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/ 5 May 2005

Zim 62 hope for release on Tuesday

The 62 South African alleged mercenaries in Zimbabwe may be released next Tuesday after 12 months in Chikurubi prison in Harare, their lawyer said on Wednesday. The men are still awaiting the outcome of an appeal lodged by Zimbabwe’s Attorney General, Sobuza Gula-Ndebele, against the reduction of their sentences.

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/ 5 May 2005

Oklahoma plotter tells of ‘third man’

The United States Congress may reopen the investigation into the Oklahoma City bombing after allegations by one of the two convicted plotters about the involvement of a third man. Timothy McVeigh was executed in 2001 for killing 168 when he detonated a lorry-load of explosives outside a government building, reportedly out of hatred for the US federal authorities.

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/ 5 May 2005

Private security: A disturbing peace of mind

"When I arrived in South Africa for a journalism internship, one of the first things that I noticed was the security guards. They were everywhere: outside malls, perching on broken chairs in suburban streets and roaring around the highways in military-style trucks." <i>Mail & Guardian Online</i> journalist Ellen Hollemans speaks to guards and experts in private security to analyse the dangers and problems associated with this volatile industry.

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/ 5 May 2005

Classes for criminals

Catering for school-going criminals is one of the many challenges facing special-needs education, writes Julia Grey Running a school where the only admission requirements are that learners are convicted criminals and of school-going age has it’s own special demands. Ethokomala in Mpumalanga is one of only two reform schools in the country that caters for […]

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/ 5 May 2005

Weaving a web of hope

Julia Grey visited a school for the severely mentally handicapped that is special in more ways than one: it not only caters for learners with special education needs, but does so with flying colours On the second floor of the school building, a vision fit to dazzle stands out with the swirls of colour and […]

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/ 5 May 2005

Helping to build a nation of readers

Masifunde Sonke, the much-hyped campaign to build a nation of readers, was given a major boost last month with the launch of the Nozincwadi (Mother of Books) Project, featuring Gcina Mhlophe, the acclaimed children’s storyteller. Mhlophe will travel throughout the country to promote reading and inspire future young writers. The Nozincwadi Project will target between […]

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/ 5 May 2005

Unions strive for greater effectiveness

Mauritius, the idyllic island renowned for its splendid beaches and tourist attractions, was the venue for an education indaba early last month when the executive board of the Pan African Federation of Teachers’ Trade Unions (Pafettu) met. On the agenda, among other issues, was improving the quality of teaching and the status of educators. National […]

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/ 5 May 2005

Principals also have parenting role

The success of every school rests on the shoulders of its headmaster, according to Deputy Minister of Education Mosibudi Mangena Speaking at the national conference of the South African School Principals’ Association, Deputy Minister of Education Mosibudi Mangena said principals assume the role of parents once children enter the school premises and should be responsible […]

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/ 5 May 2005

Get out of your ivory towers, Zuma says

Academics must use their skills outside of the lecture rooms, Deputy President Jacob Zuma said at his installation as chancellor of the University of Zululand last month. He also urged local business to get more involved with the university in projects designed to imbue professionals with various kinds of skills. “Business has the social responsibility […]