Business Day (South Africa) articles from April 2009

Business Day (South Africa) archives from April 2009

No reason to be pig-headed about swine flu.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Colin Anthony THE BOTTOM LINE COLUMN No reason to be pig-headed about swine flu THE outbreak of swine flu shows how it is possible for markets to be rationally irrational. It is entirely rational for tourism and airline stocks to...

Blown out of the water: six commonly held myths on speculators.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Michel Pireu StreetDogs Blown out of the water: six commonly held myths on speculators It's their fault BLAMING speculators as a response to financial crisis goes back at least to the Greeks. It's almost always the wrong...

The Insider.
April 29, 2009... No joy for these inquisitive bankers and academics RESERVE Bank chief economist Monde Mnyande was caught between a rock and a hard place when he spoke at Wits University a few days ago. The speaking engagement was agreed on before the...

Flu and flying.
April 29, 2009... Flu and flying Airline industry bracing for effect of swine flu JUST when the global airline industry thought that the worst was over and its financial health finally on the mend, along comes swine flu, a pandemic that threatens to change the...

Question: how much to cut?
April 29, 2009... Question: how much to cut? Inflation coming down but economy still fragile CONSUMER price inflation figures due tomorrow are more than likely to show inflation is still well above the top of the target range and has come out slightly higher...

Pirates, Chiefs have everything to play for in crunch match.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Mninawa Ntloko Pirates, Chiefs have everything to play for in crunch match MNINAWA NTLOKO Sports Editor ORLANDO Pirates coach Rudi Krol has vowed to take the fight to Kaizer Chiefs when the traditional rivals square off in a...

Fraudsters doing their best to score out of World Cup.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Mninawa Ntloko Fraudsters doing their best to score out of World Cup SHHHH! Let me whisper something to you that I was told in confidence. Seeing we're practically family after continuing to rendezvous on these pages for the past...

Wine.
April 29, 2009... Byline: MICHAEL FRIDJHON Wine MICHAEL FRIDJHON THE en primeur or future sales of the 2008 Bordeaux vintage are pretty much in full swing assuming that the announcement of prices by the major chateaux (rather than actual transactions) is...

At home and abroad. Lazarus-like comeback of a flawed, formidable fighter.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Allister Sparks At home and abroad Lazarus-like comeback of a flawed, formidable fighter ALTHOUGH I still have serious misgivings about Jacob Zuma as our new president, about the gravity of the corruption charges against him that...

Politicians, media need to take a deep breath.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Anton Harber Politicians, media need to take a deep breath I AM not one to encourage journalists to be mild mannered. The media, I believe, is at its best when it is boisterous, pushing the bounds of acceptable investigation and...

A moment to measure direction against intended destination.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Neva Makgetla A moment to measure direction against intended destination Change of leadership provides SA with an unmissable chance to assess the real worth of current economic policies AT POLOKWANE and in its election manifesto,...

Red tape lapse threatens huge land claim.
April 29, 2009... Byline: NEELS BLOM Red tape lapse threatens huge land claim Agriculture and Land Affairs Editor A MASSIVE land claim in a prime agricultural area near Brits in the North West is likely to collapse after the intended beneficiaries failed...

Manuel's fate in balance in Zuma talks.
April 29, 2009... Byline: KARIMA BROWN Manuel's fate in balance in Zuma talks Political Editor PRESIDENT-elect Jacob Zuma and top African National Congress (ANC) officials met yesterday for extensive talks with the party's leftist allies on who should...

Bankruptcies, liquidations point to rates cut.
April 29, 2009... Byline: MARIAM ISA Bankruptcies, liquidations point to rates cut Finance sector hardest hit, followed by trade and manufacturing, which both shrank at a record pace in February Economics Editor COMPANY failures leapt 46,7% in the first...

Textile industry looks at novel ways to thrive.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Mathabo le Roux Textile industry looks at novel ways to thrive Not everyone in this sector accepts its woes as insurmountable, writes WHILE the woes of the clothing and textile industry are worsening, an apparel initiative to...

Solidarity gives retailers food for thought over high prices.
April 29, 2009... Byline: NICOLA MAWSON Solidarity gives retailers food for thought over high prices Consumer Industries Correspondent TRADE union Solidarity has criticised retailers for making huge profits despite falling input costs and food inflation...

Air travel likely to be hit by swine flu scare.
April 29, 2009... Byline: JULIUS BAUMANN Air travel likely to be hit by swine flu scare Aviation and Tourism Editor THE global airline industry is likely to bear the brunt of the swine flu scare, with many passengers reconsidering their travel plans as...

