
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



<p>More than 20,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, the enclave’s Hamas-run health ministry said in an update on Friday, as the United Nations Security Council once again delayed a vote on a resolution to allow desperately needed aid to enter the Palestinian territory.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p>According to the Hamas-run health ministry, 20,057 people have died in the conflict so far and 53,320 Palestinians have been wounded.</p>



<p>The death toll does not differentiate between Gazan civilians and Hamas combatants but earlier breakdowns said women and children make up approximately two-thirds of the overall death toll.</p>



<p>Friday’s gruesome milestone means nearly 1% of Gaza’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newarab.com/news/despite-israels-blockade-gazas-population-surpasses-23m" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prewar population</a>&nbsp;of 2.3 million—has been killed in the ongoing war.</p>



<p>According to UN estimates, more than 85%—<a href="https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiNzBlMWZkMzYtY2ZiYy00OTljLTk5NDMtOTg0ZDAxODM4YWM5IiwidCI6IjBmOWUzNWRiLTU0NGYtNGY2MC1iZGNjLTVlYTQxNmU2ZGM3MCIsImMiOjh9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nearly 2 million</a>—of the enclave’s total population have been displaced by the conflict so far.</p>



<p>On Thursday, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wfp.org/news/gaza-grapples-catastrophic-hunger-new-report-predicts-famine-if-conflict-continues" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">report</a>&nbsp;released by a UN-backed body warned nearly a quarter of Gaza’s population faces imminent starvation while more than 90% of the population was facing a “crisis or worse” level of food insecurity.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-number">BIG NUMBER</h2>



<p>22,000. That is the number of aerial bombings Israel has carried out over Gaza since the start of the war, according to an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-bombs-destruction-death-toll-scope-419488c511f83c85baea22458472a796" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Associated Press</a>&nbsp;estimate. This is significantly higher than the nearly 15,000 airstrikes carried out by the U.S. and its allies in Iraq over a period between 2014 and 2017 during their battle against the Islamic State (IS).</p>



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<p>By signing up, you accept and agree to our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/terms-and-conditions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Terms of Service</a>&nbsp;(including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions), and you acknowledge our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/privacy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Privacy Statement</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-watch-for">WHAT TO WATCH FOR</h2>



<p>A United Nations Security Council vote on the delivery of much-needed aid to Gaza was delayed once again on Thursday as the council’s members attempted to hash out a resolution that would avoid being vetoed. On Thursday, the U.S. ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/12/21/world/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news/the-un-security-council-is-set-to-vote-on-a-resolution-calling-for-a-pause-in-fighting-to-deliver-more-aid-into-gaza?smid=url-share" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a> the U.S. was prepared to vote in favor of a resolution “that will support humanitarian assistance” on the ground. The U.S. had <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2023/12/21/us-working-to-negotiate-humanitarian-aid-in-gaza-to-avoid-a-veto-at-un-security-council/?sh=3a85d3617b8a">vetoed</a> an earlier resolution by the council which had called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.</p>


Encircled By Israel, Gaza Faces Catastrophe As Death Toll Soars

More Than 20,000 Dead In Gaza Amid Israel-Hamas War, Hamas-Run Health Ministry Says


<p><strong>The importance of agriculture to Africa’s economic output cannot be emphasized enough. Desmond Koney’s Complete Farmer is doing close to $10 million in revenue, and have just closed a funding round of $10.4 million. </strong></p>



<p>Agriculture has been lauded by many governments as the key to reducing poverty due to the sheer number of people that it employs. According to figures from the World Bank, agriculture contributes to about 65%-70% of Africa’s labor force as well as 30%-40% of GDP.</p>



<p>Furthermore, it estimates that agriculture is the most significant economic activity for about 70% of people on the continent who live in rural areas.</p>



<p>The Ghanaian agriculture sector, in particular, is characterized by smallholder farmers who farm on less than two hectares of land, according to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in Ghana.</p>



<p>“Agriculture has been the principal sector for the development and growth of Ghana’s economy for decades and it still is a major contributor. It contributes somewhere in the region of about 30% to the GDP of Ghana. The main challenge is how we industrialize the process in order to scale and reap the fruits of the sector,” says Kwame Nkum, senior consultant at Nkum Associates.</p>



<p>This is a challenge Ghanaian entrepreneurs in the sector have been grappling with for years. On the one hand, the agriculture value chain is perhaps one of the longest in any industry. Also, there are interdependencies between one stage of the value chain and the next but, often, there is a lack of data between the two, which creates significant infrastructure challenges for the sector.</p>



<p>For mechanical engineer cum farmer, Desmond Koney, these challenges represent an opportunity to innovate and find solutions that help improve the sector. As the CEO and Founder of Complete Farmer, a crowd farming platform that facilitates easy sourcing of quality farm produce through an African online market, Koney is embarking on an ambitious journey to digitalize agriculture in Ghana.</p>



<p>“It is an exciting time to be in the industry and an exciting time to solve the problem the way we are solving it. Africa is producing close to $90 billion worth of produce and if you were able to build the infrastructure that captures that value, we can create a lot of wealth for local farmers,” says Koney.</p>



<p>The problem is that the farmers producing this are not able to sell their products to the people who need it and this is where Koney is hoping his innovative solution will make a difference.</p>



<p>“This presents an interesting opportunity to build global supply chains and ecommerce platforms. Once we can build this infrastructure, the opportunity of that $90 billion a year is something that should excite anyone,” says Koney.</p>



<p>Currently Complete Farmer is doing close to $10 million in revenue, according to Koney, and they have just closed a funding round of $10.4 million. That has led to the expansion of the Complete Farmer solution to Togo. The platform allows buyers from all over the world to order produce under the care of Complete Farmer.</p>



<p>“When a company makes an order, they put it up on the platform and make it possible for anyone who wants to be a supplier of the product to get on board by way of investment,” he says.</p>



<p>Like many great success stories, Koney’s journey was born out of adversity. Although his father was a pineapple farmer, Koney had opted for a life in the sciences with dreams of becoming an engineer for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Then tragedy struck.</p>



<p>“My father passed away suddenly when I was just about to write my exams in school, and it was a really difficult moment for me. One of my lecturers said this was going to be a defining moment for me and looking back now, I can see how it was. Suddenly, I had a little brother to take care of and I had to support my mother. I remember after my father’s funeral I had only GHC [Ghanaian Cedi] 10 in my pocket,” recalls Koney.</p>



<p>He decided to continue his father’s legacy as a farmer but first, he had to understand the challenges he went through. After working on his father’s farm, Koney realized the challenges were glaring.</p>



<p>“We realized that the agriculture industry has middlemen who purchase goods at a low price from the farmers to sell at much higher prices. This means farmers had no access to the market they were producing for,” says Koney.</p>



<p>With these invaluable lessons, Koney decided to utilize his engineering skills to build farms like factories.</p>



<p>“The initial vision was ‘how do we make agriculture like what China has done with manufacturing?’ In China, you will see people using their garages to set up factories… So, for me it was like ‘how can I bring that same energy and that same approach to farming?’ So, the vision was to really figure out how to build a farm like a factory and try and emulate how China has become a superpower in manufacturing,” says Koney.</p>



<p>The company designed an end-to-end process to solve the value chain issue by digitizing it. By doing so, Complete Farmer has become a bridge between both the demand side and the supply side which increases efficiencies in the entire value chain.</p>



<p>“It took us six years and we have had about three or four pivots to really figure out how we can create that factory to get there. Trying to raise funds, trying to figure out business model implications and trying to figure out the legal implications, and that is what we have been doing for the past six years to try and build this vision,” says Koney.</p>



<p>He is a firm believer in Africa’s ability to be the breadbasket of the world and, now, with Complete Farmer, it has become his mission is to make the rest of the world believe in Africa’s ability to feed everyone too.</p>


