Johannesburg  - The education foundation of former South African president Nelson Mandela obtained a 25-per-cent share in Oxford University Press (OUP), the publishing arm of the prestigious British university, on Tuesday.

OUP's transfer of 25.1 per cent of its shares to the Mandela Rhodes Foundation (MRF) would fund third-level scholarships for at least 18 scholars over the next five years as well as secure the foundation's finances in the years to come, the foundation and OUP said in a press release.

The transaction is what is called in South Africa a black economic empowerment (BEE) deal, according to which companies are encouraged to hand over a stake in their business to the historically disadvantaged black majority.

London, Aug.

Johannesburg  - South African freedom fighter and former president Nelson Mandela called his party to unity and respect for democracy at celebrations held in his honour by the African National Congress party on Saturday.

"Let no individual, faction or group regard itself as greater than the organization and the people," Mandela told the gathering of tens of thousands - including current South African President Thabo Mbeki - in a stadium in the capital Pretoria.

Johannesburg - The months-long celebrations of former South African President Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday will be capped by a concert in Johannesburg next month, his foundation announced Tuesday.

The line-up for the August 23 gig is a mainly South African affair and features mostly local musicians who did not make the shortlist for the Mandela charity concert in London's Hyde Park in June that kickstarted his birthday celebrations.

Johannesburg

Brussels - The European Union on Friday paid tribute