Strong DA candidates for Cape Town.
April 29, 2009... Byline: LINDA ENSOR Strong DA candidates for Cape Town Choice of a new mayor put on hold as party sorts out council and caucus posts Political Correspondent CAPE TOWN Two strong candidates, city councillors Dan Plato and Ian Nielson, are...

COPE changes tune as Lekota heads for Parliament.
April 29, 2009... Byline: WILSON JOHWA COPE changes tune as Lekota heads for Parliament Political Correspondent CONGRESS of the People (COPE) president Mosiuoa Lekota appears headed for Parliament after initially stating he would be working from outside...

Eskom deal assures coal truckers of bigger payloads.
April 29, 2009... Byline: SISEKO NJOBENI Eskom deal assures coal truckers of bigger payloads THE stand-off between power utility Eskom and a group of truck owners is off, following an agreement that will see Eskom increase the tonnage of coal the truck...

Language policy case appealed.
April 29, 2009... Byline: ERNEST MABUZA Language policy case appealed Legal Affairs Correspondent THE language policy of Hoerskool Ermelo was contrary to the constitution, which provided that no person may unfairly discriminate against anyone on the...

Zikalala out of news hot seat at SABC.
April 29, 2009... Byline: KGOMOTSO MATHE Zikalala out of news hot seat at SABC Rumours circulate that board was influenced by new ANC leaders Staff Writer THE head of news and public affairs at the SABC, Snuki Zikalala, will be serving the last day of his...

Formality strands bus service union.
April 29, 2009... Byline: ARTWELL DLAMINI Formality strands bus service union Transport Corespondent THE bus strike will continue after wage talks between Metrobus and the South African Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu) broke down over a legal...

PRIVATE INVESTOR. High prices do not lift Pick n Pay returns.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Ben Temkin PRIVATE INVESTOR High prices do not lift Pick n Pay returns IN MY cursory first look at Pick n Pay's results for the year to February, I fear I tried to encapsulate too much information in too little space. In...

Third Umpire. IN. Nando's CEO Robbie Brozin.
April 29, 2009... Nando's CEO Robbie Brozin. The first Julius advert was good, cheeky fun. The second, after having pretended to withdraw it, was as irreverent as we've come to expect.

Third Umpire. OUT. Health director-general Thami Mseleku.
April 29, 2009... Health director-general Thami Mseleku. The truth of the matter is the doctors' strike could have been averted if the Department of Health had simply acted in good faith.

The Third Umpire. OUT. Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari.
April 29, 2009... Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari. A fit of pique over Gordon Brown saying so doesn't change the fact that the Afghan border region is a crucible of terrorism.

Bulls charge to semifinals one game at a time.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Zeena Isaacs Bulls charge to semifinals one game at a time THE intense battle for semifinal places in the Super 14 has forced Bulls coach Frans Ludeke to exercise extreme caution in the last three weeks of the pool stages, and he...

Boks urged not to underrate Lions.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Zeena Isaacs Boks urged not to underrate Lions Players from beaten side of 1997 say SA will have to be mentally, physically sharp to win ZEENA ISAACS Rugby Correspondent JAPIE Mulder and prop Dawie Theron, two Springboks who...

Increased support for CMSA takeover.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Sure Kamhunga Increased support for CMSA takeover SURE KAMHUNGA PHARMACEUTICAL firm Adcock Ingram says it has gained support from three more shareholders of generic-drug maker Cipla Medpro SA (CMSA), which it is trying to take...

ARM is on lookout for Zimbabwe investments.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Sure Kamhunga ARM is on lookout for Zimbabwe investments SURE KAMHUNGA Companies Editor MINING group African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) yesterday said it had registered a company in neighbouring Zimbabwe to scout for investment...

Cashbuild reports continuing revenue growth.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Nicola Mawson Cashbuild reports continuing revenue growth NICOLA MAWSON Consumer Industries Correspondent HARDWARE retailer Cashbuild said yesterday that revenue had continued to grow in the third quarter of the financial year....

Datatec sheds 55% stake in empowerment group.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Lesley Stones Datatec sheds 55% stake in empowerment group LESLEY STONES Information Technology Editor TECHNOLOGY company Datatec has wound up a three-year-old partnership that was initially designed to boost its empowerment...

