South African artist Mbongeni Buthelezi is featured at the Melrose Gallery in Johannesburg with his 'Sugar Tax' collection, which highlights African contemporary art using recycled materials. Buthelezi creates stunning works from recycled plastic using a heat gun, producing portraits and abstract compositions that resemble oil paintings. He developed this technique in art school during the 90s, aiming to diverge from traditional methods. His pieces, which can include up to 5,000 pieces of plastic, are unique and seek to draw attention to plastic waste and its environmental impact. Buthelezi's works are exhibited internationally and can sell for up to $15,000 USD. He continues to reinvent art and improve his creative process while emphasizing the importance of removing harmful waste from the environment.

Guy Nzouba Ndama, the former President of the National Assembly and former ally of Ali Bongo Ondimba, has expressed support for dialogue between the majority and the coalition for the new Republic around Jean Ping following the national dialogue between the opposition and the government in Gabon. Nzouba Ndama expressed disappointment with the outcomes of the dialogue initiated by Ali Bongo and is concerned about the country's state of deadlock. Casimir OYE MBA, another supporter of Jean Ping during the 2016 presidential election, also called for dialogue between Jean Ping and Ali Bongo to resolve the crisis. The political dialogue initiated by President Ali Bongo to address the post-electoral crisis after his contested re-election on August 27 concluded with modest reforms after two months of discussions.