Why Invest in South Africa
The South Africa of today is one of the most sophisticated and promising emerging markets globally. The unique combination of a highly developed first-world economic infrastructure and a huge emergent market economy has given rise to a strong entrepreneurial and dynamic investment environment. More
SA takes lion’s share of convention industry
18 June 2013
South Africa had secured 88 international association meetings over the next five years to 2017, according to a report to Parliament on Tuesday by the National Convention Bureau.
These meetings would have an estimated economic impact of R2.6bn and draw about 198,900 delegates to the country, the bureau’s executive manager, Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, told the tourism portfolio committee. Read full story.
14 June 2013
Burger King Worldwide Inc. (BKW) plans to ramp up expansion in South Africa after opening its first restaurant in the country and enter other parts of the continent to take advantage of a growing middle class.
The maker of the Whopper burger has partnered with Johannesburg-based Grand Parade Investments Ltd. to set up Burger King South Africa and opened its first local outlet in Cape Town last month. That was 18 years after McDonald’s Corp. (MCD) started operating in Africa’s biggest economy and 42 years after YUM! Brands Inc. (YUM)’s fried chicken chain KFC. Read full story.
Buy Sell Invest and Visit (BSIV)
Johannesburg Conference 2013
The City of Johannesburg Conference
“Creating Competitive Advantage for the City and its Business Community”
1 – 3 July 2013
Sandton Convention Centre
Johannesburg, South Africa
The City of Johannesburg’s Department of Economic Development is hosting its first premier Trade and Investment Conference and Exhibition. This is the platform for Johannesburg to present its vision of development and to pitch investment projects in the Infrastructure, Resource, Services and Manufacturing sectors. With a R30 billion budget for infrastructure development over the next three years, The City of Johannesburg will be leading in Africa, linking transport development and creating sustainable and integrated communities.
The conference will provide an excellent platform for business-to-business networking, with high-level delegates from both international and local business expected to attend. In addition, key business influencers will be speaking throughout multiple sessions over the course of the event on the following strategic themes:
- Enhancing the Competitiveness of the City
- Drivers of Growth & Innovation
- Prioritizing Infrastructure, Resources, Services and Manufacturing Investment Opportunities
- The Role of Johannesburg in Regional Integration in Africa
More information.
6 June 2013
BlackBerry has opened a new training and business centre for BlackBerry app developers in South Africa.
The Johannesburg hub, launched on Wednesday, 5 June 2013, will be the third of its Apps Labs based in the country, following the creation of others in Cape Town and Pretoria last year.
Members of the new Apps Lab will be able to use the shared workspace, which will be equipped with BlackBerry kit, get help and training, and attend events aimed at BlackBerry World developers.
The Johannesburg Apps Lab will be based at JoziHub, a shared workspace and tech hub in the city centre. BlackBerry's managing director for South Africa and Southern Africa, Alexandra Zagury, said JoziHub was chosen both for its existing community of startups and developers as well as its proximity to the University of Johannesburg and the University of the Wittswaterrand. Read full article.
by Christopher Vourlias
5 June 2013
When the South African delegation arrives at the Annecy toon fest, members will be looking to cement their growing reputation for world-class animation.
“For South Africa, it’s a great year,” says Veronique Encrenaz, head of projects at Annecy’s film market, noting that the country has a feature in competition for the first time, a special territory focus, and a case study for the animated feature “Khumba” as part of the fest’s conference program.
The country’s emergence reflects a broader trend across the continent, as animators from Morocco to Madagascar are showing increasing sophistication in a range of animation, from traditional cel animation to CG, stop-motion and 3D.
4 June 2013
Grant Thornton has doubled the size of its Johannesburg office through a merger with PKF, significantly expanded its presence in Indonesia through a strategic alliance with PT GNV Consulting Services and increased the size of Senegal operations through a merger with Excellence Consulting Group. This follows earlier 2013 mergers in Italy and South Africa. Read full story.
By Caitlin McCabe
Thursday, 30 May 2013
South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool addressed a room of local businesspeople on Thursday, 30 May 2013, asking them to do just one thing: a simple craft project.
“Find an old map you have to waste, cut out the USA and put it on top of Africa,” the ambassador of South Africa to the U.S. said.
“What you will find is that all of the USA only fits into the Sahara Desert,” he said. “That’s how big Africa is. That’s how big its opportunity is.”
