BOOK REVIEW: Lost And Found In Johannesburg - A Memoir By Mark Gevisser

By its very nature a memoir implies that, by reading it, you will get to know more about the author. Lost and found in Johannesburg is a different kind of memoir to what a reader would expect. This memoir focuses on the history of the city rather than the man, looking at how the two grow up together.

Gevisser opens the book with this story of a once safe haven for him and his friends being forever destroyed by what we later read is an attack. It does however take more than half the book to return to this story. The layout of the memoir is difficult to understand, given the reader is burdened with this initial snippet of impending violence while reading about the apartheid struggle and the varying politics surrounding Gevisser’s life. Much later into the book, Gevisser describes in horrific raw detail the emotional scars left by this attack and how he managed to move past it and try and look at his city in a new way.

Gevisser uses the childhood game “dispatcher” as a lens into a segregated Johannesburg. He used to play the game in the back seat of his father’s Mercedes Benz in the family garage in Hurlingham for hours on end. Using his parents’ street-guide, the Holmden’s Register of Johannesburg, Gevisser would send “imaginary couriers” all through the streets on the map of Johannesburg within the Holmden’s Register, learning the different areas and how to get there. Later Gevisser realised the segregation apartheid brought to most aspects of life in Johannesburg at that time, including this map, where vast expanses of the city were excluded.

The reader is more than halfway through the book when she hears of the first personal and intimate event in Gevisser’s life: the planning of his wedding to his partner of many years. But even this story has no intimate revelations. A swift wedding ceremony is carried out, it seems, to complete immigration paperwork. Gevisser’s description of the wedding focuses mostly on the registrar’s attempt to convince Gevisser to be more enthusiastic. The registrar eventually says:

“Do you think you are a second-class citizen just because you are gay? You have full rights in this new South Africa. You have the right to make a fuss. I think you need to go home and have a very serious chat with your partner.”

This prompted Gevisser and “C” to bring two witnesses and have rings for their service, which they were not going to do initially. Gevisser writes that he was humbled by being “lectured by a young black woman about [his] rights”. Later Gevisser gives an account of how he and his partner would be able to imagine the empty venue they married in filled with images of the loved ones that were not present. It leaves a reader questioning why one would leave such an idea in the imagination. Why not invite the friends and people you love, to create real memories? This is explained in part but with no real conclusion for the reader.

Gevisser’s husband is referred to as “C”, through the book. It’s interesting that the author’s hid his husband’s identity since, a few years prior to the memoir being written, Gevisser, publicly named his husband in newspaper articles and interviews. The stories from the newspapers are excluded from this memoir entirely.

Mark Gevisser

There are also references to Gevisser’s sexual self-discovery, as the reader is told of trips to renowned gay book stores in Hillbrow and his affair with a colleague, but none that leave the reader knowing the author better. Snapshots of these intimate moments leave the reader wanting more.

Gevisser started working for the Mail & Guardian and “sought out assignments that took [him] to… East Rand townships as political violence enveloped them, through to creepy intelligence sources on plots outside Boksburg; from brothels on the outer fringes of Randburg to gay shebeens in Kwa Thema.”

“I spent days at hospitals in Tembisa; evenings at drag shows in Ennerdale,” he says.

This too leaves the reader intrigued as to the details of these events, but they are rewarded only with another reference to a map book Gevisser read in the back of his parent’s Mercedes Benz as a child.

Gevisser has lived a life of privilege within a wholesome Jewish home, as is evident in his deliberation about whether to attend Yale or UCT. When he does choose UCT, it only temporarily impresses him:

“The world I had discovered upon leaving home [for UCT] seemed big enough, for the moment, to satisfy my dispatching desires, and suddenly those vapour trails disintegrating into the blue of distance at the edges of my sky did not seem so compelling.”

In his short time at UCT, Gevisser had unearthed information on Piet Koornhof. Gevisser became part of the Varsity Seven after publishing a report in the student newspaper, Varsity, which resulted in him being charged by the university with breaking the off-the-record rules. More on this story would have been fantastic. Certainly given the importance of the event, not only in a tiny part of history but also as a deciding factor in Gevisser’s attendance at Yale. Interested readers would have to extensively google this important scoop of a budding journalist, as his memoir doesn’t reveal much more than the public already knows.

You are left wondering why Gevisser avoids revealing more personal accounts of his life. Instead he includes the family history, the story of Johannesburg, a look at gay life in Hillbrow, but all of them seem to mask Gevisser’s more personal experiences. It seems a missed opportunity to share more than maps, books and politics.

As a consolation, Gevisser’s talent as a writer is evident throughout. He tells a story very well, even if it isn’t about himself.

Women And Youth - The Hope For Africa

The Francophonie summit was one of the latest conferences to draw attention to the importance of women and youth in Africa’s future. Stephen Williams reports from Dakar, Senegal.

At the end of November, in Dakar’s brand new international conference centre, the International Organisation of La Francophonie met for a two-day Heads of State summit followed by a two-day economic forum.

The biannual event was entitled: “Women and Children in the Francophonie: Peacemakers and Key Players for Development”, though some suggested more pressing issues facing the continent should take precedence. When asked by New African about this, Richard Attias, whose company produced the economic forum, commented:

“The heads of state summit primarily focused on the Ebola crisis and trying to push for much more solidarity, much more commitment from governments about how regional cooperation can fight and resist Ebola, and how to diminish the impact of this terrible disease.

“The fact is that, yes it is dangerous, yes it is a very serious issue but we should not stop the whole economic investment process because of Ebola. Ebola is affecting just three nations in a continent of 54 countries.”

A second major issue discussed at the summit was who should succeed former Senegalese president Abdou Diouf as secretary-general of the organisation. There was much debate and lobbying behind the scenes trying to reach consensus on a single candidate to become the next secretary-general. In the end, the assembled heads of state appointed Canada’s Michaëlle Jean, a candidate who has a formidable record as a social activist, journalist, a documentary film-maker, and who served as Canada’s governor general from 2005 to 2010.

Almost inevitably, this decision did not please everyone. President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo left Dakar hastily to express his displeasure that his favoured candidate Henri Lopes was not nominated, while the Mauritian candidate, Jean-Claude de l’Estrac, responded with a blistering attack on the nomination process itself, saying it was not open or democratic.

Some others were dismayed that although Jean’s family is from Haiti, the new secretary-general was technically from Canada in the Global North, contravening the assumption that the Francophonie’s leader would be from the South.

Nevertheless, Jean was picked and becomes the first woman to head the 77-member organisation, and her dedication to the issues of the developing world is well established.

Her family fled Haiti for Canada after her father was arrested and tortured by the dictator “Papa Doc” Duvalier. She only returned to the island in 1986, just before the ousting of Duvalier’s son “Baby Doc”, in order to conduct research for a documentary film about the women of Haiti.

Jean’s work was recognised by Canada’s National Film Board and she was invited to make a film on the 1987 Haitian elections that was shown on the French-language Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Radio Canada subsequently hired her as a journalist, and she also worked for the French television news programme, becoming the first black person reporting on shows such as Actuel, Montréal ce Soir, Virages and hosting Le Journal RDI before launching her own current affairs show, Michaëlle.

Jean also continued her film-making, with husband Jean-Daniel Lafond, making several documentaries including Tropique Nord about the experiences of black people in Quebec.

In 2005, Canada’s then prime minister, Paul Martin, appointed Jean as Canada’s new governor-general, the first black person to serve in this office.

