpumalanga Men's Conference encourages leadership

The Citizen03-07-2025
In a dazzling event, the fourth instalment of the Mpumalanga Men's Conference 2025, dubbed Night of the Kings, took place at the Emnotweni Arena on Saturday, June 28.
The event is dedicated to empowering men across generations to lead with purpose, character and clarity. It was hosted under the theme, 'Experience the man that you are', and brought together trailblazers, navigators and emerging leaders.
This year's keynote address was delivered by Dr Reuel Khoza, a distinguished thought leader, businessman, Africanist and president of the Institute of Directors in South Africa. Other speakers included healthcare practitioner Dr Chris Zungu and Percy Ingle, who served as conversation leaders.
ALSO READ: Unlocking women's economic power: G20 tackles unpaid work
Zungu focused on men's health and grooming, highlighting the importance of hygiene.
'It is important for men to maintain good personal hygiene. Neglecting proper hygiene can lead to infections, which may be difficult and time-consuming to treat,' he said.
Zungu added that a key challenge is men not completing their prescribed treatment. 'We tend to give up too easily and don't take our medication as prescribed.'
ALSO READ: Business seminar uplifts youth in Pienaar
Since its inception, the event has been powered by Nedbank. Dr Eric Khumalo has played a pivotal role in launching and hosting Night of the Kings.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
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Mpumalanga Men's Conference encourages leadership
Mpumalanga Men's Conference encourages leadership

The Citizen

time03-07-2025

  • The Citizen

Mpumalanga Men's Conference encourages leadership

In a dazzling event, the fourth instalment of the Mpumalanga Men's Conference 2025, dubbed Night of the Kings, took place at the Emnotweni Arena on Saturday, June 28. The event is dedicated to empowering men across generations to lead with purpose, character and clarity. It was hosted under the theme, 'Experience the man that you are', and brought together trailblazers, navigators and emerging leaders. This year's keynote address was delivered by Dr Reuel Khoza, a distinguished thought leader, businessman, Africanist and president of the Institute of Directors in South Africa. Other speakers included healthcare practitioner Dr Chris Zungu and Percy Ingle, who served as conversation leaders. ALSO READ: Unlocking women's economic power: G20 tackles unpaid work Zungu focused on men's health and grooming, highlighting the importance of hygiene. 'It is important for men to maintain good personal hygiene. Neglecting proper hygiene can lead to infections, which may be difficult and time-consuming to treat,' he said. Zungu added that a key challenge is men not completing their prescribed treatment. 'We tend to give up too easily and don't take our medication as prescribed.' ALSO READ: Business seminar uplifts youth in Pienaar Since its inception, the event has been powered by Nedbank. Dr Eric Khumalo has played a pivotal role in launching and hosting Night of the Kings. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!

SA highlights strong surveillance as new COVID variant spreads across Asia
SA highlights strong surveillance as new COVID variant spreads across Asia

The Citizen

time11-06-2025

  • The Citizen

SA highlights strong surveillance as new COVID variant spreads across Asia

South Africa is closely monitoring the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant, known as Nimbus or NB.1.8.1, associated with a rise in cases in certain regions of Asia. This is according to Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, who addressed the 4th Health Working Group meeting of the Group of 20 (G20), which is underway in Johannesburg. Motsoaledi said the World Health Organisation (WHO) has designated this 'a variant under monitoring' due to its growing presence. India is the latest country to experience a surge in new COVID-19 cases due to the emergence of the new variant, NB.1.8.1. According to the Independent, infections have been confirmed in several Asian countries, including Thailand, Indonesia and China. In addition, the United Kingdom Health Security Agency reported the first 13 cases of this variant in England last week. 'I wish to reassure this esteemed gathering that South Africa has robust surveillance systems in place. 'Our National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) manages a comprehensive sentinel surveillance programme that systematically tests for key respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and RSV. Currently, our data show very low SARS-CoV-2 activity,' Motsoaledi explained. South Africa is currently experiencing a seasonal rise in influenza, but the country is well-prepared to manage the situation, he said. 'Crucially, the new variant remains a descendant of the Omicron lineage. This means that current recommendations for updated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are still effective. Therefore, at this stage, no specific new public health actions are required from the public.' Motsoaledi said government continues to promote good hygiene practices, including handwashing, covering coughs, and staying home when feeling unwell. 'These simple measures are effective in reducing the spread of all respiratory illnesses. We will continue to monitor the situation closely through our established networks and will report any significant changes.' Meanwhile, he called on the attendees of the meeting to work together with 'renewed urgency and unwavering resolve'. 'Let us build a future where solidarity, equity, and cooperation are the cornerstones of our global health architecture.' The week-long Health Working Group meeting began on Tuesday and will conclude on Friday. It brings together health leaders, experts, and policymakers from the world's largest economies, invited nations, and international organisations. The plenary sessions will build on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and address ongoing barriers to accessing countermeasures, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. There will be a focus on prioritising the expansion of local and regional manufacturing capacity, especially in regions like Africa. Delegates will also explore opportunities for technology transfer, sustainable financing, and regulatory alignment to ensure timely and equitable access to life-saving tools during health emergencies. –

