ISSUE 10

Beyond

MARCH 2011 ISSUE 10 R29.95

sustainability quarterly

current affairs 2011 SPORT politics finance & business development & education travel & TOURISM

The PERFORMANCE BONUS, REALLY? ARE YOU BEING GREEN WASHED IS CRIME OUT OF CONTROL IDESO Technology, trends and opportunities

9 772074 05200 1

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www.beyondpublishing.co.za

WIKILEAKS Freedom oF speech vs responsible disclosure

CONTENTS 18

44

58

52

12

Editors note

16

FOREWORD Allon Raiz

18

WORLD NEWS

20

SOUTH AFRICA NEWS

22

BY THE NUMBERS

24

JOHANNESBURG REVIEW

26

SPORTS ROUNDUP

28

WIKILEAKS Freedom of speech vs responsible disclosure

30

IS CRIME OUT OF CONTROL

34

The performance bonus

36

FINANCE EX Pats fleeing debt abroad

39

Companies Amendment Bill

40

The KZN Growth Fund

42

Budgeting and Budgeting

44

Venture Capitalist taking a bite out of your business

46

TALK TO THE BOSS

52

JAGUAR XK

54

Distinguished Gentleman Dr Sean Gomes

56

POLITICAL SATIRE Cope’s boxing match

58

ECO Climate change

60

ECO Are you being Green Washed?

62

Recycling Have we lost the race?

64

Resurgence requires dedication and integrity

66

BBBEE Accountability

68

FINANCE Responsible borrowing

4108idc

The IDC is committed to the creation of a modern, dynamic economy, characterised by shared and sustainable economic growth for the prosperity and wellbeing of South Africa and the African continent.

The IDC provides finance for industrial and enterprise development.

To discuss funding of R1 million or more, please call +27 11 269 3000 or visit www.idc.co.za

CONTENTS 86

88

120

124

74

EDUCATION Khanya a shining example of responsible management

78

SKILLS & TRAINING Can responsibility be taught

82

TECHNOLOGY Technology, trends and opportunities

84

TECHNOLOGY Get connected

86

BEYOND TECHNOLOGY

88

TECHNOLOGY Blackberry Torch

92

Accountability and Responsibility Politicians, Democracy and the State

94

TOURISM Is South Africa too dangerous for tourists?

96

TOURISM Marketing South Africa

102

The bottom Line

106

HEALTH Child mortality

108

HEALTH The healthiest cities in South Africa

110

Ingula Eskom’s power generation project

118

ART Discovering the new hot

120

FILM

122

THEATRE & BOOKS

124

RESTAURANT REVIEW Raw Cafe

126

FASHION As seen on screen

128

FASHION Nanine du Plessis

139

EVENTS

132

LOOKING BACK

‘Cape Agency for Sustainable Integrated Development in Rural Areas' ‘Casidra’ is an implementing agency based in the Western Cape.

Core Business • To plan, facilitate and implement integrated rural development projects in the Western Cape.

Goal • To improve livelihood of people in resource poor areas.

e mic D velopm o en on c t E HEAD OFFICE Postal Address: P O Box 660, SOUTHERN PAARL, 7624 Street Address: 22 Louws Avenue, SOUTHERN PAARL, 7646 Tel: (021) 863-5000 Fax: (021) 863-1055 E-mail: info@casidra.co.za

www.casidra.co.za

Integrated Rural Development

• To focus on improving the social and economic well-being of rural people in a holistic and multi-sectoral way with measurable impact on economic growth and poverty reduction.

Community Development

Various projects are implemented and managed to: • Alleviate poverty.

• Stimulate broad-based economic growth.

• Capacitation of human capital.

Project Management Effective project management services are rendered on behalf of: • Local, provincial and national government.

• Non-governmental organisations (NGO's).

• Community based organizations (CBO's).

• Academic institutions and other governmental agencies.

• International assistance/funding institutions.

Resources

Skill s

and Human D g ev in e in

ent pm lo

Tra

• Casidra is partly aided by the Western Cape provincial government.

Closer private sector involvement will benefit development and the economic empowerment in the Western Cape.

• Casidra seeks to attract local, national and international funding for project implementation to strengthen its efforts towards establishing increasing numbers of thriving, self-sufficient rural communities in the Western Cape.

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COVER ILLUSTRATOR Mataparda COVER PHOTO Epsen Moe

Beyond Publishing CK 2008/187319/23 25 Voortrekker Road, Unit 29 Goodwood, 7460 Tel: 021 592 5725, Fax: 021 592 5714 Email: beyondpublishing@telkomsa.net The opinions in Beyond are not necessarily those of the publisher.

COPYRIGHT MABECHA PUBLICATIONS. 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.

Eskom shares wealth of knowledge and experience across the continent

I

n response to a request from the Power Institute for East and Southern Africa (PIESA), Eskom recently conducted training on its prepaid metering systems for delegates representing utilities from those regions.

PIESA is a forum for electricity utilities and other stakeholders in the East and Southern African regions to share technical information and experiences, with the aim of promoting sustainable electrification.

Eskom has been a key role player in PIESA’s development since its inception in 1998.

The following countries’ utilities sent delegates to attend the training: Uganda (UMEME), Malawi (ESCOM), Lesotho (LEC), Zambia (ZESCO), Tanzania (TANESCO) and Kenya (KPLC). Also present were delegates from City Power and Ekurhuleni Metro (the members of the Association of Municipal Electricity Undertakings [AMEU] are also members of PIESA).

Paul Johnson, Eskom’s Chief Engineer: Standardisation and PIESA Chairman, says Eskom has a wealth and depth of experience among its staff that can be shared for the mutual benefit of the wider region.

“Many electricity utilities and governments in developing countries recognise the important role that prepayment metering has played in the electrification of South Africa. These organisations are now using, or considering using, the same technology,”

Johnson says. “Eskom is widely respected as the pioneer of this technology and for its in-depth experience in prepayment metering, which led to the request from PIESA to share that knowledge.”

PIESA uses training courses, technical workshops and agreements on common technical standards to achieve its objectives of sharing information and promoting sustainable electrification.

The training was held at the Eskom Academy of Learning in Midrand and was presented by: • Edison Makwarela - STS, KMC and Meter Evaluation • Lenny Dlakude - Prepayment Meter Evolution • Winnie Makgoale - Vending Systems • Naughty Kgomo - Prepaid Meter and LV Network • Kobus van den Berg - AMI (Smart) Metering (Energy and Revenue Management) “The training was highly successful, and wider usage of Eskom’s Prepaid Metering systems will lead to greater sustainability of the technology and deliver economies of scale,” Johnson points out. “South African manufacturers and suppliers of prepayment equipment and systems will also benefit from the increased demand for their products and services.”

Commenting on PIESA’s future plans, Johnson says PIESA and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) have signed a co-operation agreement with a view to extending PIESA’s training and capacitybuilding programmes into the rest of Africa.

EDITORS NOTE

I

n this issue of Beyond we’ll be taking a closer look at responsibility and accountability and what it means for us. It quite often seems that those in positions of responsibility have been placed there through no fault or merit of their own and in many cases they go on to behave in the most irresponsible manner.

While enjoying the inherent authority that comes with the station many shy away from accountability. If responsibility can be thought of as all those elements of duty leading up to decision making or action, then accountability equates to being held to the consequences of the decision or action. A quaint notion indeed! It’s much easier to do as one pleases and hide behind the folds of corporate, legal or political ambiguity. We’ve not only come to accept bad behaviour, but we go so far as to reward it as you’ll discover in the article “The Performance Bonus...

Really?” As our world grows smaller the 14

effects of our decisions and/or actions grow in magnitude. To illustrate: the decision is made to forego replacing a subsea oil drill head, a time-consuming and “unnecessary” action. The result: 13 dead, 17 injured, 4.9 million barrels of oil spilled and ecological fallout that I cannot begin to describe without becoming incensed and depressed. Tony Hayward, BP CEO, stated, “We are taking full responsibility for the spill and we will clean it up and where people can present legitimate claims for damages we will honour them.

We are going to be very, very aggressive in all of that.” BP executives agreed to create a $20 billion spill response fund, so at very least they will be feeling accountability in their infinitely deep pockets. Still, I have to ask myself why they didn’t just do the right thing from the start. Locally, we enjoyed a relatively crime free world-cup. But as soon as the eyes of the world were turned elsewhere murder, political scandal and

corruption sprouted like weeds. That the concepts of responsibility and accountability are sorely missing in our culture, locally and globally, has been clearly demonstrated by the attitudes, opinions and reckless abandon of our youth. Have we failed the next generation? The article “What Are We Teaching Our Children” considers the issue.

As a race we are personally responsible for our decisions and actions. Whether we believe in a higher authority or not, the fact is that we will be held accountable for our actions. The effects of a “couldn’t care less”, “throwaway society” are now being felt more than ever. We are learning that, not only are we accountable for our own decisions, but we will reap the consequences of the decisions of our antecedents. How we cope with such a profound revelation will no doubt define our future and the future of mankind in general.

FOREWORD Allon Raiz On leadership and taking responsibility

I

n a recent discussion with my mentor we explored the concept of leadership and how leadership was, in essence, a form of responsibility and accountability.

Whether you are a leader of leaders, a leader of managers or a leader of individuals, you have the wherewithal to influence and shift people’s actions and thoughts. It’s the basic principle of cause and effect. Leaders say things and others act differently; leaders do things and others act differently. This is why we are so obsessed with the actions of our leaders. When our leaders have unprotected sex with an HIVpositive person, or make statements such as “HIV does not cause AIDS”, it has an effect on how people act and think.

Earlier this year, I was fortunate enough to be invited to the World Economic Forum in Davos. I was encouraged by the change in language, tone and actions that big business demonstrated on issues of the environment, how business can play a part in social reform and how they can do this while still making a decent profit. Big business, on the whole, has taken a degree of responsibility for their part in the degradation of our environment, and for their future role in social upliftment.

Without this level of responsibility and accountability they would not make the next move, which is to change their behaviour. As leaders, their behaviour impacts the planet.

We all play a leadership role in some area of our life, whether at work, at our place of worship, in our family or on the sports field.

Everything we do matters! Each action we take is the genesis of a ripple effect into the future. The bribe you dole out, when stopped for speeding with your child in the back seat, erroneously communicates to your child that all things are solved by money, that all police officers are corrupt and that if his dad can do it so can he. The police officer, in turn, spends his day seeking bribes instead of doing the work he is supposed to do. The person he stops after you, is well over the alcohol limit and a R200 note is relieved of its home, in the driver’s wallet, as the driver speeds off to kill someone’s child.

The evolutionists tell us that the emotion of responsibility is designed to enhance the survival of the species. When you act responsibly, you increase both your own and your clan’s probability of survival.

Your clan’s survival increases your own probability of survival. Social cohesion is one of humanity’s most powerful survival tools. Whether your clan is your sports team, your business division, your nation, or even the human race, acting with a sense of responsibility and accountability is in everyone’s interest, most of all our children.

Allon Raiz is the founder and CEO of Raizcorp, the only privately-held, unfunded, profitable business incubator on the African continent, supporting in excess of 200 businesses. Allon is a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and sits on the board of the NEF (National Empowerment Fund).

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WORLD NEWS Hosni Mubarak steps out

MUMMY’S THE WORD While most Egyptians were concerned with the state of the government it seems that some were looking out for themselves. The unrest in Egypt provided the chance for looters to escape with 18 items from the Egyptian Museum, including two gilded wooden statues of King Tutankhamun. The most important of the missing objects is a limestone statue of Pharaoh Akhenaten standing and holding an offering table. “It’s the most important one from an artistic point of view,” said museum director Tarek el-Awady. “The position of the king is unique and it’s a beautiful piece of art.”

Akhenaten is the so-called heretic king who tried to introduce monotheism to ancient Egypt.

CNN mourns loss of “Godfather” Jon Petrovich, the “Godfather” of CNN. com, passed away on Thursday 10 February 2010 20

Muhammad Hosni Sayyid Mubarak served as Egypt’s fourth President from 1981 to 2011. His resignation and transfer of executive authority to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces followed 18 days of protests challenging his 30 odd years in power. Egypt’s military rulers quickly dismantled former President Mubarak’s legacy, dissolved parliament and suspended the constitution. The military have indicated that they will maintain control of Egypt for six months, or until free and fair democratic elections could be held.

Microsoft and Nokia vs the World Just a few years ago many were wondering how Microsoft was planning to compete in the console gaming market, then dominated by Playstation and Nintendo. While XBOX may not be the top console - it is certainly a major contender. Now Microsoft is ready to upset the market again with their partnership to Nokia. Many feel that Microsoft is once again late to the market with Windows Phone. Microsoft says it will look to Nokia to “help drive the future of Windows Phone,” bringing such features as top-notch optics and Nokia Maps to the table, while Microsoft’s Bing will become Nokia’s search engine of choice. Nokia built excitement for the new partnership announcing features like live tiles, Xbox and Office integration, and the Zune media hub which they will integrate into their phones.

SOUTH AFRICA NEWS South African Photographer wins World Press Photo award

Jodi Bieber

www.karooplaces.com

South African photographer Jodi Bieber won the 2010 World Press Photo award for her portrait of 18-year-old Bibi Aisha.

The young girl, who had her ears and nose cut off by the Taliban, was featured on the cover of August’s TIME magazine.

Chuene, guilty!

Misappropriation of funds, poor corporate governance, and tax evasion are among the “serious charges” which former Athletics South Africa President Leonard Chuene has been found guilty of. Sascoc stated that Chuene, ASA vice-president Kakata Maponyane and executive member Simon Dlamini were all found guilty. Sascoc CEO Tubby Reddy commented: “We will accept whatever action the investigation deems necessary when it makes its final decision.”

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V&A Waterfront Sale Confirmed The sale of the V&A Waterfront to JSElisted property company Growthpoint and the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) was confirmed on Monday 14 February 2011. The deal, valued at approximately R9,7-billion, makes “provision for the acquisition of the remaining ordinary shares held by Lexshell’s empowerment shareholders”. The V&A Waterfront is one of the country’s single most valuable pieces of real estate.

Flash Floods in Karoo Graaff Reinet: the Nqweba Dam swelled to its highest level in more than 36 years on Sunday 13 February 2010 following more than 100mm of rain in 24 hours.

The heavy rain caused many farm dams to burst with an incredible 75mm falling in just 30 minutes. “It looks like more rain is on the way,” said the area’s disaster management head, Christopher Rhoode.

Police and Disaster Management are on high alert and ready to begin evacuations should they become necessary.

BY THE NUMBERS 1 BILLION

rand needs to be raised to avert a potential economic disaster in Nelson Mandela Bay because of critical water shortages

$800 MILLION

500 MILLION 170,000

guests have been invited to Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding

the amount in revenue per year that the popular online game World of Warcraft brings in via subscriptions in North America and Europe alone

users on Facebook which means it is used by 1 in every 13 people on earth, with over 250 million of them logging in every day

fans filled the stadiums in Cape Town and Johannesburg for the U2 360° Tour in February

1 MILLION

1900

1000

19,343

species have gone extinct this year

persons younger than 18 years of age become regular smokers everyday

Egyptians gathered inside Cairo’s Tahrir Square in January demanding the overthrow of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak along with an end to corruption, poor living conditions, economic stagnation and unemployment

250 MILLION

Star Wars toys sold making it the most successful movie related toy line ever sold

451,959,040

You Tube views of Justin Bieber’s song ‘baby’ making is the most downloaded video. Others in the top ten were Shakira’s Waka Waka, The evolution of Dance and Charlie bit my finger-again!

100 12 24

ear-cleaning parlours have boomed in Tokyo and other big cities over the last 5 years

number of people killed in the sinking of a Vietnamese tour boat

7000

40

the number of ships that were attacked by Somali Pirates in 2010

255 MILLION

the approx. number of websites that make up the internet

people rallied in Moroccan cities demanding political reform and limits on the powers of the king in the latest protests demanding change

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JOHANNESBURG REVIEW UDZ Brings Money Back to City

Lost City Found Many believed that Johannesburg inner city was lost and would never attract people to live or spend leisure time within it. Fortunately, Adam Levy did not share those thoughts. In 2002 the Johannesburg Executive Mayor Councillor of the time, Amos Masondo, announced the plan to regenerate the Braamfontein area. Adam Levy has his own vision for rejuvenation of the inner city, a vision he lives himself, on the top two floors of 155 Smit Street. 2011 ushers in a number of exciting developments like 73 Juta ,the corner of Juta and De Beer streets and 5 De Beer. These are all courtesy of Adam’s business Play Braamfontein, who are marketing these spaces. 2010 ended with the launch of 70 Juta. This created the space for an influx of creatives, shop owners, design studios and professionals. The next step involves developing a secure means of access from Park Station to Wits University. The current reestablishment of the community is creating a sense of safety and rebirth, thus drawing attention and interest back to the area.

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Inner City Regeneration Strategy The goal of the City Government’s Inner City Regeneration Strategy is to raise and sustain private investment in the inner city, leading to a rise in property values.

The components of the strategy are: • Intensive urban management, including improvements to service quality, strict enforcement of by-laws, management of taxis and informal traders and sound credit control. • Upgrading and maintenance of infrastructure to create an environment attractive to both residents and business. • Support for those economic sectors that have the potential to thrive in the inner city, and encourage growth in those sectors. • Discouraging “sinkholes”, meaning properties that are abandoned, overcrowded or poorly maintained, and which in turn “pull down” the value of entire city blocks by discouraging investment. • Encouraging “ripple effect” investments that can lift an entire area.

The JHB Urban Development Zone has been set up as a stimulation package to encourage investors to return to the city. Three of South Africa’s top banks Standard Bank, First National Bank and ABSA have remained in the city. With the infrastructure already in place and a regeneration taking place, these banks are committed to remain in the city.

In 2003 Trevor Manuel, then Minister of Finance, promulgated the Urban Renewal Tax Incentive in a number of city centres across the country of which JHB was a major focus.

What does the tax incentive mean for investors? The improvement of an existing building or part of a building In respect of the improvement of an existing building the deductible amounts are equivalent to 5 year straight-line depreciation or: • 20% of the cost of improvement of the building in the year of assessment during which the building is brought into use by the taxpayer solely for the purposes of trade; and • an amount equal to 20% of the cost in each of the four succeeding years of assessment, provided that the person does not cease to use the building or that part of the building solely for the purposes of trade.

The erection or extension of or addition to a building in respect of the erection of a new building or part of a building or the extension of or addition to an existing building, the deductions are computed as follows: • 20% of the cost of either the erection or extension of or addition to the building in the year of assessment during which the building is brought into use by the taxpayer solely for the purposes of trade; and • 5% of the cost in each of the 16 subsequent years of assessment provided that the person does not cease to use the building or that part of the building solely for purposes of trade.

SPORTS ROUNDUP My view of the world of sport Writer Kendal Brown

T

he 2010/2011 round of 7’s tournaments started off with England winning in Dubai and New Zealand claiming the second leg.

They went on to defeat England in the third leg in New Zealand leaving them in the lead with 64 points. The SA 7’s went to the land of the long white cloud in hopes of breaking their drought of success there. They managed to scrape into the quarters against Australia, lost and then went down to Fiji in the plate final. But the Fiji monkey was evicted from the Blitzbokke’s back with a spectacular performance in Las Vegas with a solid 24 14 win in the final!

A great 3 test series kept the theft of Biff’s test cap in the background though I suspect several journalists had it nearby as a diversion should the Proteas have performed less well than they did. Not only was the 5 day series a credit to test cricket (well done

28

both sides!), but the 5 one day tests were a treat too. One of the best series for decades!

Tendulkar scored his 50th test century and Kallis cemented his claim as the best allrounder in the world.

It was great to see him get his first double ton against the top team in the world. And now the World Cup is here. Expectations are high. There are huge debates over who should be in the team. Though the decisions are tough, I believe the selectors are playing brave cricket. Now let’s see the Proteas do the same!

In Australia, England thumped the Aussies 3-1 (settle down all you Aussie haters) to win the Ashes convincingly. Australia restored a little pride, hammering England 6 -1 in the one day series.

On the golf front, Tiger Woods went an entire season without winning a single tournament for the first time as a professional. Ernie Els returned to winning ways in the 100th

SA open and will hopefully go on to reestablish himself as a world-class contender to be reckoned with. Bafana have performed reasonably well since the world cup and were rewarded with a 4 place movement up the charts to 47. It took until the first week of February for Man U to suffer their first premiership defeat, and then it was at the hands of bottom of the log Wolves! While they seem to be firm favourites to take the title again I have high hopes for Arsenal.

The championship league is set to restart with English teams looking dominant but at this level and on the day who knows what happens. All that’s certain is that there is sure to be some brilliant footer.

Not to leave out the ladies, our national hockey team played well above themselves, or should I rather say to their full potential.

They gave the highly rated Chinese side a good run for their money. In a six test series in Johannesburg they won five against the number 4 ranked side. Not bad for a team ranked 12th in the world! Well done to Kevin Anderson for winning his first ATP World Tour title. Kevin claimed the South African Open final at Montecasino with a come-from -behind two sets to one victory!

And so to rugby. The end of year tour saw an understrength Springbok squad blow their chances of a grand slam. They lost to lowly Scotland, scraped home against Wales and Ireland but looked a lot more convincing against England. The tour told nobody anything about what they will do at the RWC, and maybe that’s a good thing. So now it’s on to the World Cup, preceded by Super Rugby, Six Nations, the Tri Nations and of course what looks like an intriguing Currie Cup. It’s going to be a long hard rugby season for armchair spectators. I hope your springs last!

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WIKILEAKS Freedom of speech vs responsible disclosure Writer Ryan Jared Ali illustrator Mataparda Photo Espen Moe

Would you rather be happy with the lies than angry at the truth? A question all of us face daily.

N

ow the truth is out in the public on a global scale! Wikileaks is here, but is it here to stay?

Information has reached untold levels of democratization. The internet holds no limit to what can be consumed, from how-to guides

30

for building nuclear weapons to the latest Jamie Oliver recipes. Information is the privilege of anyone who wishes to put in the effort to search for it and consume it.

WikiLeaks has exponentially shifted the paradigm of our thinking. Leaks of the past have proved to be embarrassing to those in power, now the world’s super power has been the latest focus. Let us back track and see where this paradigm shift began.

It all began in 2006 under the banner of the Sunshine Press organisation and within a year 1.2 million documents were released.

Fast forward to 2010, the year Wikileaks gained serious notoriety. In April 2010 a video showing Iraqi civilians and journalists being killed by US forces was posted onto a website called Collateral Murder. The year continued with a substantial amount of documents on the war in Afghanistan and Iraq being released.

Many challenges have been faced from hosting the site (which constantly needs to be relocated), the considerable funding required to keep the organization going and the constant threat of incarceration of Julian Assange (the face of WikiLeaks) by the US government. The question now arises, is all of this worth it? Is this just another conspiracy site that nobody really pays attention to? Is the leaking of classified information ethical?

In the case of the NEW YORK TIMES CO. v. UNITED STATES, 403 U.S. 713 (1971) Justice Hugo Black stated, “Only a free and unrestrained press can effectively expose deception in government. And paramount among the responsibilities of a free press is the duty to prevent any part of the government from deceiving the people and sending them off to distant lands to die of foreign fevers and foreign shot and shell.” (http://lp.findlaw.com/) The information age has forced us to face all these questions at once. Before the internet, information was easily controlled.

Now, in an instant, every news network in the world can be privy to information to publish. Should it be published? Well, that is where the dilemma comes up. Essentially the leaked information is stolen, so where is the line drawn?

Responsible disclosure of irresponsible actions on the part of governments and banks presents a serious dilemma between freedom of speech and responsible disclosure. How will answers to these questions be faced in a world where the law regulating online information is blurred across international borders.

Information democracy has developed into a movement, the momentum of which will not be stopped. In the end, Wikileaks may be forced to shut down in years to come, however the free information culture which has permeated society will not be stopped! The spark has been lit! Will the news continue to be a moderated affair?

Will the spreading of information change the behaviours of those that are identified in leaks? How information is viewed and acted upon will ultimately see where the future of news and media is going.

Is crime out of control Writer Barkie Mckrea

T

he topic itself makes it controversial, as the first question that comes to mind is “what constitutes out of control?” How do we decide when crime is out of control? If 15 people are killed, 20 women raped and 30 people robbed a day can we assume it falls within the “controlled” figures?

Personally, I feel that one more statistic is one more too many! However, I guess we have to look at the crime situation from a broad perspective.

In a recent survey conducted in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria during the World Cup, 722 tourists gave South Africa the thumbs up and said they would recommend SA to friends and family as a holiday destination. Perceptions of their South African experience investigated included elements of roads, accommodation, policing and safety. The question though, is it a true reflection of the holistic problems that we experience within our communities with regards to crime? The World Cup appears like a sugar coated version of the reality our people are facing daily, economically as well as criminally. The recent Shrien Dewani case highlighted how quickly things can turn around through negative perceptions.

With South African ranked number 7 in the world amongst countries with the highest reported crime rates, how should we react?

Some would say that at least we are not as bad as number 1, the United States, or number 2, the United Kingdom, first world countries with crime problems of their own.

Or should we be ashamed to be associated with the top ten considering our much smaller infrastructure? This highlights the danger of misinterpreting crime statistics.

What makes South Africa different to most

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countries is the “violent” nature of the crime.

People are not just being robbed and/or raped but brutally tortured mentally, emotionally and physically. Of even greater concern is the current culture of violence in South Africa. It creates a sense of normalization of violence, giving us a sense that crimes are not carefully worked out or planned professionally, but an indication that it is impulsive, based on resentment, frustration and anger. A society filled with inequality, unable to emotionally deal with failure or its perception thereof. Reading about violent crimes on the front page of newspapers has become accepted by most spheres of society as a given. This questions the role our media plays as “neutral role players” in shaping our perception of crime. The media, in the form of newspapers, magazines and television uses crime and more so violent crime to attract a larger audience. Infamous crimes have been immortalised and some of the worst criminals romanticised. Crime, much like sex, is entertainment! The harsh reality is that the youth can become attracted to this type of attention.

