SA restaurateur bills Boris £90,000 for loss of turnover; Old Mutual eyes African markets,Nedbank drives very strong results; Team South Africa’s best Olympics since readmission
South African restaurateur bills London mayor Boris Johnson £90,000 for loss of turnover during Olympics
ELATION: South Africa’s Caster Semenya proudly wears the silver medal she won in Saturday’s 800m Olympic final. Read about more of South Africa’s
Olympic highlights on the back page.
“BORIS, YOU OWE ME £90K FOR OLYMPICS”
by STAFF REPORTER
While Britain enjoys post-Olympic euphoria,the South
African owner of a top-end City eatery has hand-delivered a bill of £90,000 to Mayor of London Boris Johnson for loss of revenue during the Olympic Games.
Neleen Strauss said her restaurant High Timber, on the north bank of the Thames near the Millennium Bridge, is “normally well stocked with accountants, lawyers, bankers and visitors to this great city of ours. But since the Games began, I have lost 80 percent of my trade.”
She believes the slump in turnover over the last fortnight is because Johnson’s un-researched ‘scaremongering’ tactics forced City workers to stay out of central London.
“I blame Johnson for my lack of customers because, time and again, he warned Londoners to leave room for the millions of visitors he said would come to the capital. This inspired City bosses to suggest their employees either take their holidays during the Olympics, or work from home. There was no-one here. And the heralded influx of tourists didn’t
land in the city. They travelled east, where the action was,” the restaurateur said.
Strauss called the situation a “travesty of miscalculation and scaremongering,” which could have been avoided had the mayor’s team researched how previous host cities had coped with transport congestion. “Johnson went into overdrive without properly calculating the consequences of his recommendations.”
Strauss noted it was all very well Johnson telling Londoners that they would reap the long term benefits of the Games when “it’s the here and now that pays wages.”
She said she had taken on the extra costs of paying staff to work because of new delivery times, and that had she known business would be so bad, she would have shut shop and sent everyone on holiday.
Strauss, who runs High Timber in partnership with the Jordan Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, wants Johnson to pay the bill from his own pocket and not from the “seemingly limitless” public funds that supported the Olympics.
“I’m not usually given to fits of pique. Nor will this break me. I’m South African and I deal with
problems head on, normally after a look at the cricket score while turning a chop on the braai. But no braai will fill the substantial void in my company account,” she said.
Johnson was reported as responding, “In some places the picture is mixed, but there is a significant upturn in spending in restaurants and theatres.”
Neleen Strauss is the owner of High Timber restaurant in the City of
London, which has been left virtually empty during the Olympics.
2 | 14 August – 20 August 2012 | thesouthafrican.com
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SeptemberDavid Toole and Lucy Hind: The Impending StormDate: 7 & 8 September Venue: Southbank CenterThe Impending Storm is an explosive and emotional look at the stories that we tell and the stories that we are, created by Birmingham-based director Mark Storor. Acclaimed dancer David Toole has collaborated with a team of UK and South African artists, both able-bodied and disabled, to explore the boundaries of physicality, culture and stories.
The dancers of Remix, South Africa’s only professional integrated dance company, will perform with UK-based David Toole and Lucy Hind. UK musician Dom Coyote, in collaboration with South African singer Sandile Gontsana, provide a continent-crossing music and poetry
score. Pushing the boundaries of integrated dance, the piece will premiere at International Dance Festival Birmingham 2012.
Tickets are £15 on www.southbankcentre.co.uk
SA Business Club : Bernie Clark – Head of Health and Risk at Alexander Forbes Financial Services LtdDate: 12 September, 6.15 -9.30pmLocation: DeloitteThe SA Business Club is honoured to present Bernie Clark, the Head of Health and Risk at Alexander Forbes Financial Services Ltd on 12 September. The topic is still to be confirmed. As always, the speaker address will be followed by delicious canapes and the finest South African wines.
Members Cost: £0Members’ Guest Cost: £20Vistor (Non-member) Cost: £30Booking: http://
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FLAGBEARERS: The Parlotones performed at Ekhaya on Tuesday 31 July (photos by Ronel van Zyl) and the following night Freshlyground performed at Jazz Cafe in Camden (photos by Heather Walker).
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DO you realise the human race just put a vehicle the size of a car on Mars? It’s over fifty million kilometres away, and we put it there. Screw Usain Bolt; that is the most impressive thing I’ve seen all week.
And have you actually seen how we got this thing onto the planet’s surface? Forget the journey there. That was the easy part. It’s the landing that’s the real sticker. And the way NASA did it just boggles my mind. I can’t even think about it without my brain doing backflips.
Mars is a bugger to land on. To get there inside of a century, you have to be travelling at monumental speeds. And then you have to slow down so you can land. But the thing is, the Martian atmosphere is so insubstantial that you have to work out other ways of doing it. And by the way, you’ll be landing on solid rock. And you’re carrying dozens of ultra-sensitive scientific instruments.
To start with, Nasa dropped Curiosity into the atmosphere at cosmically huge speeds, fending off the scorching friction with a heat shield. Then, they blew the heat shield off, and deployed a parachute to help slow the tiny hurtling capsule in the thin Martian atmosphere. As it got closer to the ground, rockets kicked in, slowing the capsule down further. The parachute was jettisoned, and then the capsule had come to a hovering halt above the surface. From this master capsule, the rover – named Curiosity – was then lowered using an inbuilt crane. Clunk. Surface impact. Rocket-propelled crane flies away. It’s insane. It’s genius. And it worked.
I can just imagine Nasa’s initial planning meeting. “OK, guys, we need to get this thing down safely. Let’s blue-sky this. Rockets? Parachute? Giant crane? Ah, the hell with it, we’ve got the budget. Let’s do all three.”
The bit of this that has escaped public notice, mostly, is that Curiosity would not have been parachuted, craned and rocketed onto the Martian soil had it not been for a South African team. True story. The South African National Space Agency (Sansa) had a role in designing and launching the vehicle. We helped with the telemetry and satellite tracking of the rover.
I’ve written about South African scientists before, so I won’t rehash it. But I grinned from ear to ear when I found out about this. It’s like being given a ringside seat to the coolest show on earth.
Mind you, the least the eggheads at Nasa and Sansa could have done is put a damn colour camera in the thing. I’ve seen the photos it’s been sending back, and so far there have been a lot of rocks. Of course, if the scientists have actually been looking for rocks I’d say they’ve lucked out in a major way, but I’m still shouting at my screen: “Point the camera up! Slow down! Take in the view, damnit!”
A big howzit from Mars
ROB BOFFARD
The LOCAL
Screw Usain Bolt - landing a vehicle on Mars is the most impressive thing Rob Boffard has seen all week. Photo by Bruce Irving.
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6 | 14 August – 20 August 2012 | thesouthafrican.com
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Ek praat natuurlik van ons Olimpiese helde wat nie net goud en silwer teen die bestes in die wêreld verower nie, maar ook die hele wêreld se harte. Wat ‘n wonderlike gevoel is dit nie om deur sulke ambassadeurs verteenwoordig te word nie? Mens kan nie anders as om trots te wees nie en al het ons nie die meeste madeljes nie, weet die wêreld van ons en waarom ons as nasie so spesiaal is!
Ek het nie al ons medaljes gesien nie, maar dié wat ek wel gesien het was baie spesiaal.
Cameron van der Burgh (Ons eerste medalje en goud):
Van sy swem die dag tevore kon jy sien dat Cameron lus was vir dié ding. Die kommentators was
amper liries oor sy spoed oor die eerste 50 meter en het vinnig laat weet dat hy dopgehou moet word, al is dit twee maal die afstand waarin hy sy rekord hou. Cameron het egter sy spoed behou en met ‘n nuwe Olimpiese rekord vir die finaal gekwalifiseer. Die finaal het hy van die wegspring tot die einde gelei en met ‘n nuwe Opimpiese en wêreld rekord, goud vir ons gewen.
