PROMINENT former trade union boss Mbhazima Shilowa was on Tuesday elected unopposed as African National Congress premier of South Africa’s powerhouse Gauteng province. Shilowa (41) last week resigned as secretary-general of the powerful Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) when it became clear that he would become premier after the ANC won 50 of […]

ETHIOPIAN troops killed, wounded or captured more than 21000 Eritrean soldiers between June 9 and 13 in battles along the border between the two Horn of Africa states, the Addis Ababa government claimed on Wednesday. Asmara claimed earlier that “the total number of Ethiopian troops put out of action in five days of intense fighting […]

FOURTEEN new caps have been included in the South African Under-21 rugby squad for this year’s Sanzar/UAR Tournament in Argentina in July. The 28-man squad, captained by Natal prop John Smit, was finalised at the weekend following the match between an SA Under-21 Invitation XV and the Vodacom Cup All Stars in Port Elizabeth. The […]

AIR Namibia’s recent purchase of a brand new Boeing 747-400 Combi is being challenged by a rival plane manufacturer because a proper tendering process was not followed. Airbus Industrie has asked the German Embassy to help them secure a meeting with the Namibian Government to obtain an explanation on why Air Namibia dumped tender procedures […]

FOLLOWING its extremely poor performance in the national elections, the Pan Africanist Congress seems on the brink of losing leaders disenchanted with losing status. Reports in the Sowetan on Wednesday suggest former MP Gora Ibrahim may be about to leave the PAC for the ANC, with a diplomatic service post offered as carrot. The party […]

ANDRE Joubert will remain with the Natal Sharks for, at least, the remainder of the current Currie Cup season, the Natal Rugby Union announced in a statement on Tuesday. “Joubert’s experience is seen as a tremendous asset and a possibility of being called up by Nick Mallett for the Tri-Nations and the World Cup is […]

OWN CORRESPONDENTS, Birmingham | Wednesday 8.00pm. SA must play the big points well: Cronje SOUTH Africa’s captain Hansie Cronje said his team must “play the big points well” to beat Australia in their World Cup semifinal at Edgbaston on Thursday. Kallis 50-50 chance of playing in semi ALL-ROUNDER Jacques Kallis has a 50-50 chance of […]

THE Mozambican and Chilean governments signed in Maputo on Tuesday a memorandum of understanding aimed at relaunching bilateral cooperation in the area of public works, like building of infrastructures such as roads, bridges, ports and airports. The document was signed by the Mozambican public works and housing minister, Roberto White, and his Chilean counterpart, Jaime […]

THE respected politcal staff of the Mail & Guardian have written profiles of the new Cabinet, named by President Thabo Mbeki on Thursday. Click on the links below for each ministers history. Jacob Zuma, deputy president Essop Pahad, Minister in office of the President Nkosazana Zuma, Foreign Affairs Patrick Lekota, Defence Steve Tshwete, Safety and […]

MITCH PHILLIPS, Birmingham | Thursday 4.00pm. SOUTH African pace duo Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald took nine wickets between them as Australia were bowled out for 213 in 49.2 overs in Thursday’s World Cup semi-final at Edgbaston. Pollock is the first South African to take five wickets in a World Cup match, finishing with five […]