The normalization of violent crime in specific communities is also highlighted in the increase of acquaintance violence (impulse aggressive behaviour towards someone with who the attacker has been in contact). Acquaintance violence accounts for the bulk of assaults and sexual assaults and is the primary contributor to offence categories such as assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, attempted murder and murder. According to the Centre for the study of Violence and Reconciliation most violence against women is acquaintance violence and primarily impacts on poorer communities. What is concerning is how

acquaintance violence can be seen as a reenforcer of broader violence in society, by looking at how it affects children, by them accepting that violence has become part of “normality”. Does this reflect our inability to live together in harmony in social groups?

Does it mean that it has become easier to prey and victimize people we know as so called “soft targets”? The high unemployment rate is not helping this situation either.

For some of you reading this article, the answer is as simple as saying that “crime is definitely out of control”, while for others it is just the same old story of statistics every year as long as it has not affected them personally.

We can debate the various causes of crime: from our culture of violence, organized crime, our wealth justice system, unemployment to a lack of a value system. What becomes clear though is that Government is “pussy footing” around the real issues at hand in finding structured solutions to resolve the problem.

The problem with South African culture is our inability to stand together. Oh, we can fill stadiums in minutes for a sports event, but hesitate to commit ourselves to social issues and changes that affect us directly as well as indirectly.

Instead of focusing on whether crime is out of control or waiting for it to spiral out of control, how about we figure out our personal contribution to the solution. You will be surprised; you might just make more of a difference than you thought possible.

With criminal violence being associated with South Africa’s contemporary social ills, lets stop it from being an accepted “norm” in our society and break down the elements and systems that harness it.

De Doornkraal Beyond Ad 2/8/11 11:57 AM Page 1 C

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The mining sector is still one of the most important sectors in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District municipality. The enabling policy framework, socio economic and political environment and the increase in commodity prices provides lucrative opportunities for mining companies to expand and establish their mining businesses in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District.

The Dr Kenneth Kaunda District through its Economic Agency provides opportunities and support to mining companies to consider establishing their operations in the district. The District through its economic agency provides support services to mining businesses that wants to venture into any of the following value chain processes: -

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FINANCE

The performance bonus... really?

Writer Kendal Brown When is a performance bonus not a performance bonus? “Who knows?” is the everyman response, especially when you take this June 2010 headline into account: Maroga paid bonus after sacking. Former Eskom CEO Jacob Maroga was paid a R2.3m performance bonus in February in spite of being fired for poor performance last year, the High Court in Johannesburg heard on Tuesday... The bonus related to a period while he was still CEO and so it was duly paid to him.

Even if that was so, he was dismissed for poor performance? Can you understand the logic? I know I’m having trouble doing so.

2010 was a year of headline outcry against “Performance Bonuses”. Why? Well I guess when you’re just a plain old worker getting a heavily taxed 13th cheque, while your incompetent bosses are being rewarded for being just that, it does tend to make you a bit niggly.

To add insult to bonus-deprived injury, Maroga then sued Eskom for R85m for “benefits” he would have accrued if he had stayed on until 2011, when his contract 36

would have ended. There is some justice… he didn’t win the case, though he has appealed. Certainly no under-performance on his part when there’s a load of (tax payers) cash at stake!

A history of bad performance But there is a long history of rewarding people handsomely for bad behaviour.

Back in 2005 Truman Prince, a disgraced municipal manager got R49,000 for his trouble. Who knows what he might have received if he behaved himself?

Denel’s CEO got R3.25 m as a performance bonus even after an audit report raised misgivings over the arm manufacturer’s future. Had its future been rosier at the time who knows what that figure could have been? Bafana were offered a “performance bonus” during the world cup. They did well, for a team ranked 123 in the world at the time, but if they had got a little further they might have been credited with “performing”. This way it seems that all they had to do was play and a nice fat cheque for “performance” was theirs for the taking.

The DA strongly objected to the performance bonus paid to the CEO of the Johannesburg Roads Agency. She got R767 000 based on her performance in the 2008 – 2009 financial year ending July 2009, in which period the JRA key deliverables such as pothole reinstatements, wayleaves, gravel road upgrades and kerb inlet maintenance were left hopelessly under achieved. The DA noted that “The CEO’s of very successful entities such as the Joburg Theatre and Johannesburg Development Agency could not manage to get 30% of that figure as a performance bonus on jobs very well done.”

Then consider this, the Mpumalanga’s department of education paid R23m in performance bonuses in the 2008-’09 financial year, even though the province produced a pass rate of just 51.8%. About 66 schools in the province obtained pass rates of below 20%, especially in the Bushbuckridge region. As a consequence a recommendation was made that the Auditor General investigate the department’s employee performance management system and payment of performance bonuses. What was the outcome? Your 37

guess is as good as mine.

Who pays these bonuses?

I am probably preaching to the converted.

The fact that there is such a continuous public outcry because of outrageous “performance bonuses” being paid for incompetence to public and corporate officials is getting up our noses and into our bank balances. Because whichever way you look at it, Joe and Jane Public are paying for it through taxes and outlandish service and products charges thrust upon us by unscrupulous commerce and its ally, government.

Eskom lead the charge on our sensibilities with their willingness to pay performance

that would even point to that fact that they may be human and less than perfect. The attitude seems to be to keep your hand in the cookie jar for as long as possible until somebody says, “Here’s a biscuit factory, please leave.”

A hard performance to follow Now here’s something to mull over. In December 2010, the weather in Europe closed down several airports including Heathrow in England. One expects some extreme weather at that time of year but this was a little more extreme than usual.

As a reasonable person, who would you say was to blame? The The Mpumalanga’s department of weatherman?

Guess not. Just circumstances education paid R23m in performance beyond anyone’s control? bonuses in the 2008 - 2009 financial That seems a reasonable year, even though the province enough assumption. Well produced a pass rate of just 51.8% how’s this then?

Colin Matthews, chief executive of airport operator BAA and bonuses to someone who was plain and boss of London’s Heathrow airport offered simply not up to the challenge. It may have to forego his bonus after the airport came kept us in the dark, literally, but we are under heavy criticism for snow-related quite an enlightened society thanks to the disruptions. media. The blackouts were unprecedented He decided to give up his bonus and focus in this country. Somebody must have seen on “keeping people moving and rebuilding this coming. Somebody has to accept confidence in Heathrow”, because the responsibility. Who else but the CEO? world’s busiest international airport, came That’s his job. Keep the ship afloat. Watch under criticism for its inability to cope with for hidden perils. Don’t run aground! And if the heavy snowfalls that had struck Britain. you do, don’t expect to leave with the ship’s Imagine taking the rap for a snowstorm safe. over which you had no control and forgoing Who of us could disagree with this your (very substantial) bonus because you comment - “What a farce! Paying a man felt you had failed the public. I have yet to over two million as a “performance bonus” meet or hear of a South African high official when he has underperformed so badly he take responsibility for a storm in a tea cup! actually got sacked! Imagine what he’d get if he was really any good at all! Hundreds of millions?”

Atlas Reader on June 8, 2010, 1:36 pm.

There is an endless list of payouts for performance which were really nonperformance. What appalls me is that instead of quietly disappearing into the woodwork, many try and justify their being grossly over compensated and some even try and claim even more tens of millions. I have yet to hear any of these folk actually admit that they may just not have done what they should have done. Own up and say “I blew it” but no, not a solitary word

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FINANCE

EX Pats fleeing debt abroad Writer Anwar Booley

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measures should be put into place regarding debt recovery.

He stated that unless people are educated on managing their finances, the situation would soon worsen. Mr al Sukhi’s company, a subsidiary of Al Qudra Holdings, has links with over 155 countries. Banks and other financial organizations employ his services to track down debtors who have not resolved their debts after a period of 12 months. The debt he chases is about Dh 70 000 which equates to This phenomenon is particularly over R150 000.00 in SA apparent in Dubai, where ex pats left terms. Much of the blame their vehicles parked at the airport lies with the banks who are and fled, leaving local banks with not doing thorough checks on individuals who are unrecovered debt. applying for loans or credit.

If you lose your job and fall behind with your debt and absconding to unknown addresses payments in Dubai, you will face criminal throughout the world. charges and stand to be jailed for it. A This phenomenon is particularly apparent senior manager of Group Five Construction in Dubai, where ex pats left their vehicles was arrested due to not servicing his debt. parked at the airport and fled, leaving local Yacoob Abba Omar, the South African banks with unrecovered debt. These banks high commissioner to the UAE, said in an have been shifting the debt to the companies email that “it is very difficult to give any who had sponsored them. Ibrahim al Sukhi, authoritative figure” for the number of South the general manager of Credit Rating Africans living in Dubai, let alone those and Collection, said that without stricter languishing in debtors’ jails. Many in the regulations to prevent people absconding, community say there are more than a handful the debt would become the responsibility of South Africans who have been detained in of the company who guaranteed the loan, Dubai for defaulting on their debts. Omar the debtor’s sponsor. “The worst case is would not confirm this. what happens when there is no company to Jan de Wachter, a Dubai-based South African take this accountability,” Mr al Sukhi said.

HR consultant, knows a South African “When companies start going bankrupt the woman who was arrested with her children bank will be left with nobody to chase for when she tried to leave Dubai for a holiday in their money.” Mr al Sukhi also commented South Africa: “It turns out she fell behind in that he expected more people to begin her credit-card payments with Barclays and fleeing as time goes on and that much stricter ebt!

Meltdown!

Recession!

These are the buzz words on the international financial markets.

From politicians to economists, from major bankers funneling right down to the hardest hit of all, the consumer, the financial crises has hit every corner of the world. Ex pats who have been riding the wave of opportunity also fell victim to the crises, fleeing from

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her husband’s company had to pay the full outstanding amount before she was released or sentenced.” The children, all under age, were allowed to continue on to South Africa, while her husband travelled ahead hastily to receive them at OR Tambo International Airport. The table below is an indication as to debt abroad of those countries specified in USD millions.

COUNTRY NAME

VALUE

United States

13,640

United Kingdom

9,170

Germany

5,250

France

5,002

Netherlands

2,470

Italy

2,328

Spain

2,313

Ireland

2,312

Japan

2,231

The incidents above represent an overview of experiences in Dubai. However this does not alter the fact that very similar incidents are occurring globally. South Africans are quite often lured abroad in search of opportunity, security and long-term employment contracts with attractive salary packages. However they need to understand that when things don’t work out they are still responsible and financially accountable to the country they find themselves in.

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FINANCE

What the Companies Amendment Bill means for business Writer Raisa Sonday

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n 2010 the Companies Amendment Bill amended the Companies Act 71 of 2008. Most of the amendments were aimed at rectifying grammatical and interpretational errors which are of academic importance. However there are more notable changes to the Companies Act, for example creditors are now afforded more protection. Foreign companies are now required to register as external companies. The approach used to determine whether or not a foreign company should be registered as an external company is narrower. A foreign company must belong to one or more employment contracts within South Africa or the foreign company must have engaged in certain activities in South Africa for a period no less than six months. The result is that fewer foreign companies will be required to register as external companies.

The new act determines that shareholders are void to the extent that they are inconsistent with the Act. The company’s Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI) allows existing companies to receive a two year period, called a transitional period, to get their MOI in line with the provisions laid out in the new act. During the transitional period, the Memorandum of Incorporation will prevail in conflicts between the MOI and the new act. The Companies Amendment Bill also allows shareholders agreements a

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two year transitional period to bring them in line with the new act. Thus the MOI and shareholders agreements equally share a two year transitional period.

A shocking provision is that shareholders of a company are allowed to ratify or approve actions taken by directors even where they may have acted fraudulently or negligently, outside the scope of their authority, with the effect that no party may have a claim for damages against the directors for acting in such a manner.

In terms of special resolutions, the new act provides that more than 50% of voting rights are required for the adoption of an ordinary resolution. Whereas at least 75% of voting rights are required for the adoption of a special resolution.

The definition of ‘audit’ is amended, it is made clear that an audit has the same meaning as set out in the Auditing Profession Act which defines it as the examination of financial statements with the objective of expressing an opinion as to the fairness or compliance with an identified financial reporting framework and any applicable statutory requirements for financial and other information, prepared in accordance with suitable criteria.

Section 5 of the Companies Act has also been amended which now indicates that where there is a conflict between the Companies Act and the Auditing Profession

Act, the latter will be accepted.

The Companies Amendment Bill requires that a private company, personal liability company or non-profit company have an audit committee or if the Memorandum of Incorporation expressly requires such a company to have an audit committee.

Although there is uncertainty in this provision, as to whether or not these companies should have audit committees, from a policy point of view it will be rendered unnecessary.

The group of companies’ definition was re-introduced; it is now defined as two or more companies that are related or interrelated. This definition is very wide and may have unintended consequences, for example, if your mother has a company and your mother-in-law also has one, it will be regarded as being related even though it has nothing in common, other than the fact that it links you and your spouse.

Thus this definition is inconsistent with the definition as in the International Reporting Standards. Due to this the DTI requested that the definition be reconsidered and it now describes a group of companies as a holding company and its subsidiaries.

While the Amendment Bill was introduced for mostly academic reasons it has improved and it seems to benefit shareholder agreements and foreign companies more so than before.

The KZN Growth Fund

T

he KZN Growth Fund is a debt fund, structured as a unique publicprivate partnership between the KZN Provincial Government, Standard Bank of South Africa Limited, Infrastructure Finance Corporation Limited and Development Bank of Southern Africa.

Established to finance medium to large scale infrastructure-related projects throughout the KwaZulu-Natal province, the KZN Growth Fund is an innovative initiative aimed at creating sustainable economic development, job creation and black economic empowerment within the infrastructure sector. It is housed within the KZN Growth Fund Trust.

Fund is geared to partner as well as cofund with other commercial banks and development finance institutions, thus offering infrastructure project sponsors a one-stop shop for accessing technical assistance and infrastructure debt funding.

Funding Instruments The Growth Fund provides project finance structured as either senior or mezzanine debt or a combination of both instruments over a loan ranging from 5 to 10 years.

KEY FEATURES Fund Size: R1.1 billion

Required Development Impact Each project will be required to generate new and sustainable job opportunities, foster black economic empowerment throughout the KwaZulu-Natal Province, and demonstrate an ability to repay the debt funding.

Targeted Projects The Growth Fund targets infrastructure related projects which are R30 million and above. It also focuses on traditional infrastructure and economic sectors such as: • Transport and logistics; • Tourism; • Energy; • Telecommunications; • Manufacturing • Agro-processing and • Mineral beneficiation, The KZN Growth

Other Selection Criteria All projects submitted to the Fund need to satisfy the following broad criteria: • A 30% minimum BEE ownership, BBBEE and gender should also be key considerations.

A significant part of the BEE shareholding must reside within the KZN Province: • A negotiable equity contribution from promoters in line with each project’s equity

needs; • The project also needs to be at an advanced stage of planning so as to enable disbursement within a period not exceeding six months. The Growth Fund’s objectives are also aligned with the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy, and in particular the various sector priorities, It also subscribes to all the prevailing BEE policies as set out in the Department of Trade and Industry’s Codes of Good Practice for BEE, and the BEE Codes issued by National Treasury’s PPP Unit.

Fund Manager The KZN Growth Fund Managers (Pty) Limited (“Fund Manager”) has been established to take operational responsibility for the implementation and management of the Growth Fund.The company receives technical support and advice from its group of lenders .

Nature of Business: Finance Trust Registration. No. IT1437/2007(PMB) Services/ Project: Project Finance Customer Base: Entrepreneurs, Corporate, BEE groups Date Established: October 2007 Auditors/Accountants: KPMG

National Housing Finance Corporation Innovator, Financier, Facilitator The National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC) supports the Breaking New Ground (“BNG�) Strategy of the National Department of Human Settlements by facilitating and funding the development of sustainable human settlements and the eradication of informal settlements. FUNDING: Providing wholesale funding to intermediateries for small home improvement loans to households. Funding long-term project finance to social housing and private rental landlords. In partnership with others, providing bridging funding for the development of affordable homes, particularly integrated developments. FACILITATION: Implementing risk enhancement mechanisms to encourage active participation in the low- to middle-income housing market. Promoting an enabling environment in the low- to middleincome housing market through advocacy and involvement in policy development. Improving access to housing finance for the low- to middle-income housing market to improve their living standards.

PO Box 31376, Braamfontein, 2017, The Isle of Houghton, Old Trafford 3, 11 Boundary Road, Houghton, Johannesburg email info@nhfc.co.za telephone (011) 644 9800 facsimile (011) 484 6406

www.nhfc.co.za

Budgeting and Budgeting, watch the ad agencies Writer Rishqah Roberts

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etting people know who you are and what you do seems the obvious course of action when in the business of making money. So when I first learnt that in times of financial difficulty advertising budgets are usually amongst the first to go, I was boggled!

Initially I thought this was senseless, how else were you supposed to maintain that top of mind real estate?

Recessions are indiscriminate. Thus, when we go through a recession, advertising agencies experience it as well. Yet they survive and come out swinging. This is because of their keen understanding of PT Barnum’s quote, “without promotion something terrible happens... nothing!�

Granted, companies may be able to safeguard their immediate profits by limiting their advertising budgets during recessions.

Yet cognisance must be taken of the fact that these benefits will be short lived.

Neglecting to promote a brand will result in

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its deterioration, making it less valuable once the recession has passed. During recessions the true value of advertising agencies materialise: in their ability to create interest in; traffic to and produce sales for businesses.

The agencies realise what a colossal mistake it is to sacrifice the advertising budget; it is one that will lead companies into a deeper state of recession. Advertising agencies realise the vitality in marketing themselves; as a means of survival through the recession.

They do this in two parts.

Firstly, now more than ever their services will have to produce results, namely sales.

This is the bottom line, the only result that truly matters. And secondly, as a means of survival, advertising agencies cleverly remind their current clients and point out to prospective clients how they will not only help them get through the recession, but help them succeed as well. In an environment of financial fear which recessions create; advertising agencies realise that assurance

of proven results creates a major influx of customers. Past studies prove that what many companies are doing today, cutting their advertising budgets, in an effort to ease financial trouble is short-sighted. A Wall Street Analyst credits the success of Revlon in 1975 to their large advertising budget; the Analyst also claims that Avon Products had done so poorly in the same period, due to their advertising cuts. Advertising during periods of recession indicates true loyalty, keeping such companies, who choose to advertise during this time top-of-mind.

Value for your hard earned money, where advertising is concerned, is easier to come by during periods of recession, as advertising costs will drop considerably at such times.

Those who opt to continue advertising in recession periods gain an edge over their competitors in that they build equity, and stabilise their customer base even further.

Something which cannot be done by those who choose to cut their advertising budgets.

All this seems to benefit the advertiser more so than their clients, because when looked at from this point of view they are the ones who will always be in business. To fully appreciate this point of view, advertising needs to be thought of as an investment instead of an expense. Companies which come to this realisation manage to benefit everyone all round; they keep the advertising agencies in business during the recession period while at the same time attracting attention to themselves in these quiet periods.

Next time when faced with a decision regarding advertising rethink the points raised in this article and do the responsible thing. Act bravely! Let your advertising work for you. Remember: advertising is an investment, not an expense and it is tax deductable!

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FINANCE

Venture Capitalist taking a bite out of your business Writer Walter Majosi

S

etting up a business and making it successful is a daunting, challenging task. This is especially true when you have a wonderful idea that you worked on for a long time and want to make it a reality.

Your business plan has been properly designed, you have given it your personal commitment to succeed, and you dream every day about how successful you will be. One major immediate challenge to your plan is probably starting capital. Where will the initial funding come from? With the recent economic recession still loitering in the backyard, it is not easy to get a loan from the bank and in general it is becoming more and more difficult to secure start-up finance for businesses. Start-up capital is imperative for entrepreneurs to ensure a good head start for their business ventures.

What is the best way to get the funds without allowing a huge bite in your bottom line or to lose control over your company? Enter the Venture Capitalist. They have been a major

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feature in the businesses of up and coming entrepreneurs as well as businesses that are in a growth phase. The downside is that they seem to take over your business. A venture capital fund makes money by owning equity in the companies in which they invest.

Business finance has become an increasingly scarce resource. This cash injection is needed by businesses to buy what they need to make their products or services. Without this capital, many new ventures simply cannot grow. Venture capital is normally used at a very early stage for startup companies with high potential. Due to the high risk factor involved in investing in smaller companies or companies with little or no trade history, venture capitalist usually retain significant control over such businesses when they invest. Private equity firms normally look for the following: A return of investment of at least 40%; People with vision, self confidence, drive and energy, with aspirations to grow the business; A clear team leader and a team with complementary

expertise, such as management, marketing and finance; Market knowledge, a growing market, or an innovative product; A product or service with a competitive edge or unique selling point; and, An exit route, that is, a chance to sell the shares within five to seven years, either back to the business itself, to another investor, or to the public by listing on a stock exchange.

Other issues such as due diligence, valuation, governance and many other aspects of evaluating a company for possible investment will have to be done before investing. There are many alternatives to consider when finance capital or seed capital is needed. Angel investing is seen as one of the alternatives to Venture Capital.

It is becoming increasingly popular and contributes to developing and building the South African Economy. Angel investors are more like business partners. They operate on a smaller scale and normally invest half the required start-up funds and then take a personal role in the day to day running of the business. Asset based lending is another alternative. This is where a lender accepts as collateral the assets of a company in exchange for a loan. Most asset based loans are based on financed accounts receivable or sometimes against inventory.

Crowd funding is also an emerging alternative. This is where you raise funds for a new project or enterprise by appealing to large numbers of ordinary people for small donations. This is a growing phenomenon in the independent film industry.

The best alternative is of course to stay independent and to avoid outside investment.

You can start small and build your business gradually to maturity level. If you have to get investors in, always ensure that you retain at least 51% control of your business otherwise it is not your business.

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Talk to the boss Sean Stegmann CEO Cash Crusaders What role do you see responsibility and accountability playing in the workplace?

I am of the view that you must have the right people on the right seats in the bus, otherwise you blur job functions and end up with passengers instead of staff. The adage I like to use is that when I buy a dog it should be able to bark (not that I wish to compare employees to dogs). So when I convert this into the workplace I employ people to perform a certain function for their remuneration. The only way I can hold them to account for their part in the contract is to have firm roles and responsibilities that are documented and understood and that they are held accountable to these. However, I am of the view that companies that progress don’t chastise failure but instead allow people to learn from their mistakes through failing forward. If a company has a culture of punishing any mistake then you will get people shying away from their responsibilities to prevent being chastised or outed.

What effect does responsibility to shareholders or corporate purpose have on social responsibility?

I believe that the creation of a better South Africa is linked to the upliftment of all its citizens. The more people that can be put into the workforce, the more money will circulate into the economy through tax and purchasing power. But I am not in favour of cash handouts to buy social responsibility kudos. Handouts don’t necessary correlate to

48

a hand up. People need to be empowered to fish for themselves.

As a corporate entity how have you demonstrated social responsibility?

We conducted two training workshops last year to help previously disadvantaged people skill up in retail merchandising and sales. We went to the Home of Hope in Gauteng and the Saartjie Bartmann Centre where under privileged women and children reside and provided them with retail training in our facilities as part of our social responsibility.

How have you encouraged the idea of accountability to employees and representatives or your organization?

Our employees are encouraged to seek outreach programmes in our communities and give of their time to conduct the training.

One of our Values is that we are committed to people growth and development and extending relations into our community. It is precisely this value that keeps it top of mind.

I believe in promoting from within and creating opportunities for all. If an individual knows that he or she can determine his success and promotion in the company, he or she will be motivated, work hard and hold himself / herself accountable.

Guy Lundy CEO Accelerate Cape Town What role do you see responsibility and accountability playing in the workplace?

In today’s connected world it has become increasingly difficult to act without

considering the impact of that action on the company and the society in which it occurs.

As Warren Buffet asks his executives, “Is it something that you would be proud to have your name associated with, on the front page of the newspaper?” In the wake of international scandals such as Enron, people within companies are feeling a lot more pressure than ever before to “do the right thing” rather than just “doing things right”, which in my view is a good thing.

What effect does responsibility to shareholders or corporate purpose have on social responsibility?

Companies often back causes for which their leadership, shareholders or staff have a personal passion. Of course, it also helps to support social responsibility initiatives that in the long term will benefit the society from which the company draws its staff and customers. Hence we see many companies supporting education initiatives, healthcare initiatives or other specific areas of need.

This is about taking a long-term view rather than just focusing on short-term returns.

As a corporate entity how have you demonstrated social responsibility?

Accelerate Cape Town couldn’t really be described as a corporate entity itself; rather it represents a large number of different corporates. We believe that what we do is about social responsibility on a daily basis, because we develop long-term initiatives that aim to help make Cape Town better and more successful for all those who live, work, study, invest and visit here. We work with our corporate members and other stakeholders to implement the steps that will take us towards becoming “Africa’s Global City, a city of inspiration and innovation”. For example, we have identified that developing, attracting and retaining great talent is key to having a sustainable and successful business environment, and so we work on an initiative

49

known as the Inspiration Sessions, which help young professionals connect with each other and with inspirational business leadership.

We believe that this connects them more to the place and hopefully helps them choose to stay here, rather than move elsewhere.

How have you encouraged the idea of accountability to employees and representatives or your organization?

