The Aids pandemic has taken a particularly heavy toll on Southern African countries — not least Mozambique. According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/Aids latest statistics indicate that about 13% of the country’s 19-million-strong population is infected with HIV.
In a country notorious for poor service, it is refreshing to see a company like Liberty Life actually doing something proactive to remedy the problem. It’s never easy admitting that one is not perfect, but the life assurer has done just that with its recently launched "We’re working on it" media campaign.
The JSE Securities Exchange (JSE) was in positive territory in noon trade on Thursday, lifted by a slightly softer rand and basket-buying by futures players. Volumes were thin and the market’s illiquidity amplified its gains. At 12.02pm, the all-share index was up 0,68%.
C-Max Investments was named on Thursday as the preferred bidder for a combined retail, commercial and residential development in Newtown, Johannesburg. The construction would be part of a new development zone called Central Place, Newtown, and the Gauteng Tourism Authority has already signed a lease.
Political parties should be funded equitably by the state and private companies, Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille said on Wednesday. ”Fifty percent of the funds should be allocated on an equal basis to all political parties,” De Lille said in a speech prepared for delivery at a meeting on party funding in Cape Town.
Metorex, the midtier multicommodity mining group, has taken advantage of the recent strength in the rand/dollar exchange rate. At the time of its acquisition of the Barberton gold operation, Metorex entered into forward gold sale contracts to provide security for the repayment of a six-year loan raised from a consortium of bankers.
The finalists of the 2004 Businesswoman of the Year Award were announced by the Businesswomen’s Association late on Wednesday night. This year’s candidates represent the hospitality, financial services, IT and advertising industries. The winner of the award will be announced on August 25.
The growth outlook for Mauritius, which is forecast between 5,3% and 5,5% in 2004, is more positive than the outlook for global growth, Standard Bank noted in a research brief on the country on Thursday. The bank noted the International Monetary Fund forecast that the global economy is expected to grow by 4,6% in 2004.
From Thursday the public will no longer be able to stroll along the wharves at South Africa’s ports, but this sacrifice will help the country comply with international security standards. South Africa, as a signatory to the Ship and Port Security Code, was required to ”implement a security plan able to respond to government security alerts”.
Nelson Mandela’s birthplace in Mveso and the Egazini battlefield near Grahamstown could be proclaimed national heritage sites.