I just finished my article for Taipan Insider… South Africa’s elections are happening this Wednesday, and Jacob Zuma is predicted to be the next president, with his ANC party taking many of the seats in Parliament.

I’m working on my in-depth research report on the country, and the accompanying video, but I wanted to share a couple links with you about the elections.

South Africa: Township reports
Zuma to Lead South African Democracy Hurt by His Rise
South African Party Leader Shrugs Off Suspicions

Tags: African National Congress, Elections, Jacob Zuma, South Africa

Today, leaders from the 34-member Organization of American States met in Trinidad for the Summit of the Americas.

These are 34 countries with democratically elected officials, so that, of course, doesn’t include Cuba…

Yet.

President Obama recently announced an easing of the travel restrictions between the United States and Cuba, though he didn’t go so far as to lift the trade embargo…

Yet.

But this thaw in relations is being looked at positively by all Latin American nations, and many hope that discussions about the “exiled” country will be much more open and fruitful during this Summit. Cuba herself is open to discussions.

Raul Castro, Cuba’s president, said in a statement made in Venezuela at a conference meant to counter the Summit of the Americas, “We are willing to discuss everything, human rights, freedom of press, political prisoners, everything, everything, everything they want to talk about, but as equals, without the smallest shadow cast on our sovereignty, and without the slightest violation of the Cuban people’s right to self-determination.”

The move to warmer relations is welcomed by both the United States and Cuba, but both acknowledge that it will take a lot of time and mutual respect before Cuba is officially back in the fold.

Tags: Cuba, Organization of American States, Summit of the Americas, trade embargo

Since Captain Richard Phillips was dramatically rescued by U.S. Navy Seals on Sunday, pirates of the coast of Somalia have stepped up their attacks on ships.

On Monday, they hijacked two Egyptian fishing boats and two freighters… On Tuesday, two more freighters and four skiffs were taken by force… And just last night, a U.S. cargo ship carrying food aid for Africa was attacked.

The international community is working together in a joint task force to try and tackle the problem, but it’ll take a lot of work, and a lot of ships. In the mean time, one might expect to see shipping costs and insurance premiums escalate for this region…

Tags: hijacking, Pirates, Somalia

Yesterday was action-packed, and today was all business. Let me fill you in on what I’ve been doing.

First off, if you’re coming to South Africa, you must see Cape Town. In fact, unless you’re coming for business and have to see Johannesburg, fly into Cape Town. There are even direct flights from Atlanta. Not that there aren’t things to do in Jo’burg. Its proximity to some game reserves, like Kruger and Pilanesburg make it a good stopping off point.

But Cape Town…

My attraction was instant. I’m a sucker for mountains, and if you put mountains by the ocean, you’ve got me hook, line, and sinker. Driving into Cape Town from the airport, Roger, my driver let me film part of the route.

As Table Mountain grew in the distance, I kept switching between the video camera and the digital camera, and then just looking in awe as we came around the bend to see the Waterfront with a live Jazz stage at full tilt.

It was the tail end of the city’s annual Jazz Festival… and I’d missed it. Not to worry, my tour of Cape Town more than made up for it, with the creme de la creme being the top of Table Mountain.

But let me back up. My hotel, the Protea Hotel President is situated in the residential area called Bantry Bay. It’s just after the city and just before Camps Bay, the city’s best beach. A good location. Quiet, and a bit removed from the hectic city, but easy to get to and from…

In fact, I picked up a double-decker topless tour bus just around the corner from The President. I’d bought a tour on the popular Red Route when I booked my room. I made my way to the top deck and took out my video camera. It was about 10:30 in the morning and the sky was nice and clear, offering spectacular views of Table Mountain and the Lion’s Head.

The bus wove its way through the touristy Waterfront and then into the heart of the city.

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Tags: South Africa, South Africa Infrastructure, World Cup 2010