The ASEA

Daily News & Resources

Africa Southeast Area

Wednesday 02 December 2015

Issue: 234 (First Issue on 6 November 2014) (89)

Johannesburg, South Africa aseapublicaffairs@ldschurch.org

Multiple African Countries or Other African Countries

Angola

Botswana

Burundi

Cameroon

CAR

Congo DR

Congo Rep

Ethiopia

Gabon

Kenya

Lesotho

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Namibia

Reunion

Rwanda

Somalia

South Sudan

South Africa

Swaziland

Tanzania

Uganda

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Executive Summary - Wednesday 02 December 2015 (Use Links at left and right to see more about the article below.)

(There are many other articles in the News today)

Church o “A Savior is Born” video (share this Christmas Initiative) o December 1973: President Kimball rededicates South

Africa

Medical o Diagnosing Malaria with a cell phone.

Angola o Princess Isabel o Namibia and Angola suspend currency convention

agreement

Botswana o Running out of water (to pipe water from Lesotho)

Burundi o Fresh attempts to muzzle free speech o 34 police killed since April. o Unaccompanied child refugees flee o US issues heightened security situation

Cameroon o IDP tops 158,000

Congo DR o UN launch strikes against rebels o Opposition reject president’s call for dialogue

Ethiopia o Hydro plant begins generating power. o Nationwide power cuts (dams dry)

Kenya o Corruption o Police investigate drill that killed 1 at university

Rwanda o US-Kagame should step down when term ends. o Rights groups press for French army probe on 1994

genocide

South Africa o Zuma’s smoke and mirrors….answers demanded by

Zille o ANC gears up for minimum wage. o SA has world’s largest ARV therapy program. o Elections-decisions in by elections in several wards set

aside. o Corn at 20 month high

Uganda o Intolerably high levels of corruption

Church

Info

Church Important

Dates

Interesting Stuff about

Africa

Medical

Social Media Internet

Miscellaneous

Info

Animal Conservation

Travel

Warnings

Church History

Books about Africa

Movies about

Africa

ASEA Newsroom

Sites

Facebook Pages

YouTube Channel

Other

Resources

Church Articles of Interest to Members of

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

R

LDS Church releases 'A Savior is Born' Christmas video Some 700 years before Jesus Christ was born, the biblical prophet Isaiah wrote of the names by which he would be called: “Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Isaiah later used the title “Saviour” as he prophesied of Jesus Christ’s coming. “Of the many titles the scriptures give to the Lord Jesus Christ, perhaps none is more significant, more sacred, than that of ‘Savior,’” said Elder Brent H. Nielson, executive director of the Missionary Department of The

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “It was at his birth in Bethlehem that the angels declared, ‘A Savior is born,’ and it was through his Atonement and Resurrection that he fulfilled that title.” In a video released Sunday by the LDS Church, children repeat the "good tidings of great joy" associated with Jesus Christ's birth.

…. The video, titled "A Savior is Born," can be found at christmas.mormon.org and will be available in 29 languages. A playable and downloadable version will also be available on the Gospel Library app in the 29 languages.

Lindsey Stirling, Alex Boye, others to promote LDS Church's Christmas initiative Beginning today, well-known social media personalities will participate in "12 Days of Social," a campaign to promote The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' "A Savior is Born" Christmas initiative. During the "12 Days of Social," 12 groups and individuals with large social media followings will release Christmas videos on their personal YouTube channels and then encourage viewers to watch the LDS Church's “A Savior is Born” video. The videos will also be embedded for viewing on christmas.mormon.org. A new video will be posted each day for 12 days. Lindsey Stirling, a dancing violinist who has 7.2 million YouTube subscribers, will participate, as will singer Alex Boye, who appeared earlier this year as a contestant on NBC's “America’s Got Talent." ….The LDS Church launched its "A Savior is Born" Christmas initiative on Nov. 29. A video available in 29 languages is the centerpiece of the initiative. Billboards for the month-long initiative can be seen in New York City's Times Square, as well as other cities throughout the United States. According to mormonnewsroom.org, LDS visitors centers in the United States, Mexico City, Hyde Park in London, the London England Temple and the Hamilton New Zealand Temple will show guests the video.

U. library obtains documents signed by Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and other early Mormon leaders Visitors to the University of Utah's J. Willard Marriott Library now will be able to see — and hold in their hands — historic papers signed by Mormon founder Joseph Smith, his brother Hyrum Smith, successor Brigham Young and other early LDS leaders. On Monday, the Salt Lake City-based school announced the library had received a donation of 13 handwritten documents — real estate transactions, letters and notes — valued at over $3 million. "It's the largest material gift we've ever received," explained Gregory Thompson, associate dean for special collections. "It's kind of a big deal." The papers, nearly all in mint condition, have been in the same private hands for more than 50 years. They date from 1839 through the end of the 19th century, covering the Latter-day Saints' Nauvoo, Ill., experience and the Mormon migration to Utah.

Church-Important Africa Dates R

Upcoming Church related Historical Events in the Africa Southeast Area. (taken from the resource section at the end of this Daily News)

South Africa December 1973: President Kimball rededicates South Africa.

Swaziland 21 February 1990: President Neal A. Maxwell dedicates Swaziland.

Lesotho 22 February 1990: President Neal A. Maxwell dedicates Lesotho.

If anyone has any additional historical events for the ASEA Area historical calendar …please email them to the address on page 1

Interesting Stuff about Africa & ASEA area R Found in the news stream.

Baby Elephant Stuck in Mud Gets Rescued by Older Elephants (vid 2:23) …. When an elephant calf got stuck in a mud pit at South Africa’s Kruger National Park, his mom quickly arrived on the scene to help him out. She struggled for a bit until other members of the herd came by to join forces to scoop the baby up and out safely. The whole ordeal takes about two minutes — and then they all frolic off into the distance. Oh, after he gets out of the mud, the baby stumbles a few times because he is precious and perfect. …

Medical News Found in the news stream. R Lessons from Ebola Are We Ready for the Next Pandemic? Approximately one year after Ebola took the lives of over 11,000 people and infected approximately 29,000, health experts, scientists and concerned citizens are contemplating how prepared we are for the next large-scale outbreak. Diagnosing malaria with a cell phone New technology that transforms a cell phone into a mobile polarized microscope can diagnose malaria in a Rwandan village with the same level of accuracy as a hi-tech lab in a major Western city, according to Texas A&M University biomedical engineers developing the device.

"The way they diagnose malaria now is with a microscope but it is with a big bench top microscope that is relatively complicated to use, takes a trained technician, and you have to have the facility for that scope in a centralized lab somewhere. So basically what we are taking is that gold standard and making it into a portable device," said Gerard Cote, a professor of Biomedical Engineering. The add-on device, known as a mobile-optical-polarization imaging device (MOPID), makes use of a smart phone's camera features to produce high-resolution images of objects 10 times smaller than the thickness of a human hair. The device images a blood sample using polarized light that can detect a malaria parasite byproduct called Hemozoin crystals which appear as very bright dots in the image and are an accurate indicator of infection. According to the scientists, once the device is attached to the phone, the diagnosis takes just minutes using a phone app.

