Beyond
JUNE 2010 ISSUE 07 R29.95
vision 2010 and beyond
HOW TO GET OUT OF DEBT
BAFANA BAFANA Don’t be spineless
ARE YOU READY TO WELCOME THE WORLD?
current affairs 2010 SPORT politics finance & business development & education travel & TOURISM
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Ready to Host 2010 Football World Cup Venture Partners Exclusive 8 page profile
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www.beyondpublishing.co.za
CONTENTS 30
010 Editor’s note 012 Foreword 014 Feedback 016 World news 018 South African news 020 Welcome the world 024 Expert predictions 026 Canon EOS 5D
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030 Final touches 032 Money matters 036 Venture Partners Exclusive 8 page profile
044 World Cup volunteers 046 World Cup paraphernalia 048 The time is now 052 Zakumi
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CONTENTS 054 World Cup fixtures 78
056 Poster 060 Six of the best 064 Football ambassador 066 Bafana bafana 070 Dig yourself out of debt
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074 Political satire 076 Football movie buzz 078 Virtual football champs 082 Mining 086 Cash injection
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092 Agriculture 094 Department of Health 098 BBBEE automated 102 Women of substance 108 Healthy living
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CONTENTS 126
112 Skills & training 122 Chalk on a blackboard 126 Heritage sites 132 Jazz festival 136 Festivals 140 Visitors to our shore
146 146 Beyond the beat 148 2010 football fashion 154 Adrian Schofield 156 Beyond technology 126
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162 IT and engineering 168 Joule electirc car 172 Thank you 174 Subscribe
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CREDITS Managing Director Charles Felix Editor Farouk Abrahams Sales Manager Jerome Dyson Sales ExecutiveS Bernhard Kappelsberger, Michael Keys Simphiwe Mbekile, Charlene Heyburgh Gerhardt Burger, Nuhà Ismail Rozandra Adams, Wendy Scullard Malika Samuels, Litha Nkwentsha Traffic Controller Kian Ross Designer Mark Rosenberg COVER PHOTO Audrey & Patrick Scales PHOTOS FIFA Football World Cup
Ed’s note Hello again as we enter the home straight of the Fifa 2010 World Cup tournament. Phew! The excitement is tangible to say the least. This is another edition jam-packed with all the usual takes on business, entertainment, social and environmental matters. The prime focus though, and quite obviously so, has to be the readiness of both our country and the Bafana Bafana team. We explore these topics and cover a number of 2010 World Cup related issues. It is interesting to note that more and more people have dropped the negative views and have came out in support of this wonderful event about to hit our sports mad nation. This is of course an event that has been hosted successfully all over the world and this despite strong opposition from protesters in certain host countries. The Fifa World Cup is a “feel good”
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event. You have to really hate football or sport in general to not be intoxicated by this football feast coming soon to a neighbourhood near you. I trust that this edition helps to get you in the mood to embrace the spirit of Ubunthu, and, in football parlance, the spirit of fair play. Let us welcome the world in the most emphatic way, with open arms and broad smiles and no prejudice as they “invade” our country. Let football and a wonderful spirit of love and happiness emerge as the ultimate winner when the final whistle goes on July 11. Have a safe and successful World Cup experience!
Contributors Abraham Agulhas Sara Booley Anwar Booley Paul Sedres Wafaa Abdurahman Libby Norton Walter Majosi Zaida Samuels Farah Abdurahman Lee-Ann Richards Zohra Fredericks Mo Gierdien Steven Rosenberg Heidi Felix Farouk Abrahams Louis van Zyl Rishqah Roberts Brow Beat Director Mr. JB Mabecha Accounts Executive Laurenda Hagglund Office Administrator Kelly Cupido Beyond Publishing CK 2008/187319/23 25 Voortrekker Road, Unit 29, Goodwood, 7460 Tel: 021 592 5721, Fax: 021 592 5714 Email: beyondpublishing@telkomsa.net The opinions in Beyond are not necessarily those of the publisher. COPYRIGHT MABECHA PUBLICATIONS.
faga2010@gmail.com
All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior permission from the publisher
Foreword ‘
The World Cup gives all South Africans the opportunity to show the world who we really are sixteen years into our democracy.
Chief Executive Officer of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa (OC), Dr Danny Jordaan, is confident that hosting the planet’s biggest sporting spectacle will prove to be one of South Africa’s most defining moments. “In South Africa there have been a series of significant moments that have shaped the country that we live in today. The memory of Nelson Mandela’s release from prison will live on in the minds of millions of South Africans, as will the memories of the first democratic election in 1994, the Springbok (rugby) victory in 1995, the Bafana Bafana Africa Cup of Nations win in 1996 and the announcement of our successful bid to host the World Cup on 15 May 2004. In a few weeks time we begin what I believe will be one of our most important
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defining moments, the 2010 FIFA World Cup. This defining moment will last a full month, a crucial time where the attention of the world will be nowhere but right here in South Africa. The same South Africa the world once called a miracle nation when in 1994 we made a peaceful transition to democracy, defying all the skeptics. The world has heard many more stories about us since then, sometimes more negative than positive, but this World Cup gives all South Africans the opportunity to show the world who we really are sixteen years into our democracy. The count-down celebrations were crucial pre-tournament moments for the whole country to recognise the importance of the World Cup to South Africa. These are the milestones to celebrate
as a proud nation. I call on all South Africans to get involved in the World Cup because this is our tournament . We must remember that a huge part of the success of the World Cup relies on how all South Africans host the world this year. It is up to every one of us to make sure that we show all the visitors and the global television audience the warmth, friendship and unity of South Africa. The hard infrastructure is in place, our stadiums are ready and are already hosting matches, the transport plans are being finalised, the teams have selected their base camps, the tickets are selling fast and now it is time to watch some of the best football players in the world striving for ultimate glory on our very own pitches”.
Feedback Dear Sir I t concerns me that some people are still doubting whether South Africa can host this World Cup safely and successfully. I think we have shown that up until now, progress on all fronts is great. The Doubting Thomas’s of this world will never admit when something is going right. I know that the World Cup will be a success and that it will open doors for South Africa to host may other major events as well. The only qualm that I have, is the ticketing process. I have tried to get tickets online since the beginning and I was not successful yet. I hope that I will be able to get tickets over the counter now that FIFA has changed the process. If not, I will enjoy the games at a Fan Park. Sherwin Daniels, Green Point
Dear Sherwin I think that it is high time for South Africans to start rooting for the country in support of a successful World Cup. With all our assistance and aims to make this a world class event, who better to be the ambassadors of this country. I hope you get your tickets and enjoy the beautiful game. Dear Sir The article on job creation made me remember the time when my company decided to close its doors and gave us 48 hours notice that we did not have our jobs anymore. It is as if it was yesterday, as I can still remember what it felt like and how unsure of the future many of us were. Being 39 years of age, I was not sure whether any other company would employ me and what would happen to my family as I was the only
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breadwinner. But as life has it, wherever there is a will, there is a way. That incident propelled me to start my own company and I am in my 4th year of being my own boss. I was able to start something that I always dreamt to do and the process I have also employed 3 of my ex-colleagues. The World Cup will have many opportunities for people – some may be short lived and others maybe more sustainable in the long run. I have certainly made use of this opportunity and hope that I will have lots to look back on once the event has come and gone. Thanks for placing such topical issues. Peter Dodds, Midrand Dear Peter It is great to know that we are able to turn unfortunate events into opportunities. For others it may not always be possible to do what you have done – it takes lots of perseverance. Congratulations and well done on a successful venture and I hope that the opportunity that you are making use of will be profitable. Thanks for your support. Dear Sir I am a university student and loved the inclusion of your new gadgets page. I always read your technology page and feel that your new page is a boost to what you already have. It is great to know what is out there and sometimes not so great if I cannot even afford to buy it. But at least, I can use your page to become the most informed of the latest gadgetry from amongst my friends. I always look cool when I am the only or first one to know about the latest on the market. I wish that I can afford the Jet Wing suit or the iron Man armor, if you know of any sponsors, I would be forever
grateful. I am looking forward to your next edition. James Weaver, Cape Town Dear James Thanks for your comments. I am sure that many of us would like the Jet Wing Suit for many different reasons and it may just be available in the near future given the rapid pace of new inventions that comes onto the market in recent times. I hope by then you would be in a position to afford such a suit. For now, I certainly do not know of any sponsors that can assist you. Happy reading and I hope that this edition will stimulate your interest as well.
World news 16 MILLION 700 000
the penalty in US Dollars that the Department of Transportation is seeking in fines from Toyota over recalls
the number of students UNICEF hopes to have back in class in Haiti by May
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145 BILLION
Taliban members killed near the Afghan border the ammount in US Dollars to aid Greece
NPT Nuclear Weapon States Non-NPT Nuclear Weapon States NATO Nuclear Weapons Sharing Suspected Nuclear Weapons States
The whole nuke
Barack Obama’s “new defense strategy” will change US Policy on the use of nuclear weapons. The focus of The Nuclear Posture Review is “part of a broader effort to edge the world toward making nuclear weapons obsolete, and to create incentives for countries to give up any nuclear ambitions”. Russia is set to sign the new arms reduction pact in Prague on Thursday. This new Reduction Pact will replace the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which expired in December. The new pact will limit the US and Russia’s nuclear arsenal to 1550 warheads each ! The Review is aimed at encouraging the current nuclear powers (Britain, France, Russia, China, India, Pakistan and North Korea) to reduce their stockpiles and further discourage nuclear weapons programs globally.
160 000
number of Americans dying of lung cancer every year
100
300 000
the number of Apple iPads sold on the first day of release
30 MILLION
US Dollars British Airways lost per day because of the shutdown
3%
the percentage drop of high school smokers in the last 5 years
195
The number of countries in the world. Different numbers pop up when one inquires or reads about the number of countries in the world. Each source you use often yields a different answer. Ultimately, 195 is the best answer.
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Villagers brutally massacred in Congo
the number of people killed in the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig
PHOTO Claudio Nunez
Magnitude 7.2 earthquake hits Mexico.
The quake which struck some 25 kilometers southwest of Guadalupe is one of the strongest to hit Southern California in years. The quake was felt from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. This brings the number of significant earthquakes for 2010 upto 9, the largest being the 8.8 in Chile earlier this year and the most devastating being the 7.0 which struck Haiti in January leaving hundreds of thousands dead and millions homeless. Dr. Michael Blanpied, associate program coordinator for the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, is of the opinion that earthquakes are neither rising, nor falling in frequency or magnitude. A new European study, released in the April edition of Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, indicates that one hour of physical aerobic activity a day reduces the cases of obesity in carriers of the FTO gene variant (aka FATSO gene). 752 teenagers were fitted with monitoring devices which measured their physical activity. The results showed a big difference in waist measurement, BMI scores and body fat for those who exercised an hour or more daily. “The message is clear: genes are not destiny,” said Dr. Alan Shuldiner of the University of Maryland. “Those with obesity susceptibility genes should be especially motivated to engage in a physically active lifestyle.”
Virtual hugs
The field of Augmented Reality technology took a leap forward with the release of the iFeel_IM! wearable robot. It was designed by husband and wife team Dzmitry Tsetserukou and Alena Neviarouskaya. The prototype is a collection of sensors, vibrators, small motors an speakers which can generate warmth, tickling sensations, tingling and even allow you to feel a hug. “We are steeped in computer-mediated communication,” commented Dzmitry, “SMS, e-mail, Twitter, Instant Messaging, 3-D virtual worlds- but many people don’t connect emotionally.” “I am looking to create a deep immersive experience, not just a vibration in your shirt triggered by an SMS. Emotion is what give communication life.” Software developed by Alena Neviarouskaya interprets emotional messages written in text and triggers the appropriate sensation in the robot. The system was tested by subjects playing in the online environment Second Life. The words “I am happy to see you” triggers a warm sensation in the person spoken to, and as the avatars hug in their virtual world, the act is mirrored in reality by a squeezing sensation around the waist. “In a few years, this could be a mobile system integrated into a suit or jacket,” he said. “It’s not that far away.”
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South Africa 3000
number of applications for membership to AWB since Terre’Blanche was murdered
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security guards assaulted by eight armed men who robbed a restaurant at Rand Airport in Germiston
A World Cup threat? Or just the usual media hype! The killing of AWB leader Eugene Terre’Blanche has sparked international controversy and concern over South Africa’s stability. Popular opinion holds that the “fantasy” of a post-apartheid “Rainbow Nation” has been shattered and initially many fear the repercussions this killing will have. AWB spokesperson Andre Visagie said “The death of Mr Terre’Blanche is a declaration of war by the black community of South Africa to the white community that has been killed for ten years on end,” Visagie said. The statement was later retracted and the AWB issued assurances that no revenge would be taken. Many questioned whether the killings were inspired by the popularity of the song “Shoot the Boer” however Malema rejected the idea. “The ANC will respond to that issue. On a personal capacity, I’m not going to respond to what people are saying. I’m in Zimbabwe now. I’m not linked to this.” Malema said at the time. PHOTO Anton Raath
1473
number of speeding fines issued in Cape Town over Easter Weekend
31.3 % 25 % 18
the increase in electricity tariffs July 2009
the increase in electricity tariffs April 2010
56 000
Rand Selebi spent on cloths on one day at the luxurious Sandton clothing store in 2005
The Boer State
The AWB then called for their own, self-governed state. “All we want is a piece of land in South Africa where we can settle ourselves and call it our own and govern ourselves with our religion... and our own laws,” said Pieter Steyn, speaking outside the Ventersdorp Magistrate Court. “We want a volkstad, according to our own way and we don’t want any Nigerians, drug lords, rapists, murderers or anyone else there... that’s all we want,” he said. He further stated that the disturbance between the white and black supporters at the hearing was caused by a woman who was not a member of the AWB. Police were forced to intervene and erected a razor wire fence between the two groups. “Emotions are high right now, people are angry and cross but it is normal, we have requested our members to keep cool and calm and refrain from making racial remarks.” was Mr Steyn’s response.
FIFA World Cup in 3D
But is it uncapped?
The launch of MWEB’s uncapped ADSL internet packages in Mid March was a landmark game changer for ISP’s in South Africa. Capping or data-metering has never been an issue in the top internet using nations, yet the practice was adopted and rolled out as a part of the local internet offering. As of the beginning of April there are at least 6 companies competing for the uncapped market with prices ranging from R196 upto R599. The question many users are asking though is “Does uncapped truly mean uncapped?” Many ISP’s have added Fair Use or Acceptable Use policies into their contracts which will either limit or throttle subscribers after they reach a usage threshold. Some ISP’s are using a weighted system throttling the service once it reaches 60Gb and suspending services at 100Gb. The Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa (ASA) has, in the past, received complaints regarding “uncapped” advertisements. Their rulings on these cases suggest that discontinuation of service of a user who exceeds a threshold can not be considered “uncapped”. What becomes glaringly obvious is that Telkom has been left behind in the ISP market. However Ajith Bridgraj commented that “Uncapped speed-locked ADSL service consumer offerings are in development. However, no time-frames, offering specifications or price points can be disclosed at this stage. In the development process, Telkom is striving for optimal quality, reliability and affordability,”
2010 marks the first time that the FIFA World Cup will be broadcast in 3D. FIFA has signed a media rights agreement with Sony to deliver 3D content from 25 matches in South Africa. Sir Howard Stringer, President of Sony Corporation, commented that “the transition to 3D is underway, and, we, at Sony, intend to be leaders in every aspect. Our sponsorship of the FIFA World Cup allows us to leverage our cutting-edge 3D technology and premier products with dazzling content to produce a unique and totally compelling viewing experience. 3D viewers around the world will feel as though they are inside the stadiums in South Africa, watching the games in person.” “This propels the football fan into a whole new viewing dimension and marks the dawning of a new era in the broadcasting of sport. We are proud that the FIFA World Cup can serve as a platform for advancing technology and the viewing experience, and are truly fortunate to have Sony as a partner in this endeavor.” said FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke.
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2010 WRITER Farouk Abrahams
PHOTO Audrey & Patrick Scales
Are you ready to welcome the world?
Is this not a wonderful time to be a South African? Leave alone the economic stresses etc. etc. and you will notice a rather bright ray of light shining through the dark clouds. 20
Sounds crazy to you? Well, that is the reality, for no matter what goes down in the particular country about to host the Fifa World Cup; this event carries with it the ignition of peace and harmony. And yes, this, despite the many hard fought wars raging on the football fields at the time. Simply put this is the coming of the planet’s biggest sporting showpiece. Yes, if you happened to be in a coma for the last couple of years then let this light beaming from the Fifa headquarters in Zurich (Switzerland) serve as a reminder that the World Cup tournament is looming large. The action kicks off on June 11 and the drama runs through to July 11 when an already sold out cup final will be staged at the brand spanking new Soccer City venue in Nasrec near Johannesburg. This is the culmination of much planning, lobbying, arguing, in-fighting, backbiting, broken friendships and partnerships, even marriages? The blooming of new partnerships and business ventures and billions of rand changing hands, some by means of handsome profits and at times by means of huge losses. Ticketing processes and sales have been controversial and so many of those who relied on the traditional last-minute shopping may yet be forced to catch the riveting action on the small box or on the big screens at the designated Fan Parks instead of enjoying first hand the performances of the world’s best within the confines of our world-class venues. The doomsayers have had their odd moments of glee but thankfully they have had to stand by and witness the birth and subsequent growth of the 2010 World Cup spectacle. Yes, this event will happen on African soil for the first time. A lot has been said about exactly what the hosting of the Fifa World Cup promises the man in the street. Well, given the stringent policies and rights protection, which rightly govern this event, we should not expect to see the emergence of a coupe of new millionaires in local neighbourhoods. Rest assured rather that the blessings lie in all the infrastructural improvements across the country. And whether you want to admit it or not alleviating the stress during the much-detested peakhour traffic jams, for one, is going to bring a lot of smiles to a lot of faces, and
certainly reduce the chances of those early morning fatal heart attacks. So now we come to the most important aspect of hosting Fifa’s flagship competition-which believe it or not is, the readiness of the people of South Africa. Yes, the infrastructure and material warranties promised to the world governing body will be honoured. But will the service delivery be met and will the people put forward their best foot and infectious smiles?
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Are you ready to play your part in ensuring that this is the best ever Fifa World Cup tournament? Are you ready to flash a warm smile at the sight of the thousands of visitors to our beautiful country? This writer certainly hopes so for having been fortunate enough to experience live the last two world cup tournaments had left me with no doubts that the readiness of the people somehow outweighs some of the material matter. In 2002 the Koreans and Japanese went the extra mile and beyond to dish up a memorable world cup even looking
after the tiniest detail of playing South African music in the shops and elevators in hotels around the Bafana Bafana base camp. Now that was planning at its very best. Four years later and the Germans, mostly known for their dour approach to life stunned the rest of the world with a magical tournament filled with beautiful smiles and wonderful service delivery. In the months leading up to the coveted event, German authorities spent huge amounts of money on a “smile” campaign to ensure the warmth that greeted the masses during the 2006 World Cup. That has set the trend and the bar for South Africans is certainly a challenging height. However, we are at best a very light-hearted and friendly nation. We simply have to do it for Africa because there is no telling when next an African nation is going to be the proud hosts of the prestigious event. All of which begs the question: Are you ready to welcome the world to our shores? Are you ready to play your part in ensuring that this is the best ever Fifa World Cup tournament? Are you ready to flash a warm smile at the sight of the thousands of visitors to our beautiful country? If you answered “yes” to the above then the African dream has one more chance of being realised. Hosting a successful World Cup would elevate the continent to the ranks of first-class hosts of world events after having done admirably in the staging of the rugby and cricket world cups among other international events. South Africa would quite obviously then consolidate its position as a favourite tourist destination on the world map. The match venues are ready; the training venues are ready; the transport infrastructure is ready; the accommodation is in place; the volunteers have been primed for the cause; and in my heart of hearts I am convinced that the people will no doubt be ready to pave the way to a glorious football festival. Let fair play and sportsmanship prevail in the heat of the battles both on and off the fields. Let the winner of this coveted prize be a worthy winner. We, at Beyond say that it is time to shelve the negatives: “Let the games begin”.
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Expert predictions CLINT ROPER (SOCCER LADUMA)
What are Bafana Bafana’s chances of progressing past the first round? In football anything is possible and I recall how Bafana only missed by a single goal to qualify to the next round of the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan. I think it all hinges on that first match against Mexico. A positive result would set the desired tone for the rest of the first round matches. Another point in Bafana’s favour is that France are currently misfiring and unless they get things together in time Bafana’s chances of going through would certainly increase. The truth though is that unlike in rugby and cricket the underdogs in football always stand a chance of winning. This alone is a huge factor in favour of Bafana upsetting the applecart. What advice would you offer the Bafana coach ahead of the tournament? I would tell him that we do not have enough goals scored from midfield to play with only one striker. In fact goals have been so hard to come by for the national team that it is a surprise that the coach does not adopt a game plan based on the natural speed of his players. This is a big feature of the South African game so the possession game from the back might well appear organised but by the same token could prove a touch foreign to players used to attacking with speed. Take Arsenal for example; they adopt a slick passing game with emphasis to deliver a shot at goal inside five or six passes. That’s the example to follow. Who do you fancy as the four semi-finalists? Brazil are obvious candidates and then I would go for Spain, Argentina and add a bit of African flair in the Ivory Coast. It would really be the cherry on top of hosting the World Cup if an African team could make it that far.
Who will lift the cup on July 11? Brazil; based purely on World Cup pedigree and history. I’m sure they could pick three different teams and still have a good chance of winning the cup.
Your prediction as the tournament’s top player? I am going for Lionel Messi because he has the ability to mesmerise defenders and score goals. The big challenge though is how he is going to deal with the inevitable hounding by defenders eager to stop him in his tracks. It could hinge on how much protection Messi is afforded by the referee. Will it be a smooth World Cup given the negative comments in certain quarters? I think so. South African football is not plagued by radical elements and militant violence so the travelling fans are in for a pleasant surprise if they are indeed preparing for any sort of physical confrontation on the terraces. Where else but in South Africa do you see supporters of three or four different clubs singing and dancing as one big family on the stands? Outside the venues the biggest challenge is going to be the Park and Ride system and how the policing of the foot traffic and vehicle traffic is managed. This is an area, which had made previous World Cup tournaments a major success, and we need to get it right first time. THAMI NQOLOBE (SOWETAN FREELANCE WRITER) What are Bafana Bafana’s chances of progressing past the first round? I would have been a lot more confident had the preparations not been as chaotic as Bafana’s. The coach chopped and changed too much and never really gave anyone the confidence that he was actually building the team to take part
WRITER Farouk Abrahams
in a world cup event. I suppose a good result against Mexico is a must if they are to have any chance of making it to the next round. What advice would you offer the Bafana coach ahead of the tournament? The coach must allow the players the freedom to play what they are used to instead of trying out new systems and formations so close to the tournament. Not all the players are able to adopt such radical changes, which could lead to a lot of confusion on the pitch. It’s too late now but I think he should have made more use of the vast pool of local football coaching fundis to cast his selection net a bit wider. Who do you fancy as the four semi-finalists? Brazil, Italy, Germany and Ghana. Who will lift the cup on July 11? I think Brazil will win it. Your prediction as the tournament’s top player? My vote would go to Lionel Messi. This boy has everything you need to win major trophies and he is the kind of player the Bafana coach could have done with. Will it be a smooth World Cup given the negative comments in certain quarters? The security personnel and the volunteers have the biggest role to play to make this event a success. The test events at all the venues went off well but the real test is when the official matches start because then it is about the coming together of people from all walks of life and this needs to be controlled and managed in a professional and efficient manner. I am confident though that it is going to be a smooth journey for all.
