Kasaba Bay to become an ICC this year

MINISTER of Finance and National Planning, Situmbeko Muskotwane, says Government has set aside adequate resources to ensure that Kasaba Bay in Northern Province becomes an international conference centre (ICC) before the end of this year.

The minister said this in Lusaka yesterday when he featured on Radio Phoenix’s ‘Let the People Talk’ programme.

Dr Muskotwane said Government will work towards ensuring that rehabilitation and expansion of Mbala Airport is completed this year so that it can accommodate larger aircraft taking tourists straight to Mbala before they travel to Kasaba Bay by road.

He said even the road from Mbala to Kasaba Bay is expected to be completed this year.

Zambia to join one Network this August

MINISTER of Finance and National Planning, Situmbeko Musokotwane, says the Government has committed itself to join the one network by August this year.

The minister said this in Lusaka Friday 29^th May, 2009 when he featured on Radio Phoenix’s ‘Let the People Talk’ programme.

This move will mean Zambia will enjoy local calling rates to countries already on the one network.

Telecom Companies such as Zain already offer the service in Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Sierra Leon Congo DRC, Congo Brazzaville, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana and Sudan.

 

APRM website in Zambia

African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) is a self-monitoring mechanism voluntarily acceded to by Member States of the African Union (AU) with the aim of fostering the adoption of policies, standards and practices that will lead to political stability, high economic growth, sustainable development and accelerated regional and economic integration. It underscores the commitment to implement the codes and standards contained in the Declaration on Democracy, Political, Economic and Corporate Governance.

The APRM traces its origin from New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), a Strategic Policy Framework and Socio-economic Development Programme of the African Union (AU). The vision of NEPAD is “to eradicate poverty and to place countries, individually and collectively, on a path of sustainable growth and development, and at the same time to participate actively in the world economy and body politic”. This calls for improved governance of all entities whether public or private as well as action plans outlining realistic sustainable development targets, reinforcing successful best practices, identifying deficiencies and assessing the needs for capacity building in all African Countries.

In an effort to enhance the quality of governance in Africa, the 6th Summit of the Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC) held on 9th March 2003 adopted the Memorandum of Understanding on the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the Declaration on Democracy, Political, Economic and Corporate Governance. This contains prioritised and approved codes and standards in four focus areas, namely;

1. Democracy and Good Political Governance;

2. Economic Governance and Management;

3. Socio-Economic Development; and

4. Corporate Governance.

The APRM is open to all member states of the AU. Zambia acceded to the APRM on 22nd January, 2006 at the African Union (AU) Summit held in Khartoum, Sudan.

www.governance.gov.zm

Comesa Custom Union Set for June 7

THE launch for the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Custom Union is set for June 7, 2009 with more than US$ 100 billion set aside for compensation for revenue losses to member states.

Speaking at a media briefing held in Lusaka yesterday, COMESA secretary general, Sindiso Ngwenya said the summit will be held June 7 to 8 while the council of ministers will take place on June 2 to 4.

Mr Ngwenya said the US$ 100 billion is provision of compensation under COMESA fund. He said the summit will be held in Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls town.

He said from the 19 COMESA countries, 14 countries are part of the free trade area that was launched in 2000. “Deepening of the regional integration is important for our market especially now that we are experiencing the worst global crisis,” he said. Uganda and Eritrea have reduced tariffs by 80 percent while Ethiopia was also reducing on its tariffs.

Mr Ngwenya said intra-COMESA trade has increased from US$ 3.2 billion recorded in 2000 to US$ 15.2 billion in 2008. He said to increase on trade, there is need to add value to primary commodity exported outside the COMESA region.

“After 2010, Governments within the region will not have to depend on trade tax for their revenue because tariffs are being lowered. Government will get more of their income from Pay-As-You-Earn and Value Added Tax,” he said.

Mr Ngwenya said the challenge faced by the region is to develop industries in rural areas that will add value to raw materials and create jobs. He said there was need to look at the broader economical benefits that will be accrued to the nations than complaining of the few industries that would be affected by the customs unions. He said if some sectors of the economy feel that the customs union will injure them, they can evoke COMESA safeguard measures to protect infant industries.