Rasool spoke at a luncheon hosted by the World Affairs Council of Charlotte, imploring local leaders to consider the economic opportunities in South Africa. Read full story.
2 June 2013
Search engine giant Google has invested R103-million in the Jasper power project, a 96 megawatt solar photovoltaic plant near Upington in South Africa's Northern Cape province, the organization announced on Thursday.
The project will be developed and funded by US solar energy project development firm SolarReserve, wind and solar farm developer Intikon Energy and empowerment investment company the Kensani Group. Read full story.
29 May 2013
SMA Solar Technology AG (S92), Germany’s biggest solar-energy company by market value, plans to make products in South Africa as it targets growth there.
SMA, the biggest maker of inverters that convert power from solar panels for use on the grid, seeks to set up a factory in South Africa to meet local-content requirements and tap into the country’s growing energy market, the Niestetal-based company said in a statement. Read full story.
22 May 2013
South African mobile telecommunications operator MTN was the only African brand to be ranked in the Millward Brown BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands 2013 survey released on Tuesday, 21 May 2013.
MTN rose nine places to 79th in the eighth edition of the international research agency's annual survey, with its overall brand value increasing by 23% to US$11.40-billion. MTN made its debut on the list in 2012 in 88th spot. Read full story.
14 May 2013
The South African film industry contributes R3.5-billion annually to the country's gross domestic product (GDP), while providing employment for more than 25,000 people, according to a new impact study on the industry. Read full story.
South Africa is a promising investment destination, business executives from companies from around the world said on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town this week.
"The [African] continent and particularly South Africa is a very promising, interesting destination for investments," said Pedro Pereira da Silva, chief operating officer and country manager Poland and Portugal for Jeronimo Martins Dystrybucja.
Pereira da Silva is one of over 600 business leaders attending the two-day forum, which ends on Friday, 10 May 2013..
He said with Europe's continuing gloomy outlook, the Portuguese food distribution and manufacturing group was looking at growing markets like Africa and South America to expand. Read full article.
Business and finance technology research firm DigitalOlympus.com has commented on a recent CNN report about the new Procter & Gamble (P&G) $170 million investment drive in South Africa. Read more.
59 West 49th Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues)
New York, NY 10112
Tel: +1 (212) 239 3070
Email: nyc@rainafrica.com
South African luxury brandy producer Oude Meester, which forms part of the Distell family brand, gained traction in a US market untapped by local producers when it won three medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in March.
The most senior of the Oude Meester range, the 18-year-old Oude Meester Souverein, won a gold medal, while the Demant and Demant 12 Year Old Reserve both won silver medals. Read more.
South Africa has reached a deal valued at several billion dollars to build and repair ships at its Richards Bay port with China's Chery Holdings, affiliated with the automaker, according to documents obtained by Reuters on Wednesday, 27 March 2013.
The final terms of the deal were being worked out at a meeting of the leaders of the BRICS emerging market powers in the South African coastal city of Durban, a senior South African government official said.
Other partners include South Africa's Industrial Development Corporation, the China Development Bank, the China Africa Development Fund and Imbani Holdings. Read full story.
20 March 2013
South Africa, the eighth-biggest wine producer, is seeking to regain a foothold in the U.S. market lost to imports from Australia to Argentina by promoting brands at Wal-Mart (WMT) Stores Inc. and Whole Foods Market Inc. (WFM)
“We used to have a quite substantial market presence in the U.S. and it went all the way down,” George Monyemangene, the Consul General of South Africa in New York, said in an interview at Bloomberg’s headquarters. “Maybe we were not as responsive as we should have been to newcomers.” Read full story.
19 March 2013
American agricultural equipment manufacturer AGCO and its local partners have opened an African master parts distribution center in Johannesburg to build the company's sub-Saharan African network.
"AGCO's new state-of-the-art warehouse will allow us to better serve our customers in sub-Saharan Africa with high-quality products and services," AGCO CEO Martin Richenhagen said at the official opening of the center on Friday, 15 March 2013. Read full story.
18 March 2013
Procter & Gamble (P&G) is to invest more than R1.6-billion in a new manufacturing plant in South Africa as the global consumer goods group moves to make the country its manufacturing hub for southern and eastern Africa.
"South Africa is the most advanced economy in Africa and represents an attractive investment destination with good infrastructure," Dimitri Panayotopoulos, P&G's vice-chairman in charge of global business units, told a media conference held jointly with Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies in Johannesburg on Friday, 15 March 2013. Read full story.
