Friday, February 27, 2009
From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I'm Amy Witherden.
Making headlines:
Salim Ahmed Salim of the African Union's Panel of the Wise said yesterday that political leaders are responsible for ensuring that peace and stability prevail during South Africa's election period. It is up to the leaders to make sure that their members and sympathisers act in a manner conducive to the parties' reputation and prestige.
Despite recent incidents of political violence in KwaZulu-Natal, which he calls "unhelpful", Salim says that he is optimistic the elections will proceed peacefully, as he takes the promises of South Africa's politicians seriously.
Salim explained that South Africa is seen as "a beacon of hope" to the rest of Africa. It is therefore essential that South Africa's elections are free, fair and transparent.

In Southern African news, African Development Bank president Donald Kaberuka says that Zimbabwe has made an impressive start on an economic recovery plan which warrants support from the international community.
He also said that the AfDB is prepared to set up a donor meeting for Zimbabwe, but that the country's $5-billion foreign debt needs to be cleared before it can secure more aid.
Western donors have made it clear that aid will be provided only when a democratic government is entrenched and bold economic reforms are implemented.
New Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said last week that it may cost as much as $5-billion to repair Zimbabwe's ruined economy.

Back home, the latest Ipsos-Markinor survey has found that white and coloured South Africans have the least confidence in African National Congress President Jacob Zuma.
The results of the survey show that only one in every ten white, coloured and Indian South Africans think that Zuma is innocent of corruption, while 41% of ANC supporters agree.
Less than one-half of the ANC supporters, and less than one-fifth of white, coloured and Indian South Africans, agreed that Zuma is the victim of a political conspiracy to derail his Presidential prospects.

Also making headlines:
The Congress of the People's Mosiuoa Lekota says that the new party is targeting over 20% of the votes in the upcoming election.
ANC President Jacob Zuma pledges the ruling party to the transformation of South Africa's education system.
And, South African Reserve Bank governor Tito Mboweni keeps open the option of an urgent rates meeting.

That's a roundup of news making headlines today.