Around 250 elephants are expected to be shifted to Kasungu National Park in Malawi by the end of July. Elephants will travel 350 km across Malawi.

WION Climate Tracker: A new home awaits endangered elephants

Malawi&nbsp;said Thursday it will launch a nationwide&nbsp;polio&nbsp;vaccination campaign&nbsp;next&nbsp;month&nbsp;following the detection of its first case in 30 years and Africa's first in five years.

The southern African country announced the discovery of a wild poliovirus case a week ago in a four-year girl.

The child had not been fully immunised, according to the World Health Organization's representative in&nbsp;Malawi, Janet Kayita.

Authorities are now rushing to inoculate nearly three million children aged under five years.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/a-joint-commitment-who-unicef-launch-polio-vaccine-campaign-in-afghanistan-427657">'A joint commitment': WHO, UNICEF launch polio vaccine campaign in Afghanistan</a>

"The upcoming&nbsp;polio&nbsp;vaccination campaign in four weeks' time... will target around 2.9 million children across the country,"&nbsp;Malawi's health ministry director, Queen Dube, told AFP.

Malawi&nbsp;has placed an order of around 14 million doses of vaccines.

The vaccination is expected to extend beyond&nbsp;Malawi's borders, targeting selected districts in neighbouring countries, she said.

Dube said an emergency meeting of international health regulators was due on Monday and may recommend mandatory vaccination for travellers to&nbsp;Malawi&nbsp;to help curb the spread of the virus.

UNICEF's representative in&nbsp;Malawi, Rudolf Schwenk, on Tuesday described the&nbsp;outbreak&nbsp;"a very serious situation".

"We have to collectively take quick action because it's a national emergency," he said at a news conference.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-can-end-in-2022-if-says-who-chief-ghebreyesus-amid-omicron-spread-441759">'COVID-19 can end in 2022, if…', says WHO chief Ghebreyesus amid Omicron spread</a>

President Lazarus Chakwera has declared a national health emergency.

Laboratory analysis showed that the detected strain is linked to one that has been circulating in Sindh Province in Pakistan.&nbsp;

Dube said it was "difficult" to establish how the Malawian child became infected.

Polio, an acutely contagious virus which attacks the spinal cord and causes irreversible paralysis in children, remains endemic in Pakistan and its neighbour Afghanistan.

The disease can be prevented with a highly effective and very cheap vaccine.

Watch |&nbsp;WHO, UNICEF launch polio campaign in Afghanistan

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/who-unicef-launch-polio-campaign-in-afghanistan-428163/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Africa was declared free of indigenous wild&nbsp;polio&nbsp;in August 2020&nbsp;after&nbsp;an exhaustive&nbsp;immunisation&nbsp;campaign.

No&nbsp;polio&nbsp;cases had occurred on the continent for the previous four years -- the threshold for eradication.

Malawi said Thursday it will launch a nationwide polio vaccination campaign next month following the detection of its first case in 30 years and Africa's first in five years.

Malawi said Thursday it will launch a nationwide polio vaccination campaign next month following the detection of its first case in 30 years and Africa's first in five years. The southern African country announced the discovery of a wild poliovirus case a week ago in a four-year girl. The child had not been fully immunised, according to the World Health Organization's representative in Malawi, Janet Kayita. Authorities are now rushing to inoculate nearly three million children aged under five years. Also read | 'A joint commitment': WHO, UNICEF launch polio vaccine campaign in Afghanistan "The upcoming polio vaccination campaign in four weeks' time... will target around 2.9 million children across the country," Malawi's health ministry director, Queen Dube, told AFP. Malawi has placed an order of around 14 million doses of vaccines. The vaccination is expected to extend beyond Malawi's borders, targeting selected districts in neighbouring countries, she said. Dube said an emergency meeting of international health regulators was due on Monday and may recommend mandatory vaccination for travellers to Malawi to help curb the spread of the virus. UNICEF's representative in Malawi, Rudolf Schwenk, on Tuesday described the outbreak "a very serious situation". "We have to collectively take quick action because it's a national emergency," he said at a news conference. Also read | 'COVID-19 can end in 2022, if…', says WHO chief Ghebreyesus amid Omicron spread President Lazarus Chakwera has declared a national health emergency. Laboratory analysis showed that the detected strain is linked to one that has been circulating in Sindh Province in Pakistan. Dube said it was "difficult" to establish how the Malawian child became infected. Polio, an acutely contagious virus which attacks the spinal cord and causes irreversible paralysis in children, remains endemic in Pakistan and its neighbour Afghanistan. The disease can be prevented with a highly effective and very cheap vaccine. Watch | WHO, UNICEF launch polio campaign in Afghanistan Africa was declared free of indigenous wild polio in August 2020 after an exhaustive immunisation campaign. No polio cases had occurred on the continent for the previous four years -- the threshold for eradication.

