Call for applications: Short-term courses in Europe

Are you looking for opportunities to study abroad on a short-term basis? The Netherlands Education Group has got you covered. Apply to one of their short term programs in Europe.  

Details: https://bit.ly/2AE1JY9 #studyineurope

The National Bank of Angola (BNA) presents new Kwanza banknotes without the face of the former President, José Eduardo dos Santos

The National Bank of Angola (BNA) holded a press conference on Tuesday in Luanda to present the new Kwanza bank note family "2020 series", at a time when the national currency has already depreciated 16.9 and 17.2 percent, respectively, against the dollar and euro since the beginning of the year.

Angola is to have as from July 30 a new series of banknotes (2020 series) made of polymer, which resembles to plastic, announced Tuesday the governor of the National Bank of Angola (BNA), José Lima Massano.

The governor explained that the new banknotes would enter into circulation gradually as from July 30, with the integration of 200 Kwanza (AKz) banknotes, being 500 kwanzas introduced in September, 1,000 in October and 2,000 in November.

Currently, Massano said, despite of the legal provision, the AKz 10,000 banknotes are not expected to enter into circulation unless it proves absolutely necessary. The entry into service will be progressive in order to allow knowledge of its characteristics and ensure that it is available in national territory, the BNA governor said. The new banknotes will coexist with the existing ones of 2012 series until December 31 of 2021.

The BNA, Massano said, will publish the timetable for the withdrawal of the older banknotes; in the meantime, the current coins will remain in circulation without any change. José Lima Massano explained that with the polymer banknotes there is the possibility of better usage and financial savings in the management of currency circulation.

 "No less important is the fact that the new substrate is recyclable, making them more environmental friendly", Massano said.

The face of the former head of State, José Eduardo dos Santos was removed from the banknotes

As a new feature, in the 2020 series, the sphinx stamped on the banknotes now only has the face of the first President of Angola, António Agostinho Neto, unlike the current which also includes the former head of State, José Eduardo dos Santos. 

Approved by the National Assembly in January this year, the new notes, with face value of 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 and 10000 kwanzas, were also illustrated with the natural wonders of Angola.

On the 200 note are the Black Stones of Pungo to Ndongo (Malange), the 500 note features the Tundavala Cleft (Huila), the 1,000 - the Central Plateau (Huambo), the 2,000 - the Leba Mountain (Huila), the 5,000 - São Salvador of Congo Cathedral (Zaire) and the 10,000- to Zenzo Caves (Uige).

The new Kwanza banknotes will be safer, with characteristics that make it difficult to forge them, according to guarantees given by the governor of the BNA, José de Lima Massano.

The banknotes will have polymer (plastic) substrates that will make them more resistant and have greater durability than paper banknotes in circulation.

With the current paper banknotes, the state spends 30 million US dollars to maintain the Kwanza in circulation every two years.

The new Kwanza series will cost the same, but will be maintained every four years.

In this operation of issuing new banknotes, according to José de Lima Massano, the BNA planned to spend USD 30 million, the same amount used for the sanitation (replacement) of the banknotes in circulation in the country.

The introduction of the new banknote family will be progressive, particularly those with a higher denomination and will only be issued and put into circulation when economic development conditions so advise, he explained at the time.

Angola: Media minister re-inaugurates ANGOP editorial office. ANGOP bets on multimedia content

The Minister of Telecommunications, Information Technology and Media, Manuel Homem, re-inaugurated on Tuesday, in Luanda, the National and International Editorial Office of the Angola Press Agency (ANGOP), which has a modern office and new technological means.

ANGOLA NEWS AGENCY (ANGOP

Covid-19: Angola detects 33 new infections and two deaths

At least 33 new positive cases of covid-19 and two deaths have been detected in the last 24 hours in Angola, bringing the total in the country to 386 and 21 respectively.

Speaking to journalists during the daily covid-19 update briefing on Tuesday evening, the Health minister said 28 cases have been detected in Luanda and five in northern Cuanza Norte province, about 200 kilometres away.

According to Sílvia Lutucuta, five of the cases are of local infection and 28 of unknown links. Nine patients have recovered.

Angola’s covid-19 records show 386 infections, 21 deaths, 117 recoveries and 248 active patients.

