Fuel to increase by 29 cents

Motorists will have to dig deeper into their pockets as the petrol price is to increase by 29 cents at midnight tonight. Read more >>

Fair Cape dairies rewarded for dairy excellence

The South African Dairy Championships showcases and awards the quality of South African dairy products on a national scale, where 41 experts in the dairy industry are invited to share their views and evaluate the product in terms of the texture, appearance and flavour. This year's Dairy Product of the year was awarded to Ladismith Cultured Butter. Read more >>

Tom Long appointed CEO of MillerCoors

With a strong foundation for organic growth firmly in place at their US joint venture, South African brewing giant SABMiller plc (SAB) and Molson Coors Brewing Company on Thursday, 28 April 2011, announced the appointment of MillerCoors President and Chief Commercial Officer Tom Long as the company's new chief executive officer following the decision of current CEO Leo Kiely to retire effective 1 June 2011. Read more >>

Texas A&M awards Outstanding International Alumnus Award to South African

Texas A&M University, one of the largest universities in the US, awarded its Outstanding International Alumnus Award to South African, Dr Chris Mulder at a gala ceremony on 26 April 2011. Mulder, described as one South Africa's foremost land planners and urban designers and innovative property developer, joins the president of Panama, the former president of Bolivia and the former minister of economic affairs of Taiwan as recipients in this award. Read more >>

Redefining internal communication to improve customer service

[Daniel Munslow] Customer relationship management... customer service... customer loyalty... There are a dozen ways to describe companies' attempts to retain customers. The reality today is that no matter what type of industry in which you're operating, customer-centric strategies and initiatives are at the front of the quest for higher profits. Behind the scenes, however, there are a number of internal processes that need to be brought into line before customer service can be fully realised. Read more >>

Nuclear energy - friend or foe?

With world sentiment aiming to curtail the use of fossil fuels, the only electrical energy source that has the potential to provide major reliable base load electricity is nuclear. At the 3rd Annual Nuclear Forum, which takes place at Emperors Palace, Johannesburg on 19 May 2011, the issues of approach to construction and approach to public perception will be examined and discussed. Read more >>

Genetically modified seed factory opens

[Hopewell Radebe] Genetically modified seed producer Monsanto has opened what is believed to be Africa's largest technologically advanced maize seed processing plant, in Lichtenburg in the North West. Read more >>

SAMRO loses application against NCR

The Northern Gauteng High Court dismissed, with costs, the application by the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) for an order declaring that advance royalty transactions entered into between SAMRO and its author/ composer members do not fall within the ambit of the National Credit Act 34 of 2005 (The NCA). Read more >>

Curbing alcohol abuse by banning ads is like trying to cure Aids with beetroot

[Chris Moerdyk: @chrismoerdyk] The next month or so will see media, sponsorship, advertising and marketing companies assessing the financial impact of a ban on alcohol advertising. The SABC has been the first to have the courage to stand up and be counted by telling Parliament that it will lose R400 million a year. Read more >>

Namibia court gives Wal-Mart thumbs up

The world's largest retailer Wal-Mart has confirmed that the High Court of Namibia has unanimously upheld its application to invalidate all conditions attached by the Namibian Competition Commission on its approval of the proposed acquisition of Massmart (MSM). Read more >>

iPad 2 available today

As one of just three exclusive South African Apple approved retailers for the launch of iPad 2 today, Friday 29 April 2011, DionWired expects stock to go fast and will have experts on hand to brief both devotees and the uninitiated and its Woodmead, Gateway, Bedford Square, Woodlands, Fourways, Somerset and Hyde Park stores. It also offers a full complement of internet connectivity solutions and customers who sign up for a Vodacom 3G contract, can receive a R1000 discount off the iPad 2. Read more >>

Introduction to retailing learnership programme starts today

150 previously disadvantaged learners, selected from mainly rural areas across South Africa, report at Essential Hardware stores across the country today, 3 May 2011, in the launch of the Wholesale & Retail Seta's "Introduction to Retailing Programme", to be hosted and mentored at the stores for a year. The programme is aligned to Unisa and fully accredited by the Seta. Read more >>

PwC comments on online gamers' data theft

LONDON, UK: The recent security breach which exposed millions of online gamers to risk of fraud and loss highlights yet again the need for constant vigilance on the part of anyone who uses the internet for financial transactions and on which they might also post personal information. Read more >>

World Economic Forum on Africa poised for take off

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / CAPE TOWN, SA: The World Economic Forum has announced that more than 900 participants from 60 countries will participate in the 21st World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town, South Africa, 4-6 May 2011. Jacob G. Zuma, president of South Africa, will host the meeting, where participants will gather to deliberate under the theme From Vision to Action, Africa's Next Chapter. Read more >>

Online research on media

LONDON, UK: C-Squared is currently undertaking a survey of M&M Magazine's awareness, perception and the local media needs, in partnership with The Royal Holloway University of London, through the MBA Programme. Read more >>

WAN-IFRA conference: "Design for the News and Magazines Publishing Industry"

PARIS, FRANCE / DARMSTADT, GERMANY: WAN-IFRA, in cooperation with the Society for News Design, is organising the third edition of its international conferences dedicated to design for newspapers and magazines, to be held in Paris, France, on 19 May next. Read more >>

Pretty hatch joins Kia clan

[Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] Carmaker Kia has a problem in South Africa which is going to get even worse with the arrival of a new 5-door Cerato Hatch - the demand for Kia vehicles already far out-strips the number of vehicles it can supply and the cocky newcomer is going to place even more pressure on imported numbers. Read more >>

New Passat shouts 'Look at Me!'

[Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] South Africans are a strange lot. We love to gargle on and on about inflation, crime, corruption, Eskom and other negatives, seemingly oblivious of the fact that, warts and all, this is still in one of the finest countries in the world to live in. Read more >>

There's nothing like a Rovos ramble

[Brian Berkman: contributing editor, travel] Rovos Rail follows the original Cape to Cairo routing through Botswana and Zimbabwe and it is hard not to be touched by the history that unfolds along the route - and it's well worth a trip... Read more >>

2011 Tourism Indaba looms as Zuma rallies support for tourism at WEF on Africa

[Issa Sikiti da Silva] The 2011 Tourism Indaba, which will unpack the new goals set for the tourism industry, will kick off on Saturday, 7 May 2011, at the Albert Luthuli Convention Centre in Durban. South Africa, ranked 32nd globally in business tourism, will host the 21st World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa during which President Jacob Zuma will promote tourism on the sidelines by signing the United Nations world tourism organisations' 'Golden Book' in Cape Town. Read more >>

Bushmans Kloof wins Conde Nast Traveler Spa Accolade

The spa at Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat has been singled out on the Conde Nast Traveler's Hot List 2011 as one of 40 best new urban and rural retreats in the world. Read more >>

Storming Bullies

[Corne Krige] Firstly, I would like to say that it is an honour for me to write a weekly column for Bizcommunity's BizLifesyle section and I really hope that many of you will enjoy my views on current rugby and other sports-related issues. I also welcome any feedback and will talk to the powers that be to make sure that there is a platform for your comments and feedback to reach me. Read more >>