The South African, Issue 498, 22 January 2013 by The South African

SEND MONEY

TO SOUTH AFRICA from

£4.90

transfer fee

www.thesouthafrican.com

22 January – 28 January 2013

Issue 498

*Western Union also makes money from currency exchange.

42119

ACCOUNTING - £200 IF YOU REFER A FRIEND! 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

www.1stcontact.com/mast1

POTENTIAL CURE’ FOR AIDS IS IN SIGHT

Australian scientists say they have made a breakthrough that could lead to a potential cure for AIDS, by modifying HIV protein to protect against the by PAUL BLEAKLEY A FORM of gene therapy developed by researchers at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research may provide hope to sufferers of HIV, preventing the virus from crippling the immune system by manipulating its genetic structure and turning HIV into a weapon against itself. Dr David Harrich has utilised a technique that alters the proteins that enable the HI virus to replicate throughout the body. By modifying the proteins that make up HIV into a mutated form, referred to as Nullbasic, Harrich’s research team have determined that it is possible to block the process of reverse transcription that allows HIV to damage the immune system. This would ultimately render the virus inert, preventing the condition of those infected with HIV from deteriorating further. Harrich began studying the HI virus in 1989 while completing his doctorate in experimental pathology at the University of California – Los Angeles. This project explored the issue of genetic expression and the replication of the HIV virus, a research concept he would continue to pursue after moving to Australia in 1997. The initial breakthrough in Harrich’s research occurred in 2007, with the discovery that Nullbasic had the ability to inhibit

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

the spread of HIV. Harrich told The South African, “With money running out, I had my PhD student try one more experiment in late 2007, to test if Nullbasic could render HIV noninfectious. It worked, so I told him to do it again and again and again. It works every time.” “So the project was back on and we received funding from the Australian Centre for HIV and Hepatitis Research and that study showed very clearly that it could protect human cells from HIV infection. Subsequently we have protected primary human CD lymphocytes from blood from HIV infection using a gene therapy approach with outstanding results.” As a researcher with the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Harrich works with a variety of infectious diseases including human respiratory virus and the Hendra strain of equine influenza. The results of his research regarding HIV may have a significant impact on virology and provide critical insights into preventing the rampant spread of communicable diseases. Harrich’s gene therapy process involves adding a specifically designed HIV therapy agent to a culture of stem cells that causes these cells to become HIV resistant. These mutated cells would then be returned to the Continued on page 2

INSIDE: SA Power 100: Debbie Thomas | p10 Deloitte partner Debbie Thomas is Head of Africa Services Group and UK Head of Metals & Mining. She also its on the board of the International Markets group, focused on emerging markets.

Going up in smoke: Kick the habit in January| p6 New Year Resolution to give up smoking in 2013? Gum, patches or cold turkey didn’t work? We try hypnotherapy in London…

Another look at Amsterdam | p14 SNOW EXCUSE: Cliff Marais, a reader of The South African who lives in Taunton, Somerset, didn’t let the snow put him off his favourite weekend activity - having a braai! See more of our readers’ winter wonderland photos on www.thesouthafrican.com/photos

Amsterdam is a city that has so much more to offer than coffee shops, bongs, booze, and the infamous red light district.

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

| 22 – 28 January 2013 | thesouthafrican.com

News

Continued from cover

WE WILL TAKE YOU HOME/ONS DOEN DIE GROOT TREK HUIS TOE... Editor: Heather Walker Production: Bianca Bird 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:

NB INFO:

Rand Rate brought to you by Moneygram

Exchange rate £1 = R14.11

Tube Closures District line: Sat, no service btwn Earl’s Court, Ealing Broadway and Richmond. Replacement buses. Metropolitan line: No service between Rayners Lane and Uxbridge. Replacement buses. Northern line: No service btwn Edgware, East Finchley & Kennington via Bank & between Edgware, East Finchley and Charing Cross. Replacement buses. Overground: No service btwn Wandsworth Rd & Clapham Jnctn until 1600 Sun. Valid tickets accepted on services between Battersea Park & Clapham Junction. No service btwn Gospel Oak and Barking until 1000 Sun. Piccadilly line: Sat, no service between Acton Town and Uxbridge. Sun, no service btwn Rayners Lane and Uxbridge. Rail replacement buses operate on both days.

• 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

Scientists close in on Aids cure body with the ability to thwart the HI virus’s attempts to alter the patient’s RNA structure through reverse transcription. Harrich believes that preventing the exponential replication of the HIV virus would ultimately prevent an infected individual from experiencing any of the symptoms associated with the disease. He said, “(That) requires some hand waving at this point; but my belief is that protecting immune cells from succumbing to the deleterious effects of infection will result in a much better, functional immune system to combat opportunistic infections. That is the goal and what we need to test.” Harrich claims that stem cell research has made a considerable impact on the study of virology

and that if this type of research was unavailable it would severely limit the ability of scientists to effectively combat diseases like Aids. He said, “The stem cell revolution has had a huge impact on this project. I’m not sure we would have continued if it was not possible to restore an entire immune system with stem cells. I am very excited about this possibility.” Harrich’s team will begin testing the effects of Nullbasic on HIVpositive mice in 2013 in order to determine the impact of the mutated protein on subjects at varying stages of infection. If the results of this research are positive it is possible that a clinical trial may be conducted within the next 10 years.

Nightmare continues for detained doctor and family

Court date still delayed for Prof Cyril Karabus as key medical documents remain missing

www.southafricanremovals.com

“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

by HAMZA ALI IT could take up to a year for an elderly South African doctor, detained in Abu Dhabi on manslaughter charges, to clear his name. Professor Cyril Karabus was arrested last August during a layover in the UAE after attending his son’s wedding in Toronto. The world-renowned paediatric oncologist was informed that he had been tried in absentia for causing the death of a patient he treated while working as a locum in the country nearly 10 years ago. He made bail of Dh100,000 (£17,000) last October after four postponements and is currently residing in a hotel as he is remanded to remain in the UAE whilst the case is ongoing. The trial date has been postponed while crucial medical records are being located. The South African government has joined the chorus calling for the 77-year-old’s release and has issued the Ambassador of the UAE with a démarche, a strong diplomatic protest, over the matter. The démarche comes as the World Medical Association (WMA) issued its own message of solidarity for Professor Karabus. WMA also issued a warning to

health professionals working in the UAE, of which over 90% are expats. One of the doctor’s daughters, Jude Karabus, who lives in England, said “This is a nightmarish situation – it’s hard not to feel hopeless. The family is still completely in the dark over whether or not the Abu Dhabi’s attorney general plans to proceed with the case. My dad’s last appearance was on 2 January, following his 25 December appearance. Our attorney said the judge had indicated that the most recent postponement would be the last and that the attorney-general was supposed to make a decision from there. He is not healthy, he is 77, and is under a huge amount of stress. We just want him home.” There have been calls for the Capetonian’s release on humanitarian grounds. “We are not saying the judicial process should not continue, but if needs be, he should go back to deal with the court case when they are ready,” International Relations Deputy Minister Marius Fransman told The Sunday Times. Gulf News reported in November that the court agreed the rise in the red cell count rate in Karabus’ young patient when she suffered a brain haemorrhage, confirms that she had received a blood transfusion, which corroborates the doctor’s testimony. He pointed out that the victim did not have an autopsy or postmortem examination. The medical records would provide vital proof to support the South African’s claims. It could however take up to a year to fully investigate the medical records, on top of the six months Karabus has already spent in the UAE.