We try to approach everything we do with as much professionalism as we can, and we are able to hold each other accountable for slip-ups. There is definitely no sense that we can get away with sloppiness in our work, because that would defeat the object of the goal we are reaching for, i.e. to develop and present the Cape as a vibrant and viable global business destination.

Nkululeko Mvulana MD Sandulela What role do you see responsibility and accountability playing in the workplace?

It should go without saying that a responsible team is an accountable one. Accountability is a good measure of input and output and delegates authority at the right level.

What effect does responsibility to shareholders or corporate purpose have on social responsibility?

Social responsibility comes in different ways.

It could be in the form of cash contributions, time contributed to projects or a form of assistance for no financial gain. In my organisation we view it as getting closer to the communities where we do business, with empathy as the main driver and this has the

desired effect of endearing our brand to its users. Ultimately this is a responsible way of driving success in the business and in the final analysis it benefits both the communities and the shareholders alike.

As a corporate entity how have you demonstrated social responsibility?

We are involved in a number of community interventions from providing temporary jobs for school leavers to sponsoring upliftment programmes. However the programme I am particularly proud of is one which we run with the Cape University of Technology where we place final year marketing students in a jobshadowing capacity for 3 months within our organisation. They are given specific tasks and responsibilities and are measured on them which helps to teach them accountability.

At the end of the period, the best student is offered a permanent position in the company.

We have been running this programme for 4 years and it has worked very well for us, it recognises the type of individual required to work in our organisation and sources them directly from the community.

How have you encouraged the idea of accountability to employees and representatives or your organization?

It is irresponsible to give people in certain positions too much responsibility in areas they know little about. I have found a natural gravitas towards accountability when people are doing a job they know and they like. Being accountable in this regard helps graduate them to the next level of responsibility in a gradual process. Give someone work they neither know nor enjoy and you will find that they either disappear into the background or out of the organisation and leave a hazardous trail behind them.

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Plascon South Africa strives to inspire more ecological considerate decisions throughout our business.

We have responded to the challenge by innovating unparalleled sustainable solutions based on the 3 fundamental pillars of compliance, sustainability and products.

Compliance = Green Processes Several Environmental Management Systems have been implemented in all of Plascon’s South African Manufacturing Plants and in 2005, we attained ISO 14001 certification at all of our plants.

Sustainability = Green Practices Pioneering ground-breaking processes have been implemented to ensure that we are starting on ground level. Our processes focus strictly on achieving complete sustainable progression.

Products = Green Products Plascon is dedicated to provide industry-first solutions, through quality, environmentally-aware products, which do not compromise the finished product performance or our world.

Plascon has a one-stop product solution from preparation to topcoat; ensuring your indoor air quality is Breatheasy™.

Plascon Removall All Purpose Paint Remover and Plascon Cashmere have won product of the year 2010 for product innovation in their respective categories.

Winner in Paint and Paint Remover Categories, Survey of 5000 people by Nielsen.

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For more information contact the Plascon Advisory Service: 0860 2040 60

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or visit our website www.plascon.co.za

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OUR GREEN STARS Plascon Double Velvet was the first product in SA to be launched with a Breatheasy™ formulation. This leading Breatheasy™ formula releases fewer harmful chemicals into the air as it dries, dramatically improving indoor air quality. Plascon Cashmere soon followed.

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Jaguar XK

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umerous analysts construed the acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover by Tata in 2008 as a possible death blow to the status of the iconic marques. After all, were they really the right ‘fit’ for a company known mainly for hardy trucks and cheap cars? Nevertheless, aside from Group chairman Ratan Tata’s promise to ‘preserve’ the iconic identities of the two British brands, it seems that ownership hasn’t been a significant issue at all. Models across both ranges have continued to receive firstclass design and performance enhancements.

Case in point: the sporty Jaguar XK. Launched in 2006, the second generation XK is a luxurious and masterfully engineered grand tourer, available as a rear-wheel drive coupé or convertible, with the latest offering (2011) boasting more aggressive design and performance than ever before.

As far as power in the XK series is concerned, 54

Writer Brent Smith

Jaguar have ensured that there is no shortage of it. In 2010 the old 4.2-litre engines were replaced with new direct injected 5-litre AJ-V8 Generation III units, with a supercharger thrown into the mix on the high performance XKR version. The result has been some impressive output figures.

The naturally aspirated version delivers a maximum 283kW of power at 6 500rpm and 515Nm of torque at 3 500rpm, launching the vehicle to 100km/h from standstill in 5.5 seconds, while the XKR will reach the same speed in just 4.8 seconds with the help of 375kW at 6 000-6 500rpm and 625Nm at 2 500-5 500rpm, which is likely to send any ‘petrolhead’ into a state of euphoria. Power delivery to the rear wheels in both models is through a six-speed automatic transmission.

Fuel consumption is surprisingly low at only 11.2 litres/100km (combined) and 12.3 litres/100km in the XKR. Needless to say, achieving these figures requires one to

forsake all performance-induced adrenaline rushes.

While it still may not be entirely as sportsoriented as its competitors, the XK’s surefooted handling, along with a three-mode Dynamic Stability Control, makes it just as at home on a racetrack as it would be on a long distance trip. The automatically adjustable suspension offers a comfortable ride under a variety of conditions, while steering is precise and braking is strong. The active exhaust system works well with the smooth, seamless automatic transmission shifts, keeping the XK running quietly while cruising.

The exterior of the Jaguar XK is perhaps the most controversial aspect of the vehicle.

You either love the sleek rounded design or you hate it - there doesn’t seem to be much middle ground. However, most published reviews indicate that there are more pro-‘Jagpundits’ than critics. The long and low XK

cuts a profile rarely seen in other cars today, which makes the car stand out in a crowd.

Understated and elegant, it looks great from any angle. Standard exterior features available to both the coupé and convertible body styles include 19-inch Caravela alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights and front & rear parking sensors. The XKR comes standard with adaptive headlights, different 19-inch wheels, and different exterior trim, while the convertible models feature power-retracting soft tops, and have power rear windows.

Luxurious and elegant, the interior is crafted with high quality materials and offers a warmth and ambience few car manufacturers can rival. The base model’s standard features include keyless ignition and entry, poweradjustable heated and cooled front seats with leather upholstery, automatic two-zone temperature control, Bluetooth compatibility and iPod and USB connectivity interfaces.

Although the XK is loaded with functional 55

features, the centre console is remarkably free of clutter. Controls for stereo, climate, navigation and a host of other functions are accessed through an attractive 7-inch colour touch screen. The premium 525 watt Bowers & Wilkins surround-sound system with satellite radio and a six-disc CD changer is outstanding, serving as a reminder that adding an amp and a subwoofer do not always equal premium audio.

The only noteworthy drawbacks to the vehicle’s interior are the cramped back seats and limited storage space.

The XK is typically equipped with all the standard safety features one would expect from a modern luxury grand tourer... from antilock brakes, brake assist, traction and stability control, to front and side impact airbags for both driver and passenger. The industry-leading Pedestrian Contact Sensing System is designed to raise the bonnet slightly if it detects contact with a pedestrian

in order to help prevent impact with hard points under the bonnet. Convertibles feature a highly advanced roll-over protection system: If the car’s on-board sensors detect an impending roll-over, two immensely strong hoops hidden under the rear tonneau are deployed to lock behind the rear seats within 65 milliseconds.

The retail price of the Jaguar XK includes a 5 Year/100 000km maintenance plan, together with a 3-year/100 000 km Mechanical and Paint Surface Warranty and 6-year unlimited kilometres Corrosion Warranty.

If you’re in the market for a sophisticated, powerful drive, it’s worth noting that the Jaguar XK is not only less expensive - R1 014 312 for the base model coupé and R1 276 706 for the premium Convertible R but convincingly rivals already impressive players like the BMW 650i and M6, Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG and the Porsche 911 in all respects of performance and luxury.

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Distinguished Gentleman Dr Sean Gomes Writer Ryan Jared Ali

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ll doctors start with a vision of helping patients and improving their health. It is only possible for a general practitioner to help one patient at a time. Having started a business which can influence the health and well-being of the South African public as a whole, the challenge is greater but then the satisfaction is exponentially greater too. We asked Dr Sean Gomes a few questions to see how he brought the idea of the Wellness Warehouse to reality.

Tell us about your personal and retail experience prior to Wellness Warehouse?

What did you take out of previous ventures that you brought into Wellness Warehouse?

From a personal perspective, I studied and practiced medicine before creating the Wellness Warehouse concept. My medical background and training has been instrumental in helping to create a holistic and integrative wellness retail concept. In terms of business ventures, prior to Wellness, our family had developed a successful retail chain of home improvement stores in the Western Cape, called De La Rey, which was later sold to Massmart during 2005/2006 and rebranded as Builders Warehouse.

Wellness Warehouse has been a pioneer in the health retail market. Your organization offers not just the usual natural and health foods, organics and related products but also a natural medicine dispensary, a pharmacy, spa services, a café and fitness machines.

How did concept for Wellness Warehouse come about? Did it grow naturally into what it is today or did you have this vision in the beginning?

The retail concept was developed on the following basic principles: offering a complete and holistic wellness experience, making wellness more accessible to consumers, educating people about healthy living and promoting the practice of preventative medicine. With these basic principles in mind as well as the vision to create a retail environment that was experiential we set about creating a space where customers could feel relaxed whilst learning how to live a more wellness

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orientated lifestyle. Over the three years we have been in business, the concept has been refined. We have had a stronger focus on our core categories of health, food and skin care.

We have also recently opened a number of smaller format stores which we have branded Wellness Select.

What motivates you on a day to day basis?

The desire to achieve excellence in what we do and to develop the Wellness brand into a household name. Wellness as a brand and retail category is in its infancy and it is constantly evolving. We want to create a world class retail chain that is famous for professional service and advice, stocking the largest and best quality range of wellness products and in the long run improving the collective health of the nation.

There is a saying about how everyone has the willingness to win but not everyone has the willingness to prepare to win. How do you think this concept influences a person’s ability to be successful in their chosen profession?

I think the concept of preparing to win influences ones success dramatically. Without practice, one relies solely on skill and natural ability. In the end, natural ability can only get you so far, as there will always be someone who is equally or more gifted than you, but hungrier and therefore willing to put in the extra work. I am a firm believer too in Gary Player’s philosophy of “the more I practice, the luckier I get”. Apart from the hours spent in your chosen profession gaining experience, planning and strategic focus is also vital.

Often sticking to a strategy can be challenging as its results are not always immediately ascertainable. How do you find the balance between being adaptable and remaining focused to a strategy?

To achieve balance between adaptability and strategy, you have to focus more on long term strategy and be prepared to adapt along the way in order to achieve that long term objective. A rapid ability to identify the need for change and to execute it immediately and successfully is required to win. But without sight of your long term strategy, change can steer you off course and potentially right off

the map, unless you can right your course. As they say, there are many ways to reach your destination. The most important part is that you arrive.

What was your best idea that didn’t make it?

As a trainee anaesthetist, I developed a specialised pillow to make intubation of patients easier. As I got further along with the development, I discovered that a similar patent already existed which unfortunately put a stop to things. I still haven’t seen it in production. So who knows, maybe I need to revisit it now.

What have you seen as being major milestones in the growth of Wellness Warehouse?

The first store opening and the development and roll out of our Wellness Select model, Wellness Warehouse Online Shopping.

What are your goals for Wellness Warehouse in the near future?

Completing our footprint in the Western Cape. Re-establishing Wellness Warehouse and Wellness Select nationally. Developing a Wellness Select franchise model and creating South Africa’s best online environment for wellness shopping.

If, the economy crashed hard and there was no more room for you in the business sector, what would you do with yourself?

There are a few things I have considered as alternatives. It could be a return to practicing medicine or getting involved with corporate medicine such as the medical aid and private hospital industries. I am also passionate about creating and developing brands/concepts, so setting up a marketing and business development agency that conceptualised and marketed new ideas would be fun. I’m currently involved with the management of a private property portfolio and we have planned a number of future property developments. Again, the opportunity to conceptualise, create and build a new environment always inspires me.

POLITICAL SATIRE

Cope’s boxing match Writer Walter Majosi

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he world is waiting with bated breath, anxiously watching this important event. A boxing match between two heavy weights in camp Cope. How ironic! Two players in the same political party, gearing up for a fight. Is it about power? Control of the party? Or who the best leader is? What about the plus one million voters that ensured some form of significance for the party? Some of the reasons for the infighting are known on the surface but it goes much deeper. It appears that it is not just a fight that is going to end in the boxing ring, it will go far beyond that.

All the symptoms are pointing towards a ZIM MDC situation.

Fights among politicians have become common phenomena. Political battles have occurred in parliaments across the world as tempers fly high on critical and even not so critical issues. It happened in the Russian Duma, Korean parliament, Ukraine etc. The latest occurrence is in Cope’s den.

As many boxers do, the opponents torment one another long before the boxing match begins. They play mind games and start psychological wars. This is their ground work towards beating their opponent. The ground work began when Shilowa threw the first shot at Lekota in round one. During June 2010, he managed to pass a vote of no confidence in Lekota. This sneaky uppercut hit Lekota square on chin. He stumbled and fell. The referee counts, one, two, three... but long

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before eight, Lekota is up on his knees and then back on his feet. He is far from defeated.

The courts rescued Lekota from a technical knockout and Shilowa remains adamant that Lekota is no longer the President of Cope.

Round two; It is time for Lekota to fight back.

He hit Shilowa in the head with a massive left hook. Shilowa looked dazed whilst Lekota announced in October 2010 that Shilowa was suspended as the party’s Chief Whip and Accounting Officer in Parliament, but he would remain a Member of Parliament.

Round three; the two heavy weights and their supporters are unable to reconcile on Reconciliation Day. To my disappointment, the real fight never happened. Perhaps if they really got to fisticuffs we, the public, would have been in a much better position to judge who the winner should be. It is alleged that Lekota grabbed Shilowa by the collar but did not have the courage to go all the way. This incident apparently prompted their supporters to jump in the ring. Chairs were flying, tempers flaring and about thirteen Cope members were hospitalized on Reconciliation Day. This poses a serious question. When you vote for the party of your choice, who are they really accountable to?

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ECO

Climate change, effects on SA’s agricultural industry Writer Kendal Brown While it’s often spoken of as ‘global warming’, it really refers to global climate change; that is, serious disruptions to the entire world’s weather and climate patterns.

Unseasonal rainfall, extreme weather and a rise in sea level are global threats. To Africa and South Africa any detrimental effect

to its rainfall can and will have serious consequences to agriculture throughout the land. Consider this: Compared with the 1970’s, South Africa in the early part of the millennium became 2% hotter and at least 6% drier. Add to that an increase in water consumption, led by irrigation agriculture

which consumes 60% of the total. Now throw in the fact that each 1% decline in rainfall leads to a decline of 1.1% in maize production and 0.5% in wheat, and it doesn’t take much to see the answer to 2 + 2. Agriculture is the backbone of many rural economies and as such it is a vital

ingredient to establish political stability with respect to land reform. Add this to the fact that we already import wheat and so will have to import more using our steadily declining Rand... do the maths. Actually I tried but it was too much for me. Surely the government with all its green papers and research on this vital topic would be able to comfort me with cold, hard facts and figures to demonstrate just how they were going to overcome this threat? Well I waited three weeks and no cold comfort, just a cold silence. Not even an automated reply telling me that they have received my email and would be replying as soon as possible.

Maybe they just don’t know how to handle it? Maybe they’re just not telling. Before you run screaming to your nearest supermarket to stock up on every ounce of wheat and maize you can lay your hands on, let’s see what our country’s responsible leadership is doing to avert disaster. Best get an overall picture before we do anything rash.

Effect of Climate Change The adverse effects of climate change are well documented and that effect has been made evident through the reduction in agricultural production. Those changes are felt largely through differences in the timing, intensity and frequency of rainfall and its distribution within a growth season.

Eight of our nine provinces have received progressively less rain since 1970. As a whole, our rainfall has diminished by 6% throughout South Africa and in general is also less predictable. Scientist’s expect that if this trend continues these negative conditions are likely to deteriorate still more.

Most of us are aware of our country’s dire water situation so the implications are clear.

As agriculture’s demand for water continues there are going to be some very tough decisions to be made as to who will be getting what. Farmers are already implementing water saving techniques but this may impact on production costs. A decline in net income seems inevitable. Sub-continental warming is predicted to be greatest in the northern regions. Temperature increases are expected to be in the range of between 10°C and 30°C by the middle of the century 21st century, with the arid parts of the country suffering the most. The worst news though is the prediction of a reduction of rainfall in the range of 5% to 10% in the summer rainfall region. Accompanied by increased incidence of droughts and floods, prolonged dry spells followed by intense storms and it does not present a comforting picture.

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SA’s response to climate change In December 2010 Minister Edna Molewa released the National Climate Change Response Green Paper by Water and Environmental Affairs. It is still subject to public comment but the minister expects the final white paper by the middle of 2011. It’s expected to have regulatory, legislative and fiscal effect in dealing with climate change by 2012! The Legal Specialists Director of Imbewu Sustainability, Andrew Gilder, called the Green Paper “unsurprising”. He remarked that it remains a strong statement of intent rather than an articulation of specific obligations to be imposed. He adds, “The Green Paper will not provide much satisfaction for individuals seeking, at this stage, to determine their future legal obligations relating to climate change. It does not specify intended rules but rather defines an ultimate policy objective, and identifies certain principles and strategies to be used to achieve the objective.”

The Green Paper implies that South Africa’s greenhouse gas emissions will continue to rise until 2020 to 2025, stabilise, and then decline from about 2036!

The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) Third Assessment Report claims that climate change is already happening, and will continue even if global greenhouse gas emissions were substantially and immediately curtailed. That being true I think it’s fair to ask why we are only looking at the mid-twenties and thirties to ensure something significant is done. If, as the South African National Climate Change Response Strategy stated in 2004, “The current evidence suggests that most of the observed warming over the last 50 years is

likely to have been due to human activities”, why aren’t these humans taking immediate action to reverse, or better still stop what is happening rather than allow another 50 years to go by? All the green, white, purple and orange papers in the world are not going to resolve the situation or feed the country.

Positive action, starting NOW, will!

Why is a green/white paper only expected to have a regulatory, legislative and fiscal effect in dealing with climate change by 2012! How is this going to protect our agro industry which is already balanced on a knife’s edge country-wide? Space doesn’t permit us to review what is being done nationally and internationally but when you consider how much time, money and effort is being spent on conferences, reports, protocols and whatever, it simply isn’t enough because there are far too many words and certainly not enough action. Someone has to take decisive action now! Who has the intestinal fortitude to start taking tough decisions with immediate effect? It calls for cooperation from all spheres. International co-operation at government, agency, corporate and public level is required. Self-interest must be put aside and responsible action for global good brought to the fore. Is that likely? It will take a miracle! And I suspect it’s a miracle we are going to need if anything of consequence is going to be done in time.

OK you can make a dash to your nearest supermarket now.

ECO

Are you being Green Washed?

Writer Lee-Anne Richards Many companies are claiming that they are “going green” and are involved in sustainable development.

Some are really engaged in moving towards this reality and others are involved in green fronting. Beyond spoke to Andy Le May, Managing Director of icologie, a sustainability training and consultancy organisation about green washing and this is what he had to say.

You’ve probably heard of going green, to most people this means donning a pair of dungarees, hugging the nearest tree and eating nothing but rabbit food for eternity.

It doesn’t have to be like that!

Going green is part of living sustainably and that means understanding the impact of what you do and what you buy on the world around you. As a race, we’ve been very successful and have grown in numbers - there are now more than 7 billion of us on the planet. Therein lies the problem.

Because the way each of us lives, multiplied by 7 billion, is a problem for our continued survival. Our planet can’t take the strain; it takes the earth about 1.5 years to replenish what we use in a year. But we are resourceful and smart, aren’t we? We can adapt, after all that’s the reason we’ve been so successful. That is what sustainability is all about, adapting and changing so we can continue. At icologie that is what we are trying to promote and support. What a lot of folks don’t understand is if they go green they can save money. That’s right, and simply put if you use less resources it costs you less! Save the planet and save money.

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Sounds good, right? We are working with a whole range of organisations including local and provincial government, corporates and schools to help them understand the problem, show them what they can do about it and what they can save.

Many people realise that we have a problem and are asking the right questions, but there appear to be few answers for them. For example, what we choose to buy has an enormous impact, environmentally and socially. Can we tell the impact of the products we buy by looking at the labelling? Rarely! So we have to go onto the web and do research, and how many of us have the time, inclination or opportunity to do that? The other problem is even if we find the statistics about an organisation and a product, what does it mean to us? Are the statistics of tons of CO2 produced that they give good or bad? How should we compare one product against another?

Obviously, a major problem here is a lack of standards, another is that the manufacturers just don’t know, as they have not done the life cycle analysis or they may find it hard to get the statistics from their suppliers.

Here lies the root of the problem of “green washing”. Organisations are becoming sensitive to “Green” consumers and are aiming their marketing machines at them, but are their product and company claims significant or verified?

Until we have some form of standardised measurement on product labelling, e.g.

CO2, Fair-trade, green star rating etc. that gives us a comparable measurement, green washing is an obvious danger. Taking resources from nature and not replenishing them or employing sweat shop labour or using old dirty industrial processes lowers the cost of production but is not sustainable and changing means investment and higher costs initially. The people who are causing the most environmental impact are the ones buying and using lots of goods, the ones with money. At the very heart of the matter lies a moral question... If we knew the full environmental and social impact of a product, but it was considerably cheaper, what would we do?

The good news is that the power for change is in our hands. We choose the politicians who make the rules, we choose what products to buy, so the responsibility lies with us to choose the future.

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ECO

Recycling Have we lost the race?

Writer Rishqah Roberts

Recycling, although a responsibility that we are all aware of, is one we love to pass the buck on. And who can blame us? Without the kids having recycling competitions, which are prize driven… what drives us? Let’s face it, there are no household recycling competitions with great prizes run by council. There is no recognition, as is the case in schools.

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ouncil has failed to raise any excitement around or put together the infrastructure to accommodate domestic recycling. There are no recycling bins to separate our recyclable goods from our everyday waste. No collections for recycled materials. While intentions may be good, it’s a lack of knowledge on how to recycle that stops many from taking responsibility. We’re not at a complete loss!

Our “informal recyclers” recover quite a large percentage of recyclable goods from dustbins and landfill sites. And although this is not ideal it does help. Of course it would be better if each of us recycled immediately from our homes and regularly took our recyclables to the municipal drop-off or buy-back centres. It would be even better, if our recyclable items were collected.

As mentioned earlier, although South Africa is not at a complete loss where recycling is concerned, we are by no means in the league of countries like the United Kingdom or Germany, who are at the forefront of their recycling game. Local Authorities in the UK take on the recycling responsibilities themselves by picking up

recyclable goods at the kerbside.

Germany’s council also seem to take the responsibility of recycling by the horns, in that they have allocated special rubbish bins for the various types of garbage which can be recycled. The German government have also implemented a “Green Dot” system as a recycling initiative. How does it work? Manufacturers and retailers now have to pay for a green dot on products and the more packaging there is, the higher the fee. In this way the green dot system has quite literally put packaging on a diet. Less paper, plastic and metal and thinner glass is being used. But the proof is in the pudding!

There has been a major decline in garbage in Germany. How major? One million tons less than the usual annual total.

However, it’s the Netherlands who are leading the recycling game. They are amongst the front-runners on a global level with regard to recycled paper and cardboard collections. They also lead production with 77% of all paper and cardboard released in the Netherlands being produced from recycled materials.

While no proper plan exists for the separation of recyclable goods from

ordinary rubbish in South Africa as yet, members of the public known as “waste pickers” are making the most of the situation. They separate the rubbish either outside our homes in residential areas, or on landfill sites and earn no less than R3 000.00 a month for their dirty work. It’s been reported that roughly 12 000 people are employed across 71 landfill sites throughout the country. Thus, when addressing the recycling problem, government would have to take the livelihoods of these people into consideration as well.

So although we are by no means in the lead of the recycling race, we may take comfort in the fact that we are definitely not a lazy nation. Our waste pickers are proof thereof. In fact we all may be able to pick up a thing or two from our waste pickers and start recycling on a small scale in our own homes. Even if we do not know where any of the municipal drop-off or buy-back centres are, I’m sure the schools in our neighbourhood would be more than glad to collect our recycling for us.

ECO-CHIC

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Resurgence requires dedication and integrity

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he North West Development Corporation (NWDC) (Pty) Ltd has turned around into a stronger and wiser organisation, which is increasingly becoming a credit to the dedicated Management team and staff that has put it back on course. It achieved the turnaround after a series of crises that ranged from depreciating share value to negative cash flow and from judicial management to fraud in the past.

When Mike Mthimunye was appointed acting CEO in 2007, he was faced with a couple of challenges i.e. only a few vehicles in a state of disrepair and appallingly low occupation of premises. “Today, thanks to the dedication, integrity, transparency and professionalism of our management team and staff, we have overcome all these challenges and the NWDC is the pride of the Province and all who are associated with it”, says Mthimunye.

The NWDC currently rents out manufacturing, commercial, retail and residential space, with a special emphasis on SMME’s, and is managing numerous projects on behalf of the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation & Tourism.

“We are planning to expand our portfolio to other districts of the Province where, as yet, we have no footprint”, Mthimunye continues. “We are negotiating with the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation & Tourism and for financial assistance to the SMME’s.”

To improve conditions in rural areas, the

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NWDC has commenced with their plans to build light industrial parks in the Matlosana, Tlokwe, Taung,Naledi and Moses Kotane regions to provide reliable and viable infrastructure that will form the basis of future development and upliftment.

One of the biggest challenges faced by the Business Community is that SMME’s struggle with access to funding, which NWDC plans to assist with before the end of March 2011, by providing funding to SMME’s in the form of Business Loans and Bridging Finance ranging from R1.00 – R1 million.

