The JSE reached yet another record high on Monday, this time driven by a weaker rand. Trade was brisk, with almost R1,4-billion worth of shares changing hands. At 11.59am, the all share index was up 0,33% at 15 827,71 having reached
a lifetime high of 15 836,16 during the session.
South Africa is looking forward to a windfall from hosting the 2010 Soccer World Cup, and hopes other top sports events such as the Rugby World Cup and formula-one auto racing will follow. But who will really benefit from the promised bonanza in a country still bearing the social and economic scars of apartheid?
Free State local government minister Joel Mafereka is to visit Frankfort where protesting residents disrupted schools and traffic on Monday, a municipal official said. Protesters, apparently unhappy with service delivery in the municipality, have been blocking roads with burning tyres and other objects since Sunday.
South Africa would have to spend R25-billion on the proposed pebble-bed nuclear power project before it would be viable, Independent Online reported on Monday. It said this emerged from an international report on the economic impact of the envisioned pebble-bed modular reactor.
Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi on Monday sought to refute perceptions that IFP MP Dr Gavin Woods was a ”token” appointment because he was disabled. Buthelezi drew sharp criticism for suggesting in a letter in a weekend newspaper that Woods would have been fired long ago were it not for his physical disabilities.
A last-gasp Hernan Crespo goal saved Chelsea’s blushes on Sunday as the champions beat newly promoted Wigan 1-0 to avoid a stuttering start to the defence of their English Premiership title. Earlier on Sunday, late strikes from Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie clinched an opening win for Arsenal over Newcastle.
The local contingent of Bafana Bafana players left Johannesburg on Sunday to join their European-based counterparts for the international friendly against Iceland in Reykjavik on Wednesday, with talented Orlando Pirates striker Lebohang Mokoena hurriedly packing his luggage as a late replacement for the injured Shaun Bartlett.
The ANC Youth League has denied a Sunday newspaper report that the organisation is facing a ”cash crisis” after the African National Congress withdrew its R500Â 000 monthly grant. The newspaper report said the youth league has in recent months been unable to run some of its key programmes.
Phil Mickelson soared and then stumbled but was still leading by a stroke on Sunday when thunderstorms halted play and forced officials to push back the finish of the United States PGA Championship by 24 hours. Mickelson went from three shots ahead to two shots behind Steve Elkington in a span of seven holes.
Rafael Nadal added a career-first hard-court title to his increasingly crowded trophy shelf, defeating three-time champion Andre Agassi 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 on Sunday to win the ,2-million Montreal Masters. The rain-interrupted victory was the ninth of the season for the talented 19-year-old.