The South African, Issue 448, 31 January 2012

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31 January 2012 – 6 February 2012

Issue 448

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HIGH COMMISSIONER INVESTS IN FAKE SCHEME SA ambassador duped into sinking R3 million into 'mine' shares

D

by STAFF REPORTER r Zola Skweyiya, High Commissioner to the UK, is among a number of high profile South Africans who invested millions of rands in a scheme based on what appears to have been gross misrepresentation.

According to City Press, the names of people such as Skweyiya, Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and businesswoman Wendy Luhabe were allegedly used to lure more people to pump money into Lontoh Coal with a promise of huge returns once it listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Investors are now accusing Lontoh Coal of duping unsuspecting people into buying shares in the company by claiming it had a shareholding in mining companies. But an investigation by investors and responses from the mining houses this week revealed that Lontoh Coal did not own shares in any mines.

Investors also claimed that Lontoh Coal chief executive Tshepo Kgadima promised them a 5% commission if they brought in new investors.

But Kgadima insisted the company, which was started in 2006, owned shares in mines, adding that he had a fleet of 70 trucks and employed 140 drivers.

The High Commissioner’s nephew Dr Nkululeko Skweyiya said the veteran politician and his wife, Thuthukile, invested R1.6m, while the Skweyiya family trust pumped R2m into the company.

Luhabe put in R160,500 and Motsoaledi R1,000.

City Press reported that a list of Lontoh Coal investors showed that more than 90 people invested R11m in the firm.

Nkululeko said Kgadima told them he was raising funds to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on 28 November but when the deadline came, he pushed it forward to March 2012.

“When Lontoh Coal lists, Dr Skweyiya will never have to work a day in his life. The Skweyiyas have made a 1000% return,” claimed Kgadima.

Although Lontoh Coal’s website boasts that it owns coal mines in Zimbabwe and Piet Retief in Mpumalanga, the bosses of these mines said Lontoh Coal did not have a stake in the mines. Rainor Robinson, managing director of Zimbabwe’s Liberation Mining, said there was no relationship between the companies.

Aaron Ntuli, director of Piet Retief-based Kwasa Mine, said Lontoh Coal was only a customer of the mine.

Kgadima was adamant he owned shares in the mines.

INSIDE:

Year of the monkey, earthworm and giraffe | p8

Colin Macrae talks to Cheri MacNeil of Berlin-based South African SAMA winning folk pop act Dear Reader, who have just released their new album Idealistic Animals to rave reviews abroad.

How to realise your goals for 2012 l p12 In keeping with the theme of making resolutions and reaching goals in 2012, David Anderson from Dale Carnegie Training will speak at the SA Business Club’s first event of the year on 1 February.

SA POWER 100 – 2012: Stephan Pretorius| p13

SPIRIT OF TOGETHERNESS: Ahead of UMOJA’s return to the West End this week we chat to Todd Twala, one of the hit show’s creators. Interview on page 10.

Stephan Pretorius founded and runs Acceleration, a leading provider of consulting systems integration and technology to online marketing.

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| 31 January – 6 February 2012 | thesouthafrican.com

News

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Central Line: Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 February, no service between Hainault and Woodford. Rail replacement buses operate.

Bus service: between Hainault and Woodford, calling at Grange Hill, Chigwell and Roding Valley.

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Waterloo & City: This line is closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.

Trains generally operate on Monday to Friday from 0615 to 2148 and on Saturday from 0800 to 1830.

WHAT’S ON

January

from 1948 to 1990.

UMOJA The Musical Date: 31 January – 19 February Venue: Peacock Theatre, London UMOJA is a pulsating musical celebration of South African song and dance, which is set to light up the West End when it comes to the Peacock Theatre from 31 January to 19 February 2012.

Tickets on www. sadlerswells.com

Details: www.bbc.co.uk

UMOJA: The Musical

‘Have you Heard from Johannesburg’ Date: Tuesdays at 10pm Channel: BBC4 The second of a weekly fivepart TV documentary series on BBC4 at 10pm every Tuesday, which chronicles the history of the global anti-apartheid movement

February The SA Business Club Wednesday 1 February 6.15pm Venue: Stonecutter Lecture Theatre, Stonecutter Court, 1 Stonecutter Street, London, EC4A 3TR. In keeping with the theme of making resolutions and reaching goals in 2012, David Anderson from Dale Carnegie Training will speak at the SA Business Club’s first event of the year on Wednesday 1 February.

David will speak on setting goals and new year’s resolutions as well as steps on how to actually fulfil them in 2012.

The talk is free for SA Business Club members, £20 for members’ guests and £30 for non-members.

Tickets at www. sabusinessclub.com

Hugh Masekela brings his brilliant young band back to the UK for the first time since his sell-out show at the London Jazz Festival 2010, and will be joined on stage by Zara McFarlane, a rising star on the British scene.

Celebrating the start of Commonwealth Week, these artists offer a glimpse of the rich culture and creativity the modern Commonwealth has to offer.

Details: www.barbican.org. uk Also in Glasgow, Old Fruitmarket: 11 March 7.30pm.

March Hugh Masekela at the Barbican Date: Sunday 10 March 7.30pm Venue: Barbican hall, London

Hugh Masekela

Please email your events to: editor@thesouthafrican.com.

For more listings, please visit www.thesouthafrican.com

thesouthafrican.com | 31 January – 6 February 2012 |

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News

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Yvonne Chaka Chaka wins WEF crystal award South Africans pay tribute to late cricketer D’Oliveira

by STAFF REPORTER YVONNE Chaka Chaka has become the first African woman to receive the World Economic Forum’s crystal award at the forum in Davos, Switzerland.

She is known for her music, but she also serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Roll Back Malaria Campaign and Roll Back Malaria Partnership.

The award is for artists who use their music in global activism – previous winners have included actor Richard Gere, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and singer Youssou N’Dour.

She was recognised, according to Hilde Schwab, co-founder of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs (the organisation giving the award), because “Yvonne has clearly understood her opportunities to do good and the access her powerful voice allows, through both song and conversation, to reach and influence those who can act”.

President Zuma, who is also attending the forum, congratulated her, saying: “We applaud the wonderful work she does promoting quality health care and other social development issues in the continent” and added “we are immensely proud”.

Chaka Chaka expressed her happiness with the decision to award her for her extensive work

Yvonne Chaka Chaka performing at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Photograph by World Economic Forum

on malaria control, saying it demonstrated that world leaders were recognising that investment in global health issues improved economic growth. “Evidence continues to show the clear economic returns from keeping families healthy. But you don’t have to be an economist to realise that if children stay healthy they can go to school and grow up to

be productive members of their communities… If we’re serious about improving global prosperity, we need to be serious about solving some of the obstacles in our way.”

Chaka Chaka, who grew up in Soweto during apartheid, began her campaign against malaria in 2004, when a band member died of the illness.

by STAFF REPORTER AT Friday’s packed memorial service at Worcester Cathedral, tribute was paid to late South African-born cricketer Basil D’Oliveira by Avi Lasarow, recently appointed Honorary Consul for the Republic of South Africa to the Midlands.

The service was attended by more than 1, 000 people, including past and present cricketers, with tributes also from Beresford Williams, president of the Western Province Cricket Union in South Africa, and Sir Michael Parkinson.

D’Oliveira, who emigrated to England and was selected to tour South Africa with the England team in 1968 , was refused permission to play due to the South African National Party’s policies of sporting isolation for non-white players, which resulted in the tour being cancelled.

Lasarow said, “On behalf of the South African High Commission, and of the thousands of South Africans living and working in the UK, I am honoured to have the opportunity to pay respect to the life and work of Basil D’Oliveira, and the huge contribution and sacrifices he made to champion the causes of tolerance and inclusion in South Africa and the UK”.

D’Oliveira passed away in late 2011

Parkinson spoke of the challenges D’Oliveira faced when he arrived in England. ”He had to learn to behave as a free man – he asked his perplexed team members which door to the pavilion he was allowed to use, which part of the bus he could sit in and which area in the pub he was allowed to drink in. For a while he was a lost and unhappy soul, while he tried to adjust to a lifestyle where he was an equal and not treated as a leper.

“He was so unhappy and confused that he nearly returned home, but friends and family and his own remorseless willpower drove him on,” he said.

According to Williams, ”Basil was always dignified and did not allow the injustices to hold him back.”

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| 31 January – 6 February 2012 | thesouthafrican.com

Comments

Follow us on Twitter: @tsa_london

On ‘Interracial clinch sets South African social networks abuzz’ Admore: This is a political gimmick, if not a false start Deep1: I didn’t think it was an issue any more! Quite surprised you don’t have more interesting things to write about. South Africans need to move along.Jjust because there are inter racial couples doesn’t mean you have to be in one if you don’t want to! Freedom of choice.

