South Africa: Battle Over Future of Public Broadcaster

Cape Town — A powerful coalition of civic organisations is calling for a complete overhaul of the legal framework of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) to force it to fulfil its public broadcasting mandate.At a meeting on Jan. 29, the Save our SABC Coalition said they would step up their focus on the SABC Amendment Bill that is awaiting the signature of President Kgalema Motlanthe. However, the coalition is also lobbying for a separate, new SABC Act which addresses programming content and issues like board appointments, transparency and funding models.

Zimbabwe: Motlanthe Confident Govt of Unity Will Work

Addis Ababa — President Kgalema Motlanthe is confident that the establishment of a government of national unity in Zimbabwe will be a success, saying that initially the inclusive government would aim to stabilise the political and economic situation in that country.Briefing media at the12th African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government Summit early on Wednesday morning, the President said the establishment of an inclusive government would allow for all political parties to work together and shape conducive conditions to holding elections.

Nigeria: Kidnappings – Oil, Gas Exports Under Threat

Lagos — Nigeria’s troubled economy is at further risk as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) yesterday said it would embark on an industrial action to shut down crude oil exports from Rivers State.The action is to start from Monday unless the increasing spate of kidnappings in the Niger Delta is addressed, the union said.If the action takes place as planned, activities at the export terminal would be paralysed, a development which will lead to loss of billions of dollars in revenue for the country.