Business Day (South Africa) articles from June 2008

Business Day (South Africa) archives from June 2008

Companies batten down the hatches, but consumers get a break.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Edward West Companies batten down the hatches, but consumers get a break IT IS likely the Reserve Bank will start reducing interest rates at its Monetary Policy Committee meeting on Thursday. There seems little justification...

What's Up? In brief. Money & media review.
June 12, 2008... IN BRIEF Lowe Bull makes it into the Gunn Report's global top 50 LOWE Bull has been placed in the top 50 of the Gunn Report's Most Awarded Advertising Agencies global ranking for 2007-08. The Gunn Report is an industry benchmark for...

Weaned on print, moving with the times.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Jocelyn Newmarch Weaned on print, moving with the times JOHANNA McDowell, MD of the Independent Agency Search & Selection Company, keeps track of a daunting list of news media. The Star, two business papers and Talk Radio 702...

A sharp change of pace.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Edward West A sharp change of pace SA vehicle sales have fallen dramatically and the motor industry worldwide is facing tough times, writes EDWARD WEST THE motor industry is under severe financial pressure worldwide, with...

Budding bloggers have the last word.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Lesley Stones Budding bloggers have the last word Blogging gives people a platform to express their opinions, as well as make friends and influence others, writes LESLEY STONES PASSIONATE, prolific and opinionated? Or a bunch of...

Building sector blues.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Bheki Mpofu Building sector blues Eskom decision on power plant sends stocks reeling, writes BHEKI MPOFU CONSTRUCTION company stocks took a knock on Friday after Eskom announced its decision to scrap plans to build the country's...

Fuzzy thinking on digital TV.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Jocelyn Newmarch Fuzzy thinking on digital TV Laws cover only three years, and could lead to a struggling broadcasting market being flooded, writes JOCELYN NEWMARCH MULTIPLEXES, ECNS licences, radio frequency spectrum, and...

Eskom's new plan for nuclear.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Linda Ensor and Siseko Njobeni Eskom's new plan for nuclear Government and power utility halt plans for 3300MW plant, start seeking partners for atomic energy, write LINDA ENSOR and SISEKO NJOBENI THE government and Eskom have...

FirstRand should stick to winning policy.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Renee Bonorchis FirstRand should stick to winning policy BEFORE I say anything, let me just reiterate that despite FirstRand's rather dour trading update last week, its retail bank, First National Bank, is just fine. The group is...

Dark days for reserves next year.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Thabang Mokopanele Dark days for reserves next year THABANG MOKOPANELE THE outlook for SA's net reserves accumulation looks bleak going into next year, with the rand under pressure and the price of precious metals dragged down by...

Local take on love in the summer time.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Jocelyn Newmarch Local take on love in the summer time JOCELYN NEWMARCH VODACOM has launched its traditional end-of-the-year campaign with a television commercial inspired by one of the most memorable on-screen romances to come...

At the mercy of officials who love to say 'no'.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Bryan Rostron At the mercy of officials who love to say 'no' AAAAAAAAAAAGH getting a work permit, an English friend e-mailed me in frustration after visiting the South African High Commission in London. Increasingly, government...

SADC tribunal rules on Zimbabwe land-seizure case.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Carmel Rickard SADC tribunal rules on Zimbabwe land-seizure case WHEN the Southern African Development Community (SADC) tribunal handed down its ruling on a Zimbabwe land-grab dispute last week, no one expected Harare to do...

Opponent of my opponent is my friend.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Xolela Mangcu Opponent of my opponent is my friend A COUPLE of weeks ago an African National Congress (ANC) veteran and his wife confronted me with two paradoxical questions. First, why was I defending the ANC against the...

Losing one of our finest leaders.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Xolela Mangcu Losing one of our finest leaders OUR eyes had hardly dried from tears of losing Eskia Mphahlele when yet another cultural icon passed on Miriam Makeba. And this week we woke up to the news of the passing of just one...

P.S.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Xolela Mangcu JUST when you thought the COPE was a breath of fresh air, or a new broom that sweeps clean, its spokesman Sipho Ngwema is reported to have dismissed calls for a commission of inquiry into the arms deal. Apparently...

