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South African soccer in 2003

There was not too much to shout about for Bafana Bafana, South Africa's national soccer team, in 2003, but the women's side, affectionately called Banyana Banyana, can look back on a job well done. So too can the Tsetse Flies - the national under-12 team.

Why Alexandra survived

Alexandra township in Johannesburg has been under threat of demolition many times in its 100-year-old history - particularly in the height of the apartheid period, when other "black spots" in the middle of white suburbs met their deaths beneath state bulldozers. Of these, Alex alone survived. Thanks to a friendship.

Oil production in South Africa

South Africa - an oil producing country? The opening of the Sable oil field, 150km southwest of Mossel Bay, has effectively tripled SA's oil production. Added to Sasol's coal-to-petroleum contribution, 45 000 barrels a day from Mossgas and 15 000 from PetroSA's two existing oilfields, it means that South Africa now produces roughly half of its petroleum needs.

SA’s Cannes Lions winners

South African advertising agencies shone at the 2003 Cannes Lions Advertising Festival, scooping a total of five gold, eight silver, five bronze and three media Lions. Check out the list of winners - and view the winning ads.

ICT-E database of BEE firms

Local and foreign investors looking for black economic empowerment partners in the IT, telecoms and electronics sectors can now consult an online database of information on South African BEE companies, based on a solid, layered definition of empowerment, and growing all the time.

Cultural village for craft traders

The days of selling their wares in the open will be over for arts and craft traders in North West province when a cultural village is completed within the next few months.

Splashy Fen music fun

It’s Splashy Fen time again and lovers of local music, fun-seekers, ravers and hippies are gearing up for five days of revelry in KwaZulu-Natal's spectacular Drakensberg mountains this weekend.

Kwaito: much more than music

South African youth culture is finding its own voice in a style of music known as kwaito, spawning a new - and profitable - industry. Like hip hop in the US, kwaito is not just music, it's an expression and validation of a way of life. It's the musical voice of young, black, urban South Africa.

Sun rises on Karoo tequila

Soon anyone visiting the picturesque Karoo town of Graaff-Reinet will be obliged to throw back a couple of tequila slammers before heading off again. The small town is set for world fame among lovers of the fiery drink as the only place outside of Mexico where tequila - marketed under the name "Agava" - is made.