Business Day (South Africa) articles from January 2011, page 5

Business Day (South Africa) archives from January 2011

London risk specialist to launch new insurance firm in SA.
January 25, 2011... Byline: Sure Kamhunga London risk specialist to launch new insurance firm in SA LONDON Stock Exchange-listed risk specialist and employee benefits firm Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT) is launching a new insurance company in SA in April, writes....

Settlement may end fertiliser dispute.
January 25, 2011... Byline: Siseko Njobeni Settlement may end fertiliser dispute SISEKO NJOBENI Energy Affairs Editor THE Competition Commission will ask the Competition Tribunal tomorrow to confirm its settlement agreement with granular fertiliser supplier...

Freeworld in dilemma over Kansai's offer.
January 25, 2011... Byline: Mark Allix Board members refuse takeover offer despite saying the price is reasonable, writes Freeworld in dilemma over Kansai's offer THE gloves are off in the battle for control of automotive and decorative coatings and paint...

Kansai defends bid for Freeworld.
January 25, 2011... Byline: Mark Allix Kansai defends bid for Freeworld MARK ALLIX Industrial Correspondent KANSAI Paint yesterday responded to Freeworld Coatings' circular to shareholders on December 17 that said Kansai's offer of R12 per share, although fair...

Mixed fortunes for Gem Diamonds.
January 25, 2011... Byline: Allan Seccombe Mixed fortunes for Gem Diamonds ALLAN SECCOMBE Resources Editor LONDON-listed Gem Diamonds turned in a mixed operational performance at its Lesotho and Australian mines, with wet weather and unscheduled maintenance...

Rules to simplify hedge accounting.
January 25, 2011... Byline: Sanchia Temkin Rules to simplify hedge accounting SANCHIA TEMKIN Professional Services Editor NEW rules on hedge accounting will assist companies in reflecting their risk management activities better in their financial statements,...

Risk specialist to launch new group in SA.
January 25, 2011... Byline: Sure Kamhunga Risk specialist to launch new group in SA London-listed company will offer mostly corporate risk insurance SURE KAMHUNGA Financial Services Editor LONDON Stock Exchange-listed risk specialist and employee benefits firm...

Decent job for Malema.
January 25, 2011... Byline: D Wolpert Decent job for Malema Business Day's poster (January 24) reads: Malema demands 'decent work'. I hope he finds it, but with his qualifications and record I somehow doubt it. Rivonia

Enough blood spilt.
January 25, 2011... Byline: Peter Blaine Enough blood spilt I note that your letters page (January 24) is devoted exclusively to the Middle East conflict. The writers seem to be asking us other South Africans to take sides, almost as if they want to import the...

Rewards of ineptitude.
January 25, 2011... Byline: Edward Mitchell Rewards of ineptitude I'm glad to live in such a rich country that is simply awash in cash it must be, the way the African National Congress (ANC) government throws taxpayers' money around. In the past couple of...

A lonely crusade.
January 25, 2011... Byline: Rachel Browne A lonely crusade Last week the leader of the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), Rev Kenneth Meshoe announced to the nation that he had thrown his support behind C'te d'Ivoire President Laurent Gbagbo. A startling...

Leading by example.
January 25, 2011... Byline: Len Swanepoel Leading by example Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini, in trying to raise R20m to help flood victims, can start by asking for donations from Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande. He can sell...

A never-ending story.
January 25, 2011... Byline: Howard Skeens A never-ending story The gall and uncaring attitude of the African National Congress are again starkly highlighted by the social development minister appealing to the public for R20,5m for relief aid. This amount is a...

Vote for failure!
January 25, 2011... Byline: Lucas Ntyintyane Vote for failure! How can I make my vote count if there is no one to vote for? Local opposition parties are in state of turmoil or have an identity crisis. It is for these reasons that my vote will go to the African...

Rain boost for Famous Brands.
January 25, 2011... Byline: Michael Bleby Rain boost for Famous Brands MICHAEL BLEBY Retail Industries Editor FAMOUS Brands' 13,3% increase in holiday sales was driven partly by recent heavy rains that drove people into shopping malls, CEO Kevin Hedderwick said...

