Business Day (South Africa) articles from November 2009

Business Day (South Africa) archives from November 2009

European tour an absolute disaster and disgrace.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Mark Keohane European tour an absolute disaster and disgrace LET's skip all the emotional claptrap, the political correctness and newfound South African way of justifying that our teams don't lose, the other teams just score more...

Tarry feels he has two excellent candidates for the July.
November 30, 2009... Byline: David Mollett Tarry feels he has two excellent candidates for the July DAVID MOLLETT Racing Editor TRAINER Sean Tarry is eyeing next year's Vodacom Durban July for both his Sansui Summer Cup hero, Aslan, and progressive four-year-old,...

Crucial CD Collection.
November 30, 2009... Byline: RICHARD HASLOP Crucial CD Collection richardh@wooedhead.co.za A CAREER-spanning NEIL YOUNG multi-disc set was in the pipeline for so long 20 years according to some that its status had been downgraded along the way from a promise, to...

Fiddling while shadows grow.
November 30, 2009... Fiddling while shadows grow Clear that Eskom cannot solve power crisis alone EVERYONE says they support private power producers. No one is actually prepared to sign any of them up. And as it becomes increasingly clear that Eskom is not capable...

Too inconsistent to be world cricket's No 1.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Gary Lemke Too inconsistent to be world cricket's No 1 IN TWO matches at the weekend we saw why SA are not ranked top in the ICC one-day international rankings and why they don't deserve that status. On Friday they completed an...

Unafraid to put his vision on the block.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Katy Chance Unafraid to put his vision on the block Rael Levitt of Alliance Group, SA's leading auction house, chats to about 'distressed' sales and auctions with ethics IN A prescient move, Rael Levitt, CEO of Alliance Group, SA's...

Hunting for other ways to protect rhinos.
November 30, 2009... Byline: MICHAEL EUSTACE Hunting for other ways to protect rhinos SA HAS done a superb job of growing rhino numbers from about 100 in 1900 to 18 000 today. In the rest of Africa, rhino populations have declined from 100 000 in 1965 to 5 000...

A perfect sense in patterns of appointment.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Anthony Butler A perfect sense in patterns of appointment PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma's pattern of appointments to senior office is curious. There is a preponderance of racial minorities in economic portfolios: Pravin Gordhan in the...

Leaders sacrifice ethics at the altar of the party.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Jabulani Sikhakhane Leaders sacrifice ethics at the altar of the party In focusing the anticorruption campaign on bureaucrats, ANC takes heat off political leaders at great cost to SA THE African National Congress (ANC) has left...

French giant squeezes small local PR firm Orange Ink.
November 30, 2009... Byline: LESLEY STONES French giant squeezes small local PR firm Orange Ink Information Technology Editor FRENCH telecoms giant Orange has issued legal threats to Johannesburg public relations firm Orange Ink, demanding that it change its name...

Banks offer to reopen talks on charter.
November 30, 2009... Byline: KARIMA BROWN Banks offer to reopen talks on charter Political Editor IN AN apparent climb-down, the Banking Association of SA (Basa) said yesterday it wanted to reopen negotiations with the government and industry players such as...

'Rich nation club' woos emerging countries.
November 30, 2009... Byline: MARIAM ISA 'Rich nation club' woos emerging countries Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development wants office in SA, four other developing economies Economics Editor A TOP global economic think-tank wants to establish a...

Authority develops retrenched miners.
November 30, 2009... Byline: LUPHERT CHILWANE Authority develops retrenched miners General Reporter PROVIDING technical skills to retrenched mineworkers would reduce illegal mining and empower them to become mining entrepreneurs, Mining Qualifications Authority...

SA set for 'slow, uneven' recovery.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Edward West SA set for 'slow, uneven' recovery Unemployment, low disposable incomes will constrain spending, writes THE motor industry will be keenly awaiting the release of this month's vehicle sales statistics on Wednesday that are...

AgriSA praises court ruling on Zimbabwe.
November 30, 2009... Byline: STEPHAN HOFSTATTER AgriSA praises court ruling on Zimbabwe Despite its support for the decision, union claims it will remain cautious Contributing Editor FARMERS' union AgriSA has welcomed a court ruling that paved the way for...

Crimes against business up 'significantly'.
November 30, 2009... Byline: CHANTELLE BENJAMIN Crimes against business up 'significantly' Robbery of commercial targets increasing faster than of households BUSINESS is being hard hit by crime, with incidents against the business sector growing much faster than...

