- South Africa general elections are set for 22 April, country's president Kgalema Motlanthe announced today, despite a court ruling that favours foreign based voters. South Africa will hold the fourth election since the collapse of apartheid 15 years ago.
President Motlanthe told the National Assembly in Cape Town he had agreed on the date with the Independent Electoral Commission in all the nine provinces. "With this coming election, the maturisation of our democracy receives yet another shot in the arm," he said when making the announcement.
The country's popular ruling African National Congress, which led the fight to end apartheid, is expected to easily win the election, but with the emergence of a new party formed by ANC faction, the expectations are that this year will be exciting with SA's strongest party facing another hurdle of Congress of the People.
COPE is expected to give ANC tough time in the elections which could deny the ANC a two-thirds parliamentary majority which enables the ruling party to easily push through legislative changes and developments in the country.
ANC leader Jacob Zuma and the party's presidential candidate who is currently facing multiple corruption, fraud and money laundering charges is expected to succeed President Motlanthe.
Mr Motlanthe, 58, became South Africa's third post apartheid president in September last year following the ousting of former President Thabo Mbeki 66, by the ruling African National Congress.
The African National Congress has won South Africa's three previous elections, and secured almost 70 percent of the vote in the last vote in 1994.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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