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THE AFRICAN STORY
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ISSUE NUMBER 763 VOLUME 2 05 - 11 APRIL 2021
New dawn for
Botswana’s COVID-19
response
page 3
Slow down in COVID-19
vaccine could prolong
pandemic end in Africa
-WHO
WHO LAUNCHES page 4
INITIATIVE TO Cheetah Conservation
Botswana: Saving
COMBAT HEALTH carnivore populations
MISINFORMATION IN
AFRICA page 13
2 Echo Report Echo Newspaper 05 April - 11 April 2021
THE AFRICAN STORY
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Distribution & Circulation
Mogapi Ketletseng
misinformation in Africa
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Echo is published by
YMH Publishing
YMH Publishing,
Unit 3, Kgale Court, Plot 128,
GIFP, Gaborone
Postal address: The World Health Organisation spread, and to help people sort arrive in Africa in the coming Viral Facts Africa is a part of
P O BOX 840, and a network of fact-checking life-saving facts from noise. months. the Africa Infodemic Response
Gaborone, organizations and leading public Together, we can stop viral Tr a c k i n g t h e f o c u s o f Alliance (AIRA), a WHO-hosted
Botswana
Telephone: (267) 3933 805/6. health bodies have launched rumours by sharing viral facts,” misinformation circulating network that coordinates
E-mail: info@echo.co.bw Viral Facts Africa, an African said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO on social media is difficult, actions and pools resources to
www.echo.co.bw initiative aimed at combating Regional Director for Africa. but African fact-checking combat misinformation and fill
health misinformation online. Information on COVID-19 was organizations say they have information gaps around the
DISCLAIMER: Viral Facts Africa will leverage shared and viewed over 16 billion debunked more than 1300 COVID-19 pandemic and other
Echo Newspaper welcomes
concise letters from readers. the insights and reach of a unique times and mentioned more than misleading reports since the health emergencies in Africa.
Letters must carry the network of 14 organizations to 6 million times on Twitter and onset of the pandemic. Widely Launched in December 2020 with
full name and address of counter health misinformation web-based news sites between shared misinformation includes 12 organizations, AIRA brings
the sender. Letters must as it spreads and to “inoculate” November 2020 and March 2021 conspiracies around unproven together the Africa Centres for
conform to the laws of people against falsehoods. in the 47 countries of the WHO treatments, false cures and Disease Control and Prevention,
Botswana and to the Press
Council of Botswana’s Code The initiative is starting with African Region, according to UN antivaccine messages. International Federation of the
Of Ethics. Letters will also be engaging health fact checks, Global Pulse, The UN Secretary- During the testing phase, Viral Red Cross and Red Crescent
edited for length, libel and explainers, myth busters General’s global initiative on big Facts Africa products were (IFRC), UNICEF, UNESCO,
language. and misinformation literacy data and artificial intelligence. viewed over 20 million times UN Verified, UN Global Pulse,
messages that are optimized for Similarly, in the WHO African on social media. All products are WHO and the fact-checking
sharing on Facebook, Twitter Region mentions of vaccines open for anyone to use and are organizations Africa Check,
and Instagram. rose by over 300% to over available in English and French, PesaCheck, Agence France Presse
“False claims can spread faster 675 000 between December with more languages planned. Fact Check, Dubawa and Meedan.
than COVID-19 itself, often 2020 and February 2021 when The initiative is managed by The alliance is growing, with
because they are simple, visual compared with the previous two Fathm, an independent news Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and
and tap into our emotions. Viral months. The Viral Facts Africa laboratory and consultancy Ghana Fact also recently joining.
Facts Africa aims to debunk launch comes as 90 million more with global experience of anti- “COVID-19 is not over, and as
myths fast right where they COVID-19 vaccines are set to misinformation collaborations. vaccines are rolled out across
Africa, mask wearing, hand
Read more Echo hygiene and physical distancing
stories on our are still key to saving lives. We
Facebook page by need a whole-of-society push
to keep these messages fresh in
scanning the QR people’s minds and everyone
code below with has a role to play as viral health
your mobile phone misinformation costs lives,”
said Dr Moeti.
Viral Facts Africa was launched
at a workshop on health
communications for leading
African influencers from
business, sports, the arts and
the media hosted by the Africa
Centres for Disease Control and
Prevention, the African Union,
the Rockefeller Foundation,
Access Challenge and WHO.
Echo Newspaper 05 April - 11 April 2021
Echo Report 3
vaccines will complement the
other public health measures
including wearing masks, hand
washing, and social distancing.
Botswana has done a tremendous
job in its efforts to control the
disease and roll-out vaccination.
We commend their efforts and
reaffirm our commitment to
support them further,” said
Dr. Josephine Namboze, WHO
Country Representative in
Botswana.
