Debates and space for critical engagement is essential for democracy. There can never be enough emphasis on this point. It is therefore unfortunate that African National Congress (ANC) has chose to stifle debates by resorting to use of derogatory terms to describe opposing voices in the Congress of South Africans trade Unions (Cosatu), South African communist Party (SACP) and ANC alliance.

The harassment of Associated Newspapers of Zimbabwe(Private) Limited, publishers of The Daily News, continued in the week. The paper’s editor-in-chief, Geoffrey Nyarota, and the company’s founding Chief Executive Officer, Wilf Mbanga, were arrested, detained and subsequently appeared in court.

The aim of this Conference is to raise awareness on ICT amongst women in the Horn of Africa region and to explore opportunities for harnessing the technology to work as a tool for their development. The conference will provide an opportunity to hear what is happening on the ground for the purposes of learning and replication.

COSATU welcomes the comprehensive report tabled to the people of South Africa today and welcomes the exoneration of government from any wrongdoing or corruption.