Vol 49 No 2 | SOUTH AFRICAFRANCE Taxing times 16th January 2008 Two politicians – South Africa’s highly effective Finance Minister Trevor Manuel and France’s forthright Cooperation Minister Jean-Marie Bockel – are adding to the pressure on inte...
Vol 48 No 25 | SOUTH AFRICA 'Unstoppable tsunami' 14th December 2007 Jacob Zuma is set to sweep the ANC presidency in a wave of protest against incumbent Thabo Mbeki Jacob Zuma's campaign for the presidency of the African National Congress is called the 'unstoppable tsunami'. A poll of party branches gives him the support of 61% of delegates to...
Vol 48 No 25 | ZAMBIA Copper-clad deals 14th December 2007 Under opposition pressure, the government seeks better terms from the latest set of investors in its copper mines The world price of copper has taken a tumble. Despite the talk of a never-ending Chinese-driven boom, the price of the metal on the London Metal Exchange has fallen by about 25% si...
Vol 48 No 25 | ZIMBABWE Mnangagwa momentum 14th December 2007 Alongside the main business of endorsing President Robert Mugabe as its flagbearer in next year's elections, the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front Congress is ...
Vol 48 No 24 | NAMIBIA Breaking up the party 30th November 2007 The latest attempt to replace the governing party has some impressive leaders but needs voters It could be a new dawn in Namibia. In November, four years of factional fighting within the governing South West African People's Organisation culminated in a breakaway by senior p...
Vol 48 No 24 | SOUTH AFRICA Zuming ahead 30th November 2007 The party primaries went against President Mbeki and the hunt for a compromise candidate is speeding up Jacob Zuma has built up such a lead in the race for the African National Congress presidency that his opponents are stepping up efforts to find a new candidate to challenge him. If...
Vol 48 No 24 | SOUTH AFRICA The third man or possibly - woman 30th November 2007 African National Congress officials hope to find a third way, with President Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma stepping out of the leadership race to make room for a compromise candidate....
Vol 48 No 24 | SOUTH AFRICAZIMBABWE Mbeki to the rescue 30th November 2007 Restarting talks between Mugabe's government and part of the opposition may not be a triumph for quiet diplomacy South African President Thabo Mbeki stopped over in Harare on 22 November and persuaded Zimbabwe's main opposition party to carry on talking to the ruling Zimbabwe African Nationa...
Vol 48 No 24 | MALAWI Three men in a boat 30th November 2007 Political life languishes as three old adversaries line up their parties for the elections that lie ahead Malawi's politics are dominated by three men. President Bingu wa Mutharika holds several ministerial portfolios and leads the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). John Tembo leads t...
Vol 48 No 24 | MALAWI The Africa Forum 30th November 2007 Ex-presidents and other ex-leaders came together as the Africa Forum in Livingstone, Zambia, on 21-23 November. The theme of their gathering was 'Ending AIDS - Africa Takes Charge'...