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Canon EOS 7D
A completely new design to meet the demands of any type of photographer. WRITER Mark Rosenberg
Incorporating a new 18MP APS-C CMOS Sensor, developed by Canon, the EOS 7D also features: Dual “DIGIC 4” processors to offer fast, high-quality performance in all light conditions, an ISO range expandable to 12,800 and continuous shooting at 8 frames per second without the need for additional accessories. These technologies are matched by excellent build-quality designed with the photographer in mind, to create a whole new photographic experience. During extensive development Canon went back to the drawing board, listening to photographers worldwide in order to design the EOS 7D to meet their specific needs. Commenting on the creation of the EOS 7D, Mr. Shinbori, Deputy Group Executive of Photo Products Group & Senior General Manager of Camera Development Center, Canon Inc,said “We consulted over 5,000 photographers worldwide and asked them what they most wanted to see from a camera. Matching this insight with cutting-edge technology, we were able to develop a camera that truly gives photographers the versatile tool they require to experiment with their images.” The EOS 7D features a 19-point crosstype AF sensor, enabling photographers to achieve accurate shots and optimise composition options. This improved AF system offers a range of manual and automatic settings including Zone and Spot AF to track and capture subjects quickly and accurately. AF settings are highly customisable, allowing for rapid reaction to changes in the scene. Different AF points can be set for vertical or horizontal orientation, so photographers can automatically switch between landscape and portrait shots without touching a button. The EOS 7D also incorporates a new metering system. The Focus Colour Luminance metering system intelligently measures focus, colour and luminance, across 63 zones. Complementing the 19 AF points, the dual layer sensor is able to gather information from each distinct zone to obtain a more accurate and consistent exposure. Ok so know you are asking what does it cost. Prices vary but you can expect to pay around R17 000. That having been said once you get your hands on one of these youll be shooting profesional photographs begore you know it.
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2010
Final touches WRITER Mo Gierdien
SECURITY An anonymous e-mail currently spamming our inboxes forlornly highlights the hysteria surrounding security by the pessimistic 2010 doomsayers. It provides a clipping by a British tabloid proclaiming to the world that the end of the world is near. Well, almost. If you define the end of the world as a disastrous World Cup, then this piece of sensationalist reporting confirms your ‘I-told-you-so’ and everything else that Madam fears about Eve. Never mind the selective use – and omission - of information. Nor the unfounded insinuations of a pending race war. What’s important is that the World Cup is heading down the road to nowhere. Ignore the fact that billions of rand have been spent on infrastructure security and increased resources. Ignore the fact that security personnel have been provided with additional and specialised training by the world’s leading security agencies which include the FBI, Interpol and the like. This training includes preparation for specific event contingencies such as emergency stadium evacuation and terrorist threats.
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Ignore the fact that recent months have seen successful crime-prevention campaigns being undertaken in notorious crime hot spots. Ignore the fact that security and support personnel numbers have been hugely boosted especially for this one-month showpiece of football. In addition international law enforcement agencies of all participating countries will be having a physical presence at this soccer festival. Ignore the fact that the latest technologies regarding surveillance and crowd-control will be deployed. Ignore the fact that the Confederations Cup, which, was hosted not so long ago was a huge success. FIFA head of security Jerome Valcke left our shores confident that we were on track. At one point our preparations exceeded those of Germany 2006 at the same point in the preparation schedule. And ignore the fact that the Rugby World Cup, the limited overs Cricket World Cup, the World Cup of Golf, the African Cup of Nations, the A1 Grand Prix and the IPL cricket slugfest were all successfully hosted in South Africa. Then maybe, just maybe, there might
be some inkling of truth in this Pommie piece of paranoia. STADIUMS Five new stadiums have been built for the tournament, and five of the existing venues are to be upgraded. The Green Point Stadium in Cape Town has been transformed into a completely new multi-purpose, environmentally sustainable, modern, and technologically advanced 68,000-seater. The 8 matches include a mouthwatering semi-final. Soccer City (previously known as the FNB Stadium) in Johannesburg will host both the opening and final matches of the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup. Built in 1987, Soccer City has played host to some of the most memorable matches in South Africa’s soccer history. Soccer City has been enlarged to seat 94 700 for soccer’s showcase event. Port Elizabeth will be showcasing a brand new world-class stadium - the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. The five-tier stadium has a seating capacity of 44,000 with an additional 4000 temporary seats available for the World Cup. Matches include the 3rd place play-off.
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At one point our preparations exceeded those of Germany in 2006.
TRANSPORT Government agencies, specifically the Department of Transport (DoT), transport authorities (including South African National Roads Agency) and other stakeholders (such as Metrorail and ACSA) responsible for the efficient functioning of South Africa’s transport system have embarked on various initiatives leading up to the World Cup. All transport preparations are geared to ensure the hassle-free movement of players, fans, officials and media during the course of the event. A great deal of the transport preparations occurs at host-city level. The park-and-ride system implemented on match-days will be further fine-tuned with improved signage and steward support as well as strengthening the flow of buses to match venues. The new-generation Rapid Transport Systems have been launched or are close to being launched in all the major metropolitan centres. Egoli’s bus rapid transit (BRT) system was launched in August 2009. Teething problems have been minimal and have been resolved satisfactorily. Cape Town’s BRT is a work-
in-progress and the BRT in Durban is close to implementation. BRTs in other smaller municipalities are in various stages of finalisation. As mentioned previously the DoT will be providing an additional 2,035 luxury and standard buses, 60 train sets and 1,000 bus coaches. Metrorail’s upgrade of 4,600 coaches is also close to completion. South Africa’s air transport capacity is well able to manage with the expected 350,000 plus visitors. Africa’s top performing airport in 2007, O R Tambo International Airport, has close to 9 million passengers going through its terminals each year. Recent upgrades at the airport will make the travelling experience even more pleasurable. Likewise at Cape Town International Airport. Voted as Africa’s leading airport at the 2008 World Travel Awards, Cape Town’s terminals have seen in excess of 3,8 million visitors departing per year. South Africa’s transport infrastructure is waiting for kick-off.
2010 Soccer World Cup in South Africa. “I am honoured that ‘Waka Waka’ was chosen to be part of the excitement and the legacy of the 2010 FIFA World Cup,” contactmusic.com quoted her as saying. “The soccer World Cup is a miracle of global excitement, connecting every country, race, religion and condition around a single passion.” Shakira will also attend the opening of the tournament in South Africa June 10 and perform along with Alicia Keys and Black Eyed Peas. The concert at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto will be attended by 30,000 fans. Waka Waka will be available for download through digital retail outlets from May 11, and will be included on “Listen Up! The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Album” to be released May 31. Proceeds from the album will benefit FIFA’s “20 Centres for 2010” initiative in Africa.
LATEST Reports from London announced that singer Shakira’s hit number “Waka Waka” has been named official song of the FIFA
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FINANCE
Money matters simplified They say that money makes the world go round, so plan carefully. WRITER Abraham Agulhas Money as a commodity has become an integral part of life since the beginning of industrialisation. Without money, we are lost! As we all know, every human being needs money for basic survival in today’s world. To satisfy this need, we need to plan because money is not going to fall from the sky. We need to plan how to become financially independent and how to grow the money we already have. If we want to secure a basic or affluent lifestyle, we must plan to get there if you are not already there. Every one should have a financial plan irrespective of your income or social status in society. One of the most important features of a financial plan is to look at possible risks that one may face during your lifetime and how to
overcome such risks. With this in mind, we have to ask ourselves some basic questions; are there sufficient funds for my spouse and my kids if I die today. How will I be able to sustain my life if I become disabled tomorrow? Do I have sufficient funds for my child’s education? Will my bond be settled if I die? Does the business have enough money to pay the beneficiaries or the estate of a deceased business partner? It is very important that solutions are found to deal with the impact of these realities in life. Many businesses in South Africa, big or small are facing challenges with regards to certain risks. One of the risk is that one business partner may become disabled or die. What will be the impact on the
business and will there be sufficient cash to buy out the share of the disabled or deceased business partner. A solution to this would be to ensure that the business has a buy and sell agreement and insurance in place. Buy and Sell Insurance The aim of Buy and Sell Insurance is to put insurance policies in place for the take over-of interest transaction between owners of a business. This can become a very time consuming and a somewhat complicated matter with possible disastrous effects if you do not consider expert advice. Certain important issues must be considered. For Example; who must be the proposer (owner) of the
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policy? How must the policy premium be divided among the number of proposer’s on the policy? What do you do if existing lives insured on the policy decide to leave the business and new lives must be added? Well, let me put your minds at ease! In constructing a buy and sell agreement, we have to ensure that one share holder in a business has sufficient funds to buy the interest of another should one or more than one of them die or become disabled. That is why business people contract with another to buy out the business interest of one another in the event of death or disability. We can therefore conclude that the person who will need the money to buy out the business interests must be the proposer or owner of the policy and the person whose business interests must the bought out, will be the live insured. The proposer is therefore the owner of the policy. He or she is also the premium payer and the sole beneficiary of the benefits of the policy. Only the proposer or owner of the policy can be held responsible for certain estate and donation tax implications. The live insured is the person whose interests can be bought out in the event of his her death or disability. It is possible to put more than one live insured on one policy and to divide the premiums appropriately. To illustrate the above see the followign example: ZCT (Pty) Ltd is a private company. The company
34
has four shareholders: Sipho, Mzawke, Robert and Beauty. The total ownership in ZCT (Pty) Ltd is R5m, which is divided as follows: Sipho
R2,000,000
40%
Mzawke
R1,500,000
30%
Robert
R1,000,000
20%
Beauty
R 500,000
10%
How much cover is needed for these shareholders? The amount of cover must correspond with the value of the particular life insured’s interests in the business. It is easier to determine the cover in a business with one or two interest holding parties. However, if more than one interestholding parties are involved, more than one person must buy out the business interest of a deceased or disabled party. Each of these persons lays claim to a portion of the business interest of the deceased or disabled party. This is done on a proportional bases with regards to their existing interest in the business. Each person will then take out a policy with a cover amount equal to the size of the interest to which that person lays claim. Therefore to determine the amount of cover for each person, we have to do the following; » We need to express the percentage interest held by each member as a fraction of the group’s total percentage interest held. This fraction must then be
multiplied by the total cover, which is required on each insured as stated in the table above. • In other words; if we look at Sipho’s share of R2m in the company, the persons who have Sipho as a life insured will have to make sure that the sum total of the cover on his life is R2m. The same applies for each shareholder. • Therefore, the cover that Mzawke must take out on Sipho’s life is 30/60 of R2m, which equates to R1m. • The cover that Robert must take out on Sipho’s life is 20/60 of R2m, which equates to R666, 667 • The cover that Beauty must take out on Sipho’s life is 10/60 of R2m, which equates to R333, 333. • To check if our calculations are correct, we simply add up these amounts; R1m plus R666, 667 plus R333, 333 and we are back to R2m share of Sipho’s in the business. Each person will therefore have enough cover on Sipho’s life to be able to buy out Sipho’s share in relation to his or her shareholding. In the next edition we will look at what will happen if an existing party holding an interest in the company wants to leave the business and what will happen to the cover on his life. Until next time! Abraham Agulhas is a Sanlam Financial adviser. This article is written in his personal capacity. He can be contacted at 021-9476556 or E-mail: agulhas@ sanlam4u.co.za
2010 SPORT
2010 FIFA World Cup volunteers
“It’s a journey of a lifetime” WRITER Farouk Abrahams
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Paramount to the overall success of the Fifa 2010 World Cup is the host countries’ army of proud volunteers. Hailing from all walks of life these starry-eyed “soldiers” will in most cases be the face of this prestigious event. It could not have been task to select and train such a diverse group of eager beavers but feedback has been mostly positive. World Cup goers will no doubt look forward to smooth transitions as they journey through the planet’s bigest and most watched sporting event. The Nelson Mandela Bay Metro (Port Elizabeth) is proudly home to the oldest volunteer in South Africa. 79-year-old Daya Amrit – who has become somewhat of a celebrity – says he is aiming to leave his mark both on the first World Cup to be held on African soil and in the Guinness World Book of records. So committed is he that he recently spent the entire day of his 60th wedding anniversary – at volunteer training. “This is the chance of a lifetime we will never see again, well, at least, I will never see again,” enthused Amrit at the time. “So far this World Cup has changed my life in a way I never expected. I’ve met so many people from all walks of life. I just did it (volunteered) because I am a pensioner, I have time, and I am a community-orientated people’s person.” “This has all been an incredible journey. I have no doubt the World Cup is going to be the cherry on top – but we need the support of the entire South African community, that’s why the volunteers are so important,” added Amrit. Sharing the excitement means working for South Africa as well as enjoying the festivities and matches, said volunteers. Many adding they are avid supporters of either Portugal – who will face Cote d’Ivoire on 15 June at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium – or Brazil. Volunteering friends, Shamima Davis and Desnay Baatjies, both students, say they love the beautiful game. “I can’t wait to see Portugal play. I am a huge fan of Cristiano Ronaldo – I’m totally excited for that game. I just can’t believe that Portugal will be playing right here in the Bay,” said Baatjies. Volunteer couple Saadik (46) and Camila Ismail (44) are throwing their weight behind Germany – who clash against football foes Serbia on June 18 – after forging a connection with the country when they hosted a German exchange student. They are equally passionate about giving time and energy to South Africa.
“You need to give before you get,” explained Camila. “Also, being a volunteer gives you the satisfaction of saying: “I was there, I helped make it happen.” Nosisa Mbolekwa 20, said she was honoured to be one of the volunteers. “I’m over the moon with excitement. I almost can’t believe that I was chosen to be one of 15,000 volunteers. I am actually speechless – I’ve even given up celebrating my birthday to be here,” said Mbolekwa. Frenchman Philippe Foucaut (60) retired to South Africa after falling for a “lovely lady”. He decided to put his French fluency to work for his surrogate country to work as a volunteer in language support. “Why not? I can help my compatriots and South Africa – the only problem will be if Bafana Bafana and France play against each other – then my heart would be torn in two.” Orginally there were 67,999 volunteer applications from 170 countries. An eventual 15,000 were selected to make up the Organising Committee volunteers and 3,000 Host City volunteers. Over the last few weeks volunteers in each of the Host Cities have been receiving training in their respective functional areas, including welcome and information services, spectator services, lanugauge support, media and IT and technology – and also had their share of fun with a 3,000 strong Diski dancing session to kick-off training. Volunteers in the 2010 FIFA World Cup will serve in specific functional areas based on the requirements of the World Cup Organising Committee (OC), FIFA and the official Host Cities. Accreditation Accreditation is a crucial element of the event and is the backbone of security that controls access to any area that the Organising Committee is responsible for. The accreditation department will provide personalised identifications cards (better known as Accreditation Cards) for all officials, teams, media representatives, volunteers, service providers and local co-workers. Accreditation is important as this is an optimal method to control access to specific venues. A volunteer in this department will meet and greet persons who have applied for accreditation at the accreditation centre, and will be responsible for the production and issuing of the identity document. You will also assist in distributing daily passes and handle any issues arising from persons seeking accreditation. With very
few exceptions, accreditation volunteers work in specific, fixed locations near the stadium. The ability to communicate in at least one language of a participating nation would be advantageous and you will be expected to be computer literate. Welcome and Information Services As a Welcome and Information Services volunteer you will play a key role in receiving guests at different ports of entry into South Africa. You will man the Welcome and Information Desk at various venues such as the airports, official hotels, and stadia. Information regarding the transport routes, event schedules and general information will be shared at these venues. The ability to communicate in at least one language of a participating nation would be advantageous as would knowledge of South Africa and the host city. Computer literacy would be beneficial. Language Support Volunteers for language support need to have a good command of the English language. You will be required to assist with language interpretation from English to any of the foreign language(s) of your competency, and vice versa. You are expected to be courteous, friendly, and approachable; and be customer-oriented. You will have the unique opportunity of working with and meeting people from all walks of life and will assist various functional areas where there is a language requirement. Your tasks will include, but is not limited to, assisting with language interpretation as and when required by spectators, guests and service providers. 2010 FIFA World Cup South AfricA Organising Committee Volunteer Functional Areas Accreditation Administration Environmental Services Welcome and Information Services Information Technology Language Support Rights Protection Programme Logistic Services Marketing Media Protocol Services Spectator Services Ticketing Transportation Hospitality Services Volunteer Management
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World Cup paraphernalia The vuvuzela has created so many waves all over the world that FIFA chose to ignore calls to ban it inside the stadiums.
2010
WRITER Farah Abdurahman With virtually days to go before one of the biggest sporting events to hit the African continent makes its appearance, an exciting new industry is being created. The buzzword with the 2010 Soccer World Cup is paraphernalia. The fan is spoilt for choice when it comes to accessorising for the World Cup. The World Cup has created opportunities for people to explore their creative side. Besides the official FIFA paraphernalia, there’s also community based projects that are creating paraphernalia for the soccer fan. One can look at the traffic lights and see soccer curios being created from wire and beads or go into small shops, where people have created soccer ball-shaped lampshades created from feathers. The World Cup does not only generate unity but also creates a furnace for entrepreneurial ambition. The list of apparel to choose from is endless. If you’re an avid yet adventurous supporter, one could seek protection and decoration from the makarapa (a modified miner’s helmet with decorations of soccer teams and stars) or try one’s hand at playing the new “musical” instrument, the vuvuzela. There is also something for the moderate supporter. Every country that is part of the World Cup has its own t-shirts
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which are available in different designs and colours. From key rings to cups, the paraphernalia knows no boundaries. The Zakumi lucky packet This packet of fun offers one a small soccer stress ball, key chain, button badge, temporary tattoo stickers and a silicon wrist band. This is an official FIFA bag and also offers small reminders of the World Cup. Makarapa When you think makarapa, the image of a miner’s helmet should come to mind. It is a decorated miner’s helmet that is sported at major South African soccer games. It is usually decorated with the different teams that are being supported. The first makarapa made its appearance in the east of Johannesburg in 1970. A man named Alfred ‘Magistrate’ Baloyi had created this headpiece to protect the spectators against bottles that were thrown in the stadium. FIFA has seen that the makarapa is a huge part of African soccer and has given the go ahead for the makarapa to be worn at the stadiums during the World Cup. So, if you ever want to experience the feeling of a miner’s helmet and join in the celebration of the world cup, the
makarapa is waiting for you. Vuvuzela What’s plastic, a metre long, brightly coloured and sounds like an elephant mixed with a swarm of angry bees? Yes! You, guessed it, the vuvuzela! This is the sound of African soccer and celebration. The vuvuzela has become so popular in the late 1990s at soccer games, that the company, Masincedane Sport, was contracted to mass produce these instruments. This not-so-musical instrument is said to be a descendant of the kudu horn which was used to signal villagers to a meeting. The vuvuzela on the other hand, is used to signal that soccer is here. The vuvuzela has created so many waves all over the world that FIFA chose to include it in the games at the stadiums. The vuvuzela is guaranteed to be a part of the celebrations during the World Cup and possibly find itself travelling along with visitors to their shores. Paraphernalia is all around South Africa it’s just up to us, the fans, to get ourselves kitted out for the match. This is the only time you get to wear the colours of the country you support without being disciplined by the boss!
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2010
‘
It’s my turn to enter the stadium! I take a deep breath and slowly step forward
The time is now WRITER Farah Abdurahman “This is it! This is it!” is all I hear around me. Yes! The 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup has finally arrived on our shores! It’s time I prepare to make my way to the opening match where South Africa will play Mexico. Do I have my ticket? Check! Do I have my vuvuzela? Check! Do I have my marakapa? Check! Last but not least, do I have my spirit? Check! I walk down the streets and find that women and children are singing and fans from all over the world are excited and are in great anticipation of the game that is going to open the event of the year. I feel that now 2010 has arrived!
Getting onto the BRT, I’m greeted by foreign faces and local ones too. Everybody is filled with laughter and there seems to be no unfamiliarity. “I can’t wait!” shouts a guy with an accent that I’m not entirely sure of but he is certainly foreign. This is the event that not only Africans have been waiting for but also those abroad. On our way to the Soccer City Stadium, I see fans running in the street, flying the South African flag really high and blowing their vuvuzelas. Who says we are not proudly South African? The sound of the vuvuzela has suddenly lost its irritating quality and sounds like
sweet celebratory music to my ears. The time is definitely now. The time for Africa to shine is now! Stepping out of the bus, I bask in the glory and beauty of Soccer City and find myself shaking with nerves and tears in my eyes. The long queue does not bother me as I’m just excited to be able to be here. I see people hugging each other, lots of people standing in front of the stadium in disbelief, people taking photos for the sake of memories and thousands of fans waiting to see the beautiful game. “Ke nako!” I hear a local shout out loud. I smile in agreement. This is our time Africa, this is our time!
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I look around and try to take in all I can. I see people dressed up in support of teams that are not playing today and also the foreigners dressed up as Africans would when going to a soccer match. This world cup has really brought us together. It has banished barriers of language and culture and created only one language right across the world: the language of soccer. It’s my turn to enter the stadium! I take a deep breath and slowly step forward. The man in the ticket box smiles and wishes me luck for the match. This is it! I walk through slowly; the air is thick with excitement! I almost fell because I had not been paying attention to the usher that wanted to direct me to my seat. I smiled then handed the ticket to the usher. Once I got to my seat, I looked out at the field and I felt a sudden rush of joy mixed with excitement and fervour inside! This is it! The World Cup is here! Three fans all kitted out in their South African paraphernalia, sat down besides me; screaming and shouting! I could not help but be intrigued by their enthusiasm. The anticipation was killing me and I wished that the opening celebration would begin! My thought was unexpectedly disturbed by a loud surge of sound coming form the thousands of fans and their vuvuzelas. It seems as if people must have been practicing the vuvuzela all across the world so that they could be part of the African soccer event. The marakapas also created beautiful colouring around the stadium creating weird and wonderful patterns. This event has made it possible for Africa to bring together a world, despite its differences. A few years back, people felt that this event would never happen on the shores of South Africa. They felt that South Africa was not ready to host an event of this magnitude. Well, with my vuvuzela in hand and marakapa on my head, I say, the time is now! The time is now to join in on the festivities! South Africa has made history and it’s time to be part of it! Don’t ask after the event, why was I not a part of it? Join in on the African beat and distribute warmth, celebration and excitement to all that visit us. The time for Africa is now!
2010
Zakumi
The 2010 FIFA World Cup mascot has brought energy, enthusiasm and sociability to the planet’s biggest event. WRITER Farah Abdurahman Zakumi, described by FIFA as “the mascot with an attitude”, is a green-haired leopard that exudes self-confidence and absolutely loves soccer. Zakumi comes from a long line of Soccer World Cup mascots. It all started with the mascot from England (1966), World Cup Willie and 44 years later, we have Zakumi. THE BEGINNING. Zakumi was born on June 16 1994. This day has great significance for South Africa for two reasons: June 16 1976 when school children protested against apartheid and many lives were lost (this day is also known as youth day); 1994 was the year when all races in South Africa could vote for a new post apartheid government. The name ‘Zakumi’ is a composition created from ‘ZA’, which is the South African country code and ‘kumi’ which means 10 in Swahili. Zakumi celebrates his 16th birthday in conjunction with South Africa’s 16 years of democracy. A PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN CREATION Zakumi was designed and his costume was made in South Africa. He was designed by Andries Odendaal, a Cape Town designer and the costume was made by Cora’s Costumes. The actual creation of the mascot came out of the hands of David Mbewe. He had sewn the leopard’s spots by hand – not an easy task!
