2010 – A year for SA

"This is our time. This is our year," says World Cup local organising committee CEO Danny Jordaan.

And he is right. The excitement for this year has built up and now it is time to revel in it. As we welcome the world, it is time to show what we are made of.

He says: “The 10 stadiums needed to host the tournament are complete and our government and the construction industry are confident they can cope with the massive amount of work required to finish the refurbishment of roads, airports and other infrastructural developments.”

Have a great 2010 everyone!

Goodbye old, hello new!

As per tradition in New York City, thousands will gather in Times Square to welcome the New Year. Usually confetti is released at midnight from the tall office buildings that surround the square.

This year there will be a slight difference in the confetti. They were all goodbye-to-bad-memories messages written by hundreds of people seeking to shed the old year.

The messages were written on Monday – the city’s third annual Good Riddance Day that allows New Yorkers to let go of their emotional baggage.

Is that not a great start to a fresh year?

Women only please

Trust a shopping mall in China to come up with a car park that offers women drivers bigger than normal parking spaces.

An official from the mall says the aim of the parking lot is to address women’s sense of colour and distance.

The spaces are a meter wider than normal parking spaces so it caters for their needs. And well, the pink speaks for itself.

Matric results could be delayed

Teachers have threatened to boycott the matric results verification process. It could mean the results will not be released by January 7, as set by the Department of Education.

Teachers from Gauteng's biggest district, D11 - which includes Soweto, Eldorado Park, Lenasia, Ennerdale, the southern suburbs and parts of central Johannesburg - have threatened not to attend the verification of their pupils' results.

Results cannot be released until verification by all schools have taken place.

Teachers have complained they did not receive overtime pay and they are still dealing with payment issues from 2007.

Watch this space for any further development.

Ploughing his way into trouble

When his father complained about the state of the roads, a seven-year-old German boy took the family front loader excavator and started to plough the snow.

Officers on patrol stopped the boy after he cleared the street in the town of Reinfield, and was on his way back to the parking lot.

When the boy noticed the police vehicle, he immediately stopped, got out and admitted he does not have a driver’s license, as every other seven-year-old kid.

The vehicle and boy were returned to his mother. But at least the father received what he wanted for Christmas – a clear road.

It is enough to make anyone go: “Aww…”

Foul fetish

Some people adore the fragrance of flowers, baked bread or freshly cut grass. But there is a poor soul in England who prefers to take a whiff of peoples’ bottoms. Say what? Yes, he likes to smell bums!

A man was caught on CCTV in a supermarket kneeling behind a shelf packer and repeatedly breathing in. The footage shows the man pretending to chose items and crouching behind the employee.

Police have appealed to the public to track down the man to shed further light on the bizarre episode.

Freak accident

The festive season is renowned for miracles and good happenings. Not so for an Austrian man. After he tried to defrost his car with an electric heater, amid a freezing European winter, the car exploded and his garage burnt down.

After he switched on the heater, the 71-year-old man then went into his house for a meal. Before he could get a few mouthfuls, petrol fumes ignited and the car exploded.

Thankfully no one was injured, but for his house. The man’s wife was so shocked she had to be taken to a hospital.

Now that is a rude awakening!

Viva South Africa!

South Africa has made us proud yet again – it has been recommended as one of the most ethical countries in the developing world.

Ethical Traveler, a project of the California based non-profit Earth Island Institute has chosen The Developing World’s 10 Best Ethical Destinations. The organisation released a report based on a study of developing countries from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. The report focuses on those countries that are working hard to protect human rights, build social welfare, and preserve the environment.

South Africa made the list along with African countries Namibia, Ghana and the Seychelles.

Ethical Traveler said “We believe this bodes well for the future of these nations and, hopefully, for the African continent.”

Yay South Africa!

Global warming

Global warming is the topic everyone is talking about. As delegates from around the world, South Africa included enter their second week of negotiations on the issue, a group of South African actors are putting on a short performance outside.

While it is a difficult subject to illustrate through acting, these artists have put a comical spin of the subject and are trying their level best to get their message across!

Global warming is everyone’s problem and we all need to do our part to try and reverse it’s already devastating effects.

So remember to turn off all your plug points when you aren’t using them!

Miss South Africa

With the hype of the Miss World pageant that was held this weekend, many people did not realise that Miss South Africa also took place. This prestigious event that is run annually went off without a glitch and was its usual success. Tatum Keshwar, last year’s winner, handed over her crown to Nicole Flint, a 21 year old hailing from Pretoria. Nicole is a Journalism student and has been working in the media industry.

Matapa Maila was named the first princess and Lisa van Zyl was crowned the second princess.

All in all, we are pretty impressed by our new representatives and can’t wait to see how Nicole fairs in the year ahead!