“We have since aligned our business fully with the strategic objectives of the North West Provincial Government as outlined in the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy and informed by the terms of the shareholders’ compact and service level agreement,” explains Mthimunye. “One of our main drives is to give impetus to the development initiatives of the Department by providing project management services for key projects”.

“The NWDC also manages a social responsibility programme which disburses once-off grants to various communities, including the physically challenged, senior citizens’ homes, schools, educators, sportsand youth development and the like”.

Thanks to the harsh lessons learned about the importance of implementing business ethics and operating with integrity, the NWDC established a Fraud Risk Management Committee which introduced a Fraud Hotline. “The Hotline number is

displayed on posters in all NWDC offices and communication documents, including invoices and the website,” he points out.

“This helps us to ensure that all clients can raise any issues or concerns they might have.

This initiative was complemented by a road show to inform employees about fraud and its destructive repercussions.”

Employees also sign a performance contract which clearly stipulates deliverables and expectations, and their performance is evaluated on a quarterly basis. Employees have the opportunity to request the type of training programmes they require to fulfil their duties effectively.

As it builds new and solid relationships of trust with various clients and stakeholders, the NWDC focuses on transparency and reliability. “We pride ourselves on our service delivery and are continuously looking for new ways to stay abreast with technology and current business trends and developments to facilitate dealings with clients and to improve and build on what we have already achieved,” stresses Mthimunye.

“We are also constantly streamlining communication with our clients to reinforce relationships.”

“We have an important role to play in the Province and by partnering with the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation & Tourism and colleagues in other parastatals and entities; we will contribute significantly to economic growth and sustainable development that will result in job and wealth creation”.

Dr Ivor Blumenthal CEO, Services SETA

Andy Mathibe Chairperson, Services SETA

Continuing Professional Development in the Services Sector Skills development is about creating an environment within which individuals – in whichever industry – is able to gain national recognition for the knowledge and skills that is acquired through formal, nonformal and informal learning. Continuing Professional Development, or CPD, is one of the structures that the Services SETA has embraced since its inception, to ensure that the philosophy of lifelong learning is inculcated into every industry, sector and field within its scope of delivery.

In the past few years, emphasis has been placed on creating formal CPD programmes within the Services Sector for all its industries including marketing, public relations, real estate, project management, property management… the list of industries is endless. By formalising the CPD requirements within the Services Sector, practitioners are encouraged to embrace the principles underpinning CPD – that of currency, recognition and further development.

CPD is not new to any practitioner wanting to be seen as professional.

It is something we do to ensure that, in our day-to-day business, we are up-to-date with the context in which we operate and that we are compliant, for instance, with legislation that might govern what we do.

Formalising CPD requirements for specific industries We live in a world where compliance drives most of our business practice. Without needing to comply, we don’t always attach value to activities that might, to us, seem unimportant or unstructured. To this end, the Services SETA has facilitated the drive to formalise CPD in its 37 industries by putting in place criteria and guidelines linked to the subscription of a Code of Professional Conduct, as well as the achievement or maintenance of a professional designation within a specific industry. These activities are driven by the communities of expert practice and managed by Professional Bodies.

Labour Recruitment – Achieving Recognition through CPD Another industry that has established continuing professional development as a route to maintaining professionalism and achieving recognition is the Labour Recruitment industry. In this industry, professional designations have been established at entry level for practitioners and for established professionals. The CPD programme (also specifying 7 categories of CPD activities and the collation of 60 CPD points over a period of 3 years) can be used to either maintain status at a specific level or to gain credits towards the achievement of a qualification at a higher level.

Marketing – Establishing CPD for Chartered Marketers and Marketing Practitioners An example of one of the industries that has a well established CPD programme is the marketing industry. Chartered Marketers are required to gain 50 CPD points across 7 different categories over a period of 2 years. The categories include Articles/Papers, Lectures/ Speeches, Supervising/Mentoring/Coaching, Courses and Seminars, Professional Development, Community Work/Social Development and Personal Development. Reporting is done by using a CPD record card and, as the numbers grow, an electronic platform will be used to facilitate this.

Hiring – Setting an Industry Standard The formalisation of CPD for the Hiring industry is a new concept that is being introduced for practitioners in this diverse and extensive industry. The focus here is on the recognition of a core set of competencies within various contexts – for instance operating or owning a hiring business is a competence that is required by a practitioner at a specific level within this industry, whether it be appliance and equipment hire, car and truck hire, plant and crane hire (with operator), construction or demolition equipment hire (with and without operator), machinery and equipment hire (with and without operator), small tools and miscellaneous equipment hire, video hire, commodity hire (video, cell phone, etc), garment and clothing hire, event hire or technical hire.

In Summation In a sector whether service delivery is paramount, the formalisation of CPD becomes the tool for maintaining and monitoring professional practice. In some industries within this sector, CPD is well established, but in others it is slowly being introduced and is facilitating the paradigm shift towards realising the importance of currency underpinning business practice.

Prepared by Dr Michele Serfontein - CPD Consultant For more information, please contact (011) 276-9600 or customercare@serviceseta.org.za or visit the website at www.serviceseta.org.za J73564

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BEE

Accountability to the majority vs the shareholders Writer Dionne Kerr

T

he debate of whether BEE has met its mandate is seemingly endless.

However, the more relevant discussion in today’s market is whether businesses can realistically justify this seemingly altruistic policy. This important policy set out to dramatically increase the number of black South Africans who “manage, own and control” sustainable assets. The intention was to reduce income inequalities and increase broader participation in the economy.

Has this optimistic legislation achieved its intended goal?

The newspapers have highlighted the myriad of badly constructed deals and blamed BEE. South Africa was recently declared one of, if not the most unequal countries in the world in terms of pay parity. The unemployment rate remains alarmingly high and most South Africans are trapped in a never-ending cycle of personal debt.

On the other side of the coin, companies operating in this environment have a number of issues to contend with. Rising costs of doing business, an increasing regulatory environment and changing legislation that creates the necessity for changes to systems, operations and reporting standards.

The King III suggests that the responsibility of a Board is to be responsible corporate citizens in respect of three things, community, environment and people. ISO standard suggest that we need to have a world class HR environment and supplier management systems. The model for sustainability suggests that we report on all of those elements that are impacted by our operations.

However all of these components come at 68

the cost of doing business. Are we suggesting that companies who wish to be BEE compliant, DoL compliant, tax compliant, with strong corporate governance are unable to remain competitive in the market?

The reality is that whilst taking care of the impact our businesses have on the environment around us, we must ensure that we have a sustainable market to sell our goods and services to. The concept of shareholder value and stakeholder commitment is not mutually exclusive.

Let’s take Government’s new budget, its’ call for job creation and its’ investment in making funding available for SMME’s. This commitment by Government is echoed in the requirement for companies to invest 3% of their NPAT in Enterprise Development initiatives. ED was intended to grow the pool of small businesses that a company might procure from as a catalyst for job creation and in order to create a more equal representation within the supply chain.

Most companies initially scoffed at the idea of simply writing out a cheque for 3% of NPAT – however those that have understood how to achieve benefit for the majority to create profit and not at the expense of profit have come up with some unique models.

ED programmes have developed small, local black suppliers who now provide quality goods and services in parts of the country that previously needed strong logistics and storage to service. This in turn has brought down the cost of procuring in these regions, creating a return-on-investment that is directly measurable and does not detract from shareholder value. The concept of big businesses doing business with big businesses is slowly breaking down and with

it the exorbitant and non-competitive cost structures that came with extended contracts over long periods of time.

The BEE requirement to source 10 – 15% of the total procurement spend from the SMME market has created new opportunities for SMME’s to bid for work that they would never have had the opportunity to compete for previously. Consider this in monetary terms. A company that we work with has an R8billion per annum procurement expenditure. 10% of this is now awarded to the SMME market each year, creating direct benefit for these SMME’s to the tune of R800million per annum.

Furthermore, each of these SMME’s must now employ and procure in turn developing the next tier down. Furthermore, in order to maintain this target the company needs to constantly introduce new SMME’s into the supply chain as the contract sizes mean that they are no longer SMME’s after 2 – 3 years.

The shareholder value:- the more structured procurement process has meant that they have needed to re-evaluate most business needs to support a more accurate tender process which in turn has identified operating inefficiencies which have been corrected.

Furthermore, the average SMME provides a more focused service which is delivered as a priority which has reduced their lead times and had direct financial benefit for them.

Long story - good business sense dictates that you take care of how you do business, who you do business with and who benefits from the business you do. A sustainable business that is compliant, world-class in its approach and manages external and internal risk, whilst deriving the greatest value from its operations - that’s just common sense.



 International Computer Driving License (ICDL) Training Programme Modules

Train Days

Weeks

Cost

Welding Skills Programmes

Module 1 - Basic Concepts of Information Technology

Modules

Module 2 - Using the Computer and Managing Files Module 3 - Word Processing MS Word Module 4 - Spreadsheets MS Excel Module 5 - Database MS Access Module 6 - Presentation MS Power Point 30

Module 7 - Information Communication World Wide Web and E Mail

6

R4,500

Note: that classes are 2 days a week

West Coast College computer programmes Modules - Skills Courses (Non Credit Bearing)

Train Days

Weeks

Cost

Module 1 - Basic Concepts of Information Technology

5

1

R1,750.00

Module 2 - Using the Computer and Managing Files

5

1

R1,750.00

Module 3 - Word Processing MS Word

5

1

R1,750.00

Module 4 - Spreadsheets MS Excel

5

1

R1,750.00

Module 5 - Database MS Access

5

1

R1,750.00

Module 6 - Presentation MS Power Point

5

1

R1,750.00

Module 7 - Information Communication, World Wide Web and E Mail

5

1

R1,750.00

Classes are part-time 3pm - 5pm and Saturdays 9am - 12noon

Electrical courses Skills Course Introductory Electrical Modules for General Assistants

Train Days

Cost

Oxy Fuel Gas Welding

10

R3,500

Oxy Fuel Gas Welding

10

R3,500

Operate Metal Arc Welding Business

35

R12,250

Cutting & Welding Process

60

R21,000

Shielded Metal Arc Welding Process

22

R7,700

Gas Welding & Cutting Skills

22

R7,700

Operate An Advanced Carbon & Steel Pipe Welding Business

35

R12,250

Pipe Welding

58

R20,300

Oxy Fuel Gas Welding

10

R3,500

Safety

5

R1,750 R1,750

Hand & Workshop Tools

5

Welding Process in Fabrication

10

R3,500

Gas Cutting & Welding

10

R3,500

Oxy Fuel gas Welding and Brazing

15

R5,250

Basic Lifting Techniques

5

R1,750

Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Manual Metal Arc Welding)

15

R5,250

Gas Metal Arc Welding

15

R5,250

Gas Tungsten Arc Welding

15

R5,250

Drawings & Sketches

5

R1,750

Other short skills courses Train Days

Weeks

Cost

Module 0 - Induction

5

1

R1,750.00

Module 1 - Wireways

10

2

R3,500.00

Module 2- Cables

10

2

R3,500.00

Module 3 - Wiring

10

2

R3,500.00

Module 4 - Transformers

5

1

R1,750.00

All programs have limited resources and can accommodate a maximum of 15 learners per module. Modules can run concurrently or separately depending on clients needs. Learners applying for the M5 and M6 must have wiring experience or have completed M0 to M3.

Courses

Train Days

Cost

Principles & Techniques of Marketing

5

R1,750

Understand & deal with HIV/AIDS

3

R1,000

Note that the technical programs have limited resources and can accommodate a maximum of 15 learners per module. Modules can run concurrently or separately depending on clients’ needs. Learners applying for the M5 and M6 must have wiring experience or have completed M0 to M3. 

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To restore the dignity and hope of families in South Africa go to www.habitat.org.za

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FINANCE

Responsible borrowing, accountable lending Writer Zak King With the advent of the National Credit Act of 2005 (NCA) a new concept was introduced into South African Law. It is called “reckless lending”. Before the NCA, credit providers could run around offering consumers as much credit as they felt they were prepared to risk. People who were earning minimum wage were being offered several times their monthly income in credit.

With the introduction of “Reckless Lending” into the law, all that changed. Suddenly it became illegal to offer consumers more credit than they could afford to repay. Now when consumers head down to their local bank or retail outlet and apply for credit they have to answer extensive questionnaires to determine how much “disposable” income they have available. The NCA seeks to promote responsible lending by creditors.

If credit providers extend credit to those who cannot afford it they can and will be held accountable by the National Credit Regulator (NCR). Reckless lending is however still happening in the market place.

Some consumers even have up to eight loans with the same bank (each loan larger than the previous and each at a higher interest rate). Eventually such consumers have to loan money simply to pay off the loans they already have. This is obviously a ridiculous 70

situation! Several reckless lending cases have been brought before the courts. In one such instance a major bank lost the case and was penalised as per the NCA. In that case the consumer was extended a bond that they could not afford to service and a debt counsellor along with the NCR applied for the debt to be set aside. The court ruled in favour of the consumer and the bank had to forgo collecting the bond. The consumer essentially got his house for free.

Will there be a sudden run on all the banks as consumers try to get their debt set aside as reckless lending? No. All banks and most credit providers have some sort of system in place to evaluate how much credit they should extend to consumers. It is here that they rely on consumers to provide them with reliable budgeting information. Unfortunately some irresponsible consumers tend to “bend” the truth. Filling in a form to say you only spend R300 a month on groceries and R10 on airtime, when in fact the figures are much higher, is not tricking the credit provider into loaning you money recklessly. It can, in fact, be viewed as fraud and will definitely provide a valid defence for the credit provider in any reckless lending hearing.

Consumers who apply for credit by bending the truth or omitting regular expenses in these

evaluations are hardly being responsible. All they are doing is fooling themselves. Why borrow money that you cannot afford and will default on repaying? It ends up in nasty letters and calls from collection agents. It leads to summonses and judgments. Which in turn, lead to attachment of assets by the sheriff or garnishing orders against salaries.

Consumers need to be responsible when applying for credit. If you do not qualify for credit then... save. You remember saving don’t you? It was what we did before every shop in the whole of South Africa decided to offer credit.

Remember that mad rush just before the NCA came into effect in 2007? Every creditor you had ever heard of wanted to offer you a card or loan. The cards you already had, had their credit limits extended. This created a glut of consumers who could not afford the credit they had access to. Exactly what the NCA was put in place to prevent. Truly it was an exercise in recklessness on the credit providers’ side. Now, years on, we sit with over 8 million consumers who are experiencing credit problems and are months behind in payments. The credit industry is still reaping the harvest of that crazy and reckless pre-NCA time.

KINGSWOOD COLLEGE ...where a world of opportunity awaits your child!

Kingswood College is a world-class, co-educational, independent boarding and day school in Grahamstown, South Africa.

Founded in 1894, Kingswood caters for girls and boys from pre-school to Bridging Year (Post Matric).

Grahamstown is a highly-regarded education centre.

With Rhodes University, the annual National Arts Festival and SciFest, and the surrounding Eastern Cape, Grahamstown provides a small-town setting where Kingswood pupils are able to walk to town in safety, as well as enjoy the benefits of nearby mountains, rivers, a beautiful coastline and game farms.

Our curriculum is geared towards maximizing the academic potential of every pupil. Sportsmanship, camaraderie and courage are hallmarks of Kingswood sport. Our impressive facilities form a compact sports centre with the Wyvern Club at the hub of the action, providing the venue for much social interaction for the Kingswood family. The Kingswood Music School is renowned for its Concert Band and the high standard of music tuition.

Kingswood is very much a family school, and we invite you to join our family. Children are welcome to spend a night in our boarding houses to experience the boarding lifestyle.

For more information about our school, or to arrange a visit to our campus with your family, contact us on +27 46 603 6627 or email kingswood@kingswoodcollege.com

Kingswood College is a member of the Independent Schools Association of South Africa (ISASA) and our matrics write the IEB National Senior Certificate.

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Kingswood College, P O Grahamstown, 6140 71

Visit our website: www.kingswoodcollege.com

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ADVERTORIAL

The Open Trade Training Centre opens doors When art goes technical The first time I walked through the Open Trade Training Centre (OTTC) gate was in 2007, when I delivered the first wooden rhino I had made for them.

I was selling art by the roadside when I first meet Isolde. She was impressed by the work that I was doing and because of a shared love for art, we got to know one another better. After the rhino, it was an elephant; and one elephant led to another.

Anyone who has ever been to OTTC knows of the herd of elephants that stands everywhere at the school.

It looks like she made a zoo out of wooden animals. Isolde has a stunning collection.

Events led to others and I frequently visited OTTC to do some polishing on the elephants and doors. In fact, I started doing maintenance to everything that was wooden and, as I frequently visited OTTC, I came to know who they were.

One day, as I sat at the reception, something caught my eye. I went through pictures that were displayed in the hallway, and the photos of young people with diplomas in their hands inspired me. I asked for a leaflet and a copy of the RACA (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Africa) journal to browse through it. I was moved as I went through the two.

I spoke to the receptionist, who gave me a quotation of the cost of the courses.

I was shocked by the figures and told myself to forget about refrigeration.

In 2009, I made one of the biggest elephants I had ever done. It stood by the roadside for months before it sold

later in the year. In February 2010, I went to OTTC again to do maintenance on the elephants. Isolde asked if I still had the big elephant and I told her it was sold, but she could still order one.

She said she would love to order one, but by then times were bad and we had to wait.

I thought it was an opportunity and I hesitantly asked if I could do two big elephants for the school and in return she could give me training.

I could not believe my ears when she said “Deal.” I could not wait to start! That very week, students doing Ammonia were getting their diplomas and I was so excited that I was finally going to start my training.

On 25 February, Isolde told me to prepare myself to start on 8 March.

That was great news. I started on that day and would work on the elephants weekends. That was truly the best of all the moments in my life. It was a bit tough at the beginning, but with the help of the late “The Great” Mr Hahn, everything worked out. He inspired, motivated and made me believe in myself. After six months of full-time training, I got my OTTC practical diploma. I am so thankful and grateful that Isolde gave me a lifetime opportunity. She believed in me and encouraged me every day that I was at school.

For the OTTC practical diploma project, we had to rebuild a refrigeration heat pump plant, using the recovered heat from the cold room and producing hot water for the geyser.

It is funny how people change and

discover their capability when a chance is given to them. Artists can become mechanics and technicians, and mechanics and technicians can think of themselves as artists! Isolde had given me another project. She said I am the artist and she needs a project for the Frigair exhibition and I should come up with an idea. I promised to do this over the weekend.

On the Monday, I presented my project to Isolde. She was impressed because it was something technical and not an elephant as everyone had been expecting from me. I got all the material I needed and started immediately.

The technique to freeze it was more than I had expected. Luckily, everyone training at OTTC helped with what began as my project and became a full OTTC student and teacher project in the end. Everyone had a suggestion or tip to improve the freezing aspect of the project, which was the biggest challenge for me. The end result was worth the time and effort.

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EDUCATION

74

What are we teaching our children?

Writer Barkie Mckrea

S

outh Africa, with its diverse cultures, poses a problem for the conventional educational system as practiced for decades to create well trained and skilled youth participating in a growing global society. With South Africa’s unemployment at 40% it raises questions whether our education system is effective and working across society from all spheres of life.

Having interviewed quite a few Principles in Cape Town, ranging from the poorer Cape Flats to the middle class and more affluent schools, it is evident that different approaches are practiced in relation to a so called “common” curriculum. The Cape Flats schools seem to adopt a “survival” strategy plagued by massive poverty and sociological problems. Your middle class schools apply more structure and direction towards results and success and your affluent private schools have the luxury of experimenting and adopting international and professional techniques to ensure their learners are equipped for the future. Parents judge schools on results and not by values of humanity. Poor schools are criticized for not getting very good results even though there is no equality in resources. On a positive note, there are still a lot of children doing well in the poorer communities, getting brilliant results and acceptance at Tertiary institutions. The current system is result driven and outcome based.

Our school systems focus almost exclusively on what should be taught and measuring whether the students have accomplished it. As George Bernard Shaw says “What we want is to see the child in pursuit of knowledge, and not knowledge in pursuit of the child”. So are we helping children to develop based on their aptitudes, main interests and what motivates them? If Albert Einstein says “Information is not

75

knowledge”, then why are we pumping our kids with so much information that will not be relative to their adult life? The Eastern world focuses on memory and have a saying “memory is the weapon”, whereas the West focus more on technology such as computers and less on memory. Developing a child’s creative skills, equipping them to deal with conflict and basic sociological issues are no longer focused on by many schools.

Children are not encouraged to be critical thinkers. The idea of questioning things has become forbidden and most teachers do not like it. I interviewed a grade 5 student who said his teacher became annoyed with him when he questioned Darwin’s theory of evolution. He asked the teacher “now if we evolved from apes, then why are the apes not evolving anymore and why are we not evolving into better people?” As parents we are a product of that same system, convincing our children that it is the best way to be “accepted” and get somewhere in life. We don’t think for ourselves, we stick to what we know and we teach our youth not to think either. The current system does not tap into and release the inner potential of every child. If children love the arts or sports, they should be encouraged to pursue that field and be provided with the necessary support and resources. Kids are being forced and cultured to excel only in prescribed fields of interests and it leaves a vacuum of lost potential. Most schools I have approached put total focus on academic achievements even though they have made provision for the child to experience other activities or interests. Albert Einstein said “Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world”, and George Bernard Shaw added “Beware of false knowledge, it is more dangerous than ignorance”. Critical thinking in children is uncommon. Most students do not score well on tests which measure ability to recognize

assumptions, evaluate arguments, and estimate the value or quality of inferences.

Some even suggest that school has not equipped children for abstract and logical reasoning. Sadly, television, books and even some teachers discourage critical thinking.

Then let’s not forget that magical “matric certificate” that critical piece of paper that declares that a kid is worth something. So many successful people in life had no formal training in their field of choice, sometimes in any field, but had a huge thirst for knowledge. This thirst drove them to become the very best. Interviewing teens at schools I asked them to give me a few reasons why they think students do badly or why students give up and drop out? Here are some general replies: • Many teachers do not support their students to study further. • School is boring.

• Bad teachers. • Classes are too long. • Lack of variety in school programs. • Students would be more likely to get involved in school if they enjoy it. • Teachers don’t care about and listen to the students. • Teachers do not attempt to find out more about the students and their interests.

It is quite obvious that the current curriculum and school system needs to be reviewed as it is not creating critical minds and allowing young people to think for themselves, be creative and resourceful. Modern day methods have included parents reverting to home schooling as an alternative to regular school. Unfortunately the concern is that it uses the same system created by our predecessors, unrevised and unimproved.

Educators could be missing the point, updating the content of the textbooks and replacing notebooks with laptops means nothing if the system remains the same, where teachers insist on getting kids to memorize information without any useful context. If we cannot change the system outside our environment, let us educate our youth to be critical thinkers at home.

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EDUCATION

KHANYA a shining example of responsible management Writer Libby Norton

W

ith cries of poor service delivery ringing throughout the country, it‘s refreshing to see the progress of the Khanya project in the Western Cape which promotes widespread learning through computer technology. This initiative has received awards, both nationally and internationally, for innovation, leadership and social responsibility, but mostly for service excellence.

Khanya, which means ‘enlightenment’ in Xhosa, is an initiative established by the Western Cape Education Department in 2001 to address the increasing shortage of school teachers and to make education more effective. The project also aims to reverse the computer savvy gap between the children of wealthier city schools with poorer, often rural ones and to enhance coordination of investment to provide people with appropriate skills and education for employment. It has the ambitious goal that by the start of 2012 every educator in every school of the province will be able to use technology to effectively teach the curriculum to every learner. It aims to upgrade learning standards across the board and particularly in science and maths, to prepare students for the computerised world.

About 27 000 educators and 870 000 learners are already reaping the benefits in the province and the directors believe they are on track to achieve their goal in a year’s time. Adults also use the facilities after hours for learning, communicating, job seeking and general knowledge. Thus, in one project Khanya empowers whole communities.

The finals of a recent maths competition in 76

George revealed that thousands of learners are starting to believe that maths is fun, a vital mind change no doubt fostered by their access to exciting software and learning programs.

Khanya and its leaders were honoured by the US Congress for their pioneering efforts to champion STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education through a sister-school partnership between Oude Molen Academy of Science and Technology in Pinelands in the Western Cape and Foshay Learning Centre in California Los Angeles. This project enables learners from Oude Molen to engage in virtual exchanges with National Aeronautics and Space Agency astronauts on the International Space Station. The success of this project spawned a demonstration project that links schools from Uganda, Zambia and South Africa with schools across the USA. The US State Department project entitled “Cultivating Net Generation of Youth as Global Citizens and Media Literate Leaders in a Digital Age”, will see real world exchanges between sisterschool sites later in 2011.

What makes Khanya so successful? The Khanya Project ethos is unusual. Not only is their mindset one of sharing and recognition of individuality, but it’s undergirded by disciplines fostering stewardship, maintenance and a desire for accountability.

Each of the 1,291 schools presently involved have been individually assessed. Inclusivity is evidenced throughout their operation.

They draw in the wider social community to encourage them to take ownership of the project ensuring sustainability. Further, they encourage industry and private business involvement.

The key differences between Khanya and projects that have failed appear to be persistence and overseeing. Integral to the project are ongoing, weekly visits by teams of facilitators who explain and encourage educators until they’re confident in using the technology optimally.

To ensure that international best practice is followed and that the project has credibility, regular evaluation and quality assurance of project deliverables takes place throughout its lifespan.

