Latest news with #Ubuntu
IOL News
13 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
The death of a former Zambian president: diplomacy, grief and ubuntu
Esther Lungu, former president Edgar Lungu's wife, is grappling with grief and unanswered questions after his death. Image: Supplied Sifiso Sonjica The passing of a former head of state is invariably a profound and reflective moment for any nation. In Zambia, a country with a proud legacy of democratic governance, cultural reverence for elders and strong communal values, the death of a past president initiates a period of mourning, national reflection, and often, political reconciliation. Yet, as evidenced by the complex and contested death and burial of former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, such events also carry deep diplomatic, legal, and emotional implications. They unveil fault lines within the state, raise questions about family rights, and underscore the challenges of balancing state authority with the wishes of grieving relatives. Importantly, these events remind us of the African philosophy of Ubuntu, which emphasizes our shared humanity and moral obligation to care for one another. In light of this, I found it worthwhile reflecting on the events surrounding Edgar Lungu's death and burial, the diplomatic entanglements that followed, the grief endured by his family, and the lessons that the African continent can draw through the lens of Ubuntu. Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema. The Zambian government is trying to force the repatriation of former president Edgar Lungu's body. Image: AFP The death and the diplomacy around It Lungu, who was Zambia's sixth president from 2015 until 2021, died on June 5, 2025, at a hospital in Pretoria. He was receiving treatment for a rare esophageal condition when complications from surgery resulted in his death. In response, the Zambian government declared a seven-day period of national mourning, which was later extended by an additional nine days. Flags were lowered to half-mast, and a state funeral was planned in Lusaka, in line with national customs and protocols for former presidents. However, what was intended to be a respectful and unifying national homage quickly turned into a diplomatic dispute. A private family service was scheduled in Johannesburg, but the Pretoria High Court, acting on a request from the Zambian Attorney General, stopped the burial, asserting that Lungu, as a former head of state, was both legally and symbolically a representative of the Zambian nation and therefore deserved a state burial in his homeland. South African officials, caught between honoring the family's wishes and maintaining diplomatic decorum, expressed regret over the situation while advocating for a solution that would respect the deceased's dignity. This unforeseen international legal conflict created a complex diplomatic challenge, turning what should have been a sacred and solemn event into a politically charged and widely publicised confrontation. Zambian President Edgar Lungu. Image: Rogan Ward/Reuters Burial standoff: State versus family At the heart of this controversy was a tense standoff between the Zambian government and the family of the deceased president. The authorities were adamant about bringing Lungu's remains back for interment at Embassy Park, the official burial site for national leaders in Lusaka, citing both national customs and constitutional precedent. They maintained that a state funeral was not merely a formality but an essential expression of national identity and respect. In contrast, Lungu's family asserted that he had specifically requested that President Hakainde Hichilema not attend his funeral, due to unresolved issues and allegations of persecution after his presidency. They also criticized the government's approach, arguing that the personal wishes of the deceased and the emotional needs of the family were being overshadowed by political symbolism. On June 18, the family obstructed the repatriation of his body, alleging a violation of their agreement. The next day, President Hichilema declared the official end of national mourning, stating that it was no longer practical to indefinitely delay the funeral arrangements. Subsequently, on June 20, the family made the unprecedented choice to privately inter Lungu in South Africa, marking him as the first former Zambian president to be buried outside the nation. However, on June 25, the High Court intervened once more, suspending the burial until a final decision on jurisdiction could be made on August 4. This ongoing standoff highlights a complex conflict involving national identity, personal legacy, family grief, and legal jurisdiction. It evolved into more than just a burial; it became a confrontation between constitutional formalities and deeply personal mourning. Diplomatic undercurrents This unusual incident has also put a strain on the diplomatic ties between Zambia and South Africa. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation expressed support for the family's desires but remarked that a state funeral in Zambia would be "most appropriate" for someone of Lungu's stature. Pretoria's repeated legal interventions highlighted the complexities involved in hosting a former foreign head of state and emphasized the necessity of adhering to international norms and cross-border legal frameworks. President Hichilema formally apologised to the South African government, describing the situation as "diplomatic embarrassment". His apology recognized that internal conflicts - stemming from Zambia's unresolved political tensions - had spilled over into the regional sphere, disrupting diplomatic decorum and potentially harming Zambia's reputation as a model for peaceful political transitions. This situation highlights the urgent need for African nations to establis hprotocols that balance state responsibilities with the sensitivities of grieving families, particularly in cases involving prominent national figures whose legacies elicit mixed public reactions. Family's pain and public grief In the aftermath of his passing, the Lungu family has been engulfed in grief, exacerbated by public attention, legal challenges, and political unrest. They have faced intense media scrutiny, public discussions, and legal orders that have repeatedly interrupted their mourning. Most poignantly, reports have surfaced indicating that some family members have encountered travel bans and pressure from various political figures. Makibi Zulu, a family representative, poignantly remarked, 'Perhaps this time, Edgar has refused to be laid to rest without the truth being revealed.' This sentiment captures the family's view that Lungu's death has become a disputed story, highlighting deeper issues within Zambia's political landscape. Unverified claims of poisoning and systemic harassment have further politicised his death, complicating the family's quest for closure. As they navigate both personal loss and public controversy, the Lungu family's suffering underscores the challenge of disentangling the personal from the political in the life - and death - of a public figure. Their sorrow has become a symbol of a wider national discomfort, as citizens grapple with how to honour leadership in a time of divided memories. Ubuntu and pathways to healing The African concept of Ubuntu, often translated as 'I am because we are,' provides a vital framework for how such national moments can be approached with compassion, dignity, and unity. Ubuntu calls for empathy, shared humanity, and communal responsibility - values that are indispensable in moments of grief and division. As such, African societies must prioritize empathy over politics when national figures pass. Grieving families deserve support and space to mourn. This principle applies regardless of one's political alignment or opinions of the deceased's legacy. More so, the death or burial of a leader should not inflame tensions. Elders, traditional leaders, and mediators must facilitate respectful dialogue between state officials and families to avoid conflict and ensure dignity for all parties. This is important in balancing state honour with family customs. Most importantly, I am of the view that African Union and SADC should consider formal protocols for cross-border funerals of former leaders to prevent similar disputes and ensure that such events foster unity rather than discord.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Limpopo Schools Netball crowns champs in Polokwane tourney
POLOKWANE – Limpopo Schools Netball hosted the Limpopo Schools Netball Championships at Hoërskool Pietersburg on Friday and Saturday. In what was a thrilling afternoon of games, u/12, u/13, u/14, u/16 and u/17 teams vied for top spots in their divisions. The first two teams in the u/12 and u/13 Batho and Ubuntu medal winners will represent Limpopo Schools Netball at the National Primary School tournament that will take place at Hoërskool Pietersburg on July 25-26. In the u/14 to u/17 divisions, the first two teams in Batho and Ubuntu will represent Limpopo Schools Netball at the National Secondary School tournament that will take place in Boksburg on August 1-2. Gold winners: u/12 Batho: Laerskool Tzaneen. Ubuntu: Khodobi Primary School. u/13 Batho: Laerskool Tzaneen. Ubuntu: Putikweni Primary School. u/14 Batho: Merensky Agricultural Academy. Ubuntu: Motjedi Secondary School. u/16 Batho: Hoërskool Pietersburg. Ubuntu: Tshikhuthula Secondary School. u/17 Batho: Hoërskool Pietersburg. Ubuntu: Tshiawelo Secondary School. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
2025's Biggest Challenges In Open-Source Software Supply Chains
Stephanie Domas is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Canonical, the creators of the popular Linux operating system, Ubuntu. What are the most pressing issues for organizations using open-source software (OSS) in 2025? Is it cyberattacks? Cost efficiency? Or is it the disruptions of AI and new tech? In this article, I'll give my take as a CISO and advise how I'd go about addressing them. Why Businesses Struggle With Their Open-Source Supply Chain OSS can be amazing, but software is only as good as its supply chain security. Getting this right can be a complex puzzle, and it's one that most organizations are struggling to solve: our research with IDC revealed that 9 out of 10 organizations would prefer to source packages at the operating system level, yet only 44% of them do so. Instead, organizations are pulling software from all over the place, and only when they have to, avoiding automatic upgrades to the newest versions. Instead, they prefer to wait until new features are needed or the free updates stop—essentially until things stop working. This approach exposes organizations to newly discovered vulnerabilities. It also ends up creating more expensive and time-consuming work because the organization has to do intensive, inefficient things like monitoring upstream open source and scanning for vulnerabilities. Challenges In Managing Vulnerabilities Patching is hard, but it's much harder when you have demanding SLAs needed to meet market regulations. Managing vulnerabilities across a range