JOHANNESBURG, 31 December 2009 (PlusNews) - A new technology being pioneered in South Africa may make screening for tuberculosis (TB) faster, cheaper and more reliable – and it’s all based on technology found on a typical trip through airport security.
The new computer diagnostic system known as TBDx takes digital pictures of sputum samples and searches them for TB’s structural “fingerprint.” Some airport scanners work in much the same way, searching luggage for the structural fingerprints of plastic explosives, for example.
The system is being pioneered by health research organisation, the Aurum Institute in partnership with South Africa’s National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) and imaging specialists, Guardian Technologies International, and is the first in the world to pair advanced imaging technology with a digital microscope.
Showing posts with label South Africa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label South Africa. Show all posts
Tuesday, 05 January 2010
Saturday, 02 January 2010
South African doctor sees drug-resistant HIV
PRETORIA, South Africa—It's 8 a.m. and Dr. Theresa Rossouw is already drowning behind a cluttered desk of handwritten HIV charts -- new, perplexing cases of patients whose lifesaving drugs have turned against them.
Her cell phone chirps. Her desk phone bleats. She scribbles notes on a planner, spins in her chair, juggles requests about labs and drug regimens.
Rossouw is on the front lines of a new battle in the fight against HIV: The drugs that once worked so well are starting not to work. And now the resistance is showing up in sub-Saharan Africa, home to two-thirds of the world's 33 million HIV cases.
Ten years ago, between 1 percent and 5 percent of HIV patients worldwide had drug resistant strains. Now, between 5 percent and 30 percent of new patients are already resistant to the drugs. In Europe, it's 10 percent; in the U.S., 15 percent.
In sub-Saharan Africa, where the drugs only started arriving a few years ago, resistance is partly the unforeseen consequence of good intentions. There are not enough drugs to go around, so clinics run out and patients can't do full courses. The inferior meds available in Africa poison other patients. Misprescriptions are common and monitoring is scarce.
The story of HIV mirrors the rise worldwide of new and more deadly forms of killer infections, such as tuberculosis and malaria. These diseases have mutated in response to the misuse of the very drugs that were supposed to save us, The Associated Press found in a six-month look at soaring drug resistance worldwide.
In Rossouw's shabby little HIV clinic, the tragedy has arrived. She's increasingly bombarded with drug-resistant cases, and there's nothing in her arsenal of medicines to throw at them.
"For the first two or three years I was not seeing it. It was rare," she said, rifling through a patient's tattered record. "Now it is really daily. I think in the next five years, we are going to have such a need."
--------
It's midmorning and Rossouw's first patient slips inside from the crowded hallway where up to 200 others wait on wooden benches. Monica, who only wishes to be identified by her first name for fear of discrimination, takes a seat.
Rossouw, 37, greets her warmly in their native Afrikaans. She is the only doctor -- out of the six at Tshwane District Hospital's HIV clinic -- who speaks the language, adding translator to her litany of other duties.
Monica, 45, looks and feels healthy. It's hard to believe she's had HIV for nearly a decade. Now she's faced with a new threat, one Rossouw isn't sure the patient fully understands.
Monica has widespread drug resistance -- everything has stopped working. But she's not feeling the sting yet, and it's hard for her to believe a piece of paper that says her meds aren't working.
In sub-Saharan Africa, resistance rates have quietly climbed to around 5 percent in the past few years, and that's a substantial undercount. It's hard to pinpoint resistance because most cases in the developing world aren't tracked. In some high-risk populations worldwide, HIV drug resistance rates soar as high as 80 percent, according to studies published in AIDS, the official journal of the International AIDS Society.
The United Nations estimates $25 billion will be needed to fight AIDS worldwide in 2010, but probably only half that sum will be available. That estimate doesn't account for drug-resistant strains, which could cost $44 billion by 2010.
Monica's slip came in 2004, when, distraught over her mother's death, she went off of her treatment for two months.
"I took the death badly," she said softly. "I had an appointment with the doctor and decided that now that my mom has died, I must die as well."
The HIV drugs used in Africa are very unforgiving, unlike the newer pills used in the West. Miss a dose here or take a pill late, and the virus quickly wins control. There are only a handful of drugs available in South Africa, and once those stop working there are no more options.
Rossouw found an obsolete HIV drug at another hospital and hopes it will keep Monica alive. But she's experimenting at this point.
Her cell phone chirps. Her desk phone bleats. She scribbles notes on a planner, spins in her chair, juggles requests about labs and drug regimens.
Rossouw is on the front lines of a new battle in the fight against HIV: The drugs that once worked so well are starting not to work. And now the resistance is showing up in sub-Saharan Africa, home to two-thirds of the world's 33 million HIV cases.
Ten years ago, between 1 percent and 5 percent of HIV patients worldwide had drug resistant strains. Now, between 5 percent and 30 percent of new patients are already resistant to the drugs. In Europe, it's 10 percent; in the U.S., 15 percent.
In sub-Saharan Africa, where the drugs only started arriving a few years ago, resistance is partly the unforeseen consequence of good intentions. There are not enough drugs to go around, so clinics run out and patients can't do full courses. The inferior meds available in Africa poison other patients. Misprescriptions are common and monitoring is scarce.
The story of HIV mirrors the rise worldwide of new and more deadly forms of killer infections, such as tuberculosis and malaria. These diseases have mutated in response to the misuse of the very drugs that were supposed to save us, The Associated Press found in a six-month look at soaring drug resistance worldwide.
In Rossouw's shabby little HIV clinic, the tragedy has arrived. She's increasingly bombarded with drug-resistant cases, and there's nothing in her arsenal of medicines to throw at them.
