Business Day (South Africa) articles from June 2009

Business Day (South Africa) archives from June 2009

Trust Turnberry to keep the sporting fires burning.
June 30, 2009... Byline: Colin Anthony Trust Turnberry to keep the sporting fires burning WHAT a sporting year it has been so far. From the cricket tours to and from Australia, the blitzkrieg of the IPL, the World Twenty20, the British and Irish Lions...

Could state meddling rescue SA telecoms?
June 30, 2009... Byline: Colin Anthony THE BOTTOM LINE COLUMN Could state meddling rescue SA telecoms? IT WAS a surprise to see Internet Solutions support a move that increases the state's intervention in the telecoms sector. Normally everybody...

A few July jockeys will quite likely be tested for substance abuse at Greyville.
June 30, 2009... Byline: David Mollett A few July jockeys will quite likely be tested for substance abuse at Greyville DAVID MOLLETT Racing Editor PUNTERS will be hoping the jockey riding their Vodacom Durban July fancy at Greyville on Saturday doesn't...

The Insider.
June 30, 2009... Will Mboweni stay orwill Zuma pick Guma? A LOT of people are waiting with bated breath to hear whether Reserve Bank governor Tito Mboweni will stay on when his second five-year term expires on August 8. None of the journalists who attended...

Top sports writers bring honour to Business Day.
June 30, 2009... Top sports writers bring honour to Business Day BUSINESS Day's sports writing made a big impression at the 29th annual South African Breweries Sports Journalist of the Year Awards in Johannesburg last night, with top contributors to SA's...

Beyond 2010.
June 30, 2009... Beyond 2010 Time to sell SA as sporting capital of the world IT MAY seem a little premature to be thinking beyond the Fifa 2010 Soccer World Cup when there's still a year to go before the first ball of the tournament is kicked. But perhaps...

Cleaning out the channels.
June 30, 2009... Cleaning out the channels Superficial change will not solve SABC problems THE government is deeply concerned about the current state of the SABC, says President Jacob Zuma. And so it should be the public broadcaster has been hopelessly...

Fifa president says Bafana were 'brilliant'.
June 30, 2009... Byline: Mninawa Ntloko Fifa president says Bafana were 'brilliant' Blatter confident that Santana can turn the side into 'a formidable unit' MNINAWA NTLOKO Sports Editor SO IMPRESSED was Fifa president Sepp Blatter by the national team's...

New jobs puzzles for an 'elder' in retirement.
June 30, 2009... Byline: Hilary Joffe New jobs puzzles for an 'elder' in retirement I SPENT part of the weekend at a colloquium in honour of a teacher who, as for many in my generation, was the person who taught me to think, and to question. Wits...

Rand's high is double-edged sword for factories, imports.
June 30, 2009... Byline: Mariam Isa Rand's high is double-edged sword for factories, imports THE rand surged to a near 10-month peak at R7,87/$ yesterday, in a move which may prove to be a double-edged sword for SA's faltering economy. The unit's gains...

SA thinks again on import tariff pledge.
June 30, 2009... Byline: MATHABO LE ROUX SA thinks again on import tariff pledge Trade and Industry Editor THE government is considering raising import tariffs on garments to maximum levels agreed to by SA in the World Trade Organisation (WTO),...

'Vital' for state to intervene in telecoms zone.
June 30, 2009... Byline: LESLEY STONES 'Vital' for state to intervene in telecoms zone Icasa told operators are too focused on profits to care about upliftment Information Technology Editor FURTHER government intervention in the telecommunications sector...

State to review trade policy to give support to industry.
June 30, 2009... Byline: LINDA ENSOR State to review trade policy to give support to industry Political Correspondent THE Department of Trade and Industry is planning to review its trade, industrial and black economic empowerment policies, a move...

