Claims that African National Congress (ANC) Western Cape provincial secretary Mcebisi Skwatsha used his influence to steer a land deal to party cronies were scurrilous and untrue, the party said on Friday. It was reacting to an article in Friday’s Mail and Guardian. Nic Dawes, associate deputy editor of the M&G, said that the newspaper stands by its article.
Bulgaria’s last three dancing bears are being sent to a mountain sanctuary after activists bought their freedom on Friday in an effort to stamp out the centuries-old tradition that has survived in the Balkans despite being outlawed. The trio will join another 20 brown bears in their new home.
Pupils should not have sex but if they fall pregnant, they should be treated with respect and encouraged to finish their education. The Education Department’s Measures for the Prevention and Management of Learner Pregnancy focuses on prevention and emphasises the importance of sex education.
Like the African National Congress’s (ANC) national general council two years ago, the party’s national policy conference in two weeks’ time looks set to be an explosive affair. In the run-up to the summit some ANC provinces and regions are making an early bid to eliminate President Thabo Mbeki from the leadership race.
The City of Cape Town’s renaming panel, set up in a bid to avoid the controversy that has enlivened the process in other centres, has hit a stumbling block. The Western Cape African National Congress announced on Tuesday that it rejected the 17-member panel and demanded that the body be reconstituted.
South African President Thabo Mbeki is facing mounting threats to his widely perceived plan to retain influence after he stands down as head of state. The presidential succession debate has already plunged the African National Congress (ANC) into some of its worst factional turmoil.
I don’t know if any of you have seen a book called <i>Portrait of a People</i> by Eli Weinberg — with the photos of the ’56 Treason Trialists — the famous portrait of Chief Albert Luthuli. Eli was the photographer of the movement of the 1950s. Halfway through the book, you’ll see a picture of a police raid at the Congress of the People where the Freedom Charter was adopted, writes Albie Sachs.
New Zealand inflicted the heaviest defeat suffered by France in more than a century of international rugby when they strolled to a 61-10 in the second test on Saturday. Inspired by a dominant forward display, the All Blacks followed up last week’s 42-11 win in Auckland with a ruthless nine-try demolition.
This month’s ANC policy conference, and its national conference in December, inspire both concern and confidence. The concern arises because the stakes are enormous: the outcome of these meetings will affect the course of South African history for many years to come.
All levels of government have to work towards more balanced economic growth in South Africa, Provincial and Local Government Minister Sydney Mufamadi said on Thursday. Mufamadi was speaking at a conference for local government representatives to meet provincial and national government figures.