Her focus on women’s affairs, and in particular domestic violence against women, was particularly notable. And her foundation’s support for youth projects also makes her nomination, in this the Francophonie’s year of focusing on Women and Youth, appropriate.

She says that she will attempt to bring a renewed focus on economic development to a body that has often had to address serious conflicts in its member-states. Currently, there is ongoing conflict in the Central African Republic, instability in DRCongo, political uncertainty in Burkina Faso, and a continuing militant threat across the Sahel.

Speaking to the press shortly after being elected, Jean argued that the economic strategy adopted at the summit represented hope and the possibility that the organisation will gain a new relevance.

“You know, countries, peoples and civilisations came together by doing business together,” she said. “I believe that this magnificent project is to do that within La Francophonie, to use this very rich language and make it an extraordinary space to move forward together for the development of the economies of our countries.”

It is in this endeavour that the two groups mentioned in the summit’s theme – women and youth – will be crucial.

Women and children first
For several years, the African Development Bank (AfDB) amongst others has been reiterating the need to stimulate youth employment in Africa. For example, in 2013, working in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Bank arrived at a joint recommendations for the international community.

The fact is that Africa is the world’s youngest continent and is experiencing an unprecedented youth bulge. According to some estimates, around 65% of Africa’s population is under 35, and if trends continue its under-18 population is set to increase by two-thirds by 2050.

This presents the continent with a huge opportunity, though in order to take it, “full employment should be a policy goal for societies at all levels of development,” as stated by the 2014 UNDP Human Development Report.

The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) similarly emphasises the importance of Africa’s youth but takes a slightly different approach.

To begin with, it stresses the need for a strategy to reduce child mortality through vaccinations, health care, sanitation and safe drinking water as well as to empower girls through secondary education, sexual and reproductive health advice and access to supplies such as contraception.

The UN Population Fund foresees that when a country reduces its high mortality and birth rates, a young working- age population will emerge that can propel economies forward. As Babatunde Osotimehin, the UNFPA’s Executive Director says: “Youth can’t be left out when we plan the future.”

However, when New African asked Osotimehin at the report’s launch if compulsory retirement might be used as a strategy to allow young people to progress faster up career ladders, he replied: “Ooh, that’s really below the belt! You know that I am 65 years old! But no, to be serious, I take a different view. We believe in inclusiveness. If people still have the capacity to contribute to society, they should not be excluded.”

“We need to find opportunities for them to participate,” he continued.

The post Women and youth: The hope for Africa’s future appeared first on New African Magazine.

Make 2015 Incredible

With every new year, comes renewed optimism.

And while I’m not a fan of New Year’s resolutions that you’re just going to toss aside when things get busy, I am a fan of creating new habits.There isn’t any magic involved — you have to do the hard work. But if you’re committed to gradual change, you can change your habits completely over time.If you’re ready for an awesome 2015, here are some ideas to help you get there.

Ideas for an Awesome 2015
If you follow these ideas for the next year, I think you’ll create something truly amazing:


Create habits, not goals or resolutions. Resolutions are like wishful thinking, that fade away inevitably as the year’s newness wears off. Goals are great, but it’s hard to juggle 5-10 new goals when you have a lot of other things always going on. Instead, focus on one new habit at a time, and give it your full attention, until it becomes automatic. Then do another new habit. After a year, you could have 12 new habits, and you’ll be a lot closer to any goals you might have wanted to reach.


Be all in. Most people fail at their resolutions because they write them down, start taking action, and then let themselves quit when things get hard. But what if you committed to doing the habit of meditation in January, or you’d have to give up your favorite food for a year? What if you had to pay $10,000 if you missed two straight days of meditation? Would you stick to the habit then? Of course you would — because you’d be fully committed. Find a way to be all in, and you’ll make your habits stick.


Focus on weekly adaptations. Most people try to focus on something that will take a year to achieve, but you lose motivation, and what if things change during that year? Instead, focus on one week at a time. That’s a doable chunk of time — you can do a week at a time, but you can’t really do a year at a time. And each week, see how you can adapt what you’re doing so that your method gets better and better over time. Review how you did, find the obstacles, and plan around them for the next week.


Find your crew. You can do great things on your own, but you’re much more likely to get them done if you have a group of friends who are holding you accountable, and who you’re holding accountable too. Hold each others’ feet to the fire. Root each other on. Hold regular meetings to make sure everyone is staying on track, and don’t let your crew fall off track.


Fill your year with curiosity and a learning stance. Many people get discouraged if they fall off their goals or habits, but that’s because they have an all-or-nothing mindset. They see failure as evidence that they can’t do it. Far from it: failure is evidence that things need adjusting. It’s a way to learn, so that you can get better. Be curious about what will work for you, about what this new habit will be like (instead of having a preconceived idea), and about what happens when you make adjustments. See all your successes and failures as learning, not a sign that you are good or not good. With this flexible mindset, you’ll be able to weather out any kinds of disruptions, missteps, obstacles or changes.

Whats The Most Beautiful Thing In South Africa? Vote And Win

Is the most beautiful thing in South Africa a school bag with a social conscience, a politically powered beret or the little satellite decoder that sits atop your TV?

That’s what members of the public will get to decide when voting for the Most Beautiful Object in South Africa, an initiative that’s part of the annual Design Indaba.

The 12 nominees for 2015, chosen by a range of well-known South Africans, will be exhibited at the festival.

Previous winners include a short fantasy video called Steam 1886, which examined the fashion, hats, gadgets and lifestyle that its creators saw as the possible future of 19th-century steam culture, and Gavin Rajah’s gorgeous pebble dress.

The festival kicks off on February 27 and runs until March 1 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

The winner will be announced at the end of the festival.

Here are some of the beautiful finalists. Which one gets your vote?

» Cast your vote online at http://admin.designindaba.com/expo/vote-mboisa-2015

» Want to read more about the 12 objects of beauty? Go to designindaba.com

Africa's Most Expensive Football Stars And Their Commercial Worth

The January transfer window has been quiet in many respects as Europe’s biggest clubs have not yet made a splash. Typically, with the window only a few days away from shutting down, financial analysts ought to be examining expenditure amongst Europe’s best clubs but so far, the biggest deal in the window has seen Manchester City spend £28 million to sign Wilfried Bony thus making him Africa’s most expensive footballer. In light of Bony’s emergence as Africa’s new king, Ventures Africa takes a cursory look at Africa’s five most expensive footballers highlighting what happened after their moves as well as their successes with their personal brands.



Didier Drogba
The move: Marseille to Chelsea, £24m (2004)



What happened next: Didier Drogba arrived at Stamford Bridge with a lot of promise after bagging 32 goals in 55 games for Marseille in the seasons before. Growing to become an integral part of Jose Mourinho’s revolutionary team, Drogba repaid Chelsea with a number of important performances and goals over the years. His biggest though, was the last spot-kick in a penalty shootout to help Chelsea win its first ever, and long coveted, UEFA Champions League trophy in 2012. The Ivorian forward cemented his place a legend in Chelsea’s history books as he bagged a total of 157 goals in 341 appearances for the club between 2004 and 2012.

