Business Day (South Africa) articles from November 2009, page 9

Business Day (South Africa) archives from November 2009

Never overlook the wellbeing of your staff.
November 13, 2009... Byline: David Jackson Never overlook the wellbeing of your staff A focus area for the Kelly Group winner of the Fledgling category in this year's Chartered Secretaries/JSE awards is its People Value Statements, which quantify the value of the...

Small caps struggle to report sustainability.
November 13, 2009... Byline: David Jackson Small caps struggle to report sustainability Reporting by Mid Cap companies was particularly impressive among this year's competition entrants, according to a spokesperson for the panel of judges reviewing the annual...

Expert directs Anglo Plat focus.
November 13, 2009... Byline: David Jackson Expert directs Anglo Plat focus This year's award for Best Sustainable Reporting (sponsored by Sappi) went to Anglo Platinum. This was the first year that we used an expert stakeholder panel to assist us with...

Annual report awards keep business in line.
November 13, 2009... Byline: David Jackson Annual report awards keep business in line The Chartered Secretaries/JSE annual report awards for excellence in company reporting are the longest established annual report awards in southern Africa, having started in...

Clothing sector still in doldrums.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Michael Bleby Clothing sector still in doldrums Mr Price CEO foresees tough first half next year, followed by 'some sort of recovery' MICHAEL BLEBY Retail Industries Editor EVEN though people continue to spend money on fashion, no...

Moves to weaken rand may backfire.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Mariam Isa Moves to weaken rand may backfire Analysts say even if an ideal level is agreed, global trends are hard to fight, writes ATTEMPTS to weaken the rand may backfire, given the clout of global markets and the potential cost to...

Too much state meddling at Eskom already.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Colin Anthony THE BOTTOM LINE COLUMN Too much state meddling at Eskom already AMID all the hullabaloo of the Eskom power struggle (the one in the boardroom rather than the struggle to provide electricity to the country) comes a real...

Eagle Mountain to defend his Hong Kong title.
November 12, 2009... Byline: David Mollett Eagle Mountain to defend his Hong Kong title DAVID MOLLETT Racing Editor EAGLE Mountain will be flown from the UK to Hong Kong on Saturday to prepare for the defence of his title in the Cathay Pacific Cup at Sha-Tin...

Tax idea raises question of whether we need SABC at all.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Khela Shubane, RW Johnson Tax idea raises question of whether we need SABC at all The Public Service Broadcasting Bill gives the communications minister much more power over broadcasting than before, creates a range of statutory...

The Insider.
November 12, 2009... Power utility attaches great value to learning THE Insider, as transfixed as the rest of the nation by the goings-on at Eskom this week, was perusing Eskom's website as he waited patiently for a statement that had been promised by the new acting...

Proteas allay fears over their bowling.
November 12, 2009... Byline: KULANI NKUNA Proteas allay fears over their bowling AFTER a less than convincing win on Sunday, the Proteas produced a much more clinical bowling performance in the second one-day international against Zimbabwe and it came just in...

No easy solution.
November 12, 2009... No easy solution Sadc must confront Mugabe to save Zimbabwe THE attendance of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader and Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai at yesterday's cabinet meeting ended a three-week boycott of his country's...

We need parastatal boards.
November 12, 2009... We need parastatal boards Let's not create additional governance problems PERHAPS inadvertently, public enterprises committee chairwoman Vytjie Mentor has opened up a can of worms with her suggestion to abolish the boards of directors of SA's...

Jazz.
November 12, 2009... Byline: GWEN ANSELL Jazz LAST week's news that Melanie Scholtz is the 2010 Standard Bank Young Artist Award-winner for jazz probably had less impact in Gauteng than it merited. Jo'burg-centrism is a besetting sin; with jazz artists it is...

Japan's curfew 'for soccer reasons', not fear of crime.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Mninawa Ntloko Japan's curfew 'for soccer reasons', not fear of crime MNINAWA NTLOKO Sports Editor THE Japanese national team yesterday distanced itself from claims that they were so petrified of the crime in SA that their players had...