Shake-up looms for top state officials.
June 30, 2009... Byline: KARIMA BROWN Shake-up looms for top state officials Despite Zuma's assurances several directors-general have left as ministers make their choices Political Editor A SHAKE-UP across government departments is on the cards and...

Government will have its work cut out.
June 30, 2009... Byline: Amy Musgrave Government will have its work cut out Recession puts promise of decent employment in jeopardy, writes THE African National Congress-led (ANC) government has so far remained firm in its insistence that it will be able...

Zuma soon to appoint successor to police chief Selebi.
June 30, 2009... Byline: KARIMA BROWN Zuma soon to appoint successor to police chief Selebi PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma is set to name a new national police commissioner in about a month's time, suggesting that suspended commissioner Jackie Selebi who is facing...

Blatter gives SA 7,5 out of 10 for Confed.
June 30, 2009... Byline: MNINAWA NTLOKO Blatter gives SA 7,5 out of 10 for Confed Sports Editor FIFA president Sepp Blatter yesterday officially declared the Confederations Cup a resounding success and gave the two-week event a rating of 7,5 points out...

Doctors defy 'return to work' court order.
June 30, 2009... Byline: KGOMOTSO MATHE Doctors defy 'return to work' court order Bargaining council confident of wage settlement today Staff Reporter STATE doctors in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday defied a court order that they return to work, even as the...

SA-Sadc success 'example for Africa'.
June 30, 2009... Byline: Hopewell Radebe SA-Sadc success 'example for Africa' UN report calls for intensified intra-African trade, writes SA's successful experience in trading and investing on the African continent, especially in the Southern African...

Baloyi says talks must end today.
June 30, 2009... Byline: LINDA ENSOR Baloyi says talks must end today Political Correspondent CAPE TOWN Today's deadline for concluding negotiations between the government and public service trade unions on the occupational specific dispensation for...

The Third Umpire. In: Bafana Bafana.
June 30, 2009... Bafana Bafana. It turns out they can actually play pretty decent soccer, capable of upsetting the world's best on their day. Now we can look forward to next year's World Cup free of the fear of eternal embarrassment.

The Third Umpire. Out: Springbok flanker Schalk Burger.
June 30, 2009... Springbok flanker Schalk Burger. Getting banned for eye-gouging is dumb. It's even dumber with the talents of Heinrich Brussow waiting in the wings, with eight weeks to cement his place in the team.

The Third Umpire. Out: Convicted fraud Schabir Shaik.
June 30, 2009... Convicted fraud Schabir Shaik. Months after his early release from prison for being in the final stages of a terminal illness, he's inevitably, some might say been seen partying it up at a posh Durban restaurant.

SA renews call for global accounting standard.
June 30, 2009... Byline: Sanchia Temkin SA renews call for global accounting standard SANCHIA TEMKIN Professional Services Editor SA's accounting regulator has expressed renewed support for getting a single high-quality set of accounting standards back...

Argent posts 25% drop in operating profits.
June 30, 2009... Byline: Sure Kamhunga Argent posts 25% drop in operating profits SURE KAMHUNGA Companies Editor STEEL merchant group Argent yesterday joined the list of other quoted companies succumbing to the downturn when it announced a 25% drop in...

Brands credited with revenue increase at AVI.
June 30, 2009... Byline: Kgomotso Mathe Brands credited with revenue increase at AVI KGOMOTSO MATHE Staff Writer CONSUMER goods group AVI's revenue for the 11 months to last month was 12,4% higher than in the comparable period of the previous year. ...

BJM launches offshore property investment unit to tap into UK market.
June 30, 2009... Byline: Thabang Mokopanele BJM launches offshore property investment unit to tap into UK market THABANG MOKOPANELE WITH an eye to exploiting depressed prices in the UK commercial property market, financial services group Barnard Jacobs...

Get rich slowly, and don't risk more than two percent at a time.
June 30, 2009... Byline: Michelle Pireu StreetDogs Get rich slowly, and don't risk more than two percent at a time AN AMATEUR trying to get rich quick is like a monkey out on a thin branch, says Alexander Elder, founder of Financial Trading Inc. He...

