http://www.voanews.com Voice of America is an international news and broadcast organization serving Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Russia, the Middle East and Balkan countries http://www.voanews.com/img/voa/rssLogo_VOA.gif http://www.voanews.com en-US 2012 - VOA 60 Fri, 24 May 2013 00:14:17 -0400 Pangea CMS – VOA Five years ago this month, xenophobic riots broke out across South Africa, leaving 62 people dead. Filmmaker Akin Omotoso made a movie about the violence in 2011, and has embarked on a project to show the film in areas where the violence was worst. He documented those screenings and reactions to the film with a multimedia project, which is now touring South Africa. After the 2008 xenophobic riots, filmmaker Akin Omotoso set out with a plan - to find out what happened and why. So he and a few ... http://www.voanews.com/content/south-african-filmmaker-looks-to-spark-dialogue-on-xenophobia/1662822.html http://www.voanews.com/content/south-african-filmmaker-looks-to-spark-dialogue-on-xenophobia/1662822.html Fri, 17 May 2013 06:09:35 -0400 Africa Peter Cox http://www.voanews.com/content/south-african-filmmaker-looks-to-spark-dialogue-on-xenophobia/1662822.html#relatedInfoContainer The number of tourists visiting South Africa grew by about 10 percent last year. One nation helping that number grow is China. At the top of Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa, last week, dozens of Chinese tourists stood taking in the view, grabbing photos, and conversing in Mandarin. Among them, was 19-year-old Jason Zhu. He is a Chinese student going to school in Cape Town and was showing the sights to friends visiting from China. "Cape Town very popular to come here to ... http://www.voanews.com/content/chinese-tourism-booming-in-south-africa/1657881.html http://www.voanews.com/content/chinese-tourism-booming-in-south-africa/1657881.html Thu, 09 May 2013 12:59:23 -0400 Africa Peter Cox http://www.voanews.com/content/chinese-tourism-booming-in-south-africa/1657881.html#relatedInfoContainer What do you do when your employee stabs a co-worker in your warehouse? Fire him. At least, that's what Simon Arcus thought before his employee took him to labor court for wrongful termination.   After spending several days in court — even after the employee admitted to knifing his co-worker — Arcus eventually decided it was not worth his time or money to continue in labor court, the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).   After spending nearly ... http://www.voanews.com/content/south-africa-labor-employment-law-economy/1636954.html http://www.voanews.com/content/south-africa-labor-employment-law-economy/1636954.html Mon, 08 Apr 2013 09:56:21 -0400 Africa Peter Cox http://www.voanews.com/content/south-africa-labor-employment-law-economy/1636954.html#relatedInfoContainer Former South African President Nelson Mandela is making "steady progress," according to a statement from the office of President Jacob Zuma.  Friday's statement came two days after Mandela, aged 94, was hospitalized with a lung infection. It said he was in good spirits and enjoyed a full breakfast Friday morning. On Thursday, Zuma said that Mandela is doing "very well," adding in an interview with the BBC that South Africans "must not panic."  ... http://www.voanews.com/content/zuma-mandeal-doing-very-well/1630915.html http://www.voanews.com/content/zuma-mandeal-doing-very-well/1630915.html Fri, 29 Mar 2013 05:12:39 -0400 Africa Peter Cox http://www.voanews.com/content/zuma-mandeal-doing-very-well/1630915.html#relatedInfoContainer A South African judge has eased bail restrictions on Olympic runner Oscar Pistorius, clearing the path for him to compete in athletic events abroad once again. Pistorius can now head overseas, drink alcohol, live without random police visits and drug tests, and he can return to the home where he shot and killed Reeva Steenkamp, his model girlfriend. The South African Olympian was not in court Thursday morning, but his attorneys argued in his absence that the bail conditions set late last ... http://www.voanews.com/content/judge-clears-pistorius-for-travel-abroad/1630230.html