send CAsH to soutH AfriCA And ZimbAbwe
from only £4.90
* Your MoneY Arrives
in 10 minutes**
www.thesouthafrican.com
1 May 2012 – 7 May 2012
Issue 461
CLAIM YOUR TAX REFUND TODAY! 41433
*In addition to the transfer fees applicable to a transaction, a currency exchange rate set by MoneyGram or its agent will be applied. **Subject to agent hours of operation and local regulations. MoneyGram International Limited is an authorised payment institution regulated by the Financial Services Authority. ©2012 MoneyGram. All rights reserved.
CS4733_press_ad_50x36_P_en_v1_aw.indd 13/02/2012 15:04 1
TAX, FINANCIAL AND MIGRATION EXPERTS: Money Transfers, Tax Refunds, Visas, Limited Companies & Accounting, UK Bank Accounts, CV & Job Assistance, Travel Clinic, Shipping, Legal and Umbrella Services
Freephone: 00800 8971 8971 www.moneygram.com
0808 141 2315
www.1stcontact.com/mast1
BORIS v KEN We ask London’s mayoral candidates what they can offer South Africans
BY PETER HULME AND DAN SWINHOE s members of the Commonwealth, South Africans are eligible to vote in Thursday’s London mayoral election (if registered for it). So we asked the two main contenders, Conservative candidate Boris Johnson and Labour’s Ken Livingstone, what they can offer South Africans as mayor. What issues do you think South Africans in London
A
face and how would you address them as mayor? KL: I would be a mayor who is in tune with this great cosmopolitan, diverse city. My vision of London is a city that is open to the world, globally connected and welcoming of different cultures – in music, dress, food, faith – brought here by all the diasporas that have made a home here. As mayor I would celebrate what South Africans have brought to this city, treating you as South African Londoners, not as an ‘immigrant’ community. South
Africans face the problems all Londoners face in these most difficult economic times since the 1930s. My priority as mayor will be to put money back into Londoners’ pockets, through measures like a non-profit letting agency. BJ: South Africans are a dynamic group who play a key role in the London business world. My ninepoint plan will build on the progress we have made in our first term and ensure that City Hall continues to invest in the infrastructure and services we need while easing the cost of living for ordinary Londoners. My plan will ensure London remains competitive as a global city, attracting jobs and investment. In particular our key investments in Crossrail and Tube upgrades will be essential to keep our city moving. This election is about trust, and over the past four years I have demonstrated that I can be trusted to deliver on my manifesto, as I delivered on more than 90% of the pledges in my 2008 manifesto. In contrast during his eight years as mayor Ken Livingstone broke almost half his manifesto promises, and reneged on a number of pledges to keep fares low. How will you engage with the South African business community in London? KL: I have a
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. Photo By Andrew Parsons/i-Images/BackBoris2012.
manifesto commitment to host a summit to showcase the best of London’s small businesses. I want to ensure businesses run by people from the South African diaspora are part of that. With world growth being driven by the BRICS economies, these are the vital countries for London to do business with. BJ: Engagement with all sectors of the business community will continue to be a priority during my second term. We have a comprehensive plan to support London business, particularly small to medium enterprises. I have successfully negotiated with the
government for a £70 million London Growth Fund, some of which we will use to offer low interest loans in the order of £100,000 to SMEs. Repayments would be used to help more small businesses. Continued on page 3.
Ken Livingstone. Photo by Annette Boutellier/World Economic Forum.