Psychic Predictions for 2013

Insights span such diverse categories as politics, fashion and health

Can Blair Robertson see into the future? His successful forecasts of coming events seem to prove he can.

His past predictions include the Japanese 8.9 earthquake and tsunami, Whitney Houston’s death, sinking of the Costa Concordia, the train fire in India, William and Kate’s pregnancy, accurately predicting the Oscars, and more.

“I call it ‘time projected empathy,’ where I imagine myself reading the headlines in the future,” says Robertson. “I remember the future.”

2013 is looking to be an eventful year, according to Robertson, who has put together his annual predictions.

Blair Robertson Predictions 2013

• I predict a boxer will be killed in the ring (or die shortly thereafter) within the year.
• I predict a famous boxing legend will pass this year.
• I predict that Rihanna and Chris Brown will get engaged.
• I predict it will be revealed Vice President Joe Biden has been under medical care for senile dementia. I predicted his ailment back in 2012.
• 2013 will see the passing of a number of former world heads of state as well as their spouses.
• Japan and China tensions will greatly escalate in the spring.
• Watch for news of a propane tank explosion on the east coast of the US that destroys a “complex.”
• I predict another very large earthquake for Japan and subsequent tsunami within 60 days. I pray I am wrong.
• I predict fewer tornadoes for the USA, but those that do hit will be much more devastating in their power. A possible large one for western Ontario in late April.
• I predict generally bad weather for the southeast and a hurricane that makes landfall in Florida this fall.
• I predict unusual levels of volcanic activity around the Pacific Rim, particularly mid 2013.
• Watch for news of mine disaster in China within 3 months. Many deaths.
• Fashion tragedy: I predict the return of mesh shirts for men.
• Worldwide, I predict we will see more mysterious mass bird deaths and tens of thousands of fish washing up on shore throughout the year. Conspiracy theories will abound.
• I predict a breast cancer breakthrough.
• I predict there will be an unusual amount of people reporting that their diabetes has disappeared. I don’t know if this is a “breakthrough,” but it will puzzle the medical profession.
• I’m seeing an animal removed from the endangered species list this year. I hope it is for a positive reason.
• I’m seeing a massive space collision or accident affecting satellites and communications.
• I predict the next doomsday “fad” will be Solar Flares.
• I predict that the world will not end in 2013. I stake my professional reputation on that. If wrong, I will stop issuing predictions.

http://www.blairrobertson.com 

African Mirror inc. - ENTERTAINMENT

Brand new: starting Summer 2013 two new segments, namely African Mirror inc. - FILM and African Mirror inc. - ENTERTAINMENT, servicing these two industries that are vital to our GDP and job creation. 

Please "like" African Mirror inc. Entertainment on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/AfricanMirrorincEntertainment

African Mirror inc. - FILM

Brand new: starting Summer 2013 two new segments, namely African Mirror inc. - FILM and African Mirror inc. - ENTERTAINMENT, servicing these two industries that are vital to our GDP and job creation. 

Please "like" African Mirror inc. Film on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/AfricanMirrorincFilm

Heritage Day / Braai Day

Heritage Day / Braai Day on 24 September is one of the newly created South African public holidays. It is a day in which all are encouraged to celebrate their cultural traditions in the wider context of the great diversity of cultures, beliefs and traditions that make up the nation of South Africa.

World Rhino Day

World Rhino Day on 22 September celebrates all five species of rhino and highlights efforts to debunk the myths about rhino horn.

FREE Online Virus Scanner

Bitdefender is an antivirus software suite developed by Romania-based software company Softwin.

Solution to rhino poaching problem rests with Africans

The key to the survival of the African black and white rhinoceroses must come from Africans, and not from international bodies that are trying to impose their imperialistic and often paternalistic solution on us, says the South African Hunters and Game Conservation Association (SAHGCA).

The Association is one of numerous South African-based conservation NGOs that promotes a well-managed, international trade in rhino horn as the only sustainable solution to curb rhino poaching. With the IUCN World Conservation Congress that is being held in South Korea until 15 September and World Rhino Day coming up on 22 September, the plight of the rhino remains high on the agenda in conservation circles.

SAHGCA and the rest of the conservation community in South Africa are waiting in anticipation to hear what the Department of Environmental Affairs’ (DEA) decision is on legalising the trade in rhino horn. The DEA has until 4 October to make its submission to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to consider lifting its trade ban on rhino horn. The matter is expected to be discussed at the 2013 Conference of the Parties held by CITES in Bangkok in March 2013.

