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Tag: South Africa

  • South Africa: your next destination

    South Africa: your next destination

    Holidays are special periods of time enjoyed by workers, students, managers of different corporate organizations and even business men, to relieve oneself of all the stress that have accumulated through the regular working hours.

    Over the years Nigerians have delighted themselves by travelling to places like the U.S, U.K, Canada and lately, to Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, only a few, though, seems to have realized or discovered South- Africa, a nearby country on the continent, an equally considerable good choice place of adventure during holidays.

    A banker, Mrs. Folasade Efuwape, shares a recent holiday experience in South Africa-

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    The economy – According to Mrs. Efuwape, South Africa is a nice place to stay, firstly, the country’s economy is stable, much as it reflects in the exchange rate, between Rand and the Naira. One rand goes for about 15 to 16 naira”.

    Market price – she said; “things are relatively cheap over there, and the traders don’t inflate the price of commodities unnecessarily, they just tell you the normal price and they are very blunt.”

    The weather – Again, she also cited the weather condition in most South Africa’s cities as a factor; she says “It is usually cold out there, regardless of the time of the year. When you visit Cape Town, Pretoria and Johannesburg, it is as though you are in Europe or America, except for Sun City, which is known for being hot.

    Exotic places to visit

    “We visited the Carlton place, a very big shopping mall in Johannesburg, where one could buy almost everything necessity”.

    “We also went on picnic to the Johannesburg zoo, also, and it was a very interesting experience. We saw animals of different types and sizes”.

    Speaking with a Travel agent in Lagos, Mr. Akinpelu Sesan also threw more light on why most travelers visit South Africa, either on holidays or for a long term stay and what they do stand to benefit.

    “Basically South Africa (SA) is a developed country. They have many tourist attractions comparable with those in Europe and America. Again, it’s cheaper to travel there, compared to Europe,” he said.

    “It’s relatively easy to procure SA visa, compared to Shengen visa, UK visa and American Visa. Many Nigerians travel there in order to have their visa on their passport so as to make it easier for them to get the other major visas named above. (Those other countries will most likely grant you visa if you’ve travelled before, especially to a place like South Africa).That is talking about those who have not been travelling abroad before.”

    He added; “University education is also very good and of high quality, it is quite affordable. SA is a good tourist destination!”

  • Cash-for-arms deal: South Africa returns $15m to Nigeria

    Cash-for-arms deal: South Africa returns $15m to Nigeria

    There are indications that  Nigeria and South Africa have resolved their differences over the cash-for-arm deal that went awry.

    An online medium, Cable News, yesterday quoted   South African Ambassador to Nigeria, Lulu Louis Mnguni, as saying that the money had been returned to the Nigerian government.

    South African authorities had on September 5 seized $9.3 million cash belonging to the Nigerian government and another  $5.7 million about two weeks later on the ground that the transfer process was against South African financial law.

    But  Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, insisted that the transactions were legal.

    The issue almost caused a major dispute between both countries as Nigeria moved to sanction South African companies operating in the country.

    Indications however emerged that the South African government was willing to return the money after some diplomatic moves early this month.

    Confirming the return of the money, Mnguni said: “South Africa’s relations with Nigeria comes a long way. So now, this actually will make us much more closer, to see how we can close some of these gaps that result in such accidents.”

    While also reacting to the Synagogue building collapse and its effect on the relationship between the two countries, Mniguni said both countries  had come a long way and the collapse could only make them closer and stronger.

    The South African ambassador added that the seizure of the funds by South African government was in no way related to the Synagogue collapse.

    “South Africa’s relations with Nigeria is priceless, it cannot be sold for $15m,”

    “These are two separate incidents, and of course, the issue of money has already been sorted out. Nigeria has been given the money.”

