Leon Takes Leave and Opposition Disarray Emerges
By Daniel Silke
Opposition politics in South Africa has never been easy. Confronted by an all-powerful ANC, the Democratic Alliance (DA), under Tony Leon, has shown tenacity and growth. But the recent announcement by Leon that he is to relinquish his leadership role has left a vacuum that might not be so easy to fill...


FROM THE SOUTHERN DESK By Daniel Silke



ASK A LAWYER:MEDICAL MALPRACTICE - MAYBE GOOD THINGS DO COME IN SMALL PACKAGES - In consultation with Attorney Lee Seham, Esq.
By Charlene Avis and Lee Seham
Unfortunately, medical malpractice is a growth industry in this country. Because the discussion of general legal principles can be somewhat dry, we asked attorney Lee Seham to find a case with a fact pattern that might keep our readers’ interest. I think he succeded...


Mesab: REFLECTING ON A MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
By Saul Levin, MD
In 1985, when South Africa’s Apartheid government was providing very little funding for Black students to enter into the health sciences, Joy and Herb Kaiser created Medical Education for South African Blacks (MESAB),...



Left of What’s Right: DEEPAK CHOPRA LEADING THE FOLLOWERS BY EXAMPLE
By Marlan Padayachee
DATELINE JOHANNESBURG: Are we leaders or followers, or leaders and followers?


There are no right or wrong answers, but Deepak Chopra took South African delegates on a soul-searching journey in Sandton late last year, in quest of this and other aspects of our soul software.


Eight hours later many left the convention center...


Culinary Corner: ROMANTIC VALENTINE DINNER
By Elsabe Enslin
What can be more romantic than serving your Valentine’s old-time favorites for dinner? WHERE ARE THEY NOW? ILANA KLOSS
By Drienie Hattingh



The 11-year-old ball girl zipped across the tennis court, scooped up the ball, dashed to the side of the court, and crouched down. Ilana was in awe of the tennis players at the SA Tennis Open-players that she’d admired from afar...


World Cup Cricket: Cricket, Cruising and the Caribbean
By Dorianne Berry
At the time of going to press South Africa’s cricket team is doing really well. We are currently seeded second in one-day internationals. The World Cup Series is just around the corner in April. It is being held in the beautiful Caribbean. But getting between islands to watch your team...


South African businessman Richard Ford thought about this logistical challenge one July evening in 2005. Richard has over ten years of experience as a captain of big ships sailing the Caribbean. He realized what a fantastic opportunity this would be. Combine two of the best experiences, Cricket and Cruising, in the exquisite Caribbean. After many negotiations he has chartered one of the very best luxury ships. He chose Celebrity Cruise Lines and specifically the Galaxy, which is considered by Conde Nast Traveler to be one of the top ten cruise ships in the world...


The website www.sacricketcruise.com gives you all the different cruise options.


HOME AFFAIRS
By David Furlonger
The ANC’s parliamentary chief whip, Mbulelo Goniwe, says he is a broken man since accusations of sexual harassment. Actually, he should have been broken sometime ago: he has not paid maintenance for his children and was implicated in the Travelgate scandal....


PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN:




LOUIS MELTZ:From Pretoria to the Financial Capital of the World
By Dorianne Berry
The American Maritime Safety Consortium is one of the largest maritime associations in the world, with a membership in excess of 380 companies operating 900 oil tankers and container vessels. A South African serves as President of this organization. When first elected President, he was only 29 years old. His name is Louis Meltz....



NORMAN PIETERS: Responsible Tourism-Making a Difference
By Dorianne Berry
Scores of ex-pats escaped the dark winter and went home during this past Holiday Season, to visit loved ones, catch some sun and taste the traditional great food and wines. The U.S.A. agent of choice for many of these trips is Karell Travel....


SPORT: By Blou Willem
The South African sporting year started off with a bang on January 2nd when the Proteas played against India in the second cricket test at Newlands; the first rugby game of the season was played on January 13th between the Cheetahs and Samoa in Kimberley on a sweltering 38-degree day. No December holidays anymore if you are a sports star these days!
FINANCE:
By Colin Donian
REWARDS FOR SMART INVESTORS: TOP S.A. COMPANIES
Investors who invested R10,000 (US$1,400) in S.A.’s top-performing company five years ago would have R244,871 (US$34,257) swelling their wallets at end 2006, an annual compound growth rate of almost 90%. One of the world’s largest steel companies, Mittal Steel SA, was the top-performing South African company for 2006,
SAA MAKES MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS
By Charlene Avis
South African Airways recently announced that they will commence flights from Chicago O’Hare International Airport to Johannesburg, beginning May 2007. The flight will make a short stop in Dakar, Senegal. With four flights a week and connections through the airline’s Star Alliance partners, travelers now have a network of 152 countries through South African Airways....



S.A.’s Jardine Takes Gold - IN 2006 WORLD TOURNAMENT
by Charlene Avis

Orange County’s Canyon Lake Ski Club member Marc Jardine competed in the 2006 Senior World and Senior European Water Ski Tournaments in South Africa...


CALENDER OF EVENTS
By Kimberley Crowe
CULTURE SHOCK: P.T.O., TARZAN AND TIPPING!
By Drienie Hattingh
I thought it would be a great idea to ask my ex-South African friends what their biggest Culture Shock was, coming to America. Their e-mail replies were interesting and made me think of our first years in the U.S. CHRONOLOGY OF SOUTH AFRICA a mini series



FAMILY CORNER: Name this location where a miner struck it lucky.
A CLOWN RETURNS HOME
By Jamie Lachman

GWADZU-ZENEX PRIMARY SCHOOL, BOTHA'S HILL, KZN


The sun rises blood red over the hills, swelling through the dust of coral fires. A quick breakfast of cornflakes...

TRAVEL: A Romantic Getaway Under the African Stars - 30 KM/h ANIMALS HAVE RIGHT OF WAY
by Charlene Avis
These words met me as I approached the award-winning private game reserve, Lion Sands, situated in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Stretching along the Sabie River, this property has been owned/managed by the More family for four generations...



And more...

• Letter From the Editor
• Mail bag - Letters from Readers.
• Calendar - Details of National South African Events.
• Brief Vannie Hys Af - Deur Blou Willem.