HERALDHERALDNumber 200 • December 2008

Tel. 033-330 6000 • Fax: 033-330 6950 • P.O. Box 1500, Howick, 3290e-Mail: mherald@mweb.co.za • www.esnips.com/web/MidlandsHerald

Proprietor and editor: Russell Barnes

The MidlandsThe Midlands

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Howick by-electiontoo close to call

8 000 copies Established May 1996

An opinion poll conducted by NCRC, a CapeTown-based market research company, re-veals that the DA and ANC are in a statis-

tical dead heat in a Howick Ward 2 by-election.The by-election is due to take place on Wednes-

day 10th December 2008.The poll was conducted between 28th October

and 26th November via telephonic surveys of ran-domly-selected voters in the ward, and factors in amargin of error of 6.8%.

The poll takes into account the latest registra-tion statistics and assumes turnout levels that oc-curred in Howick during the 2006 elections.

Constituency MP Greg Krumbock of the DAcommented to The Herald that the by-election was“likely to be decided by less than 50 votes and thatvictory would go to the party whose supporterswanted it most.

“While the ACDP and the independent candi-date have been forecast by NCRC to gain only 2.2%of the vote in total, this may be enough of a split inthe opposition vote to play into the ANC’s hands,delivering to them an undeserved victory.”

Local Howick DA Councillor Tim Lindsay-Whitetold The Midlands Herald that he believes the DAhas been a tough and effective opposition in Howickwhich has persistently and successfully fought forresidents’ rights, and now asks Ward 2 voters for amandate to continue these initiatives.

Voting stations open at 7 am and are expected toclose at 9 pm. Voters can cast their ballots at eitherthe sportsfield in Bell Street or at Nogqaza Pri-mary School.

The forensic investigation report on thefinancial affairs of uMngeni Municipality hasstill not — almost a year after its completion— been released for public comment.

The report is believed to be damning andclearly to implicate senior staff members ofthe municipality in fraudulent activities.

In 2007 the minister of LocalGovernment, Housing and TraditionalAffairs, Mike Mabuyakhulu, authorised theenquiry in terms of Section 106 of the Local

Government Municipal Systems Act, no. 32of 2000.

In a letter at the time, the minister statedthat he as minister and his department wouldcontinue to make every effort to ensure thatthe municipality implements effective, effi-cient, transparent and accountable manage-ment and internal control systems in the in-terest of transparency and accountability ingovernment.

Vilakazi wanted enquiry into enquiryHowever, municipal manager Dumisani

Vilakazi responded by immediately callingfor an enquiry into the minister’s desire fora forensic investigation.

Once the report was complete and handedover to the minister it exacted suspicion as

uMngeni Speaker fails torelease forensic report to Council

to its contents when it remained, unreleased,in his own office for many months.

Eventually according to protocol, it washanded over to uMngeni council’s SpeakerSurya Pillay, with the instruction that shetable it on Council’s agenda within 21 days.However, 121 days later she has still not actedon this instruction and has consistentlymaintained that she is seeking legal opinion.

Ratepayers want to petition contentsResidents of uMngeni, eager to see its con-tents, are now threatening to protest at theuMngeni Municipality offices, petitioningthe MEC to ensure that his instructions, andrecommendations in terms of the report, arecarried out in the interests of transparent,accountable governance.

Left: Forensicinvestigation stillunreleased — byuMngeni council’sSpeaker, SuryaPillay.

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NCRC OPINION POLL HOWICK WARD 2 BY-ELECTION

ANC

ACDP

DA

OTHER INDEPENDENT

POLL RESULTSANC 48.4%

DA 48.4%

ACDP 1.6%

OTHER 0.9%

INDEPENDENT 0.6%

FREEFREE

The Midlands HeraldPage 2 — December 2008

41 Bell Street, HowickTel 033-330 8116 • 330 5546

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Community leaders endorse Lauren de Scally

“Lauren de Scally is a team player and a determined, energetic and highly capable businesswoman. She will add considerable value to our town of Howick. I believe that the grit and determination she has shown as a Comrades athlete and mother of two will equip her for the challenging task of being our councillor. I therefore have no hesitation in endorsing her as our candidate.” - Dr Mark Stead: Local General Practitioner

“Howick needs a strong team to keep local government clean and accountable. The DA councillors in uMngeni have performed splendidly in this role, and I have no doubt that Lauren de Scally will add considerably to the strength of this team.” - John Tungay Hon. Life Vice President: Umngeni Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Vice-President KZN Chamber of Business.

Wednesday, 10 December

Keep your ward DA!“When Lauren de Scally commits to any

undertaking, she puts her heart and soul into making it a success. I believe she will make a formidable councillor.” - Dr Pete Johnston: Local Veterinarian

“Lauren de Scally is the kind of councillor Howick needs: determined, committed and courageous. She has my 100% support.” - Dr Bronwen Schoenfeld: Local Plastic Surgeon

WARD 2 BY-ELECTION

uMngeni Municipality’s provision ofpound facilities for animals —stipulated in the KZN Pounds Act of 2006— is in dire need of investigation.

In a curious move, in May 2008 the ten-der to operate a pound on behalf of uMngeniwas awarded to a cattle trader named Rich-ard Ndlovu — for an annual payment ofR625 000.

Yet the Mpophomeni Cattle Traders As-sociation has stated that it itself will not dealwith Mr Ndlovu.

The Pounds Act of 2006 sets out specificregulations in order to assure the welfare ofthe animals in its care.

However, according to Cllr Pam Passmoor,these regulations are being flouted on a dailybasis.

Municipality’sdubious

animal pound“Never mind the fact that there is some-

thing decidedly dubious about the grantingof this tender to a cattle trader who the com-munity is refusing to deal with,” she said toThe Herald, “there is only one paddock andNdlovu’s own cattle are kept with the im-pounded animals.”

She also claimed that the animals’ dailyneeds are not being attended to, as they haveno shelter and no on-site water supply.

In her opinion, the business side of thisarrangement also needs further investigationas the previous impounding arrangementsresulted in no cost to the municipality,whereas this service agreement is costing theratepayer more than R600 000 a year.

