SOUTH AFRICA
JOHANNESBURG – The Department of Labour announces that by the end of March 2008 the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) had grown to a "staggering" R27,8-billion. "This figure shows a massive growth from the R7,031-billion reported in April 2004. When I came in 1998, the fund was technically bankrupt," says Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana. According to the minister, the number of employees registered on the UIF database stands at 7 392 49, almost half the number of working people in South Africa.
JOHANNESBURG – South African researchers launch a study, which investigates whether taking specific Aids drugs on a daily basis will prevent infections among gay and bisexual men, in the latest effort to combat the epidemic. The study examines whether antiretroviral drugs normally used by people already carrying the HIV virus could protect those at higher risk of infection, a concept referred to as pre-exposure prophylaxis. The study targets male homosexuals as they have been found to be at higher risk of HIV infection than other sexual groups. South Africa has one of the world's highest incidences of the HIV/Aids, with an estimated 500 000 people infected each year. About 1,000 die every day from AIDS-related illnesses.
JOHANNESBURG - Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi expresses regret over his recent "shoot and kill for Zuma" comments. He however did not retract the remarks after a meeting with the South African Human Rights Commission, saying his words are not a call for armed action. Commission chairperson Jody Kollapen has expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting saying "If someone says I regret saying that, that goes a long way. There is a genuine expression of regret."
CAPE TOWN - South Africa's National Treasury sends one of its top officials to the Land Bank in an effort to speed up the turnaround of the struggling financier. Phakamani Hadebe, head of Asset and Liability Management at the Treasury, will go to the Land Bank as interim CEO until the appointment of a permanent head for the lender. The bank provides financial services to the commercial farming sector and to agricultural-based businesses.
CAPE TOWN - Western Cape premier Ebrahim Rasool resigns, making way for the province’s former finance and tourism MEC, Lynne Browne. African National Congress (ANC) national chairperson Baleka Mbete has emphasised that Rasool’s resignation is in the best interests of the province and the ANC. Rasool has said that the event has come as a great moment of personal relief for him although he does "feel a bit sad and disappointed".
AFRICA & WORLD
HARARE – The Zimbabwean government announces that it will transfer ownership of all foreign-owned firms that support Western sanctions against President Robert Mugabe's government to locals and investors from "friendly" countries. Reports say that Zimbabwe has begun auditing the ownership of Western firms in the country as part of a black empowerment drive "and to counter the possible withdrawal of investment under sanctions imposed and proposed by Britain and the US" Mugabe, fighting to retain power after a controversial runoff poll boycotted by his rival, says Zimbabwe's severe economic crisis is due to sabotage by former colonial master Britain, its European Union allies and the United States.
TEHRAN – Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stresses that the country will not "retreat one iota" over its disputed nuclear programme. At a meeting with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator in Geneva, six world powers gave Iran two weeks to answer calls to rein in its nuclear activities, which they suspect may be aimed at producing atom bombs, or face tougher sanctions. However, Iran says its nuclear programme is a peaceful drive to generate electricity so that the Islamic Republic, the world's fourth-largest crude producer, can export more of its oil and gas.
MOSCOW - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez seeks to buy Russian diesel submarines, mobile missile systems and tanks, on a trip aimed at boosting trade between the two countries. A self-styled socialist revolutionary who frequently baits the United States, Chavez makes regular visits to Russia, the world's second biggest oil exporter, and praises Moscow for standing up to Washington.
LUSAKA - Zambia's ruling party, Movement for Multiparty Democracy, meet to discuss the future of ailing President Levy Mwanawasa following suggestions that he be replaced as President. Mwanawasa, 59, was rushed to hospital last month after suffering a stroke before an African Union summit in Egypt and he has not left hospital since. Officials are discreet about his condition.
JOHANNESBURG – The Department of Labour announces that by the end of March 2008 the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) had grown to a "staggering" R27,8-billion. "This figure shows a massive growth from the R7,031-billion reported in April 2004. When I came in 1998, the fund was technically bankrupt," says Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana. According to the minister, the number of employees registered on the UIF database stands at 7 392 49, almost half the number of working people in South Africa.
JOHANNESBURG – South African researchers launch a study, which investigates whether taking specific Aids drugs on a daily basis will prevent infections among gay and bisexual men, in the latest effort to combat the epidemic. The study examines whether antiretroviral drugs normally used by people already carrying the HIV virus could protect those at higher risk of infection, a concept referred to as pre-exposure prophylaxis. The study targets male homosexuals as they have been found to be at higher risk of HIV infection than other sexual groups. South Africa has one of the world's highest incidences of the HIV/Aids, with an estimated 500 000 people infected each year. About 1,000 die every day from AIDS-related illnesses.
JOHANNESBURG - Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi expresses regret over his recent "shoot and kill for Zuma" comments. He however did not retract the remarks after a meeting with the South African Human Rights Commission, saying his words are not a call for armed action. Commission chairperson Jody Kollapen has expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting saying "If someone says I regret saying that, that goes a long way. There is a genuine expression of regret."
CAPE TOWN - South Africa's National Treasury sends one of its top officials to the Land Bank in an effort to speed up the turnaround of the struggling financier. Phakamani Hadebe, head of Asset and Liability Management at the Treasury, will go to the Land Bank as interim CEO until the appointment of a permanent head for the lender. The bank provides financial services to the commercial farming sector and to agricultural-based businesses.
CAPE TOWN - Western Cape premier Ebrahim Rasool resigns, making way for the province’s former finance and tourism MEC, Lynne Browne. African National Congress (ANC) national chairperson Baleka Mbete has emphasised that Rasool’s resignation is in the best interests of the province and the ANC. Rasool has said that the event has come as a great moment of personal relief for him although he does "feel a bit sad and disappointed".
AFRICA & WORLD
HARARE – The Zimbabwean government announces that it will transfer ownership of all foreign-owned firms that support Western sanctions against President Robert Mugabe's government to locals and investors from "friendly" countries. Reports say that Zimbabwe has begun auditing the ownership of Western firms in the country as part of a black empowerment drive "and to counter the possible withdrawal of investment under sanctions imposed and proposed by Britain and the US" Mugabe, fighting to retain power after a controversial runoff poll boycotted by his rival, says Zimbabwe's severe economic crisis is due to sabotage by former colonial master Britain, its European Union allies and the United States.
TEHRAN – Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stresses that the country will not "retreat one iota" over its disputed nuclear programme. At a meeting with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator in Geneva, six world powers gave Iran two weeks to answer calls to rein in its nuclear activities, which they suspect may be aimed at producing atom bombs, or face tougher sanctions. However, Iran says its nuclear programme is a peaceful drive to generate electricity so that the Islamic Republic, the world's fourth-largest crude producer, can export more of its oil and gas.
MOSCOW - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez seeks to buy Russian diesel submarines, mobile missile systems and tanks, on a trip aimed at boosting trade between the two countries. A self-styled socialist revolutionary who frequently baits the United States, Chavez makes regular visits to Russia, the world's second biggest oil exporter, and praises Moscow for standing up to Washington.
LUSAKA - Zambia's ruling party, Movement for Multiparty Democracy, meet to discuss the future of ailing President Levy Mwanawasa following suggestions that he be replaced as President. Mwanawasa, 59, was rushed to hospital last month after suffering a stroke before an African Union summit in Egypt and he has not left hospital since. Officials are discreet about his condition.
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