Business Day (South Africa) articles from July 2010

Business Day (South Africa) archives from July 2010

Powerful public service unions call the shots.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Nick Wilson THE BOTTOM LINE COLUMN Powerful public service unions call the shots SA HAS again moved into strike season, a good reason to get depressed, particularly if you own a small business. To see public servants whose output is...

VODACOM DURBAN JULY FINAL FIELD.
July 30, 2010... VODACOM DURBAN JULY FINAL FIELD SC DR HORSE WGT M/R JOCKEY TRAINER 1 17 Pocket Power 60.0 117 A B Fayd'Herbe Mike Bass 2 19 Rudra 59.5 116 A J Geroudis Mike de Kock 3 4 Fabiani 56.5 110 A M Byleveld Glen Kotzen 4 6 Irish Flame 56.0 113 A K Shea...

Orbison can make namescount at July.
July 30, 2010... Byline: DAVID MOLLETT Orbison can make namescount at July Racing Editor WHETHER Roy Orbison one of the most popular singers of the 1980s was a racing fan is not known. But a horse named after him could steal the show in tomorrow's R3m Vodacom...

How we decide to see things affects our everyday happiness.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Michel Pireu StreetDogs How we decide to see things affects our everyday happiness TWO young fish are swimming along when they meet an older fish swimming the other way who nods at them and says, Morning, boys, how's the water? The...

The Insider.
July 30, 2010... A neighbour has a new take on Forbes rich list WHEN the Forbes list of the world's billionaires came out in March, it contained a few surprises. Microsoft's Bill Gates listed as an aspiring royal William Gates III on the Forbes website only came...

Escaping the cycle of self-destruction.
July 30, 2010... Escaping the cycle of self-destruction STRIKE or not, it is surely time the public sector trade unions, and the union movement as a whole, did some hard thinking about where it wants to position itself politically. Does it have any interest...

Task may be too ambitious.
July 30, 2010... Task may be too ambitious HEALTH Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has a far better relationship with the private sector than his much-lampooned predecessor, the result of a greater willingness to engage and negotiate rather than confront and dictate....

Arts & Leisure. Film.
July 30, 2010... Byline: PHILLIP ALTBEKER Film TODAY sees the release of three challenging films, all of them disturbing, albeit in different ways. The most unnerving is ANTICHRIST, written and directed by Lars von Trier, the Dane who seems to have forgotten...

A flair for science blended with a taste for good food.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Katy Chance A flair for science blended with a taste for good food Peter Barham knows how to make a meal of it, writes NEVER before has a food combination tasted so good: a spoon of blue cheese and a chunk of dark chocolate. It was...

Digital drugs set to replace analogue bong.
July 30, 2010... Byline: KEVIN O'GRADY Digital drugs set to replace analogue bong KEVIN O'GRADY YOUR kid's shiny new iPod is not as harmless as you think, according to a new breed of paranoid parent and policeman that seems determined to blame music for the...

Electricity, steel push producer prices higher.
July 30, 2010... Byline: ALISTAIR ANDERSON and MARIAM ISA Electricity, steel push producer prices higher PRICES at SA's factories, mines and farms surged unexpectedly last month, driven by record electricity price increases and pointing to looming inflation...

SAA faces probe over cargo price-fixing.
July 30, 2010... Byline: JULIUS BAUMANN SAA faces probe over cargo price-fixing Transport and Tourism Editor SOUTH African Airways (SAA) and seven foreign airlines could face penalties equivalent to 10% of their local revenue after the Competition Commission...

Sisulu warns of 'terror' threat for joining AU forces.
July 30, 2010... Byline: LINDA ENSOR Sisulu warns of 'terror' threat for joining AU forces Political Correspondent CAPE TOWN SA could become vulnerable to the type of terrorist bomb attacks that rocked Kampala during the World Cup in protest against Uganda's...

Credit growth continues marginal rise.
July 30, 2010... Byline: MARIAM ISA Credit growth continues marginal rise Economics Editor BORROWING by SA's households and companies edged slightly up last month, marking the second rise in a row, but still coming in below expectations, as credit extension...

Traffic agency bosses face charges.
July 30, 2010... Byline: JULIUS BAUMANN Traffic agency bosses face charges Transport and Tourism Editor MANAGEMENT of the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) under former CEO Ranthoko Rakgoale is expected to face a range of charges in the coming weeks...

Benefits of Virginia airport outweigh costs.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Edward West Benefits of Virginia airport outweigh costs A cloud of uncertainty is hanging over Durban's general aviation airfield, writes OPERATING a general aviation airfield has never been a very profitable business, but the...

