Pretoria, South Africa | AFP | Cyril Ramaphosa takes the oath of office today Saturday as president of South Africa, facing a brew of expectations and scepticism after vowing to reform the country and revive its economy. Foreign heads of state will be among 36,000 people expected to witness the ceremony …
Read More »How much testosterone is too much for a female athlete?
The Caster Semenya case South Africa | DANIEL KELLY | The South African athlete, Caster Semenya, has lost her case against the athletic governing body, IAAF, which means that she will have to take medication to lower her testosterone levels if she wishes to continue competing internationally in running events. …
Read More »Uganda deports MTN chief
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | MTN CEO Wim Vanhelleputte was Thursday night deported, weeks after three of the company’s expatriate staff were expelled. His deportation documents were signed by Internal Affairs Minister Gen. Jeje Odongo, hours after he had been held and grilled by security. He was later taken to …
Read More »S.Africa imposes severe power cuts ahead of election
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | South Africa on Monday introduced its most severe electricity rationing in nearly five years, presenting President Cyril Ramaphosa with a major political challenge just months ahead of a May general election. The debt-laden state power utility Eskom is at the centre of the country’s …
Read More »Total unveils ‘significant’ offshore S. African gas find
Cape Town, South Africa | AFP | French energy giant Total unveiled Thursday a “significant” gas discovery off the coast of South Africa, an event that President Cyril Ramaphosa called a game-changer. The find could boost the nation’s struggling economy and reduce reliance on imports. “Total has made a significant …
Read More »Emerging economies catching up in smartphone adoption: survey
Washington, United States | AFP | Smartphone use has become the norm in most developed nations, while many emerging economies are showing sharp gains, a global survey showed Tuesday. The Pew Research Center report found strong majorities of adults using smartphones in the world’s wealthier countries, led by 95 percent …
Read More »S.Africa ‘disappointed’ by West’s corruption charges
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | South Africa has rejected reported criticism of its record on corruption by five Western countries, including the US and Britain, who insisted they were only drawing the government’s attention to a serious issue. The Sunday Times reported on its front page that the five countries — the US, Britain, …
Read More »South African ‘great legend’ Philemon Masinga dies
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Former South Africa star Philemon ‘Chippa’ Masinga died Sunday aged 49 in a Johannesburg hospital from cancer, the national football association said in a statement. Retired South Africa captain Lucas Radebe, who played with Masinga at then English top-flight club Leeds United in the …
Read More »Ruling ANC kicks off S.Africa election campaign with vow to restore democracy, growth
Durban, South Africa | AFP | South African President on Saturday launched the ANC’s campaign for legislative elections in May, acknowledging the party’s past mistakes and promising to restore democratic institutions and economic growth. Ramaphosa unveiled a 68-page manifesto before tens of thousands of supporters in the eastern city of Durban, marking the start of …
Read More »S.Africa’s ANC gears up for election under new leader
Durban, South Africa | AFP | South Africa’s ruling ANC party launches its election campaign on Saturday ahead of polls in May that it is tipped to win despite recently falling support, internal divisions and a sluggish economy. The African National Congress, which has ruled since the end of apartheid 25 years ago, suffered …
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