Kunle Afolayan responds to criticism of Anikulapo Season 2, saying his films are made for thinkers and layered storytelling fans. Nollywood filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has addressed reactions to his latest project, Anikulapo Series 2: The Ghoul Awakens , stating that his films are designed for audiences who appreciate intellectual and layered storytelling. In a video shared on his Instagram page on February 10, Afolayan reflected on the immediate responses from critics and viewers following the release of the new season The Sun Nigeria Entertainment –…. He said not all audiences are expected to understand or connect with his creative approach. “I make films for people who can think,” Afolayan said, referencing earlier works such as Irapada and The Figurine , which he noted also faced criticism before later receiving international recognition The Sun Nigeria Entertainment –…. He compared early judgments of the new season to global series like Game of Thrones , where audiences often wait for episodes to unfold before forming conclusions The Sun Nigeria Entertainment –…. According to him, the second season introduces new characters and plotlines that require patience and careful viewing. Afolayan added that feedback from scholars and academic audiences has been positive, reinforcing his commitment to producing thought-provoking cinema The Sun Nigeria Entertainment –… . While acknowledging that some viewers may not align with his vision, he expressed appreciation for those who support the series. The Ghoul Awakens is currently streaming on Netflix in more than 100 countries and is being prepared for release in non-English speaking regions, expanding its global reach The Sun Nigeria Entertainment –… . Social media users have also reacted to the filmmaker’s comments, with some expressing support and anticipation for future episodes The Sun Nigeria Entertainment –…. Source : The Sun Nigeria Entertainment Continue Reading Full Article NOLLYWOOD UPDATES Kunle Afolayan Defends ‘Anikulapo’ Season 2 Criticism By Witty Pascal Entertainment Editor Witty Pascal Home Comment Feb 11, 2026 May 15, 2026 2 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: Nollywood filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has addressed reactions to his latest project, Anikulapo Series 2: The Ghoul Awakens , stating that his films are designed for audiences who appreciate intellectual and layered storytelling. In a video shared on his Instagram page on February 10, Afolayan reflected on the immediate responses from critics and viewers following the release of the new season The Sun Nigeria Entertainment –…. He said not all audiences are expected to understand or connect with his creative approach. “I make films for people who can think,” Afolayan said, referencing earlier works such as Irapada and The Figurine , which he noted also faced criticism before later receiving international recognition The Sun Nigeria Entertainment –…. ADVERTISEMENT He compared early judgments of the new season to global series like Game of Thrones , where audiences often wait for episodes to unfold before forming conclusions The Sun Nigeria Entertainment –…. According to him, the second season introduces new characters and plotlines that require patience and careful viewing. Afolayan added that feedback from scholars and academic audiences has been positive, reinforcing his commitment to producing thought-provoking cinema The Sun Nigeria Entertainment –… ADVERTISEMENT . While acknowledging that some viewers may not align with his vision, he expressed appreciation for those who support the series. The Ghoul Awakens is currently streaming on Netflix in more than 100 countries and is being prepared for release in non-English speaking regions, expanding its global reach The Sun Nigeria Entertainment –… . Social media users have also reacted to the filmmaker’s comments, with some expressing support and anticipation for future episodes The Sun Nigeria Entertainment –…. Trending Now US Democrats' Rwanda Record: Peaceful Change and Congo Sovereignty . Policy and Reforms Tanzania Community Grants: Who Benefits and What Comes Next . Government Announcements Ghana–Canada Seafarer Deal Does Not Guarantee Jobs . Job & Opportunity South Africa Elections 2026: DA Leads Gauteng as Count Advances . Elections Monitoring Popular Today Biography Poco Lee Biography: Age, Real Name, Dance Career and Songs . Biography Eric Omondi Biography: Comedy, Activism and Public Life . Biography Who Is Snit Habteab, Eritrea’s Miss World Trailblazer? . Entertainment Poco Lee UK Case Sparks Consent Debate Among Nigerian Stars . Entertainment FOLA Leads 2026 Headies Nominations Ahead of Toronto . ADVERTISEMENT Source : The Sun Nigeria Entertainment ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Biography Poco Lee Biography: Age, Real Name, Dance Career and Songs Inside the Nigerian dancer’s rise from Ojo street shows to Afrobeats stages, music and global fame. . Biography Eric Omondi Biography: Comedy, Activism and Public Life How Eric Omondi rose through Churchill Show and became a prominent Kenyan activist. . Biography Who Is Snit Habteab, Eritrea’s Miss World Trailblazer? The neuroscientist and educator became Eritrea’s first Miss World entrant and reached the Top 6 . Entertainment Poco Lee UK Case Sparks Consent Debate Among Nigerian Stars The dancer faces five sexual offence charges and returns to court on September 15. . Tags Entertainment Entertainment Nigerian Entertainment Nigerian Entertainment Nigeria Nigeria

Meghan Markle reportedly avoided a public birthday message to Princess Kate, citing respect amid the princess’s recovery. According to a Geo News report, Meghan Markle is said to have privately shown consideration toward Princess Kate as the Princess of Wales marked her 44th birthday, despite the absence of any public message from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Princess Kate celebrated her birthday on January 9 with a personal message shared via the official Prince and PrPrince and Princess incess of Wales Instagram account. The post attracted widespread attention and messages from supporters around the world, including members of the royal family. Observers noted that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle did not issue a public birthday greeting on social media, a decision that drew attention amid ongoing speculation about potential reconciliation between the Sussexes and the royal household. A source quoted by ShuterScoop indicated that the lack of a public message was deliberate and not intended as a snub. According to the source, Markle preferred to allow Princess Kate privacy, particularly following her recent health challenges related to cancer treatment. The source added that the decision reflected respect for what the Princess of Wales has been experiencing, rather than distance or disregard. However, another account suggested the silence could also be interpreted as a sign that the Sussexes are maintaining firm boundaries in their relationship with the royal family. That source described the move as a conscious choice rather than an oversight. Princess Kate has slowly returned to public duties in recent months, with her appearances described as measured and composed. Neither Kensington Palace nor representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have commented publicly on the report. Source: Geo News Continue Reading Full Article HOLLYWOOD UPDATES Meghan Markle Keeps Silence on Princess Kate’s Birthday By Witty Pascal Entertainment Editor Witty Pascal Home Comment Jan 26, 2026 May 15, 2026 2 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: According to a Geo News report, Meghan Markle is said to have privately shown consideration toward Princess Kate as the Princess of Wales marked her 44th birthday, despite the absence of any public message from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Princess Kate celebrated her birthday on January 9 with a personal message shared via the official Prince and PrPrince and Princess incess of Wales Instagram account. The post attracted widespread attention and messages from supporters around the world, including members of the royal family. Observers noted that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle did not issue a public birthday greeting on social media, a decision that drew attention amid ongoing speculation about potential reconciliation between the Sussexes and the royal household. ADVERTISEMENT A source quoted by ShuterScoop indicated that the lack of a public message was deliberate and not intended as a snub. According to the source, Markle preferred to allow Princess Kate privacy, particularly following her recent health challenges related to cancer treatment. The source added that the decision reflected respect for what the Princess of Wales has been experiencing, rather than distance or disregard. ADVERTISEMENT However, another account suggested the silence could also be interpreted as a sign that the Sussexes are maintaining firm boundaries in their relationship with the royal family. That source described the move as a conscious choice rather than an oversight. Princess Kate has slowly returned to public duties in recent months, with her appearances described as measured and composed. Neither Kensington Palace nor representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have commented publicly on the report. Trending Now US Democrats' Rwanda Record: Peaceful Change and Congo Sovereignty . Policy and Reforms Tanzania Community Grants: Who Benefits and What Comes Next . Government Announcements Ghana–Canada Seafarer Deal Does Not Guarantee Jobs . Job & Opportunity South Africa Elections 2026: DA Leads Gauteng as Count Advances . Elections Monitoring Popular Today Biography Poco Lee Biography: Age, Real Name, Dance Career and Songs . Biography Eric Omondi Biography: Comedy, Activism and Public Life . Biography Who Is Snit Habteab, Eritrea’s Miss World Trailblazer? . Entertainment Poco Lee UK Case Sparks Consent Debate Among Nigerian Stars . Entertainment FOLA Leads 2026 Headies Nominations Ahead of Toronto . ADVERTISEMENT Source: Geo News ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Biography Poco Lee Biography: Age, Real Name, Dance Career and Songs Inside the Nigerian dancer’s rise from Ojo street shows to Afrobeats stages, music and global fame. . Biography Eric Omondi Biography: Comedy, Activism and Public Life How Eric Omondi rose through Churchill Show and became a prominent Kenyan activist. . Biography Who Is Snit Habteab, Eritrea’s Miss World Trailblazer? The neuroscientist and educator became Eritrea’s first Miss World entrant and reached the Top 6 . Entertainment Poco Lee UK Case Sparks Consent Debate Among Nigerian Stars The dancer faces five sexual offence charges and returns to court on September 15. . Tags Entertainment Entertainment United States United States

Bakambu says DR Congo’s World Cup return must launch a new era of unity, youth support and sports infrastructure reform. Cédric Bakambu has said DR Congo’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup should mark more than a historic sporting return, urging the country to treat the achievement as the start of a broader national project after the Leopards booked their place with a playoff win over Jamaica. The striker’s message came as the team returned to Kinshasa for celebrations following the result . In a message shared after the team’s homecoming, Bakambu said the moment should become “the beginning of a new era,” linking the World Cup qualification to the need for stronger youth support, modern sports infrastructure and greater national unity. He also referenced the suffering in eastern DR Congo , saying the team carries the hopes of people living through years of conflict. Those remarks gave the celebrations a wider meaning beyond football, framing qualification as a moment of collective purpose rather than a one-off triumph. DR Congo sealed its place at the 2026 tournament with a 1-0 extra-time victory over Jamaica in Guadalajara, with Axel Tuanzebe scoring the decisive goal. Multiple reports confirmed it is the country’s first World Cup qualification in 52 years, dating back to the 1974 finals when the nation competed as Zaire. The team then returned to a jubilant reception in Kinshasa, where thousands of supporters lined the streets to celebrate the achievement. According to the main source, President Félix Tshisekedi welcomed the squad and awarded players cars, houses and a special bonus, underscoring how politically and symbolically significant the qualification has become inside the country. That scale of reward, however, was not independently confirmed in the additional sources reviewed. For DR Congo, the playoff win has already become more than a football story. It has offered a rare unifying national moment and now, as Bakambu argued, raised expectations that the breakthrough can be turned into lasting progress for the sport and for the country’s next generation. Continue Reading Full Article SPORTS TRENDS Bakambu urges DR Congo to turn World Cup spot into new era By Serge Kitoko Tshibanda Political Analyst Serge Kitoko Tshibanda Home Comment Apr 7, 2026 May 15, 2026 2 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: Cédric Bakambu has said DR Congo’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup should mark more than a