Gavin Evans Boxing The idea of girding his ancient loins to beat up over-hyped young Englishmen is one that has long given pleasure to Benoni’s toughest, wiliest and prettiest granddad. The 42-year-old Thulane “Sugarboy” Malinga (he finds no offence in the boy bit) is seen as a bit of a fluke on this island, despite […]

IN BRIEF PRO-ABACHA RALLY BANNED LAGOS State police have abruptly withdrawn permission for a weekend rally to urge Nigerian junta leader General Sani Abacha to stand in civilian presidential polls, press reports said Thursday. The state police commissioner, Abubakar Tsav, said on Wednesday that the permit earlier granted to rally organisers has been cancelled. Meanwhile, […]

THURSDAY, 7.00PM: FOLLOWING recent trends, financials were again the best bet on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange on Thursday, as investors sought the cheapest means of gaining equity in the new companies to result from various planned mergers. Local trade was also buoyed by positive sentiment following Wednesday’s Consumer Price Index figures, which showed that inflation […]

THURSDAY, 6.00PM: UNITED States President Bill Clinton told a joint sitting of the National Assembly on Thursday that the US is committed to developing closer ties through trade and co-operation, and that South Africa is an example to the world for its efforts in overcoming apartheid. He said the US will help South Africa overcome […]

THURSDAY, 12.30PM: LEHLOHONOLO “Hands of Stone” Ledwaba must be tired of pushovers. Ledwaba’s four defences of his South African junior featherweight title thus far have been entertaining and successful. And short. On Wednesday night in Johannesburg, he knocked out Cape challenger Zukile Filani a minute and 12 seconds into the third round to retain the […]

WEDNESDAY, 12.45PM: THE official consumer inflation rate in February fell to an annualised 5,4% — 0,2 of a percentage point lower than January’s figure — according to the Central Statistical Service. Month-on-month, prices rose 0,3% from January to February. Chief contributor to increased prices in February was food, which saw a 0,1 percentage point increase […]

WEDNESDAY, 6.00PM: THE Greater Johannesburg Eastern Metropolitan Local Council has been accused by Public Protector Selby Baqwa of lacking the will to govern. A January 23 report says that the council has failed to properly enforce the provisions of the Sandton town planning scheme and has been trying to avoid its responsibilities. “The criticism is […]

WEDNESDAY, 12.15PM: TOP soccer officials have sent an SOS to government for financial intervention to save the game. Professional soccer clubs are looking to central government to intervene to halt the malaise, caused by poor crowd attendances, poor playing facilities and financial constraints, that is threatening the game. Mamelodi Sundowns spokesman Alex Shakoane said in […]

WEDNESDAY, 1.00PM: LIFE assurer Sanlam’s earnings fell 31% to R1,2-billion in the year to December, and the poor results could pose a threat to the firm’s planned demutualisation. The demutualisation still requires an endorsement by policy holders and potential shareholders of the new group, before Sanlam can list on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Sanlam executive […]

WEDNESDAY, 12.15PM: PAKISTAN have called up pinch-hitter Shahid Afridi and all-rounder Muhammad Husain to their squad for the triangular tournament between Sri Lanka, Pakistan and South Africa, to be played in South Africa in April. Neither of the players is currently on tour with the Pakistani squad in Zimbabwe. The players left out of the […]