A significant amount of resources has been channelled into Africa since the Millennium Development Goals were adopted in 2001. Between 2000 and 2005 an estimated $97-billion has reached the continent through official development assistance. African governments themselves have set aside various percentages of their budgets for expenditure in priority sectors to effect positive change in the lives of the poor.

The bid by Koni Media to buy Avusa, formerly Johncom, has highlighted a long-time BEE fascination with newspapers. From a business point of view, there are other lucrative and less troublesome areas for investment and BEE investors need cash flow to pay back the money they have raised, writes Reg Rumney.

As the tiny ball of burning crimson drops behind the sand dunes it leaves a dark, almost silent landscape worthy of its name: Rub’ al-Khali, the Empty Quarter. No sooner has the sun gone down than a long necklace of golden lights flickers on in the valley below and the improbable sound of an Islamic preacher can be heard calling the faithful to prayer.

It has taken the Movement for Democratic Change eight years to go from a being potent symbol of change to an organisation torn apart by divisive, childish rivalries and personality cults. And as the situation deteriorates, the party’s fractious and self-important leadership may irrevocably turn the once vibrant party into an empty shell, its once inspiring name and slogans into bywords for indecision and ineptitude.

Australians do not know whether they have just committed a very bold act or a very small one. By throwing out their conservative prime minister, John Howard, in Saturday’s election they may have dramatically tipped their nation away from the insularity, fear and materialism that he had encouraged.