"For the first two or three years I was not seeing it. It was rare," she said, rifling through a patient's tattered record. "Now it is really daily. I think in the next five years, we are going to have such a need."
--------
It's midmorning and Rossouw's first patient slips inside from the crowded hallway where up to 200 others wait on wooden benches. Monica, who only wishes to be identified by her first name for fear of discrimination, takes a seat.
Rossouw, 37, greets her warmly in their native Afrikaans. She is the only doctor -- out of the six at Tshwane District Hospital's HIV clinic -- who speaks the language, adding translator to her litany of other duties.
Monica, 45, looks and feels healthy. It's hard to believe she's had HIV for nearly a decade. Now she's faced with a new threat, one Rossouw isn't sure the patient fully understands.
Monica has widespread drug resistance -- everything has stopped working. But she's not feeling the sting yet, and it's hard for her to believe a piece of paper that says her meds aren't working.
In sub-Saharan Africa, resistance rates have quietly climbed to around 5 percent in the past few years, and that's a substantial undercount. It's hard to pinpoint resistance because most cases in the developing world aren't tracked. In some high-risk populations worldwide, HIV drug resistance rates soar as high as 80 percent, according to studies published in AIDS, the official journal of the International AIDS Society.
The United Nations estimates $25 billion will be needed to fight AIDS worldwide in 2010, but probably only half that sum will be available. That estimate doesn't account for drug-resistant strains, which could cost $44 billion by 2010.
Monica's slip came in 2004, when, distraught over her mother's death, she went off of her treatment for two months.
"I took the death badly," she said softly. "I had an appointment with the doctor and decided that now that my mom has died, I must die as well."
The HIV drugs used in Africa are very unforgiving, unlike the newer pills used in the West. Miss a dose here or take a pill late, and the virus quickly wins control. There are only a handful of drugs available in South Africa, and once those stop working there are no more options.
Rossouw found an obsolete HIV drug at another hospital and hopes it will keep Monica alive. But she's experimenting at this point.
Sunday, 26 July 2009
Can Zuma walk his talk?
By Haru Mutasa, Al Jazeera's South Africa correspondent
South Africa has been rocked by violent protests in recent weeks, with last week being perhaps the most violent since the inauguration of Jacob Zuma, South Africa's president, in May.
Police fired rubber bullets and teargas at protestors in the poor township areas who hurled stones at them.
Violent riots and threats of a fresh wave of crippling labour strikes may force Zuma to deliver quickly on election promises which include job creation and houses for millions of the poor.
But these socialist interventions by the government could scare away investors in Africa's biggest economy who want the current economic policy in South Africa to stay the way it is.
On the other end of the scale, the trade unions who helped put Zuma in power want left leaning economic policies.
Worrying reminder
While politicians try to find a middle ground, the battle over policies is being played out in the overcrowded townships where there is often no running water, electricity or adequate accommodation.
The people want their lives to improve and want the government to look after their needs before those of big business.
The recent township violence is reminiscent of the unrest witnessed during the apartheid years and the threats against foreigners are a worrying reminder of last year's xenophobic attacks.
In 2008, protests erupted across South Africa. They began as demonstrations over the government's failure to improve the plight of the poorest of the poor, but soon foreigners were being attacked in their shack settlements.
An estimated 70 people were murdered by the time the violence ended several weeks later.
South Africa has been rocked by violent protests in recent weeks, with last week being perhaps the most violent since the inauguration of Jacob Zuma, South Africa's president, in May.
Police fired rubber bullets and teargas at protestors in the poor township areas who hurled stones at them.
Violent riots and threats of a fresh wave of crippling labour strikes may force Zuma to deliver quickly on election promises which include job creation and houses for millions of the poor.
But these socialist interventions by the government could scare away investors in Africa's biggest economy who want the current economic policy in South Africa to stay the way it is.
On the other end of the scale, the trade unions who helped put Zuma in power want left leaning economic policies.
Worrying reminder
While politicians try to find a middle ground, the battle over policies is being played out in the overcrowded townships where there is often no running water, electricity or adequate accommodation.
The people want their lives to improve and want the government to look after their needs before those of big business.
The recent township violence is reminiscent of the unrest witnessed during the apartheid years and the threats against foreigners are a worrying reminder of last year's xenophobic attacks.
In 2008, protests erupted across South Africa. They began as demonstrations over the government's failure to improve the plight of the poorest of the poor, but soon foreigners were being attacked in their shack settlements.
An estimated 70 people were murdered by the time the violence ended several weeks later.
Saturday, 25 July 2009
Mine deaths a disgrace - Vavi
Johannesburg - The number of deaths in South African mines was a national disgrace, Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said on Friday.
"Urgent action is needed to put an end to this carnage," Vavi told a memorial service for nine mineworkers who died on Monday at Impala Platinum's Rustenburg mine.
The company directors must be held "personally accountable" for the deaths, he said, adding that should an investigation find negligence or incompetence the directors should be prosecuted and punished if found guilty.
"Such fatalities are personal tragedies for bereaved families and friends, but they are also a national disgrace.
"The number of accidents in our mines is still far too high. Between 1997 and 2007, the South African mining industry had an appalling average of 244 work-related deaths per year reported."
He said safety was not prioritised and mining houses should do more to end the many fatalities.
The general secretary said Cosatu supported Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana's call for all health and safety laws to be rigidly enforced to protect workers from occupational hazards.
"Daily we risk our lives to dig the coal, gold and platinum out of the earth, but never see any of the fabulous profits that our employers make," Vavi said, which is why the union federation supported the call for nationalising the mines .
"We want an efficient industry that continues to create wealth for the nation but uses the profits to pay workers a living wage, pays taxes to improve the lives of the workers and the poor, in conditions that are safe, healthy and environmentally friendly."
