”So, President Thabo Mbeki, exquisitely dressed as always, had a little huffy the other day about gated communities, accusing them of perpetuating apartheid-style separation. I can’t say that I’m a big fan of them either. As much as I love those grandiose fountains and dinky conifers, all in a row,” writes Lev David.
Germany’s conservative leader, Angela Merkel, recently presented her campaign team for next month’s general election, shrugging off remarks by a colleague who had described east German voters as ”frustrated cows”. Merkel, the leader of Germany’s Christian Democrats, introduced nine members of her team who are likely to play leading roles in any Merkel-led Cabinet.
Western governments heard a faint echo from the 1970s recently as the escalating cost of petrol contributed to higher inflation. And with tension in the Middle East providing another reminder of life three decades ago, the message was that consumers can expect more of the same over the coming months.
With only six gold medals, five less than the Paris haul in 2003, Africa’s poor showing at the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) world championships in Helsinki, Finland, has incensed sports administrators and athletes alike.
In the spectrum of corporate incentives, the cabbage and the cauliflower don’t figure too prominently. Except in Scotland, where managers at two branches of the Bank of Scotland made staff sit the vegetables on their desks to try to prompt improved performance. The move prompted outrage instead.
Innovative Cape Town research has provided valuable insights into why poor, unemployed people don’t turn to entrepreneurship — and another survey will be under way later this year to try to untangle this little-understood part of the economy.
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South African winger Breyton Paulse was given a three-week suspension on Sunday after being found guilty of kicking Australian prop Al Baxter during the Springboks’ 22-19 Tri-Nations rugby win over Australia on Saturday. The incident happened in the 77th minute, leaving Baxter with an abrasion to his face.
Prospects of a respite are dim for Zimbabweans as the southern African country’s currency continues to tumble and runaway inflation sends prices of basic goods soaring. The council says the food basket for a family of six has increased by more than 200% since January.