Business Day (South Africa) articles from April 2009, page 8

Business Day (South Africa) archives from April 2009

Retirement project eases the transition.
April 15, 2009... Byline: Thabang Mokopanele Retirement project eases the transition THE global economic crisis has wrought havoc on property prices across the world, and in SA recent retirees are perhaps feeling the pinch more keenly than other home...

Decentralised Sekunjalo scraps CEO post.
April 15, 2009... Byline: Lesley Stones Decentralised Sekunjalo scraps CEO post LESLEY STONES Information Technology Editor BLACK investment company Sekunjalo has scrapped the job of CEO in a move leading to the resignation of Mohamed Kajee, as part of a...

Avoiding common home-selling mistakes.
April 15, 2009... Byline: Thabang Mokopanele Avoiding common home-selling mistakes Use an estate agent who specialises in your area, and do your own market research before deciding on a price SELLING in the current property slump may seem impossible, but...

AmaTuks face a different kettle of fish in Ajax.
April 15, 2009... Byline: Mninawa Ntloko AmaTuks face a different kettle of fish in Ajax GIANT-killers Pretoria University face a serious examination of their new-found status after they were drawn against Ajax Cape Town in the semifinals of the Nedbank...

SuperSport United board offers team R5m to retain league title.
April 15, 2009... Byline: Mninawa Ntloko SuperSport United board offers team R5m to retain league title MNINAWA NTLOKO Sports Editor THE SuperSport United board is dangling a lucrative R5m carrot that will be awarded to the whole team if the holders are...

Arthur has his heart set on an ICC trophy.
April 15, 2009... Byline: MARK SMIT Arthur has his heart set on an ICC trophy 'That is the last hole that has to be filled,' says SA's thrilled coach Chief Sports Correspondent THE South African one-day cricket team might be on top of the world, but it...

Santoro shows Kudryavtsev how it is done.
April 15, 2009... Byline: MARK SMIT Santoro shows Kudryavtsev how it is done TWO top-class exhibitions of match play tennis were watched by just a handful of spectators yesterday on day two of the first ATP Tour tennis event to be played in Soweto. ...

Botha suspension may take toll on Bulls' Super 14 hopes.
April 15, 2009... Byline: Zeena Isaacs Botha suspension may take toll on Bulls' Super 14 hopes ZEENA ISAACS Rugby Correspondent SPRINGBOK lock Bakkies Botha may have jeopardised the Bulls' Super 14 title hopes only five weeks before the semifinals after...

How to balance health and the ballot box.
April 15, 2009... Byline: Sue Grant Marshall VITAL SIGNS How to balance health and the ballot box Elections and democracy training specialist Bontle Mpakanyane gets 's vote for getting through a really tight schedule and still managing to stay sane and...

Cuppa a day keeps illness away.
April 15, 2009... Byline: Marika Sboros NUTRITION Cuppa a day keeps illness away Much of the misery of age-related conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic pain and even cancer can be laid at the feet of inflammatory processes. Black...

Angel is king but Phil and Tiger steal the show.
April 14, 2009... Byline: Colin Anthony Angel is king but Phil and Tiger steal the show A FRIEND who has taken to sports betting keeps asking my advice and he's driving me crazy. I keep telling him not to bet on golf but he keeps asking me things such as...

Smart Banker could give Laird his first title.
April 14, 2009... Byline: DAVID MOLLETT Smart Banker could give Laird his first title Racing Editor CHARLES Laird could wrap up his first trainers championship if one of his five entries wins the Champions Challenge at Turffontein on April 25. ...

Not so bad at all.
April 14, 2009... Not so bad at all House prices down, but rosy by global standards DATA on house price trends released last week by three banks and a mortgage originator make it clear the market is not a happy one. But compare SA's market to those abroad and...

