SOUTH AFRICA: Saving the planet, and money

JOHANNESBURG, 9 October 2009 (IRIN) – As South Africans grapple with huge hikes in their electricity bills, the residents of an informal settlement on the outskirts of Cape Town have turned to the sun to provide for their heating needs in Africa’s first project registered under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
The almost 2,000 families in [...]

‘The best cardinal Africa never had’ – new biography of Archbishop Denis Hurley

Independent Catholic News
By: Ellen Teague
“One of the church’s great prophetic bishops”, a venerable father of the African church” , “a vivacious exponent of Vatican II” were among the tributes to the late Archbishop Denis Hurley voiced during the London launch, of a new book chronicling his life.

Zuma surprises protest residents

BBC 
There were violent protests across the country about poor service South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma has visited an informal housing settlement in eastern Mpumalanga Province, the scene of recent violent protests.Mr Zuma said his “surprise” visit was aimed at getting a first-hand account of people’s grievances.Residents in area went on the rampage and burnt a [...]

World celebrates as Mandela turns 91

Mail and Guardian
SIBONGILE KHUMALO
Nelson Mandela turns 91 on Saturday with a call for community service and celebrations from New York’s Madison Square Garden to downtown Johannesburg. The increasingly frail former statesman who is affectionately called Madiba, his clan name, has been inundated with messages of goodwill, from multinational companies to ordinary South Africans. But the Nobel [...]

SOUTH AFRICA: Nuns to Fight Trafficking During Sport

SOUTH AFRICA: Nuns to Fight Trafficking During Sport
 ROME, June 24, 2009 ( CISA) -A new international network to counter trafficking of women and children for prostitution during the 2010 world sporting events in South Africa and Canada has been formed by over 250 women religious congregations.

Zuma sworn in and calls for time of renewal

Mail and Guardian
Zuma did not sing or dance his trademark Umshini wami when he addressed the crowd on the south lawns of the Union Buildings in Pretoria, just after formal proceedings of his inauguration were concluded.
Addressing the crowd in isiZulu, Zuma thanked them for their support.
“I’m just your leader, but you are the hope and [...]

SOUTH AFRICA: Archbishop in Anti- Human Trafficking Drive

CAPE TOWN, May 8, 2009 ([  ]CISA) -Archbishop Lawrence Henry of Cape Town has written a letter to parishes to raise awareness among the faithful on the problem of human trafficking.
The archbishop described trafficking as “an evil in our midst” and pointed out that the church of Cape Town had a duty to take action [...]

Zuma vows to unite South Africa

BBC
Jacob Zuma: ‘We must… begin a new chapter of harmony and collaboration’

A reform deadline for the rivals

Africa Confidential

A year after the power-sharing accord, political change is faltering and the police are shooting human rights activists
Politicians gathering in Nairobi and Geneva this week candidly admit that time is fast running out for the Grand Coalition to implement its promised reforms, without which Kenya will face more chaos at the next elections due [...]

South Africa permits for Zimbabweans

BBC
Zimbabweans can get permits to stay legally in South Africa for six months, the authorities have announced.
Some three million Zimbabweans are believed to have crossed the border to escape the economic collapse and human rights abuses at home.
The permit gives migrants the right to work and get healthcare and education.