- SAPA
"Urgent action is needed to put an end to this carnage," Vavi told a memorial service for nine mineworkers who died on Monday at Impala Platinum's Rustenburg mine.
The company directors must be held "personally accountable" for the deaths, he said, adding that should an investigation find negligence or incompetence the directors should be prosecuted and punished if found guilty.
"Such fatalities are personal tragedies for bereaved families and friends, but they are also a national disgrace.
"The number of accidents in our mines is still far too high. Between 1997 and 2007, the South African mining industry had an appalling average of 244 work-related deaths per year reported."
He said safety was not prioritised and mining houses should do more to end the many fatalities.
The general secretary said Cosatu supported Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana's call for all health and safety laws to be rigidly enforced to protect workers from occupational hazards.
"Daily we risk our lives to dig the coal, gold and platinum out of the earth, but never see any of the fabulous profits that our employers make," Vavi said, which is why the union federation supported the call for nationalising the mines .
"We want an efficient industry that continues to create wealth for the nation but uses the profits to pay workers a living wage, pays taxes to improve the lives of the workers and the poor, in conditions that are safe, healthy and environmentally friendly."
- SAPA
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Govt won't seize white farms, says minister
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA Jun 16 2009 13:57
South Africa's new Agriculture Minister, Tina Joemat-Pettersson, said on Tuesday the continent's biggest maize producer would not seize white farms to redistribute to black South Africans as this would harm its economy. "With our willing-buyer, willing-seller policy there are times when the land becomes too expensive for the state to purchase, and if we face a programme of expropriation, it would further destabilise the economic industry of agriculture," she told an agribusiness conference in Cape Town.
After the fall of apartheid in 1994, the African National Congress set itself a target of handing 30% of all agricultural land to the black majority by 2014.
But progress towards the target has been slow, and only about 4% of land has been acquired from private owners amid funding problems that government officials say might hinder the government from meeting its goal.
Land reform is a sensitive issue in Africa's biggest economy, where critics say the programme has hurt investment in the commercial farming sector and drastically reduced the land that is available for commercial agriculture.
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
South African court judgment bolsters expropriation charge over Black Economic Empowerment legislation in the mining sector
By Damon Vis-Dunbar
23 March 2009
A South African judicial ruling has opened the door for two plaintiffs to seek compensation for alleged expropriation of their mineral rights, in a case that echoes the complaints made by European investors in a pending international arbitration against South Africa under bilateral investment treaties.
The judgment* comes in response to claims lodged with the Pretoria High Court, in which the plaintiffs (Agri S.A. and AM van Rooyen) argue that their rights to coal and clay were expropriated without compensation in 2004 under the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRD).
The MPRD Act is intended to boost the black population’s participation in the mining sector, and forms part of a wider effort by the South African government to address the country’s racial inequalities rooted in a legacy of apartheid.
Under the Act, private ownership of mineral rights was replaced with a system of licenses offered by the government. Companies who held mineral rights under the old regime were given an opportunity to apply for licenses under new regime; however, mining companies complain that so-called new order rights are not equivalent in value to the rights they enjoyed previously.
The Ministry of Minerals and Energy sought to dismiss the lawsuits by Agri S.A. and AM van Rooyen on the ground that they fail to provide sufficient facts to support their claims.
In 6 March 2009 ruling, however, the High Court has rejected the Ministry's charge that the plaintiffs' claims are "vague", allowing the claims to proceed to the merits stage.
23 March 2009
A South African judicial ruling has opened the door for two plaintiffs to seek compensation for alleged expropriation of their mineral rights, in a case that echoes the complaints made by European investors in a pending international arbitration against South Africa under bilateral investment treaties.
The judgment* comes in response to claims lodged with the Pretoria High Court, in which the plaintiffs (Agri S.A. and AM van Rooyen) argue that their rights to coal and clay were expropriated without compensation in 2004 under the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRD).
The MPRD Act is intended to boost the black population’s participation in the mining sector, and forms part of a wider effort by the South African government to address the country’s racial inequalities rooted in a legacy of apartheid.
Under the Act, private ownership of mineral rights was replaced with a system of licenses offered by the government. Companies who held mineral rights under the old regime were given an opportunity to apply for licenses under new regime; however, mining companies complain that so-called new order rights are not equivalent in value to the rights they enjoyed previously.
The Ministry of Minerals and Energy sought to dismiss the lawsuits by Agri S.A. and AM van Rooyen on the ground that they fail to provide sufficient facts to support their claims.
In 6 March 2009 ruling, however, the High Court has rejected the Ministry's charge that the plaintiffs' claims are "vague", allowing the claims to proceed to the merits stage.
Monday, 19 January 2009
Ray of sunlight
Article By: Raymond Ackerman
Mon, 19 Jan 2009 07:22
Like many of my contemporaries in the business world, I am frequently asked how I remain so bullish in the face of the many challenges that confront South Africa. Particularly, there is often a hint of incredulity that Pick n Pay should continue to invest so confidently in a commercial environment that is threatened by very worrying levels of crime and violence, political uncertainty and deteriorating services.
Unlike many of those who find little good to say about the state of our nation, I am, regrettably, old enough to remember graphically the sheer awfulness of South Africa in the seventies, eighties and early nineties. I recall the dawn raids on African families whose presence in urban areas was deemed to be illegal, the wickedness of the pass laws, the forced removals under the Group Areas Act and the economically suicidal application of race-based job reservation.
A far, far better place
And when I remember those things, I have no hesitation in saying that the South Africa of today is a far, far better place than it was before 1994. We live in a country that is governed not by the unchallengeable dictates of cabinet ministers or security chiefs, but by the entrenched principles of a progressive constitution which binds Parliament and citizen alike to a judicable bill of rights, a free press and an independent judiciary.