Annie: I agree 100%! It is not an issue at all any more in SA – you can kiss and cuddle whoever you want. I am just so “gatvol” of what feels like a forced and false integration. Freedom of choice rules!

Petronella: My husband and I not only broke the Immorality Act, we broke the Mixed Marriages Act too, which made our children both illegal and illegitimate under South African law! And I am sure people would look twice, even in the DA’s future, and even if the couple were fully clothed, simply because they are good looking!

Mfaniseni: How desperate is the DA, soon we gonna hear Zille has a black boyfriend. For some this poster opens wounds, I was badly assaulted for walking with my colleague in Johannesburg. DASO

F O R

T H E

try another method of winning support.

Stafford Young: Why is this even an issue?

Diane Jolly: Ohh for heaven’s sake: it’s two people embracing. End of.

Yolande de Klerk: It’s fine - don’t mind it at all. I jut don’t get why they absolutely HAVE to be naked?

Just to create controversy? Why could they not just have held hands, or embraced or whatever. I think the nakedness was intended to get people’s backs up.

Luiza Pestana: Every South African should see this as a symbol of racial progress, the fact that it’s gotten ppl’s backs up is so so sad.

Doesn’t anyone get it! It doesn’t matter what colour your skin is.

Mary Jearey: What’s the big deal?

Rather worry about the homeless, starving, sick and uneducated!

Priorities?

Tasneem Wadee: South Africa really. As if that’s what integration is about. I know I’ll get myself a partner from the opposite race because thats a cool thing to do post apartheid to show how cosmopolitan I really am... baaaaarrrrf Shannon Whateley: Agree with all. Who gives a damn. If people can have a kind, loving, honest, trusting, respectful relationship I am delighted, irrelevant of the colour

C A T ’ S

of their skin. It makes no difference - we’re all still human at the end of the day in spite of what some believe.

Faghma Coetzee: Yolande, it’s not just the nakedness but the combination of nakedness and it being interracial because if it was two people of the same race then the nakedness would not bother people at all. I’m ecstatic that there’s an uproar about it.

Let people come face to face with their prejudices. Bring it out in the open and rant and rave rather than pretend one thing when out in public and say another behind closed doors.

On ‘Is South Africa treated unfairly?’

Norman: Without doubt the UK press and politicians are negative about South Africa. The schooling, banking, policing, retail, education, manners, pride and general morality is far superior in SA. I have lived in England for 14 years and the decline in standards is frightening.

South Africa needs a marketing team based in the UK. The embassy is silent and is not promoting the SA cause, in fact is useless. The politicians believe they are superior.

My MP in Sussex disregards South Africans and the country. We are

W H I S K E R S

I N

all victimised and as soon as the local Brits are aware of my family’s roots, their backs are turned.

Sam: I have always thought the British press have a biased and terrible view of SA. All the bad stories make the news, none of the good.

Alex Hesquar: Yes but then the Brits don’t write favourably about anything that’s not British.

Especially if it comes out of Africa, only when they want to raise funds for poor starving Africans which is just another job creation lark as most of the money goes to British Aid Workers’ salaries. To find out what goes on in Britain you have to read the local newspapers, you will be surprised at the number of crimes, assaults, murders etc that don’t make the national news.

David: I’m a Brit who lived in SA for a couple of years. Since returning home a year ago, I have not once bought a newspaper. Why? Because all reporters write about here, is sensationalist doom and gloom about everything, home and abroad. I am fed up reading that I am going to lose my house, my childrens’ education is being dumbed down and if I go to hospital, the chance of dying from an unconnected illness is increasing. We can’t write anything good about anything which is why I don’t read it. Don’t be downhearted my South African friends. I spent two wonderful years there, have

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Now will they please interview our UK/ SA Ambassador and ask more pertinent questions.

The top dogs should be made to squirm more, instead of just having it easy.

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DON’T PUT A FOOT WRONG

athdesign

A C R O S S

just been back. It’s a great country and that’s my story….and I’m sticking to it.

Johan CarstensYou have regrettably mentioned quite a few of the negatives. Corruption in government, high murder rate, 49 killings per day over the past 17/18 years, incompetent government and local authorities, ie Limpopo and others. No 1st world country will allow such a situation to persist, yet our leaders and their cronies are paid world-class salaries while their people are sufferng. I’m sorry to harp on these issues, but who is doing something about it? Yes, thanks to the British press for keeping these issues

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Community

shoulders, and did it again. And again. Pretty soon, everybody was hosing themselves at this woman who just couldn’t stop laughing.

I thought of Falkow fondly this last week when news broke of ROB BOFFARD the Democratic Alliance poster depicting a man and a woman, one black and one white, embracing.

Sometimes, stories pop up which you don’t have to make fun of. They break, then rapidly degenerate into parody. At that A few years ago, I went to a show point, columnists like me don’t by the comedian Cokey Falkow. have to write a single thing. All we It was at the Grahamstown Arts have to do is point, and the world Festival, and the crowd was in explodes with laughter. a boisterous mood. Fortunately, It was a clever poster. It made a Cokey is the kind of person you good point (particularly the tagline: heckle at your peril, so his control “In our future, you wouldn’t look of the show was absolute. He’s twice”) and raised a pertinent astounding to watch, all lanky issue. But you can’t put out a rubber arms and poster like that To be fair, the DA’s poster and not expect a a face studded with swear million parodies was always going to words, and he is to instantly touch a particularly raw pop up. I saw a genuinely funny. nerve. I wish this wasn’t Sasco version – About halfway through the whether it was the case, but it is. show, a woman official or not, in the front row started laughing.

I can’t say – depicting a white That was understandable in the woman dressed in domestic worker circumstances, but she wouldn’t clothing, with the same tagline. stop: she went on cackling way Superb! beyond the point where it was And then I saw the one appropriate to stop laughing at a with the beer bottles. And the joke so Cokey could move onto meercats. And before you could the next one. She attempted to say Umshin’Wami, the entire stifle it, but it kept bursting out, message had gotten completely to the surprise of the comedian. lost, drowned in a sea of maniacal After a while, Cokey simply cackling. Frankly, I was surprised stopped talking, and pointed at her, that Nandos didn’t immediately eliciting a fresh burst of hysterical rush out a version, though surely cackles. Then he shrugged his it’s only a matter of time.

To be fair, the DA’s poster was always going to touch a particularly raw nerve. I wish this wasn’t the case, but it is. But here’s the weird thing: I can’t think of a single reason that anybody would object to the image on the poster.

The tagline, maybe (particularly the ANC, who probably responded with a “Oh, hey now, just wait one damn minute there…”) but the image? If you were shocked by it, you’re a dinosaur. Or something that should be taken outside and put down humanely.

Still, if nothing else, our politics could do with a bit of a shake-up from time to time – even if it does come at the expense of a pointed question. Or perhaps just a pointed The original DASO poster. finger.

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One of the many parody posters that have been circulating online.

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| 31 January – 6 February 2012 | thesouthafrican.com

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WILD SWANS FLY: Nearly 100 people came to London’s Haberdashers Hall to hear South African mountaineer Cathy O’Dowd talk about her experience as the first woman to summit Everest from both its north and south sides. She spoke in support of the Wilderness Foundation’s Wild Swans programme for young women leaders.

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Year of the monkey, earthworm and giraffe South Africa’s SAMA award winning folk pop act Dear Reader evolve with critically acclaimed new album Idealistic Animals.

by COLIN MACRAE BACK in 2006 Jozi based Harris Tweed were a delightful addition to the SA music scene. Forgoing the standard “lets copy the international rock sound” of so many local wannabes, they forged an unique path between quirky pop and heartfelt folk. When they opened for José Gonzales and Fallout Boy, toured Europe and won a SAMA for their second release Replace Why with Funny, the combination of their innovative animated videos and the worldwide resurgence in folk music, even though by this time for legal reasons they had to change their name to Dear Reader, it seemed just a matter of time before they broke into the big time.

Although, when in late 2010 singer song writer Cherilyn MacNeil relocated to Berlin and parted ways with founding member Darryl Torr, it seemed it might be another case of so near for another SA talent attempting that elusive jump from local success to international renown.

However, as is often with artists in exile, Cheri has found her own voice with Dear Reader’s new album Idealistic Animals (she kept the name after the split), which has been released in the UK this week.

It is a wonderfully emotional mix of idiosyncratic views, haunting vocals and some jazzy flair that exudes her maturity as a song writer. Recorded in Germany and the USA and released on Über cool German label City Slang, home of the Tindersticks, Arcade Fire and Alexi Murdoch, it has the verve of Feist and the honesty of Laura Marling and maybe more than a hint of Kate Bush, Tori Amos and Joni Mitchell to boot. Good company indeed, and with whom her place is well deserved if the rave views in the UK press, BBC6 and NME are anything to go by.

For all its worldly wise ways and universal charm, if you listen closely you can hear just a touch of the Highveld, Madiba himself even gets a name check in the singe release “Monkey”, and it is still profoundly South African in its thematic objectives. With the long winter nights still with us, Dear Reader is the perfect dreamy duvet music, no matter how far we are from home.

Idealistic Animals is available now at all major retailers and for download on iTunes, Dear Reader are currently on tour in Europe for January and February.

Details: dearreadermusic.com

SAMA award winning band Dear Reader are currently on tour in Europe to promote their new album Idealistic Animals

9

thesouthafrican.com | 31 January – 6 February 2012 |

Entertainment

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FANIE os oppie jas

FANIE VAN DER MERWE

Oor Limpôpô: die pôpôl van Suid-Afrika?

VAT die N1 noord uit Pretshwane en dit neem jou nie lank om daar te kom nie. Wanneer tolhekke met gerusstellende reëlmaat voor jou begin opdoem en jy omring word deur wetsgehoorsame padgebruikers, is jy op die regte pad. Wanneer dit begin wemel van padwaardige voertuie wat ‘n wettige aantal insittendes karwei, is jy naby. En wanneer die roetewysers eers wêreldbekende name soos Mookgopong, Modimolle en Mokopane begin vertoon, het jy gearriveer. Welkom in Limpôpô!

Wat mens dadelik opval, is die jukstaposisie van die arbeidsaamheid van die Limpôpôane. Aan die een kant het jy die werkgierige, smetlose staatsamptenare en tenderpreneurs.

Deugsame mans en vroue wat alles in die stryd werp om van hul provinsie ‘n baken van vooruitgang

en skoon regering te maak.

Lynreg teenoor dié groep staan die kreperende gepeupel. Werksku leeglêers wat met hul veragtelike aandrang op sosiale toelaes veroorsaak dat al die goeie werk van premier Cassel Mathale tot niet gemaak word. Ai, armlastige, nikswerd mense darem maar.

Op ‘n meer positiewe noot: Limpôpô is die laaste beskawingsvesting voordat Donker Afrika sy skadu oor jou gooi. Die infrastruktuur is wêreldklas, met veral die gebrek aan slaggate wat ‘n regmerkie verdien. Rommel word geplaas waar dit hoort – in asdromme – en word nie sommer goedsmoeds langs die pad gestrooi nie. Misdaad bestaan wel, maar behels gewoonlik onbenullighede, soos die aanbring van graffiti onder brûe of die vaslê van vrugte uit vrugteboorde.

Op die platteland, soos in die stede, vind jy gemeenskappe wat moeiteloos die oorgang na die Nuwe Suid-Afrika gemaak het.

Wit en swart aanvaar mekaar sonder slag of stoot en dra passievol mekaar se belange op die hart. Ware sierade van die reënboognasie en die Aartsbiskop se witbroodjies.

By die meeste plaasingange word die plaasnaam sorgvuldig in sierskrif aangebring. Die fyn sin vir humor waarvoor Limpôpôane so bekend is, skemer deur in die suggestie wat in dié name verskuil lê – iets wat moelik deur buitestanders gesnap word.

‘Kromdraai’, ‘Soetwater’ en ‘Moeg Getrek’ is nie sommer arbitrêre name wat lukraak aan lappies grond gegee is nie hoor!

In Bosveldkroeë word vreemdelinge sonder ‘n greintjie agterdog bejeën. Nuwelinge in die kontrei word hartlik verwelkom en byna oombliklik in die binnekring van die drinkebroers toegelaat.

Of jy nou geklee is in die Bosvelduniform van kakiehemp, PT-broek en rugbykouse, of nie.

Inteendeel, sou jy jou in een van dié watergate begewe met ‘n byderwetseT-hemp aan, veral een met die gesig van ‘n ANCvryheidsvegter daarop afgeëts, is jy so te sê gewaarborg van ‘n dubbel brandewyn en Coke op die huis.

Die skoner geslag is ook altyd die res van die modewêreld ‘n tree voor. Só het die gier om sonstrepies in soveel moontlik skakerings aan jou haredos aan te bring, byvoorbeeld sy oorsprong in Limpôpô gehad. Om te wil beweer dat dit die draer daarvan soos ‘n gespikkelde houtkapper laat lyk, kan aan doodgewone afguns toegeskryf word.

Die snedige verwysings na Limpôpô as ‘die pôpôl van SuidAfrika’ is dus ongevraagd en onnodig minagtend en dit spreek van skreiende oningeligtheid. Die haters behoort hulle gifpyle te bêre en behoort eerder hulle kritiek te spaar vir Mamparralanga - SuidAfrika se wáre wanfunksionele provinsie.

Anti-apartheid campaigner tells his life story Peter Hain, Britain’s first African-born minister for Africa, launches his autobiography, depicting a lifetime of political turmoil.

by NICOLE HOLGATE PETER Hain, anti-apartheid campaigner and Shadow Secretary of State, launched his autobiography, Outside In last week in London.

Wearing a trademark bright pink tie, Hain thanked everyone who had attended the launch, especially his parents. He spoke about the narrative of the book, which included “repeated pitch invasions” to prevent South Africa’s all-white team touring in England. The warm response to a few self-reflective jokes revealed the number of people who were not as much interested in his politics, as old friends. The majority of the crowd were not colleagues, but had known him personally for many years, some with similar memories of antiapartheid protests.

Hain was surrounded, not by industry professionals or politicians, but by friends and well-wishers. Even his parents, both in their eighties, had come across from Wales for the day. I spoke to them about some of the actions that led to their joining the anti-apartheid movement and eventually leaving South Africa.

His mother said that when Peter When asked to give a message was little, they hired a young black to South African expats, he said boy temporarily as a gardener.

“You’re doing a great job, and The boy was beaten up in the when you go back, carry on doing street by a group of white adults so in the new South Africa.” for his presence on the pavement. When the police did nothing, the couple wrote to the local paper to highlight the boy’s treatment. They said at that point, “after helping one person”, they could not fail to treat everyone in the same manner. They felt that once you had acted that way, you couldn’t be seen to back down or change your mind.

It is clear how such an upbringing inspired such a strong-willed individual. Hain’s account in Outside In is frank and moving.

His politics is driven by the importance of the incidents he lived through, and so it is not the story of his life, but the entwined history of several nations which is Peter Hain’s autobiography, Outside In being told.

filled top positions in the IT and banking fields. So the weather is not great, and the public transport system requires some patience, but honestly, back home, would you even be brave enough to climb aboard a train or taxi?

You hopped on a plane and spent time here. Even if you didn’t intend to stay. Time filled with a good job, trips to ski or rock at Glastonbury, not entirely wasted I would think. And if times got tough, there was always the rugby, the biltong and buddies at the local who got you through. So when do you wake up and realise that you have had an amazing experience, a chance to do something different with your life and hopefully grow as a result? Jislaaik man!

But it is the British bashing I find demeans any South African who came, plundered and vocally insulted those who actually live here. No, their houses are not like ours, and life is small, but it’s what they know. They have opened their doors to others, and I cannot think of a city more tolerant than London in all the world. How fantastic to have met, mingled and learnt from those around you? And if we return, what lessons can we impart to those who did not have the opportunity to do so. There is beauty here – different – but here, in the countryside, the architecture, the culture. Maybe you missed it in your need to take and never give back.

As a result, we are no longer the flavour of the month. Some of us still want to linger a little longer if you don’t mind. You have made it more difficult (well not just you, but you are not helping).

If you are over everything, fine, but go quietly I beg you, with the knowledge that you are a better 26/01/2012 11:09 person for having had the chance.

The OPTIMIST KAREN DE VILLIERS

If you can’t be in the place you love...

AM passportless at the moment.

The visa application to extend my stay is lying somewhere on the desk of, I hope, a caring member of the UK Border Agency. Not a good feeling to know that your life rests in the hands of someone unknown. Not a good feeling to know that you cannot travel for days, if not weeks ahead.

I want to stay. I have my own reasons, so for those South Africans who do nothing but complain about being here, or somewhere else in the world; about how awful the weather and people are and how brilliant it is back home – please go home. Your derogatory remarks are making life more difficult for the rest of us. Particularly when you state how easy it is to make money here, milk the system and then leave with all the pounds. You know who you are.

What really riles me is the lack of vision of opportunity gained. A few years ago, the Commonwealth extended an open invitation to study and work in England. Those who were able to make use of this, did so with gusto. We are known as a hardworking lot, educated, ambitious and of course we ended up making a contribution to this country’s economy. For many, the education system in South Africa is superlative to the rest 3809SER - Hughgraduates Ad.pdf 1 of the world and these

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10

| 31 January – 6 February 2012 | thesouthafrican.com

Entertainment

Follow us on Twitter: @tsa_london

From the townships to the World Stage

On Thursday 1 March at 7.30pm two award winning South African singers, Njabulo Madlala and Pumeza Matsikiza, will perform at St James’s Piccadilly in London to raise awareness for Foodbank South Africa.

by STAFF REPORTER NJABULO Madlala comes from the Inanda township outside Durban and was awarded a scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

Pumeza Matshikiza studied at the University of Cape Town and won a scholarship to the Royal College of Music in London. She performed at the wedding of Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock and is currently on a three year contract with Stuttgart Opera.

They have both taken the international stage by storm and enthralled audiences across Europe with their singing of opera, contemporary and African songs.

At every concert the audience has been captivated and transported to Africa with their musical artistry.

Njabulo's a capella rendition of Nkosi Sikelel'iAfrica moved

many to tears at the SA Business awards at the High Commission in November and the recent SA trade event in Wimbledon.

FoodBank South Africa is a not for profit company that operates independently on private sector lines but has won SA government recognition as the national food banking network.

It was launched in 2009 and has donated an estimated 32 million meals worth £10 million and currently feeds 35,000 disadvantaged people a day at an average cost of 12p per meal. More than 1,200 agencies are supplied with food and even longer waiting lists.

Food otherwise destined for landfill is donated by many of South Africa’s major food companies and is supplemented with staples, procured by

CITYPROD WITH THE AGREEMENT OF STING MUSIC PRESENTS

“Enough energy to light up London. I defy anyone to leave this hit dance musical feeling anything less than elated” Daily Telegraph

Foodbank who benefit from major cost breaks, providing nutritionally balanced food support at low cost.

In rural areas FoodBank works with other NGOs to provide education and training for small farmers. The resulting crops can then be consumed as well as procured creating a sustainable model.

There are Foodbanks in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Pietermaritzburg, Port Elizabeth, Tshwane and Limpopo with a further in Rustenburg opening soon. The target is a foodbank in every South African city and town. The annual budget is approximately £1.4million.

Launched thanks to donations and government support, it is working to eliminate its reliance on donations with sustainability initiatives.

Foodbank’s vision of ‘A South Africa without hunger and malnutrition’ is a long way off but it is hoped that each event organised by Foodbank will create further awareness and support for South Africa’s most important

Acclaimed baritone Njabulo Madlala performs at the SA Business Awards in London in November 2011.

social initiative.

Th concert is as St James’s Church, 197 Piccadilly W1J 9LL. Tickets are priced at £15, £20 and £25. All tickets are unreserved and

include a drink during the interval.

To purchase tickets visit www. satickets.co.uk or email janet@ foodbankfoundaiton.com or phone 020 8442 0463.

Bringing ‘spirit of togetherness’ to London

Ahead of UMOJA’s West End return we chat to the creator Todd Twala.

“ The chandelier-shaking voices are enough to make you feel ashamed to be sitting still ” Metro

Tue 31 Jan - Sun 19 Feb FAMILY TICKET ONLY £120 4 tickets, must include at least 1 child

S A D L E R ’S W E L L S I N T H E W E S T E N D

by MARY ISOKARIARI UMOJA, the smash hit South African musical that premiered in London’s West End in 2001, will return to the West End for three weeks from 31 January.

The show was created by childhood friends Todd Twala and Thembi Nyandeni, who grew up in Soweto and later became performers.

Todd and Thembi began their stage careers during apartheid when the law prevented black artists from performing in shows for white audiences. In the early 1970s, restrictions were relaxed therefore allowing black artists to perform to both white and mixed audiences.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Todd last week.

What was the initial reason behind creating UMOJA? Our first objective was to help the many street kids in South Africa. South African kids are generally multitalented; therefore we wanted these children to use their talent in a positive way.

As a teenager, I was in the same situation. Fortunately, I recognised early on that I was multitalented, therefore felt empowered by this.

We applied this same method to the street children.

What has been the general feedback of the show?

We are delighted about the success of UMOJA and the feedback it

has got, it’s a blessing. We are currently in France where the show finishes this Sunday before heading to London. UMOJA will also be touring in Russia for three weeks and possibly Mexico too.

Initially, we were invited to run the show in London for three weeks, but hope to come back for much longer next time depending on the success this time.

Was it a conscious decision for the show to only slightly delve into apartheid?

Yes, the Swahili word UMOJA means ‘spirit of togetherness’ which is what the show is mainly about. There has been so much written about segregation in South Africa, therefore we didn’t want that to be the main focus. We wanted the musical to celebrate our freedom, bringing all Africans and the world together as one. This is why we decided infuse different types of tribal dancing together; we didn’t want to leave any out.

That way everyone can relate to it.

UMOJA has toured the world and been seen by more than four million people including various kings and queens. You must feel elated by the sheer success of your show?

Yes the worldwide response has been phenomenal. We’ve performed for many prestigious people such as the king and queen of Swaziland. In 2006, Nelson

Mandela requested a personal performance. He said he had heard so much about UMOJA and was eager to see it. It was such a special evening for us, we felt so privileged and honoured to perform for him.

What do you hope to achieve with UMOJA and have things have improved in South Africa?

We would like to change people’s perception about South Africa and spread some love and positivity.

Things in South Africa have improved and are slowly changing for the better. Although, I do think the next generation of kids born after the 1990s without the apartheid mentality will make a real difference to South Africa.

UMOJA Creator, Todd Twala

11

thesouthafrican.com | 31 January – 6 February 2012 |

Business: News

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AS reported on IOL, the Cape Town Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Western Cape government are lobbying against a tax on businesses that would be paid to

have different levels of advisors, so depending on the complexity of a problem an advisor may assist you or not. All OISC advisers are required to display their certificates of registration or exemption.

The only exception to this rule is persons regulated by the Law Societies of England and Wales, and Scotland.

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12

Business: News

| 31 January – 6 February 2012 | thesouthafrican.com Follow us on Twitter: @tsa_london

Want to realise your goals for 2012?

In keeping with the theme of making resolutions and reaching goals in 2012, David Anderson from Dale Carnegie Training will speak at the SA Business Club's first event of the year on Wednesday 1 February.

by STAFF REPORTER DAVID will speak on setting goals and new year’s resolutions as well as steps on how to actually fulfil them in 2012.

About David Anderson: David, recently spotted on Channel 5 and in various London newspapers speaking on business success and using connections to

The Aflatoun programme provides children and youth with the building blocks of life and empowers them to make a positive change in their lives. Headquartered in Amsterdam, Aflatoun is currently looking for the following personnel:

Key Responsibilities: • Conduct research related to fundraising opportunities • Provide effective pro-active donor stewardship • Liaise with programme managers and Aflatoun country partners • Develop proposals, concept notes and presentations for funders • Proofread various texts Required Skills & Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree • Approximately 5+ years of fundraising work experience • Ability and willingness to travel internationally Conditions of Employment: •Fulltime workweek (40 hours) •Indicative gross yearly salary range of €32,887 - €46,206

(inclusive of pension, health insurance, holiday allowance and national insurance)

Please send your CV and cover letter to Info@aflatoun.org with the Subject: Senior Fundraising Manager Application, no later than February 5th, 2011. If you have any specific questions on the position please contact the Head of Resources Hayley Rose at Hayley@aflatoun.org.

help you further your career, is the MD of the London office and has been with Dale Carnegie for 10 years. He specialises in personal effectiveness, leadership, sales and presentation training.

About Dale Carnegie Training: Founded in 1912, Dale Carnegie Training has evolved from one man’s belief in the power of selfimprovement to a performancebased training company with offices Worldwide. We focus on giving people in business the opportunity to sharpen their skills and improve their performance in order to build positive, steady, and profitable

results. Dale Carnegie Training is recognised internationally as the leader in bringing out the best in people, with approximately 9 million people having completed programmes worldwide.

The talk is free for SA Business Club members, £20 for members’ guests and £30 for non-members.

It will be at 6.15pm at Stonecutter Lecture Theatre,Stonecutter Court,1 Stonecutter Street,London,EC4A 3TR. Tickets at www.sabusinessclub. com www.thesouthafrican.com/ business

David Anderson

Rand strides to 3 month high against USD THE South African Rand traded between 7.75 and 8.03 to the US Dollar during the 23rd and the 30th of January 2012. The Rand also traded between 12.18 and 12.50 to the British Pound during the same period.

The Rand continued to strengthen last week, edging up to a 3 month high against the US Dollar of R7.77.

“We are back to being a highyielding currency. The rand looks oversold on a daily basis but there doesn’t seem to be a reversal yet and there’s potential for R7.70,” said Jim Bryson, chief dealer at Rand Merchant Bank.

There is still huge uncertainty over the Euro-zone’s continuing debt crisis, making this a possible stumbling block for any more significant gains by the Rand, but with no “real” news coming out, the ZAR steadied towards the end of last week, closing off on Friday just under R7.80.

The Rand opened on Monday where it left off last week, starting off on the front foot at R7.74 to the US dollar, but dipped back towards 7.80, as it followed Asian markets, in that emerging currencies retreated as risk averse investors turned their attention once again to

the Greek debt-crisis.

