Zimbabwe’s convener of cricket selectors, Max Ebrahim, on Monday dismissed suggestions that Zimbabwe have no place in Test cricket. Speaking after Zimbabwe’s second-innings defeat by South Africa on Sunday, Ebrahim said there are many positives that can be taken from Zimbabwe’s performance, particularly from some of the younger players.
Although the year has not yet ended, specialist banker Investec has had a good second half so far and is on track to deliver a strong performance for the financial year ended March 31 2005, Investec CEO Stephen Koseff said on Monday. "We have benefited from our continued strict focus on driving profitable growth in our key business areas and geographies," he said.
South African cement sales rose by 12,1% year-on-year (y/y) to 862 252 tonnes in February, ending two months of slowing y/y increases. In November 2004, South African cement sales surged by 26,1% y/y to a record 1 103 317 tonnes, but this slowed to a 7,8% y/y increase to 724 051 tonnes in December 2004.
Shares in retail group Spar rose by 1,4% on the JSE Securities Exchange (JSE) after the company said its saw its earnings increasing during its current interim period. Spar on Monday announced that earnings per share for the six months ending March 31 2005 will be between 20% and 30% higher than earnings for the previous corresponding reporting period.
Three men have been arrested for allegedly assaulting the state’s star witness in the lion-murder case, News24 reported on Monday. Police confirmed on Sunday that the men were arrested on charges of assault with the intent to inflict serious bodily harm after an attack on Robert Mnisi on Friday.
Wits University caused a big upset when they defeated Kaizer Chiefs 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out in their Absa Cup second round clash played at the FNB stadium on Sunday. Amakhosi skipper Patrick Mabedi missed the final penalty when he shot wide after his teammate Tinashe Nengomasha and Gareth Devine had their penalty kicks saved.
The top structure of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress has backed gender parity — half women, half men — for its candidates for the upcoming local government election. The election is scheduled to take place between December 6 2005 and March 5 2006. President Thabo Mbeki made a similar statement in his internet letter on Friday.
A Brazilian referee punched a fan who attacked him on the field during a soccer match in the Minas Gerais state championship on Sunday. Referee Luiz Carlos Silva fought back after the fan ran on the field and started punching and kicking him two minutes from the end of a heated game between rivals America and Atletico Mineiro at Mineirao stadium.
The JSE Securities Exchange South Africa was flat at midday on Monday after a quiet morning’s trade. While a weaker rand helped the market on the upside, lack of buying interest and stocks going ex-dividend dragged on the downside. By 12.10pm, the all share index was up a neither-here-nor-there 0,04%.
Walt Disney said on Sunday its president, Robert Iger, will succeed Michael Eisner as chief executive and that Eisner will leave his post one year earlier than previously announced. Iger, who is credited with reversing the fortunes of its ABC television network, was considered a front-runner from the start.