S.Africa ups oil from Iran despite US pressure
South African crude oil imports from Iran rose to 3.37 billion rand ($434.8 million) in March from 2.8 billion the previous month, customs data showed on Monday, indicating Pretoria had not bowed to U.S. pressure to curb commercial links with Tehran.
The Revenue Service said Africa's biggest economy imported 505,908 tonnes of Iranian crude in March, up from 417,188 tonnes the previous month.
South Africa has come under Western pressure to cut Iranian crude imports as part of sanctions designed to halt Tehran's suspected pursuit of nuclear weapons, but the response from diplomatically non-aligned Pretoria has been unclear.
South Africa could take an economic hit if it does not comply. Its Iranian crude imports declined between October and January, when they reached zero, but they began rising again in February.
Neither the foreign ministry nor the department of energy were willing to comment.
It is also not clear who bought the crude after almost all South African refiners said in recent months that they had already found alternative suppliers.
Senior energy and foreign ministry officials contradicted each other in March as to the status of Iranian imports. Until late last year, Iran was typically South Africa's biggest crude supplier, accounting for a quarter of its oil imports.
Read more: Reuters.com
South African crude oil imports from Iran rose to 3.37 billion rand ($434.8 million) in March from 2.8 billion the previous month, customs data showed on Monday, indicating Pretoria had not bowed to U.S. pressure to curb commercial links with Tehran.
The Revenue Service said Africa's biggest economy imported 505,908 tonnes of Iranian crude in March, up from 417,188 tonnes the previous month.
South Africa has come under Western pressure to cut Iranian crude imports as part of sanctions designed to halt Tehran's suspected pursuit of nuclear weapons, but the response from diplomatically non-aligned Pretoria has been unclear.
South Africa could take an economic hit if it does not comply. Its Iranian crude imports declined between October and January, when they reached zero, but they began rising again in February.
Neither the foreign ministry nor the department of energy were willing to comment.
It is also not clear who bought the crude after almost all South African refiners said in recent months that they had already found alternative suppliers.
Senior energy and foreign ministry officials contradicted each other in March as to the status of Iranian imports. Until late last year, Iran was typically South Africa's biggest crude supplier, accounting for a quarter of its oil imports.
Read more: Reuters.com
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South African Markets - Factors to watch on Aug 3
South African government bonds rose on Tuesday, boosted by an auction which saw the strongest demand in a year with foreign buying a key feature.
Local shares and the rand weakened, falling victim to a re-emergence of worries about the debt crisis in the euro zone, which had taken a back seat to U.S. debt talk in the past two weeks.
Stocks hit five-week lows, falling more than one percent while the rand inched very close to the 6.80/dollar, a key level that would signal further losses if broken convincingly.
Yields on government bonds touched multi-month lows across the curve, after a strong weekly auction.
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United Christian Democratic Party , Inkatha Freedom Party , South African Democratic Convention , Minority Front , National Democratic Convention , Freedom Front Plus , Pan Africanist Congress , African Christian Democratic Party , African National Congress , Azanian People's Organisation , New National Party , South African Communist Party , Democratic Alliance , Independent Democrats , United Democratic Movement
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United Christian Democratic Party , Inkatha Freedom Party , South African Democratic Convention , Minority Front , National Democratic Convention , Freedom Front Plus , Pan Africanist Congress , African Christian Democratic Party , African National Congress , Azanian People's Organisation , New National Party , South African Communist Party , Democratic Alliance , Independent Democrats , United Democratic Movement
S. Africa's president says country will research youth league's proposal to nationalize mines
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa's president says his ruling party will research a proposal from its youth league to nationalize the country's lucrative mining sector.
But President Jacob Zuma said Friday at the close of an African National Congress meeting that the next serious discussion of the issue would not happen until a national conference in 2012. He says the government will maintain its market-friendly policies despite calls from party allies to shift economic policies leftward. The ANC's communist and trade union allies say South Africa's policies have left too many citizens jobless and poor.
