The
Delamere-International Newsletter ©
Edition
of 30 November 2003 #129
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This Month's Sponsor
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Tools.
IN THIS ISSUE
1. Business: Money moving out of Russia. Why?
2. Business: Campaign to improve business in Cape Town
3. Business: Employment reference checks
4. Business: Gold Fields South Africa to invest in China
5. Business: Handling a difficult employee
6. Business: How Can we help Zimbabwe
7. Business: Investing in Botswana
8. Business: Investing Offshore
9. Business: It's cheap to start a business in South Africa
10. Business: Kenya refuses work permits
11. Business: The South African Rand (Currency)
12. Education: A Catalogue of the Churchill Papers
13. Education: A history of the 2nd World War
14. Education: Captain Cook Society
15. Education: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
16. Education: Explore National American Indian Heritage Month
17. Education: How did apartheid start in South Africa?
18. Education: Propaganda Postcards of the Great War
19. Education: The Stonehenge Project
20. Immigration: An easier way to get into the UK
21. Immigration: Illegals in UK to be given amnesty
22. Immigration: Tougher Rules for South Africa
23. Internet: India advances to help the illiterate
24. Real Estate: House prices in South Africa
25. Travel: Enjoy a visit to Cape Town & South Africa
26. Travel: How about a game of golf - at a price!
27. Travel: New Luxury Hotel to be built in Cape Town
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1. Business: Money moving out of Russia. Why?
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MOSCOW
- Capital flight from Russia has resumed after a net inflow
in the first six months of the year and is expected to total
13.2 billion dollars in the second half of 2003, a top central
bank official said on Monday.
Read
the full report; go to our NEWS
DESK link.
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2. Business: Campaign to improve business in Cape Town
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In
a landmark agreement, big business, the government, labor
unions and civil society in the Western Cape have committed
themselves to the creation of at least 200,000 jobs in the
private and public sector and billions of Rands in infrastructure
development.
The
parties have also agreed to work towards attracting at least
R5-billion in new investment for the province. To read the
full report and how you can personally benefit, got to our
NEWS
DESK link.
Editor's
Note: There are many ways of investing in South Africa;
starting a small business, buying real estate, or buying stocks
and shares on the JSE. Read our web
page in this subject.
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3. Business: Employment reference checks
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Reference
checks are not what they used to be, with many in the personnel
recruitment field also arguing that such checks may be obsolete.
Is this true in today's job market? Read this report; go to
our NEWS
DESK link.
Editor's Note: Visit our employment
page, which covers this subject of how to handle job applications
and background checks of prospective employees.
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4. Business: Gold Fields South Africa to invest in China
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Hong Kong - Gold Fields aimed to step up its investment
in China's gold mining sector, Ian Cockerill, the chief executive,
said at the weekend.
The
company would like to acquire a majority stake and some operational
control over one or more gold mining projects there.
"From
what we have seen in China, the industry is well advanced,"
Cockerill said on the sidelines of the Hong Kong Gold, Diamonds
& Precious Metals Investor Relations Workshop 2003 organised
by South African Omega Investment Research.
He
said more large western gold mining companies would invest
in China, which he called the world's next major gold province.
To
read the full report, go to our NEWS
DESK link
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5. Business: Handling a difficult employee
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It is not uncommon for an employee to resign in the face of
a disciplinary hearing. But if the employee does not resign,
can the employer offer resignation as an alternative to disciplinary
action? To read the full report, go to our NEWS
DESK link.
Editor's
Note: For more details on the subject of human
resources, we invite you to visit
our web page.
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6. Business: How can we help Zimbabwe
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Cape
Town - Britain will help the international community rebuild
the beautiful country of Zimbabwe once it has a democratically
accountable government, British Minister for Africa Chris
Mullin said in Cape Town on Monday.
To
read the full account, go to our NEWS
DESK link.
Editor's
Note: For more information on how Delamere-Pennine
Associates is assisting this country, and how you can
also help, visit our web page on global
trade at this link.
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7. Business: Investing in Botswana
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In
its new annual report on Botswana, Moody's Investors Service
says the country's A2/Prime-1 foreign currency ratings and
stable outlook reflect sustained economic growth and an extremely
favorable debt and liquidity position, despite long-term challenges
including the country's high HIV/Aids prevalence and weakened
budget results.The
government's domestic currency, the Pula rating is A1/stable.
Moody's latest report emphasizes Botswana's enduring social
and political stability and the prudent utilization of its
mineral endowment, which has led to sustained growth rates,
rapid expansion of infrastructure, and a remarkable increase
in living standards. To read the full report, go to our NEWS
DESK link.
Editor's
Note: For a picture of the Pula Banknote, which
is one of the most attractive bank notes we have seen, visit
this link.
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8. Business: Investing Offshore
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Although
some foreign exchange control regulations remain, most South
African investors are in reality unlimited in terms of what
they can invest offshore. For those who have less than R1.5
million available for investment, controls are in effect a
thing of the past.