He said the COMESA regional and payment system will also be launched at the same meeting. The summit will also review progress by COMESA, Eastern Africa Community and Southern African Development Community on formation of a single customs union for the three blocks.

ZIBAC Resolutions

THE sixth Zambia International Business Advisory Council (ZIBAC) has recommended that a statutory instrument be issued to ban the practice by local businesses to quote their prices in US dollars.

The conference noted that there was need to ban businesses from quoting their prices in dollars because it demeaned the local currency.

Delegates also called for the improvement of access to finance and reduction of cost of borrowing.

According to the resolutions read out by the conferences convener Evans Chibiliti, Zambia also needs to expedite implementation of the business licensing report and increase resources devoted to tourism marketing. It was resolved that:

1.    The Zambia Wildlife Authority and tourism department should quickly be restructured.

2.     Zambia should urgently complement investment in extension services, research, rural roads and irrigation in order for it to achieve meaningful economic progress.

3.    The conference also called for a predictable export policy, especially for food grains and to improve land tenure systems and security of title.

4.    For infrastructure enhancement, it was recommended that there should be cost-effective tariffs at Zesco, while managing it commercially, reviewing efficiency and reviewing the firm’s salary structure.

5.    For petroleum, creating a tax regime to contribute to an enabling environment and establishing sufficient petroleum storage capacity across the country for a uniform pricing are necessary.

6.    In telecommunications, there is need to submit three Information communication and technology bills to Parliament by August 2009 and to reduce international gateway fees by December this year.

7.    The gathering also felt the need to formulate a responsive business model and restructuring for a viable competitive company to commence by June 2009, besides addressing the cost of restructuring.

8.    The conference also recommended revamping operations of bulk transportation through railway and called for infrastructure rehabilitation.

9.    In labour law reforms, the tripartite council agreed that redundancy packages, employment rights, decent work, employment security and casualisation should be dealt with.

10. The delegates called for high-level political will and accountability from the president’s office for private sector development reforms to take place.

Support a Zambian filmmaker

Zambian filmmaker Chansa Tembo has been named a finalist in the U.S. Embassy’s inaugural Democracy Video Challenge online film contest. Mr. Tembo will compete with two other African filmmakers for the chance to win an all-expenses trip to Washington, DC, New York, and Hollywood to represent the continent of Africa in the worldwide contest.

The Democracy Video Challenge is a combined initiative between the U.S. State Department and the on-line video sharing site YouTube. Filmmakers from around the world were asked to submit films that answer the phrase “Democracy is…” Films could not exceed three minutes or use copyrighted material, but there were no other limits to filmmakers’ visions.

Mr. Tembo beat long odds to become a finalist. The contest received more than 900 submissions from 95 countries. Zambia led Africa with nine original entries.

Mr. Tembo’s film, entitled “Democracy is like a smoothie,” shows a variety of fresh fruits being blended together. The film asserts that “democracy is like a smoothie of blended philosophical ideas, ideologies, cultural norms and aesthetic values.”

Winners will be determined by a public vote which is underway now at http://www.youtube.com/democracychallenge. The public can vote for videos by giving them a thumb’s up.

RB Sets Up Oil Exploration Committee

Livingstone, Zambia - President Rupiah Banda has announced the appointment of seven members of the Petroleum Committee to be responsible for formulating policies relating to exploration, development and production of petroleum in Zambia.

Mr. Banda has appointed four Cabinet Ministers as members of the committee in line with the provisions of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) ACT of 2008.

He said the committee will also approve the oil and gas exploration, production and award licenses to would be investors among other function.

Among the people appointed are Mines and Minerals Development Minister, Maxwell Mwale as the Chairperson while Minister of Energy and Water Development takes vice position.

Other are Finance Minister Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, Commerce Minister Mr. Felix Mutati, Bank of Zambia Governor Dr. Caleb Fundanga, Energy Expert Mr. Andrew Kamanga and Engen Director Mr. Guy Phiri.

This is according to the statement made available to Flavafm by his Spokesperson, Dickson Jere.

Transport Minister Returns Gift After Controversy

The presidency confirmed President Jacob Zuma told Transport Minister S’bu Ndebele he could keep a controversial gift from a group of contractors as long as he stuck to the law.

