Stepping into the 21st century![](https://biz-file.com/b/0911/33863.jpg?1) If any of you thought that Somaliland is little more than warlords and pirates, the news is that the embattled country has made a step into this century - they have just introduced their first debit card. OK, they're a bit behind the rest of us, but at least it shows that there could be a functioning economy lurking in the background, and if they can shed their very dubious image of being an essentially lawless society, then outsiders - and that could include potential investors - might just be persuaded to take a closer look at our dilemma on the Horn of Africa. Meanwhile, back in Tunisia, it seems that journalists might be fair game. The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) has condemned the beating of a Tunisian journalist, allegedly by police, and the arrest of another. When are Africa's authorities going to get it through their collective heads that this sort of thing does absolutely nothing for the continent's image? Freedom of the media and the freedom to do your job without being belted around the ear are part and parcel of a society that will tend to attract investments. Too many countries in Africa unfortunately seem to target members of the media too frequently - and by too frequently we mean one beating is one too many. That news gets around, and people outside of the continent do not look on it kindly. Rod Baker, guest columnist
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2010 FIFA World Cup
[Nthambeleni Gabara] PRETORIA: The revamped Wonderboom National Airport in Pretoria is expected to be used extensively during the 2010 FIFA World Cup to transport fans and FIFA delegates to and from the host city. Read more >>Advertising
SOUTH AFRICA YoungGuns deadline extendedDue to technical difficulties with entries, the deadline for YoungGuns for both the digital and advertising award entries is extended to Friday 6 November 2009. The student deadline of 6 November remains as is. Design
![](https://biz-file.com/c/0911/39411.jpg) Absolut Vodka, in continuation of its 30 years of artistic collaboration and support, has awarded the first of its yearly art prize of €15 000 to Keren Cytter, born 1977 in Israel, who now lives in Berlin and whose work has brought a lot of critical acclaim when shown at galleries and museums around Europe. Read more >>Digital
LOS ANGELES: Technology stars, pundits, and entrepreneurs joined the Internet's father on Thursday, 29 October 2009, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his culture-changing child. Read more >>![](https://biz-file.com/c/0911/39407.jpg) SAN FRANCISCO: Google on Tuesday, 27 October 2009, made it more tempting for people to try its nascent Voice service that lets users merge home, office and mobile phones into a single number. Read more >>Media
![](https://biz-file.com/c/0911/39400.jpg) The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) on Friday, 30 October 2009, condemned the beating of a Tunisian journalist, allegedly by police, and the arrest of another, and called on the Tunisian authorities to abandon their campaign of intimidation against the independent press. Read more >>Mobile
JOHANNESBURG: HTC Corporation, a global smartphone designer, recently unveiled a global advertising campaign that is based on HTC's new 'quietly brilliant' brand positioning. As HTC's first global advertising campaign, the YOU campaign is being rolled out across 20 countries in the coming weeks and features the tagline, 'You don't need to get a phone. You need a phone that gets you.' Read more >>![](https://biz-file.com/c/0911/39423.jpg) Frost & Sullivan ICT industry analyst Spiwe Chireka said on Wednesday, 28 October 2009, said there was no need for MTN to be concerned after the mobile operator reported a drop in local subscriber numbers. Read more >>Retail
A debit card service was launched for the first time ever in Somaliland last week. The region broke away from Somalia in 1991, when the country's government collapsed, and has been relatively stable ever since. Read more >>[Chris Bathembu] PRETORIA: President Jacob Zuma says growth can only happen through effective partnerships and greater cooperation among African countries. Read more >> TV
[Gregory Gondwe] Multichoice Malawi has assured subscribers in some parts of the country who were apprehensive that it could dump them the way the pan-African pay-TV satellite service GTV did last year. Read more >> "Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely." - Auguste Rodin Print - Print any item in this newsletter. Email - Email any item in this newsletter. Comment - Comment on any item in this newsletter. | | Advertisement:![](https://biz-file.com/b/0909/31743.gif)
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