  • South Africa are Falcons’ biggest threat, says Oparanozie

    South Africa are Falcons’ biggest threat, says Oparanozie

    EnAvant Guingamp of France striker, Desire Ugochi Oparanozie is delighted for an opportunity to attend her second African Women Championship (AWC) after her triumphant trip to the 2010 edition in South Africa. She tells SportingLife’s TUNDE LIADI of the spirit in the present Super Falcons’ camp and the country’s likely biggest foes at the 8th AWC in Namibia which runs from 11 to 25 October, 2014 as well as her club career. EXCERPTS…

     

    SPORTINGLIFE: Good to have you back in the national team after the tussle with your club over your release for the 2015 African Women Championship (AWC) slated for Namibia

    I’m always happy to come play for my country because it is an honour to be chosen from millions of Nigerians that are in the round leather game. I’m happy that I’m back to render my help in the interest of the Super Falcons.

    I have put the events that transpired leading to my eventual release by my club behind me and I have my eyes focused on the AWC and ensuring that I achieve a personal target of winning my second trophy for Nigeria after the 2010 AWC in South Africa.

     

    What should Nigerians be expecting from Oparanozie and the rest of the Super Falcons when the competition kicks off on Saturday (today)?

    Nigerians should be expecting from us the trophy because it is our modest target. We have won it before on numerous occasions and winning it again is our ambition. It won’t be easy because other Africans are striving to catch up with us, but we won’t relent. We have resolved to improve on our game to ensure that this time nothing stands in our way and the trophy.

     

    The Falcons are grouped with the hosts, Namibia, Ivory Coast and Zambia. Are you going to be bothered by any of these countries?

    We are not afraid of any of our first round opponents because we are Super Falcons and have won the AWC a record six times out of eight editions. We respect the three countries but we are going to take them one after the other when the competition begins. We don’t have to brag about anything because on a good day, we are capable of beating anybody.

     

    With the absence of Equatorial Guinea in Namibia, the Falcons will face the Ivory Coast in the first game on Saturday (today). What should we expect from you and your team-mates?

    We are in Namibia with the sole objective of winning the trophy and we know the importance of ensuring that we get all the three points in our first game. We don’t know much about Ivory Coast besides the fact that they eliminated the defending champions, the Equatorial Guinea.

    We will take them as they come, we are going to give them their due although we will be very professional when the game kicks off.

     

    Which country are the greatest threat to Falcons’ quest to win a record seventh African crown?

    I will say it is ourselves that we have the greatest worry for, about whether we are going to win or not. But on a larger scale I believe it is only South Africa that is our major worry and not even Ghana and Cameroon. We will know how to cross the bridge when we get there but now we must concentrate on our first round foes and when we are through to the last four we shall know how to plot the defeat of our opponents.

     

    The Super Falcons will be playing in the 2014 AWC with their eyes firmly on a place in next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada. Having featured at the World Cup before when it was played in 2011 what does playing at the World Cup again mean to you?

    It is the dream of every player to play in the World Cup and I am not an exception. It was cool playing in the World Cup three years ago. I was quite young then but now I am more mature and raring to go this term. I am happy that the list is a blend of the young and the experienced. It will pay off in Namibia but what we just need to do is to put our acts together and work for the interest of our country.

     

    On February 21, 2014 news hit Nigerian media that you had moved to Atasehir Belediyespor to play in the Turkish Women’s First Football League from Germany, but not too long ago you surfaced in the French League with  En Avant Guingamp. What informed your decision to leave for Turkey and now France within a very short time after you left WFL Wolfsburg?

    Football is better enjoyed when one is part of the decision makers. It becomes very uninteresting if you are made to sit on the bench without game time. When I was with Wolfsburg, I was not getting the playing time I desired, so I had to leave. We both agreed that we should cancel the contract mutually. It was also similar in Turkey but I’m happy to inform you that I have started enjoying the game again since I got to France.

  • EbonyLife TV launches in South Africa, others

    TOUTED as Africa’s first Global Black entertainment and lifestyle network, EbonyLife TV has launched in South Africa and Southern African countries.