Chad Le Clos (goud, silwer en Bert die media sensasie):
Dis hier waar my drie hare begin regop staan. Nie net was die hele nasie op die punt van hul stoele nie, maar het saam na hul asems gesnak toe hulle sien hoe Chad met die draai en met 25 meter van die einde, sy heel laaste gee om sy sigbare agterstand in te haal. Haal vir haal, asem vir asem, sy liggam te strek na die glorie wat mag wag.
Soos ‘n vis met ‘n getuite mond het ek daai suurstof saam met hom ingesuig, die longe wat brand, die honde en my vroutjie moes wegskuif, want dié 100 meter gaan ons nie verloor nie. En ons wen! Uitgelate! Die honde blaf en my vrou vra of ek ok is…
Wel, ek is seker daar was nie ‘n droë oog tussen die Suid-Afrikaners nie, veral nie nadat Oom Bert so mooi gepraat het oor sy seun nie. Weereens ‘n voorbeeld van uitgelate geluk, ouer – en
menswees.Oscar Pistorius (Ons eie Blade
Runner):Ek is ‘n groot Suid-Afrikaanse
man wat nie sommer sal sê dat hy emosioneel raak of was nie. So dit was amper…
Dit het begin met ‘n teks van my moedertjie uit SA: ‘Oscar gaan nou hardloop’. Met die aansit van die boksie, word die honde sommer vooraf gewaarsku en my vroutjie kyk terug met groot oë. Ek sê kom kyk, Blade Runner gaan nou hardloop.
Ek het net stil geraak toe die kameras hom begin volg. So jonk, sterk en trots, glad nie gestremd, maar die teenoorgestelde. Sy geskiedenis is bespreek, sy gesukkel om twee keer te kwalifiseer en hier is hy nou! Die eerste dubbel geamputeerde Olimpiese atleet ooit. Fiks, gereed en Suid Afrikaans!
Na sy kwalifikasie na die tweede ronde van die 400 meter het hy met die BBC gesels. Doen jouself ‘n guns en gaan kyk daarna, want nie een keer het hy na homself of sy prestasies verwys nie, maar na sy afrigtersspan, sy ouers en Die Bron van sy krag!
Die skrywe is aan al ons 2012 Olimpiese deelnemers, met of sonder medaljes.
My hoed is in my hand en ek sê, dankie!
Hulde aan ons Helde!
Brandpunt
CONRAD BRAND
THIS is sticky, messy, dirty finger food at its best! We all love it come rain or shine, so its time to throw on that dusty apron, get your hands dirty and prepare yourselves for some wickedly moreish flavours. Cook them in the oven; finish them on the braai, either way they are so finger-licking good you simply won’t be able to stop.
Ingredients:• 1.2kg unsmoked pork ribs, cut
down into quartersFor the marinade:• 2 garlic cloves, crushed• 2 tsp ginger, grated• 2 tbsp runny honey• 3 tbsp dark soy sauce• 3 tbsp hoison sauce• 2 tbsp oyster sauce• 1 tbsp tomato sauce• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard• ½ tsp dried chilli flakes• 300ml lager• Juice and zest of an orange
Method:• Pre heat the oven to 200°C.• In a large bowl, mix together all
the marinade mixture.• Toss the ribs in the marinade,
making sure they are evenly coated, cover the bowl with cling film and leave the ribs to marinade in the fridge for a minimum of 3 hours, feel free to leave them to marinade for a full 24 hours if you have the time.
• Once marinated, transfer the ribs along with the sauce onto a lined baking tray and cover with tin foil.
• Place in the oven for 30 minutes.
• After 30 minutes, remove the tray from the oven, carefully remove and discard the tin foil.
• Turn the ribs over and place back in the oven for 20 minutes.
• Once done, remove the tray from the oven and again turn the ribs, basting them with the marinade.
• Place the ribs back in the oven for a further 30 minutes, basting
and turning the ribs at 10-minute intervals.
• When you remove the tray from the oven the ribs should be lovely and caramelised with the marinade reduced down to a dark, sweet, sticky sauce.
• Baste one more time, remove the ribs from the tray, cut along the ribs and serve.
Angie Steele hosts fun cooking classes at The Avenue cooking school in Putney. These include Dinner Party Demon to brush up those key skills to help you impress, and Ready Steady Date for single cooking with loads of laughs.
To book visit www.theavenuecookeryschool.com/courses/angie-at-the-avenue or e-mail [email protected]
COOKINGwith Steele
ANGIE STEELE
Sticky pork ribs recipe
Angie Steele’s recipe for sticky pork ribs is sure to be a hit for any occasion.
7thesouthafrican.com | 14 August – 20 August 2012 |
EntertainmentLike us on Facebook:facebook.com/thesouthafrican
South African musicians Zahara and Zakes Bantwini will join Nigerian legend Femi Kuti and a host of other stars from across the continent at the Africa Unplugged concert at Wembley Arena in London on Monday 27 August
BACK in the land of London, lapping up the Olympics and thinking I should write something about the main event. Only, everyone else has. Do you really want to read another opinion of just how fabulous our green and gold team has been? Do I really have to point out that our team is more colourful than a DSTV ad and evokes just as much emotion in my patriotic heart? Sure you had a tear when Oscar ran… and those boys rowed to victory?
Wasn’t it great? Yay South Africa. Perfection and generosity of spirit in sport.
London is clean. Scary clean. I have just come from the throb of Cape Town, the pulse of Pietermaritzburg where life is like the Hulk to our little English Pip. Not even the Olympic vibe can assault the ears as the sounds of honking horns, high-pitched whistles and vendors yelling in the streets. It was a demanding trip, wanting to spend time with family, wanting to see more and not getting it quite right. But what I did get right this time was seeing my adopted daughter Zanele and her two youngest children again for the first time since we left. I
say it now, I am a total racist when it comes to black
babies. There is no baby in the world as beautiful.
Round faced cherubs with luminous eyes
and lips like baby trout gasping for
air. Stared at Aphile and Anele for most of the morning.
We welcomed Zanele at the age of five, when the IFP and ANC decided to decimate our area. Bodies piled up every day and this little girl arrived at our house traumatised , having witnessed her best friend and neighbour perish in an arson attack on his entire family. Zanele suffered from nightmares for years.
Anele is sitting on a chair in the cafe, her eyes level with the table top. She is accosted with a double thick milkshake. Only after 20 minutes I realise the child may be turning blue for sheer effort at trying to get some liquid up the straw. Black children are not prone to moaning, or having a tantrum if they cannot get something. She was silent and respectful of her mother showing off her little brother. Her gogo had suspected freezing temperatures and dressed Anele like a pink Eskimo, so by the time I saw the beads of sweat
on her forehead and ripped off some layers, she was ready to faint from overdress and too much suction. I put her on my lap
and feel her mould into me. It is good to be back.
Democracy or no democracy, the looks were still there. Zanele and I are used to them by now. Just as our Olympic athletes hold each other close in joy or tears, we have held each other when it was not fashionable; when walking her to school made us subjects of speculation in the car park. Taking her to swimming lessons was always entertaining for others. Explaining the gollywogs at bedtime. I am only sorry I will not get to do this with her children.
I do suspect that with that kind of lung capacity sucking on the stubborn straw, Anele may be our gold medallist in the synchronised swimming team when she grows up. Strive all you bright young things!www.thesouthafrican.com/people
Here and there
KAREN DE VILLIERS
The OPTIMIST
Wembley Arena hosts SA stars at Europe’s biggest African show
by STAFF REPORTERSOUTH African musicians Zahara and Zakes Bantwini, Zimbabwe’s Winky D and Nigeria’s Afrobeat legend Femi Kuti will be among the stellar line-up of artists performing at Africa Unplugged at Wembley Arena on Monday 27 August.
Africa Unplugged Music Festival 2012, billed as Europe’s largest African concert, will feature 20 artists from 15 countries, performing to more than 12,000 people. The event will celebrate the rich diversity within African music, by showcasing some of the continent’s most popular artists.
26-year-old Afrosoul singer Zahara (real name Bulelwa Mkutukana) grew up in an informal settlement outside East London in the Eastern Cape. Zahara released her debut album Loliwe in 2011 which went platinum in 13 days and double platinum after just 17 days, selling more than 100,000 copies in South Africa. This made her the second musician after Brenda Fassie to reach this figure in such record time. At the 2012 South African Music Awards, she won eight awards, including best female artist and album of the year.
