Hi there all you Saffers,

I am doing research for a new export company looking into exporting South African dry foods to middle east. We will be based in Cairo, Egypt but will send on from there to other middle east countries.

What I am trying to establishis how many Saffers there are in the region. If you live there, please let me know where and what sort of food stuffs you are missing like crazy and would love to get hold of.

Thanks for your time, :help:


edit: thread forumadmin sanctioned

I'm watching the Bislett Games in Oslo ....... Mbulaena Mulaudzi ran 800m in 1:44.08 :cheer:

Now I call on all of you who are old hands with babies.

Josh is generally a very good baby, and he eats and sleeps quite well.

I have noticed that in the last week he has started to skip a bottle a day. I am not overly concerned, but I'd rather ask the question.

He has been eating 5oz every 3 hours or so, without skipping a beat, but since Monday this pattern has changed. He now sleeps/plays for much longer in between bottles, this eliminating a bottle in the process.

He goes to bed between 8 - 9pm and then only wakes up at about 2 -3 am for his bottle. In the morning, he has a bottle at abour 7am and from there it is anything between 4 - 6 hours before he has a bottle and then again 4 - 6 hours before he asks for the next one....

Is it normal for babies to start eating/drinking less?

PS: He is 3 1/2 months now, and I haven't given him any solids yet... should I?

Have just finished reading this book by Khaled Hosseini - is an excellent read.


This is what the Daily Telegraph had to say about it - A dvastating, masterful and painfully honest story.

Sums it up very very well.

:am:Beeld-deurloop: Cecille Cilliers


Lê ek nou die dag onder die bekwame hande van my fisioterapeut terwyl Bach of Mozart of Haydn of een van die ander ou grotes in die agtergrond weerklink

Ek is 'n musikale analfabeet: kan elke wysie saamneurie, maar geen komponis of die naam van sy skepping bly by my steek nie - in skerp teëstelling met die vrou wat besig is om pynlik die kinkels uit die kabel van my nek te haal. Sy het naamlik onlangs haar doktorsgraad behaal met 'n proefskrif oor die helende eienskappe van musiek, en is by magte om elke komposisie op presies daardie grondslag te beoordeel.

Nou terwyl sy vryf en druk en trek en smeer, vertel sy 'n klein, boeiende verhaal.

Klankassosiasie, sê sy, is tog 'n interessante ding. So weet sy altyd wanneer die man wat op gereelde grondslag in haar buurt swart sakke verkoop, by haar veiligheidshek is, want hy lig nie sy vinger van die deurklokkie af voordat sy op die interkom na sy besigheid gevra het nie. 'n Lang, lang toon op die klok, weet sy, beteken dis die swartsak-man by die hek.

Daarom was dit vir haar vreemd toe sy nou die nag uit 'n diep, diep slaap wakker word om die geluid van die klokkie te hoor, 'n geluid wat nie end kry nie. Iemand leun daarop. Die swartsak-man, dink sy beneweld, hoekom sou hy om halftwee in die oggend voor my deur staan?

Maar toe sy op die interkom vra wie daar is, is dit die polisie. Mevrou, sê die sersant, toe ons ons rondes doen, sien ons jou veiligheidshek staan oop. Gee ons asseblief verlof om in te kom en seker te maak dat jou werf veilig is.
Sy is verwonderd oor hierdie onverwagte diens, en ewe verwonderd (hoort ons te wees, wonder ek op my beurt?) oor die polisie se deeglikheid en paraat heid. Hulle deursoek die werf, vind niks verdags nie, en klik oplaas die veiligheidshek stewig agter hulle dig.

Maar toe, sê sy, terwyl sy my op die ander sy laat draai, kan sy natuurlik glad nie slaap nie.

Maar die proefskrif was nie tevergeefs nie: sy sit Haydn se Nelson-mis (Missa in angustiis: Mis in 'n tyd van beproewing) in haar CD-speler, en binne tien minute is sy vas aan die slaap.

Min soos ek van musiek af weet, roer iets in my. Nelson- mis? vra ek. Hier in Vishoek is my adres mos Trafalgar Place, en vanjaar word die 200 jaar sedert die Slag van Trafalgar en Nelson se dood gedenk. Hoe kom Haydn en Nelson bymekaar uit?