Estate shows investors 'favour exclusive developments'.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Thabang Mokopanele Estate shows investors 'favour exclusive developments' DESPITE the downturn in the property market, Ivora Properties, developers of The Bay Golf Estate in Hartbeespoort, have sold 90% of the stands since the...

Liberty seeks GBP600m in share issue.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Thabang Mokopanele Liberty seeks GBP600m in share issue Financial flexibility needed to deal with declines in property values THABANG MOKOPANELE Property Correspondent UK-BASED property company Liberty International plans to...

Lonrho bucks the global trend with strong turnover.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Sure Kamhunga Lonrho bucks the global trend with strong turnover SURE KAMHUNGA Companies Editor AIM-listed diversified investment group Lonrho yesterday announced a 245% increase in turnover to GBP19,6m in the second quarter of...

From cell to mobile.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Ivan Brezovic Mlinaric From cell to mobile Ever wondered why Seffricans say cellphone whereas most other countries use the mobile phone? The word cell derives from the packets of the limited airtime allotted in the UK to various...

Not nearly enough.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Johan Marais Not nearly enough In The Insider column (April 21) you refer to South African Airways (SAA) requesting proposals for the supply of 2000 tons of coal, that is roughly equal to a weeks' supply for all of SA's coal...

Refilling at the trough.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Howard Skeens Refilling at the trough About R75m in inauguration costs for cream on top of the gravy for the obese party hacks and many foreign despots! This is a great way to begin the next five years of African National...

Accelerate growth.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Jim Harris Accelerate growth I respectfully beg to differ with your Thick End of the Wedge suggestion (April 28) that State President Jacob Zuma should prioritise getting education right. Certainly that is a vital goal and...

Health MEC is breaking the law.
April 29, 2009... Byline: George Devenish Health MEC is breaking the law Section 136(2) of the constitution dealing with conduct of the members of the executive councils of the provinces declares: Members of the executive council of a province may not (a)...

No swart gevaar here.
April 29, 2009... Byline: B Els No swart gevaar here I understand why cartoonist Zapiro included your political editor Karima Brown in the Jacob Zuma brainwashing line-up that irked her so vociferously last week. Her column (Nation-building vital after...

Telkom questions.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Steven Carlson Telkom questions The Pretoria High Court has confirmed that Telkom's award of a multimillion-rand point-to-point microwave tender to Ericsson is irregular after Ericsson failed a critical equipment test procedure....

Who's Trevor Manuel?
April 29, 2009... Byline: Herman Lategan Who's Trevor Manuel? Can someone please enlighten me regarding the cult status around the illustrious finance minister, Mr Trevor Manuel? The man has become like the pop star of the African National Congress (ANC)...

MTN signals it is keen to get into Zimbabwe.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Lesley Stones MTN signals it is keen to get into Zimbabwe Cellular giant's plans are still at the preliminary stage, but it could enter by taking control of existing operator Telecel LESLEY STONES Information Technology Editor...

Oando refinery set 'to bridge the supply gap'.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Siseko Njobeni Oando refinery set 'to bridge the supply gap' SISEKO NJOBENI Energy Affairs Editor JSE-listed energy group Oando has completed a four-month bankable feasibility study for a 240000 barrels a day greenfield refinery...

No left policy leap, says Old Mutual unit.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Edward West No left policy leap, says Old Mutual unit Local markets more susceptible to the global crisis, rates factors EDWARD WEST Senior Business Writer A SHARP swing towards leftist government policies was unlikely in the...

Pick n Pay expanding in Soweto.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Nicola Mawson Pick n Pay expanding in Soweto NICOLA MAWSON Consumer Industries Correspondent FOOD retailer Pick n Pay, which won two franchising awards last year, is set to expand further in Soweto with its fifth and sixth store...

IN BRIEF - Property.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Thabang Mokopanele IN BRIEF Building slowdown will boost rental market HOME OWNERSHIP The recent slowdown in building activity in SA is expected to affect new residential developments negatively, but boost the rental market. Many...

Rezidor expands African portfolio with three hotels.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Thabang Mokopanele Rezidor expands African portfolio with three hotels THE Rezidor Hotel Group plans to expand its African portfolio with three more Radisson Blu hotels and resorts in Zambia, Angola and Tunisia bringing the total...

Riverside Manor village offers peace of mind.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Thabang Mokopanele Riverside Manor village offers peace of mind THE R200m, Investec-financed Riverside Manor retirement village on the banks of the Sandspruit River in Sunninghill has entered the final phase of its construction....

