Global Philanthropists Circle Trip to Southern Africa March 11-21, 2002
Southern Africa News Digest
As background material for the 2002 trip to Mozambique and South Africa, Synergos is compiling a weekly digest of articles that might be of interest to GPC members.
Please note that, over time, links to some of the articles may stop working. Also, New York Times articles may be viewed for free for only one week from the date of publication (with free registration); after that a fee is required.
AllAfrica.com, February 26
President Chissano offers development vision to US investors
Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano, in meetings with US business and government leaders in Washington, has described his country's five years of significant economic growth. In addition to outlining the opportunities his country offers to international investors, Mr. Chissano is also in discussions with the US Agency for International Development, the US Army Corps and the Tennessee Valley Authority in an effort to develop the Zambezi River valley in ways that draw upon the US experience in the Tennessee River valley.
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The Daily News (Harare) via AllAfrica.com, February 26
Maputo, Harare in Joint Strategy On Pungwe River
The governments of Mozambique and Zimbabwe have created an integrated water resources management strategy for the Pungwe River, which is on the border of the two countries.
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The Carter Center, February 21
World leaders call for an increased commitment of resources by the international community to combat poverty
The Carter Center convened a meeting of world leaders, including the President of Mozambique and the heads of the World Bank and United Nations Development Programme, who called attention to the lack of progress toward the Millennium Development Goals set at the UN in 2000. Event co-chair Robert Rubin pointed out that persistent poverty can contribute to political instability and even terrorism. Participants called on wealthy countries to commit more resources to international assistance and developing countries to use aid more effectively.
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News24.com, February 27
New bill to crack corruption
A new bill under consideration by the South African government aims to address corruption in both the public and business sectors more effectively than past legislation by being more specific about what is illegal. In the past, prosecution has been hampered by vagueness in existing law. The bill would make certain instances of conflict of interest in government punishable as criminal offenses.
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Business Day (Johannesburg) via AllAfrica.com, February 27
Tourvest reaps benefits
The numbers of foreign visitors to South Africa has been on an upswing since December, following a decline after the events of September 11 , which has benefited companies such as Tourvest.
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South African Press Association via AllAfrica.com, February 26
People say govt should create jobs: Survey finding
A recent survey by the South African branch of Norway's Institute for Applied Social Science found that between 32 and 45% of South Africans of "working age" -- 15 to 65 years old -- were unemployed. The survey also found that about 20% of the working population relied on the informal economy to make a living, and about half of the respondents from agriculture and the domestic services industries believed the most important role of government is to create jobs.
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The Guardian (UK), February 27
"South Africa is very, very funny"
An expatriate South African (now living in France) has written a book, Heaven Forbid, that offers a humorous and insightful look at his country of birth. In an interview he states "[I]t's no longer possible to meet any white who ever supported apartheid. The amnesia is breathtaking. And deeply comical."
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Business Day (Johannesburg) via AllAfrica.com, February 27
Deaths will knock internal markets
An official in the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government stated that deaths from HIV/AIDS nationwide will peak at 800,000 per year in five years and significantly reduce the demand for agricultural products, thus disrupting the economy. Mr. Narend Singh stated that not providing the drug nevirapine to HIV-positive pregnant women was "like failing to call out the army against an invasion." Meanwhile the deputy managing director of financial services company Old Mutual urged employers to manage HIV/AIDS in the workplace to reduce the effect of the disease on business and society.
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Cape Argus via AllAfrica.com, February 27
Minister lauds Western Cape health services
Minister of Health, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, says that the Western Cape provinces health programs are a model, and she is attempting to learn lessons that might be applied at a national level. In comments that did not focus on HIV/AIDS but rather on fetal alcohol syndrome and tuberculosis, she pointed out that involvement of women in the allocation and mobilization of resources seems very important.
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News24.com, February 27
"Hands off W Cape AIDS drive"
A Western Cape Democratic Alliance health spokesman has warned of danger that "the national African National Congress government wants to take control and force us to fall in line with their disastrous policies on HIV/AIDS." He says that national Minister of Health Manto Tshabalala-Msimang has inaccurately said there are "problems" with the province's approach to HIV/AIDS.
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Business Day (Johannesburg) via AllAfrica.com, February 27
First black captain earns kudos
Lesotho-born Mpho Mamashela is the first black captain of SA Airways (SAA) and hopes to captain overseas routes soon. SAA has a pilot training program that aims to recruit young people, especially blacks and women.
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