historic sporting return, urging the country to treat the achievement as the start of a broader national project after the Leopards booked their place with a playoff win over Jamaica. The striker’s message came as the team returned to Kinshasa for celebrations following the result . In a message shared after the team’s homecoming, Bakambu said the moment should become “the beginning of a new era,” linking the World Cup qualification to the need for stronger youth support, modern sports infrastructure and greater national unity. He also referenced the suffering in eastern DR Congo , saying the team carries the hopes of people living through years of conflict. Those remarks gave the celebrations a wider meaning beyond football, framing qualification as a moment of collective purpose rather than a one-off triumph. ADVERTISEMENT DR Congo sealed its place at the 2026 tournament with a 1-0 extra-time victory over Jamaica in Guadalajara, with Axel Tuanzebe scoring the decisive goal. Multiple reports confirmed it is the country’s first World Cup qualification in 52 years, dating back to the 1974 finals when the nation competed as Zaire. The team then returned to a jubilant reception in Kinshasa, where thousands of supporters lined the streets to celebrate the achievement. According to the main source, President Félix Tshisekedi welcomed the squad and awarded players cars, houses and a special bonus, underscoring how politically and symbolically significant the qualification has become inside the country. That scale of reward, however, was not independently confirmed in the additional sources reviewed. ADVERTISEMENT For DR Congo, the playoff win has already become more than a football story. It has offered a rare unifying national moment and now, as Bakambu argued, raised expectations that the breakthrough can be turned into lasting progress for the sport and for the country’s next generation. Trending Now US Democrats' Rwanda Record: Peaceful Change and Congo Sovereignty . Policy and Reforms Tanzania Community Grants: Who Benefits and What Comes Next . Government Announcements Ghana–Canada Seafarer Deal Does Not Guarantee Jobs . Job & Opportunity South Africa Elections 2026: DA Leads Gauteng as Count Advances . Elections Monitoring Popular Today Health News Uganda HIV Self-Test Assembly: Prices, Jobs and Exports . Banking and Finance Absa Dubai Office: Services, Eligibility and Contacts . Business & Investment 5 Best Citizenship by Investment Programs for Africans . Scholarships 120 EAC Master’s Scholarships Open to EAC Students — How to Apply . Scholarships UCT Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2027 Opens to Africans . ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Health News Uganda HIV Self-Test Assembly: Prices, Jobs and Exports Mukono factory assembles OraQuick kits, but the UGX 7,000 price remains a target . Banking and Finance Absa Dubai Office: Services, Eligibility and Contacts What African businesses and Gulf investors need to know about Absa’s new DIFC office. . Business & Investment 5 Best Citizenship by Investment Programs for Africans Compare five Caribbean second-passport programs, their investment costs, family benefits.... . Scholarships 120 EAC Master’s Scholarships Open to EAC Students — How to Apply Up to 120 EAC Master’s scholarships are open to nationals of eight East African countries, . Tags Africa Africa DR.Congo DR.Congo Wazalendo DRC Wazalendo DRC African Union African Union

Learn how Suri leadership works through elders, age grades, consensus, and the ritual authority of the komoru. Among the Suri of southwest Ethiopia , leadership has never fit neatly into the outside idea of a chief ruling over a tribe. The Suri, also called Surma in some older academic writing, have a political culture built around elders, age grades, public debate, ritual authority, and consensus. Power is real, but it is not usually held by one ruler with command over everyone. Anthropologist Jon Abbink, whose fieldwork among the Suri is central to the study of their leadership, writes that “chiefs in the proper sense of the word are absent” in Surma society (Abbink, 1997, pp. 317–342). That sentence is important because it corrects two common mistakes. The Suri are not leaderless, but they are also not organized around a king-like chief.Their system is more subtle. Authority is shared, argued over, performed, blessed, and confirmed in public life. Who Are the Suri? T he Suri live in southwest Ethiopia, near the borderlands with South Sudan. The term Suri is often used for the Chai and Tirmaga, while related groups such as the Baale are sometimes discussed alongside them. Mursi Online’s overview of the Suri, a Durham University-linked anthropology resource, describes the Chai and Tirmaga as agro-pastoralist groups living west of the Mursi, across the Omo River. Suri life is closely tied to cattle, cultivation, local territories, clan relations, age sets, and relations with neighboring peoples. These facts matter because leadership among the Suri is not separated from everyday life. Decisions about conflict, cattle, marriage, ritual, movement, land, and relations with outsiders all pass through social systems that depend on reputation, elder authority, and public agreement. A Society Without Chiefs in the Usual Sense The clearest point in the research is that Suri leadership should not be described as centralized chieftaincy. In Abbink’s study of authority, Suri society is described as a non-state social formation where “chiefs in the proper sense of the word are absent” (Abbink, 1997, pp. 317–342). That does not mean there is no authority. It means authority works differently. Continue Reading Full Article AFRICAN CULTURE Leadership Among the Suri of Ethiopia By Neema Asha Mwakalinga Travel & Culture Expert Neema Asha Mwakalinga Home Comment Jul 6, 2026 Jul 6, 2026 12 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: Among the Suri of southwest Ethiopia , leadership has never fit neatly into the outside idea of a chief ruling over a tribe. The Suri, also called Surma in some older academic writing, have a political culture built around elders, age grades, public debate, ritual authority, and consensus. Power is real, but it is not usually held by one ruler with command over everyone. Anthropologist Jon Abbink, whose fieldwork among the Suri is central to the study of their leadership, writes that “chiefs in the proper sense of the word are absent” in Surma society (Abbink, 1997, pp. 317–342). A Suri komoru (ritual priest) leads the bio lama healing ceremony at Ulumholi AND A healing woman, demonstrating the way in which a powerful curse, called kalawari, can be sucked out of the body, and spat out from the mouth. That sentence is important because it corrects two common mistakes. The Suri are not leaderless, but they are also not organized around a king-like chief.Their system is more subtle. Authority is shared, argued over, performed, blessed, and confirmed in public life. Who Are the Suri? T he Suri live in southwest Ethiopia, near the borderlands with South Sudan. The term Suri is often used for the Chai and Tirmaga, while related groups such as the Baale are sometimes discussed alongside them. Mursi Online’s overview of the Suri, a Durham University-linked anthropology resource, describes the Chai and Tirmaga as agro-pastoralist groups living west of the Mursi, across the Omo River. Suri life is closely tied to cattle, cultivation, local territories, clan relations, age sets, and relations with neighboring peoples. These facts matter because leadership among the Suri is not separated from everyday life. Decisions about conflict, cattle, marriage, ritual, movement, land, and relations with outsiders all pass through social systems that depend on reputation, elder authority, and public agreement. A Society Without Chiefs in the Usual Sense The clearest point in the research is that Suri leadership should not be described as centralized chieftaincy. In Abbink’s study of authority, Suri society is described as a non-state social formation where “chiefs in the proper sense of the word are absent” (Abbink, 1997, pp. 317–342). That does not mean there is no authority. It means authority works differently. Among the Suri, important matters are debated and negotiated. Men of the senior age grades have a strong voice in public assemblies. Ritual leaders hold symbolic and spiritual weight. Elders help guide social order But no single person is normally understood as having executive power over the whole community. In Abbink’s related article on Suri violent practice, he states plainly that “The Chai have no ‘chiefs’” (Abbink, 1998, pp. 271–295). Instead, they have a ritual figure called the komoru and an age-grade system through which older men exercise influence. Further Reading Jon Abbink (1997) ADVERTISEMENT Authority and leadership in Surma society (Ethiopia) Relevant pages: 317–342 The Age-Grade System One of the main pillars of Suri authority is the age-grade system. Like several pastoral and agro-pastoral societies in East Africa, Suri men move through age categories that structure responsibility, status, and public authority. Abbink identifies the “reigning” age grade of elders as one of the central institutions through which authority is built (Abbink, 1997, pp. 326–327). The junior elder grade, known as rora in Abbink’s account, has particular political importance. Members of this age grade are not simply older men in a biological sense. They are socially recognized as men with authority to speak, judge, and guide public discussion. This matters because Suri leadership is not just personal charisma. It is organized through age, initiation, public recognition, and social duty. Younger men may gain attention through courage, cattle defense, and public performance, but the authority to settle community matters rests more heavily with elders. The age-grade system also gives Suri leadership a generational rhythm. Authority passes through groups of men rather than through a single royal family. That makes the system different from hereditary monarchy and also different from modern elected office. The Komoru: Ritual Leader, Not Executive Chief The late Komoru Bolegid'angi, a respected ritual leader (komoru) of the Tirmaga Suri, photographed in the 1990s. /Photo credit: Mursi Online The second major institution is the komoru. The word is often translated as ritual chief or priest, but both translations can mislead if they make the komoru sound like a ruler with police-like power. Abbink describes the komoru as a “ritual leader or figurehead, called komoru” (Abbink, 1997, p. 327). In his account, the komoru does not command the Suri in a simple political sense. Abbink’s indexed text on Suri violent practice says the komoru has “no executive or commanding authority” (Abbink, 1998, pp. 271–295). So what does the komoru do? The komoru stands at the center of moral and ritual unity. He is associated with blessing, reconciliation, rain, fertility, and the wider spiritual order. Mursi Online’s Suri overview describes the komoru as a “mediator between humans and Tumu,” the sky deity. The same source links the komoru to rain and fertility. This gives the komoru a different kind of power. He does not rule by issuing commands. His authority comes from ritual position, inherited sacred association, public respect, and the ability to connect community life with divine and ancestral forces. Two expressions of Suri ritual life: (left) a Suri man performs a cleansing ritual at the Omo River to seek protection from disease, while (right) Suri healer Bharbela Ujusha prepares a togoy healing rattle after anointing herself with pink clay traditionally associated with healing. Together, these practices reflect the Suri belief that physical well-being, ritual knowledge, and community harmony are deeply connected. Photo credit: Mursi Online In this sense, the komoru is not weak because he lacks executive power. His strength lies elsewhere. He represents continuity, moral order, and the hope that conflict can be brought back under control. Public Debate and Consensus Suri decision-making is strongly tied to public debate. Authority is not only declared; it must be spoken, tested, heard, and accepted. ADVERTISEMENT Suri women wearing traditional clay lip plates Abbink’s work describes Suri authority as a process of coming to terms with one another rather than simply being governed from above (Abbink, 1997, pp. 326–327). Elders speak in assemblies. Disputes are discussed. Consensus matters. The komoru may help articulate the consensus reached in public debate, but he does not create authority alone. His role depends on the wider structure of elders, age grades, clan relations, and community expectations. This makes Suri leadership deeply social. A person’s voice carries weight because of age, ritual position, reputation, and the ability to hold people together. Leadership is less about office and more about recognized authority. Elders and the Control of Violence One of the clearest examples of elder authority appears in Suri stick fighting. Suri stick fighting is often photographed and described from the outside as a dramatic display of violence. But the research shows that it also had rules, supervision, and social meaning. Debra L. Martin, summarizing Abbink’s work on the Suri, writes that stick-fighting competitions were “managed by elders” (Martin, 