South Africans Worldwide Newsletter

Getting frustrated by events is only too easy - as at present the Internet has been down all afternoon. One hopes it gets to be on-line in time to put the last of the weekly Newsletter "to bed".

Readers will recall my reporting about the Avgas shortage recently. Now, yet another shortage has been reported - one that affects the general population of SA. The production, delivery and supply of LPG [liquid-petroleum-gas] has been seriously delayed, so many users dependant on LPG are adversely affected.

Very gratifying has been the number of readers writing positive letters about SAW - thanks everyone. This is exactly the encouragement needed.

Winter now has us firmly in it’s grip with one cold front after the other. Many people have been hit with the ‘flu or bad colds – yours truly included.

We welcome a “new” correspondent – see his article in “News from Ozzie”.

Till next time.

Theo

Letters to the Editor TOP

Hi Mr Editor

I wasn't sure how to leave a comment re: an article in the latest issue of SAW, so just hit reply- hope this is going through the proper channels!

I always look forward to receiving the SAW newsletter, cos it always fills me with a 'Proudly South African' feeling every time I do. But my immediate thought reaction to the article headline 'South Africa heading down the same road as Zimbabwe' was "Did you only just realize that???"

Ever since I was 5 years old all Ii wanted to be was a doctor; very clichéd, but also very true. So I was utterly devastated when my application back home was met with rejection, citing “poor extracurricular activities to meet current protocols and recommendations” as the reason.

Apparently, scoring 5A's, being a school prefect, being captain of the school's debating team, being a member of the school choir, being a member of the school's netball and volleyball teams, serving on a youth committee for the Child and Family Welfare Society and being deputy chair for the North Coast branch of Teenagers Against Drug Abuse movement isn't enough!

So I left South Africa to pursue my medical training at a private American university. And I've now moved to England to complete the last lap of my clinical training.

In all my years away from home, though I've always found myself longing for the blue skies and seemingly eternal sunshine of Durban. I've even found myself gravitating towards South Africans of any and every walk of life, just for a bit of old-fashioned South African friendliness.

Not too long after I began my training in England (3years ago now) a junior doctor here, simply out of politeness, asked what my plans were for when medical school was over and it was time to apply for a job (i.e. did I intend to practice in England or was I intending to return home?); a question to which, at the time, I had not even the vaguest hint of an answer as I had not thought beyond med. school. However, the question plagued me. My gut reaction was "Of course I'm going home, where else would I go"? But when I sat down to ponder this dilemma, it was quite clear that my version of home existed only somewhere in the recesses of my mind.

MY HOME: beautiful South Africa, parents, family, friends, good weather, great food, a lifestyle beyond belief even in most '1st world countries'.

BUT SOUTH AFRICA:
The same country so many professionals are trampling over each other in an effort to escape from;
The same country where I'm apparently not a well-rounded individual;
The same country where, it seems, you're only good enough if you're black enough (pardon my un-PC statement);
The same country where any sort of suggestion that things are being done not-so-correctly gets, labeled as a racist opinion;
The same country where the people who are today heading up major governmental departments were yesterday selling mealies[corn] on the side of the road;
The same country where the only people who seem to be benefiting from this so-called freedom and democracy are the black leaders in politics;
The same country where our domestic who was with us in 1990 is still with us now, with no apparent improvement of lifestyle in this new "the-future-is-bright" rainbow nation, while our president travels the globe in a personal jet!

Hey, give Mandela his dues. His forward-thinking ideas and concepts for change in South Africa made the world sit up and take notice of South Africa (only this time in a positive light).

But I groan inwardly every time I hear of 'foreign aid being sent to Africa' or Mandela on the telly saying that 'it is a duty of 1st world countries to help';these people don't have the faintest clue whose pockets they're helping to line.

OK, I'm starting to ramble. Suffice to say, I noticed years back that South Africa was heading toward a ‘Zim-like’ state, and remarked as such to many of my friends here.

I'd love nothing more than to return home and do what I've always wanted to do- help. But let's face it, if you're anything but Black these days in South Africa, you're better off in Timbuktu than trying to forge a happy and worthwhile existence.

Miss Naidoo

PS:- Oh, the green, green grass of home?

