In the early 1990s the African National Congress played a modernising role. South Africa had been held back by the consequences of apartheid, international isolation and a siege economy. From its enthusiastic adoption of information technology to the international exposure of many future leaders, the ANC helped to drive modernisation in areas that went well beyond an expected pre-occupation with racial redress.
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Springbok coach Jake White’s meeting with President Thabo Mbeki has been postponed, the Presidency announced on Thursday. It was postponed at White’s request, presidential spokesperson Mukoni Ratshitanga said in a statement. ”The Presidency will schedule another meeting if or when Mr White makes another request in future,” he said.
The trial of former spy boss Billy Masetlha will proceed, the Hatfield Community Court in Pretoria ruled on Thursday. The court dismissed Masetlha’s application for discharge at the close of the state’s case. Magistrate Dreyer van der Merwe said after considering all evidence presented so far, Masetlha had a case to answer.
While it can hardly be denied that striking public-service workers are struggling to make ends meet, is the government justified in stonewalling their demands?
President Thabo Mbeki on Thursday dismissed reports he has ”rejected” the recommendations of the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers chaired by Justice Dikgang Moseneke. The Presidency appealed to all South Africans to familiarise themselves with the commission’s processes as laid down in legislation.
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has concluded a deal worth well in excess of R1-billion over five years with SuperSport, giving the pay channel exclusive TV rights on all their fixtures. The bombshell announcement was made by PSL chairperson Irvin Khoza at the league’s Parktown offices on Thursday.
A suspected dagga dealer, fearing arrest, tried to get rid of a bag of dagga by throwing it over his fence — where it landed on the bonnet of a police car, Grocott’s Mail reported on Thursday. The Port Alfred man then ran away, but was arrested after a brief chase.
Deaths in South Africa are on the increase, with 590Â 000 in 2005 — 3,3% up on the previous year, according to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) figures on mortality and causes of death. ”The overall number of deaths shows a continuous increase from 1997 to 2005,” Stats SA said in a statement on Thursday.