Fifa CEO Sepp Blatter scoffed at pessimists on Tuesday, as South Africa celebrated its readiness 100 days before the Soccer World Cup spectacle kicked off. “Why is a certain community not able to believe in it? They just need to have trust and confidence,” Blatter told the media at the Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban. […]
Flags fly high as city marks 100 days to soccer tournament
Although Pretoria is 650km from the 100-day countdown festivities in Durban, World Cup fever has affected the city too. Yesterday morning motorists responded to a radio call to hoot in support of the World Cup while schools, shopping centres and offices also marked the date. At Menlyn Park Shopping Centre, flags representing the 32 countries […]
US President Obama renews Mugabe sanctions
US President Barack Obama announced on Monday he was extending sanctions on Robert Mugabe’s regime for another year, saying Zimbabwe’s deep political crisis remained unresolved. Both the European Union and the US maintain a travel ban and asset freeze on Mugabe, his wife and inner circle in protest at disputed elections and alleged human rights […]
R' 000 for tourists police locked up in error
Two tourists from the UK, who were mistakenly arrested for being in possession of a stolen car and locked in a cell for a day under harrowing conditions, will each receive R90 000 in damages from the police. Ian Murrell and Siyananiso Mashava were travelling in a rented vehicle that was later found to have […]
S. Africa: American business groups meets in Jbourg
Leading American and South African Business Groups Convene Meeting to Capitalise on South Africa’s Growing Economy in Johannesburg, South Africa (All Africa.com) The U.S.-South Africa Business Forum convened its first steering committee meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, on February 24, 2010. The forum aims to deepen economic ties and to foster public-private cooperation between the […]
South Africa/India aviation matters highlighted
A planned visit by Indian Minister of Tourism, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Kumari Selja, to address South African aviation and tourism industry representatives at the Wanderers Club in Johannesburg last Wednesday evening was rescued at the last minute by Indian Consul-General Vikram Doraiswami and Sanjay Kothari, Additional Secretary from the Ministry. Selja missed her […]
South Africa tables anti-racism resolution
International Relations and Co-operation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane tabled a resolution on “anti-racism in sport” at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva yesterday. The resolution was endorsed by the African group of nations on the council and Brazil. “This … comes at an opportune time when South Africa will be hosting the 2010 […]
World Cup boosts South Africa economy – Motlanthe
The World Cup has boosted South Africa’s economy during a global recession but the tourism industry must not rip off foreign visitors during the soccer spectacular, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe said on Tuesday. At a joint press conference with Motlanthe, FIFA president Sepp Blatter attacked sceptics who doubted South Africa could organise the tournament but […]
The infrastructure is coming and, with it, the jobs
by Sibusiso Ndebele Minister of Transport and chairman of the infrastructure development cluster Early this week during the infrastructure development cluster media briefing, we announced the government’s plans to improve and expedite infrastructure to boost social and economic development. As signs of economic recovery are showing, we need to make the best out of our […]
Human rights and South Africa's wrongs
by Peter Fabricius Those who have discerned and welcomed very slight improvements in the Zuma administration’s international stance on human rights might have been dismayed by the speech of South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane to the Human Rights Council, in Geneva on Monday. It was a template presentation which could […]