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AMA, Business

Brand Africa announces the inaugural Africa CMO 100

MaraviPost

Women, Financial Services, Telco and Southern African CMOs dominate the list of Africa’s 100 Most Influential Brand Builders

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 30 march 2026 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/ – Brand Africa, in partnership with African Business magazine, MIPAD (Most Influential People of African Descent) and the African Media Agency, today launched the inaugural Africa CMO 100 (ACMO100) — recognising the 100 most impactful marketing, brand and reputation leaders shaping Africa’s story, identity and prosperity.

The full list and in-depth analysis will be featured in the April 2026 issue of African Business, available first week of April, and across partner platforms at brandafrica.net, africabusiness.com, mipad.org and africanmediaagency.com.

Brand Africa’s independent research over 15 years has consistently found that while 68% of Africans believe in Africa, only 18% of the brands they most admire are African. ACMO100 exists to recognise and connect the leaders best placed to change that.
“CMOs and senior brand leaders are among the most powerful architects of Africa’s future. Through strategy, stewardship and influence, they shape narratives, build trust, and guide the preferences of hundreds of millions of people. ACMO100 exists to recognise, celebrate and connect these leaders.”
— Thebe Ikalafeng — Founder and Chairman, Brand Africa

The inaugural ACMO100 honourees will be celebrated at Brand Africa Week, Addis Ababa, 22–26 May 2026.

ACMO100: AFRICA’S 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL MARKETING LEADERS

One hundred leaders across six African economic regions — including the diaspora — spanning twenty countries and more than 50 distinct role titles. The list is ordered alphabetically by country of origin. All 100 honourees hold equal standing. The list carries no internal ranking.

THREE FINDINGS FROM THE INAUGURAL LIST

01 — A Female-Majority Profession. 62% of honourees are women — a majority across every region. The diaspora cohort is 75% female; East Africa reaches 72%; North Africa, 71%. In Africa, women are not emerging talent waiting for their moment: they are running marketing for the continent’s most consequential brands.

02 — Finance and Telecoms Dominate. Financial services — banking, insurance and fintech — leads with 31 honourees, reflecting the scale of Africa’s financial inclusion wave and the premium brand trust commands in markets where millions are transacting formally for the first time. Telecoms and technology account for a further 20. Together, these two sectors represent more than half the list — and the deepest pools of marketing talent on the continent.

03 — Three Hubs, and a Rising Fourth. Southern Africa leads with 39 honourees, anchored by Johannesburg — the marketing capital of the continent. West Africa contributes 20, with Nigeria’s 17 entries anchoring a market of extraordinary commercial depth. East Africa’s 17 are shaped by Kenya’s Safaricom ecosystem and Nairobi’s competitive consumer market. The most instructive story is North Africa: 14 entries, with Morocco alone accounting for seven — more than Egypt and Algeria combined — signalling Casablanca’s emergence as a new continental marketing hub.

Southern Africa — 39 Honourees
Anchored by South Africa, which accounts for 31% of leaders by country of origin. Cohort: Abey Mokgwatsane, Alison Hastings Badenhorst, Andisa Ntsubane, Andrea Quaye, Beyers Van De Merwe, Bronwyn Pretorius, Bunmi Adeniba, Chantal Sombonos-Van Tonder, Doug Place, Dries Van der Sandt, Dudu Mokholo, Faye Mfikwe, Firoze Bhorat, Francois Viviers, Gugu Mthembu, Happy Ngidi, Ilze Bylos, Ivan Serra (Mozambique), Jessica Motaung, Khensani Nobanda, Levie Nkunika (Malawi), Lorraine De Graaf, Lucia Maseko, Matilda Nyathi (Zimbabwe), Mmaphuti Rankapole, Mosala Phillips, Mphothe Elizabeth Mokwena, Mzamo Masito, Nontokozo Madonsela, Raquel Capitão (Angola), Sithembile Ndaba, Sobhuza Ngwenya (Malawi), Suneeta Motala (Mauritius), Sydney Nhlanhla Mbhele, Thabang Ramogase, Tim Ekandjo (Namibia), Vaughan Croeser, Vilosha Soni and Vuyokazi Henda.

West Africa — 20 Honourees
Nigeria’s 17 entries anchor a market of extraordinary commercial depth. Cohort: Adewunmi Desalu, Amaechi Michael Okobi, Anthony Chiejina, Bamise Oyegbami, Bolanle Kehinde-Lawal, Cherry Eromosele, Chinedu Zephaniah, Diran Olojo, Emeka Oparah, Idemudia Dima-Okojie, Ifeoma Agu, Ilyas Kazeem, Julien Zayro (Côte d’Ivoire), Maureen Ifada, Noel Kojo-Ganson (Ghana), Oluyomi Moses, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Sandra Handou Koné (Côte d’Ivoire), Sarah Agha and Tolu Alero Ladipo.