A brave, tough new era beckons for Postbank.
January 25, 2011... Byline: Stuart Theobald A brave, tough new era beckons for Postbank ON THE MONEY THE corporatisation of Postbank has been in the making for years. But the process has recently received some swinging political endorsements from the African...

Toshiba to target telecoms and government sectors.
January 25, 2011... Byline: Thabiso Mochiko Toshiba to target telecoms and government sectors THABISO MOCHIKO Information Technology Editor TOSHIBA aims to target telecoms and government sectors this year and move into new markets in Africa to grow its market...

THE BOTTOM LINE COLUMN. Brick manufacturer's row tells a wider tale.(Column)
January 25, 2011... Byline: Dave Marrs THE BOTTOM LINE COLUMN Brick manufacturer's row tells a wider tale THE dispute between Brikor and its former sponsor, Vunani, may in the first instance be about corporate governance, but these problems also indicate a...

Veteran's virgin venture pays off.
January 25, 2011... Byline: Hopewell Radebe Veteran's virgin venture pays off Olive oil market grows in leaps and bounds, writes FARMERS in SA's mohair capital, the Eastern Cape, are taking a leaf out of the books of their Western Cape counterparts and are...

Stand up to 'rubbishing' of SA.
January 25, 2011... Byline: Steuart Pennington Stand up to 'rubbishing' of SA I am glad that the Democratic Alliance's (DA's) Dene Smuts has taken a stand against the Institute for Accountability in Southern Africa's Paul Hoffman SC, whom she accuses of &...

Crucial CD Collection.
January 24, 2011... Byline: RICHARD HASLOP Crucial CD Collection THE customary holiday carnage wrought by the rock 'n' roll reaper seemed even more cruel than usual this time as Don van Vliet, Captain Beefheart to all who remember, finally and simultaneously met...

Intervention is a costly exercise.
January 24, 2011... Intervention is a costly exercise Weakening the rand is far easier said than done FORMER World Bank chief economist Joseph Stiglitz was preaching to the converted when he said the rand was too strong and SA should use & a portfolio of...

Basic science explains why we must cut our emissions.
January 24, 2011... Byline: Mark Swanepoel Climate change Basic science explains why we must cut our emissions SOUTH African business leaders must understand global warming well enough to make decisions to safeguard our future. In several articles published on...

Falling poverty makes Africa a better bet.
January 24, 2011... Byline: XHANTI PAYI Falling poverty makes Africa a better bet EMPIRICAL evidence demonstrating that poverty and inequality in Africa are falling isn't only good news for politicians, it is good news for investors and potential investors too....

Zuma's ANC disarms the politics of chauvinism.
January 24, 2011... Byline: Aubrey Matshiqi Zuma's ANC disarms the politics of chauvinism THOSE of you who went to Durban for the holidays must have noticed the spring in her step. Those of us who spent the break in Johannesburg, and took a break from talk...

Politburo keeps eye on inflation and history.
January 24, 2011... Byline: Graham Bell Politburo keeps eye on inflation and history Since 2006 the real exchange rate has risen 16% against a basket of currencies. Against the dollar it is up nearly 15% THE last time President Hu Jintao of China visited the US,...

With improved governance, Nigeria may yet be a Bric hopeful.
January 24, 2011... Byline: Dianna Games With improved governance, Nigeria may yet be a Bric hopeful THE Nigerian presidential race is effectively done and dusted even though the poll is scheduled for April. Since the return of democratic rule in 1999, the...

Nyoka 'isolated' as cricket chiefs meet.
January 24, 2011... Byline: Nyasha Dzimunwe Nyoka 'isolated' as cricket chiefs meet Board, provinces lose faith in president TELFORD VICE Centurion CRICKET SA (CSA) president Mtutuzeli Nyoka appeared increasingly isolated after he missed a meeting between his...

Minister in aid appeal as disasters sow havoc.
January 24, 2011... Byline: TAMAR KAHN Minister in aid appeal as disasters sow havoc At least 123 people have died and 20 000 need assistance urgently Science and Health Editor CAPE TOWN Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini has appealed to the public...