Rural bridges the first projects as defence force hires out its skills.
November 30, 2009... Byline: WILSON JOHWA Rural bridges the first projects as defence force hires out its skills Political Correspondent THE Department of Defence has unveiled the first phase of an initiative to hire out military engineers and other skills for...

KwaZulu-Natal terminates controversial Ithala lending.
November 30, 2009... Byline: MARGIE INGGS KwaZulu-Natal terminates controversial Ithala lending Durban CONTROVERSIAL loans made to politicians, public office bearers and staff of KwaZulu-Natal's Ithala Development Finance Corporation have been cut off following...

Tshabalala-Msimang 'faces second transplant'.
November 30, 2009... Byline: JOCELYN NEWMARCH Tshabalala-Msimang 'faces second transplant' FORMER health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang had been admitted to hospital and might need a second liver transplant, newspapers reported yesterday. A panel of experts...

Old penalty comes back to haunt Telkom.
November 30, 2009... Byline: SANCHIA TEMKIN Old penalty comes back to haunt Telkom Competition authorities do have jurisdiction over parastatal Professional Services Editor TELKOM could have to pay R3,7bn in penalties for anti-competitive behaviour after the...

Promising start for business start-up index.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Sue Blaine Promising start for business start-up index Despite questions over the names on the list, it is already creating a 'buzz', writes DESPITE some teething problems, SA's newly launched index of small private companies has had...

Print advertising complaints rise.
November 30, 2009... Byline: CHANTELLE BENJAMIN Print advertising complaints rise Media Editor THE Advertising Standards Authority of SA has released research showing an increase in the number of complaints relating to print advertisements this year. Andrew...

More firms 'are cutting back on IT spending'.
November 30, 2009... Byline: CHANTELLE BENJAMIN More firms 'are cutting back on IT spending' A GROWING number of companies are cutting back on IT spending as a proportion of their overall turnover, a study has revealed, raising concern that this will affect their...

Some glow from the land of the rising sun.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Jean Temkin TECHNICAL PREVIEW Some glow from the land of the rising sun PUFFED to an unreasonable size, the Dubai bubble was bound to burst. Perhaps the biggest, and certainly lengthiest, bubble burst was the one Ben mentioned in his...

THE THICK END OF THE WEDGE.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Peter Bruce THE THICK END OF THE WEDGE THE EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK MENZI Simelane, who has been named national director of public prosecutions (NDPP) by President Jacob Zuma, is a really nice guy, friendly and quick to laugh. But that...

THE recession is over, the election year is all but over and a new mood of rejuvenation has gripped the government. It has asked in a spirit of outreach for ideas contributions on restructuring how to restructure the economy. So, with the greatest.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Tim Cohen MONDAY COMMENT A journalist's way out of our deep, deep trouble THE recession is over, the election year is all but over and a new mood of rejuvenation has gripped the government. It has asked in a spirit of outreach for...

FROM THE DESK OF TREVOR WALKER.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Trevor Walker TO: catherine.donovan@smithmos. gov.za FROM: Trevor@Walkerand.co.za SUBJECT: hint? DATE: Monday, Nov 23 So, C, can you give me an idea what my new position will be? I'm trying to find a new partner. I had someone who I...

Springboks will have to get 'more depth for World Cup'.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Zeena Isaacs Springboks will have to get 'more depth for World Cup' ZEENA ISAACS Rugby Correspondent FORMER Springbok coach Carel du Plessis believes the world champions' ability to maintain their success in the lead-up to the 2011...

First-half profits dive as Sentula fights to recover.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Bheki Mpofu First-half profits dive as Sentula fights to recover CEO says company expects improved second-half results BHEKI MPOFU Resources Editor COAL mining and services company Sentula's net profit for the first half plunged 87%...

Don't deviate from long-term strategies.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Bryan Hirsch Don't deviate from long-term strategies THE Oxford dictionary defines risk as a situation which could be dangerous or have a bad outcome. Every investor has their own interpretation and understanding of this and,...

Liberty reports profit for third quarter.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Edward West Liberty reports profit for third quarter EDWARD WEST Finance Editor LIFE assurance group Liberty Holdings said on Friday it was profitable in the third quarter and that year-to-date losses were lower than that reported in...

Backyard slaughter is less cruel.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Robert Stone Backyard slaughter is less cruel The uproar over the killing of bulls merely repeats the fuss some years ago about the backyard slaughter of goats and chickens for religious purposes. The hard reality is that the true...

