The South African, Issue 480, 11 September 2012

SEND MONEY

TO SOUTH AFRICA from

£4.90

*

transfer fee

www.thesouthafrican.com

11 September – 17 September 2012

Issue 480

41770

CONTRACTING? TIME TO EARN MORE

0808 141 2315

TAX, FINANCIAL AND MIGRATION EXPERTS: Money Transfers, Tax Refunds, Visas, Limited Companies & Accounting, UK Bank Accounts, CV & Job Assistance, Travel Clinic, Shipping, Legal and Umbrella Services

*Western Union also makes money from currency exchange.

www.1stcontact.com/mast1

SA LONDON MET STUDENT: “I FEEL LIKE A REFUGEE”

South African claims she stands to lose £35,000 in student visa nightmare

by HEATHER WALKER

INSIDE:

P

HD student Michelle de Jongh stands to lose many hours of work and at least £35,000 invested in her education after London Metropolitan University’s right to issue visas to foreign students was revoked by the UK Border Agency last week.

The university’s licence was withdrawn after it failed to address “serious and systemic failings identified by the UK Border Agency six months ago.” This means it has been removed from the register of licensed sponsors, and students from outside the European Union are no longer allowed to study at the university.

De Jongh, from Cape Town, commenced the process of applying for her doctorate in Business Studies at around the same time the Border Agency began its investigation into London Met. Her course application entails working with her supervisor to prepare a 4,500 word proposal that takes months of research and must show considerable understanding of her subject. It is then submitted to the relevant UK body and goes through another vetting process before it is finally approved.

De Jongh started preparing her application in March, but had to continue working on it back in ...continued on page 2

UK Immigration • UK Visas • Permits • EEA visas • Residency • Citizenship • Appeals • Sponsorship Licences South African Immigration

Deon Meyer: The Heart of the Writer | p9 International bestselling crime writer Deon Meyer was in the UK as guest of Harrogate, the world’s most prestigious crime writing festival. We caught up with him as he shared his views on writing, fame and his love for South Africa.

Angie Steele’s recipe for rooibos & vanilla bean crème brûlée | p8 The good old crème brûlée with a hint of rooibos; so subtle that it takes a genuine South African to appreciate such a delicate flavour.

SA Chamber of Commerce hosts Helen Zille and Wesgro | p13

London Metropolitan University’s right to issue visas to foreign students was revoked by the UK Border Agency.

Zille’s topic of discussion at a talk in London on 1 October will be: The Changing Landscape of Investment in South Africa.

0845 074 0514 info@bic-immigration.com www.bic-immigration.com

The Leading Name in UK Immigration

Third Floor, Cutlers Court, 115 Houndsditch, London, EC3A 7BR

Ref No. F201000144

2

| 11 September – 17 September 2012 | thesouthafrican.com

News Editor: Heather Walker Production: Paul Christopher Daniels Publisher: Gordon Glyn-Jones Registered office: Unit C7, Commodore House, Battersea Reach, London SW18 1TW. Tel: 0845 456 4910 Email: editor@thesouthafrican.com Website: www.thesouthafrican.com Directors: P Atherton, J Durrant, N Durrant and R Phillips Printed by: Mortons of Horncastle Ltd

Blue Sky publishes the following titles:

The paper used to print this publication has been sourced from sustainable forests (farmed trees). Please reduce waste by recycling your copy or passing it on to others.

The printed opinions of advertisers and writers are theirs and not necessarily shared by Blue Sky Publications Ltd. Unless otherwise stated, copyright of all original materials is held by Blue Sky Publishing Ltd.

Official media sponsors of the following organisations:

Follow us on Twitter: @TheSAnews

Minister commends Woolworths' effort to address transformation After facing claims of racism, Woolworths has been commended for its EE implementation

by STAFF REPORTER

LABOUR Minister Mildred Oliphant has commended Woolworths for its "unwavering effort to genuinely address transformation in the workplace through the implementation of employment equity (EE)".

This comes after labour union Solidarity last week launched a campaign to boycott Woolworths after the retail group ignored its set deadline to remove advertisements, which the union claimed were racist towards white job seekers.

In a statement on Friday, Oliphant said it was important to highlight that Woolworths was among the number of large designated employers listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange that have been subjected to the Director-General Review process in terms of sections 43 to 45 of the

Employment Equity Act, 1998 in 2009.

“During this process, like any other employer that was reviewed, Woolworths committed itself to transforming their workplace by implementing their Employment Equity Plan as approved by the Director General.

“Subsequent to that, as part of the department's monitoring mechanisms, Woolworths was amongst those companies that were followed up in the 2011/2012 financial year to gauge progress made against the objectives they committed themselves to their approved Employment Equity Plan.

"Interestingly, Woolworths generally progressed well towards achieving race and gender equity at their workplace as per their own EE numerical goals and targets set

in their own EE Plan consulted and agreed to with their employees,” Oliphant said.

She said there were companies that were genuinely addressing transformation in the workplace through the implementation of employment equity and Woolworths was one of them.

“However, there are those that hate to see integration in the workplace and society in general.

They seek to find fault with those that genuinely implement employment equity as a means of addressing our painful past and imbalance in our society.

“As the government of South Africa and those that seek genuine transformation, we shall continue to encourage companies like Woolworths to continue with the transformation and integration of the society,” Oliphant reiterated.

Last year, the Commission for Employment Equity (CEE), which advises the minister on matters of EE, cautioned at the release of its annual report that it will take more than 129 years to transform the workplace to reflect South Africa's demographics judging by the snail pace of transformation.

The 2011 CEE report showed that top management and senior management positions were still dominated by white people in South Africa, while black people were stuck in the lower rungs in unskilled and semi-skilled jobs, in comparison to their economically active population.

Figures from the 2012 CEE report indicate that there may be not much deviation from this preponderant situation, said the minister.

- SAnews.gov.za

South African student stands to lose £35,000 in London Met visa drama

NB INFO:

Rand Rate brought to you by Moneygram

Exchange rate £1 = R13.12

Tube Closures

Bakerloo: Sunday 16 September, no service between Queens Park and Harrow & Wealdstone.

Circle: Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 September, no service.

District: Sunday 16 September, no service between Edgware Road and Earl’s Court and between Turnham Green and Richmond. Saturday 15 September, no service between Edgware Road and Wimbledon.

Jubilee:Sunday 16 September, no service between Finchley Road and Stratford. Saturday 15 September, no service between Green Park and Stratford.

Northern: Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 September, no service between Charing Cross and Camden Town.

Sunday 16 September, no service between High Barnet and Camden Town until approximately 0845.

“Taste our biltong and

you’ll forget about getting it anywhere else! ”

Buy 200g beef biltong or drywors and get a 100g FREE

Beef Biltong Packs

Buy 2 get 1 FREE London East Top SA Shop, Inshops Stratford Mall, E15 1XQ

The Arches,Villiers Street, Embankment, WC2N 6NG

547 Garratt Lane, Earlsfield, London, SW18 4SR

1-6 Brocklane, Maidenhead, SL6 1LP

Tel: 0208 555 6606

Tel: 0207 839 6415

Tel: 0208 946 6951

Tel: 0162 878 2511

continued from page 1...

South Africa because she had to leave the country so she didn’t overstay her visa. When her new Tier 4 visa was granted in July, she returned to the UK. The resident of Gospel Oak said she only found out about the visa debacle through the press.

De Jongh has contacted the dean of research, the vice-chancellor, her MP, and even the South African embassy for assistance.

She is now seeking legal advice.

“Taking into account that I continue to pay rent on my London flat, the money spent flying back and forth between SA and UK and having to sell my flat in Cape Town to pay for my studies, this is a £35,000 investment in my career I cannot afford to lose,” said De Jongh, who on graduating hopes to secure a position in international policy at a multinational company.

“I entered the country legally and have met all the extensive criteria for a Tier 4 visa. I have been hung out to dry,” she fumed.

De Jongh, who studied her Masters degree through London Met, said it was not simply a case of applying through another institution. “In the case of my particular course, I need to complete my PhD through the same institution as my Masters. If I do it through another university I have to resit my Masters, which will cost another £15,000.

“There are very few universities that offer my specialisation – this is why I am studying it here rather than in South Africa. Also as my topic is quite controversial

(corporate responsibility and sustainability in the oil, gas and mining industries in post-conflict countries), very few people understand it as well as my present supervisor does. I’ve been trying to apply to other universities but they are all full. I feel like a refugee, I have nowhere to go.”

London Metropolitan University spokesman Nick Hansen said he sympathised with De Jongh’s plight and that he would seek clarification from the university on her case.

He added that London Met had made every effor to communicate with its international students and had set up a helpline to provide them support. Contact the hotline on: 020 7133 4141.

Phd student Michelle de Jongh.

mo ney Visit gram t o mon send .co.uk ey o nlin ** e

Fast deliveries around the world in minutes Send money to South Africa from just ÂŁ4.50*

Freephone: 0800 026 0535 moneygram.com facebook.com/moneygram

Send at:

Receive at:

CS6136

And anywhere you see the MoneyGram sign

* In addition to the transfer fees applicable to a transaction, a currency exchange rate set by MoneyGram or its agent will be applied. **For a full list of online transfer fees please visit www.moneygram.co.uk. Post Office and Thomas Cook are agents of MoneyGram International Limited in the provision of money transfer services, Post Office and the Post Office logo are registered trade marks of Post Office Ltd. MoneyGram and the Globe are trademarks of MoneyGram.

All other marks are the property of their respecitive owners. MoneyGram International Limited is authorized and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Š2012 MoneyGram. All rights reserved.

4

| 11 September – 17 September 2012 | thesouthafrican.com

News

Follow us on Twitter: @TheSAnews

WE WILL TAKE YOU HOME/ONS DOEN DIE GROOT TREK HUIS TOE...

Moratorium on shale gas exploration lifted The discovery of shale gas could help allieviate SA’s energy needs

by STAFF REPORTER

• Excess Baggage/Boxes/Cartons • Part Container/Groupage • Complete Households/Cars • Comprehensive Insurance • Customs Clearance • Vehicle Documentation • RO - RO (Roll on - Roll off shipping)

tel 0844-8730078 or 01394-332020 UK BASED OFFICE WITH OUR HEADQUARTERS IN RSA

www.southafricanremovals.com

GAIN A PROFESSIONAL EDGE FOR YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS Sable offers an impressive portfolio of professional services. We have over 25 years of experience advising individuals, contractors and small businesses who have international interests and connections.

sable services Accounting Tax Wealth OFFSHORE Foreign Exchange Law Immigration

Sable Group

Castlewood House 77/91 New Oxford Street London WC1A 1DG t: +44 (0) 845 094 3990 info@sable-group.com www.sable-group.com

44057

Sable is a group of professional service companies.

Sable Accounting Limited is a limited company registered in England and Wales with registered number 03517738.

Sable Private Wealth Management Limited is registered in England & Wales, number 04305265, Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

www.sable-group.com

CABINET has approved the report on shale gas exploration submitted by the Mineral Resources Minister, which was compiled by the technical task team convened last year.

This comes after the department imposed a moratorium on applications for the exploration for shale gas in the Karoo.

"Cabinet endorsed the recommendations of the report on the lifting of the moratorium.

"Cabinet further mandated the Minister of Mineral Resources to hold a series of public consultation with interested and affected stakeholders to provide further details," said Minister in the Presidency for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, Collins Chabane, during a post Cabinet briefing on Friday.

Noting the fact that South Africa was an energy scarce country, Chabane said if the country did have shale gas, it would go a long way towards alleviating the pressure and helping to meet the nation's energy needs.

Energy Minister Dipuo Peters has long been hopeful that should the report find that fracking which is the method used to extract the shale gas - was possible in the country, South Africa should forge ahead with it as it

The Karoo could be the next site for controversial fracking. Photo by Sasol.

could contribute to energy supply security.

"As a department responsible for the mandate of security of supply, we are conflicted when it comes to issues related to shale gas. We are conflicted correctly so because we've got to look at South Africa becoming self-reliant in terms of energy resources, and if we are informed that there is potential for this resource, it is just for us to encourage the Departments of Science and Technology and Mineral Resources to make it possible if it is proven..." said Peters in a media address in May. Chabane said the stringent South African standards of environmental impact assessments would be strictly adhered to when

reviewing applications from companies who want to undertake shale gas exploration.

He allayed fears that the process of shale gas exploration, which is envisaged to take place in the Karoo in Northern Cape - home of the Square Kilometre Array project - would interfere with the mega science venture.

Chabane said a buffer zone will be enforced between the SKA and the areas where shale gas exploration will be permitted.

