Happy Summer Everyone!

The World Cup is over and in the distance there is still the faint sound of a Vuvuzela (or 12). There is no doubt that much of the focus that was on South Africa over this past month will continue to shine. It’s estimated that just over 1 million visitors entered SA during the June and July something the country never expected. It’s all good news!

Some of you may have noticed we’ve not sent out a newsletter for some time now and that’s because Urban Africa has climbed aboard the Facebook ‘band’ wagon and we plan to communicate all our company news, competitions and so on from FB in future. We don’t want you to miss out so click www.facebook.com/UrbanAfrica  and become a UA Fan, you might like this. And suggest Urban Africa to your friends!

We’ll be entering all our UA Fans (new and old) into a draw at the end of August and you could be the lucky one to scoop a first edition of African Salad, a contemporary cookbook filled with traditional (and wacky) African recipes some handed down through generations. The photos alone awakening this cookbook and it’s likely to spend more time on your coffee table than in your kitchen cupboard!

Good Luck!

Competition closes 31 August 2010. Competition open to all countries.

Competitionstoday.co.uk

The high-speed Gautrain moves out of testing and into operation between Sandton & OR International Airport tomorrow.

“Viva Gautrain, viva,” deputy minister for transport, Jeremy Cronin, said in handing over the safety permit to the Gautrain operating company last week. “Above all, viva public transport, viva.” Cronin added “…and we’re doing it just in time…” referring to the Soccer World Cup, just days away.

The South African-Canadian-French consortium known as Bombela has kept the R150million incentive offered by the Gauteng Provincial Government to open the Gautrain, in the nick of time, for the 2010 FIFA World Cup which kicks off this Friday.

Initial works for the Gautrain commenced in May 2006 and was being constructed simultaneously in two phases. The first phase involved the section between OR Tambo International Airport, Sandton and Midrand, the second; the remainder of the 80km route is due to be complete by March 2011.

The first phase of Gautrain connects arriving World Cup visitors landing at OR Tambo International to the bustling inner city of Sandton and near by Malbaro, in under 20 minutes. With a single ticket costing R100 (£8.80) which is almost a quarter of what it would cost if visitors were to hire a private taxi, Gautrain will be a welcomed transport alternative.

Much of the criticism is that money is being spent on the rich at the expense of the poor. It does not serve any of the townships of Gauteng where the transport problem is severe and where the majority of the people live. However, the train was never meant to be an alternative to mass public transport – it was intended to reduce pressure on Johannesburg’s overloaded highway system. Figures released by the Gauteng provincial government in 2003 indicated that the project will do little to relieve traffic on the over-used Ben Schoeman Highway (one of the major motivations for the project), as traffic volumes will be higher when the Gautrain is completed and operating at full capacity in 2011.  A national parliamentary oversight body, the Transport Portfolio Committee, held public hearings in November 2005 and subsequently advised Cabinet to scrap or postpone the project. The National Cabinet decided on 7 December 2005 to financially support Gautrain.

However according to some estimates, the Gautrain project could employ as many as 18 000 people over the next 20 years and generate business activities worth up to R3.6-billion per annum.

Sources: Mail & Guardian, SA; Wikipedia; Southafrica.Info         

Whether you’re a frequent flyer or an occasional globe trotter, it’s more than likely that you’ve thought about securing your luggage against theft. And it’s probably something many travellers will be thinking about as the World Cup kick off beckons, less than 30-days away.

Although baggage pilferage has decreased dramatically since a crack-down by ACSA (Airports Company South Africa) and airlines in 2008, everyday about eight bags are still reported stolen at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Items that are most reported stolen are laptops, portable CD and MP3 players, iPods, wallets, cash and expensive clothes and shoes.

SAA has tried cling-wrapping bags over the last two years, but apparently this has not worked. Tebogo Tsimane, head of SAA’s Airport Operations, told IOL last month: “Cling-wrapping bags with tough plastic simply resulted in bags disappearing completely. It had no effect.”

Now it’s hoped that a new innovative product called Bbagzz will provide the missing link in the theft chain.

Bbagzz is a South African company that has designed a cost-effective solution to baggage pilferage and tampering – a durable plastic enclosure that seals luggage entirely. Bags are numbered and branded so that, unlike clear plastic wrap, they can’t be replaced after tampering, and it would be very time consuming for thieves to break the seal. The bags are also easy to identify on the carousel so any evidence of pilferage will be apparent immediately, allowing travellers to report it immediately.

World Cup organising committee spokesman Rich Mkhondo said last month that the LOC was working with police, airlines and ACSA to prevent pilfering. In addition, SAA will deploy undercover agents to the baggage-handling areas during the World Cup.

As an additional precaution, always keep valuable technological items such as laptops, portable CD and MP3 players, iPods, as well as wallets and cash, on your person.

President Jacob Zuma has arrived in London yesterday and has already met the Prime Minister Gordon Brown who commented that Zuma was leading South Africa with “great distinction” and that “over the last 15 years South Africa has restored its rightful place in the international community”. The countdown to the cup has just entered double digits, but is South Africa ready and do those travelling to the country know what to expect?

I’m a born and breed South African and have called London my home for 5 years now, we are so settled here that both my fiancée and I are starting the process and applying for British Citizenship!

South Africa is a hugely diverse country: more so culturally and economically. You also have to tap dance around 11 official languages, but English is the most widely used, so fear not. How safe is South Africa, I hear you ask? As safe as you make it, is my reply. Don’t walk in isolated areas at night. Don’t wear your expensive Nikon SLR camera around your neck. Carry enough cash to get you through the day, not the entire month. In the wild, animals tend to stay in packs and we’d advise that travelers do the same.

Public transport is not as evolved as it is in Europe and if you’ve not booked a rental car, it advisable to do so. What’s that? You can’t drive! Contact your hotel and ask them to recommend a driver during the duration of your stay.

And whatever you do – make sure that you support local artisans in South Africa. It’s a country with a deep, rich history and if you can’t fit enough in suitcase – visit Urban Africa when you return!

World AIDS Day 2009

World AIDS day is observed on 1st December 2009. Show your support for The Topsy Foundation and other similar and worthwhile causes who take a stand and make a difference in the world to those who are infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.

At the Beadwork Project, Shukushukuma Beaders, local woman are taught the different beading techniques needed to make designs incorporating both traditional and the modern. This includes guiding the woman through the production process and understanding the associated costing and marketing, in a drive towards entrepreneurial independance for the woman.

The Topsy range of beaded products were exclusively designed by well-known Johannesburg artist Christine Fischer.  

The Topsy products are hand made by the Shukushukuma Beaders in South Africa. 

Visit http://worldaidsday.org/ for more information on World AIDS Day.

Buy a Beaded Red AIDS Ribbon

Well they say Africa is a little behind the rest of the world but hopefully we not too late with the whole blogging thing.

We have set up this blog to tell you more about our company and help showcase our African suppliers. We hope you enjoy reading our blog and that you will learn more about what our company is trying to achieve for Africa and its people.