East Africa — 17 Honourees
Anchored by Kenya at nine, shaped by the Safaricom ecosystem and Nairobi’s competitive consumer market. Cohort: Abdulkadir Mamma Hussein (Ethiopia), Anne Joy Michira, Catherine Ndungu, Fatema Dewji (Tanzania), Isabelle Kariuki-Rostom, Kitenda Robert Gobii (Uganda), Lemma Yadecha Gudeta (Ethiopia), Martine Gatabazi (Tanzania), Neemarose Singo (Tanzania), Nelly Wangui Wainaina, Ope Lawal, Rosalind Gichuru, Sylvia ElSheikh (Uganda), Vivian Achieng Oyugi, Wangechi Gitahi, Warau Kahoro and Zizwe Awuor Vundla.

North Africa — 14 Honourees
Morocco alone accounts for seven entries — more than Egypt and Algeria combined — reflecting its position as a francophone-Arabic-European commercial crossroads. Cohort: Anne Ezeh (Egypt), El Hadi Mohamed Hamma (Algeria), Fadwa Bisbis, Ghada Hammouda (Egypt), Isabelle Hajri (Algeria), Mahmoud Taha (Egypt), Mehdi Yaroub, Mounir Jazouli, Nadia Rahim Guérin, Sakina El Fares, Salma Bencherif, Salma Hamdouch, Samia Dziri (Algeria) and Shams Adly (Egypt).

Central Africa — 2 Honourees
Bienvenu Mayamonuswa (Democratic Republic of Congo) and Yves Kom (Cameroon).

Diaspora — 8 Honourees
Based in the USA and UAE, running marketing at Visa, Unilever, Doordash and BET Media Group — underscoring the mobility of African-origin talent at the top of the world’s most competitive brand portfolios. Cohort: Dara Treseder, Esi Eggleston Bracey, Frank Cooper III, Kimberly Evans Paige, Kofi Amoo-Gottfried, Linda Kouam, Najoh Tita-Reid and Tarek Abdalla.

THE BAOBAB | ACMO HALL OF FAME

Brand Africa has also announced the inaugural Baobab | ACMO Hall of Fame — honouring a select number of African and diaspora brand leaders whose benchmark careers have made an enduring contribution to Africa’s brand narrative. Named for Africa’s most iconic and enduring tree, the Baobab honours legacy, not a moment. Inaugural recipients: Bozoma Saint John (former Uber and Netflix CMO); Bernice Samuels (retiring MTN Group Executive for Brand and Marketing); Sylvia Mulinge (CEO, MTN Uganda; former Chief Customer Officer, Safaricom); and Souheil Badaa (former CMO, Novartis Group; founder, Tanakoo) — icons whose work has defined, elevated and expanded the possibilities of African-led brand leadership.

BRAND AFRICA WEEK — ADDIS ABABA, 22–26 MAY 2026

The inaugural ACMO100 honourees will be celebrated at Brand Africa Week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — the historical capital of the continent — in the week of Africa Day. Brand Africa Week 2026 will bring together the ACMO100 Celebration, the unveiling of the Brand Africa 100 | Africa’s Best Brands® and the Brand Africa Dialogue — planned to be the most impactful convening of continental CMOs in Africa’s history.

“MIPAD exists to celebrate and elevate the most influential people of African descent — and ACMO100 does exactly that for the world of marketing and brand leadership. For the first time, the architects of Africa’s most powerful brands are being recognised on their own terms. That is long overdue, and it matters deeply to the diaspora.”
— Kamil Olufowobi, Founder & Chairman, MIPAD (USA/Nigeria)

THE ACMO METHODOLOGY AND REVIEW COMMITTEE

The ACMO100 selection is governed by a rigorous, three-step process designed to reflect the realities of marketing leadership across a continent where function often outpaces title.

Collation draws on three independent sources: nominations by the ACMO Review Committee; review of the marketing leadership behind brands featured in the Brand Africa 100 | Africa’s Best Brands® and comparable rankings over the preceding three years; and research into CMOs behind award-winning and/or impactful work.

Evaluation applies a consistent set of criteria to every nominee: active leadership in Africa or the diaspora; a minimum of five years in senior marketing decision-making; and standing as the highest-ranking functional marketing, brand or communications leader in their organisation.

Verification and vetting ensures that every name on the list has earned its place through demonstrable impact, influence and integrity — not title or visibility alone.

The list carries no internal ranking. All 100 honourees hold equal standing.