Social Media/Internet/Tech R

Misc. Found in the news stream. R

Animal Conservation and related articles R

Multiple African Countries (noted in article) or other African Countries

R

Angola R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 64% / 26% Population: 22,490,548

Penetration of population w/ internet 26% Labor Force: 9,298,000

GDP per capita USD$ 8,100 Life Expectancy: 52

Unemployment / year est. 26% / 2014 Church Members: 1,436

Population below poverty line: 40.5% Congregations: 8

Angola: Princess Isabel Dos Santos and the Looting of Angola (An excellent article that should be read in its entirety. –rb) Angolan billionaire Isabel dos Santos recently gave an interview to the BBC to talk about some of the challenges Angolans face. The Princess, as she as referred to in Angola, is one of the wealthiest and most powerful women in the world, according to BBC. She said one of the main challenges that Angola faces is educating its people. President José Eduardo dos Santos' daughter came across as being quite well-informed and pleasant: the beautiful face of the dictatorship. …. Namibia and Angola suspend currency convention agreement The central banks of Namibia and Angola have suspended the Currency Conversion Agreement, in order to implement new mechanism that will ensure effective implementation and sustainability of the Agreement.The agreement signed by Bank of Namibia (BoN) and Banco Nacional de Angola and took effect in June enabled the residents of the border towns of Oshikango and Santa Clara to exchange their respective national currencies to facilitate the payment of goods and services. However, after the implementation of the agreement the two central banks observed some challenges including exchanging of currencies outside the scope of the agreement, according to Dangi Katoma, BoN’s Director of Strategic Communications and Financial Sector Development. In preparation to implement the new mechanism, the two Central Banks agreed to temporarily suspend the implementation of the Currency Conversion Agreement effective from 2 December 2015. This means that there would be no further exchange of Angola Kwanzas in Namibia. …. China and Angola negotiate agreement on currency conversion Negotiations between Angola and China for an agreement on the introduction of facilities in granting visa and another on currency conversion are taking place “at a rapid pace,” said Monday in Luanda the ambassador of China in Angola. Ambassador Cui Aimin, speaking about the 2nd China/Africa Forum Summit due to be hold in Johannesburg on 4 and 5 December, explained that Angola and China were also negotiating the signing of an agreement for reciprocal protection of investments. Cui Aimin said China’s cooperation with Angola, under the established strategic partnership agreement in 2010, contributed to the development of Africa, although he acknowledged he was not yet satisfied with the level of cooperation between the two countries, given the great potential there is. …. Angola: Over 1000 Kilometres of Road Cleared of Landmines Lubango — More than one thousand kilometres of road in southern Huila province have been cleared of landmines since 2004, as part of an Angolan overnment demining programme. The data are contained in a report released by the Huila department of the National Commission for Demining and Humanitarian Aid (CNIDAH). ….

Botswana R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 164% / 26% Population: 2,134,458

Penetration of population w/ internet 18.5% Labor Force: 1,017,000

GDP per capita USD$ 16,000/2014 Life Expectancy: 47

Unemployment / year est. 17.8% / 2009 Church Members: 3,104

Population below poverty line: 30.3% Congregations: 12

Khama replaces suspended judges President Ian Khama has appointed three High Court judges to replace four suspended judges. On November 20, 2015 the Registrar and Master of High Court, Michael Motlhabi released a memo to all Justices of Appeal, High Court, Registrars, Magistrates, managers and members of staff informing them about the appointments. Bank profits in Botswana drop 32% on tight margins, frozen fees In January 2014, the central bank imposed a two-year freeze on bank charges and fees, citing “growing public concern.” PROFITS at Botswana’s banks dropped 32% in the first nine months of 2015 from a year earlier as reduced interest margins, rising bad debts and a freeze on fees imposed by the regulator weighed on lenders in the southern African country. Combined net income fell to 789.7 million pula ($73 million), the Bank of Botswana said in a report published Nov. 27 on its website. Banks’ net interest income slipped about 8% to 2.3 billion pula, as provisions for bad and doubtful debts climbed 3.8%. Botswana Is Running Out of Water, And It Could Undo Its Economic Success The Gaborone Dam sits in a short stack of hills on the outskirts of Botswana's capital. Today it is parched silt, the punishing heat having burned off the little water left behind after a storm last week snapped a dry spell that has felt endless to many residents. A sleepy, low-rise city of 230,000 people, Gaborone is the heart of the global diamond industry, which is fed by the giant Jwaneng and Orapa mines to the east and north. It is a prosperous place by regional standards, but a deep drought across most of Southern Africa has meant that the city has been experiencing rolling water outages for the first time in living memory for most Batswana. It is an unprecedented and frightening situation in a country that has a reputation as one of Africa's best-run economies — a rare place that has successfully translated its diamond wealth into genuine development — and one which illustrates how climate change is undermining progress and creating new challenges for societies in the developing world. As extreme weather events become more severe and more frequent, experts warn that decades of work and billions of dollars spent in bringing populations out of poverty in Southern Africa could be undone. …. …. In 1990, Botswana acknowledged that it needed to upgrade its water infrastructure and began a 30-year plan, according to Minister of Minerals, Energy, and Water Resources Onkokame Kitso Mokaila. "If we had done everything it said, we wouldn't be where we are now," he said. The country has water in dams in the north, but cannot move it down to Gaborone in the south. "So the real problem is caused by a lack of infrastructure, rather than a lack of water," Mokaila said. The government of Botswana is turning to huge and costly projects to try to insure the country against future crises. It will join a South African scheme to pipe water from Lesotho, a heavily forested mountain country that is a rare water tower for the region. Another pipeline will snake down from the Zambezi to the north. Both will require massive capital investments, and will give upstream countries considerable bargaining power over their neighbors. …. Lack of behavioural change hinders Botswana HIV fight Botswana Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi said Tuesday that HIV transmission in the country continues to be exacerbated by increasing multiple and concurrent sexual partnerships which increased from 11.2 percent in 2008 to 15.8 percent in 2013 among the sexually active population.Speaking at commemoration of World Day in Tonota village in northern Botswana, Masisi said prevention intervention that has not made much inroad in the country is Safe Male Circumcision. He said while significant resources have been put into providing the service, the uptake has not been encouraging. Only 39.6 percent of the 2016 target of 385 000 males planned to be circumcised since programme inception in 2009 have been circumcised. ….

Burundi R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 25% / 2% Population: 11,209,812

Penetration of population w/ internet 4.9% Labor Force: 4,806,000

GDP per capita USD$ 900 Life Expectancy: 54

Unemployment / year est. 35% / 2009 Church Members: 526

Population below poverty line: 68% Congregations: 3

Dispatches: Fresh Attempts to Muzzle Free Speech in Burundi Burundi’s journalists and human rights defenders have had a rough year. A relentless government crackdown

has forced almost all of them to flee the country. The assault has been overwhelming: government closure of all the main private radio stations, repeated death threats, threats of prosecution on trumped-up charges, beatings, and the attempted murder of leading human rights activist Pierre Claver Mbonimpa. Burundi’s vibrant civil society movement and strong independent media used to be the envy of other countries in the region. But the government has spent the past year trying to destroy them. The latest blow came just last week, when Interior Minister Pascal Barandagiye ordered 10 Burundian nongovernmental organizations to suspend their activities. The move came four days after the prosecutor general ordered their bank accounts to be frozen. The organizations include Mbonimpa’s group, the Association for the Protection of Human Rights and Detained Persons (APRODH), and Maison Shalom,

which helps vulnerable children and runs a hospital in Ruyigi province.

