Thursday, May 13, 2010

From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I'm Amy Witherden.

Making headlines:

A compromise punishment for controversial African National Congress Youth League leader Julius Malema reflects the strong backing of heavyweights for him within South Africa's ruling party, analysts said yesterday.
Malema accepted a plea bargain for three of four charges against him that included bringing the ANC into disrepute, but accepted guilt for a fourth charge of criticising President Jacob Zuma, after defying a call to stop singing apartheid-era racial songs and undermining the government's mediation efforts in Zimbabwe. Malema was fined R10 000, told to apologise and attend anger management classes - a punishment that opposition parties say is a slap on the wrist.
Analysts say that he got off lightly because he has the support of some senior party leaders. Executive director of the Centre for Politics and Research Prince Mashele says that "Malema is a hot cannon in an interplay of factions and political games", while Centre for Policy Studies analyst Aubrey Matshiqi says that "Malema has become an instrument for those who support and oppose him, to the extent that he can be used to achieve particular political motives."

Ethiopia says that it expects another 25 000 refugees fleeing fighting in Somalia to cross its border by the end of the year and appeals for $13-million to feed its refugee population. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), warned that without the extra funding it would have to reduce food rations by June this year.
Ethiopia is home to more than 68 000 Somali refugees, as well 42 000 from Eritrea and 24 000 from Sudan. WFP Ethiopia deputy-director Lynne Miller says that the influx of refugees from southern Somalia and Eritrea has put immense strains on limited available food resources.

South Africa's economy is recovering well from last year's recession but the government needs to do more to create jobs, said President Jacob Zuma in the Presidency's budget vote speech in Parliament yesterday.
"All indications are that we are recovering from the recession, our economy is growing and investors are showing confidence in our country," he said. However, about one-million jobs have been shed since the start of 2009 and data last week showed that the official unemployment rate has risen to 25,2%.
Zuma said that the government's response to the global crisis and domestic downturn, including public works programmes, had helped to limit the damage to the economy, but stressed that the world economy remained weak, evident in the euro zone debt problems. The recently unveiled industrial plan would target certain sectors to ensure that jobs are retained and new ones created, while an expanded public works programme and investment in education would help to boost skills.

Also making headlines:

Opposition United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa says that the growing culture of anarchy and violence in South Africa "is of grave concern".
The United Nations Security Council puts off a decision on the future of peacekeepers in Chad, which wants the forces to leave.
Minister in the Presidency responsible for National Planning Trevor Manuel says that the National Planning Commission's task is clear and that it will produce a longer-term "Vision South Africa 2025" within 18 months.
And, the Côte d'Ivoire's opposition calls off a protest over the stalled election process after talks with President Laurent Gbagbo.

That's a roundup of news making headlines today.