In terms of the KZN Pounds Act of 2006, amunicipality must provide animal poundfacilities, either through a service provideror by operating its own pound.

In previous years, uMngeni used BusterMatteson’s organization, Cow Catchers CC,which serves other municipalities inKwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.

In contrast to the present arrangement,Cow Catchers’ service generated an incomeof R16 882 in 2007 and cost the municipal-ity nothing.

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At the last sitting of council the format ofthe annual performance assessments of thehighly-paid municipal management waschanged to include a committee comprisingthe mayor of uMngeni together with themayor and the municipal manager ofMpofana.

Whilst municipal manager DumisaniVilakazi was keen to have the municipalmanager and mayor of Mpofana as membersof his review team, the DA caucus favouredthe oversight role of a “more functional mu-nicipality” and one known to be not so“cosy” with the uMngeni management —namely the municipal manager of MsunduziRob Haswell.

Out-voted by the ANC caucus, the DAcaucus thereupon requested that a furtheritem be added to the resolution, precludinguMngeni from sitting on Mpofana’s ReviewCommittee, to avoid the possibility evolv-ing of a reciprocal “I-scratch-your-back-you-scratch-mine” arrangement. This too was out-voted. Reflecting on Mr Vilakazi’s recentvehicle accident, when he was arrested heused his right to make one telephone call —to ‘phone the municipal manager ofMpofana to come to his assistance!

uMngeni and Mpofanamay evaluate each other

On going to print, Dr Ian Player joined other prominent Howickpersonalities in endorsing Lauren de Scally as the candidate of

choice in the Howick Ward 2 by-election.

ELECTION UPDATE:

Read allRead allRead allRead allRead allabout itabout itabout itabout itabout it

TheMidlands Herald

Page 3 — December 2008The Midlands Herald

HiQ

uMngeni municipality manager DumisaniVilakazi’s case involving six charges againsthim has been set down for trial on 13th Feb-ruary, including five new charges added tothat of driving under the influence of alco-hol — resisting arrest, assault, failing to obeythe instructions of a traffic officer, maliciousdamage to property and refusal to take abreathalyser test.

Interviewed by The Witnessfollowing a car accident on 2nd August2008, Mr Vilakazi expressed confidencethat he once again would get off hisdrunken driving charge in the courts.

He had denied that his previous ar-rest and the present one are damaginghis reputation. “This won’t damage myreputation, because I’m confident thatI will win this case again,” he said.

As Mr Vilakazi was driving on thesouthbound lane of the N3 he rammedinto the back of a heavy vehicle andhis car became wedged under it.

When the car was finally extricated,the whole bonnet was left stuck underthe truck.

Following the accident on the N3near the Mooi River Toll Plaza, a trafficofficer allegedly smelt alcohol as he washelping Mr Vilakazi from his vehicle.Mr Vilakazi is said to have refused tocomply when asked to take abreathalyser test. He was first put into

Vilakazi to face six charges

News of uMngeni Municipality’sreduction of its monthly fuel bill bya whopping 43% in just one month may

sound like very good news, but it’s aroused suspi-cion too.

DA councillor Pam Passmoor discovered this sav-ing when comparing the August and September FleetManagement reports.

She told The Herald that in normal circumstancesa municipality saving R100 000 for its ratepayerswould be admirable, but the fact that even the refuseremoval trucks, with no change of routine, had re-duced their fuel consumption by 50% was suspicious.

“I’m at a loss, for example,” she said, “to imaginehow a Honey Sucker responsible for emptying septictanks, with a 60% reduction in fuel consumption,could have been used for other than legitimate serv-ice.

“Since I doubt that it could have been used as ataxi, I suspect that the driver’s petrol cards are beingabused.”

In the Management Cluster Committee meetingof 15th October, the fleet controller confirmed her sus-picions by stating that they were aware of suspectedfraudulent activities and had removed the garage cardsfrom the staff.

They stressed that the garage and not the staff

uMngeni’sfuel-saving

elicits suspicion

an ambulance for a medical check-up but wastransferred to a police van in handcuffs sincehe was resisting arrest.

According to an officer on the scene, ittook five men to subdue him and once in theback of the police van, he proceeded con-tinually to kick at the door.

Mr Vilakazi was taken to an Estcourt doc-tor to have his blood tested for alcohol, as thetraffic officers were said to have feared that if

Nottingham Road

they took him to a Howick doctor, he mightinterfere with the test results.

In 2003, traffic police of uMngeni — MrVilakazi’s own staff — caught him drivingunder the influence of alcohol.

In 2007, he was acquitted after the courtfound he was not driving on the night of thearrest. He claimed that his companion, whowas believed to be under age, was the driver.

Telephone 033-266 6390

Left:uMngenimunicipalmanager,DumisaniVilakazi.

Above and above right: uMngeni Municipality’s municipal manager, Dumisani Vilakazi wrote off hisMercedes Benz near Mooi River on 2nd August 2008. When it was extricated from the rear of the truckinto which he crashed, the bonnet remained stuck under the vehicle (photo on right).

Continued on page 4

“I’m confident that I will win this case again”

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Wishing all atThe Herald

all the very best ! Left: Herald editor Russell Barnes photographed on a familyholiday in July 2006. Right: Pronounced exfoliation of the skinon the entire scalp and face. The growth of a beard made iteasier to cope with skin on chin and neck. Pemphigus alsoaffects other parts of the body — for example, here the eyes,where contact lenses were normally worn.

Publishing The Midlands Heraldwhile overcoming a debilitating disease

Several readers have raisedthe question of theappearance (or lack of) The

Midlands Herald over this pastyear.The answer is that in this agewhen computer technology al-lows just one person to producean entire publication himself —as with this newspaper —in late2007 editor Russell Barnes con-tracted the skin disease, pemphi-gus foliaceous, and has been un-able to continue his 12-year tra-dition of publication, ex-cept forjust one edition six months ago.

The disease, as the adjacentphotograph shows, at its worstproduces an intense feeling ofvery bad sunburn perma-nently.

Stretching up to reach outfor anything, sitting or ly-ing down, or simply turn-ing over in bed, producessevere pain.