Malawi polio immunisation starts next month after outbreak

Malaria endemic in western Kenya has received a new vaccine against Malaria, which kills around 260 000 children under 5 every year in Sub-Saharan Africa. The groundbreaking drug was 30 years in the making, and a pilot program has been rolling out the drug in Kenya, Ghana, and Malawi since 2019.

Kenya: Malaria vaccine gives thousands a hope for better life

The east African country of Malawi is on the boil. People are on the streets protesting against an exorbitant cost of living. They are demonstrating against what they call a corrupt and nepotistic form of govt.

Malawi: People protest over exorbitant amount of living

Malawi has approached American heavyweight boxing great&nbsp;Mike&nbsp;Tyson&nbsp;to become brand ambassador for the southern African country's nascent medicinal cannabis industry in a bid to attract investment.

The request was contained in a letter written to&nbsp;Tyson&nbsp;early this month and seen by AFP this week. Tyson&nbsp;is expected to bring expertise and help start mass production as a&nbsp;member of a national cannabis industry association in the United States but is yet to respond to the proposition.

Malawi decriminalised cannabis for medicinal and industrial purposes in 2020, following other African nations in seeking to profit from growing industrial demand for the hemp.

But the industry is struggling to grow, stalled by expensive licences and a lack of investors and buyers.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/aibas-womens-world-boxing-championship-postponed-to-be-held-in-march-2022-428396">AIBA's Women's World Boxing Championship postponed, to be held in March 2022</a>

The government hopes&nbsp;Tyson's backing would "rope in some investors and even potential buyers," said agriculture ministry spokesman Gracian Lungu.

"We have been facing a lot of challenges and the progress has been very slow," Lungu told AFP on Wednesday.

The retired professional boxer has long advocated the legalisation of cannabis and launched his own brand of weed products last month.

But his potential appointment has raised controversy, with a Malawian think-tank accusing the government of seeking to collaborate with a "sex offender".

Tyson, 55, was found guilty in 1992 of raping an 18-year-old woman. He was sentenced to six years' prison and four years' probation. He was released in 1995.

IN PICS:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/manny-pacquiao-retires-from-boxing-from-street-kid-to-superstar-heres-a-look-at-his-career-416901#manny-pacquiao-416893">Manny Pacquiao retires from boxing: From street kid to superstar, here's a look at his career</a>

In a statement, the Centre for Public Accountability said it failed to "comprehend why Malawi would want to have a convicted rapist as its brand ambassador" amid government efforts to curb violence against women. Lungu dismissed their concern, saying that&nbsp;Tyson&nbsp;was released on parole for good behaviour and had not committed any other crimes.

Malawi has approached American heavyweight boxing great Mike Tyson to become brand ambassador for the southern African country's nascent medicinal cannabis industry in a bid to attract investment.

