Repo rate unchanged at 5.5%

The Reserve Bank has left the repo rate unchanged at 5.5% following its second Monetary Policy Committee meeting this year. Read more >>

SA witnesses growth in debit card usage

South African consumers are getting more comfortable with spending on their debit cards. Read more >>

South Africa wins at Drinks Business Green Awards in London

Chile, South Africa and New Zealand were the standout winners at the Drinks Business Green Awards 2012 handed out in London on 27 March 2012. Wines of South Africa won the Generic Sustainability Award of the Year for its work in promoting sustainable practices in the country and DGB won the Ethical Award for its rural carbon offset programme. Read more >>

Support Riverine Rabbit programme, buy Lindt

One of South Africa's most endangered mammals - the Riverine Rabbit - will again receive a helping hand from its chocolate cousin when Lindt Master Chocolatiers donates a percentage of sales from any Lindt Gold Bunny to the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) Riverine Rabbit Programme. Last year the company donated R250 000 from Easter sales to the EWT. Read more >>

R1 billion expansion into Africa by Protea

A drive by Protea Hotels into Africa will see the group build 11 new hotels with its property owner partners at a value of US$130 million (approximately R1 billion), which it states is the biggest expansion on the continent this year of any hotel group in the world. Read more >>

NCR Consumer Credit Report out

The National Credit Regulator (NCR) has released its Consumer Credit Market Report, which is based on data submitted to it by registered credit providers. This edition covers credit market information from December 2010 to December 2011. It has also released its latest quarterly statistics for September - December 2011. Read more >>

Bowl over Woolworths with winning soup recipe

The annual Woolworths Soup Recipe Competition has opened for entries to all amateur cooks to enter their original soup recipes, which can be inspired by MasterChef or handed through the family for years. Read more >>

Fruit SA calls for export supply chain efficiency

South African fruit growers are at risk unless export supply chain services and costs improve, warns a key industry body in the run-up to the Cool Logistics Africa conference. Read more >>

Google plans low-price tablet computer: reports

SAN FRANCISCO, USA: Google is teaming with Asia-based hardware makers on a low-priced, 7-inch tablet computer to challenge offerings by Amazon.com and Apple, reports said Thursday, 29 March 2012. Read more >>

MTN sued for US$4bn over Iran contract

Turkish cellphone operator Turkcell has filed a US$4.2bn (R32.45bn) lawsuit in a US court against MTN over alleged corruption in a deal in Iran, the companies said yesterday. Read more >>

BRICs leaders commit to forming development bank

Recognising the pressing need for enhancing the flow of development finance, leaders of the five-nation BRICs bloc have directed their finance ministers to work towards forming a Development Bank that would cater for the needs of developing countries. Read more >>

Motorists warned ahead of Easter break

Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has once again called on road users to exercise extra caution on the country's roads, as traffic volumes are expected to increase from today ahead of the Easter holidays. Read more >>

WCape building world's largest mesh network

[Paul Vecchiatto] Within the next two years, as part of a pilot project, the Western Cape government aims to create the largest mesh network in the world that will connect all households in Khayelitsha, Mitchell's Plain and Saldanha Bay, including the industrial development zone located there, says Western Cape MEC for economic development and tourism Alan Winde. Read more >>

Initiative launched to position SA tourism as service excellence driven industry

Deputy Minister of Tourism, Tokozile Xasa has launched the National Tourism Service Excellence Requirements (SANS 1197) in Johannesburg. The requirements are aimed at improving and maintaining service levels at all service touch points in the tourism value chain. They are also aimed at guiding the sector to achieve the National Tourism Sector Strategy's objective of positioning South Africa as one of the top 20 global tourism destinations. Read more >>

Touching theatre in Blood Brothers

[Daphne Cooper] If you are looking for escapist theatre, do not go to see Brothers in Blood. If you are looking for unchallenging theatre, do not go to see Brothers in Blood. If you are looking for happy endings, do not go to see Brothers in Blood. If you are looking to avoid issues of religion and culture, do not go to see Brothers in Blood. Read more >>