Confed Cup tickets 'will be sold out'.
April 14, 2009... Byline: Mninawa Ntloko Confed Cup tickets 'will be sold out' Khoza sticks his neck out and predicts full houses at stadiums MNINAWA NTLOKO Sports Editor IRVIN Khoza the chairman of the 2010 Soccer World Cup local organising committee...

Tennis fans asked to attend Soweto Open.
April 14, 2009... Byline: MARK SMIT Tennis fans asked to attend Soweto Open Chief Sports Correspondent IAN Smith, the CEO of the South African Tennis Association, yesterday appealed to Johannesburg's tennis-loving public to help break down the barriers of...

Waiting for commission to step off the table.
April 14, 2009... Byline: Hilary Joffe Waiting for commission to step off the table NOT for the first time, one of the African National Congress's (ANC's) leaders has punted the new planning commission as a tool the new administration can use to rein in...

Looking back on Browse Mole in light of McCarthy transcripts.
April 14, 2009... Byline: Karima Brown Looking back on Browse Mole in light of McCarthy transcripts It is not unreasonable now to ask what role Mbeki, or any members of his cabinet, played in authorising the report WHILE many are reeling from the shock of...

Top ANC executive denounces Mbeki.
April 14, 2009... Byline: KARIMA BROWN Top ANC executive denounces Mbeki Political Editor AFRICAN National Congress (ANC) national executive committee member Fikile Mbalula has attacked former president Thabo Mbeki, saying he doubted the conspiracy...

Shock as Seardel decides to close down Frame Textiles.
April 14, 2009... Byline: MATHABO LE ROUX Shock as Seardel decides to close down Frame Textiles Demise of sector's biggest operation hits workers and companies throughout SA Trade and Industry Editor IN WHAT is seen as a watershed for the textiles...

Sharp drop in local M&A activity.
April 14, 2009... Byline: SANCHIA TEMKIN Sharp drop in local M& A activity Professional Services Editor SA HAS seen a marked decrease in mergers and acquisitions (M& As) this year, with only 14 transactions in the first quarter. Deal activity was down...

New tax method to help small firms.
April 14, 2009... Byline: SANCHIA TEMKIN New tax method to help small firms Many businesses have yet to respond to the opportunities offered by the turnover tax system Professional Services Editor THE country's new turnover tax system will be of benefit...

Can SA varsities make the grade?
April 14, 2009... Byline: Sue Blaine Can SA varsities make the grade? Global competition has changed the game, writes THE global exchange of top university management skills is increasingly evident, even in SA, which was only really welcomed into the...

Workers at Defy vow to stand their ground for laid-off staff.
April 14, 2009... Byline: AMY MUSGRAVE Workers at Defy vow to stand their ground for laid-off staff Political Correspondent THE National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) is threatening to bring Defy Appliances to its knees over unjust...

DA warns voters against giving a two-thirds majority to ANC.
April 14, 2009... Byline: LINDA ENSOR DA warns voters against giving a two-thirds majority to ANC Zille says constitution is in jeopardy Political Correspondent CAPE TOWN The Democratic Alliance's (DA's) new Stop Zuma poster campaign was intended to warn...

Judge 'must condone spying'.
April 14, 2009... Byline: Wyndham Hartley Judge 'must condone spying' Tapping phone calls has to be by the book, writes NEITHER the South African Secret Service nor the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) indeed no law enforcement agency in SA has an...

Cosatu chief blasts Erwin for having 'only personal interests'.
April 14, 2009... Byline: HAJRA OMARJEE Cosatu chief blasts Erwin for having 'only personal interests' Political Correspondent THE Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) yesterday dismissed former cabinet minister Alec Erwin's decision to vote...

SA banks charge 'intolerable' fees to remit money.
April 14, 2009... Byline: LINDA ENSOR SA banks charge 'intolerable' fees to remit money Migrants send funds home informally Political Correspondent CAPE TOWN South African banks charged among the highest fees in the world for remitting money to...

