Pakistan has completed its first tractor export to Tanzania, marking a notable development in the country's international trade efforts. The shipment, coordinated with the assistance of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), involves Pakistani tractors being delivered to the East African market.

The initial consignment of tractors was received by the Masai Tracta Company in Tanzania, establishing a new commercial connection between Pakistan and the East African region. This export represents an expansion of Pakistan's agricultural machinery trade capabilities.

Pak Tractors House Company managed the export process, working to introduce Pakistani-manufactured tractors to a new international market. The shipment comes as part of broader efforts to develop trade relationships with East African countries.

The partnership involves collaboration between Pakistani manufacturers and the Masai Tracta Company, which aims to facilitate the introduction of Pakistani agricultural machinery in the Tanzanian market. This development indicates potential opportunities for future trade exchanges.

Economic officials note that the tractor export demonstrates Pakistan's manufacturing sector's ability to engage in international trade. The shipment opens potential avenues for future agricultural machinery exports to East African markets.

The SIFC has played a supportive role in facilitating this trade initiative, working to create pathways for international business connections. The organization's involvement highlights ongoing efforts to expand Pakistan's global trade networks. Samaa Web Desk

Voting has commenced across Ghana, with 18.7 million registered voters deciding the country’s next president and 276 members of Parliament. Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. (0700GMT) and will close at 5 p.m. (1700GMT), under the supervision of the Electoral Commission.

In the presidential race, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) faces former President John Dramani Mahama of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). Both candidates are offering contrasting plans to address Ghana's ongoing economic crisis.

Thirteen candidates are contesting the presidency, including Alan Kyerematen and Nana Kwame Bediako, who are challenging the NPP-NDC dominance.

Economic hardship, with high inflation and a declining Cedi, is a major issue influencing voter sentiment. Parliamentary election results are expected on Monday, while presidential results are anticipated on Tuesday.

The Electoral Commission has assured voters of a transparent process, urging patience and adherence to guidelines. Anadolu Agency

Wiper Party leader Dr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka has accused President William Ruto and his administration of creating a constitutional crisis by failing to reconstitute the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Speaking during a Sunday service at PCEA Nguthuru Parish, ELIM Church in Kenol, Murang’a County, Kalonzo said the government’s delays were deliberate and politically motivated.

“They want candidates who are easy to influence and manipulate. It is a Ruto strategy to ensure there is no IEBC,” he stated.

Kalonzo emphasized that the Azimio coalition had adhered to court timelines and submitted Koki Muli as its nominee for the IEBC Selection Panel. However, he accused the State of filing an appeal against their decision in the Kiambu High Court to stall the process further.

“Speaker Wetang’ula is also part of the conspiracy against Kenyans. If they had taken time to marshal Parliament as they did with Riggy G, the country would not be in a constitutional crisis,” he added.

Kalonzo was accompanied by prominent leaders, including former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, Jubilee Party Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni, and former MPs Peter Mwathi (Limuru) and Jude Jomo (Kiambu).

The remarks come amid mounting pressure on the government to expedite the reconstitution of the electoral body to avoid further constitutional challenges. By Beth Nyaga, KBC

• Image Credits : Nelson Mandela University

Young professionals, graduates and academics have taken to Pretoria intersections to raise tuition funds for the underprivileged. The group, under the banner of Thusa Ngwana Geno Foundation, plans to raise at least R2 million before the 2025 academic year kicks off.

The foundation also helps students with NSFAS applications, learner’s licenses and operates a community computer lab in Soshanguve.

Over the years, more than 700 students have been assisted to register or settle historic academic debt. These beneficiaries, now volunteers, say asking motorists to spare some of their change is a way of paying it forward.

“The frustration of passing matric and starting to apply and then after they accept you, you start to register, and you don’t have that money,” says one of the fundraisers.

“The organization has helped me. So, I just wanted to come and to give back to others. They helped me with registration fee for two years,” says another.

Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa says education was at the centre of the past apartheid regime’s deliberate strategy to destroy the country’s black majority. He, however, says much has been done in the last 30 years of South Africa’s democracy to undo the damage that apartheid and colonialism have caused.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with SABC News, Ramaphosa also said government was doing its best to improve the country’s quality of education.

“We now have almost 90% of our schools being no fees paying schools. We feed 9 million children every day at school and we are now moving to two meals a day and that in itself is important because it improves the learning ability of children. When we started we gave 40,000 of our young people assistance to be at higher level of learning tertiary. We now give that assistance to 1,2 and we have built more universities,” says Ramaphosa. By Phumzile Mlangeni, SABC