“The Rand is already weaker this morning on the back of renewed concerns over Europe, and Asian stock markets are negative, also reflecting the change in mood,” Standard Bank analyst Nomvuyo Guma said.

The Rand’s movement in the next few weeks will be largely dependent on what news comes out of Europe and whether a deal can be struck to avoid a default by Greece.

GBP / ZAR: 12.20 EUR / ZAR: 10.26 USD / ZAR: 7.79 Composed by Matthew Cridge

Note: The above exchange rates are based on “interbank” rates. If you want to transfer money to South Africa then please register/login or call us for a live dealing rate.

Make use of a Rate Notifier to send you alerts when the rand exchange rate reaches levels you are looking for.

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How to do business offshore in Mauritius

by STAFF REPORTER THE Limited Partnerships Bill 2011 was approved in Parliament in late 2011 and is expected to be approved by the President of the Republic shortly. This new legislation has long been awaited by professionals in the funds industry and it will attract significant interest for setting up new fund structures with a limited partnership ("LP") structure.

This new vehicle will be useful in ensuring tax efficient and transparent fund structures.

A LP offers flexibility for the general partners in terms of capital and profit distributions and as regards the general administration of the LP structure.

LPs are principally established for investment purposes and are a favoured structure for use in private equity and venture capital

schemes, collective investment schemes, structuring joint ventures, holding property interests, estate planning, asset protection and tax and financial planning. General Partners have the ability to manage operations from locations other than Mauritius.

A Mauritian LP vehicle may hold a Category 1 Global Business Licence issued by the Financial Services Commission and can be structured to benefit from the network of double taxation avoidance agreements which Mauritius has with 36 countries.

The LP may seek authorisation from the FSC to operate as a Collective Investment Scheme under the Securities Act 2005 and the Securities (Collective Investment Schemes and ClosedEnd Funds) Regulations 2008.

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be required depending on the type of activities the LP will be undertaking.

Every general partner and limited partner of a LP structure holding a category 1 global business licence under the Financial Services Act 2007 will be liable to income tax in respect of its share of income in that LP. However, a Mauritian LP may hold a global business licence and may elect to be taxed in Mauritius and thus take advantage of the Mauritius tax treaty benefits.

Roderick Phillips CA(SA) is Managing Director of Sable Offshore Management Company Ltd, licensed and regulated by the Financial Services Commission in Mauritius. For more information www.sable.mu

13

thesouthafrican.com | 31 January – 6 February 2012 |

Business: SA Power 100

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/thesouthafrican

Stephan Pretorius

Read interviews with other SA POWER 100 achievers... on our website: TheSouthAfrican.com/Business/SAPower100 Alan Demby Dr Zola Skweyiya

President of Acceleration

by GORDON GLYN-JONES

BULLET BIOGRAPHY • Born: Cape Town in 1972 • Education: University of Witwatersrand and ColumbiaUniversity, New York, LLB and LLM (cum laude) • Founded and runs: Acceleration, a leading provider of consulting, systems integration and technology to online marketing • Acceleration clients: ESPN, Safeway, Moneysupermarket, The Economist, Wall Street Journal, Standard Bank, Shoprite, BBC. (http://www. acceleration.biz)

You studied Law at Columbia University, how did you end up working in digital media?

After graduating, I returned to Johannesburg and worked for M-Net (at the time they launched M-Web) for two years, eventually helping to set up their online ad sales division. It was a brave new world in digital and definitely an exciting place to be.

After two years, I decided it was time to start my own media buying business and learning what the digital advertising space was all about. I eventually realised we were far better at managing the technology that drives digital advertising, so we approached one of our partner companies in the US called DoubleClick and did a major channel partnership deal, managing a portfolio of their smaller clients on their behalf. We built a substantial business helping clients get value from technology software. Over 4-5 years we expanded into email marketing, with global clients like Skype.

We help marketing people and IT groups work together to properly manage and understand marketing technology – usually IT doesn’t understand marketing needs and marketing doesn’t understand IT processes – we step in and fill those gaps.

After a period in the states you moved to the UK, what were the challenges?

People don’t realise the cultureshock when you move here; how little money you have compared to South Africa, how crap the weather is! On a personal level it was tough. Work-wise the only thing that was tough was that things started unravelling between the

managers in SA and UK; but we fixed that quickly by introducing a new management layer in Cape Town. However, everything else was easier; particularly more face-to-face contact with clients.

It also helps that my two founding partners in the business, Jacques van Niekerk (our CEO) and Michael Roets (our CFO) are both South Africans and also now live abroad (Jacques in London and Michael in New York). We’ve experienced many of the same stresses and have been able to support each other along the way.

Did you find the business culture here different?

In our sector there are many young people, international people, many Americans. I felt very comfortable in the US and I didn’t really get any resistance or snottiness in the UK. In terms of culture and being an expat, English people can’t really place you; your class isn’t inherent in your accent, so it’s an advantage sometimes.

Would you advocate the business model of having your business in both the UK and SA? We are a premium service - and so we’ve always positioned ourselves as a UK

Founder of the Scoin Shop Chain

company with a South African back office, which has worked well.

Any advice for an SA entrepreneur with a business in UK who wants to move home?

You need good managers in your international offices. If it’s a small business, you need to incentivise them to do a good job (with equity etc) and if you can be there at least once every six weeks – it is possible.

There’s a lot of money to be made in SA but it’s a very concentrated market. Some people have gone back and come a cropper by being too arrogant ie ‘Oh I’m so international’.

What are the benefits of having offices in two countries?

There’s a market for us in SA about 15% of our revenue.

The advantage of having the national expertise is that staff retention is far longer in Cape Town than it is in the UK. It’s a great training ground for our consultants and there are a significant number of people who want to live in Cape Town, a very considerable pool of people to recruit from.

Would you go

back?

It’s dependant on Acceleration; we’re a substantial business now.

We’ve just hit our straps in terms of our positioning and it’s not the time now to take the foot off the gas. I’m 39, I’ve got a good couple of years of driving hard left in me, I’d probably move back to the US before I moved to SA. I absolutely love the business culture in NY. You have family in SA? Yes, and we go back three times a year. My kids speak Afrikaans at home. I think they would say they’re ‘South Africans living in England’. Psychologically we’re just globalised. It’s a less

South African High Commissioner to the UK

permanent way of looking at it: we’re very grounded in SA; very emotionally attached.

How many employees do you have internationally?

150, we’re growing, but the process has been more about optimising processes and increasing revenue.

We sold our media agency in 2008, and invested heavily in our own systems, processes and products.

People are spending more money on digital, migrating funds onto digital. We’re witnessing 25–30% growth for the foreseeable future.

To see the full interview go to www.thesouthafrican.com

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14

Business: Careers

| 31 January – 6 February 2012 | thesouthafrican.com Follow us on Twitter: @tsa_london

Business PHocus PAUL HARRISON

The Power of the Network

IF you’re in business, you are familiar with networking to at least some extent. If you are in sales, marketing or in a senior position, then you have probably attended a few events.

Networking is something HUGELY beneficial to people building businesses and also looking to connect for new business purposes but even with all the benefits of going along to one of these events, meeting new people and listening to (hopefully) interesting speakers talk about their topic of choice, there are still a lot of people who seem slightly intimidated by the prospect of attending.

I believe the reason for this is because they don’t want to be “sold to” by other attendees or be deemed as “sales people” trying to push their own interests onto others. The solution to this is very straight forward: none of the attendees are there to sell to other attendees. They are there to sell to the other attendee’s networks.

This is vitally important to understand.

Attending a meeting like this should connect you with other business people who can then introduce potential clients to you – even with an endorsement…

Now that is a much easier potential client than going out and cold calling, isn’t it?

Two brilliant events for SA Networking are The Breakfast Indaba Putney and The South African Business Club event on 1 February (http://www. sabusinessclub.com). You can buy tickets on www.satickets.co.uk.

See you there.

For any questions or comments, you can contact me at Paul@MOBIvation.com

THE GRAFT IS GREENER Sthembiso Mkhize

Founder and CEO of South African Youth Development (SAYD)

by PAUL HARRISON

Born: Durban, Isipingo Rail (SA) How long in UK: In Coventry for six years Job: Founder and CEO of South African Youth Development (SAYD) Background: Second born in a family of 12, studied electrical engineering at Durban Technical college and in 2005 moved to the UK to further my studies and worked for British Telecoms (BT) for four years as an engineer while doing South African youth events on the side (Development and Entertainment) . After three years of acquiring skills in developmental issues, I saw a need to respond to the plight of young people through development projects, hence the establishment of SAYD. Motto: My success is my responsibility and My word is my prophecy.

What do you do in your job?

I organise quarterly events to facilitate networking and information sharing on relevant and topical issues whereby I invite guest speakers who are experts in their fields, like Avi Lasarow specialising in forensic toxicology and Joe Mojapelo, a civil engineer responsible for major transport projects in SA including the 2010 Fifa World Cup, and Phindile Xaba from the South African High Commision.

What is the most exciting thing about your job?

Developing young people is tantamount to predicting the future, isn’t that exciting?

Most challenging thing about your job?

The dynamics of different legislations and environments that you have to contend with in your job between SA and UK. Development has to be relevant to the intended environment, hence your programme has to be dynamic and global, applicable in either country. With the level of unemployment in SA, it's difficult to convince people that there are ample opportunities in SA for the skills they acquire.

Tell us an interesting story related to your job.

I wanted to do an event at SA House (SAYD) and it was misconstrued as politically motivated, which is not the case. Be that as it may the event went ahead at a different venue

and was attended by people from diverse backgrounds and nationalities, proving that SAYD is about South Africans of all colour and creed irrespective of their association. Developmental issues transcends race and politics, but a way of life.

Future plans?

In future I would like to see more practical and tangible implementation programmes like mentorship that can be monitored to completion. This will be effected through partnering experts with a relevant youth for mentorship, with clear exit strategies (i.e better employment opportunities, entrepreneurship, etc).

Do you think being South African helps you in your job?

We acknowledge that South Africa’s democracy is still in its infancy. SAYD strives to break down the barriers created by the policies and practices of the past and unite South Africans regardless of creed, race, sexual orientation, cultural or ethnic background.

Let me share this personal achievement. Recently we hosted the first SA Youth Development Conference outside South Africa since the advent of democracy in our country, where young leaders and business people shared a stage for the first time under the spirit of Ubuntu.

Read the full interview on www. thesouthafrican.com/business

15

thesouthafrican.com | 31 January – 6 February 2012 |

Business: Classifieds

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ACC & FINANCE

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KALAHARI MOON WESTON The Southern African Shop in Weston (Opp Tesco car park entrance). Wide range of SA and Zim products. Relax in our licensed cafe while shopping. And try our South African homecooked food.

7 Lockling Road, Weston Super Mare, BS23 3BY. Tel: 01934 708089.

Email: Info@kalaharimoon.co.uk KALAHARI MOON The Southern African Shop in Bristol.

Wide range of stock including excellent boerewors and biltong. Centrally situated, friendly service. Connecting South Africans.

Tel: 0117 929 9879 Address: 88 - 91 The Covered Market. st Nicholas Market, Corn Street, Bristol, BS1 1JQ Email: Info@kalaharimoon.co.uk Website: www.kalaharimoon.co.uk NO1 SOUTH AFRICAN SHOP Lots of lekker stuff for a taste of home.

Including fantastic biltong, droewors and boerewors. 5 Marlow Drive, St Catherines Hill, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 2RR. The shop is about 2 miles north-west of Christchurch town centre and 6 miles north-east of Bournemouth town centre.

There’s loads of free parking and the shop is easy to get to from the A338.

Tel: 01202 496041 10’ish to 6pm 7 days a week. www.no1southafricanshop.co.uk

Tel: 0208 878 1898 www.biltongstmarcus.co.uk Email sales@stmarcus.co.uk

Gold Medal Winners for Beef Biltong and Boerewors 1998.

Triple Crown Winners 2010 Ostrich * Kudu * Springbok * The South African 1-3 Rockingham Close Priory Lane, Roehampton London SW15 5RW

21c Holmethorpe Avenue Holmethorpe Industrial Estate, Redhill, Surrey RH1 2NB

GOING HOME MONEYGRAM A leading global provider of money transfer services, MoneyGram International helps consumers to safely send money around the world with funds arriving at available agent locations in as little as 10 minutes. Its global network is comprised of 190,000 agent locations.

MoneyGram’s convenient and reliable network includes retailers, international post offices and financial institutions.

Web: www.moneygram.com.

IMMIGRATION

FOOD & DRINK ABANTU BUTCHERS Abantu Butchery boerewors specialist, supplying wholesale and catering and retail shops as we are fully EEC licensed, we can also supply vacuum packed steaks in any quantity you may require.

Probably the best boerewors you have tasted at a remarkable price. 19 City Arcade, City Centre, Coventry, CV1 3HX Tel: 02476555767 CAMBRIDGE & VILLAGES Toft Shop – Village Shop & Post Office With a South African section selling all your favourite tastes from home! Pop in and pick up your treats – Biltong; Boerewors; Koeksisters; Rusks; Sweets; Chips; Groceries etc. Web: www.ToftShop.co.uk Tel: 01223 262 204. CB23 2RL CANTINA LAREDO Enjoy the fresh & vibrant tastes of real Mexican cuisine! The best fillet & rib-eye steaks you have tasted in London.

Margaritas frozen or ‘on the rocks’.

Guacamole, Enchiladas, Tacos, Salads, Fish, Chicken & Desserts to die for!

Great atmosphere & South African hospitality. 10 Upper St. Martin’s Lane, Covent Garden, WC2H 9FB. T: 0207 420 0630. www.cantinalaredo.co.uk info@cantinalaredo.co.uk Leicester Square/Covent Garden THE CHICHESTER BILTONG COMPANY www.biltongcompany.co.uk The best of British from a friendly bunch of South Africans who made Sussex our home. But there was one thing we couldnt live without from our native land..Biltong!

So we made our own using traditional recipes handed down through generations.

We only use the finest prime British beef!

Get our “readers 10% EXTRA FREE” offer by using the VOUCHER CODE ‘SA10’ CRUGA Home of CRUGA biltong. Cruga’s factory shop offers a full range of South African and Zimbabwean groceries plus boerewors, droewors and of course biltong. Tel: 01908 565 432 Email: biltong@cruga.com Web: www.cruga.com Address: Tilers Rd Kiln Farm, Milton Keynes, MK11 3LH

SHEBEEN BAR Edinburgh’s only South African bar has opened in Leith. A unique, stylish bar with something for everyone,delivered by experience and friendly staff. As expected we stock a large range of South African beers, wines, ciders and snacks, including a classic selection of cocktails and Dom Pedros. Opening hours are from 12pm to 1am. Come down and enjoy a true taste of Africa.

3-5 Dock Place, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6LU. 0131 554 9612.

Snoggy’s Food Shops

BREYTENBACHS IMMIGRATION CONSULTANTS LTD: UK & SA Immigration Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants specialises in UK and SA Immigration.

We pride ourselves on our reputation for excellence, fast results and friendly personal service. Registered by the OISC to level 3, you can be assured that your case is in safe hands!

We can assist you with: • All Points-based Immigration matters • UK Visitor visas • Tier 1 / HSMP • Tier 2 / Work permits & Sponsorship • Tier 4 / Student Visas • Dependency, unmarried partner and civil partner visas • Ancestry Visas • Indefinite leave to Remain / Permanent residency • British Citizenship • Appeals • English Language Tests • South African Immigration Prices have been set competitively with you in mind, enabling you to receive expert advice at affordable prices.

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SNOGGY’S PutNeY ButcherY

367 Upper Richmond Rd, SW15 5QJ Tel: 02088762050

Voted the BEST tasting Biltong and Dry wors by thousands of SAFFAS living in South West London THE BUTCHERY - Everything made on site including our burgers and delicious Boerewors, plus our range of Beef, Pork, Chicken and Spicy Lamb sausages.

YOU HAVE NOT LIVED UNTIL YOU HAVE EATEN ONE OF OUR AGED SEASONED RUMP STEAKS... affordable and like butter in the mouth...

The SouTh AfricAn is available at all snoggy’s stores

www.snoggys.com FOODS4U LTD Visit the most comprehensive online South African range. A secure and user friendly website awaits. www.foods4u. co.uk or email: sales@foods4u.info Tel: 087 087 45009. Fax: 087 087 45002

WHOLESALER OF SOUTH AFRICAN FOOD PRODUCTS Beers, wines, cold-drinks, biscuits, maize meal, chutney...

Phone us for your order: 01753684005/ 01753684014 Mobile: 07859 014 199 www.jumbowholesale.com

SUSMAN’S BEST BEEF BILTONG CO LTD If you’re missing home give us a call, supplying you with all your favourite South African products and more.

Phone: 01273 516160 Fax: 01273 51665 Web:www.biltong.co.uk Email:sales@biltong.co.uk THE SOUTH AFRICAN SHOP We stock most SA consumer goods in our large store in Maidenhead or order online and get next day delivery service throughout the UK. Your home away from home.

Mon – Friday: 9:30am – 5:30pm Saturday: 9:30am – 6pm Sunday: 11am – 4pm www.southafricanshop.co.uk.

Tel: 01628782511 ST MARCUS FINE FOODS Largest importers & producers of SA foodstuffs in UK. Retail & wholesale. 1 Rockingham Close, Roehampton, Putney SW15. Tel 020 8878 1898. Biltong Factory is now open to the public. 8 types of Boerewors. All SA foodstuffs stocked.

Free Parking. Tel 020 8878 1898 / 21C Holmethorpe Avenue, Holmethorpe Industrial Estate, Redhill, RH1 2NB Email:sales@stmarcus.co.uk Web: www.biltongstmarcus.co.uk

SERVICES

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16

| 31 January – 6 February 2012

Travel

thesouthafrican.com Follow us on Twitter: @tsa_london

Perfect Prague – Europe’s universal city When talking to friends who’ve spent time travelling around Europe, one place always comes up a universal favourite – Prague. Classic, romantic and charming with a good dose of history, Prague is the quintessential European city.

by KARA SEGEDIN WHEN talking to friends who’ve spent time travelling around Europe, one place always comes up a universal favourite – Prague.

Classic, romantic and charming with a good dose of history, Prague is the quintessential European city.

For over 1000 years, the city has been one of the cultural, political and economic capitals of Europe with a rich, at times turbulent, past.

Prague, Praha to the locals, is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic and lies on the banks of the Vltava River.

We arrived in town rather early – first stop, Prague Castle.

The castle is a huge complex that includes royal residences and churches and has been home to Kings, Holy Roman Emperors, Presidents and the Czech Crown Jewels.

The castle is guarded by very serious looking solders in dashing blue uniforms and like the Queen’s guards at Buckingham Palace you’d have a hard time getting one of these guys to smile.

Connecting Prague Castle to the city’s Old town is the Charles Bridge named after King Charles IV. Built in the 14th Century, the bridge crosses the Vltava River and is lined with statues, musicians, artists and street vendors.

The focal point of the Old Town is the Old Town Square. A bustling market in medieval times, the Square is now the social heart of the city and a great place to take a break after hours sightseeing.

Not far from the Old Town Square is the must-see Astronomical Clock.

First installed in 1410, the clock shows the position of the sun and moon, various zodiac signs and every hour figures of the 12 Apostles move around the clock and four figures either side are set in motion.

Within the Old Town lies the historic Jewish Quarter. Thankfully much of the Ghetto survived the devastation of the Second World War and the area now includes six synagogues, the old cemetery and the Old Jewish Town Hall.

It is also home to one of the city’s

Prague: this quintessential European city has something for everyone - from historical buildings to clubs and cocktail bars.

most famous residents – the Golem of Prague!

The story goes that a 16th century rabbi called Maharal created the golem out of clay from the banks of the Vltava River to defend the Prague ghetto.

Some say the golem went out of control and had to be destroyed,

while others say he still keeps a watchful eye over the city.

With the sun setting and hundreds of pictures on my camera, what better way to end our day of sightseeing than with a taste of Prague’s famous nightlife!

With traditional beer halls, cocktail bars and multilevel clubs,

there’s something for everyone from the serious club hopper to those after a quiet drink.

Make sure you try the pivo (beer), svařák (mulled wine) and if you’re feeling brave, slivovice (plum brandy).

Na zdraví (cheers)! www.thesouthafrican.com/travel

17

thesouthafrican.com | 31 January – 6 February 2012 | Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/thesouthafrican

®

This page proudly sponsored by

Zimbabwe Community

African internet TV station launches in UK AFRO TV will be officially launched on 31 March 2012 at the Hilton Hotel Paddington in London.

by STAFF REPORTER AFRO TV, a UK-based African internet television channel, aims to promote African talent with a focus on African musicians and filmmakers.

Afro TV was founded by a Zimbabwean, Sibongile Tendai Tamia Rukazhanga, who noticed a lack of positive representation of

Africans on mainstream television stations. Afro TV also aims to open closed doors to Africans who want to work in the media by providing training and work opportunities.

Programmes include a Zimbabwean and southern African entertainment show, African music shows, gospel shows, movies and documentaries.

AFRO TV will be officially launched on 31 March 2012 at the Hilton Hotel Paddington in London.

On the night there will be entertainment and networking opportunities.

Tickets are £50 which includes a

three course meal, entertainment and free entry into the afterparty.

Book tickets on afrotvlaunchparty.eventbrite.co.uk/ Afro TV invites all artists to showcase their work on its site. For details of how to apply visit www. afrotv.co.uk

One of the most amazing emporia the capital offers to the carnivorous gourmet. St. Marcus Fine Foods Ltd, the first to bulk produce Biltong & Boerewors in the UK. For the past 30 years we have been producing the most amazing range of Biltong and Boerewors with a huge and imaginative choice of gourmet sausages and other fine specialty meat products. along side our enormous range of imported fine South African produce,

Hazel Matanki presents DeepSouth.

Gospel Time TV presenters Obert Mazivisa and Magnus Gwatidzo.

MDC demands SA push for more reform The party is calling for demonstrations worldwide.

by OLIVER HOTHAM THE party of Zimbabwean prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai is organising demonstrations in Pretoria as part of a campaign urging SA to intervene in the ongoing political crisis in Harare.

A march to the office of President Jacob Zuma, as well as protests at South African embassies, are planned as part of an effort organised by expatriate members of the Movement for Democratic Change.

The party wants the SA government to press for “broad reform”, as well as the right of overseas Zimbabweans to cast postal ballots and allow dualnationality in the new constitution.

It argues that South Africa has a strong interest in reforming Zimbabween politics, ‘by virtue of being Zimbabwe’s neighbour, and considering the number of Zimbabwean refugees in South Africa’.

Chairman of the MDC in the United States, Den Moyo, informed the Voice of America that ‘thousands of Zimbabweans in various countries had signed on to the protests’.

With Zuma appointed as the

SADC’s mediator in Harare, his influence is undeniable, and it is hoped that he will push stronger than Mbeki did for implementation of the Global Political Agreement, signed in 2008, which pushed for the MDC and ZANU-PF to work ’together to create a genuine, viable, permanent, sustainable and nationally acceptable solution’.

Tonderai Samanyanga, head of the MDC in the UK, said that the power sharing agreement “has failed to resolve the current political crisis” and that South Africa and the SADC ‘know which political party in Zimbabwe is frustrating efforts to implement the reforms required’.

The oldest establishment in the UK for the manufacture and import of SA foods St Marcus have been awarded a gold medal for Our Beef biltong.

St Marcus Holds the most awards and diplomas for our Boerewors, biltong &Burgers in the UK In the South African taste awards out of 5 categories St. Marcus came away with 3!!

The Johannesburg Sunday Times called Emory St. Marcus "Mr. British Beef Biltong" way back in 1984!

Why? ... Because he is!

1-3 Rockingham Close, Priory Lane, Off Upper Richmond Rd West, Roehampton London SW15 5RW

Zimbabwean PM Morgan Tsvangira.

Photograph by World Economic Forum

Zim cricketers tour SA

by STAFF REPORTER Zimbabwe will play five Twenty20 (T20) internationals against South Africa in June as part of their preparations for the World Twenty20 later this year, Cricket South Africa CEO Gerald Majola has announced.

The new series will see the

Did you Know St Marcus Is:

Proteas visit their neighbouring country ahead of their tour of England in July, NewsDay reported.

Zimbabwe's national team last tour of South Africa in October 2010 was less than successful as they lost all their matches - two T20 matches and three one-day internationals

21C Holmethorpe Ave, Holmethorpe Industrial Estate Redhill, Surrey RH1 2NB

18

| 31 January – 6 February 2012 | thesouthafrican.com

Sport

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MIND THE RUCK ROB FLUDE

The Divvy Scorecard: Part I THE ink has just about dried on the introductory pages to the Springbok coaching book of Heyneke Meyer, who was instilled on Friday as the new national team mentor. Whilst heralding in the supposed "Saviour" of Bok rugby, one should not be too myopic to forget to throw a farewell party for his predecessor, Peter "Divvy" de Villiers. Much like an exit interview, I've put together a ratings-based scorecard of the 54-year old's performance against various metrics.

1. Results (6.5/10) With 30 wins in 48 tests in charge, Div is the ninth best Bok coach of all time (62.5%). He ranks fourth among coaches who oversaw more than 20 games, with his predecessor Jake White just ahead of him on 66.7%, and Nick Mallett (71%) and the legendary Danie Craven (73.9%) leading the way.

De Villiers' venue record reads as such: 21 home games (15 wins) and 27 away games (15 wins). Against Australia, he only managed 4 victories (3 of which were in South Africa) from 12

tests, but against New Zealand he fared better, with 5 wins from 11 tests. Significantly, he became the first post-isolation Bok coach to notch 2 wins in New Zealand, which is actually a remarkable achievement. Under his tutelage, the Boks won 2 away tests at Twickenham, hammered the 2010 Six Nations champions France at Newlands, won all 6 tests versus Wales (4 away games), and broke the decade-long Dublin drought by beating Ireland in 2010. Strangely though, his record against Scotland was abysmal, scraping a 4 point win in 2008 and losing by a penalty in 2010.