Quote/s of the Week TOP

Never chase a lie. Let it alone, and it will run itself to death. - Lyman Beecher

Hate no one; hate their vices, not themselves. - JGC Brainard

You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today. - Abraham Lincoln

The fragrance always remains in the hand that gives the rose. - Heda Bejar

As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Faust

News from Ozzie TOP

Welcome to our latest correspondent DanielJan le Roux from Perth.

After much correspondence between us, and some badgering from Theo’s side, I have been motivated to provide some editorial for SAW.

I have been living in Perth for nearly seven years. During this period, I returned to South Africa on one occasion, and that was in 2001. I did not find circumstances that much changed during my return, and at that point in time the differences between lifestyles in Perth and in South Africa did not make much of an impression on me. But now, in 2006, my opinion has most definitely changed. I must however mention that it is an opinion that see-saws prolifically between the two continents!

Before continuing, I would like to mention that I did not leave South Africa for any political reason. My being in Perth is the result of numerous circumstances which I had no control over, or had implemented; it is the result of the culmination of many variables.

So here I am, a "Japie" in Perth. I went to work yesterday morning, and when I returned home after work, I realised that I had forgotten to lock the door as I was leaving for work earlier that morning. And nothing happened! Recently I had some minor electrical problems with our hot water system. I did not flinch at the thought of leaving a back door open for the electrician to have access to our home. And nothing ‘nasty’ happened!

Yes, that is one of the positive sides to living in Perth. Locking up and an acute awareness of ‘something bad might happen’ is not part of the general way-of-life in Perth. I have three daughters. The eldest is 16. She has a friend whom lives a fifteen minute walk from our home. I have no issue with her walking home alone, even after sun-down, after visiting this friend. My youngest, 11 yrs old, often walks home alone after school. And I am comfortable with this.

We do have our share of individuals being robbed of their wallets and/or cell phones whilst waiting at the train station. Or a home invasion whilst the residents are asleep, and some of their belongings are taken. Yes, we do have our share of violence and disregard of law and order. But, I feel that one of the most significant differences between my ‘lived’ experiences of Perth and South Africa is that most misdemeanours are significantly frowned upon in Perth. As an example, a bag snatch makes headline news.

Soon after my arrival in Perth there was a headline in our local newspaper which I remember very well. A man and his dog went for a walk along our river. At some point in time, another individual, also with a dog, crossed the path of the first mentioned man. Dog 2 happened to have a nip at the leg of dog 1. The headline in the “West Australian” the day thereafter read: “Take Control of your Dog”, followed with editorial detailing the incident, and calling upon witnesses who happened to have seen this, to contact the police.

Personally, I find Perth very comforting. My day-to-day life is more relaxed than compared to my life-style in South Africa. My daughters can walk home after school, and I may leave a door open for the electrician. I can go to bed at night with no concerns about my family’s safety.

But it is not heaven.

I miss the sound of a hadidah. And the fragrance of "Hoëveld" grass. The chirping of a "tarentaal" conjures fond memories, as does the noisy banter of flying Indian Mynahs in Durban. I am often reminded of the fact that I have African blood pulsing through my veins.

I am proud of this and do not wish to purge myself of this blood.

To be continued...

Ad Hoc Article/s of the Week TOP

Zimbabwe: Satellite images provide shocking evidence of the obliteration of a community

Amnesty International today released the first-ever satellite images of the wholesale destruction of a large community in Zimbabwe -- providing the clearest possible evidence to date of the devastating impact of the Zimbabwean government's policy of house demolitions.

"These satellite images are irrefutable evidence -- if further evidence is even needed -- that the Zimbabwean government has obliterated entire communities -- completely erased them from the map, as if they never existed," said Kolawole Olaniyan, Director of Amnesty International's Africa programme.

The organization commissioned the satellite images to demonstrate the complete destruction of Porta Farm -- a large, informal settlement that was established 16 years ago and had schools, a children's centre and a mosque. The organization also released graphic video footage showing the forced evictions taking place prior to the demolitions.

"The images and footage are a graphic indictment of the Zimbabwean government's policies. They show the horrifying transition of an area from a vibrant community to rubble and shrubs -- in the space of just ten months," said Kolawole Olaniyan.

Read more here... http://web.amnesty.org

For more information please call Amnesty International's press office in London, UK, on +44 20 7413 5566
Amnesty International, 1 Easton St., London WC1X 0DW. web: http://www.amnesty.org

75% 2010 contracts signed'

It's all systems go for the 2010 Soccer World Cup to be held in South Africa, with 75% of all Fifa contracts for this sporting spectacle having been signed and sealed, government news agency BuaNews reports. This was revealed by the chief executive of the Fifa 2010 World Cup Local Organising Committee, Danny Jordaan, during a media briefing in Durban, after meeting the city's authorities as part of the 2010 Fifa World Cup Host Cities Forum.

