The ASEA

Daily News & Resources

Africa Southeast Area

Thursday 26 November 2015

Issue: 230 (First Issue on 6 November 2014) (95)

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 for 26 November 2015 -Thanksgiving Day-

(Use Links at left and right to see more about the article below.) (There are many other articles in the News today)

Church o 27 quotes from Church leaders about gratitude and

being Thankful. o “A Savior is Born” video (share this Christmas Initiative) o 23 November 1988: Elder Ashton dedicates Reunion o December 1973: President Kimball rededicates South

Africa o Christmas Nativity in Sandton o Create and Share Your media Talents! (New!)

Misc. o US issues global travel alert due to increased terrorist

threats.

Medical o New anti-polio vaccine

Social Media o SE Asia has highest social network usage in the world

Angola o BoA to halt supplies of dollar bills o Biggest informal economy in Sub-Saharan Africa

Botswana o Hail devastates crops

Burundi o US Imposes sanctions on 4

CAR o Leaders urge cease fire as pope visits

Congo DR o France to send 300 special forces to Congo

Kenya o Pope arrives o Graft

Namibia o Pulls out of ICC.

Rwanda o Wants out of conflict category

Somalia o Al-Qaeda branch warns members against joining IS

South Africa o Visa rule changes o Police fire rubber bullets at striking Pikitup workers in

Joburg o Eskom seeks higher prices

South Sudan o UN says over 7 million are food insecure in S. Sudan.

Tanzania o President cancels independence-day party to save

money. o Country can’t cope with Burundian refugees

Zambia o Copper mining unit lays off 4,300 workers

Zimbabwe o Two gangs suspected of poisoning elephants o Drought and drop in revenue to weigh on budget.

Book Reviews (New book review)

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

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27 quotes from LDS leaders about gratitude and thanksgiving As Thanksgiving approaches, talk of food, vacation time and Black Friday deals can seem to take center stage. Gratitude, the essence of the holiday, can easily be lost amid second helpings and shopping sprees. To put the purpose of the upcoming holiday in perspective, we've compiled quotes from LDS leaders about the importance of giving thanks and reflecting on blessings.

Church, Governments and Humanitarian Partners Aid Refugees in Europe Apostle visits shelters in Germany and Greece

FRANKFURT, GERMANY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is continuing its long-standing partnership with international humanitarian organizations to tend to the dire needs of refugees entering Europe. Support is underway to provide food, shelter, clothing and medical supplies and other life-sustaining necessities. Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the second-highest presiding body

of the Church, just returned from visiting a refugee shelter in Berlin, Germany, and two sites on the Greek island of Lesbos. Elder Ballard was there to show his support and to gather firsthand impressions of the tremendous humanitarian effort for those who have lost everything fleeing civil conflict in their own countries.

Share 'A Savior Is Born' video on Nov. 29 (Deseret News) The Church is encouraging all members to view and share the video “A Savior Is Born” beginning Nov. 29 (through the end of the year), and then to invite others to learn more about Jesus Christ by visiting christmas.mormon.org. Members’ participation — particularly on Nov. 29 — will increase the impact of this worldwide multimedia initiative that focuses on the importance of the Savior’s birth, life, and mission. “We live in a world where the power and influence of God in our daily lives are downplayed and dismissed and where the

need for a Savior is ignored and even mocked,” says Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “For those who are devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ, there has never been a greater need for us to profess our faith in our Savior, privately and publicly,” he says (“A Savior Is Born,” Dec. 2015 Ensign and New Era). What you can find on www.christmas.mormon.org

Beginning Nov. 29 at 6 a.m. mountain standard time (3PM Nov 29 South Africa Time),

christmas.mormon.org will feature “A Savior Is Born,” a video inspired by Isaiah 9:6 and George Frideric Handel's Messiah showing children from all over the world reciting scriptures about the Savior’s birth. The video and the website will be available in 29 languages.

In addition to the video, christmas.mormon.org will have other resources that help explain the importance and mission of Jesus Christ. Visit christmas.mormon.org today to sign up to receive email alerts when these resources become available: An animated video called “A World without a Savior” that explains how the birth of Savior blesses us in our everyday lives (available only in English, Spanish, and Portuguese) An advent calendar of 8– to 10-second animations (gifs) that tells the story of Jesus’ birth from the New Testament and Isaiah 9:6 Inspirational picture quotes (memes) that can be downloaded and shared on social media using #ASaviorIsBorn Three downloadable “Print and Share” posters that can be printed, filled out, and shared using #ASaviorIsBorn The Church’s Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, and YouTube pages will also have shareable content, and members and missionaries can download posters, program covers, and pass-along cards from mormon.org/download. In addition, for the first time ever, YouTube will be unblocked from all Church buildings worldwide on each Sunday of the initiative.