Send online today at

moneygram.co.uk

Share the Passion

Send money for a chance to win Brussels Airlines flights to Africa

Freephone: 0800 026 0535 moneygram.eurosport.com

CS6496

facebook.com/moneygram *For full Terms and Conditions please visit moneygrameurosport.com. Sends to Nigeria not available online. **No purchase necessary, terms and conditions apply, please visit www. facebook.com/moneygram for further details on how to enter. 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 International Limited is an authorized payment institution regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial service Authority. MoneyGram and the Globe are trademarks of MoneyGram. All other marks are property of their respective owners. ÂŠ 2012 MoneyGram. All right reserved.

CS6496_ACN_press_ad_350x265_P_en_v2_aw.indd 1

Send at:

And anywhere you see the MoneyGram sign

09/01/2013 10:57

Community

| 22 – 28 January 2013 | thesouthafrican.com Follow us on Twitter: @TheSAnews

Have you been spotted?

Peter Clarke exhibition opening

by HEATHER WALKER Wind Blowing on the Cape Flats, a major retrospective and first substantial exhibition in the UK of the internationally acclaimed South African artist Peter Clarke opened at Rivington Place last week. Presented by Iniva (Institute of International Visual Arts) in partnership with the South African National Gallery, the show honours Clarke’s life, work and contribution to art over 60 years.

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 page please email your address to editor@thesouthafrican.com and your voucher will be posted to you.

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

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

T E G E H T D N I BEH S A E T O R P

N E BEST I H T N O E CA TAK SUMMER I R F A H OUT THIS WHEN S RLD CRICKET WO

SOUTH AFRICA v INDIA THu 6 June 2013, CArDiFF SOUTH AFRICA v PAKISTAN Mon 10 June 2013, eDGBASTon

SOUTH AFRICA v WEST INDIES Fri 14 June 2013, CArDiFF

Community

Going up in smoke: How to kick the habit

The OPTIMIST KAREN DE VILLIERS

Mutiny on the bird

THIS week’s column is about our trip back from South Africa. All the material was there, drama, delays, shuttles to airport hotels, even two aborted take-offs in the middle of the night. Nothing like six hours on a plane, on the tarmac, to test the human spirit. Admittedly it was hot inside the steel bird. Tempers would flush. Think the decision to serve the dinner, on the tarmac, before evacuation was a tad silly; who has an appetite at three in the morning when you can see your holiday, business meetings and connecting flights thrown out the window? Babies cried, adults cried and the crew did their best under the worst circumstances. Fast forward to the next day. An early text message to say we were re-booked that night. The hotel was wonderful and a huge lunch added to the holiday pounds. Take two. We had hardly begun boarding when I sensed the rumbling of the rebels begin … words like ‘inconvenienced’ and ‘bloody awful airline’ were whispered in the galleys. Hushed voices agreed on passenger rights and compensation. Love that word, compensation. Once again the crew tried to ignore the hostility and carry on with their jobs. Then the petitions started. There was to be mutiny on the bird. A young man in the row in front of me was going to be the leader. He must have had a serious amount of sleep deprivation (had a baby on board) and planned the coup in the hours of hazy fatigue. Handing me the examination pad with some scrawled message on it, he asked me to sign. ‘What exactly are we complaining about?’ I asked politely. You know when your

| 22 – 28 January 2013 | thesouthafrican.com

New Year Resolution to give up smoking in 2013? We try hypnotherapy in London…

university lecturer or boss would kind of pull back, re-examine your form through squinted eyes and you believed they could visually crack marble – he looked at me like that. That umm, are you frecking kidding me look. Wrong move. I tried to remain calm and asked again. ‘Please just enlighten me as to exactly why you are protesting?’ He shifted around like a trapped giraffe under the bulkhead and looked around for support from fellow passengers. I continued. ‘I realise the flight was cancelled. The delay was long. The airline rallied sleeping staff to meet us, allocate rooms, feed us and give assistance wherever they could. I noticed one young woman who checked us in was the same person who met us at four in the morning and checked us in again this evening. We are flying now. The captain decided it was unsafe to fly – he made a decision that most likely saved our lives. DID YOU WANT HIM TO FLY?’ An inconvenience would be finding the mutineer’s body parts scattered around. Maybe he can squeeze a free ticket out of all this. Maybe I can get compensation for all the screaming babies on the flight. Sigh.

by Rob Crossan I’M ABOUT to be hypnotised – and there’s not a dangling watch or a Svengali in sight to help me quit my need for cigarettes. I’ve tried gum. I’ve tried patches. I’ve tried willpower alone all to either short term effect at best or zero effect at all at worst. Now, at the ripe old age of 33, I’ve decided to finally take my long lasting failed resolution to give up smoking seriously. “Nobody actually ‘goes under’ says Tim, my hypnotherapist, as we sit inside his cosy office overlooking Trafalgar Square. “There’s a lot of absolute nonsense distributed about hypnotism. But it’s an incredibly calming experience for almost everyone and you wake up afterwards feeling like you’ve had a three hour sleep, even though I’ve only been talking to you for half an hour. But before all this Tim and I talk about the reasons why, despite bad breath, dodgy lungs, yellow fingers and stained teeth, I still think that I need cigarettes in order to be myself in social situations or get through dull or irritating moments when I’m alone. “To change our beliefs we need to challenge them,” says Tim. “We’ve got to seek out evidence to

prove or disprove what we believe.” And so, slowly and patiently, my reasons for smoking are taken apart – though not in the form of scare tactics. Tim draws diagrams and explains how my ‘conscious trigger’, meaning the day, place, time and situation I’m in, prompts a series of ‘unconscious beliefs’ I’m barely aware of but which make me associate cigarettes with good times, nostalgia and positivity. “When the hypnotherapy begins you can consider it a kind o mental ‘de-frag’ of your system”, says Tim as I recline in an easy chair with a blanket over me and the lights dimmed. “It’s a case of just tweaking your subconscious so that you no longer associate cigarettes with something enjoyable or even something that you would even understand the need to do.” And so Tim begins talking through headphones to me. Amazingly quickly I begin to drift as in a daydream. His words recede into the background as I feel sensations of floating, drifting, stretching and flexing. It’s all intensely pleasurable – like being given some kind of neuromassage. I feel light on my feet and strangely content and happy when I awake. Walking out of the building I see two hotel chambermaids hovering in the doorway furtively

lighting up. Normally, they’d be the kind of people whom I’d ask to borrow a light from. Now I beam at them with a beatific smile. It’s now been 48 hours and I’ve had no desire to smoke whatsoever. There’s a long road ahead, but as Tim points out: “Your smoking related beliefs aren’t fact. They’re wholly and solely a reflection of your past experiences. And besides, who would want to light up something that has lead and hydrogen cyanide in it?” For more information on Tim Smale go to www. thestopsmokinglounge.com. A private two hour one to one session costs £350. Don’t fancy hypnotherapy? Well you could always try... NHS Smoking Cessation You can chat to an advisor online and set up a programme to help you quit. Go to www. smokefreenhs.uk Medication There are drugs available on prescription that can reduce your urge to smoke. Speak to your GP about whether you may be suitable for a programme of Zyban, Champix or nicotine nasal spray. Acupuncture The London Acupuncture Space (www.londonacupuncturespace. com) is one of a variety of clinics in London who use this method. Prices start at £100 for initial treatment and consultation.