Commercial success: Drogba has, for the last decade, or so been one of the biggest sports and football brands in Africa. Since the move to Chelsea and his role in helping the club win a number of important titles and playing on the big stage, Drogba’s brand has become increasing appealing and doubled with Drogba’s continuing philanthropic initiatives in his native Ivory Coast, most notably the commitment to build a £3 million hospital, corporate partnership with the Didier Dorgba brand has proven strategically rewarding. In 2013 alone, Drogba earned a reported $5 million from sponsorship and was then valued at a staggering $33 million. Drogba’s highest paying deals are understood to have come from associations with Nike, Pepsi and Samsung but the forward has also sought to explore the mass and commercial appeal of his brand as he has launched an underwear line. Drogba remains one of Africa’s most important football figures and despite approaching firmly being in the twilight of his career, his market value of his brand is very much in its prime.

Where is he now: Drogba, now 36, has returning to his old stomping ground, Stamford Bridge to reunite with old boss and mentor, Jose Mourinho. He has so far scored six goals in 23 appearances and has officially retired from national team duty with Ivory Coast.



Yaya Toure
The move: Barcelona to Manchester City, £24m (2010)





What happened next: Yaya Toure’s move to City coincided with the club’s emergence as a true super European club as the midfielder played an immense role in helping the club win a first Premier League title in more than 50 years. After being a little more than a squad player at Barcelona, Yaya Toure has grown to become a key member of the new look Manchester City team scoring vital goals in cup finals and winning a raft of personal awards. He has so far scored 61 goals in 209 games with his personal best record in terms of goals coming last season after he scored 24 goals in 49 games.

Commercial success: Yaya Toure’s growth in stature has come with a corresponding growth in commercial success. The Ivorian has earned personal endorsement deals with German sportsear manufacturer, PUMA and car brand, Nissan. The PUMA deal involves Africa-wide distribution of PUMA gear to many of Africa’s children in a bid to help unearth the next generation of talented footballers as well as adequately aid their progress. Yaya Toure’s deal with Nissan also sees him designated as a global ambassador alongside some global icons like Andres Iniesta. The deal presents Nissan with excellent leveraging opportunities not just in Africa where Yaya Toure is a big figure but also in European football competitions such as the UEFA Champions League where Yaya Toure frequently features in.

Where is he now: Toure is 31 years old and still plays for Manchester City and also serves as skipper of the Elephants of Ivory Coast.



Michael Essien
The move: Lyon to Chelsea, £24.4m (2005)



What happened next: Michael Essien, after playing a role in establishing Lyon as the biggest club in France, joined Jose Mourinho at Cheslea and quickly became one of the world’s most dominant midfield players with stellar displays to help Chelsea win Premier League titles as well as a number of cup competitions. Essien was earmarked as one of the key components of Mourinho’s great title winning team of the mid-2000s and won the prestigious BBC African Footballer of the Year Award in 2006. He was named Chelsea player of the year in 2007 and was named in the 2008 African Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament.

Commercial success: Essien has enjoyed substantial success with his personal brand which remarkably grew in strength following his emergence as one of Africa’s foremost footballers. The midfielder has enjoyed endorsement deals with MTN, Samsung and Pepsi. The Ghanaian midfielder is also reportedly involved with leveraging his personal brand with a fragrance line, a fashion line as well as a personal Vodka brand.

Where is he now: Essien’s best days appear to be wholly behind him as he now plays for Italian club-side AC Milan after enduring an injury ravaged ending to his time at Chelsea.



Emmanuel Adebayor
The move: Arsenal to Manchester City, £25m (2009)



What happened next: Unlike others on this list, Emmanuel Adebayor’s move did not have the desired impact as the Togolese star lasted at Manchester City for only one full season. In his first season, Adebayor made 31 appearnaces scoring 14 goals but only managed 5 goals in 14 appearances the next season before making a January loan move to Real Madrid.

Commercial success: Despite Adebayor’s relative failure at the to flight with Manchester City and Real Madrid, the forward signed a deal with energy drink brand Power Horse in 2010 and has also enjoyed corporate association with sportswear brand, Adidas. The forward has also indicated that he may seek a post-football career in punditry after appearing on the BBC World Cup coverage for the 2010 World Cup.

Where is he now: Adebayor has spent the last few seasons at Premier League side Tottenham but his career appears to have stalled after recent personal problems have seen him excluded from Tottenham’s match-day squads.



Wilfired Bony
The move: Swansea City to Manchster City, £28m (2015)



Bony has only just completed his move to Manchester City 

Why Africans Work Hard, Not Smart

When I first moved to Africa, I negotiated what I thought was a great salary. I soon found out that I was selling a five-day week (with the option to work on the odd Saturday). However, my employer was buying a seven-day week (with the option to call on every single one of the 24 hours in each day). My company wanted me to work hard, not smart, and hard meant long hours in the office, where a concept called “visible working” played out on a daily basis. It was their way of justifying my salary and showing that they had made a good hiring decision. I soon found out the hard way that it really was the hours you put in that counted, and that weekends – particularly Sundays – gave you a double score or a trip to Human Resources (HR) to explain yourself on Monday.

And thus it was that I found myself in the HR director’s office one rainy Monday morning. In his hands were printed copies of an email exchange between me and a senior colleague requesting me to attend a 2pm meeting at the office on Sunday. The emails happened between 11 and 11.30am on that Sunday. I unwittingly replied to the first email that I had unfortunately made prior arrangements and would catch up with the minutes on Monday. This, I found out, was the wrong response. I was cautioned, my commitment questioned, and I was made to vow that I would always put the company first at all times. It was rule number one in the playbook on how to work hard and not kill yourself trying. The better way to respond to such an email request I later learned was either, “I’ll be there,” or “Sorry, I won’t be there because my wife/child/parents are dying as I write this.”

Two weeks later I stumbled on rule number two and the consequences of not adhering to it. A female colleague misguidedly left the office at 6pm one evening to deal with some domestic issues. At 7pm we (the executive team) were called in to a last-minute (and might I say needless) meeting. At 7.10pm, when the boss realised she was not in the room, he called her mobile number, which wasn’t answered. At 7.20pm she returned his call. By 7.25pm she no longer had a job and by 7.26, I had quietly sent a text to my wife telling her not to wait up for me.

At work, people are measured by their ability to show up at a meeting, how visible they are in the office, and the number of hours they put into a project – never by the quality of those hours. The concept of that new-age expression “work smart, not hard” is very much against the corporate culture in many African organisations. Emails copying as many people as possible are sent early in the morning and late into the night, and responses are expected. Phones are never switched off and rarely muted, and this applies to holidays as well as sick days. I was once told to send some work to a junior assistant and when I pointed out that she was off sick that day, I was told it did not matter; it was her job and she was expected to do it. And she did – from her sick bed, perpetuating the misconception that she was not really ill at all.

Burnout is considered a western concept, for wimps who do not understand that hard work is the key to success. Just as the American dream demands a stroke of good luck to hit the jackpot, so the African dream requires only relentless hard work to ensure success. Stress is a word that the lazy and unambitious use, and like malaria, no one takes it seriously, even though it is a potential killer.