Christmas Nativity (Click on picture or link to view 20 second video about this event!) Nativity Play, Nativity display, Live Choir, Live Choir celebrating the birth of Christ. Saturday November 28th, 5:30-9:00 PM 145 Curzon Road, Cramerville, Sandton, South Africa Everyone is invited! Bring your friends and family!

Create and share your media Talents!! This is an amazing website!

Surely we have talent to share in the Africa Southeast Area!

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.

Self paw-trait: Tourists pose for pictures with family of CHEETAHS after the wild cats pounce on their safari jeep in Kenya A quick-thinking photographer took a self paw-trait of himself and a family of cheetahs when they jumped on a car. Dhaval Shah, 30, was unfazed when the four cheetahs leapt onto the jeep he was in with close friend Upesh Mungra, 31. The pair watched as the big cats clambered on top of the car in the Masai Mara, Kenya.

They both posed calmly with the animals and snapped away while cautiously moving behind them, just centimetres away. One of the cubs stood next to its mother, Malaika, five, and licked its lips as it approached the pair.

Medical News Found in the news stream. R Mozambique unveils new anti-polio vaccine A new vaccine against poliomyelitis to be given to all children aged four months will be launched in Mozambique by the Health Ministry on Friday in the district of Manhica, some 80 kms north of the capital, Maputo.The Health Ministry says this is the Inactivated Polio Vaccine, IPV, which contains inactivated strains of all three poliovirus types and since it is not a live vaccine, it carries no risk of vaccine-associated polio paralysis. This vaccine is given by injection, and it replaces the oral polio vaccine, which is a live vaccine and so carries the real, but extremely unlikely possibility of causing paralysis.

Social Media/Internet/Tech R

Southeast Asia Has Among the Highest Social Network Usage in the World Facebook is a key driver of growth across the region

Southeast Asia has some of the highest penetration of social network usage among internet users of anywhere in the world, according to eMarketer’s first-ever forecast for the region, which includes Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

This app is changing the way Tanzania reads the news Tanzanians, like other Africans on the continent, are doing almost everything via their phones these days—from paying bills, depositing and transferring cash, to accessing loans. And now an app has introduced a new way for people to read newspapers. M-Paper is distributing printed editions directly to readers’ phones. “After M-pesa for mobile money, why not have M-Paper for mobile papers?” Edwin Bruno, chief executive officer of Smart Codes, the digital agency behind the app, told Quartz. While print media in the West is feeling the pressure of having to compete for readers and ad revenue from all sorts of online sources, in Africa the situation is slightly different. People here still trust newspapers more than online platforms to deliver the news. ….The app has 46 newspapers on its roster, including some of the most prominent publications in the country, such as The Citizen and Habari Leo. It also houses magazines, and to a lesser extent, books. Every night, as they send the next day’s editions to the printers, they also upload it to M-Paper. “When they have uploaded it onto the dashboard, they can schedule at which time they want M-Paper [users] to receive it over their phones,” Bruno explains. In the two months since it launched, M-Paper has attracted 40,000 downloads, according to Smart Codes figures. And M-Paper has started to attract attention, winning an Apps Africa Innovation Award in South Africa this month.

Misc. Found in the news stream. R

Animal Conservation and related articles R

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

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Nigeria: Treasury Looters Now Returning Stolen Funds - -Buhari Abuja — President Muhammadu Buhari, in Tehran, Iran, yesterday, disclosed that many of those who looted the public treasuries in the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan had started returning the stolen funds to the government. He said that though the government appreciated the development, it was still not enough to condone corruption, stressing that his government would still prosecute them in due course. He stated that the prosecution of suspects is taking time because the government is painstakingly gathering hard evidence against them.