Plane crashes

An investigation into the latest aeroplane crash which happened yesterday has been opened. While an official Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) spokesperson has commented that the details of the crash are sketchy, great lengths are being taken to understand what possibly went wrong.

The pilots involved in the accident have yet to be named.

The accident was the result of a practise run for their afternoon show in Vereeniging. The pilots were performing a trick and when they tried to pull the plane up, it wouldn’t budge and instead slammed straight into the ground. Sadly both pilots were killed, luckily no other people were involved in this tragic incedent.

Miss World Johannesburg

If pageants are your thing, then we have great news for you! The Miss World 2009 competition finale is taking place in Mzanzi! Yes that’s right- Johannesburg! Boys prepare yourselves for a bevy of beauties and ladies you can look forward to outrageous evening dresses and awesome swim-wear!

The Miss World beauty pageant is over 50 years old and was started in 1951 in London England- Oh my, imagine parading around in your cozi in that weather!!

There are 120 participants hailing from countries as far as India and Tahiti! But be sure to look out for our South African contestant Tatum Keshwar. We know our girl will ‘wow’ the crowd and impress all the judges- Go Tatum Go!

Benni’s back

After much talk... the rumours have finally been put to rest. Benni McCarthy - Bafana Bafana’s leading goal scorer is back! And what a difference he is promised to make.

Many people has mixed feelings about bringing Benni back but head coach, Carlos Parreira wants Benni to play in the team for their next two international friendlies against Japan and Jamaica later this month.

McCarthy has 76 caps and has scored 31 goals for South Africa- we think that’s really impressive and can’t wait to see what Benni can do! Go Bafana Bafana – we are behind you all the way!

Your education is important

Does anyone take this seriously! You're exams are coming up and now teachers are striking? After all the lectures your mom and dad gave you about how important school is, now the very people who are meant to be enriching your mind are not showing up to teach you!

Well fortunately the Minister of education - Angie Motshekga, takes this very seriously! She believes that your education is extremely important!

Today she was quoted as saying, that in the next two years she would be implementing proposals aimed at making the schooling process a pleasant one. Some of the things you can expect to see change are: improvements in literacy and numeracy and teachers receive proper training.

Well we are sure you are thinking – ‘thank goodness’ and so are we!

Take our Christmas shopping advice

Long queues, pushy shoppers and crying children.. it could only be- Christmas shopping! But unfortunately, the 25th December doesn’t become a gift-giving bonanza by simply waving a magic wand, everyone must have their chance at the plough and endure at least a few hours of Christmas shopping. Therefore we have come up with some tips to help you cope!


Firstly start by writing a list of who you need to buy presents for before you leave your house. Then next to each person’s name, write down the present you have in mind for them, this will make it easier when you get to the shops. Eat and drink something before you leave- this will give you the energy you need for this exhausting exercise and keep you hydrated and lastly, sing a happy song, this is absolutely vital! You must be in the right frame of mind before you take on this task.

Enjoy your shopping!

Planning a holiday away this December?

At the end of a year of maths and science class, after school sports, homework and parents! who doesn’t want to get away- even if it is for just a week or two. When dreaming about the sea and sun, sand and waves one often forgets about reality, like the cost of this little trip. Ice creams and new bikini’s aren’t for free you know!


So how about putting together a small budget outlining how you should spend your money in a wise fashion. You can start your budget by using these categories: accommodation, travelling costs, food, entertainment, spending money.

The best way to divide your money into these 5 areas is to have a starting amount, i.e. R1000. From there you can estimate (and do a little research)how much money you will need to reserve for each category. Remember to put aside some of this cash as a safety net- just in case you have forgotten anything.

Happy planning!

Benni’s back

After much talk... the rumours have finally been put to rest. Benni McCarthy - Bafana Bafana’s leading goal scorer is back! And what a difference he is promised to make.

Many people have mixed feelings about bringing Benni back but head coach, Carlos Parreira wants Benni to play in the team for their next two international friendlies against Japan and Jamaica later this month.

McCarthy has 76 caps and has scored 31 goals for South Africa- we think that’s really impressive and can’t wait to see what Benni can do! Go Bafana Bafana – we are behind you all the way!

Your education is important

Does anyone take this seriously! You're exams are coming up and now teachers are striking? After all the lectures your mom and dad gave you about how important school is, now the very people who are meant to be enriching your mind are not showing up to teach you! Well fortunately the Minister of education - Angie Motshekga, takes this very seriously! She believes that your education is extremely important!

Today she was quoted as saying, that in the next two years she would be implementing proposals aimed at making the schooling process a pleasant one. Some of the things you can expect to see change are: improvements in literacy and numeracy and teachers receiving proper training.

Well we are sure you are thinking – ‘thank goodness’ and so are we!

