The Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope (SKA) and its precursor, the MeerKAT,
will create enormous opportunities and alter the image of South Africa and the continent. So says Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor.
On the taxing issue of finance, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan is taking
urgent steps against what he calls "significant tax avoidance schemes" in connection with the new dividends tax.
It's not surprising that companies are doing this - the dividends tax, which came into effect on 1 April this year at 15%, has pushed company tax in SA above an international norm of around 30%.
While the armed forces are not democracies and orders have to be obeyed, not debated, there's discipline... and then there's discipline - and when soldiers die or commit suicide, it's no wonder
SANDF discipline is in spotlight. This comes after a woman soldier apparently committed suicide after her commanding officer allegedly humiliated her.
Finally, for you petrol heads out there, our own little cookie, Henrie Geyser reckons the new Chinese offering from Great Wall Motors, the C10 has
promising fortune cookies. He likes the neat little hatch from the land of noodles and Mao's
Little Red Book.
Rod Baker, content director
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KHARTOUM, SUDAN: African Union mediator Thabo Mbeki was to arrive in the Sudanese capital on Friday, hoping to resolve differences between Sudan and South Sudan ahead of security talks this week, official media said. 
Disciplinary procedures in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) have come under the spotlight following the suicide of a woman soldier after she was allegedly humiliated by her commanding officer. 
CAIRO, EGYPT: Egypt's military said its forces were being redeployed on Wednesday to press a campaign against Islamist militants in the Sinai and that 11 "terrorists" have been killed since operations were launched. 
Congress of the People leader Mosiuoa Lekota has challenged two Cabinet ministers to repeat accusations outside Parliament that he "brutally" used soldiers against the people of Khutsong so that he "has recourse to justice". 
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: A damning inquiry into the treatment of women in Australia's military on Wednesday recommended quotas to increase female representation and the establishment of a unit to probe sexual misconduct. 
JERUSALEM, ISRAEL: Israel's prime minister has accused the international community of failing to draw a "clear red line" for Iran over its nuclear programme, after a UN report found Tehran had doubled its capacity at a nuclear site. 
BRASILIA, BRAZIL: Brazil's defence industry is booming, fuelled by government incentives to modernise the country's armed forces and develop a robust, export-oriented military industrial complex. 
