Whale Observer Richards Bay - Venue - Cruise - Ocean experience

The Whale Observer Richards Bay harbor is more than just a boat. It is
actually a ship. This means it can embark on ocean cruises and sunset
harbor cruises. Yet The Whale Observer is more than this. It is a venue
for friends and family to meet. It is a venue to entertain your clients.
It is a venue to bestow the matrimonial vows of couples upon them. This
is a educational platform to open young minds to the importance of co
habitation.

The Whale Observer now operating from Richards Bay Harbor, fish Eagle
Coast, South Africa.

To Book your Cruise around the harbor or on the ocean Call Now 081 342 7371

Statement by the Minister of Public Enterprises on Eskom's bond issue

20 Jan 2011

The Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr Malusi Gigaba welcomes the successful outcome of Eskom’s international bond roadshow. The oversubscription on the bond issuance demonstrates international investors’ confidence in Eskom and the South African Government. This has also been demonstrated by rating agency Fitch’s recent revision of its ratings for the utility, and the change in the outlook on the sovereign rating from negative to stable.

The support that government has provided to Eskom, in the form of the R60 billion subordinated loan that has been drawn down over the last three years and the increase in the guarantee facility to R350 billion, has lowered Eskom’s risk profile and provided the necessary foundation for a return to Eskom being able to raise funding off its own balance sheet.

We hope that this trend will persist as other State-Owned Enterprises approach the market to raise funds for their capital expansion programmes, as this will serve to reduce pressure on the fiscus. The completion of Eskom’s Build Programme is critical for ensuring security of electricity supply for the country, and for supporting government’s economic growth and development objectives.

Media enquiries contact:
Ayanda Shezi
Cell: 079 880 2059

Richard Mantu
Cell: 072 488 1520

Issued by: Department of Public Enterprises
20 Jan 2011

Home Affairs arrests 355 illegal immigrants in joint operation

20 Jan 2011

The Department of Home Affairs, in a joint operation with other security agencies, today Thursday, 20 January 2011 arrested 355 illegal immigrants in the vicinity of the Crown Mines area in Johannesburg.

Announcing the arrests in Pretoria, Deputy Director-General for Immigration Jackie McKay said, “We can confirm that Home Affairs immigration officials today arrested 355 illegal immigrants of various nationalities in the Crown Mines area.”

“At this stage, we can also confirm that of this number, 337 were males of Bangledeshi, Pakistani and Chinese origin while 18 were Chinese females.Those arrested are being held at the Lindela Deportation Centre while awaiting the issuance of travel documents from their diplomatic representatives in South Africa following which they will be deported to their countries of origin.”

“We have reason to believe that these 355 undocumented immigrants were smuggled into the country by syndicates operating in both South Africa and their countries of origin.”

“These arrests and others like it send a positive message that government will not tolerate corruption and those implicated in such activities will face the full might of the law,” concluded McKay.

Enquiries:
Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587

Issued by: Department of Home Affairs
20 Jan 2011

About 1200 ha of crop land, mainly for maize, lucerne and sunflower is under water

DARD issues floods assessment forms for farmers

19 Jan 2011

The North West MEC responsible for Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), Mr Boitumelo Tshwene says the recent incessant rains remain a cause for concern to his department because farmers are most likely to incur losses as a result of flooding in their production fields.

To determine the extent of floods damage to livestock and crop, the Risk and Disaster Management unit attached to the DARD is currently distributing floods assessment forms for completion by farmers throughout the province.

“At present, we are unable to make any justifiable conclusion on the situation, and can only wait for the water level to subside”, maintains Tshwene.

Tshwene says however that his Department is on daily basis receiving reports from various departmental District offices which have so far revealed that about 1200 ha of crop land, mainly for maize, lucerne and sunflower, has been affected. According to the reports, no livestock mortality has been recorded as a result of floods.

Farmers are therefore encouraged to engage their local Agricultural Extension and Advisory officers on the said assessment forms and their completion thereof. Departmental officials will on receipt of completed forms conduct a physical assessment for facts verification purposes.

MEC Tshwene further advices farmers situated in the low lying areas to move to highveld areas to prevent more loss of human lives, and to be on alert as more heavy rains are anticipated.

The North West province is amongst the seven provinces that will soon be declared disaster areas in the country, and government has for that purpose prioritised humanitarian relief, the repair and upgrading of public infrastructure and agricultural relief as extraordinary interventions.

MEC Tshwene urges farmers to contact the Department’s Risk and Disaster Management officials for further information on the following numbers:

Gladys Botsane 
Cell: 082 314 5622 

Seitebaleng Bareki 
Cell: 072 313 3305

Media enquiries: 
Ms Bonolo Mohlakoana
Tel: 018 389 5719 
Cell: 082 901 2435

Issued by: North West Agriculture and Rural Development
19 Jan 2011