Picking up a thumbed copy of The Economist‘s annual roundup of world events, one was intrigued by the prediction that the following year would ”be the year for Iraq’s President Saddam Hussein to fall …” Likewise, it suggested that ”President Robert Mugabe’s increasing retreat from active policy determination could presage a stepping down.” The year in question was 1993. Tom Eaton reckons more has changed than stayed the same.
Ruling parties romped to victory in five elections held in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) last year, which also ushered in the end of the presidential terms of two liberation stalwarts — Sam Nujoma of Namibia and Joachim Chissano of Mozambique. Their voluntary departure has, however, been overshadowed by challenges to the election results.
David Beckham practised on his own on Sunday after flight delays hindered his return and caused him to arrive late for Real Madrid’s first full training session under new coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo, the club’s website said. The training session on Sunday was the first conducted by Luxemburgo, hired on Thursday to replace Mariano Garcia Remon.
Manchester United and Arsenal have warned Chelsea that the race for the Premiership title is still alive, despite the cash-drenched Stamford Bridge side having taken an iron grip at the top. Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea go into the final game of the gruelling Christmas and New Year period on Tuesday against Middlesbrough.
South Africa batted their way to a dominant position at tea in the third Castle Lager/MTN cricket Test at Newlands in Cape Town. The homeside notched up 441 runs for 142.1 overs, with spinner/all-rounder Nicky Boje and Jacques Kallis providing most of the runs on the second day.
England seized the initiative on the second morning of the third Castle Lager/MTN cricket Test at Newlands on Monday, capturing three wickets for the addition of 90 runs. South Africa went to lunch on 337 for seven. Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla survived a torrid first half hour in which Steve Harmison was particularly aggressive.
I remember standing, in those last exile years, in the garden of the Jamaican ambassador to England, and witnessing a confrontation between Trevor Huddleston and Anthony Sampson. Why is this of any interest? Well, both of these very English Englishmen had been around in my life for as long as I could remember. Now they have both moved on-to a better world, some would say. Or to dust, just like Sophiatown, as others would have it.
The number of people killed in the massive earthquake and tidal waves that hit Indian Ocean shorelines a week ago passed 144 000 on Monday. Meanwhile, a Malaysian tuna ship rescued an Indonesian woman who drifted for five days in the Indian Ocean after the tsunami swept her out to sea.
Liverpool’s Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso added to the Premiership side’s injury woes when it was confirmed on Sunday that he will be out for up to six weeks after breaking his ankle during Saturday’s 1-0 defeat against Chelsea. Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez admitted that the 23-year-old’s injury is a major loss.
Scotland’s Colin McRae won Sunday’s third stage of the Dakar Rally to take the overall lead in the two-continent race as the event completed its route through Spain and headed to Africa. South Africa’s Giniel de Villiers was third, two seconds back, with Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel fourth, another five seconds back.