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.

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

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

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

Microsoft's new Windows 8 logo looks like a window

Microsoft announced that Windows 8 is a complete reimagination of the Windows operating system. Nothing has been left unexplored, including the Windows logo.

Sam Moreau, principal director of user experience for Microsoft, said in a blog post that the new Windows 8 logo redesign was approached with a few key goals in mind:

1. We wanted the new logo to be both modern and classic by echoing the International Typographic Style (or Swiss design) that has been a great influence on our Metro style design philosophy. Using bold flat colours and clean lines and shapes, the new logo has the characteristics of way-finding design systems seen in airports and subways.

2. It was important that the new logo carries our Metro principle of being “Authentically Digital”. By that, we mean it does not try to emulate faux-industrial design characteristics such as materiality (glass, wood, plastic, etc.). It has motion - aligning with the fast and fluid style you’ll find throughout Windows 8.

3. Our final goal was for the new logo to be humble, yet confident. Welcoming you in with a slight tilt in perspective and when you change your colour, the logo changes to reflect you. It is a “Personal” Computer after all.

The new logo is already drawing various levels of criticism on the Web from technology blogs. 

Evolution of Microsoft's Windows logo

Mirror Mirror

The year of 2012 will see two Snow White movie releases competing for the top reflection.

This is the official trailer for Tarsem Singh's upcoming film Mirror Mirror. This is Julia Roberts' second film playing an iconic fairy tale role; two decades earlier, she played Tinkerbell in Hook. 

In the epic action-adventure Snow White and the Huntsman, Kristen Stewart (Twilight) plays the only person in the land fairer than the evil queen (Oscar-winner Charlize Theron) out to destroy her. 

In the end, why choose?

South African Bank Notes to bear Mandela’s image

The South African Reserve Bank is pleased to announce that we are in the process of producing a new South African Bank Note series

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma holds up a banknote bearing the face of former president Nelson Mandela in Pretoria, 11 February 2012. Zuma on Saturday announced the launch of new notes bearing the image of Mandela to coincide with the 22nd anniversary of Mandela's release from prison.

Credit: Reuters/Stringer

International best practise is that the security features of bank notes are upgraded every seven to ten years, particularly given the constant improvements in technology. Such proactive upgrades endeavour to prevent counterfeiting. The current note series was upgraded in 2005, and while the security features remain effective, we decided that it was time to produce a new note series.

In consultation with President Jacob Zuma and the Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, it was agreed that the new note series will be designed. The currency will have the same denominations, sizes and colours but the front of all notes will carry a specially designed engraving of former President Nelson Mandela. The reverse side of each denomination will have an image of one of the big five.

The redesign is being accompanied by a significant recapitalisation of the South African Note Company (SABN), which is being modernised with state of the art printing equipment. The upgrading also entails significant training and up-skilling of the SABN staff.

11 February 1990 stands as one of the most significant days in the history of South Africa as it is on this day, twenty-two years ago that President Nelson Mandela walked out of prison a free man. The iconic image that will be carried on the Rand, the South African currency that is widely used in Sub-Saharan Africa and traded globally, is a tribute to one of Africa and the world’s greatest leaders and statesmen.

We need to stress that the current notes remain legal tender and there will be a programme of replacement with the new notes over time. It is expected that the note will be introduced towards the end of 2012 and further details will be communicated to the public during the course of the year.

EXCLUSIVE: Charlize Theron Dogs the Fur Trade

by Paula Moore

ARCHIVE: African Mirror inc.

Oscar-winning actor Charlize Theron and her dog, Tucker, seen here in an ad for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, have a heartfelt message for “furry” fashionistas: “If you wouldn’t wear your dog, please don’t wear any fur.”

As Theron’s ad illustrates, the only difference between our “best friends” and animals killed for their fur is how they are treated. And how they’re treated should sicken anyone who has a fur coat or fur-trimmed jacket hanging in the closet. Visit FurIsDead.com to watch the first-ever video exposé of fur farms in China - the world’s largest exporter of fur - and you’ll see what I mean.

During a year-long undercover investigation, Chinese fur farmers were caught on tape roughly grabbing animals by their hind legs and slamming them head-first against the ground, in a crude attempt to kill them. Other animals are bludgeoned with metal rods or wooden sticks. Some animals are killed, some are merely stunned. Many are skinned while they are still alive.

One investigator recorded a skinned raccoon dog, tossed onto a heap of carcasses, who had enough strength to lift his bloodied head and stare into the camera.

Why should this concern fur-wearers in South Africa? Because the globalisation of the fur trade has made it impossible to know where fur products come from. Raw-fur pelts often move through international auctions before being sewn in other countries. Even if a fur jacket was “made” in Europe, the animals were likely raised and killed somewhere else.

If you’re going to wear fur, you should watch the investigators’ video. I promise, you’ll never look at a fur coat the same way again.

Paula Moore, senior writer for PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). 

4 Strategic Ways to Improve Your Blog - and Sell It

4 Strategic Ways to Improve Your Blog – and Sell It | Network Solutions Small Business Resources

Lil Wayne - Mirror ft. Bruno Mars

Samsung announces the availability of App for the Orange Africa Cup of Nations

As an official sponsor of the Orange Africa Cup on Nations Gabon-Equatorial Guinea 2012, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., is excited to announce the availability of the ‘Africa Cup of Nations’ App, on the Samsung SA Apps store.

Says Deon Liebenberg, MD of Samsung South Africa: “As Samsung has been a long-time supporter of African football, we felt it only natural for us to invest in such an application; the application will offer fans an opportunity to keep up to date with the latest information and results around the event, with ease and while on the move.”

The application features competitions, galleries, live scores, downloads and fixtures for the 2012 tournament and is available for fans to download for free.

“We are committed to our customers and through this app we aim to offer the best possible enjoyment of the tournament. Fans can now follow the tournament passionately and not miss out as we understand that it is not always possible to catch all the live action. We, at Samsung, are again meeting the needs of our consumers - in this case sports fans - and are providing them with content that not only allows for great entertainment, but fuels the spirit of African soccer,” concludes Liebenberg.

Deon Liebenberg, MD of Samsung South Africa

Mastering Pinterest for Marketing

Over the past few months, you may have heard some chatter about a brand new social network called Pinterest. Not surprising. According to Compete, unique visitors to Pinterest.com increased by 429% from September to December 2011, and the social network already boasts a user base of 3.3 million. Pinterest is only growing in popularity as the hottest new social network, and in December 2011, it made Hitwise's list of the top 10 social networks, currently sitting at #5 and beating out big names like LinkedIn and Google+. And as with any hot new social network that comes onto the scene, marketers are chiming in with, "Can I use it for marketing?" "...and, how?" 

The short answer? Absolutely. The longer answer? Follow the link below to find out how. 

The Ultimate Guide to Mastering Pinterest for Marketing

Creating Remarkable Poetry Through Subtraction - My Modern Metropolis

TIME magazine recently revealed its 30 Must-See Tumblr Blogs which includes the highly creative, user-generated Newspaper Blackout. This blog is the brainchild of Austin-based artist and writer Austin Kleon. The main objective is to display poetry through the omission of words in already printed text. Essentially, it is poetry by way of censorship, executed with the aid of a black sharpie.

Taking published works in the form of newspaper articles, novels, and even horoscopes, this style of "blackout poetry" reveals only carefully selected words to create a new, shorter composition of expression. Often, the poems produced offer a sense of hope and inspiration. At times, they can be depressing but thought-provoking. We love the way this Tumblr reflects how art inspires art.

Creating Remarkable Poetry Through Subtraction - My Modern Metropolis

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