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SA Power 100: Lynne Sherriff | p13
Princess rumoured to be ‘stressed’ that she can’t fulfil deal to provide heir
P
the palace. She might have a smile on her face at official functions, but inside she is stressed and frustrated. This subject is weighing more and more heavily on her shoulders.” However Charlene, who was accused of trying to run away three times before she married, called suggestions that she was reluctant to marry 'hilarious' in an interview on the Today show last year. She claimed the rumours that she was reluctant to marry were generated to sell magazines. 'Why would we go to all this effort and have our dearest friends join us, for us to be reluctant?” she asked. Albert has suggested the rumours might have been triggered by jealousy from people who “did not like the fact that we were finally together and married.” Before he met the former swimmer four years ago, Albert dated many famous beauties such as Angie Everhart, Brooke Shields, and supermodel Claudia Schiffer.
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by STAFF REPORTER rincess Charlene of Monaco has allegedly become ‘depressed’ at her failure to provide her husband Prince Albert with a legitimate heir, according to The Daily Mail. The 33-year-old South African, who married Albert in a lavish state wedding in July last year, was aware that her ‘playboy prince’ has fathered two love children. But she is said to have tried to flee the principality two days before they married after finding out he had a third love child. As all three children were born out of wedlock none of them can succeed their father to the throne, so Monaco officials were said to have coaxed Charlene back by striking a deal that she provide the ruler with a legitimate heir before being released from their union. But French magazine Voici has reported that the blonde beauty is now unable to get pregnant. “Charlene has made the subject of pregnancy a taboo topic around
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Cape Town-born, Londonbased Lynne Sherriff is a Master of Wine and the first South African to be selected Chairman of the Institute of Master of Wine.
Win tickets to Paul Simon’s Graceland | p7 On Sunday 15 July at Hard Rock Calling in London, Paul Simon will be celebrating 25 years of his Graceland album by performing the entire work together with Ladysmith Black Mambazo. We have five pairs of tickets to give away.
Former South African swimmer Princess Charlene has called suggestions that she was reluctant to marry Prince Albert ‘hilarious’. Photo by Wessel Oosthuizen/ SA Sports Picture Agency.
He has also battled rumours he was gay. The princess, who will host the South African swimming team next month to allow them to train
for the Olympics, has admitted that she felt lonely in Monaco, saying, “I only have two people I consider friends here.” www.thesouthafrican.com/news
South African Property Monthly | p11 Our monthly pull-out for prospective homebuyers in South Africa includes properties for sale and advice from experts in the industry.
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Tube Closures
Bakerloo: Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 May, no service between Queen’s Park and Harrow & Wealdstone. Replacement buses operate. Central: Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 May, no service between Marble Arch and Bethnal Green. Metropolitan: Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 May, no service between Harrow-on-the-Hill, Croxley and Rickmansworth. Shuttle train services operate between Watford, Amersham and Chesham. Rail replacement buses operate. Overground: Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 May, no service between Watford Junction and Euston. Replacement buses operate between Watford Junction and Queens Park calling at Watford High Street, Bushey, Carpenders Park, Hatch End and Headstone Lane.
What’s on
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Two Shona Gentlemen of Verona @ the Globe to Globe Festival Date: 9-10 May Venue: Shakespeare’s Globe, London A two-man Zimbabwean riot of love, friendship and betrayal. From Verona to Milan, via Harare and Bulawayo, two great friends, Valentine and Proteus, vie for the love of the same woman. In a triumphantly energetic ‘township’ style, Denton Chikura and Tonderai Munyevu slip into all of the play’s fifteen characters in this new, specially commissioned translation. Breakfast Indaba Business Network Date: 10 May, 7-8:30am Venue: Carluccios, Putney TheSouthAfrican.com and The SA Chamber of Commerce have partnered to deliver the most proactive business networking opportunity within the South African community over a monthly Breakfast
Isango Ensemble at Hackney Empire from 11 May to 3 June. Indaba. Every participant will be given the opportunity to present to the group of 30+ South African orientated business networkers, enjoy a great breakfast and generate business. All this for £10. To secure a membership and have exclusive rights to present your chosen profession/ industry then please email events@blueskygroup.co.uk Memberships cost £150 plus vat for 12 months.
Hackney Empire from Friday 11 May to Sunday 3 June 2012. The Hackney Empire, supported by the Columbia Fund, will presentAesop’s Fables, The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists and La Bohème. Hackney Empire and The Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria in partnership with Isango Ensemble present La Bohème adapted and directed by DornfordMay, with music directors Malefane and Dyantyis and words by Peter Cann and Isango Ensemble. Tickets from £8 to £24 at www.hackneyempire.co.uk or 020 8985 2424 www.isangoensemble.org
Isango Ensemble triple bill at Hackney Empire Date: 11 May-3 June Venue: Hackney Empire Multi award-winning Cape Town theatre company Isango returns to London for a four-week season at
Please email your events to: editor@thesouthafrican.com. For more listings, please visit www.thesouthafrican.com
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Send your mom a Starfish Mother’s Day card This Mother’s Day, double your good karma by donating to charity at the same time as getting your mum a special card
by NICOLE HOLGATE SEND an e-card with a difference this Mother’s Day! For Mother’s Day in South Africa on Sunday 13 May, Starfish is running a campaign to raise funds for “caregivers” – women who take on the role of mothers to children who have been orphaned through the HIV/AIDS pandemic. This gift is a fitting way to mark the day and celebrate a relationship which can transform the lives of the foster mothers as well as those of the children who have lost their birth parents. Renowned South African artist Susan Rosenberg has designed a range of Mother’s Day e-cards exclusively for the campaign. The cards can be purchased online and will be e-mailed to the donor’s loved one in time for Mother’s Day, with a personalised message and details of what the donation equates to for a women or child supported by Starfish. To send an e-card go to www. starfishcharity.org The card will be available until 5pm on Friday 11 May to ensure delivery to your mother’s inbox for the Mother’s Day weekend.
wanted to organise a collection for Starfish. People who came gave so generously. Some of the money from the sales of my works also went towards Starfish. So I’m a long-time supporter. What I admire most about Starfish is that their slogan is ‘One child at a time.’ I like the way that donations go directly towards helping children in small projects, the money doesn’t get dissipated along the way, but goes towards specific projects. My mother did a lot of work with children. It’s important to help children because they can’t always help themselves. It’s important to give children food and opportunities and hope. This campaign is centred on Mothers’ Day. Was your mother a role model for you? My mother was a huge inspiration. She set aside a couple of days a week to work with children in poor
communities and in the townships around Pietermaritzburg, but she also earned her living as a photographer, so her visual work was always a huge inspiration. She was fearless in her commitment to her family: her own children always came first. But she tried to instil in us that we don’t live in a microcosm, and to have a sense of responsibility to those around us, to people who didn’t have what we had. That you are part of a wider society. How did you become a painter? Did your mother support you? Painting was something I always did, I couldn’t think of doing or being anything else. From a small child, that’s how I wanted to spend every available minute, when I wasn’t doing schoolwork or something! My mother kept me supplied with a limitless amount of paper. My best birthday present ever,
as a child, was 140 Crayola wax crayons. I still remember opening that gift when I was four or five. She encouraged and supported me through my studies: I studied in SA and then in America at the University of Wisconsin, with the help of the Fulbright Programme, where I earned an MA in Printmaking and Drawing. Fully supported by mum all the way.
SA artist Susan Rosenberg’s Mother’s Day card designs for the Starfish charity.
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Susan Rosenberg lives in London, but has not forgotten her roots in KwaZulu-Natal. Susan told us more about her work with the charity, and personal inspiration. How did you get involved with Starfish? I’ve been involved with Starfish for many years – I first found out about it in 2004. I heard about it through a friend, and it was established where I grew up, in Pietermaritzburg, so there was a strong connection. I had an exhibition in London on 27 April, which was the anniversary of Freedom Day in SA, the day of the new South Africa, and I
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On “What can London’s mayoral candidates do for South Africans?” Jonathan Price: It’s very important not to see this as just a contest between Boris and Ken. You have two votes. Anyone who has a vote and is liberally minded must vote for Brian Paddick first and then chose which they dislike least from the other two. That way both votes will count. Lizette van Niekerk: Why only ask the opinions of these two candidates? Surely we should be given the opportunity to hear from the others as well. I feel it very short-sighted to exclude the other candidates and shows an unfortunate political preference for only two parties. Surely if there is one group of people who understands the importance of a level political and democratic playing field it is us South Africans. Editor’s note: We agree with you there, however due to space and staff constraints we weren’t able to
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Marc Bertrand: @Kathryn. The only point I disagree with is that you slam them for the exorbitant fees of visitor visas. This is not their fault. This is the Dept of Home Affairs screw up that allowed this levy to come in line with the rest of the uncivilised world. Why have a go at them for not “understanding” a point that is out of their power to effect change in. That’s what your national vote is for. Kathryn Pienaar: Thanks Marc. I do agree with you on that point, however I feel if they want the South African vote and they ramble on about understanding the challenges we face, then why not do more to prove it? I was simply stating the obvious things that cause concern for many South Africans over here. It may not be something for a mayor to solve but it sure would be nice hearing a British person / mayoral candidate acknowledge what we go through in order to be here. Marc Bertrand: For sure. But we do know that this will be little more than lip service in the current landscape.
On “‘Blood gold’ made South African miners sick”
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interview all the candidates. Kathryn Pienaar: I think both Ken and Boris have missed the point entirely. South Africans face challenges these two cannot possibly comprehend. Let’s start with the cost of visas and applications for leave to remain. A quick tally, the cost of being granted a British passport and the right to live and work in Britain has set me back almost £5000. Not to mention the constant changes in rules regarding these visa applications. All a money-making scheme in my eyes. Add to this the ridiculous charge of R1000 for a visitor visa to the UK and our family are less likely to visit us in this “fair green land”. I don’t deny that South Africans are naturally concerned about crime, considering the way many of us grew up, and the cost of transport is crippling everyone in London, but get real Ken and Boris. Do your research. Come and visit a Saffa house down South West way. Attend one or two braais and let us tell you our concerns. Don’t listen to the British kid in a suit telling you how to target the South African vote.
