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South Africa moved another step closer to diversifying its energy sources when synfuels producer Sasol opened an 865km natural gas pipeline from Mozambique. A new power plant commissioned by the government may go the way of natural gas too.

South Africa's national carrier, SA Airways, is facing increasingly stiff competition from no-frills airlines offering budget deals to local and international fliers - the most recent player being Civair, which will offer low-budget flights direct from the UK to Cape Town and Durban later in 2004.

South Africa's nutriceutical industry - covering a broad range of health supplements and complementary medicines - has grown rapidly over the past decade, and is now estimated to be a worth around R7-billion.

The life and talents of the late Matsemela Manaka, gifted playwright, artist and poet, will be celebrated with the staging of his musical Goree at the Market Theatre in Newtown, Johannesburg this month.

Mpumalanga's R320-million Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) is preparing to launch its first international flights, a year after being awarded its international licence.

A Norwegian journalist arrived in Johannesburg, was mugged, experienced the vibrancy and of the city - and fell in love with it. He is now preparing to trumpet the virtues of the City of Gold to his fellow Norwegians to encourage them to visit.

Following the introduction of TelkomInternet via satellite, Telkom is taking its SpaceStream Express product into Africa, offering businesses and other users on the continent fast, reliable access to the Internet.

A group of African countries have launched the African Laser Centre, based in South Africa, to serve as a central point for coordinating a network of excellence in laser research and development across the continent.

The department of trade and industry, with funding from the World Bank, has established the Black Business Supplier Development Programme, aimed at fast-tracking small and medium black-owned enterprises with potential for growth into the mainstream of the economy.

Cape Town-based Roth Medical Components was named Africa's top small business at the first Africa SMME Awards function in Johannesburg.