QUOTES

‘In our constitutional democracy – while the spirit and heartbeat of the country may be located inside the executive and legislature – the soul of South Africa is firmly in the courts. Therefore, the future of the country stands or falls on just briefing patterns. Courts should not abdicate their responsibilities, as they have done since the dawn of democracy, under the pretext that this is a political or policy issue.’

– High Court (Pretoria) Judge Mandlenkosi Motha, who said that he could not properly assess a BEE case because there was no black advocate appearing before him. He said the issue reflected the deep-seated racial divisions still prevalent in SA.

‘Social tensions and the prospect of further violence remain elevated in Ethiopia despite a peace deal.’

– The IMF, which fears the security situation in Ethiopia is still volatile, despite the peace agreement that ended the northern Ethiopia war 18 months ago

‘This is a step in the right direction. Agoa has been critical for the Western Cape and South Africa. It has benefitted and boosted the Western Cape’s economy, particularly the province’s job-creating agriculture sector and extending the programme will go a long way in furthering our province’s promising growth.’

– Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, who hailed the introduction of legislation in the US that will see the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, benefitting several African nations, including South Africa

‘As Cardinal of the Holy Church, he holds a diplomatic passport. Why refuse this status, which has always been recognised by all cardinals, even internationally?’

– The Catholic Church in the DRC, after Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, the chancery of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kinshasa, was denied access to the VIP lounge at the N'djili International Airport