Agri SA says that the
choices on labour unrest will be decisive for South Africa. It says in a statement that it is evident that the wage and related challenges are not exclusively, but mainly that of seasonal workers who have to earn their annual income over a period of a few months.
On the education front, something really needs to be done to jack up our education system after the latest results show that
maths and science skills remain poor, with grade nine pupils recording a dismal average score of 12.7% in mathematics and 35% in first additional language in the Department of Basic Education's second annual national assessments of pupils' mathematics and literacy abilities.
Such results will have a massive impact on school-leavers' ability to find employment.
On the tourism front, Chris Moerdyk asks:
Is SA being priced out of the tourist market? As comments on the article seem to have it, the answer could be a big "Yes!" and remember, once tourists have been ripped off - or feel they have been ripped off - they will never come back, and they will tell everyone they know.
Finally, Amelia Jones reckons that the
proposed BEE amendments are nonsensical, immoral and counter-productive and will hamper social development efforts in the Western Cape and elsewhere.
Rod Baker: Content Director
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BDLive reports that Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel has congratulated fashion retailer The Foschini Group for its efforts to support local manufacturing. In January, Foschini bought local manufacturer Prestige Clothing with which it had a relationship going back 20 years. Prestige has factories in Cape Town and Caledon and employs 800 people. 
JSE-listed pharmaceutical company, Cipla Medpro SA, announced in a press release that it has been awarded an antiretroviral (ARV) tender from government worth a combined value of approximately R1.448b for a two year period commencing 1 January 2013, Health24 reports. 
South African consumer goods group Tiger Brands has reported higher annual profits as improved earnings from its international markets offset challenging conditions at home, Just Food website reports. The group says its operating income from export markets "more than doubled", reaching R451m in the 12 months to 30 September. 
Sugar companies Illovo and Tongaat Hulett rebounded from last season's drought-depressed performance by posting better profits for the six months to September, primarily driven by sugar production. 
Sasol's directors have defended the R31.88m package paid to chief executive David Constable, saying he has been the main driver of the company's sterling financial performance. 
HELSINKI, FINLAND: Finnish mobile giant Nokia said on Wednesday it had filed lawsuits in the US, Britain and Canada against Blackberry-maker Research In Motion (RIM) claiming it has breached patent agreements. 
LOS ANGELES, USA: General Motors said on Tuesday (27 November) it will integrate Apple's voice-activated software Siri in some of its cars next year to allow iPhone users to perform hands-free tasks. 
