Tuesday March 8, 2011

From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Shannon de Ryhove.

Making headlines:

Britain and France said they were seeking UN authorisation for a no-fly zone over Libya, as Muammar Gaddafi's warplanes counter-attacked against rebels and aid officials said a million people were in need.

Al Jazeera television said rebels had rejected an offer by Gaddafi to hold a meeting of parliament to work out a deal under which he would step down.

With civilians surrounded by forces loyal to Gaddafi in two western towns, Misrata and Zawiyah, fears grew of a rising humanitarian crisis if the fighting continued.

UN aid coordinator Valerie Amos said more than a million people fleeing or inside the country needed humanitarian aid.

The cooperative governance and traditional affairs department is planning to publish the date of May 18 as the official date for local government elections in the Government Gazette by Thursday.

After the proclamation of the date is published in the Gazette, there will be no further voter registration as the proclamation signals the closing of the voters roll, the department said in a statement on Monday.

In essence, this gives all eligible voters only until Wednesday to either register to vote or confirm their correct details on the voters roll at their municipal offices.

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe announced the date in Parliament last Thursday.

President Jacob Zuma moved on Monday to allay fears about the draft Employment Equity Bill.

In a statement issued by the presidency, Zuma assured members of the Indian and coloured communities that government wouldn’t enact or implement any legislation in conflict with the Constitution and the non-racial ethos and foundations of South Africa.

"The President met with the Minister of Labour Mildred Oliphant on Monday to discuss proposed changes to the Employment Equity Act legislation, in particular the concerns raised by members of the coloured community."

Oliphant had assured Zuma that the legislation was intended to improve the employment prospects of the designated groups and not to make it difficult for them to obtain employment or to advance in their careers.

Also making headlines:

Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu provides details on South Africa's planned mining cadastre.

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo displayed to media on Monday over 100 people arrested for alleged links to a thwarted February 27 attack on President Joseph Kabila's residence.

And, South Africa’s Department of Energy opts for a phased introduction of an independent grid operator.

That’s a round up of news making headlines today.