Of course, the big news over the past few days has been Pravin Gordhan's budget speech, which has been dissected and analysed, as usual. Not least of these analyses is that by Nedbank Private Wealth, which provided its
observations on the 2013-14 Budget Speech.
Gordhan's budget, as usual, was somewhat of a balancing act, but what taxpayers everywhere would like to see is action, not just words, on corruption, mismanagement and waste. After all, we all realise we have to pay taxes, but we want to see our tax monies being used where it matters - and properly, across the board.
Our planet is our only home, so we'd better do better in looking after it. One way of doing so is through protecting and nurturing biodiversity, which, says minister of water and environmental affairs, Edna Molewa,
contributes to economy - she says the benefits derived from biodiversity or ecosystem services are estimated at R73bn, contributing to 7% of South Africa's GDP per annum.
We've heard it all before... this plan and that plan to create jobs - or "job opportunities" - and this time it's the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government that says it will
assist in creating 11m jobs by 2030.
Job creation is absolutely vital for the future of this country; some fear the levels of frustration and despair among the unemployed could rise to such levels as to lead to civil unrest. Hence, any plan to create jobs is to be welcomed... but how many have there been, and what successes have they achieved? Governments - provincial and national, need to be wary of over-promising and under-delivering.
Is it the end of the land line? Mitchell Barker says that landline users in South Africa are cutting the cord.
Finally, our not so frugal, but fast and fancy motoring editor Henrie Geyser reckons that the new Ford Fiesta is just that...
frugal, fast, fancy.
Rod Baker: Content Director
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A third of all workers in the formal‚ non-agricultural sector in South Africa are members of trade unions‚ the SA Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) said on Monday (4 March). 
The International Trade Administration Commission (Itac) has announced a rebate waiver of 10% on the import of petroleum bitumen because of a continued shortage, estimated at about 20% of the local market. 
The 10% increase in excise duties on brandy will further hurt distillers who are struggling to win back the drink's market share from more attractively priced whisky and vodka brands, industry commentators said last week. 
Despite earlier opposition to the structure of the Passenger Rail Agency of SA's (Prasa) R123bn fleet renewal plan, executives from the Black Business Council (BBC) hope to cash in. 
Coal of Africa said on Thursday (28 February) that it had been advised by Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) of a derailment of 10 wagons on the Maputo (Matola) rail corridor last week that led to all rail traffic between Komatipoort and Maputo being suspended. 
South African consumers used less electricity last year when compared with the prior year as the price of power more than doubled in three years. 
Goat, water buffalo and donkey meat have been found in food products including sausages, dried meats, burger patties and mince according to a study by scientists at Stellenbosch University. 
Economic growth quickened more than expected in the last quarter of 2012‚ as agriculture and manufacturing industries supported growth while mining was a drag‚ Statistics SA figures released on Tuesday (26 February) showed. 
NGO Nicky's Drive, the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and the Disabled People Inclusion Institute (DPII) have partnered to produce the first ever locally engineered prototype car using joystick engineering. The car is set to make driving more accessible for disabled persons in South Africa. 
The draft policy on intellectual property aims to bring an end to unfair practices and piracy in the South African market, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said on Tuesday (26 February). 
The South African Breweries (SAB) will invest R700m in a state-of the-art new maltings plant in Alrode‚ Gauteng‚ as part of its continued efforts to support the local economy and drive job creation. 
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK: The European Union has given the green light for the sale of a medication that will help quench the urge for alcoholics to drink, the companies behind the new treatment said Thursday (28 February). 
TOKYO, JAPAN: Sony said Thursday (28 February) it has sold one of its main buildings in Tokyo for US$1.2bn as the embattled Japanese electronics giant offloads assets to help repair its tattered balance sheet. 
BARCELONA, SPAIN: After the smartphone, the intelligent watch promises to become the latest hi-tech trend, allowing wearers to peek at messages and even take calls without touching their phones. 
BARCELONA, SPAIN: Automobile giants at the world's biggest mobile fair are showing off a new technology that turns a car into a smartphone accessory, allowing a driver to use cutting-edge apps without veering off the road. 
BARCELONA SPAIN: The US$1.0trn global mobile market is predicted to grow to about four billion subscribers by 2018, up from the 3,2bn people who already use mobile services according to a study by A T Kearney and GSMA, which represents 750 mobile operators around the world. 
Green technology is essential to guarantee South Africa's energy security and reduce reliance on imported oil, Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa said in Pretoria West on Tuesday (26 February). 
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