By Thobani Ngqulunga

Sudanese authorities finally gave permission on Thursday for aid worth R5-million to be delivered by the Gift of the Givers Foundation in Pietermaritzburg to the Sudan's war-torn Darfur area.

The 80-ton consignment was ready to be shipped weeks ago, but delivery was delayed because of negotiations between the Sudanese and South African authorities. But next Tuesday, two aircraft will take off for West Darfur to deliver supplies to the estimated one million people who have been displaced by violence in the area.

Gift of the Givers National Co-ordinator Imtiaz Sooliman said South African foreign affairs representatives would accompany the aid flights.

• This article was originally published on page 5 of The Mercury on August 20, 2004