It seems African National Congress members and their hangers-on took a “follow-my-leader” approach to their recent conference in Stellenbossies. The Network Lounge and all the local bars were well stocked with festive spirits for the duration of the indaba.
This year’s national conference of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) is widely seen as the next “arena of struggle” between right and left in South Africa’s governing alliance. There was also likely to be “contestation” around the Growth and Development Summit in May.
It is possible to fluke a win in a major championship. Andy North even managed to win two United States Opens without being admitted to the pantheon of great players.
When sports heroes retire, they must invariably – subconsciously at least – have slight anxieties about how best to preserve their legacy. They can either quietly fade from the limelight or they can risk all the good work they have done.
The improvement in matriculation results is a good thing. It is good for the self-confidence of the individual student. It retains the faith of the middle classes in public education. And it bolsters the spirit of a new nation still grappling with genuine change on many fronts.
Educating employers: This week the United States launched a R6-million programme to promote HIV/Aids education in Vietnam’s workplaces. “Part of the programme is to try to decrease the discrimination and stigma of HIV and Aids,” said Jennifer Bacchus.
It might be of small comfort to Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie, but in different parts of the world this week Steve Waugh and VVS Laxman also learned that their participation in next month’s cricket World Cup would be restricted to watching proceedings on television.
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South Africa’s justice ministry received official documentation on Thursday requesting help in investigating a ,5-million loan from a local businessman to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
Two reportedly dangerous convicts are at large after the first escape from a privately-managed prison in South Africa on Wednesday.