The presidency’s Thabo Masebe said Zuma supported the decision. “The minister informed the president that under the circumstances he decided not to accept the gift and the president fully supports the decision. He also agrees with him that under the circumstances it is the most appropriate decision,” said Masebe.

Ndebele announced he would return the R1.1m Mercedes Benz S500 and several other items to the Vukuzakhe group of emerging contractors which holds government contracts worth R10bn. 

Ndebele said the move was his decision and not an instruction from the head of state.

“After consultation with the President of South Africa and the office bearers of my political party, the ANC, who advised me to follow the procedures stipulated and after due consideration, I have nevertheless decided to return the gift,” said Ndebele.

Provide Annuals Reports on LUSE Website Says Analyst

Lusaka, Zambia - The Lusaka Stock Exchange (LUSE) General Manager has suggested that Zambians should look beyond share prices and consider the viability and future prospects of companies when buying shares.

Most of the LUSE companies do not have electronic copies of their annual reports or any other information regarding their future plans on the LUSE website.

LUSE could help investors by making it mandatory for all listed, quoted company or any entity seeking a listing on LUSE to make available on the LUSE website electronic copies of their annual reports from the time the company started its operations.

This would be extremely helpful to investors in making informed decisions, and also enhance corporate governance in these companies.

By Benson Muchelemba

Mine Job losses Effect State Revenue - Musokotwane

GOVERNMENT says the job losses in the mines and other related sectors have impacted negatively on the national coffers to the extent where the treasury is under pressure to fund capital and recurrent expenditure.

Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane said the job losses meant reduced income from Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax.

Dr Musokotwane said this in Kitwe yesterday in a speech read on his behalf by Copperbelt permanent secretary Villie Lombanya at the international conference on the global crisis and its impact on the mining sector.

The minister said the global economic crunch has placed a huge burden on government’s mandate to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and the demands of the Fifth National Development Plan.

He said there is need to adopt a multifaceted approach to develop economic sectors that are linked to value addition to create and sustain jobs.

Dr Musokotwane called for hard work and the use of co-operative effort to drive unit costs of production down as the economic recession and movement in metal prices was beyond the reach of the country.

He said there is need to develop a plan that should be used as the first intervention measure to save companies from being placed under care and maintenance or closure of operations.

Dr Musokotwane said Government is determined to play its role of formulating good policies that can make Zambia a good destination for investment.

Earlier, Zambia Congress of Trade Unions president Leonard Hikaumba said the union mother body is worried about the job losses in the mines.

Mr Hikaumba suggested that the country should consider supporting local investors instead of just looking up to foreign investment.

He said at a time the mining companies were making profits, they refused to share them with the workers but were quick to share the losses with them through job cuts. 

Eye on SA - Pressure on Minister to return luxury car

Transport Minister S’bu Ndebele is under pressure to return a luxury Mercedes Benz he received from a company which holds multi-million rand contracts with his new department.

Vukuzakhe Contractors gave the former KwaZulu-Natal premier the vehicle (worth an estimated R1.1 million), as well as a herd of cattle, to honour him for creating a platform for small contractors.

Ndebele says the gift does not amount to a conflict of interest because it was arranged before he was appointed Transport minister.

He also says h told President Jacob Zuma about the car and is waiting to hear if he can keep it.

The Democratic Alliance has called on Ndebele to return the car.

Head of IDASA’s Political Information and Monitoring Service Judith February also thinks he should do so.

“I think the minister of transport needs to return the vehicle. I think the perception that this creates of a conflict of interests and is untenable and it does raise serious issues around the implementation of the Executive Ethics Code,” said February.

"He needed to get, in terms of the code, prior permission from the president to in fact accept the gift."

WB Pleadges $22m Dollars for Zimbabwe

HARARE, May 18 - The World Bank said on Monday it would give 22 million US dollars to Zimbabwe but said the country must clear its long-standing arrears to qualify for more aid to rebuild its shattered economy.

"We are talking of some 22 million which should be available within the next two weeks or month," Toga Gayewea McIntosh, executive director of the World Bank's Africa group, told reporters in the capital Harare.

"This is the first step. This is a nation in arrears, a nation in crisis," he said, without giving details on the grants which are the first for Zimbabwe from the World Bank since the formation of a unity government three months ago.

