Chamber Digest Issue 3/2005 July Issue 2
As South African womenfolk celebrate the first decade of their Women's Day (09 August 2005), is it not incumbent that we should take stock and critique their political, economic and social acceleration within the ten-year period ?
Surely, some commentators will regard woman emancipation as illusion when juxtaposed against the perpetual female subjugation that prevail in rural and farm areas eleven years after the advent of democracy in South Africa.
As a matter of fact, the mainstream civil sphere reflects a resounding victory for womankind in real transformation and affirmative action programmes. Our country's effort to integrate women into the mainstream agenda, and the advocacy of women's empowerment should be attributed to no less a person than President Thabo Mbeki. South Africa is on the right track to equal the 1997 SADC Parliamentary Forum resolution to access 10% women representation in the parliamentary legislatures by 2015.
Who dares to forge; the political milestone of 23 June 2005, when Mbeki appointed Ms Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka as the historic female Deputy President of South Africa ?
Hailing the appointments of women into executive positions is self-defeating because we need every woman to benefit from political and economic development. A serious challenge is evident when you look at the majority of Black economic empowerment (BEE) equity transactions concluded during the past ten years.
Research (see Business Women's Association 2005 March Report) reveals thait we've either overlooked women, were under-represented or were given a very insignificant role in business. Since its common knowledge that women constitute a strong, dynamic force in our society, it becomes imperative that wc should encourage every woman to contribute meaningfully to the development of SA's economy.
If transformation, BEE and affirmative action principles are aimed at increasing participation and changing the racial mix of the class that owns or controls the economic resources, then South Africa should capacitate women in their multitudes. A case in point is the Trade and industry's draft Codes of Good Practice that aim to address the need for women to benefit from economic transformation by setting specific targets of enterprise ownership.
At this stage, I would argue that total liberation was never premised solely to transform patterns of ownership and the management of the economy only. There is still more that needs to be done to secure and consolidate, in order to celebrate Women's Day as a truly glorious honour, encompassing the dignity of all our women. By now we need to have women champions who lead women's empowerment programmes.
The dilemma and critical challenge facing our country are that opportunities are concentrated on a handful of wellknown, established female entrepreneurs at the expense of the heroines lying in the periphery of our metropole settings. In order to realise a holistic dcvelopment programme, this becomes a critical challenge to our various local government leaderships. Therefore, one argues strongly that a base of women entrepreneurs should be established and BEE- programmes must create a sound Black middle class.
South Africa has reached an era whereby we should be increasing the pool of women in empow erment deals through public-private-community partnerships. These interventions should be crafted with the primary motive of reducing poverty among fellow African women, as opposed to the creation of instant millionaires.
As soon as every woman becomes an active participant in the nation's empowerment agenda, and government funded institutions such as SAWID translate to every woman throughout the country, ten year celebrations of Women's Day will ensure that every woman is better positioned as a significant role player in the country's constitutional development.
Submitted by:
Nkonzwenhle Mqadi
Independent Media Practitioner
Tel: 031 3011088
Cell:0825816323 / 0733421599
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EMPOWER ALL OUR WOMEN CITY PRESS 31 JULY 2005
WHEN South African women celebrate the first decade of their Women's Day on August 9, we should take stock and critique their political, economic and social acceleration in the past 10 years.
Surely, some commentators would regard women emancipation as an illusion when viewed against the perpetual female subjugation that exists in rural areas 11 years after the advent of democracy in South Africa.
As a matter of fact, the mainstream civil sphere reflects a resounding victory for womankind in real transformation and affirmative action programmes.
Our country's efforts to integrate women into the mainstreain agenda and the advocacy of women's empowerment should be attributed to President Thabo Mbeki.
South Africa has so far surpassed the 1997 SADC parliamentary forum resolution to achieve 30% women representation in the legislature by 2005.
Who dares forget the political milestone of June 23 this year when Mbeki appointed Ms Phumzile Miambo-Ngcuka as his deputy?
But hailing the appointments of women into executive positions is self-defeating because we need every women to benefit fully from political and economic development.
A serious challenge is evident when you look at the majority of black economic empowerment (BEE) equity transactions concluded during the past 10 years reveals.
Research (see Business Women's Association March 2005 Report) reveals that women were either overlooked, under-represented or were given a very insignificant role in business.
Since it is common knowledge that women constitute a strong, dynamic force in our society, it becomes imperative that we should encourage every woman to contribute meaningfully to the development of SA's economy.
If transformation, BEE and affirmative action principles were aimed at increasing participation and changing the racial mix of the class that owns or control the economic resources, South Africa should empower women in their multitudes.
A case in point is the trade and industry draft codes of good practice that aim to address the need for women to benefit from economic transformation by setting specific targets for enterprise ownership.
At this stage, I would argue that total liberation was never premised solely to transform patterns of ownership and the management of the economy,
There is still more that needs to be done to celebrate Women's Day as a truly glorious honour encompassing the dignity of all our women.
We need to have women champions who lead women's empowerment programmes.
The dilemma and critical challenge facing our country is that opportunities were confined to a handful of well-known, established female entrepreuners at the expense of the heroines in rural areas.
South Africa should be increasing the pool of women in empowerment deals through public-private-community partnerships.
These interventions should be crafted with the primary motive of reducing poverty among African women as opposed to the creation of instant millionaires.
As soon as every woman becomes a participant in the nation's empowerment agenda, 10-year celebrations of Women's Day would ensure that every woman was better positioned as a significant role player in the country's development.
NKONZWENHLE MQADI
Durban
Friday, July 31, 2009
COULD THIS BE THE FINAL CURTAIN-CALL FOR AMANDIYA?
SUNDAY TRIBUNE, 04 August 2002
THE frank engagement and commitment displayed by members of all I races during the two-day KwaZulu-Natal African-Indian Dialogue over the weekend has finally put to rest all the uproar stemming from Mbongeni Ngema's AmoNdiya song.
The artistic capabilities of the popular anti-apartheid playwright Mhpngeni Ngema have gone beyond any historical perspective of stereotypes in race relations.
Ngema has opened up a melting pot aimed at unqualified reconciliation among races.
The message of Ngema is that our government must not hide its 'head in the sand when, almost a decade after democracy social and economic disparities keep widening.
The song (makes people) question whether the blood shed to defeat the crime against humanity was necessary
With credible participants such as King Goodwill Zwelithini endorsing the sentiments expressed in the song, who can accuse Ngema of fanning interracial fires?
The colonial masters had a grand scheme of setting races against each other, but the song transcends that.
Academics of the high calibre such as Prof Hebert Vilakazi and Dr Saths Cooper articulated that the legacy of the successive oppressive white regimes created a state of mistrust, prejudice and unwarranted hate among racial groupings in this country.
Impediment
While one may not approve of the lyrics of the song, they do not constitute hate speech and an incitement to harm. After this constructive engagement by Idasa. Indians' fears have diminished.
Surely, there's a thin line between freedom of expression and hate speech. In a heterogenous country like ours, does not Ngema exercise calls for various communities to be bilingual?
Was the lack of understanding of the Zulu poetic language not an impediment in analysing the song in our rainbow nation?
Eminent religious leaders such as Bishop Rubin Phillip, Advocate Ash win Trikamjee and prominent business people Mr Vivian Reddy Mr Zenzele Mhlungu and Mr Don Mkhwanazi agree that both Indian and African people need interventions aimed at addressing and improving economic inequalities among themselves.
Having defeated apartheid collectively, business people argue for the formation of partnerships between these groupings. People spend most of their time at their workplaces. These centres must be used to foster and improve relations.
The renowned political analyst Protas Madlala has called upon government to facilitate nation-building initiatives, in terms of creating trading centres that are African-Indian
inclusive.
NKONZO MQADI
Durban
THE frank engagement and commitment displayed by members of all I races during the two-day KwaZulu-Natal African-Indian Dialogue over the weekend has finally put to rest all the uproar stemming from Mbongeni Ngema's AmoNdiya song.
The artistic capabilities of the popular anti-apartheid playwright Mhpngeni Ngema have gone beyond any historical perspective of stereotypes in race relations.
Ngema has opened up a melting pot aimed at unqualified reconciliation among races.
The message of Ngema is that our government must not hide its 'head in the sand when, almost a decade after democracy social and economic disparities keep widening.
The song (makes people) question whether the blood shed to defeat the crime against humanity was necessary
With credible participants such as King Goodwill Zwelithini endorsing the sentiments expressed in the song, who can accuse Ngema of fanning interracial fires?
The colonial masters had a grand scheme of setting races against each other, but the song transcends that.
Academics of the high calibre such as Prof Hebert Vilakazi and Dr Saths Cooper articulated that the legacy of the successive oppressive white regimes created a state of mistrust, prejudice and unwarranted hate among racial groupings in this country.
Impediment
While one may not approve of the lyrics of the song, they do not constitute hate speech and an incitement to harm. After this constructive engagement by Idasa. Indians' fears have diminished.
Surely, there's a thin line between freedom of expression and hate speech. In a heterogenous country like ours, does not Ngema exercise calls for various communities to be bilingual?
Was the lack of understanding of the Zulu poetic language not an impediment in analysing the song in our rainbow nation?
Eminent religious leaders such as Bishop Rubin Phillip, Advocate Ash win Trikamjee and prominent business people Mr Vivian Reddy Mr Zenzele Mhlungu and Mr Don Mkhwanazi agree that both Indian and African people need interventions aimed at addressing and improving economic inequalities among themselves.
Having defeated apartheid collectively, business people argue for the formation of partnerships between these groupings. People spend most of their time at their workplaces. These centres must be used to foster and improve relations.
The renowned political analyst Protas Madlala has called upon government to facilitate nation-building initiatives, in terms of creating trading centres that are African-Indian
inclusive.
NKONZO MQADI
Durban
BUPPIES' DUES OVERDUE
ANALYSIS The Citizen Tuesday, 04 April 2006
ByNKONZWENHlEMQADI
WILL the black business or middle class grow, and have a positive effect on the growth and transformation of the national economy? Is the black business or middle class aligned to the country's transformation mandate?
These are the most frequently asked questions, and the groundswell of disillusionment is brewing among the African masses, as people make this concern our national discourse.
The South African emerging black or middle class and its social responsiveness has left the wider civil society questioning whether or not the black elite's new-found purchasing power is really fuelling a broader consumer boom.
Some observers argue these nouveau-riche or elites, located in the most affluent surburbs, lack the class consciousness to create sustainable investment and empower their communities.
Eminent scholars such as Kwa-Zulu-Natal Premier Sbusiso Ndebele go out of their way to challenge and address the social conscience of the province's more affluent citizens.
"Where are the black business and intelligentsia located in the South African economy, and are they contributing to the much-vaunted S% economic growth and the development of our own communities?", has become Ndebele's daily mantra.
This new phenomenon whereby more and more upwardly mobile black people are getting richer while the majority of their compatriots get left behind is considered as one of the outstanding characteristics of the political, social and economic transformation of the post-1994 era.
And this begs the central question: how do we use this new black economic power to fast-track the gap between the so-called first and second economies.
Figures from a South African Advertising & Research Foundation survey released last year provided a clear picture of the strong growth in the number of blacks in the top LSM (Living Standard Measure) indicating that black people were taking huge strides into the higher categories, wealth-wise.
However, Empowerdex CEO Vuyo Jack criticises the new black buying power because, he argues, it is being spent on consumerism rather than investments.
People are doing what they were previously unable to do -such as going on holidays or buying a nice brand-new car.
"Without a focus on investments the massive spending boom may not be sustainable.
"The real middle class are those with income enabling them to build assets, and this income should also be used to support their extended families," according to Jack.
On the other hand, world-renowned Nigerian-born writer Chika Onyeani has warned the South African black middle class that once they do go into the business arena they should take cognisance of the insidious "spider web" of economic dependence.
Onyeani sounds a warning about the dangers of economic dependency, that could simply perpetuate the formerly one-sided power relations between haves and have-nots, a decade after the advent of democracy
Onyeani sees our BEE (Black Economic Empowerment) deals as a good policy that gives Africans first-hand insight into how multinationals listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange operate.