This is the second batch
of vaccines that entered the
country this month. On 9 March
Botswana received a donation of
30 000 COVID-19 vaccines from
India. The Covishield vaccines
are the Oxford-AstraZeneca
vaccines manufactured locally
by the Serum Institute of India,
the world’s largest vaccine
manufacturer.
In the past year, over 36 000
people had been infected, over
500 lives lost, sluggish growth
New dawn for Botswana’s COVID-19
in the economy, and disruptions
to everyday life. The COVAX
Facility plans to deliver at least
response
2 billion doses of COVID-19
vaccines by the end of this year.
This is an exceptional global
effort to make sure citizens
A shipment of AstraZeneca While receiving the COVAX foregoing planned development (CEPI), Gavi, the Vaccine worldwide have access to
South Korea COVID-19 Vaccine, consignment, Vice President projects. Alliance, the World Health vaccines and that lives may
has arrived at the Sir Seretse Slumber Tsogwane remarked The shipment is the first of Organization (WHO) working be saved. The arrival of the
Khama International Airport that the vaccines have been many that will be allocated to in partnership with UNICEF COVID-19 vaccine and the
in Gaborone. Obtained from acquired by the Government of Botswana in the coming months as well as the World Bank, immediate roll-out of an
SKBioscience in South Korea, Botswana with the intention to through the COVAX Facility. The manufacturers, civil society extensive vaccination plan
it is the first shipment of 100 vaccinate everyone in the entire facility is working to accelerate organizations, and others. provides new hope in the
000 vaccines purchased by population. He furthermore the development of and access to “WHO and the COVAX continuing fight against the
the Government of Botswana, affirmed President Mokgweetsi COVID-19 vaccines. It is co-led partners are happy to support pandemic in Botswana.
enabled through the COVAX Masisi’s intention to do all that is by the Coalition for Epidemic the Government of Botswana
Facility. necessary to save lives, including Preparedness Innovations in combating COVID-19. These (WHO)
Echo Newspaper 05 April - 11 April 2021
4 Echo Report
Heads of State urged to increase debt
called for the formation of
an African financial stability
mechanism, modeled on the
suspension to offer low-income and
European Stability Mechanism,
to provide jointly guaranteed
emergency support. “The
mechanism will provide a
middle-income countries
much-needed fiscal safety
net for African economies and
help to avoid regional spillover
effects of countries falling into
-The move would give such countries fiscal space illiquidity and insolvency.”
“Trade and debt sustainability
are closely linked,” said the
WTO’s Iweala. “By closing
Several heads of state and achievement of the Sustainable She said the IMF had hinge on securing equitable off export opportunities and
government, the United Nations Development Goals at risk, discussed a proposal to allocate a c c e s s t o va c c i n e s a n d lowering commodity prices,
and heads of multilateral Guterres said. He commended an additional $650 billion in developing solutions for debt Covid-19 has worsened debt
development finance ongoing efforts to widen debt special drawing rights, enabling distress. “Africa needs debt dynamics for many developing
institutions have called for relief and improve access to member countries with strong relief, debt restructuring and countries.” She called on
expansion of the Debt Service special drawing rights but urged economic fundamentals to debt sustainability,” he said, governments to “deliver
Suspension Initiative, under more. “I’m calling for bolder divert reserves to low-income pointing out that in the absence results” at the WTO this year,
which low-income countries and more ambitious measures. and vulnerable countries. of reallocations, low-income to reinforce the rules of global
have suspended paying down A new debt mechanism could African Development Bank countries would receive only trade and pave the way for low-
debt during the Covid-19 provide a menu of options, Group President Akinwumi about 3.2% of special drawing income countries to earn foreign
pandemic. including debt swaps, buybacks A. Adesina said Africa’s rights. exchange earnings.
The initiative should be and cancellations,” he said. economic recovery would The Bank Group President
widened beyond low-income “This is also the moment to
countries and its current tackle longstanding weaknesses
expiration extended to offer in debt architecture,” he added.
much-needed fiscal space, Holness issued a blunt warning.
panelists urged in a discussion of “Debt servicing has come at
international debt architecture tremendous socioeconomic
and liquidity. The meeting also costs to our populations, which
called for Special Drawing Rights have borne the burden of steep
to be reallocated to poorer costs in public expenditures.”
countries. He also praised the G20’s
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau decision to extend the debt
of Canada, Prime Minister suspension initiative. “I believe
Andrew Holness of Jamaica and there is a sound basis for it to
UN Secretary-General António be further extended to next
Guterres convened the virtual year. Consideration should
meeting. also be given to expanding its
African Development Bank beneficiaries to include highly-
Group President Akinwumi indebted middle-income
A. Adesina took part in a countries,” he said.
roundtable event with IMF Economic recovery would
Managing Director Kristalina require a comprehensive
G e o r g i e va ; Wo r l d B a n k approach to increasing fiscal
President David Malpass; OECD space for poor nations, Georgieva
Secretary-General Ángel Gurría; noted. This must include
World Trade Organization “measures to include revenue
Director-General Ngozi Okonjo- collection, spending efficiency,
Iweala; and Inter-American the business environment,
Development Bank President as well as very substantial
Mauricio Claver-Carone. international support, grants
Debt distress is placing and concessional lending.”
