HEALTH-SOUTH AFRICA: Warm Welcome for Plan to Provide AIDS Drugs

After years of delays, the South African government gave its stamp of approval this week to a plan for providing free anti-AIDS drugs.

POPULATION-ANGOLA: Challenges Face Refugees Back Home

Angola is a country in transition. "Refugees are moving, the displaced are moving and so are ex-combatants," says Kallu Kalumiya of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

POLITICS: South Africa Forges Close Ties with France

South African President Thabo Mbeki's state visit to France this week was his fourth trip to that country this year.

POLITICS-BURUNDI: African Leaders Push for Final Peace Deal

Burundi's largest rebel group is locked into that country's transitional government and peace process after a signing ceremony before regional leaders in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, at the weekend.

LABOUR-ZIMBABWE: Workers Cannot Take It Any More

Zimbabwe's economy is headed for deeper crises as labour leaders and civil society groups clashed with government Tuesday over rising costs of living.

DEVELOPMENT: Gov’t Seeks to Make Zambia Landmine-Free by 2005

The government of President Levi Mwanawasa is seeking to make Zambia landmine free by 2005, if it gets international support.

POLITICS-SWAZILAND: A Boost for Women in Parliament

Women now comprise 30 percent of Swaziland's legislature, following King Mswati's appointments of new MPs and Senators. For a traditional nation where women are still legal minors, this accomplishment is impressive.

ECONOMY-ZIMBABWE: No Barriers Too Great For Illegal Immigrants

It is the middle of the month and the buses headed for Francistown, the border town in neighbouring Botswana, 160 kilometres away, are leaving half full.

DEVELOPMENT-AFRICA: Four Road Maps for the Continent’s Future

A ground-breaking study by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has sought to predict what life in Africa could be like by 2025.

POLITICS-SUDAN: Rebels Scour Africa in Search of Support

Rebels in south Sudan have launched a diplomatic offensive in Africa, ahead of Nov. 30 peace talks in Kenya, as part of efforts to end Sudan’s 20-year civil war.

HEALTH-ZAMBIA: People Living With HIV/AIDS Find Drugs Elusive

The demand for anti-AIDS drugs far outstrips supply in many African countries. But, Zambia appears to be an exception to this rule – at first glance.

ENVIRONMENT-MALAWI: Wildlife Officials Brace for 2004 Ivory Sale

Conservationist David Bradfield has an interesting story to tell about one of his visits to Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe.

CORRUPTION-ZIMBABWE: Land Grab Turns Sour

The 'fast track' land grab and resettlement the Zimbabwean government claims to have completed 'successfully' has been described as one huge national scandal.

DEVELOPMENT-AFRICA: Scientists Called to Look Beyond the Lab

A panel of prominent women scientists has argued that African researchers need to get out of their laboratories and enter the world of policy-making if they want to be of real benefit to their fellow Africans. The women say that researchers must also learn to market their ideas.

ECONOMY-AFRICA: Lula, Mbeki Speak Out Against Trade Protectionism

South Africa and Brazil came out guns blazing against global trade protectionism and also against the continued administration of Iraq by U.S. forces when Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva ended a visit here at the weekend.

RIGHTS-MALAWI: Gays Fear That Bishop Row Will Have Ripple Effect

For Madalo and Trevin, a gay couple in Malawi, the romance began in 1997 during a holiday break at the country’s best-known tourist attraction. Trevin, a laid-back 34-year-old, had joined the band-wagon of South African tourists seeking the sun and sand of Lake Malawi.

POLITICS-BRAZIL: Lula Forges Strong Ties with Africa

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's five-nation tour, which began in the island nations of Sao Tome and Principe, will end in South Africa this week.

LABOUR-SWAZILAND: Illegal Immigrants Replace Workforce Decimated by AIDS

Samito is a short, good-natured 15 year-old who seeks to support his girlfriend and their eight month-old baby by holding down two jobs.

DEVELOPMENT-AFRICA: Making Every Drop Count

The prospect of a future plagued by water shortages in Sub-Saharan Africa is coming under the spotlight this week, in Nairobi.

ECONOMY-ZIMBABWE: Foreign Exchange Shortage, Remittance Boom

It could pass for an ordinary flea market selling cheap watches, toys, footwear and clothes imported from the Far East. What strikes the casual observer first is the sharp contrast between the makeshift shelters of black polythene, and the white robes worn by members of the Christian Apostolic sect who dominate the business in this Bulawayo market.

POLITICS-ZIMBABWE: Power Struggle Looms Within The Ruling Party

The opposition call for President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe to hand over power has been echoed worldwide, but less anxiously than the unpublished demand from within the ruling ZANU-PF.