2010-04-25
ABUJA (Reuters) - An obscure Nigerian youth group said on Sunday it will carry on campaigning to elect Acting President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2011 national polls despite his request that it stop.

The race to be leader of Africa's most populous nation is wide open since ailing President Umaru Yar'Adua is unlikely to seek re-election. Elections are due by April next year.

The Northern Youth Movement for Positive Change began posting political posters, saying "Goodluck is the Positive Hope for Nigeria", throughout the capital Abuja on Friday.

Jonathan, who has not ruled out running in 2011, denied any connection to the youth group's campaign and urged them to stop.

"The acting president has not authorised any group to produce or paste campaign posters for him," said spokesman Ima Niboro on Sunday.

"He warns those behind the circulation of these posters to desist from the act because it is capable of causing distractions."

The youth group, which confirmed having no connection to Jonathan, said it believed the acting president has already proven to be a good leader since assuming executive powers in Yar'Adua's absence two months ago.

"We believe (Jonathan) can deliver. There are no fuel queues and light and electricity are normal," Dogara Bassa, the group's secretary, told Reuters.

CONTINUE TO CAMPAIGN

Despite the acting president's request to stop its campaign, the group plans to put up political posters in Kano, Bauchi and other major northern Nigerian cities.

Bassa said it receives funding from the group's members, which he claimed number hundreds of thousands. This could not be independently verified.

Former military leader Ibrahim Babangida, who ruled Nigeria from 1985-1993 and is known locally as "IBB", is so far the only major politician to announce his intention to run for president as the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) candidate.

His campaign posters, saying "IBB, We Believe", can also be seen throughout Abuja.

The PDP, which has won every presidential election since Nigeria's return to democracy just over a decade ago, has not yet chosen its presidential candidate.

The party's presidential campaign headquarters in Abuja still prominently displays a political billboard from Yar'Adua's successful run in 2007.

2010-04-25
BERLIN (Reuters) - European heavyweights Germany and France vowed on Sunday to take a hard line with Greece in exchange for financial support as doubts emerged over whether a 45 billion euro aid package was sufficient to prevent a default.

Greece bowed to intense pressure from financial markets on Friday, requesting funds from the European Union and International Monetary Fund (IMF) in what would be the first bailout of a member of the 11-year-old single currency bloc.

The debt-saddled country has announced billions of euros in austerity measures, including tax hikes and public sector wage cuts, but must now agree additional steps to satisfy the EU and IMF, and ensure the aid flows.

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble warned Greece that a tough restructuring of its economy was "unavoidable and an absolute prerequisite" if Berlin and the EU were to approve the aid Greece has requested.

"The fact that neither the EU nor the German government have taken a decision (on providing aid) means the response can be positive as well as negative," Schaeuble told the Sunday edition of German daily Bild.

"This depends entirely on whether Greece continues in the coming years with the strict savings course it has launched. I have made this clear to the Greek finance minister."

Schaeuble's French counterpart Christine Lagarde promised to hold Greece accountable for "unsuitable economic policies" that pushed its 2009 budget deficit to 13.6 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) and its debt to 115 percent of economic output.

She described the aid package as a "cocktail of indulgence and great strictness", telling the Journal du Dimanche weekly that Greece's partners would closely monitor its progress in restoring order to its creaking finances.

"We will (release the aid) according to their needs and in the case of default on repayment, we will immediately put the foot on the brake," Lagarde said.

Germany and France are due to provide about half of the 30 billion euros in aid the EU has tentatively pledged for Greece. The IMF is expected to put up the remaining 15 billion.

DOUBTS ON AID PACKAGE

Only days after Greece requested the aid, however, doubts were emerging over whether the package was large enough to calm market fears of a debt default.

Those fears have pushed the yield on Greek 10-year bonds above 8.7 percent, a whopping 567 basis points over the rates on benchmark German Bunds.

This has made it prohibitively expensive for Athens to service its mountain of debt. Greece's formal request for aid on Friday did little to ease market pressures.

Speaking to reporters in Washington at the weekend, Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty acknowledged that some European and G20 countries believed the aid was inadequate.

"There is concern about making sure that the package is enough so that it's a one-time event," he said.

There are also worries about public opposition to further austerity steps in Greece. Greek riot police fired teargas at protesters who held an impromptu march through central Athens on Friday to protest austerity.

