THE GAMBIA

MISA stresses need for access to information in Africa

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) on 15 April 2012 bemoaned the current state of access to information in Africa, citing the negative impact the glaring lack of information is having on the citizenry. This observation was made during the ongoing NGO Forum of the 51st Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) in the Gambian capital of Banjul. Read more >>

AFRICA

Most cable spending directed at Africa

[Craig Wilson] Between 2010 and 2013, investors will spend more on submarine cable systems in Africa than anywhere else in the world, a new report from TeleGeography shows. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

What WACS really means for SA consumers

[Craig Wilson] Next month, the gigantic West African Cable System (WACS) will come online, bringing around 400Gbit/s of submarine fibre capacity to SA at launch. But what does this increase in capacity mean for SA consumers and internet service providers? Read more >>

AFRICA

Ernst & Young launches Next Gen

Ernst & Young launches the Next Gen program, an initiative directed at empowering the next generation of women leaders for Africa. The program is supported by Standard Bank, Microsoft and the African Leadership Academy. Read more >>

AFRICA

Uganda to host Africa's spectrum management workshop

[Julius Businge] Information and communication experts from all over Africa are meeting towards the end of this month in Uganda to brainstorm about spectrum management issues. Read more >>

AFRICA

Insights from the KPMG Africa Conversation: 'Investing in Africa'

It is reported that Africa has become one of the fastest growing regions in the world, now firmly positioned as a global investment destination of choice. In 2012-13, the continent is expected to grow by 5% and it is estimated that Africa's GDP could be US$2.6 trillion by 2020. Read more >>

AFRICA

Don't be short-changed with SMS, take the satellite route

On a price-per-packet of information basis, Short Message Service (SMS) is the most widely used communications channel in Africa - and the most expensive claim experts in the rollout and service of satellite infrastructure. For businesses and consumers, there is merit in considering investment in satellite-based communications service for data exchange says Dawie de Wet, CEO at Q-KON. Read more >>

KENYA

Airtel Kenya appoints Shivan Bhargava as MD

Bharti Airtel yesterday, 18 April 2012, announced the appointment of Shivan Bhargava as managing director for its Kenyan operations. In his new role, he will be responsible for Airtel's growth plans in Kenya. Read more >>

AFRICA

Africa set for new continental domain name extension

[Staff Writer] Under the leadership of the African Union Commission, UniForum SA, trading as the ZA Central Registry (ZACR), has applied for a new internet extension, .Africa (or dotAfrica). Read more >>

AFRICA

APO, AfDB partner to promote AfDB annual meetings

The African Press Organisation (APO) yesterday, 19 April 2012, announced a new contract with the African Development Bank (AfDB) under which APO will provide media relations services to promote the AfDB Annual Meetings to be held in Arusha, Tanzania, from 28 May to 1 June 2012. Read more >>

AFRICA

New structure for MasterCard MEA region

In a move spurred by continuous economic development, steady population growth, stable outlook and large pool of young consumers entering the workplace each year, MasterCard has announced a new structure for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) business. Read more >>

SWITZERLAND

Festival of Media: All the winners

MONTREUX, SWITZERLAND: The moment you've been waiting for... The winners of this year's Festival of Media Global Awards were announced at a grand awards ceremony on 17 April. Read more >>

INDONESIA

Why Asian newspapers continue to grow

BALI, INDONESIA: Those simplistic explanations about why Asian newspapers continue to grow went right out the window when Asian newspaper leaders gathered in Bali, Indonesia, last week. Read more >>

UNITED STATES

NYF International TV & Film Awards announces 2012 winners at NAB

NEW YORK, US: The 55th New York Festivals International Television & Film Awards, announced this year's winning entries at the 2012 awards ceremony on Tuesday, 17 April at the annual NAB Show in Las Vegas. Geoffrey Mason, senior production specialist for ESPN, was awarded the NYF Television & Film Awards Lifetime Achievement Award. Read more >>

