DEVELOPMENT-SOUTH AFRICA: Gov’t Fails the Poor – Report

The South African government has been forced to defend itself from a report by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) that says although progress has been made in improving the lives of the country's poor much more needs to be done.

POLITICS-SOUTH AFRICA: Winnie Mandela Sentenced to Five Years in Jail

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, the former wife of Nelson Mandela and an icon of the struggle against apartheid, has been sentenced to five years in jail on charges of fraud and theft.

ENVIRONMENT-MALAWI: Cyclone Delfina Underscores Existing Damage

-The arrival of Cyclone Delfina may bring a temporary end to water shortage woes in Malawi but electricity black-outs and environmental degradation remain a major problem as the flooding rain water continues to cause havoc.

/MAY DAY/ZIMBABWE: Political Crisis Deepens

-The political crisis in Zimbabwe has deepened as the main trade union, The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), defied threats by President Robert Mugabe's government and engaged in a three day stayaway whose first day has been heeded by workers.

/MAY DAY/LABOUR: A Drop in the Membership of South Africa’s Largest Federation

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), the largest labour federation in the country, has been weakened by a financial crises and a drop in its membership ahead of a showdown with the government over the country's economic policy.

HEALTH-MALAWI: No Celebrations Despite Apparent Drop In HIV Infection Rates

-HIV/AIDS infection rates appear to be on the decline in Malawi and authorities have attributed the drop to the declining number of AIDS related deaths of already infected people.

POLITICS: Saddam’s Departure Makes African Tyrants Nervous

-With the fall of one tyrant from the world scene, former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, how are some African heads of state who are accused of violating democratic principals faring?

IRAQ: Namibians Make Financial Donations

The plight of Iraqi civilians has touched the hearts of Namibians who have started making financial donations to ease the suffering of the displaced people in that country.

POLITICS-MALAWI: Ruling Party in Crisis

Malawi's ruling party seems to be in crisis.

TRADE: Iraq War Deflects Attention from Africa

Even before the United States sent troops to the Middle East, South Africa's government has been warning that the war in Iraq will deflect attention from Africa, a region which had become a focus after the unveiling of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) two years ago.

DEVELOPMENT-SOUTH AFRICA: A Plan to Close the Poverty Gap

When visitors to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) arrived in Johannesburg last year, many were struck by the two visages of the city: poverty nestling next to extreme luxury.

HEALTH-SOUTH AFRICA: Waiting For Death As Government Drags Its Feet

-"People must support Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) because the government is dragging its feet for four years. It is no good for me to be on anti-retroviral drugs and my friends on the ground are dying."

MEDIA: African Editors Confront their Priorities

Top African journalists confronted their priorities this week, asking themselves whether their loyalty is with the unvarnished truth or the development of the continent, or whether both goals can be achieved compatibly.

RIGHTS-AFRICA: More Money Needed to Achieve Free Education

2015 is the date set for universal, free primary education for all children of Africa, a goal now 12 years in the future that has been agreed upon by the world's finance and development ministers.

RIGHTS-SOUTH AFRICA: Compensating Apartheid Victims

The South African government will grant financial compensation to the 22,000 survivors of apartheid identified by the country's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), but it is firmly opposed to international legal action to force companies that benefited from the system of racial discrimination to pay reparations to those who suffered.

POLITICS-AFRICA: A Test for Democracy, as Nigeria Goes to the Polls

Democracy in Africa and the credibility of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) - a programme to kick-start the economic and social development of the continent - will be tested as Nigeria goes to the polls to elect a new government over the coming weeks.

POLITICS-AFRICA: A Test for Democracy, as Nigeria Goes to the Polls

Democracy in Africa and the credibility of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) - a programme to kick-start the economic and social development of the continent - will be tested as Nigeria goes to the polls to elect a new government over the coming weeks.

IRAQ: Anti-War Groups Call for Boycott of U.S. Products

Anti-war groups around the world have called for a boycott of products made in the United States, but the response among consumers has been mixed.

FINANCE-SOUTH AFRICA: Rand Goes Up, as the Value of the Dollar Plunges

The steady, sturdy rise in the value of the South Africa rand, which is used throughout the 14 member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) officially and unofficially, has brought surprising little cheer amongst economists and the public.

POLITICS-MALAWI: Muluzi Fires ‘Rebels’ From Cabinet

"There's no time for friendship this time around. No! No! Not at all. Only those willing to serve the people will remain in cabinet," Malawi's President Bakili Muluzi said just before firing senior members of his cabinet last week.

RIGHTS-MOZAMBIQUE: Scars of Abuse

Visibly traumatised, Antonio Manuel, 10, goes to Mahele primary school, a remote part of Maputo province, where the Mozambican capital, Maputo, is situated.