| |
|
| |
| |
|
| |
| PRESIDENT ZUMA HOSTS THE EMIR OF QATAR ON A STATE VISIT |
|
| |
| The State Visit aims to deepen and strengthen the already existing good political, economic and social relations. The visit by the Emir further reviewed progress in South Africa-Qatar bilateral political and economic relations and identified three short-term projects in the fields of trade and investment, agriculture and the Ocean Economy. |
|
| |
|
| |
On 11 April, President Jacob Zuma hosted the Emir of the State of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, who is on a two-day State Visit to South Africa.
The Emir’s visit follows the successful State Visit by President Zuma to the State of Qatar in May 2016.
President Zuma’s visit to Qatar focussed on cooperation in trade and investment, agriculture and agro-processing, defence, the Ocean Economy, as well as tourism. It also led to the proposed elevation of the structured bilateral engagement to ministerial level and agreements to establish a Joint Technical Committee and pursue the establishment of a joint South Africa-Qatar Investment Fund in cooperation with Qatar’s Sovereign Wealth Fund.
The visit provided the two heads of state a platform to discuss matters of strategic interest related to regional and global security.
Total trade between South Africa and Qatar increased from R4 billion in 2012 to R7 billion in 2016. One of South Africa's largest investments in the Middle East is Sasol’s joint venture gas-to-liquid facility located in Qatar. Other South African investors in Qatar include PetroWorld, PetroSA, and CKR Consulting Engineers. |
|
| |
|
| |
| PRESIDENT ZUMA ADDRESSES ANNUAL CHRIS HANI WREATH-LAYING CEREMONY |
|
| |
 |
| The ceremony was held under the theme: “Living the Legacy of Chris Hani” |
|
|
|
| |
On Monday, 10 April, President Jacob Zuma addressed the annual Chris Hani Wreath-Laying Ceremony, which aimed to honour and celebrate the life and legacy of one of the country’s most respected struggle stalwarts, Thembisile Chris Hani, in Elspark, Boksburg.
As part of the ceremony, President Zuma also unveiled a plaque on the declaration of the grave of Hani and the Chris Hani Memorial and Walk of Remembrance as a National Heritage Site as declared by the Department of Arts and Culture.
Hani, a former uMkhonto weSizwe commander, who played a significant role during the liberation struggle and democracy, was assassinated on 10 April 1993 outside his home in Dawn Park in Boksburg. The month of April has since been named as Chris Hani Month by the City of Ekurhuleni. |
|
| |
|
| |
| SOUTH AFRICA CONDEMNS THE TERRORIST ATTACKS IN EGYPT AND SWEDEN |
|
| |
| The South African Government condemns in the strongest terms terrorist attacks in any form and from whichever quarter. South Africa will continue to support regional and international efforts to address the scourge of terrorism. |
|
| |
The South African Government joins the international community in strongly condemning the terrorist attacks that took place in the Egyptian cities of Tanta and Alexandria on Sunday, 9 April 2017, which resulted in the deaths of scores of people.
The Government also condemns last week’s terrorist attack in Stockholm, Sweden, where a man driving a truck ploughed into a group of shoppers, causing deaths and injuries.
On behalf of the Government and the people of South Africa, President Jacob Zuma has extended his heartfelt condolences to the Government and the people of the Egypt, Sweden and other affected nations, in particular the families and loved ones of the deceased, and wished the injured speedy recoveries. |
|
| |
|
| |
| MINISTER NKOANA-MASHABANE HOSTS HER NETHERLANDS COUNTERPART |
|
| |
 |
|
| South Africa and the Netherlands enjoy strong historical and cordial relations that date back to the 1600s. |
|
|
| |
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, hosted the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Bert Konder, on Tuesday, 11 April 2017, in Pretoria.
The visit was a follow-up on the Working Visit undertaken by the Netherlands' Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, in November 2015, where a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of a Joint Commission for Cooperation between South Africa and the Netherlands was agreed to and subsequently signed in November 2015.
Between January 2003 and December 2016, a total of 50 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects from the Netherlands were recorded in South Africa, representing a total capital investment of R5,49 billion, which on average amounted to R915,10 million per project. Through these projects, a total of 2 828 jobs were created.
Sectors that have been targeted for FDI by the Netherlands' companies include chemicals, software and IT services, business services, aerospace, communications, financial services, food and tobacco, industrial machinery, financial services and electronic components.
In turn, a total of 10 South African FDI projects were recorded in the Netherlands during the period 2003 and 2016, and the targeted sectors by South African companies in the Netherlands are in business services, coal, oil and natural gas, communication, consumer products, industrial machinery, paper, printing and packaging, plastics, software and IT services.
The Netherland has also contributed to South Africa’s tourism sector, with thousands of Dutch tourists visiting South Africa year after year. |
|
| |
|
| |
| MINISTER NKOANA-MASHABANE CONGRATULATES AMBASSADOR MAMABOLO ON HIS APPOINTMENT AS HEAD OF THE AU-UN HYBRID OPERATION IN DARFUR |
|
| |
| Ambassador Mamabolo’s appointment was announced on 4 April 2017, by United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, António Guterres, and African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki. Ambassador Mamabolo had been serving the AU-UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) as Acting Joint Special Representative since the departure of Martin Ihoeghian Uhomoibhi of Nigeria on 4 January 2017. |
|
|
|
 |
|
| |
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, has congratulated South Africa’s former Ambassador to the UN, Ambassador Kingsley Mamabolo, who has been appointed as Joint Special Representative and Head of UNAMID.
The UN and the AU said Ambassador Mamabolo brought “first-hand experience in dealing with the situation in Darfur, as well as expertise from his distinguished career in the diplomatic service. Since 2016, he served the mission as Deputy Joint Special Representative for Pillar I, overseeing political, human rights and legal aspects of UNAMID’s activities”.
Before his appointment as South Africa’s Permanent Representative to the UN between 2013 and 2016, Amb Mamabolo served as High Commissioner to Nigeria in 2009, having previously helped to facilitate peace processes in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi as Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region from 2006 to 2009. He was Deputy Director-General for African Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Africa from 2002 to 2006.
Amb Mamabolo has held other senior positions, including Permanent Representative to the AU, accredited also to Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti (1999 to 2002). During that period, he led efforts to promote dialogue in post-war Sierra Leone in his capacity as Special Envoy of the AU to Sierra Leone and the Mano River Basin (2001 to 2002). He also served as High Commissioner to Zimbabwe (1995 to 1999). |
|
| |
|
| |
| SEZ PROGRAMME ATTRACTING BILLIONS |
|
| |
 |
|
| South Africa’s Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Programme is attracting billions in foreign direct investment, says Trade and Industry Minister, Rob Davies. |
|
|
| |
There are eight designated zones in the country, namely Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape, Dube Trade Port and Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal, East London and Coega in the Eastern Cape, the soon-to-be launched Maluti-a-Phofung in the Free State, as well as the recently added Musina in Limpopo.
“The Musina-Makhado SEZ has been designated as the first zone under the new SEZ Act, 2014. It will be established in the Vhembe region in Limpopo and will focus on four major industrial clusters, which are energy and metallurgical, agro-processing, petro-chemical, and trade and logistics,” said the Minister.
The new zone has so far attracted investment interest from Chinese consortia. The total investment is currently estimated at approximately R56,9 billion.
“There has been a substantial increase in the number and value of secured but not yet operational investments. The total number increased from 47 to 72, while total value increased to R41,2 billion. At least 13 of these investments are expected to be operational within the next 12 months, as soon as infrastructure development is completed,” said Minister Davies.
The Minister highlighted some of the individual achievements of the SEZ such as the R11,5-billion China's Beijing Automotive Group Co. Ltd (BAIC) automotive investment and the 1 000 MW (under independent power producers), with an investment value of R25 billion in Coega; the R1,3-billion agreement with CIPLA to produce biosimilars at Dube Trade Port; the R260-million new investment covering horticulture and metal refining at the OR Tambo Industrial Development Zone (IDZ), as well as the 2 000 MW under Gas IPP awarded to the Richards Bay IDZ.
The SEZ Act, 2014 has been operational since 9 February 2016, and the work of the SEZ Advisory Board has since started. The board is responsible for advising the Minister on policy and strategy issues as well as evaluation of the new applications for the designation.
The SEZ Programme is one of the critical instruments that the Department of Trade and Industry is using to accelerate industrialisation in the country. The programme, which has entered a full implementation phase, is important for attracting foreign direct investments, creating decent jobs, establishing new industrial centres, as well as developing and improving the existing infrastructure. – Source: SAnews.gov.za
|
|
| |
|
| |
| RICHARDS BAY STRIKES TITANIUM |
|
| |
| The deal will culminate in the construction of a R4,5-billion titanium beneficiation plant in Richards Bay. |
|
|
 |
|
| |
The MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal, Sihle Zikalala, on Tuesday, 11 April, officiated at the signing of a major partnership between the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone, Nyanza Light Metals and a New Zealand-based company.
The plant will produce titanium dioxide pigment, a product used in paint, toothpaste and colourants for food products. The construction of the plant will commence next year, while production is expected to begin in late 2019. The Department of Trade and Industry extended a grant of R17,1 million to the company for feasibility studies and has also approved an investment allowance of R900 million.
MEC Zikalala has described the project as a major boost for the KwaZulu-Natal economy, saying it affirmed the province as a preferred investment destination.
“We are very excited about this project because it will have a huge impact on our economy and it will also create 550 permanent skilled jobs and 1 200 indirect and 800 jobs during construction.” – Source: SAnews.gov.za |
|
| |
|
| |
| SA CONTINUES TO ATTRACT TOURISTS |
|
| |
 |
|
| “It goes without saying that as we move forward, one of the major attraction for tourists is our national parks, nature reserves and marine protected areas,” the Minister said. |
|
|
| |
The Minister of Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa, says despite the trying economic times, South Africa continues to attract record numbers of tourists into the country.
Speaking at the SANParks Tourism Investment Summit, held in Sandton recently, Minister Molewa said the tourism sector was not just a major contributor towards the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), but it was also a source of investment and job creation, especially in the rural areas.
“Our National Development Plan highlights tourism as a sector where millions of jobs can be created, small businesses can be developed, and spin-off investments can take place as more and more tourists visit South Africa.
“We aim to focus our efforts on harnessing the potential of the sector, not only to increase its contribution to GDP growth, but also to enhance and develop the skills of those working in the tourism industry,” the Minister said.
In the 2016/17 financial year, six million people visited the 19 parks that are managed by SANParks.
In 2016, over 10 million tourist arrivals were recorded in South Africa, representing a 13% increase from the previous year.
Minister Molewa said the national parks didn’t just play a conservation role, they also provided business and investment opportunities.
“These investment opportunities are part and parcel of our strategy for the sustainable financing of our national parks. The returns from SANParks’ tourism arm are significant contributors to the sustainability of its conservation activities,” Minister Molewa said.
Earlier this year, the Department of Tourism said the number of tourists arriving in South Africa every month had shot through the one million mark for the first time since 2009.
In January this year, 1 012 641 tourists arrived in South Africa, 15,4% more than January last year. Month-to-month growth in arrivals began improving prospects for the sector in October last year.
Positive growth was recorded from all regions in January 2016, with arrivals from Asia improving by a staggering 45,6% and overseas markets recording a total growth of 16,2%, compared with arrivals in January 2015. – Source: SAnews.gov.za |
|
| |
|
| |
| SANDF SERVICES TO MOZAMBIQUE EXTENDED |
|
| |
|
| The employment of members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) serving towards the Southern African Development Community (SADC) maritime security in the Mozambique Channel has been extended. |
|
|
| |
The Presidency recently said that President Jacob Zuma had extended their employment in terms of Section 201(2)(c) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,1996.
The SANDF members are deployed for service in fulfilment of the international obligations of the Republic of South Africa towards the SADC maritime security in the Mozambique Channel.
The Presidency said about 200 members of the SANDF were employed to monitor and deter piracy activities along the southern African coast of the Indian Ocean.
“They will continue monitoring and deterring piracy activities along the southern African coast of the Indian Ocean. The employment has been extended for the period 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018.” |
|
| |
|
| |
| ESKOM, BOTSWANA SIGN POWER SUPPLY AGREEMENT |
|
| |
|
|
|
| Eskom and Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) have signed a three-year power supply agreement. |
|
| |
“Eskom and Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) have signed a three-year power-supply agreement, a move that is in line with Eskom’s plan to increase its electricity exports to South Africa’s neighbouring states,” Eskom said recently.
Eskom currently has excess capacity of about 4 000MW, excluding an operating margin.
Eskom’s Interim Group Chief Executive, Matshela Koko, recently met his BPC counterpart, Dr Stefan Schwarzfischer, to conclude the power supply agreement and to discuss other areas of potential cooperation.
“The conclusion of this agreement serves to demonstrate our commitment to the Southern African Development Community region to provide energy security and certainty with regard to long-term supply of energy. Eskom reaffirms its position that we are open for business and stand ready to undertake further long-term supply agreements, for up to 10 years, with our various trading partners,” said Koko.
Schwarzfischer said the new power agreement offered BPC improved security of supply and presented the company with a window of opportunity to tackle some of the major challenges it faced.
“We look forward to further collaboration with Eskom to further improve our energy and various technical aspects of the electricity business,” said Schwarzfischer.
Eskom and BPC have had a long-standing energy trading relationship. The transmission corridor between South Africa and Botswana provides one of the key corridors for energy trading for the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).
This corridor, being integrated in the wider SAPP network, provides a facility for various SAPP utilities to exchange power, depending on their requirements. Eskom is currently investigating a number of strategic transmission projects to further strengthen the interconnection with BPC and other interested SAPP members.– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
|
| |
|
| |
| LOCAL COMPANIES PARTICIPATE IN DEFENCE TRADE FAIR |
|
| |
| Several local companies recently participated in the Latin America Aerospace and Defence (LAAD) trade fair, which was held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. |
|
| |
|
| |
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Rob Davies, said LAAD was an excellent platform to promote South African aerospace and defence companies and expose them to export opportunities.
“South African companies have developed highly specialised skills and products to market their expertise and collaborate with other Brazilian companies. The LAAD trade fair will build a consistent presence and image of the South African defence products and services in Latin America and globally,” said Minister Davies.
Eighteen local companies that operate in the aerospace and defence sector participated in the LAAD, which takes place every two years. The companies received financial support from the Department of Trade and Industry’s (the dti) Export Marketing and Investment Assistance Scheme (EMIA).
The dti has already assisted hundreds of businesses through the EMIA, which develops export markets for South African products and services and recruits new foreign direct investment into South Africa.
The trade fair brought together international companies that specialise in supplying equipment and services to armed forces, special forces and security services, as well as consultants and government agencies.
South Africa’s participation in the LAAD 2015 trade exhibition resulted in export sales amounting to R15 million. On-the-spot and export sales concluded six months after the exhibition amounted to R253 million.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
|
| |
|
| |
“SA AGULHAS II” DEPARTS FOR MARION ISLAND |
|
| |
| Aboard the ship are the Marion 74 expedition team, as well as a host of researchers and scientists from the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) and tertiary institutions who will be doing research in the ocean and on the island. |
|
|
 |
|
| |
The DEAs’ SA Agulhas II embarked on her annual logistical and scientific voyage to Marion Island on Thursday, 6 April 2017.
The researchers’ roles on Marion Island will be to gather data throughout the year for various research projects, and will be accompanied by a team that will provide support for the communications systems, facilities, medical wellbeing and weather observations. The researchers from various tertiary institutions will be performing oceanographic and biological research, some of which forms part of international collaborative projects. |
|
| |
|
| |
| SA CITIES RANKED AMONG TOP 10 WEALTHIEST AFRICAN CITIES |
|
| |
| South Africa dominates the African city wealth list, with three cities featuring in the top 10. |
|
| |
|
| |
Joburg has been ranked in the top 10 wealthiest cities in Africa.
