ECONOMIC growth across Africa averaged 3,5% in 1999, much the same as in 1998, African Development Bank (AfDB) President Omar Kabbaj said on Monday, citing provisional figures. He told a meeting of ambassadors to Ivory Coast that the Asian crisis and the spread of conflict in some African countries meant that growth rates of 4,0% […]

OWN CORRESPONDENT, Cape Town | Monday 3.45pm. SWAZILAND may soon be without its best soccer players after the national team accused the country of exploiting their talents by paying match fees of only R25 per international. Players, headed by team vice captain Siza Dlamini, also complained they are paid only R5000 in appearance fees, while […]

GHANAIAN President Jerry Rawlings named Trade and Industry Minister John Abu as the new Minister for Mines and Energy on Monday. Deputy mines and energy minister Simon Abinga has held the fort in the ministry since December 9. The last permanent mines minister, Fred Ohene-Kena, was sacked in October after expressing support for a bid […]

IRISH Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern, arrived at the Waterkloof Airforce base in Pretoria on Tuesday morning for a four day visit to South Africa. Ahern was met by Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad. Premier Ahern will meet Deputy President Jacob Zuma, and pay a courtesy call on President Thabo Mbeki later in the afternoon.

MINISTER of Trade and Industry Alec Erwin on Friday released the names of eight manufacturers shortlisted to produce new purpose-built public transport vehicles. AMC, DaimlerChrysler, Iveco, QLS and Tata have all proposed to build either 18-seater or 35-seater configurations while GAZ, Kwoon Chung and Malandela have tendered to supply 18-seaters.

OWN CORRESPONDENTS | Tuesday 8.00pm EDUCATION Minister Kader Asmal interrupted his scheduled tour of schools on Tuesday to descend unexpectedly on Meadowlands High School in Soweto where he found loitering pupils and filthy conditions. Asmal stormed through the school demanding a list of teachers who had failed to arrive at school, warning that they would […]

THE United States government will ask Congress to approve an extra $100-million to the fight against Aids, bringing its total commitment to $325-million, Vice-President Al Gore said on Monday. He said the government will also commit $50-million dollars for the US contribution to the vaccine fund of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation.

EDUCATION Minister Kader Asmal has called for an urgent review of the controversial Curriculum 2005 outcomes based education system which is set to revolutionise teaching methods in the country. The Argus reports that sources close to Asmal say although he is stopping short of scrapping the controversial system, he has raised some serious concerns about […]

OWN CORRESPONDENT, London | Monday 7.25pm SUB-SAHARAN Africa, with Mozambique in the lead, is set to be the fastest-growing region in the world this year, according to the latest annual analysis by the respected Economist Intelligence Unit. It forecasts that the world will be a richer place than it has ever been, even if 1,3-billion […]

ANGLO American Zimbabwe said on Wednesday it has reached a provisional agreement to purchase the Zimbabwe Mining and Smelting Company with partners of its choice. In a statement, the company said the finalisation of the purchase is subject to conclusion of a due diligence exercise undertaken with the government’s support as well as regulatory approvals […]