Desmond Koney; image supplied1

‘Completing The Chain’: How This Ghanaian Is Bridging Gaps Through Agritech


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



<p>The World Health Organization said it is tracking a new coronavirus “variant of interest” called JN.1, an offshoot of the highly mutated “Pirola” strain that is spreading rapidly around the world and has become the fastest growing variant in the United States.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p>JN.1 is an offshoot of the highly mutated omicron variant BA.2.86, often given the nickname “<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2023/09/06/modernas-updated-covid-vaccine-is-effective-against-pirola-variant-as-concern-over-new-strain-grows/?sh=6dd42d971a06">Pirola</a>,” which some experts&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/ariannajohnson/2023/11/28/what-to-know-about-rapidly-spreading-pirola-covid-variant-ba286-and-if-vaccines-offer-protection/?sh=5d1849481978">worried</a>&nbsp;could&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/08/pirola-latest-covid-variant-spreading-in-uk-health-data-suggests" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evade</a>&nbsp;protection from prior infections and vaccination and trigger a large wave of disease like the original omicron variant did when it emerged.</p>



<p>As the WHO already classified BA.2.86 a “variant of interest”—a strain of virus with genetic changes known or believed to affect traits like transmissibility, immune escape and disease severity and that is spreading in a way that could pose “an emerging risk to global public health”—and tracked JN.1 as part of this group, it was already considered to be a “variant of interest” anyway.</p>



<p>The WHO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/18122023_jn.1_ire_clean.pdf?sfvrsn=6103754a_3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a>&nbsp;JN.1 now merits its own standalone classification on account of its “rapidly increasing spread” around the world, adding that it now makes up the “vast majority” of BA.2.86 descendents reported.</p>



<p>The UN agency stressed available evidence, while “limited,” suggests the strain poses a “low” risk to public health.</p>



<p>That assessment was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/whats-new/SARS-CoV-2-variant-JN.1.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">echoed</a>&nbsp;by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in early December, when the agency said the JN.1 variant was responsible for between 15% and 29% of Covid cases and was the “fastest-growing variant in the United States.”</p>



<p>Both health agencies said updated booster vaccines will continue to protect against severe disease and death from JN.1, as they do for other variants, and that there is no sign the strain causes more severe disease compared to other variants.</p>



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<p>By signing up, you accept and agree to our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/terms-and-conditions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Terms of Service</a>&nbsp;(including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions), and you acknowledge our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/privacy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Privacy Statement</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-we-don-t-know">WHAT WE DON’T KNOW</h2>



<p>“The continued growth of JN.1 suggests that it is either more transmissible or better at evading our immune systems,” the CDC said in early December. However, the agency said it’s not clear how much JN.1 is contributing to the recent uptick in Covid activity given patterns of infection normally observed this time of year. It’s also not clear whether JN.1 produces a different set of symptoms to other variants, the CDC said, noting that symptoms “tend to be similar across variants.” Severity and types of symptoms “usually depend more on a person’s immunity and overall health rather than which variant causes the infection,” the agency said. The CDC said it will continue monitoring the situation and that Covid activity is likely to increase over the month of December, urging people to get vaccinated “if you haven’t received one this fall.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-news-peg">NEWS PEG</h2>



<p>JN.1 is on&nbsp;<a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">track</a>&nbsp;to become the dominant variant in the U.S. in a matter of weeks. The agency’s latest projections estimate the variant was responsible for up to 30% of cases as of December 9, up from between 6% and 11% two weeks earlier. It trails dominant variant HV.1, which was responsible for an estimated 27% to 33% of cases as of December 9 and 30% to 34% of cases two weeks before that. In the CDC region covering the Northeast—New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands—JN.1 is already the dominant variant and responsible for an estimated 32% of cases. The variant is on a steep upward trajectory in other areas as well and is responsible for between 15% and 26% of cases in regions monitored by the CDC.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-number">BIG NUMBER</h2>



<p>1,159,864. That’s how many Covid deaths there have been in the U.S. since January 2020,&nbsp;<a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according</a>&nbsp;to CDC data. Since early September, there have been around 1,200 to 1,400 Covid deaths across the country each week, some of the lowest figures since the pandemic began and down from a peak of nearly 26,000 around the start of 2021 when omicron drove a wave of cases.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-watch-for">WHAT TO WATCH FOR</h2>



<p>There is another category that sits above the WHO’s “variant of interest” class that the organization has not used since the emergence of omicron. The “variant of concern” threshold, which would likely secure the variant a Greek letter moniker like alpha, beta or delta, is reserved for strains that pose a significantly increased risk to public health. Such variants would have been shown to be more contagious, cause more severe disease or escape the protection of vaccines and treatments.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">TANGENT</h2>



<p>The CDC&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/whats-new/SARS-CoV-2-variant-JN.1.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a>&nbsp;JN.1 is still closely related to BA.2.86, despite what the differences in name suggest. The difference comes down to how variants are named, the CDC said, and explained that “there is only a single change between JN.1 and BA.2.86 in the spike protein.” The spike protein is an important part of the coronavirus that allows the virus to enter cells and cause infection.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2023/09/06/modernas-updated-covid-vaccine-is-effective-against-pirola-variant-as-concern-over-new-strain-grows/?sh=6dd42d971a06">Moderna’s Updated Covid Vaccine Is Effective Against Pirola Variant—As Concern Over New Strain Grows</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)</p>


Netherlands Reimposes Partial Lockdown Amid Latest Covid-19 Wave

JN.1 Covid ‘Variant Of Interest’ Spreading Fast In U.S. — Here’s What To Know

IMG_8790

The Big Backroom Boom In South Africa’s Townships


<p><strong>Wandia Gichuru cannot wait for the day that AfCFTA becomes a reality, especially in the textiles and fashion space.</strong></p>



<p>Most people start young. But while in her 40s, Wandia Gichuru’s journey into entrepreneurship was serendipitous and unexpected. Creating a truly Kenyan fashion brand, she now epitomizes a new generation of fearless entrepreneurs in the East African nation.</p>



<p>Before venturing into the fashion world, Gichuru spent over 15 years as an international development advisor, working for the government of the United Kingdom, the United Nations and the World Bank. But she always knew that she wanted to make a difference back home.</p>



<p>Into fitness in a big way and also a salsa dancer, she set up Vivo Activewear with a friend, Anne-Marie Burugu, in Nairobi in 2011, with a vision to create a Made in Kenya brand catering to women embracing wellness as a lifestyle. She went on to also set up an e-commerce platform onboarding Made in Kenya beauty and fashion brands.</p>



<p>From a single store in Nairobi, Vivo Activewear grew to include Vivo Woman, Safari and Zoya, curated to resonate with the contemporary African renowned for fusing style, comfort, functionality, and affordability.</p>



<p>“Our vision at Vivo Fashion Group is to see Africa dress herself, as well as Africa dress the world. We believe that in addition to being great producers and ardent consumers of fashion, the time has come that we are also creators of strong African fashion brands,” says Gichuru.</p>



<p>The fashion label recently joined the&nbsp;<em>Nairobi Securities</em>&nbsp;Exchange’s Ibuka incubation and acceleration program.</p>



<p>“We want as many people as possible to join us on this journey. So, listing on the Nairobi Securities Exchange would be one way to do this, by allowing anyone who wishes to become a shareholder of the group.”</p>



<p>Expanding its footprint across East Africa and beyond is a pivotal component of Vivo&#8217;s strategy. Unlike merely exporting Kenyan styles, the approach involves tailoring offerings to suit each unique market it enters.</p>



<p>Gichuru emphasizes the importance of establishing partnerships with creators, designers, suppliers, and manufacturers in these regions, thus nurturing the industry ecosystem.</p>



<p>“Over 200 million East Africans get up and get dressed every day. It is hard to get accurate data, but in our estimation, less than 5% of East Africans wear any clothes that were produced in East Africa. So, the opportunities in the fashion sector are huge, and we are only scratching the surface,” says Gichuru.</p>