The basic disease con-sists of blistering (“pem-phigus” in the Latin) of theskin and extreme exfolia-tion (“foliaceous”), both ofwhich are depicted in theaccompanying photo-graph to the right.

Treatment by derma-tologists consists of ex-pensive chemotherapywith its related side-effects.

Then there are addi-tional symptoms such asswelling of legs, blurredvision — earlier this yearhe was unable to drive forfour months — photo-sen-sitivity, straight hair goingcurly!, hair turning greythen assuming its naturalcolour again, brown hairgoing black from chemo-

Below: Russell Barnes in April 2008.

THE

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Telephone: 033-330 7020Howick Medical Centre, 111 Main

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were suspected of being involved in theseillegal activities.

Cllr Passmoor said that she was disap-pointed at the lack of transparency, as man-agement had chosen not to bring these sus-pected fraudulent activities to the attentionof the portfolio committee, without its firstbeing pointed out to the committee.

There had been no mention of it on theagenda, neither had the SAPS been called inalthough the loss could be well over R1 mil-lion per year.

Continued from page 3

Fuel-saving or fraud?

therapy, infections in ears,a general itchiness andmany others.

Among the disabilitiesis the tendency for “pat-terns to come and go”, asthe dermatologist put itexcellently, such as a mad-dening itch, or a burningsensation of excruciatingpain as the skin touchedanything, which had himrelegated to bed for two tothree weeks on one occa-sion.

Criss-cross patterns ofadditional skin behind theknees sometimes preventone from walking properlyand similar lattice-workbetween the elbows andshoulder prevents one fromreaching. The list goes on.

Improvement is slow,but the treatment, withregular monthly stays atChief Albert Luthuli Hos-pital in Durban, might take

a few more years. But it’s steadily gettingeasier to produce The Herald regularlyagain.

The Management Cluster Committee thenresolved that management investigate thematter properly in terms of accepted munici-pal anti-fraud and internal audit policies, andthat a full report be presented to council as amatter of urgency.

This is however, not the first time that theabuse of fuel usage at uMngeni Municipal-ity has come under the spotlight.

In 2005, The Herald reported that a vigi-lant councillor had discovered that munici-pal staff were able somehow to fit 80 litresinto 50-litre tanks!

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The Midlands Herald is distributedmonthly door-to-door in Hilton,Merrivale, Howick, Oak Park and

Montrose in Pietermaritzburg, as well asin shops and hotels in Boston, MooiRiver, Rosetta and Nottingham Road.

The Midlands

HERALD

Page 5 — December 2008The Midlands Herald

Vow to bringsewage nightmare

to an end

Greetings — givingvalue to the community

Greetings in Howick is one of those shopsthat brings quality into the community —acombination of chatty, friendly staff andabundant stock (in this case, stationery andgifts).

You’ll find it well positioned in SommeStreet, opposite the post office, in the spa-cious premises formerly occupied by theGood News Centre, with ample parking out-side.

Inside, the premises have been entirelyrepainted and refurbished, with aisles andshelving comfortably laid out.

Regular stock of Englishand Zulu Christian books

“We have a good range of Christian booksand get stock in regularly,” says owner ValEvans, who runs it with her daughterMarianne and assistant Eileen.

“We are often requested to get in certainbooks for our customers, and are able to as-sist them with this.”

This includes Zulu Bibles, songbooks,prayer books and other Christian literature.

Back-to-school requirements —avoid the rush!

It may sound surprising at this stage, but

Greetings has already attended to your needfor back-to-school stationery next year.

As Val says, avoid the January rush andmake sure that you are stocked up for schoolwell before it begins in 2009!

“Our stationery, cards and gift sectionsare still much the same,” she comments, add-ing that these are selling well.

“However, I must say that being posi-tioned here has allowed us to expand a littlemore and to put up more shelves.”

Toys, crafts, games and booksThen there is always the need for that gift

for children, and in this department Greet-ings stocks educational toys, crafts, gamesand books, as a browse around the aisleswill demonstrate.

But it’s not only children that are cateredfor here, and a gift will just as easily be foundfor a friend.

Val also points out that since moving fromthe old premises, the shop has found that ithas steadily enlarged its stock of scrap book-ing aids.

Val, Marianne and Eileen will always behappy to assist you at Greetings.

Telephone 033-330 6981.

Above: Marianne and her mother, Val Evans, in the book section at Greetings in Howick.

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Above: Incredibly, these women are washing their laundry in the sewage-polluted uMngeni River abovethe Howick Falls, in this picture taken by the Herald’s photographer on Wednesday 3rd December.Left: E-coli levels at the Umgeni bridge just above the Falls (and the washing) have been recorded in themillions. Photographed on the same day, and viewed from below, the bridge’s attractive design is appar-ent.

At a recent meeting with DUCT founder DaveStill, DA Councillor Tim Lindsay-White andmembers of the DUCT team in Howick, sen-ior management of uMgun-gundlovu anduMngeni Water vowed to bring the sewagenightmare that has threatened Howick for thepast few years to an end.

This follows months of reports in the me-dia of raw sewage flowing through the streetsof Siphumelele, passed front doors of peo-ple’s homes, polluting the uMngeni River,flowing under the Howick Bridge, over theHowick Falls, and partially treated effluentbeing discharged from the Waste Water Treat-ment Works.

“Based on this open and productive meet-ing, uMgungundlovu District Municipality— which was previously regarded as a dys-functional municipality and is responsiblefor our water and sanitation — has showngreat promise,” said Cllr Lindsay-White.“The meeting was a breath of fresh air, par-ticularly in contrast with the closed, non-transparent, non-accountable, non-participa-tory management style of uMngeni munici-pality’s Municipal Manager DumisaniVilakazi”.

The dramatic turn-around of uMgungun-dlovu, in just the past few months, is furtherevident in the District’s being given a cleanaudit after two years of disclaimers.

“What it means for residents of uMngeni,”Cllr Lindsay-White says, “is a will to resolve

problems, not to hide them. The new sanita-tion team, since November, impressed us withtheir willingness to acknowledge the exist-ing threat to the health of uMngeni’s resi-dents and environment, their preparednessto listen, to determine the challenges andtheir desire to resolve the problems we arefaced with.

