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News
Free Staters tops in national Female Farmer of the Year - 04/09/2009
Two Free State sisters and partners in Lema Intensive Farming on the farm Thitapoho in the Tweespruit district, Ntisuoa and Sebolelo Kobo, took jointly top honours in the national finals of the 2009 Female Farmer of the Year competition. The gala event was held on 29 August 2009 at the campus of the University of the Free State. The sisters also won the category Best Export Market. For their first prize they received R150 000 and for category winters another R100 000. The Minister of Agriculture, Ms Tina Joemat-Pettersson, assisted by her deputy, Dr. Pieter Mulder, officiated at the gala event. The Kobo sisters, together with their father, cultivate several different vegetable crops. Meita Montoor, also from the Free State, was winner in the category Best Community Vegetable Garden.
Most popular radio stations in SA - 03/09/2009
According to the latest figures from the South African Advertising Research Foundation (SAARF) in South Africa, the top five radio stations are: Ukhozi; Umhlobo Wenende FM; Thobela; Metro and Motsweding. In Gauteng, the five favourite stations have changed somewhat, with 94.7 Highveld Stereo leading Metro FM as the favourite stations, followed by Kaya Fm; Lesedi FM; and YFM. In terms of total share of listening, the following five stations had the most listeners in Gauteng: 94.7 Highveld Stereo, with 10.6% of the provinces’s listeners; followed by Metro FM; and Lesedi FM, which moved ahead of Kaya FM. Kaya FM is in fifth place. Looking at languages, the favourite station for English listeners is still 94.7 Highveld Stereo, followed by Talk Radio 702. For Afrikaans listeners, 94.7 Highveld Stereo has kept its top spot over RSG as the favourite radio station.
Waterberaad te Silverton - 01/09/2009
TLU SA bied op 2 September 2009 by hul kantore te Silverton, Pretoria, ‘n indringende konferensie aan oor die benutting van water in Suid-Africa. TLU SA sê tans is die landbousektor die grootste gebruiker van water met 62% van beskikbare water wat gebruik word om voedsel vir ongeveer 52 miljoen mense te produseer. Terwyl belangrik is om landboubelange te beskerm, moet terselfdertyd ook omgesien word na die belange van elke inwoner. Die kwaliteit van water is egter nie die eksklusiewe belang van die landbousektor nie, aangesien alle die ander gebruikers ook daarop aanspraak maak. Myne, industrieë, huishoudelike behoeftes, bewaringsinstansies, eko-toerisme, sport en ontspanning het eweneens ‘n gevestigde belang in die volhoubaarheid van hul onderskeie bedrywe. Derhalwe word alle belanghebbendes uitgenooi om ‘n beraad oor waterbenutting in SA by te woon sodat die stigting van ‘n werksgroep oorweeg kan word met die oog op die handhawing van voedselsekerheid as ‘n strategiese bate vir SA. Meer inligting by Renette Henning (012) 8048031 of assekon@tlu.co.za.
National Tourism Conference - 01/09/2009
The Department of Tourism has announced that the eighth annual Tourism Conference is to be hosted on 30 October 2009 in Johannesburg, at Emperors Palace, with the theme “Building a service excellence and accessible tourism culture and partnerships in tourism for 2010 and beyond.” The scope of the conference is to include topics such as lessons learnt from the 2009 Confederations Cup, gearing for the 2010 World Cup, accessible tourism for all travelers and best practice case studies, etc. For more info, contact Glenda Esemang at gesemang@deat.gov.za or Nthabeleng Chokoe at nchokoe@deat.gov.za.
Chinese big time in Zambia - 31/08/2009
 Mining in Zambia
The Zambia government has signed a deal with China’s Zhonghui Mining Group, in terms of which the mining giant, reportedly the biggest Chinese private sector investor in sub-Saharan Africa, will invest $3,6-billion in mining and exploration in Zambia’s Copperbelt and North Western provinces during the next five years. Zhonghui Mining is already exploring for copper in the North Western province. The Chinese group’s new investment is expected to create about 34 000 jobs. Operation Hlasela in full swing: This week Premier Ace Magashule is to lead a team of MECs to further roll-out Operation Hlasela as follows: 26 August 2009 - Paul Roux - Rekgotsofetse High School - Imbizo at Fateng tse Ntsho Stadium / 27 August - Makgolokoeng and Diyatalawa - Community Hall Moreneng - Imbizo in marquees / 28 August - Hennenman / 1 September - Jagersfontein. More info, Teboho Sikisi at 082 333 8599.
Accommodation industry in SA growing - 28/08/2009
In a Smith Travel Research (STR) survey conducted in June 2009, the South African hotel industry as a whole achieved a 4% increase Revpar (revenue per available room) compared with the same period last year. This means that the effective room revenue or turnover for an average hotel across the country has increased by 4%, despite the fact that the number of rooms in SA is increasing due to the opening of new hotels and lodges as well as the launch of new B&B's and guesthouses. The STR survey revealed that in the Free State, hotels had, on average, experienced an increase of 7,4% in Revpar for the first six months of this year, compared with the same period in 2008, while those in the Eastern Cape saw an increase of 3,4%. The four-star market in Durban achieved an increase of 3,4% in Revpar over the same time frame. This overall upsurge could partly be ascribed to expectations for FIFA 2010. As for the Free State, these figures also reflect that sterling work done by the FSTA over the past two years has paid off.
Vrystaatse “groen” viering met Erfenisdag - 28/08/2009
‘n Vrystaatse inisiatief, Groen Kern, beplan om in die aanloop tot Erfenisdag, 24 September, ‘n bewusmakingsveldtog van stapel te stuur om almal in die provinsie bewus te maak van die belangrikheid van ons groen erfenis en wat elkeen kan doen om hierdie erfenis vir die nageslag te bewaar. Sake-ondernemings en ander belangegroepe word ook genooi om aan die projek mee te doen. Die projek se hoogtepunt is die Groen gebeurtenis wanneer ‘n buite-uitsending op Erfenisdag, vanaf Smart Stone se perseel in Langenhovenpark gedoen word. Moontlike onderwerpe sluit in: alternatiewe vir waspoeiers en die hergebruik van huishoudelike water, hersirkulering, erdwurms, organiese groenteverbouing, sonkragverhitting, “groen geboue,” wat maak dat kos organies is en hoekom is dit beter vir die liggaam? en die besparing van water en elektrisiteit. Dit is ‘n volgehoue inisiatief wat ook beplan om van volgende jaar af Jeugdag by die doelwitte in te sluit. Navrae: Ansophie Welgemoed, schafer@telkomsa.net 0847111100 of Sharon Walker by bloemfontein@smartstone.co.za 0827966615.
ACSA financial results - 27/08/2009
The Airports Company of SA (ACSA) has reported a R444 million profit for the 2008/09 financial year - down 43,7% from last year’s R789 million. Acsa has spent R4,185bn on infrastructure over the past year, including R889m at OR Tambo, R811m at Cape Town International, R2,388bn on the development at La Mercy and R50m at domestic airports. Other figures to note: Passenger traffic decreased by 7,7% / Revenue increased by 13.2% to R3.1bn / Total domestic passengers declined by 10,5% / Total international passengers declined by 0,8%.
Now Goldfields Mall for Welkom - 27/08/2009
A new shopping complex at a development cost of R500 million is underway at Welkom, to be called the Goldfields Mall. It is situated on the rin of the CBD, with access from Stateway. Several large national retail chains have already booked floor space. The developers are Retail Africa and construction has already commenced, with the official opening of the mall scheduled for October 2010. It is envisaged that the mall will serve a population of some 400 000 people, coming from inter alia Welkom, Odendaalsrus, Virginia, Hennenman, etc.
Voorbereidings vir Boertjiekontreifees 2009 - 25/08/2009
Voorbereidings is volstoom aan die gang vir die Boertjiekontreifees wat 3 – 6 September vanjaar te Bultfontein aangebied word. Vir die fees vanjaar, wat verlede jaar slegs vir die derde keer gehou is, maar 22 000 besoekers getrek het, word meer as 30 000 besoekers verwag. Die aantal uitstallers vermeerder ook grootliks, terwyl ook ’n nog meer uitgebreide vermaaklikheidsprogram reeds vasgemaak is. Nuwe fasalitieite word ook op die feesterrein – voorheen die Bultfontein Skougronde – opgerig. Dit lyk op hierdie staduim of die Boertjiekontreifees die derde grootste landbouskou in die Vrystaat insluit, naas Nampo Oesdag en Bloem Skou. Wat ook in die fees se guns tel, is dat Bultfontein beskou word as tans die skoonste dorp in die Vrystaat. Vir meer besonderhede oor die Boertjiekontreifees, skakel Volla du Plessis by 083 636 1555.
Special features in September Bulletin - 25/08/2009
In the September 2009 edition of the Free State Business Bulletin a comprehensive special feature is to be done on Tourism Month 2009 focussing inter alia on the diversity of tourism products and cultural heritage in the five districs of the Free State. Any stakeholder in the tourism industry in the province still wishing to participate in this special feature, is welcome to call 051 430 5445 or email emarket@emarket.co.za. Another special feature in the coming edition is a review of the prestigious PMR Awards bestowed this month on Free State businesses and institutions in various categories who have excelled. This should give a good indication of local businesses and institutions taking care with the quality and standard of their products and / or services.
UV-studente diens platteland - 25/08/2009
Derdejaarstudente in Ekonomiese Beleidsanalise aan die UV is hard aan die werk om aan idees te dink oor hoe kennis en kundigheid teruggeneem kan word na die platteland toe. Hierdie is die tema van Sanlam se nasionale kompetisie vir universiteite, “Creativity for Progress”, met ‘n totale prysgeld van R900 000. Vanjaar se onderwerp is “Die platteland slaag nie daarin om kundige en gegradueerde persone te lok en te behou nie, met ‘n gevolglike ekonomiese stagnasie. Hoe sou jy dit aanspreek?” Die groep van 162 studente, wat in groepe van ses ingedeel is, moet projekte saamstel wat akademies onderleg, prakties en uitvoerbaar is. Spanne van tussen vier en ses lede ding eers op intra-universitêre vlak mee om ‘n universiteitswenner te bepaal en dan sal nasionale paneellede die onderskeie universiteitswenners na die finale rondte nooi. Verlede jaar het die UV-groep tweede in die finale rondte van die kompetisie gekom.
GDP second quarter 2009 - 24/08/2009
Stats SA is reporting that SA’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the second quarter of 2009 contracted by 3 % indicating that the economy was still in recession. “The seasonally adjusted real GDP at market prices for the second quarter of 2009 decreased by an annualised rate of 3 % compared to the first quarter’s 6,4%. In May, the first quarter results recorded an annualized 6,4% contraction, indicating that the country’s economy was in a recession. The main contributors to the decrease in economic activity for the second quarter of 2009 were the manufacturing industry (-1.6 percentage points); the wholesale and retail trade, hotels and restaurants industry (-0.6 of a percentage point). The finance, real estate and business services and the agriculture, forestry and fishing industries also contributed to the drop in the economy.
Retail sales June 2009 - 24/08/2009
Retail trade sales, at constant (2008) prices, for the second quarter of 2009 reflected a decrease of 6,0% compared with the second quarter of 2008, while sales for the second quarter of 2008 remained unchanged compared with the second quarter of 2007. The major contributors to the decrease of 6,0% in retail trade sales, at constant (2008) prices, for the second quarter of 2009 compared with the second quarter of 2008 were general dealers (-4,4% and contributing -1,8 percentage points), retailers in hardware, paint and glass (-23,1% and contributing -1,7 percentage points) and other retailers (-10,1% and contributing -1,2 percentage points).
Facelift for Batho Location - 21/08/2009
Batho Location, Mangaung, received a facelift from the Free State Provincial Government, when Premier Magashule, members of his Executive Council and Mangaung Executive Mayor Morule launched on site a number of activities for developmental projects in the township. Batho Location is one of the oldest townships in South Africa and boasts a number of unique historical sites. The projects forming part of Operation Hlasela, include the demolition of old pre 1994-two roomed houses and replacing them with proper houses / paving and tarring of all major roads / erection of monuments to celebrate the history of Batho location / handing over of medicines to the clinic / registration of children without birth certificates and those qualifying for child grants / processing of applications for ID’s / sod-turning for an office park development. More info at 082 333 8599.
Wellness in the Workplace Conference - 21/08/2009
A Wellness in the Workplace Conference will be hosted by the University of the Free State at Ilanga Estate, Bloemfontein, on 21 and 22 September 2009 with the theme “Resilience in the workplace”. It aims to promote the role of wellness programmes to toster resilience of staff, while interactivity and participation is to be enhanced by workshops as part of the conference. Some of the speakers include Dr. Claudia Riecken (Brazilian psychologist) and Paul Mooney (Founder and CEO - Resilience4Enterprise, UK). The focus of the conference is primarily on the fact that since the competitive advantage of any organization resides in its staff complement, employees are pivotal to organizations achieving their goals. For more detail, contact congress@internext.co.za or phone 051 4368145.
Motor trade sales June 2009 - 20/08/2009
Motor trade sales for the second quarter of 2009 decreased by 15,6% compared with the second quarter of 2008. The major contributors to the decrease of 15,6% were new vehicle sales (-37,7% and contributing -11,0 percentage points) and fuel sales (-16,7% and contributing -4,4 percentage points). Motor trade sales for June 2009 decreased by 10,2% compared with June 2008, while sales for the corresponding period in 2008 increased by 6,2%.
ToGOTo Toerisme Ekspo - 20/08/2009
Die eerste ToGOTo Toerisme Ekspo word 25 tot 27 September 2009 te Bethlehem aangebied. Altesaam 35 stalletjies is beskikbaar, waarvan 60% reeds bespreek is. Interessante kompetisies, promosies en uitstappies na besienswaardighede in die omgewing vorm ook deel van die Ekspo. So is daar o.m. die Mej. Toerisme- en Mnr. Avontuur-kompetisie, wat nie noodwendig vir skoonhede is nie, maar eerder vir meisies (16 tot 30 jaar) met ’n liefde vir die buitelewe, gesonde leefstyl en ’n goeie algemene kennis. Mnr. Avontuur (6 tot 12 jaar) is vir seuns wat vaardig is in die natuur met ’n goeie algemene kennis en ’n avontuurlus. ’n Groot trekpleister is die vele aantreklike pryse wat die naweek gewen kan word wat insluit ’n uitstappie vir twee tot agt wenners (vervoer ingesluit) na die leeureservaat net buite Bethlehem, ’n naweek vir ses mense in enige van SANParke se parke, kontantpryse en interessante geskenkpakke. Nog ’n interessante toevoeging tot die program is die boekbesprekings waartydens skrywers oor hul jongste publikasie sal gesels – alles natuurlik toerismeverwant. Die Ekspo word ook ondersteun deur die Vrystaatse Toerisme-owerheid. Navrae aan Elizma Calitz by 058-303 5115.
Tourism Month 2009 programme for the Free State - 19/08/2009
A full programme to celebrate Tourism Month in September has been laid on for the Free State, with the Free State Tourism Authority (FSTA) taking the lead. The theme this year is Diversity in Tourism. The programme is to be officially launched on 4 September at De Stijl Hotel, Gariep Dam and is to coincide with the launch of the Free State Tourism Business Forum. The media is to be taken the following day on an excursion to tourist attractions in the Xhariep district including the tiger-breeding project at Philippolis, the Tussen-die-Riviere Reserve near Bethulie, etc. From 11 – 13 September the Free State will be represented at the Getaway Trade Show in Gauteng. Other items on the programme include cleaning of the Free State side of the Vaal River (16 September), the Tourism Month Golf Day at Clarens (18 September), the ToGOTo Tourism Expo (25 – 27 September), Interaction with Lesotho from Ladybrand t o Maseru (25 – 26 September), Sho’t Left Campaign in Lejweleputswa district (28 - 29 September), the Provincial Tourism Awards (30 September) to be held in Motheo district, etc.
Bulletin wins highest award - 19/08/2009
In the annual Premier Management Review (PMR) Awards for outstanding businesses in the various provinces and in neighbouring countries in different business categories, the Free State Business Bulletin has won a Diamond Arrow Award and first place in the category Monthly Newspapers in the Free State. The PMR Awards, issued by the company PMR.africa based in Gauteng and done on the basis of independent assessments, are unique of its kind in Southern Africa. The Awards ceremony for the Free State was held on 7 August 2009 during a gala business breakfast at the Bloemfontein Protea Hotel. The PMR Awards are Diamond Arrow (rating of at least 4,10 out of 5,00), Gold (at least 3,75 out of 5,00), Silver and Bronze (at least 3,40 out of 5,00). Thus the Free State Business Bulletin received in its category the highest award, while its rating of 4,75 out of 5,00 was the highest for any newspaper in any category in the Free State. Mo re info at www.pmrinet.com.
Electricity generated June 2009 - 18/08/2009
Electricity consumption after seasonal adjustment for June 2009 increased by 1,0% compared with May 2009 and by 2,9% for the second quarter of 2009 compared with the first quarter of 2009. The actual consumption of electricity was 3,4% lower in June 2009 compared with June 2008 and 5,8% lower in the first six months of 2009 compared with the first six months of 2008. Estimated seasonally adjusted production of electricity for the second quarter of 2009 increased by 3,4% compared with the first quarter of 2009. The actual production of electricity in June 2009 represents a decline of 3,7% compared with the June 2008 figure, the smallest annual decrease for 2009 thus far.