Creeping censorship a threat to the post-apartheid media.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Raymond Louw Freedom of expression Creeping censorship a threat to the post-apartheid media DESPITE claims by government spokesmen, from President Jacob Zuma down, that SA is a functioning democracy adhering to constitutional values...

Eskom hikes could lead to neglect.
November 12, 2009... Byline: KAREN HEESE AND KEVIN ALLAN Eskom hikes could lead to neglect THERE couldn't be a worse time for Eskom's leadership struggle; not only for the country as a whole, but for an increasingly unpopular local government in particular. ...

Treasury is right to be fussy about land reform.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Stephan Hofstatter Treasury is right to be fussy about land reform EVERY time director-general of land reform Thozi Gwanya gets up in Parliament these days he complains his department doesn't have enough money to meet the government's...

Overdoing our blackness will not bring redress.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Jacob Dlamini Overdoing our blackness will not bring redress What are they going to say when their children ask them one day: 'What did you do to make this a better country?' IT SEEMS like only yesterday that Wits University academic...

Armscor is latest parastatal set to axe its CEO.
November 12, 2009... Byline: WYNDHAM HARTLEY Armscor is latest parastatal set to axe its CEO Parliamentary Editor CAPE TOWN Beleaguered Armscor CEO Sipho Thomo has become the second leader of a state company to be asked to resign in the past two weeks, but he is...

Home affairs in move to lure skills to SA.
November 12, 2009... Byline: LINDA ENSOR Home affairs in move to lure skills to SA Political Correspondent CAPE TOWN The Department of Home Affairs is to undertake a comprehensive review of the permit system to make it easier for foreign investors to live and...

Car retail confidence up for second quarter.
November 12, 2009... Byline: ARTWELL DLAMINI Car retail confidence up for second quarter Rise in dealers' index for second time in a row points to a recovery in new vehicle sales, albeit at a slow pace Transport Correspondent THE confidence level in the retail...

SA slipping down the ranks internationally 'due to ANC rule'.
November 12, 2009... Byline: LINDA ENSOR SA slipping down the ranks internationally 'due to ANC rule' Political Correspondent CAPE TOWN SA had slipped down the rankings of 16 of the 20 international indices since 1994, which showed there had been a deterioration...

'Jittery' Hogan must fix Eskom mess Cosatu.
November 12, 2009... Byline: KARIMA BROWN 'Jittery' Hogan must fix Eskom mess Cosatu Union boss rejects ANC Youth League's stance as 'out of order' Political Editor CONGRESS of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) president Sdumo Dlamini yesterday called on Public...

Three arms of state bid farewell to Langa, welcome Ngcobo.
November 12, 2009... Byline: WYNDHAM HARTLEY Three arms of state bid farewell to Langa, welcome Ngcobo Parliamentary Editor CAPE TOWN The judiciary, the executive and the legislature came together in an historic joint sitting of Parliament yesterday to bid...

ANC and left allies take stock.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Karima Brown ANC and left allies take stock Alliance meets to sort out policy rivalries in Cabinet, writes WHEN the African National Congress (ANC) and its leftist allies gather tomorrow for three days of talks on how to deliver on...

Africa's growth to halve but reforms shield it from recession.
November 12, 2009... Byline: WILSON JOHWA Africa's growth to halve but reforms shield it from recession Political Correspondent AFRICA has been shielded from the worst effects of the global recession, yet its growth rate this year is projected to be 2,8%, down...

Selebi offered Sudan deal, court told.
November 12, 2009... Byline: ERNEST MABUZA Selebi offered Sudan deal, court told Security expert relates talks on providing services for police Legal Affairs Correspondent A SECURITY consultant who once worked with Clinton Nassif, the former security head of...

A town the bankers are leaving behind.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Edward West A town the bankers are leaving behind FNB may close the only bank in Wakkerstroom and residents feel betrayed, writes BANKS are often likened to the heart of an economy, pumping money and growth potential into businesses...