The integrity of ACMO100 is anchored in the independence and calibre of its governance. The ACMO Review Committee is an independent, Africa-wide body of distinguished practitioners with a deep understanding of the marketing and brand industry and its most influential individuals — drawn from every major region of the continent and the diaspora. The Committee is intentionally diverse in discipline, geography and background. It brings together former CMOs now in general management and board roles; founders and chief executives of leading African agencies; editors and publishers of the continent’s foremost business media; heads of national marketing associations; academics and researchers from leading African institutions; and respected independent voices from strategy, creative, media and digital.

Committee members are ineligible for inclusion during their tenure; current CMOs do not participate in nomination or adjudication, ensuring complete independence. The panel spans more than 20 countries across all African regions and the diaspora — its diversity in discipline, geography and seniority is central to the credibility of the process.

Southern Africa: Thulani Sibeko, CEO – COID and Social Insurance, Rand Mutual (RMA) (South Africa); Trevor Ncube, Chairman & Director, Alpha Media Holdings (Zimbabwe); Laz Jacobs, Founder & Executive Director, Paragon TBWA (Namibia); Dr Pepe Marais, Group Chief Creative Officer, Joe Public (South Africa); Sechaba Motsieloa, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Kansy Group (South Africa); George Damson, President, Institute of Marketing in Malawi; Dr Tumelo Chaka, Managing Executive, The Strategists (South Africa); Christine Ramela (Mozambique); Mwewa Besa, President, Institute of Marketing in Zambia; Brian Yuyi, CEO, Marketing Association of South Africa; Professor Alistair Mokoena, Executive Dean, Johannesburg Business School (South Africa); Dr Tendai Mhiza, CEO, Integra Africa (Zimbabwe); Gillian Rusike, Founder & CEO, Marketers Association of Zimbabwe; Adv Phelane Phomane, Founder & Managing Director, Tangerine Connect (Lesotho); Dale Hefer, CEO, Integrated Marketing Council (South Africa).

West Africa: Seyi Ademola-Adeoye, Senior Research Fellow, Pierrine (Nigeria); Kwame Senou, Executive Director, THOP (Côte d’Ivoire); Steve Babaeko, CEO & Chief Creative Officer, X3M Ideas (Nigeria); Ade Adefeko, Vice President, Corporate & Government Affairs, Olam International (Nigeria); Sharon Mills, Lead Consultant, SMC Consulting (Ghana); Daniel Kojo Soboh, Executive Director, EMY Africa (Ghana).

East Africa: Malik Shaffy Lizinde, Founder & CEO, 63 INC (Rwanda); William Kalombo, Marketing Africa Magazine (Kenya); Melvin Mwakugu, Independent (Kenya); Jacquie Muhati, Deputy Marketing Director, NCBA (Kenya); Barian Shah, Managing Director, Evolution Events (Tanzania); Aron Simeneh, Creative Director, Kin Creatives (Ethiopia); Joseph Kanyamunyu, Chief Executive Director, Publicis Africa Communications (Uganda); Frakline Kibuacha, Marketing Director, GeoPoll (Kenya).

North Africa: Youssef Cheikhi, CEO, Brendz (Morocco); Youssef Othmani, CEO, Gopinion (Algeria); Siham Malek, Managing Director, Integrate Consulting (Morocco).

Diaspora: Omar Ben Yedder, Publisher, African Business (UK/Tunisia); Denver Phiri (UK/Zimbabwe); Kamil Olufowobi, Founder & Chairman, MIPAD (USA/Nigeria); Moky Makura, Executive Director, Africa No Filter (UK/Nigeria); Terhas Asefaw Berhe, Managing Director, Brand Comms (UK/Eritrea); James Woods, Globiq International (UK/Malawi); Akin Naphtal, Founder & CEO, InstinctiveWave Group (UK/Nigeria); Cyrille Djami, Founder & Manager, Comms of Africa (France/Cameroon), and Ndeye Diagne, Chief Client Officer, Kantar (France/Senegal).

“The ACMO Review Committee brings together some of the sharpest and most experienced minds on the continent. Their role is to ensure that every name on the ACMO100 list has truly earned their place through impact, influence and integrity.”
— Omar Ben Yedder — Publisher, African Business

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Brand Africa

ABOUT BRAND AFRICA

Brand Africa is the continent’s leading brand-led platform to inspire an African renaissance founded on the conviction that brands drive the growth, reputation and competitiveness of nations. Since 2011, its flagship initiative, the Brand Africa 100 | Africa’s Best Brands®, has tracked brand performance, consumer perception and brand equity across the continent – providing the most authoritative pan-African brand intelligence. Brand Africa convenes leaders, shapes narratives and advances the case for branding as a driver of Africa’s prosperity. www.brand.africa

