Numbers don’t lie – SA moving backwards under Zuma’s leadership
John Maynard winds back the clock and compares the economic growth achieved by all South African presidents since 1994. The numbers may not surprise.
Gautrain
Gautrain – cellphone networks go underground
Cellphone blackouts at underground Gautrain stations is set to become a thing of the past after mobile network’s Vodacom and MTN announced plans to extend coverage to these areas.
Let them think you a fool rather than remove all doubt
“It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.” Why did Alec Hogg quote the iconic Mark Twain? Read to find out in today’s Rational Perspective.
DA pickets outside Gauteng premier’s office, call to end e-tolls once and for all
The DA, acting on behalf of an angered and frustrated public, has been picketing outside the Gauteng premier’s office, calling for an end to e-tolls.
Futuregrowth bets R2bn on rejuvenation of Johannesburg CBD
Futuregrowth’s Paul Semple explains why his company has made a R2bn bet in a district others have shunned. With 15% yields on offer, who wouldn’t be?
Ensuring the electricity crisis doesn’t get wasted
By Alec Hogg Will spend today in a forum on energy hosted by ENS, the largest independent legal firm on the continent (650 lawyers, 220 partners, they tell me). It promises to improve our collective knowledge base in an area most of us tended to ignore. That was until the Eskom-centred crisis hit. My pre-forum … Read more
Gautrain extends airport service, now serving OR Tambo 16 hours a day
If Gautrain ever needed an Ambassador, I’m up for it. Most days Gauteng’s underground gets me to work and home with the minimum of fuss. It’s so slick that you can set your watch by it. The one irritation has been the early close-off of the evening service from OR Tambo. That has been addressed … Read more
Time to sober up on the cost of texting while driving
By Alec Hogg On Sunday, I was relieved to see Gautrain settled with its union so its service continued as normal. Like many great products, once one gets used to the underground, it becomes weaved into life. I often say a little prayer of thanks to those who had the foresight to invest in this … Read more
Well done Patricia – Cape Town efficiency really shows
By Alec Hogg We’ve just returned after a few days in Cape Town, long overdue as is any visit to the Mother City. The Cape Winter gets a terribly unfair Press: we had brilliant sunshine all five days. Also on the upside, eateries frequented by locals are as good as ever, including a wonderful discovery … Read more
In praise of the private sector and the power of human enterprise
Something remarkable is happening in our country. Below the surface, away from the headlines, people are just getting on with it. Making a plan, bending a rule, finding a way. The official statistics have always been, at best, blunt instruments. But now they appear to be completely missing what is there for all to observe. … Read more