As head of intelligence for the outlawed African National Congress during apartheid, Jacob Zuma neutralized perceived traitors and sidelined opponents to shore up his position, people who worked with him say.
Decades later, as South Africa’s President, he hasn’t lost his touch.
Lampooned in the media, jeered in public and now facing calls from inside and outside the ANC to resign over millions of rand of improper state spending on his private home in Nkandla, the 73-year-old’s grip on power seems like it should be weaker than at any point since his election in 2009.
Yet he endures, thanks to skills honed decades ago in the exiled ANC underground, promoting little-known officials who do his bidding to powerful positions within the security and intelligence portfolios, politicians who work around Zuma say.
He has also changed the way the party votes on internal appointments, including making members photograph ballot papers to prove their allegiance.
Critics, including former cabinet ministers and top commanders of the ANC’s armed wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), say Zuma’s administration also demotes opponents and intimidates dissenters. One example: Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, a constitutionally mandated anti-corruption watchdog investigating the spending on Zuma’s home, became the subject of an intelligence ministry probe into allegations she was a CIA spy.
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Uber Helps Auto Makers Sell Electric Cars In South African Pilot Project
Uber has partnered with BMW and Nissan in South Africa to make electric cars available to Uber drivers and riders, offering much-need exposure to the new technology for South African auto dealers, manufacturers and consumers.
South African users of Uber’s ride-hailing app will have a new, environmentally friendly option as of May 9, when, for a limited time, riders in Johannesburg can choose UberGREEN when hailing a ride on their smartphone apps and try out an electric car ride as part of a pilot project.
UberGreen isn’t entirely new. Uber has partnered before with auto dealers. Uber users in various cities around the world have had the option to ride green on a limited basis before.
An UberGREEN pilot project is underway in Portugal for three months from March 7 to June 6 for riders in Lisbon and in Porto, according to UberNewsroom.
In May 2015, Uber partnered with the Guangzhou Automobile company in the Chinese city of Wuhan to offer 10 hybrid electric cars in an experiment to see if commuters like them. “Once it rolls out to consumers … it’ll be called UberGREEN,” TechInAsia reported.
In observation of Earth Day, Uber Bostonnallowed users to choose hybrid and electric cars when hailing a ride between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on April 22, 2016, Bostinno reported.
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How Zuma, the smiling spy, controls South Africa
As head of intelligence for the outlawed African National Congress during apartheid, Jacob Zuma neutralized perceived traitors and sidelined opponents to shore up his position, people who worked with him say.
Decades later, as South Africa’s President, he hasn’t lost his touch.
Lampooned in the media, jeered in public and now facing calls from inside and outside the ANC to resign over millions of rand of improper state spending on his private home in Nkandla, the 73-year-old’s grip on power seems like it should be weaker than at any point since his election in 2009.
Yet he endures, thanks to skills honed decades ago in the exiled ANC underground, promoting little-known officials who do his bidding to powerful positions within the security and intelligence portfolios, politicians who work around Zuma say.
He has also changed the way the party votes on internal appointments, including making members photograph ballot papers to prove their allegiance.
Critics, including former cabinet ministers and top commanders of the ANC’s armed wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), say Zuma’s administration also demotes opponents and intimidates dissenters. One example: Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, a constitutionally mandated anti-corruption watchdog investigating the spending on Zuma’s home, became the subject of an intelligence ministry probe into allegations she was a CIA spy.
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Ghana: Petroleum Commission plans Work Permit application changes
The Petroleum Commission (PC) of Ghana has published initial, internal guidance outlining two new changes to work permit applications filed in the Oil & Gas sector. A public announcement of these changes has yet to be issued.
Ghana Investment – Oil and Gas
Effective 4 April, 2016 the PC requires a new “Information Gathering Sheet” to be attached to all Oil & Gas work permit applications. An email version of the form is available and the PC expects it to be accessible on their web site in the upcoming weeks. The information sheet will request general information regarding the employee, assignment, and sponsoring company specifics (including plans for the sponsoring company to fill the position with a local Ghanaian citizen). This form is expected to streamline the application process and expedite processing times.
The other new requirement for applications in the Oil & Gas sector is a USD $100 application fee will be part of the process for each initial, renewal, or appeals work permit application (Regular or Rotators—those who work on rigs for only 28 days/temporary work). This new administrative fee will be paid at the PC Finance Department upon filing of any work permit application.
Companies should plan for the additional expense associated with the new application fee for each submitted application.
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Education Explained: The International Baccalaureate
The International Baccalaureate is taught the world over and is growing in popularity across the ever-expanding number of international schools across the globe.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) has grown from its beginnings as a single international diploma to today’s offering of a programme of education spanning from early years right through to further education.
What is the International Baccalaureate?
In 1968, the IB programme sought to create a diploma that would be recognised by universities around the world. Today, it seeks to provide learning over a very broad base of disciplines, inspiring creative thought and an ability to relate learning to experiences outside the classroom, preparing students for further learning and a future career.
Who can study the International Baccalaureate?
An IB education caters for pupils from the ages of three to 19, and focuses on each student as a whole person, which means that IB programmes address not only children’s intellectual development but also their social, emotional and physical progress.
The IB has proved itself to be the success story in secondary education over the past 30 years, and it is now recognised as an entrance qualification to universities in more than 140 countries.
It also offers three other programmes, which are often overlooked: the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme, and, more recently, the Career-related Programme.
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