ABOUT AFRICAN BUSINESS

African Business is Africa’s foremost pan-continental business magazine, providing authoritative journalism, analysis and intelligence on business, finance, trade and policy across Africa and the global African diaspora. Published by IC Publications, it reaches a senior readership of business, government and civil society leaders across Africa and internationally. www.africabusiness.com

ABOUT MIPAD

MIPAD (Most Influential People of African Descent) is a global civil society organisation that recognises, celebrates and networks the most influential people of African descent across the world. Its annual recognition spans business, politics, culture, science and civil society, with a mission to advance the social, economic and political empowerment of people of African descent globally. www.mipad.org

ABOUT AFRICAN MEDIA AGENCY

African Media Agency (AMA) is the trusted pan-African communications agency helping organisations connect with African audiences. Founded by Eloïne Barry, AMA integrates public relations with digital and creative communications to establish clients as market leaders across the continent. AMA’s services span press release distribution, PR strategy, digital creative and media training through its not-for-profit AMA Academy. A member of IPREX and the PRCA. www.africanmediaagency.com

MEDIA CONTACT
Lebogang Serapelwane | Brand Africa | E: lebogang@brandleadership.com

Eloïne Barry | African Media Agency | E: eloine@africanmediaagency.com

www.brand.africa

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AMA, Health

Newly released 2025 scorecard unveils progress and setbacks on health and gender equality across Southern Africa

MaraviPost 1 Comment

Geneva, Switzerland, 26 February 2026- /African Media Agency (AMA)/- The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has launched its biennial scorecard, a critical tool that tracks progress on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) across its 16 Member States. New data, including from demographic health surveys, shows great strides in improving the sexual and reproductive health of people across the region, while in other areas, concerted efforts are urgently needed.

The SADC scorecard offers a regional snapshot of progress towards the implementation of the SADC SRHR Strategy and SRHR targets of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on health and gender equality. First developed in 2019, the scorecard serves as a social accountability tool and uses a “traffic light” system to track 20 indicators.

The scorecard highlights improvements in reducing adolescent birth rates and the vertical transmission of HIV, while sounding the alarm on a rise in sexually transmitted infections and the need for investments to further reduce maternal mortality:

Lowered Adolescent Birth Rates: Twelve Member States recorded a decline in adolescent births, which can be attributed to the high roll-out of life-skills HIV and comprehensive sexuality education in primary schools.

Decline in HIV infection rates: The region has seen a decline in new HIV infections, however, the latest scorecard suggests that the rate of reduction in new HIV infections amongst adolescent girls and young women aged 15 – 24 years is slowing in seven countries. This could be partially linked to a rise in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in half of the countries and a decline in condom use in a majority of countries.

Reduction in Maternal Mortality: Six countries recorded significant reductions in maternal mortality, based on their latest national health data. This can be attributed to the priority given by the region to reduce maternal mortality, which needs to be sustained in order to preserve the gains made.

Strong progress in the decrease in the vertical transmission of HIV: Twelve Member States are on track to meet the SDG target by 2030, five of whom already achieved the milestone in 2025. Despite this success, children and adolescent girls and young women are lagging behind in receiving HIV services.

In addition to the abovementioned gains, the scorecard also identified areas where concerted efforts are needed:

Family Planning: Eight Member States are not meeting the contraceptive needs of women. Investing in the contraceptive needs of women and adolescent girls can further reduce teen pregnancies and preventable maternal deaths, and ensure their contribution to their country’s economic growth and development.

Gender-Based Violence: Sexual and intimate partner violence remains persistently high across all Member States in the SADC region. Though all countries have made progress in putting in place relevant laws and policies, greater investments are required to ensure their implementation, including the integration of SRHR, HIV and GBV services, so that all survivors are able to ensure their health and well-being.

Domestic financing: No SADC country has met the ‘Abuja Declaration’ target of allocating 15% of their national budgets to health. Four countries have allocated more than 10% of their national budget to health. Countries need to accelerate domestic funding given declining donor investments if progress is to be made in achieving Universal Health Coverage, and to reduce out of pocket expenditures for citizens.

“The true power of this 3rd Milestone Scorecard lies not merely in what it measures, but in the action it demands from us. With only five years to 2030, we must move with urgency, we need to accelerate implementation, scaling what works, and we need to support our commitments with bold, measurable, and accountable actions,” said Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Health, Republic of South Africa.