Except for my wife, that is. She took it very seriously and started sending me articles on work-life balance to encourage me to spend more quality time at home. Since my encounter with HR, quality time for me now meant sitting with my phone or laptop (usually both) pretending to hang out with my family. One article she sent me was about how some leading US companies were creating work-life balance policies to force employees to have down time and reduce the stress levels in their environment – simple policies like banning the sending of emails over the weekend. I bravely (in retrospect, stupidly) sent it to a colleague, who immediately responded with “you know Americans are not like us.” He warned me it would be a career-limiting move if I forwarded it to anyone. I pressed delete and told my wife I never received it. Like me, she would have to come to terms with the fact that this job and this company was concerned with taking a pound of flesh. I had seriously undercharged for it and there was nothing I could do. Next time, I would negotiate a contract and financial compensation that was commensurate not just with my experience, but also with the number of hours in the two-year contract I would sign. I had visions of retiring very rich someday if I did not die of a stress-related illness before the contract came to an end



By JJC

*JJC is Nigerian slang. It means Johnny just come and refers to a recent returnee from abroad. Fresh from the US, I am sharing my adventures in Corporate Africa at www.ventures-africa.com. It’s the survival guide I wish had been written for me! Follow me on Twitter @jjcAfrica.

The Rich Will Get Richer And Own More Than Half Of Global Wealth

That’s right, the richest 1% of people in the world will, according to a new report released by Oxfam, own more than what the other 99% of earths inhabitants own. That’s enough to make anyone doubt their own career prospects.

Bill Gates: $76bn – Microsoft (self-made)
Carlos Slim Helu and family: $72bn – Telecom (self-made)
Amancio Ortega: $64bn – Zara (self-made)
Warren Buffett: $58.2 – Berkshire Hathaway (self-made)
Larry Ellison: $48bn – Oracle (self-made)
Charles Koch: $40bn – Diversified (inherited and growing)
David Koch: $40bn – Diversified (inherited and growing)
Sheldon Adelson: $38bn – Casinos (self-made)
Christy Walton & family: $36.7bn – Wal-mart (inherited)
Jim Walton: $34.7bn – Wal-Mart (inherited)
Liliane Bettencourt and family: $34.5bn – L’Oreal (inherited)
Stefan Persson: $34.4bn – H&M (inherited and growing)
Alice Walton: $34.3bn – Wal-Mart (inherited)
S. Robson Walton: $34.2bn – Wal-Mart (inherited)
Bernard Arnault and family: $33.5bn – LVMH (inherited and growing)
Michael Bloomberg: $33bn – Bloomberg LP (self-made)
Larry Page: $32.3bn – Google (self-made)
Jeff Bezos: $32bn – Amazon.com (self-made)
Sergey Brin: $31.8bn – Google (self-made)
Li Ka-shing: $31bn – Diversified (self-made)

What have you done today to make you feel proud?

Africa Targets 2017 For Its Own Air Transport Market

African Ministers of Transport have declared their full support for the African Union Commission’s proposal for the establishment of a single African air transport market by 2017.

This emerged on Wednesday as South Africa’s Transport Minister Dipuo Peters hosted the meeting of the African ministerial working group on the establishment of a single air transport market in Africa.

The working group includes members of the current Bureau of the Conference of the African Ministers of Transport.

Minister Peters said the meeting acknowledged the activities implemented by the African Union Commission (AUC) to make the establishment of a single African air transport market a reality by 2017.

She said air travel was essential to the prosperity of Africa, as it opened up opportunities that did not exist before.

“Fostering the African aviation industry may be one of the driving forces of regional integration on the continent. Better connected African countries and regions, through a viable air transport industry, could be the catalyst that can boost intra-African business, trade, tourism as well as cultural exchanges,” she said.

In the case of South Africa, national carrier South African Airways (SAA) belongs to the largest global alliance in terms of market share – Star Alliance.

The alliance enjoys 27% of the international air traffic market, ahead of Sky Team (19%). Airlines outside these alliances still command the biggest share at 38% of the global market.

However, the performance of the African aviation industry still lags behind the rest of the world. The demand for air transport has increased steadily over the few years, with passenger numbers and freight traffic growing by 45% and 80% respectively.

Minister Peters said this trend is expected to continue in the coming years due to a number of factors such as robust economic growth, demographic boom, increasing urbanisation and the emergence of the middle class.

“Air transportation contributes directly to economic growth through the creation of direct and indirect jobs in the industry. It also contributes positively to other auxiliary sectors such as tourism.

“The expansion in air transport also creates market opportunities for local entrepreneurs by creating regional and global economic centres,” she said.

Unlocking growth potential

In Africa, the industry is being hampered by constraints such as a poor record of safety and security, lack of adequate resources and infrastructure, distance and limited connectivity, lack of regulation and government actions.

Minister Peters said these constraints add to the competition and high operating costs. Addressing these challenges could significantly unlock the industry’s potential for future growth.

“Other constraints to note in the African air transport industry are poor airport infrastructure, lack of physical and human resources, limited connectivity and lack of transit facilities.

“Despite the growing awareness of the role that the aviation industry could play in the development of the continent, the industry is still not a priority of most African governments,” she said.

Minister Peters said African countries are reluctant, despite increased liberalisation of the African aviation industry, with some African governments still hesitant to open their skies amongst each other but yet are open to non-African countries through the Open Skies and Horizontal Agreements.

“African countries must first link with their own African neighbouring countries before they can forge links with other countries. The fear of competition amongst African counties undercuts national airlines’ [abilities] to enhance their commercial viability,” she said.

The Minister said the challenge requires African governments to enhance the regulation of aerospace management, consumer protection and the safety of airlines.

The AUC Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Dr Elham Ibrahim, said: “We are fully supportive of the realisation of Africa’s long-term vision.

“Now is the time to end the marginalisation of Africa in the air transport market. Establishing a single air transport market will create an extra 155 000 job opportunities in the key markets which are South Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan, Guinea, Namibia, Tunisia, Chad, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal and Angola.

“Five million passengers are denied the chance to travel between these markets because of unnecessary restrictions on establishing air routes.”

The South African government has identified transport as one of its economic pillars and as a major deterrent to the triple scourge of unemployment, inequality and poverty.

- SAnews.gov.za

Make A Fortune From Your Salary

Someone once tweeted that being broke is childish and truth be told, living from hand to mouth actually gets tedious after a while.

How many of us have changed jobs and instead of preserving our pension fund, spent it all on paying off debts and splurging on an overseas holiday? After all, the future seems like a faraway concept that we might never even meet.

Often the assumption is that you’re still young and that there’ll be ample time to catch up with your savings. or rectify your bad financial habits. Most wealth experts actually advise that there’s no better time to start saving than when we receive that very first salary in our 20s.

The road to wealth building also requires a change of mindset, meaning old habits like buying expensive bottles of champagne in clubs before drawing up your monthly budget should fall by the wayside. The following guidelines will start you off on your journey to building wealth.

Save more than you should: The general rule of thumb when it comes to saving is that one should put away at least 10% of their salary. Some of the most successful people save more than that to ensure they will be covered should it ‘rain’ unexpectedly. Some of the wealthiest never feel the need to show off. Instead they save more, find new investment opportunities and have sandwiches for supper instead of splurging on takeaways. Remember to start saving for retirement now and if you can, consult a financial advisor on how to build a few investment/income streams for your retirement.
Root out the little things that eat away at your salary: For example a gym membership that you’re paying for but not using, bank charges for the ten times that you’ve withdrawn money in just two days, your phone bill, right down to that unnecessarily big tip you gave the waiter are just some of the bad financial habits that swallow up our salary without us even realising it. Also, go through your bank statements with a fine toothcomb and you’ll find many things that you’re paying for that you can definitely do without.
Draw up a debt plan and stick to it: Draw up a list of those debts that give you sleepless nights, starting with the one with the highest interest rates right down to the lowest. Pay more than the minimum payment required on the debt at the top of your list. As you pay off one debt, repeat the cycle of paying in extra.
Keep reminders of what you’re saving for everywhere: Often as our debts clear up and more money is available to us, the temptation to buy a new car or splurge on clothes or your social life arises. Don’t fall victim to this! Put up sticky notes or pictures on your desk or on the fridge at home to remind yourself what you’re saving for. One glance at these reminders will help you be at peace with your priorities.
Investments are your best friend: The idea of investing in something that may only materialise in ten to twenty years may seem disheartening at first, but remember that it could set you up for a long time after you’ve retired. Property is a good one and so are equities, especially when you’re still young.
SOURCES: Entrepreneur, Forbes, LearnVest, US News, Investopedia

$1.5 Million For 2015 AFCON Champs

The winner of the African Cup of Nations will get $1.5 million (about R17m), the losing finalist will make $1 million and every one of the 16 teams participating at the tournament will receive at least $400 000.