Dr Herman Els, manager of conservation at SAHGCA, says that as long as armchair-conservationists promote continuing bans on national and international rhino horn trade, and wildlife conservation agencies complicate any consideration of possible trading methods, poachers will continue to decimate our rhino populations to meet the Asian demand for rhino horn.

“Thanks to the DEA’s appointment of veteran conservationist Mr Mavuso Msimang earlier this year, the long-awaited rhino dialogue series was concluded in August where all concerned parties discussed conservation, trade and security matters regarding rhinos. The understanding was that the outcome of the rhino dialogues would inform government’s submission to CITES.

“If the Department of Environmental Affairs does not use this opportunity to urge CITES to consider lifting the international - or at least the national - trade ban on rhino horn at its 2013 meeting, we will still be discussing and wringing our hands in despair on next year’s World Rhino Day,” Els says.

SAHGCA maintains that trade bans do nothing to save the rhino. In 1970, there were an estimated 65 000 black rhino in the world. Today there are about 5 000 left. “If trade bans worked we would not be spending vast sums of money in man hours and other resources to debate the pros and cons of legalising the trade in rhino horn.”

Els said attempts by national and international non-government organisations (NGO) and conservation agencies to change the behaviour patterns of poverty-stricken populations in countries where unemployment is rife, is the wrong approach and will never work. The trade in animals and animal products - whether it is legal or not -  is a means of survival in many African countries where there are still animals left in the wild, such as elephants, rhino and lions whose ivory, horn and other body parts are in huge demand from Asian countries.

“In South Africa with its unemployment rate of 25%, conservation efforts based on European and American standards are a luxury Africa cannot afford. Taxpayers’ money that should be spent on addressing socio-economic challenges is being used on a variety of rhino security measures with little effect. “

Els reiterates that, in Africa, conservation only works when communities are incentivised to help protect wildlife through shared benefit programmes. A good example where this approach works well is the CAMPFIRE programme in Zimbabwe, which promotes local control over wildlife management. CAMPFIRE has also been hailed as ‘…an antidote to the colonial legacy of technocratic and authoritarian development, which had undermined people’s control over their environment and criminalised their use of game’.

SAHGCA maintains the view that rhinos can pay for their own and other species’ conservation and protection through a well-managed legal trade in horn, starting with horn derived from natural deaths among current rhino populations.

“It is no accident or coincidence that South Africa has over 90% of the world’s rhino population. It took hard work, sound management principles and dedication from the conservation community to achieve this. It is time that the international community listens and understands that the answer to rhino conservation lies within Africa, and not in the conference halls of the world.”

Els says it serves no purpose to debate the medicinal value or not of rhino horn. “So-called education efforts to change people’s views on the medicinal value of rhino horn, is not only a waste of money, but another arrogant attempt to impose an Euro-American world and life view on other peoples in the world."

“All we can hope for now is that the DEA will make a decision that is in the interest of the rhino and that is right for Africa and its people. The right decision by both DEA and CITES will also assist us in addressing the serious threat to elephant and lion populations, which is currently being overshadowed by the rhino issue.”

www.sahunt.co.za

Mxit official Team SA social network at 2012 Olympic Games

Mxit, Africa’s biggest social network, is the official social network for Team SA at the London 2012 Summer Olympics.

The dedicated portal, olympics_sa, has already attracted over 200 000 supporters who have sent messages of support and congratulations to Team SA.

SASCOC (South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee) partnered with Mxit to provide the 10 million active users on Mxit with daily information on how the team is doing at the games.

This is the first time that Team SA has partnered with a social network for an Olympic event. Sphiwe Mahlangu of Mxit says: “We want to be sure that Team SA knows it has the nation behind them and our portal will make sure that they can get messages from their supporters back home.”

Mxit has over 50 million registered users. On a typical day Mxit users send and receive over 750 million messages. 

Nelson Mandela Day

The overarching objective of Mandela Day on 18 July is to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better, and in doing so build a global movement for good. 

Following the success of Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday celebrations in London’s Hyde Park in June 2008, it was decided that there could be nothing more fitting than to celebrate Mr Mandela’s birthday each year with a day dedicated to his life’s work and that of his charitable organisations, and to ensure his legacy continues forever.