Food and beverages May 2009 - 18/08/2009
Total income for food and beverages for May 2009 decreased by 3,1% compared with May 2008. This was due to decreases in income from food sales (-1,3% and contributing -1,2 percentage points) and other income (-41,6% and contributing -1,1 percentage points).The total income generated by the food and beverages industry for the three months ended May 2009 decreased by 2,7% compared with the three months ended May 2008. This was largely due to decreases in income from bar sales (-12,7% and contributing -1,3 percentage points) and income from food sales (-1,0% and contributing -0,9 of a percentage point).
Parliament to investigate illegal mining - 17/08/2009
Following inter alia the deaths of 8 zama-zamas (illegal mineworkers) at Harmony Gold’s Eland Shaft at Welkom two months ago, it has been announced that the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mining will this week embark on oversight visits to four provinces to investigate the recent incidents of illegal mining and the deaths of mineworkers. The committee will visit Harmony’s Eland Shaft, Impala Platinum Mine in Rustenburg where nine mineworkers were killed, an abandoned gold mine at Barberton, Mpumalanga and the Coronation Mine at Vryheid, KZN. The committee is also to meet with the task team set up by the Minister of Mineral Resources to look into ways of addressing organized crime reportedly costing the industry billions of rands in tons of smuggled gold. For more info, contact lmolefe@parliament.gov.za
Beswaar teen slikdam naby Stilfontein - 17/08/2009
"Die oprigting van 'n mega-slikdam naby die Vaalrivier, oos van Stilfontein deur Simmer & Jack, is onaanvaarbaar. Die mega-slikdam gaan 1 400 hektaar beslaan en sal 'n groot bron van besoedeling wees. Eienaars van kleinhoewes sal die slagoffers wees van mynstof omdat die mega-slikdam tussen hulle en die heersende noord-weste winde gebou gaan word. Die Vaalrivier kan erg besoedel word en dit hou 'n gevaar in vir die inwoners van Klerksdorp wie se drinkwater aan die onderloop van die mega-dam gepomp word. Eienaars en belangegroepe het reeds appèl teen die oprigting van die slikdam aangeteken en ek het reeds vrae aan die minister van Omgewingsake en Waterwese in die Parlement ingedien", sê mnr. Pieter Groenewald, provinsiale leier van die Vryheidsfront Plus in Noordwes en inwoner van Stilfontein. Hy kan geskakel word by 083 627 4397.
Reddingspleidooi vir boere - 14/08/2009
In ’n mediaverklaring sê TLU SA dit sal graag by die regering wil verneem watter reddingsplan daar is om boere wat slagoffers van die resessie is, op die plase te hou ten einde voedselsekerheid te verseker. Die TLU sê die reddingsplan wat die regering vir die nywerheid aangekondig het, sal slegs gedeeltelik help om die resessie te bowe te kom as die boeregemeenskap nie ook ‘n reddingsplan het nie. “Die vooruitsigte is dat ons ‘n droë seisoen binnegaan. Intussen dreig die Landbank om meer as 500 plase terug te neem, waarvan die helfte kommersiële boere is. Daarom word by die regering aangedring dat die ekonomiese reddingsplan ook uitgebrei word na boere wat in soortgelyke situasies verkeer as die nywerheid. ‘n Verlies van so min as 200 kommersiële boere kan die land se voedselvoorsiening in wesenlike gevaar bring,” waarsku die TLU.
Production capacity large enterprises May 2009 - 14/08/2009
According to Stats SA, the utilisation of production capacity by large manufacturers was 78,0% in May 2009, compared to 84,4% in May 2008. Nine of the ten manufacturing divisions showed decreases in utilisation of production capacity for May 2009 compared to May 2008. The biggest decrease was reported in the motor vehicles, parts, accessories and other transport equipment division (-13,6 percentage points), followed by the basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal, metal products and machinery division (-12,1 percentage points), the furniture and ‘other’ manufacturing division (-9,1 percentage points) and the textiles, clothing, leather and footwear division (-5,0 percentage points).
Gauteng drinking water in jeopardy - 13/08/2009
The August 2009 edition of the newspaper Noseweek carries a report that huge volumes of highly poisonous - in many cases also radioactive - water, known as Acid Mine Drainage or AMD, are forming in abandoned underground Johannesburg reef mine workings. This AMD is steadily rising towards the surface and is threatening to poison water sources not only across Gauteng province, but, because so many water systems flow out of Gauteng, in the rest of the country too. Noseweek describes what government and the mining industry are trying to do to avert a coming catastrophe. A critical situation level is predicted for Gauteng in October 2011 if nothing is done - and this means that construction of an underground pump station must commence by the end of 2009 if chaos is to be avoided. “Johannesburg’s water future will be decided in the next few months”, declares Noseweek.
Landbank-korrupsie-eierdans - 13/08/2009
Die eierdans rondom beweerde bedrog van meer as R1 miljard by die Landbank gaan voort, met mnr. Nhlanhla Nene, Adjunk-minister van Finansies, wat by die Parlementêre portefeuljekomitee oor landbou gepleit het dat die nuwe uitvoerende hoof van die Landbank, mnr. Phakamani Hadebe, “politieke beskerming” gegee moet word dat hy nie hoef te sê of hy weet van enige hooggeplaaste politici wat by ongerymdhede betrokke was nie. Dit kom ondanks druk van komiteelede om te weet of enige politieke leiers of lede van die vorige direksie voordeel uit lenings van die Landbank getrek het. Vier groot forensiese ondersoeke na die ongerymdhede in die Landbank is tans hangende. Twee van die ondersoeke is by die Valke en een by die Nasionale Vervolgingsgesag. Die ondersoeke behels beweerde korrupsie rakende lenings buite die bank se mandaat (grond vir ontwikkelingsfinansiering), beweerde IT-stelselbedrog en beweerde kleinboere-kredietskemabedrog van meer as R1 miljard. Die vierde ondersoek handel oor beweerde bedrog by die Agri-SEB-fonds.
Transnet volumes down - 11/08/2009
Transnet has warned that, under current projections, volumes for its current financial year, could fall to 92,5% of what they were in 2007/8, before recovering to about 91,3% of that level in 2010/11. The group has experienced such a sharp fall in volumes - container and commodity - in the second half of the year that the group expected no recovery in volumes for the rest of the calendar year. General freight rail volumes fell 19% from 42,7-million tons in the six months from April to September last year to 34,5-million tons in the second half of the financial period, while container volumes through South Africa’s ports fell 12% period-on-period to 1,5-million twenty-foot-equivalent units from more than 2 million twenty-foot-equivalent units in the first six-month period.
“Agriburbia” in plek van gholflandgoede - 11/08/2009
‘n Nuwe tendens in die verskaffing van hoë koste landgoedbehuising, is om landgoedwooneenhede te meng met boerderybedrywighede, d.w.s. op ‘n vrugte-, wyn- of suiwelplaas ‘n hoë klas residensiële ontwikkeling met ‘n aantal wooneenhede in te sluit. Dit is dus ‘n kombinasie van voedselproduksie en eiendomsontwikkeling en kom in die plek van gholflandgoede met hul uitgebreide setperke en duur instandhouding. Die idee kom van dr. Chris Mulder van die argiteks- en stedelike ontwikkelingsfirma CMAI. Hulle beplan o.m. ‘n hipermoderne suiwelplaasontwikkeling van R3,4 miljard op 500 ha.
Wellness Conference in Bloem - 07/08/2009
The 2nd Wellness in the Workplace Conference will be hosted by the University of the Free State at Ilanga Estate, Bloemfontein, on 21 and 22 September 2009 and will include both international keynote speakers and national experts. The theme of the conference is “Resilience in the workplace”. It aims to explore the role of wellness programs to promote resilience in the workplace, with interactivity and participation to be enhanced by workshops as part of the conference. For more info, contact dr. Henriëtte van den Berg at (051 4013451 or (051) 4368145.
Anglo retrenches thousands - 07/08/2009
Anglo Platinum, the world’s largest platinum producer, and its parent company Anglo American, is planning a second wave of retrenchments, trade union Solidarity has said in a media statement. This comes in the wake of the more than 11 000 jobs that have already been cut at the company since the end of last year. Solidarity believes the company’s plans to implement further drastic retrenchments shows that the company has a serious lack of faith in the future. It is rumoured that Anglo American plans to cut personnel at its South African head office by 25%. The Anglo Platinum head office allegedly has to be reduced by 35% by December 2009. The chief executive officer of Anglo American, Cynthia Carroll, is expected to announce the decision early in August 2009.
R11 million for Magashule and cabinet cars - 05/08/2009
It has been confirmed by spokesperson for the Dept. of the Premier, Teboho Sikisi, that the Free State Government Garage has bought 1 x Merc S600 for R1,3 million and 10 Merc S500’s for R970 000 at a total cost of some R11 million as transport means for Premier Ace Magashule and his Executive Council colleagues. Sikisi labeled the transaction as a “saving”, but DA-leader Roy Jankielsohn described it as a shameful waste of money, especially amidst hard economic times and extensive poverty and unemployment conditions.
OVK beste jaar vir geskiedenis - 05/08/2009
Die OVK landboumaatskappy met hoofkantoor te Ladybrand het volgens sy jongste jaarverslag sy beste finansiële jaar ooit gehad. Omset het met 20% van R2 miljard tot R2,4 miljard gestyg. Die totale bedrag wat in die boekjaar aan aandeelhouers betaal is, beloop R17 miljoen, asook R10 miljoen korting op aankope aan lede-produsente. Netto bedryfswins het 23,19% gestyg. Hoewel die styging in omset en wins deels aan die drastiese verhoging in insetmiddele toegeskryf kan word, is dit ook die gevolg van uitbreiding van markaandeel en goeie dienste wat aan kliënte gelewer word, aldus die jaarverslag.
Nguni cattle development scheme - 04/08/2009
The Free State Provincial Government led by the MEC for Agriculture Mamiki Qabathe has launched the Nguni cattle development scheme at Kroonstad in the Fezile Dabi District on Saturday, 25 July 2009. This livestock improvement initiative forms part of the government’s agrarian reform programme aiming to support emerging farmers and thus improving the lives of the people and contributing to livestock industries in the province. The Nguni Cattle Development Scheme is driven by the Department of Agriculture, in partnership with UIDC, University of Free State and Central University of Technology. The project is to empower black farmers and further create an enabling environment to ensure self-sustainable farming. It is also to assist farmers to become suppliers of indigenous cattle breeds to local, provincial, national and international markets. More info from Ntai Mokhitli at 082 883 7317.
Tourist accommodation May 2009 - 04/08/2009
Total income for the accommodation industry for the three months ended May 2009 decreased by 10,2% compared with the three months ended May 2008. The number of stay units available for the three months ended May 2009 decreased by 0,7% compared with the three months ended May 2008. The number of stay unit nights sold for the three months ended May 2009 decreased by 8,7% compared with the three months ended May 2008.
Kinders kan geld laat inrol met KTV Markdag - 03/08/2009
Kinders kan hope geld met hul kreatiewe idees maak deur hulle in te skryf vir vanjaar se KTV Markdag. Dié entrepreneursprojek word jaarliks gehou en is oop vir alle kinders tussen ses en 16 jaar oud. Vanjaar vind die KTV Markdag plaas op 5 September by die Fleurdal Inkopiesentrum, Vereenigingrylaan, Bloemfontein. Die jong entrepreneurs bedryf hul eie stalletjies op die besige mark en word dan deur ’n paneel bekendes beoordeel. Die paneel wys die innoverendste idee aan, asook die beste produk, stalletjie en verkoopspan. By slypskole vooraf word kinders geleer om die volgende te maak: prinses of seerower hoede; feëtjie of towenaar staffies; besigheidskaartjie houers; pypskoonmaker kreature; en voëltjiekos houers. Kinders wat die kreatiwiteitsessies wil bywoon of hulle vir die KTV Markdag wil inskryf, kan vir Lynne skakel by 051 430 3027 of epos na ktv@zpr.co.za.
Civil cases for debt May 2009 - 03/08/2009
The total number of civil summonses issued for debt for the three months ended May 2009 increased by 10,4% compared with the three months ended May 2008. There was also a 1,8% increase between May 2008 and May 2009. The total number of civil judgments recorded for debt for the three months ended May 2009 was 8,2% higher compared with the three months ended May 2008. There was, however, a 4,2% decrease between May 2008 and May 2009. The total value of civil judgments recorded for debt for the three months ended May 2009 increased by 21,1% compared with the three months ended May 2008. There was also a 14,2% increase between May 2008 and May 2009.
Oosthuizen en Vrystaatse Ontwikkelingskorporasie - 31/07/2009
 Abrie Oosthuizen
In die Vrystaatse Wetgewer het mnr. Abrie Oosthuizen, Vrystaatse Leier van die VF Plus, daarop gewys dat die Vrystaatse Ontwikkelingskorporasie (VOK) ‘n bedrag van R30 miljoen by Corporate Money Managers belê het, ‘n belegging waarvoor hulle nie ‘n mandaat gehad het nie. Nou loop die VOK die gevaar om die R30 miljoen te verloor aangesien CMM likwidasie in die gesig staar. Die likwidasieaansoek is suksesvol teengestaan en CMM is onder voorlopige kuratorskap tot in Oktober 2009. Die VOK het ook vroeër ‘n verlies van R21 miljoen gely in ‘n goudverwerkingsbesigheid waarin die korporasie ‘n 49% aandeel gehad het. Dit gaan so sleg met die VOK dat dit al oorweeg het om hulle leningsboek te verkoop.
Vredefort 9595 Dome Heritage Site again under fire - 31/07/2009
The managerial aspect of the Vredefort 9595 Dome as a declared World Heritage Site has come again under fire as Unesco as world governing body has again expressed its dissatisfaction. The body is concerned that since 2005 still no applicable national legislation has been adopted by the SA Government, that no managerial authority for the site has been instituted by the Free State Provincial Government and that instances of plundering of natural assets of the site continues to occur. Apparently all that has happened on the SA governmental side, is that an information centre has been constructed at Vredefort and that a process is underway to furbish this centre.
Nuwe Minister van Landbou vars bries - 30/07/2009
 Tina Joemat-Petterson
In georganiseerde landboukringe word die nuwe Minister van Landbou, Bosbou en Visserye, me. Tina Joemat-Petterson, as ‘n welkome vars bries ervaar. Sy erken dat sy ‘n “bewustelose departement” geërf het, maar sê dit is imperatief dat die landbousektor in die land herstel word, dat voedselsekuriteit verseker word en dat die kommersiële boerderybedryf hierin van sleutelbelang is. Sy sê dit is haar mandaat om te verseker dat Suid-Afrika weer ‘n netto uitvoerder van voedsel word. Oor Joemat-Petterson se standpunte en benadering word mnr. Johannes Möller, president van Agri SA, aangehaal: “Dit is nie dikwels dat ek sprakeloos gelaat word nie.”
BloemWater suspends CEO - 30/07/2009
It has been announced that the CEO of BloemWater, Ms. Nolene Morris has been suspended for amongst others the alleged intimidation of employees, the manipulation of procedures and the misuse of company vehicles. A disciplinary panel is to be instituted by the Board of BloemWater to investigate the allegations. Meanwhile BloemWater is reportedly planning to increase its area of supply, and to refurbish and replace much of its infrastructure over the next financial years. Like all water boards it faces serious challenges in obtaining regular payment from small municipalities for the water it sells to them. Further, it faces serious challenges in treating the bulk water it obtains, particularly from the Caledon River, because of excessive siltation which is gradually making water treatment more costly.
Stakings boor SA in grond in - 29/07/2009
Die munisipale stakings, die voortslepende staking in die farmaseutiese sektor, asook die dreigende staking deur Metrorail-werkers, boor die Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomie vandeesweek in die grond in. Die munisipale staking van minstens 150 000 munisipale werkers raak dienslewering op alle vlakke uiters nadelig. Intussen het stakende werkers in die farmaseutiese bedryf optogte in Durban, Port Elizabeth en Kaapstad. Die vakbond Ceppwawu, sê sy lede sal hulle staking voortsit en aptekers kan ook daarby aansluit totdat 'n salarisooreenkoms bereik is. Werkers in die petroleumbedryf kan moontlik later vandeesweek ook begin staak.
Free State parastatals to be restructured - 29/07/2009
Following persistent reports about mismanagement and corruption - in some cases tangible and in some not - MEC for Economic Affairs, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mxolisi Dukwana, has announced on Friday in his Budget Speech that the FDC and FIPA is to be amalgamated and so are the Racing and Gambling Boards, while the future of the FSTA is under consideration. Although in some of these instances anything else would be better than the present state of affairs, it would certainly mean in all of these cases that after 15 years it is for the Free State back to square one.
SA doctors gone - 28/07/2009
A reply to a Parliamentary question reflects that South Africa is losing on average 17% of its newly qualified doctors every year to other countries, before they even register as doctors in South Africa. This shows the extent of the dissatisfaction among doctors for the situation in South Africa’s public health service. The reply shows that since 2005 (excluding 2008, in which figures are distorted by the introduction of an extra year of internship), a total of 5 689 trainee doctors applied to do internships, but only 4 702 newly qualified doctors applied for community service posts. Given that graduation figures have been stable over the past few years, this means that around 1 000 SA trained doctors since 2005 did not register to work in South Africa.
