Showing posts with label Mpumalanga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mpumalanga. Show all posts
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Road Toll Fees To Increase In Mpumalanga Province
The road toll fees are due to increase from 1 March 2009.This is directly going to impact on the pricing of our African Crafts products which we sell from the Mpumalanga Crafts Market.We normally drive there to pick up items which we have sold and the toll fees are already high.We are not going to increase our prices yet but will wait to see how much of an impact it has.We will instead try and keep more stock at our despatch area in Pretoria so we will pick up more items at one time and decrease the cost per item.This is also bad news for the many South Africans from the Gauteng area who spend a lot of their holidays in Mpumalanga as it is the closest scenic province to the Gautengers.This global recession is showing no signs of easing up.Wish we knew how much longer this is going to take..........
Friday, February 6, 2009
Ground Hornbill Kingfisher bird nearly extinct
With more and more development of shops and homes, birds like the ground hornbill are dying out because of human invasion of their habitat.These birds are carnivorous and form groups of 3 to 10 at the most.
The World Wildlife Federation now lists this bird species as a critically extinct wildlife species.This bird species is facing extinction especially due to its extraordinary social structure and breeding habits.
Human invasion is causing them to die out typically because they do not move around.As their habitat gets invaded,lack of adaptation skills such as moving to another area with large trees,they simply die out.
Further they are extremely slow breeders.The female lays two eggs,one offspring survives and the other dies because these birds do not have the capacity to nurture both.
South Africa currently has a population of between 1500 to 2000 birds left of this species.Most of them are found in the Kruger National Park in the Mpumalanga Province.
The Mabula Game Reserve has a research and conservation project in place being run by Ann Turner who is the founder and co-ordinator of this project.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Cuban Doctors Helping in Mpumalanga
Angels of mercy
05 February 2009
Zinhle Mapumulo
Cuban doctors bring hope and much-needed skills to SA’s rural areas
One thing that puts a smile on Cuban doctor Elpidio Lopez’s face is to hear his patients boast “udokotela wami lo” – meaning this is my doctor.
“The thing that has kept me at Themba Hospital [Mpumalanga’s biggest hospital in Kabokweni, White River] for 12 years is the appreciation I get from my patients and the community.
“To them I am a hero who came into their village when they needed help the most,” said Lopez.
South Africa and Cuba signed an agreement to share medical skills and services immediately after liberation in 1994.
Lopez was among the first group of Cuban doctors who came to work in the country’s short- staffed rural hospitals in 1996.
Although he would like to return to Cuba some day, that is presently not an option.
“I love my job. Every day I get stopped by a patient who either wants to explain their case or just wants to thank me for helping them. Forgive me if I am boasting but I think I am one of the most famous people here.”
The doctor wasn’t exaggerating. When Sowetan visited him at his work, he was constantly stopped by people who simply wanted to greet him – or just to find out how he was.
The hospital’s chief executive, Mduduzi Shabangu, agreed that Lopez was highly popular and adored by his colleagues and patients.
“He loves and respects his job. People want to be treated by him because of that. As one of three senior and specialist doctors, his experience and opinion are valued. He was twice named the best doctor at the hospital by his colleagues,” said Shabangu.
Lopez is not the only Cuban doctor who has gained his patients respect.
Another remarkable man is doctor Rusbel Medina, who came here as a family physician more than a decade ago. Today he is the head of the intensive care unit at Witbank Hospital.
“I have enjoyed working in this country. I cannot say I do not miss home because I do. But as a doctor you have to put the lives of your patients first. I took an oath to help those in need.
“I will stay in South Africa for as long as I am needed.
“When I came here the environment was different. The language barrier was a huge problem, but I have since learnt to speak basic words and phrases in isiZulu. This helps me to communicate with patients. Some of them are shocked to hear me speak their language,” he said.
Provincial programme coordinator Kuki Khambule said: “Cuban doctors have helped us address the shortage of doctors in our province . We are happy with their work and commitment.”
· About 450 foreign doctors, mainly from Cuba, were contracted by the government in 1996.
Mpumalanga was allocated 13 while the rest were sent to other provinces. Nine are still working in government hospitals while four opted out of their contracts. They are still in South Africa but in private practice.
