HiPipo Money

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AT INDABA 2014 OPENING CEREMONY
DATED SATURDAY, MAY 10, 2014

In the life of a nation, 20 years are but a few steps on a much longer journey. However, when those 20 years mark the birth and growth of a new democracy, they are immensely important, as they determine the direction the nation takes.

By now, every South African is aware that we are celebrating 20 years of democracy and freedom this year. Millions of South Africans are participating in one way or another to celebrate our achievements. From the side of the tourism industry, our message is a resounding one: What an exhilarating 20 years it has been!

By 1994, 20 years ago, total international arrivals, including tourist arrivals, stood at a mere 3,6 million. During our two decades of democracy, these arrivals have grown by more than 300% to reach nearly 15 million last year, 9,6 million of which were tourist arrivals. The story of 20 years of tourism since 1994 is a remarkable one indeed.

Let us just imagine, for a moment, what the 20 years before 1994 looked like. Just imagine the effect that the passbook system – an internal passport control system of sorts – had on freedom of movement. On top of that, we had a Separate Amenities Act, which regulated the use of public as well as private amenities by the colour of your skin and limited access to most tourism facilities to one racial group only. Just imagine, apart from all the other inhibiting factors, how difficult it was for a tourism industry to operate in those circumstances.

Twenty years ago, we had no purpose-built international convention centre; no Moses Mabhida Stadium, no Freedom Park; no Tourism Business Council of South Africa, which gives a voice to the previously fragmented private sector; no National Tourism Sector Strategy, which unites government and industry around common goals; no South African National Convention Bureau nor a Meetings Africa, which positions us as a premier convention and business tourism destination; no robust grading criteria that underwrite the quality of our offerings, of which the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa is today the custodian; no Lilizela Tourism Awards for excellence, and no facilitated skills development and training for thousands of young people to become chefs, sommeliers and tourism safety monitors, to name but a few.

Internationally, our country was marketed by the South African Tourism Corporation known as SATOUR. SATOUR was the offspring of the publicity arm of South African Railways and Harbours in 1947, which then developed into a government agency, ran and effectively staffed by civil servants. Since 1994, South African Tourism has been transformed from a country-promotion and publicity organisation into a dynamic global destination-marketing organisation that is the envy of many. The South African Tourism board consists of respected leaders from the private sector, who work in partnership with government to ensure coordinated and effective implementation of our plans and strategies, underpinned by cutting-edge strategic research.

From a budget of R81 million in 1994, national government today invests in excess of R1,6 billion in tourism every year, and provinces and municipalities millions more. Prior to 1994, tourism was a line function with a director and one administrative clerk at a desk in the Department of Trade and Industry. Today, we have a new Constitution with concurrent powers for tourism development and promotion across all provinces; a full-fledged Ministry and Department of Tourism that provides policy direction; a 2014 Tourism Act that elevates our legislative mandate to a level appropriate for the demands of the 21st century, and recognition of tourism as one of six core economic drivers in the country’s New Growth Path. The tourism sector was also the first in the country to have its own Black Economic Empowerment Charter and Scorecard formally gazetted. And South Africa was one of the first countries to entrench the concept of responsible tourism in its policy framework.

As a destination, we have evolved from offering exclusive safari holidays to the international travelling elite, to one of the most sought-after global destinations offering a diverse variety of unforgettable experiences, including leisure, business and events to domestic, regional and long-haul markets.

Bringing it all together is our people. In the words of late President Mandela when he opened INDABA in 1995: “… our natural beauty only offers a fitting setting for our country’s most valuable asset: its people. Ours is a nation of warm and generous people. Its great variety of culture and heritage, once exploited to divide our people, has been turned by them into a source of strength and richness in every sphere of life.”

