Archive for the ‘National’ Category
Austrians could be forgiven for bristling at Bruno, yet many seem to rather be embracing their inner flamboyantly gay fashionista…
ATMs across the country could be fitted with pepper spray to stop criminals from tampering with the machines, says Absa, who is piloting the project.
Low-cal diet slows monkey aging
A 20-year study of monkeys shows that a reduced-calorie diet pays off in less disease and longer life, say US researchers, a finding that could apply to humans.
'Summit of the Poor' to match G8
More than 1 000 from Africa and elsewhere have gathered in northern Mali for the annual "Summit of the Poor," to match this year's G8 meeting in Italy.
The ANC has won six of nine municipal by-elections, while the Democratic Alliance has won the remaining three, the Independent Electoral Commission says.
Archive for the ‘National’ Category
Mboweni replaced - governor declines another term
LEFT-LEANING organisations in the ruling tripartite alliance have called on Reserve Bank governor- designate Gill Marcus to lead a review of the central bank’s inflation targeting policy.
President Jacob Zuma yesterday announced Marcus as Mboweni’s replacement. Mboweni has headed the Reserve Bank since 1999 and Marcus was his deputy from 1999 to 2004. Mboweni’s refusal to reconsider doing away with inflation targeting as policy led to Cosatu and the SACP lobbying against his reappointment when his term of office ends on August 7.
Yesterday SACP spokesperson Malesela Maleka made it clear that the debate around inflation targeting would dominate Marcus’ tenure.
Maleka said the SACP blamed the failure of the economy to create jobs, even whiles it was growing over the past decade, on the central bank’s “one-sided focus on inflation target”.
“In this regard we need to explore other mechanisms to control price increases, fight poverty, promote the creation of decent work and reopen debates on the inflation-targeting framework,” Maleka said. Cosatu spokesperson Patrick Craven said the labour federation was hopeful that Marcus would lead a “shift in policy towards one that is geared to economic growth and job creation and will not be obsessed with inflation- targeting like her predecessor ”.
Yesterday Marcus refused to be drawn into a discussion about her style of governance but hinted she would encourage debate on how the central bank conducted its work.
Announcing Marcus’ appointment at the Union Buildings yesterday Zuma said he had decided to reappoint Mboweni when his contract ends next month but the governor asked to be released in November.
“Given the indication from Mboweni I decided to designate Gill Marcus as governor of the Reserve Bank with effect from November 9 2009,” Zuma said.
The president rejected suggestions that Cosatu and the SACP might have persuaded him not to convince Mboweni to stay for another term.
“I consulted the minister (Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan) but not the alliance, ” Zuma said.
Opposition parties, including the Democratic Alliance, also welcomed Marcus’ appointment, with DA shadow minister of finance saying Marcus should maintain the current inflation policies. MARCUS PROFILE Appointed Absa Group and bank chairperson in 2007. Reserve Bank deputy governor from 1999 to 2004. Deputy minister of finance from 1996 to 1999. Born in Johannesburg on August 10 1949 – her family lived in Berea. Marcus attended Barnato Park High School for Girls in Johannesburg. She was a keen sportsperson and enjoyed swimming and horse-riding. The Marcus family left South Africa in 1969 and her studies – she had enrolled for a BCom degree at Wits University – were briefly interrupted. Switched courses to industrial psychology and finished her degree in London. She joined the ANC in 1970 and worked full-time for the organisation in London from 1975. She edited a newsletter, the Weekly News Briefing, which was distributed by the ANC around the world. Returned to South Africa in 1990 to set up the ANC information department. She enjoys listening to music, mostly jazz, and is an avid reader.
Zukile Majova and Sapa
A SIX-YEAR-OLD boy was killed when his mother’s scooter was hit by a truck in Durban, Netcare 911 said yesterday.