The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) mini grants 2020

The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) mini grants 2020 for African feminist change-makers

Application Deadline: August 10th 2020 

https://bit.ly/3gA2BMW

The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) is a grantmaking foundation that supports local, national and regional women’s organisations working towards the empowerment of African women and the promotion and realisation of their rights. By specialising in grantmaking and focused, tailored movement-building programmes, we work to strengthen and support the work of African
women’s organisations.

By amplifying and celebrating African women’s voices and achievements, the AWDF supports efforts that combat harmful stereotypes, and promote African women as active agents of change. AWDF’s work is guided by its five year strategic plan Shaping the Future (2017-2021). Under this plan, AWDF funds work focusing on three themes:

Body and Health Rights
Economic Security and Justice
Leadership, Participation and Peace

Requirements

AWDF was founded to support the leadership and agency of African women in transforming society towards equality and justice. In that light, under its main grants programme, AWDF supports African women’s organisations that meet the following criteria:
• Women-led, with a majority women staff and board
• A stated commitment to supporting women and/or advancing women’s rights/ gender equality in their mission/vision
• Organisations registered in any African country, and working at the local, national, subregional or regional African levels. (Note that AWDF is not able to transfer funds to organisations based in Sudan, South Sudan or Somalia. However, we are able to support organisations based in other African countries that are implementing initiatives in these countries).

Angola wants USD 2 billion in lawsuit against Isabel dos Santos

Angolan Government said that it expects to recover at least USD 2 billion in several lawsuits filed in a single civil case against engineer Isabel dos Santos

The information was released on Friday by the Attorney General  Hélder Pitta Grós, during a press conference.

Pitta Grós, on the other hand, denied reports on an alleged interest of the Angolan Government in negotiating with Isabel dos Santos.

Likewise, he denied that the Attorney General's Office (PGR) has given up on the idea of ​​requesting the issuance of an arrest warrant against the businesswoman.
 

He ruled out the possibility for the Angolan side to negotiate with the businesswoman", unless she wishes.
 

Hélder Pitra Grós ruled out losses for the Angolan Government for nationalization by the Portuguese Government of 71.73 percent of Efacec's share capital, held by Angolan businesswoman Isabel dos Santos, through Winterfell.

 

According to the PGR, Angola's interests are safeguarded, stressing that there was no investment in a desired volume of shares because ENDE later ended up giving up.

The PGR rules out any intention of the government to negotiate with the businesswoman Isabel dos Santos, clarifying that the negotiation would only be possible outside the process, and in the process, it is only admissible if one of the parties gives up.

He assured that the process is ongoing and at the moment there is nothing to suggest that the Angolan Government can give up on these actions, because there was no specific move from Ms. Isabel dos Santos that “makes us give up on these actions”.
 

He explained that if there are other complaints, they must be presented by the lawyers of the businesswoman within the process.
Negotiation could only be held if one of the parties recognises its mistake, i.e, some illicit fact.

“The government has not committed any illegal act. So we (government) do not have any intention to negotiate. If she wants to negotiate, she must recognise the illegal acts she has committed, she must tell the acts committed by herself or by the functioning of her companies in order to evaluate it ”, he said.

He added that if it complies with what the Angolan government is requesting in civil action, we will go ahead.

 

“In relation to criminal proceedings, this no longer happens,” explained the source, stressing that the criminal proceeding is underway, along with the actions regarding the recovery of assets and both are in progress and we will continue with them.

Hélder Pitra Grós informed that the PGR has not received any expression of interest from Isabel dos Santos so far.

In the PGR's view, it cannot be said that there is political persecution against Isabel dos Santos, because there are concrete facts that are in the criminal process and in civil actions. "This is where we can discuss the issues."
 

As for the alleged protection of other figures, the PGR said that things cannot run at the same time, there is no capacity for all citizens who have committed illegal acts to see their processes to be dealt with.
 

“There are investigation processes that are underway and in due course will come to the public's attention. In relation to it, it may be due to the fact that its exposure has given more prominence to society ”, he stressed.

Hélder Pitra Grós reiterated the intention to recover all financial and non-financial assets that were diverted from the treasury.
"At this moment there are some limitations due to the moment we are experiencing, but we did not stop completely", he assured."

Regarding the arrest warrant, Hélder Pitra Grós said that it is a hypothesis that is always open, because arrest warrants are also used to force a citizen who does not come by himself or who does not respond to notifications to report to justice.

