January 2009

By Sydney Masinga

Groblersdal - Most water sources in Limpopo's Greater Sekhukhune district, including the Tubatse River, have tested negative for cholera.

"Recent laboratory tests indicate that water sources in most villages along the Tubatse River near Burgersfort are not contaminated with cholera," said acting spokesperson for the district Frans Moswane on Tuesday.

"Only water from a canal in Tsakane has tested positive for e-coli and vibrio cholera after tests were done on two samples."

Tests of other water sources in Ga-Mampuru, Ga-Phasha, Steelpoort, Nazareth and Tsakane villages were negative.

"The results come as a relief, but they do not mean that (we) as a water authority and our partner departments will sit on our laurels.

"We will work hard to fight the spread of cholera until we are sure that the lives of our people are safe," Mr Moswane said.

He said the district, which is based in Groblersdal, would continue to speedily repair all water infrastructure that has broken down and supply water tankers to areas without proper infrastructure.

The world is watching in anticipation as stadiums go up, roads and highways are built or upgraded, and a country once faced with overwhelming odds draws closer to hosting the biggest sporting spectacle on the planet, writes Michael Appel.

In exactly 500 days, about three billion eyes will watch in anticipation as the coveted event touches down in Africa for the first time in history.

While such a spectacle will always draw its sceptics and share of pessimists, it is the responsibility of the public, private and business sectors, as well as the public at large to cast aside blanket views of failure for the country.

One of the most positive spin-offs for the country is the massive influx of foreigners destined for South Africa's sunny shores, and the investment they bring with them.

Among those industries set to boom in a massive way over at least the next five years are the hotel, tourism, transport, restaurant and catering industries, and of course, what is referred to as South Africa's second economy, small scale entrepreneurs and artisans.

Timbuktu - South African President Kgalema Motlanthe has described the new building at the Ahmed Baba Institute in Timbuktu, Mali as a celebration of African co-operation and friendship.

"It is our commitment to a common humanity," the President said during the handing over of the building, which will be used to house the Timbuktu manuscripts, on Saturday.

President Motlanthe said he was confident that inspired by these manuscripts of great scholarship, African scholars will take up the cudgels and seek to re-define the role of Africa in history.

He said the event was not only imperative as one of the many cultural icons of our continent but seminal in their work to make the 21st century the African century.

"This magnificent heritage should strengthen our efforts to rebuild our continent, work for growth and development, fully aware that we can - despite the many impediments we face - emulate the grandeur of these great Africans who came before us.