Ek het geweet jy sal gëinteres seerd wees, sê sy, met die tevredenheid van een wat inligting het om mee te deel.

Die Oostenrykse prins Esterhazy was Haydn se werkgewer, en in September 1800 toe admiraal Nelson en sy minnares Lady Hamilton in Eisenstadt by die prins aan huis was, is hierdie mis ter ere van Nelson uitgevoer, waarskynlik onder die leiding van Haydn self. Die mis is presies twee jaar vantevore die eerste keer uitgevoer om prins Esterhazy se verjaardag te gedenk, slegs 'n maand ná Nelson se oorwinning oor die Franse onder Napoleon in die baai van Aboukir in wat bekend staan as die Slag van die Nyl, 1 Julie 1798.

Ek kry nie net lekker nie, maar ná die pyn voel ek sommer stukke beter. En terloops, vra ek, nie dat ek sal onthou nie, wat was vanmiddag se musiek? Sy lag. Haydn se Nelson-mis, sê sy. Vir tye van beproewing bedoel!

If Springbok coach Jake White had to take his hard-earned salary to the bookies and bet on any individual South African most likely to win a tight Test against Australia on Saturday, he would have little hesitation backing Percy Montgomery to do the job.

In the post-match euphoria of South Africa's 33-20 win over Australia at Ellis Park last Saturday to win the Mandela Plate, it was easy to forget that both sides had scored three tries.

Not for the first time, the essential difference between the two teams was the boot of Montgomery. The 31-year-old fullback finished the match with 18 points and a perfect seven, weighing in with four penalties and three conversions.

Australia's Matt Giteau and Stirling Mortlock, by contrast, both ended the match having succeeded with two out of four attempts at the posts.

Jones acknowledged that goal-kicking was a concern
Now Wallaby coach Eddie Jones, making four changes to his starting line-up from the team that lost at Ellis Park, will begin the Test at Loftus with Giteau as the only goal-kicker.

That is because Jones favours the powerful running of centre Morgan Turinui as the best counter to the defensive attributes of Jaque Fourie. But in the process he has benched Mortlock.

The other changes to the Wallaby team are Matt Dunning replacing Al Baxter at tighthead prop, Mark Chisholm making way for the South African-born lock Daniel Vickerman and John Roe in at flank for Rocky Elsom.

This leaves Giteau, with only a 30 percent success rate with the boot in his last three Tests, up against South Africa's most prolific points-scorer of all time.

Announcing his team on Wednesay, Jones acknowledged that goal-kicking was a concern. But he quickly added that he had full confidence in Giteau to deliver the points, particularly if they are at a premium.

'The most professional player in my squad'
The South African benchmark, previously set by the great Naas Botha, was reached and breached by Montgomery against New Zealand during 2004's Tri-Nations. Montgomery has subsequently stretched his tally to 487 points in 66 Tests from 16 tries, 85 conversions, 75 penalties and four drop goals.

In 2004 Montgomery was given a second lease on life as a Springbok and seized the moment when he returned from Wales to rejuvenate his career. In the first four Tests he played, he never missed a kick for poles - his boot made a huge contribution to South Africa winning the two-Test series against Ireland as a starter to the main course of the Tri-Nations. Now White describes his blond fullback as "the most professional player in my squad".

A far cry from the Montgomery who made his Test debut against the British Lions in 1997 and quickly earned a reputation for being a scatterbrain and a magnet for abuse, particularly from up-country fans, with his silver boots and the "Full Monty" strip-show commercial he appeared in.

Many will also remember the Montgomery who only kicked one out of four against New Zealand at Newlands in 2001 when South Africa lost 12-3.

Today he ranks among the most deadly marksmen in world rugby, a kicker boasting the accuracy of a sniper and one good reason for the Springboks, to start Saturday's Test with confidence.

"The moment Monty gets on the bus he starts focusing and getting switched on for training," said White, explaining the turnaround. White explained that Montgomery's transfer from Western Province to Gwent Dragons had brought about a metamorphosis.

"When he went to Wales he did not have the profile he enjoyed back in South Africa."