Malawi has approached American heavyweight boxing great Mike Tyson to become brand ambassador for the southern African country's nascent medicinal cannabis industry in a bid to attract investment. The request was contained in a letter written to Tyson early this month and seen by AFP this week. Tyson is expected to bring expertise and help start mass production as a member of a national cannabis industry association in the United States but is yet to respond to the proposition. Malawi decriminalised cannabis for medicinal and industrial purposes in 2020, following other African nations in seeking to profit from growing industrial demand for the hemp. But the industry is struggling to grow, stalled by expensive licences and a lack of investors and buyers. ALSO READ: AIBA's Women's World Boxing Championship postponed, to be held in March 2022 The government hopes Tyson's backing would "rope in some investors and even potential buyers," said agriculture ministry spokesman Gracian Lungu. "We have been facing a lot of challenges and the progress has been very slow," Lungu told AFP on Wednesday. The retired professional boxer has long advocated the legalisation of cannabis and launched his own brand of weed products last month. But his potential appointment has raised controversy, with a Malawian think-tank accusing the government of seeking to collaborate with a "sex offender". Tyson, 55, was found guilty in 1992 of raping an 18-year-old woman. He was sentenced to six years' prison and four years' probation. He was released in 1995. IN PICS: Manny Pacquiao retires from boxing: From street kid to superstar, here's a look at his career In a statement, the Centre for Public Accountability said it failed to "comprehend why Malawi would want to have a convicted rapist as its brand ambassador" amid government efforts to curb violence against women. Lungu dismissed their concern, saying that Tyson was released on parole for good behaviour and had not committed any other crimes.

Malawi asks boxing star Mike Tyson to become official ambassador for country's cannabis industry

An albino activist was sworn in to Malawi's parliament on Thursday, a first in a country where people with albinism have suffered discrimination and killings.

Overstone Kondowe won a by-election last month in central Malawi, a milestone after years of victimisation. &nbsp;

"Being the first person with albinism elected in this kind of office, there is high expectation, not only in Malawi, but the whole world is looking forward to what I would do," he told AFP soon after his swearing-in.

"My last word to persons with disability, and in particular persons with albinism, they need not to underrate themselves," he said.

"And they need to work hard towards their goal. I remain a model to them and I will inspire them more so that they aim higher," he added.

Malawi suffered a wave of assaults against albinos from late 2014.

At the height of the attacks in 2016, Kondowe founded the Association of People with Albinism in Malawi to push the government to take action.

Amnesty International says more than 20 albinos have been killed in Malawi since 2014.

In the last four months, Amnesty said seven attacks against albinos have been recorded, ranging from killings, tampering of graves, attempted abductions, and physical violence.

As in other countries in the region, albinos' body parts are used in rituals to bring wealth and luck.

Some albinos are also accused of being "vampires" who seek human blood for rituals, sometimes triggering vigilante violence in retaliation.

President Lazarus Chakwera has named Kondowe as his special adviser on people with disability. Kondowe is also the current chairperson of the African Union for Persons with Albinism.

Former UN independent expert on albinism Ikponwosa Ero told AFP she was elated by Kondowe’s election.

"Overstone’s election is a giant step forward in the protection of human rights of people with albinism in Malawi and the Africa region as a whole," she said.

"It shows that the context of discrimination is changing for the better for people with albinism in Malawi."

An albino activist was sworn in to Malawi's parliament on Thursday, a first in a country where people with albinism have suffered discrimination and killings. Overstone Kondowe won a by-election last month in central Malawi, a milestone after years of victimisation.

An albino activist was sworn in to Malawi's parliament on Thursday, a first in a country where people with albinism have suffered discrimination and killings. Overstone Kondowe won a by-election last month in central Malawi, a milestone after years of victimisation. "Being the first person with albinism elected in this kind of office, there is high expectation, not only in Malawi, but the whole world is looking forward to what I would do," he told AFP soon after his swearing-in. "My last word to persons with disability, and in particular persons with albinism, they need not to underrate themselves," he said. "And they need to work hard towards their goal. I remain a model to them and I will inspire them more so that they aim higher," he added. Malawi suffered a wave of assaults against albinos from late 2014. At the height of the attacks in 2016, Kondowe founded the Association of People with Albinism in Malawi to push the government to take action. Amnesty International says more than 20 albinos have been killed in Malawi since 2014. In the last four months, Amnesty said seven attacks against albinos have been recorded, ranging from killings, tampering of graves, attempted abductions, and physical violence. As in other countries in the region, albinos' body parts are used in rituals to bring wealth and luck. Some albinos are also accused of being "vampires" who seek human blood for rituals, sometimes triggering vigilante violence in retaliation. President Lazarus Chakwera has named Kondowe as his special adviser on people with disability. Kondowe is also the current chairperson of the African Union for Persons with Albinism. Former UN independent expert on albinism Ikponwosa Ero told AFP she was elated by Kondowe’s election. "Overstone’s election is a giant step forward in the protection of human rights of people with albinism in Malawi and the Africa region as a whole," she said. "It shows that the context of discrimination is changing for the better for people with albinism in Malawi."

