COVER STORY

Fractious Politics: Why don’t political coalitions last?

The last week was dominated by rumours that the ruling Labour Party-PMSD coalition was on the verge of breaking up and speculation once again became rife of the possible combinations of parties that would contest elections a year and half from now. What was not asked was why is it that governments are so dependent on coalitions. Why have these political coalitions proven to be fragile throughout Mauritian political history?

INTERVIEW

Yacoob Ramtoola (BDO): “By this time next year, all buyers will have their keys.”

After Weekly uncovered a property scam by A&A Marketing last year, Yacoob Ramtoola and Georges Chung Ming Kan of BDO were called in as administrators to sort out the mess.  Victims of the scam, however, were left with a bitter pill to swallow when they were informed that they would have to dish out 40% more money if they ever hoped to see the properties they had already paid for and that the administrators would draw millions in fees.  Weekly speaks to Yacoob Ramtoola to shed light on the whole issue. Our questions were probing, his answers unambiguous. 

WHAT’S ON

Meet the woman who competes for a one-way ticket to space (not science fiction!)

Mars One, a foundation based in the Netherlands that plans to establish a human settlement on Planet Mars by 2024, has just announced who of the 200,000 people worldwide who applied for a spot on the spacecraft made the first cut. Weekly spoke to a lady who was among the chosen ones. If she makes the final cut, she will live and die on Mars.

EDUCATION

Student loans: Indebted generation owing to recession

As the A-level results will shortly be released and students are making up their minds about the different career options offered to them, money becomes the keystone to bring one’s career to the next level. If you are one of those planning to contract a loan to fulfil your dreams, here are certain parameters to help you before you set sail.

HEALTH

The geography of obesity: Are islanders getting fatter?

Think of obesity and developed countries such the US immediately spring to mind. However, research shows that the fattest countries in the world are actually tiny islands and micro-nations in the south pacific and the Caribbean, leading to the development of a rule of thumb: the smaller the countries, the greater likelihood of off-the-chart obesity. Is Mauritius falling into this pattern too? Why are the fattest countries in the world islands?

THIS IS MAURITIUS

Hindu weddings: A marriage of tradition and culture

Hindu weddings in Mauritius are a lengthy and complex affair though some rituals followed during certain ceremonies in India have been simplified. Weekly looks at this rich and thousands of years old tradition.