The African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday called on the Zulu nation not to attend an imbizo (meeting) at KwaMashu, south of Durban, on Saturday. The imbizo was called by Inkatha Freedom Party president Mangosuthu Buthelezi in his capacity as traditional prime minister.
The low-income national banking account Mzansi exceeded one million accounts by May 15, Colin Donian, the Banking Council director responsible for the Mzansi initiative, said on Wednesday. Launched less than seven months ago, the Mzansi account provides account-holders with entry-level banking services.
The president of Harvard, who caused a furore by saying that men outperform women in maths and sciences because of innate differences, has said the university will spend more than -million in recruiting, supporting and promoting women. Lawrence Summers survived a no-confidence vote following his comments.
A Norwegian parachutist died after jumping from the second floor of the Eiffel tower when his chute snagged on the monument’s superstructure, Paris police said on Tuesday. A police spokesperson said the 31-year-old man was trying to film his stunt for a TV commercial advertising a brand of Norwegian clothing.
In a case of life truly imitating art, a celebrity impersonator sued by the mimic Robin Williams for being too convincing has agreed to stop posing as the Oscar-winning actor. Williams had accused his impersonator of duping a newspaper and a fire department into believing he was the actor.
Uzbekistan’s opposition unveiled a list of 745 people on Tuesday said to have been killed by state troops in the east of the country, and raised the prospect of unrest in the capital over the apparent massacre. A protest of up to 50 people formed outside the US embassy in Tashkent on Tuesday.
Hong Kong’s new Disney park on Wednesday began taking bookings for wedding parties with a Mickey Mouse theme at a price of nearly $1 500 (R9 600) per table of 12. Couples will be able to have their wedding receptions at the Hong Kong Disneyland hotel after the theme park, the first in China, opens in September.
Makalani Holdings, a black economic empowerment (BEE) finance company formed by Rand Merchant Bank to mobilise capital for BEE and development investments, listed in the investment companies sector of the JSE Securities Exchange (JSE) on Wednesday. The first trade was at R101 per share, valuing the company at R2,525-billion.
The coming of winter has brought brisk business for coal merchants in the South African township of Soweto as many residents rush to buy the commodity to keep themselves warm in the biting cold. When winter sets in between May and August, Sowetans look for other means apart from electricity to keep their homes warm, as temperatures can drop to freezing point at night.
Look to southern Africa and the rest of the continent for expansion, Trade and Industry Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa urged South African business on Tuesday. Opening the Export Africa 2005 show, he advised small businesses and those with little international experience to enter into regional trade relationships.