First albino joins Malawi's parliament

The novel coronavirus, which has infected nearly 5,500 people and killed more than 170, has only exacerbated food shortages in Malawi as many livelihoods have been curtailed by confinement measures.

Malnutrition and food insecurity are perennial issues in the small, landlocked nation, where more than half of the population live below the poverty line.

To this end, roasted mice have become a vital source of protein in Malawi ever since the coronavirus outbreak aggravated food shortages and economic hardship.

The rodents are typically found in corn fields, where they grow plump on grains, fruit, grass and the odd insect.

Seasoned and cooked to a crisp, these roasted field mice are sold at street stalls and markets across the African country.

Vendors target motorists travelling between the two largest cities, Blantyre and Lilongwe, by waving long skewers of mice typically stand along Malawi's main highway.

Many peasant farmers have taken to hunting and hawking mice to supplement his livelihood.

Also, Malawi's government has promised a $50 (42-euro) monthly stipend for people who lost income due to anti-coronavirus regulations that restricted movement and business.

The scheme was meant to start in June, but last week the government said roll-out logistics were still being finalised.

Health officials have meantime urged the poorest communities in some rural villages to supplement their diets with free and naturally available resources.

The Balaka district, tucked into Malawi's Southern Region, is widely associated with mouse hunting. Environmentalists, however, have voiced concern about damage caused by hunting methods as demand increases.

After crops are harvested, hunters burn bushes to identify mice holes so they can trap them.

Children in this area were fed mice as a treat even before they tasted beef.

The novel coronavirus, which has infected nearly 5,500 people and killed more than 170, has only exacerbated food shortages in Malawi as many livelihoods have been curtailed by confinement measures.

The novel coronavirus, which has infected nearly 5,500 people and killed more than 170, has only exacerbated food shortages in Malawi as many livelihoods have been curtailed by confinement measures. Malnutrition and food insecurity are perennial issues in the small, landlocked nation, where more than half of the population live below the poverty line. To this end, roasted mice have become a vital source of protein in Malawi ever since the coronavirus outbreak aggravated food shortages and economic hardship. The rodents are typically found in corn fields, where they grow plump on grains, fruit, grass and the odd insect. Seasoned and cooked to a crisp, these roasted field mice are sold at street stalls and markets across the African country. Vendors target motorists travelling between the two largest cities, Blantyre and Lilongwe, by waving long skewers of mice typically stand along Malawi's main highway. Many peasant farmers have taken to hunting and hawking mice to supplement his livelihood. Also, Malawi's government has promised a $50 (42-euro) monthly stipend for people who lost income due to anti-coronavirus regulations that restricted movement and business. The scheme was meant to start in June, but last week the government said roll-out logistics were still being finalised. Health officials have meantime urged the poorest communities in some rural villages to supplement their diets with free and naturally available resources. The Balaka district, tucked into Malawi's Southern Region, is widely associated with mouse hunting. Environmentalists, however, have voiced concern about damage caused by hunting methods as demand increases. After crops are harvested, hunters burn bushes to identify mice holes so they can trap them. Children in this area were fed mice as a treat even before they tasted beef.

Roasted mice, a popular delicacy, turn saviour in coronavirus-hit rural Malawi

Hundreds of protesters in Malawi's Blantyre city blocked roads with burning tyres on Tuesday (August 6) as they called for the country's electoral body to resign following a presidential election they say was rigged.

Hundreds of protestors call for Malawi's electoral commission to resign

&nbsp;Malawi's economy will grow 5% in 2019, President Peter Mutharika promised on Friday, in a state of the nation address boycotted by the opposition who again clashed with police in more protests against a recent vote.

The president narrowly won re-election in May by just three percentage points over opposition leader Lazarus Chakwera in a bruising race marked by claims of rigging against Mutharika's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Opposition supporters burned tires and hurled rocks, overwhelming police as they converged on the Constitutional Court, which ruled on Friday that the election dispute must go to trial after the case was referred to it by a lower court. Soldiers were deployed to surround the court.