Zuma is a lot like a former US leader.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Xolela Mangcu Zuma is a lot like a former US leader THE parallels between Jacob Zuma and the early American president Andrew Jackson are astounding. Here's how a prominent Congressman from Massachusetts described Jackson's...

Biographers try at least, like it or not.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Xolela Mangcu Biographers try at least, like it or not I MUST confess I am a bad reader of other people's books, which is probably why I don't do book reviews. It wouldn't be fair. So please take what I am about to say with a...

Hero-rated. Charles Pillai.
June 12, 2008... HERO-RATED Charles Pillai IT IS common cause that vehicle insurance policies generally pay out successful claims based on current book value, whereas most people continue to pay premiums as if the value of their asset had stayed the same over...

Who wants a black bourgeois role model?
June 12, 2008... Byline: Jacob Dlamini Who wants a black bourgeois role model? I THINK the time has come for someone to do for the South African working class what the historian EP Thompson did for the English proletariat: rescue it from the enormous...

Enforce mining charter soon.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Tony Harding Enforce mining charter soon The series of articles by Stephan Hofstatter on the conflicts between local communities and Angloplat in Limpopo Province, particularly the report by the South African Human Rights...

Fortuner tyres cost me peace of mind.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Denise Huxham Fortuner tyres cost me peace of mind Ferdi de Vos's letter refers (Toyota Fortuner story disregards facts in favour of sensationalism, November 22). On August 28 I was alerted to the fact that there could be a...

Continued inaction on Zimbabwe paints a bleak picture.
June 12, 2008... Continued inaction on Zimbabwe paints a bleak picture ANC is showing signs of emulating the foreign policy disasters of Mbeki's second term, and alienating trade partners at a crucial juncture ZIMBABWE's agonising self- destruction has...

Thought of the week. Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille.
June 12, 2008... THOUGHT OF THE WEEK The Independent Democrats would like to draw the ANC's attention to the fact that Jesus was never charged with corruption. Adultery, the machine gun song and Zuma's failure to condemn war talk by the ANC rank and file are...

Critics beat Mr Bones, who beats Bond at the box office.
June 12, 2008... Byline: SARAH HUDLESTON Critics beat Mr Bones, who beats Bond at the box office DESPITE SA's top film critics panning Leon Schuster's Mr Bones 2: Back to the Past, the film has smashed South African box office records, grossing about R9m...

Swazi claims of SA link to terrorism.
June 12, 2008... Byline: KARIMA BROWN and AMY MUSGRAVE Swazi claims of SA link to terrorism South African survivor of a car blast in the kingdom allegedly tortured in detention, write KARIMA BROWN and AMY MUSGRAVE A DIPLOMATIC row is brewing after...

Pikoli saga drawing to a close.
June 12, 2008... Byline: HAJRA OMARJEE Pikoli saga drawing to a close THE final chapter in the Vusi Pikoli saga will be written next week when President Kgalema Motlanthe announces his decision on the future of the suspended National Prosecuting...

SA tackles Zanu abuses.
June 12, 2008... Byline: WYNDHAM HARTLEY SA tackles Zanu abuses Pretoria admits food used as a weapon and says all parties have promised nonpartisan distribution, writes AS THE South African government scrambles to provide food and other humanitarian aid...

COPE confused about how to choose leaders.
June 12, 2008... Byline: SIBONGAKONKE SHOBA COPE confused about how to choose leaders CONGRESS of the People (COPE) members are divided on the issue of who should be the president of the African National Congress breakaway party. These divisions may...

Hlophe case to go to appeal court after ruling.
June 12, 2008... Byline: FRANNY RABKIN Hlophe case to go to appeal court after ruling THE dispute between Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe and the judges of the Constitutional Court will go to the Supreme Court of Appeal, following Friday's...

Cata enjoys long-term benefits of restitution.
June 12, 2008... Byline: WILSON JOHWA Cata enjoys long-term benefits of restitution A VILLAGE in Eastern Cape holds lessons on how a community can reap the benefits of investing in itself. Ten years ago Cata, near Keiskammahoek, was just another...

No surprise that men think they're sexy.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Rehana Rossouw No surprise that men think they're sexy THERE were widespread giggles and gasps in our newsroom this week among my colleagues of a female persuasion when news broke that 78% of South African men believe they are...