Stick to sober analysis.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Simon Johnson Stick to sober analysis Robert Gentle (Remain as reporters, Letters, November 26) accuses the media of crossing the line on its reporting of climate change, and in doing so exposes his own failure to be objective on the...

A noble profession.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Peter Mehlape A noble profession Nursing is one of the truly noble professions because it is about helping people. Nurses are the heartbeat of the healthcare system in any country. It is not surprising that the South African health...

Costly misadventure.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Peter Becker Costly misadventure With reference to the letter, The truth about PBMR (November 27), a few facts about the PBMR process: In 1998, the planned date for completing the construction of the PBMR unit 1 was December 2002. In...

Pebble bed a waste.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Andrew Taynton Pebble bed a waste In his letter (Becoming accomplices, Letters, November 25), Brian Sandberg suggests that climate change be moved down in the national conversation and is surprised about the lack of government support...

Screamingly unfunny.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Paul Trewhela Screamingly unfunny I had the honour to work with Ruth First, a journalist actively opposed to the dictatorship of race, in her last year in SA. The moral seriousness of Ruth's journalism, as much as her assassination in...

No bail-out for SABC.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Lindani Mbunyuza No bail-out for SABC You carried an inaccurate and irresponsible story on the front page under the rubric, Treasury's R1,5bn lifeline for SABC hailed (November 25). In a response to questions from one of your...

SA firms feel Dubai ripple.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Thabang Mokopanele SA firms feel Dubai ripple Construction companies could suffer from debt-standstill request THABANG MOKOPANELE Property Editor MURRAY & Roberts and its partner, HMRT Joint Venture, said on Friday they were...

O-Line seeks expansion in rest of Africa.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Thabang Mokopanele O-Line seeks expansion in rest of Africa THABANG MOKOPANELE INFRASTRUCTURE, cabling structural support and galvanising company O-Line is targeting Canadian and Australian mining companies in Mozambique, Angola and...

Farmers prepare to tackle Sasol.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Siseko Njobeni Farmers prepare to tackle Sasol Violations of competition laws take centre stage at petrochemicals group's AGM SISEKO NJOBENI Energy Affairs Editor PETROCHEMICALS group Sasol was bracing itself for claims arising from...

Transnet Pipelines asks Nersa for lower increase.
November 30, 2009... Byline: SISEKO NJOBENI Transnet Pipelines asks Nersa for lower increase Energy Affairs Editor MONTHS after the National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa) rejected its application for a 74,42% tariff increase, Transnet Pipelines has gone back to...

Nifty timing in Transnet French fund raising.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Artwell Dlamini Nifty timing in Transnet French fund raising Transport parastatal is waiting for the appropriate moment to pounce on the global debt market, writes AT FIRST glance, the loan Transnet secured from the French development...

BACK TO THE FUTURE. Return of balanced mandate.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Alf James BACK TO THE FUTURE Return of balanced mandate In the past two years risks have grown and the value of balance is now appreciated, writes THE balanced mandate is back and likely to remain so throughout next year, says Errol...

New division will offer clear message of its investment strategy.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Alf James New division will offer clear message of its investment strategy THE establishment of an asset management division that will offer clients access to an integrated range of services has been announced by Grindrod Bank. The...

Why normal matters in assessing company value.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Alf James Why normal matters in assessing company value VALUING companies according to their normal earnings is an investment practice that is always relevant, irrespective of market conditions, says Delphine Govender, portfolio...

GAMING ACADEMY. Tackling the skills shortage.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Penny Haw GAMING ACADEMY Tackling the skills shortage Undertaking by Gold Reef Resorts a major step in grooming employees and industry leaders A training institute has been established by Gold Reef Resorts to improve and standardise...

IN BRIEF - Insights: Casinos, Entertainment Destinations.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Penny Haw IN BRIEF Gambling on harbour shipping is banned PROHIBITIONTHE National Gambling Board recently issued a warning to members of the public that in terms of the National Gambling Act of 2004 all ship docked in South African...

INTERNET AT ISSUE. Casinos' online gambling dilemma.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Penny Haw INTERNET AT ISSUE Casinos' online gambling dilemma Operators await developments for screen punting in SA as moves to amend legislation to make it legal are being discussed, writes WHILE in many other countries the gaming...

More black women gamble in SA than any other segment.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Penny Haw More black women gamble in SA than any other segment THE frequency of casino gambling by South African adults has fallen dramatically and in 10 years of legal gambling the market has matured, according to a recent study by...

