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/ 19 February 2008

Reproducing mediocrity

”When do you go back to work?” asks an in-law, over a New Year’s Day braai, curious about the apparent peculiarities of academic life. “Well, there’s admin stuff to do starting next week, though teaching proper doesn’t begin till the end of February” I explain; “but at the moment I’m really trying to get to grips with my writing and research projects. What I’m working on right now -”

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/ 19 February 2008

New names for old hang-ups

President Thabo Mbeki has set himself 24 tasks, listed alongside, for completion before he leaves the political stage in 2009. This is typical of the managerial style that has characterised his presidency, but the 24 tasks also reveal the constraints he has faced for several years now

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/ 18 February 2008

Main EU states recognise Kosovo

Europe’s biggest states recognised the independence of Kosovo on Monday, ending hours of suspense after Prime Minister Hashim Thaci assured his new republic that Western recognition would come ”any minute”. France was first to announce its move after a European Union foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels.

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/ 18 February 2008

So far, so good for U19 cricketers

An unbeaten 58 by Rilee Rossouw led South Africa to a three-wicket victory over the West Indies on Monday, while New Zealand defeated Zimbabwe by 98 runs in first-round matches of the Under-19 Cricket World Cup. Meanwhile, Bangladesh hammered Bermuda by 178 runs while Sri Lanka defeated Nepal by 61 runs.

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/ 18 February 2008

New fund to combat poverty among women

The newly established Isivande Women’s Fund is a step towards reducing poverty among women, Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said on Monday. Unveiling the fund logo to business and media at the presidential guest house in Pretoria, the deputy president said it will help mainly black woman entrepreneurs.

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/ 18 February 2008

Court not swayed by Delft appeal application

The Cape High Court on Monday dismissed an application for leave to appeal against an eviction order that compelled illegal occupiers of unfinished homes in Delft on the Cape Flats to vacate their houses by 6pm last Sunday. Judge Deon van Zyl ruled late on Monday that the grounds for appeal were altogether without merit.