Echo Newspaper 05 April - 11 April 2021
Echo Report 5
Diamond jewellery experiences high
to be.”
demand in the US during 2020 last quarter
De Beers Group’s latest similar consumer sentiment less likely, or simply refuse, derived from a reasonable
Diamond Insight ‘Flash’ report regarding the value of LGDs. In to buy fine jewellery from the commercial margin above the
highlights positive demand a scenario where consumers buy jewellers who sell them this actual production cost, rather
trends for natural diamonds LGD jewellery and the price of product. This negative impact than hitching it to what a natural
over the US holiday season and LGDs drops by 50%-60% over is strongest for women, at 58%. diamond’s value might be.
how attitudes to lab-grown the subsequent two year period Commenting on the research Recent LGD price falls simply
diamonds are evolving while natural diamonds remain findings, Steve Coe, CEO of indicate that we are today where
Despite the challenges priced the same or higher, more Lightbox Jewellery, stated: “We others will likely be tomorrow.
experienced in 2020, US than half (52%) of American have always sold our LGDs at Around or below $1,000. Exactly
consumers expressed strong consumers would either be a fair and transparent price, where the consumer wants us
demand for diamond jewellery
throughout the fourth quarter
of the year, outstripping demand
for other luxury categories
and apparel, as they sought
out purchases with emotional
meaning and enduring value,
according to De Beers Group’s
sixth Diamond Insight ‘Flash’
Report, published last week.
Retailer interviews revealed
strong consumer demand for
classic diamond jewellery pieces,
while research undertaken by De
Beers Group in March 2021 also
showed the desire for quality
and lasting value is expected
to continue, with 88% of US
consumers surveyed saying
they believe that it is better
to invest in fewer but better
things than in items which are
fashionable but may not last.
Meanwhile, the report also
provided insights from the
latest round of De Beers Group’s
bi-annual lab-grown diamond
(LGD) tracker via 360 Market
Reach, with a national panel of
5,000 respondents. The study
found increasing awareness
of LGDs among US consumers
(with about two-thirds of fine
jewellery consumers aware
of the concept), allied to a
growing perception that LGDs
occupy a distinct position in
the category as new, modern,
fun, and appealing for impulse
or self-purchase.
The research showed that
consumers differentiate
natural diamonds from LGDs
by attributing to them the
key category territories of
“authentic” (60% vs. 6% for
LGD); “romantic” (41% vs.
6% for LGD); and “would
make me feel special” (37%
vs. 3% for LGD). The top US
consumer concerns regarding
LGDs remained that they were
not as rare as natural diamonds
and will not retain their value
over time, with seven out of
10 consumers stating that they
would not pay more than $1,000
for a piece of LGD jewellery.
While 47% of consumers did
not agree with the statement
that lab-grown diamonds are
“real”, consumers will still
consider acquiring them as
they are perceived as “fun” and
“fashionable”, cost less than
natural diamonds, and are seen
as good for a self-purchase item
as an alternative to apparel or
leather goods.
A March 2021 De Beers
consumer survey highlighted
6 Business & Finance (SMME’s) Echo Newspaper 05 April - 11 April 2021
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LEA assisted enterprise based Mr and Mrs Boikanyo registered client was assisted to develop a LEA business development and
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Hotel offers accommodation, interventions to advance their a commercial guest house with to various markets that include
conference facilities, restaurant, business. Through the LEA nine (9) rooms. Furthermore, Government, private sector and
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Inn, including business coaching “LEA opened our eyes in all
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Echo Newspaper 05 April - 11 April 2021 Echo Report 7
8 Business & Finance Echo Newspaper 05 April - 11 April 2021
is not easy to implement
on a large scale because it
requires reconfiguration of
complex institutional and
cultural foundations. When
implemented, the skills,
qualifications and credentials
generated by educational
systems will be strongly related
to labour market needs.
Today’s youth are very
entrepreneurial looking
t o c a p t u r e a n d c o nve r t
opportunities to wealth. The
development and introduction
of entrepreneurship as part of
vocational training will empower
youth to become entrepreneurs
and entrepreneurial thinkers
who contribute to economic
Vocational Training - a solution to
development of the nation.
