Monday February 28, 2011

From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Brad Dubbelman

Making headlines:

South African President Jacob Zuma has promised to create jobs, improve social services and fight corruption in government as he appealed for support in municipal elections. At the launch of the ruling African National Congress (ANC’s) election manifesto, Zuma also called for the need to fight racial inequalities, still present in the country 17 years after apartheid ended. "While we've achieved a lot, there is clearly much more that needs to be done," he told thousands of supporters gathered in the Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg. He appealed to the country's poor to vote for the ANC despite the slow pace of the government's delivery of improved infrastructure and services and promised the government would step up its efforts to improve their lives.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has threatened to pull out of a process to draft a new constitution, accusing his coalition partners of delays designed to avoid holding elections this year. Mugabe and his Zanu-PF party, forced into a unity government with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) after a disputed election in 2008, is pushing for early Presidential and Parliamentary elections this year. The MDC has warned Mugabe to drop his party's plans for an early election, saying that it could lead to a blood bath. Tsvangirai has threatened to boycott the elections if they are called this year. 

South African President Jacob Zuma is unaware of any Ministers or Deputy Ministers being influenced by "individuals" in making key government decisions, the Presidency says. "If this happens as alleged, it is shocking and totally unacceptable," the Presidency said. "The President strongly condemns such behaviour from whatever quarter it emanates from." The Sunday Times reported that a revolt was brewing in the African National Congress and its alliance partners against the influence of the Gupta family over Zuma and his government.

Also making headlines:
The United Nations Security Council has unanimously imposed travel and asset sanctions on Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and close aides, ratcheting up pressure on him to quit before any more blood is shed in a popular revolt against his rule.
Egypt's ruling military council plans to hold a snap referendum next month on constitutional amendments, a lawyer who helped draft them said on Sunday.
And, the Tunisian Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi has resigned after violent protests over his ties to the North African State's toppled former leader, triggering street celebrations in central Tunis.
That’s a roundup of news making headlines today