Business Day (South Africa) articles from April 2011

Business Day (South Africa) archives from April 2011

Independents flourish amid ANC turmoil.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Bekezela Phakathi Independents flourish amid ANC turmoil IEC pleased with broadening of participation at local level, writes DISCORD over the African National Congress's (ANC's) local government candidate list process in several...

Statutory rape or teenage set-up?
April 28, 2011... Byline: KATY CHANCE Statutory rape or teenage set-up? Chance Comments STATUTORY rape has come under the spotlight a lot of late, what with school children filming their sexual antics and Roman Polanski's farcical arrest in a country he has...

Undisputed great Dame of the big screen.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Marianne Gray Undisputed great Dame of the big screen The script of Arthur ticked a lot of boxes for the comedy-loving and decidedly un-grumpy Helen Mirren, writes THE director of Arthur, the remake of the 1981 film of the same name,...

Dance vibrant and valuable to SA.
April 28, 2011... Byline: TAMMY BALLANTYNE Dance vibrant and valuable to SA GREGORY Maqoma, founder, choreographer and artistic director of Vuyani Dance Theatre, hobbled towards me, one foot riddled with gout. He recently returned from an extensive tour with...

Bass not working up sweat for the big occasion.
April 28, 2011... Byline: David Mollett Bass not working up sweat for the big occasion DAVID MOLLETT Racing Editor UNLIKE football managers in the English Premier League, top Cape trainer Mike Bass appears decidedly relaxed on the big occasion. Bass lets...

Commodities, resources all weigh on JSE.
April 28, 2011... JSE MARKET REPORT Commodities, resources all weigh on JSE THE JSE closed flat on Tuesday, strained by commodities, which weakened as a result of a stronger rand. A local trader described the day as lacklustre. By 5pm, the JSE all share index...

Arts & Leisure. Film.
April 28, 2011... Byline: PHILLIP ALTBEKER Film THE best movie of the week is GET LOW, which, even with stronger competition, would deserve strong recommendation. Aaron Schneider's unusual film is distinguished by yet another memorable performance by Robert...

Hear all sides in Karoo gas case.
April 28, 2011... Hear all sides in Karoo gas case THE Karoo is a breathtakingly beautiful place. It is also a dry and environmentally sensitive area that needs to be protected from degradation whatever the cause, including any genuine threat to its limited...

Underdog role suits us just fine, say confident Ajax.
April 28, 2011... Byline: MNINAWA NTLOKO Underdog role suits us just fine, say confident Ajax Sports Editor CHAMPIONSHIP-chasing Ajax Cape Town are pleased that leaders Orlando Pirates have been hogging all the headlines and have been singled out as favourites...

Time for voters to exercise their democratic rights.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Allister Sparks At home and abroad Time for voters to exercise their democratic rights WITH just three weeks to go to the local government elections, which will be the first electoral test of President Jacob Zuma's administration, it...

Job equity needs more carrot, less stick.
April 28, 2011... Byline: ANNABEL BISHOP Job equity needs more carrot, less stick FOR societies to thrive and prosper, living standards need to increase continually. This is the only sustainable way to improve the livelihood of the population of a country as a...

Lensmen contributed to freedom of everyone.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Tim Cohen Lensmen contributed to freedom of everyone MY FREEDOM Day hat-tip goes to news photographers. News photographers are themselves in the news at the moment for reasons both happy and tragic. At least two photographers, Tim...

On potholes, America can be a good role model.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Jacob Dlamini On potholes, America can be a good role model I RECENTLY drove about 4800km through the northeastern US, all the way up southern Canada to Toronto and from there westwards to the American Midwest. It was potholes galore....

Business Brief. Companies & Markets.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Thabiso Mochiko and Thabang Mokopanele BUSINESS BRIEF First Uranium seeks changes to test MINING First Uranium, the Canadian uranium junior that is developing uranium mines in SA, this week said it was seeking to amend the technical...

Consumer agency wants to examine banks' progress on cutting fees.
April 28, 2011... Byline: SURE KAMHUNGA Consumer agency wants to examine banks' progress on cutting fees Commissioner also opposes Reserve Bank application to seek waiver for the sector Financial Services Editor SOUTH African banks, whose fee structures have...

Zuma backs bid to curb 'top jobs for ANC loyalty'.
April 28, 2011... Byline: SIBONGAKONKE SHOBA Zuma backs bid to curb 'top jobs for ANC loyalty' President's stance on deployment sets up backlash in party, unions Deputy Political Editor PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma yesterday took aim at the African National Congress's...

