A senior government official offered Germany’s first apology on Saturday for a colonial-era crackdown that killed 65 000 ethnic Hereros — a slaughter she acknowledged amounted to genocide. ”The atrocities committed at that time would have been termed genocide,” said Germany’s development aid minister.
Hurricane Charley blew out of Florida on Saturday leaving death and destruction in its wake. The storm had battered the US coast with an unexpected wind force and a 15ft-high surge of seawater that destroyed airports, hospitals and homes. Initial estimates of fatalities ranged from dozens to more than 200.
A reward of up to R250 000 was offered on Saturday for information about those responsible for the kidnap and murder of student Leigh Matthews. The reward was put up by concerned community activists, groups of individuals, and captains of industry.
They may not be the most conventional pair seeking Olympic glory. But a former Playboy centrefold and a pizza waitress from Cincinnati are hoping to emulate such luminaries as Olga Korbut and Nadia Comaneci.
The first day of the Olympics Games produced some mixed results for the South African contingent on Saturday. The most positive South African result on Saturday came from Donovan Cech and Ramon di Clemente when they secured their place in Wednesday’s semifinal of the men’s 2 000m Rowing Pairs.
Two Greek sporting legends were last night suspended from the Athens Olympics amid suspicion they faked a motorcycle accident to cover up a missed drugs test. Sprinters Kostas Kederis and Ekaterini Thanou were removed temporarily amid growing anger their behaviour had brought scandal to the sporting showpiece.
The South African women’s hockey team’s defensive frailties were horribly exposed as they were crushed 6-2 by The Netherlands in the opening match of the Olympic Games hockey tournament on Saturday.
Rain gave South Africa a glimmer of hope as they looked to escape with a draw in the second and final Test against Sri Lanka. South Africa were 21-2 at close as the Sri Lankan new-ball bowlers came up with incisive spells. But rain, which had washed out the first two sessions, came back to force an early closure.
South African defender Lucas Radebe’s career could be over after he suffered a suspected rupture of the Achilles’ tendon during Leeds United’s goalless draw at Wolves on Saturday. The 35-year-old was carried off on a stretcher after extended treatment on the pitch 18 minutes into the game at Molineux.
Ryan Cox, after an aggressive race up front, was the only survivor among South Africa’s team of three in a thrilling 224km Olympic Games road race through the city streets of Athens that was won by Paolo Bettini of Italy on Saturday.