2021, p. S173). She also notes that they involved “strict codes of conduct” (Martin, 2021, p. S173). Elders supervised the contests, limited fighting time, and helped prevent ritual combat from turning into uncontrolled violence. This is important for understanding leadership. Elders were not only speakers in meetings. They helped regulate young male aggression, public reputation, and the boundaries between acceptable performance and dangerous escalation. Stick fighting could show courage, skill, and masculinity. But it was not supposed to be random violence. It was watched, judged, and contained. Elder control gave the practice its social frame. Further Reading Debra L. Martin (2021) Violence and Masculinity in Small-Scale Societies Relevant page: S173 pdf Leadership and Cattle Life Suri leadership is also tied to cattle. Cattle are wealth, food, bridewealth, social memory, and a reason for both cooperation and conflict. Young men are expected to herd and defend cattle, while elders and ritual authorities help manage the wider social consequences of cattle-related disputes. Ash is traditionally used to protect the skin from the sun and insects, while cattle remain central to Suri identity, wealth, and daily life. The Ethiopian National Disaster Risk Management Commission’s Surma Woreda Disaster Risk Profile records modern conflict causes including “Theft of cattle” (NDRMC, 2020, p. 8). It also lists resource shortage, pasture pressure, and livestock dependence as part of the risk landscape in Surma woreda (NDRMC, 2020, pp. 8–15). Trending Now US Democrats' Rwanda Record: Peaceful Change and Congo Sovereignty . Policy and Reforms Tanzania Community Grants: Who Benefits and What Comes Next . Government Announcements Ghana–Canada Seafarer Deal Does Not Guarantee Jobs . Job & Opportunity South Africa Elections 2026: DA Leads Gauteng as Count Advances . Elections Monitoring Popular Today African Culture Disability-Selective Infanticide: The Hidden History in Maasailand . African Culture Zee Nxumalo Biography: Age, Real Name, Songs & Amapiano Rise . African Culture Wendy Shay Biography: Age, Nursing Career, Songs & AFRIMA Win . African Culture Vinka Biography: Real Name, Songs, Family & Music Career . African Culture Vestine & Dorcas Biography: Ages, Family, Songs & Career . ADVERTISEMENT These modern government records show that leadership still matters in practical ways. Conflict over cattle and resources is not just a security issue. It is also a social issue requiring mediation, local knowledge, and trusted authority. The same NDRMC profile records a “local elders reconciliation program” as a coping strategy in one conflict setting (NDRMC, 2020, p. 9). That detail is small but revealing. Even in modern state reporting, elders remain visible as part of conflict response. Traditional Authority and the Ethiopian State Suri leadership has also been shaped by the Ethiopian state. The Suri area was incorporated into Ethiopia in the late nineteenth century, and later governments tried in different ways to administer the region. Abbink’s leadership study places Suri authority within three major political periods: the imperial monarchy, the Derg military-socialist government, and the post-1991 ethnic-federal state (Abbink, 1997, pp. 317–342). Across these periods, outside administration did not simply replace local authority. Instead, state power and Suri authority existed in tension. Current Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, While state institutions oversee local governance, many Suri communities continue to rely on elders and the ritual authority of the komoru for customary leadership and conflict resolution. Mursi Online notes that Suri society is now more integrated into national Ethiopian administration than before, but it also says that state-appointed or state-shaped leadership has not always reflected traditional community authority. The result is a layered system: elders and ritual figures still matter locally, while modern woreda structures, officials, and political representatives operate through the state. This is one reason simple descriptions fail. The Suri do not live in an untouched traditional world, and they are not simply absorbed into modern bureaucracy. Their leadership sits between local moral authority and state administration. What Outsiders Often Get Wrong The first mistake is calling the komoru a chief without explanation. That makes Suri leadership sound like a miniature monarchy. The evidence says otherwise. The second mistake is calling the Suri leaderless. That is also wrong. The Suri have leadership, but it works through elders, age grades, ritual office, debate, and consensus. The third mistake is reducing Suri public life to images of fighting, body painting, or lip plates. Those are visible cultural practices, but they do not explain how decisions are made, how disputes are settled, or how moral authority is recognized. Suri leadership is not loud in the way outsiders often expect power to be. It is not always written down, uniformed, or centralized. It is carried in age, memory, ritual, public speech, cattle relations, and the difficult work of keeping a community from breaking apart. Conclusion Leadership among the Suri is best understood as shared authority rather than centralized rule. Elders guide public debate. Age grades organize political voice. The komoru gives ritual weight to unity, blessing, fertility, and reconciliation. Modern state officials add another layer, but they do not erase the older system. The Suri case reminds us that leadership does not always look like a throne, a title, or an office. Sometimes it is an elder speaking in an assembly. Sometimes it is a ritual figure blessing cattle and people. Sometimes it is a community trying to reach consensus after conflict. To understand Suri leadership, the question is not “Who is the chief?” The better question is: who has the authority to bring people back into balance? Reference Suggestions: African Studies Centre Leiden: Abbink on Suri leadership Mursi Online: Suri (Chai) Ethiopia’s Disaster Risk Management Commission: NDRMC profile ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles African Culture Disability-Selective Infanticide: The Hidden History in Maasailand Field evidence exposes a history of killing, abandonment and neglect and the Maasai resisting it . African Culture Zee Nxumalo Biography: Age, Real Name, Songs & Amapiano Rise Meet Zee Nxumalo: her age, real name, songs, awards and journey from viral covers to amapiano stardom. . African Culture Wendy Shay Biography: Age, Nursing Career, Songs & AFRIMA Win Discover Wendy Shay’s age, Ghana-Germany story, nursing career, albums, songs and awards. . African Culture Vinka Biography: Real Name, Songs, Family & Music Career Discover Vinka’s real name, family, hit songs, awards and journey from dancer to Ugandan star. . Tags African culture African culture Ethiopia Ethiopia The Suri People The Suri People African Culture African Culture

Jamie Campbell Bower fuels speculation after a cryptic remark prompts fans to believe a secret ninth episode may exist. Jamie Campbell Bower has sparked fresh speculation among Stranger Things fans after making a cryptic remark that many believe hints at an unreleased ninth episode of the series. The actor, who portrays the villain Vecna in the Netflix hit, appeared in a video shared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon ’s Instagram account. In the clip, Bower plays a gym instructor and delivers the line, “Tomorrow it begins,” in a serious tone. While no official announcement has been made by Netflix or the show’s creators, fans quickly interpreted the comment as a possible tease for additional Stranger Things content. The remark prompted a wave of reactions across social media, with viewers questioning whether a surprise episode could be released. Some fans expressed excitement and confusion in the comments section, asking whether the statement signaled the arrival of another episode or was simply part of the sketch. Netflix has not confirmed the existence of a ninth episode, and no further details have been provided by the actor. As a result, the speculation remains unverified, leaving fans awaiting an official response. Source: Geo News Digital Desk Continue Reading Full Article HOLLYWOOD UPDATES Jamie Campbell Bower Teases Possible 9th Episode of Stranger Things By Witty Pascal Entertainment Editor Witty Pascal Home Comment Jan 7, 2026 May 15, 2026 2 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: Jamie Campbell Bower has sparked fresh speculation among Stranger Things fans after making a cryptic remark that many believe hints at an unreleased ninth episode of the series. The actor, who portrays the villain Vecna in the Netflix hit, appeared in a video shared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon ’s Instagram account. In the clip, Bower plays a gym instructor and delivers the line, “Tomorrow it begins,” in a serious tone. While no official announcement has been made by Netflix or the show’s creators, fans quickly interpreted the comment as a possible tease for additional Stranger Things content. The remark prompted a wave of reactions across social media, with viewers questioning whether a surprise episode could be released. ADVERTISEMENT Some fans expressed excitement and confusion in the comments section, asking whether the statement signaled the arrival of another episode or was simply part of the sketch. Netflix has not confirmed the existence of a ninth episode, and no further details have been provided by the actor. As a result, the speculation remains unverified, leaving fans awaiting an official response. ADVERTISEMENT Source: Geo News Digital Desk Trending Now US Democrats' Rwanda Record: Peaceful Change and Congo Sovereignty . Policy and Reforms Tanzania Community Grants: Who Benefits and What Comes Next . Government Announcements Ghana–Canada Seafarer Deal Does Not Guarantee Jobs . Job & Opportunity South Africa Elections 2026: DA Leads Gauteng as Count Advances . Elections Monitoring Popular Today Biography Poco Lee Biography: Age, Real Name, Dance Career and Songs . Biography Eric Omondi Biography: Comedy, Activism and Public Life . Biography Who Is Snit Habteab, Eritrea’s Miss World Trailblazer? . Entertainment Poco Lee UK Case Sparks Consent Debate Among Nigerian Stars . Entertainment FOLA Leads 2026 Headies Nominations Ahead of Toronto . ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Biography Poco Lee Biography: Age, Real Name, Dance Career and Songs Inside the Nigerian dancer’s rise from Ojo street shows to Afrobeats stages, music and global fame. . Biography Eric Omondi Biography: Comedy, Activism and Public Life How Eric Omondi rose through Churchill Show and became a prominent Kenyan activist. . Biography Who Is Snit Habteab, Eritrea’s Miss World Trailblazer? The neuroscientist and educator became Eritrea’s first Miss World entrant and reached the Top 6 . Entertainment Poco Lee UK Case Sparks Consent Debate Among Nigerian Stars The dancer faces five sexual offence charges and returns to court on September 15. . Tags Entertainment Entertainment United States United States

South Africa has launched an emergency strategy after nine women were found dead in Ekurhuleni, while police have not confirmed one offender. EKURHULENI, South Africa — South Africa's government has confirmed that nine women's bodies are now included in the Ekurhuleni investigation and has approved an emergency strategy combining a national detective command, expanded policing, environmental safety work and support for victims' families. The new count and response materially update earlier reporting about five, then seven, cases. Authorities are examining possible connections, but they have not established that one person killed all nine women. What is South Africa doing after nine women were found in Ekurhuleni? Government has elevated the investigation to a nationally coordinated specialist team, expanded Operation Shanela with metro police, ordered environmental safety work and strengthened family support. Officials still have not confirmed that all nine deaths are linked to one offender. What the government has now confirmed The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide said nine women's bodies had been discovered across Ekurhuleni. It approved what it called a Comprehensive Emergency Strategy after receiving reports from police, the Gauteng government and the municipality. Eight of the women had been identified, according to SABC News . The government said the ninth body did not match any missing-person report known to investigators at the time, underlining why relatives should report a disappearance immediately rather than wait 24 hours. The count has risen during a fast-moving investigation. Earlier XTRAfrica coverage documented the initial Kempton Park women's-deaths investigation and the subsequent police briefing on forensic evidence . This update supersedes the earlier totals without erasing the uncertainty around links between cases. A specialist team will coordinate the investigation The multidisciplinary investigative team has been elevated to national coordination under the Deputy National Commissioner for Detective Services. That gives the case a clearer command structure across detectives, forensic services and other specialists. Continue Reading Full Article CRIME PREVENTION Ekurhuleni: Emergency Plan After Nine Women Found By Kamau Bahati Entertainment Editor Kamau Bahati Home Comment Sep 21, 2026 Sep 21, 2026 4 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: EKURHULENI, South Africa — South Africa's government has confirmed that nine women's bodies are now included in the Ekurhuleni investigation and has approved an emergency strategy combining a national detective command, expanded policing, environmental safety work and support for victims' families. The new count and response materially update earlier reporting about five, then seven, cases. Authorities are examining possible connections, but they have not established that one person killed all nine women. What is South Africa doing after nine women were found in Ekurhuleni? Government has elevated the investigation to a nationally coordinated specialist team, expanded Operation Shanela with metro police, ordered environmental safety work and strengthened family support. Officials still have not confirmed that all nine deaths are linked to one offender. What the government has now confirmed The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide said nine women's bodies had been discovered across Ekurhuleni. It approved what it called a Comprehensive Emergency Strategy after receiving reports from police, the Gauteng government and the municipality. Eight of the women had been identified, according to SABC News . The government said the ninth body did not match any missing-person report known to investigators at the time, underlining why relatives should report a disappearance immediately rather than wait 24 hours. ADVERTISEMENT The count has risen during a fast-moving investigation. Earlier XTRAfrica coverage documented the initial Kempton Park women's-deaths investigation and the subsequent police briefing on forensic evidence . This update supersedes the earlier totals without erasing the uncertainty around links between cases. A specialist team will coordinate the investigation The multidisciplinary investigative team has been elevated to national coordination under the Deputy National Commissioner for Detective Services. That gives the case a clearer command structure across detectives, forensic services and other specialists. SAnews said the strategy also expands Operation Shanela in Ekurhuleni with personnel from three metropolitan police departments. The goal is to increase visible enforcement and support the investigation, not to declare a suspect or motive before the evidence is complete. Authorities have repeatedly warned against treating similarities between the deaths as proof of a serial offender. The Associated Press reported the ninth-body development while noting continuing public concern and the absence of a confirmed common perpetrator. ADVERTISEMENT Safety work goes beyond police deployments The plan includes cutting grass, clearing bushes and improving unsafe open spaces. A Love Your Street campaign is intended to involve residents and local organisations in identifying hazards. Government stressed that the municipality remains responsible for lighting and maintenance, so community participation cannot replace public duties. Psycho-social support is also being offered to the families of identified victims. That support matters because relatives are navigating both bereavement and a high-profile investigation in which unverified names, photographs and theories can spread quickly online. The emergency response comes amid a wider national debate over violence against women. An Associated Press explainer placed the Ekurhuleni cases within South Africa's broader gender-based violence crisis. Political leaders have also brought the killings into election campaigning, but party claims are not evidence about the individual cases. How to report information or a missing person The government's statement listed Warrant Officer Elvis Manyike as the investigation contact at 082 465 7249 . Information can also be given anonymously through Crime Stop at 08600 10111 . Trending Now US Democrats' Rwanda Record: Peaceful Change and Congo Sovereignty . Policy and Reforms Tanzania Community Grants: Who Benefits and What Comes Next . Government Announcements Ghana–Canada Seafarer Deal Does Not Guarantee Jobs . Job & Opportunity South Africa Elections 2026: DA Leads Gauteng as Count Advances . Elections Monitoring Popular Today Elections Monitoring South Africa Elections 2026: DA Leads Gauteng as Count Advances . Business Trends Killarney Mall Transfer Completed in R397.5 Million Deal . Elections Monitoring South Africa Election 2026: ANC Leads, MK Wins KZN Councils . Elections Monitoring South Africa Election Results: How to Read the Count . Elections Monitoring South Africa Elections 2026: Voting Hours, IDs and Ballots . ADVERTISEMENT Families do not have to wait 24 hours before reporting someone missing. When making a report, they should provide a recent photograph, identifying details and the last known location if available. Public posts can help spread an alert, but a police report creates the formal record investigators need. People seeking gender-based violence support can contact the GBV Command Centre on 0800 428 428 . In an immediate emergency, call local emergency services or police rather than relying only on social-media messages. What remains unresolved Investigators still need to establish the cause and circumstances of each death, complete formal identification of the ninth woman and determine whether forensic or other evidence links any of the scenes. ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Elections Monitoring South Africa Elections 2026: DA Leads Gauteng as Count Advances Gauteng's DA lead and other council results show why the municipal count remains unsettled. . Business Trends Killarney Mall Transfer Completed in R397.5 Million Deal Octodec confirms the sale, while AJP’s plans include support for two black women entrepreneurs. . Elections Monitoring South Africa Election 2026: ANC Leads, MK Wins KZN Councils Early results show MK Party victories in KwaZulu-Natal and a Service Delivery Party breakthrough. . Elections Monitoring South Africa Election Results: How to Read the Count A practical guide to partial tallies, projections, ward winners and municipal council seats. . Tags South Africa South Africa Xtrafrica News Xtrafrica News

Zanzibar unveils its first tourism campaign in London, branding iconic buses to raise the islands’ profile and draw more international visitors. Dar es Salaam – Zanzibar has officially launched its first-ever “Visit Zanzibar” marketing campaign in London, deploying the city’s world-famous double-decker buses as moving billboards to showcase the islands. The campaign first reported by Tanzania’s The Citizen newspaper was unveiled by Tanzania ’s High Commissioner to the UK, Mbelwa Kairuki, as a Zanzibar Commission for Tourism (ZCT) initiative aimed at building destination awareness and boosting international arrivals. This landmark push follows Zanzibar President Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi’s visit to London in April 2025, during which expanding the islands’ global tourism presence was a key priority. London Buses Target Global Audience As part of the promotion, Visit Zanzibar -branded buses now depart from London’s Shepherd’s Bush depot and run across high-traffic central routes, reaching local commuters and the roughly 20 million international visitors who toured the UK capital in 2024. One of the primary routes the busy Route 94 through central London carries the Zanzibar ads past iconic landmarks such as Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street, Oxford Street and Marble Arch. By traversing these famous corridors daily, the Zanzibar campaign ensures the islands’ story is seen by countless residents and tourists in the heart of the city. Speaking at the launch, Ambassador Kairuki noted that London is among the world’s most visited cities (over 20 million international visitors a year) and a global gateway connecting Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa. “For Zanzibar, London is an ideal platform to showcase our islands to a truly international audience. The iconic London bus travels through the very heart of the city, passing millions of residents, commuters and visitors each day, making it one of the most powerful and visible forms of destination advertising,” said Kairuki. He underscored the significance of this being Zanzibar’s first dedicated outdoor marketing campaign in London, designed to present Zanzibar as a premium destination for culture, heritage and warm-weather escapes while strengthening tourism ties with the UK. Strategic Drive to Boost Tourism The Visit Zanzibar campaign is led by ZCT as part of its international marketing and branding strategy. ZCT’s Executive Secretary, Arif Abbas Manji, described the initiative as a historic promotional opportunity to raise Zanzibar’s profile and draw more visitors for greater economic benefit. The United Kingdom is already a priority source market for Zanzibar’s tourism, officials note, and London’s status as a major travel hub means the campaign will engage a broad international audience daily inspiring many to discover Zanzibar’s beaches, culture and hospitality. Continue Reading Full Article AFRICAN DESTINATIONS Why zanzibar chose london buses to promote its tourism brand By Neema Asha Mwakalinga Travel & Culture Expert Neema Asha Mwakalinga Home Comment Jan 22, 2026 May 15, 2026 4 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: Dar es Salaam – Zanzibar has officially launched its first-ever “Visit Zanzibar” marketing campaign in London, deploying the city’s world-famous double-decker buses as moving billboards to showcase the islands. The campaign first reported by Tanzania’s The Citizen newspaper was unveiled by Tanzania ’s High Commissioner to the UK, Mbelwa Kairuki, as a Zanzibar Commission for Tourism (ZCT) initiative aimed at building destination awareness and boosting international arrivals. This landmark push follows Zanzibar President Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi’s visit to London in April 2025, during which expanding the islands’ global tourism presence was a key priority. London Buses Target Global Audience As part of the promotion, Visit Zanzibar -branded buses now depart from London’s Shepherd’s Bush depot and run across high-traffic central routes, reaching local commuters and the roughly 20 million international visitors who toured the UK capital in 2024. One of the primary routes the busy Route 94 through central London carries the Zanzibar ads past iconic landmarks such as Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street, Oxford Street and Marble Arch. By traversing these famous corridors daily, the Zanzibar campaign ensures the islands’ story is seen by countless residents and tourists in the heart of the city. ADVERTISEMENT Speaking at the launch, Ambassador Kairuki noted that London is among the world’s most visited cities (over 20 million international visitors a year) and a global gateway connecting Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa. “For Zanzibar, London is an ideal platform to showcase our islands to a truly international audience. The iconic London bus travels through the very heart of the city, passing millions of residents, commuters and visitors each day, making it one of the most powerful and visible forms of destination advertising,” said Kairuki. He underscored the significance of this being Zanzibar’s first dedicated outdoor marketing campaign in London, designed to present Zanzibar as a premium destination for culture, heritage and warm-weather escapes while strengthening tourism ties with the UK. ADVERTISEMENT Strategic Drive to Boost Tourism The Visit Zanzibar campaign is led by ZCT as part of its international marketing and branding strategy. ZCT’s Executive Secretary, Arif Abbas Manji, described the initiative as a historic promotional opportunity to raise Zanzibar’s profile and draw more visitors for greater economic benefit. The United Kingdom is already a priority source market for Zanzibar’s tourism, officials note, and London’s status as a major travel hub means the campaign will engage a broad international audience daily inspiring many to discover Zanzibar’s beaches, culture and hospitality. By pairing an iconic advertising medium with a city that attracts tens of millions of travelers each year, Zanzibar aims to strengthen its ties with the UK market, expand long-haul awareness of the islands, and ultimately drive future visitor arrivals and investment. Trending Now US Democrats' Rwanda Record: Peaceful Change and Congo Sovereignty . Policy and Reforms Tanzania Community Grants: Who Benefits and What Comes Next . Government Announcements Ghana–Canada Seafarer Deal Does Not Guarantee Jobs . Job & Opportunity South Africa Elections 2026: DA Leads Gauteng as Count Advances . Elections Monitoring Popular Today SASSA Payment Dates SASSA Change Banking Details Link: Official Guide . Tax and Revenue How to Check if You Must Submit a SARS Tax Return . Tax and Revenue How to Book a SARS Appointment Online . Social Service How to Check UIF Claim Status Online . Local Government How to Replace a Lost South African ID . ADVERTISEMENT Tourism is a cornerstone of Zanzibar’s economy, accounting for a significant share of jobs and GDP. The islands have seen record growth in visitors in recent years, with officials projecting around one million tourist arrivals in 2025 the highest in Zanzibar’s history. Against this backdrop, the London bus campaign is one of several efforts to sustain that momentum. Zanzibar’s tourism authorities have been ramping up global outreach from securing new direct flights to participating in international travel expos as they seek to diversify source markets and cement the archipelago’s reputation as one of Africa’s top island destinations Source: The Citizen (Tanzania) ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles SASSA Payment Dates SASSA Change Banking Details Link: Official Guide Use the official SASSA link to change your SRD banking details safely. Follow the steps and avoid . Tax and Revenue How to Check if You Must Submit a SARS Tax Return Use the official SARS checker and 2026 rules to see if you must file an ITR12. . Tax and Revenue How to Book a SARS Appointment Online Book a SARS branch, video or phone slot on eBooking, MobiApp, SMS or 0800 00 7277. . Social Service How to Check UIF Claim Status Online Use UIF Online, free USSD *134*843#, or call 0800 030 007 to track your claim. . Tags South Africa Gov Services South Africa Gov Services South Africa South Africa Visit Tanzania Visit Tanzania Tanzania Tanzania Africa Africa The Citizen The Citizen africa africa South Africa News South Africa News Education Education African Development Bank African Development Bank