05 February 2009
Zinhle Mapumulo
Cuban doctors bring hope and much-needed skills to SA’s rural areas
One thing that puts a smile on Cuban doctor Elpidio Lopez’s face is to hear his patients boast “udokotela wami lo” – meaning this is my doctor.
“The thing that has kept me at Themba Hospital [Mpumalanga’s biggest hospital in Kabokweni, White River] for 12 years is the appreciation I get from my patients and the community.
“To them I am a hero who came into their village when they needed help the most,” said Lopez.
South Africa and Cuba signed an agreement to share medical skills and services immediately after liberation in 1994.
Lopez was among the first group of Cuban doctors who came to work in the country’s short- staffed rural hospitals in 1996.
Although he would like to return to Cuba some day, that is presently not an option.
“I love my job. Every day I get stopped by a patient who either wants to explain their case or just wants to thank me for helping them. Forgive me if I am boasting but I think I am one of the most famous people here.”
The doctor wasn’t exaggerating. When Sowetan visited him at his work, he was constantly stopped by people who simply wanted to greet him – or just to find out how he was.
The hospital’s chief executive, Mduduzi Shabangu, agreed that Lopez was highly popular and adored by his colleagues and patients.
“He loves and respects his job. People want to be treated by him because of that. As one of three senior and specialist doctors, his experience and opinion are valued. He was twice named the best doctor at the hospital by his colleagues,” said Shabangu.
Lopez is not the only Cuban doctor who has gained his patients respect.
Another remarkable man is doctor Rusbel Medina, who came here as a family physician more than a decade ago. Today he is the head of the intensive care unit at Witbank Hospital.
“I have enjoyed working in this country. I cannot say I do not miss home because I do. But as a doctor you have to put the lives of your patients first. I took an oath to help those in need.
“I will stay in South Africa for as long as I am needed.
“When I came here the environment was different. The language barrier was a huge problem, but I have since learnt to speak basic words and phrases in isiZulu. This helps me to communicate with patients. Some of them are shocked to hear me speak their language,” he said.
Provincial programme coordinator Kuki Khambule said: “Cuban doctors have helped us address the shortage of doctors in our province . We are happy with their work and commitment.”
· About 450 foreign doctors, mainly from Cuba, were contracted by the government in 1996.
Mpumalanga was allocated 13 while the rest were sent to other provinces. Nine are still working in government hospitals while four opted out of their contracts. They are still in South Africa but in private practice.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Soccer 2010 stadium attracts property buyers
Construction works at the 2010 Soccer World Cup in Nelspruit is attracting property buyers.
An eclectic collection of buyers including transferees, wealthy retirees and investors are purchasing properties in Nelspruit, all with very different goals in mind but all keen to take advantage of what the area has to offer.
Carl Jacobs, principal of Homenet Nelspruit said the growth-point for Mpumalanga, Nelspruit is increasingly attracting transferees from other towns and cities who are bringing their families with them. Typically these buyers are purchasing freehold homes priced at around R1,3m.
Overseas buyers buy into new developments with a view to letting and are purchasing guesthouses, while wealthy retirees are also making their mark, buying quality lock-up-and-go type accommodation priced at around R1,5m and above.
"But investment isn't restricted to outsiders. "Locals looking to upgrade or downsize are also generating activity in this market, "said Jacobs.
Nelspruit is ideally centrally situated on the Maputo Corridor and is within easy reach of the Kruger National Park and Mozambique as well as the picturesque countryside around Hazyview, Pilgrims Rest, Sabie and Graskop.
The Kruger Mpumalanga International airport located 20 minutes from Nelspruit has done much to channel tourist traffic into the area, with flights arriving from all major cities daily. Major malls and chain store groups have also sprung up in response to increased demand for such amenities.
Fuelling this momentum, said Jacobs, is the fact that Nelspruit is a 2010 Soccer World Cup host city and construction on the 2010 ‘Mbombela' stadium is well under way.
Activity in the rental market is relatively stable. Many who have re-located to the area are renting temporarily until they find a property they like. And interestingly, many landlords are opting to waive rental escalations in order to retain good "permanent" tenants.
An eclectic collection of buyers including transferees, wealthy retirees and investors are purchasing properties in Nelspruit, all with very different goals in mind but all keen to take advantage of what the area has to offer.