But there are problems to be overcome; “Sustained funding of IT is the challenge,” said Bronagh Casey, spokeswoman for Education MEC Donald Grant, “The cost of connectivity is still high, (so) wealthier schools are more able to sustain these costs.” To address this challenge Khanya has worked closely with service providers such as the Telkom Foundation who has sponsored technologies and bandwidth worth R35million in 150 under-resourced schools in the Western Cape Province. “It is through partnerships of this nature that Khanya has been able to address sustainability issues” says Ingrid Graham, Coordinator of Public Private Partnerships for the project. Network coverage in rural areas needs addressing and communities must take ‘ownership’ of security at schools to prevent theft.

In Africa and internationally, Khanya is widely recognized as a project with enormous impact. This is boosted by the willingness of the project team to consult, share and adapt methodology with whoever may find it useful. And judging by its effectiveness, one can only hope the system is soon rolled out throughout the country.

Programmes offered on a full/part time basis National Certificate (Vocational) level 2, 3 & 4 ➣ Office Administration ➣ IT & Computer Science ➣ Finance, Economics & Accounting ➣ Hospitality ➣ Electrical Infrastructure ➣ Engineering & Related Design • Automotive • Fitting & Turning • Fabrication • Welding ➣ Civil Engineering & Building Construction • Mansonry • Plumbing • Carpentry Skill Courses ➣ Horticulture ➣ Haircare ➣ Diploma in Hair-dressing & Advanced ➣ Diploma in Hairdressing ➣ Dressmaking ➣ Certificate in Dress-making & Designing ➣ IDCL ➣ Panel-beating Business Studies N4 – N6 Courses ➣ Business Management ➣ Human Resource Management ➣ Financial Management Engineering Studies N1 – N6 ➣ Mechanical Engineering

Nkangala FET College offers world quality standard programmes 77

➣ Electrical Engineering ➣ Civil Engineering Admission Criteria A grade-09 certificate or, an NQF Level-01 qualification, or an approved bridging course designed for a specific purpose to access NQF Level-02, or a recognition of a Prior Learning Assessment (RPL) to meet the basic requirements for access to NQF Level-02 Contact Details Witbank Campus Tel: 013 656 2597 Fax: 013 690 1845 Middleburg Campus Tel: 013 243 2148 Fax: 013 282 7441 CN Mahlangu Campus Tel: 013 973 9113 Fax: 013 973 9112 Mpondozankomo Campus Tel: 013 699 0302 Fax: 013 699 9278 Central Office Tel: 013 690 1430 Fax: 013 690 1450 info@nkangalafet.edu.za www.nkangalafet.edu.za

KHANYA SUCCESS Success: the accomplishment of an aim or goal; a favourable outcome; a thing that turns out well; good or happy result; achievement; victory; winner; attainment; celebrity; worthy of imitation. These are just some of the definitions for the word success. Ingrid Graham examines whether the Western Cape Education Department’s (WCED) Khanya Project launched in April 2001 has been successful in terms of the above definition?

The Goal By 2012 every educator in every school of the Western Cape will be empowered to use appropriate and available technology to deliver curriculum to each and every learner in the Western Cape.

The Objectives were • Increase educator capacity and effectiveness by means of technology, • Harness the power of technology to deliver curriculum, • Enhance the quality of the learning experience in the classroom, providing an opportunity for learners to benefit from a variety of learning styles, • Use technology to assist differently abled learners to maximise learning, • Improve numeracy and literacy in lower grades in order to build a stronger foundation for future matriculants, • Prepare all learners for the Information Age, • Narrow the digital divide, • Create a technology rich province.

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Writer Ingrid Graham

How has Khanya fared in reaching this goal?

By January 2011, 26753 Educators are empowered to use technology optimally for curriculum delivery, while some 869 830 learners have the opportunity to access technology at their schools. Khanya is on track to fulfil the mandate by 2012.

What educators are saying “The educators love teaching with the aid of an interactive whiteboard. The interactivity allows pupils to manipulate objects on the board. Our educators are able to expose them to places and ideas which are brought to life just touching icons. The visual experience motivates pupils to think creatively and to inspire them to do things which they have never thought of before. By linking sound and colourful activities pupils retain more information than before. They are mesmerised by all the possibilities and are very well behaved when using the technology in class”. Felicity Sasman Principal Montagu Drive Primary School Mitchell’s Plain.

Henry Alexander, Principal Bernadino Heights Secondary School, Scottsdene, has this to say, “Technology is an effective medium which educators are using to reach educational objectives. The learners embrace technology in the class as they are exposed to it on a daily basis through cell phones, computers, x-box, mp3, internet etc. Using technology in the classroom

ensures the learners respond positively to an environment which they are comfortable with. Furthermore there is a synergy between the technology used in the school/learning environment and that which is happening in the public and private sector.”

Winner Khanya has been recognized for its innovative approach and superb service delivery by receiving the following awards • May 2004: Finalist in the prestigious Stockholm Challenge Award programme in the Education Sector (the only finalist from Africa in this sector) • August 2004: Winner of the Standard Bank CPSI Public Sector Innovation Awards, for innovation, in the Innovative Service Delivery Institutions category • February 2005: Second runner-up, Project Master 2004, Electronic Government, Public Sector • July 2005: Programme Manager of Khanya, Kobus van Wyk, recognized as ICT Personality of the Year (Western Cape) • October 2005: Programme Manager of Khanya, Kobus van Wyk, honoured by receiving the national ICT Social Responsibility Award from the Computer Society of South Africa, Gartner Group, ITWeb and Gordon Institute • October 2005: The Premier of the Western Cape gives a Silver Award to the Khanya

Project in recognition of service excellence • November 2005: Recognised by TT100 and the National Department of Science and Technology as one of the top 100 IT related organizations in the country and Finalist in the category Leader in Social Innovation • October 2006: Finalist in two categories of Africa Achievers Awards • November 2006: Winner of TT100 award in category “Leader in Empowerment” • November 2006: The Premier of the Western Cape gives a Silver Award to the Khanya Project in recognition of service excellence (for the second year in a row) • February 2007: Impumelelo Gold Award winner • September 2007: Ingrid Graham, Public/Private Partnerships Coordinator is nominated: IT Personality of the year Computer Society of SA, Western Cape Chapter • November 2007: Finalist of Africa Achievers Awards • November 2007: Winner of the CPSI Public Sector Innovation Awards, for Innovative Use of ICT in Effective Service Delivery • March 2008: The Premier of the Western Cape gives a Bronze Award to the Khanya Project in recognition of service excellence • October 2009: For the fifth year in a row, Khanya managed to retain its prestigious status as a TT100 company – this means that Khanya is viewed as one of the top 100 IT 79

providers in South Africa • December 2010: Finalist in the Education Category of the Stockholm Challenge • February 2011: The Khanya Project and its leaders received the STEM Champion Award for Pioneering Education Innovation from the United States Congress Good results • By 2012 all schools that fall under the Western Cape Education Department will have at least one technology facility, allowing every educator and learner in the province the opportunity to access technology.

• Thousands of teachers are already using technology directly in their classrooms every day with the use of interactive whiteboards and other devices.

• Nearly 27000 educators have received computer literacy training and are at various stages of integrating technology into the teaching and learning process.

• Some 2000 educators have been empowered as School Network Administrators, providing a valuable support role.

• Khanya facilitators have developed educational software programs in the three official languages of the Western Cape to support primary school educators. This is a considerable cost saving to expensive proprietary software.

• Khanya has built strong relationships with local and global partners, coordinating more

than R100, 000, 000 worth of investments in education.

WORTHY OF IMITATION A constant flow of visitors from across the country and the world visit the project every year to find out how they can implement similar projects in their locations. The funds received from the Impumelelo Award for example stipulated that Khanya had to hold a conference for the other eight provinces in South Africa, to share the knowledge and know-how so that they would know how to implement similar projects in future.

The numerous accolades and awards bestowed on the Khanya Project demonstrate that it is worthy of imitation. Khanya professionals, all experts in their fields, are in demand to address audiences on the subject of implementing ICT projects in schools.

For ten years Khanya has kept true to its name: ukukhanya (to bring light) Will the light continue to shine? Who will carry the flame? As 2012 fast approaches we use the words of Eva in Evita: Where do we go from here? How do we keep all our passions alive?

Ingrid Graham is the Public/Private Partnerships Coordinator of the WCED Khanya Project. www.khanya.co.za

EDUCATION

SKILLS & TRAINING Can responsibility be taught Writer Lee Anne-Richards

It is said that “profit is an outcome of managing and developing people well. People and their development enable profit.

Enable people and you enable profit.” www.businessballs.com

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any of us use the word training, but learning is in many ways a better way to think of the subject, because learning ‘belongs’ to the learner, whereas training traditionally ‘belongs’ to the trainer or the organisation. Training should be about whole person development - not just transferring skills, the traditional interpretation of training at work. Many new employees that start work at companies are inducted into the organisation by means of some training methodology to understand the policies, procedures and structure of the company. It is expected of these employees

to remember all that was said in the first few days of their new journey. Companies “invest” in the training of their employees for several reasons: • When a performance appraisal indicates performance improvement is needed • To “benchmark” the status of improvement in a performance improvement effort • As part of an overall professional development programme • As part of succession planning to help an employee become eligible for a planned change in role within the organisation • To “pilot”, or test, the operation of a new performance management system • To train or up-skill in a specific field

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PROGRAMMES OFFERED IN: MIDRAND, CAPE TOWN, DURBAN, EAST LONDON, PORT ELIZABETH AND BOTSWANA

Consult our website for details or contact:

+27 (0) 12 807 3990 +27 (0) 12 807 5559 +27 (0) 82 373 4480 www.cranefield.ac.za • admin@cranefield.ac.za Main Campus: 234 Alexandra Ave, Midrand, Gauteng, South Africa Short Courses: • Project Management for Professionals (3 CPD points) • Project Management: Perspective, Planning and Implementation (web-based) • Transformational Leadership and Balanced Scorecard • Programme Managing Transformation and Change Continuing Professional Development (3 CPD points) Cranefield offers a validated 3 day CPD Project Management short course for professionals in the engineering and built environment.

Break away to the charming surroundings of the 4-star De Doornkraal Historic Country House boutique hotel in Riversdale, Western Cape where the course is presented, or join a campus course.

Cranefield’s Project Management web-based short course is available internationally through multimedia distance learning.

Programme Leader: Prof. Pieter Steyn PrEng, BSc(Eng), MBA, DCom

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Who is responsible for training and or learning in the workplace? Who should be held accountable if the employee has not progressed or implemented what was taught in the training session?

Answers to these questions might appear easy to the onlooker but the opposite is true for the employee and the company that is struggling with this dilemma. Training and development of employees serves both the interest of the staff member and the company. The company endeavours to up skill its employees in order for them to become product experts and deliver the best possible client service. If employees are well versed with the company’s offering and champion the company’s culture and values to its clients, the company benefits on all fronts. It is therefore imperative that their new employee induction and orientation is well structured to assist and ease the new employee into the job. Refresher and onthe-job training can then be conducted as the employee grows in the company. From this point of view, one can see that the company is taking responsibility to protect their investment and ensure expert employees.

Employee performance is linked to training activities that will improve their knowledge and affect their remuneration package.

There is a saying, “employees are responsible for their own development”. If employees are interested in understanding their work environment or are mindful of their performance, they will engage and be involved in taking training seriously, that’s what any company representative worth his salt would say. Development of a person goes further than knowing the products and services that a company offers, it is about being part of a movement that is knowledge hungry and believes in the concept of lifelong learning.

It is in everybody’s self-interest to take responsibility for their own development.

This places you on another level in terms of understanding and moving within ever changing environments. One should create excitement and explain to employees what training could mean to them and not only dangle the carrot – bonuses and salary increases – as a means of getting them to commit and implement what was learnt. Self “enrichment”, gaining of knowledge and improving your life should be the answer!

Responsibility is something that all of us are taught in one or other way. Life lessons are sometimes hard and when it touches our pockets and progress, maybe then, we will understand!

“Registered with the Department of Education as a private higher education institution under the Higher Education Act, 1997, Registration Certificate No. 2000/HE 07/010.”

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TECHNOLOGY

Technology, trends and opportunities Writer Marc Ruwiel

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then invent, design and manufacture products that align or answer to these trends. Their “things to look out for in 2011” include some very interesting technologies.

Some of these are 3D Printing, electronic profiling and self powered devices. 3D printing, originally developed to assist designers with prototyping is predicted to go mainstream – allowing you to grow your own products soon. Electronic profiling will provide vending machines that attempt to read your mind and predict what you may want to buy. Hello Big Brother! Self powered devices are also expected to gain momentum. A self powered Their “things to look out for in device typically includes 2011” include some very interesting anything that normally technologies. Some of these are 3D requires batteries or Printing, electronic profiling and self relatively low power to operate. These devices powered devices. will require some type of physical input or energy from the user which is then converted the same time, Apple announced that into electrical energy to make them their phone would support third party function. What makes this interesting applications, now commonly known is that one can theorise that we have as “apps”, using the Safari engine come full circle. Before the age of on their device. This kick started mechanisation, essentially all devices a completely new industry which were self powered. Technology provided opportunities to thousands of then allowed us to do less and less entrepreneurs. The key is that one has while the device did all the work, to be aware of technology trends and but unfortunately, this is no longer act on them. sustainable. Now technology will allow VTM, the world’s largest advertising us to perform the same function, but in a company, compiles an annual list of more environmentally friendly manner. global trends. One could do worse These are just 3 out of multiple current than examining these trends and echnology is a constantly changing phenomenon that continues to influence the way we live. Mobile phones, for example, were introduced into South Africa in 1993 – 18 years ago. Can you imagine life without your mobile phone today?

By utilising and developing the latest technology, entrepreneurs can open up new opportunities for new products that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. Think of the iPhone “app”.

Approximately 90 million iPhones have been sold since their launch in 1997. At

tech trends. Many factors need to conspire to create a product that will be successful internationally. At the core, the product needs to have a clear and focussed offering to the consumer.

Industrial design holds the key to creating products that are desirable.

The industrial designer should address aspects like aesthetics, ergonomics, manufacturing processes and material and seek to harness and develop new and appropriate technologies. More than a half a century ago, the father of industrial design, Raymond Loewy opinioned that: “It must all start with an inspired, spontaneous idea.” This simple statement remains equally valid today.

It is clear that the opportunities for design, manufacture and job creation in products that answer to these trends are incredible. Pick one and let’s design and manufacture the next “must have” product right here in South Africa!

About the author: Marc Ruwiel is the head of design and owner of Ideso, one of South Africa’s leading Industrial Design Companies. He qualified with a B.Eng in industrial engineering at the University of Stellenbosch in 1988 and received an NHD in industrial design (cum laude) from the Cape Technikon in 1996. Since founding Ideso in 1998, the company has designed over 400 products for clients ranging from entrepreneurs to global corporations.

For more info, visit www.ideso.co.za

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TECHNOLOGY

Getting connected Writer Louis van Zyl

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e have become overdependant on modern technology, like the Internet.

We depend on it for communicating, education, business processing, getting information and help and much more. Yet the major usage of Internet measured worldwide is for the purpose of recreation. Keep in mind we live in times of having to “count the pennies”. It is therefore imperative to choose the right internet connection to suit our needs and pockets.

The most popular solutions are ADSL, Wireless and 3G. What are ADSL, Wireless and 3G? ADSL, Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line is data being transmitted over standard copper telephone lines where the data communication is being separated from voice calls allowing both services to take place at the same time. Wireless is data being transmitted via radio and/or microwaves utilizing no hardwired cabling. 3G is the third generation of wireless network that allows any 3G capable device (like your cell phone or iPad) to connect to the Internet.

What are the benefits of ADSL, Wireless and 3G ADSL high speed Internet access as well as increased bandwidth. This allows for connecting to your corporate VPN (Virtual Private Network) for convenient transfer of big files, video and audio viewing as well as e-mail services. ADSL offers a lower fixed cost with pre-agreed limits. ADSL is more convenient since it “always stays on”, does not interfere with regular voice calls and allows for cheap international calls via VOIP solutions like Skype or Dualphone. Wireless is a handy portable environment that excludes the inconvenience of connecting wires and carting along all kinds of irritating 87

gadgets. It includes all performance advantages of ADSL but can attract a higher cost. 3G (Third Generation) the latest wireless technology, a vast improvement on the previous 2.5G technology, incorporated into mobile devices, operating at high speeds with much improved quality. This exciting era technology includes functions like video call facility, downloading music or video material, mail facilities and more.

If you need a solution you can carry in your pocket then 3G will be the better option.

Unfortunately 3G still attracts high data charges.

What do I do to get connected? Life is such a rush. I have a million things to do in my schedule. The family and business needs to get connected. What do I know about these things? Actually it’s as simple as buying a new car. Many people know nothing about cars but in the end they often make a wise choice. Answering a set of basic questions can make choosing a solution easier. What do I need to use it for and where? What must it do for me? What are the circumstances? What can I afford? Who can I ask for advice?

How do I choose?

Area compatibility. Some areas of residence are not yet compatible for trouble-free

wireless and 3G technology, therefore ADSL will be the only viable option. Imagine being in the middle of downloading a huge video file and losing the connection. Contact your preferable service provider for coverage and service availability.

Speed and reliability vs Costs. When considering what to apply for one should measure costs against requirements. First consider what your exact needs will be for the Internet use. What am I going to use the Internet for? Audio and video downloads, online chats, listening to music, playing games and watching video. These activities, if needed, require higher speed and reliability compared to just surfing for information or recreational purposes.

Service Provider. Decide which service provider to go with as there are various options amongst them regarding speed and pricing. In most cases lower cost providers will offer slower speeds and visa versa.

Service providers should be carefully considered as some provide support 24/7 and some do not. Services provided should include initial installation, joining or contract fees and support agreements. It is advisable to start with the lower cost option which will service your needs. You can always upgrade later.

Mobility. If you need a solution you can carry in your pocket then 3G will be the better option. Unfortunately 3G still attracts high data charges. Although there are some providers offering very fast services with decent data bundles.

The best way to make your choice is to write down the answers to all these questions and then consult a web-head or tech-savvy person. With the relevant information and good support one should have no problem making the right choice.

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BEYOND TECHNOLOGY

Kinect Xbox 360

Heads up display

Game controllers will soon be a thing of the past. The Kinect for Xbox 360 tracks the movement of the player(s) using cameras and motion sensors and listens for voice commands. Essentially it allows you to control your XBOX with hand gestures and give commands by voice.

Is that a HUD in your eye? Dr Babak Parviz of the University of Washington in Seattle has developed an opto-electronic contact lens. The lens features a semi transparent array capable of picking up 330 micro watts of power from a tiny RF transmitter. Instant HUD in your eye!

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VGo robot

Motion gesture

Kids not feeling up to going to school? You just don’t want to go to the office? The VGo Telepresence Robot is the answer. The device allows you to see and interact with the world from the comfort of your home. www.vgocom.com

The motion/gesture control idea, made popular by films like Minority Report, will soon be available for all computers, note/netbooks, digital pads and tablets via some sophisticated software being developed by eyeSight. Their Hand Gesture Recognition Technology will rely on the current standard built in 2D camera.

Star Trek Tribbles

SieMatic Grid S2

According to Spock, Tribbles emit a trilling sound which seems to have a tranquilizing effect on the human nervous system. Now you can own your own Star Trek Interactive Tribble. These adorable furry beasties from the final frontier will cost anywhere from $14.99 to $19.99.

The SieMatic Grid S2 is a multimedia cabinet designed to bring the living room entertainment center to the kitchen. The Grid S2 can play TV, DVD, or sync with your iPod. To make sure you don’t burn your food it will give you on-screen warnings when your dish is done.

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MakeDo Kit Can’t afford fancy new toys for your kids… then you have to MakeDo. With the Makedo kit your kids can create things out of old packaging boxes, tubes and empty containers from household waste.

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TECHNOLOGY

Blackberry Torch Writer Mark Rosenberg

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he highly anticipated BlackBerry Torch 9800, the first to feature BlackBerry 6 OS, is here. We’ll take a look at some of the features and see if it compares to the top contenders like the iPhone and Android based phones. The BlackBerry Torch is the world’s first smartphone to combine a user-friendly BlackBerry keyboard with a full touch screen experience and the first to include the new BlackBerry 6 OS. The Torch features a combination of a large touch screen, optical trackpad and backlit slide-out BlackBerry keyboard. It offers support for high-speed 3G networks around the world, includes the latest generation in Wi-Fi connectivity and features built-in GPS for location-based applications and geo-tagging. Its 5 MP camera takes exceptional pictures with continuous auto focus, image stabilisation, scene modes and zoom, and it also supports video recording. In addition, it comes with a combined 8 GB of media storage out-of-the-box and includes a microSD/SDHD memory card slot that can bring the total storage memory to 36 GB. The Torch is powered by BlackBerry 6, a new operating system The Torch is a massive that retains the trusted features of the BlackBerry brand while delivering a improvement over rich experience that’s powerful and BlackBerry’s last easy to use. It includes expanded touch-screen attempt messaging capabilities with intuitive features to simplify the management of social networking and RSS feeds, and provides integrated access to BBM, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and various instant messaging applications available on the BlackBerry Torch smartphone.

BlackBerry 6 has a redesigned interface and integrates a new and rich WebKitbased browser that renders HTML web pages quickly for a great browsing experience. It features tabs for accessing multiple sites simultaneously, pinch to zoom for easy navigation and a zoom feature that can intelligently wrap text in a column while maintaining the placement of a page’s key elements.

If you’re currently a BlackBerry user you’ll find the Torch to be a massive improvement over BlackBerry’s last touch-screen attempt, the Storm, and a desirable alternative to BlackBerry’s non-touch interface. However if you’re an iPhone or Android user, just a few minutes of touching the Torch will make you chuckle to yourself before returning it to its owner.

While the Torch is the most advanced BlackBerry yet, its touch interface is unlikely to attract many defectors back to BlackBerry. It’s just not necessarily a better BlackBerry, or a competitor to phones running more sophisticated touch operating systems like Apple iOS and Google Android. However, and this is the big Blackberry draw card, there is no competitor when it comes to free data and connectivity.

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Siemens surges ahead with its sustainable city solutions www.siemens.com

It’s one of the megatrends of our time – increased urbanisation means that by 2030, 60% of the world’s population will live in cities, putting enormous pressure on existing infrastructure.

In building city infrastructure, three goals must effectively be reconciled: quality of life, economic competiveness and environmental sustainability. Technology is a key factor in this process of reconciliation and preparing our cities for the future.

Siemens’ extensive range of products and services provides answers to the urban challenges within these areas. Our “One Approach” addresses the challenges faced in the fields of transportation, buildings, lighting, energy supply, safety, security, water, waste and healthcare.

Take the issue of global warming, for example. Cities are responsible for 75% of the world’s energy consumption and for 80% of its greenhouse gas emissions. To this end, products and solutions from Siemens’ Environmental Portfolio make a significant contribution to greater environmental stability by helping to protect the environment.

Ultimately, these solutions are self-funding, as they reduce energy costs. Indeed, a recent McKinsey report has revealed that two thirds of all CO2 energy abating technologies pay back their own investment. Such research supports Siemens’ position as the technology partner for sustainable cities.

At Siemens, we maintain that sustainability rests on four pillars: competitiveness, the environment, quality of life and good governance. The key lies in translating these pillars into cost effective, feasible and sustainable solutions.

A green city which promises a good quality of life is sure to attract the brightest people who will make a positive contribution to innovation and economic growth. It is for

this reason that Siemens is currently advising a number of city governments on how to make use of worldwide best practice and technology in this regard.

Siemens focuses on three primary areas for sustainability in cities: energy, transport and buildings.

In the energy sector, Siemens promotes the use of a newly conceptualised power supply grid. The Siemens Energy Portfolio includes all major smart grid technologies for power utilities facing growing pressure to modernise their grids. We also take a comprehensive approach to using automotive engineering and systems to the power grid in the creation of the Siemens eCar. The Siemens “Desertec” concept aims to exploit the energy deserts throughout the world receive from the sun and make use of this renewable energy in North Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

Within the transport sector, Siemens “Airval” driverless airport train is aimed at connecting terminals reliably and efficiently whilst lowering CO2 emissions. For example: the energy generated when the train brakes is fed back into the systems and used when the train pulls off again.

“Airval” is also set to be introduced as “Cityval” as a Metro system for large cities.

Through Siemens’ Automated Building Management Systems, 40% of the energy used by the world’s buildings could be saved. By networking all systems within a technical infrastructure, Siemens ensures that each building delivers the highest levels of comfort, security and energy efficiency.

Siemens’ Smart Building Solutions are the quickest and most cost effective way to turn buildings into their own sources of energy, thus reducing energy costs.

For more information on how Siemens can help to make your city sustainable, please go to www.siemens.com.

Siemens.answers

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ADVERTORIAL

OUTENIQUA TRANSPORT MUSEUM The Outeniqua Transport Museum falls under the management of Transnet Foundation with it’s Head Office being based in Johannesburg

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n display are several different types of steam locomotives previously used through out the Republic of South Africa. To name just a few are ROOS, a 46 ton steam engine which was built by die Emil Kessler Maschinenefabrik, Esslinger, Germany in 1893. When the NZASM ( Nederlandse Zuid Afrikaanse Spoorweg Maatskappy) assets were seized during the Anglo Boer War, “ROOS” became part of the Imperial Military Railways rolling stock after the war and was then passed onto the Central South African Railways in 1902.

The EMIL KESSLER “RANDTRAM” was shipped to Durban during 1889 from where it was transported by oxwagon to Germiston. On 18 July 1889 they were commissioned as construction locomotives on the line between Braamfontein and Springs – The Randtram- . The first of these locomotives, no. 1, which hauled the first train in Gauteng from Braamfontein to Boksburg on 17 March 1890, was declared a national monument on 06 April1936, by Government Notice no.