That is the kind of society towards which I strove for most of my adult life and in the expectation of which so much of my business career was directed. Along with many of my peers in the commercial world, I recognised many years ago that apartheid was not only inequitable and cruel, but an insurmountable obstacle to economic growth and national prosperity. It impacted negatively on the quality of life of our employees, crippled productivity, closed foreign markets and created an environment of community conflict in which corporate progress and planning was made all but impossible.
And now that it has gone, we are ethically obliged to bring to the building of a new nation precisely those energies and critical patriotism that we so successfully invoked to nudge society, government and opposition to change.
Dawning of democracy
The euphoria of the dawning of democracy was intoxicating and the birth of the rainbow nation seductive. But the exhilaration that accompanied the miracle our national liberation perhaps blinded us to the harsh realities of the transition that was to come. Few of us paused to reflect on the daunting task of reconstruction that awaited a country that had been torn apart and brutalised by decades of apartheid, deprivation, ethnic prejudice and a command economy.
It is only when one reflects on where we were in the darkest days of the last century, and on the poverty, lack of opportunity and political and economic paralysis that characterised our society, that we are able to appreciate the overwhelming magnitude of the difficulties that have faced us in building a new society from the tragedies of the old and recreating ourselves as a normally-functioning and thriving economy.
We can learn much from the experience of the United States’ Reconstruction after the Civil War. Like our own post-apartheid transformation, it was an era of unprecedented political conflict and of far-reaching changes in the nature of American government. It saw the passage of constitutional amendments that for the first time enshrined in American law the principle that the rights of citizens could not be denied because of race.
But it was not until the mid-twentieth century that America was able to come to terms with the political and social agenda of the Reconstruction and make a second attempt to erase the economic inequalities that originated in slavery and were reinforced by decades of segregation.
And then, earlier this month – in an extraordinary encounter with the Rubicon – millions of white Christians in the United States voted for a man with one Kenyan parent, that parent having been raised as a Muslim.
Mon, 19 Jan 2009 07:22
Like many of my contemporaries in the business world, I am frequently asked how I remain so bullish in the face of the many challenges that confront South Africa. Particularly, there is often a hint of incredulity that Pick n Pay should continue to invest so confidently in a commercial environment that is threatened by very worrying levels of crime and violence, political uncertainty and deteriorating services.
Unlike many of those who find little good to say about the state of our nation, I am, regrettably, old enough to remember graphically the sheer awfulness of South Africa in the seventies, eighties and early nineties. I recall the dawn raids on African families whose presence in urban areas was deemed to be illegal, the wickedness of the pass laws, the forced removals under the Group Areas Act and the economically suicidal application of race-based job reservation.
A far, far better place
And when I remember those things, I have no hesitation in saying that the South Africa of today is a far, far better place than it was before 1994. We live in a country that is governed not by the unchallengeable dictates of cabinet ministers or security chiefs, but by the entrenched principles of a progressive constitution which binds Parliament and citizen alike to a judicable bill of rights, a free press and an independent judiciary.
That is the kind of society towards which I strove for most of my adult life and in the expectation of which so much of my business career was directed. Along with many of my peers in the commercial world, I recognised many years ago that apartheid was not only inequitable and cruel, but an insurmountable obstacle to economic growth and national prosperity. It impacted negatively on the quality of life of our employees, crippled productivity, closed foreign markets and created an environment of community conflict in which corporate progress and planning was made all but impossible.
And now that it has gone, we are ethically obliged to bring to the building of a new nation precisely those energies and critical patriotism that we so successfully invoked to nudge society, government and opposition to change.
Dawning of democracy
The euphoria of the dawning of democracy was intoxicating and the birth of the rainbow nation seductive. But the exhilaration that accompanied the miracle our national liberation perhaps blinded us to the harsh realities of the transition that was to come. Few of us paused to reflect on the daunting task of reconstruction that awaited a country that had been torn apart and brutalised by decades of apartheid, deprivation, ethnic prejudice and a command economy.
It is only when one reflects on where we were in the darkest days of the last century, and on the poverty, lack of opportunity and political and economic paralysis that characterised our society, that we are able to appreciate the overwhelming magnitude of the difficulties that have faced us in building a new society from the tragedies of the old and recreating ourselves as a normally-functioning and thriving economy.
We can learn much from the experience of the United States’ Reconstruction after the Civil War. Like our own post-apartheid transformation, it was an era of unprecedented political conflict and of far-reaching changes in the nature of American government. It saw the passage of constitutional amendments that for the first time enshrined in American law the principle that the rights of citizens could not be denied because of race.
But it was not until the mid-twentieth century that America was able to come to terms with the political and social agenda of the Reconstruction and make a second attempt to erase the economic inequalities that originated in slavery and were reinforced by decades of segregation.
And then, earlier this month – in an extraordinary encounter with the Rubicon – millions of white Christians in the United States voted for a man with one Kenyan parent, that parent having been raised as a Muslim.
Tuesday, 30 December 2008
Zuma urges tougher crime laws
Johannesburg - ANC president Jacob Zuma on Monday urged tougher legislation against crime.
"I am convinced that within the parameters of the Constitution there is significant space for us to toughen legislation against all forms of criminality and to erase the space within which criminals are able to operate," he told The Star newspaper.
"Criminals must know that breaking the law will have severe consequences and that they'll suffer as a result of their actions," said Zuma.
Critics say that current legislation is not adequate or tough enough to prevent crimes and deter criminals.
"Adequate and long sentences that fit the crimes that are committed and the detrimental consequences these have on our society must be handed down by our courts," said Zuma.