Addressing legislators from his party along with a few independents, Mutharika accused the opposition of trying to sabotage the economy and engage mercenaries to spread chaos.

On the economy, he promised to continue with efforts to keep inflation and interest rates low and comply with policy conditions on a $112 million International Monetary Fund loan.

Mutharika, 78, a former law professor, presided over improvements to infrastructure and a slowdown in inflation during his first five-year term, but critics accuse him of corruption and cronyism

He said this year's anticipated growth of 5 per cent, up from around 4 per cent in 2018, would be driven by increased production in agriculture and supported by mining, ICT, and financial services.

The small, landlocked nation of under 20 million people won independence from Britain in 1964.

After an initial period of economic and social stability, it is now among the world's poorest countries, reliant on donor funding and tobacco and tea exports.

It suffers regular blackouts and unemployment is high.

Malawi's economy will grow 5% in 2019, President Peter Mutharika promised on Friday, in a state of the nation address boycotted by the opposition who again clashed with police in more protests against a recent vote.

Malawi's economy will grow 5% in 2019, President Peter Mutharika promised on Friday, in a state of the nation address boycotted by the opposition who again clashed with police in more protests against a recent vote. The president narrowly won re-election in May by just three percentage points over opposition leader Lazarus Chakwera in a bruising race marked by claims of rigging against Mutharika's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Opposition supporters burned tires and hurled rocks, overwhelming police as they converged on the Constitutional Court, which ruled on Friday that the election dispute must go to trial after the case was referred to it by a lower court. Soldiers were deployed to surround the court. Addressing legislators from his party along with a few independents, Mutharika accused the opposition of trying to sabotage the economy and engage mercenaries to spread chaos. On the economy, he promised to continue with efforts to keep inflation and interest rates low and comply with policy conditions on a $112 million International Monetary Fund loan. Mutharika, 78, a former law professor, presided over improvements to infrastructure and a slowdown in inflation during his first five-year term, but critics accuse him of corruption and cronyism He said this year's anticipated growth of 5 per cent, up from around 4 per cent in 2018, would be driven by increased production in agriculture and supported by mining, ICT, and financial services. The small, landlocked nation of under 20 million people won independence from Britain in 1964. After an initial period of economic and social stability, it is now among the world's poorest countries, reliant on donor funding and tobacco and tea exports. It suffers regular blackouts and unemployment is high.

Malawi leader vows to lift economy as protests continue

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning, May 29th 2019

Final results of Malawi's presidential elections will be delayed, the electoral commission (MEC) said on Saturday after the high court ordered a review of the polls following opposition allegations of tampering.

Voters cast ballots for a president, parliament and ward councillors on May 21, with President Peter Mutharika's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) facing stiff competition from the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), which filed the complaints alleging intimidation and tampering by the DPP.

The Malawian High Court ordered the MEC not to release results of the presidential vote until a judicial review of the complaints had been heard and results from 10 districts were verified.

Malawian law says complaints must be resolved within the maximum eight days between polling and the announcement of results. But chairwoman of the MEC Justice Jane Ansah said the results would be delayed until matters cited by the court were resolved.

"Presidential results have been withheld until we resolve the issue of the court injunction which we have received. We are dealing with all complaints," Ansah told a press briefing.

The MEC has confirmed receiving 147 cases of irregularities, most to do with the use of results sheets which had sections blotted out and altered with correction fluid.

Protests have broken out in Malawi's administrative capital Lilongwe, an opposition stronghold, prompting police to deploy armoured trucks to the area where people were tearing down ruling DDP posters and hurling rocks at government buildings.

President Mutharika, 78, came to power in 2014 and is credited with improving infrastructure and lowering inflation, but has recently faced accusations of corruption and of favouring rural regions where his support is strongest.

Final results of Malawi's presidential elections will be delayed, the electoral commission (MEC) said on Saturday after the high court ordered a review of the polls following opposition allegations of tampering.