The charismatic performer Zakes
Bantwini (real name Zakhele Madida) is a well-respected South African producer, DJ and performer. Other confirmed artists include Fally Ipupa (Congo), Sakordie (Ghana), Cabo Snoop (Angola), Madtraxx (Kenya), DJ Arafat (Cote d’Ivoire) and Noeva
(Zambia).Africa Unplugged will promote an Africa united in the struggle against poverty, genocide, hunger, drought, war and HIV, with two
main charities set to benefit from the event’s
proceeds: War Child and Save the
Congo.War
Child is an international charity that
protects children from the brutal effects of war
and its consequences. They currently work in Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Iraq and Uganda. They are on the ground, supporting the most vulnerable children who are too often forgotten in the aftermath of conflict.
Save the Congo is staffed by a team of Congolese students and young professionals advocating the restoration of human rights (as set out in the UN Universal Declaration of Human) and promoting the restoration of peace, security and justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Tickets start at £28 - buy on www.africaunplugged.co.uk
Win!We have five pairs of tickets to give away to Africa Unplugged. Enter your e-mail address online to stand a chance of winning this prize. Competition closes on Wednesday 22 August.www.thesouthafrican.com/win
Multi-Sama winner Zahara (above) and performer Zakes Bantwini (below).
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I am a total racist when it comes to black babies. There is no baby in the world as beautiful
8 | 14 August – 20 August 2012 | thesouthafrican.com
Follow us on Twitter:@TheSAnewsBusiness: News
THREE INSIGHTS INTO: SILVER, THE METAL OF EMPERORS
Phil and Nik answer Tessa’s questions on silver trading
Tessa Sorgdrager is a London-based South African who is considering investing in silver.
What can we expect from the silver price during the summer? We’ve been range bound in silver between the $26 level and $28.40 for the last two months. Current price is $27.70, we need to clear $28.75 to break-out from the current downtrend. The next important price target will be $30 (which we believe will be tested in the next three months). Despite its flat performance in recent months, we believe it’s likely to rebound before the end of the year.
We all know about supply and demand but what exactly is silver used for?The list of products that need silver is enormous and constantly growing – including the use in coins and bullion, jewellery, dentistry, photography, water purification, solar panels, satellites, batteries, high-tech weaponry, electronic circuit boards and the two biggest areas of all: mobile phones (photovoltaic cells used in smartphones – 1.5 billion were sold last year) and silver’s recent ascent as a leading antibacterial agent used by hospitals around the world. Today, you can even buy silver-embedded plasters.
I have heard the term “the gold/silver ratio” – what exactly is that?This is one of the best indicators of how far silver prices can move. If you average out the price ratio between gold and silver throughout history, you land on a single
magical proportion: 16 to 1. That implies that at $1600 per ounce of gold, silver should be $100 per ounce. Gold is currently trading at $1614 an ounce and silver is at $27.70. Silver remains undervalued right now and that gives it much more upside potential than gold.
If you would like to know more about silver or would like to receive free weekly gold & silver trading and investment updates then sign up to The Gold & Silver Club’s newsletter at www.thegoldandsilverclub.com
If you have any other questions that you would like answered, please email [email protected]
Note: The above exchange rates are based on “interbank” rates. If you want to transfer money to South Africa then please register/login or call us for a live dealing rate. Make use of a Rate Notifier to send you alerts when the Rand exchange rate reaches levels you are looking for.
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Tessa Sorgdrager, a London-based Saffa
Legally Speaking: Student dependantQ : My boyfriend and I are in the UK
on student visas. I am three months pregnant and am terribly worried as to what to do and where we stand as far as our studies, the baby and the immigration rules on our student visas. Will I have to give birth in my home country? What will the child’s status be in this country, and ours?
A : Your child may be born in the UK. As soon as your baby is born and you
have a passport for the baby, you will be able to apply for a visa for the baby as your dependant.
The baby will then be able to stay for the same period granted as your student visa. If you further your studies and apply to extend your stay as a student, you may include your baby in the application. You will only be successful with the application if you can
prove that you will be able to maintain and accommodate yourself and the baby without recourse to public funds, and are genuinely continuing your studies.
Although born in the UK, your baby will not be a British Citizen and the birth will not affect you or your boyfriend’s immigration status.
Please contact our offices for further assistance.
JP BreytenbachDirector of Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants Ltd [email protected] or www.bic-immigration.com
by PAUL HARRISON SILVER is often described as a ‘poor man’s gold’, a second class citizen in the world of precious metals, but certain speculators are backing silver to be worth three to four times its value today in just a few short years.
We sat down with Phil Carr and Nik Kalsi, founders of The Gold and Silver Club and professional commodities traders, to get their insights into silver as a potential investment.Insight 1: OverviewSilver is currently under pressure on a lack of further US monetary stimulus and euro weakness. The white metal prices are holding around $27 on a combination of weak jewellery, coin and bar demand, along with investor selling of bullish positions. In the short term we are focused on intra- day trading silver. If we break the important
support
levels – $26 on silver, the momentum is likely to continue downward in the short term.
If broken we expect a violent but quick sell-off to the $25 – $23.50 level which we see as the bottom. Absolute bottom we see as $19, highly unlikely but the extreme level of support in a dramatic event at which point we expect a sharp recovery rally. In which case traders should be prepared with the right trading strategy to profit.
On the flipside, if the market continues to bounce and rally off the $26 support level this potentially could be a very profitable trade. This key level has not been breached in the last 12 months so is the pivotal level to watch.Insight 2: The Chinese impactToday the Chinese are the biggest consumers of silver on the planet – accounting for an astounding 23% of global silver consumption last year! In fact, in 2010 silver demand rose 67% in China alone. And this number is expected to increase dramatically in the next several years.Insight 3: Be aware of quantitative easingIn June The Bank of England confirmed it was to restart its asset purchase programme with a further £50 billion of quantitative easing. To put that into perspective, that will take the total size of the UK programme to £375 billion. We believe the Federal Reserve will be the next to boost the US economy and of course that will result in renewed buying interest in the shiny metal.Phil Carr, The Gold and Silver Club.
Global fragility steers ZAR WEAK Chinese economic data dominated the global market and put pressure on risky assets such as the South African Rand. The Rand traded at 12.7196 against the British Pound on Friday, ending the shorter South African trading week marginally up from the 12.718 GBP/ZAR on Monday.
The Chinese demand for resources plays an important role in the South African resource-based economy. Lower demand for commodities coupled with lower commodity prices could have major future knock-on effects as investors move away from risky assets. The slowed South African economic growth in the first quarter of 2012 is largely due to a sharp contraction in the mining sector. Growth forecasts in the South African economy continue to shrink as Reuters economists currently project 2.5 percent.
Mike Keenan‚ sub-Saharan currency strategist at Absa Capital said, "This
morning's Japanese GDP data indicates the global economic recovery remains extremely fragile, which could restrict further risk appetite, unless the market believes (this) will actually prompt the authorities to inject further stimulus.”
The market continues to be very sensitive to news coming out of the Eurozone, and is likely to remain so until some economic stability returns to the region. Locally, the market will look to the South African retail sales data on Wednesday.
A domestic repo rate cut will be on the cards if the data is weaker than expected.
AUGUST 2012 #81 MONTHLYwww.sapropertymonthly.co.uk
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BAROMETER
by DENISE MHLANGASouth Africa may have scooped gold medals at the Olympic Games, but experts are uncertain of the immediate Olympic boost to London property prices.
According to Mike Smuts, managing director of Smuts & Taylor Ltd, it would seem from the available data that the Olympics have had little effect on East London property prices.
He points out that it’s a little early for judgement, but there is of course always a big debate about whether events such as the Olympics Games actually have a direct effect on property prices in the host city.
Smuts explains that some earlier research has shown that the Olympics may aid property values in developing cities, but has little to no effect on developed metropolitan areas like London.