He said that while the African National Congress (ANC) would not "erode" rights enshrined in the Constitution, he wanted to see the establishment of an efficient and transformed criminal justice system, working with communities to fight crime.
"The goal is to reduce serious and violent crime by seven to 10% per year," he said.
'Killing fields'
Crime-weary South Africa's new Safety and Security Minister, Nathi Mthethwa, vowed last month to deal firmly with armed violence, saying police in the "killing fields" had to be ready to return fire.
Addressing Parliament, Mthethwa said his top priorities would be fighting organised crime, improving crime intelligence and strengthening the capacity of task forces.
Saturday, 06 December 2008
S.Africa must fight climate change, poverty
POZNAN, Poland (Reuters) - South Africa needs millions of dollars in aid to tackle environmental degradation, since it must also deal with problems ranging from poverty to AIDS, an environment ministry official said on Thursday.
Among developing countries, South Africa is one of the most active in fighting climate change, and the United Nations, sponsoring climate talks in Poland, often commends it for its efforts.
But South Africa says it needs international assistance to invest in environmentally friendly technology, such as solar power plants to replace coal-fuelled generators that supply 90 percent of electricity.
Among developing countries, South Africa is one of the most active in fighting climate change, and the United Nations, sponsoring climate talks in Poland, often commends it for its efforts.
But South Africa says it needs international assistance to invest in environmentally friendly technology, such as solar power plants to replace coal-fuelled generators that supply 90 percent of electricity.
SA sets up task team to drive future nuclear development
The South African government has established a nuclear task team to develop a framework for procuring a nuclear technology partner to support both the nuclear power station build programme, and the associated industrialisation process.“This will probably take about a year,” Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) DG Portia Molefe told journalists in Pretoria on Friday.This came after Eskom announced that it would not award the tender for the nuclear power station that was originally proposed to come into service in 2017. A consortium led by Areva of France, and another consortium led by US-based Westinghouse were the two preferred bidders for the contract, and negotiations had been taking place for about a year.The core change was that instead of just procuring only one power station, the task team would be looking for a partner that would co-develop the nuclear industry in South Africa, and assist in the introduction of broadening of the nuclear base, which currently consists of only the Koeberg power station.
South African Rand Declines in Week on Global Recession Concern
By Vernon Wessels
Dec. 6 (Bloomberg) -- South Africa’s rand fell against the dollar this past week as the stock market declined with those around the world on concern the global economy is headed toward a recession.
The rand weakened as the country’s benchmark index of equities fell in the week by the most since October on concern slumping economies in the U.S. and euro region will erode demand for higher-yielding emerging-market assets. South Africa’s currency also slipped after reports showed manufacturing shrank at the fastest pace in at least nine years in November.
Dec. 6 (Bloomberg) -- South Africa’s rand fell against the dollar this past week as the stock market declined with those around the world on concern the global economy is headed toward a recession.
The rand weakened as the country’s benchmark index of equities fell in the week by the most since October on concern slumping economies in the U.S. and euro region will erode demand for higher-yielding emerging-market assets. South Africa’s currency also slipped after reports showed manufacturing shrank at the fastest pace in at least nine years in November.
Monday, 24 November 2008
THE SCOURGE OF RAPE.
The scourge of rape on women and children (and men) comes under focus yet again in South Africa for sixteen days from Tuesday November 25th , as women’s groups, gender activists and other human rights groups draw attention to the ongoing onslaught on human dignity goes on unabated.
But it is not confined to this country only. And it has been going on in other parts of Africa for years, escalating during wars. In the Congo, stories of atrocities have been reported since the civil war started in the early 1990’s; with the world turning the other way. The situation is found in Iraq, where women are also exposed to retribution and isolation from their own families due to the traditional attitudes prevalent in Middle Eastern societies. The same phenomenon was seen in Bosnia during the war.
What is wrong with our society? What causes people to aggress others in such a humiliating manner; and so barbarically? Can we do something more than just feeling upset about this? Are governments and civilians equally to blame? What is the role of multinational companies in these ongoing horror stories? In the Congo a little-known mineral is the source of great wealth for governments, companies, rebels and adventurers as it is sought for the production and manufacture of cell phones. It is called coltan. I had never heard of it before. It is also used for laptops. I use both – and have never made any connection between my cell phone, my laptop and rape victims in the Congo. There are other highly-sought minerals in the Congo and other African countries.
Jan Goodwin in an article he wrote in February 1994, called these “blood minerals”: The commerce in these "blood" minerals, such as coltan, used in cell phones and laptops, cobalt, copper, gold, diamonds and uranium (Congolese uranium was used in the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki), drives the conflict.
But laptops and cell phones are not manufactured in the Congo, or in Sierra Leone, or in Liberia. So maybe there are some hard questions that need to be asked; and straightforward answers that need to be given. Where do we start?
In South Africa as we are preparing for elections next year, rape and its associate consequences should be high up on the agenda. The ANC ruling party’s preferred candidate for the highest office of state president was himself a rape trialist last year. He was acquitted. Yet so many questions remain in the public mind. His utterances about women during that trial and ever since have been a cause for concern, not only among women but also among ordinary decent people.
The ANC Women's League launched its plan for the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign, saying its focus this year would be on consolidating and generating more awareness of the negative impact of violence on women and children, reports IOL online.
At the launch in Durban last Thursday, ANC Women's League provincial chairperson Lungi Gcabashe said the league would concentrate on increasing awareness of children's and women's rights, and challenge perpetrators to change their behaviour.
"We will engage with men and boys, starting within our structures in the ANC, to combat violence," she said.