SA authorities set to regulate online gambling.
April 14, 2009... Byline: Julius Baumann SA authorities set to regulate online gambling Virtual casinos take advantage of a regulatory void, but not for much longer, writes ONLINE casino Silversands' days may be numbered with the introduction of SA's...

Credit for online gamblers 'a big problem'.
April 14, 2009... Byline: Julius Baumann Credit for online gamblers 'a big problem' JULIUS BAUMANN WHETHER the advent of online gaming has led to an increase in problem gambling is the question that Prof Don Ross, research director at the National...

Transport strike could threaten food supplies.
April 14, 2009... Byline: LUPHERT CHILWANE Transport strike could threaten food supplies General Reporter AN INDEFINITE strike by members of SA's four major transport unions was likely to cripple SA's biggest food chain store, Kevin Korb, director of food...

Bulls look to be on their way to a Super 14 home semifinal.
April 14, 2009... Byline: Zeena Isaacs Bulls look to be on their way to a Super 14 home semifinal ZEENA ISAACS Rugby Correspondent GIVEN all the challenges facing the Bulls in the build-up to their final and potentially most demanding tour game this week,...

Investors seek new options on JCI, R&E.
April 14, 2009... Byline: Charlotte Mathews Investors seek new options on JCI, R& E CHARLOTTE MATHEWS Resources Editor JCI, Randgold & Exploration (R& E), Investec and minority shareholder Monty Koppel had been expected to resume intensive negotiations at...

Boards' role 'to provoke debate'.
April 14, 2009... Byline: Sanchia Temkin Boards' role 'to provoke debate' SANCHIA TEMKIN A COMPANY's board should be an outlet for directors to debate the latest issues facing the wellbeing of their company, Lindie Engelbrecht, CE of the Institute of...

Accounts board urged to 'resist'.
April 14, 2009... Byline: Sanchia Temkin Accounts board urged to 'resist' SANCHIA TEMKIN Professional Services Editor THE International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) must resist extreme pressure from global accounting bodies in the next two years to...

Moody's warns Imperial could come under pressure.
April 14, 2009... Byline: Artwell Dlamini Moody's warns Imperial could come under pressure ARTWELL DLAMINI Transport Correspondent RATINGS agency Moody's has warned that deteriorating economic conditions could put strain on Imperial Holdings, posing a...

Some legal puzzles.
April 14, 2009... Byline: Stephen Twinoburyo Some legal puzzles I am not a legal expert or political analyst but there are some issues arising from the dropping of criminal charges against Jacob Zuma by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) head,...

In the dark on permits.
April 14, 2009... Byline: Louis Volschenk In the dark on permits I know a Zimbabwean residing illegally in SA. After reading in Business Day recently about the new special dispensation permits, I advised him to visit the Bellville branch of the Department...

Zuma misunderstands constitution.
April 14, 2009... Byline: George Devenish Zuma misunderstands constitution It has been widely reported that Jacob Zuma, the African National Congress president, has lambasted the conduct of the judiciary and questioned the supremacy of the Constitutional...

Find a savvy minister.
April 14, 2009... Byline: Chris Powell Find a savvy minister I did not know the late Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri personally and it would be churlish of me to offer anything other than condolences at her passing. While as a person she may be missed by those...

Indication of decline.
April 14, 2009... Byline: Paul Trewhela Indication of decline Jessie Duarte, spokeswoman for the ruling African National Congress (ANC), has accused Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu of undermining the independence of the National Prosecuting Authority and...

Making of democracy.
April 14, 2009... Byline: Paul Whelan Making of democracy Many writers are suggesting the National Prosecuting Authority's decision last week could be the end of our democracy. It could just as well be a powerful push towards the making of it. It has...

Networking builds digital businesses.
April 14, 2009... Byline: Lesley Stones Networking builds digital businesses LESLEY STONES Information Technology Editor TWO new events being organised for the hi-tech sector are evidence that nothing beats face-to-face networking, even for workers in the...

Merger thresholds 'may be problematic'.
April 14, 2009... Byline: Sanchia Temkin Merger thresholds 'may be problematic' SANCHIA TEMKIN INCREASES to the thresholds for notifying the Competition Commission of mergers may be problematic, competition analysts say. The problem is that not all...

M&A activity in sharp decline.
April 14, 2009... Byline: Sanchia Temkin M& A activity in sharp decline Though fewer deals were done in first quarter, their total value was higher than in 2008 SANCHIA TEMKIN Professional Services Editor SA HAS seen a marked decrease in mergers and...

Rex Trueform 'may restructure, shed remaining factory'.
April 14, 2009... Byline: Nicola Mawson Rex Trueform 'may restructure, shed remaining factory' NICOLA MAWSON Consumer Industries Correspondent MANUFACTURING and retail group Rex Trueform would benefit by cleaning up its holding structure, and could strip...

Sasol weighs giant Indian plant.
April 14, 2009... Byline: MARGIE INGGS Sasol weighs giant Indian plant SA group, Tata study $5bn-$7bn coal-to-liquid project to make 80 000 barrels a day Special Writer PETROCHEMICALS group Sasol and India's Tata are considering investing in a...

Gemfields set to fight Tanzanite board.
April 14, 2009... Byline: Nicola Mawson Gemfields set to fight Tanzanite board NICOLA MAWSON COLOURED gemstone producer Gemfields is set to tackle Tanzanite One directors today over its disenfranchising of South African shareholders. Tanzanite One is due...

Illovo to reshape, refocus business in SA.
April 14, 2009... Byline: Thabang Mokopanele Illovo to reshape, refocus business in SA THABANG MOKOPANELE ILLOVO Sugar has announced strategic disposals, investments and changes in structure for a more focused and streamlined South African business. ...

BOOK PROMOTION. SOUTH AFRICAN INCOME TAX GUIDE 2008/2009.
April 14, 2009... BOOKPROMOTION SOUTH AFRICAN INCOME TAX GUIDE 2008/2009 by C Divaris and ML Stein THIS well established handbook is designed for use as a quick and easy reference. It offers a clear and practical explanation of income tax, capital gains...

Time for state to break with past on telecoms.
April 9, 2009... THE BOTTOM LINE COLUMN Time for state to break with past on telecoms FOR years people have said that the telecoms industry is poised for exciting times as liberalisation makes its slow but relentless way forward. Now, unexpectedly, the...

Team Valor boss lauds SA premier sale.
April 9, 2009... Byline: David Mollett Team Valor boss lauds SA premier sale US's Barry Irwin finds 'superb' value at Germiston yearling mart DAVID MOLLETT Racing Editor BARACK Obama is not the only American receiving a warm welcome overseas. The...

Sweet and sour.
April 9, 2009... Sweet and sour Manuel and Mboweni only appear to disagree PERHAPS it's their good guy, bad guy routine. Finance Minister Trevor Manuel predicts the economy will grow a bit this year and start to recover next year. Reserve Bank governor Tito...

The trouble with Zimbabwe.
April 9, 2009... The trouble with Zimbabwe Paltry changes mean investment is still a lottery THE investor protection agreement due to be signed by the South African and Zimbabwean governments in a few weeks' time is an excellent idea. Unfortunately, it is...

Why 'cutting back' often hurts more than it helps.
April 9, 2009... Byline: Miriam Isa Why 'cutting back' often hurts more than it helps SOME years ago, my previous employer sent a group of senior staff on a leadership course in Johannesburg. It wasn't a particularly high-powered training event the...

Order of the Baobab in Silver for a pragmatic pioneer.
April 9, 2009... Byline: Sue Blaine Order of the Baobab in Silver for a pragmatic pioneer Apartheid-era business leaders did more than just make money, former Barlow Rand chairman Mike Rosholt tells FORMER Barlow Rand chairman Mike Rosholt is, by all...

AmaTuks believe the fairy tale is not over.
April 9, 2009... Byline: Mninawa Ntloko AmaTuks believe the fairy tale is not over Coach vows underdogs 'will still be standing' after their clash with Celtic MNINAWA NTLOKO Sports Editor LOWER-tier minnows Pretoria University will hope to extend their...

Bowlers will have their say at Newlands.
April 9, 2009... Byline: Mark Smit Bowlers will have their say at Newlands Series shows limited overs cricket is not always a batsman's game MARK SMIT Chief Sports Correspondent MICKEY Arthur is hardly saying anything new when he insists this afternoon's...

Jazz.
April 9, 2009... Byline: GWEN ANSELL Jazz THE Cape Town International Jazz Festival seems, finally, to be coming of age. Human traffic flows are pleasantly under control and the time slippages are becoming smaller. Carpets and lowered ceiling hangings...

SA Express flight plan keeps it on course.
April 9, 2009... Byline: JULIUS BAUMANN SA Express flight plan keeps it on course Aviation and Tourism Editor STATE-owned regional airline South African Express is expected to post an improved profit for the six months to March this year, in stark...

Fears over truckers' strike as unions thrash out increases.
April 9, 2009... Byline: ARTWELL DLAMINI Fears over truckers' strike as unions thrash out increases Transport Correspondent AS THE truck strike entered its second day, the South African Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Satawu) and employers were...

Judges say Hlophe tried to meddle.
April 9, 2009... Byline: FRANNY RABKIN Judges say Hlophe tried to meddle Staff Writer THE two judges at the centre of the dispute between Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe and judges of the Constitutional Court yesterday gave the Judicial Service...

Minister grabs Gauteng farm from reform beneficiary.
April 9, 2009... Byline: NEELS BLOM Minister grabs Gauteng farm from reform beneficiary No court order obtained before officials order occupants to leave Agriculture and Land Affairs Editor AGRICULTURE and Land Affairs Minister Lulu Xingwana and an...

Phosa says government should consider rate cuts to offset crisis.
April 9, 2009... Byline: KARIMA BROWN Phosa says government should consider rate cuts to offset crisis Political Editor AFRICAN National Congress (ANC) treasurer-general Matthews Phosa said yesterday that the government should consider interest rate cuts...

House prices to feel the heat despite rate cuts.
April 9, 2009... Byline: THABANG MOKOPANELE House prices to feel the heat despite rate cuts Property Correspondent DESPITE the expectation of further interest rate cuts, the household sector is likely to continue experiencing financial strain, with house...

Mbeki denies he meddled in Zuma corruption case.
April 9, 2009... Byline: HAJRA OMARJEE Mbeki denies he meddled in Zuma corruption case Political Correspondent FORMER president Thabo Mbeki yesterday denied that he had meddled in African National Congress (ANC) president Jacob Zuma's corruption case and...

Zuma tapes 'show laws on interception are weak'.
April 9, 2009... Byline: WILSON JOHWA Zuma tapes 'show laws on interception are weak' Calls for serious safeguards of the possession of secret information Political Correspondent AFRICAN National Congress (ANC) president Jacob Zuma can now breathe easy,...

Judicial Education Institute talks training at first meeting.
April 9, 2009... Byline: ERNEST MABUZA Judicial Education Institute talks training at first meeting Legal Affairs Correspondent THE council of the South African Judicial Education Institute met for the first time yesterday to discuss ways of providing...

De Lille lays charges against Ngcuka, McCarthy over 'interference' claims.
April 9, 2009... Byline: LINDA ENSOR De Lille lays charges against Ngcuka, McCarthy over 'interference' claims Political Correspondent CAPE TOWN Independent Democrats (ID) leader Patricia de Lille has laid charges against former national director of...

Once again the real victim of neglect is the 'Forgotten Man'.
April 9, 2009... Byline: MICHEL PIREU StreetDogs Once again the real victim of neglect is the 'Forgotten Man' THE fact is that there is no right whatever inherited by man which has not an equivalent and corresponding duty by the side of it. Now the...

