Vol 46 No 7 | ZIMBABWE Waiting for Kiev 1st April 2005 Even before polling started on 31 March, the opposition Movement for Democratic Change was preparing to challenge the results. The MDC expected to win in Manicaland, Masvingo and...
Vol 46 No 6 | ZIMBABWE Matebeleland moves on 18th March 2005 In this month's parliamentary elections, the big upset could come in the south-west as anti-Mugabe sentiment grows President Robert Mugabe's current term lasts until 2008 and the parliamentary elections due on 31 March are critical to his next moves. He may get his biggest shock...
Vol 46 No 6 | ZIMBABWE They also ran 18th March 2005 Five parties are contesting the elections, but only the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and the Movement for Democratic Change have candidates in all 120 seats. The Zimbabwe...
Vol 46 No 6 | BOTSWANA For the greater Good 18th March 2005 By trying to expel an academic critic, the government is risking its reputation A 72-year-old Australian academic is resisting a deportation order and calling into question Botswana's much-valued reputation as Africa's leading democracy. On 18 February President Festus Mogae issued a...
Vol 46 No 6 | NAMIBIA Who's in charge? 18th March 2005 The ruling South West African People's Organisation is riven by quarrels, as President Sam Nujoma gets ready to hand over to Hifikepunye Pohamba on 21 March. Pohamba's difficulties...
Vol 46 No 6 | MADAGASCAR Joining the club 18th March 2005 Madagascar intends to join the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in August, according to its Foreign Minister, Jaya Krishna Cuttaree (who is also a candidate for Director General...
Vol 46 No 5 | SOUTH AFRICA All about the jobs 4th March 2005 The budget boosts public spending and reduces taxes but cutting unemployment will be the key test Finance Minister Trevor Manuel's budget offered a generous formula for fuelling growth and cutting taxes without letting inflation rip. He called it 'More for all': a balancing act...
Vol 46 No 5 | NAMIBIA Power to the party 4th March 2005 The President-elect must balance his predecessor's weight against his party's mood Hifikepunye Pohamba's mandate seemed clear when the 15-16 November presidential election awarded him 76 per cent of the vote. But it is not that simple. First, the outgoing...
Vol 46 No 4 | SOUTH AFRICA Welcome back to the state 18th February 2005 The Mbeki government tilts towards the ANC's roots after a decade of market economics Jazz bands, street theatre groups and coquettish members of parliament jostled for space at a blisteringly hot opening of parliament in Cape Town on 11 February. Both the...
Vol 46 No 4 | ZIMBABWE Friends fall out 18th February 2005 A former business ally of the Mugabe government accuses it of corruption and hypocrisy The last shreds of credibility of President Robert Mugabe's government are at stake in a war of words between businessman Mutumwa Mawere and Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono....