Biker Troue

Tanya en Des van der Merwe het die tradisionele troue geruil vir 'n eg “Biker”-troue, en is op Saterdag, 10 September in die huwelik bevestig.
                                                                                                              Back to Top

South Africa's most experienced mega-project managers

State transport utility Transnet has appointed one of South Africa's most experience mega-project managers, Bernard Smith, to help it with the rollout of its ambitious R40-billion capital programme over the next five years.

Smith, who has been brought out of retirement, was formerly CEO of Mossgas (now PetroSA) and Saldanha Steel.  He worked with BP on some large North Sea projects and helped build oil company Engen from scratch.

Later, he jointed Gencor, where he was instrumental in the building of arguably South Africa's best ever mega-project, Hillside Aluminium, in Richards Bay, now known as BHP Billiton Aluminium.

He joins Transnet reportedly to help accelerate the capital-investment programme, which is regarded as key to dealing with South Africa's seriously constrained freight-logistics system.  “The investment is significant in relation to our wider plans to making the transport and logistics system efficient and internationally competitive. His wealth of experience in implementing major capital projects will assist in this endeavour,” Transnet CEO Maria Ramos said.

The company indicated that Smith would play a mentorship role and help deepen project-management skills at Transnet.  “It is envisaged that Mr Smith will impart his experience to younger talented South Africans from historically-disadvantaged backgrounds,” Ramos added.

She also announced a number of other senior appointments, including the following:

- Karl Socikwa as the head of restructuring within Transnet's strategy and transformation department. Socikwa will continue in his role as chief executive officer of Transtel, but will lead the efficient disposal of all the second network operator (SNO)-related components of Transtel and oversee the integration of the non-SNO elements of Transtel into Transnet, especially the rail division. At head office, his new role will be to head up the disposal of non-core assets, which forms part of the State-owned group's efforts to restructure and strengthen its balance sheets.

Moira Moses as head of a newly-created post of business re-engineering.

Thagaran Govender to head of the group's ICT department as chief information officer.

Karen van Vuuren as head of supply-chain management.

Richard Vallihu as chief executive officer of Transwerk.

Virginia Dunjwa joins Transnet's legal and compliance department to head up risk management.

Ramos said that the nonexecutive-to-executive swap by Moira left a vacancy at board level, which would be filled in due course. The board's governance and nominations committee has begun this process.  “The appointments are an integral part of our plan to accelerate the implementation of our turnaround strategy, especially in so far as it relates to some critical projects, including the head office restructuring, the strengthening of our balance sheet as well as the business re-engineering project,” Ramos said.
                                                                                                              Back to Top

High-Flyers Swop Limos for Dodgy Busses.

The upcoming Car-Free Day on October 20, 2005, is aimed at encouraging people to utilise public transport, instead of their own vehicles. Transport Minister, Jeff Radeb, and Tshwane mayor, Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa however,  discovered that this doesn't always result in an easy ride…

They, along with Gauteng transport MEC, Ignatius Jacobs, and transport director-general, Mpumi Mpofu, tried out Tshwane's busses yesterday, taking a trip from Mamelodi to Menlyn, and then into the city centre.

Their aim was to find out why people are not using public transport, and why they are sceptical about the reliability of the service. They found that the cleanliness of busses, and their  punctuality, left much to be desired.   Travelling in the place of the average commuter proved an enormous challenge. The Putco bus broke down twice, and arrival times caused great confusion, not to mention the steep fares and lack of proper bus terminals.

With the assurance that everything would be done to improve the  public transport system, the dignitaries promised to make regular use of it from now on, regardless of their high profiles.
                                                                                                              Back to Top

Variety is rescued!

(Johannesburg) Ian von Memerty takes the stand and rescues entertainment.  Ian's new show, Captain Entertainment broke box office records in Durban, and opened in Johannesburg to standing ovations prior to the final Act.

After winning awards for his performances in A Handful of Keys and Big Band Blast, what will Ian von Memerty, do next?!?  Directed by the multi-award winning and superbly gifted Charmaine Weir-Smith, and researched by the electrifying and satisfyingly eccentric Thandi Brewer - Ian returns in a magnificent new show, stretching his extraordinary versatility even further.

The show is impossible to do  and the only way that it can be done is by a superhero  Captain Entertainment!! Donning his cape and stretching his tights Ian takes you on a dazzling journey through the highlights and history of vaudeville and variety.  “I wanted to do something that was great entertainment but was also enormously challenging for me as an artist.” Described once as a confused eclectic, Ian's performance skills as pianist, dancer, singer and actor have earned him awards around the country. This show uses all those skills to their fullest, as Ian stages a complete 10 act variety show - SINGLE-HANDED.  “One of the delights of getting older is that you really do get better  you learn with ease and strength as a performer and because you no longer take yourself so seriously you can be funnier and wackier! But you use all the focus and discipline that only comes with experience.” Accompanying Ian on the piano (sometimes) will be the hopelessly under-aged and annoyingly gifted Oliver Keys and the show is be designed by the much awarded and jet-lagged Denis Hutchinson.

From the poignancy of Mr. Bojangles (a moment of luminous greatness which draws the audience in, keeping them riveted with spine chilling story telling at its best) to the early minstrel shows through to the township touche twitching delights of Tsipa Tsipa (guaranteed to get the most sedate matron mirthful) from Impi invasions to Morris dancing in Mamelodi, the show allows Ian to dabble in his African roots. 

At the piano, behind the mask, on top of the taps, bearding the bard  the show is a supersonic ride of the nostalgia, irreverence, and inventiveness that makes for great entertainment. The unique magic of variety is that wonderful mix of comedy and music.

It's a superhuman show, full of very human laughter, and cosmically recognized music  with Captain Entertainment  a one-man rescue mission.

This incredibly versatile entertainer enables audiences to share laughter at our fellow patrons of the world and their differences.  Through shrieks of laughter and plenty of whooping and gaffores throughout the 10 Act show, Ian accomplishes his mission  that life is worth living, if you just smile, smile, smile.

Event companies taking it to the corporate market, and charity houses enthralling their patrons are scooping the adaptable script up.

Ian von Memerty, a virtuoso with depths of talent shows us South Africans that we are have grown up and are able to laugh at ourselves and be proud of the miracle of our rainbow nation.

Bravisimo!

Back to Top