“Whilst it was agreed that sanitation wasthe right to ‘dignity’, the consensus was thatit was equally the right to ‘life’. There was astrong reassurance that the conditions thatbrought about the devastating cholera out-break killing hundreds in Zimbabwe, wouldnot be permitted to occur here.”

He continued: “Whereas non-complianceof effluent from the WWTW at Howick was45% when taken over from the uMngeniMunicipality in 2003, unacceptable dis-charges have been reduced to 17,1% so far.Importantly, R3 million is also to be spenton upgrading the water works over the nextsix months, whilst immediate plans and atimetable are to be put in place to preventthe pump stations at Howick West and theBridge from overflowing into the river.

“Suitable training of staff and competencyare also to be undertaken. They further gaveus assurances that there would be sufficientcapacity to handle the growing populationof Howick, with the additional 2 0000 to3 000 homes planned to be built along theKarkloof Road alone.”

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The MidlanPage 6 — December 2008

Food and movie syneAJ’s and Movie Magi

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ood and movies, as everyone knows,work very well together.

And utilising this synergy are Amy’s andAJ’s — both still producing excellent foodin the olf bakery building opposite theStandard Bank in Howick — and the DVDhire shop, Movie Magic.

While waiting for their food orders, cus-tomers can take advantage of Movie Mag-ic’s recent move next door to choose a DVDto rent.

Here you will find a large collection ofthe latest DVDs, and all at competitive rentalprices.Specials between Movie Magic and thefood outlets — watch this space in the nextfew days! — will soon be on offer.

Comprehensive menusBoth Amy’s and AJ’s have comprehen-

sive menus — with takeaway pizzas fromAmy’s, and pie, gravy and chips and prob-ably one of the biggest curry outlets for AJ’s’more mixed clientele.

Take note also that Amy’s will be intro-ducing a pensioner’s menu and has alsomade changes to its main menu.Then there is the deliveryman, Clive, whotakes food orders around Howick andMerrivale on the scooter, although at day-time only.

Still in the business of foodAJ’s, now three years old, is making an

ever-increasing name for itself for its flame-grilled chicken products and curry dishes— both as good as ever.

Amy’s menu is extensive and exciting, of-fering a variety of traditional and Italiandishes, steak and chicken dishes, quiche ofthe day, baked potato with a variety of fillingsand homemade burgers.

The combination of the two food outletscertainly adds a huge variety of mealssupporting their motto: “Something foreveryone!”

New management makes a differenceIt seems incredible to think, but Amy’s

has been around in the town for almost sevenyears, and the advent of Michelle Bailey toassist her mother Amy has certainly made avery pleasant difference.

Their reputation has spread far and wide,as attested to by the postcards that arereceived regularly from foreign visitors!

The Bailey family has been associatedwith coffee shops and restaurants in the

Westville area, both in management and inthe kitchen itself, and here Amy is also veryinvolved in the kitchen, ensuring that thehigh standards are maintained.

Purveyors of fine foodIn order to support the delivery service,

the trading hours of both shops have beenchanged to provide a service seven days aweek.

Amy’s will be closed only on a Mondayafter 4 pm and AJ’s is open on Sunday from

CongratulatesAmy’s and AJ’s

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1 pm to 9 pm.The free delivery service, for the Howick

and Merrivale areas, operates between 9 amand 3 pm from Monday to Friday.

Catch our taste!Catch our taste!Catch our taste!Catch our taste!Catch our taste!Both Amy’s and AJ’s want to say “thank

you” to all their regular customers and sup-pliers for their ongoing support.

For orders to Amy’s telephone033-330 6748 and to AJ’s telephone033-330 4227.

Above: Amy’s Restaurant staff — front from left: Sylvia, Amy Bailey and Nestar; back from left:Nombuso, Prudence, Malindi and Thobile.

Above: Michelle Bailey and her mother Amy —managing Amy’s Pizzeria & Coffee Shop.

Right: The frontage of the Old BakeryBuilding in Main Street, Howick, where you

can find the synergy of Aj’s and MovieMagic working together.

Distributed monthly door-to-door inHilton, Merrivale, Howick and in Oak

Park and Montrose in Pietermaritzburg,as well as in shops in Boston, Mooi

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The Midlands

HERALDWishing you all the

best best for thefuture in the town.Good trading !

Here’s wishing ourfriends and

customers at Amy’sPizzeria and at AJs

everything of the bestin business.

HOWICK FALLSBOTTLE STORE

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nds Herald Page 7 — December 2008

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Our congratulations to Amy’s and AJs

Above: Amy Bailey poses, from left, inside AJ’swith staff Shireen, Penny, Zandile, Peggy, Londiand Ningi. AJ’s specialises in flame-grilled chickenproducts and curry dishes.

Above: Nokuthula Ndlovu of Movie Magic discusses DVD selection with Caitlin Robinson (at left)and Nicole Lawson, while the two customers are waiting for their orders at AJ’s.

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It’s good dealing withyou at Amy’s, AJ’s andMovie Magic ! May wecontinue to create this“magic” together.

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WITH Our verybest wishes!

Why South Africa should be a success storyand enjoy the ones you’re with.Your tired but happy analyst,John Mauldin —

Given all the negative items flying around right now, Ithought you would find this encouraging: It has beenan altogether marvellous 11 days in South Africa, speak-ing to over 1 000 people at 12 venues, giving a half-dozen media interviews, and meeting with many indi-viduals.

Finding great value in South AfricaI realized about halfway through my recent trip that

it had been some time since I was in an emerging-marketcountry. I have been to over 50 countries over the past20 years, but recently most of my travels have been toEurope and Canada. As I observed South Africa, it wasforcefully brought home to me that there is more to theemerging-market story than China, India, and Brazil.

There are any number of countries that are seeingrobust growth and contributing to the world economy.It was reported at Davos this year that for the first timethe developing world has a larger share of world GDPthan the developed world. Today, we focus on an emerg-ing-market country — South Africa — that does not makeas much news as it should.

In the early 1990s the mood among those I talkedwith when I was travelling often to South Africa wasquite pessimistic. The economy was not good, due tointernational economic sanctions. Changes and elec-tions were coming, and it was not clear what would hap-pen.