ElementOne to delist from JSE.
June 30, 2009... Byline: Jocelyn Newmarch ElementOne to delist from JSE JOCELYN NEWMARCH Media Correspondent MEDIA holding company ElementOne released its annual results yesterday and said it would delist by the end of September. ElementOne's...

Not much to celebrate.
June 30, 2009... Byline: Jonas Mashigo Not much to celebrate I am amazed at the way people celebrated Bafana's recent performance and it looks as if I am the only guy with serious concerns and disappointments. I am disappointed we still have a coach who...

Time to ditch BEE.
June 30, 2009... Byline: Louis Volschenk Time to ditch BEE After 15 years of riding the global growth wave, SA is in the midst of a major recession. Perhaps this is just what we need to finally restore sanity to national policy. The only way we are going...

Those were the days.
June 30, 2009... Byline: Harry Hyams Those were the days Once upon a time, inflation meant children blowing up balloons. Now it means the governor of the Reserve Bank blowing up his countrymen's hopes of a cut in interest rates. Sandton

Doctors resorting to wrong remedy.
June 30, 2009... Byline: Craig Bosch and Barney Jordaan Doctors resorting to wrong remedy We are writing this letter to express our concern at the decision of certain medical doctors to embark on strike action in an attempt to resolve a dispute with the...

Blame Deuteronomy.
June 30, 2009... Byline: Anthony White Blame Deuteronomy Events in Iran are another reminder of how religion spoils things. Now the bloodthirsty ayatollahs are demanding the execution of those who dare to question their despotic rule. Iran is a...

Mind the gap.
June 30, 2009... Byline: Stan du Plessis Mind the gap You defined the output gap as the the gap between the economy's potential growth and actual growth rates (Keep the 'targeting' faith, June 26). The monetary policy committee gave a similar definition...

Realists, not racists.
June 30, 2009... Byline: R Myburgh Realists, not racists The view of Bhungani ka Mzolo (Do not privatise SABC, Letters, June 26) refers. He is very likely also an ANC cadre, waiting for redeployment. God forbid that you end up at the SABC. We are not...

Zokwana leads union.
June 30, 2009... Byline: Shane Choshane Zokwana leads union With reference to the story, Mineworkers reject Implats wage offer, (In Brief, June 26). Your article mentions James Motlatsi as the president of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM). As a...

Banks milk clients.
June 30, 2009... Byline: Andy Clay Banks milk clients I have just seen that the call rate on cash balances of R1m is less than 6%. If the Reserve Bank commercial lending rate is 11% that means the banks are milking a 500 basis point spread in SA. In the...

What about gouge?
June 30, 2009... Byline: Anthony Still What about gouge? Peter Bruce (Thick End of the Wedge, June 29) denounces Sheridan's punch to Bekker's groin. He should also have mentioned Schalk Burger's deliberate eye gouging of Fitzgerald. This was truly...

Madison calls off listing of Phoenix fund.
June 30, 2009... Byline: Thabang Mokopanele Madison calls off listing of Phoenix fund Ponzi fears, nervousness blamed for shortfall in IPO subscriptions THABANG MOKOPANELE Property Correspondent MADISON Property Fund Managers has cancelled its planned...

Patel moves to finance director seat at MTN.
June 30, 2009... Byline: Lesley Stones Patel moves to finance director seat at MTN LESLEY STONES Information Technology Editor CELLPHONE company MTN has appointed Nazir Patel as its new finance director to replace long-serving Rob Nisbet, who has...

Transnet close to selecting new CEO.
June 30, 2009... Byline: Artwell Dlamini Transnet close to selecting new CEO ARTWELL DLAMINI Transport Correspondent TRANSPORT parastatal Transnet said yesterday that the process of finding a CEO to replace Maria Ramos, now head of Absa, had reached an...