SA heeding Iata's call to streamline security.
November 12, 2009... Byline: JULIUS BAUMANN SA heeding Iata's call to streamline security Aviation and Tourism Editor SA IS already well on its way to implementing more efficient airport security measures, in line with the International Air Transport...

PRIVATE INVESTOR. Clicks looks like good bet in the crystal ball.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Ben Temkin PRIVATE INVESTOR Clicks looks like good bet in the crystal ball I EMPATHISE with the pain shareholders in PPC and Vodacom are suffering following the publication of their latest results. Probably, had I written on these...

Third Umpire: IN: Frans Baleni.
November 12, 2009... National Union of Mineworkers general secretary Frans Baleni, for standing up for Bobby Godsell in the face of extremely unfair playing of the race card by Julius Malema, Jimmy Manyi and others.

Third Umpire: IN: Benni McCarthy.
November 12, 2009... Bafana Bafana striker Benni McCarthy. The saviour of the universe, or at least Bafana Bafana. He does sound like he's grown up, and we hope a bit of that rubs off on the team come the World Cup.

Third Umpire. OUT. Floyd Shivambu.
November 12, 2009... Floyd Shivambu, ANC Youth League spokesman and master of the non sequitur. Asking questions about the cost (to taxpayers) of Julius Malema's security is not tantamount to wanting him dead.

TRAVEL BRIEFING.
November 12, 2009... TRAVEL BRIEFING Table Mountain exam CAPE TOWN The director of the Swiss-registered New7Wonders, Jean-Paul de la Fuente, recently visited SA for a site inspection of Table Mountain and to meet potential sponsors and stakeholders of the Table...

No shortage of candidates for this tonsil of the month award.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Zeena Isaacs No shortage of candidates for this tonsil of the month award I DON'T know who deserves the tonsil of the month award more, the wise men who decided to include an injured Chiliboy Ralepelle in the Springbok team to face...

Kings lose 15th Super Rugby franchise bid.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Zeena Isaacs Kings lose 15th Super Rugby franchise bid ZEENA ISAACS Rugby Correspondent THE governing body of Super Rugby, Sanzar, yesterday bizarrely decided to award the 15th Super Rugby franchise to Melbourne, despite admitting...

Judge rules Bennett trial to go ahead.
November 12, 2009... Byline: DUMISANI MULEYA Judge rules Bennett trial to go ahead Confessions from prosecution's star witness were extracted through torture, says the defence Harare Correspondent ZIMBABWEAN Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his party's...

Why so many differing claims on what constitutes truth?
November 12, 2009... Byline: Michel Pireu StreetDogs Why so many differing claims on what constitutes truth? PRETTY much all the honest truth telling there is in the world is done by children. Oliver Wendell Holmes Jnr. Redundancy theorists infer that truth is a...

Baby Face eyes title he says should be his.
November 12, 2009... Byline: KULANI NKUNA Baby Face eyes title he says should be his MORUTI Baby Face Mthalane is looking to turn the tide of fate and claim a title he believes was meant to be his a year ago. Mthalane takes on Mexico's Julio Pingo Cesar Miranda...

Stick to politics.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Phillimon Mnisi Stick to politics Lack of leadership, competence and political understanding from the African National Congress (ANC) will destroy the country. Politicians should stay away from the running of corporations. What does...

State should step in.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Tshepo Ntsimane State should step in I think the foreign investor bogey is overused in this country. If you look at China, the biggest companies on the Shanghai Stock Exchange are government-owned and continue to receive government...

Laws disregarded in Eskom saga.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Brian Sandberg Laws disregarded in Eskom saga I hope I am completely wrong, but I fear that the current Companies Act might have been somewhat flaunted in terms of the Eskom board upheaval. In addition, I also fear that chapter 10 of...