There so many questions that we need to be asking ourselves. What do other political parties think about rape? And what do they think about violence to women and children (and men), what is called domestic violence? What do the moral guardians of society say, the church leaders, the Imams, the Rabbis; where is the voice of business and the trade union movement?
Maybe this should be a starting point to open a public debate, even before going to the wider issues of crime, and violent crime and its causes? Do we need to have our country to be drawn into the barbarism we have seen in the Congo, and that is still going on? Or should we be reminded by other horror killings like in Rwanda during 1994, while we were celebrating our own accession to political freedom on April 27 th? More than 800,000 people were butchered during that conflict which was fanned to no small degree by foreign government and business interests. That tragedy is often described as a tribal affair. My foot! That's too convenient.
Rwanda is accusing France of complicity in the killings; and diplomatic relations between the two countries have worsened since Rwanda published a judicial report backing up these claims early this year. Why can't the International Court of Justice be more forthcoming? And the EU's Human Rights Commision? The US could also show more candidness in the affair as they have been accused of knowing silence. The case of rwanda is not unique.
In the Congo more than nearly five million people have been reported killed from the on-going conflict. Who is responsible for all this? A French NGO, Survie, publishes regular reports on alleged French involvement in various conflicts in a number of Francophone countries. These are mainly igmored by the mainline media of both the West and Africa.
Is it possible to publish such material in Africa; and to protect our citizens from state terror?
Here are two articles on the rape tragedies of the Congo and Iraq that show what is happening to our fellow human beings while we are being kept in ignorant un-bliss. Where was the international media? And the Western governments and their African and Arab lackeys? Where were they? Where are they now in the Congo? In Iraq? Tomorrow it will be Zimbabwe – or is it today? Tomorrow it may be South Africa; or the Cameroun; or Gabon. Or is today?
Rape's vast toll in Iraq war remains largely ignored
In the Congo, rape is a cheaper weapon of war than bullets.
But it is not confined to this country only. And it has been going on in other parts of Africa for years, escalating during wars. In the Congo, stories of atrocities have been reported since the civil war started in the early 1990’s; with the world turning the other way. The situation is found in Iraq, where women are also exposed to retribution and isolation from their own families due to the traditional attitudes prevalent in Middle Eastern societies. The same phenomenon was seen in Bosnia during the war.
What is wrong with our society? What causes people to aggress others in such a humiliating manner; and so barbarically? Can we do something more than just feeling upset about this? Are governments and civilians equally to blame? What is the role of multinational companies in these ongoing horror stories? In the Congo a little-known mineral is the source of great wealth for governments, companies, rebels and adventurers as it is sought for the production and manufacture of cell phones. It is called coltan. I had never heard of it before. It is also used for laptops. I use both – and have never made any connection between my cell phone, my laptop and rape victims in the Congo. There are other highly-sought minerals in the Congo and other African countries.
Jan Goodwin in an article he wrote in February 1994, called these “blood minerals”: The commerce in these "blood" minerals, such as coltan, used in cell phones and laptops, cobalt, copper, gold, diamonds and uranium (Congolese uranium was used in the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki), drives the conflict.
But laptops and cell phones are not manufactured in the Congo, or in Sierra Leone, or in Liberia. So maybe there are some hard questions that need to be asked; and straightforward answers that need to be given. Where do we start?
In South Africa as we are preparing for elections next year, rape and its associate consequences should be high up on the agenda. The ANC ruling party’s preferred candidate for the highest office of state president was himself a rape trialist last year. He was acquitted. Yet so many questions remain in the public mind. His utterances about women during that trial and ever since have been a cause for concern, not only among women but also among ordinary decent people.
The ANC Women's League launched its plan for the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign, saying its focus this year would be on consolidating and generating more awareness of the negative impact of violence on women and children, reports IOL online.
At the launch in Durban last Thursday, ANC Women's League provincial chairperson Lungi Gcabashe said the league would concentrate on increasing awareness of children's and women's rights, and challenge perpetrators to change their behaviour.
"We will engage with men and boys, starting within our structures in the ANC, to combat violence," she said.
There so many questions that we need to be asking ourselves. What do other political parties think about rape? And what do they think about violence to women and children (and men), what is called domestic violence? What do the moral guardians of society say, the church leaders, the Imams, the Rabbis; where is the voice of business and the trade union movement?
Maybe this should be a starting point to open a public debate, even before going to the wider issues of crime, and violent crime and its causes? Do we need to have our country to be drawn into the barbarism we have seen in the Congo, and that is still going on? Or should we be reminded by other horror killings like in Rwanda during 1994, while we were celebrating our own accession to political freedom on April 27 th? More than 800,000 people were butchered during that conflict which was fanned to no small degree by foreign government and business interests. That tragedy is often described as a tribal affair. My foot! That's too convenient.
Rwanda is accusing France of complicity in the killings; and diplomatic relations between the two countries have worsened since Rwanda published a judicial report backing up these claims early this year. Why can't the International Court of Justice be more forthcoming? And the EU's Human Rights Commision? The US could also show more candidness in the affair as they have been accused of knowing silence. The case of rwanda is not unique.
In the Congo more than nearly five million people have been reported killed from the on-going conflict. Who is responsible for all this? A French NGO, Survie, publishes regular reports on alleged French involvement in various conflicts in a number of Francophone countries. These are mainly igmored by the mainline media of both the West and Africa.
Is it possible to publish such material in Africa; and to protect our citizens from state terror?
Here are two articles on the rape tragedies of the Congo and Iraq that show what is happening to our fellow human beings while we are being kept in ignorant un-bliss. Where was the international media? And the Western governments and their African and Arab lackeys? Where were they? Where are they now in the Congo? In Iraq? Tomorrow it will be Zimbabwe – or is it today? Tomorrow it may be South Africa; or the Cameroun; or Gabon. Or is today?