King 3 draft takes a bow.
June 30, 2009... Byline: Sanchia Temkin Codes Amended King 3 draft takes a bow Report reflects Companies Act and new global trends, writes SA IS regarded as one of the leading countries in the world in establishing corporate governance principles and...

More transparency on remuneration crucial.
June 30, 2009... Byline: Sanchia Temkin More transparency on remuneration crucial THE role of a company's remuneration committee has become more critical than ever. Gerald Seegers, head of PricewaterhouseCoopers' human resources division, says a...

The scope of US financial reform.
June 29, 2009... The scope of US financial reform Obama has had to walk the regulatory tightrope THE Obama administration's proposed changes to the US financial regulation system are of interest to South African investors because they not only reinforce what...

Crucial CD Collection.
June 29, 2009... Byline: RICHARD HASLOP Crucial CD Collection richardh@woodhead.co.za THERE are those whose musical judgment I trust who'd be prepared to undergo banishment to that mythical desert island provided they could take with them the complete...

A chilling sameness to the sound of new Presidency's songs.
June 29, 2009... Byline: ANTHONY BUTLER A chilling sameness to the sound of new Presidency's songs CITIZENS last week had to come to terms with the passing of a great cultural icon and celebrated popular entertainer. The budget vote of the Presidency is...

MTN buys 20% stake in Belgacom.
June 29, 2009... Byline: LESLEY STONES MTN buys 20% stake in Belgacom Information Technology Editor CELLULAR operator MTN has taken a 20% stake in Belgacom International Carrier Services (BICS) in exchange for folding its own international wholesale...

No relief soon for steel producers.
June 29, 2009... Byline: SURE KAMHUNGA No relief soon for steel producers Weak demand to continue until end of year, although China could be herald of recovery Companies Editor SA-BASED steel and iron-ore producing companies have been warned not to...

Indian firm sues SA over AIDS-drug tender.
June 29, 2009... Byline: MATHABO LE ROUX Indian firm sues SA over AIDS-drug tender Measures to help local companies may explain Aurobindo's failure Trade and Industry Editor INDIAN pharmaceuticals group Aurobindo is taking SA's Treasury to court,...

Film group objects to proposed tax laws.
June 29, 2009... Byline: LINDA ENSOR Film group objects to proposed tax laws Political Correspondent THE Independent Producers' Association has objected to the proposed exclusion of banks, insurers and other financial service companies from film industry...

Peace in Burundi means most of SA's 1100 troops there can return home.
June 29, 2009... Byline: WILSON JOHWA Peace in Burundi means most of SA's 1100 troops there can return home Political Correspondent THE South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is poised to withdraw from Burundi at the end of the month as it appears...

DA sees pattern in Magashule claims.
June 29, 2009... Byline: WILSON JOHWA DA sees pattern in Magashule claims THE Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on President Jacob Zuma to investigate claims against Free State Premier Ace Magashule, saying that the allegations were starting to form a...

Call for probe into claims of SABC 'looting'.
June 29, 2009... Byline: JOCELYN NEWMARCH Call for probe into claims of SABC 'looting' Unions say allegations are old news Media Correspondent A SUBMISSION to Parliament that highlights possible instances of corruption and wasteful expenditure by SABC...

SA shipping buoyant amid recession.
June 29, 2009... Byline: ARTWELL DLAMINI SA shipping buoyant amid recession Transport Correspondent COASTAL trade in South African waters has shrugged off the recession and seems to be the rare bright spot in the gloomy international shipping industry, a...

Constitutional Court 'only can judge president'.
June 29, 2009... Byline: ERNEST MABUZA Constitutional Court 'only can judge president' Appeal against ruling that minister is obliged to process Inkatha pardons Legal Affairs Correspondent THE Constitutional Court is the only competent court to decide on...