Just a week earlier, Antoine Kaburahe, director of Burundi’s respected independent newspaper Iwacu, was summoned to the prosecutor’s office, in connection with his alleged role in a failed military coup d’état in May. He complied with the summons. The authorities questioned him and let him go, but issued a second summons five days later, and have since requested his extradition from Belgium, where he had travelled for professional purposes. ….. 34 Burundi police killed since April NAIROBI - At least 34 policemen have been killed and almost 300 wounded in Burundi since violent protests erupted in April against the president's bid to remain in power, the government said Tuesday. "The 'insurrectional movement' has caused significant losses on all sides," said a report by Public Security Minister Alain Guillaume Bunyoni, who himself was slapped with sanctions last week by President Barack Obama, over his alleged links to the country's descent into violence. Bunyoni, the regime's number two, said that 34 police officers were killed and 293 were injured in attacks by insurgents. Burundi's government blames a string of attacks on "armed criminals", but the UN has warned that Burundi risks sliding back into civil war after a dramatic rise in violence. Unaccompanied child refugees flee Burundi Nduta Camp, Tanzania - A bright purple bus roars into the dusty compound carrying scores of Burundians who have left their country to seek refuge in neighbouring Tanzania. Tit-for-tat attacks between the government and opposition have escalated over the recent post-election months, prompting thousands of people to flee. Among the new arrivals escaping the daily violence and arriving at Nduta Camp in remote western Tanzania are 18-year-old Fulpence Ndikumwenayo and his cousin, 16-year-old Eliose Kabule. Over the past seven months of a crisis sparked by President Pierre Nkurunziza's controversial decision to run for a third term, thousands of minors have taken risky, unaccompanied journeys because they are afraid to stay in Burundi. Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Bujumbura (Burundi), Heightened Security Situation U.S. Embassy Bujumbura has become aware that Burundian National Police searched at least two residences of U.S. citizens associated with NGOs on Saturday, November 28, 2015. Because of this, Embassy Bujumbura reissues the following information on cooperating with police in a residential search. The Embassy recommends U.S. citizens cooperate with Burundian police if asked to enter their residence for the purpose of a search. If subject to a police search, U.S. citizens should notify the Embassy at +257-22-20-7000 or after-hours at +257-79-938-841. A legal document regulating police searches of private residences mentions the following requirements:

Only officers of the Public Prosecutor's Office or agents of the Judicial Police are entitled to proceed with searches. An officer must identify himself with a card before entering the house.

Before entering the house the police have to present a search warrant, signed by the appropriate authority.

The search cannot be done before 6 a.m. and after 6 p.m. (except in case of an obvious offence or a threat to the physical integrity of the person).

Every search has to result in an official report and a copy has to be presented. All the seized objects have to be listed in the official report.

Cameroon R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 71% / -% Population: 23,516,740

Penetration of population w/ internet

11% Labor Force: 9,105,000

GDP per capita USD$ 3,000 Life Expectancy: 55

Unemployment / year est. 30% / 2001 Church Members: 1,498

Population below poverty line: 48% / 2000 Congregations: 7

Cameroon Internal Displacement Tops 158,000 Cameroon - According to the first round of IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), 158,316 people or 27,919 households are now internally displaced in the Far North region of Cameroon. An additional 11,482 out-of-camp refugees and 30,585 returnees – formerly internally displaced persons (IDPs) – were also identified in the region, while more than 50,000 refugees currently reside in Minawao refugee camp. Since 2014 Cameroon has felt the effects of the insurgency of the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA, formerly Boko Haram). The increase in violent attacks in Nigeria, Cameroon and neighbouring countries has led to the displacement of populations away from areas of conflict and violence. …. Mutilating girls’ breasts in Cameroon to ‘protect them’ from Boko Haram (Articles on this topic have increased in the last several days.-rb)

Central African

Republic (CAR) R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 33% / 1% Population: 4,908,506

Penetration of population w/ internet 4% Labor Force: 2,217,000

GDP per capita USD$ 600 Life Expectancy: 50

Unemployment / year est. 8% / 2001 Church Members: 216

Population below poverty line: na Congregations: 1

Pope's visit to Central African Republic in photos Pope Francis visited a beleaguered mosque, a volatile section of the Central African Republic, and held mass at a stadium.

Congo Rep. R (Brazzaville)

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 100% / 7% Population: 4,825,168

Penetration of population w/ internet 7.1% Labor Force: 2,890,000

GDP per capita USD$ 6,600 Life Expectancy: 59

Unemployment / year est. 53% / 2012 Church Members: 6,053

Population below poverty line: 46.5% / 2011 Congregations: 17

Congo DR R (Kinshasa)

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 59% / 8% Population: 72,511,886

Penetration of population w/ internet 3.0% Labor Force: 27,590,000

GDP per capita USD$ 700 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 50

Unemployment / year est. 46% / 2009 Church Members: 42,689

Population below poverty line: 63% Congregations: 145

U.N. helicopters launch strikes against Congo rebels after deadly raid KINSHASA (Reuters) - U.N. helicopters launched strikes against Ugandan rebels near the northeastern border of Democratic Republic of Congo in response to attacks this weekend that killed dozens of people, the force's top general said Tuesday. Seven civilians were hacked to death in a hospital and more than 20 other people were killed in clashes on Sunday when Islamist fighters from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF)attacked military bases around the town of Eringeti. Helicopter gunships fired missiles and rockets at ADF positions several miles southeast of Eringeti from about 8 a.m. (0100 ET), Jean Baillaud, interim force commander for the U.N. mission in Congo, known as MONUSCO, told Reuters. Congo Opposition Groups Reject President’s Call for Dialogue Opposition groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo rejected President Joseph Kabila’s call for a national dialogue, saying the offer is an attempt to cling to power in Africa’s biggest copper producer. “Kabila is no longer hiding his clear, planned and deliberate intention to overturn the constitution to maintain power,” the G7 and La Dynamique de l’Opposition groups said in a joint statement e-mailed from the capital, Kinshasa, on Monday. “It is a true constitutional coup d’etat.” Kabila offered talks with his political opponents on Nov. 28 as the country prepares to hold a series of elections culminating in a presidential vote in November 2016. He said the dialogue will address issues including the funding of the votes, the accuracy of the voter register and the election calendar, which must now be adjusted following delays. The G7 and La Dynamique say the president intends to use the dialogue to hold on to power by delaying the presidential vote, adjusting the constitution or proposing a transitional government under his leadership. They urged their supporters to “rise and march to save democracy and the constitution” and said they will publish a plan of action soon. In January, opposition protests in Kinshasa left 36 people dead after clashes with the security forces, according to Human Rights Watch, the New York-based advocacy group. ….

Ethiopia R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 26% / 49% Population: 103,392,064

Penetration of population w/ internet 2.9% Labor Force: 47,320,000

GDP per capita USD$ 1,500 Life Expectancy: 64

Unemployment / year est. 17.5% / 2012 Church Members: 1,854

Population below poverty line: 39% / 2012 Congregations: 64

Ethiopia Begins Generating Power from 1.87-GW Gibe III Hydro Plant (A very interesting article.-rb) Ethiopia’s generation capacity got an immense boost as operations began at the 1.87-GW Gibe III hydroelectric power plant in the middle reach of the Omo River basin this October. The plant—Ethiopia’s largest—is the third in the Gibe-Omo hydroelectric cascade, which includes the 184-MW Gilgel Gibe and 420-MW Gibe II, both upstream of Gibe III. Two additional plants downstream, Gibe IV and Gibe V, are planned by state-owned utility Ethiopian Electric Power Corp.

According to Salini Impregilo, an Italian firm contracted to build the $1.6 billion project, the plant comprises a 249-meter (m)-tall roller-compacted concrete (RCC) dam—one of the highest in the world—and an open-air power plant with 10 Francis turbines. It is expected to produce 6,500 GWh per year (Figure 1). Ethiopia Sees Nationwide Power Cuts While Drought Dries Dams

Prime minister says three hydropower dams are short of water

Ethiopia relies on hydropower to produce 94% of electricity Ethiopia may face further power shortages because of low water levels at dams after a poor rainy season, an official said, following two days of sporadic cuts caused by technical faults at hydropower plants. Unspecified issues at a substation serving Oromia region’s Gibe 1 and 2 plants, which together can produce as much as 604 megawatts, and a shutdown at the 320-megawatt Tana Beles installation in Amhara state, caused the outages on Nov. 28-29, Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy spokesman Bezuneh Tolcha said Monday by phone. The drought affecting the east of the country that’s left 8.2 million Ethiopians in need of food aid wasn’t related to the outages, though that may change in the coming months unless there’s non-seasonal rainfall, he said.