Carl Jacobs, principal of Homenet Nelspruit said the growth-point for Mpumalanga, Nelspruit is increasingly attracting transferees from other towns and cities who are bringing their families with them. Typically these buyers are purchasing freehold homes priced at around R1,3m.
Overseas buyers buy into new developments with a view to letting and are purchasing guesthouses, while wealthy retirees are also making their mark, buying quality lock-up-and-go type accommodation priced at around R1,5m and above.
"But investment isn't restricted to outsiders. "Locals looking to upgrade or downsize are also generating activity in this market, "said Jacobs.
Nelspruit is ideally centrally situated on the Maputo Corridor and is within easy reach of the Kruger National Park and Mozambique as well as the picturesque countryside around Hazyview, Pilgrims Rest, Sabie and Graskop.
The Kruger Mpumalanga International airport located 20 minutes from Nelspruit has done much to channel tourist traffic into the area, with flights arriving from all major cities daily. Major malls and chain store groups have also sprung up in response to increased demand for such amenities.
Fuelling this momentum, said Jacobs, is the fact that Nelspruit is a 2010 Soccer World Cup host city and construction on the 2010 ‘Mbombela' stadium is well under way.
Activity in the rental market is relatively stable. Many who have re-located to the area are renting temporarily until they find a property they like. And interestingly, many landlords are opting to waive rental escalations in order to retain good "permanent" tenants.
THE THREE RONDAVELS
The Blyde River Canyon is a significant natural feature of South Africa, located in Mpumalanga, and forming the northern part of the Drakensberg escarpment. It is 16 miles (26 kilometers) in length and is, on average, around 2500 feet (800m) deep. It consists mostly of red sandstone. The highest point of the canyon is over 6300 feet above sea level (over 1900m) whilst its lowest point is well under 2000 feet (under 600m) above sea level. By some measures it is the third largest canyon in the world, after the Grand Canyon in the United States and the Fish River Canyon in Namibia but this depends heavily on one's definition of a canyon. By any definition it is one of the largest canyons on earth, unquestionably being the largest 'green canyon' due to its lush subtropical foliage, and it has some of the deepest precipitious cliffs of any canyon on the planet. It is the second largest canyon in Africa, after the Fish river canyon, and is known as one of the great wonders of nature on the continent.Possibly the best view in the whole of the Blyde River Canyon is of the Three Rondavels; huge, round rocks, thought to be reminiscent of the houses or huts of the indigenous people, known as rondavels. This canyon is part of the famous Panorama route. This route starts at the town Graskop and includes God's Window, the Pinnacle and Bourke's Luck Potholes.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Real Estate in South Africa
Any foreigner can buy real estate in South Africa. This includes - unlike Namibia - farms and agricultural land. Due to the favorable exchange rate, property in South Africa is affordable. For example, a house in a good area of Cape Town, with a swimming pool and a big garden, costs hardly more than $US 250,000.
Apartments are offered for less than $US100,000. In other areas, such as the province of KwaZulu-Natal., it is even cheaper. The Cape region is the safest place for an investment in property, as there is still a strong influx of buyers from the Johannesburg area, which keeps the prices up. The Garden Route is a growth area as well.
Real Estate Agents
The property market in the whole country is firmly in the hands of a few estate agencies. Private sales are relatively rare. In South Africa the agent is paid by the seller, so you can readily turn to an agency (see the real estate info page), if you are interested in buying property. When it comes to signing a contract or an offer to purchase, the agent will look after the required legal proceedings.
Market Survey
To get an idea of the market situation, one has to have a critical look at the available properties in the preferred area. The big newspapers (e.g. Cape Argus) publish a big property section every weekend, where you can find almost all the places for sale, advertised with photos. Many houses are "on show" on Sundays, which means you can view them without a previous appointment.
Real Estate Prices
Property is usually advertised at a price which lies 10 to 15 above the price the seller expects to achieve. You must keep that in mind and make an offer accordingly, if you are interested in buying something. If the seller accepts your offer, a down-payment of 10 per cent is typically required.
The transfer of the property is handled by an attorney, who also secures the transfer of the payment. Registration at the "Deeds Office" takes 6 to 8 weeks. At that time, a transfer duty is charged, which falls between 5 and 8 per cent of the purchase sum, depending on the value of the property. The attorney receives about 1 per cent.
