At least the SA board of tourism has launched a VERY successful campaign here in America, using CT as its front man. SA image has been improved by tremendous amounts. Commercials showing Safmarine against table mountain lead to a 2-minute commercial. Quite nice actually. And Sandton Square is plastered EVERYWHERE!! (Of course i did take about 150 of those posters and pin them up all over campus. ;))

I dont get it that no US carrier-Delta/American etc has any direct flights to Southern Africa or even africa at all??
Seems SAA has the monopoly and you know what that means , price the route out of the reach of many.
Wish there was some competition so that all these adventerious Americans could come see the rainbow nation.

At least the SA board of tourism has launched a VERY successful campaign here in America, using CT as its front man. SA image has been improved by tremendous amounts. Commercials showing Safmarine against table mountain lead to a 2-minute commercial. Quite nice actually. And Sandton Square is plastered EVERYWHERE!! (Of course i did take about 150 of those posters and pin them up all over campus. ;))

One other person I know have improved South African image on her show is Oprah Winfrey and I say big ups to all other ones who potray the same thing. Datilguy, you must buy a t-shirt with SA flag on bro, that's if you haven't got sum.

Anyone who ask you about the country can checkout this websites -
www.southafrica.net
www.southafrica.com
and check out videos at Mo Rush's signature.

THE CITY has targeted informal settlements and is working with the provincial government to build houses for the thousands of families who live in backyard shacks and informal settlements.


March 14, 2005
By Ndaba Dlamini

THE DAYS are numbered for Johannesburg's informal settlements: the City, in partnership with the Gauteng department of housing, is pulling out all the stops to eradicate squatter camps.

Nomvula Mokonyane, the MEC for housing, said that in the 2005/2006 financial year, 6 137 housing stands in Johannesburg north and 18 996 housing stands in Johannesburg south would be developed to provide adequate affordable housing to thousands of families living in backyard shacks and informal settlements.

"Our main focus is to continue making sure that we have a sustainable housing and human settlement process to achieve housing with secure tenure, within a safe and healthy environment, and the development of viable communities for all people. By June 2005, the registration process of informal settlements will be completed and the data gathered will be used for planning purposes," Mokonyane said.

In 2004 the City approved a consolidated list of 189 informal settlements and housing projects within its boundaries. It planned to provide all informal settlements with essential facilities like roads, streetlights and community centres by 2007. Where this was impossible, new townships would be established.

Kliptown and Alexandra, two of Johannesburg's oldest townships, are being given a new lease of life as the number of backyard shacks is decreased and new houses are built. Backyard shacks crowd the two areas and in most cases the shacks completely encase the original formal houses, making them look like shanty towns.

Construction of 1 400 units in Kliptown - to be completed by the end of May 2005 - was on course, said Mokonyane. Beneficiaries would come from the surrounding townships, such as Orlando, Pimville and Klipspruit.

In Kliptown, 5 700 Reconstruction and Development Programme houses would be constructed in the "next few years". The housing programme is part of the Kliptown Development Project, which aims to move the Kliptown community to decent, affordable housing. There are 38 000 to 45 000 people living in Kliptown, the majority of whom will get proper housing.


Top Twenty Townships Programme
Backyard shacks are a common eyesore in most townships in Johannesburg. In March 2005 Mokonyane launched the Top Twenty Townships Programme in Orlando, Soweto, in an effort to "provide housing opportunities to communities and families that are currently renting backyard shacks".
Among other aims, the programme is meant "to provide alternative housing solutions to backyard shack tenants, affordable rental accommodation to those who cannot afford market-related rentals, and to assist in formalisation of rental agreements between the landlords and the tenants and, where possible, to eradicate the backyard shacks".

Mokonyane said, "This is a continuing effort to upgrade infrastructure and improve the quality of life of our people, particularly in historically black townships."

In Alexandra, 1 403 houses in Extension 7 had been planned and construction would start in April 2005. The project was expected to be completed by December 2005, Mokonyane said. Also, several pockets of land had been identified for housing for Alexandra residents, in line with promoting mixed income developments.


Cosmo City
By the end of March 2005, 250 houses and 1 400 stands are expected at the Cosmo City Project, an integrated housing development scheme in the north of Johannesburg.
Cosmo City is part of the City's drive to eradicate informal settlements by 2008 and provide housing to city dwellers. It should provide 12 500 housing units by the end of 2007. Preference will be given to residents from the nearby Zevenfontein, Zandspruit and River Bend informal settlements.

"Our target for the 2005/2006 financial year is to complete 2 000 serviced stands with water and sewer reticulation, 2 000 stands with road and stormwater drainage, 2 800 fully subsidised houses and 850 credit-linked and bonded houses," Mokonyane said.

More than 6 000 families living in the informal settlements of Dlamini, Eikenhof and Thembelihle, south of Johannesburg, will have proper housing by the end of 2006. The City identified communities there for relocation to Vlakfontein West, a "greenfield" housing project.

Smaller communities were also earmarked for relocation, namely those in Old Vista in Region 6, Mshenguville, Orlando East, Orlando Park, St Mary's in Region 10, and Kapok in Region 11. The three-year project, a joint venture between the City and the Gauteng department of housing, will cost R186-million.

Yet another effort expected to alleviate the housing blues in the city is the Brickfields Housing Project. It will boast 1 400 units, built at a cost of R98-million. The first phase is expected to be completed by the end of March 2005, with 616 units ready for occupation. The second phase, the construction of 1 200 units, began in February and will be completed in 2006.

Other housing projects in Johannesburg are being undertaken in Diepsloot, Ivory Park, Zandspruit, Dobsonville, Doornkop, Tshepisong and Orange Farm.

SA Car of the Year named at Jo'burg banquet
[ See related stories ]

March 15, 2005

Decided at last – the winner of the 20th annual South African Car of the Year competition was announced in Johannesburg on Tuesday night during a gala dinner attended by dozens of motor industry leaders and motoring journalists.

This year's ultimate accolade went to the Volvo S40 2.4i.

The winner was decided from eight finalists chosen by members of the SA Guild of Motoring Journalists late in 2004 from the dozens of cars launched into the local market over the previous year.

Three examples of each of the eight were driven over several hundred kilometres of tar in the Vanderbiljpark area near the Vaal dam in January and comprehensive scorebooks filled with thousands of ticks.

The results were then loaded into a complicated computer program which not even the judges really understand, but which carries a heavy weighting for price.

This year included track testing for brakes and handling – but the traditional dirt road sections were cancelled because of heavy rain immediately before the three days of road-testing.

Two dozen pairs of motoring journalists – including motoring.co.za's editor Les Stephenson – were involved in the judging.

This eight finalists (in alphabetical order) were:

Audi A6 3.0 TDI quattro
BMW 120i
Ford Fiesta 1.4i
Mazda3 1.6 Dynamic
Opel Astra 1.8 Sport
Peugeot 407 2.2 ST Sport
VW Golf 2.0 TDi
Volvo S40 2.4i

Each of the eight underwent the same exposure on the same roads, did the same things, endured the same sometimes rigorous thrashing, and you can depend on the winner to be an accurate delivery of the South African Car of the Year.

My choice as reported at the time: the Ford Fiesta. Good-looking, spunky and, very important, reasonably priced for what it offers. Alternatively, the Opel Astra 1.8 Sport or the sexy Mazda3 with Volvo's S40 in there with a chance.

Well, I was close!

I dont get it that no US carrier-Delta/American etc has any direct flights to Southern Africa or even africa at all??
Seems SAA has the monopoly and you know what that means , price the route out of the reach of many.
Wish there was some competition so that all these adventerious Americans could come see the rainbow nation.

Yeah it is strange. Continental Airlines is starting flights to Lagos (only US airline link to Africa) and has applied for Accra but no plans for SA.

THE DAYS are numbered for Johannesburg's informal settlements: the City, in partnership with the Gauteng department of housing, is pulling out all the stops to eradicate squatter camps.

Nomvula Mokonyane, the MEC for housing, said that in the 2005/2006 financial year, 6 137 housing stands in Johannesburg north and 18 996 housing stands in Johannesburg south would be developed to provide adequate affordable housing to thousands of families living in backyard shacks and informal settlements.


Correct me if I am wrong, but surely 25,000 new houses a year isnt going to do much at all to clear the housing backlog...

Correct me if I am wrong, but surely 25,000 new houses a year isnt going to do much at all to clear the housing backlog...

I agree with u there, but for every shack removed there need to be a house and if they planning to eradicate all the shacks before the World cup then there should be another plan at hand.

seriously now they WILL NOT get rid of all the shacks by the 2010 world cup... not a chance!!!

People's incomes and educational levels need to rise before they understand the meaning attached to owning property. Its one thing giving them a home, its another thing what they do with it afterwards.

Also i dont agree with the housing they are being provided with... its not that much better than the shacks they are living in, but i must admit it is an attempt.

The only way shacks will disappear from our landscape is when the poor and poverty striken have lives bettered in terms of education, and employment prospects, and that will take many many years to come. I believe it will be as many as 30 years before the poorest of the poor really have significantly better lives

looks like they read our ranting on this thread

Durban to rethink street name changes
Philani Makhanya
March 16 2005 at 12:20PM

The proposal to rename major Durban streets has been dealt a blow by the city's executive committee, which has demanded that the municipality's subcommittee go back to the drawing board and address concerns expressed by organised business and others, including the Indian community.

The non-racism, non-sexism and non-discrimination subcommittee proposed nine new names, mostly of former struggle figures, to replace existing names.

Exco had, however, approved the proposal to change Martin West to Florence Mkhize and to name the M4 freeway after Chief Albert Luthuli.

The street renaming process has evoked some criticism from the business community which described it as a "costly" and "unnecessary" exercise.

The street renaming process has evoked some criticism
Opposition has also emerged from the Indian community which has questioned the renaming of "notorious" Point Road after the passive resistance leader, Mahatma Gandhi.

Durban residents observed that the renaming would largely honour political figures, while sport and religious personalities had been overlooked.

The renaming of NMR Avenue to Masabala Yengwa has been strongly opposed by military historians and members of the NMR Regiment, who described the move as a "slap in the face" for those who served in the country's oldest regiment.

Exco members referred the matter back on Tuesday, demanding broad-based participation in the renaming.

Deputy Mayor Logie Naidoo said there was an urgent need for a more holistic and broad-based approach to the renaming.

"In making this decision we have accepted the concerns expressed by the business community that renaming streets in a piecemeal manner will not work. The cost of printing advertising pamphlets and then changing them after a few months will cause financial strain to most businesses."

Naidoo acknowledged that the council had been criticised for the proposal to rename Point Road after Gandhi.

"We are sensitive to the views of others and we believe that complaints of this nature should be considered. Political figures, business, sport and religious personalities should also be considered as they played an important role in the struggle," he said.

Military historians and members of the NMR Regiment have criticised the renaming of NMR Avenue, describing the road as a "tourist attraction and part of the city's heritage".

Ken Gillings, KwaZulu-Natal historian and battlefields guide, said the Natal Mounted Rifles was a proud Durban regiment that had fought courageously against the Nazis in World War 2.

During its 150th anniversary celebrations in 2004, the NMR Regiment was awarded the Freedom of the City by Durban Mayor Obed Mlaba.

"By all means rename other roads if it will help achieve reconciliation, but I sincerely appeal to Mlaba to use his influence to retain this simple memorial to this fine old regiment," Gillings said.

The council Speaker, Nomusa Dube, told The Mercury she welcomed the concerns expressed by the business community and promised that a list of all streets to be renamed would be handed to the council next week.

She defended the renaming of Point Road, saying there was a historical link between Gandhi and the road.

Cyril Gwala, President of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said organised business would welcome the decision taken by Exco, as it would allow more time to prepare for change.

Democratic Alliance caucus leader Lyn Ploos Van Amstel said her party supported new names only for newly constructed places or structures.

"New names must rectify imbalances and reflect the cultural diversity as historically and demographically applicable. Unless they are hurtful or offensive, existing names should be retained."

poor people dont look after their homes given to them, they either sell it and build new shacks or they just mess the place up with broken windows and dirty walls, yes the homes arent five star but it doesnt mean they shud mess it up, government needs to be knind to the poor but also STRICT and enforce laws that prohibit them to sell their free house and government should literally buldoze any new shacks if those that received houses have moved out and want to build shacks elsewhere government needs to make sure the message is clear, otherwise we will have to fence them off from the rest of the country and they wud justhave to deal with it!!!! im sick and tired of their attitude many poor people have made something good of the little they have and many are living in homes in gugulethu and "townships" living life like most of us,

They irritate more than anything, they get Electricity, Water, housing and even get the grants from the government for free and they just f*ck everything up.

about the whole street naming thing...

There has been such uproar here in durbs over the issue, that it is unlikely now that NMR avenue and Victoria Embankment will change, but i'm sure the others will go ahead in some form... i have no problem them naming freeways, cos nobody knows that they have names anyway, they will always be the m4, n3, m13 and so forth...

just thought i'd let sa know that gandalf is now resident in the nz thread

Good luck to him, I read his NZ posts and I really hope he is happy if he moved to NZ/OZ. Anyways he was always entertaining and was a great ambasador for Cape Town, Pis pics were amazing and I personally think Photography is his calling not ID

CONSTRUCTION has begun on a R10,5m state-of-the-art library in Jabavu, in Soweto. Once complete, it promises to be a facility of which "the city can be proud".

By Lucky Sindane

WORK has begun on a R10,5-million state-of-the-art regional library in Jabavu, Soweto. The funding is from the City of Johannesburg in partnership with cellphone company Vodacom and the department of public works.

The library is the first phase of a multi-purpose complex that will comprise a multi-purpose hall and a skills development centre.

"Construction work is currently under way and should be completed by the end of February 2006. The library will be a double storey and will be similar to Sandton Library," said Sid Clark, the City's deputy director: strategic support projects. "We want to make sure that it becomes a quality information technology centre for students, pupils and the community."

The library will have a music section, computers with Internet access and books sections on both floors for adults and children. "The nice thing about the library is that it is close to a school and to taxi routes," Clark said.

The library is also close to a sports precinct that has two newly grassed soccer fields, a swimming pool that was upgraded two years ago and multi-purpose courts.

"We want to start building the multi-purpose hall and a skills development centre but we do not have money for that right now. We are also looking at upgrading the adjoining Arthur Ashe Tennis Centre but that also will depend on funding," Clark said.

"The new development will be the last component of a community precinct of which the city can be proud. We recently got a R1,5-million grant from Vodacom and it is also considering a further grant to assist with equipping the library with the necessary equipment to make sure that it becomes a hi-tech facility."

A BOOKLET on Joburg's public transport system, covering routes, maps, timetables, busses, taxis and trains, will be available by the end of the year. It will even include hand signals for taxi routes.

By Thomas Thale

BY THE end of this year, commuters looking for information on routes, maps and timetables for buses, taxis and trains, or even for hand signals used to indicate taxi routes, will be able to simply consult a brochure to be published by the City.

A project to collate and publish commuter information got under way on Friday, when consultants appointed by the City got to work. Alfred Sam, the deputy director for transportation management, says the information will be available online in September, but the brochures will only be printed by the end of the year.

The initiative has been endorsed by Dr Vaughan Mostert, a lecturer in the department of transport and supply chain management at the Kingsway Campus of the University of Johannesburg. "The advantage is that it improves the image of public transport and simplifies the travelling experience for commuters."

But he cautions that the brochures will be meaningless if they are not accompanied by tangible improvements in service. "We must have minimum levels of service and better frequencies of buses, even on routes that are not high density."

Bob Stanway, the director of transportation planning and management in the City, says the measures are a step towards integrating public transport ticketing systems in the City. "We will be investigating if it is possible to integrate the Metrobus tags, Putco weekly coupons and Metrorail."

Mostert agrees, saying it is essential to have one ticketing system. "The network of formal services must be branded and co-ordinated. It is easier to start with formal operators. But for the system to work, operators will have to charge the same rates. In London, for instance, competition only comes in the form of people bidding for contracts to operate these services. We must have competition for the route, not on the route."

At the same time, the City has commissioned an investigation into long distance operations, including cross-border taxis and buses, working from the Greater Joubert Park precinct, with a view to catering to the needs of travellers to other provinces and internationally.

Stanway says taxis from other provinces and international operators use the area. "You have taxis from countries such as Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Angola and Mozambique. We want to understand the needs of our international visitors and, in due course, provide facilities in keeping with these needs."

According to Sam, the idea is to have fewer long distance public transport facilities that are well regulated and properly resourced. "For the purpose of providing better facilities and infrastructure, as well as ensuring proper regulation and maintenance, it is better to centralise."


Commuter-friendly transport
These interventions underlie the City's drive to make using public transport more commuter-friendly, says Sam. "Part of this exercise entails partnering with public transport operators and improving infrastructure, facilities and services - all for the benefit of commuters."
While welcoming these measures, Mostert emphasises that more needs to be done to improve the co-ordination, rationalisation and integration of public transport, as the National Land Transportation Act dictates. "The high speed Gautrain railway line can't be a success unless we start with improved bus and road services to feed into the train."

However, Sam says the City has set in motion steps to overhaul public transport in the city, working closely with operators. The City has taken proactive steps and has worked with the Gautrain team on planning for feeder services that will support the rail link. The intention is to ensure that Gautrain operates within the framework of the City's Integrated Transport Plan.

In the meantime, the City is making efforts to forge close working relationships with public transport operators. According to Sam, more than a year ago the City set up a Metro Taxi Forum and a Metro Transport Forum in line with the Gauteng Public Passenger Road Transport Act.

The taxi forum unites representatives of metered taxis, minibus taxis, commuter organisations, driver organisations and people with disabilities. Established in 2003, it meets monthly to discuss issues related to taxi operations in the city.

In trying to understand the issues and challenges facing the taxi industry, so they can collectively be dealt with together with the industry itself, the City hosted two indabas of taxi associations at the end of last year. One involved the Greater Johannesburg Regional Taxi Council, the other involved the Top Six Management, says Sam.

"We discussed a wide range of issues, including City plans and policies, and operators raised their concerns as well. We managed to get input from stakeholders on what the pressing challenges are for the industry and we accordingly prioritised them. The next step is to reconvene with the industry to try to find solutions to these challenges."

These engagements, says Sam, are indications that the City's relations with taxi operators are improving. "We have built a basis for trust and good working relations."

In the long term, the City's vision is to have more people using public transport, simply because it will help to relieve traffic congestion and be more convenient and cheaper to do so, says Stanway.

:) SMILE EVERYONE :)

IT'S FRIDAY

dont worry its the weekend for me and im smilling, just got back from the beach and now hanging around the pool and will be watching some m-net later when the super 12 starts. Might be time for a cold carona soon.
Enjoy

And it's a LONG weekend! :) :) :)

:banana:

No uni on manday!!!!!! And its perfect beach weather here in durbs! Off to do some kiteboarding soon as my lectures are over

I was searcing the net for all things related to the Point Waterfront, and came across this highly biased, disturbing piece of writing from a man that obviously does not know what he wants. Read the article and then tell me if you agree with what i think.



Banana City blues

John Matshikiza: WITH THE LID OFF Mail&Guardian
21 June 2004 01:59

After all the nice things we’ve said about Durban, they go and mess up the Banana City anyway. It cannot be more than a year since this column responded to outrage from some of the city’s more illustrious and intellectually grounded citizens and said some nice things about South Africa’s would-be Big Easy.

Durban could indeed have held that title. And I’m sure it will be struggling to earn that special place in the run-up to the 2010 World Cup that our country has so unfairly won against all the odds. Durban is in the running, in its own lazy way, for prime spot to receive all those overblown freeloaders who will be descending on our country over the next few years and profiting, one way or another, from our success.

Durbs must be reinventing itself as we speak as the easy-going holiday resort by the sea that it was for so many generations of South Africans of all colours, before apartheid really kicked in and made it the ugly, disjointed conurbation it has become.

But apartheid is technically over now. And we have to ask ourselves if the apartheid realities have really been laid to rest. And if so, how? Will Durban, like other parts of post-apartheid South Africa, be able to reinvent itself as a model of the post-racial, post- colonial, post-Cold War age?

Sure, take Durbs. Who can forget that in the old days there were race riots tumbling all over the place — Indians against blacks, blacks against Indians, whites against all of them with billy-clubs and tommy guns ready and willing to crack heads, and Boers standing on the sidelines just in case anything was left to chance.

Forget about the days of Shaka. Forget about Bambatha and the uprising of 1906. Durban was always destined to exist, and was set to become an English seaside town stranded willingly and wilfully on the southeastern coast of the African continent.

Durban (unless we do something drastic) will always be a little piece of a long-forgotten England, with dribs and drabs of Africa and Asia clinging forlornly to its sagging haunches. That is how Durban is.

So we had been inclined to regard Durban as a work in progress, a hybrid, an example for the new South Africa. An island of multi- culturalism on our Indian Ocean seaboard, neither here nor there, but everywhere at the same time. Very new-age, very 21st century. That is what Durban, capital of KwaZulu-Natal (the only province with a name and a surname, as some choose to characterise it) came to feel for us.

But as I say, they went and messed it all up. How?

Well, how do you explain this new development on the southern edge of the sea front that they have proudly named “uShaka Marine World”? This is the centrepiece of Durban’s downtown regeneration, its statement of intent, its provocative commitment to a new, vibrant, all-encompassing South Africa, free of the shackles of the past.

UShaka Marine World is a travesty of all things Zulu — let alone African. Let alone the struggle that has been fought for so many years to regenerate the African renaissance, such as it is.

So you walk along Durban’s potentially interesting, devastated, lack- lustre southern beachfront, hoping for the best, and instead you come across this billion-rand white elephant that the newly renamed Durban Metropolitan has bought in to.

What confronts you is a south-beach version of Johannesburg’s fakey, tacky Randburg Waterfront. Bad taste by the balmy waters of the Indian Ocean. Why?

UShaka Marine World could have been a triumph. Instead, they allowed a bunch of Malaysian businessmen to come in, look around, and then subcontract a bunch of international “property developers”, probably from that cutting edge theme-world space of Australia, or middle America, to define the way Durban is going to think about itself for the foreseeable future — aye, until the eighth generation, or thereabouts.

My six-year-old daughter and her school chums could have thrown this together in about 10 minutes. Instead, the Durban Metropolitan forked out something in the region of a billion rand to let international “property developers” design and construct a concrete mess of fake Zulu huts, imported palm trees and a Skeleton Coast shipwreck made out of solid concrete, which houses the remnants of Durban’s once-proud, formerly world-class aquarium.

Heck, I still remember the old Durban aquarium from my childhood. There was an extraordinary array of sea life in all its brilliant colours floating at you as you walked in wonder, staring through thick glass at this undersea world.

The sharks were particularly intriguing in their menacing, silent closeness, looking you right in the eye as they swam at you, then veering away at the last minute to disappear into the dark, mysterious depths.

The sharks, of course, have no access to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

If they did, they might want to tell the uncomfortable tale of how they were well treated under apartheid, and then abused under the new dispensation when a new class of crass, rainbow-coated bureaucrats relocated them to uShakaland in the name of reconciliation, in celebration of 10 years of freedom and democracy.

Most of those magnificent sharks, you see, have died of oxygen starvation since their relocation to the gaudy splendours of uShaka Marine World. They simply were not taken care of. Priority has gone to the greedy, grey, rainbow-coloured middle classes who stuff their faces at the various white franchises upstairs.

So, much as I want to love its seedy, tropical, lethargic splendour, I find myself on the verge of giving up on Durban once again.

Durbanites just don’t seem to know what a jewel they have sitting in their hands. And the rest of the Beloved Country, in its frenzy of joy and empowerment, apparently just couldn’t give a damn.

I know that this is old, but its great to hear nontheless


TRAVEL AND LEISURE MAGAZINE RATES MORE SA HOTELS IN TOP 100 THAN ANY OTHER COUNTRY EXCEPT USA

Published: 16 July 2004. Travel and Leisure Magazine’s 2004 World’s Best Awards has recently rated the top 100 hotels in the world. Not only does South Africa claim the No. 1 spot, but other hotels in the country rank at Nos. 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 46, 49, 50, 61, and 74, giving it more top 100 hotels than any country except the United States.

Based in the USA, Travel and Leisure is the world’s largest circulation travel magazine and this year’s results were based on over 425 000 evaluations from their well-travelled readers. This makes these awards the most comprehensive and definitive guide to the very best in international travel. Readers were asked to rate their recent experiences at hotels, cities, cruises, airlines and car-rental agencies. Singita Private Game Reserve scored 95.85% as the best hotel in the world.

South African Hotels in Top 100
1 Singita Private Game Reserve. (Also No 1 in Small Hotels Category).
First-time winner Singita is the second South African property to top the lists: MalaMala won in 1997.

4 Londolozi Private Game Reserve, Mpumalanga. (Also No 3 in Small Hotels Category).

5 Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve, Clanwilliam. (Also No 4 in Small Hotels Category).

7 MalaMala Game Reserve, Mpumalanga. (Also No 6 in Small Hotels Category).

8 Phinda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu Natal. (Also No 7 in Small Hotels Category).

An astounding three of this year's top 10 hotels--Phinda, Londolozi (No. 4), and Kichwa Tembo (No. 2)--are managed by the South Africa-based safari company Conservation Corporation Africa.

13 Cape Grace, Cape Town.

46 Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, Sabi Sands.

49 Table Bay Hotel, Cape Town.

50 Grande Roche Hotel, Paarl.

61 Grace in Rosebank, Johannesburg.

Top 25 Hotels in Africa and the Middle East
1 Singita Private Game Reserve.

3 Londolozi Private Game Reserve, Mpumalanga.

4 Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve, Clanwilliam. (Also No 4 in Small Hotels Category).

5 MalaMala Game Reserve, Mpumalanga.

6 Phinda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu Natal.

8 Cape Grace, Cape Town.

10 Table Bay Hotel, Cape Town.

11 Grande Roche Hotel, Paarl.

12 Grace in Rosebank, Johannesburg.

13 The Plettenberg, Plettenberg Bay.

14 The Palace, Sun City.

19 Westcliff Hotel, Johannesburg.

I was searcing the net for all things related to the Point Waterfront, and came across this highly biased, disturbing piece of writing from a man that obviously does not know what he wants. Read the article and then tell me if you agree with what i think.



Banana City blues

John Matshikiza: WITH THE LID OFF Mail&Guardian
21 June 2004 01:59

After all the nice things we’ve said about Durban, they go and mess up the Banana City anyway. It cannot be more than a year since this column responded to outrage from some of the city’s more illustrious and intellectually grounded citizens and said some nice things about South Africa’s would-be Big Easy.

Durban could indeed have held that title. And I’m sure it will be struggling to earn that special place in the run-up to the 2010 World Cup that our country has so unfairly won against all the odds. Durban is in the running, in its own lazy way, for prime spot to receive all those overblown freeloaders who will be descending on our country over the next few years and profiting, one way or another, from our success.

Durbs must be reinventing itself as we speak as the easy-going holiday resort by the sea that it was for so many generations of South Africans of all colours, before apartheid really kicked in and made it the ugly, disjointed conurbation it has become.

But apartheid is technically over now. And we have to ask ourselves if the apartheid realities have really been laid to rest. And if so, how? Will Durban, like other parts of post-apartheid South Africa, be able to reinvent itself as a model of the post-racial, post- colonial, post-Cold War age?

Sure, take Durbs. Who can forget that in the old days there were race riots tumbling all over the place — Indians against blacks, blacks against Indians, whites against all of them with billy-clubs and tommy guns ready and willing to crack heads, and Boers standing on the sidelines just in case anything was left to chance.

Forget about the days of Shaka. Forget about Bambatha and the uprising of 1906. Durban was always destined to exist, and was set to become an English seaside town stranded willingly and wilfully on the southeastern coast of the African continent.

Durban (unless we do something drastic) will always be a little piece of a long-forgotten England, with dribs and drabs of Africa and Asia clinging forlornly to its sagging haunches. That is how Durban is.

So we had been inclined to regard Durban as a work in progress, a hybrid, an example for the new South Africa. An island of multi- culturalism on our Indian Ocean seaboard, neither here nor there, but everywhere at the same time. Very new-age, very 21st century. That is what Durban, capital of KwaZulu-Natal (the only province with a name and a surname, as some choose to characterise it) came to feel for us.

But as I say, they went and messed it all up. How?

Well, how do you explain this new development on the southern edge of the sea front that they have proudly named “uShaka Marine World”? This is the centrepiece of Durban’s downtown regeneration, its statement of intent, its provocative commitment to a new, vibrant, all-encompassing South Africa, free of the shackles of the past.

UShaka Marine World is a travesty of all things Zulu — let alone African. Let alone the struggle that has been fought for so many years to regenerate the African renaissance, such as it is.

So you walk along Durban’s potentially interesting, devastated, lack- lustre southern beachfront, hoping for the best, and instead you come across this billion-rand white elephant that the newly renamed Durban Metropolitan has bought in to.

What confronts you is a south-beach version of Johannesburg’s fakey, tacky Randburg Waterfront. Bad taste by the balmy waters of the Indian Ocean. Why?

UShaka Marine World could have been a triumph. Instead, they allowed a bunch of Malaysian businessmen to come in, look around, and then subcontract a bunch of international “property developers”, probably from that cutting edge theme-world space of Australia, or middle America, to define the way Durban is going to think about itself for the foreseeable future — aye, until the eighth generation, or thereabouts.