McIntosh said the Bank would be prepared to discuss a more "substantial amount of money" if Zimbabwe made progress toward clearing its arrears.

"The first task is to see how Zimbabwe can get on with debt reduction," he said.

McIntosh also welcomed the country's economic recovery programme unveiled in March, saying it needed more support.

Zimbabwe owes the World Bank and the African Development Bank 1.4 billion dollars, the Paris Club three billion dollars, while external debt is currently five billion dollars, according to Finance Minister Tendai Biti.

"The first issue is the issue of arrears and debt clearance," Biti told the same news conference.

Biti said technical assistance from the Bank would help Zimbabwe repair its crumbling infrastructure.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, who joined a unity government with long-ruling President Robert Mugabe on February 15, has said his priority is to get the economy back on track.

Since February, Zimbabwe has appealed for 8.5 billion dollars to revive its economy, decimated by years of hyperinflation, but funding so far has come from African institutions which have availed more than a billion dollars in credits to the private sector.

Most Western nations have ruled out immediate economic assistance to Zimbabwe, saying they wanted to see real reforms on the ground.

Toyota Rolls out new Prius

TOKYO, May 18 - Toyota Motor on Monday rolled out a cheaper, revamped Prius, seeking to boost its flagging sales and maintain its lead in fuel-sipping hybrids in the face of growing competition from rival Honda.

Toyota hopes to sell 10,000 of the third-generation Prius cars a month in Japan, where it has a price tag starting from 2.05 million yen (21,580 dollars), about 12 percent less than the current cheapest model.

The Japanese giant, the world's largest automaker, has sold more than 1.25 million Prius vehicles since its launch in 1997, making it the world's most popular hybrid, but rivals such as Honda are seeking to challenge its lead.

The new price tag narrows the gap with Honda's Insight hybrid, which retails for 1.89 million yen.

Toyota will also sell a new version of the second-generation Prius with a price on a par with the Insight, which was the top-selling vehicle in Japan in April. It aims to sell 300,000-400,000 Prius cars in total this year worldwide.

Toyota has received pre-launch orders for more than 80,000 third-generation Prius cars, which the company says has a world-beating fuel efficiency of 38.0 kilometres per litre, or 50 miles per gallon. Its predecessor had 46 mpg.

The revamped Prius -- which was unveiled at a Tokyo ceremony by incoming president Akio Toyoda, the grandson of the company's founder -- has solar panels in the roof to power the ventilation system.

It has a 1.8-litre petrol engine and Toyota's first electric-powered water pump.

Japanese automakers have made strides with hybrid cars -- which are powered both by petrol and electricity -- because of high oil prices and growing concern about emissions blamed for global warming.

Toyota, which lost 436.9 billion yen in the year to March, has much riding on the success of the new model, which is being launched in the midst of a severe global economic downturn. Fuel prices have also fallen since last year.

The group expects a net loss of 550 billion yen in the current business year.

It has idled plants and slashed thousands of jobs in response to its biggest ever crisis.

The group, which overtook General Motors last year to become the world's top-selling automaker, in January announced the promotion of Toyoda, currently an executive vice president, to rescue the company from its biggest ever crisis.

RB Convenes 6th ZIBAC Meeting

President Rupiah Banda has announced that the 6th Zambia International Business Advisory Council (ZIBAC) meeting will be convened in Livingstone from May 19 to 21, 2009.

Special assistant to the President for Press and public relations, Dickson Jere, said in a statement made available to Flavafm today that Mr. Banda said the meeting will be held at the Zambezi Sun.

Mr. Banda said the 6th ZIBAC meeting will comprise a team of ten high level business leaders from different countries and business sectors led by Lord Simon Cairns.

He said this years’ ZIBAC meeting theme of is “The Global Economic Crisis: Zambia’s Response to Growth and Competitiveness.

President Banda will officially open the ZIBAC meeting on Wednesday and will later chair some of the sessions before returning to Lusaka.

The ZIBAC process has been used in the past to identify key priorities and action plans to address issues such as telecoms policy, labour reforms, and private public partnerships for infrastructure development, citizen’s economic empowerment and mining agreements.