Financing of Property
Be very careful if you are considering financing a house purchase with a bank-loan. The local interest rate stands at approx. 13 per cent at the moment. European banks are very reluctant to finance properties in South Africa, so that cash payment is usually the only option.
Buying a African Farm
Many people dream of owning a farm in Africa. This dream can be fulfilled, but one - particularly a non-farmer - should not underestimate the problems that go with owning an agricultural estate. Without the proper know-how, such a possession can become very costly. In the Cape area, agricultural estates, specially the lucrative wine and fruit farms, have become very expensive.
An affordable option is still an estate in the Natal Midlands, below the Drakensberg, where one can acquire a true paradise with forest, river, streams and lakes on hundreds of hectares for less than $US 300,000. Game farms, especially in Mpumalanga, are interesting investment prospects as well.
Apartments are offered for less than $US100,000. In other areas, such as the province of KwaZulu-Natal., it is even cheaper. The Cape region is the safest place for an investment in property, as there is still a strong influx of buyers from the Johannesburg area, which keeps the prices up. The Garden Route is a growth area as well.
Real Estate Agents
The property market in the whole country is firmly in the hands of a few estate agencies. Private sales are relatively rare. In South Africa the agent is paid by the seller, so you can readily turn to an agency (see the real estate info page), if you are interested in buying property. When it comes to signing a contract or an offer to purchase, the agent will look after the required legal proceedings.
Market Survey
To get an idea of the market situation, one has to have a critical look at the available properties in the preferred area. The big newspapers (e.g. Cape Argus) publish a big property section every weekend, where you can find almost all the places for sale, advertised with photos. Many houses are "on show" on Sundays, which means you can view them without a previous appointment.
Real Estate Prices
Property is usually advertised at a price which lies 10 to 15 above the price the seller expects to achieve. You must keep that in mind and make an offer accordingly, if you are interested in buying something. If the seller accepts your offer, a down-payment of 10 per cent is typically required.
The transfer of the property is handled by an attorney, who also secures the transfer of the payment. Registration at the "Deeds Office" takes 6 to 8 weeks. At that time, a transfer duty is charged, which falls between 5 and 8 per cent of the purchase sum, depending on the value of the property. The attorney receives about 1 per cent.
Financing of Property
Be very careful if you are considering financing a house purchase with a bank-loan. The local interest rate stands at approx. 13 per cent at the moment. European banks are very reluctant to finance properties in South Africa, so that cash payment is usually the only option.
Buying a African Farm
Many people dream of owning a farm in Africa. This dream can be fulfilled, but one - particularly a non-farmer - should not underestimate the problems that go with owning an agricultural estate. Without the proper know-how, such a possession can become very costly. In the Cape area, agricultural estates, specially the lucrative wine and fruit farms, have become very expensive.
An affordable option is still an estate in the Natal Midlands, below the Drakensberg, where one can acquire a true paradise with forest, river, streams and lakes on hundreds of hectares for less than $US 300,000. Game farms, especially in Mpumalanga, are interesting investment prospects as well.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Pankop Women Farmers Forum-Mpumalanga
Pilda Modjadji is a founding member of the Pankop Women Farmers Forum in Mpumalanga, South Africa.
The Pankop group, which now has 300 members, started with the humble goal of growing fruit collectively and using the proceeds to supplement family diets, raise incomes and pay school tuition fees. But the women quickly realized that the village offered few job prospects for graduates — their children were going off to the cities. Determined to create an alternative source of employment in the village, the women, with the agreement and support of traditional chiefs and municipal authorities, set up a fruit and vegetable dehydration plant.
The women’s plans were ambitious, and they felt that old-style microcredit loans — which usually range between $20 and $300 — were not enough. The Pankop group needed the equivalent of $100,000. They got the funds from local commercial banks because Thembani International Guarantee Fund, a South African organization created in 1996 by the US non-profit Shared Interest and the Swiss-based Recherches et Applications de Financements Alternatifs au Développement (RAFAD), put up $70,000 in loan guarantees. Such guarantees provide banks with an assurance that the guarantor will assume part of the losses if a default occurs.