Take our Christmas shopping advice

Long queues, pushy shoppers and crying children.. it could only be- Christmas shopping!
But unfortunately, the 25th December doesn’t become a gift-giving bonanza by simply waving a magic wand, everyone must have their chance at the plough and endure at least a few hours of Christmas shopping. Therefore we have come up with a short list of things to do, to help you cope!

1. Write a list of who you need to buy presents for before you leave your house.
2. Next to each person’s name, write down the present you have in mind for them, this will make it easier when you get to the shops.
3. Eat and drink something before you leave- this will give you the energy you need for this exhausting exercise and keep you hydrated.
4. Sing a happy song, this last one is absolutely vital! Be in the right frame of mind before you take on this task.

Enjoy your shopping!

Planning a holiday away this December?

At the end of a year of maths and science class, after school sports, homework and parents! who doesn’t want to get away - even if it is for just a week or two. When dreaming about the sea and sun, sand and waves one often forgets about reality, like the cost of this little trip. Ice creams and new bikini’s aren’t for free you know! So how about putting together a small budget outlining how you should spend your money. You can start your budget by using these categories:

1. Accommodation
2. Travelling costs
3. Food
4. Entertainment
5. Spending money

The best way to divide your money into these 5 areas is to have a starting amount, i.e. R1000. From there you can estimate (and do a little research)how much money you will need to reserve for each category. Remember to put aside some of this cash as a safety net- just in case you have forgotten anything.

Happy planning!

Advice from the Donald

If you’ve ever watched The Apprentice on TV you’ll know who Donald Trump is – that really rich American dude with bad hair. Well, he might have bad hair, but he’s got really good money advice – he is worth billions of dollars after all. In his book, Think Like a Billionaire, Mr Trump says this about people with good ideas: “I’ve met some brilliant business people in my time, but some of them will never be billionaires because they never act on those brilliant ideas. So if you have a great idea, no matter how much work you know it will require, get going. Don’t just sit there. There’s nothing more criminal and self-destructive than having a great idea and then putting it off.” So what are you waiting for all you brilliant peeps? Who says you have to reach your 20s before you start making your millions?

Millionaire by 18?

Imagine being a millionaire by 18… Well, 16-year-old Fraser Doherty is on his way to becoming one. And get this – he’s nearly a millionaire thanks to jams. No, not jams as in tunes, jams as in the kind you eat on your saarmies! The British jammer got a £5 000 bank loan to work on his first range of three "no-added-sugar 'super fruit' spreads" which he says were recipes from his Gran. Fraser was so confident in his product that two huge supermarket chains decided to start stocking his jams and, as they say, the rest is history. The company made about £800 000 in 2008, so another good year and he’ll be a millionaire before he turns 18!

Get on the good side of interest

You’ve probably had loads of people telling you to save your money and put it in the bank, but you might still be confused as to why. Well, in the opposite way that banks make you pay interest for money you borrow from them, they give you money for the cash you place in their capable hands! This is the great side of interest and the one you should always try stick to. This means that you get to see your money grow – if, of course, you don’t go spending it. For example, if you invest R10 000, and the bank offers you an interest rate of 10% per year, you will get an extra 10% of your investment – in this case R1000 – absolutely free! How cool is that? Now you see where the saying, “The rich get richer” comes from – the more money you have in the bank, the more money you’ll make.

An interest in credit cards is not the same as interest!

You might think you know what’s important about a credit card – like, you really gotta get one as soon as you can – but research suggests that teens are not 100% clued up on plastic money. Investing firm Charles Schwab conducted a survey in 2007 that showed that only 45% of teens know how to use a credit card and just 26% understood credit card interest and fees. Here’s the basics… A credit card allows you to buy things even if you don’t have the cash at the time. What this means is that you have to pay off what you have bought in monthly installments. For example, if I buy a pair of sneakers for R1200, I might have to pay a monthly installment of R200 for the next six months. However, this is not all you pay as the bank will charge interest and a fee to manage your credit. Interest is a percentage that is added to what you already owe and is set by the bank. So, if the interest rate is set at 12%, you will have to pay an extra 12% of the money you have used on a monthly basis.

But do you really need it?

US banking firm Piper Jaffray announced this week that according to a survey they conducted, teens are going to be spending about 2% more on clothes in the coming year. Sounds great, right? Well, financial experts advise that you ask yourself the question: Do I really need that new hoodie/pair of baggies/mini-skirt, or do I just want it? Who cares, you might think, but it’s a good habit to get into to save yourself unnecessary disappointment and frustration. Here’s the thing… if you’re buying something just because you’re at the mall with your friends and want to buy something, the next time you really need something – like a new pair of jeans after your old ones got totally ripped at the skate park – you might not have the cash to buy anything. Think before you buy – it’s something to think about.