South Africa is actively monitoring a new Covid-19 variant known as Nimbus, says Health Minister
South Africa is actively monitoring a new Covid-19 variant known as Nimbus, says Health Minister

Daily Maverick

time10-06-2025

  • Daily Maverick

South Africa is actively monitoring a new Covid-19 variant known as Nimbus, says Health Minister

South Africa is actively monitoring the emergence of a new Covid-19 variant known as Nimbus or NB.1.8.1, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi told the G20 Health Working on Tuesday morning. Motsoaledi also praised the recent adoption of the World Health Organization Pandemic Agreement, and called on global partners to work together towards its implementation. New Covid variant South Africa is actively monitoring the emergence of a new Covid-19 variant known as Nimbus or NB.1.8.1, Health Mimister Aaron Motsoaledi told the G20 Health Working Group, which he addressed on Tuesday The variant is a descendant of the Omicron lineage, meaning that current recommendations for SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are still effective and no new public health actions are required. 'I wish to reassure this esteemed gathering that South Africa has robust surveillance systems in place. Our National Institute for Communicable Diseases manages a comprehensive sentinel surveillance programme that systematically tests for key respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza and RSV [respiratory syncytial virus],' he said. 'Currently, our data shows very low SARS-CoV-2 activity. While we are observing a seasonal increase in influenza, we are well prepared to manage this.' Motsoaledi said the Health Department would continue to monitor the situation and would report any significant changes. Motsoaledi called for the assembled member states to support 'critical' steps in reaching implementation of the recently adopted World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Agreement. 'As an active participant and representative member for the African region, I can say with certainty that we see this agreement as a crucial step towards rectifying the deep-seated imbalances in access to life-saving pandemic products that were so painfully exposed during the recent [Covid-19] crisis,' said Motsoaledi. 'We now call upon the elevated political will of all G20 members and our global partners to overcome the entrenched commercial interests and diplomatic hurdles that stand in our way.' The 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, formally adopted the Pandemic Agreement in May – a move Motsoaledi described as a 'landmark achievement for global health governance'. However, he noted that the work required to transform the agreement from a document of principles to a 'life-saving tool for justice and our shared global health security' was far from over. Tuesday's meeting was the fourth time the Health Working Group has convened since South Africa's G20 presidency activities kicked off. The group's mandate is to improve global health by addressing challenges, building resilient systems and promoting equitable access to services. WHO Pandemic Agreement The adoption of the Pandemic Agreement came after more than three years of intensive negotiations launched by governments in response to the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. Precious Matsoso, the former director-general of the South African Department of Health, co-chaired the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body that coordinated the process to draft and negotiate the agreement. The agreement sets out principles, approaches and tools for better international coordination towards pandemic prevention and responsiveness across a range of areas, including through the 'equitable and timely access to vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics', according to the WHO. Motsoaledi explained that the agreement was built on several key pillars aimed at fundamentally reshaping the approach to global health emergencies. These included: A firm commitment to equitable, timely and affordable access to pandemic-related health products, particularly for countries in need; The establishment of a global supply chain and logistics network to enhance the distribution of critical resources; The creation of a dedicated coordinating financial mechanism to support countries in building their pandemic prevention, preparedness and response capacities; and A 'holistic 'One Health' approach' which recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health. 'The centrepiece of this agreement, and the key to unlocking its full potential for equity, is the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system. This innovative mechanism will require pharmaceutical manufacturers to contribute 20% of their production during pandemic emergencies in return for access to pathogen data,' said Motsoaledi. 'We are now entering a critical new phase. The detailed negotiations on the PABS system annexure will commence immediately through an intergovernmental working group. The first meeting to elect the bureau for this group must take place before 15 July, and it is rightly anticipated that the leadership will reflect a balance between the Global North and the Global South.' Motsoaledi called the negotiations to finalise the PABS system a political test that would demonstrate member states' collective will to move 'beyond rhetoric' towards delivering tangible results. 'Let us seize this moment. Let us work together with renewed urgency and unwavering resolve to complete the remaining vital task,' he said. The Pandemic Agreement has been adopted at a time when global health financing has been thrown into crisis by the decision of the US administration under President Donald Trump to withdraw foreign aid spending from a range of health programmes, including the President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar). The US also announced its withdrawal from the WHO in January. The US has been absent from many G20-related engagements, though President Cyril Ramaphosa announced in May that Trump had agreed that the US would participate in the forthcoming G20 summit, according to a Business Day report. Daily Maverick has asked the Department of Health whether the US was represented at the fourth meeting of the Health Working Group, and its response will be added when it becomes available.

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