ZIBAC was created in 2003 to provide advice to the President Banda and his Cabinet through the support from the UK Department for International Development (DFID), other Donors and the Commonwealth Business Council.

More Local Particpation Need In Hospitality Industry

MINISTER of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources, Catherine Namugala has encouraged Zambians to venture into the hospitality industry.

Ms Namugala said Government is disappointed that many Zambians have not taken up the challenge to engage in the hospitality industry despite Government creating an enabling environment.

She said this in Lusaka on Saturday when a Zambian based in the United Sates of America (USA), Francis Chipili, called on her to unveil an ambitious tourism plan in the Northern Circuit.

“The Zambian government has created an enabling environment to encourage local people to participate in the hospitality industry, but the turn out is discouraging,” Ms Namugala said.

She said tourism is a lucrative industry which can cushion job losses in the mining sector and eliminate poverty in Zambia.

Ms Namugala said Government is determined to ensure that Zambians who want to venture in tourism entrepreneurship are funded through the Citizen Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC).

And Ms Namugala has bemoaned Zambia’s low bed capacity and called for increased construction of hotels for the country to maximise on the benefits arising from the 2010 World Cup to be held in South Africa. 

Zambia Sees Glimmer of Hope as Copper Rebounds

DAKAR – MINISTER of Finance and National Planning, Situmbeko Musokotwane, said he sees a “glimmer of hope” for Africa’s largest copper producer as prices for the metal improves, prompting companies to re-open mines.

The resumption of production at Luanshya Copper Mines and continued output at Mopani Copper Mines Plc was a “positive indicator,” Musokotwane said last week in an interview in Dakar, Senegal, where he was attending the African Development Bank’s annual meeting.

Copper has gained 42 per cent in London this year, after plunging 64 per cent in the second half of 2008.

Copper makes up two-thirds of Zambia’s exports and the slump in prices slashed fiscal revenue and forced the government to seek more than US$200 million in emergency loans from the International Monetary Fund to boost foreign currency reserves.

“There are glimmers of hope,” Dr Musokotwane said. “With these mines resuming production, we can maintain production. Yes, growth won’t be as high as last year, but we are not talking about stagnation.” 
The government may not meet a five per cent economic growth target for the year, he added.

China Non-Ferrous Metals Mining Africa Corporation agreed this month to invest US$400 million in Luanshya to restart and expand operations, the minister said.

Mopani Copper Mines, which is majority-owned by Glencore International AG, said on April 29 that it was dropping plans to halt output at its Nkana and Mufulira operations. 
Copper traded as high as US$4,465 a metric tonne in London last week.

Zambia will probably earn only half of the US$140 million in mining taxes it estimated last year it would receive, Dr Musokotwane said. That will push the fiscal deficit to 1.8 per cent of gross domestic product, compared with 1.2 per cent in 2008, he added.

The IMF on May 1 agreed to loan Zambia an extra US$256.4 million over the next three years to boost foreign exchange reserves, with US$160.1 million to be disbursed immediately.

“It was front-loaded,” Dr Musokotwane said. 
“That will help to calm the financial markets. It is going to help improve the reserve position of the central bank, but it also gives them room to borrow more from the domestic market.”

Zambia will also seek funds from the World Bank, the African Development Bank, commercial lenders and private companies to help pay for the construction of roads, power networks and water facilities in agricultural areas, Dr Musokotwane said.

“We see this crisis as an opportunity to deal with the issue of diversifying our economy,” the minister said.

“We want to focus a lot on infrastructure. We need access roads, we need to take power there, to develop water resources so that these natural resources can be harnessed.” BLOOMBERG 

CEC Kabompo Power Project Advances

TATA Zambia and the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) are this week expected to start works on the Kabompo river hydro electric power project.

Mwinilunga East MP Stephen Katuka says the power project which is expected to meet North Western province's energy needs comes at a time when the province is experiencing a boom in the mining sector.

Mr. Katuka appealed to the provincial administration to quickly start works on feeder roads to attract more investment to the region.

The Mwinilunga East MP said delays in rehabilitating roads will paint a negative image of the province.