This vocational education will
inculcate into the individual
learner concepts, skills and
Youth Unemployment in Africa?
knowledge on how to start a
new business, create jobs, create
business ideas aligned to the
national development strategy
By Emmanuel Allottey possess sufficient skills and countries, have limited access training can reduce un- and of the nation.
prerequisite work experience to programmes that prepare underemployment, increase The persistently high youth
The African continent is home demanded by employers in the them for the school to work productivity, and improve unemployment rate has long
to the largest population of labour market. The economy transition. Only 1.1% of 15-24- standards of living. been one of the most pressing
youth in the world. Tackling demands skilled and experienced year olds in sub-Saharan Africa A strong vocational training socio-economic problems in
youth unemployment has work-seekers, which makes participated in a vocational policy is a key requirement to Africa. Vocational education
become a priority for African it difficult and lessens the education programme in 2017. tackling youth unemployment. and on-the-job-training with
governments. A combination chances for young people to The impact of the coronavirus Government integration of young workers and companies
of factors has contributed to the find employment. Vocational pandemic has exacerbated the vocational training into the will require stakeholder
youth employment challenge training focuses on providing the need for skilled individuals in the education system will require collaboration of governments,
in the African region. The most skills required for a particular workplace. Vocational training investment and structural social partners and other societal
prevalent is the mismatch job function or trade as well as addresses the economic challenge reforms to revive the economy actors to effectively reduce youth
between job seekers and the the practical experience required of low skills that perpetuate and reduce entry barriers to unemployment.
creation of jobs in the market. to secure employment. poverty and inequality. Skills employment. A successful .
Job-seeking youth do not Youth in sub-Saharan African development through vocational vocational training system
another. Businesses and
their customers are adopting
technology at a rapid pace.
Businesses have increased their
ability to provide their goods
and services through digital
channels. Through effective
implementation, social media-
driven engagement efforts can
help build brand loyalty and
drive direct-to consumer sales.
Through digital channels,
businesses have the opportunity
to engage customers directly
and promote their products
and services without help
from advertising agencies. As
consumers continue to spend
time on digital media at the
expense of traditional media,
business that rely on advertising
How COVID-19 has changed
agencies will need to follow
this trend and allocate more
advertising budget toward digital
channels. According to reports,
Outdoor Advertising
Digital advertising spending will
grow at nearly a 16% average rate
from 2021 to 2024 in recognition
of the changes in client behaviour
pivoted to digital media.
The coronavirus pandemic have reduced their spending on short period of time, and this is some choosing to withdraw The impact of the coronavirus
has destabilised the outdoor outdoor advertising opting for based on the high human traffic their adverts totally. This means has resulted in changes to
advertising industry. The digital advertising options. The or footfall. A major mitigation that in coronavirus affected a dve r t i s i n g , m a r ke t i n g ,
mitigations introduced to outdoor advertising industry is against the contraction of the locations, the demand for promotional and media spending.
curb the spread of the virus under threat as more and more coronavirus is to avoid crowded outdoor advertising will drop As the effects of the pandemic
such as government-imposed businesses opt for digital first as places and large gatherings. considerably when little return lesson and things return to
lockdowns and movement the new normal. This directly impacts the on investment may be achieved normal, businesses need to
restrictions amongst others have Companies advertise to raise viability of billboards and return from it. revaluate their strategy about
impacted an industry reliant awareness, increase sales and on investment to companies. Social media tools, such as current and future advertising
on the outdoor movement of build loyalty, using media The reduction in human traffic Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and marketing campaigns to
individuals. appropriate to each objective. and reach, causes businesses to and Pinterest, have transformed ensure maximum return on
Companies profitability have Billboards are an excellent way reconsider investing in larger the way that customers and investment.
been impacted by the pandemic to reach a mass audience in a advertising instalments, with businesses interact with one --
Echo Newspaper 05 April - 11 April 2021
9 Echo Report
10 Arts Echo Newspaper 05 April - 11 April 2021
from the rest of the country to
showcase their talents whether
it’s film, the arts or new media.”
When planning FAME Week
Africa, the organisers took into
consideration how the Covid
pandemic has changed not
only the event landscape but
also the creative industries,
“Covid-19 has provided
us with an opportunity to
reimagine events, resulting in
various event and exhibitions
companies coming together to
provide an exceptional offering
for exhibitors and visitors,”
Oberholzer says.
Wi t h t h e l a n d s c a p e
Reimagined, FAME Week Africa
will bring a collaboration of
partners that promote synergy
in the Host City of Cape Town.
Says Comic Con Cape Town
show director Carla Massmann:
“After having to postpone Comic
Con show last year, we’ve been
navigating the landscape with
caution and creativity.
“It makes complete sense to
Reed Exhibitions Africa to
work alongside FAME Week
Africa and I’m delighted to
announce a one-day Comic Con
Pop up throughout the Host City
of Cape Town on 11 September
host Fame Week Africa
2021. We’ll be bringing a taste
of Comic Con to Cape Town and
we couldn’t be more excited”.