As a country emerging from an era of isolation, South Africa joined the United Nations World Tourism Organisation in 1994. We played a catalytic role in establishing the T20 Ministers’ platform for tourism leaders from the G20 countries in Sandton, Johannesburg in 2010. Since 2012, we formally participate in the structures of the OECD’s Tourism Committee. And we are a key partner in the initiative to form a Chapter of Tourism Ministers in the African Union.

Today, we can proudly look back on having hosted some of the biggest tourism mega-events in the world, all of which have contributed to redefining our country’s image, building social cohesion and creating new economic opportunities.

Three years after the FIFA Soccer World Cup, we are still growing from strength to strength. The 9,6 million international tourist arrivals to our country recorded last year were the highest in our history. According to the latest tourism satellite account data, in 2012, our sector directly accounted for R93 billion, or 3%, of GDP – up from an estimated R9 billion, or 1,7%, of GDP in 1994. When we add domestic tourism expenditure to the mix, internal tourism expenditure amounted to R191 billion in 2012. And where direct jobs in our sector stood at an estimated 230 000, or 1,9%, of the total in 1994, tourism today accounts for over 610 000, or 4,6%, of direct employment in the country.

This good-news story is also reflected in the financial reporting of our industry partners. The accommodation subsector, for example, continues to experience solid recovery, working back the oversupply of hotel rooms following the World Cup. Last year, Sun International reported a comparative increase of 11% in accommodation revenue over the 2012 financial year, on the back of much healthier occupancy and achieved daily rates compared to previous years. Similarly, City Lodge last year reported an increase of 11% in revenue and 31% in headline earnings, while Tsogo Sun reported that their “adjusted headline earnings per share increase[d] by a very pleasing 24%” on the back of, inter alia, a 10% increase in average room rates.

And then we are all aware that, as of last month, Marriott International has acquired the 116 hotels in the Protea portfolio. This R2 billion foreign investment in over 10 000 rooms spread across 79 hotels in South Africa and 37 elsewhere on our continent represents a massive vote of confidence in what we have all achieved together in the tourism sector.

Taken together, these are impressive numbers indeed. Looking to the next 20 years of tourism, it is hard to envisage how technology will evolve, or how consumer preferences will change, or how the centre of gravity of our source markets may still shift. Many challenges remain, not least those of transformation and accelerated job creation. It is safe to say that we are entering the next 20 years of democracy and freedom confident that the tourism economy’s fundamentals are in place – knowing that we are hedged against shifting markets through a balanced portfolio of domestic, regional and overseas long-haul arrivals from both mature and emerging economies, and a diversified, authentic supply side that continue to differentiate us in the global market place. And we are embracing the opportunities brought about by the mobile and social media revolution to customise value-for-money offerings to consumers.

And as we meet here as Africans, we recognise that we have to resolve outstanding challenges in travel facilitation. I am convinced that, 20 years from now, history books telling the story of tourism on our continent will describe how a modernised and truly pan-African INDABA has been one of those pivots that helped us to take tourism to the next level on our continent. This year, we have 24 African countries exhibiting at INDABA.

I am honoured to be joined by so many of my ministerial colleagues from all corners of the continent, with whom we also met yesterday in the first ever INDABA Ministerial Roundtable on common travel facilitation and connectivity challenges. I welcome you and acknowledge your presence here tonight (may I please ask you to stand up):

• AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy
• The Deputy Minister from Angola
• The Minister from Benin
• The Minister from Burundi
• The Minister from Congo Brazzaville
• The Minister from Gabon
• The Deputy Minister from Ghana
• The Minister from Lesotho
• The Minister from Madagascar
• The Minister from Namibia
• The Minister from Senegal
• The Minister from Seychelles
• The Minister from Swaziland
• The Minister from Uganda
• The Minister from Zambia
• The Minister from Zimbabwe

Ladies and gentlemen, ten years ago, I stood here to deliver my first INDABA opening address. I would like to thank each and every partner, from every sphere of government to the private sector, for working with me and the rest of national government to achieve success. This sector can only excel if we all value and understand the nature of the relationship between government and the private sector – and that includes big business as well as small, medium and micro-sized enterprises. To all of you, thank you. Now, let us embark on the next 20 years of our journey, together.