Survey shows SA is one of best emerging markets for business.
July 30, 2010... Byline: LOYISO LANGENI Survey shows SA is one of best emerging markets for business Trade and Diplomatic Correspondent SA's economy has been vindicated as one of the most attractive emerging markets in which to do business, a World Bank...

Public sector strike likely to get bigger.
July 30, 2010... Byline: LUPHERT CHILWANE Public sector strike likely to get bigger General Reporter THE public sector strike is expected to gain momentum today after more than 9000 Public Servants Association (PSA) members downed tools across the country...

ANC intent on tough media watchdog plan.
July 30, 2010... Byline: KARIMA BROWN ANC intent on tough media watchdog plan Political Editor THE African National Congress (ANC) is pushing full-steam ahead with its plans to fine-tune the party's Polokwane resolution to investigate setting up a statutory...

KwaZulu-Natal debt sliding 'out of control'.
July 30, 2010... Byline: EDWARD WEST KwaZulu-Natal debt sliding 'out of control' Kwazulu-Natal Editor KWAZULU-Natal's third-quarter municipal budget review has revealed slowing capital expenditure and spiralling debt among the 58 municipalities that were...

Kebble's security boss grilled on statements.
July 30, 2010... Byline: ERNEST MABUZA Kebble's security boss grilled on statements Legal Affairs Correspondent FORMER security boss Clinton Nassif explained how he, drug dealer Glenn Agliotti, and mining businessmen Brett Kebble and John Stratton devised...

Millions of litres of water 'flushed away'.
July 30, 2010... Byline: JOCELYN NEWMARCH Millions of litres of water 'flushed away' Infrastructure and Environment Correspondent ABOUT 30% of household water consumption is used to flush toilets, and SA needs to consider dry sanitation, according to a water...

SARS to streamline customs.
July 30, 2010... SARS to streamline customs STAFF REPORTER THE South African Revenue Service (SARS) is modernising its customs processes to improve its service and increase compliance. The programme will improve the service for tax-compliant traders and...

The power of cellphones in the classroom.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Sue Blaine The power of cellphones in the classroom New e-book technology could help solve SA's textbook problems, writes A SOUTH African education company has figured out a way to allow children to access electronic books (e-books)...

Thousands join fast in support of school libraries.
July 30, 2010... Byline: SUE BLAINE Thousands join fast in support of school libraries Education Editor ANGLICAN Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, the University of the Free State's vice-chancellor Prof Jonathan Jansen, storyteller Gcina Mhlope and Department of...

Row over accuracy of big power users' bills.
July 30, 2010... Byline: SARAH HUDLESTON Row over accuracy of big power users' bills Staff Writer THE collection of revenue from the City of Johannesburg's 6500 top-paying customers is being compromised following the theft of SIM cards and equipment that...

The Third Umpire. Out: Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda. The Icasa Amendment Bill looks worryingly like just another attempt by the general to extend his personal control over the airwaves.
July 30, 2010... Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda. The Icasa Amendment Bill looks worryingly like just another attempt by the general to extend his personal control over the airwaves.

The Third Umpire. Out: South African Democratic Teachers Union president Thobile Ntola. Maybe we would feel more sympathy for Sadtu's latest (all too predictable) strike threat if pupils' results were improving. They're not.
July 30, 2010... South African Democratic Teachers Union president Thobile Ntola. Maybe we would feel more sympathy for Sadtu's latest (all too predictable) strike threat if pupils' results were improving. They're not.

The Third Umpire. In: Panjo the tiger. Home at last, two days after he jumped off the back of his owner's bakkie near Delmas in Mpumulanga. Panjo gave SA a healthy case of jungle fever and stripes of really bad headlines.
July 30, 2010... Panjo the tiger. Home at last, two days after he jumped off the back of his owner's bakkie near Delmas in Mpumulanga. Panjo gave SA a healthy case of jungle fever and stripes of really bad headlines.

Return of Boks should spice up Currie Cup.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Zeena Isaacs Return of Boks should spice up Currie Cup ZEENA ISAACS Rugby Correspondent THE tempo of the Currie Cup is expected to rise a notch or two this weekend as a few hungry Springbok players inject skill and pace into the...

Delisting looms as a.b.e. shareholders get R200m buyout offer.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Thabang Mokopanele Delisting looms as a.b.e. shareholders get R200m buyout offer THABANG MOKOPANELE Property Editor CONSTRUCTION chemicals supplier a.b.e. Construction Chemicals will delist from the JSE after Chryso Southern Africa, a...

