GPSA Weekly Views

Amazing how time flies when you're having fun! Ja right! More like working our butts off and having less time for ourselves.

With close on 800 people already killed in road accidents, I've decided to stay at home. My break will come in February when all the madness has calmed down a bit.

The death toll is a national tragedy which government seems to have washed their hands off off. Not quite though - I did some 18 kilometers in an hour and ten minutes the other day due to a massive roadblock on one of the highways. Cars are pulled over at random, licenses checked (vehicle and driver), outstanding warrants checked, roadworthiness checked as well as a general search for illegal substances and firearms. To have roadblocks on major highways seem a bit extreme but has my support. A lot too late?

This is like letting a child have his own way all his life and then when he turns sixteen, you try and reel him in. Our officials have been flaunting the laws for so long, do they really think that we will sit up and take notice of their attempts to make us do what they say and not what they do? The tragedy on our roads every festive season proof otherwise.

On the 16th we had "reconciliation day". Mbeki complained about apartheid still being with us, each living their own lifes pretending that the other does not exist. In spite of numerous parties and celebrations there were those who still honored the Afrikaner promise to God at Bloodriver. Lest not forget Mbeki, that the reason for this public holiday was a compromise to the Afrikaner in this country. To the majority of us we still have a history, in spite of your governments' efforts to erase this.

Some positives from the past year -

Tourism is up by a big margin, mostly visitors from other African countries.

Catalytic converters bring in some R10 billion a year from exports alone. With South Africa's cleaner fuel being introduced next year, this market will surely grow.

The second network operator was awarded it's license and should be in operation by March 2006 - at last Telkom will face some competition.

Cellphone operators posted ridiculous profits this year, with Vodacom splashing out R30 million on Christmas parties for their staff. MTN posted the largest profits. At present they're the largest operator in Africa. Cell-C, the smallest of the three operators posted a R1.42 billion revenue in the three month period to end-September. I won't even mention the others, it's enough to switch to Communism!

Absa, SA's largest bank plans to open another 30 branches in previously disadvantaged areas - hope their security will be up to scratch!

South African Airlines plan to roll out electronic ticketing and offered their expertise in this field to other airlines. This is in line with a 2007 deadline set for the industry.

Vodafone continues with it's quest to gain majority shares in Vodacom. At present they have 35% and plan on a 50% stake at a cost of about R16 billion.

And there's no end in site for the building industry.

There are plenty other South African businesses making lots of money in our growing economy. The (by now) well-known "coming home" project reported that 4 out of 5 South Africans want to return to South Africa. The drive obviously target highly qualified ex-pats whom can positively contribute to the economy. No, I don't know what their criteria is.

And of course the retail industry is expecting a bumper year. With the Reserve Bank holding back on an interest rate increase people tend to buy more on credit. Don't they ever learn?

Lastly - to all my readers, you have yourselves a jolly good break and a festive season in the real spirit of Christ. Let's not forget the REAL celebration of Christmas.

Weekly View
	22 December 2005
Amazing how time flies when you're having fun! Ja right! More like working our butts off and having less time for ourselves. With close on 800 people already killed in road accidents, I've decided to stay at home. My break will come in February when all the madness has calmed down a bit. The death toll is a national tragedy which government seems to have washed their hands off off. Not quite though - I did some 18 kilometers in an hour and ten minutes the other day due to a massive roadblock on one of the highways. Cars are pulled over at random, licenses checked (vehicle and driver), outstanding warrants checked, roadworthiness checked as well as a general search for illegal substances and firearms. To have roadblocks on major highways seem a bit extreme but has my support. A lot too late? This is like letting a child have his own way all his life and then when he turns sixteen, you try and reel him in. Our officials have been flaunting the laws for so long, do they really think that we will sit up and take notice of their attempts to make us do what they say and not what they do? The tragedy on our roads every festive season proof otherwise. On the 16th we had "reconciliation day". Mbeki complained about apartheid still being with us, each living their own lifes pretending that the other does not exist. In spite of numerous parties and celebrations there were those who still honored the Afrikaner promise to God at Bloodriver. Lest not forget Mbeki, that the reason for this public holiday was a compromise to the Afrikaner in this country. To the majority of us we still have a history, in spite of your governments' efforts to erase this. Some positives from the past year - Tourism is up by a big margin, mostly visitors from other African countries. Catalytic converters bring in some R10 billion a year from exports alone. With South Africa's cleaner fuel being introduced next year, this market will surely grow. The second network operator was awarded it's license and should be in operation by March 2006 - at last Telkom will face some competition. Cellphone operators posted ridiculous profits this year, with Vodacom splashing out R30 million on Christmas parties for their staff. MTN posted the largest profits. At present they're the largest operator in Africa. Cell-C, the smallest of the three operators posted a R1.42 billion revenue in the three month period to end-September. I won't even mention the others, it's enough to switch to Communism! Absa, SA's largest bank plans to open another 30 branches in previously disadvantaged areas - hope their security will be up to scratch! South African Airlines plan to roll out electronic ticketing and offered their expertise in this field to other airlines. This is in line with a 2007 deadline set for the industry. Vodafone continues with it's quest to gain majority shares in Vodacom. At present they have 35% and plan on a 50% stake at a cost of about R16 billion. And there's no end in site for the building industry. There are plenty other South African businesses making lots of money in our growing economy. The (by now) well-known "coming home" project reported that 4 out of 5 South Africans want to return to South Africa. The drive obviously target highly qualified ex-pats whom can positively contribute to the economy. No, I don't know what their criteria is. And of course the retail industry is expecting a bumper year. With the Reserve Bank holding back on an interest rate increase people tend to buy more on credit. Don't they ever learn? Lastly - to all my readers, you have yourselves a jolly good break and a festive season in the real spirit of Christ. Let's not forget the REAL celebration of Christmas.	Past Views Current Joke Past jokes Gallery Links Current Exchange Rate Daily News Headlines Articles
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