<p>As Africa prepares for a single trading bloc under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Gichuru says this presents an exciting opportunity, especially in the textiles and fashion sector. She envisions the removal of barriers that currently impede sourcing and distribution across African countries, potentially opening doors to new African brands entering the Kenyan market.</p>



<p>“We cannot wait for the day that AfCFTA becomes a reality, especially in the textiles and fashion space. This will open doors for everyone in the sector in such powerful ways. We are desperate, for example, to make clothing using Kitenge fabric from Ghana. However, under the current tax environment, we would have to pay 50% duty on Ghanaian fabric, which makes it impossible to create a competitively priced product from it.”</p>



<p>For entrepreneurs like Gichuru, this impending reality holds the promise of uncharted growth. However, alongside this anticipation come the pressing concerns regarding the key challenges that must be addressed to facilitate the scaling of businesses like hers on the African stage.</p>



<p>“Hopefully, AfCFTA will address these kinds of challenges and we will be able to start sourcing from and distributing to countries across Africa. And vice versa, we will see all kinds of African brands enter the Kenyan market,” she says.</p>



<p>Gichuru’s venture, Shop Zetu, is also making strides in Kenya’s fast-growing e-commerce space. The platform is a one-stop shop for all things fashion, beauty, and accessories.</p>



<p>Her current focus is the East African and COMESA markets, where products can be more efficiently moved to and from Kenya.</p>



<p>The Vivo Fashion Group also places strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion. Over 70% of its 450 employees are women. Gichuru is also keen on promoting female entrepreneurs.</p>



<p>“Women in particular are sometimes afraid to come across as too ambitious or too confident. Which can work against us, especially when trying to raise capital. We must be clear about our goals and learn how to articulate them in a way that convinces people that we know where we are going, we know how to get there, and that they should join us on the journey.”</p>



<p>She advises aspiring entrepreneurs to be true to themselves and not let perfectionism or fear hinder their ambitions. She also emphasizes the importance of action.</p>



<p>“I have an incredibly strong bias for action. The advice I mostly give to younger entrepreneurs is to just get started! Don’t let ideas just sit in your head. Start! Execute! Put something in front of potential customers and get a reaction. You’ll either make a sale or you’ll get some feedback – or hopefully both. But it will get you one step further on your way to building a real business”.</p>



<p>As Kenya celebrates 60 years of independence, Gichuru believes that determination and resilience are central to keeping the country’s entrepreneurial spirit alive.</p>



<p>“We have a way of picking ourselves up and keeping ourselves going. And we are also lucky that we live in such a beautiful country, and have a great sense of humor – so no matter how difficult things are, the sun will still be bright and shining, and someone next to you is going to crack a joke and make you laugh!</p>


Wandia Gichuru; image supplied

‘To See Africa Dress The World’: A Kenyan Fashion Entrepreneur On The Industry’s Promising Future  


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



<p>Google announced the details of a sweeping&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2023/12/19/google-will-pay-700-million-and-make-play-store-billing-changes-to-settle-antitrust-suit/?sh=37cdb6cd99e0">settlement</a>&nbsp;with all 50 states on Monday, which include expanded options for developers to use their own billing systems—leaving app makers with options that could lead to savings for consumers on in-app subscriptions and services.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p>Google announced they would allow an alternative&nbsp;<a href="https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2022/11/continuing-our-commitment-to-user-choice-billing.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">“user choice billing”</a>&nbsp;option for all U.S. developers—meaning app developers can now pay fees between 11% and 26% to Google on all purchases from the Play Store, in-app purchases, and subscriptions.</p>



<p>Google previously forced all developers to use its in-house billing system, which took a 15% cut—increased to 30% after the first $1 million earned through purchases.</p>



<p>Google began piloting the “user choice billing” program in 2022 with Spotify and Bumble—it is unclear if any other developers were given the reduced rates before the settlement,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/9/23954376/google-spotify-user-choice-billing-deal-bumble-epic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Verge</a>&nbsp;reported one year later.</p>



<p>Developers could slash prices and move savings to consumers—but they could also decide to simply keep the extra profits.</p>



<p>Google also said it would “streamline” users’ ability to sideload apps—or download apps directly from a developer’s website—which would mean some developers could cut the costs of quality control or verification required for apps to be sold on the Play Store.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



<p>Google struck a settlement deal in a massive lawsuit filed by all 50 state attorneys general in September, but the details of the agreement were not made public until Monday. As part of the deal, Google will pay $630 million into a settlement fund, which will then be distributed to consumers. Another $70 million will be paid directly to the states. Eligible consumers who used the Play Store between August 2016 and September 2023 will receive a minimum payment of $2, with the possibility of additional cash based on their spending on the app store in that timeframe.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chief-critic">CHIEF CRITIC</h2>



<p>Epic Games, the massive gaming developer also involved in legal disputes with Google, criticized the settlement, with CEO Tim Sweeney calling it an “injustice to all Android users and developers.” Corie Wright, the VP of Public Policy at Epic Games, said it “does not address the core of Google’s unlawful and anticompetitive behavior.” Wright called the user choice billing system “deceptively labeled,” criticizing it for still taking an 11% to 26% cut “on top of payments Google isn&#8217;t involved in processing.” The popular video game publisher won an antitrust lawsuit against Google just one week before the details of the settlement were announced, and said they planned to “seek meaningful remedies to truly open up the Android ecosystem.”</p>


In this photo illustration a Google Play Store logo is seen

Here’s How App Purchases Might Get Cheaper On Google Play Now—After Firm Settles Antitrust Lawsuit For $700 Million


<p><strong>Zuri obtains fabrics and designs from Kenya and other African countries, creating jobs.</strong></p>



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<iframe loading="lazy" title="Rocking African Style In Manhattan" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ldiwCYbmK9Q?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<p>African style is making its way to New York City. In June this year, the Brooklyn Museum hosted Africa Fashion, one of North America’s largest exhibits celebrating African clothing and craftsmanship. From being highlighted on fashion runways to new stores popping up around the city, fashion from the continent is creeping into the wardrobes of many New Yorkers.</p>



<p>One fast-growing store is Zuri, which opened a few years ago in downtown Manhattan. The brand prides itself on obtaining fabrics and designs from Kenya and other African countries.</p>



<p>“We are hiring different artists from there, who then produce the pieces,” Tiffany Collins, an employee at Zuri, tells FORBES AFRICA. “Then it’s shipped. So you kind of create this ecosystem that continuously flows. You’re creating jobs, and you’re paying people fair, livable wages.”</p>



<p>Workers at Zuri hope their efforts will make African clothes a staple in wardrobes.</p>



<p>“More celebration and understanding of the textile and the process and what really goes into producing those beautiful pieces,” is what Collins wishes for. “So many hands have touched them prior to them even getting here.”</p>


Screen Shot 2023-12-19 at 15.09.04

Rocking African Style In Manhattan

Debt Crisis Looms for Poorer Nations Most Vulnerable to Climate Change

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<p><strong>The ultimate year-end gift ideas for luxury lovers and gadget geeks.</strong></p>



<div class="wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="574" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/RayBan-x-Meta-1024x574.png" alt="" class="wp-image-60681 size-full" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/RayBan-x-Meta-1024x574.png 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/RayBan-x-Meta-300x168.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/RayBan-x-Meta-768x431.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/RayBan-x-Meta-1536x861.png 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/RayBan-x-Meta-2048x1148.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ray-ban-x-meta-wayfarer">Ray-Ban x Meta Wayfarer</h4>



<p>Ray-Ban’s next-generation retro smart glasses in partnership with Meta lets you livestream to Instagram or Facebook. While privacy should be paramount, it offers other conveniences you can enjoy while protecting your eyes. These include taking pictures and videos with a unique perspective from its 12MP ultra-wide camera in full HD for up to 60 seconds; the ability to take calls or listen to audio; and voice recording through built-in microphones. The glasses are integrated with Meta AI to act as a personal assistant or get information through voice commands using the trigger “hey Meta”, which also sends photos. Its unique battery case offers up to 36 hours of usage, and it is now IPX4-rated for water resistance.<br><strong><em>Price: $329</em></strong></p>
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<div class="wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile"><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-montblanc-extreme-2-0-wallet">Montblanc Extreme 2.0 Wallet</h4>