The Mineral Resources Department will in due course undertake the public consultation process, where interested parties will get a chance to give their insights on shale gas exploration. SAnews.gov.za

Marikana a lesson - Motlanthe

by STAFF REPORTER

THE Marikana tragedy should make South Africa turn the tide on how the country confronts poverty and inequality, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe said on Friday.

"It also challenges us to recommit ourselves to more effective social dialogue at national and regional level," Motlanthe said.

He was speaking at the opening of the annual National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) summit in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg. Other speakers at the summit included trade union federation Cosatu's General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi and businessman Raymond Parsons.

About 44 people were killed, including two police officers, during clashes between striking Lonmin platinum mine workers and the police in Marikana, North West, last month. President Jacob Zuma has appointed a judicial commission of inquiry to probe the incident.

Motlanthe said while the events would be fully investigated, South

Africans needed to learn from the tragedy and find a common vision to take the country forward.

"Now is the time to begin laying the basis for a social contract for our labour relations and our labour market that will contribute to achieving a more equitable and inclusive form of economic growth," he said.

Vavi said the disaster was a wakeup call for South Africa, adding that something needed to be done to improve relations between employers and workers.

He likened the tragedy to a "ticking time bomb" that eventually exploded.

"We have always said we are sitting on a ticking time bomb and Marikana is that bomb and it exploded".

The Marikana incident followed by ongoing strikes has reportedly led to a massive drop in Lonmin shares and had led to threats of a looming instability in the mining sector.

Government this week stressed the need to maintain stability and confidence in the sector cautioning those who sought to incite violence

to refrain from doing so.

Motlanthe, in a bid to assure investors, on Friday said the year to date had seen important milestones for South Africa citing a 2.7 percent increase in the Gross Domestic Product in the first quarter of 2012 and a further 3.2 percent growth registered in the 2nd quarter.

Although the country had not recovered the jobs it lost during the 2008 global economic crisis, more than 320000 jobs were created in the formal sector between mid-2011 and this year.

"There are grounds for cautious optimism that the economy may be moving into a more stable phase of growth," said Motlanthe.

However, he cautioned many risks remained present in the international economic environment saying a lot depended on how the Euro-zone crisis is resolved.

Continued positive growth in the economy would be the most important way in which South Africa addresses poverty and unemployment, Motlanthe said. SAnews.gov.za

thesouthafrican.com | 11 September – 17 September 2012 |

5

Comment

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/thesouthafrican

On “South African baby boom in Britain”

stereotyping to the Chinese, Nigerian and Polish immigrant mothers also. I am sure you have pet names for them, too. I can’t wait to hear what those are.

On a lighter note, imagine how good the English cricket team could be 20 years from now.

Sandy Van Litsenborgh: The only reason they are having their babies here is because they are too white to have them in the new SA. They are having them in the country which sold SA out to the ANC government!

Jeremy Sibley: Sandy, go buy a book on history instead of listening to the old ducks down at the salon, and Gavy my boy stop feeling so guilty about being white. It’s ok to be a ginger ninja!

Jean-Pierre Joubert: Geez, you can’t make more of a generalisation can you, Gav? Or should I call you Mr Ferguson, in case Gav is in some way racist? I sincerely hope some of us normal Saffas here in the UK cross your path so you can learn to stop painting us all with the same tar brush.

Theo Ferreira: Gavin, why stop there? Please do extend your

Brian Lucas: For Gavin Ferguson obviously any white born in South Africa is a racist and equally obviously by implication any black born in South Africa could never be one - so who is the racist? You can’t argue with the ignorant and the prejudiced can you, because they know everything already?

Daniel: Wow, when I decided to read this article I was not expecting the first two comments, and you calling us racist for having our babies in the UK! Theo you have a point with your EnglishSouth African team - in 20 years time there will be no stopping them!

Join the debate on www.thesouthafrican.com

Hugo: Hi, me and my wife were both born in Paarl and my girl was born two years ago in Chelmsford.

Because we are free here in England, we are raising her to the customs of this land. I can see a second generation SA community here only if they look towards the

SEND MONEY

TO SOUTH AFRICA from

Show how much you care

£4.90

*

transfer fee

© 2012 WESTERN UNION HOLDINGS, INC. All rights reserved.

Gavin Ferguson: Little racists born in London. Lets hope they don’t follow in their moms’ footsteps.

future together otherwise same old same old, and oh, her Afrikaans is very good.

0800 833 833

• Money Transfer • *Western Union also makes money from currency exchange.

Authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland and regulated by the Financial Services Authority for the conduct of payment services business in the UK

6

| 11 September – 17 September 2012 | thesouthafrican.com

Community

Follow us on Twitter: @TheSAnews

Have you been spotted?

GO TEAM! Supporters of Team South Africa proudly waved their flags at various Paralympic events last week.

GOOD HEALTH: On Wednesday 5 September the South African Chamber of Commerce hosted a talk by Bernie Clark, Head of Healthcare and Risk at Alexander Forbes Consultants & Actuaries Ltd, on Healthcare in South Africa – is NHI the step up to first world standard?

TheSouthAfrican.com/ Photos

Win a £25 Spur meal voucher

Visit www.ukspur.co.uk to locate your nearest Spur

If you have been spotted in the circle on this week’s scene page please call us on 0845 456 4910 or email your address to editor@thesouthafrican.com to claim your prize.

www.ukspur.co.uk www.ukspur.co.uk

www.facebook.com/U.K.Spur www.facebook.com/U.K.Spur

thesouthafrican.com | 11 September – 17 September 2012 | Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/thesouthafrican

Entertainment

UNLIMITED

FREE CALLS & TEXTS Lycamobile to Lycamobile

1 2 3

London-based South African actress, writer and lecturer Sandi Thompson.

SA actress Sandi Thompson in Lost Theatre’s ‘Life Begins’

Sandi stars alongside four other African actors in a new comedy drama staged by SVG Productions at Lost Theatre in Wandsworth

by STAFF REPORTER LONDON-BASED South African actress, writer and lecturer Sandi Thompson stars in comedy drama Life Begins, at Lost Theatre in Wandsworth from 18-23 September.

Sandi has previously done a few small roles in film and TV including a scene in The Sweeney with Ray Winstone and a small independent film called Doris and the Pennies from Heaven starring Honor Blackman (Pussy Galore from Goldfinger).

She said of the play, “Life Begins is very well written. I play Julie, a grounded, unflappable single 38-year-old living in London. I am the flatmate of Amanda, around whom the story revolves as she deals with turning 40 and still being single.”

Life Begins, written by Silvano Griffith–Francis, is billed as a refreshing and entertaining take on the issue of singleness from the point of view of four Christian friends. It is staged by SVG Productions, which has developed a reputation for using drama in creative ways to address a range of social issues.

They say life begins at 40, which is great if you’re happily married, with 2.5 kids. But what if you’re single and lonely? Is it really the beginning? Or the beginning of the end?

Amanda, Julie, Rob and Steven are about to find out. Julie, despite desperately wanting to be married

is trying to keep a straight head about her singleness. Rob is divorced and earnestly seeking to reconcile with his wife. Steven, though handsome and successful is so fastidious when it comes to women that he is certain to remain single.

And Amanda may not be able to do anything about not having a husband but she is determined to fulfil her aspiration of having a baby – regardless of what anyone says.

Sandi said, “It’s interesting because apart from the role of Amanda, the rest of the cast are all originally from different African countries. All of us have lived in the UK for a very long time.”

The play is on at The Lost Theatre in Wandsworth from 1823 September, with eight shows including matinees on Saturday and Sunday.

Dates and times: • 18 September @ 7.30 PM • 19 September @ 7.30 PM • 20 September @ 7.30 PM • 21 September @ 7.30 PM • 22 September @ 2.30 PM • 22 September @ 7.30 PM • 23 September @ 2.30 PM Prices: £12.50 advance tickets, £15 at the door.

Tickets can be bought from www. ticketmaster.co.uk/Life-Beginstickets/artist/5056869 Cast: Uzoma Isichei, Chuma Oraedu, Tosin Ajayi, Lesley-Anne Miller, Sandi Thompson, Tolu Stedford, Silvano Griffith-Francis.

landline

Australia

landline

New Zealand

landline

South Africa

Top-up Amount

Total Credit with Total Credit with Online top-up Auto top-up

£5 £6 £10 £12 £20 £25 £30 £37.50

£7 £15 £30 £45

Get up to £15 FREE* credit when you bring your mobile number to Lycamobile

5

For your FREE Lycamobile SIM visit www.lycamobile.co.uk or call 020 7132 0322 Buy and top up online or in over 115,000 stores

Customers may not be able to use Electronic Top-Up at all locations where the top-up logo appears

1p/min promotion is valid from 01.09.2012 and until 30.09.2012. #Unlimited calls from Lycamobile to Lycamobile: From the 1st to 30th of September 2012, customers with a minimum balance of 20p can enjoy free and unlimited calls and texts from Lycamobile UK to Lycamobile UK. Any changes to rates will be notified on the rates section of our website at www.lycamobile.co.uk or you can call our customer services team on 020 7132 0322 to check rates or for more information. *This promotion gives up to £15 free mobile top-up credit when you bring your mobile phone number from a different UK mobile phone network to Lycamobile UK between 01/09/2012 and 30/09/2012. Free credit is given when the customer number is ported and live on Lycamobile UK and the first top-up is made. The amount of free credit given is dependent on the value of the first topup: If the first top-up is up to £10, £5 free credit is awarded; if the first top-up is £20, £10 free credit is awarded; and if the first top-up is £30+, £15 free credit is awarded. Customers can bring their mobile phone number from any UK network apart from GT Mobile, Toggle Mobile or Lycamobile. By taking part in the Promotion customers will be deemed to have accepted and agree to be bound by these terms and conditions. The benefits given in this Promotion cannot be transferred.

LM_UK_SA_times.indd 1

07/09/2012 12:26

8

| 11 September – 17 September 2012 | thesouthafrican.com

Entertainment

Follow us on Twitter: @TheSAnews

The OPTIMIST KAREN DE VILLIERS

Fair is foul & foul is fair ‘FAIR is foul and foul is fair.’ The naked witches dance around the cauldron, chanting these prophetic words in Macbeth. That was in 1604. And we’re still learning.

Today eleven years ago, the twin towers in New York were reduced to rubble. A graveyard in the midst of a world superpower.

We all knew where we were on that fateful day. Others thought it a victory against capitalist and immoral America. Last month, the new Freedom Tower, built on the same site at Ground Zero was completed. It will be taller than the twin towers and to quote Patrick Foye, executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, ‘is a new icon that symbolises the revival, restoration and resurgence of New York and sums up a resilient America.’

America is sticking it back to those who thought she would fail in the face of terrorist attacks.

The phoenix that is the American spirit still rises from the torch of Liberty. The American Dream is alive and kicking.

On the other side of the world, American soldiers are ‘fighting the fight’ for their country. Do these soldiers know why they are there? Freedom? Economic stability? Revenge? The politics of late has been exceedingly murky on that score. Like the cauldron, politicians have thrown in all sorts of nasty creatures of reason. We remember the weapons of mass destruction. Hear about oil and gas required by the West. Killing the opium route. I am sure we will be the last to know, if ever – is this a case of being foul to be fair, or fair to be foul?

Those who believe that America represents everything insidious in the world will in turn justify all their actions in the name of religion. An eye for an eye. A necessary evil. There is death on both sides, lies and political intrigue mixed in with the nasty spell. Building the Freedom Tower could be seen as yet another invitation – a bull’s eye on the New York horizon. Taunting the enemy could have catastrophic consequences.

To date there are very few tenants lined up to occupy the building,

some labelling it the ‘Fear Tower’; the possibility of a repeat of that fateful day still indelibly etched on their minds.

No matter which way you look at it, every side will call ‘foul’ and push ‘ fair’ when it suits their own purposes. Life is not fair. Fair is in the eye of the beholder.

But for me, I think One World Trade Centre is something I have needed to see happening for the past eleven years. That day has marked my life, my trust in humankind and my belief that people are generally amazing, caring and resilient. I love that the ideal height is 1,776ft, to mark the birth date of America.

I hope the sun hits the glass to create a beacon to the world.

Visible from space. I need the feel good factor of hope.

COOKING with Steele

ANGIE STEELE

Rooibos and vanilla bean crème brûlée

I JUST love mixing a bit of new with a bit of old, not just in food but in every thing I do.

The good old crème brûlée may be a golden oldie but it should never be overlooked or taken for granted, ever!

I simply adore it with this hint of rooibos; so subtle it is that it takes a genuine South African to appreciate such a delicate flavour.

