Thousands of municipal workers will start a three-day strike from Wednesday in a push for a decent wage increase, the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) said on Tuesday. Samwu wants a wage increase of the greater of 9% or R400 and a minimum wage of R3 000 per month. Salga is offering a 6% increase.
A powerful typhoon approached the Tokyo region on Tuesday, delaying flights and traffic and causing a sea accident as Japan braced for downpours. Typhoon Banyan was near Miyakejima island, 180km south of Tokyo, and racing up at 30kph at 8am GMT, the meteorological agency said.
South African retailer Pick ‘n Pay has experienced a total turnover loss of just less than R50-million over the four days since Friday, when approximately 20 000 staff, members of the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers’ Union, began their strike over higher wages, according to CEO Sean Summers.
The mammoth stage version of The Lord of the Rings, opening in Toronto next March, has found its Gandalf, Frodo, Gollum and more. Brent Carver, the Tony-winning star of Kiss of the Spider Woman, will portray the majestic wizard Gandalf, while Frodo, the ring-bearer, will be played by British actor James Loye.
As software rivals, Microsoft wants to wipe Apple Computer off the map. With Microsoft’s new web service for satellite photographs, did the world’s largest software company find a way to do exactly that? Anyone who uses Microsoft’s new ”Virtual Earth” website for a bird’s-eye view of Apple’s corporate headquarters sees only a grainy photograph of what appears to be a nondescript warehouse.
Opposition parties have strongly criticised President Thabo Mbeki’s announcement that the government is considering bringing in skilled foreigners to help get South Africa’s moribund municipalities up and running. In separate statements, three opposition parties blamed affirmative-action policies for the lack of skills at local government level.
The mayor of Mangaung, his wife and five other people charged with theft, corruption and fraud will return to the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday to continue their bail application. Scorpions spokesperson Makhosini Nkosi said they appeared in court on Monday but no agreement was reached on their bail.
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Durban businessman Schabir Shaik arrived at the Durban High Court on Tuesday morning appearing in good spirits as he prepares to seek leave to appeal against his corruption and fraud convictions and a 15-year sentence. He stopped to greet police and journalists outside the court.
Thailand’s Paradorn Srichaphan ousted sixth seed Mario Ancic of Croatia 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (4/7), 6-2 on Monday and seventh seed Sebastien Grosjean also exited from a 000 ATP tournament in Los Angeles. Top seed Andre Agassi could await in the quarterfinals for Paradorn.
Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, one of the main medal contenders in the South African team at the forthcoming World Championships, was the only star performer among the nine South Africans at the GE Money Finnish IAAF Grand Prix in Helsinki on Monday night. He was a man on a mission to run the world’s fastest time of the year and he did just that.