Entrepreneurs need to persevere

[Ivan Epstein] The desire to succeed by South Africans has resulted in an entrepreneurial culture, which continues to grow at an encouraging rate that is vital to fuel economic development in the country in 2012 and beyond. Read more >>

De Beers branded diamonds do well in South Africa

Jewel Africa, the first authorised Forevermark jeweller in South Africa, has reported that sales of the De Beers' diamond brand have exceeded projection by three times within the first quarter of trading. Read more >>

Govt disappointed that Olympic team's kit imported

The Department of Trade and Industry (dti) has expressed disappointment that the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) has decided to import the National Olympic team's kit. Read more >>

Wal-Mart Foundation donates 100 mobile kitchens

In support of the 94+ Schools Project for Madiba, the Wal-Mart Foundation has donated 100 fully equipped and installed mobile kitchens to under-resourced schools. The project, which is a partnership between the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the Nelson Mandela Foundation, aims to celebrate Nelson Mandela's 94th birthday by giving hope and dignity to children in at least 94 schools across South Africa, through improvements in school infrastructure. Read more >>

Manufacturing to boost Q1 GDP

Manufacturing production volume grew by 6.7% seasonally adjusted annualised (saa) in the three months ended February compared with the prior three months after a 2.6% rise in 2011. Read more >>

SA manufacturing production 4.1% y/y vs Jan rev 2.3%

Manufacturing production in SA grew by 4.1% year on year (y/y) in February after a revised 2.3% (2.4%) y/y rise in January, data released by Statistics SA on Wednesday, 11 April 2012, showed. Read more >>

DTI warns of liquor licensing scam

A liquor licensing scam is operating in the Pretoria area, the trade and industry department warned on Wednesday, 11 April 2012. Read more >>

March hits six-year high on SCI

The average cash withdrawal values across South Africa for March 2012, was R417.92, a 3.54% year-on-year increase and the highest recorded average cash withdrawal amount for March in six years, as measured by the Spark Cash Index (SCI). The SCI also revealed a month-on-month increase of 1.46% in withdrawal activity. Read more >>

2012 harvest looks promising for good sweet wines

According to Callie van Niekerk, who heads all Distell's winery operations, the 2012 harvest has produced quality aromatic whites and reds of intense colour and well-balanced ripeness, despite the early January heat spikes, which were a cause for concern, as well as shortages of water in some areas. Read more >>

Art Directors Club: ADC 91st Annual Awards Global Winners

NEW YORK, US: The Art Directors Club (www.adcglobal.org), one of the premier organisations for creatives in integrated media and the first global creative collective of its kind, has announced the international winners of the ADC 91st Annual Awards. Read more >>

D&AD announcements due soon

LONDON, UK: Next week, D&AD is issuing a series of announcements to mark the 50th Anniversary of one of the world's most coveted prizes for creative excellence. Read more >>

Using information mapping for greater learning and problem solving

In the present economic climate, people's induced thirst for innovation and knowledge has increased the practice of information mapping to encourage them to think and learn new skills as they adapt to new roles. Read more >>

Prep work underway for arms deal commission

Government has assured South Africans that it is intent on ensuring that the Commission of Inquiry into the Strategic Defence Procurement Package, also known as the arms deal, delivers on its mandate in a transparent manner. Read more >>

Solidarity plans affirmative action case against prison service

Trade union Solidarity is contemplating a major legal onslaught against prison authorities over affirmative action, the union said on Wednesday. Read more >>

E-tolling will impoverish our people: Maponya

[Gaongalelwe Moatshe] Well known Soweto businessman, Richard Maponya says that the e-tolling system is going to have a negative affect the public. He says that as it is a system that is being imposed on the people, he feels more thought should have gone into the process. Read more >>

Govt appoints expert on Wal-Mart

Economist and Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz has been appointed as the government's expert on the Wal-Mart study, the economic development department said on Tuesday. Read more >>

Fresh time artist Spoek Mathambo

[Ruth Cooper] Spoek Mathambo has received a fair amount of exposure, both locally and internationally, but with the recent release of his album "Father Creeper" things are now really starting to move in directions big. We thought it best to capture a few words from the man himself, before his star shoots stellar and phone calls may go unanswered. Read more >>

Hard-hitting Puncture

[Daniel Dercksen] Disturbingly provocative, Puncture is a hard core journey into drug abuse, the addiction to power, and the weakness of human nature. Read more >>