18 March 2013
Volkswagen Group South Africa officially opened a R500-million state-of-the-art press shop at its manufacturing plant in Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape on Friday.
Hubert Waltl, Volkswagen Group SA's board chairman, said the opening of the press shop "reiterates our commitment to Volkswagen South Africa and South Africa.It also marks the culmination of our investment in enhancing the position of Volkswagen South Africa as one of our key manufacturing plants within the Volkswagen production network." Read full story
With $21bn capex plan, Sasol is poised to become Louisiana's largest foreign investor
11 March 2013
South African energy and chemicals group Sasol is preparing to invest the equivalent of around two-thirds of its current market capitalization into three major projects in the US over the coming seven years, which could also position it as the State of Louisiana’s largest foreign direct investor.
The group’s market capitalization current stands at around R263-billion and the three North American projects collectively represent possible capital expenditure (capex) of between R146 billion ($16-billion) and R192 billion ($21-billion), at current rand/dollar exchange rates.
The group is pursuing a $5 billion to $7 billion ethane cracker project in Lake Charles, which is situated near to the US Gulf Coast and within close proximity to existing gas and logistics infrastructure. Read full story.
7 March 2013
Mining giant BHP Billiton has unveiled a new R1-billion furnace at Samancor Manganese's Metalloys smelter in Meyerton, south of Johannesburg, as the company moves to support the government's drive to increase metals beneficiation in South Africa. Read full article.
By Jiwon Lee
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
South Africa is a nation with a history of which to be proud and the potential for more progress, said former anti-apartheid activist Colin Coleman in a Monday afternoon talk.
Coleman, who is now head of the sub-Saharan Africa division of Goldman Sachs, addressed South Africa’s political and economic transformations in the post-apartheid era since 1994 to an audience of roughly 50 students and community members. Having served as the executive director of the Consultative Business Movement — an organization that incorporated businesses in helping to end apartheid — Coleman said the successful democratization of South Africa resulted from the collaborative effort of members of civil society and strong political leaders. Read full article.
6 March 2013
Tourist arrivals to South Africa increased 10.4% between January and October last year compared with the same period in 2011, helped by a growing number of German visitors, according to the Department of Tourism. Read full story.
28 February 2013
In partnership with The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the South African Consulate General hosted a successful business networking seminar on Thursday, 28 February 2013. The seminar was followed by a cocktail reception in celebration of Black History Month. More photographs.
South Africa remains the most attractive country in Africa in which to do business despite serious knocks to investor confidence during the past few months, two separate surveys showed on Wednesday.
This upbeat message is surprising in the face of the unrest which swept through the country’s mining and agricultural sectors, and given investor concerns over the prospect of even more state intervention in the economy.
South Africa moved up a notch to rank 14th out of 27 countries in a global emerging markets opportunity index, and remains the highest rated economy on the African continent, according to research compiled by business services company Grant Thornton. Read full story.
South Africa is starting to make its mark in the world of digital animation and will this year release its second full-length animated feature, Khumba, created by Cape Town’s Triggerfish studios.
This follows the local industry’s first animated film, Triggerfish’s Adventures of Zambezia, which proved to be the most successful African film export since The Gods Must Be Crazy, released more than 30 years ago. It is also the first African film to have received two nominations for the Annie Awards, the animation industry’s Oscars. Read full story.
15 February 2013
Intercontinental Hotel Downtown Miami
Made possible by the South African Consulate General in New York, Enterprise Florida and the Economic Development and International Trade Unit of Miami-Dade County
Celebrate South Africa in Wilmington, Delaware at the Midatlantic Wine + Food Festival
6 March to 10 March 2013
A weekened of culinary adventures that include events with a regional focus on South African wine, food, music, art and culture. Featuring appearances by visiting South African personalities Chef Hugo Uys, Chef Pierre Van Zyl, Auoin Rock Winemaker Thys Lombard, and products such as Wines of South Africa, Brand South Africa, South African Summer Citrus, Cape Food and Beverage, Peppadew USA and other.
For more information and tickets, please go to MIDATLANTIC Food+Wine FESTIVAL.