Comrades fell silent.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Lucas Ntyintyane Comrades fell silent They said nothing. They watched as vultures savaged their friend. It is now too late to save him. The damage has been done. All we can do is clean up the mess. Gwede Mantashe, Frans Baleni and...

Foolish suggestion.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Barry Ross Foolish suggestion Public enterprises committee chairwoman Vytjie Mentor's comment that boards could be done away with in favour of state institutions being managed by the various departments smacks of the type of remark...

Light on Eskom's dark.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Mogomotsi Mogodiri Light on Eskom's dark If the Eskom fiasco was a boxing match, one would say that, while on the ropes, CEO Jacob Maroga miraculously knocked chairman Bobby Godsell out. But this will be a crude description that does...

Media24 acquires Primedia division.
November 12, 2009... Byline: CHANTELLE BENJAMIN Media24 acquires Primedia division Media Editor MEDIA24 has bought the specialised magazine division of Primedia Publishing, which includes about 17 titles. A new division called Media24 Business Magazines would be...

Metropolitan clients weather recession.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Edward West Metropolitan clients weather recession EDWARD WEST Finance Editor INSURANCE and long-term savings clients at Metropolitan Holdings, one of SA's top four life groups, were surprisingly resilient in the nine months to...

Year ahead is unpredictable, says PPC.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Thabang Mokopanele Year ahead is unpredictable, says PPC Group expects regional demand to pick up, but more expensive fuel and electricity will affect input costs THABANG MOKOPANELE Property Editor PRETORIA Portland Cement (PPC), SA's...

Drop in inflation takes bites out of Spar revenue.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Kgomotso Mathe Drop in inflation takes bites out of Spar revenue KGOMOTSO MATHE Staff Writer DECLINING food inflation and the increased pressure on consumer spending had continued to put pressure on Spar's top line, particularly in...

Stefanutti shrugs off Chinese 'threat'.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Thabang Mokopanele Stefanutti shrugs off Chinese 'threat' THABANG MOKOPANELE Property Editor MULTIDISCIPLINARY engineering and construction group Stefanutti Stocks is forming working alliances with international companies to take...

Rise in auditor reports of irregularities.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Sanchia Temkin Rise in auditor reports of irregularities SANCHIA TEMKIN Professional Services Editor THE Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors (Irba) has received 857 reports of alleged irregularities and contraventions of...

Zain Africa not for sale if it were up to CEO.
November 12, 2009... Byline: LESLEY STONES Zain Africa not for sale if it were up to CEO Information Technology Editor CELLULAR network operator Zain's African division was not for sale, its African CEO Chris Gabriel told a conference in Cape Town yesterday,...

HINO.
November 12, 2009... HINO Hino is, of course, the commercial vehicle arm of Toyota SA and so it almost goes without saying that you can expect an extensive range and, perhaps equally importantly, nationwide service. Granted, in the construction sector many projects...

NISSAN DIESEL UD.
November 12, 2009... NISSAN DIESEL UD Nissan Diesel does not promote itself with the slogan Ultimate Dependability for nothing. Its trucks are often the most popular in their respective segments and service backup is foremost in the minds of its dealer network....

RENAULT KERAX.
November 12, 2009... RENAULT KERAX Renault Trucks has recently gone through a few major changes in SA and this has included the launch of some brand new models that are known less to us here than they are to others on the continent. One such vehicle is the Kerax,...

MERCEDES-BENZ AXOR.
November 12, 2009... MERCEDES-BENZ AXOR Mercedes-Benz dominates the commercial vehicle industry here and indeed worldwide, with good reason. It has extensive research and development facilities to ensure its trucks are up to the task at hand and it has one of the...

POWERSTAR.
November 12, 2009... POWERSTAR The Powerstar range has been with us for some time now. Many of the models are factory produced and so you can almost drive off the showroom floor in a new tipper or cement truck. Models in the range include a wide variety of 6x4...

MAN.
November 12, 2009... MAN MAN is undoubtedly one of the front runners when it comes to trucks that suit our conditions. Whether you need the hardy TGA models or even the long distance haulage capability of the TS, tailoring a vehicle to meet your needs is made...

