Chris McGreal in Bujumbura THE United States paid Burundi’s new military dictator nearly $150 000 over the past three years to promote democracy and peace. A significant proportion of the money given to Major Pierre Buyoya’s Foundation for Unity, Peace and Democracy was to organise an international conference in Burundi, to include such notable peace-makers […]

Philippa Garson WHETHER doctors should get more training and give some service to society at the same time is less in dispute than whether the country — and the students — are ready for it. The Interim National Medical and Dental Council has been criticised for implementing radical changes to the profession before the legwork […]

Advice and inspiration from two previous Olympic champions helped Hezekial Sepeng to a stunning silver medal in the 800m in Atlanta ATHLETICS: Julian Drew HEZEKIAL SEPENG’S success in Atlanta and the rave reviews he is now receiving provide a stark contrast to the response his performances drew last year and serve to underline just how […]

SOCCER: Andrew Muchineripi IT may sound Irish to disclose that the South African soccer season begins this weekend, five months after the first matches were played. It also happens to be true. At the beginning of the year it was decided to introduce a Premier League, run along the lines of the remarkably successful English […]

White strategists were the main beneficiaries at the IFP’s national conference, reports Ann Eveleth The Inkatha Freedom Party stood on the brink of the 20th century last weekend, but its leadership took one look into the future and scurried back to the 18th-century domain of kings Shaka and Cetshwayo. Joining forces with conservative British advisers […]

Angella Johnson This is the man who believes he can do for South Africa what he is credited with having done to New York’s crime — slashed it by 27% over two years. Bill Bratton (48) rides into town on Wednesday bringing with him a style of policing which he plans to sell around the […]

Stefaans BrUmmer A WEEK after Major Pierre Buyoya seized power in Burundi, South Africa is still wondering what to do about it. While Buyoya has been told his government will not be recognised, there is no clear path for South Africa’s policy-makers. Western powers have put considerable pressure on President Nelson Mandela — most recently […]

Mail & Guardian Reporter Provincial attorneys general plotting any maverick action had better hurry up: Justice Minister Dullah Omar says his department is preparing legislation to create a national director of public prosecutions. Whoever occupies the post will be able to bring oddball attorneys general — to be rechristened directors of public prosecutions — to […]

Vuyisile Hlatshwayo After four years of lying idle, the Maputo Sugar Terminal is now in full swing following overhaul and modernisation by the Swaziland Sugar Association and the Zimbabwe Sugar Association. Since June 10 1995, the two associations have exported 283 000 tonnes to the European Union (EU). Mozambique and Zambia also send small consignments […]

If Bantu Holomisa had heeded President Mandela’s appeal that he apologise, his sacking could have been avoided, writes Gaye Davis PRESIDENT Nelson Mandela tried to persuade axed deputy minister of environmental affairs and tourism Bantu Holomisa to apologise for remarks he made about Public Enterprises Minister Stella Sigcau before the truth commission, saying this would […]