<p>For understated elegance and luxury, check out Montblanc’s new Extreme 2.0 Wallet in black leather with a carbon-fiber print on the outside and plain black on the inside. It features slots for eight cards, two compartments for cash and four additional pockets. It uses Montblanc’s Shield technology with RFID blocking in the lining. This ensures your cards are blocked from hackers who try to wireless skim data using radio frequencies. A must for travelers.<br><strong><em>Price: $420</em></strong></p>
</div><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="915" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Montblanc-Wallet-1024x915.png" alt="" class="wp-image-60677 size-full" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Montblanc-Wallet-1024x915.png 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Montblanc-Wallet-300x268.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Montblanc-Wallet-768x686.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Montblanc-Wallet-1536x1373.png 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Montblanc-Wallet-2048x1830.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="790" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/HP-Spectre-Fold-1024x790.png" alt="" class="wp-image-60676" style="width:550px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/HP-Spectre-Fold-1024x790.png 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/HP-Spectre-Fold-300x231.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/HP-Spectre-Fold-768x592.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/HP-Spectre-Fold-1536x1184.png 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/HP-Spectre-Fold-2048x1579.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>


<h4 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center" id="h-hp-spectre-fold">HP Spectre Fold</h4>



<p>Folding smartphones may have been all the rage these last few years, but there’s a new type that’s trending – the foldable PC. HP came out with the Spectre Fold in September 2023, and it’s quite the marvel: it’s a 3-in-1 that transforms between laptop, desktop, and tablet. Dubbed the world’s thinnest foldable at 17-inches, it can be accessed in tablet mode with a stylus; as a 12.3-inch laptop with wireless magnetic keyboard; and as a desktop through its built-in kickstand. The main drawcard here is portability, which you can set-up while on the move or working from anywhere. Using a desktop in a coffee shop? Sold!<br><strong><em>Price: $4,999</em></strong></p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="884" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Nespresso-Creatista-copy-884x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-60678" style="width:328px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Nespresso-Creatista-copy-884x1024.png 884w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Nespresso-Creatista-copy-259x300.png 259w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Nespresso-Creatista-copy-768x890.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Nespresso-Creatista-copy-1326x1536.png 1326w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Nespresso-Creatista-copy-1768x2048.png 1768w" sizes="(max-width: 884px) 100vw, 884px" /></figure></div>


<p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>Nespresso Creatista Plus </strong></p>



<p>Nothing beats starting the day with a good cup of coffee, and the Nespresso Creatista Plus offers just that with its café- style options thanks to its fully automatic steam wand. As its name suggests, the creativity kicks in through its ability to create latte art using Breville’s milk texturing technology. Its stylish, sleek design with a high- gloss finish would suit most homes, taking up minimal counter space. The Creatista Plus has a three second heat-up time and offers eight coffee selections, four frothing levels, and 11 milk temperature settings using its 19-bar pressure system. It has an assisted cleaning system and automatically switches off after nine minutes. <br><strong><em>Price: $649</em></strong></p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="938" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/FOM-Duffle-1024x938.png" alt="" class="wp-image-60675" style="width:408px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/FOM-Duffle-1024x938.png 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/FOM-Duffle-300x275.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/FOM-Duffle-768x704.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/FOM-Duffle-1536x1407.png 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/FOM-Duffle-2048x1876.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>


<h4 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center" id="h-freedom-of-movement-franklin-dufle">Freedom of Movement Franklin dufle</h4>



<p>Freedom of Movement is a South African lifestyle brand that offers stylish leather accessories, and its Franklin du-ffe bag has caught our eye. The Franklin, crafted from premium pecan leather is the perfect weekend bag, also suited for quick business trips. Apart from its main large interior, it has an outside back pocket, and two lined zipped ones on the inside for valuables. It is finished off with antique brass fittings, an embossed logo that makes it look understated, and a removable adjustable shoulder strap. The duffel fits in an overhead compartment on a flight.<br><strong><em>Price: $290</em></strong></p>



<div class="wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AppleWatch-Ultra2-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-60673 size-full" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AppleWatch-Ultra2-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AppleWatch-Ultra2-300x300.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AppleWatch-Ultra2-150x150.jpg 150w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AppleWatch-Ultra2-768x768.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AppleWatch-Ultra2-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AppleWatch-Ultra2-2048x2048.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-apple-watch-ultra-2"><strong>Apple Watch Ultra 2</strong></h4>



<p>When it comes to smartwatches, Apple is leading in the space, and for good reason – it’s intuitive with a familiar interface. The latest Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the first carbon- neutral Apple product  when paired with the Trail or Alpine Loop interchangeable band. Its new S9 chip enables gestures by pinching your thumb and index finger, offers its brightest display of 3000 nits for the outdoors, and advancements for altitude ranges, on-device Siri, and water adventures, which is essentially a diving computer on your wrist. Paired with the new WatchOS10 update, its redesigned interface offers Smart Stack, new cycling experiences and features for the outdoors, plus unique watch faces. It promises 36 hours of battery in regular use and 72 hours in low power mode.<br><strong><em>Price: $799</em></strong></p>
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<div class="wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile"><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sennheiser-momentum-4">Sennheiser Momentum 4</h3>



<p>Being productive while working from anywhere or traveling requires a solid pair of noise cancellation headphones. Available in black or white, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 promises a whopping 60 hours of battery life from a single charge. Its lightweight design, complete with touch controls, lends toward comfort for hours on end, without your ears taking the strain. It offers adaptive noise cancellation, transparency mode, and customized sound, which can be accessed on its smartphone app. Connectivity options include Bluetooth, an audio jack or USB-C. A quick five-minute charge yields four hours of playback. It comes with a carry case, 1.2-meter charging cable, auxiliary cable, and airplane seat adaptor.<br><em><strong>Price: $380</strong></em></p>
</div><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="989" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Sennheiser-Momentum-989x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-60682 size-full" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Sennheiser-Momentum-989x1024.png 989w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Sennheiser-Momentum-290x300.png 290w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Sennheiser-Momentum-768x795.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Sennheiser-Momentum-1484x1536.png 1484w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Sennheiser-Momentum-1978x2048.png 1978w" sizes="(max-width: 989px) 100vw, 989px" /></figure></div>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="940" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/OneWorld135-940x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-60680" style="width:324px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/OneWorld135-940x1024.png 940w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/OneWorld135-275x300.png 275w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/OneWorld135-768x836.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/OneWorld135-1411x1536.png 1411w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/OneWorld135-1881x2048.png 1881w" sizes="(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px" /></figure></div>


<h4 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center" id="h-oneadaptr-oneworld135">OneAdaptr OneWorld135 </h4>



<p>For the frequent business traveler and power user looking for convenience, check out OneAdaptr’s brand new OneWorld135 universal plug that works in over 200 countries. Between its three USB-C ports, two are powerful 100W ports that can power a Macbook Pro or notebook equivalent, alongside a USB-A port and a 2-pin AC outlet. It has some of the highest safety certifications available that protects the voltage, current, temperature with fuse protection. The OneWorld 135 features Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology that ensures the highest efficiency in a small package that’s the size of a credit card. It ships with a travel bag.<br><strong><em>Price: $129</em></strong></p>


The family is happily exchanging gifts at Christmas.