Free State and SA’s borders unprotected and vulnerable - DA - 28/07/2009
A DA investigation has found that the South Africa/Lesotho border is wide open, leaving local residents in the border areas extremely vulnerable to transnational crime from Lesotho, especially stock theft. A DA delegation found during a visit to border in the Golden Gate-Clarens-Fouriesburg area, that the border fence does not exist at all for large parts; that the SAPS Border Security Unit is ineffective because off only approximately 30 police officers to protect 130 km of landward border, that is 1 policeman for every 4.3 km; and that SAPS Stock Theft Unit is also ineffective – the unit has only 3 police officers, with 13 vacancies. Residents associations are therefore forced to spend vast amounts of money on borderline security, thus effectively privatizing borderline security. However, the state of borderline security is not restricted to the SA/Lesotho border: South Africa’s 4 862 km la nd border is protected by just 684 police officers, which is the equivalent of deploying approximately 1 x police officer every 7 km of land border. Moreover, in this financial year, the SAPS plans to spend more on “VIP Protection Services” (R380 004 000) than on “Borderline Security” (R224 969 000).
One casualty every second day at SA mines - 27/07/2009
According to the current mortality rate, one mineworker dies every second day in South Africa, trade union Solidarity says in a media statement. Taking into account the nine mineworkers who died in a fall-of-ground incident at Impala Platinum in the past two days, the official death toll at South African mines in 2009 is already at 104. Solidarity emphasized that the mining accident at Impala once again places the spotlight on the shocking rate of fatal incidents at SA mines. “South African mining is a safety nightmare, with accidents just waiting to happen. Although accidents repeatedly take place due to reasons beyond the control of mining companies, as in the case of seismic activities, poor safety decisions play a significant part in mining deaths,” according to the trade union.
Voorbereidings vir Boertjiekontreifees 2009 te Bultfontein - 27/07/2009
Voorbereidings is volstoom aan die gang vir die Boertjiekontreifees wat 3 – 6 September vanjaar te Bultfontein aangebied word. Vir die fees vanjaar, wat verlede jaar slegs vir die derde keer gehou is, maar 22 000 besoekers getrek het, word meer as 30 000 besoekers verwag. Die aantal uitstallers vermeerder ook grootliks, terwyl ook ’n nog meer uitgebreide vermaaklikheidsprogram reeds vasgemaak is. Nuwe fasalitieite word ook op die feesterrein – voorheen die Bultfontein Skougronde – opgerig. Dit lyk op hierdie staduim of die Boertjiekontreifees die derde grootste landbouskou in die Vrystaat insluit, naas Nampo Oesdag en Bloem Skou. Wat ook in die fees se guns tel, is dat Bultfontein beskou word as tans die skoonste dorp in die Vrystaat. Vir meer besonderhede oor die Boertjiekontreifees, skakel Volla du Plessis by 083 636 1555.
VF Plus Vrystaat oor begroting en ekonomie - 23/07/2009
Abrie Oosthuizen
Abrie Oosthuizen, Vrystaatse Leier van die Vryheidsfront Plus, het in die algemene begrotingsdebat in die Wetgewer gesê dat die probleem wat ontstaan a.g.v. die begroting wat laat ingedien is, is dat groot druk op departemente geplaas word aangesien hulle ingevolge die Algemene Finansiële Bestuurswet nie meer as 45% van hulle vorige jaar se begroting mag spandeer voordat die begroting nie goedgekeur is nie. Indien so meer as 45% gespandeer is voordat die begroting goedgekeur is, sal dit as ’n ongemagtigde uitgawe beskou word. Oosthuizen het die huidige kapitaalwerkeprogram van die nasionale regering in ‘n tyd van resessie geprys, maar gemaan dat dit na 2010 steeds moet voorgaan. Oosthuizen het ook gesê dat SEB sal afgeskaal moet word ten gunste van ekonomiese groei. Elke talentvolle Suid-Afrikaner moet ten volle opgelei en benut word om ekonomiese groei te verseker. Suid-Afrikaans-opgeleide dokters, ingenieu rs, regsgeleerdes, argitekte en stadsbeplanners in Londen, Kanada of Australië beteken niks vir die Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomie nie en dit moet dringend omgekeer word.
Sakelui biddag - 23/07/2009
Sakelui in Bloemfontein hou DV op Saterdag, 25 Julie, ‘n biddag oor die ekonomiese resessie, om 09:00 by Jim Fouchè Hoërskool. Die diens word gelei deur ds. Willie Badenhorst van NG Universitas Rif. Sakelui van sover as De Aar en Bethlehem het aangedui dat hulle belangstel om by te woon. Meer besonderhede by Johan Delport 079 516 6188.
SA gold output to fall until 2014 - 20/07/2009
According to a study by Frost & Sullivan, South Africa’s gold output, which has been in chronic decline for decades and last year slumped to its lowest level since 1922, will continue to fall until at least 2014. In 2008, South Africa, which in the 1970s produced at levels of around 1 000 t/y and was by far the world’s leading producer, recorded output of only 220 t. During the year, owing to power disruptions, mining was suspended for the first time since 1902. The fall in production saw the country slump to third position, behind China and the US, having already ceded its production leadership to China in 2007. Further, the country’s position might also be threatened by Australia in 2009.
SA unemployment situation - 20/07/2009
Engineering News reports that South Africa’s latest official unemployment statistics reflect that 23,5% economically active South Africans, or 4,2-million people, are currently jobless. However, if that figure were to include those discouraged from actively seeking employment, known as the ‘broad’ definition of unemployment, the figure swells to an even more frightening 28,4%, or 5,3-million. Further, about 75% of unemployed people are under the age of 35, while 72% of the unemployed between the ages of 15 and 30 have never had a job, and have thus never acquired any kind of marketable skill. However, notwithstanding, SA faces a so-called ‘skills deficit’, indicating a material mismatch between education and training outcomes and the needs of a fast modernizing economy.
Onstabiliteit voorspel vir mynbedryf - 17/07/2009
In ‘n mediaverklaring voorspel die vakbond Solidariteit dat ‘n tydperk van onstabiliteit vir die Suid-Afrikaanse mynbedryf voorle nadat die ANC aangekondig het dat daar oor die nasionalisering van myne debat gevoer moet word. Die uitspraak kom nadat Cosatu, die ANC Jeug-liga en die Jong Kommunisteliga (YCL) hul uitgespreek het ten gunste van die nasionalisering van myne in SA. “Mynbou is ‘n langtermyn belegging en gebou op stabiliteit en die uitsprake wat nou gemaak word en die ondersteuning wat die ANC nou aan die debatvoering gee, is ‘n onrusbarende teken. Die uitsprake kon nie op ‘n slegter tyd gekom het nie. Kommoditeitspryse het skerp gedaal en nagenoeg 35 000 werknemers in die bedryf het reeds vanjaar hul werk verloor. Mynmaatskappye haat onsekerheid en ernstige beleggers sal eerder kies om nie in Suid-Afrika se mynbou te bele nie, “ aldus Solidariteit.
Swart op wit terrorisme - 17/07/2009
Daar is nie ‘n ander manier om die grusame en wreedaardige aanvalle op blankes die afgelope week by onderskeidelik Cullinan en Kroonstad te beskryf nie. Te Cullinan is mnr. Piet van den Berg (64) koelbloedig van agter doodgeskiet en het een van die swart aanvallers aan mev. Van den Berg (60) gese: “Die ou man het nie saamgewerk nie.” Vir mev. Van den Berg het die aanvallers verder gese: “Wat is jou laaste woorde, want ons gaan die huis afbrand.” Daarna het die moordenaars die huis beroof en dit toe aan die brand gesteek. Mev. Van den Berg het ternouernood daarin geslaag om verbranding te ontsnap. Ter Kroonstad is mnr. Louis Boshoff (64) insgelyks in sy plaashuis koelbloedig geskiet en sy organe sodanig beskadig dat hy in ‘n kritieke toestand in die Kroon Hospitaal steeds veg vir sy lewe. Vir mev. Boshoff het die aanvallers gese hulle gaan haar verkrag en skiet. Nadat per ongeluk ‘n skoot afgevuur is, het die aanvallers op d ie vlug geslaan. Hulle is binne 24 uur deur die Polisie aangekeer en is die vuurwapen waarmee Boshoff geskiet is, gevind.
Brakes on truck sales - 16/07/2009
The truck market continues to record sales at levels last seen five years ago – the total sales volume of 1 409 units reported during May to Naamsa was 41,2% lower than the 2 862 units recorded in the corresponding month last year. Compared with figures for May 2008, sales in the medium commercial vehicle segment declined by 41,8% to 528 units. The heavy commercial vehicle segment dropped by 17,4% to 282 units, while the extra-heavy commercial segment shrunk by a massive 61,4% to 504 units.
Miljoene der miljoene rand vermors deur twee VS munisipaliteite - 16/07/2009
Die afgelope paar dae is bekend gemaak dat Matjabeng Plaaslike Munisipalitieit gebaseer te Welkom “slegte skuld” ten bedrae van meer as R700 miljoen ingevolge ‘n raadsbesluit afgeskryf het. Intussen lyk dit asof uitstaande skuld van die munisipaliteit steeds meer as R200 miljoen beloop. Inmiddels is luidens ‘n verslag van die ouditeur-generaal (OG) meer as R40 miljoen van die Mohokare Plaaslike Munisipaliteit gebaseer te Smithfield op bedrieglike wyse deur ‘n paar munisipale amptenare elektronies in eie sakke oorbetaal. Dit was na bewering die aankoopamptenaar, vaardigheidsontwikkelingsbeampte en loonklerk wat betrokke was, blykbaar ook met medewete van die burgermeester en een of meer munisipale bestuurders.
Hersienne Vrystaatse begroting - 16/07/2009
 Seiso Mohai
Die hersienne begroting van die Vrystaatse Provinsiale Regering is pas deur die LUR vir Finansies mnr. Seiso Mohai, in die Wetgewer ter tafel gelê. Die totale begroting beloop R18,37 miljard, terwyl die herprioritiseringsbedrag R432,618 miljoen beloop. Maatskaplike en gemeenskapsontwikkeling kry R55 miljoen meer, landbou R14 miljoen minder, die premierskantoor R23 miljoen meer en sport en kultuur R47 miljoen meer.
Bad debt threatens Land Bank’s survival - 15/07/2009
The embattled state-owned Land Bank has repossessed 25 farms around the country, of which six are black-owned properties used as collateral against farm loans. The rest of the farmsteads belonged to white commercial farmers. Parliament's agriculture, fisheries and forestry committee has called on the government to forge ways of saving a further 350 black emergent farmers who are in trouble and are costing the Land Bank about R100 million a month - or R1,2 billion a year - on loan defaults. Non-performing loans have risen from R1bn in 2004 to about R4bn. Debt defaults had started to mount among "development farmers" - the bank's term for black farmers - in recent years and the problems were exacerbated by a moratorium on farm repossessions, which was in force until last year.
Eskom obstructing negotiations – Solidarity - 14/07/2009
Eskom’s refusal to provide trade unions with essential information about the group’s financial statements is obstructing wage negotiations at the company, Solidarity said in a media release. Solidarity, in addition to other trade unions, is meanwhile refusing to adjust the wage increase demand of 14% until Eskom provides the necessary statements. “The negotiation process is intentionally being railroaded by Eskom, who is withholding information that is essential for this year’s wage negotiations. At the beginning of the year’s negotiations, trade unions already requested that the information be made available, but this has still not been done. Eskom is approaching the negotiations in bad faith and are not being accommodating at all,” explained Solidarity spokesperson Jaco Kleynhans.
Latest ABC figures on publications - 13/07/2009
In the report by the Audit Bureau of Circulations of South Africa (ABC) for the first quarter of 2009, it is indicated that only four daily newspapers reported an increase of circulation in the first quarter: Bukedde; Daily Nation; Daily Sun and Son. Meanwhile, a drop in circulation for the same category of daily newspapers was recorded by some of the country’s largest papers, among others, Beeld, Daily, Die Burger, Business Day, Cape Argus, Cape Times, The Citizen, Daily Monitor, Daily News, The Mercury, Pretoria News, Sowetan, The Star and The Witness. The total change in circulation - for all daily newspapers - was a total drop of 54 199. The category of weekly newspapers recorded few changes, with most papers, such as the Mail & Guardian, Mmegl Monitor, The Mmegl Reporter, The Post, The Sun (weekly), hovering on the previous quarter’s figures. The last category - community press - indicates that 32 commun ity papers recorded a decline in circulation figures from the previous quarter, while 28 community papers reported an increase.
Rioting in Free State about municipal service delivery - 13/07/2009
Rioting has broken out in at least two Free State towns about alleged poor or non-existent service delivery – Reitz and Jagersfontein. At the latter the historical municipal building has been torched and burned to the ground, while at Reitz rioters also took to the streets, causing damage to buildings and vehicles. At both towns long lists of complaints against and demands to the respective local municipalities were produced. The question arises why these iots so soon on the heels of the provinces by the new Premier and who actually is organizing these protest actions?
Sasol chemiese bedrywighede toon verlies - 10/07/2009
Sasol verwag dat sy chemiese bedrywighede in die tweede helfte van die lopende boekjaar asook in die volle boekjaar ‘n bedryfsverlies sal ly. In ‘n nuusbrief aan aandeelhouers word verklaar die verwagte verlies spruit uit die negatiewe uitwerking van valutaomskakelings, voorraadaanpassings en die mededingingsboetes wat betaal moes word. Chemiese bedrywighede is ook erg geraak deur die internasionale resessie deur ‘n afname in verkoopsvolumes en winsmarges in die tweede helfte van die 2009-boekjaar. Voorts word kapitaalbesteding van Sasol oor die volgende drie jaar met 35% tot sowat R15 miljard gesny. Sasol vorder egter intussen met sy planne vir ‘n nuwe steenkool-tot-brandstofaanleg - Projek Mafutha - in die noordweste van Limpopo, waarin die NOK ‘n belang van 49% sal hê.
World body for newspapers restructured - 10/07/2009
The World Association of Newspapers and IFRA, the two leading international associations for print and digital news publishing, have merged into a new organization called the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA). The combined new organisation will represent more than 18 000 publications; 15 000 online sites and over 3 000 companies in more than 120 countries.
Senwes wins meer as 100% - 09/07/2009
Senwes se finansiële jaarverslag vanjaar in hul eeufeesjaar toon dat netto wins met 110% tot bykans R370 miljoen gestyg het. Inkomste het R11,15 miljard (+46%) beloop, wesensverdienste per aandeel 190,3c (+123,4%) en dividende 62c per aandeel (+14,8%). Dit verteenwoordig die grootste wins wat die maatskappy in sy 100ste bestaansjaar behaal het. Mnr. Steven Alberts, finansiële direkteur van Senwes, sê die maatskappy het voordeel getrek uit die bullopie wat plaasmasjinerie beleef het. Dit is op sy beurt ‘n aanduiding dat Senwes se boerekliënte vroeër self stewige winste as gevolg van hoër kommoditeitspryse verdien het.
New Consumer Act to change business - 09/07/2009
Telling advertisers that they may not use exaggeration or innuendo in their ads is like telling politicians to tone down their promises before an election - it’s virtually impossible. Yet that is what the Consumer Protection Act does in Section 41 (1) (b): A business may not “use exaggeration, innuendo or ambiguity” in marketing its products or services. The Act, which has recently been signed into law and will come into effect in October next year, will radically overhaul the way business is done with the South African consumer. It outlaws, for example, not only dangerous products but also inferior goods, and scariest of all for business owners is that the onus is on them to prove that their products and services are good and safe. So watch out for this one!
Latest tourism stats - 03/07/2009
SA’s March 2009 tourist arrivals statistics, released by Statistics South Africa, indicate that the beginning of the year was tough for inbound operators. Overall overseas arrivals dropped by 17,4% from 220 654 in the same month last year to 188 018 passengers this year. Most source markets showed serious decline, but Asian markets, China and India featured small growth for the month. The key source markets for March 2009 were as follows: UK down 15,4% / USA down 17% / Germany down 34,3% / France down 18,6% / The Netherlands down 17,1% / Australia down 9,8% / Canada down 21% / India up 1,8% / Sweden down 9,2% / China up 2,3%.
Polisie self by misdaad betrokke neem 72% toe - 03/07/2009
Kriminele klagtes teen Polisielede het volgens die Onafhanklike Klagtedirektoraat (OKD) die afgelope vier jaar met 72% toegeneem. Volgens die OKD was daar in 2005/2006 en 2006/2007 onderskeidelik 1 643 en 1 787 kriminele klagtes teen Polisielede en in 2007/2008 en 2008/2009 boekjaar onderskeidelik 2 101 en 2 289. Dit sluit misdade in van moord, poging tot moord, verkragting, aanranding met die opset om ernstig te beseer, diefstal en korrupsie. Volgens die inligting, kon die OKD slegs 51% van die nuutste klagtes afhandel. Van die laaste jaar se 2 289 klagtes kon slegs 1 165 afgehandel word. Daar was 1 968 sake van die vorige jaar wat nog uitstaande is, wat beteken in total is 4 257 sake nog nie afgehandel nie.