A poll released on Saturday showed that roughly two-thirds of Greeks believe Prime Minister George Papandreou's socialist government was either too slow to react or handled the economy poorly as the country's fiscal crisis deepened.

Centre-left newspaper Eleftherotypia said the "spectre of Hungary" was haunting Papandreou's government. Voters in Hungary booted out the socialist government this month after it tried to push through painful IMF-ordered budget cuts.

Kathimerini, a centre-right newspaper, said Greece was entering a tough and unpredictable period.

"It may turn out for the better, or it may turn us into what the Anglo-Saxons call 'a failed state'," it said in an editorial.

2010-04-25
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - World Bank member countries reached a preliminary agreement on a 3.13 percent shift in voting power to give emerging and developing nations greater influence in the global institution.

World Bank officials, who agreed to talk on condition of anonymity, said the shift would increase the votes of the developing world to 47.19 percent.

"There is a 99 percent chance this (deal) is closed," one World Bank source told Reuters.

The battle over influence at the aid-focused bank is part of efforts to reflect the growing clout of developing economies on the world stage and an important precursor to a similar move on the International Monetary Fund.

The agreement will be confirmed on Sunday when member countries convene at meetings on the World Bank's Development Committee. A final decision will be decided in a vote by member countries.

"Nothing is done until our shareholder countries meet tomorrow at the Development Committee," World Bank spokesman Carl Hanlon said.

Earlier, IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn tipped journalists off to a possible World Bank agreement during a news conference, saying "they achieved their shift in quota ... but at least I won't talk on behalf of Mr. Zoellick."

The 3.13 percent shift would amount to a contribution by the parties getting the extra power of about $1.6 billion in resources for the poverty-fighting global institution.

The talks have been difficult because advanced economies, especially those in Europe, have been unwilling to give up some of their voting shares, and the United States is holding on to its veto power.

Smaller European countries have been concerned that even a small change in their voting power would mean a marked reduction in their influence.

Earlier this week, World Bank President Robert Zoellick urged the Bank's 186 member countries to set aside differences to reach an agreement by Sunday, the last day of the IMF and World Bank meetings.

2010-04-25
BUJUMBURA (Reuters) - Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza will run for another five-year term as leader after his ruling CNDD-FDD party picked him on Saturday as its candidate for the election later this year.

Thousands of party supporters jammed Bujumbura's streets in a carnival atmosphere as the former Hutu rebel group held a special session.

"I am very happy today as you have shown confidence in me. I promise to you that I will spare no efforts so that our nation can continue on the path of development," Nkurunziza said.

Burundi will hold district elections on May 21, a presidential election on June 28, a parliamentary poll on July 23 and a vote for senators on July 28. The electoral process will conclude with local elections in September.

The election will be the first democratic poll since 2005, when former rebel Nkurunziza was elected president after a long U.N.-backed peace process.

Former rebel leader Agathon Rwasa will be the Forces for National Liberation's (FNL) presidential candidate and Domitien Ndayizeye, president of a transitional government in 2003-2005, will run for the FRODEBU party.

Former journalist Alexis Sinduhije, considered by many as a credible threat for Nkurunziza, will vie on a Movement for Solidarity and Democracy ticket. Burundi will also have for the first time in its history two women presidential candidates.

Burundi, which has a population of 8 million and borders Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania, is emerging from more than a decade of civil war that killed 300,000 people.

The country is enjoying relative peace since the last Hutu guerrilla group, FNL, agreed to lay down weapons and join the government.

Many see the 2010 elections as a way of consolidating peace and Burundi's democratic achievements.

20100425
ALL AFRICA

Three senior officials from the Mutambara led MDC, Renson Gasela, Lyson Mlambo and Ntombizodwa Gumbo were killed in a car accident along the Zvishavane-Gweru road on Saturday night. An MDC-M statement said their vehicle plunged into a stationary front-loader.

They were coming from a party meeting in Zvishavane and were on their way to Shurugwi for another meeting when the tragic accident occurred.

Gasela was a former MDC MP for Gweru Rural and the Party's Secretary for Lands and Deputy Secretary for Information and Publicity, Renson Gasela. He was also founder member of the original MDC and former general manager of the Grain Marketing Board.

