STEVEN SWINDELLS, Johannesburg | Thursday 8.45pm DE BEERS said on Thursday that it expects to resume diamond exports that have been blocked because of a pricing dispute with a government appointed valuator shortly. “We’re still not exporting. The dispute has not been settled yet but we hope to start exports again very soon … as […]

WEDNESDAY, 12.30PM: BLACK-owned telecoms group Vula Communications, currently bidding for South Africa’s third cellular licence, on Tuesday announced it has bought a 12% stake in global satellite communications system Mobile Communications Holdings. Vula’s R170-million share places it alongside Boeing as an equity partner in the the $1,4-billion company, and positions it as the first South […]

ANDRIES Rabalao continues his build up for the Avis marathon in two weeks time with a convincing win in the Steers half marathon in Krugersdorp on Sunday in 67:34. He, Israel Moneng and James Mokoele dictated the pace up front for most of the race but with 2km to go the burly Gold Fields security […]

KENYA’S posts and telecommunications monopoly is to be split in June to facilitate liberalisation and privatisation of the country’s telecommunications and postal sector, officials said on Tuesday. A communications commission has already been established to oversee privatisation of the state-owned Kenya Posts and Telecommunications Corporation ). The Communications Commission of Kenya is expected to license […]

THE Tsogo Sun group withdrew its application against KwaZulu-Natal premier Lionel Mtshali regarding casino licences in Durban. The group will pay all court costs. No reason was given for the withdrawal. The move comes while opposition parties in the province are complaining about the Inkatha Freedom Party’s Gambling Amendment Bill and what the call the […]

THERE are now four bidders for South Africa’s third cellular network licence with the bid of Khoroni Telecommunications Consortium, made up of smaller newcomers to the industry. The bid is sketchy, lacking discussions of which technologies it will use, no hint of competitive strategy, and not naming any technology partners. Khoroni is led by SA […]

WEDNESDAY, 12.30PM: BARELY a week after New Africa Investments Limited withdrew its bid for Johnnies Industrial Corporation, fast-moving media group Primedia has reportedly approached Johnnic management with a possible deal. Business Day reports that Primedia chief executive officer William Kirsh has approached Johnnic’s major shareholder, the National Empowerment Consortium, to invite it to discuss a […]

THE SHUFFLE at the top of New Africa Investments ltd (Nail) may put fresh life into negotiations between Nail and the Caxton publishing group for the purchase of Johnnic’s 43% stake in Caxton. Johnnic gave Nail a three-month option to purchase its stake in Caxton in early March as part of a deal to get […]

ANGOLA, one of the world’s most heavily mined countries, on Thursday finally joined the Maputo conference of parties to the Ottawa Convention banning landmines. A delegation headed by deputy minister of external relations Toko Serao arrived in the Mozambican capital amid speculation that its failure to turn up was connected to its continued violation of […]

NEW Africa Investments Limited chairman Dr Ntatho Motlana and executive director Jonty Sandler have quit the black empowerment giant, following weeks of speculation and anger over a proposed bonus scheme. Motlana, Nail’s founder, and Sandler have also quit all their positions on the boards of Nail subsidiaries. The group is currently worth over R10-billion in […]