Malawi Wire

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed the board of Directors of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) for five years, effective from the date of the publication of notice in the government gazette.

The President has, in terms of section 13(1) of the Broadcasting Act, 1999 (Act No.4 of 1999), as amended, appointed the following persons as non-executive members of the Board of SABC:

Dr. Renee Horne

Adv Tseliso Thipanyane;

Mr Khathutshelo Ramukumba;

Ms. Nomvuyiso Batyi;

Ms Phathiswa Magopeni;

Ms. Aifheli Makhwanya;

Ms Magdalene Moonsamy;

Ms. Rearabetsoe Motaung;

Mr. David Maimela;

Mr Dinkwanyane Mohuba;

Mr Mpho Tsedu; and

Ms Palesa Kadi

In terms of section 13(3) of the Act, President Ramaphosa designated Mr Khathutshelo Ramukumba as Chairperson and Ms Nomvuyiso Batyi as the Deputy Chairperson of the SABC Board.

“The SABC is a vital institution of our constitutional democracy. I trust the newly appointed board members will work hard at ensuring that South Africa continues to benefit from a stable, independent and effective national public broadcaster,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) has embarked on training farmers in Embu and neighbouring counties on how to increase yields from the ongoing rains.

With forecast from the weatherman indicating that the rains would be depressed, KALRO Director in charge of Embu, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Meru and Tharaka Nithi Counties Dr. Alfred Micheni said it was important for farmers to be informed on the right varieties of seeds to plant.

‘In light of the anticipated poor rainfall performance, it is essential for farmers to be trained on how to grow the right crop varieties to realize high crop yields,’ Dr. Micheni said, while urging farmers to go for certified seeds to get value for their investment.

Speaking at KALRO offices in Embu town Friday, Dr Micheni said they had organized a two-day farmer exhibition on March 21 and 22 where they would showcase various technologies and trends in farming from various institutions as well as avail varieties of certified seeds to farmers at a discounted rate.

He said besides planting the right seed varieties, farmers should also plant early so that the crops will have reached maturity by the time the rains ceased.

Researcher Extension Linking Officer Catherine Muriithi said they would also focus on training farmers on new farming technologies and management practices to help farmers achieve more in terms of productivity and incomes.

She said it was important for the farmers to adapt to climate change to mitigate crop failure through practices such as early land preparation, technologies of managing land and conservation agriculture.

‘We actually have to change our way of doing things to be food secure now that we no longer get normal rains,’ she said.

Researcher Murimi Kagete asked farmers to practice crop diversification as a viable option of building household food and nutrition security as well as boost incomes.

He particularly asked famers to incorporate traditional food crops such as sweet potatoes, cassava, yams, millet and sorghum that are drought resistant and have high nutritional value.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Grace Onyango, Kenya’s first female Member of Parliament will be buried on March 31 at her home in Gem, Siaya County, the family has announced.

Grace passed on aged 98 while undergoing treatment at a Kisumu hospital on March 8.

During a press briefing on Friday, the burial committee chairperson Eng. Israel Agina said that the committee has finalized plans for the burial of the late Mama Grace.

Her removal from the Aga Khan Hospital morgue will take place on Wednesday, March 29 at 10.30 am, for a requiem mass at St. Stephen Cathedral Kisumu.

After the mass, the body will be taken to Mama Grace Onyango Social Hall and the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga sports complex for public viewing.

Later in the evening, she will be taken to her home in Tom Mboya Estate, Kisumu for a night vigil.

On the morning of March 30, the hearse will leave Kisumu for Nyapiedha village, Gem Sub County for prayers and after the church service, the body will be taken to her home in Sidende Village for a night vigil ahead of the burial the following day.

Eng. Agina however stated that there was a proposal for the body to be taken to the National Assembly to be feted by the legislators.

Onyango Ralieu, a committee member observed that the burial rites of the nonagenarian would be slightly different from that of the late Willis Otondi, chairperson of the Luo Council of elders who was buried on March 4.

In her case, the rites of ‘tero buru’ will be conducted by women on the day of her burial as opposed to men who conducted a similar fete for Otondi.

Mama Grace joined politics in 1969 when she was elected the Kisumu Town MP – becoming the first woman to hold that position in the country.

The iconic legend was also a trailblazer for the female folk by serving in different capacities including being the mayor of Kisumu town, the first female Deputy Speaker at the National Assembly, the first woman secretary general of the Luo Council and the first woman councilor of Kaloleni ward in Kisumu.

Source: Kenya News Agency