ECONOMY
The FinMedia 24 economists' latest average predictions are:
2011
CPIX 5.14
R/€ 10.06
R/$ 7.28
2011
CPIX 5.82
BUSINESS
Manpower SA reports that some 14% of employers are struggling to fill positions with the right talent. The current shortages are for drivers, machine operators and finance staff.
The Johannesburg Broadband Network Project will link schools, utilities, clinics, hospitals and Municipal offices on a network of 1000 km of fibre optic cables.
Iata says our air infrastructure suppliers is a monopoly and needs a regulator. But, says it, our regulator is not doing its job. Acsa's increases are unprecedented worldwide as are that of our ATNS (Air Traffic Services).
The Finweek edition dated 26 May has an article on retirement. If you are not yet suffering from depression, do read this. Essentially he says one needs to start saving for retirement at the age of 21, RA's are useless ("They're a fee-gathering device for brokers… and investors get scr*wed in the process") and forget leaving the kids an inheritance.
Interestingly, de Klerk (Finweek) says that commodity markets are losing ground in favour of financial assets.
"The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, is broke" a WESSA spokesman said. "Many board members and managers don't understand environmental issues. We need suitably qualified and competent portfolio – based appointments."
PROPERTY
ABSA's Du Toit predicts nominal house price growth of 1% - 1.5% for 2011. Given inflation at some 5%, this means house prices are set to decline by about 3.5% in real terms this year.
COMPANIES
The new companies and Intellectual Property Commission have a staff shortage, massive backlogs and poorly trained staff to blame for the mess it is in. Apparently it is also revamping its un-user friendly website which exacerbates its current woes.
What is the difference between the dissolution and the deregistration of a company? Both terminate the existence of the company involved but the consequences differ. On dissolution the rights and obligations of its directors, offices and members cease: This is not the case on deregistration.
PRACTICE
In the Western Cape in S v Hendricks, the accused has set out to prove that the Drager breathalyzer apparatus, commonly used in South Africa, does not produce valid and reliable results.
Judge Hlope's appeal to the Concourt, seven of whose judges are his accusers, is really a bit cheeky, isn't it?
WEIRD & WONDERFUL
"My personal experience through the years is that you can't get a contract with any provincial department of health without paying their officials."
Unknown tenderer
LIGHTEN UP
CONSOMME ET SAVAGE
She-who-must-be-obeyed had decreed that, for our 33rd anniversary, celebrations would be had. Accordingly she booked and I paid a sum that would sustain a retiree for four months) at a place named after Cleopatra's best pair.
Now, she having instructed me, I fasted, arrived reed-thin, was led into a cellar with a few v. ordinary bottles of wine at prices which would sustain said retired for two weeks. Two v. large glasses of wine down we, and other pilgrims, were led into the shrine where the menu, concocted by his v. cordon bleu was recited to us. This took twenty minutes.
Sitting slavering at the table where the eating implements at our plates resembled the keyboard of a piano, we awaited nirvana. The first revelation was said to be oxtail bunny chow meticulously and painfully prepared. It was exposed as a 4cm square cookie with a tablespoon of oxtail bit strewn across it, much resembling Halley's comet. Four bites and four glasses of wine down, I was gaining momentum.
Starters, two, three and a palate cleanser followed in much the same fashion. Five glasses of wine. The much anticipated duck boiled in its own fat, followed: Alas it also was the size of 3 Republiek stamps with four 6m bolt heads of relish placed strategically at the four corners of a very ample & bare plate – one for each bite. And so it went. Six glasses of wine. We weaved our way to bed, consummation and such. She replete in spirit and flesh. I brimming over with red wine, wanting but a burger, grimly aware of my inner savage.
Die drie nefies is vir die derde jaar in Standard 5. Op 'n dag gly die juffrou in die klas en sy val. Die nefies lag al te lekker vir haar.
Baie vies, vra die Juffrou vir die eerste een: "Wat het jy gesien?"
"Net die kuite Juffrou…"
"Ongeskik!! Huis toe vir die res van die dag!"
"En JY?!?!" vra sy die tweede een.
"Juffrou, net die boude…"
"Sies jou vark. Nog erger! Uit my klas vir die res van die week!"
Toe die juffrou omdraai pak klein Japie al sy goed in sy tas.
"En jy, waarheen dink jy gaan jy?"
"Juffrou, ek dink my hele skool loopbaan is in sy mo*r!"
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