Gabon R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 175% / -% Population: 1,761,297

Penetration of population w/ internet 39.3% Labor Force: 636,000

GDP per capita USD$ 21,600 Life Expectancy: 63

Unemployment / year est. 21% / 2006 Church Members:

Population below poverty line: na Congregations:

Kenya R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 83% / 67% Population: 47,384,458

Penetration of population w/ internet 63.6% Labor Force: 17,700,000

GDP per capita USD$ 3,100 Life Expectancy: 62

Unemployment / year est. 40% / 2008 Church Members: 12,471

Population below poverty line: 43,4 / 2012 Congregations: 62

Corruption And 'Tenderpreneurs' Bring Kenya's Economy To Its Knees Last week, Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta publicly declared on television that corruption had become a national security threat. He then proceeded to unveil a string of tough measures to tackle the pervasive graft in the country. Among other things, the President announced that all companies doing business with county and national governments in the future must sign and adhere to a business code of conduct; all customs and revenue officers will be mandated to undergo a vetting exercise, and banks that are discovered to break anti-money-laundering laws will forfeit their banking licenses while their directors will be held culpable for abetting money laundering.

President Kenyatta’s latest campaign against corruption comes on the heels of the 2013/2014 Auditor General’s report for Kenya which provided insights into the gross financial impropriety and mismanagement of public funds by government officials. About 98.8% of the money spent by Kenya’s ministries in the 2013/14 financial year could not properly be accounted for, according to several news reports, laying credence to the pitiable state of public financial management in East Africa’s largest economy. ….. Kenyan police investigates drill that killed 1 at a university NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — A leading Kenyan university should have sought authorization from the "highest security office in the country" for a practice exercise to test terrorism preparedness that led to a stampede in which one person died, a police spokesman said Tuesday. Police are discouraging institutions from carrying out drills on their own, said Charles Owino said in a statement Tuesday. Strathmore University in Nairobi carried out a drill Monday that students believed was real and stampeded, killing one staff member. Strathmore has said the drill was carried out in collaboration with area police. Kenya: Athletics Kenya's Three Top Officials Suspended Over Corruption Allegations The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Ethics Commission has suspended three Athletics Kenya officials for their alleged involvement in graft and subversion of the anti-doping control in Kenya. The commission indicated that a prima facie case has been established against outgoing AK President Isaiah Kiplagat, Vice President David Okeyo and former AK Treasurer Joseph Kinyua. Consequently, the officials have been suspended for six months (180 days) to allow investigations into the allegations.

Lesotho R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 95% / 24% Population: 2,078,067

Penetration of population w/ internet 11% Labor Force: 894,400

GDP per capita USD$ 2,900 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 49

Unemployment / year est. 25% / 2008 Church Members: 867

Population below poverty line: 49 / 1999 Congregations: 2

Madagascar R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 40% / ? Population: 24,927,036

Penetration of population w/ internet 3.7% Labor Force: 12,150,000

GDP per capita USD$ 1,400 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 65

Unemployment / year est. 3.6% / 2013 Church Members: 10,322

Population below poverty line: 50% Congregations: 38

Malawi R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 37% / 10% Population: 17,650,264

Penetration of population w/ internet 6.1% Labor Force: 5,747,000

GDP per capita USD$ 800 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 55

Unemployment / year est. 6.6% / 2013 Church Members: 1,931

Population below poverty line: 53% / 2004 Congregations: 8

Mauritius R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 128% / 40% Population: 1,328,229

Penetration of population w/ internet 60.0% Labor Force: 600,200

GDP per capita USD$ 17,900 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 74

Unemployment / year est. 8.3% / 2013 Church Members: 458

Population below poverty line: 8% / 2006 Congregations: 2

Mozambique R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 58% / 22% Population: 27,641,379

Penetration of population w/ internet 5.9% Labor Force: 12,250,000

GDP per capita USD$ 1,100 Life Expectancy: 50

Unemployment / year est. 17% / 2007 Church Members: 7,943

Population below poverty line: 52% / 2009 Congregations: 26

Namibia R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 137% / 32% Population: 2,336,522

Penetration of population w/ internet 15.7% Labor Force: 1,168,000

GDP per capita USD$ 10,800 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 6

Unemployment / year est. 27.4% / 2012 Church Members: 793

Population below poverty line: 28.7% / 2010 Congregations: 2

Reunion Island R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 105% / 48% Population: 876,835

Penetration of population w/ internet 34.6 Labor Force:

GDP per capita USD$

Life Expectancy:

Unemployment / year est. 40% / ? Church Members:

Population below poverty line: Congregations:

Rwanda R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 61% / 28% Population: 12,540,798

Penetration of population w/ internet 25.4% Labor Force: 6,061,000

GDP per capita USD$ 1,700 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 64

Unemployment / year est. 3.4% / 2012 Church Members: 281

Population below poverty line: 44.9 / 2011 Congregations: 3

Rwanda's Kagame should step down when term ends in 2017 -U.S. UNITED NATIONS, Dec 1 (Reuters) - The United States expects Rwandan President Paul Kagame to set an example for the region and step down at the end of his second term in office next year, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power said on Tuesday. "President Kagame has an opportunity to set an example for a region in which leaders seem too tempted to view themselves as indispensable to their own countries' trajectories," Power told reporters. "We really do expect President Kagame to follow through on the commitments that he has made many times in the past to allow the next generation of leaders to come forward," she said. "We expect President Kagame to step down at the end of his term in 2017." Last month the African nation's Senate approved a draft constitution to allow President Kagame, in power since 2000, to seek a third term in office, clearing the path for a nationwide referendum that is not expected to face much opposition.

Rights groups press for French army probe on Rwanda genocide Human rights groups are demanding that French soldiers active in Rwanda in 1994 be formally put under investigation on suspicion of complicity in the genocide at that time. More than 800,000 minority Tutsis and politically moderate Hutus were killed in a three-month rampage by ethnic Hutu extremists in 1994 while the world largely stood by. France, an ally of the Rwandan government that ruled before the genocide, stayed away from last year's 20-year commemoration after rebel-turned-president Paul Kagame renewed accusations of a direct French role in the killings. In the latest chapter of a long-running French investigation into the mass killing, the rights groups say they have documents showing the French army in late-June 1994 abandoned hundreds of Tutsis who were slain days later in the hills of Bisesero in western Rwanda.

