Possible Formula 1 races for South Africa?

It seems that there is a real interest to host a Formula 1 race in Cape Town and the South African government is giving their support. However, for this to happen another $100 million needs to be raised. Read the full article here. 

Debt trap leaves South African mother of two facing jail

Banks refuse to lift police case... so no one will hire her... ending hope of restructuring payments.

Read the full story here from Emirates 24/7. 

In the UAE they take debt seriously, bouncing a cheque is a criminal offence and would likely see you end up in jail. 

Potjies in the UAE

If you are looking to buy a potjie in the UAE have a read below.

http://southafricansintheuae.blogspot.com/2011/12/potjie-cast-iron-pots.html

South African Producer Snaps Up Film Rights For Clarke Award Winner Zoo City

South African film producer Helena Spring has won the film rights to this year’s Clarke Award-winning novel Zoo City, the cyberpunk thriller by fellow South African Lauren Beukes.

This comes after a furious international bidding war, including bids from UK and US producers.

Read the full article.

Will we have another District 9 type of success on our hands? I certainly hope so.

Doctor brain drain cost Africa $2billion

Here is the full article.

The current cost by government to train a doctor in South Africa is estimated are $59,000. When these doctors leave for greener pastures it cost South Africa money while the country they go to will benefit from their skills without investing any money in them. This issue goes further than just doctors. Nursing staff is also leaving in droves. Both our kids was delivered by black South African nurses right here in the UAE. They have left South Africa for exactly the same reasons so many doctors do. Poor pay and horrible work conditions in state hospitals.

Now you can't blame people for wanting to better their life can you?

Nandos Add goes Viral

Nandos is best know for their delicious peri-peri chiken, but on the advertising front they have time and again shown that their marketing department are just as good as their chicken. Which is excellent. Their latest add showing Robert Mugabe reminiscing on "old" times is just brilliant and it has already got more than 350,000 hits. It is also featuring on Yahoo's main page so expect that to climb.   

News today

Over 400,000 people entered and exited South Africa over the Easter holidays. Seems like lots of expats and tourists took the opportunity to visit SA. Full Story.

A PETITION calling on the Libyan government to release South African photojournalist Anton Hammerl has been signed by more than 27 000 people around the world. Hammer has our full support and we hope for his immediate release. Full story

Paul Walker from the “Fast and Furious” franchise to star in a South African action movie. Full story.

Bang, Bang Club movie doesn’t keep true to the real life story about four white South African photographers who confront personal risk, tragedy and their own humanity to chronicle the chaotic township violence of the final years of apartheid. Why Hollywood, why? Full story.

South Africa sends army to stop Rhino poaching in Kruger National Park. Full story.

Although gold prices are reaching record highs, South Africa is not profiting from it. Full story

South Africa. West African Cable System (Wacs) - the largest capacity submarine fiber-optic telecommunications (telecoms) cable to touch African shores - reached the beach at Yzerfontein, Western Cape, on Tuesday. Full story.

Weekly News

South African Reporter in Libya Safe

South African photographer Anton Hammerl has reportedly been located by Libyan authorities after being missing for almost three weeks, although the Libyan government has yet to provide access to him.

Mandela is Tweeting

That is right folks. Madiba is now on Twitter, after his foundation convinced a British man to hand over the @NelsonMandela account. Full Story.

Malema says Zim land grab was wrong

Hmmm. It is hard to take this comment seriously, especially since previous comment were in favor of "distributing" land without compensation. Wonder if he will change tune after the trial? Full story.

Police attempted to trick Shren Dewani to come to SA

Sigh... Full Story.

Crisis at Kruger National Park

The headline is a little misleading, it however paints a good picture of the Kruger National Park, whilst also pointing out some issues. Full Story