Is SANDF fit to fight, asks DA.
June 29, 2009... Byline: WILSON JOHWA Is SANDF fit to fight, asks DA Political Correspondent THE Democratic Alliance (DA) yesterday asked Defence and Military Veterans Minister Lindiwe Sisulu to give an open briefing on the South African National Defence...

Boost for ranks of chartered accountants.
June 29, 2009... Byline: SANCHIA TEMKIN Boost for ranks of chartered accountants Professional Services Editor SA's all-too-small pool of qualified chartered accountants is set for a welcome boost, examination results released on Friday by the South...

Food inflation behind unchanged repo rate.
June 29, 2009... Byline: JEAN TEMKIN TECHNICAL PREVIEW Food inflation behind unchanged repo rate BLAME for the repo rate not undergoing the expected 50 basis point cut can be put squarely at the door of food prices. The May consumer price index (CPI) at...

THE THICK END OF THE WEDGE.
June 29, 2009... Byline: PETER BRUCE THE THICK END OF THE WEDGE THE EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK THIS country has enjoyed a blessed few months its fourth free and fair election on the trot, the most amazing international cricket tournament (organised at a moment's...

Beware of building heavyweight health structure on weak foundation.
June 29, 2009... Byline: TIM COHEN Beware of building heavyweight health structure on weak foundation NO ONE ventures into the healthcare debate without trepidation, but you cannot but agree with Human Sciences Research Council director-general Olive...

Now it's the sunshine science.
June 29, 2009... Byline: TIM COHEN Now it's the sunshine science ARE economists the sunshine journalists of the new era? There was a period of South African history when it was impossible to open a newspaper without reading some fawning and grovelling...

Xstrata could put Anglo at the top again.
June 29, 2009... Byline: TIM COHEN MONDAY COMMENT Xstrata could put Anglo at the top again WITH the pleasantries now over, the real tactical game can begin. Xstrata has written a nice letter to Anglo American's management, which it has graciously allowed...

Liquidators open to fair bid by Simmers for Pamodzi's Orkney.
June 29, 2009... Byline: Charlotte Mathews Liquidators open to fair bid by Simmers for Pamodzi's Orkney CHARLOTTE MATHEWS GOLD miner Simmer & Jack would be a welcome bidder for Pamodzi Gold's Orkney Mine in North West if it put in a reasonable offer,...

Shanduka to raise stake in Pan African.
June 29, 2009... Byline: Charlotte Mathews Shanduka to raise stake in Pan African CHARLOTTE MATHEWS Resources Editor BLACK empowerment group Shanduka will become the biggest single shareholder in gold miner and explorer Pan African Resources after...

Used PCs give toxic headache to emerging markets.
June 29, 2009... Byline: Lesley Stones Used PCs give toxic headache to emerging markets LESLEY STONES Information Technology Editor DEVELOPING nations can expect to receive up to 69-million second-hand computers by 2012 as companies in the first world...

Consumers fork out for Eskom.
June 29, 2009... Byline: Siseko Njobeni Consumers fork out for Eskom Power utility needs immediate injection of finance, writes THE widespread negative reaction to the National Energy Regulator of SA's (Nersa's) decision to allow Eskom a 31,3% interim...

Time of the essence when tackling pension fraudsters, Saica warns.
June 29, 2009... Byline: Sanchia Temkin Time of the essence when tackling pension fraudsters, Saica warns SANCHIA TEMKIN Professional Services Editor COMPANIES should waste no time in apprehending fraudsters, the South African Institute of Chartered...

Once again, if it sounds too good to be true, it is.
June 29, 2009... Byline: BRYAN HIRSCH Once again, if it sounds too good to be true, it is THE last thing I want to do in my column is preach or rehash what everyone else has been writing about. But it has always been my philosophy to write and practise...