Kwazulu Natal Delegation at NYSE Euronext
1 February 2013
24 January 2013
The South African Consulate General welcomed a delegation of South African manufacturers and exporters from the Western Cape led by WESGRO, the economic development agency of the Western Cape Province. The South African Pavilion at the 2013 New York International Gift Fair will showcase home and lifestyle products such as home textiles, furniture, wooden furnishings, gifts and tabletop items, bed bath and body, ceramics and personal and body care products. More
South Africa's Sommelier
Eight years ago, Luvo Ntezo was working as a dishwasher. Now, as Cape Town's most trusted authority on wine, he's a symbol of the country's distinctive postapartheid viniculture Read full story.
Trade Conference Seminar: FOCUS ON AFRICA
Registration and programme information.
TECHNOLOGY
16 January 2013
South African entrepreneur Mark Shuttleworth is planning to bring his Ubuntu operating system (OS) to smartphones, allowing the little devices to work as fully functional Ubuntu desktops when docked and connected to a monitor and keyboard.
Shuttleworth, known since April 2002 as Africa's first space tourist, is the founder and former chief executive officer of Canonical, a London-based open-source software developer with offices in seven countries including China and Taiwan, although it operates in over 30 countries.
16 January 2013
Five South African companies are named on the Boston Consulting Group's list of "100 global challengers" - companies from emerging markets that are "growing so quickly overseas that they are reshaping industries and surpassing many traditional multinational companies".
South Africa increased its number of "challenger" companies from three in 2011 to five on the 2013 list released by the US management consultancy on Tuesday.
The five, all members of the the JSE's top 40, are pharmaceutical company Aspen Pharmacare, services, trading and distribution group Bidvest, mobile telecommunications firm MTN, media group Naspers, and petrochemicals company Sasol. Aspen, MTN and Naspers are newcomers to the list. Read full article.
Adding Value to Business Tourism
Source: Public Sector Manager, September 2012
Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo wants to see a lot more international meetings being held in South Africa.
As head of South Africa’s first convention organization, the National Convention Bureau (NCB), she is working on plans to make South Africa a destination of choice for business tourism.
The NCB is an entity of South African Tourism that markets South Africa as a preferred destination for meetings, incentive, conference or exhibition (MICE) events. It also provides assistance with information and gives advice on aspects of hosting and organizing business-tourism-related events in South Africa. As a parent body to the existing convention centres in the country, the NCB works closely with these centers to coordinate national bidding and ensure that all convention centers are on the same page. Read full article.
Growing the Tourism Sector
Source: Public Sector Manager, September 2012
South Africa is one of the top leisure destinations in the world. With its rich diversity and culture, and pictureperfect scenery, our country has a lot to offer avid travelers.
Every year around this time, the spotlight falls on the tourism sector and focuses on its social, cultural, political and economic value. In the spirit of Tourism Month, PSM thought it fitting, then, to speak to the man at the helm of South Africa’s Department of Tourism.
We meet the Department of Tourism’s Director-General (DG), Ambassador Kingsley Makhubela, in his immaculate office, beautifully decorated with rich dark brown furniture, with a splash of blue coming from the couches. Makhubela, who spent most of his public service career as a diplomat serving in Europe and Africa, shared with PSM his department’s goals to grow the country’s tourism. Read full article.
Swedish engineering group Sandvik AB (SAND.SK) said Wednesday its mining unit signed a SEK650 million ($100 million) deal with Sasol Mining (Pty) Ltd. for the Shondoni Mine Materials Handling project in South Africa. Read more
We now put out the call for the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. The event takes place between 17th and 28th April 2013.
The Cape Film Commission (CFC) along with the Gauteng Film Commission (GFC) and the Durban Film Office (DFO), in collaboration with the South African Consulate General in New York and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is embarking on a joint venture to take a delegation of South African filmmakers to the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival. Read more.
2013 Exhibitor Kit — Your One-Stop Resource for a Smooth, Successful Show
The Exhibitor Kit, your one-stop resource for the Progressive Insurance Strictly Sail Miami Boat Show, is now available online. Please visit Exhibitor Only tab on StrictlySailMiami.com for everything needed to help make your experience at the show a successful one. Read more.
WESTLAKE, La. — In an ambitious bet that the glut of cheap natural gas in the United States will last for many years, a South African energy company announced on Monday that it would build America’s first commercial plant to convert natural gas to diesel and other liquid fuels. Read full story from the New York Times.
After a South African delegation attended Robert De Niro’s Tribeca Film Festival in April 2012, it was announced that Cape Town will host the festival for five years starting in 2013.