529. Another beauty is Locomotive no.

2351, GL Garratt “ Princess Alice” that hauled the Royal train( White Train) during the visit of the Royal Family to South Africa in 1947 . The engines

of this class were the most powerful steam engines to operate on the SAR. A variety of different types of carriages previously used in South Africa are on display including coach no. 5092 a centre balcony coach, built in 1909, used for the transportation of school children, two coaches, no. 49 a dining car and 51 a lounge coach, of the White Train that was used for touring South Africa by the British Royal family in 1947 shortly after the second world war.

Another coach of importance is coach no. 18 “Middelberg” that was part of Pres Krugers train travelling from Pretoria to Maputo. Coach no. 5267, a compartment coach was placed in service in 1904 and formed part of the CSAR rolling stock Palala, no. 168, a dining car that was built in Pretoria and placed in service between 1911 to 1914 and remained in service until 1982 is a wonderful display of the beautiful wooden interior of the dining cars.

Where no railway links were available between towns in the remote area of the country, dual buses were used for the transporting of both passengers and Freight.

These services usually linked up with the train service, passengers would be dropped / collected at the railway station to continue their journey to their

final destination.

The Southern Cape Vintage Car Club also displays a selection of vintage cars including Borgward, Chevrolet, Ford and other models.

Various photographs of South African steam locomotives, displays of crockery and cutlery that were used on the main line trains, a Maritime exhibition, a replica of a typical railway station building and an exhibition on Inspection trolleys with photographs of the Unsung Heroes ( the builders of the Infrastructure) and poems relating to rail transport are on display.

Inside the Museum are restaurant facilities and 2 souvenir shops selling African art and railway memorabilia.

The museum is wheelchair friendly with easy access to all facilities inside the Museum. The Museum can also be booked for product launches, dinner functions and exhibitions.

Business hours: 1 September to 30 April, daily excluding Sundays from 08h00 - 16h30, Saturdays and Public Holidays 08h00 to 14h00. 1 May to 31 August, weekdays 08h00 till 16h00, Saturday 08h00 till 14h00.

Contact: 2 Mission street, George Email: kobus.volschenk@transnet.net Tel: 044 8018 289, Fax: 044 8018 286

OUTENIQUA TRANSPORT MUSEUM GEORGE EXPERIENCE A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE

Items on display include steam locomotives, carriages from a bygone era, crockery, cutlery and silverware, a collection of steam locomotive number plates, model trains and vintage cars. There is also a maritime exhibition as well as paintings and photographs. The Museum can also be booked for product launches, dinner functions, exhibitions and for wedding photos.

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Tel: 044 8018 289/247 • Fax: 044 8018 286 • Email: Kobus.volschenk@transnet.net • www.onlinesources.co.za

Accountability and Responsibility Politicians, Democracy and the State Writer Nic Borain

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am writing this on the day of Jacob Zuma’s State of the Nation Address and it has powerfully brought home to me how much we take for granted about our society’s inner workings and the role our political leaders play. Thousands of years ago humans lived in small bands as hunter gatherers. Kingdoms, administrative bureaucracies, tax collectors, electoral democracy and Jacob Zuma lay so far in the future that it was beyond imagining.

Societies were “flat” – there was almost no hierarchy and only slight differentiation in job description. As far as we know bands averaged 40 people, consisted of extended families and the “leader” was essentially someone with the most experience.

There were no obvious rewards associated with being the leader, other than first choice of mate or food, precisely because these societies did not produce a surplus. They consumed – in the good times – as much as they needed from the lands and seashores upon which they roamed.

They could not pay for significant developments in the technologies of food acquisition, infrastructure and a differentiated social hierarchy (especially with non-food producers in there somewhere) and, in any case, they had no requirements for these developments.

It was only with the advent of agriculture that humans had enough food to keep leaders, build infrastructure and pay priests to commune with the gods. In no time at all, clever and powerful people hoodwinked the farmers into believing/accepting that they and their offspring had a divine right to rule

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and extract the maximum surplus from the productive activity of others.

The rest, as they say, is history; a history mostly drenched in blood. Central forms of social organisation eventually allowed for the massive collective endeavours of roads, rails, communications and education systems that are the basis for the apparently endless growth in human’s ability to produce food and shelter for greater and greater numbers of our species. ... and then came the modern world and the South African democracy.

Our society, like all modern societies, has become so complex that it’s orderly (or disorderly) functioning can seem like a mystery. But the essential truths about political parties, governments and states are the same today as they were with the rising of the first chieftainships based on early human agriculture: • they are paid for by extracting a surplus from the productive activity of others; • they can function to create useful forms of central organisation, infrastructure and administration; • and they can be intolerable parasites that have the potential to destroy our societies and the quality of our lives.

Democracy Political leadership in a democratic system is a quantum advance on the leadership of pharaohs with divine rights to rule and spend the national surplus (and more) on their tombstones. But left to their own devices those who capture political power are always tempted to re-popularise the idea that they are the representative of God on Earth and therefore entitled to... everything. The way

we in modern democratic societies guard against this is by exercising the mechanisms of accountability that we won in the ancient struggle that has been fought with kings and their ilk. Elections allow us to recall our leaders. Laws and the courts force everyone, including politicians and bureaucrats, to play by the rules we have set. Parliament, where the politicians enact the rules, is open to us. The press and the media is allowed and encouraged to know as much as possible about what politicians are doing and to tell us about it.

There are a host of institutions and mechanisms that guard against politicians stealing the money and the power that is not yet theirs.

Our responsibility as citizens is to protect the mechanisms and institutions and constantly use them to hold the politician accountable and keep him or her applied to the business of serving our interests – “creating and maintaining useful forms of central organisation, infrastructure and administration”.

Tonight. Jacob Zuma delivers his State of the Nation address, which is a ceremonial summary of his government’s plans for the year. These plans will be torn apart, examined from every possible angle and assessed for viability and honesty.

This is as it should be; this is the only and final guarantee of our continued freedom from the tyrants and thieves who have ruled us in the past and always wait in the shadows – including the shadow in people’s minds – to return.

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It is very disappointing that one can easily find a hitman in South African townships for as little as R5000

Is South Africa too dangerous for tourists?

Writer Faatima Kriel

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life was taken. Anni Dewani, a 28 year old newlywed was brutally murdered in a township in Cape Town on the 13th November 2010. Three South Africans were involved in the shocking course of events, with Shrien Dewani, her husband, being implicated as the alleged mastermind. A complex case of finger pointing progressed, overshadowing the fact that a daughter was killed, something we all wish could have been prevented.

Our police are there to protect us, but prevention of crime and violence is not a one-dimensional problem. We cannot lay all the responsibility on them alone. So the question is... Who is responsible for the safety of tourists in SA? Are businesses accountable? Are the scruples and morals of our citizens to blame? Or is government responsible?

The perception of the danger of certain areas, even by our locals, is equally validated.

Mitchell’s Plain has much to offer and the people there are fun and joyful but, because it is considered unsafe it isn’t part

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of mainstream tour experiences. So too in our townships, despite the warm colourful people, the danger factor makes it risky for tourists.

It is very disappointing that one can easily find a hitman in South African townships for as little as R5000. We can’t ignore the appalling fact that due to poverty and unemployment some people make the choice to become criminals.

Township Tours became popular in 1994 after SA’s first democratic elections, giving visitors a living history of the social inequities of Apartheid. Law and order in the townships used to be maintained through street justice via street committees during Apartheid. They have since lost their power to ‘discipline’ criminals because of democratic South African law. Perpetrators are caught by the police but released within 2 to 3 days, so ‘justice’ has fallen through the cracks and crime remains undeterred. Street committees and the Police in the townships are still struggling to find a functional relationship. Come to think of it, I would love to see a play about street justice and

the police in the townships on a Saturday afternoon. Storytelling and dance are a huge part of African culture.

In the CBD, restaurants and other tourist spots are fairly safe. This was achieved by building a steady relationship between government and private investors over the last 10 years through an initiative called the Central City Improvement District (CCID).

Basically, a top-up of security and cleaning services was provided by the CCID to assist the police. This contribution, together with NGO’s not only effected a reduction in crime, homelessness and poverty, but also managed to improve social perceptions.

This successful endeavour was recognised internationally in 2005 at a Conference in Denver, Colorado, so we owe the visionaries from the boardroom, right down to the unsung heroes on our streets a huge debt of gratitude for the safety of our locals and tourists. Perhaps what is really needed is a CTID or Central Township Improvement District. If this concept were to be applied to the townships it would have to be spearheaded and maintained by the businesses and residents of the townships in the form of a public- private partnership and would need a solid business plan.

As a tourist in my own country, I can tell you this much - experiencing the trademark sites like Table Mountain, Cape Point and Bo-Kaap alone is just not the same without seeing the vibrant townships, or simply having a Gatsby with the locals on Mnandi Beach in Rocklands. It’s priceless, believe me.

Yes, lower-income areas anywhere in the world will naturally have a higher prevalence of crime, but surely the whole of South Africa is not dangerous. I believe it is the shared responsibility of government, business, NGO’s and each and every South African to work towards making SA safer.

F U N , L AU G H S A N D G O O D T I M E S AT

Montecasino has lived up to its reputation as Gauteng’s premier entertainment destination once again, scooping five of the prestigious Leisure Options Best of Johannesburg Readers’ Choice Awards, including two new awards, Best Theatre and Best Place to Watch the Big Game.

“We have put a great deal of emphasis on creating a destination for both theatre-lovers and sports fans in the last three years and so are proud that this focus has been recognised by our guests,” comments Steve Howell, General Manager of Montecasino.

In 2010 the biggest sporting event in the world came to South Africa, and Montecasino was proud to be in the thick of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ action. The MTN Fan Zone, Gauteng’s

premier viewing destination was proud to host just under 32 000 soccer enthusiasts of diverse nationalities who flocked to the Piazza to experience the magic of football at this fabulous venue. “The atmosphere at Montecasino was electric,” says Steve Howell. In addition to screening the majority of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ matches on the massive outdoor screen on the Piazza, visitors enjoyed spine-tingling ‘flash mobs’, soulful diski dancing, joyful vuvuzelas, colourful MTN hats, non-stop musical entertainment and tons of giveaways.

With the huge variety of business and leisure options, the wide range of facilities, lifestyle, entertainment and dining offerings for the entire family, making it Gauteng’s most popular and visited destination, Montecasino truly has got it!

BEST CASINO THE STAR & PRETORIA NEWS READERS CHOICE AWARDS BEST ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX • BEST PLACE TO TAKE OUT-OF-TOWNERS • BEST PLACE TO WATCH THE BIG GAME • BEST CINEMA COMPLEX • BEST THEATRE LEISURE OPTIONS BEST OF JOHANNESBURG READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS 2010/2011

Find out more: visit www.montecasino.co.za • Tel. +27 11 510-7777 • Fax. +27 11 510-7070 No.1 Montecasino Boulevard, off William Nicol Drive & Witkoppen Road, Fourways, JHB.

Winners know when to stop. Only persons over 18 are permitted to gamble. National Problem Gambling Counselling toll-free helpline 0800 006 008.

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Marketing South Africa 2010 was a truly momentous year! It altered the mindset of the global community and catapulted South Africa’s ranking for top tourist destinations in the world.

T

he minister of Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk said: “The World Cup was never about the hosting of a tournament, but rather about building a legacy for our country and our continent... We as South Africans believed, and the world came to believe with us”.

South Africans – we have raised the bar significantly. Now we must give credence to the changed perceptions that we left in so many minds across the world. A survey by YouGovStone, a market research and events agency whose speciality it is to conduct surveys and discussions with people of influence, showed an impressive increase from 29% to 72% in the belief that the 2010 FIFA World Cup TM left a positive legacy from pre - to post-event. A comfortable 61% primed SA as a solid for global events of all kinds.

The truth is, we are no stranger to global events. In fact, we sport a track record second to none, having hosted a wide range of international events such as the World Twenty20 Championships, 1996 World Cup of Golf, World Summit on Sustainable Development and the Commonwealth Heads of Government. Even more impressive is the fact that we hosted the “Indian Premier League” with 3 weeks notice and we awed!

Not only are we the only country having hosted the above events (amongst others) plus 3 World Cup tournaments viz. the 1995 Rugby, 2003 Cricket and 2010 Soccer, we might actually make the history books by adding the 2020 Olympics to our record.

Other scheduled events include the 11th IOC Session to be held in Durban in July 2011 and the Johannesburg International Motor show, scheduled for October 2011.

Writer Natasha Braaf

To fully and effectively harness the contribution that Tourism in any form can make to the development of our country, South African Tourism (SAT) has been mandated by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism to market South Africa as a preferred destination. Various initiatives are in place to achieve these objectives, such as the “Tourism Growth Strategy” first developed in 2001 (now in its third edition) and the “Customised Sector Plan for Tourism” (developed in 2006) in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry.

These programmes sought to fully explore, improve and secure our country and our people’s readiness to comfortably assume the role of full-time hosts to the global community.

Up and Coming Marketing initiatives Indaba 2011, One of the largest tourism marketing events, brain child of SAT’s and organised by “Witch & Wizard” is scheduled for 7 – 10 May 2011. INDABA is an awardwinning tourism marketing event and exhibits a wide variety of the best tourismproducts Southern Africa has to offer. It has been known to attract international visitors and media from across the world.

Sports & Events Tourism Exchange Exhibition and Conference, Owned and managed by the Thebe Exhibitions and Projects Group (TEPG) and supported by SAT, the first annual Sports and Events Tourism Exchange will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 27 to 29 July 2011. The conference will take the form of a forward-thinking exhibition and an intensive one-day conference which will concentrate on the institutional arrangements for aligning the management and marketing of events in South Africa.

Managing Director, Carol Weaving says: “The aim is for the exhibition to make a real contribution to increasing tourist volumes to South Africa, as well as increasing tourist spend and length of stay. It should also assist in optimising the use of our world class sports facilities, including our new stadiums.”

We are well on track... and with the possibility of bagging the bid for the 2020 Olympics the sky’s the limit.

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The bottom line

Writer Cynical Sage

I

have finally taken to the streets of our mother city. More specifically the tar strips, pavestones and sidewalks of the shimmering Atlantic seaboard. No, I am not a striking public servant (no need to worry about being forced to read a list of demands) or one of the disgruntled residents of the subterranean haunts below our infamous demi-highway who were surprised to find that the new BRT lane inconveniently needs to go right where their cardboard condos are positioned .It has caused great distress as this will also mean that there is less parking for their latest models of modified trolley/Winnebago.

It seems that this is the crossroads between housing and transport for all. The situation has reached an impasse and no doubt there will be countless hours and Rands spent on debating the politically viable definition of who will be included in the term “all”. The lands claim commission might just have another case on its hand - Who came first, the Bergie or the bus?

If the council is as concerned as they claim about the “environmental hazard factor”, then surely the homeless should be heroes.

After all they have not just sat back and demanded a house but carefully constructed

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their own from 100% recycled materials.

What’s more, the “Trolleybago” in the alleyway boasts zero carbon emissions. Now if that’s not going green, I don’t know what is.

So WHY have I, a city resident who has up till now stubbornly insisted on driving everywhere (even just to buy bread and milk at the corner shop) decided to walk? I can’t identify the single defining factor for this paradigm shift, but upon reflection I think it is rather a combination of several smaller motivating factors.

Summer is here! (Well, on some days when climate change is not playing havoc.) This, in our part of the planet, means that we hit the promenade and pavements in an attempt to bust the winter bulge. I have joined the droves of determined powerwalking pedestrians as we, along with the tourists, have been repeatedly assured that it is safe.

All the “nasties” have been rounded up and taken to...? Not sure where they have been relocated to but as long as it’s not here all is well, right?

All’s good and well, unless you get shoved off track by a speeding security guard on a Segway. Motorised transport in the same area designated for persons on foot? Logical of course and not illegal either as there is no picture on the sign boards prohibiting the use of the li’l 2x1 along with the other, clearly more dangerous means of wheeled transport like bicycles and roller blades. Safety first you say, but of course! In case of collision at least the driver is wearing a helmet.

Don’t be misled, sauntering along is not only

for mere recreation but has also become a necessity. Despite what the analysts say, I can still feel the pinch of the recession. Thus with the rising cost of fuel and the looming threat of emissions tax I can no longer justify taking the car out for a measly underweight loaf and skim milk. As an added bonus of getting there ‘en pied’, I can buy a cunningly positioned point-of-sales Sweetie-pie with my extra cents. Delighted I return home not really having saved Rands or pounds. But I remind myself it is the thought that counts.

Then of course there is the ever menacing problem of finding parking. Bays have recently been taken up by the machinery and vehicles of the cities workers, labouring vigorously at excavating every last vestige of pavement. When one looks at what passes as a safety barricade, the flimsy bright orange mesh that I have recently seen an Avantgarde beggar don as sash, it is not surprising that work had to be halted on discovery of a skeleton. Bone fragments from antiquity, possibly. But equally plausible that it could have been some late night pub crawler struggling to find his car parked several blocks away from the main road because of the exorbitant parking prices, who while dashing to cross the road in the 2.1 seconds before the badly timed little green man at the robot turned red, launched right through the clementine coloured barrier, fell to his death and was gnawed by inner-city rats.

After all this rambling retrospection on the recession, roadworks, robots and rodents the bottom line is: I shouldn’t be so negative.

Work is actually being done on our roads and pavements. Thanks to all the walking I can pull my belt a bit tighter and not only for reasons financial. I have been able to see the city on the front line, with the men in the orange trenches and not just whizz by its urban uniqueness in gas-guzzling ignorance.

Maybe next week I will be brave enough to take the bus! Hey come to think of it where is the over- promised- under- delivered BRT? Has anyone seen it or know of any stops where I can actually get on?

Social work professionals from the UK participate in exchange programme

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ight Social Work Professionals from the United Kingdom exchanged bitterly cold winter conditions for heat, dust and rain in South Africa when they joined South African counterparts at their places of work for two weeks on a Social Work Exchange Programme.

The Social Work Exchange Programme between the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA) and Skills for Care UK is to identify and link Social Work Professionals and representative stakeholder Councils and Associations into an international action learning forum.

The aim is to compare, contrast, analyse and develop best practice models of social work

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delivery and practices in both England and South Africa.

Much planning and hard work by the steering committee had already gone into this project, as it reached its third stage, with the arrival of the UK Social Worker professionals in South Africa.

In March it will be the turn of the South African Social Work Professionals to experience life at the coalface in heavily industrialized cities and towns in Lancashire, Stockport, Wigan and Salford, England.

The social workers from the UK arrived on Sunday, 29 January 2011 in Johannesburg.

After a brief orientation, they travelled to their host organisations and Government Departments in locations which included Pretoria, Johannesburg, Klerksdorp, Nyls-

troom in Limpopo and Bloemfontein.

The HWSETA hosted a mini-launch of the Social Work Exchange Programme on Thursday, 3 February 2011 at 11h30 at the Southern Sun OR Tambo International.

The Minister of Social Development, Ms Bathabile Dlamini, delivered the keynote address.

The event was also attended by senior representatives of both Government and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) as well as Board members and members of the South African Council for Social Service professionals

What is Integrative Medicine?

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he term Integrative Medicine defines a Disease Specific Protocol that comprises the administration of three different medicinal strategies being: Conventional Medicine, Complimentary Medicine (Functional Whole Food) and Alternative Medicine (Homeopathic) supported by a Metabolic Detoxification & Oxidative status profile.

This approach addresses not only the symptom but offers a holistic approach by inducing a calculated conventional medicine dosage in relation to the body’s ability to handle the resultant metabolic toxins supported by the increased nutritional building blocks, detoxification and drainage needs that the body will demand under a stressed condition.

The Lifestyle Protocols and Detoxification and Oxidative status profile can be described as follows: Allopathic Medicine (Conventional Medicine) is defined as a single active that has been extracted or synthesized by a pharmaceutical facility. These are normally clinically validated formulas that treat a specific symptom (condition) not the source of the problem. The administration of such conventional medicine, although clinically proven to address the specific symptom usually has enormous metabolic side (toxic) effects if the excretion organs cannot cope with the rate of treatment.

Functional Foods (Complimentary medicine) refers to clinically proven natural whole food protocol (therapy) not a single supplement which will assist the organs to eliminate toxins, cell mutation, cell apoptosis and DNA oxidative stress and facilitate homeostasis.

Alternative Medicine (Homeopathic Medicines, Acupuncture & Iridology therapies) forms part of a restorative disease/condition specific protocol aiming at addressing; drainage, subliminal stress, immune function, organ function and glandular functioning, Lymph and Energy paths with a view to reactivating toxin excretion and reducing the indirect stress burden placed on the body during a specific medical condition.

Metabolic Detoxification is the body’s method of eliminating harmful compounds 106

that could influence normal metabolic functions. These compounds could originate from the environment or as a result of normal or affected cellular metabolism.

The advantages of performing a patient Metabolic Antioxidant Status Profile, clearly identifies the patients’ exact response to a specific medicine or therapy. Following the initial assessment it is therefore imperative to formulate a Conventional, Complimentary and Alternative Medicine Treatment protocol that will accommodate and motivate the bodily functions to take care of the specific medical condition.

The Secret to Metabolic Detoxification and Antioxidant Status is Cili Bao Symbiotic generated Glutathione. We need to take into account that whatever foods, herbs, conventional or alternative medicine we stuff our bodies with has a resultant toxicity which the body must be able to excrete. In today’s world of processed food and pollution, toxic substances exist almost everywhere. They are in the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. Environmental toxins are directly responsible for more than 60% of cancer cases, they may also play a role in the development of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and mental or behavioural disorders such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and attention deficit disorder. The nervous system is intricately connected to the immune system; hence toxins also affect our immune function. The liver is a key organ in your body’s self-defence system. Liver cells contain sophisticated mechanisms that break down toxic substances into forms that your body can safely eliminate. The liver uses two mechanisms called Phase I and Phase II detoxification, designed to convert fatsoluble toxins into water-soluble substances so that your body can easily excrete these substances via watery fluids such as bile and urine.

In Phase I, your body’s enzymes convert a toxin into a substance that can be further metabolized in Phase II. This is achieved by various chemical reactions and during this process free radicals are produced which can damage the liver cells. Antioxidants can reduce the damage caused by free radicals,

but if antioxidants are low and toxin exposure high, these toxins become more dangerous and cannot be eliminated as rapidly or as completely.

Phase II is also called the conjugation pathway whereby other enzymes in liver cells add another substance to metabolites from Phase I. This makes the toxin water-soluble and less harmful, so it can then be excreted from the body. High toxin or free radical levels require a lot of potential beneficial energy to be channelled to elimination. This may result in chronic fatigue due to lack of energy. Low energy levels, in turn, impact on Phase II reactions, which are highly energydependant.

In Phase II detoxification there are a number of essential substrates needed. Glutathione is one of the most important Phase II detoxification substrates. Apart from being involved in detoxification, glutathione also fulfils the role as the body’s own antioxidant.

Depletion of glutathione reserves due to chronic detoxification will result in less glutathione being available to neutralize free radicals. The use of Functional Foods to enhance glutathione levels may be highly beneficial to prevent premature ageing and other conditions associated with high levels of free radicals. If care is not taken and toxicity not kept in check the body becomes more vulnerable to cell demise through Oxidative stress.

How can we prevent the DNA oxidative stress caused in the mitochondria, found in their millions in every cell of the body?

With clinical verified Functional Wholefoods Cili Bao Rosa Roxburghii Tratt, Green Gem Chlorella, Organic Sprouted brown rice, Sorghum, organic Sprouted Soya beans, Organic Herbs and Celery we can address the majority of life threatening diseases.

Integrative medicine is healing-oriented medicine that takes account of the whole person (body, mind, and spirit), including all aspects of lifestyle. It emphasizes the therapeutic relationship and makes use of all appropriate therapies, both conventional and alternative.

Centre for Human Metabolomics North West University +27 18 299 2307/05

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HEALTH

Child mortality Writer Rishqah Roberts

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hen that precious newborn baby is brought into a parent’s life the last thing they, or any of us cares to think about is the child mortality rate. None of us wants our precious bundles of joy to fall into the category of children who die prematurely. As parents, whether we are first timers or consider ourselves experts in the fields of paternity and maternity, we would rather think of the more pleasant things our child’s life has to offer. It is our duty, as their primary care givers to protect them from what statistics have proved will cause them harm.

Although our intentions to protect our offspring may come from noble roots, factors such as premature birth, birth defects and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) are the top three factors contributing to the death of infants.

Under ideal conditions mothers should give birth around their 40th week of gestation. Infants born before their 37th week are considered premature. Due to their incomplete development process they are at a higher risk of infant death.

The exact causes of premature birth remain unknown. Research continues globally in an attempt to shed light on the issue. In the mean time the only available remedy is helping women maintain their health before they fall pregnant. In South Africa this challenge is further complicated by issues of severe poverty, conflict and inadequate health care.

Severe birth defects usually originate within the first three months of a woman’s pregnancy, perhaps even before she realises she’s pregnant. More often than not, these defects are linked to either the infant’s brain 108

or heart and usually the mother’s body will pick these up, resulting in miscarriages. 40% of these may be prevented by maintaining the mother’s health prior to and during her pregnancy.

Third in line for the most common cause of infant deaths is SIDS; the unexpected and unexplained death of a baby before their first birthday. This is more commonly known as “crib death.” Research has revealed that crib death is associated with a specific biological cause, namely a disorder in the manner in which the infant responds to the brain chemical, serotonin. When the body detects that the infant is not receiving enough oxygen, or is overheating, the brain sends signals to the body to turn over. In some cases the signals from the infant’s brain do not get through to the body, resulting in asphyxiation.

A simple solution to this problem is insuring your child sleeps safely on their backs, keeping their cribs free of toys, pillows and comforters and avoiding overheating the infant and their room.