Take care in selling your own home.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Thabang Mokopanele Take care in selling your own home Saving on commission is a boon, but agents have skills to get a better price and make a sale SAVING on commission is an incentive to sell a home privately but a decision on...

Telkom tender gets court's nod.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Lesley Stones Telkom tender gets court's nod LESLEY STONES Information Technology Editor TELKOM has won legal permission to award a tender to Ericsson after a high court judge threw out an application to have the deal halted by a...

Beware the voetstoots implications.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Thabang Mokopanele Beware the voetstoots implications BUYERS should beware of the voetstoots clause when buying a property and make sure they inspect the property for defects before signing anything. Heather Briggs of...

Taking a leaf out of life's book on balance.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Sue Grant-Marshall VITAL SIGNS Taking a leaf out of life's book on balance Dr Bernard Levinson is a Johannesburg psychiatrist, sexologist, international lecturer, poet, sculptor and author. He tells about the key role of balance...

Is this a missing piece of the stress puzzle?
April 29, 2009... Byline: Ashleigh Caradas ENDOCRINOLOGY Is this a missing piece of the stress puzzle? It is a controversial idea that some medical doctors believe is a modern-day illness. Others dismiss it. Yet adrenal fatigue is looking more and more...

Retrenchment is a double-edged sword.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Erica Webster Retrenchment is a double-edged sword EMPLOYERS should consider the long-term implications of changes to their HR strategy in times of economic uncertainty, says Jan Coetzee, MD of Manpower SA. They should take...

Challenge brings out the best in top managers.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Erica Webster Challenge brings out the best in top managers AS THE global recession grows in momentum and reaches SA's shores, South African business leaders are seeking guidance on how to sustain growth and develop the leaders...

Sustainability. Long-term focus an answer.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Erica Webster Sustainability Long-term focus an answer Short-term pay-and-reward view has contributed to current economic turbulence, writes IF ORGANISATIONS were to increase the scale of their perspective to 10 years instead of...

A true leader is a servant to his people.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Erica Webster A true leader is a servant to his people THERE has never been a greater need for servant leaders and inspirational leadership than in these times of economic turmoil.& x00A0; The essence of servant leadership is in...

Valuable lessons from tough times.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Erica Webster Valuable lessons from tough times Challenges forced Denel to establish a vision for the future that is now standing it in good stead as the economic downturn threatens to undermine South African companies WHILE...

Niche arena. Players boost services so client numbers grow.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Andrew Gillingham Niche arena Players boost services so client numbers grow Keen eye on Africa's big Muslim population, writes THE Muslim community has been underbanked in the past but there are now more players in the Islamic...

Islamic model could avert crises.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Andrew Gillingham Islamic model could avert crises THE Vatican-related newspaper L'Osservatore Romano has suggested that the Islamic banking model might be the answer to the present global financial crisis and help to restore...

Sharing profits the key.
April 29, 2009... Byline: Andrew Gillingham Sharing profits the key A BASIC difference between Islamic banks and conventional banks is that Islamic banks do not lend money to their customers. Rasheed Akhtar, head of Islamic banking at HBZ Bank, says...

To go for it or lay up? Give me Rory over Nick any day.
April 28, 2009... Byline: Colin Anthony To go for it or lay up? Give me Rory over Nick any day THERE was a lively debate between Briton Nick Faldo and fellow commentator Bob Costas of the US during the Zurich Classic in New Orleans on Sunday. On the 16th...

Laird has one hand on the top trainer award trophy.
April 28, 2009... Byline: David Mollett Laird has one hand on the top trainer award trophy Smart Banker win could secure the honour at Equus banquet DAVID MOLLETT Racing Editor ALTHOUGH he still feels any celebration would be premature, there is no doubt...

In poll position.
April 28, 2009... In poll position With this mandate, the ball is now in ANC's court AFRICAN National Congress (ANC) president Jacob Zuma was in a conciliatory mood following the release of the final election results at the weekend, reaching out to opposition...

Ertugral keeps Chiefs' hopes alive.
April 28, 2009... Byline: Mninawa Ntloko Ertugral keeps Chiefs' hopes alive Amakhosi coach vows to beat Pirates to launch a seemingly unlikely bid for the league title MNINAWA NTLOKO Sports Editor KAIZER Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral is planning to defy...

Team SA declare Turkish tennis tournament a big success.
April 28, 2009... Byline: Mark Smit Team SA declare Turkish tennis tournament a big success MARK SMIT Chief Sports Correspondent FOR newly appointed Fed Cup tennis captain Greer Leo Smith (nee Stevens) the weekend's campaign in Turkey was an emphatic...