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

BofA Said to Halt Supplies of Dollar Bills for Use in Angola Bank of America Corp., which provides most of the dollar notes dispensed by banks in Angola, is halting the supply of greenbacks to the African country, according to two people with knowledge of the matter. Dollar notes from the U.S. bank were distributed in Angola by Rand Merchant Bank, a unit of Johannesburg-based FirstRand Ltd., the people said, asking not to be identified because they weren’t authorized to publicly comment on the matter. Bank of America wasn’t under government pressure and stopped sending the cash from a distribution facility in London to the South African bank after reviewing its money business, one of the people said. Elizabeth Wood, a London-based spokeswoman for BofA, declined to comment. Africa: Angola Has One of Biggest Informal Economies in Sub-Saharan Africa - Official Luanda — Angola remains one of the sub-Saharan countries with highest levels of economic informality, which concerns the national economic authorities. This was said Friday in Luanda by the secretary of State for Finance, Valentina Filipe.

Speaking at the opening of the IV International Conference on Tax going under the theme "Boosting of tax collection towards the economy diversification strategy", Valentina Filipe indicated that the latest figures from the Ministry of Finance put the informality levels at 60 percent, a figure that requires urgent action.

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

Hail storm devastates growers in Botswana A hail storm which swept through Lentsweletau, Botswana, last week Tuesday, has left many farmers with destroyed produce, totalling to over a million pula in value. Many are funded by CEDA and are concerned that they will not be able to pay back their loans. It has been reported that the hail storm hit around 9pm Tuesday evening, and lasted for about 30 minutes. The crops primarily affected by the storm were reported to be cabbage, butternut squash, and tomatoes.

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

U.S. Imposes Sanctions on 4 in Burundi Violence NAIROBI, Kenya — The United States imposed sanctions Monday against four men connected to a wave of violence in Burundi that has destabilized the central African nation and raised fears of all-out civil war. Hundreds of people have been killed in protests, mysterious attacks and a coup attempt in Burundi since its president, Pierre Nkurunziza, announced in April that he would run for a third term, despite many Burundians’ saying it was illegal. He won that third term in July in an election that many Western officials said was flawed. “President Nkurunziza’s pursuit of a third term in office has precipitated a humanitarian, economic, and security crisis,” said a statement by Ned Price, spokesman of the National Security Council in Washington. “Burundi is on the precipice, but there is a clear path available to Burundi’s leaders to avoid further violence and reach a political solution.” Burundi government links respected journalist to failed coup, seeks his extradition KIGALI, Rwanda (AP) — Buurndi's government is seeking to extradite a prominent journalist from Belgium over charges he played a role in a failed coup attempt against the government, the journalist said Wednesday. Burundi's government alleges Antoine Kaburahe, director of the independent newspaper Iwacu, conspired with the generals who attempted to overthrow the president in May during violent protests against the president's efforts to run for a third term, Kaburahe said in a statement. Burundian justice officials questioned Kaburahe on Nov. 16 —before he traveled to Belgium — over why he had had phone conversations with the coup plotters, his lawyer Ramberi Nsabimana told AP Wednesday. Kaburahe is alleged to have spoken over the phone with Cyrille Ndayirukiye, the deputy leader of the renegade generals, a day before the coup was launched. Ndayirukiye was arrested in June but his alleged accomplices are believed to be in exile.

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

12 Killed in Suicide Bombings This Weekend in Nigeria and Cameroon Five teenage girls killed 12 people over the weekend in two suicide bombings in the African nations of Nigeria and Cameroon, according to media reports. Security sources told multiple news outlets that Islamic terrorist organization Boko Haram is behind both attacks. The five girls died along with their victims, ABC News reports. Cameroon to re-launch privatization process – Official The Cameroonian government has revealed plans to re-launch in 2016, the state-owned enterprises privatization process that has been interrupted for some time, to enable the government to reap a sum of 120 billion CFA francs. While so far no timetable pertaining to it has been released, sources close to the Ministry of Finance insinuate it to begin “before the second quarter of the year”, suggesting that the process could begin in March. This is an initiative which falls within the framework of the fifth program which includes the names of companies to be privatized. Pending the publication of the complete list of state-owned enterprises to be privatized, everything suggests that already open cases are particularly concerned. In the line of vision of these new privatizations, there are several companies, among others, Cameroon Airlines Corporation (CAMAIR-CO), Cameroon Telecommunications (Camtel), the banana branch of Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), Cameroonian Company of Oil Deposits (SCDP) and the Cameroon Cotton Development Company (SODECOTON).