The festival, which was founded by the award-winning actor following the World Trade Center tragedy in 2001, attracts nearly three million people including celebrities from film, art and music. It is reported to generate more than 600 million dollars annually.
A mission organized by the Cape Film Commission, the South African Consulate, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Gauteng Film Commission and the Durban Film Office, saw 22 South African filmmakers attend the festival. They were joined by Gauteng MEC for Arts and Culture, Lebogang Maile, his head of department, the CEO of the Gauteng Film Commission and representatives of the Department of Trade and Industry. Read full story.
5 November 2012
Research In Motion (RIM), the maker of BlackBerry smartphones and tablets, has announced the opening of its second BlackBerry apps lab in South Africa.
The new lab is based in Cape Town and follows on the launch of the BlackBerry apps lab at the University of Pretoria in May this year. Read full story.
4 November 2012
Based in Johannesburg, Tlale has craved out a distinct presence with his unique designs and meticulous detailing. He has shown his wears from Paris to New York City leaving a trail of stellar reviews along the way. Read full story.
25 October 2012
Filmmaker Uga Carlini, President of Towerkop Creations, takes one of two top awards at SUSTAIN OUR AFRICA short film competition.
By cultivating awareness, showcasing inspirational stories and hosting practical tools for change, Sustain our Africa will develop awareness, engender inspiration and action through collaborative dialogue, by showcasing stories of CHANGE and case studies, demonstrating that there are solutions available as for the first time in the history of mankind we have one common cause to fight for. One cause that we all can believe in. One cause that will change us all. This cause supersedes race, colour, status, creed, religion, nation, political belief or ego. The cause is a fight for our collective survival on the only planet we can call home.
Last night saw the line up of the top ten short film finalists being showcased at the Chavonnes Battery Museum & Auditorium. Mark Coetzee, programme director of PUMAVISION /PUMA.CREATIVE and Lynette O’Tim from Tetris Events awarded the audience choice award to Uga Carlini’s GOOD PLANETS ARE HARD TO FIND. Prizes include a fisheye 1 camera from Exposure gallery as well as trip to any film festival in the world of the filmmaker’s choice sponsored by PUMAVISION/PUMA.CREATIVE.
The other judges were Leon Van der Merwe of CWFF and SAO's Brendon Bell-Roberts.
Walmart, South Africa Citrus Growers celebrate benefits of export program
12 October 2012
In celebration of a long-term relationship that brings delicious South African Citrus to U.S. consumers, Walmart has kicked off a week-long celebration of South Africa for consumers at Walmart stores throughout the northeast region. Walmart executives and leaders of South Africa’s Western Cape Citrus Producers Forum (WCCPF) hosted consumers to a “Taste of South Africa” on Friday, October 12, 2012 at the Walmart Supercenter in Levittown, PA.
Pictured from left: Ms. Maria Alo-Villareal, Export Marketing Manager, South African Consulate General, New York; Mr. Daniel Kolbach, Financial Controller, AMC Direct; Casey Kio, National Accounts Manager, AMC Direct; Mr. Miles Fraser-Jones, Vice President of Operations, AMC Direct; Consul Gugulethu. Gingqi; Ms. Claire Bruno, Walmart’s Regional General Manager; and Ms. Suhanra Conradie, CEO, Western Cape Citrus Producers Forum.
The Board of Directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the U.S. Government’s development finance institution, approved up to $250 million for the agency’s first solar power project in South Africa, a 60-megawatt plant that will help diversify the country’s electricity generation beyond its heavy coal concentration and in the process displace approximately 140,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions in its first year alone. Full story.
For years, South Africans wanting clothes from stores such as Zara (ITX) and Topshop could only get them when traveling abroad. Now, they’re available at the local mall as mid-market apparel retailers rush into the country, seeking to create a base for expansion across Africa.
In the last year at least a half-dozen foreign clothing brands, including Superdry, Steve Madden and G-Star, have opened outlets in South Africa. Read more
7 August 2012
South Africa has been a popular market for investors, in part because of its defensive characteristics. The resource-rich country is one of the more developed emerging markets and it generates much of its growth internally. Its bond market has also been popular among investors hunting for countries with strong balance sheets and hefty yields. Read full story
Aspen Pharmacare (APNJ.J) said on Wednesday its subsidiary, Aspen Global, will pay 172 million pounds ($269.79 million) for GlaxoSmithKine Plc's (GSK.L) pharmaceutical products distributed in Australia. Read full story.