Smuts is of the opinion that the point to get across is that hosting the Olympics or Fifa World Cup doesn’t do much for house prices in itself - but the infrastructure upgrades do.
“House price increases near Gautrain stations in Gauteng in the wake of the Fifa World Cup is a good example of this,” he points out.
According to the Knight Frank Prime Global Cities Index Q2 2012 report, the value of prime property in the world’s key cities rose by 1.4 percent and London ranked number five of the 27 global cities surveyed, recording an annual price growth of 10.5 percent.
The same report saw two of Africa’s top home locations in the top 10 with Nairobi, Kenya, at number three (21.8 percent) and Cape Town at number 10 (4.1 percent).
Where South Africans are buying London homesAsked where in London South Africans are buying homes, Smuts says central and southwest London remain firm favourites with High Net Worth Individual South Africans, while Canary Wharf, the biggest employer of bankers in Europe, is also fast growing in popularity.
“Most of our clients purchase in the price range of £350,000 to £500,000 for investment purposes and generate a gross yield of 5.5 and 6.5 percent.”
He says they are also seeing a lot of interest from High New Worth South Africans who are buying with a view to relocate or as a second property to use for when they visit their children or friends residing in London.
“For these buyers, trophy properties in the most desirable locations are at the top of their shopping lists and we have had a number of instructions recently for residential properties in excess of £1 million.”
Wealthy South Africans are highly prudent with their investments and with the continued uncertainty around the prospects and timing of the global economic recovery, most favour the tangible and straightforward nature of residential property as an investment, he says.
Smuts says this risk aversion and the consequent trend of ‘flight to quality’ have been the main drivers for South African investors as they attempt to avoid economic and political uncertainty at home.
He points out that wealthy South African buyers do not seem to base their decision to invest offshore wholly on
fear of the Rand’s fall in value or local political instability but rather by solid financial planning that includes diversification of asset classes and markets.
As a result South African buyers also take a very different view on the London market as a whole in that they do not see their property as a short-term investment.
In fact, some don’t view it as an investment at all, but rather as a long-term asset that will stay in the family for generations to come, he says.
This is mainly due to the long-standing view that London property offers a safe haven, the enduring attractions of the city’s excellent schools and the strong economic and social factors that makes it the investment destination of choice for the world’s wealthy.
London property prices have nonetheless vastly outperformed expectations.
Smuts notes that London was the last global market to go down in value and the first global market to recover during the global recession.
Prime London house prices are now 47.3 percent higher than the bottom credit crunch in March 2009 and that’s more than 12 percent above previous peak in March 2008.
Rents in Greater London average £1 177 per month – 7.9 percent higher than average rents in April 2011, he says.
Smuts adds that while special events such as the Olympics Games and World Cup may come and go, investors will be well advised to ignore the hype that accompanies these events and instead focus on investing fundamentally in income producing properties. - Property24.com
Olympic Games and London home prices Politics and the
property marketby STAFF REPORTERNot only does South African politics influence the real estate market but neighbouring countries' political situations can easily spill over into SA.
Zimbabwe has long had political problems and this directly influences any potential investments both locally and internationally, says Craig Hutchison chief executive officer of Engel & Völkers Southern Africa.
Hutchison says South Africa has never lagged behind any country when it comes to political turmoil.
This political situation has influenced everyone and almost everything in the country, so how has it and will it influence the real estate market?
Looking back to 1994, when the first democratic elections took place, the hype that was created on a social level ensured the emigration of thousands of South Africans.
Due to this the real estate market became a complete buyers’ market, homes were sold for next to nothing as sellers just wanted to get rid of their homes and emigrate, he says.
Hutchison explains that emigration does play a factor in selling when political turmoil arises.
Due to this factor, investor confidence takes a battering as the political situation has a negative impact on economic growth.
In recent history, statistics have shown that the number of sellers selling due to emigration has doubled and this is mostly due to political instability.
Factors that are also indirectly influenced by politics are things like rising inflation due to global food and oil prices which diminishes monthly disposable income.
This all leads to a rising household debt-to-disposable-
income ratio, he says.Even though we have seen
some ups and downs in the real estate market during the years since the first democratic elections, the future still looks bright.
Recent stats have shown that black buyers have made a big entrance into the market and that almost half of home loan applications now come from black buyers, a very long way from the only 12 percent they contributed a decade ago.
One of the main influencing factors on this is Black Economic Empowerment.
This has been part of South Africa for many years now, but the increase in bond applications shows that black buyers are now more confident in investing in property and have better job security than before, Hutchison says.
“This is a very positive sign for the real estate market and we hope it continues.
“We have seen major changes over the years in the real estate market, from an absolute jump to some real lows as well, but the entry of new buyers into the market are surely welcomed.”
The role politics also plays in foreign investment is immense.
Any political instability within South Africa causes potential international buyers to retreat and this also causes buyers to drop their prices.
Concern over the land reform situation is also a big factor.
This is one of the major worries for buyers looking at farm properties. These properties have been attracting a lot of international attention as many of them can generate some income for the buyer.
With land reforms being called for, international as well as local buyers stay hesitant when investing in South African properties.
- Property24.com
www.sapropertymonthly.co.ukAUGUST 2012 3
<< NEWS/TRENDS
African buyers lead SA foreign buyingby DENISE MHLANGAWhile foreign buyers account for a small percentage of total buyers, there is an increase in the African continent’s contribution to foreign buying.
According to the FNB report on Foreign Buying, foreign buying has been stronger in the first half of 2012 than in 2011.
Estate agents surveyed report that the number of buyers from other African countries could continue to increase significantly with Africa’s economic fortunes expected to improve.
The report notes that emigration selling is low and Africa’s improving economic situation may have begun to increase the significance of African-driven foreign buying in South Africa.
In the second quarter of 2012, the estimated percentage of domestic sellers “selling in order to emigrate” was 3.8 percent of total sellers compared to 3.6 percent in the previous quarter.
John Loos, FNB Home Loans property strategist, points out that this is the
sixth consecutive quarter that estate agents estimated a percentage at near to 4 percent, and the level remains a far cry from the 20 percent peak of Q3 2008.
Loos says this is because of weak economies accompanied by high unemployment rates in many parts of the developed world, especially the UK and Europe.
The estimated number of South African expatriates buying property in South Africa is around 3 percent of total buying.
Loos says from a low estimate of 8.5 percent of total foreign buyers back in 2010, the African foreign buyer contingent is now estimated at a significantly higher 20 percent of total foreign buyers as at the second quarter of 2012 using a second quarter moving average.
“Given expected global economic developments, I would expect African foreign buying of residential property to become a far more significant percentage in coming years than its current 20 percent.”
He says this is because Africa’s economic growth prospects, admittedly off a low base, appear somewhat more attractive than the likes of Europe and the USA, whose economies have some years to go to resolving their debt and financial commitment issues.
Sub-Saharan Africa has become significantly more politically stable in recent years, laying the foundation for improved economic growth.
The result should be a faster growth rate in individual wealth of Africans, and South Africa is, for the foreseeable future the economic hub of the region to which many Africans like to come to visit or work, he explains.
Secondly, Loos notes that as Sub-Saharan Africa grows, and with the likes of Gauteng being key services hubs, business interaction between South Africa and the rest of Africa, and skilled labour movement between the two, is likely to increase.
This is a positive for foreign residential property buying, he adds.
- Property24.com
Johannesburg city property revivalby STAFF REPORTERWith a rejuvenation programme well underway and transport nodes such as the recently opened Gautrain Park Station close at hand, the residential property sector of Johannesburg’s city centre continues to enjoy a strong revival.
This is according to Rupert Finnemore, Pam Golding Properties (PGP) joint area manager, Hyde Park office in Gauteng. He says that the ‘City of Gold’ has residential properties available from the lower end through to the higher end of the market, depending upon where in the city you choose to reside. Whatever the case may be, residential property in Johannesburg can represent excellent value for money, he says.
The city has put enormous resources into turning the city centre around after there
was a flight of capital to the northern suburbs in the 1990s, says Finnemore. “With crime levels down and occupancy rates up, the results of this urban renewal effort are highly positive and the area is enjoying a new vibrancy.”
