Tomorrow, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan will either make or break your day, depending on what he says in his budget speech, and how what he says will affect you. We'll bring you the news and analysis as soon as we have it.
In the meantime, however, there's good news on the crime front, with
serious crime levels apparently in decline and, what's more - especially if the plight of the rhino upsets you - the
SANDF and law enforcement agencies are to fight border crimes - which should be good news for rhinos and very bad news - sometimes fatal news - for poachers.
Back on the finance front, Anna Malczyk of the UCT Basics of Financial Management short course
gives you some tips on defining your business financial goals for 2012.
And now for something out of this world; did you know we have a space agency? Well, we do, and even though the
South African National Space Agency (Sansa) was formally launched in December 2010, and began operations only in April 2011, it seems that it is laying the foundations for... going into space!
Finally, for you drivers of precious metal - i.e. a car -
a new study on the costs of vehicle ownership has some interesting facts. When next you complain about the price of fuel, just be grateful you don't live in the UK.
Rod Baker, general manager: content
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Engineering News reports that, contrary to normal trade, South African electric heating element manufacturer Hi-Tech Elements has been awarded its largest-ever electric column paste heater contract to export 30 units to a smelter group in Golmud, in the central Chinese province of Qinghai. 
Engineering News reports that pumps and rubber lining specialist Weir Minerals Africa is expanding its footprint across Africa and into new industries, such as the piping industry, which has grown significantly over the past few years. 
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) is to spend R136bn to acquire about 7000 new trains and upgrade and modernise train stations. 
LONDON, UK: High production rate ramp-up will be needed across much of the A&D sector, yet at a time of soaring order books and rapid production rate ramp-up, supply chain risk is top of mind for aircraft manufacturers. 
LONDON, UK: Global aerospace and defence (A&D) merger and acquisition (M&A) value reached a record level in 2011, according to Mission Control, a quarterly analysis of M&A activity in the global A&D sector by PwC. 
Gauteng's plans for the current year include splitting the Health and Social Development Departments, creating more jobs and further cementing its position as Africa's business destination and economic hub. 
Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies says there has been a general improvement in economic governance across the African continent. 
Opposition members have welcomed President Jacob Zuma's announcement in his State of the Nation Address that government would spend more on infrastructure development, but urged the President to focus more on developing skills, implementing labour reforms and tackling corruption to ensure that the country overcomes unemployment and poverty. 
Trade conditions started off the year low, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) said in its January Trade Conditions Survey. 