Anglo offers to fund workers' treatment.
April 28, 2011... Byline: ALLAN SECCOMBE Anglo offers to fund workers' treatment Resources Editor ANGLO American, whose South African subsidiary is being sued by sick workers, has offered to pay for the medical treatment of claimants proven to have silicosis,...

Watchdog fights court-imposed muzzling.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Michael Bleby Watchdog fights court-imposed muzzling After legal defeats, competition body wants operating rules defined, writes INTELLIGIBILITY, rather than narrow legalistic definitions, should be the guiding principle behind...

Genetically modified seed factory opened.
April 28, 2011... Byline: HOPEWELL RADEBE Genetically modified seed factory opened Land and Agriculture Editor GENETICALLY modified seed producer Monsanto has opened what is believed to be Africa's largest technologically advanced maize seed processing plant,...

World Economic Forum to focus on realising continent's potential.
April 28, 2011... Byline: LINDA ENSOR World Economic Forum to focus on realising continent's potential Political Correspondent CAPE TOWN The continent's economic potential will come under the spotlight next week when more than 700 representatives of the...

US aviation giant sees 'great opportunity' in Africa.
April 28, 2011... Byline: NICKY SMITH US aviation giant sees 'great opportunity' in Africa Transport and Tourism Editor US AVIATION company Hawker Beechcraft is partnering with SA's Aviation Alliance to extend its share of the African business aircraft market...

Outrage over new case of police shooting.
April 28, 2011... Byline: FRANNY RABKIN Outrage over new case of police shooting Law and Constitution Writer THE Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) on Tuesday arrested a Kempton Park police officer who allegedly shot and killed a woman after she crashed...

Court rejects case on music royalties.
April 28, 2011... Byline: MICHAEL BLEBY Court rejects case on music royalties Business Affairs Editor MUSICIANS were left in the dark this week after the high court dismissed an application by their representative society seeking clarity on whether advances...

Court to rule on release of seized assets for defence.
April 28, 2011... Byline: ERNEST MABUZA Court to rule on release of seized assets for defence Legal Affairs Correspondent THE Constitutional Court has been asked to adjudicate on the interpretation of a section of the Prevention of Organised Crimes Act that...

'No budget' for more police in eThekwini, says Sutcliffe.
April 28, 2011... Byline: EDWARD WEST 'No budget' for more police in eThekwini, says Sutcliffe KwaZulu-Natal Editor ETHEKWINI's municipal rates would have to increase by 5%-6% if the city were employe an extra 1000 metro police officers, city manager Michael...

Reunert remains ideal for High Yield portfolio.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Ben Temkin PRIVATE INVESTOR Reunert remains ideal for High Yield portfolio REUNERT, a counter in both the Private Investor portfolio and the High Yield portfolio and also a constituent of Jean's and my own main portfolio, intends to...

New bid to unseat me Nyoka.
April 28, 2011... Byline: TELFORD VICE New bid to unseat me Nyoka Cricket SA 'has not yet supplied financial information ordered by court' Johannesburg MTUTUZELI Nyoka believes new efforts could be afoot to unseat him as president of Cricket SA. Nyoka, who...

Lions' investors must back their claims with cash.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Zeena Isaacs Lions' investors must back their claims with cash IT IS about time frustrated Lions coach John Mitchell plucked up the courage to tell the union's super-rich investors to put their money where their mouths are. After...

Bulls admit all 'safety nets' have gone.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Zeena Isaacs Bulls admit all 'safety nets' have gone ZEENA ISAACS Rugby Correspondent BULLS coach Frans Ludeke yesterday admitted that all the & safety nets& in their campaign were gone and they had to approach each of their...

Selections.
April 28, 2011... 1st Race: No Selection 2nd Race: (7) Dan's Approval (5) Chedwin Park (6) Cohiba (10) Made Of Steel 3rd Race: (2) M J Thriller (1) Divide 'N Rule (12) Omega Moon (3) Cartwheel 4th Race: (8) Saint Enough (2) Monsieur (4) Millenium Wind (3)...

New standards aim at investor confidence.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Sanchia Temkin New standards aim at investor confidence SANCHIA TEMKIN Professional Services Editor PRIMARY changes to the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS) aim to restore investor confidence in the wake of the global...

Recapitalised Blue expects reduced loss.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Sure Kamhunga Recapitalised Blue expects reduced loss Bank updates stock market ahead of its annual results next month SURE KAMHUNGA Financial Services Editor THE new owners of Blue Financial Services are convinced the pan-African...