Many
governments, particularly in developing economies, restrict
the extent to which their citizens can invest in foreign countries,
partly to encourage investment in the home market, but also
to ensure the economy's stability.
South
African authorities have seen the advantages of being a member
of the global village and have embarked on the liberalisation
of exchange controls.
To
read the full report, go to our NEWS
DESK link.
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9. Business: It's cheap to start a business in South
Africa
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Johannesburg
- While South Africa has one of the world's most rigid hiring
regimes, it is also one of the cheapest countries in which
to start a business, according to a new report by the International
Finance Corporation.
The
study covers 133 countries and ranges from highly developed
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
countries to very poor countries.
The
cost of starting a business in South Africa is 8.9 percent
of income per capita. This is lower than the average OECD
country, which is 10.2 percent of income per capita. To read
the full report, go to our NEWS
DESK link
Editor's Note: We have just reviewed an e-book on various
ideas of the best businesses to start, either as a major venture
with employees or work at home venture. Visit
this web page
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10. Business: Kenya refuses work permits
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SOME OF the 16,000 expatriates, including 5,000 Westerners,
working in Kenya will not get their work permits renewed in
the ongoing crackdown on foreigners holding non-essential
jobs, the Minister for Labour and Manpower Development, Ali
Mwakwere, told The East African last week.
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11. Business: The South African Rand (Currency)
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A
major report was recently released that the Rand is
the best performing currency in the world and yet the press
has hardly even mentioned this. This report is well worth
reading by our clients who are especially interested in the
future of gold. To read the full report, go to our NEWS
DESK link.
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12. Education: A Catalogue of the Churchill Papers
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The
papers of Sir Winston Churchill from "childhood letters
and school reports to his final writings" have been
indexed, and the over 70,000 entries are searchable or browsable
by time period. Note that while this is an index, the search
results are quite detailed and include abstracts.
The
site also provides a brief biography of Churchill and an overview
of his papers. From Churchill College at the University of
Cambridge. Visit
this site.
Copyright
2003 by Librarians' Index to the Internet, lii.org
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13. Education: A history of the 2nd World War
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With
the passing of another Veteran's Day here in the United States,
many persons may be interested to learn about the everyday
experiences of persons around the world during various military
conflicts.
The
BBC has created this website in an attempt to allow people
to share their reminisces of World War II, and quite a few
stories and tales have been contributed thus far.
Visitors
to the site can browse stories by date, location, or type;
additionally, stories are organized into thematic categories
such as Childhood and Evacuation, Family Life, The Blitz,
and Home Front. For each story, visitors have the option
of commenting on each narrative, or offering their own remembrances
as well.
The
site also offers some links to other online features offered
by the BBC, such as QuickTime movies dealing with various
facets of World War II and another quirky site that details
how the war affected British children. Visit
this site
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14. Education: Captain Cook Society
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This
is a Society for everyone interested in [British explorer]
James Cook (1728-1779).
The
site features chronologies of Cook's life, information about
his ships and family history, images of engravings and stamps
featuring Cook, the wills of Cook and his crew (including
William Bligh), brief extracts from Cook's journals from 1773-1774,
and more. The site also includes book reviews, selected articles
from "Cook's Log" (the society's journal), and hundreds
of related links. Visit
this site
Copyright
2003 by Librarians' Index to the Internet, lii.org
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15. Education: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
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The
CFIDS Association of America is "dedicated to conquering
chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS), also
known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)."
This
site features fact sheets, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
options, a self-assessment questionnaire, research information,
resources for patients and physicians, and an archive of articles
from the organization's publications. Visit
this site
Editor's
Note: Visit our web site on how to deal with health problems
and the various resources available to maintain good health.
Visit
this link
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16. Education: Explore National American Indian Heritage
Month
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Under the theme Strengthening the Spirit, the National
Register of Historic Places (in tandem with the National Park
Service) has developed this site to showcase various historic
properties listed in the National Register and National
Park units that celebrate the achievements of American
Indians and Alaska Natives.
The
site was also produced to draw attention to National American
Indian Heritage Month, and to assist educators with the
process of incorporating into the curriculum field trips to
these places. Some of the featured places on the site include
the Campus Center in Alaska, which served as the location
of the Alaska Federation of Natives conference in 1971
and the Southwestern Range and Sheep Breeding Laboratory Historic
District in New Mexico, which was a part of a New Deal program
to improve sheep breeding.
Educators
will want to look through the Teaching with Historic Places
modules available here that profile additional historical
landmarks and sites that capture important aspects of American
Indian history throughout the country. Visit
this site
The
Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2003
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17. Education: How did apartheid start in South Africa?
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Many
of our readers have asked about doing business in South Africa
and now that the cruel system of Apartheid was legally abolished
in 1994, it would be helpful to know something of how it
started and how it was promoted and enforced, and even
worse actually supported by the majority of the whites living
in South Africa, if not by active support, most by their silence
and passive acceptance of this dreadful inhuman policy.