He says there is greater confidence in the district, which is attracting considerable investment and many apartment blocks in areas such as Braamfontein and Marshalltown have been, or are in the process of being, revamped.
“There are good quality residential properties available in the city centre at reasonable prices and rental rates, and there is always likely to be a demand for good accommodation.”
Pam Golding Properties agent Farai Chitokomere says bachelor apartments come onto the market priced from
R250,000, but may fetch up to R550,000. Some two-bedroom apartments in Marshalltown sell for as much as R1.7 million while penthouses in the area may fetch up to R3 million. A bachelor flat can be rented from R2,600 to R7,000 per month.
In Braamfontein a 25sqm apartment is rented at around R3,500, while some larger 30 to 35sqm bachelor apartments in Marshalltown are available to rent from R3,000 to R3,500 per month.
Johannesburg and its suburbs cover a huge area and little is more important to residents of the city than being able to get to their places of work and entertainment easily, says Chitokomere - easy access to transport is therefore an important factor when it comes to choosing a place to live.
“With its newly opened
Gautrain Park Station, the Metrobus depot at Ghandi Square and the MTN Taxi Rank, Johannesburg city centre is on all the important commuter routes and remains very central.”
It is also relatively close to residential areas such as Soweto and business areas like Sandton, he adds.
In some areas of the city centre the upper levels of office blocks have been converted into accommodation. This has allowed office space that lay vacant to be occupied. Many residents of these apartments
live and work in the same buildings, residing on the upper floors while working in offices below or at shops and businesses at street level.
The Johannesburg city centre has come into its own once more in recent years, says Finnemore. “It is cosmopolitan and vibrant, and is the subject of a great deal of development. The area has had its ups and downs but is now enjoying a genuine renewal. For those who want to be close to where the action is, the city centre is the place to be.”
- Property24.com
The ‘City of Gold’ is experiencing a strong revival. Photo by Evan Bench.
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RICHARDS BAY R14 000 000 SECUNDA R2 650 000FERNDALE R1 280 000
WOODHILL R9 500 000
THESEN ISLANDS Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 3 WEB 211204Stunning boathouse on the water with covered patio and built-in braai & jetty. Allreasonable offers will be considered. [O] +27 44 382 5919 WENDY EVANS +27 83 461 9312 | SuE ABERNETHY +27 82 573 3353 [email protected]
A MASTERPIECE OF MAGNIFICENT PROPORTIONSBedrooms 6 Bathrooms 6 Garages 6 WEB 272194A masterpiece from Johan Slee home consists of 2600m2 under roof, has a superb design and finishes, plus every amenity. It is situated on 7500m2 of indigenous garden withexquisite water features, pool and court in an exclusive gated road in Sandhurst.[O] +27 11 784 1222 GEORGE PAPADOPOuLOS +27 84 454 1834 | CORINNA LOWRY +27 82 652 8891 [email protected]
uLTIMATE LuXuRY ON WATER ESTATEBedrooms 4 Bathrooms 5 Garages 2 WEB 253511Bask in the sunset of an elegant lifestyle with this upmarket home. Situated on thewaterfront with a brilliant shade of sunset. Architecturally stylish and chic. [O] +27 35 789 0490/1 ELAINE CHETTY +27 83 513 5559 [email protected]
SuNSETS IN A SEA OF CONTEMPORARY LIVING!Bedrooms 5 Bathrooms 5 Garages 2 WEB 262620Designer home, stunning wrap-around views across the bay and mountains. Stone andwood decks, bedroom, balcony access all around the house. Finishes are totallydelicious. [O] +27 44 533 0311 PAuL LEWRY +27 82 857 8835 [email protected]
GRACIOuS MANSIONBedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3 Living areas 5 Garages 3 WEB 271722Ideally positioned to maximize breathtaking views. Space and privacy all around - finestfinishes. Double volume entrance. Gourmet kitchen. An exquisite entertainer’s patio. SQ.[O] +27 12 452 2500 ROSA WILLERS +27 82 962 7228 [email protected]
STuNNING TERRACE WITH SENSATIONAL VIEWSBedrooms 2 Bathrooms 2 Parking 2 WEB 263881Security complex, communal pool with amenities, 82m² apartment with 37m² terraceand a 49m² fully contained guest apartment. Great Investment. [O] +27 21 434 9175ADRIAN MAuERBERGER +27 82 826 6454 | ROSA KARP +27 83 275 5474 [email protected]
SPACIOuS APARTMENT IN SECuRE COMPLEX!Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 2 Parkings 2 WEB 266344Large lounge, dining area & main bedroom en-suite. undercover parking.[O] +27 11 476 3536 SANDY MCGREGOR +27 83 454 5538uRSuLA VAN ECK +27 84 439 8317 [email protected]
PERFECT FOR GuEST HOuSE!Bedrooms 5 Bathrooms 4 Garages 2 Carports 2 WEB 271028Overlooking a golf course. It is perfect for the investor with two flats, large house andoffice space, all very modern. The garden is easy maintainable with lots of paving.[O] +27 17 634 6789 LEMANDA ENGELBRECHT +27 82 453 9576 [email protected]
NEW DEVELOPMENT IN FERNDALE Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 Garages 2 WEB 26939320 Luxury duplex units! Top class finishes throughout. Stunning kitchen, lounge/diningarea. Auto garage. Choice of tiled or wooden flooring. Fantastic opportunity.[O] +27 11 476 3536 GRANT MACDOuGALL +27 79 902 0370 [email protected]
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ASK THE EXPERT >> LIFESTYLE >>
AUGUST 20126 www.sapropertymonthly.co.uk
European vs South African property trend
What is a turn-key design?
by STAFF REPORTERHome décor and DIY expert Janice Anderssen says if you don't want to move but simply don't have enough space, or dislike the layout, then think carefully about what improvements could be done to your home. Many improvements increase the value of a home, whilst others have a negative effect on its ultimate saleability.
Before undertaking costly improvements it’s important to take a look at property prices in your neighbourhood and surrounding areas. It would be a futile exercise to pump thousands of rands into renovating a property that is already at the price limit for the area – no matter how many bedrooms or bathrooms you add.
For instance, if you’ve just spent R50k adding an extra bedroom but didn’t expand your small bathroom, the chances of ever recouping that cost should you sell your home are slim.
The obvious way to upgrade an existing property is by remodelling existing rooms or adding on to the current floor plan. The list of possible improvements is endless: new bathroom, bigger kitchen, extra bedroom, home office, etc.
But when should you decide to stop sinking money into a home and buy a bigger place? And how much is too much when the time comes to recover your investment?
Keep up with the trendsKeeping a constant eye on property market trends is one way of ensuring you’re in the know when it comes to what’s hot and what’s not. Subscribing to the Property24 SPI (Sold Price Index) provides you with information as to what the property market has been doing in your area, the latest property transfers for your street, and even suburb averages, giving you a clear indication of values in your area.
It’s also a good idea to have
your property valued by a professional valuer before you start improving. This will give you a fair indication of what your home is worth and how much investment you can afford to play with, especially with larger, more costly renovations where you are hoping for a maximum return at some future stage.
Getting the best return on your investmentFirst and foremost, it is important to stay within the architectural or design character of your property. Nothing sticks out more than a new addition that is completely different in architectural style. Wherever possible, match new materials to those of the existing structure.
Well-designed kitchens continue to add value to a home, as are lifestyle areas such as garden rooms, patios and entertainment areas. The kitchen is increasingly becoming a multi-purpose space for cooking, dining and living, with many homeowners restructuring these previously separate areas into one large, light living space. Some are going even further by opening the room up onto the patio or entertainment area, using large glass panels to separate interior and exterior spaces.
When it comes to bathroom improvements, a carefully thought-out and designed project is considered a good return on investment, provided that any improvements are in line with today’s trends for spacious rooms with built-ins and modern sanitary ware and fittings.
Before you undertake a home improvement project, assess your financial position.
To start, know the value of your property, both as it is and as it will be with the proposed improvements. It’s necessary to get a sense of the size of the investment needed to accomplish the improvements, and what type of return can be realised at the end of the day.