Claudine Fourie: Emily Blythe, AASA, AAP, whatever... in your over-paid, underworked cosy airconditioned offices – all evil is done in secret. On the question of publicity, I ask the media manager to tell her bosses to reinstate the proper e-mail address they had previously – what are they hiding from, again? They are supposedly ‘liberals’, then why do they act/ operate like communists? Anglo very conveniently and expediciously now has its ‘head office’ in South Africa – what a joke. Well then Claudine’s Law, states that this occured when it had it in the UK, and on second thoughts too, it should not matter – that law must be changed and one should be able to have your case heard anywhere you feel it will be justly addressed. All forms of power abuse are of public interest. Treat others as you would like to be treated. Kim: There is far too much unfair treatments and exploitation going on and all of these very rich corporations must pay up, because the workers have suffered too much. If Anglo American Corporation do not want publicity, then they should be doing what is right, not what is wrong and hide behind their own propaganda media and lies and deception, just like the government. They are all communists.
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ineffective mayor when he was in power, and he offers nothing new this time. He does not appear to have a concrete plan for fixing the tube and curtailing the horrendous power of the unions, despite waffle ROB BOFFARD about freezing fares. There is nothing remotely inspiring about him. And as for everyone else... well, Siobhan Benita and Jenny Jones might offer fresh faces, but BY the time you read this, London they have zero concrete ideas. And won’t have a new mayor. ideas are what London needs. I’m not often one to call election When it comes to the South results, not since I predicted a African vote in London, Boris landslide Soccer Party victory and Ken are next to useless. In back in 2009, but I’m going to The South African call this one: Boris. With The Since there’s no one last week, Boris asked ‘What Evening Standard worth leading one of was issues do you think newspaper the greatest cities, South Africans throwing its weight behind why not vote for me? in London face and how would him, and with no you address them as mayor?’ His other real challengers beyond a response: “South Africans are a very tired Ken Livingstone, Boris dynamic group who play a key Johnson will take this one. role in the London business world. He doesn’t deserve a second My nine-point plan will build on term. I was rather excited when the progress we have made in our he was elected four years ago; he first term and ensure that City seemed to offer a fresh perspective, Hall continues to invest in the a sense of humour and guile that infrastructure and services we blah London politics had lacked under blah blah.” the jowly Livingstone. But beyond The response is too long to quote a few nice soundbites, a cycle hire here. But aside from the first scheme that is utterly useless if sentence, it could be addressed you do not live in Central London to anyone, anywhere. It is the and a couple of movements response of someone who does not towards an airport in the Thames care (Ken gave a similar answer Valley, Boris has done sod-all. The if anything, one which was made tube is a disaster - if nothing, it’s of even more waffle). more painful and expensive to use In fact, since there’s no one worth than it was four years ago. Crime leading one of the greatest cities on is still at horrible levels. The riots earth, why not vote for me? I don’t happened under Boris’ watch, and have any policies as such, but I his response was pathetic. Sorry have really great hair. Actually, mate: you’ll win, but only by that’s not strictly true. I have hair. default, and you’ve done nothing And I’m not on the ballot paper. to show you deserve it. Perhaps you’d be good enough to It really is unfortunate that write my name on there? nobody else seems to deserve it Go on, be a sport. either. Ken Livingstone was an
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DOING THEMSELVES PROUD: The Zimbabwe Achievers Awards was a glittering affair at the Grange Tower Bridge Hotel in London on 28 April. Hosted by Chipo Chung, it recognised the top Zimbabweans in UK business, fashion, sport and the arts. Photos by Tatenda Mbawa. See more photos on www.thesouthafrican.com/photos
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small can be beautiful too. Natural flowers or friends chipping in to do arrangements are as thrilling as 1,200 orchids flown in from Amsterdam. Expecting your guests to buy exactly what YOU want as a gift is not a gracious KAREN gesture. The idea of the perfect DE VILLIERS wedding is at risk of becoming the perfect marketing foil for outside operators until there is little left of the gesture – creating a bond between two people. Rather everyone is expecting, and no more so than Dad, the big cheque YOU have been invited to a writer of it all. friend’s birthday/wedding/ I used to get hysterical around the anniversary celebration. Great. children’s birthday party dates. Oh The operative word here is Lord, the competition for venues, celebration, but then you begin menus and whether the ‘real live to get that gnawing feeling in the Barbie’ was available had me pit of your stomach. This is going close to standing with a dossier to cost you. Even if you drink and clipboard, rather than just nothing but water the entire time, letting the fun times roll. Parents in the end you know saying yes trying to outdo each other with will involve a parting of currency. horse rides, foofy slides or visits In the spirit of friendship, this to the beach. It became costly. It is what one does. The problem was maddening. Ironically, the begins when there are close to 10 most popular birthdays, weddings or Woe betide the lassie getting activity at all these fancy anniversaries hitched who decides her parties? in the same wedding registry must be at Trying to month. Your bite bobbing heart has Harvey Nichols instead of apples in just stopped Primark or Mr Price Home. a bucket pumping of water. after that Cheapest game on the planet. A last spate of wedding presents and packet of apples was the highlight airline tickets and now it’s time for of the day. babies… and christenings… Truth? I love entertaining and So I was hardly surprised by throwing big parties. And planning an article in the Yahoo Finance weddings. The trick is to make it sector, handing out tips on how seem effortless, have the stuff of to survive being a wedding guest. your dreams and those honoured Costs of getting to the wedding, enough to share it with you; feel what with all your friends now less like paupers and more like scattered across the globe, princes. And I may as well say accommodation, clothes and travel it; if my two beauties want to expenses can play havoc with your get married on Pride Rock… credit card. It can make you a very in the middle of a savannah at poor person, and woe betide the sunset… with Moët and a hot air lassie getting hitched who decides balloon– I will most likely say, her wedding registry must be at ‘yes dears’. Bring on the big guns. Harvey Nichols instead of Primark Just hope the guests take out travel or Mr Price Home. You will starve, insurance… but you will not be caught dead giving less than is expected. And that is the problem. The ‘Expectation’ at what should be a wonderful, intimate time between friends to celebrate a wedding, birthday or even wake. Party planners make careers out of it. Brides expect this to be the day of their lives so everything must culminate in the gala performance. But
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Two of music’s greatest legends, Paul Simon and Miriam Makeba, perform together. He will be joined by Ladysmith Black Mambazo on Sunday 15 July in London.
WIN tickets to Paul Simon at Hard Rock Calling
Win tickets to see Paul Simon perform his Graceland album in its entirety at Hard Rock Calling in London’s Hyde Park by STAFF REPORTER HARD Rock Calling 2012, in London’s Hyde Park 13-15 July, is set to be the biggest and best yet. On Sunday 15 July at Hard Rock Calling, Paul Simon will be celebrating 25 years of his Graceland album by performing the entire work, live. South Africa’s Ladysmith Black Mambazo, who came to international prominence due to their vital contribution to the album, will also be reunited with Simon for this special concert. The Paul Simon headline slot on Sunday will round off the three-
day festival, which also features Soundgarden, Bruce Springsteen, The Mars Volta, Cold Chisel and many more. For the latest Hard Rock Calling news, line-ups and to book tickets, visit www.hardrockcalling.co.uk WIN tickets to Paul Simon’s Graceland at Hard Rock Calling We have 5 pairs of tickets to Hard Rock Calling on Sunday 15 July 2012 to be won by our readers. Enter online at www. thesouthafrican.com/win
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Matshikiza, Madlala and Schoeman in concert South African stars perform in London to raise funds to support talented young musicians back home by STAFF REPORTER DIEMERSFONTEIN and The Excellence Out of Africa Trust bring you another classical opera concert in London. Following the success of their first concert with Pretty Yende and Friends, The Excellence Out Of Africa Trust presents its second concert on 17 May at Westminster Synagogue, Knightsbridge. The concert will feature, among others, Kathleen Ferrier prize winners, baritone Njabulo Madlala and soprano Pumeza Matshikiza, and pianist Ben Schoeman, who last week was runner-up of the Guildhall Gold Medal prize. It is an opportunity to share proudly in our home-grown talent and by supporting the Trust, you can make a dream come true for other gifted South African musicians. The Trust raises money to help young, aspiring musicians and singers through supporting
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Acclaimed opera stars Pumeza Matshikiza and Njabulo Madlala will captivate Londoners again on 17 May.
Skotland is Boesmanlandmooi
EK sê dit nie maklik nie. Niks kom ooit naby die Boesmanland se mooi nie. Dis ’n anderster mooi. Dis ’n mooi wat wil verstaan word. Skotland is Boesmanlandmooi. Dis die eerste keer in my lewe dat ek iets sien wat Boesmanlandse betowering inhou. Skotland is heuwels en heuwels groen, so ver as jou oog kan sien. Lappies sneeu lê plek-plek. Plaasopstalle met eenvoudige huise is volop. Ry jy daar verby, ruik jy die koeimis van die beeskraal net langs die huis. Diè reuk is gemeng met die kaggelrokie wat by die huis se skoorsteen uitsweef. As ek my oë toemaak kon ek Makkiesplaas op ’n wintersoggend ruik – as my ma se houtstoof brand vir koekies bak en sop kook. En dan is daar die oorbekende wasgoeddraad wat op elke werf vol wasgoed is. Ons het drie wonderlike nagte in Tomintoul oorgebly. Al drie nagte in Dianne en Steven, twee pragtige mense uit Suid-Afrika, se gastehuis. Hulle het hul gastehuis en harte vir ons oopgegooi en dit ’n ongelooflike verblyf in Argyle Guest House gemaak. Soggens na ’n heerlike “Full English Breakfast” uit Steven se hand, en sy nimlike tuisgebakte brood, het ons verken en whisky gedrink. Absoluut hemels.
Guildhall Gold Medal runner -up Ben Schoeman will perform at the event.
fees and travel for auditions and so forth. Date: Thursday, 17 May Time: 7.30pm Venue: Kent House, Westminster Synagogue, Rutland Gardens, Knightsbridge
Ticket cost: £35 pp (ticket only) or £65 pp (includes priority seating and wine tasting after the concert) Booking: Contact Jo Davis at jojiki@gmail.com or telephone 0207 6255 728. Please note that pre-booking is essential.
Ons het toe ten einde darem Skotland se mense is warm, stapkans ook gekry. Ons moes eenvoudige mense. Hulle noem egter noodgedwonge met sambrele ’n ding by die naam. Daar’s niks deur modderpoele worstel op ’n voorgee of aansit nie. En daar wandelpaadjie terwyl dit sous. My tussen die Skotte het ek besluit geduldige man het op sy tande dat ek wil teruggaan na eenvoud. gekners en gemaak asof stap in Niks meer gekompliseerd vir my die reën een van sy gunsteling nie dankie. Ek dink my Marietjieaktiwiteite is. En ons twee het sussie sou baie maklik inpas by die lanklaas so lekker gesels soos in Skotte. ons moodertog Dit was om Toumintoul. ’n bitter As ek my oë toemaak kon Saans, as moeilike ek Makkiesplaas op ’n die son begin besluit, wintersoggend ruik – as my water trek het maar ten ons tweetjies einde ma se houtstoof brand vir koers gekies na het ons koekies bak en sop kook. Tomintoul se besluit om “local pub” vir net twee ’n “pint” en die dag se koerant. distellerye uit die hordes te En sommer om die “locals” te besoek. Ek weet my man sou beloer as hulle na ’n dag se harde nie omgee om elke dag heeldag werk op die plaas, of ‘n whisky lank whisky te proe nie, maar ek distillery, kom ontspan met ’n bier. gee om. Ek wou darem so bitter Ons is terug uit Skotland, maar graag ’n stukkie Skotland te voet die ervaring neem ek verewig ook verken. Ons het dus net die saam. Ek is ook nou ’n baie lojale twee bestes besoek: Glenfiddich whisky-drinker en ek probeer en Glenlivet. En daar’s iets aan elke dag om dankbaar te wees vir whisky wat ek nou verstaan…’n waarmee ek nóú geseën is. single malt, suiwer whisky met net En ek werk daaraan om die lewe so snertsie water daarby. Dis ’n “simple” te hou…soos Marietjie en ervaring wat jy net kan begryp as die Skotte. jy self dáár was.
9
thesouthafrican.com | 8 May – 14 May 2012 |
Entertainment
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Sunshine on a Rainy Day: festival of arts & culture Chickenshed and Border Crossings have partnered to create a day of Southern African festivities on Saturday 12 May
by STAFF REPORTER CHICKENSHED Theatre is hosting a oneday festival offering insights into the varied and rich culture of Southern Africa. For this exciting event Chickenshed has partnered with Border Crossings, a company that works across the borders between cultures and art forms and between nations and peoples. Chickenshed and Border Crossings seek to create an inclusive society in which diversity is celebrated through theatre and the performing arts. Saturday Shed – Southern African Special Time: 10am - 11.15am for 6-8 years and 11.15am-12.15pm for 9-12 years. Price: £6 (not included in Day Pass) Nyemu and Wedzi from World Musik Makers create a traditional African Cultural environment where everybody participates through singing, dancing and drama. Screening of ‘Kini and Adams’ Time: 2.15pm - 4.45pm Age: 13+ years Price: Free (subject to availability so please pre-book) Filmed in Zimbabwe, this award-winning movie from Idrissa Ouedraogo, one of Africa’s most acclaimed directors, tells the story of the brotherly love that develops between best friends who dream of leaving their rural community for the big city. The screening will be followed by a Q&A session chaired by Michael Walling from Border Crossings. Talking Points – Theatre for a Change Time: 5pm - 6.30pm Price: Free (subject to availability so please pre-book)
A panel discussion around theatre, politics and development in southern Africa. Guest speakers include Arifani Moyo, Christopher Maphosa and Kate Stafford, founder of Nanzikambe in Malawi. The panel discussion will be chaired by Michael Walling. ‘The Rain that Washes’ Time: 7.30pm - 8.30pm Tickets for this performance are only available with a Day Pass. First performed at Chickenshed in October 2011, The Rain That Washes surprised and moved audiences and is now set for a new run in 2012. Instantly plunged into a young man’s compelling story of growing up in turbulent Zimbabwe, we live and breathe his extraordinary and dramatic journey from innocence to escape, finally returning to his homeland to witness the greatest betrayal of all. Claude Deppa Time: 8.45pm - 10.30pm Price: Included in Day Pass or purchased separately £10/£8 conc. At the forefront of the African jazz music scene, South African-born trumpeter and composer Claude Deppa joins the festival with his renowned quartet. Venue: Chickenshed Theatre, Chase Side, Southgate, London N14 4PE Date: Saturday 12 May Ticket Price: £12 for a Day Pass (£10 in advance). Som events can be booked individually Food and drink will be available from the Theatre Bar/Restaurant Bookings: Chickenshed Box Office on 020 8292 9222, bookings@chickenshed.org.uk or www.chickenshed.org.uk
Quartet of Peace concert
South African musicians Eugene Skeef and Peter Martens perform at concert on 16 May
by STAFF REPORTER THE Quartet of Peace is the name given to four handcrafted string instruments, each dedicated to one of South Africa’s four Nobel Peace Laureates – Albert Luthuli, Desmond Tutu, FW de Klerk and Nelson Mandela. The instruments were made in Cape Town by master craftsman Brian Lisus. The Quartet of Peace project has two purposes. The first is to promote in South Africa the ideals of peace, reconciliation, mutual tolerance, freedom and hope, encapsulated in the lives of the four dedicatees. The vehicles for achieving this vision include musical performance, directly or indirectly involving the Quartet instruments, locally and internationally. The second purpose is the provision of scholarships or other forms of financial assistance to young individuals from disadvantaged communities, who have exceptional talent in such fields as musical performance and instrument-making and repair. On 16 May, a charity concert will be held at the South Kensington home of Sir Vernon Ellis, a noted philanthropist and music-lover.
The internationally acclaimed Brodsky Quartet will play at this chamber concert and will be joined for the principal item on the programme (Schubert Quintet), by South African cellist Peter Martens. Also on the programme is a piece by London-based South African composer Eugene Skeef. To reinforce the South African orientation of the evening, fine South African wines (mostly donated) will be served on arrival and at a buffet supper. Date: 16 May Price: £50 (includes wine and dinner) Venue: 49 Queens Gate Terrace, London SW7. The closest underground station is Gloucester Road. The venue is also an easy walk from Kensington High Street underground. Programme: 7pm: Canapés with white wine on arrival 7.30 pm: Sir Vernon Ellis will welcome guests and introduce Nick Segal, who will talk briefly about the Quartet of Peace. The concert will then begin. A hot meal will be served after the concert, accompanied by South African red and white wines. To reserve tickets, email vernon@vef.org.uk
South African-born Claude Deppa’s jazz will provide an uplifting end to the day.
10
Business: News
| 8 May – 14 May 2012 | thesouthafrican.com Follow us on Twitter: @TheSAnews
Ready to take your career back to SA? by STAFF REPORTER THE flagship Careers in Africa London Recruitment Summit, taking place from 18 to 20 May, will bring together senior managers from across the globe looking for candidates hoping to take their careers back to Africa. This invitation-only event is renowned for its innovative approach towards recruitment. More than 40 companies will be in attendance, with big names such as Total, Coca-Cola, Unilever, JTI and many others looking for bright graduates and professionals. Senior decision makers, hiring directors and managers will give presentations and speeches, including executive vice president for Unilever Africa, Frank Braeken. More than 1,500 people are expected through the doors over the weekend. As the most successful recruitment forum for African graduates and professionals, the anniversary later this year will
mark a decade of growth for the African continent’s human capital. Managing Director, Rupert Adcock, said, “Ten years ago, few people could see the potential in Africa’s economies. But a decade later we are the market leader for companies who are desperate for people to staff their rapidlyexpanding operations across the continent.” Victor Famuyibo, HR Director for Heineken, addded, “The business environment on the continent is now far less turbulent compared with a decade ago. Equally, foreign direct investment, the collapse of apartheid and the disappearance of one-man dictatorships have enabled partnerships across Africa. In the next ten years I expect to see double-digit growth in real GDP. The future is here.” Application deadline is Friday, 11 May. Details: www.careersinafrica. com/london
The concept of outsourcing can often seem a lot simpler in theory than the actual application.
THREE INSIGHTS INTO: Outsourcing by PAUL HARRISON MORE and more UK-based companies are considering outsourcing as a way of slashing costs of process driven work out
Chris McCarthy of Makena.co.za
of the UK and into countries such as India and South Africa. The concept of outsourcing can often seem a lot simpler in theory than its actual application. There have been some nightmare stories as to the work received – which seems to vary greatly between what was requested by the client and what is delivered by the outsourcer. We spoke to Chris McCarthy of Makena.co.za, who receives a lot of outsourcing work from the UK, in order to get his best insights into what to look for when outsourcing website design. Tip 1: Lost in translation With so much work being outsourced to countries where English is not their first language, what is requested and what is perceived can be two different concepts. You need to check (and double check) that what you have
requested is clear to someone who is not English-speaking. If you can communicate with someone who speaks English as their first language then that is a bonus. Tip 2: Buy cheap, buy twice Outsourcing is a great way to reduce costs on process-driven projects such as web design and programming but I would encourage you to be very careful when just going for the cheapest price out there. The old adage, ‘You get what you pay for’ really holds true here. Tip 3: Build a relationship When you find someone who delivers what they say they will, on time, to the specifications you have requested and at a reasonable price, then hold onto them. It’s never easy to find good employees, nor people who do outsourced work for you. So when you find them, keep them. You then know what to expect.
Janet Willicott talks to Chris McCarthy about outsourcing her website design Designers normally have a lot of experience working with different industries, but in saying that, designers who do have experience with your specific industry could work to your advantage regarding accurate estimates and work efficiency. Industry specific knowledge is not as important as skillset and work ethic. Janet Willicott is a London-based South African who is starting a new business offering strategic and auditing processes to companies within the retail, hospitality and service industry by raising their GPM (gross profit margin). Janet is keen to keep costs down by outsourcing her website design but wants to know the following: How important is it to find a designer with experience in my exact business sector?