Youth League warns ANC not to drop 'decent work'.
January 24, 2011... Byline: SIBONGAKONKE SHOBA Youth League warns ANC not to drop 'decent work' Deputy Political Editor THE conflict over the implementation of the proposals of the New Growth Path document deepened yesterday, with the African National Congress...

De Beers sells Finsch mine to Petra Diamonds.
January 24, 2011... De Beers sells Finsch mine to Petra Diamonds PETRA Diamonds is buying Finsch, SA's second-largest diamond mine, from De Beers for R1,4bn in a deal that will boost its annual output to more than 5-million carats within a decade from 1,3-million...

Estate agents regret Machanik's downfall.
January 24, 2011... Byline: THABANG MOKOPANELE and FRANNY RABKIN Estate agents regret Machanik's downfall PROPERTY players yesterday expressed sadness at the downfall of property doyenne Wendy Machanik, but welcomed a widespread investigation into malpractice in...

Simpler relief process to clear debtors' backlog.
January 24, 2011... Byline: SURE KAMHUNGA Simpler relief process to clear debtors' backlog Financial Services Editor A SIMPLIFIED debt relief process to help thousands of people struggling to pay their dues will become operational by March. Representatives of...

IN BRIEF - NEWS.
January 24, 2011... IN BRIEF DA to grill Motsoaledi on hospital contract HEALTH Democratic Alliance health spokesman Mike Waters yesterday said he would submit questions to Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi to establish why Luvuyo Mosana's contract as CEO of the...

Competition to increase on US-Africa flight routes.
January 24, 2011... Byline: JULIUS BAUMANN Competition to increase on US-Africa flight routes Transport and Tourism Editor COMPETITION between airlines flying between Africa and the US is expected to increase this year as United and Continental, the merging US...

South Africans 'most upbeat' nation about economy.
January 24, 2011... Byline: EDWARD WEST South Africans 'most upbeat' nation about economy KwaZulu-Natal Editor SOUTH Africans, buoyed by interest rate cuts last year and rising vehicle sales, this month viewed their economy the most favourably compared with...

SA experts welcome liver cell breakthrough.
January 24, 2011... Byline: TAMAR KAHN SA experts welcome liver cell breakthrough Science and Health Editor CAPE TOWN Local medical experts have welcomed news that scientists in Germany have managed to grow human liver cells on tiny scaffolds made of material...

SABC board candidates decry 'poor programing'.
January 24, 2011... Byline: LINDA ENSOR SABC board candidates decry 'poor programing' CAPE TOWN The SABC's poor programming old movies, repeat showings and weak news was a common lament of the six short-listed candidates for the broadcaster's board, when...

Axed SABC boss linked to state job.
January 24, 2011... Byline: THABANG MOKOPANELE Axed SABC boss linked to state job MEDIA reports that the SABC's recently axed group CEO, Solly Mokoetle, is likely to be appointed director-general of the Department of Communications are stirring emotions. This...

Metros hold key to local political power.
January 24, 2011... Byline: Sam Mkokeli Metros hold key to local political power DA sets sights on urban support ahead of local government poll, writes SA's eight metropolitan municipalities will be the scene of fierce contests in this year's local government...

Deadline for probe of police HQ lease.
January 24, 2011... Byline: Police; Leases & Rentals; Buildings; Public Prosecutions Deadline for probe of police HQ lease SARAH HUDLESTON Staff writer POLICE chief Bheki Cele was expected to make a last-minute representation to Public Protector Thuli...

Hopefuls jockey for top league post.
January 24, 2011... Byline: SIBONGAKONKE SHOBA Hopefuls jockey for top league post Deputy Political Editor THE race for the African National Congress (ANC) Youth League leadership is heating up as leaders jockey to stand for positions at the league's conference...

DA hopes to gain from IFP fallout.
January 24, 2011... Byline: EDWARD WEST DA hopes to gain from IFP fallout KwaZulu-Natal Editor THE Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal is hoping to position itself as a home for disaffected Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) voters. The party is contesting...