http://www.voanews.com/content/judge-clears-pistorius-for-travel-abroad/1630230.html Thu, 28 Mar 2013 08:04:43 -0400 Africa Peter Cox http://www.voanews.com/content/judge-clears-pistorius-for-travel-abroad/1630230.html#relatedInfoContainer An audible sigh of relief went up in the courtroom when the Chief Magistrate announced that South African Olympic runner Oscar Pistorius could be released on bail. For Pistorius' friends and family, it was a brief moment of celebration. Since the bail hearing in his murder case started on Tuesday, famed double amputee athlete Oscar Pistorius has been coming and going from the Pretoria Magistrate Court in the back of a police vehicle, usually with a blanket covering his head. On Friday ... http://www.voanews.com/content/reactions-stream-in-on-pistorius-bail-decision/1609136.html http://www.voanews.com/content/reactions-stream-in-on-pistorius-bail-decision/1609136.html Fri, 22 Feb 2013 14:56:47 -0500 Africa Peter Cox http://www.voanews.com/content/reactions-stream-in-on-pistorius-bail-decision/1609136.html#relatedInfoContainer South African police detective Hilton Botha has been taken off the high-profile Oscar Pistorius murder case. Botha is facing his own charges for attempted murder along with two other police officers, for shooting at a mini-bus taxi in 2011. News broke Thursday morning that the top investigator on the Oscar Pistorius case is facing seven counts of attempted murder in a case just reopened by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).   South Africa's Eyewitness News broke the ... http://www.voanews.com/content/pistorius-investigator-faces-murder-charges/1607795.html http://www.voanews.com/content/pistorius-investigator-faces-murder-charges/1607795.html Thu, 21 Feb 2013 01:52:18 -0500 Africa Peter Cox http://www.voanews.com/content/pistorius-investigator-faces-murder-charges/1607795.html#relatedInfoContainer Paralympian Oscar Pistorius appeared for a dramatic day of arguments in a Pretoria court Tuesday, where he faces a murder charge for killing his girlfriend.  “I had no intention to kill my girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp,” Pistorius’ lawyer read as the runner dissolved into tears in the steamy courtroom, crammed with spectators and journalists from around the world. So began Pistorius’ account of the events that led to Steenkamp's death, as the two legal teams wrangled over whether he ... http://www.voanews.com/content/pistorius-facing-premeditated-murder/1606338.html http://www.voanews.com/content/pistorius-facing-premeditated-murder/1606338.html Tue, 19 Feb 2013 06:18:36 -0500 Africa Anita Powell, Peter Cox http://www.voanews.com/content/pistorius-facing-premeditated-murder/1606338.html#relatedInfoContainer As Oscar Pistorius' attorneys argued for the South African Olympian to be released on bail Tuesday morning, a group from the ruling political party - the African National Congress's Women's League - protested outside, saying violence against women needs to stop in South Africa. Pistorius has been charged with the premeditated murder of his girlfriend last week. As a mass of international media pushed to get inside the courthouse where Olympian Oscar Pistorius's bail hearing ... http://www.voanews.com/content/pistorius-in-court-for-bail-hearing/1606294.html http://www.voanews.com/content/pistorius-in-court-for-bail-hearing/1606294.html Tue, 19 Feb 2013 02:15:09 -0500 Africa Peter Cox http://www.voanews.com/content/pistorius-in-court-for-bail-hearing/1606294.html#relatedInfoContainer With South Africa's star sprinter Oscar "Blade Runner" Pistorius facing murder charges in the shooting death of his girlfriend, at least one expert believes his legal team will likely turn to a self-defense argument. "Objectively though, he wasn't being attacked," says Steven Tuson, who teaches at the University of Witswaterand's School of Law in Johannesburg. "It was on the version given that he thought it was an intruder, and it was, in fact, his ... http://www.voanews.com/content/oscar-pistorius-self-defense-murder-charges/1604494.html