It is easy, it won’t let you down and once you have perfected the art there is no turning back.

Ingredients:

• 450ml double cream • 100ml full fat milk • 2 Rooibos tea bags • 1 vanilla bean split and scraped • 100g caster sugar (plus extra for sprinkling) • 6 egg yolks

Method:

• Pre-heat your oven to 150°C. • Using a small-sized saucepan bring the milk and 100ml of the double cream to the boil.

• When boiling add the rooibos tea bags, remove from the heat and allow the rooibos to diffuse in the liquid for 20 minutes.

• Next, strain your rooibos infused liquid, through a fine sieve, into another saucepan and discard the tea bags • Add remaining cream to this saucepan, along with the vanilla seeds and then bring to the boil.

• In a separate bowl gently mix egg yolks & caster sugar together.

• Once cream mixture has come to the boil take 1/3 of this mixture and add it to your egg yolk mix.

• Mix well and then add this mixture to the remaining 2/3 of the cream mixture. This method will stop the eggs from cooking.

• Strain this mixture through a fine sieve and divide equally into six ramekins, or other serving contaners (I’ve used a vintage tea cup).

• Place your ramekins into a large roasting tray and pour in enough hot water to come halfway up their outsides.

• Cook in the pre-heated oven for 25 to 30 minutes – until they are set, but still wobbly in the centre.

• Once out of the oven, remove from the water bath and allow to cool, chill in the fridge until needed.

• To serve, sprinkle no more than a tea spoon of caster sugar on each Brûlée and caramelize the top using a blow-torch or place under a hot grill.

Top South African chef Angie Steele hosts fun cooking classes at The Avenue cooking school in Putney.

These include Dinner Party Demon to brush up those key skills to help you impress, and Ready Steady Date for single cooking with loads of laughs.

To book visit www. theavenuecookeryschool.com/ courses/angie-at-the-avenue or e-mail angie@angiesteele.com

9

thesouthafrican.com | 11 September – 17 September 2012 |

Entertainment

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/thesouthafrican

Deon Meyer: The Heart of the Writer International bestselling crime writer Deon Meyer was in the UK as a guest of Harrogate, the world’s most prestigious crime writing festival. Colin Macrae caught up with him as he shared his views on writing, fame and his love for South Africa

by COLIN MACRAE DEON Meyer is nothing like the characters he so evocatively brings to life in his series of eight international bestsellers. He is an easygoing, gentle giant, almost avuncular, and the kind of person you should be shooting the breeze with over a beer at braai rather than over a cup of Earl Grey in the swanky London hotel where we met.

Perhaps that is why his books are so easy to lose yourself in – he is one of us, a normal oke who just happens to have a gift to chronicle almost effortlessly the undercurrents of a diverse and ever-evolving South Africa, rooted firmly in the international methodology of the crime genre.

So calling my meeting with him an interview would be doing the wide ranging chat we had over an hour together a disservice.

His perceptive insights range from the unique musicality of Cape Coloured Afrikaans, one of the reasons why he prefers to write in Afrikaans and leave the translation to others. To why South Africa is one of the best places in the world to live and with his international fame and travel he is well qualified to make that judgement. To why novelists should stay out of scriptwriting, musings on social media, and the camaraderie of international crime

writers and much more.

One of the key attractions of Deon Meyer’s books is the way he brings to life the real people of South Africa. When you read a Deon Meyer you are going to recognise at least three of the characters, if not all, as someone you know or have come in to contact with in South Africa. This is true not just for the generation of white South African he comes from, but across the board.

He beams with pride when he recounts the story of how a young black journalist from The Sunday Times told him that Thobela Mpayipheli, the protagonist from an earlier novel The Heart of the Hunter, was just a typical Xhosa guy. In other words, across the cultural divide, he had nailed it.

But how does he do that in as country as diverse as South Africa, with so many conflicting voices and viewpoints? His answer is simple, “research”. He spends at least six months researching a novel before he begins writing.

Even then the research does not stop till the book has been proofed.

Not sitting behind a screen research, but getting out in the real world research. For his latest novel 7 Days he actually spent seven days with the Hawks, South Africa’s elite crime fighting unit, to immerse himself in the culture and attitude of the detectives.

He listens to anyone who will talk and he perseveres with those that are reluctant. From sex workers, crime bosses to politicians to cops, he hunts them down and listens. Parallels to real life abound in his books and the locations are so vividly painted you can visualise them in an almost movie-like way. His research his so meticulous that he is always spot on. However, Deon is at pains to point out that the parallels are not based on real life events. He says most crime in reality is not sensational, 80% of crime is domestic related and rather than being sexy they are just sad.

Instead he uses the backdrop, fabric and dynamics of a country in transition where every character has a different view, each seeing South Africa through a different lens. He sees this as the most rewarding of his writing challenges. He admits it is hard sometimes to get into the mind of the women, never mind the head of a slightly overweight black female detective in what is still very much a male dominated world, which he does with Mbali Kaleni in 7 Days and 13 Hours. It is a testament to his skill as listener and as a writer that he succeeds. More that 65% of his readers are female and the feedback he gets from black readers and even black female detectives is overwhelmingly positive. The last part I have to drag out of him as he sticks by his mother’s dictum “Moenie jou eie beul blaas nie” - you do not blow you own trumpet.

One thing however that he is vocal and passionate about is South Africa. He feels than there is some serious misinformation out there and the foreign press insist on asking questions about how violent South Africa is. His simple response is “Prove it, show me the statistics, there are parts of America worse than SA.” As a former journalist himself he says, “Media sensationalises crime – South Africa is stuck in the bad news 24 hour cycle. I have lived in Cape Town for over 30 years and only been a victim of petty crime once.” He even says the South African government has made some good measured decisions economically. “You only have to compare us to Greece, Italy or Ireland and see we not doing too badly.”

He is especially vocal on the

Deon Meyer’s new book 7 Days, published by Hodder, is out now in paperback.

expats. He feels they have to justify why they left so they always harp on the negative.“For people like that I am glad they left, because what we need is people who feel they want to make a difference, who want to contribute. If you’re the kind of person who says the government must do everything then please go to Oz or

the UK. Get off your backside and make a difference or go live in Perth.”

It is that kind of passion that makes his work resonate with the true heart of Africa.

7 Days is out now in paperback.

TheSouthAfrican.com/ Entertainment

Moving to South Africa? Moving to South Africa? Moving to South Africa? Moving to South Africa? Moving to South Africa?

Moving to South Africa? Moving to South Africa? Moving to South Africa? Moving to South Africa? Moving to South Africa?

Moving to South Africa? Moving to South Africa? Moving to South Africa? Moving to South Africa? Moving to South Africa? www.doreebonner.co.uk Moving to South Africa? Moving to South Africa? Moving to South Africa? Moving to South Africa? Moving to South Africa?

Moving to South Africa? Moving to South Africa? Moving to South Africa? Moving to South Africa? Moving to South Africa?

The purr-fect move to South Africa

Whole house contents to cars or just single items, no one is more careful than Doree Bonner International. We’ve been moving our customers possessions around the world for over 90 years - providing the highest standards of service at sensible prices.

For a free moving survey and estimate, telephone our

Find out more at: www.doreebonner.co.uk or email: moving@dbonner.co.uk

freephone number and get your move off to the ‘Purr-fect’ start.

0800 091 3514

Our partner in South Africa is Elliott International www.elliott.co.za

10

| 11 September – 17 September 2012 | thesouthafrican.com

Entertainment

Follow us on Twitter: @TheSAnews

African musicians get Wembley grooving South African acts Zahara and Zakes Bantwini and Zimbabwe’s Winky D were some of the acts who whetted the audience’s appetite for king of Afrobeat, Femi Kuti, at the Africa Unplugged concert at Wembley Arena supporting his charity and War Child. Their aim was to raise awareness about the ongoing war for precious minerals in the Congo.

He reminded us that 1,500 were people killed a day; 1,100 women raped every day. His message was clear: Save the Congo!

After the break, Zakes Bantwini impressed the audience with his brand of South African dance music, silky vocals and impressive dancing. His set was cut short as the stage plunged into darkness.

The annoyed crowd booed the promoters. Sarkodie from Ghana resumed after the glitch and got the crowd dancing the Azonto.

A musical prelude by a troupe of women in Xhosa outfits announced Zahara’s entry. It was her first performance in the UK and the audience sang and grooved as she belted out hits like ‘Loliwe’, ‘Xa Bendingena Mama’ and

by JOSEPH NTHINI UPCOMING musicians dominated early proceedings at the Africa Unplugged Festival at Wembley Arena last Monday.

Young Minds (Nigeria), Cabo Snoop (Angola) and Mista Silva (Ghana) weren’t intimidated by the big names; they showcased their talent. By the time Nigeria’s Iyanya rocked the stage, the crowd was revved up.

Comedian Edi Kadi and DJ Edu kept the crowd buzzing between segments.

Ragga star Winky D kicked off with Controversy and Zimbabwean flags flew high in the arena. He acquitted himself brilliantly and received a standing ovation for his final song ‘Takaipa’ (We are Bad).

A short interlude followed.

Vava Tampa, a director and campaigner for Save the World Charity thanked the audience for

26136i South africa 101 x 191_Layout 1 11/06/2012 16:06 Page 1

South Africa Shipping Services

‘Umthwalo’ from her debut album.

Zahara sang mainly in Xhosa. Her voice was outstanding; she was equally brilliant strumming her acoustic guitar. Her backing band and singers effortlessly blended traditional and modern sounds to create music fit for the gods.

2Face Idibia opened up with his reggae track ‘One Love’ and had ladies screaming. Everyone jammed and gyrated as he darted from side to side on the stage engaging the crowd in call-andanswer episodes. Wembley Arena accompanied him as he crooned ‘African Queen’. Time wasn’t on his side; he rushed through a few numbers before closing with the dance track ‘Implication’. The audience bayed for more.

From the moment Femi Kuti appeared on stage, he was relentless. He exploded through the Arena like a hurricane sweeping the audience off their seats; bodies writhed and flailed in the aisles. Mesmerised security guards looked on hopelessly.

Kuti’s presence, control of the

South African multi-Sama winner Zahara performs at Africa Unplugged.

Photo by Joseph Nthini.

Dolphin LOGISTICS

Est. 20 years

Brandpunt CONRAD BRAND

✓

Cars, vans, Commercial & Household goods

✓

Specialists in loading 3+ vehicles in one 40ft container

✓

Weekly Sailings - 21 Day Transit

✓

Own crews loading 20ft & 40ft containers daily

✓

Sole or shared use container

✓

Self-contained secure parking facilities for up to 500 cars

✓

Vehicle dismantling & storing facilities

✓

24 hours continuous receiving Mon to Sun

✓

Bills of Lading issued within 24 hours of sailing

✓

Trusted long established partners worldwide

✓

Door-to-door moving services & full export packing

✓

Special prices for tea chests, cases & cartons

✓

Free cartons & packing materials

✓

Express air freight consolidation service

‘Once in a Blue Moon’

We promise to beat any genuine quotation.

Please visit or contact us now.

020 8216 6319

Fax: 020 8804 3232 www.dolphinmovers.com Email: southafrica@dolphinmovers.com Dolphin Group 37 Millmarsh Lane, Enfield EN3 7UY

H.M.Revenue & Customs Approved Depository

saxophone, aggression on the electric keyboard and The Positive Force radiated raw energy. His ten man backing band was superb, especially the brass section.

Kuti’s female backing singers and dancers were equally captivating with their high energy and provocative dancing.

People prostrated on their knees, hands pointing to the sky; others seemed possessed. Kuti constantly twitched as if willing the music on; occasionally, hand signals guided the band’s musical direction. His version of Afrobeat is one of Africa’s hardest hitting musical exports. ‘Beng, Beng’ aptly captured the mood. He kept the African funk pulsating at a vigorous tempo and only brought it down to provide social commentary at the end, keeping in line with the tradition of his father.

For a nanosecond, I saw Fela Kuti reincarnated on stage.

Africa has talent that left satisfied and exhausted fans in its wake.

Africa Unplugged will be back next year. Don’t miss it.

IAM

TM

Memb No: D052

Memb No: D052

ONCE in a Blue Moon’ of ‘Eendag op ‘n reëndag’ is hoe ons ‘n besondere geleentheid beskryf wat nie aldag gebeur nie. (Wag, daar val gereeld reën op dié eiland, selfs tydens droogte, so die laaste sêding het seker meestal op ons Vaderland betrekking).