Mlambo was the party's National Chairperson for the Disciplinary Committee and Midlands South Provincial Chairperson, while Gumbo was the Midlands South Women's Assembly Provincial Chairperson.

Edwin Mushoriwa, the Secretary for Information and Publicity said six other party members who included the Provincial Organising Secretary, Benias Chikweya, the Deputy Provincial Organising Secretary, Felix Pireyi, Provincial Youth Assembly Secretary, George Mukaro, and Mkoba District Executive Member, Ms Mhishi and the Driver, Lavender Mugavhu who were travelling in the same vehicle were injured and were ferried to United Bulawayo Hospital where they remain admitted. The Provincial Security Officer, Antonia Sibanda who was admitted at a hospital in Zvishavane has since been treated and discharged.

He said: "MDC wishes to convey its heartfelt condolences to the Gasela, Mlambo and Gumbo families over this tragic loss. The party has indeed lost dear friends and compatriots whose contribution and dedication to the fight for democracy has been beyond measure. We take solace in that the LORD has made his decision. We shall always cherish the times that we have shared with our departed compatriots though the void created by their untimely deaths will be difficult to fill."

20100425
ALL AFRICA

The country's top political leadership will lead the nation in an historic massive HIV testing drive this morning (Sunday, 25 April).

President Zuma, his deputy Kgalema Motlanthe and Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi will launch the much-awaited HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) campaign at Natalspruit Hospital, in Katlehong, on Gauteng's East Rand.

"This is the largest campaign on HIV counselling and testing in the history of the AIDS epidemic, not only in South Africa, but in the history of the AIDS epidemic in the world It's a day that we have waited very long for", said Mark Heywood, Deputy Chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), which will lead the campaign.

The HCT campaign seeks to have 15 million South Africans tested for HIV over a one year period starting today. Its long-term objectives are four-fold. They are to mobilize people to know their HIV status; to create greater HIV prevention awareness; to cultivate a health-seeking behaviour amongst people; and to increase access to AIDS treatment, care and support services.

Heywood singled out the importance of the media in making this effort a success.

"We're going to put particular reliance on the media because this campaign, we believe, can save millions of lives, can prevent millions of infections and can better many people's lives. But to do that we need everybody to understand what it is that we are embarking upon and to give us a chance to succeed in this very, very significant national effort", he said.

For the first time South Africans are being vigorously called on to find out their HIV status, and senior government leaders and politicians are at the forefront of the campaign.

But in calling for 15 million South Africans, including politicians, to take the HIV test Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi maintains that the decision to disclose one's HIV status is a personal one.

"We haven't taken a decision to push anybody, whether it's a politician or a leader or a celebrity to disclose their status and we want to keep it that way. I believe that the stage will come in South Africa where we'll disclose willingly and all that. Disclose to your beloved ones next to you for support. That one we'll keep on encouraging even during the counseling", Motsoaledi said.

Deputy Chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council, Mary Heywood, cautioned that the road ahead of the campaign will not be easy. He called on all South Africans to support this national effort.

"As SANAC we would appeal to people to look at this campaign and not pre-determine its failure, but, if you see gaps and if you see weaknesses, to help us to fill those gaps and to fill those weaknesses because this has never been done before. So, the first time we spot a problem let's not use the problem to pull this thing down because we need people to have confidence and to have conviction in this as we go forward", he said.

20100425
ALL AFRICA

Two Cabinet ministers have disagreed over the proposed softening of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill that seeks to punish those involved the act.

Local Government Minister Adolf Mwesige who chaired the Cabinet Committee tasked with finding possible ways of amending MP David Bahati's Bill and counterpart James Nsaba Buturo of the Ethics docket failed to agree on the recommendations of the committee.

According to correspondences seen by Sunday Monitor, although the Cabinet Committee was supposed to be attended by seven ministers, only three attended the meeting that took place February 22 in Kampala.

Those who attended are Mr Mwesige and State Minister for Foreign Affair Isaac Musumba together with Education Minister Namirembe Bitamazire.

Missed meeting

Those who are on the committee but did not attend the meeting are Gabriel Opiyo (Gender Minister), Kabakumba Masiko (Information Minister), Fred Ruhindi (Justice State Minister) and Dr Buturo.