Read more here... http://www.mweb.co.za/news

SA 'well on track for 2010'

A conference is underway to ensure that municipalities are able to contribute to the successful hosting of the 2010 Soccer World Cup, government news agency BuaNews reports. The conference has also given other role-players, especially business, a chance to seize opportunities during preparations for the tournament and beyond, for which government will be spending over R400bn.

Read more here... http://www.fin24.co.za

'Admit SA has a crime problem'

The country's constitution enshrined people's right to complain about crime, Free State Agriculture reacted on Friday to remarks about "whingers" by Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula in his budget vote.

"They can continue to whinge until they're blue in the face... be as negative as they want to, or they can simply leave this country so that all of the peace-loving South Africans, good South African people who want to make this a successful country, can continue with their work," Nqakula told Parliament during debate on his department's budget vote on Thursday.

Read more here... http://www.mweb.co.za

'Nqakula like Jimmy Kruger'

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Tony Leon said on Saturday that Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula was like a latter-day Jimmy Kruger. He was speaking at Tafelsig in the run-up to a crucial by-election for Cape Town's multi-party government.

If the DA wins the Tafelsig seat on Wednesday, it will give the multi-party government a majority of three seats in the 210-seat council.

Read more here... http://www.news24.com/

BEE tourism scorecard introduced

A Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) scorecard for the tourism industry was introduced in Pretoria on Monday. The scorecard forms part of a BEE charter to promote black participation in the tourism industry.

Launching the Tourism BEE Charter Council on Monday, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Marthinus van Schalkwyk said:

"The charter includes measurement tools to help participants in the industry identify their current BEE levels, gaps in their BEE profile and how to improve their rating."

He said the charter, which sets out milestones to be achieved by 2009 and 2015, would apply to every enterprise in the tourism industry - from the largest corporations to the smallest entrepreneur.

Read more here... http://www.iol.co.za

Huge hike to hit tour and operators

At a primary school in Bela-Bela, 800 school, children had to use bushes as toilets until a trainload of Dutch tourists arrived about two years ago.

The tourists, on a train safari arranged by a private company, organised a donation of R120 000 so that new toilets could be built for the school.

"The department of public works told us the toilets were not fit to be used by humans," said Johan Adams, the headmaster of the school, where 98 percent of the pupils are black or coloured.

Train operators say it is just one example of how tourists aboard privately operated train tours pump money into local economies. But they say that such contributions are under threat now that the government-owned train company is increasing the price of renting locomotives and carriages - by more than 100 percent in some cases.

Read mre here... http://www.iol.co.za

Mkhuze airport gets the go-ahead

The provincial department of agriculture and environmental affairs has given the green light for the northern KwaZulu-Natal town of Mkhuze to upgrade its former military airport to a regional one.

The facility, which will serve the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, several major tourist destinations and neighbouring Swaziland and Mozambique, is expected to cost about R50-million.

Mduduzi Mchunu, an uMkhanyakude District Municipality spokesperson and a member of the airport study team, said it would be a catalyst for economic and social development in the area.

The proposed upgrade will involve resurfacing and improving the runway, putting up a new terminal and building hangars and a craft centre.

Read more here... http://www.iol.co.za

The farmers and the fire-eater

The land and agriculture sector is waiting with bated breath to see if the new Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs, Lulu Xingwana, lives up to her fire-eating reputation in this sensitive portfolio.

Reacting to her public statements as the former deputy minister of minerals and energy, Xingwana’s critics branded them “naked racism”, “anti-capitalist” and “anti-white”. But her supporters say her passion for transformation enables her to tackle thorny issues head on.

Read more here... http://www.mg.co.za

From toilet floors to Ferrari

Gardner, who never went to college, has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to education, writing checks for as much as $25 000 to teachers, janitors, bus drivers and others who work at schools.

Gardner is focusing much of his attention now on South Africa, trying to persuade major investors to invest $1bn there - an effort praised by South African officials.
"In the current state of our economy, creating an investment fund is critical," said Yusuf Omar, South African Consul General in Chicago, who recently stopped by Gardner's office.