Elkgeval, Vrydag 31de Augustus was so ‘n geleetnheid, dit was ‘n ‘Blou Maan’. Maar waar kom die term vandaan? Daar is soveel misterie gekoppel aan die Blou Maan en die oorsprong daarvan.

Daar is twee offisiële definisies vir ‘n Blou Maan: Nommer 1: ‘n Blou maan is die tweede volmaan in ‘n kalender maand.

Die idee van ‘n Blou Maan as die tweede volmaan in ‘n maand het gespruit uit ‘n artikel deur James Hugh Pruett genaamd “Once in a Blue Moon” in die Maart 1946 uitgawe van Sky and Telescope tydskrif. Pruett het met behulp van die 1937 ‘Maine Farmer’s Almanac’, sy definisie gestaaf en as volg geskryf:

“Seven times in 19 years there were — and still are — 13 full moons in a year. This gives 11 months with one full moon each and one with two. This second in a month, so I interpret it, was called Blue Moon” Daarna is dit as definisie in die sewentigs deur wetenskaplikes oor die radio gebruik, in die tagtigs as voorgeskrewe boeke vir kleuters en dit was selfs gebruik as die offisiële definisie vir die bordspeletjie Trivial Persuit.

Kon daar egter twee Blou Mane in dieselfde maand wees? Wel gedurende 1999 was daar groot openbare belangstelling en media dekking nadat daar in Januarie en Maart, twee volmane in dieselfde maand was, maar geen volmaan in Februarie nie. Die volgende jaar waarin daar dubbele Blou Mane in dieselfde jaar sal wees is 2018.

Nommer 2: ’n Blou Maan is die derde volmaan van vier in ‘n kalender jaar: Wetenskaplikes en geleerdes het egter hul wysvingers geswaai vir die eerste definisie en het dieselfde bron gebruik en die volgende gevind. Elke seisoen (Winter, Lente, Herfs en Somer) het gewoonlik drie volmane, maar as ‘n seisoen ‘n vierde volmaan het, mag die derde, ‘n Blou Maan genoem word. Die volgende Blou Maan volgens dié definisie sal op 21.08.2013 wees.

Daar is natuurlik ook ‘n derde tipe Blou Maan en die een wat meeste van ons romanties assosieer met die term. Dit is wanner jy ‘n regte blou maan te siene kry. Ja, ‘n regte blou maan!

Dit het egter geen geheimsinnige of helende kragte nie, maar kom gewoonlik na groot bosbrande of ‘n vulkaniese uitbarsting voor, waar die lug gevul word met as en stof. As dié partikels in die lug die regte grootte is – ongeveer 1 mikron breed (een miljoenste van ‘n meter) tree hulle soos ‘n kleur-filter op en gee die maan ‘n blou skynsel. Wolke van water druppels, ys kristalle of fyn korrelige sand kan dieselfde doen.

Wel, soos ek gesê het, 31de Augustus was ‘n ‘Blou Maan’ en n dag wat ek nie sommer sal vergeet nie, dit was die bekendstelling van my eerste boek op Amazon. Ek het eers later die waarde van die term besef en moes toe wonder hoeveel mense op dié ongewone dag kon sê dat hulle (miskien onwetend soos ek) iets spesiaals gedoen of selfs ontvang het. Wie kon sê, “Ag dit gebeur nie gereeld nie, net so ‘Once in a Blue moon’.

Vir meeste Suid-Afrikaners was die Blou Maan die aankondiging van opwinding; Lentedag en later sou Suid-Afrika ook ses medaljes by die paralimpiese spele verower, wêreld rekords het gespat, maar regoor die wêreld was dit weereens ‘n mensel van gemoed.

Die Blou Maan het Vrede, Opwinding en Geluk gebring, maar vir ander was dit Vrees, Angs en Ongeluk, maar ook Hoop dat more beter sal wees.

Na die besef dat dit Blou Maan is het ek soos baie ander uitgeloop om na die maan te kyk. Sekeres kon staar na haar pragtige gloed, maar ander moes soek, dit was bietjie toegetrek…

SEPTEMBER 2012 #82

www.sapropertymonthly.co.uk

MONTHLY

South African property and lifestyle for international investors

MAGNIFICENTLY FINISHED IN THE HEART OF SANDHURST R26 000 000

Do you want to BUY, SELL, RENT or LET property in South Africa?

Visit www.seeff.com and view more than 33 000 properties in all areas and all price ranges and see what services we offer.

NEWS/TRENDS >>

Cape Town city centre apartments in demand

by STAFF REPORTER Central Cape Town has become a sought-after residential address for young professionals who are drawn to its vibrant lifestyle, modern apartments and convenient location.

Pam Golding Properties (PGP) reports a recent increase in enquiries from buyers aged under 40 – a trend borne out by Lightstone statistics, which indicate that around 30 percent of all recent buyers in this area fall into the age category of 18 to 35, while over 60 percent are under the age of 49.

PGP says the city centre lifestyle is extremely attractive to young people, while the good range of affordable properties makes this an accessible area for first-time buyers.

Basil Moraitis, PGP’s area manager for the City Bowl and Atlantic Seaboard, says the highest demand at present is for two bedroom apartments with secure parking, priced in the R1 million to R1.5 million price range.

There is a good selection of stock on the market at

2

present, he says, across all price ranges. And there is excellent value for money on offer - it is possible to buy a bachelor apartment for as little as R600 000, or a large, modern apartment in a new building for under R2.5 million, he explains.

Moraitis says many of the city’s older blocks have been renovated over the past seven years, with upgrades including the installation of new elevators and more modern finishes.

Buildings such as Mutual Heights, Mandela Rhodes Place and Cartwright’s Corner offer superb communal facilities such as gyms, sheltered swimming pools, and 24-hour security, he says.

“Residents can live in comfort and safety in a vibrant, trendy location, within easy walking distance of their favourite cafes, bars and restaurants.”

Moraitis says those employed in the city centre can even walk to work, while the MyCiti bus service provides reliable, affordable and convenient commuting to the V&A Waterfront, the

City Bowl and the Western Seaboard.

With Cape Town being chosen as the World Design Capital for 2014, the spotlight is firmly on this area and its development as a trendy, modern residential node, he explains.

In short, he says, it is a highly desirable place to live for those who want a secure, easy-to-manage lifestyle in a convenient central location.

Anyone seeking proof of investor confidence in the area need look no further than St George’s Mall, where the redevelopment of Newspaper House is fast approaching completion. The historic landmark has undergone a R150 million revamp, due for completion by the end of this year.

Independent Newspapers will remain the major tenant on the upper floors, while developers Ingenuity Property Investments are installing retail tenants on the ground floor – among them a Food Lovers’ Market, a welcome addition to the city for aspirant chefs and ‘foodies’.

- Property24.com

www.sapropertymonthly.co.uk

BAROMETER

Property better than money market

by STAFF REPORTER Property is now a better investment than the money market and most other equities, says Bill Rawson, chairman of the Rawson Property Group.

Rawson says the Reserve Bank’s decision to reduce its repo rate by a further half a percent will speed up the movement of capital from the money market and cause investors to look harder for better returns elsewhere.

This being the case, the logic of investing in property needs once more to be emphasised, he says.

He says the simplest and easiest way to do this is to invest in a Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed property fund.

In 2011 these funds outperformed bonds, cash and other equities and are again doing so in 2012, despite the difficulties experienced by tenants.

Rawson says in 2011, average returns on listed property were 8.8 percent and some of the top performing funds achieved returns of 19 percent to 24 percent.

Those investors wanting a more hands-on and potentially more profitable investment should consider investing, either alone or with partners, in commercial property, he says.

Jason Lee, national manager of Rawson Commercial, recently said that his franchisees’ stock

on average gives them an 11 percent rental return and some are achieving 15 percent or 16 percent returns.

Paul Henry, managing director of Rawson Developers, says every one of the 500 residential units brought on stream by his company in the Rondebosch area in the last two years will appreciate by an average of 8 percent year-on-year and are already giving returns of 7 percent.

“This is a better-than-usual performance, based on very careful selection of the site by the developers, but it does indicate how an investor, prepared to do careful homework, can find real value in the property market.”

Quoting Stanlib Property Fund manager, Keillen Ndlovu, Rawson says that a properly managed property investment will always reduce the volatility of a diversified investment portfolio and has the potential to outperform most other classes.

Rawson says properly managing the investment is key and fortunately there are highly reputable, well managed JSE funds and excellent property managers giving a hands-on service.

If the investor takes the right advice from a reputable property group, he can avoid most risks and sleep happily at night in the knowledge that his investment is sound, he adds.

- Property24.com

SEPTEMBER 2012

<< NEWS/TRENDS

Rabie unveils new private label business to revitalise sector

by STAFF REPORTER One of South Africa’s top property entrepreneurs is leading an urban property revival by reinventing older buildings in sought-after areas - especially in the country’s property haven, Cape Town.

John Rabie, the developer of some of South Africa’s most successful mixed-use developments, has taken the wraps off his private label brand Signatura, which aims to unlock new urban lifestyles in SA. Rabie made his mark with the multi-million-rand Marconi Beam development outside Cape Town that rehoused informal shack dwellers and unlocked a new commercial, industrial and residential node, some 20 years ago. He also masterminded Westlake’s visionary residential suburb in the Western Cape, which includes top private school Reddam as well as a commercial and office parks. He was behind the transformation of the Kenilworth race course precinct, which is home to Pick n Pay’s new headquarters, together with the redevelopment of the Milnerton Race Course, into 1 800 world-class residential units and renamed Royal Ascot. Other projects include the Atlantic Beach golf course development on the West Coast as well as the multi-billion-Rand Century City, which is owned

by Rabie Properties, and which encompasses various residential, commercial, leisure, hotel and retail ventures.

Starting out as a quantity surveying student at UCT in the 1970s, Rabie - who remains the non-executive chairman of Rabie Properties is one of the most experienced property players in the country. His career, which spans some 35 years, has involved him in all elements of the property world, giving him the insight to unveil his latest venture, Signatura.

Rabie believes changing lifestyles in democratic South Africa and the global trend towards urban renewal and green living have opened the

SEPTEMBER 2012

way for new thinking in the property world.

“I’ve worked through all the property cycles of the past 30 years and seen many changes, including integration of townships in the wake of apartheid’s demise, the impact of the global financial meltdown, recent legislative changes including the current Consumer Protection Act and a number of top and bottoms of the property market following the recessions of the late 1980s and 2000s.

“When one looks at the logic behind property it’s clear that developments in South Africa will follow those of other major cities like Manhattan, parts of London and Sydney’s Eastern suburbs in the way in which urban spaces are reinvented.

“In South Africa, and especially in Cape Town, we have the added excitement of incredible natural beauty and the slow unbundling of our past separate development, which is why I have decided to launch my new property concept in Cape Town first.

“Signatura is a new-concept private label property brand.

The vision is to handpick unique urban sites in Cape Town for master-crafted urban renewal. Because land within the city limits remains scarce, we have already earmarked a number of existing opportunities and, in keeping with the City of Cape Town’s spatial development framework, will be transforming them to create new-style luxury accommodation and potential commercial spaces that are relatively affordable.”

Rabie believes Signatura is a natural evolution of Cape Town’s property market. Working with an experienced team of topnotch professionals, he has identified a number of prime properties in Cape Town’s most established areas – such as Vredehoek, Tamboerskloof, Greenpoint and Seapoint – for upmarket urban renewal in line with modern 21st century lifestyles.

“Instead of building new homes on greenfield sites

www.sapropertymonthly.co.uk

– which obviously are only available on the city’s outer edges - we aim to meet the needs of a new generation of homeowners who want the convenience of living centrally in this beautiful city.

“The trick when it comes to property is to get the position right and through clever design, both exterior and interior, to recreate the elements that modern buyers demand - such as secure parking and outdoor areas to take advantage of our wonderful climate.

“Added to all this, are high quality finishes and new-age indigenous landscaping to create welcoming spaces such as rooftop or vertical gardens that add green lungs to city living.

“Like the other global cities, Cape Town’s land is very desirable yet limited. Our true inner-city conversion of commercial to residential space has failed because of lack of facilities which make for easy living, but which are freely accessible in areas like Vredehoek, Tamboerskloof and

the Atlantic Seaboard.

“Signatura aims to maximise the use of existing land to limit urban sprawl and to give buyers the chance to live near desirable facilities such as the MyCiti bus route that is being extended to Gardens and the Atlantic Seaboard.

“The local property market is slowly recovering since the 2008 recession and Signatura is well placed to harness these ‘green shoots’,” says Rabie.

“We work closely with the council, bodies corporate, residents and ratepayers to ensure that renewal is as beneficial as possible and that the land is used in line with municipal regulations.”

