This 'n That

South African Real Estate Market Looks Set To Remain Flat In 2012

Posted by John on 28 February 2012, 10:00 am

Absa House Price Index 2004 - 2012 -- click to enlarge

The South African economy in 2011 grew by an estimated real 3%. Jacques du Toit, Senior Property Analyst, ABSA, says that the economy in 2012 is forecast to grow by 2.8%.

The lower growth will be largely due to a slowing world economy which may impact negatively on South African export volumes.

This should be somewhat mitigated by a weaker year-on-year exchange rate. In turn, this should help to benefit South African export earnings.

The inflation rate is forecast to remain above the 6% level throughout 2012. This is right at the top end of the Reserve Bank’s 3-6% target range.
Continue reading ‘South African Real Estate Market Looks Set To Remain Flat In 2012’ »

Filed under Business & Finance, Real Estate.

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Ethiopia: King Solomon The Queen Of Sheba And The Black Jews — Part 1

Posted by John on 18 February 2012, 8:55 pm

King Solomon receives the Queen of Sheba. This beautiful example of medieval stained glass dates from 1180AD and is the Second Typological Window in the north quire aisle of Canterbury Cathedral – Image: Sacred Destinations

The modern history of the Jews in Ethiopia begins with the reunification of Ethiopia in the mid-19th century during the reign of Theodore II. At that time the Jewish community, known as Beta Israel, numbered between 200,000 to 350,000 people.

This little known story, with roots that reach back to the time of Abraham, starts with the union of the great King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. In Part 2 a promise is fulfilled. They are welcomed by the Jewish state, like prodigal sons returning to the land of Israel.

The name Beta Israel originated in the 4th century AD when the community refused to convert to Christianity during the rule of Abraha and Atsbeha

Perhaps the earliest Hebraic people came to the land of Ethiopia during the time of the prolonged drought and famine in Canaan at the time of Abraham (1812-1637BC).
Continue reading ‘Ethiopia: King Solomon The Queen Of Sheba And The Black Jews — Part 1’ »

Filed under History, Religion.

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Smartphones: Top Five Apps to Use for School Assignments

Posted by Lindsey on 18 February 2012, 8:42 pm

Smartphone apps save you time and increase your productivity

Every new Smartphone app is created to assist you in some way, whether it’s to facilitate shopping, follow your favorite sports teams or check the weather forecast.

There are even apps to help you improve your learning experience. Such apps help you stay organized, reduce the amount of time you spend tracking down reading assignments and information, and help you complete higher-quality assignments.

Once you try the following apps, you may never start another semester without them.
Continue reading ‘Smartphones: Top Five Apps to Use for School Assignments’ »

Filed under Technology. Tagged applications, education

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Gold In The Sky At Sunset On The Bot River Estuary

Posted by John on 24 January 2012, 9:07 pm

Sunset On The Bot River Estuary -- click to enlarge

Here on the southern tip of Africa it’s 7:50pm and the sun is sinking on the beautiful Bot River Estuary.

One can just make out the estuary mouth at extreme left on the horizon.

The estuary mouth remains closed to the sea for long periods, sometimes years, before it opens naturally to start a new breeding cycle for the many species of fish that populate the estuary.

Image: John L Bradfield

Filed under Environment, Nature.

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The Bottle of Le Good Life

Posted by Anthony on 3 January 2012, 4:05 pm

The Bottle of le Good Life -- a poem by Anthony Smith.
Photograph by Anthony Smith (click to enlarge)

The beauty she possesses when she smiles with her eyes
Outshines the stars in the brightly lit night skies.
The ecstasy of her sultry eyes could not be compared
With the tranquillity of sunset and sunrise.

She is like an engine of beauty volted with love.
It’s just like finding a diamond in the rough.
She is like a beautiful dove that tempts me
Into something only sweeter than her love.

The clarity and soothness of her voice
Makes my heart pound without choice

She’s like a bottle of le Good life
Enriched with bubbles of sparkling personality.

Filed under Uncategorized.

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Website Happy First Birthday Chocolate Cake Surprise Delight

Posted by John on 22 December 2011, 8:54 pm

Website Happy First Birthday Chocolate Cake Surprise Delight -- lasted less than 24 hours.

The special woman in my life, who happens to be my dear wife, has once again managed to confirm a persistent suspicion of mine — it happens a lot — that she has a heart of gold and is descended from angels.

Yesterday was the first anniversary of the launch of this website. Exactly one year ago, yesterday, this website made it’s first tentative post as the site went live.

On this special day the delicious mouth-watering chocolate cake that you see here, bedecked with lone candle, did not last long.

Filed under News.

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Cancer Related Fatigue Awareness Month for Patients

Posted by Lindsey on 17 December 2011, 6:50 pm

Chocolate may ease symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome: research -- Source: The Telegraph

We’re halfway through the month of December, which has been designated as Cancer Related Fatigue Awareness Month. Most cancer patients and their families know that the treatments for cancer, as well as the disease itself, can take a serious toll on a person’s energy level. For patients fighting cancer during the holidays, being aware of the signs of fatigue can be especially important.

“Chocolate may ease symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome: research – Source: The Telegraph“

While feeling completely drained of energy can be a symptom of cancer and its treatment, being fatigued for a lengthy period of time can lead to other issues, like depression. But identifying the causes and working with a doctor can help cancer patients work toward feeling like themselves again.
Continue reading ‘Cancer Related Fatigue Awareness Month for Patients’ »

Filed under Fitness & Health.

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Botswana Guitar Fretting Technique You Have To See

Posted by John on 14 December 2011, 5:58 pm

This technique is straight out of Africa.

Botswana is an independent, democratic, African country on South Africa’s border.

Formerly it was known as the British Protectorate of Bechuanaland.

Source: Boing Boing

Filed under Music.

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Hermanus Based Artist Terry Kobus Lighthouse at Danger Point

Posted by John on 12 December 2011, 11:56 am

Dangerpoint Caretaker -- oil on wood -- artisit Terry Kobus

An exercise in stillness, this superb oil-on-wood study of a the famous Overberg historical landmark “Dangerpoint Caretaker” painted by Hermanus based local artist Terry Kobus.

Terry and some of his works have been featured in an earlier post on this website. Most paintings, in the artist’s own words . .

“. . capture moments in time away from big city in the grasslands of the Drakensberg and Transkei and along the beaches of the Western Cape.”

For me this painting is no exception and beautifully captures the deep tranquillity, the stillness, of the landscape in this beautiful part of the coast near Gansbaai and Hermanus.

Danger Point Lighthouse was built in 1895. Danger Point was named Ponte de Sao Brandao by Bartholomew Dias on 16 May 1488. The light house received its name because of the treacherous reef and submerged rocks which make this a very hazardous passage for ships hugging the coast. The tower itself has an interesting octagonal construction.

You can find Terry at work most days in his studio at the Originals Gallery in Hermanus. It’s right in the heart of the waterfront area of Hermanus and it’s also known as a very popular destination for land-based whale-watching tourists.

Filed under Art.

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