Young, black and faking it with wine.
January 24, 2011... Byline: Hopewell Radebe Young, black and faking it with wine Vintners courting a new generation, the swaggers, writes WHILE black diamonds are the core focus of the country's future marketing endeavours, the wine industry should start...

Parents 'ambivalent' on quality of state schools system.
January 24, 2011... Byline: SUE BLAINE Parents 'ambivalent' on quality of state schools system Education Editor FURTHER evidence that South Africans do not have faith in the public school system emerged last week with the publication of a survey showing only 51%...

Van Wyk going to India 'to win, not be blooded'.
January 24, 2011... Byline: TELFORD VICE Van Wyk going to India 'to win, not be blooded' Johannesburg MORNE van Wyk hopes to give the South African selectors more than they bargained for by including him in the Proteas' World Cup squad. Van Wyk was picked as...

TECHNICAL PREVIEW. Weaker rand would leave SA exposed.
January 24, 2011... Byline: Jean Temkin TECHNICAL PREVIEW Weaker rand would leave SA exposed THE new year brought a slip in the value of the rand. So far the shift against major currencies has been orderly, but a sudden exit of foreign investor funds, perhaps...

THE THICK END OF THE WEDGE.
January 24, 2011... Byline: Peter Bruce THE THICK END OF THE WEDGE THE EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK WHERE was I? Oh yes, South Africa. This is going to be a great year for punditry, and, if left sufficiently alone, the economy. It's when hubris is going to crash into...

Gumede undertakes merit selection at Lions.
January 24, 2011... Byline: Zeena Isaacs Gumede undertakes merit selection at Lions ZEENA ISAACS Rugby Correspondent GOLDEN Lions Rugby Union chairman and equity partner Robert Gumede this past weekend clarified his transformation objectives at the union by...

Quarterly sales up 13% as Lewis keeps its customers.(Financial report)
January 24, 2011... Byline: Alistair Anderson Quarterly sales up 13% as Lewis keeps its customers ALISTAIR ANDERSON Contributing Writer FURNITURE retailer Lewis said on Friday its merchandise sales for the third quarter ended December had increased 13%, as the...

Funding solutions to help Eskom keep lights on.
January 24, 2011... Byline: Siseko Njobeni Funding solutions to help Eskom keep lights on Successful international bond offer further bolsters confidence in company, writes IF SOMEONE had asked Eskom's management over a year ago if it had what it took to...

Harmony warns of drop in production.
January 24, 2011... Byline: Allan Seccombe Harmony warns of drop in production ALLAN SECCOMBE Resources Editor HARMONY Gold warned last week that an accident at its Kusasalethu mine had cut production for the December quarter, but its costs were lower because of...

Debt management needs to be addressed in workplace.
January 24, 2011... Byline: Bryan Hirsch Debt management needs to be addressed in workplace I'M NOT sure which Monday in January is regarded as one of the most depressing days of the year for countless employees. After all, how many people can honestly say they...

True peace difficult.
January 24, 2011... Byline: Nigel Willis True peace difficult As an Anglican, I am dismayed at the row over Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Israel. Having listened to many of his sermons and having met him a few times, I am confident he is not an anti-Semite. He and...

Not an old hack.
January 24, 2011... Byline: G W Jacobson Not an old hack Allister Sparks is an excellent journalist. He is definitely not an old hack. He is certainly not bigoted and is balanced and researches his subjects fully and truthfully. I have read dozens of articles...

Selective opinion.
January 24, 2011... Byline: Ivor Davis Selective opinion I do not believe Allister Sparks or Archbishop Desmond Tutu are anti-Semitic. Heaven forbid. However, I hope Mr Sparks won't mind my frankness if I suggest his allegation in his piece 'Anti-Semite' smears...

Declaring bias.
January 24, 2011... Byline: Don Kraus Declaring bias Allister Sparks' article of January 19 refers. In his article in defence of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, 'Anti-Semite' smears aim only to shield Israel from criticism, Allister Sparks surmises that he will be...