Signatura’s first completed development is Horizons, a former single dwelling in St James Street, Vredehoek, that has been sensitively developed into four two-bedroom apartments and a penthouse, all with spectacular views of the city. Further projects in the pipeline include opportunities in Seapoint, Greenpoint, Tamboerskloof and two other properties in Vredehoek.

3

HOUT BAY

R7 995 000

SANDHURST

SUBLIME LIVING Bedrooms 5 Bathrooms 5 Garages 2 WEB 257055 Architecturally designed contemporary farm-style home set on the mountain ridge with over half an acre of landscaped gardens and river.

[O] +27 21 790 1032 STEPHAN CROSS +27 82 555 5808 houtbay@seeff.com

SOMERSET WEST

R20 000 000

ERINVALE GOLF ESTATE - BREATHTAKING HELDERBERG VIEWS A HOME WITH SUPERB HANDCRAFTED FINISHES AND DETAIL, SIT Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 5 Garages 3 WEB 272104 Stefan Antoni designed. Perfect for entertaining. Easy to maintain offering spacious open-plan living area with great flow to beautiful garden & sparkling pool.

[O] +27 21 851 4141 LORETTA DIAB +27 82 416 6982 swest@seeff.com

ROBERTSON

R2 550 000 PLUS VAT

Bedrooms 5 Bathrooms 5 Garages 5 Every care has been taken with the finishes in this property, and every convenience installed gourmet kitchen, wonderful entertainment areas, and much more. Landscaped garden has g [O] +27 11 784 1222 GEORGE PAPADOPULOS +27 84 454 1834 | CORINNA LOWRY +27 8

MONTAGU

R1 830 000

VIEWS FOR AFRICA…

A REAL COUNTRY HAVEN…

Bedrooms 3 Bathroom 1 WEB 274221 Spectacular lifestyle farm situated at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains. Consists of 789 hectares of veld & fynbos, old farm homestead and ample water etc.

[O] +27 23 626 6171 POLLA VAN WYK +27 82 711 3330 robertson@seeff.com

Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 4 WEB 262431 Tucked away in the sought-after part of Montagu, this private residence ensures tranquility & serenity for the selective connoisseur. [O] +27 23 614 3332 PATRUZCHKA MÜLLER +27 72 261 6974 montagu@seeff.com

R26 000 000

PLETTENBERG BAY

R2 200 000

HOME WITH SPECTACULAR VALLEY SCENERY! Bedrooms 7 Bathrooms 5 Garages 2 WEB 272691 With plenty of accommodation on offer, this home would be well suited for a large or even 2 families. Private living areas, a large pool, 2 staff rooms and spectacular valley views. [O] +27 44 533 0311 DANIEL VAN RENEN +27 82 883 6271 plett@seeff.com

ROBINDALE

TUATED IN AN AWESOME GARDEN WITH POOL AND COURT

WEB 273326 d. American shutters, touch-screen automation, Italian floor tiles, imported pool decking, gazebo, ponds and fountains, as well as Jacuzzi, pool and floodlit tennis court .

82 652 8891 sandton@seeff.com

KNYSNA

R1 450 000

R750 000

UPSTAIRS SECURE UNIT! Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 2 Parking 1 WEB 273175 Situated in a well-maintained complex, this 75m2 unit is in very good condition. Pool in the complex & good security. Buy it as an investment or as a lock-up & go for yourself.

[O] +27 11 476 3536 ANNE GRAF +27 83 285 8314 randburg@seeff.com

WATERKLOOF

R3 950 000

SURROUNDED BY NATURE

SLEEK AND STYLISH DESIGNER HOME

Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 WEB 247531 Tranquil and serene in the Phantom Pass forest. High beam ceilings cover the openplan living, dining and kitchen areas, fireplace, pool & two large decks.

[O] +27 44 382 5919 LIVIANA AUDIBERT +27 82 500 2259 knysna@seeff.com

Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 4 Garages 2 WEB 262384 Relaxed indoor and outdoor living with good flow to entertainment patio and garden.

All living areas open to the garden/pool. Separate guest suite. SQ, excellent security.

[O] +27 12 452 2500 CORLI VAN HEERDEN +27 72 601 2686 | WENDY HOFFMAN +27 83 266 3799 lynnwood@seeff.com

NEWS/TRENDS >>

ASK THE EXPERT >>

Advantages of buying from a developer

I

am interested in purchasing plots in a new development, but I am confused about building rules and time frames. Is there a standard time for developments to be completed? What are the advantages if I buy from the developer? I know that I will not have to pay estate agent fees, but will I have other additional expenses?

T

SA to boost tourism from the UK

by STAFF REPORTER A pilot project aimed at boosting tourist arrivals from the United Kingdom to South Africa has been launched by Tourism Marketing South Africa.

Tourism Marketing South Africa (TOMSA), the levy collecting arm of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA), has joined forces with South African Tourism on this pilot project.

It entails the appointment of an ‘in market’ sales conversion consultant, who will work side by side with SA Tourism’s UK office to strengthen the promotion and sales of South Africa as a tourist destination.

Former marketing and sales director at Mantis Collection, Sheree Simpson, has been appointed to fulfil this important mandate.

Mmatšatši Ramawela, chief executive officer of the TBCSA, says the project is as a result of constructive engagement with SA Tourism on the need to narrow the gap between raising awareness about South Africa as a destination and converting potential tourists into actual tourist arrivals.

“TOMSA and SA Tourism both agree on the importance

6

of looking after the country’s traditional source markets, while pursuing new growth opportunities in the emerging markets,” she says.

Ramawela says the United Kingdom is South Africa’s biggest overseas source market.

The pilot project has two key objectives. One is to complement current marketing efforts from a brand awareness perspective.

The other is to focus our attention on the tourism distribution channel, traditional and new, to ensure that we offer attractive South African packages for the UK market, considering the ongoing economic pressures affecting global travel, she explains.

The announcement of the UK pilot project follows the TOMSA Annual General Meeting held on 26 July, where new members of the board were elected.

They include: Lance Smith, executive director of sales at Avis Car Rental, Franco Jordaan, managing director of Court Classique Hotels, Nic Griffin, chief executive officer of The Thornybush Collection, Alistair Dooley, divisional director of financials at City Lodge Hotels, Dale Pretorius,

marketing manager for Value South Africa, Kobus Tait, chief executive officer of Forever Resorts, Nils Heckscher, managing director of the Winchester Mansions Hotel, Paddy Brearley, managing director of Legacy Hotels and Resorts, Mavuso Msimang, TBCSA board chairman, and Mmatšatši Ramawela, TBCSA chief executive officer.

“This project is another way in which TOMSA is creating value in the travel and tourism industry.”

Ramawela says TOMSA supporters and the broader membership of the TBCSA will see more collaboration with SA Tourism.

Based on the success of this pilot project, there are plans to expand it to other key source markets for South Africa.

In his presentation of SA Tourism’s five year strategic plan and 2013/14 annual performance plan during the TBCSA/TOMSA AGM, the chief executive officer of SA Tourism Thulani Nzima thanked the TOMSA and the broader industry for their continued support of SA Tourism’s work.

He committed to work with both TOMSA and the TBCSA to ensure that the UK pilot project succeeds.

- Property24.com

www.sapropertymonthly.co.uk

he current opportunity across South Africa and specifically along the KZN Dolphin Coast (north of Durban), where several large state-of-the-art gated estates have developed over the past 20 years, is to purchase vacant land, at discounted prices, in the most amazing settings imaginable.

With the recession having impacted many property owner’s ability to build within the typical five-year time frames permitted, the estates have generally either relaxed or completely scrapped this requirement. Some of the well-established estates such as Zimbali Coastal Resort have very few if any sites still available from the master developer and the bulk of the sites on the market are resales.

Our experience however is that the re-sales are in many instances selling at pricing below the first time sale offerings. For other newer estates such as Brettenwood Coastal Estate or Palm Lakes Estate most of the stock available is from the master developers.

All new product provided by developers include 14% VAT and no transfer duty is then payable. For property transactions of vacant land

at pricing below R1.5 million, the transfer duty is however small and not a material consideration.

Developers typically sell their land through estate agents. The transaction fees are paid by the seller and the pricing of land to the buyer does not vary depending on whether an estate agent facilitates the transaction or not. Most estates have once off contributions to a levy stabilisation fund, payable by the purchaser, which ranges from R5,000 to R13,000.

Golfing Estates such as Zimbali and Simbithi provide for membership to their Country Clubs, which have a joining fee attached and an annual subscription fee.

All estates have monthly Home Owners Association levies payable by all property owners. The lifestyle benefits that property owners within gated estates enjoy are exceptional and are the reason for their popularity.

Andreas Wassenaar Seeff Dolphin Coast – Principal Seeff KZN Chairman andreasw@seeff.com www.seeff.com

The KZN Dolphin Coast boasts vacant land at discounted prices.

SEPTEMBER 2012

<< LIFESTYLE

Reclaiming used building materials

by ANTONELLA DESI With the ever increasing cost of construction materials, the wise DIY builder should, whenever appropriate, try to purchase them secondhand. In fact, a surprising variety of materials can be obtained without ever entering a builders merchant or hardware shop.

These range from basic construction essentials like bricks, timber and roof tiles, to indoor materials such as flooring, doors, staircase timbers, fireplaces and decorative accessories.

Some reclaimed materials are much cheaper than their new counterparts; however, others will be a little pricier.

Aside from the knowledge that by using reclaimed materials you are recycling them and in the process doing your bit for the environment, probably the main attraction of using reclaimed items helps to preserve appearance and character when doing renovations on older homes.

The recycling process There is, of course, nothing new in the use of old materials; small tradesmen and builders have always looked out for sound old bricks, timber doors and window frames that can be used again. But in recent years, the process has intensified and more care is now taken to retrieve specialised items, largely because of their increasingly

SEPTEMBER 2012

high resale value.

The recycling chain starts with the demolition contractors. Whenever they put in a quotation for a job, they offer a discount for the “credit” value of the materials.

This means they have a vested interest in disposing of anything they can take out of the building in question. The demolition contractors have a well-developed network through which most of their salvage is disposed.

You should have no difficulty in obtaining weatherproof materials from demolition contractors: bricks, slates, roof tiles, rolled steel joists and heavy timbers are always likely to be readily available.

For more specialised items, you should visit an architectural salvage dealer.

These establishments take supplies of doors, timbers of all kinds, flooring, iron railings, and a whole host of objects, which begin to overlap with the stocks of antique dealers. These might include fireplaces, chimney pots, decorative ironware and antique tiles. Of course, the most valuable items end up with antique dealers.

Searching for salvage Always start your search on the phone – speak to the local demolition contractors and find out what they have. Even if they cannot help you, they will know of builders merchants who deal in salvaged materials, and other dealers

for more specialised items.

Here are a few popular items that can be readily found: • Roofing materials: Slate and old clay tiles are extremely expensive to buy new, and difficult to match up to older roofs, as such they are always in demand. Conversely, modern cement-based tiles are not often kept, as they are comparatively inexpensive to purchase new. When buying old slate tiles, be warned that slate tiles have been made in a bewildering variety of sizes and you must carefully check that a prospective purchase matches your existing tiles.

• Construction timber: Heavy timbers for roofing and joists are widely available – they often have the supreme advantage of being well seasoned, which means they will not crack, warp or contract after installation. At all costs, avoid timber that shows any signs of attack by damp, rot or wood-boring beetles or termites.

• Flooring wood: Floorboards and parquet floor tiles make excellent second-hand buys.

Reclaimed floorboards are particularly suitable in cases where you are repairing a floor. Do not worry too much about superficial damage because you can sand the floors and parquet tiles down and refinish them so they look good as new. But do check that they are not too thin to sand further.

• Other woods: You can reclaim a wide range of

www.sapropertymonthly.co.uk

wooden items for interior purposes – these include wooden banisters, stair rail support spindles, doors and doorframes, moulded wood fireplace surrounds, window frames, and much more.

These items vary immensely in price and condition, and if they have been cleaned up and repaired, their price will reflect this.

• Fireplaces: Fine, ornate fire surrounds in wood, marble and cast iron are popular

items, as are antique stoves.

Period inserts, such as grates and fire baskets, are also available but are usually not sold separately.

Stained glass: Many homes have attractive windows of stained glass, which are sadly dilapidated through breakage and bowing. Often, the problem is simply caused by the drying out of the thin sliver of putty that sits between the lips of the lead surround.