OUTLOOK OPTIMISTIC Signs of renewed activity.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Alf James OUTLOOK OPTIMISTIC Signs of renewed activity Commercial property is starting to move, but slowly, writes A RECENT report released by the Alliance Group shows that in the third and fourth quarters of this year strong signs of...

Negative trend should be much shorter than in previous cycles.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Alf James Negative trend should be much shorter than in previous cycles COMMERCIAL property has experienced a stellar past few years, says Anton de Goede, property analyst at Coronation Fund Managers. He says after a nearly...

Row stalls move for agents' skills.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Alf James Row stalls move for agents' skills THE process of upgrading the professionalism of the estate-agency sector is experiencing some setbacks, but that should not deter the industry from take-off, says Gerda Magnus, MD of...

RESIDENTIAL REWARDS. Rental payment trends continue to improve.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Alf James RESIDENTIAL REWARDS Rental payment trends continue to improve Delinquent tenants can be an expensive problem for landlords MOST residential properties available for rent in SA appear to be supplied through private...

An excellent footprint and good service delivery.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Erica Webster An excellent footprint and good service delivery THE biggest of the medical schemes under the administration of Universal Healthcare is CompCare Wellness Medical Scheme. It was established in the early 1970s and offers...

AMBITIOUS APPROACH. New player on the block.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Erica Webster AMBITIOUS APPROACH New player on the block Universal Healthcare aims to bring a new vibrancy to the market, writes THE acquisition of Status Medical Aid Administrators and QA Care Plus by the newly formed Universal...

Renewable-energy champion would do SA power of good.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Ruth Rabinowitz Energy policy Renewable-energy champion would do SA power of good AS THE government prepares to champion the cause of developing nations at Copenhagen, what is the track record at home that can be trumpeted as an...

Debt review process under credit act 'needs restructuring'.
November 30, 2009... Byline: MICHAEL BLEBY Debt review process under credit act 'needs restructuring' Retail Industries editor CHANGES were desperately needed to make the still-new debt review process work as it should, debt counsellors and the National Credit...

Blue Financial Services says cost cuts will restore profit.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Edward West Blue Financial Services says cost cuts will restore profit EDWARD WEST PAN-African micro-financier Blue Financial Services' share price surged up to 8,2% to 79c, on Friday following the release of a trading statement...

First-half profits dive as Sentula fights to recover.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Bheki Mpofu First-half profits dive as Sentula fights to recover CEO says company expects improved second-half results BHEKI MPOFU Resources Editor COAL mining and services company Sentula's net profit for the first half plunged 87%...

SA firms feel Dubai ripple.
November 30, 2009... Byline: Thabang Mokopanele SA firms feel Dubai ripple Construction companies could suffer from debt-standstill request THABANG MOKOPANELE Property Editor MURRAY & Roberts and its partner, HMRT Joint Venture, said on Friday they were...

Expat flight gives lie to Dubai's soothing words.
November 27, 2009... Byline: Colin Anthony THE BOTTOM LINE COLUMN Expat flight gives lie to Dubai's soothing words THE economic crisis took its toll on Dubai earlier than its steely rulers might like us to believe. The economy of the emirate was built on...

Laird bids to claim Summer Cup once again.
November 27, 2009... Byline: David Mollett Laird bids to claim Summer Cup once again DAVID MOLLETT Racing Editor TRAINER Alec Laird won the Summer Cup three years ago with Malteme, and he is hoping for an action replay tomorrow with his rising star, Captain...

The Insider.
November 27, 2009... Hold him down, you Zulu warrior THE row over Zulu warriors killing a bull with their bare hands clearly has the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) all steamed up. In a statement, the party's Blessed Gwala says animal rights activists trying to stop...

A sick joke, JZ.
November 27, 2009... A sick joke, JZ Zuma's first major judicial appointment blunder PRESIDENT Zuma's decision to appoint Menzi Simelane as the next National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) is an inexcusable blunder. Simelane lacks both actual and perceived...

Film.
November 27, 2009... Byline: PHILLIP ALTBEKER Film TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON is only the second in what is bound to be a profitable franchise, but already this story of a virtuous maiden consorting platonically with monsters seems to be running out of steam. Not...

Winning the Newlands toss is the captain's biggest task.
November 27, 2009... Byline: Gary Lemke Winning the Newlands toss is the captain's biggest task Graeme Smith must know by far the most one-day internationals played at the Cape Town ground have been won by the team batting second WHOEVER says winning the toss...

