‘Dear Mr President…’ - 24 Apr 2012[Rod Baker, content director] With a few days and counting to the imposition of e-tolling, Fedusa has entered the fray - along with a range of other bodies - in an effort to halt what must be ranked as one of the most deeply unpopular moves on the part of government. Fedusa has addressed an open letter to Zuma after, apparently, an earlier letter to him went unanswered - maybe he was busy on those wedding plans. read more The SKA’s the limit… or not - 17 Apr 2012[Rod Baker, content director] After much hype and talk that South Africa is the preferred site for the Square Kilometre Array - and incidentally one of the largest investments in this country - it seems the project might end up being 'shared' between SA and Australia. This is despite even more talk from both sides that 'sharing' is not an option - so that comes about, the investment might not be as large as we had hoped, had we won the bid outright. read more Stating the obvious - 10 Apr 2012[Rod Baker, content director] Your government cares about you, you'll be pleased to know, and has taken note of your concerns (but not reduced its tax take etc, mind) regarding the latest fuel price increase, which has seen the liquid gold you pour into your precious metal going to highest price ever. But here's some excellent advice for you, just in case you hadn't thought of it already... read more Look forward to taxing times - 3 Apr 2012[Rod Baker, general manager: content] For those of you who don't believe it's possible to get blood out of a stone, your friendly taxman has a plan... Not only has SARS proudly announced that tax collection has increased, but to cheer us all up, the government department we all love is going to tighten its tax collection laws. Apparently the aim is to target wealthy individuals who SARS reckons are costing the country millions of rands every year through tax evasion. Still on the finance front, Amy Johnson shows you four ways to keep up with payroll and tax law so you don't fall foul of the above-mentioned. About your mobile phone... read more The price of piracy - 27 Mar 2012[Rod Baker, general manager: content] This week, on the music front, Stephen Hollis sets out the costs to the music industry and individual artists who produce the music we all enjoy as he discusses the rise of the pirates of the digital age, and we also look at a different type of piracy. This is a far more deadly one in terms of being life-threatening (and even more costly in monetary terms), and it is also receiving attention, this time on the high seas, with anti-piracy efforts being boosted by a joint navy exercise involving the German and South African navies. For all of you who find bank fees... read more Bizos does the business on 'The Bill' - 20 Mar 2012[Rod Baker, general manager: content] On the legal front, veteran lawyer - Nelson Mandela's defence lawyer - George Bizos, told the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) that the Protection of State Information Bill ('the secrecy bill') is unconstitutional on several counts. Now, will those in favour of the bill actually listen to what he is telling them? Probably not. Still on the legal front, following a comment by Jacob Zuma that dissenting judgements mean court rulings cannot be absolutely correct, acting deputy chief justice Zak Yacoob has said that dissenting judgements are actually a good thing - and not something to question. read more Pay… toll death do you part - 13 Mar 2012[Rod Baker, general manager: content] The bad news is that, despite massive opposition, government is determined the Gauteng tolling will go ahead. The good news is that plans for more tolls have apparently been shelved. read more Petrol's on the rise... again - 6 Mar 2012[Sindy Peters, Content development manager] To the dismay of many South Africans, petrol is set to increase by 28c tomorrow, 7 March. Beat the afternoon bumper-to-bumper, and get your tank topped during the course of today. read more Toll death do you part… - 28 Feb 2012[Rod Baker, general manager: content] Jimmy Manyi came out smoking over the controversial road tolls issue by telling everyone what we already know - that the tolls are not just a bad dream. True - for many, even at the reduced rates announced by Pravin Gordhan in his budget speech, the tolls will be worse than a bad dream... read more We live in taxing times... - 21 Feb 2012[Rod Baker, general manager: content] Tomorrow, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan will either make or break your day, depending on what he says in his budget speech, and how what he says will affect you. We'll bring you the news and analysis as soon as we have it. In the meantime, however, there's good news on the crime front, with serious crime levels apparently in decline and, what's more - especially if the plight of the rhino upsets you - the SANDF and law enforcement agencies are to fight border crimes - which should be good news for rhinos and very bad news - sometimes fatal news - for poachers. read more Spread a little love today… or not! - 14 Feb 2012[Rod Baker, general manager: content] Today's Valentine's Day, which, according to Wikipedia, was first established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD to honour a Saint Valentine. Nowadays, of course, many people use it to express affection for others (or simply to drive them mad with vexation over who sent them the card). read more Don’t get in a state… - 7 Feb 2012[Rod Baker, general manager: content] ...with the road closures if you are anywhere near Cape Town this Thursday, 9 February 2012 - just check the list of roads to be closed for Jacob Zuma's State of the Nation address. On the investment front, critics are up in arms over what they say are Transnet delays that are costing SA billions, and on the mining front, Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu says the mining industry must transform. On the security front, there have been complaints that the secrecy bill has not been explained properly. And there's plenty more news to catch up on; happy reading! read more Corruption is the enemy… True, but… - 31 Jan 2012[Rod Baker, general manager: content] Speaking at the launch of Corruption Watch recently, Justice Minister Jeff Radebe is reported to have said: "Corruption must be declared our enemy as apartheid was the common enemy for all justice-loving citizens." Well it's good that he said that, but isn't it a little regrettable that he - along with all the other ANC MPs in The House - voted in favour of the controversial Protection of State Information Bill? After all, just about every critic says the bill, as drafted, will help those with their hands in the cookie jar cover up exactly what Radebe reckons is the enemy. At least a couple of ANC MPs apparently felt they could not go with the prescribed voting line and weren't in The House for the vote. On the sports front, it would be as well for those governing the various sports disciplines to bear in mind that sponsors - who often provide the cash needed to stage events, pay salaries and bonuses and so on - don't like it when there's a whiff of something "off" in how their monies are being handled. read more Beware of bogus sellers - 24 Jan 2012[Rod Baker, general manager: content] As always, we have a very mixed bag for you today, with the government issuing a warning regarding bogus sellers of land; as always, there is someone ready to cash in and take from the gullible and the needy. On an even sadder note, it is reported that floods in Mpumalanga are known to have claimed six lives. read more Have a vortal… Ah, thanks, don’t mind if I do! - 17 Jan 2012[Rod Baker, general manager: content] Well, I asked for feedback, and got it - one respondent made me despondent (not really) and pointed out that I mentioned both portals and verticals in my editor's letter last week, and it could be confusing for anyone who might not know the difference between the two. Hence, very briefly, I am going to chat about portals and verticals (or vortals). Simply put, TechTarget and other sources define a portal as a horizontal website that aims to function as an access point for a range of firms and organisations etc. read more |
