About 20% of South African children are obese or overweight, a fact the authors of a charter for physical activity want to change. ”It is hoped the document would become government policy and eventually lead to physical education being reintroduced as a compulsory subject in all schools,” said Dr Karen Sharwood, an exercise physiologist driving the initiative.
The Competition Tribunal last week approved the merger between Afrox Healthcare (Ahealth) and Bidco. This will shift a quarter of the private hospital market share into the hands of an empowerment consortium. The Mail & Guardian investigates the debilitating impact of cartels on the cost of private hospital treatment.
A South African film celebrating a reporter’s struggle against apartheid has taken top honours at Africa’s premier film festival. Drum, by South African director Zola Maseko, picked up the Gold Talon prize for best feature-length film late on Saturday at the closing of the 19th Panafrican Film and Television Festival.
The Education Department confirmed on Monday that over 100 000 teachers who participated in a public servants’ strike last year will lose pay. ”The universal principle of no work, no pay is being applied,” said department spokesperson Tommy Makhode.
You have to love this country, writes Mike van Graan. Proudly South African flags are hoisted in the contradictory winds of the indigenous and imported, of former coloniser and colony, representing the creation of a uniquely local cultural product but with global cultural influences.
President Thabo Mbeki has invited Swaziland’s King Mswati III to visit South Africa, but it was not clear on Monday morning whether the meeting would take place, Mbeki’s office said. Mbeki’s spokesperson said he did not know if arrangements for the meeting had been finalised.
A union representing striking truck drivers will meet in Johannesburg on Monday morning to discuss Sunday’s negotiations with employers. Negotiations between truckers’ unions and their employers ended after 1am on Monday, with the unions saying they have to report back to their members first before divulging details about the negotiations.
Silver Stars dropped two valuable points when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Bloemfontein Celtic at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday. Stars led 1-0 at halftime. Stars opened the scoring through veteran defender Willem Jackson from the penalty spot in the 28th minute.
South Africa’s Ernie Els sunk a magnificent 18-footer for eagle-three at the last to win the Dubai Desert Classic for the third time on Sunday. The priceless putt edged the world number three one stroke clear of overnight leader Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain who three-putted on the same green to fall into a share of second with Welshman Stephen Dodd.
Lamontville Golden Arrows grabbed maximum points when they beat Jomo Cosmos 2-0 in their Castle Premiership match at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Phokeng on Sunday. Arrows led 1-0 at the interval through a 28th minute goal by striker Richard Henyekane, beating goalkeeper David Fortuin with a fierce shot.