Echoing her sentiments,
Dianne Makings, Festival
Director of the Cape Town
International Animation Festival
adds, “Working independently
Reed Exhibitions Africa has all in a three-day event where content and create opportunities has over the years recognised alongside two other stand-
announced FAME Week Africa, FAME Week Africa 2021 create after months of business down- that the creative industries have alone events, Comic Con Cape
the go-to place for creative extraordinary, living narratives time. the potential to be a catalyst for Town and FAME Week we are
industry professionals including for creatives and industry The event will culminate in economic growth, job creation offering our communities a
the Film, Arts, Media and professionals across all the four FAME Reel Talent Showcase live and social cohesion. Partnering unique offering. It truly is an
Entertainment sectors on the sectors. in the Host City of Cape Town. for initiatives such as FAME Week exciting time to be in the African
African continent in partnership Taking a hybrid approach - This platform provides African Africa is part of a broader strategy animation industry.”
with the Host City of Cape Town, online platforms and real-time creatives with an opportunity to provide more platforms for
The event is key for distributors, interaction – FAME Week Africa showcase their work and to creatives from our city and those
producers, buyer, talents or will be a business-to-business be seen and acknowledged by
commissioners: since creating conference programme and industry leaders.
and maintaining a professional exhibition by day and enchanting Megan Oberholzer, Portfolio
network is key to successfully festivals by night: red-carpet director: Travel, Tourism and
running a business in a highly FAME Reel Talent Showcase, live Creative Industries at Reed
competitive environment. music, theatre performances, Exhibitions, says “FAME Week
FAME Week Africa provides an film screenings, high-end Africa is proud to partner with
opportunity to forge, enrich and exclusive networking the Host City of Cape Town, one
and strengthen business opportunities. of the most beautiful cities in the
relationships. Meetings will be held world and the perfect destination
Set to take place from 13 - on a virtual platform with to host this innovative show and
15 September 2021, FAME participants joining in from all provides the ideal backdrop to
Week Africa will embrace and over the world. A diverse array showcase the African creative
reinvigorate all sectors of the of industry leaders will inform industries.”
ultra-creative community. and inspire as the introductory City of Cape Town’s Mayoral
This inaugural event will be a 2021 event speaker sessions will Committee Member for Safety
hybrid trade show, combining focus on how the various sectors and Security JP Smith
live and streaming options for can respond to the shortage of Adds, “The City of Cape TownEcho Newspaper 05 April - 11 April 2021 Echo Report 11
12 Echo Report Echo Newspaper 05 April - 11 April 2021
Ancient southern Kalahari from an ancient tufa waterfall to
was more important to human
between 110,000 and 100,000
years old. This means that fresh
water was flowing down the
evolution than previously thought
hillside at exactly the same time
that people were living at the
shelter. Such wet conditions
at this time were unexpected,
so we wanted to know what
The Kalahari is a huge expanse is limited to what preserves over is context to when and where more water available. Similar caused such a large increase in
of desert in southern Africa, time. Large calcite crystals from innovation occurs. What brought structures are growing today water to begin with.
stretching across Botswana and several kilometres away were people there in the first place, at places like Sitting Bull Falls, To understand the reasons for
into the northernmost part of found in the cave alongside stone at that time, to begin using New Mexico in the US. Knowing the region being much wetter
South Africa’s Northern Cape tools. Why the crystals were those tools and collecting those when the tufas formed at Ga- 105,000 years ago than it is
province. brought there is unknown; they crystals? Mohana tells us when it was today, we looked at how climate
It’s in the Northern Cape that are not modified and do not seem Re c o n s t r u c t i n g p a s t wetter there. processes influence modern
we studied and described a new to have a functional purpose. environments allows us to Fossil tufas occur in several rainfall there.
archaeological site, Ga-Mohana They may have been collected understand this context. And parts of the world. We did this by comparing
Hill, for research just published for their aesthetic properties, so, a major part of our research To find out how old the tufas historical rainfall records to
in Nature. or included in ritual activities. centred on working out what the are and when these wet periods current major climate drivers.