Joint Media Statement: CEC and TATA partner for Kabompo Gorge Hydro Electric Project

Copperbelt Energy Corporation PLC (CEC) and Tata Africa Holdings (PTY) have been awarded the concession to jointly carry out a detailed feasibility study for the development of the Kabompo Gorge Hydro-Electric power project.

This is the first phase of the proposed Greenfield minimum 34MW hydro-electric power plant estimated to cost US$80million. Assuming that the recommendation from the feasibility study is positive, the power station is expected to be commissioned by the year 2014.The overall project implementation period is estimated at 70 months.

The first phase is to be completed within 12 months and will include analysis of hydrological and geological aspects of the project site; preliminary surveys of the overall project area; recommendation of the optimum transmission line and preliminary engineering designs, project estimates and financial analysis.

Assuming a favourable outcome to the detailed feasibility study, CEC and TATA intend to negotiate a suitable agreement with the Government and proceed to develop the project on Build Own and Operate (BOO) basis.

This will involve building the dam wall and related water tunnels; power station and its related plant and a transmission line estimated at about 80km to the nearest ZESCO Ltd substation; houses for employees and other facilities for an estimated community of about 50 households.

The project will be developed as a joint venture between CEC and Tata, who will form a Special Purpose Vehicle company to be called Kabompo Hydro Company.

Tata Africa Holdings Managing Director Mr. Raman Dhawan said: "TAHL is already participating in the development of the Itezhi-tezhi power station with ZESCO Ltd, estimated to cost US$180million and Tata Power, one of the Tata Group companies, which has expertise in both hydro and thermal power generation, is currently implementing a 4,000MW thermal power plant in India, which was awarded through an international competitive bidding process."

"We are now entering into partnership with CEC for this project. There is a synergy between the two companies to develop the project. This new investment in the power sector will contribute to meet the deficit of power within Zambia."

Mr. Dhawan said Tata was pleased to have a dynamic partner like CEC and the Government of Zambia.

CEC Executive Chairman Hanson Sindowe said: "Demand for electricity is expected to continue increasing because of increased mining in the Copperbelt and North-Western provinces and the emergence of economic development zones in the Copperbelt, Lusaka and other areas. In Zambia, there are sites capable of generating 6,000MW of hydro power, which have been identified and await development."

"The investment we plan to put in now must aim to ensure that investment in the power sector leads investment in other sectors of the economy, such that there will always be sufficient power available for investors in any industry, without the need to resort to future load shedding as a way of rationing demand."

He noted that for Zambia to achieve the middle income national status, it is necessary for private and public partnerships to work together and invest in the power sector.

Some Project Statistics:

• Project site river catchment area – 2300km²
• Mean river flows: 1.8m³/s to 18m³/s
• Water level height variation: 20m (between wet and dry seasons)
• Proposed dam height: 65m
• About 4km of tunnel
• Estimated capacity: between 34MW and 50MW power station
• Estimated year of commissioning: 2014
• Estimated overall implementation period: 70 months

Hanson Sindowe Executive Chairman Copperbelt Energy Corporation PLC	Raman Dhawan Managing Director Tata Africa Holdings (PTY)

GT-Vodafone investigations to start

Accra, Ghana - A five-member inter-ministerial committee to investigate the sale of Ghana Telecom (GT) to UK-based Vodafone will be inaugurated today May 18, 2009.

The committee will include representatives from the Ministries of Finance, Justice and Attorney-General as well as Communications.

It will be assisted by a four-member technical committee whose expertise will be crucial to the the investigations.

The committee is expected to find out if Ghana had best value for money in the sale of 70% shares of GT to Vodafone.

It will also find out the true owners of Netherlands-registered Vodafone BV which, according to the sale and purchase agreement, acquired the shares.

The National Democratic Congress criticised the sale while in opposition and promised to launch investigations into the deal when it assumes power.

Although reports indicate officials of Vodafone could have mixed-feelings about Government's intended action, President Mills has assured the government has no intention of abrogating the contract.

He has hinted the investigations are only to establish that there were no underhand dealings in the signing of the contract.

"There was so much uncertainty. Ghanaians got the impression that not everything had been put on the table. What we've only attempted to do is to ensure that we clear the air; let's find out what happened," the president has noted.

Ahead of the investigations however, Vodafone has now fully launched its services in Ghana, rolling out new products.