My six-year-old daughter and her school chums could have thrown this together in about 10 minutes. Instead, the Durban Metropolitan forked out something in the region of a billion rand to let international “property developers” design and construct a concrete mess of fake Zulu huts, imported palm trees and a Skeleton Coast shipwreck made out of solid concrete, which houses the remnants of Durban’s once-proud, formerly world-class aquarium.

Heck, I still remember the old Durban aquarium from my childhood. There was an extraordinary array of sea life in all its brilliant colours floating at you as you walked in wonder, staring through thick glass at this undersea world.

The sharks were particularly intriguing in their menacing, silent closeness, looking you right in the eye as they swam at you, then veering away at the last minute to disappear into the dark, mysterious depths.

The sharks, of course, have no access to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

If they did, they might want to tell the uncomfortable tale of how they were well treated under apartheid, and then abused under the new dispensation when a new class of crass, rainbow-coated bureaucrats relocated them to uShakaland in the name of reconciliation, in celebration of 10 years of freedom and democracy.

Most of those magnificent sharks, you see, have died of oxygen starvation since their relocation to the gaudy splendours of uShaka Marine World. They simply were not taken care of. Priority has gone to the greedy, grey, rainbow-coloured middle classes who stuff their faces at the various white franchises upstairs.

So, much as I want to love its seedy, tropical, lethargic splendour, I find myself on the verge of giving up on Durban once again.

Durbanites just don’t seem to know what a jewel they have sitting in their hands. And the rest of the Beloved Country, in its frenzy of joy and empowerment, apparently just couldn’t give a damn.

I don't understand what he's talking about. Can someone decipher the above article for me, because I really don't understand it.

its a dumbass jurno, freash out of uni by the looks of things trying to impress but actually makes himself look like a clown

^^^ Well that's actually the funny thing, as John Matshikiza isn't fresh out of uni but supposedly a respected Mail & Gaurdian columnist!!

I personally can't stand his columns. He has to be the biggest pessimist one has ever come across. Everything he writes about he turns into a bad thing about SA. So what if Shaka world might be a little gaudy and a little fake? You don't see Disney World struggling to pull in the the tourists, and that is exactly what Durban is trying to do by building the Point Waterfront.


Priority has gone to the greedy, grey, rainbow-coloured middle classes who stuff their faces at the various white franchises upstairs.


Well of course priority has been given to the 'greddy, grey, rainbow-coloured middle classes' since it's the middle class who has the money to spend on 'fake' things like Shaka World. But in his evident concern for the lower classes of this country, he doesn't realise that the more and more the middle class spend, the more and more jobs are created for the lower class.

Really... His articles get your mind thinking, but I wouldn't be too concerned if you don't agree with his views.

it seems as if he likes to say all the wrong things just for the sake of it...and knows what he's doing.

If i am wrong in believing that, and he genuinely believes what he is writing, then god help him for he very backward in his views

With regards to new zealand, i read an article this morning which said that new zealand is experiencing a masive brain drain of its own. Many many new zealanders are leaving the country in search of a better life in australia and canada, for they have little faith in bettering themselves from a business perspective in nz. Its the dumb south africans that go there that keep the country alive basically it seems

That Durban article is so obviously full of wierd and pointless statements that it should be ignored.

Re: NZ - the brain drain is a constant problem for NZ. Australia and the UK are so jammed full of super intelligent NZ professional people that for years I almost thought the kiwis were somehow genetically smart.

The problem with NZ is it is a bit of a backwater. Its just impossible for a country of its population and position to provide all the opportunities and interests to capture the attention of its professional elites. Remember that its indisputed financial capital is less than 1/2 the size of Durban.

NZ absolutely depends on a constant stream of professionals from other countries like SA to keep it going.

For another interesting perspective on NZ, read "Once were Warriors" written by Alan Duff. The book paints a very different picture of NZ to what is presented in those lovely photos we see.

Clive you have hit the nail on the head. I lived there and after 6 months I started thinking the world was flat so I had to get out of there. And on top of that the weather is the worst after the UK. Good lcuk to Gandalf and lest hop he is inteligent enough to know that running someting down doesent make your decition easier or right , its just a subjective thing.
Anyway I would love to see him after 2 years in NZ, god all white and pasty with a terrible acent (like a cross betwqeen a chainsaw and a barking dog) and thinking the world is flat and NZ is the centre of the universe.

That Durban article is so obviously full of wierd and pointless statements that it should be ignored.

Re: NZ - the brain drain is a constant problem for NZ. Australia and the UK are so jammed full of super intelligent NZ professional people that for years I almost thought the kiwis were somehow genetically smart.

The problem with NZ is it is a bit of a backwater. Its just impossible for a country of its population and position to provide all the opportunities and interests to capture the attention of its professional elites. Remember that its indisputed financial capital is less than 1/2 the size of Durban.

NZ absolutely depends on a constant stream of professionals from other countries like SA to keep it going.


Just to clarify with you mate, the aritcle was not from Durban, it was in the Guardian newspaper from london. It was advising against moving to nz. So it is not some south african (aka me) moaning about the place. Just thought that i'd fill u in :)

Oh and i know that it wouldnt be the place for me tho...

question: i hear from friends in auckland that the suicide rate there is one of the highest in the world... is that true? if it is, it must have something to do with the weather and the remoteness

and the dumbasses that live there !!!!!

Hmm I think those comments are a bit strong. NZ doesnt suit me personally at this point in my life as I like the big city buzz, but for those who like small towns and countryside, I think it is lovely - better than country SA or Australia I reckon.

Auckland is small, but is vibrant and NOT parochial. It is a busy, sophisticated and fashionable little city. Aucklanders are less hick than most SA suburban dwellers.

One of the best things is the quantity of houses and plots with jawdropping views affordable to ordinary kiwis. Believe me that there are HUNDREDS of places with topography and views like Capetown's Atlantic Seaboard. Half of the north island has a coastline like Hout Bay. When there I stayed at 2 houses, both of which had a better spot than anything in South Africa. The one (in the bay of Islands) was on the top of a sharp mountain and had views onto bays on BOTH sides. There were islands and yachts everywhere. There aint nothing like that in SA.

Queenstown is indisputably the best ski/ action resort in the Southern Hemisphere and is better than anythign I have yet seen in Europe.

By all means consider a places limitations, but keep it real guys.

Hey boys and girls...

Go support the Joburg gay games bid....

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=3649428#post3649428

i'm on to it boyzi :)

Guys welcome back after the sever cut off of the last 2 days :)

Took a great drive up the north coast yesterday...BOY did everyone from GP, MP, FS, N, NW and EC takeover! The traffic jams from umhlanga to ballito were madness!!! But the weather and the scenery more than made up for it! loads of development out that way. At present there are 12500 units u/c in the ballito/salt rock area, and the population is expected to quadruple in the next 5 years as it is now firmly a part of the durban commuter belt. Much more to come in the next few days

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Well that answered my question from the other thread. :)

gay games viva le paris

viva Joburg viva

:bleh:

viva le joburg can straight people take part? how would they know if ure gay do they do a test?? like who is better britney or mariah or ramstein??

viva le joburg can straight people take part? how would they know if ure gay do they do a test??


Apparantly they do, but there aren't many. And there is no test. And essentially all it really is is one big party. :D


like who is better britney or mariah or ramstein??


hullllllooooooo.... It's like, so Madonna. MOVE OVER BRITNEY!

But I can do Mariah as well.. hehe.

:banana: :banana: :banana:

oh my word...DANCING QUEENS!!!

ew..... britney? sorry, she needs to die.

Booming markets create their own problems - such as a skills shortage.

Presenter: Lindsay Williams Guest(s): Stuart Chait

Booming markets create their own problems - such as a skills shortage. The biggest problem facing the South African property and construction industry is a massive shortage of labour skills - according to Stuart Chait, chief executive of Property Partners in Cape Town

LINDSAY WILLIAMS: How serious is this potential shortage - is it a real shortage?

STUART CHAIT: There’s a huge amount of building plans that are currently being promulgated through the various councils across the country - building prices are on the increase. There is a massive shortage of skilled labour - obviously there’s no shortage of unskilled labour - from the bottom end, through to your craftsmen, and up to the top being your educated professionals.

LINDSAY WILLIAMS: So you’re talking about the bloke that gets the wheelbarrow full of bricks - who delivers it to the bloke who lays the bricks - right up to the civil engineer, the architect?

STUART CHAIT: Correct. What’s really happening is that since the Soweto riots in 1976 the property market in South Africa has been through boom and bust situations - with high interest rates. That has created an inconsistent environment, and professionals that have been trained at UCT - not unlike your doctors who’ve trained in South Africa - have all emigrated and gone to live overseas. So we’ve got an industry with shrinking intellectual capital, and a massive unskilled labour market, in an industry that is currently doing very well that is doing nothing re-train those unskilled labourers into skilled labour. I think there needs to be a collaboration between government and the players in the industry to do something about it.

LINDSAY WILLIAMS: The problem is, of course, that people are needed right now - the bloke starting a development tomorrow needs to start hiring labour straight away. It’s all very well talking about development, and skills training, and collaboration - the fact is if the labourers aren’t there, and the engineers aren’t there, and the architects aren’t there and the town planners aren’t there - then the thing can’t go ahead. What is the problem with importing labour from overseas in the short term? After all, we keep on going on about how we’re members of the global economy - if we are truly members of the global economy, then global talent should come in as well?

STUART CHAIT: That is exactly what is going to happen, and it’s going to be catastrophic for South Africa - because we are sitting with all this unskilled labor that are desperate to learn, and to learn a trade, or to become a professional, and to enhance themselves - nothing has been done about it. What is, effectively, going to happen - the foreign market is now going to come in - not unlike the Eastern Europeans that have gone into Western Europe, and the UK, and they are going to steal jobs from the people that should have those jobs.

LINDSAY WILLIAMS: Stealing may be a strong word - but I see your point. What is the solution? We need to do something straight away - before this boom ends - in order to create employment, and also to keep the construction industry going? What are your main suggestions?

STUART CHAIT: You say before the boom ends - the boom is not going to end! The residential market is peaking, but the office market hasn’t even taken off yet. What do we do about it? It’s very simple - you have got townships that are full of unemployed, and unskilled people - the industry gets together with government, and local government, to stand together and train these people. The Department of Public Works and various parastatals - in terms of the empowerment charter - are going to put a lot of property on the market. There are a lot of big tenders coming out - in the form of infrastructure, roads, dams, bridges, etc. - if people do not participate in the training scheme - I think that they shouldn’t qualify to be able to tender.

LINDSAY WILLIAMS: A good point - let’s hope that somebody is listening. People who are unemployed at the moment - they get jobs and skills. The construction industry benefits, and from the construction industry other industries benefit as well.

STUART CHAIT: One step further.

LINDSAY WILLIAMS: Yes.

STUART CHAIT: The government is spending just under R200-billion in infrastructure over the next five years - that would actually take up the loss of jobs in the gold mining industry if dealt with properly.

NATIONAL government will deploy support personnel to weaker municipalities from Friday to assist them in providing better service delivery, says government news agency BuaNews.

NATIONAL government will deploy support personnel to weaker municipalities from Friday to assist them in providing better service delivery, says government news agency BuaNews.

Government was acutely sensitive to the need to improve the capacity of weaker municipalities to deliver services, Provincial and Local Government Minister Sydney Mufamadi said yesterday at a Community Participation Conference in Midrand yesterday.

Mufamadi said last November that government was sending teams to 132 of SA’s 284 municipalities to tackle problems such as poor billing systems, municipal debt, the provision of free basic services and local economic development.

He said the deployment of resources to municipalities would only work if locals were involved in the process. "Municipal managers must identify local people who can learn from those deployed."

Mufamadi attributed public unrest in Free State towns and growing disgruntlement in other areas to a lack of proper communication between municipal authorities and residents.

A survey of all 284 municipalities in 2003 found that at least 226 had difficulty collecting enough revenue to finance the provision of services.

Almost half needed urgent help to deal with billing systems, municipal debt and provision of free basic services. I-Net Bridge, Hopewell Radebe

NATIONAL government will deploy support personnel to weaker municipalities from Friday to assist them in providing better service delivery, says government news agency BuaNews.

NATIONAL government will deploy support personnel to weaker municipalities from Friday to assist them in providing better service delivery, says government news agency BuaNews.

Government was acutely sensitive to the need to improve the capacity of weaker municipalities to deliver services, Provincial and Local Government Minister Sydney Mufamadi said yesterday at a Community Participation Conference in Midrand yesterday.

Mufamadi said last November that government was sending teams to 132 of SA’s 284 municipalities to tackle problems such as poor billing systems, municipal debt, the provision of free basic services and local economic development.

He said the deployment of resources to municipalities would only work if locals were involved in the process. "Municipal managers must identify local people who can learn from those deployed."

Mufamadi attributed public unrest in Free State towns and growing disgruntlement in other areas to a lack of proper communication between municipal authorities and residents.

A survey of all 284 municipalities in 2003 found that at least 226 had difficulty collecting enough revenue to finance the provision of services.

Almost half needed urgent help to deal with billing systems, municipal debt and provision of free basic services. I-Net Bridge, Hopewell Radebe

I wonder if this includes Plettenberg Bay which has just gone bankrupt. ANC Councillors paid their secretary R230 000.00 a year - to type letters and answer the phone. They also submitted claims worth R107 000.00 each after a Paris "trip". These councils will not benefit from being bailed out, they need to charge these bastards and re-elect Councillors. This is the problem with the current Government .. they keep making empty promises and helping the corrupt. I see that Prince is also back in the Council again ... oi vey. God help South Africa.

Yes and those travel scam buggers should all be kicked out of government. ALL OF THEM!!! In europe or america they would have personally resigned, but here gov tells them 'its fine...and u'll get a rise'

Yes and those travel scam buggers should all be kicked out of government. ALL OF THEM!!! In europe or america they would have personally resigned, but here gov tells them 'its fine...and u'll get a rise'

As far as I know not one of them have been fired. I have also heard that the original figure was close to 45 guilty and not just 8 - the Government reached an "agreement" with the Scorpions to not press further charges ... fvck it makes me so angry. Another thing to take note of is that the DA fired all of those implicated in the Travelgate scam. Food for thought.

There was only 1 from the DA and I agree with Mike that they need to be fired but I heard that with all the crime happening in our government, they need to not fired plenty of people from the government as it will show untrust worty from the investrors point of view. The government has yet to come up with a differebt startegy. I say they must be demoted and the fired. I also hate the Free State premier.

Guys for those interested in Durban...there is a special one hour feature on SABC 3 tomorrow at 1730-1830. It will showcase of all the cities attractions: Be it bars, restaurants, beaches...

So catch it for an update on whats going down in South Africa's Playground

Thats SABC 3 1730 tomorrow!!!

Thanx Mike, I'm curious like a dog waiting for a master to feed it huh huh huh...

I just can't wait ... I can't help it

Guys for those interested in Durban...there is a special one hour feature on SABC 3 tomorrow at 1730-1830. It will showcase of all the cities attractions: Be it bars, restaurants, beaches...

So catch it for an update on whats going down in South Africa's Playground

Thats SABC 3 1730 tomorrow!!!

A whole HOUR ! it is going to be the most boring show on tv ;) .. I don't watch tv (not even connected to an aerial), a pity though because I would have liked to watch it.

for those interested tune into sabc 9 or the dstv olympic channel in 2020 (late september early november) for the olympic opening ceremony of the 32nd olympiad in cape town, the build up starts at about 18:30 from robben island then crosses to the olympic stadium for the live countdown from each previous host city and some african cities, should end at about 12am, festivites carry on for the next 16 days or so.

shud be fun, chaotic,magical, memorable and truly african pity gandalf will be in that small island with the lotsa sheep??? i forgot its name, he'll miss out on pagad lighting the flame with a pertol bomb,

Zimbabwe elections: Zanu-PF has won. No doubt, the South African observers will say it was a free and fair election.

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An independent monitoring group, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network, said up to 25% of those who tried to vote had been turned away because their names did not appear on the electoral roll or they failed to present proper identification. State electoral officials said about 10% of voters had been turned away from polling stations. Turnout was about 42%, compared with 48% in the 2000 general election.
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But of course, this is a free and fair election. :bash:

Zimbabwe elections: Zanu-PF has won. No doubt, the South African observers will say it was a free and fair election.

Stupid ba$tards !

Two sides to every story ...

Inner-city blues starting to lift:
4/4/2005

Some property managers see prospects in the revival of CBDs, while others are more sceptical. City managers and the private sector are working to reverse the exodus from inner cities, but the property management sector is divided on whether the drive to revitalise these areas will offer it any benefits.

Heidi Rix, the general manager of property management at RMB Properties, supports renewal, which she says has helped the company turn around a number of properties in the Johannesburg CBD and sell them at optimal value.

Retail activity in the inner city is flourishing and we have limited vacancies in the CBD properties we manage, says Rix. She believes the benefits of rejuvenation for property managers are numerous.

The first positive impact comes from the heightened visibility of increased security, cleanliness and improved maintenance in that these aspects ... increase the desire of individuals and businesses to initially visit the area and eventually consider reinvesting, participating and taking occupation in the area.

Further stagnation or decline of CBD areas can be halted as the demand for space increases and vacancies begin reducing. As occupancy levels rise, market rentals begin to adjust to reasonable levels and buildings begin to increase in value perhaps one can even view this value adjustment as a correction of an abnormal market due to the prior stagnation and decline, says Rix.

But she concedes that many challenges lie ahead. Entire CBD areas must be upgraded rather than concentrating on nodes within the larger CBD borders.

Also, it is important to achieve a complementary and economically sound mix of commercial, retail and residential use within the CBDs, particularly in light of the current demand and trend of converting CBD space to residential use, says Rix.

Also critical is anticipating market and economic trends and positioning inner cities to compete in the long term, as well as reducing the number of massaction protests in CBD areas.

Elaine Wilson, property economist at Viruly Consulting, says CBD vacancy rates are declining after three years of oversupply.

South African Property Owners Association figures show the most notable decline was in the Pretoria CBD, where the vacancy rate dropped from 5.8% in the first quarter of 2004 to 2.8% in the fourth quarter, while in Cape Town, vacancies fell from 12.4% to 9.9%.

In Johannesburg, vacancies dipped from 25.1% to 24.7% and in Durban from 16.9% to 16 %.

However, Wilson says that while inner-city revamps are playing a role in stimulating letting activity, the lower vacancy figures are slightly misleading.

I am not convinced that there has been a real drop in office vacancy rates in the Cape Town CBD as a lot of the traditional office space has been converted into retail or residential space, says Wilson.

She adds that the benefits of rejuvenation will filter through to the property management sector only by mid2006 when the revamps begin to take shape.

Yacoob Latiff, property management executive at Old Mutual Properties, says the migration from inner cities to more affluent areas meant that many landlords did not maintain and improve their properties.

We persevered and kept looking after our assets, although it has not been easy because of the negative perceptions surrounding safety and cleanliness, says Latiff.

The move to convert old office blocks into residential units started in Cape Town and is now taking off in Johannesburg. People want to live near their places of work. It will assist growth in the CBD, ultimately adding value to our assets, says Latiff.

But not all property managers are convinced they will benefit from innercity renewal.

Marna van der Walt, CEO of Gensec Property Services, says that while CBD rejuvenation can create additional markets, much of the associated property management is handled by city authorities, limiting the opportunities for commercial players.

Also, the newer decentralised zones have better parking ratios than the inner cities and are nearer to amenities such as gyms, shops and restaurants, although these advantages are reflected in the higher rentals.

Decentralised zones are preferable not because of the perceived crime and grime in inner cities, but rather because modern buildings are seen as more favourable than old ones, says Van der Walt.

But JHI Property Management regional manager Steven Teixeira believes crime is still a big deterrent to businesses and individuals moving to the inner cities.

Many people do not feel safe about leaving their buildings at lunchtime. I have been looking after businesses in the Johannesburg CBD for eight years and I have not seen a meaningful improvement in occupancy levels. And I do not expect an improvement any time soon, says Teixeira.

He says an increased residential component will not necessarily foster growth in the inner city. More people might choose to live in the CBD but once they leave the security of their buildings, they will go elsewhere to shop and find entertainment, says Teixeira.

Just got back from a couple of weeks in new york. Great to be back in Cape Town. Please Gandalf just GO AWAY. Iam sick of your negativity. Just leave us to celebrate this great country. Go vent you negative bile somewhere else. I had to laugh when you said that sydney or melbourne had more glamour than cape town! Ha ha hahahahaha. To give a run down of the celebs that have a house in CPT (some well know to have property here others you might not have realised) (Iam a lawyer who acts for international investors in SA):

The beckhams
Elton John,
Bruce Willis
Madonna
Will Smith
The drummer and basist of Queen


I could go on.........

I am here to stay - sorry. I am here to add some excitement to your life and it is for free .. so enjoy it.

Tom Cruise too ;)

and.... hugh grant and some british model girl (that i cant for the life of me remember her name)... have flats in Umhlanga :)

Yup. Hugh Grant loves SA. He is here a great deal. Met him at a Oxford University fund raiser last month and he said he loves SA. Beckams have had a place in Clifton for over a year.

PS. So too does another Oxford man: Rowan Atkinson AKA Mr Bean. Has a place in the winelands.

mike 2005, have you introduced yourself to us on the meet and greet thread?

Expatriates South African home bound

(Expatriates) First-timers, down-sizers, upgraders, baby boomers and now expatriates are shaping into a definitive and potentially very lucrative market segment for the residential property industry.

Property purchases by expatriates - mostly by those based in the United Kingdom - have long been a feature of the local market but the inclination has matured into the fullness of a highly promising trend since last year's general election, which many believe has proven a watershed for removing the final fears of political instability.

Just how strong that inclination is can be measured by the small number of houses listed for sale these days with estate agents by emigrating owners. Even then, by far the majority is business-driven rather than anxiety fuelled over the country's future. But more telling of the potential power of the trend is the number of expatriates reported wanting their own slice of South Africa for future domicile.

Pam Golding Properties London office gave some indication of that measure recently with its report that a quarter of all its foreign enquiries for SA properties was sourced from expatriates looking to invest in South African property. CEO Andrew Golding says 50 percent of the company's expat buyers are returning this year while the other half intend returning in the future.

This depth of interest and potential has been well observed by South African-born Scott Picken who has given full recognition to the trend by creating a UK-based company, International Property Solutions (IPS), around the core business of a "one-stop-shop' in helping UK-based expatriates buy local property. Picken, a Natalian, who studied construction management at UCT, was quick to identify the expatriate potential when working for an Irish Developer in London.

He was inspired to create IPS in partnership with a friend after the pair struggled to purchase a property during a Christmas break here. Clouding its conclusion for them was the marked lack of a comprehensive service within local structures to assist overseas buyers. As a result, IPS, he says, has concentrated on moulding that fragmentation into an entire “under one roof” process from the point of finding investment properties, through the financing, purchasing and transfer process and most important with the management of the property if it is to be tenanted.

Picken says IPS prides itself on the relationships it has built up with its strategic partners to ensure a smooth and efficient process for our clients. These include FNB for all the banking requirements, strb Buchanan Boyes Smith Tabata Attorneys’ for the conveyancing process, SGM-FX for the foreign exchange and Just Lettings for the management solution.

So successful has their venture become that since opening the London office in July 04 further office openings have been made in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban and in March an office in Dubai intended to service the home needs of some 40 000 expatriates working there.

So far 70 residential sales to UK-based expatriates have been filed by IPS in London and good activity is being anticipated by the Dubai office. IPS believes this success is due to a restructuring of the process where the company acts in the interests of the buyer, builds up a level of trust, works with the partners in South Africa, does the due diligence on the properties and tries to ensure that their clients are making good property investments. Picken says their policy is based on long term client relationships, which they believe will provide sustainability for the company.

With some three quarters of a million South Africans - Picken puts it at about one in eleven of all Londoners - shored up in that city, he is not short of interest for his bi-monthly marketing seminars of some 150 delegates, which he anchors with a 45 to 60 minute analysis on the South African property market. Property hotspots, trends and forecasts are all highlighted with anyone showing interest invited to further one-on-one interviews and if ownership is the objective then the formulation of a purchasing strategy.

Picken says his role has been made easy by South African expatriate's deep passion for their homeland with most nursing the ultimate goal of returning back home. The bull run on SA property prices has also served as a strong wake-up call not to delay ownership and while a local investor might have to supplement rental income by R3 000 a month or so to cover a bond, this is small sacrifice for a UK worker paid in sterling.

South African expatriates, which Picken puts at about 1,2 million now living in the UK, are not the only IPS target market. Just recently the company started marketing the local holiday home market to British and Irish potential buyers encouraged by forecasts that the current one in eight Britons over the age of 50 currently owning overseas homes is set to rise to four in eight in this age group by 2015.

Evidence of this interest trend has emerged at European trade shows attended by IPS where Picken says South Africa is usually poorly represented. IPS was the sole SA representative at a recent February show at which some 200 property providers, including Australian, New Zealand, Spanish and Florida property companies, competed for attention. IPS was inundated at the show with inquiries of local market conditions.

IPS has also taken their inter-continental connection a step further, by now offering a service to South Africans wanting to purchase property in the UK either as an individual in an outright purchase or in the form of an investment fund with a minimum investment of 10 000 pound sterling. In both instances IPS commit to managing the property.

ICA 2010


International Congress of Actuaries 2010
The 29th International Congress of Actuaries, to be held in 2010, (“ICA 2010”) has been awarded to Cape Town, South Africa, and will be hosted by the Actuarial Society of South Africa (“ASSA”).

Former ASSA President, Desmond Smith, will chair the ASSA committee organising the event.

This page is under construction and will come alive on 3 June 2006, after the conclusion of ICA 2006 (Paris).

Cape Town wins another 2010 bid

South Africa has beaten Italy to win the bid to host the 2010 Congress of the World Federation of Nuclear Medicine and Biology. This will be the tenth international event of this nature, but the first to be held on the African continent.

Research by the Cape Town’s Convention Bureau indicates the congress will contribute approximately R31 million to the economy, based on a typical daily spend of R1,935 per delegate. Approximately 4,000 delegates are expected to attend the 2010 congress over a four-day period.

The South African Society of Nuclear Medicine will host the event. They appointed Thebe Conventions, a subsidiary of the Thebe Tourism Group to manage the congress. Thebe Conventions also formed part of the Bid Committee.

“The South African Society of Nuclear Medicine is proud to host this prestigious event. Our aim will be to improve the profile of Nuclear Medicine not only in South Africa, but also on the rest of our continent. We shall also encourage the attendance of delegates from developed and developing countries from over the world,“ said Professor Annare Ellmann, chair of the bid committee of the South African Society of Nuclear Medicine, on her return from Beijing, where South Africa won the right to host the congress.

Providing an arena for the exchange of knowledge in the highly-specialised field of nuclear medicine and biology, the 2010 congress will involve nuclear medicine physicians, scientists, technologists, nuclear medicine related companies and pharmaceutical companies.

“South Africa offers the perfect blend of ingredients for hosting international events, as our country combines an efficient infrastructure with rich cultural diversity. The big convention centres that we now have in Sandton, Durban and Cape Town enables the country to effectively host major events of this nature, which we were not able to do in the past,” says Jeff Squire, CEO of the Thebe Tourism Group.

Table Mountain will serve as the backdrop for the congress, with Cape Town as host city.

"Cape Town and the Western Cape, with its abundance of natural beauty, modern infrastructure and world class medical and research institutions, is undoubtedly a fitting place to host the 2010 World Federation of Nuclear Medicine and Biology. As the gateway to the province and the rest of South

Africa, we believe that our city is the top leisure and conventions destination in the country and are certain that delegates will find inspiration during their stay," comments Noki Dube, CEO of Cape Town Routes Unlimited.

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Two influential airline conferences meet in Cape Town in 2004 and 2005

Cape Town has won bids to host two significant conferences relating to the airlines industry. The first, the Interline Sales & Marketing Conference (ISMC) will see 200 delegates from all corners of the world coming to Cape Town for three days in August 2004. The second, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Fuel conference is scheduled to take place in May 2005 and will see a further 300 airline delegates visit the city.

These two conferences combined have a potential economic impact of R273-million for Cape Town, representing approximately 1 200 bed nights in the city, which will make a positive contribution to the local economy while assisting to create job opportunities in the hospitality industry and sustainable tourism to the region.

For the past 50 years the ISMC has gathered experts in interline relations, alliance development and distribution technology from around the world. It is the oldest, annual airline conference of its kind and includes representatives from approximately 120 airlines worldwide, including Air Canada, American Airlines, Alitalia, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, British Airways, KLM, Virgin Atlantic and Lufthansa.

Susana Goffi, the 2004 ISMC local organising committee chairperson, (also with the South African Airways American office - the official host of the conference) believes that it will provide a valuable forum for discussion while at the same time bring to light some of the industry’s trends and challenges.

“Interlining offers airlines access to destinations that they do not serve directly by coordinating services with other airlines. Through interlining, passengers can purchase a single ticket in a single currency to any destination on two or more airlines for less than purchasing separate tickets. Over $60 billion per year or about 21% of airline industry revenues is represented by interlining,” comments Goffi.

The second conference to be held by the IATA in 2005 represents and promotes the interests of its members in all aspects of jet fuel management, with a focus on ensuring the reliable supply of quality jet fuel to airports world wide at optimal price levels. The IATA works with industry suppliers and service providers from the refinery process through to the delivery of fuel, establishing internationally recognised industry standards and procedures.