In a letter dated March 11, Dr Buturo wrote to Mr Mwesige complaining: "The report of the Cabinet Committee ... is not in the spirit of the said assignment. There are other concerns that I personally have which that report has not captured." Dr Buturo argued that Mr Bahati, "an important player in the Bill" should also be invited for consultations in another meeting.

But Mr Mwesige, who chaired the meeting, wrote back on March 15: "The report is already scheduled on Agenda of Cabinet. I am therefore not in position to hold another meeting of the committee as your letter suggests."

In their recommendations, the committee argued that the title of the Bill; Anti-Homosexuality, is stigmatising and appears to be targeting a particular group of people. They therefore want the "useful provisions of the proposed law" incorporated into the Sexual Offences Act.

The Committee, however, agreed that promotion of homosexuality should be criminalised. "The law should provide that all the parties: publishers, printers, distributors of any materials that promote homosexuality should all be liable to have committed an offence," the minutes read in part.

Although Mr Ruhindi refused to comment on the disagreement between his two colleagues, he said he did not have any sympathy for homosexuals adding: "The Bill can be strengthened as long as it is in harmony with the other existing laws."

Later Mr Mwesige told Mr Buturo that they could not present amendments to the relevant committee of Parliament "because we have no amendments to make on the Bill. But if Cabinet feels that amendments should be made, the line minister will carry those amendments to the relevant committee."

When contacted, Mr Bahati said: "Its important that cabinet realises that the matter before them is not a matter to determine the prices of tomatoes but rather the destiny of our children."

"We have a one life time opportunity to close the door to homosexuality in Uganda and if we don't use it now it will be impossible in future. We pray that they (ministers) will remain firm and put Ugandans' interests first not foreign pressure."

Although the committee says the Bill was not tabled in line with the Parliamentary rules, The Speaker, Mr Edward Ssekandi, had earlier said Mr Bahati followed the right procedure in tabling his Private Member's Bill.

No minister was willing to disclose when Cabinet would sit to consider the committee's recommendations.

20100425
ALL AFRICA

Nairobi — Leaders took firm positions ahead of a consensus meeting between the government and churches on the constitution on Monday morning.

At weekend rallies, political leaders gave not an inch by way of compromise, even as the negotiation team prepared to sit down for give-and-take on the draft.

The church is campaigning for the defeat of the draft constitution because it objects to clauses on abortion and the inclusion of kadhi courts.

Meeting is on

"The meeting is on. We will meet at the office of the President and hear them (church leaders)," said Ms Amina Abdalla, a representative of the government side. The other members of the government team are deputy prime minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Cabinet ministers Mutula Kilonzo, James Orengo, Dr Sally Kosgey, Beth Mugo, Moses Wetangula, Mohammed Elmi, Amason Kingi and Attorney General Amos Wako.

On the churches' side are catholic Bishops Philip Sulumeti and Anthony Muheria, Bishop Jackson Kosgey, presiding Methodist Bishop Stephen Kanyaru, Bishop Winnie Owiti from the Voice of Healing and Salvation and Bishop Barija Kirongah. Others are Bishop Willy Mutiso of the Evangelical Alliance, Bishop Gerry Kibarabara of the Gospel Assemblies of Kenya, Bishop David Oginde of Christ is the Answer and NCCK chairman Rev Charles Kibicho.

Speaking at Yimbo in Bondo District, Prime Minister Raila Odinga appeared to dismiss the consensus efforts, saying: "If there is consensus then there is no need to go to a referendum. People go to a referendum in order to weigh which opinion is stronger and decide on an issue that they have differed on."

He added: "We were in Parliament and we failed to reach consensus and it will be hard for them to reach consensus on those issues that they are talking about." Mr Odinga and his coalition partner, President Kibaki support the draft constitution. On the civil society front, members of the Constitution and Reform Education Consortium, a national coalition of civil society organisations, said demands for consensus on contentious issues ahead of the referendum lacked a legal basis.

Misleading Kenyans

The executive secretary of the group, Mr Kawive Wambua, said those propagating a multi-choice referendum were misleading Kenyans as the law just provided for a Yes or No referendum. Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta last week suggested a multiple choice referendum where the contentious issues would be separated and voted on.