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

thesouthafrican.com | 22 – 28 January 2013 |

Entertainment

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/thesouthafrican

Brandpunt CONRAD BRAND

If the snow was a shock, find the warmth of the South African coast in Central London BY staff reporter FOR our readers, a visit to Cape Town Fish Market is most likely after a trip to Liberty or the theatre, but it’s also a way to extend that balmy summer holiday vibe. We started indulgently with eight rock oysters which had a lovely subtle fresh flavour. For those who still find oysters challenging, I have one tip: a little Tabasco, lemon and chew them thoroughly you’ll soon find it addictive. For our main we had a mixed sushi platter, as well as the glazed salmon teriyaki on special at the moment. There’s a fine line between ‘good sushi’ and ‘just okay sushi’ and to CTFM’s credit,

even though they field a wide menu, their sushi falls into the ‘very good’ category. The breadth of the menu is one of the reasons South Africans love it there. As well as scores of great fish dishes there are meat options such as burgers, steaks or potjies. We enjoyed a bottle of Van Loveren sauvignon blanc, which was also a little like coming home. Check out: Glazed Salmon Teriyake with chips for £13.95 and theatre specials: www.ctfm. com/promotions/ @ctfmlondon on Twitter and facebook.com/ ctfmlondon 5-6 Argyll Street, Sutherland House, London, W1F 7TE, www.ctfm.com Tel: 020 7437 1143

COOKING with Steele

ANGIE STEELE

Angie Steele’s recipe for chocolate brownies

IT’S typical, the minute you start a diet is the minute you start dreaming of delicious moist, gooey, fudgey chocolate brownies with little chocolate shavings folded through to give them that little crunch we all love. What I love about this recipe is that it’s a perfect dessert for a plated dinner. Pour a little salted caramel sauce over it for a showstopper. Substitute the pecan nuts for hazelnuts if you prefer or leave them out altogether for something a little smoother. Either way, kiss that diet goodbye!

Ingredients: • 250g butter, softened • 200g soft brown sugar • 250g dark chocolate,100g milk chocolate, broken into small pieces

• 4 eggs • 50 pecan nuts, roughly chopped • 5ml vanilla essence • 60g flour, sifted • 40g cocoa powder, sifted • ½ tsp baking powder, sifted

Method: • Pre heat oven to 180°C • Line a 23cm square baking tray • Melt dark chocolate by placing in bowl sitting on saucepan of simmering water • In separate bowl, using an electric beater, cream the butter and the sugar together until light and fluffy • Add the eggs one at a time, beating well in between each egg • Slowly mix in the melted chocolate, milk chocolate pieces and vanilla essence • Fold in the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder • Pour mixture into lined baking tray and place in the preheated oven for 30 minutes • Bake for 12-15 minutes • Remove once done and allow to cool before slicing. Top South African chef Angie Steele hosts fun cooking classes at The Avenue cooking school in Putney. These include Dinner Party Demon, and Ready Steady Date. To book visit www. theavenuecookeryschool.com/ courses/angie-at-the-avenue or e-mail angie@angiesteele.com

SOOS die temperatuur daal en die sneeu om ons val is daar darem niks wat jou hart so verwarm en jou moed laat lig soos om ‘n familie olifante oor die Afrikaplein te sien stap nie, of ‘n paar goue leeuwyfies wat rustig in die sonnetjie lê en bak, met die koning van die savannah met sy donker maanhare wat ‘n entjie weg lê en sy trots bekyk, ‘n paar verdwaalde vlieë al wat waag om hom te pla. Ek praat natuurlik van die reeks Afrika natuurprogramme wat tans die lig sien, Africa, aangebied deur die legendariese David Attenborough en Charley Boorman’s South African Adventure, wat laasweek

Win a copy of BBC coffee table book Africa: Eye to Eye with the Unknown

neus in die Kruger Wildtuin vir die steeds stygende ivoor aanvraag uit Asië. Laas Saterdag is ‘n hele olifantfamilie van elf afgemaai deur ‘n bende in Kenya, massamoord, die grootste wat Kenia nog gesien het. Die Zambiese regering het darem pas ‘n verbod op die jag van leeus en luiperde gesit nadat hul getalle gevaarlike lae syfers begin getref het, maar eers nadat die winsgewendheid van die twee opsies vergelyk is het hulle het besef dat sonder die leeu, daar ook geen toerisme sou wees nie. Dit is verkeerd en siek, as ek mag sê! Moet ook nie van die gorillas wat agter hulle mens-oë skuil vergeet nie. Binnekort sal die dieretuin die enigste plek wees waar ons die silwerrug sal kan sien. So kom ons hoop, met die fokus tans op Afrika, dat die besef sal deurdring vir ewig en dat ons as die kopers vanuit Asië sal terugstaan en sê, “Nee! Jy produk is te duur, want dit drup van bloed!” Ek gaan in die weke wat voorlê kyk na wat ons kan doen om te help, want self kan ons ook ‘n bydrae maak tot die oorlewing van ons uniek ekoniese diere.

accounting tax advisory wealth mortgages forex offshore law nationality

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.

IN the BBC’s new six-part documentary series, simply titled Africa, David Attenborough takes a breathtaking journey through the vast and diverse continent as it’s never been seen before. From the soaring Atlas Mountains to the Cape of Good Hope, the brooding jungles of the Congo to the raging Atlantic Ocean, filmed over four years, Africa explores the whole continent, uncovering an astonishing array of previously unknown places, bizarre new creatures and extraordinary

sable services Accounting Tax Advisory Wealth Mortgages Forex OFFSHORE Law

Enter online to stand a chance of winning a copy of the book. Competition closes on 31 January. www.thesouthafrican.com/ winprizes

Nationality

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

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.

44057

Recapture the Cape vibe

Die fokus is op Afrika

afgeskop het met Charlie wat teen die pragtige hange van Tafelberg abseil, ‘n draai maak op Robbeneiland, toe verder langs die kus afry tot by Gansbaai vir ‘n duik saam met die wit dood, tot by die hekke van die Born Free Foundation waar hulle leeus van regoor die wêreld huisves en hawe gee. Dié programme open nie net weer ons eie oë nie, maar die oë van die wêreld en fokus op die laaste plek op aarde waar jy so ‘n groot konsentrasie van wildediere saam sal sien. Dit is fantasties! Maar kom ons hoop dit open ook die oë van die kleinding wat op sy pa se skoot sit en oopmond kyk na die geitjie wat so laf oor die leeu se voorpoot spring! Dit mag binnekort die enigste plek wees waar jy hulle sal sien. Waarom? Wel, maak die koerante oop dan lees jy van die verwoesting wat die mens op die diereryk het. Suid-Afrika se WWF Renosterprogram wat wêreldwyd blootstelling geniet het en wat die fokus was van meeste natuurbewaringsprogramme, het ten spyte daarvan 633 renosters se dood gesien, amper 20% meer as die jaar tevore en dubbeld dié van 2010. Dit onder ons eie

www.sable-group.com

Business: News

Breakfast Indaba gets 2013 off to a motivated start

Liz Lugt gave an inspiring talk about following one’s passion in business

by SIMON GOEDHALS WHAT a successful turn-out for the South African Chamber of Commerce’s first Breakfast Indaba of the year! New business relationships were forged and all left the

representing large banks, charities, or small privately-owned businesses, were granted their 60 seconds to introduce themselves and what they had to offer (or request from) the group.

event motivated for the year ahead. The Indaba, chaired by the Chamber of Commerce’s own Patrick Atherton, provided networking opportunities for a broad range of businesses. Attendees, whether