The Mandela Day campaign message is simple: Mr Mandela gave 67 years of his life fighting for the rights of humanity. All we are asking is that everyone gives 67 minutes of their time, whether it’s supporting your chosen charity or serving your local community.

www.mandeladay.com

National Braai Day Song

Heritage Day, 24 September, is a public holiday in South Africa. Citizens are encouraged to celebrate their cultural heritage and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions, in the wider context of a nation that belongs to all its people.

We encourage all South Africans to at some point during 24 September each year on National Braai Day, gather around a fire and braai.

Braaiday album cover

World Refugee Day

Refugees have no choice. You do.

For years, many countries and regions have been holding their own Refugee Days and even Weeks. One of the most widespread is Africa Refugee Day, which is celebrated on 20 June in several countries.

The UN General Assembly, on 4 December 2000, adopted resolution 55/76 where it noted that 2001 marked the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, and that the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) had agreed to have International Refugee Day coincide with Africa Refugee Day on 20 June.

The General Assembly therefore decided that 20 June would be celebrated as World Refugee Day.

This year the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, will start marking World Refugee Day by rolling out a striking new campaign, "Dilemmas," which is a development of the award-winning "1" campaign launched last year. "Dilemmas" depicts some of the tough choices facing refugees, helping the public to empathise with, and understand, their dilemma.

www.un.org

Quote by Malcolm X: The media's the most powerful entity on earth. ...

“The media's the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that's power. Because they control the minds of the masses.” 

Malcolm X

Goodreads | Quote by Malcolm X: The media's the most powerful entity on earth. ...

Africa's top businesses honoured at Awards ceremony

Africa's leading business figures assembled 7 June 2012 for the fifth annual African Business Awards in London. The popular event for celebrating excellence and achievement in African business took place at the exclusive Grosvenor House with a high level audience of 300 guests that included BBC World News presenter Zeinab Badawi, the minister of trade for Burundi, the minister of commerce for Zambia, and Jean-Louis Ekra, President of the African Export-Import Bank.

It was a SME that stole the show as Innoson, led by Nigerian entrepreneur Innocent Chukwuma, took the most coveted title of African Business of the Year. The new Award for Best Hospitality, Travel and Tourism in Africa was won by Serena Hotels from Kenya.

The Nigerian conglomerate Dangote Group, whose recent expansion and production plans are currently being flagged in the news, won the Investor of the Year Award and received the trophy from Robert Sichinga, Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Zambia.

The prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Manu Chandaria, who has been hailed as "one of Kenya's leading industrialists". Applauded by a standing ovation from the audience, he was given special credit for having built a world class conglomerate and set a benchmark for his peers and for young entrepreneurs across the African continent to follow.

Omar BenYedder, Publisher of African Business magazine stated: "The awards were launched 5 years ago to reward not only successful businesses but those which had a positive impact on their communities and the country or region they operate in, what President Sata of Zambia called 'profit with a human face'. We also wanted to encourage sustainable and inclusive growth. And I feel that the winners tonight have certainly risen to the challenge and are fulfilling these objectives. We have rewarded true pioneers operating on the African continent and we hope they will act as a benchmark for others to follow suit."

Sir Alan Collins, Director General of the Commonwealth Business Council, during a heart-felt speech, emphasised that "Africa is open for business”.

The African Business Awards are organised by African Business magazine and Commonwealth Business Council in partnership with BusinessinAfrica Events. A distinguished panel of judges selected winners in eight categories from a pool of nominees that came from all over the African continent. The winners of the remaining categories were selected by the advisory board comprising of the editorial team of African Business magazine, and experts from the CBC.

Winners: African Business Awards 2012

Winners:
Most Outstanding Woman of the Year
Rachel Zodwa Mabaso, Founder/Managing Director, Mboweni Mineral Resources, South Africa

Award for Innovation
Entrepreneurial Finance Lab, South Africa

Investor of the Year
Dangote, Nigeria

Special Commendation
Olam, Gabon

Award for Environmental Sustainability in Africa
Nedbank Group, South Africa
BTI Millman, Kenya

Best Hospitality, Travel and Tourism in Africa
Serena Hotels, Kenya

Award for Good Corporate Governance
Diageo Africa

Best Corporate Social Responsibility
BHP Billiton

Business Leader of the Year
Egbert Imomoh, Non-Executive Chairman, Afren

African Business of the Year
Innocent Chukwuma (Innoson)

Award for Best Agricultural Development
OCP, Morocco

Country Achievement for Sustained Improvement in Investment Climate
Rwanda

Creative Industry Award
Duro Olowu

Lifetime Achievement Award
Manu Chandaria, Kenya

Viva AFRICA!