“We want her to report to justice. This does not means that after being heard she will be detained. This is a second step that the magistrate will be able to decide. The first objective is to make sure that she come herself to justice ”, explained the official.

Covid-19: The South African Rhodes University welcomes first group of returning students since COVID-19 lockdown

Rhodes University welcomes first group of returning students since COVID-19 lockdown

Specialist training for staff, strict protocols including daily screening, physical distancing, hand hygiene and mask-wearing, are in place as the university this week welcomes back on campus the first cohort of students who have been identified in line with the criteria set out by the Department of Higher Education & Training (DHET). These include senior science and pharmacy students, students with disabilities and students whose home environment is not conducive to quality learning.

Training for relevant staff members has included the application of basic microbiological cleaning principles targeting SARS-CoV-2. This method is guided by the Global Bio Risk Advisory Council’s (GBAC) protocol for response and remediation and the practical guidelines of the Professional Body for Environmental Hygiene in South Africa.

“The University has had to balance a number of serious priorities to get to this point. On the one hand, is the health, wellbeing and safety of students, staff and our surrounding community, and on the other, the academic programme, the futures of our students and livelihoods. In our decisions, we are guided by the three-pronged theme of the Department of Higher Education & Training – save lives, save the academic year and maximise opportunities for student success.

The COVID-19 pandemic is however still our reality. There are a number of important voluntary individual responsibilities that each one of us will have to exercise at this difficult time to create a safe and conducive environment for teaching and learning,” Vice-Chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela said.

To support these individual initiatives, new systems, processes and rules have been approved and communicated. The Students Disciplinary Code, Hall and Staff Codes have, accordingly, been reviewed. This is in the interest of the Rhodes University community in general to deal effectively with the enforcement of Government Regulations relating to COVID-19.

It should, however, be emphasised that curbing the spread of the virus in our community is less about the University’s capacity or capability to enforce the stringent measures that are in place, and more about the individual responsibility and agency of each student and staff member to safeguard their own health and wellbeing and that of the other members of our community, Dr Mabizela said.

Upon first time arrival, students, both residential and oppidan, are required to self-quarantine for a 14-day period. Meals for residential students will be delivered to their rooms.

During this time, online teaching and learning will continue.

Everyone entering campus will be screened daily. Specially-trained volunteers will also do screening within the residences and classrooms.

Where COVID-19 symptoms are detected, the person concerned will be referred to the Health Care Centre (HCC). All volunteers are trained in maintaining confidentiality and in the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which will be supplied to them.

In the case of confirmed COVID-19, the HCC shall immediately consult with the Department of Health (DoH).

Planning and preparation for the resumption of in contact teaching and learning in special cases, has been carried out in the last month. Residences, student centres, lecture halls, dining halls and labs have been disinfected and sanitised to ensure maximum safety as prescribed in official guidelines.

Among the applicable protocols are the following:

• Returning students are required to screen themselves before leaving home. Any student who presents with COVID- 19 symptoms is requested to be tested, wait for results at home and only make travel plans when negative results are confirmed.
• Daily cleaning and disinfecting will be undertaken to maintain a safe environment for students and staff.
• Where positive COVID-19 cases are confirmed, such spaces shall immediately be closed off and the applicable health guidelines shall be followed.
• The two-metre physical distancing rule shall apply in all shared spaces, including dining halls and lecture venues and standing in queues.
• Students are especially encouraged to avoid physical contact such as handshaking, and hand-to-hand contact through the exchange of paper, cellphone devices, or any other material or commodity.
• Hand sanitiser dispensers will be made available to students, lecturers and cleaning staff to use before entering and re-entering various buildings.

 Understanding that this “new normal” can be overwhelming, frightening and isolating, the Counselling Centre has developed several plans for psychosocial support for students.

“Students who, by their conduct, place the well-being of other students at risk may face exclusion from Rhodes University or from residences. Each one of us has a serious responsibility towards all those with whom we share spaces and facilities. Careless and reckless conduct will attract immediate reaction and stern consequences,” concluded Mr Luzuko Jacobs, Director: Communications & Advancement.

For more information on the applicable protocols, guidelines and frameworks, please visit: https://www.ru.ac.za/cvrtt/