Final results of Malawi's presidential elections will be delayed, the electoral commission (MEC) said on Saturday after the high court ordered a review of the polls following opposition allegations of tampering. Voters cast ballots for a president, parliament and ward councillors on May 21, with President Peter Mutharika's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) facing stiff competition from the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), which filed the complaints alleging intimidation and tampering by the DPP. The Malawian High Court ordered the MEC not to release results of the presidential vote until a judicial review of the complaints had been heard and results from 10 districts were verified. Malawian law says complaints must be resolved within the maximum eight days between polling and the announcement of results. But chairwoman of the MEC Justice Jane Ansah said the results would be delayed until matters cited by the court were resolved. "Presidential results have been withheld until we resolve the issue of the court injunction which we have received. We are dealing with all complaints," Ansah told a press briefing. The MEC has confirmed receiving 147 cases of irregularities, most to do with the use of results sheets which had sections blotted out and altered with correction fluid. Protests have broken out in Malawi's administrative capital Lilongwe, an opposition stronghold, prompting police to deploy armoured trucks to the area where people were tearing down ruling DDP posters and hurling rocks at government buildings. President Mutharika, 78, came to power in 2014 and is credited with improving infrastructure and lowering inflation, but has recently faced accusations of corruption and of favouring rural regions where his support is strongest.

Malawi election results delayed after injunction over alleged irregularities

The United Nations said on Sunday that they will grant $13 million in emergency funds to Mozambique and Comoros islands to help provide with food and water shelter after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/heavy-rains-spark-flooding-fears-in-cyclone-hit-mozambique-213902">island was slammed by the second&nbsp;cyclone in a month</a>.

Cyclone Kenneth, a Category Three storm on the hurricane scale, made landfall in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province late Thursday after damaging the Comoros islands.

The cyclone has damaged or destroyed 3,000 homes while about 18,000 people were housed in emergency shelters.

Three people died in Comoros island and there are reports of the death of one person in Mozambique by Cyclone Kenneth.

Mozambique is still recovering from Cyclone Idai that hit further south last month and moved into neighbouring Zimbabwe and Malawi, killing more than 1,000 people.

It is the first time on record that two such powerful cyclones have hit Mozambique in so such short intervals.

(With inputs from Reuters)

The United Nations said on Sunday that they will grant $13 million in emergency funds to Mozambique and Comoros islands to help provide with food and water shelter after the island was slammed by the second cyclone in a month.

The United Nations said on Sunday that they will grant $13 million in emergency funds to Mozambique and Comoros islands to help provide with food and water shelter after the island was slammed by the second cyclone in a month. Cyclone Kenneth, a Category Three storm on the hurricane scale, made landfall in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province late Thursday after damaging the Comoros islands. The cyclone has damaged or destroyed 3,000 homes while about 18,000 people were housed in emergency shelters. Three people died in Comoros island and there are reports of the death of one person in Mozambique by Cyclone Kenneth. Mozambique is still recovering from Cyclone Idai that hit further south last month and moved into neighbouring Zimbabwe and Malawi, killing more than 1,000 people. It is the first time on record that two such powerful cyclones have hit Mozambique in so such short intervals. (With inputs from Reuters)

United nations provides $13 million in emergency funds to cyclone-hit Mozambique

Thousands displaced, acres of lands destroyed as Cyclone Idai wreaks havoc in Southern Africa

By:&nbsp;Andries Bezuidenhout*

What is the ultimate song to celebrate Workers' Day? Many will suggest "The Internationale" which had its roots as a poem written in the aftermath of the Paris Commune in 1871 by Eugène Pottier, a transport worker. Set to music a few years later, it became the anthem for the wider progressive movement.

It served as the Soviet Union’s anthem after the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, making it more closely associated with the communist movement.

But I would argue that trumpeter Hugh Masekela's iconic and internationally popular song "Stimela" – the coal train – is perhaps a more appropriate anthem for Workers' Day in southern and Central Africa. The song speaks aboutthe local history and the migrant labour system on the mines.

"Stimela" reminds everyone that South Africa's wealth and infrastructure was built on the back of labour from all over Africa. They were the force that modernised the country. But the song is also internationalist in focus.