What about content for my website? The content for any design work should come before any development. Many clients believe that they will fill in the content once the design has been completed, but design work isn’t primarily how beautiful the website looks – it’s about effectively communicating content. That’s the key. In the worst case scenario, what should I do if I don’t like
Janet Willicott the work the designer has done for me? Most designers have or should have processes in place to ensure they receive information from the client in order to design effectively to the client’s expectations. For more information visit www.makena.co.za and if you have any other business-related questions that you would like answered, please email Paul@ MOBIvation.com
MAY 2012 #78
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Sought-after seaside holiday homes by DENISE MHLANGA Holidaymakers are checking out new property investments in prime seaside resorts in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. According to the Top 11 Property Categories of 2011 report by Lightstone released in January, Kenton-on-Sea property values were said to have increased by 50 percent from 2010’s R1 million to R1.5 million in 2011. Lightstone says Kentonon-Sea’s population swelled by 200 percent during the December holiday season. Hayley Ivins of Lightstone says following this trend, and with April being a popular month for coastal getaways, they selected nine prime seaside resorts in South Africa
in order to find out whether the influx of holidaymakers impacted the property market in holiday hotspots. These include Langebaan, Hermanus and Mossel Bay in the Western Cape, St Francis Bay, Port Alfred and Jeffreys Bay in the Eastern Cape as well as Ballito, Umhlanga and Richards Bay in KwaZuluNatal. She explains that their research on property sales in seaside resort areas revealed that in 2010 and 2011, the largest proportion of sales occurred within the first three months of the year and then generally tapered off towards the December holiday season. “In 2011 we noticed another slight spike in property sales in the winter months of May
and June which may be attributed to banks relaxing their lending criteria,” says Ivins. Ivins points out that when reviewed on a quarterly basis for 2011, the majority of property sales in these coastal resorts occurred in the first quarter post the major holiday period, being January through March 2011. Lightstone sees a positive lift in coastal retreat sales post peak holiday period. However, they believe that while sales may not be immediate, holidaymakers may very well be eyeing out new property investments while enjoying family time at the beach before concluding the deal at a later date. Property24.com
BAROMETER
Rental debt collection increases in SA by DENISE MHLANGA Tough economic conditions in South Africa have seen an increase in the number of cases that legal firms offering debt collection services handle. According to Ntombi Mlambo of Gunstons Attorneys, the big challenge facing legal firms is tracing the debtor. She explains that when a poor tenant leaves, landlords and rental agents tend to write off large sums owing because the new address to which the
2
defaulter claims he will be moving turns out to be bogus and by the time a summons is served, the tenant will have moved on. Mlambo says in situations such as these, defrauded landlords do no one a favour by letting a defaulting tenant get away with non-payment because experience shows they will do the same thing again. Owners in the sectional title sector have in the last year also been slack about meeting levy payments and they
currently comprise a large proportion of the defaulting group South African debt collectors are dealing with, she says. Mlambo urges property owners and estate agents who find themselves in these situations to always use a tracing service. “We find that more than 70 percent of defaulting debtors are eventually traced, especially if we have a copy of their ID books and a photograph. Property24.com
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by STAFF REPORTER While home ownership has become the goal for many South African consumers, buying a home too soon without completing the necessary research can leave homeowners with a very expensive noose around their necks. This is according to Adrian Goslett, CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, who says owning property has many benefits such as providing a sense of stability and the freedom to make decisions regarding what happens to that property. Whether the owner wants to renovate or rent out the property, the choice is theirs, he says - however, along with the freedom home ownership brings, there are more responsibilities as well as additional costs that buyers should consider before entering the market. Goslett says that the first step for a buyer to consider when assessing whether they are ready to purchase a home is to see what they can afford. Buyers will need to look at their lifestyle and financial health to determine whether home ownership is right for them at this stage, he says. If a buyer is unable to afford a home that meets their current requirements, they may have no other choice but to continue renting for a while. He says it is important for the buyer to take into consideration all costs involved, such as maintenance, rates and taxes, and not just the bond repayment when looking at their budget. According to Goslett there are opportunities in the current market for buyers to purchase value-for-money properties, but buyers must make sure they are in a financial position to be able to afford the home over the long term. Although unforeseen circumstances may occur, purchasing property should be viewed as a long-term investment and buyers could end up losing money through reselling a property within a few years. Generally, due to the cyclical nature of the property
market, a minimum period of nine years is required to see the best possible return on investment. While having a steady income and stable job will be an important part of assessing home buying readiness, it is also important for buyers to have a contingency plan in place, should they lose their employment. It is vital for homeowners to have savings available to cushion them and help them to continue making bond repayments for the next two to three months or until they find new employment. Goslett emphasises that buyers having as much saved as possible will give the buyer more financial options. A bigger deposit, for example, can result in a larger home or a lower bond repayment. “Financial institutions require a deposit of between 10% and 30% before a loan is granted and there are also legal fees, transfer duties and homeowner insurance that will need to be covered,” he says. Speaking to a property industry professional or a mortgage originator will give the buyer an indication of what costs will be incurred during the purchasing process. He says that where possible, potential buyers should deal with any debt they have before purchasing a home. Having more disposable income will be viewed favourably by banks when applying for a bond, as well as alleviating some financial pressure on the buyer to meet monthly payments. “If buyers have debt such as credit cards or clothing accounts, it is generally a sign that they are living beyond their means and they may want to determine what they can pay off before deciding to take on a bond and the costs of owning a property,” says Goslett. Home ownership is not a decision to be taken lightly, Goslett says, as buying property is a long-term commitment, so it is vital that the buyer is prepared to make that commitment. Property24.com
APRIL 2012
13
thesouthafrican.com | 8 May – 14 May 2012 |
Business: SA Power 100
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Lynne Sherriff
Read interviews with other SA POWER 100 achievers... on our website: TheSouthAfrican.com/Business/SAPower100 Njabulo Madlala
Master of Wine, Cape Wine Master by GORDON GLYN-JONES
BULLET BIOGRAPHY • Born: Cape Town • Education: - Star of the Sea Convent, St James - Dip. Hotel Management, Arthur’s Seat Hotel, Cape Town 1974 - 1976 - Dip. Cellar Technology – Elsenburg, Stellenbosh 1977 - 1978 - Dip. Oenology and Cellar Technology - Weinsberg, Germany 1979 - 1981 - Cape Wine Master - 1988 - Master of Wine - 1993 • Career Trajectory: - Various posts, Stellenbosch Farmers Winery, Nederburg Winery 1981 – 1990 - Director Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Academy 1990 – 1991 - Commercial Director Vinfruco Ltd, London 1991–2000 - Independent Wine Consultant 2000 – present • Notable appearances: Guest on various food broadcasts, visiting lecturer numerous international colleges • Website: www.lynnesherriffmw.com
What sparked your passion for wine? During my hotel training at Arthur’s Seat Hotel in Sea Point, the hotel was run by a Swiss hotelier called Werner Hinder. He had one of the most extensive wine collections I’ve ever seen and at the end of various banquets, to broaden our education and as a thank you to the team, he was in the habit of opening a bottle of good wine such as Château Margaux or RomanéeConti and thus I developed a keen interest in very fine wines. There are some wonderful characters in SA winemaking. Who is your favourite? It’s a very difficult question to answer. I think for being a sheer maverick, for lateral thinking and always searching for the next thing, it would be Charles Back, who was a year ahead
of me at Elsenburg. But then two other very inspiring winemakers (and good friends of mine) are Neil Ellis and Gyles Webb. What was the biggest personal adjustment for you when you moved to London in 1991? I think when you are new to London, young, single and only have your work colleagues around you, London can be a fairly lonely city. However, I was very fortunate to meet Patrick Straker, who owned Harpers Wine & Spirit Gazette, and his wife who became like brother and sister to me and introduced me to many people. You conceived‘Arniston Bay’ as a lifestyle concept wine and established it as the 12th most successful brand in the UK. How? That’s one of my proudest achievements. Around ‘95 or ‘96 South African wine labels were criticised for being very old-fashioned, with too much information on the front. I was in charge of the UK and European markets, so spent much of my time at Heathrow. On one trip I noticed the label of a perfume called CK One, which championed the
Vassi Naidoo
Internationally famous baritone
trend of minimalistic labelling. It struck me that what SA wine needed was a strong, simple brand that reflected the lifestyle of the country, with all information displayed subtly on the back. Su Birch, the current director of Wines of South Africa, and I developed the label that changed the face of South African wine marketing. As far as exports, is the wine industry in SA struggling? No, I don’t think so. But what I have seen is a shift in focus. At one point up to 70% of South Africa’s wine exports were coming just to the UK and I think that is a problematic position for any country to be in. Recently other markets have shot up such as Sweden, Germany and Holland; Canada continues to grow and the US is lagging behind but only at the beginning of its growth. Many people are doing a great deal of exporting to China. While I think UK will always be a very big market for SA wines, I think it is healthier that we look to other markets as well. You speak a range of languages, is that a passion or a sideline of your work? I think I was the only one in my matric
class who really enjoyed Hannibal over the Alps! Seven years of Latin really gave me a great grounding for all the languages I have learned. But yes, I learned French, Spanish, Italian and German while studying wine in those countries. Japanese is simply a passion of mine. What is your favourite wine of all time? Oh no, I don’t have a favourite wine. I am fortunate to have a husband who can cook fabulously and we try all sorts of wines all the time. Collecting perfume is a hobby of mine, I have 60 different types of fragrance in my home,
Vice Chairman at Deloitte UK
so you can see I love variety and this is reflected in my wine tastes. I always say to people ‘Be imaginative in your wine choices, take a risk, what’s the worst thing that can happen?’ If, however, I were asked a favourite wine ‘category’, I would have to say champagne. How do you feel about being the first South African to be selected as Chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine? I would say this was probably the highest honour of my career thus far. I do feel as if they honoured not just me, but the South African industry as a whole.
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LIFESTYLE >>
Breaking interior design rules by ANTONELLA DESI Over time, we have been dictated to about the rules of interior decorating – what is hot, what is not and what should be avoided at all costs. However, as the saying goes, rules are there to be broken so that new ones can be made. Here are a few décor rules, which have informally become law, that can be broken in order to create an attractive new aesthetic in your home: Colour the ceiling Traditionally, all ceilings were painted white – it was believed that this added height and brightened a room. However, this is not necessarily always the case. Adding colour to a ceiling can bring another dimension to the space, creating harmony between the ceiling and the room’s walls and intensifying the interest of the space. To achieve a good look, it is recommended that you use a colour similar to the walls – perhaps a shade or two lighter or darker. Alternatively, you could choose an entirely different colour for a dramatic effect. Window dressings We have always been told to hang our window dressings just above the window trim, but hanging them just under the ceiling can create a wonderful illusion of height
6
and added symmetry – often making smaller windows seem larger and the ceiling seem higher. Wallpaper isn’t just for walls Today’s wallpaper comes in a wide variety of exciting colours, patterns and textures – it is such a shame to limit its application exclusively to walls. Wallpaper can be used with great effect on a number of different interior elements. You could use it to decoupage door fronts, headboards or other furniture for a custom look, or you could frame interesting wallpaper designs and hang them on the walls as art pieces.
are made from traditional items such as two candlesticks and a vase of flowers. Why not rather create focal points that comprise items of real fascination. The collection of objects can be made from anything that means something to you on a personal level – from a collection of interesting boxes, mirrors or plants, to a grouping of rocks and animal skulls. An interesting grouping of books, letters or vases, or
perhaps some unique frames filled with attractive images or photos could also work. The more unique and unusual, the more impact it will make. Layers underfoot Just because you have wall-towall carpeting does not mean you shouldn’t include rugs in your interior composition. Rugs are a great way of dividing up spaces, especially open-plan spaces. They also add wonderful
colours and visually appealing elements to any décor scheme. For example, if you have an open-plan dining and living area with wall-to-wall carpeting, including a rug under the coffee table and sofas, and another under the dining table and chairs, will visually divide the two spaces. If the colours in the rugs tie in with the rest of the colour palette, they will anchor each décor scheme down. Property24.com
Mix it up Not everything has to match – it just needs to coordinate. For example, you don’t need to include a collection of matching patterns in your interior composition. Try mixing geometric patterns with florals, or modern designs with more classical pieces, and include a variety of rough and sleek textures for added visual interest. Tie all the juxtaposing designs, textures and shapes together by ensuring they share the same colour palette. Creative centrepieces All too often, centrepieces
Hanging a rug up on your wall can be a great way to visually divide up spaces and add a burst of colour to a room.
www.sapropertymonthly.co.uk
APRIL 2012
<< ASK THE EXPERT
Retirement village investments in SA
I
have residential property investments around the world, but would like to start investing in a retirement village now. As I am 40 years old, I would like to rent out the property in a retirement village until I am ready to use it myself, especially with the long waiting lists most places have. I heard there are age restrictions and specific rules to adhere to when doing this. Could you please advise?