Read more here... http://www.fin24.co.za

Bits and Bobs TOP

Petrol price could rise by 30c a litre

The price of petrol could rise by up to 30c a litre next week due to the weaker rand and the high oil price, economists said on Wednesday.

"The unfortunate thing is that the oil price remained around $71 [a barrel] for the whole of May and the rand has fallen," Absa economist Ridle Markus said.

He said the oil price was largely affected by, among other things, Iran's unresolved nuclear programme.

Read more here... http://www.mg.co.za/

A victim of its own success

The Western Cape province is a victim of its own success. Blessed with scenic beauty and an upwardly mobile economy (the growth rate last year was 5,3% compared to the national average of 4,5%), it is perceived as a “rich province” and is a drawcard for many.

The wealthy, both locals and foreigners, are flocking to buy wine estates and multimillion-rand seafront homes, while the poor from other provinces migrate to the region in search of better health and social welfare services.

Leading indicators of its growth last year included a 40% increase in tractor sales, a 4,4% (or R137,6-million) increase in the value of submitted building plans and the purchase of additional cranes at the Cape Town container harbour.

Read more here... http://www.mg.co.za

Protest over loss of radio station licence

Thousands of people in Durban spent Ascension Day on Thursday protesting against what they believe is the undermining of religious freedom.

Singing religious songs and carrying placards, the crowd gathered at the offices of the Independent Communication Authority of South Africa (Icasa) to show their disapproval at Icasa's decision not to renew a local radio station's licence.

Good News Community Radio, which broadcasts on 98fm is based just outside Verulam, is expected to stop broadcasting in June. This is as a result of Icasa's decision to grant the community radio licence to Izwi Lomzansi instead of Good News Community Radio.

Read more here... http://www.iol.co.za

Cape Parrot starting to thrive again in SA

Preliminary results from the annual national census of the endangered Cape Parrot (Poicephalus robustus), the only parrot endemic to South Africa, are positive, suggesting more birds have been seen than in previous years.

A member of the Cape Parrot Working Group and the co-ordinator of the research, Professor Colleen Downs of the Pietermaritzburg campus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, said that during this year's count over the first weekend in May, some flocks of juvenile parrots were seen, which was very encouraging.

Historically, the birds were more common and had a greater range, but their numbers have declined greatly and it is estimated that about 1 000 remain in the wild and only in three of the country's provinces.

Read more here... http://www.iol.co.za

Icasa's mass exodus

Arrive late for work, take off your shoes and sleep on the job. In most companies you’d have limited career prospects, but not at communications regulator Icasa. According to an exit report by a senior Icasa staffer, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa’s (Icasa) chairperson, Paris Mashile, regularly arrived late, took off his shoes and slept on the job during his tenure as a councillor. Yet he was promoted to the top position.

Read more here... http://www.mg.co.za

Thriving in Telkom's shadow

South Africa’s telecommunication industry is so poorly structured that an industry worth several billion has sprung up in its shadows, offering cut-price calls. The LCR or least-cost routing industry is saving businesses up to 40%, through implementing savings on the cellphone portion of their Telkom bill.

Read more here... http://www.mg.co.za

The Legal Beagle TOP

Nobody seeks the Legal Beagle

Help Desk TOP

Seniors needing medical cover in SA

I was wondering if anyone has any information on medical benefits senior citizens (over 70 years old) qualify for?

I am looking specifically for information on what hospital or doctor visits will cover, and what the prescriptions will cost and what limitations are.

There are numerous emergency type plans out there for elderly folks who have no medical aid which cost an arm and a leg - is this even necessary if seniors can get this subsidized?

Anyone know where this information can be found or anyone care to share how they are handling medical coverage for their aging parents for day to day doctor's visits and emergency trips?

Any information will be appreciated.

Please email all responses to crustysourdonut@yahoo.com

Thanks in advance.

Where are they now? TOP

Nobody is looking for anyone this week.

Club and Other News TOP

Nothing sent in

Humour TOP

LAWS OF THE NATURAL UNIVERSE

Law of Mechanical Repair:

After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch or you'll have to pee.

Law of the Workshop:

Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.

Law of Probability:

The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act.

Law of the Telephone:

If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal.

Law of the Alibi:

If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire.

Variation Law:

If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will start to move faster than the one you are in now (works every time).

Law of the Bath:

When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.

Law of Close Encounters:

The probability of meeting someone you know increases when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.

