Zuma's First Big Test: South Africa's 23% Jobless

(NEWSER) - The Federal Reserve is confident the general economy is turning around but still pessimistic on the jobs part, the Wall Street Journal reports. In June meeting minutes issued today, those gathered agreed that data since April “indicated that the economic contraction was slowing and that the decline in activity could cease before long.” But “most participants anticipated that the employment situation was likely to be downbeat for some time.” More»

This mess is not of Africa's making

(NEWSER) - Africa is in the midst of a great turnaround, with economies growing and democracy and human rights improving, Liberia’s president writes in the Washington Post. But progress is threatened by a global economic crisis it had no hand in creating. Some $50 billion in income could be lost as jobs and businesses disappear. “African economies need a boost to keep their progress on track,” Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf says. More»

Motlanthe viewed as able to ease tensions within ruling party

(NEWSER) - Kgalema Motlanthe was sworn in as South Africa’s caretaker president today after winning three-quarters of a parliamentary ballot, the BBC reports. The left-leaning intellectual is seen as someone who can ease rifts between supporters of Jacob Zuma, head of the African National Congress party head, and former President Thabo Mbeki. More»

President agrees to resign in wake of struggle with Jacob Zuma

(AP) - South African President Thabo Mbeki has agreed to resign following orders from the ruling party. A statement from the presidency says that Mbeki, who succeeded Nelson Mandela in 1999, will "step down after all constitutional requirements have been met." Parliament is due to meet in the coming days to formalize the resignation procedure and is likely to appoint the parliamentary speaker as acting head of state. More»

South African legend celebrates 90th, calls on rich to do more

(NEWSER) - Nelson Mandela turned 90 today, and he used the occasion to talk to reporters about the plight of South Africa’s poor, the BBC reports. “If you are poor, you are not likely to live long,” he said. “There are many people in South Africa who are rich and who can share those riches with those not so fortunate.” More»