No stopping SuperSport now Bartlett.
November 27, 2009... Byline: Mninawa Ntloko No stopping SuperSport now Bartlett Former SA striker says United will have league wrapped up by Christmas MNINAWA NTLOKO Sports Editor FORMER national soccer team striker Shaun Bartlett yesterday boldly predicted that...

Outdated concerns keep SA in the economic bulrushes.
November 27, 2009... Byline: Michael Power Exchange rate policy Outdated concerns keep SA in the economic bulrushes AS THE rand debate moves centre-stage, the flak of misinformation that accompanies this migration is increasing in intensity. Indeed, a veritable...

Balkans a broken reminder of road not taken.
November 27, 2009... Byline: PETER VALE Balkans a broken reminder of road not taken THE road less travelled the American poet Robert Frost's iconic metaphor has been much on my mind these past days; this, and the idea of fashion political fashion. Like...

Solidarity with nature more than just bull.
November 27, 2009... Byline: Aubrey Matshiqi Solidarity with nature more than just bull HUMANKIND is part of nature. This is what we tend to forget when we engage in acts of destruction such as the devastation of rain forests, the choking of our atmosphere with...

Even a multiculturalist must sometimes say no.
November 27, 2009... Byline: Eusebius McKaiser Even a multiculturalist must sometimes say no WHY would anyone in their right mind try to kill a bull with their bare hands? I am not Zulu enough to know the answer. I am certainly not brave enough to have a go...

BHP Billiton has $10bn for new projects.
November 27, 2009... Byline: BHEKI MPOFU BHP Billiton has $10bn for new projects Resources Editor BHP Billiton, the world's largest mining group, said yesterday that it would use its strong cash position to capitalise on the recovery in commodities to fund new...

>ranktab<ZURICH SA.
November 27, 2009... ZURICH SA 10 361 RICHEMONT 12 3554 SABVEST 6 36 ELBGROUP 6 56 SABVEST -N- 6 36 PINNACLE 6 4 OANDO 6 246 ERBACON 8 n/a ARM 6 31 ASSORE 7 -24

As for butter versus margarine, trust cows more than chemists.
November 27, 2009... Byline: Michel Pireu StreetDogs As for butter versus margarine, trust cows more than chemists FROM oyster to eagle, from swine to tiger animals are the portrayal of our virtues and vices made manifest to our eyes, reflections of our souls....

A sharp learning curve when your only client teeters.
November 27, 2009... Byline: Janet Parker A sharp learning curve when your only client teeters Emmy-nominated writer Portia Gumede is not averse to risks, but the SABC fiasco has taught her a few things, writes Doug Gordon THE SABC's financial collapse has...

OUT: President Jacob Zuma.
November 27, 2009... President Jacob Zuma. SA needs a prosecutions boss who will restore credibility and public trust to his office. Menzi Simelane may not be the worst possible choice, but he is far from the best.

IN: Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.
November 27, 2009... Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi. While some of its demands on economic policy are unrealistic, Cosatu is debating them constructively, and without the usual win-at-all-costs attitude.

OUT: British Labour MP Chris Bryant.
November 27, 2009... British Labour MP Chris Bryant. What is the point of scaremongering about SA's crime problem ahead of next year's Soccer World Cup? With friends like Bryant, who needs enemies?

Buildings in Johannesburg and Pretoria fetch excellent prices.
November 27, 2009... Byline: Madden Cole Buildings in Johannesburg and Pretoria fetch excellent prices COMMERCIAL buildings in the Johannesburg and Pretoria central business districts were the highlights at the Alliance Group property auction on Tuesday where...

Primary school sells for R1,3m.
November 27, 2009... Byline: Madden Cole Primary school sells for R1,3m LUXURY apartments, half a city block and a school were among the lots on the vendor's roll at the Aucor property auction on Tuesday. Schools seldom come up for auction and the former primary...

Bidline ends year on a high note.
November 27, 2009... Byline: Madden Cole Bidline ends year on a high note BIDLINE's last property auction for the year attracted lively bidding, and bids totalling R300m were received for the 24 lots on offer. The Global Life Office Park in Bhisho received a...

Conditions still tough, Bidvest warns.
November 27, 2009... Byline: Artwell Dlamini Conditions still tough, Bidvest warns ARTWELL DLAMINI Transport Correspondent FOUR months into the first half of its financial year ending in June next year, Bidvest yesterday warned trading conditions remain...

Simmers looks to court to stop general meeting.
November 27, 2009... Byline: Bheki Mpofu Simmers looks to court to stop general meeting BHEKI MPOFU Resources Editor SIMMER & Jack yesterday applied for an urgent interim court order to stop an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders from being...