NYSC Batch C registration is open from 7 to 13 September 2026. Check the official portal, NERD clearance rule and foreign-graduate dates. The official portal lists 7–13 September for registration, with NERD clearance compulsory. The National Youth Service Corps registration portal lists the 2026 Batch C mobilisation window as active from Monday, 7 September, through Sunday, 13 September. Prospective corps members must use the official NYSC portal and complete the National Education Records Database clearance required by the scheme before registration. Is NYSC Batch C registration open? Yes. The official NYSC portal shows Batch C, 2026 as an active registration window from 7 to 13 September. NYSC says NERD clearance is compulsory for prospective corps members. Applicants should use only the nysc.org.ng portal and avoid agents, copied forms or payment links shared through unofficial accounts. Official registration dates The NYSC registration portal lists “Mobilization Batch C, 2026” as active from 7 September to 13 September. It provides options for fresh registration, revalidation and remobilisation, which serve different applicant histories. Fresh registration is for eligible graduates who have not previously registered or been deployed. Revalidation applies to a person previously deployed who did not report to camp, while remobilisation is for a corps member who started service and later absconded. Applicants should choose the option that matches their official status rather than create a second identity or duplicate profile. PUNCH reported the NYSC notice on 28 August, and the official portal now confirms that the announced window has opened. The closing date is Sunday, 13 September; the portal does not promise an extension. NERD clearance is compulsory NYSC says prospective corps members need clearance from the National Education Records Database before completing registration. Its notice used the warning “No NERD clearance, no NYSC registration.” The requirement is intended to verify academic records before mobilisation. PUNCH's earlier report on the rule says applicants were advised to obtain the clearance early to prevent delays. Continue Reading Full Article EDUCATION NYSC Batch C Registration Opens: Dates and NERD Rule By Serge Kitoko Tshibanda Political Analyst Serge Kitoko Tshibanda Home Comment Sep 7, 2026 Sep 7, 2026 4 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: The official portal lists 7–13 September for registration, with NERD clearance compulsory. The National Youth Service Corps registration portal lists the 2026 Batch C mobilisation window as active from Monday, 7 September, through Sunday, 13 September. Prospective corps members must use the official NYSC portal and complete the National Education Records Database clearance required by the scheme before registration. Is NYSC Batch C registration open? Yes. The official NYSC portal shows Batch C, 2026 as an active registration window from 7 to 13 September. NYSC says NERD clearance is compulsory for prospective corps members. Applicants should use only the nysc.org.ng portal and avoid agents, copied forms or payment links shared through unofficial accounts. Official registration dates The NYSC registration portal lists “Mobilization Batch C, 2026” as active from 7 September to 13 September. It provides options for fresh registration, revalidation and remobilisation, which serve different applicant histories. Fresh registration is for eligible graduates who have not previously registered or been deployed. Revalidation applies to a person previously deployed who did not report to camp, while remobilisation is for a corps member who started service and later absconded. Applicants should choose the option that matches their official status rather than create a second identity or duplicate profile. PUNCH reported the NYSC notice on 28 August, and the official portal now confirms that the announced window has opened. The closing date is Sunday, 13 September; the portal does not promise an extension. ADVERTISEMENT NERD clearance is compulsory NYSC says prospective corps members need clearance from the National Education Records Database before completing registration. Its notice used the warning “No NERD clearance, no NYSC registration.” The requirement is intended to verify academic records before mobilisation. PUNCH's earlier report on the rule says applicants were advised to obtain the clearance early to prevent delays. Applicants should follow the official route presented by their institution, NERD and NYSC. A social-media user who promises instant clearance, an altered Senate list or guaranteed deployment in exchange for money is not an official substitute. Never share a password, one-time code or payment PIN with an intermediary. How to start safely Open the official portal by typing or checking the portal.nysc.org.ng address. Select the relevant registration option, create or access the correct account and follow the on-screen document and biometric instructions. Keep the email address and telephone number attached to the application under your control. Before paying, confirm that the page remains on an official NYSC or approved payment domain and review the amount displayed. Save the payment reference and receipt. If a transaction appears incomplete, use the portal's payment-status tool instead of paying repeatedly. ADVERTISEMENT Applicants should also confirm that their names appear on the approved institutional or graduation records used for mobilisation. A blog list, WhatsApp screenshot or paid “clearance” message cannot replace the portal result. XTRAfrica's guide to checking JAMB CAPS and accepting admission explains similar identity and portal-safety principles for students. The CDCFIB shortlist guide also shows why applicants should type official government addresses and refuse anyone selling a slot. Foreign-trained graduate verification Foreign-trained Nigerian graduates have an additional physical-verification stage. PUNCH reported that NYSC scheduled verification from Tuesday, 8 September, to Saturday, 12 September at nine centres. Affected applicants should report only on the date, time and venue printed on their verification slips and bring the original credentials and travel documents required by NYSC. Medical graduates must also follow instructions concerning professional licences and registration certificates. Trending Now US Democrats' Rwanda Record: Peaceful Change and Congo Sovereignty . Policy and Reforms Tanzania Community Grants: Who Benefits and What Comes Next . Government Announcements Ghana–Canada Seafarer Deal Does Not Guarantee Jobs . Job & Opportunity South Africa Elections 2026: DA Leads Gauteng as Count Advances . Elections Monitoring Popular Today Business Trends Lwazi Bam Named to MTN Nigeria Board From 1 December . | Appointments Dapo Akande Elected ICJ Judge: UK-Nigerian Lawyer's 2026 Win . Biography Dapo Akande Biography: Nigerian-British Lawyer Elected to ICJ . Energy and Power Africa Energy Bank Explained: Funding, Purpose and Projects . Technology and Innovation NCC Device Checker Guide: Check Your Phone Safely . ADVERTISEMENT That physical exercise is distinct from the online registration window. A foreign-trained applicant should complete the portal process and then follow the individual verification slip rather than travel to a centre based only on a forwarded list. What happens after registration Completing an online form does not by itself guarantee deployment to a particular state or prove that every record has cleared. Applicants should sign back into the official dashboard for any correction request, call-up information or further instruction. The NYSC main website here contains official guidance, state office contacts and links for prospective corps members. If the portal is congested, applicants should wait and try again through the official address rather than hand credentials to an unknown cybercafe operator. The immediate deadline is clear: Batch C registration is open through 13 September. NERD clearance, accurate records and secure use of the official portal are the key requirements. ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Business Trends Lwazi Bam Named to MTN Nigeria Board From 1 December MTN Group's chief risk officer joins four other appointees in a November board announcement. . | Appointments Dapo Akande Elected ICJ Judge: UK-Nigerian Lawyer's 2026 Win Oxford professor Dapo Akande wins a nine-year ICJ term as Britain returns to the World Court. . Biography Dapo Akande Biography: Nigerian-British Lawyer Elected to ICJ Dapo Akande’s Nigerian education, Oxford career, international cases and 2026 ICJ election. . Energy and Power Africa Energy Bank Explained: Funding, Purpose and Projects Africa's new energy lender: funding, project plans, leadership and the expected 2027 start. . Tags Nigeria News Nigeria News Nigeria Nigeria

DeeOne says he previously dated Veekee James, reacts to her “unserious” comment, and says there’s no bad blood. Nigerian comedian and reality TV personality Aderombi Adedayo, known as DeeOne, has said he previously had a romantic relationship with fashion designer Veekee James. Comedian Deeone opens up about … DeeOne made the claim while reacting to remarks Veekee James made about him during an appearance on Unfiltered and Extra Spicy with Ify’s Kitchen podcast, where she described him as “unserious” and suggested he should not be taken seriously. Comedian Deeone opens up about … In response, DeeOne said the comments felt like a “blast from the past,” and later addressed the issue in a video posted to his Instagram page, referencing Veekee James by her first name, Ruth. Comedian Deeone opens up about … In the video, he urged fans to avoid taking celebrity disputes personally and said the relationship dates back to 2018, after his time on Big Brother Naija , when he said they “had something.” Comedian Deeone opens up about … DeeOne added that he holds no grudge, said he had “moved on,” and wished the designer well in her marriage. He also claimed that people in the entertainment industry—and Veekee James’ husband, Femi James—are aware of the past relationship. Comedian Deeone opens up about … He further suggested that one reason the relationship ended was his discomfort with what he described as frequent requests and feeling “controlled,” while insisting he treated her well and that there is “no bad blood.” Comedian Deeone opens up about … Source: The Sun Nigeria Continue Reading Full Article ENTERTAINMENT DeeOne Says He Once Dated Fashion Designer Veekee James By Witty Pascal Entertainment Editor Witty Pascal Home Comment Dec 18, 2025 May 15, 2026 2 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: Nigerian comedian and reality TV personality Aderombi Adedayo, known as DeeOne, has said he previously had a romantic relationship with fashion designer Veekee James. Comedian Deeone opens up about … DeeOne made the claim while reacting to remarks Veekee James made about him during an appearance on Unfiltered and Extra Spicy with Ify’s Kitchen podcast, where she described him as “unserious” and suggested he should not be taken seriously. Comedian Deeone opens up about … ADVERTISEMENT In response, DeeOne said the comments felt like a “blast from the past,” and later addressed the issue in a video posted to his Instagram page, referencing Veekee James by her first name, Ruth. Comedian Deeone opens up about … In the video, he urged fans to avoid taking celebrity disputes personally and said the relationship dates back to 2018, after his time on Big Brother Naija , when he said they “had something.” Comedian Deeone opens up about … ADVERTISEMENT DeeOne added that he holds no grudge, said he had “moved on,” and wished the designer well in her marriage. He also claimed that people in the entertainment industry—and Veekee James’ husband, Femi James—are aware of the past relationship. Comedian Deeone opens up about … He further suggested that one reason the relationship ended was his discomfort with what he described as frequent requests and feeling “controlled,” while insisting he treated her well and that there is “no bad blood.” Comedian Deeone opens up about … Trending Now US Democrats' Rwanda Record: Peaceful Change and Congo Sovereignty . Policy and Reforms Tanzania Community Grants: Who Benefits and What Comes Next . Government Announcements Ghana–Canada Seafarer Deal Does Not Guarantee Jobs . Job & Opportunity South Africa Elections 2026: DA Leads Gauteng as Count Advances . Elections Monitoring Popular Today Biography Poco Lee Biography: Age, Real Name, Dance Career and Songs . Biography Eric Omondi Biography: Comedy, Activism and Public Life . Biography Who Is Snit Habteab, Eritrea’s Miss World Trailblazer? . Entertainment Poco Lee UK Case Sparks Consent Debate Among Nigerian Stars . Entertainment FOLA Leads 2026 Headies Nominations Ahead of Toronto . ADVERTISEMENT Source: The Sun Nigeria ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Biography Poco Lee Biography: Age, Real Name, Dance Career and Songs Inside the Nigerian dancer’s rise from Ojo street shows to Afrobeats stages, music and global fame. . Biography Eric Omondi Biography: Comedy, Activism and Public Life How Eric Omondi rose through Churchill Show and became a prominent Kenyan activist. . Biography Who Is Snit Habteab, Eritrea’s Miss World Trailblazer? The neuroscientist and educator became Eritrea’s first Miss World entrant and reached the Top 6 . Entertainment Poco Lee UK Case Sparks Consent Debate Among Nigerian Stars The dancer faces five sexual offence charges and returns to court on September 15. . Tags Entertainment Entertainment Nigerian Entertainment Nigerian Entertainment Nigeria Nigeria