“Investing in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) is no longer just a public health issue; it is a fundamental economic imperative. Research has shown us that every dollar invested in family planning, particularly among the youthful population, can yield up to $100 in long-term economic benefits, yet our chronic underfunding and reliance on external aid actively sacrifices our demographic dividend. Political leadership must translate into urgent, domestic financial mobilization that meets the 15% Abuja target. Our greatest challenge is the paralysis between policy commitment and real-world execution. The SADC scorecard and mid-term review of the SADC SRHR strategy reinforces that Member States need to reform restrictive national laws, enforce gender-based violence and child marriage legislation, and fully integrate SRHR into climate adaptation plans to build truly resilient, rights-based health systems,” reaffirms H.E. Mr. Elias Mpedi Magosi, Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Since 2018, the joint United Nations Regional Programme, 2gether 4 SRHR, composed of UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO, has supported SADC to develop, implement and monitor the SADC SRHR strategy and its scorecard, with funding from the Government of Sweden.

“The leadership of the SADC Ministers of Health and the Secretariat, guided by the SADC SRHR Strategy, is demonstrating tangible results: reduced adolescent birth rates, fewer maternal deaths, and decreased rates of HIV. These must be celebrated and safeguarded. However, the 2025 scorecard is a stark reminder that these gains are fragile. Without continued commitment and increased domestic investments, these gains risk being undone. As a long standing partner to SADC, the 2gether 4 SRHR programme remains committed to using the scorecard findings and working with Governments in areas where the region and countries are lagging behind.

Collectively, we must do better to ensure that all people can exercise their sexual and reproductive health and rights and that young people can achieve their full potential, so that everyone can contribute to the economic and social development of the region,” highlights Lydia Zigomo, UNFPA Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, on behalf of the Regional Directors of the 2gether 4 SRHR programme.

“Despite our successes, we now risk a two-speed region where gaps in family planning, HIV prevention, and gender equality strand 94 million adolescents without the wellbeing they need to drive the economic and social development of SADC. To avoid this, all Member States must invest urgently and in sustained ways in adolescent SRHR as a foundation for all SRHR,” concludes Jonathan Gunthorp, Executive Director, SRHR Africa Trust.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of World Health Organisation.

Notes to editors:

The SADC scorecard is published every two years and tracks 20 indicators across SADC Member States, including information on rates of maternal and neonatal mortality, adolescent birth rates, family planning, HIV infections and treatment, STIs, including HPV, number of health facilities offering SRHR services and schools offering sexuality education, as well as number of health workers and budget allocated to health. The scorecard also tracks key legal issues which impact on sexual and reproductive health and rights. Milestones were set for 2025 and the scorecard’s traffic light system indicates green for progress and red for regression, against a baseline set in 2019.

Explore the scorecard

The SADC SRHR Strategy (2019 – 2030) serves as a policy and programmatic framework for Member States to ensure that all people in SADC enjoy a healthy sexual and reproductive life, have sustainable access, coverage, and quality SRHR services, information, and education; and can fully realize and exercise their SRHR. The 16 Member States in SADC include: Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

About 2gether 4 SRHR:

2gether 4 SRHR is a joint United Nations Regional Programme, in partnership with Sweden, which brings together the combined efforts of UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO to improve the sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) of all people in Eastern and Southern Africa. For more information and for a one-stop-shop of information and resources in Africa, visit the SRHR Knowledge Hub.

The post Newly released 2025 scorecard unveils progress and setbacks on health and gender equality across Southern Africa appeared first on African Media Agency.

Malawi, Sports

Malawi’s Flames edge Lesotho as Pasuwa’s tactical discipline pays off

Shaffie A Mtambo

BLOEMFONTEIN-(MaraviPost)-Malawi’s 1–0 win over Lesotho in Bloemfontein carried the calm weight of a team slowly coming into its own.

It was not a match full of spectacle but one that hinted at a deeper shift in how the Flames approach high-pressure situations especially against a side they had not beaten since 2009.

From the opening whistle, Malawi displayed a sense of purpose that had been missing in earlier outings.

The early tempo, sharper and more controlled than the weekend draw, suggested a team determined to rewrite its narrative.

The breakthrough arrived in the 25th minute. Mayele Malango, positioned with precision, finished off a well-constructed move after receiving a neat pass from Lloyd Aaron.

The play itself began with an intelligent attacking contribution from Babatunde Adepoju, whose ability to hold up and release the ball under pressure created the opening. It was a goal rooted in structure, not improvisation.

While the goal offered Malawi the lead they needed, the performance that followed was equally telling.

The makeshift back-three forced by injuries performed with unexpected cohesion, closing spaces quickly and denying Lesotho clear opportunities.

After the match, Flames head coach Kalisto Pasuwa shed more light on the tactical decisions behind the victory.

He revealed that he intentionally avoided introducing players like Uchizi Vunga and Andrew Joseph, despite having them available.

Pasuwa explained that because the team was leading, he did not want to risk disrupting the rhythm or face criticism had the result slipped away after their introduction.

