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/ 26 November 2004
Mark Thatcher’s court appearance to answer questions from Equatorial Guinea prosecutors was postponed on Friday to February 18. His advocate Peter Hodes told a Wynberg magistrate that Thatcher had decided to seek leave to appeal this week’s high court ruling. A full bench of the Cape High Court on Wednesday rejected Thatcher’s bid to overturn the subpoena ordering him to appear for questioning.
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/ 26 November 2004
Zimbabwe is set to emerge with one of lowest standards of living in the world next year, according to the United Kingdom-based Economist Intelligence Unit. In an index released last week known as the Quality of Life Index 2005, Zimbabwe is ranked last among 111 countries surveyed.
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/ 26 November 2004
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.
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/ 26 November 2004
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.
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/ 26 November 2004
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.
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/ 26 November 2004
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.
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/ 26 November 2004
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.
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/ 26 November 2004
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.
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/ 26 November 2004
In a major climbdown on Thursday the Zimbabwean government lifted its ban on 13 British journalists covering England’s international cricket series now due to start in Harare on Sunday. The dramatic retreat by Information Minister Jonathan Moyo came against a background of yet another clash between the state and the ruling Zanu-PF’s warring information departments.
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/ 26 November 2004
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If your head has spun from the spin at the trial of the century, don’t despair. Sam Sole offers a guide to the key issues and the state of play so far. Seven weeks on and the Schabir Shaik trial is shaping up to be a titanic and tantalising legal battle — as is the public relations war being fought in the media. Shaik is facing three main charges relating to corruption and fraud.