South African police clash with demonstrators

Police in South Africa clashed with thousands of demonstrators in two communities east of the city of Johannesburg on Tuesday.

The demonstrators, who were protesting poor housing conditions and lack of public services, had blockaded roads and set a municipal office in the town of Belfast on fire.

Riot police responded by firing rubber bullets and tear gas at the protesters to restore order, and arrested several residents.

Hillary Clinton has arrived in South Africa

United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has arrived in South Africa for the second leg of an eleven day, seven nation tour of Africa. Whilst in South Africa she will meet with current President Jacob Zuma and former President Nelson Mandela.

Hillary Clinton

Talks will center around business ties and HIV, although the situation in Zimbabwe will likely also be discussed. Hillary Clinton will hope to rekindle the close co-operation and rapport between the United States and South Africa established by former presidents Bill Clinton, her husband, and Mandela.

Hillary Clinton’s first stop was Kenya where she met with President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed of Somalia’s unity government, pledging both military aid and support. Somalia will receive money, weapons and ammunition in its fight against al-Shabaab, which controls much of the country.

Eritrea was also warned that the US would take “action” if it continued to back the Islamic group. Eritrea denies supporting al-Shabaab and described Clinton’s comments as “very disappointing” and said that the United States had “failed to learn mistakes of the previous US administration.”

On this day August 5, 1962

Nelson Mandela is jailed after living on the run for seventeen months, and was imprisoned in the Johannesburg Fort. The arrest was made possible because the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) tipped off the security police as to Mandela’s whereabouts and disguise.

Three days later, the charges of leading workers to strike in 1961 and leaving the country illegally were read to him during a court appearance. On 25 October 1962, Mandela was sentenced to five years in prison. Two years later on 11 June 1964, a verdict had been reached concerning his previous engagement in the African National Congress (ANC).

East Africa gets high-speed internet

Yesterday the 15,000 km (9,300 mi) subsea fiber-optic cable began operations, providing the East African countries of Djibouti, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Mozambique, with high speed internet connections to Europe and Asia.

Seacom Cable Map

The cable was officially switched on in simultaneous events held across the region, including in Mombasa and Dar es Salaam.

The launch was described by the Chief Executive of SEA Cable Systems as being “a historic day for Africa… [that]… marks the dawn of a new era for communications between the continent and the rest of the world”.

Upon being switched on, the owners of the cable stated that it would reduce internet costs by up to 95% to wholesale customers, whilst providing a far greater speed of internet connection.

Jacob Zuma leads in South Africa vote

Early results show the African National Congress holding a commanding lead in South Africa’s general election.

But it is still unclear whether the party has met its goal of the two-thirds majority in Parliament required to amend the constitution.

With half of the vote counted, the ANC has 66% of the vote. Its nearest rival, the Democratic Alliance, has 16%, while ANC splinter-group the Congress of the People trails with 8%.

The results will see ANC leader Jacob Zuma elected as President of South Africa when the National Assembly reconvenes in May.

On this day December 16, 1838

Over 450 Voortrekkers led by Andries Pretorius defeated an estimated 10,000 Zulu at the Battle of Blood River in what is today KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Casualties amounted to 3,000 Zulu deaths and 3 wounded Voortrekkers.

On this day December 11, 1931

The British Parliament enacted the Statute of Westminster, giving the option of complete legislative independence to the Irish Free State, Newfoundland, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

The Statute is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which established a status of legislative equality between the self-governing dominions of the British Empire and the United Kingdom, with a few residual exceptions.

South African President agrees to resign

South African President Thabo Mbeki has agreed to a call from the ruling African National Congress to resign.

The ANC anounced earlier today that it wanted Mbeki, 66, to resign after two days of talks. He was just months from completing his full term of office, but is caught up in allegations that he influenced a corruption case being brought against rival and ANC leader Jaco Zuma.

Zuma was cleared of all charges on September 12, with the court ruling that Mbeki’s regime had interfered. Mbeki and others deny this.

Half of the cabinet is reported to be threatening to walk out if Mbeki does leave. He has called a special government meeting tomorrow to decide how to continue with his removal.

It is unknown who will be named interim ruler by parliament, but it may be Zuma. He may also stand for election to President.