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

Central African Republic Leaders Urge Cease-Fire as Pope Visits Religious leaders in the Central African Republic called for a cease-fire in the war-torn nation before Pope Francis arrives for a two-day visit on Nov. 29. Catholic Bishop Dieudonne Nzanapalainga, Reverend Pascal Guerekoyame-Gbangou, the head of the Protestant church, and Muslim representative Imam Kobine Layama broadcast the call on national radio stations on

Tuesday in the capital, Bangui. The pontiff is scheduled to meet government officials, hold a mass in the national stadium and visit a mosque in the city. “We call for the cessation of hostilities throughout the country to enable us to welcome the pope in peace and joy,” the leaders said in a joint statement. FEATURE-Gun battles in Central African Republic cripple access to healthcare BAMBARI, Central African Republic, Nov 24 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - A fter gunmen burned down her village in scrubland of Central African Republic's Ouaka region, Marceline Wanou fled into the forest with her two young sons, hoping to return in a few days. Nine months later Wanou has yet to go back, spending six months struggling to survive in the forest until a team of aid workers in July discovered her and 350 other members of her community, badly malnourished with many barely able to walk. "I was just trying to save my children but after five months of hiding I realised we might all die," said Wanou, sitting on a hospital bed in Bambari, the main town in the country's southern municipality that borders Democratic Republic of Congo. Like millions of others, Wanou's life has been turned upside down by fighting in the former French colony, where Pope Francis is due to visit later this month despite violence between opposing rebel groups ongoing since 2013.

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

France to send 300 special forces to Congo Troops to train Democratic Republic of Congo soldiers fighting eastern rebels France is to send 300 special forces troops to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to provide training, the French ambassador said Wednesday. “France will help the Congolese army to hunt down and neutralize the Ugandan Allied Democratic Forces rebels in the eastern part of the DRC,” Ambassador Alain Remy said at a news conference in the northeastern city of Beni. The Ugandan rebels and fighters from neighboring Rwanda, have carried out attacks in the eastern DRC that have left at least 450 dead since early last year, according to Human Rights Watch. French forces will provide logistical support and counterterrorism training to the Congolese military, Remy said. “France will be there to dissolve terrorism and help families displaced by war in the region,” the ambassador added.

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

El Nino floods could displace 100,000 in Ethiopia: U.N ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Floods caused by El Nino could displace more than 100,000 people in Ethiopia, where more than 8 million people are facing a food crisis because of the worst drought since a devastating 1984 famine, the United Nations said on Monday. Failed rains during both the spring and summer have created food and water shortages in the Horn of Africa nation. The government and aid agencies say Ethiopia needs $600 million to cope with the crisis. Ethiopia, brought to its knees by famine in 1984 which killed hundreds of thousands of people, now boasts one of the world's fastest growing economies and is far better able to cope with a new crisis, experts say. The government says agriculture has a smaller role and double-digit growth forecasts will not be knocked off track this time.

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:

Gabon Country Profile 2015: Live by oil, die by oil Campaigning for Gabon's 2016 presidential elections has already begun. President Ali Bongo Ondimba has launched a series of anti-corruption investigations to improve his governance credentials and is seeking to improve his weak performance in delivering on promises like building 5,000 new housing units per year. Former AU Commission chairman Jean Ping, who resigned from the ruling Parti Democratique Gabonais in February 2014, is looking to unite the opposition. The Union Nationale opposition party – banned by the government but still operating – has lacked direction during the long illness of leader André Mba Obame and a divided opposition has little hope of dislodging Bongo in the single-round presidential election. A falling oil price, however, is the biggest threat that the government now faces.

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

Pope Francis Arrives in a Kenya Fed Up With Graft NAIROBI, Kenya — Pope Francis is known for his humility, but many Kenyans still could not believe what they saw him do when he arrived in Nairobi on Wednesday: He drove in from the airport in a little gray Honda.

