The Legendary singer many of us got to know as Mama Africa, Miriam Makeba has passed away overnight in Rome, Italy. She passed away after taking part in a concert for Roberto Saviano. It is reported that Miriam Makeba passed away from a heart attack after having sung for 30 minutes at the concert. She was taken ill to a local hospital where she passed away.

Mama Africa was born in Johannesburg on March 4, 1932 thus making her 76 years old at the time of her death.

The InTheNews.co.za would like to pass on their condolences to Miriam Makeba’s family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Rest In Peace Mama Africa.

Yesterday (Saturday 1 November), marked yet another historic day in the politics of South Africa. As many had anticipated, a new political party will be born in South Africa in the Free State on December 16. Mbhazima Shilowa, former Gauteng premier, said the new party “which has yet to be named” will not only “take on” the dominant ANC, but “is going to win the next election”. The new party, to be formed as a break away from the ruling ANC will have a name and logo different from the ANC as the leaders want to build a brand new identity.
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Last night (Sunday 28 September), South Africa’s new President gave his first address to the nation in a live TV broadcast. This is what he had to say:

Fellow South Africans,
I am deeply honoured and privileged to address you this evening as your President.

Before I continue with my message I would like to pay my last respects to Mrs Nomkitha Virginia Mashinini, mother of Tsietsi Mashinini, the leader of the 1976 Soweto students uprising, who has just left us.

Allow me, on your behalf to convey our condolences to her children and the Mashinini family. May her soul rest in peace!

Fellow South Africans,

Our country is emerging from one of the most difficult weeks in the history of our young democracy. It has been a week of uncertainty and doubt, hurt and anger. Yet, it is at moments like this that the true character of our nation emerges. Read the rest of this entry »

New South Africa President, Kgalema Motlanthe has named his new cabinet. Probably the biggest cheer in the National Assembly when Motlanthe was naming his cabinet was when he named Trevor Manuel as the Minister of Finance. Many had feared that Manuel would walk away from the position after tendering his resignation when former President Thabo Mebki resigned. But Manuel then went on to say he would be available for the position if chosen by the new leader and subsequently Motlanthe has stuck to Trevor Manuel to continue doing the job he is doing in arguably the most important ministry in the country.

President Kgalema Motlanthe also named Baleka Mbete as his deputy president. Read the rest of this entry »

What many of us expected happened today; ANC deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe was duly elected in the National Assembly as South Africa’s next president to replace Thabo Mbeki, who resigned after being “recalled” by the party. Motlanthe garnered 269 votes against the 50 votes cast for the only other nominee, Democratic Alliance chairperson Joe Seremane. There were 41 spoilt ballots (One wonders how there can be such a large number of spoilt ballots?)

The ANC says Motlanthe’s election to the country’s highest seat sends a signal to the country and the international community of the ANC’s commitment to maintain stability and continuity in government. Party spokesperson Jesse Duarte says Motlanthe belongs to a group of leaders who have always put the needs of the country and its people first.

It is a new dawn in South Africa today. What will Motlante bring to the leadership of the country? Is he going to outshine Thabo Mbeki in the short time he has until the 2009 elections? Is he just going to keep it simple? Or is he going to try make a mark for himself in the time he has available? Many questions remain to be answered. What do you think of Motlante as the new president?

Fellow South Africans,

I have no doubt that you are aware of the announcement made yesterday by the National Executive Committee of the ANC with regard to the position of the President of the Republic.

Accordingly, I would like to take this opportunity to inform the nation that today I handed a letter to the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Honourable Baleka Mbete, to tender my resignation from the high position of President of the Republic of South Africa, effective from the day that will be determined by the National Assembly. Read the rest of this entry »

Last night (21 September 2008), South Africa’s President, Thabo Mbeki resigned. Mbeki’s resignation will become effective at a date to be determined by the National Assembly. The President will remain in office until the National Assembly accepts his resignation and determines his date of departure. The ANC is expected to announce its preferred candidate for Acting President today (Monday). The Acting President is then expected to convene Cabinet in terms of the Constitution. The African National Congress (ANC) had asked Mbeki to quit before the end of his term next year, eight days after a judge threw out corruption charges against party leader Jacob Zuma, suggesting there was high-level political meddling in the case.

Parliamentary speaker Baleka Mbete is expected to be given the job of acting president. Jacob Zuma, who holds no government post, is unlikely to have such an interim role and is all but certain to become head of state in 2009 elections. Zuma is scheduled to have a news briefing today at 12:00 and it will be very interesting to hear what he has to say in the aftermath of the most testing time in South Africa politics since 1994.

The news most of South Africa had been waiting to hear today; Interest rates will not be changing, this after the Reserve Bank decided to keep the repo rate at 12%. Most of us were waiting with baited breath this afternoon, fearing that interest rates will be increased again. An increase in interest rates would have plunged the majority of South Africans into even more debt. Can you imagine having to pay a couple Rand extras every month on your mortgage or car? But now, we will not have to pay extras due to the interest rates remaining where they are. What I can hope for now is that instead of waiting for the next MPC meeting and waiting to find out if rates are going to go up or remain where they are, we can be in a position of hearing the possibility of interest rates going down. I may be dreaming about the possibility of interest rates going down anytime soon but we are all allowed to dream aren’t we?

Some analysts are predicting that interest may only start to come down in the middle of 2010 so for now we just have to hope that they remain where they are as opposed to rising. There is also the possibility that the price of fuel could be coming down next month which is cause for celebration.

Yesterday, many people went out to buy the Sunday Times newspaper after seeing the headline which alleges South Africa’s President, Thabo Mbeki, of having received R30-million from a German industrial giant to ensure it won the submarine contract in democratic South Africa’s first arms deal. The report further goes on to suggest that he allegedly gave R28 million to the ANC and R2 million to former deputy president Jacob Zuma. This shocking allegation has surfaced for the first time in a highly secretive investigation by a UK-based specialist risk consultancy. At first thought, some have suggested that there is no truth in this story and that the Sunday Times are just out to make money buy finding a ’story’ which will sell their papers. But then again, this story could easily be true. Who is to say that it is impossible for such a corrupt deal to have taken place? Read the rest of this entry »

Johannesburg residents and industries can expect an electricity price hike this week. The city has approved Eskom’s electricity tariff hike of 20.6% at its council meeting. City Power’s Managing Director, Silas Zimu, says even though consumers will pay more for electricity, blackouts can be avoided since the city has enough reserves. The tariff would be implemented on August 1. Poor consumers, however, would not be given an additional increase in tariffs and their share would be covered by the city. The more electricity people used, the more they would pay for it by the looks of things. This tariff increase is seen as a way to try encourage consumers to use less electricity. Read the rest of this entry »