Today the SA Reserve Bank welcomes its new governor, Gill Marcus, into the driving seat. Economists say they have high hopes for her, but the proof is in the pudding and her first real challenge will come next Monday as she chairs her first Monetary Policy Committee meeting. Some economists suspect she'll cut the repo rate, which stayed static last month and any drop will certainly come as a relief as we head into the silly (spending) season. Woolworths has certainly been on a roll this last week with the launch of its Farming for the Future initiative and the opening of its second airport store. Having spent the last three years in a trial phase, the project aims to bridge the gap between conventional and organic farming to create holistically sustainable farming methods. What I love so much about the programme is the fact that they're focusing on the specific needs of each individual farm in the supply chain, rather than using a blanket treatment in an attempt to cover all eventualities. Because, in essence, farms are like people - you may be next door neighbours, but living in the same area doesn't mean you're anything alike. And just as everyone has to deal with and treat their own physical nuances - be it an allergy or special diet - so each farm also has its own unique requirements to keep it functioning at a healthy and sustainable level. The Whisky Live Festival hit Cape Town last week like the notorious South-Easter - hard and fast - and is already whisking its way up-country where it'll land at the Sandton Convention Centre on Wednesday. Gautengers will be delighted to hear they're at least getting a weekend crack at the show, unlike the sodden Capetonians who I'm sure would've appreciated a respite from the wet weather with the chance to warm their cockles with a gut-warming whisky or ten. Perhaps the organisers will take the Mother City's love for merriment and cheer into consideration next year and slide a Saturday into next year's schedule. Until then, sláinte mhath!

Shan Radcliffe, Retail editor
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