Rand firm on Election Eve

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa’s rand firmed slightly against the dollar on Tuesday as global investors warmed to emerging markets, although its gains looked likely to be limited the day before a national election. At 0624 GMT, the rand was at 10.5050 against the dollar, 0.38 percent firmer than last night’s New York close of 10.55. … Read more

Wooing the Zulu vote pays off for South Africa’s ANC

By Ed Stoddard ISIMANGALISO South Africa (Reuters) – If the African National Congress maintains its 65 percent majority in South Africa’s May 7 election, it will be thanks in large part to rural ethnic Zulu voters such as Alfred Sabela. “We have water and a tar road. Before, we fetched water from the river,” said 43-year-old Sabela, standing by the makeshift shop from … Read more