Staff Reporter
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/ 30 November 2007

Mbeki to receive peer report next week

President Thabo Mbeki will receive an African Union report into the country’s governance standards on Wednesday next week, the Ministry of Public Service and Administration said on Friday. Mbeki had to postpone a handover ceremony at his office on Thursday because of other urgent government matters.

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/ 30 November 2007

NPA still undecided on new charges

<a href="http://www.mg.co.za/specialreport.aspx?area=zuma_report"><img src="http://www.mg.co.za/ContentImages/243078/zuma.jpg" align=left border=0></a>With only two weeks left before the start of the ANC’s national conference, it is still unclear whether Jacob Zuma will contest the position of party president as a corruption accused or not. The NPA’s Zuma investigations team on Thursday presented a "final briefing" to acting NPA head Mokotedi Mpshe, who must now decide if he has enough evidence to recharge Zuma.

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/ 30 November 2007

‘Things cannot continue as they are’

<a href="http://www.mg.co.za/specialreport.aspx?area=ancconference_home"><img src="http://www.mg.co.za/ContentImages/321750/Icon_ANCconference.gif" align=left border=0></a>Nominations conferences in all provinces have reduced the contest for the African National Congress (ANC) leadership to a two-horse race. The <i>Mail & Guardian</i> asked five senior ANC "elders" to comment on the provincial results, the party’s hardening divisions, and the potential fallout beyond Polokwane. Read Jeremy Cronin’s contribution here.

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/ 30 November 2007

It’s the Ben and Tito show

Both Tito watchers and Ben watchers are expecting a change in interest rates. But while South African consumers are expecting another hike, United States consumers are expecting another cut. As a result, South Africa could attract interest from speculators wanting to take advantage of our higher rates, and could help to strengthen the rand.

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/ 29 November 2007

FXI: Gauteng trying to curtail health queries

The Gauteng government is trying to curtail opposition politicians’ investigations into public health facilities, the Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) said on Thursday. The FXI said a complaint by provincial minister of health Brian Hlongwa about Democratic Alliance member Jack Bloom’s visits to public health facilities in the province was ”problematic”.

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/ 29 November 2007

Hundreds pay tribute to Ian Smith

Hundreds of people gathered in a Cape Town church on Thursday to remember Ian Smith, Rhodesia’s widely reviled former prime minister, as a kind, stubborn and misunderstood son of the soil. The hall of the St John’s Anglican Church in Cape Town overflowed with well-wishers — all but a handful of them white and many ex-Rhodesian.

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/ 29 November 2007

Scott and Immelman shine at Sun City

Adam Scott of Australia and Trevor Immelman of South Africa both scored five-under-par 67s to share the first-round lead in the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City on Thursday. English pair Justin Rose and Luke Donald are lying one off the pace on 68, with tournament favourite Ernie Els of South Africa, who is trying for a record fourth title in this annual 12-man event.

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/ 29 November 2007

Coming soon: Sweden’s giant moose

With little to attract tourists, a region in northern Sweden is pinning hope on a truly gargantuan wooden moose. When completed, the 45m-tall, 47m-long moose will have a restaurant in its belly, as well as a concert hall, conference rooms and a shop, project coordinator and local tourism promoter Thorbjorn Holmlund said on Thursday.