Mount Sheba Game Reserve up for sale.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Madden Cole Mount Sheba Game Reserve up for sale THE Mount Sheba Game Reserve in Nelspruit will be auctioned at Auction Alliance's August multiple commercial auction. The reserve measures 2000ha and is situated on the mountain...

Aquarius may close mine for months.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Allan Seccombe Aquarius may close mine for months ALLAN SECCOMBE Resources Editor AQUARIUS Platinum's share price fell heavily yesterday on news in a quarterly production report that it could shut its Blue Ridge mine for up to seven...

Commercial property, homes and goods offered.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Madden Cole Commercial property, homes and goods offered Auction Diary AUCOR's on-site residential auction next week will include a three bedroomed house with three bathrooms en suite, a double-volume entrance hall, separate guest...

First Uranium set to ramp up Ezulwini output.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Allan Seccombe First Uranium set to ramp up Ezulwini output ALLAN SECCOMBE Resources Editor FIRST Uranium has enough cash to meet its funding requirements but much hinges on achieving planned gold and uranium production from its...

Gooderson resorts report visitor decline for World Cup.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Edward West Gooderson resorts report visitor decline for World Cup EDWARD WEST KwaZulu-Natal Editor GOODERSON Leisure had experienced a 5% drop in the number of visitors to its resorts and lodges during the 2010 Soccer World Cup,...

Rules benefit big firms.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Peter Horwitz Rules benefit big firms Correspondence in your paper and others discusses whether small companies should have audits without discussing what the extent of such an audit should be. An audit for a company with an annual...

Climate facts not fears.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Philip Lloyd Climate facts not fears Crispin Hemson (Flawed argument, Letters, July 29) claims I failed to read the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC's) Fourth Assessment report. He is wrong. I quoted 0,6C temperature...

We've heard it before.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Neil Campbell We've heard it before It is indeed encouraging to note that Transport Minister Sbu Ndebele has voiced his intention to come down hard on fraud, corruption and mismanagement. Regrettably this is not the first time we have...

Inefficiency to blame, not the rand.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Mike Sampson Inefficiency to blame, not the rand The Kumba iron ore saga illustrates the national problem which is that unemployment grows and commodity prices drive the rand higher. Who really benefits from all this? It is not the...

Relief for scholars.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Steve Lincoln Relief for scholars Congratulations to Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga on pulling the plug on outcomes-based education (OBE). Kader Asmal must take responsibility for pursuing a system that was unrealistic and...

Welfare still necessary.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Paul Pereira Welfare still necessary Frans Cronje of the South African Institute of Race Relations makes a cogent, if rather obvious, argument for corporate SA to fight its corner in policy debate (Business must speak truth to power...

Remember Argentina?
July 30, 2010... Byline: B Richard Dalberg Remember Argentina? At last, albeit one lone prominent voice, somebody refutes the common clamour calling for a lower rand (Poor will suffer from cheaper rand, July 29). Pick n Pay chairman Gareth Ackerman points out...

Did I read correctly?
July 30, 2010... Byline: Derek Smith Did I read correctly? Having reached page 36 of your engrossing Sport Monthly for this month, I read that Such is the strength in depth and the manner in which success breeds success that South Africa is virtually...

United we can conquer.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Jon Quirk United we can conquer We are entering the strike season as trade unions, particularly those in the parastatal sector, flex their muscles. We cannot be surprised. They have watched and learnt as cadres appointed by the...

Varsity failing staff.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Dylan Macdonald Varsity failing staff Having (until recently) worked at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University for a period of 14 years, it was with some interest that I read your article (University to match development funds,...

Mercantile earnings dip on tough trading.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Sure Kamhunga Mercantile earnings dip on tough trading SURE KAMHUNGA MERCANTILE Bank Holdings CEO Dave Brown said yesterday he was not proud to report a 32% decline in headline earnings in the six months to last month, but predicted a...

Scepticism reigns over 'healthy' rise in metal prices.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Tim Cohen Scepticism reigns over 'healthy' rise in metal prices Inventories are increasing at the same time, a relationship that ought to be inverted, writes THE prices of industrial metals and some other key commodities are generally...

Institutions back Omnia.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Siseko Njobeni Institutions back Omnia SISEKO NJOBENI Energy Affairs Editor DIVERSIFIED and specialist chemicals group Omnia has received commitments from several institutional investors to subscribe for shares to the tune of R1bn....

Slowdown hits Edcon harder than most.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Michael Bleby Slowdown hits Edcon harder than most Tough market and high debt levels worry Standard & Poor's, writes AT 2pm yesterday, it was quiet in the Edgars department store at Melrose Arch. The racks of grey, pin-striped...