Mood of lenders “is improving” - 30/06/2009
 Michael Jordaan
The mood in financial markets seems to be ‘changing for the better’ as both banks and borrowers regain confidence, according to FNB chief executive Michael Jordaan. “The 4.5 percentage point cut in interest rates since December, and the fact that borrowers have been reducing their debt, are starting to have the desired effect on household finances. “Banks are becoming more comfortable with lending,” he said. Sim Tshabalala, deputy chief executive of Standard Bank, said the rate cuts had “definitely improved the mood among bankers” and made borrowing more affordable for consumers. But he pointed out that an improved monthly cash flow “does not mean customers” appetite to increase debt rises immediately”. Gavin Opperman, the group executive for retail at ABSA, said the rate cuts were a relief for households, particularly those that could “just afford” to buy or keep their homes. But “residential mortgage loan applications remain at half the levels they were a year ago and of a lesser quality as applicants” household debt is higher than before”, he said.
Tweeling omskep in toeriste-aantrekking - 30/06/2009
Die Grasland Kronkelroete het op 13 Junie 2009 nog ‘n juweel bygekry met die omskepping van die dorpie Tweeling in ‘n toeriste-aantrekking. Tweeling lê op die hoofroete van Gauteng na Clarens en bied ‘n interessante afdraai met ‘n drieledige attraksie. Die wolveilingsaal wat vir jare lank as’t ware ‘n stiefkind op die dorp was, is omskep in ‘n statige gastehuis met ‘n unieke atmosfeer. ‘n Entjie daarvandaan het die Art Basket Koffiekroeg en Galery sy deure geopen met ‘n eklektiese versameling van oorspronklike kuns uit die kontrei en oudhede, asook ligte versnaperinge. Daarby is die ou rollermeule op die dorp omskep in ‘n oornagfasiliteit met ‘n glaskroegtoonbank tussen die ou masjiene wat eens meel gemaal het. ‘n Groot skerm bied die geleentheid om sport of films van toeka te kyk. Vir meer besonderhede, epos Philip de Kock by makiti@telkomsa.net.
Automakers shed over 2 500 jobs - 29/06/2009
According to the Quarterly Business Review of Naamsa, the SA new vehicle manufacturing industry shed 2 571 jobs in the first quarter of 2009, shrinking from 34 963 people at the end of last year, to the current level of 32 392. Naamsa also reports that 2009 first-quarter passenger car sales recorded a decline of 25 726 new cars sold during the corresponding period in 2008. Combined commercial vehicle sales during the first quarter of 2009 reflected a fall of 22 173 units, or a decline of 40%, compared with the 55 415 units sold during the corresponding time last year.
Medupi power station massive project - 29/06/2009
The figures for the new Medupi power station to be developed for Eskom near Lephalale in Limpopo Province, are massive and point to an equally massive boost for the local regional economy. The R700 million project is to be developed by a partnership between Murray & Roberts assisted by Concor and Grinaker-LTA. While 200 local professionals and 300 artisans and laborers have to be trained, 1 000 artisans and labourers have already been recruited and equipped. 700 of the trained personnel have been deployed for use in the construction of the power station, with the remaining 3 000 expected to begin work soon. The total work hours for the civil construction is 13 000 000 hours. The total volume of concrete which will be used, is 440 000 m³ and is the equivalent of 440 km of road. 60 000 tons of reinforcing is required for the project, which, if converted to a 20-mm bar of metal, would encircle the earth once. The first par t of the power station is to be connected to Eskom’s electricity grid towards the end of 2010, while the remainder is to be commissioned in 2013. Once completed, the Medupi power station will be the biggest dry-cooled power station in the world.
Solar green for Free State - 26/06/2009
One of the new key issues highlighted by Premier Ace Magashule in his State of the Province address is that the Free State is looking to install at least 40 000 solar geysers, using local labour to perform both installation and maintenance. It is expected that a substantive number of jobs will be created through this initiative. This project will see an electricity reduction of between 30% to 50 % per household which should translate into a general electricity consumption saving for municipalities, the province and the country. Magashule said that the implementation of the solar geyser project in Free State for the informal settlements (i.e., low income households) will be initiated in partnership with the National Department of Energy in this financial year. The project is part of the government’s Demand Side Management Programme where energy efficiency is being implemented in all government buildings, clinics, hospitals and schools.
Growth in developing countries disappoints Word Bank - 25/06/2009
The economies of developing nations grew by only 1,2 % over the past year, as opposed to the 2,1 % the World Bank hoped for. In a report released this week, the World Bank noted that without the contributions of China and India to the average growth, the developing countries would not have made any progress. The World Bank believes the economy of China will grow by 7,2 % this year and 7,7 % next year, and that of India by 5,1 % and 8 % over the same period. The Bank believes the world economy will grow by 2 % next year, with those of the developing countries growing at 4,4 %. Without taking the expected growth of China and India into account, the expected growth for developing countries would only be 2,5 %.
Staatsgesondheid in Vrystaat stort in duie - 26/06/2009
Dienste en fasiliteite verskaf deur die Vrystaatse Departement van Gesondheid is besig om letterlik in duie te stort. Mediese personeel by o.a. die Universitas, Pelenomi en Nasionale Hospitaal dreig om binne dae te staak en die hospitale as onveilig te verklaar. Dit kom te midde van ‘n begrotingstekort van die Departement wat sy dienste feitlik tot stilstand laat knars het. So bv. is hope mediese afval by hospitale besig om op te hoop omdat die kontrakteurs dit vanweë wanbetaling nie meer verwyder nie. Inmiddels het Premier Magashule in sy openingsrede van die Wetgewer beloof om die Departement van Gesondheid weer spoedig aan die gang te kry, maar dit blyk dat die beskikbare tyd bitter min is.
MyWeek terminated - 25/06/2009
It has been reported that Media24 has closed MyWeek magazine with immediate effect, due to escalating costs and a declining advertising base. As a result of economic pressures, it was no longer viable to publish the magazine, it is stated. The final issue appeared on 27 May 2009.
Small enterprises urged to watch cash flow - 24/06/2009
For small enterprises, managing their cash flow properly and keeping in mind how banks reviewed their performance, were the keys to beating the recession, Alan Miltz, of Inmatrix observed this week at an annual Standard Bank workshop in Johannesburg. “Get your cash flow right and manage it in a way that is approved by your bankers and a number of other factors in the business will fall in place”, he said. He said the major steps in beating an economic downturn lay in conducting a financial health check. An intimate knowledge of all the factors that could impact negatively on cash flow was a basic requirement for future success in sustainability in business. “Knowing your business means understanding what impact a one-day, 1 % change in price; reducing or increasing volumes; accounts receivable and payable; cost of goods sold; and inventory holding levels are having on your cash flow,” Miltz said.
Smithfield Bibber Chill Fees 2009 - 24/06/2009
Smithfield se Bibber Chill Fees wat op Saterdag, 27 Junie, gehou word, bied ‘n interessante program met o.a. ‘n groot kunsuitstalling. Verder sal die klem soos gewoonlik val op skaapboerdery, maar met ’n interessante kinkel in die vorm van ’n skaap-modevertoning asook skaapresies. Op ’n meer ernstige noot, sal daar ’n skaapskeerkompetisie en ’n kuddekompetisie wees. Daar is ook bergfietsry, uitstekende kwiltwerk-uitstallings, plaaslike baasvertellers met “Stoepstories” en skaaphonddemonstrasies. Die Grey Boereorkes en Collin Street sal sorg vir musiek. Vir verdere inligting, kontak Linette by 082 562 3256.
Crude oil on hike - 23/06/2009
The escalation of the price of crude oil to above $70 a barrel is ascribed to a lower than expected reserve American stock. The stock decreased by 6 million barrels in one week. Speculators, pouncing on the slightest indications of economic recovery, apparently were out of the blocks lightning quick to cash in. Speculators may find the going tougher than they hope, as the Northern Hemisphere is approaching mid summer, when oil consumption is low. The past year saw a reverse in this tendency. Associated News Press referred to the drop in oil prices to around $30 a barrel during the winter, down from around $147 during the summer.
Vrystaat top landbouprovinsie - 23/06/2009
Volgens die landbousensus vir 2007 pas deur Stats SA uitgereik, is die Vrystaat die topverdiener uit gewasaanplantings met ‘n inkomste van R4,22 miljard as ook die topverdiener in diereprodukte met R5,281 miljard. Die Vrystaat was daarby met ‘n totale bruto inkomste van R11,93 miljard die naasgrootste geldverdiener in landbou naas die Wes-Kaap met R16,573 miljard. Wat betref die markwaarde van landboubates was die Vrystaat met R2,05 miljard ook die naasgrootste naas die Wes-Kaap (R44,628 miljard).
Premier Magashule beloof “nuwe Vrystaat binne vyf jaar - 19/06/2009
Oor vyf jaar gaan die Vrystaat ‘n gedaantewisseling ondergaan het, aldus die beloftes van Premier Ace Magashule tydens sy provinsiale rede. Munisipale dienslewering gaan verbeter deur die trekpas te gee aan munisipale ampsdraers en amptenare wat nie prestasiemeting slaag nie, die Vrystaatse Gesondheidsdepartement en die Onderwysdepartement gaan met intervensieprogrogramme reggeruk word, misdaad (ook oorgrensmisdaad) en korrupsie gaan in die bek geruk word en landelike ontwikkeling en werkskepping in die geheel gaan aandag kry. Die vyfjaarplan staan as Operasie Hlasela bekend, wat aanval of aanpak beteken. Magashule het ‘n stampvol saal by Vista Universiteit toegespreek, terwyl talle mense buite oor luidsprekers na die verrigtinge - wat ‘n uur laat begin het – geluister het. Opposisieleiers deur die bank was egter skepties oor onder meer die ANC se politieke wil om so drasties op te tree en oor die vr aag of daar voldoende geld vir die projekte sal wees.
Zimbabwese plaasdiefstal – nou streekspolitiek vs die reg - 18/06/2009
Die hoogste regbank in die Suider-Afrikaanse Ontwikkelingsgemeenskap (SAOG), wat in November verlede jaar bevind het die Zimbabwese regering moet plase wat by boere in dié land onwettig afgeneem is en teruggee moet word, het nou die staatshoofde van die SAOG gevra om op hul beraad in Augustus vanjaar in Kinshasa gehoor te gee aan hul uitspraak. Dit blyk dat die boere met die hofaansoek onder doodsomstandighede leef. Inmiddels het die Grondwethof van SA ‘n hooggeregshof bevel bekragtig dat die SA regering verplig is om die plaaseiendom in Zimbabwe van die SA boer, mnr Crawford von Abo, te beskerm en toe te sien dat restitusie geskied.
Graan SA oor oorsaak van hoë kospryse - 18/06/2009
In ‘n mediaverklaring sé Graan SA die prys van basiese voedselsoorte, soos mielies en koring wat as grondstof vir stapelvoedsel gebruik word, kan nie meer die skuld vir die hoë vlakke van voedselinflasie kry nie. Die prys van witmielies het op ‘n jaar-op-jaar-basis (1 April 2008 tot 1 April 2009) met 13,8% en dié van koring met 34,8% gedaal. Die prys van witmielies is selfs beduidend laer as wat dit twee jaar terug in April 2007 was. Volgens inligting van die Sentrale Statistiekdiens het die prys van ‘n 700 gram bruinbrood vanaf R5,75 in Maart 2008 tot R7,21 in Maart 2009 (25,39%) en dié van ‘n 5 kg verpakking mieliemeel vanaf R21,78 tot R23,16 (6,33%) gestyg. “Die vraag kan met reg gevra word: wat sou met die verbruikersprys van brood en mieliemeel gebeur het indien koring en mieliepryse ook gestyg het?”, vra Graan SA.
Eskom warns on vandalized meter boxes - 17/06/2009
In a media statement Eskom says it’s a common sight in urban areas – an electricity meter and mini boxes which are vandalized and feature jumbled electric wiring, but it has the potential to be deadly and the most likely victims are to be children. Additional hazards are caused by the weather. After rain water lies in puddles wetting wires and making areas ‘live’. People who vandalize and steal electricity through illegal connections are therefore not only thieves who actually drive up the cost of electricity to law abiding citizens, but they also place the health and lives of others in their areas at risk. Children should be warned not to play or climb on meter/mini boxes. The areas may look exiting and inviting, but to those who do not understand electricity they could be fatal. People noticing potential unsafe conditions or unauthorized persons bothering with Eskom installations or equipment, should contact Eskom on 0860 037 566, or email to safety@eskom.co.za
Twee nasionale parke uiteindelik verenig - 16/06/2009
Die Golden Gate Nasionale Park in die Oos-Vrystaat en sy provinsiale buurpark, die Qwa Qwa Nasionale Park, het ná jare se voetsleep en toutrek uiteindelik een park geword net ‘n aankondiging in die Staatskoerant waardeur Golden Gate se oppervlakte drie keer groter – na 340 km² (34 000 ha). Die park kan nou 4x4- en wildbesigtigingroetes op die bykomende gebied ontwikkel sodra wildheinings en paaie verbeter is. Die nuutsaamgestelde park ressorteer onder die SA Nasionale Parkeraad.
Harmony also eyes sinking Pamodzi - 15/06/2009
The socio-economic crisis on the Free State Goldfields created by the collapse of Pamodzi Gold might take a turn for the better if one of three offers to purchase the sinking operation, including one from Harmony Gold, could come to realization. It is reported that Sekunjalo Investments has bypassed the provisional liquidators and made an offer of more than $100 million (R806m) for all of Pamodzi. Apparently Sekunjalo and its Middle East partners were willing to put down $75m in working capital if their bid for Pamodzi was successful. Meanwhile Graham Briggs, chief executive of Harmony, confirmed that the company had made an offer for Pamodzi’s Free State assets, which included the President Steyn Mine, the Lorraine and Freddie shafts and a processing plant. He added that the assets were close to Harmony’s Bambanani, Tshepong and Target mines. Pamodzi’s Free State assets could be able to produce 100 000 ounces of gold a year within two to three years of being acquired and about 150 000 ounces of gold a year within six years, Briggs said.
Skokkende verslag oor kindermoord en –verkragtings in SA - 12/06/2009
Solidariteit Helpende Hand het ‘n skokkende verslag uitgebring oor o.m. kindermoord en – verkragtings in SA. Volgens die verslag was daar in 2007/08 in SA 1 410 sake van kindermoord aangemeld – ‘n toename van 22,4% vergeleke met die vorige jaar. Aangemelde pogings tot kindermoord het met 13,7% oor dieselfde tydperk toegeneem. Elke dag word 60 kinderverkragtings en 13 onsedelike aanrandings van kinders aangemeld. Dit is een kind wat elke drie minute verkrag word. Die SA Nasionale Jeugviktimiseringsopname van 2005 het bevind dat slegs 11,3% van kinderverkragtings by die SAPD aangemeld word. Dit beteken dat daar vir elke geval wat aangemeld word in werklikheid ‘n bykomende agt kinderverkragtings plaasvind. Byna 45% van alle verkragtings wat in SA aangemeld word, is kinderverkragtings. In die verslag word Bloemfontein uitgewys as een van die grootste fokuspunte van sindikate in handel met kinders vir se ks en dwelmhandel. Vir meer besonderhede, besoek www.helpendehand.co.za.
President to cut red tape on small firms - 11/06/2009
Notable from the State of the Nation address by Pres. Jacob Zuma, is the commitment to reducing the regulatory burden on small business. “The matter of being stifled by regulations has been raised by the sector several times”, Zuma said, adding that the government would work towards a single integrated business registration system. The Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut (AHI) as well as the Business Unity SA (Busa) welcomed Zuma’s comments, saying an easing in regulatory obligations would be extremely important in the present “economic turmoil”.
Civil engineering expected to remain strong - 09/06/2009
According to the SA Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors (Safcec), turnover in South Africa’s civil engineering sector is expected to grow by 5,73% this year, coolingdown significantly from the 25,1% recorded in 2008 and the 38% achieved in 2007. The total turnover amount for the industry expected for 2009 is R30,6 billion.
CUT plans facilitation of commercialization of new innovations - 08/06/2009
The Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) is planning a regional innovation workshop to facilitate the development of commercialization of new innovations by SMMEs. The workshop is to be held on 30 July 2009 at CUT. Arrangements for the workshop are presently underway and official invitations, including the programme and other relevant information, will be availed shortly. For more info, contact tel. 051 – 507 3001, fax 051 504 3310 or email ntheron@cut.ac.za
36 illegal miners die on Goldfields - 05/06/2009
Annually thousands of illegal miners or so-called zama-zamas exploit gold deposits worth millions of rand from obsolete mines on the Free State Goldfields, operating under no safety measures whatsoever. Late last week their practice caught up with them and 36 zama-zamas died in an underground fire in a closed shaft of the Harmony Eland Mine between Virginia and Welkom. As a result of the fire, some 300 zama-zamas operating underground, were arrested by the SAPD when they came to surface. It would seem that there is little or no evidence of care either from the SAPD or mine authorities about the lot of zama-zamas still underground.