Thank you

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Firm nears exitof investment instate-of-the-art glass manufacturer Sphinx Glassas part of its strategy to divest non-core assets

Citadel Capital (CCAP.CA on the Egyptian Exchange), aleading investment company in Africa and the Middle East, has received a binding offer to sell 100% of non-core portfolio company Sphinx Glass Ltd. for an equity value ofapproximatelyUS$ 112 million.

Sphinx Glass,a 200,000 ton per annum, state-of-the-art float glass production facility,began full operations in April 2010 and is today one of the largest independently operated float glass producers in the MENA region. In addition to beinga key player in the Egyptian market, Sphinx Glass is also a significant regional and international exporter. The company specializes in the production of clear and tinted float glass and online coated glassin varying thicknesses. The company recorded USD 55.78million in sales in 2013 and is currently on target to exceed its budget for the second consecutive year.

Citadel Capital will be divesting its 73.3% ownership stake in the company; the balance of the equity subject to sale in the transaction is held by co-investors.

“Sphinx Glass is one of the most technologically advanced facilities of its kind in Egypt.Witha strong management team and the proper infrastructure already in place to build a second line, the company undoubtedly has the potential to grow into a major regional exporter,” said Citadel Capital Co-Founder and Managing Director Hisham El-Khazindar.

“We are exiting our investment in the companyas part of the execution of our new strategy to divest non-core assets in a timely manner at the right valuations as we transform into an investment holding company with a narrower focus,” he added.

Citadel Capital has acquired majority stakes in most of its core subsidiaries in the energy, transportation, agrifoods, mining and cement industries following the conclusion of a capital increase to USD 1.14 billion.

The Sphinx Glass factory was designed by and operates under license of world-renowned float glass technology provider PPG Industries andwas built by a leading Italian contractor. The investment leveragesEgypt’s abundance of high-quality raw materials and the supply ofskilled labor, both of which are key elements in the production of float glass. With the distinguished geographical location of the manufacturing base  in Egypt;Sphinx Glassis well suited to serviceboth domestic as well as export markets.

Due diligence on Sphinx Glass has been completedin the past period. Subject to the finalization of a sale and purchase agreement, the transaction for the sale of 100% of Sphinx Glass is expected to close during the next two months.

The divestiture of non-core industries, the most recent of which was the US$ 22 million sale of a 66.1% stake in the Sudanese Egyptian Bank, will continue over the coming three years.   

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MTN Uganda has started with its 2014 Internet Expos in Kampala where after it will go regional. The 2014 Expos areInternet themed exhibitions toshowcaseamong other, MTN’s data products and services in an engaging, entertaining and informative set up.

Launchingin Kampala,this year’s expos will provideinteractive platforms through partnerships with device providers to offer a complete unique customer experience.

Under the theme, Touch, Feel and Experience,consumers are called upon to come experience World-class Internet, the gateway toa bold, newDigital World which MTN is delivering.

Throughout the year, MTN will take the expos to Jinja, Mbarara, Kabale, andLira.

Mr. Ernst Fonternel,MTN’s Chief Marketing Officer, said MTN will continue to enhance theirofferings to meet and exceed their customer’s needs to make their lives a whole lot brighter.

“MTN’s vision of leading the delivery of a bold,new Digital World to our customers is one of the reasons why we need to continue extending our connectivity drive into the greater world with our planned data themed Expos.We shall continue with our strategy to drive data penetration in the different regions. Using the Expo platform, we plan to avail a cross section of our customers in various strategic regional venues with education about MTN’s Mobile Internet services, the USSD self-provisioning, the various attributes of our Internet products and the vast portfolio of devices that we have.” Fonternel said.