Somalia R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 50% / 2% Population: 10,742,489

Penetration of population w/ internet 1.5% Labor Force: 3,011,000

GDP per capita USD$ 600 / 2010 Life Expectancy: 55

Unemployment / year est. 25.4% / 2012 Church Members:

Population below poverty line: na Congregations:

South Africa R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 154% / 35% Population: 51,621,506

Penetration of population w/ internet 49% Labor Force: 20,230,000

GDP per capita USD$ 12,700 Life Expectancy: 57

Unemployment / year est. 24.9% / 2013 Church Members: 61,221

Population below poverty line: 31.3% Congregations: 159

Zuma's smoke and mirrors show has ended, we demand answers – Helen Zille ANC gears up to implement minimum wage THE African National Congress (ANC) says the implementation of a national minimum wage is a done deal, with the actual amount being the only source of disagreement between parties at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac). ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said on Monday the ANC’s national executive committee (NEC) received a detailed report on the Nedlac talks, shortly after its ally, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) warned that the plans to address wage inequality must be finalised before next year’s State of the Nation address. Mr Mantashe was briefing the media on the outcome of the NEC meeting held at the weekend. "The NEC was unequivocal on the need for less talk and more action; our people must enjoy the material fruits of freedom," he said of the need to speed up socioeconomic transformation. …. How much you pay for the Zulu Royal King While South Africa’s royal families and traditional leaders cost the country in excess of R650 million a year, a new report shows that this figure may not be enough, especially when it comes to the spending habits of Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithini. It was discovered, and reported in the Natal Witness recently, that Royal Household Trust, which looks after King Zwelithini and his family of six wives and their 40 children, has run into financial difficulty. The trust’s annual report for the year ended in March, revealed that liabilities exceeded assets by R3.2-million, and that it had a R539,000 deficit, casting doubt over its “ability to operate as a going concern”. In KwaZulu Natal, the provincial government even places a budget vote for the Department of Royal Affairs, specifically dedicated to the Zulu Royal Family and the upkeep of King Zwelithini’s palaces. In its 2014/15 budget, the department received R54.2 million for the king, which was reportedly swallowed up within months, used to purchase new vehicles for the king’s eight wives. The king then requested a further R10 million bailout from government, and was awarded R5 million. ANALYSIS: 'YES, SA HAS THE WORLD’S LARGEST ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY PROGRAMME' …. Since the country’s national Antiretroviral therapy programme was rolled out in 2003 life expectancy has risen by ten years – from 52.1 in 2003 to 62.5 in 2015 – and the Antiretroviral therapy programme is partly credited for that. …. Statistics South Africa estimated that in 2015 there were 6.2 million people in the country living with HIV. According to the department of health, half of those were Antiretroviral therapy at the end of March 2015. Before January 2015, HIV+ people were started on Antiretroviral therapy when their CD4 count (a measure of how well a person’s immune system is working) fell below 350 cells per cubic millimetre of blood. Treatment is now started when it falls below 500. (The CD4 count of a person who is in good health generally ranges from 500 to 1,200.) …. The latest international comparison showed that South Africa’s Antiretroviral therapy programme was the largest in the world, with 2,623,271 people on treatment in December 2013. This was bigger than the size of India, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Mozambique’s programmes combined. The latest figures from South Africa’s department of health show that the number of people on treatment increased to 3,103,902 in March 2015. 'The ANC does not win elections, it steals them' Opposition parties have welcomed the Constitutional Court’s decision to set aside the controversial by-elections results in Tlokwe, which it has found were not free and fair. With few months left before the local government elections, the opposition parties have demanded that a transparent and open mechanism be put in place to safeguard the integrity of the elections. The Constitutional Court on Monday set aside the by-elections conducted on September 12, 2013, in ward 18 and on December 10, 2013 in wards one, four, 11, 12, 13 and 20. The case was reportedly brought by eight unsuccessful candidates, who had complained about the voter registration process, including a delay in receiving the segments of the national voter’s roll which did not include residential addresses for any of the voters, rendering it difficult, if not impossible for candidates to find, visit and canvas voters. The independent candidates included former ANC councilors expelled in July 2013 for participating in removing ANC mayor Maphetle Maphetle. …. Maimane to challenge IEC chair after Tlokwe by-elections ruled 'not free and fair'

South Africa corn prices at 20-month high A prolonged drought and currency weakness in South Africa have pushed corn prices to fresh 20-month highs, raising fears of worsening food inflation in the country and for sub-Saharan grain importers. The drought, which has hit South Africa’s corn-growing areas, has delayed planting for the current crop year. It follows a sharp fall in the output of corn — an important food staple and source of feed for the livestock industry — during the previous harvest.

South Sudan R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration

28% / 12% Population: 11,749,434

Penetration of population w/ internet 15.9 Labor Force:

GDP per capita USD$ 2,000 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 62

Unemployment / year est. 12% / 2008 Church Members:

Population below poverty line: 50.6% / 2009 Congregations:

Swaziland R Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 70% / 11% Population: 1,280,595

Penetration of population w/ internet 27.1% Labor Force: 435,000

GDP per capita USD$ 7,800 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 49

Unemployment / year est. 28.5% / 2010 Church Members: 1,768

Population below poverty line: 69% Congregations: 4

Tanzania R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 62% / 24% Population: 50,998,619

Penetration of population w/ internet 15% Labor Force: 25,000,000

GDP per capita USD$ 1,900 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 61

Unemployment / year est. 10.7% / 2011 Church Members: 1,336

Population below poverty line: 36% / 2002 Congregations: 6

Uganda R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 64% / 11% Population: 40,777,196

Penetration of population w/ internet 23% Labor Force: 18,000,000

GDP per capita USD$ 1,800 Life Expectancy: 59

Unemployment / year est. 4.2% / 2010 Church Members: 13,248

Population below poverty line: 25.5% Congregations: 26

Uganda faces intolerably high levels of corruption: Experts …. Uganda uncovered one of the worst corruption cases in its history in 2012. A total of UGX 214 billion ($63.98 million) of donor aid was lost to a high-level ‘syndicate’ [group of corrupt officials] at the Ministry of Public service and the Office of the Prime Minister. After the scandal, several donor countries reduced $300 million in aid to Uganda and demanded that the government pay back lost funds. Currently there is an ongoing probe by a commission of inquiry into the Uganda National Roads Authority where losses to corruption are reportedly at the level of millions of dollars. The minister said that, since then, the government has put in place stringent laws and enforced anti- corruption practices to put an end to the losses. “The conviction rate has risen to 80 percent and through asset recovery we have recovered billions of shillings from persons who have diverted or stolen public funds,” the minister said.

Zambia R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 73% / 10% Population: 15,549,296

Penetration of population w/ internet 18% Labor Force: 6,338,000

GDP per capita USD$ 4,100 Life Expectancy: 58

Unemployment / year est. 15% / 2008 Church Members: 3,359

Population below poverty line: 60.5% Congregations:

Zambia expects $1 bln in deals with China at Africa summit LUSAKA (Reuters) - Zambia expects to clinch $1 billion in Chinese investment and loans at this week's China-Africa summit in Johannesburg, a presidential spokesman said on Tuesday. Presidential spokesman Amos Chanda said Zambia was expected to conclude deals with China in infrastructure projects such as roads, railways, power generation as well as agriculture. Zambia and China were also likely to sign an agreement for the construction of two modern hospitals, Chanda said. "These deals should add up to over $1 billion," he told Reuters.

Zimbabwe R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 102% / 98% Population: 15,762,551

Penetration of population w/ internet 47% Labor Force: 5,0 63,000

GDP per capita USD$ 2,000 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 60

Unemployment / year est. 95% / 2009 Church Members: 26,156

Population below poverty line: 68% / 2004 Congregations: 64

United States R Data Provided for comparison

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 102% / 85% Population: 324,343,287

Penetration of population w/ internet 90% Labor Force: 156,000,000

GDP per capita USD$ 54,800 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 79

Unemployment / year est. 5.5% / 2015 Church Members: 6,466,267

Population below poverty line: 15.1% / 2010 14,018 Congregations

Travel Advisories/Warnings R US issues global travel alert due to 'increased terrorist threats' 24 November 2015 The United States issued a worldwide travel alert on Monday warning American citizens of "increased terrorist threats" in the wake of the Paris attacks. "Current information suggests that ISIL (aka Daesh), Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram and other terrorist groups continue to plan terrorist attacks in multiple regions," said the State Department advisory, which cited recent attacks in Denmark, France, Mali, Nigeria and Turkey. "US citizens should exercise vigilance when in public places or using transportation," it said, advising Americans to avoid large crowds or crowded places and to "exercise particular caution during the holiday season."

