MAKHATHINI FLATS, 7 Feb 2006 (IRIN) - Taking a break from spraying his neat, one-hectare plot of young cotton plants with herbicide, Moses Mabika surveys the land that has been supporting his family for 45 years. He may not realise it, but he is standing at the epicenter of a heated debate about growing genetically modified (GM) crops in Africa. Full report

JOZINI, 7 Feb 2006 (IRIN) - Jonathon Gumede knows the symptoms of malaria well: headaches, persistent shivering, a high temperature and sore joints are the initial warning signs of infection, and if not treated quickly, a person can die within a matter of days. Full report

MBABANE, 7 Feb 2006 (IRIN) - Petrol bombings of government targets in Swaziland continue unabated despite the arrest of 16 members of banned political organisations in connection with the attacks. Full report

AMBALENGO, 6 Feb 2006 (IRIN) - Southeastern Madagascar is lush and green, its rolling hills dotted with rice paddies and fruit trees - the last place you would imagine as threatened by a food emergency.Full report

JOHANNESBURG, 6 Feb 2006 (IRIN) - As the Comoros prepare for upcoming elections that will test their new power-sharing arrangement, South Africa is gearing up to do its part in ensuring the April elections are free and fair. Full report

JOHANNESBURG, 6 Feb 2006 (IRIN) - A South African newspaper is set to challenge a court interdict barring the publication of controversial cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, initially printed in Denmark, that have caused angry protests in countries around the world.Full report

LUSAKA, 6 Feb 2006 (IRIN) - Zambia's debt write-off has not yet translated into benefits for ordinary workers, according to the head of the country's labour movement.Full report

LUSAKA, 3 Feb 2006 (IRIN) - In what has been described as a policy u-turn, Zambian president Levy Mwanawasa has declared that this year's general election will be held under the current constitution rather than a new document prepared by a Constituent Assembly as church and NGO activists have demanded.Full report

MAPUTO, 3 Feb 2006 (IRIN) - The number of cholera cases in Mozambique is increasing rapidly, raising concern among health workers that this outbreak may be far worse than last year's. Full report

MBABANE, 3 Feb 2006 (IRIN) - Marijuana grown in Swaziland could help house South Africa's homeless, according to an NGO working with residents in informal settlements.Full report

ZIMBABWE: Year in Brief 2005 - A chronology of key events

ZIMBABWE: Year in Review 2005 - Hard times felt by all

MALAWI: Input delays could affect next year's harvest

SOUTHERN AFRICA: Spare the rod, create a human being

SOUTH AFRICA: Winning the war against malaria, so far

SOUTH AFRICA: GM debate fought on cotton fields of KZN

MADAGASCAR: Framework to forestall emergencies planned

MALAWI: Abuse of women and girls a national shame