Managed Services in Demand in Botswana (video)

26 October, 2007 in Botswana, Business, Telekoms & Providers

source: Cisco Blog

Pilot Yane of Botswana Telecom:

Botswana on course to achieve Millennium Development Goals

26 October, 2007 in Botswana

source: Mmegi
KABO MOKGOABONE
STAFF WRITER

Representatives of the United Nations (UN) agencies in Botswana were in agreement on Tuesday that the country is on a good footing to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Addressing a press briefing ahead of the UN Day, slated for the Kweneng village of Lentsweletau today, Dr Jean Kalilani, the World Health Organisation (WHO) representative said Botswana is striving to achieve the ambitious goals by 2015.

“Botswana has fully embraced this (MDGs) initiative and continues to strive in fulfilling the set targets. The United Nations is committed to supporting Botswana in achieving the MDGs and Vision 2016,” Kalilani told a media briefing at the Gaborone Sun Hotel.

UN officials say Botswana is achieving most of [continue reading]

Africa: ITC Research Highlights Risks of Potential British Airfreight Ban for Organic Foods

26 October, 2007 in Africa

source: allAfrica
International Trade Centre (Geneva)

25 October 2007
Posted to the web 25 October 2007

Geneva

New ITC research shows that developing country exporters could lose their share of an estimated $66 million (£32.6 million) in annual retail sales of organic food if Britain’s leading certifier of organic produce decides not to accept fruit and vegetables that arrive by plane.

The Soil Association, which certifies 70% of the United Kingdom’s market for organic produce, will tell British consumers, retailers and importers next week whether they recommend a ban on airfreighted organic fruits and vegetables from the developing world.

No less interested are thousands of farmers in developing countries who make a living by exporting their organic food by plane to Britain. The livelihoods of at least 21,500 people will be “seriously compromised” if the ban takes effect and is enforced by retailers, the ITC report notes.

“A ban could have profound economic impacts on [continue reading]

Zimbabwe: Mugabe refused sale of anti-riot gear by South Africa, says MDC

26 October, 2007 in South Africa, Zimbabwe

source: SW Radio Africa
By Henry Makiwa
25 October 2007

The Mugabe regime’s plans to acquire state-of-the-art anti-riot gear to use against the opposition ahead of next year’s elections have been foiled, the MDC says.

Allegations that Zanu PF had made proposals to the South African government to buy US$1,5 million worth of military equipment came to light at a meeting convened by Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi and officials from the main opposition party. According to sources privy to details of the discussions, the MDC delegation led by Home Affairs Shadow Minister Sam Sipepa-Nkomo, questioned the sincerity of the government’s statements about investigating the violence faced by the MDC.

It is understood the military gear was to be acquired under the government’s Zimbabwe Defence Industry (ZDI) Company. The transaction included the purchase of hundreds of thousands of teargas canisters and other equipment, as well as gas masks and microscopic laser guns.

The MDC says the equipment would be used in [continue reading]

China buys stake in South Africa bank

26 October, 2007 in South Africa

source: BBC News

China’s biggest bank is to buy a 20% stake in South Africa’s largest lender for $5.5bn (£2.7bn).

In the latest sign of China’s growing international economic might, its state-owned Industrial & Commercial Bank is investing in Standard Bank.

China is taking great interest in Africa, as it increasingly sees the continent as a source of raw materials and a place to invest.

China’s banks are cash-rich on the back of the country’s economic boom.

‘Political frictions’

The deal between Industrial & Commercial and Standard will put the [continue reading]

Zimbabwe: Gono blames price blitz for `anarchy`

26 October, 2007 in Zimbabwe

source: IOL

October 25 2007 at 04:41AM

Harare – Zimbabwe’s central bank chief pledged on Wednesday that empty shop shelves would soon be replenished as he denounced the “anarchy” inspired by the government’s order for retailers to slash their prices in half.

Addressing a news conference that was also attended by some cabinet ministers, Gideon Gono said the availability of goods was improving after widespread shortages that he acknowledged were sparked by the controversial Operation Dzikisa Mutengo (Reduce Prices) which began in June.

“Of what use are cheap goods when they are not available?,” said Gono who is one of veteran President Robert Mugabe’s closest lieutenants.

“With the measures that we are putting in place, and the close working relationship we are having not just with manufacturers but also with the retailers, Zimbabweans can expect to see a return to normalcy on their shelves.”

Gono said it was [continue reading]