Media Monitor & Intelligence Update

Media Monitor Monday 8th March 2010

Quote of the Day:

"This year we are celebrating 15 years of South African democracy with more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical mass of women's visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life" The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in a statement on International Women's Day

AFRICAN POLITICS

Togo opposition vows to challenge election result– BBC (UK)

08 March 2010

The main opposition party in Togo says it does not recognise the result of the election that has returned President Faure Gnassingbe to power. Full story

ANC, Cosatu to mend rift – IOL (SA)

08 March 2010

The ANC and its alliance partner Cosatu are to meet for urgent talks on disagreements that threaten the unity of the tripartite grouping. Full story

Zimbabwe’s Tsvangirai Wants Peace-Keepers For Vote –Business Week (US)

08 March 2010

Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said a “strong” peace-keeping force should be deployed in the southern African country for elections that are scheduled for next year. Full story

AFRICAN ECONOMY

Gabon centralises taxes in bid to help business – Reuters (AFR)

08 March 2010.

Gabon has banned the levying of taxes by all agencies except by the central treasury in a bid to eradicate the plethora of local charges squeezing the margins of small businesses. Full story

East Africa strikes free trade deal with the EU – Business Daily (KEN)

08 March 2010

The East African Community moved closer to striking a deal on Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations with the European Union after Brussels softened its stand on development support – a key demand of African states that has stalled the talks for nearly three years. Full story

UK gives £67m for African Development – Dispatch online (SA)

08 March 2010

The United Kingdom and South Africa have signed a memorandum of understanding committing the UK to provide £67 million to help the regional economic communities improve transport infrastructure in eight countries. Full story

AFRICAN BUSINESS

Banking and Finance

RMB sees H1 profit up thanks to Discovery – Business Report (SA)

08 March 2010

Financial holding firm RMB Holdings expects to post a rise in half-year profit thanks to a robust performance by insurer Discovery Holdings and its exit of an emerging market portfolio. Full story

Helb to float bond as it seeks capital boost – The Standard (KEN)

07 March 2010

The higher education financier is planning to float a public bond, and list at Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE), as it prepares to transform to an education bank by 2014. Full story

Oil and Energy

N500bn Power Fund: Babalola to Raise Technical Team – This Day (NG)

08 March 2010

A technical team is under way in a bid to ensure an effective application of the N500 billion set aside by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to boost the power sector. Full story

Libya vows equal treatment for foreign oil firms – Reuters (BSW)

08 March 2010

All international energy firms will be given equal opportunities to work in Libya, the country's top oil official said on Monday after U.S. firms were caught up in a row between Washington and Tripoli. Full story

Metals and Mining

Angloplat takes mine plunge in Zimbabwe – Business Day (SA)

08 March 2010

Despite expert warnings about Zimbabwe’s indigenisation policy, Anglo Platinum ( Angloplat ) says it will go ahead with its scheduled commissioning of the R3,4bn Unki Mine development in the third quarter of this year. Full story

Technology and Communications

Waggener Edstrom opens in South Africa after Microsoft win – PR Week (UK)

08 March 2010

Waggener Edstrom has extended its business with key global client Microsoft into Africa, and is using the new win to launch its first office on the continent. Full story

Transport and Infrastructure

Zambia, Congo DR and Namibia sign agreement on transport – The Post (ZMB)

08 March 2010

Zambia has signed an agreement aimed at harmonising all aspects of transport, trade and spatial development with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Namibia. Full story

Agriculture

South Africa – New wage subsidies may apply to agriculture – Meat Trade News Daily (UK)

06 March 2010

In his budget speech Finance minister Pravin Gordhan announced a new wage subsidy for first-time labourers aged 18 to 24. This will come into operation in 2011. Rhodes University Department of Accounting’s Matthew Lester said details are

sketchy…Full story

Kenyan farmers get low cost insurance – Capital FM (KEN)

08 March 2010

As East Africa recovers from the worst drought in decades, an innovative program has been launched that will use a low-cost, mobile phone payment and data system and automated solar powered weather stations to offer thousands of farmers in parts of Western and Central Kenya affordable, “pay as you plant” insurance. Full story

Other

International Women’s Day call for labour deaths action – BBC (UK)

08 March 2010

Pregnant women in developing countries face the same risk of death as women in the UK did 100 years ago, according to a coalition of campaign groups. Full story

As Kenya gears up for looming BPO market, its vital not to dumb down – The East African (KEN)

08 March 2010

For many developing countries, outsourcing is the ultimate get-rich-quick scheme. The lure of the half-trillion-dollar market, 85 per cent of which is unaddressed, is irresistible. Full story

S. Africans Mark Women's Day - CriEnglish.com (SA)

08 March 2010
South Africans on Monday commemorated the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, declared by the United Nations to celebrate the economic, political and social achievements of women. Full story.

AFRICAN ENVIRONMENT

Uganda mudslide prompts evacuation of thousands – BBC (UK)

05 March 2010

Thousands of people are being evacuated from hillsides in Uganda where a mudslide is believed to have killed more 350 people. Full story

Lake Naivasha: Flower farms redeemed – The Standard (KEN)

07 March 2010

Unusual environmental patterns caused the sudden death of fish in Lake Naivasha recently, an interim report has revealed. Full story

Fairmount unveils ‘green energy’ project in Masai Mara

07 March 2010

Kenya’s premium tourism attraction the Masai Mara is set to take up alternative power sources. The move help hoteliers and camp operators in the area significantly save on electricity costs, as well as globally boost the image of the ecosystem as a green destination. Full story