Ford halts output at Silverton to preserve parts.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Mark Allix Ford halts output at Silverton to preserve parts MARK ALLIX Industrial Correspondent US VEHICLE maker Ford Motor has idled its Silverton plant in Pretoria until Tuesday, saying it is preserving automotive parts used to...

Insurer tells industry to combat false claims.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Sure Kamhunga Insurer tells industry to combat false claims SURE KAMHUNGA LION of Africa Insurance has urged the short-term industry to close ranks to fight criminals milking the insurance industry through fraudulent claims. The...

Create some muscle in your head.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Lucas Ntyintyane Create some muscle in your head There are books everywhere but no one is reading. Who killed the love of books? Remember May 6 1933, when the Nazis burned the first book. They thought they were killing ideas. In the...

Vanishing billions.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Howard Skeens Vanishing billions With great fanfare in 2009, President Jacob Zuma announced Collins Chabane as the government's point man against snowballing fraud and corruption. Well, unless I missed the action, the latter still...

ANC playing the man.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Joe Seremane ANC playing the man In his letter (DA's flawed candidate, April 26) Maputle Mothiba questions Mmusi Maimane's ability to govern Johannesburg. Mr Maimane already holds one master's degree and is in the process of...

Holidays disheartening.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Andy Clay Holidays disheartening Happy Easter, but to who? As an employer, SA's public holidays are demoralising. In April, there were 18 working days out of 30 and if you go to May 2, that gives 18 days out of 32, or 56%. How are we...

Please sink the Setas.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Chris Richards Please sink the Setas It was sad to read of Ivor Blumenthal's suspension from the Services Seta (sector education and training authority). He was one CEO who was achieving the major aim of the Seta programme the...

Destroying big day.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Thabo Thwala Destroying big day It is shocking that PSL games will be played on Workers' Day, a day when all students, workers, unemployed people and the people of SA are supposed to be getting together and reflecting on such an...

People's needs first.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Thabang Motsohi People's needs first When I learnt that the policemen involved in the brutal killing of Andries Tatane in Ficksburg had been arrested by the Independent Complaints Directorate, I felt conflicting emotions. At one level...

Octodec looks to subdued growth in tough market.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Thabang Mokopanele Octodec looks to subdued growth in tough market THABANG MOKOPANELE KILLARNEY Mall owner Octodec has posted a small drop in distributions to 65c for the six months to February, from 65,1c in the first half of last...

Premium focus on upgrades remains.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Thabang Mokopanele Premium focus on upgrades remains THABANG MOKOPANELE Property Editor PROPERTY loan stock company Premium Properties, which has a high vacancy rate of 23,6%, says the upgrading of its properties will continue to be a...

Assessing the risks of green power.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Siseko Njobeni Assessing the risks of green power Questions arise over SA's ability to meet targets, writes THE integrated resource plan for electricity (IRP2010) envisages a big role for renewable energy in the period up to 2030....

Unilever sells deodorant brands at official behest.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Robert Laing Unilever sells deodorant brands at official behest ROBERT LAING Deputy Companies Editor TOO much deodorant in the Unilever stable following its acquisition of Sara Lee's toiletries brands was raised as a problem by South...

Ingolstadt adds one more Quiver to its bow.
April 28, 2011... FUTURE MODELS Ingolstadt adds one more Quiver to its bow Audi unveiled its new Q3 crossover model in Shanghai recently MOTOR NEWS REPORTER AUDI is set to expand its crossover range with the unveiling in Shanghai last week of its new Q3....

New Beetle crawls into Shanghai.
April 28, 2011... FUTURE MODELS New Beetle crawls into Shanghai Volkswagen has unveiled its new Beetle in Shanghai MOTOR NEWS REPORTER VOLKSWAGEN has unveiled the latest generation Beetle at the Shanghai Motor Show. The latest generation moves away from the...

Charging the future of transportation.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Lerato Matebese TECHNOLOGY Charging the future of transportation reports on BMW's future powertrains IN LAST week's report on the BMW Efficient Dynamics workshop I attended in Munich recently, we discussed some of the core pillars of...

Deals of the week.
April 28, 2011... BUYING Deals of the week MOTOR NEWS REPORTER MOTOR News has found some great post-Easter deals if you are looking for a vehicle. Remember that terms and conditions apply. & 8226; Cheeky and with a strong Italian heritage behind it, the 2011...

More a rain shower than a thundastorm.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Mark Smyth DRIVING IMPRESSION More a rain shower than a thundastorm recently got to work in a Foton Thunda WRITING any road test on a Chinese bakkie tends to be quite tricky. One cannot help but compare them to the old Isuzu KB on...

