MALAWI

Civil society body bars state journalists

[Gregory Gondwe: @Kalipochi] Civil society organisations in Malawi received a whiplash on Tuesday, 14 February 2012, following a decision to send away journalists of the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), who had come to cover a news conference they were hosting. Read more >>

MALAWI

MALSWITCH rebrands

[Gregory Gondwe: @Kalipochi] Malawi Switch Center Limited (MALSWITCH) which provides and maintains an infrastructure of electronic payment solutions in Malawi, including the system used by the country mobile phone service providers, has rebranded. Read more >>

AFRICA

Get the push vs pull marketing balance right

[Vanessa Clark] In Hugh Lofting's Doctor Doolittle books, the Pushmi-pullyu is a rare animal from Africa with two heads, half gazelle and half unicorn. When it tries to move, it gets pulled in two different directions. It wouldn't be surprising if many marketers feel like this at the moment, trying to navigate the rapidly changing digital marketing world, and getting the balance right between push and pull marketing. Read more >>

MALAWI

JUMA, Transparency International partner for training course

[Gregory Gondwe: @Kalipochi] Journalists Union of Malawi (JUMA) has partnered with Transparency International (TI) to conduct a week-long 'Reporting Corruption Training Course for Malawian Journalists' to be held in Malawi on 12-16 March 2012. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Google vs gut: how to screen clients

[Jo Duxbury] Whether you're a big agency, or a small one, or a freelancer, chances are that when a new client starts nosing around, contemplating working with you, they'll do some background checking. After all, they're going to be giving you money and they need to know you'll be able to deliver what they order. Funny, though, how rarely this screening happens in reverse. Read more >>

AFRICA

Inaugural Tech Demo Africa

ITNewsAfrica will host its inaugural Tech Demo Africa Showcase, aimed at showcasing technology from established companies, as well as start-ups. Read more >>

AFRICA

Summit to depict future of healthcare in Africa

New research predicting the future of African healthcare in 2022 is set to be launched at the Economist Conferences' Healthcare in Africa summit in Cape Town, South Africa on 6-7 March 2012. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Don't know how to structure a speech?

[Douglas Kruger] Ever sat staring at a computer screen, agonising over how to structure that crucial presentation? The future of humanity depends upon it, and so far, you have a blinking cursor... ...And a note to pick up some chicken spice. For those difficult days when your mind is on the fritz, here's a 'copy and paste' selection of structures that you can simply choose and use. Read more >>

AFRICA

ABN Group appoints Bronwyn Nielsen as executive director

Home of CNBC Africa and Forbes Africa, Africa Business News (ABN) has appointed Bronwyn Nielsen as the new executive director to the group. Read more >>

CONGO

Warid Mobicash launches in Congo

Warid Congo S.A, a telecommunication operator in Congo, on Wednesday, 15 February 2012, announced the launch of Warid Mobicash across its network. This offer is based on the Mobile Money technology from Mobicash. Read more >>

AFRICA

The mobile farming revolution in Africa

[Staff Reporter] For some time now, there has been a growing body of anecdotal evidence to suggest that mobile telephony was having a significant impact on the quality and type of farming that is taking place in Africa. But a recent study conducted by global management consulting, technology and outsourcing services company, Accenture, is providing concrete proof and a deeper understanding of this impact. Read more >>

UGANDA

DStv heralds new era to East Africa

Uganda and East Africa in general will no longer be shoveled around DStv channels. Read more >>

UNITED STATES

Bees Awards open for entries

SAN FRANCISCO, US: The Bees Awards - claimed to be the first international social media marketing awards - have launched their third edition and are now open for entries. Read more >>

UNITED STATES

MMA makes it easier to buy and sell mobile ads for smartphone and tablet

NEW YORK, US: The Mobile Marketing Association (MMA), the leading global trade association for the mobile industry, recently released an updated version of the MMA Universal Mobile Ad Package. Created with MMA members, with added input from the industry gathered during a public comment period, the new, 2.0 version makes it easier to create, buy and sell mobile ads for smart phones, feature phones and tablets. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Govt serious about fighting crime, corruption - Zuma

President Jacob Zuma says the fight against crime and corruption continues to top the agenda of government, with dozens of cases having been finalised in the past two years. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Public hearings into economic zones kick-off

The economic zones that are proposed in the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Bill will boost the economic growth of KwaZulu-Natal, says Economic Development and Tourism MEC Michael Mabuyakhulu. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Davies to participate in Business Forum

Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies will today participate in the South Africa-Turkish Business Forum. Davies is in Turkey on an official visit to strengthen ties between the two countries. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

The Punto... Practical, pretty, perky

[Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] Fiat launched its 6th generation Punto in South Africa last week just as the car was also being unwrapped in the UK and Europe - and judging by its looks, features and new engines the latest Punto will continue to be the biggest contributor to local Fiat passenger car sales. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

China's Year of the Dragon present

[Michael Jones] Launch of first direct South Africa - China flight is a game changer for our tourism industry. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Is that Mabula?

[Brian Berkman: contributing editor, travel] "Where's Nana?" a Somerset West woman sitting behind us, in our game drive vehicle, at Thula Thula shouts, to our ranger over our shoulders. "Baby Mandla" her daughter chimes in, "is so big now." "Oh my God", the mother, close to tears, shrieks "is that Mabula over there, coming towards us now?" Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Monday night TheatreSports

[Maike Gevers] Picture a night out at the theatre and chances are you'll conjure up an image of a large hall, dressed-up audience members wearing old-fashioned make-up, the aroma of sneeze-making perfume, a big red curtain hiding elaborate stage props and, of course, the crinkling noise of someone trying to eat chocolate Whispers discreetly . Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Sincere and significant Material

[Daniel Dercksen] This truthful and outstanding local film is a wonderful example of what Proudly South African filmmaking and storytelling are all about. Sincere in its telling and significant in its delivery, writer-director Craig Freimond and his team give us a passionate and endearing portrait of the Muslim community and life in South Africa. It is not a film about comedy, but uniquely explores the ability of humour as a potent and proficient weapon to break down conventional and conservative barriers and embrace cultural and social differences. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Bach and Friends on Vacation in Darling

[Andra le Roux-Kemp] The small town of Darling (about an hour's drive from Cape Town) is not only home to the (in)famous First Lady of South Africa, Evita Bezuidenhout, but is also, according to the organisers of the seventh Darling Music Experience, the favourite holiday destination of German composer Johann Sebastian Bach. Read more >>