SA poor needs information on heart disease

South Africa faces an increasing burden of cardiovascular disease among the poor. Experts say awareness needs to be raised among the poor, to ensure they benefit from better tests for heart disease, dietary information and health care.

Legislative powers will make PAP more representative

Members of the Pan African Parliament say legislative powers will help them to better represent the people of the continent. Zukiswa Zimela is at the fifth ordinary session of PAP in Midrand and she filed this report:

Women must be more active in African government

Women should take a more active role in ensuring peace and security on the African continent. Zukiswa Zimela reports from the fifth ordinary session of the Pan African Parliament in Midrand, South Africa.

Zambia needs to do more on gender equality

Zambia has signed numerous international treaties to help promote gender equality, among them the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention on equal pay for work of equal value. But, as Brian Moonga reports, some gender activists feel much more needs to be done to reach gender parity.

Renewable energy will drive up SA’s energy costs

South Africa wants to move from its reliance on coal for the generation of electricity to renewable energy sources like wind power and solar electricity. Zukiswa Zimela compiled this audio report:

New lab to identify disease in Africa

New diseases and older ones building resistance to treatment are putting strain on African states. The launch of a new laboratory in Nairobi should allow a more rapid response to outbreaks in the area. Martha Nyambura compiled this report.

Women need more backing for business

A lack of funding is stopping South Africa businesswomen from reaching their rightfull place in the commercial sector. Zukiswa Zimela interviews the awardwinning CEO of Sikelela, Nondumiso Mzizana.

SA needs to use water more than once

Experts say South Africa needs to focus on reusing its water or it will be forced to import the resource from beyond its borders. Zukiswa Zimela reports from Johannesburg.

Orasecom study forms a base for river monitoring

Research done across southern African countries is expected to help scientists keep their finger on the pulse of the Orange-Senqu river system. Zuki Zimela reports from Johannesburg.

More Aids education is needed for young women

Throughout eastern and southern Africa, girls and women between the ages of 15 and 24 carry more than double the risk of getting HIV than men of the same age. Zuki Zimela reports on the sister-to-sister programme.

SA needs to do more to protect mothers

The number of women who are dying while giving birth is on the increase in South Africa. HIV and negligence in the healthcare system are being blamed. Zukiswa Zimela reports from Johannesburg.

Zim women stand up for their rights

Young women in Zimbabwe are taking steps to ensure that decisions around their bodies and sex become part of their human rights. Zukiswa Zimela reports

Women aim for representation in Mauritius government

A new study is showing that Mauritian women are making great strides toward representation in government. But Nasseem Ackbarally reports that there is a lot more to be done.

Zim women stand up for their rights

Young women in Zimbabwe are taking steps to ensure that decisions around their bodies and sex become part of their human rights. Zukiswa Zimela reports.

Flushing toilets bring hope to Zambian slum

Only about one in four Zambians has access to clean water and sanitation. But a new water scheme in a settlement near Lusaka is bringing hope to thousands of residents who still depend on pit latrines.

Drought strains Kenyan community

Four years of drought in the Igembe North County is putting a strain on the community. Mary Itumbi reports from Kenya.

Mother-to-child HIV infection still a worry

It is estimated that between 40 and 50 000 babies will be born in Kenya this year with HIV and Aids that they receive from their mothers. Indications are, however, that the country is becoming less successful in preventing the spread of the virus at birth.

Third SADC gender barometer shows progress

Gender Links are taking their findings on the SADC gender protocol to the SADC meeting in Luanda, Angola. Click here to listen to an IPS interview with Colleen Lowe Morna.

Malawians worry about lack of local elections

NGOs worry that Malawi's failure to have local government elections in April 2011 could see fewer women stand in future elections. IPS interviews Emma Kaliya of the Gender Coordinating Network.

SA aims at more than MDGs: Minister

Governments that agreed to the Millennium Development Goals have four years before the 2015 deadline. Gender Links, a women's rights NGO, has released a barometer to measure some of the successes in the SADC region. Zukiswa Zimela asked South African minister of Home affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, if women are making a difference.

South Africa makes gender strides in ports

South Africa is taking small steps in reaching the third Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of gender equality and empowering women by taking to the sea.