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Later recordings of the song typically begin with bass rhythms and percussion mimicking the sound of a train on its tracks. Then the instruments retreat to the background and Masekela announces:

There is a train that comes from Namibia and Malawi

there is a train that comes from Zambia and Zimbabwe,

There is a train that comes from Angola and Mozambique,

From Lesotho, from Botswana, from Swaziland,

From all the hinterland of Southern and Central Africa.

This train carries young and old, African men

Who are conscripted to come and work on contract

In the golden mineral mines of Johannesburg

And its surrounding metropolis, sixteen hours or more a day

For almost no pay.

Early morning commute

Until recently I was responsible for teaching an introductory course in sociology to first-year university students. The auditorium in which I delivered the lectures had a beautiful sound system.

I’d plug in my computer and play music before lectures started. The music served two purposes. I liked to imagine that it allowed students to find some calm after their early morning commute from the city’s periphery on dilapidated trains.

It was also a way to introduce debates about key topics covered in the first year course.

I always started the first lecture of the year with Masekela’s "Stimela" because it was the perfect opening to a conversation about the forces that modernised South Africa.

South Africa's was not a slow, organic growth of industrialisation that characterised the European transition from feudalism to industrial capitalism, the great transformation that gave rise to my discipline of sociology, with Karl Marx as one of its key contributors.

The emergence of modern South Africa was brutal in a different way. It came about as a result of the discovery of diamonds and gold, and the need for cheap labour to extract metals from the seams that ran through the Witwatersrand's rock formations.

This was a story of labour shortages and the intervention of colonial administrations and armies across southern and Central Africa. They dispossessed pastoralists of their land and imposed hut and poll taxes on traditional leaders so that Johannesburg could be supplied with the much needed "Black Gold", as journalist-activist Ruth First described the system.

The song describes what’s on the minds of mining recruits on a steam train as it makes its way to Johannesburg: "They think about their lands, their herds that were taken away from them."

For Masekela, writing "Stimela" must have been, in part, a reflection on his own life. Born in the coal mining area called Witbank, he was raised by his grandmother who made her livelihood from a shebeen (an illegal bar) for mineworkers.

The legacy lives on

Up until the 1970s, when Masekela composed "Stimela" while he was in exile, South African mineworkers typically spent only a few years on the mines, saving up money or buying cattle to return to their lands.

But the 1970s was the time of great change in South Africa’s mining industry.

In 1974, 72 Malawian mineworkers were killed in an airplane crash. A year later, Mozambique became independent. Both Mozambique and Malawi were major suppliers of migrant workers to South African mines and these events put the steady flow of labour at risk.

In the case of Mozambique, the apartheid state was able to strike a deal with the new Mozambican government for the continued supply of labour. But Malawi withdrew permission for the recruitment of workers from their country.

The result was a shift to recruiting more South African workers and the emergence of career mine workers with much longer contracts. This change in the mining labour market eventually led to the founding of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in 1982.

The successful organisation of workers who were at the heart of South Africa’s economy was one of the most important pillars of resistance against apartheid.

Sadly, the mining industry's contested legacy and its migrant labour system remain challenges in the post-apartheid period. This is evident in a number of ways. The massacre of mineworkers at Marikana in 2012 was a stark reminder of the acute vulnerability and exploitation of workers.

On top of this is the inability of the mining companies and the state to provide many mine workers – now often employed through subcontractors – with decent housing and services. And finally, the issue of land dispossession still haunts the country and remains unresolved.

Steam trains no longer crisscross southern Africa. Yet "Stimela" remains as much a song about the present and future aspirations, as it does of the past.

