I was sent this cute illustration yesterday of the South African National anthem. It’s for those who really struggle with learning, remembering and pronouncing all the words. The 2010 Soccer World Cup is just around the corner and we want all the South African supporters to be able to belt this baby out!
SA Good News reports that specialised courts to deal specifically with environmental crimes will come into effect early next year. What wonderful news!
Our Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Buyelwa Sonjica, explained that she wants a renewed focus on environmental crimes. “We have problems with mines who just dump their waste anywhere and get away with it. We also have the abalone problem in our country. But the people involved often get away,” she explained.
The largest abalone in South Africa, the Perlemoen, occurs along approximately two-thirds of our country’s coastline. Perlemoen-diving has been a recreational activity for many years, but colonies are hugely threatened by illegal commercial harvesting. For the last few years, however, no permits have been issued for collecting Perlemoen. And in 2007 our government listed Perlemoen as an endangered species. But commercial harvesting still continues, as does illegal poaching and smuggling.
Let’s hope the new environmental courts will have an impact on the abalone problem and be stricter on poaching in general, as well as shed light on other key environmental crimes we struggle to control.
We only have one planet, and it’s about time we start implementing major changes in order to be able to protect her beautiful flora and fauna!
The most prestigious surfing event in the world gets underway today. With a record number of entries for this year’s Mr Price Pro Ballito, surfers from around the world will unite during one exhilarating week of world-class surfing.
Surfers are dusting off their big wave ‘guns’ as they prepare for the massive surf to slam the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast at the weekend. High winds and rough seas are expected, from the same storm that pounded the Cape Peninsula this week. The massive cold front is expected to hit the KZN Coast today, with swells of up to 4.5 meters and the possibility of some 6 meter sets as well.
Not only will this year’s Mr Price Pro have a new home in Ballito but it will also have a new look and feel, a full-scale beach festival is set to complement this year’s exciting surfing action.
Good luck to the following South African participants, we are routing for you.
Keegan Nel
Clinton Gravett
Gary Van Wieringin
Matthew Kruger
Lungani Memani
Stacey Guy
Tammy Lee Smith
Date: June 26 – July 5, 2009
Venue: Ballito
For more information on the Mr Price Pro Ballito, go to-
For the latest updates on Ballito Surf Reports and Forecasts, go to-
Tammy Lee Smith (Ballito) will be giving back to the sport that has given her so much by hosting the Development Beach Day KwaDukuza as part of this year’s Mr Price Pro Ballito.
Photo by : Kelly Cestari
What the world wants from us is our optimistic attitude.
- Neville Trickett, designer
We may face some unresolved issues and our country may be a “work-in-progress” but let no-one tell us that we’re not optimistic.
Hmm-umh.
Our love for this country comes from a deep well of hope where the water never dries up.
I have hope big enough to carry a whole nation.
I am a believer.
The word “doctor” usually conjures up images of intelligent, respectful and altruistic individuals. So to see these professionals, protesting and picketing outside hospitals for better wages, albeit peacefully, seems so unbefitting. One may be inclined to think that because doctors have devoted their life to helping others, they’ll work day and night for stipends. Maybe. But the protests in recent weeks have demonstrated that even the most self-effacing individuals can only be pushed so far. Perhaps the paradigm is shifting, perhaps the government is realising that health practitioners need to be paid fairly in order to prevent further brain drain in South Africa.
It was with great pleasure that I heard that the State had increased doctors’ salaries by between 10 and 60% yesterday. And although it might not be an exact match to their demands, at least it’s a start. It is a sign that our government is heeding the desperate call of these humanitarians and finally seeing the wood for the trees. Eureka!
Rick James always dreamt of becoming a farmer. When his family bought a seven acre smallholding in the Assagay Valley of Kwa-Zulu Natal, a small crop of coffee was already established there. The James family decided that they wanted to try their hands at coffee farming, and started sowing seeds in 1992. Through gradual experience and success with the product came the inspiration to reach further and further into the market. Five years ago Assagay Coffee moved to a much larger farm of 100 acres in Cato Ridge – now home to 30 000 coffee trees.
“We’re a dedicated family of coffee growers, who over many years have researched and developed our product through carefully chosen cultivars. The end result has been the creation of a fine, full-bodied South African coffee,” says Rick James. “We realised the demand for local products through trial orders with some of the outlets near us. Orders were good, and this encouraged us to take the concept further,” he adds.
Coffee is not usually grown in South Africa. Being one of only two coffee farms in the Kwa-Zulu Natal area, Assagay Coffee have a distinctive Calico cloth packaging – marketed locally under their original farm name of “Assagay Coffee“. For the international market, they have created the “Zulu Brew” range, which has been very well received overseas through export agents.
Assagay Coffee has 12 full time staff members and in the picking season anything from 14 upwards of part-time labour. “All training is on going done on site, and is very much hands-on,” explains Rick. Benefiting the community with job creation as well as providing a locally grown, locally manufactured coffee, Assagay Coffee is definitely proudly South African. “Ever person working on the product, from the pickers in the fields, to the staff in the factory is South African. The coffee is grown, processed, and packed in South Africa,” says Rick.
As for challenges, Rick says marketing a locally grown and manufactured coffee in a primarily import and big corporate controlled industry is not easy. But seeing increased sales and very often positive feedback from customers is however extremely rewarding.
“For those starting a business, I recommend that you research the market you wish to enter extensively, and be very sure you have the finance to compete,” advises Rick. He also adds that marketing and packaging is extremely important. “Our packaging had proved to be a winner because of its distinctiveness.”
Rick and his wife Lesley will take you on a tour of the farm explaining the coffee harvesting process. Afterwards you can indulge in a cup of their delicious home-brewed coffee. The farm is also currently being renovated to include a venue for barista courses – including a lecture area and accommodation overlooking the exquisite rolling green hills typical of the area.
For more info tel 031 782 1268 or e-mail assagay@ionet.co.za
