The Namibia Economist "We must be in for good times when Good Friday coincides with Independence Day. Never before has our national day fallen on this holiest of holidays. It is against a background of severe uncertainty that we approach the beginning of our 19th year as an independent nation. For the world's big economies, a rollercoaster ride is expected up until August. For us I am hoping for a smoother ride. This is not hope against hope, it is based on a rational appraisal of where we stand, the challenges we face, and the initiatives we come up with to safeguard our stability and prosperity."
The World Cup football tournament kicks off in one week, and host South Africa is busy putting on the finishing touches. But not everyone is looking forward to the tournament. Authorites in cities including Cape Town are being accused of clearing the poor from the streets - to create a good impression for visiting fans. Al Jazeera's Haru Mutasa has more.