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Joe Seremane , Pieter Mulder , Kgalema Motlanthe , Jacob Zuma , Patricia de Lille , Mosiuoa Lekota , Gwede Mantashe , Mangosuthu Buthelezi , Thabo Mbeki , Mosibudi Mangena , Kenneth Meshoe , Amichand Rajbansi , Helen Zille , Lucas Mangope , Nelson Mandela , Bantu Holomisa , Rev. Hawu Mbatha
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Joe Seremane , Pieter Mulder , Kgalema Motlanthe , Jacob Zuma , Patricia de Lille , Mosiuoa Lekota , Gwede Mantashe , Mangosuthu Buthelezi , Thabo Mbeki , Mosibudi Mangena , Kenneth Meshoe , Amichand Rajbansi , Helen Zille , Lucas Mangope , Nelson Mandela , Bantu Holomisa , Rev. Hawu Mbatha
South African Markets - Factors to watch on Nov 13
HANNESBURG, Nov 13 (Reuters) - The following company announcements, scheduled economic indicators, debt and currency market moves and political events may affect South African markets on Friday.
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SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS
South African President Jacob Zuma's meeting with his trade union and communist allies from Friday may produce more rhetoric than substance despite their push to have him shift economic policy to the left.
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Political parties
A list of political parties in South Africa. South Africa is a democratic but one party dominant state with the African National Congress in power. Opposition parties are allowed, but are widely considered to have no real chance of gaining power.
African Christian Democratic Party in Poll - public opinion online African Christian Democratic Party ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
African National Congress in Poll - public opinion online African National Congress ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
Azanian People's Organisation in Poll - public opinion online Azanian People's Organisation (South Africa) ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
Democratic Alliance in Poll - public opinion online Democratic Alliance (South Africa) ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
Freedom Front Plus in Poll - public opinion online Freedom Front Plus (South Africa) ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
Independent Democrats in Poll - public opinion online Independent Democrats (South Africa) ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
Inkatha Freedom Party in Poll - public opinion online Inkatha Freedom Party (South Africa) ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
Minority Front in Poll - public opinion online Minority Front (South Africa) ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
National Democratic Convention in Poll - public opinion online National Democratic Convention (South Africa) ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
New National Party in Poll - public opinion online New National Party (South Africa) ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
Pan Africanist Congress in Poll - public opinion online Pan Africanist Congress ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
South African Communist Party in Poll - public opinion online South African Communist Party ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
South African Democratic Congress in Poll - public opinion online South African Democratic Congress ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
United Christian Democratic Party in Poll - public opinion online United Christian Democratic Party (South Africa) ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
United Democratic Movement in Poll - public opinion online United Democratic Movement (South Africa) ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
More information on Political parties.
African Christian Democratic Party in Poll - public opinion online African Christian Democratic Party ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
African National Congress in Poll - public opinion online African National Congress ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
Azanian People's Organisation in Poll - public opinion online Azanian People's Organisation (South Africa) ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
Democratic Alliance in Poll - public opinion online Democratic Alliance (South Africa) ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
Freedom Front Plus in Poll - public opinion online Freedom Front Plus (South Africa) ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
Independent Democrats in Poll - public opinion online Independent Democrats (South Africa) ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
Inkatha Freedom Party in Poll - public opinion online Inkatha Freedom Party (South Africa) ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
Minority Front in Poll - public opinion online Minority Front (South Africa) ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
National Democratic Convention in Poll - public opinion online National Democratic Convention (South Africa) ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
New National Party in Poll - public opinion online New National Party (South Africa) ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
Pan Africanist Congress in Poll - public opinion online Pan Africanist Congress ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
South African Communist Party in Poll - public opinion online South African Communist Party ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
South African Democratic Congress in Poll - public opinion online South African Democratic Congress ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
United Christian Democratic Party in Poll - public opinion online United Christian Democratic Party (South Africa) ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
United Democratic Movement in Poll - public opinion online United Democratic Movement (South Africa) ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
More information on Political parties.
Politics
The African National Congress is the ruling party in the national legislature, as well as in eight of the nine provinces, having received 65.9% of the vote during the 2009 general election and 66.3% of the vote in the 2006 municipal election. The main challenger to the ANC's rule is the Democratic Alliance, led by Helen Zille, which received 16.66% of the vote in the 2009 election and 14.8% in the 2006 election. Other major political parties represented in Parliament are the Inkatha Freedom Party, which mainly represents Zulu voters, with 4.55%; and the Congress of the People with 7.42% in the 2009 election. The formerly dominant New National Party, who introduced apartheid through its predecessor the National Party, disbanded in 2005 to merge with the ANC. The current South African president is Jacob Zuma.
