The government has launched an investigation into exorbitant incentive bonuses awarded to senior executives at the ailing South African Airways (SAA). The probe was prompted by a complaint by the SAA Pilot Association. The union, which represents about 700 SAA pilots, this week confirmed that it had requested the probe, but declined to divulge further details.

It would take someone with dedication and superhuman skills to drive an institution with the mission to bring down South Africa’s unacceptably high level of unemployment and, thus, poverty. Dr Mbuyiseli Vanguard Mkosana, the new Director General of the Department of Labour, concedes the difficulties. Mkosana’s appointment was announced by Minister of Labour Membathisi Mdladlana last week.

While it is the Democratic Alliance’s racial profile that is often quoted as the factor limiting its ability to expand into black areas, its foreign policy is a forgotten conundrum. While most black South Africans view Cuban leader Fidel Castro and deceased Palestine Liberation Organisation leader Yasser Arafat as heroes, the party seems to see them as anti-heroes.

The vuvuzela has made its debut on the catwalk. Its blasts egged on the 64 clothing factory workers competing for the title of Spring Queen in Cape Town’s jam-packed Good Hope Centre. Cape Flats machinists swapped the shop floor for the catwalk to kick off a nine-day clothing industry spectacular.

Eastern Cape Premier Nosimo Balindlela has yet to take disciplinary action against provincial minister of agriculture Max Mamase, although it was revealed a month ago that he used government funds to sponsor an illegal R16-million empowerment deal, allegedly in return for a mansion. The premier has also stopped an investigation by the provincial legislature into the affair, claiming it must await a provincial cabinet probe.

An Mpumalanga black empowerment group says French car maker Peugeot took them for a ride by using their black faces and names to start a dealership that was always going to fail. The dealership is now closed and the two parties are at war over who owns the corporate identity wares, such as the signage and furniture. The failed car dealership raises questions of black empowerment exploitation.

Although data on the extent of HIV/Aids and its impact on the South African economy vary, analysts agree that government and businesses need to take urgent action to combat the virus. Some analysts believe the country’s gross domestic product will be 17% lower by 2010 than it would have been without Aids, wiping -billion off the country’s economy.

National government is rejecting calls to bail out delinquent provinces brought to the fiscal brink by chaotic accounting, social grant fraud and inadequate budget controls. And with even well-off provinces squeezed for cash, the debate over provincial taxation is gaining a sharp new edge as some provinces plan to impose their own fuel tax.