* Of the 6 or so African nations taking part in the World Cup, Togo came closest today to winning a game. However, the Koreans came back strongly in the second half to beat this small African country. I cannot help thinking that Senegal or Cameroun could have done better but that is the luck of the draw!
* South Africa hosts the next World cup in 2010 and I am told that preparations for this festival of football are well in hand.
* Zimbabwe continues to worry the UN because of its gross disregard for human rights. That country is rapidly gaining a record of being not only the pariah of Africa but also the poorest country in Africa. Field Marshall Mugabe continues to subdue his people and mow down opposition. Watch this space because Africa's history tells us that it will not be long before a revolution of bloody proportions breaks out.
* Currencies: Strongest currencies in Africa are boasted by Botswana, Egypt and South Africa.
* Sixteen countries in Africa are bankrupt or close to bankruptcy. Corruption, drought and mismanagement of their economies are cited as reasons.
* The UN continues to fiddle while Darfur burns. Some UN officials are being welcomed in Sudan---by lies and deceit. When will someone wake up?
* Travel update: Travel to the DRC, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Liberia and Zimbabwe should be best avoided at the moment. Your entry, transport, hotel accomodation and freedom to move about may be hampered. Not to mention the water and food!