The confidence of South African consumers has declined over 11% in the last 12 months, the latest MasterIndex survey released on Thursday showed. Out of a possible 100 index points, the South African MasterIndex declined from a record high of 91,1 points for the second half of 2006, to 86,5.
Rwanda called on the United Nations on Wednesday to take action against peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) accused of trading food and intelligence with Rwandan Hutu rebels for gold. The world body is investigating allegations made against Indian troops in eastern DRC’s North Kivu province.
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Nelson Mandela’s 89th birthday was celebrated on Wednesday with a charity match in which an African XI drew 3-3 with a Rest of the World team. Mandela, who has dedicated his life to the promotion of human rights and democracy, was honoured by the ”90 Minutes for Mandela” all-star game.
When did the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s ankle-length red dress turn into a black mini? That was the question posed by a representative of the public broadcaster at the <i>Mail & Guardian</i>’s screening of the documentary <i>Unauthorised: Thabo Mbeki</i> in Johannesburg on Wednesday night.
Uganda’s flower industry needs government incentives and preferential European Union access to succeed, say members of the East African nation’s floricultural sector. Uganda is Africa’s fifth-largest flower exporter, dealing solely in roses and chrysanthemum cuttings.
Need a licence to do journalism? Unthinkable in South Africa. But in the past year, Mozambique’s democratic government has suggested exactly this. As you read this, Kenya and Tanzania are seeking to legislate the same. From Senegal to Nigeria, Mali to Ethiopia, the practice is: you want to be a journalist, you register.
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Arts and Culture Minister Pallo Jordan on Wednesday paid tribute to Bill Flynn after the actor’s death a week ago. ”It is with deep sadness and regret indeed that we have learnt of the passing on of Mr Bill Flynn who was, undoubtedly, one of the most highly gifted performers in South Africa,” said the minister in a statement.
Quick Step rider Cedric Vasseur gave the hosts their first stage win of this year’s Tour de France when he lead a French one-two ahead of compatriot Sandy Casar in the 229,5km tenth stage on Wednesday. The 36-year-old Vasseur won a sprint finish after five hours 20 minutes and 24 seconds of racing under the sweltering heat ahead of Casar, with Swiss rider Michael Albasini in third.
A meeting to avert a possible strike in the industrial-chemical sector was unsuccessful on Wednesday, trade union Solidarity said. Spokesperson Marius Croucamp said a meeting between employees and the union failed to yield results. Employers in this sector were offering a 7,5% wage increase and unions were demanding 10%.