Farmer John Says
18
May
2012
Published in
Farmer John Says
According to a recent IOL news piece, “Zambia’s Banda says copper windfall tax is ‘bad business’", Zambian President Rupiah Banda has “ruled out windfall taxes for mining companies enjoying record copper prices, saying that changing the rules for foreign investors was plain bad business”. South African authorities can take a leaf out of Banda’s book by rejecting out-of-hand the ludicrous proposals to nationalise SA mines, as opposed to drawing out the process by dispatching a task team to determine nationalisation’s viability. The uncertainty created by drawing out this process is no doubt deterring investment as mining companies sit in limbo…
10
May
2012
Published in
Farmer John Says
This is an article by Brendan Boyle published by Times Live, which addresses the current state of affairs in SA. Everyone who follows South African politics with any enthusiasm knew that 2012 would be an interesting year, but with seven months to go before Mangaung, "interesting" has taken on an oriental connotation. Apparently, "may you live in interesting times" is not really a Chinese curse but, whoever is responsible, we do seem to have been so cursed this year. Now, with the official laundering of Lieutenant-General Richard Mdluli's record and reputation and the possibility that he may be in line to…
04
May
2012
Published in
Farmer John Says
There is a lot of horrific crimes in South African over the past few years that makes one think that our only solution to the rampant crime is capital punishment, but with an inefficient and corrupt criminal justice system and government, what can one expect?South Africa is heading for a disastrous future. The ANC are incompetent, short sighted and loaded with corruption. Crime is everywhere, especially in the farming areas, as well as the low socio economic areas where people get murdered on a daily basis. We need a more efficient criminal justice system as convictions take ages. We need…
24
Apr
2012
Published in
Farmer John Says
If there was ever one sure way to destabilise the economy, it is the introduction of e-tolling on Gauteng’s highways. The extent of opposition to the tolls is a sign that there is very little chance for tolling to get off to a good start in its current form. What is certain is that there will be plenty of long-term pain, especially for business and the working poor, whether they drive their own car or commute by taxi. That taxis are exempted won’t mean much when food prices soar along with everything else that gets transported through Gauteng. …
12
Apr
2012
Published in
Farmer John Says
We are a bunch of squabbling children. When one lot does not get it's way they either start shouting at each other or throw temper tantrums and call them strikes. Yes I said temper tantrums, what else would you call running around like a crazy animal, breaking everything in your path and generally being a noisy brat? The other lot keeps impotently threatening violence and calling the first lot names like drunken old men wearing wet panties. And then of course there is the third lot hardly worth mentioning because the only thing they ever do is act superior and…
05
Apr
2012
Published in
Farmer John Says
The suspension of ANC Youth League president Julius Malema on Wednesday was a strategic move by the ANC's top officials, said political analysts. "Malema's suspension is an attempt to show they [ANC] mean business and intend to try and rule," Steven Friedman said. Eusebius McKaiser said it was clear that President Jacob Zuma was trying to derail Malema. "The biggest point is that Zuma clearly wants a second term [as president] and wants to derail him [Malema]. This is an attempt to make it more difficult for ANC leaders to be seen with Julius Malema," he said. The ANC's national…
30
Mar
2012
Published in
Farmer John Says
In the short term, chemical fertilizers are the best way to feed Africa. Chemical fertilizers get a bad press, with some justification. Their use can pollute water supplies and generate significant greenhouse-gas emissions. But they are an excellent way to boost crop yields: they help to grow food. And in sub-Saharan Africa that means they can help to fill empty bellies and save lives. Parts of Africa sorely need that help. Across the continent, agricultural lands are characterized by red soil that is low in nutrients. Intensive farming has seen the typical hectare of sub-Saharan farmland lose 22kilograms…
21
Mar
2012
Published in
Farmer John Says
As we all know, work is central to our lives: it gives us a sense of purpose and identity as well as providing an income to meet our material needs. Work is one of the main ways we relate to others. It is both an individual responsibility and a social activity, frequently involving collaboration in a team. It can be a source of dignity and fulfilment. But it can also be a source of exploitation and frustration. For families and communities, the availability of decent work is a foundation for stability and social advancement. The world of work is…
19
Mar
2012
Published in
Farmer John Says
According to Econex, illegal small business can not be viewed and categorized as the small business sector.Illegal traders are mostly foreigners selling cheap products, and in the process avoiding rules and regulations.Simply said: This growing industry is part of the "crime - economy".Customs-, tax- as well as labour laws are not adhered to, and the SA Government are losing enormous amounts of tax income through the non-declaration of imported clothing as well as non-payment of VAT. (How they can get away with this is an open question.)The main culprits are the Chinese importing clothing and therefore directly affecting the SA…