Green Economy: Does it include YOU?

World Environment Day | 5 June 2012

The 2012 theme for World Environment Day on 5 June is Green Economy: Does it include you? Evidently, there are two parts to this theme and the first tackles the subject of the Green Economy. This is where some people shut off their minds because they find the concept of the Green Economy a little too complex to understand.

On the contrary, the Green Economy is really something that is applicable all around you and it is easy to imagine how you fit in it.

The UN Environment Programme defines the Green Economy as one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. In its simplest expression, a green economy can be thought of as one which is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive.

Know Your Rights

No More Tjo-Tjo - Bribery Is A Crime

If stopped by the police you can ask to see the officer’s appointment card, which includes the officer’s picture, name, rank, force and station according to Section 334 (2) (a) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977. See below for your full list of rights when stopped on the road by a law enforcement official.

Know Your Rights

www.corruptionwatch.org.za

QR code: Symbiotic Media

The ability of QR codes to connect people with each other and to multimedia digital content is very useful for businesses and consumers alike.

QR code to Symbiotic Media home page

QR code: African Mirror inc.

A reflection of the times! What are QR codes and how can they help your business? 

Quick Response codes (QR codes) are the trademark for a type of matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code) first designed for the automotive industry. More recently, the system has become popular outside the industry due to its fast readability and large storage and sharing capacity compared to standard barcodes. The code consists of black modules (square dots) arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded can be made up of virtually any kind of data. 

QR codes have in recent years become common in consumer advertising, marketing and packaging because of the access to smartphones and other scanning devices.

QR code to African Mirror inc. home page

Michael Jackson - Man In The Mirror

"Man in the Mirror" was released as a single in January 1988 off Michael Jackson’s seventh solo album, Bad. The video features a montage of footage from various major historic events.

"...I'm Starting With The Man In
The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change
His Ways
And No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
Take A Look At Yourself, And
Then Make A Change..."

First UNWTO Report on LGBT Travellers Highlights Economic Benefits for Tolerant Destinations

A benchmark affiliate report has been published by the United Nations World Tourism Association (UNWTO) in partnership with the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association. The Global Report on LGBT Tourism was released in January 2012 and found that destinations offering a tolerant culture were reaping the benefits of increased travel to - and spend by - gay travellers.

The report cautioned against making assumptions about this market, as sexuality is not necessarily an indicator of socio-economic status or leisure choices. Although difficult to accurately measure the impact of gay tourism, sources in the USA attribute 5% of tourism spend to the LGBT market. In Cape Town, this is thought to be 10-15% of all tourists.

Progressive attitudes in countries such as South Africa, Argentina, India, Spain, Mexico and South Korea have attracted the LGBT market in droves. The wedding market for this sector is a big driver and the LGBT sector appears to have bucked the recession trend bringing higher than average spend to their holiday destinations. In addition, the advent of same-sex marriage laws have meant that many gay couples are now travelling with children and spending in the family market.

Generally savvy in digital media, LGBT travel is influenced by social media and digital or actual word of mouth. Cape Town is a favourite with gay travellers for its matchless beauty, diverse lifestyle, colourful people and large local gay population. South African events such as Gay Pride, The Pink Loeries Mardi Gras, the Out in Africa Film Festival, MCQP and Mr Gay South Africa are further reasons for LGBT travellers to choose SA as their destination. The UK’s Guardian recognised Cape Town as ‘One of the Ten Most Popular Gay Destinations in the World.’

Destination marketing associations who were successfully attracting the LGBT market were working proactively at gay-targeted expos and fairs but were also aligned with equal rights organisations that promoted tolerance. Says the International LGBT Travel Association, “reaching out to LGBT travellers in an informed, authentic manner is essential”. In particular, LGBT travellers were sensitive to destinations who were only interested in their money.

In 2011, a total of 76 countries in the world still made homosexuality illegal and of these, five still find it to be punishable by death. The UNWTO points out that the struggle for gay rights is a human rights struggle.

Global Report on LGBT Tourism

Internet meme

The term Internet meme is used to describe a concept that spreads via the Internet. The concept or idea may take the form of a hyperlink, video, picture, website, hashtag, or just a word or phrase. 

Public relations, advertising and marketing professionals have embraced Internet memes as a form of viral marketing and guerrilla marketing to create marketing "buzz" for their products or services. The practice of using memes to market products or services is known as memetic marketing.

“what my mom thinks i do/what i think i do” memes