With that first loan, the women in Mpumalanga converted an old school dormitory into a functioning plant. The project initially hired 65 young people. Then, with a second loan of $120,000, also guaranteed by Thembani, they increased the number of employees to 200, working in shifts. Their latest loan is worth about $1 mn, with $800,000 of it guaranteed by Thembani. With those funds, the women plan to meet European Union health and safety standards and start exporting their produce.
The Pankop group, which now has 300 members, started with the humble goal of growing fruit collectively and using the proceeds to supplement family diets, raise incomes and pay school tuition fees. But the women quickly realized that the village offered few job prospects for graduates — their children were going off to the cities. Determined to create an alternative source of employment in the village, the women, with the agreement and support of traditional chiefs and municipal authorities, set up a fruit and vegetable dehydration plant.
The women’s plans were ambitious, and they felt that old-style microcredit loans — which usually range between $20 and $300 — were not enough. The Pankop group needed the equivalent of $100,000. They got the funds from local commercial banks because Thembani International Guarantee Fund, a South African organization created in 1996 by the US non-profit Shared Interest and the Swiss-based Recherches et Applications de Financements Alternatifs au Développement (RAFAD), put up $70,000 in loan guarantees. Such guarantees provide banks with an assurance that the guarantor will assume part of the losses if a default occurs.
With that first loan, the women in Mpumalanga converted an old school dormitory into a functioning plant. The project initially hired 65 young people. Then, with a second loan of $120,000, also guaranteed by Thembani, they increased the number of employees to 200, working in shifts. Their latest loan is worth about $1 mn, with $800,000 of it guaranteed by Thembani. With those funds, the women plan to meet European Union health and safety standards and start exporting their produce.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Killing of endangered Rhinos in Africa
I am spitting angry.
In 1995 a conference was held and attended by TCM delegates from the Far East, as well as academics, government officials, and conservationists. The meeting indicated that there are strong cultural attachments to the merits of TCM(traditional chinese medicine). Some practitioners felt that the West maligns TCM and should not seek to legislate moral or health-care choices in the East.
Its the last part that makes me angry.Really?when one of the beliefs of TCM is the use of rhino horn to treat life-threatening fevers. And also as an aphrodisiac apparently.The amount of stuff in the world that is apparently an aphrodisiac.Why the need for so much aphrodisiac?Why not start looking internally for the cause of this problem.Yes the answer to the world's problem is definitely educating people.But if some nations are proud of their link and hold on traditional beliefs how do you do it?
So in answer to the West should not seek to legislate moral or health care choices in the East let me give you an answer from Africa.We will interfere in your outdated health care choices if it means you come to destroy our continent in order to fulfil your traditions and beliefs.Try and get your health care beliefs based on ingredients from your own continent.
See below for news reels on today January 15 2009.
Another two rhino deaths in Mpumalanga have been reported but not confirmed - some game reserves are reluctant to comment on such killings. If the figure is correct it would put the unofficial death toll of rhinos poached in South Africa since January last year at 96. The dead animals include critically endangered black rhinos.
In many cases Mozambicans, allegedly employed by Vietnamese syndicates operating out of South Africa, are the prime suspects. The syndicates are said to provide their local recruits with high-calibre weapons. Crossbows are also used because they are silent.
Three men were arrested on Wednesday for possession of four rhino horns, Mpumalanga police said.
"The men, aged 33, 43 and 46, were being monitored by police for a while," said spokesperson Malcolm Mokomeni.
They were arrested at Bruma Lake in Gauteng, near Cyrildene during a joint operation by Mpumalanga police, the Gauteng provincial task team and the SA National Parks Unit.
The men are thought to be Chinese nationals.
"Besides the four horns, they were also found with R16 000 cash. We are not sure if they live in South Africa, or if they are from another country...they are being very stubborn and just wont talk to police when they are asked these kind of questions."
He said police believe the horns were to be smuggled into China for certain business deals.
"There is a lot of money to be made from rhino horns," he said.
More arrests were to be made.
The men were being held and would appear in court soon.
The name of the court could not be disclosed in case investigations were jeopardised, Mokomeni said. - Sapa
In 1995 a conference was held and attended by TCM delegates from the Far East, as well as academics, government officials, and conservationists. The meeting indicated that there are strong cultural attachments to the merits of TCM(traditional chinese medicine). Some practitioners felt that the West maligns TCM and should not seek to legislate moral or health-care choices in the East.