We have all heard of the numerous benefits which breastfeeding may offer a newborn and the many advantages, through it to them, later on in life. What is not emphasized enough though is how harmful this is to an HIV positive mother’s child.

The problem is further exacerbated by factors like severe poverty, lack of basic services and resources, insufficient food and

water and inadequate health care or health education. Many of these factors are present in rural areas and quite often pregnant women in these areas may not know their HIV status. Even if they do, they may have no other option other than breastfeeding available to them to nourish their child.

Unless government intervenes premature infant death will continue.

There is not much we can do about the high rate of HIV and AIDS, but there are ways in which we can curb the child mortality rate. As of August 2009 the South African government have come up with an expanded immunisation programme aimed at reducing the child mortality rate in the region by up to two-thirds by 2015. This plan entails three new vaccines, namely the Rotavirus vaccine, Pentavalent vaccine and Pneumococcal Conjugate vaccine, which have become freely available to all South African children.

It is their right to receive these vaccinations from public healthcare facilities country wide. The Department of Health has stated that immunisation prevents an excess of three million deaths per year.

Knowledge is power, as the saying goes.

Know your status and that of your mate.

This knowledge will enable you to protect not only yourself, but also your offspring, partner and loved ones. Help your child by getting to know their rights! It is their right to receive vaccinations from your local healthcare facility free of charge.

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HEALTH

The healthiest cities in South Africa Writer Natasha Braaf

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t is said that Johannesburg is the healthiest city in South Africa, while Cape Town trails at the bottom of the log with indicators belying the general belief that the sea and the mountain air gives us a natural boost. In April last year a survey was done by “Discovery Vitality Wellness” and the “Sports and Science Institute” and the results were rather revealing. (see table 1) Let’s think of it as an award ceremony for the unhealthiest City in SA - with the following categories: • Heaviest Drinkers in a major city – and the winner is Cape Town!

• City sporting the most Smokers – and the winner is Cape Town!

• City with residents showing the least physical activity – what a surprise – Cape Town!

• City with the most overweight residents – wait for it... Cape Town!

To determine a cities overall health rating, Vitality incorporated the above risk factors with blood pressure, BMI and blood glucose of their members residing in these areas and their analysis showed that members in Cape Town are on average 6 months older than their counterparts in Johannesburg.

“While Capetonians may think the sun, sea

and mountain gives them an edge when it comes to leading a healthier lifestyle, our research data indicates that theirs is in fact the unhealthiest major city in South Africa,” says Dr Craig Nossel, Head of Vitality Wellness at Discovery.

Whilst this certainly gives us food for thought, there are a couple of factors to be borne in mind: • This survey was conducted with Data collected in 2009.

• Only Discovery members were surveyed.

• There is no indication that stress levels were taken into account.

• Environmental pollution was not taken

into account Needless to say, the survey created quite a stir, particularly amongst Capetonians – some in affirmation, others in vehement objection. Comments like: • “We’re a touch heavier, because we’re a touch happier”, • “Capetonians were more honest”, • “There’s nothing else to do in Johannesburg, hence folk hit the gym” and • “These stats are shocking – come on people of Cape Town, we can do better”, were bandied about while the reaction from Johannesburg or any of the other cities were rather hushed – maybe because their case was made for them?

I came across another disturbing survey of national concern. This time conducted by marketing company “Added Value” on behalf of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) on a sample size of 500 across the major cities.

The results are equally chilling. (see table 2) South Africa is now the country with the third-most overweight citizens, following USA and the UK. A Medical Research Council (MRS) report found that 56% of women and 29% of men are overweight. The survey also revealed that lifestyle, poverty and demographics are key elements in the weight of the nation.

Clearly - all our cities (and their citizens) are in denial and need to wake up and smell the caffeine-free coffee. There’s light at the end of this tunnel... we are happy to report that CT grabbed the proverbial bull by the horns and launched some initiatives towards creating a healthier city:

Meat-free Day In July 2010, Mayor Dan Plato launched Cape Town behind the “Meat-free Day” campaign called for by the “Compassion in World Farming organisation”. This makes Cape Town one of seven cities in the world (first in Africa) to officially sanction this initiative.

The City’s Health Committee unanimously backed this call for Capetonians to pick one day of the week where they eliminate red meat from their diet and eat more fruit, vegetables and grains instead. It should be easy enough – one day of “Braaivleis” a week-end? Not too hard.

New Cycling Path A new cycling path from Cape Town to Table View was constructed parallel to the Integrated Rapid Transport (IRT) bus lane, completed last year. This is a separate bike path and is three meters wide, specifically designed for cyclist and pedestrians. At 16km, it is the longest dedicated cycle path in the country and - according to the IRT officials, only the beginning.

My search for similar initiatives in the other cities delivered nothing. Perhaps they have something up their proverbial sleeves that will leave Cape Town snorting their dust again? Time will tell.

healthy - right?

The release of the Universal Household Access to Basic Services report – a document compiled by the National Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, shows the following (see table 3) Using metrics from the four basic service delivery areas: the report provides the percentage of households in the municipality that have access to a basic level of that particular service. The measurements speak for themselves. It is my belief that fulfilling the people’s basic needs, will certainly take us a long way to building healthy neighbourhoods, healthy societies and healthy cities. I say, the race to the “Healthiest Cities” is on (again) and invite Vitality to redo their survey, along with all other Wellness companies and get another, more comprehensive and inclusive view of the state of our health affairs.

Service delivery “What gets measured – gets done” –anon.

Introducing a certain level of competition in the administration of the Cities, particularly in terms of service delivery, can only be

Table 2 Table 1

South Africa and Obesity Sample Size

Physical Activity

Fruit & Veg Consumption

BMI

Johannesburg

15824

29%

12%

41.7%

Cape Town

14727

25.7%

9.8%

34.8%

Cape Town

72%

Pretoria

68%

Johannesburg

59%

Durban

52%

Table 3 CITY

WATER SANITATION

REFUSE

ELECTRICITY

TOTAL ACCESS

Cape Town

100%

94%

98%

95%

91%

Durban

98%

85%

90%

88%

74%

Johannesburg

99%

94%

94%

90%

86%

Tshwane

98%

78%

79%

78%

66%

Port Elizabeth

99%

89%

91%

91%

84%

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Ingula, Eskom’s power generation project Engineering and environmental consultants, SSI (in consortium) is currently overseeing one of Eskom’s major new power generation projects. Due for final completion towards the end of 2013, the Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme is set to contribute power to the national grid during peak hours.

The Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme is situated in the Little Drakensburg mountain range just outside of Ladysmith in KwaZulu Natal. Referred to as a ‘peaking power station’, the power station’s rated generation capacity of the scheme is nominally 1332MW, with an energy storage capacity of 21 000MWh. The intention is to produce 1332MW of power during the morning and evening peak hours.

The Ingula project will be the third peaking power station in South Africa, which already includes the Palmiet power station towards Sir Lowry’s Pass and the Drakensberg station near Bergville, also in the Drakensburg Mountains.

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The principle behind the technology The project consists of two major reservoirs and a power house situated 350m below surface, in the mountain. The upper concretefaced rockfill dam (CFRD) (Bedford, with a 810m crest length and a 49m height) is situated on the mountain top and feeds water through the power house, which generates power. The power house complex consists of a combined machine and valve hall, a transformer hall and other ancillary tunnels and caverns. The machine hall houses four reversible pump/turbines, coupled directly to generator/motors, each with a rated output of 333MW. The rated generating head is 441m.

Water then passes a further 2500m to reach the lower reservoir (Bramhoek).

The crest length of the lower roller compacted concrete (RCC) dam is 310m and it has a maximum height of 38.6m.

During off-peak hours, thanks to the incorporation of reversible turbines, the water is pumped back up the mountain from the Bramhoek Reservoir to the upper

Bedford Reservoir. The principal behind the design is that kinetic energy is converted into potential energy.

This R20bn project was started in 2004.

Commissioning of the first unit is envisaged in early 2013, thereafter commissioning will take place at three-monthly intervals for each subsequent unit, with commissioning of the final unit towards the end of 2013.

SSI forms part of the Braamhoek Consultants Joint Venture who was tasked by Eskom to undertake preliminary feasibility studies, preliminary design, final design and lastly, site supervision.

Braamhoek Consultants Joint Venture - SSI, Arcus Gibb and Knight Piesold.

Underground construction - CMC/Impregilo Consortium. Bedford and Bramhoek Dams’ - Braamhoek Dams Joint Venture - WBHO, Concor, Edwin Construction and Silver Rock Construction

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ENERGY SECTOR IN THE NORTH WEST PROVINCE Renewable Energy (RE)

South Africa is currently the 14th largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world, a reflection both on the countryʼs heavy reliance on coal and energy inefficiencies. The White Paper on RE (2003) has set a target of 10 000GWh of energy to be produced from RE sources (mainly from biomass, wind, solar and small-scale hydro) by 2013 (5% of total electricity).The target was confirmed to be economically viable with subsidies and carbon financing.

Table 1: South Africa Primary Energy Supply (2000) Energy Source Percentage Crude Oil 10% Gas 2% Renewables 6% Nuclear 3% Hydro <1% Coal 79%

ASSESSMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY POTENTIAL

The application of domestic solar water heaters (SWH) • The application of concentrated solar power (CSP) and concentrated solar thermal (CST) • The application of photovoltaics (PV) for electricity The greatest potential for solar is in the western parts of the province (more land availability and higher solar insulation).

Wind-power

Wind-power is most applicable for the agriculture and SMEs sectors, and may be combined with PV to increase the capacity factor. Wind-power is feasible for some parts of the province where average wind speeds are >4m/s.

Energy Efficiency

Companies that make smart meters and other home energy efficiency devices, grid management companies, and even software companies that are designing programs to better handle electricity loads are attractive investments to public and private sectors. (Source: Green Chip Stocks Editor Jeff Siegel, featured on CNBC's Green Week)

Mining is the greatest consumer of electricity in the Province using 63% of electricity and RE interventions should occur in this sector. Nearly 20% of the population in the NW does not have access to electricity.

AVAILABLE INVESTMENT INCENTIVES

Municipal waste

A household which buys the solar equipment can claim between 15% and 20% of the total cost of the equipment from Eskom, directly.

Equipment must be SABS (South African Bureau of Standards) approved and the installer must be accredited.

Agricultural manure and humanure (sewage) can be used to generate methane-rich biogas with an energy potential of 199 MW. The municipal solid wastes (MSW) have an energy potential of 304 MW and can be used to produce energy either through combustion to electricity, biogas (landfill gas) or using biomass-to-liquid Fischer-Tropsch technology.

Energy from biogas is appropriate for households, agriculture, SME, municipalities industry and mining.

Solar Technologies - Off-grid solar strategies for rural areas

Mini-grids or off-grid and hybrid technologies will be the most appropriate.

Solar technologies hold the greatest potential for the province since there is a favourable solar insulation (approx. 275 MW/km2) and a suitable area to install solar energy technologies.

Rebate on Solar water heating system for households by Eskom

Renewable Energy Feed In Tariffs (REFIT)

The four identified renewable energy technologies, and the approximate prices that energy suppliers would pay the renewable energy generators are, wind (R1.25/ KWH); small hydro (R0.94/KWH); landfill gas (R0.90/KWH); and concentrated solar (R2.10/KWH).

Multinational companies qualify for more incentives using green energy to manufacture their products.

Tax Relief for Electricity Generation

South Africa's Income Tax Act (Section 12B) already provides some tax relief for electricity generation (Conversion rate: 1US$=7.5 South African Rands)

Carbon Credits

A vibrant carbon credit market exists globally where high polluting industries buy carbon credits from green operations. This is also a funding instrument for green industries.

Contact Person:

Refilwe Tlhabanyane Trade and Investment Promotion Manager

Address:

•

South 114 Africa supplies two-thirds of Africa's electricity and is one of the four cheapest electricity producers in the world.

Invest North West South Africa 171 Beyers Naude Drive Rustenburg, 0300 Tel: +2714 594 2570 Cell: +2773 151 3441 Email: refilwe@inw.org.za Fax: +2714 594 2575/6

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Looking for size, versatility and turn-key solutions?

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he Tshwane Events Centre has taken the challenge head-on to be counted among its peers as the most versatile and spacious events centre in Gauteng, according to Ricky Da Costa, Marketing Manager at the centre. “With us you can stretch your imagination - and we will oblige.”

On World Aids Day 2009, the centre was the focus of international headlines when President Jacob Zuma announced bold, life changing policies for people living with HIV and Aids. “We accommodated 5 000 people in one of our most versatile halls. The two-leveled hall accommodated seated delegates and the bottom level was used for the exhibition and Aids-testing area.”

The same seamless operations were offered to the Independent Electoral Commission’s operational results centre during the 2009 national and provincial elections - for the fifth consecutive time. “The Results Operations Centre opened its doors a week before the national and provincial elections on 22 April. Within three weeks 12 000 square metres of empty flooring were transformed into a world-class centre. State of the art information technology made data available to political parties, the media, Independent Electoral Commission staff and provincial operational centres. All information was displayed on two huge projection screens.”

The centre boasted 450 personal computers, 300 telephones and more than 22 km of data and telephone cabling. It also accommodated 7 radio stations, 5 television broadcasters, 7 newspapers and 26 political party offices.

“In March we hosted Tshwane’s first-ever heavyweight truck show and in May the ANC’s Gauteng provincial conference with 1 500 delegates attending over three days.”

To illustrate the centres versatility, Da Costa explains that the centre recently hosted the Bundu Show that required the construction of a temporary dam in one of its hall’s to host a fishing competition. “The dam was an impressive 7 600 m² and took up half the space of the hall.” With over 82 000 m² of covered exhibition space and open and multipurpose areas - all accessible from multiple entrances - the centre can accommodate

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The Tshwane Events Centre is where you should be

50 000 visitors simultaneously in style and comfort. The eleven exhibition halls that vary in size, can accommodate functions of any description, from large-scale indoor exhibitions to music concerts and sporting events. The main arena can accommodate 25 000 people. “The eight well-appointed conference rooms are ideal for speaker conventions, training sessions, banquets and product launches. Our own theatre, the West End Theatre, seats up to 460 patrons, while the clubhouse is the ideal venue for a corporate luncheon or cocktail.” Stateof-the-art infrastructure includes banking facilities, telecommunication services including wireless internet access, top class catering facilities and easy access and secure parking for up to 3 500 vehicles.

But where did it all start?

“The grounds were originally built to host the Tshwane International Show annually,” says Da Costa. “All of this happened with the show’s humble beginnings in 1939 on the lawns in front of the City Hall.

Moving to the Tshwane Events Centre, the first show on site was hosted in only two halls. Today the show, comprising of the Commercial and Industrial Division and the Agricultural Division, is hosted on the 39-hectare Tshwane Events Centre, making it the biggest combined commercial and agricultural consumer show in the country.”

In 1985 the Looping Star, seen for the first time in Pretoria, caused quite a stir! As did visitors like Kallie Knoetze, the loud talking boxer of days gone by, and Anneline Kriel, South Africa’s Ms World in 1974.

“It is one of the City of Tshwane’s biggest entertainment events and has been presented for 71 years. During the nine days of the show millions of Rands are injected into the City’s GGP by the large number of visitors, exhibitors and service providers who capitalise on the show’s elaborate offering of entertainment and shopping opportunities.

The show is a celebration of the legacy that is South African agriculture.” Add to that the participants in all the other sections of the agricultural show – the horses, cattle, pigs, sheep, fancy pigeons and poultry – and on average more than 2 000 entrants compete

in a variety of championships. “However, my role for the past four years has been to redevelop and breathe a fresh breeze of life into the venue. The show runs for one month each year, but for the other 11 months we have to ensure that events continue taking place at our facilities. Not only are we a multi-faceted events company, but our other focus is also in offering full turn-key solutions to a client – we offer full logistical services, from the draping to the flowers to the accommodation – you name it and the events centre organises it.” The centre has excellent auction facilities for every type of live animal auction. Livestock such as cattle and horses can either be auctioned in the Obaro Championship Ring or in the Meadow Auction Ring. Prior to auction, the animals can be viewed in one of the cattle pens or judging rings. “When the greening of events centres became the norm, the Tshwane Events Centre took the lead and today we recycle 20+ tons of waste every year via a four-recycle system – cans, glass, paper and plastic. Grass cuttings as well as hay and animal waste from agricultural events are used as food for the 45 000 earth worms at the centre earth worm farm. Our latest commitment to a sustainable environment is the lane of champions created by planting 19 trees to commemorate the goals scored in Tshwane during the 2010 World Cup. The trees will assist in reducing the carbon footprint that events like the World Cup generate,” says Da Costa.

“Not only are we a multi-faceted events centre and organising company, but our focus is to offer full turn-key solutions to our clients – full logistical services, from draping to flowers to accommodation – you name it and the centre organises it. We allocate a project manager to each function or event and run it on behalf of the client.

Our challenge and passion is to rejuvenate Pretoria West by hosting high profile events.

With several empty factories to utilise the area has several opportunities for growth.

The Tshwane Events Centre is poised to play a crucial role in Tshwane’s economic growth and in building the community,” says Da Costa.

produced by M-Net, as one of its vehicles that will stimulate economic growth of SMMEs within the broadcast sector. He believes that the procurement of local content from local film makers and production houses will provide the impetus for growth with the film industry in South Africa.

Apart from its economic initiatives, MultiChoice is also making headway with regards to employment equity and staff development. Its performance against employment equity targets reveals a 75 percent black representation, with 44 percent of employees who are female. “We are committed to ensuring that our workforce reflects the demographics of the country,” says Patel, adding that, “MultiChoice is also making strides in the employment of disabled individuals, which now stands at 52 disabled employees.”

The company also includes employee development as a key focus, providing its employees at all levels with a chance to participate in a number of initiatives ranging from on-site skills transfer and specialist training to supervisory and executive management training.

As part of its role in contributing to the social development within South Africa, MultiChoice plays an active role in its communities. According to Patel, MultiChoice’s corporate social responsibility is about long-term involvement in communities. “Our CSI strategy is underpinned by the need to make a sustainable difference in the lives of those less fortunate.

In doing so, we partner with government departments, non-governmental organisations and communities to ensure that a long-term impact can be made to the communities in which we work.”

Critical to the MultiChoice CSI initiatives is training and skills development, ensuring the independence of these communities long after the company has left, says Patel. Making specific reference to the orphaned and vulnerable children programme, he indicates that MultiChoice ensures not only infrastructure development at the child care centres, but provides necessary training for the centre managers to ensure that these centres are maintained and sustained. To date MultiChoice has assisted 10 centres for orphaned and vulnerable children across the county.

The other significant impact to communities is the ICT in Schools programme. MultiChoice provides multimedia laboratories to high-performing, under-resourced schools. The laboratories are equipped with computers,

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educational CD-ROMs, televisions, DStv decoders, DVD recorders and multi-functional printers. MultiChoice also provides the schools with free access to DStv’s educational content that includes Mindset Learn, Discovery Channel and National Geographic. Teachers at the participating schools also receive IT training and guidance on how to integrate television content into their lessons. The programme has to date impacted 28 000 learners across the country.

Other programmes that are making a difference are: the MultiChoice Film Talent Incubator that is building capacity within the broadcast environment; since inception the programme has trained 64 aspirant filmmakers; the Carte Blanche Making a Difference campaign that has raised over R72m from corporate and private sponsors to turn the wish lists of state hospitals and certain charity organisations in South Africa into reality; and the SuperSport Let’s Play initiative that encourages our children to get active. This programme is now entrenched in schools, suburbs and townships across South Africa after raising R2.7m in sponsorship.

Through the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards, we recognise excellence in journalism on the continent. This encourages journalists to tell African stories.

Patel also indicates that MultiChoice encourages their customers to participate in community development through the Reach Out programme.

Employees of the company are also provided with a day every year to play a role in development within local communities through the make a difference day at the company. To date, MultiChoice employees have assisted about 50 charities since the start of the programme.

“We have seen the benefit of implementing programmes that are sustainable and that can truly affect the lives of people – not only now, but in the long term.”

“Sustainable transformation is about translating ideas and plans into action with the focus of it having a positive long-term impact for its beneficiaries,” says Patel. “If we are to make some contribution to the broader transformation in South Africa, we must ensure that the investments we make today will grow the communities, employees and entities we work with for the future.”

Imitaz Imtiaz Patel, Group CEO MultiChoice South Africa

MultiChoice believes in Sustainable Transformation M

ultiChoice is a leading pay television operator in South Africa and believes its involvement in the country goes beyond its core business. Through various initiatives, MultiChoice believes that it is able to contribute to the transformation goals of the country.

According to Imtiaz Patel, the Group CEO of MultiChoice South Africa, “Transformation is a strategic imperative for the company and is firmly embedded in our business operations. We strive to ensure that our social and economic contributions are sustainable and have a lasting impact on beneficiaries. We believe that sustainable transformation or rather − transformation in action − will positively contribute to the broader goals of sustainable development within South Africa.”

MultiChoice has demonstrated the quiet and steadfast progress it is making with regards to the elements of transformation. “There are various initiatives MultiChoice has put in place that have enabled us to be an active contributor to the socioeconomic development in South Africa,” says Patel.

Phuthuma Nathi Investment 1 and 2, an empowerment initiative first introduced by MultiChoice in September 2006, was the largest empowerment transaction out of the media sector. This initiative added 120 000 black shareholders to the company’s shareholder base, with a dividend payout of more than a billion rand since its inception.

Patel suggests that the success of Phuthuma Nathi lies in its unique structure − by making the scheme broad-based and accessible to people across various income levels, ordinary South Africans were able to invest in MultiChoice South Africa. Cumulatively, these shareholders indirectly own 20 percent of the company.

“The pursuit of our sustainable transformation initiatives contributes towards the long-term profitability and sustainability of our business and the socio-economic development of communities in which we operate,” suggests Patel. Our empowerment initiatives have both an internal and external focus that includes aspects such as preferential procurement, employment equity and staff development, community support and corporate social investment.”

With an increase in its preferential procurement spend from 55 percent in 2009 to 87 percent in 2010, MultiChoice acknowledged the role it can play within its own space to drive SMME growth. “We see this as a critical contributor towards broader economic growth within the country.” Patel adds that the research by the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) indicates that more that 95 percent of businesses in South Africa are SMMEs and collectively contribute approximately 35 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Thus, by creating environments that are more supportive of smaller entrepreneurs, the company can stimulate the growth in this vital sector of the economy.

Patel sites Mzansi Magic, a local television channel

produced by M-Net, as one of its vehicles that will stimulate economic growth of SMMEs within the broadcast sector. He believes that the procurement of local content from local film makers and production houses will provide the impetus for growth with the film industry in South Africa.

Apart from its economic initiatives, MultiChoice is also making headway with regards to employment equity and staff development. Its performance against employment equity targets reveals a 75 percent black representation, with 44 percent of employees who are female. “We are committed to ensuring that our workforce reflects the demographics of the country,” says Patel, adding that, “MultiChoice is also making strides in the employment of disabled individuals, which now stands at 52 disabled employees.”

The company also includes employee development as a key focus, providing its employees at all levels with a chance to participate in a number of initiatives ranging from on-site skills transfer and specialist training to supervisory and executive management training.

As part of its role in contributing to the social development within South Africa, MultiChoice plays an active role in its communities. According to Patel, MultiChoice’s corporate social responsibility is about long-term involvement in communities. “Our CSI strategy is underpinned by the need to make a sustainable difference in the lives of those less fortunate.

In doing so, we partner with government departments, non-governmental organisations and communities to ensure that a long-term impact can be made to the communities in which we work.”

Critical to the MultiChoice CSI initiatives is training and skills development, ensuring the independence of these communities long after the company has left, says Patel. Making specific reference to the orphaned and vulnerable children programme, he indicates that MultiChoice ensures not only infrastructure development at the child care centres, but provides necessary training for the centre managers to ensure that these centres are maintained and sustained. To date MultiChoice has assisted 10 centres for orphaned and vulnerable children across the county.

The other significant impact to communities is the ICT in Schools programme. MultiChoice provides multimedia laboratories to high-performing, under-resourced schools. The laboratories are equipped with computers,

educational CD-ROMs, televisions, DStv decoders, DVD recorders and multi-functional printers. MultiChoice also provides the schools with free access to DStv’s educational content that includes Mindset Learn, Discovery Channel and National Geographic. Teachers at the participating schools also receive IT training and guidance on how to integrate television content into their lessons. The programme has to date impacted 28 000 learners across the country.

Other programmes that are making a difference are: the MultiChoice Film Talent Incubator that is building capacity within the broadcast environment; since inception the programme has trained 64 aspirant filmmakers; the Carte Blanche Making a Difference campaign that has raised over R72m from corporate and private sponsors to turn the wish lists of state hospitals and certain charity organisations in South Africa into reality; and the SuperSport Let’s Play initiative that encourages our children to get active. This programme is now entrenched in schools, suburbs and townships across South Africa after raising R2.7m in sponsorship.

Through the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards, we recognise excellence in journalism on the continent. This encourages journalists to tell African stories.

Patel also indicates that MultiChoice encourages their customers to participate in community development through the Reach Out programme.

Employees of the company are also provided with a day every year to play a role in development within local communities through the make a difference day at the company. To date, MultiChoice employees have assisted about 50 charities since the start of the programme.

“We have seen the benefit of implementing programmes that are sustainable and that can truly affect the lives of people – not only now, but in the long term.”

“Sustainable transformation is about translating ideas and plans into action with the focus of it having a positive long-term impact for its beneficiaries,” says Patel. “If we are to make some contribution to the broader transformation in South Africa, we must ensure that the investments we make today will grow the communities, employees and entities we work with for the future.”

