Rorisang Modiba brings you daily global updates.
Namibia – Namibia is waiting for the results of its tightly contested elections, with many young people voting for change. They are frustrated with unemployment, corruption and inequality after decades of SWAPO’s rule. If SWAPO’s candidate, Vice-President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, wins, she will become Namibia’s first female president. A candidate needs more than 50% of the votes to avoid a second round of voting.
USA – Beyoncé has denied reports that she is planning a 2025 UK tour. Her publicist, Yvette Noel-Schure, said on X that fans would hear about any plans directly from Beyoncé. The rumours started after the success of her album Cowboy Carter, which earned 11 Grammy nominations. While no tour has been announced, Beyoncé will perform songs from the album during a Christmas Day Netflix show.
China – Acrobat Zhang Kai, 39, was badly injured when he fell during an aerial silk performance. The fabric he was holding broke, and he fell several metres onto the cement. Zhang is in intensive care with facial injuries and broken legs but is no longer in life-threatening danger. The fall comes a year after his wife, also an acrobat, died during a similar act.
Tanzania – Tanzania is mourning Dr Faustine Ndugulile, a former minister and the World Health Organisation’s regional director-elect for Africa. He passed away in India while receiving treatment. Dr Ndugulile was supposed to start his new job in 2025. Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and WHO’s Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus praised him for his humility and his work to improve healthcare in Africa.
Pictured above: Voters queuing in Namibia.
Source: KAS Sub-Saharan Africa/X
