Sisulu Jnr to head SABC
South Africa's public broadcaster, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), which became notorious for its role as the mouthpiece of apartheid and its rigid political and moral censorship, is to be headed by Zwelakhe Sisulu. Sisulu, son of ANC veteran Walter Sisulu, was formerly editor of the respected progressive weekly New Nation. Sisulu will assume office in mid-September.
Public works program to create 2.5 million jobs
Public Works Minister Jeff Radebe announced on August 4 a program to create 2.5 million jobs over the next 10 years. The plan, described as a "key component of the RDP [Reconstruction and Development Program]", will be based on labour-intensive public works. Technical specifications for projects will be amended to shift the emphasis from machinery to labour. "We look forward to the creation of jobs in the shortest possible time," Radebe told parliament.
'Forgotten' ANC political prisoners on hunger strike
Many ANC political prisoners remain in jail. To highlight their plight 40 political prisoners at Leeuwkop Prison launched a hunger strike on August 3. An agreement was signed between the National Party government and the ANC in 1992 for the release of all political prisoners. Just prior to his defeat in the April 27 election, NP leader FW de Klerk approved the release of many prisoners held for racially-motivated murders against blacks; political prisoners from the liberation movements remained behind bars. COSATU spokesperson Neil Coleman and ANC PWV MPs Robert McBride and Lindiwe Zulu have called on justice minster Dullah Omar to release the remaining political prisoners, describing their continued incarceration as "unacceptable".
COSATU solidarity
COSATU unions began a campaign against trade links with countries with repressive labour practices. A picket was held in Cape Town to protest the visit of a Malaysian trade mission. South African Clothing and Textile Workers Union spokesperson Shahied Teladia called on the government to not sign trade agreements with countries that did not abide by ILO conventions. Teladia said that Malaysian clothing was cheaper than South African products because of labour repression.
Namibia's colonial debt may be wiped
Speaking in the Namibian capital Windhoek on August 10, President Nelson Mandela said he favoured cancelling Namibia's R1.3 billion colonial debt. "My own view is we should be up front in assisting our neighbour, without having to be burdened by obligations assumed by a government of oppression," he said.
By Norm Dixon