- Property24.com

7

thesouthafrican.com | 11 September – 17 September 2012 | Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/thesouthafrican

11

Business: Gateway to Africa Page proudly sponsored by

Trade & Investment

Chinese imports ‘cost SA manufacturers $9 billion’

China’s trade with Africa has been a defining feature in the continent’s modern development, but a new study has shown that for South African manufacturers, the costs may have outweighed the benefits

C

M

Y

CM

MY

by STAFF REPORTER IN a rare show of public support, Hakeem Belo-Osagie, the chairman of Etisalat Nigeria, expressed what many African businesspeople say more quietly about his Chinese suppliers: “They’ve done well for my margins,” he said at a conference in London last month. “They’ve crashed the price of telecoms equipment.”

The profusion of Chinese goods and capital in Africa has – with some reservation – been welcomed by governments and enterprises alike. However, the trade balance between the country and many of its African partners has caused some tensions, as Chinese goods flood local markets, with unprocessed resources heading in the opposite direction.

A new study from the School of International Development at the University of East Anglia claims that South Africa has been particularly hard hit by the influx of Chinese goods to the rest of the continent, where its manufacturers have been losing market share.

South Africa’s share of exports to its 10 largest trading partners on the continent has fallen – although the absolute amount has grown – in many cases because Chinese goods are taking their place, Professor Rhys Jenkins, the study’s author, told Gateway to Africa. Jenkins estimated that the total cost to the South African manufacturing industry has been around $900 million in the past decade.

“The regional market print Nedbankexport Golf Challenge is important as far as South African exports are concerned.

South Africa is exporting a lot of manufactured products to those markets, as opposed to semimanufactured products to Europe of the US,” Jenkins said.

As a prolonged downturn in Europe and North America continues to dampen demand for South African manufactured goods, the importance of accessing the high growth markets in its region is growing. However,

The manufacturing sector in SA has been struggling and has already shed over 100, 000 jobs this year. Photo by Volkswagen South Africa/MediaClubSouthAfrica.com

China’s increasing presence in key markets has shaved an average of around 10 percent off export growth to its 10 largest trading partners, Jenkins’ study showed.

The manufacturing sector in South Africa has been struggling as its traditional export markets struggle. The sector shed 67,000 jobs in the first quarter, followed by 44,000 in the second, adding to an unemployment problem that the country has been unable to shake off – one which is increasing tensions between labour ad(Page 1 9/7/12 12:38:51 movements and the government.

Trade between China and Africa hit new highs in 2011, despite uncertainty in the rest of the global economy. Two-way trade volume reached $166.3 billion, according to official figures – a 31 percent increase on 2010 – continuing a trend that has been extant for more than a decade. At the turn of the Millennium, China’s trade with Africa was $11 billion. Today, according to data compiled by the Heritage Foundation, as much

as 14 percent of China’s outward investment goes to Africa.

China’s interest in Africa has long been the subject of alarmist headlines and academic papers, but it is very real, and expanding. In July, African heads of government gathered in Beijing for the fifth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (Focac).

Hu Jintao, the Chinese president, opened the summit with a promise of $20 billion in fresh loans to African countries, offering finance for the development of infrastructure, agriculture and manufacturing enterprises. This was double the $10 billion in lending announced at the last Focac, in 2009, and was another statement of intent in Beijing’s relationship with the continent.

Separately, the China-Africa Development Fund, committed $2 billion to a portfolio of 60 projects in 30 countries in Africa – including a cement factory in Ethiopia and a power plant in Ghana – and a further $1 billon

CY

CMY

K

This is the day to change lives Make things happen; register to play today. www.sagolfday.com Nedbank Limited is incorporated with limited liability in South Africa (no.1951/000009/06) and its London branch is registered in England and Wales (no.BR001334), and whose registered address is 1st floor Old Mutual Place, London, EC4V 4GG. Nedbank London is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Services Authority (FSA Register number 204684).

for the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises.

However, there were murmurs of discontent that broke through the overwhelming positivity of the show put on by Beijing. Jacob Zuma, South Africa’s president, telling the summit that the current trade balance was unsustainable.

“There are some efforts that the [Department of Trade and Industry] is making in South Africa to try to get better access to China for manufactured goods into the Chinese markets,” Jenkins

said. “There are 10 products that the Chinese said that they will give consideration to. It is an issue which is very much on the agenda… There is a concern for getting better access, but of course that’s still, compared to the manufacturing prowess of China, the scale to which they could expand exports is quite limited.”

TheSouthAfrican.com/ Gateway-To-Africa

12

| 11 September – 17 September 2012 | thesouthafrican.com

Business: News

Follow us on Twitter: @TheSAnews

Rand rallies on euro zone optimism

BETWEEN 3 and 10 September the British Pound fetched between 13.08 and 13.37 South African Rands. The Rand also fetched between R8.17 and R8.42 to one United States Dollar.

The ZAR has strengthened on the back of positive news coming out of the euro zone amid renewed optimism after a terrible past couple of weeks for the embattled Rand.

The renewed optimism came about after the European Central Bank (ECB) was expected to announce positive news for investors with regards to European bonds which is good for the Euro, which in turn is good for emerging market currencies such as the Rand.

Come the end of the week the ECB announced and confirmed an “unlimited” Euro bond buying program that many analysts expected. The Rand shot to a twoweek high against the USD as investor’s risk-sentiment grew and dumped “safe haven” currencies. The Rand gained at least

10 cents to the USD from close of trade on Thursday to Friday.

“The Rand has been doing incredibly well for a couple of reasons. The Mario Draghi bond-buying announcement yesterday was in line with market expectations. He announced unlimited amounts of three-year bond buying for an unlimited period‚ which would ease up liquidity in the markets‚” said Mark Kalkwarf‚ senior portfolio manager at the Iquad Group on Fin24.com.

Investors will be keeping a keen eye on the decision to be released this week Wednesday by the courts of Germany with regards to the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) fund, which is followed up by a meeting by the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) on Thursday.

GBP / ZAR: 13.07 EUR / ZAR: 10.47 USD / ZAR: 8.20 Exchange rates as of 10am, 10 September 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: Ancestral visa

Q

: My wife qualifies for an ancestral visa, which I believe will entitle me to join her in the UK as a dependant. I do not qualify for a UK visa or permit in my own right. My wife is however not presently in employment, nor planning to take up any employment in the foreseeable future. She stays at home and looks after the kids. Would this affect her ability to obtain an ancestral visa? I will of course be in solid full time employment all the time.

A

: One of the rules of the Ancestral Visa is that you must be able to work and intend to work whilst in the UK on this status.

Furthermore, in order to be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain after five years on this visa, the applicant must be able

to provide evidence that they have indeed been working during the five years of their visa.

If your wife is not planning to work, and confirms this in her application, her visa application will be refused.

Please contact our offices for more information and advice in your specific case.

JP Breytenbach, Director of Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants Ltd info@bic-immigration.com or www.bicimmigration.com

THREE INSIGHTS INTO:

LinkedIn for business lead generation

by PAUL HARRISON HUBSPOT recently revealed that LinkedIn is 277% more successful for lead generation than other social networks such as Twitter and Facebook. If you are looking to sell or market products or services, LinkedIn is a key channel for your growth.

Paul Harrison sat down with LinkedIn expert Andy Whitehead of Digital2Recruit to gets their top three tips on the process.

Insight 1: Create a strategy As with any marketing strategy, start with the business objective and work backwards.

A few key elements 1) Research your sector and identify keywords. 2) Build a profile around these keywords so you get found. Like Google, LinkedIn has a search engine. 3) Be strategic; identify your prospect by industry, company, role and position. 4) Build your network strategically - you only get 3000 invites. Never use the default invitation message - the acceptance rate is greatly improved when personalised. 5) Engage.

Insight 2: Send messages without paying for InMail There is a way to message the majority of LinkedIn members without paying for InMail. Find your prospect, identify which groups they belong to and join the group.

Then click on “members” and search for the prospect. Hover the mouse over the prospect

and a “send message” option appears; send your message – and remember to use this tip with respect.

Insight 3: LinkedIn Signal A hidden gem allowing you to search thousands of status updates to identify potential prospects. Pinpoint conversations and status updates based upon keywords around your products or services etc. This function is located under ‘News’ on the top menu.

Andy Whitehead of Digital2Recruit

Andy answers Francine Higham’s questions on getting the most out of LinkedIn powerful. Use strategically.

Do not spam or you may get closed down.

Francine Higham is a London-based South African who is interested in LinkedIn as a business development tool and has some further questions on how to get the most out of it How can I find prospects who need my services now?

Go to “Answers”, which is located under the “More” menu. This features questions asked by members of the LinkedIn community.

Browse to find questions in your area of expertise. By answering you will build your credibility and earn expertise. Experts are featured on the Answers page.

You said LinkedIn has a search engine like Google. How do I get to the top of its search rankings?

Your ranking in the LinkedIn search results is based on a keyword density score (KDS). The higher the KDS the higher the rank. Step 1) Identify keywords. Step 2) Add keyword to a) Headline, b) Current Position, c) Past Position, d) Summary, e) Specialities. Step 3) Test and repeat. Warning: This is

Do companies really use LinkedIn to search for candidates? My friend is out of work due to having her first child. How can she demonstrate constructive use of this time on LinkedIn? Yes, the most recent statistic is that 87% of companies use LinkedIn to search for candidates. Use a strategy to add authority to your profile. Create a group for your niche, e.g. “London Chartered Accountants”. Build your group and position yourself as the expert. Add this to your current position. This demonstrates that you are keeping up to date with industry news.

For more information you can visit www. andywhiteheadexc.com or www.Digital2Recruit.com

Francine Higham

If you have any other questions or business topics that you would like covered, please email paul@MOBIvation.com

thesouthafrican.com | 11 September – 17 September 2012 | Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/thesouthafrican

13

Business: News

SA Chamber of Commerce hosts Helen Zille & Wesgro Zille’s topic of discussion at a talk in London on 1 October will be: The Changing Landscape of Investment in South Africa

by STAFF REPORTER THE South African Chamber of Commerce is honoured to be hosting Helen Zille, leader of the Democratic Alliance and premier of the Western Cape, together with delegates from Wesgro, the official destination marketing, investment and trade promotion agency for the Western Cape.

Zille’s topic of discussion will be: The Changing Landscape of Investment in South Africa.

Zille was elected to the office of premier by the Provincial Parliament on 6 May 2009.

Before Zille began her career in politics she worked as a political correspondent for the Rand Daily Mail, where she covered key political stories, such as the death in police custody of black consciousness activist Steve Biko.

In 1977 she was able to prove that Biko had been tortured to death and that the official version of the story, which claimed he had died of natural causes, was false.

From the 1980s onward she became involved in NGOs and activist organisations, including the Open Society Foundation, the Independent Media Diversity Trust, and the Black Sash. She also campaigned against vigilantism and repression in the Cape Town townships, and was part of the peace movement that worked to bring warring factions in Crossroads together.

She obtained a Bachelor of

Arts degree from the University of Witwatersrand and joined the former Democratic Party in the mid 1990s, where she was asked to reformulate the party’s education policy and stand as a candidate on its election list for the Western Cape legislature. She also acted as Technical Adviser to the party at CODESA in the early 1990s.

Zille was elected to the provincial parliament in the 1999 general election under the banner of the Democratic Alliance.

From 1999 to 2001 she served as Minister of Education in the Western Cape Province. During this two and a half year period she made 500 school visits in a campaign to encourage discipline among teachers and improve teaching conditions.

When the ANC gained power in 2001 she became Leader of the Opposition in the Western Cape legislature, where she remained until she was elected as a member of the National Parliament in 2004.

As a Democratic Alliance MP she served on the Portfolio Committee on Education and acted as the DA’s national spokesperson. Her constituency included Langa, Gugulethu and Khayelitsha.

In March 2006 she was elected Mayor of Cape Town, and resigned from parliament. Two years later, she was voted World Mayor in a poll of over 800 cities around the world conducted by global think tank World Mayors.

Sunday 23rd September 2012 Brockwell Park, SE24 9BJ. Start time: 10am

10K Route £23 5K Route £12 

Chip Timing  Picnic Bag  T-shirt  Kid’s 100 metre dash & activity area

In May 2007 she was elected as the Leader of the Democratic Alliance at the party’s Federal Congress in Johannesburg, and in May 2009 became Premier of the Western Cape Province following the April 2009 national and provincial government elections.

As always, the speaker address will be followed by delicious canapes and the finest South African wines.

Details: Date: Mon 1 October, 6.30pm Price for SA Chamber of Commerce members: free Price for non-members: £20 Venue: London – to be confirmed.

RSVP deadline: 26 Sept.