Netcare 911 spokesman Chris Botha said the accident happened on Bayhead Road near South Coast road yesterday afternoon. “It is believed that the child was on the back of the mother’s scooter when they were hit by the truck. “The child was crushed by the truck and died on the scene. The mother was uninjured but had to be sedated.” Botha said parents had to be careful when allowing children to ride pillion on scooters or motorbikes. “The fact is that children do not have any bike sense,” he said. “It is particularly unsafe for them to be on motorbikes because the injuries they sustain in bike accidents are horrific,” he said. – Sapa
20 July 2009
Smooth running expected as schools reopen today
IT’S back to school for millions of pupils today after about a month-long winter holiday.
Most provinces are expecting smooth running as schools open for the third term. Schools in the country closed for the winter break on June 26. Gauteng education spokesperson Nanagolo Leopeng said: “We are not expecting any disruptions when the children go back to school today . Teacher unions, school governing bodies and the department are committed to quality learning and teaching. “The department is working with the department of health to prevent the spread of the N1H1 flu among pupils. A team will be deployed to schools in informal settlements and where there is overcrowding.” Mpumalanga education spokes-person Jasper Zwane said: “With the pupil transport having been moved from the education department to roads and transport, we believe this problem will now be sorted out.” Pupil transport in the province has had problems related to fraud, which led to the suspension of services a few years ago. Last month Premier David Mabuza transferred the service to the department of transport. Limpopo education spokesperson Ndo Mangala said both pupils and teachers were ready for the third term. Mangala said teachers would “focus more on gearing the pupils to the end of the year exams and finishing and revising the syllabus before the start of the exams”. KwaZulu-Natal education MEC Senzo Mchunu said: “We expect schools will run smoothly. We will be visiting schools in the province to outline our expectations and see how many still need intervention. “We encourage all matriculants to keep working hard. Teachers should also give their best to improve the pass rate.”
Sibongile Mashaba, Riot Hlatshwayo and Alex Matlala
Taxi tank ‘filled with water at petrol station’
A FURIOUS taxi owner has threatened to take legal action against a Total petrol filling station in Limpopo after his car’s fuel tank was allegedly filled with water.
David Zitha of N’wamitwa outside Tzaneen said he had gone to the garage in Tzaneen last Wednesday morning where he ordered petrol for R346. “The taxi engine could not start after the petrol was filled, and it was unable to start even with a push,” he said. Zitha said he then checked the fuel and found that it was mixed with water. He complained to the garage owner, and the taxi was taken to their workshop where the petrol was drained. Although it was discovered that the petrol was mixed with water, Zitha said the garage would not take the blame . He said after he put another seven litres of petrol in the tank, the car’s engine was able to start. Zitha said he took the car to his mechanic who also confirmed that the petrol tank had been filled with water.
He tried to get a refund, or petrol worth R346 from the garage, but this was declined. “The garage owner offered me only 10 litres of petrol and I refused to take it,” Zitha said.
Attempts to get comment from the garage owner were unsuccessful.
Michael Sakuneka
NEW YORK – Dozens of big-name performers and actors gathered at a major charity concert in New York late on Saturday to pay tribute to iconic anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela on his 91st birthday.
Gloria Gaynor kicked off the gala at the majestic Radio City Music Hall, in the heart of Manhattan, with a rousing performance of her 1978 disco hit I Will Survive. Celebrities on the performance list included Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and the first lady of France, Carla Bruni- Sarkozy. Hollywood stars that support the Mandela Foundation charity at the event included actors Forest Whitaker, Morgan Freeman, Whoopi Goldberg and Matt Damon. The Mandela Day gala crowns a week of worldwide celebrations honouring the legendary rights activist, who battled apartheid before becoming South Africa’s first black president from 1994 to 1999.
Organisers hope that Mandela Day will become an event observed around the world paying tribute to the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize winner’s accomplishments. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon paid homage to Mandela. – Sapa-AFP MORE ARTICLES ON MANDELA DAY
Amandine Ambregni
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