http://www.voanews.com/content/oscar-pistorius-self-defense-murder-charges/1604494.html Fri, 15 Feb 2013 12:14:46 -0500 Africa Peter Cox http://www.voanews.com/content/oscar-pistorius-self-defense-murder-charges/1604494.html#relatedInfoContainer South Africa's superstar sprinter Oscar "Blade Runner" Pistorius arrived in court on Friday to face charges that he murdered his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his luxury home on Valentine's Day. Two police vehicles arrived at the Pretoria Magistrate's Court, with the amputee athlete sitting in the back of one, his head covered in a jacket. He was expected to apply for bail during the hearing but police have said they would oppose it. Self-defense? Professor ... http://www.voanews.com/content/blade-runner-pistorius-faces-murder-charges/1604169.html http://www.voanews.com/content/blade-runner-pistorius-faces-murder-charges/1604169.html Fri, 15 Feb 2013 01:41:25 -0500 Africa Peter Cox http://www.voanews.com/content/blade-runner-pistorius-faces-murder-charges/1604169.html#relatedInfoContainer South African running star Oscar Pistorius -- the first double-amputee to run at the Olympics -- will appear in court Friday on murder charges after a woman was shot dead at his residence.  Peter Cox reports from Johannesburg on new details in the case. Olympic and Paralympic athlete Pistorius, 26, was taken into custody early Thursday for allegedly shooting and killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp at his home in Pretoria.   Confirming the shooting, police spokesperson ... http://www.voanews.com/content/south-african-police-detain-olympian-pistorius-after-shooting/1603429.html http://www.voanews.com/content/south-african-police-detain-olympian-pistorius-after-shooting/1603429.html Thu, 14 Feb 2013 05:11:34 -0500 Africa Peter Cox http://www.voanews.com/content/south-african-police-detain-olympian-pistorius-after-shooting/1603429.html#relatedInfoContainer African leaders have long sought a solution to the so-called brain drain - losing their best young minds to jobs in the West or in Asia. But recent studies indicate that is changing. Many African students who study abroad now find opportunities to use their training at home. Nineteen-year-old Moroccan student Reda Merdi is finishing up school at the African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg. In August, he will head to the prestigious University of Pennsylvania in the United States, where he ... http://www.voanews.com/content/africa-brain-gain-thanks-to-growing-african-economies/1602881.html http://www.voanews.com/content/africa-brain-gain-thanks-to-growing-african-economies/1602881.html Wed, 13 Feb 2013 10:17:05 -0500 Africa Peter Cox http://www.voanews.com/content/africa-brain-gain-thanks-to-growing-african-economies/1602881.html#relatedInfoContainer In downtown Johannesburg, South Africa, the Chinese New Year came in, as it usually does, with a smattering of fireworks, visits from the dragon and the lion, and traditional music and food. Johannesburg's old Chinatown was alive once more, as its century-old Chinese population kicked off the New Year. As the Chinese calendar enters the year of the Snake, it means a year of relative calm after a year of great change. Erwin Pon is the chair of the Chinese Association, which puts on the ... http://www.voanews.com/content/johannesburg-celebrates-chinese-new-year/1601075.html http://www.voanews.com/content/johannesburg-celebrates-chinese-new-year/1601075.html Mon, 11 Feb 2013 05:30:59 -0500 Africa Peter Cox http://www.voanews.com/content/johannesburg-celebrates-chinese-new-year/1601075.html#relatedInfoContainer The South African Institute on Race Relations says that for every employed South African, there are nearly three others who are dependent on them. While that number has dropped, it is still very high globally and speaks to the country's consistently high unemployment rate. A new study issued in mid-January finds that every employed South African supports 2.8 people - using the ratio of those with jobs to the total population. High rate of dependency Lucy Holborn, a research manager at ... http://www.voanews.com/content/employed-south-africans-have-high-number-of-dependents/1588436.html http://www.voanews.com/content/employed-south-africans-have-high-number-of-dependents/1588436.html Tue, 22 Jan 2013 07:10:10 -0500 Africa Peter Cox http://www.voanews.com/content/employed-south-africans-have-high-number-of-dependents/1588436.html#relatedInfoContainer This month, Apple announced the launch of their iTunes music store in 56 countries, including 14 on the African continent. The launch means easier purchases for consumers, and a whole new brand of competition for existing music stores. iTunes is an online store that allows computer users to purchase and download music and videos online. While it offers a new option for consumers in the music marketplace, iTunes is likely going to turn down the volume at Africa's brick-and-mortar music ... http://www.voanews.com/content/itunes_africa_launch_promises_change_in_music_market/1563538.html http://www.voanews.com/content/itunes_africa_launch_promises_change_in_music_market/1563538.html Wed, 12 Dec 2012 11:42:39 -0500 Africa Peter Cox http://www.voanews.com/content/itunes_africa_launch_promises_change_in_music_market/1563538.html#relatedInfoContainer South Africa's anti-poaching efforts got an international boost this week, when Vietnam agreed to work in tandem to decrease the illegal trade. As rhino poaching hits decade highs this year, wildlife advocates say this is a big step in the right direction for conservation. South Africa is taking its fight against rhino poaching abroad. Officials signed an agreement on December 10 with the Vietnamese government to prevent and discourage poaching.   The agreement seeks cooperation ... http://www.voanews.com/content/south-africa-and-vietnam-join-forces-to-stop-poaching/1562632.html http://www.voanews.com/content/south-africa-and-vietnam-join-forces-to-stop-poaching/1562632.html Tue, 11 Dec 2012 09:44:48 -0500 Africa Peter Cox http://www.voanews.com/content/south-africa-and-vietnam-join-forces-to-stop-poaching/1562632.html#relatedInfoContainer As South Africa's economy has grown, so has consumer debt. Forty-seven percent of South Africans with credit have impaired records. A substantial amount of that bad credit is tied up in high-interest, unsecured loans. Imagine you want to get a quick infusion of cash, but your income isn't enough and you don't have the savings. Enter the unsecured loan. Without money down, you can get an unsecured loan, meaning you're taking out money without collateral. For the average ... http://www.voanews.com/content/south-african-consumer-debts-mount-as-economy-grows/1552548.html http://www.voanews.com/content/south-african-consumer-debts-mount-as-economy-grows/1552548.html Sun, 25 Nov 2012 08:19:33 -0500 Africa Peter Cox South Africa is the world's seventh-largest wine-producing country.  As the wine industry has grown, there has been a growing focus on expanding the country's wine-drinking customer base.   Youth appeal A high-end winery on the Western Cape of South Africa, Stellenzicht, has launched a new wine called Red ESCape.  The bottle label shows a cartoon-like USB cable that runs between computers, modems, grapes, satellite dishes and wine barrels.   Assistant winemaker ... http://www.voanews.com/content/south-africa-cultivates-wine-market/1536484.html http://www.voanews.com/content/south-africa-cultivates-wine-market/1536484.html Wed, 31 Oct 2012 07:14:05 -0400 Africa Peter Cox Interested in making your own movie, but don’t have the money for a camera, or costumes or a set?  Don’t worry.  Johannesburg’s Home Movie Factory has you covered.  In a former car body repair warehouse outside downtown Johannesburg, a group of workers from a non-profit foundation in Soweto are making a movie.  The movie, which they call The Shebeen Queen, deals with issues of drugs, sex and AIDS. The film will likely never get to the Cannes Film Festival, let alone your ... http://www.voanews.com/content/south_africans_make_their_own_movies/1534021.html http://www.voanews.com/content/south_africans_make_their_own_movies/1534021.html Fri, 26 Oct 2012 11:16:45 -0400 Africa Peter Cox