Coastal dunes surround an inland lake that is home to hippos, huge carp and barbels. A host of other rare fauna and flora dwell here in an ecologically unique paradise for nature lovers, budding botanists, fishing fanatics and bird-watchers alike. You’d be forgiven for thinking this describes some coastal haven in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Max Mosley, the FIA president, intensified his criticism of Michelin as motor racing’s governing body deferred a decision on what penalties would be given to the seven formula one teams that failed to start the United States Grand Prix. Mosley said that he was not ruling out the eventual adoption of a single tyre supplier.
A proposed property development on the slopes of Table Mountain above the historic Bo-Kaap, where house prices are sky-rocketing, has elicited a fatwa (an Islamic decree issued by a recognised authority) from the Muslim Judicial Council banning any construction at the Tana Baru Muslim burial site and shrine.
The government’s chronic inability to spend education funds at its disposal continues to disadvantage poor learners and communities in particular. This emerges from A Review of National and Provincial Education Budgets 2005, released by the Institute for Democracy in South Africa (Idasa) last month.
Dali Mpofu’s success as a savvy student leader, ICT Charter negotiator and black economic empowerment player has come back to haunt him with his appointment as CEO of the South African Broadcasting Corporation. Officially the SABC was not looking for a political appointee but previous appointments have shown that political gravity is as vital as boardroom talent.
Industries in Durban’s pollution hot spots are being monitored and fined for transgressions, in an attempt to show them the government is serious about getting them to clean up. A provincial representative told a Critical Thinking Forum hosted by the <i>Mail & Guardian</i> and Absa bank last weekend the government is serious about tackling industrial pollution.
Key African National Congress provincial structures are poised to reject two seminal discussion documents at the national general council this weekend — a move that could derail ANC president Thabo Mbeki’s ambitions to legislate a dual economy and redesign the ruling party.
Spain is now the fourth country in the world to allow same-sex couples the same rights as married heterosexual couples. Canada approved gay marriages on Thursday, while The Netherlands and Belgium legalised them in 2000 and 2003. The landmark ruling in Spain gives married gay couples equal rights to inheritance and allows them to adopt children.
Sudan confirmed its unwillingness to cooperate with the international criminal court on Thursday when a Sudanese minister rejected calls to extradite suspects accused of crimes in Darfur. The justice minister, Ali Mohammed Osman Yassin, told BBC radio that 10 suspects, most of them accused of rape, were already on trial in Sudan.
Four of South Africa’s top tourism companies were at the forefront of a Pro-Poor Tourism pilot project that aimed to increase the benefits of the industry to include poverty reduction and skills development. The project, which was established in May 2002, hoped to improve links between poor people and the businesses that drive the industry.