"He realised that rugby was his life and that if he wanted to extend his career, he would only achieve this through hard work and dedication."

"In the process he applied himself with utmost dedication and found a kicking style that worked best for him. It's great to have a kicker like Monty in the side and a player who has matured into a great role model for youngsters too," said White.

London - South Africa striker Benni McCarthy has raised the stakes in his face-off with Porto by telling the former European champions he will not renew his current contract which expires in two years.

"We have already discussed this point and he won't renew," his agent Rob Moore told Portuguese radio station Radio Renascenca.

Moore said Porto had rejected a bid for McCarthy from Blackburn Rovers but the 27-year-old was still intent on playing in the English premiership this season.

"He still has two years left on his contract and he will play it out. He is a professional. But that doesn't mean he doesn't want another challenge," Moore said.

"On the contrary he wants to play with another club, preferably in England. But while he is with Porto he will do his job to the best of his abilities and always with a smile on his face," he added.

McCarthy, Porto's top scorer for the past two seasons, almost went to Everton last season before Porto quashed the deal at the last minute.

London - David Beckham's marketability may be fading.

The England captain and Real Madrid star - soccer's most recogniable player - has been dropped as the advertising face of the mobile-phone giant Vodafone.

Vodafone announced Tuesday that it had ended its three-year deal with the 30-year-old Beckham. The initial two-year contract was renewed 12 months ago, but expired on July 1.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank David for his contribution and involvement with all of our marketing initiatives over the last three years," Peter Bamford, Vodafone's chief marketing officer, said in a statement.

He said the contract was ended by "mutual agreement."

Beckham's annual income is the highest of any soccer player in the world, estimated at $32-million by Forbes magazine. The magazine reported $24-million came from endorsements.

Beckham's Vodafone contract was reported to be worth about $1.75-million a year. His also has major deals with Pepsi, Adidas and Gillette. The Gillette deal is the largest, worth about $7.5-million.

Vodafone spokesperson Maria Bellanca said it was unclear if the company would seek a replacement for Beckham.

"We don't have anybody ready at the minute," Bellanca said. "We will look at that and if it's appropriate bring a new person on board." - Sapa-AP

Cape Town soccer is at the crossroads.

It has been standing there - undecided and indifferent - for a long, long time. But with South Africa due to host the World Cup in 2010 and cities scrambling to be part of the prestigious event, the pressure is on Cape Town to prove that it has a soccer support base to justify its inclusion as one of the host cities.

The sport in this city has to make a decision on where it wants to go. Either it places itself on a road that makes a determined and concerted effort to win back the Cape Town supporter, or it finds itself in a position where it remains the ignored step-child of South African soccer.

As Premier League chief executive Trevor Phillips admitted in an interview earlier this week: "... not enough is being done to sell the soccer message in Cape Town".

'Not enough is being done to sell the soccer message in Cape Town'
So what are the problems? And are there any solutions for enticing supporters back to the sport known as the beautiful game?

For Santos boss Goolam Allie, the problem starts with administrators.

"For a long time now there has been little co-operation between between SAFA-WP and the professional clubs," said Allie. "There is no unity of purpose. Everything is done separately and in opposition to one another."

"Every club wants to be an island. Everybody wants to do his own thing and there is little encouragement for youngsters to get out and watch the sport."

"Instead of the loving the game of soccer and doing everything to promote the development of the sport, it has all become about personalities... individuals have placed their own personal aspirations above the betterment of the game."

'We are constantly being bombarded with English football'
SAFA-WP President Vernon Seymour agrees with Allie to an extent, but emphasises that progress has been made in trying to address this lack of unity.

"In the past, there was great soccer support because the amateur and professional codes were a lot closer together," said Seymour. "But the giant organisation and structures of modern professional football has created a massive gap between the two codes."

"What needs to be done is to bridge that gap, bring the professional teams closer to their amateur counterparts, and then see how we can promote and develop the game in the city."

Seymour said there is now an agreement in place that will see the two Premier League clubs, Ajax Cape Town and Santos, the two First Division clubs, Vasco da Gama and FC Fortune, and SAFA-WP meet on a regular basis to have discussions on finding solutions that benefit the improvement of football and its support base in Cape Town."

