SwissCham SA voices Secrecy Bill concerns

In a statement, SwissCham Southern Africa (SCSA) voiced satisfaction that the Protection of State Information Bill has been withdrawn, albeit temporarily, for 'further consultation'. However, SCSA said it is concerned that the consultations will take place via an internal party committee, instead of through the formal parliamentary committee that was previously processing the bill, and that, as a result, the consultations will avoid public scrutiny - an indispensable element in any democratic process. Read more >>

Environment included in Consumer Protection Act

The Consumer Protection Act (CPA), which came into effect on 1 April 2011 includes the regulation of goods and services with actual or potential environmental and/or health impacts. The obligation to provide information in respect of potential or actual environmental or health impacts of goods or services is covered by CPA regulation. Read more >>

Invalid underlying agreement means an invalid title deed?

[Len Kruger] Is a title deed registered in terms of an invalid underlying agreement also invalid? This question was raised (and answered) in the Supreme Court of Appeal's judgment in the case of Legator McKenna Inc and another v Shea and others 2010(1) SA 35 (SCA). Read more >>

Conflict in provisions of the ASA code and advertising practice?

[Nick Altini] The advent of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) 2008 heralds an era of legislated advertising standards. This stands in contrast to the position that had been in place up to 1 April 2011, when the CPA took full force and effect. Read more >>

Consumers are protected by GMO Act - Adams & Adams

The Genetically Modified Organisms Act (GMO Act) of South Africa governs the responsible development, production, use and application of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Its aim is to ensure that all activities involving their use - from importation to production and distribution - are carried out in a way that limits any harm to the environment. Read more >>

Business, labour agreements should be non-political

During September, two historical accords were signed between organised business and labour at the Western Cape. While acknowledging that cooperation agreements between business and labour are a definite step in the right direction, Western Cape provincial minister for economic development and tourism Alan Winde, said that agreements must be written in a non-political language and avoid one upmanship. Read more >>

EXCLUSIVE: New Brand Council of SA announces office bearers

The board of the new Brand Council of South Africa (BCSA) has elected HKLM's Sean McCoy as chairman, and Interbrand Sampson's Jeremy Sampson and Brand Leadership's Thebe Ikalafeng as joint vice chairs. The BCSA, incorporates the Brand Design Council (formerly known as THINK), was constituted after extensive debate around the need for a collective voice to represent, strengthen and advance the interests of the wider branding and design industry in SA, and it. Read more >>

Rolling Stone South Africa: the first in-depth interview

[Johann Smith] "Rolling Stone" - it was the writing on the wall found backstage at Rocking the Daisies. It was a hint, a secret, that the writer wanted musicians to know first, before anyone else. There is no way of saying it better: Rolling Stone magazine is coming to South Africa in November 2011. Johann Smith and Ruth Cooper of Bizcommunity.com's BizLounge speak to Miles Keylock, editor-in-chief of RS SA. Read more >>

South Africans are overweight - survey

South Africans weigh in as the third fattest nation on earth. A survey done in 2010 by Glaxo SmithKline has found that 61% of the South African population are overweight or morbidly obese. In addition to this survey, a study done by the Medical Research Council in 2007 found that 56% of adult women and 29% of adult men in South Africa were overweight or obese. Read more >>

Unions to picket at Wal-Mart/Massmart hearing

The Congress of SA Trade Unions' (Cosatu) and the SA Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (Saccawu) on Monday announced their intention to embark on "mass pickets" at the Wal-Mart-Massmart appeal hearing in Cape Town set for Thursday and Friday, 21 - 22 October 2011. Read more >>