    The channel is gradually expanding its coverage of Africa, having been broadcasting to DStv customers in 44 countries in West, East and Central Africa since its launch in July 2013.

    With over 1000 hours of African programming from a variety of genres  including reality, talk shows, drama, entertainment, food, politics, music, news, lifestyle and comedy shows, CEO of EbonyLife TV, Mo Abudu said the channel is aimed at youth aged 18 to 34 who constantly yearn for real African content that speaks to their shared values.

    “We are extremely excited about EbonyLife TV’s extension into the Southern African and South African markets, barely a year after our launch. This expansion is due to our success in the rest of Africa. We are proud of the fact that we are a 100 percent homegrown,” she said.

    In the words of Aletta Alberts, GM for Content for MultiChoice, “EbonyLife TV is the perfect example of how entertaining local content can travel across the continent. I’m sure our DStv Compact, Extra and Premium customers will enjoy the wide variety of entertainment on this channel  there really is something for every member of the family. This is Africa at its best.”

    On EbonyLife this September, viewers across Africa will be captivated with sizzling, spell binding and action-packed dramas such as An African City, the story of five young ladies who decide to return home to Africa, with each episode shot as a pulsating new adventure. In another drama, Dowry, two feuding families are being forced to an uneasy truce by the impending marriage of their children until the groom disappears five hours to the wedding.

    In Learning Curves, five first year students at The Providence University in Abuja who have come from different backgrounds and with varying perceptions about life on campus are forced to live together, against their better choices, as part of the school’s research programme. As the quest for power heightens, the search for love increases as the need for acceptance deepens.

    Fattening Room follows six extremely beautiful, feisty and modern women from Ghana, Nigeria, Botswana, South Africa, Zambia and Kenya through a compelling journey of self-discovery in the picturesque city of Calabar as they seek to re-discover the magical legacies of the timeless Efik tradition.

  • Synagogue: South Africa sends plane to fly back injured nationals

    Synagogue: South Africa sends plane to fly back injured nationals

    South Africa, which lost 84 nationals in the collapsed guest house at the Synagogue church in Lagos, has sent a plane to fly home survivors of the disaster.

    According to reports, 349 South Africans were visiting the church at the time of the incident. There are 265 survivors while 17 remain unaccounted for. The 96 injured are now reduced to 29, including a three-year-old.

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) put the final death toll at 90 with 131 survivors.

    A South African team of experts is already in the country joining the team working on identifying the victims.

    Yesterday, leader of the church, Prophet TB Joshua, said he would travel to South Africa to meet families and survivors of the house collapse.

    Joshua told the congregation during his weekly morning service that he “will be travelling to South Africa to meet people from South Africa and other nations who find South Africa easier to visit, in memory of martyrs of faith.”

    Joshua also observed a minute silence “in memory of martyrs of faith”.

    The church leader has blamed the incident on sabotage but the Lagos State and the federal government are investigating the claims.

    The building collapsed on September 12.

    Giving an update on the situation in Pretoria yesterday, the South African Government said:

    “We are aware that this is a difficult period of uncertainty for the nation, particularly for the families, friends and colleagues of those directly affected.

    “We can assure you that the South Africa Government is working around the clock, together with the Nigerian Government and the leadership of the Church, through the South African High Commission and Consulate-General in Nigeria to assist survivors and to recover, identify and confirm the deceased. South Africa has dispatched assessment, medical, forensic, social development and disaster management teams in this regard.

    “The team deployed in Lagos comprise of internationally acclaimed experts in the field of forensic science and disaster management. A leading member of the team is Brigadier Helena Ras, Head of Technology Management, Criminal Records and Forensic Sciences. Brigadier Ras is an international expert on body identification and she consulted internationally on disaster management.