Our international team, made Crystals are collected by many area’s climate was like 105,000 occurred, we used a method We then looked back into the past
up of researchers from South people around the world to this years ago. To do so, we looked called uranium-thorium dating. and used data from an ocean core
Africa, Canada, the UK, Australia day for ritual purposes. Early at Ga-Mohana’s rocks. Uranium is radioactive, meaning (deep sea sediments drilled out
and Austria, has found evidence humans bringing crystals into The southern Kalahari is that it decays at a constant of the ocean floor which record
for complex symbolic behaviours Ga-Mohana suggests innovation often considered too arid to be rate over time and produces changes in the earth’s ocean
105,000 years ago. in how people interacted important for human evolution. ‘daughter’ elements; thorium is and climate). These data show
Humans use symbols as with each other and their Our work contradicts the idea one of them. When tufa forms, that parts of the Indian Ocean
a shortcut to communicate environment. of an arid and empty interior. uranium is ‘locked’ into the were warmer around 105,000
important ideas. Identifying But such ancient innovation At some points, Ga-Mohana crystal structure and begins to years ago. Climate systems are
the ancient roots of symbolism didn’t occur in a bubble: there was much wetter than today, decay to produce thorium. complex, but basically this would
with pools of standing water The uranium-thorium system have increased the amount of
and waterfalls tumbling down acts like a clock that starts when rain in the southern Kalahari,
the hillside. The fact that the the tufa is formed. By precisely filling the aquifer, and causing
climate was very different then measuring how much uranium the build up of the tufa during
opens up possibilities about and thorium is in the tufa today, this time period.
why this previously under- we use the known decay rate People were drawn to Ga-
appreciated region must have to calculate when the ‘clock’ Mohana for many reasons.
played an important role in our started. This method is routinely Surface water would have been
species’ evolutionary history. applied to cave deposits like one. The many ostrich eggshell
Archaeological and geological stalagmites and flowstones but fragments we also found were
fieldwork allowed us to piece has not been used very much probably used as water carriers
together this story. on tufa. 105,000 years ago. Perhaps these
Some kinds of rocks preserve This is because dating tufas were being filled with water as
traces of the past environment. is not straightforward. Unlike it flowed down the hillside. One
The Ga-Mohana hillside is draped protected caves, tufa forms in possibility is that water carriers
in deposits called tufa; these the open where sunlight, dust, allowed our ancestors to travel
form from water leaking out of and debris can contaminate the further distances.
cracks in the bedrock. This occurs ages. It took several years of There is still more to be learned
when underground aquifers are dedicated work to get around from Ga-Mohana, its artefacts
recharged with rain water and these problems: we chose the and its rocks. This will allow
begin to overflow. Over time, tufa samples in the field with scientists to understand the
these waters precipitate calcium care and used a sensitive laser to role this space played in human
carbonate and form tufa. make images of the layers with evolutionary history better.
The tufa system is no longer the most uranium present. We
active, apart from small drips could then target these layers (TheConversation.)
during the rainy season. But the for dating. This provided a real
fossil tufas represent periods breakthrough.
in the past when there was In the end, we dated two layersEcho Newspaper 05 April - 11 April 2021 13 Travel
He said one of the reasons
Ghanzi has such problems with
conflict with medium-sized
carnivores like cheetahs and
African wild dogs is because
lions were extirpated from the
area in the 1950s. Without the
lions in the area controlling
their populations, smaller
carnivore numbers increased.
The ecosystem survives upon a
delicate balance of carnivores,
herbivores, plant life, insects,
soil and microorganisms, which
are all interconnected. Humans,
livestock and other domestic
animals are also reliant on that
system and the water and food
that it provides.
“To disrupt one part of the
system can affect the health of
the entire system, including
humans” said Horgan.
“We come to the table with
knowledge of carnivores, their
behaviours and techniques that
can be used to coexist with
wildlife, whereas farmers come
to the table and share tools that
they have tried and tested on
their farms and their extensive
Cheetah Conservation Botswana:
knowledge of their land and the
dynamics that occur there. Our
farmers networks are a great
Saving carnivore populations
example of this, whereby groups
of farmers will visit farms in
other areas to learn everything
from how they manage their
livestock around carnivores,
mitigating the gaps between important players in their work This programme has been how they improve their grazing
Ryan Blumton wildlife conservation and the — their partner communities in incredibly successful and is or how they make supplement
education and protection of Botswana. receiving positive feedback from feeds during times of drought,”
‘‘
In this week’s Echo Travel we farming communities. “The majority of our work local farmers who work with said Horgan.
look at Cheetah Conservation The organization is committed is done in the Ghanzi District, LGDs on their farms.
Botswana, one of Botswana’s to working with communities with the highest levels of “We have expanded the
foremost champions for to coexist with the Kalahari’s conflict with cheetahs in the programme to incorporate our
Carnivore Conservation. carnivores. Over the past 18 country. The responses from ‘model farmers’ as additional
C h e e t a h C o n s e r va t i o n years, the organization has seen communities there to learning LGD puppy trainers, thus
Botswana is a non-profit making, healthy development in its work what our work is about, giving them extra skills that “To disrupt one
non-governmental organization through continued support giving their inputs regarding they can monetize and helping
(NGO) registered in Botswana. from stakeholders such as the traditional conservation methods us to get more LGDs to farmers part of the system
It was founded by Rebecca Government of Botswana, other and strategies, and showing experiencing conflict with can affect the
Klein (Executive Director), organizations in the country, willingness to learn new ways of cheetahs and other carnivores.”
