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/ 1 November 2004

Into the storm

Last Tuesday’s vote, in which the Knesset approved Israel’s disengagement from the Gaza Strip, is only the start of a long process. The numerous opponents of the disengagement — principally from the right — are lying in ambush, and it is far from certain that the programme will be carried out. While the pull-out may be traumatic for those forced to leave, it could be a first step towards peace with the Palestinians.

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/ 1 November 2004

Changing of the elephant guard

"There is a Shangaan proverb that says the elephant is ours," claims Michael Masuluke, a representative from a community living next door to the Kruger National Park. "It means that if there is a job to be done, it must be done by all of us." His words echoed the sentiments of about 200 serious-minded environmentalists gathered at the Great Elephant Indaba in the Kruger recently.

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/ 1 November 2004

SA’s reserved bank

Recently, Professor Basil Moore pointed out the extraordinary economic and social punishment meted out by the Reserve Bank’s very high real interest rate policy, amid desperate unemployment. The current singular aim of inflation targeting is the mirror image of the International Monetary Fund’s narrow market fundamentalism. There is so much more the government could be doing than merely managing inflation.

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/ 1 November 2004

Exchange control eased

The practical effects of exchange control liberalisation depend largely on how the Reserve Bank views risk, according to tax experts. This week, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel announced the scrapping of exchange controls for South African companies wishing to invest offshore. However, transactions are still subject to approval by the Reserve Bank.

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/ 1 November 2004

Ponting promises more India-bashing

Ricky Ponting returns as Australia’s captain for the fourth and final Test against India in Bombay from Wednesday, determined not to show the beleaguered hosts any mercy. The tourists have already clinched their first series on Indian soil since 1969 after winning two of the three Tests, which Ponting missed due to a broken thumb.

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/ 1 November 2004

Mozambican youth pool their resources

Mozambique’s central province of Zambezia boasts rolling tea estates, vast coconut plantations, cashew farms and one of Africa’s few good river ports, yet it has one of the country’s worst social and economic indicators. In a province once dubbed the breadbasket of the country, most of the 3,4-million inhabitants live in abject poverty, eking out an existence through subsistence agriculture or working in informal markets.

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/ 1 November 2004

Telkom: The squirm factor

Fixed-line monopoly Telkom was the subject of speculation recently about what would have been one of the biggest black economic empowerment deals ever. Reports were that 15,1% of Telkom, worth about R6-billion, was available to an empowerment grouping. Names mentioned were not only African National Congress big-hitters, but also people who had been in the government. Reg Rumney takes a closer look.