Brussels on Lockdown in Fear of Paris-Style Attacks (23 November 2015) BRUSSELS: Brussels was on terror lockdown Saturday in fear of a Paris-style attack, with a gunman wanted over the deadly rampage in the French capital a week ago still on the run. The Belgian capital closed its metro system and shuttered shops and public buildings as a terror alert was raised to its highest level over reports of an "imminent threat" of a gun and bomb attack similar to the horror seen in Paris.

US Issues Travel Warning to Italy (20 November 2015) U.S. authorities have warned of potential militant attacks in Italy, whose security services are looking for five possible suspects, Italy's foreign minister said on Thursday. Speaking to state broadcaster RAI, Paolo Gentiloni referred to "possible terrorist attacks" that could be aimed at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome or the cathedral or La Scala theatre in Milan. The U.S. State Department has issued a travel warning to American citizens in Italy, according to The Washington Post. The U.S. embassy in Rome said in a message to its citizens that - alongside the big tourist destinations - churches, synagogues, restaurants, theaters and hotels in the country's two main cities could also be targets.

Burundi Travel Warning 5 November 2015 This Travel Warning informs U.S. citizens that the Department of State has terminated the Ordered Departure status, allowing eligible family members and non-emergency personnel who departed Burundi to return. Washington DC - infoZine - The State Department continues to warn U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Burundi and recommends U.S. citizens avoid non-essential travel. This replaces the Travel Warning issued on May 14. Political violence persists throughout Burundi in the aftermath of the country’s contested elections, an attempted coup d’etat, and the debate over the President standing for a third term. Exchanges of gunfire and grenade attacks are common but are typically not directed at foreigners and are usually limited to specific areas of the capital, Bujumbura. The terrorist organization al-Shabaab, based in Somalia, has threatened to conduct terror attacks in Burundi. It may also target U.S. interests in Burundi.

Chad Travel Warning Saturday, October 03, 2015 U.S. citizens are urged to carefully consider the risks of travel to Chad and, if already in Chad, are encouraged to review their and their families’ personal safety and security plans to determine whether they and their family members should depart. U.S. warns citizens not to travel to Somalia 2 October 2015 The Department of State reiterated its warning to U.S. citizens against all but essential travel to Somalia for the second time in a year, describing the situation in the country as “remaining dangerous.” While the Horn of Africa nation continues to recover from over two decades of civil war, the department of state said in a statement released on Thursday that its citizens should avoid all travel to Somalia because of the general threat of violent crime, terrorism, and the targeting of foreigners for murder and kidnappings, particularly by the extremist terrorist group al-Shabaab. Travel Warning: Central African Republic 9/30/2015 The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all travel to the Central African Republic (CAR) due to an unpredictable security situation subject to rapid deterioration, activities of armed groups, and violent crime. The border between Chad and CAR is currently closed. Other land border crossings may close at short notice. U.S. citizens who have decided to stay in CAR despite this warning should seriously consider departing. Embassy Bangui cannot provide consular services to U.S. citizens in CAR at this time. This replaces the Travel Warning of May 1, 2015 to reflect the risk of remaining in CAR and continued lack of security. Indiscriminate violence and looting has occurred in CAR since the overthrow of the Government in March 2013. Sectarian violence is frequent and has resulted in thousands of deaths. Despite the creation of a transitional government in January 2014 and the presence of a United Nations stabilization force, the security situation remains highly fragile. Instability has increased as the political transition process unfolds around the upcoming constitutional referendum and elections which were initially scheduled for October 2015.

Cameroon Travel Warning Thursday, October 01, 2015 :: Staff infoZine The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the high risk of traveling to Cameroon, and urges U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to the North and Far North regions of the country because of the general threat of violent crime, terrorism, and the targeting of westerners for murder and kidnappings, particularly by the extremist terrorist group Boko Haram. Washington DC - infoZine - There is also a growing threat in the East Region, where former Seleka and criminal elements from the Central African Republic (CAR) occasionally cross the border of Cameroon to steal property and take hostages for ransom. Because of the security situation in country, the U.S. Embassy’s ability to provide consular services in remote and rural areas is extremely limited. This replaces the Travel Warning of August 5, 2015 to emphasize the continuing threat of armed attacks, bombings and kidnappings in the Far North region of Cameroon and Boko Haram’s aspirations to extend the threat to other parts of the country

Resource Section R

ASEA Mormon Newsroom and Mormon Newsroom Facebook pages YouTube and other Resource sites

Official Church pages: . 37 Official General Authority Facebook Pages &

27 Official Church Organizations Pages

YouTube Channels R

ASEA (Africa Southeast Area) Public Affairs Mormon Newsroom

Mormon Channel Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Africa Southeast Area Newsroom & Facebook sites

Countries

Mormon Newsroom Sites

Link from these sites to Facebook!

Mormon Newsroom Facebook sites.

Church HQ Mormon Newsroom Mormon Newsroom Facebook page (English)

Angola Angola Mormon Newsroom Angola Mormon Newsroom Facebook (Portuguese)

Botswana none Botswana Mormon Newsroom Facebook (English)

Congo DR DR Congo Mormon Newsroom DR Congo Mormon Newsroom Facebook (French)

Congo Rep none Republic of Congo Mormon Newsroom Facebook

(French)

Indian Ocean Indian Ocean Newsroom Indian Ocean Mormon Newsroom Facebook (French)

Kenya Kenya Mormon Newsroom Kenya Mormon Newsroom Facebook (English)

Madagascar Indian Ocean Newsroom Madagascar Mormon Newsroom Facebook (French)

Malawi None Malawi Mormon Newsroom Facebook (English)

Mozambique None Mozambique Mormon Newsroom Facebook

(Portuguese)

Namibia None Namibia Mormon Newsroom Facebook (English)

South Africa South Africa Mormon Newsroom South Africa Mormon Newsroom Facebook (English)

Uganda Uganda Mormon Newsroom Uganda Mormon Newsroom Facebook page (English)

Zambia none Zambia Mormon Newsroom Facebook (English)

Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Mormon Newsroom Zimbabwe Mormon Newsroom Facebook (English)

Totals for ASEA 7 Country-Mormon Newsrooms 14 Country Newsroom Facebook pages!

Helping Hands Mormon Helping Hands - Africa Southeast Facebook page

Public Affairs All Public Affairs individuals are able to access the Public Affairs Network (Secure Site) at this link: Public Affairs Network

AFRICASE Africa Southeast Page Africa Southeast Area Facebook page

Liahona Issues (downloadable) Liahona Local Inserts

Online Resources Use of Online Resources in Church Callings Church Guidelines for setting up ‘Unofficial Pages’ R

CREAT.lds.org Create and Share your media Talents !!!!

Church Resources LDS.org Mormon.org Deseret News LDS Media Library

General Conference Life of Christ Bible Videos

Law and Religion Symposium

BYU Law International Center for Law and Religion Studies

Emergency Preparedness:

Emergency Preparedness and Response

Historical Events in Church History for Countries in the ASEA Area

(and related events)

R

Country Year Date Historical Event Zimbabwe 1999 January 1 * 1999: Zimbabwe’s first stake is organized in Harare. The first full edition

of the Book of Mormon is published in Shona, a native language of Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe 1980 February 1 Rhodesia becomes Zimbabwe

Swaziland 1990 February 21 In what has been termed a continuation of events in the "dawning of a new day in Africa," Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Council of the Twelve dedicated two African kingdoms to the work of the Lord and for the preaching of the gospel. Swaziland, an independent mountain kingdom bordered on three sides by South Africa and by Mozambique on its eastern side, was dedicated Feb. 21. Lesotho, a kingdom surrounded by South Africa, was dedicated Feb. 22.