Ann-Marie Houser, and Dr Kyle international networks of supporting conservation while said Horgan. health of the entire
Good in 2003 with the aim of conservationist and the most building sustainable lives for Farmers from the Ghanzi system, including
themselves have been drivers District are encouraged to liaise
for the change we want to see,” with CCB’s Rapid Response Units humans” said
Engagement and Awareness if they are having any problems Horgan.
Coordinator Jane Horgan said. with carnivores predating on
He that Botswana being home their livestock.
to the world’s largest population “We have also initiated CCB also works closely with
of cheetahs is something they Farmers Networks in both the schools and youth groups to
are grateful for but cannot Ghanzi and Southern District to equip them with knowledge
take sole credit for, because help encourage innovative and about wildlife, conservation,
conservation is highly reliant on sustainable farming practices the importance of coexistence,
interconnected efforts, especially through networking and dangers facing wildlife in
from farming communities. experiential learning. Farmers Botswana and help get them
Farming for Conservation from outside of these areas are excited about Botswana’s rich
(FFC) is a programme that the welcome to get in contact with natural heritage.
organization runs that focuses on us if they are having carnivore The COVID-19 pandemic
helping farming communities to problems and we can assist as has affected the works of the
coexist with wildlife, especially best we can over the phone”. organisation since it has had
carnivores. Horgan said. to suspend public engagement
“Through the FFC programme, In addition, CCB produces a lot activities until it is safe for
we discuss with farmers ways of of educational material that can everyone.
keeping their livestock healthy, be used in school settings as well “We are continuing with our
safe and prosperous, while also as in community development work with farmers – doing
instilling in them understanding and raising awareness. site visits and Livestock Guard
that the existence of wildlife on “For those who have the Dog placements and running
their lands adds value to the financial ability to donate workshops on sustainable
natural environment. As such, to conservation efforts, we farming. Our research team
we enlist farmers to serve as are always happy to receive has been able to continue
conservationists in their own donations that allow our its monitoring of wildlife
right. Our FFC team runs our programmes to keep running. We populations and continue
Livestock Guarding Dog (LGD) also have various volunteering investigating the dynamics
programme – which sees dogs opportunities available to the between wildlife and livestock
trained to guard livestock against public that don’t require specific in Wildlife Management Areas”
predation,” Horgan said. conservation knowledge.”14 Echo Report Echo Newspaper 05 April - 11 April 2021
1:04:51 -- the fastest debut
half marathon in history -- to
mark the first time three women
finished inside 65 minutes in
one half marathon.
Kibiwott Kandie of Kenya
won the men’s race in a time
of 59:35.
Kandie, who set the world
record in Valencia last year,
Kenya’s Chepngetich breaks half
raced into the lead with about
12 minutes remaining and held
off the challenge of compatriot
marathon record in Istanbul
Geoffrey Kamworor to claim
victory by three seconds, with
Roncer Kipkorir taking third
place.
Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich minutes and 02 seconds at the The 26-year-old, a winner in of the race to win by 38 seconds. ( Reuters.)
smashed the world half N Kolay Istanbul Half Marathon 2017 and 2019, sprinted away Kenyan Hellen Obiri a two-
marathon record on Sunday, to shave 29 seconds off the old from Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf time world 5,000m champion
clocking a time of 1 hour, 04 mark. Yehualaw across the final stages finished third with a time ofEcho Newspaper 05 April - 11 April 2021 Sports 15
fantastic, the way he has
spoken to the guys. We feel
it is very exciting times for
us with him as captain and
we are just looking forward
to getting onto the field and
playing.”
South Africa have not
competed in international
cricket since a test and T20
tour of Pakistan ended in
mid-February, and Boucher
said he had been working on
adding shots to his batsmen’s
armoury to assist in spinning
conditions.
“There is a lot we have
been working on to upskill
players. It is about giving
guys different options to
score 360 (degrees around
the wicket),” he said.
“That will take time. You
don’t just put a guy into the
nets and teach him how to
sweep and reverse sweep in
one session. They need to
get the confidence to do it
in match situations.”
South Africa will lose key
players de Kock, Anrich
Nortje and Kagiso Rabada
after the second ODI when
the trio head to the Indian
Bavuma appointment excites
Premier League (IPL).
“We planned for it, India
and South Africa have had a
Boucher as Pakistan series looms
long-standing agreement to
release players for the IPL,”
Boucher added.