Onwettige renosterjagsaak van miljoene rand - 04/06/2009
’n Hooggeregshofsaak is in Bloemfontein aanhangig gemaak waarin lede van ’n landswye sindikaat wat renosters onwettig gejag het ten bedrae van miljoene rande, teregstaan. Bykans 80kg renosterhoring van 22 renosters, baie van hulle uit die Kruger Wildtuin, is betrokke. Van die aangeklaagdes is mnr. Clayton Fletcher (32) van Woodland Hills, Bloemfontein en Piet Swart (22) van Kroonstad, asook Kumaran Moodaly (38) van Port Elizabeth. Die klagstaat bevat 43 aanklagte, wat sewe provinsies betrek en ’n tydperk sedert 2005 dek. Dit is een van dit grootste en omvattendste sake van sy soort in ’n lang tyd, indien nie ooit, in SA.
Saaci national conference goes green - 01/06/2009
It is reported that the 2009 Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (Saaci), to be held at the CSIR Convention Centre, Pretoria, from July 26-28, will be green. The process entails pre-conference organising support and guidance, followed by an on-site review and audit of the actual event and a post-conference report on the findings and status of the event. In terms of waste reduction, exhibitors will be encouraged to use advertising material that is recyclable or biodegradable with a high recycle content. Themed TASK – short for Tenacity, Accountability, Sustainability and Knowledge – this year’s conference will show delegates how to perfect the juggling act of their everyday lives. More info at www.saaci.co.za.
CPI drops 8.4% - 29/05/2009
According to the latest figures from Stats SA, the Consumer Price Index used to measure inflation, dropped to 8.4% in April 2009. This rate was 0.1 of a percentage point lower than the corresponding annual rate of 8.5% in March 2009. On this Bureau for Economic Research (BER) economist Hugo Pienaar commented that he expected the CPI to move toward the 8% mark, while Nedbank in a statement said that the CPI fell less than expected in April mainly due to increases in food, fuel and higher car prices.
Free State tourism rises on provincial ladder - 29/05/2009
According to a report by the Free State Tourism Authority, figures from SA Tourism show that the province has performed better than last year in terms of tourism spent and bed nights. Most of the growth for the Free State is derived from Lesotho. Leisure still dominates as the main reason for tourists coming to SA. Over all, the figures for 2008 indicate that the Free State now ranks number 5 from the 9 provinces – one step up from number 6 in 2007. For more information, see the June 2009 edition of the Free State Business Bulletin.
Executive mayor to lead Mangaung resurge - 28/05/2009
 Mr. Playfair Morule
At the media briefing today in Bloemfontein, Mangaung executive mayor Playfair Morule announced a strategy to put the financially ailing Mangaung Municipality on a path of recovery. Amongst the steps to be undertaken, are a plan to collect as best possible the municipality’s outstanding debt of some R850 million; a revised budget for 2009/10 to turn a monthly operational deficit into a surplus; upgrading of streets in townships in Mangaung, Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu; the channeling of new developments around Bloemfontein to the eastern side of the city and curbing development to the west; sourcing of skills from the private sector for the municipality; and boosting morale amongst the staff component of the municipality.
Economy in free fall – Treasury - 28/05/2009
Stats SA yesterday confirmed on behalf of the National Government that South Africa has officially tumbled into a recession for the first time in 17 years - with more pain to follow. Gross domestic product figures showed the economy had shrunk in the first quarter of this year by a hefty 6.4% a year, after contracting 1.8% a year in the last quarter of 2008. The decline in the first quarter was a lot more than was expected. Said National Treasury director-general Lesetja Kganyago, the economy would continue to shrink in the present quarter. Statistics SA said the decline had been widespread across the economy. Manufacturing had dropped 22.1% and mining 32.8% - the biggest falls on record. Construction was one of the few sectors to have grown. An economy is officially in recession when it contracts for two consecutive quarters - six months.
Mortgage stress set to increase - 26/05/2009
In a media release, the Alliance Group says it expects that mortgage stress, which refers to properties that are two months in arrears on bond repayments, will increase in the second quarter of the year. The group is due to release its second quarter Distressed Asset Index at the end of June and has projected that mortgage stress will shoot up from 125 000 home owners in the first quarter to close to 200 000 home owners in the second quarter. The group also projected that severe mortgage stress, four months in arrears on bond repayments, would rise sharply from 55 000 home owners in the first quarter to 85 000 in the second quarter.
Good wage increases expected in mining sector - 25/05/2009
On the eve of wage negotiations with the Chamber of Mines, which is to commence today for the coal and gold sectors respectively, the trade union Solidarity maintains that the continued drop in production costs this year will open the door for good wage increases for employees. Production price inflation is still sharply on the decrease, indicating that companies are spending much less on input costs. In addition, companies in the gold sector are currently reaping the benefits of high gold prices. Solidarity argues that the current conditions in both the gold and coal sectors are favourable, setting the table for good wage increases. The latest production price inflation has been estimated to be 5,3% – nearly 4% lower than the 9,2% recorded in January. Moreover, it is believed that these inflation levels will drop even further later this year. Meanwhile, gold is currently trading at record levels.
Wetenskapskool vir Uitnemendheid vir Graad 11’s - 25/05/2009
Die UV Fakulteit Natuur- en Landbouwetenskappe bied van 6-9 Julie 2009 ? Wetenskapskool vir Uitnemendheid vir toppresteerders in graad 11 aan. Vier opwindende dae word beplan waartydens graad 11-leerders aan uitdagende ‘buite skoolverband’-oefeninge asook laboratorium- en navorsingsaktiwiteite sal deelneem. Alle klasse word in Afrikaans en Engels aangebied. ? Maksimum van 80 leerders kan geakkommodeer word en seleksie op die basis van eerste reageer, eerste aanvaar geld. ? R50,00 aansoekfooi per leerder is betaalbaar. Die sluitingsdatum vir aansoeke is 29 Mei 2009. Om te kwalifiseer moet ‘n leerders ? gemiddeld van 80% [vlak 7] gedurende die 2008 graad 10 finale eksamen behaal het. Hy of sy moes ook ? minimum van 80% [vlak 7] in Wiskunde en Fisiese of Lewens-wetenskappe gedurende dieselfde eksamen behaal het. Vir meer besonderhede, skakel mnr. Johan Kruger by 051 401 3199.
Munisipale drinkwatersituasie in VS kritiek - 22/05/2009
In terme van ‘n pasvrygestelde verslag van die Dept. van Waterwese, is die situasie met die gehalte van munisipaal-gelewerde drinkwater in die Vrystaat kritiek, met 60% van die munisipaliteite van die provinsie wat ‘n nulpunt kry. Terwyl Mangaung Munisipaliteit 97,5% behaal in drinkwatergehalte, oftewel bloudruppelstatus, het die volgende 12 munisipaliteite letterlik ‘n nulgradering in die verslag gekry: Mafube (Frankfort en dorpe); Metsimaholo (Sasolburg en dorpe); Ngwathe (Parys en dorpe); Moqhaka (Kroonstad en dorpe); Matjhabeng (Welkom en dorpe); Nala (Wesselsbron en Bothaville); Tswelopele (Hoopstad en Bultfontein); Masilonyana (Winburg en dorpe); Dihlabeng (Bethlehem en dorpe); Mantsopa (Ladybrand en dorpe); Kopanong (Edenburg en dorpe); en Naledi (Wepener en dorpe). Die orige munisipaliteite se gradering wissel rondom 50%.
Sigh of relief on Vodacom JSE listing - 22/05/2009
Generally a sigh of relief was heaved in the SA economy about the R70 billion listing of Vodacom on the JSE on Monday. Had the listing been blocked by Cosatu and partners in a last minute attempt, it would have dealt a huge blow to South Africa's credentials as an investor friendly emerging market and intensified fears of resurgent union militancy under the new administration. The listing is the final step in Telkom's move to divest its 50 % interest in Vodacom. It has sold 15 % to Vodafone for R20.5 billion, increasing the UK-based cellular operator's stake in Vodacom to 65 %. The remaining 35 % is to be distributed to Telkom's shareholders, including the government, and the Elephant Consortium, a black economic empowerment group.
Motor vehicle sales dived in April - 21/05/2009
April 2009 was a most disappointing month for the South African motor industry due primarily to the limited number of selling days, the focus on the national election and some pre-price increase buying in March. Naamsa and AMH were 43.1% down on April 2008’s figures. This was the lowest monthly sales total since December 2003, when 23 040 vehicles were sold. Looking at the individual market segments, the commercial vehicle segment was particularly hard hit, with a sales decline of almost 50% on April 2008. Light commercial vehicles recorded a 49.5% drop in sales, totalling 8 024 units in April. A decrease of 45.9% brought the medium commercial vehicle segment to a total of 691 units. A total of only 820 heavy commercial Vehicles was retailed during April, a significant drop of 60.9%
Free State and Netherlands agencies sign investment agreement - 21/05/2009
The Southern African - Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (SANEC) and the Free State Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at increasing bilateral trade between the Netherlands and the Free State. Under the agreement, SANEC will introduce FIPA and their stakeholders to potential investors and business partners through exposure to incoming trade missions hosted by SANEC at least twice a year, exposure during networking events and by means of trade enquiries and matchmaking requests. FIPA will also be entitled to utilise SANEC’s communication and marketing tools to communicate information on the Free State Province and its trade and investment opportunities. For more info, call Lesley-Anne Welman at 071 6745731 or lesley@fipa.sa.co.za.
Tourism and migration January 2009 - 15/05/2009
The total number of foreign travelers who visited South Africa from Africa, overseas and unspecified countries, arriving through all ports of entry during January 2009 was 920 338. The January 2009 figure represents an increase of 5,8% as compared with the January 2008 figure of 869 659. During January 2009, 482 126 arrivals were recorded for South African residents, while the total number of those departing was 321 081. Source: Stats SA.
OG vlek nepotisme in staatsdiens oop - 15/05/2009
Dat baantjies vir boeties by provinsiale departemente gedy, blyk uit ‘n verslag van die Ouditeur-generaal vir die tydperk 1 April 2005 tot 31 Januarie 2007. In die verslag word bevind dat provinsiale departemente het meer as R540 miljoen se tenders toegestaan aan maatskappye waarin staatsamptenare of hul eggenote ‘n belang het. Die verslag meld dat 2 270 staatsamptenare direkteure of lede van maatskappye of beslote korporasies is. Op nasionale vlak staan die Dept. van Onderwys uit met meer as R30,3 miljoen (uit ‘n total van meer as R32 miljoen van al die nasionale departemente) se tenders wat in die 2005’-06 boekjaar op bedenklike wyse toegestaan is.
Chinese cash revives fading Telkom Media - 14/05/2009
Telkom Media will rise from the dead in the next few months, saved by an injection of Chinese money. Shenzhen Media South Africa has bought 75 % of Telkom Media from Telkom for a "price" that does not come close to the R470 million that Telkom invested in the pay television entity. Shenzhen Media SA is owned by China-based Shenzhen Media and local partners such as black-owned Imbani Media. Shenzhen Media owns TV and radio stations in China. Telkom Media plans to develop up to 40 new television channels.
Vrystaatse rioolaanlegte in krisis - 14/05/2009
Volgens die voorsitter van die Nasionale Belastingbetalersunie (NBU), mnr. Jaap Kelder, is rioolaanlegte van ten minste drie belangrike Vrystaatse dorpe in ‘n krisis, met rou rioolstortings direk in drinkwater en miljoene rand wat benodig word om agterstande in te haal. Die drie dorpe is Frankfort, Heilbron en Kroonstad. Te Frankfort word die koste om die munisipale rioolaanleg in behoorlike werkende toestand te kry, op sowat R145 miljoen geraam, terwyl by Heilbron en Kroonstad herstelkoste eweneens op miljone rand bereken word. In al drie gevalle het plaaslike belastingbetalersverenigings formele dispute teen die betrokke plaaslike munisipaliteite verklaar.
Little new for business in the new EC - 13/05/2009
Mr. Ace Magashule
The new Free State Executive Council announced yesterday by Premier Ace Magashule contains little new for the business sector in the Free State in the sense that it is more or less as expected, with two MECs retaining their portfolios, some old faces moving to new chairs and the others basically political functionaries being rewarded. Mr. Mxolisi Dukwana retains the key portfolio of Tourism, Environmental and Economic Affairs. There are no coloured or white persons in the EC, neither a proven technocrat from outside government. Magashule committed himself to fast, tangible service delivery across the board.
Accommodation industry 2007 - 13/05/2009
According to Stats SA, in 2007, total income for the accommodation industry was R22 327 million, while total expenditure for the industry was R18 620 million. The total expenditure for the accommodation industry was primarily made up of purchases (R4 995 million or 26,8%) and salaries and wages (R4 296 million or 23,1%). In 2007, net profit before tax in the accommodation industry was R3 761 million, or 12,2 %. At the end of June 2007, the total number of employees in the industry was 70 572.
Gearing up for Indaba 2009 - 11/05/2009
The countdown to the Tourism Indaba has started and attendee numbers promise to surpass last year’s record. This is in spite of an international market subdued by the global economic crisis and the swine flu outbreak in Mexico, says SA Tourism in a media release. This year, the global industry is focusing firmly on the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. There will be 5% more journalists (551 in total so far) this year, with 204 of those confirmed media attendees coming from abroad. Exhibitor numbers to date are 1 761 and visitor numbers so far total 3 910. Organisers confidently expect these numbers to grow over the next week as the traditional last-minute applications for registration come in. Tourism Indaba 2009 is to be held from 10 to 13 May.
Consumer Price Index (CPI) March 2009 - 11/05/2009
The headline inflation rate in March 2009 (i.e. the Consumer Price Index for all urban areas in March 2009 compared with that at March 2008) was 8,5%. The official inflation rate (i.e. the percentage change in the CPI for all urban areas in March 2009 compared with that in March 2008) was 8,5% at March 2009. This rate was 0,1 of a percentage point lower than the corresponding annual rate of 8,6% in February 2009 (i.e. the Consumer Price Index for all urban areas in February 2009 compared with that in February 2008). From February 2009 to March 2009 the Consumer Price Index for all urban areas increase by 1,3%. CPI Headline March 2009 = 8,5%.
Sea of unemployed swells - 08/05/2009
First-quarter employment losses - 208 000 jobs - wiped out the gains made in the past year, according to Statistics SA's quarterly labour force survey (QLFS), released yesterday. The unemployment rate rose from 21,9 % in the fourth quarter of last year to 23,5 % in the first quarter of this year - the same level as in the first quarter of last year. With discouraged workers included, the unemployment rate jumped to 31,2 % from 29,3 %. The figures highlight the dilemma the government faces. It is committed to cutting unemployment to 14 % by 2014. The local economy would have to generate 500 000 jobs a year to meet the target set by the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative, which was launched in 2006.
Post election hopes - 07/05/2009
The election of 2009 definitely brought a new dispensation for the Free State as much as for South-Africa. Whereas matters since 1994 stayed more or less the same until this year, 22 April 2009 has for sure ushered a new era as it is to unfold. As for the Free State, there is a new Premier, a new look Executive Council, a new Opposition in the Legislature and there will be a new top management in the province’s provincial departments and parastatals. It is widely hoped that the Free State will get with this new (a) get honest, good and colour-blind government on the second and third tier; (b) a save living and working environment.; and (c) better understanding and closer cooperation between government and private business sector in the province.
Motor vehicle sales dived in April - 07/05/2009
April 2009 was a most disappointing month for the South African motor industry due primarily to the limited number of selling days, the focus on the national election and some pre-price increase buying in March. As a result, the total sales of 26 283 units reported to Naamsa and AMH were 43.1% down on April 2008’s figures. This was the lowest monthly sales total since December 2003, when 23 040 vehicles were sold. Looking at the individual market segments, the commercial vehicle segment was particularly hard hit, with a sales decline of almost 50% on April 2008. Light commercial vehicles recorded a 49.5% drop in sales, totalling 8 024 units in April. A decrease of 45.9% brought the medium commercial vehicle segment to a total of 691 units. A total of only 820 heavy commercial Vehicles was retailed during April, a significant drop of 60.9%.
Ninham Shand in huge merger - 05/05/2009
Well-known civil construction consultancy Ninham Shand with offices also in the Free State has been taken up in a three-way merger between Connell Wagner of Australia and Africon of SA to form a new company called Aurecon. The merger effectively created a new South African consulting engineering giant that is four times bigger than its nearest domestic competitor, while it would also be an international player of stature.
Celebrating astronomy - 05/05/2009
 Alvin Clark Refractor at Boyden
The International Year of Astronomy 2009 coincides with the 120th anniversary of the Boyden Observatory Science Centre situated at Maselspoort near Bloemfontein. The University of the Free State in collaboration with other stakeholders hosts the celebration of the International Year of Astronomy on 8 May 2009 at the Boyden Observatory. Established 120 years ago by the Harvard University, Boyden is ideally suitable for viewing the galactic system and has become a unique educational, astronomic research and tourism facility – one of the only three observatories in Africa. Activities offered at Boyden include educational tours, night star gazing and hiking trails. Together facilities being planned include a museum, kiosk digital dome theatre, solar telescope and accommodation. For more information, contact Prof. Matie Hoffman at 051 401 2415 or lamussepm.hum@ufs.ac.za.
Last month the joint bilateral commission for cooperation (JBCC) between South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho has launched between 16 and 29 investment grade projects under a spatial development initiative (SDI), for which it hopes to raise billions of rands in investments. The projects are in the tourism, transport, property development, services and agribusiness sectors and would also potentially include wind energy and hydro-energy projects.