I
applaud the decision you are contemplating. If only more people of your age were as wise. My advice would be to do a lot of research into the various types of retirement homes available. South Africa has legislation applicable to the development and running of retirement villages, such as the Development of Housing Schemes for Retired Persons Act 65 of 1988. As you ultimately want to use the property for yourself, you would need to determine what type of property you are buying: Full title, Sectional title, Share Block, Life Right Ownership. Each type has its own unique advantages and
disadvantages, and we would be happy to explain these to you in more detail. Further, you would need to determine what type of medical facilities are offered at the particular village. Again these vary and can include: Full Frail Care, a sick bay or in-home nursing. Pay attention to the financial state of the Body Corporate and the terms and conditions of resale. Many villages will have low levies subsidised by a percentage payback of the selling price of the property. Regarding, the rental option, you are correct that certain
properties have regulated age restrictions on inhabitants. The usual minimum age limit is 55 years, but allowance is made for casual visits from children/ grandchildren for
have a fractional ownership in a property in Langebaan. I currently live in the UK and am unable to use my scheduled weeks at the property. Can I rent my weeks out? If not, what are the best options for me to make the most out of it?
Buy UK Repossessed Properties Property Investment Key Features • Buy UK Investment Properties for as little as £9,995 • Achieve returns from 250% to 400%+ over 5 years • Create an additional income stream • Discounts from 15% to 30% off today’s bank valuation • All properties qualified by reputable ARLA letting agents • Rental Guarantees option available • Properties managed by UK’s Largest Letting agent • Our experienced team handle the entire process for you
Clive Hartman, Seeff Stellenbosch
to SA, or perhaps you could arrange to swap some weeks with them for a time when you will be in SA.
I
t all depends on the rules of the particular scheme. Most schemes do not allow you to rent out unused weeks to anyone who is not also a member of the scheme, but some – where the unit is in a luxury hotel or resort complex – are structured so that unused weeks can be put into a rental pool to generate income for the members. If your scheme is not one of the latter, you could approach your fellow members to see if any are willing to rent your “extra” weeks until you return
APRIL 2012
would be in the range of R7 000 per month and above. Clive Hartman Manager Seeff Stellenbosch www.seeff.com
Run by South Africans
Fractional ownership
I
limited periods. There is high demand for rentals, especially in areas such as Stellenbosch. We currently market properties in the R2 million price range and above. Rentals
Track Record
QI Properties has sold over 280 UK residential investment properties at an average discount of 25%. This equates to over £32 million worth of property sold. There are many more that can be viewed on request. Testimonials are also available from investors on request.
Limited Opportunities Available! Email enquiries@qi-properties.co.uk to book a call back
Berry Everitt CEO of the Chas Everitt International property group www.chaseveritt.co.za
Earlsfield Business Centre, 9 Lydden Road, London, SW18 4LT Tel: +44 (0) 208 875 2070| Fax: +44 (0) 207 160 9333 enquiries@qi-properties.co.uk | www.qi-properties.co.uk Robby Du Toit
www.sapropertymonthly.co.uk
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11
thesouthafrican.com | 8 May – 14 May 2012 |
Business: Gateway to Africa
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Trade & Investment
(Still) 5 good reasons to invest in South Africa With investment rhetoric ever shifting when it comes to unlocking the potential of our emerging giant, it’s worth reminding the world what still makes South Africa a highly attractive prospect by STAFF REPORTER SOUTH Africa has enormous potential as an investment destination, offering a unique combination of highly developed first world economic infrastructure with a vibrant emerging market economy. Here are just some of the reasons for doing business in South Africa: Sound economic policies Key economic reforms have given rise to a high level of macro-economic stability and 3% growth in a world recession. Taxes have been reduced, the fiscal deficit brought under control, and exchange controls relaxed. South Africa's central bank, the SA Reserve Bank, maintains its independence from the government. The Bank's programme of inflation targeting has shown good results: the real interest rate has stabilised and the currency remains at competitive levels. Consumer inflation came in at under 5% from 2004 through 2006 before global prices pushed it up to 6.5% in 2007. In 1994 it stood at 9.8%. The government has made it clear that foreign investment is welcome, and investor-friendly policies support the public pronouncements. In 2005, the government began formulating a new strategy to boost the country's economic growth rate to 6% of GDP by 2014. Gateway to Africa Located at the southernmost tip of Africa, SA is ideally positioned for access to the 14 countries comprising the Southern African Development Community (SADC) – with a combined market of more than 250-million people – as well as the islands off Africa's east coast, and even the Gulf States and India. SA's ports are the conduits for trade between South Africa and her partners in the SADC and the South African Customs Union, as well as hubs for traffic to and from
Europe, Asia, the Americas and the east and west coasts of Africa. Not only is South Africa in itself an important emerging market, it is also a minimum requirement for accessing other sub-Saharan markets. The country borders Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho, and its well-developed road and rail links provide the platform and infrastructure for ground transportation deep into sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover, SA has the marketing skills and distribution channels imperative for commercial ventures into Africa. The country plays a significant role in supplying energy, relief aid, transport, communications and outward investment to the continent. Trade reform, strategic alliances Since signing the Global Agreement on Tariffs and Trade in 1994, SA has become a player in the global trading system, and a series of trade reforms – including a tariff reduction and rationalisation programme – have been implemented. Market access has been enhanced through free trade agreements with the European Union and SADC and the implementation of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act by the United States. SA has also developed strong relations with markets in the rest of Africa, Asia and Latin America. The India-Brazil-South Africa alliance, formed in 2003, aims to increase trade between the three countries from the current level of around US$6-billion to $10-billion within the next few years. And the country has become a key trade and investment partner to China, which over the past decade has become a major player in Africa. Cost of doing business in SA South Africa's exchange rate makes it one of the least expensive
countries for foreigners to live and do business in – with a first world infrastructure and high living standards ensuring value for money. SA's energy costs are still among the lowest in the world. Telecommunications costs are coming down. Recently licensed fixed-line operator Neotel has begun giving state company Telkom its first real taste of competition. The government is taking steps to ensure cheaper and more widely available bandwidth capacity. South Africa's unit labour costs are lower than those of other key emerging markets, including Mexico, Hungary, Malaysia and Singapore. Comprehensive labour legislation has contributed to a marked decline in the number of man-days lost due to industrial action since 1994. South Africa's corporate tax rate – down to 28% for 2008/09 – compares favourably against a number of developing companies, and the prospects of further reductions are good. Industrial capability, cuttingedge technology SA's industrial production growth is well above the average for developing markets. The country's manufacturing output is increasingly technologyintensive, with high-tech manufacturing sectors – such as machinery, scientific equipment and motor vehicles – enjoying a growing share of total manufacturing production since 1994. South Africa's technological research and quality standards are world-renowned. The country has developed a number of leading technologies, particularly in the fields of energy and fuels, steel production, mining, telecommunications and information technology. With thanks to our source: www. southafrica.info
Africa is filled with opportunities. Speak to the experts on how best to manage them. Contact Tim Hart: +44 (0) 207 002 3443 or Mark Weston: +44 (0) 207 002 3482
Prospecting operations to look for uranium reserves in Beaufort West, Western Cape. Photo by Chris Kirchhoff, MediaClubSouthAfrica.com
12
Business: News
| 8 May – 14 May 2012 | thesouthafrican.com Follow us on Twitter: @TheSAnews
Rand has strong showing THE Rand began trading last week Monday 30 April at 7.74 against the American Dollar and 12.58 to the British Pound. The Rand closed slightly stronger on Friday 4 May at 7.73 to the US Dollar and 12.51 to the Pound. The Rand had a relatively strong week against major currencies, but remains vulnerable amidst the economic uncertainty in the Euro zone. The ZAR tends to follow the Euro due to its tight trading partnerships and with the Euro hanging around a two week low to the USD it is anyone’s guess where to for the Rand. “This recession is proving a lot deeper and longer than we expected a few weeks ago. This is a terrible environment for the Rand,” RMB analysts John Cairns and Josina Solomons said in a note. “For now, the Rand is
looking way too strong.” Towards the end of the week there was an announcement by the European Central Bank that there would be no change in interest rates. This news was positive for the Euro and therefore positive for the Rand too, which strengthened slightly. The main topic in the forex market at the end of the week was the US jobs report, which, if
positive, could persuade investors to be riskier than usual and therefore be a boost for the Rand. But if the report is negative this could discourage riskier investing and potentially see a weakening of the ZAR. GBP/ZAR: 12.65 EUR/ZAR: 10.21 USD/ZAR: 7.78 Compiled 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. Brought to you by
Call 0808 168 2055
Legally Speaking: Oath of allegiance
Important information for PPS policyholders If you have a PPS Sickness and Permanent Incapacity Benefit or PPS Professional Disability Provider policy and are currently living and working in the UK, you should check whether your policy benefits are still sufficient for your needs. In some cases, higher UK earnings for graduate professionals and the effects of currency fluctuations mean that PPS members could need to purchase more units to maintain their level of cover. However, records show that many members simply maintain their contributions at South African levels. In the event that you should need to draw on your policy, that could mean you will find that your cover does not provide the level of benefit you need.e RSM Tenon has been appointed by PPS to develop it’s UK services for members. Call us now to find out if your policy is still right for you, or find out more at: www.rsmtenon.com/pps
For further information contact: Henning Wilken Tel: +44 (0)20 7535 1636 Mob: +44 (0) 7972 004 003 Email: henning.wilken@rsmtenon.com 66 Chiltern Street London W1U 4JT
www.rsmtenon.com/pps RSM Tenon Financial Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, FSA register number 192618. A member of RSM Tenon Group PLC. RSM Tenon Financial Management Limited (No 03953153) is registered in England and Wales. Registered Office 66 Chiltern Street, London W1U 4GB. England. CRM13453003(12)CK
Q
:I have applied for my British citizenship and believe that if successful I will be required to swear an oath of allegiance and take a citizenship pledge. Just out of interest, I was hoping that you could provide me with the wording of these? : At the British Citizenship ceremony, the Registrar will invite you to swear the oath of allegiance or speak the affirmation of allegiance. After this you will
A
have to take the citizenship pledge. The wording of these are as follows: Oath of allegiance I (name) swear by Almighty God that on becoming a British citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her Heirs and Successors, according to law. Affirmation of allegiance I (name) do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that
on becoming a British citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her Heirs and Successors, according to law. Pledge I will give my loyalty to the United Kingdom and respect its rights and freedoms. I will uphold its democratic values. I will observe its laws faithfully and fulfill my duties and obligations as a British citizen.
