Celean Jacobson
No image available
/ 16 April 2007

Jo’burg mine dumps still yield treasure

Hulks of stepped, golden sand — looking from the air like rows of pre-Colombian pyramids — have long been part of Johannesburg’s cityscape. Now, they are fast disappearing as mining companies cash in on high gold prices and reprocess the mountains of what they once dumped as waste. Even dumps containing the lowest-grade ore are proving to be, well, gold mines.

No image available
/ 16 April 2007

Grandson of Mandela reclaims leadership role

Kings and royalty from South Africa’s many different tribes will gather on Monday to witness the grandson of former South African president Nelson Mandela reclaim the family’s position as traditional leaders. Mandla Mandela (32) will be installed as head of the Mvezo Traditional Council by the King of the AbaThembu, Zwelibanzi Dalindyebo.

No image available
/ 24 March 2007

Mugabe denies his rule is ending

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has dismissed claims that his rule was in its last throes, while a longtime critic renewed calls for a peaceful campaign to oust him. Vice-President Joyce Mujuru and South African Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, meanwhile, met on Friday in what was described as a private visit.

No image available
/ 18 March 2007

Tsvangirai aide assaulted at airport

The spokesperson for Zimbabwe’s main opposition leader was assaulted by security forces as he tried to leave the country on Sunday, a party official said. Nelson Chamisa, aide to Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai, was assaulted at Harare International airport as he was leaving for Belgium.

No image available
/ 16 March 2007

Oprah opens South African school she helped fund

United States talk-show queen Oprah Winfrey is to open on Friday an innovative, environment-friendly school she has funded with the South African government to create a model state education facility. This comes as authorities at the exclusive private academy for poor girls that Winfrey opened in January dismissed complaints it is too strict.

No image available
/ 10 March 2007

Crime: ‘Leadership crisis is not new’

Trust in police in Africa’s economic powerhouse is near the lowest on the continent, a researcher said on Friday. Experts at a seminar on crime and public perception said the lack of trust resulted from a failure of leadership and communication in the police force, coupled with a spike in some crimes last year — despite overall decreases.