SOUTHERN AFRICA

South Africa: Rethinking asylum
Johannesburg: South Africa should consider temporarily declaring asylum seekers from certain Southern African countries as refugees, to keep up with the burgeoning numbers of migrants, particularly from Zimbabwe, according to a senior government official.


Delta sets up shop in Nairobi
Delta Airlines has set up offices in the country in preparations to begin direct flight operations between Kenya and the US mid next year.

AFRICA

Mobile boom in Africa a boon to ad agencies
Paris: Drive around Nairobi these days, jokes Michael Joseph, chief executive of Safaricom, a Kenyan mobile phone operator, and every building is painted in his company's colour, green, or that of one of its rivals.

Ugandan products achieve Superbrand status
Eight of Uganda's leading brands have achieved Superbrand status giving their products a chance to break through global markets. Leading the group is MTN Uganda, followed by Bell Larger, Uganda Waragi, Kinyara Sugar, Splash, The New Vision, Mukwano and Nomi.

Capital Markets Authority urged to strengthen media relations
[Walter Wafula] The Capital Markets Authority, CMA, has been advised to strengthen its relation with the media in a bid to increase awareness and people's knowledge on the role and benefits of investing in capital markets. The CMA is the organisation in charge of licensing and regulating players in the capital markets and protecting participating investors.

Vodafone completes purchase of Ghana Telecom stake
London: Mobile phone giant Vodafone annonuced today, it had completed the purchase of a 70% stake in state-run Ghana Telecommunications.

ZIMBABWE

Zim hotels lure locals to make up for low international traffic
[Dumisani Ndlela] Zimbabwe's hotel groups have embarked on an aggressive marketing campaign to woo locals into their hotels and lodges, as international concern on the country's crisis remains a major threat to international tourist arrivals.

SOUTHERN AFRICA

Free Trade Area officially launched for SADC region
[Bathandwa Mbola] Johannesburg: The Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states officially launched a Free Trade Area (FTA) for the region at the weekend, ushering in a new era of economic integration.

NIGERIA

Group seeks probe of ‘smoking' parties
The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) yesterday, 14 August 2008, urged the federal government to investigate on-going ‘Experience Freshness' secret parties being organised by the British American Tobacco Nigeria to promote its Pall Mall cigarette brand.

Bodyform pledges to support women in Zimbabwe
Bodyform announced yesterday, 14 August 2008, a pledge of fundraising and marketing support to help provide vital sanitary supplies to the women of Zimbabwe, in partnership with ACTSA (Action for Southern Africa) and its 'Dignity! Period.' campaign.