Vehicle auctions benefit from interest rate cuts.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Madden Cole Vehicle auctions benefit from interest rate cuts IN SPITE of the fact that the Reserve Bank decided last week to keep interest rates unchanged, the previous five cuts in rates have injected new life into already booming...

Three-year courtship finally produces a merger.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Siseko Njobeni Three-year courtship finally produces a merger Officials of Engen and Reatile Gaz eventually realised they needed each other, writes IT IS significant that it took Engen and Reatile Gaz three years to conclude their...

Most workers clueless about pensions survey.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Sure Kamhunga Most workers clueless about pensions survey SURE KAMHUNGA Financial Services Editor A MAJORITY of employees seem to have no idea who will pay for their medical bills once they retire, according to the results of this...

Investors get scoop on tracking precious metals.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Allan Seccombe Investors get scoop on tracking precious metals ALLAN SECCOMBE Resources Editor SOUTH African investors will from next month have the opportunity to put money into a product that will track platinum, gold, silver and...

Loan demand points to slow recovery.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Sure Kamhunga Loan demand points to slow recovery SURE KAMHUNGA Financial Services Editor THE slow growth in credit extension to the private sector last month was further evidence that the pace of economic recovery was being slowed by...

Full-bodied selection in Rosebank.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Madden Cole Full-bodied selection in Rosebank STEPHAN Welz will hold its Johannesburg winter auction at its Rosebank sales room on August 17 and 18. The art section of about 150 pieces is a full-bodied selection of quality pieces by...

Buyers drawn to 20th-century SA art.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Madden Cole Buyers drawn to 20th-century SA art A WIDE selection of South African paintings came under the hammer at the Westgate Walding decorative and fine arts sale on Wednesday in Sandton, where a number of works fetched...

Strategic moves boost scorecard.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Alf James Strategic moves boost scorecard Bytes Technology Group rated top empowered ICT company in SA, writes ALF JAMES The top empowered information and communication technology (ICT) company in the country, Bytes Technology Group,...

Verification process frustrates firms.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Alf James Verification process frustrates firms THE success of broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) initiatives is mixed at this stage, says William Mzimba, CEO of Accenture SA. He says there are corporations that want to...

Calls for base to be broader.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Alf James Calls for base to be broader MUCH progress had been made in advancing black economic empowerment, but not enough, said President Jacob Zuma while opening the third meeting of the Black Economic Empowerment Advisory Council....

Diverse range of innovative services has banks fired up.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Jennigay Coetzer Diverse range of innovative services has banks fired up INTERNET and mobile phone banking is expanding its reach into nontraditional areas. For example, today anyone can transfer money to a recipient anywhere in...

Seamless service in continent's rural areas.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Jennigay Coetzer Seamless service in continent's rural areas THE use of cellphone banking is growing across Africa and will continue to do so because a large percentage of the population has cellphones and no formal bank account and...

Mass market provides potential.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Jennigay Coetzer Mass market provides potential MOBILE banking offers a convenient way of transacting from anywhere at any time and can be delivered at a low cost to the bank. But if a bank is not offering a good price customers...

Cellphone banking surges with the unbanked targeted.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Jennigay Coetzer Cellphone banking surges with the unbanked targeted Internet banking on the crest of a wave driven by applications available to mobile users, writes JENNIGAY COETZER THE number of internet banking users has doubled...

Mobile move fights poverty.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Jennigay Coetzer Mobile move fights poverty There's a need to walk in the shoes of people with different needs to bring first financial service to the previously unbanked BY the end of next year almost three times as many consumers...

Users must prevent phishing or pharming.
July 30, 2010... Byline: Jennigay Coetzer Users must prevent phishing or pharming INTERNET banking is available at all hours of the day and night, from anywhere, and is a cost-efficient service to deliver. However, it is vulnerable to malicious practices...

LAUNCH NEWS. Subtle, but tweaks work.
July 29, 2010... Byline: Lerato Matebese LAUNCH NEWS Subtle, but tweaks work travelled to Durban to play spot the difference with a couple of new BMW models BMW has recently taken the knife to both the coupe and convertible variants of its 3 Series range, and...

FUTURE MODELS. Improving a winning recipe.
July 29, 2010... Byline: MOTOR NEWS REPORTER FUTURE MODELS Improving a winning recipe BMW is aiming to move the bar upward when its new X3 arrives here later this year IT HAS been rumoured for some time that while many vehicles are getting smaller, BMW was in...

LAUNCH NEWS. Inside improvement.
July 29, 2010... Byline: Mark Smyth LAUNCH NEWS Inside improvement Dodge started the crossover segment in SA and now it has updated its Caliber model, writes AFEW years back Dodge launched its new Caliber to much fanfare at Gold Reef City. It was the first of...

