Wednesday, October 7, 2009

From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I'm Bradley Dubbelman

Making headlines:Madagascar's feuding political parties have agreed the top three posts in an interim government, with 35-year-old Andry Rajoelina remaining President, according to delegates at power-sharing talks. Rajoelina toppled Marc Ravalomanana in a coup in March, which triggered months of political turmoil. A meeting of the International Contact Group was the latest push to establish a unity government that will organise fresh presidential and legislative elections before late 2010. The posts include: Rajoelina retaining his postion as President, Emmanuel Rakotovahiny as Vice-President and Eugene Mangalaza as Prime Minister.

President Jacob Zuma has pledged South Africa's support to a global campaign to ensure education for all the world's children. The 1Goal: Education for All campaign is aimed at ensuring the 75-million children not in school are provided with primary education. One half of these 75-million children live in Africa. "We are determined that the 2010 FIFA World Cup should leave a legacy for education on this continent," Zuma said joining other world leaders' messages of support for the campaign by satellite. He added that South Africa is committed to do whatever is necessary to ensure that all children get a quality education.

The National Planning Commission will neither be "the gatekeeper of policy", nor will it take over setting budgets, Minister Trevor Manuel has told Parliament. Manuel, who is reported to be at the centre of a bitter fight between Cabinet members and trade unions over control of the country's economy, said that his ministry's task was to create "a coherent vision" on the outcomes of policies. Manuel said that a single budgeting process was needed and this was not something his ministry wished to become involved with. He added that national departments were "better able" to do micro and sector planning, while municipalities would still draw up special development plans. "It is about a coherent vision, about the outcomes of which policies will be detailed and programmes implemented," Manuel said.

Also making headlines:
Convicted drug trafficker Glenn Agliotti charged slain mining magnate Brett Kebble a $1-million "consulting fee" for his access to former top cop Jackie Selebi, the High Court has heard.Struggle veterans Nelson Mandela and Ahmed Kathrada have been honoured with an award by the Constitution Hill Trust. And, Zimbabwe wants new and friendly relations with Western countries which have been critical of it in the past, President Robert Mugabe says.

Thats a roundup of news making headlines today.