Omicron blights Africa’s tourist recovery

Africa saw a 12% increase in tourist arrivals in 2021 compared to 2020, though this is still 74% below 2019, according to the UN World Tourism Organisation.

The recovery outpaced that of the world at large, which registered a 4% upturn in 2021 compared to 2020. But in a sign of the ongoing difficulties facing tourism hubs since the emergence of Omicron, Cape Town International Airport separately announced 525,411 international return trips in 2021 compared to 810,811 in 2020 and 2.6m in 2019 before the pandemic.

More than half of SA Covid contracts found to be irregular

South Africa’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has found that 62% of contracts for goods, works and services associated with the Covid-19 pandemic that it has investigated are irregular. The SIU has investigated 5,467 contracts awarded to 3,066 service providers with a total value of R14.3bn ($938m). Investigations have been finalised with respect to 4,549 contracts, of which 2,803 contracts were found to be irregular. President Ramaphosa, who authorised the unit to probe the allegations, said it was “unacceptable” that so many contracts were “irregular, unlawful or fraudulent.”

Netflix funds scholarships for African film and TV students

US streamer Netflix has committed $1m towards a scholarship fund for film and TV students in subSaharan Africa. The newly established Netflix Creative Equity Scholarship Fund will cover the costs of tuition, accommodation, study materials and living expenses at institutions for students of TV and film disciplines in the 2022 academic year. Separately, South Africa’s MultiChoice has launched new Lusophone TV channels in Mozambique and Angola in a bid to boost its creation of local content.

Chakwera shuffles Malawi cabinet after corruption claims

Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera has dissolved the cabinet and appointed several new ministers following allegations of corruption against three serving ministers. Chakwera said that the three ministers and other public officials accused of wrongdoing in land, fuel and Covid-19 deals would have to account for allegations made against them. In the reshuffle, Samuel Kawale was made lands minister, Vera Kamtukule labour minister, Mark Phiri trade and industry minister and Abida Mia water and sanitation minister.