*Andries Bezuidenhout, Professor of Development Studies, University of Fort Hare

(This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-best-anthem-for-workers-day-stimela-a-tale-about-apartheids-migrant-labour-system-95794">original article</a>.)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL

Hugh Masekela's iconic and internationally popular song "Stimela" – the coal train – is perhaps a more appropriate anthem for Workers' Day in southern and Central Africa

By: Andries Bezuidenhout* What is the ultimate song to celebrate Workers' Day? Many will suggest "The Internationale" which had its roots as a poem written in the aftermath of the Paris Commune in 1871 by Eugène Pottier, a transport worker. Set to music a few years later, it became the anthem for the wider progressive movement. It served as the Soviet Union’s anthem after the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, making it more closely associated with the communist movement. But I would argue that trumpeter Hugh Masekela's iconic and internationally popular song "Stimela" – the coal train – is perhaps a more appropriate anthem for Workers' Day in southern and Central Africa. The song speaks aboutthe local history and the migrant labour system on the mines. "Stimela" reminds everyone that South Africa's wealth and infrastructure was built on the back of labour from all over Africa. They were the force that modernised the country. But the song is also internationalist in focus. × Later recordings of the song typically begin with bass rhythms and percussion mimicking the sound of a train on its tracks. Then the instruments retreat to the background and Masekela announces: There is a train that comes from Namibia and Malawi there is a train that comes from Zambia and Zimbabwe, There is a train that comes from Angola and Mozambique, From Lesotho, from Botswana, from Swaziland, From all the hinterland of Southern and Central Africa. This train carries young and old, African men Who are conscripted to come and work on contract In the golden mineral mines of Johannesburg And its surrounding metropolis, sixteen hours or more a day For almost no pay. Early morning commute Until recently I was responsible for teaching an introductory course in sociology to first-year university students. The auditorium in which I delivered the lectures had a beautiful sound system. I’d plug in my computer and play music before lectures started. The music served two purposes. I liked to imagine that it allowed students to find some calm after their early morning commute from the city’s periphery on dilapidated trains. It was also a way to introduce debates about key topics covered in the first year course. I always started the first lecture of the year with Masekela’s "Stimela" because it was the perfect opening to a conversation about the forces that modernised South Africa. South Africa's was not a slow, organic growth of industrialisation that characterised the European transition from feudalism to industrial capitalism, the great transformation that gave rise to my discipline of sociology, with Karl Marx as one of its key contributors. The emergence of modern South Africa was brutal in a different way. It came about as a result of the discovery of diamonds and gold, and the need for cheap labour to extract metals from the seams that ran through the Witwatersrand's rock formations. This was a story of labour shortages and the intervention of colonial administrations and armies across southern and Central Africa. They dispossessed pastoralists of their land and imposed hut and poll taxes on traditional leaders so that Johannesburg could be supplied with the much needed "Black Gold", as journalist-activist Ruth First described the system. The song describes what’s on the minds of mining recruits on a steam train as it makes its way to Johannesburg: "They think about their lands, their herds that were taken away from them." For Masekela, writing "Stimela" must have been, in part, a reflection on his own life. Born in the coal mining area called Witbank, he was raised by his grandmother who made her livelihood from a shebeen (an illegal bar) for mineworkers. The legacy lives on Up until the 1970s, when Masekela composed "Stimela" while he was in exile, South African mineworkers typically spent only a few years on the mines, saving up money or buying cattle to return to their lands. But the 1970s was the time of great change in South Africa’s mining industry. In 1974, 72 Malawian mineworkers were killed in an airplane crash. A year later, Mozambique became independent. Both Mozambique and Malawi were major suppliers of migrant workers to South African mines and these events put the steady flow of labour at risk. In the case of Mozambique, the apartheid state was able to strike a deal with the new Mozambican government for the continued supply of labour. But Malawi withdrew permission for the recruitment of workers from their country. The result was a shift to recruiting more South African workers and the emergence of career mine workers with much longer contracts. This change in the mining labour market eventually led to the founding of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in 1982. The successful organisation of workers who were at the heart of South Africa’s economy was one of the most important pillars of resistance against apartheid. Sadly, the mining industry's contested legacy and its migrant labour system remain challenges in the post-apartheid period. This is evident in a number of ways. The massacre of mineworkers at Marikana in 2012 was a stark reminder of the acute vulnerability and exploitation of workers. On top of this is the inability of the mining companies and the state to provide many mine workers – now often employed through subcontractors – with decent housing and services. And finally, the issue of land dispossession still haunts the country and remains unresolved. Steam trains no longer crisscross southern Africa. Yet "Stimela" remains as much a song about the present and future aspirations, as it does of the past. *Andries Bezuidenhout, Professor of Development Studies, University of Fort Hare (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL

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