The Kenyan bigwigs in the official motorcade from the airport rode in polished Mercedes and fancy four-by-fours, but the pope waved to the crowds from the back seat of what one Kenyan newspaper dubbed a “lowly miniature Honda car.” Kenya’s president reshuffles Cabinet after graft allegations Nairobi, Kenya — Kenya’s president reshuffled his Cabinet Tuesday to replace five ministers who are being investigated for graft and one who resigned over the weekend after being accused of corruption. President Uhuru Kenyatta replaced ministers for transport and infrastructure, agriculture, energy and petroleum, and lands and labor, who vacated office in March to allow for the investigation on graft allegations that implicates them. The former Planning and Devolution Minister Anne Waiguru resigned Saturday citing health reasons after she was accused of corruption. Kenyatta said an objective of the reshuffle is to ensure the accountability of public officials in the discharge of their mandate. Kenyatta’s nearly 3-year-old regime has come under heavy criticism for inaction against graft which American Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec earlier this month described as a crisis. Kenyatta declared corruption a national security threat Monday and presented a raft of measures to fight the graft that is endemic in East Africa’s largest economy. The president’s announcement was received with skepticism by analysts. John Githongo, a former Kenyan government adviser who exposed millions of dollars in government corruption in the previous regime, said Kenyatta’s credibility in taking action against corruption is very low. Githongo said he does not expect anything will change following the president’s announcement. Kenya ranked a low 145 out of 174 countries in the Transparency International 2014 index of how common graft is perceived to be among citizens of various countries. Kenya: Senators "shocked by the level of contamination of water sources" after Kenya Pipeline Company's oil spill “Oil spill is a huge disaster, Senate team says, calls for compensation of Makueni residents” The Senate Committee on Energy has called for medical screening of primary and secondary school students in Thange area of Makueni County for possible poisoning following a massive oil spill…A pipeline managed by Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) burst and leaked its contents for months undetected, thus polluting the river and the surrounding environment. The senators described the pollution in the area, including in farms and wells, as “a huge environmental disaster”. “We are shocked by the level of contamination of water sources. As a committee we take this very seriously and we will work with all stakeholders to arrive at a lasting solution,” Senator Moi said. He added that independent assessors would be commissioned to evaluate the extent of the pollution. KPC has appointed Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS) Kenya Ltd to carry out an environmental, social and economic impact assessment. “The loss of livelihoods must be adequately compensated,” said the senator. The brutal reality of life on Nairobi’s streets: The pictures that reveal the hardships of Kenya's capital where gun crime is rife and young girls are forced to turn to prostitution (This pictorial is worth reading in its entirety.-rb)

Around two million people live in the shantytowns packed in around Kenya's capital, Nairobi

One policeman said: 'Every week there is a shooting, a robbery, and a murder. Every second day a serious crime'

Many Kenyans complain about how the police interact with the public, so crimes often go unreported

Some young women in Nairobi say they cannot support their children without turning to prostitution

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

Malawi Donors Want New, Tougher Conditions Before Resuming Aid Malawi’s finance minister Goodall Gondwe said the country’s foreign donors have imposed new and tougher demands as conditions for the resumption of aid to his country.

Malawi lost up to 40 percent of the budget support aid it was receiving from foreign donors when the European Union, the World Bank, and the United Kingdom suspended aid last year because of the corruption scandal, known as “Cashgate,” which diverted about $32 million from government accounts. Gondwe said the new conditions are very specific.

"For example, to make sure that we decentralize our subsidy, half of it to be 'handled by the private sector.' Number 2, they want us to publish a bill on access to information that the government should agree to be giving information to the public. Then they want us to look at our wage administration to ensure that we expunge ghost workers. And we must do that if we are going to get support from them,” he said.

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

Namibia Pulls Out of ICC Hebert Zharare — The Namibian government has approved a recommendation by the ruling Swapo Party for the country to withdraw from the widely-discredited International Criminal Court (ICC).Namibia, which joined the ICC in 2002, becomes the first African country to announce such a bold stance, coming barely two months after South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) also recommended that the country withdraws from the glorified kangaroo court. Zimbabwe is not a signatory to the Rome Statute that created the ICC, but President Mugabe -- who is also African Union chairman -- is on record denouncing the court, calling for the formation of an African Court of Justice. South Africa and Namibia are signatories to the Rome Statute that gave rise to the formation of the 60-member ICC, which the AU does not recognise. Namibian Information Minister Mr Tjekero Tweya on Monday disclosed Cabinet's recommendation for the country to leave the ICC at a media briefing where he also confirmed that the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation was tasked to review the country's foreign policy.