Hudaco asks shareholders to accept cut.
June 29, 2009... Byline: Sure Kamhunga Hudaco asks shareholders to accept cut Dividend drop is part of measures to strengthen firm's balance sheet SURE KAMHUNGA Companies Editor INDUSTRIAL consumables supplier Hudaco said on Friday it wanted shareholders...

Debate on inward listing rules.
June 29, 2009... Byline: Sanchia Temkin Debate on inward listing rules SANCHIA TEMKIN Professional Services Editor THE JSE is in talks with the Treasury regarding removing restrictions related to inward listings. This comes in the light of British...

Bafana were brilliant.
June 29, 2009... Byline: Barry Ross Bafana were brilliant What an amazing game of football! Bafana Bafana, you made this nation proud with your energetic, visionary and attacking display against Brazil. The contrast between the first game and the Brazil...

Nersa focus on coal is misguided.
June 29, 2009... Byline: Philip Lloyd Nersa focus on coal is misguided Your leader (Illuminate us, June 26) expresses surprise at electricity regulator Nersa allowing a relatively large increase with apparently little justification. Eskom said it needed...

Stand up to Cosatu.
June 29, 2009... Byline: Sydney Kaye Stand up to Cosatu The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) should be seen for what it is. It does not derive its power from its shallow ideas nor the size of its membership at about 1,5-million, a small...

Wanted: Sita leader again.
June 29, 2009... Byline: Lesley Stones Wanted: Sita leader again Morale low in state's technology services body, writes THE search is on again for a CEO for the State IT Agency (Sita), with the body that supplies technology services to all state...

We can be proud.
June 29, 2009... Byline: Don MacRobert We can be proud I started off as a very reluctant guest accepting the invitation of my son, Bruce, to attend the Bafana Bafana versus Brazil soccer match last Thursday. The reluctance has been formed over a number...

FROM THE DESK OF TREVOR WALKER.
June 29, 2009... FROM: Trevor@Walkerand.co.za AUTOMATED RESPONSE: Hi, I'm currently looking for a change of scene and am not where I normally am. Please direct any enquiries about Smith & Mostert to catherine.donovan@smithmos.gov.za. For all other subjects,...

Life slowly improving for the women of rural Flagstaff.
June 29, 2009... Byline: Luphert Chilwane Life slowly improving for the women of rural Flagstaff New microfinance office gives affordable loans to businesses run by women who previously could not get finance, writes THE rural women of Flagstaff in the...

High awareness but a notable lack of urgency to implement initiatives.
June 29, 2009... Byline: Stephen Timm High awareness but a notable lack of urgency to implement initiatives MORE than 80% of companies involved in a supply chain management survey polled by Barloworld Logistic's Supply Chain Foresight believe the issue...

Rescuing the African bull frog.
June 29, 2009... Byline: Stephen Timm Eco in Action Rescuing the African bull frog Just one of the environmental specials Woolworths incorporated in state-of-the-art distribution centre WOOLWORTH'S R500m distribution centre in Midrand is regarded as one...

Green office blocks vie for top star rating.
June 29, 2009... Byline: Stephen Timm Green office blocks vie for top star rating INVESTORS are willing to spend millions of rands to develop green office buildings costing substantially more than traditional office blocks to bring about energy and water...

Companies exposed to climate change.
June 29, 2009... Byline: Stephen Timm Danger Signs Companies exposed to climate change Risks must be assessed and preparation speeded up MOST companies are still treating sustainability as a separate issue, rather than one that should form part of their...

A good day at the office means cutting down on energy waste.
June 29, 2009... Byline: STEPHEN TIMM A good day at the office means cutting down on energy waste THE information technology sector is responsible for up to a billion tons of CO emissions a year, an amount similar to that produced by the airline...

Eco-friendly systems are not for getting kudos but must come from the heart.
June 29, 2009... Byline: Stephen Timm Eco-friendly systems are not for getting kudos but must come from the heart THIS month Pick n Pay launched its environmentally friendly green range with products in kitchen, household, bathroom and personal-care...