Cosatu is now reported as wanting
a national minimum wage rather than sectoral minimum wages - currently clothing workers have one set for their industry, domestic workers have one set for theirs, and so on. It seems the Cosatu call has "flummoxed" the experts, who reckon a national minimum wage would boost unemployment levels. Any chance Cosatu will listen to the experts?
There's news - good or bad, depending on your viewpoint - for taxpayers... the new Tax Administration Bill has "substantially supplemented" the department's powers to gather information on you, your company, etc. Critics however, say the sweeping powers are
open to abuse.
So how many schoolchildren still do not have the books - that they
should have had six months ago? The department of Basic Education - and it seems to be getting more and more basic as time passes - says that
most textbooks have been delivered in Limpopo. By today, they should now have been all delivered, but that's no reason to celebrate - how have the affected schoolchildren been taught, and learned up to now? No wonder
demand for private schooling is soaring.
Will it fly, won't it fly... Zuma's new jet, that is... However, there shouldn't even be such a question; the current presidential plane SA1, or whatever it's called, is in perfect condition and there are better things on which to spend R2bn - like schoolbooks, houses for the poor, hospital upgrades, new hospitals... That sort of thing. Just a thought...
Rod Baker, content director
Submit your company news to
tourismnews@bizcommunity.com. Exclusive contributions may be sent to
contributors-tourism@bizcommunity.com.
The Sky Lounge at the Cape Royale Luxury Hotel and Spa will soon have a new international venue, the NikkiBeach club concept, following a capital investment of over R4.5 million. Hospitality specialist, Urban Avantgarde, has acquired the portfolio and management contract of the development. 
DUBAI, UAE / McLEAN, US: Hilton Worldwide has announced Pezula Resort & Spa, one of South Africa's leading resorts, is set to join the luxury portfolio of Conrad Hotels & Resorts following the signing of a management agreement with resort owners, Alderney Establishment. 
Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk on Tuesday announced the appointment of the new Awards Committee of the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA). 
Following the success of &Beyond and Africa Foundation's Footprints of Hope 10-day rhino awareness walk (through the Sabi Sand and Kruger wilderness and surrounding communities) earlier this year, the teams are now returning to two of those communities to help inspire the youth and educate them about the threat of rhino poaching. 
Survival strategies for tough times and cost effective marketing initiatives are two of the issues that will come under the spotlight at the third annual Getaway Travel & Tourism Conference, sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Vans, which takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome on 30 August. 
Etihad Airways' has started its six flights a week service between the airline's Abu Dhabi home-base and the Nigerian city, Lagos. 