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 Wants Out of Conflict Category Washington, DC — Rwanda's Minister of State in-charge of Mining, Evode Imena, has asked that Rwanda be considered a 'conflict-free" mineral country. "Currently more money is spent complying with conflict mineral regulation than money spent for government taxes. We would like Rwanda to be considered as conflict-free because there is no conflict in Rwanda," he said. According to a ministry statement, he was last week appearing in a Hearing held of the Monetary Policy and Trade Subcommittee of the United States House of Representatives (Committee of Financial Services). "Rwanda has made significant efforts to clean the mineral supply chain. 100% of the 3T minerals, tin, tantalum and tungsten, mined in Rwanda are traceable from the mine site up to the point of export," he said.

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:

Somalia's Al-Qaeda branch warns members against joining IS Nairobi (AFP) - Somalia's Shebab fighters have warned they will "cut the throat" of members who shift allegiance from Al-Qaeda to Islamic State, amid reports some factions have already been punished for doing so. "If anyone says he belongs to another Islamic movement, kill him on the spot," top Shebab official Abu Abdalla, said in a radio broadcast Monday. "We will cut the throat of any one... if they undermine unity." The Shebab, East Africa's long-time Al-Qaeda branch, is fighting to overthrow the internationally-backed government in Mogadishu, which is protected by 22,000 African Union troops.

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

Sadtu wants Ramaphosa to succeed Zuma as president JOHANNESBURG - The South African Democratic Teacher’s Union (Sadtu) has thrown its support behind Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa as the ANC’s next leader. Sadtu called on delegates at Cosatu’s national congress to join its cause. This despite senior leaders and the ANC calling on members not to discuss the 2017 succession race. “It has become a principle that deputy presidents of the ANC are prepared at some stage to become the leaders of the country,” said Sadtu Deputy General Secretary Nkosana Dolopi. Home Affairs twitter spat highlights concern about SA's visa rule changes implementation Cape Town – The Department of Home Affairs has been called to account for failing to communicate or outline exactly how and when the recently announced changes to SA’s contentious visa rules would come into effect. While everyday folk have no doubt fallen victim to the confusion, a recent high-profile scenario bubbled up on social media showing just how confusing the situation is and highlighting the extent to which the DHA needs to resolve the issue.

READ: Idris Elba and his daughter unable to enter SA due to new travel laws Award-winning actor Idris Alba was recently refused entry to South Africa for not having the necessary documentation for his daughter yet the recent changes announced by the Government’s inter-ministerial committee - tasked with accessing the rules - states unabridged birth certificates would only apply to SA citizens and not foreign visitors. While not effective immediately at the time of the announcement on 26 October – almost a month later it remains unclear when and how the changes will be put into effect. READ: FEDHASA calls on DHA for clearer communication on implementation of visa changes The Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA) has welcomed the changes to the visa requirements stating "its significance will once again position South Africa as a preferred tourist destination”, but FEDHASA CEO Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa says the department of home affairs has a "responsibility to communicate the changes more effectively". Finance minister 'concerned' by leadership crisis at SAA Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene is "concerned" that senior management changes at South African Airways are hampering the carrier's efforts to become financially stable and has asked for a briefing from the board. SAA, which is unprofitable and relying on government-guaranteed loans, last week appointed Musa Zwane as its seventh acting or permanent CEO in less than four years. Other changes include the recent departure of CFO Wolf Meyer and director Anthony Dixon. Chief strategy officer Barry Parsons left the company in July, while SAA said it had suspended chief commercial officer Sylvain Bosc. "Leadership stability is crucial to implementing the long-term turn-around strategy so that the airline can return to financial sustainability," Nene said yesterday. A decision has yet to be made on SAA's application to renegotiate its plane-leasing arrangement with Airbus Group, the ministry said. The national Treasury is studying the request and recommendations will be made "in due course". Police fire rubber bullets at striking Pikitup workers in Joburg Johannesburg – The unprotected strike by Pikitup waste management company workers turned violent on Tuesday when police fired rubber bullets at the strikers.