ART Discovering the new hot Writer Alexander Gray

Imitaz Patel, Group CEO MultiChoice South Africa

Collecting art successfully Sam supplies Galleries in Cape Town (The Hout Bay Gallery, Red Gallery and requires the mastery G3 Art), Plett (Core Designs), Hermanus of two essential skills, and Johannesburg (Art Now- in Mandela square). She still works with interior the ability to research, designers, developers and art directors evaluate and purchase creating art for feature films. In 2009 she the work that attracts was commissioned by Zimbali Fairmont your eye and the ability to in Kwazulu Natal to produce 250 abstract is a leading pay television pieces for their hotel. Patel suggests that the success of Phuthuma Nathi selectultiChoice pieces which form operator in South Africa and believes lies in uniqueof structure − by making the scheme Beginning its with a series of its paintings a meaningful collection.

MultiChoice believes in Sustainable Transformation

M

involvement in the country goes beyond its core broad-based classic ‘little black dresses’ Sam wasand soonaccessible to people across various inspired while browsing through a second business. Through various initiatives, MultiChoice income levels, ordinary South Africans were able to hand store. In her owninvest words:in “The idea of f course if you believes that itit always is ablehelps to contribute to the MultiChoice South Africa. Cumulatively, these looking through your Gran’s old chest or get lucky and findof something transformation goals the country. shareholders indirectly own 20 percent of the company. rummaging through classic old gowns in spectacular. Something which According to Imtiaz Patel, the Group CEO of hand stores ignited “The pursuit of our sustainable transformation second my imagination. stands out from the endless MultiChoice South Africa, “Transformation is a strategic initiatives contributes towards the long-term Beautifully crafted, silk and beaded gowns flower pots, fruit pickers, trite imperative for the company and is firmly embedded profitability sustainability of our business and from a time pastinor from a far offand place wildlife pieces or obscure stimulated myour mind. Who wore this? How development of communities in our business Weart strive that the socio-economic African operations. figures. African has to ensure it end up here? waswe theoperate, owners ” suggests Patel. Our empowerment influenced andeconomic inspired Western art for aredid social and contributions sustainable and What which It was that she have chanced centuries, shapesimpact and designs of African have athe lasting on benefi ciaries.‘story’?”

We believe thathereinitiatives both an internal and external focus that upon an old silk kimono. The epitome of sculptures and masks have inspired many sustainable transformation or rather − transformation includes aspects such as preferential procurement, mysterious, meaningful clothing! The word abstract art forms. In recent times the West in action − will positively contribute to the broader employment equity and staff development, community kimono simply means “thing to wear” has made its influence felt in African art. goals of sustainable development within South Africa. ” support and corporate social investment.” or “clothing” but each one is decorated It’s not often, though, that you find African with symbolic images of birds, dragons, in its preferential procurement MultiChoice has demonstrated the quiet and With an increase art inspired by the East. flowers, symbol has 55 a deep Yetsteadfast that’s precisely you’ll with find regards progresswhat it is making towater the etc. Each spend from percent in 2009 to 87 percent in 2010, has a different when lookingofattransformation.

Sam Browns “Kimono elements “There aremeaning variousand each kimono MultiChoice acknowledged the role it can play within ceremonial significance too. Thus was born Collection”. started work in in film initiativesSam MultiChoice has put place that have its own space to drive SMME growth. “We see this as a the Kimono Collection. which led her to study Theatre Technology enabled us to be an active contributorSam to the sociocritical explains: “I paint them contributor without the towards broader economic growth at Natal Tech where she also studied a economic development in South Africa, ” says Patel. within the country. figure and leave the viewer to kind of fill ” Patel adds that the research by the number of art subjects. After graduating Phuthuma Nathi Investment 1 and 2, an Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) indicates in the blanks.

The edges are painted to look she moved to Cape Town and worked worn lovemore the feel of 95 oldpercent of businesses in South Africa empowerment initiative first introduced by and distressed. Ithat that with a set building company painting large worn silk or linen which I have tried to sets,MultiChoice creating scenic works and2006, murals. in September was the largest are SMMEs and collectively contribute approximately capture.”

Sam’s elegant portrayal of these After a number of years freelancing for empowerment transaction out 35 percent of the country’s gross domestic product fine garments brings on an indefinable local and international film companies of the media sector. This initiative added 120 000 (GDP). Thus, by creating environments that are more sense of nostalgia. Her work represents a she finally secured studio space at the black shareholders to the company’s shareholder base, supportive of smaller entrepreneurs, the company can refreshing new direction for local art.

Waterfront and began painting full time. with a dividend payout of more than a billion rand stimulate the growth in this vital sector of the economy. since its inception.

Patel sites Mzansi Magic, a local television channel

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FILM SPUD Starring: Troye Sivan, John Cleese, Jason Cope. Tanit Phoenix, Jeremy Crutchley Genre: Comedy Rating: ****½ The famous novel, written by John van der Ruit, is now a movie. Spud takes the form of a narration from a young boy’s diary which depicts the hilarious adventures at a private boarding school in South Africa in 1990. It’s a film jampacked with wit and fun.

MORNING GLORY Starring: Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, Dianne Keaton, Patrick Wilson Genre: Romantic Comedy

BLACK SWAN Starring: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Barbara Hersey, Winona Ryder Genre: Drama Rating: **** Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman) is an aspiring prima ballerina. She lives with her mother (Barbara Hersey), who tries to live her dreams vicariously through Nina.

There is a new ballet season coming up and it starts with a fresh adaptation of the famous ‘Swan Lake”. The role of the swan queen belongs to Nina. When determination and Ballet meets a volatile mind, the collapse between good and evil can be spectacular.

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Rating: **½ Becky (Rachel McAdams), a morning TV show producer, is charged with turning around the worst performing show in New York. Becky is faced with a dispirited staff, crooked talent and network executives threatening to replace the show with infomercials. If a mediocre romantic comedy is what you’re looking for then this is a must see!

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THEATRE & BOOKS

Everything Will Be All Right Author: Douglas Wallace Rating: ***½

The Taming of the Shrew

Kurt Schoonraad Presents Home Groan

Directed by: Roy Sargeant

Directed by: Rob van Vuuren

Rating: ***

Rating: ***

An amiable drunk, Christopher Sly, is thrown out of a pub and falls into a deep sleep in which he dreams a dream. That dream follows the story of Petruchio, a circus owner, who tries and tames the shrewish Katherine. This playwithin-a-play, with its feral and frivolous uses of disguises, mistaken identities and confusion provides comedy for all. Through this comedy, two of Shakespeare’s most celebrated lovers encounter a rugged path to true love.

This rubber-faced comedian has left many funny bones at shattering point in his sold-out national tour. He returns with new material in his one-man, stand-up show that tackles the ludicrousness of everyday life, from men’s waxes to alien abductions, super heroes and more.

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In this heartbreaking memoir of Wallace he explains how he went from being homeless and poverty-stricken to owning a twenty-acre ranch and being the head of a flourishing law firm. Everything Will Be All Right speaks to the dual nature of the American dream, which is as bright and shiny as it is dark and deceitful.

THE BANJO PLAYER Author: Douglas Wallace Rating: **** A riveting conspiracy set amongst the big players of the Oil, Finance and Politics arenas. The author whisks the reader into the heart of Geopolitics.

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RESTAURANT REVIEW Raw Cafe Writer Mark & Roxy Rosenberg

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hey say ‘all happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast’! How true those words are for Mark and I. Especially on a Sunday at 11h00. For a change of scenery we thought we would entice you with a lovey corner café we found on the Vredehoek hillside in Derry Street. RAW Café! Where it began with a love for food. The success of the café thrives on husband and wife team, Victoria and Tyrone Rawlins, and their dynamic team work in the kitchen, cooking all their favourite home recipes from the heart.

Sitting out on the deck (depending on the wind) we settled in for a happy, hearty breakfast with a twist. Mark always says that he would rather have dinner at some restaurant than go for a breakfast. He feels that we can make a much better breakfast ourselves, without the oil and grease that comes along with many breakfast specials

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in town. However, he forgot all about those words after he discovered the “old school” two eggs, bacon & toast. The lovely chef’s please his taste buds by making scrambled eggs, mushrooms & toast. These mushrooms have become his new addiction. They are full of flavour with a hint of salt and garlic. I have often been told, after enjoying a leisurely breakfast at RAW, just how delicious those mushrooms are!

My favourite is the Breakfast Wrap scrambled egg with fresh tomato, avo, cheese, spring onion and sweet chilli. And you have the choice to add bacon. I always think I can’t eat that much in the morning, but before I know it I am licking my lips trying to savour the flavours. RAW Café also carries a range of tasty sweet treats like Lindt chocolate croissants or crispy waffles, cupcakes and homemade heart-cookies. As an extra bonus they now serve Vida-e coffee,

catering to our caffeine cravings at the same time. The homely, pleasant feeling we get at RAW leaves us hanging around for longer than intended most of the time. It’s always such a treat to sip ice cold water served by the Litre with lemon & mint leaves. A refreshing reprieve from the merciless February heat!

RAW Café also offers scrumptious salads, sublime sandwiches and tasty home favourites like burgers and chicken & leek pot pies. Situated at 21 Derry Street, this cosy quaint café has become our favourite resting spot on the weekend. RAW is serving souls Tuesday to Sunday from 8am to 5pm.

If you are in the mood for home-cooked, delicious meals along with friendly, helpful hosts take a trip up Vredehoek hill!

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MICHELANGELOTOWERS MALL . +27 . 11 . 245 4000 . OFF NELSON MANDELA SQUARE . SANDTON . BYBLOS + 2711 884 4056

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FASHION

As seen on screen Writer Stacey Metcalfe

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site. Additionally it runs a fashion blog which is frequently updated with articles relating to celebrities and entertainment, and then links are provided to clothes on the main retail site in order for you to buy into the celebrity trend.

ASOS.com is particularly well regarded for its large variety of both male and female fashion and beauty goods, as well as for the speed at which it keeps up with the latest fashion trends. It keeps up to date with new looks, and gives detailed reports on how to wear them and what to buy, in order to save the trendy from visiting a multitude of trending sites in order to decipher for ones self what the appropriate Asos.com is the credit crunch look is for the time. defying brand ~ Esquire For those with a specific desire, ASOS.com features a powerful search engine which can filter by category or ASOS is the first online shop to offer FREE by brands as well as a link to a catwalk show, delivery to South Africa via standard courier, showing models strutting down the ramp with no minimum product charge, and only wearing the fashion item you’re interested ₤20 for express delivery in less than 5 days. in. This gives you a clearer idea of how The site is so easy to use, beautiful and the the clothes hang and move on the body and delivery is free... what more could be asked helps you decide if you want to purchase the for? item. A comprehensive return policy is also This online retailer brings together high available, leaving one with peace of mind, if street brands from its own in-house ASOS the correct item is not received. brand, which is totally trend driven and ASOS.com is affiliated with trusted online affordable, to brands like Topshop, Hackett payment facilitators PayPal for further London, NETAPORTER, Miss Selfridge, security. With PayPal, you can pay easily American Apparel, RIVER_ISLAND, without sharing your financial information Urban Outfitters, New Look Fashion, Harvey with the merchant over the website. With Nichols and Lipsy to name a few. ASOS so little time and so much choice, being up offers shoppers a huge selection of fashion to to date and fashionable is now a reality... choose from. The website features interactive without leaving the comfort of our offices. functionality through its catwalk videos and provides potential customers a number of unique features, including individual catwalk model videos of most clothing items on the or most professional people, time is one of our most precious assets, seeing as it’s the one thing you have the least of.

ASOS (As Seen on Screen) is the UK’s largest independent online fashion and beauty retailer, with over 35,000 branded and own label products available, and over 1500 new lines added each week.

It attracts over 6.9 million unique visitors a month and has 2.9 million registered users.

On November 17, 2009, ASOS launched “ASOS Premier’” which was a new delivery loyalty scheme, similar to that of Amazon.

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Knysna Lodges For the best holiday youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll ever have...

Plan to have great adventures.

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www.knysnalodges.co.za 129

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FASHION

Nanine du Plessis Writer Farah Abdurahman

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ardworking, humble and a true perfectionist – this best describes Nanine du Plessis, the designer of urbane, unique and timeless classics. Nanine has etched herself in the fashion industry and is known for her quality garments and great fitting pants. Her work and spirit embodies the South African expression “local is lekker”.

Who is Nanine?

I started making clothes from a young age

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and followed in my grandmother’s footsteps.

After completing my clothing Design diploma at Cape Town Technikon, where I won the Best Creative Student award, I decided to go to Johannesburg. I had a very exciting five years, working for wellknown fashion designer, Marianne Fassler.

I moved back to Cape Town where I joined the Anthula Markovitz label called Bianca Collection. In 1998 we won the J&B Rare Designer award. Having gained experience in both creative one-offs and commercial

garments I started the Nanine Fine Wear label in 1999. I was already known in the industry which made it a bit easier.

I am a perfectionist and believe in good fitting quality garments. I believe anything is possible if your heart is in it.

Who or what inspires you when designing?

I get inspired mainly by fabrics, magazines, celebrities and international designers. I follow international trends, but I always interpret it in my own style to suit the South African woman.

What does the Nanine Fine Wear brand offer the South African market?

The Nanine Fine Wear offers affordable designer wear. My style is sophisticated and creative, yet timeless. Quality and fit is of utmost importance. I am known for the best fitting pants in South Africa and I get calls from all over asking me where they can find my brand.

What are your thoughts on the current fashion industry?

Because of the recession the current fashion industry is tougher than it’s ever been.

People think twice before they buy. They would rather invest in a classic item than a high fashion garment.

What are your future plans for the brand?

Offering more pants styles under different labels.

What makes a successful fashion designer in South Africa?

A successful fashion designer believes in their style, is passionate, hardworking and must have good business sense.

How do you feel about your significant contribution to the fashion industry?

I feel blessed to be able to do what I am passionate about. I have been in the business for 12 years and it gives me great joy when customers love my designs. It makes all the hard work worth it!

Any words of wisdom for up and coming designers?

Love what you do. Believe in yourself.

Prepare to work hard. Balance creativity with wearability and comfort. Develop business sense or find a partner with business sense. Quality is important. Look after your customers and staff. Trust your gut.

Never give up. For every problem there is a solution. Hard work pays off!

Your information and communication technology solution

Nuflex is slowly but surely becoming a recognized and trusted brand in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Industry This company was founded in 2006 by experienced professionals the ICT, Marketing and Business industries in South Africa to provide services that enables organisations both in the private and public sector to leverage technology for greater return on their investments.

Our Service offerings â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Nu Flex offers end-to-end services categorized into five specific domains: Business and Management, Custom, Business, Systems and IT Infrastructure and Integration.. Using our pool of skilled resources, these services are offered to both private and public sector in both local and international markets. With our strong and well experienced team, we utilize the most popular technologies in developing various business applications for our clients, including Government departments where we continue to play a pivotal role. We have built technical skills that can help the Government in realizing its initiative of Free Open Source System. With President Jacob Zuma recently stating that 2011 would be a year of jobs creation, we see ourselves as one of the many platforms trough which this initiative can be supported and we think this is where the Public Private Partnerships (PPP) plays a crucial role. Government departments and other entities in the public sectors also want to realign their processes and improve service delivery, we believe that we can play a valuable role by offering our knowledge and capacity to support their skills where necessary. Thapelo Ramarumo, the Managing Director also mentioned that the company is focusing on employing young and historically disadvantaged South Africans but was quick to point out that it is not easy for them as they sometimes struggle with clients who do not have any interest in these future managers and strategists who are in many cases denied the opportunity to prove themselves. What differentiates us from our competitors is our commitment to quality, our proven methodologies and strict adherence to project schedules. We utilize a pool of skilled professionals to deliver highly cost competitive solutions without compromising on quality. Ramarumo further mentioned that the company has started to reap the fruits of marketing outside the borders of South Africa. We are currently doing consulting work for a Major bank in the South African Development Community (SADC) region. So talk to us and together we can build a winning solution for your organisation, whether you are a Government department or a private organization.

212B Lougardia Building, Corner Embankment and Hendrik Verwoerd Drive, Centurion 0157 Switchboard +27 (0)87 802 6085 Fax +27 (0)86 610 0168 Email thapelor@nuflex.co.za www.nuflex.co.za

EVENTS Writer Rishqah Roberts

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011 promises to be an action packed year. Starting with the cricket world cup 2011, which started with an Indian flavoured bang on the 19th of February and continues through to the 2nd of April.

For those of you who are perhaps not into the team sports; and prefer the individual thing, Cape Town will be hosting their infamous 33rd annual Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay cycle tour. This year the event will take place on Sunday, 13th March.

Art lovers will appreciate the Absa Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK), this event is but one which proves that 2011 will easily please the tastes of all South Africans.

This event is to be held from the 2nd to the 9th of April 2011, in Oudtshoorn. Event planners have warned; that accommodation should be sorted as soon as possible, to avoid having to play camper on the dusty showgrounds.

Bizet’s eternally popular and delectably melodramatic homage to Spanish music, Spanish passion and dangerous Spanish woman returns to Cape Town in a grandly traditional staging by Michael Williams and Michael Mitchell. Bizet’s Carmen opens on 09 March 2011 at the Artscape Opera House For the more serious, business minded folk out there, 2011 has even thought of you. The TOURISM INDABA will be hosted from the 7th to the 10th of May, at the Albert Luthuli Convention Centre, perhaps better known as the Durban ICC. INDABA has been rated one of the three “must attend” events globally. The event I’ll be waiting for most patiently and counting down the days, hours, minutes and seconds to, like a good school girl, is the rugby world cup. The action, which starts on the 9th of September, will be hosted by the current Tri Nations champions, New Zealand.

As you will note and hopefully plan ahead for; the 2011 events is wishing to serve more ups and smiles as opposed to downs and frowns, as there is sure to be an event for all. So even though our days may have wound back into somewhat of a monotonous routine, break the cycle, spoil yourself and book an event that tickles your fancy!

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CRICKET WORLD CUP 19 FEBRUARY - 2 APRIL

AdExpo Sandton Convention Centre 23 - 25 March

Bizet’s Carmen Artscape Opera House 9 - 19 March Cape Town Jazz Festival 25 - 26 March Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour ABSA Cape Epic 13 March 27 March - 3 April African Utility Week 14 - 17 March Cape Town Festival 18 - 21 March

The Cape Town Festival, which takes place in the company gardens, is a diverse arts, culture and heritage event catering to all.

The 2011 ABSA Cape Epic starts in Knysna and finishes at Lourensford Wine Estate in Cape Town.

KKNK 2 – 9 April The Rand Show 22 April

SA Cheese Festival Stellenbosch 9 April - 2 May Charity Golf Day Royal Cape 6 May

R1600.00 per four ball is all it costs to support the Cape Kidney Association Charity Golf Day.

Indaba Durban ICC 7 – 10 May Greenex 2011 MTN Expo Centre 12 - 13 May

Comrades Marathon Out of the Box Festival Two Oceans Marathon Pietermaritzburg 23 April 29 May 20 - 28 March The largest puppetry and visual performance arts festival on the subcontinent takes place at the Baxter Theatre, The UCT Hiddingh Campus and the Labia Cinema in Cape Town.

Africa Bike Week 28 April

More than 3000 Harley riders from all over the world will be descending on Margate for the Africa Bike Week.

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Looking back and going forward Writer Farah Abdurahman

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010 has come and gone! There was so much to do and so many soccer games to talk about. Let us reflect on what the Chinese called 2010, the year of the ferocious tiger and what it meant for South Africa.

While the FIFA Soccer World Cup™ brought along with it excitement and furore and accounted for a major part of the year, South Africans from all walks of life were engaged in many other activities that asserted us as world players. Let’s peep into some of these achievements: Songbird, Pumeza Matshikiza, won the Veronica Dunne International Opera Singing Competition Contest in Dublin, Ireland, beating many others from across the world; Comedy acts Outrageous and Bafunny, Bafunny, wowed audiences in the international arena; Various scientific awards ranging from online resources in education to women physicist‘s doing great things in the medical arena; South African film Themba: A boy called Hope, won the international Unicef Award for Child Rights at the Zanzibar International Film Festival.

The year 2010, was full of opportunities for

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South Africans to showcase what we have on offer and what we can achieve.

But enough of the past! It’s time to usher in the New Year. Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011.

Many resolutions made in 2010 just weren’t achieved. Hopefully we have made realistic ones this year and will look back on 2011 with pride and a sense of accomplishment!

The Chinese call this the Year of the Metal Rabbit, which is synonymous with the word placid. According to them, this is the year that “We should go off to some quiet spot to lick our wounds and get some rest after all the battles of the previous year.” They also claim that “The influence of the Rabbit tends to spoil those who like too much comfort and thus impair their effectiveness and sense of duty.” Woe to those whose life/work balance tends to tip the scale 80% towards the leisure element.

At the same time, the holidays have come and gone. Some of us are still saying “If only I…” – this seems a little bit too late. Next time, plan ahead and remember that there are only so many hours over the festive season and so much money that one can spend.

Now that we’re back in the proverbial hot seat and slowly gearing ourselves towards

bread and butter issues, one wonders what 2011 holds in store. Many are hopeful that this will be the year of brighter futures and economic empowerment for all! Despite the wholesale optimism, economists predict that unemployment will reach further highs; given the fact that our universities are not able to accommodate all the 2010 matriculants, many of whom may not be in a financial position to further their education.

There is some good news, consultancy firm Price Waterhouse Coopers did a study on “The World in 2050” and predicts that South Africa will be the seventh fastest-growing economy between now and 2050, with an average growth rate of five per cent.

Another exciting opportunity awaits the South African Cricket team, the Proteas, as they represent South Africa at the Cricket World Cup™ in India in February. Sport seems to dominate the South African scene as the rugby players are gearing up for the World Cup in 2012.

This brings me to my realisation that I have not made any plans to do anything significant in 2011, let me wrap up and get going on my list. Here’s wishing you all that’s bright and wonderful in the year of the rabbit!

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Altronâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s position on climate change Altronâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s position on climate change is in line with its mission statement and core values. In order to make climate change part of our business strategy, Altron declares its position as follows:

Acknowledging climate change Altron acknowledges that human activities related to the production and consumption of fossil fuels, primarily for the purpose of producing energy, result in the emission of greenhouse gases, the leading causes of climate change. Altron believes that climate change is significant both globally and locally. We support fully the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and understand that to be effective, such agreements need to be developed in partnership with industry.

Oversight by the board Altronâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s response to the issue of climate change is reviewed at board level and our Chief Executive is responsible for ensuring the continuation and the commitment to this initiative.

Target and reporting Altron commits to reporting to stakeholders in a transparent and timely manner. From the 2010/11 financial year, our integrated annual report will communicate progress against specific reduction targets to increase our energy efficiency and decrease greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Specifically, we will identify, evaluate and track the consumption of energy and the production of GHGs using internationally recognised protocols.

Reliance on fossil fuels Altron acknowledges that the majority of its energy is derived from electricity, which is generated from fossil fuels and, in particular, coal. Coal-fired power is the biggest source of harmful emissions on the southern African subcontinent. Consequently, Altron will seek to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels by finding ways to integrate energy efficiency and renewable energy across its businesses.

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Altron’s green is gold In 2010, Altron was awarded a gold certificate and was ranked joint 10th in the SA Chapter of the Carbon Disclosure Project. This represented an improvement

by Altron by 7 positions from its 2009 ranking.

Emissions trading

Renewable energy

Altron supports market-based mechanisms, such as emissions trading and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), provided that they are structured to be efficient, cost effective, flexible and responsive to business needs. Altron will consider projects that have demonstrated emission reductions that are real, additional (i.e. that would not have occurred anyway) and credible, making use of the most up-to-date internationally accepted standards*.

Furthermore, investment in emissions-reduction projects will be assessed for real sustainable development benefits, verified by registered and authorised independent third parties.

Altron acknowledges the need to explore new opportunities for energy efficiency and energy generation methods. Options such as solar, wind, waste-energy and co-generation can contribute to energy security and will lower Altron’s reliance on fossil fuels.

Business continuity Altron will include climate change risks and energy infrastructure considerations as part of its business continuity planning process, reducing the impact of unforeseen external events caused by climate change-related impacts.

From raw material suppliers to the end customer Altron acknowledges that energy consumption throughout its supply chain has implications for climate change. We will therefore encourage suppliers, contractors and associated stakeholders to improve their energy efficiency, to reduce their GHG emissions, and to report progress of these initiatives. Altron acknowledges that most of its products and manufacturing processes contain GHGs that are released when its products are produced or used. We will continually explore ways to provide customers with products that are produced and transported with lower total GHG emissions per product, and that contribute less to landfill, through increased re-use or recycling.

Water impacts Altron acknowledges that southern Africa is a water-scarce country and climate change models predict that this is set to worsen.

Given this, Altron will explore new methods of conservation, storage, rehabilitation and recycling of water within its operations.

Biodiversity Environmental consultants were commissioned to conduct a formal evaluation of Altron’s impact on biodiversity in 2009/10.The biodiversity mapping exercise has shown that on a macro scale, Altron’s impact on biodiversity is regarded as low. The organisation’s operations are generally located in the built-up urban environment, which has been previously disturbed by human activities.

None of the Altron operations are located close to or adjacent to protected areas. With respect to Altron’s impact on biodiversity from its products and services, the most significant issues for Altron relate to the footprint of the site and the use of resources and disposal of any wastes generated. Altron has adopted various environmental management systems (for example ISO14001) to mitigate these impacts. These include recycling initiatives, energy-efficient and water-saving technologies, reducing its reliance on natural resources, and considering the biodiversity impact of Altron’s key customers and suppliers.

*Associated standards include ISO14064, ISO14065 and WRI GHG Protocol – Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard

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