Tournament organiser the Confederation of African Football says the total prize money on offer at the continental championship in Equatorial Guinea is $10 million, compared to the more than $350 million Fifa gave out to teams at the World Cup in Brazil.

Germany alone took home $35 million for becoming world champion last year.

At the African Cup, the reward for making the quarterfinals is $600 000, and $750 000 for reaching the semifinals.

This year’s tournament kicks off today in Equatorial Guinea, a late change in host country after Morocco pulled out citing fears over Ebola.

How African Companies Can Have A Successful 2015

Only companies that can adapt to the fast changing global environment – unstable currency markets, growing global population and rising number of internet users – and can make them work in their favour will be successful in 2015.

“Businesses in Africa are under increasing pressure in the current economic climate to remain competitive, both locally and globally, and sometimes lack the ability to build resilient supply chains,” said Sumesh Rahavendra, Head of Marketing for DHL Express Sub Saharan Africa.

He noted that business decision-makers should be asking themselves how they can respond quickly to fast-changing customer demands; how they can contain or reduce escalating costs and how they can enter emerging markets without substantially increasing their risk. These, he points out, are dependent on having a well-designed supply chain and are crucial to successful running of businesses.

Rahavendra says the following three things are key to building a well-designed supply chain:

Annual planning and reviewing: This lays the foundation for an efficient supply chain as it assists business owners to see the bigger picture and gives them the flexibility they need in the face of changing business demands. All potential risks must be identified and assessed, no matter how improbable.

It is equally important to review the past year to ascertain what impacted the supply chain, and what can be improved upon to avoid unnecessary interruptions in the future. For example, the fluctuating fuel price directly impacts delivery costs. It is therefore important to streamline delivery processes in order to stabilise costs and in turn, keep client tariffs stable.

Another area to look at is seasonal spikes in business activities which may require additional resources. For example, retailers often experience a surge in sales over the festive season – effective solutions need to be put in place to avoid customer delay, and ultimately complaints.

Reverse logistics: This is often overlooked, however, effectively managing the flow of returned goods and packaging is key to reducing unexpected costs.

International supply chain management: Trading across borders can present a number of challenges, unique to each country. In Africa, these include congestion in major cities – such as Lagos and Nairobi – customs inconsistencies with regards to product classifications and duty and tax exemptions, which can lead to complex customs clearance processes, and a lack of air connectivity with just over 12 percent of cities served by just one flight a week. It is important to understand these challenges and make the necessary plans to circumvent potential delays.

Rahavendra advises that in order to maximise a business’s bottom line, decision-makers should aim to take a more holistic approach to managing supply chain risk and achieve greater visibility, flexibility, and control.

“Outsourcing logistics strategically can make a significant contribution to a business’s profitability so make sure that you have the right partners who understand the global economy and more importantly, the intricacies of doing business with each individual African county – it’s not a one size fits all approach,” he concludes.

South Africa's Six Richest Women: thesouthafrican.com

Pam Golding

Nett worth: in the region of R11 billion

Source of wealth: Oll pam started her property business in 1976 with no money at all. Look at her now.

Wendy Appelbaum

Nett worth: R2.6 billion

Source of wealth: Wendy inherited a heck of a lot of money from daddy dearest, Donald Gordon. These days she owns De Morgenzon wine estate as well as a few other institutes founded in her father’s name.

Wendy Ackerman

Nett worth: R1.9 billion

Source of wealth: Wendy number two owns about half of Pick ‘n Pay… nuff said.

Irene Chanley

Nett worth: R1.6 billion

Source of wealth: Irene used to be exec of MTN and Firstrand Bank… one could do worse. She now serves as the head of Smile telecoms in Mauritius.

Bridgette Radebe

Nett worth: R1.6 billion

Source of wealth: Being married to Patrice Motsepe… just kidding. Bridgette is the head of Mmakau Mining, as well as the president of the SA Mining Development Association.

Sharon Wapnick

Nett worth: R433 million

Source of wealth: Sharon holds controlling stakes in her dad’s companies, Octodec Investments and Premium Properties.

Want To Know How Various Cultures Settle Lobola? Here is how

In a first for South African television, OpenView HD’s eKasi+ brings you a brand new reality TV series, Mahadi - Lobola, that follows families as they negotiate lobola; an African tradition whose intricacies are always kept a secret. Mahadi - Lobola premieres this Saturday, 17 January 2015 at 7:30PM on eKasi+, channel 105. The series will be a thrilling and candid look at one of the oldest and most complicated African traditions.

For many couples, mahadi legitimises their marital commitment and lies at the heart of the unification of their bloodlines. The heartbeat of the series is all the cultural nuances that unfold in real life situations. Each story will reflect the diverse demographics of South Africa and will have a celebratory tone, therefore; warm hearted and richly textured. The viewer will be a voyeur and explore the varied ways in which different families undertake lobola negotiations.

The series is narrated by the multi-talented Gontse Ntshegang, popularly known for her roles on e.tv soapies Rhythm City and Scandal!, as well as Muvhango and Yizo Yizo. This Saturday, Gontse and the crew head to KwaZulu Natal, as the aspirant groom Percy and his uncles ask for his long time girlfriend’s hand in marriage kwaNongoma.

“The series showcases our indigenous heritage and cultural diversity. The concept of Mahadi has always been a closely-kept secret known primarily to those who have been part of the negotiations. With a more curious and slightly detached younger generation, a show like this serves as an insightful production,” enthused Monde Twala, MD for e.tv Channels Division.

Thabang Moqobai directed the first episode and says he was thrilled by the treatment he received from both families. “I got all access to the negotiation process, an issue I was worried about in the beginning because this tradition is very sacred to the Nguni people, but I think families have decided that it is time for some transparency in the way things are done. It is a very long and complicated process, but in the end it is worth it,” he enthused.

Mahadi - Lobola starts this Saturday, 17 January at 7:30PM on eKasi+, channel 105 on OpenView HD.
Facebook: MAHADILobolaTV
Twitter: #MahadiLobolaTV

Welcoming The Football While Watching Out For Ebola

A gun-like sensor is put against the head of each person as soon as they get off a plane in Equatorial Guinea, the host country for the African Cup of Nations. When the sensor beeps, the man holding it nods and the passenger is ordered to move along.

Next, unsmiling women wearing white coats and masks spray cleansing gel on everyone’s hands and tell them to rub them together. And questionnaires have to be filled in, asking if you’ve had a fever in the last 21 days. The body temperature of everyone is checked.

It’s all part of the preparations for Africa’s big football tournament.

