Govt, civil society sign Declaration to fight attacks on foreigners
[Nthambeleni Gabara] Pretoria: Government and civil society organisations have adopted a Declaration which seeks to foster an understanding of the plight of immigrants and educate foreign nationals about their rights in host countries.

Digital v Anti Digital: D&AD Annual launches next month
Some of the best design and advertising in the world will be immortalised with the publication of the D&AD Annual 2008 on 18 September 2008. Designed by Neville Brody from Research Studios exclusively for D&AD membership, the book is themed ‘Digital vs Anti Digital'. For the first time this year, all of the work will be published online, as well as in the iconic book.

Limpopo strengthens economic ties with Swaziland
[Nthambeleni Gabara] Polokwane: Limpopo companies are to strengthen their trade and investment with neighbouring Swaziland by participating in the Swaziland International Trade Show.

BOTSWANA

Botswana: Proposed law would give government power to interfere with media
Botswana Member of Parliament for Mogoditshane, Patrick Masimolole has called upon the Minister of Communications, Science and Technology to drop the Media Practitioners Bill arguing that the proposed law grants too much power to the ministry in interfering with the operations of the media.

Media landscape still uncertain as Ethiopia releases jailed journalists
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) expressed concern yesterday, 20 August 2008, about the media environment in Ethiopia even though all journalists jailed in relation to their work since the November 2005 crackdown, have been released.

Mauritania junta tightens grip on media - critics
Nouakchott: Mauritania's ruling junta is censoring the media and stage-managing public rallies as it tries to show popular support for this month's coup and deflect a tide of anger from Western donors, critics in the country say.

MFWA lawyer Femi Falana wins Bernard Simons Award
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) announced that Femi Falana, a founding member of its Lawyers Network for the Defence of Media and Journalists in West Africa, won the 2008 Bernard Simons Memorial Award for his contributions to human rights in his home country, Nigeria, and West Africa.

AFRICA

Mobile web traffic in Africa increased 21% from Q1 to Q2 2008
San Mateo: AdMob, on Wednesday, 20 August 2008, released their July Mobile Metrics Report. The report focuses on increasing usage of the Mobile Web in Africa and worldwide mobile browser marketshare.

ZIMBABWE

Zimbabwe: Duty waiver makes food cheaper
Harare: Zimbabweans who have become dependant on cross-border forays to source necessities heaved a collective sigh of relief when the government decided to suspend import duty on essential food and non-food items.

ZIMBABWE

Zimbabwe: New law fails to weaken demand for electricity generators
[Dumisani Ndlela] Generator sales remained buoyant despite a government decision to regulate ownership of electricity generators that have become popular in the country due to frequent power outages.

Zambia to open Africa's largest copper mine
[Gregory Gondwe] Zambia, which is endowed with substantial mineral resources, is to open Africa's largest copper mine in December this year.

Engen expands in Rwanda, Burundi and Guinea Bissau
Engen Petroleum Limited, South Africa's refined petroleum products company, is set to acquire Total's downstream operations in three African countries - Guinea Bissau, Rwanda and Burundi - in terms of sale and purchase agreements signed recently.

Standard Bank Namibia sponsors the Leadership for Conservation in Africa
The LCA Chapter in Namibia under the chairmanship of Deputy Minister of Environment and Tourism, Leon Jooste launched the annual council meeting, earlier this week, which will be held from 4-7 September 2008 at Okakeujo in the Etosha National Park.

Gateway Communications sponsors AfricaCom Awards
London: Gateway Communications, provider of pan-African voice and data connectivity services, has given its endorsement and is committed to sponsoring the AfricaCom Awards 2008.

AfricaCom attracts more than 3,000 people to its conference and exhibition, taking place in Cape Town from 18-19 November, 2008. The inaugural AfricaCom Awards celebrates the outstanding achievements of the African communications market during the last twelve months.