WHY IS ZAKUMI KNOWN AS ‘THE MASCOT WITH AN ATTITUDE’? The answer is simple; he is lively, passionate, follows his own instinct and exaggerates at times. According to FIFA, Zakumi’s mission is to create a warm and celebratory mood for the World Cup, bringing together the world and allowing for international visitors to feel the spirit of Africa. Zakumi carries around a soccer ball to invite people to play with him and it shows his fervour for the beautiful game. Zakumi is one leopard on a mission. He is proudly South African and creating unity amongst the world. ZAKUMI THE JETSETTER Zakumi has been all over the world, trying to generate enthusiasm for the World Cup. From the open-top bus in Luxembourg to Spain’s training ground in Brussels ahead of their World Cup qualifying match to the different places in around South Africa. Zakumi truly embodies the spirit of the World Cup and is also a reminder of hope, peace and happiness. This year marks a special time in history for the African continent and Zakumi is a symbol of that time! Ke nako, viva South Africa and Bafana Bafana
event in soccer is coming to our shores! – Dino I think Zakumi is an interesting choice for a mascot. It’s sporty, fun and appeals to the children. It also shows that South Africa is interested in soccer – Camille from UK Zakumi looks like a lion but it’s also a good mascot for the World Cup. – Tjalke de Jon from The Netherlands When I see Zakumi, I think Bafana Bafana! But if I had my way, I would change the colours to the colours on the South African flag and name it “BafanaBafanaZakumee” – Laa-iqa Zakumi has spirit and is a very appropriate mascot for the World Cup. I like the bright colours – Alison The mascot should look more like a South African fan and should be called ‘Thabo’ which means ‘happiness’. This event is going to bring happiness. – Leboraolane I like the fact that the mascot is an animal but I think an ant would’ve been more appropriate. An ant is hard¬-working and relies on teamwork for success and I think that the name ‘Anton’ would be appropriate too. The ‘Ant’ refers to the fact that it’s an ant and the ‘ton’ refers to the tons of love it has for soccer – Lance Zakumi is a nice mascot and is representative of soccer – QueBana
COMMENTS FROM THE STREETS I think that the mascot for the Soccer World Cup is very cool. It has an African feel and also reminds us that the biggest
53
World Cup Fixtures
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A millionaire lifestyle at a fraction of the cost The ongoing global credit crunch, a cooling property market and inflation have resulted in the majority of people viewing holidays as a luxury purchase. However, there is a privileged group of people who won’t be having sleepless nights over how they are going to afford that annual family holiday. Who are they? They are the 260 000 proud shared vacation owners in South Africa. Owning a shared vacation product can save you a significant amount of money, allowing you to holiday in places that would often be out of reach to most of us. It is also a terrific way of ensuring that you go on a quality vacation each year. South Africa boasts a mature R2bn shared vacation ownership industry, totalling more than 200 resorts with an 85% occupancy rate of 500 000 shared vacation ownership weeks. Purchasing a shared vacation product is a chance to lock into a lifestyle for many years to come at today’s prices. If you stay in a hotel, all you are presented with at the end of your stay is the bill – which is likely to be higher with every passing year. With shared vacation ownership, however, you are buying at today’s prices and you are buying into the concept of a future holiday lifestyle – not just a break. Family and friends can take advantage of your purchase, and the product is very flexible. You can even leave a legacy of wonderful vacations to your children and your children’s children. Shared vacation ownership products include: Conventional Timeshare, Points
Vacation Club, Southern Sun Lifestyle Resorts and IFA Resorts, among others.
Clubs, Fractional Ownership, Destination and Private Residence Clubs – all of
The participation with such major brands has not only given the shared
which are a large and respected part of the global hospitality industry. Shared
vacation ownership industry the respectability it deserves, it has also ensured
vacation ownership is now a major part of the global tourist industry. In
that adequate legislation is in place to ensure consumer protection.
recent years it has demonstrated strategic resilience, overcoming volatility in the hospitality market place. Shared vacation ownership guests demonstrate
With an 88% satisfaction rating and a product that is not only affordable,
high discretionary spend, since future vacation costs are paid in advance and
but also flexible to your ever-changing needs, don’t you think it’s time
they have a high repeat and return rate.
you became one of the privileged few and purchased a shared vacation ownership product?
A popular misconception concerning shared vacation ownership is that you are bound to only holiday at the same resort, in the same unit and during the same week each year. With exchange companies, however, you have access to resorts globally and the world literally does become your oyster. Shared vacation ownership also includes a number of leading international hotel chains such as Marriott Vacation Club, Disney, Hyatt, Hilton, Sheraton and – not forgetting our local hotel groups – such as Sun International
VOASA stands for ‘Vacation Ownership Association of Southern Africa’. It was previously known as TISA (Timeshare Institute of Southern Africa). The name change was necessary in order for TISA (now VOASA) to evolve with the ever-changing industry, an industry that is constantly introducing innovative new products and propositions – products such as Points Clubs, Fractional Ownership and Destination or Private Residence Clubs, which fall within the timeshare category set out in the Property Timesharing Control Act No. 75 of 1983 and / or the Share Blocks Control Act No. 59 of 1980. Though these new products are considered to be different from standard timeshare, they still require representation by an industry body. Each prospective member’s application and documentation will be vetted, not only for legal compliance, but also for consumer protection. All members of VOASA are required to adhere to the industry Code of Conduct.
VOASA CHECKLIST Consumers who are ‘looking’ at buying a shared vacation ownership product should be checking the following issues: 1. Is the developer or marketing agent a member of a regulatory body approved by the Department of Trade and Industry, not a self appointed body? 2. Buy a shared vacation ownership product because you plan on using it in the future. Consider your purchase as an investment in future vacations – not in terms of a property or other type of financial investment. 3. Does the sales documentation comply with the National Credit Act, Share Block or Sectional Title Scheme? Has it been fully completed? Are you satisfied that you understand all your obligations? Does the sales contract make provision for a deposit? Is this held in a trust account? Is the building complete? See the provisions of section 7 of the Property Timesharing Control Act – check the date of completion. 4. Carefully read all documentation and ensure that you understand exactly what type of product you are being offered. If necessary, ask for a clear explanation of any terminology and terms, such as ‘space banking’ or ‘usage rights’. 5. Choose a shared vacation ownership option that suits your lifestyle. Think very carefully about what you value most in a holiday experience, and then explore the wide variety of options and products which are available. Select the option which will best suit your family’s lifestyle now and in the future. 6. To maximize your opportunities for exchange, buy the most desirable unit in high season or purchase the largest points package you can afford. If your primary goal in purchasing a shared vacation ownership product is to take
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About VOASA VOASA is committed to strong ethical standards. This is essential to promote the long-term interests of the shared vacation ownership industry in Southern Africa. VOASA Conference 2010 When: 29th to 31st August 2010 Where: Southern Sun Elangeni, 63 Snell Parade, Durban Contact: Melanie@voasa.co.za or voasa@voasa.co.za
Tel: 021 914 9693 | Email: voasa@voasa.co.za Fax: 021 914 5202 | Website: www.voasa.co.za
advantage of the exchange benefit, know that the greater the demand for the unit or resort (you ‘space bank’ for exchange) the greater exchange flexibility you will gain. 7. Make sure that you receive a copy of the contract on the day that you sign it. The contract must include the following: Acknowledgement of Presentation, Terms and Conditions and, where applicable, a Use Agreement and Management Rules, as well as a copy of the completed and signed section of the contract. 8. Have your sales documentation checked by an attorney or financial advisor with the necessary knowledge. You have the right to exercise a 5-day cooling-off period but this must be done in writing within 5 working days of signing your contract. No verbal cancellation is accepted.
Developers who are ‘looking’ at developing, should be checking the following: 9. Are you a member of a regulatory body approved by the Department of Trade and Industry, not a self-appointed body? 10. What is the legal basis of your scheme: i) Sectional Title ii) Share Block iii) Other i.e. Lease, Voluntary Association, Trust, Club, etc. Should the legal basis of your scheme be listed under (iii) above, then regulations 6 to 14 of the Property Timesharing Control Act will apply. 11. Does your sales documentation comply with the Share Block or Sectional Title scheme? The provisions of Section 4 of the Share Block Control Act govern the usage rights of a share relating to any accommodation scheme that is shared.
12. Does your sales documentation contain all the necessary documents, i.e. Alienation Agreements, Use Agreements, Application for Club Membership, Memorandum and Articles of Share Block Companies, Body Corporate Rules and Title Deeds of the relevant property? Does your sales documentation comply with the relevant legislation? 13. Does the sales contract make provision for a deposit? Have you opened your trust account? Is the development complete? If yes, do you have the necessary Architect’s Certificate? See the provisions of Section 7 of the Property Timesharing Control Act. 14. Do you have the required zoning permission? See the provisions of section 5(1) (a) of the Share Blocks Control Act. 15. Do you have a Managing Agent’s Agreement? 16. Have your sales documentation checked by an attorney or financial advisor with the necessary knowledge of the relevant legislation indicated above. 17. Does all your advertising adhere to the provisions of Regulation 3 of the Property Timesharing Control Act? 18. Regulation 4 of the Property Timesharing Control Act will require you to make certain written information and documentation available for inspection at the location from which your development is being sold. Do you comply? 19. Shared vacation ownership sales transactions could be subject to VAT, so ensure that all your reporting systems are in place. Have your sales documentation checked by a financial advisor with this point in mind. 20. Have you considered registering your development with a reputable Exchange Company?
2010
Six of the best to light up the World Cup
No matter how hard the rest of the team played, in the end, most, if not all the glory goes to the men who slam the ball in the back of the opposition net. These men come mostly in the shape of the strikers and here we profile half-a-dozen of the top stars (in no particular order) likely to cause havoc in and around the big box during the monthlong Fifa 2010 World Cup right here on African soil. WRITER Farouk Abrahams
ROONEY - ENGLAND Full name: Wayne Mark Rooney. Born: October 24 1985. Club: Manchester United. Position: Striker. International debut: England v Hungary, February 12 2003.
MESSI - ARGENTINA Full name: Luis Lionel Andrés Messi. Born: June 24, 1987. Club: FC Barcelona. Position: Striker. International debut: Argentina v Hungary November 17, 2003. Messi is the current World Footballer of the Year but many ardent pundits are strangely questioning his ability to shine on the World Cup stage in June and July given his lacklustre showings towards the end of Barcelona’s Champions League campaign. Messi failed to produce the magic when it mattered most hence the assumption that he might well disappoint his legion of fans when tough-tackling defenders hound his every move during the World Cup. Messi, left alone in the space in and around the opposition goal area would create havoc but there can be no doubt that the respective coaches would have gone to school on the manner in which especially Inter Milan with Jose Mourinho in great form in the dugout nullified his considerable threat. Let’s hope that the football wizard from the land that brought us Maradona is able to shake off the expected shackles and robust defending so that the world could marvel at his brilliance on the ball.
TORRES - SPAIN Full name: Fernando Jose Torres Sanz. Born: March 20 1984. Club: Liverpool, English Premiership. Position: Striker. International debut: Spain v Portugal April 28 2004. Torres is something of a cross between the modern day flair player and the outand-out old-school striker. He is a coach’s dream with astute ability to adopt both the short passing game and the route one variety. Torres is set to star for a Spain side eager to make amends for their failure to annex the Confederations Cup when last they performed in front of an appreciative South African audience. Barring serious injury the lanky Liverpool marksman will be out to prove his own ability on the world cup stage. It is here that the stars of the day are challenged to secure their places among the classic performers of the Beautiful Game.
Rooney is worth every cent the fans have forked out to watch England play in the World Cup. He epitomises the “Bulldog” spirit synonymous with former greats of the English game the likes of Bobby Charlton, Alan Ball and Geoff Hurst to name but a few. Rooney’s tremendous passion and commitment to the game is what makes him a special performer and had rightly landed the United star two recent Premiership Player of the Year awards. Rooney, in my opinion is a more complete player than Messi for he covers more ground and delivers more assists as opposed to the Argentinian rival who is largely expected to produce goals out of nothing. A fully fit Rooney is a sure bet for star status at the South African version of the World Cup. English fans are in for a grand treat when the stocky United striker hits the frontline in his very own bombastic fashion. Rest assured that Jabulani will regret the day he volunteered to become the official World Cup ball as Rooney and company sends him crashing into the back of the net with regular monotony.
RONALDO - PORTUGAL DROGBA - IVORY COAST Full name: Didier Yves Drogba Tebily Born: March 11, 1978. Club: Chelsea, English Premiership. Position: Striker. International debut: Ivory Coast v Bafana Bafana, September 8, 2002. What a wonderful season Drogba is enjoying with Chelsea. His goals have contributed immensely towards the Blues from Stamford Bridge pushing Manchester United right down to the wire for the coveted league crown. Drogba is without any doubt one of the best-ever African imports to European football. He is a class act able to switch from left to right to a more central position all without losing the technical ability that sees him stand out in world football. Drogba is tenacious, passionate and highly committed and defenders know when he is around. His uncanny knack to finish with one touch has the opposition on high alert when the ball travels into the goalmouth. Drogba will lead the Ivorian charge at the World Cup and if his teammates are up to speed there is no telling how far they might progress.
KAKA - BRAZIL
Full name: Ronaldo Dos Santos Aveiro Born: February 5, 1985. Club: Real Madrid, Spanish La Liga. Position: Striker. International debut: Portugal v Kazakhstan, August 2008.
Full name: Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite. Born: April 22. 1982. Club: Real Mardrid, Spanish La Liga. Position: Midfield/striker. International debut: Brazil v Bolivia January 31, 2002.
Some pundits are of the opinion that Ronaldo should not have joined starstudded Real Madrid at a time when he had the world at his feet in the colours of Manchester United. However such is the lure of the hot cash associated with a move to the Spanish giants that the hot-headed Ronaldo jumped at the opportunity to try and succeed in an arena where almost all English players had previously failed. Portugal only just qualified for this edition of the World Cup but that does not dim their chances of a place among the favourites for the top crown in world football. Despite his below par season in Spain Ronaldo will draw the World Cup crowds to training sessions and his presence on match days would more than likely mean sell-out crowds. He will set the pulses racing and will tear into unsuspecting defenders. Ronaldo will entertain and in so doing enhance Portugal’s chances in this unpredictable race to the number one slot in the world
The name “Kaka” stems from Ricardo’s younger brother Rodrigo being unable to pronounce his name. Back then it led to the nickname “Caca” which in time was changed to “Kaka”. Whichever spelling you prefer though the sound alone bears testimony to a great footballer coming to our shores to try and add to his country’s five World cup titles. Kaka has not had the best of campaigns in the La Liga but such is his natural ability that it would not take much to get this devout Christian performing at his best in the company of the world’s best players. His deceptive speed and close ball control on the move will be a trusty weapon against the man markers likely to lie in wait for this entertainer of note. Let’s hope the talent triumphs over brutality for the locals have waited all their lives to see first hand what players like Kaka does for a living. A couple of good days at the office and you can pencil in Brazil as favourites to make it six of the best on the game’s biggest stage.
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SPORT
Bafana’s spine must be unwavering WRITER Farouk Abrahams
Will Bafana Bafana make it to the next round of the Fifa World Cup for the first time? Pertinent questions on most people’s lips as a highly expectant yet cautious nation survey South Africa’s chances of avoiding the dubious distinction of becoming the first hosts to not qualify for the knockout stages of the football spectacular. Sadly, at the time of writing head coach
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Carlos Alberto Parreira, his technical team and players on various training camps have yet to provide the positive answers to the above. Beyond took the time to examine the spine of the Bafana team, which, of course, takes on the shape of the goalkeeper, the centre back-cum sweeper an intelligent playmaker and the chief striker. As matters stand one
could start off by pencilling in the name of goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune who appears to be back to his brilliant best despite a lengthy layoff from club football due to a hand injury. Khune stands tall as a shot-stopper but where the Kaizer Chiefs custodian has the edge over his rivals is in his uncanny distribution. Khune could very well place a ball on a fifty cent coin all of sixty-
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Will Bafana Bafana make it to the next round of the Fifa World Cup for the first time?
odd meters away if he had to. And if he takes better care of his handling under the high ball, then Parreira would enjoy the privilege of not having to give the goalkeeper slot a second thought. The coach has his work cut out in the defensive choices but my vote would go to Matthew Booth as the “banker” alongside skipper Aaron Mokoena who despite a certain amount of criticism from local fans and a few scribes is certain to be handed the captaincy. For my money though Booth represents that “World Cup” look and exudes the passion and commitment so lacking in certain players afforded the opportunity to wear their country’s shirt on the biggest football stage. Booth’s height in defensive situations would be priceless and he is no slouch either when it comes to a fluent passing game from the back. In the engine room, Steven Pienaar, now a superstar with Everton in the English Premiership stands out as the only world-class player available to Parreira. This is the player all Bafana fans should pray for; that he does not suffer any serious injuries along the way for without his mercurial talents Bafana would no doubt struggle to keep any sort of offensive shape against the world’s best
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defenders. Parreira’s challenge is to find the right sort of mix around Pienaar; players able to remain on the same wavelength and not on a part-time basis. What a pity the coach is unlikely to go with the youthful exuberance of Daylon Claasen who’s snappy and intelligent playing style suits Pienaar down to the ground. Two players with such wonderful vision able to play the first thing they see could well serve Bafana well, provided of course the coach manages to secure a defensive anchorman with the necessary patience and restraint to play the correct zone rather than aspire to cover the entire pitch. Macbeth Sibaya and Kagsio Dikgacoi are the obvious candidates for such a role. Up front is where the coach has his biggest headache and again, if those in power had the vision to fast-track the nurturing of one Kermit Erasmus Bafana could so easy have gone into this World cup tournament with the knowledge that one of their best striker prospects since Benni McCarthy hit the international scene as a 17-year-old would probably have been tough enough to effect some damage on the world stage. Instead, with McCarthy not enjoying the
desired game time with West Ham in the Premiership and not anywhere near the form Bafana demands Parreira is forced to look to the likes of Katlego Mphela, namesake Katlego Mashego and recalled veteran Siyabonga Nomvete as potential spearheads come June 11. However, these marksmen are roamers which could lead to a rather wavering spine when Bafana goes in search of a consistent attacking force. Parreira takes home a sack full of beautiful R200 notes but you would not find many takers for his job right now given the damning prospects of coaching a team lacking confidence on the biggest ever platform the South Africans have been asked to perform. A Fifa World Cup on home soil is not for the fainthearted. And at the very best Bafana would be expected to produce snippets of the showing during their brave run to the last four of the Confederations Cup played here a few months ago. That, and a bit more luck and the odd hometown decision might well prove enough to see the boys make that elusive leap to the second round of a World Cup tournament. If not, the nation will be up in arms over another spineless sojourn.
FINANCE
Dig yourself out of the debt pit WRITER Mayan Viljoen
We are well into the New Year, again, and not a few people find themselves in serious debt after they had over extended themselves, financially, during the December holidays. Personal debt becomes critical at the point where individuals can not afford to repay the minimum monthly balance due on their credit facilities. In years past those who had found themselves in the above situation, had to suffer much indignity and harassment and were almost, in no time, blacklisted. In recent years,
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however, there is a much more dignified way to dig oneself out of the “debt” pit, so to speak. Yes, I am referring to what is known, today, as debt counselling. The work of the modern day debt counsellor and some related issues Every debt counsellor must be registered with the NCR (National Credit Regulator) in compliance with the National Credit Act 34 of 2005. Simply put, the NCR is tasked with the responsibility of regulating all aspects of South Africa’s credit industry.
The debt councillor’s first, and most important, order of business is to effectively council those people who come to seek his/her help. What does this council entail? Well, the debt councillor must get his/her client to understand and to admit that he/she has fallen into a bad habit, i.e. that of purchasing goods or services without having sufficient means to pay for it, at any given time. At the time of the interview, the debt counsellor must ensure that the client will, at no time, feel condemned for
the financial situation he/she is in. The former must explain to the client that anyone, whosoever, can fall into a bad habit; that no human being is exempt from it. At the very same time the debt councillor must begin the process of “softly” and patiently instilling principles of sound personal financial management into his/her client, so that the latter will not fall into the same or a similar, or, for that matter, any destructive habit in the future. Some principles of healthy personal financial management your debt counsellor might introduce you to, are: a) Learning as soon as possible how to live below your means and then putting the former into practice in everyday life b) Establishing an emergency fund and then exercising the discipline not to touch these accruing funds for any reason other than that for which it was originally purposed c) Endeavouring to pay cash for an ever increasing percentage and to use your credit card for an ever decreasing percentage of your total purchases over a set period of time. To see your money physically diminishing in your purse as you make purchases still remains the very best financial reality check, and when you have no money left, the solution can not be simpler . . . What I can not pay for, I simply can not purchase. d) Trying to plan (budget, if you like) for your income, but, especially, for your expenses, over the following period of time. Of the above mentioned four disciplines, the latter has always, somehow, been the most difficult for me, personally, to master. Most debt counsellors are, however, quite skilled in assisting their clients to master this specific discipline. I have listed only four principles here, but there are literally hundreds more which the debt counsellor can introduce to his/her client in order for the latter to learn to develop healthy financial habits over time. The former will just need to find those few out of the multitude, with the help of his/her client, which will work best for the latter. The client must believe that the debt counsellor is on his/her side and that said counsellor is working for his/her good, at all times, in order for the entire debt
counselling process to have a positive and lasting outcome. When the debt counsellor is satisfied that his/her client fully comprehends, not only the negative consequences of bad personal financial management, but, even more so, the benefits of sound financial management, the former can immediately proceed to the next step. In exchange for a once off (in most cases) registration fee to the debt counselling establishment in question, the debt counsellor can now begin the process of negotiating the lowest pay back terms, on behalf of his/her client, with the latter’s creditors.
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The debt councillor’s first, and most important, order of business is to effectively council those people who come to seek their help Debt counselling businesses have considerable powers at their disposal to do the above negotiations, by authority of the National Credit Act 34 of 2005, and more specifically, Section 86 (7), findings 1, 2 and 3 of said Act. The debt counsellor will make these, latter, findings upon an investigation of the client’s level of indebtedness to his/her creditors. If it is found that the client is not overindebted, but that he/she is likely to experience difficulties satisfying his/ her obligations, the debt counsellor will make, above mentioned, finding 2. Finding 3 will be made if it is found
that the client is completely overindebted. The debt counsellor will now present his/her particular finding to a magistrate, who will rule on it and issue an appropriate order. If a “finding 3” application is successful, said court order will, very likely, state that one or more of the client’s or consumer’s credit agreements were “reckless credit”, giving the debt counsellor in question the authority to begin to rearrange his/ her client’s obligations. Not so long ago a debt counsellor told me of a case where a man was repaying his creditors an astronomical R 80,000 per month at the time he first went to see a debt councillor for help. After the latter was through with his client, he, apparently, got his client’s total monthly repayments down to something in the region of R 6,000. Well, to say that I was stunned after hearing the above, would be an understatement. Even if you should argue that this is an extreme case (which it might be), it is nevertheless proof of the considerable negotiating powers these new career professionals possess. In today’s world of “plastic” money it is easier than ever before to fall into serious debt. It can, moreover, happen very quickly, and, in a certain sense, almost unnoticed. If you have joined the ranks of those who have fallen into this modern day debt trap, please do not spend endless hours analysing how this could have happened to you and bemoaning your fate, but rather make your way, quickly, to the nearest debt counsellor. These people are there to help you and with your active participation, they will be able to help you, in no time, in at least two significant ways . . . i.e. by beginning to teach you a fresh and healthy approach to manage your personal finances as well as by significantly reducing your current repayments to your creditors. Be bold, be brave. Put your pride on hold. Go for debt counselling. You will not have to look far to find a counsellor. They are simply everywhere, not least of all because of the ever increasing demand for their unique expertise in our modern world.
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Political satire Can the Congress of the People Cope on the long road to political power? WRITER Walter Majosi The Congress of the people is a new Born Baby with beard and boots. In its short existence, the party had been rippled with leadership contestations and if not dealt with effectively, can lead the party to paralysis. For any proponent of democracy, this should be of concern. It is for this reason that Beyond decided to delve deeper in the Cope leadership dilemma and hopefully find answers of what is behind their inability to solve the this crisis. How else can they cope if they do not resolve this problem? As we all know by now, Cope was an offspring of Polokwane. This was where the major divisions within the ANC were as clear as daylight. The divide between Mbkei and Zuma factions was like a festering wound. Cope is now the second biggest opposition party in parliament and we wonder for how long that is going to be? Putting Mosiuoa “Terror� Lekota on the spot as the founder of this new party: To Mosiuoa Lekota: We are very much concerned about the leadership crisis in Cope. The Youth League of Cope had been calling for the Congress National Committee to resign, citing a lack of confidence or no confidence in the leadership. What is your response to that? Response: You know, the youth of today
is not like the youth of yesterday. They forget very quickly about certain values and cultures that must be maintained. For example, I was the one that formed this party and I must be respected for that! Just the mere formation of this party qualifies me as the leader. So, one can say that I am the natural leader of the party. The fact that Rev. Dandala is also the leader [appointed by us] is neither here nor there. Someday, the youth will understand this when they reach my age. To Reverend Mvume Dandala: Mr. Lekota could not give us a a satisfactory answer on the leadership crisis in Cope. Can you perhaps assist? You have threatened to resign as leader of Cope? Do you think your resignation will solve the leadership crisis in Cope? Response: You know I have learnt a lot in this short space of time. Leading in the church and leading a political party is as different as day and night. Being an appointed leader of a political party, means that you must battle for support amongst the various constituencies in the party. I am not prepared to do that! When I was approached by Mr. Shilowa to lead this party, I did not think twice and agreed. Cope was the only remnant of hope for me in the South African
political environment. But politics have a good side and many bad sides. Being a reverend, I always ensure that I am on the good side. This means that I am not supposed to be in politics. To answer your question, no, my resignation will not solve the problem between Shilowa and Lekota. To Mbazimba Shilowa: Mr Shilowa, as deputy president of Cope, how do you envisage resolving the leadership crisis of the party? Response: Oh well! I know that I am supposed to be the leader of the party right from the start. My political credentials are impeccable. I lead Gauteng province to the economic power house it is today. I installed the Gautrain, etc. What more do you want? I make the tactical and strategic decisions in Cope from time? I ensured that we hold hands with the Democratic Alliance from time to time? I know what leadership is all about! PS. To the readers; as you can see we tried by all means to get to the core of the problem but failed. Maybe next time at the Cuban Cigar and whisky party we will hear more.