His best winning streak was 6 games from August 2008 to June 2009 (Australia, Wales, Scotland, England, and the Lions twice), while the Boks lost 4 consecutive Tri-Nations tests in 2010, a string of results which sparked a public outrage and calls for de Villiers' head. He survived the chop, but results never really recovered from the dizzy heights of the Lions' series win and Tri-Nations title in 2009.

In summary, de Villiers took the Boks from number 1 to 4 in the world rankings and surrendered the World Cup, though he did preside over a period in which all available trophies (Freedom Cup, Mandela Plate and Lions series included) were captured.

2. Relationship with the media (5/10) De Villiers portrayed honesty to a fault, with what appeared to be minimal tact sometimes. It was patently obvious his Achilles Heel was his lack of command of English. This quote of his sums

Meyer rocks the Boks it up: "I do not care what people think about me. I do not care what people say about me. It is what I think about me and myself - and I love myself a lot." That said, he had journos salivating for his every word, and was friendly and entertaining like no other coach in the history of the game.

3. Selection (5/10) He entrusted players heavily and didn't drop them after one poor game, but he didn't have that sixth sense or imagination that White or Mallett had. His gameplan was inflexible and hence selection became stagnant, while his rotation of second-stringers was also poor. The rigid use of his bench cost him some vital tests, and he would replace players as if he were reading from a script.

Against doctor's orders, he sent a virtually full-strength squad to Europe in 2010, which ultimately saved his bacon for the umpteenth time. The Boks also fielded the most experienced test rugby team of all time (836 caps), ironically in the World Cup quarter-final against Australia, where it finally nailed home the point that experience was one thing, and knowing what to do with the ball is another.

Look out for part 2 in next week's paper or read the full scorecard on www.thesouthafrican.com/sport

by ROB BOFFARD I try not to write too much about sports, on account of there being people who are far better at it than me and who are paid at least triple to do so. That, and the fact that my knowledge of sports tends to be a little scattershot sometimes. Forget explaining the offside rule; when a rugby game is on, I’m often the one bleating, “Why did the ref blow his whistle? What? Off his feet at the ruck? Is that illegal? What’s a ruck, anyway?” (Interestingly enough, the notable exception to this rule is basketball, which I consume like a heroine addict in a morphine dispensary. When you hear me screaming for the Bulls, I’m shouting for Chicago, not Pretoria).

But even someone as dozy as me knows about Heyneke Meyer.

The news of our new Springbok coach caused me jump for joy and accidentally punch out a light fixture. The Blue Bulls coach (always bet on the Bulls, ladies and gents) is taking up the role left vacant by the repeatedly

ridiculous Peter De Villiers, and even for those who are useless at remembering the rules of rugby, this is a good thing.

For what Meyer may lack in the moustache department he more than makes up in actual rugby coaching skills. This is a guy who really, really knows his way around a rugby field. And since he’s arguably the most promising coach we’ve had since Kitch Christie – although Jake White was a wonderful and genuinely astonishing choice – I think it’s safe to say that the Bokke are in good hands.Of course, I could have got this all horribly wrong, and Meyer is really going to bring back Kamp Staaldrad only with more crocodiles and hire Julius Malema as a scrumhalf and insist that all new players in the squad are ethnically diverse, one-legged Mongolians from Welkom.

Who can say? For now, I’ll take the unusual step of applauding the South African Rugby Union, and simply end with: Go Bokke.

Friday 24th February 6pm till 6pm Pedal Studio, Putney, London

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19

thesouthafrican.com | 31 January – 6 February 2012 |

Sport

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Win 10 VIP tickets to watch Saracens play at Wembley On Saturday 31 March two London rugby rivals will clash at Wembley stadium when Aviva Saracens take on Harlequins.

by STAFF REPORTER ON Saturday 31 March two London rugby rivals will clash at Wembley stadium when Aviva Premiership champions Saracens take on Harlequins.

It promises to be an actionpacked afternoon with performances by McFly and The Rock Choir before the main game.

We’ve got an awesome prize up for grabs: 10 VIP tickets to be won The winner and nine friends will enjoy a meal in the Royal Box,VIP

seats and access to the Players’ Bar after the game, making it the perfect day out for any sports fan. A week after the game the winner will also be presented with a Saracens shirt signed by John Smit.

To stand a chance to win, enter online at www.thesouthafrican. com/win Programme for the day: 14.15: Pride in Unity Parade 1,000 representatives from our partner schools and clubs march around the Wembley pitch – they are the thriving roots of our club

14.30: The Rock Choir 1,500 members from The Rock Choir will entertain you live from the Wembley pitch.

14.40: McFly Perform Live: McFly Reunited! After Harry Judd winning Strictly Come Dancing and Dougie Poynter being crowned King of the Jungle the boys reunite to perform for you.

15.00: Saracens vs Harlequins

First Half Let battle commence!

15.45: McFly Perform Live McFly return to the stage to provide half time entertainment with the Saracens Mini Sensations dancing pitchside.

15.50: Domino’s Kicking Challenge A new challenger enters the arena for their chance to win £250,000.

16.00: Second Half

Teams return to the field for the second half of this epic encounter.

16.40: Post Match Party (Ticket Holders Only) The Post Match Party for Bobby Moore and Royal Box ticket holders. Rub shoulders with the players and see the Man of the Match presentation.

Adult tickets are priced from £15 and under 16s from £5.

Calling all South African sports people in the UK!

by STAFF REPORTER HELLO you sports mad Saffers!

Taken part in a race/ triathlon/ tournament etc? Or are taking part in an upcoming event, maybe for charity?

Then send us your diaries, your news and pics! We’d love to publish them and cheer you along.

We know it’s not easy pounding the pavements in the dark! E-mail editor@thesouthafrican.com

VIP LAUNCH PARTY INVITE FRIdAY 27TH JAN - RetRo FeveR Launch PaRty FRom 6Pm tiLL 3am THURsdAY 2Nd FEb - haPPy thuRsdays Launch PaRty FRom 6Pm tiLL 3am sATURdAY 4TH FEb - beach PaRty Launch night FRom 9Pm tiLL 3am ALL YoU HAVE To do Is E-mAIL CoNFIRmATIoN wHICH dATE YoU woULd LIkE To ATTENd ANd How mANY wILL bE IN YoUR PARTY To TEmPLE@wALkAboUTbARs.Com wEbsITE: WWW.WaLKabouttemPLe.com AddREss: WaLKabout temPLe, temPLe station, temPLe PLace, London, Wc2R 2Ph TELEPHoNE: 0207 395 3690

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SPORT

31 January – 6 February 2012

MIND THE RUCK: THE DIVVY SCORECARD 18

CALLING ALL SOUTH AFRICAN SPORTS PEOPLE

NEWS FOR GLOBAL SOUTH AFRICANS

19

www.thesouthafrican.com

SA SWIMMERS IN OLYMPICS FAST LANE Chad Le Clos and Herman Heerden swim Olympic times at International Invitational

A

by STAFF REPORTER t the weekend's Swimming South Africa International Invitational in Durban, Chad Le Clos, Kirsty Coventry (Zimbabwe) and Herman Heerden swam impressive times that boosted their Olympic hopes.

Rising teenage star Le Clos lived up to expectations again when he raced to the first Olympic qualifying time of the meet in the men's 400m IM. He also got Olympic times in the 100m and 200m butterfly, He won all three of the finals he competed in, but missed out on Olympic times. He won the 200m Individual Medley in a time of 2:00.30, a fraction of a second outside the 2:00.17 A-time. “I’m not disappointed at all,” Le Clos said. “There’s still time to get it and I haven’t even finalised my schedule for London.”

The 19-year-old was timed at 53.46 in the 100m butterfly, a little over a second outside the 52.36 qualification time, while swimming the 200m freestyle in 1:49.32, exactly 1.5 seconds off the required 1:47.82. Both events were not part of the regular swimming programme.

Coventry proved her world class status with a win in the 200m backstroke and an Olympic A-time in the women's 200m IM. The double Olympian and Golden Girl of Zimbabwe raced to a fast 2:12,65 and also pulled SA hope Kathryn Meaklim closer to her Olympic QT with a 2:14,11. Meaklim only has to drop a fraction more to 2:13,36 at the Olympic Trials in Durban in April. Coventry was named Best Female Performer of the Meet.

Herman Heerden, who was named Best Male Performer of the Meet, claimed the only Olympic A-qualifying time in the evening session on the final day of the two-day competition. The 21-yearold clocked 15 minutes, 06.11 seconds in the 1 500m freestyle final to complete the first part of the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) policy that requires swimmers to record an A-standard time twice during a 10-month period.

The Stellenbosch swimmer now needs to swim inside the 15:11.83 qualifying time again at the national trials in April as per the Sascoc requirement, to seal his place in London.