Seymour was adamant, though, that the media also had a role to play. This is something very close to the WP president's heart and he was scathing in his criticism of some newspapers and radio stations in the city.

"It's been a major problem down the years," he said. "The promotion of European soccer remains an issue. It started in the bad days of apartheid and has continued in the new era of democracy."

"The media, as the creators of public perception, are just as culpable for the state of soccer in Cape Town. They have a role to play in selling local football to the public. They have to make a much bigger investment in creating awareness of the sport. Instead we are constantly being bombarded with English football... "

"With genuine collaboration between the media, SAFA-WP and the professional clubs, we can make things better, thereby developing the sport and taking it to its rightful place as one of the most popular in the city."

But what else lurks in the mind of the local soccer supporter? Cape Town has a strong soccer culture and some of the greats of the domestic game have emerged from these shores. So surely there are other issues contributing to the dwindling support on the terraces.

Former Hellenic coach Neven Payne, who played professionally for Hellenic and Santos and is now director of coaching at the Cape Town-Tygerberg district, says Premier League clubs need to look at the composition of their squads.

"Supporters don't know the players, so why should they bother coming to watch professional teams," said Payne. "They have too many players from neighbouring African countries and other parts of South Africa. So much so that local fans cannot identify with the teams anymore."

"Like it or not, this is a different kind of city. The supporters are parochial. "When I played we attracted people from the townships we came from. If you were from Heideveld, Manenberg, Elsies River or Bonteheuwel, the people from those places followed the team because you played there. We made an impact on their lives, we were examples they could hold up as players who came from backgrounds and surroundings similar to theirs."

"Now, players and supporters feel nothing for each other. Premier League derbies mean nothing because the current players don't understand the rivalry and the dynamics attached to them."

Payne also adds clubs have to make it worthwhile for the supporter to leave the comfort of his home to come to soccer.

"It's not like the old days when there was nothing else to do, but watch soccer," stressed Payne. "There are so many other entertainment options available... there's television with a surfeit of soccer options, and cinemas, malls, casinos, etc."

"Football has to realise that it is in the entertainment business. If it wants a share of the public's hard-earned money, it has to produce quality soccer."

And that is a point conceded by Ajax chief executive John Comitis, who has spent the past nine years as an administrator desperately trying to woo back generations of lost soccer supporters.

"I've tried everything, from fancy marketing to all manner of world-class ideas. Nothing has really worked," says Comitis.

"Most importantly... you cannot fool the Cape Town soccer supporter. It all comes down to quality. And that's something I have communicated to the coaches and players in my teams."

"But based on my experiences with marketing and promotion of soccer over the years, I have come to just one conclusion. I've tried everything, I'm down to the last throw of the dice: I'm taking the game to the people. I believe that is the only way soccer can go."

To achieve his new goal, Comitis has taken Ajax away from Newlands and moved the team to Athlone for the new season, which kicks off next week. Then they will be building a brand new stadium in Phillippi, which places the team in the midst of, and within reach of, the traditional Cape Town soccer fan. "I've realised over the years that the R20 entrance fee for games eventually boils down to something like R50 a game when taking transport into consideration. For the ordinary fan, that is a hefty sum of money."

"So instead of asking them to come to us, I'm taking the team to them. It's my last resort. I'm excited about it."

"In Phillippi, we'll rub shoulders with the surrounding communities. In the past, because of Newlands, it was always felt that Ajax were a little elitist, now we are effectively telling them 'Here we are, right in your backyard'."

By Jacques van der Westhuyzen

WP vs Griquas
Friday in Cape Town, 7pm

ItÂ’s not often that these two teams are the Currie CupÂ’s top billing.

But such is the nature of the new qualifying structure that invariably a weekend such as this will arise where there really is nothing to get excited about.
The home side have suffered just one defeat

Western Province and Griquas, however, have been two of the better sides in the competition thus far, mixing structure and control with flair and a bit of the outrageous.

The home side have suffered just one defeat, to Free State in round one – the team Griquas narrowly lost to last weekend – but have since then managed to put big scores past their opponents.