The Constitution of Kenya Review Act which guides the process says during the referendum, voters will only have two options; to accept or reject the proposed laws and if Mr Kenyatta's suggestion is adopted the law will have to be changed. But Higher Education minister William Ruto, a leading proponent of the No opinion, was adamant that the draft must be amended before it goes to the referendum.

Mr Ruto, who was speaking in Trans Mara, said the main difference between the Yes and No teams was that one side wants the amendments to come before the referendum while the other wants the document passed and amended later. The 20-member team has the job of finding a compromise acceptable to churches who have vowed to fight against the draft because of its provisions on abortion and kadhis' courts.

20100425
ALL AFRICA

Washington, DC — "In the minds of its sponsors, the CPA [Comprehensive Peace Agreement] is "too big to fail." ... The bailout is simple: support the SPLM/NCP to muddle through no matter how flawed or sham the elections may be. - - Ahmed Elzobier in Sudan Tribune, April 21, 2010

Final results have not been released from the elections in Sudan that took place over four days from April 11-15, but several conclusions are clear, even if seemingly contradictory.

The election process, particularly in the pre-election period, was in no way free or fair. Nevertheless, the results will be accepted both by major Sudanese parties and by the international community" as a successful "milestone" in implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The ruling parties in Khartoum and Juba will continue to participate in a "Government of National Unity," and the threat of a new war will be postponed as preparations continue for a referendum in 2011 to decide on the secession of Southern Sudan.

As commentator Ahmed Elzobier remarked, the elections mean different things to different stakeholders, for most southerners a step on the road to independence, for President Omar al-Bashir a validation as "the only choice" to rule the country, and for most northerners an occasion for apathy, cynicism, or disgust. Nesrine Malik, writing in the Guardian on April 24, commented that "the lack of viable alternatives and shameful withdrawals meant Omar alBashir was found to win - even without vote rigging." (http://tinyurl.com/3454q6g)

This AfricaFocus Bulletin contains a summary of election observers reports, compiled by the UN Integrated Regional Information Networks, a statement on the election by the Sudan Independent Civil Society Network, and an analysis by Ahmed Elzobier.

Another AfricaFocus Bulletin posted on the web today, but not sent out by e-mail, contains excerpts from a new report on prospects for Sudan after the elections, entitle No Easy Ways Ahead. See excerpts at http://www.africafocus.org/docs10/sud1004b.php

20100425
SABC

The SACP national chairperson and secretary general of the ANC, Gwede Mantashe, says discipline in the structures of the movement is the best way of celebrating the life and times of Chris Hani. Mantashe was delivering the Chris Hani Memorial Lecture at Makwasie near Wolmaraanstad in the North West. He noted the irony of Hani's assassination, at the hands of an Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) right winger in April - the same month that AWB leader Eugene Terre'Blanche was also murdered this year.

Mantashe also appealed to alliance members who are not satisfied with the current leadership of the ANC to use relevant lines of communicating their dissatisfactions rather than use the media.

SACP members and other alliance members from the surrounding areas packed the small local community hall in Lobaleng township, to commemorate their hero of the liberation struggle. Hani was brutally murdered by Yanus Walus in April, seventeen years ago.

"Even if after the regime was giving up and agreeing to negotiate, they protracted the negotiation - it was this man, Martin Chris Thembisile Hani who paid the ultimate price to accelerate that process - because it is only after his death that the election date was set and year later we were free as a country. It is his blood that has strengthened our hand and weakened the hand of the enemy," says Mantashe.

He challenged South Africans to embrace Hani's bravery and refuse to surrender to the challenges of life. He says people must not choose to be helpless and wait for handouts.

Mantashe further called for unity in the fight against corruption, the end product of which he says could be far more serious than anticipated. He says corruption in the country has the potential to collapse the state. He says state tenders should be tools for empowerment and promotion of entrepreneurs and not for the benefit of a privileged few.

Mantashe refused to respond to Cosatu secretary-general Zwelinzima Vavi's criticism of the ANC's alleged lack of decisive leadership.

20100425
SABC

ANC Youth League leader, Julius Malema came in for criticism in Boksburg, where the SA Communist Party was commemorating the 17th anniversary of Chris Hani's assasination. Malema had earlier this week called BBC journalist Jonah Fisher a "bastard" and an "agent", before booting him out of the briefing. This, after Fisher pointed out that Malema also lived in Sandton an upmarket area in Johannesburg - while the youth leader was chastising Zimbabwe's MDC for operating out of offices there.

