December, 2020 - The African Mirror

Dec

2020

Women empowerment takes centre stage in Ford’s 4 300 km “RangeHer” mission

FORD Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) is stepping up its efforts to inspire women, and kicked off the second part of its RangeHer campaign with a 4 300km drive across South Africa to support rural communities. Ford RangeHer is a new global campaign that aims to highlight extraordinary women in their respective countries and industries as they take the next steps in their careers and personal lives, with the ‘Built Ford Tough’ Ranger pickup helping them to achieve their goals – and, crucially, enabling them to help others. “With RangeHer, we are demonstrating that individuals have the power to change…

Dec

2020

By The African Mirror

South Africa expects first vaccines from COVAX scheme in Q2 2021

COVID-19

SOUTH Africa expects to receive its first batch of COVID-19 vaccines from the global vaccine distribution scheme co-led by the World Health Organization in the second quarter of next year, the health ministry said. The ministry added in a statement that it was on track to sign an agreement with the COVAX program by December 15, by which date it would also make the first tranche of payment. South Africa has recorded more than 800,000 coronavirus infections and over 21,000 deaths related to COVID-19, the most on the African continent. The country is seeking to buy vaccines for 10% of…

Dec

2020

By The African Mirror

Blast-rocked South African oil refinery shut down for investigations

NEWS

ROGAN WARD and WENDELL ROELF South Africa's second-largest crude oil refinery, the Engen plant in Durban, has been shut down to allow investigators a chance to find out the cause of a "fire incident" earlier on Friday, Engen said. Engen, which operates the 120,000 barrel per day plant and is majority owned by Malaysia's Petronas, said a fire broke out at around 0510 GMT and was extinguished by 0645 GMT. "Engen is currently assessing its overall bulk fuels supply and demand position and implementing immediate mitigations to manage inventory and product supply requirements," Engen said in an update. Local emergency…

Dec

2020

By The African Mirror

Ethiopia says war ending, with most Tigray leaders dead or caught

NEWS

ETHIOPIA said it had captured or killed most commanders of a rebellious northern force, while Tigray's fugitive local leader countered on Friday that civilians were protesting against looting by occupying soldiers. Neither side gave proof for their assertions about the month-long war in the mountainous region bordering Eritrea where phone communications have been down and access severely restricted. Fighting between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's federal army and forces loyal to the region's former ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), erupted on November 4. Thousands of people are believed to have died while more than 45,000 refugees have crossed…

Dec

2020

By The African Mirror

South Africa’s ex-leader Zuma ordered to reappear at graft inquiry

NEWS

SOUTH Africa's former President Jacob Zuma has been ordered to reappear at an inquiry into state corruption during his term after he abruptly left the proceedings last month, according to a summons issued by the head of the investigation. Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo is also asking the Constitutional Court, the highest legal authority in the land, to compel Zuma to attend and "account for his exercise of public power". In his second appearance at the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture two weeks ago, Zuma had his application for the judge to recuse himself dismissed. Zuma then left proceedings…