Jan
13
2012
We’ve all heard the uplifting stories of down-and-out, poor people getting small chances and turning them into magical escapes from poverty for themselves and their families. I’ve often wished I could give a down-and-out, poor guy the lifeline out of his misery. But, then I would quickly shake myself out of my dream, because I thought it was just that – a dream I’m not able to act upon. [Read on]
Tags: Kiva
Jan
13
2012
I’m back from a sunny holiday in my birth country South Africa and wondering what I’m doing in the grey world of Europe. This morning I stumbled on a piece about the Karoo I wrote a few years ago and I liked it so much, I thought I should point readers to it. Here it is.
Jan
12
2012
I’ve written (complained) before about the lack of entrepreneurial spirit among young South Africans, specifically when it comes to the internet.
At the time, some readers might have thought I was just being “old, negative and pessimistic”. But now, you all…read this and tell me honestly that South African students could do the same (when they are not playing rugby or chasing girls).
Tags: South Africa
Dec
14
2011
With a little luck it didn’t happen. Chances are, it did: Lars Windhorst might have lost money for the Hersov family yet again. [Read on]
Tags: Robert Hersov, Sapinda, Windhorst
Dec
13
2011
Before the crunch-weekend (BC) and after the crunch-weekend (AC) (read here). That’s how British commentators might still refer to the events of the past weekend. [Read on]
Tags: banking sector, Germany
Dec
13
2011
If Naspers still thinks European mobile TV is something it should be invested in, it really should be looking at Zattoo.com. Assuming Koos & Co. can (and want to) convince the board the R500 million loss of the last unsuccessful attempt to get into mobile TV in Europe won’t be repeated. [Read on]
Tags: Naspers
Dec
09
2011
As the drama around the euro and Euroland unfolds in Brussels this morning, with the U.K. already out of the game and in the wilderness, a few observations can be made. [Read on]
Dec
07
2011
News is that British Premier David Cameron will come out fighting at the upcoming EU Summit – for his banking sector. The Brits should hope Cameron is not too determined. If he is, he might end up administering his own political career and the U.K. economy nasty blows this weekend. [Read on]
Tags: banking sector
Oct
12
2011
Winemaker Bartho Eksteen and Hermanuspietersfontein (HPF) did it again! After being crowned Diners Club Winemaker of the Year in 2010 for his 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, the Platter Wine Guide now awarded Eksteen 5 stars for his 2010 Sauvignon Blanc. Two top achievements in less than two years – not bad. [Read on]
Tags: Cape wines, HPF
Oct
05
2011
South Africa’s first 15 years as a democratic country brought with it an amazing turn of fortunes for the “new electorate” – from being totally free to determine its own destiny in 1994, to the day (roughly 15 years later) it had completely lost that freedom again. In reality, if not in form, or outer appearance. [Read on]
Tags: population growth