Mathews Phosa, the ruling party’s treasure general, says: “We need leaders who will create calm - popularism must be shelved for the self interest of the society.” Phosa struggled to finish his address as some members of the crowd interupted him by singing and jeering.

Phosa's comments were echoed by SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande who urged the judiciary to be more independent and to avoid being used to wipe out the liberation history: “We want to say that our songs are not just about the past they are about our dignity the blood chris hani and all those who fought and died in the struggle.” Nzimande called on political leaders to focus on the immediate crisis of the oppression and racial abuse of black farmworkers and urged them not to fuel racial tensions.

No truth - No forgivness - Limpho Hani
The day was a sombre one for the crowds who gathered to remember Chris Hani – a victim of an assassination outside his home in Dawn Park, a racially-mixed suburb of Boksburg on April 10, 1993. His widow Limpho had a message for his killers. “Until I know all the details around my husband’s death … there will be no forgiveness from me.”

Hani was the then-leader of the SA Communist Party, chief of staff of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the ANC and a fierce opponent of the apartheid government.

He was accosted by a Polish far-right immigrant named Janusz Walu?, who shot him in the head as he stepped out of his car. Walu? fled the scene, but was arrested soon afterwards after Hani's neighbour, a white woman, called the police. Clive Derby-Lewis, a senior South African Conservative Party M.P., who had lent Walu? his pistol, was also arrested for complicity in Hani's murder.

Hani's assassination is widely believed to be part of a plot by the far-right in South Africa to derail the negotiations to end apartheid.

20100425
SABC

Cape Town police have appealed to the public for help in tracing a newborn baby. The infant was snatched from the mother on Friday, only hours after being born. According to police the mother accepted an offer from an unidentified woman, to hold the baby at the Mitchell's Plain taxi rank, while she went to buy the suspect a cool drink.

There is an identikit of the women who disappeared with the one day old baby. According to police the 20 year old woman goes by the name Fiona Luke. Police believe the slenderly built woman may be in Langa or even the Eastern Cape by now. The police have opened a kidnapping case and the police's rapid response unit has launched a search for the missing baby.

20100425
SABC

A strike by the SA Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Satawu) was called off today after an agreement was reached with the Road Accident Fund. "[We] clinched a deal with RAF management in the early hours of this morning after intense negotiations over the six demands tabled by Satawu," said union spokesperson Tinzi Lubabalo.

The detail of the agreement was not disclosed but workers were striking over a new operating system, which they feared could lead to job losses and changes in working conditions. More than 1 000 workers in East London, Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria participated in a protest last week and workers were meant to continue striking on Monday.-Sapa

20100425
SABC

President Jacob Zuma has disclosed his HIV status after taking a public HIV test on April 8. The test was his fourth in recent months and the President says all four tests have been negative.

Zuma made the disclosure while addressing hundreds of people attending the launch of the HIV Testing and Counselling campaign at the Natalspruit hospital in Ekurhuleni. Zuma says while HIV tests remain voluntary and confidential, he feels it is important to show leadership in the matter.

The United Nations Programme on HIV/Aids (UNAids) Executive Director Michel Sidibe also spoke at the campaign launch and has described it as a golden moment in the fight against HIV/Aids in South Africa.

Sidibe told the South African government that the UN and the United States government fully support the campaign. He says today will be remembered at a turning point in the fight against the pandemic in South Africa, on the African continent and globally.

Government leaders, Aids activists and civil society have encouraged the public to get tested for HIV. Among the key aims of the campaign is to get about 15 million people tested for HIV before June next year. The National Association of People Living With Aids, says knowing one's status saves lives. Spokesperson Nkululeko Nxesi has committed his organisation to assisting people who test positive.

20100425
SABC

Businesses must attempt to predict changes in consumer demand, especially in recessionary conditions, a report by the Bureau of Market Research (BMR) of Unisa shows. The report, compiled by Professors Carel van Aardt and Andre T Ligthelm, released on Sunday, said predictions of consumer demand had become paramount in ensuring business profitability and even sustainability.

