Advocate Sipho Mantula

Africa in Focus with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa 14 April 2026 1. Kenya – Ethiopia / Afrikan Union Afrikan Union (AU) not fit, lacks capacity to provide leadership Africa needs Kenyan President William Ruto has declared that the African Union, AU, in its current form, is “not fit for purpose,” stating that it lacks the capacity to provide the leadership Africa needs as it heads into a future marked by rapid demographic growth, complex security threats, geopolitical shifts, and economic ambitions. 2. Malawi- Lilongwe Malawian police arrested the former finance minister on suspicion of money laundering and abuse of office, in the latest move in a widening post-election crackdown on former senior officials. Simplex Chithyola, the leader of the opposition in the current parliament, handed himself to police after learning he was being sought by investigators, his lawyer, George Kadzipatike, 3.Pope Leo XIV - Italy- Afrika Tour ( Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea) Pope Leo XIV has begun a historic visit to Algeria, marking the first-ever papal trip to the country and launching an 11-day African tour focused on interfaith dialogue and regional engagement. The visit is aimed at promoting Christian-Muslim coexistence amid global tensions, while also honouring Saint Augustine, whose spiritual legacy is closely tied to the region. In our historical archives, it was on this day 14 April 1942 when Dr Zola Sidney Themba Skweyiya, was born in Simonstown, Western Cape) (Ekapa). Until 1985, Skweyiya was the ANC's representative at the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), before being recalled to Lusaka to set up the ANC's Legal and Constitutional Department. In 1986, he was deputy chair of the ANC's constitutional committee with members such as Jack Simons, Kader Asmal and Albie Sachs