Lesotho 1990 February 22 In what has been termed a continuation of events in the "dawning of a new day in Africa," Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Council of the Twelve dedicated two African kingdoms to the work of the Lord and for the preaching of the gospel. Swaziland, an independent mountain kingdom bordered on three sides by South Africa and by Mozambique on its eastern side, was dedicated Feb. 21. Lesotho, a kingdom surrounded by South Africa, was dedicated Feb. 22.

Zimbabwe 2013 APRIL 1 2013: Edward Dube is called to the First Quorum of the Seventy, making him the first General Authority from Zimbabwe.

South Africa 1853 April 19 When the first LDS missionaries arrived in Cape Town in 1853, they climbed Lion’s Head (which they called Mount Brigham Heber Willard, in honor of the Church’s First Presidency) and dedicated the land to the growth of the gospel.

Zimbabwe 2009 July 1 2009: Edward Dube becomes the first native mission president to serve in Zimbabwe.

Nigeria 2005 August 7 Aba Nigeria temple dedicated August, 2005

Zambia 1992

August 20 Zambia-On Aug. 20, at a secluded spot on a hill near a lake on university grounds in the capital city of Lusaka, Elder Nelson dedicated the nation of Zambia to the preaching of the gospel. "It was a touching scene," commented Pres. Vern Marble of the neighboring Zimbabwe Harare Mission who was present for the prayer of dedication.

Botswana 1992 August 21 The prayer of dedication on the nation of Botswana was offered by Elder Scott on Aug. 21, in a small clearing in the Gaborone Game Reserve. Nearly 100 people were present, including members and missionaries.

Cameroon 2009 August 21 Elder Holland dedicated the country of Cameroon on August 21, 2009, on a green hillside overlooking Cameroon's capital city of Yaounde in the company of local church leaders. Later in the day, approximately 600 people gathered to hear Elder Holland speak at Yaounde's City Center. http://www.mormonwiki.com/Missionary_Work

Namibia 1992 August 22 In Namibia, on Aug. 22, a small group of members gathered on Tower Hill in Windhoek to witness the dedication of the land by Elder Nelson. Namibia is part of the South Africa Cape Town Mission. Its

president, Blaine Hudson, described the gathering as "the Lord's people who in the past years have been faithful in the desert and in the wilderness, and have made it blossom as a rose."

Congo Rep (Brazzaville)

1992 August 24 The nation of Congo was dedicated Aug. 24 by Elder Scott. Elder Nelson briefly addressed the small gathering of members and leaders who gathered in a peaceful setting in a shaded area located on a hillside overlooking treetops about 10 miles down the Congo River from the capital city of Brazzaville. A picturesque Congolese village was visible in the distance beyond the river's rapids. About 65 members and leaders of three branches in Congo attended the dedication.

South Africa 1985 August 24 1985: On August 24–25 the Johannesburg South Africa Temple is dedicated. https://www.lds.org/ensign/1993/02/south-africa-land-of-good-hope?lang=eng

Rwanda 2009 August 27 Elder Holland dedicated Rwanda on Aug. 27 during a sacred moment on the top of a mountain overlooking the capital city, Kigali. http://www.mormonwiki.com/Missionary_Work

Ethiopia 1993 September 16 The Church was officially recognized in Ethiopia on 16 September 1993.

Burundi 2010 October 19 The chosen dedication spot for the country of Burundi was located on a hill overlooking Bujumbura, the capital city, with Lake Tanganyika shining in the distance beyond. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve pronounced a blessing upon the country of Burundi in the Great Lakes region of Eastern Africa. Elder Holland offered a blessing on the people and the nation, dedicating the country of Burundi for missionary work on Oct. 19.

Angola 2010 October 20 On Wednesday, Oct. 20, a small group of Church leaders and members gathered at the base of a large, several-hundred-year-old baobab tree on a quiet hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the capital city of Luanda, Angola, to the north, where Elder Christofferson pronounced a blessing upon the country and formally opened Angola to missionary work.

Uganda 1991 October 23 In late October 1991, Elder James E. Faust of the Quorum of the Twelve dedicated Uganda, Kenya, and Zimbabwe for the preaching of the gospel and the establishment of the Church. On October 23, Elder Faust, accompanied by Elder Richard P. Lindsay of the Seventy, who serves as president of the Africa Area, dedicated Uganda from the capital city, Kampala. Earlier this year, Uganda granted the Church official status. https://www.lds.org/ensign/1992/02/news-of-the-church/uganda-kenya-zimbabwe-dedicated?lang=eng

Kenya 1991 October 24 The next day, October 24, Elder Faust, Elder Lindsay, and President Larry Brown of the Kenya Nairobi Mission traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, where more than one hundred Church members gathered for the outdoor service. https://www.lds.org/ensign/1992/02/news-of-the-church/uganda-kenya-zimbabwe-dedicated?lang=eng In the dedicatory prayer, Elder Faust said, “We acknowledge this as a blessed land.” The prayer contained references to Kenya’s beauty, grandeur, and abundant plant and animal life. Elder Faust asked that “the beasts of the earth, which have historically been native to this land, may continue to find a home.”

Zambia 1964 October 24 1964: Northern Rhodesia becomes Zambia, and Southern Rhodesia becomes Rhodesia.

Zimbabwe 1991 October 25 1991: On October 25 Elder James E. Faust (1920–2007) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicates Zimbabwe for the preaching of the gospel.

Malawi 2011 October 25 While the first branch of the Church in Malawi was organized in 1999 and there are now about 1,000 members in four branches, the land had not been formally dedicated. Elder Nelson and others met as a small group for that purpose on Oct. 25. (2011)

Zimbabwe 1991 October 25 On October 25, Elder Faust and Elder Lindsay met Zimbabwe Harare Mission President Vern Marble for the dedication of Zimbabwe. “Before the meeting, the Saints of Zimbabwe had been fasting and praying for rain,” Elder Lindsay said. “As the dedicatory prayer by Elder Faust concluded, a gentle rain began to fall, and rainfall increased for days afterward.” In the prayer, Elder Faust asked for a blessing upon the earth of Zimbabwe and prayed that the land would “continue to provide the abundance which it has in the past. … May the rain fall and the streams flow, and the sun kiss the land to provide for thy people.” https://www.lds.org/ensign/1992/02/news-of-the-church/uganda-kenya-zimbabwe-dedicated?lang=eng

Central Africa Republic

2012 October 29 On a heavily forested hillside overlooking the capital city of Bangui, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve offered a prayer of dedication and blessing upon the country and people of the Central African Republic. The prayer was offered Monday, October 29, on Gbazabangui hillside overlooking the Ubangi River—a major tributary of the Congo River—a few degrees north of the equator that is the original site of the Bangui people. https://www.lds.org/church/news/elder-holland-dedicates-central-african-republic?lang=eng

Gabon 2013 November 5 On November 5, 2013, eleven days after the Church received full legal status in the Central African country of Gabon, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles performed a powerful and significant country dedicatory prayer in a forest clearing at the base of a tall tree. He was accompanied by his wife, Susan K. Bednar, and local leaders: Elder Carl B. Cook of the Africa Southeast Area Presidency and his wife, Sister Lynette H. Cook; President W. Bryce Cook, president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa Mission, and his wife, Sister Karol Cook; and President Armand Mpandou, president of the Libreville Gabon Branch.

