AFRICA

African leaders urged to develop positive political will
There is an urgent need for a positive political will amongst African leaders for the continent to be competitive on the global economy, this according to Dezi Lopez, vice president and managing director, African Operations, Oracle Corporation. Lopez was speaking at the South African Oracle User Group conference on Tuesday, 13 October, 2008.

Africa's emerging democracies fail to combat corruption: Report
The emerging new democracies, in most African countries, failed to live up to the expectation in a combat against corruption, according to a new report which advocates the need for strategies reform.

Ghana cashes in on tourism bonanza
Tourism receipts to the country have scaled steadily from US$981 million in 2006 to US$1.2 billion last year indicating a 20 percent rise.

Angolan president inaugurates satellite telecommunications system
The satellite telecommunications system of multi-sectoral assistance dubbed "INFRASAT" has been inaugurated in Luanda by Angolan head of State, José Eduardo dos Santos, according to a report from Angola Press Agency (ANGOP).

International speakers lined up for East Africa International Business Forum
Over 30 international speakers will address the International Business Forum in Kigali from 29 - 30 October 2008. The forum will gather participants, including business leaders from East Africa, Europe, North America and Asia to one of the most important business events in the region for years.

MACRA calls on Malawi's private couriers to register
[Gregory Gondwe] The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has called on 12 of Malawi's 18 private couriers to register with it and have a license to operate within the country.

MTN supports Ghanaian journalists association
MTN Ghana presented a cheque for 65,000 Ghana cedis to the National Executive Committee of Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) towards the 13th GJA Awards night and announced an additional three-year sponsorship package. The presentation was made on Monday, 13 October, 2008.

SOUTHERN AFRICA

Newspapers - a bright future?
Every time a new medium arises, many people predict that newspapers will go the way of the dodo. Wrong! Newspapers have adapted and refined themselves to remain relevant. This report relates to the UK experience, but it is largely relevant anywhere there's a newspaper.

Primedia Outdoor secures Namibia's first building wrap
Following many months of co-ordination between various partners, to create awareness around the country's Diamond Centenary, Primedia Outdoor has secured Namibia's first building wrap.


Sports Event Kit - Right Stuff
If you've ever been in a position where you've had to plan a sports event and requested quotes for several different items from different suppliers and the associated effort and potential headaches involved, you'll find our new Sports Event Kit a welcome relief.

Buy Ugandan, Museveni urges
Ugandan president, Yoweri Museveni, has urged Ugandans to buy locally manufactured products if the country is to overcome the high unemployment levels and achieve the government's objective of prosperity for all.

ZIMBABWE

Zimbabwe: Retail business now a pain for operators
[Dumisani Ndlela] Alex Peterson has been in the retail business all his life. His family has run a fleet of businesses, which include supermarkets, beer outlets and butcheries, for over 45 years.

Zain commissions fixed phones in Nigeria's south-south region
Zain Nigeria has commissioned Fixed Phone in the country's south-south region. The service is designed to provide more Nigerians, particularly low income earners in both urban and rural areas including students, travellers, and artisans, with access to telecommunications.

Botswana recalls Chinese dairy products
The Botswana authorities have become the latest of a number of governments around the world to recall Chinese-made dairy products, following the melamine scare.

AFRICA

CNN's 'global voices' speak out about US election
As the general election in the United States draws closer, CNN International is inviting audiences around the world to speak out on why this election matters to them. David Smith, director of Okapi Consulting media agency, shares his views on the elections as a representative for South Africa as one of CNN's 'global voices'.


Big Cat Diary goes live
[Carole Kimutai] In early August, Kenya's president Mwai Kibaki was in the Maasai Mara to witness the unfolding of the world's seventh wonder - the migration of millions of wildebeests from the Mara to the Serengeti in neighbouring Tanzania. Every year, thousands of tourists come to Kenya to view this amazing spectacle.