Luxe Is More: African Gift Guide


<p><strong>Subomi Plumptre is one of the few female African CEOs in asset management on the continent focusing on empowering middle class Africans through investment solutions and unlocking prosperity.</strong></p>



<p>The latest Henley &amp; Partners Africa Wealth Report reveals that the continent holds a total of $2.4 trillion in private wealth, with South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, and Morocco accounting for over 50% of this. Despite this, income inequality remains high, and there’s a significant ‘floating class’ within the middle class facing insecurity.</p>



<p>Subomi Plumptre, the CEO of Volition Cap in Nigeria, aims to address these challenges.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="634" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AF8I0864app1-copy-634x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-60669" style="width:309px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AF8I0864app1-copy-634x1024.jpg 634w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AF8I0864app1-copy-186x300.jpg 186w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AF8I0864app1-copy-768x1240.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AF8I0864app1-copy-952x1536.jpg 952w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AF8I0864app1-copy-1269x2048.jpg 1269w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AF8I0864app1-copy-scaled.jpg 1586w" sizes="(max-width: 634px) 100vw, 634px" /></figure></div>


<p>Over a span of three years, her company successfully launched a $30 million fund for agriculture and real estate projects in Africa, resulting in financial independence rates of up to 75% for 3,000 members. Additionally, it’s supporting African filmmakers with $250,000 in funding and have provided financial literacy courses to over 10,000 individuals.</p>



<p>Plumptre also recently toured the United States (US) engaging with the African diaspora through the ‘Celebration of African Prosperity’ roadshow with information on diaspora-focused funds.</p>



<p>Originally, Volition began as a financial education company and investment club. Later, obtaining a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) license, it pioneered a novel fund management approach for Africa utilizing investment clubs (cooperatives).</p>



<p>The acquisition of the SEC license validated and institutionalized their model.</p>



<p>Plumptre co-founded Volition Cap, a licensed asset manager, with Kola Oyeneyin in 2018 after facing personal financial challenges.</p>



<p>A registered fund manager and one of the few African female CEOs of an asset management firm, Plumptre tells FORBES AFRICA: “I had worked in the corporate sector for decades and was committed to my career. But not only was I financially illiterate, my responsibilities did not leave much time for active investing. Like many middle-class employees, I assumed that someday, my stock options would take care of me. But during my career, my country went through two recessions, disrupting the plans of the company I worked for; and making my stock options worthless.</p>



<p>“Around the same time, my parents were dealing with critical medical issues that required expensive healthcare. I could not afford to fly them abroad for treatment that was unavailable in my country. That was a wake-up call for me. I realized there were others like me, hard-working middle-class folk, who were one catastrophe away from poverty. I decided to change that by setting up Volition Cap.”</p>



<p>On social media, where she commands a significant following and is regarded one of Nigeria’s thought leaders in business and strategy, Plumptre channels her thoughts on various topics including life, career and investment.</p>



<p>A few hours before the commencement of her series of engagements in the US, Plumptre, overwhelmed with the support she had already garnered, tweeted to her over 112,000 followers: “There are so many people on social media who quietly support me. You share my content and tell others about my work. I am truly grateful.”</p>



<p>Seemingly aware of the ongoing curiosity regarding her connection with Ashleigh Plumptre, a center-back for Al-Ittihad and the Nigeria national team (popularly known as the Super Falcons), she shared a tweet featuring Ashleigh’s victory dance after her team’s win against Australia in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. In response, she remarked: “Lovely to see my niece’s victory dance.”</p>



<p>Apart from her work with Volition Cap, Plumptre engages in various fields such as public speaking, coaching, and mentorship. Her Subomi Plumptre Fellowship aims to mentor and network with young Nigerians who value hard work and excellence.</p>



<p>Moreover, she established The Subomi Plumptre Trust to address education, health, and cultural challenges.</p>



<p>She is also a published author, having written <em>The C’s of Social Media </em>and <em>Unscripted</em>, where she candidly shares her thoughts and struggles about life. Additionally, Plumptre has trained thousands on investment intelligence through her online courses.</p>



<p>The film <em>The Black Book</em>, directed by Editi Effiong and co- executive produced by Plumptre, was released on Netflix on her birthday – September 22 – this year.</p>



<p>“At Volition Cap, we are proud to have been the largest funders in the exclusive syndicate that backed the film [<em>The Black Book</em>] a group of believers who are iconoclasts in their own right. Our homegrown creatives have taken the world by storm, through Nollywood, Afrobeats, literature and fashion. Therefore, the creative industry must be supported,” says Plumptre.</p>



<p>Her dedication has earned her recognition, including acceptance to the Forbes Business Council and being featured in the ChangeMakers’ list of 100 Nigerians Leading Change.</p>



<p>The Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation recently nominated Plumptre as one of the Goalkeepers — a global collective of changemakers advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This recognition is in acknowledgment of her efforts to champion middle-class wealth in Africa and the diaspora. Her specific focus is on Goals 8, 9, and 10, which include Decent Work and Economic Growth; Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; and Reduced Inequalities.</p>



<p>“It’s time to shift the African paradigm from poverty and foreign aid to wealth and prosperity. And we can only do so by empowering the socioeconomic group – the middle-class – that powers society through entrepreneurship, job creation, prioritization of education, active citizenship and remittances,” says Plumptre.</p>



<p>She is widely recognized for her integrity, thoroughness, and sincerity, as described by renowned photographer and singer Toyin Sokefun-Bello, better known as TY Bello.</p>



<p>“When I think of Subomi, the word that comes to mind is integrity,” Sokefun-Bello shared via Facebook in March 2021. “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone more thorough, straightforward, and sincere in everything&#8230; even with the way she creates&#8230; One of the most innovative minds we have, both left and right-brained in a very special way&#8230; Subomi is a genius, really.”</p>



<p>“There’s still so much we all need to learn from Subomi. It feels good to know people that will change the world for real. I’m excited about the things she’s about to unveil,” she concluded, indicating her awareness of Plumptre’s plans for innovations in creating wealth for others.</p>



<p>“Trust is at the core of our community at Vizient Coop [one of the cooperatives managed by Volition Cap]. For many years, we built our membership from referrals only. This means satisfied customers told their friends, colleagues, and family members.</p>



<p>We also ensure that in times of market uncertainties, we never leave our community stranded. We keep communicating and intervening on their behalf,” Plumptre says as she highlights the importance of trust and community at Volition Cap.</p>



<p>She adds, “A major success story for me personally was a client we worked with for four years, having designed a custom investment plan for her. Through the returns on her investment, she could afford to send her kids to a premium university of their choice. We also have stories of retirees who currently live off their investment earnings.”</p>



<p>To address low investment literacy and combat Ponzi schemes, Volition Cap provides free investment courses to educate potential investors. Nigeria Deposit Insurance Company (NDIC) disclosed last year that at least N911.45 billion ($1.17 billion) has been lost to various Ponzi schemes and related fraud across the country in 23 years.</p>



<p>Plumptre sees technology as a valuable tool to distribute financial products and educate investors about their risk appetites and investment profiles. Volition Cap collaborated with Opportunik Global Fund to create an AI-powered platform to help investors find their Africa-themed investor profile, utilizing technology innovatively to support homegrown investments.</p>



<p>“At Volition Cap, investing is not just about money. It’s about enabling dreams and life plans for our clients. That’s what keeps us going.</p>



<p>“In Volition Cap’s white paper, we alluded to the importance of the middle-class in creating jobs, educating the next generation and active citizenship. Therefore, our vision is an empowered middle-class that is financially independent, freeing them to create visionary products and to participate more fully in the design of their nations,” Plumptre says.</p>



<p>She reveals that her second research report, <em>Unlocking African Prosperity, </em>co-authored with Oyeneyin and Dean Onyambu, is now recommended reading in the Master of Business Administration (MBA) class at Hult Business School’s United Kingdom (UK) campus.</p>



<p>“I am pleased to illuminate Africa’s potential, showcasing how both Africans and the diaspora can generate wealth through alternative investments. The narrative of Africa must evolve from aid and poverty to entrepreneurship and wealth creation. </p>