- Property24.com
Don't overspend on renovations
The London property market seems to be slowly and
consistently on the up despite the European recession. Do any of the regional or city property markets behave in a similar way in SA?
The recent interest rate cut by the South African
Reserve Bank of 50 basis points bodes well for an increase in market activity especially in our area of Hout Bay, Western Cape. The more favourable lending rate will hopefully draw more buyers to the market and at the same time the banks will open their doors to more business.
Equally promising is the recent report by our chairman, Samuel Seeff, that the group has seen an increase in growth of 20% year on year for the past six months. This increase has filtered through to Hout Bay, specifically in the more affordable property price sector of R1.5 million to R3 million. The higher priced properties from R5 million upwards only show a marginal improvement in activity but
still offer good value.There are no restrictions for
foreigners owning properties in South Africa. However, the lending criteria are different. Foreigners can only borrow up to 50% of the purchase price from our local banks. The remaining portion must be introduced from abroad which can be done freely with no Reserve Bank approval required. Hout Bay sees a diverse mix of foreigners owning property because of its major attractions of coastline, mountain backdrop and farm-type setting with close proximity to Cape Town CBD and surrounds.
Our advice is that it is still a good opportunity to buy especially for our cash buyers and for sellers to not hold on to high prices - this will only make the property difficult to sell and will create a negative perception of overexposure, with the property quickly becoming stale. Therefore, call our Hout Bay office on +27 (21) 7901032 and speak to one of our reputable agents who can provide you with an accurate
market related valuation or view our latest listings on www.seeff.comJames Lewis+27 (0) 836794955
LICENSEE: Seeff Hout Bay and Seeff Llandudnowww.seeff.com
I would like to design my own unit in an estate in SA
from the UK. What is meant by turn-key design? I know that there are certain types of designs to choose from when investing in an estate to make sure that there is uniformity, but I also want my house to look different
You are right – many estates do have strict architectural/
building guidelines regarding the style of homes to be built (eg Victorian, Tuscan, Modern) and even the roof and exterior wall colours, but many others are more relaxed these days and only specify such limits as maximum building heights, the placement of homes on stands to protect owners’ privacy and preferred building materials (eg natural stone, wood, and glass in eco-estates). One does need some degree of homogeneity to protect the value of homes in an estate, but provided you choose the right estate, this should not
prevent you from designing the “different” home of your dreams, wherever you live currently.
On the other hand, a “turn-key” offer from the developer of a new estate usually describes a set-price building package including a stand and the construction of a home according to one of several standard designs - or according to your own design, provided it fits in with the overall character and size of the other homes in the estate.
The advantage here, especially for homebuyers inexperienced in construction, is firstly that they know upfront what the package is going to cost and secondly, that they will usually not have to deal with too many building problems, because the builder should be accredited by and accountable to the developer. In your case, this would obviously be a much easier option than finding your own builder and trying to
manage the myriad details of the construction process and progress from such a distance.
Berry EverittCEO of the Chas Everitt International property groupwww.chaseveritt.co.za
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Old Mutual eyes African markets, Nedbank drives very strong resultsAnglo-South African insurance giant Old Mutual has posted a solid 12 per cent rise in its first half profit and said that it intends to chase growth through further expansion in sub-Saharan Africa
by STAFF REPORTERANGLO-SOUTH AFRICAN insurance giant Old Mutual has posted a solid 12 percent rise in its first half profit and said that it intends to chase growth through further expansion in sub-Saharan Africa. A 27 percent rise in profit at its South African banking unit, Nedbank, helped to drive its strong results.
The company hopes to expand into Nigeria, Africa’s most populous market, and in February tabled a bid for Oceanic Life, one of the country’s leading life insurers. Old Mutual is also considering a move into the non-
life market in the country, it said in a press release.
Faced with slow growth in its developed markets and increased regulatory scrutiny in the UK, Old Mutual has seen the benefit of moving into African markets, which on aggregate will grow by around 5 percent and are seeing a rapid expansion in a middle class which is demanding financial services and health insurance.
“Against a backdrop of sustained low growth and falling interest rates we continue to deliver good strategic and operational progress. We are expanding in attractive African markets; introducing
new products across the Group; and today are unveiling our UK Platform pricing ahead of the introduction of the Retail Distribution Review,” Julian Roberts, the company’s chief executive said.
“We have built a portfolio of resilient, high quality and cash generative businesses. Although economic conditions remain uncertain, we remain confident that we have the right offering, the right people and exposure to both emerging and developed markets that will allow us to continue to create value for both shareholders and customers.”
MTN misses estimates on competition, slowdownby STAFF REPORTERTELECOM group MTN’s first-half earnings missed analysts’ expectations as increasing competition in the company’s markets, coupled with an economic lowdown in more developed economies weighed on its results.
The company’s subscriber base rose nearly 7 percent during the quarter to 176 million, and revenue rose 17.5 percent. However, a building price war in Nigeria, the company’s most significant growth market, coupled with depressed consumer spending driven by a reduction in fuel subsidies, led to a “challenging” first half, MTN said in a press release accompanying its results release.
“Market conditions continued to be impacted by increasing levels of competition, regulatory requirements, political unrest in certain countries and the global economic slowdown,” the group said.
MTN is the largest of four major players in the Nigerian mobile
market and has around 43 million subscribers in the country.
The company’s South African unit grew strongly, adding 6.8 per cent to its subscriber base and increasing revenues by 9.5 per cent, mainly due to a dramatic increase in sales of data, as more customers begin to use smartphones.
The operator is also exposed to Iran and Syria, the latter of which still saw growth in subscribers despite the increasingly vicious civil war in the country.
MTN’s Iranian unit has been the source of considerable controversy in recent months, as international pressure on the country has led to an extension of sanctions and difficulties in repatriation of profits.
Furthermore, Turkcell, a competitor to MTN’s 2005 bid for an operating license in Iran has filed a claim in the USA alleging that the tender process was marred with corruption, which MTN denies.www.thesouthafrican.com/business
Following a strong rise in profits from Nedbank, Old Mutual hopes to expand into Nigeria and has already tabled a bid for Oceanic Life, a leading life insurer in the country. Photo supplied by Old Mutual.
10 | 14 August – 20 August 2012 | thesouthafrican.com
Follow us on Twitter:@TheSAnewsBusiness: Careers
THE GRAFT IS GREENERColleen Walker | General Manager for ZAUK.co.uk
Born: Johannesburg
How long in UK: 13 years (hoping 13 will be a lucky number for me!)
Job name/ position: General Manager, ZAUK
Background: Before buying ZAUK I worked in finance my whole life. I started off studying a B.Com after school and then as a Girl Friday for a trucking company. By the time I left the field at the end of 2010, I was the UK financial controller of a global company, managing a large department and responsible for the UK finances. It was very stressful, very long hours and I realised something was going to give, either my home life or my work, so I decided to take a break and look for something else. The idea of working from home really appealed to me, and when I saw that ZAUK.co.uk was up for sale it seemed a perfect fit.
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It really makes my day when someone is so happy because of something I’ve helped do!
What is the most challenging thing about your job?Learning about the world of website development. In my ‘previous’ life I relied on the IT department to look after all things ‘techie’ – in fact, I think I was their best customer! It’s been a very steep learning curve, but
I’ve enjoyed the challenge and I enjoy the fact that there is always something more to learn.Future plans?At the moment I’m expanding the shop by featuring South Africans who make their own products . I have my fingers in a few more pies, most excitingly of which, I have an agreement with Barry Hilton’s management to arrange a show in Scotland next year. We tried to do it this year, as he was already doing a tour in England, but by the time I took over ZAUK there wasn’t really enough time to get venues etc booked.Do you think being South African helps you in your job?Yes! We have a totally different job mentality, and of course I need to understand my customers’ need to access goodies from home as well as the need to meet and socialise with other South Africans.
by STAFF REPORTERWHEN it comes to contractor payment structures just what do the terms EBT, PAYE, Umbrella and Limited Company mean?Limited Company:Now more popular and easy to set up than ever before. This is for contractors on more than £20 an hour and/or a 6-24 month contract. Recruitment agents no longer promote their use but if you ask them if you can work through one they usually have no objections.Umbrella Companies:The contractor is employed by an already established (Umbrella) company with a pre-existing arrangement with HMRC to enable them to claim back some expenses.EBTs:An Employee Benefit Trusts pays its ‘employees’ in the form of a (non-taxable) loan which the employee may be required to pay back.PAYE:The contractor becomes an employee of the agency who first deducts PAYE and NI and then pays them a net salary.