According to Pasuwa, even though he had already made five changes to his usual starting lineup, the priority was to secure the win.

He acknowledged that integrating fresh players while protecting a narrow lead can bring scrutiny, especially in a match that held symbolic importance for the team.

This kind of calculated decision-making marked a shift in how the technical panel manages games.

Instead of reacting impulsively, the Flames approached the second half with strategic composure slowing the tempo when needed, tightening defensive lines and maintaining discipline in midfield.

Malawi, Sports

Malawi’s Flames draw against Lesotho in friendly match

Shaffie A Mtambo

BLEOMFONTEIN-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi National Football Team, the Flames, were once again held by Lesotho after a hard-fought 0-0 draw in an international friendly match played on Saturday at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa.

The result means Malawi’s winless run against Lesotho has now stretched to eight matches in all competitions, with the Flames last tasting victory over Likuena in 2009.

Earlier this year, Lesotho again edged Malawi 1-0 in the COSAFA Cup, deepening the frustration surrounding this fixture.

Malawi started the game with intensity, creating two early chances within two minutes, Chifundo Mphasi saw his effort blocked by a defender before Lloyd Njaliwa tested the goalkeeper, but the Lesotho shot-stopper reacted well.

Light showers made the pitch slippery, yet both sides continued to play at a high tempo as they searched for the opening goal.

At the quarter hour, Alick Lungu went down following a collision with Rapuleng, prompting a brief stoppage. After receiving treatment, he returned to the pitch and the Flames regained momentum, pushing forward with purpose but still failing to convert their half chances.

The first half ended with the match goalless despite the end-to-end exchanges.

Malawi made early changes at the start of the second half, with Malango Mayele and Nickson Nyasulu coming in for Lungu and Patrick Mwaungulu.

The Flames resumed play with the same attacking intent, maintaining pressure and controlling large portions of the game.

Mayele came close in the 64th minute with a strike from outside the box but it was blocked by Lesotho’s well-organised defence.

In the final stages,more substitutions were made as Gabadinho Mhango made way for Chikumbutso Salima in the 78th minute and Robert Saizi replaced Chifundo Mphasi in nine minutes later.

Despite the changes, Malawi still lacked the final touch in the box, allowing Lesotho to hold firm and absorb pressure.

Three minutes of added time offered both teams a chance to steal the win but neither side managed to break the deadlock.

Flames coach Kalisto Pasuwa admitted after the match that the team wasted good opportunities, saying it was a tactical but challenging game.

The two sides will meet again on Tuesday at the same venue, giving Malawi another opportunity to try and end their long-standing winless streak against Lesotho.

Regional, Sports

FIFA strips three points from South Africa for fielding ineligible player, shakes World Cup qualification

Shaffie A Mtambo

PRETORIA-(MaraviPost)-South Africa’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have suffered a major blow after FIFA deducted three points from Bafana Bafana for fielding an ineligible player in their 2-0 victory over Lesotho earlier this year.

The ruling has reshaped Group C standings with Benin now topping the group with 14 points and a +4 goal difference.

The controversy revolves around midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who played in the March 21, 2025, qualifier at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane despite being suspended.

Mokoena had accumulated two yellow cards in earlier qualifiers one against Benin in November 2023 and another against Zimbabwe in June 2024 which under FIFA rules meant he was automatically required to sit out the next match.

South Africa’s management failed to enforce this suspension and included him in the starting lineup.

The Lesotho Football Association promptly lodged a complaint with FIFA, asserting that South Africa had violated disciplinary regulations and should forfeit the match.

FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee found the South African Football Association (SAFA) guilty of breaching Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and Article 14 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Preliminary Competition Regulations.

As a result, the original 2-0 win has been overturned, awarding a 3-0 victory to Lesotho. SAFA has also been fined CHF 10,000 (approximately $11,000), and Mokoena received an official warning.

The timing of the ruling is particularly damaging for South Africa, leaving them with a much harder path to qualify for the expanded 48-team World Cup in North America.

The incident has sparked criticism of SAFA’s administrative systems. In an era where data management tools can easily track player eligibility, many see the oversight as a serious lapse that not only cost points but also damaged the nation’s international football reputation.

Mokoena’s yellow card record is well documented, making a successful appeal highly challenging.

Malawi

Mountainous Lesotho finds gold in trout fish farming

Maravi Post Reporter

It’ s harvest time in Lejone, a small village nestling in mountains in southern Africa more than two thousand metres above sea level.

The yield is not grain or fruit, but rainbow trout — the bounty from an undulating river at the foot of the peaks of Lesotho.

Fishermen haul nets bulging with trout onto a floating platform.

The fish are killed and put on ice, the first step on their journey to dinner tables in neighbouring South Africa.