“The good part of it is they
will go there to play in a good
South Africa’s new limited represents “exciting times.” by three Twenty20 matches in in all three formats. competition against strong
overs skipper Temba Bavuma Bavuma will debut in the role the build-up to the T20 World “It was a big choice to make opponents and will get first-
must be given time to find his when South Africa start a three- Cup in India later in the year. and we must give Temba some hand info on the venues in
feet but coach Mark Boucher match One-Day International The batsman takes over from time to find his feet,” Boucher India.”
believes his appointment as the home series against Pakistan on wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, told reporters on Thursday. ( Reuters.)
country’s first black captain Friday, which will be followed who has given up the captaincy “His preparation has been
26-year-old Azam produced
a stunning array of strokes to
emphasise his ranking as one
of cricket’s top ODI batsmen.
The pair looked to have taken
the game away from South
Africa, although three quick
wickets for Anrich Nortje put a
temporary brake on Pakistan’s
march as they slumped from
186-2 to 203-5. Forty runs for
Mohamed Rizwan and Shadab
Khan’s 33 put them back in
charge and Pakistan needed
just three runs off the last over
to win.
But they made heavy weather
of securing success before
Faheem Ashraf secure a single
off a wide delivery to secure
victory. South Africa struggled
initially and had been reduced
to 55-4 before Van der Dussen
and David Miller put on a 116-
run partnership for the fifth
Pakistan win opening ODI with
wicket.
It ended when Miller went
tamely after a brisk 50 off
last ball triumph
56 balls but Van der Dussen
and his next two partners --
Andile Phehlukwayo and Kagiso
Rabada -- added 102 more
An imposing century from a three-match series on Friday. reply to South Africa’s 273- be in vain. runs off the last 14 overs to set
skipper Babar Azam spurred Babar scored 103 off 104 balls 6. Rassie van der Dussen hit Azam featured in a 177-run a decent target.
Pakistan to snatch a last-ball, to lay the foundation for his an unbeaten 123 for the home partnership for the second The next ODI will be played
three-wicket win over South side’s success at the Centurion side after they were put into wicket with opener Imam- in Johannesburg on Sunday.
Africa in the first one dayer of as Pakistan scored 274-7 in bat but his efforts proved to ul-Haq, who scored 70. The (Reuters.)Sport
THE AFRICAN STORY
Echo Newspaper 05 - 11April2021
Africa Cup
of Nations
qualifying:
Five talking
points
After 539 days, 150 matches The Carthage Eagles were the UEFA Champions League. who went 26 matches without Uganda collapse
and 331 goals, the 2021 Total particularly impressive against His performances atoned for losing between 2011 and 2013.
Africa Cup of Nations qualifying north African neighbours another disastrous campaign by While the Democratic Republic
has been completed, bar one Libya, winning 4-1 at home Zambia, who came third behind New faces of Congo and South Africa were
match. Sierra Leone and Benin and 5-2 away. Seifeddine Algeria and Zimbabwe in Group The Comoros and the Gambia the highest profile casualties,
did not play in Freetown on Jaziri, Saifeddine Khaoui and H and will miss the finals for the qualified for the first time, the failure of Uganda to secure
Tuesday because the visitors Wahbi Khazri posed the biggest third consecutive time. increasing to 44 the number a third straight appearance was
challenged Covid-19 test results attacking threats, scoring three of countries who have qualified the most spectacular.
that would have ruled out five goals each for a team coached Awesome Algeria for the premier African national The Cranes garnered seven
of their squad. The fixture has by local Mondher Kebaier. Cup of Nations holders Algeria team competition. points from a possible nine by
been rescheduled for the May stretched an unbeaten run in They will hope to at least match the halfway stage in Group B
31-June 15 international window Dynamic Daka competitive and friendly matches Madagascar, who marked their and seemed certainties to finish
with Sierra Leone trailing Benin Young Zambia forward Patson to 24 by hammering Botswana maiden appearance in 2019 by among the top two.
by three points in Group L and Daka confirmed his reputation as 5-0 in the final round. defeating Nigeria en route to A shock defeat by South Sudan
needing a victory to overtake a rising star of African football by It began in November 2019 with the quarter-finals. and a draw with Burkina Faso
them and qualify. scoring five goals in the qualifying a 4-1 Cup of Nations qualifying The countries who have never left them needing a point in
campaign, four of which came victory in Togo, and the Desert qualified are the Central African Malawi to go through, but they
Almost perfect in the last two rounds. Foxes have since won 17 matches Republic, Chad, Djibouti, Eritrea, lost 1-0 and veteran goalkeeper
Former champions Tunisia He was a key figure in the team and drawn seven, scoring 51 Eswatini, Lesotho, Sao Tome e Denis Onyango wept at the final
performed best of the 48 teams that won the 2017 Africa U20 goals and conceding 16. Principe, the Seychelles, Somalia whistle.
who started the group phase, Cup of Nations and soon after Algeria must stay unbeaten for and South Sudan.
collecting 16 points of a possible 18 moved to Austrian club Red Bull three more matches to better (AFP.)
and winning Group J at a canter. Salzburg, featuring regularly in the record of the Ivory Coast,You can also read