FDC chief resigns - 04/05/2009
 Mr. Malefane Mapena
The chief executive officer of the Free State Development Corporation (FDC), Mr. Malefane Mapena, has resigned last week following a damning forensic report by auditors KPMG on the financial management of the FDC. According to the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the FDC, Mr Blacky Seoe, Mapena was faced with the possibility of suspension, but decides instead to resign without a golden handshake. Earlier in 2007, the Public Accounts Committee of the FS Legislature objected to FDC loans granted to MEC's and their families, including Mr Tate Makgoe and Mr Neo Masithela and demanded an independent forensic investigation.
Water World for Bloemfontein - 30/04/2009
It is reported that the Gwen Bali Water & Entertainment World is to be developed outside Bloemfontein, about 4 km from the Shell Ultra City Pit Stop, at a cost of some R5 million. Facilities are to include three high speed sliding tracks, a huge super tube, a stream for tube drifting, a swimming pool, a golf driving range, a restaurant and braai amenities. A paintball track, adventure golf course and a crèche form part of the later roll-out of the project. The official opening is planned for October this year. The entrepreneur and owner is Mr. Ludrick Barnard.
Subcontinent power corridor - 30/04/2009
The planned North-South Corridor was likely to add 35 GW of electricity to the grid of the Southern African power pool by 2015. The corridor, which would run along the two main trading routes in Africa, would travel between South Africa’s Durban port and the Copperbelt area of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia, as well as between the Copperbelt and the Tanzanian Port of Dar es Salaam. The initiative aims at creating a reliable and efficient transport network and to reduce bottlenecks along the two trading routes. The initiative would improve an estimated 8650 km of road and 600 km of rail track, and would support the increasing infrastructure of power generators. The estimated cost of implementing all projects and programmes was about $1 billion over a five- to ten-year period.
Election 2009 new ball game in Free State - 29/04/2009
The results of election 2009 clearly points to a new ball game in the Free State as regards development and business. Firstly, it could be expected that the ANC leader in the province, Mr. Ace Magashule, would early in May become the new premier and with that a new executive council and management cadre in the Free State would come into place. There could also be several new heads of department as well as other new faces in key positions, while the FDC and FSTA are to get new CEO’s. In the last days of her tenure, Premier Beatrice Marshoff was evidently a lame duck and it could be expected that government machinery will now get moving again. Another salient feature is that the Free State has a new official opposition in the form of COPE and that should also breath new life in the governance of the province.
Solidariteit voedselprysindeks toon skerp stygings - 29/04/2009
Solidariteit se maandelikse voedselprysvergelyking wat sedert die begin van die jaar onder die drie grootste supermarkgroepe in Suid-Afrika gedoen word, het die afgelope week getoon dat voedselpryse die afgelope vier maande met ‘n gemiddeld van 5.5% gestyg het. Verder het die prysverskille van Solidariteit se voedselmandjie tussen die winkelgroepe drasties afgeneem tot minder as R2.50. Volgens die mediaverklaring van Solidariteit het Pick ‘n Pay se pryse in die mandjie die afgelope vier maande met 8.1% gestyg, terwyl Spar en Checkers se voedselpryse met 3.1% en 5.1% toegeneem het. Dié stygings bring die drie supermarkgroepe byna op gelyke voet. Pick ‘n Pay se finansiële resultate is intussen bekendgestel en toon dat hul wins op voorgesette bedrywighede ná belasting met bykans 21% toegeneem het.
Mining slump hits Namibian economy - 28/04/2009
Namibia’s economic growth is expected to slow sharply in 2009 as the global showdown weighs on its key mining industry. Namibia’s central bank says the economy is forecast to grow by 1,0 % during 2009., slower than the estimated 2,7 % growth in 2008. The slump in the global economy remains the main downside risk to the outlook as it limits the growth exports and thus adversely affects domestic economic growth. Diamond mining output is expected to fall by 9,9 % in 2008, and 47,9 % in 2009 and to be stagnant in 2010. Other mining outputs is estimated to have grown by 31,0 % in 2008 compared with 13,7 % in 2007mainly owing to an increase in uranium production. The bank says that lower copper prices have resulted in mine closures. Despite the challenges, the bank says that mining will remain the main driver of economic growth.
African Development Bank aid in world economic woes - 26/04/2009
In order to overcome the global economic crisis the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group is providing concrete support to institutions and projects in Africa given the intensity of external shocks and evaporating financial resources. To this end, the AfDB Board of Directors on this month adopted a policy paper on the Bank’s Response to the Economic Impact of the Financial Crisis”. The response comprises four initiatives to be considered together: An Emergency Liquidity Facility / A Trade Finance Initiative / A Framework for Accelerated Resource Transfer of African Development Fund Resources to eligible countries Enhanced Policy Advisory Support. This response is largely based on the conclusions of African Finance Ministers Conference recently held. Its content reflects real needs and demands, and it takes into account actions by the Bank’s partners.
Robust growth for online media - 25/04/2009
According to The Media Online, online advertising in South Africa grew at the fastest rate of all countries in the English-language world in 2008 - and is likely to repeat this performance in 2009. These findings are reflected in the study conducted by World Wide Worx and the Online Publishers Association (OPA). The findings indicate an encouraging 32% growth in online advertising in 2008, after an equally positive 27% growth in 2007. Actual online advertising spend in 2008 was up to R319-million, from R240-million the year before.
Huge power project in Zambia - 23/04/2009
Engineering News reports that Zambia has launched a $400 million power project on the Kariba North Bank, which will add 360 MW to the country’s existing power generation capacity. The Kariba North Bank expansion is being constructed by China’s Sinohydro Corporation to expand the power station’s generation capacity to a total of 1 080 MW. China’s Export and Import Bank is providing 85 % of the funding, while the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) provides the remaining 15%. Zambian President Rupiah Banda says that the country will soon embark on the construction of a new $400 million Kalungwishi power station which will generate an additional 210 MW in the north of the country and which is essential for electricity purposes.
WWF offers SA gap to go green - 23/04/2009
In its recent report entitled Cheaper Electricity with Renewable Energy, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) offers South Africa an enticing target as regards renewable energy and cheaper electricity. According to the report, SA will be capable of generating 15 % of its electricity from a combination of wind and solar power by 2020. Meeting such a target without any international support will raise the cost of electricity in 2020 by only 15 % compared with that of building coal-fired power stations. Read more at: http://www.panda.org/wwf_news/
R80 bn spent in four years on public bailouts - 23/04/2009
It is reported by Business Report Online that it is calculated that the SA government spent a conservative R80 billion recapitalising state-owned enterprises between 2004 and 2008, with the bulk going to power utility Eskom and SAA. The latter had been bailed out to the tune of about R15 billion from May 2004 to August 2008. Early last year, the national treasury made R60 billion available as a loan to Eskom. The cost of bailing out Land Bank had been R700 million in 2005/06 and R2.2 billion in 2006/07. Denel had been bailed out to the tune of R1.5 billion in 2005/06, R3.5 billion the following year and R1.7 billion in 2007/08. The Road Accident Fund bailout had cost R2.7 billion in 2006/07 and R1.3 billion the following year.
Manufacturing production declines further - 20/04/2009
According to the latest Stats SA figures, the estimated manufacturing production for February 2009 decreased by 15 % compared with February 2008. The seasonally adjusted manufacturing production for the three months ended February 2009 decreased by 9,8% compared with the previous three months. Lower production levels were reported by all ten manufacturing divisions during the latest three months. The decrease was driven mainly by lower production in three divisions, namely basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery (contributing -3,6 percentage points), motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment (contributing -2,7 percentage points) and petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products (contributing -1,6 percentage points).
Mining production and sales - 18/04/2009
According to Stats SA, the total mining production for the three months ended February 2009, after seasonal adjustment, decreased by 11,9% compared with the previous three months. The main contributors to the 11,9% decrease were the platinum group metals (PGMs) (-5,4 percentage points) and diamonds (-4,4 percentage points). The total seasonally adjusted value of mineral sales at current prices for the three months ended January 2009 reflected a decrease of 20,0% compared with the previous three months. This decrease of 20,0% (R15 926,6 million) can be largely attributed to a decrease of 23,7% (R16 162,7 million) in non-gold mineral sales.
Produksie af - 18/04/2009
Volgens Statitieke SA se jongste syfers het vervaardiging in Suid-Afrika in Febraurie vanjaar met 15 % afgeneem ergeleke met Februarie verlede jaar. Die verkope van vervaardigde produkte het met meer as 9 % oor dieselfde tydperk afgeneem. Mynbouproduksie vir die drie maande wat Februarie ten einde geloop het, het het met 12 % afgeneem, maar die verkope van kos en drank in die drie maande periode wat Januarie 2009 ten einde geloop het, het met bykans 12 % afgeneem.
Stolen fish costs SA plenty - 15/04/2009
According to a report titled Contextualising Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported fishing of Marine Resources in South African Waters by Shaheen Moolla of Feike, a fisheries advisory firm, illegal fishing in South African waters was costing the country around R6 billion a year. The report says that in 2005 stolen abalone and Patagonian toothfish cost the country around R4,4bn. South Africa's hake industry, which accounts for about half of the wealth generated from our commercial fisheries, is facing a crisis. Complete report here
World Bank advice for developing countries - 14/04/2009
Engineering News quotes a statement by the World Bank to the effect that developing countries could face a financing gap of between $270 billion and $700 billion this year as trade income dwindles and rich nations vie for capital to deal with a global slump. According to the World Bank, even the lower end of the estimate, resources of international institutions will not be adequate to meet the financial needs as more and more emerging and developing countries are hit. The World Bank says that the crisis could have long-lasting repercussions for developing countries, which are contending with a drop in exports as world trade shrinks for the first time since 1982 and remittances from overseas workers slow and falling commodity prices sap a revenue source many countries rely on. The challenge facing developing countries is how, with fewer resources, to pursue policies that can protect or expand critical expenditures, including social safety nets, human development and critical infrastructure.
Sasol slashes its per capita program - 14/04/2009
The Sasol Group of Companies has announced that it is reducing its capital expenditure (capex) forecast by 40 %, or R28 billion, for the next three years as it girds itself for “an extended period of suppressed and volatile market conditions.” Sasol reports that the decision has been taken in line with the focus on cost containment and cash preservation. The company also reports that its gearing has been reduced to only 2 %. According to Sasol CEO Pat Davies Sasol’s “deleveraged” balance sheet positions the company favourably to “weather the global economic crisis.” Sasol has not provided details of which projects have been affected, but indicates that its expenditure for the year will be about R15 billion instead of R16 billion initially budgeted. No retrenchments are immediately anticipated.
SA economy shrinks - 11/04/2009
In a media release Stats SA says the SA economy shrank for the first time in a decade in the fourth quarter of 2008, weighted down by a big fall in manufacturing output and boosting the chances of further interest rate cuts. According to Stats SA the economy contracted by a more-than-expected 1,8 % on an annual basis compared with the figures for the third quarter, when it expanded just 0,2 %. The manufacturing represents the lowest growth, weighing 16 % on the GDP figure, and contracted 21,8 %.
Tekstielvervaardiger besnoei 1 400 poste - 11/04/2009
Die tekstielvervaardiger, Seardil, beoog om verskeie van sy afdelings, wat as Frame Group bekend staan, te sluit,wat saam sowat 1 400 mense in diens het. Onderhandelings met vakbonde gaan aangeknoop word om die afleggings te fasiliteer. Seardil het die regering van gebrekkige ondersteuning geblameer.
Khumalo misled Reserve Bank - 09/04/2009
Court documents show Mzi Khumalo never revealed the true ownership of R1bn worth of assets, writes Business Report. He misled the Reserve Bank in 2002 about the true ownership of assets worth R1 billion that he took out of the country, according to documents in the high court battle between Khumalo and the central bank. Khumalo won the first round in February, when the court set aside the bank's attachment late last year of Khumalo's investments, which he argued was unconstitutional, draconian and a threat to the survival of several of his investments. The Reserve Bank has appealed the decision. The matter has been set down for April 23. Full Story here
UK: No growth until year - 09/04/2009
Britain’s recession was worse than expected and the economy was unlikely to return to growth at least until the end of the year, Finance Minister Alistair Darling said. The comprehensive story in Business Report can be read here
Korridor gebou tussen SA en Tanzanië - 09/04/2009
‘n Projek is pas geloods om ‘n korridor van $1 miljard (nagenoeg R10 miljard) vanaf Tanzanië te bou. Die projek behels ‘n pad-, spoor- en brugnetwerk van die Tanganjika-meer in Tanzanië, Beira en Maputo in Mosambiek na Durban en Oos-Londen in Suid-Afrika. ‘n Groot deel van die projek gaan bestee word aan die opgradering van die Durbanse hawe en dié in Dar Es Salaam. Dit sal ook insluit die verbetering van elektriese kragtoevoer na 12 lande in die streek. Die netwerk en opgradering van van bestaande paaie en spoorlyne asook nuwe verbindings, sal vervoer van goedere van stede sover as Kolwezi in die Demokratise Republiek van die Kongo, Lilongwe in Malawi, Harare n Zimbabwe, Gaboronne in Botswana en Gauteng dramaties versnel. Administratiewe rompslomp by grense en hawens sal grootliks uitgeskakel word.
SA short on health electricity reserve margin - 09/04/2009
Despite energy saving campaigns such as Earth Hour, South Africa is still battling to create a healthy electricity reserve margin. “A healthy electricity reserve margin sits at 17 to 20 %, an amount that ensures that sudden changes in demand or supply and power-plant maintenance do not cause blackouts, but South Africa’s reserve margin remains much lower than that,” according to a public statement by Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica.
Skoonkragaansporing vir SA bekend - 08/04/2009
Sowat 4 % van Suid-Afrika se geprojekteerde elektrisiteitsverbruik sal teen 2013 van hernubare bronne soos windkrag, biogasse, sonpanele en klein-maat hidro-elektriese skemas afkomstig wees. Die elekrisiteitsreguleerder, Nersa, het pas sy riglyne en aansporingsmaatreëls bekend gemaak wat grootskaalse beleggings in hierdie sektor moet aanmoedig. Verskillende tariewe aansporingsmaatreëls geld vir die verskillende tipes skoon kragopewekking, en wissel van 90 sent vir biogasse, en R2,10 per KWh vir gekonsentreerde sonkragpanele.
Electricity for February 2009 - 08/04/2009
Stats SA reports that the estimated consumption of electricity in February 2009 decreased by 10,2% (-1 910 Gigawatt-hours) compared with February 2008. Electricity consumed for the three months ending February 2009 decreased by 8,5% (-4 871 Gigawatt-hours) compared with the three months ending February 2008. Electricity consumption after seasonal adjustment for February 2009 decreased by 0,5% compared with January 2009. The estimated production of electricity in February 2009 decreased by 11,2% compared with February 2008. The estimated production of electricity for the three months ending February 2009 decreased by 10,5% (-6 627 Gigawatt-hours) compared with the three months ending February 2008.
Generating additional accounting skills also for Free State- 08/04/2009
The SA Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) has entered into a new joint venture with the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT), the leading international accounting technicians body with over 139 000 members world-wide, to form a new professional body in South Africa, AAT(SA). The results of a research by SAICA revealed a real skills shortage with 6 642 vacancies existing for NQF level 3 to 6 accountants in business and government in both the financial and non-financial services sector. According to a media release, AAT is being rolled out in various provinces and on 2 April 2009 it was launched for the Free State at an event held at the Windmill Casino conference venue in Bloemfontein. The new organisation offers five membership levels to reflect increasing skills and experience. AAT(SA) provides qualifications at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) levels three to five and also offers, as an introductory offer, membership to people with relevant qualifications, prior learning and work experience. AAT(SA) hopes to extend training to at least 1 000 students in 2009, through financial support from the LGSeta, in order to start addressing this skills shortage. For more info, call 27 11 621 6888 or visit www.aatsa.org.za
G 20 – BUSA expresses expectations - 08/04/2009
Business Unity SA expects the Group of 20 countries meeting in London this week to renew their commitment to enhancing the stability of global financial markets. South Africa will be the only representative from Africa at the summit scheduled for Thursday. Among the key issues expected to be discussed are reviving the world economy, restoring lending, tougher rules for banks, a bigger role for the IMF and more help for developing countries. According to the African Development Bank, Africa’s growth rate was expected to dip below 3 % this year, the lowest since 2002. However, the dip in investments is what is most concerning and necessitates dialogue. Busa’s key concern is that the deceleration of growth is disproportionately affecting the poor and threatens to erode South Africa’s industrial base. Deputy Chief Executive Officer Raymond Parsons says it was likely that the economy would get back on its feet in 2010 coinciding with the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Landbou al aantrekliker vir beleggers - 08/04/2009
Landbou is vir die eerste keer in die wêreld se geskiedenis nie meer die grootste werkverskaffer nie, maar dié sektor raak vir beleggers aantreklik namate minder boere meer produseer, aldus die dekaan van die Landboufakulteit van die Universiteit van Stelenbosch. Lees meer by http://www.landbou.com/LandbouWeekblad/Nuus/0,,1294-1295_2494193,00.html
More to benefit from government grants - 06/04/2009
Cabinet has approved the extension of the Child Support Grant from 18 to 14 years and implementation will be phased in during 2009/10 starting with 15-year-old children. Due to the age extension from 14 to 15 years the number of children receiving grants will be 75 591, an increase from last year’s 8 523 741. The total number of beneficiaries for all types of grants is 12.6 million, which covers 2 344 595 people currently receiving an old age grant, 1 611war veterans grants, 1 370 195 disability grants, 474 012 foster care grants and 106 073 people have access to care dependency grant.