However, he urges the black middle class to encourage the growth of a manufacturing class -either by providing access to reasonably-priced money or by buying goods and services that have been produced by their own people.
Merrill Lynch economist Nazmeera Moola concurs. He states that "generally, there has been an increase in purchasing power, mostly in the sales of consumer goods, financial services, motor cars and tourism".
Moola, though, adds that it is difficult to pinpoint what does constitute the "black middle class".
Interestingly, an ideological debate about the black middle class in the global economy is proving quite contentious.
Strong arguments are that surely it was a good thing that the aspirant black business or middle class had come out of the so-called second economy and have overcome the hardships that the majority of African people are still confronted with.
A pertinent question is whether this so-called class of elites is socially responsible - whether they will empower their close relatives and friends still trapped in the second economy.
What measures have they put in place, working in partnership with the three tiers of governance, to help their communities gain access to basic services?
And is the black business or middle class able to reconcile the huge disparities so prevalent among South African communities' living standards?
Former Black Management Forum MD Jerry Vilakazi argues that it is high time for the black business or middle class to forget about investing in golf estates
found in the affluent suburbs. They need to start investing back into their communities - those still residing in the townships and rural areas, as he warned during the BMF conference last year.
Our black business or middle class faces a critical, fundamental challenge. It is their responsibility, their social imperative, to reverse capital flow back into the townships and rural areas.
Grassroots communities have been asking whether the black middle class is using its position and influence to advance the transformation objectives of our democracy.
Seen within the context of revisionist sociology, or in the Marxist idiom, the South African black business or middle class lacks the class consciousness and characteristics to become a fully-fledged class in itself.
The pragmatic understanding of the black business or middle class needs to be built on more than just generating income and immediate profit. It should, instead, start building wealth via as-, set classes such as property, manufacturing and securities.
Our black business or middle class has a social duty, the masses argue, to help inculcate entrepreneurial skills to the huge numbers of our unemployed school graduates. And they should also be able to inculcate middle class status to the younger generation.
Simply put, through people development and education programmes our emerging black business or middle class occupying strategic positions should form, shape and influence government policies towards the total economic liberation of the African people. •
This assumes a black middle class exists. Surprisingly, renowned black businessman Stanlib chairman Saki Macozoma denies the existence of this class: stating the social category we call the black middle class in South Africa is a conceptual construct rather than an objective reallty.
"A black bourgeoisie in South Africa", according to Macozoma, "is pure fiction".
□ Mqadi is a Durban-based writer
ByNKONZWENHlEMQADI
WILL the black business or middle class grow, and have a positive effect on the growth and transformation of the national economy? Is the black business or middle class aligned to the country's transformation mandate?
These are the most frequently asked questions, and the groundswell of disillusionment is brewing among the African masses, as people make this concern our national discourse.
The South African emerging black or middle class and its social responsiveness has left the wider civil society questioning whether or not the black elite's new-found purchasing power is really fuelling a broader consumer boom.
Some observers argue these nouveau-riche or elites, located in the most affluent surburbs, lack the class consciousness to create sustainable investment and empower their communities.
Eminent scholars such as Kwa-Zulu-Natal Premier Sbusiso Ndebele go out of their way to challenge and address the social conscience of the province's more affluent citizens.
"Where are the black business and intelligentsia located in the South African economy, and are they contributing to the much-vaunted S% economic growth and the development of our own communities?", has become Ndebele's daily mantra.
This new phenomenon whereby more and more upwardly mobile black people are getting richer while the majority of their compatriots get left behind is considered as one of the outstanding characteristics of the political, social and economic transformation of the post-1994 era.
And this begs the central question: how do we use this new black economic power to fast-track the gap between the so-called first and second economies.
Figures from a South African Advertising & Research Foundation survey released last year provided a clear picture of the strong growth in the number of blacks in the top LSM (Living Standard Measure) indicating that black people were taking huge strides into the higher categories, wealth-wise.
However, Empowerdex CEO Vuyo Jack criticises the new black buying power because, he argues, it is being spent on consumerism rather than investments.
People are doing what they were previously unable to do -such as going on holidays or buying a nice brand-new car.
"Without a focus on investments the massive spending boom may not be sustainable.
"The real middle class are those with income enabling them to build assets, and this income should also be used to support their extended families," according to Jack.
On the other hand, world-renowned Nigerian-born writer Chika Onyeani has warned the South African black middle class that once they do go into the business arena they should take cognisance of the insidious "spider web" of economic dependence.
Onyeani sounds a warning about the dangers of economic dependency, that could simply perpetuate the formerly one-sided power relations between haves and have-nots, a decade after the advent of democracy
Onyeani sees our BEE (Black Economic Empowerment) deals as a good policy that gives Africans first-hand insight into how multinationals listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange operate.
However, he urges the black middle class to encourage the growth of a manufacturing class -either by providing access to reasonably-priced money or by buying goods and services that have been produced by their own people.
Merrill Lynch economist Nazmeera Moola concurs. He states that "generally, there has been an increase in purchasing power, mostly in the sales of consumer goods, financial services, motor cars and tourism".
Moola, though, adds that it is difficult to pinpoint what does constitute the "black middle class".
Interestingly, an ideological debate about the black middle class in the global economy is proving quite contentious.
Strong arguments are that surely it was a good thing that the aspirant black business or middle class had come out of the so-called second economy and have overcome the hardships that the majority of African people are still confronted with.
A pertinent question is whether this so-called class of elites is socially responsible - whether they will empower their close relatives and friends still trapped in the second economy.
What measures have they put in place, working in partnership with the three tiers of governance, to help their communities gain access to basic services?
And is the black business or middle class able to reconcile the huge disparities so prevalent among South African communities' living standards?
Former Black Management Forum MD Jerry Vilakazi argues that it is high time for the black business or middle class to forget about investing in golf estates
found in the affluent suburbs. They need to start investing back into their communities - those still residing in the townships and rural areas, as he warned during the BMF conference last year.
Our black business or middle class faces a critical, fundamental challenge. It is their responsibility, their social imperative, to reverse capital flow back into the townships and rural areas.
Grassroots communities have been asking whether the black middle class is using its position and influence to advance the transformation objectives of our democracy.
Seen within the context of revisionist sociology, or in the Marxist idiom, the South African black business or middle class lacks the class consciousness and characteristics to become a fully-fledged class in itself.
The pragmatic understanding of the black business or middle class needs to be built on more than just generating income and immediate profit. It should, instead, start building wealth via as-, set classes such as property, manufacturing and securities.
Our black business or middle class has a social duty, the masses argue, to help inculcate entrepreneurial skills to the huge numbers of our unemployed school graduates. And they should also be able to inculcate middle class status to the younger generation.
Simply put, through people development and education programmes our emerging black business or middle class occupying strategic positions should form, shape and influence government policies towards the total economic liberation of the African people. •
This assumes a black middle class exists. Surprisingly, renowned black businessman Stanlib chairman Saki Macozoma denies the existence of this class: stating the social category we call the black middle class in South Africa is a conceptual construct rather than an objective reallty.
"A black bourgeoisie in South Africa", according to Macozoma, "is pure fiction".
□ Mqadi is a Durban-based writer
BUSINESS PLEDGE SIGNED BY DURBAN WOMEN
The City of Durban launched a Women Empowerment Programme to raise the profile of women in business to highlight the needs and challenges faced by members of the "fairer sex" in their business operations, said eThekwini Municipality Mayor in Durban today.
This undertaking was contained in the message of support from Mayor Obed Mlaba that was read during the two-day 'eThekwini Women in Business' conference held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.
"I implore all the participants to explore all avenues that will fast-track and enhance the opportunities of more and more women to run sound and profitable business enterprises.
We are fully cognisant of the important role women were playing in the SMMEs within the city's bustling economy, hence, we support their growth and sustainability.
We are confident this Women in Business symposium will serve as an excellent platform to profile women in business, create opportunities, provide information on business support, networking, finance and sharing of experiences to aspire and celebrate women success" said Mlaba.
He also called upon eThekwini women to use their business acumen and skills to contribute to the 'Durban Host City' status for the succesful hosting of the FIFA 2010 World Cup soccer finals.
eThekwini Municipality's Head of Business Support and Markets Unit Phillip Sithole said their cluster was fully supportive of women empowerment and gender equity programmes. He also committed, himself, to make every effort to ensure women participation in economic developmental initiatives was achieved within the city of Durban and throughout the municipality.
"This year we're taking the Women in Business programme into another level as we've formed partnership with the corporate sector, and have been joined by ABSA, Productivity SA, SAIBL and Deloite.
In hosting the Women in Business conference on the eve of the Women's Month (August), we aim to celebrate, recognise and empower the heroines who are making it in business despite the challenges posed by the global economic meltdown.
Qhamani Makhosikazi, we honour you, therefore, we inspire you to succeed in your enterprises as we, eThekwini Municipality, celebrate the success of women" noted Sithole.
A Declaration by eThekwini Women in Business was unveiled, and it reads;
"I hereby declare, as a Woman in Business, that I would succeed in all my business ventures and create for myself and others using my experience and skills to reach out to my fellow sisters and aid them to evolve into their true potential through mutual respect, kindness and understanding.
I hereby pledge to continously apply the Spirit of Ubuntu in business".
This undertaking was contained in the message of support from Mayor Obed Mlaba that was read during the two-day 'eThekwini Women in Business' conference held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.
"I implore all the participants to explore all avenues that will fast-track and enhance the opportunities of more and more women to run sound and profitable business enterprises.
We are fully cognisant of the important role women were playing in the SMMEs within the city's bustling economy, hence, we support their growth and sustainability.
We are confident this Women in Business symposium will serve as an excellent platform to profile women in business, create opportunities, provide information on business support, networking, finance and sharing of experiences to aspire and celebrate women success" said Mlaba.
He also called upon eThekwini women to use their business acumen and skills to contribute to the 'Durban Host City' status for the succesful hosting of the FIFA 2010 World Cup soccer finals.
eThekwini Municipality's Head of Business Support and Markets Unit Phillip Sithole said their cluster was fully supportive of women empowerment and gender equity programmes. He also committed, himself, to make every effort to ensure women participation in economic developmental initiatives was achieved within the city of Durban and throughout the municipality.
"This year we're taking the Women in Business programme into another level as we've formed partnership with the corporate sector, and have been joined by ABSA, Productivity SA, SAIBL and Deloite.
In hosting the Women in Business conference on the eve of the Women's Month (August), we aim to celebrate, recognise and empower the heroines who are making it in business despite the challenges posed by the global economic meltdown.
Qhamani Makhosikazi, we honour you, therefore, we inspire you to succeed in your enterprises as we, eThekwini Municipality, celebrate the success of women" noted Sithole.
A Declaration by eThekwini Women in Business was unveiled, and it reads;
"I hereby declare, as a Woman in Business, that I would succeed in all my business ventures and create for myself and others using my experience and skills to reach out to my fellow sisters and aid them to evolve into their true potential through mutual respect, kindness and understanding.
I hereby pledge to continously apply the Spirit of Ubuntu in business".
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
DURBAN-DUBAI DAILY FLIGHTS
Emirates Airlines Senior Vice-President Nigel Page has conceeded that the Dubai-based flight airline giant could not wait any longer than capitalising to the ample business opportunities that were offered by the Durban's existing status as the busiest port in Africa.
He inimated that they had signed a Memorandum of Understanding to flight direct to the La Mercy (King Shaka0 International Airport when it opens early in 2010 but after a careful analysis and re-evaluation of business opportunities, they had 'for a competitive edge' decided to have their 278-seater Airbus flying to Durban International Airport at the beginning of October 2009.
These sentiments were echoed in Durban when the historic direct major international air route agreement was announced at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on Monday (27 July 2009).
The launch of the daily flights between Dubai and Durban was a cherry on top to the pledge that was made by the former KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sibusiso Ndebele during the 2007 Tourism Indaba that, he said, 'our intended launch in due course of the direct flights with Emirates Airlines will serve as a major boast to KZN's economic development and tourism industry as we make our province the Africa's premier tourist destination and gateway to the international world'.