Steed makes a new charge.
April 28, 2011... NEW MODELS Steed makes a new charge GWM is targeting some major players with its new Steed 5 bakkie MOTOR NEWS REPORTER GWM says that it means business in the bakkie segment by launching its revamped Steed 5 double cab. It claims to be targeting...

Catch the action at Speed Festival.
April 28, 2011... LOCAL MOTORSPORT Catch the action at Speed Festival The Knysna Speed Festival is just weeks away and is expected to be bigger and better than ever THE organisers of the Kysna Hillclimb have brought the event forward to May this year in a bid to...

Taxis set to care for the environment.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Lerato Matebese INDUSTRY NEWS Taxis set to care for the environment attended the launch of a new initiative to convert minibus taxis to run on LPG fuel CARBON emissions remain a bane for both environmentalists and vehicle...

Green dominant colour at show.
April 28, 2011... INTERNATIONAL NEWS Green dominant colour at show Mercedes put its environmental foot forward at the UK's Commercial Vehicle show MOTOR NEWS REPORTER SAVING the planet need not cost the Earth that was the message Mercedes-Benz took to the...

Koreans hatch a new plan.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Lerato Matebese LAUNCH NEWS Koreans hatch a new plan Motor News attended the launch of the latest addition to the Kia range KIA Motors SA has added a hatch version to the Cerato line-up to take on the likes of the Volkswagen Golf,...

Brothers to duke it out.
April 28, 2011... Byline: John Floyd LAUNCH NEWS Brothers to duke it out worries whether the new Volkswagen Passat can battle it out with Audi's A4 FIRST appearing in 1973, the Volkswagen Passat has undergone numerous changes. Starting life as a worthy...

Redefine feeling blue.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Mark Smyth DRIVING IMPRESSION Redefine feeling blue got behind the wheel of Porsche's race car for the road WHEN I told everyone I was spending the weekend with a Smurf, not surprisingly I received some very confused and occasionally...

Balancing the risks.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Charl Wilken EATING DUST Balancing the risks Our game plan was to look after the car and reach the finish, hopefully in the top five FROM the moment the Basil Read/bizhub Ford Rally Team arrived in Sabie for the Sasol Rally recce...

MOTOR SPARES.
April 28, 2011... MOTOR SPARES Nissan Leaf named World Car of the Year WORLD'S FIRST The Nissan Leaf, the world's first affordable, high volume electric car has been named 2011 World Car of the Year, edging out the BMW 5-Series and Audi A8 for top spot. The...

Bahnstorming bruiser.
April 28, 2011... Byline: CHARL WILKEN USED CAR TEST Bahnstorming bruiser FOR: Insane performance, super cool looks, quality, comfort and luxuryAGAINST: Fuel consumption, not really suited for off-road use Ninety percent of Mercedes ML owners never go much...

Sexy Swede is voted top of the class.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Mark Smyth ROAD TEST Sexy Swede is voted top of the class The Volvo S60 has set a new benchmark in terms of its segment, writes VOLVOS have definitely come a long way from the days when we could compare them to a shoe box. Think back...

Crafter set to be even better.
April 28, 2011... FUTURE MODELS Crafter set to be even better Volkswagen has unveiled a mild but environmentally friendly update for its Crafter MOTOR NEWS REPORTER FIVE years after the Volkswagen Crafter made its world debut, VW Commercial Vehicles has announced...

SA's coal supply for energy put at risk.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Alf James SA's coal supply for energy put at risk Red tape, lack of planning and an ambivalent responseto demands for nationalising mines is freezing development, writes ALF JAMES SA IS not moving quickly enough to replenish the coal...

Hot blast holes endanger lives.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Alf James Hot blast holes endanger lives SMOULDERING or burning coal deposits represent a serious problem in operations associated with the surface mining of underground coal seams. Larry Wilson, group technical manager, research and...

High levels of expertise are a major factor.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Alf James High levels of expertise are a major factor WITH less than three years in existence and a hefty order book on a number of large coal projects, RSV ENCO Consulting has positioned itself as a strong contender in southern...

Finding vital skills.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Alf James Finding vital skills Efficient blasting and effective use of technology essential requirements THE open-pit coal mining sector, generally characterised by a growing lack of skills, is turning to outsourcing to meet its needs...

Community centre is a joint effort.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Alf James Community centre is a joint effort FOR more than 10 years residents of the Hlalanikahle community have asked for a multipurpose community centre and the Emalahleni local municipality and Optimum Coal, SA's sixth-largest...

