Staff Reporter
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/ 12 March 2007

US urges Mugabe to release Tsvangirai

The United States called on Sunday for the immediate release of Zimbabwean opposition leaders detained after riot police thwarted a planned mass protest against President Robert Mugabe’s government. The US embassy reported that one person was killed, ”a number” were injured and 100 people were arrested, including Zimbabwe’s main opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai.

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/ 12 March 2007

Children born with HIV survive into teens

Children infected with HIV at birth are surviving into adolescence, overturning the assumption that virtually all die before the age of five, doctors working in Zimbabwe will reveal this week. But because the children’s growth has been stunted they face particular difficulties as they enter puberty, which are not being tackled.

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/ 12 March 2007

What is franchising?

Franchising is one of the most popular business models in the world today, with its ability to duplicate existing successful small businesses in different locations and with different owners. It is especially popular among entrepreneurs who are going into business for the first time, as there is a considerable amount of training and support available.

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/ 12 March 2007

The new battle for your buck

Changes to the usury rate came into effect recently and herald a new era of competition among banks, especially in the credit card market. Moreover, the introduction of the National Credit Act will open a whole new market for the banks. Says Sim Tshabalala, CE of personal and business banking at Standard Bank, banking will never be the same again.

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/ 12 March 2007

Our man in Mumbai

Govin Reddy is in charge of managing the way 1,1-billion people perceive South Africa. Despite this, he’s relaxed enough to extend a hearty handshake and joke about not wearing a tie when we meet at the International Marketing Council’s offices in Houghton. As the IMC’s new country director for India, Reddy is back in Jo’burg for just two weeks to meet with the head office and other country directors.

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/ 12 March 2007

New juice for Spanish cars

The orange groves of Valencia could soon be powering Spanish cars as a new technology is developed to turn the fruit’s thick, shiny peel into biofuel. In a region with 190 000ha covered with oranges and lemons, citric-powered cars could reduce pollution while using a readily available source of energy, according to local officials.

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/ 12 March 2007

Twenty-five questions to ask a franchisor

The following are some questions you might like to ask the franchisor. Please bear in mind that there are many types of franchises and some of the questions may appear to be out of context. We recommend that you draw up your own questionnaire, with the questions tailored to the specific industry you are interested in.

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/ 12 March 2007

Spread good health

International Women’s Day is a time when we take stock each year of the progress, or lack of it, on women’s rights. This stock­taking happens all over the world, involving both women and men, and it reveals some progress. Sadly, it also suggests that we still have a long way to go.