Policies will matter in next year's poll.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Tim Cohen Policies will matter in next year's poll HOW much support will the Congress of the People (COPE) get in next year's election? This is an immensely difficult question to answer. We still don't really know what COPE...

Swinging between an open or a closed partnership.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Katy Chance Swinging between an open or a closed partnership THERE are people who think that after marriage they should bare their souls to their spouses; throw caution and common sense to the wind and reveal their most intimate...

Hanks will be there, any way he can.
June 12, 2008... Hanks will be there, any way he can HOLLYWOOD actor Tom Hanks wants to attend president-elect Barack Obama's inauguration even if he doesn't get a front-row seat. Or any seat at all. Look, I'll be in the back," the 52-year-old Oscar winner...

Zero-rated. Malegapuru Makgoba.
June 12, 2008... ZERO-RATED Malegapuru Makgoba UNIVERSITY of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) vice- chancellor Malegapuru Makgoba has a formidable reputation as an immunologist and academic, and his credentials as a free thinker were considerably enhanced by the way he...

Catch me if you can.
June 12, 2008... Byline: COLIN ANTHONY Catch me if you can Stenson charges away from Nedbank field despite weather break, writes SWEDE Henrik Stenson, playing imperiously, increased his dominance over the field at the Nedbank Challenge on Friday, despite...

Please play fullback Frans.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Craig Ray Please play fullback Frans The Barbarians match offered some insight into the possible future of Springbok rugby, writes CRAIG RAY THE Barbarians match against Australia at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday night highlighted...

Chariot's wheels fell off and were painted All Black.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Garth Wright Chariot's wheels fell off and were painted All Black ENGLAND's misery knows no boundaries as they crashed to a classy All Black side at Twickenham last weekend. The ill discipline of the English players was an eye...

Terrorism fuels fear among travellers and sportsmen.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Edward Griffiths Terrorism fuels fear among travellers and sportsmen TERRORISTS deal in terror. Their single aim is to terrorise people into changing their behaviour, their political opinions and their travel plans. Recent...

Time to bring soccer action to the field.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Mninawa Ntloko Time to bring soccer action to the field SURELY it was not supposed to be like this. How did so much negative publicity manage to accompany this year's edition of the Telkom Knockout and detract from the wonderful...

Keep those peepers peeled when playing.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Leigh Page Keep those peepers peeled when playing I'VE been mugged once in my life and, given the statistics of violent crime in our country, it goes against all odds that my criminal encounter occurred in New York City. It...

Heartwarming elves, Father Christmas will delight all ages.
June 12, 2008... Heartwarming elves, Father Christmas will delight all ages THE Ballet Bugs Theatre Company is staging the classic tale of The Elves and the Shoemaker, and introducing Christmas Elves and Father Christmas. The production has a cast of 16 and...

Antique Fair for recession-proof gifts.
June 12, 2008... Antique Fair for recession-proof gifts THE final Antique Fair of the year at Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton, Johannesburg, promises to be a bumper event. The more than 70 dealers from around the country who will exhibit are stocking up for...

APPLETISER WINNERS.
June 12, 2008... APPLETISER WINNERS THE winner's of last week's Appletiser giveaway a hamper including a pure cashmere scarf, a handmade silk purse and Appletiser juices to celebrate the brand's sponsorship of M-Net's new TV series Cashmere Mafia, are: Jill...

'Sophomore' Zamajobe finds her creative feet.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Mpho Tshikhudo 'Sophomore' Zamajobe finds her creative feet THOUGH she was a terrifically good sport about it, the fact that Zamajobe Sithole's debut album chalked up some enviable South African Music Award (Sama) nominations,...

A woman of substance with a sharp eye on the idle.
June 12, 2008... Byline: PHILLIP ALTBEKER A woman of substance with a sharp eye on the idle THE 1939 version of Clare Booth Luce's The Women was far closer in terms of both plot and point to the original play than this offering is. As a playwright,...

Updated social satire lacks bite.
June 12, 2008... Byline: PHILLIP ALTBEKER Updated social satire lacks bite The Women was sharp for its day, but this remake fails to capture the cattiness that made its predecessor so courageous, writes DIANE English, the producer of the Murphy Brown...