In 2013 MTN becamethe first operator in Uganda, and one of the very first in Africa to launch the LTE service. The launch of LTE represented a major jump in mobile connectivity capabilities with speeds of up to 100Mbps. MTN is further covering the country with speeds up to 42Mbps and ensuring great quality Internet and speeds for the broader Uganda population. During 2013, MTN more than doubled its Internet utilization and with innovative solutions such each customer receiving access to 15MB Free Internet each month and Free Unlimited Facebook use through 0.Facebook.com MTN’s 2.6 million customers who are already accessing the Internet each month is projected to exponentially grow by end of year.

“We are entering the Post-PC world. A world where the traditional computer is facing growth challenges from smartphone and tabletdevices.While this might still take some time for Uganda to arrive at, MTN is bringing the experience closer through the expos. We want people to Touch, Feel and Experience World-class Internet. The MTN regional Expos are the company’s way to take services closer to its audiences. It’s also intended to create awareness for the vast opportunities available through the use of ICT as well as expose customers to the various data options available from MTN” Fonternel added.

MTN Uganda is the leading investor in technology with an investment of over $70million in 2013 alone to upgrade infrastructure, but also extend services to previously uncovered areas.

“Our investment into Ugandashows MTN’s commitment to continue providing services relevant to our customer’s current and future needs, and this firmly positions MTN as a leader with a clear vision for the future; leading the way for others to follow.”

Ernst explained that over the next five years, data and digital services will be the primary focus of MTN Uganda.

“Our strategic objectives are dynamic and provide a comprehensive roadmap to maintain MTN as a clear Number One for Customer Experience and Superior Quality,” Fonternel concluded.

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·        2014 CATEGORIES REFLECT VIBRANT AFRICAN MEDIA LANDSCAPE

CNN International and MultiChoice this week officially launched the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2014 Awards. 

The competition for African nationals based on the continent welcomes entries from journalists creating content targeting an African audience.

Also this year, the competition has become even easier for journalists to enter, with submissions being made via the entry form website http://www.cnnmcaja.cnn.com.

Tony Maddox, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of CNN International, said: “Since the very beginning, these Awards have discovered and rewarded superlative African journalism across the continent.  With even more of Africa’s storytellers now able to share their work with us, we expect even more outstanding entries.  The categories this year also perfectly mirror the reality of today’s Africa’s multi-platform media scene. As Africa’s leading news provider, we’re delighted to play our part in supporting the excellent journalism these Awards yield annually.”

Nico Meyer, CEO MultiChoice Africa, said: “As we enter our 10^th year as partners to the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards, we continue to be amazed and honoured by the phenomenal impact that this initiative has had on the continent. It certainly has been a game changer for the advancement of media development and quality journalism, showcasing top-class journalists who can compete heads and shoulders with their peers on the world stage. This year promises to once again highlight Africa’s best journalistic talent.”

South Africans Msindisi Fengu and Yandisa Monakali, from South Africa were awarded the top prize at the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2013 Awards ceremony. Their work ‘Investigation series: School hostels of Shame’, which appeared in South African daily print newspaper Daily Dispatch investigated the appalling conditions being experienced by thousands of pupils in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, uncovering hygiene and safety risks in school hostels and lifting the lid on corruption within the education department. It was chosen from 1387 entries from 42 nations across the African continent.

Over the past 19 years, the competition has grown in size and status to become Africa’s most prestigious media event. In 2013, a ‘Highlights Programme’ of the ceremony, held in Cape Town, South Africa, was broadcast in 46 African countries, plus the UK, USA and the Caribbean.

Open to journalists working in any medium, this year the competition will recognise excellence in the following categories:

• ·         Culture Award
• ·         The Coca-Cola Company Economics & Business Award
• ·         *GE Energy & Infrastructure Award (*NEW*)
• ·         Environment Award
• ·         MSD Health & Medical Award
• ·         *News Impact Award (*NEW*)
• ·         Mohamed Amin Photographic Award
• ·         Press Freedom Award
• ·         Sport Reporting Award
• ·         Francophone General News Awards – Electronic media & Print
• ·         Portuguese Language General News Awards – Electronic media & Print

From these category winners, an independent judging panel choose the overall winner – The CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2014.