Tanzania 2003 November 18 The East African nation of Tanzania was blessed and dedicated Nov. 18 by Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Elder Nelson, who was accompanied by his wife, Sister Dantzel Nelson, gathered for the occasion on a sunny afternoon with some 15 members and Church leaders on a promontory overlooking Oyster Bay on the Indian Ocean, near the capital city of Dar es Salaam. http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/44749/Gospel-takes-root-in-Tanzania.html

Mauritius 1988 November 22 The islands of Mauritius and Réunion, in the Mascarene Islands Mission, were dedicated late in 1988 for the preaching of the gospel. https://www.lds.org/ensign/1989/03/news-of-the-church/mauritius-runion-dedicated-for-missionary-work?lang=eng Elder Marvin J. Ashton of the Council of the Twelve dedicated the two islands, located off the southeast coast of Africa. He visited Mauritius, an independent nation of 1.1 million, on November 22, and Réunion, an

overseas departmént of France with a population of 500,000, on November 23.

Reunion 1988 November 23 The islands of Mauritius and Réunion, in the Mascarene Islands Mission, were dedicated late in 1988 for the preaching of the gospel. Elder Marvin J. Ashton of the Council of the Twelve dedicated the two islands, located off the southeast coast of Africa. He visited Mauritius, an independent nation of 1.1 million, on November 22, and Réunion, an overseas departmént of France with a population of 500,000, on November 23. https://www.lds.org/ensign/1989/03/news-of-the-church/mauritius-runion-dedicated-for-missionary-work?lang=eng

South Africa 1973 December 1 In 1973, President Spencer W. Kimball rededicated South Africa “to the preaching of the gospel … to the transformation of lives.” Among the many blessings pronounced by this prophet of God, none was more thrilling than his request that “processes might converge to bring a temple to this land” and that “no hungry or thirsty soul may ever miss the privilege of hearing and accepting the truth.” https://www.lds.org/ensign/1993/02/south-africa-land-of-good-hope?lang=eng

Books of Interest about Africa R

‘I Dreamed of Africa’ ISBN 0140287442 (ISBN13: 9780140287448)

This is a beautifully written book about a woman who moves to Africa from Italy, learns to love the country, learns to love the animals and especially learns to love its people. A tender story of survival through hard times. Very tender. (Review by Sister Ford serving in Kenya.)

‘Left to Tell’ by Immaculee Ilibagiza (2014) ISBN 978-1-4019-4432-2

‘Left to Tell’ tells Immaculée Ilibagiza’s experience during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. She survived hidden for 91 days with seven other women in a small bathroom, no larger than 3 feet (0.91 m) long and 4 feet (1.2 m) wide with an area of 12 feet. The bathroom was concealed in a room behind a wardrobe in the home of a Hutu pastor. During the genocide, most of Ilibagiza’s family was killed by Hutu Interahamwe soldiers: her mother, her father, and her two brothers Damascene and Vianney. Besides herself, the only other survivor in her family was her brother Aimable, who was studying out of the country in Senegal and did not know the war was going on. In Left to Tell, Ilibagiza shares how her Roman Catholic faith guided her through her terrible ordeal, and describes her eventual forgiveness and compassion toward her family's killers.

‘Unbowed: A Memoir’ by Wangari Maathai (2007) ISBN 978-0-307-27520-2

In Unbowed, Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathai recounts her extraordinary journey from her childhood in rural Kenya to the world stage. When Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement in 1977, she began a vital poor people’s environmental movement, focused on the empowerment of women that soon spread across Africa. Persevering through run-ins with the Kenyan government and personal losses, and jailed and beaten on numerous occasions, Maathai continued to fight tirelessly to save Kenya’s forests and to restore democracy to her beloved country. Infused with her unique luminosity of spirit, Wangari Maathai’s remarkable story of courage, faith, and the power of persistence is destined to inspire generations to come.

‘The Shackled Continent’ by Robert Guest (2004) ISBN-13: 978-0-330-41972 ISBN-10: 0-330-41972-2

The Shackled Continent provides a persuasive look into the persistent problems of modern Africa and offers some possible solutions.

‘Long Walk to Freedom’ by Nelson Mandela (2010) ISBN 9780230013858

‘Long Walk to Freedom’ is an autobiographical work written by South African President Nelson Mandela, and published in 1995 by Little Brown & Co. The book profiles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison. Under the apartheid government, Mandela was regarded as a terrorist and jailed on the infamous Robben Island for his role as a leader of the then-outlawed ANC. He has since achieved international recognition for his leadership as president in rebuilding the country's once segregated society. The last chapters of the book describe his political ascension, and his belief that the struggle continues against apartheid in South Africa.

‘Dark Star Safari’ by Paul Theroux (2004) ISBN-10 0618446877 ISBN-13: 978-8446872

‘Dark Star Safari’ (2002) is a written account of a trip taken by author Paul Theroux 'overland from Cairo to Cape Town' via trains, buses, cars, and armed convoy. Theroux had lived in Africa as a young and idealistic early member of the Peace Corps and part of the reason for this trip was to assess the impact on Africa of the many years of "helping" from Western countries. His assessment is generally critical of the long-term impact of aid programs.

If you have any books that you have read that you would like to include in this section, Please, email me the information.

Movies of Interest about Africa R

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom 2013 Zulu (1964)

Hotel Rwanda (2004) Out of Africa (1985)

Invictus (2009) The Last King of Scotland (2006)

Mandela and de Klerk (1997)

If you have any movies that you have watched that you would like to include in this section, Please, email me the information.

Sources of information for country banners:

All church membership information is provided by Mormon Newsroom by clicking on the ‘Africa’ continent on the map (at the right) and then finding the desired country on the list. The information is reviewed from the list and updated as necessary.

All keywords and country information is collected from an Internet scan of about 60 specific keywords that is supplied to me at 0300 each morning via Google alerts. This keyword list is reviewed and updated as needed.

All Population data are from Country Meters and is updated as needed.

All Cellphone and smartphone data are from GMSA Intelligence and is updated as needed.

All Internet users by country data are from Internet Live Stats and Internet World Stats is reviewed as needed.

GNI (Gross National Income per capita) and Life Expectancy data is from The World Bank

Unemployment and other data are from Photius , IECONOMICS, Quandl, Wikipedia, Theodora & The World Factbook.

Elder Robert Berg

Elder Berg & Sister Berg - Africa Southeast Area Assistant Directors of Public Affairs,

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Email: ASEAPublicAffairs@ldschurch.org Cellphone: +27 (0)83 443 3829 Office: +27 (0)11 645 1538

7 ASEA Newsrooms pages Angola Mormon Newsroom

DR Congo Mormon Newsroom

Kenya Mormon Newsroom

Indian Ocean Newsroom

South Africa Mormon Newsroom

Uganda Mormon Newsroom

Zimbabwe Mormon Newsroom

14 ASEA Facebook pages Angola Mormon Newsroom Facebook Botswana Mormon Newsroom Facebook

DR Congo Mormon Newsroom Facebook Congo Rep Mormon Newsroom Facebook

Indian Ocean Mormon Newsroom Facebook

Kenya Mormon Newsroom Facebook

Madagascar Mormon Newsroom Facebook

Malawi Mormon Newsroom Facebook Mozambique Mormon Newsroom Facebook Namibia Mormon Newsroom Facebook

South Africa Facebook page

Uganda Facebook page

Zambia Mormon Newsroom

Zimbabwe Facebook page