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Following a year-long independent investigation, in which Lord Hoffmann led a review of the allegations made by Turkcell in the legal case brought against MTN in the United States, Lord Hoffmann presented the Committee’s findings, absolving the MTN Board.

In a press statement Issued by MTN Group Corporate Affairs, The MTN Group welcomed the rejection of Tukcell’s allegations of impropriety against MTN stating that “Lord Hoffmann’s Committee has determined that the Turkcell allegations are without foundation.  Lord Hoffmann concluded that he found nothing in the conduct of MTN over this period that puts at question MTN’s integrity or propriety. This is a reassuring validation of MTN’s culture and ethical business practices. The Board is particularly pleased to note Lord Hoffmann’s categorical findings that the allegations against MTN’s former Group President and CEO PhuthumaNhleko and MTN‘s former Commercial Director Irene Charnley were baseless.  Allegations of complicity against the Chairman and the Group President and CEO Sifiso Dabengwa were similarly found to be without substance.”

Please find the complete statement from MTN Group Corporate Affairs below

Friday, 01 February 2013

For immediate release

MEDIA STATEMENT FROM MTN GROUP CHAIRMAN Mr CYRIL RAMAPHOSA

Johannesburg –In February 2012, the MTN Board commissioned Lord Hoffmann to lead a review of the allegations made by Turkcell in the legal case brought against MTN in the United States.  

Lord Hoffmann was born in South Africa and has enjoyed an illustrious career as a senior British judge, being appointed to the UK House of Lords in 1995. We felt that the seriousness of these allegations merited an authoritative and independent investigation. As an international jurist of unquestionable legal authority and independence, Lord Hoffmann was selected to chair the Special Committee established by the MTN Board to investigate the allegations.   

Following a year-long investigation, Lord Hoffmann has presented the Committee’s findings today to the MTN Board.

Lord Hoffmann’s Committee has determined that the Turkcell allegations are without foundation.  Lord Hoffmann concluded that he found nothing in the conduct of MTN over this period that puts at question MTN’s integrity or propriety. This is a reassuring validation of MTN’s culture and ethical business practices. The Board is particularly pleased to note Lord Hoffmann’s categorical findings that the allegations against MTN’s former Group President and CEO PhuthumaNhleko and MTN‘s former Commercial Director Irene Charnley were baseless.  Allegations of complicity against the Chairman and the Group President and CEO Sifiso Dabengwa were similarly found to be without substance.   

We have accepted Lord Hoffmann’s recommendation that his report be published in full.  The report and a video of Lord Hoffmann delivering the Executive Summary of the Committee’s report are available on the MTN website.  The Board is grateful to Lord Hoffmann, and Independent Non-Executive Directors Peter Mageza and Jeff van Rooyen for their work, and the scope and detail of their conclusions. 

MTN is one of Africa’s success stories – a great company founded on innovation, courage, and values of honesty and ethical business dealings.  I am proud of what we bring to the communities and markets we work in, and what MTN does to improve lives.  We can now put these events behind us, and move forward as one of Africa’s great companies.

Issued by MTN Group Corporate Affairs

About MTN Group:  Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a multinational telecommunications group, operating in 21 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code: “MTN.” As of 30 September 2012, MTN recorded 182.7 million subscribers across its operations in Afghanistan, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic, Iran, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville), Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Uganda, Yemen and Zambia. Visit us at www.mtn.com and www.mtnfootball.com

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Kampala 

As many went to theatres and playgrounds to celebrate the 2013 women’s day, Google; the world’s leading internet communication solutions and search engine brand kept their celebration online through their fast growing interactive chatting platform ‘Google Hangout’

Google Africa on Friday 8th March 2013, commemorated International Women’s Day with a Hangout that was joined by inspirational women transversely from the African countries of Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and the UK.

Inspirational women from these countries met at a Hangout to discuss different issues about the women of this world. These included finance, health and education among others.

The platform enabled these women share their experiences and challenges with other women all around the world.

Uganda was represented by Sana ANZO – Founder and Managing Director, Arapapa and Susan Nsibirwa, Marketing Manager, Vision Group.

Are you a Ugandan below the age of 35 years and have a business or a social venture idea that can create value and provide an impetus to the industry or social sector in India and Africa, then participate in the INDIAFRICA Business Plan Contest and stand a chance to win an attractive prize and get recognized on an international platform.

The INDIAFRICA Business Plan Contest is open to students, young proffesionals from Uganda, Africa and India between the age of 18-35 years (as on Dec 31, 2013).

