Wealthy businessman Cyril Ramaphosa is preparing a bid for leadership of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress and by extension a run for the nation’s Presidency when Thabo Mbeki retires in 2009, associates said on Monday. The ANC will hold internal elections in December 2007, and whoever wins the party leadership is a shoo-in for the country’s Presidency.
Robert Hamblin has fond memories of his childhood. His male cousins accepted him as just another mate. His grandfather used to take him round the farm and joked about the bulls’ twaksakke (balls). He did not mind that the child carried the name of Adele. But then Hamblin started developing breasts and ”the boys” dumped him.
Power cuts that have plunged most parts of Zimbabwe into darkness could worsen during the next few weeks following electricity supply interruptions from the Democratic Republic of Congo from where Zesa Holdings imports 100 megawatts, the state-owned <i>Herald</i> newspaper said on Monday.
American Nicky Hayden won the United States motorcycling Grand Prix for the second straight year on Sunday, strengthening his grip on the title chase as Valentino Rossi failed to finish. Hayden, who won here last year when the MotoGP series returned to the US for the first time in a decade, started from the second row and seized the lead on the 17th lap.
More than 5Â 000 people gathered for an anti-Ethiopia protest in the Mogadishu on Monday, days after troops from neighbouring Ethiopia arrived to protect Somalia’s virtually powerless government from Islamic militants. The protesters, gathered in a stadium in northern Mogadishu, chanted anti-Ethiopian slogans and carried signs that said, ”We Must Fight Them!”
Authorities in Zimbabwe have suspended all sales of ivory in a bid to stop underhand deals, it was reported on Monday. The decision was reached after a meeting between the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and the recently established Zimbabwe Ivory Manufacturers’ Association, said the state-controlled Herald newspaper.
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) providing hospice and home care for HIV/Aids patients in Gauteng are struggling because of late payment by the Department of Health, the Democratic Alliance said on Monday. ”Some of these NGOs have not been paid for almost four months,” said spokesperson Jack Bloom.
United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called for an urgent ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah but the guerrilla group’s leader on Monday vowed no let-up in missile attacks against the Jewish state. Israeli warplanes pounded south Lebanon early on Monday after Hezbollah missiles hit northern Israel over the weekend.
The Airports Company South Africa has reviewed the infrastructure and service requirements that the 2010 Soccer World Cup will place on smaller airports and was satisfied that these airports will be prepared — but there will be an R80-million expansion and refurbishment programme at four of these airports.
The JSE was in positive territory at midday on Monday in line with European markets. Gold stocks bucked the trend, however, dragged down by the lower bullion price. By 11.49am, the all-share index added 0,87%. The all-share industrial and financial indices firmed 1,26% and 1,1% respectively, while the banks index climbed 1,28%.