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South Africa’s ruling African National Congress has polled over 70,3% in Wednesday’s election in the latest results provided by the Independent Electoral Commission. The key Cape Town metro result has still not been finally declared but it is expected later on Friday morning.
Is the brouhaha around plagiarism allegations against Antjie Krog merely a storm in a tea cup? Three <i>Mail & Guardian</i> columnists share their opinions on accusations that have rocked South Africa’s literary world.
Twelve years after rebels butchered thousands in tiny Kpolopkpalah in central Liberia, Martha Yarkpawolo spends her days sitting on the rock where so many were slain, singing sorrowfully. The trauma is still fresh for survivors of one of Liberia’s worst wartime massacres.
New Zealand is aiming to wrap up their one day cricket series 5-0 against the West Indies here on Saturday but already has one eye on the Test series starting next week. Spinner Daniel Vettori, sure to be a crucial member of the Test attack, is being rested for the final one dayer, although team management said there was no injury problem for the left-armer.
He may not seem particularly frivolous nowadays, but as a teenager Vladimir Putin stole his first kiss during a New Year’s Eve game of spin the bottle, the blushing recipient revealed on Thursday. Vera Brileva, now a married pensioner, said she dated the future Kremlin chief when he was 16.
A fourth person was due to appear in court on Friday, charged in connection with the British record £53,1-million robbery, as three others remain in custody. Jetmir Bucpapa (24) is accused of conspiracy to commit robbery at a Securitas cash depot in the town of Tonbridge, in Kent, southeast England, last Wednesday.
South African Football Association president Molefi Oliphant is facing the sternest test to his leadership yet. A group of national executive committee (NEC) members that ascended into the soccer body’s hierarchy in October last year openly challenged national office appointments and decision-making processes this week.
After action, the old cigarette ad suggested, came satisfaction. South African sport usually takes this one step further: after satisfaction, crucifixion. The afterglow of temporary success has barely winked out when we invariably start apportioning blame for past losses.
Somalia could become the next ”war on terror” battleground as the United States zeroes in on al-Qaeda and Islamist groups reportedly trying to exploit a power vacuum in the world’s most anarchic state. Looking on helplessly are two million Somalis facing drought and famine, and aid agencies hampered by warlords, kidnappings and piracy.
The next five years will be make-or-break for local government. National ministries are being re-examined, the future of provinces hang in the balance, and the structure of municipalities are to be revamped as President Thabo Mbeki seeks a stronger hand over the huge delivery backlogs threatening his legacy.