Staying on course as the global fog persists.
April 28, 2009... Byline: Hilary Joffe Staying on course as the global fog persists RELATIVELY speaking, the International Monetary Fund's (IMF's) latest forecast of SA's economic growth this year is not that bad. Where some private sector economists are...

Nation-building vital after consolidation of racial voting blocs.
April 28, 2009... Byline: Karima Brown Nation-building vital after consolidation of racial voting blocs SA's 'glass ceiling' of race proved as hard as concrete as voters chose their champions along racial lines THE coincidence between race and election...

Durban crowd shouts president down.
April 28, 2009... Byline: Wyndham Hartley Durban crowd shouts president down A FREEDOM Day message of gratitude and reconciliation from President Kgalema Motlanthe was disrupted yesterday by angry members of the audience at Durban's Absa stadium shouting...

SA takes antidumping action against China and Malaysia.
April 28, 2009... Byline: MATHABO LE ROUX SA takes antidumping action against China and Malaysia Trade and Industry Editor SA HAS slapped provisional antidumping penalties of 62% and 96% respectively on stainless steel kitchen sink imports from China and...

Metrobus halts services today as strike looms.
April 28, 2009... Byline: ARTWELL DLAMINI Metrobus halts services today as strike looms SA Municipal Workers' Union warns that thousands of passengers will be left stranded if its demands are not met Transport Correspondent METROBUS, Johannesburg's...

Sadc power bloc offers support for 2010 Cup.
April 28, 2009... Sadc power bloc offers support for 2010 Cup BUSINESS DAY REPORTER Maputo THE Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) yesterday pledged to support SA and the 2010 Soccer World Cup in generating and transmitting electricity and in customer...

Motlanthe strikes conciliatory note.
April 28, 2009... Byline: WYNDHAM HARTLEY Motlanthe strikes conciliatory note Freedom Day address not well received by all in Durban stadium yesterday Parliamentary Editor A FREEDOM Day message of gratitude and reconciliation from President Kgalema...

Financial crisis offers chance to boost skills.
April 28, 2009... Byline: SUE BLAINE Financial crisis offers chance to boost skills EMPLOYEES who were offered reduced working hours in lieu of voluntary pay cuts could use their down time to improve their skills, said Johan Wasserfall, CEO of EduLoan,...

Committee to submit report on freedom.
April 28, 2009... Byline: SUE BLAINE Committee to submit report on freedom Follows widespread criticism at University of KwaZulu-Natal Education Correspondent THE council of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) will discuss a final report next month...

Guidance for entrepreneurs.
April 28, 2009... Byline: SUE BLAINE Guidance for entrepreneurs ENTREPRENEURSHIP was the best way to transform emerging economies, said Malik Fal, MD of the New York-based not-for-profit company Endeavour, which identifies start-up companies across the...

Managing of data needs best practice measures.
April 28, 2009... Byline: LUPHERT CHILWANE Managing of data needs best practice measures General Reporter DATA management appears to be a growing challenge to business organisations, and companies spend millions of rand on recovering valuable lost data,...

THE THICK END OF THE WEDGE.
April 28, 2009... Byline: Peter Bruce THE THICK END OF THE WEDGE THE EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK YOU'd have to be made of stone not to wish Jacob Zuma well after that election last week. Given what he had to overcome the COPE breakaway, his own reputational...

Selections.
April 28, 2009... 1st Race: (12) Ostara (1) Dakar (2) Bullion Fever (4) Kaha Bird 2nd Race: (14) Waley's Camp (1) Fernanda (5) Athena Gold (2) Beautiful Conexion 3rd Race: (3) Spring Academy (1) Dante's Sword (2) Malachi (12) Breeze On By 4th Race: (1) Wings...

Stormers refuse to be ruled out of race.
April 28, 2009... Byline: Zeena Isaacs Stormers refuse to be ruled out of race ZEENA ISAACS Rugby Correspondent STORMERS backline coach Allister Coetzee has refused to give up on hopes of a miraculous semifinal appearance despite the team floating in...

Bid to beat diamond sector slowdown.
April 28, 2009... Byline: Charlotte Mathews Bid to beat diamond sector slowdown Council forms working group to help cutters, polishers and dealers survive downturn in gem sales CHARLOTTE MATHEWS Resources Editor THE Diamond Council of SA has brought...