South Africa

CAPE TOWN SLAMMED IN UK NEWSPAPER

A damning article in the UK’s Observer on Sunday accused Cape Town of playing host to “informal apartheid”. The piece says that Cape Town “remains an apartheid city in all but name”. By REBECCA DAVIS.

PARLIAMENT’S CHIEF TALKER QUITS QUIETLY

Parliament’s head of communications, Luzuko Jacobs, has resigned, and while this may or may not be because he was forced to, or simply because he has a new job, the PR man himself is somewhat evasive about the matter. CARIEN DU PLESSIS reports.

THE DAY TORNADO CAME, REVISITED

A week after a tornado ripped through Duduza, destroying 550 homes and injuring 166 people, GREG NICOLSON returns to the community to survey the relief effort.

DIVERSITY A TRUMP CARD AS MORE ENDORSEMENTS COME IN FOR MAZIBUKO

Independent Democrats leader and Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille added her voice to the growing chorus of endorsements for Lindiwe Mazibuko’s bid to become the Democratic Alliance’s leader in Parliament. With no public endorsement yet for her competition, incumbent Athol Trollip, and with the “diversity card” firmly in her pocket, it appears Mazibuko is an early stage favourite. By OSIAME MOLEFE.

AS A TOTAL BREAKDOWN OF NYDA’S KISS-FEST SPENDING IS PUBLISHED, OUTRAGE TURNS TO ANGER

So at last we have the details of how the National Youth Development Agency blew millions on frivolities for last year’s youth festival. Yes, they are shocking. But after months of shocking reports on the more than R100 million kissed goodbye by taxpayers for this fest, we’re hardly surprised anymore. CARIEN DU PLESSIS reports.

THEMB’ELIHLE, SCHUBART, TEMBISA PIN THEIR HOPES ON MANGAUNG

Three very different but equally volatile communities in Gauteng are fighting for what they consider their basic rights: electricity, cheaper electricity, or just a place to live. All three have mobilised – eventually violently so – but none have achieved their purpose. Now each is wishing on a star they think will rise from the Free State next year. By PHILLIP DE WET.

RAMAPHOSA, MERCHANT OF HOPE, FACES A DIFFICULT SELLING JOB

In describing where the National Planning Commission is now, one of its point men, Cyril Ramaphosa described the interrelated issues that include crumbling infrastructure, increasingly imbedded corruption, a lack of bureaucratic competence and skills, and weaknesses of the country’s educational system. Right. So now we know. By J BROOKS SPECTOR.

THE STATE OF SA: GOING NOWHERE SLOWLY

We have spoken in the past about the “policy lock” at the heart of the ANC and the Alliance. About how the liberation movement – if that’s what it still is – is so broad at a policy basis, that nothing will ever change. And we’ve said, as well, that this is going to have dire consequences for our future. On Friday we saw a signpost on our road to hell. By STEPHEN GROOTES.

Opinionistas

SIPHO HLONGWANE: CHINA WILL RULE THE WORLD

It isn’t without reason that most developing countries are either aligning themselves with China or hedging their bets and leaving that avenue of foreign diplomacy open. If you were an African, Asian or South American country, would you bet on the long-term dominance of the USA or the European Union? The current global economic situation suggests a major power shift in the next two decades is in the offing, and the Chinese would be stupid not to use it to their advantage.

SCOTT FIRSING: SPACE, BRICS’ NEXT FRONTIER

One of the biggest perceived threats to the US is “satellite diplomacy”. If it is not careful, the friendly relationship between the Brics will blast off into space, leaving America behind.

Africa

JOHNSON SIRLEAF’S OPPONENTS WANT A ‘PEACE’ OF THE LIMELIGHT TOO

Feted internationally, Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is finding her shiny new Nobel Peace Prize isn’t universally welcomed at home. And with elections just around the corner, no one’s quite sure if the award will help or hinder her campaign. By SIMON ALLISON.

ZAMBIAN PRESIDENT TELLS MALAWI: APOLOGISE, OR PISS OFF

This is why most African presidents don’t like change. Malawi’s Bingu wa Mutharika thought it was a great move to expel Zambian opposition leader Michael Sata from his country five years ago, thinking it a great way to get on the good side of Zambia’s ruling party as well as assert his own authority. But after last month’s democratic elections in Zambia, Sata is now in charge, and he’s not at all happy with Mutharika. By SIMON ALLISON.

DEADLY CLASHES ERUPT BETWEEN PROTESTERS AND RULING MILITARY JUNTA IN CAIRO

Clashes erupted on Sunday between Christians protesting a recent attack on a church in Cairo and the Egyptian military junta, leaving at least 19 people dead and more than 180 injured. By KHADIJA PATEL.

CAN AFRICA’S BIGGEST PRIZE FIND A WORTHY WINNER THIS YEAR?

The Ibrahim Prize hasn’t been awarded the last two years, with the prize committee not finding any of Africa’s former presidents up to scratch. Africa – and the Mo Ibrahim Foundation – badly needs a winner. This year, they might just find one. By SIMON ALLISON.