JP Breytenbach – Director of Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants Ltd www.bic-immigration.com or info@bic-immigration.com
PROMOTION
Professionals warned of insurance cover gap by STAFF REPORTER SOUTH African professionals working in the UK are being warned of potential gaps in their personal insurance cover. Personal insurance policies are intended to cover your expenses if you become sick or disabled and are no longer able to work. However, many policy holders fail to review their policies as their lifestyles change. If they then need to call on the policy, it may not provide the level of support they were expecting. John White, Head of Financial Management at RSM Tenon, which provides PPS Insurance policies in the UK, commented: “Many graduate professionals who come to the UK work in private practice, locum or
freelance positions and may not have sickness or disability cover from their employers. You can’t predict your health and particularly if you are young and have not had time to build up a savings cushion, personal insurance should be a very important part of your financial plans. However, it is essential you review these policies regularly, especially if you make a big lifestyle change such as moving to the UK.” London is well known for being one of the world’s most expensive cities and it is easy for living expenses such as rent to exceed the level of cover a graduate professional might have selected in South Africa. If the worst happens and you become sick or disabled, it is important to ensure you have the
financial stability to enable you to recover without the added stress of money worries. With family and support networks often remaining in South Africa, White warns that professionals can face real difficulties if their health becomes an issue. “Obviously everyone hopes that they will never need to call on their insurance. But if you do, and your policy hasn’t kept up with your lifestyle, even a small gap can cause problems.” RSM Tenon is offering PPS members a free review of their personal insurance policies. To check whether your policy is still suitable for your lifestyle, call Henning Wilken on 07972 004003 or visit RSM Tenon’s website at www.rsmtenon.com/pps.
13
thesouthafrican.com | 8 May – 14 May 2012 |
Business: SA Power 100
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Lynne Sherriff
Read interviews with other SA POWER 100 achievers... on our website: TheSouthAfrican.com/Business/SAPower100 Njabulo Madlala
Master of Wine, Cape Wine Master by GORDON GLYN-JONES
BULLET BIOGRAPHY • Born: Cape Town • Education: - Star of the Sea Convent, St James - Dip. Hotel Management, Arthur’s Seat Hotel, Cape Town 1974 - 1976 - Dip. Cellar Technology – Elsenburg, Stellenbosh 1977 - 1978 - Dip. Oenology and Cellar Technology - Weinsberg, Germany 1979 - 1981 - Cape Wine Master - 1988 - Master of Wine - 1993 • Career Trajectory: - Various posts, Stellenbosch Farmers Winery, Nederburg Winery 1981 – 1990 - Director Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Academy 1990 – 1991 - Commercial Director Vinfruco Ltd, London 1991–2000 - Independent Wine Consultant 2000 – present • Notable appearances: Guest on various food broadcasts, visiting lecturer numerous international colleges • Website: www.lynnesherriffmw.com
What sparked your passion for wine? During my hotel training at Arthur’s Seat Hotel in Sea Point, the hotel was run by a Swiss hotelier called Werner Hinder. He had one of the most extensive wine collections I’ve ever seen and at the end of various banquets, to broaden our education and as a thank you to the team, he was in the habit of opening a bottle of good wine such as Château Margaux or RomanéeConti and thus I developed a keen interest in very fine wines. There are some wonderful characters in SA winemaking. Who is your favourite? It’s a very difficult question to answer. I think for being a sheer maverick, for lateral thinking and always searching for the next thing, it would be Charles Back, who was a year ahead
of me at Elsenburg. But then two other very inspiring winemakers (and good friends of mine) are Neil Ellis and Giles Webb. What was the biggest personal adjustment for you when you moved to London in 1991? I think when you are new to London, young, single and only have your work colleagues around you, London can be a fairly lonely city. However, I was very fortunate to meet Patrick Straker, who owned Harpers Wine & Spirit Gazette, and his wife who became like brother and sister to me and introduced me to many people. You conceived‘Arniston Bay’ as a lifestyle concept wine and established it as the 12th most successful brand in the UK. How? That’s one of my proudest achievements. Around ‘95 or ‘96 South African wine labels were criticised for being very old-fashioned, with too much information on the front. I was in charge of the UK and European markets, so spent much of my time at Heathrow. On one trip I noticed the label of a perfume called CK One, which championed the
Vassi Naidoo
Internationally famous baritone
trend of minimalistic labelling. It struck me that what SA wine needed was a strong, simple brand that reflected the lifestyle of the country, with all information displayed subtly on the back. Su Birch, the current director of Wines of South Africa, and I developed the label that changed the face of South African wine marketing. As far as exports, is the wine industry in SA struggling? No, I don’t think so. But what I have seen is a shift in focus. At one point up to 70% of South Africa’s wine exports were coming just to the UK and I think that is a problematic position for any country to be in. Recently other markets have shot up such as Sweden, Germany and Holland; Canada continues to grow and the US is lagging behind but only at the beginning of its growth. Many people are doing a great deal of exporting to China. While I think UK will always be a very big market for SA wines, I think it is healthier that we look to other markets as well. You speak a range of languages, is that a passion or a sideline of your work? I think I was the only one in my matric
class who really enjoyed Hannibal over the Alps! Seven years of Latin really gave me a great grounding for all the languages I have learned. But yes, I learned French, Spanish, Italian and German while studying wine in those countries. Japanese is simply a passion of mine. What is your favourite wine of all time? Oh no, I don’t have a favourite wine. I am fortunate to have a husband who can cook fabulously and we try all sorts of wines all the time. Collecting perfume is a hobby of mine, I have 60 different types of scent in my
Vice Chairman at Deloitte UK
home, so you can see I love variety and this is reflected in my wine tastes. I always say to people ‘Be imaginative in your wine choices, take a risk, what’s the worst thing that can happen?’ If, however, I were asked a favourite wine ‘category’, I would have to say champagne. How do you feel about being the first South African to be selected as Chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine? I would say this was probably the highest honour of my career thus far. I do feel as if they honoured not just me, but the South African industry as a whole.
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14
Business: Careers
| 8 May – 14 May 2012 | thesouthafrican.com Follow us on Twitter: @TheSAnews
THE GRAFT IS GREENER Donna Africa Model, author and actress by PAUL HARRISON
Born: I was born and raised in Harare, Zimbabwe and moved to South Africa in 1981, where I worked and lived in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town until 2004 How long in the UK: I relocated to Norwich, Norfolk, eight years ago to take care of my now late mum and to follow my dreams Job: Model, author and actress Motto: “If you can dream it, believe it, perceive it, you can achieve it!” I believe that it is never too late and you are never too old to realise and conquer your dreams and I hope to inspire others to follow their dreams!
What do you do in your job? I don’t see what I do as a job! I call myself Donna Africa and am nicknamed ‘The Queen of Dreams’ by my friends and fans. I have been moderately successful in modelling, publishing my poetry book in 2011, also in acting, film, radio, TV and talent appearances here in the UK. Most exciting thing about your job? There are so many! When I am doing a photo shoot I love the glamour and trying to achieve top results. In writing, I love feeling connected with the world and my friends. In acting I love the film world – it fascinates me. I feel at home in this world and it’s very exciting meeting superstars such as Graham Norton, Jackie Collins and Katie Price. I got to read my poem “Ode to Anne Robinson” to Anne herself, on her TV show The Weakest Link. Tell us an interesting story about your job I was asked by Britain’s Got Talent 2012 if they could film me for one
of their opening scenes. Clad in my red top hat, red boa and corset, I danced on the rooftop of the PLC Building in London, eye level with the London Eye and Gherkin. This was televised on Saturday 7 April. I made the newspapers here in Norwich and they called me a bit of a daredevil! Future plans? I am hoping to find a publisher or an agent to assist me in publishing my autobiography and a modelling book. If you know someone, please get in touch with me via my Donna Africa website, www. donnaafrica.co.uk or through this fab newspaper. Also I hope to return to the Mother City, with her majestic mountain, natural beaches and beautiful people. Lastly, to be able to do what I love and carry on inspiring others to realise their dreams, talents and to be creative. Have other South Africans supported you in your dream? Yes indeed! South Africans,
Zimbabwean-born Donna Africa with her poetry book. Donna works as a model and actress and even appeared on Britain’s Got Talent.
Zimbabweans and Africans all over the globe have been a massive support and encouragement to me, through Facebook and Twitter, in furthering my journey. I felt honoured to share my sangoma act “Asimbonanga” for my sisters and brothers at The Miss Zim Diamond finals 2011. I would like
to sincerely thank all my fellow Africans for their support and love. Special thanks to all the talented artists I have connected with who have given me a window of opportunity to showcase my work. Watch Donna on Britain’s Got Talent on our website: www. thesouthafrican.com/business
Robert Walters launches International Career Management Website
by STAFF REPORTER TO complement its International Career Management service, global recruitment specialist Robert Walters has launched a website offering in-depth advice for candidates looking to work overseas. The website covers everything from how to tailor a CV, interview advice and information about each of the local markets covered by the scheme to relocation videos and up-todate salary advice from across the world. Robert Walters has International Career Management teams based in the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. They are dedicated to supporting professionals and providing them with the information and advice they need to make their move a success. Adam Whitehouse, Associate Director at Robert Walters UK said,”Robert Walters’ International Career Management service has
A screenshot of the Robert Walters International Career Management website.
been established in the UK for over 14 years now and we have helped thousands of professionals relocate overseas throughout this time. With a dedicated International Career Management team based in London, this
Are you a Qualified Social Worker looking for a role within Children’s Services or an Adult Community Team? We are looking for qualified candidates within both sectors to fill some excellent roles which have become available. If you are a qualified Social Worker with GSCC, CRB and recent substantial experience in the UK we would love to hear from you!! If you would like to have a confidential discussion, please contact Nicola on 0845 0558 214, alternatively send us your CV to: info@fireflylocums.com and we will contact you for a consultation.
website really showcases the personal service we can provide to professionals – whether they are expats looking to return home either to or from the UK or they are seeking a job opportunity in a new country.” The new website can be found at www.robertwalters.com/icm The latest job opportunities in the UK can be found on www. robertwalters.co.uk For further information, please contact Andrew Smith on 020 7509 8087 or andrew.smith@ robertwalters.com About Robert Walters Robert Walters is one of the leading international recruitment consultancies, with a network of 48 offices spanning 23 countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Continental Europe, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, South Africa and South America.