The Durban-Dubai direct international carrier daily operations deal was signed by the incumbent KZN Premier Zweli Mkhize and the Emirates Airways Senior Vice-President Nigel Page, with the Tourism KZN CEO Ndabo Khoza being a co-signatory.
"The signing of the Durban-Dubai daily flights agreement is a major landmark for our region as the Kingdom of the Zulu will now have our own gateway to international destinations.
With the opening of King Shaka (La Mercy) International Airport early next year, this international direct route will position our province as Africa's leading tourism destination and will make inbound and outbound international travel easier and cost-effective' said Khoza.
Premier Mkhize noted the significance of the KZN launch during the current global economic meltdown.
"In the face of the economic downturn, we want to maximise and enhance Durban's position as a trading hub.
With this daily service to Dubai we are capitalising on the KZN's attractiveness to the world as official figures have indicated an annual 20% growth.
Emirates Airlines have direct flights to Angola three times a week, and the Durban-Dubai direct flights on a daily basis is both historic and significant as it sets a positive outlook for Durban, KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa at large.
We're very excited over this partnership with the globally-renowned 'sought after' tourism attractive Dubai" observed Mkhize.
Meanwhile, a week ago had seen Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk releasing the 2008 official visitor figures which had showed that KZN still tops in South Africa's domestic tourism.
"Despite the tough economic condition, the tourism industry has remained relatively bouyant.
And KwaZulu-Natal is one of the major beneficiaries of domestic tourism and remains the top domestic destination in our country" said van Schalkwyk.
He inimated that they had signed a Memorandum of Understanding to flight direct to the La Mercy (King Shaka0 International Airport when it opens early in 2010 but after a careful analysis and re-evaluation of business opportunities, they had 'for a competitive edge' decided to have their 278-seater Airbus flying to Durban International Airport at the beginning of October 2009.
These sentiments were echoed in Durban when the historic direct major international air route agreement was announced at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on Monday (27 July 2009).
The launch of the daily flights between Dubai and Durban was a cherry on top to the pledge that was made by the former KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sibusiso Ndebele during the 2007 Tourism Indaba that, he said, 'our intended launch in due course of the direct flights with Emirates Airlines will serve as a major boast to KZN's economic development and tourism industry as we make our province the Africa's premier tourist destination and gateway to the international world'.
The Durban-Dubai direct international carrier daily operations deal was signed by the incumbent KZN Premier Zweli Mkhize and the Emirates Airways Senior Vice-President Nigel Page, with the Tourism KZN CEO Ndabo Khoza being a co-signatory.
"The signing of the Durban-Dubai daily flights agreement is a major landmark for our region as the Kingdom of the Zulu will now have our own gateway to international destinations.
With the opening of King Shaka (La Mercy) International Airport early next year, this international direct route will position our province as Africa's leading tourism destination and will make inbound and outbound international travel easier and cost-effective' said Khoza.
Premier Mkhize noted the significance of the KZN launch during the current global economic meltdown.
"In the face of the economic downturn, we want to maximise and enhance Durban's position as a trading hub.
With this daily service to Dubai we are capitalising on the KZN's attractiveness to the world as official figures have indicated an annual 20% growth.
Emirates Airlines have direct flights to Angola three times a week, and the Durban-Dubai direct flights on a daily basis is both historic and significant as it sets a positive outlook for Durban, KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa at large.
We're very excited over this partnership with the globally-renowned 'sought after' tourism attractive Dubai" observed Mkhize.
Meanwhile, a week ago had seen Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk releasing the 2008 official visitor figures which had showed that KZN still tops in South Africa's domestic tourism.
"Despite the tough economic condition, the tourism industry has remained relatively bouyant.
And KwaZulu-Natal is one of the major beneficiaries of domestic tourism and remains the top domestic destination in our country" said van Schalkwyk.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
VAVI & ZILLE SING ON SAME HYMN BOOK
They may seem as strange bed-fellows but both the Cosatu Secretary-General and the Democratic Alliance leader have come out in unison to strongly condemn the extravagant, exorbitant and irresponsible spending on new-flashy motor vehicles by the newly-elected South African government ministers of late.
Zwelinzima Vavi has described the rule in the Minister's Handbook which allows ministers to purchase cars up to 70% of their annual salaries as "immoral and wrong".
On the same vein, Helen Zille has pledged unstinting and overwhelming support to the open letter written by the DA's Member of Parliament Anchen Dreger and addressed to the Director-General in the Presidency Vusi Mavimbela whereby he's demanding that certain anmendments were made to the minister's handbook.
"We can not, in the midst of the current economic crisis, allow theduly-elected public representatives to spend government resources harphazardly.
The DA is proposing a wide range of cost-cutting measures for the executive, including doing away with free trips on the luxurious Blue Train, removing the right to the state-sponsored domestic work and also calls for the reasonable state-car allowance to a meagre R660 000,00" says Zille.
Speaking in Cape Town over the weekend, Zille, stressed that economic times were tough and called members of the executive, like everyone else, should tighten their belts and demonstrate some frugality.
And the SA's umbrella labour federation boss could not hide their displeasure at what the government ministers were seen to be doing at the time when ordinary workers, in particular, the textile manufacuring sector was shedding thousands of employment employment opportunities and the almost the entire local government tier was brought at a standstill this week as employees demand a 15% pay rise.
"Cosatu won't be able to convince workers that the Cde JZ administration was still new in governance when they see expensive cars worth millions being bought by the ministers, while their own grievances remainunattended" noted Vavi.
A Sunday major newspaper has reported what can be construe as condonation of minister's spending when it commended Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan for being modest on the two official cars he has been allowed to purchase.
The Sunday Times reported that Gordhan's Lexus GS 300 SE for Gauteng and Audi A6 for Cape Town cost a combined R 1191 612,66.
The newspaper said this figure 'was less than half of the extravagant R2,4 million Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda spent on his two BMW's, plus the close to R150 000 worth of extras.
However, genteel murmurs have emerged from the broader liberation movement activists who argue that as a senior Tripartite Alliance leader Vavi should have utilised the 'local, internal remedies' and voiced his serious reservations at branch level ratheer thaan rush to the media networks with the likes of opposition politics.
Zwelinzima Vavi has described the rule in the Minister's Handbook which allows ministers to purchase cars up to 70% of their annual salaries as "immoral and wrong".
On the same vein, Helen Zille has pledged unstinting and overwhelming support to the open letter written by the DA's Member of Parliament Anchen Dreger and addressed to the Director-General in the Presidency Vusi Mavimbela whereby he's demanding that certain anmendments were made to the minister's handbook.
"We can not, in the midst of the current economic crisis, allow theduly-elected public representatives to spend government resources harphazardly.
The DA is proposing a wide range of cost-cutting measures for the executive, including doing away with free trips on the luxurious Blue Train, removing the right to the state-sponsored domestic work and also calls for the reasonable state-car allowance to a meagre R660 000,00" says Zille.
Speaking in Cape Town over the weekend, Zille, stressed that economic times were tough and called members of the executive, like everyone else, should tighten their belts and demonstrate some frugality.
And the SA's umbrella labour federation boss could not hide their displeasure at what the government ministers were seen to be doing at the time when ordinary workers, in particular, the textile manufacuring sector was shedding thousands of employment employment opportunities and the almost the entire local government tier was brought at a standstill this week as employees demand a 15% pay rise.
"Cosatu won't be able to convince workers that the Cde JZ administration was still new in governance when they see expensive cars worth millions being bought by the ministers, while their own grievances remainunattended" noted Vavi.
A Sunday major newspaper has reported what can be construe as condonation of minister's spending when it commended Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan for being modest on the two official cars he has been allowed to purchase.
The Sunday Times reported that Gordhan's Lexus GS 300 SE for Gauteng and Audi A6 for Cape Town cost a combined R 1191 612,66.
The newspaper said this figure 'was less than half of the extravagant R2,4 million Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda spent on his two BMW's, plus the close to R150 000 worth of extras.
However, genteel murmurs have emerged from the broader liberation movement activists who argue that as a senior Tripartite Alliance leader Vavi should have utilised the 'local, internal remedies' and voiced his serious reservations at branch level ratheer thaan rush to the media networks with the likes of opposition politics.
Friday, July 24, 2009
WIDEN ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION:NZIMANDE
Higher Education Minister Bonginkosi 'Blade' Nzimande has reiterated his agenda to establish free education for the poorest of the poor and also implored South African citizens that the peoples' centred government carries a moral duty to support the youth's need to succeed in their chosen academic careers.
Nzimande delivered the seminal paper on 'education transformation' at Wits Business School on Thursday (July 23, 2009) whereby he called for the higher education institutions' need to be inclusive of a broader range of South Africans.
"Education transformation is .... about advancing a developmental agenda to benefit the overwhelming majority of our citizens.
The reality in South Africa, added Nzimande, was that most people were poor and black, and did not have access to adequate schooling.
And this democratic government .... cannot be expected to pander to the class and racial prejudices of the priviledged, whether they are white or members of the black elite.
"What is wrong when we propose ideas that provide free education up to an undergraduate level,why does this provoke some 'irrational fear' to some sections of the South African population?
Does this mean that the government would allegedly 'drop standards by swampling the universities with the poor and the unwashed? " questioned Nzimande.
The attainment of free undergraduate education for all poor youth will no doubt be a process, he assured the audience, and will not be implemented without due consultation engagement will all our stakeholders.
'Widening access to higher education was as important as ensuring students wer succesful in their studies.
This peoples' centred govrnmnt must ensure that we provide them with the support that they need to succeed as long as they are prepared to put in the necessary effort" concluded Nzimande.
Meanwhile, the newly-appointed and the first Black Rector ever at the Univesity of Free State Professor Jonathan Jansen graviates at witnessing the prospect of forging national unity thast was exhibited by students across colour on his first week as the Vice Chancellor there.
"On my first week at UFS and evrything I heard about the place would scare the epidermis of a black man stranded at night in the midst of this campus.
However, what I saw at the Huis Abraham Fischer (Residence) was something completely unexpected .... a group of white boys and black boys singing together in Afrikaans some of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard.
They were clearly good friends, a team enjoying each other's company, hernce, am calling South African youth to start embracing each other and begin to sing from a new hymn book" observed Jansen.
The Univrsity of Free State was recently in the news for all the bad publicity aftr some white students (rascals) were captured on video urinating in food and beer which they had forced on the varsity maids to eat and drink, whereon the maids had vomited over this concotion.
Nzimande delivered the seminal paper on 'education transformation' at Wits Business School on Thursday (July 23, 2009) whereby he called for the higher education institutions' need to be inclusive of a broader range of South Africans.
"Education transformation is .... about advancing a developmental agenda to benefit the overwhelming majority of our citizens.
We have to find alternative means to bring young people with potential into the higher education system. My suggestion that we review matric' endorsement as the only entry point into university entry was miscontrued in various sectors as aimed in decimating academic standards, and this is far wide from the truth.
Surely to some, opening opportunities to the previously underpriviledged youth may appear that 'barbarians are at the gate, clamouring to get in and destroy their gentle lifestyle and their high standards', and if that is what they think, then it is too bad" cautions Nzimande.The reality in South Africa, added Nzimande, was that most people were poor and black, and did not have access to adequate schooling.
And this democratic government .... cannot be expected to pander to the class and racial prejudices of the priviledged, whether they are white or members of the black elite.
"What is wrong when we propose ideas that provide free education up to an undergraduate level,why does this provoke some 'irrational fear' to some sections of the South African population?
Does this mean that the government would allegedly 'drop standards by swampling the universities with the poor and the unwashed? " questioned Nzimande.
The attainment of free undergraduate education for all poor youth will no doubt be a process, he assured the audience, and will not be implemented without due consultation engagement will all our stakeholders.
'Widening access to higher education was as important as ensuring students wer succesful in their studies.
This peoples' centred govrnmnt must ensure that we provide them with the support that they need to succeed as long as they are prepared to put in the necessary effort" concluded Nzimande.
Meanwhile, the newly-appointed and the first Black Rector ever at the Univesity of Free State Professor Jonathan Jansen graviates at witnessing the prospect of forging national unity thast was exhibited by students across colour on his first week as the Vice Chancellor there.