Rape's vast toll in Iraq war remains largely ignored
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/1124/p07s01-wome.html
In the Congo, rape is a cheaper weapon of war than bullets.
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20040308/goodwin
Monday, 10 November 2008
SA manganese start-up delivers R223m to shareholders
Published on 7th November 2008
The women-led black-owned manganese start-up has managed to deliver R223-million to its shareholders, many of them near-mine communities and including disabled people, ahead of production.
At the same time, the black economically empowered (BEE) company is retaining R1-billion in the kitty to invest further in the joint venture it has managed to secure with the world’s biggest steel company, ArcelorMittal.
The joint venture is currently sinking a shaft in the Northern Cape, where it will mine manganese and also build a sinter plant, as well as building a smelter plant at Coega, near Port Elizabeth.
As a consequence, Kalagadi Resources, the associate company of which is Kalahari Resources, has evoked this comment from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) mining head Abel Malinga: “There are quite a number of things that can serve as an example to other BEE companies.”
The IDC has already received a dividend of R317-million for its take-up of 20% equity in the company – a return of more than 400% in 18 months.
“The model works,” says Kalagadi Manganese chairperson Daphne Mashile-Nkosi
At the same time, the black economically empowered (BEE) company is retaining R1-billion in the kitty to invest further in the joint venture it has managed to secure with the world’s biggest steel company, ArcelorMittal.
The joint venture is currently sinking a shaft in the Northern Cape, where it will mine manganese and also build a sinter plant, as well as building a smelter plant at Coega, near Port Elizabeth.
As a consequence, Kalagadi Resources, the associate company of which is Kalahari Resources, has evoked this comment from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) mining head Abel Malinga: “There are quite a number of things that can serve as an example to other BEE companies.”
The IDC has already received a dividend of R317-million for its take-up of 20% equity in the company – a return of more than 400% in 18 months.
“The model works,” says Kalagadi Manganese chairperson Daphne Mashile-Nkosi
Sunday, 26 October 2008
An Afghan guard with the shipping firm shot the Briton and the South African and then took his own life, authorities say.
By Laura King
October 26, 2008
Reporting from Kabul, Afghanistan -- Security for Westerners in Afghanistan took a sharp turn for the worse Saturday when an Afghan security guard working for the international shipping firm DHL shot dead the company's top two executives in the country before killing himself, authorities said.The early-morning attack, which killed a Briton and a South African, was as symbolic as it was bloody. It targeted a major multinational corporation at a time when Afghanistan is hungry for foreign investment. And it took place in a prosperous district in the heart of the city even as Western military officials are trying to calm fears that Islamic militants are tightening a noose around the capital.
October 26, 2008
Reporting from Kabul, Afghanistan -- Security for Westerners in Afghanistan took a sharp turn for the worse Saturday when an Afghan security guard working for the international shipping firm DHL shot dead the company's top two executives in the country before killing himself, authorities said.The early-morning attack, which killed a Briton and a South African, was as symbolic as it was bloody. It targeted a major multinational corporation at a time when Afghanistan is hungry for foreign investment. And it took place in a prosperous district in the heart of the city even as Western military officials are trying to calm fears that Islamic militants are tightening a noose around the capital.
Saturday, 25 October 2008
Zuma Says Crisis May Force Less South Africa Spending
By Ken Fireman and Stewart Bailey
Oct. 24 (Bloomberg) -- Jacob Zuma, who is slated to become South Africa's president next year, said the international financial crisis may force slower government spending in Africa's biggest economy.
Zuma, the leader of the ruling African National Congress, said in an interview in New York today that he plans no abrupt shift from ``financial discipline'' toward aggressive anti- poverty programs.
``It's already accepted that economic growth will be lower than expected'' because of the global crisis, Zuma said. ``It's a challenge that faces everyone. I'm sure that the private sector, the workers and everyone will understand there are economic problems.''
Given those difficulties, he said, the government will ``look at programs and priorities, realizing that there are constraints.''
Zuma, 66, also said if Barack Obama were to be elected to the U.S. presidency, it would show that ``America is ready for any of its citizens to lead it'' and would also give him hope that African issues ``are not going to be put on the back burner.''
Because of Obama's connection to the continent through his Kenyan father, Zuma said, Africans would have a perception that the Democratic nominee might ``not put Africa too much down in the agenda. That would be a natural kind of expectation. You should not blame us for it.''
In Line
In December, Zuma became president of the ANC, which has ruled since the end of the apartheid era in 1994. That puts him in line to become the country's president after parliamentary elections are held next year.
His rise to power was backed by the labor unions, communists and the ANC's youth wing, all of whom favor increased government spending, income grants for the poor and interest-rate policies that promote job creation.
In the interview, Zuma sought to allay concerns among investors that those forces and their policy goals would dominate his presidency. The FTSE/JSE Africa All Share Index, the country's key stock index, fell to the lowest in almost three years today.
``They participate in the evolution of policy, but they do not determine which way policy must go,'' Zuma said of the communists and the unions. ANC conferences set policy, and ``that should be a comforting thing to investors. Even if it was not Zuma, it was anybody else, you should not worry about the ANC, and I think we have a track record.''
`Destination for Investment'
Zuma said the world should continue to regard his country as a ``destination for investment'' because of its democratic political system, transparent economic policies and proven record of fiscal discipline.
``If I was an investor, I would say, `Here is a maturing democracy which would make my benefits or profits not to be threatened,''' he said.
In a separate interview with Bloomberg Television that will be broadcast on the ``Money & Politics'' show at 9:45 p.m. tonight, Zuma said the financial crisis was a ``global problem.''