South Africa: Nestlé Opens R500 Million Factories in South Africa
Swiss multinational food company Nestlé has opened two new factories in the town of Babelegi, north of Pretoria as part of a R500-million investment in its South African operations, creating over 130 permanent jobs in the process. Full story
Certeon and Kathea Sign Partnership Agreement in South Africa
Certeon, the application performance company, today announced a partnership with top South African Communication Solution Provider Kathea. Kathea will resell Certeon's aCelera solution along with its already comprehensive communication portfolio. The partnership promises improved application performance and efficiency for their customers throughout Africa. Full story.
S.Africa's Adcock buys India drug assets for $86 mln
South African drugmaker Adcock Ingram is to buy a portfolio of about 60 medicines and a distribution network from India's Cosme Farma for $86 million to bulk up its presence in the country's $16 billion pharmaceutical market. More
South Africa led the sub-region as foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into sub-Saharan Africa jumped by 25 percent in 2011, according to the 2012 World Investment Report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). More
Building Economic Ties Between the QC & Africa
Fox News Rising's Terrance Bates talks with Consul General George Monyemangene about the push to build economic ties between the Queen City and South Africa.
Innovation Africa Summit in Cape Town to Bring Together World Leaders in ICT, Education, and Technology
5 - 7 October 2012
Cape Town
Featuring participation by top level ministers and officials from across Africa as well as representatives of the world´s top technology brands, the Innovation Africa Summit to be held 5-7 October in Cape Town aims to be the networking event of the year, facilitating crucial public-private partnerships to guide the future development of Africa´s fast growing ICT, education, and technology sectors.
Twitter-Activated Vending Machine Launched In South Africa
South African beverage company BOS Ice Tea has launched what may well be the world’s first Twitter-activated vending machine, according to website Memeburn. The BOS ice tea vending machine is called ‘BEV’ and is currently standing at Wembley Square in Cape Town. Anyone who sends a tweet to the machine while standing in front of it will receive a free sample of BOS Ice Tea, a popular organic beverage made in South Africa from Rooibos, an indigenous plant which locals have used to make traditional tea for hundreds of years. Its manufacturers boast that BOS Iced Tea is a ‘deliciously refreshing organic ice tea made entirely in South Africa with enormous integrity and care.’ More
US, South Africa step up trade relationship
By Vicki Needham - 06/18/12 04:18 PM ET
The Hill
The United States and South Africa are stepping up their trade and investment relationship by vowing to open up a dialogue and remove hurdles.
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and South Africa Minister of Trade Rob Davies have signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), which amends the TIFA signed in 1999, to better address and deepen the trade and investment relations between the two countries.
“This amended agreement will provide a forum to better exchange views on improving the trade and investment climate and promoting new U.S. investment that is critical to South Africa’s economic development,” Kirk said in a statement. More
Africa's time has come, but we must not be complacent
Africa’s growth acceleration has been widespread, with 27 of its 30 largest economies expanding more rapidly after 2000, and also fairly inclusive, with the poorest seeing significant increases in real consumption. More
A journey through South Africa's stunning wine region
By Errol Barnett, CNN
Wed February 1, 2012
Western Cape, South Africa (CNN) -- You can't help but be stunned by the visual splendor when walking around the Western Cape region of South Africa, in towns like Stellenbosch. Immediately you see why this part of the African continent is so well suited for the wine making craft, which was recently my mission for "Inside Africa." More
Google launches Web project in South Africa
Getting more small companies wired will help their businesses grow, and help their country fight unemployment, officials said on 19 January 2012 as Google launched a project that makes it easy to showcase South African entrepreneurship on the Internet. More
South African manufacturing growth accelerated in November, strengthening the recovery in Africa’s biggest economy and easing pressure on the central bank to cut interest rates. More
"The Beachhouse" is the biggest selling South African wine in the USA
"The Beachhouse" (Sauvignon Blanc Semillon), a wine by Douglas Green and retailing at $10 has made quite a splash in the USA and is now South Africa's biggest selling wine in that country.