SARS Filing Season 2026 is active. Check tax return deadlines, auto-assessment rules, required documents and how to file online. South Africa’s 2026 personal income-tax filing season is underway, with different deadlines applying to non-provisional taxpayers, provisional taxpayers and trusts. Non-provisional individual taxpayers who were not auto-assessed must submit their returns by 23 October 2026 . Provisional taxpayers who still need to file have until 22 January 2027 , while the trust filing period starts on 19 September 2026 and also closes on 22 January 2027 . Taxpayers can file through SARS eFiling or the SARS MobiApp. Quick Answer Filing season status: Open Auto-assessment notification period: 1–12 July 2026 Non-provisional filing period: 13 July–23 October 2026 Provisional taxpayer filing period: 13 July 2026–22 January 2027 Trust filing period: 19 September 2026–22 January 2027 Filing methods: SARS eFiling or SARS MobiApp Continue Reading Full Article LOCAL GOVERNMENT SARS Tax Return Deadline 2026: Dates and How to File By Wilson Munezero Government Services & Opportunities Expert Wilson Munezero Home Comment Aug 5, 2026 Aug 21, 2026 18 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: South Africa’s 2026 personal income-tax filing season is underway, with different deadlines applying to non-provisional taxpayers, provisional taxpayers and trusts. Non-provisional individual taxpayers who were not auto-assessed must submit their returns by 23 October 2026 . Provisional taxpayers who still need to file have until 22 January 2027 , while the trust filing period starts on 19 September 2026 and also closes on 22 January 2027 . Taxpayers can file through SARS eFiling or the SARS MobiApp. Quick Answer Filing season status: Open Auto-assessment notification period: 1–12 July 2026 Non-provisional filing period: 13 July–23 October 2026 Provisional taxpayer filing period: 13 July 2026–22 January 2027 Trust filing period: 19 September 2026–22 January 2027 Filing methods: SARS eFiling or SARS MobiApp Auto-assessment rule: No further action is required when the taxpayer agrees with the result Status service: SARS Tax Return Status Dashboard Application or filing fee: SARS does not charge a fee to submit a return through its official digital channels SARS Filing Deadlines for 2026 Taxpayer category Opening date Closing date Auto-assessment notices 1 July 2026 12 July 2026 Non-provisional individuals not auto-assessed 13 July 2026 23 October 2026 Provisional taxpayers not auto-assessed 13 July 2026 22 January 2027 Trusts 19 September 2026 22 January 2027 Taxpayers should not assume that the same deadline applies to everyone. The correct filing date depends on the taxpayer category and whether SARS issued an auto-assessment. What Is an Auto-Assessment? An auto-assessment is a tax assessment completed by SARS using information already received from third parties such as: Employers Banks and other financial institutions Medical schemes Retirement funds Insurers SARS issued auto-assessment notices between 1 and 12 July 2026 . The notice may show that: A refund is due Money must be paid to SARS Nothing is payable by either the taxpayer or SARS Taxpayers can view an auto-assessment through eFiling, the SARS MobiApp or the SARS Online Query System. Do Auto-Assessed Taxpayers Need to File? A taxpayer who agrees that the auto-assessment is complete and correct does not need to submit another return. Before accepting the result, check that SARS included all relevant income, deductions, rebates and tax certificates. Important information may include: IRP5 or IT3(a) employment certificates Medical-scheme contributions Retirement-annuity contributions Interest and investment income Rental or business income Donations Capital gains or losses Travel claims Other deductions for which the taxpayer qualifies A taxpayer who disagrees with the auto-assessment can correct the information and submit a 2026 income-tax return within the applicable filing period. Important Change for Provisional Taxpayers For the 2026 filing season, certain provisional taxpayers may also receive auto-assessments. A provisional taxpayer who agrees with the assessment outcome does not need to take further action. A provisional taxpayer who disagrees may amend and submit the return by 22 January 2027 . ADVERTISEMENT Receiving an auto-assessment does not change the taxpayer’s responsibility to check whether all income and deductions are accurate. Who Is a Non-Provisional Taxpayer? A non-provisional taxpayer is generally an individual whose income is mainly earned through employment and from which Pay-As-You-Earn tax has already been deducted. This may include: Employees Some pensioners Individuals with relatively straightforward tax affairs Salary earners without significant untaxed income Not every non-provisional taxpayer is automatically required to submit a return. SARS provides an official tool to help taxpayers determine whether filing is necessary. Who Is a Provisional Taxpayer? A provisional taxpayer generally earns income on which tax is not fully deducted through PAYE. Examples may include people earning income from: Freelance work A sole proprietorship or business Rental property Investments Independent consulting Multiple income sources Provisional tax is not a separate tax. It is a way of paying income tax in advance during the tax year. A person should not classify themselves solely from an online summary. Taxpayers with uncertain or complex circumstances should consult SARS guidance or a registered tax practitioner. What Documents Should Taxpayers Prepare? Taxpayers should collect the records needed to check prepopulated information and support any claims made in the return. Relevant documents may include: IRP5 or IT3(a) certificates from employers or pension funds Medical-scheme tax certificates Proof of qualifying medical expenses not reimbursed by a medical scheme Retirement-annuity contribution certificates Interest and investment certificates Rental-income and expense records Business-income and expense records Donations certificates issued under section 18A Capital-gains information Travel logbook when claiming qualifying business travel Home-office expense records when the legal requirements are met Proof of tax already paid Bank-account information Identity and contact details Documents relating to additional income or deductions Do not claim an expense simply because a receipt is available. The deduction must be permitted under the tax rules and supported by appropriate records. How to File Through SARS eFiling Step 1: Log In Open the official eFiling website: https://www.sarsefiling.co.za/ Confirm that personal, contact and banking details are correct before filing. Step 2: Open the 2026 Income-Tax Return Navigate to the personal income-tax return section and request or open the 2026 ITR12 . Check that the correct year of assessment is selected. ADVERTISEMENT Step 3: Complete the Return Wizard Answer the return questions accurately. These answers determine which sections appear in the return, including employment, medical, investment, rental, business, capital-gains and deduction fields. Step 4: Review Prefilled Information Compare all prefilled figures with the original certificates and records. Do not assume that every employer, fund, bank or medical scheme submitted complete and correct information. Step 5: Submit the Return Review the declaration, submit the return and save the submission confirmation. After processing, SARS will issue a Notice of Assessment showing whether: A refund is due Tax must be paid The account is balanced Supporting documents or verification are required How to File Using the SARS MobiApp The SARS MobiApp allows registered taxpayers to access several income-tax services from a mobile device. Taxpayers may use it to: View an auto-assessment Submit an income-tax return where available Review SARS correspondence Check tax information Access selected account services Download the app only from an official mobile-app store and confirm that the publisher is the South African Revenue Service. Never enter eFiling login information into an app installed from a link sent by an unknown person. How to Check a Tax Return or Refund Status SARS provides a Tax Return Status Dashboard through its Online Query System. The dashboard can display the progress of a personal income-tax return through stages such as: Submission Verification or audit Assessment Refund processing Official Tax Return Status Dashboard: https://tools.sars.gov.za/sarsonlinequery/visualdashboard A refund can be delayed when: Banking details are incorrect or unverified Outstanding tax returns exist SARS requests supporting documents The return is selected for verification or audit The taxpayer owes SARS money Information from third parties does not match the return A refund showing on an assessment is not always paid immediately. What to Do When SARS Requests Supporting Documents SARS may ask a taxpayer to provide evidence supporting information declared in the return. Read the official request carefully and submit only the relevant documents by the stated deadline. Supporting documents can generally be uploaded through: SARS eFiling The SARS MobiApp, where available The SARS Online Query System supporting-document service Trending Now US Democrats' Rwanda Record: Peaceful Change and Congo Sovereignty . Policy and Reforms Tanzania Community Grants: Who Benefits and What Comes Next . Government Announcements Ghana–Canada Seafarer Deal Does Not Guarantee Jobs . Job & Opportunity South Africa Elections 2026: DA Leads Gauteng as Count Advances . Elections Monitoring Popular Today Tax and Revenue How to Check if You Must Submit a SARS Tax Return . Tax and Revenue How to Check if SARS Owes You a Refund . Tax and Revenue How to Update Your Banking Details With SARS . Tax and Revenue How to Get Your SARS Tax Number Online . Tax and Revenue SARS Auto Assessment 2026: How to Check and What to Do . ADVERTISEMENT Official online supporting-document tool: https://tools.sars.gov.za/sarsonlinequery/suppdocs Taxpayers using the online query tool may need: The SARS case number The tax type The tax reference number Clear copies of the requested documents Keep confirmation that SARS received the upload. What If You Disagree With the Assessment? First determine whether the problem can be corrected by submitting or amending the return. A formal objection is generally used when a taxpayer disputes a SARS assessment or decision after the available correction process has been considered. An objection should clearly explain: Which part of the assessment is disputed Why the taxpayer believes it is incorrect The amount or issue affected Which law or facts support the position Which supporting documents prove the claim Objections can generally be submitted through eFiling. Taxpayers must follow the deadline displayed in the assessment or relevant SARS notice. Complex disputes may require help from a registered tax practitioner or tax attorney. Late-Filing Penalties Taxpayers who are required to file should submit by their applicable deadline. Late or outstanding returns can result in administrative penalties. Interest may also apply to unpaid tax. The amount and duration of a penalty depend on the taxpayer’s circumstances and the applicable law. Do not wait until the last day when: Login details need to be recovered Employer certificates are missing Banking details must be updated Supporting documents need to be collected The return contains business, rental or investment income Professional assistance is required SARS Scam Warning Scammers often send messages claiming that a tax refund is waiting or that immediate