Book on www. southafricanchamber.co.uk

Breakfast Indaba to host immigration expert Philip Gamble

by STAFF REPORTER This month’s Breakfast Indaba, a UK-based South African business network, will host guest speaker Philip Gamble on Wednesday 12 September.

Gamble trained with the Home Office in Immigration and Nationality Law. He was the founder partner of Montgomery and Co. (Immigration) and later managing director of 1st Contact Visas until 2002.

He founded his present firm Philip Gamble and Co and is now recognised as an authority in British nationality law and the effects of decolonisation within the former British Empire and its relationship to British citizenship.

About the Breakfast Indaba: Run by the South African Chamber of Commerce, the monthly Breakfast Indaba gives every participant the opportunity to present to the group of 30+ South African-orientated business networkers, enjoy a great breakfast and generate business.

What’s great about working with other South Africans? They speak your language. They are friendly,

and other opportunities by the Chamber, and a special offer to attendees who want to join the South African Chamber of Commerce. All this for £10.

Details on booking: To secure a Breakfast Indaba membership please email info@ southafricanchamber.co.uk Date: 12 September 7am Venue: Carluccios, Putney

Phillip Gamble will speak at the Breakfast Indaba on 12 September.

clear, honest and direct in their business dealings and, like you, know what hard work means – and they have fun doing it. You and your business need people like that – people you can trust. The event is aimed at South African or businesses owned by South Africans, those who do business in South Africa or employ South Africans, and who simply like South Africa and South Africans.

The Breakfast Indaba will offer a one-minute business presentation by each business present, a presentation on educational

More about the speaker: Outside of the firm, Philip Gamble has represented the industry as a whole, with the Home Office After-Entry Committees and Advisory Committee of the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner.

He has assisted the Home Office in the formulation of its Policy Guidance in relation to the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (now Tier One of the Points Based Scheme) and has been actively involved in individual cases that have resulted in changes in the law.

Philip Gamble and Co has offices in Croydon and Cape Town.

Details: www. southafricanchamber.co.uk

Visit www.starfishcharity.org Email run@starfishcharity.org Call 020 7597 3797 Find us www.facebook.com/starfishgreatheartsuk

Charity number 1093862

14

| 11 September – 17 September 2012 | thesouthafrican.com

Business: Careers

Follow us on Twitter: @TheSAnews

THE GRAFT IS GREENER

We need compassionate & professional Carers & Nurses

Contact us today!

Live in & Live out Nursing & Care positions available providing one to one home care Must have: excellent communication skills, previous experience & a passion for providing the highest quality of care Please contact the HR team on 0207 351 7171 or email your CV to carolinemilwright@draycottnursing.co.uk or francescacook@draycottnursing.co.uk What we offer: Excellent pay rates & holiday pay Flexible working hours to suit your lifestyle London & UK placements Free induction training & specialist updates Professional working environment Support available 24/7 Skype interviews can be arranged for international applicants

www.draycottnursing.co.uk

WORLDWIDE TAX SOLUTIONS

Is your tax situation a mess?

Justin Hambloch | Counter-terrorism cop Born: Durban How long in UK: 20 years Job: Police officer Background: I came over to the UK after matric to further my studies. The typical “met a girl and settled down” scenario occurred! Although that didn’t last long I do have two beautiful daughters from the relationship, who I adore. They are grown up now and it’s great watching them venture out into their own lives. I am now peacefully living with a lovely lady and am very lucky for what I have.

Motto: There is no dress rehearsal for life, this is your one and only performance.

by PAUL HARRISON What do you do in your job?

I am a counter-terrorism cop.

What is the most exciting thing about your job?

The unknown. Never knowing what will happen each day or where your snooping will take you!

What is the most challenging thing about your job?

Politics, cutbacks, stress and bombs!

Tell us an interesting story related to your job.

The job has been varied and I have worked in different departments. From terrifying car chases, dangerous drug busts, challenging domestic assaults, chilling rooftop struggles and brutal murder enquiries - it has all been an experience. I have been lucky enough to work in some of the busiest and best cities which have provided plenty of stories and memories!

Future plans?

I would love to see myself going home and settling down there. I never intended to stay here in the UK, but circumstances took over!

I try to go home at least once a

year to see family and live the African lifestyle. I believe that Africa never leaves your blood, you are always drawn back home.

Being from Africa is the best thing that ever happened to me.

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

When I first joined the police it caused a few issues at times, because I wasn't British and people have an expectation of what a Bobby on the beat should be. But once I specialised and did more covert work it certainly helped as no one believed the scruffy South African “oke” could be a cop!

Allow WWTS to clean up for you!

ADVERTISE HERE

A World Wide Tax Solution Company is the answer to all your tax problems and needs.

To advertive with The South African, email advertise@thesouthafrican.com

OFFSHORE PAYMENT SOLUTIONS

WWTS CAN OFFER:  Administer and enforce laws of taxation within the UK and Internationally  Advice and consult on all matters of taxation  Accountancy Services and Formation of companies  20 years South African tax experience

Contact: Teresa Tel: 07789952025 Email: teresa@worldwidetax.co.uk Website: www.worldwidetax.co.uk

Contractors, Self Employed & Freelancers - Maximise Earnings

Payments Gross & Direct (criteria) Free BACS Payments to your A/C UK or Offshore Ltd Coy 3.95% Mgt Fee £1M Prof Ind & Public Liability Insurance Accepted by major Agencies/Employers Suitable for a range of Industries No Admin costs - 24 Hour set up Phone: 0870 609 3523 www.dpsconsultingservices.com

15

thesouthafrican.com | 11 September – 17 September 2012 |

Business: Classifieds

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/thesouthafrican

ACC & FINANCE

Use accountants that do more than ‘crunch’ the numbers... let us help grow your business Company formations and Secretarial Services Business planning & development • Management support • Team training & development • CFO/FD Services • pay only for time required by your business • Compliance Services • Accounting Services • Profit improvement programs • Taxation planning • Personal and Corporate • Contracting solutions

Call Exceed UK now for a no obligation discussion on +44 (0) 870 060 0996. www.exceeduk.co.uk

NO1 SOUTH AFRICAN SHOP Lots of lekker stuff for a taste of home.

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

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

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

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

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

Web: www.moneygram.com.

IMMIGRATION

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

Visit: TheSouthAfrican.com/move-to-australia In association with

INTERNATIONAL MONEY TRANSFERS

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

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

Guaranteed to beat any bank! > Excellent exchange rates > Faster transactions

The SouTh AfricAn is available at all snoggy’s stores

www.snoggys.com

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

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

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

> Low transfer fees

SERVICES

> Every 5th Transfer Free

COOK MOVERS & STORAGE Friendly, reliable and professional Removals & Storage. Student discounts. Fully insured.

24/7 service UK wide. Proudly established by South Africans. Contact us on 077 2061 8766 or cookmovestore@gmail.com. Find us online at www.cookmovestore.co.uk.

> No minimum or maximum transfer amounts > Convenient, secure online system > Unrivalled customer service

ENGLISH COURSES General, Conversation, IELTS. Intensive and part-time, weekdays or weekends. Small groups, low prices!

To start make a placement test appointment (free). 020 88 327 444; 07590 309 608; www. linkschool.co.uk; Popes Lane, Ealing, W5 4NG

Debit cards accepted on line – the rate you see is the rate you get!

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

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

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

Gold Medal Winners for Beef Biltong and Boerewors 1998.

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

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

CAR SERVICES PARK ROYAL M.O.T. CENTRE At Park Royal M.O.T. centre we M.O.T test cars/vans /trucks /limos /etc. Your local friendly garage. 0208 453 0066/07804 02 06 37 or www.parkroyalmot.co.uk

44040

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

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

Phone: 01273 516160 Fax: 01273 51665 Web:www.biltong.co.uk Email:sales@biltong.co.uk

> No hidden costs

0808 141 2339 Money@1stcontact.com www.1stcontactforex.com/SA

1st transfer FREE...simply quote ‘The South African’

44040_FX_Blue_Sky_ad 1

29/03/2012 14:10

547 598 05 610 69 09 17 619 517 24 98 99 11 42 764 762

16

| 11 September – 17 September 2012 | thesouthafrican.com

Travel

Follow us on Twitter: @TheSAnews

Brew won’t believe it: Faversham, Kent Hop along to Faversham for an unusual English brewery experience

by JONATHAN WALDHEIM WITH Denbies of Dorking taking the plaudits for its very continental wine tourism in the UK, the quaint little town of Faversham in Kent can claim to offer one of the most British of tourist attractions: a centuries-old brewery.

The town is home to the Sheperd Neame brewery and also has several pubs owned by the brewery where a quintessentially British dining experience can be washed down by a pint or two of local nectar.

Founded in 1698, Sheperd Neame is one of the oldest breweries in the UK and has been recognised internationally as providing top quality beers.

The brewery not only provides a steady supply of these top class ales and lagers such as Spitfire and Asahi to pubs in the South-East but also invites anyone to come and visit the brewery and sample the life of the Master Brewer.

The African Travel Specialists all about travel

South African Airways Emirates Airline Qatar Airways Virgin Atlantic British Airways Kenya Airways Lufthansa

Destination Johannesburg Cape Town Durban Port Elizabeth East London Nairobi Harare Abuja

Price £547 £598 £605 £610 £769 £509 £617 £619

Destination Accra Cairo Lagos Bulawayo Dar es Salaam Entebbe Port Harcourt Windhoek

Price £517 £324 £498 £799 £511 £442 £764 £762

As Africa Specialists, we can bridge both the worlds. Our specialists will help plan your African adventure and put everything in place for you. Rest assured you will be offered Africa at its best.

For help & advice or to make a booking: 01732 252 300 | info@worldbound.co.uk | www.worldbound.co.uk

Click on the ‘Activities’ tab on our website to explore the hundreds of options available.

The air holidays advertised are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 10589. Protection extends primarily to guests who book and pay in the United Kingdom. Worldbound Travel Limited is registered in England & Wales with company number 8042495 with its registered office at 36 London Road, Riverhead, Sevenoaks TN13 2DE, Kent. The advertised fares are of real time availability at the time of the issue of this publication. The above fares are subjected to availability and changes without prior notice. All the above fares are including taxes

The Tour Much like any other brewery tour, the method of making beer is the focal point of the action.

The combination of the four ingredients of hops, barley, water and yeast are touched upon in a very interactive manner, with your knowledgeable guide letting you taste the different types of barley and sampling (at your own risk!) the hops.

Learn the process that both ales and lagers go through before they end up in your pint glass and watch the brewers hard at work.

The tour lasts roughly an hour and is finished off with the sampling of a couple of the seasonal beers in the bar. Your guide will explain the difference between wine and beer tasting, with the most important detail being that you don’t spit it out!

Faversham and The Sun After the tour, Faversham’s small streets are lined with pubs and shops for browsing and a 90-minute guided tour of the town is available should you want to learn more about the history of Faversham.

If a relaxing afternoon is what you’re after, the brewery-owned Sun Inn is a lovely Kentish public house. The inn contains a pub, restaurant and lodgings.

Chris Gregson pours hops into a pan to make beer at Sheperd Neame Brewery.

If you want to stay in Kent and drive around the aptly named ‘Garden of England’ then The Sun is a great base. Otherwise, just pop in for a pint and a fabulous meal of traditional English grub.

• Faversham is 70 minutes from London Victoria or London Kings Cross.

• Brewery Tour : £11.50. Details at www.shepherdneame.co.uk • Town walking tour: £3.50.

Details at www.faversham.org

TheSouthAfrican.com/ Travel

WWW.GOCLASSIC.CO.UK | TAXES INCLUDED & PRICES GUARANTEED

Cape Town £ 703 Johannesburg £ 525 Nairobi £ 560

Lusaka £ 710 Harare £ 701

412 449 439 619 619 619 869 269 619 675 519

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL ONLY JOHANNESBURG £795.00 return Baggage Allowance: 55kg

495 549 639 449 699 630 511 569 565 619 619

470 675 649 645 679 386 679 575 549 679 79

17

thesouthafrican.com | 11 September – 17 September 2012 |

Zimbabwe Community

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/thesouthafrican

Zimbabwe asks SA for $100m bail-out

Zimbabwe’s Finance Minister Tendai Biti has secured an appointment with his South African counterpart Pravin Gordhan to ask for budgetary support

Tendai Biti says that Zimbabwe is in danger of missing a revenue target of $3.4 billion this year. File photo by International Monetary Fund/Cliff Owen.

still falling short with $257.4m collected in July against a $271.2m target and $269.2m last month against a target of $280.7m.