The Wealth Creator In Nigeria’s Asset Management World


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



<p>Mariah Carey and Brenda Lee’s weekslong battle at the summit of the Billboard Hot 100 took a turn Monday as “All I Want for Christmas Is You” notched its record-breaking 13th total week atop the chart, dethroning Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” after it led the chart for the first time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p>Carey and Lee swapped places atop the Hot 100 this week, with “All I Want for Christmas Is You” reaching the summit for the fifth holiday season in a row—making the 1994 holiday anthem the first song to ever reach No. 1 in five consecutive calendar years, Billboard&nbsp;<a href="https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/mariah-carey-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you-number-one-hot-100-13th-week-1235560875/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>.</p>



<p>“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/billboardcharts/status/1736820015448408131" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dipped</a>&nbsp;to No. 2 on the Hot 100, two weeks after Lee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/12/04/mariah-carey-dethroned-brenda-lees-rockin-around-the-christmas-tree-from-1958-tops-hot-100-for-first-time-breaking-records/?sh=1d1afa7e202f">became</a>&nbsp;the oldest person to lead the chart at 78 years old—a record she extended the following week, when she turned 79 and topped the chart for a second straight week.</p>



<p>This week, “All I Want for Christmas Is You”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/mariah-carey-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you-number-one-hot-100-13th-week-1235560875/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">became</a>&nbsp;the first song with six distinct runs atop the Hot 100—it rose to the top each holiday season since 2019, including two nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1 in 2020—breaking a tie Carey held with Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night” and Harry Styles’ “As It Was.”</p>



<p>Carey has now spent a total of 92&nbsp;<a href="https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/mariah-carey-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you-number-one-hot-100-13th-week-1235560875/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weeks</a>&nbsp;atop the Hot 100, the most of any artist by a significant margin: Rihanna ranks second with 60 weeks on top of the chart.</p>



<p>Carey <a href="https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/mariah-carey-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you-number-one-hot-100-13th-week-1235560875/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">joins</a> Boyz II Men as the second artist to have three separate songs spend at least 13 weeks on top of the Hot 100, one of which is their collaboration “One Sweet Day,” which led for 16 weeks between 1995 and 1996.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



<p>Billboard&nbsp;<a href="https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/brenda-lee-rockin-around-christmas-mariah-no-1-1235515850/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>&nbsp;in November that Carey and Lee would likely be locked in a tight chart battle the entire holiday season, marking the first time a holiday song has challenged “All I Want for Christmas Is You” for the No. 1 spot on the Hot 100 since it began its annual trip to the top in 2019. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/12/04/mariah-carey-dethroned-brenda-lees-rockin-around-the-christmas-tree-from-1958-tops-hot-100-for-first-time-breaking-records/?sh=1d1afa7e202f">reached</a>&nbsp;No. 1 on the Hot 100 on Dec. 4 and spent two weeks at the top, making it just the third holiday song to lead the chart and making the song, released in 1958, the oldest to ever rank No. 1. Amid the tight chart battle, both Carey and Lee have stepped up promotional efforts. Lee released the song’s first-ever music&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/TFsZy9t-qDc?si=br_zihXwOltqRaX7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">video</a>&nbsp;in November to celebrate its 65th anniversary, featuring cameo appearances from country stars Trisha Yearwood and Tanya Tucker. She also joined&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@brendaleeofficial" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TikTok</a>, posting videos promoting the song and reflecting on its long history. Carey released a new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/mariah-carey-festive-lambs-edition-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you-video-1235546135/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">video</a>&nbsp;for her hit on Dec. 8, leading to a 10% rise in streaming for the song this week, Billboard&nbsp;<a href="https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/mariah-carey-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you-number-one-hot-100-13th-week-1235560875/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>. Carey is also promoting her holiday music on a Christmas tour, including a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/mariah-carey-oh-santa-ariana-grande-jennifer-hudson-live-nyc-1235549232/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">show</a>&nbsp;at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 9 where she was joined by Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">NEWS PEG</h2>



<p>Holiday music monopolized the entire Hot 100&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/billboardcharts/status/1736820015448408131" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">top five</a>&nbsp;this week. Behind Carey and Lee, Bobby Helms ranks No. 3 with “Jingle Bell Rock,” Wham! took the No. 4 spot with “Last Christmas,” and Burl Ives hit No. 5 with “A Holly Jolly Christmas.” Lee leads Carey on this week’s Streaming Songs chart, Billboard&nbsp;<a href="https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/mariah-carey-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you-number-one-hot-100-13th-week-1235560875/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>, though the battle was close: “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” had 42.4 million streams, above “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” which had 42.2 million. Carey made a big jump from No. 7 to No. 3 on the Digital Song Sales chart, with sales up 68% from last week thanks to her song’s discounted 69-cent price on iTunes, Billboard&nbsp;<a href="https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/mariah-carey-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you-number-one-hot-100-13th-week-1235560875/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">TANGENT</h2>



<p>The rise of music streaming has made holiday songs highly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/12/12/heres-how-much-mariah-carey-and-brenda-lee-earn-per-year-from-their-holiday-classics/?sh=3b2fb21073ad">profitable</a>&nbsp;because each play is monetized. Billboard previously estimated that “All I Want for Christmas Is You”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.billboard.com/pro/how-much-mariah-carey-make-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">generated</a>&nbsp;$6.16 million in revenue for Carey and her label in 2021, based on 94,000 downloads and 823 million streams. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.billboard.com/pro/how-much-brenda-lee-rockin-around-the-christmas-tree-make/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">generated</a>&nbsp;about $4 million in revenue in 2022, and Billboard&nbsp;<a href="https://www.billboard.com/pro/how-much-brenda-lee-rockin-around-the-christmas-tree-make/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>&nbsp;it is on track to earn more this year thanks to its rising popularity. The increasing popularity of streaming, plus the removal of Billboard chart&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/12/05/holiday-songs-rarely-hit-the-hot-100-before-2012-heres-what-changed/?sh=1e764ab82f7f">rules</a>&nbsp;that previously forbade songs that had fallen off the Hot 100 to return, have paved the way for holiday songs to dominate the Hot 100 every December.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">FURTHER READING</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/mariah-carey-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you-number-one-hot-100-13th-week-1235560875/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ Jingles Back to No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100</a>&nbsp;(Billboard)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/12/04/mariah-carey-dethroned-brenda-lees-rockin-around-the-christmas-tree-from-1958-tops-hot-100-for-first-time-breaking-records/?sh=1d1afa7e202f">Mariah Carey Dethroned: Brenda Lee’s ‘Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree’ From 1958 Tops Hot 100 For First Time, Breaking Records</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/12/12/heres-how-much-mariah-carey-and-brenda-lee-earn-per-year-from-their-holiday-classics/?sh=3b2fb21073ad">Here&#8217;s How Much Mariah Carey And Brenda Lee Earn Per Year From Their Holiday Classics</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)</p>


2023 Billboard Music Awards – Show

Mariah Carey Leads Billboard Chart Again With ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’—Breaking Even More Records


<blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-text-align-center is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p>“We are not merely making policy, but are nurturing a legacy of boundless growth and shared prosperity under BeTA (Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda),” <strong>says Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary For Foreign Diaspora Affairs, Dr Musalia Mudavadi.</strong></p>
</blockquote>



<p>Kenya, the largest economy in East Africa, celebrated 60 years of independence on December 12, 2023.</p>



<p>In June, during the country’s Madaraka Day celebrations, which commemorate the day Kenya attained self-rule in 1963 – a day that would prove pivotal in its pursuit of independence, President William Samoei Ruto stated that “every Kenya African understood [the first Madaraka Day] to be the beginning of the hard and noble work of securing and enhancing social and economic freedom as well.”</p>



<p>“For six decades now, the people of Kenya have worked hard, with admirable diligence and unwavering determination, to perfect the political freedom of their nation through sustained socioeconomic progress,” he added.</p>



<p>The country, in which GDP is projected to grow 5.6% in 2023 and 6.0% in 2024, according to an economic outlook published by the African Development Bank (AfDB) earlier this year, is considered “a powerhouse within the East African community”.</p>



