There’s an on-off, local, real-time, online war unfolding between users of Sentech’s new MyWireless service in South Africa and the company itself, discovers Ian Fraser. He also finds out what happens when one connects one’s washing machine to the personal computer and how to get a phone call from a B-list celebrity.
The Northern Cape is not for the faint-hearted. The province comprises almost 30% of South Africa’s land mass, but is home to just 900 000 people, employment is scarce, and teenage pregnancies, alcohol abuse and poverty are the Northern Cape’s key health concerns.
There has been much huffing and puffing about a government policy reversal on privatisation in the past two or three weeks. The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union believes there has been a shift, but that it has less dramatic and more gradual than many commentators believe.
Hardly a week has gone by in the past few months without a whistle-blower somewhere around the world breaking news. But a potentially important turning point has been reached for whistle-blowers. Changing public consciousness of their role is crucial and positive publicity is valuable.
<i>ThisDay</i>, South Africa’s newest daily newspaper, is taking legal action against a website owner in the United Kingdom who it says has snatched its domain name. Newshounds after the latest headlines from the website will probably get more than they bargained for — including a limousine with two escorts for hire, at R6 000.
The world was offered a lesson in how to lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty at an international conference in Shanghai last week, posing a powerful alternative to Western development models. Presidents and heads of international institutions paid homage to China’s successes.
Tiger Woods might have been looking over his shoulder at the wrong guy. When Woods returned from his post-Masters break to find his lead in the world ranking the slimmest in five years, the attention was squarely on Vijay Singh, who was number two in the world ranking and number one in the eyes of most players.
West Indies captain Brian Lara said on Monday his team need to prepare better if they hope to regain their former position as one of Test cricket’s elite teams. The 35-year-old expressed concern that his side continue to play their best cricket too late in the series.
After naming a new-look Springbok team in Bloemfontein on Monday, coach Jake White conceded that Ireland are the favourites heading into the first Test at Vodacom Park on Saturday. ”Ireland must be favourites. They … have a more settled combination and some truly world-class stars,” admitted White at the team hotel.
Bangladesh were undermined by Pedro Collins and collapsed dramatically to an innings and 99 runs defeat on the fourth and penultimate day of the second and final cricket Test against West Indies in Jamaica on Monday. Bangladesh lost their last seven wickets for 22 runs either side of lunch and were dismissed for 176 in their second innings.