The Finance Minister also said Harare was negotiating with Beijing for a $350 million loan to expand

its Kariba South power station to provide an additional 300 MW of power to the current 1,000 MW – half of present demand.

TheSouthAfrican.com/ Zimbabwe

1st Contact Visas

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

Contact us to discuss your eligibility and all your options!

St Marcus have been awarded a gold medal for Our Beef biltong.

St Marcus Holds the most awards and diplomas for our Boerewors, biltong &Burgers in the UK

Have all the visas changes left you confused? 1st Contact Visas have the skills, knowledge and experience to take all the hassle away. We have helped thousands of people move around the world, be it to immigrate, travel or work.

In the South African taste awards out of 5 categories St. Marcus came away with 3!!

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

Why? ... Because he is!

We offer a full suite of visa and immigration services: > Indefinite Leave to Remain > Tier 1 Extensions > Tier 2/Work Permits > Ancestry Visa and Extensions > Student/Tier 4 Visa Extensions

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

> Spousal/Partner/Fiancé Visas

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

> EU Registration and Residency > Naturalisation and Registrations > British Citizenship Status Traces

0808 141 1620

www.1stcontactvisas.com/sa tier1sa@1stcontact.com

44052

by STAFF REPORTER ZIMBABWE is seeking a bail-out from South Africa and Angola to help plug a $400-million hole in its budget, Finance Minister Tendai Biti said on Thursday, lamenting a lack of foreign investment and aid from its Western donors.

“I am appealing to our colleagues in the Southern African Development Community countries,” Biti said in an address on the state of the economy.

He said he had secured an appointment with South African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan to ask for budgetary support to the tune of $100 million.

He added that he would ask South Africa, the continent’s largest economy, to release a R500 million grant pledged in 2009, and to revive a R1.75 billion credit facility agreed decades ago by the Rhodesian and apartheid governments.

“We are also in discussions with the Angolans for a $50m credit facility,” he said.

The country’s economy is recovering under a coalition government formed in 2009 by President Robert Mugabe and his rival Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, but is still suffering the hangover of a decade-long recession widely blamed on Mugabe policies such as the seizure of white-owned farms.

Biti said although the economy had been stable since the hyperinflation-crippled Zim dollar was dropped in favour of foreign currencies, money was short in both the government and the private sector.

The Zim government needs nearly $400 million before the end of the year to pay annual bonuses for workers, and to finance the 2012/2013 farming season and an expected referendum on a new constitution.

Zimbabwe has struggled to attract funding from the likes of the IMF and World Bank due to external debt that Biti put at $9.1 billion.

Mugabe’s drive to force foreign firms to hand over majority shares to local interests has also kept private investors away.

According to Biti, Zimbabwe was in danger of missing a revenue target of $3.4 billion this year, but the revised growth forecast would be met due to better-than-expected tobacco sales.

Biti slashed Zimbabwe’s 2012 GDP growth forecast last month from 9.4 percent to 5.6 percent due to a poor harvest and lack of donor funding.

He blamed low economic performance on lack of money to fund productive projects, low foreign investment, high unemployment, a high debt overhang and uncertainty and delays over the constitution-making process.

Biti said revenue collections were

44052_Visas_South_African.indd 1

1st Contact Visas are regulated and authorised to provide immigration advice/services by the Immigration Services Commissioner number F200100004.

29/03/2012 14:14

18

| 11 September – 17 September 2012 | thesouthafrican.com

Sport

Follow us on Twitter: @TheSAnews

This page proudly sponsored by

MIND THE RUCK ROB FLUDE

Fetch me my beers

JEAN de Villiers and Heyneke Meyer see it, but we don't.

Apparently, on Saturday, we improved and our gameplan is on the right track. Would it be rude for me to ask to where exactly we are on track? And we improved on what exactly - that limp performance against the Pumas?

Isn't that a bit like saying South Africa’s 2012 Olympic team improved on their Beijing 2008 solitary medal effort? I'm not one for being unpatriotic, but I'm actually getting fed up.

I am not worried that it was Australia's fifth win in a row over us; they deserved it. We can have no qualms about the referee either. I am not worried that we

lost to a Wallaby side that got mauled by the All Blacks twice in a row recently. I'm also not worried that it was Meyer's first loss of his tenure. What I am worried about is the nature of this loss, as it is something that has been on the cards since June.

The Boks’ stuttering form this season could be seen as part and parcel of a change in management. New coaches come in and, in a relatively short time, want new strategies and tactics to be learnt and employed.

That is all well and good. What I am mostly concerned about is that these are tactics have been synonymous with Bulls and Springbok rugby for as long as Tarzan has hit his chest vociferously at the mere hint that he was in female company.

Why then are the Boks "progressing" so slowly? If these tactics are well-known and differ very little from the drivel dished up by the Boks of the past few years, how are they failing to materialise into solid on-field performances? Oh, that's right.

It’s because every other nation has moved on since 2007, and adapted their game accordingly.

Yes, tackling and kicking vastly improved on Saturday, but I stress

yet again, a minor improvement on a total blowout means little.

We all expected Meyer to tweak his Bulls-style rugby for the rigours of Test matches. For the England series, we accepted a few ugly wins as we knew he had little time to mould a team. But I would bet handsome money that fans would now rather see us play Goosen at flyhalf and Lambie at fullback, and see the ball given a bit more air through the hands than through this boring, age-old kick-and-chase rubbish, or the bash-and-crash through your opposite man malarkey.

This weekend against the All Blacks is going to be about damage control. Our inexperienced forwards don't have the nous to turn over or slow down their ball or keep it away from their dangerous backs. Our fetchers are kids who fetch beers, if Jake White is to be believed.

Ironically, a bloke from Aussie Rules named Paul Roos (they pronounce it “Rooze”) assisted the Wallabies last week with catching the kicks they expected from the Boks. The historians among us will know that Paul Roos was the first Springbok captain, back in 1906. Quite appropriate if one thinks about it.

Unlike our columnist, Jean de Villiers believes the Boks’ gameplan is on track.

The feel good factor continues with the BIGGEST club rugby match in England

Hashim Amla on Cloud 900

As if we haven’t heard his name enough this summer, the Proteas’ recordbreaking batsman Hashim Amla has notched up yet another accolade

by ROB FLUDE Hashim Amla has cemented his position at the top of the latest Reliance ICC ODI Batting Rankings, and in doing so, joined an exclusive club of batsmen who have attained 900 ratings points, which is regarded as the benchmark for greats of the game.

Following his 97 in the final Natwest ODI against England at Trent Bridge, he moved to 901 points, becoming only the 10th member of the 900-club. He thus adds his name to an elite group, namely Sir Vivian Richards (who holds the record with 935 points), Zaheer Abbas, Greg Chappell, David Gower, Dean Jones, Javed Miandad, Brian Lara, Desmond Haynes and Gary Kirsten (Amla’s current coach).

With a career ODI average of 59.55, he is a mammoth 43 rankings points ahead of Indian rival Virat Kholi, who is on 858 points. Amla is also second on the Test batting rankings, which arguably makes him the best current batsman on the circuit.

vs

WEMBLEY STADIUM 14h45 - SAT 15 SEPT HONESTY

DISCIPLINE

WORK ETHIC

HUMILITY

S H O RT COURSES 2 012 –13

CENT RAL SAI NT M ART I N S COLLEG E OF ARTS & DE SI G N

E V E N I N G, DAY TI ME, SAT U R DAY, WEEKEND A N D ON LI NE C O UR SES C H R I STMAS, EASTER A N D SUMMER SC HO O LS

OV E R 1 0 0 0 C R EATI V E C O U R S E S F O R B E G I N N E R S T H RO U G H T O P RO F E S S I O N A L S : ANIMATION ARCHITECTURE BUSINESS SKILLS CERAMICS CREATIVE PROCESS DANCE DIGITAL DESIGN

DRAWING FASHION FILM AND VIDEO FINE ART GRAPHIC DESIGN ILLUSTRATION INTERIOR DESIGN

JEWELLERY JOURNALISM PAINTING PERFORMANCE PHOTOGRAPHY PORTFOLIO PREPARATION PRINTMAKING

PRODUCT DESIGN SCULPTURE TEXTILES THEATRE DESIGN WRITING

P LU S T H E S E C O U R S E S : 13 – 15 YEAR OLDS / 16 - 18 YEAR OLDS / FULL-TIME PORTFOLIO PREPARATION / DUAL CITY SUMMER: MILAN, BARCELONA, PARIS, NEW YORK / ONLINE SHORT COURSES / SEMESTER STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMME / PROFESSIONAL TRAINING SHORT COURSE WEB LISTINGS AND SECURE ONLINE BOOKINGS

WWW. CS M . A RT S. AC . U K / SH ORTC OU R SE TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES: +44 (0) 20 7514 7015

CSM-Artscom-The Australian Times and The South African-Sep2012.indd 1

07/09/2012 16:45

SPORT

11 September – 17 September 2012

MIND THE RUCK: FETCH ME MY BEERS

P18

HASHIM AMLA ON CLOUD 900

NEWS FOR GLOBAL SOUTH AFRICANS

P19

www.thesouthafrican.com

Oscar Pistorius will take home R1 million, while Natalie du Toit will recieve a cool R1.4 million for her exceptional performance at the Paralympics. Photos by London2012 and Wessel Oosthuzien/ SASPA.

OUR MILLIONAIRE PARALYMPIC STARS

Sports minister decides South Africa’s Paralympic medallists deserve equal financial rewards as our Olympians

J

by ROB FLUDE UST as the dust settled on London's 2012 Paralympics and drew the curtain on what has been a remarkable, inspiring and sensational six weeks of sport, South Africa's sports minister Fikile Mbalula pulled a rabbit from the hat and declared that South Africa's Paralympians should receive equal financial rewards to their Olympian counterparts.

While this seems completely fair and just, it would have come as a great surprise to the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc), who would have only budgeted for the Paralympians a quarter of the R400,000 price tag that was placed on an Olympic gold before the Games.

What this has meant is that swimmer Natalie du Toit, who originally expected she was going to be R375,000 richer, will now take home a tidy R1.4 million for her three golds and a silver during the past two weeks.

Similarly, sprinter Oscar Pistorius, who claimed two golds and one silver, will grow his bank balance by R1 million, and swimmer Charl Bouwer gets a nice little earner of R800,000.

According to the incentive scheme set out by Sascoc in July, gold medallists in the Olympics were to receive R400,000 per medal, with silver (R200,000) and bronze (R80,000) medals also securing hefty sums. Paralympic medallists were promised R100,000 for gold, R75,000 for

silver and R40,000 for bronze.

Now, SASCOC will have to find an extra R4 million, presumably from Lotto funds.

Laughably - and sadly, predictably - the Lotto has said it is not fait accompli that they will dip into its funds to help out.

While we should all welcome this news, it does raise the ugly question of why Sascoc openly declared this disparity in earnings and why they tried to explain it by saying there were more athletes and events in the Paralympics than the Olympics. They effectively admitted that they viewed a Paralympic gold as lower value than an Olympic gold.

This thought process is even further damned by the stark differences between the two teams’

performances in previous Games, with South Africa’s Paralympians outshining its Olympians in all Games since readmission in 1992.

Since then, our Olympians have claimed 25 medals (seven gold, 11 silver, seven bronze), while the Paralympians have scooped 168 medals (71 gold, 49 silver, 48 bronze). Looking at other countries - such as the heavyweights of the Games, namely China, Russia, Great Britain and USA - their Paralympians usually take twice the number of medals as their Olympians. The gap between ours is close to seven times more, a vast difference. Is it because there are more events? Or do we have a bigger talent pool due to our high number of road accidents and poor health standards? Either way, the

gap in performance is startling.

It is hoped that Mbalula's generosity - albeit offering up other people's money, a great government trick - will trigger Sascoc into action, so as to ensure a level playing field in future editions of the Games. Yet another bit of evidence that the Sports Ministry and the bodies that run the various sports in South Africa, are clearly not singing from the same hymn sheet.

What do you think? Should the Paralympians get the same amount? And why do you think they have consistently performed better than our Olympians?

TheSouthAfrican.com/ Sport

Your essential contacts list All the services you need for living and working in London from the Financial, Migration and Tax Experts > Kickstart & UK Bank Accounts > Money Transfers > Tax Refunds > Accounting & Limited Companies > Visas, Migration & Immigration > Travel Clinic > Umbrella Payroll

0808 141 2305 0808 141 1688 0808 141 2325 0808 141 2271 0808 141 2252 0808 141 2322 0808 141 1698

41346

www.1stcontact.com/group 41346_Grp_SAfrican_BkBanner_2012.indd 1

29/03/2012 14:00