    “The South African assessment team is already in Lagos is assessing the situation on the ground and reporting back to the Inter-Ministerial Committee through the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS). The NATJOINTS is the operational structure of the JCPS Cabinet Cluster constituting of all JCPS member departments such as SAPS, SANDF, Justice and Correctional Services, NPA, Home Affairs, Social Development, Health, COGTA and State Security. The NATJOINTS has activated all its nine Provincial Operation Centres to directly liaise with families.

    The assessment team is focussing on the following specific areas: body recovery and repatriation, victims listing and confirmation, post-mortems as well as assessing of injured persons to determine the medical condition and the required levels of care.

    Due to the nature and extent of the tragedy, the process of identifying the mortal remains requires meticulous attention to detail; and Government is confident that the team assigned to carry out this task has the necessary capacity and skill. Meanwhile, we call for patience on the publication of victims’ names while the due processes are followed.

    Family members have been contacted and arrangements have been put in place for them to participate in the identification process of the deceased. Only after this process has been completed can the names of the deceased be released to the families.

  • Peugeot chooses Nigeria over South Africa

    France’s PSA Peugeot Citroen has not abandoned plans to make the Peugeot 301 in South Africa, but shelved them for now.

    However, PSA Peugeot Citroën has started semi-knocked down (SKD) production of the Peugeot 301 in Nigeria with the aim of eventually moving to completely knocked down (CKD) manufacturing in that country.

    South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry (dti) has assisted the Nigerian government with the initiation of its automotive development programme, with former Trade and Industry Minister Alec Erwin, a consultant to the Nigerian government on the project.

    Managing Director of Peugeot Citroën South Africa, Francis Harnie, said last week that the Peugeot 301 produced in Nigeria would not be imported to South Africa, stressing it was only produced as a left-hand drive model and was only for the Nigerian market.

    Harnie said the expected sales volumes in South Africa and right-hand drive neighbouring countries were insufficient for the Peugeot 301 on its own to qualify for the incentives available in terms of the Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP) but the project had “not been buried”.

    He said the Peugeot 301 remained a very interesting model for South Africa and its neighbouring countries but there would be market demand for only between 5, 000 and 6, 000 in South Africa and about 4, 000 in neighbouring countries. The APDP has an annual production threshold of 50, 000 units to qualify for incentives.

    Harnie was hopeful the review of the APDP that was currently taking place would result in some changes, such as a reduction in the annual production threshold, which would assist PSA Peugeot Citroën to start producing vehicles in South Africa.

    “I’m not involved in the (APDP review) discussions but know there is a demand from local manufacturers to reduce the volumes because I don’t think the 50, 000 (unit annual threshold) is working.

    “We are busy working on a lot of projects and also expecting some changes in the APDP that will help get us to the minimum volumes to get into the programme,” he said.

    Harnie said the APDP had not brought any new vehicle manufacturing investors into the country in the about two years since it was introduced and the local industry was also not producing more vehicles.

    “Some manufacturers are struggling. In my opinion from looking at the figures, what the government tried to do with the new rules of the APDP, I don’t think it’s working,” he said.

    Harnie said PSA Peugeot Citroën could still start building cars in South Africa from 2016 but it was too early to talk about other models it could possibly produce in the country, together with or separately from the Peugeot 301.

    He stressed the French car maker would not produce cars locally by making an investment in its own plant but through a contract manufacturing agreement with a local partner. Harnie confirmed it had been involved in discussions with more than one possible local partner but they had not yet reached any agreement.

    He added that the first possibly temporary step towards local production could be SKD production but admitted SKD production of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles did not qualify for APDP benefits, which made this unviable.

  • South Africa, Nigeria’s $9.3m arms deal and Oritsejafor

    South Africa, Nigeria’s $9.3m arms deal and Oritsejafor

    Both the Nigerian government and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) president, Ayo Oritsejafor, have struggled to wriggle out of the scandalous arms deal involving the smuggling of $9.3m to South Africa. So far, they have not succeeded. But given the fact that the President Goodluck Jonathan government was also unsuccessful in wriggling out of the $10bn or $12bn unaccounted oil money, it is not clear both the government and Pastor Oritsejafor will care what anyone thinks. The smuggled money was flown into a small airport Northwest of Johannesburg, South Africa, in a chartered jet by two Nigerians and an Israeli on September 5.