SWITZERLAND

MediaCom is Festival of Media's Global Network of the Year 2012

MONTREUX, SWITZERLAND: MediaCom has been named Network of The Year at the 2012 Global Festival of Media Awards. The agency took the title after winning five awards and being highly commended for four other campaigns. MediaCom's work for Norway's Anti-Racism Centre was also named Campaign of the Year. Read more >>

UNITED KINGDOM

Cannes Lions, Gates Foundation issue challenge: Change the world

LONDON, UK: The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is partnering with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the world's largest philanthropic foundation, in an effort to generate communications ideas that could help change the world. SA is represented by Rob McLennan, executive creative director, Net#work BBDO, on the Cannes Chimera. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

No delay in implementing e-tolls

There is no chance that the implementation of the e-tolling system on Gauteng's main highways will be delayed. The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) CEO Nazir Alli, who was briefing media on Thursday, said that the system would still kick off on 30 April, despite the opposition from motorist, business, unions and a pending court challenge. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Govt invites bidders for multi billion rand rail rolling stock

Government has formally invited manufacturers in South Africa and outside of SA to submit their bids to win the right to build 7224 metro coaches estimated at R123bn. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa's domestic law, treaty override?

[Peter Dachs and Bernard du Plessis] With the recent announcement of the intention to introduce a uniform tax withholding rate of 15% for dividends, interest and royalties, the reduction of these taxes by foreign investors into SA will be an increasingly prominent feature in planning inward investment. Access to, and the use of, SA's double tax treaties will play an important role in the quest to reduce these taxes. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Denel to market products at Malaysian defence exhibition

Denel has a strong presence at the 13th Annual Defence Services Asia Exhibition (DSA) held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this week. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Too much spent on state leases

The National Treasury is concerned that R3bn a year spent on leasing properties for state departments was too high, according to a report on Wednesday. Treasury deputy director-general for public finance Andrew Donaldson told Parliament's appropriations committee on Tuesday that state spending on leases had grown rapidly, Business Day reported. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Increase in e-toll registrations, but...

There has been a significant increase of e-tag registrations in Gauteng, the SA National Roads Agency Ltd said on Wednesday. Most of the registrations had taken place at mall outlets, it said in a statement. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

[10 Things I Love About]... Incentive travel

[Brian Berkman: contributing editor, travel] A bespoke travel company with high-end clients, Giltedge Incentives is part of the Giltedge group of companies with over 50 staff members across the various divisions. These include Giltedge International (corporate travel), Giltedge Africa (inbound leisure travel), Giltedge Golf & Sport travel and Giltedge Destination Management (inbound MICE). Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

New vision for Tsogo Sun

Southern Sun, previously the umbrella brand for the hotel division of Tsogo Sun Holdings and Tsogo Sun Gaming, the group's casino and entertainment division, have been incorporated into the Tsogo Sun identity, unifying the company under one name and logo. Southern Sun will, however, remain as a hotel brand for premier hotels within the portfolio of brands. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Shaping the future of tourism together at INDABA 2012

With South Africa's tourism industry showing resilience in tough global economic times in 2011 and recording good growth, INDABA 2012 is again set to be a crucial platform for sales and the forging of strong partnerships with all industry stakeholders to grow the sector. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Soli Philander in Taxi Nights

[Daniel Dercksen] If you have only heard funny man Soli Philander in action on the radio, wait until you experience him at full throttle in Taxi Nights, now playing at the Kalk Bay Theatre for a short, not-to-be-missed run until 28 April. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Doodsnikke Dystopia

[Johann Smith] The American dream described by Hunter S Thompson, existed in 1960s' San Francisco and as being special time in the corner of the world, that whatever it meant, there was madness in every direction, at any hour. That you could strike sparks anywhere. That there was a fantastic sense that whatever we were doing was right. That inevitable sense of victory over the forces of old and evil -our energy would simply and always prevail. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Charming fantasy in Mirror Mirror

[Daniel Dercksen] If fairy tales and the world of make believe are enchanting, Mirror Mirror is beyond enchantment in an adorable, huggable kind of way. It is the kind of film you want to put in your pocket and take home with you to open like a music box and revisit its charm. Read more >>