Development cuts costs in mining beneficiation.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Alf James Development cuts costs in mining beneficiation BOTH capex and operating expenditure are reduced in the mining beneficiation industry by the Pneuflot pneumatic flotation cells, says Johannes Kottmann, MD of MBE Minerals SA....

Budget shift forces a retirement rethink.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Alf James Budget shift forces a retirement rethink The changes could alter the way people may save, but consumers must consider any new decisions carefully, writes ALF JAMES CHANGES relating to retirement funds announced in the...

Major impact of life-cell captives.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Alf James Major impact of life-cell captives UNTIL the late 1990s employee benefits and, specifically, the insurance of these benefits came pretty much as a one-size-fits-all offering, with little scope for companies to explore...

When to withhold payment.
April 28, 2011... Byline: Alf James When to withhold payment THE Pensions Fund Act empowers a retirement fund to deduct the value of damages or loss caused to an employer by an employee during employment when the employee retires or ceases to be a member of...

About the author. JEAN M AUEL.
April 26, 2011... About the author JEAN M AUEL American author Jean Marie Auel was born in 1936, the second of five children. She attended Portland State University where she got a Master's of Business Administration. She has since been awarded honorary degrees...

The sooner a bond haircut for Greece, the better.
April 26, 2011... Byline: Nick Skrekas The sooner a bond haircut for Greece, the better Without a dramatic improvement in public finances, a default may be unavoidable, writes THE inevitable prospect of Greece becoming the first euro-zone member to restructure...

Run For It named as early July favourite.
April 26, 2011... Byline: David Mollett Run For It named as early July favourite DAVID MOLLETT Racing Editor FANCY an early flutter on the Vodacom Durban July? SA's most famous race is over two months away, but that has not stopped Durban-based betting...

JSE MARKET REPORT. JSE finishes firmer despite poor US data.
April 26, 2011... JSE MARKET REPORT JSE finishes firmer despite poor US data THE JSE closed modestly higher in trading characterised by light volumes on Thursday, with investors fixated on locking up profits ahead of the four-day Easter weekend. By 5pm, the...

Smit is simply playing according to his pedigree.
April 26, 2011... Byline: Mark Keohane Smit is simply playing according to his pedigree THERE has never been doubt about John Smit's ability to play hooker and play it particularly well. The doubts have been about his effectiveness as a prop, be it loosehead...

On the stage.
April 26, 2011... Byline: CHRISTINA KENNEDY On the stage AFTER years of arts, culture and heritage being viewed as the Cinderella portfolio in the Cabinet, there are encouraging signs that this sector is finally being taken seriously particularly as a...

A big BEE ask, with little reward.
April 26, 2011... A big BEE ask, with little reward THE Department of Trade and Industry has said it might & tweak& the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, now that four years have passed since it became law and it is possible to get a better grip...

Pirates keep 'treble' hopes alive after seeing off Stars.
April 26, 2011... Byline: MNINAWA NTLOKO Pirates keep 'treble' hopes alive after seeing off Stars Sports Editor ORLANDO Pirates' hopes of a unique premiership treble remained very much alive after the top-flight leaders dumped Free State Stars out of the...

Challenge to Obama health reforms is a warning for SA.
April 26, 2011... Byline: Neil Kirby National Health Insurance Challenge to Obama health reforms is a warning for SA IT IS not a well-known public fact that the US and SA are proceeding down similar paths with regard to proposed healthcare reform. As we South...

Change leaders' contract with the people.
April 26, 2011... Byline: ERWIN SCHWELLA Change leaders' contract with the people NO ONE can deny that SA's municipalities have, for the most part, failed. For a true barometer of the state of affairs one only has to look at the actions of SA's citizens. And...

Skiet, skop en donner will not stop the protests.
April 26, 2011... Byline: Palesa Morudu Skiet, skop en donner will not stop the protests SA TURNS 17 tomorrow. The formative years have been a good start, but not without problems. A friend remarks that former presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki brought...

Competition body pleads for power to investigate.
April 26, 2011... Byline: MICHAEL BLEBY Competition body pleads for power to investigate Commission in appeal court after setback in SA Breweries test case Business Affairs Editor THE Competition Commission, stung by its defeat earlier this month when the...

Post-tsunami vehicle investment 'a boon for SA'.
April 26, 2011... Byline: ALEXANDER PARKER Post-tsunami vehicle investment 'a boon for SA' Motor Industries Editor SA COULD benefit substantially from a change in the way Japanese vehicle manufacturers conduct their businesses in the aftermath of the tsunami...