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Social media and real-time search - two worlds that are converging |
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 Following the addition of Google’s new capability to the Google South Africa search engine, this may turn out to be one of its most important search innovations: the option for users to search for real-time social media content from across the Web. With that move, two worlds that many online marketers still treat as separate environments suddenly converge into one space. Google launched this feature internationally in late 2009, but it is now available to anyone who does a search on google.co.za. Users can get live updates from social networking sites such as Twitter, MySpace, Facebook and FriendFeed, as well as headlines from the latest news reports and blog posts published when they do a search. Importantly, the new feature is also designed with mobile platforms such as iPhone and Android devices in mind. The implications for South African marketers are profound. Suddenly, social media is integrated into search, one of the most basic features of the Web. |
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 Two water treatment works managed by water utility Amatola Water, the Peddie Water Treatment Works and the butterworth Waste Water Works were honored for high water quality standards at the WISA Biennial Conference held in Durban on Monday. The Peddie WTW which retained its prestigious Blue Drop award from last year, is one of only 38 that received Blue Drop certification in South Africa. The Butterworth Waste Water Works was recognized as the second most improved waste water works in the coutnry. Last year, Peddie also received the award for the most presentable water works in the country. “The Butterworth works improved in operation, maintenance, refurbishment and effluent quality discharge to the rivers. “This means our systems are intact. There has been a general improvement throughout our works towards achieving Blue Drop status,” says Amatola Water acting chief executive Xola Bomela. Announcing the Blue Drop recipients on Monday, Water Affairs Deputy Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi said 787 municipal water authorities were assessed indicating a general improvement in the management of drinking water quality. “I am encouraged that our municipalities have intensified their own efforts to ensure improved water quality as reflected in the Blue Drop report,” said Mabudafhasi. The Blue Drop status is meant to build public confidence in the quality of drinking water and to ensure that proper monitoring measures are taken to ensure safe drinking water. “For a water supply system to qualify for the Blue Drop award it must receive a total average weighting of 95% to 99% across five criterion in the scorecard. |
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Fifa is also considering reviewing its ticketing policy following lessons learnt in South Africa. “This World Cup has taught us a lot of lessons,” said Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke. “Maybe we need to be more flexible moving forward to 2014.”
Blatter, who played an instrumental role in bring the tournament to Africa, said the excitement shown by South Africans towards the tournament over the past weeks has made him even more confident.
Millions of South Africans have risen to the occasion by taking part in several initiatives aimed at boosting the country’s image as a soccer loving nation.
These include the Football Fridays initiative, which Blatter described as “phenomenal”, and the Fly the Flag for Football campaign. The 50 days countdown, a campaign organised by the Local Organising Committee, also attracted a lot international media attention.
“I wouldn’t say I’m nervous; I’m like an actor getting ready to go to the stage... the adrenalin is pumping,” Blatter said.
It was Blatter who, in 1998, amid protest from several football associations across Europe, called for the rotation policy in Fifa to give an African country an opportunity to host the World Cup. |
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Beware of product liability under the new Consumer Protection Act |
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 Section 61 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2008 (the Act) introduces drastic remedies for consumers who suffer death, injury or illness, or the loss of, or physical damage to, movable or immovable property as a result of having been supplied unsafe or defective goods, or if they are given inadequate warnings or instructions regarding hazards which may arise from using the goods supplied. Although the Act is only expected to come into full operation on 24 October 2010, once it comes into effect, a consumer will be entitled to claim compensation for harm suffered in respect of any defective goods supplied to that consumer since 24 April 2010. The inadequate protection offered by current consumer protection legislation will be repealed and replaced by the Act, which contains a plethora of consumer rights aimed at protecting consumers from having to agree to unfair contract terms when purchasing goods or services. This article deals only with the product liability provisions contained in section 61 of the Act. |
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The National Business Initiative (NBI) feedback |
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 RuthTroskie, programme manager at the NBI says that business cannot succeed in a failing society and business thrives when society thrives. In the Eastern Cape, the NBI has a project orientated partnership with the Provincial Government in which the NBI has created platforms for non threatening engagements. One of the successful areas where the NBI has mobilised business leadership and resources to make a difference is in a mentorship programme which runs in a few provincial government departments. Giving feedback on this mentorship programme at a recent NBI feedback forum was one of the mentors Lee Foulis who had this to say about the programme. “We all have our own style and we acknowledge that no one size fits all. I have found this programme to be a very satisfying experience and I must say that knowledge passes both ways”. Lee used the analogy of flying a kite to describe the experience. She likened the relationship of the mentor and protege to that of the kite flyer and kite itself and the string representing the relationship. “It is a fantastic experience to let the string go and watch the individual take off. It’s satisfying and humbling at the same time”. |
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