In the wake of the terrible West African Ebola outbreak, tournament organisers the Confederation of African Football were certain the January 17 to February 8 African Cup should go ahead, confident the disease wouldn’t be a threat. Now they have to make sure it won’t be after dumping Morocco as host because of that country’s fears over Ebola and desire to postpone the 16-team event for up to a year.

CAF refused Morocco’s suggestion and chose Equatorial Guinea as a short-notice replacement. It was really CAF’s only choice as no one else wanted the tournament and its thousands of travellers.

“When all [Equatorial] Guineans learnt that the African Nations Cup was going to be played here, everyone was afraid, we were terrified,” Genoveva Abesolo Obunu, an official with Equatorial Guinea’s health ministry, said.

“But when we learnt about the steps the government was taking to prevent the sickness, the fear subsided.”

So the tournament will go on, kicking off this weekend in the oil-rich Central African nation halfway up the continent’s west coast. It is Equatorial Guinea’s second go at the African Cup in three years after co-hosting with Gabon in 2012.

CAF and Equatorial Guinean authorities have announced this time that everyone arriving in the coming days – players, officials, fans, everyone – will undergo Ebola screening. No one is exempt, no matter where they come from.

In the airport terminal in Malabo, the capital, posters describing the dreaded symptoms of the deadly virus hang alongside triumphant photos of the country’s president holding the African Cup trophy. Pictures warning people of the possible implications of vomiting and diarrhoea sit next to the football championship’s colourful and cheery mascot; a squirrel-like creature with red, blue, green and white fur kicking a ball.

Equatorial Guinea has no reported Ebola cases. Guinea, far away in West Africa, is one of the three countries badly affected by Ebola and the only one of the three to have a team qualify for the tournament. But the disease – which has killed more than 8 000 people – will call for constant vigilance over the next three weeks, authorities here say.

In Bata, Equatorial Guinea’s biggest city, posters in the national language Spanish call above all for an African Cup “without Ebola”. Ebola screening tests also take place at its airport, this time on the tarmac as travellers walk toward the terminal.

But it’s not all doom and gloom.

Equatorial Guinea’s reward for taking on the tournament with just two months to prepare is the reinstatement of its team as host nation in place of Morocco. The decision was contentious because Equatorial Guinea had been disqualified from the Cup of Nations last year for fielding an ineligible player. Now it’s back in.

“The people of Bata are overjoyed,” Bata resident Pedro Nga said, speaking French, the country’s second language. “We will applaud and support the team, that’s all I can say.”

Equatorial Guinea opens the African Cup on Saturday against Republic of Congo in Bata. Burkina Faso then plays Gabon at the same stadium in the first of a series of double-headers. Games will also be at three other venues: Malabo and two border towns in the far east, Ebebiyin and Mongomo.

Changing Lives One Computer At A Time

When Luvuyo Rani decided to quit teaching and start his own business ten years ago, most people thought he was crazy. That he sold his merchandise from the boot of his car also led many to question his integrity.

Born and raised in Queenstown in the Eastern Cape, Rani says that when he was a teenager he had no idea what he wanted to do with his life. All he knew was that he had to have a fulfilling career.

So after finishing high school he studied to become an educator. While teaching at Kwamfundo High School in Khayelitsha in Cape Town, the Department of Education introduced Outcome-Based Education, which meant teachers were expected to use computers. Rani says he watched as his colleagues, who lacked basic computer skills, struggle to use the machines.

Watching their difficulties, the now-40-year-old entrepreneur realised that other people in the community must also be facing the same problems. Realising computers were the future, Rani started selling them from the boot of his car, and he also fixed broken machines.

It was tough going at first, and it took him and his business partner, his brother Lonwabo, three months to sell just four computers. Despite the slow growth of their venture, they never gave up on their dream.

It wasn’t long before they decided to open an Internet café at a Khayelitsha mall. Their company, Silulo Ulutho Technologies, was born. Among other services, the company offers basic computer training, they assist clients to create mobile accounts such as email and social network pages. They also offer internet access and teach students how to do online university applications.

When the business began to thrive, Rani realised he and his brother needed another partner, someone who could assist with fixing the computers and help with marketing.

“My brother and I had no money to pay another person, so we had to make him a partner in the business,” he says.

Starting the Internet café with only 10 computers, Rani says demand quickly increased. The company now has 18 centres in the Western Cape and 15 in the Eastern Cape.

In a 2012 interview with DESTINY MAN, Rani said he and his partners wanted to expand the business to other provinces around the country and also offer franchises.

The franchise dream has become a reality. They now offer budding entrepreneurs an opportunity to run their centres and own a 50% share for a period of two years. After the two-year period the entrepreneur can purchase 100% of the particular centre and thereafter just pay franchisee fees.

Rani believes that the key to running a successful business is simplifying things, not taking on too much at once, and most importantly, loving what you do.

“It gives me great joy when I meet people in Khayelitsha and they tell me that the training we offered them helped them to get a job,” he says. He adds that seeing young people being inspired by their work and wanting to start their own businesses is what makes all the hard work worthwhile.

While there are still challenges, such as getting the right people for senior management positions, the highlights outnumber the difficulties by a long way.

Last year Rani received international recognition, being named as one of the Junior Chamber International’s Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World.

“Getting international recognition means that we are doing something right,” he says. “I love what I do, not because it’s a business that brings in money, but because of how our business has been able to transform people’s lives.”

The company now employs 140 people. Rani says their aim is to have at least 100 centres around the country by 2017. They’ve come a long way from being that tiny venture operating from the boot of a car, and the future certainly looks bright for Silulo Ulutho Technologies.

Additional reporting: News 24

Scrap Metal For Cash In Mozambique

Local resident Dercio Cuna stands tall overlooking his backyard – the Huléne Dump Site. Covering about 17 hectares in the outskirts of Maputo City, Mozambique’s capital of roughly 1.5 million people, this landfill is home to several hundred people who live and work here. Dercio has been here for 15 years.


Dercio earns a living by scouring the dump for scrap metals, especially copper and aluminum. Here, he has found some old bed springs, which he will take to the dusty road which runs behind the site. He and his team of seven other men take turns guarding their stockpile until private dealers arrive to buy it, which could take anywhere between a few hours and several days.


As Maputo’s only official dumping ground, this decomposing dog is not the strangest thing you might find at Huléne. According to press reports, 259 rounds of live ammunition were found buried amid household garbage last year, including machine gun magazines and anti-aircraft munitions. With uncontrolled fires common here, it’s lucky the firearms didn’t cause disaster.


Children outnumber adults here, who also sift through the rubble collecting scraps to sell. But football beats work any day – these two have taken a quick break to just be kids for a minute.


Not all garbage is equal. This truck has rolled in from one of Maputo’s growing number of luxury hotels, creating a flurry of excitement as people scramble to get the best loot.


This bundle of plastic bottles will fetch 5 meticais per kilo (around US$0.17). Collecting plastic bags is even less lucrative, earning 2.5 meticais per kilo. Dercio is luckier – his scrap metals will get him 20 meticais per kilo (US$0.67), and much more if he finds copper.


Chinese traders, who arrive at Huléne at 7am each morning, have been collecting plastics from here since 2010. In this shot women are weighing their bundles at a scale. It can be a place of tension here, where the sellers always want to receive more and the buyers always want to pay less.


With several hundred tonnes of garbage added each day, the dump is now spilling into the densely populated neighbourhoods that surround it – creating a trash playground for children. These boys heave old tires up the banks of the dump and race them down the hill.