"On my first week at UFS and evrything I heard about the place would scare the epidermis of a black man stranded at night in the midst of this campus.
However, what I saw at the Huis Abraham Fischer (Residence) was something completely unexpected .... a group of white boys and black boys singing together in Afrikaans some of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard.
They were clearly good friends, a team enjoying each other's company, hernce, am calling South African youth to start embracing each other and begin to sing from a new hymn book" observed Jansen.
The Univrsity of Free State was recently in the news for all the bad publicity aftr some white students (rascals) were captured on video urinating in food and beer which they had forced on the varsity maids to eat and drink, whereon the maids had vomited over this concotion.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
TITO MBOWENI FAILED US:DECRY ECONOMISTS
Replacing Reserve Bank Governor Tito Mboweni with the ABSA Chairwoman Gill Marcus has been hailed by various sectors in South Africa, with the most notably delight coming from his former university mate in exile.
The renowned Durban-based businessman,who a Professor of Economics and a Bachelor of Laws graduate Bonke Dumisa has come out smoking and dismissed Mboweni's 10-year tenure in the central bank as dissappointing because 'Mboweni had failed to transform it in line with the democratic government's constitutional agenda.
"Tito Mboweni had become 'too high' for his own good. Mboweni was a politician-turned-bureaucrat who enjoys the status of being perceived as a 'different black'. Mboweni did not enjoy seeing other blacks climbing the hierarchial ladder in their chosen fields.
In most countries, the Reserve Bank is used by young graduates as a training ground and stepping stone to other jobs in both the private sector and the public sector, but Mboweni could hear none of that" observes Dumisa
While the largest umbrella labour federation COSATU had described Mboweni's aloofness to review the inflation targeting policy after persistent calls, Dumisa have traced Mboweni's pompousness back to their college days at Roma University during the worst days of apartheid in South Africa.
Cosatu spokesperson Patrick Craven had called Mboweni's firing last Sunday by the country's President Jacob Zuma as "good riddance as he was inimical to the country's high unemployment rate, inequalities and interest rates that were having an adverse effect to the working class".
However the serious indictment of him, adds Dumisa, is that after having conceived, drafted and gave political direction to the present day legislation, especially in the labour field, as the first democratically-elected Minister of Finance, Mboweni has failed the previously disadvantaged p
eople.
"We expected Mboweni to be in the forefront of championing the identification, growing, nurturing, and deployment of many future economists and banking executives to make sure our economy and the banking industry are in good hands.
Throughout South Africa, no single economist or bank executive can proudly proclaim that 'today I am a success story because of the motivation and mentoring of Tito Mboweni' " asserts Dumisa.
Apparently, both Mboweni and Dumisa had spent several years during the apartheid era studying at the National University of Lesotho, affectionaely known as 'Roma University' in the 1970's.
Dumisa highlighted that Mboweni was,then, regaling himself as a hardcore communists that eloquently qouted 'Lenin and the dialectical materialism theories', and according to Dumisa, he had dismissed him as an'elementary capitalist simply because he was studying a pure bachelor of commerce'.
Dumisa sums up his seminal critique of Mboweni's leadership as South Africa's central banker over a decade by noting that'Tito Mboweni did not fail, in fact, he was not interested in championing any meaningful transformation at the Reserve Bank'.
Even the Political Science Masters graduate in African political economy Bongani Ngqulunga, now working in the Presidency,Union Buildings, Pretoria, was timid to comment on Mboweni's change of fortunes.
The erstwhile University of Durban-Westville SRC Secretary when Mboweni was appointed as the Reserve Bank Governor, Ngqulunga was instrumental in organising the 'TITO MBOWENI CELEBRATORY BANQUET AS RSA RESERVE BANK GOVERNOR' at the Durban's International Convention Centre.
However, these days he conceeded that the replacement of Mboweni can be construed as a 'project gone wrong'.
The renowned Durban-based businessman,who a Professor of Economics and a Bachelor of Laws graduate Bonke Dumisa has come out smoking and dismissed Mboweni's 10-year tenure in the central bank as dissappointing because 'Mboweni had failed to transform it in line with the democratic government's constitutional agenda.
"Tito Mboweni had become 'too high' for his own good. Mboweni was a politician-turned-bureaucrat who enjoys the status of being perceived as a 'different black'. Mboweni did not enjoy seeing other blacks climbing the hierarchial ladder in their chosen fields.
In most countries, the Reserve Bank is used by young graduates as a training ground and stepping stone to other jobs in both the private sector and the public sector, but Mboweni could hear none of that" observes Dumisa
While the largest umbrella labour federation COSATU had described Mboweni's aloofness to review the inflation targeting policy after persistent calls, Dumisa have traced Mboweni's pompousness back to their college days at Roma University during the worst days of apartheid in South Africa.
Cosatu spokesperson Patrick Craven had called Mboweni's firing last Sunday by the country's President Jacob Zuma as "good riddance as he was inimical to the country's high unemployment rate, inequalities and interest rates that were having an adverse effect to the working class".
However the serious indictment of him, adds Dumisa, is that after having conceived, drafted and gave political direction to the present day legislation, especially in the labour field, as the first democratically-elected Minister of Finance, Mboweni has failed the previously disadvantaged p
eople.
"We expected Mboweni to be in the forefront of championing the identification, growing, nurturing, and deployment of many future economists and banking executives to make sure our economy and the banking industry are in good hands.
Throughout South Africa, no single economist or bank executive can proudly proclaim that 'today I am a success story because of the motivation and mentoring of Tito Mboweni' " asserts Dumisa.
Apparently, both Mboweni and Dumisa had spent several years during the apartheid era studying at the National University of Lesotho, affectionaely known as 'Roma University' in the 1970's.
Dumisa highlighted that Mboweni was,then, regaling himself as a hardcore communists that eloquently qouted 'Lenin and the dialectical materialism theories', and according to Dumisa, he had dismissed him as an'elementary capitalist simply because he was studying a pure bachelor of commerce'.
Dumisa sums up his seminal critique of Mboweni's leadership as South Africa's central banker over a decade by noting that'Tito Mboweni did not fail, in fact, he was not interested in championing any meaningful transformation at the Reserve Bank'.
Even the Political Science Masters graduate in African political economy Bongani Ngqulunga, now working in the Presidency,Union Buildings, Pretoria, was timid to comment on Mboweni's change of fortunes.
The erstwhile University of Durban-Westville SRC Secretary when Mboweni was appointed as the Reserve Bank Governor, Ngqulunga was instrumental in organising the 'TITO MBOWENI CELEBRATORY BANQUET AS RSA RESERVE BANK GOVERNOR' at the Durban's International Convention Centre.
However, these days he conceeded that the replacement of Mboweni can be construed as a 'project gone wrong'.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
RESERVE BANK GOVERNOR FIRED!
South Africa's Reserve Bank Governor Tito Mboweni was on Sunday19, July 2009 fired (replaced) from his position by the country's President Jacob Zuma.
His employment contract was due for renewal on or before 7 August 2009 but Mboweni's resistance to attend from several civil society institutions to review inflation targeting policies seems to have put pressure to him holding as the central bank head for another five years.
President Zuma, personally, announced the shake-up and looked no further to fill the position as ANC heavyweight Gill Marcus was appointed immediately, though she is expected to assume duties on 9 November 2009.
The reception of Marcus' appointment was positive, judging from the responses canvassed and received from the business sector and the financial markets.
Business Unity South Africa CEO Jerry Vilakazi commended the decision to appoint Jill Marcus as the Reserve Bank Governor-designate by pointing out that she (Marcus) already possesvaluable inside information about the operations within the central bank after having served some time there as a Deputy Governor after the second national democratic elections.
"Ms Marcus is bringing along vast expertise into the Reserve Bank as a former deputy governor, also her leadership traits exhibited in the corporate sector as the chairperson of ABSA speak volumes about her appointment" said Vilakazi.
And the Chief Economist from Brait Investment Group Colen Garrow expressed full support for the appointment of Gill Marcus.
"She's highly respected in the marketplace. Gill Marcus oversaw the foreign exchange regulations and she is quite a good aministrator" noted Garrow.
Expressing a vote of thanks to President Zuma after her appointment in Pretoria Marcus was very cautious in divulging her immediate tasks regarding the inflation targeting policies and the repo rates.
"It is too early to pronounce on the Reserve Bank's inflation targeting policy. For now it's really to thank everybody for the enormous confidence shown in me and I intend to consult widely with all structures to chart the way forward" said Marcus.
Even the outgoing Reserve Bank Governor Tito Mboweni praised the appointment of Ms Marcus and he described her leadership qualities in glowing terms.
His employment contract was due for renewal on or before 7 August 2009 but Mboweni's resistance to attend from several civil society institutions to review inflation targeting policies seems to have put pressure to him holding as the central bank head for another five years.
President Zuma, personally, announced the shake-up and looked no further to fill the position as ANC heavyweight Gill Marcus was appointed immediately, though she is expected to assume duties on 9 November 2009.
The reception of Marcus' appointment was positive, judging from the responses canvassed and received from the business sector and the financial markets.
Business Unity South Africa CEO Jerry Vilakazi commended the decision to appoint Jill Marcus as the Reserve Bank Governor-designate by pointing out that she (Marcus) already possesvaluable inside information about the operations within the central bank after having served some time there as a Deputy Governor after the second national democratic elections.
"Ms Marcus is bringing along vast expertise into the Reserve Bank as a former deputy governor, also her leadership traits exhibited in the corporate sector as the chairperson of ABSA speak volumes about her appointment" said Vilakazi.
And the Chief Economist from Brait Investment Group Colen Garrow expressed full support for the appointment of Gill Marcus.
"She's highly respected in the marketplace. Gill Marcus oversaw the foreign exchange regulations and she is quite a good aministrator" noted Garrow.
Expressing a vote of thanks to President Zuma after her appointment in Pretoria Marcus was very cautious in divulging her immediate tasks regarding the inflation targeting policies and the repo rates.
"It is too early to pronounce on the Reserve Bank's inflation targeting policy. For now it's really to thank everybody for the enormous confidence shown in me and I intend to consult widely with all structures to chart the way forward" said Marcus.
Even the outgoing Reserve Bank Governor Tito Mboweni praised the appointment of Ms Marcus and he described her leadership qualities in glowing terms.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
AFRICA & THE ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY CHALLENGES?
Africa's ninenty (90) million citizens should be seen as a potential hub for global trade rather than as a region placed on the periphery of world trade. The creation of a viable market in the sub-Saharan Africa would automatically solve the problem of distance from the mainstream global players located in the First World countries, South Africa's Finance Minister said in Johannesburg this week.
Speaking during the World Bank's 2009 Development Report presentation titled 'ReShaping Economic Geography' , Pravin Gordhan identified the fragmentation of the state borders that was imposed by the imperialist powers in the 1814 Berlin Concert as the primary cause of Africa's underdevelopment.
"This fragmentation by colonial powers remains an obstacle to regional and international trade and global economic integration and it was proving a constraint on the continent's economic growth.
Africans, and particulary South Africans, should not always cite the apartheid regime past as an excuse for our lack of decisiveness, our lack of leadership, and our lack of ability to come to terms with global economic challenges that face us" observed Gordhan.
He advised that the attention of the African leadership should be focused on how to turn the continent's population not into a 'masterless multitude' but into an "effective demand' for goods and services throughout the globe.
Heading the World Bank team was its Chief Economist Justin Yifu Lin, who implore delegates that Africa must use and turn the global economic recession into an opportunity for huge investment in much needed infrastructure development.
"The global economic crisis stresses the need for Africa to move from economic fragmentation towards integration and benefit from the global markets.
For the continent to leverage itself out of recession, there must be a sound regional economic integration as the benefits from the global markets might simply be unattainable for some countries because they cannot compete on a global scale themselves" said Lin.
The 2009 World Bank's Development Report focuses on regional integration and cited East Asia's urban population that was expected to grow over 450 million people over the next two decades and the impact it was making through its concentration on production.
What is the impact of economic geography on people's lives and the role of mobility and integration to promote economic growth, was the thematic line posed by the World Bank's Development Report.