The contrast today is amazing. First, there are con-struction cranes everywhere in the four cities I visited— Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, and Cape Town.Twelve years ago the thirty miles from Johannesburg toPretoria was mostly agricultural land. Today it is onebig city, with offices, malls, and homes lining the free-way. There was a significant number of rather nice newhousing developments, many if not most being built onspeculation all along the freeway.

Johannesburg is a world-class city, on a par with NewYork or London in terms of facilities, shops, infrastruc-ture . . . and traffic. There were new shopping malls allover, and the stores were busy. The restaurants were ex-cellent. The hotels I stayed in and spoke at were excel-lent and modern. The Sandton area is particularly pleas-ant. Durban is a tropical jewel on the Indian Ocean.Again, there was construction everywhere — a green,verdant city of 1 000 000 people, with modern roadsand great weather.

I have been to Sydney, Vancouver and San Franciscoand love all of them. But for my money, Cape Town isthe most beautiful city in the world — amazing moun-tains, blue water harbours, white sand beaches, withwineries nestled in among the mountains and valleys.The Waterfront area, where I stayed, is fun and vibrant.Again, an amazing amount of construction everywhere.

I ate dinner on Friday night at a restaurant called Baiaat the Waterfront. I find I really love the better SouthAfrican chardonnays. I was pleasantly surprised to findmore than a few South African chards the equal of theirUS counterparts, but at a third to half the price for thesame level of quality.

The next day I was informed that Baia is one of themost expensive restaurants in town. I stayed in a de-lightful five-star hotel, The Commodore, for six nightsfor less than $1 000, including several meals, laundry,and my bar tab. The service was terrific and uniformlydelivered with smiles.

The exceptionally nice private game reserve of Itagawhere we stayed when I first arrived was only a few hun-dred dollars a night, including meals, wine, and gameruns. In short, South Africa seemed like a bargain.

South Africa in the top four countries surveyedAnd it was not just the people I spoke to that were

optimistic. Grant Thornton, a large international ac-counting firm, conducted a survey in the 30 countries inwhich they do business. The four countries with the mostoptimism and confidence were India, Ireland, South Af-rica, and Mainland China.

Why such confidence? I think there are several rea-sons. The economy has been growing at a reported al-most 5% a year for the past several years. There has been32 consecutive quarters of positive growth. But the offi-cial figures may understate the reality by a significant

amount. If you look at the VAT (value-added tax) receipts,as well as other tax figures, some economists estimatethe economy may be growing by 7% or more. Why thedifference? There is a large “informal” economy in SouthAfrica. The stock market has grown by over 25%, 47%,and 41% for the last three years. Such a bull run is alwaysa boost to confidence. Then South Africa has a strongcommodity sector, with numerous commodities and notjust gold.

JP Morgan thinks that earnings growth for South Afri-can companies, even adjusting for some anomalies, willbe 20% this year, which should mean another good yearfor their local markets. It is more than just a China story.

Soccer as an economic driverThe attention paid to soccer is rising to fever pitch in

South Africa. And for good reason: they will host theWorld Cup in 2010. They expect some 3 million fans toshow up. The government is using the occasion to spendsome R400 billion (a little over US $50 billion) on allsorts of infrastructure projects. They are doubling thesize of the major airports, which had already been sig-nificantly improved. Walking past the construction atthe Johannesburg airport, you have to be impressed withthe size of it.

The World Cup will be a big boost to tourism. CapeTown is becoming an international destination. Thegrowth in tourism has been strong, showing 20% growthlast year from 2005. 2006 was a record year. Interest-ingly, 75% of the traffic reported in the tourism growth isfrom Africa and the Middle East.

South Africa has a quite strong, very competent, andgrowing financial services sector that is a magnet forentrepreneurs from all over Africa seeking to find capi-tal. It also has a strong entrepreneurial class. The rest ofthe world rightly sees South Africa as the place to launchinto the rest of Africa.

Are there problems in South Africa? Of course, andsome of them are quite serious. But that is the case in allemerging-market economies. The crime rate is droppingbut is still far too high. Corruption is an issue. The highlevels of poverty are evident. The telecommunicationsinfrastructure is hampered by a lack of serious competi-tion. There are power shortages and the need for morepower-generation plants to keep up with the growth. Butall these are (mostly) going to improve.

A great future for African agricultureI think there is deep long-term value in African farm-

land. Given the nature of US and European subsidies toagriculture, it is hard for developing-world farmers tocompete right now.

“Old Europe”, the US and even Australia are going tocome under intense government budgetary pressure dueto the high levels of pension and medical costs they havepromised their retiring boomers. Quite simply, Europecannot afford to keep the pension promises they havemade and pay for any other normal government expenseswithout raising taxes. Except that they already haveeconomy-stifling high taxes. Budgets are going to haveto be cut in other areas. At some point, sooner rather thanlater, agricultural subsidies are going to come under pres-sure, as politicians must decide where to find the moneyto pay for the promised pensions and health care. I cancount votes, and it is not hard to predict the result. It willbe with a lot of fighting, but in the medium run, theagricultural subsidies in Europe are going to have to go.

Africa will become a breadbasket for much of Asia.With China pressed for water and much of its agricul-tural land being used for development, China will needto import more food. And as the rest of the world be-comes more developed, there will be an increased de-mand for meat, which means an even bigger demand forfeed grains for livestock. The growing use of ethanol isincreasing demand for corn, absorbing more of the world’sland use for energy corn rather than for food.

The simple fact is that as the world grows more pros-perous we are going to need more grain and other foods.There is an abundance in Africa, along with the neededwater and labour.

There is much to like about emerging markets. That iswhere a great deal of the real potential growth in thecoming decades will be. And South Africa will be one ofthe better stories. If you are not doing business therealready, you should ask yourself, why not?

Coming back has been easy. Have a great week

American economist John Mauldin shares hispositive views on the country after a recent visit.

CouncilComment

Cllr Tim Lindsay-White

How can we, in these darkdays of cholera, toleratethe infestation of sewage in

our streets, homes and rivers?For years the uMngeni adminis-

tration has resisted the plea of resi-dents in Siphumelele, Thokoza andShiyabazali to the right to safe wa-ter, a healthy environment, to dig-nity. A senior water scientist equatedthis to the right to life.

