Quotes

‘Today is a unique day of our history, the achievement of the dream of (former President) Samora Machel. With the completion of this bridge ... the connection of southern Africa to the north over land and across our country is guaranteed.’
– Mozambique's President Filipe Nyusi who opened a Chinese-built bridge in Maputo on Saturday that cost $785m. The twin-tower suspension bridge stands 141 metres above Maputo Bay, is 680 metres-long and joins the city centre to the outlying district of Katembe.

‘Africa should not be afraid of China, it's a very good learning experience for Africa, lifting 400m people out of poverty.'

– Akinwumi Adesina, the head of the African Development Bank, saying concern about the abundance of Chinese lending to African nations is overblown.

‘The law is tantamount to extortion because journalists now have to pay if they want to work.'

– Sophie Anmuth, spokesperson for Reporters Without Borders, slamming a new Egyptian law requiring online newspapers to register and pay exorbitant fees for licences.

 
‘Me and my son are not a family – we are the survivors who live in the ruins of what once was.’

– Willem Cornelius believes his family died with his daughter Hannah who was murdered in Stellenbosch. The  former magistrate was testifying in the Western Cape High Court on Thursday.

'The theme of helping people was a constant in her life and I understand this may have led indirectly to the reason why we are here today. Me and her mother were immensely proud of raising a child for the new Southn Africa, a child without the baggage of our generations, with little interest in money or material things, with no prejudice regarding race, religion or social standing. A remarkable child on the cusp of growing into a remarkable young woman.'

– Cornelius again