The massive, mist-enshrined hills behind this youngster continuously bellow toxic fumes, causing lung infections and other health complications. Just 24 hours here can make your throat feel raw.


This is Dercio’s home, which he shares with his wife and four children.


The ever-looming dumpsite is just moments from Dercio’s home. This shot is through his front door. Booming explosions, collapsing garbage and crackling fire echo through the night as the site remains constantly ablaze.


Dercio combs his son’s hair before school. During the height of the rainy season from December through March, rain water passes through the dump and then sits stagnant at the foot of Dercio’s front door, reaching about knee level. Cholera outbreaks are common here and everyone in Dercio’s family has contracted malaria at least once.


Despite its many complications, Dercio says the main problem about living here is “I can’t make enough money to properly support my family.” Although the Huléne Dump Site was due to be closed this year, a lack of state resources and the low priority of waste management renders this date unlikely.

Erasing Stereotypes About Africa

The West’s politics of pity towards Africa relies on some easily available stereotypes that are ultimately offensive, inaccurate and help perpetuate fundamental ignorance that feeds a certain Western agenda. Here are some of the most common as satirised by James Wan. Just like other injustices against the people of Africa, this wilful pigeonholing needs to be eradicated.

The victim
Welcome to Africa, where everyone is starving, emaciated, diseased and dying. Where “the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears”, and the only thing that grows from the arid ground is the thorny rose of despair. Welcome to the cradle of humanity, still frozen in time, where the innocent child-like masses are passive, helpless and too exhausted to even swat away the flies from their eyes.

The warlord
Welcome to Africa, where war reigns, the only rain is of falling bullets, and wearing an AK-47 across your bare chest never goes out of fashion. Where militias with wild eyes, bared teeth and voodoo armour that stops them being killed roam the bush day and night. Welcome to a world of evil, dark-skinned Rambos.

The noble savage
Welcome to Africa, where all those ancient values that you cherish and that were so ruthlessly destroyed by pesky “modernity”, remain pure, untouched and still innocent.  Where tall old men wander the savannah in exotic robes thinking wise thoughts, and villagers gather round to perform strange (but totally unthreatening) rituals and dance joyously at any occasion. Breathe in that nobility of spirit as the sun sets across the plains, silhouetting that grand old baobab tree.

The grateful child
Welcome to Africa, where the pocket money of faraway donors has rescued the once suffering masses, where those passive glares have been replaced with children’s toothy smiles, and their tears of despair are now tears of joy and gratitude. And all because there is a well or a school or a clinic where once there was none. Africa has been fixed and boy is it happy, thankful and indebted!

The witchdoctor
Welcome to Africa, where the only source of power is black magic, where witchdoctors shake monkey bones in the night to ward away evil spirits, and body parts are harvested for ancient malevolent rituals. Where the masses cower under the spell of an unscrupulous voodoo shaman and sadly there is no education to teach them any better.

The corrupt suit
Welcome to Africa, where those in power stay in power by hook or by crook and enrich themselves, their families and their tribes in the process. Where resources are abundant and possibilities are endless, but where Africans in suits can’t help but loot. They all steal with a smile, but stay number one by the gun.

The bogeyman
Welcome to Africa, that scary world where – if you grew up in the diaspora – Mama threatens to send you when you misbehave. Where your cousins are lucky to get a meal, where your grandparents toiled in ways you could never imagine so your parents could escape, and where the kids certainly don’t have the games and gadgets you take for granted.

The miracle
Welcome to Africa, where everything is fine! Actually, it’s great. Take everything you thought you knew about the continent, all the poverty, misery and disease, and flip it. Economies are booming, everyone’s getting rich, and all the news is good news. Africa is Rising. End of.

The post Erasing stereotypes about Africa appeared first on New African Magazine.

AFCON 2015: The African Spirit

One spirit
One dream can come true.
One thought can change millions.
One single sporting gala,
Can make two smiles mean a lot.
A destiny shall be discovered
Through a wild wave of cheers.
A goal shall be mooted under a touch of romance.
A vision shall be renewed
In a galaxy of stars and lights.
Aspirants shall learn how to fly
While the birds fly like angels.
Five magical brands.
Five amazing continents.
Five lonely souls dying to be noticed.
One summer of soccer promises
To set new standards of excellence,
With a sprinkling of nostalgia.
The land that was envisioned in Africa
Hosts a dream that was instigated by the best
When talent tackles talent,
The world roars in unison waiting to
The drama and emotion of great sporting moments.
That is the spirit of Equatorial Guinea 2015; togetherness!

South Africa's Current Eight Richest Men: thesouthafrican.com

Johann Rupert


Nett worth: R82.35 billion

Position locally: 1

Position globally: 173

Source of wealth: Rupert made his billions as chairman of the Richemont luxury goods group. This Swiss conglomerate includes brands like Vacheron Constantin, Cartier, Alfred Dunhill, Montblanc and Chloe. He’s also the chairmain of the Remgro group.

Nicky Oppenheimer


Nett worth: R72.6 billion

Position locally: 2

Position globally: 205

Source of wealth: The Oppenheimer family founded Anglo American in 1917 and has been at the reigns of the world’s largest diamond producer, De Beers since 1927. In 2011 Nicky sold his 40% stake in De Beers to Anglo American for $5.1 billion, adding to his already substantial nest egg.

Christo Wiese


Nett worth: R34.67 billion

Position locally: 3

Position globally: 506

Source of wealth: Wiese is the largest shareholder and executive director of Shoprite, Africa’s biggest retail chain. He also started Pepcor and various other low-price chains globally.

Patrice Motsepe


Nett worth: R29.26 billion

Position locally: 4

Position globally: 642

Source of wealth: Mining.

Koos Bekker


Nett worth: R14 billion

Position locally: 5

Position globally: 1284

Source of wealth: Bekker was CEO of Naspers, Africa’s and one of the world’s largest media corporations.

The other three on our list come in hot on the heels of Koos Bekker, with all of them being in the same ballpark. These are Allan Gray, Stephen Saad and Desmond Sacco; each with a nett worth of around R14 billion.

Right, there you have it… something to aspire to in the new year. Just remember, there are more important things than money, we just don’t know what they are yet.

Johannesburg Specialists Make Cardiac History

A team of cardiac specialists practising at Netcare Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg have reached a milestone by conducting 100 cryoablation procedures, the hospital said on Wednesday.

The procedure is done to treat an irregular heartbeat which, if left untreated, could result in severe disability or death.

“To the best of my knowledge the team’s achievement is unequalled in private cardiac medicine in South Africa,” said the hospital’s general manager Anton Gillis.

The procedure involves inserting a flexible tube, used to navigate a special catheter, from the groin to the heart. The tube is used to freeze the tissue causing the irregular heartbeat.

Gillis said only a few cardiologists in the country specialised in this field.

“Dr Israel Obel and his team, who performed the very first cryoablation procedure in South Africa in April 2010, are recognised as authorities in this field and are among South Africa’s leading experts in the treatment of atrial fibrillation,” Gillis said.

-SAPA

Why Everyone Loves Jo'burg

Farai Diza

The multi cultured city of Johannesburg has made great strides rising from the ashes of apartheid to being an internationally acclaimed destination of choice. So much has happened 20 years into democracy and the pillars of independence are coming to fruition.

Many people come to the city of gold with nothing but a suitcase full of dreams and they do come true for many who believe in their abilities. It may not be the most beautiful city in the world but it is exciting and vibrant and at the coalface of what people think.