This
system of separation, for many years, held back the South
African economy from developing to its full potential but
this country is now proving to be one the best international
sources for investment and doing business. We recently received
this interesting information about this question. To read
more, go to our NEWS
DESK link
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18. Education: Propaganda Postcards of the Great War
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The
site features a collection of war-themed postal cards produced
during World War 1 (1914 - 1918). The collection includes
annotated images of hundreds of postcards, information about
selected artists, and links to related sites. This site is
both searchable and browsable. The cards are available in
several languages. All cards shown [on the site] are from
private collections.
Visit this site.
Copyright
2003 by Librarians' Index to the Internet, lii.org.
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19, Education: The Stonehenge Project
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This
site presents news and updates about a project that "is
designed to improve the setting and interpretation of the
Stonehenge World Heritage Site. It will remove the sights
and sounds of the roads and traffic from the area near the
Stones [and] improve the landscape."
The
site features background information about the monument and
the project, project plans, audio reports and interviews,
and documents. This is a collaborative project of several
British agencies and organizations. Visit
this site.
Copyright
2003 by Librarians' Index to the Internet, lii.org
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20. Immigration: An easier way to get into the UK
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The
brightest migrants will find it easier to enter Britain under
plans to relax work permit requirements for highly skilled
foreigners announced yesterday.
Ministers are to lower the number of points immigrants need
to enter Britain on the highly skilled migrant programme and
make it easier for people under 28 years old. To read the
full report, go to our NEWS
DESK link.
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21. Immigration: Illegals in UK to be given amnesty
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Hundreds
of thousands of migrants living and working illegally in Britain
in the twilight world of the "hidden economy" are
to be given a chance to become legitimate under plans being
considered by the home secretary, David Blunkett.
He
has ruled out any question of a general amnesty but wants
to provide a "way out" for illegal migrants who
are often living on poverty wages on the margins of society
but keep the catering and hospitality industries going, particularly
in London and south-east England. To read the full report,
go to our NEWS
DESK link.
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22. Immigration: Tougher Rules for South Africa
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Zimbabweans
wanting to visit South Africa have to meet tough new visa
requirements. It is believed that the measures are to stem
the tide of illegal immigrants entering the country in the
wake of growing economic turmoil and human rights abuses in
Zimbabwe. To read the full report, go to our NEWS
DESK link
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23. Internet: India advances to help the illiterate
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How
do you fill an electronic divide? With a lot of money, apparently.
AFP
reports that India plans to spend $2.7 billion in the next
four years to bridge its growing technological gap, including
building an Internet device that will be accessible to illiterate
villagers. To read the full report, go to our NEWS
DESK link.
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24. Real Estate: House prices in South Africa
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When
compared to the international market, South Africa's house
prices are lagging behind, which could lead to even higher
prices down the line, warn the experts.
It
is not your imagination if you think that house prices in
South Africa on average have increased sharply over the past
few years.
According
to Absa Group Economic Research the price of an average house
has actually doubled from the end of 1997 to the middle of
2003. To read the full report, go to our NEWS
DESK link
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25. Travel: Enjoy a visit to Cape Town & South Africa
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Cape
Town: Okay, you're driving, flying or taking a train and
you arrive in this great city. Well, your options are varied
but you really will need some kind of transport because it's
a hassle getting anywhere unless you have wheels.
Beach
wise you're spoilt. On the Atlantic side you can freeze in
the sea and bake in the sun at Clifton, Camps Bay, Llandudno
or Hout Bay or you can take the warmer Indian Ocean route
and go for Muizenberg, Fish Hoek, St James and Simons Town.
Just across False Bay is the incomparable Gordon's Bay and
Strand.
Perhaps
the most enjoyable beach of all is Boulders because you get
to swim with penguins and, believe me, there's nothing funnier
than donning a mask and snorkel, putting your head beneath
the water and watching a penguin watch you.
To
read the full report, which also provides information on the
best game and national parks to visit, go to our NEWS
DESK link.
Editor's
Note: Dont foget to visit our site Delamere
Travel, which caters for all your travel, flights,
car hire, hotels and more.
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26. Travel: How about a game of golf - at a price!
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What
a shock one of our partners received on a recent visit to
Cape Town. Why? Cape Town golf clubs have increased prices
by up to 400% per round for visitors - both local and international
- as the peak tourism season kicks in. To read the full report,
go to our NEWS
DESK link.
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27. Travel: New Luxury Hotel to be built in Cape Town
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The
"Sun King" - luxury hotel and casino magnate Sol
Kerzner - and his son, Butch, are back in business in South
Africa.
On
Friday, they announced a luxurious six-star resort at the
Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town, which will
be one of the most expensive hotel developments ever seen
in Africa.
Kerzner
International's new 150-room One&Only luxury hotel will
cost more than R450-million. To read the full report, go to
our NEWS
DESK link.
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This month's quote
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"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious
triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank
with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer
much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not
victory nor defeat." - Theodore Roosevelt