Amichand Rajbansi A former Chief Minister of the House of Delegates Tricameral parliamentary chamber for Indian people. Amichand Rajbansi is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Bantu Holomisa South African Member of Parliament and president of the United Democratic Movement. Bantu Holomisa is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Gwede Mantashe South African politician - a chairperson of the South African Communist Party. Gwede Mantashe is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Helen Zille The Mayor of Cape Town in South Africa's Western Cape province and leader of the Democratic Alliance political party. Helen Zille is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Jacob Zuma South African politician - the President of the African National Congress (ANC). Jacob Zuma is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Joe Seremane South African politician and federal chairperson of the country's main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA). Joe Seremane is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Kenneth Meshoe The President of the African Christian Democratic Party in South Africa. Kenneth Meshoe is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Kgalema Motlanthe The President of South Africa and Deputy President of the ruling African National Congress (ANC). Kgalema Motlanthe is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Lucas Mangope South Africa politician - the former leader of the Bantustan of Bophuthatswana. Lucas Mangope is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Mangosuthu Buthelezi South African Zulu leader, and leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP). Mangosuthu Buthelezi is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Mosibudi Mangena Former Minister of Science and Technology in South Africa and President of the Azanian People's Organisation (AZAPO). Mosibudi Mangena is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Mosiuota Lekota South African politician who was Minister of Defence. Mosiuota Lekota is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Nelson Mandela The first President of South Africa to be elected in fully representative democratic elections, serving from 1994-1999. Nelson Mandela is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Patricia de Lille Leader of the Independent Democrats, a South African political party. Patricia de Lille is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Pieter Mulder South African politician and the leader of the Freedom Front Plus. Pieter Mulder is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Rev. Hawu Mbatha South African politician - leader of National Democratic Convention (NADECO). Rev. Hawu Mbatha is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Thabo Mbeki South African politician who served as President of South Africa from 1999 to 24 September 2008. Thabo Mbeki is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
More information on Politics.
Amichand Rajbansi A former Chief Minister of the House of Delegates Tricameral parliamentary chamber for Indian people. Amichand Rajbansi is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Bantu Holomisa South African Member of Parliament and president of the United Democratic Movement. Bantu Holomisa is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Gwede Mantashe South African politician - a chairperson of the South African Communist Party. Gwede Mantashe is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Helen Zille The Mayor of Cape Town in South Africa's Western Cape province and leader of the Democratic Alliance political party. Helen Zille is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Jacob Zuma South African politician - the President of the African National Congress (ANC). Jacob Zuma is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Joe Seremane South African politician and federal chairperson of the country's main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA). Joe Seremane is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Kenneth Meshoe The President of the African Christian Democratic Party in South Africa. Kenneth Meshoe is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Kgalema Motlanthe The President of South Africa and Deputy President of the ruling African National Congress (ANC). Kgalema Motlanthe is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Lucas Mangope South Africa politician - the former leader of the Bantustan of Bophuthatswana. Lucas Mangope is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Mangosuthu Buthelezi South African Zulu leader, and leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP). Mangosuthu Buthelezi is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Mosibudi Mangena Former Minister of Science and Technology in South Africa and President of the Azanian People's Organisation (AZAPO). Mosibudi Mangena is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Mosiuota Lekota South African politician who was Minister of Defence. Mosiuota Lekota is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Nelson Mandela The first President of South Africa to be elected in fully representative democratic elections, serving from 1994-1999. Nelson Mandela is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Patricia de Lille Leader of the Independent Democrats, a South African political party. Patricia de Lille is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Pieter Mulder South African politician and the leader of the Freedom Front Plus. Pieter Mulder is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Rev. Hawu Mbatha South African politician - leader of National Democratic Convention (NADECO). Rev. Hawu Mbatha is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Thabo Mbeki South African politician who served as President of South Africa from 1999 to 24 September 2008. Thabo Mbeki is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
More information on Politics.