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Football buzz hits the movies WRITER Farouk Abrahams
Definitely: I am surprised there are not more in the pipeline, although one or two are due for imminent release. What has been amazing though is to see how many companies produce adverts which, favour a soccer theme to sell its products
2010
Darrell Roodt The name Darrell Roodt is synonymous with the local film industry. A colourful and popular director on the South African circuit, Darrell is probably best known for his directing of the box-office hit Sarafina, an emotional portrayal of a period during the apartheid years. This time though he has ventured into the football world directing certain episodes of the MNET drama, “League of Glory” recently released on the small screen. Being a keen football fan with allegiance to Liverpool in the English Premiership, Darrell “had a blast” while shooting League of Glory in and around picturesque Stellenbosch. He found the hosting of the Fifa 2010 World Cup a strong ally as everyone on the shoot were somehow infected with the football virus. Darrell took the time off a busy schedule to chat to us about the “infectious” football vibe in the film sector. Are you convinced that the recent locally produced dramas laced with a football flavour are in fact a direct result of South Africa hosting the Fifa 2010 World Cup?
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Which football/related productions have you worked on and what are the challengers when mixing football with drama? So far the only one is “League of Glory”, currently showing on M-NET. A show like this lives and dies with the soccer games because if they’re not real, then how are you going to buy the rest? It’s hard to “set up” a movie and make it look real. Thank goodness, I was blessed with an expert who knew exactly how to set up the moves. How does the stringent Fifa laws impact on the making of football movies in this year of the world cup? Making “League of Glory”, we encountered a major setback. The ball we used for a few of the games was a replica of the official FIFA 2010 World Cup ball and we had to shoot all the scenes featuring that particular ball over. That was ridiculous! It’s a round ball, for goodness sake. Which world footballer would make you jump at the opportunity to direct him in a football movie and why? Didier Drogba, without any doubt. He is so full of charisma. I love the way he makes every game seem about him. He has genuine movie-fan appeal. Definitely not Beckham- I couldn’t deal with that funny little voice of his. Is there life after the world cup or will football dramas lose its appeal after the saturated coverage? I fear the latter. Although, you never
know- in Germany, after the 2006 World Cup, a football drama concerning that event was a smash hit. In your opinion, which football movie stands above the rest? A great football movie? I’m not too sure yet but I’ve seen them all- from GOAL to, well, GOAL 2. The great one hasn’t been made. “The Damned Manchester United” maybe? (laughs) Are there plans to document the life of any South African football legends? I’m working on one about the late former Kaizer Chiefs icon, Patrick “Ace” Ntsoelengoe, a true hero of South Africa, in my opinion. He was an inspiration for the generation that liberated South Africa. I bet even Nelson Mandela used to cheer him on while they listened to a “smuggled’ radio on the (Robben) Island. Describe your biggest fear when you step onto a football field. Just trying to kick the ball straight. I’ve tried- while shooting League of Gloryto take a penalty. Yeah, right, what a mess I made of that. It truly makes you appreciate the awesome skill of the great players. What do you enjoy most about football? The camaraderie amongst the players! It’s fantastic watching two teams trying to get the better of one another-the human spirit in full flight. Is there an international market for South African 2010 football movies? Watch this space... ACE is coming!
2010
Hail the virtual football champs 775 000 Gamers competed for the right to be crowned FIFA Interactive Champion. WRITER Farouk Abrahams As the world prepares for the 2010 (grass) version of the Fifa World Cup thousands of football fans of the electronic whiz kid variety enjoyed their very own edition of the Virtual World Cup. Now while yours truly can boast about a lifetime on the greens of football pitches across the country he has absolutely no skill to talk of when it comes to the computer version of the Beautiful Game. In fact so useless am I at the controls that any of six-year-old out there would probably have the pleasure of embarrassing me. I am in awe at the skills level of the kids in my family. Perhaps I should become an agent in this regard. Who knows I might well unearth the next Fifa Interactive World Champion. Many of you might well enjoy the same prowess at home or at your neighbourhood games room or the games arcade in the major shopping malls, but did you know of the existence of a World Championship in this exciting world of virtual football games? For your information, earlier this month
the world’s best 32 virtual football players lined up at Barcelona’s Port Olympic as the FIFA Interactive World Cup Grand Final returned to the same venue for the second year in succession. The Grand Final provided players with the opportunity to perform on the biggest stage of their lives in front of 11,000 spectators who enjoyed the entertainment that the world’s largest football gaming tournament provides. They competed to be crowned the FIFA Interactive World Champion 2010, which also comes with a prize of USD 20,000 and an invitation to the FIFA World Player Gala 2010, where they will mingle with the world’s best footballers. In April after seven months of qualification, FIFA announced the 32 grand finalists from 22 countries. Nenad Stojkovic from the United States of America won the coveted event on May 1 after beating Ayhan Altundag from Germany 2-1 in a highly entertaining final. The world’s 32 best virtual footballers came face to face to bring to an end yet another incredibly exciting virtual football season.
Following a day of extreme skill and tactics on EA SPORTS™ FIFA10 on PLAYSTATION®3, and with the score tied 1-1 at half time, Stojkovic scored the decisive goal of this tactical encounter in the 75th minute. He will also receive his FIFA Diploma at the next FIFA World Player Gala where he will rub shoulders with the best real life footballers in the world. “Two days ago, I was dreaming I could make it and now that I have succeeded, I can say this is probably the happiest day in my entire life. During the final, I tried to remain calm and I did not want to celebrate my goals on stage. My opponent was really good. This is amazing. It is worth being here but please do invite me as the winner next year as the qualifiers are too difficult,” chirped Stojkovic The FIWC10 Grand Final completed the sixth edition of the world’s largest football gaming tournament after a gruelling season that has witnessed players from around the world take to EA SPORTS™ FIFA10 virtual pitch on PlayStation®3 at ten live qualifier events in countries such
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The grand final provided players with the opportunity to perform on stage in front of 11,000 spectators
as Brazil, South Africa, Australia, Italy and Japan since November. This year has seen a continued growth in the number of contestants, with over 775,000 players competing in both the live qualifier events and the online qualification that ran from October 2009 through to March 2010. “I am delighted to see the huge interest of fans from all over the world in this event, which keeps growing every year,” said FIFA Executive Committee member Chuck Blazer, who attended the Grand Final in Barcelona. This year’s Grand Final, which offered free admission to the general public, took place alongside the beach in Barcelona was the biggest yet, with a full entertainment show to accompany the world-class display of virtual football. Former Dutch international Patrick Kluivert attended and showed off his virtual skills by taking part in an exhibition match on the main stage. The public also enjoyed the latest EA SPORTS gaming titles in the Gaming Lounge while also experiencing
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PlayStation’s latest next-generation entertainment products in the Entertainment Lounge. Spain’s beach soccer star Ramiro Amarelle was joined by a couple of his fellow countrymen in the beach soccer area, where attendees took part in mini tournaments run throughout the day. Completing the day’s entertainment extravaganza, Groove Armada’s Andy Cato played a full DJ set at which spectators joined the newly crowned FIFA Interactive world champion in celebrating victory. “With over 775,000 participants, we have set a new record for the FIWC 2010, which culminated in the exciting Grand Final in Barcelona. This amazing number of gamers highlights the importance of the FIWC for football fans worldwide,” said Jon Rosenblatt, Senior Marketing Director Europe EA SPORTS. “FIFA 10 has proven to be the best football video game ever and it is great to see so many players from all over the world competing against each other on the PlayStation Network during the live
qualifiers to claim the FIWC 2010 title.” “The FIFA Interactive World Cup continues to go from strength to strength, growing each year at an enormous rate,” said Darren Carter, Vice President, Consumer Marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. “To have had over 775,000 participants clearly shows the passion of both the EA SPORTS FIFA 10 and PlayStation fans. These guys are a fantastic example of dedication and skill, something that was again in abundance at this season’s FIFA Interactive World Cup.” So there you have it; should you have one such potential gamer under your roof then pay attention, no, pay a lot of attention to his ability. Then, go on and investigate the possibility of entering your future champion in this dynamic competition. You never know what destiny has in store for the PlayStation gurus from right under our noses.
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MINING
Mining
The notorious hostel of Johannesburg is mining’s most vile creation. WRITER Mo Gierdien In mining all that glitters is not necessarily diamonds or gold; it may also be the sweat that trickles to the brow of the cheap, exploited migrant labour forced to grovel in the bowels of Franz Fanon’s wretched earth. Or more specifically, the Witwatersrand in the Gauteng province of South Africa. A history of Southern Africa is a history of mining; gold mining and diamond mining. The mining sector may be the single largest contributor to the Southern African economy encompassing Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho and Swaziland with the common link being the cheap expendable labour force. Like the early prospectors, which, morphed into today’s multinational corporations, ergo the management and administration of mines morphed into the elite ‘Black Economic Empowerment’ vehicles of today. A change in the ruling class rarely translated into the improved welfare of this labour force. The notorious hostel of Johannesburg is mining’s most vile creation. With pastoral life-styles already destroyed during the early colonial wars, the mining-lords demand for cheap labour continued decimating families from the countryside with husbands, brothers, sons and fathers pouring into the melting furnace of the mines dotted on
the Rand. The corruption of the psyche of the African is almost complete in an environment not dissimilar in which the Orcs of Mordor exist. Overcrowded living quarters, menial wages, competition for basic necessities, poor living conditions with absolute minimal sanitation and recreation facilities, no or poor infrastructure, little or no social cohesion greeted the simple-minded
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The mining sector may be the single largest contributor to the Southern African economy
and politically-emaciated men whose only concern was seeing to the needs of their now-distant families.The Union of the British forged the blueprint for the Apartheid of the Afrikaner. Sadly, in post-Apartheid South Africa
with the promise and expectation of better living conditions, the engine of this mining industry blueprint continues to hum along. And politicians distract us from the fundamental issues surrounding (and twenty years later, the still-to-be-revealed programme for) the establishment of a fair and just socio-economic order. Critics bemoan the elitist structure of the new South Africa. The victims of the transgressions of the former state apparatus now face the double whammy of not only being the wrong colour but of also being poor. The new organisation of society on colour and class has, for the man on the street, blurred the lines between progressive democratic egalitarian ideologies and neo-liberal philosophies. For the mining industry this means that its business as usual, more of the same. The names may have changed but it’s the same slave-masters. Government concessions granted to the mining industry in its apartheid hey-day are still in place. Mining’s favourable arrangements with Eskom are borne by the general population, but the general population does not share mining’s favourable returns. Capital flight sophistry hides the extent of the pillaging by these multinational corporations.
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JOB CREATION
Cash injection by Minister Ebrahim Patel
Globally governments have been spending millions in aid to prop up economies to curtail the severe negative impact on the global recession. WRITER Anwar Booley
South Africa has been very fortunate compared to other countries economies namely, United States, United Kingdom, Europe and Japan. The South African Reserve Bank did not have to offer “bail out” packages to its banks. It may sound good, doesn’t it, but that’s the good news. South Africa’s economy is heavy reliant on export markets such as gold, platinum and coal. If the rest of the world stops buying any of these resources our economy suffers severely. This sort of reaction has a serious negative effect on our already unemployment problem. At 26.6% , South Africa’s unemployment rate is of the highest of 62 countries surveyed by Bloomberg News. Industrial policy co-ordinator at the Congress of South Africa Trade Unions (COSATU) , estimates that the economy has lost
“almost half a million jobs in the first half of 2009 and that those numbers would reach a million by the fourth quarter of 2009 . As SA’s economic development minister puts it as a “sustained contradiction in the economy”. He emphasizes that the government’s aim is to address “jobs, food prices and also addressing the indebtedness of consumers”. Patel has announced what he calls a “six pack” aimed at addressing these problems. Top of his task list is a R2.4 billion injection to the National Jobs Fund (NJF), coupled with R6.1 billion set aside by the Industrial Development Corporation. Minister Patel says that the NJF money is still available to companies that would retrench workers to use as an alternative. Workers would be put on a lay off of up to three months which during that period
of time they would receive a training allowance of 50% of their wages and that they should take part in a training program. At the end of the program they would return to the company they were employed by before the lay off. The IDC funding would be made available over the next 2 years to support firms that are facing financial difficulties because of the recession. Another measure is to put pressure on government to pay invoices within a period of thirty days and also to increase the action for the Competition Commision to investigate the food supply chain. Minister Patel also pointed to the new rules announced by the National Debt Mediation Association to address debt restructuring so that consumers who are in debt can get some relief. The last item on minister Patel’s is a
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Major infrastructure development prior to the World Cup, such as building of stadiums, revamping of roads, improvements in transport have contributed to job creation.
government intervention or program to assist pressurized sectors, such as the automotive sector. He says “there has been an almost complete collapse of demand of the purchase of vehicles by South Africans and it has led to enormous pressure on the vehicle manufacturers which resulted in many job losses in the sector”. He also added that the government has also been involved in developing measures to aid the clothing and textiles, capital equipment, transport equipment and metal industries. Minister Ebrahim Patel says that South Africa has one of the highest unemployment rates in the industrial world. He says that much of the employment in the South African economy is not secures and pays low salaries. These comments come as the South African Clothing and Textile Workers Union (Sactwu) shopstewards and employers signed a wage agreement ending weeks of strike action in the industry. The deal was brokered by the Commision of Conciliation and
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Arbitration (CCMA). Sactwu GeneralSecretary, Andre Kriel says the agreement contains a wage increase of between 7 and 11.8% depending on job category. Kriel says the wage agreement, running for 12 months, will result into a cash injection of R128 million into the South African economy. The manufacturing sector is one of the worst affected sector with over 7 000 jobs shed over the last year in the clothing manufacturing sector. By the end of June 2009, according to minister Patel, employment figures stood at 13 369 000 which indicates a 475 000 net job losses over a six month period. Minister Patel further appealed to to the union to clamp down on absenteeism in the workplace and for employers to respect worker rights. Government is committed to halving unemployment and poverty by 2014, despite the global economic downturn. Presidency Planning Commission Minister Trevor Manuel says. Outlining government’s Medium Strategic Framework (MTSF) in Pretoria, Manuel
said its main focus was to minimize the impact of the economic downturn on the country’s productive capacity , on jobs and on poverty reduction measure. Minister Patel does concede that in the past there has been “significant problems” with implementation and coherence. He is in no doubt whatsoever that government intervention is needed, citing recent research into its effectiveness. He also says that there has been considerable work done recently on the biggest impact for every rand of government stimulus. Direct spending in the form of infrastructure and social spending has a bigger short-term impact than tax-cuts. “ We want every rand government spends to have the biggest impact, and target the consequences of the recession.” In response, government has provided R2.4 million for retaining and R6 million for cash strapped companies. Critics applaud the steps but remains concerned about the lack of the speed of implementation.
Preparing Sedibeng More than R15 billion will be pumped into the South African economy from tourism generated by the 2010 FIFA World Cup Soccer tournament and Sedibeng Municipal District, with its host of pivotal cultural and political sites, was primed for securing its share of opportunities. Tourism minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk has indicated the soccer showcase will contribute an estimated R50 billion from construction investment and a further R15,6 billion from tourism. This will be another cushion for South Africa against the broader global economic crisis, softening the effects of the meltdown on local job losses. The country is gearing to receive 3,5million participants during the monthlong event of which 1,3- million will be tourists. The touring British Lions in June this year attracted 40000 international supporters and generated more than R1 billion for the local economy. Sedibeng Executive Mayor Mahole Simon Mofokeng says the region is richly endowed with a variety of natural and cultural heritage resources dating more than 2,5-million years ago and now represents South Africa’s deep-rooted natural and social history and cultural diversity. Established in 2000, the district evolved from the rich history of Evaton, Heidelberg, Sharpeville, Boipatong, Sebokeng, Vereeniging, Vanderbijlpark, Vaal Oewers, Vaal Marina and Suikerbosrand. There are 456 known places of heritage significance, including paleontological and archaeological sites, graves, historic buildings, public monuments and spaces
of importance to local communities. Although not a host city during the soccer tournament, Mofokeng says Sedibeng is centrally located between Bloemfontein and Johannesburg to offer diverse tourism experiences. “The FIFA World Cup Soccer provides a strong focus for local government and other players to develop, improve and enhance Sedibeng and the opportunity for securing thousands of visitors via accommodation, heritage tours and fan parks cannot be overlooked,” he says. Consequently, the municipality is investing millions of rand into a range of urban upgrades ahead of 2010, but with the long-term vision for recognising the value of either cultural tourism or dark tourism (the travel to sites associated with death and suffering). Sharpeville commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Sharpeville massacre in March 2010. The main focus areas for urban development include the Vereeniging civic centre, Sharpeville and the waterfront, but broadly across the municipal district will be investment into paving, lighting, signage and landscaping to boost the tourism potential within the region. Three inter-related Sharpeville precincts – heritage in the vicinity of the Sharpeville monument, sport and recreation around the George Thabe soccer stadium and recreation along the dam – will bring to the key cultural and historic node an essence of harmony after a troubled past. Mofokeng says the municipality will develop four waterfront projects along the Vaal River in the vicinity of Vereeniging that includes upgrading Dickenson Park; developing a business
park alongside Dickenson Park; building an iconic water tourism hub and constructing a boardwalk encompassing both sides of the river. In extending the existing park and creating a landmark landscape, the Dickenson Park project will improve the symbiotic urban relationship between the park and the city. The Vereeniging central business district development is aimed at creating a vibrant, well-utilised and well-managed civic precinct. Inherent in its development will be a mixed use government and cultural precinct as a platform for private sector investments and public private partnerships. Mofokeng says this project will provide opportunities to the private sector for housing and office development as a catalyst for urban renewal. “These initiatives will boost job creation, employment and business opportunities while addressing the legacy of apartheid and apartheid settlement patterns. Integrating the waterfront to the city by enabling access to the river by the public and upgrading the quality of life for citizens within the greater Sedibeng municipal district will play a significant role in realising the potential of this corner of Africa,” Mofokeng says. He adds that in providing redress to the communities who suffered from the brunt of apartheid exploitation, the investment will be a catalyst to overcome the ills imposed by apartheid while leaving behind a legacy beyond 2010.
Agricultural imports and exports Agriculture plays a pivotal role in the South African Economy
AGRICULTURE
WRITER Walter Majosi The agricultural sector is one of the main streams of the South African economy. Agriculture and agribusiness have a number of competitive advantages which make the country an important trading partner as well as a viable investment destination. Since 1994, the democratically elected government in South Africa has embarked on a path of deregulating the agricultural sector. The globalization fever has also hit the country. Gone is the time of protectionism. This resulted into a leaner and much stronger agricultural industry and provided an opportunity for farmers and agribusinesses to position themselves internationally. Consequently, specialized marketing support institutions such as the South African Futures Exchange (Safex) and the Agricultural Futures Market of the JSE were established. Is the agricultural sector in a position to make the country self sufficient with regards to securing food to the nation? Do we have to import food and other agricultural products to ensure sufficient food supply? Related issues to this, is the question of the availability of land, ownership of land, food security etc. For this edition, we mainly want to give the reader a brief analysis of imports and exports in the agricultural sector. The South African agricultural economy could be divided into two main sections. We have a well developed commercial farming section and a subsistence based
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production in the deep rural areas of our country. South Africa has seven climatic regions ranging from Mediterranean to subtropical to semi desert. We cultivate a diverse range of marine and agricultural products, from deciduous, citrus and subtropical fruit to live stock, game, grain, wool, cut and uncut flowers. This sort of cultivation is favoured due to the fact that we have a coast line of 3000 kilometers and seven commercial ports. South Africa is not only self sufficient in basically all major agricultural products, but is also a net food exporter. Farming is critically important to the South African economy and to the development of Southern Africa as a whole. The focus of the democratically elected government since 1994 has been to develop small scale farming. EXPORTS South Africa is among the world’s top five exporters of grapefruit, plums, tangerines, avocados, pears, table grapes and ostrich products. The biggest export groups are wine, sugar, grapes, fruit juice, wool, citrus and fruit such as apples, pears, peaches and apricots. Other important export products are dairy products, nuts, hides and skins, non alcoholic beverages, pineapples, preserved fruit and food preparations. A number of high growth niche markets areas are also emerging, such as herbal beverages and luxury sea foods. To export agricultural products is obviously a good
thing, provided that the exchange rate is in our favour. IMPORTS Whilst South Africa is a major exporter of agricultural products, it is also supplements the local agricultural production with imports. These are mainly consumer-orientated products, forestry products and intermediate products. MAJOR IMPORT SOURCES AND TRENDS South African agricultural imports from the EU27 increased to R8,9 billion (2008), an increase of 29 % from 2007, mainly as a result of higher imports of whiskies and beers. During 2008, more than 23% of South Africa’s agricultural imports flowed from the EU27, compared with the nearly 25 % for 2007. South African agricultural imports from SADC increased to R1, 6 billion (2008), an increase of nearly 3% from 2007. This was mainly due to noteworthy increases in imports of cotton and tobacco. Around 4% of South African agricultural imports during 2008 flowed from SADC member countries, down from 5% in 2007. Argentina was South Africa’s largest individual supplier of agricultural products with nearly R7 billion (2008) worth of products imported from there. Imports from Argentina increased by 15% from 2007 to 2008. Much of the increases resulted from higher imports of soybean oilcake and wheat.
The value of imports from Brazil, South Africa’s second largest supplier of agricultural products, increased by 31% from 2007 to R3,7 billion in 2008. The increase was due mainly to increased imports of soybean oil and cane sugar. The United States of America was the fourth largest supplier of agricultural products to South Africa with almost a 7% share of total agricultural imports. The total value of imports from the United States of America was R2,6 billion (2008), an increase of 17% over 2007. The bulk of the increase was due to a rise in the imports of food preparations. The fifth largest supplier of South African agricultural imports in 2008 was Malaysia. South Africa imported some 53% more or R2,1 billion worth of agricultural products from Malaysia in 2008. Imports of palm oil were the main driving force behind the significant increase recorded. Source: World Trade Atlas, 18 February 2009. MAJOR CHALLENGES IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR There are major challenges facing the agricultural sector, according the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Honourable Tina Joemat-Petterson. The minister highlighted these challenges in her strategic plan for her department during 2010/2011. Her major focus will be on accelerating delivery on food security, rural development, linked to land reform and skills development. To highlight the significance of Agriculture in terms of sustainable economic growth, an Agribusiness and Agro-Industries (3ADI) initiative was recently launched. This initiative was a follow-up to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Global Agro-Industries forum which was held in India in 2008. “The initiative outlined pillars of development including appropriate skills and technologies, infrastructure, provision of resources, as well as the implementation of enabling provisions of public goods,” Minister Tina Joemat-Petterson, stated. She also believes that strong partnerships are necessary for South Africa to enable shared growth and development on the continent. Taking these plans and goals into consideration, one critical factor is that thousands of South Africans are complaining about how expensive basic food products are, whether imported or locally manufactured This may be one of the imperatives that the minister may want to consider in the future.