payment is required. Warning signs include: Requests to click an unfamiliar refund link Demands for banking passwords or one-time PINs Requests to pay a fee to release a refund Messages from unofficial email domains Threats demanding payment into a private bank account Attachments that ask users to install software XTRAfrica verification warning: Never pay anyone to release a SARS refund or secure a favourable assessment. Use only official SARS platforms. Open eFiling or the SARS MobiApp independently rather than using a suspicious message link. Important Deadlines Non-provisional individual taxpayers: 23 October 2026 Provisional taxpayers: 22 January 2027 Trusts: 22 January 2027 The trust filing period begins on 19 September 2026 . Official Links SARS Filing Season: https://www.sars.gov.za/types-of-tax/personal-income-tax/filing-season/ 2026 Filing Season changes: https://www.sars.gov.za/latest-news/changes-for-filing-season-2026/ 2026 filing preparation: https://www.sars.gov.za/latest-news/get-ready-for-filing-season-2026/ Auto-assessment guide: https://www.sars.gov.za/types-of-tax/personal-income-tax/filing-season/how-does-auto-assessment-work/ SARS eFiling: https://www.sarsefiling.co.za/ Tax Return Status Dashboard: https://tools.sars.gov.za/sarsonlinequery/visualdashboard Supporting-document upload: https://tools.sars.gov.za/sarsonlinequery/suppdocs Objections guidance: https://www.sars.gov.za/individuals/what-if-i-do-not-agree/objections/ verification Official authority: South African Revenue Service Tax year: 2026 year of assessment Auto-assessment period: 1–12 July 2026 Non-provisional deadline: 23 October 2026 Provisional deadline: 22 January 2027 Trust opening date: 19 September 2026 Trust deadline: 22 January 2027 Date checked: 5 August 2026 Filing status: Open Verification status: Confirmed Official filing-season page: https://www.sars.gov.za/types-of-tax/personal-income-tax/filing-season/ XTRAfrica is not affiliated with the South African Revenue Service. Taxpayers should rely on official SARS notices, eFiling and the SARS MobiApp for final filing requirements and account-specific information. ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Tax and Revenue How to Check if You Must Submit a SARS Tax Return Use the official SARS checker and 2026 rules to see if you must file an ITR12. . Tax and Revenue How to Check if SARS Owes You a Refund Use your ITA34 and Statement of Account to see if SARS owes you, or if you owe SARS. . Tax and Revenue How to Update Your Banking Details With SARS Change your SARS bank account on eFiling or the MobiApp, then confirm with an OTP. . Tax and Revenue How to Get Your SARS Tax Number Online Get a new SARS tax number or recover a forgotten one on eFiling, SOQS, USSD, WhatsApp or SMS. . Tags SARS Updates SARS Updates South Africa Gov Services South Africa Gov Services South Africa South Africa SARS eFiling SARS eFiling

Yash surprises fans by releasing a teaser for his upcoming film Toxic after skipping his birthday fan meet due to filming commitments. Indian actor Naveen Kumar Gowda, popularly known as Yash, surprised fans by releasing a teaser of his upcoming film Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups after skipping a scheduled fan meet on his 40th birthday. The teaser, shared on Yash’s official Instagram account, introduces his character Raya through a series of intense action sequences. The visuals feature gunfire and dramatic moments, with Yash seen wielding a Tommy gun, offering a glimpse into the film’s dark and action-driven narrative. The release coincided with Yash’s birthday celebrations, making the teaser a surprise for fans who had expected a personal appearance from the actor. Addressing his absence, Yash later shared a message on Instagram explaining that he is fully immersed in completing the film. In his statement, the actor said he was aware of fans waiting to meet him over the past few years but emphasized that his focus is on ensuring the film is ready for its scheduled theatrical release on March 19, 2026. He assured fans that he plans to meet them in a bigger way in the near future. Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups is written by Yash and Geetu Mohandas and directed by Mohandas. The film has been simultaneously shot in Kannada and English, with dubbed versions planned in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam. The makers have also unveiled character posters featuring Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Rukmini Vasanth and Tara Sutaria, setting the tone for the film’s dark, action-packed storyline. The film is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on March 19, 2026. Source: Geo News Digital Desk Continue Reading Full Article HOLLYWOOD UPDATES Yash Skips Fan Meet, Drops Teaser for Upcoming Film ‘Toxic’ By Witty Pascal Entertainment Editor Witty Pascal Home Comment Jan 9, 2026 May 15, 2026 2 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: Indian actor Naveen Kumar Gowda, popularly known as Yash, surprised fans by releasing a teaser of his upcoming film Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups after skipping a scheduled fan meet on his 40th birthday. The teaser, shared on Yash’s official Instagram account, introduces his character Raya through a series of intense action sequences. The visuals feature gunfire and dramatic moments, with Yash seen wielding a Tommy gun, offering a glimpse into the film’s dark and action-driven narrative. ADVERTISEMENT The release coincided with Yash’s birthday celebrations, making the teaser a surprise for fans who had expected a personal appearance from the actor. Addressing his absence, Yash later shared a message on Instagram explaining that he is fully immersed in completing the film. In his statement, the actor said he was aware of fans waiting to meet him over the past few years but emphasized that his focus is on ensuring the film is ready for its scheduled theatrical release on March 19, 2026. He assured fans that he plans to meet them in a bigger way in the near future. ADVERTISEMENT Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups is written by Yash and Geetu Mohandas and directed by Mohandas. The film has been simultaneously shot in Kannada and English, with dubbed versions planned in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam. The makers have also unveiled character posters featuring Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Rukmini Vasanth and Tara Sutaria, setting the tone for the film’s dark, action-packed storyline. The film is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on March 19, 2026. Trending Now US Democrats' Rwanda Record: Peaceful Change and Congo Sovereignty . Policy and Reforms Tanzania Community Grants: Who Benefits and What Comes Next . Government Announcements Ghana–Canada Seafarer Deal Does Not Guarantee Jobs . Job & Opportunity South Africa Elections 2026: DA Leads Gauteng as Count Advances . Elections Monitoring Popular Today Biography Poco Lee Biography: Age, Real Name, Dance Career and Songs . Biography Eric Omondi Biography: Comedy, Activism and Public Life . Biography Who Is Snit Habteab, Eritrea’s Miss World Trailblazer? . Entertainment Poco Lee UK Case Sparks Consent Debate Among Nigerian Stars . Entertainment FOLA Leads 2026 Headies Nominations Ahead of Toronto . ADVERTISEMENT Source: Geo News Digital Desk ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Biography Poco Lee Biography: Age, Real Name, Dance Career and Songs Inside the Nigerian dancer’s rise from Ojo street shows to Afrobeats stages, music and global fame. . Biography Eric Omondi Biography: Comedy, Activism and Public Life How Eric Omondi rose through Churchill Show and became a prominent Kenyan activist. . Biography Who Is Snit Habteab, Eritrea’s Miss World Trailblazer? The neuroscientist and educator became Eritrea’s first Miss World entrant and reached the Top 6 . Entertainment Poco Lee UK Case Sparks Consent Debate Among Nigerian Stars The dancer faces five sexual offence charges and returns to court on September 15. . Tags Entertainment Entertainment India India

How Maasai initiation is changing in Kenya and Tanzania through child-protection law, safer male rites, anti-FGM reform and community leadership. Maasai initiation is often discussed as though one unchanging ceremony confronts one modern law. The reality is more complex. Practices differ by section, locality, family, gender, generation and country. Even the word emurata is used differently across published accounts, commonly for a circumcision or initiation ceremony rather than one identical ritual everywhere. The central question is therefore not whether Maasai culture must survive or disappear. It is which relationships, teachings and public forms can continue and which actions must change because they violate bodily autonomy, child protection or health. What is the future of Maasai initiation? Maasai initiation is likely to survive by separating cultural teaching, blessing, age-set identity and communal celebration from coercion and female genital mutilation. Kenya and Tanzania apply different legal rules, while community-led alternatives show that cultural continuity does not require preserving every inherited practice unchanged. Who Are the Maasai? The Maasai are Indigenous East Africans whose homeland crosses southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. Maa language, cattle, land, kinship, age sets and public ceremony have historically shaped community life. Today Maasai people are also farmers, teachers, nurses, activists, entrepreneurs, clergy and urban professionals. XTRAfrica’s broader guide to Maasai history, culture and modern life explains why no single locality can represent all Maasai communities. That diversity matters especially for initiation. Kenya and Tanzania have different laws and institutions. Loita practice cannot automatically describe Kajiado, Arusha, Longido or Ngorongoro. Men’s and women’s rites have also carried different meanings and legal consequences. Responsible reporting must keep those distinctions visible. Emurata Is Not One Identical Ritual Initiation has historically done more than alter the body. It can locate a person within a generation, make a status change publicly recognisable and create obligations among age-mates, families and elders. Instruction, song, blessing, dress, food and communal recognition can matter as much as the physical procedure. The wider male age-set journey is particularly important. In 2018, UNESCO placed the Kenyan nomination of Enkipaata, Eunoto and Olng’esherr on its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. UNESCO describes these three connected male rites as preparation for initiation, movement out of moranhood and entry into eldership. They transmit knowledge through instruction, stories, songs, proverbs and relationships. Continue Reading Full Article AFRICAN CULTURE Maasai Initiation: Male Rites, Female Cutting, Law and Reform By Neema Asha Mwakalinga Travel & Culture Expert Neema Asha Mwakalinga Home Comment Jul 26, 2026 Jul 26, 2026 14 min read Copy link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp Published Updated: Maasai initiation is often discussed as though one unchanging ceremony confronts one modern law. The reality is more complex. Practices differ by section, locality, family, gender, generation and country. Even the word emurata is used differently across published accounts, commonly for a circumcision or initiation ceremony rather than one identical ritual everywhere. A Maasai child walk around a manyatta (traditional Maasai homestead) during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga) The central question is therefore not whether Maasai culture must survive or disappear. It is which relationships, teachings and public forms can continue and which actions must change because they violate bodily autonomy, child protection or health. What is the future of Maasai initiation? Maasai initiation is likely to survive by separating cultural teaching, blessing, age-set identity and communal celebration from coercion and female genital mutilation. Kenya and Tanzania apply different legal rules, while community-led alternatives show that cultural continuity does not require preserving every inherited practice unchanged. Who Are the Maasai? The Maasai are Indigenous East Africans whose homeland crosses southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. Maa language, cattle, land, kinship, age sets and public ceremony have historically shaped community life. Today Maasai people are also farmers, teachers, nurses, activists, entrepreneurs, clergy and urban professionals. XTRAfrica’s broader guide to Maasai history, culture and modern life explains why no single locality can represent all Maasai communities. That diversity matters especially for initiation. Kenya and Tanzania have different laws and institutions. Loita practice cannot automatically describe Kajiado, Arusha, Longido or Ngorongoro. Men’s and women’s rites have also carried different meanings and legal consequences. Responsible reporting must keep those distinctions visible. Emurata Is Not One Identical Ritual Initiation has historically done more than alter the body. It can locate a person within a generation, make a status change publicly recognisable and create obligations among age-mates, families and elders. Instruction, song, blessing, dress, food