LAUNCH NEWS. Subtly leading the way.
July 29, 2010... Byline: Lerato Matebese LAUNCH NEWS Subtly leading the way Toyota has made a couple of very slight changes to its Corolla range, writes THE popularity of the Corolla has continued in earnest through each generation, with family practicality...

BUYING. Deals of the week.
July 29, 2010... Byline: MOTOR NEWS REPORTER BUYING Deals of the week Whether the idea of getting cash back in your pocket appeals to you or if you are looking for an affordable budget payment on a small bakkie, Motor News has picked out a few great deals...

LOCAL MOTORSPORT. Another tight rally finish in E Cape.
July 29, 2010... Byline: JOHN FLOYD LOCAL MOTORSPORT Another tight rally finish in E Cape FOLLOWING the incredible battle on the Rally of South Africa, when the final time differential between the Castrol Toyota Auris S2000 of Johnny Gemmell and Drew Sturrock...

PRODUCT NEWS Battery to meet demand.
July 29, 2010... Byline: MOTOR NEWS REPORTER PRODUCT NEWS Battery to meet demand A new battery is claimed to meet the increased power requirements of the latest vehicles FOR owners of diesel vehicles, SUVs, caravans, boats and classic cars, replacing...

INDUSTRY NEWS. Here's to the next 40 years.
July 29, 2010... Byline: Lerato Matebese INDUSTRY NEWS Here's to the next 40 years Range Rover continues to provide that regal status even after 40 years, writes PERHAPS the adage that life begins at 40 is more apt in this context than one might have...

PRODUCT TEST. A way to dodge traffic.
July 29, 2010... Byline: Mark Smyth PRODUCT TEST A way to dodge traffic travelled far and wide to test the new Tom Tom GO750 with live traffic updates WHEN Tom Tom first arrived in SA a few years ago, the company announced its plans to integrate its satellite...

USED CAR TEST. Beauty keeps you smiling.
July 29, 2010... Byline: CHARL WILKEN USED CAR TEST Beauty keeps you smiling WHEN it comes to presence on the road there certainly aren't many cars that can outshine a Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Not only is it big, but in its latest guise it's really good to look...

Jazz.
July 29, 2010... Byline: GWEN ANSELL Jazz GOOD broadcasting about music is rare. Most South African stations assume that music radio means a personality playing records. The level of knowledge among DJs is distressingly low, and tight play-listing seems to...

Business must speak truth to power on poor policy.
July 29, 2010... Byline: Frans Cronje Engaging the state Business must speak truth to power on poor policy INTERNATIONAL banking group Bank of America Merrill Lynch has done SA a great service in its frank assessment of SA's mining policy environment. It is...

Fearless, impish priest leaves us too soon.
July 29, 2010... Byline: PETER VALE Fearless, impish priest leaves us too soon DESMOND Tutu is a global treasure. So, his decision to stand down from public life will leave this country and the world a chillier place. The story of the archbishop's rise...

'Poor will suffer' from a cheaper rand.
July 29, 2010... Byline: MICHAEL BLEBY 'Poor will suffer' from a cheaper rand Retail Industries Editor ANY move to devalue the rand would drive up food inflation and hit SA's poor the hardest, Pick n Pay chairman Gareth Ackerman warned yesterday. The...

Blow for state as court scraps tariff guide for doctors' fees.
July 29, 2010... Byline: TAMAR KAHN Blow for state as court scraps tariff guide for doctors' fees Science and Health Editor CAPE TOWN The North Gauteng High Court has scrapped the Department of Health's controversial tariff guide for doctors' fees, dealing a...

Inflation slowdown raises speculation about rate cut.
July 29, 2010... Byline: MARIAM ISA Inflation slowdown raises speculation about rate cut Consumer price increases for last month below consensus forecast of 4,5% Economics Editor INFLATION rose slower than expected last month, spurring market speculation of...

Mittal hints at settling with Kumba.
July 29, 2010... Byline: Allan Seccombe Mittal hints at settling with Kumba ALLAN SECCOMBE Resources Editor REMARKS by ArcelorMittal CEO Mittal CEO Nonkululeko Nyembezi-Heita yesterday reinforced what Kumba Iron Ore's CEO has said about the prospect of the...

New state scheme to boost black enterprises.
July 29, 2010... Byline: LOYISO LANGENI New state scheme to boost black enterprises Trade and Diplomatic Correspondent BLACK business was set to benefit from a three-year multimillion- rand scheme, the Department of Trade and Industry said yesterday. The...