At the onset of our delicious Carluccio’s breakfast, public endorsements were offered as a sign of the success our networking events have had in creating business relationships between our members. Of particular note was the endorsement provided for the Chamber by Jonathan Lawley, who attended as a representative for the Business Council of Africa. Lawley conveyed how delighted the council was to be involved with the Chamber and congratulated it for its rapid success here in the UK. The event ended with an inspiring motivational speech from Liz Lugt, offering advice about following one’s passion in business and motivating us all for the year ahead. Following this, attendees took the opportunity to network with each other before setting off to work. You are encouraged to join the Chamber of Commerce at upcoming events: • First Wednesday with Dr Lucie Cluver • First Wednesday with Jonny Steinberg Book on http:// southafricanchamber.co.uk

1st Contact Visas

: I have dual South African and British citizenship and will be marrying my long-time girlfriend based in South Africa, later this year. She will be joining me in the UK after the wedding. I believe from hearsay that we would need to apply for a UK spouse visa for her. Can you please tell me what the criteria for this visa are, and whether she will be allowed to work on this visa? : Yes, she would indeed have to apply for the UK spouse visa in order to join you in the UK as a dependant. In order to qualify for the UK spouse visa, she will have to show that she is married to a person settled in the United Kingdom. She will also need to show that she intends to live with you permanently and that your marriage is subsisting. Both applicants must be 18 or older. As sponsor, you will be required to prove a minimum income threshold of £18,600 for the settlement of your spouse. If you

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.

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 > Spousal/Partner/Fiancé Visas > EU Registration and Residency > Naturalisation and Registrations > British Citizenship Status Traces

0808 141 1620

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

44052

Strike Action Continues to Weigh Heavy on the Rand

by RUTH LAATZ-REINEKE

BETWEEN 14 and 18 January one Great British Pound fetched between R14.01 and R14.17. One Euro fetched between R11.64 and R11.76 during the same period, while one US dollar ranged between R8.72 and R8.81. The Rand started the week on the back foot against major currencies, as the previous weeks Fitch downgrade and further strike action continued to weigh heavily against the currency. Midday saw the Rand firm slightly recouping earlier losses against the Dollar. “We are still reeling from the Fitch downgrade‚ however there has been some improved sentiment because of potential policy changes‚” Vunani Private Clients global market analyst Kuziva Muganiwa said (Fin 24). Tuesday saw the Rand weaker against the Euro ahead of key German inflation and GDP data to be released. The Rand continued to experience losses across the board at midday on Tuesday‚ with political factors still having an effect on market sentiment. “Poor data out of Germany this morning is bad for global growth and will also have an effect on South Africa‚” Mark Kalkwarf a senior portfolio manager at the Iquad Group said. By Wednesday the Rand had continued its downward slide, this caused primarily by the decision of Anglo Platinum to suspend some of its operations. The lack of fresh produce in the Eurozone also had a

Legally Speaking: Spouse Visa

44052_Visas_South_African.indd 1

| 22 – 28 January 2013 | thesouthafrican.com

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

29/03/2012 14:14

do not meet the income threshold there are other ways that you can meet the finance requirements and we would be happy to discuss this with you. If she is successful in obtaining the UK spouse visa, she will be subject to a probationary period for settlement of five years, in order to test the genuineness of the relationship. Fortunately, there are no work restrictions on the holder of the UK spouse visa and your wifeto-be will be able to work for an employer, start her own business or combine the two. Contact our offices for further information. JP Breytenbach Director of Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants Limited www.bic-immigration.com or info@bic-immigration.com

negative impact on the Rand. Thursday morning brought with it some positive news, as miners at Anglo Platinum called of a strike, and the Rand reacted favorably, strengthening against the Dollar. The Rand has been on the back foot for most of the New Year because of labour unrest in the mining and farming sectors and a ratings downgrade by Fitch. By the end of the week the Rand had weakened once again against major currencies undermined by continued negative sentiment from persistent labour unrest. Investors sold bonds on the Rand’s depreciation, further steepening the curve. The Rand is likely to remain on the back foot this week, weighed down by fears about the health of the country’s mining sector, as the market awaits the central bank’s decision on interest rates. Rand rates: GBP / ZAR: 14.10 EUR / ZAR: 11.82 USD / ZAR: 8.88 Correct at 9am, 21st January 2013.

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

thesouthafrican.com | 22 – 28 January 2013 |

Business: Gateway to Africa

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/thesouthafrican

Page proudly sponsored by

Trade & Investment

Ivory Coast cottons on to success

Ivory Coast farmers return to cotton farms in light of new fixed-rate system

The Kawasho Foods Mackerel brand ships approximately 40 million cans of Geisha per annum to Africa.

West Africa’s love affair with “Geisha” brand

How canned mackerel brand “Geisha” took off in Ghana

by YUKO TAKEO HOW the canned mackerel brand, “Geisha” became a household name in Ghana is one of the more unexpected consequences of entrepreneurship in the post-war period. The cans were initially exported to Europe and North America before WW2 by sales representatives from the Japanese trading firm,Kawasho Foods Corporation. At the time, the few recognised Japanese words were “samurai, Fujiyama, Geisha”. Kawasho Foods representatives picked the still unused “Geisha” as their trademark logo, and the name Nedbank Golf Challenge stuck, eventually finding its wayprint to West Africa by the 1950s. Goichi Fujita, a representative at Kawasho Foods’ Research and Development Group who supervised the export of “Geishas” to West Africa for over six years, refers to those in the company who first expanded the canned goods business to the continent, saying “They would walk around West Africa with these cans in their backpacks, and just sell…The trade we have established today is a product of their efforts.”

Shipping approximately 40 million cans of Geisha per annum to Africa today, according to Fujita, the Kawasho Foods Mackerel brand holds approximately 70 percent of mackerel shares in Nigeria, and 40 to 50 percent in Ghana. Although the efforts of previous generations of entrepreneurs combined with local needs have given Kawasho Foods a high percentage of market share in the region, it is now no longer the sole purveyor of mackerel with rising production costs and new competitors. Additional problems with a ad.Page 1 21/9/12 11:16:47 recognised brand name and a high market share are appearances of fake “Geishas”. In response, Fujita said, “We would create posters to raise awareness of the difference between real Geisha cans and fake Geisha cans…at times I would also accompany local police in order to arrest fake Geisha can makers”. One development Kawasho Foods is considering as a result of rise in production costs is to move its production base, currently in China, to a more local site in Ghana. With the recent opening

of their Accra office, Fujita says “engaging in bottom of pyramid business is also of importance to us”. If several production bases are established according to plan, it could create up to 500 new jobs for locals. Looking back to earlier days in the immediate post war period, Fujita reflects, “It was back when $1 was ¥350, and production costs were cheap. The quality of the mackerel was high, there were no competitors, and protein was scarce – there was no reason it wouldn’t sell”. Now however, establishing an advantage in production costs over competitors has become more difficult, and Fujita feels the need for quicker responses on the ground for Japanese companies, especially with added pressure from South Korean and Chinese business. In terms of success, however, he says, “It’s important to treat comments of local people carefully… because ways of thinking are different, what we [as Japanese] may consider ‘natural’ is not necessarily the same thing for Ghanaians.”