Constructing the nation.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Mark Smyth Constructing the nation In this month's Buyers Guide, takes a look at the wide range of options to suit the construction industry WHEN it comes to choosing the right vehicle for the construction sector there often appear to...

DAF Trucks building a strong image.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Pierre Sanson DAF Trucks building a strong image takes a closer look at how DAF Trucks is ensuring satisfaction for its many customers in SA SIXTY years of DAF truck production is a track record not to be ignored when it comes to a...

INDUSTRY NEWS. Dakar a school of learning for Hino.
November 12, 2009... Byline: MOTOR NEWS REPORTER INDUSTRY NEWS Dakar a school of learning for Hino HINO Motors of Japan has been one of the most loyal and enthusiastic supporters of the gruelling Dakar Rally since its first entry in 1991. It was the first...

BUYING. Deals of the week.
November 12, 2009... Byline: MOTOR NEWS REPORTER BUYING Deals of the week WHETHER you are in the market for a business vehicle or something to take the family to visit the relatives in the holidays, Motor News has picked out a few great deals for you this week....

LAUNCH NEWS. Chinese winds of change blowing in truck market.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Roger Houghton LAUNCH NEWS Chinese winds of change blowing in truck market DFM has undergone restructuring and brought in some new models to SA, reports AFURTHER indication of the determination of the Chinese vehicle manufacturers to...

INDUSTRY NEWS. Engen puts accent on driver safety.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Roger Houghton INDUSTRY NEWS Engen puts accent on driver safety recently attended the Engen FormulaE driver safety and awards day ENGEN, as the leading supplier of fuel to SA, is aware of the need for setting and maintaining high...

INDUSTRY NEWS. WesBank pleads for partners in financing.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Roger Houghton INDUSTRY NEWS WesBank pleads for partners in financing recently attended the WesBank Focus on Excellence Awards THE executive head of sales and marketing at WesBank, Chris de Kock, has made an impassioned plea for truck...

Other winners.
November 12, 2009... Other winners MAN Truck and Bus SA best commuter bus Volvo Southern Africa best touring coach Afrit best supplier of trailers/tankers/bodies BP Southern Africa and Engen (tie) best fuel suppliers Shell SA best lubricant supplier Bridgestone SA...

LAUNCH NEWS. Leave the sheep behind.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Mark Smyth LAUNCH NEWS Leave the sheep behind Ford is continuing to evolve its range, but its new Everest will have its work cut out to topple its rivals NOT surprisingly there are a million and one puns I could use to describe the...

FORMULA 1. Is Formula 1 in crisis?
November 12, 2009... Byline: John Floyd FORMULA 1 Is Formula 1 in crisis? All is not peaceful in the world of F1, writes IN THE past week I have received several calls from people who know I have an interest in motoring and motorsport and all of them referred to...

LOCAL MOTORSPORT. Toyota dominates off-road season finale.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Roger Houghton LOCAL MOTORSPORT Toyota dominates off-road season finale The RFS Magalies 400 off-road race saw some championship deciders, writes THE person who has overseen Toyota's motorsport operation for almost 20 years, Wammy...

NEW MODELS. New era for roadster.
November 12, 2009... Byline: MOTOR NEWS REPORTER NEW MODELS New era for roadster Mazda launches the updated version of its iconic MX-5 in SA IT IS one of our favourite cars for its affordable fun, great looks and even better driving ability. Now Mazda has...

LAUNCH NEWS. Merc unleashes its gladiator.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Mark Smyth LAUNCH NEWS Merc unleashes its gladiator Mercedes-Benz has injected some performance into its new E-Class range with the E63 AMG, writes MERCEDES has had a long history of producing some serious performance models for the...

MOTOR SPARES.
November 12, 2009... MOTOR SPARES Ford plans new models for 2010 EXPANSIONFord Motor Company SA vice-president Jacques Brent has confirmed that the company is considering a number of new models for introduction in 2010. One will be the budget-friendly but stylish...

