While the statutory Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) is poised to introduce a framework that will yield lower cellphone tariffs, Cell C this month hiked tariffs and MTN and Vodacom are likely to follow suit on August 1, it emerged this week.
Hooded protesters destroyed a bus and a bomb damaged offices in northern Spain overnight on Thursday after an alleged member of the Basque separatist group ETA died during a police chase, officials said. The explosion at about 2am local time on Friday extensively damaged the offices of a building company in Guernica.
The unique fynbos in the Sandveld, on the Cape western coast, is degenerating into a desolate lunar landscape after years of rapidly growing potato cultivation, largely to meet the fast food industry’s demand for French fries. Potato farmers’ irrigation needs, combined with inadequate winter rains, have destroyed 55% of the vegetation, say conservationists.
”In rugby, like in business, location is everything — something all South African rugby supporters are well aware of, given the poor record local sides have when travelling. Happily, the reverse is also true,” writes Rob Davies, who predicts the Springboks will be more dangerous this weekend than last.
The JSE Securities Exchange’s (JSE) all-share index broke above the tempting 15 000 level for the first time on Friday, fuelled by continued demand for South African equities. Expectations of solid corporate results enhanced already positive sentiment. By 11.48am, the all-share index was up 0,54% at 15 002,06.
Retailer Pick ‘n Pay is seeking an interdict to stop striking workers from shutting stores down and preventing people from entering them, its chief executive said on Friday. ”They clearly have a right to withhold their labour, but this is patently illegal,” chief executive Sean Summers said.
Vietnam is attempting to further tighten control on the internet with a new government decree that comes into effect at the end of July, state-run media reported on Friday. Control measures introduced last year have been widely ignored, and government ministries are attempting to implement new rules governing access to the internet.
Picketing and toyi-toying Pick ‘n Pay workers at the retailer’s high-profile store at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, as well as at its main Claremont headquarters, are disrupting shopping at the venues, reports said on Friday. South Africa’s largest food retailer confirmed earlier that the strike is affecting 150 stores countrywide.
Ethiopia will rerun parliamentary elections in at least 20 of the 524 seats contested during fiercely disputed polls, the chairperson of the National Election Board said on Friday. Kemal Bedri said a new vote would be held in August. He said investigators have found evidence of irregularities at more than 100 polling stations.
”Australian rugby people can’t understand why South Africa ever plays home Test matches away from Ellis Park. The Wallabies have built a castle in the rarefied Highveld air at the venue where they have not won a Test match since the Ken Catchpole-inspired Wallabies of 1963,” writes Andy Capostagno.