But this was before the outbreakof cholera in Zimbabwe. What aboutnow, with over 500 deaths, withcases of cholera in Durban and EastLondon? Do they still feel residentsare over-exaggerating, with onlythree taps between thousands ofpeople, forcing them to drink fromcontaminated springs?

Would they rather an outbreakoccurred before accepting the needto have prevented it?

So what do we do? EdmundBurke, the famous Irish philosopherput it best, but to paraphrase him:we tolerate, where tolerance resultsin a benefit for all, but we shouldnot tolerate where there is no ben-efit for anyone.

Something positive has come ofthis sewage nightmare, however.The sanitation and water officialsof the new uMgungundlovu districtmunicipality have demonstrated thestark difference between the newuMgungundlovu and uMngenimunicipalities.

Their municipal manager andsenior management are transparentand accountable. They are open tocriticism, simply intent on resolv-ing the problem. That is why theywill turn a dysfunctional municipal-ity around and win the trust and re-spect of the greater district commu-nity.

In contrast we have the closeddefensive management of uMngeni,averse to criticism, intent on con-cealment. Instead of openly dealingwith the sewage debacle they triedto hide it –even as big as the tallestsewage falls in the world! Theypretend there is no solid waste is-sue, but thousands of people live

on the old Howick dump, tons ofrefuse are scattered about the falls pre-cinct and end up in the uMngeni River.They try to prevent the Forensic In-vestigation Report commissioned bythe MEC Local Government from everappearing in council for assessmentby the elected representatives of thecommunity.They even go as far as to deny skillsdevelopment and capacity building ofcouncillors. The Speaker started acourse on the performance of her rolein council, only to have to leave it partof the way through because the mu-nicipality did not pay for it. I myselfwas approved by the University ofPretoria for an honours level courseon local government, only to have themunicipality refuse to pay for it. I paidover R 20 000 for it personally, yet itwould have cost the municipality andthe rate payer nothing, as the moneycould have been claimed back throughSETA and skill development leviesalready paid.

The differences in how theuMgungundlovu district and uMngenilocal municipalities are currently be-ing run, can be closely compared tothe differences between the DA andthe ANC party structures themselves.The one believes in an open opportu-nity society and a free-marketeconomy, intent on creating the envi-ronment for individuals to flourish.The other propagates a closed patron-age society and socialist economy, pro-viding for the few closely connected,fostering the collective rather than theindividual, giving free fish rather thanlessons in fishing; in short, followinga course that is not sustainable and isdoomed to fall apart.

Tim writes in his personal capacity

“Toleration is goodfor all

Or it is goodfor none”

Edmund Burke(1729-1797)

“The new uMgungundlovuDistrict Municipality’s . . .

municipal manager and seniormanagement are transparent

and accountable. They areopen to criticism, simply intent

on resolving the problem.“In contrast we have the

closed defensive managementof uMngeni, averse to criti-

cism, intent on concealment.”

Page 8 — December 2008 The Midlands Herald

From the ChamberFrom the ChamberFrom the ChamberFrom the ChamberFrom the ChamberThe MunicipalityThe MunicipalityThe MunicipalityThe MunicipalityThe Municipality

MattersMattersMattersMattersMatters

www.johnmauldin.comSend your mail through to:

info@frontlinethoughts.com

Page 9 — December 2008The Midlands Herald

O & S ELECTRICAL

Wishing The MidlandsHerald all of the verybest after 200 editionsof your publication,

and may you continuefor many more

years.

84 Main Street, HowickTelephone 033-330 5405

Book review: Falling Leaves andMountain Ashes a rivetting read

Falling Leaves and Mountain Ashesby Brenda George

Reviewed by Felicity KeatsOwner umSinsi Press, right-brain expert,author fiction/non-fiction.

In my younger years, when I got hold of anovel that interested me, I would read it non-stop until I had finished it. This hasn’t hap-pened for me for many, many years — until Istarted reading Pietermaritzburg authorBrenda George’s Falling Leaves and Moun-tain Ashes.

I was fascinated, intrigued, from the verystart of the book. I read it all day, sitting out-side in a comfortable chair beneath a canopyof trees. The light was good, the read wasexcellent. I stopped very occasionally for acup of tea, a light lunch, a bite of supper. Icontinued sitting outside, reading, even asthe light faded and the words were barelyvisible. I just had to know what happened.

I could see the part in the general storewhen Eli is terrorising the folk with a bullwhip, and where Mary falls instantly in lovewith Zachary Thomas, the eldest son of themarauding clan, from a single moment ofelectrifying eye contact. It is so real that oneis happy when she elopes with him, butquickly becomes alarmed at the life to whichhe is taking her. I was intrigued, wonderingwhat would happen next, alarmed at the vio-lent mountain characters that would shoot aperson as easily as drawing breath.

The characters are indelible — so alive,so real, her background so precisely drawnthat I was there, with them, where it was allhappening, transported to a place and an erathat was new to me, yet as vivid as if I hadbeen living in the early 1900s in the BlueRidge Mountains. The setting is there, stark,easy to visualize, the rugged mountains, theisolation, the strength of character that de-velops as companions to these elements.These such believable characters neverthe-less hide secrets until it was time to let themout.

Brenda George, an incredible writer and agreat story teller, has woven a novel in whichthe goodness of the main woman character

brings a positive change to the lives of theprimitive and violent mountain people shefinds on the wild and lonely Claw Moun-tain. I had a tremendous feeling for the bookthat drew me along irresistibly. Although astory of violence and cruelty, it was so posi-tive and gripping that I simply could not putit down. What a great movie this book willmake!* Falling Leaves and Mountain Ashes is pub-lished by Sherando Sun Publications and isavailable at Adam’s Bookstores, ExclusiveBooks, and on-line at JustDone Publishers— www.justdone.co.za (ISBN:978-0-620-38628-9). Recommended retail price: R190.