Recent Nielsen results in for the 24 weeks ending 2 October 2011 place The Beachhouse in the top spot as the Number One selling South African wine by SKU and Dollar sales in the Grocers, Food, Drug and Package Stores in the USA. More
Top Travel Magazines Name South African Airways "Best Airline to Africa"
South African Airways (SAA), Africa’s most awarded airline, announced that it has won two awards from two prestigious travel magazines. Business Traveler magazine has awarded SAA with the “Best Airline to Africa” and “Best Business Class in Africa” awards, while Global Traveler magazine has named SAA as “Best Airline in Africa” and “Best Sparkling Wine in Business Class.” More
South African Trade Deficit Narrows In November
(29 December 2011) Export of goods increased 11.9 percent month-on-month to ZAR 68.5 billion. Contributing to the growth in shipments, exports of precious and semi-precious stones and metals climbed 26 percent sequentially, while dispatches of chemical and allied products jumped 59 percent. More
Worst Currency Lifts South African Exporters as Growth Slows
(29 December 2011) The world’s biggest major-currency decline is benefiting South Africa’s largest companies as export earnings in dollars rise and commodity producers from AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. to Sasol Ltd. beat peers in the stock market. More
South African High Commission opens Toronto Stock Exchange
Dr. Mohau Pheko, High Commissioner, South African High Commission joined Kevan Cowan, President, TSX Markets and Group Head of Equities, TMX Group to open the the Toronto Stock Exchange on 29 November 2011. The African continent is a major source for more than 60 of the world's most important metals and minerals. Toronto Stock Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange have listed 187 mining companies with 701 properties throughout Africa. For more information on the South African High Commission visit www.southafrica-canada.ca
Bank of America Seen Urging Investors to Reject $6 Offer
On November 22, 2011, IPIC Group, a South African investment company, said it would buy up to $500 million in Bank of America stocks for $6 a share, giving it a 4.9% stake in the bank. The offer expires December 23 but can be extended to March 30, 2012. More
Sasol announced plans to build a $10 billion plant in Louisiana that would convert natural gas into diesel fuel
South Africa-based Sasol Ltd., a chemical company long known for squeezing motor fuel out of coal, is now turning its sights on the glut of natural gas in the U.S. More
Emergence of the South African Film Industry
The South African Consulate General in New York has noted with great interest the emergence of the South African film industry and the recognition that is being shown to it by the international film and film production communities. More.
Annual General Meeting of The Global Sourcing Council
The South African Consulate General in New York hosted the Annual General Meeting of the Global Sourcing Council (GSC) on the evening of Thursday, 17 November 2011. More
South African Wine Tasting Seminar
The South African Consulate General (New York, NY), recently partnered with Terry Seitz Inc. (Boca Grande, FL), a leading importer of South African wines, and the American Sommelier (New York, NY) to host a South African Wine Tasting Seminar featuring one of South African’s most respected winemakers, Peter Finlayson, Managing Director of Bouchard Finlayson Vineyard (Hermanus, South Africa), a boutique winery dedicated to the making of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc of outstanding quality. More
More World Class Honors go to Terry Seitz Wines
Boca Grande, Florida-based Terry Seitz, Inc,. importers of boutique South African wines have been awarded with the distinction of importing fine wines with world wide honors. More
South African Airways announces the "Ultimate Africa Sale" on sale until 15 November 2011
South African Airways (SAA), Africa’s most awarded airline, announces the “Ultimate Africa Sale,” with fares starting at $910* (plus taxes and fees) round trip, for flights from New York or Washington, DC, to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, East London or Port Elizabeth, in South Africa, or from Washington, DC, to Dakar, Senegal. Flights from New York or Washington, DC, to Nairobi, Kenya; Entebbe, Uganda; Mauritius; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe; or Livingstone, Zambia; are being offered as low as $1,170* (plus taxes and fees). The “Ultimate Africa Sale” is available for purchase now through Nov. 15th for departures between Nov. 1st and Dec. 9th, 2011, and Jan. 15th through March 31st, 2012. To book, please call 1-800-722-9675, visit www.flysaa.com, or call your travel agent.
*TERMS & CONDITIONS: Fare is round-trip in economy class, includes fuel surcharge and is valid on SAA operated flights from New York (JFK) or Washington (IAD). Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights. Departure taxes and Sept. 11th security fees of up to $240 (depending on itinerary) are additional and payable at time of ticketing. Ticket is non-refundable. $250 change fee applies. Re-routing is not permitted. Offer valid for reservations ticketed on or before November 15, 2011. Valid for departures from the USA between November 1 and December 9, 2011 & January 15 and March 31, 2012. Price is for new bookings only, is subject to availability, may change without notice and is not retroactive.
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