Superficial reasoning.
January 24, 2011... Byline: JR Lazarus Superficial reasoning Rushing to put pen to paper to counter Allister Sparks's piece, 'Anti-Semite' smears aim only to shield Israel from criticism, January 19, Sydney Kaye in his letter, Showing his prejudices (January 20)...

Let's not ignore history and facts.
January 24, 2011... Byline: D Wolpert Let's not ignore history and facts Allister Sparks is once again on his anti-Israel crusade, stressing that criticising Israel should not be equated to anti-Semitism ('Anti-Semite' smears aim only to shield Israel from...

Petra to buy Finsch mine for R1,4bn.
January 24, 2011... Byline: Allan Seccombe Petra to buy Finsch mine for R1,4bn CEO says the acquisition will build Petra into major diamond producer ALLAN SECCOMBE Resources Editor PETRA Diamonds is buying Finsch, SA's second-largest diamond mine, from De Beers...

Telkom secures $127m loan for mobile network project.
January 24, 2011... Byline: Thabiso Mochiko Telkom secures $127m loan for mobile network project THABISO MOCHIKO Information Technology Editor TELKOM said on Friday that it had signed a $127m loan agreement to partly fund its mobile network infrastructure...

Malema defends record as challengers line up.
January 24, 2011... Byline: SIBONGAKONKE SHOBA Malema defends record as challengers line up AFRICAN National Congress (ANC) Youth League president Julius Malema is declaring his availability for re-election as campaigns to remove him intensify. So far two,...

Blue rescue gains momentum.
January 24, 2011... Byline: Sure Kamhunga Blue rescue gains momentum SURE KAMHUNGA Financial Services Editor BLUE Financial Services' rehabilitation from the brink of bankruptcy continues. Last week, the pan-Africa lender announced that institutional investors...

CSA president remains defiant.
January 21, 2011... Byline: TELFORD VICE CSA president remains defiant Nyoka denies saying that he would resign as vote of no confidence looms Johannesburg EMBATTLED Cricket SA (CSA) president Mtutuzeli Nyoka was defiant yesterday after being served with a...

Pocket Power draws well for the J&B Met.
January 21, 2011... Byline: David Mollett Pocket Power draws well for the J& B Met DAVID MOLLETT Racing Editor TRAINER Mike Bass and co- owner Marsh Shirtliff were all smiles yesterday after Pocket Power drew favourably in barrier three for next week's R2,5m...

One step forward, another one back.
January 21, 2011... One step forward, another one back IN THE original Dr Dolittle books, written by the author Hugh Lofting in the trenches of the First World War, the pushmi-pullyu was a gazelle with two heads, one at each end of its body. The inevitable result...

Time to shine CSA's dirty ball.
January 21, 2011... Time to shine CSA's dirty ball THE accusation on radio yesterday by Cricket SA (CSA) president Mtutuzeli Nyoka that CSA CEO Gerald Majola lied to him about not having been paid a bonus by the Indian organisers of the Indian Premier League (IPL)...

Free expression permits Spud but doesn't heal the judge's pain.
January 21, 2011... Byline: Paul Hoffman Homophobia Free expression permits Spud but doesn't heal the judge's pain IT IS unfortunate that a private (and very personal) communication to a friend, written by Judge Edwin Cameron to the producer of the movie Spud,...

Eskom sparks with international bonds.
January 21, 2011... Byline: Siseko Njobeni Eskom sparks with international bonds SISEKO NJOBENI Energy Affairs Editor ESKOM's capital expansion programme got another boost when the power utility this week sold $1,75bn (R12bn) of 10-year bonds on the...

Land reform confusion 'hobbles research'.
January 21, 2011... Byline: Hopewell Radebe Land reform confusion 'hobbles research' HOPEWELL RADEBE Land and Agriculture Editor SOMERSET WEST Uncertainty over land reform and policies has negatively affected investment in infrastructure and innovation in the...

Foreign direct investment plunges 78%.
January 21, 2011... Byline: LOYISO LANGENI Foreign direct investment plunges 78% Trade and Diplomatic Correspondent SA WAS one of the main sub- Saharan casualties in terms of foreign direct investment projects last year, a United Nations Conference on Trade and...