World

CHRISTIAN VS MORMON IN US PRESIDENTIAL BATTLE

The current frontrunner in the Republican presidential race is a Mormon. This weekend, that fact finally overshadowed policy debate in another spat between Mitt Romney and Rick Perry. By REBECCA DAVIS.

IRAQ THROWS ITS WEIGHT BEHIND AL-ASSAD IN SYRIA

In a sign of Washington’s dwindling influence over Baghdad, Iraq has vowed to continue its support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. By KHADIJA PATEL.

Business

TOYOTA PLANS TO BRING ETIOS IN 2012

As part of its plan to make India a global export hub, Toyota will start bringing the Etios Liva hatchback and Etios sedan to South Africa in 2012. By SIPHO HLONGWANE.

MTN BUYS EVEN BIGGER MAJORITY FROM RWANDAN GOVERNMENT

South African mobile network operator MTN increased its share in Rwandacell from 55% to 80% by buying up shares from other two shareholders: Crystal Ventures and the Rwandan government. The move by the Rwandan government was a deliberate liberalisation strategy. Guess which African country isn’t doing that? By SIPHO HLONGWANE.

KFC WILL BUY BACK ITS SA FRANCHISES

Kentucky Fried Chicken South Africa is about to buy back 10% of its restaurants from franchise owners as it prepares to expand massively into Africa. By SIPHO HLONGWANE.

AVUSA’S PRAKASH DESAI AND THE CASE OF EXECUTIVE PAY GOING HAYWIRE

It was the end of an era for Avusa when Prakash Desai left the building with millions in his pocket as a reward for what can only be described as a less than mediocre tenure. The big question shareholders should ask themselves is why Desai was so handsomely compensated for such a dismal performance. By MANDY DE WAAL.

Life, etc

LOVE, LOVE ME DO, SAYS SIR PAUL FOR THIRD TIME

If ever you needed proof that Paul McCartney is a true romantic, look no further. Despite the disastrous end to his last marriage to Heather Mills, the old Beatle has married for a third time in London yesterday. By REBECCA DAVIS.

A DAY AT THE POLO – IN VAN REENEN

The sport of kings may be elite, but it’s not as elite as all that. “Family and farmers” polo provides a gentle introduction to the sport, and is a great deal of fun – even if you’re only a spectator. By THERESA MALLINSON.

ALAN COMMITTEE LIVES ‘HAPPILY EVER LAUGHTER!!’

Comedian Alan Committie is at it again, playing around with the successful formula of his one-man shows to keep them fresh and to keep them coming. His latest creation, “Happily Ever Laughter!!”, is still technically a one-man show, except there’s a woman in it too, so he can extend the range of gags and sketches. By LESLEY STONES.

Sport

PLAYERS BACK JOHNSON FOR COACH

England players are backing team manager Martin Johnson to remain at the helm despite their worst Rugby World Cup performance since 1999. By PLANETRUGBY.COM.

SONNY THE SHEEP PULLS WOOL OVER FANS’ EYES

What’s a world cup these days without a psychic animal predicting the results? In New Zealand, of course, it had to be a sheep. But Sonny Wool must be bleating in shame right now – the only quarter- final outcome he correctly picked was New Zealand over Argentina. By THERESA MALLINSON.

MURRAY OVERCOMES NADAL IN TOKYO

Andy Murray took another step towards third in the rankings with an impressive 3-6 6-2 6-0 win over Rafael Nadal in the Japan Open.

SA FAIL TO QUALIFY FOR AFCON 2012 – OR WHY READING FINE PRINT IS SO IMPORTANT

It has been a terrible weekend to be a South African of a sporting persuasion. Bafana Bafana will probably be secretly happy that the rugby side are out of the World Cup. They will have hoped we forgot about the nail-chewingly embarrassing scenes of celebration after their goalless draw against Sierra Leone on Saturday. Oh, but we remember. We remember all too well. By SIPHO HLONGWANE.

AUSTRALIA BREAK SOUTH AFRICAN HEARTS

In a heart-wrenching encounter, Australia ended the hopes of the Springboks with an 11-9 victory, in Wellington. STYLI CHARALAMBOUS reviews the match, and a game of missed opportunities and dubious refereeing.

ALL BLACKS GRIND PAST PUMAS

New Zealand were made to work very hard, but did the job by beating Argentina 33-10 on Sunday to advance to the Rugby World Cup semifinals. By Adam Kyriacou for PLANETRUGBY.COM.

WALES POLISH OFF IRELAND IN WELLINGTON

So much was expected of this game, as the two best northern- hemisphere teams clashed in New Zealand’s capital. And boy, did they deliver on the rugby entertainment as Wales won out 22-10. STYLI CHARALAMBOUS reviews the weekend’s first quarterfinal.

FRANCE FINALLY ARRIVE AT RUGBY WORLD CUP

France had become the laughing stock of RWC 2011, but a rejuvenated side put on an inspired display of rugby to beat England 19-12 at Auckland’s Eden Park in the second quarterfinal on Saturday. By STYLI CHARAMLAMBOUS.