In celebration of Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday this year, youth parliaments will be held across the country, it was announced at the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (NMCF) in Johannesburg on Wednesday. Speaking at the announcement was NMCF chief executive Sibongile Mkhabela and the former president’s daughter, Zinzi, who is a trustee of the fund.
Thousands of people on Wednesday demonstrated in Khartoum at a government-organised ”victory” rally to denounce Darfur rebels who staged a daring attack on the capital as agents of Israel. Waving flags and banners, crowds of men, women and schoolchildren converged outside army headquarters to hear a speech from President Omar al-Bashir.
A pro-government rights outfit in Zimbabwe has urged President Robert Mugabe to consider declaring a state of emergency to stem a tide of post-election political violence, state media said on Wednesday. Levels of violence in Zimbabwe are escalating and could reach crisis proportions, the United Nations has warned.
The African Development Bank (ADB) has lent -million to fund Eskom’s multibillion-dollar expansion project, and to help the power-starved country achieve 6% economic growth from 2010, the bank said on Wednesday. Eskom is battling to shore up electricity supplies due an economic boom that has boosted demand.
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African National Congress (ANC) president Jacob Zuma’s rights to a fair and speedy trial have been violated with impunity, and the independence and credibility of organs of state have been severely compromised, the ANC Youth League said on Wednesday.
New England rugby coach Martin Johnson is facing his first major crisis since taking over at Twickenham, with the country’s leading players considering strike action in a row over pay. The Daily Telegraph has learnt that England’s senior players are involved in a contract dispute with the Rugby Football Union.
Steven Gerrard admits Liverpool will only challenge for the Premier League title next season if Rafa Benitez spends big money. Gerrard is desperate to make up for another disappointing domestic campaign after Benitez’s side slipped out of the title race by Christmas and finished nine points behind champions Manchester United.
Swedish golfer Annika Sorenstam (37) announced her retirement from golf on Tuesday, two days after winning her 72nd LPGA title on Sunday at the Michelob Ultra Open in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States. Sorenstam, who said she will retire at the end of the 2008 season, has won three tournaments this year.
Two men were arrested while trying to sell an expensive diamond to a Durban businessman, police said on Wednesday. Captain Thembeka Luhtuli said police had seized the diamond — valued at an estimated R250 000 — in Winder Road on Tuesday afternoon.
Exiled leaders of Burundi’s last active rebel group will return home this week to implement a long awaited peace deal to end a civil conflict that has killed 300 000 people. The persistent insurgency by the Forces for National Liberation is seen by many as the final barrier to lasting stability in the tiny Central African country.