CMY

This is the day to change lives Make things happen; register now for 13 September 2013. 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).

by RACHAEL KIRBY THINGS are looking up for the Ivory Coast cotton industry after a decade of political turmoil and economic instability. With a population of 20.2 million, the Ivory Coast was once a model for its religious and ethnic harmony, and the country had a well-balanced economy. However, armed rebellion and civil war split the nation in half in 2002, slowing the output of cotton from 400,000 to 120,000 tons per year. 50 percent of cultivated land in the north is primed for cotton growing, but during the decade of division cotton farmers struggled to access southern ports and roads. This combined with decreasing market prices forced many farmers to abandon cotton cultivation in favour of more lucrative alternatives, such as livestock or

cashew nut production. Now it is anticipated the nation’s cotton production will rise 47 per cent by 2015 as more farmers return to the cotton fields in a new dawn of political stability, further enticed by attractive market prices. The Ivory Coast government has introduced a fixed-price system to the cotton industry, ensuring the minimum rate is guaranteed to farmers. First-grade cotton is set at 265 francs a kilogram (US$0.53) and 240 francs per kilo (US$0.48) for second-grade. Furthermore, a state input of over US$14.1m into the industry has brought down the cost of fertilizer and pesticides. Coupled with the fixed-rate system, the government is putting the farmers’ needs first to boost the cotton industry and return to its former levels of profitability.

Business: Classifieds 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

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

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

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 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

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...

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

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 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

LONDON’S MOST POPULAR SOUTH AFRICAN BAR AND RESTAURANT

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

Contemporary STYLE and safari chic serving delicious South African cuisine. All day DINING with a choice of inspired bistro menus, bar snacks, canapés, pre-theatre and a la carte. Great COCKTAILS, plus a superb wine list, many served by the glass. For information or bookings: E: bbar@rchmail.com T: 020 7958 7000 www.bbarlondon.com 43 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1W 0PP Monday-Friday 11am-11pm

/bbarlondon

www.snoggys.com SUSMAN’S BEST BEEF BILTONG CO LTD If you’re missing home give us a call, supplying you with all your favourite South African products and more. Phone: 01273 516160 Fax: 01273 51665 Web:www.biltong.co.uk Email:sales@biltong.co.uk THE SOUTH AFRICAN SHOP We stock most SA consumer goods in our large store in Maidenhead or order online and get next day delivery service throughout the UK. Your home away from home. Mon – Friday: 9:30am – 5:30pm Saturday: 9:30am – 6pm Sunday: 11am – 4pm www.southafricanshop.co.uk. Tel: 01628782511 ST MARCUS FINE FOODS Largest importers & producers of SA foodstuffs in UK. Retail & wholesale. 1 Rockingham Close, Roehampton, Putney SW15. Tel 020 8878 1898. Biltong Factory is now open to the public. 8 types of Boerewors. All SA foodstuffs stocked. Free Parking. Tel 020 8878 1898 / 21C Holmethorpe Avenue, Holmethorpe Industrial Estate, Redhill, RH1 2NB Email:sales@stmarcus.co.uk Web: www.biltongstmarcus.co.uk

www.biltongstmarcus.co.uk Email sales@stmarcus.co.uk

Beers, wines, cold-drinks, biscuits, maize meal, chutney...

IMMIGRATION

/bbartweet

and restaurant

The SouTh AfricAn is available at all snoggy’s stores

Tel: 0208 878 1898

WHOLESALER OF SOUTH AFRICAN FOOD

TO LET Two very comfortable, clean, quiet rooms to let in family house in Wimbledon Village. Perfect for visiting family in Wimbledon, Southfields, Earlsfield. Tel: 07754828761

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

WE BUY SCRAP METAL, SCRAP CARS We pay the highest prices for: copper, lead, brass, cables, aluminium, stainless steel, scrap metal. Collect from the site or house!! We pay cash. Electronic scales. We buy any cars. We help with the DVLA paper work. Call us today!

07904447393

FOR SALE/TO LET BUSINESS FOR SALE A very well established and thriving South African Butchers and Grocers FOR SALE. High turnover and vast loyal clientel base,GREAT BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY. For further information please visit www.rightbiz.co.uk (advert no: 85702). Telephone: 01604 633809

NEED TO SEND MONEY TO SOUTH AFRICA?

SERVICES

Do it with us, for free... > Great exchange rates > No hidden costs

RAND RESCUE Rand Rescue Limited specialises in assisting expat South Africans to access their South African retirement annuities or other funds left behind in South Africa. We will facilitate your formal emigration, if necessary, and operate on a no-funds-no-fee basis. If we don’t rescue your Rands, you don’t pay our fee! Contact us on +6499734200 (toll free worldwide), email us on info@randrescue.com or check out www.randrescue.com for your free report and further information.

> Faster transactions > Debit & credit cards accepted online

JOBS CHILD CARE NEEDED A professional family living in rural Northumberland need a young and enthusiastic carer for their two children (aged 6 and 10y). From early Jan 2013 for 3 months initially. Drivers licence essential. Salary, accommodation and meals included. Contact: Riaan 07789437146

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.

TRAVEL

Jetsleeper Upgrade your seat with a Jetsleeper for £20 Next day delivery www.jetsleeper.com www.youtube.com/jetsleeper

44040

ACC & FINANCE

| 22 – 28 January2013 | thesouthafrican.com

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

1st TRANSFER FREE Receive your 1st transfer free when you use this voucher code online: 1stSAfree

44040_FX_Blue_Sky_ad_freeTransfer.indd 1

03/10/2012 13:16

thesouthafrican.com | 22 – 28 January 2013 |

Business: SA Power 100

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/thesouthafrican

Debbie Thomas

Head of Deloitte’s Africa Services Group in the UK BULLET BIOGRAPHY Education: Bcom Dipacc (University of KwaZulu-Natal) Came to UK: 1998 Career trajectory: • 1994 – 1998: Chartered Accountant - Deloitte South Africa • 1999 – present: Partner Deloitte UK - UK Head of Metals & Mining - Head of Africa Services Group - Sits on the board of the International Markets group, which is focused on emerging markets. - Recently has been focusing on the advisory business with specialisation in IPOs, IPO readiness and finance transformation, primarily for private companies, many from emerging markets. Clients have included: Xstrata, De Beers, BHP Billiton, Anglo American, Rio Tinto and Tata.

by RACHAEL KIRBY How did you end up the UK? I was at university in Durban until the end of ‘93 and I started at Deloitte the following year. I was with Deloitte in South Africa for five years, and then I came to London. Everybody was coming to England at that time. How often do you go back? Probably three or four times a year because I work on the Africa services group, so I have the opportunity to do that. I get the best of both worlds. [Although] in the 14 years I’ve been here I’ve probably gone back for leisure three times – it’s always been about work. I always try to make sure I tack a long weekend on so I get to see my family. What do you miss about South Africa? Obviously the sunshine! I grew up in KwaZulu-Natal with lots of beautiful beaches and open space, and when you’re there, there’s so much of it you just don’t appreciate it as much. But then I do like having turkey at