15
thesouthafrican.com | 8 May – 14 May 2012 |
Business: Classifieds
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ACC & FINANCE
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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 QUALITY SOUTH AFRICA Biltong £22 per KG Droewors £20 per KG Game Biltong £40 per KG Chilli Sticks £22 per KG Cheese Grillers £14 per KG Koeksisters £3 for 5 And many more For more great prices find us on www.qualitysouthafrica.co.uk or contact Christopher on 07543106591
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 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
SNOGGY’S PutNeY ButcherY 367 Upper Richmond Rd, SW15 5QJ Tel: 02088762050
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IMMIGRATION
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. We have a No Visa – No Fee policy on our Immigration services! Contact us today for best advice and peace of mind! Visit www.bic-immigration.com, or Email us on info@bic-immigration.com
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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
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
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| 8 May – 14 May 2012 | thesouthafrican.com
Travel
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The Imperial War Museum Duxford is Britain’s best-preserved Second World War fighter station, which dates back to 1918. All images copyright IWM.
Duxford – Dreams lie there Duxford, home to numerous Second World War aircrafts and hangars, is perfect for the avid aviation enthusiast
by KAREN DE VILLIERS IN my innocent, small town youth, one of our set works for English was a novel by Douglas Bader, called Reach for the Sky. I remember very little of it apart from that the man had no legs and flew in the First World War. What was a girl to do with that kind of information deep in the heartland of South Africa? Fast forward to London. The family outing becomes more
difficult when you have a 19-yearold son, two 20-something daughters and darling who would rather stay at home and watch the match. It is the heir apparent’s birthday – something communal must be done. Duxford. If nothing else, some brisk outdoor exercise in Cambridgeshire. Part of the Imperial War Museum, Duxford served as a military air base for more than 40 years. An avid historian, I began
Concorde. I think it was back in 1974 that I saw her being built at Orly in Paris. And I love her still. Even if she failed to take her place in our modern world, have you ever seen a sexier aircraft? Her original prototype is there, taking her well-earned bow amongst the greats. The fact that this one in particular was the fastest ever tested had me in awe. One cannot fail but to be mesmerised by the accomplishments achieved over the years. The retro BOAC flying for about three days to get to South Africa is another gem. Decor was smart then, tables laid with linen and the finest for first class (tables, not squares of plastic determined to de-knee in flight). Back then flying was elegant and refined; passengers dressed up for the journey. As loyal as I am to the Concorde and her sleek design, I must admit to a huge crush on the Lockheed SR71A Blackbird also. This lady can be found in the American Air Museum, the hangar itself a creative design. An engineering feat – and some may find her ugly, but I think her a sleek, mean,
walking with ghosts the moment I entered the first hangar. This is not just a collection of planes for the specific enthusiast, but a trip down memory lane, a lesson in military strategy and more importantly, a place where men and women from all over the world came together to secure Britain and the world from Germany’s strangling grip. “Duxford embodied the multinational mix of the Second World War Royal Air Force: with American, Belgian, Canadian, Czech, Polish and a host of other nations represented. Many did not return to their pre-war homes,” the official Duxford guidebook explains. Duxford’s numerous hangars each focus on a particular aspect of aviation. There are too many to mention in this vast space, from the humble bombers, clumsy in design perhaps, but deadly in war and a fragment of the original structure used by the Wright Brothers in Kitty Hawk when the first plane in history left the ground. Although I know little of such follies as flying, I have always had a romantic liaison with the
spying machine. According to the Duxford guidebook, “With a maximum speed of 3,529km/h (2,193 mph), the SR71 was the highest flying and fastest jet engine.” The Battle of Britain comes to life at Duxford. Douglas Bader echoes from the now dead engines. In the 1940s these planes, with saucy names like Spitfire, Thunderbolt and Typhoon, danced and fought amongst the clouds, defending Britain against Germany – and managed to hold such a great force at bay. The world owes them a great deal. ‘Overpaid, oversexed and over here’ was how the locals referred to the Americans based in England. True? Ask those who survived the War. For a novice I had a truly wonderful experience. I saw, learnt, understood and stood in admiration of those who had the foresight, courage and the singular passion for flying at Duxford. And I think the guys enjoyed it too. Leaving Duxford I felt humbled. And Mr Bader, I now remember you well. You are a legend. Article courtesy of www. LondonGreenAfrica.com
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Zimbabwe Community with the installation of facilities to convert waste into money,” says Masunda. “The project will address at least two of the eight Millennium Development Goals; eradicating poverty by creating employment and reducing environmental degradation through the elimination of industrial and JENNIFER MUNRO domestic pollution.” “Council shall push for a tripartite business model involving itself as the designated local authority, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in conjunction with a local or foreign technical partner, and the community where the waste is being generated.” Melanie Walker, a senior Foundation programme officer, was asked to monitor AT last someone has recognised that there a $5 million housing grant sponsored by is profit to be made from Zimbabwean the new organisation, but once the smell politics… of money overcame the smell of the raw The Seattle-based Bill and Melinda Gates material, it seems Zanu PF got involved. Foundation has expressed an interest in A Zanu PF ‘aligned’ militia group called investing in Zimbabwe’s poo. They plan Chipangano identified the project as being to turn ‘solid waste’ and ‘raw sewage’ into an MDC election campaign gimmick. They energy. took a very dim view of the MDC aligned Imagine the conversation: Mayor and his scheme to turn poop into Bill: We need a place where there’s lots of property for the poor. ‘It’s a load of manure,’ crap. I want to turn a quick profit this time. they said. ‘ We want a share or else we are Melinda: I’ve heard there’s a lot of it in going to say that Masunda is just trying to Zimbabwe. influence the voters with his shitty project.’ Bill: Zimbabwe? Isn’t that where that old The project initially targeted Mbare terrorist dude is the dictator? residents, but was later moved as a result Melinda: That’s the one – and there’s one of the opposition from the Zanu PF of those pretend elections coming up. supporters in the area. Bill: An election? Oh The Chipangano group, boy! How soon can we Bill Gates: We need a by Masunda get there? An election is place where there’s lots described as “loose cannons,” perfect! It’ll be raining of crap. I want to turn a successfully scuttled bullshit! hopes of more than 500 Melinda: It’s time we quick profit this time. Mbare families to benefit invested in a renewable from the housing project. resource. I think this is the one. There’ll The project was then moved to Harare always be plenty of poo in Zimbamboo! I’ll where almost immediately it hit an enormous get Muchadeyi Masunda on the line. He’s steaming heap of natural resource. The the mayor of the capital city. Perhaps some City Council said it had run out of land of the profits can go towards housing the for residential purposes. A council audit poor? report has said vast tracts of the city’s land Bill: Why not? That should stir things up! were illegally transferred to mostly Zanu Masunda was obviously contacted, and the PF officials and supporters, specifically supply of brown stuff began immediately fingering businessman Phillip Chiyangwa with the discussion of a ‘tripartite business and Local Government Minister Ignatious model’ (apartheid business models being Chombo. completely out of fashion these days): Bill: Well Melinda you were right. The “The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation stuff is flying all over Zimbabwe. has engaged a team of consultants led Melinda: Where there’s muck there’s by Peter Smuts of Pasco Waste and money, and where there’s money – there’s Environmental Consulting, to have a look at muck. our solid waste with a view to assisting us
The Last WORD
Plenty of poo in Zimbamboo
Dr Charles Mazhude won Male Entrepreneur of the Year at the Zimbabwe Achievers Award.