MADE IT:Acting Judicial Service Commission chairman Lex Mpati.
April 9, 2009... Acting Judicial Service Commission chairman Lex Mpati is admirably sidestepping the hurdles that are continually being thrown in the JSC's path by Judge John Hlophe.

MADE IT:Reserve Bank governor Tito Mboweni.
April 9, 2009... Reserve Bank governor Tito Mboweni for his timely warning to the new government about the need to stay on the economic straight and narrow as the recession bites.

OUT:Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.
April 9, 2009... Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi has exceeded his usual high levels of buffoonery in recent days. At least he won't be becoming an MP next month.

De Villiers spoilt for choice with team selection.
April 9, 2009... Byline: Zeena Isaacs De Villiers spoilt for choice with team selection THE old cliche coaches use when almost all of their top players are in scorching form that it's a healthy headache to have could not be more true for Springbok coach...

Bulls' hopes could tumble if they fumble.
April 9, 2009... Byline: Zeena Isaacs Bulls' hopes could tumble if they fumble ZEENA ISAACS Rugby Correspondent THE Bulls' Super 14 title hopes could suffer a huge dent on Saturday if they succumb to their third tour defeat when they line up against the...

Business chugs on for SA car makers.
April 9, 2009... Byline: Artwell Dlamini Business chugs on for SA car makers Chrysler, General Motors try to ease local worries about the effect of their parent firms' troubles ARTWELL DLAMINI Transport Correspondent GENERAL Motors SA (GMSA) and Chrysler...

Pamodzi Gold can still be rescued, liquidators say.
April 9, 2009... Byline: Charlotte Mathews Pamodzi Gold can still be rescued, liquidators say CHARLOTTE MATHEWS Resources Editor PAMODZI Gold could survive if it obtained a R200m loan immediately and another R300m within the next couple of months,...

CCTV vital to police 2010 crowds.
April 9, 2009... Byline: Alan Russell CCTV vital to police 2010 crowds In the run-up to the 2010 Soccer World Cup it is becoming obvious that the South African public needs to be vigilant and hold the local organising committee (LOC) and other...

Hopeless situation.
April 9, 2009... Byline: Jeff Anderson Hopeless situation Your conclusion in your editorial, The NPA's call just scrapes home (April 7): Zuma might just be the man. But he will need to deal decisively with the lingering doubts and suspicions that (NPA...

Auditors at risk.
April 9, 2009... Byline: Steven Firer Auditors at risk Are the audit firms of all shapes and sizes an endangered species, destined to kick the bucket from litigation? The auditing profession is in fear for its life. There has been growing apprehension...

Don't deny problem.
April 9, 2009... Byline: Errol Goetsch Don't deny problem Paul Whelan hits the nail on the head your paper's political observers give soothing platitudes to readers wanting insight and foresight (Incoherent and servile, Letters, April 4). The National...

Find financial balance.
April 9, 2009... Byline: Jim Harris Find financial balance It is good to hear from Finance Minister Trevor Manuel that household debt has dropped from 78% of gross domestic product to 70%, Plenty of space for rate cuts (April 7). It is not so good to...

NPA decision farcical.
April 9, 2009... Byline: PJH Titlestad NPA decision farcical If the National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA's) tapes were recorded in 2007, why have they come to light only now? Timing? How were they made and by whom? Are they legal? How did the Zuma team...

Vive la liberte.
April 9, 2009... Byline: Crispin Hemson Vive la liberte The victors in our national saga are walking away unnoticed. While Jacob Zuma faces the future knowing he is unlikely ever to be acquitted, no one is even questioning the role of the arms...

Obvious absence.
April 9, 2009... Byline: Trevor Steensma Obvious absence I, like many other people, wonder what has happened to you, Dr Lucas Ntyintyane. Your wise counsel and objective views on Business Day's Letters page have sadly been missed during the whole...