    The scandal of flying $9.3m undeclared into a foreign land is bad enough even without the other smaller but no less potent scandals associated with the smuggled dollars. The plane used to ferry the undeclared money into South Africa was said to be owned by the CAN president, who is also President of the Word of Life Bible Church, Warri, Delta State. He however tactically denied ownership. The plane, he says, is owned by Eagle Air Company in which he has residual interest. But, more, he added, the plane had since last month (only last month!) been leased to Green Coast Produce Limited, which operated the plane at the time of the scandal. Using the platform of CAN, Pastor Oritsejafor then accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) duo of Lai Mohammed and Nasir El-Rufai of smearing his reputation, insinuating also that the attack on his reputation had religious and political undertones.

    The bad-tempered CAN release defending Pastor Oritsejafor contains elements that sadly showed that CAN has become politicised and indefensibly entangled with the world system. Said the press release signed by Sunny Oibe, CAN’s Director of National Issues: “ Our attention has been drawn to the desperation of some elements working for a particular political party within our society to tarnish the image of the President of Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor. They are working for the All Progressives Congress and they are not unknown to us. Let Nigerians have this background for them to judge themselves. These shameless characters including a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and National Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, went to UK to embark on an image laundering for their political party, the APC…”

    More brazenly, the intemperate CAN statement also concluded: “ The report (that both Dr Jonathan and Pastor Oritsejafor encourage Boko Haram) is a well organised orchestrated plan, all because of their desperation for the 2015 general elections. If not for the blindness and intellectual myopia of some Nigerians, people of the calibre of El-Rufai shouldn’t be taken seriously and should not be walking on the streets….El-Rufai is more of a Street Boy whose history and antecedents are very much known. He has been the person defending Boko Haram…We are waiting and we can assure you that at the appropriate time, he and his allies will pay dearly for it. The international community sees APC as an Islamic party; instead of El-Rufai to deny that, he was busy orchestrating spurious propaganda against Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.” In short, CAN is saying PDP is Christian, and APC is Muslim.

    However, neither the Jonathan presidency’s clumsy response to the $9.3m arms deal scandal nor Pastor Oritsejafor’s side of the story, nor yet CAN’s statement, has detracted from the scandalous maze. The undeclared money was obviously not sourced from a grocery store; it passed through the banking system one way or the other. The messengers were also representing the government, not themselves. In addition, the huge sum passed through the airport, and the supposedly eagle eyes of the relevant border agencies, which intercepts much smaller funds, could not detect it. And both Pastor Oritsejafor’s defence and CAN statement also showed what slippery slopes the clergy tread when they walk on Caesar’s highway, conducting secular business in the typically Caesarian fashion Pergamos made famous in Revelation 2, and in the ethical and idolatrous quicksand that today entraps church doctrines, church politics and church business, making them indistinguishable from the world system.

    Quite apart from the facts and fiction surrounding the $9.3m scandal, it is indeed curious that Pastor Oritsejafor little appreciates how unhealthily politicised CAN has become under him, and how dangerously parochial he and the body have become in throwing their lot with Dr Jonathan, thereby promoting schism in the church and in the body politic, and disavowing and polluting the doctrinal purity that have sanctified, promoted and defended their faith over the centuries.

  • Nigeria leads South Africa, others on retail opportunities, says RMB

    Nigeria leads South Africa, others on retail opportunities, says RMB

    Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) has said Nigeria is leading South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya and Democratic Republic of Congo in offering some of the best opportunities for retailers looking to invest in Africa.

    RMB, which is the investment banking unit of FirstRand Ltd said in a report yesterday population size and growth rates, gross domestic product per capita and urbanisation rates were some of the criteria used in compiling the list.

