Often the hardest thing is to know which bridge to cross and which to burn – David Russel
Posted in Africa on Jun 26th, 2009
The first undersea internet cable linking East Africa to the rest of the world has been launched in Kenya. The 5,000-kilometre cable stretches from Fujairah in United Arab Emirates, passing through the Indian Ocean to Kenya. Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki described the launch at Mombasa as an event of ‘historic proportions’. The 130-million-US-dollar cable will […]
Posted in Africa on Jun 24th, 2009
Mozambique is set to produce its own antiretroviral drugs to fight HIV as early as April next year, according to officials. The Brazilian-funded venture will increase the availability and affordability of HIV treatment, in a country that has one of the highest infection rates worldwide. Mozambique has a HIV infection rate of 16 per cent, […]
Posted in Africa on Jun 24th, 2009
A women’s charity is planning to sue the Namibian government for allegedly sterilising HIV-positive women without their consent. The International Community of Women Living with HIV/Aids claims women are being tricked into sterilisation after being told the procedure is a routine treatment for AIDS. The charity claims 45 HIV-positive Namibian women have been made infertile […]
Posted in Africa on Jun 23rd, 2009
Zambia’s biggest trade union has urged the government to intervene and halt a prolonged nurses’ strike that has led to the shutdown of several hospital wards. Hundreds of patients have been turned away from hospitals owing to a strike that entered its 17th day yesterday. Roy Mwaba, general secretary of the Zambia Congress of Trade […]
Posted in Africa on Jun 18th, 2009
One in four men taking part in a South African study on sexual violence and HIV admitted to carrying out rapes. Out of 1,738 men interviewed in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, 28 per cent admitted they had raped a woman or girl, and three per cent said they had raped a man or […]
Posted in Africa on Jun 17th, 2009
According to research, low income levels and poor standards of living are fuelling child labour in Zambia. A study by the International Labour Organisation, UN Children’s Fund and the World Bank revealed that more than 1.2 million children aged 15 or under are working. Figures show 48 per cent of seven to 14 year-old children […]
Posted in Africa on Jun 17th, 2009
A review of global road safety has found Africa to have the highest number of deaths among pedestrians and cyclists. The Global status report on road safety says that while progress has been made in protecting car users, the needs of vulnerable groups such as cyclists and pedestrians has been neglected. The report suggests safety […]
Posted in Africa on Jun 15th, 2009
The Ethiopian government has unveiled plans to construct an extensive railway system in a bid to improve transportation. The new railway will consist of 5,000 kilometres of track, mainly to transport goods. It will also be electrified to take advantage of Ethiopia’s huge hydropower potential. Head of the project, Getachew Betru, says the rail network […]
Posted in Africa on Jun 13th, 2009
Congo-Brazzaville has launched a free health phone line, open 24 hours a day, which will offer medical advice on child emergency cases. The joint intiative by the government, UNICEF and private mobile phone operators is part of an effort to save thousands of children who die of treatable diseases every year in the country. Health […]
Posted in Africa on Jun 11th, 2009
In Zambia, more than 5000 public sector workers have gone on strike over demands for better pay and improved working conditions. The workers are demanding a 25 per cent rise in their monthly salaries, and a monthly housing allowance of 150 US dollars. The nationwide strike in the ministries of health, land, mines, energy and […]
