July 18, 2016.
For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Madiba.
Making headlines:

Zuma welcomes delegates to the International Aids Conference

UN says South Sudan refugees could soon hit one-million

And, ANC Women’s League says the organisation is “God's own organisation” 

 

President Jacob Zuma, on behalf of the South African government, has extended a "warm welcome" to all "international delegates" to the International AIDS Conference, which began in Durban today, the Presidency said.

The conference takes place in the eThekwini municipality from Monday 18 July to Friday 22 July and will be attended by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and former Heads of State and government in the Southern African Development Community who are champions of the fight against AIDS.

The Presidency says Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, the chairperson of the South African National Aids Council, will officially open the conference on Monday evening.

 

The number of South Sudanese refugees in East Africa could pass one-million this year, the United Nations refugee agency said, calling on armed groups to allow safe passage for people fleeing the latest round of deadly violence.

Ann Encontre, a UN refugee coordinator in South Sudan, says there is concern about fresh outflows of refugees following clashes in the capital Juba, and appealed for $701-million in relief aid.

On Friday, the UN said at least 300 people had been killed in four days of intense gun battles, and 42 000 had fled the capital.

 

The African National Congress is God's own organisation, ANC Women's League deputy president Sisi Ntombela said yesterday.

More than 400 female members of the Bantu Church of Christ in the Eastern Cape were inducted into the ANC Women's League in a blousing ceremony.  

Speaking on the sidelines of the event attended by Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and her deputy Zou Kota-Fredericks, Ntombela said the induction of the women showed the relationship between the church and the league was getting stronger.

Accepting the women into the organisation, Sisulu said they were capable of “making the earth move”.

Also making headlines:

An African passport is 'launched' at AU summit.

South African Human Rights Commission demands meeting with minister over SA's “waning” human rights commitment.

And, Zimbabwe finance minister says sanctions to blame for cash crunch.

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That’s a roundup of news making headlines today