I am not suprised that so many expats are coming home. Many move to flee crime then realise just how dangerous London is. It is no exageration to say that most South Afrixcans I know that used to live in London were victims of crime more often there than theya re when they return home. My cousin went to London, was mugged twice at knife point and had his car stolen and his flat broken into. Needless to sat he is now back in Cape Town.


Mugger, armed and dangerous, but no match for Superwoman

By Adam Fresco in London.


THE mugger never stood a chance. The woman seemed like the perfect choice of victim, who would capitulate to his demands in seconds — but the gunman had not bargained for the fact that he was going up against Nicola Horlick, known as “Superwoman” for juggling a career in the City with bringing up a large family.
As she got out of her car at her home in London's South Kensington on Monday night, a man threatened to shoot her unless she handed over her jewellery. He hit her with his pistol, but still fled empty-handed.



Last night Ms Horlick said that the attack highlighted the need for more police on the streets around her £5 million home. “The whole area seems to be full of yellow police boards appealing for information and the crime rate appears to be rising,” she said. “There are not enough policemen and something should be done about it.”

Over the past few years, she said, she had been burgled twice, had her car wheels stolen and another car taken. “We are in the middle of an election campaign and something should be done about crime in Central London,” she said.

Speaking at her offices in Knightsbridge, she said that in the attack two men on a moped had approached her. One got off and demanded that she hand over her jewellery or be shot.

New housing developments in Albuquerque. These are ONLY single-family houses in gated subdivisions in the suburbs.....aka SPRAWL. Does not include apartment complexes or townhomes. This list is about HALF of all the developments in metro Albuquerque. I couldnt stand to type them all ;).


Sun Hills at High Desert
Rancho Grande
Cottonwood Village
The Petroglyphs
Northern Meadows
Astante at Cabezon
Cabezon
Ventana Village
Ventana Mesa
Ventana Ridge
Paradise Ridge
Rancho Encantado
Puno de Tierra
Sun Gate
Sun Gate Estates
Blossom Ridge Estates
Blossom Ridge at Anderson Hills
Desert Vista
Paako Park
Huning Ranch
Enacantado Park
Grassy Park
Tivoli Park
Westridge
Sundance
Autumn Ridge
Crestview
Parkhill
The Orchards
Legacy Ridge
Bellasera
Enchanted Hills
Casabella
Los Milagros
Garden Roads
Yucatan at Cabezon
Seville
El Rancho Grande
High Range
Buena Vista at Meadowlark
Bosque Encantado
Sierra Norte
Northern Hills at The Meadows
Abrazos
Via de Villagio
Vista de Arenal at Ventana Ranch
Mesa Del Sol
Eagle Ridge
Mesa Prieta
Vista West
Sage Point
Rayo do Sol
Mesa Hills
Anderson Hills
Inca Hills
Vista Cantera
Oakland Park
Sundoro at Petroglyph
Atherton Park
Rainbow Trails
Oxbow North
San Pedro Creek
Primrose Pointe
N. ABQ. Acres Phase IIII

As I said, this is only about half of the housing developments under construction. Are South African cities seeing the same type of extreme development? I see all the developments around the north and south coasts, but what about the cities more similar to Albuquerques size, like PE, Pietermaritzburg and Benoni?

I am not suprised that so many expats are coming home. Many move to flee crime then realise just how dangerous London is. It is no exageration to say that most South Afrixcans I know that used to live in London were victims of crime more often there than theya re when they return home. My cousin went to London, was mugged twice at knife point and had his car stolen and his flat broken into. Needless to sat he is now back in Cape Town.

Although crime certainly exists in London, (and the only time I have been mugged was in London, at knife point) it is simply not accurate to imply that the crime rates are equivalent. If people occasionally get mugged in London it is because they are out and about in all areas at all hours. Myself and all my friends were constantly out and about in all kinds of good, bad and ugly areas at all hours, in groups or pairs and occasionally individually. Although there were a few muggings all up, no one was actually hurt. No guns, no murders just for the hell of it, no rapes, no kiddnappings, no home invasions. None. And no one has security or burglar guards.

You cant compare that to SA where 98% of the metro is entirely offlimits to ordinary pedestrians after dark and 99% of people are tightly locked away behind locks, probably 2 metal gates, burglar guards, armed response and a nearby pistol.

I think this forum has drifted away from reality a bit. SA still has violent crime far about world levels. Pretending that people leave other countries due to crime and find relief in SA is just stupid.

Does thi mean we can see new Land Marks in South Africa?

What do you guys think

Thabo Mbeki, has expressed a keen interest in Nakheel’s iconic developments taking shape in and around Dubai

The South African President, Thabo Mbeki, has expressed a keen interest in Nakheel’s iconic developments taking shape in and around Dubai during a recent visit he undertook to Nakheel’s sales offices.

The visiting premiere was welcomed by Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman of Nakheel, and was briefed on Nakheel’s various on-going developments, including the most recently launched Dubai Waterfront Company. The South African President was given a special presentation on the projects that was prepared for his visit.

“Nakheel is honoured by the visit of His Excellency the President of South Africa. He showed keen interest in our landmark projects and he was very impressed by the scale and scope of the unique real estate developments around Dubai. The president also took note of our International City project which could interest the growing South African populace in Dubai,” said Bin Sulayem.

Nakheel has attracted the world’s attention to Dubai through its iconic projects that have become benchmarks in property development. Nakheel is setting a trend in innovative designs and unique structures by introducing pioneering real estate concepts, hitherto un-attempted anywhere in the world.


About Nakheel
Nakheel is the uniquely focused property development company behind a variety of new landmark developments in Dubai. It aims to redefine the concept of property development whether residential, tourist, commercial or retail. Nakheel´s portfolio currently includes The Palm, Jumeirah, The Palm Jebel Ali, The Palm Deira, The World, Jumeirah Islands, The Gardens, Ibn Battuta Mall, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Discovery Gardens, Lost City, Jumeirah Village, The International City, comprising of The Dragon Mart, The Central District, Dubai Design Centre, The Residential District, Lakes District, and The Forbidden City and the Atlantis, a 2,000 room resort and water theme park at the Palm Jumeirah.


For further information contact:
Orient Planet PR and Marketing Communications
P O Box 23345, Dubai, UAE.
Tel: 00 971 4 3988901; Fax: 00 971 4 3988941
Email: info@orientplanet.com
Website: www.orientplanet.com

^^^ No it means a bigger South African presence in Dubai -

I thought that you will all find this interesting -

World's top 50 restaurants:

The world's top 50 restaurants as voted by Britain's Restaurant Magazine

1. The Fat Duck, England
2. El Bulli, Spain
3. The French Laundry, California
4. Tetsuya's, Sydney
5. Gordon Ramsay, London
6. Pierre Gagnaire, Paris
7. Per Se, New York
8. Tom Aikens, London
9. Jean Georges, New York
10. St John, London
11. Michel Bras Laguiole, France
12. Le Louis XV, Monte Carlo
13. Chez Panisse, California
14. Charlie Trotter, Chicago
15. Gramercy Tavern, New York
16. Guy Savoy, Paris
17. Restaurant Alain Ducasse, Paris
18. The Gallery at Sketch, London
19. The Waterside Inn Bray, Berkshire
20. Nobu, London
21. Restaurante Arzak San Sebastian, Spain
22. El Raco de Can Fabes San Celoni, Spain
23. Checcino dal 1887, Rome
24. Le Meurice, Paris
25. L'Hotel de Ville Crissier, Switzerland
26. L'Arpege, Paris
27. Angela Hartnett at the Connaught, London
28. Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, Oxford
29. Le Cinq, Paris
30. Hakkasan, London
31. Cal Pep, Barcelona
32. Masa, New York
33. Flower Drum, Melbourne
34. WD50, New York

35. Le Quartier Francais - Franschhoek, South Africa

36. Spice Market, New York
37. Auberge de l'Ill Illhaeusern, Alsace
38. Manresa, California
39. Restaurant Dieter Muller Begisch Gladbach, Germany
40. La Maison Troisgros Roanne, France
41. The Wolseley, London
42. Rockpool, Sydney
43. Yauatcha, London
44. The Ivy, London
45. Gambero Rosso San Vincenzo, Italy
46. The Cliff St James, Barbados
47. Le Gavroche, London
48. Enoteca Pinchiorri, Florence
49. Felix, Hong Kong
50. La Tupina, Bordeaux

This is hilarious and written by Pieter Dirk Uys - Mbeki has really made a fool of himself now:

Viva Mbeki!
22/04/2005 10:44 - (SA)

PW Botha said 'Adapt or Die'. Thabo Mbeki says 'Eat and Don't Die'.

Viva Mbeki! Our Comrade President has explained himself at last. His victory is now internationally acclaimed. For he has won the debate in which he maintained healthy eating is a primary way of combating Aids.

Actually, no one ever argued about that.

The debate was about the issue: does HIV lead to Aids. That has still not been confronted in the front office of government, but let us not be churlish here.

Something has been solved. The Pope is Dead: Long live the Pope - The Dissident is gone; Welcome the Naked Chef! Thabo Mbeki's right.

Firstly, for a hugely intelligent politician with a vast area of international expertise, this exciting breakthrough solves so many deadlocks and problems. Healthy eating combats Aids.

Pity Liberace, Rock Hudson, Brad Davis, Freddy Mercury and other superstars who died of Aids didn't eat properly.

Sadly many comrades of the president's own inner circle who died of 'natural causes', obviously were careless in their eating disciplines and so they died of ...' natural causes' (Natural Xhosas).

Secondly: what does our president eat that keeps him so healthy and vigorous? He is obviously free of the virus, otherwise he wouldn't insist that it doesn't really exist.

He surfs the internet for more input and has more information on the subject than anyone else has bothered to find.

Never mind that there's very little knowledge. It's all in the spoon in your hand, stupid!

Let us give all the 30 million people in South Africa who need a good daily diet of more than the African Potato, the food our president eats. And the food the minister of health eats, this medical guru whose buxom silhouette shows no shyness in the chewing department.

Behold the minister of foreign affairs and her exZuma'd-husband, the deputy president! All shiny, round and healthy, free of this virus that separates comrades from cadres. And of course our leaders are healthy.

The president and his cabinet eat so well that they are in no danger here. So no wonder they find it hard to remember anyone who has contracted this disease.

As popes and presidents concur, it is extra-marital sex and the lack of abstinence that causes death by Aids.

After all, our president and his cabinet are all happily married comrades and none of them would attempt unprotected extra-marital sex. Which will, in any case, be overprotected by national intelligence and political-correctness. No journalist will go there.

But let's rather go back to the kitchen. What do they eat to keep them so confident and alive, while 700 of their supporters die every day because they don't know what the problem is supposed to be? They heard from someone on the train that this 'slimming sickness' that no one will confront is just a virus.

That, in order to be cured, you rape a virgin. Now the answer is so clear: Fuck the virgin! Just have a healthy meal! Most of the black people who have died of Aids in South Africa were too poor to even phone for help, let alone pizza-delivery.

Most of the white people who have died of Aids ate too well to bother with room-service. I'm confused and yet elated, because as a white baboon, the last thing I now attempt is to prescribe actions for my black leaders. But this is not about breeding; it's about feeding! So roll out the food trolleys, Mr President.

And you're right: to hell with education, compassion, care and anti-retrovirals. A Million Calories a Day will keep The Virus at Bay!

South Africa is under foreign invasion.


And the enemy is not armed with guns, tanks or ammunition, but with plaster, cement and all shades of terracotta.

In the midst of the biggest building boom in the country's history, the Tuscan building style has found enormous favour with property developers and owners alike.

However, Tuscan and the other "fake foreign fads" - as architecture activist Prof Alan Lipman refers to building styles from abroad, which are copied in South African residential and commercial developments - have fallen foul of academia and some local architects.

The detractors of the foreign invasion argue in support of local architecture that responds to the social, political, climatological, technological and material contexts in the different regions of South Africa.

Historically, there have been three vernacular South African styles - Cape Dutch, the Georgian regionalism of settlers and Transvaal regionalism.

Yolanda van der Vyver, of Yolanda van der Vyver Architects, says that the styles developed from imported styles that were adapted to the local climate, availability of material and craftsmanship.

"The development of architecture is a constant process, always adapting to new circumstances.

"If authentic architecture means expressing culture through available technology, materials and manpower, then authentic architecture has been present in South Africa since preindustrial times and is constantly being developed," Van der Vyver adds.

She believes that the popularity of the Tuscan building style can be attributed to the fact that it is a relatively inexpensive way to create the illusion of opulence, age and a European heritage.

"Some have deviated from Tuscan by embracing an Italian, Georgian, American colonial, Bali or English farmhouse style, to name but a few building styles.

"However, in principle, the intention remained the same," Van der Vyver says.

She adds that recent stylistic borrowings have been widely criticised as theme-park architecture.

Concerning the Tuscan building style, besides not always being in good taste, the local climate is not always considered, which forces modifications to the original style.

Porte-cochères and semicirculartop-lights are added to the entrances with a disregard of scale and proportion.

The resulting style has been dubbed Boere Toskaans.

Lipman maintains that South Africans should be challenged to develop new identities and express them in the built environment.

He says most of the buildings in South African cities are scrounged from elsewhere and reflect a past that has no relevance to the present.

"Whose memories do such buildings stir, whose nostalgia do they gratify, whose cultural roots are being acknowledged?" he asks.

Lipman believes that the answer lies in design with people in mind, including people's history and culture, as well as design for the poor.

Van der Vyver supports this point of view and says that context- and site-sensitive design principles should be encouraged.

"Theme-park architecture should be criticised not for its style, but for its failure to adhere to good design principles.

"Freedom of expression should not be hindered, but the public should be informed, educated and never be underestimated," she says.

Hence, obtaining public input into the design and construction of large buildings, especially those destined for public use, is considered a must.

International architectural firm HOK SVE associate principal Richard Breslin says that modern-day stadiums are designed to leave behind a living legacy.

He explains that, these days, stadiums have to be practical and financially self-sustaining throughout their life-cycle.

HOK SVE is part of the HOK Inter-national group, the largest architectural firm worldwide, and has designed many well-known sports venues, such as the Telstra Stadium, in Sydney, Australia, where the 2000 Summer Olympic Games were held, and the new Wembley National Stadium, in London.

The firm is partnering with several local companies in a consortium that has lodged papers to design the stadium infrastructure and overlay of the 2010 soccer World Cup, which will be hosted by South Africa.

"If we are awarded the contract, we will work with local partners to design venues according to the client's specifications.

"The end-product will be a reflection of what the client wants.

"Hence it could be retrospective, aspirational or mirror what the country has achieved to date," Breslin says.

He adds that the firm would like to draw inspiration from the natural beauty of the different South African cities in which the event will be hosted, as well as from the local way of life.

As with the other projects that HOK SVE is involved in, such as London's bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, the public will be widely consulted. "The 2010 soccer World Cup is a window for the rest of the world to experience South Africa.

"However, once the event is over, the stadiums must have a sustainable legacy and be of service to the community by offering facilities such as training grounds or conference venues," Breslin says.

It is envisaged that work on stadiums for the 2010 World Cup will start in the next 18 months.

According to Breslin, who is a native of Australia, the challenges confronting South African architecture are not unique to developing countries or those in the New World.

Breslin says that South African architecture is at the same crossroads where Australian architecture was about ten years ago.

"In the past, Australians also tended to draw their architectural references back to Europe.

"However, in the last five to ten years, we have started seeing an architectural style that is far more suited to the climate - light, simple, clean and with open spaces.

"There is also a renewed focus on building materials that fit in with climatic conditions, such as finestainless steel, glass and sandstone," Breslin adds.

Lipman maintains that, in general, architecture in South Africa still leaves much to be desired, as local regional architecture is much neglected.

However, he remains hopeful that this will change as South African cultures become more integrated and greater emphasis is placed on natural building materials and climatic con-ditions.

Lipman is concerned at the fact that the upcoming black middle class, many memebres of which are acquiring property for the first time, blindly follow and support European building styles, such as Tuscan or Cornish, thereby sacrificing part of their cultural identity.

"Culturally and historically, Tuscan or Cornish has nothing to do with them.

"So, as a nation, we are on the way to discarding the real building styles that should inform our thinking and not those that are merely there for us to copy," he laments.

Van der Vyver is confident that South Africa has everything it needs to practise its own architecture.

"We are lucky in the sense that we have a diverse cultural composition and that we become heirs to cultures that are not quite our own.

"Architects and clients must value this quality, see it as a privilege and avoid the temptation to follow popular styles," she says.

Van der Vyver points out that endemic styles, such as Cape Dutch and Pretoria regionalism, are today considered to be good architecture, even though they were developed from stylistic borrowings.

This is because, despite their origins, they were adapted to the available materials and workmanship, thereby becoming part of the environment by being sensitive to context.

Further, these styles considered architectural principles, such as proportion, scale, volume and function, to produce a high-quality built environment inherent to the area.

Van der Vyver says that many local architects are doing the same by refusing to blindly follow international architectural trends.

Instead, they use international styles as a starting point to develop architecture that reacts to the social, political, climatological, technological andmaterial contexts in South Africa.

South African Institute of Architects president Trish Emmett agrees that various local architects are pursuing the development of authentic South African architecture.

Emmett emphasises that this can only take place when clients are not prescriptive and give their architects the opportunity to respond appropriately to the brief.

In larger property developments, such as lifestyle estates, developers play an important part in determining the building style.

Lipman is especially critical of de-velopers and the financial stranglehold they have on local architects.

He says that it is a shame that architects who have studied at respected South African universities should ignore the principles of good architecture to satisfy developers' demand for popular building styles.

According to Emmett, architects should aim to inform their clients and educate the public continuously about all matters concerning architecture, as they have the required knowledge.

She also maintains that architects should be accessible to everyone, and not only to the wealthy.

"We must be learning from the Cuban and Indian architects, who have very respected social housing programmes for the poor," she notes.

Van der Vyver says that as the principles of good architecture are universal, the same principles as for any other building should count for houses that are built under government's Re-construction and Development Programme.

She adds that one of the biggest challenges facing the local architectural profession is to maintain a high standard of contextually-sensitive designs with limited funds, materials and workmanship.

Besides these issues, Van der Vyver identifies flagging standards in the building industry as another big impediment.

"It is my opinion and experience that the recent boom in the building industry has resulted in deteriorating building standards.

"Many construction companies should not be building, as they do not have proper experience or cash flow, and are only trying to make a quick buck together with investors and developers."

She also points out that many builders cannot cope with a simple detail just because it deviates from what they are used to.

"There are, of course, good contractors that ask a reasonable price, but most clients would rather save money and skimp on quality in favour of quantity."

Emmett says that another problem plaguing the profession is a lack of trained personnel.

"So many young architects have emigrated that we have a capacity problem, as there are not enough architects in South Africa," she says.

The South African architectural profession, although small by global standards, makes a substantial contribution to the local economy and directly employs more then 5 610 people, generating a turnover of R1,125-billion a year.

South Africa has 2 670 registered architects, the third-largest number of architects in an African country.

The continent has a total of 34 909 architects.

The capacity problem is set to worsen with the growth forecast for the construction industry.

Last year, R24,9-billion or, 5,1% of the country's gross domestic product, was spent on construction and construction-related activities.

It is expected that expenditure will reach between R32-billion and R35-billion a year by 2010.

Despite the challenges faced by the profession, South African architects have produced some notable Afropean buildings that, in the words of University of Pretoria department of architecture head Prof Ora Joubert "celebrate our socioeconomic and environmental peculiarities, while respecting the integrity of Eurocentric design premises".

Joubert says it is encouraging to note that this particular design approach does not only prevail on the domestic front, but is, of late, finding application in the civic arena, such as the Mpumalanga government buildings, in Nelspruit, and the Constitutional Court building, in Johannesburg.

For Van der Vyver, the N4 east main-line toll plaza, designed by Tolplan Consulting, MAAA and Karlien Thomashoff Architects, is a highlight of functional local architecture.

"The new tolling facility projects the corporate image of a progressive, transparent and socially-responsible organisation, but leaves the Highveld landscape undisturbed.

"Reference is made to portal-frame agricultural sheds in the surrounding landscape, therefore relating and contributing to the physical and local contexts.

"The honesty derived from the functionality permeated to the choice of building materials.

"This varies from using site-sourced building stone, locally-available face brick and structural steelwork with clearly articulated structural junctions and components, referring further to the morphology of the agricultural architecture and the mines in the vicinity," she explains.


Mo Rush, I'm sure we gonna see a different design of the stadiums for the 2010 SWC.

By Ray Faure
While lagging residential property, there has been an exceptional growth in industrial property values over the past year, according to Gerard Zeelie, head of commercial property finance at First National Bank (FNB).

Commercial properties have also shown good growth in the last year.

A grade commercial property values have spiked by 14.9% in the past year, while B Grade property values have escalated by 13%.

The biggest increase in commercial property values has been Cape Town where values have soared by 45.2% in the case of A grade properties and 30.6% in the case of B grade properties. This is followed by Pretoria where price for A grade property have increased by 19.6% and those for B grade properties by 28.9%.

Johannesburg, however, has seen the biggest increase in industrial property values, followed by Port Elizabeth and then Durban. Johannesburg east in particular has seen values rising from between 38% and 44%, while Port Elizabeth has witnessed increases of between 30% and 39%, depending on whether it is secondary quality, industrial park or prime quality type industrial properties.

Zeelie says there is no single contributory factor responsible for the growth, but that rather the growth is underpinned by a few contributing factors that indicate stability and sustainability in the market - the biggest perhaps being liquidity.

"I can't predict when the next boom in commercial and industrial property will be. If I knew that, I would be working for myself and making a pile of money," he quips.

"But I can say that there are awesome opportunities in this arena at the moment and the market is becoming more liquid," he says.

"There is not one single driver responsible for this, but sustainability and liquidity are playing a major role," he says, adding that in the longer term, commercial and industrial property are always cheaper.

Good growth in the business market overall, he says, is being spurred - among other factors - by consumer confidence, low interest rates and tax incentives as well as support for entrepreneurs.

I-Net Bridge

Urban jungles with a range of beasts…
4/26/2005

South Africa’s inner cities are urban jungles with a range of beasts far more dangerous that nature has created says Neville Schaefer, CEO of Trafalgar, the national property managers.

South Africa’s inner cities are urban jungles with a range of beasts far more dangerous that nature has created says Neville Schaefer, CEO of Trafalgar, the national property managers.

“There are no kings in these jungles,” adds Schafer. “Only a motley bunch of predators and scavengers after one thing – the enormous income stream from the blocks of flats in the city.

“Imagine 200 blocks each with 50 flats getting R1 200 a month in rent. That’s R60 000/month per building or R12m/ month for 200 blocks and it is to the city what the bloodstream is to a human being. It enables the tenants to have a home, pays for their electricity and water, and the rates and taxes that fund the other services and infrastructure of the city.”

The biggest and most dangerous predator is the hijacker. He announces to the tenants that he is taking over the block, usually on the pretext that the landlord is corrupt and has not been paying the service costs the tenants pay with their rent. He gives the tenants a new bank account to pay into and starts collecting the money.

Most tenants do not resist and acquiesce to the hijacker, says Schaefer. He collects the money, pays no service costs and fends the property owner off with a handy and equally dangerous scavenger; a lawyer who is well aware what the hijacker is doing but finds ways to delay court actions for up to a year in return for a fat fee. A Hijacker can afford to pay it. He could have earned R500 000 or more in that time from a typical block of flats.

“It’s a lot more rewarding and less risky than hijacking cars,” notes Schaefer. “The ultimate prey are the tenants. Their electricity is soon cut off. Then their water. They have no lifts. The buildings fall into disrepair.

Like hyenas in the bushveld, flat invaders work in groups. Some invaded Ana Capri in Durban late last year. They were pushed back by the building security but they came back with a bigger group and beat up the security. When the security went to the police to lay a charge, they found the invaders had already laid a charge against them and were arrested. The invaders then pushed a tenant out of a flat and when she complained to the police she was arrested and incarcerated with her furniture lying on the street.

“The invaders are quick to use firearms if they have them so these events can be life or death matters,” adds Schaefer

Unscrupulous managing agents are another form of scavenger. They persuade trustees of sectional title bodies corporate – bribing them if they can – to appoint them to manage the property. Then they pocket the levies and don’t pay any of the building costs. Or they take over dysfunctional bodies corporate, collect what little levies they can and take those as their fees. They do nothing to rehabilitate the property.

“A particularly dangerous predator is the trustee committee of a building that deliberately pushes it into disrepair so they can buy the flats cheaply, then fix the building and earn income from a good investment.”

One predator that seems to be dying is the tenant’s committee that gets tenants to stop paying rent to the landlord and pay it into a special account, that give the “executive” access to the funds for their own use. Tenants are resisting these because they know the end result will be no electricity, a decaying building, legal costs and eviction, adds Schaefer.

“Three things will rid us of these beasts. More private investors in the city who are prepared to fight these people off and who manage their buildings effectively; more bank lending and rising sectional title flat prices, and more bye law control by city authorities.”

South Africa is under foreign invasion.

And the enemy is not armed with guns, tanks or ammunition, but with plaster, cement and all shades of terracotta.

In the midst of the biggest building boom in the country's history, the Tuscan building style has found enormous favour with property developers and owners alike.

...yada yada...

Last year, R24,9-billion or, 5,1% of the country's gross domestic product, was spent on construction and construction-related activities.


This article has no credibility if its only quoted figure is out by a factor of nearly 3. SA's GDP is R1250 billion which means the construction industry is worth 2% of GDP, or else the industry is actually worth R64billion. I am going to guess the later.

It sounds like SA needs some highly organised vigilantism as law and the courts cant keep up with the inventiveness of SA criminals.

If I owned a business in one of the areas I would be quite tempted to put >R1000 a month in to an assassination of scum fund.

^^^^Ditto

I dont see what the big deal about the "regional identity" is. It IS ok for someone to like different types of architecture styles than those immediately around them. Why does your house color or roofing material have to reflect your cultural heritage? Maybe I look at it wrong. That being said, there is NOTHING wrong with wanting to use regional architecture for developments. SA vernacular are some of my favourites. And a society should always be challenging itself "style-wise". However I dont think the "outcry" is necessary.......Ive never understood the point of an "architecture activist". They want to homogenize and regionalize everything. Diversity is not in the activist's vocabulary too often.


HAPPY CONSTITUTION DAY :) :) :) :) :) :)

Well Tuscan is certainly a step up from Brutalist concrete, so beloved of architects in the previous building booms.

That Australian guy is right to an extent - buildings can be more adventurous, certainly in Melbourne - but I can assure you that there is plenty of plain old glass curtain and psuedo Tuscan going up as well.

Hey boys...

Anyone know anything about this development in Luanda?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v26/Marco77/Projectos_maquetes/Luanda.jpg

saw it before and apparently its U/C

REALLY??? WOW, they getting better architecture than africa's powerhouse (jozi)

That is a great looking building

WOW that is a great looking building. :) But i dont believe it. Angola?

Little SA leads the way into world of brand valuations


01 May 2005

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NOTHING gets up my nose more than comments from negative, whingeing South Africans who firmly believe that South Africa can’t compete on the world stage when it comes to marketing and advertising.

These are the sorts of people who talk themselves into catching colds, falling off ladders and missing critical little half-metre putts on the golf course.


So listen up, you pessimistic
so-and-sos.

South African marketers are the chief executive or, at the very least, a senior executive at many of the world’s most powerful multi-national companies.

Vast numbers of big South African companies are making global inroads and, even more important, hundreds of little local companies that hardly anyone has heard of are marketing the daylights out of their foreign counterparts all over the world.

Take BrandMetrix, a small company founded four years ago
by a Wits University professor of marketing, Roger Sinclair.

So far it has conducted more than 300 brand valuations with an aggregate value of
R70-billion — but that, as they say in the TV infomercials, is not all.

Sinclair tells me that the methodology developed by BrandMetrix has become flavour of the month overseas with the result that many a big name in global business is looking to little South Africa to tell it what its brand is worth.

Prof Kevin Keller of the Dartmouth College School of Business waxed lyrical when he assessed this South African marketing innovation.

“BrandMetrics is a state-of-the-art brand-valuation methodology that exquisitely blends financial and marketing concerns to provide solid bottom-line numbers. Academically sound and practical, it offers top executives much insight into brand-value applications.”

Everyone is getting increasingly excited about brand valuation because boards of directors are suddenly discovering that something they thought deserved no mention on that most sacrosanct of all corporate documents, the balance sheet, can now be accurately reflected on an assets register.

One of the many attributes making this local offering so attractive is its ability to value the income-generating capacity of a brand’s consumer equity.

There’s nothing like talking about projections of revenue generation to get accountants sitting up and taking notice.

Brand valuation, however, is no easy task because the useful economic life of a brand cannot be defined. Though most physical assets can be valued by using models that assume 10 years or less for their useful economic life, brands have an indefinite life.

According to BrandMetrix, the length of a brand’s life is dependent on the willingness of customers to buy the brand, pay the price asked by the owner and continue buying it.

This is consumer brand equity and it is what determines the strength or weakness of a brand.

Brand valuation is now an accepted international business tool.

How wonderful it is to see little South Africa leading the way.

