SOUTH African Communications Minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri is expected to award the country’s long-delayed third mobile phone licence this week, say industry players. The three main contenders in the race are Cell-C, backed by Middle Eastern conglomerate Saudi Oger and US Verizon; NextCom, backed by Hong Kong’s Distacom; and Afrozone, supported by Swedish Telia and Telenor of Norway. The licence award was due in July 1999, but has been delayed by legal wrangles amid allegations of government interference. – Reuters