Pretoria - Cabinet has expressed its condolences to the people of Ethiopia following the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

"Cabinet conveys its deepest and heartfelt condolences to the government and the people of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia on the passing away of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi," said Cabinet spokesperson Jimmy Manyi on Wednesday following its fortnightly meeting.

Zenawi was being treated abroad at a hospital for an undisclosed illness when he had a "sudden infection" and passed away on Monday. His body arrived at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital late Tuesday.

Families and relatives of the late prime minister, senior government officials, Ethiopian citizens and foreigners had been waiting for the arrival of the body.

National flags are being kept half-mast as the country goes into mourning.

According to the Ethiopian constitution, the Deputy Prime Minister is taking over as the acting prime minister.

Born in 1955 in Adwa, in North Ethiopia's Tigray region, Zenawi received his elementary education at the Queen of Sheba Junior Secondary School in Adwa and completed high school in 1972 at General Wingate School in Addis Ababa. He then joined the Medical Faculty of the prestigious Addis Ababa University where he studied for two years.

Zenawi interrupted his studies in 1974 to join the Tigrai People's Liberation Front (TPLF) in the fight against the previous Derg regime. He was elected to the leadership committee of the TPLF in 1979 and to its executive committee in 1983. Since 1989, he had been chairman of both the TPLF and the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), a political alliance of the four main political organizations in the country.

Upon the defeat of the military junta, Zenawi became president of the transitional government from 1991 to 1995. He was elected prime minister in 1995 and had been the country's prime minister till his death. - SAnews.gov.za-Xinhua

Pretoria - Infrastructure development is an important part of raising South Africa's potential growth rate while at the same time, it should not be...

more Business Information ...

Maputo – South Africa has welcomed the adoption of a regional infrastructure master plan by Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders who...

more Business Information ...

Pretoria – A task force will be set up to look into labour issues in the platinum industry after 34 people were killed near the Lonmin mine in...

read more South Africa Employment ... :ok:

Race briefing on Friday evening After a lovely dinner at the*beautiful*Botlierskop Game Reserve lodge on Friday evening (having eaten too much with maybe one too many glasses of wine with the notion of an easy run the next day in the back of the head) it was time for race organiser/route planner Hano’s race briefing. [...]Save the Rhino Trail Run is a post from: Trail Running South Africa



more SA Trail Running ...

Friday, 17 August 2012 – Stephen Mokoka will defend his title at the SA Half Marathon Championships in Cape Town on 26 August. In 2011, the Gauteng North athlete won the title ahead of Xolisa Tyali and Lucky Mohale, both athletes from Central Gauteng Athletics.* Mokoka won the race in 1:02:07 while Tyali and Mohale [...]Mokoka to defend Half Marathon title is a post from: Time-to-Run South Africa



more Running South Africa ...

The ever-popular SPAR Weekend Witness Women’s Race promises to inject fun, laughter and a dose of competitive energy into the Oval Cricket Stadium at Alexandra Park in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday, 9 September as thousands of women and girls with supportive menfolk take to the road in what is dubbed South Africa’s Most Beautiful Race. This [...]Pre Pietermaritzburg Women’s Race 2012 is a post from: Time-to-Run South Africa



more Running South Africa ...

Pretoria – Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba on Monday announced a new board of directors of South African Express (SAX), while urging the...

more Business Information ...

The Irish Stock Exchange notes United Drug’s announcement that its Board is reviewing the company’s listing arrangements to allow for potential...

more Business Information ...

Commonly referred to as the “hub of the home,” our kitchens act as the central location of the house where we ultimately gather to eat and socialise. These tips will help save you time as you cook and to keep the “hub” looking in tip-top shape for your family and guests. Worktops At times, our [...]Top 4 Kitchen Clutter Areas is a post from: Home n Spire





read more Home news and information ...