Tuesday February 1, 2011

From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Brad Dubbelman

Making headlines:

According to official data, South Africa has recorded a trade surplus of R10,3-billion in December, as exports stood at R53,9-billion, while imports of R43,6-billion were reported. This compared with a trade surplus of R8,4-billion in November 2010, indicating a month-on-month improvement of R1,9-billion. The South African Revenue Service said that the surplus was buoyed by higher commodity exports, specifically in iron-ore, precious metals and base metals. However, overall trade activity was down in December, as exports decreased by R6,3-billion, or 10,4%, and imports fell by R8,2-billion, or 15,9%.

Sudanese leaders have taken the vitally important decision that they will work together to build two viable African States, chairperson of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel on Sudan (AUHIP) said on Monday. These States would be characterised by a high level of cooperation between northern and southern Sudan in all areas, including economy, security, and relations among the people, former South Africa President Thabo Mbeki said. Sudanese leaders attending the AU Summit meeting in Addis Ababa were determined to do everything necessary between now and the end of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) period on July 9 to implement all outstanding CPA provisions, as well as negotiate the necessary post referendum arrangements.

Egypt's antigovernment protesters, scenting victory after President Hosni Mubarak agreed to discuss political reforms, rallied support for what they hope can be a million-strong march for democracy on Tuesday. Mubarak's newly appointed Vice-President began talks with opposition figures and the army declared the protesters demands "legitimate" and said that it would hold its fire. But protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square, keeping vigil through the night in defiance of a curfew, vowed to continue their campaign until the 82-year old Mubarak quit. They aimed to rally one-million people to step up their protests and with the army pledging to hold its fire, the scales appeared to be tipping against Mubarak's 30 year rule.

Also making headlines:

The South African Public Works Department has invested R32-million in the development of essential skills for young people, particularly in the built environment sector.
The European Union has agreed to freeze the assets of Tunisia's former President Zine-al Abidine Ben Ali and his wife, while holding out the prospect of better trade ties with a postelection government.
And, Nigeriens have voted peacefully in an election meant to end a year of military rule in the West African uranium producer, but the outcome could prove contentious amid worries of fraud and disorganisation.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today.