<p>This was the sentiment from Dr Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Diaspora Affairs.</p>



<p>“On the global stage, Kenya’s influence has soared, expanding its footprint in international trade, becoming a key member of regional bodies such as the East African Community (EAC), the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and forging essential economic partnerships like AGOA with the United States and having an Economic Partnership Arrangement with the European Union (EU),” he tells FORBES AFRICA.</p>



<p>Furthermore, the country is committed to global harmony, underscored by its active participation in the United Nations peacekeeping framework.</p>



<p>“As we celebrate 60 years of independence, these achievements and challenges serve as stepping stones toward a future of even greater promise,” Mudavadi adds.</p>



<p>Solidifying Kenya’s commitment to economic development, in 2022, it exported a total of $7.4 billion, globally.</p>



<p>Approximately, $767 million of this revenue came directly from the country’s 89 Export Processing Zones (EPZs). This year, President Ruto announced new plans to expand this number with an additional five new zones to complement this growth and encourage more foreign investment in the country.</p>



<p>The East African nation’s technology ecosystem also holds immense potential, according to Endeavor Kenya Managing Director, Maryanne Ochola.</p>



<p>“The Kenyan startup ecosystem is nascent and full of promise,” she says, adding, “A number of important events saw Kenya turn the tide. These were the laying of the first undersea internet cable, the launch of M-PESA and the establishment of innovation hubs such as iLab at Strathmore University. These</p>



<p>developments underscore the importance of two key assets – enabling infrastructure and physical spaces for like-minded innovators to convene and exchange ideas.”</p>



<p>Mudavadi also emphasizes “Kenya’s pioneering role in the mobile banking revolution” and concludes: “Our legacy, we hope, will be woven from the threads of unity, determination, the resilient spirit of the African, and a relentless pursuit of a better tomorrow for every African.”</p>



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<p><a href="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Kenya@60-supplement.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Download Full supplement here</a></p>


Aerial view of illuminated city buildings against sky at night,Nairobi,Kenya

Leading With A Legacy Of Economic Transformation: Kenya Celebrates 60 Years Of Independence


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



<p>Researchers began testing a first-of-its-kind non-hormonal male birth control pill this week, a promising step for male contraceptive care as previous hormonal methods faced challenges like too many side effects and issues reducing sperm production.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p>Manufacturer YourChoice Therapeutics began its&nbsp;<a href="https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT06094283" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phase I trial</a>&nbsp;of its daily male birth control pill known as YCT-529 this week, which involves British participants.</p>



<p>Unlike the female birth control pill, YCT-529 is a hormone-free type of retinoic acid receptor-alpha (RAR-alpha) inhibitor, which means it works by blocking access to vitamin A, preventing sperm production.</p>



<p>Previous&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3257687/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a>&nbsp;have found vitamin A deficiencies can lead to infertility as it’s needed for male reproduction, sperm production and the maintenance of the male genital tract.</p>



<p>When tested in male mice during&nbsp;<a href="https://www.biorender.com/blog/the-new-male-contraceptive-pill-downloadable-infographic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">preclinical trials</a>, the male contraceptive showed 99% efficacy in preventing pregnancy, was 100% reversible without any side effects and the mice were fertile again four to six weeks after stopping the pill.</p>



<p>The amount of men willing to take male contraceptive rages between 34% to 82.3%, according to a 2021&nbsp;<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33900134/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a>&nbsp;published in the Journal of Sex Research.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-could-the-male-birth-control-pill-be-available"><strong>WHEN COULD THE MALE BIRTH CONTROL PILL BE AVAILABLE?</strong></h2>



<p>Unclear. This clinical trial is expected to end in June 2024.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-number">BIG NUMBER</h2>



<p>$200 billion. That’s how much the market value of new male contraceptives is worth (between $40 billion to $200 billion), assuming a market size of 10 million men in the U.S. and 50 million men worldwide, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4762912/#:~:text=The%20economic%20aspects%20of%20male,200%20billion%20dollars%20%5B69%5D." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a>&nbsp;published in Current Obstetrics and Gynecology Reports<em>.</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-quote">CRUCIAL QUOTE</h2>



<p>“The world is ready for a male contraceptive agent and delivering one that’s hormone-free is simply the right thing to do given what we know about the side effects women have endured for decades from The Pill,” Gunda Georg, researcher behind the pill and founding director of the Institutes for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231212830806/en/YourChoice-Therapeutics-begins-first-in-human-trial-for-male-birth-control-pill" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">statement</a>.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



<p>Though almost half of all pregnancies worldwide are unintended, the only contraceptive options available to men are condoms and vasectomies,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/male-contraceptive-disables-sperm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according</a>&nbsp;to the National Institute of Health. The issue with creating new birth control methods is men produce around 1,000 sperm a second—totalling millions a day—whereas women produce one egg per month. A phase II male birth control study commissioned by the World Health Organization was stopped in 2016 after researchers found it had too many side effects, according to the&nbsp;<a href="http://press.endocrine.org/doi/10.1210/jc.2016-2141" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">results</a>&nbsp;published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. Participants taking the hormonal injections reported mood swings, acne, depression and suicidal ideation—all&nbsp;<a href="https://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/birth-control-side-effects-risks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">side effects</a>&nbsp;of female birth control. Initial results for the male injectable were promising: The drug looked to be 96% effective at preventing pregnancy. A hormonal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nichd.nih.gov/newsroom/news/080222-NEST" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birth control gel</a>&nbsp;was the first male contraceptive to make it to phase III trials in 2022. It’s applied on each shoulder and lowers sperm production to less than one million sperm per milliliter compared to the typical 15 million to 200 million sperm per milliliter. Trials for a hormonal male birth control pill called dimethandrolone undecanoate are ongoing, though a previous 2019&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6306388/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a>&nbsp;found it was safe and effective with no serious side effects.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">TANGENT</h2>



<p>There are several types of female birth control&nbsp;<a href="https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">options</a>, including pills, patches, intrauterine devices (IUD) and rings, which range from 71% efficacy to 99% efficacy. Though they have their benefits, there are also health risks associated with hormonal birth control, according to Healthline.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/birth-control-effects-on-body#what-are-the-side-effects-of-birth-control" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Side effects</a>&nbsp;include mood swings, blood clots, weight change, vaginal irritation and migraines. Recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ceu.ox.ac.uk/news/any-type-of-hormonal-contraceptive-may-increase-risk-of-breast-cancer#:~:text=The%20researchers%20estimated%20that%20the,from%20age%2035%20to%2039." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a>&nbsp;has indicated women who take any type of hormonal birth control are at an increased risk of developing breast cancer.</p>


Man medicating himself at home medicine

What We Know About The Male Birth Control Pill YCT-529 Tested By Researchers

Professor Benedict Oramah2

‘Exploring Uncharted Waters’: The Growth Strategist Turning Around African Trade


<p><strong>SOUTH AFRICA’S UNPRECEDENTED RECORD FOURTH RUGBY WORLD CUP WIN GOES FAR BEYOND SPORTING EXCELLENCE – IT WAS A STUDY IN FUTURE PLANNING, ORGANIZATION, LEADERSHIP AND MENTALITY.</strong></p>



<p>South Africa’s record fourth World Cup title was a seminal moment for the game in the country and highlighted the huge strides forward rugby has made in igniting a passion for the game among supporters of all races.</p>



<p>In a country struggling with an electricity crisis, economic downturn, high unemployment, crime and corruption, the Springboks’ 12-11 World Cup final win over New Zealand provided a rare chance to celebrate.</p>



<p>But the win goes far beyond sporting excellence and those who spearheaded it hope it can be a blueprint for success in all walks of South African life.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="681" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1763424326.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-60650" style="width:797px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1763424326.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1763424326-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1763424326-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><strong><em>DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA &#8211; NOVEMBER 04: Fans during the South Africa men&#8217;s national rugby team trophy tour on November 04, 2023 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)</em></strong></figcaption></figure></div>