Christmas time in a cold climate, versus turkey in a hot climate in my swimsuit. Obviously [I miss] my family and friends there. I’m quite lucky in that my mum and sisters are here, so I do have that support structure in UK. But I think what’s nice about the South Africans here [at Deloitte] is they have created this sort of informal network where we all support each other and there’s a real camaraderie, which is great. When I joined in 1998 there were probably six of us and now there’s about 300. What cultural differences do you notice between South Africans and Brits? I’m sure you’ve heard of the ‘now-now, just-now, now’ debate! I think South Africans have a very can-do attitude and are very open to change. Because we’re so influenced by the British market and also by the American sides of things with TV, culture etc. we’re not ‘fixed’ in one way, shape or form – we like scones but then we also like American

pancakes. It’s a very diverse background. So I think we’re open to change, open to opportunities and we see things from a broader perspective. I don’t know if that’s because South Africans were shackled for so long, in that we were cut off from the international community. So to have that arena opened up to us, we’ve really embraced and tried to harness the opportunities out there. One of the challenges for South Africans is almost to curb their own enthusiasm, you know you can’t do 40,000 things; you’ve got to really focus. And do you notice differences within the professional environment? UK graduates are very engaged, we still recruit a lot of grads in the UK market but we employ lots of grads from South Africa as well. I’ve noticed graduates here are very focused on their careers from a very early age – lots of people do work experience and gap years. The extent to which people really develop themselves from quite an early age here, I really found quite astounding and that’s been quite hard – when you’re comparing a South African grad to a UK grad, sometimes the South African grad falls short when it comes to selling themselves. I’m not sure if it’s just they’re not pushed enough from an early age but I’ve found the grads here tend to stand on their own two feet a bit earlier. But I love

Read interviews with other SA POWER 100 achievers... on our website: TheSouthAfrican.com/Business/SAPower100 Adam Kuper

Paul Holden

Eminent anthropologist and lecturerr

working with both and they’re brilliant in different ways and coming from South Africa you appreciate the opportunities. Coming from here, again, you don’t necessarily appreciate the opportunities all around you, you don’t realise how lucky you are. A silly thing like the tube, everybody moans about the tube. We love it, because we don’t have public transport like that! So you come from one extreme to the other. Do you think you’ll ever return to live in South Africa? I have an English husband, an

Writer, researcher and investigative journalist

Australian nanny – I don’t know what accent my children have. Who knows? I do miss it but for my working life I’ve worked longer here than in South Africa. Soon I will have been in the UK longer than I was in South Africa – that’s quite scary actually, it’s flown. But all my grandparents were born here, I’m only second generation – they were born in Scotland. Maybe I’ll move to Scotland, you never know! I can’t see myself going back [to South Africa] while I’m still working full-time but who knows where you retire?

WORLDWIDE TAX SOLUTIONS

Is your tax situation a mess? Allow WWTS to clean up for you! A World Wide Tax Solution Company is the answer to all your tax problems and needs.

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

| 22 – 28 January 2013 | thesouthafrican.com

Travel: City Breaks

Another look at Amsterdam

Beyond the flashy lights of the red-light district, Alex Bruce-Smith discovers there is a lot more to Amsterdam than booze and bongs by ALEX BRUCE-SMITH SAY Amsterdam to someone, and you’ll conjure up images of many things: bongs, booze, and the infamous red light district. Amsterdam is synonymous with hedonism. The first time I went, I ticked all the boxes: staring contests with the ladies in the red-light district, blissful hours in the coffee shops, and dancing all night in the Liedersplein. I didn’t remember good chunks of my time there, and that’s exactly how I wanted it, thank you very much. I’d been there, done that, gotten the t-shirt. A few months later, I received an email from my dad – he had to go to Amsterdam for work, did I want to come visit? Hell yes I did! Oh, and my brother would be coming too. It was happy families all the way. Like taking my grandmother to Vegas. So I had five days of being a proper tourist, where I had to keep my blackouts to a minimum, and my clothes marijuana-scent free. I was going to rediscover the sights, as seen by the more sober tourist population. The Amsterdam I discovered on this second trip had so much more to offer than the first. People were kind, thoughtful and creative – and not the Bob Marley wannabees I had imagined. The Marijuana Capital of Europe was ordered, beautiful, and pretty damn charming. It’s a very liveable city – far more than my current home town of London. I could move there quite happily and slot into my new bike riding life.

Amsterdam is much more than a few coffee shops. The Anne Frank museum is hauntingly claustrophobic. The Van Gogh museum brings to life the story behind the tortured artist who cut off his own ear. The story seems to be that the man was an egotistical introvert. The red light district is an important part of Amsterdam, but it’s only a part. Don’t get me wrong, you ABSOLUTELY have to go! Bored, texting prostitutes eyeing each other off across the narrow alleyways is nothing short of absurd. And the novelty condom shop? Simply brilliant. Although I think their usability as actual condoms is somewhat limited. However beyond the coffee shops and booze brigade, there is a layered city with a unique culture.

CLASSIC TRAVEL

www.goclassic.co.uk

Cape Town Durban Gaborone Harare Jo’burg Mauritius Maputo Windhoek

525 599 675 580 485 665 625 745

Accra 455 Cairo 295 Dakar 480 Douala 599 Entebbe 485 Lagos 445 Lusaka 550 Nairobi 449

How to experience it like a local: See an Ajax game. Amsterdam folk (Amsterdammers?) are mad about football. Ajax is the local team, and come rain or shine (or snow, in my case), they’ll be out to support them. Prepare yourself though for high-risk games and the alcohol-free stadium. Don’t worry, you can always warm yourself with a nice cup of vending machine imitation coffee. How to be a cultural genius: Amsterdam is home to some incredible art. You could definitely do worse than spend a few hours in the Van Gogh museum, and you’ll probably find yourself recognising several works from high school art

PRICES INCLUDE ALL TAXES (gauranteed)

Bue.Aires Chicago LA/SFO Lima New York Rio Toronto Vancouver

MORE FLIGHTS/HOTELS Tel: INSURANCE & CAR HIRE

675 435 455 440 335 520 380 399

Auckland Bangkok Bejing Dubai India KUL/SING Pakistan Sydney

795 520 480 335 385 565 480 775

0207 586 1234

The Marijuana Capital of Europe is more than just a few coffee shops. It’s ordered, beautiful, and jolly charming.

class. I would recommend paying for the audio guide – without it, it’s just a bunch of pretty pictures. If you only make one cultural visit on your trip, however, make it the Anne Frank museum. Even if you’ve never read her diary, a wander thought the claustrophobic quarters where the Frank family hid from the Nazis for two years is a haunting experience that will stay with you forever. This memorial attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year; it may look like a long line, but never fear – it moves quickly. The Rijksmuseum is also rather beautiful, plus you can drop Rembrandt’s name to your less culturally inclined buddies. What not to miss: The novelty condom shop. Condomerie is located in the heart of the red light district and is home to every condom you’ve never wanted to see used. Cute little animals, footballs, and of course the cannabis leaf adorn the end of hundreds of condoms on display. They make awesome novelty gift for mates back home, but to actually use? Hmmm. What not to do: • Please, no smoking weed in the streets. It makes the locals cranky.

• Don’t buy bicycles on the cheap that are very clearly stolen. They will be stolen back from you. Promise. What to drink: Heineken. Amsterdam is the city that founded the lager, after all. The original brewery has been turned into a ‘Heineken Experience’, an interactive tour that will leave you a few drinks down and weirdly loyal to the Heineken brand. At the end, you can choose to exchange two drink tokens for two drinks, or both drink tokens to ‘play the Heineken game’. The game, as it turned out, was to pour your own beer. As a bartender I politely declined, and with the help of my brother found as many dropped beer tokens as we could. Afternoon well spent. Where to stay: If you want some canals, stay in the city centre – anywhere between the train station and the Stadhauderskade will do. For a more vibrant atmosphere there is plenty of accommodation to be found in the red light district itself. How to get around: You can pretty much walk to anywhere in the city centre in less than 20 minutes. If you feel like exploring a bit, Amsterdam is the

bicycle capital of the world, and there’s plenty around to hire. A taxi will cost less than €10 for most journeys, so if you’ve had a bit too much to drink, hop in. Sneaky tip: The trams are pretty much free. I mean, they’re not actually free, but ticket inspectors come along so rarely, they pretty much are. Ride at your own risk… Which coffee shop to visit: Much like how many times is the ideal number to hit to snooze button, this is not a question anyone can answer for you. The general rule is, the further out from the city centre you are, the less touristy the place is. I spent a happy unknown amount of time in a coffee shop that combined rock music and nature documentaries, which was only ruined by some jerk reporter who decided to start filming his own documentary. I’d recommend going there in a heartbeat, if only I could remember what the damn place was called. When it comes to finding a coffee shop, just excuse the pun and follow your nose. Mellow Yellow is the oldest coffee shop in Amsterdam, but the best? You’ll just have to find out for yourself.

