South Africa’s Rugby World Cup squad from 1995 shared the magic of their historic triumph at a 10-Year celebration dinner held at the Sandton Convention Centre on Wednesday. Captain Francois Pienaar and the full squad joined 1 500 prominent personalities and guests at an event aimed at reliving a momentous achievement in South Africa’s history.
Afghan and United States troops backed by British warplanes pounded a mountain hideout in southern Afghanistan in a day-long battle that left more than 76 Taliban guerrillas dead. The battle was the bloodiest engagement yet in a summer of escalating violence that has dimmed hopes for an early end to the Taliban insurgency.
The refloating of the bulk carrier Kiperousa, stranded on the Eastern Cape coast, will begin at about noon on Thursday, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) said. Samsa spokesperson Captain Peter Kroon said the fine weather in the East London area will assist in refloating the beached vessel.
An elephant handler was killed by a bull elephant at the Knysna Elephant Park on Tuesday during a morning excursion, the International Fund for Animal Welfare said on Wednesday. The incident at the park also raises questions regarding the safety of South Africa’s burgeoning elephant-back safari and tourism industry.
The war in Iraq is creating a new breed of Islamic jihadists who could go on to destabilise other countries, according to a CIA report. The CIA believes Iraq to be potentially worse than Afghanistan, which produced thousands of jihadists in the 1980s and 1990s. Many of the recruits to Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda had fought in Afghanistan.
Rupert Murdoch has dedicated years of lobbying to launching his television channels there and Warner Bros recently established a film production joint venture in the country. But media moguls with ambitions to expand in China should perhaps look at a less glamorous or politically sensitive medium: outdoor advertising.
Simmer & Jack Mines (Simmers) said on Wednesday it has signed employment agreements with three unions as part of its bid for DRDGold’s North West operations. Simmers, the preferred bidder for the liquidated mining operations in Stilfontein, has entered into agreements with Solidarity, the South African Electrical Workers Union and the United Association of South Africa .
South African media and entertainment group Johnnic Communications lifted headline earnings by 129% from R177-million to R406-million for the year ended in March. This translates into headline earnings per share of 390 cents compared with 170 cents the previous year, which exceeded the I-Net Bridge consensus forecast of 279,5 cents.
Caffeine can help athletes by boosting the body’s absorption of carbohydrates, scientists at the University of Birmingham said on Wednesday. According to a study conducted by researchers at the university’s School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, introducing caffeine into sports drinks increases the absorption rate of carbohydrates by 26%.
Experienced French prop Sylvain Marconnet should be able to resume full training on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s second Test against South Africa. The 28-year-old Stade Francais stalwart has been suffering from a right thigh injury picked up during the thrilling 30-30 draw with the Springboks in the first Test last Saturday.