Vice President John Dramani Mahama was the guest-of-honour at the company's launching at the International Conference Centre in Accra.

Mr Mahama reiterated the Mills-led administration's commitment to support the private sector while Communications Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, has stressed that governments review of the GT-Vodafone deal will be an opportunity for the private company to clear certain questions that have been hanging on its investment.

Vodacom listed on JSE

The horn was blown and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange officially opened to the sounds of Vodacom’s official listing.

Delegates watched as the digital strip running around the JSE foyer as Vodacom’s first ever mention as a listed company.

The foyer was converted into a massive reception area while one of the rooms was cordoned off to accommodate the private party catering for an estimated 100 officials from Vodacom, Vodafone, Telkom, the communications ministry and the JSE. 

The topic of discussion appeared to be Sunday’s failed attempts by Cosatu and Icasa to stop the deal, using words like ‘irresponsible’ and ‘selfish’ to describe the 11 hour court action, adding if the interdict was granted Vodacom would have lost millions. 

COSATU THREATENS BOYCOTT

Cosatu warned it would call for a nationwide boycott of the cellular network provider Vodacom.

Icasa and Cosatu launched an urgent application on Sunday aimed at preventing Vodacom from listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange while opposing the sale of Telkom’s shares in Vodacom to British-owned Vodafone.

Judge John Murphy ruled legal recourse was available to the pair to address their concerns.

The application was dismissed with costs after the judge ruled their concerns did not outweigh the financial loss Vodacom would suffer if the interdict was granted.

Eye on SA - Minister Accepts R1.1m Merc ‘Gift’

The Minister of Transport S’bu Ndebele has accepted a R1.1 million Mercedes Benz S500 from a group of contractors with contracts worth more than R400 million in the department, the Star reports.

Vukuzakhe contractors threw a farewell party for Ndebele at the Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday, apparently honouring the former KwaZulu Natal premier for his contribution in creating a platform for small contractors to emerge.

Among other gifts Ndebele received was a herd of cattle.

However, Ndebele’s acceptance of the Mercedes was greeted with calls from the KwaZulu-Natal’s Democratic Alliance to return the vehicle. The DA said that the gesture could be in conflict of interest.

But Ndebele defended the gesture by the contractors and said it was planned long before he and the contractors became aware that he would be appointed into the Transport portfolio.

SAPA

World Telecommunications and Information Day

The Authority on May 17, 2009, joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) whose theme this year is “Protecting children in cyberspace”.

In Zambia, Communications Authority in collaboration with Ministry of Communication and Transport is coordinating the activities to be held in commemoration of this day. Stakeholders in the ICT sector have been involved in the preparation of a programme to sensitize the Zambian public on the importance of protecting our children from the negative elements of Cyber-security.

 

The activities scheduled for this event include an exhibition at Mulungushi International Conference Centre from May 17 to 22, 2009 to coincide with International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Regional Development Forum and the Forum on Telecommunication/ICT Regulation and Partnership in Africa (FTRA 2009) which are being hosted in Zambia.

 

Other activities are a March Past and discussions and theatre performances in which children shall participate. This year’s theme aims at ensuring that children can safely access the Internet and its valuable resources without fear of falling prey to unscrupulous predators in cyberspace and  is expected to influence our work not only on the Day but throughout the year and in the future as well. 

SA Government joins Vodacom in opposing interdict

The African National Congress lead government has joined Vodacom and Telkom in opposing an urgent interdict brought against them by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa).

The order aims to prevent Monday’s merger between Vodacom and British based communications giant Vodafone.

Government said it signed an agreement with Vodafone in which it stated it would support the transaction while lawyers representing Telkom,Vodacom and government were united in opposing the interdict. 

They have questioned what power Icasa has to review the business deal when the communications authority stated in April that Vodacom did not need its permission.

They also questioning the trade union’s 11 hour action asking why the trade federation did not initiate court proceedings when it found out about the merger last month.

Meanwhile, Icasa said it was concerned about legal issues that it claims may arise from Vodafone buying Telkom shares in Vodacom but all three legal teams, opposing the interdict, said they want the application dismissed demanding that Cosatu and Icasa foot the bill.