The settlement is home to one of Lesotho’s two professional fish farms — pioneering ventures in the poor landlocked kingdom.

Stephen Phakisi, 59, launched Katse Fish Farms with two partners in 2005.

Today, he chuckles at how the trio leapt into the business with meagre knowledge about some of its unknowns, including the best feed for fattening fish quickly.

“For five years, it was totally uneconomical,” Phakisi says.

He recalls how he once found a shoal of fish dead and belly-up in the water, while another time a full cargo of imported fingerlings died on a 16-hour drive from Cape Town.

Today, the company is profitable, with a yearly output of 800 tonnes of fish, which is sold at about $4 a kilogram.

It supplies a few local restaurants, where the trout is usually pan-fried in butter for a few minutes and served with a side dish of kale and potato chips or rice.

But the bulk of its production lands on the shelves of high-end supermarkets in neighbouring South Africa, where a vacuum-packed one-kilo bag can cost up to $50.

‘Heads and bones’

Trout farming in Lesotho has grown on the back of another of the mountain country’s most famous exports: water.

South Africa gets much of its water from its neighbour, which has dammed several of its waterways over the past three decades.

The dams have widened riverbeds, creating inlets and basins that are ideal for trout farming.

Katse Fish Farms lies more than 2,000 metres (6,500 feet) above sea level on the Malibamatso River, upstream from the giant Katse Dam reservoir that supplies South Africa’s capital Pretoria and the largest city, Johannesburg.

Fish farming currently accounts for less than 0.1 percent of Lesotho’s $2 billion GDP.

Locals say they have always eaten salted, sun-dried freshwater fish. And young boys sell fresh catch to passing motorists.

But as dam construction continues the country has the potential “to become the regional leader in aquaculture,” according to the Lesotho National Development Corporation.

In this country of just over two million people, who rank among the poorest in the world, few seem to be benefiting so far from the water boom.

“We are selling water to South Africa but we have no water to our homes,” says Joshua Sefali, a village leader in Lejone.

Many of the village’s stone houses with thatched roofs have no mains water or electricity.

Large swathes of land were flooded after dams went up.

Some people lost their homes and access to farmland, receiving only small compensation in return.

Machaka Khalala, 31, said she received about $165 when the field where she used to grow corn and spinach was submerged.

Now she makes a living selling “fat cakes,” a local doughnut.

But that’s often not enough to make ends meet.

A cap on her head, Khalala was among dozens of people queueing up in the cold, a bucket in hand, on a mountain roadside.

Here, Lesotho’s other fish farm hands out leftovers every week — “the heads and backbones,” Khalala said.

Source: Africanews

Health

USA said to lift travel restrictions on Malawi and other southern African countries that were put in place due to Omicron

Maravi Post Reporter
Joe-Biden-sworn-in-as-46th-president-1

Reporting from CNN says the Biden administration is lifting restrictions on eight southern African countries that were put in place last month after the Omicron variant was first identified in South Africa, two administration officials told CNN.

The restrictions will lift on December 31 at 12:01 a.m. ET, the officials said. Reuters first reported news of the lifted restrictions.

President Joe Biden ordered the restrictions in late November on the advice of his public health officials, cutting off most travel from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi. The measures barred all foreign nationals who had been “physically present” in the countries during the “14-day period preceding their entry, or attempted entry into the United States.” US citizens, lawful permanent residents and noncitizens who are the spouses of citizens or permanent residents were exempt.

Biden and his coronavirus response team stressed at the time that the measure was a temporary effort to slow the spread of the Omicron variant and give US officials time to assess the variant and prepare for it to hit the US. But the measure still faced criticism after it became clear that Omicron was already spreading in several non-African countries before it was identified in South Africa, which has a strong public health surveillance system.

The restrictions came under increased scrutiny in recent weeks as Omicron was identified in the US and particularly as it became the dominant variant in the last week.

“At the time these restrictions were put in place, it was clear that there was widespread community transmission in South Africa, as well as a great deal of cross-border travel in the region and little surveillance in many of the countries near South Africa,” a senior administration official said.

Health, Lifestyle, Opinion

Meet six African countries without COVID-19 case; Sao Tome and Principe, Malawi, Comoros, Lesotho, South Sudan….What is the Secret?

Lloyd M’bwana

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-As the whole world battles coronavirus which the world health organization had declared a global pandemic, with some countries reporting several deaths daily as a result of the same, some African counties have however not reported even a single case.

Countries like Sao Tome and Principe, Malawi, Comoros, Lesotho, and South Sudan have not reported symptoms of the virus.

The major question is, what have they done differently to shield this deadly virus from piercing their boundaries?