Delegates participating in the seminar were reminded that to maximise its competitive advantage and give it a greater scale on global markets, South Africa needs to formulate policies that aim at increasing connectivity by importing transport infrastructure, information technology and skills transfer and development.
Meanwhile in a separate development, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Finance Inna Cronje has cajoled the Ugu District Municipality businesspeople to work in partnership with her government to tackle the economic challenges imposed by the global recession.
"We are not immune to the global economic downturn which eroded employment, investments and corporate profits across the world. The devastating effects of the present downturn has meant considerable belt-tightening as we face the economic realities and both businesses and households must now do things differently.
The provincial government is committed to support economic growth and job creation through its infrastructure development programme, labour-intensive employment, educational programmes and skills development intervention" said Cronje.
She added that the KZN government will emphasize on clean audit reports, elimination of fraud and corruption and sustain a transparent supply-chain management practises.
Speaking during the World Bank's 2009 Development Report presentation titled 'ReShaping Economic Geography' , Pravin Gordhan identified the fragmentation of the state borders that was imposed by the imperialist powers in the 1814 Berlin Concert as the primary cause of Africa's underdevelopment.
"This fragmentation by colonial powers remains an obstacle to regional and international trade and global economic integration and it was proving a constraint on the continent's economic growth.
Africans, and particulary South Africans, should not always cite the apartheid regime past as an excuse for our lack of decisiveness, our lack of leadership, and our lack of ability to come to terms with global economic challenges that face us" observed Gordhan.
He advised that the attention of the African leadership should be focused on how to turn the continent's population not into a 'masterless multitude' but into an "effective demand' for goods and services throughout the globe.
Heading the World Bank team was its Chief Economist Justin Yifu Lin, who implore delegates that Africa must use and turn the global economic recession into an opportunity for huge investment in much needed infrastructure development.
"The global economic crisis stresses the need for Africa to move from economic fragmentation towards integration and benefit from the global markets.
For the continent to leverage itself out of recession, there must be a sound regional economic integration as the benefits from the global markets might simply be unattainable for some countries because they cannot compete on a global scale themselves" said Lin.
The 2009 World Bank's Development Report focuses on regional integration and cited East Asia's urban population that was expected to grow over 450 million people over the next two decades and the impact it was making through its concentration on production.
What is the impact of economic geography on people's lives and the role of mobility and integration to promote economic growth, was the thematic line posed by the World Bank's Development Report.
Delegates participating in the seminar were reminded that to maximise its competitive advantage and give it a greater scale on global markets, South Africa needs to formulate policies that aim at increasing connectivity by importing transport infrastructure, information technology and skills transfer and development.
Meanwhile in a separate development, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Finance Inna Cronje has cajoled the Ugu District Municipality businesspeople to work in partnership with her government to tackle the economic challenges imposed by the global recession.
"We are not immune to the global economic downturn which eroded employment, investments and corporate profits across the world. The devastating effects of the present downturn has meant considerable belt-tightening as we face the economic realities and both businesses and households must now do things differently.
The provincial government is committed to support economic growth and job creation through its infrastructure development programme, labour-intensive employment, educational programmes and skills development intervention" said Cronje.
She added that the KZN government will emphasize on clean audit reports, elimination of fraud and corruption and sustain a transparent supply-chain management practises.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
HOW DO WE ERADICATE POVERTY & CREATE OUR OWN FINANCIERS?
Nobel Peace Winner Mohammad Yunis, who's also a Bangladesh Banker and Economist has implored South African citizens to go an extra mile to create a better life as nothing 'was impossible when you put your mind, energy and time to realise it'.
Yunis echoed these sentiments when he delivered the seventh Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture in Johannesburg over the weekend.
As a response to the current global economic crisis, Yunis proposed the start of a "Social Business" agenda, which will be responsive to the needs and the upliftment of the poor masses.
"We need to start a business oin the basis of selflessness. We propose a second type of business alongside the existing one, we need to create a "social Business".
This is the business whose primary agenda is to address and solve social problems, not to make money for its investors" proposed Yunis.
He cited the political, social and economic battles he and fellow countrymenhad to endure when they were liberated in 19970's and the severe drought that his newly-independent country had suffered.
There is only one concept of business in the whole world, he says, and the sole purpose of business is to make money.
However, Yunis hasten to caution that the customary business theory is not lateral as its interpretation of the human being saw people being treated as one-dimensional.
Yunis alluded that after taking stock of the difficulties he and his fellow countrymen were made to endure in their new-found liberation, they had decided to take the bull by its horns and established a people's 'Grameen Bank'.
He conceeded that to date this financial institution seem to have escaped or have not suffered the dire financial straits imposed by the global recession.
He cajoled participants to learn about how the operations of developmental financial institutions in this country can take leaf from the Grameen Bank, and also questioned the bottlenecks that made it difficult if not impossible for small, medium and micro enterprises to survive in South Africa.
"The real question to ask is whether conventional banks, themselves, have the political will to understand what are it means to be credit worthy as they always complain about the poor people not worth enough to qualify for credit.
Let us look up to the Grameen Bank whose finances are locally-based and its source of money was local.
We're not connected with international banks, and their crisis could not reach us yet. The banks collapsing were based on rigid paperwork, such as guarantees, collateral and legal instruments between lender and borrower to back up the legal system of lending" warned Yunis.
Accordingly, he said, this could be attributed to greed of the capitalist system and the prevailing global political economy.
"Capitalism and the marketplace that has grown up aroundf the present business theory make no room for the selfless dimension of the people.
If the problems springing from the global financial crisis were overcome, the world would still be left with some fundamental questions about the effectiveness of capitalism in tracking many other unresolved issues" concluded Yunis.
Yunis paper was delivered some weeks after the South African Deputy Minister of Finance Nhlanhla Nene had also noted the drop in both corporate and household savings during his Budget vote speech.
He noted that SA's aggregate savings had been on a declining trend.
"S.A's savings performance remains dissappointing. The country's gross savings rate as a proportion of gross domestic product had risen to 17.1% in the first quarter of 2009, up from an average of 15.4% in 2008.
Therefore, after listening to both the S.A' s Deputy Minister of Finance and the Bangladesh banker and economist, the pertinent question to pose is how do the captains of industry and the political leadership restore our economic confidence?
Yunis echoed these sentiments when he delivered the seventh Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture in Johannesburg over the weekend.
As a response to the current global economic crisis, Yunis proposed the start of a "Social Business" agenda, which will be responsive to the needs and the upliftment of the poor masses.
"We need to start a business oin the basis of selflessness. We propose a second type of business alongside the existing one, we need to create a "social Business".
This is the business whose primary agenda is to address and solve social problems, not to make money for its investors" proposed Yunis.
He cited the political, social and economic battles he and fellow countrymenhad to endure when they were liberated in 19970's and the severe drought that his newly-independent country had suffered.
There is only one concept of business in the whole world, he says, and the sole purpose of business is to make money.
However, Yunis hasten to caution that the customary business theory is not lateral as its interpretation of the human being saw people being treated as one-dimensional.
Yunis alluded that after taking stock of the difficulties he and his fellow countrymen were made to endure in their new-found liberation, they had decided to take the bull by its horns and established a people's 'Grameen Bank'.
He conceeded that to date this financial institution seem to have escaped or have not suffered the dire financial straits imposed by the global recession.
He cajoled participants to learn about how the operations of developmental financial institutions in this country can take leaf from the Grameen Bank, and also questioned the bottlenecks that made it difficult if not impossible for small, medium and micro enterprises to survive in South Africa.
"The real question to ask is whether conventional banks, themselves, have the political will to understand what are it means to be credit worthy as they always complain about the poor people not worth enough to qualify for credit.
Let us look up to the Grameen Bank whose finances are locally-based and its source of money was local.
We're not connected with international banks, and their crisis could not reach us yet. The banks collapsing were based on rigid paperwork, such as guarantees, collateral and legal instruments between lender and borrower to back up the legal system of lending" warned Yunis.
Accordingly, he said, this could be attributed to greed of the capitalist system and the prevailing global political economy.
"Capitalism and the marketplace that has grown up aroundf the present business theory make no room for the selfless dimension of the people.
If the problems springing from the global financial crisis were overcome, the world would still be left with some fundamental questions about the effectiveness of capitalism in tracking many other unresolved issues" concluded Yunis.
Yunis paper was delivered some weeks after the South African Deputy Minister of Finance Nhlanhla Nene had also noted the drop in both corporate and household savings during his Budget vote speech.
He noted that SA's aggregate savings had been on a declining trend.
"S.A's savings performance remains dissappointing. The country's gross savings rate as a proportion of gross domestic product had risen to 17.1% in the first quarter of 2009, up from an average of 15.4% in 2008.
Therefore, after listening to both the S.A' s Deputy Minister of Finance and the Bangladesh banker and economist, the pertinent question to pose is how do the captains of industry and the political leadership restore our economic confidence?
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
SMME TO TURN AROUND SA's ECONOMIC GROWTH:ZUNGU
Despite the current global economic recession, small and medium enterprises development was pivotal to the new South African government employment plans and it remains central to the country's search for an economic growth trajectory.
These sentiments were echoed by the prominent member of the World Economic Forum, Sandile Zungu, as he outlined his (personal) inputs and insights of what the SME's should be treated under the new South African administration led by President Jacob Zuma.
Zungu,who is also the Chairperson of the multi-diversfied Zungu Investments Company was giving a keynote address during the eThekwini Municipality Business Support and Markets Unit's SMME Breakfast at the Durban International Convention Centre on Wednesday.
"The SMME's are the engine of the South African economic future and it will always come second best in the globalised economic environment.
SMME account for 35% of the country's GDP, and it employs 3.8 million of which 34% of it is located within the informal sector" outlines Zungu
He decried the government of being unsupportive to SMME's in terms of procurement practices, regulations and taxation laws.
"South African regulations are not geared to support SMME's as it requires too much paperwork and most of the small, meduim and emerging enterpreneurs do not have a clue about financial administrative issues.
Why are SMME's made to pay so much tax, was the DTI, Planning Commission or the Department of Economic Development playing the ball to promote the sustainability of the SMME's, he asked.
However, Zungu noted that the new ANC-led administration had promised to make structural changes and, he urged participants, that public commitment was required since the government was even or had made the broad-based Black economic empowerment codes and guidelines simplified.
"Going forward, every SMME must consider the implications of the global financial crisis from the sub-prime crisis to debt crisis.
Globalisation and the myth of decoupling can be seen in the practical example in the automobile sector whereby it was reported that Barclays Bank had declined to bail-out its longterm business partner Dodge because it could not guarantee repayments timeously.
Local banks have begun to emulate international practise, as SMME's that do not have enough money in the bank to put collateral, were already feeling the pinch" said Zungu.
As the economy continues to decline the small, meduim and emerging entepreneur is the most affected but, added Zungu, these challenges create opportunities for real enterpreneurs such as Richard Bronson, the CEO of Virgin Airlines, who had started his business while with other passengers were stranded in Colombia.
"All the agents of the state and big business must come into the party to support SMME development because this sector (SMME) stands to grow beyond a 70% threshold of the country's GDP within the next ten years" mooted Zungu.
Even the Chief Executive Officer of SEDA eThekwini Protas Madlala concurred fully with bottlenecks and red tape experienced by the SMME's and accussed what he termed 'gatekeepers' whose interests are 'what is there for me in SMME development'.
"Capital flight can be seen daily among the township women that have organised themselves into co-operative societies and make school uniforms, yet, they do not get to supply local schools within their local areas or immediate municipalities.
Instead at the beginning of every year we find school principals that cajoles parents to buy the school uniforms from a certain established shops in the city centre.
How do we address this stereotyping of our own small and emerging enterpreneurs by the 'what is in for me' mentality by oour very own leadership? Was this playing any role in the promotion of Black economic empowerment? " asked Madlala
These sentiments were echoed by the prominent member of the World Economic Forum, Sandile Zungu, as he outlined his (personal) inputs and insights of what the SME's should be treated under the new South African administration led by President Jacob Zuma.