Theme
Entrepreneurial Solutions to Address Developmental Challenges

Prize

·         Eighteen prizes of INR 50,000 ( 1000 US Dollars) each

·         Trip to Davos in January 2014 during the World Economic Forum for the team leaders of the top ranking Indian and African teams

·         Certificates for all winners

·         INDIAFRICA merchandise for all winners

Timeline
Start date: 21 December 2012 Contest open till: 28 March 2013

To register for the completion visit:  http://indiafrica.in/RegisterBusiness.php

WATCH AS FEMI KUTI AND THE STARS OF AFRICA COME OUT TO CELEBRATE

·  Our own actor Matthew Nabwiso has been nominated for the awards.

Legendary Nigerian Afro-beat King Femi Kuti, joined by his full band, will take to the stage on Saturday March 9 when the first-ever AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards is screened LIVE to over 50 countries on the African continent, on DStv and GOtv!

Representing Uganda in the awards, our own Mathew Nabwiso of the hostel series is among the lucky ones nominated in the AfricaMagic Viewer’s choice awards. He was nominated for best supporting actor in a drama serie for his role in Good Catholic Girl where he is up against three Nigerians and one SouthAfrican all in the same category.

Destined to be a glam night when the stars of Africa come out to shine, the festivities begin at 19:00 CAT with an exciting, live, one-hour red carpet pre-show to be hosted by massively entertaining television personality DenreleEdun, alongside AfricaMagic hosts Helen Paul and UtiNwachukwu (Jara), Dolapo Oni and EkuEdewor (53 Extra), Lawrence Maleka (StarGist) plus NicWang’ondu and Sarah Hassan (Mashariki Mix). Join them as they chat to the glitterati making their way into the venue and get a sneak peek at all the hot fashion and fun interviews.

Then get set…the AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards, hosted by Big Brother’s IK Osakioduwa and StarGist leading lady VimbaiMuntinhiri kicks off at exactly 20:00 CAT, live from Lagos! 

The glittering two-hour and 30-minute gala is being held in association with MultiChoice and is headline sponsored by Amstel Malta. And if the entertainment for the night is anything to go by, it’s destined to be a must-watch extravaganza because joining Femi Kuti on the music line-up is gorgeous vocalist Tiwa Savage along with award-winning Kenyan Afro-pop outfit Sauti Sol. 

For more information on the awards, simply log on to www.africamagic.tv

A new book, based on British Airways’ course for nervous flyers has been launched today. The book will help thousands of customers conquer their fears and also address a number of areas of concern including how an aircraft operates, turbulence and give advice from clinical psychologists including relaxation techniques.

The book, co-written by British Airways’ pilot Captain Steve Allright, takes information from the airline’s one-day Flying with Confidence course which has helped more than 45,000 people over the past 25 years.

In this book,Captain Allright shares his top 10 tips from the forthcoming book asking travellers to, “Remember that turbulence is uncomfortable but not dangerous. It is a perfectly normal part of flying caused by nature. Learn to control your breathing. When you feel anxious, hold your breath, then take a long deep breath in, followed by a long deep breath out. Continue long deep breathing. Combine the deep breath in with a muscle contraction.

He further advises that “Clenching your buttocks is most effective, as it overrides other nervous signals going up and down your spinal cord. Aircrafts like to be in the air and are designed to be in the air. Pilots and cabin crew like to be in the air also which means it is a very normal and safe environment for them to be in.”

In reaction to the book, Faith Chaitezvi Country Commercial Manager said, “The existence of this book will relieve very many people who experience flight frights on board. This mostly happens because people can’t imagine being so high in the air so far away from the ground with nothing to fall back to. This book simplifies the process of flying and will surely boost passengers’ confidence in the air.”

She cited that, “Pilots undergo a rigorous selection procedure and are one of the most highly trained and tested professions on earth. They are subjected to simulator tests every six months. Commercial aircrafts are incredibly well maintained, and checked before every flight by pilots and engineers. Routine maintenance is conducted at regular, specified intervals by licensed engineers. Air traffic controllers are trained and licensed professionals operatingunder a very strict set of rules which they must abide by while in the air.”

British Airways’ Captain Allright concluded; “As pilots, we want every customer to have a safe and enjoyable flight. We understand that flying can be a daunting prospect for some and hope that British Airways’ Flying with confidence course and book can help to alleviate those concerns.”