    “Those are probably the most favorable prospects for retail investors, but they aren’t the only markets available. In the next few years, you could see that changing as your income dynamics change,” Nema Ramkhelawan-Bhana, an Africa analyst at RMB told Bloomberg.

    With about 173 million people, Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation and has the continent’s biggest economy. McKinsey & Co. said in a July report that the West African nation could be one of the world’s top 20 economies by 2030 with a consumer base exceeding the current populations of France and Germany.

    Disposable income in Africa will probably grow at an average rate of 5.5 percent a year until 2030, the bank said in a report on investing in Africa. By then, the continent’s highest-performing cities will have a combined purchasing power of $1.3 trillion, compared with $750 billion currently, according to RMB.

    While population trends are a key driver of opportunities for retailers, large-scale urbanization pose risks in terms of social problems and unemployment, said Celeste Fauconnier, an Africa macro strategist for RMB.

    “The risk of urbanization is that your slum areas are dominant” within fast-growing cities, Fauconnier said. “Africa’s got the youngest population in the world, which is great for productivity, if they had jobs.”

    Meanwhile, FirstRand Ltd is setting aside $924 million for expansion across Africa as profit increases from regions outside its home market of South Africa.

  • Students get lawmaker’s scholarship to South Africa

    To promote the entrepreneurship and principles of free markets and liberty among the students, lawmaker representing Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency 1, Hon. Maruf Akinderu-Fatai, has given scholarship to seven students in his constituency to attend Students and Young Professionals Liberty Academy (SYPALA) in Pretoria, South Africa.

    The lawmaker, Akinderu-Fatai, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Compliance, said the sponsorship was in line with his youth development programme. He said the knowledge that would be acquired by the beneficiaries would be positively used to improve the lot of their colleagues and the nation.

    The beneficiaries will join over 100 youths from across Africa participate in the conference holding at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, with the theme: Creating the foundations for a free prosperous Africa. The event was organised by African Liberty Organisation.

    Akinderu-Fatai said he learnt about the international programme when he was invited to similar event at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, Kaduna State in 2011. He said he sponsored 10 students in his constituency to the event in the year.

    Five students made the trip to Catholic University in Mozambique and six to Kabarak University, Kenya in 2012 and 2013 respectively.

    While presenting the travel documents to the beneficiaries, Akinderu-Fatai said the aim of the event was engage the youth to promote entrepreneurship, peace and liberty in Africa and train them to become successful entrepreneurs.

    He urged the students “to make us proud as ambassadors of Oshodi and Lagos.”

    The program, Akinderu-Fatai said, will draw resource persons from the academic, private sector, public and non-profit organisations, who will mentor the youth as to develop Africa.

    “The curriculum will also present case studies from different parts of the world to demonstrate the cross-cultural importance of liberty, peace and prosperity. The event will feature collaborative group project to encourage extensive interaction among participants,” he said.

  • Operation beat South Africa: Keshi seeks spiritual help

    Operation beat South Africa: Keshi seeks spiritual help

    Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi, who is believed to have stayed back in Lagos to offer special prayers at a popular church, has demanded his team show they are champions of Africa against South Africa today.

    Congo upset the Super Eagles 3-2 in Calabar at the weekend and an official statement reported that Keshi stayed back in Nigeria to “attend to personal issues”, but sources close to the coach said he did not fly out with the squad on Sunday so as to offer special prayers for his team.

    “Big Boss’ is known to have also worshiped at Reverend Father Mbaka’s church in Enugu, where striker, Emmanuel Emenike, recently paid a special tribute for his rising profile.

    And Keshi, who finally rejoined the Eagles in Cape Town on Tuesday morning, has now demanded they show they are African Champions when they tackle Bafana Bafana in an AFCON 2015 qualifier, a game he said is as important as a World Cup final.

    “We are the champions of Africa and we must start showing that not only against Bafana Bafana, but in all our remaining games,” Keshi charged.