WINNING THE WAR AGAINST CRIME
Hijackings in South Africa, which have tarnished the country's reputation and which have been a great source of fear for both South African motorists and those thinking of visiting the country, have shown a significant decrease, particularly in Gauteng.

According to figures released by the country's two biggest satellite-based vehicle recovery services, Tracker and Netstar, hijackings have decreased by up to 43% since 1999.

These figures are particularly interesting since they have been released by two companies whose revenues could be negatively affected by a drop in crime. The figures support the South African Police Service's own 2003/4 national crime statistics, which show a 13% decrease in hijackings nationwide since 2000. Car theft has come down by 18% over the same period.

One of the major reasons for the decrease in hijackings in the Gauteng area, where the vast majority of vehicle hijackings have traditionally been carried out, is the formation of the province's anti-hijacking police unit and the launch of "Operation Ngena", which targets hijacking syndicates. The anti-hijacking unit, started in 2003, consists of more than 250 police officers divided into seven task teams. The teams are comprised of investigative, crime intelligence and rapid response components.

There have also been eight dedicated hijacking courts set up in the province, which have helped to reduce case times to within three months and to increase the conviction rate of hijackers by 80%. Another positive move has been the work done to sort out the process of vehicle registration, which has made it more difficult for stolen vehicles to be registered and therefore harder for criminals to get rid of them.

Larry Claasen

Industrial Correspondent

RETAIL sales are expected to remain strong in the foreseeable future following the interest rate cut last month.

The cut is supporting robust consumer spending and a retail boom that has seen sales surge on the back of lower income taxes and higher take-home income over the past 18 months.

Retailers speak of SA entering a new growth cycle and use words such as "fundamental" in describing the change in the consumer side of the economy.

This optimism saw retail shares rise to unprecedented levels last year. Edcon, the holding company of Edgars, Jet and CNA, went from R20 a share seven years ago to a record high of R305,75 in December last year.

But some retailers had predicted in December that the spree was ending. General goods retailer Massmart was the first to signal that there might be a slowdown in sales when it said that the beginning of the 2004 Christmas shopping season was below expectations.

But, it all ended well for Massmart, with sales showing a big improvement in the last few shopping days before Christmas.

Andisa Securities retail analyst Evan Walker says, that looking back, Massmart was probably right in signaling that the cycle had peaked. Retail shares have since come down from the highs they reached in December, with Edcon now trading at about R250.

While retailers may not be at the top of the cycle, this does not mean they are expecting a drop in sales any time soon.

Furniture and appliance retailer Ellerine Holdings, which grew turnover 17,1% to R1,69bn and operating profit 26,1% to R308m for the half-year to February, said before the interest rate cut that it expected the buoyant trading conditions to support it for the rest of its financial year.

Walker says the latest rate cut bolstered already-high consumer confidence and extended the business cycle for retailers.

How much longer consumers will continue to spend with confidence is still anyone’s guess — making it difficult to value retail shares.

Walker says the important issue is not how much value there is in retail shares, but the factors supporting the retail sector. High consumer confidence, along with rising employment in the informal sector, are supporting sales.

With these factors supporting the retail sector, there is still some value in retail shares, says Walker.

He is not too concerned about the amount of debt consumers are carrying, as their ability to repay debt is a lot better than it was a few years ago.

Abvest small cap analyst Shawn Stockigt says retailers are now in a better position operationally to make the best off this growth following the difficult period the sector went through a few years ago.

This saw them introduce stricter credit granting procedures and cutting costs to remain competitive.

Stockigt says the retail sector is being consolidated. During the past few years Edcon has bought CNA and Boardmans, the JD Group has taken over rival Profurn and Massmart has acquired Jumbo. Ellerines is in the closing stages of its merger with Relyant.

The investment community is taking a closer look at the retail sector now that companies are being better run, have better economies of scale and are supported by consumers willing to spend.

While Stockigt is positive on the outlook for the sector, he is concerned that too much credit can be extended to consumers, leaving them in a debt trap.

Cape Town emerges as a Call Centre capital

Although he started his career in London in investment banking, CallingtheCape executive director Luke Mills seems to be custom-made for the call-centre industry, rather than a pinstripe suit.

Mills doesn't miss a beat when talking about the call-centre industry and explains that he is so passionate because it has many positive spinoffs for the country.

It not only provides employment for people from previously-disadvantaged backgrounds, but also incredible amounts of upskilling that are bringing South African companies and employees in line with international standards.

It empowers women, as most of the people who work in call centres are women, and it empowers the young; the average age of a contact-centre agent is about 25 years.

"It is a very meritocratic industry and people who enter on the bottom level and excel as agents become team leaders, then supervisors, then contact-centre managers, so there are wonderful opportunities to develop leadership for people who have not had many advantages in life," says Mills.

"Once they have developed those leadership skills, the world is their oyster - they can stay in a management role, they can move into the human resources or information technology department or they can set up their own businesses," he says.

CallingtheCape, a government-backed specialist development agency that promotes the Western Cape as a destination for national and international investors, sees the contact-centre industry as being a crucial bridge between the first and second economies that President Thabo Mbeki refers to and, at the same time, an industry in which South Africa can compete with the best companies on the global stage.

"We need more of these kinds of industries and we need more financial and political support at the highest levels," says Mills.

Political support has been forthcoming for the call-centre industry, with the liberalisation of the telecommunications industry last month.

"I think deregulation is a strong sign from government that it is serious about this industry; it is crucial to this industry, we lobbied for it and we are delighted," says Mills.

"It gives us another big push in the right direction.

"We are now in a position where we can compete on service, on the type of products that are on offer and more or less on price with any other offshore destination," he says.

Mills believes that Telkom deserves credit for the effort that it made to get the call-centre industry more competitive by introducing a solution a couple of years ago which, although it wasn't an end-to-end Voice over IP (VoIP) solution, involved some elements of VoIP, enabling rates for contact centres to fall to about 30 c to 45 c a minute for international calls, depending on volume.

He points out that, even though that is much lower than the retail price that South Africans pay for making an international call, it is still seven times higher than companies are paying in other offshore destinations.

Mills explains that in India, the Phillipines and Malaysia, for example, companies are not paying for calls on a per-minute basis, but are buying lease-line capacity from telecommunication companies, managing their own networks and deploying VoIP technologies.

Information and communication-technology company Storm says that, at its simplest, VoIP technology converts voice to data and transmits it via a digital network.

This means that a company can make international, cellular and national telephone calls at reduced rates, cutting its phone bill dramatically.

VoIP is standard technology in most developed countries and is used commonly by large companies between their offices to reduce telephone costs and to allow call centres to be centralised but, where customers still call a local number - you call the call centre number in your local town - the call is then routed over a VoIP network to a contact centre that may even be in another country.

Since the opening up of the telecommunications market in South Africa, all of the value-added network service providers (VANS) have been able to offer VoIP technologies and, as a result, prices for connectivity have come tumbling down.

"The price of a 2 MBS lease line using multiple-packet labelling system (MPLS) technology from South Africa to the UK or to the US is now below $200 000 a year," says Mills.

"It is difficult to compare 2 MBS lines with per-minute charges, but our calculations suggest that the price of $200 000 is probably half of what the cost would have been on the old Telkom regime," says Mills.

"The equivalent price in India is probably about $150 000; so we are still a bit more expensive but in the same ballpark," he says.

The number of customer interactions globally, particularly in the de-veloped world, is continuing to increase, which is putting massive demand on call centres in countries like the UK, the US, the Netherlands and Germany.

"Not only are these call centres getting very expensive to run, but they have also got high attrition and it is difficult to recruit new staff," says Mills.

Offshore is a business imperative if international companies are going to continue to provide increasingly demanding customers with the services that they require, and countries including India, China and South Africa have the opportunity to grow their offshore business.

Mills thinks that India is going to remain the premier destination and is probably always going to account for 40% to 50% of all offshore contact-centre work but, for reasons of risk concentration, operational reasons and also because companies realise that there are some things India can do well and some things not so well, there are other destinations which are going to be in the second tier.

South Africa, along with the Philippines, China, Malaysia, Canada, Israel and Ireland, is in the second tier, but the question is - is South Africa going to be right at the top of the second tier or is it going to bubble along and be in the middle or at the bottom of the second tier?

Mills believes that South Africa has several advantages that could place it towards the top of the second tier.

"The order in which companies put business streams offshore is determined by the risk and the capex of putting them offshore, so the transactions that go offshore first are those that are relatively low-risk and do not require a lot of investment," he says.

Back-office processing is one example, and that work went to India first.

"In South Africa, we have not seen a great deal of back-office processing, but we have seen a lot of customer-contact work, starting with relatively simple transactions, such as outbound sales, which is tightly scripted and a relatively straightforward customer service," says Mills.

But, as companies in the US and the UK, in particular, have outsourced a lot of their low-risk, low-investment items, they are left with unscripted, complex voice interactions with customers.

An example is when a customer calls into a contact centre for any one of 15 or 60 different reasons, as happens in financial services or travel, for example.

In these transactions, the agent does not know what to expect and that re-quires a much more skilled, not necessarily better-educated, agent and an agent who speaks English to a customer whose first language is English to ensure that the communication between the agent and the customer is 100%.

That agent will probably require three or four months of training, and that means that the capital costs are going to increase.

"A good portion of this complex work is going to go offshore and that is starting to happen now," says Mills.

Companies have put that kind of work in India and in some areas it is working successfully, but in other areas not, and a number of blue chip com-panies that have put that voice work in India have pulled it out and are looking for somewhere else to go.

"South Africa has a massive advantage over India in this respect because the agents in South Africa who are doing international voice work, by and large, have English as a first language or are completely bilingual," says Mills.

"While the agents in India might be graduates and very smart people, English is their second language and they are struggling with this kind of work, as they are not picking up the nuances or the slang and are not responding in the right emotional way to what is being said," he says.

If you look around the world for low-cost competitive labour destinations, which have large concentrations of English first-language speakers, there aren't that many.

Canada and Australia are already relatively high-cost destinations, Eastern Europe's first language is not English, nor is the Philippines, and they are going to have the same problem that India has.

South Africa, therefore, has a huge opportunity to be a niche player focusing on high-value complex voice customer interactions.

"That has been our sales pitch from day one," says Mills, "and the evidence thus far from companies that have moved to South Africa has been extremely positive."

Companies like Budget Insurance are reporting that their call centres in South Africa, which are handling relatively complex customer service and sales, are performing as well as their call centres in their home markets and are among the best-performing call centres in all their offshore destinations.

CallingtheCape thinks it is now in a position where it can go out and compete for larger-scale business and hopes to secure a commitment from at least one global multinational outsourcer to develop operations in Cape Town this year.

"If a major global outsourcer invests in the Cape it will probably grow to 3 000 to 4 000 seats, and that will take us into a whole new ball game," says Mills.

"If it doesn't happen, we will still have a growing offshore industry," he says.

New investment commitments of R380-million were made in the Western Cape call-centre industry last year, resulting in growth of 25% and over 2 000 new jobs.

"Based on what we have in the pipeline and in expansions, that is expected to be matched this year," says Mills.

He adds that last year was a year in which the talk and promise of growth in the contact-centre and business-pro-cess outsourcing (BPO) sector became a reality.

High-profile international companies like Ambition 24 Hours Group, Budget Insurance, STA Travel/Lufthansa Process Management and Sales Engine invested in call centres and BPO units in Cape Town during 2004.

Other international companies - Pixel Faerie, State Street, Grove Group and Intelligent Business Solutions - also invested last year, joining already-established companies, such as Dialogue, Northern Communications and Aerocorp.

Mills says that, apart from the new investments, 14 of the existing operations expanded during 2004, adding almost R44-million to investments.

There are now 110 operations in the Western Cape and, at last estimate, over 13 000 people were working in the industry.

Further significant investment has been clinched for 2005 and, in the first three months of this year, a few new local outsourcers and one new German-owned outsourcer have set up in Cape Town.

Data Monitor reports that there are 494 call centres in South Africa and predicts that there will be 939 by 2008.

The company says that the number of offshore agents in South Africa in 2003 was 1 400 and that this figure will reach about 6 000 in 2008, which would put South Africa in the middle of the second tier.

Mills believes that this is quite a conservative forecast.

"I think that we should be able to do a lot better than that; one major investment from a global outsourcer, and that target will be burst wide open," he says.

In terms of the split of call centres in South Africa, Data Monitor says that the Western Cape's 32% of the total in 2003 is going to increase to 37% by 2008, whereas it sees the share of Gauteng reducing from 61% to 50%.

Last year, funding for Callingthe-Cape from the city and the provincial government increased by 600% on 2003.

Although it is not expected to grow by that margin this year, Mills hopes that funding will increase by 30% to 50% this year.

The money is used for marketing, operational expenses and research.

"Our primary role is to see that the industry grows and that job opportunities are created, but we also want to see that new companies are developing and black entrepreneurs are given a chance to succeed," says Mills.

This year, the company is doing a big research project to determine what persuades companies to outsource and, in particular, profile the types of com-panies that are likely to outsource to black suppliers and do preliminary research and marketing into those companies.

"We will then be able to give that research to our black economic-em-powerment companies," says Mills.

Of the 32 local outsourcing com-panies in the Western Cape, eight are black-owned and 50% have some measure of black shareholding.

Mills points out that financial services and other companies that have gone through the ICT charter process and now have procurement targets that they need to hit for their scorecard can outsource part of their telemarketing or customer services to a black call centre.

"I don't think companies are aware that they can source from black suppliers in this industry, and we would certainly suggest that any companies that are interested in that get in touch with us so that we can point them in the right direction," he says.

There are still some significant obstacles to the formation of new black-owned companies in the sector, the main one being access to finance.

"The early-stage companies battle to raise money, even though they are competing head-on with competitive international markets and they are winning business," says Mills.

"It is a shame that the local financial community has not spotted the opportunity because they could make a lot of money in this industry."

CallingtheCape is in the process of appointing consultants to assist with business development and raising finance for young companies.

During 2004, CallingtheCape implemented a number of pilot training programmes.

This included assisting 60 learners into the commercial workplace through its cadet programme, supporting a programme through which 65 Afrikaans-speaking black students learned Dutch and reaching 10 000 young learners through a schools outreach programme.

Through this, the company gained an understanding of what the challenges are in training people who are not likely to get jobs on their own and released a draft strategy for a new skills-training initiative, which will see it working in partnership with the provincial government, the Smart City programme, further education and training institutions and the private sector.

The core curriculum is based on the National Qualifications Framework level 2 that the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Seta) administers, but also included are a number of other elements, such as life-skills training, foundational training, information technology skills, call-centre simulation products, accent training and practical experience in call centres.

"At the moment, we are working out how to manage the programme and also how to fund it, and are looking for private- and public-sector contri-butions for training," says Mills.

"One of the issues we have in the industry is that the services Seta, under which the call-centre industry falls, has reached its target in terms of learnerships and there isn't any more money available for call-centre learnerships."

nomer asablief???

Guys, I must say that I'm worried about our forum. It seems like we were all dependent on Gandalf cos since he's no longer here, we do not tend to see more pictures of our beutifull country. I would like to say big ups to Mike for feeding us with nice pics of Durban. Can we put more initiative so that this forum rocks.

I miss CT pics, guys please make a plan. I went to Nelspruit over the past weekend and I must tell you guys, the town is maginificent. Yes, it has got very few high rises but I must say that the 2010 visitors who will be located there will definately enjoy themselves. The Mpumalanga government pricinct is out of this world and from offices you can go out of the balcony to look at the crocodiles on crocodile river. In the afternoon and early mornign you see other animald coming to drink water in the same river. I saw about 3 or 4 new developments and couple of shopping plazas in the location. I hope that it will grow to its best. I must admit that I love the place.

Tourism ambassadors make Indaba visitors feel at home
May 6, 2005

By Suren Naidoo

With about 4 000 delegates expected at Indaba 2005 - Africa's biggest travel and trade exhibition - the eThekwini Municipality and Tourism KwaZulu-Natal have joined forces to put 60 "tourism ambassadors" on Durban's streets, in an effort to make the city more accessible and tourist-friendly.

Trained and kitted out, the tourism ambassadors took up their stations yesterday around key tourism points, before of the start of the Indaba tomorrow.

The project has the full backing of KZN Minister of Transport Bheki Cele, and Community Safety and Liaison and Tourism Minister Narend Singh.

The ambassadors, identified by bibs which read "Tourist Ambassador", would act as the eyes and ears of the police and other security agencies.

Durban Mayor Obed Mlaba said the ambassadors would not be police officers as such, but that they would assist in making the city safer.

"These young men and women have been trained in the basics. Now our visitors and tourists will have someone they can approach when they need to get anywhere in the city.


"The main aim of tourism ambassadors will be to signpost tourists to their chosen destinations. Ambassadors will have a thorough understanding of the range of tourist and must-see destinations in Durban," Mlaba said.

Meanwhile, South African Tourism has predicted that Indaba 2005 will do "serious record business".

The exhibition, which boasts a record 1 646 exhibitors, has been increased to more than 12 500m2, incorporating additional outdoor space.

Visitor pre-registration had increased 42% from 2004. Delegates from 81 countries would be in attendance, and international delegate registration had almost doubled from 820 last year, to 1 601 this year.

Of the total number of preregistered delegates, 2 925 were buyers and 388 were media representatives. Almost half of the media contingent would be from abroad.


The eThekwini Municipality has urged members of the public to be tolerant with the closure of Walnut Road during the Indaba until May 12.

The Hilton Hotel entrance will, however, not be affected.

Czech investors
see Joburg's potential
A DELEGATION from the Czech Republic is impressed with what Johannesburg has to offer the businessman and the tourist.


May 6, 2005
By Lucky Sindane

JOHANNESBURG rolled out the red carpet on 5 May for a group of visitors from the Czech Republic, to show them the investment potential of the city.

The delegation was given presentations on Joburg's economic development strategy as well as its municipal international relations programme at a sumptuous lunch.

Hosts were the Johannesburg Innovation and Knowledge Exchange (Jike) unit and the City's external relations unit. Jike was set up to provide information about Johannesburg to researchers, delegations from other cities and prospective investors who visit the city.

The visitors were clearly impressed. "This is my first time here and I am loving it. The city is very beautiful and is very big," said Josef Vicha.

The 13-member delegation included the South African ambassador to the Czech Republic, Dr Noel Lehoko. "We are very happy to be here. There were many other people who wanted to come with us but could not because of celebrations happening in their country," Lehoko said.

Among those at the lunch to greet the guests were Parks Tau, the mayoral committee member for finance strategy and economic development, and Lael Bethlehem, the City's director of economic development.

"Joburg's economy is well placed in the world and we need to make sure that it continues to grow," Bethlehem said, pointing out that Johannesburg has business relations with many countries.

Speaking about the municipal international relations programme, Lorraine Wilkinson, the director of external relations, said, "Our objective is to establish, maintain, manage and monitor a policy whereby the City of Johannesburg can engage in co-operative relationships with select foreign cities for the mutual benefit of the contracting parties and the communities they represent."

Joburg had partnerships with several cities, she said. Of the 39 cities researched, 19 were selected, some African cities and some strategic cities, namely Birmingham, New York City, London, Berlin, New Delhi, Sao Paulo, Havana City, Mexico City, Xi'An, Paris, Val-De-Marne and Arcueil.

"In Africa we have entered into a fruitful partnership with Addis Ababa. The other cities in Africa include Motola, Windhoek, Nairobi, Cairo, Lubumbashi and Lusaka," Wilkinson said.

Lehoko said Joburg hoped the visit was the beginning of huge business relations between the two countries.

Durban's street children are 'out of sight'

May 09 2005 at 06:19PM

By Bhavna Sookha and Bongani Mthembu

Durban's street children have been rounded up and taken out of the city while Tourism Indaba 2005 is on.

Residents and business people on the beach-front and in the city centre have been asking where the children have disappeared to after they vanished from their usual haunts late last week.

eThekwini municipality's Visvin Reddy, in charge of the council's street children project, confirmed that they have been rounded up and taken to a place of safety in Ohlange, Inanda, north of Durban.

'Every time we have an occasion in the city, out comes the glitter and the children disappear'
A concerned business owner in the beach-front area said that she was so concerned about the missing street children that she was considering filing a missing persons report.

Beach-front councillor Avrille Coen said the absence of the children was not unusual as the street children and illegal traders were always rounded up before "special occasions".





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"I want to know where the street children have been taken to," she said.

"Every time we have an occasion in the city, out comes the glitter and the children disappear. But, of course, a few days later they manage to find their way back."

She added that street children were a problem all over the world, but that the problem was not being dealt with in the right way.

"The concern of the ratepayers is why this can't be done throughout the year and not only when we have delegates in town," she said.

"My feelings are that the children are being unfairly treated because once again this was just another special occasion and they had to be moved out of sight."

"This is no way to deal with the problem as the children always manage to find their way back to the streets after a few days."

Reddy said the children had been taken to a place of safety in Inanda.

He denied, however, that this was done because of Indaba.

"This is not an Indaba move. We have been taking street children to the place of safety for a long time now. The only difference this time around is that we have been able to secure more resources from other organisations such as the police and NGOs to take more children to the place of safety. The organisations have assisted us with transport and personnel," he said.

When asked whether he had requested support because of Indaba, Reddy agreed saying that Indaba was valued.

"The Indaba has huge spin-offs for the city. So we are just making sure that it is a Durban event with no street children harassing delegates. We have taken them to where they are supposed to be. Some of them are extremely difficult and we are busy working with them to make certain that they change their behaviour," he said.

Another concerned business owner said that it was unfair for the street children to be taken away before large conferences and that he had on numerous occasions seen them being put into police vans.

"But a few days later, they manage to find their way back. Why can't something be done for good?"

Proudly South African forumers, how many are we? Add yoself to the list please.

1. Pule

Bad news for Sandton

By Nick Wilson
It is unlikely that Sandton will see any more luxury high-rise apartments in the medium term.

Financial Mail reported recently that an unprecedented jump in building costs and a sudden shift in sentiment to offices, had scotched two high-profile, high-rise residential developments in Sandton.

It reported that buyers of off-plan apartments at Sandown Isle in Rivonia Road and The Sandown off Grayston Drive discovered recently the apartments would never be built.

But other property commentators say the high-rise apartment blocks, until recently in vogue with the wealthy, always had a limited buyers pool and appeal more to foreigners than locals.

David Green, MD of Pace Property Group, says there is a "limited buyers pool for high-rise apartments" and investors who had wanted to invest in this kind of lifestyle development had already done so.

"The market is saturated. As a result the likelihood of any further high-rise residential developments in Sandton is highly unlikely," he says.

Green also believes the Cape Town City Bowl is "heading in the same direction". He says these latest problems are linked to the "tapering off of the top end of the residential market".

After a residential property boom that has gone from strength to strength in the past two years, there is evidence from major banks that the rate of growth of prices in the top end of the market is slowing down.

Green says these luxury apartments sell for R16000/m² or more in Sandton, while in Cape Town they sell for more than R30000/m².

He says the majority of buyers of luxury high-rise apartments tend to be foreign investors.

"That type of lifestyle is generally less appealing to South African investors. South Africans enjoy outdoor life. They would rather buy a house than live in an apartment," says Green.

He says the main attraction to a high-rise apartment is the perceived security it offers.

Green says less than 1% of South African residential real estate comprises high-rise luxury apartments.

Colin Young, fund manager of Old Mutual?s South African-listed property funds, says the Cape Town central business district is an exception because it is going through a renaissance. There is still demand for luxury apartments in Cape Town because of its strong tourism industry and the fact these developments offer sea and mountain views.

But, Young says the only reason for a local wanting to buy into a high-rise apartment block in Sandton central business district are the traffic congestion problems travelling to Sandton presents.

"High rises are far more attractive in a Cape Town scenario. Cape Town high rises appeal to locals and foreigners," he says.

Property economist Francois Viruly, of Viruly Consulting, says he still believes building costs have put a dampener on high-rise developments.

"Building costs have escalated by close to 30% and these kind of developments have very high steel requirements. These materials have gone up very fast," says Viruly.

"These owners with units will probably be happy with the news that supply is slowing. The moment supply and demand conditions are back in equilibrium we will start seeing capital values rising again justifying new developments," Viruly says.

The existing space in the market will be "mopped up" in the next 24 months and that the market needs to take a "breather".

"This is certainly not the end of the story."

Business Day

V V V V V GOOD NEWS IT SEEMS THE BARCLAYS/ABSA DEAL IS GOING TO GO AHEAD. SORRY IAM WRITING IN CAPITALS BUT THIS IS AWSOME NEWS FOR SA. METHINKS GANDALF HAS BEEN PROVED WRONG AGAIN!!

It has taken a hell of a lot of work but it just shows that there is a hell of a future for this country if people just open their eyes and see that. Same can be said about the Old Mutual deal. The number of consumers just keeps on growing due to BEE: it is not something to be scared of, instead people should use BEE to grwo their own companys just like OM has done. (and it always means a great deal of work for us lawyers which is always good :-) ) Anyway iam off to drink to SA !!!

Barclays-Absa deal could half current account deficit
Sapa

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BARCLAYS' bid to buy 60% of Absa could finance half of SA's current account deficit for the year, Absa economist Christo Luus said.

British bank Barclays has offered about R33bn for a stake in Absa, making it SA's biggest single direct foreign equity-investment ever.

"... SA's current account deficit for 2005 is forecast to measure some R68bn, implying that such a deal could be able to finance some half of this deficit for the year," said Luus.

The anticipated 2005 deficit would be about 4,7% of gross domestic product (GDP), which is historically high, Luus said.

Between 1994 and 2004, foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country averaged about R10,7bn a year, or 1,2% of annual GDP.

Net FDI was even lower at 0,7% of GDP per annum, Luus said.

Between 1999 and 2004 the total FDI was R121bn.

"Although the exact timing and extent of the inflow relating to the deal is not known, the Barclays-Absa deal could potentially amount to almost 30% of total FDI inflows over the past six years," Luus said.

This would allow the country to grow faster for longer.

It would also mean the economy would not be hampered by current account constraints.

"The rand could then also remain stronger for longer which would contribute towards the inflation target continuing to be met and obviate the need for much higher interest rates," he said.

However, about R1bn in dividend payments would accrue each year to foreign shareholders, negatively affecting the current account.

Luus said this could be offset by the potentially bigger inflows from Absa's expanded African operations.

"Furthermore, by improving domestic business opportunities, investment and growth, the deal may reduce the desire of both resident and foreign shareholders to repatriate dividend income,"he said.

The potentially huge FDI would also benefit the GDP growth by as much as 0,5% a year for a couple of years.

"SA's notoriously low ratios of gross domestic saving and gross fixed capital formation as a percentage of GDP could therefore be boosted by between one and two%age points (from their levels of respectively 14,9% and 15,8%)," said Luus.

Increased levels of fixed capital formation in turn would lead to new business and more jobs, and increased government revenues through tax. This would allow higher levels of social and infrastructural spending.

"It is estimated that some 60 000 new jobs may be created over a period of five years due to a capital inflow of this magnitude," Luus said.

This is the editorial from todays London Financial Times:

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Main page content:
Vote of confidence
Published: May 10 2005 03:00 | Last updated: May 10 2005 03:00

It is particularly appropriate that Barclays Bank, for many years the highest-profile target of anti-apartheid campaigners seeking to end white rule in South Africa, should now become the source of the largest foreign investment in that country since apartheid ended. Indeed, Barclays' $5.4bn (£2.6bn) purchase of a 60 per cent stake in Absa, the bank with the most extensive retail network in South Africa's black community, is the most significant single foreign investment there for a very long time. Nineteen years after the UK bank beat an ignominious retreat from Johannesburg, it has provided the most emphatic international vote of confidence to date in the post-apartheid economy.


Others may invest in South African mining or other commodities and enjoy some insulation from the vagaries of the domestic market. Investment in manufacturing sectors such as cars has been attracted by government incentives. But by definition an investment in the retail banking sector must be based on judgment of the country's financial and economic management, and its long-range potential. Barclays' return is a tribute to the fiscal conservatism of the erstwhile radicals in the South African government, and the economy's growth potential.

The annual increase in South Africa's gross domestic product has accelerated from 3 to 4 per cent, and inflation is stable at less than 4 per cent. With the consumer sector buoyant and retail sales up 10 per cent last year, the environment looks attractive for a retail banker. Mortgage lending was up 24 per cent last year. Bank regulation is effective, and the independence of the central bank has hitherto ensured a sound monetary policy. The main cloud in the economic sky is the rising rand, making life tough for exporters.

Absa is ranked third of the Big Four South African banks by assets but has the largest retail network, especially among the black population, where the growth potential is greatest. Barclays is also looking to expand in the rest of Africa, where South African enterprises are now the leading foreign investors. It remains a hard market, but GDP growth across the continent is at an eight-year high of 5 per cent, and inflation at a 25-year low. So this move is not merely a vote of confidence in South Africa. It is at least a cautious indication that the rest of Africa may be looking up.

Trevor Manuel, South Africa's finance minister, is also quite right to be welcoming a big foreign investor to the banking sector - and to suggest that the door is not closed to others. In a medium-sized economy such as South Africa, foreign investors can bring both technical expertise, access to international markets, and essential competition for domestic operators. The government does not want greater concentration in the banking sector: it wants competition. That is another indication of an eminently sound approach to financial services.

V V V V V GOOD NEWS IT SEEMS THE BARCLAYS/ABSA DEAL IS GOING TO GO AHEAD. SORRY IAM WRITING IN CAPITALS BUT THIS IS AWSOME NEWS FOR SA. METHINKS GANDALF HAS BEEN PROVED WRONG AGAIN!!