For more info on any of the above structures, or to get a comparative calculation please contact Sable on 0808 129 5990 or [email protected]
Which pay structure is best for contractors?
11thesouthafrican.com | 14 August – 20 August 2012 |
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SHEBEEN BAREdinburgh’s only South African bar has opened in Leith. A unique, stylish bar with something for everyone,delivered by experience and friendly staff. As expected we stock a large range of South African beers, wines, ciders and snacks, including a classic selection of cocktails and Dom Pedros. Opening hours are from 12pm to 1am. Come down and enjoy a true taste of Africa. 3-5 Dock Place, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6LU. 0131 554 9612.
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The colourful mosaic entrance to David Webster’s home (above) and the spot where he was murdered by a government assassin for his fight against apartheid in 1989 (right).
Guy Mulvaney visits the home of slain apartheid activist David Webster, which has been declared a Joburg heritage site
David Webster: The voice beyond the graveby GUY MULVANEYI HAVE difficulty locating the address; several of the street names are peeling off the pavements.
Interspersed between several dilapidated buildings are heaps of litter. Extraordinarily, Victorian buildings in pretty decent shape almost seem to pop out from nowhere, just like those ‘industrial chimneys’ in the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics.
The ubiquitous colourful graffiti which ‘desecrate’ any standing wall seem surprisingly inoffensive, with positive messages. Apparently Troyeville has the most churches per square kilometre than any other place in South Africa. A strange place indeed and difficult to define. Several unemployed youths haplessly roam the streets; no different to any other suburb. (There are approximately seven million unemployed people in South Africa).
Troyeville is one of Johannesburg’s oldest suburbs. During the apartheid era, it was mainly a white area, Portuguese. The suburb is ‘sandwiched’ between the enormous skyscrapers of Johannesburg’s CBD and the predominantly leafy, white middle-class suburb of Kensington. Formerly the home of Gandhi,
it is steeped in deep tradition. It has an interesting assortment of people including a strong hippie community, academics and drifters. It epitomises the rainbow nation with people from every ethnic group as well as migrant workers and refugees from as far afield as China, Malawi, Zimbabwe, India and Mozambique.
A smiling, middle-aged lady who knows exactly what I’m looking for points out 13 Eleanor Street. The walls are covered in an assortment of mosaic murals, typically hippie (common in Troyeville). A colourful plaque reads, “David Webster 19 December 1945-1 May 1989. Assassinated here for his fight against Apartheid. Lived for justice, peace and friendship”. It marks the exact spot where he fell at the hands of government assassin Ferdi Barnard.
Two young schoolboys, Domingos (13) and Alex (9), walk past oblivious to the inscription. I ask them if they know anything about this hero. Their responses, as well as the responses from other passersby and the patrons of a local tavern sadden me deeply. They know nothing about him!
One of the mosaic images is a cut-out hand shape of Webster’s
partner’s daughter when she was five years old. It epitomises the trauma of a violent loss and the terrible suffering the likes of Webster endured. The absence of human touch of a good man she never had the fortune of meeting.
Rita, an Italian photojournalist, quickly puts things into perspective for me, reassuring my faith in justice. She beckons me to have “a good look around” as Webster’s neighbourhood reflects everything he lived and died for – as this is what our rainbow nation is really about; “people from all walks of life”. She proudly proclaims that his presence will forever resonate through the relatively multi-cultural, crime-free streets of Troyville, even if people don’t know his name.
Leaders too have a responsibility to honour his legacy by taking notice of the very people Webster cared for. Jacob Zuma’s 5.5% annual increase on the back of deep-seated poverty and suffering seemingly mocks the ANC placard proclaiming the words, ‘100 Years of Selfless Struggle’ inappropriately displayed above the spot where this hero fell for peace and justice for all.
Lest we forget – thank you David Webster.
www.thesouthafrican.com/travel
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One of the most amazing emporia the capital offers to the carnivorous gourmet. St. Marcus Fine Foods Ltd, the first to bulk produce Biltong & Boerewors in the UK.
For the past 30 years we have been producing the most amazing range of Biltong and Boerewors
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In the South African taste awards out of 5 categories St. Marcus came away with 3!!
The Johannesburg Sunday Times called Emory St. Marcus "Mr. British Beef Biltong" way back in 1984! Why? ... Because he is!
13thesouthafrican.com | 14 August – 20 August 2012 |
Like us on Facebook:facebook.com/thesouthafrican Zimbabwe Community
David Coltart, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Education, Sports and Culture, addressed Zimbabweans at the Royal Over-Seas League in London on how they can help improve sport and education back home
Zimbabweans in London listen to David Coltart, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Education, Sports and Culture.
Diasporans called to help improve sport and education
by PHILLIP CHIKWIRAMAKOMOIn a rare foray for a Zimbabwean Minister, Education Minister David Coltart met with Zimbabweans in London on Tuesday.
In frank and open exchange he gave Zimbabweans an update on the state of the education sector and sports. His message was that Zimbabwean Olympians have performed quite admirably relative to the resources available for their training and preparation
and said some of the criticisms of the country’s sportspeople were unjustified and unfair.
He also went on to say that while the education sector has now stabilised in Zimbabwe there was still a lot of work to be done and he would soon be launching a curriculum review of the current one, which was done in 1986.
He identified key ways that the Diaspora could help in the education sector in Zimbabwe, which included teachers coming
back to Zimbabwe if they were in a position to, contributing to curriculum review, getting involved with their alma maters and child sponsoring.
He acknowledged that there was still some work to be done towards making the teaching profession attractive again.
There was a motion from the Zimbabwe Business Network to start a committee that could liaise and work with the Minister.
Coltart acknowledged that this was a good idea, but he was wary because of past experiences of the diaspora, where it has been characterised by wrangling and infighting.
Instead he advised that an organisation under a properly constituted legal framework be set up first as a starting point.
He went on to say such an organisation would not have monopoly on the Minister and he was still open to working with multiple groups.
The Minister set up conditions for two UK-based committees to be set up, one for sports and one for education, It was suggested that the existing committee set up to gather Olympics support could be extended to include sports in general.
The conditions Coltart set were that the committees should be nonpartisan, representative, inclusive and registered entities in the UK.
Those who are interested in joining the committee and becoming trustees should email Josh at [email protected] or call him on 078 9710 5884.
Another public meeting will be held to formalise the committee.www.thesouthafrican.com/zimbabwe
14 | 14 August – 20 August 2012 | thesouthafrican.com
Sport Follow us on Twitter:@TheSAnews
Bridgitte Hartley: “No chasers allowed!”South Africa’s first Olympic canoeing medallist will be taking a well-deserved holiday before returning to her kayak
TEAM SA @ THE OLYMPICS
Bridgitte Hartley poses with Team SA Chef de Mission Patience Shikwambana.
by ROB FLUDEWHEN Bridgitte Hartley crossed the line in third place in the women’s K1 kayak 500m sprint,
little did she realise she had created big history. Not only did she become the first Olympic medallist for South Africa in
canoeing, she became our first female medallist at the London 2012 games. More significantly, it happened on National Women’s
Day last week.The 29-year old paddler from
Pretoria – whose first language is not Afrikaans, despite a Tukkies education – has made some incredible sacrifices in the last few years, and was naturally beaming from ear to ear at a media gathering last Friday. “I was pretty speechless on that podium and seeing the South African flag being raised. I also noticed afterwards that each medal is engraved with the event name on the bottom, which is really cool.”
