Some bits & pieces I've received from my readers :

South African health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang tells those with HIV to eat garlic and beetroot.

And this from the "Goodnews" newsletter :

Bruggemans says that the biggest risks to economic prospects for the year are “own goals”. Many would agree that the current electricity crises could seriously hamper economic growth.

“The electricity crisis … will have an impact on economic growth because its effects are so wide reaching. Farmers cannot harvest their crops; new building projects can’t be electrified. We certainly don’t need this at this stage,” says Botha.

Dr Abedian agrees; “Electricity has become unpredictable and this can cause major disruptions in the economy because we are an energy-intensive economy. Electricity doesn’t need to be cheap, but it does need to be reliable.”

“The crisis is already influencing both business and consumer confidence; neither of which like sudden surprises,” says Twine. “At this point it is quite clear that the issue will remain a discussion point and opinion maker in government, business and households across the economy.”

Our economic growth is expected to keep going at 4%-5%, says Botha. “A fairly robust number, considering our constraints such as the skills shortage and the electricity crisis,” he adds. This level of growth is expected to keep employment and income gains in positive territory, says Bruggemans. (Have you given any attention to the previous four points, of which the first was your own?)

With consumer spending on the decline, fixed investment spending is expected to be the leading growth contributor in 2008. Infrastructure will lead this sector as 2010 projects materialise over the next few years. (Invest in what exactly? Most things need power of which we have very little.)

Economists agree that growth could further be bolstered by a weaker Rand, thus boosting exports, an area in which South Africa is currently under performing. (Only problem is that nothing can be produced without power, thus nothing can be exported.)

The above is utter nonsense. These so-called experts look at the overall situation our country finds itself in, trying desperately to highlight some positive points and totally ignoring what they just said. In spite of soaring coal, gold and platinum prices our mines are on their knees. No raw materials, no manufactured goods, no exports.

I read somewhere that some 100 restaurants have closed down across South Africa directly due to power outages. Eskom can place full page adverts explaining their predicament and asking for Joe Citizen to help at a monumental cost, but then again what's a couple hundred thousand for adverts when they're talking billions? Government set aside some 60 billion Rand to help them. We have to do our part though and using your own common sense would alleviate Eskom having to publish these ads at massive costs.

At least "affirmative action" and the so-called BEE has seen it's backside. Is it time to re-joyce the death of these ANC laws? For the time being I reckon we can have a drink to that. The Eskom CEO has publicly stated that he will employ anyone (irrespective of colour) who has the qualifications and know-how in helping them restoring power to the nation. SARS has done the same. Now those forced into early retirement because of their skin colour are encouraged to join again.

A further knife in the back of government officials insisting on full integration based on colour and not competence, is the IRB who threatened to put South African rugby out of international competition if players are discriminated against because they're white.

Interesting times we live in? You bet.

Let's have your ideas -

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