D e l i v e r i n g a w o r l d - c l a s s e x p e r i e n c e e v e r y t i m e. Enjoy our warm South African hospitality the moment you step on board. 0844 375 9680.

f l y SAA.com

thesouthafrican.com | 22 – 28 January 2013 |

Zimbabwe Community

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/thesouthafrican

AC O’Neill on writing The Rain that Clears the Chaff

We interview the author of a compelling new novel set against the dramatic backdrop of the Gukurahundi in Zimbabwe. by JOSEPH NTHINI THE Rain That Clears The Chaff is the debut novel by UK-based writer AC O’Neill. The title refers to Gukurahundi; the state sponsored violence that engulfed Matabeleland North and South as well as parts of the Midlands from 1982 – 1987. The book is a thriller that takes the reader from Matabeleland to Cape Town and back again, through the paranoid undertows of southern Africa… AC O’Neill was born and grew up in Bulawayo until his early twenties. He read Economics and Law at Rhodes University, and worked in finance in Johannesburg and London. He lives with Ali and their son and daughter near the Thames just outside London. We asked him about himself and the book. How long have you lived in UK? I first came to London in 1987, but I travel regularly back to southern Africa. As for many southern Africans, I suppose, and despite the cosmopolitanism of London, the sense of being a foreigner here never quite fades. Must be all this fine dry weather we’ve been having…

For the latest Zimbabwe news, visit www.thesouthafrican.com/zimbabwe

What was your personal experience of Gukurahundi? I had some indirect experience. I was travelling back to Bulawayo frequently from South Africa – several times a year during those years. As white city dwellers they

were not directly affected. But like most residents of Bulawayo, they were well aware of the general nature of what was happening in the surrounding countryside, if not the scale, or in great detail. They only had to speak to fellow church parishioners, or farmers travelling back into town, or drive out into the countryside towards Kezi, Plumtree, Shangani, Gwanda, any direction, to be aware of the military “occupation” of the Matabeleland communal lands. Why did you choose Gukurahundi as a subject for a novel? It provides a very good dramatic backdrop, against which you can tell a story about individuals caught up in something beyond their control. Also, compared with other (older and more recent) periods in Zimbabwean history, it hadn’t been exhaustively covered – although there are a couple of good books and at least one play which deals with this subject. The country itself is also very dramatic in a geographic sense. What challenges did you face putting together a novel that deals with this sensitive and controversial subject? You’re right – it is a very sensitive and controversial subject – even now, 30 years later. Surprising, really, as it is quite clear what happened, that it was very wrong, and that those wrongs should be acknowledged. The reason it is still controversial

is that it has never been openly discussed in a way that would allow the victims to have their say – in a formal, TRC kind of way. Instead, the state maintains its silence, hoping that the subject will go away. But it hasn’t gone away, so you can easily get caught up in a storm of accusation and counteraccusation. To avoid that one has to be as spare and factual as one can about the background – without getting bogged down in it – and then try to focus on the individuals caught up in it. Individuals tend to be forgotten in the debates about what happened then, and why. How did you conduct your research especially on the atrocities? Apart from being born and brought up in Zimbabwe, and taking an avid interest in its history and politics, I spent 12 years covering Zimbabwe in a journalistic capacity, and so I have experienced, and read and written about many of the subjects touched upon in the book. As they say, write about what you know. As regards the atrocities, a surprising amount has been recorded, and is still being written (and also a lot that has been hidden, which should be made public). Those sources, as well as talking to people in Matabeleland over the years, were the basis. How does a reader separate the truth from fiction?

Win!

We have a copy of The Rain That Clears The Chaff to give away to one lucky reader. Enter on www. thesouthafrican.com/winprizes

The book is fiction. It is not intended as history or a comprehensive review of what happened; it is not a political tract. It is merely a story set against a dramatic historical background. All the characters are fictional. But I hope I have written something which gives some flavour of what those years were like. I hope people find it a good read. Having said that, the descriptions of what happened at Bhalagwe and elsewhere in Matabeleland are taken from written records and some conversations with individuals. For anyone who wishes to read a history of Gukurahundi, the best source material I can recommend is Breaking the Silence, Building True Peace by the CCJP

(more recently republished as Gukurahundi in Zimbabwe). How can you describe your writing journey? How long did it take to write this book? This is my first book. So it was a case of trying things out, deleting them and trying other things – trial and error and trial and error until you produce something you are broadly happy with (until you sees the finished version, when it is too late, and when all sorts of other possibilities spring to mind). It took a year to write, although I suppose I was churning it over in my mind for some time before that. The Rain That Clears The Chaff is available on Amazon.co.uk

Wanted: Zimbabwean Writers & photographers

Opportunity to write and take photos for our weekly Zimbabwean Community section by HEATHER WALKER THE South African is looking for UK-based writers and photographers to contribute articles or photos to the dedicated Zimbabwean section of our website and weekly newspaper. Depending on your interests, this could range from conducting interviews with notable Zimbabweans and diaspora businesspeople in the UK, to humour, columns or reporting on functions such as beauty pageants, film screenings and charity events. The UK Zimbabwean community is a busy and vibrant one, so there

are a lot of opportunities to get involved writing about it! This is the ideal opportunity for students or recent journalism graduates to build up a portfolio of published work and gain valuable contacts in the media industry. It would also suit someone who would like to build their profile in a particular field, using their writing skills to get exposure. Time spent living in Zimbabwe would obviously be advantageous but is not required. To apply, please send your CV and two examples of your work to editor@thesouthafrican.com

| 22 – 28 January 2013 | thesouthafrican.com

Sport

New Zealand pull off unlikely ODI victory

After heavy defeats in both Tests, New Zealand pulled off an unlikely victory in the first one-day international in Paarl over the weekend to take a 1-0 lead in the three match series

by JEREMY BORTZ

Reneilwe Letsholonyane of South Africa gets to the ball ahead of Babanco of Cape Verde during the 2013 African Cup of Nations Finals game between South Africa and Cape Verde at the National Stadium in Gauteng. Photo: Barry Aldworth/Sports Inc/Press Association Images.

Bafana Bafana’s Group still undecided by NTHAMBELENI GABARA

FOOTBALL fans are already anticipating what will unfold in the remaining Group A matches of the 2013 Africa Nations Cup (Afcon). This group is still very much undecided after all four teams played to goalless draws in their first matches of the tournament played at the National Stadium (FNB) outside Soweto on Saturday. In the first match, the host, Bafana Bafana drew a blank in front of their unwavering home supporters to tournament debutants Cape Verde. The second match also saw the North Africans, Morocco and

Angola playing to a 0-0 draw. Bafana do not have an easy task ahead as their next opponents, Angola are set to pose a real challenge. There is also Morocco who are also strong opposition. Bafana will play against Angola on Wednesday 23 January before they play their last group stage match against Morocco on Sunday 27 January at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. When South Africa hosted the 1996 Afcon tournament, the national team rose to the occasion, topping its group after beating Cameroon 3-0 and Angola 1-0 before losing 1-0 to Egypt. ITV4 is showing 20 live Afcon matches free to air in the UK.

