By Ian Macdonald, published 23/06/2005


Business confidence in South Africa has increased in the second quarter of 2005, according to figures released by the Bureau for Economic Research (BER) this week.

The BER/Rand Merchant Bank Business Confidence Index (BCI) rebounded to 82 in the second quarter, up from 79 in the first. Although the index is below the 23-year high reached late last year, business confidence remains high: more than 8 out of every 10 executives participating in the BER surveys rated prevailing business conditions as satisfactory.

Reasons for the increase in business confidence include a reversal in retailer and wholesaler confidence, the weaker rand, and the unexpected interest rate cut. The R33bn investment of Barclays in ABSA lifted investor confidence.

Business confidence has made a decisive break with its structural decline over the 1980s and first half of the 1990s. The BCI increase corresponds with South African economy moving to higher growth path. The BER believes that 2005 will be a year of consolidation at a high level, and that business confidence should move largely sideways this year. So, while the cracking pace of consumer and investment expenditure last year is unlikely to persist, no slump is expected either.

Two beggars are sitting side by side on a street in Mexico City. One has a cross in front of him, the other one the Star of David. Many people go by and look at both beggars, but only put money into the hat of the beggar sitting behind the cross.

A priest comes by, stops and watches throngs of people giving money to the beggar behind the cross, but none give to the beggar behind the Star of David.

Finally, the priest goes over to the beggar behind the Star of David and says, "My poor fellow, don't you understand? This is a Catholic country. People aren't going to give you money if you sit there with a Star of David in front of you, especially when you're sitting beside a beggar who has a cross. In fact, they would probably give to him just out of spite."

The beggar behind the Star of David listened to the priest, turned to the beggar with the cross and said, "Moishe, look who's trying to teach the Goldstein brothers about marketing."

Can anyone tell me how much a person is allowed to take out of S.A in travellers cheques if going on holiday to the UK?

Winning streak for SA doubles tennis stars
London - It was a real strawberries-and-cream weekend at Wimbledon for South Africans.

A day after South Africa's Wesley Moodie and Australia's Stephen Huss made history by becoming the first qualifiers to win the Wimbledon men's doubles title, fellow South African Liezel Huber and Zimbabwe's Cara Black were crowned Wimbledon women's doubles champions after demolishing Svetlana Kuznetsova and Amelie Mauresmo 6-2, 6-1 in Sunday's final.

Contesting their second grand slam final in six weeks after finishing runners up at Roland Garros, the second seeds produced an immaculate performance, with Black in especially impressive form.

Huber said she could not have picked a better event to win her first grand slam. She said they had received over £200 000 in prize money to share. "The win means a great deal and shows that South Africans can still compete at the highest level." Full Story IOL

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This is great news

ok:

ARGGGHHHH !!!!!

I can't believe it !!!!

Kimi and Montoya ahead of Shummi after their pit stops :bigcry:

The 2005 event started today with the time-trial

and as I watch I see Armstrong close a minute on Ullrich and pass him.

voi voi

This man should stay off the sauer kraut and werners ... will he ever learn

onwards and forwards

can the Texan do it again

Hagar ... Tracy

A negative thought came to my mind.
He wore a charming smile
And I was sorely tempted
to invite him in awhile.
And as I hesitated,
He tapped softly on the door
And whispered through the keyhole
As he'd often done before.

He said, "I'll help you hold your grudge,
I'll help you sing the blues,
It seems like all your folks and friends
have turned their backs on you."
He said, "You've been misunderstood,
Mistreated and maligned.
I'll help you cry your heart out
If you'll let me come inside"

But, I kept my windows fastened
And my doors securely closed,
For I knew I'd be the loser
If I let him take control
For negative thoughts can multiply
And crowd the positives out
And make the mind a cesspool
Of anxiety and doubt.

And so I told the negative thought
I could not let him in.
He went his way, but I am sure
That he'll return again.

But no more will I greet him
With a welcome or a smile
And never will I entertain him
Even for awhile.
I'll fill my mind with positive thoughts
And on the door install
a sign which reads, "DO NOT DISTURB"
when negative comes to call
For tho' he knocks a thousand times
And yet, a thousand more
He cannot dominate my mind if I don't open the door.
~Author Unknown

You've wandered far from me my child,
In search of what you'd be.
But I've always followed close behind,
Turn around and look at me.

For all your struggle and your pain,
Just what have you achieved?
A life of worldly goods decayed,
Where nothing is believed?

I know it's hard to look at me,
Much like Adam in your sin;
But I call all children to my throne,
Not caring where you've been.

No, you weren't created perfect child,
And mistakes - you've made a few;
But my Son has borne them on the cross,
Do you doubt my word is true?

As He is mine eternally,
Through Him you are the same;
There is no need for fear or doubt,
No further need for shame.

Just cast your cares upon me,
And confess your sins complete;
That I may be our Father now,
And lift you to your feet.

Or is your pain so precious,
And the tears you've cried so sweet,
That you'd deny His wounded side,
The holes in His hands and feet?

By His blood you are made spotless,
By His body you're made free;
And My Love is waiting here My Child
Turn around now - reach for Me!

Author Unknown

FOR THE GARDEN OF YOUR DAILY LIVING
PLANT THREE ROWS OF PEAS:

1. Peace of mind
2. Peace of heart
3. Peace of soul

PLANT FOUR ROWS OF SQUASH:
1. Squash gossip
2. Squash indifference
3. Squash grumbling
4. Squash selfishness

PLANT FOUR ROWS OF LETTUCE:
1. Lettuce be faithful
2. Lettuce be kind
3. Lettuce be patient
4. Lettuce really love one another

NO GARDEN WITHOUT TURNIPS:
1. Turnip for meetings
2. Turnip for service
3. Turnip to help one another

TO CONCLUDE OUR GARDEN WE MUST HAVE THYME:
1. Thyme for each other
2. Thyme for family
3. Thyme for friends

WATER FREELY WITH PATIENCE AND CULTIVATE WITH LOVE THERE IS MUCH FRUIT IN YOUR GARDEN BECAUSE YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW.

Help please :bigcry:

My Canon S200 printer is not printing like it is supposed to. I have brand new black and colour cartridges in, but the picture still only prints blue and black. I have done a head clean....

Any help would be appreciated......