Act may make distributions costly, companies warned.
January 21, 2011... Byline: SANCHIA TEMKIN Act may make distributions costly, companies warned Professional Services Editor BUSINESSES need to analyse the tax implications of the new Companies Act before entering into transactions and company distributions, as...

SA's growth prospects brighten as economy emerges from recession.
January 21, 2011... Byline: Sure Kamhunga SA's growth prospects brighten as economy emerges from recession Surge predicted after recovery in key sectors, writes SA's stuttering economic growth last year is set to gain momentum this year, heralding a return to...

Economy of the Western Cape likely to grow 3,2%.
January 21, 2011... Byline: BEKEZELA PHAKATHI Economy of the Western Cape likely to grow 3,2% Contributing Writer CAPE TOWN The Western Cape economy is forecast to grow 3,2% this year, an improvement on the forecast of 2,8% for last year. The province's...

Transfer pricing 'a critical tax issue'.
January 21, 2011... Byline: SANCHIA TEMKIN Transfer pricing 'a critical tax issue' TAX directors worldwide regard transfer pricing as the most important tax issue their companies face and believe that it will be & absolutely critical& within the next two...

Museveni, Zuma to take stock of bilateral trade.
January 21, 2011... Byline: LOYISO LANGENI Museveni, Zuma to take stock of bilateral trade THE referendum in Southern Sudan is likely to dominate discussions between Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni and President Jacob Zuma during his two-day state visit to SA...

Maths choice may explain matric surge.
January 21, 2011... Byline: SUE BLAINE Maths choice may explain matric surge Education Editor QUESTIONS need to be asked about the apparent correlation between a high overall matric pass rate and low percentage of matric candidates taking maths, says Prof Nan...

UN's C'te d'Ivoire stance 'a travesty'.
January 21, 2011... Byline: LOYISO LANGENI UN's C'te d'Ivoire stance 'a travesty' Trade and Diplomatic Correspondent THE leader of the African Christian Democratic Party, Rev Kenneth Meshoe yesterday accused the international community of perpetuating & a...

Cosatu misses the point Cronin.
January 21, 2011... Byline: SAM MKOKELI Cosatu misses the point Cronin Political Editor THE South African Communist Party (SACP) has criticised the Congress of South African Trade Unions' (Cosatu's) opposition to proposals in the government's New Growth Path...

Western Cape to use up excess flu doses with early vaccination drive.
January 21, 2011... Byline: TAMAR KAHN Western Cape to use up excess flu doses with early vaccination drive Science and Health Editor CAPE TOWN The Western Cape yesterday launched an early flu vaccination drive, as it tries to use up more than a quarter of a...

Selections.
January 21, 2011... 1st Race: (13) Porsche Lady (4) National Executive (1) Caesour's Spirit (7) Magic Potion 2nd Race: (1) Timber Baron (13) Strike A Light (5) Umhlaba (4) Desert Warrior 3rd Race: (6) Pegasus Road (1) Furling Sail (7) Royal Cape (14) Quiet Storm...

Rugby tackled over transformation as Lions hail sponsor.
January 21, 2011... Byline: Zeena Isaacs Rugby tackled over transformation as Lions hail sponsor ZEENA ISAACS Rugby Correspondent GAUTENG sport MEC Lebogang Maile yesterday lambasted SA's rugby bosses for the slow rate of transformation and urged black people to...

Birds to put Chabangu on a very short leash.
January 21, 2011... Byline: Mninawa Ntloko Birds to put Chabangu on a very short leash MNINAWA NTLOKO Sports Editor MOROKA Swallows coach Gordon Igesund is planning to offer SA's clubless enfant terrible Lerato Chabangu a contract laden with clauses and strict...

Clothing helps Woolworths lift group sales 9,8%.
January 21, 2011... Byline: Alistair Anderson Clothing helps Woolworths lift group sales 9,8% Retailer appoints former CEO of Marks & Spencer as a nonexecutive director ALISTAIR ANDERSON Contributing Writer WOOLWORTHS Holdings yesterday reported a 9,8%...