and communal recognition can matter as much as the physical procedure. A young Maasai participant in male circumcision's ceremony The wider male age-set journey is particularly important. In 2018, UNESCO placed the Kenyan nomination of Enkipaata, Eunoto and Olng’esherr on its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. UNESCO describes these three connected male rites as preparation for initiation, movement out of moranhood and entry into eldership. They transmit knowledge through instruction, stories, songs, proverbs and relationships. These UNESCO-listed rites are related to the life-course system, but they must not be collapsed into female genital mutilation (FGM), or treated as a UNESCO endorsement of cutting. XTRAfrica’s separate account of Enkipaata, Eunoto and Olng’esherr explores their safeguarding in detail. The distinction makes reform clearer: living heritage can be protected while a harmful bodily practice is ended. Male Initiation: Continuity Requires Consent and Safety Male circumcision is not generally outlawed in Kenya. The legal boundary instead concerns force, harm and children’s rights. Kenya’s Children Act defines forced male circumcision and prohibits subjecting a child to it or to any cultural or religious practice likely to harm the child’s life, health, welfare, dignity or development. ADVERTISEMENT The Act provides a minimum three-year prison term or a minimum KSh500,000 fine, or both, for violating that protection ( Government of Kenya, 2022, pp. 435, 451 ). Newly Circumsized Maasai boys city in cultural ceremony That distinction permits a future for male initiation, but not an automatic right to compel it. A credible rite must take age, informed participation, medical safety, privacy and aftercare seriously. Community leaders, families and health professionals can disagree about where a procedure should occur while still accepting that severe injury, humiliation or coercion cannot be cultural requirements. The ceremony’s cultural content need not shrink to the operation itself. Mentorship, Maa teaching, age-set solidarity, blessings, family recognition and instruction in responsibility can be strengthened. The Maa language and Maasai history are especially important because losing ceremonial vocabulary and oral teaching would hollow out the rite even if its visible events continued. School and employment also change timing. Urban workers and students may travel home for major occasions while remaining absent from daily rural life. XTRAfrica’s reporting on Maasai professionals balancing city life and cultural responsibility shows why shortened calendars, deliberate return and new forms of mentorship are adaptations rather than proof of cultural failure. Female Cutting: The Law Draws a Different Boundary FGM is not the female equivalent of a protected male rite. The World Health Organization’s 2025 fact sheet states that FGM has no health benefits and can cause immediate and long-term physical and psychological harm. Performing it in a clinic does not remove that harm or make it acceptable. Kenya’s Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act criminalises performing FGM, helping another person perform it and taking someone outside Kenya for it. Culture, religion, custom and consent do not provide a defence. The law also requires reporting where a person knows FGM has been committed, is occurring or is planned ( Kenya Law, revised 2022, sections 19–25 ). In 2021, Kenya’s High Court rejected a constitutional challenge to that framework. It held that cultural rights can be limited to protect health and dignity, that consent does not legalise FGM, and that treating FGM differently from male circumcision was not unlawful discrimination ( Kamau v Attorney General, 2021, pp. 2, 6–7 ). Former Maasai cutters from Longido now campaign against female genital mutilation and support the protection of women and girls./ Credit: © UNFPA Tanzania/Dr Warren Bright Tanzania’s wording is not identical. Section 169A of the Penal Code, Revised Edition 2023, makes it cruelty to children for a person responsible for someone under 18 to cause or carry out FGM. It provides five to fifteen years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to one million shillings, or both, plus compensation ( Tanzania Office of the Attorney General, 2023, p. 649 ). ADVERTISEMENT This child-focused provision is narrower in wording than Kenya’s all-age prohibition; the two countries should never be described as having one shared statute. Reform Works When Social Meaning Moves With It Participants display Tanzania’s second National Multi-Sectoral Strategy to End FGM (2025/26–2029/30) during its official national launch. A prohibition can establish a non-negotiable boundary, but law alone may not replace the recognition that a rite once delivered. Research among Loita Maasai communities in Kenya found that enforcement pressure could push FGM into secrecy and strengthen its association with identity. Yet it also documented a Loita Rite of Passage that retained most ceremonial elements while removing the cut. Songs, a cultural leader’s blessing and public declarations helped make non-cutting socially intelligible ( Van Bavel et al., 2024, article 116412 ). The finding is not a template for every community. It shows that change becomes durable when families can still recognise adulthood, belonging and moral instruction without FGM. Research in four Maasai settings in Tanzania’s Arusha and Manyara regions similarly found that cutting had sometimes become secret and detached from public celebration. Some women, former cutters and local organisations proposed retaining the wider ceremony without the cut ( Van Bavel, Coene and Leye, 2017, pp. 1–2, 12–13 ). Alternative rites can still fail if outsiders design them as one-day spectacles, recruit only girls already opposed to FGM or exclude men, elders and less powerful families. A study based on 94 interviews in Kenyan Maasai and Samburu communities warns against a one-size-fits-all model and calls for education, wider participation and long-term evaluation ( Graamans et al., 2019, Discussion and Conclusion ). Current Tanzanian work reflects that broader approach. In February 2026, the government launched its National Multi-Sectoral Strategy to End FGM 2025/26–2029/30 in Monduli. UNFPA’s account of the launch describes Maasai traditional leaders and former cutters from Longido becoming anti-FGM advocates. Former cutter Eliudi Chacha framed reform from within: “Culture is meant to protect life, not harm it.” A woman in Maasai dress holds a woven anti-FGM message, reflecting community-led efforts to protect girls from female cutting while preserving cultural identity. Religion may influence these debates too, but not uniformly. Churches can oppose cutting, while families may retain Maa blessings, age-set bonds or ceremonial participation. XTRAfrica’s examination of Maasai spirituality and changing Christian practice shows why “traditional” and “Christian” are not always sealed alternatives. What Cultural Continuity Could Look Like The strongest future for Maasai initiation rests on five linked commitments: Trending Now US Democrats' Rwanda Record: Peaceful Change and Congo Sovereignty . Policy and Reforms Tanzania Community Grants: Who Benefits and What Comes Next . Government Announcements Ghana–Canada Seafarer Deal Does Not Guarantee Jobs . Job & Opportunity South Africa Elections 2026: DA Leads Gauteng as Count Advances . Elections Monitoring Popular Today Travel and Immigration Barrick Confirms Tanzania’s 15-Year North Mara Mining Licence Renewal . Travel Guide Stone Town Travel Guide: History, Food and a Walking Route . Travel Guide Mafia Island Travel Guide: Diving, Whale Sharks and When to Go . African Culture Nyerere vs Ruaha: Choosing a Southern Tanzania Safari . African Culture Tanzania Visa and Entry Requirements: What Travellers Need . ADVERTISEMENT Separate heritage from harm. Preserve mentorship, song, blessing, oral knowledge, dress, family roles and public recognition without treating cutting or coercion as the test of authenticity. Make consent and child protection real. Participation should not depend on threats, humiliation or exclusion. Male initiation must also meet legal and safety standards. Let community authority be plural. Elders matter, but so do women, young people, survivors, former practitioners, health workers, educators and religious leaders. No single spokesperson represents all Maasai. Combine law with social support. Enforcement is necessary, but families also need education, survivor-centred care and an honourable non-cutting route into recognised adulthood. Evaluate local results. Reform should be measured over time: who participates, who is excluded, whether cutting moves underground and whether the new rite retains meaning. Ceremonial clothing and Maasai beadwork may support continuity, but visual splendour cannot substitute for rights or community ownership. This approach refuses two stereotypes. One says African culture must remain unchanged to be real. The other treats culture as the obstacle and outside intervention as the only source of progress. The evidence instead shows Maasai people arguing, adapting and leading change themselves. Frequently Asked Questions Is emurata the same as Enkipaata, Eunoto and Olng’esherr? No. Published sources commonly use emurata for a circumcision or initiation ceremony, with local variation. UNESCO’s three listed male rites form a wider sequence from preparation through moranhood to eldership. They are connected to initiation but are not interchangeable names for one event. Is male circumcision illegal in Kenya? No, not generally. Kenya’s Children Act specifically prohibits forced male circumcision and harmful cultural or religious practices involving children. Consent, age, safety and dignity therefore matter. This article explains the law but is not personal legal advice. Can consent make FGM legal in Kenya? No. Kenya’s FGM law states that consent, culture, religion or custom is not a defence. The High Court upheld that position in 2021. Can Maasai initiation continue without female cutting? Yes. Studies in specific Kenyan and Tanzanian Maasai communities document ceremonies that retain teaching, celebration, blessing and recognition while removing the cut. Their success depends on local legitimacy and broader social change, so one community’s model should not be imposed everywhere. Conclusion The future of Maasai initiation will be negotiated, not simply inherited. Male rites can continue when consent, safety and child protection are taken seriously. FGM must end, but its abandonment is more durable when social recognition, teaching and belonging are rebuilt rather than ignored. Cultural continuity does not mean carrying every practice forward unchanged. It means Maasai communities retaining the authority to transmit Maa knowledge, age-set responsibility, blessing and collective memory while protecting the dignity and future of each participant. Sources and reference Government of Kenya. 2022. The Children Act, No. 29 of 2022 , pp. 435, 451. Official PDF . Kenya Law. 2022 revision. Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act, No. 32 of 2011 , sections 19–29. Official legislation page . Tatu Kamau v Attorney General & 2 others; Equality Now & 9 others (Interested Parties) . 2021. Kenya High Court, Petition 244 of 2019, pp. 2, 6–7. Judgment . Office of the Attorney General, United Republic of Tanzania. 2023. The Penal Code, Revised Edition 2023 , section 169A, p. 649. Official PDF . Graamans, E. P., et al. 2019. “Lessons Learned from Implementing Alternative Rites in the Fight Against Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting.” Pan African Medical Journal 32:59. DOI . UNESCO. 2018. “Enkipaata, Eunoto and Olng’esherr, Three Male Rites of Passage of the Maasai Community.” Intangible Cultural Heritage record . UNFPA Tanzania. 2026. “From Survivor Voices to National Leadership: Tanzania’s New Strategy to End FGM.” Programme report . Van Bavel, H., Coene, G., and Leye, E. 2017. “Changing Practices and Shifting Meanings of Female Genital Cutting among the Maasai of Arusha and Manyara Regions of Tanzania.” Culture, Health & Sexuality 19(12): 1344–1359. DOI . Van Bavel, H., Partoip, S. K., Koyie, B., et al. 2024. “Understanding the Roles of Alternative Rites of Passage and Public Declarations in FGM/C Abandonment: An Ethnographic Study among the Loita Maasai, Kenya.” Social Science & Medicine 359:116412. DOI . World Health Organization. 2025. “Female Genital Mutilation.” Fact sheet . ADVERTISEMENT Related Articles Travel and Immigration Barrick Confirms Tanzania’s 15-Year North Mara Mining Licence Renewal The renewal supports long-term planning, but no new investment or hiring target has been announced. . Travel Guide Stone Town Travel Guide: History, Food and a Walking Route Stone Town occupies the western side of Unguja, the main island in the Zanzibar archipelago . Travel Guide Mafia Island Travel Guide: Diving, Whale Sharks and When to Go Plan Mafia Island by coast and season, with diving, whale sharks, transport, fees and places to stay. . African Culture Nyerere vs Ruaha: Choosing a Southern Tanzania Safari Compare wildlife, activities, access and costs before choosing Tanzania’s southern safari park. . Tags Visit Tanzania Visit Tanzania Kenya Kenya Tanzania Tanzania The Maasai People The Maasai People