Africa

Diamonds

Global diamond industry rebounds in 2024: Russia, Botswana lead in volume, but value declines

Mathew Nyaungwa* The global diamond industry saw a resurgence in 2024, with approximately 118 million carats of rough diamonds mined worldwide, according to the latest Kimberley Process data. Russia was the top producer, contributing 37.3…

27 June 2025

President Putin meeting with Dilma Rousseff.j

Putin meets the President of the New Development Bank, Dilma Rousseff

On the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, Vladimir Putin met with Dilma Rousseff, President of the New Development Bank established by the BRICS countries. From the Russian side, the meeting was attended…

27 June 2025

St Petersburg International Economic Forum 2025

Plenary session of St Petersburg International Economic Forum

Russian President Vladimir Putin took part in the plenary session of the 28th St Petersburg International Economic Forum. This year’s theme is Shared Values: The Foundations of Growth in a Multipolar World. The SPIEF plenary…

27 June 2025

President Vladimir Putin with Deputy President of South Africa Paul Mashatile.j

isiZulu and isiXhosa make Russian University debut amid growing SA-Russia alliance

The Pan Afrikanist Watchman South Africa’s Deputy President Paul Mashatile was pleasantly surprised to learn that a Russian university has begun to offer the isiZulu language, and that St Petersburg University will also start offering…

25 June 2025

“Diamonds are not Forever”

By Vitalio Angula The Southern African nations of Namibia, South Africa, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo and Botswana met recently to discuss the promotion of natural diamonds, said to be in decline due to the…

24 June 2025

MAPPING THE SEPARATIST MOVEMENTS (SMs) IN AFRICA

 By F. Madondo  Introduction The year 2025 marks the 62nd Anniversary of Africa Freedom Day or African Liberation Day, commonly known as Africa Day. On the 25th of May 1963, Africa’s founding fathers met in…

19 June 2025

Russian Foreign Ministry statement in connection with the escalation of the Iranian-Israeli conflict

The current escalation of the Iranian-Israeli conflict poses risks of further destabilisation across the region, particularly in the states neighbouring Israel and Iran. The firm and unwavering response of the global majority to Israeli strikes…

18 June 2025

The Necrosis of International Law: From Multilateralism to Bilateralism

International law has long been held as a safeguard against the horrors of unchecked state power—a framework meant to regulate behaviour between nations, uphold human dignity, and prevent atrocities. Yet today, we are witnessing not…

17 June 2025

THE ORANGE MONEY BRAND SHINES ON BOTSWANA’S STAGE AS ITS RECOGNISED AT THE COUNTRY’S LEADING FINANCIAL SERVICES BRAND(2)

ORANGE MONEY BRAND RECOGNISED AS BOTSWANA’S LEADING FINANCIAL SERVICES BRAND

By Dumisani Stanley Ncube* Orange Money has grown leaps and bounds since its inception nearly 15 years ago, and it’s led the mobile financial services landscape through continual innovation and product evolution, taking it to…

16 June 2025

The newly appointed Secretary-General of the Forum of Parliaments of Member States of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (FP-ICGLR), Dr. Deo Mapinga. Photo: Contributed

FP-ICGLR seeks deeper ties with SADC PF amidst AI-driven parliamentary transformation

By Moses Magadza Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe – The newly-appointed Secretary-General of the Forum of Parliaments of Member States of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (FP-ICGLR), Dr. Deo Mapinga, has called for regional…

16 June 2025

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Badr Abdelatty

Lavrov, Abdelatty Hold Talks on Middle East Crisis at BRICS Summit in New Delhi

New Delhi, May 14 — Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on the sidelines of the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi, with discussions centred on Middle East…

15 May 2026

Excellency Antonio Luis Pubillones Izaguirre, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba and Special Representative to SADC.

Cuba and Botswana strengthen ties ahead of 50-year diplomatic milestone

Gurjeet Singh and Cynthia Thanda The Embassy of Cuba in Gaborone hosted a meet-and-greet session on 11 May 2026, led by His Excellency Antonio Luis Pubillones Izaguirre, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba and Special…

13 May 2026

Australian women’s political leadership advocate Leonie Morgan AM (Member of the Order of Australia). Photo Contributed.

From Australia to Southern Africa: Champion shares blueprint for advancing women in politics

By Moses Magadza WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA -Australian women’s political leadership advocate Leonie Morgan AM, has urged countries in Southern Africa to invest in mentorship, financial support, training and women’s networks to accelerate female political participation and…

12 May 2026

Orange Botswana Rolls Out School Kits to Underserved Learners

Orange Botswana Foundation has launched the first phase of its Education+/Back to School (BTS) 2026 programme, distributing essential school kits to learners in underserved communities. The rollout began on 7 May at Kalakamati, Makaleng and…

12 May 2026

Dr Naomi Garenne

Haven City Medical Clinic Targets Trusted, Quality Healthcare in Gaborone

Botswana’s growing demand for accessible, reliable and patient-centred healthcare has received a boost following the official opening of Haven City Medical Clinic in Bontleng, Gaborone. The newly launched private medical facility officially opened its doors…

12 May 2026

Mr Sheuneni Kurasha, SADC PF Director of Parliamentary Business and Programmes.

Official says SADC PF’s Model Law process built on consultation, rigour and implementation

By Moses Magadza An official from the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) has said that the development of the Model Law on Constitutionalism and Rule of Law is anchored in a carefully structured, consultative and…

12 May 2026