Zungu,who is also the Chairperson of the multi-diversfied Zungu Investments Company was giving a keynote address during the eThekwini Municipality Business Support and Markets Unit's SMME Breakfast at the Durban International Convention Centre on Wednesday.
"The SMME's are the engine of the South African economic future and it will always come second best in the globalised economic environment.
SMME account for 35% of the country's GDP, and it employs 3.8 million of which 34% of it is located within the informal sector" outlines Zungu
He decried the government of being unsupportive to SMME's in terms of procurement practices, regulations and taxation laws.
"South African regulations are not geared to support SMME's as it requires too much paperwork and most of the small, meduim and emerging enterpreneurs do not have a clue about financial administrative issues.
Why are SMME's made to pay so much tax, was the DTI, Planning Commission or the Department of Economic Development playing the ball to promote the sustainability of the SMME's, he asked.
However, Zungu noted that the new ANC-led administration had promised to make structural changes and, he urged participants, that public commitment was required since the government was even or had made the broad-based Black economic empowerment codes and guidelines simplified.
"Going forward, every SMME must consider the implications of the global financial crisis from the sub-prime crisis to debt crisis.
Globalisation and the myth of decoupling can be seen in the practical example in the automobile sector whereby it was reported that Barclays Bank had declined to bail-out its longterm business partner Dodge because it could not guarantee repayments timeously.
Local banks have begun to emulate international practise, as SMME's that do not have enough money in the bank to put collateral, were already feeling the pinch" said Zungu.
As the economy continues to decline the small, meduim and emerging entepreneur is the most affected but, added Zungu, these challenges create opportunities for real enterpreneurs such as Richard Bronson, the CEO of Virgin Airlines, who had started his business while with other passengers were stranded in Colombia.
"All the agents of the state and big business must come into the party to support SMME development because this sector (SMME) stands to grow beyond a 70% threshold of the country's GDP within the next ten years" mooted Zungu.
Even the Chief Executive Officer of SEDA eThekwini Protas Madlala concurred fully with bottlenecks and red tape experienced by the SMME's and accussed what he termed 'gatekeepers' whose interests are 'what is there for me in SMME development'.
"Capital flight can be seen daily among the township women that have organised themselves into co-operative societies and make school uniforms, yet, they do not get to supply local schools within their local areas or immediate municipalities.
Instead at the beginning of every year we find school principals that cajoles parents to buy the school uniforms from a certain established shops in the city centre.
How do we address this stereotyping of our own small and emerging enterpreneurs by the 'what is in for me' mentality by oour very own leadership? Was this playing any role in the promotion of Black economic empowerment? " asked Madlala
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA ENGAGES THE RSA JUDICIARY PRACTITIONERS
"Transformation of the justice system was not just about race and gender,but 'more' about making justice accessible to all" President Jacob Zuma told the 2nd Judicial Conference of South African Judges in Pretoria on Monday.
Justice, Zuma stressed an emphasis, should be of a high standard and must be attained 'justice seen to be done' without undue delay.
"There was a need to recognise the South African law, and we should work owards creating courts which are no longer instruments for the select few (elites) ut our courts must be representatine of the rights of all the masses of our people" observed Zuma
The appointment of the new judges must be biased to those committed to the new democratic order.
Even the Republic of South Africa's Constitutional Court Chief Justice Pius Nkonzo Langa seemed to be on the same wavelength with the country's president.
Langa urged his judges to ponder themselves about the 'essence of being a judge in such a diverse society like South Africa'.
Fellow South Africans,what is your take over the President's view onthe role of the judiciary in a transforming society?
Are we doing enough to speedily transform all the levers of power in our Rainbow Nation?
However, the President of the Supreme Court of Appeal, Judge Lex Mpati,has set the cat among pigeons regarding the transparent process that was used in appointing judges in South Africa at present.
Mpati was making his presentation about the independence of the judiciary on Tuesday.
"The only criticism that I have or rather that I have come across is that although the process of interviewing candidates for judicial appointments is open to the public and the media, the Judicial Services Commission deliberations on whether a particular candidate is suitable or not are held behind closed doors" noted Mpati.
The central and/or pertinent question to ask, posed Mpati, was how entirely transparent is the process of appointing judges in South Africa.
Further, Mpati cited the reservations held by the late Constitutional Court Chief Justice Ismail Mohamed in the late 1990's.
"The culture of judicial independence must be sustained with a process of appointment to the bench which is fair, transparent and reasonable, and in which judicial input is substantial and manifest" Mohamed had observed.
And the RSA President had noted that transformation of the judiciary must ensure improved access to justice as it addresses the issues of language,procedures and proceses, as well as other issues that may alienate the poor masses from the justice system.
"Envisaged in the constitution is a rationalised court system and the Superior Court's Bill aims to craete a single judiciary.
The Superior Court's Bill seeks to address, among others, the rationalisation of the composition, areas of jurisdiction and structures of the superior courts, which are still largely constituted in accordance with the Superior Court's Act of 1959" explained Zuma.
He further noted that even the promulgation of the South African Judicial Education Institute Act provides for the establishment of an institute to train both aspirant and serving judges and magistrates to improve the quality of the outputs of the courts.
'The training of aspirant judicial officers will go a long way to establish a wide pool of black and women practitioners from which more judges and magistrates may be appointed" concluded Zuma.
Meanwhile, there's been a call made by the judiciary to administer their own budget.
Chief Justice Langa has proposed that the judiciary should be empowered to administer courts and also regulate its own funds.
Commentators have argued that this proposal runs counter to the Superior Court's Bill which proposes that the administration of the courts remain the preserve of the Department of Justice.
Langa has also implored judges to be cognisant of the case management rules, current rules of practise and procedures to ensure that these factored to promote rather than obstruct people's access to courts.
Langa also concurred with the President of South Africa's sentiments regarding the independence of the judiciary.
"Judges will continue to adjudicate matters fearlessly, we wil not bow to any pressure regardless of the source as we will be guided by conscience and the rule of law. We are only accountable to the Constitution and judges are committed work, transform the system for the benefit of all the South African communities" noted Langa.
Justice, Zuma stressed an emphasis, should be of a high standard and must be attained 'justice seen to be done' without undue delay.
"There was a need to recognise the South African law, and we should work owards creating courts which are no longer instruments for the select few (elites) ut our courts must be representatine of the rights of all the masses of our people" observed Zuma
The appointment of the new judges must be biased to those committed to the new democratic order.
Even the Republic of South Africa's Constitutional Court Chief Justice Pius Nkonzo Langa seemed to be on the same wavelength with the country's president.
Langa urged his judges to ponder themselves about the 'essence of being a judge in such a diverse society like South Africa'.
Fellow South Africans,what is your take over the President's view onthe role of the judiciary in a transforming society?
Are we doing enough to speedily transform all the levers of power in our Rainbow Nation?
However, the President of the Supreme Court of Appeal, Judge Lex Mpati,has set the cat among pigeons regarding the transparent process that was used in appointing judges in South Africa at present.
Mpati was making his presentation about the independence of the judiciary on Tuesday.
"The only criticism that I have or rather that I have come across is that although the process of interviewing candidates for judicial appointments is open to the public and the media, the Judicial Services Commission deliberations on whether a particular candidate is suitable or not are held behind closed doors" noted Mpati.
The central and/or pertinent question to ask, posed Mpati, was how entirely transparent is the process of appointing judges in South Africa.
Further, Mpati cited the reservations held by the late Constitutional Court Chief Justice Ismail Mohamed in the late 1990's.
"The culture of judicial independence must be sustained with a process of appointment to the bench which is fair, transparent and reasonable, and in which judicial input is substantial and manifest" Mohamed had observed.
And the RSA President had noted that transformation of the judiciary must ensure improved access to justice as it addresses the issues of language,procedures and proceses, as well as other issues that may alienate the poor masses from the justice system.
"Envisaged in the constitution is a rationalised court system and the Superior Court's Bill aims to craete a single judiciary.
The Superior Court's Bill seeks to address, among others, the rationalisation of the composition, areas of jurisdiction and structures of the superior courts, which are still largely constituted in accordance with the Superior Court's Act of 1959" explained Zuma.
He further noted that even the promulgation of the South African Judicial Education Institute Act provides for the establishment of an institute to train both aspirant and serving judges and magistrates to improve the quality of the outputs of the courts.
'The training of aspirant judicial officers will go a long way to establish a wide pool of black and women practitioners from which more judges and magistrates may be appointed" concluded Zuma.
Meanwhile, there's been a call made by the judiciary to administer their own budget.
Chief Justice Langa has proposed that the judiciary should be empowered to administer courts and also regulate its own funds.
Commentators have argued that this proposal runs counter to the Superior Court's Bill which proposes that the administration of the courts remain the preserve of the Department of Justice.
Langa has also implored judges to be cognisant of the case management rules, current rules of practise and procedures to ensure that these factored to promote rather than obstruct people's access to courts.
Langa also concurred with the President of South Africa's sentiments regarding the independence of the judiciary.
"Judges will continue to adjudicate matters fearlessly, we wil not bow to any pressure regardless of the source as we will be guided by conscience and the rule of law. We are only accountable to the Constitution and judges are committed work, transform the system for the benefit of all the South African communities" noted Langa.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
NIGERIA CROWNED AFRICAN BEACH SOCCER CHAMPS
The Super Eagles were crowned the African Beach Soccer champions during the 2009 FIFA African Beach soccer qualifiers that were staged in Durban.
The final score was a convincing marghin of - as the Nigerians ran riot all over the Ivorians.
The third and fourth runners-up game had witnessed the Terranga Lions thumping the Egyptian team by 6-4 margin.
However, the beauty of beach soccer will see both finalists representing the continent during the FIFA World Cup finals to be played between 16-22 November 2009 in the Dubai beachfront holiday resort.
The final score was a convincing marghin of - as the Nigerians ran riot all over the Ivorians.
The third and fourth runners-up game had witnessed the Terranga Lions thumping the Egyptian team by 6-4 margin.
However, the beauty of beach soccer will see both finalists representing the continent during the FIFA World Cup finals to be played between 16-22 November 2009 in the Dubai beachfront holiday resort.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
FIFA FIREWORKS AS AFRICANS FIGHT FOR DUBAI FINALS
The 2009 FIFA World Cup Beach Soccer Qualifiers currently played in Durban's beachfront has witnessed the best ever games played since the new sporting code was introduced in the continent, says the Durban-based leading beach socer admininistrator.
The games that were played on Saturday to produce two teams that will participate in the final on Sunday, whereby both finalists qaulify for a return flight ticket paid by FIFA, to the 2009 World Cup Beach Soccer finals to be staged in Dubai between 16-22 November 2009 far surpassed all the preliminary games played so far.
The first game had seen Morrocco playing Mozambique from the midday kick off, and the spirit exhibited by both teams was clear proof that the journey to the Dubai finals would be made by players of sterner stuff.
However, at the end of the first semi's the final score saw Morrocco humilliating Mozambique with a wide margin of 9-3 defeat.
The second game saw Cote D'Ivoire playing against Egypt to produce a team for the finals on Sunday.
The tempo displayed during this game was out of this world as a total of sixteen goals were scored.
Cote D'Ivoire emerged victorious during the penalty shoot out by winning with a narrow 4-3.
The final semi final game pitted two African powerhouses that had both represented the continent in last year's FIFA World Cup Beach soccer finals held at Marseille, France in 2008.
The first half had seen Senegal leading Nigeria by 3-0 score until going to interval at 4-1 score.
To the uninitiated, beach soccer is played at three halfs of fifteen minutes to make the full game finish at forty-five minutes.
During the second half neither teammanaged to score, and fireworks were left for the last fifteen minutes.
Nigeria had managed to equalised to make the score 4-4 within the first five minutes played in the last half.
And true to the game's billing as a 'Do or Die' for the Dubai return airfare ticket, both teams exhibited the best beach soccer seen in Africa since the FIFA World Cup Beach soccer Qualifiers were introduced in Africa.
The Nigerian Super Eagles managed to score seven goals to defeat the Terrenga Lions with a narrow 7-6 scoreline, and qualifed to play Cote D'Ivoire in the finals on Sunday.