Artists applied their craft to the liberation struggle.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Mlungisi Zondi Artists applied their craft to the liberation struggle Exhibition pays homage to the work of South African artists in exile, writes MLUNGISI ZONDI IN BOTSWANA's capital Gaborone 30 years ago, a Cuban and an...

We'll rue the day freedom becomes a phantasm of sense.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Neels Blom We'll rue the day freedom becomes a phantasm of sense FREEDOM, for most fly-fishers I know, occurs not as an idea, but as a moment: it is when the fishmobile has finally cleared the traffic and the hood ornament is...

Fresh ideas for simple cooking.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Charlotte Mathews Fresh ideas for simple cooking BUONISSIMO! Gino D'Acampo Kyle Cathie Ltd I SUSPECTED my editor was rather keen on my trying the intriguingly titled Italian Toad in the Hole with Rosemary and Red Onions recipe...

The 'secret sauce' is the only saving grace.
June 12, 2008... Byline: RENEE BONORCHIS The 'secret sauce' is the only saving grace CADAC The Great Outdoor Cookbook Edited by Elena Forno-Nash Cadac SA IF YOU live in a big house in Clifton with vast balconies and a chef who never makes a mess, then...

'Tis the season to slosh, shake 'n pour.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Lesley Stones 'Tis the season to slosh, shake 'n pour 500 COCKTAILS Wendy Sweetser New Holland IF I knew you better I'd offer you a Comfortable Screw, but for now let's stick to something less flirtatious. Cocktails...

Invite friends and whip up a tasty dinner.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Mariam Isa Invite friends and whip up a tasty dinner FRESH AND FAST Michele Cranston Marie Claire IF YOU love relaxed holidays in the lush countryside and dream of extended summer stays in rustic cottages you won't be able to...

Variety the spice in this kosher collection.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Chantelle Benjamin Variety the spice in this kosher collection NEW FLAVOURS OF THE JEWISH TABLE Denise Phillips Ebury Press JEWS have lived all over the world and could not fail to be influenced by the food of the places in which...

No need for a meltdown this Christmas.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Sue Blaine No need for a meltdown this Christmas Nigella suggests more than a few ways to enjoy Christmas cooking, writes SUE BLAINE NIGELLA CHRISTMAS Nigella Lawson Chatto & Windus THERE is no doubt that Christmas and Christmas...

Dazzling images make this a rare page-turner.
June 12, 2008... Byline: MICHAEL BIBERAUER Dazzling images make this a rare page-turner AFRICAN SAFARI Into the Great Game Reserves Peter and Beverly Pickford Africa Geographic COFFEE-table books featuring Africa's wildlife have become a dime a dozen...

Pretty impractical for Jozi folk.
June 12, 2008... Byline: MICHAEL BLEBY Pretty impractical for Jozi folk finds Venice and fast food not to mention harried cooks don't mix VENEZIA: Food & Dreams Tessa Kiros Murdoch Books JOHANNESBURG is not Venice. That may sound obvious, but it is worth...

Visit Vietnam without leaving the kitchen.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Sarah Hudleston Visit Vietnam without leaving the kitchen NEW FLAVOURS OF THE VIETNAMESE TABLE Mai Pham Ebury Press ONE OF the great pleasures of travelling to foreign places is trying out food. If you can't afford to hop on a...

Breathtaking views, hikes and a hole.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Sue Blaine Breathtaking views, hikes and a hole The Wild Coast offers the bizarre and the enchanting, writes SUE BLAINE THERE was a curious mix of the sublime and the ridiculous in our recent Wild Coast holiday. An 8km walk from...

Packing for dreamy December.
June 12, 2008... Byline: DANIEL BROWDE Packing for dreamy December relives the childhood anticipation of holidays and life in the Kombi DECEMBER. The word just doesn't have the same ring it used to. When I was kid, the beginning of December felt like...

Plethora of parties may spoil the vote.
June 12, 2008... Byline: HAJRA OMARJEE and KARIMA BROWN Plethora of parties may spoil the vote HAJRA OMARJEE and KARIMA BROWN VOTERS in next year's elections may have to page through a booklet of options to choose their representatives, if the 146...