In the report calculations were made on the impact of changes in consumer income on the demand for various consumer products. These calculations, termed "the income elasticity of demand", measured the relationship between a change in the quantity demanded of a particular product or service and a change in real income.

The calculations were made for a wide variety of consumer products, which were classified into categories:

- Inferior products showing a decline in demand when consumer income rises (taxi travel and cigarettes);

- Necessity products reflecting demand increases at a lower rate than the percentage increase in income (vegetables and milk); and - Luxury or superior products reflecting demand increases at a higher rate than the percentage increase in consumer income (fine wines and international air travel).

The income elasticity of demand calculations of goods and services in South Africa provided a sound basis for predicting and forecasting future demand patterns, the BMR said. Van Aardt and Ligthelm examined grain products and found that they were necessities with a low positive income elasticity of demand.

This included oats, Taystee Wheat, Mabella, corn flakes, spaghetti, macaroni and other pasta. "No grain products were identified as luxuries reflecting a high positive income elasticity of demand," they said. "Grain products showing a negative income elasticity of demand included mealie meal and maize flour, cake flour, bread flour and sorghum meal and powder."

According to Van Aardt and Ligthelm, the income elasticity of demand with respect to vegetables showed that they were necessities, namely those with a low income elasticity of demand, including potatoes, mealies, onions, tomatoes, dried peas, beans and lentils.

Vegetables considered luxuries included those with a high income elasticity, including frozen cauliflower, frozen pumpkin, frozen potatoes and prepared salads. Vegetables showing negative income elasticity of demand for higher income groups, included cabbage, morogo and spinach. "Generally, the income elasticity of demand for food products shows that the proportion of income spent on food diminishes as incomes increase," the report found. "However, it should be noted that the proportional decline among all foods is not equal," it added.

In other words, the decline was more rapid among staple foods (such as mealie meal) and less pronounced among refined foods. "Generally, it should also be noted that income elasticities for a particular product often show an erratic pattern by household income category." Van Aardt and Ligthelm also calculated income elasticities by household income group.

They said low income households showed a strong consumption focus on basic necessities such as food, beverages and socialising. Products regularly bought by low-income households that showed high income elasticities include white bread, processed meat, baby food, new bicycles, bus transport and dining room and kitchen furniture. Van Aardt and Ligthelm added that middle income households started to show strong preferences for processed and ready-made foods, sports and entertainment and investment in education and medical aid.

Affluent households attached a high value to quality merchandise and spent more on books, photography, gardening and private schools. "They also spend large amounts on SUV vehicles, housing and luxury goods," the authors of the report said.-Sapa

20100425
SABC

The DA says it's concerned that President Jacob Zuma is not the only senior government official that has breached the Executive Ethics Code. Madonsela investigated Zuma's apparent failure to disclose his financial interests, assets and liabilities within 60 days of taking office.

The DA has welcomed the Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's finding that Zuma's 245-day delay in disclosing his financial interests constituted a breach of the Ethics Code. The party's Parliamentary leader Athol Trollip says this is problematic in a country where corruption is escalating.

Meanwhile President Jacob Zuma today promised to let his cabinet study a report by Public Protector Thulisile Madonsela that found he violated the executive code of ethics by failing to declare his interests in time. "The report will be presented to Cabinet for a discussion after which the president will submit it to Parliament," the presidency said.

Madonsela branded Zuma "tardy" in her report, which was handed to the presidency and the Democratic Alliance on Wednesday. She recommended that it be submitted first to Cabinet for consideration and "decision on any action to be taken", and then to Parliament. She found that Zuma was not the only culprit in Cabinet but that there was a "systematic pattern of non-compliance” by a significant number of members in declaring their interests correctly and on time. Additional reporting by Sapa

20100425
SABC

An explosion at a cafe in Ethiopia's Tigray region has killed five people and injured 20 others as the country prepares for its upcoming national elections.

"This is an attack by the Eritrean government to deliberately disrupt the upcoming elections," Micheal Abraha, Tigray's administrator, claimed in reference to the Saturday attack in the border region with neighboring Eritrea.

Tigray's regional president, Tsegay Berhe, also blamed the attack on Eritrean agents, as an attempt to disrupt the elections. However, he noted "Ethiopian elections won't be disrupted despite Eritrea's attempts to do so."