Both teams (Cote D'Ivoire and Nigeria) have booked themselves return flight tickets in the 2009 FIFA World Cup Beach Soccer finals as they have qualifed to represent the continent in the showpiece to be staged in Dubai later this year.
eThekwini Municipality Special Projects Officer Lunga Lamola told this writer that the game played between Nigeria vs Senegal and 'its fireworks was the best beach socccer game played since Durban started hosting the beach soccer games four years ago'.
The Special Projects Unit are the municipality structure entrusted with the task of overseeing the formation of the first-ever professional beach soccer league in South Africa.
Ends
The games that were played on Saturday to produce two teams that will participate in the final on Sunday, whereby both finalists qaulify for a return flight ticket paid by FIFA, to the 2009 World Cup Beach Soccer finals to be staged in Dubai between 16-22 November 2009 far surpassed all the preliminary games played so far.
The first game had seen Morrocco playing Mozambique from the midday kick off, and the spirit exhibited by both teams was clear proof that the journey to the Dubai finals would be made by players of sterner stuff.
However, at the end of the first semi's the final score saw Morrocco humilliating Mozambique with a wide margin of 9-3 defeat.
The second game saw Cote D'Ivoire playing against Egypt to produce a team for the finals on Sunday.
The tempo displayed during this game was out of this world as a total of sixteen goals were scored.
Cote D'Ivoire emerged victorious during the penalty shoot out by winning with a narrow 4-3.
The final semi final game pitted two African powerhouses that had both represented the continent in last year's FIFA World Cup Beach soccer finals held at Marseille, France in 2008.
The first half had seen Senegal leading Nigeria by 3-0 score until going to interval at 4-1 score.
To the uninitiated, beach soccer is played at three halfs of fifteen minutes to make the full game finish at forty-five minutes.
During the second half neither teammanaged to score, and fireworks were left for the last fifteen minutes.
Nigeria had managed to equalised to make the score 4-4 within the first five minutes played in the last half.
And true to the game's billing as a 'Do or Die' for the Dubai return airfare ticket, both teams exhibited the best beach soccer seen in Africa since the FIFA World Cup Beach soccer Qualifiers were introduced in Africa.
The Nigerian Super Eagles managed to score seven goals to defeat the Terrenga Lions with a narrow 7-6 scoreline, and qualifed to play Cote D'Ivoire in the finals on Sunday.
Both teams (Cote D'Ivoire and Nigeria) have booked themselves return flight tickets in the 2009 FIFA World Cup Beach Soccer finals as they have qualifed to represent the continent in the showpiece to be staged in Dubai later this year.
eThekwini Municipality Special Projects Officer Lunga Lamola told this writer that the game played between Nigeria vs Senegal and 'its fireworks was the best beach socccer game played since Durban started hosting the beach soccer games four years ago'.
The Special Projects Unit are the municipality structure entrusted with the task of overseeing the formation of the first-ever professional beach soccer league in South Africa.
Ends
Friday, July 3, 2009
DURBAN TO HOST ANOTHER WORLD CUP FINAL IN 2011?
For two seasons running South Africa may find herself hosting two FIFA major tournaments, and this information was revealed by the South African Football Association NEC member, Obakeng Molatedi, that Durban stands a good chance of hosting both the opening and the final game of the competition.
Molatedi, who's the SAFA's chief representative in the 2009 FIFA World Cup Beach soccer qualifying games currently played in Durban for the fourth consecutive year, has broadly pronounced that the country's football-controlling body was fully supportive of the intentions to lobby FIFA for the 2011 World Cup Beach soccer finals to be staged in the country.
The South African 2010 Local Organising Committe has pencilled one of the semi finals to be hosted at the Moses Mabhida Stadium next year during the FIFA World Cup soccer finals.
Beachsoccer Worldwide Media Officer Hans van Damme informed this writer that applications for the 2011 hosting rights had opened in Barcelona, Spain last month.
He further explained that the deadline to receive application was set for March 2010 and already five beach-soccer playing nations had submitted their proposal.
"South Africa will be facing stiff competition from other five beach-soccer playing nations as they intend to bid for the 2011 FIFA World Cup Beach soccer finals. The name of the country awarded the hosting rights will be announced in July 2010" said van Damme.
The person spearheading the campaign to host the beach soccer finals in South Africa is none other than that former South African goal-scoring machine Mark Williams.
This soccer personality's football conquests, among others, are the two memorable goals he scored against Tunisia national teamduring the South African national team historic African Nation's Cup victory at Ellis Park Stadium in February 1996.
That victory had made Bafana Bafana national team the number one continental team, and also spurred the country to occupy a FIFA Top 20 rating throughout the world.
"Together with the South African beach soccer administrators, in particular the city of Durban, we intend to bid for the 2011 World Cup beach soccer finals and we stand a good chance to be awarded the hosting rights as Durban was proving itself as the 'Capital of African beach soccer' over the past four years.
We're presently grooming a generation of young beach soccer stars by conducting coaching clinics with kids ranging from 11-17 years as we want to develop a culture of beach soccer as a long-term sustainable programme" explained Williams.
However, what might prove a stumbling block to FIFA awarding South Africa the hosting rights for 2011 beach soccer finals is the fact that the country presently do not have a formal beach soccer league, compared to the other nations bidding to host the beach soccer spectacular.
But the SAFA NEC member, Molatedi, assurred this writer that 'establishing national beach soccer league was work in progress', and further stated that the eThekwini Municipality city fathers were the first to submit proposals to the SAFA headquarters.
Meanwhile, the third day of the FIFA World Cup Beach soccer qualifying games saw Nigeria being the first time to qualify for for the semi finals by beating Egypt with 6-5 scoreline.
Senegal, who had beaten Mozambique 10-0 in last year's corresponding fixture, again thumped Mozambique with a narrow 3-2 victory to qualify for the semies.
South African national team, aptly called 'Banana Banana' continued to embarras hundreds of supporting fans when they were defeated by Cote D'Ivoire 6-7 in extra time.
Ends
Molatedi, who's the SAFA's chief representative in the 2009 FIFA World Cup Beach soccer qualifying games currently played in Durban for the fourth consecutive year, has broadly pronounced that the country's football-controlling body was fully supportive of the intentions to lobby FIFA for the 2011 World Cup Beach soccer finals to be staged in the country.
The South African 2010 Local Organising Committe has pencilled one of the semi finals to be hosted at the Moses Mabhida Stadium next year during the FIFA World Cup soccer finals.
Beachsoccer Worldwide Media Officer Hans van Damme informed this writer that applications for the 2011 hosting rights had opened in Barcelona, Spain last month.
He further explained that the deadline to receive application was set for March 2010 and already five beach-soccer playing nations had submitted their proposal.
"South Africa will be facing stiff competition from other five beach-soccer playing nations as they intend to bid for the 2011 FIFA World Cup Beach soccer finals. The name of the country awarded the hosting rights will be announced in July 2010" said van Damme.
The person spearheading the campaign to host the beach soccer finals in South Africa is none other than that former South African goal-scoring machine Mark Williams.
This soccer personality's football conquests, among others, are the two memorable goals he scored against Tunisia national teamduring the South African national team historic African Nation's Cup victory at Ellis Park Stadium in February 1996.
That victory had made Bafana Bafana national team the number one continental team, and also spurred the country to occupy a FIFA Top 20 rating throughout the world.
"Together with the South African beach soccer administrators, in particular the city of Durban, we intend to bid for the 2011 World Cup beach soccer finals and we stand a good chance to be awarded the hosting rights as Durban was proving itself as the 'Capital of African beach soccer' over the past four years.
We're presently grooming a generation of young beach soccer stars by conducting coaching clinics with kids ranging from 11-17 years as we want to develop a culture of beach soccer as a long-term sustainable programme" explained Williams.
However, what might prove a stumbling block to FIFA awarding South Africa the hosting rights for 2011 beach soccer finals is the fact that the country presently do not have a formal beach soccer league, compared to the other nations bidding to host the beach soccer spectacular.
But the SAFA NEC member, Molatedi, assurred this writer that 'establishing national beach soccer league was work in progress', and further stated that the eThekwini Municipality city fathers were the first to submit proposals to the SAFA headquarters.
Meanwhile, the third day of the FIFA World Cup Beach soccer qualifying games saw Nigeria being the first time to qualify for for the semi finals by beating Egypt with 6-5 scoreline.
Senegal, who had beaten Mozambique 10-0 in last year's corresponding fixture, again thumped Mozambique with a narrow 3-2 victory to qualify for the semies.
South African national team, aptly called 'Banana Banana' continued to embarras hundreds of supporting fans when they were defeated by Cote D'Ivoire 6-7 in extra time.
Ends
UNEMPLOYMENT RISES THROUGHOUT EUROPE
The current global economic meltdown has affected both well-established, developed and developing economies alike.
In South Africa this week the umbrella trade union federation Cosatu had a three-day summit on education skills development attended by the union's shop stewards from the nine provinves. The main theme of the conference was to tackle the skills development agenda that remains critical towards addressing the skills shortage affecting the labour market.
Delivering the state of the province address recently, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize noted that the province's manufacturing sector had already lost some 269 000 jobs since the beginning of the global economic crisis.
Notable commentators have conceeded that the way forward in addressing the present high unemployment quagmire would be to re-think the skills development strategy in relation to the workplace, and/or the 'learning environment' in the lingua of the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA).
The South African government is also reported to have transferred the SETAs from the Labour Ministry to the Ministry of Higher Learning as a progressive measure aimed at getting to grips with the high number of qualified people (graduates) that were encountering difficulties in entering the labour market in the country.
CNN Live channel on Thursday ran the 'Quest Means Business'' show where it was anounced that unemployment figures had risen out of proportion in central Europe due to the economic recession.
Viewers were told that Eurozone unemployment had climbed to 5.9% in May 2009 and Spain was reported to be suffering the biggest unemployment of 18.7% to date.
Even Germany, France, and England are regarded as the most worst-hit economies, and that some 3.4 million people in United States have lalready lost their jobs in the past year alone.
Studio guest Tim Gillian, CEO Adecco, North America, conceeded that fears were mounting of jobless recovery in the United States of America.
According to Gillian, US unemployment rate has hit a record 26-year high and was exceeding forecasts by a wide margin as the unemployment rate presently stands at 9.5 percent.
Even the hullaballoo that accompanied President Barack Obama ascendancy to the highest office in America has plummented to an all-time low.
To lay the blame solely to the Oval Office regarding the global economic crisis will be a misnomer, yet, people on the ground look upon the head of state to provide answers to bread and butter issues.
For the past two years since the 2007 ANC Polokwane conference, the mainstream media networks have been citing numerous statements regarding the policy framework to be pursued by the the new administration that ascended to Union Buildings, Pretoria after the fourth national elections (22 April 2009) in South Africa.
Back to the Quest show, interviewed Obama during the show, he outlined that there 's been a net loss of 467 000 US jobs in June 2009 and her unemployment rate had risen to 9.5 percent.
"We have morden progress towards clean-energy economy and we must forge forward to a new progressive future against the present global economic crisis" said Obama.
And South Africa's Minister of Higher Education Blade Nzimande is spot on to call the country's citizens to re-think new strategies both at the institutions of higher learning, SETAs and 'learning institutions' about how was the high unemployment rate affecting the working class in general and also how was the democratic government and all its policy framework treating her citizens.
Chief among Nzimande's serious concerns was the vulnerability and the exploitation of the youth in this country and he says they were hired as casual labourers or were being drawn to crime.
Nzimande has also cited the ministerial report that was commissioned by his predecessor Dr Naledi Pandor that found that young people formed 415 of the country's population.
"We're calling for a rethink of S.A's skills development strategy and the relationship between youth, the National Skills Fund and the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).
What new strategies are putting in place to make our youth marketable for sustainable employment opportunities" asks Nzimande.
He further reiterated figures he had presented to Parliament during Budget vote that 2.8 of the country's 6.8 million youth between the ages of 18 and 24 years were unemployed.
Tthe global financial crisis was having a domino effect on the poorest of the poor, the working class at the shopfloor level.