``Nobody can have a magic solution in one country,'' he said. ``It's a question of how the financial institutions and leaders of financial institutions in the world are able to work out some solutions. The question is, how do we all put our heads together, to keep our heads afloat.''
Thursday, 23 October 2008
Motlanthe seeks stronger voice for Africa at IMF
October 22, 2008, 21:15
President Kgalema Motlanthe says developing countries and Africa, in particular, should be allowed to take an active role in the governance of international financial institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Motlanthe has joined other African leaders in Uganda's capital, Kampala, where they are attending a summit of the continent's three trading economic blocs – the Southern African Development Community, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa and East African Economic Community. The summit is aimed at strengthening economic and political integration on the continent.
Motlanthe has urged his fellow African leaders to agitate for a greater say in the global financial discourse. He also stressed the significance of social unity in Africa.
President Kgalema Motlanthe says developing countries and Africa, in particular, should be allowed to take an active role in the governance of international financial institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Motlanthe has joined other African leaders in Uganda's capital, Kampala, where they are attending a summit of the continent's three trading economic blocs – the Southern African Development Community, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa and East African Economic Community. The summit is aimed at strengthening economic and political integration on the continent.
Motlanthe has urged his fellow African leaders to agitate for a greater say in the global financial discourse. He also stressed the significance of social unity in Africa.
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
Minister’s Altech appeal to be heard early next month – Icasa
Communication Minister Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri's appeal against the August 29 Altech value-added network service (Vans) judgement would be heard in November, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) said on Tuesday.
Icasa spokesperson Sekgoela Sekgoela confirmed that the appeal would be heard on November 5 and November 7.
The Minister announced in September that the government would appeal the High Court's judgement that Altech Autopage Cellular had the right to convert its Vans licence into an individual electronic communications network service (I-ECNS) licence.
This would allow Altech Autopage Cellular to develop and operate its own communications network.
At the time of lodging the appeal, Matsepe-Casaburri had stated that if Vans licensees were allowed to obtain I-ECNS licences under licence conversions, government's managed-liberalisation policy would be seriously undermined to the detriment of the industry.
However, the Minister's appeal had been widely criticised by other telecommunications providers and service providers, as well as political parties.
Meanwhile, the Minister had, on Friday, applied for an urgent interdict to prevent Icasa from issuing Altech with an I-ECNS licence.
Polokwane airport to attract tourists , grow economy
Date: 22 Oct 2008
By Edwin Tshivhidzo, tel:(012) 314-2454
Polokwane - The new state-of-the art Polokwane International Airport is set to attract more foreign tourists and contribute to growing the province's economy during and well beyond the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
As a host city, Polokwane will benefit tremendously from the new international terminal when thousands of soccer fans from around the world stream into the province.
It is expected that the Polokwane Airport will service about 200 000 passengers per annum. It is also set to become the international gateway to Africa due to its position in southern Africa.
Opening the new building terminal, Limpopo MEC for Roads and Transport Justice Piitso said on Tuesday the airport would become one of the fastest growing in the region, servicing not just the country but the entire Southern African Development Community.
"We will be going all out to woo investors, both domestic and foreign so that they can come and join hands with us, the infrastructure that we are putting in place will be reason enough for those who want to join hands with us in our endeavour to grow the economy and create decent and sustainable jobs," said MEC Piitso.
Polokwane Mayor Thabo Makunyane, expressed delight at the new airport building saying this was a major milestone in preparing to host matches in 2010.
"We will now be able to welcome everybody to our province," he said.
Airport Board Chairperson Laduma Thebe said the new building had already boosted staff morale. The staff would be vital in ensuring the tourists felt welcome on their arrival.
Construction on the new building was started in 2001 and was finally completed this year.
Also speaking at the event, Director General from the National Department of Transport Mpumi Mpofu said the province should take full advantage of the airport, to strengthen its role in the economic growth of the province," she said.
Ms Mpumi expressed confidence that the airport will be able to meet demand as it grows and becomes busier.
Meanwhile, the construction of new stadium in Polokwane is well underway, it was reported at the event. - BuaNews
By Edwin Tshivhidzo, tel:
Polokwane - The new state-of-the art Polokwane International Airport is set to attract more foreign tourists and contribute to growing the province's economy during and well beyond the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
As a host city, Polokwane will benefit tremendously from the new international terminal when thousands of soccer fans from around the world stream into the province.
It is expected that the Polokwane Airport will service about 200 000 passengers per annum. It is also set to become the international gateway to Africa due to its position in southern Africa.
Opening the new building terminal, Limpopo MEC for Roads and Transport Justice Piitso said on Tuesday the airport would become one of the fastest growing in the region, servicing not just the country but the entire Southern African Development Community.
"We will be going all out to woo investors, both domestic and foreign so that they can come and join hands with us, the infrastructure that we are putting in place will be reason enough for those who want to join hands with us in our endeavour to grow the economy and create decent and sustainable jobs," said MEC Piitso.
Polokwane Mayor Thabo Makunyane, expressed delight at the new airport building saying this was a major milestone in preparing to host matches in 2010.
"We will now be able to welcome everybody to our province," he said.
Airport Board Chairperson Laduma Thebe said the new building had already boosted staff morale. The staff would be vital in ensuring the tourists felt welcome on their arrival.
Construction on the new building was started in 2001 and was finally completed this year.
Also speaking at the event, Director General from the National Department of Transport Mpumi Mpofu said the province should take full advantage of the airport, to strengthen its role in the economic growth of the province," she said.
Ms Mpumi expressed confidence that the airport will be able to meet demand as it grows and becomes busier.
Meanwhile, the construction of new stadium in Polokwane is well underway, it was reported at the event. - BuaNews
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