Spreading good news in Africa

SYDNEY man Richard Turner is proud to advertise his passion for Africa.

The Fairfax advertising group account manager is travelling to Malawi to share his expertise with one of the country's daily newspapers, The Guardian.

Mr Turner was named Fairfax Media's top salesperson for the year for 2007 and will use his $10,000 travel and study prize to help out in the south-east African nation.

He first heard about the newspaper while travelling in Africa and a friend from Malawi helped him get in touch.

Next month he will spend two weeks in

Kuti, which is a 90-minute drive from Malawi's capital, Lilongwe, located in the central part

of the country.

As well as working with the newspaper, Mr Turner will work at an orphanage. He will also help a school develop a recreational program for its students, including teaching them how to play soccer.

A community volunteer will be part of Mr Turner's sessions so that locals will be able to continue the work after he returns to Australia.

At The Guardian, Mr Turner will inspect day-to-day operations and conduct a workshop with salespeople about the role of newspapers in Australia as well as share sales techniques.

Mr Turner has also received a helping hand from his Fairfax Media colleagues - he has eight boxes of donated toys to give to children at the orphanage; the cost of shipping has also been donated.

Harvey Norman staff have also helped out, donating money and toys.

Landlocked Malawi is one of the world's most densely populated and least developed countries where the average life expectancy is just 43 years.

Malawi: Rabies Outbreak Traced to Beef

More than 1,000 people are believed to have contracted rabies after eating beef from an infected cow, The Daily Times of Malawi reported this week. Veterinary officials said the cow died early this month in the district of Mulanje after showing symptoms of rabies, the newspaper reported, and people were told to dispose of the cow. But the animal was butchered and the beef sold. About 800 people have received a rabies vaccine, local health authorities said

Bafana call up replacements

Bafana Bafana coach Joel Santana has quickly replaced Bloemfontein Celtic and Ajax Cape Town players who pulled out of the Bafana Bafana squad which will face Malawi in an international friendly on Tuesday.

This was confirmed by Bafana team manager Sipho Nkumane who said, "I can confirm that both Lucas Thwala and Rooi Mahamutsa from Orlando Pirates have been called up to the national team for the friendly match against Malawi on Tuesday.

"The two players replace Nazeer Allie and Brett Evans who have been excused as their club Ajax Cape Town has a league match against Bloemfontein Celtic the following day. Supersport striker Katlego Mashego replaces Petrus Mahlatsi."

Nkumane also said that they did not need to call up another goalkeeper to replace Celtic’s Shuaib Walters as they already have two great goalkeepers.

Pirates now have seven players in the squad, the others being Moeneeb Josephs, Innocent Mdledle, Lebogang Mothibantwa, Thulasizwe Mbuyane and Teko "Ace" Modise.