TheyÂ’re a sound bunch up front with a number of seasoned campaigners, while among the backs there are the game-breakers such as captain Werner Greeff and Earl Rose.

The visitors though are not a team to be overawed by the occasion and should give a good account of themselves in Cape Town.

Under Gysie Pienaar theyÂ’ve found a new belief and confidence and while they lost by a mere two points last Saturday, have been the surprise package of the season.
The difference in class between these two teams is enormous

Whether theyÂ’re good enough to be counted among the genuine challengers for the title this year though will be revealed after this trip to Cape Town.

A win for the Province boys will move them to top spot in the section, while Griquas will remain in third place even if they manage a rare win. PienaarÂ’s men, however, have a game in hand and could still end the round in first place.

Prediction: WP, just


Leopards vs Bulldogs
Friday in Potchefstroom, 7pm

Thankfully this drab qualifying round is heading to its conclusion.

With one victory apiece in four games, the Bulldogs and Leopards occupy positions five and six in their section and are in a rivalry to see which of the two will make the Top Eight.

A good victory this weekend will put either side in a position to challenge fourth spot so thereÂ’s plenty at stake for both.

The Bulldogs narrowly edged the Griffons last weekend and should be favourites going into this tie, but with the Leopards well rested after a break and the fact the match is being played in Potchefstroom, writing off the home side would not be wise.

Prediction: Leopards, just


Sharks vs Elephants
Friday in Durban, 7pm

If thereÂ’s going to be a hiding dished out this weekend, itÂ’s going to come in this fixture.

The difference in class between these two teams is enormous and one can expect the Sharks, who have won four out of four this year, to make it win number five after 80 minutes.

The confidence is slowly returning to the Sharks camp, who seem to be playing better and better as the season progresses.

For the Elephants, only a miracle will see them come away with any kind of respectability. TheyÂ’ve got only one win in four outings, and that came in the dying seconds against the Falcons.

Prediction: Sharks by 40


Griffons vs Pumas
Friday in Welkom, 7pm

Yet another match this weekend that will not have fans scrambling for the paper on Saturday morning. Only the die-hard fans will have any interest in this clash as both sides look set to do battle in the lower division from next month.

The Pumas have struggled to put a decent team together this year, let alone a decent performance. TheyÂ’re winless after four outings with just one bonus point to show for their efforts and are not likely to add to that points haul after tomorrowÂ’s match.

Welkom is a tough place to play and with the Griffons in fourth spot, on six points, the home side will be looking to cause another minor surprise.

Prediction: Griffons by 10

Eagles vs Falcons
Friday in George, 3.15pm

A genuine bottom of the table clash, with nothing other than pride to play for.

Neither side has managed to get a win this year and after four games must already be planning for the Bankfin Cup.

The Falcons suffered a massive 67-31 defeat on their home ground last week, and while there are a few good individual performers in the Brakpan-based side, as a team theyÂ’ve scared no-one.

The Eagles will be looking to regroup after conceding more than 50 points in Wellington last weekend as they go in search of their first points of the season.

While it should be a hard as nails encounter, itÂ’s unlikely to produce anything special.

Prediction: Falcons by 15



At a glance

Section X
August 5 Blue Bulls vs Sharks, Pretoria; Elephants v Eagles, PE; Falcons vs Cavaliers, Brakpan

August 13 Lions vs Blue Bulls; Johannesburg

P W D L F A Pts
Bulls 4 4 0 0 230 77 20
Lions 5 4 0 1 177 84 20
Sharks 4 4 0 0 162 73 19
Cavaliers 5 2 0 3 165 146 11
Elephants 4 1 0 3 95 159 6
Falcons 4 0 0 4 82 180 3
Eagles 4 0 0 4 39 231 0

Section Y
Griffons vs Cheetahs, Welkom; Leopards vs Griquas, Potchefstroom; Bulldogs vs Pumas, East London

P W D L F A Pts
Cheetahs 5 5 0 0 166 54 22
WP 5 4 0 1 193 101 21
Griquas 4 3 0 1 148 72 15
Griffons 4 1 0 3 100 141 6
Bulldogs 4 1 0 3 71 130 6
Leopards 4 1 0 3 104 189 6
Pumas 4 0 0 4 74 169 1