Two weeks of anti-foreigner violence in South Africa have highlighted the growing disconnect between a public impatient for change and a governing party that claims a divine right to rule. Although there is little prospect of the African National Congress (ANC) losing next year’s elections, genuine signs of anger have emerged during the crisis.
Renaissance Medical Scheme was placed under curatorship last week after a report showed it is insolvent and more than R30million in the red. The industry regulatory authority, the Council for Medical Schemes, applied for the scheme to be put under curatorship to protect its 30Â 000 beneficiaries.
Ewen McKenzie rates Saturday’s Super 14 rugby final as the ultimate challenge as he pits his wits against the Canterbury Crusaders’ incoming Wallabies coach Robbie Deans. The NSW Waratahs coach has put behind a season of off-field turmoil to steer the Sydney team to their second Super rugby final.
Reliance Communications, India’s number two mobile operator, has entered into exclusive negotiations for a tie-up with the MTN Group, knocking its shares down 4%. Reliance was quick to fill a void left after its bigger domestic rival, Bharti Airtel, pulled out of talks at the weekend aimed at taking control of MTN.
The question of whether the government or the public should finance Eskom dominated the first day of hearings on Friday on the utility’s proposed 53% tariff increase. Eskom’s non-executive chairperson Valli Moosa opened the debate at the National Energy Regulator of South Africa public hearings, saying fiscal injections from government were needed.
Global analysts Lehman Brothers wondered out loud on Friday morning whether some notably hawkish statements by Reserve Bank Governor Tito Mboweni on Thursday might be a signal that a rate hike of 100 basis points could be on the cards come June 12.
Mpumalanga Premier and ANC chairperson Thabang Makwetla has announced that he will not stand again for either position, opening the way for supporters of ANC President Jacob Zuma to reclaim control of the province. Makwetla’s cabinet reshuffle last week appears to have strengthened the hand of the “Young Turk” reformers.
Last week ANC deputy provincial secretary Max Ozinsky found his bakkie tyres slashed after attending the ANC’s annual general meeting in Philippi, where he was booed off stage and then locked inside the parking area outside the venue. Two weeks ago the office of the finance minister Lynne Brown was broken into and her files and computers were scrutinised.
African National Congress (ANC) deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe on Thursday said the police responded too slowly to the first xenophobic attacks in Alexandra. This came as it was reported that anti-foreigner violence had spread to North West. More than 40 people have been killed since the outbreak of xenophobic attacks on May 12.
In non-Olympic years, Natalie du Toit spends a lot of time giving motivational talks to schools, companies and churches in South Africa. She talks of her life, how everyone should have a goal and tells her audience they should never give up on their dreams. This year Du Toit has concentrated on fulfilling her childhood dream — swimming at the Olympics.