of OSS can be time-consuming and requires skilled labor and manual efforts. As every CISO knows, "manual" usually means mistakes in the long run. And if something goes wrong, it could spell disaster for the company: according to Statistica, as of January 2025, just 17 data breaches resulted in over $7 billion in fines. Our research at Canonical shows that 43% of organizations are concerned about their ability to secure their AI stack. Worse, 60% of organizations have zero or only basic security controls to safeguard their AI/ML systems. This sort of exposure is unacceptable: not securing your AI systems runs the risk of package hallucination attacks, prompt injection or even exposure of your valuable IP. The market is being disrupted by new cybersecurity regulations, and many organizations struggle to figure out what these mean for their operations and systems. Look at the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), for example. This new regulatory compliance means that millions of devices will have stricter cybersecurity requirements. The people who make these devices will need to provide detailed documentation, consistent security patches across their device lifecycles, and long-term reporting and monitoring for vulnerabilities in their devices. The CRA is just one of dozens of cybersecurity regulations that are clamping down on unsecured devices. Navigating this complex landscape is hard. My Recommendations For Meeting These New Challenges New innovations in open source are being made every day. In our own teams, we have people building enterprise-level-competitive software for 5G and mobile private networks—something that would have been unthinkable 10 years ago. Still, addressing today's OSS-related risks requires a combination of strategic tooling, process maturity and smart sourcing decisions. First, streamline how you acquire and manage software packages. Whether you're fully OSS-based or in a hybrid environment, the goal should be reducing fragmented sourcing. One strategy I've found to be effective based on my firsthand experience is to pull packages from a trusted operating system-level repository or work with vendors who assume upstream responsibility for security and compliance. This approach eases the burden of patching, compliance and vulnerability monitoring, especially in light of new regulations like the CRA. At Canonical, we've committed to meeting CRA manufacturer requirements directly, aiming to help organizations downstream shift compliance responsibility without sacrificing flexibility. The importance of this in the open-source community cannot be understated, as some of the most important software in the world relies on tiny communities that do not have the time or resources to meet onerous cybersecurity regulations. My work involves directly overseeing security assessments required before enabling some AI tools within our teams' workflows. As a result, I've found it's especially important to be intentional about your AI security posture. Before integrating AI tooling into production workflows, conduct formal assessments to understand what systems it will touch, what data it will process and how its behavior aligns with existing security controls. Don't rush—map out targeted use cases and pilot with guardrails. Experimental adoption is fine, as long as it's paired with rigorous due diligence and clearly defined outcomes. Finally, keep in mind that innovation doesn't have to come at the cost of security or compliance. Whether you're building edge networks, standing up clouds or managing ML pipelines, OSS can certainly accelerate development and cut costs—but only if paired with disciplined implementation. We've seen organizations slash cloud bills by up to 76% using tools like OpenStack and MicroCloud on existing infrastructure. But the real win comes when that cost-efficiency is matched by secure, well-governed practices that stand up to scrutiny. Conclusion To stay competitive in 2025 and beyond, organizations must treat open-source security and compliance as strategic capabilities—not afterthoughts. That means adopting clear processes for sourcing, patching and assessing software, especially as AI adoption grows and regulations tighten. Whether you're trying to reduce costs, improve scalability or navigate frameworks like the CRA, secure open-source practices can unlock real operational advantages. But those benefits only materialize when paired with intentional governance, smart tooling and a strong understanding of your risk surface. By following these recommendations, you can better ensure you'll be ready for these challenges and more. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Chinese ambassador urges SA youth to seize tariff-free trade opportunities
Wu Peng encouraged young South Africans to engage in trade, study and skills development under China's new initiatives. Chinese ambassador to South Africa Wu Peng has challenged the country's youth to use the opportunities arising from China's tariff-free trade initiative offered to all African countries. Speaking during the 'China-South Africa Youth Exchange Night', Wu said China and SA have now established a comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era. Youth exchanges Over 200 Chinese companies were 'active, investing, hiring and building in the country', he said. Wu also raised the significance of youth exchange between South Africa and China, including studying, training and exploring business opportunities. 