Browsing All posts tagged under »South Africa«

A failure to understand the importance of food prices

February 24, 2012

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A recent report linking food price rises to social unrest underlines the validity of the comment that the world is only three square meals away from revolution or anarchy. The latest South African Budget takes no cognisance of this fact.

SA govt decisions sow union discord

December 9, 2011

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The South African government’s latest moves directed, ostensibly, at combating corruption and maladministration have sown considerable confusion, distrust and suspicion in sections of the trade union movement.

Aurora’s golden greed and liability hopes

December 2, 2011

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Arrogance, incompetence and greed may have demolished the protection of limited liability for the politically well connected directors of South Africa’s controversial Aurora Empowerment Systems. They may now have to pay out of their personal fortunes for the heavy debts and losses incurred in a controversial gold mining venture.

ANC concern follows Zambian poll victory

December 2, 2011

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The victory of the Patriotic Front in Zambia’s recent election has sent more than a frisson of concern through South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC). It has heightened an awareness among ANC politicians that they may not be in power forever.

Humbug, festivities and financial education

December 2, 2011

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Given te dehpth of indebtedness into which many working class people seem certain to be be cast in the new year, it is tempting to emulate Dickers' Scrooge and say, "Bah! Humbug" about the looming season of supposed togetherness and happiness. But then there are developments that that are certainly not humbug and that illustrate something better.

Xmas bells ring in profit — and deeper debt

November 26, 2011

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The measures taken to to get the tills of the towns of South Africa ringing for a profitable Xmas season, are similar to those that led, via the sub-prime mortgage debacle in the United States, to the current and ongoing global crisis. This is based on short-term thinking and the extension of unsustainable credit.

A call to resist the secrecy law

November 21, 2011

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November 22, 2011, has been dubbed “Black Tuesday” in South Africa. This is the day the Protection of State Information Bill went before parliament on its way to being rubber stamped into a law that all principled journalists worth their salt will do everything to circumvent. And, courtesy of the nature of the internet, they will be able to do so.

Another pre-school fairy story?

November 17, 2011

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National planning minister Trevor Manuel and his commission consider early childhood development (ECD) and pre-school education vital to the future development of South Africa. However, the 20-year National Development Plan (NDP) released this week by Manuel does not even define ECD or pre-school education, let alone how it should be implemented, where, when and by whom. So the fear across the education sector is that the NDP may be yet another case of “just talking the talk”.