HEALTH
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Beyond would like to extend our condolences to the family and friends of the late Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Molefi Sefularo. 94
Health facilities The Department of Health’s readiness WRITER Lee-Anne Richards Beyond would like to extend our condolences to the family and friends of the late Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Molefi Sefularo. This article will still cover the initiatives that Dr Sefularo put in place to ensure that the Department of Health is ready for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup. We are inside the last days to go before the big event and I am sure that many are asking themselves, with the influx of so many tourists, the health needs of the ordinary citizen and that of the tourists, how we will cope. Don’t scratch your heads too much. Even though many may think that we cannot pull off this major event nor see to the health needs of the game goers, we are on track and got the heads up from the FIFA Local Organising Committee in terms of health readiness. The National Health Department, the Local Organising Committee and the South African Military Health Service did the last inspection/fact finding mission of our health facilities on March 17 (2010) in Mpumalanga. These visits to the various provinces were facilitated by the late Deputy Minister as of February 3 (2010). Even though a few gaps and challenges were identified in some provinces, a plan with definite timelines was identified to correct this. They have also been very creative and have twinned certain provinces with others in order that they share resources and work towards filling in all the gaps. Some of the gaps identified and to be worked on were: To clarify referral patterns & check them against 2010 specific demands. To identify gaps within the referral systems in terms of references. To draw a proposal on how they were going to manage national routes within their proximity. Patient administration as well as command and control. Some of the areas inspected were trauma units, wards, our Emergency Medical Centres (EMS) and emergency vehicles. The province has purchased 50 new ambulances and this will be at the disposal of the World Cup guests.
Each stadium is also equipped with a VIP medical centre, spectators’ medical centre, player’s medical centre and a doping centre. Relevant 2010 training programmes to up skill our health personnel are well underway and more that 80% of our new health equipment was delivered to the stadium medical rooms. Aero medical services are also part of our services to be rendered. A National Health readiness workshop was also held on the 9 February where it was recommended that certain red tape and restraints would be cut for this event to ensure comprehensive medical care. Medical service gaps, challenges and opportunities were identified in this session and it seems that it was very successful. The late Deputy Minister said, “We are happy about progress made in provinces in terms of readiness. Gaps have been identified and a plan with timelines has been developed. Integration of resources with SAMHS has closed most of the gaps identified. A contingency plan for hospitals will be finalized by the end of March. Boundaries among spheres of government will be set aside to ensure easy movement of resources across the country at any given time.” The Department of Health reported in January this year that they will continue with condom distribution at the time of the Football World Cup and that the rumours of a shortage of condoms are unfounded. They believe that this service is part of their obligations to ensure safety at all costs. As part of the Health readiness plan they have decided to focus on – Port Health, Food Control, Communicable and NonCommunicable Diseases and Emergency Medical Services. A Medical Volunteer Programme is in place that allows medical as well as ordinary citizens to assist to ensure to the care of the spectators, emergencies and disasters. They encouraged in particular medical personnel as well as first aiders to apply. These volunteers will be based at fan
parks, stadia, training grounds, public viewing areas, hospitals and clinics and wherever spectators find themselves. For those volunteers who have no first aid training – the Department provided two weeks of intensive training to ensure their readiness. Our foreign spectators have nothing to worry about, especially if they have health insurance. Most of our hospitals both public and private are the best in Africa. They are well equipped to deal with any eventuality. Just to mention, we have the world-renowned Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, where the first open heart surgery was conducted in the world. Many of our large hospitals serve as learning hospitals to many an international scholar. The Department of Health has also addressed the International Community in Washington DC on the 29 March on our health readiness for the games. They ensured everybody that the games can commence and that we are ready. The late Minister said, “South Africa has pulled out all stops to prepare for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, from the time when President Mandela received the good news from Mr Sepp Blatter, the President of FIFA, that South Africa would be the first country in Africa to host this important event to date when we confidently tell the world that we are ready for the games.” I am confident that at these games, our health plans, safety and security and the greater well being of our visitors will ensure that these international spectators will become the marketers and advertisements for South Africa to the rest of the world. We will and can host a world class event and I am sure that the hard work of the late minister should be built upon so that the legacies that he left and the infrastructure and service delivery that we are so hopeful to deliver, will leave South Africans in a better space and place. We can but only benefit from all of this in the long term. Source Department Health website
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BBBEE Automated BBBEE
WRITER Heidi Felix
The first setback of effective BEE reporting is a lack of ICT to facilitate the process across all levels. The second is ineffective BEE implementation, due to lack of specialized skills. And lastly, perhaps the most important, is the demand of time required to handle the extensive administrative process without any guidelines. For this reason, BEE is regarded as an expensive exercise due to the lack of tools provided. Organizations are forced to look outside of its structure for support in order to prepare such mandatory reports. Well, the good news is that all this is about to change. Before I announce the anticipated solution, let me introduce and summarize the works of 3Fold Accreditation. 3Fold Accreditation is the pioneer of B-BBEE Alignment. In 2004/2005, we presented provincial government with our BBBEE Alignment Business Plan and Process Methodology, for the acceptance and endorsement of our proposed services and process fundamentals, to facilitate and achieve the objectives demonstrated by the codes. In 2005/2006, we presented a BBBEE E-Procurement and Supplier Chain Management Process to the City of Cape Town. In 2007, we were summoned to assist Provincial Government in a BBBEE Fact-Finding Seminar, for the strategic planning and development of the Western Cape Provincial Government BBBEE Implementation Strategy for 2008/2009. In 2007/2008, we were assigned to develop a BBBEE Certification Process Business Plan, on behalf of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism – BEE Unit. Unsurprisingly, in 2010, we are launching a brand new and unique product that will alter the market and break new ground. 3Fold has developed an automated
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process flow intended to reduce the administrative burden of BBBEE reporting, simultaneously, simplifying the auditing method. The scope of our product, firstly, is to automate, outline and document the BEE certification process for ease of use and implementation. Secondly, is to provide organisation the freedom to manage the process internally with less interruption. Thirdly, is to provide organization with the internal capability, understanding and essential tools in order to produce mandatory annual reports with ease. Fourthly, is to provide organization with a supplier cleansing method and reporting structure that is convenient, at no additional cost. And lastly, lessen the cost and frustration of organisations that are bound by the process, however, delayed due to administrative disorganization. The product is designed for organizations to be well fitted, thoroughly equipped and well informed. The software’s core platform is a php based jQuery filed environment. This software enhances flexibility, control and ease of access through the customized modules from EE, BEE to purchasing. Organizations can further optimize the automated process by including additional critical processes in to this system. The software authenticates and recognizes each user placed under specific groups and automatically launches the modules related to the work activity of the user. Security of the system is enhanced by a logical break down, each activity carried out is monitored and any activity not followed by protocol is automatically denied access. The software is able to integrate itself to other platforms creating a virtual SharePoint, in which, foreign data is handled and put through the processes as if it was part of the system. The
software methodically calculates, analyzes and measures the data sourced and imported, against the specific scorecard indicator and weighting, formulating comparison and compliance graphs, this provides our clients with a broad reporting environment. BBBEE automated analyzes all seven pillars of the scorecard (ownership, management and control, employment equity, training, procurement, enterprise development and socio-economic initiatives). EE automated analyzes all employee levels, new recruits, promotion, termination, disciplinary, training and learnership. The system immediately identifies and report underperformance and in return, a priceless gesture of time for corrective measures. Dynamic Chart Reporting The system provides the URL of XML Data Document to FusionCharts. The chart sends a request for XML data to the specified URL, reads it, parses it and then renders the charts accordingly to the selected reporting request. The system also tells where the data is to be pulled from. This URL points to server side scripts which would output the XML data document for the chart.
User Login and Administration Panel This panel control all system resources, functionality and access. With multiple levels of security, only authorized users can view and update information. Passwords are stored and protected which create security levels. These levels govern and control the privileges of all user. Admin privileges from Top to Junior management vary. Full system
control is restricted to highest level of management only.
point database MYSQL is synchronized between the two platforms. This is where all comparison and compliance reporting occurs within the specific and/ or generic reporting structure.
Dynamic Reports - Graph Charts
System Dash Board Once logged in, you have centralized control to specific information, system modules and processes appropriate to user rights. Here admin can create or edit user authority level, group creation, policy, modify system data structure and/or performance graphs of any given or specified criteria are displayed.
Edit User Details This panel control is used by users from each department. Access and users rights are allocated to each user according to the group policy enforced by the admin.
Auditing Panel This panel is the heart of where all company audits occur. This panel is embedded into the heart of the core system and all security access rights are controlled by the core system. This panel is accessible to the privileged few with in the company. A Single share
a productive environment, and price can be weighed against the time won to achieve more. Effective E-Procurement: The system’s eprocurement processes focus on speed, accuracy and the ability to evaluate BEE procurement compliance with a click of a button, with no added cost. This is more than imagined, a dreadful process now made a thing of the past. Corporate Governance: The system is an effective and sophisticated automated process that is clearly defined in strategy and in responsibilities for a smooth and balanced operation giving employees the independence to do their job well followed by a performance indicator. Human Capital Development: Time is usually compromised when skills and training of employees is required. However, with HR automated and simplified, time is no longer a hindrance and planning and execution can be done with ease.
SOFTWARE BENEFITS Saving the Organization Money: Time is money and we will be saving you a whole lot of that. Our software supply time back to organizations to focus on real matters, achieving organizational goals, on-time and on-budget. More time spent on strategic alignment and organizational planning integrated with efficiency brings about increase in revenue. Time spent on data collaboration and external sources to produce factual statements of organizational performance is a thing of the past. The possibility of automated ad-hoc, monthly, quarterly and annual departmental and/or generic management reports is as easy as a click of a button. Providing Efficiency and Assurance: Usually when the demand and supply of software development is required everyone expects things to be fast, at a shameful bargain basement priced. More so, any software requires understanding otherwise considered an abortive channel. Communication, co-operation, structure, integration, process standards, leadership, commitment, security and data authentication is the key process of our unique software. However, nothing can be considered more important than
www.3foldaccreditation.co.za info@3foldaccreditation.co.za
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WOMEN OF SUBSTANCE
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Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did.
Dr Louise Van Rhyn WRITER Lee-Anne Richards
“Louise is a firebrand! No hurdle is too great, no task too complicated. When someone combines, in equal measure, passion, vision, enthusiasm, judgment and follow-through, the world shifts. Louise van Rhyn is a living commitment to shifting the world.” Ben Zander, Leadership Guru & Conductor, Boston Philharmonic. This quote says it all – the words possibility and active citizenship is part of this icon’s vocabulary. She strives to show us how to embrace the much needed change that society needs to go through in order to pass on a positive legacy to those that may still come. Let us introduce you to Louise Van Rhyn. Who is Louise Van Rhyn? Louise Van Rhyn was born in Malawi moved to South Africa and grew up in the Eastern Transvaal. She studied at the University of Stellenbosch in psychology and computer science. She had a great love for computer science and it was her focus area. Her first 8 years after university she spent on IT and Project Management. She was interested to find out the impact of technological change on the sense of identity, the psychological impact on people and that led her to become interested in change management. She went to the United Kingdom in 1989 as part of an international company implementing computer systems for hospitals. She came back to South Africa in 1992
to do her MBA at the University of Stellenbosch. In 1998 she went back to the UK with her family to work on a global SAP implementation for a pharmaceutical organisation. This led to Ashridge Consulting, where she focused on organizational development due to her interest in human beings in organizations. Whilst in the UK she did a Doctorate in Change Management at the University of Hertfordshire. Her family missed South Africa and they came back in 2003. She struggled to find her feet in South Africa and found herself commuting between South Africa, France and the UK. This meant cycles of 10 days in South Africa, 10 days traveling. At the time she managed to look after the change aspects of a large-scale change project for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals across 17 countries in Europe. In August of 2007, she decided that commuting did not really work for her and her family and she “had to find a way to arrive in South Africa”, as she aptly puts it. When she started to search for a learning community of Organisational Development practitioners and could not find any, she started the South African Organisational Development Network (SAODN) in November 2007. This was part of her “arriving in SA” and making a meaningful contribution to the field of Organisational Development. Through her Doctoral studies, she discovered that social change happens
when the stories and conversations change. As a passionate South African, who had just returned to South Africa, she became concerned about the negative stories about South Africa that were being told and re-told so she asked Ben Zander, the world renowned conductor and speaker on transformation and leadership, to help. In 2008 her company organized 97 events that enabled Ben & Roz Zander to interact with 13,000 people over 21 days. The purpose of the Zander’s tour was to change the conversations in South Africa from downward spiral conversations to conversations of possibility. The work with the Zanders helped Louise and her business partners to establish Symphonia Leadership Development and Symphonia for South Africa. What is Symphonia? The name Symphonia comes from a term in Ben and Rosamund Zander’s Book, “The Art of Possibility.” Symphonia meaning, the sounding together of all the voices. Symphonia’s mission is to strengthen the fabric of South African society and they do that through the work that they do with leaders in organizations as well as the work that they do with citizens and communities. Symphonia Leadership Development’s vision is to ignite thinking and leadership at all levels in the organization and to bring back joy and vibrancy into organizations. Symphonia for South Africa is a registered NPO and
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crossing boundaries and was challenged to lead beyond her authority due to this programme. She found this programme to be a hugely enriching experience. Nominations and Awards HR leadership Award – Global HRD Forum in India (Feb 2009), Won the Feather Award for entrepreneurial women in March 2009, Nominated in the Social Entrepreneurial category – Business Women Association. Louise feels more comfortable as a practitioner and does not enjoy the limelight much. She also believes that through all of these nominations, she becomes the face of the organization and her achievements are a reflection of her team, their recognition and acknowledgement of work done. She believes that what you do should have and add value.
they are focused on citizen engagement and community mobilization. The two Symphonia organisations are uniquely placed to straddle civil society and business. The organization is staffed by 8 fulltime personnel and a large network of facilitators and consultants. The criteria for employment are “people who stand in possibility, has zest for life and is passionate about their contribution.” In 2009 Louise became a champion for the Dinokeng Scenario’s – 3 possible futures for South Africa. There are 3 which are: Walk Apart; Walk Behind; Walk Together. Louise committed the next 10 years of her life to make the Walk Together scenario a reality in South Africa. She and uses the Dinokeng message as a way to ignite citizen engagement and mobilize communities. During the last 6 months Symphonia for South Africa has been actively involved in igniting citizenship and building capacity in the field of community building. They have partnered with Peter Block, author of “Community: The Structure of Belonging” and internationally-recognized expert in the field of community building to host a series of community building workshops across South Africa. So far, more than 600 people have attended the workshops and have joined the “Network of Community Builders for South Africa”. Symphonia for South Africa has also
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launched a project called “School at the Centre of Community” (S@CC) where they are seeking to make the “Walk Together” scenario a reality around schools – getting all the stakeholders around a school together so that they can take responsibility for the future of our children, rather than abdicate responsibility of raising our children to the education department. This project provides the opportunity for business leaders to become ‘thinking partners’ to school principals and supporting school principals in their task to engage and mobilize community involvement. The “School at the Centre of Community” project was launched in March this year and there are currently 10 schools participating in the pilot phase. The vision is to use the S@CC methodology to assist a large percentage of the 27,000 underperforming schools in South Africa by creating opportunities for business, government and civil society to collaborate in a meaningful way around one of the key issues facing our nation. Your development and nominations Louise did the Common Purpose Meridian Leadership Course in 2009 for the purpose of getting out of her comfort zone of working purely with commercial organization. She discovered the value of
things that MAKES HER PROUD Louise’s daughter, 12 year old Helen, is a Junior Ambassador for the Chaeli Campaign. It is a NGO started by kids to facilitate mobility devices to needy kids. Helen also established her own project called “Kidz 2 Kidz”. The project collects toys, stationery and books and makes it available to less fortunate kids. For Helen’s 12th birthday, her guests were told not to bring her any presents but bring a contribution in an envelope. They took 6 kids from the Rainbow Home for vulnerable children to Build-a-Bear to build their own bears. This was the gift to herself. What are her Hobbies? She cycled in the Argus senior race as a Chaeli Rider (raising funds for the Chaeli Campaign), Scuba diving with her family, Introvert – likes to curl up with a book and read Her thoughts on the 2010 Soccer World Cup After reading the book, “Playing the enemy” and seeing the film Invictus inspired unity, she believes that this is wonderful opportunity for South Africa and we have to be fully immersed and making the most of it. It is an opportunity and a special year with more energy. What are the legacies that she would like to leave behind? That she has facilitated community building and that she assisted to strengthen the public of South Africa. That her kids are able to strive, due to their sense of identity.
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HEALTH MATTERS
Please always refer to a medical professional for professional advice specific to your medical condition. The information below is intended as a guide and should in no way be a substitute for consulting a medical doctor.
Common cold common cures Scientists estimate that the common cold is caused by any one of more than 200 different viruses. WRITER Mo Gierdien In its simplest sense the common cold, and similarly flu, is a condition that affects the respiratory tract. ‘When infection occurs, the walls of the respiratory tract swell and produce excess mucus, giving rise to the typical cold symptoms. Symptoms range from sore throat, running nose, nasal congestion, watery eyes to hacking cough, headache, and fever. Most colds run their course in 7-10 days. Recurrent colds (almost constantly suffering) may indicate a lowered immune capacity and too much stress and often not enough sleep. Colds spread from person to person and are highly contagious. Coughing, sneezing or hand to hand contact will easily pass the virus on. The virus can
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also live for several hours on everyday surfaces,’ notes natural health advocates Organic Nutrition on its web-site. Flu is different from the common cold in that the patient’s fever is very high and body aches are only present in a person who has flu. The time to treat a cold is when you don’t have it! Prevention is always better than cure. However the same herbs that keep colds and flu at bay will also help you get rid of it faster, writes U.S. nutritional and herbal researcher P. Topham. Here follows an extract from one of his articles on natural remedies for colds and flu: ‘One particular herb has recently had a lot of press coverage and marketing as a ‘new’ cure for colds. Echinacea has
in fact been used by American Indians for hundreds of years. It is native to the North America Plains, but varieties of the species are now found on most continents. Echinacea increases levels of properdin, a chemical which activates the part of the immune system responsible for increasing defence mechanisms against virus and bacteria attacks. Its anti-bacterial effect makes it a good herb for treating many viral and bacterial infections. Echinacea is also an excellent blood cleanser, it helps to sweep dead cells and other debris through the channels of the lymphatic system. And dispatches white blood cells to fight the infection. The best test to determine if you are
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taking a good, high strength echinacea is the tongue test. After you have taken the tincture, the back of your tongue should feel numb or tingly. This feeling will soon pass, but you know you are using a good quality product. So when you feel the cold coming on - reach for the echinacea tincture. It is important to try to take echinacea before the full onset of a cold or flu to give the best chance of a swift recovery. No treatment of colds would be complete without Garlic. This pungent herb was highly esteemed by the ancient Egyptians, who ensured that the slaves building the Great Pyramids at Cheops were given a daily supply. The Romans also acknowledged garlic’s strengthening powers and fed it to their soldiers before battle. Garlic has anti-bacterial properties that help the immune system to fight infection, it is an excellent boost to the immune system. The reason for this is garlic contains several helpful compounds, including allicin, one of the plant kingdom’s most potent antibiotics. Garlic combines well with echinacea and together make a strong fighting force against infections. Onion is a close relative of Garlic and has similar properties, containing similar antiviral chemicals. Use onions and leeks in your cooking when you have a cold or are around people who do have a cold. Ginger is another of natures’ antiviral herbs. It contains nearly a dozen antiviral compounds. Ginger is pain relieving, antiseptic and antioxidant. It is valuable for preventing and treating colds, sore throats and inflammation of mucus membranes. Ginger reduces pain and fever and has a mild sedative effect that will encourage rest. And it is tasty! (with no lingering odours!) Drink a tea, or soak fresh ginger in hot water, take as a tincture and include it in your food. Ginger is also delicious in a fruit smoothy (a mix of soft chilled fruits put in a blender). Vitamin C is very good for the relief of cold symptoms and to help the body fight infection. The best source of vitamins is always fresh fruit and vegetables. Citrus fruit is especially high in vitamin C. Combine orange, pineapple, seedless grapes, lots of fresh ginger, banana, pink grapefruit, cantaloupe in a blender. Add orange juice if more liquid is needed. This not only makes a delicious drink, but is healthy and fights that cold. Don’t eat junk food when you have a cold or flu. When you have a cold or flu your body is under a lot of stress, fighting the viral infection. Big, heavy meals take
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vital energy to digest, resources which your body could be using to fight the infections. An old saying states “Feed a cold and starve a fever”. A better saying is “Starve a cold and starve a fever”. The best thing to do is drink plenty of liquids - water, fruit juices and if needed soups, but stay away from heavy and highly processed food. High liquid intake is important as the body uses water to carry waste products and toxins to your elimination systems.” Furthermore, when you are rundown it is a very good idea to boost your immune system so that your body can fight back. And since your best defense in beating the cold and flu season is to boost your immune system, the best answer is to take good care of yourself. “This is an ideal time to commit yourself to practices like yoga, meditation, healthy nutrition, restorative sleep and the use of herbs and supplements,” says Karen Koffler, MD, director of Integrative Medicine at Evanston Northwestern Healthcare, near Chicago, Illinois. “These healthy habits can strengthen your immune system and reduce stress.” Natural Life Magazine in an article on tackling colds and flu continue: ‘One of the main ways to support your immune system is to get at least six to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep. Your body needs that amount of sleep to repair itself and prepare itself to fight for the coming day. Eating well is another component of immune system support. Avoid processed food, which is high in simple carbohydrates and hydrogenated oils that act as immune system stressors. Instead, eat complex carbs like brown rice and whole wheat, and indulge in vegetables and fruit, which are antioxidants as well as being high in vitamins and minerals. And eat lots of immune-boosting garlic and onions. Be sure to increase your intake of “good fats”, which are found in cold-water fish like salmon, or supplement with flaxseed oil. Nutritionists also recommend drinking more liquids, such as six to eight glasses of water a day. Thirdly, find ways to deal with stress, because how well we deal with stress affects the health of our immune systems. People who are stressed out from having too much to do or from financial or other worries are more likely to catch the flu. So, in addition to the usual commonsense recommendations – such as washing your hands often, teaching your kids “cough etiquette” and avoiding people who already are sick – Dr. Koffler points out that it’s also important to find ways to consistently notice and reduce
feelings of stress. “Controlling stressful feelings can help you achieve a balanced state of health and maintain your energy levels,” she says.’ There are also supplements that can act as immune system boosters. Homeopathic remedies, which are similar in principle to vaccinations, should also be considered. And the lets leave the last words for our mothers. Cover your mouth when you cough. Good manners, for sure, and a great way to protect others when you have a cold (though blocking a cough or sneeze does nothing to ease your symptoms). The usual approach -- covering your mouth with your cupped hand -- isn’t the best one, says William Schaffner, MD, chairman of the department of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt Medical School in Nashville, Tenn. It’s better to cough into your sleeve. That way, your hands stay relatively germ-free, so you won’t infect others when you shake hands. By the way, avoiding shaking hands with others helps limit your exposure to cold viruses -- but don’t assume that it’s safe to shake hands with someone who has no obvious symptoms of a cold. “People with colds shed virus particles for days before they show symptoms,” says Schaffner. Don’t forget to wash your hands. Mom was right on this one. Colds commonly spread when we touch someone or something that harbors cold-causing viruses and then infect ourselves by touching our nose or eyes. Hand washing is great at eliminating these viruses before they sicken us (and before we spread them to others). Hand sanitizers work well, as does plain old soap and water (no need for antibacterial soap). The key is to wash thoroughly and regularly. “Hand washing is part of the routine in my home,” says Schaffner. “The first thing we do after coming home is hang up our jackets, and then we wash our hands.” Be aware that cold viruses can survive on objects for several hours - perhaps overnight, says infectious disease specialist J. Owen Hendley, MD, professor of paediatrics at the University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville. It is reported that, with no cure in sight for the cold or the flu, current treatments can at best provide symptomatic relief or shorten the duration of those symptoms. You can take one of a variety of medications that may help relieve your symptoms. Or you can take the natural approach.
SKILLS & TRAINING
Taking us from good to great! Remember, if you can’t see the problem you can’t fix it! As the most anticipated sporting event in South Africa and Africa, if not the world approaches, many organisations and locals are gearing themselves to reap the benefits of this auspicious event. It is estimated that the 2010 FIFA World Cup will send approximately 400,000 – 500,000 tourists to South African shores, from across Africa and the rest of the world. So, what is South Africa doing to ensure that these tourists have
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an experience to remember with this event? What have we got to offer that no other country was able to offer before? A recent trip to China gave me the opportunity to experience a quality of life very different to what we experience in South Africa. Even though most would assume that technological advancement is what sets them apart from the rest of the world, surprisingly to me it was their commitment to good customer service
that left me with a lasting impression. By the way, I too, am one of those customers who accepts mediocre service, simply because I am either too lazy or not bothered to do anything about it! Coming back home it was difficult not to compare how far away we are from this sort of service delivery. Efficiencies in shorter queues, faster service, more options or alternatives are just some of the things that we as a country need
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to improve on in order for our service to become world-class. We might argue that we lack the technological advancement to make us faster or better but then we need to determine what we will do to compensate this. Someone once said “If you can’t see the problem, you can’t fix it!” This is very true for customer service in South Africa. We do not realise that the service we currently deliver falls far short of what the rest of the world expects. A related world cup article stated that potential customers all have expectations in terms of customer service and value added services will go a long way in meeting these expectations. It went further to say that they have taken an extensive look at the effects that the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup will have on customer experience as well as the potential opportunities, which will not only add value to an organisation and the customer during this event, but will continue to add value in the longterm. There is no doubt that customer service will be a key component and differentiator when it comes to attracting and retaining customers during the World Cup and beyond. To ensure that the event leads to sustainable, long-term benefits, operators and service providers need to develop and implement marketing, sales and service strategies that meet the needs of an intensely diverse consumer base. Once an organisation has implemented these tactics, they will go a long way in retaining and attracting additional business. This said, we must not only look at delivering this service during the world cup but rather continue way beyond world events. At ALLFOCUS, we emphasise that good customer service is the lifeblood of any business. You can offer promotions and slash prices to bring in as many new customers as you want, but unless you can get some of those customers to come back, your business won’t be profitable for long. Good customer service is all about bringing customers back. And about sending them away happy – happy enough to pass positive feedback about your business along to others, who may then try the product or service you offer for themselves and in their turn become repeat customers. If you’re a good salesperson, you can sell anything to anyone once. But it will be your approach to customer service that determines whether or not you’ll ever be able to sell that person anything else. The essence of good customer service is
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forming a relationship with customers, a relationship that that individual customer feels that he would like to pursue. How do you go about forming such a relationship? How do you take your service from good to GREAT? By remembering the one true secret of good customer service and acting accordingly; “You will be judged by what you do, not what you say.” If you truly want to have good customer service, here are some valuable tips to enforce to ensure that your business is well on your way to offering customer service that will take you as an organisation from good to great! 1 Answer your phone. Get call forwarding. Or an answering service. Hire staff if you need to. But make sure that someone is picking up the phone when someone calls your business. (Notice I say “someone”. People who call want to talk to a live person, not a “fake recorded robot”.) 2 Don’t make promises unless you WILL keep them. Not plan to keep them. Will keep them. Reliability is one of the keys to any good relationship, and good customer service is no exception. If you say, “Your new bedroom furniture will be delivered on Tuesday”, make sure it is delivered on Tuesday. Otherwise, don’t say it. The same rule applies to client appointments, deadlines, etc.. Think before you give any promise – because nothing annoys customers more than a broken one. 3 Listen to your customers Is there anything more exasperating than telling someone what you want or what your problem is and then discovering that that person hasn’t been paying attention and needs to have it explained again? From a customer’s point of view, I doubt it. Can the sales pitches and the product babble. Let your customer talk and show him that you are listening by making the appropriate responses, such as suggesting how to solve the problem. 4 Deal with complaints No one likes hearing complaints, and many of us have developed a reflex shrug, saying, “You can’t please all the people all the time”. Maybe not, but if you give the complaint your attention, you may be able to please this one person this one time - and position your business to reap the benefits of good customer service.
5 Be helpful even if there’s no immediate profit in it. The other day I popped into a local watch shop because I had lost the small piece that clips the pieces of my watch band together. When I explained the problem, the proprietor said that he thought he might have one lying around. He found it, attached it to my watch band – and charged me nothing! Where do you think I’ll go when I need a new watch band or even a new watch? And how many people do you think I’ve told this story to? 6 Train your staff (if you have any) to be ALWAYS helpful, courteous, and knowledgeable Do it yourself or hire someone to train them. Talk to them about good customer service and what it is (and isn’t) regularly. Most importantly, give every member of your staff enough information and power to make those small customerpleasing decisions, so he never has to say, “I don’t know, but so-and-so will be back at...” 7 Take the extra step For instance, if someone walks into your store and asks you to help them find something, don’t just say, “It’s in Aisle 3.” Lead the customer to the item. Better yet, wait and see if he has questions about it, or further needs. Whatever the extra step may be, if you want to provide good customer service, take it. They may not say so to you, but people notice when people make an extra effort and will tell other people. 8 Throw in something extra Whether it’s a voucher for a future discount, additional information on how to use the product, or a genuine smile, people love to get more than they thought they were getting. And don’t think that a gesture has to be large to be effective. If you apply these eight simple rules consistently, your business will become known for its good customer service. And the best part? The irony of good customer service is that over time it will bring in more new customers than promotions and price slashing ever did! ALLFOCUS, a Services Seta accredited training provider, offers various customer service programmes which can be adapted into retail service, over the counter service, telephone sales and many other sectors.
Ana-Marie Lyn Penniston and Johan van den Berg
Ammonia refrigeration ADVETORIAL
No longer a man’s world At the February 2010 Diploma ceremony, Ana-Marie Lyn Penniston became South Africa’s first lady to ever receive the coveted, OTTC (Open Trade Training Centre) Diploma in ammonia refrigeration. Ana-Marie, who is already qualified in electrics and instrumentation is currently employed at Commercial Cold Storage in Durban. After being presented with her Diploma, the proud twenty eight year old AnaMarie admitted, “the course is very stressful and provokes the need for determination and perseverance. It was not easy, but well worth the many hours of hard work”. Her hard work gained her a 100% pass mark in both the practical and theoretical sections of the five weeks course. Isolde Dobelin,OTTC director, was as excited, “We are extremely proud of Ana-Marie and of this very extraordinary occasion to present our ammonia refrigeration diploma to our first lady student. to qualify in a very specialized high-tech trade that is very much male dominated.” Ana-Marie is very much aware that “it is a man’s world,” but has her own goals,“I was not going out there to be politically correct, but rather because I am a technically minded person and wanted a new technical challenge in an area that I knew nothing about. The OTTC course appealed to me because of their knowledge, their trade test, accredited ammonia plant facilities and reputation in the industry.” As Ana-Marie humbly puts it, “I said to myself that I can do this, and took it from there.” Ana-Marie did exactly that and completed, with flying colours, the OTTC
Ammonia Diploma which includes safety procedures, flooded systems, ice banks, plant instruction, system servicing and problem solving to name a few subjects. This young lady reaches out to the youth that are technical inclined saying that “if this is your passion, say to yourself ‘this is what I want to do’, and have the right attitude towards learning new things.” With a big smile on her glowing face, at her graduation on 18 February 2010, she admitted to a passion for being technical and stated that it requires discipline and self-esteem. She also stated that when she first walked into OTTC, it was love at first site for Isolde and it was almost as if she became her daughter over the past few weeks. Her “Boss”, Johan van den Berg (Commercial Cold Store), who was in attendance at her graduation, was proclaimed by Ana-Marie to be exceptionally motivating and always illing to share his expert knowledge with her. She now hopes to share the knowledge gained in her diploma training with him. “The use of ammonia as a refrigerant is gaining momentum and all hands on staff should acquire at least the basic training. HCFC’s are being phased out and ammonia has a great future potential. A better understanding of why ammonia is one of the most promising refrigerants has to be communicated to decision-makers, users, signatories of the Montreal and Kyoto Protocols and to the public in general. Since the 1980,s the so-called “environmentally friendly” refrigerants have emerged to combat ozonedepletion and global warming within the framework of the mentioned protocols. However, these new generation refrigerants still have an effect on ozone depletion or/
and global warming, while ammonia has neither ozone-depleting nor global warming effects, but knowledge on its use has declined over years. In the refrigeration trade there is a huge shortage of qualified people trained in installing, maintaining and operating ammonia plants and this retards ammonia achieving the status it deserves. From a thermo dynamic and economic point of view, ammonia is definitely the best refrigerant. However, myths and misunderstanding has convinced a lot of people to recognize ammonia as a dangerous refrigerant. That is not the fact! Ammonia is a very handsome refrigerant, because it has a characteristic warning smell, which signals even the smallest leaks at concentrations far lower than any dangerous level. The fact is that the number of fatal accidents involving fluorinated refrigerants is many times greater than the remarkably few fatal accidents encountered with ammonia. Education and training in ammonia refrigeration is essential to dispel any fears and myths, for now and in the future. Highly educated people in the field will be able to reduce operating and maintenance costs of ammonia plants dramatically”, Isolde Dobelin, who recently received OTTC’s Black Economic Empowerment Company award. Even before leaving with her diploma, Ana-Maria Penniston, started to indicate her return to OTTC for their new course in the design and tendering of ammonia refrigeration plants to be presented by ammonia lecturer, Kurt Johansen (Mech Eng).
CNBC Africa ADVERTORIAL
CNBC Africa, launched in 2007, is the leading African 24 hour international business channel CNBC Africa delivers real-time information and insightful analysis about African business and Africa’s financial markets. There are also live interviews with company CEOs while traders and market commentators provide ongoing information round the clock. CNBC Africa also presents regular updates from CNBC affiliates around the world including Europe, Asia and the US. The channel offers a unique global perspective from an African platform. CNBC Africa features news and current affairs programming with regular updates throughout the day. Political perspectives that shape African business, lifestyle programmes, interactive talk shows as well as a closer look at Africa’s personalities. Zafar Siddiqi (Chairman) What was the driving force behind the creation of CNBC Africa? There was a fundamental information gap in the market. Historically international media companies have focused on the problems in Africa. Few have talked about the prosperity, progress and opportunities. It was a mission to change the perceptions of Africa that became the driving force behind the project. Launched in 2007, what are some of the milestones and/or achievements of CNBC Africa in the last 3 years? The Company has met all its initial objectives in establishing a state-of-
the –art pan African television network that broadcasts 8 hours of live content each day. The Channel has bureaus in Cape Town, Nairobi, Lagos and Abuja. The channel has established one of the most complex communications infrastructures using fiber, connectivity via 2 satellites, microwave links to banks and Stock exchanges and broadband. Our greatest achievement is the quality and resolve of our 180 strong team that has worked tirelessly to deliver the Vision of the Founders. Rakesh Wahi (Vice Chairman) What is the vision of CNBC Africa? CNBC Africa is part of a larger vision of Pan Africa Business Holdings. The Company has the vision of being the leading aggregator and distributor of business and economic news in the African continent. Distribution will be via Television, Print, Radio and Online all of which form an integral part of the company’s growth. With offices in Kenya and Nigeria, which African regions are next for CNBC Africa? The footprint of the company is across 48 countries in Sub Sahara Africa. A very comprehensive strategy has been put in place to have a presence across the Continent. Some of the growth will be through subsidiaries of the Company and in some markets we will partner existing operators. The priority will be
determined by the size of the market, growth of capital markets and the existence of a stock exchange. Some announcements will be made later this year on our expansion plans. How did the year of the recession impact the company? The last 18 months have been challenging as a natural outcome of recession is the tightening of advertising and marketing budgets. The African market is also under developed in terms of income streams as 100% of revenue is based on advertising income. We have done comparatively well during the period by consolidating the operations, keeping our costs in check, retaining all our staff and staying close to our clients. We expect all these efforts will see results in the next 6 months. Gary Alfonso (Managing Director) In terms of your competitors, how is CNBC Africa different? Is it viewers, content, coverage? CNBC Africa is a market leader and as such has no direct competitor in the business news market in Africa. There are small local channels in different territories, but no business news channels which cover Africa across the entire sub Sahara Africa business and economic environment on a daily basis. No other broadcaster or channel in the world crosses live via satellite to east, west and southern
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CNBC Africa is a market leader and as such has no direct competitor in the business news market in Africa.
Africa, up to six times every day. Our content differs from other channels in that Africa’s economy and business environment are discussed by Africans, for Africa, through an African perspective. We cross live during the day to the most important stock markets in the continent, and in the evenings we wrap the performances of the Johannesburg,, Lagos, Nairobi and other stock exchanges – before we cross to London and then to New York for the news from Wall Street. Has the market been receptive to the content and structure of CNBC Africa? Has the growth curve been significant? CNBC Africa measures growth in 2 areas. Viewership and commercial The market response has been overwhelming. The commercial support from the South African business market has helped CNBC Africa grow by more than 100% over the past 2 years. Even in the midst of a recession we were able to grow revenue, so that says something about the strength of the brand. We’ve also grown viewership by more than 200% since we started in June 2007. CNBC Africa is now available on 3.2 million DStv decoders across sub Saharan Africa, in 41countries. What was CNBC Africa’s strategy for 2010, considering the Soccer World Cup happening in South Africa? CNBC Africa will tell the business news side of the 2010 World Cup event in South Africa. We’ve already run a
successful “Business 2010” programme on the channel for the past year – and we’ve produced many segments telling the business story of such a massive global event on African soil. Our strategy is to tell the business sustainability story of 2010 – to show how the benefits of 2010 could translate into a boost for the economic future of SA and Africa. Has CNBC Africa, as a broadcaster and a company been benefiting from the upcoming Soccer World Cup? Not directly – as most advertising campaigns have been targeted at mass market players such as the national broadcaster. But indirectly, the business opportunities and initiatives around 2010 have created commercial and strategic opportunities on CNBC Africa. People are interested in the economics of 2010 – and that’s where we’ve been able to add value editorially, to a wider audience across sub Sahara Africa. “Football Friday” has become a norm in most corporates across South Africa. Has the company also been promoting the World Cup internally and if yes in what ways? Yes, our anchors wear Soccer shirts on air every Friday and our staff members also wear soccer shirts on Fridays. We’ve also produced TV promos across the continent, in which young and old people across south, east and west Africa tell us what they and their friends and family will get out of the world cup.
We are currently broadcasting these promos. Will CNBC Africa’s content be integrating more news on soccer and the World Cup during the tournament? We will carry results and interesting information bits – with business angles – during the tournament. Before the event, our reporters will cover stories on the type of industries that will benefit from the 2010 event. After 2010 – our focus will be on whether the event has left a legacy and if the benefits of the event filters down to communities on the ground – not only in South Africa, but also the rest of the continent. CNBC Africa is available on DSTV Channel 410 across Africa.
e-Strides at the University of the Western Cape
eLearning adoption amongst academics at UWC indicates that the institution has a 26% success rate of academics who have experienced a paradigm shift towards the use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) in supplementing their teaching practices
In 2005 the e-Learning Development and Support Unit (EDSU) was established at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) with the mandate to ‘drive eLearning in the institution’. In the same breath a new version of the home grown Open-source Learning Management System (LMS) was launched- Knowledge Environment for Web-based Learning (KEWL) providing interactive and collaborative features that can enliven and enrich online teaching and learning amongst these chat, discussion forums, blogs, wikis, assignments, workgroups and podcasting. The use of KEWL by the institution was also part of a larger trend towards the mainstreaming of open source software. In 2005 under the initiation and stewardship of the newly appointed eLearning Manager, EDSU launched a unique eLearning implementation approach geared at driving the adoption of eLearning and changing mindsets and attitudes towards eLearning within a resistant HEI environment. Through eLearning lunch-time seminars, departmental visits, training and consultation sessions, the blog communication strategy, annual eLearning colloquium and the eLearning incentive initiative ‘reward the educator’—has been successful in
terms of getting academics on board on a voluntary basis, in a complex environment. The persistent and continuous nature of the campaign is allowing EDSU to see the fruits of their efforts, especially when lecturers during lunch-times seminars and eLearning colloquium actively engage in teaching and learning discourse. A recent 2009 publication reporting on the results of eLearning adoption amongst academics at UWC indicates that the institution has realised a 26% success rate of academics who have managed to have experienced a paradigm shift towards the use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) in supplementing their teaching practices. EDSU now comprises of six functional teams operating in niche areas of eLearning and often collaborating amongst each other to provide integrated support and the development of eLearning at UWC, these teams are: Instructional Design; ICT skills training & development; Digital Academic Literacy; Digital Media Services; Research; and Materials Development. The development of blended online course in order to supplement the face-to-face lectures has grown exponentially. Amongst these a number of landmark eLearning initiatives have
taken place at UWC: In 2006 UWC became the first African institute to join the OpenCourseWare (OCW) movement started by MIT - the ‘’OpenCourseWare” is a term applied to course materials developed by universities and shared freely with the world via the internet. Since June 2007 various departments have joined the Podcast initiatives for students, the podcast roll-out to large classrooms represents a pioneering effort within the South African HEI milieu. Students are shown how to create their own podcasts (audio-recordings); how to edit this using open source editing software and submit it online. In another initiative, in June 2009 the Management Department at UWC has engaged in a collaborative initiative with Oklahoma State University. 2009 also saw the Master of Arts in Child and Family Studies Programme engaged in a collaborative online initiative with Missouri University.
For more information please contact: eLearning Manager: Juliet Stoltenkamp jstoltenkamp@uwc.ac.za Coordinator Instructional Design: Carolynne Kies ckies@uwc.ac.za Tel: 021 959 3068/3200 Visit our website: www.uwc.ac.za
EDUCATION
Chalk on a blackboard
Solving South Africa’s Education Crisis WRITER Libby Norton South Africa’s education system is in crisis. The more so with the recent protest from the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga that it is only the education of black children that’s in crisis. Since black people make up 80 percent of the population, one can safely make the statement. As education is the single most important black economic empowerment strategy, its significance is crucial to reducing poverty and accelerating long term economic growth. Despite the Minister’s protestations however, Government is tackling the issue giving education top priority in the budget and it’s the largest area of government spending. However, it’s all very well getting the kids to school, but if the standards aren’t up to much, it’s just more wasted funding. The heart of the issue is surely dedicated, fit-for-purpose teachers (or educators as they pedantically call them now) but despite acknowledgment of inefficient systems, poor teaching, weak management and lack of leadership and commitment, unfortunately the re-opening teachers’ colleges goes no further than ‘being considered’. The crisis is seen all too clearly in the 2010 Budget Review showing South Africa’s numeracy and literacy levels for schoolchildren “unacceptably low by any standard”, despite the high level of spending. The national pass rate for 2009’s matric examinations or NSC was only 60.7%. In the past seven months, Government has been shaping the reconfiguration of the previous Department of Education with a Department of Basic Education and a single Department of Higher
Education and Training. In a move seen as very positive, it has allocated an additional R2.7 billion to the department of Basic Education to roll out easy-to-use workbooks in all 11 official languages to help raise literacy and numeracy levels.
Children from poor backgrounds make up the bulk of those who do not succeed at school. The 2010 Soccer World Cup has created a shorter academic year which while being sensible in allowing young people to share the excitement of the World Cup and avoid absenteeism, has presented a number of problems, not least being the caring for school children out of school with the threat of an increase in human trafficking. Warnings have been extended throughout the media and one can only hope parents are in a position to heed them. Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande says government will be paying particular attention this year to issues such as improving access and success rates in universities and colleges,
developing our post-school funding system, advancing access to and quality of the College sector and addressing efficiency challenges in the National Skills Fund. A most significant occurrence will be the implementing of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) Review. Children from poor backgrounds make up the bulk of those who do not succeed at school, and there are few amongst them who excel. Minister Nzimande says the large gaps between the NSFAS award and the full cost of study for many students accounts for 72% of aided students having dropped out of the system. Only a third actually completed their studies which is a huge waste. While the Minister says government is stressing full funding for aided students, NSFAS funding, currently at about R2,2-billion, falls far short of demand of conservatively R5,2-billion in 2010 but a more realistically envisaged R9,2-billion. Government now intends full state subsidisation of poor students over a specific period and income-contingent loan schemes for the children of lower paid public sector employees. The proposed establishment of another fund for students from lower middle-income families funded by the state or some other agency is seen as the positive closing of a gap. The Minister is to take the report’s recommendations and an implementation plan to Cabinet by the end of August. The Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Enver Surty, speaking on the budget and strategic plan said the key priorities are to place education and skills development at the centre of economic development.
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‘ There is urgent need for a national target to produce at least 12 500 artisans per annum, which will require a dramatic increase of the average qualification rate of 5, 600 students per year. Twice as many students are enrolled in universities as in vocational colleges which the government would like to see the other way round. The national scarce skills list includes artisans and technicians in engineering, ICT and science, automotive and engineering, the trades, construction, printing, packaging, textile, wood and agriculture. Also on the list are professionals in the fields of engineering and the built environment, health, finance and law, city planning, IT and ICT, natural science, management, education and transport. The Minister says students are opting increasingly for focused occupationspecific qualifications and that for these programmes the need and demand outstrip the number of places available. Students unable to enter full-time study and who want instead to enter the world of work are encouraged to pursue opportunities with the Services Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) for learnerships, apprenticeships and skills programmes by registering their CV’s with SETAs and labour centres. The older age group benefits from the Kha Ri Gude Mass Literacy Campaign which has been honoured twice recently for the exceptional standards of its communication strategies. The Campaign has thus far enabled nearly
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In the end, only well trained, passionate and committed teachers will be much more than just chalk on a blackboard.
1 million adults to become literate and numerate and two-thirds of the 24 000 volunteer teachers are unemployed youths. Opposition DA leader, Helen Zille has taken issue with Basic Education Minister Angie Motshegka for doing away with educational aid centres countrywide, as well as support classes and specialist teachers responsible for assisting and guiding learners with learning problems in schools. The DA believes this has destroyed invaluable structures and services in education and contributed to the high drop-out figures of learners who leave school before completing Grade 12. The Minister was forced to agree with Zille but hasn’t indicated how she plans to deal with the problem. At the other end of the scale, early childhood development was highlighted by the ACDP for not being prioritized in poorer areas, saying access to ECD teacher training and career encouragement should be given far greater attention as this is recognised to be a major factor in foundational learning. The Independent Democrats said the new proposals for testing at grades, 3, 6 and 9 are long overdue and expressed the hope that the Government will strengthen district administration to ensure that the promise of teaching for seven hours a day is strictly enforced. The news of the government’s proposed investment in infrastructure including the building of libraries has been welcomed and one hopes allocation has
been made also for trained librarians to teach our youth the value of books and how to care for them. A campaign has been launched by Gauteng’s MEC for Education, Barbara Creecy, to utilise retired teachers and principals in classrooms and in the general running of schools for which she has been applauded, but this needs realistic financial provision as assuming older teachers can afford to give their time voluntarily is unrealistic, if not, in fact, insulting. An additional R9-billion is budgeted over the next three years for necessary teacher salary upgrades, however, university academic staff have been left out of the 2010 budget plans in order to prioritise the salary upgrading of the FET lecturers and school teachers. Opposition MPs have urged the Minister to rethink as universities are at risk of losing their top academics due to uncompetitive salaries. An unfortunate sourcing of one at the expense of the other. Questions about the roll out of laptops for teachers promised this time last year met the Minister’s hesitation and may suggest second thoughts, not least surely being concern of theft and the security of users. Teachers’ unions have welcomed government’s plan coming to grips with education needs, but in the end, only with well trained, passionate and committed teachers will it be much more than just chalk on a blackboard.
TOURIST HOT SPOTS 1
Heritage sites WRITER Walter Majosi
As tourists for the 2010 Football World Cup head for our shores, we need to take a fresh look at what our country has to offer. Not only do we have significant sites to visit, we have the warmth and jovial spirit of the South African people to welcome them like never before. This is our greatest opportunity to showcase our country and its people to millions across the world. We hope deep in our heart of hearts that Bafana Bafana is going to do us proud with performances of excellence. The games together with significant sites on our soil, the warm spirit of the South African people, will no doubt sink into the hearts of thousands of tourists during this world spectacle, not only for the football World Cup
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but also for them to come back to this beautiful country. We have a lot to offer to make the experience of our visitors a welcome one. One where they would want to stay longer, where they would become tourist ambassadors for our country and definitely come back for more! We have selected some of the heritage sites which they can visit. There is a spot for everyone, pending on your likes and desires.
Our cultural and natural heritages are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. World heritage sites belong to all the peoples of the world irrespective of the territory on which they are located. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage worldwide which are considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.
SOUTH AFRICAN HERITAGE SITES South Africa is blessed with eight world heritage sites. This is our legacy from the past, that we live today and what we pass on to future generations.
Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape This is for the tourist that wants to admire the natural beauty of the Northern Cape and wants to learn about
1 Robben Island photo by Carilina Odman 2 Richtersveld photo by Thomas Wagner 3 Kwazulu Natal 4 Greater St Lucia Wetlands
the history of the area. The Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape was recently inscribed as one of the eight South African World Heritage Sites. This is a remarkable mountainous desert in the north-west of the country that is owned and managed by the Nama community. A significant fact is that this community has chosen to dedicate this site to conservation when it was returned to their ownership under the land restitution programme. The Namas are descendents of the Khoi-Khoi people. Their ancestors were pushed further and further away from their land of origin [Western and Northern Cape] until a few years ago when it was returned to them. This part of the country is characterised
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by extreme temperatures and harsh, dry landscapes. The Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park - Kwazulu Natal The Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park was declared South Africa’s first Natural World Heritage Site on 01 December 1999. It is a popular destination and offers a wide range of activities such as fishing, boating and bird watching, scuba diving, hiking and camping. It has 280 kilometers of immaculate coastline and comprises of 328 000 hectares of magnificent scenery. This remarkably beautiful place encompasses a huge mosaic of habitats ranging from marine systems (coral reefs and beaches) and
coastal forests (from salt and fresh marshes to the open estuarine waters of lake St Lucia itself) from lush coastal plains to the drier woodland areas. Elephant was introduced into the wetlands in 2001. Other mammals in the wetlands include Buffalo, Rhino, Zebra, Eland and Kudu. Wildlife safaris on horseback are an extraordinary experience because the game sees you as part of the horse. This affords you the opportunity to get closer to the animals. Cradle of Humankind Gauteng As things stands today, the origin of humans are in Africa. This is for the tourist that would like to understand
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how he can trace back his roots to Africa. The Cradle of Humankind Site comprises a strip of a dozen dolomitic limestone caves containing the fossilized remains of ancient forms of animals, plants and most importantly, hominids. The dolomite in which the caves formed, started out as coral reefs growing in a warm shallow sea about 2.3 billion years ago. There are twelve sites of the Cradle of Human kind mainly in the Gauteng province with a small extension into the North West province. At least seven of the twelve sites contains hominid remains. Whereas in total, these site have produced more than 850 hominid fossil remains. To date, this is the world’s richest concentration of fossil hominid bearing sites. Robben Island Cape Town Every tourist in world today will probably associate Robben Island with the imprisonment of Nelson Mandela. This is a mandatory visit for any one visiting our country. For almost 400 years, Robben Island was used as a place of banishment, exile, isolation and imprisonment. This is
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where many a political prisoner during the rule of apartheid had to spend time. The aim of the authorities at the time was to break the moral of the political prisoners. This is also where social outcasts and the unwanted of society was sent to. The Island was made popular world wide during the apartheid days for its institutional brutality. Today, Robben Island tells a different story. It tells us about victory over apartheid and other human rights abuses. It reflects on the indestructibility of the spirit of resistance against colonialism, injustice and oppression. The image of Robben Island today is as a place of oppression and brutality as well as a place of victory and triumph. Vredefort Dome Free State The Vredefort Dome is the oldest and largest meteorite impact site in the world. This Dome was formed about 2000 million years ago when a gigantic meteorite hit the earth close to where Vredefort is today. The force of the impact opened up a crater which is still visible and is about 40 kilometers
in diameter. The Vredefort structure is currently regarded as the biggest and oldest clearly visible impact structure on earth. Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park KwaZulu Natal The Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park has outstanding beauty in its soaring basaltic buttresses, incisive dramatic cutbacks, and golden sandstone ramparts. This spectacular site contains many caves and rock-shelters with the largest and most concentrated group of paintings in Africa South of the Sahara, made by the San people over a period of 4000 years. They represent the spiritual life of the San people who no longer live in this region. We trust that our visitors will have a fantastic time on our shores. Let this football World Cup be a memorable experience of the best that South Africa has to offer. Source www.sa-venues.com
Grazia Fine Food & Wine
T he pearl of East London Dining Great Mediteranean cooking is something to be savoured, treasured and remembered. For no other cuisine can match the exotic, yet subtle flavours that make up the favourite dishes of the region. Fortunately East London is blessed with Grazia fine food & wine, a perfect venue with a superb view over the Indian Ocean just as you might expect from a world-class restaurant with a reputation for serving the finest authentic dishes, accompanied by a wide selection of wines. Tel: 043 722 2009 路 043 722 2010 www.graziafinefood.co.za
Jazz festival leads the way On the eve of the greatest sporting spectacle the continent has ever experienced, we place the spotlight on some of the numerous arts and culture events.
ARTS & CULTURE
WRITER Paul Sedres The 2010 Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) provided top notch entertainment and excitement in the lead up to the World Cup kick-off. Eleven years in the making, it is one of the largest music gatherings on the continent, providing platforms for some of the world’s finest music performers and creative artists, coupled with a reputable photographic exhibition, training for select audiences in areas of music practice, management and journalism, and free concerts. Festival director Rashid Lombard, the public face of the event, remarked in his festival message on its broader impact: “According to an independent study in 2009, the CTIJF added R572 million to the Western Cape GDP and made a national contribution of R761 million. The festival created no fewer than 3 200 casual and contract jobs in the process. These figures are up from previous years and there’s no doubt that cultural tourism
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is playing a role that is both substantial and sustainable. The creative industries have proven their abilities to boost the broader economy and it is vital that we continue to nurture this growth.” An eye’s glance at attendances, which were sold out, marketing and general public interest and involvement in this year’s edition of the festival would suggest that these figures at least matched those indicated by Lombard. More than 30 000 people usually pack the Cape Town International Convention Centre for the main section of what is a multi-faceted arts and culture event taking place in several locations beyond its main home. The main music festival itself proved the usual bright affair with 41 acts performing on 5 stages over two nights. Audiences had a grand mix of music stars to choose from, as crowds eagerly filled spots to witness their particular favourites. Headlining was the legendary George
Benson, arguably one of the most influential jazz musicians of his era whose popularity in this part of the world remains undimmed after several decades. Benson’s two concerts were jammed packed, the first “An Unforgettable Tribute to Nat King Cole” with a 28- piece orchestra from South Africa, followed by a frenzied exhibition of his earlier hits. Benson’s youthfulness seems stark and his enthusiasm for the big moment firmly intact. In Cape Town jazz circles it is common knowledge that he launched a thousand imitators with his velvet voice and mesmerising guitar. So it was no surprise witnessing the glee among local members of his orchestra. Rising young bassist Shaun Johannes echoed the sentiments of his fellow musicians with his praise for the opportunity of accompanying the star: “It is a singular honour for me to have been chosen to perform with such a legend of jazz.” For
the crowds steeped in Benson’s soulful jazz, his performances were the perfect opportunity to get grooving. Jazz masters McCoy Tyner, Toots Thielemans and Charles Lloyd provided aficionados with the expected excitement, but it was several South African acts who acquitted themselves with an aplomb that had purveyors nodding in approval. Young Artist of the Year for Jazz Melanie Scholtz upped the ante with a performance from the top drawer, as did drumming merchant Kesivan Naidoo, pianists Bokani Dyer and Amanda Tiffin, Marcus Wyatt’s Language 12 project, and multiinstrumentalist Mark Fransman. The festival covers a broad range of music with jazz, blues and Afro rhythms all part of the common mix. The Afro soul of Lira, Judith Sephuma and Musa Manzini could be heard alongside the Afro rock of BLK JKS, the contemporary Afro jazz of Allou April, the Afro folk of Vusi Mahlasela, and the kwaito of TKZee. Among the international acts surely pianist Jason Moran’s Bandwagon group and the dynamic The Bad Plus band deserve special mention for mercurial performances indicative of their being at the forefront of improvised music. The festival’s music themed photographic exhibition featured displays by renowned photographers Cedric Nunn from KZN, American William Rasdell and Rashid Lombard. A burgeoning craft showcase was among the attractions on display where exhibitors displayed an array of indigenous crafts. Events preceding the main festival included the annual music journalism training course, music practice and music business workshops, a Gigs for Kids concert, and a free mass public concert at Greenmarket Square which this year featured among others the World Cup Diski Dancers. The Department of Arts and Culture was a prime backer among the list of 27 sponsors of the CTIJF, and Minister Lulu Xingwana was complementary in her praise for its success: “Not only has the festival provided a platform for emerging artists, it boosts the City of Cape Town’s economy and brings immense benefit to the hospitality industry. The success story bears testimony to the very real contribution that arts, culture and heritage can bring to economic growth and development.” The energy at the end of the festival seemed to suggest that this Easter weekend was indeed a turning point in the celebrations in Cape Town leading up to kick- off on 11 June. The
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role of artists representing the various mediums of culture in our country is obviously crucial to generating and spreading awareness and excitement for the sporting spectacle. Arts and cultural events in our country are usually not in short supply. But a year or so ago one would have been hard pressed to find an indication of a more co-ordinated, organised response for this sector’s involvement with the World Cup. These were worrying signs, no less due to the generally fragmented status of the arts and culture sector. However, the host cities, local organising committee and the broader arts public have fast begun stepping forward and given notice of a tidy sum of events that are central to generating public passion for this once in a lifetime occasion.
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Among the music events the FIFA World Cup Kick-off Celebration Concert is to take place at Soweto’s Orlando Stadium on June 10th.
Main among the music events will be the FIFA World Cup Kick-off Celebration Concert to take place at Soweto’s Orlando Stadium on 10 June. Tagged as “the greatest entertainment event to date in Africa”, it will be a three hour extravaganza featuring personalities from the field of music, football and more. Initially marred by disputes over a lack of local performers at the concert, FIFA appears to have backtracked on its plans to give the concert a predominantly international look following threats by a group of musicians to arrange an antiFIFA concert. A contingent of local and continental stars such as the Soweto Gospel Choir, Freshlyground, Hugh Masekela, Vusi Mahlasela and Angelique Kidjo will now headline the gig with the likes of Alicia Keys, Shakira, John Legend
and Black Eyed Peas. The concert will be broadcast live by the SABC and proceeds will go to “20 Centres for 2010” which hopes to build 20 centres across Africa offering education, healthcare services and football training to disadvantaged communities. Gauteng arts watchers will be well entertained with several events tied in with 2010. Visual arts will be catered for in Soccer: Live the Dream! which will showcase a wide range of African interpretations and responses to the global phenomenon of football. Taking place at the Standard Bank Gallery in Johannesburg from 01 June to 17 July, it will include contemporary artworks, video installations, sculptures, paintings, photos, personal artefacts and memorabilia, football merchandise and tributes by fans. Eleven/TwentyTen is a project by the Goodman Gallery, and will involve exhibitions, performances, screenings and public installations. The biennalestyle style series of shows will take place in Cape Town and Johannesburg in June/July. Johannesburg will also host Artists for Africa, a visual arts and crafts fair featuring works by artists from across the continent. It will take place at Museum Africa from May to mid July and include traditional storytelling, music performances, food, and wine tasting. The Civic Theatre complex will present The Boys in the Photograph, a football themed musical written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ben Elton. The Nelson Mandela Theatre will be the venue and it will run from 23 May to 8 August. The 2010 Fine Art Collection is a travelling exhibition launched at the Final Draw in December. This art collection reflecting the FIFA World Cup is a world first, and includes about 200 works, including bronze sculptures reflecting the 11 players in a football team. The 2010 Fine Art Project will comprise 160 works by 5 artists from each of the 32 World Cup qualifying nations. Its intention is to promote African visual arts and Africa as a powerful cultural destination. African Songbook is a new short opera inspired by Nelson Mandela and written by Michael Wiliams. It will debut in Cape Town around the time of the World Cup. This year’s Grahamstown National Arts Festival in June/July has been extended from 10 to 14 days, indicative of a broadened programme to cater for a larger expected influx of audiences.
Festivals
With the 2010 World Cup looming South Africa is definitely where the party’s at! Beyond takes a look at the 2010 festivities that will keep us in high spirits.
WRITERS Rishqah Roberts & Sara Booley
Watch out for the main event on June 10 at the Orlando Stadium where local and international artists will open the World Cup. MAY
JUNE
PINK LOERIE Mardi Gras Knysna, Western Cape 27 April – 2 May 2010 2010 brings with it the 10th birthday celebration of the PINK LOERIE Mardi Gras festival, which as always will transform the town, with help from its avid supporters; the gay and lesbian communities. Africa’s most “in your face” Gay Carnival commemorates individual sexuality, sexual liberty, culture and LIFE! The festival is a hub activity for everyone, irrespective of their sexual orientation. In keeping with the 2010 World Cup fever, this years Pink Loerie Mardi Gras will include a PINK soccer challenge. In which 8 teams will be competing for the grand trophy.
National Arts Festival Grahamstown 20 June – 4 July 2010 Africa’s Festival Capital, Grahamstown, is holding its annual arts festival this year and is planning to entertain you with 500 productions, showcasing both local and international talent. Entertainment ranges from theatrical performances such as operas and dramas, to music, jazz, stand-up comedies, visual arts and world premieres in theatre.
Riebeek Kasteel Olive Festival Riebeek Kasteel, Western Cape 30 April – 2 May 2010 The 10th Annual Riebeek Kasteel Olive festival looks forward to welcoming you and your loved ones to feast of the finest wines and olives that has been prepared for you. The festival will also include an art competition, live entertainment, stalls and delicacies to suit each pallet. For any further information please feel free to contact Riebeek Valley Tourism at 022 448 1545 or e-mail the Event Organiser at nichola@phatcatz.co.za
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JULY Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival Knysna, Western Cape 2 – 11 July 2010 The famous oysters of Knysna get their time to shine each year, with the annual Knysna Oyster Festival. This festival will treat your tummies to the best-prepared oysters that your taste-buds have ever tasted! But, oysters won’t be the only attraction to the coastal town of Knysna for these ten days, with the entertainment of the South African Navy’s acclaimed band parading through the streets all the way to the Waterfront where they will perform live. To top it all off, the Pick n Pay and Cape Times Knysna Forest Marathon and the Pick n Pay Weekend Argus Cycle tour attracts the sportier crowd with the festival’s main sporting
events, held along the beautiful scenic Garden Route in South Africa. Madame Zingara’s Christmas IN July Cape Town, Western Cape Madame Zingara brings the Christmas spirit to July. This two week, mock celebration of Christmas, for up to 10 000 guests is in aid of the children’s charity Ikamva Labantu. At a cost of around R150 guests will be treated to a scrumptious three-course set menu. In the spirit of Christmas guests are encouraged to bring along small gifts to put under the tree for the kids of Ikamva Labantu. Madame Zingara’s Christmas in July transforms into a mammoth party complete with entertainment and the finest of local cuisine. Parking will not be an issue around the time of the festival, as the roads around the restaurant will be inaccessible to the general public, to accommodate guests of the festival. August Joy of Jazz Johannesburg 27 – 29 August 2010 Over 200 local and international artists gather in celebration of this annual festival, Johannesburg’s biggest jazz gig. The show presents different genres of music, but with jazz being the highlight where performers such as Ben Williams,
Vusi Mahlasela, Jimmy Dludlu, Brian Thusi, Cuba Gooding Senior, and a whole lot more. The performances are held at different venues across the city, but particularly in Newtown, Johannesburg’s cultural precinct. Oppikoppi Bushveld Festival Northam, North West The farm of Oppikoppi [“op die koppie”, in Afrikaans, translating to “on the hill” in English]. Amongst other things, this festival offers a comedy stage as well as a stage for more relaxed music. This festival has been the platform from which many South African music careers have flourished. Though not for the faint hearted, the festival is hosted in the bushveld, where it is hot and dry with red dust and thorn trees everywhere you look, so come prepared. Cellar Rats Wine Festival Magaliesberg, Gauteng Gigantic shady tress, luxuriant green grass and an overwhelming birdlife on the banks of the beautiful Magalies River, sets the scene to the serene outdoors of Magaliesberg. Where guests come to taste the finest wines South Africa has to offer. The Cellar Rats Wine Festival is custom-planned for the entire family complete with picnic baskets for sale and loads of fun filled activities for the kids. September Arts Alive Johannesburg This four-day festival comprises the performances of 600 artists showcasing a mix of dance, visual art, poetry and music. The festival is being held at different venues within the city of Johannesburg, whilst the main concert will be held at the Johannesburg Stadium. The infamous “Jazz on the Lake” will be held on the final day of the Arts Alive Festival. Whale Festival 24 – 28 September 2010 Hermanus, Western Cape The annual festival highlights the arrival of the southern right whales to the Cape South to mate and calve at the best whale watching location in the world. The festival also provides you with entertainment-packed fun, with a variety of food-stalls and flea-markets that the villagers of Hermanus have to offer.
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Woodstock Hartbeeshoek, North West Hartbeeshoek Holiday Resort is hosting the eleventh annual “Woodstock” festival. Woodstock is the leading youthorientated music and lifestyle festival in South Africa. However, music is not the festival’s only attraction, as there will be a range of crafts and alternative lifestyle products available on the market to the guests of the festival. October Bosman Weekend Groot Marico, North West In celebration of one of South Africa’s greatest writers, Herman Charles Bosman, an entire weekend is dedicated to his work, of which many stories were set in the town of Groot Marico. Festival highlights include the reading and performances of his work, as acted out by some of South Africa’s top actors. There is also an abundance of good food, good company, and mampoer. November Ficksburg Cherry Festival Free State One of the oldest festivals in South Africa, the Ficksburg Cherry Festival, invites you to the beautiful scenery of the small eastern Free State town to join in on cherry and asparagus tastings. Tours, music and the “Miss Cherry Blossom” and “Miss Cherry Pip” competitions are also being held in celebration of the cherry festival. Umdwebo Lifestyle Festival Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal Take some time out this November to enjoy the finer things in life by attending the Umdwebo Lifestyle Festival. “Umdwebo” is the isiZulu term meaning “to create art” or “to underline something beautiful” making this festival the perfect opportunity to celebrate all the best things in life. This six-day festival is filled with events such as fine dining, elegant black-tie affairs, art and photographic exhibitions, opera, classical music and loads more. DECEMBER Rustler’s Valley New Year’s Gathering Fouriesburg, Free State The breathtaking scenery on the foothills of the Maluti Mountains sets the perfect
scene to end off the year and kick start the festive season. Rustler’s Valley in the eastern Free State hosts the best trance, dance and drumming festivals, with Rustler’s Valley New Year’s Gathering as the cherry on top. The services of a nearby game reserve may be enjoyed along with the Saucery Restaurant and Marimba House. Spier Summer Festival Stellenbosch, Western Cape Located along the lush Western Cape wine route, the Spier Amphitheatre on the Spier estate provides you with four months of entertainment. Enjoy warm summer nights with music, opera, dance, stand-up comedy and theatre performances that the festival has to offer.
Sources Alexandra, M. A feast of South African festivals [Online]. Available: http://www. southafrica.info/travel/cultural/ festivals.htm [19 March 2010] Pink Loerie Mardi Gras [Online]. Available: http://www.pinkloerie. com/ [19 March 2010] Riebeek Valley Western Cape Winelands [Online] Available: http://www.riebeekvalley.info/ [19 March 2010] National Arts Festival [Online] Available: http://www. nationalartsfestival.co.za/page/ highlights [2 April 2010] Knysna Oyster Festival: the best 10 days of your 2010 [Online] Available: http://www. oysterfestival.co.za/ [3April 2010] Joy of Jazz Festival [online] Available: www.joyofjazz.co.za www.nigerianmusicmovement. com/.../nigerian-music-nigerianthe-2010-annual-joy-of-jazzfestival-johannesburg (4 April 2010) Arts Alive Festival [online] Available: www.artsalive.co.za (4 April 2010)
2010
Who is visiting our shores?
Beyond showcases some of the countries that will participate in the 2010 Fifa World Cup and what they are bringing along with them to make this event a real mishmash of tastes, flavours and the like. WRITER Lee-Anne Richards
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Africa Akwaaba (welcome) to the Ghanaians. Location: Ghana is located in West Africa bordering the North Atlantic Ocean. It shares boundaries with Cǒte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Togo. Climate: Ghana boasts a tropical climate with two distinct winter seasons. Some inland areas are very dry. People: Ghanaians come from six main ethnic groups: the Ewe, the Akan, the Mole-Dagbani, the Ga-Adangbe, the Gurma and the Guan. Arts and Crafts: Ghanaians are famous for their craft work, pottery, weaving, ceramics, metallurgy, their handcrafted stools and their kente cloth (very colourful designs and patterns). Ghanaians love to celebrate and any event can turn in an festive celebration. They are known for their traditional dances and ‘highlife’ music (a cross between traditional and ethnic music). Diet: Ghanaians love their soups that are sometimes made of plantain, fermented corn dough or groundnuts. Asia Hwang yong- hamnida (welcome) to the Koreans from the Democratic People’s Republic(DPR) Location: Korea DPR is situated in the northern section of the Korean Peninsula and to the west of the Yellow Sea and east of Japan. It shares boundaries with the People’s Republic of China, Russia and South Korea. Climate: Korea DPR has temperate climate and has short humid summers and long cold and snowy winters. They also experience some rainfall during the summer and sometimes experience devastating floods during their winter months. Typhoons and natural hazards occur regularly in this country. Population: They have a population
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of +- 23 million people made up of small numbers of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, South Koreans and small pockets of Europeans. Arts and Culture: Both forms are state controlled by the Propaganda and Agitation Department. A popular event celebrated by the Korean’s is the Mass Games that happens once a year with acts such as dance and gymnastics depicting the history of North Korea and the Worker’s Party Revolution. (Source: Wikipedia ) Europe Dobrodošla (welcome) to the Slovenian. Location: Slovenia is located in Central Europe with the Eastern Alps bordering the Adriatic Sea. It shares boundaries with Austria and Croatia. Climate: Slovenia has a Mediterranean climate on the coast and a continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the valleys to the east. People: There are approximately 38 religious groups in Slovenia. The family structure is important to the Slovenian people. They take pride in doing chores in and around their homes. They keep their areas and parks neat and clean. Culture: Slovenians like to communicate indirectly but can adapt to peoples that need direct communication. They are very adaptive to their surroundings and the behaviours of others. Dining Etiquette: If you are invited to a Slovenian’s house: • Arrive on time or within 5 minutes of the stipulated time as this demonstrates respect for your hosts. • Dress conservatively and in clothes you might wear to the office. • It is common to remove your shoes at the door. Most hosts will offer slippers to guests to wear. • Slovenians tend to separate their
business and personal lives. Therefore, it is a good idea to refrain from initiating business discussions in social situations. • Expect to be offered some form of refreshments, even if you have not been specifically invited to a meal. • It is common for the host to accompany guests to their car when they leave. Source: Travel Europe The America’s Bienvenidos (welcome) to the Mexicans Location: Mexico is located in North America and it shares boundaries with the United States in the north, Belize and Guatamala to its south, the Gulf of Mexico to its east and the Pacific Ocean to its west. Climate: Mexico has two seasons – the dry season (late November to early June) and a rainy season (June to November). The rainy season is characterized by torrential rains. People: 50 – 60% of Mexicans are of Indian or Spanish decent. Africans make up a small number of the population. Diet: Corn handmade Tortillas and fried beans are the main diet of Mexicans. This is usually eaten warm. Tamales - It has dough that is made out of corn which is called masa. The masa is wrapped in corn husks. Enchiladas - A tortilla that is covered with red chili. In the inside you could put pork, or chicken. You then roll it. On the top you could put strips of white cabbage and queso fresco. Salsa - It has green or red chilies. In the green salsa you put green tomatoes, and in the red salsa you put red tomatoes. You put salt, water, and cilantro. Sources: http://www. nationsencyclopedia.com/economies/ Americas/Mexico.html & http://library. thinkquest.org/04oct/00633/index.htm
ADVETORIAL
A natural haven for top teams Knysna in the heart of South Africa’s famous Garden Route will be the home of France and Denmark during the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup, with Japan based less than 80km away in George. The choice of these teams are once again confirming Knysna’s standing as a top international destination – it was recently named as one of the Top 100 Destinations in the World and one of the Top 25 in Africa by the Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice Destinations Awards. Knysna Tourism CEO Shaun van Eck said they are ready to make sure both the teams and the fans will have an unforgettable experience. “The area is famously known as “nature’s playground”, and with good reason. Nature quite literally knocks on your front door. The town nestles on the shores of an estuary fed by rivers originating in the Outeniqua Mountains and is surrounded by lush indigenous forests. This exceptional combination of beaches, lakes, mountains, forests and rivers offers the base for an unforgettable holiday. Whether you’re an adventurous type or just want to take a relaxed cruise through the famous Knysna Heads with a cold drink in hand, Knysna has an
endless array of activities to complete the World Cup experience for fans. The mild temperatures the area is renowned for provides the perfect weather to enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings, all year round.” Van Eck said that these were just some of the reasons motivating France and Denmark to be based in Knysna. “I guarantee that fans visiting the area in between games will not be bored. There’s hiking in our forests tracking the elusive Knysna elephant followed by a visit to the historical Millwood goldfields. Or signing up for a game of mashie golf in the afternoon, or visiting any of the malaria free game reserves in the area.” Knysna is also famous for its locally brewed beer and oysters cultivated in the lagoon. “A tour of Mitchell’s Brewery is the perfect way to quench the thirst at any time of the day. To combine any of the variety of beers on offer with a selection of Knysna’s nutty flavoured
cultivated oysters, is one of the best culinary experiences the Garden Route has to offer,” said Van Eck. “We have also developed some other truly South African experiences and one of our township tours visitors can taste “roosterkoek”, a South African delicacy from flour made on an open fire.” Knysna, situated on road between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town, is just over two hours by air from Johannesburg, and less than an hour from Cape Town, making it perfectly accessible for two to three day trips. “Yes, we know that they are here for the football,” van Eck concedes. “Still, we have so much to offer. Combined with exceptional shopping and dining experiences, this is just one of the stops you have to make while visiting South Africa. Make sure to explore the beautiful town in between the excitement of the beautiful game.”
Beyond the beat WRITER Brow Beat Getting South Africans and the rest of the world to believe in what we are capable of, need some good news and creativity. We have to refocus our minds, pens and utterances to what may be possible during this time of great jubilation. I found great inspiration in the poem outlined below. Let us all be positive and believe that we are capable of putting on a world class event and be the best at the beautiful game!
We have never had a time like this! By: Wafaa Abdurahman
We have never had a time like this! The 2010 Soccer World Cup has finally arrived; Bright coloured Vuvuzela’s seen everywhere Taxing the audible range of many an ear. We have never had a time like this! Flags and paraphernalia abound, All for the attention of the crowd; Different tongues, accents and tastes, Adds to the mishmash of events; We have never had a time like this! What to sell, who to convince, Of what this lovely paradise have to extend; Soccer shirts, Makarapa’s of all colours and sizes With Zakumi, charming the crowds and troupes; We have never had a time like this! Sweep feet, fleet feet “Disking” the crowds to sway; “Ayobaness” in the air Cutting across the boundaries that are not really there; We have never had a time like this! We are ‘bout to send shockwaves across the world; Bafana Bafana is on top of their game They have found their mojo And the crowds are shouting go-go! We have never had a time like this! Many a teams would like the glory And the details of how to get there is very gory; Soccer tactics and styles are many To try and triumph like any; We have never had a time like this! But as we know, the cup belongs Where the elephant trumpets and the lions abound; And here we stand proud and tall Holding the cup, a triumph indeed; We have never had a time like this!
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FASHION
2010 football fashion
There’s something about patriotism. It just doesn’t allow anything to dampen its spirit. WRITER Zohra Fredericks Consumed by possibility, positivity, soccer fever and anticipation. People have temporarily set aside the little issues and are slowly gearing up for the biggest show on earth. The footballers’ wives will be especially busy during this team. Clothing is cheerful and bright. Yellow sunshine and fresh, natural green are the order of the day. The metamorphosis is complete and people are ready for the first
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flight. The perception is that everything is in its place, from the economy through to transport, accommodation and crime control. One gets a sense of a race that is ready to start rather than soccer kick off. Now, what we’d really like to know is what people are wearing during this very festive season. The market is being monitored through a fine comb and shoppers seem to have taken well to the basic soccer t-shirt and the matching zip
up track top in all it’s splendid yellow and green, much like the Brazilian uniform. Despite this design being very conservative and basic, it has taken off remarkably well. I suppose the combination of timing; cost, accurate marketing and selling locations were all in place a long time ago and made it hard not to notice these items. I have no doubt that there will be many imitation garments in circulation. A solution to
this little hitch would therefore be to get creative, so if any of you have any ideas, let’s hear about it, and send them in! An alternative, trendy, super cool and functional new Bafana range of your very own, just think! I also sense an atmosphere of retreat, withdrawal and exhaustion as the World Cup 2010 draws near. There are so many issues that need to be addressed and with the hosting of this magnificent event, people welcome the sense of camaraderie and festivity with open arms in this dark time of crime, economic, social and political turmoil. A segment on a talk show recently showed how a local designer was given about ten minutes to transform the men’s soccer t-shirt into a dress for a celebrity. She looked really good. He changed a few lines here and there, added a skirt, a touch of blinging rhinestones and voila! I was thoroughly impressed. Needless to say, Mr Beckham’s fancy dress sense will be missed but we have faith in “local is lekker!” I’ve done a bit of homework on the local front and found that Cape Town girls are quite versatile in their approach to clothes. “Imagine wearing the same outfit as your boyfriend!” one girl said. “Maybe for the actual match, excuse the pun, but we still want to be unique and young in trend.” The need for real garments, good looking, functional and hardwearing was what they were looking for. I therefore needed to see what alternatives were available.
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There are really hot accessories around for a start. The footgear and handbags are to die for and it doesn’t fail in colour or design, it also is extremely versatile in dress as well as function. The yellow sweatshirt came through as the best basic item available. It comes in both a long and cap sleeve and just hugs the hips enough to conceal the necessary bits. I also spoke to some wives and asked what they expected in the line of apparel. They were less concerned about trends but were happy to address the issue of affordability in conjunction with conservative designer outfits. Surprisingly, a considerable amount of fans felt the need for dressier, formal wear to be worn to the matches. They viewed this event as a once in a lifetime experience and wanted to dress up for the occasion. They felt that it required an upmarket, designer feel and it wouldn’t hurt if they were photographed in these ensembles rather than an unflattering tracksuit. Track pants with slight variations on the position of the stripes, were few in design and mass-produced. No real variation there. I think a good old fashioned hoody would have completed the look but the standard rain jacket still reigns as the over garment for the boys. We seem to be neglecting our future team, our babies! A necessary range, I imagine, would be one for our infants and toddlers. Imagine an over-dyed green and yellow grower or leggings with sleeveless, frilly dolly tops or even
little yellow leather shoes with double green stripes. Beanies and peak caps, booties and bibs. Mommy and daddy fans would just go wild. Blankies, toys, track gear; I can just get so carried away! Somebody stop me! The time we find ourselves takes me back to when I cheered away on the stands of the stadium for our friends who did much better than me on the track. I might not have been the best athlete at the time but I certainly made up for it in voice and volume. I still get Goosebumps when I remember what this sense of belonging and teamwork did for many of us at the time as teenagers. It was certainly a time of low self-esteem and peer pressure and too many times it might have been just a bunch of rowdy youngsters but it sets a tone and direction for young people in terms of acceptance and place. Gangsters, drugs and promiscuity, I believe are a direct result of boredom and isolation. Thank goodness for the immense importance placed on something like sports that creates a confident person and ultimately a confident nation with a sense of purpose and place. These are small things that make a difference that changes the world. We find ourselves in a time where anything positive is of such importance and should be acted on. It is also a time where our children have drowned in a sea of technology, over stimulation, poverty, confusion all rolled into one.
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Foreword
“Twenty Ten” – those words have been on our lips for so long that they are as familiar as many everyday brands. “The World Cup” evokes an immediate image of a soccer player and the South African “colours”. If ever there was a demonstration of a nation’s ability to work together to accomplish the almostimpossible, it is South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which gets under way as this edition hits the streets. How did we do it? We started out with the vision, followed up with the willpower and determination and then harnessed our combined skills to turn the vision into reality. It’s not the first time that South Africa has risen to the BIG challenge. We have an amazing track record of being able to act as the consummate hosts to delegations and spectators alike. From the birth of our new nation at the negotiations at the World Trade Centre to the Rugby World Cup and the World Summit on Sustainable Development and countless other significant gatherings, we have proved to be a safe and welcoming environment for visitors from around the globe. For the 2010 “occasion”, we have built new stadiums, improved roads, upgraded airports (and built a new one) and laid down a broadband communications network. We are providing hospitality and logistics services to teams, officials and spectators and offering unparalleled tourism experiences for the times between the games. We will be broadcasting the games in the latest
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High Definition television to billions of views in the world. How are we doing it? The answer is simple – skills. We have been able to draw on the talents of South Africans in just about every field of endeavour, to work together to deliver the nuts and bolts that make the vision a reality. It is appropriate, then, that this supreme example of success for the nation should take place just ahead of the e-Skills Summit 2010 being held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 26 to 28 July, 2010. What are “e-skills”? Why do we need to focus a major conference on them, when we have succeeded in staging the World Cup? The fact is that in spite of this great achievement, South Africa is sadly lagging in the application of technology to uplift its citizens and foster faster economic growth and better service delivery. The “tiger” nations have long realised that access to information and the ability to utilise it for innovation and development are the keys to sustained growth and healthy communities. It is the broad adoption of “IT” and communications technologies that empower people to be productive and competitive. We can define “e-skills” as the understanding of technology, the ability to use it appropriately and the ability to design, implement and support technological solutions. Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) are the basic tools of the modern world. Whether you are talking to your family and friends, making a purchase, conducting a banking transaction, forecasting the weather, planning a building, managing finances, or evaluating a risk, your chances of sustained success are enhanced by the judicious application of appropriate technology. To a degree, we can hang on to the coattails of other nations, by importing the hardware and software that we need and employing skilled practitioners from overseas to implement the technology. But, in the long-term, this will not serve us well, as it will entrench the so-called “digital divide” by denying our own citizens the opportunity to
benefit directly. We need to develop a very broad base of people comfortable with technology and fascinated by its potential, who want to use it for their own upliftment and to stretch its capabilities to provide new solutions, new delivery mechanisms and new employment opportunities. To do this, we must place much greater emphasis on exposing our children and young people to the latest technologies in their schools, we must encourage their parents to overcome their fears of the unknown, we must enable our teachers to utilise technology, not just to show pupils how to use it but also to improve the teaching experience. We must encourage our colleges to teach the practical skills that underpin successful implementation and maintenance of networks and devices and we must ensure that our universities are rewarded for creating a pool of top level researchers to create new solutions, new uses for technology. In the latter part of the 20th Century (which makes me sound like a historian), the “IT industry” was seen as a glamour employment and entrepreneurial opportunity, which gave birth to such icons as Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Larry Ellison and our own Mark Shuttleworth. After the bursting of the “dot.com bubble” and the anti-climax of the Y2K transition, much of that glamour evaporated. It’s time we put the excitement back into the business that makes everything else work. Time marches on. We are one-tenth of the way through the 21st Century. Globally and locally, there has been endless discussion about the “information society”. It is time to turn the debate into action, to realise that without an e-skilled population, we are denying our country, our community, the opportunity for a better life. Let’s make that investment now, before it’s too late.
Adrian Schofiel President of the Computer society of SA
Beyond technology WRITER Steven Rosenberg
MOTOROLA DROID
While the Google Android and subsequent Android based phones have left us wanting more (and our friends with iPhone’s snickering) the Motorola Droid promises to even the playing field. Motorola have managed to squeeze a 3.7 inch touchscreen, qwerty keyboard and 5MP camera into the Android. The phone comes standard with 16GB storage and offers 385 minutes of usage and 270 hours of standby.
3D CAMCORDERS
We just can’t get enough of 3D... 3D Movies, 3D TV and now 3D Camcorders. Panasonic will soon release their duallensed 3D camera. The system supports full HD (1920x1080) and uses SDHC/SD cards for storing footage. In addition to the camera Panasonic will offer a Full HD 3D LCD monitor and other 3D production equipment to allow for easy creation of 3D content.
NISSAN LEAF The Nissan Leaf (Leading, Environmentally Friendly, Affordable, Family Car) will see release in the States in December this year retailing for around USD26,000.00. The fivepassenger hatchback promises a 23 kilowatt-hour lithium-manganese battery which should last for 100 miles (160km’s) and is fully rechargeable in eight hours.
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PANASONIC 3D HDTV
As impressed as we are with transparent monitors and screens you have to wonder if 3D HDTV is going to make it a useless media. Come June 2010 Panasonic and Best Buy will begin sales of their 3D HDTV in Japan and hopefully worldwide shortly thereafter. The bundled 40� 3DTV, 3D Blueray player and glasses will retail for USD2899.00. Samsung and Sharp are also preparing to launch 3D TV’s - with a slight difference - they will not require glasses.
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USB3
All good things come in 3’s... and USB3 certainly is a good thing. USB2 with its 480Mb/s data transfer rate offered a huge improvement over USB1, but USB3 will blow you away. The target transfer rate for USB3 is 4.8 gigabits per second, 10x faster than USB2 and 1.8Gbps quicker than a SATA hard drive. Jeff Ravencraft (Intel) is confident that USB 3.0 will meet the challenges while maintaining the ease-of-use experience that we have come to expect from USB technology.
HP SLATE
The HP Slate is starting to look like a viable answer to the iPad. The Slate boasts some excellent advantages over the iPad especially when it comes to processor (1.6GHz Atom Z350 vs 1GHz Apple A4) and ports, including a USB2 port, card reader and dock connector offering audio in/out and HDMI out. It also sports two embedded camera’s, one VGA Webcam facing in, the other a 3MP camera facing out. The Slate will be released in 32Gb and 64Gb version. However when it comes to battery life the iPad still has it licked with its “upto 10hrs” versus the HP’s “upto 5hrs+”.
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JOULE
Joule is South Africa’s first fully electric car developed by Cape Town based Optimal Energy. The five-seater passenger vehicle complies with UNECE safety standards and offers a silent, zero-emission driving experience. The vehicle features a nominal driving range of 300km between charges. The first few Joule’s are set for manufacture this year with plans for full manufacture starting as early as 2013.
IT
IT and engineering
It’s here! The Fifa 2010 World Cup! We can all experience it and be a part of the world’s biggest sport “experience” and it’s all happening in South Africa. WRITER Louis van Zyl Isn’t it amazing to know that everyone can be a part of the Fifa event through “being there”, “watching from far”, listening, or most exiting, playing the GAME. Of course it is, but let’s look at the selection of services with ICT requirements implemented for the World Cup and how we should all engage with these services to ensure an enjoyable, safe, proud, profitable and future inspiring events. These services include transport, safety and security, telecommunications, infrastructure, global and local media exposure, healthcare, hospitality,
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stadiums and many more related services which all depend on the one service that cannot be ignored in our everyday lives. Information and Communication Technology. Want a quick picture of the relevant ICT services put in place? Let’s see! Transport Electronic up to date road displays will be visible on major highways throughout cities where events will take place including times, dates and places. Further info regarding “public need to
know” directions will be available on the net, via cell phones and in public places. GPS assistance and many more services will ensure easy and safe transport of people and goods during the Fifa World Cup. SA also now makes use of more intelligent transport systems. This will assist in operations regarding the huge travel demand created by the world cup. Integrated electronic ticketing will allow fans to be able to buy only one ticket that grants access to games and public transport.
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Integrated electronic ticketing will allow fans to be able to buy only one ticket that grants access to games and public transport. Safety and Security Considering all safety and security projects being put in place gives one ease of mind for a safe soccer venue with very little to worry about. Standard checklists for instance have being developed and circulated to all host cities by the SAPS. SAPS, Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and Department of Correctional Services have agreed on an integrated plan for the possible arrest, court appearance and brief detention of offenders during match days which will involve making use of all necessary special equipment and close by mobile police stations and courts. This will also apply to all fan parks, community mobilization, public viewing facilities, team base camps, routes and tourist attractions. Telecommunications Are we aware? South Africa has the most developed telecommunications network on the continent. Yes, we are also the fourth-fastest growing mobile market in the world. Facts that once again put our worries aside for an ensured smooth running soccer event. Stadiums Cape Town Stadium, Moses Mabhida Stadium (Durban), Coca-Cola Park Stadium (Johannesburg), Soccer City (Johannesburg), Mbombela Stadium (Nelspruit), Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace (Rustenburg), Free State Stadium (Mangaung / Bloemfontein), Peter Mokaba Stadium (Polokwane), Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (Port Elizabeth), Loftus Versfeld Stadium (Tshwane / Pretoria) According to official agreements the stadiums are equal in ICT infrastructure with a 0% failure target. Looking at spenditure on ICT infrastructure that turns around R1.5 billion, signing of “readiness agreements” and all the
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various engagements of relevant projects there is once again nothing to be worried about regarding our stadium’s abilities for hosting. This once again gives us ease of mind looking at the fact that the event is broadcasted to 214 countries from the International Broadcast Centre at Nasrec. At least 3 000 of the world’s media are based at Nasrec as part of the 17 000 media people estimated to have entered the country to cover the event. At the stadiums and surrounding locations what picture are we looking at concerning ICT needs? The FIFA ICT requirements focus on the following: Primarily on the stadium and associated locations. General Technical Building Infrastructure (Stadium), Broadcast Contribution Services, Event Management, IT Infrastructure requirements, Telephony requirements. In addition to the FIFA ICT requirements at the stadiums, there are also requirements from the surrounding city. City broadband initiative, Tourism Information Centers, Call Center, Joint Operations Center. A huge task which required careful and time consuming planning and budgeting after which the rest of the hard work by many involved started but ended up in dozens of “pat on the back” completed projects in time. Healthcare One of the 17 guarantees made to FIFA by National Government includes medical care. The National Health Operations Centre (Nathoc) will support the National Department of Health to ensure this commitment is met. A sophisticated ICT system, including an online system for all official venues and radio linkages, are the backbone of Nasrec. Health care centers with medical posts for primary healthcare that are fully equipped with the latest sophisticated equipment are situated at all stadiums
and fan parks. Dispensing machines will be situated throughout the stadiums for basic drug purchases for the duration of the event. Hospitality MATCH Hospitality is FIFA’s worldwide exclusive rights holder of the Official Hospitality Programme for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Hospitality packages have being made available including groups with special match tickets allowing group benefits at stadiums like special catering, bar services, entertainment, gifts and access to travel packages and accommodation. This will of course include facilities available comprising of the latest ICT Technology related to electronic bookings, 3G viewing, easy payments, modern communication local and abroad and many more. We have done a lot and must now gain more. We can now look back at the last couple of years and stand tall in what we have achieved in upgrading, budgeting for, planning, training, implementing and the efforts being put in by thousands of people to “ready ourselves” for the 2010 World Cup. Big amounts of money spent with careful and specific planning to not only provide a service of excellence to FIFA but also open doors within our country for future benefit for all citizens. Now we must make it work. The world cup hosting in SA has ensured a big step in upgrading our ICT infrastructure which cost a fortune. We can not afford and should not accept that the challenge this has created for us as a nation has been met as it is only starting now. Yet we stay positive and look at the bright side. What we have learnt and gained from this year’s greatest historical event can only inspire us to put in even more effort in future and show the globe out there what we’re made of in building a new nation towards success.
MICHELANGELO TOWERS MALL
DINE WITH THE SOCCER STARS I
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The Raj 011 783 1521 . Pigalle 011 884 8899 . Piccolo Mondo 011 282 7000 . 8 @ the towers 011 884 1334 Fashion TV Café 011 783 1864 . Annica’s Deli 011 884 4270 . Maximillien Restaurant 011 784 3316
www.towersmall.co.za +27 11 245 4000
HANNA DESIGN
SHOP AND DINE WITH US AT MICHELANGELO TOWERS MALL, OFF NELSON MANDELA SQUARE SOUTH AFRICA’S FINEST LIFESTYLE CENTRE. AMPLE PARKING - ENTRANCE OPPOSITE SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE www.towersmall.co.za . Tel: +27 11 245 4000
CAR REVIEW
Accessorise with South Africa’s Joule WRITER Rishqah Roberts
Many of us have heard the statements that everyday vehicles play a huge role when it comes to wasting the earth’s already limited resources. The problem is that transport has become such an integral part of our everyday lives. Adding to that, our personal vehicles have become somewhat of a comfort zone to us. Optimal Energy, a South African based company, has imagineered a solution aimed at preserving the earth’s resources and still affording us the luxury of a personal vehicle. Joule, a proudly South African vehicle, developed in its entirety right here in our mother city, Cape Town, comes complete with a full three-year warranty and 24 / 7 roadside assistance. This battery electric, passenger vehicle is no less then a world class innovation. Each element of Joule was painstakingly thought through, making the end product an efficient, zero-emission automobile. It is everything an urban vehicle should be, gorgeous, yet classic and still safe, delivering the most favourable design to maximise legroom and minimise the environmental footprint left behind. At only 3.9m in length and 1.8m in width, Joule makes those tiny town parking spaces a dream and with a 700 litre trunk, there is ample storage space for all the shopping bags you heart desires. Not forgetting the safety aspect of Joule, it has side impact protection, ABS breaking and airbags. To top it all the Joule has Bluetooth compatibility and iPod connectivity, allowing you to zoom around the city in tune with your
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favourite tunes. The vehicle is large enough to comfortably seat a family and still nippy enough to provide a pleasurable driving experience. With no clutch or gear changes acceleration is heavenly ranging from 0 – 60 KM / H in under 5 seconds and reaching 100 KM / H in less than 16 seconds and a top speed of 135 KM / H. Joule is raising the bar of electric cars. Joule presents a major drop in the noise pollution of vehicles and is roughly five times more efficient then petrol or diesel vehicles. It is operated by a 300 KM battery pack that may be recharged from any normal 220 volt outlet and Joules onboard charger, for approximately seven hours. Research has proven that ESKOM has enough electrical capacity to support these vehicles and that this will not affect their current customer base. Alternatively, the battery may be recharged by cleaner sources such as hydro or solar powers, affording an even greater reduction in pollution levels. The Joule lithium-ion batteries are recyclable and contain no heavy materials, adding to the many reasons why this car is an environmentally sound investment. Driving a Joule is not only environmentally and economically reasonable, but financially as well. Make worrying about the ever fluctuating petrol prices a thing of the past and save 100% with petrol costs as Joule is a battery electric vehicle, not a hybrid and thus requires no petrol at all. You will also save as much as 50% with maintenance costs, because Joule has much less parts then petrol or diesel
operated vehicles, maintenance will be easier on the pocket and services less frequent. Now that we’ve read the benefits of this amazing proudly South African vehicle, the question on everyone’s lips is: how much will this simply superb vehicle set us back? Limited quantities of Joule will be made available by Optimal Energy mid 2010 and it will go into mass production towards the end of 2012, making it available for sales by mid 2013, thus a price can not as yet be fixed. But it is estimated that it will range between R235 000.00 – R275 000.00. Although Joule has been designed for the global market the South African public will have dibs on this vehicle, as it will initially only be sold in SA. Joule’s will however, not be sold with batteries, these would have to be leased separately each month. The lease covers the warranty and battery service charge amongst other things. Optimal Energy will maintain ownership of the batteries so as ensure that they remain in prime condition and not to hassle the consumer with the up keep of the batteries Unfortunately an opportunity to test drive the Joule is not yet an option, but news of this is sure to come, so make sure you stay in the loop! And catch the exhibitions on this extraordinary vehicle. Optimal Energy’s, Joule, is yet another way to be proudly South African with solutions to our ongoing struggle to reach a sustainable environment. www.optimalenergy.co.za
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