Today's Valentine's Day, which, according to Wikipedia, was first established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD to honour a Saint Valentine. Nowadays, of course, many people use it to express affection for others (or simply to drive them mad with vexation over who sent them the card). So basically it is a good day - and this has been your pointless fact of the day.

What also makes it a good day is that Planning Minister Trevor Manuel says the media must not be the state's lapdog, but rather complement the state. He also called for more intelligent public discourse that reaches past the rift between the state and the media. The tiny problem is, of course, that in line with the "official line", he, along with other ANC MPs, voted in parliament last year for a law that critics reckon will muzzle the media - and if the POIB becomes law, could well turn the media into the very lapdog he says he doesn't want. Some people might find this a little confusing.

Also in our news on the government, the Presidency has issued a statement which it reckons clarifies Zuma's recent remarks on the ConCourt in which he seemed to some people to be proposing the ConCourt's powers be reduced.

Down in the Western Cape, the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry has welcomed the reduction in port tariffs - which it reckons Transnet has been using as a "cash cow". The reduction should make our exports a little more competitive. Now for airport tariffs, electricity costs and fuel prices...

To finish on a high note (or a low one)... Are you in the retail or manufacturing sector? Do you reckon you're underpaid? See how your salary compares and then, if necessary, have a quiet chat to your boss.

Of course, if your salary is above the average, just don't say a word!

Rod Baker, general manager: content

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