Pretoria - Airport Company South Africa (ACSA) has confirmed that it will compensate match ticket carrying passengers who missed Wednesday night's FIFA World Cup semi-final between Germany and Spain in Durban due to congestion at King Shaka International Airport.

They have set aside R400 000 to do this.

"ACSA realises that no amount of money could ever adequately compensate the fans for missing the opportunity to watch the second 2010 FIFA World Cup semi-final match on African soil. The question of whether ACSA is legally liable for any loss resulting from this unfortunate event is still to be determined.

"Nevertheless, ACSA has, as a gesture of goodwill, but without admitting any liability, decided to set aside an amount of R400,000, for semi-final match ticket carrying passengers who were on board the six aircraft that were turned back," said ACSA Managing Director Monhla Hlahla on Friday.

Six scheduled flights, (SAA 575, SA 1339, Kulula MN603, Kulula MN641, BA 6313 and BA 6307) were forced to either return to base or divert to other airports, resulting in about 600 passengers missing the showpiece.

"I apologise to all South Africans and, most importantly, all fans who missed the opportunity to attend the semi-final in Durban and for the inconvenience caused," Hlahla said. .

She said she hoped the gesture would put this incident "behind us" and the focus would now be on ensuring that passengers attending the two remaining matches are facilitated with dedication and pride.

ACSA is reviewing all the facts around the matter and the legal implications and the necessary steps will be taken once all findings have been considered.

The logistics of how the money is to be disbursed will be discussed with the affected airlines, as they have passenger details, and will be announced as soon as possible, said ACSA.

Since June 11 2010, the industry facilitated over 32 500 aircraft movements throughout the ACSA network of airports.

Source: BuaNews  

Pretoria - Intergovernmental relations between Brazil and South Africa have been taken a step forward.

"I am pleased that today we signed a Strategic Partnership Declaration, as well as a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of Intergovernmental Relations. This surely takes our relations a step forward," said President Jacob Zuma on Friday.

The agreements were signed during a state visit by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who received a royal welcome with ceremonial guards and a 21-gun salute this morning.

The agreements further strengthen the economic relations and commit to annual political consultations between the countries to ensure bilateral interface in the post-Lula era. Lula is due to step down in 2011.

Lula said the signing of the agreements indicated Brazil's commitment to maintaining the "special" relation it shares with South Africa.

Briefing the media after their meeting, Zuma acknowledged Brazil's contribution to the advancement of the African agenda and South-South co-operation.

"Our invitation to His Excellency the President of Brazil symbolises the importance that South Africa attaches to the relationship," said Zuma.

At a multilateral level, the two countries are members of the India-Brazil-South Africa axis. "We are co-operating on a range of international issues promoting their common views on development, human rights and democracy," Zuma said, adding that two countries are underpinned by a common desire to influence the global agenda in the 21st Century.

President Zuma however believes that their countries still have great potential for further growth in trade and economic relations - a view that was shared by Lula.

"A lot more can be done ... We should work together to find solutions affecting us," Lula said, urging for greater trade between to Brazil and the continent.

As such, the two countries have also agreed to deepen cooperation in areas such as trade and industry, science and technology, agriculture and rural development, arts and culture, defence, education and skills development, health, sport and recreation, tourism, water and environmental affairs.

Lula, who has toured the continent at least ten times, visiting 25 different countries, also paid tribute to the continent and committed to help Africa build a future of stability and development.

"Brazil - not just me - took a political decision to make a re-encounter with the African continent ... and I believe a lot can be achieved if we partner."

Brazil "wants to partner with African countries in many development projects. It also wants to reach agreements to cooperate, invest and finance agriculture, infrastructure and renewable projects."

Already, he has visited Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia- which according to Hornsby demonstrates Brazil's interest in Africa.

Brazil and South Africa see eye-to-eye in many areas, among them an extreme gap between the rich and the poor as well as pursuing a common agenda on the international front.

Trade between these two emerging economies has increased to nearly $1.7-billion in 2009.

Source: BuaNews