Members from the SA Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) embarked on an unprotected strike on Monday. Police said the strike turned ugly when workers looted the streets of Braamfontein and burnt Pikitup bins as they marched to the Johannesburg mayor's office. Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said striking workers tried to break the windows at Mayor Parks Tau's office. Police fired rubber bullets as a

result. "The striking workers have dispersed. The streets of Braamfontein are still covered by the dirt left by [workers]," Dlamini said. Samwu's Paul Tlhabane said their members were striking because the remuneration policy was inconsistent. The legacy of injustice has shaped the country. Now it needs growth, of the right kind (This is an excellent article with much information.-rb)

Last week, I visited South Africa for the first time in 15 years. In 2000, when euphoria over the transition to democracy gripped the world’s imagination, I was concerned that the economic challenges would prove overwhelming. Only brave, skilful and honest leadership could deliver a successful future. Inevitably, it has fallen short of these requirements. A downward spiral of populism and declining performance looms. ….

Eskom Seeks Higher South Africa Power Prices Despite Profit Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. will seek higher electricity tariffs to service its 300 billion-rand ($21 billion) debt pile even after first-half profit climbed 22 percent, further squeezing South African consumers.

A 13 percent increase in power prices helped Eskom’s net income climb to 11.3 billion rand in the six months to Sept. 30, from 9.3 billion rand a year earlier, Chief Executive Officer Brian Molefe told reporters in Johannesburg Tuesday. While this has “stabilized” Eskom, South Africa’s power utility will continue to request higher tariffs to pay off debt, Chief Financial Officer Anoj Singh said. ….The volume of electricity sold fell to 107,307 gigawatt-hours, a fourth straight first-half decrease, as Eskom wasn’t able to meet demand and users sought alternative sources, ….

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:

UN says over 7 million people are food insecure in South Sudan November 24, 2015 (NEW YORK) – The United Nations (UN) has rung an alarm bell in which it announced the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the war-ravaged South Sudan with over 7 million people at risk of starvation, almost 70% of the country’s overall population.

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

Tanzania President Cancels Independence Day Party to Save Money Tanzanian President John Magufuli canceled independence day celebrations and said public money that would have been used for the festivities will be reallocated to fight cholera, buy medicine and improve health care. Citizens of Tanzania, which marks its 54th year since independence from Britain on Dec. 9, should use that day to do "practical tasks" whether it be in offices, at markets or cleaning up their communities, Magufuli said in a statement on the presidency’s website. The holiday is important to keep alive the "memory of the freedom of our country" and it will be observed again starting in 2016, the president said. Magufuli, who was elected in October, has called on government leaders to be more mindful of cutting costs. Earlier this month, he ordered officials to limit trips abroad and spend more time in their local constituencies and said funds that were meant to pay for a ceremony at parliament should be diverted to add hospital beds to ease a shortage. Tanzania, which has an annual gross domestic product per capita of less than $1,000, is battling a cholera outbreak that has killed at least 68 people. UNHCR: ' We can't cope with mass Burundian refugee influx in Tanzania'

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

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:

Glencore's Zambia copper mining unit lays off 4,300 workers - company and union sources

Zimbabwe R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 102% / 85% 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

Zimbabwe busts two gangs suspected of poisoning national park elephants Seven men, believed to be part of two gangs that recently poisoned elephants with cyanide in Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park have been arrested, a local conservation group said on Tuesday.

Zimbabwe: Dr. Chivaura Dies, Becomes Third Zimbabwean Academic to Die Inside Two Weeks VOCAL academic Dr. Vimbai Chivaura has become the third Zimbabwean don to die inside two weeks. His brother Vengai Chivaura said Dr. Chivaura died Tuesday morning at the Avenues clinic in Harare. "I am heavily saddened by the passing on of my brother, a great leader, mentor, teacher, a man who stood up, fought and advocated for his beloved country Zimbabwe's rights, a Zimbabwean icon, and a man who was a great pillar of strength in the Gukwe and Chivaura family," Vengai said in a Facebook post.

Ahead of Dr. Chivaura's passing on, former National University of science and Technology (Nust) VC professor Lindela Ndlovu succumbed to diabetes while professor Sam Moyo died following a car accident in India at the weekend. Zimbabwe: Drought, Revenue Drop to Weigh On Zim Budget Zimbabwe's Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa is to present the country's 2016 national budget on Thursday. Given the continued deterioration of the country's economic situation, Chinamasa's task is nothing but herculean and he is expected to perform a Houdini act. One key focus area is how Chinamasa will deal with the country's falling revenues. The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) missed its revenue target for the period from June to October. During that period Zimra collected US$878.22m against a target of $964m - a 7% drop from $884m collected during the same period last year.

United States R Data Provided for comparison

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

Penetration of population w/ internet 86.8% 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

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