Welfare grants in SA may become bigger than education soon - 06/04/2009
The economist, Iraj Abedian, warned that South Africa’s welfare grants may become bigger the budget for Education within the next few years, and the country may face a debt trap. It is expected that 16,5 million people will receive welfare grants in three years as opposed to 13,3 million now. The number of tax payers are expected to grow from about 5,3 million now to 6 million over the same period.
SA’s Internet population expanding significantly - 02/04/2009
South Africa’s internet population is expected to grow as much in the next five years as it has in the 15 years since the internet became commercially available in the country. A report by World Wide Worx shows that the number of internet users in South Africa grew by 12.5 % to 4.6 million in 2008 – the first time since 2001 it has grown by more than 8 %. The increased growth rate is expected to continue for the next five years, taking the internet user population to the nine million mark by 2014. One of the most important reasons for the expected growth is the arrival of a new undersea telecommunications cable at the end of June. It will increase South Africa’s maximum international bandwidth fivefold, and the actual capacity that was available until the end of last year will increase 30-fold. The new cable will bring down cost, but not overnight.
Eskom’s delay costly - 02/04/2009
Eskom’s delay in applying for a tariff increase might force the utility to ask for a larger hike than it would have, had it applied in time, according to the National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa). Consumers would be forced to pay more because the delay meant the state-owned firm would have fewer months to effect the increase and would need a larger increase to make up for the time it lost. A new tariff should have been implemented from tomorrow, but Eskom is yet to make an application to Nersa It takes about three to four months for the consultation and the approval to be finalized, according to Nersa.
Mangaung Municipality looking for loan of R200 million - 30/03/2009
According to a notice published in newspapers the Mangaung Local Municipality is inviting proposals for a R200 million loan to reduce the back log in terms of bulk water and sanitation project. This project is detailed as follows: New Northern / Eastern Area Water Works / Addition to Northern Water Works / Estiore and Race Course Sewerage Mains / Grasslands and Bloemspruit Sewerage mains / Upgrading of Sewer Networks in Freedom Square / naval Hill Reservoir / Automatic Meter Reading Equipment / Andries Pretorius Sewerage mains / Eeufees Sewerage mains. No security is required for the loan. Proposals can be handed in at Room 201, 2nd Floor, Bram Fischer Building, Bloemfontein.
Noorweegse busse loop binnekort op riool- 30/03/2009
Vanaf 2010 sal die Noorweegse hoofstad, Oslo, se busse deur bio-metaangas aangedryf word wat uit die stad se rioolnetwerk verkry word. Dié skoon brandstof hou die voordeel in dat dit, anders as die eerste generasie etanol, nie van kos gemaak word nie. Dit verg ook geen bemesting nie, en gebruik ook nie kosbare skoon water nie. Die gas is goedkoper as fossielbrandstof, maar die busse en die onderhoud is ietwat duurder.
Game auction to be held at Willem Pretorius- 30/03/2009
The 24th auction and oldest Government auction in South Africa will be held from 3 – 4 April 2009 at the Willem Pretorius Game Park at Ventersburg, and 1480 animals will be sold to the highest bidder. The event usually attracts about 200 buyers. The auction is part of the game management plan, and the reserve currently has some 26 706 animals. For more information, contact Ramokoena on 051 4009 550.
Franchising convention in Sandton - 17/03/2009
Franchising in South Africa (Fasa) hosts a convention and international franchise expo from 1 – 4 April 2009 in the Sandton Convention Centre. Several awards will be made, such as the entrepreneur of the year, most promising black Franchisee and most promising female franchisee of the year. Panel discussions will include discussing economy, leasing, legal and financial challenges. To book, contact Guili Osso or Nadia on 011 802 1661.
Nestlé invests R345 million in Free State- 26/03/2009
The food giant, Nestlé SA has invested R341 million in a new production plant at Harrismith. The new factory, inaugurated last week, produces baby cereals and powder milk. The new investment is an upgrading of the existing facility in operation since 1950 and will create 64 extra jobs. Nestlé is also involved in an empowerment project at Harrismith for 52 emerging farmers, assisting them with generators, water and dairy infrastructure. Countrywide Nestlé is running 10 facilities and several distribution centres, providing jobs to 4 000 employees.
Robust growth for online media- 26/03/2009
According to The Media Online, online advertising in South Africa grew at the fastest rate of all countries in the English-language world in 2008 - and is likely to repeat this performance in 2009. These findings are reflected in the study conducted by World Wide Worx and the Online Publishers Association (OPA). The findings indicate an encouraging 32% growth in online advertising in 2008, after an equally positive 27% growth in 2007. Actual online advertising spend in 2008 was up to R319-million, from R240-million the year before.
Clover closes Wesselsbron cheese factory - 24/03/2009
South Africa’s largest dairy company has announced that that it is to closing down its Wesselsbron cheese factory by 31 May 2009, thereby retrenching more than 90 employees. The company names the production cost of bulk cheese as one of the most important reasons for the planned retrenchments. Clover intends to completely shut down the Wesselsbron cheese factory and incorporate the production of Tussers and Gouda at Lichtenburg factory. Meanwhile Solidarity spokesperson, Jaco Kleynhans, commented that Clover’s decision to close the Wesselsbron factory is a huge setback for the local community because Clover is one of the largest employees in the town and the step will have a serious ripple effect on the local community, which has become largely dependent on the factory.
Vigs knou Vrystaat se bevolkingsgroei - 22/03/2009
Uit ‘n voorlegging van die Savannah-maatskappy aan Vrystaatse rolspelers oor hul studie oor die stand van omgewingsake in die provinsie, blyk dit dat die Vrystaatse bevolking sedert 2001 slegs die helfte soveel toegeneem het as wat die geval sonder MIV/Vigs sou wees. In dié tydperk het die manlike bevolking van die provinsie se lewensverwagting van gemiddeld 49 jaar na 46 afgeneem, en die gemiddelde vroulike lewensverwagting van 54 jaar na 49 jaar.
Zimbabwe asks R20 billion from SA - 22/03/2009
Zimbabwe has requested an aid package of R20 billion from South Africa during bilateral talks held at the Victoria Falls where the resurrection of Zimbabwe’s economy was discussed. According to government sources SA is considering the request., but no indications are available as yet to what amount South Africa may come up with. The aid, according to the SABC, will be in the form of credit facilities, developmental initiatives and trade assistance, as well as direct financial aid.
Treasury intervenes in poor Free State municipal service - 19/03/2009
The national Treasury has intervened in resolving disputes with municipalities about poor service delivery and associated boycotts. Gerhard van Schalkwyk of Kroonstad and Danie Eichstad of Bethlehem, who led protest marches in their respective towns, were both recently informed about the Treasury intervention. In both towns residents last year declared disputes over poor service delivery, and municipal taxes are currently being withheld from the municipality and paid into trust accounts. These two are among the 60 already withholding tax under the direction of the national Taxpayers Union (NTU), while another 200, the organisation reports, are preparing to do the same. In Bethlehem the national Treasury’s intervention has already led to a meeting between residents and delegates of the municipality, the Free State Treasury and the Department of Local Government. The action taken by the Treasury is the latest sign that the government is taking increasing note of this type of protest action spreading throughout the country.
CUT and FIPA sign agreement - 17/03/2009
The Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) and the Free State Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement on 12 March 2009. According to the agreement, the CUT may at the request of Fipa, undertake studies and / or research for FIPA. The CUT will provide assistance to FIPA in identifying potential sources of funding for projects being considered by parties for commercialisation and further development. Both parties will exchange all information relevant to the projects to identify ventures in which they can jointly participate. The CUT and FIPA have identified the following projects for collaboration: Confederation Cup 2009, 2010 FIFA World Cup, Knowledge Management and Training, Research, Skills development and transfer, and the use of CUT facilities.
Mantsopa and Maseru sign agreement - 15/03/2009
A cooperation agreement covering various aspects of a socio-economic nature, including water testing, will be signed between the Mantsopa Municipality and the Maseru City Council. Cultural and safety aspects are also included, whilst training of staff also receives attention. For more information, contact Tseliso Leba at 078 762 2049 or tseliso@moteo.co.za
The Mobile Office - 12/03/2009
 Mr. Arthur Goldstuck
In a new book, The Mobile Office, Arthur Goldstuck discusses the mobility options that can work best for a company, the best upgrades available and whether or not the system that company is running is working for it, or whether it should consider a newer version. The purpose of the book is to encourage mobility as a tool to empower small businesses. Goldstruck also points out that a recent study shows that, in 2007, 90 % of businesses and entrepreneurs had access to 3G data cards, which is a significant increase on the number of businesses and entrepreneurs that had access to 3G data cards in 2005, which was 5 %.
Nikkei reaches 26 year low - 12/03/2009
The Nikkei in Japan dropped to its lowest level in 26 years yesterday, 9 March, resulting in the Japanese Finance Minister, Kaoru Yosano, stating that government will do its utmost to halt the downward trend. This low level was reached after three days straight tumbling. The Nikkei for the current financial year ending this month, has already shed half its value in this period.
SADB support for Zambia - 10/03/2009
The Southern African Development Bank supplied 15 % of the $400 million for expanding Zambia’s electricity generating capacity at the Kariba North facility, the remaining of the funding coming from China. The power station’s capacity will be increased by 360 Megawatt (MW) to a total of 1 080 MW. Zambian President Rupiah Banda says his country will spend another $2 billion over the longer term to increase his country’s capacity. He said Zambia would soon embark on construction of a new $400-million Kalungwishi power station which would generate an additional 210 megawatts in the north of the country, bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Africa dangerous material dumping ground - 10/03/2009
According to an article in IOL Technology, Africa has become a dumping ground for much of the toxic e-waste (electrical and electronic waste) generated by First World countries. There is a growing concern that something needs to be done - and quickly. Municipalities like eThekwini are still accepting dumped information technology (IT) and cellphone equipment without any permits. One of the major problems caused by e-waste is that it exposes vulnerable communities to highly toxic chemicals such as mercury, which damages the brain, lead, which can damage reproductive systems, and cadmium, which causes kidney damage. In a recent undercover operation, Greenpeace tracked an irreparably broken television set (which was meant to be recycled from the UK) to Nigeria. It had been disguised as second-hand goods. Read complete article at http://www.ioltechnology.co.za/article_page.php?iArticleId=4879683&iSectionId=2883
Blood splashes on Free State business confidence- 10/03/2009
The question this morning in the Free State, in the wake of the 78 year old woman of Allanridge and her 57 year old daughter killed in their home by two intruders, 19 and 21 years old, in a way that their blood splashed as high as the ceiling, is what kind of business future does the province have? If its innocent citizens get regularly killed in their homes and in their cars as is now happening, what future does the Free State have in store? The 78 year old woman was the organist of her church congregation. It also represents the umpteenth incident of black on white bloody violence in the Free State this year so far.
Electricity backlog R27 billion - 09/03/2009
Addressing the media recently, Minister of Minerals and Energy Buyelwa Sonjica, said the delay in restructuring the country’s electricity distribution process is been costing the government about R2 billion per annum while the backlog in infrastructure is estimated at R27 billion. The minister also said the department is working hard to accelerate the restructuring of EDI Holdings by ensuring that the legislative and policy framework was conducive. EDI Holdings has been mandated by government to establish, via the restructuring of the company, six wall to wall Regional Electricity Distributors (REDS).
Bandehandelaars byeen in Bloem - 08/03/2009
Die Vrystaatse Vereniging vir Bandehandelaars en Installeringsentrums TTDAFA) vergader op 23 Maart 2009 in Bloemfontein om sake van gemeenskaplike belang te bespreek. Die TDFA is een van die kleinhandel-motorbedryfvereniging (RMI) se 14 konsituante-verenigings. Die gasspreker is mnr. Frans Cronjé, wat praat oor ekonomiese siklusse en tendense in Suid-Afrika. Die vergadering word by die Abib-konferensiesentrum, Bainsvlei, gehou. Meer besonderhede by 051 430 3294.
Valuation roll for Matjhabeng claimed to be corrupt - 08/03/2009
The Goldfields Chamber of Business at Welkom, together with other public voices, are claiming that the data contained in the valuation roll for properties in the Matjhabeng Municipal area just published, is actually three years old and do not correspond with current practical data. The new list, having cost millions of Rand in local taxpayers’ money, is being described as “corrupt”. Several protest actions are being planned by the Chamber and other stakeholders.
Africa’s economic situation improving - 08/03/2009
 Africa's situation improving
According to figures published in the American magazine, Newsweek, the economic situation of Africa is showing noticeable improvement. It is stated that the economic growth between 1997 and 2002 averaged 4 % and then rose to 6 % for the following five years. Inflation declined from more than 13 % to 5 % during the same period. International reserves have risen from less than four months of goods and services to six months. Debt to official creditors declined from 45 % of the GPD to less than 10%.
Biofuels strategy under review - 05/03/2009
The magazine Engineering News is reporting that a review of South Africa’s biofuels industrial strategy, also looking at incentives, should be completed by the end of 2009. The incentives would include a 100 % exemption of the fuel levy, as well as import and export incentives. It is also reported that the government is considering a proposal for 100 renewable energy projects involving as much as 5 000 MW of potential generation capacity. These proposals cover all nine provinces and are currently being investigated by the Dept. of Minerals and Energy.
Plaasaanvallers kry lewenslank - 05/03/2009
Die drie moordenaars van ‘n plaaswerker van Trompsburg is elk in die Vrystaatse Hooggeregshof tot lewenslange gevangenisstraf gevonnis, terwyl ‘n vierde plaasaanvaller 24 jaar tronk toe gestuur is. Die vonnisse spruit uit die moord op Kallie Pieterse in 2007. Die vier, plus ‘n vyfde wat vermoedelik selfmoord gepleeg het, het hierna ook die boer, Flip Henning, probeer vermoor en het 20 jaar gevangenisstraf hiervoor op die lyf geloop. Een van die vier dien ook reeds ‘n lewenslange vonnis uit weens die vroeëre moord op Jan en Johanna Greyling uit wat ook in die distrik geboer het.
Agricultural sector backbone of SA economy - 05/03/2009
Highly enlightening is the latest figures of Statistics SA that the agricultural sector was in 2008 one of the main contributors to the national economy. According to the figures, the GNP declined by 1,8 %, but the agricultural sector grew by 16,7 %. If the agricultural sector’s growth was to be taken out of the equation, the economic growth would have declined by 2,2 %. The study also revealed that the agricultural sector’s growth reached double figures. From this, one can deduct that when in serious decline, the economy becomes dependent on primary sectors such as agriculture.
Buckets to be out by end March – Marshoff - 03/03/2009
 Beatrice Marshoff
The Free State’s outgoing Premier, Beatrice Marshoff, gave the assurance in her State of the Province address that the remaining 23 970 bucket toilets in the Free State will be phased out by end of March 2009. She also mentioned that 97,3 % of Free State households have access to piped water, 89,6 % of them within 200 meters from home.
Vrystaatse koöperasiewoelinge - 03/03/2009
Oos-Vrystaat Kaap Bedryf Beperk (OVK) en GWK, wat beide groot dele van die wes-, suid- en oos-Vrystaat bedien, het aangekondig dat hulle samesmelting oorweeg. Sou genoeg raakvlakke geïdentifiseer word, sal ‘n samesmeltingsplan aan die twee direksies voorgelê word. Intussen het nog ‘n landboubesigheid wat in die Vrystaat bedrywig is, Afgri, aangekondig dat hy beplan om sy personeel met 22 % oftewel 352 werksnemers te besnoei. Afrgri bedien veral die Oos-Vrystaat nadat sy voorganger, die OTK, o.m. die Drakensberg Koöperasie wat vanuit Bethlehem bedryf is, oorgeneem het. Weens afskaling deur Afrgri in die Oos-Vrystaat het Vrystaat Koöperasie (VKB) wat vanuit Reitz bedryf word, ‘n tak in Bethlehem geopen. VKB het verlede jaar vir die eerste keer sy bedryfswins tot bo die R100 miljoen gestoot nadat die wins meer as verdubbel het teenoor die vorige jaar. Agri toon ‘n winsgroei van 65,9% op ‘n inkomste van meer as R10 miljard.
Road toll tariffs increase on 1 March - 01/03/2009
Motorists driving light vehicles will as from 1 March pay R33,00 at the Verkeerdevlei Toll plaza, and R38,00 at the Vaal Plaza. Traveling on to Johannesburg will add an additional R12,00 at the Grasmere Plaza. The new tariff at Die Wilge at Harrismith will rise to R41,00. Only the Tugela’s R43,00 is more costly of all South Africa’s toll plazas. Heavy vehicles at Verkeerdevlei will pay R136, at Vaal R116 and R132 at Wilge.