Although only given an outside chance of a medal by the South African press, Hartley said she just had to believe in herself. “Once I made lane 5 for the final, and not an outside lane, I really started to believe that I was one of the fastest women in the event. I’m a competitive person by nature, but it was all such a dream to think I could be a medallist. Beijing was such a fairytale, but we just took it season by season.”
Her coach Nandor Almasi doubles as the Austrian coach, and so Hartley has been training in Europe with her rivals, which has enabled her to push herself a lot harder. She also holds the unofficial world record in this event, but because it was in a B final not an A final, it was not classified as official.
Shaun Rubenstein, South Africa’s other well-known canoeist, has
trained with Hartley before, and it was touching that he sent her good luck wishes before the final and then a congratulatory message following her bronze medal.
Hartley is hoping that her medal can encourage others to take up sprint kayaking, as that is the Olympic event, and not the marathon, at which South Africans tend to excel on the international stage. “We definitely need more coaches. Thanks to Sascoc, I’ve been fortunate to stick with Nandor and travel around the world with him.”
In terms of celebrations, it has been low-key thus far for Hartley, but she is looking forward to putting the disciplined lifestyle aside for a few months. “A lot of my friends tease me and say ‘No chasers allowed!’ as whenever I have a glass of wine I have to have a glass of water too. So they have said to me I’m not allowed chasers this time!”
Hartley will leave London for Portugal for a few days to attend a celebratory event for all her boat maker’s medal winners, followed by a week-long holiday in Miami to visit her brother. “He lives in the Caribbean and I’ve only seen him twice in 10 years.”
We hope Bridgitte rests up and lets her hair down a bit over the next few months, and that we see her in Rio in 2016 challenging for the gold.
15thesouthafrican.com | 14 August – 20 August 2012 |
SportLike us on Facebook:facebook.com/thesouthafrican
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With the addition of the Pumas to the line-up, the Castle Rugby Championship is set to be an exciting competition
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Mike Greeff (CE St David’s) and Rob Hewitt (Chairman, St David’s London Trust and 1982 Old Boy) invite all Marist Old Boys to a get-together in London
Wednesday 5 September 2012, 18:30 for 19:00St Stephen’s Club, 34 Queen Anne’s Gate, London, SW1H 9AB
Refreshments will be provided – cash bar available
New dawn for Southern Hemisphere rugbyby WESLEY MCKAYSUNDAY’S Olympic closing ceremony brought home the reality that for those of us still basking in the euphoria of the London Olympic games, a sense of normality looms as most of us begin to get back into the routine of our daily lives.
The good thing for rugby
fans at least is the beginning of the inaugural Castle Rugby Championship – the evolution of the Tri-Nations tournament that was first contested in 1996 between Australia, New Zealand and of course South Africa.
The difference with this year’s competition is the addition to the fray of South American side Argentina. As if the teams didn’t have to do enough travelling as it was, an extra leg to South America should certainly spice things up for the Southern Hemisphere giants.
Sanzar’s CEO Greg Peters said the addition of the Pumas will add “a completely new dimension to what has been a fantastic tournament over the past 16 years.”
“For many years the Pumas have sought the chance to compete in a regular international tournament and their third place finish at the 2007 Rugby World Cup has been backed up by multiple wins against France, England, Scotland and Italy over recent seasons.”
“Now they will play against the ‘best of the best’ joining an elite group that has not only claimed six Rugby World Cups, but have compelling records against all of their Northern Hemisphere rivals.”
The Springboks kick off their tournament with a home game against the Pumas in Cape Town on Saturday and for those South African rugby fans still suffering from the hangover of
a heartbreaking Super Rugby tournament, in which the Stormers and Sharks were defeated in the finals, they should not be lulled in to thinking the Pumas are going to be a walkover.
South Africa will need to be at their best if they’re going to beat the Pumas and get off to a good start in the competition. The Pumas will be looking to hit the ground running and although they’ve never defeated the Springboks, a defeat of the mighty Boks on their home turf would send tremors throughout the rugby world.
Miserable weather conditions are predicted for Saturday’s clash, a factor that could potentially play into the hands of the Pumas and their conservative rugby style.
The Boks’ preparation in the lead up to Saturday’s match has been fairly stable. Heyneke Mayer has an almost fully fit squad at his disposal but he was quick to fire a warning to his players of complacency and the difficulty of facing the Pumas.
“In the past they didn’t have many professional players, now their players play throughout the world. They will bring their best game,” said the Bok head coach.
No major surprises are expected to the Bok line-up as backline coach Ricardo Laubscher touted a potential back three of Zane Kirchner, Bryan Habana and Lwazi Mvovo.
Laubscher also mentioned the importance of having Frans Steyn back after his wedding commitments in June.
“With his ability it’s great having him at inside center but he’s happy to play wherever he’s needed. I’m
happier to have Jean (de Villiers) at outside center because it’s likely that by the time he gets the ball, he’ll have space and time.”
• Saturday 18 August: Australia v New Zealand, Sydney. South Africa v Argentina, Cape Town.
Sanzar CEO Greg Peters with the new Castle Rugby Championship trophy.
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14 August – 20 August 2012 NEWS FOR GLOBAL SOUTH AFRICANS www.thesouthafrican.com
We came, we competed, we conquered!PROUDLY TEAM SAby ROB FLUDE
ALTHOUGH we fell shy of our lofty target of 12 medals, our three golds,
two silvers and a bronze could be said to be of a similar standing.
Team South Africa can be proud of their achievements, especially in the context of the blowout in Beijing, where only one medal – a silver – was captured. Consider this time that one of the golds was a world record (Cameron van der Burgh), one was Chad le Clos beating Olympic legend Michael Phelps, and the other a first gold in rowing for SA (coxless lightweight fours), and the context becomes unparalleled.
Silvers were picked up by Chad le Clos and Caster Semenya (in her season’s best time), and our bronze came in the form of Bridgitte Hartley in the K1 kayak 500m sprint, quite appropriately on National Women’s Day and our first ever canoeing medal.
Team SA thus had their most successful Olympics since readmission to international sport in Barcelona in 1992, equalling the number of golds from Atlanta in 1996, and our total medal count in Athens in 2004. We also finished 24th on the medal table, improving on our post-isolation record of 27th in Atlanta.
South African Olympic governing body Sascoc was in no doubt as to the enormity of the achievements of our athletes, stretching far beyond just the medal winners. “Credit to an amazing amount of work by all concerned… athletes, coaches, administrators,” CEO Tubby Reddy said.
Numerous other achievements didn’t necessarily get the
recognition they deserved. These include:Marc Mundell finished 32nd in
the 50km walk, beating the African record; Sunette Viljoen finished fourth in the javelin final; SA ran the men’s 4 x 400m relay final after a successful appeal against Kenya, who had obstructed one of our runners in the semifinal, and finished eighth ahead of Cuba, in their season’s best time; Burry Stander came fifth in the men’s cross-country mountain bike race, probably one of the most gruelling of all the events; Troydon Prinsloo ended 12th of 25 in only his third international open water event in the 10km swim; Willem Coertzen finished ninth in the decathlon out of 31 contestants; Anaso Jobodwana surprised all by landing a spot in the 200m final, coming up against world and Olympic champ Usain Bolt, whom he finished second to in the semifinal; Lehann Fourie finished seventh in the men’s 110m hurdles final;
and Richard Murray finished 17th of 55 competitors in the men’s triathlon.
Additionally, Oscar Pistorius became the first double amputee to compete in the Olympics. He also carried the flag in the closing ceremony. Our hockey teams did admirably too. The women’s team thrashed USA 7-0 - and their world ranking increased from 12th to 10th. The men’s team had close finishes against both Great Britain (2-2) and Pakistan (5-4), but beat India in a classification match, to finish 11th, one place ahead of their world ranking.
Deputy Minister of Sport, the Honourable Gert Oosthuizen said, “Although our slogan was 12 in 2012, we are halfway there with our six medals and look forward to Rio in 2016. We have reclaimed some of our gold and are taking it back to Africa. Don’t forget, there were many young athletes who didn’t make the cut for Team SA, which augurs well for the future.”
Bridgitte Hartley sprints to bronze on Women’s Day last week. Interview page 14.
