Africa will have to find its own way and develop its own growth agenda, which will not be either the Indian or Chinese way of forging economic development, Mvelaphanda Holdings executive chairperson Tokyo Sexwale argued on Wednesday at a World Economic Forum media briefing at the start of the forum conversation on Africa.
A high crime rate, unreliable electricity supply and inflexible labour laws saw South Africa drop six places over two years on a global economic competitiveness barometer released on Wednesday. Ranked 46th overall out of 128 countries measured, South Africa was the second-best performer on the continent.
Hamas Islamist gunmen pressed on with their Gaza offensive on Wednesday, killing at least eight fighters loyal to Western-backed President Mahmoud Abbas in a Palestinian power struggle bordering on civil war. Chanting ”stop the killing”, about 1Â 000 Palestinians marched through Gaza City — only to draw gunfire in the air from Hamas militants.
A pressure group has threatened to bring a class action against the government and the wine industry over the issue of alcohol abuse among farm workers. The Black Association of the Wine and Spirits Industry called on Wednesday for the establishment of an industry fund to change people’s attitudes towards drinking, and to set up an institution to treat alcoholics.
Transnet pensioners and their beneficiaries will receive bonuses totalling R125-million at the end of July, Transnet group chief executive Maria Ramos announced on Wednesday. The bonus will be paid and funded solely from Transnet’s resources.
Most South Africans — 79% — are against the proposed legalisation of prostitution in the country for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, a survey by African Response has found. The survey included a sample of 400 respondents from the major metropolitan areas of Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. The participants were interviewed face to face.
Telecommunications could become cheaper from August this year following a proposal by Telkom to reduce prices, acting chief executive Reuben September said on Wednesday. ”The proposed price reductions will not only ensure more savings for our existing customers but will also attract new entrants to the broadband experience,” he said.
The cost of living for an average urban family in Zimbabwe rose by 66% last month, the country’s consumer watchdog said in a report on Wednesday. The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe said the cost of living for a family of six increased 65,6% from Z,3-million (Â 300) in April to Z,5-million in May.
McLaren boss Ron Dennis has denied suggestions that British newcomer Lewis Hamilton is being favoured over world champion Fernando Alonso in the British-based Formula One team. The Spanish driver told Spanish radio on Tuesday that ”we knew all the support and help would go his way”.
Boosted by one of his best performances for South Africa in the recent 4-0 African Nations Cup qualifying win over Chad, Belgium-based Elrio van Heerden has learnt that fate has a habit of dealing out the wrong cards at the most inopportune moment.