No image available
/ 23 September 2005
The Electronic Communications Bill, the new name for the contentious and extensively deliberated Convergence Bill, has been redrafted to mixed reaction from media industry stakeholders.
No image available
/ 23 September 2005
The party the South African banks have enjoyed over the past three years may have reached heady heights, but looks to be far from over. Figures released by FirstRand last week, and the boundless optimism expressed by the likes of Investec, suggest that good times lie ahead for a while yet.
No image available
/ 23 September 2005
When the government considers the merits of giving debt amnesty as part of its deliberations on the National Credit Bill, it needs to distinguish between people who are victims of unscrupulous lending practices and lack financial knowledge, and those who are repeat offenders, warns T-Sec economist Mike Schussler.
No image available
/ 23 September 2005
In a surprise announcement, the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) says it will pay R1,67-billion for the 20% stake in Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) previously held by international airports company ADR. Acsa’s annual results released last week showed profits before tax up 22% to R593,2-million.
No image available
/ 23 September 2005
Details of how three senior Saambou officials set up elaborate operations involving a string of companies that received payments and loans to buy shares and improve Saambou’s capital position are contained in the charge sheet against the three. These transactions were initiated after Saambou was unable to secure funding in the marketplace to cover bad debts.
No image available
/ 23 September 2005
The long-predicted disaster has happened — yet the government and officials now feign shock and horror while expressing sympathy for the typhoid victims and pointing fingers at others ("System failures lead to typhoid outbreak", September 16). The government has known for a long time that there are serious problems with the quality of our water.
No image available
/ 23 September 2005
How frightened is the government about the <i>Mail & Guardian</i>’s revelations of the abuse of state funds in the Oilgate affair? Frightened enough for the police to launch an investigation into the <i>M&G</i>, rather than the main actors in the drama? To formulate flimsy contempt of court charges against us in a bid to gather information that might assist Imvume?
No image available
/ 23 September 2005
Spurned in its bid to acquire Celtel, which has licences in 13 African countries, MTN has set its sights on the Middle East. First prize would be a stake in the Irancell consortium, now potentially up for grabs after the Iranian government baulked at handing over 70% of the licence to Turkish operator Turkcell.
No image available
/ 23 September 2005
British electronic music whizz Matthew Herbert is hoping to become the first musician ever to use the sound of cancer in a dance track. The London-based musician is working on the follow-up album to <i>Plat du Jour</i>, released worldwide this year, which was made using sampled recordings of food to raise awareness about the industrialisation of modern farming methods.
No image available
/ 23 September 2005
He is in his early 30s but looks much younger with a ”smooth, boyish face” and a height of a little more than one-and-a-half metres. He is soft-spoken, well-mannered, and often dresses in jeans and track shoes, Nike being his brand of choice. He has hated the United States with a ”passion bordering on insanity” ever since spending time with al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Sudan.