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S.Africa's Zuma denies role in Indian wedding scandal

Agence France-PresseMay 23, 2013 13:30
South Africa's President Jacob Zuma on Thursday denied any role in a scandal over a lavish Indian wedding party that has placed an uncomfortable spotlight on his ties to wealthy backers. A government probe found that officials used Zuma's name to get permission for a private jet carrying wedding guests of the well-connected Gupta family to land at a military base near Pretoria last month. "The president did not speak to or authorise any government official to process or approve the landing of the private plane at Waterkloof," the presidency said.

Zuma implicated in South Africa wedding plane scandal

May 22, 2013 15:45
By Peroshni Govender JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - A South African government report released on Wednesday implicated President Jacob Zuma in a scandal over a plane chartered by rich friends of his which landed at a military base without proper permission. The presidency and Zuma's ruling African National Congress (ANC) have denied demanding landing permission for the flight carrying nearly 200 guests for a wedding.

De Klerk derides 'afro-pessimists'

Agence France-PresseMay 21, 2013 09:30
South Africa's under-fire president Jacob Zuma got a little support from an unlikely quarter Tuesday when FW De Klerk laid into the "prophets of doom" doing down the country. De Klerk, who negotiated an end to white rule in 1994 as South Africa's last apartheid president, said "afro-pessimists" did not give the country or the continent enough credit for strides made. De Klerk acknowledged his native South Africa faces "serious international perception problems" but said the country had seen 18 years of almost uninterrupted economic growth.

S.Africa officials 'used Zuma name in wedding jet scandal'

Agence France-PresseMay 19, 2013 10:00
South African officials used President Jacob Zuma's name to secure landing rights at a military air base to fly in guests for a lavish wedding hosted by a well-connected Indian family, a probe showed Sunday. According to preliminary findings of the investigation, the Gupta family had been denied permission to land their chartered jet at the OR Tambo International airport because the elaborate reception they planned for their nearly 200 guests would have disrupted normal operations.

Mandela did not want daughters to manage his funds

Agence France-PresseMay 17, 2013 08:30
Nelson Mandela did not want his daughters to be involved in his financial affairs, one of his lawyers has claimed in court papers linked to a legal fight over his assets. "Mr Mandela made it clear to (daughters) Makaziwe and Zenani that he did not want them involved in his affairs," trustee Bally Chuene said in an affidavit seen by the Star newspaper. "The only persons he wanted involved were myself, advocate Bizos...and his other various nominees."

Winnie Mandela ordered to sell possessions to pay debt

Agence France-PresseMay 14, 2013 09:01
A South African magistrate has ordered Winnie Madikizela-Mandela to auction off scores of paintings, sculptures and a silver tea set to pay off her debts, according to a court document seen Tuesday. Household goods belonging to the once revered anti-apartheid campaigner and ex-wife of Nelson Mandela, will go under the hammer next Tuesday to cover fees she owes to an upmarket Johannesburg private school, according to the order released by a Soweto sheriff. A dining table set, 50 paintings, sculptures and a "room with books" are listed in the sale.

S.Africa's ANC youth blast Tutu

Agence France-PresseMay 13, 2013 13:30
South Africa's ruling ANC youth wing hit out at former archbishop Desmond Tutu on Monday, after the Nobel Prize winner said he would not vote for the party at the next elections. The ANC Youth League said Tutu must make remarks "anchored by reality and facts" after he cited the challenges of persistent inequality as one reason he would not be voting for the party. "Any utterances that he makes, particularly on so emotive a subject, must be factual and represent the reality of South Africa," the ANC Youth League said reply.

Mandela label absorbs S. African wines

Agence France-PresseMay 12, 2013 10:15
Over the years South African icon Nelson Mandela has inspired a clothing line, pricey artworks and countless cheap souvenirs, all of which have fuelled debate over the use of his image. Now wine lovers can toast his name with the "House of Mandela" range launched by family members, a product that has raised fresh questions about the uses and abuses of the statesman's legacy. The label's founders are adamant that the venture does not exploit him, however.

Mandela label absorbs S. African wines

Agence France-PresseMay 12, 2013 09:48
Over the years South African icon Nelson Mandela has inspired a clothing line, pricey artworks and countless cheap souvenirs, all of which have fuelled debate over the use of his image. Now wine lovers can toast his name with the "House of Mandela" range launched by family members, a product that has raised fresh questions about the uses and abuses of the statesman's legacy. The label's founders are adamant that the venture does not exploit him, however.

Mandela label absorbs S. African wines

Agence France-PresseMay 12, 2013 09:48
Over the years South African icon Nelson Mandela has inspired a clothing line, pricey artworks and countless cheap souvenirs, all of which have fuelled debate over the use of his image. Now wine lovers can toast his name with the "House of Mandela" range launched by family members, a product that has raised fresh questions about the uses and abuses of the statesman's legacy. The label's founders are adamant that the venture does not exploit him, however.
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