South Africa leads in the continent with approximately 1326 cases of coronavirus with numerous deaths reported

Kenya has recorded 59 confirmed cases as on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 with 1 person losing to it and another giving hope by recovering.Kenyan President Uhuru

Uganda has on Tuesday recorded 11 new cases who are all children bringing the total number to 44. Uganda’s president, however, noted that mass testing would be expensive and therefore asked people to go for tests only when they have symptoms.

The president had imposed a curfew from 7 pm to 6.30 am to contain the spread of the virus.

Even as China reports to have managed the virus with no new cases reported, America on the other side is stranded, with the number of confirmed cases growing each day and deaths follow.

President Trump has been forced to announce a lock down on the capital Newyork which has been the epicenter of the virus.COVID-19 medical equipment

Most probably the African countries that have not reported the cases took caution in time and the public followed strictly.

Could there be any other way other than washing of hands, sanitizing and social distancing?

Give us your views.

Agriculture, Business

Zimbabwe becomes second African nation to license marijuana cultivation

Maravi Post Reporter

Zimbabweans can now apply for licences to grow cannabis for medical and research purposes, the government has said in a legal notice, making the southern African nation the second country in Africa to legalise cultivation of the plant.

Lesotho last year announced the continent’s first licence to grow cannabis legally.

Until now, it has been illegal to grow, possess or use cannabis in Zimbabwe, with offenders facing up to 12 years in jail.

Health Minister David Parirenyatwa published new regulations, seen by Reuters on Saturday, allowing individuals and companies to be licenced to cultivate marijuana, known locally as mbanje.

The five-year renewable licences will allow growers to possess, transport and sell fresh and dried cannabis as well as cannabis oil.

Applications should include plans of the growing site, quantity to be produced and sold and the production period.

A licence can be refused when information has been received from a “peace officer, a competent authority or the United Nations” that an applicant was involved in the diversion of a controlled substance or precursor to an illicit market or use”, the regulations said.

“The Minister may not oblige if the issuance, renewal or amendment of the licence is likely to create a risk to public health, safety or security.”

Sports

Zambia emerge champions in 2018 Inter-Revenue Games

Malawi News Agency (MANA)

Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) lived up to their word in the 2018 Inter-Revenue Games played over the Easter weekend in Mangochi-Malawi where they emerged winners after beating four teams from Malawi, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Botswana.

The Malawi neighbours had warned during the launch of the games last Friday that they had not come as tourists, but that they would scoop everything as they repeatedly said in chorus, Paipa pano – zonse titenga (There will be havoc here – we will scoop all trophies).

Inter-Revenue Games are an annual event where revenue authorities from the five countries gather and battle it out in various sporting disciplines to determine the champion among them.

Malawi hosted this year’s competition in the lakeshore district of Mangochi where the five tax collecting bodies competed in eleven indoor and outdoor games including football, netball, beach soccer and beach volleyball, tag of war, athletics, chess, table tennis, pool and darts.

Zambia grabbed four gold medals in relay race, pool, chess and netball to become the overall winner, leaving the defending champions, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) and the rest rallying behind.

“When we came here, we came with a mission and that was to get everything – that’s why we said: Zonse tizatenga and we are very happy that we have managed to scoop four gold medals and a few silver and bronze medals compared to the rest of the teams,” said Zambian team leader, Moses Shuko, ZRA Commissioner for Domestic Tax.

Shuko said there had been a great improvement in his team’s performance as compared to 2017 when they hosted the games in Zambia and has since tipped MRA to give their officers enough time to prepare for the next games.

Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) got three gold trophies in beach soccer, beach volley ball and basketball while the defending champions, ZIMRA got gold trophies in darts, tag of war and volleyball.

Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) got three gold medals in athletics, table tennis and football and Lesotho team got a few silver and bronze medals in some of the games and no single gold medal.

Speaking in an interview on Monday after presentation of the awards at Sun ‘n’ Sand, MRA Deputy Commissioner and Chairperson for the 2018 Inter-Revenue Games organizing committee, Roza Mbilizi, hailed the participating teams, saying the essence of the games went beyond just competing.

“The games offer the revenue authorities from the participating countries a platform to interact informally at all levels and ranks to share technical expertise on how best to improve revenue administration in the region,” said Mbilizi.

On MRA team’s failure to make it to the top, Mbilizi said much of their time had been spent on preparations and logistics for the visiting teams but promised to do better in the 2019 games in Botswana.

But ZRA has also shot warnings that come 2019 the team will scoop all the gold medals again.

The 2018 Inter-Revenue Games brought together over 600 participants from the five participating Southern African countries and the games were played at Sun ‘n’ Sand Hotel, Mangochi Stadium and St. John’s University of Daughters of Mary Immaculate (DMI).