Motheo’s new CEO - 01/03/2009
 Mr. Ramathebane
Mr. German Ramathebane was appointed as new municipal manager of the Motheo District Municipality. This position was vacant for the past eleven months. Ramathebane, who was Strategic Executive Director before his appointment, was one of several senior municipal staff whop acted as Municipal manager since the position became vacant.
Vrystaatse Outismevereniging vorder - 01/03/2009
Die Vrystaatse Vereniging vir Outismespektrumkenmerke se volgende vergadering vind op 7 Maart om 10:00 by die Pres. Brandskool plaas. Die vergadering word by dié skool gehou omdat geriewe by die skool vir ‘n toekomstige skool of sentrum vir outistiese kinders, of kinders met outistiese kenmerke vir die sentrale binneland oorweeg word. Sedert die vorige vergadering is die dokumentasie geteken om die vereniging as regspersoon te registreer ten einde ‘n bankrekening te kan open. ‘n Afvaardiging van die vereniging het onlangs Pathways in Bethlehem besoek ten einde kers oor ‘n moontlike model vir die behoefte aan ‘n outismesentrum te gebruik. Van die lede ondersoek die moontlikheid om ‘n sentrum op ‘n kleinhoewe buite Bloemfontein in te rig, en ‘n lid is reeds by die SNAP-sentrum in Durbanville as tutor opgelei. Navrae kan gerig word aan Petro Vroomen by 082 534 4516.
Jongste koste van grondhervroming - 26/02/2009
Na berig word het die waarnemende Hoofkommisaris van Grondeise, mnr. Blessing Mphela, die kabinet en tesourie ingelig dat dit Suid-Afrika nagenoeg R52 biljoen sal kos om die grondhervormingproses te voltooi. Volgens Mphela, soos aangehaal op landbou.com, is 4589 van die 79 696 grondeise nog nie gefinaliseer nie.
TAC says 30 people in FS die daily - 26/02/2009
According to the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) it is conservatively estimated that up to 30 HIV positive people in the Free State die daily as a result of the recent moratorium on new anti-retroviral patients. Although the moratorium has been lifted since, the TAC maintains that many people have fallen through the cracks as no register was kept on cases turned away.
Free State provincial budget on Friday - 26/02/2009
 Mr. Tate Makgoe
All eyes will be on Free State Finance MEC Tate Makgoe when he delivers the Provincial budget speech on Friday 27 February 2009, in the Bloemfontein City Hall. The theme is: Budgeting for Development: Finding the balance between hope, service delivery and caution!’ Through this budget the Free State Government seeks to accelerate advances towards the achievement of strategic priorities.
Centlec’s pre-paid system to court - 26/02/2009
A call was made on the Mangaung Council and Centlec to approach the High Court to revise and set aside the present contract for Centlec’s prepaid electricity system. The call was made by Cape Town’s firm, Actaris, which held the previous contract up to the end of last year. Ntlangane Business Solutions won the new tender, but the system proved to be problem riddled since. Actaris claims that the tender procedure did not meet legal requirements, and if the relevant parties do not approach the court, Actaris will approach court with an application to be included as interested party to seek relief.
Bloemfontein’s water safe to drink - 26/02/2009
According to a media release by the Mangaung Municipality the city’s water is safe to drink. Water is being tested daily and complies with the standards as per (SANS 241 for drinking water. Last week and over the week-end various messages were sent via email and cell phones warning the public of cholera bacteria found in the drinking water. Even names of medical laboratories were falsely used to create the impression that it is true. According the municipality, Voight and Partners (Mr Botha –Area Manager) and FARMOFS Parexel (Dr Terblanche -CEO) indicated that they never made statements that they identified, tested or suspect that the drinking water supply is unsafe or polluted with cholera.
Availability of government tenders - 22/02/2009
The SA Government Tender Bulletin is available on the Internet on the following websites: www.treasury.gov.za and www.info.gov.za/documents/tenders/index.htm . Here one can find information on : How to advertise in the Government Tender Bulletin / Bids invited for supplies, services and disposals in 37 categories / Address list for collection of Tender documents / Bids invited from SARS and all Government Departments as well as NERSA( National Energy Regulator of SA, SETAs, National Library etc). The latest Tender Bulletin dated 06 February 2009 comprises of 48 pages. It also available in printed format from the Government Printers, Pretoria. Telephonic enquiries : +27 12 334 4508.
Vodacom sponsers clean-up in Free State - 21/02/2009
The Vodacom Foundation has invested R150 000 into Free State’s clean-up activities for the current year, which funds are used for cleaning material, branding and stipends for volunteers. The campaign is organised to complement the efforts of Vodacom’s annual beach clean-up, now in its fourth year. Every year Vodacom has partnered with various municipalities throughout the country in a national beach clean-up campaign that brings environment awareness to holiday-makers over the festive season.
Senwes skuldig aan graanonreëlmatigheid - 20/02/2009
Die landboumaatskappy Senwes is deur die Mededingingstribunaal aan onmededingende praktyke skuldig bevind omdat hy teen sekere graanhandelaars gediskrimineer het. Senwes, een van die grootste opgaarders van graan in die land, het sy posisie glo misbruik om boere te bevoordeel wat hul graan vir langer as 100 dae opberg. Dít nadat die maatskappy in Mei 2003 besluit het dat slegs boere voortaan hul graan teen ’n plafontarief in Senwes se silo’s mag opberg. Hulle hoef glo net vir die eerste 100 dae daarvoor te betaal het, terwyl graanhandelaars vir elke dag se opberging moes opdok. Hierdie praktyk het die koste van handelaars, wat met Senwes se handelsafdeling meeding, verhoog, het die tribunaal gesê. Intussen meen Senwes egter die uitspraak is onregverdig en oorweeg dit om appèl aan te teken.
Groot naamsverandering in Vrystaat beplan - 17/02/2009
Op ‘n openbare vergadering verlede week in Bloemfontein het die departement van Sport, Kuns en Kultuur bekend gemaak dat altesaam 1 536 geografiese plekname oor die Vrystaat heen verander moet word omdat die name verkeerd gespel of gedupliseer is, aanstoot gee of nie amptelik erken word nie. Die 1 536 plekname is per streek opgedeel: 258 in Xhariep (Suid-Vrystaat), 492 in Thabo Mofutsanyana (Oos-Vrystaat), 198 in Motheo (Sentraal-Vrystaat), 371 in Lejweleputswa (Goudveld) en 217 in Fezile Dabi (Noord-Vrystaat). Terselfdertyd het die voorsitter van die Vrystaatse Geografiese Namekomitee, me. Seipati Dichobe, gesê "net Thaba N’chu, Botshabelo en Qwaqwa is in ‘n Afrikataal." Inmiddels het in Pretoria 47 burgerlike organisasies verenig in ‘n stryd teen die voorgenome verandering van ‘n aantal geskiedkundige name in die stad. Dié gesamentlike veldtog, wat as Aksie Pretoria Straatname (APS) bekend staan, behels die koördinering van aksies ter behoud van straatname met ‘n besondere kultuurhistoriese waarde. Die aksies sluit onder meer in dat die organisasies gesamentlik skriftelik beswaar aanteken en dat die moontlikheid van gesamentlike regstappe ondersoek word.
Dihlabeng debt situation - 16/02/2009
It is reported that 10 of Dihlabeng’s councillors are at least 90 days in arrears with paying municipal accounts and combined they owe the rate payers almost R100 000. None of these councillors have made any arrangements with the municipality in settling their debt, neither had this state of affairs been reported to the MEC for local government. A total of 9 778 rate payers owed the municipality a total of almost R50 million by June 2008, with no interest charged was levied. It is futhermore reported that in the meantime Dihlabeng Municipality could again not obtain an unqualified report from the Auditor General. In fact, the AG was unable to obtain sufficient documentation to express an audit opinion.
Japenese ekonomie duik ook - 14/02/2009
Die ekonomie van Japan, die tweede grootste ekonomie in die wêreld, het in die laaste kwartaal van 2008 sy skerpste daling in 30 jaar beleef. Die vorige krisis wat toe Japan in 1974 as deel van die wêreldwye oliekrisis so gewurg het. Die ekonomie was 12,7% kleiner as in die ooreenstemmende kwartaal die vorige jaar. Japan se minister van Ekonomiese Sake, Kaoru Yosano, meen dit is die ergste ekonomiese krisis wat Japan sedert die Tweede Wêreldoorlog beleef. Japan se ekonomie is volgens kenners nou uiters kwesbaar omdat die vraag na sy uitvoerprodukte wêreldwyd gekrimp het. Uitvoere het in die vierde kwartaal met 13,9% gedaal.
Environmental impact study for Harmony Mine - 14/02/2009
The Draft Environmental Impact Record for the proposed re-mining and processing of tailings facilities at the Harmony Gold Mine is currently available for public comment and can be viewed at the Virginia Library, Thabong Library, Welkom Library, Odendaalsrus Library, Harmony’s office in Virginia and Golder Associates in Midrand. The relevant documentation can also be viewed on www.golder.co.za
Groot ontwikkelings in Vrystaat - 13/02/2009
Die tydskrifte Engineering News en Mining Weekly berig van verskeie groot ontwikkelings wat vanaf 2009 in die Vrystaat van die grond af kan kom. O.a. beplan Sasol ‘n wasuitbreidingsprojek van R558 miljoen te Sasolburg vanaf 2009 tot 2013, die Gold One-maatskappy beplan moontlik ‘n nuwe goudmyn in die Bothaville-distrik asook ‘n nuwe goudmyn in die Ventersburg-distrik. Tussen Clarens en Fouriesburg behoort die ontwikkeling van die nuwe Royal Maluti Golf Estate met sy 2 x 18 putjie-bane en ander infrastruktuur ten totale ontwikkelingskoste van nagenoeg R2,5 miljard vanjaar aan die gang te kom. Na berig word, word by Welkom ’n omvattende toerismeprojek teen ’n ontwikkelingskoste van sowat R3 miljard tans aan mekaar gesit. Te Bethlehem is die Bethlehem Hydroprojek van R77 miljoen pas voltooi. Sou al hierdie moontlikhede realiseer, kan dit ’n betekenisvolle verandering aan die ekonomiese gesig van die Vrystaat maak, die wêreldwye ekonomiese insinking ten spyt.
High accolade for Uniglobe New Dawn Travel - 13/02/2009
Uniglobe New Dawn Travel based in Bloemfontein was recognised as one of the best emerging service providers in South Africa, when it was awarded runner-up in the Free State leg of the 2008 national ETEYA competition. It is against this backdrop that in the 2008 finals of the ETEYA competition, Uniglobe New Dawn Travel headed by MD Tshebi Mofokeng was in the Free State runner-up in second place.
Fruit & Veg City ties up with Caltex- 13/02/2009
Fruit & Veg City, the privately owned R3 billion turnover group is to follow in the tracks of Pick n Pay and Woolworths, wich have teamed up with BP and Engen respectively for consumer goods at fuel service station stores. Fruit & Veg City is to roll out its Freshstop brand countrywide at Caltex service stations.
Financial red lights flickering- 13/02/2009
The rand was the worst performing emerging market currency in 2008, by declining 28.5% last year against the dollar. It moved from R6-50 a dollar at the end of October to R11-50 later in the year. According to economists, the declining value of the rand shows the country’s vulnerability with regard to the gap between earnings and expenditure on exports of goods and services. This gap, also known as the deficit of the current account, is increased when commodity prices plunge - which was the case last year. Huge losses were suffered in export revenue. South Africa, which is known as a commodity exporter, is thus vulnerable to shifts in sentiment and suffers when global investors switch their funds out of emerging markets.
Restitution costs staggering- 13/02/2009
 Mr. Blessing Mphela
According to information reportedly provided by the acting Chief Land Claims Commissioner, Blessing Mphela, to Cabinet and Treasury, it will cost the country a staggering R52 billion to complete the restitution process. Mphela is reporting as having said that 4 589 of 79 696 land claims have yet to be finalized.
Free State winners in Enablis FNB 2008 Competition - 13/02/2009
The following three companies won first prizes in the Free State leg of the Enables FNB 2008 Business Launch Pad Competition. Kabelo Tsimatsima of Thaba Nchu won the first prize in the Agricultural sector for Famadaus Dairy, Steve Mahopo of Welkom walked away with the golden award in the personal services division for Daylight Vision Optometrist. For tourism, Mosidi Modise of Bloemfontein, won the first prize for Your One World Properties.
State bridging mooted for troubled SA industries - 12/02/2009
 Mr. Trevor Manuel
Pressure is mounting that the national budget for the new financial year to be presented by Min Trevor Manuel shortly, is to make provision for bridging finance for troubled sectors in the SA economy. Sectors mentioned are the automotive and textile industries. This against the background of Pres. Kgalema Motlanthe urging Nedlac to come up with innovative ideas on how to withstand global economic troubles and save SA from a recession later this year.
Premier and ANC at loggerheads over FS Legislature - 12/02/2009
Due to apparent miscommunication between the Office of the Premier and the Office of the Legislature on the one hand and the provincial ANC on the other hand, the official opening of the Free State Legislature arranged for Monday, 9 February 2009, has been postponed indefinitely. Apparent differing opinions about logistics and miscommunication have lead to the ANC “instructing” the postponement. Opposition parties are heavily critical about the so-called one-sidedness, calling it not only a serious embarrassment, but also indicating no boundary between party interests and state institutions.
Tax burden in SA - 12/02/2009
According to well-known economist Mike Schüssler about 1,1 million people in South Africa pay 75% of all personal income tax. At the same time some 300 000 enterprises in the country are responsible for all company tax being paid.
CDA lig sluier oor beweerde Land Bank-korrupsie - 10/02/2009
“Dit is nooit aangenaam om te hoor van die afdanking van ‘n persoon nie, en dit geld ook die afdanking van dr. Phil Mohlahlane as adjunk-direkteur-generaal by die Departement van Landbou,” sê die Christen-demokratiese Alliansie in ‘n mediaverklaring. “Ongelukkig word die redes vir sy afdanking geheim gehou, maar dit blyk dat dit onder meer verband hou met die tydperk dat hy waarnemende hoof van die Land Bank was, en met wanaanwending van R100 miljoen Agri SEB-fondse. Die CDA sê voorts dat in die lig van die nuutste verwikkelings dit absoluut noodsaaklik is dat die Minister van Finansies die verslag oor die ondersoek na die Land Bank se sake openbaar maak. “Die CDA het inligting oor die 200 bladsy verslag bekom wat o.m. aandui dat ‘n senior bestuurder van die Land Bank wat met ‘n R4,5 miljoen uitbetaling afgedank is, persoonlik grontontwikkelingsfondse ter waarde van R1,1 biljoen goedgekeur het strydig met etlike statute.”
Maputo Corridor boosted - 10/02/2009
The Maputo Development Corridor (MDC), linking Maputo by road infrastructure to especially Mpumalanga and Gauteng, has been boosted with the Mpumalanga provincial government launching seven new projects under the MDC flagship project. The province will spend an initial R33-million by April this year to start these projects, which will include the development of a number of industrial parks and a border post freight and logistics precinct. The projects are expected to create about 45 000 permanent jobs, which will account for between 30% and 35% of the province's unemployed. Mpumalanga is to spend over R500 million on these projects by 2012.
Teenstrydige sienings op SA Graaninligtingsdag - 10/02/2009
 Mnr. Roelof Botha
Teenstrydige sienings is geopper op die inligtingsdag wat SA Graan op 30 Januarie 2009 in Bloemfontein by Ilanga Estate aangebied het. Aan die een kant het dr. Roelof Botha, ekonoom van Pretoria, 'n bloeitydperk vir Suid-Afrika voorspel, met die huidige insinking tydelik en 'n bestel ná 2010 met 'n ekonomiese groeikoers van 6% en 'n inflasiekoers van 7%. Aan die ander kant het mnr. Neels Ferreira, voorsitter van SA Graan, gesê as die kwessie van voedselsekuriteit in die land nie dringend opgelos word nie, gaan hongersnood uitbreek, wat weer tot anargie gaan lei.
Sasol het die Mededingingkommissie genader vir ‘n skikkingsooreenkoms oor sy betrokkenheid by moontlike prysvasstelling in die kunsmisbedryf. Dit kom nadat Sasol in 2003 en weer in 2007, saam met ander kunsmis-maatskappye, vir samespanning by die Mededingingskommissie aangegee is. In ‘n verklaring sê Graan SA kunsmis beslaan ongeveer 35% van ‘n graan- en oliesade produsent se lopende produksiekoste en dit het dus ‘n groot invloed op die winsgewendheid van graanproduksie. Daarom beteken onmededingende gedrag dat kunsmispryse moontlik al vir ‘n geruime tyd kunsmatig hoër as wat andersind die geval sou wees.
Eskom twee reuse nuwe kragstasies - 02/02/2009
Die twee reuse nuwe kragstasies wat Eskom binne die volgende sewe jaar beplan – Medupi in Limpopo-provinsie en Kusile in Mpumalanga, behoort elektrisiteitsvoorsiening aansienlik te verbeter en terselfdertyd baie geld in die plaaslike ekonomieë in te pomp, maar dit lyk asof die verbruikers oor die algemeen 32% meer vir elektrisiteit gaan betaal as gevolg van die nuwe ontwikkelings. Volgens die jongste ramings gaan Medupi R100 miljard kos en Kusile R111 miljard. Meer besonderhede by www.engineeringnews.co.za. .
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