Presenter Matt Smith is joined by former Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba, former Nigeria striker Efan Ekoku and South Africa stalwart Quinton Fortune for live coverage from South Africa. In all, 12 group matches, four quarter finals, both semi finals, the third-place play-off and the final will be shown on the channel – more free terrestrial coverage than ever before. In addition to the screening of live games on ITV4, matches throughout the tournament will also be simulcast on itv.com/itv4, with games available for catch-up in ITV Player and highlights on the ITV Football website. - SAnews.gov.za

Full Springbok rugby schedule for the year ahead announced Springbok rugby season kicks off on 8 June in South Africa

BY Staff Reporter THE opening fixture of a newlook quadrangular tournament between the Springboks, their RWC 2015 opponents, Scotland and Samoa, as well as Italy, will take place at Mr Price Kings Park in Durban in June. The second round will be played at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit – the first-ever Test at that venue.

The Springboks will play their away fixtures during The Castle Rugby Championship in Mendoza on 24 August (against Argentina), Brisbane on 7 September (against Australia) and Auckland on 14 September (against New Zealand). In November, the Springboks will return to France for the first time since 2009. It will only be the third Test against the French

since South Africa won the Rugby World Cup in Paris in 2007. The venue for this Test still has to be confirmed by the hosts. The team will end off a busy international season with a tour to Scotland, Wales and France in Europe in November this year. Read the full schedule on www. thesouthafrican.com/sport

CHASING an undaunting 209 to win, the Black Caps looked set for defeat when they lost their eighth wicket still needing 69 to win but Kyle Mills helped add 47 for the ninth wicket before number 11 Mitchell McClenaghan survived six deliveries to allow Franklin to pick off the remaining 22 runs. Franklin sealed victory with a boundary through the off side and ended undefeated on 47 to give the Black Caps victory with 26 balls to spare. Earlier, the Proteas, sent into bat, failed to bat the full 50 overs and struggled to 208 all out. Faf du Plessis, who is having a dream season after his heroics down under, top scored with 57 off 72 balls, which included just three fours, while Rory Kleinveldt, coming in at number nine, added 26 off 20 balls, with three superb sixes, to push the hosts past 200. Debutant Mitchell McClenaghan took 4 for 20, the best by a New Zealand bowler on ODI debut, while part-time offspinner Kane Williamson claimed a career-best 4 for 22. The Proteas’s bowlers started well and New Zealand were struggling on 21 for three before captain Brendon McCullum and BJ Watling steadied the ship to take the score to 73 at a decent run-rate of around 4.5 an over.

They lost wickets at regular intervals, though, and itt was the lower order who won it for the visitors with the eighth and ninth wicket partnerships contributing 36 and 47 respectively. The Proteas will be disappointed with their discipline, however, conceding 15 wides and three noballs. They were also sanctioned for their slow over-rate and will be without captain AB de Villers for the second game in Kimberley on Tuesday after de Villers was banned for two matches for the slow over-rate. While the Test team has enjoyed a sublime 12 months, the Proteas have failed to dominate in the shorter versions of the game and earlier in the week, coach Gary Kirsten had said he was hoping the team would perform at a higher level than they had done in 2012. “We have been ok, but we haven’t been outstanding yet and we know that we are capable of being a unit that can perform at one-day level. We have a great opportunity this year because we have potentially 23 ODI matches, so there will be a lot more emphasis on ODI cricket which I think everyone is excited about.” It was not the start the Proteas were looking for and they will be hoping to square the series in Kimberley on Tuesday.

PREMIERSHIP RUGBY ARRIVES IN NW4 WATCH SARACENS PLAY AT THEIR NEW STADIUM IN NORTH LONDON... TEN MINUTES FROM BRENT CROSS, ONLY 300 METRES FROM JNCT 2 OF THE M1.

TICKETS SELLING FAST! SAT 16 FEBRUARY SUN 3 MARCH SAT 24 MARCH SUN 14 APRIL SAT 4 MAY

15H00 14H15 15H00 15H00 15H00

v v v v v

EXETER CHIEFS LONDON WELSH HARLEQUINS WORCESTER BATH

BOOK NOW! CALL 0844 8471876 www.saracens.com

SPORT

22January – 28 January 2013

NEW ZEALAND PULLS OFF UNLIKELY ODI VICTORY

P15

BAFANA BAFANA GROUP STILL UNDECIDED P15

NEWS FOR GLOBAL SOUTH AFRICANS

www.thesouthafrican.com

SARACENS DEMOLISH EDINBURGH IN VICARAGE ROAD VALEDICTION

Sarries beat Edinburgh 40-7 in their snowy final game at Vicarage Road by KEITH MOORE SARACENS topped their Heineken Cup pool with an impressive 40-7 win against Edinburgh in their farewell match at Watford’s Vicarage Road. Kicking dominated the early exchanges with both sets of backs doing well to field the high balls in bad weather. It was Saracens though, always looking more comfortable in the icy conditions, who showed the patience to earn a penalty in their own half. They cleared their lines and from the resulting lineout earned themselves another 20 metres thanks to a rolling maul which ended in a penalty which Owen Farrell converted to take the lead. In the 15th minute he converted his second opportunity which came through the dominant Saracens scrum and again in the 22nd minute to take them to a 9-0 lead. Just before the 30-minute mark they again won a penalty which Charlie Hodgson pushed deep into the Edinburgh half. The pressure had been mounting on Edinburgh

for some time from all facets of the set piece and this lineout was no different. The confident Sarries pack set up the ball 5 metres from the Edinburgh line and Richard Wigglesworth put a clever grubber through which Chris Ashton chased well to dot down and give Saracens their first try of the game. Edinburgh were able to hit back immediately though, when a seemingly harmless chip ahead from the halfway line gave a difficult bounce for the covering Wigglesworth and Greig Tonks was at hand to chip deftly ahead and fall onto the ball to cut the hosts’ lead in half. The second-half scoring was opened by a moment of brilliance from Owen Farrell and Chris Ashton. Saracens were awarded a penalty and looked to be going for poles but Farrell spotted that the Edinburgh team had switched off and kicked cross-field into a small amount of space in the right hand corner. Ashton, in only his second touch of the game, caught the ball on the half-volley and dived over

Schalk Brits of Saracens dodges Edinburgh players at Vicarage Road, Watford, on Sunday. Photo by Gary Baker.

for his second try of the match. In the 53rd minute it was the turn of the Saracens forwards to convert their domination into points. Another penalty, another lineout 5 metres out and another driving maul; at the back of which was Matt Stevens who had nothing more to do than fall to the ground once his team mates had driven the opposition almost over their dead

ball line. The score going into the final quarter was 26-7 and Saracens needed one more try to secure a home quarter final. As it was they had to wait until the 75th minute to secure that spot when Joel Tomkins made a break into the Edinburgh half. Phase after phase came in front of the Edinburgh poles, ending with Charlie Hodgson throwing

a dummy and trotting over to give Saracens their fourth try and therefore the bonus point. They didn’t stop there though, as Neil de Kock’s hurried influence kept the home side hunting for more and were rewarded with a try through another chip ahead and this time it was Chris Wyles’ turn to dot the ball down to give Sarries a 40-7 win in their final game at Vicarage Road.

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