Joburg is also a destination of choice for the super-rich who retire to the city. The city is also home to 130 multi-millionaires who each have a net worth of more than R10 million.
Joburg, Sandton in particular, ranked first followed by Cairo and Cape Town, while Durban was seventh on the list.
These were some of the findings of the 2016 Africa Wealth, Report released recently by AfrAsia Bank and New World Wealth (NWW).
The number of millionaires has increased by 500 compared with the last report. NWW defines “millionaires” or “high net worth individuals” as people with net assets of $1 million (R13 million) or more.
The report said the total wealth held in Joburg amounted to $245 billion. The city is home to 18 200 millionaires and two billionaires. The figures for Joburg also include Sandton.
Major sectors in the city include: financial services (banks, accountancies, insurance), professional services (law firms), construction, telecoms and basic materials.
Andrew Amoils, who compiles the report annually, said this year had seen great development in the city’s professional fields such as private healthcare, law and accountancy firms.
Durban was ranked number seven. Ballito and Umhlanga are tops as retirement suburbs.
“Durban has shown good growth in the last year, particularly in Umhlanga and Ballito. Residential estates in these areas are performing extremely well,” said Amoils.
He said there was good growth expected in the year ahead for the technology and healthcare sectors. – Source: www.iol.co.za |
|
| |
|
| |
| SOUTH AFRICAN MINED DIAMOND “PINK STAR” SELLS FOR RECORD-BREAKING $71,2 MILLION |
|
| |
| A diamond – which was mined by De Beers in South Africa in 1999 – fetched a record-breaking price of US$71,2 million in Hong Kong on 4 April 2017. |
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
| |
Sotheby’s set the new record for any diamond or jewel when the 59,60-carat oval diamond – which is fancy vivid pink and internally flawless – sold in Hong Kong for HK$553 million to renowned jeweller Chow Tai Fook.
The jeweller has immediately renamed the stone the CTF Pink.
According to Sothebys, not only was the price more than double the previous record for a fancy vivid pink diamond, but it was also a new record for any work ever sold at auction in Asia.
The Pink Star (or CTF Pink) is known as one of the world’s Great Natural Treasures.
It was cut by Steinmetz Diamonds over a period of nearly two years and transformed into this spectacular gem – the largest internally flawless or flawless, fancy vivid pink diamond that the Gemological Institute of America has ever graded. It was unveiled in 2003 at the Monaco Grand Prix where it was modelled by supermodel Helena Christensen.
Of all fancy coloured pink diamonds, those graded “Fancy Vivid” are the most precious and desirable, says Sothebys.
The current world auction record for a pink diamond is the Graff Pink, a 24,78 carat diamond which sold at Sotheby’s Geneva in November 2010 for US$46,16 million. The Pink Star is twice the size.
It has been exhibited at several museums around the world, including the Natural History Museum in London where it attracted about 70 000 visitors a day. – www.sapeople.com |
|
| |
|
| |
| YOUNG SOUTH AFRICAN ACTIVIST HONOURED WITH MURAL IN NEW YORK |
|
| |
| Teenage activist, Zulaikha Patel, who was prominent in 2016 during protests against discriminatory hair policies at Pretoria Girls High School, has inspired a new mural by a well-known New York City street artist. |
|
|
|
 |
|
| |
Lexi Bella, a renowned American muralist who has created tributes to prominent female political and pop culture leaders, recently completed a mural in honour of South African schoolgirl activist, Zulaikha Patel, on a wall on Flushing Avenue in Brooklyn, New York City.
Zulaikha, at age 13, was part of a peaceful demonstration against her school’s policy on unconventional hairstyles in 2016. In a widely shared viral video, she calmly defied the school’s security staff attempting to disrupt the protest. Zulaikha was quoted as saying: “Asking me to change my hair is like asking me to erase my blackness”.