From the bustling taxis that stream into the Noord rank every morning to the beautiful Midrand sunsets, “Joy-hannesburg” or “Jo-hustleburg” is the land of beauty and opportunity.

Just like the lingering smiles of her inhabitants, Jozi is rich in mineral resources, filled with unlimited business potential, breathtaking landscapes, abundant lifestyle, unspoilt environment and an enviable lifestyle.

Aply named the “Gateway to Africa”, the cosmopolitan city boasts of many features and amenities reminiscent of a world class city. From good infrastructure to a sophisticated banking system. From good coverage of medical services to friendly people blessed with a touch of nostalgia. That is Johannesburg.

Yet statistics alone can never tell the full story, there are more options in the city, more creativity, more fashion choices and more integration.

Johannesburg is scathingly hot in summer with routinely high temperatures that range between 30 and 40 degrees Celsius. It mercifully cools down at night though making sleep time worth every ticking second.

With all work and no play making Jack a dull boy, the city is the unique port that enables everyone to enjoy the warm hospitality of the area. From the township Kota’s to the vibey coffee shops of Melville, there is just anything for everyone.

Traffic jams are constantly the order of the day with the main arterial routes clogging up with traffic. The advancement of technology and affordability of cell phones has made it easy for taxi and bus commuters to join motorists in tuning into their favourite radio stations while on the move.

After all, radio show hosts save our souls in these traffic jams. Listening to some of the city’s vibrant radio stations such as Highveld and Mix FM make trickling through traffic seem like a walk in the park

Among the vegetation, mountain acacia, wild pear, and the paper bark tree are all in abundance. There are also many aloes, wild herbs and over 100 grass species.
Johannesburg is the pulse of Africa and you can let the people share in the excitement with you.
Ends...

Mandela: The transformational global figure

By Farai Diza

The human spirits ability to triumph over any adversity is worth celebrating and so is the life of Nelson Mandela, the anti apartheid activist and former South African president who dedicated his life towards uplifting the just causes of South Africa’s vastly diversified population.

The world’s leading media houses were in a Mandela frenzy running screaming headlines based on the revolutionary leader and 91 world leaders descended upon South African shores to pay their last respects.

But Mandela’s influence in Africa goes far beyond the borders of South Africa and he is regarded across the continent as the father of democracy. Mandela stopped racism, apartheid and other controversies between the whites and blacks. He fought for equal rights between the whites and blacks and wanted peace throughout South Africa, he fought for his country and the well being of others.

Before Mandela became the first black, democratically elected leader of South Africa, Africans were uniformly repressed by a white minority. His election, therefore, served as a key turning point for contemporary Africa that was reeling through colonial rule.

The soft spoken 95 year old is such a uniquely unifying figure because he was so gracious. He was detained for 27 years, but spoke only of peace. After living through one of the most repressive systems imaginable, Mandela and his peers did not revert to violence. He was not bitter or angry but instead stood for all South Africans, not just blacks.

“When we look at the significant role that Nelson Mandela has played in the creation of a new democratic South Africa, one cannot help but in awe of the calibre of leadership that our country has produced,” stated MEC for Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Miss Nomusa Dube.

Ultimately he showed Africans that they can rise above bitterness and suffering, joining the ranks of great men such as Mahatma Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jnr, who enacted change with peace, humility, and grace.

Mandela is universally respected around the globe serving as a leader and emissary on key world issues throughout his life. But why is he such a transformational global figure?
Mandela showed that there is no easy road to peace but it is ultimately a course that triumphs over violence which resonated with people – people in power and average citizens alike – all over the world.

“I think he is significant for a very simple reason. He demonstrated that people who advocate for peace are the solution to every problem. I think Syrians could learn from him, Somalians could learn from him, the Egyptians could learn from him – people all over the world would benefit from following that example. He showed like few others ever had, that peace triumphs over violence, a valuable lesson no matter where you live,” added Dube.

Like Martin Luther King Jnr, Mandela stands firmly for what is right. Apartheid had very strong roots in America’s own history of race; white South Africans even tortured the Southern United States to learn what they could do to replicate the kind of policies and practices that had long proliferated there after the civil war. Mandela sought to undo that kind of racism, diminishing its presence not just in South Africa but also in the United States.

Mandela, like Luther King Jnr, achieved the historically rare feat of uniting a fiercely divided country. The feat is rare because what ordinary politicians have always done is seek power by highlighting differences and fuelling antagonism. Mandela sought it by people’s common humanity.

It was while incarcerated in prison that he learnt his most valuable lessons in leadership. As he himself acknowledged, prison shaped him. He went in angry, convinced that the only way of achieving his peoples freedom was by force of arms. This was neither an original nor a morally opprobrious approach back then in 1962.

What the prison experience did was elevate Mandela to a higher political plain and when his time came, he deployed these lessons to devastating political effect.

The month of July has become over the years known as Mandela month and July 18 has been internationally declared as Mandela Day. On Mandela Day, people are called on to devote 67 minutes of their time to change the world for the better, in a small gesture of solidarity and humanity and in a small step towards a continuous, global movement for good.

Mandela has always described education as a powerful weapon the poor can use to better their lives. Under the harshest conditions he was able to excel in his studies and went from a school in his rural town of Qunu all the way to Fort Hare University and eventually got a law degree at Wits University.

“My grandfathers’ view on education has always been that education is a weapon that one can utilise to change the world and it became one of his main pillars when he founded the Nelson Mandela Foundation. So you can see from his role of building schools and clinics throughout the country that he felt that our society in order to develop, it needed to embrace education and excel to the highest level.

“He continuously urged us as a family to compete at the global level as we we are facing people who have double doctorates and that is the level he would want to see, and not just his family but South Africans taking themselves to,” stressed Mr Zvelivelile Mandla Mandela, who is Mandela’s grandson.

South Africans have been encouraged to maintain the responsibility to sustain the legacy of Mandela who retired after just a single term as president that ended in 1999. His last public appearance on a major stage was in 2010, when South Africa hosted the FIFA World Cup.

.africa to market continent through technology

By Farai Diza

The .africa domain name is expected to be launched towards the end of this year, making it possible for businesses and other organisations to register domain names ending in .africa for the first time in internet history.

Donvay Wergierski, director of Werksmans attorneys said that the .africa domain was created by Africans for Africans and marked Africa’s strides in growth and development.

“It will present an opportunity to identify the African continent online for the first time. We expect many existing and new companies across the continent to take up the .africa domain to show to the world where they are from,” he explained.

The procedure to register the .africa domain is yet to be formally disclosed.
However, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is the coordinator of the launch of the new domain names.

“We expect the .africa domain to launch in two phases – first the sunrise phase and second the laundress phase,” Wergierski added.

During the Sunrise phase, trade mark owners have priority to register .africa domains incorporating their trade marks for a certain period of time. Trade mark owners will be required to validate their trade marks at the Trade Mark Clearing House (TMCH) as only trade mark owners with TMCH validation can take advantage of the Sunrise period.

It is only possible for the TMCH to only validate registered trademarks and therefore only proprietors of registered trademarks will have preference.

The Laundress phase will open thereafter and domains can be registered on a first come first serve basis. The .africa domain will be managed by Uniforum SA, trading as ZA Central Registry.

Internet access is particularly important in emerging economies as it helps bridge divides such as language, culture, religion and education across countries and continents.