Relations between the two countries have soured due to a dispute over the frontier. Ethiopia and Eritrea fought a 1998-2000 war in which at least 70,000 people were killed.

This is while Ethiopia gears up for the May 23 national elections, in which more than 29 million people have registered to vote.

Opposition groups had claimed fraud in the country's 2005 general elections which led to clashes in Ethiopia that left some 200 people dead.

The Ethiopian government and the European Union have agreed to have EU observers monitor the upcoming national elections while Ethiopian Premier Meles Zenawi has promised free and fair elections.

20100425
ANGOP

Caxito – The Portuguese secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, João Gomes Cravinho, Wednesday in Caxito, northern Bengo province, expressed satisfaction at the level of implementation of the Centre of Health Research (CISA) in Angola, under the indicative programme of cooperation between the two countries.

Speaking to the press at the end of a visit to the centre, the official said the project is corresponding to the expectations.

João Gomes Cravinho said the implementation of the contract/programme has finalised this year, which enabled the launch of the CISA in Angola.

He stated that he is now working with Angolan in identifying the appropriate juridical paths into the next stage of the project.

"We intend to integrate CISA into a network in the African Continent, so the project, that is today a very significant reality, can within one or two years become a reference in Africa”, said the Portuguese official, who reiterated the support of his government for the project.

CISA aims at research into the most visible diseases (malaria, tuberculosis and Hiv/Aids), and those taking less attention from the scientific community and projects support networks.

The project is financed by Angolan State, through the Health Ministry and Bengo provincial government and the Portuguese State, represented by the Institute of Support for Development and Calouste Gulbenkian foundation.

20100425
ANGOP

New York - Angolan minister of Social Communication, Carolina Cerqueira, arrived Sunday in New York to attend the 32nd Session of the UN Information Committee, running from April 26 to May 07, at the UN headquarters.

The Angolan government official, at the head of a delegation integrating National Director of Information, José Luis de Matos, and Director of Office, Solange Machado, is expected to address the event on Monday.

The UN Information Committee was created in 1978 aimed at promoting a fairer world informative order which contributes to peace and understanding.

The Committee comprises 113 effective members and meets annually at the UN headquarters in New York to review the information and communication policy of that world organisation.

The resolutions approved at each session of the Committee are submitted to the UN General Assembly of the same year for adoption.

Currently, the Committee is chaired by Cape Verde, with Iran in the vice-presidency.

Angola held the post of vice-presidency from 2007 to 2009.

During her working visit, the Angolan minister will meet with the UN under-secretary general for Communications and Public Information, Kiyo Akasaka, to address issues related to the opening in Luanda of a United Nations Information Centre to meet the specific needs of the Portuguese Speaking African Countries (PALOP).

The setting up of the referred centre is a response to a request made by the Angolan government in 2002 and whose opening was approved in December 2009 after the 64th Session of the UN General Assembly.

The UN Information Centres (UNIC) were created in order to promote a global information network, with a view to increasing knowledge of the world community about the United Nations system and facilitate access to information through cooperation with governments, civil society and private sector.

These organs are part of the Department of UN Public Information (DPI). There are currently 63 information centres worldwide, namely 17 in Africa, 10 in America, 12 in Asia and Pacific and 15 in Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

During her stay in New York, the minister will meet with the press attachés of the Permanent Mission of Angola to the United Nations, officials from the Embassies in the United States and Cuba and the General Consulates in New York and Houston.

The meeting aims to improve methods of operation of press officers within the government's strategy for Institutional Communication and Press.

20100425
ANGOP

Saurimo - The governor of the eastern Lunda Sul Province, Cândida Narciso, last Saturday considered as unquestionable the impact of the mining Catoca company, due to the high number of the Angolan workers it employs and the social action it has in the community.

The governor said so at the end of his visit to the mining firm, accompanied by the minister of Industry, Joaquim David.

She stressed that 80 percent of Catoca employees are residents in the province, 95 of whom are Angolans and the remaining five percent are foreigners.

"Catoca has been contributing directly to the improvement of people's living standards, followed by the state, Catoca employs more people. Therefore, this proves its impact in the economic and social life of the province, "she emphasised.

The official stressed that Catoca, in agreement with the provincial government, supports the free school snack programme, benefiting some 23, 000 children attending primary school.