The protest led to a Gauteng Education Department investigation into school hair policies. The action also inspired similar protests around the country, with many asking if official policies towards hairstyles were steeped in racial discrimination.
The Pretoria Girls High School protest received international media attention and support.
In September 2016, American political activist and academic Angela Davis delivered the Steve Biko Lecture at Unisa, in which she paid special tribute to Zulaikha and her fellow protesters for their courage. She invited them to join her on stage in what many recognised as “a symbolic gesture of passing the torch from one generation to the next”.
In December 2016, Zulaikha was included in the BBC’s 100 Women list that recognised the world’s leading female voices and trailblazers. She joined other prominent South African women on the list, including former public protector Thuli Madonsela and Zoleka Mandela.
Posting an image of the Zulaikha mural on her Instagram page, artist Bella hoped that giving international prominence to a grassroots activist would inspire others to stand up against injustice.
Bella’s other works include tributes to veteran feminist Gloria Steinem, singer Debbie Harry and artist Frida Kahlo. – Source: www.brandsouthafrica.com |
|
| |
|
| |
| NDALO MEDIA SECURES LANDMARK SOUTH AFRICAN PUBLISHING LICENCE FOR “ELLE” MAGAZINES |
|
| |
 |
|
| In a milestone for South African publishing, Ndalo Media, publisher of the popular “Destiny” magazine, will be the new local publishers of international fashion magazine brand "Elle", making it the first wholly black-owned media company to secure exclusive licensing for one of the world’s oldest and most popular magazine brands. |
|
|
|
|
| |
Ndalo Media, owned by Khanyi Dhlomo, announced on 4 April 2017 that it had secured the South African licences for the Elle and Elle Decoration magazine brands. For the first time in Elle’s 21-year history in the country, the Paris-based media brand will be published by a 100% black-owned media company.
In announcing the news, Dhlomo said her company’s licence for one of the longest-running fashion and lifestyle brands was a milestone in South African publishing.
Despite tough competition in the global magazine market – an industry often dismissed as in decline against growing digital migration – Dhlomo said the Elle brand’s “relevance, global leadership position and longevity” made it a solid investment for South African readers.
Ndalo has the exclusive licence to Elle’s print, digital and events extensions in South Africa.
“(Elle) has an unparalleled power to live impactfully beyond print and that’s what I find most exciting,” Dhlomo said. “We look forward to working with (French owners) Lagardère Active to ensure Elle and Elle Decoration captivate and inspire millennial-minded consumers across various platforms for years to come.”
This year, Ndalo celebrates 10 years of publishing one of South Africa’s most popular magazines, Destiny, including the Destiny Man offshoot. The company is also extensively involved in digital and content marketing, as well as book publishing. In addition, it is involved in promoting women in business and supporting education and youth initiatives in South Africa.
– Source: www.brandsouthafrica.com |
|
| |
|
| |
| SA'S OTTER TRAIL LISTED AS THE BEST HIKE IN THE WORLD |
|
| |
|
| |
| South Africa's iconic Otter Trail, the five-day trek along perhaps the most beautiful stretch of coastline in the world, the Garden Route, has been listed as the very best hiking trail on the globe. |
|
| |
|
| |
This is according to Insight Guides, listing the epic trail alongside other big hikes such as the Pacific Crest Trail, which spans the United States of America, as well as the Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal. The list has been put together by the travel agencies' local experts, who warn that the ocean vistas seen from the secret nooks of the beloved Otter Trail will leave your jaw on the ground.
The Otter Trail follows the Eastern Cape coastline from Storms River Mouth to Natures Valley in the Tsitsikamma National Park.
