STRIKES AND SCANDALS SEASON IN SA
By Daniel Silke
Despite its booming economy and sterling fiscal performance, South Africa has been reeling under a spate of strikes and scandals that have soured the early part of President Mbeki's second term in office. While disgruntled workers have brought both state and private industries to their knees, politicians were scrambling to cover up their misdeeds - and poorest of the poor were starting to protest.


Pity President Mbeki. Hot on the heels of sterling economic growth, signs of job creation, and international investor confidence comes the bad news at home.


No-one could quite predict the disastrous effects of the recent South African Airways (SAA) stoppage that was to bring chaos to the country's skies and frustration to its passengers.


FROM THE SOUTHERN DESK By Daniel Silke



ZIMBABWE IS STARVING
Compiled by Devin Tanchum
There are less than 50,000 whites remaining in Zimbabwe, Southern Africa. Before Zimbabwean Independence in 1980 there were 293,000. The Mugabe Government’s policy of land redistribution, in an effort to stimulate black-run enterprise, seizes white-owned farmland. Many white farmers have found refuge in various African countries; like Mozambique and Nigeria, where governments are hoping to capitalize on the experienced white farmers’ knowledge of commercial agriculture. Zimbabwe, once considered to be a breadbasket, is suffering from severe food shortages. The United Nations estimates that up to four million Zimbabweans will require food aid next year.


ASK THE LEGAL AND FINANCIAL EXPERTS: Tax Planning Strategies for Aspiring Immigrants
By Saville Mallach & Selwyn Gerber
Those who are planning to immigrate to the United States generally consider the social, financial and legal aspects of such a move. Many aspiring immigrants tend, however, to limit financial planning to an evaluation of their available assets and projected income in the context of their anticipated new cost of living. For some, neglecting to establish a suitable tax strategy long before immigrating can have particularly adverse financial consequences.


STRANGE BREW: The US Rooibos Trademark Lawsuits
By Devin Tanchum
Trademark laws are designed to protect an individual’s or corporation’s intellectual property, but what happens when two corporations fight over property that does not belong to them?


RECIPIES: Fruity Favorites...Bobotie and Peach Chutney
By Fiona Soukup



WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Shaun Tomson
By Drienie Hattingh



Shaun Tomson...Catching waves from Jeffrey's Bay to Waimea Bay...
Say Shaun Tomson and "The Surfer!" immediately comes to mind - that handsome young man who won the Gunston 500 six times in a row and became the 1977 World Champion in Hawaii.


Photo: Courtesy of Gibbings and Hyde




CALENDER OF EVENTS
By Kimberley Crowe
FAMILY CORNER: Name this well-known South African coastal landmark.
HOT HAPPENINGS: Were you There?

• CALIFORNIA, Los Angeles - SA BUSINESS COUB WELCOMES NEW LA CHAPTER PRESIDENT By Charlene Avis
  
  
  
  
• CALIFORNIA, Los Angeles - SA'S FEATURE GOLD AT WORLD CHAMPS OF PERFORMING ARTS 2005 By Charlene Avis
  
  
  
  
• DC, Washington, DC - JONATHAN BUTLER BRINGS SOME SOUL TO THE CAPITOL By Fiona Jensen
  
  
  
  
• OREGON, Portland - JOHNNY CLEGG ROCKS PORTLAND By Julie Frost
  
  
  
  
• WASHINGTON, Seattle - BRAAI OUT OF AFRICA INTO SEATTLE By Dorianne Berry
  
  
  
  

PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN:
By Paul Shippey

PROF ALAN ROSE: Success in a Heartbeat

Professon Alan Rose was a Trainee at groote Schuur Hospital when the famous heart surgeon, Dr. Chris Barnard, performed the first heart transplant back in 1967. Thirty-eight years later, Rose is head of the very same school in St Paul, Minnesota from which Barnard graduated.

DR.ANTON BILCHIK: The John Wayne of Oncology Dr. Anton Bilchik is a leader in the oncology field in the United States.

SPORTS:
Deur Blou Willem

When Penny Heyns left the swimming scene a couple of years ago, the prophets of doom predicted the end of South Africa's Olympic hopes in the pool.

FINANCE: Record New Motor Vehicle Sales: Good News?
By Colin Donian
For the year 2004, NAAMSA (National Association of Automobile Manufacturers) reported that new vehicle sales improved by a remarkable 22% to reach 449,603 vehicles compared to the 368,470 units sold during 2003. During 2004, South Africa was one of the best performing markets internationally, according to a NAAMSA Press Release.
CULTURE SHOCK: Rubbers, Dummies and Robots
By Drienie Hattingh
TRAVEL:



SAA Debacle by Paul Shippey


A Facelift for the Kruger National Park Compiled by Devin Tanchum


And more...

• Letter From the Editor
• Mail bag - Letters from Readers.
• Calendar - Details of National South African Events.
• Did you Know? - interesting facts about SA
• Brief Vannie Hys Af - Deur Blou Willem.