Tag: Jacob Zuma
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Jonathan, Zuma meet on security, economy
As the two top leaders in the continent, Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday met with his South African counterpart, President Jacob Zuma to brainstorm of the many challenges facing the continent.
Briefing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa , President Zuma said that he was in Nigeria to consult on many issues concerning the African continent as a whole and the two countries on one hand.
He said that the discussions between him and President Jonathan have been very fruitful towards repositioning the continent for good.Zuma said:“We are here to consult on matters related to the two countries and the African continent. As you know, very soon His Excellency the President will be visiting South Africa on a state visit and therefore, a lot of other issues that will necessarily be dealt with. We thought we needed to consult particularly the situation in the continent.”“We have had a very fruitful consultation and we believe that between Nigeria and South Africa, it is important to align and harmonize our thinking on matters that need the countries in the continent to take specific decisions.”“Some of the issues raised were issues of security of the continent as you know that there has been some difficulties in a number of the countries. We touched upon those issues and certainly take the issues further when we meet in South Africa.”“But you are also aware that Africa will also be celebrating 50 years of the OAU and African Union establishment in the continent. And the issue really is we need to say what is it that we can look at and look forward beyond that time. We have had a very fruitful discussion.” He added -
S. African doctors say Mandela “much better’’
Former South African President Nelson Mandela is making “steady improvement’’ under treatment for pneumonia, government sources said.
“Doctors say he is much better now than when he was admitted to hospital a week ago,” the government said on Wednesday.
The three-sentence statement from President Jacob Zuma’s office was the most upbeat since the 94-year-old anti-apartheid hero was admitted to hospital with a recurrence of a lung infection.
“His doctors say he continues to respond satisfactorily to treatment and is much better now than when he was admitted to hospital on the 27th of March 2013,’’ the statement said.
Doctors had drained excess fluid from Mandela’s lungs and he was breathing without difficulty, the government said in an earlier bulletin on Saturday.
It is the third health scare in four months for Mandela, who became South Africa’s first black president in 1994 and was hailed as a global symbol of tolerance and harmony.
He was in hospital briefly in early March for a check-up and was hospitalised in December for nearly three weeks with a lung infection and later surgery to remove gallstones.
Mandela stepped down as president in 1999 and has not been politically active for a decade.
He however still revered at home and abroad for leading the struggle against apartheid rule and then championing racial reconciliation while in office.
Global figures such as U.S. President Barack Obama have sent get-well messages, and South Africans included him in Easter prayers at the weekend.
Mandela has a history of lung problems dating back to when he contracted tuberculosis as a political prisoner.
He spent 27 years in prison on Robben Island and in other jails for his attempts to overthrow the white-minority government.
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13 South African soldiers killed in CAR
At least 13 South African soldiers were killed in the Central African Republic as rebels seized the capital, Bangui, over the weekend, President Jacob Zuma has said.
Mr. Zuma said South Africa was “proud” of the soldiers who had fought against the “bandits.”
BBC says South Africa had about 200 troops stationed in Bangui to block Seleka rebels from seizing power.
However, the rebels captured Bangui on Sunday.
Ousted President Francois Bozize has fled the capital.
He is believed to be in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo – although this has been denied by the Congolese government.
Mr. Zuma said 27 South African soldiers had been wounded, and one was unaccounted for.
“It’s a sad moment for us… We are proud of our 200 troops who fought against bandits,” he said, at a press conference in the capital, Pretoria.