The long-awaited new Mokala National Park in the Northern Cape was officially proclaimed by Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk on Tuesday. The establishment of this new park near Plooysberg, south-west of Kimberley, came as a result of a successful land claim made on a section of the old Vaalbos National Park.
South African banks expect further demands for increased transparency, similar to those overseas, on pricing and product comparisons, a PricewaterhouseCoopers survey on banking in South Africa — <i>Strategic and Emerging Issues in South African Banking</i> — shows.
State media in Zimbabwe on Tuesday accused veterinary authorities in South Africa of racism after 100 cattle belonging to villagers living on the border between the two countries were allegedly shot dead by South African soldiers. The official Herald newspaper said the incident, which Zimbabwean police describe as cruel and deliberate, occurred earlier this month.
Police arrested about 500 protesting street traders outside the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday following clashes in which a water cannon, pepper spray and stun grenades were used. Police spokesperson Superintendent Muzi Mngomezulu could not immediately say exactly how many people were arrested, but estimated the number was about 500.
Transnet has sold its housing loan book to the FirstRand group for R1,4-billion, its chief executive, Maria Ramos, announced in Johannesburg on Tuesday. Ramos said the sale of the non-core asset — which had been in process since October 2006 — was part of the company’s turnaround strategy that focused on freight transport.
A coalition of technology companies and environmental groups led by Google and Intel launched an initiative on Tuesday to help conserve electricity and curb global warming emissions by making the world’s computers and servers more energy efficient. The Climate Savers Computing Initiative sets ambitious industry targets.
Attention hip-hop stars and billionaires: the world’s biggest airliner, the 73m-long Airbus A380 super jumbo, has been ordered by a mysterious buyer for private use. The order could be seen as setting new heights in the private-jet sector, leaving the Learjet, which used to be the ultimate symbol of ostentatious air travel, in second class.
Glenanda Primary School in Glenvista, south of Johannesburg, was evacuated after a bomb threat on Tuesday morning, principal Graham King said. He said 1 200 pupils were sent home after a telephone call by an anonymous man at 9am.
Recklessly overtaking other cars can be a sin, the Vatican said in a warning to drivers on Tuesday advising motorists to make the sign of the cross before hitting the road. "Overtaking dangerously can be a sin," said Cardinal Renato Martino as he presented recommendations put together by the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Itinerant People.
Jocelyn Newmarch talks to Mexican acoustic stars Rodrigo y Gabriela