<p>The sight of thousands of adoring supporters lining the streets to see the team on their trophy tour in Soweto, South Africa’s largest township, was particularly striking given how rugby was once perceived to be the sport of the white Afrikaner during apartheid.</p>



<p>Those scenes were replicated across the country and showcase not only the love and admiration supporters have for the side, but also the deep respect for an unprecedented achievement.</p>



<p>The Springboks became the first team to lift the World Cup trophy on four occasions and the win was achieved with much more than skill and physical prowess alone, it was a study in future planning, organization, leadership and mentality. No team has had a harder path to victory, with South Africa meeting each of the other top six sides in the world rankings on their road to the trophy.</p>



<p>One point wins over hosts France, a dogged England and old foes New Zealand in the knockout stages was a test of their character as well as skillset.</p>



<p>Former Springbok flyhalf Joel Stransky kicked the winning drop-goal in extra-time when the side lifted their first World Cup title in front of a beaming Nelson Mandela in 1995.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="699" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1761533936.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-60649" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1761533936.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1761533936-300x205.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1761533936-768x524.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><strong><em>CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA &#8211; NOVEMBER 03: Siya Kolisi during the South Africa men&#8217;s national rugby team trophy tour on November 03, 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)</em></strong></figcaption></figure></div>


<p>He was in France in a broadcast role and got to see the side operate at close quarters. He explains to FORBES AFRICA in an exclusive interview the secret to their success.</p>



<p>“That tough mentality is born from a few things,” Stransky says. “It comes from the huge effort that goes into what they do, a team spirit and genuine love for each other, and a burning desire to succeed. This team has a wonderful culture. “They work their socks off for each other and leave no stone unturned in preparation for every match. They also have that South African never-say-die attitude where they find a way to win games that other teams cannot. They are an exceptional bunch.”</p>



<p>Eloquent captain Siya Kolisi is a hugely-respected figure in the game around the world and in the aftermath of their victory spoke at length about the unity within the side and the fact that their diversity, with players coming from such different backgrounds, is what binds them together.</p>



<p>“We are a diverse and beautiful team from all walks of life. This trophy is for those who come from tough, disadvantaged areas,” Kolisi said.</p>



<p>“For the kid who needs to know that while things are tough for you, and you can’t afford school fees, you have no shoes to walk to school and no food at home, you can make something out of your life. Even when the situation does not look hopeful.</p>



<p>“We come from those backgrounds, this team represents everybody. We want people to say, ‘who can I look to that has made it from this situation’, and that is us. You can look at this team.”</p>



<p>It was a sentiment echoed by scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, whose upbringing could not have been more different than Kolisi’s, but whose mentality is the same.</p>



<p>“It feels very uniting,” he said. “It is not our trophy, it is everyone in South Africa’s trophy. We might be 33 players (in the World Cup squad), but our driving force is the people of South Africa and we couldn’t have done it without them.”</p>



<p>Kolisi is the undisputed captain of the side but as Stransky points out, successful teams are made up of leadership groups, whose own perspectives and experiences are valued and listened to too.</p>



<p>“In every team you have lots of leadership, especially in the national set-up because there are lots of guys who captain other (club) sides and are natural leaders.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="682" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762113459.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-60050" style="width:836px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762113459.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762113459-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762113459-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><strong><em>PARIS, FRANCE &#8211; OCTOBER 28: Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, lifts the The Webb Ellis Cup following the Rugby World Cup Final match between New Zealand and South Africa at Stade de France on October 28, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)</em></strong></figcaption></figure></div>


<p>“But at the top of the leadership group you are still a proper, genuine captain who is respected and loved by everyone and Siya is that guy.</p>



<p>“As a human being he is just the most amazing guy. He is obviously thorough in his preparation and training, but as a human being he is sensational, and that is why they will follow him to the ends of the earth.”</p>



<p>The world may love Kolisi, but the Springboks are not universally admired despite their success and drew criticism during the tournament for what was viewed as a dour style of rugby and a controversial use of a 7-1 split between forwards and backs on the bench.</p>



<p>The criticism leveled at them is that they are all power and no finesse, and that does not make for an entertaining product for fans.</p>



<p>“Well done to South Africa, the best at not playing rugby,” screamed a headline in <em>New Zealand Herald</em>, while pundits shouted loudly about the bench being against the spirit of the game, and the need to depower scrums, a major weapon of the Springboks.</p>



<p>“When we look back at it in 20 years’ time, no one is going to say, ‘what was the style of play that day’,” Stransky says. “Where our coaching team has been exceptional is that they have looked at the laws of the game and the areas where the referees are focussing on.</p>



<p>“They have said, ‘these are our strengths, so how can we be at our best inside the parameters of the laws’. They have picked horses for courses and played a different game-plan against different opposition when required.”</p>



<p>Director of rugby Rassie Erasmus and departing head coach Jacques Nienaber had to think out of the box after losing key hooker Malcolm Marx early in the tournament, making the inspired decision to bring in flyhalf Handré Pollard as his replacement. He had missed out in the original squad due to a calf injury.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="724" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762435141.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-60047" style="width:680px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762435141.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762435141-300x212.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1762435141-768x543.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><strong><em>PARIS, FRANCE &#8211; OCTOBER 28:  Kurt-Lee Arendse (L) and Damian Willemse of South Africa celebrate their win in the changing rooms following dthe Rugby World Cup France 2023 Gold Final match between New Zealand and South Africa at Stade de France on October 28, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney &#8211; World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)</em></strong></figcaption></figure></div>


<p>There were question marks over the kicking accuracy of Manie Libbok and given that Pollard was successful with all 13 of his kicks at goal, including difficult shots in the knockout rounds, it was perhaps the key decision from the coaching team that led to the win.</p>



<p>But it meant flanker Deon Fourie had to cover at hooker, a position he had not played in five years and never at test level.</p>



<p>His is a remarkable story, having been the oldest Springbok debutant in history at the age of 35 in July 2022. He played 77 minutes of the final in the front row of the scrum after an early injury for starter Bongi Mbonambi and ended up as captain of the side with Kolisi off the field at the final whistle.</p>



<p>“If you had told me two years ago that I would be standing here with a World Cup winner’s medal, I would’ve laughed and said you are smoking some weird stuff,” Fourie says.</p>



<p>“That emotion you saw after the whistle was relief. The last three weeks (of the tournament), winning by one point, it was stressful. Grafting it out at the end.</p>



<p>“There was relief, then happiness, and finally disbelief that I was on the field and winning a World Cup.”</p>



<p>Players like Fourie will inevitably step aside, some immediately and others in a year or two as the team builds towards the next tournament in Australia in 2027. It is the inevitable nature of a World Cup cycle and key for the Springboks will be maintaining their edge through this process.</p>



<p>“I see huge change coming,” Stransky says. “It will be a huge rebuilding process. In that starting line-up (in the final against New Zealand), I counted maybe five or six players who will be at the next World Cup.</p>



<p>“There are others in the squad who will slot in but there are also a lot of empty spaces where we will need to bring in youngsters and build a new team around some of the older hands. It will be a period of transition.”</p>



<p>What the Springboks have achieved is difficult to illustrate fully. Only four teams have won the World Cup in history, and no-one else has done it four times.</p>



<p>But aside from their on-field excellence, it is also their relatability that sets them apart. This is a team without egos, who show that hard work and unifying behind a common goal can bring the ultimate rewards.</p>



<p>“As a team, we want to be a reference point for our people, to show them how we can do it, and hopefully they’ll get hope from this team,” Kolisi said.</p>



<p>“This was not about us as players. This victory was for every South African, and we showed what is possible with this diverse team. “I hope that going forward in business, in everyday life, that we understand that the team only won because we decided to put our different cultures and differences aside and focus on the country. I think that’s the most important thing.”</p>


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