Above: Brenda George, Pietermaritzburg author HARDWAREBUILDINGSUPPLIERS

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The Derelict House – Elephants in my Gar-den — by Lesley Cripps Thomson

Reviewed by Brenda George, author ofFalling Leaves and Mountain Ashes, free-lance editor, and convener of creative writ-ing workshops.

This delightful tale is an account of theauthor’s stay at a rundown old lodge situ-ated on the banks of the Luangwa River inthe wilds of Zambia.The cover, which depicts a painting of amassive bull elephant, is stunning, and thereare excellent drawings scattered throughoutthe text.

With the exception of the introduction, itis told in the format of a diary and chroniclesMrs Thomson’s daily difficulties and frus-trations in running the lodge with only thebarest essentials, her dealings with the Afri-can male staff who resent being dictated toby a woman, and eccentric overseas guestssearching for an African adventure.

Lesley Thomson writes with humour andcompassion about these and the many ob-stacles put before her, which she overcomeswith admirable fortitude and imagination.However, it is in her descriptions of the bushand the wild animals that frequent the lodgeand its surrounds that evoke in the heart awonderful nostalgia for old Africa . . .* The Derelict House — Elephants in myGarden is published online at JustDone Pub-lishers — available at www.justdone.co.zaor directly from the author at 033-330 7424.Recommended retail price, S.A.: R155-00.

Lesley Cripps Thomson is a quiet, mod-est and unassuming lady who can’t bear tobe in the limelight, yet she’s as brave a per-son as I’ve ever come across, if her book, TheDerelict House — Elephants in my Garden,is anything to go by.

If I was ever out in the wilds of Africa, I’dlike her to be there!

Furthermore, she has this wonderful, un-expected sense of humour that comesthrough in her writing. It’s quite evident thatshe is passionate about Africa, and its peo-ple.

Born in the United Kingdom, she came toTanzania, at the tender age of 13, where shedeveloped a sure love for the continent whileroaming the hills with her dog.

After being widowed, with three youngchildren to support, she “fell” into eco-tour-ism, setting up Zimbabwe’s first-ever safariconsultancy.

She then established Wildlife Promotions,which specialised in marketing Africa to therest of the world.

Mrs Thomson’s passion for conservationand responsible tourism has taken her tomany African countries, and her articlesabout her experiences in these places havebeen published in various newspapers andmagazines.

She and her current husband, Ian, a wild-life management consultant, whom she metwhile she was running the game lodge shehas written about in The Derelict House, livein Howick where, until very recently she rana charming bookstore “The Lazy Lizard’ attheir home.

Book review: Charming memoirfrom a passionate conservationist

Die enigste boekwinkel op die Internetwat slegs Afrikaanse boeke aanbied word op1 November 2008 amptelik bekendgestel.

Die webadres is www.graffitiboeke.co.zaDaar is meer as 5,000 titels op hierdie

webblad gelys. Titels wat uit druk is sal assulks aangedui word, sodat internetbesoekersnie tyd mors om boeke wat uit druk is tesoek nie.

Hierdie webblad is besonder verbruikers-vriendelik en onopgesmuk. Dit maak makliken vinnig oop en die besoeker kryonmiddellik presies wat hy soek in seksiesvir Nuwe Vrystellings, Winskopies enResensies.

Die maklike uitleg lei vinnig na Fiksie,Nie-fiksie, Kinderboeke, Christelike boeke,Legkaarte en Dagboeke.

Klante kan per kredietkaart of perinternetbetaling betaal.

Graffitiboeke.co.za beloof om besondergewild by Afrikaanssprekendes in die RSAsowel as in die buiteland te wees. Tydens ‘noefenlopie in September het meer as 20 000besoekers binne twee weke die webbladbesoek. Bestellings en navrae is van so veras VSA, Griekeland, Australië en Nieu-Seeland gekry.

Plaaslik was daar net soveelbelangstelling — bestellings het ingestroomvan plekke soos Cookhouse, Upington,Welkom en Thabazimbi.

Graffitiboeke.co.za is die breinkind vanLeonie van Rensburg wat al 26 jaar in dieboekebedryf en besit tans haar eieboekwinkel in Pretoria.

“Daar is ‘n groot behoefte aan ‘n

verbruikersvriendelikeA f r i k a a n s eboekwinkel op dieinternet,” sê sy.

Mev vanRensburg maak ‘npunt daarvan omelke bestellingpersoonlik per e-poste beantwoord. “Eksal dit doen so lankas wat dit menslikmoontlik is,” sê sy.“Mense hou van diepersoonlike kontak;

Enigste Afrikaanseboekwinkel op die Web

Bo: Leonie vanRensburg (foto vergundeur Rooi Rose).

ons gesels alte lekker so tussen die boekedeur!”

Leonie van Rensburg is al sedert 1982 indie boekebedryf. Sy was o.a. bestuurder vanExclusive Books in Sunnypark, Pretoria enHyde Park, Johannesburg; een van diestigtersdirekteure van die Facts & Fictionboekwinkelgroep met takke in Johannes-burg, Pretoria, Durban en Stellenbosch;bestuurder van die Bookshop-winkels in dieKaap, en H.O.B. van die Fascinationsboekwinkelgroep.

Haar weeklange Boekfeeste en LiterêreOntbyt-funksies wat sy in die vroeë 1980’sin Pretoria gehou het, het die weg gebaanhet vir latere woordfeeste.

Sy is ‘n kampvegter vir Afrikaans enAfrikaanse boeke. As eienaar van dieboekwinkel Graffiti in Kolonnade-sentrum,Pretoria, sit sy die stryd voort deur met skolete werk en elke maand funksies te hou waargaste Afrikaanse skrywers kan ontmoet.

FIVE STAR QUALITYLew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty was given a Gold Five-Star rating for

the “Best Real Estate Agency in South Africa” at the CNBC awards, and this year

also won “The Best Real Estate Agency Marketing” category with a Gold Five-Star

rating, while other South African entrants achieved Four-Star awards.

The company has been nominated to go forward to the World’s Best awards,

where it will compete with the winners from other CNBC award regions such as

the U.K., Europe, Arabia, the Asia-Pacific and the Americas. This is the first time

a South African real estate company has been selected to compete at this level of

the CNBC awards.