It has taken a hell of a lot of work but it just shows that there is a hell of a future for this country if people just open their eyes and see that. Same can be said about the Old Mutual deal. The number of consumers just keeps on growing due to BEE: it is not something to be scared of, instead people should use BEE to grwo their own companys just like OM has done. (and it always means a great deal of work for us lawyers which is always good :-) ) Anyway iam off to drink to SA !!!

And when did I say that Barclays will NOT invest in SA ?? Another thing, you are wearing my user-name out. Get a girlfriend, marry and forget about me. I don't believe in SA and I never will. It is great that you do but I don't go around trying to change your mind-set to think like I do so stop trying to persuade me. The things that I want, SA cannot offer me - it is that simple.

I have evolved and propaganda does not have any effect on me - sorry. Keep celebrating, soon you will be toy-toying in the streets like a true South African. All the best Comrade ;) Viva Zuma !

i personally believe that it is the greatest news this year...tie it in with Virgin now going to operate credit cards, virgin megastores and virgin mobile here...and that there is an increasing number of other international investors and stores...SA is looking great.

W Cape adds 10 years to your life -
May 16, 2005

People in the Western Cape can expect to live 10 years longer on average than those in KwaZulu-Natal or Mpumalanga - provided they are not murdered.

This startling fact has emerged from a new Medical Research Council study, which for the first time specifies death rates and their causes for all nine provinces.

Western Cape residents have the highest life expectancy in the country, probably due to our relatively low HIV infection rate.

And although HIV/Aids remains the leading cause of early deaths in the province overall, homicide is the biggest killer of men.

The 10 leading causes of death for Western Cape men are homicide, HIV/Aids, traffic accidents, TB, heart disease and stroke, cancer of the upper respiratory tract or lungs, suicide, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lower respiratory infections.

For women, main causes were HIV/Aids, TB, heart disease, stroke, traffic accidents, homicide, diabetes, diarrhoeal diseases, breast cancer and lower respiratory infections.

These are just some of the groundbreaking statistics in the new study, which has been hailed as a milestone in generating "burden of disease" statistics at provincial level.

The authors say the information it contains is essential for officials when deciding on health service priorities.

Among key findings cited by the main author, Professor Debbie Bradshaw, director of the MRC's Burden of Disease research unit, are:

Life expectancy in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga is about 10 years lower than in the Western Cape, which has the lowest mortality rate.

HIV/Aids is the leading cause of death and premature or early death for all provinces.

Deaths from diarrhoeal disease, TB and nutritional deficiencies are more prevalent in poorer and more rural provinces. - Health Writer.

fuck 10 years, so if I move to CT Ill live to 110?

fuck 10 years, so if I move to CT Ill live to 110?

Provided you are not murdered :hahaha:

Ayanda Shezi


DEMAND in the South African property market, particularly in the commercial property sector, is still strong and a new report released late last month shows that interest in Gauteng’s commercial and industrial property is at a record high.

Frank Reardon, MD of eProp, SA’s online commercial and industrial property portal, said Gauteng commercial and industrial property attracted the most interest.

Of the more than 100000 searches on e-Prop during the first quarter of this year, 57% of all provincial searches were directed at Gauteng, including 803 searches for Gauteng offices and a further 538 for Gauteng retail.

Opportunities are huge as Gauteng generates about 60% of SA’s gross domestic product.

The most frequently requested searches, by area and sector, are: Gauteng offices, followed by Gauteng retail, Western Cape offices, Gauteng factories, and Gauteng industrial.

The report shows that Western Cape makes up about 25% of its total property searches — followed by KwaZulu-Natal, with about 10%.

The portal is an online tool designed to support tenants looking for space, investors looking for properties and even companies looking to compare the rent they are currently paying.

Reardon said research by eProp also backed up the traffic trends. eProp’s most recent Commercial Property Confidence Index (CPCI) finds that 100% of respondents anticipate an increase in the number and value of industrial leases over the next six months. In the retail sector, 100% expect vacancies to decline over the same period.

The index tracks the sentiment of a sample of property managers, asset and portfolio managers and brokers.

Respondents rate their expectations of 10 market factors that are unique to commercial property. These include the number of leases and sales, value of leases and sales, net operating income, rental and vacancy levels, capitalisation rates and staff employed

Leases concluded by Redefine Income Fund during the first six months of its current financial year reflect the improvement in the market and increasingly confident business sentiment.

Leases concluded by Redefine Income Fund during the first six months of its current financial year reflect the improvement in the market and increasingly confident business sentiment.

New leases concluded over 18,865m2 and renewals over 18,764m2 by Redefine during the six months represent a combined monthly income in excess of R1.5 million.

“In comparing these figures against the same period of the previous year (new 7,405m2, renewals 13,073m2) it is evident that Redefine reaping the rewards of a more confident business sentiment within South Africa,” said Lana Brown, national leasing manager for Redefine.

At 28 February 2005 96.3% of Redefine’s portfolio was leased (Feb 2004: 93.4%).

“Specifically, the reduction of available industrial premises is another indication that business within the country is buoyant and looks forward to longer term growth, which is evident through the length of leases that are being signed,” said Brown.

Redefine's lease expiry profile has continued to improve and outperform the sector average with 66.7% of leases expiring in 2008 and beyond.

Redefine has also improved its tenant retention with almost all renewals during the period being concluded.

“Areas where the uptake of premises is slower than others include Rivonia, due to the perceived traffic congestion, Bruma, as a result of perceived high crime and Bryanston, resulting from the oversupply,” explained Brown.

guys i have new durban pics spewing out of me like a grey street curry...come on...spread the love of ur cities a bit more!! i really want to see more of the false bay coast...love that area...gordons bay and the like.

And why oh why dont we have any PE people...dont they own pc's there???

Expatriates South African home bound
03 May 2005


First-timers, down-sizers, upgraders, baby boomers and now expatriates are shaping into a definitive and potentially very lucrative market segment for the residential property industry..

Property purchases by expatriates - mostly by those based in the United Kingdom - have long been a feature of the local market but the inclination has matured into the fullness of a highly promising trend since last year's general election, which many believe has proven a watershed for removing the final fears of political instability.

Just how strong that inclination is can be measured by the small number of houses listed for sale these days with estate agents by emigrating owners. Even then, by far the majority is business-driven rather than anxiety fuelled over the country's future. But more telling of the potential power of the trend is the number of expatriates reported wanting their own slice of South Africa for future domicile.

Pam Golding Properties London office gave some indication of that measure recently with its report that a quarter of all its foreign enquiries for SA properties was sourced from expatriates looking to invest in South African property. CEO Andrew Golding says 50 percent of the company's expat buyers are returning this year while the other half intend returning in the future.

This depth of interest and potential has been well observed by South African-born Scott Picken who has given full recognition to the trend by creating a UK-based company, International Property Solutions (IPS), around the core business of a "one-stop-shop' in helping UK-based expatriates buy local property. Picken, a Natalian, who studied construction management at UCT, was quick to identify the expatriate potential when working for an Irish Developer in London.

He was inspired to create IPS in partnership with a friend after the pair struggled to purchase a property during a Christmas break here. Clouding its conclusion for them was the marked lack of a comprehensive service within local structures to assist overseas buyers. As a result, IPS, he says, has concentrated on moulding that fragmentation into an entire “under one roof” process from the point of finding investment properties, through the financing, purchasing and transfer process and most important with the management of the property if it is to be tenanted.

Picken says IPS prides itself on the relationships it has built up with its strategic partners to ensure a smooth and efficient process for our clients. These include FNB for all the banking requirements, strb Buchanan Boyes Smith Tabata Attorneys’ for the conveyancing process, SGM-FX for the foreign exchange and Just Lettings for the management solution.

So successful has their venture become that since opening the London office in July 04 further office openings have been made in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban and in March an office in Dubai intended to service the home needs of some 40 000 expatriates working there.

So far 70 residential sales to UK-based expatriates have been filed by IPS in London and good activity is being anticipated by the Dubai office. IPS believes this success is due to a restructuring of the process where the company acts in the interests of the buyer, builds up a level of trust, works with the partners in South Africa, does the due diligence on the properties and tries to ensure that their clients are making good property investments. Picken says their policy is based on long term client relationships, which they believe will provide sustainability for the company.

With some three quarters of a million South Africans - Picken puts it at about one in eleven of all Londoners - shored up in that city, he is not short of interest for his bi-monthly marketing seminars of some 150 delegates, which he anchors with a 45 to 60 minute analysis on the South African property market. Property hotspots, trends and forecasts are all highlighted with anyone showing interest invited to further one-on-one interviews and if ownership is the objective then the formulation of a purchasing strategy.

Picken says his role has been made easy by South African expatriate's deep passion for their homeland with most nursing the ultimate goal of returning back home. The bull run on SA property prices has also served as a strong wake-up call not to delay ownership and while a local investor might have to supplement rental income by R3 000 a month or so to cover a bond, this is small sacrifice for a UK worker paid in sterling.

South African expatriates, which Picken puts at about 1,2 million now living in the UK, are not the only IPS target market. Just recently the company started marketing the local holiday home market to British and Irish potential buyers encouraged by forecasts that the current one in eight Britons over the age of 50 currently owning overseas homes is set to rise to four in eight in this age group by 2015.

Evidence of this interest trend has emerged at European trade shows attended by IPS where Picken says South Africa is usually poorly represented. IPS was the sole SA representative at a recent February show at which some 200 property providers, including Australian, New Zealand, Spanish and Florida property companies, competed for attention. IPS was inundated at the show with inquiries of local market conditions.

IPS has also taken their inter-continental connection a step further, by now offering a service to South Africans wanting to purchase property in the UK either as an individual in an outright purchase or in the form of an investment fund with a minimum investment of 10 000 pound sterling. In both instances IPS commit to managing the property.

Why aren't the buggers buying my house ? - Pleeeeease I want to get to AKL ;) Spread the word that a really gr8 house is going for a song.

GUYS!!!

go rate 88 on field....please :)

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=214686

March, braai to keep 'Pretoria' :
19/05/2005 21:12 - (SA)

Pretoria - Civic group, students, retired rugby players and political party supporters are to march for the retention of Pretoria's name on Saturday, followed by a braai.

The protesters are opposed to the registration of Tshwane as a place name with the SA Geographical Names Council (SAGNC), as proposed by the metro council in March.

This would see the metropolitan area being renamed, with only the city centre remaining Pretoria.

Saturday's march, organised by a grouping calling itself Pretoria Civil Action (PCA), is to set off from Church Square at 10:30 and stretch for three city blocks to the offices of Arts and Culture Minister Pallo Jordan.

It is due to end at 11:15, in time for the start of the rugby match between the Blue Bulls and the Waratahs, said Freedom Front Plus MP Willie Spies.

A big screen is to be erected on Church Square for marchers to enjoy the match with a braai.

Kallie Kriel, spokesman for trade union Solidarity, said the metro council had given permission for the public to use gas braais on Church Square during the broadcast.

Afrikaans singer Steve Hofmeyr was to lead the march, with former rugby players Uli Schmidt, Piet Uys (chairman of the Blue Bulls Old Players Association), Thys Lourens and Willie Kahts also expected to take part, said Spies.

"We are expecting anywhere between 1 000 and 5 000 people to attend the march, but one cannot really estimate as it is an open invitation.

"We are inviting everyone to attend the march, not only the rugby legends and celebrities. Everyone who wants to keep the name Pretoria should attend."

Kriel said organisations supporting the march included the Gauteng North Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Federation of Afrikaans Cultural Organisations (FAK), and the "Pretoria Remains Pretoria" group - consisting of 27 organisations and political parties, including the Democratic Alliance and FF Plus.

The PCA is a pressure group formed by business, cultural and trade union organisations to preserve Pretoria's name.

Spies said a petition asking for the retention of the city's name is to be handed to the arts and culture department on Saturday, as well as a similar one signed by about 3 000 University of Pretoria students.

The SAGNC is to meet on May 26 to decide whether or not to recommend the registration of the name Tshwane to Jordan, who will then put the matter to parliament.

Successful registration of the name would see it being used on road signs, in weather reports and on all official documentation.

KEEP PRETORIA!!!!!

I like Pretoria and have spoken to plenty of people I know and they also like the name. I think there are some people who are pushing the name thing for their financial benefit.

I still cant get the photo thing to work. anyway here is the link to some of my pics. Just a couple cos am very busy at work at the moment.

http://www.pbase.com/mike2005/inbox

Il try to dig up some of where I live which is Camps Bay, and of the CBD.

P.S if anyone could work out how to post those photos from the link onto this site it would be great if you could do that for me! When I was training at Clifford Chance in London the IT department gave up trying to teach me how to use computers!!!

Mike, please check this post and then click on the Quote button as if you replying to me and see what I have done to post this picture of yours and then you can try to do the same thing to other pictures.

This is the ABSA building from your gallery.

http://i.pbase.com/u26/mike2005/large/43609001.ABSA.jpg

I cant see the pic of the absa building. I hate computers!!!!

I cant see the pic of the absa building. I hate computers!!!!

All your pics have been added to the CT construction thread. Now I am going to watch Star Wars - I am so excited to see it - byeeeee

I have added some more pics of the table and camps bay.

http://www.pbase.com/mike2005/inbox

Not our hero, black SA tells Mugabe survey
Rob Rose

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ONLY one in seven black South Africans believes Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is doing a good job, says a new study — a pattern that belies the perception that black South Africans typically still regard him as an African liberation hero.

Mugabe has always received applause each time he visits SA from the mainly black community, suggesting he was quite popular. But the research paints a different picture.

Conducted by Research Surveys for a new book by journalist Geoff Hill, the study is the first into the attitudes of South Africans towards Zimbabwe and that country’s land-reform programme. Interviews were conducted with 2000 South Africans, 1400 of them black, as part of Hill’s efforts to assess what lessons Zimbabwe could offer SA.

Only 15% of black South Africans believe Zimbabwe will have a positive future while Mugabe remains in power, and less than 4% of whites and 8% of coloureds support Zimbabwe’s former liberator, the research shows.


Two-thirds of all South Africans — black and white alike — say SA should not adopt Zimbabwe’s policy of expropriating land for redistribution.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
GOOD! No offense meant to anyone, but I hate that fucker!

me too, hes an evil man who starves his people to win power

Only 15% of black South Africans believe Zimbabwe will have a positive future while Mugabe remains in power, and less than 4% of whites and 8% of coloureds support Zimbabwe’s former liberator, the research shows.


I wonder what those 4% of whites were smoking at the time of the survey?

Andrew Donaldson joins hundreds of South Africans in London to get turned on to the Homecoming Revolution

22 May 2005

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‘Listen, lemme tell you, I got mates who've made tens of millions of rands! And they couldn't have done it without black economic empowerment! You check?’



HONK IF YOU LOVE SA: South Africans show their fervour at a Homecoming Revolution meeting in London last weekend


NEW EVANGELISTS: Francois Pienaar, Homecoming Revolution ambassador, and Angel Jones, the revolution’s founder




SOUTH Africa House, that colonial pile on Trafalgar Square that is home to the SA High Commission, is at the best of times a sombre and dour building.

Last weekend, though, it hosted the Homecoming Revolution’s first foray into the exterior — that is, it had come to London to talk to South Africans here about going home and doing business there — and the place was transformed into a great, gooey lurve palace; a church of sorts, whose gospel was a charismatic mixture of born-again national pride, a bit of mammon idolatry and good old-fashioned homesickness.

Over three sessions — two on the Saturday and one on the Sunday — close on 500 South Africans, all paying good money to be there, jammed into the small basement theatre at SA House to learn more about business opportunities in the country they had left three to 10 years previously.

South Africans are going home, and they’re doing so in substantial numbers. At one of the stalls at the seminar last Saturday, Louis le Roux, the group sales and marketing director with Stuttaford Van Lines, said that at the height of the post-independence brain drain his company was shipping seven containers to the UK for every container brought into SA. “We’ve now reached parity,” he said. “For every container coming here, we’ve got one going home.”

A few calls to UK-based freight companies confirmed this. One manager revealed that his shipments for families returning to SA were up by 15% over the previous year. “For every two containers going south,” he added, “we’re getting the one coming north.”

Those returning home gave various reasons for doing so. Some were students who’d graduated, paid back their loans, picked up a bit of work experience here and now wanted to get back. Others had decided SA was not, after all, going to collapse into basket-case chaos. Some were just sick of London. And some said they didn’t know when they would be leaving the UK, but they would definitely be returning one day — and hopefully soon.

But it’s not just about coming home. It’s about coming home and doing something to help the country. Hence the theme of the Homecoming Revolution’s seminar, “Creating Businesses in SA”, which is seen as “vital” if the revolution is to play a part in bringing skills back to the country, growing the economy and tackling unemployment. And it’s attracted the attention of Francois Pienaar, former Springbok rugby captain, and Cheryl Carolus, former SA High Commissioner in London and now chairman of the SA Parks Board, who are among the campaign’s ambassadors.

The revolution, then, began with Angel Jones, an advertising executive who left the country in the early 1990s and who, in her opening remarks last weekend had this to say of her Damascene conversion: “It was all out of love. We’re here because of love. It was a freezing cold Tuesday morning in 1999 and we all came down here, a whole lot of us white South Africans, and we were standing outside South Africa House and Madiba came out on the balcony, and he looked down and he said he loved us all.

“He said, ‘I love you all! I want to put you in my pockets and take you home!’ And we all cheered, and then I thought, ‘What the hell am I doing here? What the hell are we all doing here?’”

Two years later, Jones moved back to Johannesburg to open an international advertising agency. While it was great to be home, she was appalled at the stream of talented people leaving the country. Then she had the idea: “Let’s reverse the brain drain, let’s start a homecoming revolution.”


The revolution has a manifesto of sorts, posted on its website: “The purpose of the campaign is not to generate excess revenue but to be self-sustaining, by implementing a global communication strategy and by establishing a service that makes it easier for homecomers to settle back in the country. South Africa is poised for an economic take-off and we need all hands on deck to build the country.”

It further stated, in point form:

•“For every one skilled worker who returns, 10 new jobs are created;

•“This campaign is for all South Africans: black, white, brown and pink;

•“This initiative is not for pessimists, racists, bigots and moaners;

•“This is a ‘no-bullshit’ campaign, we tell it like it is, the good and the bad;

•“We don’t run down other countries”; and

•“We don’t position SA as the ‘poor cousin’ needing help.”

With this in mind, the revolution then undertook to convince expatriates about the future of their homeland — and their role in it.

As Jones put it, “We want this country to work. The Homecoming Revolution is good for business and it’s good for our karma. Our research showed that an overwhelming 78% of young South Africans didn’t intend leaving South Africa permanently. With the right communication strategy, we could change people from thinking, ‘I’m a failure if I return home,’ to, ‘I’m a pioneer, a visionary, an entrepreneur.’”


The speakers that followed Jones all went some distance in sexing up the country’s economic landscape. They fell into two groups: those who spoke in a more or less dispassionate and objective manner — and those who did so in an evangelical rock ’n roll kind of way.

The former group included Willem Roos, MD of Outsurance, who drew on data relating to his half a million or so clients in revealing that crime rates were falling, and Cees Bruggemans, chief economist with FNB, who painted a rosy picture of an economy in shockingly good health.

“We’re like an emerging Australia; we’re where Australia was in the early 1990s,” Bruggemans said, detailing investment and business opportunities in the country.

Then came Leslie Maasdorp, of Goldman Sachs International, who tried to de-claw and de-fang for his audience the beast that is black economic empowerment and convince them that it was basically a Good Thing.

Judging by questions and comments from the floor — “It’s just nationalisation via the back door!” — one can’t be sure he succeeded, but he was helped by other speakers, those of the evangelical rock ’n roll persuasion, like Paul Harris, chief executive of FirstRand Banking Group.

Harris stressed that it was a Good Thing — such a Good Thing, in fact, that, far from being forced on the corporate sector, the corporate sector had instead gone out and embraced it.

And, as if that wasn’t enough, out came this contribution from Allon Raiz, CEO of Raizcorp and a serial entrepreneur: “Listen, lemme tell you, I got mates who’ve made tens of millions of rands! And they couldn’t have done it without black economic empowerment! You check?” Well, then, there you go — tens of millions of reasons.


Raiz was one of the evangelical rock ’n roll types. An amiable young Durban boykie whose accent is redolent of Sol Kerzner’s — that is, half honk and all salesman spiel — he had been tasked with outlining the qualities and attributes of your basic entrepreneur.

What he told his audience was, roughly, this: an entrepreneur is resilient, far-sighted, has extremely large testicles and is possessed of a mania about making money that is well nigh frightening. It wasn’t very politically correct, but then as he pointed out, “Africa is not for sissies.”

Fellow evangelicals Eddie Mokhoanatse, founder and CEO of Nubia Media and Publishing, Dr Taddy Blecher, CEO of Cida City Campus, and Harris all related their moments of conversion.

For Mokhoanatse, a member of the Soweto Uprising generation who became a prominent ANC member in exile, it came in 1987 when he chanced upon a book on desktop publishing, then in its infancy. He returned after the unbanning of the ANC, becoming something of a guerrilla capitalist, raising his venture money as a street trader in Johannesburg. (‘I was making about R18000 to R25000 a month,’ he smiled. ‘Untaxed.’)

Harris was in Australia when it happened. “I was driving in Hornsby, Sydney,” he said, “when it hit me. Just like that. I just stopped the car and announced, ‘I’ve had enough. I’m going home.’ And I can tell you I have not regretted that decision. Not for a single nanosecond.”


Blecher, though, was the best of the lot. Selected by the World Economic Forum as one its Young Global Leaders, he was billed as a “social entrepreneur” — whatever that is. He had an electrifying effect on his audience with an inspirational presentation that was candid and shot through with an infectious, self-deprecating sense of humour.

But, jokes aside, when he did preach, his message was deceptively simple, and it was this:

If you’re a South African and you’re living abroad and you have no intention of returning home, fine. That’s okay. You’re allowed to stay. But don’t badmouth the country.

“Please just forgive us if we’re preaching,” he announced. “But we’re family. We can do that. We’re a family of 46- or 47 million. We love you all. And we’re bloody good at what we do. I mean, look at us. We’re propping up the health system here. We’re propping up the education system. In fact, we’re probably running Australia by now.”

But now it was SA’s turn. “We’re an inclusive South Africa,” he continued. “Everybody is included in the running of our economic engine. Everybody, no matter where you are.”

According to Martine Schaffer, MD of Homecoming Revolution, the weekend’s events were such a success that more seminars are being planned. And here’s a tip: if Blecher’s on the bill, spread the word.

wow inspiring. Im am glad that we have reached an equilibrium with the amount of emimmigrating balancing with those returing. Next step is get those who left for the wrong reasons back.I have met so many who left cos we were turning into a uganda or a zimbabwe and it never happed nor will it happen. These sitting ojn the fence individuals need to return with their wealth and experience.
I mean if my Australain wife would rather live in Cape Town than at home then who am I to argue.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
A happy wife is a happy home. :)

New Mexico has one of the largest South African expatriate communties in America, and I know more tham several. I personally know 7 South Africans planning to return home within the next year.

OH COME ON ! Don't tell me that you guys are so blind that you ignore to see the irony and the propaganda behind "the homecoming revolution" ??

I am really worried to see that you all put so much faith in a CAMPAIGN created by a financial institution, who make it quite clear that they will "assist" you with a bank account and "other" matters when you return to South Africa. I must take my hat off to their marketing team for coming up with this campaign.

The website used to have a chat room which was CLOSED because expats and locals were warning people NOT TO RETURN to SA. 1 out of every 11 participants said that they will NEVER return to South Africa. Now the chat room has been closed and replaced by a filter system. This is taken from their website ....

"Thank you so much for contributing to our forum which has been an integral part of our website for the past two years. We have taken the decision to replace the chat room with a user friendly notice board which we believe will be very valuable and constructive for homecomers who are planning their journey home".

I used to believe in "the homecoming revolution" before I made this discovery and before a rather well known personality pointed out the facts to me. This person also told me to open my eyes and to start seeing the propaganda created by the ANC which gives The apartheid era National Party a run for their money.

Let's explore this campaign -

1. "For every one skilled worker who returns, 10 new jobs are created" -

How the hell can that be ? The Government can't even create jobs after making such promises for the last 11 Years. Now "Adam" can return to SA and create 10 jobs - yeah right. The unemployment rate is at its worst levels due to the strong Rand and other issues (now that the Rand is currently the worst performing currency jobs might be created again). A conservative figure indicates that the unemployment rate is at 35% (The UN says it stands at 45%) but the ANC will tell you that it is 25% - strange that the rest of the world don't accept their statistics but then again you can't blame them, the South African Government is one of the most corrupt Governments in the World (The Arms Deal, The Big Bay debacle, Travelgate, Black ELITE Empowerment..). I firmly believe that The SA Government is also doctoring the crime stats - why are areas like Parklands in Cape Town building higher walls, electrifying fences and why are so many people that a person knows still being affected by crime and why are areas like upper Long Street experiencing increase in crime again and why are tourists being mugged, raped and stabbed at tourist attractions ? I can go on and on.

2. "This campaign is for all South Africans: black, white, brown and pink" -

Sure it is BUT they forget to tell you that if you are White, a Coloured or an Indian you will not be guaranteed of getting a job. They don't tell you that a black person will be considered for the job before you. South Africa's Constitution looks fabulous on paper but in reality there is NO equal and fair opportunities for all. They also fail to tell you that a white-owned company should not even bother tendering for major contracts. Only black-owned Companies or companies where the major shareholders are black can tender. The South African Government is so brazen that they even stipulate this as a criteria for tenders. What a wonderful democracy we are. Free and fair - yeah right ;)

3. "This initiative is not for pessimists, racists, bigots and moaners" -

After reading a statement like this alarm bells should be ringing. Why even mention something like this if there is such a HOMECOMING REVOLUTION ? It has no place here and is out of context BUT wait - propaganda ! Now I am too scared to say something because I am going to be considered a pessimist, a racist, a bigot and a moaner. Who wants to be that ? I guess that I will just shut up and keep my thoughts to myself. NOT ME - sorry, I don't buy it. Not watching TV for the last 3 years has saved my senses and made me more aware of what is really happenning. Alot of the people on this forum have already fallen into this trap - THINK POSITIVE - PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN. Oh please ! Please tell me if there is any other country in the world where there are "SA the good news" and "the homecoming revolution" websites, as well as "PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN" logos plastered on billboards and TV ads ? Immediately I think that the county is in trouble hence all the propaganda and mass media trying to convince people that "SA is not so bad"

4. "This is a ‘no-bullshit’ campaign, we tell it like it is, the good and the bad" -

Have a look at the little messages running across the ticker-tape at the top of the web-site. Not one BAD thing is mentioned, everything is positive" and I have noticed things that were reported wrongly eg. South Africa doesn't rank at 18th on the World Competetiveness Report (as reported on their website), New Zealand holds that position. South Africa is at position 41. They also "forget" to mention that South Africa has SLIPPED to its lowest position on The Human Development Index.

5. "Our research showed that an overwhelming 78% of young South Africans didn’t intend leaving South Africa permanently" -

How many young South Africans did they interview - 200 ?? and I am willing to bet that 90% of them were black. They didn't come to my College and they didn't interview the waitresses and waiters who are studying or still at school. Just this evening I met another waitress who is leaving the Country as soon as she matriculates. ALL my sisters children are all going to study over-seas with the intention of making a life for themselves there . 85% of the students at my College want to leave as soon as they graduate. Their intention is to leave SA PERMANENTLY. Another reason to distrust the homecomig revolution and they say that there is no bull-shit - HA HA.

The creators of "The Homecoming Revolution" should be sued for creating a false sense of security so that they can benefit for their own purposes. It is no secret that people want to leave The UK and it is also easy to forget why you left a country when you are no longer living there. It is because of those reasons that The UK has been targeted. They also fail to report that various removal Companies are inundated with requests for emmigration to Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Why are other countries like Australia, Canada and New Zealand not being targeted by this "wonderful" campaign ??

They also fail to report that various police stations in Cape Town can't cope with the requests for "police clearance certificates" and that you have to make an appointment to apply for one.

Approximately 350 000 South Africans live in the UK of which about 215 000 can be found in London. Only 400 and something South Africans attended the London sessions and they call it a success.

Another reason to not fall for all this propaganda is Blecher's statement - "In fact, we’re probably running Australia by now” and guess what, there are probably South Africans that believe him just as the Nazis thought that Hitler was right in every aspect.

And if you don't believe that it is propaganda - read the article again and look at their choice of wording - look at the phrases and words that are high-lighted. Go and look at their website again - free your mind.

As promised, I have also provided all of you with an explanation as to why I have no more faith in SA and the low cost housing issue - which will be posted on the "CT -
Construction" thread.

P.S. don't bother replying with you are NEGATIVE bullshit because I don't buy into propaganda. Rather provide me with some constructive debate.

Alot of the people on this forum have already fallen into this trap - THINK POSITIVE - PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN. Oh please ! Please tell me if there is any other country in the world where there are "SA the good news" and "the homecoming revolution" websites, as well as "PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN" logos plastered on billboards and TV ads ? Immediately I think that the county is in trouble hence all the propaganda and mass media trying to convince people that "SA is not so bad"


Just to correct you... There was a campaign during the 90's in Australia that focused on building national pride amongst the countries citizens, encouraged people to buy australian made goods and to promote their country abroad! This is the campaign on which the Proudly South African campaign based themselves.