The trail is 42,5km long and takes five days to complete as it follows the rocky shoreline ranging in elevation from sea level to a height of more than 150 m. – www.traveller24.news24.com |
|
| |
|
| |
| SWELLENDAM NAMED AFRICA'S TOP ECO-FRIENDLY DESTINATION |
|
| |
| The beautiful Garden Route town of Swellendam has been recognised as the African continent's top eco-friendly destination, according to the international “Luxury Travel Guide”. |
|
|
 |
|
| |
In the publication's annual awards list, Swellendam took top laurels in the Africa and Middle East Awards 2017 category, with Western Cape Minister of Economic Opportunities, Alan Winde, congratulating the town.
“Tourism is one of our fastest-growing sectors and has the potential to add up to an additional 100 000 jobs to our economy if we put dedicated energy into it. Awards like this garner international promotion for our destination," Winde says.
In correspondence to Swellendam Tourism, Luxury Travel Guide states that the awards “represent the pinnacle of travel and tourism achievement, championing the best in their respective fields”.
This third-oldest town in South Africa has a myriad of activities and attractions on offer, enough to keep one busy for a weekend stay, or much longer. The primary offering is the unspoilt nature that encapsulates the town, from the Bontebok. National Park to the various small farms and estates which are open for tourists' exploring.
"All winners of the Luxury Travel Guide Awards are subject to the same rigorous assessment criteria, carried out by in-house professionals. This ensures only the most deserving firms and individuals walk away with one of these prestigious accolades and gain a place in our awards winners’ guide, which will be distributed to over 500 000 professional and affluent people worldwide." – Source: Traveller24 |
|
| |
|
| |
| TV FOODIE GUY FIERI OPENS RESTAURANT IN SOUTH AFRICA |
|
| |
 |
|
| American chef and celebrity television food personality, Guy Fieri, is bringing his take on guilty culinary pleasures to South Africa, with the April opening of his branded restaurant in Pretoria. |
|
|
| |
Celebrity foodie Guy Fieri, known for his unusual take on guilty pleasure eating, opened a new restaurant in the Menlyn Maine shopping centre in Pretoria on 1 April 2017. The Guy Fieri’s Kitchen + Bar promises good food, value-for-money and a fun time for urbane diners and families alike.
American celebrity chef Guy Fieri is known and loved for his various shows on the Food Network (DStv channel 175), including Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives; Guy’s Big Bite; and Guy’s Grocery Games. He is now offering South Africans a chance to sample his interpretations of fast food staples at his new restaurant, which opened in Pretoria’s newly revamped Menlyn Maine shopping mall on 1 April 2017.
Guy Fieri’s Kitchen + Bar is in the Maine’s R4-billion hotel and casino development. It joins a range of other quality gourmet restaurants, including Forti Grill, by South African chef Fortunato Mazzone; and Something’s Cooking, owned by J’Something (Joao da Fonseca) from top local band MiCasa, who is a passionate foodie himself, blending the tastes of his home country Portugal and Mzansi.
Fieri’s South African endeavour joins his other popular restaurants around the world, including high-profile venues on Las Vegas’s Sunset Strip and in Times Square in New York City, as well as 50 other branded food outlets, including Guy’s Burger Joints, serving on the entire luxury tour fleet of Carnival Cruise Liners. – Source: www.brandsouthafrica.com |
|
| |
|
| |
| SOUTH AFRICA WHITEWASHES SLOVENIA IN DAVIS CUP |
|
| |
| A dominant South African Davis Cup team romped to a 5-0 win over Slovenia at the Irene Country Club, Pretoria on Sunday, 9 April. |
|
 |
|
| |
South Africa did not lose a set in both reverse singles rubbers on Sunday and were in firm control throughout the tie. Both reverse singles on Sunday were reduced to best of three tie break sets as the tie had already been decided.
Lloyd
Harris and Nik Scholtz dominated to give South Africa the clean sweep.
Harris beat Tilen Zitnik 6-3 6-3 while Scholtz beat Tomislav Ternar 6-2 6-4.
Marcos Ondruska, the South African captain, said he couldn’t be happier with the clean sweep.
“I am extremely happy and proud of my team. Everything worked for us this weekend and my players executed well and really lifted their games to the highest level I’ve seen since taking over captaincy,” said Ondruska. – Source: www.enca.com |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