Its the last part that makes me angry.Really?when one of the beliefs of TCM is the use of rhino horn to treat life-threatening fevers. And also as an aphrodisiac apparently.The amount of stuff in the world that is apparently an aphrodisiac.Why the need for so much aphrodisiac?Why not start looking internally for the cause of this problem.Yes the answer to the world's problem is definitely educating people.But if some nations are proud of their link and hold on traditional beliefs how do you do it?
So in answer to the West should not seek to legislate moral or health care choices in the East let me give you an answer from Africa.We will interfere in your outdated health care choices if it means you come to destroy our continent in order to fulfil your traditions and beliefs.Try and get your health care beliefs based on ingredients from your own continent.
See below for news reels on today January 15 2009.
Another two rhino deaths in Mpumalanga have been reported but not confirmed - some game reserves are reluctant to comment on such killings. If the figure is correct it would put the unofficial death toll of rhinos poached in South Africa since January last year at 96. The dead animals include critically endangered black rhinos.
In many cases Mozambicans, allegedly employed by Vietnamese syndicates operating out of South Africa, are the prime suspects. The syndicates are said to provide their local recruits with high-calibre weapons. Crossbows are also used because they are silent.
Three men were arrested on Wednesday for possession of four rhino horns, Mpumalanga police said.
"The men, aged 33, 43 and 46, were being monitored by police for a while," said spokesperson Malcolm Mokomeni.
They were arrested at Bruma Lake in Gauteng, near Cyrildene during a joint operation by Mpumalanga police, the Gauteng provincial task team and the SA National Parks Unit.
The men are thought to be Chinese nationals.
"Besides the four horns, they were also found with R16 000 cash. We are not sure if they live in South Africa, or if they are from another country...they are being very stubborn and just wont talk to police when they are asked these kind of questions."
He said police believe the horns were to be smuggled into China for certain business deals.
"There is a lot of money to be made from rhino horns," he said.
More arrests were to be made.
The men were being held and would appear in court soon.
The name of the court could not be disclosed in case investigations were jeopardised, Mokomeni said. - Sapa
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
10 000 uniforms donated to poor children in Mpumalanga
School uniforms will be donated to 10 000 poor children in Mpumalanga before the end of January to help parents who can't afford to buy them.
Mpumalanga Health and Social Development MEC Fish Mahlalela will start visiting schools from Wednesday, when uniforms will be given to 600 children.
"The department acknowledges that going back to school can be very costly, especially with school uniform prices soaring," said department spokesperson Abie Ndlela on Monday.
The children will also be given food parcels for three months, while a poverty alleviation project called War Room on Poverty will be launched by the end of January.
The MEC will use the uniform handovers to encourage children to attend all their classes and for communities to take care of their children.
Ndlela thanked social workers and community development workers for helping the department identify poor children who need school uniforms and food parcels.
- African Eye
http://africancraftsdirect.blogspot.com/
Mpumalanga Health and Social Development MEC Fish Mahlalela will start visiting schools from Wednesday, when uniforms will be given to 600 children.
"The department acknowledges that going back to school can be very costly, especially with school uniform prices soaring," said department spokesperson Abie Ndlela on Monday.
The children will also be given food parcels for three months, while a poverty alleviation project called War Room on Poverty will be launched by the end of January.
The MEC will use the uniform handovers to encourage children to attend all their classes and for communities to take care of their children.
Ndlela thanked social workers and community development workers for helping the department identify poor children who need school uniforms and food parcels.
- African Eye
http://africancraftsdirect.blogspot.com/
Friday, December 19, 2008
I hope to create publicity for African Crafts Direct via this blog.We export African Crafts from the Mpumalanga Province in South Africa.The products are all handcrafted by the people of Mpumalanga and this is a medium to increase their sales as their current income is only derived by direct sales to tourists visiting Mpumalanga.I am attaching a link to our website and we would welcome any and all contructive criticiam on how we can make our website better.Also if you have any marketing ideas please do not hesitate to leave a comment.We appreciate any ideas you might have.I will be releasing a press release as the first marketing step.so here we go...
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