Dont forget that a nation that has come through what this country has, needs to build national pride and a sense of community. A campaign like PSA does just that and imo has done a good job at it.

The need for many of these publications is due to the passion expat south africans have of bad mouthing their homeland. They will take a statistic, a comment or even someones opinion as fact, and then totally blow it out of proportion so as to totally justify their life choices. Campaigns like this set out to show that there is more to this country than what their fellow expat south africans are telling them.

Its people like you that they dont want to try and encourage, for it comes across to me, that you are an INCREDIBLY difficult person to please, and may never be fully satisfied with any resolution. You may say that you are not fooled by this form of "propoganda", and that we are all gullible saps for being proudly south african...but in reality your opinion is just that and nothing more. A dissatisfied mans attempt at seeing "the deeper meaning" of what these great campaigns are all about.

Somehow i think that your quest for always looking beyond the surface, always needing to find some hidden "truth", lies at the centre of your dislike with this nation. Anyone can find problems in a system if they are looking for them...the problems may be there, or may be they are just in ones head, but either way there will always be some problem that justifies their particular stance and reaffirms ones decision. And frankly i believe that is just what you are about.

Call me what you like, have your big brash statements, bang on everyones door, go to the papers (as if they care what you think anyway) and bitch away on every forum. Go for it. If that is what will truely make you happy, then post away. Tell us how wonderful your next destination is...and the next and the next and the next........cos i personally believe that the life of a nomad is perfectly suited to you. You can jump from place to place. When something gets under your skin in one city, just move to the next and repeat the cycle. You will find fault wherever you go and that is sad.

So happy travelling...happy life...

Well sorry we love this country and see a great future for it, as do Barclays and General Motors!! I know you dont and that is fine but to make out that we are ignorant and nieve and so too are the managers of Barclays and General Motors etc is a bit rich!

BTW there were only 500 places for the event and they were inundated with requests for tickets.

Also the 40% unemployment rate does NOT take into account the informal sector which makes the stat meaningless in a place like SA. Most people in the banking sector accept that the real unemployment rate is nearer to 25% if one takes into account the informal sector which in any case often has higher take home pay due to the fact they dont pay tax.

And BEE has created a large new black middle class that has helped SA into a period of sustained economic growth and is actually GOOD for the economy. Study the OM deal and you wouldnt take your racist stance on BEE. It is actually a well thought out process and some of the deals coming though now are very innovative and are anything NOT corrupt. Thats why the first global debt for BEE deals floated on the london capital markets was oversubscribed, and thats why global hedge funds love funding BEE deals!

Also yes aspects of the ANC are corrupt but no more so than other governments. The Labour party in Britain gave the contact to manufacture germ warfare measures to the biggest donar to the labour party and there are many other examples of their corruption and lies. And dont even get me started on the EU.

Also SA is rising in the global competitiveness rankings and if you read the new ANC economic policy documents we will be rising even further in the future because the ruling party is coming up with some very good ideas on the economy

much as I dont want to rubbish other countries but I was forwarded this by an american friend and I had to laugh! According to a leading NZ economist the biggest foreign investment in NZ this year will be Shania Twain's house!!!! My god that is pathetic!! No wonder a leading british bank just DISINVESTED from NZ!! Just to let you know Gandalf that in the City and Wall Street SA is viewed with great respect and it is NZ trhat is viewed as a bit of a joke. Thats why there are 9 New York law Firms in SA and NONE in NZ, and the number of employees of ABN AMRO in SA alone is the same as the TOTAL number of employees of all the major international investment banks put together in NZ. But then you wouldnt know that would you Gandalf? The nearest you get to the world of finance is the local branch of FNB!!!!!! I read an earlier post of yours that people viewed Tokyo Sexwale and Cyril Ramaphosa as a joke in london: TOTAL CRAP. How come most of their deals are financed by London and New York banks?

Enjoy your time in the worlds economic backwater!

Low wages cited as real bogey


23.05.05


By SIMON COLLINS


Low wages, not low savings, are New Zealand's real economic problem, says Auckland University economist Tim Hazledine.

Finance Minister Michael Cullen's new KiwiSaver scheme was tilting at the wrong target, he said.

"I don't think there is a savings shortage, not in the sense of people who want to invest not being able to get funding," said Professor Hazledine.

"It's the lack of desire to invest that is the problem. Even the foreigners who come to this country don't invest in new things, they invest in existing assets.

"The biggest investment this year is going to be Shania Twain's house in Wanaka."

I know you will say 'just ignore me' and all that, but I bet if I went into the NZ forum and started slagging off NZ repeatedly they would get very very pissed off, just as we do when you slag off SA.

@ Dysan -

Thanks Dysan - I am well aware of the fact that there are many Countries that have "buy Australia" etc. including New Zealand. I have not disputed this. What fascinates me is the whole "think positive of South Africa campaign" which reminds me of The "bread and circus" technique during the Roman Empire. Convince the people that they must think positive and then things will be easier for the ruling party. I also agree with you that the Country might need this kind of campaign but hardly to the point where it reaches a point of propaganda and deceit.

It is easy to say that expats are bad-mouthing the Country when in fact they are telling the truth. I am not going to go to New Zealand and tell tourists visiting SA that they can walk around Cape Town at night with their cameras out and that there is no poverty and that there is no harrassment from street children and vagrants who are taking over the city. As for blowing things out of proportion, I am sorry to have to inform you that nothing has been blown out of proportion on this forum and it may only seem like that because things are that bad.

Just yesterday there was another news article about how vagrants and street children are waiting for tour buses to arrive at the World famous site in Blouberg (where they can take pics of Table Mountain from across the Bay) to beg for money and mug people. They now use the public loos as their homes with their washing lying everywhere and this is supposed to be a tourist friendly city - Ok !

You may argue that it is poverty etc. ok, then why wasn't this the situation a year ago. Why are things deteriorating so rapidly .. the city centre is over-run with street children and vagrants ... the city centre is recording an increase in crime when in fact it WAS diminishing ... the V & A Waterfront is over-run with street children and vagrants to the point where they are begging inside restaurants, the shopping centre and even inside the cinema ... Camp's Bay is over-run by mobile hawkers (on Friday evening we sat at a pavement cafe having supper and the situation was so bad that people were asking for tables inside due to the harassment from all the hawkers. You can't even talk to your companion without them rudely interrupting you and the same hawkers ask you to buy their trash over and over again) ... why are the streets so dirty with vagrants using bus shelters and interchanges as their homes .... Cape Town was not like this over a year ago so please don't tell me that it is poverty. We could go hiking with our cameras hanging around our necks, I could go to Sandy Bay alone ... what is the answer then.

Poverty has existed since the 1994 elections and according to you and Mike there is a huge middle class now with poverty being erradicated. There is no excuse for the way things are deteriorating. It seems to to be just the opposite.

My opinion is just that - I accept that and I have no intention on going overseas to stop others from coming to SA although I will not lie to them either. At least I have tried to make Cape Town a better city by writing letters and to some degree it has helped (the Jamieson Street house for example) which is more than I can say for most South Africans who would rather just accept things for how they are and be happily complacent.

I have realised that things are not going to get better and the South Africa that I know has become far too African for my liking (read my explanation in the CT thread), so yes I am going but don't expect to me to shut my mouth when I read things like The Homecoming Revolution which is one huge farce. I speak to many black people daily and word in the townships is that there is a "war" brewing between black South Africans and African immigrants - don't believe me, go and speak to people in the townships. I am sure that Pule has also heard about it.

We are all nomads, be it localised or on a global scale. I don't know anybody that has just remained in one spot all their lives and I am certain that we all carry on evolving during our life-time, we always want more and we want to make the world a better place. If that is not you then I am afraid that you are as good as dead.

I have passion, determination and a will to strive for the truth - it is hardly sad. What is sad is complacency. Thanks for your input.

@ Mike ..

Barclays and GM hardly invest in a country because they love it - it is purely for monetary reasons and profits. As soon as the shit hits the fan in this Country they will be gone (as in any country). As I have said before, it is really great that you love SA and the country does need more people like you. I am sure that Dave will also move here soon as will your relative from NYC - that is great and I admire your passion - one of mankind's most endearing attributes. So don't be sorry - be proud ;)

If there was 500 seats and they were inundated with seat requests, why were there just under 500 people (which could have been 480 or 490 or even 499 people) ? - I quote:

"Over three sessions — two on the Saturday and one on the Sunday — close on 500 South Africans" Mike - are you thumb-sucking ? ;)

Yes BEE has created a new black ELITE class aka Tokyo Sexwale and Cyril Ramaphosa. Strange that they always seem to get awarded all the big BEE tenders/contracts. If you think that a handful of ANC cronies is "creating a large new black middle class" - so be it but I think not.

I also agree with you that most Governments are corrupt - hell - all Governments are and that is why they should not be believed. I have not disputed this and I agree with you.

Yes, SA rose two points this year to 46th position after dropping to the 48th position but that doesn't mean the homecoming revolution has the right to lie about it (I don't have the print-out in front of me but I think that is the position - correct me if I am wrong). New Zealand also rose 2 positions to 16th position. I might also add that the ruling party has been coming up with some very good ideas on the economy since 1996 - does the RDP (Rolex, Diamonds and Pearls for the black elite) or GEAR ring any bells - HA HA !

You read the ANC POLICIES ? you will make a truly great South African. I mean it. Thanks for your input - quite mature of you but some thumb-sucking there ;) At least you didn't insult me.

By the way - Harmony Mines will be retrenching 12 000 workers - here is the report (when will it all end, I feel very sorry for these people):

"HARMONY Gold CE Bernard Swanepoel, whose $3,8bn hostile bid for Gold Fields led to a collapse in his company’s stock, says he will sell Harmony’s stake in its rival and fire almost 12000 Harmony workers as losses mount"



You might also find this interesting (proof that unemployment has increased)-

President Thabo Mbeki on Friday questioned the accuracy of unemployment figures provided by Statistics SA and said it was difficult to get an accurate picture of the joblessness in SA.

Writing in the African National Congress' online publication, ANC Today, he said it was unfortunately difficult to get an accurate picture of the job situation in the country.

"This is not to question the fact that we have a high unemployment rate. Precisely because of this, it is necessary that our collective response should be correctly focused, based on the real situation rather than perceptions," he said.

Recent studies suggested that for at least a decade now, the economy had both shed and created jobs, with the number of jobs created exceeding jobs lost through retrenchment.

"However, despite the fact that we have not experienced 'jobless growth', unemployment has increased because of poor labour absorption."

South Africa's labour market statistics were collected and published by Stats SA, which used the strict International Labour Organisation's (ILO) definition of unemployment.

According to Stats SA, there were 4.4 million unemployed people in March 2004.

"According to Stats SA, these were people who were actively looking for jobs or trying to create work for themselves. On this basis, Stats SA said our official (narrow definition) unemployment rate in March 2004 was 26.9%.

"Given the structure of our society and our labour market, this means that in March 2004 there were at least 4 million South Africans walking about in our villages, our towns and cities 'actively looking for work'.

"This is such a large number of people that nobody could possibly have missed the millions that would be in the streets and village paths 'actively looking for work' in all likely places of employment.

"It therefore seems quite unlikely that the Stats SA figure is correct, if indeed it used the standard international ILO definition to determine the unemployment rate.

"If this is the case, this means that it becomes very difficult to assess ourselves relative to other countries, which might use the ILO definition more strictly."

For instance, unemployment in Brazil in March this year was given as standing at 10.8%. The highest point it reached in the past decade, at about 15%, was around January 2000.

In India, the unemployment rate in 2002 was given as 8.8% and 9.1% in 2003.

"The latest unemployment figure we could find for Nigeria was for 1988, when unemployment was said to stand at 7.3%. The unemployment rate for the Philippines in April 2004 was said to be 13.7%.

"Even a rudimentary understanding of the political economy of these sister countries would suggest that it is hardly likely that the difference between their unemployment rates and ours could be as large as the Stats SA figures suggest," Mbeki said.

"The central matter at issue in this regard is that if in fact such a difference exists, we would then have to undertake actions to address unemployment, fundamentally different from virtually any other country in the world.

"We would have to treat South Africa as a truly unique and exceptional case, globally.

"Among other things, this might suggest that we should undertake a radical review of our economic policies. This emphasises the point that we have to ensure that we obtain and act on a factually accurate picture of our unemployment challenges."

Some employers believed they would best serve their interests by projecting the economy as one that was mainly characterised by enormous job losses.

They believed that in this way, they would oblige government to roll back the rights won by workers since 1994. They argued that to respond to the challenge of unemployment, there was no choice but to ensure maximum 'labour market flexibility'.

At the same time, some trade unions also believed they would best serve their interests by projecting the economy in that manner.

They believed that in this way they would secure the best conditions for the protection of the jobs of their members, including the threat posed to these jobs by the competing interests of the unemployed, who were ready to take the jobs of those who were employed.

"Our social partners have a shared interest to defeat the related scourges of unemployment and poverty.

"Properly to respond to this common challenge, they will have to learn how to achieve the correct balance between their partisan and collective interests," Mbeki said.

much as I dont want to rubbish other countries but I was forwarded this by an american friend and I had to laugh! According to a leading NZ economist the biggest foreign investment in NZ this year will be Shania Twain's house!!!! My god that is pathetic!! No wonder a leading british bank just DISINVESTED from NZ!! Just to let you know Gandalf that in the City and Wall Street SA is viewed with great respect and it is NZ trhat is viewed as a bit of a joke. Thats why there are 9 New York law Firms in SA and NONE in NZ, and the number of employees of ABN AMRO in SA alone is the same as the TOTAL number of employees of all the major international investment banks put together in NZ. But then you wouldnt know that would you Gandalf? The nearest you get to the world of finance is the local branch of FNB!!!!!! I read an earlier post of yours that people viewed Tokyo Sexwale and Cyril Ramaphosa as a joke in london: TOTAL CRAP. How come most of their deals are financed by London and New York banks?

Aaaah Mike - just when I thought that we could talk about SA and the problems facing the country you come with this - how lame, really ! I expected more from you BUT I am also glad that you did this because now I will have the pleasure of proving you wrong once again .. stay tuned. I must load my ammo quickly ;)

Ok first - why the fascination with NZ ? I find it strange that your "friend'" would send you something so insignificant - are you not telling us something ?, Are you making plans to live in NZ ? ... mmmmmm ;)

Secondly - it is no mystery as to why there are so many NY law firms in SA and not any in NZ - the high crime rate in South Africa justifies the need for more lawyers and the fact that many lawyers emmigrated pre 1994.

Quite naturally there would be more employees here than NZ - pro rata .... NZ 's population is just over 4 million people (I am willing to bet that Cape Town's unofficial population is close to 4 million people). Once again you don't need to be a rocket scientist to work that out.

Don't go around thinking that NZ doesn't have any problems because you are dead wrong. If the Shania Twain story is true it is hilariously funny and I must agree that it will crack a few people up and I am willing to bet that the Kiwi Forum will also find it funny. At least there they don't hide from the truth and try to sugar-coat everything.

I think that I have told you before that assumption is the mother of all fvck-ups ... I don't bank with FNB and therefore I don't see any of their branches, sorry. Now for the cherry on the cake .... damn ! look at the time, I will revert with stats tomorrow. Stay tuned.

P.S I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT WOOLWORTHS FROM AUSTRALIA HAVE INVESTED AUD$ 2.5 BILLION IN NZ A FEW DAYS AGO ... YOUR FRIEND NEEDS TO GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD - HERE'S LAUGHING AT YOU & YOUR FRIEND :hahaha:

More info regarding the BARCLAYS DEAL -

Barclays takeover will benefit few and widen poverty gap:
June 3, 2005

It is sadly long forgotten that banks are publicly chartered to garner the common wealth for the general benefit of society. Banks are the lifeblood of any economy.

The social contract that accords banks with privileged status requires, in turn, that banks operate with integrity to garner the common wealth for the general benefit of society.

Savings are to be gathered and lent out to finance new enterprises, and so create jobs and new wealth. That, at least, is the theory.
The reality is vastly different. Bankers have come to believe that their public charters are simply licences to print money for their shareholders and senior directors.

The proposed Barclays takeover of Absa doesn't even pretend to benefit the public. A handful of institutions will profit from massive stock market speculation, and senior Absa directors and managers will receive an estimated R1.7 billion.

The takeover proposal is motivated solely by short-term greed. It is crony capitalism at its most vicious, intended to transfer wealth from the middle class and poor to the already-rich.

International analysis of bank mergers over the past decade finds that they result in higher fees and poorer service for consumers and small businessmen, and substantially increased risks of corporate failure.

And the poor - especially in South Africa - are thrown to the mercy of loan sharks and their gangster friends. Yet when they crash, these mega banks turn to the government, pleading to be bailed out at taxpayers' expense on the rationale that they are now too big to fail.

Absa is itself an amalgamation of failed banks and building societies that were closely associated with the apartheid regime. We will never know how much were used for the benefit of the Broederbond and the politically well-connected.

The Reserve Bank bailed out Trust Bank in the infamous lifeboat scam at a cost to taxpayers of over R1bn. The more recent Saambou collapse is estimated to have cost taxpayers over R12bn. And Unifer is also part of the Absa stable.

If Absa's background is distasteful, Barclays's is even more so. Its history originates from the slave trade in the West Indies, and the subsequent plunder of British colonies for the enrichment of a London elite.

When South Africa defaulted on its foreign debt in 1985, a total of
243 foreign banks were caught in the net. Barclays was by far the largest creditor, thus illustrating the scale of its complicity in financing the apartheid system.

Unapologetic and unrepentant, Barclays is now financing the BAe Hawk and BAe/Saab Gripen fighter aircraft of the arms deal .The British government was timeously alerted to the fact that serious allegations of corruption pertaining to BAe had been forwarded to the Heath Special Investigating Unit, and it was informed that finalising the financing arrangements would be fraudulent.

SA Air Force chiefs and the former secretary for defence objected to the BAe proposals, but were overruled by the late Joe Modise who insisted that buying British would support Denel, the state-owned arms company that hovers on bankruptcy.

And the default clauses in the 20-year loan agreements are so onerous and catastrophic that the Minister of Finance, wittingly or unwittingly, has ceded control over South Africa's economic and financial policies to Barclays, the British government and the International Monetary Fund.

He has also done so without requisite authority of the erstwhile Exchequer Act or the current Public Management Finance Act or parliament.

The default clauses illustrate how Third World countries become entrapped in foreign debt, leading to anarchy in countries such as Zimbabwe and Indonesia.

The much-hyped claim that the Barclays proposal represents a massive vote of confidence in South Africa has no substance.
Instead of improving consumer banking services, Barclays evidently has no intention of challenging the present cartel arrangements.

Its focus, apparently, is to concentrate on corporate banking and, in particular, to finance Black Economic Empowerment projects, an issue of dubious economic logic also known as black enrichment of the elite .

The Banking Council admitted at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's business hearings in November 1997 that South Africa's banks had dismally failed their social responsibilities during the apartheid era. Promises then to remedy those failures have not materialised.

South Africa is already dangerously polarised between rich and poor, but the Barclays proposal can only aggravate the situation.

Well the FNB comment was a joke as you well know and none of the law firms from the US in SA are criminal ones they all do banking/finance law.

No facination with NZ its just that seeing as you always slag off SA and you seem to think NZ is so much better I just thought I would mention it. My friend works with me and he has seen this forum and found it amusing that you were leaving SA and moving to NZ. It just pisses me off so much that you want to use the SA forum to rubbish SA all the time.

I have no interest debating SA's future with someone who refuses to see the positives and I think I can speak for all on this forum when I say that. Why do you not just go to the NZ forum? This is all getting very tiresome. I thought this site was about learning about SA and its property industry and exchanging news/gossip about what was happening in the country, and not about debating with a sour racist (and yes your views on how the ANC can do nothing right and you views on BEE are nothing if not racist) Its so tiresome and very very boring. yes you are leaving but you are NOT a bloody martyr..

Anyway I am so frustrated with all this. I hope this site will soon stopped being ruined by your negative responses to every piece of news about SA. There are plenty of sour racist ex pat forums out there now why dont you go to one. After all you yourself set this up to spread good news and you yourself used to hate the kind of person you have become.

Well the FNB comment was a joke as you well know and none of the law firms from the US in SA are criminal ones they all do banking/finance law.

No facination with NZ its just that seeing as you always slag off SA and you seem to think NZ is so much better I just thought I would mention it. My friend works with me and he has seen this forum and found it amusing that you were leaving SA and moving to NZ. It just pisses me off so much that you want to use the SA forum to rubbish SA all the time.

I have no interest debating SA's future with someone who refuses to see the positives and I think I can speak for all on this forum when I say that. Why do you not just go to the NZ forum? This is all getting very tiresome. I thought this site was about learning about SA and its property industry and exchanging news/gossip about what was happening in the country, and not about debating with a sour racist (and yes your views on how the ANC can do nothing right and you views on BEE are nothing if not racist) Its so tiresome and very very boring. yes you are leaving but you are NOT a bloody martyr..

Anyway I am so frustrated with all this. I hope this site will soon stopped being ruined by your negative responses to every piece of news about SA. There are plenty of sour racist ex pat forums out there now why dont you go to one. After all you yourself set this up to spread good news and you yourself used to hate the kind of person you have become.

You are right - it is rather cumbersome and very boring - a debate is a two way street. The truth always hurts so I will refrain from hurting you and the other Proud forumers.

Those law firms will be in SA and not NZ because SA is much more dynamic. NZ is a very stable country - not much opportunity for M&A and big deals.

Regarding much of our mining in decline: This is INEVITABLE. Gold mining has always been marginal and reliant on sub-economic wages. SA pulls crazy amounts of it out of the ground but has never actually made THAT much profit from it. Melbourne's gold rush probably didnt produce more than 1% of the gold in Joburgs, and yet the mansions and public buildings left over from the 19th C make the rand lords' houses look like shacks. E.g. http://www.melbourne.visitorsbureau.com.au/images/attractions_werribee-mansion.jpg. Apartheid was just part of the business model for producing labour at sub-economic prices.

Basic textiles industries will also go. No one can make a decent living from manufacturing clothes in the 21st C. DONT BOTHER. The money is in designing and branding it.

1. "For every one skilled worker who returns, 10 new jobs are created" -

How the hell can that be ? The Government can't even create jobs after making such promises for the last 11 Years. Now "Adam" can return to SA and create 10 jobs - yeah right. The unemployment rate is at its worst levels due to the strong Rand and other issues (now that the Rand is currently the worst performing currency jobs might be created again). A conservative figure indicates that the unemployment rate is at 35% (The UN says it stands at 45%) but the ANC will tell you that it is 25% - strange that the rest of the world don't accept their statistics but then again you can't blame them, the South African Government is one of the most corrupt Governments in the World (The Arms Deal, The Big Bay debacle, Travelgate, Black ELITE Empowerment..).

Some points about this:
1. SA is not a socialist country. It is not up to the government to create jobs. That is up to private enterprise. Currently South Africans are not prepared to work under the pay and conditions that might provide more complete employment. This means we shall have to rely on a more skills-and-intelligence based industries, but in my experience SA management lacks the ability to efficiently create and make use of skills and intelligence.

2. The unemployment rate has NOT gone up with the increase in the value of the rand. You are simply seeing a few big, marginal firms (textiles and mining) go down, and not seeing jobs being created in SME (where employment should be created). Did you know the average US business has something like 8 employees? The huge multinationals employ a very small percentage of the workforce. Unemployment has always been about 35%. Different % are due to different definitions of "unemployed" or "self-employed". The apparently static % belies a significant change in the profile of the workforce from largely unskilled cheap labour, to more highly paid and skilled.

3. SA could certainly do with less corruption, but virtually all those scandals could easily happen (and do) in the United States. Deals for mates, Arms acquition scandals, senators being bought - this happens everywhere. At least it is being reported in the media! Under apartheid, the Nats were surely FAR more corrupt due to their simply banning the media from investigating and criticising them when it suited them.


2. "This campaign is for all South Africans: black, white, brown and pink" -

Sure it is BUT they forget to tell you that if you are White, a Coloured or an Indian you will not be guaranteed of getting a job. They don't tell you that a black person will be considered for the job before you.

Although I am sure that government agencies will tend to discriminate against whites, I seriously doubt that the still >50% white owned businesses would do likewise. Most white south africans I know (not friends) are embarrasingly racist after a few beers. I am certain they would only hire blacks as a last resort; or to get a contract.

Besides, if you have a commericially valuable skill you will get a job regardless of your colour. Its people with BA's and diplomas in Fine Arts that are going to be serving up fries for the rest of their lives. Regardless of colour.


5. "Our research showed that an overwhelming 78% of young South Africans didn’t intend leaving South Africa permanently"
Quite right. "didnt". I certainly didnt intend to leave permanently. And officially I have not "emigrated".

Not a single one of my SA friends living abroad intends to move back to SA, or is likely to.


The creators of "The Homecoming Revolution" should be sued for creating a false sense of security so that they can benefit for their own purposes. It is no secret that people want to leave The UK and it is also easy to forget why you left a country when you are no longer living there. It is because of those reasons that The UK has been targeted. They also fail to report that various removal Companies are inundated with requests for emmigration to Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Why are other countries like Australia, Canada and New Zealand not being targeted by this "wonderful" campaign ??


I think they are entitled to pitch it how they like.

And I am certain that removal/emigration companies are no where near as "inundated" as they were in the 90s.

Who are the vagrants/street children in Cape Town? Are they foreign immigrants or are they Xhosa and Coloured children??

Manuel sees increase in economic growth
I-Net Bridge

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Finance Minister Trevor Manuel has outlined a favourable picture of the economy for the year, pointing to the national treasury's expectations of rising GDP growth, low inflation, a very low budget deficit and improving employment trends, as well as continuing strong capital inflows.

Speaking during the adoption of the Finance Ministry's budget at Parliament today, Manuel pointed out that GDP growth was expected to reach 4,3%, up from 3,7% last year.

Manuel said that inflation declined to 4,3% last year and is expected to remain "well within" the target range of 3-6%.

"Our budget deficit is now about 1,5% of GDP, primarily because the SA Revenue Service (SARS) harvested R354,9bn in the last financial year, or R21bn more than we anticipated at the time of the 2004 Budget.

"We witnessed capital inflows of R60bn ast year, and this trend continues..."

Furthermore, Manuel added, employment trends continued to improve, and business and consumer surveys all signaled that there was a new optimism - "an unprecedented degree of confidence in our economic outlook".

"The improving outlook is the hard-won fruit of forward-looking macroeconomic plan we placed before this House in June 1996."

The finance minister went on to add that, on the strength of this success, the government was able to be "bolder yet" in the years ahead.

It was "acutely aware" of the extent of the need for employment, broader participation in economic activity, relief from the poverty trap, housing, better education, and reliable health services.

"These challenges have disciplined our policies and budget plans over the last ten years, and they remain firmly in mind in the growth and development strategy for the decade ahead."

Can we UNsticky Capetown diary? Its hardly current.

Consumer Industries Editor

CAPE TOWN — Supermarket group Pick ’n Pay Stores has doubled its planned capital spending for the current year to R601,7m from R318,6m last year.

The company will be investing in new stores and refurbishments and implementing new computer systems over the next two years, according to its latest annual report, released on Monday.

CEO Sean Summers said nine new supermarkets were planned for the current financial year, although management would be careful about site selection to avoid overtrading.

The group plans to open six new hypermarkets over the next three to four years, 10 new franchise stores this year, and will expand the clothing and liquor formats.

Score Supermarkets will be investing in store automation and back office systems, and converting its operational systems to SAP. Boxer Superstores will open another six stores this year and roll out in-store scanning while continuing to refurbish stores.

In Australia, Franklins will launch its franchising business this year and three new corporate stores will be opened.

All the group’s capital spending will come from its internal cash flow. In the year to February the group’s trading operations generated R1,3bn in cash.

The group recently reported a 20,6% increase in headline earnings a share for the year compared with last year. Chairman Raymond Ackerman said although it was difficult to manage a business in an environment of low inflation, the challenge had been counterbalanced by increased levels of spending across most categories of consumer goods.

Ackerman attributed the growth in the economy to good management of the macroeconomic environment by the treasury and the Reserve Bank.

"They have consistently demonstrated that appropriate economic policy is in place," he said.

The second factor fuelling growth was that a degree of empowerment had taken place in SA, he said.

"Employment equity programmes have had an impact and have provided opportunities among young urban populations that have generated economic prosperity".

Although increases in the oil price threatened SA’s low inflationary climate and low interest rates, Ackerman said he was confident that appropriate policies by the Reserve Bank and the treasury would maintain current spending levels.

The group’s internal measure of food inflation was showing a marginal movement upwards, but major movements were not expected. Management would continue to focus on growing sales, containing costs and improving efficiencies in the business.

Pick ’n Pay shares have gained 50% in the past year to about R24,80 at present, slightly underperforming the food and drug retailers’ index.

The index has risen 55% in the same period, driven largely by a rerating of Pick ’n Pay’s rival, Shoprite Holdings.

Hey guys...

Whilst I foresee a great future for this country, and will continue to work towards making South Africa a better place, stories like this scare me. On thursday night, the Johannesburg High Court gagged the Mail & Guardian's friday edition, saying the right to privacy trumped to right to press freedom. Apparantly, this particular story was obtained illegally, and that it wasn't of sufficient public interest to warrant publication despite its illegality.

Whilst rights in the Constitution are not absolute, and have their limitations, I believe it's extremely worrying for democracy and the future of South Africa, when the right to press freedom is curtailed in the interests of privacy. The fact that a story has been gagged stinks of corruption, and almost de facto means that it is of public interest.

I do hope the Mail & Guardian will appeal the decision, and that our largely impartial Constitutional Court will rule against the interdict. The second page of the Mail & Guardian is scary - text has been blacked out left, right and centre. I think what is the most scariest of all is that this is what the Nats did in the 1980s.

Here's the link - http://www.mg.co.za/articlepage.aspx?area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__national/&articleid=241897

Well the judgement said that the story could not be printed untill the company in question had time to prepare a response and there have been many such judgements in both the UK and the US ie: The Mirror over the story about Prince Harry's father for instance and the Guardian over allegations about naomi campbell. Legally the judgement was perfectly sound even if one can say that the judge might have misinterprited the prioraties of the constitution (although that is a subjective not objective allegation). It is unfortunate but a massive over reaction to suggest that SAs democracy is undermined or to link it to the vile actions of the National Party. I am sure the M+G will appeal and the strength of our democracy will be shown by the fact that they have the right to such an appeal.

mike I like the way you say "the strength of OUR democracy" Good to have you as one of us

well I do live in SA and have no plans to move anywhere else! So I guess that makes me an honory south african!!!! :-)

Does anyone know if those street kids in Cape Town are foreigners or local Xhosa and coloureds?

I would say based on what I saw last year , thats its a bit of all 3 with mainly Xhosa kids

"I am sure the M+G will appeal and the strength of our democracy will be shown by the fact that they have the right to such an appeal."

Yep that's a good point. I do hope they win, and reveal the story, because like I said earlier, I think the whole story stinks of corruption and would like to know more about it.

do we even know what its about?

This article sums it up pretty well. http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=242030&area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__national/

"The newspaper had reported that state oil company PetroSA paid a R15-million advance to Imvume. PetroSA did not deposit the advance into the usual Imvume account, but into another one. Four cheques worth R11-million were then given to the ANC by Imvume's Sandi Majali in December 2003 ahead of the April 2004 elections, the M&G said."

So basically they're saying that tax money was used to fund the ANC. Imvume should be given time to respond, but I smell lots of rotten fish.

'It looks very bad for Zuma' -
03/06/2005 08:37 - (SA)

Johannesburg - The race to succeed Thabo Mbeki as president of South Africa has taken a new twist after the financial adviser to frontrunner and deputy president Jacob Zuma was convicted of corruption.

Zuma had been waging an energetic campaign within the African National Congress (ANC) to win the presidential nomination in 2007.

"It looks very bad for Zuma," said William Gumede, journalist and author of a bestselling book on the ANC, after the Durban high court on Thursday convicted businessman Schabir Shaik of corruption and fraud.

"There are five or six contenders who have all been waiting for the outcome of this trial to make a move," he said.

Shaik was found guilty of corruption and fraud for paying R1.3m to Zuma between 1995 and 2001 and for brokering a bribe from a French arms company for the deputy president.

The verdict prompted calls from the opposition for Zuma to resign while the ANC and the government both said they were studying the judgment as Zuma himself remained far from the turmoil, on an official visit to Zambia.

"He faces a crisis of confidence," said Richard Calland, analyst from the Institute for Democracy in South Africa of Zuma. "But it would be a huge mistake to conclude that he will not become the next president."

With the guilty verdict rendered, attention focused on Mbeki and the ANC leadership to see whether they would rally to Zuma's defence, as they have in the past - and on prosecutors who were considering whether Zuma should also be charged.

A plain-speaking, affable politician, Zuma has cultivated an image as the candidate of the poor and of the left wing of the ANC which feels at times sidelined by Mbeki's policies, said Gumede.

"He projects himself as someone who can deal better with poverty than Mbeki, coming from rural KwaZulu-Natal," he said.

Mbeki is due to step down after his second and final term in office expires in 2009.

But the succession debate will be resolved much earlier when the ANC convenes a national convention in late 2007 to choose its candidate for the top post.

Already there have been rumblings within the ANC with the highly vocal youth league setting itself up as Zuma's cheerleader.

Other names floated as potential presidential wannabees include Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota and former trade union leader Cyril Ramaphosa.

But Zuma's credentials as a veteran of the struggle against apartheid remain strong. He joined the ANC at age 17 and became a leading member of its underground structures in the early 1960s.

He served 10 years in prison on Robben Island for his opposition to apartheid and was released in 1973 when he resumed his work with the military wing of the ANC, Umkhonto we Sizwe.

Zuma left South Africa in 1975 and spent the next years in exile in Swaziland, Mozambique and Zambia before returning home after the ban on the ANC was lifted in 1990.

I rate Nkosazana Zuma will be up for the job. That should make an interesting presidential term. Personally, though, if I had to choose, I'd go for Cyril Ramaphosa.

I would love to see Ramaphosa as president because I have great respect for the man. Nkosazana Zuma would be awfull. But lets face it this judgement is one in the eye for all those idiots who claim SA is undemocratic and sliding into third world chaos. There are not that many judiciarys that would destroy the career of the second most powerfull man in government.

I found this week's M&G editorial quite interesting. Personally I think SA's democracy is thriving! From gag orders to appeals to essentially, as you say Mike, destroying the career of the Deputy President.

No more Mr President

There should be no rejoicing over the guilty judgement in the trial of businessman Schabir Shaik, despite its vindication of South Africa’s prosecutorial and judicial systems. Deputy President Jacob Zuma may not have been in the dock, but the judgement indirectly indicts him in such a devastating way that it is hard to see how his political career can survive it. There are elements of Shakespearean tragedy in the Zuma saga -- a man with many positive attributes, a peacemaker, unifier and non-racialist with the common touch, essentially undone by the fatal flaw of living beyond his means and yielding to the lure of easy money.

Zuma’s many supporters on the left of the ruling alliance, and in provinces like KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, will have come to terms with the implications of the ruling and the flaws in the deputy president’s make-up that it so ruthlessly exposes. South Africa simply cannot face the rest of the world with a president -- or a deputy president for that matter -- found by a court of law to have had a generally corrupt relationship with a businessman convicted of fraud and graft in a lengthy and internationally reported trial.

Even if Zuma himself is not tried and convicted -- and a trial is now more likely -- Judge Hillary Squires has found that Shaik solicited a R500 000 bribe from French arms company Thomson CSF on his behalf, and that Zuma must have known about the bribe. The matter has moved beyond the subject of newspaper reports to a formal judicial finding.

How could Zuma rub shoulders with other heads of state, and operate with confidence and authority in international forums, with this in his background? Powerful adversaries in the ruling party may well have plotted his downfall, but that is no longer the issue. The trial has indelibly tainted him.

This leaves the question of what happens next. We believe Zuma should not wait for President Thabo Mbeki to remove him from the Cabinet, nor for the ANC’s mid-term policy summit -- the national general council -- to announce that he is withdrawing from the race for the presidency.

Putting his own hopes and ambitions second to the national interest, he should resist the temptation to continue riding the wave of his undoubted popular support. Zuma’s many supporters, including those of the left, should bow to the inevitable.

Rather than resisting the judgement and presenting it either as the fruit of conspiracy or apartheid justice — which it clearly is not -- the leaders of the labour movement and the South African Communist Party should explain to their followers that there is no option now but for Zuma to step from the political stage.

The ANC, the party from which the next president will in all likelihood be chosen, has a reservoir of other talent to draw from as it considers the succession debate. For Zuma and his party to withdraw his claim to presidential succession would symbolise powerfully that the anti-corruption system does work.

In an interview at the beginning of the Shaik trial, Zuma’s confidant Mo Shaik revealed that Zuma was tired of the rumours and often thought of retiring to Nkandla to become a simple fisherman. The time is right to do so now. Zuma would have been a good president; he cannot be one now.

Pic taken on Saturday at The V & A Waterfront -

http://i.pbase.com/v3/37/50837/1/44293087.Rainbow.jpg

Street children graduate with fresh views

June 06 2005 at 09:14AM

By Jaime Griesgraber

These days it's a bit tough for 10 black men from the streets to convince a landlord they'll be good tenants, according to Sifiso Jezile, 24.

But on Saturday night 10 young men aged 17 to 24 and two counsellors moved into a Gardens flat with a view of Table Mountain and the waterfront.

"This has been a dream of mine for years," says Jezile, who has been with the My Life programme since its inception in 2002. These former streetkids are the first round of graduates.

The house is a pilot project designed to be a stepping stone between My Life and complete social reintegration.





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The young men are employed in the hospitality and film industries and will be paying rent.

"We are going to be self-sufficient. This house will give us the foundation to step forward and from there, we'll just take off," says Jezile, a barman at Madame Zingara.

Richard Griffin, owner of Madame Zingara and a volunteer with My Life said: "The handout system can only have a certain lifespan. We are teaching them how to stand on their own".

Griffin employs two of the men at Madame Zingara - one of whom will soon be off to London to train with popular UK chef Jamie Oliver.

"These kids are an untapped resource - the people who really want to work but suffered from social exclusion," says Griffin.

The vision is for this first group to stay in the house for up to six months and then to move on to their own accommodation while still remaining involved, as mentors, for the next group on the programme.

When asked whether he will remain involved in the programme as a mentor, Jezile says: "We know how it is - we've been there. I want to help other people go that extra mile."

10 guys and 2 councellers in a what sized flat? it must be at least a 4 bedder and then its 3 to a room? I wouldent be happy as a landlord for that to happen, dont mind guys improving themselves but that is overcrowding.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
What a beautiful pic! :)

the pics a bit blurry tho

New device gives women teeth where it matters
Jillian Green
June 07 2005 at 06:50AM

A rape victim once wished for teeth "where it mattered". Now a device has been designed to "bite" a rapist's penis. The patented device looks and is worn like a tampon, but it is hollow and attaches itself with tiny hooks to a man's penis during penetration.

"We have to do something to protect ourselves. While this will not prevent rape it will assist in identifying attackers and securing convictions," claims Sonette Ehlers, inventor of the device.

Not everyone, however, is convinced of its usefulness.

Lisa Vetten, of the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) says: "It is like we are going back to the days where women were forced to wear chastity belts. It is a terrifying thought that women are being made to adapt to rape by wearing these devices.





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'It is a terrifying thought that women are being made to adapt to rape'
"We should rather focus our energy on changing men's mindsets and behaviour towards women."

Ehlers, of Kleinmond, who has worked for the South African Institute for Medical Research, said she had been seeking a way to help women since meeting a rape survivor 20 years ago who commented that she wished she had teeth in her vagina.

"Over the past three years I have been working on this device. It is now completely safe and ready to be manufactured and distributed," she said.

It had been designed with engineers, gynaecologists, psychologists and urologists. It was "hygienic - no human hands will be involved in the manufacture".

In the event of rape, the device folds itself around the rapist's penis, attaching to the skin with microscopic hooks. It is only when the rapist withdraws that he will realise the device is clamped around his penis.

'He will have to be put under anaesthetic to have it removed'
"Its design will also go a long way towards lowering HIV infection as semen is contained in the device ... as well as preventing sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies," Ehlers says.

As it is impossible to remove the device from a penis without medical help, hospitals and clinics will be able to alert police when assistance is sought.

"This will rule out any possibility of the rapist's escaping arrest and speed up conviction."

If the rapist tries to remove the device, it will only embed itself further.

"He will have to be put under anaesthetic to have it removed. He will not be able to leave it as he will be unable to urinate."

A woman would have to wear the device every day.

"We never know when we might be raped. This device should become a part of every woman's daily routine, just like brushing her teeth."

Last year, there were 52 733 reported rapes. In a study, the Gender-Based Violence Programme at the CSVR analysed 162 rapes in Johannesburg's inner city and found that one in four had been a gang rape. The study found that 56% of the victims had been raped by two men and 23% by three.

Although Ehlers is optimistic that the device will go a long way towards reducing the high incidence of rape in this country, rape organisations are not so sure.

"Women would have to wear this every minute of their lives on the off-chance that they would be raped," Vetten says.

"I am concerned at how normal rape has become that we would even consider a device like this."

Chanaz Mitchell, spokesperson for the National Network on Violence against Women, says although it is a good idea for women to protect themselves, men should take responsibility for their actions.

"We still need to focus on men as perpetrators of this heinous crime."

Mitchell is also concerned that the device might lead to further violence against victims.

"Once the rapist realises this device is attached to him, he is more than likely to take his anger out on his victim."

Mbuyiselo Botha, spokesperson for the Men's Forum, said anything that could empower women should be welcomed.

"I would encourage my wife and two daughters to wear this device. It would send a signal to would-be rapists that they won't have it easy."

Ehlers intends launching the prototype next month.

"It will be available at supermarkets, chemists, anywhere where one would be able to buy tampons," she says.

The device is to cost R1 and also be available in bulk packs.

Fuckingb hell, is this what the world has come to?

MY word!!!!

Yah I've heard of this. And I'm dumbfounded. Did I read "bulk packs"?

the pics a bit blurry tho

You are right - I hadn't noticed it and my bf eventually admitted to the fact that he fiddled with it on photo-shop. Oh well, you get the picture ;)

I think its been compressed too much to save space on a hard disk. Dont get cheap with us ;)

I think its been compressed too much to save space on a hard disk. Dont get cheap with us ;)

I am sorry - I need every cent for my move to AKL - it doesn't come cheap
:)

What?! Its free! - leave it nice and host it on Photobucket!

What?! Its free! - leave it nice and host it on Photobucket!

I have hosted it on pbase (well my bf did) and I am too lazy to host it on my photo-hosting site but I will try to find the energy ... it really does look crappy though ;)

We were all discussing how big Auckland was at some point. spxy came up with this cool and apparently pretty accurate overlay.

Orange - London
Pink - LA
Black - Auckland

(Its very long and skinny with gaps all over the place. But it only covers around 500km2)

http://pokedesign.0catch.com/images/london-LA-Auckland.jpg

RE: The picture

Yah a bit blurry, but I LOVE the view! :) What are most of the boats? Fishing boats?

RE: The picture

Yah a bit blurry, but I LOVE the view! :) What are most of the boats? Fishing boats?

Most of the boats are tourist excursion crafts. I was lucky to get the pic because the rainbow vanished as quick as it appeared. I am going to snuggle now because it is storming here in CT and it is freezing- I love the rain as much as I love .... well that will be telling ;) Sleep tight.

^^^^^^
I believe THAT should go in the dirrrrrrty thread. ;)

clive that map overlay looks like something in the Tate, maybe it will be worth a few million squid and Damian Hurst will call it his own.
What about laying Durban .CT and JHB out? might be suprised to see the sizes of them compared to the baid bad cities on London and LA

You mean something entitled "the Stain of urban sprawl"? Sounds more like Tracey Emin.

I asked him to do Gauteng - but its probably hard getting decent up-to-date urban fringe maps of SA cities.

^^^ I second that, I would like to see SA Cities compared to NYC/LA & LON. I am also glad that you have laid that argument to rest.

I LOVE Cape Town in the winter. God this City is awsome! As for London the population of that city is actually falling as the middle class are leaving in droves for the home counties due to crime, litter and pollution.

^^^ and the gay boys are leaving for Brighton .. a girl-friend of mine lives there after living in Cape Town for 5 years and says that it reminds her of Cape Town's gay scene .. she reckons that Bighton and CT are very similar .. I can't agree and I can't disagree, I haven't been to Brighton.

As for CT in winter ... I agree, the best time of the year in CT is Winter ... my favourite season, I guess it goes for saying something about me .. icey/cold ;) or is it romantic ;)

Now last I heard PE was also a damn big place, over 800k2?

BUT i dont know if that includes Uitenhage and Kwanobuhle? I was never sure if those 2 are in the metropole? Personally those are a bit far-flung to be in metro PE.

As for London the population of that city is actually falling as the middle class are leaving in droves for the home counties due to crime, litter and pollution.


What a load of bollocks. You say that based on what, exactly? The middle classes have FOR DECADES preferred to live in the home counties because it is much cheaper and has more space. The home counties are defacto suburbs of London because of a law passed around WW1 prevented the whole countryside disappearing under a monstrous LA-style urban sprawl. So 'London' is the inner city of Greater London, and the home counties are the outer suburbs.

London is FAR more middle class now than it has ever been. In fact the number of geniunely working class areas are quite few and far between. The East is 50% middle class with Hoxton, Shoreditch, Stratford, Plaistow, Isle of Dogs all gentrified, and even Bethnal Green and is getting expensive. I know yuppie friends who have bought in formally shitty areas like Romford, Bromley and Lewisham and they are already on the road to middleclass.

London is now less polluted than it has been in centuries. There are fish in the Thames again. London is more than 6x the size of Capetown and yet I have never seen the sort of smogs that CTN gets over the Flats when the winds stop blowing for a few days.

Although crime has risen in some areas, it has fallen in others. I have never heard of anyone who would move because of crime or LITTER - and I know scores of people in London and plenty of people who live the "worst" areas in Lambeth and Brixton. Generally London is pretty litter-free. Obviously the west end after a weekend night is not indicative of the entire metropolis. Its certainly a damned side cleaner than Capetown.

Lastly, London propers population has been rising for years and is set to continue for the foreseeable future, hence all the ongoing housing crises.

Your comments on London have no basis in reality and I doubt that you have any experience or knowledge of the city.

Now last I heard PE was also a damn big place, over 800k2?

PE is a lot bigger than that. The Metro (including Uitenhage and Despatch) officially is about 1.5m Source (http://www.sacities.net/left/profiles_pe.stm)

I believe PE itself is 1.2-1.3m

think he was maybe meaning area of 800km2? was confusing

What is it going to be ? Is Mbeki going to keep Zuma or throw him out ?

From the New Zealand Herald -

Mbeki keeps South Africa guessing about deputy's fate:
09.06.05 1.00pm

JOHANNESBURG - A South African court has imposed a 15-year jail sentence on a businessman accused of maintaining a "corrupt relationship" with President Thabo Mbeki's deputy, Jacob Zuma.

The sentence was handed down as President Mbeki kept the nation guessing on his course of action against his deputy, who has been severely damaged in the most sensational corruption trial in post-apartheid South Africa.

Mr Mbeki, the unofficial spokesman of Africa's bid to obtain more aid from rich countries, has incensed many by keeping Mr Zuma in government after the conviction of Schabir Shaik for corruption. The Durban High Court Judge Hillary Squires convicted Mr Shaik, a flamboyant businessman, for paying more than $256,000 to Mr Zuma in return for favours to advance his business interests.

In fact, Mr Mbeki seems to have pointedly ignored his critics by appointing Mr Zuma to act as President while he is on a state visit to Chile, a move the official opposition leader Tony Leon described as being "grossly irresponsible".

Mr Leon said that by failing to take action against his deputy, Mr Mbeki was squandering an opportunity to convince sceptics of Tony Blair's Africa debt relief project that the extra aid the Prime Minister is hoping to get for Africa will not be lost to the continent's corruption.

The South African President has nonetheless promised a statement on Mr Zuma on his return from Chile this week, a move that has drawn more criticism from those who expected him to act urgently.

Mr Zuma has ignored calls to resign. In fact, he was lauded by MPs from Mr Mbeki's African National Congress, who chanted slogans in support of Mr Zuma as he entered Parliament yesterday. ANC MPs danced and sang: "We will follow our Zuma."

Judge Squires handed Shaik mandatory 15-year sentences on each of two counts of corruption and three years on a third charge of corruption, all to run concurrently. He also fined Shaik's companies a total of nearly $1 million.

Judge Squires said corruption undermined the achievements of the anti-apartheid struggle, dismissing mitigating arguments about Shaik's role in the fight against racist rule in South Africa. "Far from carrying out the objectives of the [anti-apartheid] struggle, this whole saga represents a subversion of it," Judge Squire said.

The judge did not spare Mr Zuma either. "These were no payments to a low- salaried bureaucrat who was seduced into temptation," he said. "The higher the status of the beneficiary ... the more serious the offence."

Mr Zuma had previously been seen as President Mbeki's obvious successor when his term runs out in 2009. But many believe that the Shaik case has obliterated Mr Zuma's hopes of clinching the top job, even though the Deputy President is still clinging on. He is apparently buoyed by the support he is getting from radical but influential factions within the ANC.

Meanwhile, the ANC youth league has gone on the offensive against Judge Squires, dismissing him as an "old Rhodesian" and "apartheid- era judge" who had been recruited into a scheme to block Mr Zuma's ascendancy.

The remarks prompted the South African Human Rights Commission to intervene with a statement in support of the judge, who served as former president Ian Smith's justice minister in the then Rhodesia before moving to South Africa.

After Shaik listened to the verdict, read on national television, Shaik said his fate rested in God's hands, adding: "I shall feel like that even if I have to spend 15 years in jail."

The official opposition, the Democratic Alliance, welcomed the "meticulous" sentence against him, saying it sent a strong anti- corruption message.

Shaik's bail was extended until 26 July, when the Durban High Court will hear his application for leave to appeal.

The dealings

* 1999, Sept: Government announces plans to purchase aircraft and ships for 29.9 billion rand ($6.1bn). Opposition MP Patricia de Lille accuses government of corruption over arms deal

* 2000, Jan: President Thabo Mbeki says there is no prima facie evidence against government members relating to arms deal

* 2001, Jan: 'Mail & Guardian' weekly reports that Schabir Shaik, friend and advisor to Deputy President Jacob Zuma, and brother of government arms purchaser Chippy Shaik, is director of a firm awarded 400 million-rand contract in arms deal

* 2002, March: Chippy Shaik resigns as government arms purchaser

* 2003, Aug: Prosecutors say there is prima facie evidence against Zuma, but a court case would not be winnable. Schabir Shaik charged with corruption

* 2004, Oct: Schabir Shaik starts trial in Durban

* 2005, 2 June: Schabir Shaik convicted of corruption and fraud

* 8 June: Shaik sentenced to 15 years in jail

UMMMMMMMMMMMMMM I am actually a londoner so I should Know. According to an article last week in Londons daily telegraph the middle class population of london IS falling and the growth of towns such as Tunbridge Wells and sevenoaks is testement to that. Yes there is the isle of dogs but that is TINY compared to the whole city( and I have a flat right by canada square). Few genuinly working class areas? dont make me laugh. The VAST majority of London is working class and a really very unpleasant. Yes people live in working class areas but only cos they cant afford to live anywhere else and when they start a familly they generally leave. Also Londons MASSIVE rise in crime in the last few years has driven out many British people. If you deny there has been a very big rise in violent crime and street robbery in the last few years then you are living in cuckoo land my friend.

I would say now the majority of londons population is foreign with most brits who can afford it leaving in droives( as proved by the last census). Yes there are suburbs like kensington etc where the very rich live built those that can afford a million pounds for a tiny house are not middle class. After all my statement refered to the british midldle classes and iam afraid it is an undeniable fact from the last census and recent surveys that their number in London proper is falling and will only continue to do so.

P.S yes the city centre is littter free but most london suburbs are filthy ie: lewisham bethnal green, greewhich, brixton etc. It is a DIRTY city and in london on a warm day day the pollution is terrible and for p[eople with athsma it is awfull. Even in winter London is one of the post polluted cities in Europe its just the smog is unseen rathet than the coal smokle of the old days. Seeing as you are safrican and live in australia I wonder how much you actually know about london as judging by your comments it is not very much! I dont really want to start posting articles on this forum to reinforce all I have said as it is a SA forum not a london one.Needless to say I think if you ever spoke to a British middle class londoner they would tell you they are planning to leave london for the home counties or at least most would

Thousands more 'downshifters' join exodus from cities
By Sarah Womack, Social Affairs Correspondent
(Filed: 29/04/2005)

The number of people apparently "downshifting" was unveiled yesterday as figures showed that more than 260,000 had left London to live elsewhere.

Almost 263,000 moved out of the capital, but only 153,000 moved in, said the Office for National Statistics.

The region with the largest net influx was the South West, with almost 33,000 arriving in the year to June 2003.

Around 22,000 people moved to the East Midlands, followed by the East of England with almost 18,000. Wales saw a net migration of 15,000 and Scotland 7,000, with Northern Ireland stable.

Overall, England saw a net population fall of more than 22,000. Apart from the capital, the only other area to witness a net fall was the West Midlands, which "lost" almost 5,000 residents. Around 102,000 people moved out but only 97,000 moved in.

Previous studies suggested growing numbers of middle class families with young children were abandoning cities for the suburbs and beyond because of crime, housing costs and poor state education.

Migrationwatch, the immigration think-tank, published research this month that said a growing race divide was separating inner cities from the suburbs and countryside.

It suggested white people were moving out of a number of towns and cities including Manchester, Birmingham and Bradford while ethnic minority populations were growing fast, a phenomenon known in America as "white flight".

Figures published by the ONS last November showed a record number of people moved abroad in 2003. The estimated figure reached 191,000 - a new high.

Despite increasing pressure to earn and spend more, about a quarter of adults aged 30 to 59 have voluntarily made a long-term change in their lives that resulted in them earning an average of 40 per cent less, according to an academic study into the phenomenon of downshifting.

OK just one article from the telegraph but I think it illistrates the point I made quite well!!

Oops. :) Yah I meant in area. Hehe, you were right mikey.......square kilometers.

guys check the north/south coast thread to see the eLan groups R8 BILLION investments in KZN to come. if you include simbithi, they investing R12 BILLION in KZN...HUGE!!! Go see!!!!

:):):)

Seeing as you are safrican and live in australia I wonder how much you actually know about london as judging by your comments it is not very much! I dont really want to start posting articles on this forum to reinforce all I have said as it is a SA forum not a london one.Needless to say I think if you ever spoke to a British middle class londoner they would tell you they are planning to leave london for the home counties or at least most would

Since you so smugly asked, I lived in London for 3.5 years ending in 2002. How long have you lived in South Africa and Capetown?

I have stacks of friends and family in London none of whom are intending to leave except to get some peace and/or a bigger property for their money.

Lewisham and Bethnal Green are currently deprived areas (although you'd be suprised how much flash accomodation is becoming available) - watch out for the article in the newspaper - and are hardly comparitive to most of London as you (should) quite well know.

FYI I have lived in Kilburn, Queenspark, Willesden, Dollis Hill, Neasden, Southwark, Plaistow (quite likely more places than you have) and been virtually everywhere else and NONE of them were particularly dirty or polluted compared with dense suburban areas in any other middle to large city I have seen with the exception of Melbourne which is suprisingly clean everywhere (why dont you extract yourself from your little flat and go and see Rome, Milan, Paris, Berlin, Johannesburg, Capetown, Bangkok, etc ,etc.). They are all smaller and dirtier.

Obviously you and your friends have had enough of life close to the centre of a big city and will move out. After I have been back for a couple of years, I will too - Herts or Kent, I am thinking. But your comments about London WRT Capetown viz. crime and grime make no sense whatsoever.

Not to get in the way of ur party, but of the ex london people i have spoken to, they have told me that the centre of london is basically full of tourists and foreignors these days, with the brits moving out to the fringes more.

As for cleanliness, i'm sorry, but everytime that i have been there it has been dirty, smelly and frankly vile in most places. granted its old, but the filth is there for all to see and to deny it, is like denying that there is poverty in africa.

eej

I was not comparing crime between london and cape town and never ever said londosncrime rate was as high as here in the cape but the FACTS speak for themselves the number of people in London is going down especially the number of middle class british people. Most brits in london plan to leave the city and move to the outer suburbs or the home counties as soon as they have kids. Why? becasue the education system is SHIT, the hospitals are poor and it IS polluted and there is a crime problem especially car crime and muggins. After all violent crime went up 100% in the last two years. You must be the only person in london who is not concerned about rising crime!! (before you start iam not comparing it to cape town iam comparing it to any western city)

As for your comment about 'leave my little flat' . Well I have lived in both London an New York (an equally dirty overcrowded city) and spent 6 months in Rome during my articles and when i was in rome I travelled round Europe extensively. Also in my job I travel rtound africa all the time on buisiness and go to Kenya/zambia/moz/nam/ghana and nigeria regularly. And sorry to say London is still dirty, overcrowded, expensive and frankly pretty crap, and most brits would agree with me!!
BTW why the fuck did you live in so many places if you were only in london for 3 and a half years?

Hey Guys - go and check out my bit of handy work ... P.S. Don't post any replies, I haven't finished it yet - loads more to do ...

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=221812

boys boys boys (clive and mike ) lets not get personel and agro now. we have a difference of opinion and thats healthy so lets keep it civil and calm.
Personally you couldent drag me back to london for all the tea in china. Not a fan of such overcrowding and the way of life of london-sorry guys just an opinion
now be good or you will both be spanked --ahhhh now Im sounding like gandalf

boys boys boys (clive and mike ) lets not get personel and agro now. we have a difference of opinion and thats healthy so lets keep it civil and calm.
Personally you couldent drag me back to london for all the tea in china. Not a fan of such overcrowding and the way of life of london-sorry guys just an opinion
now be good or you will both be spanked --ahhhh now Im sounding like gandalf

Sorry I didnt mean it to be personal agro: I have upmost respect for clive. I apologise. Much as I love the UK I cant stand London but its good foreign people do or the city itself would be half empty at the weekend with all the brits going back to places like Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells!!

