Ron Derby
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/ 15 February 2007

Lesotho to vote amid Aids, poverty crises

The tiny kingdom of Lesotho, one of Africa’s most isolated and poorest countries, holds elections on Saturday, with the ruling party facing its toughest challenge in a decade amid the worsening twin crises of Aids and poverty. Political analysts expect a mostly peaceful vote in the mountainous country entirely surrounded by South Africa, but say the race is still too close to call.

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/ 6 December 2006

SA bride price moves from cattle to cash

It once cost several head of cattle for a South African man to set himself up with a new wife, but these days many pay in cash, and inflation — or abuse — can be a problem. December is wedding season in South Africa, with flashy German cars blitzing through dusty township streets and families gearing up for traditional economic negotiations that often precede the ceremony.