DEVELOPMENT: Aid for the Poor, Not for the Consultants

No less than a quarter of annual development aid - about 20 billion dollars - is being used by donor countries to fund technical assistance of sometimes dubious worth, says ActionAid International in a new report.

POLITICS-ZIMBABWE: The Mediation That Never Was

While U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's stillborn effort to mediate in the Zimbabwean crisis may have made headlines this week, it came as no surprise to political observer Brian Raftopoulos.

RIGHTS-SOUTHERN AFRICA: Striking Down the Taboos About Albinism

A variety of ailments can affect people with albinism, an inherited genetic condition characterised by the absence of melanin in skin, eyes and hair. But, the challenges confronting albinos do not end there: all too often, they are shunned and discriminated against as well, in Southern Africa and elsewhere.

TRANSPORT-SOUTH AFRICA: Putting the Brake on “Mobile Coffins”

South Africa is phasing out ageing and ill-maintained minibus taxis to pave the way for new, and hopefully safer, vehicles. Minibuses are a common means of transport in the country, where they serve between seven and nine million passengers a day, according to the Department of Transport.

WORLD REFUGEE DAY-SOUTH AFRICA: Hope in a Suitcase

Conflict in Rachael Mukoma's country, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), made it impossible for her to stay there. At the same time, it was very difficult for her to leave.

RIGHTS: “War on Terror Is Sending People Into the Hands of Terrorists”

Political repression and the war on terror are expected to be amongst issues discussed at the five-day CIVICUS World Assembly that begins in the Scottish city of Glasgow on Jun. 21.

DEATH PENALTY: Calls for the Return of Capital Punishment in South Africa

Frustrated with what they see as increasing lawlessness in South Africa, leaders from political parties such as the Freedom Front Plus, the Christian Democratic Party and the Pro-Death Penalty Party are united in one cause: that capital punishment needs to be reinstated.

CULTURE-SOUTH AFRICA: What’s in a Name?

A proposal to change the name of South Africa's capital from Pretoria to Tshwane has sparked controversy.

RIGHTS-SOUTH AFRICA: Zuma Acquitted – but “The Struggle Continues”

As the rape trial of former South African deputy president Jacob Zuma wrapped up Monday with an acquittal for the defendant, calls were sounded for the verdict not to be seen as undermining the fight to curtail rape.

DEVELOPMENT-ZIMBABWE: To Farm, or Not to Farm?

Recent moves by the Zimbabwean government to allow white farmers whose land was confiscated to resume farming, have drawn a variety of responses.

WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY: Cause for Hope and Concern in Southern Africa

As countries around the world commemorate World Press Freedom Day on Wednesday, a mixed picture has emerged of the state of media freedom in Southern Africa.

SUDAN: Putting the First Tarred Roads “Since Creation” in Place

For about two decades, aid agencies have been airlifting relief supplies to south Sudan because of the poor condition of the roads in this region - devastated by more than two decades of civil war.

TRADE: Caution in South Africa About Sudanese Investment Opportunities

Officials in south Sudan are looking for foreign investment to develop the impoverished but oil-rich region that has been devastated by a 21-year conflict which ended last year.

POLITICS-SWAZILAND: Border Post Scuffles Highlight a Democratic Shortfall

Activists lobbying for democratic reform in Swaziland have vowed to push ahead with their campaign, even though several of them were temporarily detained this week for blocking the five border posts between South Africa and Swaziland.

HEALTH-AFRICA: “An Opportunity to Change the Course of History”

An Africa-wide campaign has been launched to halt HIV infections, this as the continent continues to be the worst affected by AIDS globally.

SOUTH AFRICA: The Shower That Washed Anti-AIDS Efforts Down the Drain

AIDS activists have expressed concern about a remark by former South African deputy president Jacob Zuma that he minimised his risk of contracting the AIDS virus during unprotected sex with an HIV-positive woman, by taking a shower afterwards.

SOUTH AFRICA: The Shower That Washed Anti-AIDS Efforts Down the Drain

AIDS activists have expressed concern about a remark by former South African deputy president Jacob Zuma that he minimised his risk of contracting the AIDS virus during unprotected sex with an HIV-positive woman, by taking a shower afterwards.

WORLD HEALTH DAY: Medical Brain Drain Puts Southern Africa in a Quandary

The figures tell it all. In South Africa, 37 percent of the country's doctors and seven percent of its nurses have migrated to Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Portugal, Britain and the United States.

WORLD HEALTH DAY: Medical Brain Drain Puts Southern Africa in a Quandary

The figures tell it all. In South Africa, 37 percent of the country's doctors and seven percent of its nurses have migrated to Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Portugal, Britain and the United States.

ECONOMY-AFRICA: Admiration and Wariness Towards China

Five years ago, Martyn Davies used to give talks on China a couple of times a year, if he was lucky. "Now I get invited twice a week," he says, highlighting how interest in China's booming economy has grown.

WORLD SOCIAL FORUM: Different Continents, Similar Problems

There is much that separates Africa and Asia, not least ethnicity, culture and language. But, as the third and final leg of this year’s World Social Forum (WSF) gathers momentum in the Pakistani financial centre of Karachi, the hope is that civic groups will build on common aspirations for the two continents.