Celebrating our 5thAnniversary, Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International

Realty (Midlands) would like to take this opportunity to thank our thoroughbred

property consultant team, many clients and friends for their invaluable support

over the past rewarding five years!

“The Whitehouse” 50a Main Street, Howick 3290 t: 033 330 3865 c: 083 379 8051

www.sothebysrealty.co.za • www.sothebysrealty.com

�

The Midlands HeraldPage 10 — December 2008

Page 11 — December 2008The Midlands Herald

41 Bell Street,Howick

Tel. 033-330 8116033-330 5546

Cawood AccountingSolutions cc

Wishing Tim & Associatesall the best on their 5th birthday

On the occasion of your5th anniversary — wishing

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Congratulations on your5th anniversary, Sotheby’s

International Realty(Midlands) — one of

the most professional teamsin the property

sales rentals business.

Zakhe Khuzwayo was certainfrom high school that he wantedto get involved in business, and

decided that the CA route would givehim unlimited options, so he attendedthe University of NatalPietermaritzburg campus with hisprime goal of making lots of moneyquickly.

Mr Khuzwayo only later discoveredthat he was wrong. “When you initiallystart your traineeship, the salaries arenot high, but as soon as you qualify,you start reaping the rewards,” he said.

He currently holds the chief operat-ing officer position at InnoVent Rentaland Asset Management Solutions (Pty)Limited. InnoVent Holdings wasfounded by him and his business part-ner DJ Khumbula as a black-ownedand operated financial services hold-ing company servicing the burgeoningasset rental market.

He sees the profession as an impor-tant tool in strategic decision-makingand believes that without accountancy,businesses would not be able to meas-ure how well or badly they are doingand thereby not be able to make deci-sions that ensure sustainability of busi-nesses.

The satisfaction of being able toovercome the challenges is what keepshim going. “When I reflect back on asituation and realise what I haveachieved, it is deeply gratifying. Start-ing a business from scratch has beenone of the major challenges in my life.But I realised that most challenges areactually more perception than reality. Iusually unpack the challenge into com-ponents and deal with each componentseparately.”

Following this motto has provedbeneficial as Mr Khuzwayo has passedthe board exam on his first attempt at24 years and has created a world-classbusiness that can stand its own amongstinternational companies.

To him accounting is interesting andhe wants students to be able to see themany doors accounting can open fortheir future careers. He believes that by

encouraging more youngblack people to pursue ac-counting related studiesthey should be exposed tothe career at school leveland CAs should be as-signed to provide careerguidance to these students.

Now he is a prominentand successful businessleader and many youngpeople look up to him andwant to follow in his foot-steps. His advice to studentswho wish to become CAsis firstly to choose mathsand science as part of theirmatric subjects.

“Get as much informa-tion as you can about theprofession that you want,

Choose the CharteredAccountancy route

for unlimitedcareer options

Below: Zakhe Khuzwayo ofPietermaritermaritzburg — now

It’s good dealing with youat Amy’s, AJ’s and

Movie Magic ! May wecontinue to create

this “magic” together.

Telephone 033-330 375652 Main Street, Howick, behind M.G Oldfield.

Wishingthe verybest toall ofyou for

thefuture inthe town

anddistricton the

occasionof your

5thbirthday!

The Midlands

HERALD

speak to people in the pro-fession and offer to work forsomeone in the professioneven if it is for free.

“The route toward becom-ing a CA is hard work, butit’s worth it,” he advises.

He is also actively in-volved in the InnoVent foun-dation that sponsors studentsfrom high school through touniversity that wish to pur-sue the CA route.

pursuing a successful career in chartered accounting in Johannesburg.

The Midlands Herald is distributedmonthly door-to-door in Hilton,

Merrivale, Howick, Oak Park andMontrose in Pietermaritzburg, as

well as in shops and hotels inBoston, Mooi River, Rosetta and

Nottingham Road.

The Midlands

HERALD

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The face of offroad racing in the countryis changing since Warren Confait startedbringing in the Crickets — a smaller type ofthe wellknown Sandmaster racing car —fromChina two years ago.

Known rather for its recreational qualities,the Cricket has caused “a tremendous buzz”,in the words of Warren’s dad, Dave —“because it’s affordable racing, much cheaperthan the bigger Sandmasters.”

He also explained that the MSA, MotorSport South Africa, has permitted theyoungsters between 16 and 18 without anofficial driver’s licence to race.

Chief among these is Lance Wooldridge,aged 16 and son of the wellknown offroad-racing multiple champion Neil.

“Lance is a very accomplished driver,”Dave said, explaining that somemodifications are required to the Cricket tobring them up to racing standards, with theshock absorbers changed, proper five-pointracing seat belts fitted, a fire extinguisher, abelly plate guard beneath the vehicle andnecking on the sides of the roll cage to protectthe drivers.

“The Crickets are like the Sandmaster butthey’re just miniature,” Dave said. “And intheir class they’re really competitive. In a

race, usually only about 30 seconds separatesthe winner from the last finisher.”

The 2008 season saw nine Crickets —which are powered by a 250 cc motor —racing. The oldest driver is 62 (so you canenjoy the sport regardless of your age).

The Crickets race against the biggestSandmasters but are set one lap less than thebigger cars. “Another two Crickets next

Cricket unleashes new offroad racing life

Above: Dave Confait of Howick poses with his Cricket offroad racingvehicle, with which he came third in this year’s KwaZulu-Natalregional offroad racing championships

year are interested in joining and we mightend up with a possible 14-15 in total,” Davesays.Therte are around 20 Sandmasters stillracing.

The 2009 championship was hotlycontested and was won by first-timer LanceWooldridge, followed by Sean Rushton ofDurban, with Dave Confait of Howick third.

The Crickets had an exceptionally high

The Midlands

HERALDHERALDThe Midlands

Number 200 • December 2008

finishing rate throughout the season and areextremely safe to race.

At R45 000 plus VAT they are anaffordable offroad racing vehicle.

“The future of offroad racing lies with ouryoungsters,” Dave says.

If you are 16 years or older and interestedin racing, please contact him for moreinformation at 073-382 8822.

“Chinese-built car causes tremendous buzz because it’s affordable racing”