'Young people are the future and hope of a nation. China has always believed in the power of youth and we support exchange and learning between young people from China and the Global South,' Wu said. ALSO READ: China's clever trade deal with Africa – removal of tariffs on most goods Shared 'values' While South Africa's philosophy of Ubuntu emphasised compassion and shared humanity, China believed in harmony, community, and helping one another. 'These values bring our two countries close,' he said. Other speakers included Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Mmapaseka Letsike and special economic advisor to Deputy President Paul Mashatile, Gadija Brown. The audience also watched a Chinese film, Ordinary Hero, based on a true story, about a group of young people coming together to save a child's life, emphasising the significance of Chinese teamwork, care and kindness. NOW READ: Western media bias: how imperial narratives shape global perceptions
The Star
24-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Cadbury invites Mzansi to unwrap ‘Generous Firsts'
Remember the thrill of your first concert? The joy that comes with your first birthday cake? What about the awe of seeing the ocean for the first time or your favourite sporting team out on the field? These 'firsts' are more than short-lived moments; they shape our memories and well-being. Yet, a new Cadbury Dairy Milk online survey* of 52 000 participants reveals that 52% of the audience surveyed cannot remember the last time they experienced something for the first time. This finding, along with 94% of respondents yearning to experience something new again, highlights a national 'experience slump'. Nomawethu Ngadlela, Chocolate Category Lead at Mondelez South Africa , says as a brand deeply rooted in generosity, Cadbury has launched its ' Generous First' campaign – calling on South Africans to nominate someone they believe deserves an unforgettable first-time experience. Ngadlela unpacks the campaign's inspiration: 'Cadbury has always believed in the power of generosity to bring people closer. The 'Generous First' campaign is our commitment to embodying the spirit of Ubuntu ('I am because we are'), facilitating moments of connection. Through this, we want South Africans to create 'ripples of happiness' by sharing novel experiences that many might not otherwise have access to. It's about reminding ourselves of the richness of shared moments and collective upliftment.' The importance of these 'first' experiences extends beyond simple enjoyment. Sanaam Naran, a counselling psychologist and founder of Conscious Psychologist , highlights the profound psychological impact. 'From a biological perspective, positive first-time experiences trigger the release of serotonin and dopamine – our 'feel-good' hormones. This not only boosts our mood but can help reduce stress and anxiety.' She adds, 'These novel moments are also crucial for memory formation. They stand out and become anchors we recall vividly, often linked to strong positive emotions. The finding that over half of those surveyed can't recall their last first is concerning. It reflects the significant stressors many people face daily – from economic pressures to societal challenges – leaving little room to focus on personal growth and joy.' Despite these challenges, the Cadbury survey reveals an overwhelming spirit of generosity inherent in South Africans. A remarkable 83% of participants expressed a desire to gift a first-time experience to someone they love, and a significant 65% would extend this generosity to a stranger. Naran sees this as a testament to the nation's deep-rooted desire for connection. 'This willingness to give speaks volumes about our inherent desire for connection and the enduring spirit of Ubuntu. Gifting an experience provides a sense of purpose and the feeling of contributing to something bigger. For the receiver, it's a powerful affirmation of being seen, cared for, and valued.' She adds that sharing new experiences, whether facilitating one for a loved one or a stranger, strengthens social bonds. It also fosters empathy and combats the isolation that can negatively impact mental well-being, something incredibly vital in South Africa. Naran encourages South Africans feeling stuck in a routine or those who can't recall their last 'first' to start small. 'It's easy to feel overwhelmed, but the key is to start somewhere and be conscious about cultivating these moments. It doesn't have to be grand – it could be taking an hour for yourself, trying a new walking route, or consciously deciding to gift a first-time experience to someone else. These small, deliberate acts remind us that we can feel fulfilled and experience joy throughout our lives, not just when we are young.' Cadbury is making it easier for people to create these memorable 'first' moments for others through the Generous First campaign. South Africans looking to spark the joy of a first-time experience can begin by purchasing any two participating Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate slabs. Visit to explore the gallery of first-time experiences, and nominate someone you know who deserves a special first. You and the nominee then stand a chance to win an unforgettable first-time experience, creating a memory that will last a lifetime. 'We want to create a national ripple effect of positivity to help build our nation's hope and excitement. We encourage South Africans to nominate someone for a memorable first experience, whether it's seeing the ocean, attending a major sporting event, or enjoying a simple treat for the first time. Our goal is to foster countless moments of joy and create cherished memories," concludes Ngadlela.