Finalists in the 2014 competition will participate in a finalists’ programme that will include a media forum and networking opportunities with senior journalists, editors, business leaders and media owners from across the continent, culminating in a gala awards ceremony later in the year. The CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2014 will have the opportunity to participate in the CNN Journalism Fellowship at CNN Headquarters in Atlanta.

www.cnn.com/africanawards

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…as Fresh Dairy whole milk and full cream milk getextended shelf life.

Sameer Agriculture and Livestock Ltd (SALL), the makers of Fresh Dairy milk have today unveiledtwo new variants of the Fresh Dairy brand that will cater for the ever increasing demand for milk in Uganda.

The new variants of whole milk and full cream milk will now have an extended shelf life of 30 days from the normal 3 days thanks to new technology employed by Sameer that will see them have zero bacteria.

The packaging has multiple layers with hermetic sealing that gives no chance for bacteria to survive hence its ability survive for up to 30 days.

Making the announcement at their head offices in Industrial area in Kampala,SALL’s Business Head Mr. Sudhir Mathulla said that the innovative move has been spurred by the growing demand for milk and convenience of the longer shelf life with no refrigeration.

“The move is intended to simplify the lives of our consumers.They do not have to worry about contamination of the milkanymore because the milk is heated under sterile conditions,” Sudhir said.

The new variants are available in a half litre poly pouch at UGX 850 in all retail centers.

Sameer Agriculture and Livestock Limited answers today’s fast-paced consumer demands by launching fresh milk with a longer shelf life onto the Ugandan market with the aim of bringing to the fore the goodness in milk.

“Milk and dairy products are important in diversifying an individual’s diet. They are nutrient compressed and provide high quality protein and micronutrients in an easily absorbable form. These benefit both nutritionally vulnerable people and healthy people when consumed in appropriate amounts, “added Mr.Sudhir Mathulla.

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Huawei’s new 4G LTE smartphone delivers stand-out design, unparalleled camera experience, access to ultra-fast connectivity and superb battery performance 

Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, today unveiled the highly anticipated Huawei Ascend P7. Building on the success of Huawei Ascend P6, the new 4G LTE-enabled smartphone redefines smartphone excellence with top-notch features,ultra-fast connectivity,and easier navigation in a beautifully crafted design that places it in a class of its own. With a 5-inch full high definition display, industry-leading 8MP front-facing and 13MP rear-facing cameras, and thelatest intuitive Emotion UI 2.3, HuaweiAscend P7 will Make it Possible for people to express excellence with edge, anytime, anywhere.

Huawei redesigned Ascend P7 from the inside out, significantly improving the performance of the smartphone’s hardware and software to redefine user experience. At 6.5mm slim, Ascend P7 sets a new record as one of the slimmest 4G LTE smartphones in the market. To relentlessly pursue excellence with edge for discerning global users, Huawei incorporated a perfect harmony of design influences from the West with attention to detail from the East.

“Huawei’s relentless commitment to developing premium quality smartphones over the past three years has paid off.We are now ranked number three globally in terms of smartphone shipments, and our brand recognition is growing steadily in key regions such as China and Western Europe,” said, Richard Yu, CEO, Huawei Consumer Business Group (BG). “Today, the launch of Huawei Ascend P7 once again challenges existing industry standards by redefining smartphone design, camera experience, and connectivity, to provide people with an unprecedented mobile experience.”

“Orange is pleased to witness how Huawei’s products and brand have developed since we first identified Huawei as a global contender several years ago. Today’s launch of the best-in-class Ascend P7 is an illustration of a strategy and investment that is now paying dividends,” said Yves Maître, Executive Vice President, Connected Object and Partnerships, Orange. “As a long-term partner, Orange is delighted to provide its customers with the results of this successful relationship.”