No person knows it better better than the Cosatu Secretary-General Zwelinzima Vavi who engaged robustly his unions shop stewards when he questioned the capitalist strange-hold that continues to affect adversely the working class.
"We cannot afford to discuss skills 'shortage' any longer in a strange jargon that continues to disempower the ordinary workers" cautined Vavi as he urged Cosatu shop stewards and ordinary workers to craft Skills Development programmes.
In South Africa this week the umbrella trade union federation Cosatu had a three-day summit on education skills development attended by the union's shop stewards from the nine provinves. The main theme of the conference was to tackle the skills development agenda that remains critical towards addressing the skills shortage affecting the labour market.
Delivering the state of the province address recently, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize noted that the province's manufacturing sector had already lost some 269 000 jobs since the beginning of the global economic crisis.
Notable commentators have conceeded that the way forward in addressing the present high unemployment quagmire would be to re-think the skills development strategy in relation to the workplace, and/or the 'learning environment' in the lingua of the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA).
The South African government is also reported to have transferred the SETAs from the Labour Ministry to the Ministry of Higher Learning as a progressive measure aimed at getting to grips with the high number of qualified people (graduates) that were encountering difficulties in entering the labour market in the country.
CNN Live channel on Thursday ran the 'Quest Means Business'' show where it was anounced that unemployment figures had risen out of proportion in central Europe due to the economic recession.
Viewers were told that Eurozone unemployment had climbed to 5.9% in May 2009 and Spain was reported to be suffering the biggest unemployment of 18.7% to date.
Even Germany, France, and England are regarded as the most worst-hit economies, and that some 3.4 million people in United States have lalready lost their jobs in the past year alone.
Studio guest Tim Gillian, CEO Adecco, North America, conceeded that fears were mounting of jobless recovery in the United States of America.
According to Gillian, US unemployment rate has hit a record 26-year high and was exceeding forecasts by a wide margin as the unemployment rate presently stands at 9.5 percent.
Even the hullaballoo that accompanied President Barack Obama ascendancy to the highest office in America has plummented to an all-time low.
To lay the blame solely to the Oval Office regarding the global economic crisis will be a misnomer, yet, people on the ground look upon the head of state to provide answers to bread and butter issues.
For the past two years since the 2007 ANC Polokwane conference, the mainstream media networks have been citing numerous statements regarding the policy framework to be pursued by the the new administration that ascended to Union Buildings, Pretoria after the fourth national elections (22 April 2009) in South Africa.
Back to the Quest show, interviewed Obama during the show, he outlined that there 's been a net loss of 467 000 US jobs in June 2009 and her unemployment rate had risen to 9.5 percent.
"We have morden progress towards clean-energy economy and we must forge forward to a new progressive future against the present global economic crisis" said Obama.
And South Africa's Minister of Higher Education Blade Nzimande is spot on to call the country's citizens to re-think new strategies both at the institutions of higher learning, SETAs and 'learning institutions' about how was the high unemployment rate affecting the working class in general and also how was the democratic government and all its policy framework treating her citizens.
Chief among Nzimande's serious concerns was the vulnerability and the exploitation of the youth in this country and he says they were hired as casual labourers or were being drawn to crime.
Nzimande has also cited the ministerial report that was commissioned by his predecessor Dr Naledi Pandor that found that young people formed 415 of the country's population.
"We're calling for a rethink of S.A's skills development strategy and the relationship between youth, the National Skills Fund and the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).
What new strategies are putting in place to make our youth marketable for sustainable employment opportunities" asks Nzimande.
He further reiterated figures he had presented to Parliament during Budget vote that 2.8 of the country's 6.8 million youth between the ages of 18 and 24 years were unemployed.
Tthe global financial crisis was having a domino effect on the poorest of the poor, the working class at the shopfloor level.
No person knows it better better than the Cosatu Secretary-General Zwelinzima Vavi who engaged robustly his unions shop stewards when he questioned the capitalist strange-hold that continues to affect adversely the working class.
"We cannot afford to discuss skills 'shortage' any longer in a strange jargon that continues to disempower the ordinary workers" cautined Vavi as he urged Cosatu shop stewards and ordinary workers to craft Skills Development programmes.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
FIFA BEACH SOCCER FINAL GOES TO DUBAI
The highly competitive atmosphere that prevailed during the second day of the FIFA World Cup Beach soccer qualifying games was a true a testimony that all the national teams want to take part in the cup finals to be hosted between 16-22 November 2009 in Dubai.
Beach Soccer Worldwide Media Officer Hans van Damme informed this writer that the selection of Dubai as the selection of Dubai as the venue for this year's FIFA World Cup Beach soccer final proves that they were taking the emerging sporting code to all corners across the globe.
The qualifying games have seen the poorly-prepared Mauritius national team suffering another humilliating drubbing when they were beaten 3-10 by the Egyptian national team on their second consecutive loss.
Mozambique, the national team that was annihilated 10-0 by Senegal on their final round robin game last year, atoned that embarrasing defeat by coming from behind a 2-6 deficit to level score before full time against Lybia.
That game proceeded to extra time but failed to get a winner until Mozambique squeezed through with a narrow 1-nil victory on penalty shoot out.
The final game of the day saw Morrocco pitted against Cote DeIvoire, and this very entertaining qualifying game ended with a narrow victory of 7-6 scoreline by the Ivorian Elephants.
Beach Soccer Worldwide Media Officer Hans van Damme informed this writer that the selection of Dubai as the selection of Dubai as the venue for this year's FIFA World Cup Beach soccer final proves that they were taking the emerging sporting code to all corners across the globe.
The qualifying games have seen the poorly-prepared Mauritius national team suffering another humilliating drubbing when they were beaten 3-10 by the Egyptian national team on their second consecutive loss.
Mozambique, the national team that was annihilated 10-0 by Senegal on their final round robin game last year, atoned that embarrasing defeat by coming from behind a 2-6 deficit to level score before full time against Lybia.
That game proceeded to extra time but failed to get a winner until Mozambique squeezed through with a narrow 1-nil victory on penalty shoot out.
The final game of the day saw Morrocco pitted against Cote DeIvoire, and this very entertaining qualifying game ended with a narrow victory of 7-6 scoreline by the Ivorian Elephants.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
DURBAN'S HOSTING FACILITIES RECEIVES IMPECCABLE ACCOLADES
The city of Durban should take pride of its good weather, its people and their greatest hospitality industry offered to the wider international visitor, and the city's residents were miles apart from all the numerous international destinations our beach soccer national teams have visited to date.
These sentiments were echoed by almost all the national team coaches of the countries presently participating in the five day nine-nations FIFA Beach Soccer qualifying tournament presently taking place on the Durban's beachfront makeshift stadium.
From Senegal's Diop Amadou, Mauratius'Rose Eddy, Lybia's Ali Riyani, Nigeria's Adamu Ejo to Morrocco's Hadaoui Mustaphe, all are singing praises of the eThekwini Municipality's impeccable hosting record.
It suffices to mention that Durban's finest accolades comes a day after the FIFA President Sepp Blatter had given the country (Republic of South Africa) a 7.5 % out of 10 rating over its professional standards exhibited during the two-week Confederations Cup finals by the eight soccer-playing continents that was played in the country's upcountry cities.
Even the FIFA Secretary-General Jerome Valcke noted that despite minor glitches experienced in the transportation industry, South Africa has got good potential to put its whole house in order within the next twelve months and host the most succesful world cup soccer finals ever seen next July..
The Durban beach soccer world cup qualifiers kicked off at 12h30 with last year's (2008) loser''s finalists Nigeria pitted against the first-time entrants, Mauritius, who were massacred 13-0 as the Nigerian squad gave an early indication of being this years overall victors.
The second match of the day saw last year's overall winners, Senegal, who went on to represent the continent in Marseillies, France playing against Lybia, who too, were represented for the first time in beach soccer qualifiers.
This thrilling physical game ended in 7-7 draw, and proceeded into a penalty shoot-out whereby Senegal emerged victorious with a narrow 4-3 win.
And the third and final game of the day saw the host nations team, aptly titled ''Banana Banana'' playing against Morrocco, who were last represented in beach soccer qualifiers in 2006.
Prior to the game had seen His Worship Obed Mlaba, eThekwini Municipality mayor, visiting the South African team's dressing room to give the players some motivational pep talk and blessings to be true ambassadors of the Unicity.
However, the home team continued where they had left in previous tournaments and displayed a dismal performance as they were walloped 4-2 by the Morrocco national team.
During the 2008 FIFA World Cup Beach Soccer Qualifiers edition, the South African national team had lost all iits three round robin games.Senegal had thrashed SA 8-4 in the opening game.
This was followed by a narrow loss of 2-3 to Mozambique, but Banana Banana had won the final game by 4-3 against Egypt.
Despite the SA national beach soccer team dissapointing performance to date, South African Football Association NEC member Obakeng Molatedi, who's also the Chief representative overseeing the tournament, he too also sang praises about the Durban's superb hosting facilities and commended the high number of local residents attending the beach soccer games.
Molatedi made observations about the coastal city's good weather around the season as the prime motivating factor that qualifies the city to get the fourth-year consecutive rights to host the world cup qualifying tournament.
"Surely, these credentials tell a mouthful about Durban being chosen as FIFA Host City for the oncoming 201o FIFA World Cup Soccer finals" noted Obakeng.
Ends
These sentiments were echoed by almost all the national team coaches of the countries presently participating in the five day nine-nations FIFA Beach Soccer qualifying tournament presently taking place on the Durban's beachfront makeshift stadium.
From Senegal's Diop Amadou, Mauratius'Rose Eddy, Lybia's Ali Riyani, Nigeria's Adamu Ejo to Morrocco's Hadaoui Mustaphe, all are singing praises of the eThekwini Municipality's impeccable hosting record.
It suffices to mention that Durban's finest accolades comes a day after the FIFA President Sepp Blatter had given the country (Republic of South Africa) a 7.5 % out of 10 rating over its professional standards exhibited during the two-week Confederations Cup finals by the eight soccer-playing continents that was played in the country's upcountry cities.
Even the FIFA Secretary-General Jerome Valcke noted that despite minor glitches experienced in the transportation industry, South Africa has got good potential to put its whole house in order within the next twelve months and host the most succesful world cup soccer finals ever seen next July..
The Durban beach soccer world cup qualifiers kicked off at 12h30 with last year's (2008) loser''s finalists Nigeria pitted against the first-time entrants, Mauritius, who were massacred 13-0 as the Nigerian squad gave an early indication of being this years overall victors.
The second match of the day saw last year's overall winners, Senegal, who went on to represent the continent in Marseillies, France playing against Lybia, who too, were represented for the first time in beach soccer qualifiers.
This thrilling physical game ended in 7-7 draw, and proceeded into a penalty shoot-out whereby Senegal emerged victorious with a narrow 4-3 win.
And the third and final game of the day saw the host nations team, aptly titled ''Banana Banana'' playing against Morrocco, who were last represented in beach soccer qualifiers in 2006.
Prior to the game had seen His Worship Obed Mlaba, eThekwini Municipality mayor, visiting the South African team's dressing room to give the players some motivational pep talk and blessings to be true ambassadors of the Unicity.
However, the home team continued where they had left in previous tournaments and displayed a dismal performance as they were walloped 4-2 by the Morrocco national team.
During the 2008 FIFA World Cup Beach Soccer Qualifiers edition, the South African national team had lost all iits three round robin games.Senegal had thrashed SA 8-4 in the opening game.
This was followed by a narrow loss of 2-3 to Mozambique, but Banana Banana had won the final game by 4-3 against Egypt.
Despite the SA national beach soccer team dissapointing performance to date, South African Football Association NEC member Obakeng Molatedi, who's also the Chief representative overseeing the tournament, he too also sang praises about the Durban's superb hosting facilities and commended the high number of local residents attending the beach soccer games.
Molatedi made observations about the coastal city's good weather around the season as the prime motivating factor that qualifies the city to get the fourth-year consecutive rights to host the world cup qualifying tournament.
"Surely, these credentials tell a mouthful about Durban being chosen as FIFA Host City for the oncoming 201o FIFA World Cup Soccer finals" noted Obakeng.
Ends
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