On a plus point I went hiking the other day round table mountain and the increased security was very noticable. Well done the city police!!

good boy. how is cape town today. Its a blisteringly hot 46 degrees today with a hectic sharmal wind. seems like its time to get home grab a adult bev and watch the ruggar on dstv

mike2005: I've never been to Zambia. How is it?

The worst message The ANC can send out to the World -

ANC support for Zuma makes axing unlikely:
June 12 2005 at 10:10AM

Divisions in the African National Congress have widened as Jacob Zuma this week stuck to his guns and refused to quit, while President Thabo's Mbeki's failure to deal swiftly with the crisis gave Zuma the edge.

The groundswell of popular sympathy in the ANC and its alliance partners hardened around the battle cry to charge Zuma or leave him in high office.

Since it became clear that Zuma would be implicated in the conviction of his financial adviser Schabir Shaik for corruption, a series of high-powered ANC emissaries have failed to persuade Zuma to step down. They include Kgalema Motlanthe, the ANC treasurer-general, and former president Nelson Mandela, who has said he does not want to become involved in the issue.

'There's nothing to say Jacob Zuma has done anything wrong'
Although publicly the ANC, its parliamentary caucus, its Youth League and alliance partners - the Communist Party and Cosatu - are all singing the same tune, behind the scenes they are riven by division.

The vast majority of cabinet ministers appointed by Mbeki support the president and have avoided entering the controversy. Mbeki was expected to make an announcement within days of his arrival back from Chile, but has remained silent, while Zuma has mustered public support.

This includes support from the South African Council of Churches and Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini.

The ANC Women's League yesterday publicly rejected calls for Zuma's axing. However, the league is divided, with ANCWL president and staunch Mbeki supporter Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula overruled earlier in the week over the issuing of a statement.

Charlotte Lobe, the ANCWL spokesperson, said on Saturday: "The call from the media and other commentators that... [Zuma] should resign is mischievous, unfortunate and uncalled for because he was not in court and found guilty."

Zuma and his supporters have hit back at his 'trial by media'
ANCWL member Angie Motshekga said the issue "had not been hotly debated" during the league's deliberations in Johannesburg on Saturday. "He (Zuma) was not in court, he was not charged and until such time, if anything is formalised, we have not taken any decision on the matter," she said.

Asked by a journalist whether the league was sitting on the fence over Zuma, Motshekga, the Gauteng education minister, said: "There is no fence. Whatever implication or insinuation, there's nothing to say Jacob Zuma has done anything wrong."

The ANCWL's stance may be an indication of how the president plans to act. Mbeki may hold off acting against Zuma, unless the National Prosecuting Authority decides to press charges.

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the foreign minister, has kept out of the limelight, viewed by some within the ANC as a deliberate strategy should Mbeki decide to promote her at the expense of her ex-husband.

In the past week, Zuma and his supporters have hit back at his "trial by media", first in parliament and during an Eastern Cape imbizo.

Although Mbeki and Zuma will be in Gauteng on Sunday, it is likely that they will only meet on Monday at the ANC's regular national working committee meeting. Mbeki may not make any announcement until he is in Cape Town on Tuesday.

He and Zuma will travel to parliament, with Zuma scheduled to reply to questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), while Mbeki will attend cabinet committee meetings before travelling to Qatar.

Meanwhile, Baleka Mbete, the speaker in the national assembly, has denied a Democratic Alliance request for a motion of no confidence in Zuma, citing the sub judice rule. This because Shaik's leave for appeal hearing will take place on July 27.

The rule may also be used by parliament's ethics committee, which last week was asked by the DA to reopen its inquiry into Zuma's declarations in the register of members' interests. It is also likely that the sub judice rule will be invoked in the NCOP on Tuesday.

Lusaka has certainly seen better days especially the cairo road area. There are some nice suburbs and some brand new shopping centres but apart from that lusaka is not a very inspiring place. But the countryside is stunning and there is a booming comercial agricultural sector. Its great to hire a plane and fly to a farm to visit friends. I have a soft spot for the place but it is not for the faint of heart!!!!

SA BOY: can you get DSTV in the gulf?! How cool is that?

the support for zuma is not unanimous! there are many other articles slating him and those reports are also coming from ANC members. the support is from ANC MPs but the cabinet and NEC are against him, as to it seems is Thabo Mbeki...read todays sunday times and sunday tribune

Mike
we have DSTV here which is excellent and now I get to watch all my rugger and cricket again. Sport coverage in NZ and OZ is shite on Foxtel, its all NRL (league) and AFL Aussie rules).
Living in Dubai is like being back in SA, loads of saffers and all the favourites biltong, nandos,mre balls almost everything

also my mates who work in Baku in Azerbaijan get DSTV there too and the local pups have started instauling it to get the rugger for the expat oil workers

Sorry I didnt mean it to be personal agro: I have upmost respect for clive. I apologise. Much as I love the UK I cant stand London but its good foreign people do or the city itself would be half empty at the weekend with all the brits going back to places like Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells!!

Likewise I apologise. My initial reaction was actually due to endlessly hearing from Aussies who have barely been there about how crap Britain and London are. Many of them think sun never shines and the rain never stops.

I suppose middle-classness is a subjective definition anyway.

I lived in many places as I was sharehousing for the first 2 years and was also constantly out of the city travelling for a month here and basically changed house each time as I liked trying out new areas. London (IMHO) is blessed with an enormous number of interesting and unique places to live compared to the somewhat bland suburbia found in Southern Hemisphere countries. It seemed a shame to stay in just one place.

BIG NEWS ZUMA AXED-Is this really a victory for democracy, axed without being charged?
Zuma axed

Mbeki's tough decision won't divide ANC, party insists
June 14, 2005

Deputy President Jacob Zuma has been shown the door by President Thabo Mbeki.

In a dramatic day in Johannesburg, the president yesterday axed the man he appointed as his second-in-command in 1999 and again in 2004.

Today, Mbeki was to take parliament and the nation into his confidence and explain why Zuma was pushed out of office. This follows Judge Hilary Squires' ruling that Zuma and Schabir Shaik had a "generally corrupt relationship".

Zuma's axing means he will not reply to questions in the National Council of Provinces as scheduled.

The decision to fire him followed a meeting of the ANC's extended national working committee at its headquarters at Luthuli House in Johannesburg yesterday. This had followed Mbeki's consultations with senior party leaders, including those in the provinces.

Zuma declined to resign last week, forcing the president to fire him. In terms of the constitution, the president has the prerogative to dismiss members of the cabinet.

It is not the first time that a democratic president has moved against members of his executive, but Zuma is certainly the most senior member of government to go.

In 1995, then president Nelson Mandela fired his estranged wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, as deputy arts and culture minister, and a year later, Bantu Holomisa lost his job as deputy environment minister in a "cabinet reshuffle".

It was followed by an ANC disciplinary process where Holomisa was accused of bringing the ANC into disrepute after alleging that a cabinet colleague, Stella Sigcau, was guilty of corruption while she was a homeland leader.

Zuma's firing was confirmed by senior government officials yesterday.

It is expected that Zuma will be replaced by ANC national chairperson Mosiuoa Lekota, although Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has also been mentioned. Zuma's axing may also involve a cabinet shuffle.

Senior ANC insiders said Mbeki had little choice but to act firmly following the damning judgment in the trial of Shaik, Zuma's financial adviser. They conceded, however, that the deputy president's strong support base in the ruling party and its tripartite alliance partners made the president's decision a difficult one.


"I don't think the president has any option but to fire Zuma," one senior ANC source said.

"Zuma has been undermining the president with his campaign to shore up support for himself, and after his refusal to resign, the president really has little choice in the matter," said the source.

Another senior ANC member said Mbeki's decision would have significant implications for the party, but pointed out that it had 'funny ways" of overcoming the most difficult of situations.

Mbeki and Zuma came face to face at Luthuli House yesterday after a week of intense campaigning by the deputy president in the rural Eastern Cape and KwaZulu Natal, and among party supporters.

They met during a routine meeting of the ANC's top six officials, which included Lekota, secretary-general Kgalema Motlanthe, deputy secretary-general Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele and treasurer Mendi Msimang.

While Mbeki was at Luthuli House, Motlanthe said there would be an extraordinary meeting of the party's national working committee at the president's Cape Town residence, at which Mbeki was expected to tell the party's leadership about the announcement he was to make in parliament this afternoon.

Also invited to the meeting were the secretaries-general of all ANC provincial structures, as well as those of alliance partners Cosatu and the SA Communist Party.

Immediately after yesterday's meeting, ANC spokesperson Smuts Ngonyama issued a lengthy statement berating the media and singling out "a handful of voices within the ANC and its alliance partners" who had mischievously fed journalists with reports that the party and the alliance were faltering in the wake of the Shaik judgment.

Ngonyama said: "The ANC is not - and cannot be - divided over the outcome of the Schabir Shaik trial."

WOW! a massive victory for SA (and african) democracy and credibility.

Another senior ANC member said Mbeki's decision would have significant implications for the party, but pointed out that it had 'funny ways" of overcoming the most difficult of situations.


I agree 100% with this ANC member. I think we're going to see a major split between those who are more left of the political spectrum and the Mbeki clan. Mbeki REALLY needs to mend ties with the SACP and Cosatu as they're a lot more pro-Zuma than he is, and I think that within time we might see them splitting off from the ANC and forming a new political force. Already there have been divisions - remember the whole fiasco with Cosatu and Zimbabwe? SA politics is going through a very interesting stage at the moment...

Im not sure CLive, I would prefer him to be charged formally (therefore he would have to stand down as deputy President or be stood down by ANC caucus) and pending a guilty verdit be permantly removed from office.
Im all for nailing dirty polies but he is guilty by assosiation and thats not right until he has been convicted by a court of law.
Its a good move in the worlds eyes but may be hollow as the ANC protects its own, think of disgraced ambassadors removed from office only to pop up in another government office somewhere else with a fat salary

SUPERB. Well done Thabo! That sends a strong message that corruption is not to be tolerated. After all Zuma is not guilty by asociation but by judgement, as a judge clearly stated that a person or persons had corrupt relations with him. The fact that he refused to resign shows what an imoral, selfish and greedy person he is. I do hope that the ANC does split as COSATU and the SACP are only holding the ANC back from the labour market reforms that a so badly needed in SA. (also a proper black opposition would be good for democracy)

PRESIDENT IN SECRET MEETING WITH PATRICIA DE LILLE

President Thabo Mbeki has in a suprise move, called Patricia De Lille to the presidents home for a late night urgent meeting, sources close the president say she will not fill the role of deputy president but might be called on to fullfill a more senior position and might become part of the presidential cabinet. It has not been confirmed whether or not the deputy president would be an ANC member but it highly unlikely that the new candidate will be from any other party.

Rumours around the suprise and private meeting suggest that the President will offer De Lille deputy presidency if she does indeed join the ANC and leave behind or disband the Independent Democrats within the required time frame.

Im not sure CLive, I would prefer him to be charged formally (therefore he would have to stand down as deputy President or be stood down by ANC caucus) and pending a guilty verdit be permantly removed from office.
Im all for nailing dirty polies but he is guilty by assosiation and thats not right until he has been convicted by a court of law.
Its a good move in the worlds eyes but may be hollow as the ANC protects its own, think of disgraced ambassadors removed from office only to pop up in another government office somewhere else with a fat salary

Politicians dont need to be convicted of a crime to lose their posts. They get axed all the time in democracies for saying and doing stuff that just brings their credibility, and that of the government into question.

It is important to note that in a democracy, it is not up to the President (who is head of the executive) to decide whether a prosecution goes ahead - that is up to the independent judiciary to decide. Mbekis choice was limited to nothing, demotion within the cabinet or sacking as deputy pres.

I dont believe that Mbeki would have even the power to remove him from Parliament. He is an elected representative (this is a normal democratic control preventing the executive from stuffing with the legislature) His expulsion would probably take a Parlimentary vote.

Just a little recap on constitutional jurisprudence!

SUPERB. Well done Thabo! That sends a strong message that corruption is not to be tolerated. After all Zuma is not guilty by asociation but by judgement, as a judge clearly stated that a person or persons had corrupt relations with him. The fact that he refused to resign shows what an imoral, selfish and greedy person he is. I do hope that the ANC does split as COSATU and the SACP are only holding the ANC back from the labour market reforms that a so badly needed in SA. (also a proper black opposition would be good for democracy)

My concern is that if COSATU/SACP split from the ANC to form an opposition party, the socialist left might actually win. :runaway:

Good point. That is a real threat!

Agree with all your points and maybe the cloud of mistrust hanging over Zuma is the reason to remove him and also for bring the palimentary process into disrepute . However as Hillary Squires noted there was a corrupt relationship but only one has been charged. Untill Zuma is charged and a verdict is given he is NOT GUILTY of any charge . This is a fundimental building block of a strong democracy and must be protected at all costs.
Next thing we know Gauntamino bay is OK and we say people are guilty , stick them in jail but dont charge them.Smells a bit like bob mugabes way of doing business.
I think its a good thing to remove him from a credibilty point of view but thats only in the worlds eyes. If the ANC is serous about stamping out corruption then let the travelgate accused be charged, loose their positions and be forced to pay back all stole money with massive intrest as well as being barred from any public office and have a criominal record

Why am I not surprised, in true ANC fashion - make all the promises that you can and never deliver. This isn't the first time that she has made false promises. Why does the ANC insist on keeping this "Winnie" in power ???

No quick-fix to rescue city streetkids, says Mfeketo:

'Don't give them money'
June 24, 2005

While her deadline for getting homeless children off the streets has not been met, city mayor Nomaindia Mfeketo was satisfied with progress made, as the problem was "far more complex than originally thought".

While her deadline for getting homeless children off the streets has not been met, city mayor Nomaindia Mfeketo was satisfied with progress made, as the problem was "far more complex than originally thought".

Reporting back to a full council meeting yesterday, Mfeketo said: "Last year I made a commitment to the citizens of Cape Town concerning our children who live, sleep and work on the streets of our city.

"I think it is important to acknowledge that the problem of street children is a complex one, far more complex than we originally thought. It is also important to acknowledge that children are still sleeping on the streets as we speak."

Mfeketo also said she would not be setting time frames or deadlines for reuniting them with their families as she was satisfied the process of getting kids off the streets had been started. There was also a stronger public awareness.

In her budget speech in June last year, Mfeketo said she would get all the estimated 850 children off the streets within a year.

While this was the figure she referred to in her speech last year, she said NGOs had since informed her that this figure was closer to 500 and depended on seasonal variation.

To date, she said the city's intervention through the Smile-a-Child campaign in partnership with NGOs and provincial government had seen more than 450 children either engaging with social workers or reunited with their families.

"We find that in summer the number of children increases, while in the winter months the number decreases considerably.

"The process of withdrawal depends on a number of factors, including... the willingness of the child, and the domestic situation of each child," said Mfeketo, adding that the city had taken a "developmental approach".

"This does not simply entail rounding up all the children and placing them in homes. The hard reality we are facing is that there are no quick-fix solutions."

Mfeketo added there were also some street children who were not prepared to withdraw from the streets under any circumstances, and special strategies would have to be put in place to deal with them.

She has urged the public not to support street kids by giving them food or money, but to rather donate funds to organisations aimed at getting them off the streets.

"Some people do not realise they do more harm than good by giving money or food to children on the street. They are making it more rewarding for that child to be on the street," said Mfeketo.

City Mission CEO Lorenzo Davids said the Smile-a-Child campaign had shown it "was possible for children not to sleep on the streets".

If mbeki had the balls and more importantly the support to sack zuma and is now taking a harder line against the travelgate crims, I wouldent bet on him not taking action against incompitant mayors and or ANC leadership. I mean look at Truman Price, if he is not bringing the ANC into disrepute I dont know what is.
Im suprised at Mbeki and hope that this new found anti-corruption vien continues.

All it takes is a few protests and the burning of Mbeki posters and Voila !

Zuma back in ANC structures
30/06/2005 23:15 - (SA)

Johannesburg - The African National Congress's national general council has reinstated the organisation's deputy president, Jacob Zuma, to party activities and structures, SABC news reported on Thursday.

The decision was taken after heated debate of the council in Pretoria.

Earlier in June, the ANC's national working committee accepted Zuma's request not to take part in party structures pending the outcome of his corruption trial.

In this thread, you may take about anything in the life of a South African, from politics, to everyday life and oftopic things, to the amazing transformation that South Africa is undergoing.

You may find it helpful to read the South African Welcome thread as a user manual to explain how to post.

Thanks!

put it back as the shebeen

Calm down... if you didn't notice everything was changed temporarily so I could glance at a thread and know what it was about... Please be nice to me, I am trying to do what you are suggesting!

well consult then dammit...and how were we supposed to know something was "temporary" there is no bold sign saying that anywhere.

enuf with the banter now. i see that u want what i want to occur at the end of the day (ie subsections for each city). but pls just be clear about things :)

"well consult then dammit"

..........? I have changed things back, now please treat me normally!

relax guys, it was a mis communication.
Looks good and is easier to navigate around.
I have a comment , Im not a fan of the new "proposed" names for the cities, any one else feel the same?
Spire , welcome to the unthankful task of being a moderator, good luck mate.

Mbeki fights for ANC control
03/07/2005 08:26 - (SA)

Johannesburg - The battle lines were clearly drawn on Saturday evening between ANC president Thabo Mbeki and his deputy Jacob Zuma over who will finally control the organisation.

A spirited campaign was under way late into the night at the ANC's national general council to take away Mbeki's power to appoint premiers and mayors of major metropolis.

A resolution calling for a recall of the powers conferred on Mbeki by the 1997 conference had already been passed by a commission and was awaiting final approval by the plenary.

A commission's outcome stated that: "The Mafikeng decision regarding the appointment of premiers should be revisited."

Since Thursday the plenary has been displaying a great deal of disdain for Mbeki and huge support for Zuma, who got himself "reinstated" into the full glory of his position as the number two man in the party, as well as an endorsement for the presidency in 2007.

The divisions ran deep, with seven provinces standing behind Zuma and only Gauteng and North West speaking against Zuma's reinstatement. The resolution to reinstate Zuma came amid songs praising him while denigrating Mbeki.

Zuma's supporters were vocal in their excitement and saw their victory as putting Mbeki in his place.

"There is a groundswell of discontent among members that Mbeki should have handled the issue (of Zuma) differently. This was a direct message to the president to find a better working relationship with Zuma.

"Members believe that Zuma still has a central role to play in the organisation and given a chance, can lead the movement. His firing has built a new support base for him on the ground among the structures," a supporter said.

Mbeki's power -

ANC head of the presidency Smuts Ngonyama confirmed that the issue of the removal of the powers of the president to appoint political heads of provincial and metropolitan governance was raised by several commissions, but said he did not know what the final position of the organisation was.

"The issue was raised by several people in the commissions. The matter was still to be finalised by the council's plenary (by yesterday). This was a proposal that the issue (of powers of the president) should be discussed at the next national conference (in 2007)."

He said the consolidated report of the commissions reflected what was discussed by various commissions during their sitting for the past two days regarding the state of the organisation.

By Saturday evening it was also clear that the resolution calling for a two-tier labour system, which would allow younger workers to be paid less and be fired more easily than older workers, was heading for a crash.

The Zuma camp was interpreting this as another victory against Mbeki.

A Mbeki supporter, however, said that was a mistake.

"The documents released for discussion were nothing more than discussion documents and there is no way something like that can pass here, not because people want to show their lack of support for the president but because they are wrong. Even I would not vote for a two-tier labour system.

"The NGC dealt with the issue of the deputy president and then went on to deal with policy issues.

"That helped because the tensions were now gone. And it is important to realise that all the fundamental policy positions have been reaffirmed," he said.

However there is no denying that Zuma has emerged from the council a more popular and stronger leader, as he has been given all his party's major responsibilities, including leading the deployment committee of the ANC.

The party is also working out plans for his financial support.

As the person in charge of the deployment committee, Zuma will have huge influence in the political appointments in national, provincial and local government.

His role may also be extended to parastatals.

Support for Zuma -

Zuma's reinstatement followed enquiries about his withdrawal from ANC activities, with some delegates wanting clarity on how they should interact with him.

Zuma had to address the council, saying that he had to withdraw his participation because he did not get any support from his colleagues within the NWC.

The controversy surrounding Zuma overshadowed many of the key issues that were up for debate during the four-day meeting. These included the council's decision to set a new protocol to govern its members leaving public office for the private sector.

The show of support for Zuma at the NGC raises the question of whether Mbeki is now a lame-duck president who rules the country without overt support from his own organisation.

A senior ANC member said this was not so. "It would be a totally incorrect reading of what is happening. The president enjoys support from members of the organisation," he said.

But ANC head of policy Jeff Radebe said the position taken by the NGC on Zuma was an organisational matter and should not be equated with the decision taken by Mbeki as head of state.

ANC chairperson Mosiuoa Lekota said that Zuma was free to accept nomination from the branch structures of the organisation since no court had found him guilty of anything.

relax guys, it was a mis communication.
Looks good and is easier to navigate around.
I have a comment , Im not a fan of the new "proposed" names for the cities, any one else feel the same?
Spire , welcome to the unthankful task of being a moderator, good luck mate.

I agree - these city names have not changed - yet :) Unless we were all Zulu or Xhosa here the "other" city names are irrelevant.

It gives a unique edge to our section, though.. it kinda shows our multicultralism. :)

In need of advice:
When drunk at a club (which would be quite often) I have a tendency to maul every hot guy I see. I'll be in Durbs for the first time ever in August. What good gay clubs are there? And if I maul a hot gay guy, who happens to be white, will I be kicked out of the club or beaten to a bloody pulp? These are serious questions I need answered. I may need to forgo gay clubbing if I'll end up in a hospital from fight wounds at the end of the night!

GAY POWER.

In need of advice:
When drunk at a club (which would be quite often) I have a tendency to maul every hot guy I see. I'll be in Durbs for the first time ever in August. What good gay clubs are there? And if I maul a hot gay guy, who happens to be white, will I be kicked out of the club or beaten to a bloody pulp? These are serious questions I need answered. I may need to forgo gay clubbing if I'll end up in a hospital from fight wounds at the end of the night!

GAY POWER.

I don't think that there is anything great happenning in Durbs regarding gay clubs but I think that most people still go to 330 ?? Dysan might be able to help in this respect. As for getting touchy with white guys, I would be careful if I was you, it is still South Africa. The safest bet is too wait for somebody to make a move on you. Honesty is the best policy ;) and we wouldn't want you to get hurt.

I have just read that there are 50 South Africans missing in London since the bomb blasts ... wasn't Caisson Boy over there ? - has anybody heard from him ?

In need of advice:
When drunk at a club (which would be quite often) I have a tendency to maul every hot guy I see. I'll be in Durbs for the first time ever in August. What good gay clubs are there? And if I maul a hot gay guy, who happens to be white, will I be kicked out of the club or beaten to a bloody pulp? These are serious questions I need answered. I may need to forgo gay clubbing if I'll end up in a hospital from fight wounds at the end of the night!

GAY POWER.

Last time I was there, 330 was pretty gay-friendly. Just remember that unlike bigger (and more clubbing cities) the crowd is very heterogeneous - gays, hippies, straights, body builders, rugby players, goths in one crowd. Most will be quite relaxed, but some will not be. Beware about mauling guys who arent necessarily gay. I am personally very gay tolerant, but would consider a big mauling as sexual assault and would respond rapidly in a quite unfriendly manner.

YAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAyyyyyyyyy I have a new avatar! I like eet I like eet! EEts nice!

Am I the only one noticing that the only person whom seems to be posting on this site anymore is SP!RE?.....
Just doesn't seem like anyone has fun here anymore..... I miss the 'old' forum...... *sighs*

I don't see a change in posting... and the forum isn't all that different.

Thanks alot, Waltjie... I finally implement changes that everyone decided on and agreed with democratically, and I spend a whole day working on it for everyone else, and you say that.... Thanks aLOT...

Come on - people are busy with their lives at the moment .. I for one am busy moving from one country to the next and stressed out of my tree. Dysan is away and I think that Joburg is also away ... we are very busy at the mo - even Kiwiscrapers is very quiet ....

Spire - thanks for all that you are doing ..Waltjie is just missing the buzz, it has nothing to do with your set up.

I don't think that there is anything great happenning in Durbs regarding gay clubs but I think that most people still go to 330 ??

What the heck is a gay man supposed to do in Durban then?? :bash:
I really want to have a fun time.
Dylsan, HELP!

What the heck is a gay man supposed to do in Durban then?? :bash:
I really want to have a fun time.
Dylsan, HELP!

The gay scene in South Africa is "dying" - it is very strange, nobody can explain it. Jo'burg has only got one gay venue .. Ramp Diva. Cape Town has got Bronx (the busiest bar cum "dance" venue), Sliver (the downstairs bar area is only sort of busy from 1AM and the upstairs club is dead), Manhattans (a bar cum restaurant with no vibe although it does get busy) and that is that.

I can't imagine that Durban will be any better.

The only place in SA with a gay scene is basically CT. Apparently the new gay capital of the would now. dont know how true that is, but it could easily be.

Spire could Greg's Aviation Thread be changed to something like South Africa's Aviation Thread. Thanks for appreciating what I put into it but others do contribute to it as well and I'm worried that assigning my name to it may discourage people from posting news on it.

I agree with Enigma. Joburg still has Oh! and Ramp Divas, and up north we have Legends and Senate in Midrand/Centurion. But besides that, zzzz.....

In addition, our Pride parade has gone to shambles with the collapse of the Equality Project. Some people are trying to get it up and running again, but they don't have much time left.

Our gay games bid is still going strong, with the city and numerous other NB individuals supporting it, but with Paris and Cologne being contenders in the bid, I don't think we have much of a chance. :(

HOPEFULLY, when The Heartlands finally reopens its doors, we'll see a change in Jozi gay life.

The only place in SA with a gay scene is basically CT. Apparently the new gay capital of the would now. dont know how true that is, but it could easily be.

This was a rumour that started 5 years ago. I will find it hard to believe considering that gay venues and festivals are hardly supported anymore. I believe that MCQP have hung up their boots and the CT Pride was a disaster. De Waterkant is also losing gay patrons ... Broadway has moved to Shortmarket Street and I think that this is just the start, more will proably follow.

Gay tourism is way down now that the Rand is stronger and Cape Town's accommodation/restaurant rates are so much higher. Even Sandy Bay seems to be abandoned (probably due to crime - another German tourist was raped there .. it makes me sick).

Auckland has a population of 1.3 million and there are 3 times as many gay venues there as opposed to Cape Town. The Hero Festival is also a major attraction - very much like the Sydney Mardis Gras - and lasts for 2 weeks. With cities like Sydney, London and San Francisco around, I find it hard to believe that Cape Town is the gay capital of the world .. maybe in Africa but that is about that.

Another point, I know of many gay couples emmigrating to London, Auckland and Sydney, unless there are many gay couples moving into CT, I think that there are more moving out.

I agree with Enigma. Joburg still has Oh! and Ramp Divas, and up north we have Legends and Senate in Midrand/Centurion. But besides that, zzzz.....

In addition, our Pride parade has gone to shambles with the collapse of the Equality Project. Some people are trying to get it up and running again, but they don't have much time left.

Our gay games bid is still going strong, with the city and numerous other NB individuals supporting it, but with Paris and Cologne being contenders in the bid, I don't think we have much of a chance. :(

HOPEFULLY, when The Heartlands finally reopens its doors, we'll see a change in Jozi gay life.

What is the hold-up with the Heartland ? I thought that it was going to open about a month back or did I get my wires crossed ?

Maybe it has CT has lost a lot of gay venues etc. But in areas like Micheles Plain, Kuils River i think there is also a lot of gay activity. If i can remember correctly there was a killing in a gay venue in the cape flats about 2years ago. Im not sure about the amount of places or people, but i know that at the waterfront you see loads of gay people. anyways, doesnt really bother/matter me.

Maybe it has CT has lost a lot of gay venues etc. But in areas like Micheles Plain, Kuils River i think there is also a lot of gay activity. If i can remember correctly there was a killing in a gay venue in the cape flats about 2years ago. Im not sure about the amount of places or people, but i know that at the waterfront you see loads of gay people. anyways, doesnt really bother/matter me.

I am sorry that I can't help you there. There are probably gay shebeens in the townships but I must just add that black South Africans are far more accepting of homosexuality than their white counterparts. Amazing.

"What is the hold-up with the Heartland ? I thought that it was going to open about a month back or did I get my wires crossed ?"

You and everyone else thought the same. They say it hasn't opened due to logistical reasons, ie the venue isn't ready. I personally think they're waiting for something big. If (and it's a big If) Joburg pride can get it's act together in 2 months, I think they might open to coincide with the parade. Some guy from the Equality Project might be organising the Parade, and this year they want to go from Con Court Hill to Newtown, so it'll be a perfect opportunity for the Hearltands to open. I personally can't wait. I AM SO BORED of Ramp Divas and Oh!

Spire could Greg's Aviation Thread be changed to something like South Africa's Aviation Thread. Thanks for appreciating what I put into it but others do contribute to it as well and I'm worried that assigning my name to it may discourage people from posting news on it.


Done. Thanks for being friendly :)

For Hirakatashi-

There are several good gay clubs in Durbs. Bean Bag Bohemia is a nice one....also Roman is quite popular.....Axxis I hear is ok....but not in a great spot in town. :)