Redefining craftsmanship

Huawei Ascend P7 provides an edge with enhanced strength and durability against everyday use with Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 front and rear covers. It stands out from the crowd with a sleek, sophisticated metallic appearance created by a seven-layered rear surface treatment with a refined “spin effect” micro-pattern design.

“HuaweiAscend P7 was inspired by the natural curves of a water dropletwhich instills the phone with a sense of natural purity, and also gives users a more comfortable grip,” said Joon Suh Kim, Mobile Device Vice President, Consumer Experience Design Center, Huawei Consumer BG. “It took us months of extensive design refinements to achieve this excellent balance of form and function.”

For intense visual clarity when viewing multimedia, Ascend P7has a 5-inch FHD touchscreen display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, 445ppi and 16:9 aspect ratio.To suit any style, Ascend P7 is available in a range of fashionable colors including black, white, and pink.

Redefining camera experience

HuaweiAscend P7gives users an edge in low-light settings withSony’s 4^thgeneration BSI sensor, Image Signal Processer (ISP), IMAGESmart 2.0 softwareand f/2.0 aperture on its 13MP 5P non-spherical lens rear-facing camera to create unparalleled clear, rich pictures at night or indoors.

To capture spontaneous moments before they are gone, Huawei Ascend P7’s unique Ultra Snapshot function enables the user to be camera-ready 1.2seconds after double-clicking the down volume button intuitively while in locked mode, instead of spending time trying to unlock the screen.

Take better selfies, or the ultimate group selfie — a “groufie” –with the leading 8MP 5P non-spherical lens front-facing camera that comes with a panorama function for panoramic selfie shooting, and 10 level auto-facial enhancement in beauty mode. Users can also take a selfie video with the 1080pHD video playback. Huawei Ascend P7 ensures picture-perfect moments every time with the innovative built-in mirror function and selfie preview window.

Add an extra dimension to photos with the “Voice Photo” function which takes photos accompanied by 10-second audio clips for users to upload photos with special audio expressions on a variety of social media platforms.

In addition to camera improvements, Huawei’s proprietary Image Signal Processor (ISP) allows the smartphone to control a whole range of functions that mimic those found in professional digital SLRs, including autofocus, white balance, and noise reduction, for beautifully-optimized photos under any conditions. Users can also select the focus and exposure metering function with just one touch so the preferred focus and exposure position can be set to maximize image precision.

Redefining connectivity and battery performance

For people seeking even faster and seamless connectivity, Huawei Ascend P7 enables unlimited media viewing with ultra-fast 4G LTE speed and Huawei’s unique dual antenna design to improve signal reception. Ascend P7 also uses smart network switching technology that stabilizes the connection even during weak signal reception to minimize battery drainage.

Enjoy long-lasting continuous media viewing and data sharing thanks to the robust 2500mAh lithium polymer battery and proprietary battery saving technology. In addition, the power saving management function enables users to save battery by switching off any applications running in the background that are consuming unnecessary power.

The super power-saving mode enables Ascend P7 to adopt the most suitable use of powerwhen it is running on less than 10 percent of the total battery. When enabled, the screen will dim and only the basic functions of the phone will remain activated, including voice calls and the contact page. It will also stretch the remaining 10 percent of battery power to last 24 hours on standby.

Redefining user experience

Huawei Ascend P7 gives smartphone newbies the edge of an expert with the latest version of the intuitive, easy-to-use interface, Emotion UI 2.3, providing customizable lock and home screens, with two enhanced UIs for effortless navigation. Easily personalize the smartphone management software, including a harassment filter, permission manager, network and notification management, and power saving modes.

The recommended retail price of Huawei Ascend P7 is 449 euros and it will be available in China, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Serbia, Greece, Norway, Hungary, Denmark, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates from May, with other markets to follow. Accessories include HUAWEI TalkBand B1, colorful protective cases, clamshell protective screen covers, and portable batteries.