Law of the Result:

When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will.

Law of Biomechanics:

The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.

Law of the Theatre:

At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle arrive last.

Law of Coffee:

As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.

Murphy's Law of Lockers:

If there are only two people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers.

Law of Rugs/Carpets:

The chances of an open-faced jelly sandwich landing face down on a floor covering are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet/rug.

Law of Location:

No matter where you go, there you are.

Law of Logical Argument:

Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.

Brown's Law:

If the shoe fits, it's ugly.

Oliver's Law:

A closed mouth gathers no feet.

Wilson's Law:

As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it.

Submitted by DanielJan le Roux

Recipes TOP

Of interest [to me anyway] are the names of the same ingredients, but in diverse countries.

In SA they sell lamb knuckles, not in California.
In SA they sell patty pans, but the name seems strange elsewhere.
In SA they sell courgettes but in the rest of the world it's zuchinni.

Likewise I see plenty of overseas recipes and wonder what those ingredients are: cilantro, scallions, panko, fiddlehead-ferns, anasazi beans, tomatillos, mostaccioli, etc.

May I ask some reader to decipher these names for me - into more common usage - please?

Sports News TOP

Field of 12 000 runners for Comrades

Comrades Marathon organisers have confirmed a field of 11 933 men and women to participate in the 81st running of the Comrades Marathon on Youth Day - Friday, 16 June 2006. The figure is similar to the previous two "Up Runs", which in 2004 attracted 12 059 competitors and in 2002 a field of 12 167.

While still in the throes of processing and resolving final queries related to entries, Race Manager, Renee Smith confirmed on Saturday that the administration has captured and confirmed 9 941 men and 1992 women to date. By the time these queries have been resolved, they anticipate the field of over 12 000 competitors.

At 5.30am on Friday, 16 June Durban Mayor, Obed Mlaba will fire the gun to officially start the 2006 Comrades Marathon, setting off a field of runners from every corner of the country and around the world on a historic pilgrimage, which is steeped in folklore and tradition.

Read more here... http://www.iol.co.za

Do not use our name, say race organisers

Comrades Marathon route monitors and police will be on the lookout for unauthorised marketing activities on race day, and guilty parties will be removed from the route and pursued in court.

The Comrades Marathon Association said on Wednesday that it had noticed a disturbing trend over the past few years towards the use of "ambush" marketing tactics during the marathon.

"This opportunistic marketing ploy is used by businesses and individuals to market and promote their branded products and services in the run-up to an event, during the event and even thereafter," the association said in a statement.

"These businesses and individuals have no link with the event, but illegally exploit it as a marketing platform for their products and services."

Read more here... http://www.iol.co.za

Neethling's medals stolen during robbery

South Africa's Olympic gold medallist Ryk Neethling's home was robbed of at least 20 medals, including his Commonwealth Games and world golds, in the early hours of Friday morning.

Neethling, who was a member of the South African 4x100m freestyle relay team that won gold in a world record time at the 2004 Athens Olympics, is currently in Sweden. Fortunately for Neethling his Olympic gold was not stolen, as it was not at the house.

"It's almost impossible to insure those kind of medals," Neethling told the radio station from Sweden.

"The robbers aren't going to find any gold in there but they are irreplaceable."

From: http://www.iol.co.za

Advertising on South Africans Worldwide TOP

Readers are invited to place adverts on the website, www.saw.co.za as well as place ads in this newsletter, SAWmail.

Costs:

An article about your service or site - R 3000

Your banner - R 3000/month [on SAW home site & run of site]

Ad in SAW-mail- 4 lines of text - R 1000/issue.

[There are 27 000 subscribers to the Newsletter plus many thousands of "hits" on the web-site - Ed]

Reader's Interests or Hobbies TOP

More Arts & Crafts meanders

Cape Meanders- http://www.capemeanders.co.za/

Cape Winelands- http://www.tourismcapewinelands.co.za

Cape Town Tourism- http://www.owls.co.za

Cape Tourism- http://www.capetourism.co.za/

Route 62- http://www.route62.co.za/

Credits and Contact Info TOP

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Disclaimer TOP

The editors, publishers, directors and shareholders of Maesti Web Consulting (being the holding company that publishes SAW) place on record that opinions and comment published in this newsletter are those of the authors, contributors and correspondents.

It should not be construed that we agree or disagree with any of the material. All information about events is published in good faith as received from the correspondents.

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