Zimbabweans dazzle at Achievers Awards
In its second year, more than 200 guests honoured the best of the best at The Zimbabwe Achievers Awards in London By MARY ISOKARIARI THE wet and windy weather certainly didn’t dampen The Zimbabwe Achievers Awards (ZAA) on Saturday 28 April at the Grange Tower Bridge Hotel. The men looked dashing in their penguin suits and blazers, while the women sashayed down the red carpet in a glamorous mixture of classic black gowns, bright dresses and traditional attire. As the champagne flowed and guests continued to arrive, you could feel the excitement in the air. The press pit buzzed with a cluster of people waiting to have their photographs taken, while others greeted each other, whipping out their business cards at every opportunity. The hospitality staff whirled around the dining area placing starters on tables before a flurry of guests took their seats. Chipo Chung welcomed everyone, reminding us why we were there – to celebrate achievement. She emphasised, “Zimbabwe wouldn’t be Zimbabwe without its people.” She introduced Pastor Ndlovu, who said a short speech and prayer before dinner. It was touching moment, asking us to thank God for the excellence achieved, but to also remember the less privileged back in Zimbabwe. Ndlovu’s sentiments were echoed by other speakers, such as Supa Mandiwanzira who asked everyone to use their platforms to invest back into Zimbabwe. Conrad Mwanza, CEO of the ZAA, encouraged Zimbabweans “to continue to train, dream and aim high.” He also spoke fondly about the panel and his team,
thanking them for all their hard work in organising the event. Between the speeches and awards was some great entertainment. Cynthia Mare sang some songs from her new album, which she dedicated to her mother who passed away last year. She also performed a poignant rendition of the Zimbabwean national anthem. Tribal dance troop Flame Lily Arts gave an amazing performance, capturing the audience’s imagination. The big winners of the night were iRock founder Viola Ncube, who won Female Entrepreneur of the Year; Dr Charles Mazhude won Male Entrepreneur of the Year; and Nyasha Matonhodze, model and winner of Young Achiever of the Year, was not present due to work commitments. The roof nearly came down when Fashion Gives Back won the Event Promoter of the Year. A somewhat stunned Glorianne Francis, recipient of Personality of the Year made a moving speech dedicating her award to the empowerment of black women and shouted, “Betty Makoni, I love you!” Some of the main winners: • Outstanding Achievement – Marjorie Ngwenya • Young Achievers Award – Nyasha Matonhodze • Female Entrepreneur of the Year – Viola Ncube • Male Entrepreneur of the Year – Dr Charles Mazhude • Male Artist of the Year – Bruno ‘Money B’ Mukuze • Female Artist of the Year – Cynthia Mare See more pics on p 6. Full list of winners on www.thesouthafrican.com/zimbabwe
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| 8 May – 14 May 2012 | thesouthafrican.com
Sport
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TEAM SA @ THE OLYMPICS Ernst Van Dyk | Wheelchair racer by JENNIFER MUNRO
ERNST van Dyk is a fully enabled athlete, not a disabled athlete. He has carried off a gold medal, two silvers and three bronzes in wheelchair track and hand cycling events in five Olympics. He has won the Boston Marathon nine times, and came 10th in the 2012 London Marathon. In addition, he runs his own business selling adaptive sports equipment, he is a husband, a father to a threeyear-old, and the chairman of the Western Cape Koi Keepers Society. Ernst was born in 1973 without legs, and doctors told his parents not to expect too much from him. They were both athletes and didn’t believe Ernst belonged in an institution, so they treated him just like his brothers; in other words,
expecting a lot from him. “I’ve been told many times about what I can’t do, and that just makes me try harder. If you allow it, people put you in a corner and leave you there. If you don’t fight, the world runs over you, you have no rights, but genetically, and in every way, I’m a fighter and very competitive,” he told me when I met him in London the day before the Marathon. “My biggest fear is disappointing my family, who are my greatest fans. They seem to think I can just keep on winning!” A normal day for Ernst consists of a 70 to 80km hand cycle ride with friends in the morning, a gym session in the afternoon, and a wheelchair session in the evening. He trains about 50 hours a week, even though he is not a
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professional athlete. Of his diet, Ernst said, “The more I train, the more I want healthy food. The secret is to listen carefully to my body, and to know what it wants.” He is thrilled with the way the Paralympics has become completely integrated with the Olympics, to the point where one word is hardly ever used without the other. “This is such a departure from the way it used to be when the Olympic events were packed and the Paralympics were empty. Nowadays both are well supported and the stadiums are full of fans.” “My sports career has had its ups and downs like any other. In 1996 my major sponsor withdrew after I failed to win a medal at the Paralympics in Atlanta. For nine months I simply stopped being an athlete, and then I remembered the promises to keep trying that I’d made to my deceased father, and went on to become the first South African to win the Laureus Award for a Sports Star with a Disability in 2006, and, of course, the gold medal at Beijing. Those are really the highlights of my career so far.” Ernst has been inspired by the cyclist Lance Armstrong, who carried on competing although he had cancer. “He was given a 5% chance to survive cancer and won the Tour de France seven times. I was given a 0% chance of ever being anything, and it made me more determined to succeed – just to show them!” The London Marathon was a big challenge for Ernst. “I’m a heavy guy, weighing around 80kg, so
Men’s wheelchair winner Ernst Van Dyk crosses the finish line at the 113th Boston Marathon in 2009. Photo by AP Photo/Elise Amendola.
all the twists and turns here make it very difficult for me to keep momentum and to accelerate away from the corners. Some of these athletes weigh less than 50kg so it’s easier for them. The Boston Marathon is an easier race because it is very flat and straight.” So for those reasons, Ernst hoped to be in the top 10 – and achieved this with his 10th place. He plans to be in Europe until
the London Games; training, competing and acclimatising, even though his wife Suzanne is expecting a baby girl at any moment. Ernst is hoping for wet weather during his Paralympic races to keep things cool. He will compete in the hand cycling and wheelchair events, and hopes lots of South Africans will turn out in the stadium to support him.
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by JONATHAN WALDHEIM AS July rapidly approaches, the thought of not catching any Olympic action might be getting you down. But don’t worry! Several events are free to view and will constitute great days out, especially if you want to cheer on our South African athletes.
beautiful town centre of Kingston upon Thames. On 1 August, Hampton Court Palace will be the starting line for both the women’s (12.30-4.25pm) and men’s (2.15– 4pm) cycling time trials, which will take place in Bushy Park and the surrounding area.
Cycling There are two outdoor cycling events at this year’s Olympics: the road races and time trials. The men’s road race is on the 28 July at 10am and the women’s race the following day at 12pm. The road races begin and end at The Mall, taking in a number of famous locations along the way, including Buckingham Palace, the Natural History Museum, Richmond Park, Hampton Court Palace and the
Race walk The men’s 20km race walk will take place on Saturday 4 August between 5pm and 6.30pm. The men’s 50km race walk is on Saturday 11 August between 9am and 1.20pm. The women’s 20km race walk will take place on Saturday 11 August between 5pm and 6.45pm. Spectators will be encouraged to line the route which starts on The Mall. The two routes will take in
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London in all its glory with crowds buzzing as the race gets underway. Marathon The women’s marathon is on Sunday 5 August between 11am and 4pm and the men’s marathon on Sunday 12 August at 11am. They will both start on The Mall, following a course past famous attractions including Buckingham Palace and St Paul’s Cathedral. Triathlon Finally, the men’s and women’s triathlon events take place in Hyde Park and are ticketed, but parts of the cycling route are outside the ticketed areas and will be free to view. The women’s triathlon is on Saturday 4 August from 9am to 11am and the men’s is on Tuesday 7 August from 11.30am to 4pm.
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thesouthafrican.com | 8 May – 14 May 2012 | Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/thesouthafrican
MIND THE RUCK ROB FLUDE
Waving the white card
EARLIER this year, a media release from SANZAR was sent out, containing a comprehensive explanation of a new process that would be piloted during this year’s Super Rugby tournament. At first glance I could be forgiven for almost falling off my chair. I remember thinking to myself at the time, ‘A white card? For what exactly? Why not introduce a pink card, green card, orange card, let’s go nuts and cover every eventuality and abdicate the referee!’
through the competition, and The organising body outlined SANZAR boss Greg Peters is three instances for using the white happy with its progress thus far – card: 1) when a referee hasn’t no surprise there, given it was his seen exactly what happened and innovation! thus can’t be sure so he wants He did have permission from the somebody to have another look at International Rugby a potential Board to trial the incident of A white card? For card, but says it foul play; what exactly? Why not white should run its course 2) when he introduce a pink card, before judgement is is aware passed. Having seen it something green card, orange action, I’m actually happened, card, let’s go nuts and in fine with giving it but didn’t cover every eventuality some time; if you see it recall, I even gave P happen at Divvy two years to prove himself! all; 3) when it has been brought to Peters insists the white card’s his attention by a player. primary purpose is to inform fans There have also been changes that an incident will not have a in the sanctions dished out to blind eye turned to it. I’m in two offending players: off-field yellow minds about this; on the one hand, or red cards can be issued and two cheers that fewer incidents a player’s disciplinary record will go unnoticed and hence is affected. The player doesn’t unpunished, but on the other hand have to serve a temporary or it does expose the system to abuse permanent ban on-field, but once by referees and players alike. he accumulates three cards during Referees could be tempted to the season, he will face a judicial shy away from the big calls, and hearing. players could claim phantom We are now more than halfway
WIN tickets to London Rugby 7s at Twickenham
You and a friend could win the chance to see the Blitzbokke take on the world at Twickenham on 12 and 13 May by STAFF REPORTER THE 12-13 May will see the Marriott London Sevens return to Twickenham Stadium and The South African is delighted to offer three lucky readers a pair of tickets to Saturday’s action. In 2011 a record breaking 100,000 fans attended the event, making it one of the top occasions in the London social calendar. This year spectators are encouraged to dig out their flowing flares and don their grooviest afro to enjoy a 1970s disco theme whilst watching some of the world’s fastest, freeflowing rugby. The HSBC Sevens World Series pits the top international sevens teams against each other across nine different tournaments, every nation scoring points based on their finishing position. Having toured eight other countries, the Marriott London Sevens will be the final and decisive leg, with the victors crowned at Twickenham. With rugby sevens due to debut at the 2016 Olympic Games in
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Cecil Afrika of the Blitzbokke during the Hong Kong Sevens in March. Picture by HKRFU/HKSPA.
incidents. However, Peters says that so far referees have indeed shown white cards for unsighted incidents, while teams would be brought to book (aka the Code of Conduct) should they be making repeated, ridiculous appeals. There has also been a key change to the process midway through the competition, with teams now having to substantiate any referrals after the game. All in all, the process is actually simpler and has seen fewer events
go unpunished as previously a citing commissioner could only cite players if he believed an incident deserved a red card. We might not have arrived at the perfect solution just yet, but it is a step in the right direction towards consistency and fairness, and that is all the viewers want. The DRS system in cricket had to be tweaked umpteen times, and now it is working fairly well. Time to afford the white card the same privilege.
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8 May – 14 May 2012
TEAM SA @ THE LONDON OLYMPICS: ERNST VAN DYK 18
WIN TICKETS TO LONDON’S RUGBY 7S
NEWS FOR GLOBAL SOUTH AFRICANS
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www.thesouthafrican.com
JOLLY HOCKEY STICKS! South African men’s hockey team beats Japan to take the final spot in Olympic event
O
by STAFF REPORTER ur men’s hockey team will join their female counterparts at the London Olympics after a thrilling 2-1 win over Japan at the final Olympic qualifying tournament in Kakamigahara, Japan on Sunday. Stakes were high; the prize was the final spot in the Olympic hockey event. After the scores were locked 0-0 at halftime in the sell-out final at Gifu Green, goals by Thornton McDade, nine minutes into the second half and Lloyd Norris-Jones in the 17th minute booked South Africa’s ticket to England. McDade’s effort was a brilliant field goal from down the right before he hit a reverse stick shot into virtually an open goal, according to Road to London. Norris-Jones’ effort was just as impressive, as captain Austin Smith’s superb run-out from a Japanese penalty corner set the strikers free and Norris-Jones made it 2-0 to the South Africans. The host nation pulled one back with six minutes to go when Kenji Kitazato’s shot went in off the post to set up an enthralling final saga with both goalkeepers pulling off superb saves. Gregg Clark’s men were ranked 12th going into the tournament and Japan 15th. Japan were bidding to make their first Olympics since Mexico in 1968 while South African ended 10th in the 2004 Games in Athens and 12th in Beijing in 2008. Drag-flick king Justin ReidRoss’ nine goals saw him named
Thornton McDade of South Africa runs the ball upfield in the match between Japan and South Africa on Sunday. Photo by Ken Ishii/Getty Images.
as goalscorer of the tournament, further reason to celebrate for South Africa. Both the men’s and women’s
sides won their continental qualifying tournaments but were required by South Africa’s Olympic governing body SASCOC
to fulfil further obligations. SASCOC CEO Tubby Reddy said, “We were criticised for laying down these additional criteria but
I think the fact that both our sides have risen to the task and qualified now justifies our decision.” thesouthafrican.com/sport
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