INDUSTRY COMMENT. Waiting for upswing.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Dave van Graan INDUSTRY COMMENT Waiting for upswing , management board member of MAN Truck & Bus SA, looks at the commercial vehicle market AMID signs of an improving economy, pre-empted by stronger than expected manufacturing...

FUTURE MODELS. Spyder is ready to pounce.
November 12, 2009... Byline: MOTOR NEWS REPORTER FUTURE MODELS Spyder is ready to pounce PORSCHE is introducing a new range topping version of the Boxster, which will make its world debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show in December. Weighing just 1275kg, the...

Clio certainly has suitable street cred.
November 12, 2009... Clio certainly has suitable street cred Renault's performance arm, Renault Sport, has a penchant for building decidedly sorted hot hatches such as the Megane II and Clio III RS models. While the former takes the fight to the Ford Focus ST, Golf...

ROAD TEST. Live it up the French way.
November 12, 2009... Byline: John Floyd ROAD TEST Live it up the French way found some joie de vivre in the new Renault Clio Dynamique IN THESE tough economic times just about everyone you talk to will bemoan the fact that their income is stretched to the limit...

Light Commercial Vehicle Category Awards.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Lerato Matebese Light Commercial Vehicle Category Awards Opel / Isuzu holds onto its Gold from last year for Best Local Plant Manufacturing Light Commercial Vehicles. Toyota scores 84 PP100 in second place and Nissan comes in third...

Light Commercial Vehicle Segment Awards.
November 12, 2009... Byline: Lerato Matebese Three Quarter Ton segment: For the third year in a row, the Opel Corsa Utillity steals the show in this segment with a far lower problem count than those in the rest of the segment (58 PP100). The Nissan 1400 and...

USED CAR TEST. The hardy adventurer.
November 12, 2009... Byline: DANDRE STEENKAMP USED CAR TEST The hardy adventurer YOU get vehicles that are unbreakable, and then you get really, really unbreakable vehicles. The Toyota Land Cruiser 70 station wagon is one of those rare examples of a vehicle that...

INDUSTRY NEWS. Western Star gives mobility to Eskom's transformers.
November 12, 2009... Byline: MOTOR NEWS REPORTER INDUSTRY NEWS Western Star gives mobility to Eskom's transformers THE upgrading of SA's power grid remains a national priority and the country's electricity supplier, Eskom, recently gave its heavy-duty road...

Vehicle prices. Light Commercial.
November 12, 2009... LIGHT COMMERCIAL CHANA 1.0 S/CAB R67900 1.0 CLUB CAB R73900 1.0 D/CAB R79900 1.3 S/CAB R77900 1.3 CLUB CAB R79900 1.3 D/CAB R89900 FIAT DOBLO CARGO 1.3JTD R145300 STRADA 1.2 EL R84200 STRADA 1.2 EL A/C R87900 STRADA 1.6 EL R101400 STRADA 1.7TD...

Vehicle prices. Passenger Cars.
November 12, 2009... PASSENGER CARS ALFA ROMEO 147 1.6 5-DOOR PROGRESSION R240700 147 1.9 JTD 5-DOOR PROGRESSION R282750 147 2.0 3-DOOR DISTINCTIVE R249000 147 2.0 5-DOOR DISTINCTIVE R259500 MITO 1.4T R241000 159 1.9 JTS R303500 159 2.2 JTS R347700 159 3.2 V6 Q4...

Vehicle prices. SUVs.
November 12, 2009... SUVs AUDI Q5 2.0T FSI S Tronic R463000 Q5 2.0TDI quattro manual R409500 Q5 3.2 FSI quattro S Tronic R517500 Q5 3.0 TDI quattro S Tronic R536000 Q7 3.0TDI quattro Tiptronic R616000 Q7 3.6 FSI quattro Tiptronic R607500 Q7 4.2 FSI quattro Tiptronic...