ECONOMY-SOUTHERN AFRICA: Solar Eclipse a Mixed Blessing

A solar spectacle's economic promise is being eclipsed in some countries by politics.

TRADE-SWAZILAND: World’s Smallest Stock Exchange Still Struggling

Only five companies offer shares for sale, and stock trades are so rare that days can go by without a transaction.

POLITICS: Madagascar Poised to Split into Two Parts

Madagascar, the strife-torn Indian Ocean island nation of 15 million people, is by all indications poised to split into two parts unless another reconciliation meeting takes place soon.

LABOUR-SWAZILAND: Workers Confused by Union Political Involvement

Political observers noted the phenomenon for the first time back in 1995, when the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU) called the first of what would be a series of national workers stay-aways to press government for a string of reforms called the 27 Workers Demands.

/MAY DAY/LABOUR-SWAZILAND: Teachers at Forefront of Pro-Democracy Movement

The Swaziland National Association of Teachers is at the forefront of the pro-democracy movement in a kingdom that is ruled by sub-Saharan Africa's last absolute monarch.

POLITICS-MADAGASCAR: Truce in Peril

The peace deal brokered in Dakar, Senegal between rival claimants for victory in last December's presidential election, incumbent Didier Ratsiraka and challenger and former Antananarivo mayor Marc Ravalomanana, failed to find implementation in the divided island nation during the week following the accord's signing.

HEALTH: Anti-AIDS Efforts Target Truckers in Southern Africa

Efforts to contain the spread of AIDS in Southern Africa are targeting specific "high risk" individuals to receive medical information, blood testing and, if tests prove the person is infected with the HIV virus that leads to the incurable disease, immediate counselling.

ECONOMY: Southern Africa Seeks Peace through Tourism

The first 'African Peace Through Tourism Conference', held in the mountainous city of Nelspruit near Kruger Park game reserve last month, highlighted potential for tourism beyond the economic: as a means to strengthen ties between nations and thus reduce regional turmoil.

/REPEAT/ECONOMY: Southern Africa Seeks Peace through Tourism

The first 'African Peace Through Tourism Conference', held in the mountainous city of Nelspruit near Kruger Park game reserve last month, highlighted potential for tourism beyond the economic: as a means to strengthen ties between nations and thus reduce regional turmoil.

POLITICS: Peace Deal Brings Cautious Optimism to Madagascar

This week, as the peace deal between rival Madagascan presidential contenders is implemented, the agreement is seen not only as salvation for the Indian Ocean island nation, but also as a significant testimony that Africa can settle its own disputes.

DEVELOPMENT: Red Locusts Bringing New Plague to Southern Africa

Like a Biblical plague of old, red locusts announced themselves with an outbreak in Tanzania earlier this year, and a wave of the vegetation-devouring insects is headed southward to endanger crops in nations along the Indian Ocean down to the Cape.

CULTURE-AFRICA: Attempts Made to Outlaw Dangerous Superstitions

In the wake of a decision by soccer officials at this year's African Cup of Nations championship to banish spell-casting witchdoctors from the football pitch during games, police departments throughout Southern Africa have taken steps to curb superstitious practices that are more dangerous than amusing.

/ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT/MUSIC-SWAZILAND: King Uses Pop Stars Against AIDS Epidemic

American soul singer Erykah will headline an all-star cast of African and U.S. talent at an AIDS benefit concert organised by King Mswati.

FINANCE: The South African Rand Bolsters Regional Economies

Parliaments in Namibia and Swaziland have raised objections to their nations' currencies remaining linked to the South African rand, in light of the rand's precipitous drop in value this past year against the U.S. dollar.

POLITICS-MADAGASCAR: Stalemate Turns Bloody

Both the rival presidential camps of Didier Ratsiraka and Marc Ravalomanana and international observers agree that the current presidential election stalemate cannot continue indefinitely without violence breaking the tension.

/REPEAT/ DEVELOPMENT: Swazi Dam a Lesson in Regional Cooperation

This week when South Africa's Deputy President Jacob Zuma placed his hand on a control switch with Swazi King Mswati III, the pressure they exerted on the lever sent a thunderous release of water cascading out of the new Maguga Dam.

DEVELOPMENT: Swazi Dam a Lesson in Regional Cooperation

This week when South Africa's Deputy President Jacob Zuma placed his hand on a control switch with Swazi King Mswati III, the pressure they exerted on the lever sent a thunderous release of water cascading out of the new Maguga Dam.

RELIGION-SWAZILAND: Miracle Healers Find a Devoted Nation

The miracle-healing crusade of an American evangelist was this month's sensation in Swaziland, drawing the largest crowds seen in the country since the last championship soccer tournament.

POLITICS-MADAGASCAR: Presidential Stalemate Heats Up

The economic toll on the Indian Ocean island nation Madagascar grew this week as a stalemate between rival presidents, incumbent Didier Ratsiraka, 67, and challenger Marc Ravalomanana, 52, continued.

/REPEAT/ POLITICS-SOUTHERN AFRICA: Mafias More Agile than Law Enforcers

Typifying the lifestyle of multinational criminals in Southern Africa, Swaziland's most wanted man, Billy Shaw, skipped over the border this week, and is now in South Africa, absorbed, police say, into the crime network of the populous neighbouring state.

POLITICS-SOUTHERN AFRICA: Mafias More Agile than Law Enforcers

Typifying the lifestyle of multinational criminals in Southern Africa, Swaziland's most wanted man, Billy Shaw, skipped over the border this week, and is now in South Africa, absorbed, police say, into the crime network of the populous neighbouring state.